Japan-based flat knitting machine manufacturer Shima Seiki Manufacturing Ltd. recently shipped its
100,000th machine — a 7-gauge NSSG122-SV that is scheduled to be installed at a plant owned by a
Hong Kong-based knitter that already has installed more than 3,000 Shima Seiki computerized
knitting machines.

The compact NSSG122-SV — Shima Seiki’s best-selling model — has a 48-inch knitting width and
an ultra-compact double-system carriage. The machine features the R2CARRIAGE® Rapid Response
Carriage system; WideGauge® knitting capability, which enables knitting of a wide range of gauges;
and Shima Seiki’s DSCS® Digital Stitch Control System, a standard feature that ensures production
quality and consistency, according to Shima Seiki.

Shima Seiki first exported its SEC series machines in 1984, followed by the SES series in
1989, SWG series WholeGarment® machines in 1995, and the SSG series in 2006. The company recently
celebrated its 49th year in business.

February 15, 2011

Oxford Instruments Magnetic Resonance, a business unit of United Kingdom-based Oxford Instruments,
has developed a method by which its MQC-23 benchtop nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyzer can
measure both spin finish oil and moisture content simultaneously in cellulose acetate fibers. The
company reports the single measurement can be taken in approximately two minutes, whereas separate
measurements using standard methods require that amount of time just to measure moisture content in
a cellulose acetate fiber sample.

Cellulose acetate fibers are lubricated with spin finish oils to facilitate their processing
for end-use applications including fabrics, membranes and filters. Ensuring the proper amount of
lubricant is applied can save costs and prevent residue buildup from too high a level, and prevent
production downtime when too little is used.  

“Combining the NMR moisture measurement with the spin finish oil measurement on the Oxford
Instruments MQC-23 results in significant time savings over the course of many samples,” said Barry
Jones, director of sales.

According to the company, the technique used is based on direct measurements of NMR response
from the spin finish oil and moisture in the fiber sample and calculation of the oil and water
using appropriate calibrations based on NMR data from samples that have established concentrations
of oil and moisture. Samples can be prepared without the need for special equipment or skills, and
the operator of the MQC analyzer and the company’s EasyCal software application does not need to be
trained in NMR techniques.

February 15, 2011

The 50th Dornbirn Man-made Fibers Congress (Dornbirn-MFC) will take place Sept. 14-16, 2011, in
Dornbirn, Austria. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the organizer, the Austrian Man-made
Fibers Institute, will publish a brochure outlining the congress’s history and evolution, founders,
long-term supporters and sponsors and others who have been involved over the years.

The first congress was held in July 1962 under the theme “Man-made Fibers today and
tomorrow.” This year’s event, taking the theme “The next 50 years,” will offer a forward-looking
program featuring some 100 lectures including two plenary lectures. There will be a substantial
focus on important future developments that will influence society as well as areas of research and
desired man-made-fiber properties.

Subject areas include New Developments in Fibers, Functional Textiles, Sustainability, Fibers
for Technical Textiles, Finishing and European Union (EU) Research Projects. Each will offer some
15 lectures by “Visionaries” comprising top fiber industry and academic research representatives,
decision makers and opinion leaders who will discuss global challenges in areas such as
communication, emotion, health, mobility, safety and others, as well as key technologies that will
be used to develop new products, processes and services. Representatives of leading enterprises
involved in home textiles and apparel processing supply chains will define future specifications
for man-made fibers used in such applications. High-level representatives from international
umbrella organizations also will participate, discussing their involvement in global and regional
man-made-fiber production developments.

The congress once again will present a forum discussion, which will be held on Thursday,
September 15 at 5:35 p.m. so as not to pose a conflict with the scheduled lectures.

On Tuesday, September 13, one day prior to the opening of Dornbirn-MFC, the general assembly
of the Association of Textile, Fashion, Shoe and Leather Industry (TBSL) will convene in Dornbirn,
with the aim of taking advantage of synergies and facilitating the exchange of expertise among
attendees of both events.

Dornbirn-MFC is offering online registration at
www.dornbirn-mfc.com. An early bird registration bonus is
in effect until May 31, 2011.

February 15, 2011

Greer, S.C.-based Alexium Inc. — a wholly owned subsidiary of Australia-based Alexium International
Group Ltd., a holder of proprietary patent applications for Reactive Surface Treatment (RST)
technology — is launching Cleanshell™, an advanced process for water- and oil-repellent treatment
of textiles.

Based on RST technology, which uses microwave technology to apply the textile treatment
rapidly and energy-efficiently, the process involves encapsulation of a fabric’s fibers with a
nanoscopic coating to protect the entire fabric. According to Alexium, Cleanshell offers superior
repellency against liquids such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, cooking oils, acids, solvents,
oxidizers and water, while maintaining the fabric’s breathability, hand and drape. The coating is
durable and able to withstand heavy usage and launderings, but also is extremely lightweight,
Alexium reports.

Cleanshell may be applied to man-made-fiber fabrics including polyester, nylon,
ballistic-protection and flame-retardant aramids; natural-fiber fabrics including cashmere, cotton
and wool; as well as blends. Alexium will license the treatment to commercial partners, as well as
using it on its own Cleanshell product lines.

February 9, 2011

Charlotte-based DAK Americas LLC — a producer of polyester staple fibers (PSF), polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) resins and purified terephthalic acid (PTA) monomers, and a wholly owned
subsidiary of Mexico-based Alfa S.A.B. de C.V. — has acquired Kingsport, Tenn.-based Eastman
Chemical Co.’s PET and PTA business and the related Performance Polymers assets and technology.

The acquisition includes three integrated petrochemical plants in Columbia, S.C. — one
producing PTA and the other two producing PET — with combined annual capacity of 1.275 million
tons, as well as the intellectual property for the IntegRex™ PTA and PET technology along with
access to the business’s customer base. DAK Americas will incorporate the Columbia site into its
PET and PTA business units, which also have operations in Charleston, S.C., Wilmington, N.C., and
Fayetteville, N.C. The company’s total PET resin production capacity will increase to more than 3.4
billion pounds annually.

“The addition of these facilities reinforces DAK’s position as an important player in the
global PET marketplace,” said Hector Camberos, president and CEO, DAK Americas. “This will allow
DAK Americas to continue to innovate, grow, and serve our customers needs by expanding our asset
base.”

“Adding these technology options and operations to DAK’s capabilities will allow DAK to
expand its PET Resin product offerings,” said Tom Sherlock, Resins Business Director, DAK Americas.

The acquisition follows DAK’s 2007 purchase of Eastman’s PET international operations in
Mexico and Argentina.

February 9, 2011

WestPoint Home Inc. — a New York City-based manufacturer and marketer of bed and bath home textiles
— has announced it will shutter its Greenville, Ala., manufacturing plant in April and move
operations to its Chipley, Fla., manufacturing facility, eliminating 123 jobs in Greenville. The
Greenville plant’s operations include sewing mattress pads, filling pillows and comforters, and
manufacturing heated mattress pads.

“Unfortunately, due to the challenges of the current competitive environment, we will
consolidate all of our manufacturing under one roof,” said Nancy Golden, senior vice president,
marketing and brand management, WestPoint Home.  “We want to thank our workforce for their
past service and continued commitment to WestPoint Home.”

The company retains a distribution facility in Wagram, N.C., in addition to the Chipley
plant.   

February 8, 2011

Hollingsworth & Vose Co. (H&V) — an East Walpole, Mass.-based provider of filter media,
battery separator materials and industrial nonwovens — and India-based Nath Group have formed a
joint venture (JV) to produce water- and solvent-based engine filter media; heating, ventilating
and air conditioning (HVAC) filtration products; and battery separator products. H&V will be
the majority owner and managing partner of the JV, which both companies will finance. The companies
plan to construct a mill near Maharashtra, India, and establish warehousing facilities to serve
H&V’s customers in India.

“The demand in India for high quality engine and industrial filtration products is
significant and growing,” said David von Loesecke, vice president and general manger, H&V’s
engine and industrial filtration business. “We have already created a successful base business of
imported products with customers in India. We are pleased to be able to soon offer locally produced
products incorporating our latest technology for customers.”

In other company news, H&V has announced it will expand capacity at its mill in Suzhou,
China, in order to serve the China and Asia Pacific market. The company will add a new paper
machine that will produce water- and solvent-based filter media for engine and industrial
applications. The machine, which is expected to begin operation in the first half of 2012, will be
H&V’s largest worldwide.

“We have been pleased with the progress of our team in the Asia Pacific region and see this
investment as the logical next step in our long term growth plan,” said Van Hollingsworth, CEO,
H&V. “Since beginning commercial production at our Suzhou mill in 2008, we had good market
acceptance of our products which are produced at the highest global standards of quality and
performance. H&V is committed to further increasing our scope of products and services to meet
the needs of this region.”

February 8, 2011