According to a new report released by the Lubbock, Texas-based Textile Exchange — a nonprofit
organization, formerly known as the Organic Exchange, that facilitates expansion of the global
organic cotton and sustainable fiber marketplace — global organic cotton production steadily
increased in 2009-2010.

The “Organic Cotton Farm and Fiber Report” details organic cotton growth in 2009-10 that
totaled 241,276 metric tons grown on 461,000 hectares — a 15-percent increase compared to the
209,950 metric tons grown in 2008-09. Only 37,000 metric tons were grown in 2005-06, so organic
cotton production has expanded 539 percent over the past five years.

During the 2009-10 growing season, 274,000 farmers in 23 countries grew organic cotton. The
report reveals India, Syria and Turkey as the leading organic cotton producers worldwide. India
produced 80 percent of all organic cotton in the most recent growing year and increased its total
output by 37 percent compared to the previous year. Other countries involved in producing organic
cotton include China, the United States, Tanzania, Uganda, Peru and Egypt, among other countries.
Tajikistan entered into organic cotton farming in the 2009-10 growing season.

The report notes that all of the organic cotton grown in 2008-09 has been bought as well as
most of the stock from the current growing year. According to Textile Exchange, some $4.3 billion
worth of organic cotton and home textiles products were sold globally in 2009.

“Manufacturers, retailers and consumers, and most importantly, farmers, all signaled their
continued interest in supporting organic cotton production and the risks that came with it despite
the recession,” said LaRhea Pepper, senior director, Textile Exchange.

“As organic cotton grows in volume, we must continue to strengthen integrity in production,
certification and processing,” said Liesl Truscott, farm engagement director, Textile Exchange, and
lead author of the “Organic Cotton Farm and Fiber Report.” “Brands interested in nailing down their
supply need to build organic cotton supply security into their planning strategies now, preferably
by implementing forward contracts.”



January 18, 2011

Philadelphia-based Philadelphia University reports it has received a $1.1 million contribution from
New York City-based machine tool and systems company MAG to establish the Philadelphia University
MAG Composites Institute. The institute will focus on research and development of textile-based
composites for industrial applications such as aerospace, automotive and energy using analytical
tools such as finite element analysis to design both 2-D and 3-D textiles preforms. MAG’s financial
contribution also will help establish a B.S. degree in engineering with a concentration in
composites program at the university. The school hopes to offer the first composites courses in
fall 2011.

MAG previously donated a $100,000 state-of-the-art machining center to the university’s
School of Engineering and Textiles for prototype manufacturing.

“Our partnership with MAG to support new and important research in composite materials and
expand our academic programming in engineering has myriad advantages for both MAG and the
university, as well as for our students and faculty and the industries that are likely to benefit
from the development of new textile-composite materials,” said Dr. Stephen Spinelli Jr., president,
Philadelphia University. “It’s a perfect example of an industry leader and a professional
university partnering to create extraordinary opportunities in engineering science and education.”

“The Philadelphia Unversity MAG Composites Institute represents MAG’s commitment to expand
the level of research and education in this field,” said Mo Meidar, chairman and CEO, MAG; and
Philadelphia University Board of Trustees member, and university alumnus. “As the global leader in
automated composites processing solutions, MAG is driven to support new business opportunities
serving a multitude of industries and we believe this partnership will be a key factor in achieving
the full potential for new applications of composite materials.”

January 18, 2011

DuPont recently announced it had entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition of
Danisco, a global enzyme and specialty food ingredients company, for $5.8 billion in cash and
assumption of $500 million of Danisco net debt.  Upon closing, this transaction would
establish DuPont as a clear leader in industrial biotechnology with science-intensive innovations
that address global challenges in food production and reduced fossil fuel consumption.

Danisco is a premier company, a long-time successful partner of DuPont and a proven innovator
committed to sustainable growth,” said DuPont Chair and CEO Ellen Kullman. “Danisco has attractive,
market-driven science businesses that offer clear synergies with DuPont Nutrition & Health and
Applied BioSciences. “This transaction is a perfect strategic fit with our growth opportunities and
will help us solve global challenges presented by dramatic population growth in the decades to
come, specifically related to food and energy.  In addition, biotechnology and specialty food
ingredients have the potential to change the landscape of industries, such as substituting
renewable materials for fossil fuel processes and addressing food needs in developing economies,
that will generate more sustainable solutions and create growth for the company,” Kullman said.

The acquisition is expected to be financed with about $3 billion in existing cash and the
remainder in debt.  The transaction is expected to close early in the second quarter. “Danisco
has two well-positioned global businesses that strongly complement our current biotechnology
capabilities, R&D pipeline, and specialty food ingredients, a combination that offers
attractive long-term financial returns.  This also would create new opportunities across other
parts of the DuPont portfolio, including traditional materials science offerings,” Kullman said.

Danisco is a leading technology-driven organization, with outstanding research and
application development capabilities. The company has specialty food ingredients, including
enablers, cultures and sweeteners, that generate about 65% of total sales; and Genencor, its
enzymes division, represents 35% of total sales.  Danisco and DuPont are already joint venture
partners in the development of cellulosic ethanol technology.  Danisco has nearly 7,000
employees globally with operations in 23 countries.

Posted January 11, 2011

Source: DuPont

Tokyo-based Teijin Fibers Ltd. has developed a polyester fabric that features an inherent, slightly
acidic pH level similar to that of healthy skin. According to the company, the fabric, tentatively
called ECOPURE, is the first commercially available polyester material that offers pH control.
Targeted uses are high-performance sportswear as well as general apparel and other applications.

In contrast to the typical method of applying a finish to the fabric to incorporate
performance properties, Teijin has modified polyester polymer by creating localized hydrophilic
properties and mild acidity on the surface of the fiber, which is inherently hydrophobic. The
company reports the characteristic is permanent and does not affect other inherent properties of
the polymer. Teijin further notes that other fibers that offer pH control, such as hydrophilic
cotton and rayon, are not as quick-drying as polyester and therefore are less suited for use in
high-performance sportswear.

Ecopure works in several ways to promote cleanliness, according to Teijin. The fabric’s mild
acidity can selectively control growth of bacteria that cause odors and dry, rough skin, while
promoting beneficial bacterial growth and thereby maintaining skin health. The hydrophilic
properties enable absorption of perspiration, and the mild acidity neutralizes the alkaline
components of perspiration, such as ammonia, further preventing odor development in the garment.
The hydrophilic surface also enables removal of sebum-based stains by washing, which also minimizes
bacterial growth. Finally, by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria on the skin, the mild
acidity helps protect the body from ultraviolet rays.

Teijin will launch Ecopure at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, to be held January 20 to 23
in Salt Lake City, and at ISPO, to be held February 6 to 9 in Munich, Germany.

January 11, 2011

Leading international trend forecaster Mudpie considers opening west coast US headquarters in LA.
Fiona Jenvey CEO of Mudpie comments: “We have considered both New York and Los Angeles for our US
Headquarters; we feel that the fashion industry in LA is key to the city’s economy which is well
supported by the LA Mart, The California Apparel Association and Fashion Business Incorporated.
Nearly 400 people attended our most recent LA trend seminar. The casual and active lifestyle in LA
also perfectly suits the Mudpie Brand. Our Mpd active trend book, contemporary casual trend book
for women and Casual and street trend book for men all do well in LA and will continue to be
represented by our valued partners in LA – the Fashion bookstore. The real winner in LA will be our
online service mpdclick.com which we are currently successfully selling via telesales from our
London office. It is our wish to share this success with the fashion community in LA by opening an
office there and providing opportunities for local fashion talent

The market in LA supports Mudpie with very strong sales growth since we started to manage
the market ourselves from London following the departure of our previous representatives. Mudpie
plan to bring new employment opportunities to the LA fashion district. Opening an office will
enable us to add to our 40+ creative personnel. Mudpie is very serious about design and believe
that an LA based design, research and sales office will strengthen our brand further. The office
will serve all States west of the Mississippi, provide creative input and content to both our
online service mpdclick.com and our trend books. The LA HQ is also very well positioned to support
our operations in Mexico which is becoming a very interesting market for us.

The European fashion press recently widely reported on Mudpie who confounded the flat
trading experienced by the apparel industry in 2010 by achieving nearly double the previous year’s
revenue with the majority of its growth coming from the company’s online service mpdclick.com and
its compatibility with new technology platforms such as the ipad.

John Gorman, Commercial Director at Mudpie plans to visit LA in February to speak to
potential partners for this very exciting venture. “I will begin by looking for LA real estate as
well as seeking partners to work with. The exact timing depends on finding the right people” said
Gorman. “Once we have retained the right senior personnel we will work with them to finalise
suitable office location. Gorman further added “The US HQ in LA is just the beginning for Mudpie;
our business plan will deliver substantial growth. As a brand Mudpie will sky rocket,
internationally Mudpie plan to invest in more sales offices adding both sales staff and creatives
in markets where we feel that there are opportunities for rapid growth.”

Source: Mudpie Ltd.

January 11, 2011

Roger Milliken, chairman of the Board of Directors of Spartanburg-based Milliken & Company,
died Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010, at the age of 95.

Milliken was born Oct. 24, 1915, in New York City. He was the grandson of Seth Milliken, who
with William Deering cofounded Deering Milliken, a woolen fabrics supplier, in Portland, Maine, in
1865; and son of Gerrish Milliken, who succeeded Seth Milliken in running the company. After
graduating from Yale University in 1937, Roger Milliken worked first for Mercantile Stores, in
which the family had an ownership interest, and in 1941 was given responsibility for three woolen
mills in Maine. He became president of Deering Milliken in 1947 upon the death of his father. In
1954, he moved his family and the company’s headquarters to Spartanburg.

In 1983, Roger Milliken assumed the role of chairman and CEO of the company. He continued as
CEO until 2005 and remained chairman until his death. Under his leadership, a strong culture of
innovation helped the company thrive and expand to become the world’s largest privately owned
textile and chemical manufacturer. The company, which was renamed Milliken & Company in 1978,
currently operates 50 manufacturing facilities in seven countries. The Milliken Research
Corporation, established in 1945 in Clemson, S.C., as the Deering Milliken Research Trust, moved to
Spartanburg in 1958 and currently holds more than 2,300 U.S. patents on its innovative textile and
chemical technologies.

Milliken was a champion of U.S. manufacturing excellence and its role as the basis of this
country’s economic success. He considered the welfare of Milliken & Company’s workers, whom he
called associates rather than employees, to be of prime importance. He also supported campaigns to
protect U.S. textile and apparel workers from the impact of increasing imports of manufactured
goods, and was a co-founder of the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition.

Milliken received much recognition for his leadership, not only in the textile industry, but
also in the community at large. In 1999,

Textile World
named him the textile industry’s Leader of the Century, and in 2001 he was inducted into
the American Textile History Museum Hall of Fame as a member of the inaugural Class of 2001.

In the wider community, Milliken received several honors in recognition of his environmental
stewardship and love of trees, and Milliken & Company has been recognized numerous times for
its exemplary ethical and work environment. Early on, the company initiated recycling and waste-
and emissions-reduction and water-conservation programs. Trees and other landscaping at company
sites have enhanced not only their physical environment but also the quality of life for the
company’s associates. Milliken also supported the beautification of community institutions and
public areas and established the Noble Tree Foundation in 1999 to support the planting of trees in
the community.

In addition, he supported local educational institutions including Wofford College and the
Spartanburg Day School. As a trustee at Wofford, he played a large role in efforts that culminated
in the school’s campus being named a National Arboretum, and he donated funds as well as his own
time and talent to establish a science center on the campus. He also was instrumental in
establishing an admissions policy in the 1960s that made Wofford one of the first historically
white private colleges in the South to voluntarily admit black students.

As a local business leader, Milliken helped with efforts to draw new business to the
community and build the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.

Milliken was married in 1948 to Justine Van Rensselaer Hooper, who died in 2003. He is
survived by five children and nine grandchildren.

At a memorial service, held Monday, January 3, at the Episcopal Church of the Advent in
Spartanburg, Dr. Clay Turner delivered the homily, saying: “Our most Noble Tree has fallen. In the
forest, when a great tree falls, it causes tremors in soil around it. When this noble tree fell, it
literally caused tremors around the world – so great was Roger Milliken’s sphere of influence.”

January 4, 2011

NEW YORK and IRVINE, CA — December 20, 2010 — CIT Group Inc., a leading provider of financing to
small businesses and middle market companies, today announced that it has established a
comprehensive factoring and financing relationship with Liquid Graphics, Inc., a high-end designer,
screen printer and producer of branded and  private label apparel to the action sports and
entertainment industries.

The agreement provides for accounts receivable and inventory financing from CIT Trade
Finance, which will provide working capital to support Liquid Graphics growth plans.

 “This transaction demonstrates CIT’s continued commitment to meeting the financing and
credit protection needs of small businesses in the apparel and action sports industries,” said
Mitch Cohen, Western Regional Manager of CIT Trade Finance. “Our retail industry expertise, client
service levels, and ability to provide comprehensive customer credit lines, continue to distinguish
CIT from its competition.”

Bryan Renner, CFO of Liquid Graphics, Inc., said, “We are excited to partner with the leading
factor in the U.S., as this relationship with CIT will provide us with financing and credit tools
to help us grow. By factoring with CIT, we will be able to maintain deeper inventory levels, which
will allow us to better serve our customers by responding even faster.”

Posted on January 4, 2011

Source: CIT Group