Toho Tenax Europe GmbH — Germany-based subsidiary of Japan-based carbon fiber manufacturer Toho
Tenax Co. Ltd., part of the Teijin Group — has begun full operation of its fourth carbon fiber
production line at its plant in Oberbruch, Germany. Toho Tenax completed the 1,700-ton-capacity
Line 4 in August 2009, but postponed its startup because of declining demand for carbon fiber
resulting from the global economic downturn and also because of consequent adjustments to the Toho
Tenax group’s global production.

After seeing rising carbon fiber demand this year — especially for aircraft, sports, leisure
and industrial applications such as wind power generation — Toho Tenax started up Line 4 in
September. Carbon fiber global sales had decreased to about 23,000 tons in 2009, but the company
anticipates sales will grow by 15 percent annually beginning this year. Toho Tenax also reports it
will further meet rising demand by optimizing production in Japan, Germany and the United States.

October 26, 2010

Huntersville, N.C.-based Saertex USA LLC — a manufacturer of technical fabrics for lightweight
composite structures for green energy applications, and the U.S. subsidiary of Germany-based
Saertex GmbH & Co. KG — has announced it will invest $6.5 million over the next three years to
expand its facility, with the expectation of adding 178 jobs to its current workforce of 126. The
investment was funded in part by the One North Carolina fund, which offers financial assistance
through local governments to promote business investments and create jobs.

In addition to its Huntersville location, which opened in 2000, Saertex has subsidiaries in
France, Germany, Portugal, South Africa, India and China. The company produces and sells
technologies mainly for wind energy, aerospace, civil engineering, automotive and shipbuilding
applications. Saertex USA is expanding as a result of increasing demand for lightweight,
energy-saving components.

“Saertex USA appreciates the support of Gov. [Bev] Perdue and the State of North Carolina in
helping increase our footprint in North Carolina, while supporting wind and other green industries
in the United States,” said Dr. Christian Kissinger, general manager, Saertex USA. “We are
encouraged by the recognition and the vision of the State of North Carolina in promoting new
technologies like composites in the transportation and renewable energy sector. While we continue
to focus on bringing new technologies to the market that will create more efficient transportation
systems and wind turbines, it is the support of local, state and federal governments that will lay
the necessary groundwork.”

The company reports the average annual wage for new employees will be $41,506, not including
benefits.

October 26, 2010

Wichita, Kan.-based Invista is currently developing plans for an expansion in high-tenacity nylon
6,6 airbag fiber production at its facility in Shanghai. The company aims to double capacity at the
plant by 2013. The Shanghai plant is strategically located near major automotive supply chains.

“Invista built its Qingpu airbag fiber plant with expansion in mind,” said Jeff Brown, vice
president, Invista Performance Surfaces & Materials. “The additional investment to install more
machines based on our standard global platform will put us at the leading edge of quality, supply
capability and performance in a demanding market.”

Brown spoke at an Invista-hosted forum at the recent Cinte Techtextil China trade show in
Shanghai. “Global automotive production is projected to grow significantly in the coming years with
particular strength in Asia and South America,” he said. “In Asia, we have seen growing demand for
high-tenacity airbag fibers due to rising automotive safety standards as well as increasing airbag
fitment. China is on the leading edge of change in both areas.”

October 26, 2010

Kingsport, Tenn.-based Eastman Chemical Co. — a manufacturer of fibers, chemicals and plastics —
has agreed to sell its polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and purified terephthalic acid (PTA)
businesses and the related assets and technology of its Performance Polymers segment to
Charlotte-based DAK Americas LLC — a producer of polyester staple fibers (PSF), PET resins and PTA
monomers, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Mexico-based Alfa S.A.B. de C.V. The transaction, which
is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2010, with cash
proceeds totaling $600 million.

The acquisition includes three integrated petrochemical plants in South Carolina — one
producing PTA and the other two producing PET — that employ 415 people and have a total annual
capacity of 1.275 million tons. Alfa estimates that during the first half of 2010, the plants
realized $405 million in sales revenues and $46 million in pro-forma earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

DAK also will obtain intellectual property of the IntegRex™ PTA and PET technology along with
access to the business’ customer base.

“This strategic acquisition reinforces our presence in the North American PTA and PET
markets, where we supply some of the most important companies in consumer segments such as
beverage, food and personal care, which have traditionally been resilient to economic cycles,” said
Armando Garza Sada, chairman of the Board, Alfa. “With this acquisition, we demonstrate once again
our commitment to the PTA and PET value chains.”

According to industry analyst Alasdair Carmichael, president of Spartanburg-based PCI
Fibres-Americas, the acquisition also will have implications for the carpet industry. “The PCI
Group estimates that, after the acquisition is completed, DAK will be the largest producer of PET
resin in North America with a 41-percent share of U.S. capacity, and also will be the largest
polyester producer in the Americas,” Carmichael said. “This acquisition of Eastman’s PET business
will provide DAK with a strong position in PET resin for packaging and other uses, but also will
reinforce their supply position into the carpet industry.

“The carpet industry has rapidly increased its consumption of polyester bulked continuous
filament (BCF) in recent years, and the ‘chip’ source used for this has been a PET resin chip
rather than a regular polyester fiber chip, because PET resin has a higher intrinsic viscosity.
Much of the initial work to develop polyester BCF was done using Eastman PET resin, and the
eventual success achieved ensured that PET resin, rather than fiber chip, became the industry
standard. DAK has been active in the carpet market with PET resin supplies and also PSF for carpet
spinning,” he said, noting the company’s recent joint venture with Shaw to produce recycled flake,
or chip, from bottles
(See ”
DAK,
Shaw Form PET Recycling JV,” May/June 2009). “The expectation is that a portion of this
flake will be used in the production of polyester BCF,” he added.



October 26, 2010

MONTREAL, Canada — October  25, 2010 — Visual 2000 International Inc. announces that leading
Australian fashion and accessories retail group M Webster Holdings Pty Ltd has begun implementation
of the Visual PLM.net® software solution at its Sydney (AUS) headquarters and  Shanghai (CHN)
sourcing and production offices.  Owner of the popular Jigsaw, David Lawrence, and Marcs
brands, M Webster Holdings (MWH) will deploy the product lifecycle management (PLM) software across
more than 70 users in its design, merchandising, product development, sourcing, and other internal
functional departments as well as with its vendor partners in China. MWH expects the new system to
accelerate cycle times, increase visibility into business processes, and improve collaboration
among internal teams and with suppliers.

According to MWH Group Operations Officer Lyle Hudson, “We saw in PLM an opportunity to
centralize all product information and provide the process visibility our teams and vendors need to
make faster and better informed business decisions. After careful evaluation, we chose Visual
PLM.net because of its strong out-of-the-box capabilities and the flexibility it gives us to manage
our specific business needs. Visual 2000’s deep retail industry expertise will clearly benefit us
with a fast implementation and continued business and productivity improvements as we move
forward.”

By leveraging the comprehensive set of standard, fashion-specific tools included in Visual
PLM.net, MWH is advancing on a rapid implementation schedule with plans to go-live on the new
software in December.  Key vendor partners will be deployed in January with the balance coming
online in the spring of 2011.

 

“We applaud the efforts of MWH as they work to improve their concept-to-consumer
operations”, noted Charles Benoualid, vice president of research and development at Visual 2000.
“The speed of their implementation validates our commitment to building industry tailored solutions
that are comprehensive and easy to implement and use. We look forward to helping Webster as they
achieve their ambitious goals.”

Posted on October 26, 2010

Source: Vision 2000 International

Aston, PA, October 2010 – Amacoil has designed a parts scanning platform which moves in a
reciprocating motion pattern using the Uhing linear drive. The linear motion of the platform is
backlash-free. Reversal is automatic without requiring an electronic control system or reversal of
the drive motor. Additionally, the automatic reversal mechanism is designed to dissipate forward
momentum at the reversal points assuring smooth reversal without jarring or jerking.

A control knob on the assembly enables adjustments to linear speed — without clutches, cams
or gears — while the system is running. Length of travel may be increased or decreased using
adjustable end stops. There is no programming and no hydraulics or pneumatics. The only maintenance
required is periodic shaft lubrication.

Designed for a PCB measurement/cleaning process, the assembly may also be used for scanning
barcodes on parts and in other applications requiring repetitive back-and-forth movement.
Components are precision-machined to limit vertical and horizontal movement of the platform to
within ± 0.001 inches. Amacoil will customize the platform to meet specific application
requirements or OEM design needs.

Posted on October 26, 2010

Source: Amacoil Inc.

Lyndhurst, NJ — October 14, 2010 — RLM Apparel Software Systems Inc. announces that New
York-based fashion brand Alexander Wang Inc. has successfully implemented the RLM FashionManager
On-Demand enterprise software solution. The premier American designer has gone-live with the
cloud-based FM On-Demand software in its product development, manufacturing, distribution, and
financial management operations. Founded by celebrated designer Alexander Wang, the company has
quickly become one of the most prominent names in women’s apparel, footwear, handbags and
accessories. By replacing its in-house systems with RLM’s integrated, web-based software, Alexander
Wang is among the many creative companies that are also innovating in the management of their
business infrastructure. 

“We wanted a system that covered all of our business needs,” stated CEO Aimie Wang. “It did
not make sense for us to license and build costly interfaces for separate PLM, ERP, and financial
packages. We considered best-of-breed systems, but none offered distinct advantages over the RLM’s
fully integrated cloud computing solution.”

RLM FashionManager provides Alexander Wang with the integrated financial, manufacturing, and
distribution tools it needs to keep everyone in the organization as well as outside vendors working
from the same page. It also improves the company’s competitiveness and flexibility by improving its
ability to capture sample room costs, maintain accurate fabric and trim inventory levels, project
demand, and deliver its products on time.

“Since June, RLM has already implemented our merchandising, product development, trim, sample
room, sales, and credit management teams into the system”, continued Ms. Wang. “RLM’s Management
Console concept and system standards have also made it easy for everyone including new hires to
quickly learn the system and meet our rapid growth requirements.”

The cloud-based FM On-Demand provides access to Alexander Wang locations in New York and
across the globe through the internet; enabling Alexander Wang to leverage the benefits of the
software without the need for capital investments in computer hardware and a large IT staff.
Alexander Wang expects to add more system capabilities from RLM’s menu of more than 40 different
application modules to meet future growth.

Posted on October 26, 2010

Source: RLM Apparel Software Systems

ALBANY, N.Y.– October 25, 2010 — Momentive Performance Materials, a global leader in specialty
chemicals and materials, has started construction on a new manufacturing facility dedicated to
liquid silicone rubber (LSR) production in Leverkusen, Germany, already a major production site for
a number of the company’s silicone and sealant product lines.  The new facility will allow for
the increased production of LSR, needed to meet growing demand from global customers and emerging
markets. The first phase of the project will be completed by end of 2010. 

Over the course of the past two years, Momentive has launched a number of innovations in
elastomer technology that have fueled demand for LSR products.  These include a highly
transparent LSR (Silopren* LSR 7000 series that can replace thermoplastics in specific optical
applications; a fully fluorinated LSR that exhibits high resistance to fuels and flex fuels; a
fiber-reinforced LSR with unique physical properties; and a silver-based antimicrobial LSR
(StatSil* antimicrobial elastomers, that can help prevent the spread of microbial infections from
medical devices to the human body.

Momentive’s StatSil platform earned international recognition as a recipient of the 2009
Frost & Sullivan “Product Innovation of the Year” Award and the 2010 Ringier “Technology
Innovation” Award, while Silopren LSR 7000 was a 2009 Material ConneXion MEDIUM Award finalist for
“Material of the Year.”

“Providing customers around the world with high quality LSR is vital to our elastomer
business,” said Dr. Robert Gnann, Senior Vice President and Managing Director Silicones EMEA and
India, Momentive.  “In addition to meeting growing capacity requirements, this investment can
help ensure continued consistency, quality and purity of the liquid silicone rubber we produce,
which contribute to our leadership position in the global LSR market.”

Full automation and state-of-the-art process control will continue to ensure that the highest
quality standards are maintained in the production of Momentive’s LSR offerings.  “By steadily
investing in our LSR capabilities, we can continue to provide customers around the world with the
advanced technology they need to build on their success in different product lines as well as
capitalize on new market opportunities,” said Dr. Ian Moore, Senior Vice President and General
Manager Silicones Americas, Momentive.

Posted on October 26, 2010

Source: Momentive Performance Materials Inc.

WASHINGTON — October 22, 2010 — Today United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced that
a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel found in favor of the United States in a
dispute brought by China concerning antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) measures applied
by the U.S. Department of Commerce to a range of Chinese imports.  The panel upheld the right
of the United States to impose both antidumping duties – which respond to unfair pricing practices
– and countervailing duties – which respond to government subsidies – on dumped and subsidized
products from non-market economies such as China.  China also challenged several other
substantive and procedural aspects of Commerce’s CVD decisions, and the panel found in favor of the
United States on the vast majority of these issues.

 

“This is a significant win for American workers and businesses affected by unfairly traded
imports,” said Ambassador Kirk.  “We are pleased that the panel recognized that the concurrent
application of AD and CVD duties on subsidized Chinese goods to level the playing field for U.S.
companies and workers is fully consistent with our WTO obligations.  This case makes clear
that the Obama Administration, including USTR and our colleagues at the Department of Commerce,
will vigorously defend the application of our trade remedy laws.”

 

Background

In September 2008, China initiated a WTO dispute settlement proceeding against the United
States concerning AD and CVD measures on circular welded pipe (CWP), certain new pneumatic
off-the-road tires (OTR), light-walled rectangular pipe and tube (LWR), and laminated woven sacks
(LWS).  China challenged the United States’ imposition of CVDs on unfairly subsidized products
from non-market economies such as China, while also applying a non-market economy methodology in
the AD investigations concerning the same products.  In another challenge, China contested
Commerce’s determination that certain Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and state-owned
commercial banks (SOCBs) are “public bodies” that provide subsidies.  China also contested
Commerce’s choice of benchmarks to find the existence of a “benefit” and Commerce’s finding that
certain subsidies were “specific” to a particular industry or region.  In addition, China
challenged procedural aspects of the determinations, including the use of “facts available” on the
basis of shortcomings in information provided by the Chinese respondents and the time to respond to
questionnaires issued by Commerce.

 

The WTO established a panel in January 2009 to hear this dispute, and the panel held meetings
with the parties in July and November 2009.

 

The panel found in favor of the United States with respect to the vast majority of China’s
claims.  Most notably, the panel found in favor of the United States with respect to China’s
challenges to:

·        Commerce’s use of its non-market economy AD
methodology to calculate and impose AD duties concurrently with the imposition of CVDs on the same
Chinese imports;

·        Commerce’s finding that the SOEs and SOCBs at
issue are public bodies that provide subsidies;

·        Commerce’s finding that lending by SOCBs in the
OTR investigation was specific;

·        Commerce’s decision not to perform a pass-through
analysis of subsidies or to “offset” the “positive” and “negative” amounts of subsidies found in
the OTR investigation;

·        Commerce’s choice of benchmarks for certain
inputs – including benchmarks outside of China – in the CWP, LWR, and LWS investigations;

·        Commerce’s choice of benchmarks to calculate the
benefit from government-provided land-use rights in China in the LWS and OTR investigations;

·        Commerce’s choice of interest rate benchmarks to
calculate the benefit from loans from SOCBs in the CWP, LWS and OTR investigations; and

·        The amount of time that Commerce provides parties
to respond to questionnaires.

The panel found in favor of China with respect to China’s challenges to:

·        Commerce’s regional specificity determination
regarding government land-use rights in the LWS investigation;

·        Commerce’s calculation of the existence and
amount of benefit from the purchase of SOE-produced inputs and the benefit of certain loans from
SOCBs in the OTR investigation; and

·        Commerce’s use of “facts available” to determine
the amount of an SOE-produced input purchased from trading company suppliers in the LWR and CWP
investigations.

Both sides have the right to appeal the decision to the WTO Appellate Body within 60 days.

Posted on October 26, 2010

Source: Office of the USTR

Sometimes it is a phenomenon how fast the human brain, at least in a part of human society, can
forget bad experiences. After the financial crisis in 2008 and 2009, the whole world is showing a
more smiling face these days. However, we face a kind of currency war, one could say. And the fear
of a new crisis is based again on egoism and short-sighted advantages and, last but not least, of
greed of a very well-known part of our society.

Money Makes The World Go Round

Since the financial society discovered the possibilities of betting on the volatility of
currencies, there is a financial merry-go-round among the leading currencies of the world. One
example is the euro. Since February, the decreased value of the euro is more than some 10 percent,
in spite of strong activities from many federal banks in Europe and Switzerland.

Some days ago, the Brazilian minister of finance warned about such a crisis. To prevent any
problem of its own currency, the real, Brazil plans to increase the tax on financial transactions
already existing from 2 percent up to 4 percent to discourage excessive capital imports to the
country.

It’s You, Not Me

This is the outcome of the game that many countries are playing with their own currencies.
And, of course, every country has enough good reasons to defend its activities and blame the rest
of the world for their egoism. In the past, the federal banks of a country whose currency came
under pressure tried to support its currency with adequate steps to regain its strength. This time,
it’s different. For an average citizen, it is quite unbelievable that some nations are quite happy
with their low currencies, which will, they think, increase the chances for a strong export
industry.

This might be right, but it is short-sighted. The consequences could be more dramatic than
the recent crisis. Many experts have warned about artificial currencies and exchange rates. Today,
the global economy is so intermingled that, in the long run, only global concepts can survive. One
of the problems is the low interest rates in the developed countries. These low rates encourage
some people to get cheap money and invest it in so-called developing nations, such as Brazil. This
investment can create a negative pressure on the local currency.

The Real Danger Is Protectionism

If all countries should participate in this vicious circle of currency devaluations, the
effect would remain the same as no devaluations. However, the money supply would further rise. For
emerging countries with strong growth, this devaluation could stir up inflation. It is therefore
more probable that these countries would not defend themselves by manipulating their own currency
but via direct interventions in the capital markets. This is called protectionism, which should be
avoided to prevent long-time damage to the global economy and the upswing of local markets.

Tolerance Is Urgently Needed

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, director of the International Monetary Fund, just warned countries
about a currency war and jeopardizing the current upswing. He fears that worldwide competitive
currency devaluations could trouble the situation and that countries should not use their currency
as a political weapon. Such behavior would represent a serious threat for the global business
recovery. Also, in the long run, the consequences are negative and could cause great damage.

Pascal Lamy, director-general of the World Trade Organization in Geneva, said recently that
he’s optimistic that the countries will not risk starting an economic war. In a global world, he
said, every country must show some tolerance for its counterpart and make some sacrifices to find a
true global balance for the future.

A very strong example of team spirit just ended happily in Chile: 33 miners were saved by a
seemingly endless number of rescue people after being buried in a mine for more than two months.

And the answer to the phenomenon of how fast the human brain can forget bad experiences?
According to news reports, the American banks and financial institutions on Wall Street are paying
bonuses totaling $144 billion. This is a new record-high payment. Isn’t it high time to reshuffle
the cards and play with open rules?



October 19, 2010