Clariant Relocates Textile Chemicals BU, Completes GANO Project

Switzerland-based textile dyes and chemicals supplier Clariant International Ltd. will relocate the
headquarters of its Textile Chemicals Business Unit (BU) from Reinach, Switzerland, to Singapore.
Senior management and the global textile application technology team will operate out of the new
office. The BU’s dedicated European sales and marketing operation and a development laboratory,
both currently based in Reinach, will move to Muttenz, Switzerland.

“Singapore is the optimum location from which to service the key global textile markets
across India, China and South East Asia,” said Thomas Winkler, head of Clariant’s Textile Chemicals
BU. “Positioning our management team close at hand will further strengthen our customer
relationships and enhance our ability to respond quickly to the trends of this dynamic sector. At
the same time, Europe remains an important market for Clariant and our European textile customers
will continue to be served by our dedicated, well-established infrastructure located in the
region.”

In related company news, Clariant recently completed a Global Asset Network Optimization
(GANO) project. The study, which was part of the company’s 2009-2010 restructuring program, impacts
eight Clariant sites and will result in the elimination of as many as 100 positions worldwide.
Approximately 60 Switzerland-based employees will be offered transfers to operations in Germany and
Singapore. All changes related to the GANO should be complete by 2013.

In addition to the changes within the Textile Chemicals BU, research and development
(R&D) staff in Reinach will move to Frankfurt, where Clariant houses its global R&D group;
and the Paper Specialties BU headquarters group will move from Reinach to Muttenz. Clariant will
focus its activities in Switzerland on Muttenz and Pratteln, and will no longer have a presence in
Reinach by 2013.

The company is contemplating moving its French headquarters from Nanterre to Lamotte, and has
begun talks with workers’ representatives.

To reduce costs and simplify management structures, Clariant will close three facilities –
McHenry in the United States, Delta in Canada and Sefakoy in Turkey. Individual manufacturing lines
will be shut down at plants in Roha, India, and Shizuoka, Japan; and three sites in Guatemala City,
Guatemala, will be consolidated into a single manufacturing, warehousing and office operation.



October 19, 2010

Quality Fabric Of The Month: Denim — In Style With Inherent FR

DRIFIRE® Comfortable FR Wear™ — a line of flame-resistant (FR) fabrics and apparel featuring moisture-wicking, quick-drying dri-
release® with FreshGuard® anti-odor technology — first appeared in late 2006, with the technology initially being used in knitted base layer garments and a few outerwear garments and accessories. The
technology — offered by Columbus, Ga.-based Drifire, an Optimer Brands company — was conceived as an alternative to polyester-based technology because it can provide the same moisture-wicking,
quick-drying performance benefits but won’t melt when subjected to sudden extreme heat such as that generated by an explosive device. First targeted uses were for military personnel fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.Drifire fabrics are made with a blend of 85-percent inherently FR, hydrophobic modacrylic and 15-percent hydrophilic cotton, Tencel
® or other natural fibers. Modacrylic is a self-extinguishing fiber that doesn’t melt or drip, and Drifire apparel now is offered not only for military applications, but also to first-responder and industrial personnel who risk exposure to explosions, fire and/or arc flashes.

qfompicjeans

DRIFIRE® FR Denim Fabric provides inherent FR protection, dri-release
® with FreshGuard
® moisture-management and odor-neutralizing performance, and superior abrasion
resistance for jeans, jackets and shirts to dress electrical and utility workers in style.

One of the newest offerings in the line is Drifire FR Denim Fabric, a modacrylic/cotton blend for pants, jackets and shirts for electrical and utility workers. According to Dustin Cohn, chief marketing officer, Optimer Brands, the fabric complies with National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) 70E electrical safety standards and also hazard/risk category (HRC) 2 standards for arc flash protection, achieving a 16.2-calories-per-square-centimeter Ebt arc rating.

“There are other FR denims, but they are 100-percent treated cotton,” Cohn said, noting that the FR treatment will eventually wash or wear out of the denim. He added that Drifire FR Denim Fabric has a very comfortable hand and feel. “The hand and feel of a Drifire jean are phenomenal. You would never know it’s a FR jean, and the look aspect is also important. Americans love their jeans, and it is important to make denim look and feel like denim.”

Cohn provided test data showing that, compared with traditional FR denims, Drifire denim provides superior performance in the areas of moisture wicking, water release, drying rates and abrasion resistance.

“In Drifire denim, the next-to-skin filling yarn provides the moisture wicking away from the skin to the outer fabric surface,” said Rob Hines, vice president of product development, Drifire. “The filling has the dri-
release hydrophobic/hydrophilic ratio, with the inherently FR modacrylic providing the hydrophobic performance and cotton providing the hydrophilic function,” he explained, adding that the modacrylic in the filling is sufficient to provide the FR self-extinguishing performance to the whole fabric. There also is a bit of nylon in the mix to contribute to the fabric’s abrasion resistance.

The denim fabric is woven by Columbus-based Denim North America, one of the largest denim manufacturers in the United States, Cohn said. “We wanted to partner with someone who does regular denim and can provide the denim look and hand level of quality, so workers don’t have to sacrifice what they love about their regular jeans to have this FR product.” Although Drifire FR Denim has been designed primarily for electrical and utility workers, there are other potential markets as
well, including petrochemical workers and fire fighters who happen to be wearing jeans, he said.

For more information about DRIFIRE® FR Denim Fabric, contact Ana Torres +1-312-878-0806; atorres@optimerbrands.com.; drifire.com.

October 19, 2010

‘Organic Exchange’ Grows To ‘Textile Exchange’ At Its Global Sustainable Textiles Conference October 27-29 In NYC

SILVER SPRING, MD — October 19, 2010 — WHAT: Organic Exchange (OE), the non-profit which has
helped drive global sales of organic cotton apparel and home textile products to an estimated $4.3
billion in 2009, will announce its expanded role as the organization driving  development of
the global sustainable textile industry under the new name, ‘Textile Exchange,’ at its annual
conference in New York City. The broadened focus positions the organization to serve as the
non-profit convener, catalyst, and market-maker for the sustainable textile industry worldwide.

Textile Exchange (TE) will work to increase the global market for sustainable fibers,
focusing initially on those that are bio-based, organic, and recycled while retaining a core focus
on organic cotton.  It will also tackle pressing textile industry production concerns such as
water and air emissions, energy use and its impact on climate change, waste production, and the
widespread use of toxic inputs. Change is vital given the huge and unsustainable economic,
environmental, and social costs of current textile production methods and a projected global
population of over nine billion by 2050, all needing clothing and other textiles.

A focus on textile sustainability enables the entire value chain to find cost savings and
production efficiencies and pass those savings on to customers while reducing the impact of textile
production on people and the environment.

The change will be announced at Textile Exchange’s Global Sustainable Textiles Conference,
with approximately 300 textile industry-related representatives from 29 countries already
registered to attend. TE’s global conference includes representatives from the U.S. Federal Trade
Commission, adidas, Anvil Knitwear, C&A, Disney, Eileen Fisher, Gap, H&M, Lenzing, LL Bean,
Nike, Nordstrom, Patagonia, Puma, REI, Target, Walmart, and Williams-Sonoma. Topics to be covered
include sustainable textile processing, eco-indexing, traceability and transparency, organic fiber
production, and environmental footprinting.

In November, TE will roll out a dynamic website, which will dramatically improve the ability
of producers, manufacturers, brands and retailers, funders, and the general public to interact,
find important information, locate supply chain partners, and improve traceability, transparency,
and integrity in the textile industry supply chain. The website – created by Silicon Valley’s
SourceN, an award-winning digital agency that has also created websites for Apple, MTV, and Time,
Inc. – aims to drive efficiency, cost savings, and visibility in the global textile value chain.

WHEN: October 27-29, 2010.

WHERE: Sentry Centers, 730 Third Avenue (between E. 45th and E. 46th streets), New York City,
10017. Please RSVP (media) or register (companies) BY October 21 or you will not be able to enter
the meeting.

Posted on October 19, 2010

Source: Textile Exchange/On the Mark Public Relations

Cotton Prices Continue To Soar


W
 ith the current state of the cotton market, it would not be beyond the bounds of
believability to see senior spinning executives standing by the roadside holding up signs that say,
“Will work for cotton.”

Demand for cotton has skyrocketed throughout 2010, particularly in the last several months.
Correspondingly, prices for raw cotton and cotton yarn have gone through the roof as well. On Jan.
18, 2010, quotations for the base quality of cotton averaged 67.66 cents per pound in the seven
designated markets measured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. On October 15, the average had
increased to $1.06.52, the highest price recorded since May 26, 1995, when the average was $1.11.53
cents per pound.

The rapid increase in raw material cost has resulted in significant — but not proportionate
— increases in wholesale prices of cotton yarn. In January 2010, a ballpark price for 18/1
ring-spun carded cotton was around $1.50 per pound. By mid-October, that same yarn was selling
anywhere from $1.85 to $2.

“We’re lucky, in that we’ve bought the cotton we need to fill our orders,” said one spinner.
“But if you don’t have it in-house or on the way, it is hard to find. I understand that the crop
is, basically, completely sold, and there is not any availability. At one point, there were even
some offerings of the 2011 crop, but it’s been taken off the market.”

Said a yarn broker: “As we got into the summer months, the cotton business was already
strong. Many apparel manufacturers started looking to restock their inventory as the economic
recovery continued. With the continued strength of the textile industry and some concerns about the
availability of fiber, it created a very strong demand for cotton. I think some mills became
concerned about availability of cotton but weren’t really sure the long-term demand would be there.
They expected business to weaken as we headed into the fall months, and they took on some business
that, in the end, they did not have the capacity to meet. As a result, the cotton they had
purchased as a hedge against future production needs was used to fill orders and they were left
with a shortage of raw materials. That, in turn, triggered some panic buying, which further served
to drive prices up.”

At this point, cotton spinners are concerned with two issues, said one southern specialty
spinner. “Those who don’t have cotton are worried about how they’ll get it and how much they’ll pay
for it,” he said. “And those who have already bought their cotton based on current demand
projections and prices are worried that consumer spending will slow, prices will drop and they will
be stuck with a lot of high-dollar raw material.”


Opportunity For Synthetics?


With increased cotton prices and the resulting cost increases for cotton fabric and apparel
throughout the supply chain, synthetic yarn manufacturers were looking forward to a significant
upsurge in business as retailers sought less expensive alternatives for their winter and spring
fashions. However, these manufacturers have been hit with substantial raw material price increases
as well.

“It started with acrylic in the first part of the year,” said one spinner. “Acrylonitrile
was in very short supply and was actually on allocation for much of the year. We were concerned at
the beginning of this year not so much about prices going up, but about whether we were even going
to be able to get product. This happened about six months before the current cotton situation, but
it almost exactly mirrors what has happened to cotton. Fortunately, it has leveled off.”

He continued: “As oil prices have gone up and as retailers look at finding alternates for
cotton, we are now seeing polyester prices begin to tick up significantly. So, we are hoping we
will be able to realize some significant gains in business from those who are turning away from
cotton. But, at the same time, we’re concerned that steady increases in our prices will work to
negate some of the advantage.”

October 19, 2010

October 2010

United Kingdom-based
Camira Fabrics Ltd. has appointed
Paul Bennotti business director, North America.

 
bennott

Bennotti

The Gastonia, N.C.-based
Southern Textile Association has given the Chapman Award for exemplary service to
the textile industry to
Anderson D. Warlick, Parkdale Mills Inc.

New York City-based
TradeCard Inc. has appointed
Bob Copeland senior vice president, product strategy and business development.

Alpharetta, Ga.-based
Eton Systems has named
Gary Freedman regional manager, the Americas.

David W. Hastings, Mount Vernon Mills Inc., has been named a member of the
U.S. Department of Commerce Manufacturing Council.

Savi Technology, Alexandria, Va., has named
William Clark senior vice president and chief marketing officer; and
William Maggs chief technology officer and senior vice president-technology
operations.

Mohawk Industries Inc., Calhoun, Ga., has named
Kent Clauson vice president of brand management.

clauson

Clauson

Glen Raven, N.C.-based
Glen Raven Inc. has named
Fred Rogers director of supply chain.

Welspun USA Inc., a subsidiary of India-based Welspun Global Brands Ltd., has
appointed
J. Barry Leonard president and CEO.

The Netherlands-based
Royal Ten Cate has named
Prof. J.G. de Hoop Scheffer,
Gen. (retd.) D.L. Berlijn and
K. Blekxtoon to its International Advisory Board.



O.C. Oerlikon Corp. AG, Switzerland, has promoted
Daniel Lippuner to head of Oerlikon Textile Components.

lippun

Luppuner

Lawrenceville, N.J.-based
Datacolor has appointed
Dr. Niraj Agarwal director, new business development.

Cotton Incorporated Inc., Cary, N.C., has named
Ricky Bearden Board chairman for the 2010-2012 term.

Northfield, Vt.-based
Darn Tough Vermont has named
Shannon McKenna director of government sales.



China Linen Textile Industry Ltd., China, has appointed
Jodie Zheng Wehner chief financial officer; and has appointed
Stephen Monticelli to its Board of Directors.

Columbus, Ind.-based
Dorel Juvenile Group Inc. has appointed
Julie Vallese vice president of public affairs and strategic communications.

Akron, Ohio-based
APV Engineered Coatings has named
Thomas Venarge president.

Edinburg, Texas-based
FibeRio Technology Corp. has added
Dr. Larry F. Thompson, IPSS Consulting Co., to the Board of Directors; and
Dr. Chris Ellison, University of Texas at Austin to its Technical Advisory Board.
The company also has appointed
Roger Lipton senior vice president, sales and marketing.

San Francisco-based
Levi Strauss & Co. has named
Robert Hanson executive vice president and president, Global Levi’s®;
Aaron Boey executive vice president and president, Global Denizen™; and
Jim Calhoun executive vice president and president, Global Dockers®.

Germany-based
Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG has named
Leen Osterloh CEO and
Marc Wolpers sales director of Trützschler Nonwovens.

Orion, Mich.-based
Applied Manufacturing Technologies has appointed
Edward Turley controls department manager.

Rieter Management AG, Switzerland, has presented the Rieter Award 2010 to the
following recipients:
Ambigai Velusamy;
Musa Kilic;
Abror E.
Razikov;
Qiang Li; and
Rully Setiadi.

The
Carpet America Recovery Effort‘s Operations Manager
Jeremy Stroop has been named one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s 40 Under 40.

The Netherlands-based
International Apparel Federation (IAF) has named
Harry van Dalfsen president; and has awarded former president Vassillis Masselos
the First Golden IAF Award.

Hildebran, N.C.-based
International Legwear Group has appointed
Jim Williams CEO and
Brey Williams chief marketing officer.

New Haven, Mo.-based
MarChem CFI has named
Glennon “Glenn” J. Boresi general manager.

boresi

Boresi

Hawthorne, N.J.-based
Radiant Energy Systems Inc. has named
Clara O’Boyle marketing manager.

oboyle

O’Boyle

The Fairfax, Va.-based
Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) has appointed the following to the
2011 Board of Directors:
Michael C. Mockridge, Doming Systems, chairman;
Gordon Brown, New Vista Image, first vice chairman;
Lynn Krinsky, Stella Color, second vice chairman;
Pete Gallo, Vista Color Imaging, third vice chairman;
James Gill, FujiFilm Dimatix Inc., associate vice chairman;
Tim Markley, Markley Enterprise, secretary; and
Kent Yunker, Yunker Industries Inc., treasurer. SGIA also has named
Claudia Barbiero, Hewlett Packard Co.;
Christopher Bernat, Vapor Apparel/Source Substrates;
Christopher Howard, Durst Image Technology US LLC;
Bill Kujawa, GFX International; and
Steve Urmano, Mimaki USA Inc. as members of the Board.

Brussels-based
Univar has appointed
Gintaras Sabonis Lithuanian office sales manager of the Baltics business.

October 19, 2010

IFAI, SGIA Agree To Colocate Shows

The Roseville, Minn.-based Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) and Fairfax,
Va.-based Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) have announced plans to colocate their
respective shows — IFAI Expo and SGIA Expo — in Orlando, Fla., in 2013. The Orange County
Convention Center will host the event from October 23 to 25, with participation expected to total
some 900 exhibitors and 25,000 visitors.

Organizers report the two shows — IFAI Expo as an event for the specialty fabrics industry,
and SGIA Expo as an event for current specialty imaging technologies — complement one another and
will offer people involved with printing graphics on flexible materials two expositions at the same
venue at the same time.

“The SGIA Expo is all about maximizing opportunities in diverse markets,” said Michael
Robertson, president and CEO, SGIA. “SGIA and IFAI will work together to advance the use of imaged
specialty fabrics for a wide range of applications.”

“This colocation makes strategic sense,” said Stephen M. Warner, president and CEO, IFAI.
“One location produces incredible value for both the visitors and the exhibitors. Bringing these
two leading events together provides a unique occasion for participants in all levels of the value
chain to network and share industry knowledge.”

October 19, 2010

Techtextil North America Creates A Symposium Advisory Committee

In order to maintain the high level and popularity of its symposium, Atlanta-based Messe Frankfurt
Inc., organizer of Techtextil North America, has created a Symposium Advisory Council that will
make suggestions for relevant programming, topics and speakers; and will provide feedback on papers
submitted for consideration. Bill Smith, principal, Industrial Textile Associates, will continue as
head of the Techtextil North America Symposium.

The six professionals who will comprise the Symposium Advisory Committee in 2011 are: Dr.
Fred L. Cook, professor, Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Polymer, Textile and Fiber
Engineering; John Cronin, marketing manager, Warwick Mills; Jeff Dugan, co-founder and research
vice president, Fiber Innovation Technology; Dr. Gerald J. Mauretti, founder, EY Technologies;
Hardy B. Poole, vice president of regulatory and technical affairs, National Textile Association;
and Harry P. Winer, president, HIP Consulting LLC.

The eighth edition of Techtextil North America will be held March 15-17, 2011, at the
Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. 

October 19, 2010

Avantium Begins Construction On YXY Pilot Plant

The Netherlands-based Avantium — a technology company specializing in advanced high-throughput
R&D — has begun construction of a pilot plant that will produce YXY building blocks for making
green materials and fuels. The company’s patented YXY technology converts biomass into furanics —
chemicals formed by removing the water from carbohydrates. Avantium reports its production process,
which is based on its catalytic technology, is fast and cost-effective, and may be implemented in
existing chemical production processes.

The plant is funded in part by a 1-million-euro grant from the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture.
Avantium is obtaining additional private funding in order to operate the pilot plant and continue
YXY commercialization efforts. The company expects to secure an additional 15 million euros by the
end of 2010 and anticipates the plant will go online in the first quarter of 2011. 

Avantium is partnering with NatureWorks LLC — the Minnetonka, Minn.-based manufacturer of
Ingeo™ polylactide biopolymer — and the Netherlands-based Teijin Aramid B.V. — a manufacturer of
aramid fibers and a subsidiary of the Japan-based Teijin Group — to develop new materials based on
its YXY building blocks. The company plans to use those building blocks to produce green and
recyclable materials including water and soft drink bottles, carpets, textiles, high-performance
fibers, coatings and plasticizers.



October 19, 2010

Momentive Performance Materials Earns OSHA Recognition For Employee Safety

The Friendly, W.V., manufacturing facility owned by Albany, N.Y.-based Momentive Performance
Materials Inc. — a provider of specialty materials solutions for silicone, quartz and ceramics
applications — has been designated a Star Site through the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration’s (OSHA’s) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).

The VPP Star program recognizes worksites that have set up comprehensive, successful safety
and health management systems and whose illness and injury rates are equal to or below the national
industry average, and whose workplace hazard control programs are self-sufficient. To qualify for
Star status, Momentive’s Friendly facility was audited in safety, health and operational programs
and underwent a thorough onsite review by OSHA.

 “Employee participation, supported by management leadership, is essential to the
success of our safety program,” said Mark Leskowicz, environmental health and safety manager at the
site. “Employees are encouraged to identify potential safety improvements and help develop
solutions.”

October 19, 2010

Johnson Controls To Acquire Michel Thierry

Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls Inc. — a manufacturer of automotive seating upholstery, interior
components and electronics — has agreed to acquire Michel Thierry — a France-based supplier of
automotive interior and seating fabrics and lamination. The acquisition is expected to close by the
end of November. 

Michel Thierry has design, development, production, weaving, knitting, lamination, embossing,
screen-printing, welding and laser-punching capabilities. The company has manufacturing operations
in France, Spain and the Czech Republic, as well as other operations globally.

Johnson Controls states that its cut and sew expertise combined with Michel Thierry’s fabric
expertise will position the company to meet increasing global demand for integrated services from
fabrics to complete seats. The company also says the acquisition will generate future business
growth; offer improved innovation opportunities and potential for further quality optimization by
involving customers throughout the process chain; and enable the company to utilize its growth
potential in China and North America.

“Michel Thierry has continued to strengthen its leading market position in a difficult
industry context and will be well-armed to grow further,” said Frederic Chaussat, CEO, Michel
Thierry. “Johnson Controls Automotive Experience’s strong background opens up unique opportunities
to capitalize on our innovation, our manufacturing capabilities and our global reach, to conquer
new markets within a well-managed, financially stable and respected global company with a
foresighted attitude. We will benefit from this step by becoming part of a strong network of
expertise with considerable potential for future growth within the automotive industry.”

October 19, 2010

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