January 14, 2010 — Toyota has adopted DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced polymer as material for
the ceiling surface skin, sun visor and pillar garnish of its new SAI® model.  DuPont™ Sorona®
fibers also were selected as materials for optional Toyota floor mats.

Launched last month, the new SAI® model is an intensively ecological “compact luxury car”
equipped with a large percentage of eco-plastics made from plant-based materials. Renewably sourced
materials comprise approximately 60% of the car’s internal surface area.  The new car will be
sold through dealerships in Japan.

“Both DuPont and Toyota provide innovation that results in positive contributions to the
lives of our customers and in an environmentally sustainable manner,” said John Ranieri, vice
president – DuPont BioMaterials Group, part of the company’s Applied BioSciences business. 
“We are committed to bringing renewable materials to companies like Toyota, which has a strong
sustainability intention.”

DuPont™ Sorona® polymer is a PTT resin made from a copolymerization of 1,3-propanediol, which
is derived from plant sugar using a DuPont biotechnological fermentation process, and terephthalic
acid.  Sorona® helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions, compared to the use of other
petroleum-based materials used for conventional auto interior parts.  This material
contributes to measures against global warming and to saving depletable resources.

PTT fibers made from Sorona® meet the strict performance requirements for automotive
use.  At the same time, they provide a rich and soft texture.  This new application for
Toyota’s SAI® demonstrates how DuPont’s market-driven science is responding to four megatrends, one
of which is decreasing dependence on fossil fuels.

Posted on January 19, 2010

Press Release Courtesy of DuPont

In its annual report to Congress on China’s compliance with its World Trade Organization (WTO)
commitments, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) cites what it calls “many
impressive steps,” but also says much more needs to be done.

The report says the Obama administration has been working to increase benefits from China
trade for the American people by focusing on “outcome oriented” dialogue, and at the same time has
been taking steps to enforce China’s adherence to its WTO obligations.  It mentions China’s
efforts to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers, greater market access for products from the
United States and other nations, steps to protect intellectual property rights, and greater
transparency. While viewing that progress as a measure of success, the report expresses concern
over the fact that progress has been slowing down in recent months.”

China has yet to fully implement important commitments,” the report says. “This can be traced
to the fact that China continues to pursue industrial policies that rely on excessive
trade-distorting government intervention to protect China’s domestic industries.”

The USTR cites some specific examples of problems pointed to by U.S. companies, including:

•    the continued and incrementally more restrictive use of export quotas and
export duties on a large number of raw material inputs;

•    the selective use of other border measures such as value-added-tax
rebates and discouraging imports of particular products;

•    the setting and enforcement of unique Chinese national standards; and

•    use of government procurement practices that promote “Buy China”
policies.

Looking to the future, the USTR report says that in 2010, it will continue to pursue benefits
from China trade through diplomatic means and enforcement measures. In that regard, the USTR says
it will place particular emphasis on reducing the Chinese government’s intrusion into the market.
It says that on several occasions when bilateral dialogue has not been successful in resolving
China’s WTO issues related to concerns of the United States, the U.S. government has not hesitated
to invoke the dispute mechanism of the WTO, and it will not hesitate to do so again.

January 12, 2010

Fairlawn, Ohio-based Omnova Solutions Inc. — a developer and supplier of specialty chemicals,
emulsion polymers, and decorative and functional surfaces for a variety of applications — will
increase prices on a variety of textile chemicals effective January 21. Acrylic, styrene acrylic,
vinyl acrylic and vinyl acetate emulsion polymers will increase by up to 5 cents per wet pound.
Permafresh™ resins are set to increase by up to 3 cents per wet pound. The company cited rising
costs of key material such as acrylic monomers, styrene and glyoxal in announcing the increases.

Effective February 15, styrene butadiene latex for carpet and related applications will
undergo a price increase of 8 cents per dry pound.

January 12, 2010

York, Pa.-based Glatfelter, a producer of engineered products and specialty papers, has announced
its intent to purchase Canada-based airlaid nonwovens manufacturer Concert Industries Corp. from
Brookfield Special Situations Mangement Ltd. for CAN$246.5 million (approximately US$235 million).
Glatfelter will manage Concert as a third business unit joining its existing Specialty Papers and
Composite Fibers units. Pending all regulatory approvals, Glatfelter expects the acquisition to be
complete by the end of the first quarter of 2010.

“We view concert as a natural fit for our business and right in line with our growth
strategy,” said George H. Glatfelter II, chairman and CEO, Glatfelter. “This acquisition will
combine the strengths of two highly-regarded specialty producers and provide us with another
industry-leading global business that sells highly specialized, engineered, fiber-based products to
niche markets with substantial barriers to entry. Concert participates in markets that are adjacent
to markets we currently serve. It utilizes technologies that are familiar to us and broadens our
relationship with premier global consumer products companies. In addition, Concert will create
additional growth opportunities globally for Glatfelter, particularly in developing markets such as
Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and South America.”

Concert operates two state-of-the-art plants – one in Canada, and one in Germany – and
employs approximately 600 people. The company recently completed the installation of a new
production line in Germany. The $70 million investment increased capacity by 18,000 metric tons to
84,000 metric tons per year. The company is primarily focused on products for the feminine hygiene
market, which comprise roughly 80 percent of its sales. Other products are used in wipes, adult
incontinence products and food pads. Customers include Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson
and Kimberly-Clark.

January 12, 2010

Columbia, S.C.-based Composite Resources Inc. — a designer and manufacturer of composite
components and assemblies for a variety of industries — has announced plans to expand its Rock
Hill, S.C., plant through a $3.5 million investment. The company will purchase five acres of land
next to its current 52,000-square-foot plant in Tech Park to build an additional 60,000-square-foot
facility dedicated to the production of medical and military products. Work should commence during
the second quarter of 2010. Composite Resources reports it expects to create 50 new jobs over the
next five years, and said information on these openings will be posted on its website located at
www.composite-resources.com.

“We are excited to move forward with our expansion plans in Rock Hill,” said Jonathan
Bennett, president and CEO, Composite Resources. “The new addition to our campus will allow us to
increase our capacity and meet growing demand for our services and products. South Carolina has
proven to be a perfect fit for our company, providing us with an excellent business environment and
a strong workforce. We appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials.”

“The advanced materials sector continues to produce great opportunities in South Carolina,
and Composite Resources’ expansion is another example of growth in this industry,” said Joe Taylor,
Secretary of Commerce, South Carolina. “The company’s decision to expand its operations in South
Carolina is also a positive reflection that our business-friendly climate and skilled workforce are
working to attract new investment and job opportunities in advanced manufacturing.”

January 12, 2010

Austria-based cellulosic fiber producer Lenzing Group has announced it will invest 120 million
euros in 2010 to expand production sites in Europe and Asia. Sites benefiting from the investment
include a pulp production plant in Lenzing, Austria; a fiber plant in Heiligenkreuz, Austria; and a
Tencel® plant in Grimsby, England.

Capacity will be increased to 260,000 tons per year and an eco-friendly ozone bleaching
facility for pulp production will be added to the Lenzing plant. Tencel capacity at Heiligenkreuz
will be expanded from 10,000 tons to 60,000 tons per year; and the Grimsby site will be renovated
so it can manufacture a special Tencel fiber.

In addition, a previous expansion at its Indonesia-based subsidiary PT South Pacific Viscose
(SPV) is set to go live after two years under construction. A fourth production line will add
capacity for an additional 60,000 tons per year, taking total annual production at the facility to
220,000 tons. “Already today we expect that demand will exceed Indonesian production capacity,”
said Friedrich Weninger, head of fiber production and member of the management board. “We will
therefore begin with debottlenecking production right after start-up, with the aim to increase SPV
production capacity by another 18,000 tons to 238,000 tons per year.”

“We are expecting continuing strong demand for Lenzing fibers over the coming years,” said
Peter Untersperger, chairman of the Lenzing management board. “By these projects, we, as the world
market leader, intend to secure and enhance our lead in terms of quantity as well as quality. And
the message is clear: The Lenzing Group is going to shape fiber future jointly with its customers.”

January 12, 2010

Dalton, Ga.-based floorcovering manufacturer Shaw Industries Inc. has sold its controlling share of
Augusta, Ga.-based nylon 6 polymerization facility Nylon Polymer Co. LLC (NPC) to its partner in
the joint venture, DSM Chemicals North America, part of the Netherlands-based life sciences and
material sciences company Royal DSM NV. Terms of the transaction, effective Jan. 1, 2010, were not
disclosed.

NPC was one of several Augusta-based assets owned by Shaw, including its Evergreen Nylon
Recycling Facility and a caprolactam production facility, among others. These facilities remain
fully operational, according to Hal Long, Shaw’s executive vice president of operations.”

NPC’s primary operation is for the polymerization of nylon, and with all our other
polymerization capacity, this was excess,” Long said, explaining that Shaw has nylon polymerization
capacity throughout its Fibers division and also sources product from other suppliers. “DSM’s needs
are for plastics engineering, so the transaction is really a win-win for both companies.”

“This acquisition represents a major expansion of our polymerization capabilities in the
Americas,” said Koen Devits, president, DSM Engineering Plastics Americas. “It helps us to fully
exploit our strong backward integration at the Augusta site, where DSM also produces caprolactam, a
key raw material for Akulon® [Polyamide 6 thermoplastic material used in a range of applications].
The acquisition is also needed to support the additional sales opportunities we have generated,
especially in the automotive, furniture and packaging industries, and it illustrates DSM’s strong
commitment to the Americas market.”

January 12, 2010

Atlanta-based Messe Frankfurt Inc., U.S. subsidiary of Frankfurt-based trade fair organizer Messe
Frankfurt GmbH, has announced it will launch Home Textiles Fabric Sourcing Expo (HTFSE) in
partnership with The Sub-Council of Textile Industry, China Council for the Promotion of
International Trade (CCPIT TEX), with the inaugural show to take place July 13-15, 2010,
collocating with Texworld USA at the Javits Convention Center in New York City.

According to Messe Frankfurt, HTFSE will complement the company’s well-known Heimtextil brand
of shows — the primary one of which opens Wednesday in Frankfurt for four days, and which also
includes Heimtextil India; Heimtextil Russia; interiorlifestyle Tokyo/Heimtextil Japan;
IFFT/interiorlifestyle living, Tokyo; Intertextile Guangzhou Home Textiles, China; and Intertextile
Shanghai Home Textiles. HTFSE, Messe Frankfurt’s first home textiles expo in the Americas, will be
differentiated from other U.S. home textiles shows in that the others focus primarily on finished
products ready to be sold to retailers or are related to furniture shows.

CCPIT TEX will involved in organizing and supporting China-based textile manufacturers
exhibiting at HTFSE, while Messe Frankfurt will do the same for exhibitors from other important
textile manufacturing regions.

“We are excited about the potential for this show in New York which will expand our presence
in the textile sourcing marketplace,” said David Audrain, president, Messe Frankfurt North America.
“Messe Frankfurt is the world leader in textile industry shows, and providing this opportunity in
the USA for our international customers is very important to us.”

HTFSE will be held annually in conjunction with Texworld USA’s summer edition in New York
City.

January 12, 2010

UMF Corp., a Wilmette, Ill.-based developer of high-performance infection-prevention products, has
unveiled Micrillon® rechargeable antimicrobial polymer chemistry for applications such as wipes and
other textile products that are used in healthcare environments to help eliminate
healthcare-associated infections. The first application for the embedded, nonleaching,
broad-spectrum technology is the company’s PerfectClean® wiping products, which are used to remove
pathogens and other organic matter from environmental surfaces in hospitals and other healthcare
facilities as well as in hotels, schools and other such environments.

UMF has an exclusive license to use the patented technology, which was developed at the
University of Texas. According to George Clarke, UMF’s CEO and founder, the technology is embedded
in microdenier man-made fibers rather than applied to the material as a finish, and it is the first
embedded rechargeable, broad-spectrum antimicrobial technology that is effective against bacteria,
viruses and fungi. As such, he said, the technology has greater durability than an antimicrobial
finish.

“We started out looking at how to combine a high-performance microdenier fiber with
antimicrobial chemistries in order to come up with effective infection prevention products,” Clarke
explained. “Initially, a compatible and effective antimicrobial chemistry didn’t exist for man-made
fibers. The products, supported by a comprehensive patent portfolio, have evolved through a lot of
trial and error and prototyping into the product offering we have today.”

PerfectClean wipes with Micrillon are recharged during laundering with chlorine bleach. “We
put the additive in at the raw material stage of fiber production, and because it is embedded, it
can’t leach or come out,” Clarke said. “During laundering, the chemistry attracts chlorine
molecules in the wash water and binds them to the fiber surface. The amount of chlorine bound is
extraordinarily high, but there’s no chlorine smell,” he added, noting that the microdenier fiber
provides an “enormous surface area that enables huge volumes of chlorine to be absorbed.”

Clarke said the chlorine acts very quickly to destroy pathogens, noting that the PerfectClean
Micrillon wiper removes and kills methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in two
minutes. Testing also has shown that the H1N1 influenza virus, athlete’s foot fungus and other
microbes are eliminated in less than five minutes, with an ultimate elimination rate of up to
99.999 percent of pathogens. By contrast, competitive products may take hours to achieve comparable
results. In addition, Clarke noted, Micrillon’s performance theoretically may increase over time
with continued recharging and use, “because as you abrade the fabric, it exposes more binding
sites.”

UMF’s PerfectClean products are used to clean surfaces such as bed rails, curtain pulls, door
knobs, light switches, table tops and all other points of contact. The first products featuring
Micrillon are expected to be available early this year.

January 12, 2010

Mt. Holly, N.C., Jan. 8, 2010 — American & Efird (A) announced today its participation in
Anvil Knitwear, Inc.’s
TrackMyT.com
Web site, which chronicles and brings to life the complete journey and environmental impact of a
t-shirt, from cotton seed to consumer.  The site, which specifically tracks t-shirts for youth
ages 2 to 12, allows users to explore cotton farms, a gin, and spinners, as well as Anvil’s textile
mill, cut-and-sew plants, and a distribution facility – all by inputting a unique tracking number
printed on their very own shirt. The site demonstrates Anvil’s commitment to sustainability and
clearly reinforces their position as a leader in the sustainable apparel industry.  

To assist Anvil with the cut-and-sew area of the site , A provided video footage, still
photography, and step-by-step process narrations of A’s thread manufacturing process in Gaston
County, N.C.  The video footage and narration will allow users to explore the manufacturing
process for sewing thread from yarn spinning, to dyeing, to packaging and shipping.  

A was excited to be presented with the opportunity to participate.  A applauds Anvil’s
decision to not only meet the new tracking regulation of the federal government’s recent Consumer
Product Safety Improvement Act, but to turn the process into an educational, fun process which
helps teach kids, parents and educators about the ecological impact of their products and how to be
more environmentally responsible.   A maintains a long-standing global commitment to
Environmental Health, Safety and Social Responsibility in all of its worldwide operations. 
This commitment is evidenced by the A Eco-Driven program consisting of Ten Threads of
Sustainability which allows A to drive its culture of Innovation, Creation, and Delivery in the
area of Sustainability.  

About Anvil Knitwear  

Anvil Knitwear, Inc., a socially and environmentally responsible manufacturer of sportswear
and accessories, is a leader in the sustainable apparel industry with its AnvilOrganic®,
AnvilRecycledTM and AnvilSustainableTM brands. Anvil’s website,
TrackMyT.com
offers educational information on the making of its youth tees. For more information about Anvil,
please visit
www.AnvilKnitwear.com and
www.Anvilcsr.com.   

About American & Efird  

Headquartered in Mt. Holly, N.C., American  Efird, Inc. is one of the world’s leading
manufacturers of sewing thread, embroidery yarns, and technical textiles for worldwide industrial
and consumer markets.  With 29 manufacturing centers and 68 service centers in 42 countries, A
is truly a global supplier.  A maintains a long-standing commitment to Environmental
Health  Safety, Sustainability and Social Responsibility in all of its worldwide
operations.  Please visit
www.amefird.com for more information. 

Press Release Courtesy of American & Efird

Posted on January 8, 2010