CleanRest® Receives Rhode Island Innovation Award

CleanRest®, a brand of
allergen-blocking mattress and pillow encasements manufactured by East Providence, R.I.-based
CleanBrands LLC, has received the Rhode Island Innovation of the Year Award, one of a group of
awards bestowed annually by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp., Providence Business News
and the Tech Collective to recognize innovative products, individuals and organizations.

The awards were inaugurated in 2006
and include Innovation of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Student Innovator, Rising Star
Innovator, Innovation Champion and the Collaborative Innovation Award.


CleanRest utilizes CleanBrands’
MicronOne™ patented technology, which produces a microfiber polyester fabric with a breathable
urethane-based coating that reduces pore sizes to 1 micron or less, with a mean pore size of 0.125
microns
(See Quality Fabric Of The Month: “Sleep Protection For Asthma Sufferers,” August 2007, www.
TextileWorld.com). The pore size is small enough to block transmission of
virtually all allergen particles that may settle into bedding and plague people who suffer from
night-time asthma or other airborne allergies, yet it allows moisture vapor to pass through to help
maintain a comfortable sleep environment. The encasements are the first to be certified asthma
friendly® by Allergy Standards Ltd. in partnership with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of
America.

“We are pleased to receive such a
high honor from this prestigious Rhode Island organization,” said Gary Goldberg, CleanBrands
founder. “Rhode Island is a vital creative community of like-minded entrepreneurs, artists and
technologists who are breaking new ground and hatching new ideas and products daily. CleanRest is
pleased to be part of such a terrific and thriving community.”


October 9, 2007

Mount Vernon Mills Expands Chemicals Business

Mauldin, S.C.-based textile
manufacturer Mount Vernon Mills Inc. has expanded its chemicals business during 2007 through the
acquisition of several chemicals companies and will offer the products of that business
domestically and internationally in both textile and non-textile industry markets.

Companies acquired in 2007 include Apollo Chemicals; Sage Technology; FCI Technologies;
American Manufacturing International; and Chemical Technologies, which includes Callaway Chemicals,
Crompton & Knowles and Yorkshire Pat-Chem. New plant locations include Graham, N.C., Opelika,
Ala., and San Pedro Sula, Honduras — all of which are ISO 9002-certified. The acquisitions have
added 75 employees to the chemical group’s employee base of 50.

“These performance and specialty products are extensions and complements to the products
currently produced at our Phil Chem plants in Greer and Ware Shoals, S.C.,” said William E. “Bill”
Duncan, vice president, Mount Vernon Mills. He added that certain recently acquired products will
be manufactured in Ware Shoals.

According to Mount Vernon, its chemicals business has increased twelve-fold since it
acquired Phil Chem in 2003, and it now sells its products in 20 countries, with a significant
proportion going to Central America. The company expects the recent acquisitions will enable a
substantial expansion of sales in Asia. Currently, the company sells 65 percent of its chemical
products for use in preparation, bleaching, dyeing, printing and finishing of yarn, fabric and
apparel. The balance is sold for such non-textile applications as adhesives, plastics, personal
care and metalworking.

“This expansion is a natural extension of our total vertical capabilities to control every
aspect of textile manufacturing, from fiber to finished product,” said Roger W. Chastain, Mount
Vernon’s president and CEO. “Chemistry and textile technology go hand in hand in the making of
every type of fabric — woven, knitted or nonwoven. In order to gain product superiority, many times
it is the proprietary chemical formulas that distinguish the product. Our commitment is to be
America’s premier textile enterprise in the Western Hemisphere, the biggest market in the world,
with 40 countries and 891 million [in] population. Using a strategy of major capital investments
that keep us vertical and independent gives us competitive advantages for our customers benefits.

“‘Always the low price’ is not always the best deal,” Chastain continued. “Many shoppers are
now finding that to be true. With continued disillusionment on the safety of imported products,
especially from China, we believe the opportunity is at hand to provide the quality product, the
reliable service and the integrity to back it up, that removes doubt and risk for the retailer’s
customers. Made in America resonates louder and louder.”

October 9, 2007

Costa Rica Ratifies CAFTA-DR

 
Costa Rica’s participation in the
Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) was decided on this past
weekend. With almost all of the nation’s voting precincts reporting the results, 51.5 percent of
the population voted in favor of ratifying CAFTA. The majority ruling on the national referendum
comes in the wake of contentious debate in Costa Rica and abroad over CAFTA’s purported benefits.

Opponents of the agreement have announced they will not recognize the official results until
a mandatory ballot-by-ballot recount is concluded. The recount, which begins today, must be
completed within two weeks.

Costa Rica is the last nation to ratify the free trade agreement. After being ratified by
the US Congress in 2005, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua joined in 2006, and the
Dominican Republic joined in early 2007.

CAFTA-DR’s package of 13 laws include bills that will open Central American markets to
foreign competition, such as opening Costa Rica’s state telecommunications and insurance
monopolies, and domestic service and agricultural sectors. CAFTA-DR opponents fear that this market
liberalization will lead to a flood of cheap US imports, potentially putting rural farmers out of
work. As part of the agreement, the United States has promised increased market access for some
sectors in Central America, including textiles.

“The United States welcomes the outcome of the Costa Rican referendum on the free trade
agreement that Costa Rica signed with the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Nicaragua and the United States,” said United States Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab.

“We believe, and history confirms, that countries that open their markets have greater
success in generating economic growth and development. We are pleased that Costa Rica will be
joining the other CAFTA-DR countries in reaping the benefits of greater regional economic
integration and market opportunities that the CAFTA-DR provides. We look forward to working with
the Government of Costa Rica as it completes the necessary steps to implement the agreement, so
that the CAFTA-DR can enter into force for Costa Rica as soon as possible.”

October 9, 2007

German Textile Machinery Manufacturers Report Increased Exports

 
German textile machinery
manufacturers saw their machinery and accessory exports increase by 15.5 percent in the first half
of 2007 compared with the same period in 2006, to total 1.9 billion euros (US$2.703 billion) and
comprise 95 percent of all German machinery exports, according to a recent report from the German
Engineering Federation (VDMA) Textile Machinery Association.

“Being the export world champion for over 50 years, the German textile machinery business
performed extremely well in the first half of the ITMA year 2007,” said Thomas Waldmann, managing
director, VDMA Textile Machinery Association.

Spinning machinery topped the list of textile machinery export increases for the period,
with a rise of 39 percent to 776 million euros ($1.104 billion); followed by weaving machinery, up
19.3 percent to 191 million euros ($272 million). Knitting, hosiery and like machinery exports rose
to 639 million euros ($909 million); and finishing machinery including washing, bleaching and
dyeing totaled 292 million euros ($416 million).

China was the top customer for German textile machinery, representing 25 percent of the
export market and 477 million euros ($679 million) in value; followed by Turkey, 172 million euros
($245 million) — a 63-percent increase from the year-earlier period; India, 154 million euros ($219
million); Italy, 97 million euros ($138 million): and the United States, 91 million euros ($130
million).

VDMA also reported that more than 330 German companies exhibited in 30,000 square meters of
space at ITMA 2007 in Munich, Germany, last month. This was a significant increase over the German
presence at ITMA 2003 in Birmingham, England, where 232 companies exhibited their products and
services.

October 9, 2007

Quality Fabric Of The Month: Cool Rider

The conventional wisdom that white is preferable to black for summer apparel because of the ability of white to reflect rather than absorb the sun’s warming rays is being challenged as a result of new finishing technology that provides reflective properties to black fabrics and extends their range of applications and functionality for warm weather. Switzerland-based technical fabrics weaver Schoeller Textil AG launched its ColdBlack™ technology earlier this year at Techtextil in Frankfurt, targeting motorcycle suits – including police motorcycle uniforms – as the first application. The company also presented the technology to European and American outdoor markets at the recent OutDoor trade fair in Germany – where it received kudos as a “groundbreaking innovation” and won a Silver OutDoor Industry Award – and at the Summer Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City – where it also garnered quite a bit of attention, according to Tom Weinbender, president, Schoeller Textil USA, Seattle.

“People are very interested in ColdBlack – a lot of people like to wear black in the summer,” Weinbender said, noting that apparel makers in the mountaineering segment are now sampling ColdBlack fabrics, and that there is also an interest for footwear. Schoeller is promoting the
technology for equestrian apparel applications as well, and Weinbender added that there is also potential application for the technology in the industrial market.

 

coldblackqfom

As shown in infrared (IR) and standard photographs comparing a black fabric treated with
Schoeller’s ColdBlack™ technology to an untreated black fabric, the ColdBlack-treated fabric
reflects the IR rays and appears almost as white in the invisible IR spectrum, while it retains its
black color in the visible spectrum, while the untreated fabric absorbs the IR rays and retains its
color in both spectra.

While white will reflect as much as 100 percent of the sun’s heat and light, black — at the opposite end of the brightness scale — reflects as little as 0 percent. According to Schoeller, the ColdBlack technology works within the invisible infrared light spectrum to increase the
reflectivity of a certain shade of black to as much as 80 percent without affecting the color in the visible spectrum. This reversal of behavior, from absorbing the sun’s energy to reflecting it, means black garments that utilize the technology don’t hold the heat and therefore will be much more comfortable in warm weather than untreated black clothing.

According to Weinbender, the technology is applied during the dyeing process. Schoeller currently is using the technology in stretch and nonstretch wool and nylon woven fabrics including schoeller®-dynatec high-tensile protective, schoeller®-dynamic multipurpose, schoeller-prestige two-way-stretch and schoeller-dryskin performance soft-shell fabrics. ColdBlack can be combined with Schoeller’s self-cleaning, oil-repellent and abrasion-resistant NanoSphere® finishing technology; and also with its stain-repellent, moisture-wicking and quick-drying 3XDry® finish. The technology also complies with the bluesign® environmental health and safety standard with regard to manufacturing processes and materials used. Weinbender said combinations with other Schoeller technologies, including its c_change™ bionic climate membrane, are in development.

Schoeller anticipates the first apparel products will be available at retail in time for the Fall/Winter 2008-09 season.


For more information about ColdBlack™, contact Tom Weinbender, Schoeller Textil USA (206)283-6991, info@schoellerusa.com; or Dagmar Signer, Schoeller Textil AG 41-81-786-0835, dagmar_signer@schoeller_textiles.com


October 9, 2007

BASF Raises Prices

Effective immediately or as existing contracts permit, Germany-based BASF AG has increased the
price of acrylic acid and acrylic esters. The average price of products will increase in North and
South America by $110 per metric ton on average. The price of glacial acrylic acid and acrylic
esters will increase by 90 euros per metric ton in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Prices in
Asia also will increase, depending on the product and country-specific aspects.


October 2, 2007

Oerlikon Sells Rights To Itemat Yarn Tester

Oerlikon Heberlein Temco Wattwil Inc. — a unit of Oerlikon Textile Components that resulted from
the integration of Heberlein Fiber Technology Inc. into the Switzerland-based Oerlikon Group
earlier this year — has sold the production rights of the Itemat filament yarn tester to Textechno
GmbH & Co. KG, a Germany-based manufacturer of textile testing instruments.

The Itemat, developed by Enka tecnica — also recently integrated into the Oerlikon Group’s
Textile Components business unit and now known as Oerlikon Enka Tecnica GmbH — determines the
number of interlaces in filament yarns, and measures the stability of interlace nips in a yarn when
subjected to a programmable load.

The sale is a result of Oerlikon Heberlein Temco’s desire to focus more on online monitoring
systems with Oerlikon Fibrevision, according to Heinz Michel, head of filaments, Oerlikon Heberlein
Temco.


October 2, 2007

Stylesight Opens Paris Office

Stylesight, a New York City-based trend forecaster and provider of product development tools for
the fashion and style industries, has opened an office in Paris. The Stylesight European Office
joins locations in Los Angeles and London. Lan Vu has been named head of the office.

“The introduction of a Stylesight European Fashion Office not only helps our European clients
by providing local resources and information, but helps all of our clients worldwide,” said Frank
Bober, founder and CEO, Stylesight. “While the world in general — and the fashion world in
particular — is indeed ‘flattening,’ it remains vitally important to the creative process to
include multiple voices and points of view. The creation of our European Fashion Office will now
complement the rest of our offerings and enable Stylesight to provide the most complete view of the
style world available today.”

The Paris office will contribute to such Stylesight offerings as seasonal trend and color
forecasts, trade show coverage, street reports, runway analysis, and a monthly design and
merchandising package.


October 2, 2007

Cargill, Teijin To Form NatureWorks Joint Venture

Minneapolis-based Cargill and Tokyo-based Teijin Ltd. have agreed to form a joint venture in which
Teijin will acquire a 50-percent interest in Cargill subsidiary NatureWorks LLC, the Minnetonka,
Minn.-based manufacturer of NatureWorks® biopolymer made from renewable resources. Completion of
the joint venture, subject to regulatory approval, is anticipated before the end of this year.

NatureWorks’ polylactic acid (PLA) plant in Blair, Neb., is the first and largest commercial
scale biopolymer manufacturing plant worldwide, according to Cargill. Production is approaching
capacity, and since 2005, volume has more than doubled. Currently, more than 100 brands in the
United States, Asia and Europe offer products ranging from apparel and home textiles to personal
care and hygiene products, food and beverage packaging, and durable consumer goods that are
marketed using NatureWorks’ Ingeo® brand. Under the joint venture, Cargill and Teijin expect to
accelerate the company’s growth globally and expand its product offerings.

“Teijin’s downstream application knowledge in fibers, films and plastic compounds will be of
immeasurable value as we grow production at our Blair, Neb., facility and consider additional
expansion in the fast-growing global marketplace,” said Guillaume Bastiaens, vice chairman,
Cargill. “NatureWorks will greatly benefit from Teijin’s expertise in technology and end-use
application development. Teaming up with Teijin will allow more brand owners, retailers and
converters to address their global interest in sustainable solutions using NatureWorks biopolymer.”

“We are very impressed with Cargill’s long-term commitment to NatureWorks PLA polymers and
other biobased products,” said Toru Nagashima, president and CEO, Teijin. “NatureWorks LLC is a
perfect fit with our strategy of pursuing strategic investments to take our environmental
management technologies global. We look forward to growing our global PLA polymer business through
this partnersship.”

NatureWorks will continue to be based in Minnetonka, and senior management is expected to
remain in place.


October 2, 2007

Lenzing Expands Tencel® Production

In response to consistently strong customer demand, Austria-based Lenzing AG will invest 25 million
euros ($35.4 million) to expand its Tencel® production plant in Heiligenkreuz, Austria.

The expansion, expected to conclude within the next business year, will add two spinning
lines to the facility’s existing second production line. Annual capacity will be expanded from
40,000 tons to 50,000 tons.

Lenzing currently produces 130,000 tons of Tencel fiber each year at its existing locations
in Austria, England and Mobile, Ala., for use in a range of sectors including home textiles,
apparel and nonwovens.


October 2, 2007

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