Italy-based Comez S.p.A. — a producer of crochet knitting, warp knitting and narrow weaving
machinery — has introduced the DNB/EL-1270 double needle bed warp knitting machine for making a
wide range of fabric styles including technical, such as netting and high-performance ribbons and
fabrics for a variety of industrial and technical applications; medical, such as tubular netting,
disposible underwear and bandages and dressings; and apparel, such as fashion fabrics, and mesh
pantyhose and stockings.

The machine has a 1,270-millimeter working width, features individual latch needles and is
compatible with any yarn. Five to 18 needles-per-inch gauges are offered; and the DNB/EL-1270 comes
with 12 electronically-controlled pattern guide bars, allowing different weaves to be created
without stopping the machine. Knockover sinker groups are available if specified. Thread feeders
are electronically controlled, allowing varying stitch density, and differing weft and warp
feeding.

The DNB/EL-1270 can be fed by creels or beams, or a combination of both. The machine will
accept floor-standing external electronic yarn feeders, or electronic yarn feeders can be attached
to the machine. Finished product collection systems can be tailored to each customer’s specific
requirements.

Comez’s new Data Control Controller manages all machine functions, monitors production and
allows large pattern repeats to be created.

Using two needle beds and the pattern guide bars, the machine can produce double-faced
fabrics. Depending on parameter settings, the two sides can be differentiated by using different
structures or yarns; or, the front and back of the fabric can be made to look identical. Spacer
fabrics, which are highly suitable for technical end-uses, also are possible.

Rigid and elastic products can be created in flat or tubular configurations to form
netting-type products that range from simple open structures to more complex structures.



October 27, 2009

The Senate Finance Committee is moving forward with legislation designed to beef up the policing of
international trade by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP), something US textile manufacturers
have long sought.

At a hearing last week on the Customs Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Reauthorization Act,
Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., expressed his concern that CBP has neglected its
responsibilities in the trade area as it has waged a war on terrorism and illegal drug traffic.

Pointing out that CBP has a dual responsibility of policing international trade as well as
protecting borders, Baucus said: “These two missions are not mutually exclusive. CBP must do a
better job of balancing them. The agency’s security mission is vitally important, but I am
concerned that CBP has badly neglected its trade mission.”

To address this problem, Baucus and the ranking committee minority member, Charles Grassley,
R-Iowa, are sponsoring legislation that would create a new high-level position within CBP to focus
solely on trade facilitation and enforcement. That office would be directed to create new
enforcement practices to target imports that are most likely to violate US laws, but it also would
provide speedy customs clearance for importers with a strong history of complying with US laws. The
bill directs CBP to do a better job of consulting businesses affected by its policies as well at
the Finance Committee and Congress as a whole.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) strongly endorsed the legislation, saying it will
restore balance between the CBP’s international trade and homeland security duties. In a written
statement submitted to the committee, Jonathan Gold, NRF’s vice president for supply chain and
customs policy, said: “While we agree national security is an extremely  important objective
and strongly support CBP’s current efforts, there are many within the trade community who feel as
if trade facilitation has fallen by the wayside as a core element of CBP’s mission.” The statement
added that NRF believes the pending legislation is intended to strike a balance between the
agency’s trade duties and homeland security by declaring trade facilitation is a priority.

US textile manufacturers have long been concerned that Customs has neglected illegal
international trade in recent years as it focused its efforts and resources on combating illegal
drug traffic and border protection. While they generally support the goals of the Baucus-Grassley
bill, they would like to see legislation that is more textile-specific granting more authority to
seize illegal goods, a better electronic system to track the source of textile and apparel imports,
hiring more textile and apparel specialists and providing Customs agents with better training.

October 27, 2009

It has been 30 years since Japan-based Murata Machinery Ltd. invented its Mach Splicer. The splicer
originally was introduced at the International Exhibition of Textile Machinery (ITMA) in 1979.
Using compressed air, the splicer joins two ends of yarn without the need for a knot, a process
that improves the quality of a spun yarn. The original Mach Splicer was suitable for splicing
cotton yarns, but Murata also currently offers splicers for wool, linen and core spun yarns.

The benefits of knotless yarns in downstream processing are well-known today. Machine
stoppage and fabric flaws are less frequent because the yarns used are knot-free.

Air splicers are commonplace in the textile industry today, but Murata reports it continues
its research and development efforts in splicing technology and is committed to to advancing the
technology.

October 27, 2009

The Rupp Report is pleased to publish more good news, this time from the yarn and fabric front:
According to the latest news from the Switzerland-based International Textile Manufacturers
Federation (ITMF), world textile production saw an “impressive rebound” in the second quarter of
2009. ITMF’s State of Trade Report Q2/2009 continues below:

Both global yarn and fabric production surged driven by Asia in general and China in
particular. Global yarn and fabric stocks continued to fall slightly both reaching long-term lows.
Yarn orders were up in Europe though from a low level, while Brazil’s saw a significant jump. The
continuous downward trend since 2007 in fabric orders in Europe was stopped and slightly reversed.
Brazil’s fabric orders on the other hand decreased slightly.

World yarn production jumped in the 2nd quarter by +22.4% as compared to the previous
quarter after having fallen continuously since the 2nd quarter 2007. All regions recorded
increases, especially South America with +44.9% followed by Asia with +23.3%, Europe with +2.2% and
North America with +1.5%. In comparison to last year’s quarter only South America and Asia saw
increases (+1.9% and +1.0%, respectively), while yarn production in North America and Europe were
still considerably below last year’s levels (-25.2% and -15.3%, respectively.

Fabric production also soared worldwide by +14.4% in the 2nd quarter of 2009 in comparison
to the previous one. Unlike global yarn production global fabric production increased only in Asia
(+16.7%) and North America (+7.8%) and fell slightly in Europe (-0.4%) and South America (-0.6%).
Year-on-year global fabric production was up by +3.2% due to higher outputs in Asia (+6.7%), while
North America, Europe and South America still recorded lower production levels of -22.5, -18.8 and
-3.1%, respectively.

Global yarn inventories were down by -3.0% in the 2nd quarter of 2009 as compared to the
previous one. Yarn stocks plummeted in South America by -15.3% and decreased in Asia by -3.4% but
remained stable in Europe and North America.On an annual basis yarn stocks were down by -1.3%
globally, with South America and Asia seeing a reduction of -6.1% and -1.7%. Europe saw a marginal
increase of +0.7%.

The level of fabric inventories fell worldwide by -4.5%, thus recording the lowest in years.
All regions contributed to this reduction: South America -6.9%, North America -5.1%, Asia -4.9% and
Europe -1.5%. In comparison to last year’s 2nd quarter, inventories dropped by -14.3% on a global
scale. This was a result of lower stocks in all regions with Asia recording a fall of -21.0%, North
America of -8.0%, South America of -6.9% and Europe of -1.3%.

In the 2nd quarter 2009 yarn order rose slightly in Europe by +2.4% and strongly in Brazil
by +12.0%. On an annual basis yarn orders were still considerably down by -10.4% in Europe but
jumped by +25.3% in Brazil. Fabric orders increased in Europe in comparison to the previous quarter
by +1,6% and decreased slightly by -0.8% in Brazil. Year-on-year fabric orders plummeted by in
Europe by -14.6% and in Brazil by -3.1%.

October 27, 2009

Karl Mayer Malimo Textilmaschinenfabrik GmbH, the technical textiles strategic unit of
Germany-based Karl Mayer Textilmaschinenfabrik GmbH, has introduced the Malitronic® Multiaxial
machine for layer stabilization in reinforcing textiles, which can be used for prepreg applications
in wind turbines, aircraft, and marine craft; and for building repairs.

One unit is available for customer trials and training purposes at Karl Mayer Malimo’s
technical center in Chemnitz, Germany. A second machine already is in place performing trials for a
multiaxial textile producer.

Mayer reports the machine offers improved efficiency and performance, and productivity has
increased 20 to 25 percent over the previous-generation model.

The machine features a modular design for optimal flexibility, with the combination of both
mechanical and electronic aspects of the individual components possible. Individual modules are
constructed at the Chemnitz plant and then assembled at the customer’s facility.

Material is fed to the machine using a full-width, continuous conveyor belt assuring uniform
and specific feeding of materials, such as chopped glass mats or pretensioned weft layers, to the
bonding section of the machine.

An optional wide cutting unit is available for producing chopped glass mats from glass
rovings to be used as feedstock. The delivery system to the machine can vary depending on the
customer’s requirements.

The Malitronic features a compensating yarn tensioner, which provides constant take-off of
the yarn from the package and evens out any differences in yarn tension as the yarns are laid on
the conveyor belt.

Sheet-wise positioning of the reinforcing yarns is controlled by the weft laying system,
which features an optimized drive system. Adjustments can be made in 1-degree increments between
45-degree and -45-degree angles. The standard Malitronic configuration has three individually
controlled weft laying devices, but the machine can be configured with up to five.

The reinforcing yarns are moved to the bonding point using transport chains located on the
lengthwise sides of the weft insertion frame. Weft yarns are held in place by horizontally and
vertically positioned needled pins.

Stitches are formed to bond the reinforcing material. Filler thread delivery has been
simplified and optimized to offer constant thread tension.

Once the material has been bonded, selvages are removed and collected in a central waste bin.
Cutting tools can be set up to cut the working width of the material into strips as determined by
the end-use for the product.

Standard two- and three-roller take-down units are used, and the surface winder operates
semi-automatically. The customer can elect to use a combined surface and central winder in cases
such as when sensitive materials or long lengths will be wound.



October 27, 2009

Germany-based Brückner Trockentechnik GmbH & Co. KG, a manufacturer of textile finishing and
dyeing machinery, is celebrating its 60th year in business. The company was founded in 1949 by Kurt
Brückner as an air conditioning unit manufacturer. Soon after it opened, the company changed
direction and began to focus on drying machines, which still form the company’s core business
today. The company reports it has supplied more than 5,000 lines over the past 60 years.

Currently, the company is run by Regina Brückner, the founder’s daughter, and her husband,
Axel Pieper.

October 27, 2009

Hauppauge, N.Y.-based Crosstex International Inc. — a subsidiary of Little Falls, N.J.-based
infection prevention and control products provider Cantel Medical Corp. — has developed the Ultra
Sensitive face mask treated with Biosafe® antimicrobial. The Biosafe treatment additive —
developed by Pittsburgh-based Biosafe Inc. — is an organo-functional silane technology that
chemically binds to the outer mask surface, creating a long-lasting shield against contamination
from microorganisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant
Enterococcus and other microorganisms upon contact. The masks have been proven effective at
protecting against Influenza A strains including seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus, according to
Crosstex. 

“Face masks serve as the first line of defense against airborne particles by trapping them in
the filter media,” said Gary Steinberg, CEO, Crosstex. “However, live microorganisms can continue
to live on the mask surface. Our new Biosafe-treated Ultra Sensitive face masks enhance the
functionality of the mask by effectively killing the harmful microorganisms, reducing the
cross-contamination risk from touching the mask itself and creating a safer environment upon
disposal of the mask. The Biosafe treatment additive, as approved by the EPA [Environmental
Protection Agency], is compatible with our manufacturing process. Even better, because Biosafe
mechanically kills cells, it will not cause the development of more resistant ‘superbugs.’”

Cantel recently announced that it has made a strategic investment in Biosafe and plans to
integrate the Biosafe additive into other products. The masks currently are available in certain
markets outside of the United States. Crosstex is in the process of submitting an application to
the EPA for clearance to sell the masks in the United States for non-medical applications. Sale in
the United States of face masks treated with Biosafe antimicrobial for medical applications is
subject to a 510(k) clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration.

October 27, 2009

The Merino Co. (TMC), Australia — a provider of vertically integrated merino wool fiber solutions
for retail and brand partners — has become an official licensee of the EU Eco-label, a
certification system established in 1992 that distinguishes environmentally friendly products and
services. TMC’s wool supply chain is the first globally to be fully certified to the EU Eco-label,
from greasy wool through yarn. The company’s products will now display the EU Eco-label Flower
symbol, designating that they have been certified by an independent third-party organization to
comply with ecological and performance criteria. 

“We recognise the importance placed on high quality natural fibres that are environmentally
friendly by our global retail, apparel and textile brand customers,” said Stefan Bernerius,
manager, TMC Yarns. “It has been a rigorous process and has taken over two years to come to
fruition but we have met the strict EU Eco-label environmental and performance criteria, and can
proudly guarantee that our products have a reduced impact on the environment.”



October 27, 2009

Switzerland-based Schoeller Technologies AG has announced that its coldblack® textile finish is now
available for wool products. Coldblack technology, which enables black fabrics to reflect rather
than absorb the sun’s rays, offers dual protection from solar heat and ultraviolet rays.
(See ”
Cool
Rider,” Quality Fabric Of The Month, Oct. 9, 2007.) According to Schoeller, temperature
changes are less noticeable when wearing dark wool clothing that is finished with coldblack
technology.

October 27, 2009

The Hohenstein Institute — a Germany-based textile research and testing laboratory with locations
worldwide — has combined its Clothing Physiology and Textile Services & Innovations segments
into the Function and Care department. The new department will be responsible for activities
including measuring the physiological comfort of textile materials and manufactured articles;
conducting testing and certification of personal protective equipment; textile leasing; textile
finishing; color measuring; and activities related to functional innovative textiles and commercial
laundries. The department also will offer comprehensive services to Gütegemeinschaft sachgemässe
Wäschepflege e.V. (Quality Association for Proper Laundry Care) members, and practical seminars to
laundries and textile service providers.

Dr. Andreas Schmidt will manage the Function and Care department, and Dr. Jan Beringer will
serve as scientific manager. Dr. Karl-Heinz Umbach will retire from his role as director of the
Clothing Physiology department, but will continue to serve as an advisor to the Hohenstein
Institute.

October 27, 2009