Atlas Copco Compressors LLC, a business of Sweden-based Atlas Copco AG, has debuted its R410A (ID
95-285) refrigerant dryers designed exclusively for the company’s GA, GA+ and GA VSD 50-125 HP
oil-injected screw compressors, which are used in applications including textiles, printing,
packaging and other applications. According to Atlas Copco, the dryers use an energy-efficient
refrigerant, the company’s patented Saver Cycle and an air-to-air heat exchanger to provide
high-quality dry air while minimizing power usage.

“Compared to conventional dryers with similar cooling capacity, the integrated ID 95-285
dryers reduce direct power consumption up to 40 percent, even at full load,” said Bob Baker, senior
marketing support specialist, Atlas Copco. “These significant energy savings are achieved through
the introduction of R410A refrigerant and by optimizing the design of key components, including the
refrigerant compressor and heat exchanger with low pressure drop.”

Other features available with the R410A dryers include an optional DD/PD integrated two-stage
air filtration system combined with the condensate separator inside the unit canopy; and an
integrated dryer retrofit kit for previously designed installations.

August 4, 2009

Germany-based BASF SE has launched Lurotex® Duo C6 fluorocarbon-based textile finishing systems for
apparel, home textiles and upholstery. The Lurotex Duo System for stain repellent comprises Lurotex
Protector RP ECO combined with Perapret® Booster XLR to enhance the finish’s performance, and the
Lurotex Duo System for stain release comprises Lurotex Protector RL ECO combined with Perapret®
Booster XLR.

According to BASF, the C6-based finishes contain traces of perfluorooctanoic acid that are
reduced below detection levels, compared with traditonal C8-based products. “This will support
customers as well as retailers and brands in meeting the latest and future ecological
requirements,” said Janardhanan Ramanujalu, head of gobal business management, Textile Chemicals,
BASF.

The company also reports that compared to traditional fluorocarbon finishes, the Duo Systems
enhance performance durability while retaining a soft hand and a high degree of whiteness.

July 28, 2009

Cleveland, Tenn.-based Manufacturers Chemicals LLC — a producer of specialty chemicals for the
textile, paper, metals and coating industries, and a division of Synalloy Corp. — has introduced
EcoCare LNC, an eco-friendly disperse dye leveling agent for polyester and other disperse dyeable
fibers.

According to Chuck Stieg, president, Manufacturers Chemicals, many disperse dye leveling
agents are derivatives of phosphated or end-capped nonylphenol ethoxolates, which recent research
indicates may not be completely reacted or can decouple as they degrade, and release nonylphenol
into the environment.

“We expect the use of these derivatives will be discontinued as this new information comes to
light,” Stieg said. “In addition, we are dedicated to developing chemistry that is completely green
in that it comes from renewable feed stock and leaves a small environmental footprint in all phases
of manufacture.”

The company reports it has successfully completed performance testing of EcoCare LNC, and the
product offers additional benefits including other synergistic effects: “[EcoCare LNC] is extremely
low foaming; aids in dispersing dyes, offers wetting and emulsification properties, is an effective
bath lubricant in its own rights and has low biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand,”
said Mike Jenkins, director of the company’s Dalton, Ga.-based Floor Covering Group operation,
where testing was undertaken. He added that the agent is more economical than dye leveling agents
derived from nonylphenol ethoxalates.



July 28, 2009

Cary, N.C.-based Cotton Incorporated has introduced Storm Cotton™ for Fleece, a water-repellent
finish designed for use on cotton fibers. A variation of Storm Cotton technology for cotton
apparel, it is the latest in Cotton Incorporated’s line of Storm water-repellent, wind-protective,
breathable technologies, which also includes Storm Denim™ finish for denim apparel. Targeted uses
include outdoor apparel such as hoodies.

According to David Earley, director of supply chain marketing in Cotton Incorporated’s Global
Supply Chain division, it has been a challenge for the outdoor apparel segment to integrate
performance features into cotton fabric. He also noted that demand exists for outdoor cotton
apparel with performance benefits such as water repellency, protection from wind and other
attributes. “Our research tells us that the majority of consumers (77%) prefer cotton in general,
and most (70%) said they would be willing to pay more for cotton apparel that mimicked many of the
performance features more commonly found in synthetic fabrics,” he said.

July 28, 2009

Wichita, Kan.-based Invista has unveiled the Lycra® Sport performance standard for outdoor and
active apparel fabrics containing Lycra® fiber and is accompanying the launch with a new logo and
hangtag as well as an advertising program and a new website. The program emphasizes high technology
and performance standards associated with the Lycra brand, and its testing procedures and fabric
qualification standards are being shown to certain mill partners. Apparel fabric and sock
manufacturers and brands that participate in the Lycra Sport program must comply with the new
standard in terms of Lycra fiber content, fabric weight, recovery power, bi-directional elongation,
fabric set, fabric shrinkage and fit.

“Invista recognized that the message to consumers had become confusing, with stretch or
spandex appearing on many sport fabric hangtags as a proxy for fit, comfort or freedom of
movement,” said Julien Born, global director, Activewear & Outdoor Apparel, Invista. “While our
research confirms that these benefits are indeed of utmost importance to consumers when purchasing
a sport garment, we also know that stretch via the presence of spandex is only a small part of the
equation to allow consistent delivery of such fabric performance requirements. Our new Lycra Sport
fabric program, which combines stretch fiber technology and demanding fabric performance testing
standards on important parameters such as recovery power, addresses this issue and will help
consumers’ choice at the point of sales.”

July 28, 2009

Austria-based cellulosic fiber producer Lenzing AG has developed Tencel® Sun fiber, comprising
Tencel lyocell fibers with permanently integrated mineral-based pigments that provide ultraviolet
(UV) protection. According to the company, while conventional fibers lose more than half their UV
capabilities after the fabrics become damp or stretched, Tencel Sun fibers swell, providing
long-term protection. Lenzing reports that even after numerous launderings, the fiber maintains its
effectiveness, and has been shown in testing to attain a sunscreen level of up to 110 SPF.

Tencel Sun fiber is derived from wood and is 100-percent biodegradable. Suitable for high
activity and sports apparel, it also offers moisture management and skin-sensory properties and
exhibits reduced bacterial growth.

July 28, 2009

Effective August 16, Charlotte-based DAK Americas LLC — a producer of polyester staple fibers
(PSFs), polyethylene terephthalate resins, monomers and special polymers and a subsidiary of
Mexico-based Alfa S.A.B. de C.V. — will raise the price on all of its PSF products by 3 cents per
pound. The company cited an increased demand for Asian polyester raw materials, which has resulted
in increased global demand for polyester feed stock, in announcing the price hike.

July 28, 2009

Morris Township, N.J.-based Honeywell Specialty Materials, a division of Honeywell International
Inc., has added Gold Shield® GN-2117 ballistic composite material to its Gold Shield line of soft
armor products. The new material, which combines Honeywell’s patented Shield technology with aramid
fiber, incorporates a proprietary resin and coating system that provides improved protection
against bullets and fragments in military and police armor applications. Honeywell reports it is 10
percent lighter than the company’s traditional Gold Flex® material and offers increased surface
durability and chemical resistance, meeting global body armor standards including certification
under the National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ’s) new NIJ 0101.06 standard for body armor.

“This new material incorporates state-of-the-art composite technology to help armor
manufacturers achieve a high level of ballistic performance with increased resistance to water, gas
and other environmental conditions,” said Joe Gelo, global business director, Honeywell’s Advanced
Fibers and Composites business. “Honeywell remains committed to continuously improving our
ballistic materials to support the goals of law enforcement and the military, which are to reduce
armor weight and improve protection capabilities.”

July 28, 2009