DyStar Launches New Dyes For Wool

Frankfurt-based DyStar Textilfarben GmbH & Co. Deutschland KG has added two new reactive dyes
to its Realan® EHF range for wool dyeing, bringing the total number of dyes in that range to 11.

Realan Brilliant Red EHF produces bright red shades, while Realan Brilliant Blue EHF is a
greenish-blue dye used for trichromatic combinations. According to DyStar, the addition of the two
dyes to the Realan EHF range enables improved color constancy under any light source. The company
also reports the dyes’ compatibility and fiber coverage result in good reproducibility and
fastness.

In addition, according to Brian Connolly, global business development management for wool
dyes, DyStar, effluent loading from dyehouses is reduced, and the dyes comply with Oeko-Tex 100
standards including articles for infants.

June 17, 2008

Milliken Named To 2008 World’s Most Ethical Companies List

Spartanburg, S.C.-based Milliken & Company was recently named to The Ethisphere Institute’s
2008 World’s Most Ethical Companies List. Ethisphere, a New York City-based think-tank dedicated to
driving and reinforcing profitable ethical business practices, presented the award at the “Driving
Profit Through Ethical Leadership” conference, sponsored by Ethisphere and Forbes.

“This recognition highlights one of the core philosophies of Milliken, a belief that doing
the right things for the right reasons ultimately achieves the best results for our customers,
communities, associates and shareholders,” said Milliken CEO Joe Salley. “We are honored to have
the ethical actions of all of our associates recognized.”

The extensive evaluation process to determine the finalists involved researchers and analysts
reviewing more than10,000 leading companies worldwide, considering aspects such as codes of ethics;
litigation and regulatory infraction histories; investment in innovation and sustainable business
practices; companies’ activities to improve corporate citizenship; and more.

“We applaud Milliken & Company as one of the companies honored this year because they
have developed impressive and meaningful ethical business practices, making them true standouts
within their industries,” said Ethisphere Institute Executive Director Alexander Brigham. “By their
actions, they are forcing their competitors to follow suit, or fall behind and truly embodying the
notion that ethical business practices are more profitable in the long run.”

The 2008 list of the World’s Most Ethical Companies is featured in the Q2 issue of
Ethisphere™ Magazine.

June 17, 2008

INDA To Present Lifetime Achievement Award To Cos Camelio

The Cary, N.C.-based Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) has announced it will
present the INDA Lifetime Achievement Award to the late Cos Camelio. Camelio, who retired last year
from his position as INDA technical director, recently passed away at age 67.

Camelio began his career in nonwovens in 1964 as a shift supervisor and management trainee
with Chicopee, at the Chicopee Falls, Mass. location. After holding various positions there, he
joined Freudenberg Nonwovens in 1983 as vice president of manufacturing, and subsequently served as
COO and President. 

During his six-year tenure as technical director of INDA, Camelio worked with INDA’s sister
organization, Brussels-based EDANA, the International Association Serving the Nonwovens and Related
Industries, to bring standard test methods into conformance.

He also worked with EDANA to develop the Flushability Guidelines, which are premiering at the
World of Wipes 2008 conference this week. (See ”
Industry Groups Develop Flushability Guidelines,”) In addition, Camelio
participated on ISO and ASTM standards committees, was partially responsible for the programs at
INDA technical conferences, and served as chairman of a number of INDA committees.

“Cos Camelio was truly one of the pioneers in the development of the global nonwovens
industry,” said Rory Holmes, president, INDA. “This is a well-earned honor for a wonderful and
talented man who devoted his entire professional life to the advancement of the industry
worldwide.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Camelio’s wife, Phyllis, in a special
ceremony this summer. Camelio also will be recognized formally at IDEA10 in April 2010 in Miami
Beach, Fla., and will be inducted into the Nonwovens Industry Hall of Fame.

June 17, 2008

MCM To Launch GlobalTex In 2009

Dallas-based Market Center Management Company (MCMC), an international market center and tradeshow
management company, has announced plans to launch GlobalTex, a new international textile show to be
held in Los Angeles. Endorsed by the Textile Association of Los Angeles, GlobalTex will be held
twice a year at the Los Angeles Convention Center, with the first two shows scheduled for April
21-23, 2009, and October 13-15, 2009.

MCMC plans for GlobalTex to be the largest apparel fabrics and materials show in the United
States. “We are extremely pleased to offer a premier international textile show,” said MCMC
President and CEO Bill Winsor. “Our goal is to launch a show larger than any textile event in the
United States and expand the show to 1 million square feet over the next five years.”

GlobalTex will present sourcing needs, including fabric, trimmings, supplies and technology
for the apparel trade. Specially organized seminars and events will be offered in addition to the
exhibition. Technology to be presented will include computer systems, software and equipment.

June 17, 2008

Thermostatic Named Distributor For 3M Nextel™ High-Temperature Textiles

Thermostatic Industries Inc., Huntington Park, Calif. — a distributor of high-temperature-resistant
textiles representing a number of major brands — has received a contract from St. Paul, Minn.-based
3M Co. to produce and distribute the complete range of 3M Nextel™ high-temperature woven ceramic
textiles.

Thermostatic also uses Nextel fabrics in fabricating customized products — such as fabric
seals, ropes and textile gaskets — for specific applications. Depending on the application and
composition, the products are designed to function at continuous temperatures of 2,000°F or higher,
making them suitable for applications in industries such as aerospace and automotive.

June 17, 2008

French Army Chooses Kermel® For Fatigues

France-based Kermel — a manufacturer of meta-aramid fibers used in protective clothing — has
announced that the French Army has chosen Kermel® V50 and VMC40 fabrics to outfit its troops for
the FELIN® (Infantry with Integrated Equipment and Connectivity) Project.

Kermel V50 combines softness with thermal protection and the absorption capacity of flame
resistant (FR) viscose, and is suitable for battledress uniforms worn in the summer and
mid-seasons. Kermel VMC40 is a soft, durable camouflage fabric with humidity transfer and FR,
making it suitable for cold weather and damp conditions. Kermel fabrics also are colorfast and can
be used for any type of camouflage dress.

The French Army will provide Kermel-based gear to the first battalions beginning in late
2008.



June 17, 2008

Hohensteiner Institutes Develops Antimicrobial Efficacy Test

The International Textile Research Centre of the Germany-based Hohensteiner Institutes has
developed a two-part test to determine the qualitative and quantitative efficacy of antimicrobial
textiles in reducing perspiration odor. The research and development was led by Dr. Dirk Höfer of
the research center’s Institute for Hygiene and Biotechnology.

The first stage of the test involves use of a microbiological cell model in which the
antimicrobial textile impedes the metabolism of microbes that generate a particular odor substance,
and the use of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis to measure the amount of odor
substance generated as well as the efficacy of the textile. The second stage comprises a controlled
wear test in which test participants apply their own perspiration to the textiles, and the
qualitative and quantitative assessment of odor reduction in the antimicrobial textile compared
with conventional textiles.

The institute will provide a Hohenstein quality label for use by textile manufacturers that
have verified the efficacy of their products through independent testing.

June 17, 2008

Celanese Announces Emulsion Polymers Price Increase

Effective July 1, or as contracts allow, Celanese Corp., Dallas, will implement a 50-euros-per-ton
price increase on all vinyl- and acrylic-based emulsions sold in Europe. The company cited
increasing costs of raw materials, feedstocks, energy and transportation in announcing the price
increase.

June 17, 2008

Bóboli Pilots Tagsys RFID Program

Cambridge, Mass.-based Tagsys USA Inc. — a radio frequency identification (RFID) equipment maker —
has announced that Spain-based Bóboli — a children’s apparel manufacturer — is piloting an RFID
deployment program to track and manage its products. Bóboli manufactures more than 2 million items
per year that are offered in 30 owned stores and franchises in Europe, the Arab States, the Far
East and the Americas.

The initial test will involve a Tagsys ultra-high-frequency (UHF) tunnel, which quickly will
scan and read the RFID-tagged contents of Bóboli’s inbound and outbound warehouse shipments. The
scanned items will then be checked against the packing slip to confirm the content’s accuracy. This
process is expected to cut five days off the amount of time items remain in Bóboli’s distribution
center, and in the long run will allow the company to quickly and accurately refill store inventory
and verify product availability.

According to Tagsys, Bóboli is the first Spanish-brand apparel producer to install an RFID
item-level tracking system. “This is a strategic bet for our brand to keep up with our rapid
expansion, while reducing our operational costs and staying a step ahead of our competitors,” said
Bóboli Operations Director Domingo Garrido.

The pilot program will be tested on 10 percent of Bóboli’s production inventory, and plans
are being made to expand full RFID deployment for all items and eventually a final store-level
phase, in which products will be tracked from manufacturing through point-of-sale.

Cetemmsa, a Spain-based technology center, has specified the project’s guidelines and will
manage the implementation, and also will supply technical support and training to Bóboli’s staff.
Pasadena, Calif.-based Avery Dennison will provide the hangtags that will integrate with Tagsys’
UHF tags.  

June 17, 2008

Poppy’s, SP Apparels Switch To Tukatech

Two Tirupur, India-based apparel manufacturers — Poppy’s Knit Wear Pvt. Ltd. and S.P. Apparels Ltd.
— have replaced their existing computer-aided-design (CAD) systems with TUKAcad digital
pattern-making, grading and marker-making systems supplied by Tukatech, a Los Angeles-based
provider of product development solutions for the apparel industry. The companies also have
installed SMARTmark and Net-Q, Tukatech’s advanced marker-making software.

Poppy’s manufactures knitted and woven garments for clients including Sara Lee Underwear,
Polo Ralph Lauren, Hanes, Domino’s, Red Devil Clothing, and other apparel makers. According to
Tukatech, Poppy’s has seen a 27-percent increase in cutting room production efficiency and has
saved more than 10 percent on fabric consumption since installing the Tukatech systems.

S.P. Apparels manufactures apparel for clients including George, Tesco and Disney. According
to S.P. Apparels, using Tukatech’s SMARTmark software has helped the company reduce consumption,
connect its factories, and save fabric.

June 17, 2008

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