The Future Of Stretch: Introducing Under Armour’s First Product Made With High-Performing Elastane Alternative NEOLAST™

BALTIMORE — May 7, 2024 — In 1996, Under Armour proved a single shirt can change the game forever. The brand’s original performance stretch, compression technology wicked away sweat faster than anything else out there and kept athletes cool, dry and light.

Ever since, Under Armour has continued to change the game with innovative performance gear. Now, it honors its innovation heritage as it looks to the future of stretch.

On May 13, Under Armour will premiere the first product to feature its latest material innovation, a high-performing elastane alternative called NEOLAST™, on UA.com. Part of its Vanish training franchise, Vanish Pro tees made with NEOLAST fiber are built to withstand the demands of all types of athletic training and feature a classic design to help athletes stay focused during workouts.

NEOLAST fibers at work in the fabric translate to a high-powered garment with exceptional durability and fit. Announced for the first time in January 2024, the brand hopes NEOLAST will address key sustainability challenges of elastane, including recyclability and solvent-use.

With performance and sustainability improvements — the light, stretchy, breathable, and fast drying material feels good on, and athletes and consumers can feel good about wearing it.

Vanish Pro Mens Training Tee

“We took a minimalist approach to the design of this shirt, eliminating distractions for the athlete and opting for classic lines that allow the NEOLAST material to shine. The Vanish Pro tee’s durable material will not only increase its lifespan, it will offer consistent fit and stretch throughout the garment’s life. We’re proud to have developed the first apparel with this innovation and are excited about bringing more performance garments that utilize the future of stretch to athletes everywhere,” said John Hardy III, senior director, Product, Under Armour.

As a nod to the shirt that started it all, Vanish Pro NEOLAST tees invert the brand’s original compression tee’s color scheme from a white tee with a black logo, to a black tee with a white logo.

“At Under Armour, our innovation heritage inspires us to relentlessly pursue better performing gear that is better for the athlete and planet. Part of the beauty of this material innovation is the value we’ve been able to add by taking things away. The Vanish Pro is a highly durable, performance stretch tee made without elastane or solvents — and it’s just the beginning of NEOLAST’s potential. We look forward to introducing this revolutionary performance fiber across additional product lines as we work to scale it and evolve the broader industry landscape,” said Kyle Blakely, senior vice president, Innovation, Development & Testing, Under Armour.

Under Armour is committed to using its materials innovation muscle to support the apparel, footwear and accessories industry’s transition to a circular economy. The brand’s NEOLAST fiber innovation will support its goal to eliminate spandex in its products 75 percent by 2030.

NEOLAST™ is a trademark of Celanese.

Posted: May 7, 2024

Source: Under Armour, Inc.

KARL MAYER GROUP Presents Solutions At ITM 2024

OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — May 7, 2024 — For KARL MAYER GROUP, Turkey is an extremely important market with numerous longstanding business connections and promising growth potentials. Accordingly prepared, the global player travels as an exhibitor to ITM at Tüyap Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul.

“In response to the economic challenges in the Turkish textile industry, we are intensifying our commitment to our local customers. We have founded a subsidiary in Bursa to provide even better support for our services. Our proximity to the market also helps us to optimise our production solutions to meet the needs of our customers. Our focus remains on providing advanced, efficient, high-performance machines that use digital solutions to increase productivity and reduce operating costs. We are here at ITM to assist our customers through the current difficult times and help them emerge stronger. This is also a personal concern of mine. I have built up close relationships with many customers over the years. Their success is very near and dear to my heart,” says Arno Gärtner, CEO of the KARL MAYER GROUP.

The KARL MAYER GROUP will be presenting itself here from June 4-8, 2024, in Hall 3 at Stand 303A as a competent partner that supports its customers in the change processes of our time. Accordingly, the motto of the comprehensive innovation show is “Master the Change”. The solutions on show at the leading industry trade fair will focus on profitability despite rising costs, sustainable business practices, flexibility in the face of changing requirements, new business potential and reliable, stable operations despite a shortage of skilled labour.

New business momentum for the Turkish warp knitting industry

Warp knitting companies can look forward to new opportunities for their business development at KARL MAYER’ stand in Istanbul. The industry leader will be presenting selected solutions to support customers in a market that is as important as it is difficult. The focus will be on flexibility and speed.

One of the main exhibits will be the HKS 3-M ON PLUS. The tricot machine offers an exceptional, flexible product range and maximum speed — even with strongly changing yarn consumption. The all-rounder produces square marquisette items as well as robust shoe fabrics, also in coarse gauges, and works at maximum speed despite a wide variety of pattern changes, thanks to the ground-breaking Advanced Feeding Control (AFC) function.

A trendy textile show presents examples from the extensive production range of the HKS 3-M ON PLUS, including an article based on a square marquisette, which could not previously be reliably produced in the gauge E 18. Further textile innovations highlight new business opportunities in established and new applications. On show will be a brand new Seersucker-article from a TM 4 EL and trendy RASCHELTRONIC® items for fashion and sportswear, terry fabrics, curtains and corduroy fabrics for the home textiles sector, lace articles with a unique appearance for Lingerie and new textile solutions for the footwear sector, among others.

Customers can also look forward to a presentation of the latest Care Solutions products. The exhibition will focus on the Customer Portal, which gives users access to the digital world of the KARL MAYER GROUP, and the brand new Energy Efficiency Solution (EES), which supports warp knitting companies on their way to lower energy consumption and greater sustainability.

Versatile solutions paired with a perfect price-performance ratio for the Turkish flat knitting industry

STOLL will be presenting at ITM four machine with maximum benefits for Turkish customers. On display will be a CMS 503 ki E7.2 and CMS 502 ki E3.5.2 – two representatives from the Economic range of the CMS series for the volume market – among others.

“The highly productive machines with an excellent price-performance ratio are extremely interesting for Turkish knitting companies. The manufacturers have to meet the special requirements of high-volume production of trend-driven articles under high cost pressure,” explains STOLL Area Sales Manager Lutz Vogel.

Other machine highlights for the flat knitting industry include a CMS 530 ki BcW E7.2, which brings chic and variety to the production of technical textiles and thus stands out from the competition, and an ADF 530-32 ki FLEX E7.2, a brand new, highly flexible machine. The newcomer with almost unlimited production possibilities was already presented extremely successfully at ITMA 2023 in Milan. Its appearance in Istanbul is a premiere for the entire region.

In addition to the machines, examples from their production repertoire will be presented.

The textile innovation show has a special highlight in store for ITM guests: The new STOLL Trend Collection, which has just been completed, will be presented under the exciting heading “NOCTURNO”.

More efficiency and sustainability for warp preparation

The focus of KARL MAYER’s exhibitions for the warp preparation sector is on the topics of cost-effectiveness and sustainability.

The brand-new system CASCADE offers customers a solution that enables them to significantly reduce steam consumption on sizing machines and dyeing systems. Depending on the process conditions and system design, a steam saving of around 7% is possible. For the denim industry, which is strongly anchored in Turkey, KARL MAYER has a media show for the BLUEDYE in its trade fair baggage. Thanks to clever technological details, the indigo dyeing unit is three times more efficient and two times cleaner than conventional counterparts on the market.

Other innovations for the warp preparation industry focus on machine availability. Smart Size Box is a technology that monitors the condition of wear components and therefore makes a valuable contribution to predictive maintenance. The customer benefits from significantly less unplanned downtime. In addition, a combined Care X-Tend and Connectivity Package for a next-generation after-sales service will be presented.

Further topics, which will be presented with information material, are solutions for maximum productivity: the MULTI-MATIC® 32 Compact warp sampling machine, which offers twice the productivity of the previous model without taking up more space and enables simple, fast pattern changes, and the LINK-MATIC® system as a sophisticated automation solution that considerably simplifies batch changeovers on indigo and sizing machines.

Rethinking civil engineering business with technical textiles: warp-knitted fabrics with weft insertion and non-crimp fabrics

The Turkish building and construction industry offers a wide range of applications for technical textiles. In particular, the construction work following last year’s earthquake and a wide range of infrastructure projects require innovative solutions with high efficiency and low resource consumption. KARL MAYER Technische Textilien can offer these with the products from its machines, as will be demonstrated at ITM.

Machines from KARL MAYER Technische Textilien are used to produce textile concrete reinforcements, roofing materials and plaster grids that make construction and renovation easier, more environmentally friendly and faster. Other products include geogrids and composite structures for infrastructure projects, which offer various functions in one material with a sophisticated composition. One example of this is slope stabilization. The textile grids with or without a nonwoven enables the construction of steeper, safer embankments to optimize land use and reduce the disruption of a structure.

Textile products from the COP MAX 4 are also in demand in the wind power industry. The multiaxial warp knitting machine produces glass non-crimp fabrics for the reinforcement of composites, which set standards for rotor blades in terms of span widths.

Maximum efficiency and product quality through smart digital solutions

KM.ON will be showcasing innovative digital solutions at ITM that enable textile companies to significantly increase the efficiency of their value creation and the quality of their products. The highlight of the presentation is the launch of two products: Digital Product Management (DPM), which massively simplifies management, leadership and planning in the warp knitting industry and thus enables considerable cost reductions, and the Quality Monitoring System (QMS), a revolutionary solution for quality management on warp knitting machines.

KM.ON’s Digital Production Management (DPM) is a game-changer solution for the shop floor organization of warp knitting companies. It enables seamless monitoring and control of production processes in real time and provides production managers with deeper insights as a basis for optimizing operations. Bottlenecks can be identified and processes refined, resulting in significant improvements in terms of costs and product quality. The customer benefits from a considerable increase in efficiency. This makes the DPM to an essential solution for textile companies looking to future-proof their production processes!

Another KM.ON product focuses on the quality of the manufactured fabrics. The QMS is a brand new, revolutionary solution for quality monitoring based on artificial intelligence. It will initially be offered as a retrofit solution for tricot machines in limited quantities.

In addition to the two newcomers, KM.ON will also be showcasing CREATE DESIGN for the flat knitting industry. The software solution accelerates the development and design process of knitwear, and thus the workflow from the idea to the market launch. This is made possible by a set of sophisticated features, including a including a shape and grading tool for easier creation of a knit pattern and size sets, a toolkit for developing digital knit structures with a wide range of creative possibilities, a colour generator and flexible yarn creation options. The data from CREATE DESIGN can also be exported and imported into any 3D software, for example to create photorealistic images of fully knitted garments. This reduces the effort required to produce prototypes and articles for demonstration purposes, with benefits for the environmental and cost balance.

Posted: May 7, 2024

Source: KARL MAYER Verwaltungsgesellschaft AG

Monforts Automation Reinvigorates Pincroft Line

The Thermex range at Pincroft’s Adlington dyehouse.

TW Special Report

As a specialist in dyeing, printing and finishing very well known for its advanced camouflage ranges for the military, long-standing Monforts customer Pincroft is now benefiting from a complete modernization of the Thermex continuous dyeing, condensing and thermosoling range at its Adlington dyehouse in Lancashire, England.

First installed in 2007, the line has been upgraded to match the performance of the very latest Monforts Thermex lines that are equipped with advanced automation features providing machine operators with full control over the entire system.

The modernization project included new control cabinets, gear motors for the fabric transport drives and PC, PLC control, touch panels and frequency inverters.

The modernization project included new control cabinets, gear motors for the fabric transport drives and PC, PLC control, touch panels and frequency inverters.

The new control cabinets were supplied fully pre-assembled from the Monforts HQ in Mönchengladbach, Germany, for direct connection to the line.

In addition, Pincroft has installed a new combined heat and power (CHP) plant at the site and is now able to produce 67 percent of its own electricity and recover heat for use across its textile operations.

Know-how

With more than 130 years of accumulated know-how in the bleaching, dyeing, printing and finishing of fabrics, Pincroft has an annual production capacity of 50 million meters.

Its meticulous pre-treatment processes, including brushing, singeing, desizing, scouring, bleaching, and mercerizing, ensure that fabrics are primed for dyeing and printing, enhancing their quality and performance.

Drawing on a vast knowledge in commission textile dyeing, eco-friendly dyeing methods and advanced lines ensure precise and consistent color shades meeting the most challenging fabric requirements and as a specialist in bespoke commission printing, services span everything from camouflage printing for global military forces to designs for home and workwear.

Mechanical and chemical finishing services can further transform textiles and enhance their inherent properties and the company is Europe’s leader in flame retardant fabric treatments, with its Proban® treated textiles ensuring ultimate protection with outstanding comfort, appearance and durability.

After joining forces with Carrington Textiles in 1998, the company has been an integral part of one of the largest suppliers of workwear, flame retardant, waterproof, defence and sustainable fabrics to some of the biggest companies and organizations in the world.

Since then, export business has significantly expanded to more than 80 countries and the two companies enjoy a particularly strong position in the supply of camouflage and uniform materials to armed forces around the world, including the UK and Dutch Ministries of Defence, as well as the Finnish and Estonian armies.

Reliability

The upgraded Thermex system at Pincroft’s Adlington plant now achieves unrivalled reliability even at maximum fabric speeds, for exceptional cost-effectiveness when dyeing both large and small batches of woven fabrics.

Monforts Area Sales Manager and Head of Spare Parts and Retrofits Achim Gesser.

“Our machines are built to last and known for their robustness and long service life,” said Monforts Area Sales Manager and Head of Spare Parts and Retrofits Achim Gesser. “Textile companies making major capital investments in new manufacturing lines rely on durability from the company’s production ranges, and it’s for this reason that there are currently an estimated 2,000 Monforts machines in operation worldwide — some of which were first installed over 30 years ago.

“This doesn’t mean, however, that they can’t benefit from many of the advances in performance and automation we have subsequently made. The retrofitting of specific modules with new control and drive technology — going far beyond the basic replacement of spare parts — can have a significant impact on the performance of an existing line and especially maximizing energy savings.”

May 7, 2024

Meisheng Expands Production With Third ANDRITZ Needlepunch Line At Its Facility In Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, China

GRAZ, Austria — May 7, 2024 — Meisheng Group has started up a new ANDRITZ needlepunch line at its facility in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, China. It is the third line supplied by ANDRITZ to the renowned manufacturer of high-end nonwoven synthetic leather. This expansion will enable Meisheng to address the growing demand for synthetic suede in the automotive industry, particularly for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs).

Third ANDRITZ needlepunch line in operation at Meisheng plant. Photo — ANDRITZ

Qian Guochun, CEO of Meisheng, commented: “In view of the strong demand for our premium synthetic suede, especially for NEVs, we have placed our trust in ANDRITZ for the third time. With the new needlepunch line we are expanding our capacity while maintaining our high quality standards.”

The advanced line is equipped with a ProWid™ system that allows Meisheng to ensure an optimum web weight regularity across the full product width. As a result, the web distribution is drastically improved, which reduces material consumption (fibers) and improves web weight evenness (CV%) – factors that are particularly important in synthetic leather manufacturing for automotive applications.

Founded in 1994, Zhejiang Meisheng New Material Co. Ltd. is an internationally renowned maker of high-end textiles and nonwoven synthetic leather. Through a consistent focus on R&D, Meisheng has established itself as a pioneer in the production of nonwoven microfiber synthetic leather in China.

Posted: May 7, 2024

Source: ANDRITZ AG

Teijin Automotive Technologies Celebrates Opening Of Huntington, Indiana, Facility Expansion

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — May 4, 2024 — Teijin Automotive Technologies held a ribbon cutting today to celebrate the opening of its new topcoat and assembly facility in Huntington, Ind. This new facility enhances the capabilities of the company’s existing Huntington facility, which include compression molding, bonding, water jetting, sanding and priming.

VIPs and Teijin Automotive executives cut the ribbon celebrating the opening of the supplier’s new, 164,000 square-foot top coat and assembly facility in Huntington, Indiana. From left: Steve Wisniewski, chief financial officer, Teijin Automotive; Chris Twining, CEO, Teijin Automotive; Huntington Mayor Richard Strick; Mary Martin, regional director for U.S. Senator Mike Braun; Rick Doering, plant manager, Teijin Automotive Huntington; Mark Wickersham, executive director, Huntington County Economic Development Corporation; Rob Miller, Huntington County commissioner; Theresa Kulczak, executive director, Japan-America Society of Indiana; and Kim Zitny, director, Corporate Communications, Teijin Automotive. Photo — Business Wire

The new 164,000 square-foot facility houses topcoat and assembly process to support the manufacturing of the Ford Bronco 4-Door modular painted roof program. The roofs themselves will be molded in advanced composites at Teijin Automotive’s 350,000 square-foot manufacturing facility located across Highway 9 in Huntington.

Additional details:

  • Topcoat facility sitting on 30 acres in the new Riverfork West Industrial Center.
  • Total investment of more than $100 million including land, building and equipment.
  • Will employ approximately 110 people when operations begin in June 2024.
  • Will eventually employ approximately 200.

“This new facility enables us to support exciting programs like the Ford Bronco and gives us the capacity to meet future customer needs as the demand for our innovative, sustainable, lightweight components continues to grow,” said Teijin Automotive CEO Chris Twining. “Huntington is an ideal location for us because of the availability of skilled, dedicated workers, and the continued support and collaboration from the economic development teams from the State of Indiana, Huntington County, and the Huntington community.”

Posted: May 6, 2024

Source: Teijin Automotive Technologies / The Teijin Group

Standard Textile Recognized As A US Best Managed Company Gold Standard Winner

CINCINNATI — May 6, 2024 — Standard Textile is proud to announce it has been selected as a 2024 US Best Managed Company Gold Standard winner. Now in its fifth year, the award, sponsored by Deloitte* Private and The Wall Street Journal, recognizes the achievements of U.S. private companies and the successes of their management teams.

“We’re honored to be named a US Best Managed Company for the fourth consecutive year and be among the 34 Gold Winners for 2024. The rigorous application process each year allows us to reflect on what sets us apart and how we should continually improve,” said Alex Heiman, President of Standard Textile. “This award truly belongs to our entire organization, as it reflects the collective effort of every team member executing on our strategic vision. We’re proud to stand out and remain dedicated to delivering exceptional value to our customers.”

US Best Managed Companies is part of a global Deloitte Private program. Honorees are selected by an external panel of judges who evaluate applicants based on strategy, ability to execute, culture, and governance and financial performance. They join an ecosystem of organizations from more than 44 countries.

Posted: May 6, 2024

Source: Standard Textile

Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership (GBMP) Announces Rebranding To GBMP Consulting Group

BOSTON — May 1, 2024 — The Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership (GBMP), known for its leadership in Lean and Continuous Improvement consulting, is excited to announce its rebranding to “GBMP Consulting Group.” This change, including a new logo, coincides with the organization’s 30th anniversary and reflects its expanded expertise across various industries.

“Our official name remains the Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership, but we will now do business as GBMP Consulting Group,” said Bruce Hamilton, president of GBMP Consulting Group. “This update signifies our evolution and our commitment to offering broader and more comprehensive consulting services.”

This new brand identity is aligned with our mission to support businesses in achieving operational excellence and fostering cultures of continuous improvement. The updated branding will be implemented across all materials and communications effective immediately.

Posted: May 6, 2024

Source: GBMP Consulting Group

AATCC – Now Accepting Entries For The Herman And Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — May 6, 2024 — Entries are being sought for the 2024 Herman and Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition. The oral portion of the competition will be held during the Fall Committee Meetings in November in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. A completed official entry form must be submitted by May 15, 2024.

The Herman and Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition aims to enhance the textile education experience for student members of AATCC. The intent is to encourage independent student research both within the USA and Internationally. Students who are working on research regarding application of colorants, chemicals, and polymers or textile design and coloration, chemical processes, and materials of importance to the textile industry are eligible to submit an entry.

Graduate student entries must include work completed as a graduate. All papers will be prescreened by the competition chair to ensure that they meet 60 percent of the written evaluation total (maximum points

achievable on the written manuscript are 120). The length of the paper shall not exceed 10 pages. The 10-page limitation includes all text, figures, tables, references, and other matter in the paper. The top four entries will have 15 minutes to present their paper on-site at the AATCC Fall Research Committee Meetings. Graduate students are required to present their research in-person at the Fall Research Committee Meetings to be considered for the competition. Previously published papers are not eligible for entry into the competition.

Graduate students will be judged based on their paper and on-site oral presentation. The student may seek the advice of persons in industry or academia, but the preponderance of the work should belong to the student and the role of these academic or industrial advisors, or any other nonstudent must be no more than advisory. Therefore, nonstudents can only be listed on the byline as co-author with a notation in parenthesis that the nonstudent was an advisor to the work. A project and appropriate results may be submitted by any graduate student who is a member of AATCC.

Cash prizes are awarded to winning entries. The first-place prize is $1,000.00, second place is $ 800.00, and third place is $ 600.00. All prizes will be awarded in U.S. dollars.

The deadline to complete your official entry form is May 15, 2024. The final date for acceptance of papers is June 26, 2024. You cannot submit a paper without first submitting an official entry form. Papers arriving later than June 26, 2024, are not eligible for consideration in the competition.

Posted: May 6, 2024

Source: AATCC

Appointment Of New Convention Committee Chairman: Brian Henesey Joins BIR’s Leadership Team

BRUSSELS — May 6, 2024 — BIR President Susie Burrage OBE has appointed Brian Henesey as new chairman of the organization’s Convention Committee.

Henesey brings a wealth of experience and passion for the recycling industry to this crucial role, with over 30 years of experience in the recycled materials industry.

Brian Henesey

Currently, he is vice president and general manager at Rocky Mountain Recycling (RMR) in Colorado, overseeing commercial and operational strategies but also environmental health, safety, and legislative matters. His dedication extends beyond his professional interest, actively advocating for the industry and its critical role in environmental sustainability. Henesey previously served as chair of the U.S.-American Recycled Materials Association (ReMA), formerly ISRI, demonstrating his commitment to collaborative leadership within the recycling sector.

“Brian’s extensive experience and proven leadership qualities make him the  perfect candidate to chair our Convention Committee,” Burrage commented. “I am confident that his vision and expertise will be instrumental in shaping future BIR conventions and ensuring they continue to be valuable platforms for the global recycling community.”

Henesey is very enthusiastic about his new role working with a team of international recycling professionals. “I am honored to be appointed Chairman of the BIR Convention Committee,” he said. “I look forward to working with the Committee,  the BIR leadership and the Brussels team to develop even more engaging and informative conventions that address the evolving needs of the global recycled materials industry.”

Posted: May 6, 2024

Source: BIR – Bureau of International Recycling aisbl – The Global Federation Of Recycling Industries

Leslie Jee Textiles Partners With TSG Finishing, Expanding Operations With A New Distribution Location In North Carolina

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — May 7, 2024 — Leslie Jee Textiles, a Southern California-based residential and contract upholstery textile design and distribution company, is delighted to announce its partnership with TSG Finishing for warehouse and distribution services from its Hickory, N.C., facility. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth trajectory, poised to enhance delivery efficiency and service, thus furthering Leslie Jee Textiles’ dedication to optimizing its supply chain performance for the benefit of its valued customers.

With a rich 123-year history, TSG Finishing is celebrated for its commitment to technical excellence, constant innovation, and catering to the evolving needs of the textile industry. Its distribution center houses the largest installation of fabric storage tubes in North America with a 50,000-roll capacity as well as 30,000 square feet of open floor space for specialty product storage. Three additional processing facilities house its superior upholstery and industrial coating services, an acclaimed hallmark of TSG’s capabilities.

Having established a sterling reputation for product quality, operational excellence, and customer care since 2009, Leslie Jee Textiles’ decision to partner with TSG underscores its dedication towards continuous improvement and innovation. This strategic alliance aims to harness the collective expertise of both entities, leveraging advanced inventory management systems to seamlessly optimize logistics and distribution, thus reaffirming Leslie Jee Textiles’ steadfast commitment to strengthening its position in the market and ensuring sustained growth.

Leslie Jee Textiles remains dedicated to providing premium quality products and exceptional service. The partnership with TSG Finishing represents a significant stride toward achieving this goal and underscores Leslie Jee Textiles’ unwavering pursuit of excellence across all facets of its operations.

Posted: May 6, 2024

Source: Leslie Jee Textiles / TSG Finishing

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