Italy-based SMIT S.p.A. has released a line of weaving machine accessories including heddle frames,
heddles and drop wires. The accessories are compatible with all current SMIT weaving machine models
such as the G6300, G6300F terry machine and GS900 and also may be used on the TP, TPS TerryJet and
T4300 Series machines.In the United States and Canada, the accessories are available from
Greenville-based Batson Group Inc.
July 2004
Koenig AG, Switzerland, has designed a system that eliminates odors from the exhaust air of
finishing processes such as singeing, drying, fixing and coating used in technical fabric
manufacturing and finishing applications. The system is suitable for use with any tenter or drier,
or it can be retrofitted on existing exhaust air scrubbers.
The system injects odor-neutralizing chemicals via a nozzle into the exhaust air stream. It
features a programmable logic control metering station for pump control and regulation, metering
programs for tank monitoring and remote control, and an injection unit and suction lance for the
chemicals tank.
July 2004
The Milan-based Italian Association of Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT) Foundation recently
honored 30 students from Italian textile technology colleges by awarding them grants for research
related to spinning, knitting and finishing machinery.
During an awards ceremony at ACIMIT Foundation headquarters, Angelo Vanali, ACIMIT past
president; and Federico Pellegata, ACIMIT director, presented nine grants worth 800 euros each for
research conducted by 24 students from five colleges located in Bergamo, Biella, Como, Prato and
Varese. The foundation also presented five special-mention half-prizes valued at 400 euros each to
six students for their research studies.
In addition to providing research grants to students, the ACIMIT Foundation supports textile
colleges and institutions by making available publications presenting Italian textile manufacturing
technology. Such publications include textbooks covering wool and cotton spinning, man-made fibers,
weaving, knitting and finishing technologies. These books have been translated into English for
distribution on CD-ROM, as well as into Chinese.
July 2004
DuPont Ink Jet, Wilmington, Del., recently celebrated the grand opening of the DuPont Artistri™
Technology Center (ATC) in Milan. The facility offers demonstrations of the Artistri system, which
is comprised of the DuPont Artistri 2020 printer, DuPont Artistri ink and accompanying software.
During the open house, the company introduced new technologies including an advanced feeding
system that enables a wider variety of fabrics to be printed, a selvage protection mechanism that
provides improved printing reliability, and new aqueous-based pigment inks for digital textile
printing.
Marco Torri, DuPont regional sales manager, Europe, oversees the new center. “We are
extremely excited with the opening of the demonstration center that will serve as a showcase for
our digital printing capabilities, as well as a state-of-the-art, technical support, training and
after-sales service facility,” Torri said.
July 2004
Los Angeles (LA)-based global investment company Platinum Equity has agreed to acquire
Frankfurt-based textile dye manufacturer DyStar from its current owners: Germany-based BASF AG and
Bayer AG, and Hoechst AG – a Frankfurt-based subsidiary of France-based Aventis. Financial details
of the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, have not been disclosed.
“We are excited about the opportunity to acquire this business,” said Tom T. Gores, chairman
and CEO, Platinum Equity. “DyStar is already a leader in the textile dye industry, with a
well-deserved reputation in servicing the textile and fashion industry. We have enormous confidence
in its future potential.”
Bayer and Hoechst established DyStar in 1995 and expanded the company with the inclusion of
BASF’s textile dye business in 2000. In 2003, DyStar a global company with a workforce totaling
approximately 3,900 employees reported sales of approximately 800 million euros.
July 2004
The Italy-based Lonati Group has acquired Sangiacomo S.p.A., also based in Italy. The producer of
men’s, women’s and children’s hosiery machinery, as well as seamless knitting machines, will
maintain its current business arrangement.
Under its new ownership, Sangiacomo will produce single-cylinder circular knitting machines
and new machinery for seamless garments, with emphasis on sportswear, underwear, casual apparel and
bathing suits.
July 2004
INVISTA Apparel, Wilmington, Del., recently entered into a non-equity alliance with New York
City-based International Flavors and Fragrances Inc. (IFF), a designer and producer of flavors and
fragrances. The companies plan to develop well-being and cosmetic benefits in apparel. The alliance
specifically will target Invista’s Body Care by Lycra® brand a year-old line of fibers and fabrics
that enable massaging and moisturizing benefits and freshness to be incorporated into clothing by
merging IFF’s encapsulation and delivery knowledge with Invistas fiber and fabric resources.
“By converging textile science with other technologies, we will be able to offer consumers
significant new benefits,” said Bill Ghitis, president, Invista Apparel.
July 2004
Benninger Co. Ltd., Switzerland, has supplied several sizing installations, as well as sectional
and direct warping machines to Welspun, India. Welspun is one of Asia’s largest manufacturers of
terry towels and bed linens.
Welspun also plans to purchase Benninger finishing equipment for all stages of fabric
finishing, according to Benninger.
July 2004
Wilmington, Del.-based DuPont and London-based Tate & Lyle Plc, looking to build upon a
proprietary fermentation and purification process they developed for 1,3 propanediol (PDO), have
established a joint venture company, DuPont Tate & Lyle BioProducts LLC. The new company, to be
based in Wilmington, will begin commercial production of PDO – the key building block in DuPont
Sorona® polymer – in 2006 at a new facility in Loudon, Tenn. A pilot facility has been in operation
in Decatur, Ill., for several years. Sorona is suitable for a variety of applications including
apparel, interiors, engineering resins and packaging.
July 2004
Sensor Products Inc. (SPI), East Hanover, N.J., reports its F-Nip® Flying Dynamic Electronic Nip
Analysis System is the first to allow real-time measurement of nip width while the rollers are
rotating at jog speeds. The device detects crown deficiencies, inaccurate roll alignment and roller
skewing all of which can cause defective product and other processing problems.
According to the company, F-Nip combines the advantages of Pressurex® tactile pressure
measuring film with the real-time electronic analysis capability of SPI’s E-Nip® system, enabling
nip width to be measured while the sensor chain riding on the substrate passes through the nip.
July 2004
