The Future ofMan-Made FibersIt was during ATIs first 100 years that man-made fibers made their
first appearance. Their influence has been both extensive and profound, altering virtually every
aspect of the textile industrys way of doing business, from processing the fiber, through new end
uses, to new and revolutionary ways of marketing.The words wool and cotton in ATIs original name,
The American Wool and Cotton Reporter, echoed conditions that had existed for thousands of
years in the textile industry when linen, silk, wool, and cotton were the dominant fibers.A New Age
For TextilesBut with the birth of the 20th century, the textile industry was caught up in the
relative rapid pace of industrial development when a cellulose filament was successfully produced:
artificial silk. This happened in the early 1900s, and soon the mills were offered viscose rayon,
viscose acetate, and cuprammonium rayon.But it was just prior to World War II that the most
significant developments started, when the polymer fibers made from complex chemical compounds and
branded pure synthetics (as apposed to the cellulosics) came on the scene.These fibers included
nylon, to be followed after the war by polyester, acrylic, and the olefins. In between, there were
a batch of short-lived man-made fibers such as Aralac, Darvan, Saran, and Velon, to mention a few,
using a wide variety of raw materials, including casein and soybean.It is interesting to note that
right from the start the man-made fibers attempted to identify themselves with the natural fibers
by liberal use of such terms as wool-like, silk-like, and cotton-like. Indeed, the same references
are made today and will be in the foreseeable future as fiber producers continue to modify
polyester, for example, to improve its cotton-like structure while retaining the best of the
man-made properties.An Overwhelming ProspectAn attempt to look into the next 100 years is
forbidding. One is overwhelmed by the clichThe World of Tomorrow, particularly when considering
what has taken place in recent years. One significant development after another has been compressed
into a relatively short time.We can look ahead in terms of what is now known, but clearly this will
change as new products and new concepts are introduced.Drastic changes have marked the man-made
fiber industry in recent years. During the 1960s it seemed as if the bonanza would never end. Hugh
marketing budgets were made available backed by stupendous brand advertising. But cutbacks, still
being felt today, started to be implemented in the late 1970s and continued into the 1980s. During
that time, both marketing and research suffered.These conditions became evident in many parts of
the world, and fiber producers in Western Europe hastened early on to reduce production and to
emphasize specialization. It is evident that they may have done a better job than those in the
United States and Japan. But the cutbacks are viewed as temporary, and after a period of further
adjustment there will be renewed marketing programs.U.S. Producer In Best SpotFavoring the United
States producer will be his ability to offer local service by being located right in the middle of
one of the most important markets in the world.It is obvious that he future belongs to the
synthetics. For one thing, they can be more readily adapted to processing on the new machinery that
will be introduced in the years ahead. Important trends already evident all require vast
consumption of the man-made fibers. Just a generation ago, world consumption of synthetics was
beginning to assume significant numbers, but estimates show that the next generation synthetics
will be consumed at an annual rat e in excess of 20 million metric tons, or better than half of
world fiber usage. In the next 100 years, the man-made fibers will become the dominant
factor.Probing the future has always been a risky business, and more so today with such a high rate
of technological change. And the closeness of one world, for example, affects man-made fiber
operations, especially in the United States, where producers must face governments of many
competing countries with business practices and attitudes vastly different from those in the United
States.Over the long haul, are we going to move toward them, with the accompanying danger of lower
standard of living, or are they going to move toward usMeanwhile we will see a trend where the key
to the fiber producers success in the developed countries will lie in the production of fibers
containing high technology and other specialized types involving high added value. Nor can the
giber producer escape the effects of the trade imbalance and the import problem with their
unfavorable bearing on U.S. manufacturing operations.New Foothold For RayonGeneral trends reveal
that while world output of the cellulosics is on the decline, current popularity of viscose rayon,
the first man-made fiber, is at peak levels in the United States, an admitted pleasant surprise to
those who had budgeted for a drop in sales.While the next 100 years will likely show a decline in
the market share for cellulosics, current efforts reveal new technology aimed at improving the
properties of viscose rayon. Examples include solvent spinning, which will give rayon a new
foothold in certain specialized areas.R and D Keeps Nylon StrongNylons market share is being
squeezed, after a lengthy reign as leader among the man-mades. But while it has dropped to second
place, behind polyester, nylon will continue to be a popular fiber in the years to come, banking on
its many well-known advantages. Research continues in many parts of the world on new nylon
developments, which include technology to improve its comfort properties in apparel. Work continues
on nylon 4, offering many of the properties of cotton and silk. It may well be that other nylon
types besides 6 and 6.6 will be developed in the future.Bright Future For AramidsOne of the
brightest futures belongs to the aramid high performance fibers, an offshoot of nylon. Their
projected use in composites is tremendous. This also applies to other fibers such as the new
carbons, which, when embedded in plastic, emerge as high tech construction material offering, for
example, competition to steel in the automotive industry. Their use will expand as a primary
construction material in aircraft and other important uses.Polyester Gets Lions SharePolyester is
the world leader, and in another 10 years will represent over half of all man-made fiber
production, while nylon slips less than 25%. Polyesters popularity will continue well into the
future. Its production is now outpacing that of nylon and acrylic combined. Polyester, which got
its start in the U.K., has in recent years seen its most rapid production growth in Taiwan, South
Korea, and China.China is an entirely new area as a fiber producer, with access to world technology
helped by the United States and the U.K. Fiber producers in the United States have noted a decline
in export business, and a decline in shipments to Asian markets is one reason, as these countries,
particularly China, become self-sufficient in these products. Such a trend will have to be taken
into consideration when peering into the future.There is great emphasis on super-soft, ultra-fine
dpf polyesters, pointing up the importance that fiber producers attach to comfort perception for
polyester in apparel. In newer industrial areas, research continues in engineered fibers where such
properties as strength and wear resistance are necessary.Much of the so-called comfort factor is
being achieved by moisture vapor transport, which moves moisture away from the skin and through the
fabric into the air. Already fiber producers are saying that the new polyester staple will replace
the old staple in a matter of 5 years, and then something will come along to replace the new, and
so on and on.One can see how the pace will quicken while the future unfolds numerous technological
advances. Polyester, with its durability and aesthetics, will be around in one form or another for
a long time.Acrylics Might Level OffAcrylic is holding steady, but in the long term it faces
decreased demand. But right now, in many countries acrylics are enjoying boom conditions, largely
because of good fleece and sweater business. However, these conditions will not last forever, and
U.S. producers have already made plans on how to operate profitably at reduced levels.Acrylic
competition is evident from the Far East and developing nations. Meanwhile, producers in developed
countries will cut production while at the same time coming up with new products such as improved
producer-colored types and high growth industrial applications such as carbon fibers. While the
olefins, polypropylene in particular, represent a relatively small percentage of world man-made
fiber production, they are making tremendous strides and they must be considered in any valuation
of the future.Indeed, the world fiber production trend shows increases for polyester and
polyolefins, while that for nylon and acrylic indicates decreases.PP Meets Special NeedsPresent
growth for polypropylene (PP) is noted mainly in the United States, Japan, and Western Europe,
where these areas account for upwards of two-thirds of total production. Polypropylene fiber
production in the Unites States has been increasing at a rate of 5% a year and, according to
suppliers of resin and extrusion equipment, it should continue to increase for some time.In placing
PP fibers into the future, it must be considered that they are not a general purpose product but,
as of now, are limited to specific areas, which include floor coverings and thermal bonding
applications in nonwovens. The technology for PP production is relatively simple and is readily
available. While the world markets are dominated by several large companies, there are many small
concerns in the business; and this affects prices from time to time.Some of the research in PP
fibers covers improved bulk continuous filament (BCF) for floor coverings and the possibility of
continuous filament for apparel, especially in the area of activewear, where a fine denier PP might
be acceptable.Comparatively inert PP fiber is of significance in fabric construction, and its
popularity in geotextiles is on the increase. Geotextiles reportedly are the second largest end use
for nonwovens in Europe, and they are growing steadily. Market reports state that PP in granule or
fiber form is the most important polymer used n the European nonwovens industry, mainly because of
the increase in the spunlaid area and higher production of heat-bonded nonwovens.Extended Chain PE
WinsAttracting considerable attention and due for expansion in the future are the extended chain
polyethylene fibers, which are said to be 10 times stronger than steel and 75% stronger than any
other organic fiber available. Such a fiber gained praise when it played a part in sail
construction which helped return Americas Cup to the United States.A Ready Market For
FilmNoteworthy for the future is the growing use of recycled polyethylene bottles into film with
textile applications, especially in the floor covering industry.It is expected that the future will
see more use of the films, which are likely to replace certain nonwovens in the years ahead. Right
now the film industry ha so many possibilities that it has not turned full attention to textile
replacement. It is anticipated that development of more discontinuous film surfaces will aid this
movement.Imagination The Only LimitAs to the fiber spinning process itself, the future holds
nothing but increased automation as computers and microprocessors, for example, take over more and
more responsibilities. As one producer says: Automation in the fiber plant is limited only by the
imagination.Basic Robot With 14 HandsOne of the chief goals in any fiber producing plant is to
reduce the amount of labor. Formost fiber producers in the developed countries, this has been a
high priority and much has been accomplished. However, the trend to further automation in plant
production particularly in the use of robotics, is steadily increasing, and there is no doubt but
that such a trend will affect fiber production in the coming years.The co-founder of Unimation, the
Worlds first industrial robot company, point out that even today a basic industrial robot can be
outfitted with a wide selection of attachments, such as 14 different kinds of hands and several
different styles of fingers. Already the Japanese have moved in the direction of plant robots to
the extent that union membership has become involved!Computers Designed FibersAs we move into the
next 100 years it is obvious that the old order will be challenged to a much greater degree than at
the present time.The fiber producer is becoming caught up with the new faster information
requirements of Quick Response and its related developments such as electronic data interchange
(EDI). The world computer assisted design (CAD) has entered the world of the fiber producer and it
is bound to occupy an ever-increasing role. Only recently a domestic nylon producer introduced a
new nylon apparel yarn offering a new computer designed cross section.Cooperation And New
AttitudesFiber producers have also become closely involved with the trend to automation in the
garment industry, as evidenced by participation in the (TC)2 program now in the hands of a sewing
machine manufacturer. This step was taken in the knowledge that the future must witness a close
cooperation between fiber producer, textile manufacturer, and garment maker with completely new
attitudes.

As a result of further sales growth of synthetic turf, investment projects amounting to EUR 10
million for Ten Cate Thiolon, part of the sector Industrial Fabrics and Grass of Royal Ten Cate,
have been approved. Taken into consideration the total amount of investments in fixed assets of
Royal Ten Cate during the whole of 2004, this is a substantial investment for the company. The
investment is aimed for capacity increase as well as for future cost reductions and improvements of
logistics. Investments will take place in both the US and The Netherlands. The sector Industrial
Fabrics and Grass showed a sound organic growth. For 2006 Ten Cate Thiolon sees a continuation of
its growth, which will also take place in other segments than specific sport applications.
Landscaping is such an example. In the United States multi-sport pitches for universities and
high-schools form an important area of sales as well.

In the sports market the brand Thiolon Grass(R) stands for high-grade synthetic turf that has
a prominent position with marketing companies and installers in the offerings of their systems.
Especially in the US and the top segment of the European market, there is growing demand for such
products for several applications. Thiolon Grass(R) combines durability with slide-friendly
properties for players. Soccer is currently a substantial growth market and there is a gradual
shift in perception with top clubs towards the use of synthetic turf. This is also caused by
stimulating activities by UEFA and FIFA. Synthetic turf creates improved possibilities for regions
with less favourable climate conditions, which will stimulate soccer globally. Similar developments
are seen with other sports. An increased need to save water is an argument to use synthetic turf as
well. Injury-related costs are a major aspect for top clubs and synthetic grass provides, with its
constant and predictable surface, a positive contribution to medically safe and individually
targeted training methods and control over physical aspects.

Ten Cate Thiolon works together with education institutes and includes health and safety in
its research and development. For the further growth of the market and a broad acceptation of
synthetic turf it is important that this knowledge is broadly applied. In particular for the
further growth in the volume market for soccer and other “contact sports” like American football
and rugby, an affordable, safe and durable grass surface is a key development. Ten Cate Thiolon is
well positioned to meet the requirements of the market and will maintain its leadership.
Concluding, the current developments in terms of quality and performance will lead to a greater
acceptance of synthetic turf, which stimulates market growth.Therefore Ten Cate Thiolon foresees
good opportunities for further growth in the future.

Press Release Courtesy Of PR Newswire

October 2005

ATMI Presidents 1940-1950F. W. Symmes, 1940-1941, was in office when the industry faced the
challenge of clothing and equipping hundreds of thousands of troops. Before World War I, with the
late Lewis W. Parker and others, he founded Nuckasee Manufacturing Co. to make athletic underwear.
When Nuckasee was sold to Union-Buffallo Mills , he became a director, then, in 1932, president and
treasurer. He was involved in the development or management of Piedmont Plush Mills, the Camperdown
Co., and the F. W. Poe Manufacturing Co., all of Greenville. He was a director of the Textile Hall
Corp.W. N. Banks, 1941-1942, began his career in his father’s hosiery mill at Grantville, Ga.,
became secretary when a yarn mill was built in 1905 to supply the hosiery plant and became
president when his father died in 1909. He served as chairman of the Cotton-Textile Institute,
president of the Cotton Manufacturers Association of Ga., chairman of the Carded Yarn Group and
director of the Southern Hosiery Manufacturers Association.Herman Cone, 1942-1943, became treasurer
of Proximity Manufacturing Co., Greensboro, N.C., after serving in the Navy as an ensign in World
War I, his father, the founder, having died. He succeeded his uncle as president in 1938. He also
served as president of the North Carolina Cotton Manufacturers Association and as chairman of the
Cotton-Textile Institute.Hugh M. Comer, 1943-1944, gave freely of his time in working with the
Quartermaster General, the War Production Board and the War-Manpower Commission. He had served in
World War I as an officer in the 82nd Division. He was a brother of Donald Comer, 1936-1937
president of the Association. Returning from service, he worked at various plants of Avondale Mills
as a manager. In 1946, he was chairman of the board of the Cotton-Textile Institute and served as a
director of the National Cotton Council and the Alabama Cotton Manufacturers Association.W. H.
Hightower, 1944-1945, oversaw reorganization of the Association, broadening the scope of its work.
He was born November 25, 1887 and died at Thomaston, Ga., on February 9, 1947. He went to work in
his father’s plant on graduation from college in 1909. He became vice president in 1915 and
president in 1925 when his father became chairman of the board. He was a director of the
Cotton-Textile Institute and a president of the Cotton Manufacturers Association of Georgia.Charles
A. Cannon, 1945-1946, was the first cotton manufacturer to hold the position of Chairman of the
Board of Government, as the Association changed its bylaws at the 1945 meeting, elevating the
ranking cotton manufacturer to the chairmanship and making the president a paid executive. His
administration worked vigorously to have the war-time controls lifted. He was born November 29,
1892 at Concord, N.C.; attended Davidson College; and, in 1962, as chairman of the board of Cannon
Mills, Kannapolis, N.C., celebrated both his Golden Wedding Anniversary and 50 years in the
industry.Walter S. Montgomery 1946-1947, worked for the lifting of federal controls on prices,
production and distribution, which came during his administration. He had previously served as
chairman of the ACMI Print Cloth Group. Born at Spartanburg, S.C., October 18, 1900, he was a
graduate of Virginia Military Institute. He has served as manager, treasurer, president or chairman
of a number of textile mills, including Spartan Mills, founded by his grandfather, Startex and
Beaumont Mills. He was an organizer of South Carolina Mills, a mail order firm dealing only in
items of cotton, an organizer of the Spartanburg County Foundation and a long-time director of
Textile Hall Corporation.Harvey W. Moore, 1947-1948, an alumnus of the University of Georgia,
served as president and treasurer of Brown Manufacturing Co. and Roberts Manufacturing Co.,
Concord, N.C.; secretary/treasurer of White-Parks Mills Co., Concord; vice president of Highland
Park Manufacturing Co., Eastern Manufacturing Co., Park Yarn Mills and as a director of Cannon
Mills. He served also as president of the Carded Yarn Association, mayor of Charlotte, member of
the North Carolina State Ports Authority and trustee of Davidson College. He was born May 1, 1884,
in Augusta, Ga., and died in 1958.E. S. McKissick, 1949-1950, was graduated from Alabama
Polytechnic Institute in 1915; employed by Grendel Mills, Greenwood, S.C. and Ninety-Six Cotton
Mill, Ninety-Six, S.C. during 1915-1917; elected vice president of both mills in 1917 but left to
serve with the American Expeditionary Force, winning the Silver Star and promotion to Captain in
the Meuse-Argonne offensive. He then joined J. E. SirrineandCo., becoming a partner in 1923. Later
that year, he and his father purchased Alice Mill, changing the name to Alice Manufacturing Co. He
was the grandson of a former ACMA president, Captain Ellison Smyth. He served as president of the
South Carolina Textile Manufacturers Association in 1954.

October 2005

Zapata Corp. Chairman, Avie Glazer, announced the sale of 4,162,394 shares, 77.3%, of Safety
Components International to private equity investor Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. for $51.2 million. Safety
Components, the leading independent manufacturer of air bag fabrics and cushions, had sales of
$230.4 million and income of $7.4 million in the twelve months ended June 30, 2005. The company’s
value-added fabrics are mainly used in automobile safety air bags and in a variety of applications
such as fire service apparel, ballistics material for luggage, filtration and military tents.
Safety Components is headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina and has plants located in North
America, Europe, China and South Africa.

Mr. Ross said, “We have confidence in the long-term outlook for the business even though
industry conditions are challenging at present. Management has great technical expertise in
manufacturing its niche textiles globally, and we hope to help them acquire complementary product
lines.”

Mr. Glazer added, “Safety Components is an excellent company and we have enjoyed our
relationship with it. We look forward to continuing to enhance value at Zapata.”The transaction is
subject to a number of closing conditions, including approval by the shareholders of Zapata. Glazer
interests, owning 51% of Zapata stock have committed to vote in favor of the deal.

Press Release Courtesy of Wilbur L. Ross

October 2005

The Sweden-based IRO Group has reached an agreement with the Belgium-based Picanol Group whereby
IRO will acquire the assets and activities related to Picanol subsidiary Te Strake Textile BV’s
weft feeder business. The acquisition will enable IRO to consolidate its yarn-feeding expertise and
expand its market to include glass weaving and technical textile areas, among others.

While IRO henceforth will supply feeders, spare parts and service to Te Strake’s customers,
Te Strake will continue to offer weft-insertion-related products including main and relay nozzles.

October 2005