Haelixa Bolsters Leadership Team With Strategic Appointments To Fuel Supply Chain Innovation And Accelerate Growth

Patrick Strumpf – CEO

ZÜRICH, Switzerland — January 18, 2024 — Haelixa, a provider of physical traceability solutions, is thrilled to announce the appointment of a new CEO, Patrick Strumpf, and the addition of Stefan Karlen to the board of directors. These positions mark a significant step in Haelixa’s mission to advance the growth of supply chain transparency solutions and drive positive change in the industry.

Patrick Strumpf joins Haelixa as its new CEO; he has over 20 years of experience building and scaling up businesses. Thanks to his strong entrepreneurial background, he has excelled in various manufacturing, distribution, and retail roles. Strumpf’s proven leadership, commercial acumen and strong customer focus will ensure the company keeps pushing its boundaries and attains even greater heights of success.“I am excited about the Haelixa traceability solution. It sets the highest standards and delivers outstanding advantages to brands and manufacturers who position themselves as innovation leaders, especially regarding compliance and credibility issues.”

Stefan Karlen – Board of Directors

Stefan Karlen joins Haelixa’s Board of Directors; he brings over 30 years of experience in the supply chain industry, having served as the Group CEO of Panalpina, one of the world’s leading freight forwarding and logistics companies. With his deep understanding of global supply chains and expertise in building solid teams, Karlen will provide valuable insights to Haelixa’s Board of Directors. His track record of driving innovation is instrumental in shaping the company’s strategic direction. “I am passionate about environmental responsibility and bringing positive change”, said Karlen. He added, “I identify with Haelixa’s values and am excited to leverage my skills to a company that prioritises sustainability and integrity.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Stefan Karlen and Patrick Strumpf to our team. Their extensive knowledge will propel Haelixa to new heights,” said Haelixa’s co-founder and CTO, Dr. Gediminas Mikutis. “We are confident their skills and guidance will help us and our customers achieve our mission of providing transparent and sustainable solutions.”

Stefan Karlen and Patrick Strumpf’s appointments signify a crucial milestone in Haelixa’s quest to become a worldwide benchmark in physical traceability. The company will leverage its team’s expertise to drive innovation and address supply chain transparency challenges.

Posted: January 18, 2024

Source: Haelixa

New Cutter Sharpening Service Returns Lundberg Cutters To Like New Condition For Maximum Productivity And Efficiency

NEW CARLISLE, Ohio — January 16, 2024 — AirTrim, a designer and manufacturer of trim waste and dust containment systems, introduces the AirTrim Cutter Sharpening Program (ACSP) which returns Lundberg cutters to like new condition. Sharpening worn cutter blades increases efficiency and productivity while minimizing cutting costs and downtime. Worn cutter blades may look good, but without a sharp cutting edge they can miss cuts, leading to longer trim, higher bearing load, and ultimately shutdown of the cutter, stopping production altogether.  ACSP can head off these issues before they become a problem and keep your production running at top speed. The process is straightforward, simple, and economical, and ideal for paper film and foil converting, printing, label making, direct mailing and fulfillment operations, and wherever trim waste cutters are used.

AirTrim Sharpening Service

Upon receiving cutters (without motors) along with 2-3 feet of material, AirTrim engineers will examine the cutter and advise if additional work is beneficial. They will then sharpen both the rotor and fixed blades to create a new cutting edge, reassemble the cutter with new bearings, and reset the cutter blade to cut the supplied material. The old bearings will be returned along with the cut bag sample along with the reconditioned cutting unit. AirTrim will also enroll interested parties in their reminder service for future cutter maintenance and provide a rugged, compact wooden shipping container for future trim cutter sharpening if desired.

AirTrim ACSP is a just one aspect of the full scope of services provided for trim waste cutters. Cutter Sharpening is provided with industry leading lead times and is backed by the industry’s strongest warranty. For additional information on ACSP or other AirTrim products or services visit https://airtrim.com/services/#Trim-cutter-repair.

AirTrim, Inc., is a leader in designing, building, and installing pneumatic material handling systems for United States and Canadian customers.  From a centrally located New Carlisle, OH headquarters, they develop systems for a wide range of industries, including converting, food processing, fulfillment (digital printing), labelling, non-wovens and textiles, paper and tissue mills, printing, packaging, pharmaceutical and medical, plastics, recycling, and more.   They evaluate each application individually to provide transmission and containment ideally suited for that situation.  For additional information visit www.airtrim.com

Posted: January 16, 2024

Source: AirTrim, Inc.

ASRV And Hyosung Collaborate On Activewear Brand’s New 2023 Winter Collection

SEOUL, South Korea — January 16, 2024 — Always in search of the most advanced textiles to surprise and anticipate consumer needs, California-based ASRV, a premium, technical activewear brand that pushes the bounds of performance and style, has adopted Hyosung’s CREORA® Aerosilver technology into its newly released 2023 Winter collection.

CREORA Aerosilver is a functional polyester yarn that contains silver ions built into the fiber, which inhibits the proliferation and growth of microorganisms or bacteria harmful to the human body, providing long-lasting freshness.

ASRV, a men’s-only brand recognized for incorporating unseen technology to enhance their apparel, has chosen CREORA Aerosilver as a key performance ingredient for its Winter 2023 Collection of Tech-Terry™, Nano-Mesh, and Silver-Lite™ apparel to include hoodies, cargo joggers, sweats, tees, and shirts.

“ASRV is an innovative brand that is passionate about delivering only the best apparel when it comes to design, performance, comfort, and style in the activewear space,” said Laura Nilo, Hyosung US marketing manager – West Coast Lead. “We are thrilled to have collaborated on its Winter 2023 collection and look forward to furthering our partnership. ASRV is continually innovating to bring fresh new performance aesthetics by adopting more Hyosung multi-function fibers in future seasons.”

The vast majority of ASRV’s products are developed by its manufacturing and production team in South Korea, where they take part in a longstanding cultural tradition of premium craftsmanship. South Korea also has many specialized fabric mills, where ASRV can work with the teams to develop its custom technical materials and collaborating closely with Hyosung is the reason ASRV is able to innovate such unique products while maintaining its rigorous standards.

More information about the ASRV 2023 Base Layer Collection with CREORA® Areosilver can be found online here: https://asrv.com/collections/silver-lite-2-0

Posted: January 16, 2024

Source: Hyosung

Leggett & Platt Announces Restructuring Plan To Drive Improved Performance And Profitable Growth

CARTHAGE, Mo. — January 16, 2024 — Diversified manufacturer Leggett & Platt announced that it is implementing a Restructuring Plan primarily in its Bedding Products segment and to a lesser extent, in its Furniture, Flooring & Textile Products segment. In response to evolving markets, the company is taking actions to improve manufacturing and distribution efficiency, advance its product strategy, and further support customer needs. These actions are expected to generate $40 to $50 million in EBIT benefit on an annualized run-rate basis when fully implemented in late 2025.

President and CEO Mitch Dolloff commented: “We are taking actions to create a more focused, agile organization with a portfolio of products and operating footprint aligned with the markets we serve. The bedding market has experienced unprecedented change in recent years and the competitive landscape has continued to evolve. Reshaping our Bedding Products strategy is expected to better position us for long-term success as the leading provider of bedding solutions across the value chain. In addition, optimizing our operating footprint in both Bedding Products and Furniture, Flooring & Textile Products will reduce complexity and enhance the efficiency of our business. Looking forward, we expect to advance key product growth, improve profitability, and drive enhanced value for customers and shareholders.”

Overview Of Initiatives
The major Bedding Products initiatives that are part of the Restructuring Plan include:

  • Refocusing Strategy: We are continuing to reshape our Bedding Products business to focus on innovative, higher-value content, driven by customer and end-consumer needs. We are proud of our long history of providing product solutions our customers value and see further opportunities to do so in both innersprings and specialty foam, from components to private label finished goods.
  • Optimizing Manufacturing and Distribution Footprint: We plan to consolidate certain locations across the Bedding Products segment, reducing our manufacturing and distribution footprint of 50 facilities to approximately 30 to 35 facilities. Creating a new and more efficient regional distribution network will support our ability to maintain sufficient manufacturing capacity in fewer, higher-output facilities to effectively serve our customers and better align with anticipated future market demand. These actions should allow us to integrate our specialty foam and innerspring capabilities while maintaining market- leading service and product quality levels and improving overall efficiency.

The initiatives outlined above are expected to enable profitable growth through expanded product capabilities and increased content at attractive price points, reduce costs, and create shareholder value.

In Furniture, Flooring & Textile Products we plan to consolidate a small number of production facilities in Home Furniture and Flooring Products to better align capacity with regional demand and drive operating efficiencies.

Financial Impact
In total, the initiatives are expected to reduce annual sales by approximately $100 million and generate $40 to $50 million in EBIT benefit on an annualized run-rate basis when fully implemented in late 2025, with some of the benefit starting to be realized in the second half of 2024. Additionally, we anticipate receiving approximately $60 to $80 million in net cash proceeds from the sale of real estate associated with the initiatives, with transactions largely complete by the end of 2025.

We expect to incur restructuring and restructuring-related costs of $65 to $85 million, of which approximately half are anticipated to be incurred in 2024 and the remainder in 2025. This includes $30 to $40 million in cash costs, the majority of which are anticipated to be incurred in 2024. In the first half of 2024, we anticipate $20 to $25 million of restructuring and restructuring-related costs (approximately half in cash costs).

Long-Term Financial Targets

In connection with the Restructuring Plan, we are withdrawing our previously stated Total Shareholder Return goal of 11–14% and financial targets, including revenue growth, EBIT margin, and dividend payout ratio. Revised financial targets will be issued at a future date. We are not changing our objectives of maintaining our investment grade debt ratings and our current dividend practices.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Impairment Charge

In addition, but unrelated to the Restructuring Plan, we are impairing an estimated $450 million of long-lived assets (primarily intangibles) associated with prior year acquisitions in the Bedding Products segment. Prolonged weak demand and changing market dynamics have created disruption and financial instability for some of our customers. As a result, recent efforts by certain customers to improve their financial position are expected to reduce our future sales and earnings. We are not otherwise updating guidance for, or reporting upon, our fourth quarter 2023 or full year 2023 financial results. These financial results and 2024 full year guidance will be released on February 8, 2024.

Posted: January 16, 2024

Source: Leggett & Platt Inc.

Braskem And WEAV3D Automotive Component To Showcase At The 2024 JEC World Trade Show In Paris, France, March 5-7, 2024

PHILADELPHIA — January 16, 2024 — Braskem in partnership with WEAV3D Inc., an advanced manufacturing and materials startup, today announced that their innovative automotive door component prototype was selected as one of three finalists in the Automotive and Road Transportation – Process category of the JEC Composites Innovation Awards 2024.

The combination of WEAV3D composite lattice reinforcement with Braskem PP enables lighter and less expensive thermoplastic solutions than conventional organosheet, unlocking new opportunities for the cost-effective replacement of sheet metal structures with thermoplastics throughout the vehicle.

“We continue to be very excited to offer our clients innovations and partnerships around high-performance polypropylene materials utilizing the WEAV3D lattice technology after launching this project in 2023. We are honored to be recognized as a finalist for the JEC World Innovation Awards. As the automotive industry continues to roll out new electric vehicle designs, it requires automakers to re-think the vehicle design with cutting-edge performance materials and consider more sustainable end-of-life solutions. The initial conversion process focus has been on thermoforming to leverage large parts production; however, the WEAV3D technology can also be applied to injection molding of more complex parts. With significant improvements in lightweighting, reduced costs, and higher material efficiency, combining Braskem’s PP portfolio with WEAV3D composite lattices provides a ‘win-win’ in terms of enhanced material performance and a more sustainable environmental impact, including the integration of natural fiber options,” said Amanda Zani, Technology Platform manager, Braskem.

Benefits of using WEAV3D’s Rebar for Plastics® and Braskem Polypropylene vs. conventional composite organosheet:

  • LIGHTWEIGHT – Reduces sheet blank weight by ~50 percent and final part weight by ~23 percent;
  • COST EFFECTIVE – Reduces costs by ~50 percent; and
  • EFFICIENT – Increases sheet yield from 25 to 45 percent by weight, resulting in a 62-percent reduction in trim waste

“WEAV3D and Braskem are demonstrating the significant potential of the WEAV3D lattice material with this automotive door prototype and we are thrilled to be selected a finalist by the Innovation Awards jury,” said Chris Oberste, president of WEAV3D. “Thanks to the simulation workflow developed in collaboration with Altair Engineering, we were able to optimize the lattice structure for cost and performance, while still using the original organosheet tooling and forming process equipment at the Clemson Composites Center at Clemson University.”

Winners of the JEC Composites Award 2024 will be announced during an online award ceremony on February 8, 2024, between 13:30 and 15:30 CET, accessible at www.jec-world.events. The Braskem-WEAV3D prototype part will also be on display in the JEC Innovation Planets section of JEC World, held in Paris, France from March 5-7, 2024. Visit WEAV3D’s booth 6P32e in the American Pavilion to learn more about the prototype part.

Posted: January 16, 2024

Source: BRASKEM North America

PFI Confirms: Water-Based Technology From Trans-Textil And Covestro Is Free Of Animal Components

FREILASSING / LEVERKUSEN, Germany — January 16, 2024 — High technical, ecological and ethical standards in an extremely individual product design are the basic idea of AQUAIR®, which is now supplemented by the “100% Vegan” seal. The standard of the Pirmasens Testing and Research Institute (PFI) is awarded if the product, its ingredients and the manufacturing process are verifiably vegan and not of animal origin. Compliance with the criteria is checked by the institute, confirmed by laboratory tests if necessary and monitored regularly.

“The vegan idea fits perfectly into the overall concept of AQUAIR and is a logical further development for us,” says Matthias Krings, managing director of Trans-Textil GmbH. Performance and responsible product design in all steps form the basis of the highly breathable overall system. The starting point is the synthetic layer, which can be individually designed in terms of color and grain.

Breathable, water-based AQUAIR® textile systems from Trans-Textil are based on Covestro’s aqueous INSQIN® technology and have been awarded the “100% Vegan” seal by the Pirmasens Testing and Research Institute. © Trans-Textil

“The microporous PU system is based on our aqueous and more sustainable INSQIN® technology, with which the production of coated textiles also requires up to 95 percent less water and 50 percent less energy compared to conventional production processes,” explained Dr. Torsten Pohl, head of Global Textile Coatings at Covestro. In combination with the technologies from Trans-Textil, this results in unique properties with a wearing comfort and functionalities that raise the standard of synthetics to a new level and are now also verifiably vegan according to the PFI standard.

In addition to textile substrates, the test seal also included waterproof, breathable Topaz membrane systems based on polyurethane (PU) and polyester (PES), so that there is a great deal of creative freedom in product design with regard to structure, coloring and technical properties. The PU hotmelt systems used to manufacture the multi-layer composite products, which are applied at Trans-Textil using the high-quality and durable Point-in-Point® lamination technology, have also been vegan tested. Water-repellent properties are already integrated in AQUAIR and no additives need to be added which are currently often viewed critically. All components and process steps are also tested according to Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX® for processing without harmful ingredients.

In a regional and responsibly designed supply chain, breathable synthetic products “Made in Germany” are created with AQUAIR® for the design of shoe components, leisure, sports and outdoor clothing, bags and accessories as well as for use in functional upholstery and furniture – even for small series or samples. The production as roll goods is the basis for an optimal use of material in the manufacture. If required, compatible Topaz tapes are available for seam sealing, which are also based on water-based formulation components.

Posted: January 16, 2024

Source: Trans-Textil GmbH / Covestro AG

Preparation Begins For The 63nd Dornbirn GFC Global Fiber Congress 11 – 13 September 2024, Dornbirn Austria

DORNBIRN, Austria — January 16, 2024 — The experiences, impressions and feedback from the last Dornbirn GFC form the basis for planning the next Global Fiber Congress. This will take place in its usual form from September 11 – 13, 2024, in the Kulturhaus Dornbirn, Austria. The presentation topics for the 63rd Dornbirn GFC 2024 are unusual, new and innovative. The submission deadline for technical presentations is February 15, 2024, on the newly developed registration platform: www.dornbirn-gfc.com

Call for Papers 2024

The Dornbirn GFC 2024 has set itself the goal of meeting the requirements of the fiber industry. Fast-paced developments, technical challenges and, last but not least, the extensive legal requirements are incorporated into the program design. Therefore, the Dornbirn GFC team developed an innovative categorization and division of the subject areas in cooperation with the Programme Committee members.

Presentations can be submitted in these categories:

  • Fiber Innovations;
  • Circular Economy & Recycling & Sustainability;
  • Energy Solutions; and
  • Emerging Technologies.

Fiber Innovation

The fiber innovation category continues to be the main focus of the Dornbirn GFC and includes all applications such as apparel, home textiles, automotive, technical textiles, etc. Nonwoven applications are also part of this category, as they have a high innovation potential. Presentations in the areas of natural fibers such as cotton, wool and others will enrich the holistic approach to fibers. Raw materials for man-made fiber production such as pulp and precursors for synthetic fibers expand the fiber innovation category. In summary, presentations can be submitted in the areas of biopolymers, biomaterials, new process technologies, natural fibers, surface modification, raw materials, e.g. cellulose, polyester, etc.

Circular Economy & Recycling & Sustainability

Due to the increasing awareness of climate change, the implementation of the “Green Deal” and the set goals for sustainable development, this topic has gained enormous importance over the years. The challenges facing the fiber industry are enormous. These concern the sustainability of textiles and nonwovens, new and future sorting and separation technologies and mechanical and chemical recycling.

Energy solutions

The energy factor is becoming increasingly important for the entire value chain in terms of costs and sustainability. The Dornbirn GFC 2024 focuses on energy innovations. Fibers are used in the areas of energy generation, energy storage and energy efficiency.

Up-and-coming technology

The topics of digitalization, artificial intelligence, transparency and traceability of fibers are becoming increasingly important in the value chain. New technologies, new approaches and new ways of thinking in the fiber industry find their place in this category.

4th Dornbirn GFC Innovation Days: Call for Papers 2024

The Dornbirn GFC is a great opportunity for innovators to meet the key players in the fiber and textile industry. With its focus on innovation and research, the congress offers an inspiring environment for high-quality contacts. A total of 25 innovative companies and start-ups — from the 1st – 3rd or later stage — can apply to be part of the 4th Dornbirn GFC Innovation Days.

  • Which innovative technological solutions have already established in the market?
  • Do you recognize industry trends and would you like to involve your innovation?
  • Can you make a contribution with your innovation and support the fiber and textile industry with sustainable solutions?
  • Which research activities are currently particularly promising?

If you can answer one of these questions with “yes”, then the 4th Dornbirn GFC Innovation Days is the right place for your company. Take the opportunity for the benefit of the future and become part of the Dornbirn GFC community.

This offer is on available to innovators:

  • Touch Point in the Foje of the Kulturhaus
  • Lecture of 20 minutes
  • Free conference ticket
  • Networking with international fiber producers, processors, machine builders
  • Invitation to the gala evening
  • Invitation to the speakers’ evening

The Dornbirn GFC team looks forward to receiving your application! Registration deadline: March 31, 2024
Contact and information: office@dornbirn-gfc.com, Ms. Sonja Spöcker

Posted: January 16, 2024

Source: Dornbirn GFC Global Fiber Congress

ZymoChem Secures $21 Million Series A Funding Round Led By Breakout Ventures With New Investments From Lululemon And Toyota Ventures

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. — January 16, 2024 — ZymoChem, creator of a carbon-efficient bio-manufacturing platform, closed a $21 million Series A round. The investment is led by Breakout Ventures with participation from new investors including lululemon athletica inc. and Toyota Ventures, and existing investors including GS Futures, KdT Ventures, and Cavallo Ventures. By pairing this financing with existing revenues from commercial partnerships and funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, ZymoChem will launch its first high-performance material and advance its first partnered product to commercial scale.

To help address the climate crisis, ZymoChem rethinks how everyday products, from personal hygiene items to textiles, are produced. ZymoChem redesigns manufacturing with products that do not come from fossil fuels, require carbon-intensive production, or persist for generations. Improving sustainability within manufacturing via ZymoChem’s patented technology is what interested Toyota Ventures. ZymoChem’s approach also aligns well with lululemon’s goal of improving sustainability within its product portfolio.


Harshal Chokhawalla
Harshal Chokhawala, Co-Founder and CEO

“We’re upending the materials industry,” said Harshal Chokhawala, co-founder and CEO. “Our technology delivers sustainability without compromising performance, scale, and importantly economics. This unlock already catalyzed multiple partnerships with world-leading companies and we’re thrilled to expand our impact with our key stakeholders.”

ZymoChem accelerates a real-zero economy by relieving carbon emissions in product development, use, and end of life through:

  • Platform Approach: Converting renewable feedstocks into a variety of high-performance, bio-based, biodegradable polymers.
  • Patented, Carbon-Efficient Bio-manufacturing: Creating materials with near-zero CO2 emissions via a proprietary fermentation process.
  • Superior Economics: Improving yield by up to 50% versus alternative processes, creating a dramatic cost advantage.
  • Visionary Partnerships: Promoting benefits of bio-based manufacturing by partnering with stakeholders across the value chain with drop-in solutions for their existing infrastructure.

“ZymoChem has the most compelling technology we’ve seen to scale bio-based chemicals and materials while remaining cost competitive with petroleum-derived products,” said Lindy Fishburne, managing partner at Breakout.

Posted: January 16, 2024

Source: ZymoChem

The Trützschler Group: All Eyes On The TC 30i Carding Machine

MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany — January 16, 2024 — The next-generation TC 30i carding machine captured imaginations at the ITMA 2023. This innovative card inspired the company’s customers — while confirming Trützschler as the trendsetting pioneer for textile machinery. From smart functions to sustainable features, the new card generated a lot of excitement. And the successful launch event in Milan is now followed by the sales release of our TC 30i.

TC 30i at the ITMA 23

Key benefits and highlights

The TC 30i offers a huge range of groundbreaking new features and fascinating details. But there are three benefits that customers are particularly excited about:

  1. High levels of performance and yarn quality thanks to 35  percent more active flats and 14 percent increased carding length in combination with the intelligent gap optimizer T-GO.
  2. Operator-independent, consistent results thanks to automatic and continuous carding gap setting with T-GO.
  3. More sustainable and economical use of raw materials thanks to a redesigned suction system that collects different types of waste separately — enabling 50 percent of card waste to be reused. The TC 30i also comes with the proven WASTECONTROL system — an easy-to-use and effective assurance against unnecessary fiber loss.

A model for each application

We are also launching a version of this card specifically developed for textile recycling. It answers technical challenges in processing secondary fibers like high short fiber content, on average shorter fibers and yarn and fabric particles.

Carding soon…

The TC 30i is a pioneering new card with the power to maximize quality — while capturing imaginations too.

Posted: January 16, 2024

Source: The Trützschler Group SE

Brückner Textile Technologies Announce Personnel Changes: Alexander Mandel As Sales Director And Raghav Kuberan As Vice President Operations

Alexander Mandel

LEONBERG, Germany — January 16, 2024 — On January 1, 2024, Alexander Mandel succeeded Michael Tuschak as sales director at Brückner Textile Technologies GmbH & Co. KG in Leonberg, Germany. He has been general manager of Brückner Sales & Services Shanghai since January 1, 2020. He will continue in this role in the future. Mandel previously worked in the company’s design and project management departments for more than 15 years.

Raghav Kuberan

Also on January 1, 2024, Raghav Kuberan took over responsibility for production and materials management at Brückner Textile Technologies in Leonberg and Tittmoning as vice president, Operations. On April 1, 2024, he will also assume responsibility for IT at both locations and will manage these three areas as managing director in the future. He will take over from Rüdiger Gieske, who is retiring after more than 25 years as COO.

Posted: January 16, 2024

Source: Brückner Textile Technologies GmbH & Co. KG

1...241242243...2,519Page 242 of 2,519

Sponsors

Breaking News

Load more

Digital Issue

2025 Quarterly Issue Number II

View Latest Digital Issue

FEATURED ARTICLES

© Copyright 2017 Textile Industries Media Group, LLC.