Techtextil & Texprocess Innovation Awards: Changing The World With Textile Innovations

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — April 16, 2024 — The winners of this year’s Innovation Awards given by the leading international trade fairs, Techtextil and Texprocess, have been chosen. A total of 15 winners in eight categories receive the coveted awards for their pioneering research, new products, processes or technologies. The award-winning innovations show clearly that textile solutions are vital driving forces for future developments in numerous branches of industry, such as aviation, automotive, medicine and construction.

How can temperature increases due to climate change be mitigated in cities? How can aeroplanes be recycled more effectively? What helps in the fight against septicaemia? How can CO2 emissions be reduced in the construction and building sector? How can the circularity of textiles be improved? Answers to these and other urgent questions regarding the future are offered by the winners of the Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards.

“Innovations in the textile industry enable completely new solutions for innumerable applications. New materials, processes and products are boosting the future of the sectors. What was inconceivable yesterday is possible today – thanks to smart minds in the textile industry. Accordingly, we are really pleased to honour the best ideas with the Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards,” said Sabine Scharrer, director, Brand Management Technical Textiles & Textile Processing, Messe Frankfurt.

Techtextil Innovation Award winners

Improving aircraft recycling

Lighter than many metals and flexible in design: fiber composites have become an integral part of modern aviation and aerospace. The textile-reinforced lightweight materials, usually a mixture of glass or carbon fibers and synthetic resin, reduce the weight of aircraft — and thus fuel consumption — to such an extent that some modern aircraft now consist of more than 50 per cent of them. This raises the increasingly urgent question of how to recycle these composite materials. The Belgian textile research institute Centexbel receives the Techtextil Innovation Award in the ‘New Approaches on Sustainability & Circular Economy’ category for a new process designed to improve the recycling of aircraft parts made from thermoplastic fibre composites in the future. The award-winning process, the development of which according to Centexbel was closely followed-up by Airbus, utilizes induction heat. It can be used to heat welded thermoplastic, textile-reinforced composite materials and then separate them from each other. Stringers, parts of wings and other textile-based aircraft parts should be easier to separate and reuse in future. “The Techtextil Innovation Award motivates us to continue working on projects to improve sustainability in various industries such as the aerospace industry,” says Myriam Vanneste, R&D manager Textile Functionalisation & Surface Modification at Centexbel-VKC.

Smart roof

The Techtextil Innovation Award in the ‘New Product’ category goes to the Portuguese Technological Center for the Textile and Clothing Sector, CITEVE, for an intelligent, textile-reinforced waterproofing system for flat roofs. The “Smart Roofs System” (SRS) consists of a thermally reflective, water-based liquid sealing membrane and an intelligent textile reinforcement structure made from a jacquard fabric of recycled polyester. This contains electronic yarns which react to heat, temperature and moisture. According to CITEVE, the innovative system offers better technical performance and is more sustainable than previous solutions for liquid membranes. “Being honoured with an Innovation Award from Techtextil, the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens shows, that our innovation is among the best in the world at a top level. It is a great recognition for CITEVE, the other SRS partners and Portugal,” says Augusta Silva, Innovation Manager of Textile Printing and Coating at CITEVE.

Three winners in the ‘New Technology’ category: 

Self-cooling textiles to combat the effects of climate change

A new type of coating for self-cooling textiles developed by the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) has received a Techtextil Innovation Award in the ‘New Technology’ category. Unlike sunshades or awnings, which only block the sun’s rays indirectly, the coating enables textiles to actively cool themselves. To this end, it not only reflects sunlight, but also re-emits heat energy. “Our tests show that this allows textiles to be cooled to below the ambient temperature,” says Cigdem Kaya, Team Lead Barrier Textiles at the DITF’s Competence Center Textile Chemistry, Environment & Energy. Kaya explains that the development of the coating is also taking place against the background of rising temperatures caused by climate change. According to Kaya, the demand for energy for cooling in cities rose by 23 per cent between 1970 and 2010. Until now, fans and air-conditioning systems have been the main means of cooling. However, they consume a lot of electricity and, as far back as 2018, the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimated that air-conditioning systems and fans account for around ten per cent of global electricity demand. According to the IEA, air-conditioning systems could be the second largest driver of global energy demand after industry by 2050[1]. “Textiles that actively cool and do not require electricity could become a real alternative on building façades and roofs,” says Kaya.

Better protection against sepsis pathogens

Also known as blood poisoning, septicaemia is responsible for one in five deaths worldwide, as figures show. The cause of the infection are often microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi or viruses, which can be found in hospital linen and enter the body via wounds. The German company Heraeus Precious Metals receives a Techtextil Innovation Award in the ‘New Technology’ category for a new antimicrobial technology designed to better protect hospital patients from infections caused by septicaemia pathogens. This involves a precious metal-based additive called AGXX. Thus, tomorrow’s clothing and bed linen in hospitals and care facilities can be expected to have better antimicrobial properties than current solutions. And this is how it works: incorporated into textiles, AGXX triggers a catalytic reaction through the interaction of two precious metals, silver and ruthenium. In turn, this reaction generates reactive oxygen, which effectively kills microorganisms. According to Heraeus, the antimicrobial efficacy of the award-winning new development has so far been proven to be effective against 130 different microorganisms and have been shown to remain in the textiles after as many as 100 washes.

Smart textile pump keeps garments dry

Comfort is one of the most important aspects of clothing. It suffers quickly when a garment gets wet, for example through perspiration. The Swedish company LunaMicro has developed an intelligent moisture management technology to remove this from shirts and jackets while they are being worn. Their technology is a multi-layered, porous textile that is connected to a small battery. Integrated into an item of clothing, this smart textile pump actively transports liquids such as sweat from the inside of the garment to the outside, keeping the wearer dry. The company was awarded a Techtextil Innovation Award in the ‘New Technology’ category for the electro-osmotic textile pump patented in Sweden and the USA. The innovation will soon be used in outdoor and protective workwear as well as in personal protective equipment (PPE). Nate Robinson, founder and CEO of LunaMicro explains: “The Techtextil Innovation Award is recognition of our innovative work. The award raises our profile and opens up new development and growth opportunities for us.”

Two winners in the ‘New Concept’ category:

Sustainable building: Up to 30 percent less concrete used

Currently, the construction and building sector is responsible for around 40 per cent of global CO2 emissions. Huge amounts of CO2 are released, particularly during the production of concrete, one of the most important building materials. The Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) and the Institute of Concrete Structures (IMB) at the TUD Dresden University of Technology have received one of two Techtextil Innovation Awards in the ‘New Concept’ category for a new process that uses carbon to manufacture precast concrete elements and promises to save up to a third of concrete. The idea: to save material, hollow core slabs are used in new buildings. These are precast concrete elements which, in contrast to solid steel reinforced concrete slabs, contain cavities and therefore require less concrete. With the new manufacturing process, which the institutes have developed with companies from the textile and construction industries, precast hollow core slab elements can be produced with carbon fibre, which should save even more concrete and therefore CO2 in the future. “Hollow core slabs made from carbon concrete using our new process require 28 percent less concrete than conventional steel-reinforced concrete hollow-core slabs – with the same load-bearing capacity,” says ITM research group leader Lars Hahn. With the award-winning process, it should soon be possible to build private and industrial buildings in a more sustainable and resource-saving way than before.

Vegan leather made from hemp waste

Biotech start-up Revoltech is also honoured with a Techtextil Innovation Award in the ‘New Concept’ category. The young German company receives the award for its vegan, fully recyclable leather substitute made from hemp fibres called ‘LOVR’ (an acronym for “leather-like, plastic-free, vegan, residue-based”). According to Revoltech, LOVR is the “world’s first truly circular leather substitute.” Vegan leather alternatives, explains Lucas Fuhrmann, co-founder and CEO of Revoltech, have often had two problems to date: either they are not purely plant-based because they contain petroleum-based components, or they are grown in laboratories and are therefore difficult to scale. LOVR, on the other hand, combines scalability and 100 percent compostability: “It is a truly circular material that will fundamentally change the market for traditional leather and artificial leather,” believes Fuhrmann. The hemp waste used for LOVR comes from industrial hemp cultivation. According to Revoltech, the award-winning leather substitute is already being used for shoes and in a concept car from car maker KIA. Moreover, it will soon be used in upholstered furniture, car interiors and clothing to ensure greater sustainability. “The Techtextil Innovation Award is a particular honour and is a great incentive for us to continue our pioneering work in the field of sustainable textiles,” says Fuhrmann.

Two winners in the ‘New Technologies on Sustainability & Recycling’ category

More sustainable bonding of fibres into 3D shapes

In the ‘New Technologies on Sustainability & Recycling’ category, a Techtextil Innovation Award goes to Norafin Industries from Germany. The award honours the new ‘Hydro-Shape’ process, which uses high-pressure water jets to bond fibres into a 3D shape. “Instead of just creating textile fabrics, the new process can be used to produce three-dimensional structures in a single stage, from the fibre to the end product. Energy and material are only used where they are really needed,” says Marc Jolly, Head of Research and Development at Norafin. The result is a 3D textile product that not only breaks new ground in terms of waste reduction but can also be made from biodegradable natural fibres. According to Jolly, the technology was also developed against the backdrop of the Single-Use Plastics Directive, an EU regulation aimed at combating single-use plastics, which came into force in 2021. Norafin will present the award-winning joining process to the public for the first time at Techtextil.

Organic insulation textiles instead of synthetic insulation materials

Good thermal insulation of buildings is important for climate protection because it reduces energy consumption and, therefore, the amount of heating energy required. Insulation materials such as polyurethane or polystyrene insulate well but also include fossil raw materials. To replace such synthetic materials and insulate more sustainably in the future, the German start-up SA-Dynamics joined forces with industrial partners to develop recyclable insulating textiles made from bio-based Aerogel fibres. For this, the company has been honoured with the second Techtextil Innovation Award in the ‘New Technologies on Sustainability & Recycling’ category. Maximilian Mohr, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) at SA-Dynamics says, “Society and industry are facing one of the greatest challenges since industrialisation: the sustainability transformation.” The EU and governments of many countries are focusing more and more on regulatory measures for greater climate and environmental protection when it comes to building insulation, explains Mohr. The new insulating textiles made from Aerogel fibres, which consist of over 90 percent air and can be processed on textile machines, will even outperform synthetic insulating materials in terms of their protective effect. As Mohr says, “We aim to revolutionise the world of construction.”

Texprocess Innovation Award winners

“World novelty for decorative and ornamental seams”

The Texprocess Innovation Award in the category ‘Innovation for quality improvement’ goes to industrial sewing machine manufacturer Dürkopp Adler from Germany for a CNC sewing automat with rotating sewing kinematics for medium heavy industrial sewing applications. According to the company, the new CNC ‘911Revolve’ sewing automat is a “World novelty for decorative and ornamental seams.” Moreover, “It is the first CNC system of its kind that permits perfect sewing in all directions,” adds Sebastian Kinnius, Head of Product Management and Marketing at Dürkopp Adler. In future, automotive suppliers, manufacturers of high-quality leather goods and technical textiles, for example, will be able to sew car seats and interiors, airbags, medical bandages, filters and handbags with greater precision and quality. For Kinnius, the new sewing automat is also a step towards greater sustainability because, depending on the application, the 911Revolve eliminates the need for additional machines in the production process, which improves resource efficiency and saves energy. “We are proud that our new development has been honoured with this year’s Texprocess Innovation Award, because it shows once again that our investments in research and development are paying off,” says Kinnius. Dürkopp Adler is planning to officially launch the 911Revolve at this year’s Texprocess.

The three winners in the ‘Economic Quality’ category are:

Innovative sewing machine

One of three Texprocess Innovation Awards in the category ‘Economic Quality’ goes to Juki Central Europe for its innovative industrial sewing machine ‘DDL-10000DX‘. While sewing processes in garment production, particularly regarding three-dimensional sewing, were previously dependent on the handling skills of individual operators, Juki explains, that anyone can now master sewing with the award-winning new development. This is achieved through the use of a special conveyor belt, which is designed to support the operating personnel in handling the machine. It is set to facilitate the feeding of the fabric for all types of materials and patterns to the extent that the operator no longer has to handle it manually. According to Juki, DDL-10000DX is a “world novelty in the sewing machine industry”.

Automated sewing

While the textile industry is already largely digitalising and automating design, printing and cutting, one of the most important production steps is still completely manual or at most semi-automatic: sewing. In the ‘Economic Quality’ category, a Texprocess Innovation Award goes to the Danish company Mikkelsen Innovation for ‘FastSewn’ – a patented technology that enables digitally controlled automatic sewing and cutting from rolls without pre-cutting on a single platform. Frames and templates no longer have to be loaded and off-loaded manually. With FastSewn, two-dimensional textile products like industrial filters or custom pillows are automatically transported to a flatbed sewing system, which is designed to enable the joining of any contours – even complex ones. „The system is also able to laser cut the sewn patterns at the same time further reducing handling,“ says Steve Aranoff, Business Development Director at Mikkelsen Innovation. According to Aranoff, FastSewn is initially targeting the production of airbags, car seats and sewn furniture parts. The company plans to present the award-winning innovation in full size for the first time at Texprocess.

Greater sustainability in the textile-care sector

VEIT from Germany also receives a Texprocess Innovation Award in the ‘Economic Quality’ category for its patented ‘CF20 DesFin’ compact finisher, which is designed to eliminate odours, mould, stains and pathogens from garments without the use of chemicals. It has been developed by VEIT, manufacturer of ironing boards, fusing and laminating machines, in cooperation with the German wfk – Cleaning Technology Institute. In future, the company expects it to be used in clothing logistics, by online retailers, laundries and dry cleaners. “Clothing from returns or goods transported over long distances by ship can be disinfected, deodorised and ironed at the same time without chemicals using the new compact finisher,” says Christopher Veit, Managing Director of the company of the same name, which counts Hugo Boss and Zara among its customers. According to VEIT, the award-winning ‘DesFin’ technology will be presented to a broad international audience of trade visitors for the first time at this year’s Texprocess.

Two winners in the ‘Digitalisation + AI’ category:

Improving textile recycling with AI

Less than 1 per cent of used garments are reprocessed into new clothing. Recycling is complicated by the fact that garments often contain parts such as zips, buttons, labels or elastic bands. Removing them requires a thorough sorting process, often still carried out by hand today. In order to increase the textile recycling rate in future, the Belgian company Valvan has now developed a machine that automatically recognises and removes non-textile parts from old garments. The company received one of two awards in the ‘Digitalisation + AI’ category. “The award is a great recognition of our work in the field of the textile circular economy,” says Jean-François Gryspeert, Sales & Business Developer at Valvan. How the idea for Trimclean came about is quite curious: the inspiration apparently came from quality control in the production of Belgian fries. “We asked ourselves whether a technology that sorts out faulty fries would not also be able to recognise non-textile parts in textiles,” says Gryspeert. According to him, the sorting software used also benefits from recent advances in the field of artificial intelligence (AI): “We use AI in combination with a special camera to better separate fabric parts from non-textile parts.” This works so well that, unlike other solutions, Trimclean can even remove patches, seams and prints. “The AI technology making Trimclean possible did not even exist a few years ago,” says Gryspeert.

New measurement method for better-fitting bras

The second Texprocess Innovation Award in the ‘Digitalisation + AI’ category goes to the Institute of Textile Machinery and High-Performance Material Technology (ITM) and the Chair of Development and Assembly of Textile Products at TUD Dresden University of Technology for a new evaluation method for body scans using 4D scanning technology. The award-winning process is designed to make it possible to measure soft body parts such as the female breast in motion and not, as is the case with many 3D body scanners, only when the person is stationary. According to ITM, this allows the creation of dynamic 4D body scans that are much more accurate and can also be compared digitally. In future, clothing manufacturers could use 4D body data such as this to develop, among others, more individualised bras with improved wearing comfort, as well as saving time and costs during product development.

The Techtextil Innovation Awards jury:

  • Eng. António Braz Costa, Technological Centre for the Textile and Clothing Industry of Portugal (CITEVE), Portugal
  • Johannes Diebel, Forschungskuratorium Textil e.V. (FKT), Deutschland
  • Dr. Heike Illing-Günther, Saxon Textile Research Institute e.V., Germany
  • Dr. Jan Laperre, Centexbel, Belgium
  • Prof. Dr. René Rossi, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA), Switzerland
  • Dr. Thomas Stegmaier, German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF), Germany
  • Prof. Dr. Henry Yi Li, The University of Manchester, Great Britain

Texprocess Innovation Awards jury:

  • Alexander Artschwager, German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research; Center of Management Research Digital Engineering, Germany
  • Jürgen Brecht, HAUBER-GRUPPE FERD. HAUBER GmbH, Germany
  • Prof. Dr. Thomas Gries, RWTH Aachen University; Institut für Textiltechnik, Germany
  • Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Yordan Kyosev, Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Germany
  • Claudia van Bonn, dfv media group, Textile Technology, Germany
  • Walter Wählt, adidas AG, Germany
  • Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kerstin Zöll, Department of Textile- and Clothing Technology, Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, Germany

All winners and award categories at a glance:

       
Unternehmen

 

 Projektname

 

 Award-Kategorie

 

 Techtextil/

Texprocess

 
Centexbel-VKC Debonding of welded thermoplastic textile reinforced composites by induction heating New Approaches on Sustainability & Circular Economy

 

 Techtextil
CITEVE (project coordinator) and project partners Saint-Gobain (project leader), Têxteis Penedo, CeNTI and iTecons Smart Roofs System (SRS) New Product Techtextil
DITF Denkendorf Self-cooling textiles – energy-free method using radiative cooling technology New Technology

 Techtextil
Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co. KG AGXX – The innovative antimicrobial technology New Technology

 Techtextil
TUD Dresden University of Technology,

Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) 

 3D textile lattice girder for sustainable production of lightweight carbon concrete precast elements New Concept

 Techtextil
LunaMicro LunaMicro’s active moisture-pumping textile New Technology Techtextil
Norafin Industries (Germany) GmbH Hydro-shape – 3-dimensional textile structures formed from water New Technologies on Sustainability & Recycling

 Techtextil
Revoltech GmbH LOVR™ New Concept Techtextil
SA-Dynamics (Startup at the Institut für Textiltechnik,RWTH Aachen University) High performance insulation textiles made from cellulose aerogel fibres New Technologies on Sustainability & Recycling Techtextil
Dürkopp Adler GmbH DÜRKOPP ADLER 911 Revolve – Perfection in every stitch Innovation for quality improvement Texprocess
TUD Dresden University of Technology,

Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM)

 Standardizing Movement Patterns to Compare Textile-Soft Body Interactions Digitalisation + AI

 Texprocess
Juki Central Europe Sp. z o.o. DDL-10000DX – World’s first machine with Feed belt Economic Quality Texprocess
Mikkelsen Innovation ApS FASTSEWN – Innovative Sewing & Cutting Automation Economic Quality Texprocess
Valvan Trimclean Digitalisation + AI Texprocess
Veit GmbH Compact Finisher CF20 DesFin Economic Quality Texprocess

 

About the Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards

The Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards are given in recognition of outstanding research results, products, materials, solutions and technologies from the international textile manufacturing and textile processing industry and will be presented for the 17th time this year. The winners are selected by juries of internationally renowned experts. In the industry, the awards are considered to be important indicators of relevant trends in the global textile industry and reflect the innovative strength of the sectors.

Presentation of the Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards on 23 April 2024

The awards ceremony will take place on 23 April 2024 at 12.30 pm in the Texprocess Forum in Hall 9.0. The award-winning exhibits can be seen in Hall 9.1 up to and including 26 April 2024. Guided tours to the stands of the winners of the Texprocess Innovation Awards will be offered by members of the jury on 23 and 24 April.

The events Techtextil and Texprocess will be held from 23 to 26 April 2024.

Posted: April 16, 2024

Source: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH

STOLL Launches The CMS 703 Knit And Wear For Efficient Completed Production Of Articles With A Wide Size Range

OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — April 15, 2024 — STOLL further diversifies the offering of its CMS family, with a renewed focus on machines for the volume market during expansion. The CMS 503 ki L was only launched in mid-March 2024 as a 50″/127 centimeter (cm) version of the CMS 503 ki for Fully Fashion applications. Now the CMS 703 knit and wear is a new model for the production of finished articles.

The newcomer offers many benefits through the proven, innovative technology features from STOLL, highest productivity, and above all: the unmatched high flexibility of all Knit and Wear models. It can produce both Fully Fashion and finished articles, opening up more leeway in terms of size design. All this at low investment costs!

STOLL CMS 703 ki

Thus, the cost effective CMS 703 ki knit and wear is the right choice when it comes to the productive production of high-quality seamless knitwear with a wide size range. STOLL Sales Manager Michael Händel and his team have particularly focused on customers in the Asian region with the new machine.

“The interest in Asia is high. With a working width of 72″/183 cm, manufacturers can ideally cover the common size range of local consumers. Nevertheless, we also receive many inquiries from other parts of the world, especially from Latin America,” says the sales professional.

The right price-performance ratio

The CMS 703 ki knit and wear is available with a working width of 72″/183 cm and a gauge range from E 6.2 to 10.2. In terms of technology, the new flat knitting machine scores particularly well with the Multiflex® take-down from STOLL, which offers improved width fixation of the knitwear. The customer benefits from a reduction in the reject rate and therefore costs. The high reduction of fabric faults and costs, as well as a uniform loop structure and a clear texture are also achieved thanks to the spring-loaded latch needles used as standard in all STOLL machines. A well-thought-out design ensures that transferring processes are reliably realised and that the needles are securely closed even when processing many threads or bulky yarns. The use of needle brushes ensures that empty needles in particular can be opened just as reliably. A smaller latch projection also enables tighter knitting.

As a representative of the Knitelligence® machine generation, the CMS 703 ki can be fully integrated into automated and digitized processes.

A particular advantage for use under unstable production conditions is the uninterrupted power supply (UPS) of the machine. In case of a power failure, battery buffering of the CPU cards for up to 90 seconds and a controlled shutdown of the operation afterwards prevent damage to the manufactured goods.

The new CMS 703 ki knit and wear also scores additional points in handling. A well-thought-out multi-touch panel allows operation in a familiar smartphone-like manner, and a screen with a wide viewing angle allows a view from any position on the machine. Moreover, maintenance effort is low. Based on STOLL’s long-proven, traditionally high-quality technology, the CMS 703 ki knit and wear impresses with extremely reliable operation and tailored for lower budgets.

Those who want to experience the CMS 703 knit and wear with its excellent price-performance ratio at work should visit the KARL MAYER GROUP stand at ITMA ASIA+CITME from October 14th to 18th, 2024 in Shanghai. A visit is worthwhile!

Posted: April 15, 2024

Source: KARL MAYER GROUP

Levi’s® Continues On Direct-To-Consumer Trajectory In Southeast Asia With Its Largest Store In Bangkok, Reaffirming Commitment To The Region

BANGKOK — April 15, 2024 — Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) today announced the reopening of its Levi’s® store at popular mall CentralWorld, in Bangkok, Thailand. At 364 sqm, the expanded store is now the largest Levi’s® store in Southeast Asia, marking yet another milestone in LS&Co.’s footprint within the region. It also represents LS&Co.’s focus on its direct-to-consumer strategy as the company continues to grow its fleet of fully owned-and-operated stores across key locations in the country.

Levi’s® store at CentralWorld, in Bangkok

Nestled in the heart of Bangkok’s shopping mall district Chidlom, the Levi’s® NextGen Indigo store will offer consumers an elevated shopping experience that brings together style and originality, through a broad selection of products and customization offerings. Appreciating that originality and self-expression are important considerations to Thai shoppers, especially youths, the store boasts the country’s second Levi’s® Tailor Shop which unlocks a range of personalization options. Helmed by skilled tailoring professionals, the Tailor Shop is an alteration, restoration and customization station where shoppers have the opportunity to make their Levi’s® apparel truly their own through embroidery, patches, pins, fabric paneling, and more.

To offer the fullest expression of the Levi’s® brand, the store will house an extensive product assortment across all collections including seasonal exclusives. This also includes collaborations with key cultural figures. To mark the occasion, a limited-edition collection designed in collaboration with Sundae Kids, a rising generation of Thai artists known for their unique and vibrant designs, will exclusively be available on the day of the store opening.

“Thailand is an important strategic market for Levi Strauss & Co. within Southeast Asia, and Bangkok is one of the world’s most popular destinations for international tourists,” said Sameer Koul, General Manager for Southeast Asiaand Country Manager for Thailand, Levi Strauss & Co. “Levi’s® CentralWorld store opens as our largest store in Southeast Asia to date, and represents our commitment to this dynamic market as we continue to build deeper direct connections with both local and international shoppers in Thailand.”

“We always strive to deliver immersive experiences that resonate with consumers, right where they shop. By bringing the fullest expression of our brand to their doorstep, we hope to cultivate lifelong denim fans in Thailand – and the wider Southeast Asia region.”

The newly renovated Levi’s® CentralWorld store officially opened on April 8, 2024. It is located on the second floor of the mall, in the Beacon Zone.

Posted: April 15, 2024

Source: Levi Strauss & Co.

Best-In-Class Breathability For Non-Fire Calls: Fire-Dex Kicks Off The New FDXL90 Boot

FDXL90

MEDINA, Ohio — April 15, 2024 — Fire-Dex, an innovator in personal protective gear for fire services, has introduced the FDXL90 Boot offering best-in-class breathability and dual NFPA 1951 (Technical Rescue) and 1999 (EMS) certification.

Designed solely for non-fire emergencies that constitute over 90 percent of calls, the new boot considers the modern firefighter who knows how different each mission can be. Combining versatile protection, lightweight design and breakthrough breathability, the FDXL90 is set to redefine expectations in frontline footwear.

Protecting Against the Unpredictable

“Recognizing the challenging terrain emergency responders often navigate, and that 36 percent of injuries are due to strains, sprains or muscular aches per NFPA reporting, we tailored the FDXL90 to deliver exceptional performance with airflow and comfort in mind,” said Todd Herring, Fire-Dex’s vice president of Product Innovation and Strategy.

The new boot delivers best-in-class breathability thanks to an Armor AP™ flexible fabric outer layer and GORE-TEXCROSSTECH® permeable moisture barrier. By integrating top-tier materials with Fire-Dex’s expertise in design, the FDXL90 surpasses GORE’s comprehensive breathability standards for boots by an impressive 175 percent, displaying its remarkable effectiveness in removing sweat vapor to ensure the wearer stays dry and comfortable.

To ensure that emergency responders remain agile, the boot features a Vibram® FIRE & ICE sole, which makes it 30-percent lighter than conventional structural firefighter boots while providing exceptional durability against wear and tear. The FDXL90 also retains key features that have made Fire-Dex’s FDXL200 Structural Firefighting Boot a favorite among customers for years, such as its exceptional slip resistance and durability.

NFPA research shows that nine in 10 call scenarios are non-fire related — from EMS to technical rescue to civilian assist to natural disaster response — meaning emergency responders must be ready for anything at a moment’s notice. That’s why the FDXL90 also uses a unique lace-up design with a side zipper, ensuring rapid donning and doffing and a customizable, snug fit.

As Lieutenant Daniel Mills of Escambia County Fire in Florida reported: “These boots have performed very well in terms of grip, dexterity and function … I give them a five-star rating and definitely recommend them to coworkers.”

Helping Heroes Breath Easier

This broad leap in boot technology follows closely on the heels of the debut of AeroFlex turnouts from Fire-Dex — the coolest gear now available to firefighters based on industry-leading Resistance to Evaporative Heat Loss (Ret) and Total Heat Loss (THL) performance.

Fire-Dex continues to lead the way in protective ensembles for emergency services, leveraging decades of research and development to deliver products that meet the rigorous demands of the field. AeroFlex and the new FDXL90 boots are prime examples of Fire-Dex’s dedication to supercharging the breathability of garments to lower the risks of heat stress and help everyday heroes stay comfortable so they can concentrate on their vital tasks.

Posted: April 15, 2024

Source: Fire-Dex

OrthoLite Subsidiary Cirql™ Launches Fully Recyclable Cirql rTPU30 Midsole Innovation Made With 30% Recycled TPU For The Global Footwear Industry

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam — April 15, 2024 — OrthoLite® today unveiled a new midsole foam called Cirql rTPU30. This brand new patented innovation is made with 30-percent post-consumer recycled TPU material and manufactured through a chemical-free, supercritical foaming process. With 16 granted patents and additional patents pending worldwide for its 30-percent recycled injection foam, Cirql rTPU30 is a scalable and fully recyclable midsole solution that helps footwear brands to reach their climate and sustainability product goals.

As an industry, footwear continues to operate through what will be nothing short of an historic year of regulatory compliance and legislation defining parameters of sustainable footwear and curbing greenwashing.

Cirql’s rTPU30 meets 2024 compliance standards by incorporating 30-percent GRS-certified, post-consumer recycled TPU materials directly into the foam using a patented technique exclusive to Cirql’s chemical-free supercritical injection foaming process.

“Our goal is to exceed the expectations of footwear developers searching for advanced, sustainable footwear materials designed with consideration for their end-of-life,” said Glenn Barrett, founder and CEO of OrthoLite. “OrthoLite is proud to meet the staggering demand from our 550+ brand partners for more trusted solutions with Cirql rTPU30.”

In March 2022, OrthoLite first introduced Cirql to the footwear industry. Two years later, the company is expanding Cirql’s product offerings with new sustainable materials solutions. Fully recyclable Cirql rTPU30, along with the fully biodegradable and compostable range of products, round out the Cirql materials solutions for addressing product end of life cycles.

The Cirql rTPU30 material has been tested by third-party labs and passes the essential tests for midsole specs. Cirql rTPU30 will be offered with the option of a co-molded TPU outsole which will remove the current bonding process and make it a glueless, single material bottom unit. Alternatively, Cirql’s midsole foam innovations can also be conventionally bonded to all outsoles on the market today.

To offer further protection and transparency, Cirql recyclable injection foam currently has 29 patents filed worldwide. Of those patents, 16 are granted and in effect, with more on the way. Along with verifications like Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification, patents provide an added layer of confidence that the OrthoLite supply chain is delivering precisely what it claims.

“Cirql represents not only an entirely new product and patented foaming process for OrthoLite, it also is an opportunity to minimize waste and pollution on a wide scale across all footwear,” said Matt Thwaites, Vice President and General Manager of Cirql. “The big picture goal of Cirql is to help move the footwear industry toward true circularity, by reducing carbon footprints, delivering more sustainable materials solutions, and eliminating the use of hazardous chemicals in the manufacturing process. We are excited for the future of footwear as well as the upcoming announcements that will continue to come from Cirql this year.”

Cirql rTPU30 will be available to footwear brands in Q2 2024. “We know this is an excellent midsole product, and we are ready if brands choose to fast-track it into their product lines before the end of this year,” Thwaites added.

Posted: April 15, 2024

Source: OrthoLite / Cirql™

With Versalis Automotive Digital Marking, Lectra Offers Automotive Seat And Interior Manufacturers A Digital Marking Solution For Leather Defects

PARIS — April 15, 2024 — Lectra facilitates the transformation of players in the fashion, automotive and furniture industries by providing technological solutions that accelerate their transition to Industry 4.0. The group has now launched Versalis Automotive Digital Marking, a digital marking station for leather defects coupled with an automatic hide repositioning software. Through the use of data, this offer improves marking accuracy and facilitates decision making, resulting in lower production costs and material savings.

Highly competitive and still impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the automotive industry faces many challenges: high fluctuation in demand, transition to electric vehicles, reduction of carbon footprint, digitalization of production and shortage of skilled labor. Against this backdrop, all automotive suppliers, including leather seat manufacturers, who will equip more than one in five vehicles worldwide in 2024, must strive to constantly improve their production costs in order to reconcile competitiveness and sustainability.

“At Lectra, we firmly believe in the importance of innovation to maintain our customers’ competitive edge. Our digital marking solution is unique from the competition thanks to the automation of hide repositioning at the cutting stage. By working closely with key industry players, we strive to actively listen to their needs and challenges, in order to shape a solution that precisely meets their expectations,” explained Maximilien Abadie, chief strategy officer and chief product officer at Lectra.

While hides for cutting are traditionally marked with chalk, the new Versalis Automotive Digital Marking station now makes digital marking possible and optimizes its use on Versalis Automotive cutting equipment. Thanks to the integrated and connected proprietary software, it is possible to automatically recognize previously digitized hides and associate all the data required for the cutting stage. The combination of the two solutions ensures intelligent marking, and enables hides to be repositioned to optimize the quantity and minimize wasted space between parts at the cutting stage.

While meeting the most stringent requirements of OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), Versalis Automotive Digital Marking achieves material savings of up to 1.5 percent of the leather surface to be cut — a significant gain in an industry as competitive as the automotive sector. Thanks to continuous process improvement, manufacturers of vehicle seats and interiors can better control their costs and inventories, while reducing their carbon footprint.

Posted: April 15, 2024

Source: Lectra

The International Woolmark Prize Is Evolving To Future-Proof Fashion

SYDNEY — April 15, 2024 — The International Woolmark Prize, a prestigious award for rising fashion talent, is evolving to enhance its focus on nurturing talent to positively shape the future of fashion.

Launched in 1953, the award program aims to empower emerging designers through education, financial investment, and industry support to harness the potential of wool within their collections.

The next edition of the prize will commence when applications open on the April 16. Notable updates to the program include:

  • The award extends to a two-year program, providing designers with more time focus on innovation — encouraging a test, trial, learn, and improve design philosophy.
  • The judging criteria will have an enhanced focus on sustainability and innovation.
  • The International Woolmark Prize winner will receive an increased prize fund of AU$300,000 providing them with the financial support needed to bring their ideas to life.
  • For the first time, the Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation will be expanded to an industry award, which will be presented to any brand within the fashion industry that has pushed the boundaries of Merino wool innovation.

“The International Woolmark Prize is committed to supporting young talent. To do this effectively, designers need more financial support, better access to sustainable materials and time to innovate with the latest technology. Our revised program aligns more closely with the evolving needs of the industry.” says John Roberts, managing director, Woolmark.

Designers from across the globe who meet the criteria are invited to apply for prize until June 30, 2024, after which an Advisory Council of industry experts will work side-by-side with Woolmark to select finalists that prioritize and champion inclusivity, innovation and fresh perspectives.

The Advisory Council is made up of a diverse group of esteemed global industry figures, including but not limited to: Gabriela Hearst, Founder and Creative Director of Gabriela Hearst, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, Fashion Editor and Stylist, Sinéad Burke, Educator, Advocate and Founder of Tilting the Lens, Janet Wang, Head of TMALL Luxury Pavilion Livia Firth, Founder and Chief Agitator Officer, Eco Age, Tim Blanks, Editor-at-Large, Business of Fashion, and Sara Sozzani Maino, Creative Director, Fondazione Sozzani.

View the application criteria and apply now here: https://www.woolmarkprize.com/apply?utm_source=press+release&utm_campaign=iwp2025-applications-open

Posted: April 15, 2024

Source: Woolmark

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Announces Successful Launch Of Spring Production Trials In Southeast Asia For Spider Silk

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — April 15, 2024 — Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc. (Kraig Labs), announced today that the spring production trials for the new BAM-1 hybrid have begun and are well on track to meet the company’s expectations and timeline.

The company successfully launched the production trials of BAM-1, its newest and most robust recombinant spider silk production silkworm hybrid, on time and in line with its production roadmap. The company’s CEO remains in Asia to directly oversee the production trial of the BAM-1 parental strains and monitor their performance.

Following health screenings and daily monitoring of the colony, the company can now report that this is currently the strongest and healthiest batch of silkworms it has ever produced in Southeast Asia. Specifically, disease screening by the company and its consultants has shown zero instances of disease in the colony. This can be attributed in part to the improved genetics and robustness of the BAM-1 parental strains. Moreover, significant credit for this improved performance must also be attributed to the knowledge and rearing technology transfer that Dr. Nirmal Kumar, of India, has brought to the team.

“Our team invested heavily in improving the robustness of our production recombinant spider silk strains based on hard lessons learned and the testing data collected in 2023. With the support and added insight Dr. Nirmal Kumar is providing, we are on track for the most productive and successful spider silk production year in the company’s history,” said founder and CEO, Kim Thompson. “Dr. Nirmal Kumar will be on the ground working with our team through this entire trial of the parental strains in order to lay a solid foundation for all future production. I believe we are in the midst of a breakout year for the company as we continue to hit our marks on the business plan and deliver on our vision for commercial scale spider silk.”

Posted: April 15, 2024

Source: Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc.

 

 

“We Are The Future Of Print” – Mimaki To Spotlight Innovation, Sustainability And Inclusivity At drupa 2024

AMSTERDAM — April 15, 2024 — Mimaki Europe, manufacturer of inkjet printing and cutting technologies, has today announced that the company will be exhibiting at drupa — which will be held in Dusseldorf, Germany, May 28-June 7, 2024 — alongside its global counterparts and the overarching brand, Mimaki Engineering Co. Ltd. In line with the drupa theme “We Create the Future”, Mimaki is using its booth (Hall 9, Stand A04) to demonstrate its innovative approach to the printing market, under its own theme “We Are the Future of Print”. Renowned for bringing some of the most pioneering technologies to the international market, Mimaki offer visitors an insight into its engineering excellence and showcase technologies and solutions that support the future productivity and profitability of the sign graphic, industrial, and textile industries.

“We are the future of print”

The bold, engaging theme chosen by Mimaki — “We Are the Future of Print” — highlights the company’s pioneering role in shaping the course of the digital printing industry over the past 20 years and marks its renewed commitment to drive innovation in the years to come, as Mimaki Europe celebrates its 20th anniversary. As such, alongside its cutting-edge technologies, Mimaki will demonstrate how the company’s solutions can be integrated into the most advanced Industry 5.0 production environments for improved automation, with robotics and other smart machines working alongside people.

Sustainability will also be central to the Mimaki show at drupa. Sharing its vision for the industry’s future, the company will present its latest innovations, initiatives and practices aimed at supporting a sustainable development of the industry and substantially improving the environmental footprint of both customers and Mimaki itself.

Technology highlights at drupa 2024

Mimaki’s vision for a more sustainable future will be evident throughout the product line-up at drupa. The company will showcase its very latest in pioneering UV print technologies, designed to help users reduce energy consumption, minimise VOC emissions and generate less waste. Among the technologies from the current Mimaki product portfolio is the recently launched UCJV330-160, an integrated sign printer/cutter that features innovative 2.5D printing function to create embossed effects.

Also central to the Mimaki booth will be the JFX600-2513 printer and CFX-2513 cutting plotter, demonstrated as a complete industrial print-and-cut solution. Expanding Mimaki’s cutting plotter portfolio, the CFX-2513 is a high-end, large-scale cutting solution which operates with increased speed and efficiency.

With the trend of customization on the rise, Mimaki will also showcase its range of direct-to-object solutions, including the UJF-6042 MkII e, which will demonstrate 360-degree printing with the Kebab HS unit. Notably, two industrial-grade UJF-7151 plusII UV printers will be working alongside a robotic arm, highlighting Mimaki’s commitment to addressing future trends in printing, particularly automation, and showcasing how Mimaki solutions can seamlessly integrate into automated workflows.

For the textile segment, Mimaki will feature the TxF300-75 for direct-to-film (DTF) printing, which has been gaining traction in recent years. Additionally, Mimaki will exhibit its revolutionary Neo-Chromato Process, a world first in cyclical textile technology. Allowing the re-use of previously dyed polyester textiles, this process eliminates the need for incineration and reduces energy consumption associated with recycling by decolourising polyester textiles that have been dyed using dye sublimation technologies.

Mimaki stand promises to ‘wow’ visitors

In addition to technology innovation, sustainability, collaboration and inclusivity are also key to the Mimaki vision, one example being the company’s work with Indian foundation, Tiny Miracles. The foundation, created to employ and support women in local communities, will produce environmentally friendly, Mimaki branded cotton bags especially for drupa, beautifully designed to encourage reuse.

Additionally, a fascinating display of inspiring, vibrant, and high-quality applications will be showcased in Mimaki’s very own ‘shopfront’, created especially for drupa. The shelves will be packed with new samples, real-life applications and products people may not even realise Mimaki’s technology is behind.

Working Towards a Sustainable Future

Mimaki’s comprehensive and inspiring goals driving sustainability across the industries in which it operates will be at the core of its drupa presence. Marc Verbeem, Product Management Supervisor, Mimaki Europe, will be speaking at the Touchpoint Textile Forum (Hall 4 – Digital Textile Micro Factory) on both the 4th and 5th June at 14:30-14:50 on ‘Textile Transformation: Pioneering Sustainability through Digital Printing’.

Danna Drion, Mimaki Europe’s General Manager Marketing and Product Management EMEA, is hosting a drupa cube discussion, titled ‘The Diverse Benefits of an Inclusive Workplace’ on 4th June at 13.45. From the challenges women can face in male-dominated fields to engaging a younger generation, Drion discusses how Mimaki, and the print industry as a whole, can foster inclusivity and diversity.

“As well as previewing our exciting technology, we also understand that the lasting prosperity of our business and the businesses of our customers hinges on the well-being of the people and communities we serve,” comments Danna Drion. “Sustainability for us encompasses social and economic aspects too, including advocating for equitable labour practices and empowering communities.

“There are many reasons to visit Mimaki this drupa and we are so excited to welcome our customers and prospects from around the world. It is Mimaki Europe’s 20th anniversary, so it seems very fitting that we have this opportunity to celebrate Mimaki’s innovative approach on this global platform. The products on display are enabling success and innovation today and the technology being previewed offers an insight into Mimaki’s aim of transforming the industry of tomorrow. We’re looking to the next 20 years but, right now, we’re also counting down to the exciting, innovation-packed show that drupa promises to be.”

Posted: April 15, 2024

Source: Mimaki Europe BV

BRÜCKNER On TECHTEXTIL Frankfurt: 75 Years Of Tradition And Innovation

LEONBERG, Germany — APRIL 15, 2024 — This year, the German family-run company is celebrating its 75th birthday. Today, more than 6000 BRÜCKNER lines around the globe produce textile products of all kinds. The product range of the textile machinery manufacturer is at least as diverse as the end products manufactured on it. BRÜCKNER’s customers include manufacturers of industrial textiles, nonwovens, textile floor coverings, artificial turf, glass fabrics and, of course, classic apparel textiles.

Industrial textiles

In the field of coating and finishing industrial textiles, the world market leader offers the right unit for almost every process. Whether full-bath impregnation for aqueous media, one-sided full-surface or dot application of latex and acrylate pastes, foam or paste application via various roller and squeegee systems or the application of laminating adhesive – BRÜCKNER has a solution for every process. Numerous customers worldwide are very satisfied with their BRÜCKNER lines for coating or laminating abrasive cloth, airbags, roof membranes, blackout material, billboards, geotextiles or tarpaulins. In addition to the application units and coating lines, the portfolio also includes the right drying systems.

Nonwovens

These include, for example, the thermofusion ovens of the SUPRA-FLOW product line, which are mainly used in the nonwovens industry. Among other things, high-loft nonwovens for mattresses, insulation, comforters or upholstery, as well as lightweight nonwovens for the hygiene industry such as ADL nonwovens, topsheets or backsheets can be finished on the air-through thermofusion ovens. BRÜCKNER also offers air-through dryers for scrubbing nonwovens, kitchen towels, operating table covers, paper napkins and feminine hygiene products as well as high-speed spunlace lines for wipes, wet wipes and wet laid nonwovens. The POWER-FRAME stenter with proven split-flow technology is used for the thermal treatment of needle felts, high-temperature filters or geo- and agro-nonwovens. It is usually at the heart of the finishing process for classic garment textiles and is also ideal for drying and heat-setting after digital printing.

Floor coverings

Brückner Carpet Line

Discover our expertise in coating, laminating and drying textile floor coverings for yourself. The DUO-THERM dryer deserves special mention here. It is the perfect solution for thermal treatment processes that require temperature separation between the upper and lower air. Like all BRÜCKNER lines, it can be heated with different media: Gas (direct or indirect), thermal oil, steam in low or high pressure versions, electric heating or various hybrid versions. Just recently, a BRÜCKNER line for drying single-sort floor coverings was equipped with a fully electrically heated DUO-THERM dryer. By operating this dryer with green electricity, the long-standing BRÜCKNER customer was offered the possibility of CO2-neutral production of tufted carpets.

Textile expertise made easy

Brückner ExperTex

The new ExperTex simulation tool is a calculation program that makes it possible for the first time in the world to digitally simulate textile drying, heat-setting and curing processes. In addition to the pure process simulation, a comprehensive calculation of consumption data (e.g. electrical and thermal energy required, production costs or the CO2 footprint) is integrated. The active process is automatically perfected using an optimization menu. The innovative algorithm simulates, analyzes and optimizes the entire range of possible setting parameters depending on the specified process, either for maximum production output or to reduce energy consumption. The new ExperTex program is browser-based and intuitive to use.

Visit BRÜCKNER at the TECHTEXTIL in hall 12.0, stand B54.

Posted: April 15, 2024

Source: Brückner Trockentechnik GmbH & Co. KG

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