GRAZ, Austria — May 7, 2024 — Meisheng Group has started up a new ANDRITZ needlepunch line at its facility in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, China. It is the third line supplied by ANDRITZ to the renowned manufacturer of high-end nonwoven synthetic leather. This expansion will enable Meisheng to address the growing demand for synthetic suede in the automotive industry, particularly for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs).
Third ANDRITZ needlepunch line in operation at Meisheng plant. Photo — ANDRITZ
Qian Guochun, CEO of Meisheng, commented: “In view of the strong demand for our premium synthetic suede, especially for NEVs, we have placed our trust in ANDRITZ for the third time. With the new needlepunch line we are expanding our capacity while maintaining our high quality standards.”
The advanced line is equipped with a ProWid™ system that allows Meisheng to ensure an optimum web weight regularity across the full product width. As a result, the web distribution is drastically improved, which reduces material consumption (fibers) and improves web weight evenness (CV%) – factors that are particularly important in synthetic leather manufacturing for automotive applications.
Founded in 1994, Zhejiang Meisheng New Material Co. Ltd. is an internationally renowned maker of high-end textiles and nonwoven synthetic leather. Through a consistent focus on R&D, Meisheng has established itself as a pioneer in the production of nonwoven microfiber synthetic leather in China.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — May 4, 2024 — Teijin Automotive Technologies held a ribbon cutting today to celebrate the opening of its new topcoat and assembly facility in Huntington, Ind. This new facility enhances the capabilities of the company’s existing Huntington facility, which include compression molding, bonding, water jetting, sanding and priming.
VIPs and Teijin Automotive executives cut the ribbon celebrating the opening of the supplier’s new, 164,000 square-foot top coat and assembly facility in Huntington, Indiana. From left: Steve Wisniewski, chief financial officer, Teijin Automotive; Chris Twining, CEO, Teijin Automotive; Huntington Mayor Richard Strick; Mary Martin, regional director for U.S. Senator Mike Braun; Rick Doering, plant manager, Teijin Automotive Huntington; Mark Wickersham, executive director, Huntington County Economic Development Corporation; Rob Miller, Huntington County commissioner; Theresa Kulczak, executive director, Japan-America Society of Indiana; and Kim Zitny, director, Corporate Communications, Teijin Automotive. Photo — Business Wire
The new 164,000 square-foot facility houses topcoat and assembly process to support the manufacturing of the Ford Bronco 4-Door modular painted roof program. The roofs themselves will be molded in advanced composites at Teijin Automotive’s 350,000 square-foot manufacturing facility located across Highway 9 in Huntington.
Additional details:
Topcoat facility sitting on 30 acres in the new Riverfork West Industrial Center.
Total investment of more than $100 million including land, building and equipment.
Will employ approximately 110 people when operations begin in June 2024.
Will eventually employ approximately 200.
“This new facility enables us to support exciting programs like the Ford Bronco and gives us the capacity to meet future customer needs as the demand for our innovative, sustainable, lightweight components continues to grow,” said Teijin Automotive CEO Chris Twining. “Huntington is an ideal location for us because of the availability of skilled, dedicated workers, and the continued support and collaboration from the economic development teams from the State of Indiana, Huntington County, and the Huntington community.”
Posted: May 6, 2024
Source: Teijin Automotive Technologies / The Teijin Group
CINCINNATI — May 6, 2024 — Standard Textile is proud to announce it has been selected as a 2024 US Best Managed Company Gold Standard winner. Now in its fifth year, the award, sponsored by Deloitte* Private and The Wall Street Journal, recognizes the achievements of U.S. private companies and the successes of their management teams.
“We’re honored to be named a US Best Managed Company for the fourth consecutive year and be among the 34 Gold Winners for 2024. The rigorous application process each year allows us to reflect on what sets us apart and how we should continually improve,” said Alex Heiman, President of Standard Textile. “This award truly belongs to our entire organization, as it reflects the collective effort of every team member executing on our strategic vision. We’re proud to stand out and remain dedicated to delivering exceptional value to our customers.”
US Best Managed Companies is part of a global Deloitte Private program. Honorees are selected by an external panel of judges who evaluate applicants based on strategy, ability to execute, culture, and governance and financial performance. They join an ecosystem of organizations from more than 44 countries.
BOSTON — May 1, 2024 — The Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership (GBMP), known for its leadership in Lean and Continuous Improvement consulting, is excited to announce its rebranding to “GBMP Consulting Group.” This change, including a new logo, coincides with the organization’s 30th anniversary and reflects its expanded expertise across various industries.
“Our official name remains the Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership, but we will now do business as GBMP Consulting Group,” said Bruce Hamilton, president of GBMP Consulting Group. “This update signifies our evolution and our commitment to offering broader and more comprehensive consulting services.”
This new brand identity is aligned with our mission to support businesses in achieving operational excellence and fostering cultures of continuous improvement. The updated branding will be implemented across all materials and communications effective immediately.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — May 6, 2024 — Entries are being sought for the 2024 Herman and Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition. The oral portion of the competition will be held during the Fall Committee Meetings in November in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. A completed official entry form must be submitted by May 15, 2024.
The Herman and Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition aims to enhance the textile education experience for student members of AATCC. The intent is to encourage independent student research both within the USA and Internationally. Students who are working on research regarding application of colorants, chemicals, and polymers or textile design and coloration, chemical processes, and materials of importance to the textile industry are eligible to submit an entry.
Graduate student entries must include work completed as a graduate. All papers will be prescreened by the competition chair to ensure that they meet 60 percent of the written evaluation total (maximum points
achievable on the written manuscript are 120). The length of the paper shall not exceed 10 pages. The 10-page limitation includes all text, figures, tables, references, and other matter in the paper. The top four entries will have 15 minutes to present their paper on-site at the AATCC Fall Research Committee Meetings. Graduate students are required to present their research in-person at the Fall Research Committee Meetings to be considered for the competition. Previously published papers are not eligible for entry into the competition.
Graduate students will be judged based on their paper and on-site oral presentation. The student may seek the advice of persons in industry or academia, but the preponderance of the work should belong to the student and the role of these academic or industrial advisors, or any other nonstudent must be no more than advisory. Therefore, nonstudents can only be listed on the byline as co-author with a notation in parenthesis that the nonstudent was an advisor to the work. A project and appropriate results may be submitted by any graduate student who is a member of AATCC.
Cash prizes are awarded to winning entries. The first-place prize is $1,000.00, second place is $ 800.00, and third place is $ 600.00. All prizes will be awarded in U.S. dollars.
The deadline to complete your official entry form is May 15, 2024. The final date for acceptance of papers is June 26, 2024. You cannot submit a paper without first submitting an official entry form. Papers arriving later than June 26, 2024, are not eligible for consideration in the competition.
BRUSSELS — May 6, 2024 — BIR President Susie Burrage OBE has appointed Brian Henesey as new chairman of the organization’s Convention Committee.
Henesey brings a wealth of experience and passion for the recycling industry to this crucial role, with over 30 years of experience in the recycled materials industry.
Brian Henesey
Currently, he is vice president and general manager at Rocky Mountain Recycling (RMR) in Colorado, overseeing commercial and operational strategies but also environmental health, safety, and legislative matters. His dedication extends beyond his professional interest, actively advocating for the industry and its critical role in environmental sustainability. Henesey previously served as chair of the U.S.-American Recycled Materials Association (ReMA), formerly ISRI, demonstrating his commitment to collaborative leadership within the recycling sector.
“Brian’s extensive experience and proven leadership qualities make him the perfect candidate to chair our Convention Committee,” Burrage commented. “I am confident that his vision and expertise will be instrumental in shaping future BIR conventions and ensuring they continue to be valuable platforms for the global recycling community.”
Henesey is very enthusiastic about his new role working with a team of international recycling professionals. “I am honored to be appointed Chairman of the BIR Convention Committee,” he said. “I look forward to working with the Committee, the BIR leadership and the Brussels team to develop even more engaging and informative conventions that address the evolving needs of the global recycled materials industry.”
Posted: May 6, 2024
Source: BIR – Bureau of International Recycling aisbl – The Global Federation Of Recycling Industries
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — May 7, 2024 — Leslie Jee Textiles, a Southern California-based residential and contract upholstery textile design and distribution company, is delighted to announce its partnership with TSG Finishing for warehouse and distribution services from its Hickory, N.C., facility. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth trajectory, poised to enhance delivery efficiency and service, thus furthering Leslie Jee Textiles’ dedication to optimizing its supply chain performance for the benefit of its valued customers.
With a rich 123-year history, TSG Finishing is celebrated for its commitment to technical excellence, constant innovation, and catering to the evolving needs of the textile industry. Its distribution center houses the largest installation of fabric storage tubes in North America with a 50,000-roll capacity as well as 30,000 square feet of open floor space for specialty product storage. Three additional processing facilities house its superior upholstery and industrial coating services, an acclaimed hallmark of TSG’s capabilities.
Having established a sterling reputation for product quality, operational excellence, and customer care since 2009, Leslie Jee Textiles’ decision to partner with TSG underscores its dedication towards continuous improvement and innovation. This strategic alliance aims to harness the collective expertise of both entities, leveraging advanced inventory management systems to seamlessly optimize logistics and distribution, thus reaffirming Leslie Jee Textiles’ steadfast commitment to strengthening its position in the market and ensuring sustained growth.
Leslie Jee Textiles remains dedicated to providing premium quality products and exceptional service. The partnership with TSG Finishing represents a significant stride toward achieving this goal and underscores Leslie Jee Textiles’ unwavering pursuit of excellence across all facets of its operations.
OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — May 6, 2024 — Energy efficiency and sustainability are becoming increasingly important, particularly for production companies. Rising energy costs, stricter environmental regulations and growing awareness of environmental concerns are making energy consumption an increasingly important success factor, particularly in the machinery sector — the heart of value creation in many companies.
Markus Bahde
“Both energy costs in general and the energy costs of production facilities have an ever greater influence on total production costs.Through active and continuous management, huge savings in costs and CO2 emissions are possible,” said Product Owner Digital Markus Bahde from the KARL MAYER GROUP.
Mastering the challenges around energy demand requires one thing above all: substantial knowledge. Application-oriented, continuously recording and analyzing data on real consumption enables companies to manage energy efficiently, but may require a significant amount of measurement technology, personnel and time. In addition, currently there are only a few experts with real-world experience in energy issues from the field of production. Therefore, the new implementation of energy data analyses often suffers from complex processes with considerable trial-and-error loops.
Warp_Knitting Machine Detail
With its new Energy Efficiency Solution, the KARL MAYER GROUP is taking a different, efficient and economical path to enable its customers to achieve energy transparency that meets their requirements.
Amended data, easy access
The Energy Efficiency Solution from KARL MAYER is a cloud-based solution that combines the latest sensor technology with a specifically developed analysis software. The high-tech connection enables customers to visualise selected data to identify their energy consumption. The software displays the captured and processed data of networked machines and records the power consumption for production, heating and standby operation modes. Companies wishing to leverage these opportunities will have easy access to the Energy Efficiency Solution via my.KM.ON, the KARL MAYER customer portal.
Different application scenarios, highest efficiency
The Energy Efficiency Solution provides customers with energy management support in a variety of ways. For example, customers can gain an overview of the actual situation of their production processes by displaying the energy data of individual machines and the entire machine fleet in real time, generating an energy data analysis from the past and using it to generate their own energy reports. In addition, it is possible to efficiently control machine heat-up without manual configuration on site.
Display of real-time energy data
Customers benefit from an overview of the current consumption data with a graduated viewing depth. A general compilation contains the values of the entire machine fleet and each individual machine. For more dedicated monitoring, the values for the current day, week, month and year can be output.
A closer look reveals more details. The display contains the details of the performance and energy data of an individual machine, broken down according to the respective machine status, and parameters for the power supply.
Analysis of historical energy data
In addition to recording energy consumption, the Energy Efficiency Solution offers an analysis of the data. On the basis of processed data from an elapsed time period, customers can compare the energy data of different machines or different fabrics respectively articles to each other. The comparison of the consumption values of the machines can be adapted to the analysis goals by using different variables. The reference range to which the consumption refers – for example, per day, month or year –, and the period and subject of the comparison can be set. Likewise, it is possible to choose the amount of energy used, costs and CO2 emissions. The respective data can also be accumulated.
The comparative view of textile products includes the total amount of energy consumed and the total costs incurred. Net consumption, i.e. consumption for the actual production process without energy requirements during stoppages, is also visible.
Generation of energy reports
Based on the analysed historical energy data, the Energy Efficiency Solution enables customers to generate energy reports for individual machines or for their entire machine fleet and save them as PDF files. Monthly and annual reports with a focus on the CO2 or kWh value are possible.
Heating operation regulation
Machine Heating
To reduce energy consumption, it may be useful to switch off the machine heating system during stoppages. The Energy Efficiency Solution offers the option of managing the heating operation for the entire machine park without manual configuration on site, which is extremely efficient. Customers simply define the desired daily production times in one or more templates and assign the templates to the individual machines. Next, the software develops the respective heat-up times from the input information. With the help of the templates, a weekly timer schedule can also be created. According to it, each individual machine is put into production readiness on the predetermined date.
On the basis of all the information and options offered by the Energy Efficiency Solution, customers can take effective measures to reduce energy consumption and in turn, their CO2 emissions.
“In a real-world pilot project, our Energy Efficiency Solution has already achieved monthly energy savings of approximately 5 to 10 percent,” said Markus Bahde.
The possible savings depend, of course, on the use and capacity utilisation of each machine and the maturity of the measures taken so far to reduce consumption. It is also possible to quantify and demonstrate the reduction in CO2 emissions.
Launch in May 2024
The launch of the Energy Efficiency Solution is planned for May 2024 and the solution will be rolled out gradually. The KAMCOS® 2 machines from KARL MAYER will be included in the launch, but Markus Bahde and his team are already working on using the solution on KAMCOS® 1 machines. They want to use machine-side product updates for the successive retrofitting. In future, the Energy Efficiency Solution will be available for all KARL MAYER machines.
ORLANDO, Fla. — May 6, 2024 — Baerlocher USA, part of the Baerlocher Group, a global supplier of plastic additives, is showcasing at NPE2024 (booth #S35171) the latest solutions from its Special Additives and PVC Additives businesses that address a range of sustainability challenges. The company is featuring BAEROPOL T-Blend stabilizers that add value to recycled polyolefin resins and films; new BAEROLUB® AID polymer processing aids (PPAs) formulated without per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); bio-plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that enhance processing and aesthetics; calcium-based stabilizers for PVC; and metal soaps made with Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certified palm oil.
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during the show, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., Baerlocher is also offering Tech Talks on various topics related to PVC, recycling and sustainability which will be presented by industry experts at its booth. Topics cover PVC and polyolefin stabilization, including the transition from tin to more-sustainable calcium/zinc formulations; PVC lubrication basics; polyolefin and PVC recycling; the circular economy; and design for recycling principles. For more details, visit: www.baerlocherusa.com/npe2024.
“Our special additive technologies demonstrate Baerlocher’s continuing investments to advance circularity and environmental protection, while offering resin producers, recyclers and converters measurable performance and quality benefits,” said Chad Harlan, strategic business unit director, Special Additives, Baerlocher USA. “Through trusted relationships, we provide expertise, problem resolution and encouragement to guide customers along their path to greater sustainability.”
“Additive technology can play an important role in improving the sustainability of PVC systems,” said Josh Wierzba, strategic business unit director, PVC Additives, Baerlocher USA. “Because this is a complex issue, Baerlocher offers multiple additives, from bio-plasticizers to environmentally friendly calcium-based heat stabilizers. We supplement our products with strong technical expertise and resources that can help customers overcome adoption issues and make a successful transition to the next generation of sustainable additives.”
Exhibit Highlights
Raising the Bar in PFAS-free PPAs. As the polyolefin industry moves away from highly regulated forever chemicals, new BAEROLUB AID additives are setting the standard for PFAS-free PPAs among major resin producers. Compared to competitive products, they perform under different polyethylene (PE) resin platforms and catalysts, and do not interfere with additives such as slip and anti-block agents.
Adding Value to Recycled Film. At NPE, Baerlocher is revealing test results that show BAEROPOL T-Blend 1214 TX stabilizer can enhance PE film made with post-consumer recycled (PCR) material that is processed using EREMA Group’s newest and most sophisticated technology – the INTAREMA TVEPlus® DuaFil® Compact double filtration machine. Benefits of this stabilizer for recycled film include fewer large gels vs. unstabilized PCR material.
Improving PVC Processing with Bio-plasticizers. In March 2024, Baerlocher began distributing Innoleics’ portfolio of non-phthalate bio-plasticizers in the United States. The company is also producing bio-plasticizer/liquid mixed metal customizable one-packs for flexible PVC. These cost-effective proprietary plasticizers reduce or eliminate common issues with vegetable-based additives.
Calcium-based Stabilizers for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): Baerlocher USA offers low toxicity, environmentally friendly calcium/zinc (CaZn) solid mixed-metal heat stabilizers suitable for rigid PVC applications. Calcium-based stabilizers are a more environmentally responsible alternative to tin-based stabilizers, a potentially toxic heavy metal. Calcium zinc stabilizers are already used in flexible PVC applications such as wire & cable, calendared film, extruded profiles, flooring and foam sheet.
Protecting Forest Habitat. Baerlocher’s metal soaps are available in formulations that use palm oil certified by the RSPO. The company’s broad portfolio of metal soaps offers many options to meet different application needs.
Baerlocher USA’s sales and technical experts are available throughout NPE to speak with visitors about the material challenges they may be experiencing and offer opportunities for collaboration.
MILAN — May 6, 2024 — For Italian textile machinery sector, 2024 has begun without anything seemingly special. The first quarter has seen the orders index, as reported by the Economics Department of ACIMIT — the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers — remain stationary compared to the same period the previous year. In absolute terms, the index came in at 61.2 points (basis: 2021=100).
This result is due to entirely different trends between the domestic and foreign markets. On the home front, orders were up 15 percent compared to the first three months of 2023, whereas orders abroad fell by 4 percent. The absolute value of the index on foreign markets came in at 59.4 points, in comparison to a 73.9 points in Italy. In both cases, new orders remained well below the numbers recorded for 2021, considered as a base year. During the first quarter, order backlog reached 4 months of assured production.
ACIMIT president Marco Salvadè thus commented the data: “The orders intake for the period from January to March 2024 confirms an overall sense of caution on foreign markets in planning new investments. The global geo-political framework remains complex, and these uncertainties are reflected in the buying decisions of many textile manufacturers. Therefore, our primary markets, which include China, Turkey and India, have failed to record any clear signs of growth in demand.”
On the contrary, domestic orders appear to be slightly on the rise. “Following a sharp decline in 2023, new orders from the beginning of the current year have recovered partially,” stated ACIMIT’s president. “However, I don’t believe conditions are yet right for a clear inversion of this trend. Here in Italy as well, many investments remain on hold, awaiting the implementation of Transition 5.0 plan. Subsequently, we’ll be in a position see whether the domestic market will react positively to the adoption of these new measures.”
Posted: May 6, 2024
Source: ACIMIT – The Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers
GRAZ, Austria — May 7, 2024 — Meisheng Group has started up a new ANDRITZ needlepunch line at its facility in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, China. It is the third line supplied by ANDRITZ to the renowned manufacturer of high-end nonwoven synthetic leather. This expansion will enable Meisheng to address the growing demand for synthetic suede in the automotive industry, particularly for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs).
