Datatex: Interview With Bhaskar Ranjan Sahar — The Textile And Apparel Industry In Bangladesh

ZUG, Switzerland — January 23, 2024 — Bhaskar Ranjan Saha is a Commerce Postgraduate from the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. He has more than 33 years of hands-on working experience. Since 1990, Bhaskar has worked for a diversified group of companies, including 100-percent export-oriented textile and apparel manufacturing. Starting as a Management Trainee, he has worked his way up to the position of CFO and COO. As a freelance consultant and industry domain expert, Bhaskar is working to establish an Integrated Business Process Management System & solution in the Bangladesh Textiles and Apparel Manufacturing Industry. His goal is to enhance productivity and efficiency, particularly management efficiency, by promoting a collaborative approach to management and discouraging a silo mentality. He has also initiated the ‘BHASKAR ACCOUNTING LAB’ to extract, explore, and accelerate business-finance operations excellence.

After China, Bangladesh is now the world’s second-largest textile and apparel-producing country. The export sector more than doubled in the last decade, and some of the world’s leading fast fashion brands, such as H&M, Zara, Levi’s, Gap, Puma, and Abercrombie & Fitch, have chosen Bangladesh as a manufacturing base. This success can only be best governed by companies with a proper IT ecosystem. From the perspective of technological innovation, artificial intelligence, and IT management of industrial production, what are the essential issues at stake today and the points that would need more attention from Bangladeshi companies?

Bhaskar Ranjan Sahar

Without any doubt, Bangladesh is positioning itself second in command in the world ready-made garments (RMG) sourcing business to many world-class clothing retail brands. The country is known for its sustainable and responsible manufacturing practices, LEED-certified manufacturing hub for RMG as a China plus one housing 206 nos, with more than 500 factories obtaining LEED certificates.

Bangladesh’s industry has set its target to achieve $100 billion in exporting RMG by 2030. During the last 37 years, it has overcome endless challenges, developed hands-on experiences, and successfully adopted the demand for sustainability, circularity, and digitalization to stay ahead of the competition. The manufacturing companies in Bangladesh’s Textiles and Apparel Industry, with its business associations, the government, professional and educational institutions, have recognized the necessity of incorporating current technological innovations such as Business Application Software, Business Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, and Industry 4.0.

From an IT and IoT perspective, the current demand is to manage production and business processes using IT-based methods. The industry owners and stakeholders are working on it, phase by phase, for digital management transformation aiming to have as much as possible less human intervention in transaction processing and generating data, information, and reports for real-time business-finance performance and its continuous improvement.

The textile industry is focusing on several key areas to improve its productivity and efficiency. These include integrating people, processes, and systems, re-skilling and up-skilling employees, planning and monitoring to reduce lead times, minimizing wastage, investing in appropriate IT systems to integrate the entire value chain from development to delivery, and streamlining business and finance operations across the company. From the sample room to the board room, the aim is to create a fiber-to-garments process that is seamless and effective.

In digital transformation, the availability of industry-specific skilled services is crucial. Currently, the industry is striving to establish trust in the system and service performance, both in the short and long term. This is done by ensuring a visible contribution to its core business, finance, and investment, which integrates all the value chain and supply chain functions.

Bangladesh is now the most attractive nation for global fast fashion giants, which continue to invest in the country. Why? For what reasons do multinationals in the industry increasingly choose Bangladesh as a production hub rather than other nations with cheap labor?

The people in this region, both male and female, have the necessary skills to produce cotton-based clothing at a competitive price. Basic clothing represents a necessity for daily life, generating regular demand. Most major global retailers rely heavily on Bangladesh’s garment manufacturing industry, and this is expected to continue due to the current and future global socio-economic conditions.

The country’s clothing industry owners continuously invest in sustainability and labor rights improvements at the workplace. The global brands are highly satisfied with the advancement of performance and investments in workplace safety and workers’ livelihood. They have reinforced their sourcing needs from Bangladesh by visiting manufacturing locations and observing government attention to industry-specific initiatives. In addition, the country’s industry focuses on diversifying in non-cotton-based products, showcasing its innovation, investing in its market expansion and backward linkage. Bangladesh is looking to be an all-in-one location for services ranging from raw materials to yarn, fabrics, processing, and printing.

The knitting and denim industry is one of the most established, while the woven sector is improving steadily. Global retailers are trying their best to facilitate the establishment of one China Plus sourcing hub to stay competitive in their sustainability efforts. Considering the current and future geopolitical movements in the world and the availability of a demographic dividend in the workforce for the next 25 years, Bangladesh is identified as a promising location. The workforce in Bangladesh is highly adaptable to meet the specific skill requirements and process improvements needed in the workplace.

What types of products and processing most characterize the Bangladeshi textile industry? What is the most manufactured product, and in which textile sector is Bangladesh a leader?

Bangladesh’s Textile and apparel Industries are characterized by the production of cotton-based products, representing 70% of exported garments. The ratio of the garments in the export basket is about 55:45, meaning that knitted products are 55% and woven are 45% in terms of export value. Bangladesh Denim production and export is highly positioned in the world market, offering high-quality denim fabrics and clothing. Bangladesh Garments Export is led by knitted and denim products with about 100% backward linkage in the country’s supply chain.

In the recent fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2023, it exhibited that the main exported garment products in terms of export values are:

  • 40 percent trousers;
  • 28 percent T-shirts and knitted shirts;
  • 16 percent sweaters;
  • 10 percent shirts and blouses; and
  • 6 percent underwear.

Bangladesh’s Textile and Apparel Industry is growing rapidly, particularly in the production of man-made fiber products and processes. This industry continues to maintain its highly competitive advantages in producing and exporting cotton-based basic garments, while also focusing on creating value-added products. As a result, buyers are increasingly placing orders for these products, which is further facilitating their production and supply.

Product diversification and innovation are advancing daily due to infrastructure investments for design studios, laboratories, innovation hubs, research and development centers within companies, and sector associations aiming to build knowledge for the common good. The companies recognize the need for digitalization to stay competitive in the next generation of business. They are also committing to finance and invest in the textiles and apparel manufacturing industry in Bangladesh while keeping a continuous focus on product diversity and skill development in the workplace.

Posted: January 23, 2024

Source: Datatex AG — Edited By Jiayi Ye

A Swedish Win-Win Partnership For ACG Kinna And High-Quality Bedding Producer Värnamo

Värnamo was one of the first companies to install an ACG Kinna robotic pillow line.

TW Special Report

Continuous investment in the latest automation technologies — involving a long-standing and close cooperation with TMAS member ACG Kinna — has ensured family-owned Värnamo Sängkläder AB has retained its leading position in the production of high-quality bedding against heavy odds.

At the recent Heimtextil exhibition held in Frankfurt, Germany, from January 9-12, Martin Åhlander — the third generation CEO of Värnamo, which has specialized in high quality Nordic bedding since its foundation in 1951 — explained that his company is now the only producer of pillows, mattress protectors and quilts with manufacturing remaining in Sweden.

Investment

“Around 15 years ago, our competition from Asia got very intense, as companies over there started exporting bedding products of very high quality at much lower prices than we could possibly produce conventionally in such a high-cost country as Sweden,” he said. “Our solution was investment in the latest automated technologies, enabling us to be both flexible and to respond very quickly to the needs of our customers while cutting costs. This has proved to be a winning approach.”

Värnamo first started collaborating with ACG Kinna in the 1980s, initially with the installation of automated overlock stitching units for quilt production, followed by further moves such as bringing in-house polyester ball fiber filling technology into its plant with Nowo filling machines.

High Volumes

In a more recent development, Värnamo became one of the very first companies to install an ACG Kinna robotic pillow line.

With the ability to fill and finish some 3,840 pillows in an eight-hour shift, this line configuration enables the completely seamless fiber handling, filling, sewing and packing of pillows.

“We needed big volumes to enable such an installation, and they were forthcoming,” Åhlander said. “We are now producing and supplying eight times more pillows than we did before the installation, so we’re pretty happy about this decision.”

The line configuration enables the completely seamless fiber handling, filling, sewing and packing of pillows.

“Since the Covid-19 pandemic there have also been increasing problems with the logistics and cost of international shipping, leading to very long lead times for products from Asia on occasions, which has worked in our favor too,” added Martin’s mother and Värnamo’s sales manager Berit Åhlander Nilsson.

Complete Process

Nowo — a long-established name in fiber filling technologies — became part of ACG Kinna at the end of 2021 and most recently, EyeTech, a young, Swedish developer of machine vision solutions for manufacturing, warehouse and factory automation has also joined the company.

ACG Kinna automatic quilt production at Värnamo.

“EyeTech exploits 2D, 3D and deep learning techniques for inspection, measuring, and robot guidance and is further enabling us to fulfil our promise of ‘complete process — one supplier,” explained ACG Kinna marketing and sales manager Tomas Aspenskog. “We now provide complete customised automation for the entire production chain — from the opening and weighing of the fiber to the packaging of the final products.

“With one partner, one installation and one freight delivery, each customer’s needs are individually covered, eliminating the headaches that arise from trying to coordinate multiple suppliers during a new installation. Värnamo is the flagship showroom for our automation capabilities and because they are so close to us, we often take other potential customers on visits to them, in order to fully demonstrate what is possible.”

“Our relationship with ACG Kinna is beneficial to both companies and we’re constantly exchanging ideas on both new process and technology improvements,” concluded Martin Åhlander.

Martin Åhlander and Berit Åhlander Nilsson of Värnamo, with ACG Kinna’s Tomas Aspenskog

Heimtextil 2024

“ACG Kinna had a very successful Heimtextil 2024, along with another TMAS member, Automatex, which is developing further technologies for home textiles with the emphasis on fully automated and highly integrated production lines,” said TMAS Secretary General Therese Premler-Andersson. “These technologies enable significant resource savings to be achieved, while making production in high-cost countries once more profitable. Cost effective manufacturing closer to the customer is also more sustainable, while enabling companies like Värnamo to change their cost structures but also increase their capacities and flexibility.”

January 23, 2024

RUDOLF Introduces Groundbreaking Bio-Based Innovations For HYDROCOOL® Technology

GERETSRIED, Germany — January 23, 2024 — RUDOLF, a global supplier of specialty chemicals, announces a significant leap in textile performance with the introduction of bio-based innovations for its HYDROCOOL® technology, a breakthrough moisture management product line. The new durable bio-based products, RUCO®-PUR BIO SLB and FERAN® BIO ICR, represent a major turning point in textile chemistry, offering unrivalled sustainability, performance and durability.

HYDROCOOL technologies have long been the standard for wicking moisture away from the skin to keep athletes and active people comfortable and dry. RUDOLF has taken this performance to an even higher level with the integration of bio-based raw materials. These bio-based ingredients, derived from renewable sources offering:

Reduced environmental impact — By using bio-based materials, RUDOLF reduces its reliance on traditional petroleum-based raw materials, minimizing the environmental footprint of its products.

Highest performance — The new bio-based formulations are as efficient as the traditional HYDROCOOL products and offer maximum wash resistance.

RUCO-PUR BIO SLB is a bio-based finishing agent that is ideal for synthetics, cellulosic and blends. It offers a bio-based content of 43 perent and is therefore an important step towards a more sustainable textile industry.

FERAN BIO ICR is a bio-based soil release agent specially developed for polyester and its blends. It has an impressive 87 percent bio-based content, further underlining the commitment from RUDOLF for sustainable innovation. 
These bio-based innovations are an important milestone towards a more sustainable future. With these new products, RUDOLF is once again setting the standard for textile performance and sustainability.

Stephan Muller, Business Development manager at RUDOLF.

In the words of Stephan Muller, Business Development manager at RUDOLF: “Ensuring that the
effect on the fabric is highly performing, long-lasting and undoubtedly safe for the skin and the environment, is of paramount importance for RUDOLF. And a philosophy that is at the very core of the bio-based advances we are launching”.

Posted: January 23, 2024

Source: Rudolf GmbH

Laser Photonics Systems Help Streamline Manufacturing Processes In The Textile And Garment Industry

ORLANDO, Fla. — January 17, 2024 — Laser Photonics Corp. (LPC), a global developer of CleanTech laser systems for laser cleaning and other material applications, highlights a key set of applications for its industrial laser systems within the garment manufacturing industry.

“Consumers are increasingly vocal about the negative impacts of the fashion industry on the environment,“ said Wayne Tupuola, CEO of Laser Photonics. “Manufacturers and brands are improving their ESG standards in areas from design to production, which is why the industry has identified CleanTech and other laser systems as a cutting-edge way to reduce pollution and the use of resources while improving throughput and occupational safety.”

Laser Photonics laser systems offer professionals in the garment industry a user-friendly, ethical, cost-effective and time-efficient solution for many garment creation and finishing processes. Laser techniques are entirely different from traditional textile processes, providing flexibility when it comes to design and operation. Other benefits of this technology include a lowered risk of product damage, low consumable use and no problem of toxic byproduct disposal.

More importantly, laser processes don’t expose operators to the harmful substances or inhalants used during methods like abrasive blasting or wet chemical processing, which are proven to strip years from the lives of workers using them. Their toxicity is why they have seen steadily increasing scrutiny from organizations like the EPA.

“In garment manufacturing, lasers have a wide range of successful applications,” noted Rajkishore Nayak and Rajiv Padhye in their article “The Use Of Lasers In Garment Manufacturing: An Overview” in the Fashion and Textiles issue of the International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research.

“Garment manufacturers around the globe should take advantage of laser applications to make products more competitive,” they note. The most important of those applications include:

Laser-Based Denim Fading

The fading of denim to make garments look old or pre-worn is often done using sandblasting. This traditional method is being replaced by laser fading, wherein a laser beam is directed where fading is required. The laser beam decomposes fabric dye, and the resulting vapors are vented away. The material fades only where the beam impacts the fabric without negatively impacting the material being worked on. Laser color fading can create the look of embroidery on a wide range of materials. In contrast, laser burning can create different kinds of distress on denim and be used to create artistic designs on buttons and similar pieces. The desired degree of fade or burn depends upon the wavelength, power density and pulse width of the laser beam. In general textile production, laser processes can be applied to a large and growing set of applications.

Laser Engraving

Laser engraving equipment allows operators to create any design on the surface layer of any material, making products look high-grade and exquisite. Precise, clean and permanent engravings can be obtained at fast rates. The technology also provides business owners greater versatility regarding material selection, as the process requires no physical contact with the engraved surface, resulting in no wear and tear. Pictures, flower patterns and even personalized signatures can be engraved on denim and leather shoes, bags, wallets, belts and clothes, greatly increasing product values.

CleanTech Laser Blasting Technology

The CleanTech Laser Blasting Technology manufactured by Laser Photonics is eco-friendly, cost-effective and time-efficient. Applications for LPC technology in the textile and apparel industry include garment cutting, leather engraving, laser fading and more. Manufacturing-related applications include rust removal, paint removal, surface preparation and more. This technology is an excellent alternative to traditional methods like sandblasting, dry ice blasting and other abrasive blasting techniques.

Posted: January 22, 2024

Source: Laser Photonics

Optimas Announces Key Hires To Further Support Its Complementary Direct Manufacturing And Distribution Business Strategy

Jim Heller

WOOD DALE, Ill. — January 22, 2024 — Optimas Solutions, a global industrial manufacturer/distributor and service provider, announced today two strategic hires expected to help further support the company’s complementary direct manufacturing and distribution business strategy. Jim Heller is the new senior vice president of distribution, and Chris Martens is the new vice president of manufacturing for the Americas region.

“As a full-service partner, Optimas continues to strengthen our distribution and manufacturing services with people, processes and technology,” said Daniel Harms, CEO of Optimas, Americas. “Both Jim and Chris bring incredible leadership, experience and ideas that will help sharpen our key differentiators for industrial customers.”

Heller brings to his position over 20 years of experience in logistics and distribution. Prior to joining Optimas, Heller was with United Natural Foods Inc. as senior vice president of Operations; he also worked for over 12 years at CJ Logistics; he logged six years in Operations for Target and prior to that, he worked at Power Logistics. Heller is also a military veteran, having served 13 years in the U.S. Army Reserve. Heller holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Penn State University.

Chris Martens

Martens joined Optimas after 12 years with MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions, where he served as General Manager of MFCS Mundelein and as senior director of Product & Process Development. Prior to MacLean-Fogg, he worked as vice president of Operation for Semblex. Martens holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts from Kenyon College.

“We developed these two roles to function together so manufacturing and distribution can be complementary sourcing solutions for OEM professionals seeking resilience and localization in their fastener supply chain.,” Harms commented.

Posted: January 22, 2024

Source: Optimas Solutions

AATCC Foundation Increases Scholarships And Fellowships For 2024-2025

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — January 22, 2024 — The AATCC Foundation scholarship and fellowship application is now open for the 2024-2025 academic year. Undergraduate and graduate students in any textile-related discipline may apply for more than a dozen separate scholarships and $100,000 total funding with one simple online form. Students enter their school, education level, major, and other criteria once. The system automatically lists matching scholarships and any required personal statements. There’s something for everyone — from an Indian citizen studying fashion design in Rhode Island to a U.S. citizen pursuing a materials science Ph.D. in Texas.

All scholarships have a deadline of February 29, 2024. Recipients will be notified over the summer. In addition to the tuition funding, all Foundation scholars receive free registration for the 2023 AATCC Textile Discovery Summit (www.aatcc.org/summit) and up to $500 travel reimbursement. This year, the Foundation has established three new $2,000 scholarships in specialized areas: the Textile Design Scholarship, Textile Merchandising Scholarship, and Textile Chemistry Scholarship.

The 2024-2025 scholarships can be divided into the following categories: Textile Chemistry, Other Textile-Related, Local Section, and Graduate Fellowships. The details about the specific scholarships in the categories are listed below. Students interested in applying should contact the foundation at india@aatcc.org or visit its website at www.aatcc.org/foundation/#scholarship.

Textile Chemistry Scholarships

Textile Chemistry Scholarship

The AATCC Foundation Textile Chemistry Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship for undergraduate students of textile chemistry, polymer and color chemistry, or related topics.

Charles H. Stone Scholarship

Four $6,000 scholarships are available to juniors and seniors at North Carolina State University and Clemson University.

Charles E. Gavin III Family Scholarship (Auburn University)

Rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors attending Auburn University are eligible for the $8,000 Gavin Family Scholarship.

Gordon & Marjorie Osborne Scholarship

The Gordon and Marjorie Osborne Scholarship is a $5,000 per year scholarship that supports students pursuing a career or coursework in textile engineering, textile chemistry, textile science, or a related discipline.

Woodruff Textile Manufacturing Scholarship

The Percy W. Woodruff Jr. Textile Manufacturing Scholarship is a $2,500 scholarship supporting a non-traditional, undergraduate student at Clemson University.

Other Textile-Related Scholarships

At the undergraduate level, the Darsey Family Scholarship has grown from $1,500 to $2,500.

AATCC Corporate Member Scholarship

The AATCC Corporate Member Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship available to AATCC corporate member employees and their children, for the Fall semester.

Textile Design Scholarship

The AATCC Foundation Textile Design Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship for undergraduate students of textile design or related topics.

Textile Merchandising Scholarship

The AATCC Foundation Textile Merchandising Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship for undergraduate students of textile merchandising, management, and retail programs.

National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) Paul T. O’Day Scholarship

To be eligible for the $5,000 Paul T. O’Day Scholarship, a parent or guardian must be an employee of an NCTO member company and/or organization.

Charles E. Gavin III Family Scholarship (Georgia Institute of Technology)

Rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors attending Georgia Institute of Technology are eligible for the $6,000 Gavin Family Scholarship.

Varley Family Textile Technology Scholarship

AATCC Foundation’s Varley Family Textile Technology Scholarship is a $7,500 scholarship that supports students pursuing a textile-related career at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) or Cornell University.

Martin J. Bide University of Rhode Island Scholarship

The Martin J. Bide University of Rhode Island Scholarship is a $1,500 scholarship for undergraduate students studying Textile Fashion, Merchandising and Design at the University of Rhode Island.

Darsey Family Scholarship

The Darsey Family Scholarship is a $2,500 scholarship available to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a textile- and/or fashion-related program at a US university with an AATCC student chapter.

Kanti & Hansa Jasani Family Scholarship

The Kanti and Hansa Jasani Family Textile Scholarship offers three $1,000 scholarships to Indian students, specifically Indian citizens with student visas, who are attending a US university. Undergraduate AND graduate students may apply. Three scholarships are available for each academic year.

Local Section Scholarships

The AATCC Foundation Metro Scholarship has expanded in two ways – it now has awards of $3,000 and $2,000 available, and eligibility has extended beyond New York to include all undergraduate students in New England, New York, and New Jersey. The West Scholarship has also seen an increase from $2,000 to $2,200 for 2024-2025.

Piedmont Section Scholarship

The AATCC Foundation Piedmont Section Scholarship is a $3,000 scholarship available to students attending an educational institution in the AATCC Piedmont Section (VA, WV, NC, SC).

Delaware Valley Section Scholarship

Members of the AATCC Delaware Valley Section (DE, MD, NJ, PA), as well as spouses, children, and grandchildren are eligible for this $500 scholarship. Undergraduate students studying textiles at a school in the Delaware Valley section are also eligible.

Metro Scholarship

The Metro Scholarship offers two scholarships valued at $3,000 and $2,000 for students attending schools in New England, New York, or New Jersey.

Western Region Scholarship

This $2,200 scholarship supports undergraduate students studying a textile- or fashion-related field in colleges/universities located in the states encompassed by the California, Northwest, Midwest, and Pacific sections of AATCC.

Graduate Fellowships

The Grady, Houser, Hauser, Daniels Graduate Fellowship has increased from $3,500 to $5,000 for the coming academic year. The Connelly-Perkins Graduate Fellowship has also increased from $3,500 to $5,000. Graduate students are also eligible to apply for the Darsey Family Scholarship and Kanti & Hansa Jasani Family Scholarship.

Connelly/Perkins Graduate Fellowship

AATCC Foundation Connelly/Perkins Graduate Fellowship is a $5,000 fellowship for Ph.D. candidates at the Clemson University Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE).

Grady, Hauser, Houser, Daniels Graduate Fellowship

A $5,000 fellowship for Ph.D. candidates in Fiber and Polymer Science at the North Carolina State University Wilson College of Textiles.

Posted: January 22, 2024

Source: The AATCC Foundation Inc.

Celanese And Under Armour Develop Innovative New NEOLAST™ Fiber For Use In Performance Stretch Fabrics

New NEOLAST fiber For Sustainable Stretch Fabrics

DALLAS And BALTIMORE — January 22, 2024 — Celanese Corp., a global specialty materials and chemical company, and Under Armour Inc., a global supplier and innovator in athletic apparel and footwear, have collaborated to develop a new fiber for performance stretch fabrics called NEOLAST™. The innovative material will offer the apparel industry a high- performing alternative to elastane — an elastic fiber that gives apparel stretch, commonly called spandex. This new alternative could unlock the potential for end users to recycle performance stretch fabrics, a legacy aspect that has yet to be solved in the pursuit of circular manufacturing with respect to stretch fabrics.

NEOLAST fibers feature the powerful stretch, durability, comfort, and improved wicking expected from elite performance fabrics yet are also designed to begin addressing sustainability challenges associated with elastane, including recyclability. The fibers are produced using a proprietary solvent-free melt- extrusion process, eliminating potentially hazardous chemicals typically used to create stretch fabrics made with elastane.

NEOLAST fibers will be produced using recyclable elastoester polymers, a critical first step for the industry to address the challenge of recycling blended fabrics containing elastane. As end users transition to a more circular economy, Celanese and Under Armour are exploring the potential of the fibers to improve the compatibility of stretch fabrics with future recycling systems and infrastructure.

“Working with a leading global brand like Under Armour to elevate the performance and sustainability benefits of their products is just the first of many great things we hope to accomplish with this innovative NEOLAST said Tom Kelly, Celanese senior vice president, Engineered Materials. “Celanese is proud to bring its polymer expertise and technical know-how to help manufacture NEOLAST™ fibers for textiles and fabrics to meet the specific needs of our customers and other value chain partners. We are just beginning to unlock its potential and look forward to what’s ahead as we explore other opportunities with end users.”

“This new NEOLAST fiber represents a transformative innovation for Under Armour and the textile industry, embodying our commitment to building better products for our consumers and planet,” said Kyle Blakely, senior vice president of innovation at Under Armour. “Through performance-driven sustainability and innovation, we look forward to helping athletes play at the top of their game as we work with Celanese to realize this new fiber’s potential to forge a path toward circularity.”

In addition to the sustainability benefits, the new NEOLAST fibers deliver increased production precision, allowing spinners to dial power-stretch levels up or down and engineer fibers to meet a broader array of fabric specifications.

In addition to Celanese exploring application opportunities with Under Armour, the company intends to make the fiber available to the broader apparel industry, potentially reducing elastane dependence.

Posted: January 22, 2024

Source: Celanese Corp./Under Armour Inc.

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Targets Vertical Markets For Its Spider Silk And Shares Planned Applications

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — January 22, 2024 — Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc. shared an update on near-term commercial applications and opportunities for recombinant spider silk as the company prepares for expanding production in 2024. Spider silk has long been prized for its unique blend of chemical and mechanical properties, including strength and elasticity.

Kraig Labs is currently in the process of ramping up production trials of its recombinant spider silk under the trademark Dragon Silk™. The move to ramp up production follows on the heels of the company’s successful early production test announced in December.

During the ramp-up phase, while production quantities are relatively limited, the company is targeting end-product applications in fashion and performance apparel. “Because production quantities will be relatively limited during the early stages of the production ramp-up, and because we will have control of that limited supply of Dragon Silk, it makes sense for us to focus on markets where we can control the end use of the Dragon Silk That will allow us to potentially share in a portion of the value-added manufacturing and distribution beyond the creation of the recombinant spider silk itself,” said company Founder and CEO Kim Thompson. “In essence, we are looking for partial vertical integration in these early spider silk products to maximize our market position.”

As production quantities increase, the Company expects to begin addressing demand from additional market segments, including:

  • Engineering textiles;
  • Composites;
  • Cosmetics;
  • Defensive and protective textiles;
  • Bio-plastics that are biodegradable and bio-compatible;
  • Fiber optics; and
  • Medical textiles, fibers, ligaments, wound dressings, skin grafts, and tissue engineering.

The company believes that the enhanced strength and toughness of its Dragon Silk line of materials, combined with their bio-degradable and biocompatible properties, will be able to address existing material needs in these markets and many more.

Kraig Labs has already begun early-stage exploration into bio-plastics, medical textiles, cosmetics & defensive textile applications and expects to accelerate work in these fields as production of spider silk increases.

Posted: January 22, 2024

Source: Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc.

NCTO Issues Statement Supporting House China Select Committee Leaders’ Letter To Homeland Security Secretary, Urging Him To Strengthen Enforcement Of UFLPA Activities

Washington, D.C. — January 22, 2024 — National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) President and CEO Kim Glas issued the following statement today in support of a letter from the chairman and ranking member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the CCP, to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, urging him to step up enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) and crack down on unfair trade practices facilitating the importation of products made with forced labor.

The letter can be viewed here. Attorney General Merrick Garland is copied on the letter.

Kim Glas

Statement by NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas:

“We sincerely thank Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) for their letter, calling on Secretary Mayorkas to take immediate action to strengthen enforcement of the UFLPA and aggressively confront predatory trade practices employed by China that are undermining U.S. manufacturers and endangering American citizens.

The government’s failure to fully enforce the UFLPA and the de minimis loophole is devastating US textile and apparel manufacturers. Today, this vital domestic manufacturing industry is facing unparalleled demand destruction as a direct result of market forces that have been exacerbated by anemic customs and trade law enforcement. Chinese cotton from Xinjiang is flooding the global marketplace, making its way to our doorsteps and into our closets. As a result, we need a comprehensive and aggressive solution from the administration to confront these practices head on.

The concerns and steps outlined in the letter by Reps. Gallagher and Krishnamoorthi are critically important. The administration and DHS must step up enforcement of UFLPA, fraudulent origin claims and the gaping de minimis loophole that is facilitating millions of illegal and dangerous products a day to our market.

Without an immediate government solution, this strategic supply chain that produces lifesaving PPE and 8,000 different products for the U.S. military, will continue to shutter factories and lay off workers.

We cannot continue to reward China for egregious trade practices at the expense of American and regional manufacturers and workers. If these steps not taken immediately, we will fail to stop forced labor trade from entering our market and further jeopardize our vital domestic and Western Hemisphere supply chains.”

Editor’s Note – US Textile Industry Snap-Shot:

  • U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was 538,067 in 2022.
  • The value of shipments for U.S. textiles and apparel was $65.8 billion in 2022.
  • U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and apparel were $34 billion in 2022.
  • Capital expenditures for textiles and apparel production totaled $2.27 billion in 2021, the last year for which data is available.

Posted: January 22, 2024

Source: National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO)

Shape The Future Leadership Of AATCC

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — January 19, 2024 — AATCC is currently accepting nominations for open positions on its 2025-2026 Board of Directors. As a member-led organization, serving on the AATCC Board provides a valuable opportunity to guide the direction of the association while advancing your industry knowledge and professional relationships.

Board members are elected by their peers to represent the diverse interests of AATCC’s global membership. By bringing your unique perspective to the table, you can leave a positive mark on the textile industry while gaining skills and connections to boost your own career.

AATCC members will vote by emailed ballot this Fall. The new Board members will be announced in November and serve from January 2025 through December 2026.

President-elect

The AATCC President-elect serves in this role for two years before serving as President for two years, and then serves as Immediate Past President for another two years, serving six years in total as a member of the Board of Directors. In that time, he or she is a member of multiple administrative committees and helps set the strategy for the Association. Each President brings a new passion and focus.

Interest Group Officers

Each interest group is represented by an interest group Chair. Nominees must be a voting member of the interest group they represent.

  • Chemical Applications Interest Group
  • Concept 2 Consumer Interest Group
  • Materials Interest Group
  • Rising Professionals Interest Group

If you are interested in nominating yourself or someone else to join the AATCC leadership, please submit completed nomination forms by March 31, 2024. This is a volunteer-led commitment invested in shaping the future of textile knowledge exchange, research, and testing standardization.

Get involved with AATCC and play an integral role in driving innovation for the wider industry. The organization needs engaged members who can offer their talents to further AATCC’s vision.

More Information

Do you want the opportunity to vote and help lead the direction of not only AATCC but the textile industry? Become an AATCC member now! You can get more information on membership at www.aatcc.org/join.

Posted: January 19, 2024

Source: AATCC

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