Oerlikon Presents Sustainable Technologies At Techtextil Frankfurt  2024

REMSCHEID/NEUMÜNSTER, Germany— February 15, 2024 — At this year’s Techtextil in Frankfurt April 23-26, Polymer Processing Solutions will inform trade visitors about technologies for the production of technical textiles. At the VDMA joint stand in Hall 12 C55/56, the focus will be on sustainable solutions in the areas of safety, automotive and health.

More safety in vehicles with high-performance filament yarns

In modern passenger cars today, an average of 30 to 35 kg of yarn ensures safety and comfort. Airbags play a large part in this: the yarns used are mainly made of polyamide. Due to the ever increasing variety of airbag applications and the ever growing size of the systems, polyester is also often used today, depending on the application requirements and cost/benefit considerations. In addition to high productivity and low energy consumption, the technologies from Oerlikon Barmag score particularly well with their stable production processes. “They meet all the high quality standards for airbags, which — like almost all other textile products in vehicle construction — must guarantee maximum safety for the occupants,” confirms Dr. Jen Supra, Technology manager Technical Yarn at Oerlikon Barmag. “And without any loss of function in any climate, anywhere in the world, for the entire service life of the vehicle.”

In the event of an accident, the number one lifesaver is not the car body or the airbag, but the seat belt. It holds the vehicle occupants firmly in position and thus enables other protective technologies to develop their full function. Yarns produced on Oerlikon Barmag machines ensure all-round safety.

Seat belts also play a life-saving role in vehicles. They must be able to withstand tensile forces of more than three tons and at the same time stretch in a controlled manner in an emergency to reduce the load in the event of a collision. A seat belt consists of around 300 filament yarns, whose individual high-strength yarn threads are spun from around 100 single filaments. Oerlikon Barmag’s patented Single Filament Layer technology ensures a High Tenacity (HT) yarn process that is as sophisticated as it is gentle.

Safe on the road – reinforcement with geotextiles

But technical yarns not only have advantages in the car, but also underneath it. Low elongation, ultra-high tenacity, high rigidity – technical yarns offer outstanding properties for the demanding tasks of geotextiles, e.g. as geogrids in the base course system under the asphalt. Geotextiles usually have extremely high yarn counts of up to 24,000 denier. System concepts from Oerlikon Barmag simultaneously produce three filament yarns with 6,000 denier each. Thanks to the high spinning titer, fewer yarns can be plied together to the required geo yarn titer in a more cost and energy efficient way.

The geotextile portfolio is complemented by Oerlikon Nonwoven’s spunbond technology: the process for the production of nonwovens for the manufacture of geotextiles made of polyester or polypropylene is characterized by high production capacities and yields with low energy consumption.

With the Oerlikon Nonwoven hycuTEC process, raw material savings of up to 30% can be easily realized.

Filter efficiency of over 99.99% with hycuTEC

The hycuTEC hydrocharging solution from Oerlikon Nonwoven is a unique technology for charging nonwovens to increase filter efficiency to over 99.99%. For meltblown producers, this means a 30% material saving with significantly increased filtration performance. For the end user, this is noticeable in a gain in comfort due to the significantly reduced breathing resistance. With significantly lower water and energy consumption, the patent-pending technology is recommended as future-proof and sustainable.

Posted: February 15, 2024

Source: Oerlikon Polymer Processing Solutions Division

Archroma Launches Super Systems+: End-To-End Solutions For Economic And Environmental Sustainability In Textile Manufacturing

PRATTELN, Switzerland — February 14, 2024 — Archroma today introduced Super Systems+. These powerful end-to-end systems combine fiber-specific processing solutions and intelligent effects to help textile and apparel brands, retailers and mills positively impact their economic and environmental sustainability.

Figure 1

“The textile industry is being confronted with critical industry shifts, like resource savings and circularity, and the need for brands to find a new way to bring their products to life while remaining competitive and maintaining article aesthetics and functional performance,” Dhirendra Gautam, vice president, Product Marketing and Strategy, Archroma Textile Effects said. “Super Systems+ represents a major milestone, drawing on the industry’s most extensive product portfolio as well as our most innovative tools and programs. It reflects our ‘Planet Conscious+’ vision of delivering a deeper commitment to innovation and partnership for the textile industry. With a sharper focus on consumers and the environment, we want to deliver a more sustainable ecosystem.”

Archroma’s Super Systems+ suite encompass wet processing solutions that deliver measurable environmental impact; durable colors and functional effects that add value and longevity to the end product; and technologies that eliminate harmful or regulated substances. It will allow brands and mills to achieve their desired level of sustainability through measurable resource savings and cleaner chemistries (Please see Figure 1 ).

Kerim Oner, Director of Strategic Marketing, shared, “Empowering a sustainable tomorrow, our Super Systems+ portfolio of solutions harnesses the power of cutting-edge technologies. Embracing eco-friendlier innovation, our offerings pave the way for a future where efficiency meets environmental consciousness, reducing processing time and conserving water and energy, all while achieving economic sustainability.”

Breakthrough products and technologies that are be used in Super Systems+ solutions include: AVITERA® SE for significant resource savings, an improved cost-to-performance ratio for cotton and its blends and superior chlorine fastness; DIRESUL® EVOLUTION BLACK for unique shade and wash-down effects on black denim and an overall impact reduction of 57%*; aniline-free** DENISOL® PURE INDIGO 30 LIQ for authentic blue denim; ERIOPON® E3-SAVE all-in-one auxiliary for resource-intensive polyester dyeing that significantly reduces processing time and conserves water and energy; and PHOBOTEX® NTR-50 LIQ for bio-based, PFAS-free, formaldehyde-free and crosslinker-free durable water repellence.

With the industry’s most extensive product portfolio and a comprehensive global footprint, Archroma has the expertise and drive to lead the textile and fashion industry towards a more sustainable future. “Planet Conscious+” is a roadmap that will support textile brands and mills in charting their sustainability journey. It signifies Archroma’s augmented commitment to sustainability, progress and the positive evolution of the textile industry.

Super Systems+ is a core pillar of the “Planet Conscious+” vision. Super Systems+ are already available for popular end-use segments, from denim to performance wear, and casual wear to home textile. Discover our range of Super Systems+ solutions here — https://www.archroma.com/markets/super-systems

*As determined by Ecoterrae, a leading Spain-based sustainability consulting firm, through a Life Cycle Analysis (UNE-EN ISO 14044:2006) at the synthesis stage, using the ReCiPe 2016 Impact calculation methodology.
**Below limits of detection according to industry standard test methods.

Posted: February 14, 2024

Source: Archroma

Shima Seiki USA To Host Demonstrations Of Equipment And Software At Manufacturing Solutions Center March 5-7

CONNOVER, N.C. — February 14, 2024 — Shima Seiki USA will demonstrate its newest knitting equipment and software at the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC) at Catawba Valley Community College from March 5-7.

The three-day show will include demonstrations of Shima Seiki flatbed knitting machines, which have the versatility of manufacturing a variety of products from gloves to different types of apparel as well as other textile products. In addition, there will be demonstrations of Shima Seiki’s Apex software system which includes 3D virtual sampling, pattern CAD functions, and knitting machine programming capabilities.

There is no fee to attend this event. Contact Shima Seiki USA at jackie@shimaseikiusa.com for information and to schedule a private appointment during the show.

The MSC is located in Conover, N.C.  To learn more about the MSC visit and the services it provides, visit www.manufacturingsolutionscenter.org.

Posted: February 14, 2024

Source: The Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC)

Asahi Kasei Plastics North America Announces Retirement Of Todd Glogovsky, President And Chief Operating Officer, And Welcomes Phani Nagaraj As Successor

Phani Nagaraj (left) and Todd Glogovsky (right) in front of Asahi Kasei Plastics North America in Fowlerville, Michigan.

FOWLERVILLE, Mich. — February 14, 2024 — Asahi Kasei Plastics North America (APNA) is pleased to announce that Todd Glogovsky, president and COO will retire after a distinguished career in the plastics industry on April 1, 2024. Todd will continue to provide guidance and support to ensure a smooth transition for the organization until March 31, 2025.

Phani Nagaraj, vice president of Commercial Sales, will succeed Glogovsky as president. Phani’s extensive background in P&L management, product management, marketing, technology, and sales at LANXESS and Dyantect Manufacturing Inc., as well as his successful tenure as vice president at Asahi Kasei Asaclean Americas, uniquely positions him to lead APNA into a new chapter.

“Phani Nagaraj’s leadership with the Asaclean group has been marked by a strong track record of year-over-year profitability,” Glogovsky stated. “His strategic vision and dedication have consistently driven growth and innovation within the organization, which paved his career path.”

Nagaraj shared his vision for the role, emphasizing his commitment to consolidating engineering plastics, 3D printing filaments, and purging compounds under one roof. This diversified portfolio comes after the merger between Asahi Kasei Plastics North America and Asahi Kasei Asaclean Americas in April of 2023 and the announcement of selling 3D printing filaments in November of 2023.

“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to lead a company that makes such a large impact in the plastics community,” Nagaraj said. “We aim to continue streamlining our operations, being customer centric, introducing innovative technology, and ensuring our position as a leader in the industry. There are many exciting activities to come.”

APNA extends its gratitude to Todd Glogovsky for his exceptional leadership and welcomes Phani Nagaraj as the new President, ushering in a promising future for the company.

Posted: February 14, 2024

Source: Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc. (“APNA”)

Milliken & Company Included On 2024 America’s Best Midsize Employers

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — February 14, 2024 — For the sixth year, diversified global manufacturer Milliken & Company was included on America’s Best Midsize Employers, a list curated by Forbes and Statista. In 2024, the America’s Best Midsize Employers honor recognizes 400 leading organizations employing between 1,000 and 5,000 people based in the U.S. across 25 industry categories. Milliken is one of 17 manufacturing and engineering companies and the only organization headquartered in South Carolina.

Milliken & Company lands on the 2024 America’s Best Midsize Employers list.

Statista conducted an independent survey of more than 170,000 U.S. employees and analyzed both direct and indirect evaluations to arrive at the final honoree list. Milliken’s inclusion speaks to its broader efforts to build and maintain a reputation as an employer of choice in manufacturing.

“At Milliken, we know that success is rooted in the engagement of our people. Together, we’re creating a culture that encourages teamwork and promotes respect,” says Milliken President and CEO Halsey Cook. “We’re thrilled to be recognized for our efforts to make a positive impact in the lives of our people, and on the world around us.”

In the past year, Milliken has implemented a number of associate-centric programs to bolster the growth potential of each associate, including LEAD Programming, which provides four different developmental tracks for associates based on their roles, the Aspire to Management Program (AMP), a one-year leadership development program for production associates who aim to move into manufacturing management roles, and the company’s Milliken Performance Specialist (MPS) Certification program designed to train associates in operational excellence. In addition, Milliken continued to invest in its diversity and inclusion initiative through its CEO Speaker series, along with its mainstay DEI programming and ongoing support and communication resources for managers.

Posted: February 14, 2024

Source: Milliken & Company

Albany Engineered Composites To Exhibit At JEC World 2024

ROCHESTER, N.H. — February 13, 2024 — Albany Engineered Composites (AEC) will be exhibiting in Hall 6, Booth K24 at JEC World in Paris, France, the largest international composites event from March 5-7, 2024.

At JEC World 2024, Innovation Planets showcases composite innovations with unique properties and possibilities. AEC has been selected to showcase our Composite Wing Box Rib produced using our proprietary 3D woven technology in a high-rate, industrialized application for the Airbus Wing of Tomorrow program. This part achieves a significant weight savings in comparison to metallic versions of the application, which allows for improved fuel efficiency and emissions reduction.

The part also achieves a single, unitized structure of out-of-plane stiffeners and flanges. AEC designed and fabricated this innovative structure using our proprietary 3DCS design suite and weaving systems that produce this complex integrated structure in a single preform and one-shot resin transfer mold process. This design allows for efficient, high-rate production necessary to meet the projected production volumes required for next-generation, single-aisle commercial aircraft, which also supports the aviation industry goal of emissions reduction.

AEC is a collaborative partner with innovative solutions to reduce weight, improve aircraft performance, including fuel efficiency, and bring those innovations to market quickly and affordably. We have 1.5 million sq. ft. of manufacturing space at nine sites in four countries. AEC’s world-class talent, technology and commitment to operational excellence allows us to execute industry-leading on-time delivery and quality.

AEC will also be displaying other state-of-the-art aerospace components and assemblies manufactured across our facilities in the U.S., Germany, France and Mexico. Our high tech products on display demonstrate AEC’s wide variety of industry leading composite processes and technologies.

Come meet our team and see our exciting capabilities.

Posted: February 14, 2024

Source: Albany Engineered Composites (AEC)

VF Corp. Aligns With Engaged Capital And Appoints Caroline Brown To Board

Caroline Brown

DENVER — February 13, 2024 — VF Corp., a global supplier of branded lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories, today announced the appointment of Caroline Brown to the company’s board of directors, effective February 14, 2024. This appointment follows constructive engagement with VF’s shareholders, including Engaged Capital LLC (Engaged Capital). VF also intends to appoint to the board another independent director in the near term mutually agreed with Engaged Capital, and will give priority to considering the candidates who have been identified by Engaged Capital (the Additional Director). VF expects Brown and the additional director will be nominated at VF’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting, VF’s Board will comprise 13 directors, including no more than 11 of VF’s current directors.

Brown is an accomplished executive, director, investor and advisor with more than 30 years of experience at global companies in the apparel and fashion sector.

From 2019 to 2023, she was a managing director at Closed Loop Partners, a New York City-based investment firm and innovation center focused on the development of the circular economy, where she led the firm’s fashion practice. Brown previously served as CEO of Donna Karan International (DKI) and DKNY from 2015 to 2017. During that time, she led a transformation of DKI, elevating product design, modernizing brand identity, overseeing organizational structure realignments and supply chain consolidations. She led the company through the sale from LVMH to G-III Apparel Group. Prior to DKI, Brown was president of Carolina Herrera, a luxury fashion house owned by PUIG, where she led evolution in product development, brand architecture and international expansion. Prior to that, she served as the U.S. CEO of Akris Inc., a Switzerland-based luxury fashion brand. Brown began her career at Giorgio Armani, where she spent more than a decade in marketing and communications leadership roles.

Brown has served on numerous boards of innovative companies in the fashion industry including EILEEN FISHER, Browzwear, Dimpora, By Rotation, For Days, and others. She is a member of the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative Advisory Board and is an advisor to the Martin Trust Center for Entrepreneurship at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

“We are excited to welcome Caroline to the VF Board,” said Chair of the VF Board Richard Carucci. “Caroline is highly respected in the apparel industry, with a proven track record of turning around, scaling and transforming global brands, and her insights will be valuable as the company continues to execute its Reinvent strategy.”

“I’m honored to be joining VF’s Board and look forward to working with management and my fellow directors at this important moment for the company,” Brown said. “Having worked on the leadership and investment sides of the apparel and fashion industry, I recognize the tremendous potential of VF’s portfolio of beloved brands. I believe VF has what it needs to return to strong and sustainable profitable growth, and I look forward to capitalizing on my experience to help the company deliver enhanced value for shareholders over time.”

This appointment is another step in VF’s continuous refreshment of the board. With this appointment, VF has added four new directors to its Board within the past two years (five following the appointment of the additional director), expanding the board’s experience in footwear and apparel, retail, design, technology and sustainability.

Carucci added: “We appreciate the constructive input provided by Engaged Capital over the past several months and look forward to continuing our dialogue with Engaged Capital and other shareholders as we continue improving the company’s performance.”

Glenn W. Welling, founder and CIO of Engaged Capital, said: “We are excited that the Board has added Caroline Brown, who will bring a wealth of apparel experience to the boardroom. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with Caroline and the rest of the Board on the appointment of the Additional Director. We believe these appointments will help support Bracken Darrell and the management team as they lead the turnaround of this iconic portfolio of brands.”

Posted: February 14, 2024

Source: VF Corporation

Freudenberg Medical Establishes Second Production Facility In Costa Rica

COYOL, Costa Rica — February 14, 2024 — Freudenberg Medical — a global contract design and manufacturing (CDMO) partner to the medical device and biopharma industry with facilities in key industry hubs across the Americas, Europe and Asia — announced it is to establish a second manufacturing site in Costa Rica. With this $25 million investment the company is expanding its technologies to deliver increasingly complex products to its global customer base.

Freudenberg Medical CEO, Dr. Mark Ostwald, at the groundbreaking ceremony in Costa Rica. Photo: Business Wire

“We are proud to be one of the first global CDMO partners in Costa Rica, having established our first production facility here more than 12 years ago,” said Dr. Mark Ostwald, CEO of Freudenberg Medical, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility. “This expansion strengthens our strategy of being close to our customers and offering them efficient solutions along the entire device lifecycle — including cost-effective manufacturing capabilities on a large scale.”

Freudenberg Medical’s new facility will become operational in the beginning of 2025. It will be dedicated to the assembly of high-volume minimally invasive catheters for electrophysiology, vascular and structural heart therapies and other medical devices that require high-precision manual assembly. In the first phase, the new facility will cover 50,000 square feet and house three ISO 7 cleanrooms. Within three years of opening, a further 50,000 square feet will be added, quadrupling Freudenberg Medical’s total footprint in Costa Rica.

The new facility will be in close proximity to the company’s existing 30,000 square feet manufacturing facility in the Coyol Free Zone. During 2025, the existing facility will become Freudenberg Medical’s specialized Costa Rica site for primary processing technologies including molding and extrusion of thermoplastics for medical applications while assembly operations will be moved to the new facility.

“The investment in this new site underlines Freudenberg Medical’s confidence in Costa Rica as an integral part of our global growth strategy,” said Róger Gómez, vice president/general manager of Freudenberg Medical in Costa Rica. “In the next three years we will triple the number of employees from the current 300 to over 900 team members. Committed to diversity and inclusion, we offer equal opportunities to all.” The two-story building will be barrier-free to meet the needs of people with impairments.

The new facility will be built to the highest environmental and energy efficiency standards. A company-owned PV solar power plant will generate the energy needed to operate the site. “This is another important step towards our goal of becoming a climate-neutral company by 2045,” said Dr. Tilman Krauch, CTO of the Freudenberg Group. “Since the beginning of our company 175 years ago, we have taken responsibility for the communities in which we are at home, as well as for our environment and a sustainable future.”

Posted: February 14, 2024

Source: Freudenberg Medical

Carrington Textiles: Innovative Textile Technology Enhances Thermal Signature Management For Military Protection

ADLINGTON, England — February 14, 2024 — Military fabrics manufacturer Carrington Textiles revealed a cutting-edge technology for the defense market called Stealth, designed to revolutionize thermal signature management via a highly conductive textile technology for superior thermal shielding in the battlefield.

Stealth is engineered with patented fabric technology that manages dynamic energy waves for mission critical security and protection, mitigating the thermal signature of a soldier from sensors used in the modern battlefield.

Stealth, created in collaboration with advanced materials company Noble Biomaterials, delivers broad-spectrum SWIR/MWIR/LWIR thermal signature management in a lightweight, durable fabric.

Stealth utilises Noble’s CIRCUITEX® SIGMA technology, which is designed to mitigate thermal detection in military environments.

Army soldier in military camouflage uniform, helmet, with face hiding behind mask and glasses, running out from fire. Infantry rush with fire support, commando attack and breakthrough on battlefield

Paul Farrell, Carrington Textiles sales director, said: “Initial feedback from wearer trials of this pioneering concept in military field training exercises and in camp observation, concluded that with Stealth the thermal signature of a soldier was mitigated completely at different distances, with the material being near indistinguishable from the surrounding terrain, regardless of viewing angles.”

Noble Biomaterials’ Chief Commercial Officer Joel Furey added: “Our patented CIRCUITEX technology is designed to protect soldiers and equipment from detection by advanced sensors. We are proud to provide allied war fighters an operational advantage in combat situations.”

The new Stealth concept will be exclusively showcased at Carrington Textiles’ stand at Enforce Tac 2024, taking place from February 26-28 at the Nüremberg Exhibition Centre in Germany, in hall 7, stand 340.

Posted: February 14, 2024

Source: Carrington Textiles

Liberated Brands Announces PFAS-Free Future For Spyder Skiwear

COSTA MESA, Calif.  — February 13, 2024 — Liberated Brands (Liberated) today announced that beginning in Fall 2024, Spyder skiwear produced by Liberated will be per and polyfluorinated substance (PFAS) free. With this initiative, they will also introduce new innovations in waterproof materials and durable water repellent (DWR), delivering outdoor enthusiasts unparalleled protection against the elements.

In a pivotal move, Liberated deployed an initial assessment of its Spyder products, which resulted in a multiple-season plan to phase out PFAS from its branded skiwear. Spyder is one of the world’s most recognizable outdoor and active lifestyle brands, and this initiative leads the industry forward as Liberated works with its fabric partners to refine its raw material selection and commercialization procedures, ensuring the top quality of material performance and compliance.

“We are extremely proud to announce that Spyder skiwear produced by Liberated will now be PFAS-free,” said Brady Collings, general manager of Spyder at Liberated, the brand’s core operating partner across North America, Europe, Japan and Australia. “This decision is a big deal for the active and outdoor industry and we’re proud to be at the forefront. We look forward to taking the next step in providing high-quality products that are better for our consumers and the environment.”

“At Liberated, we believe in technology and innovation, and recently we’ve focused that energy on lessening the impact that our Spyder products have on the planet,” said Bryhn Ireson, vice president of Product of Spyder at Liberated. “This move to PFAS-free materials is a big step in that direction.”

Since its inception, Spyder has put the needs and experiences of its consumers at the forefront of every decision. The brand’s commitment to innovation is further underscored by its integration of advancements like EXO Shield, GridWeb, Shell Fleece and other groundbreaking technologies. With a hyper-focus on product testing and innovation, Liberated looks forward to introducing PFAS-free Spyder-branded skiwear and its new materials innovations in Fall 2024.

Posted: February 14, 2024

Source: Liberated Brands

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