SOLNA, Sweden — January 15, 2024 — As of April 1, Robert Pletzin assumes the role of Head of Media Relations at Billerud. Robert brings extensive experience in leading press positions from companies with international operations, along with a background as a financial journalist.
“I am really looking forward to becoming part of Billerud and using my experience to contribute to the development of the company’s press communication. Billerud is an exciting company at the forefront of sustainability, which aligns perfectly with my interests”, says Robert Pletzin, the incoming Head of Media Relations at Billerud.
Robert joins from his previous position as the Head of Media Relations at Swedavia and also holds experience from leading press roles at Vattenfall. Additionally, he has worked as a financial reporter at Dagens Industri, Nyhetsbyrån Direkt and as a correspondent for the news agency Reuters.
Billerud is a globally leading company in high-performance paper and packaging materials made from wood fiber, with a strong commitment to sustainability, quality and customer value. The company operates nine production units in Sweden, the US, and in Finland, with approximately 6,100 employees across more than 13 countries and serving customers in over 100 countries. Billerud is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.
HANNOVER, Germany — January 14, 2024 — DOMOTEX once again proved to be the most important and powerful driving force for business, trends and innovations in the industry. “DOMOTEX is not only the global meeting place for the industry, but also the home of the entire carpet and flooring world, thanks to its positive energy and its distinctly international character,” said Sonia Wedell-Castellano, Global director of DOMOTEX. During the four days of the show, about 18,000 visitors from 140 countries, met with around 1,000 exhibitors from more than 60 nations. “We are delighted that decision-makers from even more countries than before are coming to Hannover to learn about the latest trends and new products — including 170 debuts — and to make new business connections,” continued Wedell-Castellano. Some 71 percent of visitors come from abroad — 65 percent from Europe, 18 percent from Asia, 9 percent from America, 4 percent from the Middle East and the rest from Africa and Australia.
Visitors come to DOMOTEX to find out where the Industry’s heading
Oliver Ginestier, director of Communications at the European DIY Retail Association (EDRA), was delighted to “see the world of flooring meeting again in a vibrant atmosphere”. At this year’s show, he was able to meet many of the suppliers attending the association’s Global DIY Summit, as well as many of the association’s members. Martin Geiger, managing director of GEIGER, has been attending the world’s leading show for many years to get an overview of the market at the start of the business year. “I was particularly impressed by the increase in the number of exhibitors — in its second year after the pandemic, the show has already grown significantly again. This underlines the importance of DOMOTEX for our industry.” Jamie Metrick, president and chief product officer of the Toronto-based interior design company Elte appreciates the comprehensive market overview and addedd: “Here at DOMOTEX, I can meet important global business partners, easily discover potential suppliers and find out about the latest trends and developments in the industry”.
Carpets & Rugs and Flooring Exhibitors delighted with high level of Internationality & Visitor Quality
DOMOTEX offers the perfect opportunity to introduce new products to a global audience, says Theresa Paulig, shareholder and executive partner of Paulig. “It is difficult to present our entire range of products internationally by travelling alone. At DOMOTEX, we can display the entire range of innovations to our existing customers in a short amount of time, deepen our relationships and make contacts with new customers from all over the world. This is what makes DOMOTEX unique for us.” “Our main reason for exhibiting at DOMOTEX was to give our exports a boost — especially in Germany, the UK and Eastern-Europe. The first and second day were already excellent for us and we are happy about our decision to participate. We are pleased with the number, quality and internationality of the DOMOTEX visitors,” reported Cathérine Vandepoel, export manager at Floorify. Markus Oberbauer, managing director of Kronoflooring GmbH, was also delighted with the large number of customers: “DOMOTEX 2024 was a great success for us. We are very satisfied. All of our major customers were here, and the international participation was particularly high. In total, we welcomed around 500 different customer groups to our stand who were interested in our innovations and our new logistics concept.”
DOMOTEX goes vertical
Products for walls and ceilings were presented for the first time in the new RETAILERS’ PARK in Hall 19/20. “All of our visitors — from retailers to craftsmen and architects — have to consider spaces as a whole to create a coherent interior design. That’s why we’ve teamed up with DECOR UNION and the MEGA Gruppe to include paints, varnishes, wallpapers and more interior finishing and the premiere has already been a great success. The new special area for interior finishes, which is being organized in collaboration with DECOR UNION and MEGA, offers a genuine value for the trade and craft sector,” explained Wedell-Castellano. One in three participants is already specifically interested in the new special show as the visitor survey reveals. This is why the global director of DOMOTEX can imagine expanding the show’s portfolio to include more products for interior finishing in the future.
DOMOTEX is worth a visit
This year’s edition of DOMOTEX offered all participants inspiring special displays, a diverse supporting program with conferences, live presentations and award ceremonies as well as numerous opportunities for networking. The trade fair once again focused on the megatrends of sustainability and circular economy. Visitors were able to experience the keynote theme FLOORED BY NATURE in particular at THE GREEN COLLECTION in Hall 23. In its second year, the special display once again offered extraordinary presentations of sustainable and environmentally friendly products, a tactile presentation of sustainable materials by raumprobe | Materialbank and the latest research projects from the German Research Institute for Floor Systems (TFI) Aachen. The sustainable focus was also reflected in the exhibitors’ product ranges.
At DOMOTEX on Stage in Hall 23, speakers from the fields of architecture, interior design, the skilled trades, politics, associations, trade and trend scouts presented the latest market developments and trend topics. Other topics included the shortage of skilled workers and workplace culture. The conference program was complemented by the forums in the RETAILERS’ PARK , the Mood Spaces and the Carpet Design Awards .
“This is my first time at DOMOTEX and I’m really impressed. The Mood Spaces offer a lot of inspiration for my everyday work,” revealed Sophie Berger, interior designer at Rostock-based architecture office MZ Architektur Meier + Zeug. The trade fair also allows her to think “outside the box” and become familiar with new flooring solutions and suppliers in a short amount of time. Merle Queisner, architect at Bünenmann & Collegen, emphasizes the value of a live event: “Here at DOMOTEX, I don’t just get detailed information about carpets and floor coverings. I can also experience the quality of the products first hand. I can take a close look, touch and feel the surface. That’s simply not possible digitally.”
The next DOMOTEX – Carpets & Rugs in Hannover will take place from 16 to 19 January 2025.
MONTREAL — January 12, 2024 — The Board of Directors of Gildan Activewear Inc. is pleased to announce that Vince Tyra will assume the role of president and CEO on Monday, January 15, 2024. At the Board’s request, Tyra has made himself available to move the start date from February 12 to respond to requests to engage early with key stakeholders and bring needed stability and leadership to the company as it embarks on its next chapter of success.
“When the board began the external phase of the CEO search back in May of 2023, we knew that scaling the company in an increasingly complex and competitive environment demanded a hands-on CEO with fresh ideas, deep apparel experience, a keen understanding of manufacturing and expertise in areas like marketing, merchandising and product development. After a robust selection process that evaluated both internal and external candidates, we selected Vince as the next chief executive of Gildan Activewear,” said Donald C. Berg, chairman of the board.
Few people have had the opportunity to demonstrate their leadership skills across such an impressive range of industries and managerial challenges as Tyra. And while the experiences vary, the throughline of his career is using his financial acumen, sound management and ability to build teams and motivate people around a shared strategy and vision to improve the companies and organizations he has led.
Tyra has had a stellar career. He invested in and grew his own activewear business in his twenties utilizing Gildan as a key supplier. Based on that early success, he then joined Fruit of the Loom where the board of directors promoted him to president in the company’s darkest hour to develop and implement a restructuring plan that put Fruit of the Loom back on sound financial footing ahead of its eventual sale to Berkshire Hathaway.
Bain Capital noticed Tyra’s turnaround work at Fruit of the Loom and hired him to be CEO of Broder Bros., a leading apparel distributor, successfully following in the founder’s footsteps. In his six years as CEO of Broder, Tyra tripled revenue and made it an industry leader. Bain Capital later introduced Tyra to Southfield Capital, where he went on to a successful career in private equity. Tyra has served on the Board of Directors at 10 companies and stepped in as interim CEO at three to help each move toward successful financial exits.
Yoo Jin Kim was a principal at Bain Capital when Tyra was CEO of then Bain-owned Broder Bros. Kim later introduced Tyra to the founder of Southfield Capital.
“With almost 30 years of private equity investing experience, I have worked with countless CEOs in multiple industries. Vince was in the top-tier of those executives given his leadership strengths, ability to build strong teams and culture, financial performance, acquisition experience, and solid character … Gildan is very fortunate to have Vince as its next leader. I have tremendous confidence in the company’s future under his stewardship,” said Kim.
In 2017, Vince took on perhaps the most challenging turnaround of his career, fixing the scandal-plagued Athletics Program at the NCAA powerhouse University of Louisville. Under his leadership, Vince established a new culture of excellence and compliance while rebuilding the sports program. He led decisively to replace coaches, negotiate the stadium naming rights, set new fundraising records, oversee the highest graduation rate, stabilize the department’s finances and establish a respected Leadership Development Program at the Business School that has trained hundreds of senior executives.
J. David Grissom, the former vice chairman of PNC Financial, was chairman of the Board of Trustees at the University of Louisville when the Board hired Vince:
“Vince Tyra has an outstanding reputation as a leader. The Board of Trustees hired him to clean up the Athletics Program that had been tarnished by scandal and controversy. He quickly made a significant difference. Vince listened, evaluated the situation, and then made the hard decisions needed to restore the integrity of the program. Vince is a calm, confident and firm leader. He never looks for headlines. He started every meeting by asking ‘What’s the right thing to do here?’ His moral compass is in the right place. Gildan’s Board of Directors will never regret its decision to hire Vince Tyra as CEO.”
Most recently, Tyra led corporate strategy for Houchens Industries, a $4 billion revenue employee-owned holding company. Dion Houchins is the CEO and chairman of Houchens:
“In a short period of time, Vince proved himself to be an invaluable member of the Houchens executive leadership team. Vince’s experience as a leader in a variety of industries prior to joining Houchens made him a perfect fit for assessing and making strategic recommendations with regards to potential acquisitions as well as tweaking the direction and strategy for the existing Houchens portfolio. Vince’s ability to drill down into the complexities of a business and make a sound evaluation is a skill set honed by over 35 years of high-level business experience. Vince was the right person at the right time for Houchens, and we are a stronger company for having had him. Given the right tools and proper support, Gildan employees and shareholders will see similar benefits from his leadership. Vince is a business professional in every sense of the word.”
The board welcomes Tyra to Montreal and looks forward to working with him as he builds on Gildan’s strong foundation and positions the company for continued success in the future.
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany— January 12, 2024 — New contacts with decision-makers, global business opportunities and worldwide streams of visitors: Heimtextil 2024 ended with 46,000 visitors1 from around 130 nations and 2,838 exhibitors from 60 nations with 25 per cent growth. With a plus in visitors, the show overcame difficult travel conditions due to nationwide rail strikes and regional demonstrations. The response from international buyers to the quality and variety of the new Carpets & Rugs product segment was overwhelming. In numerous talks, tours and workshops, Heimtextil as well focused on two of the most important key topics of the coming decades: sustainable production and action as well as artificial intelligence. At the leading trade fair for home and contract textiles, transformations could be experienced more intensively than ever before.
With intercontinental strength, Heimtextil 2024 laid the foundation for a record year for Messe Frankfurt. 46,000 buyers from around 130 nations took the opportunity to participate in the global textile market — from upholstery and decorative fabrics, bed and bathroom textiles, mattresses, functional textiles and carpets to wallpapers, outdoor fabrics, artificial leather, curtains, fibres, yarns, sleeping systems and decorative cushions. Despite nationwide rail strikes, this edition recorded a plus in visitor numbers and, with 2,838 exhibitors from 60 nations, a 25 per cent increase in exhibitor numbers compared to the previous year’s event: “Heimtextil ends with overwhelming participation. The increase in space, exhibitors and visitors in 2024 makes the following clear: the leading trade fair for home and contract textiles remains on course for growth – and sets new standards for a sustainable and AI-driven textile industry”, says Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt.
Outstanding intercontinentality: participation grows nationally and internationally
Heimtextil achieved an increase in the level of internationality on the exhibitor side to 95 per cent. The top ten exhibiting countries were China, India, Turkey, Pakistan, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Great Britain and the Netherlands. There was an increase in the exhibitor numbers from Belgium, Bulgaria, China, India, Japan, Poland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, the USA and Egypt. On the visitor side, more visitors came from China, Germany, India, Japan, Croatia, Macedonia, Pakistan, Slovakia and Cyprus. The number of German trade visitors increased by around ten per cent.
Significant increase in satisfaction and visitor quality
In 2024, visitor satisfaction rose to an average of 93 per cent both nationally and internationally – particularly with the breadth and depth of the offering. Among German trade visitors, overall satisfaction rose by seven percentage points to 88 per cent. Over 90 per cent of all visitors achieved their trade fair goals. Exhibitors were also impressed by the increased visitor quality and buying competence: the proportion of top decision-makers among buyers rose by six percentage points to 78 per cent. Around 80 per cent of exhibitors achieved their trade fair goals.
Brilliant start for new Carpets & Rugs product segment
The launch of the new Carpets & Rugs segment was a complete success. For the first time, the global carpet industry presented together in one hall, including numerous international market leaders who exhibited in Frankfurt for the first time or after a long time – with overwhelming satisfaction:
“For our debut here in Frankfurt, we deliberately presented our entire collection, which turned out to be the right strategy. The stand was well attended throughout and we made many new global contacts – from Europe to overseas, from Asia to Scandinavia,” said Katrien Vandenbroucke, CEO of Ragolle Rugs, one of Belgium’s leading brands.
“We came back because we saw potential in the new concept. And I have to say, we were more than pleasantly surprised,” summarises Raghav Gupta, Director of E-Commerce at the Indian company The Rug Republic, which stands for high-quality handmade rugs.
The wish for a new joint appearance came from the industry – and Frankfurt was convincing. Exhibitors such as the Egyptian Oriental Weavers Group are looking to the future: “We are completely convinced by the new concept. The hall has turned out beautifully from the very start, a perfect platform for our industry. Now it’s time to take it forward together. In any case, we already know that we will be at Carpets & Rugs in 2025 – and with a significantly larger stand,” says Ahmed El Gamal, Export Sales Manager of OWG subsidiary Mac Carpet.
From AI in textile product design to scalable sustainable solutions
Never before have transformations such as artificial intelligence and sustainability been so intensively at the center of Heimtextil and presented effective levers for a future-oriented approach to key technology. For the first time in 2024, the trade fair provided fascinating insights into the textile application of artificial intelligence and the use of AI-controlled sorting to refine recycled textile waste into new yarns. In the trend space, visitors’ textile design ideas were also brought to life at interactive stations using tools such as ChatGPT-4 and Midjourney.
In addition, Heimtextil once again made state-of-the-art sustainable production and action tangible. One of the main points of contact were the Heimtextil Trends with New Sensitivity: the concept focused on the ongoing transformation of the textile industry and presented numerous market-ready and scalable solutions. One example was the company Ever Dye, whose self-developed color pigments enable dyeing at room temperature. Variant 3D, on the other hand, offers AI-driven knitting software that can be used to produce even complex shapes such as lampshades without creating patterns. The Econogy program offered further central content formats, with Finder, Talks, Tours and the Econogy Hub demonstrating all the versatility of circular approaches, the relevance of certificates and possible applications for textile materials. The exhibitors listed in the Finder contributed to the holistic experience of sustainability:
“We have met many customers and are very happy with Heimtextil 2024. Almost all of our important business partners are here. Sustainability is a topic that is noticeably changing. People used to talk about recycling, but today it is being taken up as a holistic approach that extends from renewable energies deep into the processes to the raw materials and processing methods,” said Mevlut Baydar, chief sales officer, Vanelli Tekstil San.
“At Heimtextil 2024, we were able to present our new collections in an eye-catching way as part of the DecoTeam. Sustainability plays an important role for the Alfred Apelt GmbH. We are delighted that we were listed in the Econogy Finder at Heimtextil as a supplier of sustainable products,” said Sebastian Ihling, Sales Manager and Business Development at Alfred Apelt GmbH.
Strong response to textile range of bed, bathroom and sleep systems
From bedding, bed linen and bathroom textiles to mattresses and sleep systems – the broad Smart Bedding range for all forms of retail as well as the brands and private label excellence in the Bed & Bath segment met with a strong response:
“We are very satisfied and happy to be back at Heimtextil with the Herbert Neumeyer Group. Our concept of the three-sided open stand as a communicative concept has paid off. The exchange with our national and international customers is very important to us. We absolutely achieved this goal at Heimtextil and did so in a pleasant, informal, feel-good atmosphere on our stand. This enabled us to establish ourselves as a permanent focal point in the hall,” said Markus Ertel, managing director, Heinrich Häussling GmbH & Co.
“In a nutshell: Heimtextil has always been the guarantee of international strength and the global market for us,”said Roeland Smits, managing director, Essenza Home.
“We traveled here with many confirmed customer appointments and were also able to make new contacts. We were very pleasantly surprised by the numerous hospitality buyers who showed great interest in our high quality products and manufacturing processes – Heimtextil gave us access to the right markets,” said Tânia Lima, marketing manager, Lameirinho – Indústria Têxtil.
In 2024, the focus was once again on high-quality knowledge for the bed retail and hotel industry: international experts shared best practices, e.g. on the design of bedrooms and hotel rooms or the use of artificial intelligence in sleep analysis.
Asian Selection & Excellence: impressive range of high-quality large volumes
In the Asian Excellence & Selection halls, trade buyers of medium and large volumes found export-experienced partners and a unique range of high-quality manufactured textiles. The suppliers were very satisfied with the quality of the visitors and were able to open up new markets and contacts:
“We have been taking part in Heimtextil for 16 years and are very satisfied. The quality of visitors has increased again this year. We were able to do more order business. Our strongest markets are the UK, USA and Europe,” said Nishant Kumar Singh, Export sales manager, GM Syntex.
“What is noticeable this year is that, in addition to Europe and the USA, more visitors from the Middle East are here. We see great potential for our products here and believe that this market could become very relevant in the future,” said Muzzammil Kasumbi, senior general manager, Al-Karam Textile Mills.
International, innovative and sustainable: the offering for the contract business
The Interior.Architecture.Hospitality program at Heimtextil was more extensive and international than ever and brought architects and hospitality experts together with suppliers for the contract business. Whether focusing on health and care, outdoor, new work or sustainability — international manufacturers presented their functional innovations for a wide range of applications.
“Heimtextil 2024 was a successful start to the new business year for us. The Trevira CS brand was able to present itself to an international audience together with 17 top customers on a large joint stand. The sustainability topics such as fibres, yarns and fabrics obtained in various recycling processes, including chemical recycling, met with great visitor interest,” explained Anke Vollenbröker, director Marketing & Business Development Trevira CS at Indorama Ventures Fibres Germany.
In the LIBRARY, visitors were inspired by selected functional textiles. Highlights included a flame-retardant wallpaper, dirt-repellent upholstery fabric and light-resistant leather. The contract range was complemented by the Fibres & Yarns area for decorative and upholstery fabrics. In 2024, the preliminary stage was larger than before.
Outlook for 2025: partnership with Studio Urquiola announced
For 2025, Heimtextil is announcing a partnership with one of the most important and influential international design studios: Studio Urquiola. A pioneering installation is planned for the upcoming Heimtextil 2025, which will enable an immersive and unique design experience. With this collaboration, the Milan-based design studio and the leading trade fair for home and contract textiles are emphasizing their joint commitment to innovation, sustainability and design in the entire textile industry.
LONDON / SEATTLE, WA — January 12, 2024 — Footwear manufacturer Vivobarefoot and material science company Balena take the next step toward regenerative bare-footwear with an industry-first partnership which aims to deliver the world’s first 3D printed and made-to-measure footwear that is fully compostable. The partnership vision is footwear made-to-order, made-to-measure, made locally and made with Balena’s proprietary BioCir®flex — a compostable, biobased, recyclable, thermoplastic material for durable and high-performing products.
“The world doesn’t need new shoes. We need a new system and new materials. This future is literally at our feet and this footwear will enable us to reconnect to nature, move as nature intended and return footwear to nature when you’re done,” said Asher Clark.
Now, two companies have come together with a shared purpose of using technology and science as a force for good in a revolutionary next step towards regenerative bare- footwear. Balena (material science company) and Vivobarefoot are developing the world’s first 3D printed, made-to-measure and completely compostable footwear. Prototypes are being made using a patented scan to print computational design system that, if scalable, will enable them to make on-demand footwear for individuals not mass markets. Footwear manufacturer Vivobarefoot and material science company Balena take the next step toward regenerative bare-footwear with an industry-first partnership which aims to deliver the world’s first 3D printed and made-to-measure footwear that is fully compostable. This footwear will be made-to-order, made-to-measure, made locally and made with Balena BioCirflex — a biobased, compostable, thermoplastic material for durable and high-performing products.
Volumental Stylist: Camilla Perez
VIVOBIOME – a radical scan-to-print circular bare-footwear system
VivoBiome by Vivobarefoot derives from the term “biomimetic” – “bio” (meaning life or living organisms) and “mimetic” (meaning to imitate or mimic). Vivobarefoot, a barefoot footwear pioneer, has developed VivoBiome — ‘a radical scan-to-print circular bare-footwear system’. VivoBiome is not just another product; it’s a new way to completely redefine how footwear is made, used and experienced. The vision is to one day realise Vivobarefoot’s regenerative bare-foot-wear goal – a radical vision for a scan-to-print, circular, system that completely reimagines how footwear is created. In the future VivoBiome footwear will be made-to-order (on-demand) made to measure (bespoke fit), made locally (on-shore) and made to be remade (circular). Products that truly enable enhanced natural movement and will one day have a net-positive impact on not just human health but our planet too. It’s a digital, sustainable, and personalised approach to footwear that will fit for your feet and the future. Precise scans of a customer’s feet, which will be sent to 3D printers for local fabrication. VivoBiome will kick off with a hub in the UK, with Germany and the US to follow. Local manufacturing will reduce shipping, while 3D printing cuts down on manufacturing waste.
The project is designed to help the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center boost its increasing modernization efforts.
AUBURN, Ala. — January 11, 2024 — How much is Auburn University’s advanced manufacturing expertise worth to the U.S. Army? Up to $50 million.
That’s the total of a new three-year project — the single largest prime research contract ever awarded to Auburn University — designed to help the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center boost its increasing modernization efforts.
Titled “Lightweight, Advanced Manufacturing of Metallic, Polymer and Composite Structures for Aviation and Missile Weapon Systems,” the project will be facilitated through the Auburn University Applied Research Institute (AUARI) in Huntsville and rely extensively on research expertise from Auburn’s National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME), and the Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems (ICAMS).
“Our main objective is to enable the Army to incorporate advanced manufacturing materials and methods into existing and future aviation and missile systems,” said Robert Dowling, AUARI director of research development. “To do that, we’ll develop prototype advanced manufacturing processes required to analyze, design, develop, test, integrate and sustain qualified components for existing and future aviation and missile systems. The advanced manufacturing materials we’re considering include alloys, polymers and composites. The methods will include everything from machine learning to material properties characterization.”
Specific to the latter, $9.3 million of the award has already been designated for NCAME, which will use the funds to continue its industry-leading research into the materials, parts and process qualification necessary for furthering implementation of additive manufacturing in Army operations.
“While existing and future aviation and missile systems will be the direct beneficiaries of the project, successful results may be transferable to other government advanced manufacturing projects,” Dowling said. “A lot of effort has gone into developing this opportunity. We’re excited to get to work.”
Steve Taylor, Auburn University’s senior vice president for research and economic development, agrees.
“It goes without saying, but this is a significant accomplishment for Auburn’s research enterprise and our Applied Research Institute,” Taylor said. “But it also speaks volumes about how our Army partners in Huntsville, and beyond, are placing significant value on Auburn’s work in advanced manufacturing, which is a key research focus area for our Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. To say it’s paying off is an understatement.”
Dowling also calls the project tailor-made for fulfilling one of the AUARI administration’s stated goals — creating a pipeline for real-time engagement between stakeholders in Huntsville’s defense sector and Auburn University’s main campus.
“With this award, we’ve demonstrated the significant opportunities that can be created for faculty and students when we combine our core research expertise with customer proximity and knowledge,” Dowling said. “AUARI’s proximity to Redstone Arsenal and familiarity with Army customers and missions enabled the AUARI team to develop a highly responsive proposal representing a broad spectrum of Auburn’s research capabilities both on-campus and in Huntsville.”
In other words, mission accomplished.
“President Roberts’ vision for Auburn is built around dreaming bigger, being bolder and pushing our research endeavors to the next level,” Taylor said. “This historic award does exactly that.”
ROCKFORD, Mich. — January 11, 2024 — Wolverine World Wide Inc. announced today that it has sold the Sperry brand to Authentic Brands Group Inc., and the ALDO Group. The transaction closed on January 10, 2024, and will generate total proceeds of approximately $130 million in the first quarter to pay down debt, further strengthening the company’s balance sheet.
“The sale of the Sperry brand is the next step in our turnaround and strategic transformation,” said Chris Hufnagel, Wolverine Worldwide’s president and CEO. “We conducted a rigorous process that considered a comprehensive set of strategic alternatives for the brand, and we believe this is the best outcome for the company and our vision for the future.”
Today’s announcement builds on the company’s previously-announced asset monetization transactions that collectively generated nearly $250 million in cash in 2023.
“In a very short time, we have meaningfully reshaped Wolverine Worldwide — simplifying the portfolio, reducing our debt, and redesigning the organization to drive improved performance and profitability,” Hufnagel added. “These efforts have enhanced the company’s capacity to invest in our brands and platforms, and I am excited about the next chapter in our turnaround — focused squarely on building consumer-obsessed global brands and delivering greater value for our shareholders.”
Centerview Partners, LLC, served as financial advisors to Wolverine Worldwide, and Honigman LLP and Warner, Norcross + Judd LLP served as legal advisors.
TOKYO/NEW YORK CITY/DÜSSELDORF, Germany — January 11, 2024 — Asahi Kasei and an affiliated company have acquired the widely recognized international sustainability certification ISCC PLUS for several products in the fields of thermoplastic elastomers and rubbers, engineering plastics, and other materials.
The Asahi Kasei Group aims to contribute to a carbon-neutral material value chain by focusing on initiatives such as the use of biomass raw materials, recycled raw materials, and renewable energy while deepening collaboration with other companies based on its medium-term management plan for fiscal 2024 focused on the theme “Be a Trailblazer.”
Asahi Kasei’s Mizushima Works Photo: Business Wire
The ISCC PLUS1 certification ensures that biomass, recycled materials, etc., are appropriately managed in the whole supply chain including manufacturing. With the acquisition of this certification, Asahi Kasei will be able to provide ISCC PLUS certified grades of below products.
Company name
Product
Trade name
Asahi Kasei
Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)
Tufprene™ and Asaprene™ T styrenic thermoplastic elastomer,
This achievement follows the company’s commendable certification of a diverse range of below materials in 2022, solidifying its commitment to responsible material sourcing.
Company name
Product
Trade name
Asahi Kasei
Acrylonitrile (AN)
Methyl methacrylate (MMA)
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
Delpet™ and Delpowder™
Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)
Tufdene™ solution-polymerized SBR
Butadiene rubber (BR)
Diene™ and Asadene™ polybutadiene rubber
Polyoxymethylene
Tenac™ polyacetal
PP/PE compounds
Asaclean™ molding machine purging compound
Asahi Kasei Mitsubishi Chemical Ethylene Corp.
Ethylene, propylene, etc.
Okayama Butadiene Co., Ltd.
Butadiene
1 ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) is an international certification system that offers solutions for the implementation and certification of waste and residue raw materials, non-bio renewables and recycled carbon materials and fuels. ISCC PLUS is a certification system that covers mainly bio-based carbon materials which are produced outside of the EU and supplied globally, and to manage and ensure sustainable raw materials in the supply chain.
HANNOVER, Germany — January 11, 2024 — For the second time, the special display THE GREEN COLLECTION revolves around sustainability, circular economy and environmental protection in the carpet and flooring industry. Center of the special display was the award ceremony of the GREEN COLLECTION Award. The winners were announced on the first day of the fair, January 11, in a festive setting in front of a large audience.
Under the direction of Dr phil. Jacqueline Lemm, managing director and institute director of TFI Aachen, a high-calibre jury of experts selected the 10 most outstanding entries in the four competition categories from 70 global submissions. “It was a great opportunity to take part in the assessment of the GREEN COLLECTION Award. It’s amazing to witness how many businesses in the sector are already pursuing more environmentally friendly or recyclable solutions,” revealed Dr Lemm. Alongside Dr. Lemm, this year’s jury included Joachim Stumpp, managing partner of raumprobe | Material Bank, Reto Aschwanden, managing director of the non-profit organization Label STEP, Kemp Harr, publisher of the industry magazine Floor Focus, and Italian architect and interior designer Loredana Marvulli.
Winners GREEN COLLECTION Award 2024
Winners of the GREEN COLLLECTION Award 2024
Grassland Harmony | Manglam Arts
The jury liked the use of fast growing vegetable fibre in its undyed state and the products’ gorgeous natural look.
Salsa Atoll | Paulig Teppichweberei GmbH
Paulig convinced the jury with Salsa Atoll through the beauty and honesty of the art of handweaving and its very considerate approach, including the use of safe, high quality dyes, OEKO-TEX certification and strong social responsibility.
Olbia Pure Nature | Tisca Austria GmbH
The jury recognizes and awards the traditional, artisanal craftsmanship and the beauty of the sheep wool’s natural color, as well as its GOTS certification.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring | Forestry Timber
Forestry Timbers Engineered Hardwood Flooring is a great combination of smart technical approach and the superior qualities of its raw material.
LICO DENIM | Li&Co AG
Li&Co impressed the jury members with LICO DENIM, the up-cycling innovation of using garment waste for the top layer of a hard floor.
Heat-System natural | Unifloor Deutschland
The jury liked the replacement of the CO2 intense concrete layer by straw and other natural materials in the whole system.
WICANDERS WISE Bionatural | AMORIM Deutschland GmbH
Amorim Deutschland convinced the jury through the company’s continous efforts of using cork – and other renewable resources – in flooring.
Naturalan | ZIPSE GmbH & Co. KG
Besides the use of natural resources, the jury was particularly impressed by the company’s own circular reclamation system.
CERAMIN® | Classen Holz Kontor GmbH
CERAMIN® by Classen is an innovative combination of natural minerals and polypropylene for a durable, high performance product.
Tenacity Eco-Composite Flooring | CFL Flooring
CFL Flooring convinced the jury with Tenacity Eco-Composite Flooring, which uses a high percentage of recycled and natural materials present and therefore presents an attractive alternative to less sustainable, oil based products.
WIELSBEKE, Belgium — January 11, 2024 — To expand its support for high-end and luxurious automotive interiors, B.I.G. Yarns has completed its first industrial production runs of virgin polyester BCF yarns for automotive carpet to complement its line of polyamide PA6 superior yarns.
There is a growing market in PET for automotive interior applications, with polyester allowing automotive OEMs and Tier 1 to develop products that, from the outset, consider eco-design by building MONO-polymer carpets and flooring that are 100 percent recyclable at End of Life (EOL ). These materials are helping to ensure improved and more sustainable EOL recycling of electric vehicles that are driving the future of the car industry.
The new PET BCF Yarns offer high-performance for automotive carpets, including abrasion and stain resistance, and durability, passing all stringent automotive tests including the Taber test for abrasion performance, compressibility and recovery ability test, light fastness in automotive (DIN EN ISO 105-B06) and VOC (fogging) according the VDA 278 test on VOC and FOG emission. The yarns can be color solution dyed, have a dTex between 1300 and 1500, 81 filaments and are ideally for mats with a composition of 400 to 800 gram per m², while the yarns for molded carpets have a dTex of 1200, 144 filaments for 380 gram per m².
“As the industry continues its transition towards circularity, making the right material choice is crucial from the outset to ensure the best possible eco-design and recyclability. Our newcomer, PET BCF yarns, brings virgin material to automotive carpets, creating a new systemic approach towards MONO-polymer-based automotive applications,” said Glenn Hyzak, global sales director, Yarns.
With the addition of PET BCF yarns, B.I.G. Yarns is now a one-stop-shop for 3 types of Solution Dyed BCF carpet yarns for the automotive industry: nylon (PA6), polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PET), and the Eqo-range of PA6 yarns — the sustainability focused EqoBalance, EqoCycle and EqoYarn. This strategically positions the company to help carpet manufacturers meet their sustainability targets.
The automotive carpet market is expected to grow strongly in the coming decade with the increased demand for vehicle customization and personalization driven by owners looking to upgrade and enhance interiors, including the flooring area.
A growing awareness around car hygiene is also boosting the market as consumers become more conscious of maintaining cleanliness in their vehicles, including the floors. Automotive carpets provide an effective solution by trapping dirt and preventing it from spreading to other areas.
B.I.G. Yarns supports manufacturers as they invest in research and development to introduce more innovative and improved products to cater to these evolving consumer needs.
“From sustainability to enhanced functionalities and color, we work closely with our customers, supporting them in design for vehicle customization and personalization, and in building new carpet designs that have never be seen before. Be inspired by our SustainableYarns and our monthly Catch The Color and let us help you open up exciting new opportunities with our continuous focus on innovation and sustainability,” concluded Mélanie Monceaux, R&D manager B.I.G. Yarns.
B.I.G. Yarns is proactive in developing new products that better serve customers’ needs in a sustainable way. Its solutions are at the forefront of industry product design, and it is fully committed to achieving an improved climate impact in the full supply chain within the automotive interiors industry by focusing on what matters most.
