Uster Technologies: Solutions That Combine To Deliver Practical Benefits In Processes And Profits

USTER, Switzerland — December 27, 2023 — The unique Uster combination of quality measurement instruments with sophisticated software is at the heart of an evolution in spinning. FiberQ is the essential starting point to unlocking maximum profits, through absolute raw material consistency. And Uster Quality Expert completes the picture by monitoring quality throughout the production process. By combining these two systems spinners can achieve the full benefits in terms of both quality and profitability.

Positive feedback from leading mills worldwide confirms the advantages with facts and figures from practical mill experience. Accurate collection and analysis of complex data is applied at every stage, with Uster Quality Expert and 360Q with Fiber Q bringing added value and optimized processing throughout the mill.

Uster FiberQ — Discussing data analysis provided by powerful Uster software solutions

Stratos Fragkotsinos, Uster’s Head of Product Management Mill Management Solutions, explains the importance of Fiber Q and Uster Quality Expert working in harmony to improve the whole mill operation: “Without an optimum raw material management solution it is very difficult and expensive to achieve production of yarn with the right quality and quality consistency,” he says. “On the other hand, even the best raw material solution will not achieve its maximum potential without reliable and consistent in-mill production processes.”

The power of software solutions

On the road to Industry 4.0 it’s clear that software is an increasingly important driver of progress in quality control. That’s especially true in spinning, the most complex of textile segments, with its multiple related process stages. Spinning firms are also the ones with the greatest need for reliable data collation and analysis if they are to operate profitably. For example, raw material accounts for up to 75% of production costs for spinners, so proper management and minimized waste are essential. It makes sense to partner with the leading expert in data gathering and analysis to optimize this vital element.

Uster’s vision was to extend its Think Quality concept across the wider textile community, and a first step was the launch of Quality Expert. A standalone version was launched as a software solution in 2020, with the same features as the system hosted in Uster Tester 6. Uster Quality Expert – now known as UQX – delivers uncompromising standards in ultimate analysis, unique Value Modules and fault prevention mechanisms.

These UQX benefits support optimized settings, minimizing outliers with immediate and reliable notifications. And these optimum setting will have a direct impact on waste levels.

“Continuous in-process monitoring via the value modules of UQX will ensure trouble-free production, since variations in the raw material side are already at a minimum thanks to Fiber Q’s efficiency and reliability,” says Fragkotsinos.

Mill feedback reports

Quality Expert offers various Value Modules. Yarn Prognosis helped an Indian spinner to solve pilling problems and to restore quality quickly, avoiding losses. UQX enabled analysis of critical issues and guided notable improvements.

One of Pakistan’s best-known spinning brands sought the ultimate solution to optimize production routines for assured quality and managed costs. The company’s COO is convinced that improving the product quality has automatically improved productivity in the mill. He asserts that, even where cost is regarded as more important than quality, the best way to reduce cost is to improve quality.

Installing UQX proved to be a wise decision for this mill, with its fast and reliable data analysis enabling improvements to processes. It was easier for the mill to identify and prevent quality outliers, as well as troubleshooting machine and component issues – and controlling contamination. The overall verdict was that significant improvements in quality consistency, productivity and profitability were achieved, thanks to analysis by Uster Quality Expert.

It’s not only in making ‘good’ quality ‘better’ that UQX scores. As evidence, an Indian spinner with yarn quality previously classed as ‘average’ reports that its quality level is now much higher thanks to Uster Tester 6 with UQX. This mill achieved its dual goal of enhanced market position and higher profitability.

At another spinning mill in India using Fiber Q, UQX was also checking overall production, identifying outliers and enabling setting optimization for every process step. This led to a waste reduction of 2% and a significant improvement in the IPI level (-25%).

The full story, as well as other practical cases from customers, is available on the Uster website at www.uster.com/references.

Practical proof

It is well proven by practical trials and mill experience that Uster can now boost profitability in spinning mills with FiberQ as the unique raw material management solution in combination with UQX for full in-mill process optimization.

Says Fragkotsinos: “Consistent and optimum input combined with reliable quality monitoring are the key factors for success. It is obvious that together FiberQ from 360Q and UQX can enable maximum profitability for spinning mills.”

Posted: December 27, 2023

Source: Uster Technologies AG

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF): International Textile Industry Statistics n°65/2022 — Slight Capacity Growth And Higher Fibre Consumption

ZÜRICH, Switzerland — December 22, 2023 — ITMF (International Textile Manufacturers Federation) has published its International Textile Industry Statistics (ITIS) on productive capacity and raw materials consumption in the short-staple organized (spinning mill-) sector in virtually all textile-producing countries in the world.

The global number of installed short-staple spindles has grown from 225 million units in 2021 to 227 million units in 2022 (See Figure 1).

The number of installed open-end rotors increased from 8.3 million in 2021 to 9.5 million in 2022 (See Figure 2).

This constitutes the strongest growth ever recorded in this market with investment disproportionally targeting Asia. The number of installed air-jet spindles continued to increase in all regions in 2022.

Global Installed Capacities and Raw Material Consumption in the Short-Staple Organized (Spinning Mill-) Sector of the Textile Industries (1992-2022)

The substitution between shuttle and shuttle-less looms continued in 2022. The number of installed shuttle-less looms increased from 1.72 million in 2021 to 1.85 in 2022 (see Figure 3) while installed shuttle looms reached 952 thousand.

Total raw material consumption in the short-staple organized sector slightly decreased from 45.6 million tons in 2021 to 44.26 million tons in 2022 (See Figure 4). Consumption of raw cotton and synthetic short-staple fibers decreased by -2.5 percent and -0.7 percent, respectively. Consumption of cellulosic short-staple fibers increased by 2.5 percent.

Posted: December 22, 2023

Source: The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)

ABB Contributes To Accelerating The Creation Of Circular Innovations Through Its Startup Challenge

WAUWATOSA, Wisconsin — December 20, 2023 — With a focus on developing customer solutions that help preserve the earth’s natural resources and contribute to a low-carbon society, ABB launched the 2023 ABB Accelerating Circularity Challenge seeking innovative ideas that design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use for as much as possible and regenerating the natural system.

“By 2030, ABB aims to innovate toward new circular business models, covering all stages of the product life cycle,” said Panu Virolainen, chief technology officer at ABB Motion. “The ABB Accelerating Circularity Startup Challenge is an opportunity to attract startups who want to work together with us to lead the way to a circular economy. Together, with their talents and our industry knowledge and domain expertise, we can make a meaningful impact to help preserve the earth’s resources for future generations.”

ABB Motion Drive Products Challenge

Take back care of a Variable Speed Drive: enabling effortless upcycling and recycling of ABB drives that meet circularity principles.

Awarded to Molg from the United States. Molg tackles the growing e-waste problem by making manufacturing circular. The company’s robotic microfactory can autonomously assemble and disassemble complex electronic products like laptop PCs, servers, and industrial electronics. Molg also partners with leading electronics manufacturers to design new products with reuse in mind, ensuring that one product’s end is another’s beginning.

“We are thrilled to have been selected as the winner of the ABB Accelerating Circularity Startup Challenge 2023 for Motion Drive Products and look forward to working with the talented and mission aligned team at ABB as we collectively progress the transition to a more circular economy,” said Rob Lawson-Shanks, CEO and Cofounder of Molg. “The opportunity to bring our Design for Circularity and Molg Microfactory automation technology to leading ABB Motion Drive products is a fantastic chance to work with a great partner and drive impact at scale.”

  1.    ABB Motion Services Challenge
    • Keep the track on circularity: Developing a reliable circularity certificate management tool.

Awarded to Minespider from Switzerland. Minespider is a blockchain traceability platform designed for the green transition, creating greater transparency and circularity in supply chains. By using interactive digital product passports, Minespider facilitates consumer access to comprehensive product lifecycle and environmental impact information.

“It has been an honor to participate in the ABB startup challenge among such innovative and forward-thinking companies. The quality of competition was truly inspiring, and being recognized among them is a testament to the transformative potential of leveraging emerging technology for a circular economy. We are thrilled to have our solution acknowledged and are eager to begin this collaboration together.” Nathan Williams, Founder & CEO of Minespider.

2)    ABB Electrification Services Challenge

    • Closing the Loop: Generating Value from Power Distribution End-of-Life was awarded to Excess Materials Exchange by ABB Electrifications Services.

Awarded to Excess Materials Exchange from the Netherlands. The Excess Materials Exchange (EME) is a digital platform where companies can exchange excess materials and products, aiming to create a more circular and sustainable economy. It functions much like a dating site, matching waste or surplus materials from one company with another company that can use them, thus helping to reduce waste and promote recycling and reuse. By connecting different industries and sectors, EME facilitates the transformation of waste into valuable resources, supporting environmental goals and potentially leading to cost savings for businesses.”

“We are honored to be recognized by ABB in the Circularity Challenge. This achievement reaffirms our commitment to driving the circular economy forward. By transforming excess into opportunity, we are not just reimagining waste, but also reshaping the future of sustainability. Waste, often seen as a liability, can become a platform for innovation. Together with ABB, we’re proving that a greener, more resource-efficient world is not just a vision, but an achievable reality.” Christian van Maaren, Founder Excess Materials Exchange.

Now in its fourth year, the ABB Startup Challenge in collaboration with Microsoft and SynerLeap, has provided a platform for more than 125 starts ups to showcase their innovations. More than 10 winners have gone on to work with ABB to commercialize their offerings, with many of whose who didn’t win still going on to progress their offerings, or working with fellow challengers who they met on their Startup Challenge journey.

Posted: December 21, 2023

Source: ABB

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF): Precot Ltd. (India) Joins ITMF As Corporate Member

ZÜRICH, Switzerland — December 21, 2023 — Precot offers a wide range of cotton products which are used for cosmetic, personal hygiene, and medical use. They also produce a wide range of cotton yarns and threads made from organic, BCI, and conventional cotton as well as polyester cotton blend that are suitable for weaving, knitting, crocheting, and sewing.

Christian Schindler, director general of ITMF, statedL “Welcoming Precot as a new Corporate Member further strengthens the Indian representation within ITMF. Indian companies are benefitting from a strong domestic market as well as from growing interest from sourcing houses from around the world. That Precot joined ITMF after having attended the ITMF Annual Conference 2023 in China is an encouraging sign that ITMF offers a unique international platform for companies from around the world. We are confident that Precot will further benefit from this membership by having direct access to specific information about the industry, an international network, and ITMF’s representation of the industry in international fora.”

Ashwin Chandran, chairman & managing director of Precot, pointed out that: “ITMF’s attractiveness is the fact that it represents the entire textile value chain from fiber producers to producers of apparel, home textiles and technical textiles. Having access to colleagues in the industry from different countries around the world is special and helps build an international network. This enables us to better understand the dynamics of the global industry. It is important to have a bird view on the global textile industry. We are convinced that the information we now have direct access to and the building of personal relations to colleagues around the world will help us to take more informed decisions.”

Posted: December 21, 2023

Source: The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)

AATCC Announces 2024 Student Design Competition

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — December 20, 2023 — Students are invited to showcase their design talents to win cash and recognition by participating in the 2024 Concept 2 Consumer Student Design Competition. Entries are due April 11, 2024.

This year’s theme “Vibrant Vacation—Colorful Resort Wear” asks students to design a colorful resort wear apparel line that will include the use of sustainable fibers, dyes, or printing technology. Students should research color trends and define the target market keeping in mind color quality and sustainability.

The competition is open to all undergraduate and graduate students. Participants must be an AATCC student member to enter. AATCC memberships must be purchased prior to April 9, 2024, to be eligible. Only one entry per student per AATCC competition per year is permitted.

Awards

The first-place prize will be awarded $1,000 from AATCC, a $500 Spoonflower gift certificate and a Datacolor ColorReader. The second-place prize will be awarded $750 from AATCC, a $250 Spoonflower gift certificate and a Datacolor ColorReader. The third-place prize will be awarded $200 from AATCC, a $125 Spoonflower gift certificate and a Datacolor ColorReader. All winners will receive one (1) free year of AATCC membership.

Entries will be judged based on content, creativity, completeness, thoroughness, and presentation of poster. Winners will be announced by May 31, 2024.

Sponsors

The sponsors for the 2024 Concept 2 Consumer Design Competition are Spoonflower and Datacolor.

Visit www.aatcc.org/c2cdesign to read more about the competition.

Posted: December 13, 2023

Source: AATCC

X-Rite Digital Workflow Tools Help Brands Accurately Produce Pantone Color Of The Year 2024: PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — December 20, 2023 — X-Rite Inc. and Pantone LLC today announced that the official spectral color value for Pantone Color of the Year 2024: PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz is available in PantoneLIVE™, a cloud-based digital color standard ecosystem. As a result, consumer product companies can easily incorporate PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz into their digital workflows to accelerate the design to manufacturing process.

“Visually arresting and inviting, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz is a nurturing peach tone that inspires us to instinctively want to reach out and touch,” said Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute. “Presenting a fresh approach to a new softness, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz is an enveloping peach hue that awakens our senses to the comforting presence of tactility and cocooned warmth.”

“Digitizing color helps brands cut production time in half by getting to approved color faster and more efficiently while supporting sustainability efforts,” said Matthew Adby, Product Management director, X-Rite. “Using PantoneLIVE as part of a digital color workflow, brands can immediately start designing, communicating color standards, prototyping, and producing PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz across textiles, paint and coatings, and plastics.”

Incorporating PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz in Digital Production Workflows

A heartfelt peach hue whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz presents a fresh approach to a new softness. PantoneLIVE Production for Plastic, Coatings, and Textile makes it easy for brands, suppliers and manufacturing teams to immediately leverage the spectral data for PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz and other colors found in the Pantone Fashion, Home + Interiors (FHI) System and for the Pantone Matching System (PMS) for plastics and coatings.

Using the Textile Color Hub, brands can select a color from the PantoneLIVE library or measure physical samples using a spectrophotometer to create a Color Specification Document that includes spectral data, tolerances, and illuminant requirements. Suppliers can immediately begin color formulation and compare the results with the specified color. Suppliers then submit the best result through Textile Color Hub for digital approval by the brand.

Creating 3D Visualization & Digital Material Twins

Brands, designers, and suppliers can quickly and cost-effectively create virtual prototypes or digital material twins using X-Rite solutions. Using the PANTORA desktop application with X-Rite Ci7000 Series, MA-T12, or MetaVue VS3200 spectrophotometers, companies can digitally visualize color and appearance characteristics of fabrics, velvets, leathers, and meshes to expedite product development and reduce oversampling.

“PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz lends itself to textured materials you want to touch,” continued Adby. “However, a material’s texture and feel can significantly impact a final product’s color and appearance. X-Rite solutions help brands go beyond spectral data to digitize material appearance characteristics such as texture, weave, and shine. This enables companies to create accurate 3D renderings and digital prototypes to assess and control color virtually before producing physical samples.”

Posted: December 20, 2023

Source: X-Rite Inc. and Pantone LLC

Andrei Krés Appointed CFO Of Billerud

Andrei Krés, CFO Billerud

SOLNA, Sweden — December 20, 2023 — Andrei Krés has been appointed as the new CFO of Billerud. Krés has been the acting CFO since August 2023 and will assume the permanent role immediately.

Krés joined Billerud in 2011 and has since then held several different positions within the company including head of Group Treasury, vice president of Group Finance and since August 2023 as acting CFO.

“I am entirely confident that Andrei, with his strong financial profile and deep experience within the company, will contribute positively to our financial development as well as bring valuable expertise to the Group Management Team,” said Ivar Vatne, CEO and president of Billerud.

“It’s very gratifying and an honor to have been offered the role of CFO at Billerud. The combination of high-quality products with a strong focus on sustainability makes Billerud a leader in the packaging industry, and I look forward to continuing to develop the group together with Ivar and the team,” said Krés.

Posted: December 20, 2023

Source: Billerud AB

Allure Bridals Expands Powerhouse Portfolio With Strategic Acquisition Of Portia & Scarlett

International bridal designer, Allure Bridals, to foray into formalwear, acquiring prom and pageant force: Australia-based Portia & Scarlett

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — December 19, 2023 — Allure Bridals, the award-winning bridal brand renowned for its rich heritage in craftsmanship and design, is proud to announce the pivotal acquisition welcoming Portia & Scarlett, the Australia-based force behind innovative and provocative formalwear, into its family of brands.

As Allure Bridals assumes leadership of the Portia & Scarlett business, the union launches an exciting new venture into the prom and pageant space.  The acquisition ignites a shared pursuit to expand the brand’s global reach while continuing to foster the leading-edge designs behind it.

Founded in 2014, Portia & Scarlett rose to global acclaim for its stunning pageant looks and commitment to crafting stylish dresses with superior workmanship.  Today, the brand continues to prioritize and is celebrated for its designs that feature contemporary fabrics, trending color palettes, and expert construction, tailored for a broad range of sizes.  With over 2,000 styles sold in 47 countries worldwide, this acquisition further positions Portia & Scarlett for future growth as part of the Allure Bridals brand portfolio.

“Championing innovation and continual evolution is at the core of the mission for both brands,” said Kelly Crum, CEO. “This union marks a shared milestone, and seamlessly aligns with our mutual commitment to excellence in the bridal, formalwear and prom industries.  We look forward to expanding Portia & Scarlett’s global presence and reaching new heights together.”

On the heels of the debut of the Bridgerton Wedding Collection and continued growth of the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection, this strategic acquisition signals the next phase of growth, elevating the position of Portia & Scarlett and the Allure Bridals brand family.

Posted: December 19, 2023

Source: Allure Bridals

Indorama Ventures Continues To Be A Member Of The DJSI World And DJSI Emerging Markets

BANGKOK, Thailand — December 19, 2023 — Indorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd., a global sustainable chemical company, has been selected for inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for the fifth consecutive year and the Dow Jones Sustainability Emerging Markets Index (DJSI Emerging Markets) for the seventh year in a row. The continued inclusion reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability and robust ESG practices.

Indorama Ventures ranked in the 92nd percentile amongst 11 chemical companies eligible for listing out of 89 chemical companies invited, with a Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) Score of 73 out of 100. The score reflects the company’s best-in-class performance in innovation management, covering product innovation, process innovation, and open innovation, which involves collaborative research and development with external organizations such as customers, suppliers, brand owners, and academic institutions. It also recognizes the company’s achievements in decarbonization, climate change resiliency and adaptation, plastic waste management and recycling, corporate social responsibility, and contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Yash Lohia

Yash Lohia, chairman of the ESG Council at Indorama Ventures, stated: “We are honored to be included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for another year, reaffirming our leadership, excellence, and pioneering approaches to sustainability and innovation. Our dedication to addressing global challenges and contributing to a more circular future remains unwavering. This milestone underlines our purpose of reimagining chemistry together to create a better world.”

Posted: December 19, 2023

Source: Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF): Rheiazymes AG (Switzerland) Joins ITMF As Corporate Member

ZÜRICH, Switzerland — December 19, 2023 — With its proprietary molecular bio recycling technology, Rheiazymes provides biotech solutions for recycling of functional fabrics. Rheiazymes’ first industry application, YARN-TO-YARN® is a commitment to closing the recycling gap for synthetic yarn blends and functional textiles, through using natural enzymes.

Christian Schindler, director general of ITMF, stated: “It is important to welcome start-up companies like Rheiazymes as new members of ITMF as they bring new innovative ideas on how urgent challenges in the textile value chain could be solved. Recycling is a very important area where the industry is still looking for additional solutions that can be scaled up. Bringing well-established and forward-looking companies together with start-ups like Rheiazymes that are developing new solutions for pressing problems is an important function of ITMF. Only together and in a cooperative manner is it possible to develop sustainable and commercially viable solutions. Rheiazymes is working on groundbreaking solutions that are needed to transform our industry.”

Sandra Grimmer, CEO and co-founder, pointed out that “winning the ITMF Start-up Award 2023 increased our visibility on an international level and provided us with additional access to the global textile value chain. Seeing the concrete needs of the industry around the world when it comes to recycling and identifying the value-added of our solutions, is critical for our work. ITMF offers a unique international platform to engage with the global value chain.”

Posted: December 19, 2023

Source: The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)

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