ST. GALLEN, Switzerland — November 23, 2023 — We are excited to announce an important step in enhancing the bluesign® SYSTEM, continuing to provide leadership in building a better, more sustainable supply chain for all. For many years the primary source of verified bluesign APPROVED articles has been the bluesign GUIDE. Today we are simplifying access and introducing the public bluesign GUIDE.
What is new for the bluesign public GUIDE:
The public GUIDE is accessible to everyone. There is no registration or login required. We believe in making the information easily available, a rapid adoption of better materials can be achieved.
Increased visibility for your company, and your company’s products:
With the new public GUIDE, your company and products will enjoy increased exposure to both existing as well as potential new customers. It is an opportunity to showcase your commitment to sustainability, product, and supply chain integrity.
Directly shareable link(s) for enhanced company communications:
You can now integrate direct links within company communications to improve sharing sustainable achievements with your customers. It is an excellent way to broadcast your company’s commitment to sustainable business practices.
Seamless certification status checking, with QR Codes:
We understand the importance of quick and easy verification. Now, you can check your certification status effortlessly using QR codes. This feature ensures a swift and reliable process for both you and your customers.
Instantly up-to-date information for all:
In a constantly changing world of information, speed is key. The public GUIDE supercharges the delivery of information. Further – insights, perspectives and trends may be shared to keep you and your customers at the leading edge of sustainable knowledge.
A new platform for next-generation opportunities:
The release of the public GUIDE ‘kick-starts’ the opportunity to build the next generation of the CUBE & the GUIDE. This allows bluesign to move away from a simple verification tool to a dynamic and rich sustainable material sourcing experience. A first step is the launch of the GUIDE with a new digital surface.
We believe that the release of the public bluesign® GUIDE is an important milestone. If you have any questions or need assistance in exploring the new functions of features, our support team is here to help.
Thank you for being a valued partner on this journey.
MALMÖ, Sweden — November 23, 2023 — The Polygiene Group has launched a unique, plant-based antimicrobial technology for the textile market. Polygiene signed an exclusive distributor agreement with the French biotech company Proneem. The agreement runs for three years and gives Polygiene access to new, innovative technology that will complement their existing portfolio of odor control solutions.
The technology is based on a 100-percent biobased active ingredient, extracted from plant-based substances. The product is an excellent addition to Polygiene’s current silver-based solution and is in line with the movement in certain regions to look for metal-free antimicrobial additives. The active ingredient in this technology is based on a natural organic acid that is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. Through the development partnership with the French biotech company Proneem, Polygiene gains access to a unique, first-to-market product with global exclusivity in the Sports & Outdoor and Lifestyle & Fashion segments.
“For quite some time, we have been looking for a bio-based technology that meets all our tough quality requirements, which has not been easy. The collaboration with Proneem has proven to be a perfect match as we share the same vision and values,” said Ulrika Björk, CEO of Polygiene Group. “I believe that the launch of StayFreshBIO™ will be of great importance for the Company’s future development.”
“The collaboration with Polygiene Group gives us a very competent and innovative partner. As a market leader in its field, we are convinced that The Polygiene Group is the right partner for us,” said Nathalie Hagege, founder and CEO of Proneem. “The product is groundbreaking, 100-percent plant-based technology, and highly effective.”
The product will be available on the market from January 2024 and launched at ISPO, November 2023.
The Mimaki JV300-160 allowed Dino Zoli Textile to offer enhanced customization for its collections, handle specific design requests from architectural firms, as well as expand the company’s service offerings, significantly broadening its customer base.
TW Special Report
Dino Zoli Textile is a well-established Italian company specializing in the production and supply of a broad range of textile products. With a successful history of more than 50 years, it has been at the forefront of innovation, continually meeting the evolving demands of its diverse client base. The company’s partnership with Mimaki, a manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers, has allowed it to expand its product offerings and increase customisation, driving success in an ever-competitive market.
The Dino Zoli Journey
Founded in 1972, Dino Zoli Textile started as a furniture wholesaler in the Pesaro and Forlì area. Its initial offerings included more than just fabric for upholstered furniture. The company supplied everything the local furniture industry needed, from armchair feet to quilted velvet and even cardboard products for templates.
However, in the late 1980s, DinoZoli Textile made a strategic shift and decided to focus exclusively on producing and supplying fabric, leading to its current pure textiles specialization. The company’s continuous efforts to stay ahead of trends saw it capitalizing on microfiber, a cost-effective alternative to Alcantara, which was gaining recognition in the industry. Today, it continues to offer microfiber along with traditional natural and synthetic textiles.
Innovative Moves
Dino Zoli Textile is known for its proactive approach in finding and creating innovative products, manufacturing unique hybrid recycled leather and eco-leather products.
“According to the recent report ‘The future of Home 2030,’ the trends to watch out for in furniture, at least for the next decade, will all gravitate around the concept of the home-island: the home will increasingly become a multifunctional place in which to relax, play sports, read and enjoy infotainment, but also work,” explained Marco Zoli, CEO at Dino Zoli Textile. “Increasingly furniture made of antibacterial materials, such as copper and cork, will be in demand — we see huge opportunity for continued innovation.”
In an effort to cater to a diverse array of projects, Dino Zoli Textile established in-house design and production divisions. This setup allows them to deliver tailor-made services, ranging from contractual to off-the-shelf offerings.
Leveraging Mimaki’s advanced printing equipment — including Mimaki Tx300P-1800B and Tx300P-1800 MkII systems — has enabled Dino Zoli to reap the benefits of the digital printing technology, including more cost-effective short runs and faster turnarounds.
Partnering With Mimaki
To further its commitment to customization, Dino Zoli Textile invested in Mimaki printers, beginning with the JV300-160. This move allowed it to offer enhanced customization for their collections and specific design requests from architectural firms. The plotters have expanded Dino Zoli’s service offerings, significantly broadening its customer base.
Initially, the plotters were used for transfer printing, primarily for synthetic fabrics. However, Dino Zoli Textile later transitioned to direct printing using pigment inks for natural materials.
Dino Zoli expanded its capacity with the addition of Tx300P-1800B and Tx300P-1800 MkII systems. Featuring a belt system enabling to print with high quality and precision even on more complex fabrics with low tensile stability, the Tx300P-1800B proved to be an ideal solution to further enhance Dino Zoli Texile’s know-how and R&D activities. Equally strategic, the Tx300P-1800 MkII printer is capable of both direct-to-textile and transfer printing, making it very useful for companies looking to drive innovative applications. Its interchangeable print platen and three different dual ink combinations lend it unprecedented flexibility within a single system, enabling Dino Zoli Textile to push the boundaries of textile design and production.
This innovation from Mimaki has allowed Dino Zoli to reap the benefits of digital print technology, which includes more cost-effective short runs and faster turnarounds. These advantages, which are not achievable with traditional analogue print methods, have transformed the way Dino Zoli operates. The technology has proven especially useful for sampling, allowing the company to trial new ideas and products with lower financial risk.
Harnessing Flexibility For Innovation
The Mimaki Tx300P-1800 MkII’s versatility extends beyond its printing capabilities. It can handle an impressive range of fabrics, thanks to its design as a hybrid printer. Whether Dino Zoli is producing synthetic textiles or working with natural fibers, the Mimaki Tx300P-1800 MkII rises to the occasion, producing high-quality prints every time.
Furthermore, the Mimaki Tx300P-1800 MkII stands alone in the textile printing market with its unique ability to switch from direct printing to sublimation paper printing. By installing an easy-to-click vacuum platen, Dino Zoli can adapt its printing method according to the task at hand, giving it an edge over competitors.
Despite its high-performance capabilities, the Mimaki Tx300P-1800 MkII remains user-friendly, featuring a high head gap for accurate dot placement, even when operating at a higher print head gap. This function, designed for a broad range of materials and applications, allows Dino Zoli to produce an array of products, from fashion apparel and interior fabrics to sports apparel and soft signage. This wide production range ensures the company can cater to diverse customer needs, enhancing its reputation as a one-stop textile solution.
While this investment was timely, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in this proposal remaining a niche offering due to difficult trading conditions.
One of Dino Zoli’s latest textile collections showcased at the company’s booth at Heimtextil 2023 in Frankfurt
Expanding Horizons
Despite these challenges, Dino Zoli Textile continues to innovate and expand its offerings. The company keeps turning its radars toward technology innovations that can enable them to cater to even more diverse customer needs.
The company has not stood still on the investment front either: the management recently decided to install a new printer from Mimaki. Working alongside the JV300-160, the TS330-1600, a dye-sublimation inkjet printer, has been chosen with the aim of helping increase productivity with the high-quality standards Dino Zoli Textile has been renowned for since its outset.
Beyond its core upholstered furniture business, Dino Zoli Textile collaborates with architectural firms to provide turnkey solutions for hotels, restaurants, and public places. The client base includes furniture manufacturers, upholsterers for household accessories to bed frames, cushion makers, and architectural and design studios.
Dedication to Research & Development
Dino Zoli Textile’s commitment to innovation is evident in its allocation of resources, with nearly 30 percent of turnover invested in research and development. These investments have resulted in products like soundproof panels that can be printed in-house. Distributors have found success in proposing these products at recent trade fairs.
Moreover, the company’s commitment to sustainability is seen across the company’s operations.
Zoli commented: “We use water-based pigment inks because in our policy there is and always will be more environmental awareness. We have come out this year with a GRS (Global Recycle Standard)-certified product, which we have chosen to produce in the microfiber area, since we are very well known for microfiber at an international level. We were the first company to produce a fully GRS-certified product using recycled polyester. From this starting point, we expect 90 percent of our future products to adhere to these environmental standards, because we are strongly oriented towards the use of recycled fibers and we are also trying to get to the certification of total recyclability of the product to fully close the circle.”
Looking To The Future
In its five decades of operation, Dino Zoli Textile has proven its resilience and capability to adapt and innovate. Despite the challenges brought on by the global pandemic, they remain steadfast, maintaining their sales network and receiving positive feedback from the last three important trade events they attended.
The company’s commitment to human relationships and product reliability, coupled with the power of Mimaki’s technology, position them for continued success in the textile industry.
TOKYO — November 22, 2023 — Teijin Frontier Co. Ltd., the Teijin Group’s fibers and products converting company, today announced the development of Microft™AR, a seamless knitwear for outdoor sports, featuring warmth that gently envelops and innovative stress-free comfort combined with a high functionality. The innovative clothing is made of a bulky fancy yarn using Teijin Frontier’s newly-developed high-performance polyester filament.
Microft AR uses highly crimped (*1) DELTAPEAk™ processed yarn as the core to create a high density loop structure to provide favorable raising and bulky heat-insulating performance while preventing fibers from falling off. Also, Teijin Frontier’s proprietary polyester filament is used for pile to provide various functionalities. Low gauge seamless knitwear (*2) made of the fancy yarn enables Microft AR to offer unique sense of fit such as stress-free and soft, lightweight, and warmth that gently envelops with wear comfortability such as sweat-absorbency and quick-drying, high breathability.
Also, it can be compactly foldable in small-size. Furthermore, Microft AR is an environmentally compatible product as it is made of 100-percent recycled polyester and features limited appearance changes after repeated washing and wearing, long-term use, and a reduced amount of falling-off fibers that are degraded to microplastics.
Recently, outdoor clothing and sportswear are required to have a premium look and feel, further wear comfortability (high water-absorbent/quick-drying and stress-free properties), and eco-friendliness are desired in addition to excellent heat retaining property. Light and thermal fleece materials are popular, nevertheless, it has some issues such as poor sweat-absorbent and quick-drying functions, bulkiness and appearance change after washing and wearing due to brushed fabrics.
Teijin Frontier focused on the structure of chenille yarn (*3) to assure heat retention and functionality without brushing. However, conventional chenille yarns have been mainly used for fashionable clothing with the focus on textures such as soft feeling and airy appearance, lacking the functionality required for outdoor uses.
Article characteristics of Microft™ AR
Function
Feature
Comfortability
Excellent heat-insulating performance
– Light, soft, and thermal comfort thanks to super bulky raised structure of special bulky fancy yarn
Comfortable to wear
– Stress-free wearing comfort due to no seams
– Comfortable fit thanks to low gauge bulky knit structure and stretch
Functional comfortability
– Excellent sweat-absorbent/quick-drying performance thanks to non-brushed structure
– Prevention of sweaty feeling through high breathability
– Functional combination (e.g., antibacterial deodorant) by using various special original yarns for pile
Other
– Compactly foldable small-size
Environmental response
Microplastic countermeasure
– Reduction of falling off of fibers during washing thanks to special high-density fancy yarn structure
Recycling
– Made of 100% recycled materials
Wearability
– Capable of long-term use with little morphological change such as pilling (*4) even after wearing and washing
Teijin Frontier will begin promoting Microft™AR for the 2025 autumn and winter outdoor clothing and sportswear collections, thereafter, expanding globally for functional clothes such as casual wear and uniforms. It expects Microft™AR sales to reach 100,000 pieces during fiscal 2026.
(*1) Highly crimped fiber: Crimped fiber that offer high bulkiness, elasticity, and stretchability.
(*2) Low gauge: Knitting coarsely with thick yarn.
(*3) Chenille yarn: Fancy yarn consists of core threads, pile, etc. Knitwear created with chenille yarn is generally considered high-pile and good in touch.
(*4) Hairballs generated on the surface of clothes due to friction during wearing
NEW YORK CITY — November 20, 2023 — Clean Solutions Group (CSG), a provider of environmentally responsible nonwoven filtration media and cleaning products, backed by Branford Castle Partners, LP, a New York City- and Florida-based private equity firm, today announced the acquisition of HDK Industries. HDK is a producer of wire back and self-supporting media for air filtration, liquid filtration and specialty medical materials. The HDK Industries brand will be consolidated into the Fibrix Filtration brand managed by the holding company CSG, led by Keith White, CEO, and JR Baccus, president.
“Improving indoor air quality has become a key health and safety initiative in this post-pandemic era,” White said. “The combination of CSG’s and HDK’s proprietary products and technologies creates a truly differentiated product offering for the expansive market of innovative clean solutions using environmentally sustainable practices. We are excited to welcome the talented team at HDK into our organization and look forward to working together as we create A Cleaner Way Forward™.”
“We are enthusiastic to be joining forces with CSG,” commented Scott Keeler, HDK’s general manager. “The combination of these two great companies makes us stronger, more adaptable and better positioned to leverage our resources for sustainable, future growth.”
“We’re proud to support a company dedicated to developing solutions for a cleaner, more sustainable environment,” said Ceon Francis, managing director at Branford Castle Partners. “Under the experienced leadership of Keith White and his team, we are confident CSG will continue growing strategically, both organically and through acquisitions, in this dynamic and expanding market.”
Akerman LLP provided legal advisory services and WhiteHorse Capital provided financing for this transaction. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
ASHBURN, Va. — November 21, 2023 — DXC Technology, a Fortune 500 global technology services provider, today announced it has signed a contract with HanesBrands, a global supplier of iconic apparel brands to evolve and digitalize the work experience of its thousands of associates around the world.
In a five-year deal, HanesBrands will utilize DXC’s Modern Workplace solutions to build a digital workplace environment based on ServiceNow and DXC UPTime™ Device Management technologies.
An extension of the two organizations’ existing multi-year, global partnership, the new agreement will support the continued transformation of the mission-critical systems underpinning HanesBrands’ business operations spanning 32 countries. It will empower HanesBrands’ associates to collaborate more effectively across business regions, enhancing productivity, connectivity, and efficiency.
The new solution includes DXC UPTime, an Experience Platform that provides a consumer-like, user friendly platform providing a friction free experience generating significant annual savings for support services.
“Our investments in the latest technology, such as automation and AI, are generating increased efficiencies, driving business growth globally, and enabling us to be a digital and data driven enterprise,” said Subra Goparaju, Chief Information Officer at HanesBrands. “With 51,000 associates around the world, efficient global employee collaboration is pivotal to achieving success. Using the latest digital platforms from DXC and its partners such as ServiceNow, we will empower our associates to work together more effectively and deliver the maximum value for customers.”
As a ServiceNow Global Elite Partner, over 2,000 certified ServiceNow experts make up DXC’s ServiceNow practice which manages over 7,000 implementations for more than 400 customers globally.
“Our workplace solutions enable the world’s leading organizations to optimize services for customers, colleagues and partners,” said Andrew Wilson, Global Lead, Modern Workplace at DXC Technology. “With HanesBrands, we are working together to modernize its operations and centralize its IT support model to help employees access the services they need, when they need them, improving their experience and allowing them to stay focused on their work rather than IT.”
ROCKFORD, Mich. — November 21, 2023 — Wolverine Boots and Apparel, the 140-year-old boot maker, has made the strategic decision to license its sock business exclusively to Renfro Brands. Wolverine sites the ever-evolving consumer, industry, and retail landscape as their main decision driver.
“To better service the needs of our retailer partners and consumers, the decision to partner with Renfro reinforces our prioritization of the sock category,” said Tom Kennedy, president of Wolverine Boots and Wolverine Worldwide’s Work Group. “Wolverine, in partnership with Renfro, is focused on providing the highest quality products in the industry in order to elevate our commitment to comfort and durability.”
Renfro Brands has been a sock industry leader for more than 100 years and has pioneered some of the most important innovations in sock manufacturing. By joining forces, Wolverine will gain access to Renfro’s expertise in sock manufacturing, giving Wolverine the ability to provide a wide range of socks that help men and women get the job done.
“We’re thrilled to expand our portfolio with the addition of Wolverine,” says Kevin Venable, Senior Brand Director at Renfro Brands. “This strategic collaboration of two market leading brands allows for both companies to bring forth innovative solutions that cater to the evolving needs of consumers and retailers.”
Wolverine socks produced by Renfro will be in market in January 2024 and will be available at retailers nationwide as well as Wolverine.com.
HeiQ Skin Care transforms the human’s largest organ into the best-looking one
ZÜRICH — November 20, 2023 — HeiQ introduces a 100-percent biobased and long-lasting cosmetic finishing technology for textiles to the market. The newest addition to the HeiQ portfolio harnesses the power of active probiotics and selected prebiotics to enhance the skin microbiome, turning the human’s largest organ into the best-looking one.
HeiQ, a global supplier of textile innovation, is proud to announce the launch of HeiQ Skin Care technology for next-to-skin apparel and home textiles. This revolutionary proprietary technology, 100-percent biobased and meticulously designed, marks a significant advancement in textile innovation.
HeiQ Skin Care releases active probiotics for a balanced skin microbiome
HeiQ Skin Care is a synbiotic textile finish aimed at providing a balanced microbiome for glowing skin, even after repeated use and washing of textiles. Unlike conventional products, HeiQ Skin Care utilizes slow-release prebiotics and probiotics seamlessly integrated into a biobased textile matrix, enriching the skin’s microbiome diversity, and offering long-lasting cosmetic benefits.
The synergistic combination of prebiotics and probiotics, known as synbiotics, delivers a soothing cosmetic skin treatment while we relax, work, or sleep. Probiotics not only restore and improve the skin’s natural balance but also enhance its self-repair capabilities. Synbiotics promote skin renewal, rebalancing, and improved appearance, reducing the signs of aging and establishing a favorable environment for the skin’s natural repair mechanisms.
“HeiQ Skin Care represents a leap forward in textile innovation, combining the power of probiotics and prebiotics to enhance skin microbiome and overall skin appearance. It is another way of delivering our promise of improving the lives of billions, which is at the core of everything we do at HeiQ”, says Mike Abbott, Head of HeiQ Textiles & Flooring Business Unit. “Our technology is a testament to HeiQ’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what textiles can achieve, and we are excited to showcase it at ISPO Munich 2023.”
A second skin that takes care of the first
Our skin, the largest organ in human body, is home to a diverse community of microorganisms called the skin microbiome. It plays a crucial role in maintaining good skin condition, acting as a protective barrier against harmful agents. However, various factors, such as hormones, genes, diet, smoking, environmental exposures, and excessive UV radiation, can disrupt its balance, leading to skin conditions like rashes, acne, psoriasis, rosacea, skin irritation, redness, eczema, and odor. Maintaining a balanced skin microbiome is essential for preserving skin integrity.
HeiQ Skin Care is suitable for all textile fibers, both natural and synthetic, and can be applied to all textile items that come in direct contact with the skin. This versatility makes it an ideal choice for daily use- at work, during sports, leisure activities, or as bedding items like bed sheets and pillows.
Intensive wear trials conducted during the development stage have proven the consistent release of synbiotics (prebiotics and probiotics) onto the skin, creating conditions to foster a well-balanced microbiome.
Visit HeiQ at ISPO Munich 2023 to experience the future of wearable skincare through textiles. Discover how HeiQ Skin Care is set to redefine the way of thinking about textile innovation and well-being. Meet HeiQ in Hall C1 – Booth 501, in München Messe, Germany, on 28-30 November.
Michael Canario, Qarbon Aerospace CEO Photo: Business Wire
RED OAK, Texas — November 20, 2023 — Qarbon Aerospace, Inc., a manufacturer specializing in medium to large complex composite components and assemblies, is proud to announce a significant leadership transition. Effective November 6, 2023, Qarbon Aerospace welcomed Michael Canario as the new CEO, marking a strategic move to propel the Company into a new phase of growth and innovation. This announcement follows the departure of Pete Wick, who stepped down after years of dedicated service. Qarbon expresses heartfelt appreciation for Wick’s invaluable contributions that have significantly shaped Qarbon Aerospace’s remarkable journey.
With an impressive 35-year career in aerospace, defense, and advanced materials, Canario brings extensive experience and a diverse background in operations, finance, sales, and marketing to his role. His remarkable industry journey includes serving on the Qarbon Board of Directors and holding key leadership positions, such as president and CEO of Norsk Titanium — a global leader in metal 3D printing — and president of Aerospace, Americas at Hexcel Corp., a world-renowned leader in advanced composites.
During his tenure at Norsk Titanium, Canario successfully led the organization through the initiation of serial production of qualified structural titanium components, culminating in a successful IPO. At Hexcel Corp., he oversaw an organization of more than 3,000 employees across eight facilities, specializing in the manufacturing of aerostructures and composite materials.
“I’m excited to join a company that traces its history over 100 years to the Chief Engineer of the Wright Company, Chance Vought. Qarbon Aerospace has impressive assets, great customers and truly outstanding employees,” said Mr. Canario. “I believe the company is uniquely positioned to grow its Aerostructures business globally.”
The decision to appoint Canario as the new CEO underscores Qarbon Aerospace’s commitment to advancing the robust foundation built over the last three years. His prior involvement on the Qarbon Board of Directors has provided him with a thorough understanding of the company’s capabilities and opportunities. Canario’s appointment aligns seamlessly with the company’s mission, reaffirming belief in both present and future growth potential. As Qarbon Aerospace embraces this transformative change, the company emphasizes its lasting commitment to operational excellence and determination to remain a leader in advancing composite structures within the aerospace industry.
The LYCRA Company announces industry veteran Gary Smith as new chief executive officer. Photo: Business Wire
WILMINGTON, Del. — November 20, 2023 — The LYCRA Co., a global developer of innovative and sustainable fiber and technology solutions for the apparel and personal care industries, announced today that Gary Smith has been appointed CEO, effective November 27, 2023.
Smith will replace Dean Williams who has served as acting CEO since August. Williams will continue in his role as CFO and assist with the transition. Smith will be responsible for The LYCRA Co.’s global organization and will report to the company’s board of directors.
Smith is an accomplished business leader with over 25 years of experience in the consumer products industry, with a focus on brand-driven commercial strategy, operational transformation and global expansion. Most recently, Smith held the position of CEO at Hatteras Yachts Inc., a custom motor and sports fishing yacht company, leading a successful turnaround and subsequent sale of the company. As CEO of Polartec, he spearheaded transformation efforts that set the textile company on a path to success. He also previously served as president of the Outdoor Group at The Timberland Co.
“Gary is a proven CEO with deep brand experience and knowledge of our industry, along with a long history of successfully growing companies and creating shareholder value,” said Craig Rogerson, executive chairman of The LYCRA Co. “We are confident that his leadership will help us accelerate our long-term growth plans.”
“I am excited to join The LYCRA Company with its portfolio of world-class brands, pre-eminent market position, and history of innovation,” said Smith. “I look forward to leading this incredible organization and working collaboratively to build upon its foundational success.”