The National Retail Federation (NRF): Import Cargo Peak Came Later Than Expected As Volume Kept Growing

WASHINGTON — December 8, 2023 — Inbound cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports should continue to slow in the final weeks of 2023 after reaching its peak later than expected this fall, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“We originally thought peak season would come in August but imports kept growing in September and again in October,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Whether it was merchandise for retailers or cargo for other businesses, that’s a good sign for the economy and for the holiday shopping season. NRF expects record-setting holiday sales this year and retailers are well-stocked to meet consumer demand.”

NRF is forecasting that 2023 holiday sales will increase between 3 and 4 percent over last year, in line with pre-pandemic growth rates, and will hit a record-setting total between $957.3 billion and $966.6 billion.

“The U.S. economy appears to be on a sustainable growth path as consumer demand remains buoyant,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said, noting solid Black Friday weekend sales, strong corporate profits and continued growth of gross domestic product. “It would be natural to assume that any thought of a recession is behind us, but a significant number of economists and politicians remain skeptical. As always, time will tell.”

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled a higher-than-expected 2.05 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units – one 20-foot container or its equivalent – in October, the latest month for which final numbers are available. That was up 1.3 percent from September and up 2.5 percent from October 2022 for the first year-over-year increase since June 2022.

By topping September’s 2.03 million TEU, October should turn out to be the peak of the holiday shipping season. With 1.96 million TEU, August had originally been expected to be the peak month. The peak historically came in October but has occurred in August or sooner for seven of the past 10 years after a series of port labor disputes prompted retailers to bring merchandise into the country early to avoid potential disruptions near the holidays. 2020 was the most recent year that shipping peaked in October.

Ports have not yet reported November numbers, but Global Port Tracker projected the month at 1.96 million TEU, up 10.5 percent year over year. December is forecast at 1.93 million TEU, up 11.5 percent year over year.

Those numbers would bring 2023 to 22.4 million TEU, down 12.4 percent from last year. Imports during 2022 totaled 25.5 million TEU, down 1.2 percent from the annual record of 25.8 million TEU set in 2021.

Year-over-year volume growth each month is expected to continue in 2024, with January forecast at 1.93 million TEU, up 6.6 percent year over year. February — historically the slowest month because of Lunar New Year factory shutdowns in Asia — is forecast at 1.77 million TEU, up 14.5 percent year-over-year. March is forecast at 1.75 million TEU, up 7.7 percent year-over-year, and April at 1.8 million TEU, up 1 percent.

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by Hackett Associates, provides historical data and forecasts for the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at NRF.com/PortTracker

Posted: December 10, 2023

Source: The National Retail Federation (NRF)

 

 

The VDMA Textile Machinery Association: Young Engineers Honoured In Dresden

Award winners with foundation chairman, foundation MD and professors – Photo TU Dresden

FRANKFURT, Germany — December 7, 2023 — As part of the Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference in Dresden, the Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation of the VDMA, Peter D. Dornier, presented awards to four successful young engineers. Two promotion prizes and two sustainability prizes were awarded in the Bachelor and Diploma/Master categories. Academic works in which solutions for resource-saving products and technologies are developed are eligible for the sustainability prizes.

A sustainability prize worth 3,000 euros in the Bachelor’s category was awarded to Franziska Jauch, Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, for her Bachelor’s thesis on pigment digital printing in denim production.

The promotion prize in the Bachelor’s category, also worth 3,000 euros, went to Annika Datko, RWTH Aachen, for her work on determining the polyester content in used textiles.

Dave Kersevan, TU Dresden, was honored with a sustainability prize in the Diploma/Master’s category, endowed with 3,500 euros. The subject of his thesis was the development of a laboratory system for the production of needled carbon preforms.

This year’s promotion award in the Diploma/Master’s category, endowed with prize money of 3,500 euros, went to Flávio Diniz from RWTH Aachen. The subject of his Master’s thesis was the feasibility of manufacturing ultra-thin carbon fibres.

The award ceremony 2024 will take place in April at the VDMA stand at the Techtextil fair in Frankfurt.

Posted: December 10, 2023

Source: The VDMA Textile Machinery Association

Accelerating Circularity Receives $1.5 Million From The Walmart Foundation To Build Circular Systems

CAMPBELL HALL, N.Y. — December 7, 2023 — Accelerating Circularity’s mission is to catalyze new circular supply chains and business models to turn used textiles into mainstream raw materials. The organization believes that used textiles are “Too Good to Waste™” and the environmental impact of millions of tons of waste generation is too big to endure.

To date, through a previous grant from the Walmart Foundation awarded in 2021, ACP has done extensive work to demonstrate that textile to textile recycling is possible. ACP advanced a methodology that:

  • Mapped existing systems and identified gaps.
  • Modeled new circular supply chain systems for textile-to-textile supply networks.
  • Linked the newly identified supply chain systems to build markets.
  • Piloted trials at scalable levels to demonstrate textile-to-textile recycling in the US & Europe.
  • Developed Tools to facilitate future trials and expedite circular systems – e.g. Playbook “how to guide.”

This new grant is intended to build on earlier success and learnings with a three-pronged approach to continue to demonstrate the technical feasibility of textile-to-textile recycling systems.

The objectives include:

  • Tool Development based on the who/what/where/when/how identified in the Textile Waste Hierarchy to allow users to optimize the flow of used textiles through channels that have the highest circular potential or GHG reduction benefits.
  • Build Markets through commercialization of circular textile-to-textile recycling at standard production scale volumes for circular materials; development of additional circular fibers, yarns, and fabrics; and including strategic new geographies to establish sustainable circular supply chains that include all of North and Central America
  • Educate and engage brands/retailers and institutions on responsible disposal pathways for used textiles to reduce the amount of used textile moving through landfills.

“We are fortunate to have the support of the Walmart Foundation to do this next level of work and move closer to realizing our vision of a world in which textiles are no longer wasted,” said Karla Magruder, founder, and president of Accelerating Circularity. “We aim to broaden our engagement as we continue to build the business case for circularity and invite new industry collaborators to join us in this endeavor.”

To join ACP in testing the feasibility of scaling circular systems and building markets, please contact us at info@acceleratingcircularity.org.

To learn about tools like the Playbook, Reality Zone Directory, ACTR definitions, or Textile-to-Textile Primer, etc go to www.acceleratingcircularity.com/tools

Posted: December 7, 2023

Source: Accelerating Circularity

Orion S.A. Leads Industry With Four Carbon Black Plants Awarded International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS)

HOUSTON — December 7, 2023 — Orion S.A., a specialty chemicals producer, announced today a fourth plant has earned International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS). The company now leads its industry with the number of certified carbon black production sites.

Orion’s facility in Cologne, Germany, was the company’s latest plant to pass extensive audits confirming the site’s compliance with rigorous ISCC PLUS sustainability requirements. The plant was certified for producing circular and bio-circular raw materials.

“Orion has long been a leading innovator developing circular solutions and sustainable products for customers,” Orion CEO Corning Painter said. “ISCC PLUS verifies the transparency and traceability of sustainable raw materials in our value chain. It also shows our dedication to sustainability.”

Last year, Orion was the first to achieve ISCC PLUS for multiple carbon black grades made from different feedstocks at plants in two regions of the world. The facilities were in Borger, Texas; Belpre, Ohio; and Jaslo, Poland. The three facilities were recertified this year.

“In addition to recognizing the sustainable grades for rubber applications produced in the three plants, the certification of our Cologne plant is an important milestone for Orion’s sustainability efforts because the facility produces a wide variety of specialty products for several applications, including batteries, coatings, printing and polymers,” Painter said.

A decade ago, Orion was the first major producer to develop and commercialize carbon black made from renewable feedstocks, such as industrial-grade vegetable oils or other oils derived from waste and residues of biological origin from agriculture or forestry.

Orion is also the only carbon black producer in the BlackCycle initiative, an EU-funded project focused on developing the production of circular carbon black.

The ISCC PLUS certification is granted by the Cologne-based ISCC Association, which promotes the sustainable production of biomass, circular and bio-based materials and renewables.

Posted: December 7, 2023

Source: Orion S.A.

Helping Revitalize U.S. Manufacturing: America’s Cutting Edge Celebrates Three Years

Adonis Summerville of Chicago is one of 7,000 people across the U.S. who has successfully engaged in America’s Cutting Edge no-cost, online CNC machine tool training since the program launched in December 2020.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — December 7, 2023 — On Dec. 7, 2020, University of Tennessee (UT) professor Tony Schmitz took a bold step in helping revitalize U.S. manufacturing.

That’s the day he launched America’s Cutting Edge’s (ACE) successful online training program.

The goals: Inspire young people about jobs in manufacturing, kickstart careers with machining training and help others further develop their skillsets. The program has grown to certify participants in CNC machining, metrology, composites and cybersecurity.

ACE now celebrates its third anniversary. Its growth has been through the support of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program. The workforce training initiative is managed by the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) and combines advanced training tools and techniques from UT and the scientific expertise of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“When I launched this program, I did it in a very organic way,” said Schmitz. “I made a list of all the people I knew in the machine tool industry, and I emailed every one of them individually and said, ‘Hey, could you take a look at this content, see if it’s relevant?'”

From there, the conception of the online machine tool course became a reality – the no-cost course was released to the public. Despite the coronavirus pandemic gripping our world, droves of people — from high school and college engineering students to entrepreneurs and workers deep into machine tool careers — flocked to ACE and provided it a generous tailwind that helped drive the program forward.

Online ACE alums soon thereafter gathered for weeklong in-person bootcamps. Those bootcamps got their start at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, before spreading to more than 25 machine tool training centers across the United States.

Lives quickly began to change

“I was interested in machining as a possible career path,” said Chris Shaffer. “But I wasn’t completely sure because I hadn’t had much hands-on experience. The ACE program was a huge part in helping me determine this is something I wanted to do for a living. I couldn’t find too many other things where I felt that at home.”

“The online course was completely new information for me. I hadn’t seen anything like it before, but they walked through the process of machining clearly,” said Neeki Meshkat. “Then the in-person training was the perfect way to give hands-on experience for even a novice like me. They weren’t just machining something in front of you but letting you do it yourself. That makes a huge difference in learning something.”

These are just two of the many success stories coming out of ACE.

As the benefits of ACE became more recognized, the program became more popular.  Coincidentally, ACE online training started on a seven — December 7 — and has now hit other lucky sevens.

“The fact that it’s exceeded 7,000 online participants for the ACE program and 700 in-person participants is wildly satisfying,” Schmitz said. In fact, this week marks 36 months of consecutive growth for the successful program.

Of those 7,000, nearly 6,000 from all 50 states have come from the machine tool course. Metrology is pushing 1,000, with the rest of the numbers coming from a few hundred combined between composites and cybersecurity.

While the growth has been remarkable to witness, Schmitz says there’s still new heights to ascend.

“When I started the program, I stated that my goal was to reach 10,000 online participants, and that’s where we’re headed,” he said.

As ACE looks toward the future, great prospects are on the horizon. More locations and bootcamps are being added. In-person bootcamps are being configured for ACE metrology and composites. Videos in Spanish are being developed.

With all these underway and new ACE partnerships continuing to come online, the impact on United States manufacturing will be immeasurable.

“It is inspiring to see how this program has grown,” said Joannie Harmon, IACMI workforce vice president. “But it’s even more inspiring when you realize these growing numbers represent people – people that are scaling up their abilities and contributing to workforce manufacturing needs in our nation.”

“For many, ACE bootcamps are their first chance to run these machines,” said Adele Ratcliff, director of MCEIP’s Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) office, which supports ACE. “I’m confident that by expanding opportunities to engage in that process, more people in this next generation will be inspired to come into manufacturing and machining.

“I believe the more people we can expose to this curriculum, the better chance we have of growing the country’s machine tool capabilities from the ground up to what we had several decades ago,” said Schmitz said. “I am passionate about seeing the U.S. machine tool industry being at the top of the food chain again.”

Are you ready to join the thousands who have sharpened their skillsets with ACE? See ACE in action:

Then register online at https://www.americascuttingedge.org/  to advance your career now!

Posted: December 7, 2023

Source: IACMI – The Composites Institute

ULTRAFABRICS + PANTONE Collaborate On Pantone Color Of The Year 2024

NEW YORK CITY — December 7, 2023 — Ultrafabrics is delighted to announce its partnership for the second year with Pantone for the annual Pantone Color of the Year announcement with a bold vision of how color can transform environments and encourage personal connection, and have brought that to life through a beautifully rendered dreamscape.

Both Ultrafabrics and Pantone’s Color of the Year are celebrating their 25th anniversaries in 2024, and this year’s announcement embodies the creativity and possibility of the year to come. Pantone has long set the global benchmark for color trends and Ultrafabrics has made equal strides as the top performance fabric brand across 11 markets around the world, including partnerships with brands such as MillerKnoll, Fitbit, Jaguar Land Rover, and Virgin

Galactic. Both iconic brands are celebrating a quarter century of inspiration and innovation, with bold sights on a long and inventive future.

For the Pantone Color of the Year 2024 PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz, Ultrafabrics engaged Belgium-based WeWantMore Studio to design and develop visual concepts that show the warm, tactile peach color in all its glory. Nestled between pink and orange, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz is a velvety gentle peach whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body and soul. Using AI as a tool, WeWantMore created this powerful image of a dainty bird perched in its home — a nest made out of Ultrafabrics — surrounded by a dreamscape of flowers. It embodies the very essence of PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz, which brings tactility, comfort, and warmth.

Nicole Meier, Director of Branding at Ultrafabrics, says, “As Ultrafabrics celebrates its quarter century as a successful business, we are thrilled to be working with Pantone for the Pantone Color of the Year 2024 as the expert in the interior environment. PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz is everything that our fabric is about: haptics, warmth, and comfort. This color, and its meaning, could not be more perfect for us this year.”

Barry Silverman, vice president of Marketing and Branding at Ultrafabrics, said: “We achieved so much success with our brand partnership last year, inspiring specifiers and designers in every market we serve. This coming year, while celebrating both the brands’ mutual milestones, we will continue to explore the intersection of color, culture, and emerging technology that will engage our audience.”

“The Pantone Color of the Year 2024 in its essence fosters community and collaboration. We are excited to continue our work with industry leader Ultrafabrics to explore the application of the Pantone Color of the Year 2024 in the interior design world and beyond,” says Elley Cheng, vice president and general manager of Pantone.”

Ultrafabrics will deepen its collaboration throughout 2024 with ‘The Nest’, a series of global, interactive events. Sharing their expertise on how the Pantone Color of the Year can be implemented in almost any type of space, this offering will also include exclusive palettes incorporating a Pantone Color of the Year inspired shade that can be custom-developed across the Ultrafabrics’ collection range. Together, the brands will inspire designers with new ways to approach and utilize any color in their work.

Ultrafabrics’ 25th year of business promises to be a peachy year indeed

Posted: December 7, 2023

Source: Ultrafabrics

EURATEX Welcomes The Unanimous Approval And Adoption Of The Modernized PanEuroMed Rules Of Origin

BRUSSELS — December 7, 2023 — EURATEX welcomes the unanimous vote in support of the new rules of origin under the PEM Convention, as a historic achievement. Facilitating trade and investments in the “PanEuroMed” region — covering 27 EU member states and 24 partner countries in the neighborhood region1 — is top priority region for the EU, as trade with these countries accounted for 677 billion euros in 2023. For the EU textile and clothing sector, the region represents 35 percent of its exports and 21 percent of its imports.

In 2013, the European Commission adopted a package of proposals aimed at increasing trade between the European Union and neighboring countries in the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) region. The proposal introduced modernized rules of origin of the PEM convention, lifting the prohibition of duty-drawback and introducing the principle of “full cumulation”.

Today, after ten years of intense negotiations which EURATEX supported, the European Commission reached a full and final agreement with all PEM partners. This is a landmark achievement that will unlock the full potential of the Euro-Mediterranean area as the biggest and most integrated region of advanced manufacturing and trading of sustainable textiles and clothing. The rules adopted today will accelerate the integration of T&C supply chains and boost T&C production and trade within the region, both in the East and Southern borders of the EU. In a moment when companies are looking at moving their production from Asia to nearby, like-minded and more reliable countries , it is very timely to have the PEM Convention implemented.

EURATEX’s President Alberto Paccanelli commented: “This is a strategic trade deal that can help European companies recover from the multiple crisis which we face since 2020”. He continued “We call on the European Union to not stop here, but keep up the efforts to secure trade deals that are good for European companies and their competitive position in the world. The next objective should be the adoption of the EU-Mercosur Agreement and a conclusive settlement of all trade disputes with the United States”.

According to Director General Dirk Vantyghem: “Today’s unanimous vote in favour of the modernised PEM rules is good news for our industry.. We should now engage with these partner countries to fully exploit the potential of these new rules. EURATEX is ready to engage in an industrial dialogue with the companies from the PEM Countries to facilitate their transition to the new framework”.

1 The PanEuroMed contracting parties are: the EU, the EFTA States (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), the Faroe Islands, the participants in the Barcelona Process (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the territories of West Bank and Gaza, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey), the participants in the EU’s Stabilisation and Association Process (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo), the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine.

Posted: December 7, 2023

Source: EURATEX

Discover 3M’s Masterclass On Circularity From ISPO Munich

MUNICH, Germany — December 7, 2023 — 3M sponsored the annual ISPO Academy Masterclass held from Sunday, November 26 to Wednesday, November 29 at ISPO Munich. Since its successful launch at ISPO Munich 2016, the Masterclass is part of the world’s largest sports trade show. The Masterclass, founded and guided by the renowned design and trend consultant Nora Kühner, is a unique platform for young designers to gain sports-related knowledge for intelligent, innovative product development. This year’s Masterclass focused on “textile circularity,” a concept that suggests certain types of apparel can be recycled or repurposed at the end of their lives to avoid becoming waste.

Totti Liang, Asia-Pacific sales manager for 3M, hosted a workshop on best practices for garment manufacturers to improve circularity and help reduce their environmental impact. Topics included biodegradable materials, recyclable clothing, and design at the intersection of performance and sustainability.

“Landfills throughout the world are full of old clothes, so as someone who has dedicated years helping 3M help solve for this global dilemma, it’s a true honor to be invited to speak at this Masterclass,” Liang said. “If there’s one lesson I want young product designers to walk away with, it’s that circularity can help save our planet for future generations to enjoy.”

As preparation for the ISPO Academy Masterclass, Nora Kühner organized a prototyping workshop with students from Hochschule Niederrhein. The students had the opportunity to design and create jackets utilizing 3M™ Thinsulate™ Flowable Featherless Insulation, the latest textile innovation from 3M. Two eye-catching prototypes were on display at the ISPO Academy Masterclass exhibition in the Sustainability Hub at ISPO Munich.

Comprised of at least 80% recycled content, 3M Thinsulate Flowable Featherless Insulation is a lightweight synthetic high-loft insulation ideal for puffy garments.

ISPO Munich was held from November 28 – 30.

If you would like to learn more about Liang’s presentation at the ISPO Academy Masterclass, please contact him directly at tliang2@mmm.com.

Posted: December 7, 2023

Source: 3M

Pantone Introduces Pantone Color Of The Year 2024: PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz

The Pantone Color of the Year 2024 — PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz

CARLSTADT, N.J.  — December 7, 2023 —  Pantone, the global color authority and provider of professional color language standards and digital solutions for the design community, today introduced PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz, a velvety gentle peach whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul as the Pantone Color of the Year selection for 2024.

At a time of turmoil in many aspects of our lives, our need for nurturing, empathy and compassion grows ever stronger as does our imaginings of a more peaceful future. A warm and cozy shade highlighting our desire for togetherness with others and the feeling of sanctuary this creates, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz presents a fresh approach to a new softness. Subtly sensual, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz is a heartfelt peach hue bringing a feeling of tenderness and communicating a message of caring and sharing, community and collaboration.

“A cozy peach hue softly nestled between pink and orange, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz brings belonging, inspires recalibration, and an opportunity for nurturing, conjuring up an air of calm, offering us a space to be, feel, and heal and to flourish from whether spending time with others or taking the time to enjoy a moment by ourselves,” says Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute. “Drawing comfort from PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz, we can find peace from within, impacting our wellbeing. An idea as much as a feeling, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz awakens our senses to the comforting presence of tactility and cocooned warmth.”

Sensitive but sweet and airy, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz evokes a new modernity. While centered in the human experience of enriching and nurturing the mind body and soul, it is also a quietly sophisticated and contemporary peach with depth whose gentle lightness is understated but impactful bringing beauty to the digital world.  Poetic and romantic, a clean peach tone with a vintage vibe, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz reflects the past yet has been rephrased to have a contemporary ambiance.

The introduction of PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz also marks the 25th anniversary of the Pantone Color of the Year program. First introduced by the Pantone Color Institute in 1999 with the Pantone Color of the Year, PANTONE 15-4020 Cerulean Blue, the Pantone Color of the Year captures the global zeitgeist, serving as an expression of a mood and an attitude on the part of the consumer. Through the years, the Pantone Color of the Year program has become a globally iconic cultural touchstone, drawing attention to how what is taking place in our global culture is reflected and expressed through the language of color.

“With this year’s Pantone Color of the Year 2024, we see an increased focus on community and people across the world reframing how they want to live and evaluating what is important — that being the comfort of being close to those we love. The color is one whose warm and welcoming embrace conveys a message of compassion and whose cozy sensibility brings people together and enriches the soul,” added Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute. “In the spirit of PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz, we reflect back on the last 25 years of the Pantone Color of the Year program grateful to provide an avenue where designers and color enthusiasts all over the world can engage in a conversation about color, be inspired by color and showcase their creativity within their communities. We look forward to continuing this for many more years to come.”

Posted: December 7, 2023

Source: Pantone

Mahlo Success: Data-Driven Textile Printing At Stamperia Olonia

Olonia‘s production line with the integrated Mahlo device.

TW Special Report

Italy’s Lombardy region is well known for its lakes, mountains, cities, and the typical northern Italian kitchen. It’s also home to many important textile industry companies. Halfway between the idyllic Lago Maggiore and Milan one of them is located: the textile printing specialist “Stamperia Olonia”.

Founded in 1969, now part of the Liberty Group, the company immediately established itself as a leading contract manufacturer of printed natural fabrics for home and apparel. Stamperia Olonia prints on all natural textile fibers up to 320 centimeters wide, digitally and traditionally, using pigment and reactive dyes.

“Thanks to a complete production cycle we can follow the customer from the first bleaching phases to the final quality control. All while we maintain exclusivity and maximum confidentiality towards our customers,” said Fabio Pirino, Finishing department manager of Olonia.

Offering high quality standards at low costs, both on large commissions and smaller production runs, is the company’s mission. Working for the biggest names is for Stamperia Olonia the confirmation of its own expectations and the drive towards continuous growth.

“We are not just a textile print shop! We are an industry that has made research and innovation its philosophy. A partner that combines experience, innovation, and high technology to achieve the highest quality with low costs,” Fabio said.

Over the years, thanks to a policy that is always focused on the future, there has been continuous investment in improving work technology, environmental protection, and safety.

Task Definition

One of these investments was the new software mLog enhanced by Germany-based Mahlo. Olonia produces its goods on many lines with multiple integrated Mahlo systems.

On the newer tenter line an Orthomax RFMB was installed at the inlet. The fusion of pin wheel and roller straightening removes the distortions at the beginning of the line and can also take care of wavy or s-shaped distortions.

Orthomax RFMB at the inlet.

The drying/fixing process of the tenter is controlled by an Optipac VMC, the textile process control system from Mahlo. It controls the dwell time, exhaust air moisture and residual moisture during the drying process. Also, the web width is monitored and linked to an alarm, if out of tolerance.

At the tenter outlet, a distortion detection Orthopac FMC monitors the residual distortion.

The challenge was, to keep track of the various Mahlo devices in the tenter line and provide reports for the subsequent processing in a useful manner. This would make the follow-up steps much more efficient.

Solution

As solution, Mahlo suggested the — at that time — brand-new data analysis and management tool mLog enhanced.

The mLog software is a desktop application for data logging and interactive analysis of historical data for Mahlo equipment. All Mahlo devices of the line could be connected and monitored. With the continuous recording, logs from any desired period could be individually created by Olonia itself.

Initially mLog was part of a project where a new machine had to be adapted to Olonia’s management system. But it turned out to be more effective to fetch data of all Mahlo systems in the new stenter line with mLog and feed the data to a host computer via an interface with OPC UA.

Success

The selected log can be displayed in the log viewer.

mLog enhanced is running now on the Olonia lines since January 2020 Olonia’s project team collaborated intensively with the Mahlo development department. So, a lot of its useful ideas and requests, coming directly from a working production line, have been implemented by Mahlo as software features. Still, they are constantly improving their processes as Mahlo provides new functions and updates on the software.

Since the installation, the printing specialist has seen some significant improvements, as Fabio explains, “Through the control of the system, a standardization of the process was achieved, especially regarding digital preparation. Additionally — particularly in terms of energy — the costs could be optimized.”

With the new data management, Olonia could streamline their processes substantially. When a new badge is fed into the tenter, the operator simply scans a code. That code starts the report in mLog enhanced for the badge automatically.

Recordings of a test run at the distortion outlet.

When the end of the roll is reached, the operator scans a stop code. This stops the mLog recording and saves the report to the database. Thus, with only two scans, the data of the entire batch is available for further processing in Olonia‘s management system.

While saving, a PDF version of the report is automatically stored on the customer‘s server — of course with the correct name, in the correct directory, as set by Olonia. In addition, different report variants are created. On the one hand an internal, very detailed report, and on the other hand a version for the customer, which is shorter and summarizes the important points.

Future

The solution is very sustainable because it allows production to be monitored and energy wastage to be avoided depending on processing. Seeing the success, Olonia plans to optimize its processes even further.

December 7, 2023

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