Seminars On Sustainable Solutions From The LYCRA Co.

WILMINGTON, Del. — September 12, 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 two employees will be presenting at the 62nd Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress (GFC). The annual event occurs from September 13-15 at the Kulturhaus in Dornbirn, Austria. These presentations cover two key initiatives within the roadmap and vision of The LYCRA Company’s Planet Agenda platform and 2030 Sustainability Goals.

“Industrially-Compostable LYCRA® Fiber” is being presented in Hall A on September 13 at 2:20 p.m. CEST by Dr. Nicholas Kurland, innovation strategy manager at The LYCRA Co. The personal care market has been transformed through the incorporation of stretch fibers into diapers to improve fit and performance; however, to date, there are limited avenues to avoid landfill at end-of-life. This discussion proposes a solution for single-use hygiene garments, focused on upgrading the spandex with an industrially compostable fiber, in order to improve compatibility with sustainable waste streams.

“Our efforts have yielded a new fiber having accelerated degradation characteristics, without sacrificing the performance and quality typically expected from LYCRA HyFit® fiber,” said Kurland. “This breakthrough in fiber technology provides a necessary step towards the production of compost-ready diapers, enhancing sustainability and addressing a key challenge presented by single-use garments.”

Jean Hegedus, director of sustainable business development at The LYCRA Co., is presenting a lecture on “Recyclability of Garments with Stretch Fibers: Challenges and Solutions.” While garments made with stretch fibers bring a variety of benefits to consumers, such as enhanced comfort, style, and fit, they can also pose unique challenges for brands, retailers and their value chains working to advance a circular business model. This paper examines solutions for garments that contain elastane and/or elastomultiester and proposes an eco-system of solutions that are needed to bring recyclable stretch technologies to commercialization. It will take place in Hall A on September 13 at 1:30 p.m. CEST.

“We’re excited to share the results of two trials – one on recycling polyester and LYCRA® fiber and the other on recycling a fabric blend of polyester and LYCRA® T400® fiber,” said Hegedus. “We’re very encouraged by the results and believe this lays the groundwork for developing a more circular system with our stretch offerings.”

Posted: September 12, 2023

Source: The LYCRA Company

U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Welcomes Macy’s Inc. As Member

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — September 12, 2023 — The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol (Trust Protocol) is pleased to announce the membership of Macy’s Inc. The company represents more than 700 store locations nationwide across three iconic nameplates, including Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury.

Trust Protocol membership will bolster Macy’s efforts in sourcing cotton sustainably, driving positive social and environmental change within the cotton industry and enhancing transparency throughout its supply chain.

Macy’s Inc. has taken significant steps towards embedding sustainability into its business through its social purpose platform, Mission Every One, which aims to help create a more equitable and sustainable future for all. Notably, in 2022, Macy’s Inc. released its private brand cotton policy, pledging to source 100 percent preferred materials in Macy’s private brands products managed by the Macy’s sourcing team by 2030. This commitment now includes sourcing U.S. Cotton and Protocol Cotton, which is grown and harvested on Trust Protocol growers’ farms and recorded in the Protocol Consumption Management Solution, which tracks cotton through the supply chain, ensuring transparency and accountability.

“Through our social purpose platform, Mission Every One, our business is aligned with a framework that aims to create a more equitable and sustainable future for our people, communities and planet. This work has fueled our commitments and we are embedding sustainability across our global value chain, focused on caring for people and managing our environmental impact.” said Keelin Evans, vice president, Sustainability, Macy’s Inc. “In 2022 we released our private brand cotton policy and we’re already making great progress. We expect that more than half of cotton products within our private brand products managed by the Macy’s sourcing team will be sustainably sourced by the end of 2023. Our Trust Protocol membership will support and accelerate these efforts to meet our 2030 ambitions by helping us to better trace our supply chain and demonstrate the progress we’re making toward meeting our environmental targets.”

The Trust Protocol is the only sustainable cotton program which combines quantifiable, verifiable goals and measurement with driving continuous improvement in six key sustainability metrics — land use, soil carbon, water management, soil loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency. The Trust Protocol integrates these sustainability metrics from Field to Market’s Fieldprint® Platform, enabling enrolled growers to measure the environmental impacts of their operation and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

“We’re pleased to be working with Macy’s, Inc. — an iconic American brand — to help them better understand the supply chain of their private brand products,” said Dr. Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “Our blockchain-enabled value chain transparency will deliver Macy’s Inc. the assurance it needs to evidence its responsible sourcing practices and demonstrate progress towards environmental targets.”

The Trust Protocol is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, recognized by Textile Exchange and Forum for the Future, and part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cotton 2025 Sustainable Cotton Challenge, Cotton 2040, and Cotton Up initiatives. It has also been recognized and published in the ITC Standards Map, recognized as a standard for sustainable cotton by the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, and confirmed as an ISEAL Community Member.

To learn more about The Trust Protocol, visit TrustUSCotton.org.

Posted: September 12, 2023

Source: The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol

Textil Santanderina Launches Authentic Black Denim Collection Based On Archroma’s Eco-Advanced DIRESUL® EVOLUTION BLACK Sulfur Dyestuff

PRATTELN, Switzerland — September 12, 2023 — Textil Santanderina, an innovator known globally for the manufacture of quality fabrics with controlled traceability, today launched its Advanced Black denim collection in collaboration with Archroma, a global supplier of specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions.

The Advanced Black collection by Textil Santanderina uses Archroma’s new DIRESUL® EVOLUTION BLACK LIQ dyestuff to produce on-trend authentic black denim apparel with industry-leading sustainability and resource savings. In addition to allowing fashion and apparel brands to choose eco-friendlier alternatives that demonstrate their commitment to protecting people and planet, Textil Santanderina’s new Advanced Black denim range also offers unique shade and wash-down effects for heightened consumer appeal.

Based on cutting-edge synthesis technology developed by Archroma, DIRESUL EVOLUTION BLACK LIQ delivers an overall impact reduction to 57 percent*, measuring its effect on human health, ecosystems and resources compared to standard Sulfur Black 1 liquid. Unlike traditional synthesis processes, it does not produce any ammonia, sodium salts waste or liquid effluents, and water consumption in the synthesis process is reduced by 73 percent for massive savings. The new DIRESUL dyestuff, when adopted with the full Archroma coloration system, delivers a new black color with on-tone wash-down effect and cleaner effluent at the mill.

“For more than a century, the traditional Sulfur Black 1 synthesis process consumed substantial water and energy resources and produced unwanted effluents and residues. With the DIRESUL EVOLUTION BLACK LIQ, Archroma is rewriting the future of denim for market leaders like Textil Santanderina that want to produce more sustainable collections with high-value aesthetics and top fabric quality,” Umberto De Vita, director, Denim Market Segment, Textile Effects Division, Archroma, said.

“With a commitment to quality, traceability and innovation, Textil Santanderina develops responsible textile solutions that meet real needs of customers and consumers. We are delighted to collaborate with Archroma once again to help our brand customers stand out in their markets with new and innovative denim looks and premium quality fabric based on a cleaner coloration system for outstanding resource savings,” said Ramón Ríos Quintana, Fashion general manager, Textil Santanderina, S.A.

Textil Santanderina and Archroma previously collaborated to produce Textil Santanderina’s aniline-free** indigo denim collection with the use of DENISOL® PURE INDIGO.

The evolution of sulfur dyestuffs

Sulfur dyes are the most commonly used dyes for color denim, with Sulfur Black 1 dominating the market. Traditional sulfur dyes are being phased out worldwide due to the toxicity of the dyeing process and wastewater contamination that are difficult to treat.

Archroma has led the evolution of sulfur dyeing since 1980, when it introduced its low-sulfide DIRESUL RDT range. Subsequent innovations have included the eco-advanced Pad-Ox dyeing process, the innovative plant-based EarthColors® sulfur dyestuffs range and the new FiberColors® range of sulfur dyestuffs based on textile waste.

DIRESUL EVOLUTION BLACK LIQ is manufactured in Spain at a state-of-the-art production facility near Barcelona, where Archroma produces best-in-class sulfur dyestuffs for mills and brands in Europe and global markets.

*As determined by Ecoterrae, a leading Spain-based sustainability consulting firm, through a Life Cycle Analysis (UNE-EN ISO 14044:2006) at the synthesis stage, using the ReCiPe 2016 Impact calculation methodology.

**Below limits of detection according to industry standard test methods.

Posted: September 12, 2023

Source: Archroma

Introducing Primaloft® Utility: Redefining Durability And Performance In Synthetic Insulation

LATHAM, N.Y.  — September 12, 2023 — PrimaLoft Inc., a global supplier in advanced material technology, is proud to announce the launch of its latest innovation, PrimaLoft® Utility. Representing a groundbreaking design approach, PrimaLoft Utility sets new benchmarks in durability within the realm of synthetic insulation, while also providing unparalleled ease of use and care.

PrimaLoft Utility is engineered to redefine the standards of durability and performance for synthetic insulation. Designed to excel in even the harshest conditions, it offers an elevated level of quality that stands the test of time. The innovation’s outstanding resilience is attributed to its enhanced structural integrity, ensuring exceptional abrasion and compression resistance. This enables remarkable longevity, a crucial component to sustainable design.

PrimaLoft Utility opens the door to a myriad of fabric options, enabling a diverse range of end uses — from highly breathable garments to those built to withstand the most rugged usage. Another standout feature of is its remarkable resistance to high-temperature laundering. The technology maintains its peak performance even after numerous wash cycles, making it a dependable choice for those seeking high-performance insulation that’s also easy to maintain.

“PrimaLoft Utility represents a game-changing advancement in synthetic insulation technology. Its enhanced durability, easy care attributes, and versatility empower users to explore new realms of functionality and usefulness.” said Tara Mauer-Mackay, senior vice president of product strategy at PrimaLoft. “It also enables garments that can last a lifetime, a critical aspect of sustainability that is often underdiscussed.

The key attributes of PrimaLoft Utility include:

  • Maintains Thermal Values: PrimaLoft Utility’s unique structure retains its original warmth levels, even after experiencing harsh wearing conditions, ensuring long-lasting comfort and performance.
  • Resilient & Compression Resistant: The material bounces back effortlessly after repeated motion and extended compression, upholding its insulating properties even through rigorous wear.
  • Abrasion Resistant: PrimaLoft Utility’s exceptional abrasion resistance minimizes fiber migration, allowing it to be paired with a wide range of fabrics, while maintaining its integrity over time.
  • Easy Laundering: With the ability to be washed and dried at high temperatures, PrimaLoft Utility takes the hassle out of caring for high-performance garments.
  • Design Freedom: PrimaLoft Utility’s durability and compatibility with a variety of fabrics and quilting styles provide designers with the creative freedom to craft unique pieces for diverse applications, from workwear and kid’s wear to outdoor and lifestyle apparel.
  • Easy on the Earth: PrimaLoft Utility not only offers exceptional performance, but also boasts recycled content, efficient manufacturing processes, and a long-lasting lifespan – contributing to sustainable practices.

PrimaLoft Utility is set to transform the landscape of synthetic insulation, offering a new era of performance, durability, and creative possibilities. The first adopters of the new technology are LL Bean and Grizzlyskin. PrimaLoft® Utility Insulation can be found today in LL Bean’s Men’s Bean’s Utility Vest and Men’s Bean’s Utility Hoodie, and in the Winter Hardshell Jacket from the German workwear brand Grizzlyskin starting October with more brand adoptions coming soon.

Posted: September 12, 2023

Source: PrimaLoft, Inc.

Techtextil India 9th Edition Opens With Specialized Products And Technological Solutions

MUMBAI — September 12, 2023 — Techtextil India 2023 opens today at Jio World Convention Centre (JWCC), Mumbai, uniting 160+ industry players showcasing 200+ brands. The show floor is a packed with innovative products and technological solutions, backed by a series of knowledge sessions, live product demos and has vast scope of networking opportunities

Giving impetus to the textile industry of India and backed by continuous research and developments, technical textiles sector is set to see a brighter future aided by various measures initiated by the government and the growth of various industries.

Expressing her delight on inauguration of the 9th edition of Techtextil India, Smt. Darshana Jardosh, Minister of State for Railways and Textiles, Government of India, stated: “For India to truly become a global player in this vibrant sector, we need to see a huge paradigm shift in the field of R&D and innovation and much less dependency on the imports of high-performance fibres with manufacturing accelerating domestically. I do believe that professional platforms like Techtextil India do contribute significantly towards the growth of the industry, where in one place, trade fair visitors will find global/domestic trends, products and innovations along textile value chains.

Setting the three-day fair into motion, Techtextil India 2023 was

inaugurated by:

  • Shri. Rajeev Saxena, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles
  • Mr. Bhadresh Dodhia, Chairman, Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC now Matexcil)
  • Mr. Pramod Khosla, Member Governing Council, SRTEPC now Matexcil
  • Mr. Prakash Vasudevan, Director, South India Textile Research Association (SITRA)
  • Mr. Dhiraj Raichand Shah, Immediate Past Chairman, SRTEPC now Matexcil
  • Mr. Pankaj Kapoor, Managing Director, Park Non Wovens
  • Mr Raj Manek, Executive Director & Member of Board, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holding pvt ltd
  • Mr. Prashant Kumar Meena, Joint Mission Director, National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)
  • Mr. Narendra Dalmia, Vice Chairman, Bombay Textile Research Association (BTRA)
  • Mr. Amit Agarwal, Chairman, Indian Technical Textile Association (ITTA)
  • Mr. Avinash Misar, Vice Chairman, Indian Technical Textile Association (ITTA)
  • Mr. Sivan Yedidsion, CEO, Avgol

With the much anticipated growth of the industry, Techtextil India has garnered great impetus to receive the much valued support from the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India as well as the distinguished associations for bringing the show together. Their trust in the platform demonstrates the huge emphasis laid for boosting the sector and economy. The show has a variety of exhibitors showcasing machinery, equipment and accessories, fibres and yarns, non-wovens, filtration, masterbatches, functional textiles, composites, coated textiles and much more.

Many Indian and international companies are present at this edition at Mumbai. The event is marked by the presence of participants like Arvind Limited, Park Non-woven, Sarex Chemicals, Welspun, Reliance, Aditya Birla Yarns, Meera Industries, Rajshree Fabrics and many more.

Whereas, there are companies from international markets like China, Taiwan, South Korea, Germany, Italy and the USA, that will further foster global business networking and connections. The international companies include Indorama Hygiene Group, Autefa Solutions. Brückner Textile Technologies, Georg Sahm, Karl Mayer and many others, further denoting the value of the show all across the globe.

The show commenced on an affirmative note today with companies from across the globe exhibiting their finest products. Sharing his thoughts on the opening day, Mr Raj Manek, Executive Director and Board Member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings Ltd, stated: “Techtextil India 2023 has received a great response from the exhibitors and associations. This represents the immense interest and potential the companies have in the platform. Furthermore, we are elated to receive the continued support from the Ministry of Textiles who has been continuously weaving new initiatives and projects to empower the textile players. I believe that it will bring in strong value to the textiles segment with more growth opportunities scaling up the industry. This trade fair will serve to be advantageous to the industry visitors who will not only get to witness the innovations after the last edition in 2021, but will also gain insights through knowledgeable conferences being held concurrently at the show.”

The visitors engaged in the Techtextil Symposium with interesting talks and panel discussions led by eminent speakers from the industry. Topic of discussion is “Geotextiles and India’s infrastructure – Paving insights for a better tomorrow” with Knowledge partner Gherzi and Associate partners Reinforced Earth India Private Limited(Terre Armee) and Oerlikon Textile India Pvt Ltd.

Whereas on Day 2, the 3rd edition of MEDITEX TM will be held concurrently at the show in association with South India Textile Research Association (SITRA), the designated Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Medical Textiles. The conference will focus on the theme of “Scope and Opportunities In International Conference on Medical Textiles” featuring the recent innovations in the segment.

The show is supported with associations like the Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Synthetic and Rayon Textile Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC), Indian Technical Textile Association (ITTA). The supporting Centre of Excellence include: Bombay Textile Research Association (BTRA), Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (ATIRA), Dattajirao Kadam Technical Education Society (DKTE), Synthetic & Art Silk Mills’ Research Association (SASMIRA) and SITRA.

Staying at the forefront of the industry, Techtextil India upholds its position as a comprehensive platform that facilitates growth by enabling businesses and professionals to build and enhance trade relations while evaluating market trends and sharing expertise. The high-profile event is giving strong impetus to industry players, with an aim to place India as one of the leaders in the global technical textile market.

Posted: September 12, 2023

Source: Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt. Ltd.

Alpine Group Partners With FiberTrace To Accelerate Transparency In The Fashion Supply Chain

SINGAPORE — September 11, 2023 — Alpine Group — a global textile innovation and apparel manufacturing group — and FibreTrace®, a traceability solutions provider have announced a partnership, delivering transparency throughout Alpine Group’s supply chain, whilst engaging brands and accelerating positive change across the fashion industry.

Ashok Mahtani, co-founder and chairman of Paradise Textiles, the material science and innovation hub of the Alpine Group, explains the company’s mission: “Fashion is a broken system, and we operate in a system that relies on a take-make-dispose-model. We also know that there is lots of misinformation in the industry. Brands are confused, retailers are confused, and the consumer is confused. Given the high negative impact of processing in the fashion industry, scaling climate positive technologies is an urgent action on the fashion industry’s path towards sustainability and echoes Alpine Group’s own mission to make fashion fit for the future; innovating materials and products that mitigate these impacts and enhance the positive too. The business of fashion can no longer continue in its current form. To be true game changing innovators, manufacturers must adapt to new ways of producing textiles and garments. Our partnership with FibreTrace benefits the brands we work with and empowers the end consumer with a transparent sustainability journey they can hold brands accountable to.

FibreTrace is an innovative transparency technology providing unparalleled visibility into the journey of textile fibers through a combination of digital and physical technology. A patented luminescent pigment is embedded within the raw fiber, tracked and verified with scanning devices then implemented across the global supply chain: all captured within a digital blockchain solution effectively providing a digital passport for each product. By combining FibreTrace’s state-of-the-art technology with Alpine Group’s extensive manufacturing and innovation expertise, expert network and resources, the partnership enables brands to offer their consumers the chance to trace the journey of their garments with one simple scan of a QR code on their phone — taking them on a journey from fiber to finished product and allowing them to make informed purchasing decisions.

Shannon Mercer, CEO of FibreTrace, shared his excitement about the partnership, saying, ‘We are thrilled to partner with Alpine Group to drive sustainable transformation in the textile and apparel industry. Together, we can accelerate the textile and apparel industries access to responsible and traceable fibers through to the finished garments.”

FibreTrace’s technology will be available from Q1 2024 with Paradise’s curated collection of sustainable and performance fabrics, known as the ‘Fuze Family‘, including its textile-to-textile recycling technology, GreenFuze Circle.

Clare Woodford, head of Impact at Alpine Group, expanded on the company’s vision: “In the 40 years that we have been operating, we have witnessed the industry’s evolution first-hand and we know the future deserves better. As an end-to-end business we have a unique vantage point. We have spent years scrutinizing and developing sustainable innovation in our supply chain. From changing our dye process to reduce water usage and environmental impact, to re-imagining materials — working with partners to create tree free fibers and fabrics and transforming textile waste to new fibers — to re-imagining production with our soon to launch new mill in Egypt. Now we’ve reached an inflection point. It’s not just about any one company — it’s about collective, long term, systemic change. We aim to harness our innovation and manufacturing expertise to bring brands and partners onboard our journey to thread the future of fashion, an industry and holistic ecosystem where Every Thread Counts, Every Person Counts, and Every Action Counts. We can get ahead with the right solutions that empower brands and industry partners to embrace a more sustainable model. That is the future of fashion.”

The partnership with FibreTrace precedes an exciting year of upcoming launches for Alpine Group. Alex Apparels, the Group’s Egypt based manufacturing operations, will launch its state-of-the-art facility dubbed ‘The Factory of the Future’, due to launch in Q1 2024. It will be the first LEED Gold Certified factory in the MENA region and will provide an additional 2,000+ jobs for the local community. Additionally, Paradise Textiles is expanding into Egypt with a unique, sustainable knitting and dyeing mill, bringing fabric closer to needle. The mill, due to launch in Q3 2024, is expected to create up to 500 jobs for the local community and will offer polyester filament and blended fabric knitting. The goal is to create 30 to 50 tons of fabric daily in phase one and 70 to 100 tons in phase two. Both buildings have been designed with sustainability in mind; initiatives include optimising waste- water, reducing water usage and harvesting and re-using rainwater as well as the usage of renewable energy and green energy production to achieve zero carbon emissions and work towards the company’s long term environmental goals.

Posted: September 12, 2023

Source: FibreTrace®

CLEANR’s New Microplastic Filter Won Six “Best Of IFA 2023” Awards

CLEVELAND — September 11, 2023 — CLEANR, a new greentech venture, won six “Best of IFA 2023” awards at IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung) Berlin, the world’s largest appliance industry conference, last week. This followed the company’s launch of a breakthrough microplastic filter for washing machines. Washing machine wastewater is the single largest source of microplastic pollution globally, accounting for 35% of emissions.

The awards were given to CLEANR by tech bloggers, editors, and reviewers from CNN, Ubergizmo, Gadgety, GEEKSPIN, One Cut Review, and Guiding Tech based on the company’s demo of its new internal and external microplastic filtering devices at the event.

CLEANR’s technology represents a significant breakthrough in microplastics filtration. Its design was inspired and adapted from the process that enables manta-rays and basking sharks to filter their food without clogging their gills. Instead of attracting microplastic particles to the filter surface, CLEANR’s technology creates fluid patterns to form a vortex that suspends and isolates them. This concentrates the plastics into a narrow stream that empties into a biodegradable capture unit. The process is over 300% more efficient than traditional sieve and crossflow filters.

“The recognition we’ve received from reviewers at IFA is hugely encouraging,” said Max Pennington, CEO of CLEANR. “We believe microplastic pollution can be solved in our lifetimes, and these awards show the IFA community’s strong support not only for tech innovation but for protecting the environment.”

Performance testing of CLEANR technology designed by washing machine manufacturers that hold nearly 45% of market share in Europe found that it outperformed competing solutions in nearly every test.

“We’re thankful for these awards,” said Terry Moore, executive chairman, CLEANR. “And it’s been a pleasure to participate in IFA to offer appliance makers our insights and learnings about microplastic filtration and how to help cost-effectively stop this form of pollution.”

The company estimates that widespread adoption of its technology in the EU and U.S. alone would prevent the equivalent of over 280 million plastic bags a year from entering waterways.

Posted: September 11, 2023

Source CLEANR, Inc.

AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology And SME Announce New Strategic Partnership In Workforce Development

SOUTHFIELD, Mich.  — September 11, 2023 — AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology and SME — Society of Manufacturing Engineers — announced a strategic partnership today, making bigger strides together toward solving North America’s manufacturing workforce challenges. The two organizations have been longtime collaborators on advancing manufacturing, and this partnership focuses on leveraging the strengths and resources of each organization for the betterment and advancement of the industry through three key areas: workforce development, educational products and services and student events.

A key cornerstone of this partnership included welcoming Greg Jones, former AMT vice president, Smartforce Development, to the workforce development team of SME as director, strategic programs and partnerships, where he will report to Jeannine Kunz, chief workforce development officer at SME.

“Workforce development continues to be one of the most important factors affecting our members and the manufacturing community, so it makes sense to combine our forces in this area to scale solutions,” said Douglas K. Woods, president and chief executive officer at AMT. “Greg Jones has dedicated his career to this effort and now joins forces with Jeannine Kunz and her team at SME to accelerate their collective impact.”

AMT’s education products and services will now be owned and operated by SME, which will leverage the existing strength and industry leadership of Tooling U-SME, the organization’s workforce development area. The AMT programs migrating to SME include the Certified Manufacturing Technology Sales Engineer (CMTSE) program, the MT Sales Fundamentals program, and additional AMT e-learning products in the area of transformational technologies. They will remain available to AMT members and to the manufacturing community more broadly through Tooling U-SME. Both organizations recognized the opportunity to incorporate AMT’s education products and services into the expansive learning and development solutions of Tooling U-SME, which include its powerful learning management system. This provides manufacturers with greater value through one access point to a larger and more integrated solution to meet their needs.

“This is a key indicator of our belief that unprecedented collaboration is required at this time to fully address the current and near-term education and workforce development challenges facing manufacturers in North America,” Kunz said. “There are a tremendous number of valuable programs happening across the United States, and the more we can amplify, align, and strengthen one another, the more impactful we can be for individuals, educators, employers, and communities.”

AMT is well known for its expansive IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, which is held every other year in Chicago and where the Smartforce Student Summit convenes. The Smartforce Student Summit is dedicated to showcasing the manufacturing technology classroom of the future to educators and students through an engaging, hands-on, and memorable experience. Serving over 100,000 students and educators over the years, the Student Summit is designed to inspire students to seek an education pathway in STEM and lead them to a career in manufacturing.

The Student Summit aligns strongly to SME’s mission as well, and it is no surprise that SME and AMT identified coproducing the Student Summit at IMTS 2024 as another important pillar of its announcement to partner in workforce development.

“Expanding our existing partnership with AMT on producing the MT Series and Smart Manufacturing Experience events to include collaborating on workforce development is exactly what nonprofits should continuously aim to do when it benefits the industry,” said Bob Willig, executive director and chief executive officer at SME. “We are particularly excited to work with AMT on coproducing the Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS 2024 centered around our shared vision for the ‘manufacturing technology classroom of the future.’”

Posted: September 11, 2023

Source: The Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT)

DetraPel Closes $7.6 Million Series A Funding Round Led By Material Impact With Participation From INX International And Others

BOSTON  — September 11, 2023 — DetraPel, the advanced materials company that manufactures sustainable coatings announced the completion of its $7.6 million Series A funding led by Material Impact. Additional investors in this round include multi-billion dollar packaging ink manufacturer, INX International, along with Touchdown Ventures, FitzGate Ventures, Boro Capital, Icebook Investments, and others.

The newly raised funds will allow DetraPel to build on the market traction of the company’s recently rebranded industrial arm, Impermea Materials. DetraPel has also rebranded its consumer operations to ProofPlus. The capital is earmarked for scale up of its commercial coatings production to meet the demand of customers. Current industrial customers include four of the largest paper suppliers in the world and industry-leading consumer packaged goods companies who are aiming to offer premium and environmentally friendly packaging options to their increasingly ecoconscious customer bases.

Impermea Materials provides various industries including paper & paperboard packaging, textiles, healthcare, etc., with better performing products for everyday use with its patented protective coatings that are made from PFAS-free and Fluorine-Free, bio-based chemistries. The barrier coatings, which are being produced at scale, address the complex challenges facing businesses around product performance, while addressing environmental concerns by maintaining recyclability, repulpability and compostability. Recent pieces of legislation banning PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” in industrial manufacturing processes have fueled interest in alternative chemistries like those from Impermea to mimic the performance of PFAS without the harmful effects on the environment and human health.

“INX and Impermea Materials both serve the paper & paperboard packaging markets with a commitment to sustainable solutions,” said Shane Bertsch, INX senior vice president of Strategic Planning and Innovation. “We see Impermea’s product offering as highly complementary, and we are excited to partner with DetraPel in accelerating sustainable barrier coating solutions to market.”

In textiles, Impermea’s protective coatings provide the industry the ability to repel liquids, resist stains, prevent fading from UV, and flame retardancy. In food packaging, Impermea’s barrier coatings provide best-in-class oil & grease resistance, address moisture sensitivity, provide release properties, and withstand temperature fluctuations allowing companies to transition to plastic-free options without making compromises. Impermea also offers coatings to protect against viruses with antimicrobial coatings in healthcare.

“Since our inception a decade ago, we have been developing PFAS-free (100-percent fluorine-free), water-based chemistries that outperform their fluorinated counterparts. Our team is now at the forefront of the industrial manufacturing transition currently underway to remove toxic chemicals from the everyday products we come into contact with,” said David Zamarin, Founder and CEO of DetraPel. “For brands looking to accelerate the transition to safer solutions and match performance goals, our team at Impermea works directly with manufacturing teams to remove the chemicals and plastics without sacrificing the everyday performance of the products, and creating new efficiencies across their supply chain.”

The recent round of funds will be used to continue to expand Impermea Materials production processes to fulfill the growing demand for safer protective coatings in manufacturing, including ongoing product development, a new state-of-the-art synthesis laboratory, an application and commercialization laboratory, sales, marketing, and more.

“Businesses across the country and the globe are facing mounting pressure to deliver both plastic-free and PFAS-free products and coatings. Until now, finding solutions that meet the unique high-performing standards each business and application requires has been a significant challenge,” said Adam Sharkawy, co-founder and managing partner, Material Impact. “DetraPel has a platform and proven record of delivering the necessary and customized solutions their customers require, with safer chemistry and formulations for human health and the environment. We look forward to continuing our partnership with DetraPel to address this growing need.”

Adam’s belief in DetraPel goes beyond Material Impact’s financial investment, as he is also serving on the Board of Directors starting in July 2023.

Posted: September 11, 2023

Source: DetraPel, Inc.

Registration To Open For NPE2024: The Plastics Show

WASHINGTON — September 11, 2023 — The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) announced today that (National Plastics Expo) NPE2024: The Plastics Show registrations will be open tomorrow September 12, 2023, at 10 a.m. through May 2024. NPE2024 will be the most impactful trade show of the year for all plastics industry sectors in the U.S. and globally, with more than 55,000 attendees expected.

Every three years, NPE offers the plastics industry a global platform to highlight innovation across a show floor with more than 1.1 million net square feet of exhibit space at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Matt Seaholm, President and CEO of PLASTICS, highlighted that NPE 2024 will return bigger and better than ever, “We look forward to welcoming our industry back to NPE2024: The Plastics Show next May. The plastic industry serves a critical and sustainable role in modern life; this show will be a testament to that.”

“With sustainability at the center of everything produced at the show, attendees will witness new technologies and significant education opportunities to push us toward a more circular economy and help our industry continue to grow” said Seaholm.

NPE2024 returns, with the theme Made for You, where attendees are front and center of all experiences happening at the show. The event, held May 6-10, 2024, will offer opportunities for everyone in the industry, even those just starting their career. Some notable experiences at NPE2024 include:

  • Six technology zones with 2,000+ exhibitors showcasing their latest products and services
  • More than 100 speaker presentations on trending topics that foster innovation, drive circularity and exemplify collaboration
  • The brand-new NPE Circularity Hub where attendees will experience the plastics circular economy, from raw materials to go-to market consumer products
  • Influential women in the plastics industry will share their success stories with those attending the Women in Plastics Breakfast
  • More than 355 first-time exhibitors bringing to NPE2024 new products and perspectives
  • The inaugural NPE Opening Night Party featuring the band Pop Rocks, games, food and drinks

NPE2024 attendees will gain exclusive access to the entire plastics supply chain, including machinery and equipment, raw materials, recycling and sustainability, automation and robotics, 3D and 4D printing, inspection, design, and more. NPE exhibitors service vital markets such as automotive, consumer products, recycling, packaging, medical, and building and construction.

Important dates to remember if planning on attending NPE2024:

  • Attendee registration for NPE2024 opens on Tuesday, September 12, 2023
  • Registration for the hotel room block also begins on Tuesday, September 12, 2023
  • NPE2024 event dates are May 6-10, 2024, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

Tickets for NPE2024 range from $100 – $600; prices vary depending on early bird, advanced and on-site sales. Add-ons to the NPE Opening Night Party, Women in Plastics Breakfast, Seminarios Latinoamericanos, and 3D Printing for Plastic Processors are also available on a first-come, first-served basis, inquire for details.

“NPE2024 is at the forefront of the plastics future. If you want to further your career, grow your company or keep up with new trends and solutions, NPE2024 is where you need to be in May 2024. We encourage you to register today and start planning and customizing your experience as we continue to reveal all the exciting things happening at the event,” concluded Steve London, NPE2024 Committee Chair.

For more information about NPE2024: The Plastics Show and to register, visit: NPE.org.

Posted: September 11, 2023

Source: The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)

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