Sinochem International Expands Presence In Aramid Fiber Industry Chain

SHENZHEN, China — September 7, 2023 — On September 6-8, Sinochem International made its debut at the China International Optoelectronic Exposition (CIOE2023), showcasing its entire line of para-aramid products. These innovative solutions are tailored to meet the specific needs of the optical communication industry, serving as non-metallic reinforcement materials for optical-fiber cable applications.

Optical communication cables constitute a critical foundation for high-speed information networks. In the era of new-generation communication technology, optical transport networks demand higher speeds, increased capacity and longer reach. Therefore, optical communication cables need to have superior performance attributes, including elevated strength, enhanced modulus, extended lifespan, reduced weight, minimal creep, and heightened resistance to corrosion.

Sinochem International’s proprietary para-aramids are used as non-metallic reinforcing materials for optical-fiber cables, offering a compelling alternative to traditional materials like glass fibers or steel wires. They significantly augment the overall performance of optical-fiber cables while enhancing the reliability of communication signal transmission.

Aramid is recognized globally as one of the three high-performance fibers. It has an outward appearance resembling ordinary spun fibers. But compared with steel wire, aramid exhibits a strength of 5-6 times and a toughness of 2 times, while weighing only one-fifth. These fibers excel in various aspects, including high strength, elevated modulus, resistance to high temperatures, tolerance to acidic and alkaline environments, insulation properties, anti-aging characteristics, and an extended lifecycle. In the realm of optical communication cables, they have rightfully earned their place as one of the industry’s specified non-metallic reinforcement materials.

Para-aramid finds its utility not only in information communication but also in a diverse range of sectors, including new energy vehicles, rail transit, electronics, composite materials, and special workplace protection, among others.

Sinochem International entered the aramid fiber industry chain in 2013. After years of relentless independent research and development, a significant technological breakthrough was achieved in high-strength and high-modulus products in 2022, leading to successful mass production.

According to an assessment by the China National Textile and Apparel Council, the company’s high-strength, high-modulus para-aramid products meet international benchmarks in terms of production process and quality.

As a state-owned enterprise specializing in new chemical materials in China, Sinochem International is committed the fine chemical industry with new chemical materials as its core focus. The company has embarked on a strategic transformation, guided by an industrial chain mindset and integrated industrial layout, with an aim to establish itself as a world-class materials science platform.

Currently, Sinochem International boasts an annual para-aramid production capacity of 5,500 tons, with high-strength and high-modulus products constituting a significant 75% of the total output. Beyond its impressive production capacity, the company consistently operates at full production capacity as demand surpasses supply. Robust sales are achieved across downstream markets, including optical communication cables, special workplace protection solutions, tire rubber, and composite materials.

An industry report showed that the global and Chinese demand for para-aramid fiber in 2022 stood at 85,000 tons and 13,000 tons, respectively. From 2023 to 2025, China’s demand is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of about 10%.

To meet this surging demand, Sinochem International is pushing forward with a 2,500-ton-per-year expansion project. Slated for completion by 2024, this expansion will boost the company’s total para-aramid fiber production capacity to 8,000 tons annually.

As for future growth, Sinochem International is adopting a comprehensive strategy that spans the entire supply chain, product lines, and product lifecycle.

The entire-supply-chain approach involves both upstream and downstream expansions. On the upstream side, the company is ramping up production of the core raw material, paraphenylenediamine. On the downstream side, it is developing an array of products such as pulp, short fibers, and aramid paper. Current initiatives include a technical upgrade for a 1,000-ton-per-year specialized unidirectional fabric line and a 2,500-ton-per-year para-aramid pulp and short fiber line, creating new revenue streams.

The all-product-lines strategy aims to offer a one-stop service by industrializing a complete portfolio of products, including meta-aramid, para-aramid, and heterocyclic aramid. This is achieved through in-house research and development, and operationalized in Yangzhou.

For full-lifecycle management, the company plans to implement a multi-step approach to utilize resources and therefore recycle waste aramid products. This will not only extend the lifespan of these products but also optimize resource use.

On the aramid industrial front, Sinochem International is poised to leverage its current advantages and the broader market landscape. The company has plans to roll out timely expansions, with the goal of becoming one of the top three global producers in terms of capacity. In doing so, it aims to establish a competitive edge in product quality, cost, and supply chain management. Concurrently, by fostering innovation, the company aspires to broaden the applications for para-aramid fiber— a “noble fiber” — thereby contributing to the advancement and security of modern technology and civilization.

Posted: September 7, 2023

Source: Sinochem International

HanesBrands And G-III Apparel Group Announce Licensing Agreement For Champion And C9 Champion Outerwear

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — September 7, 2023 — HanesBrands, a global supplier of iconic apparel brands, and G-III Apparel Group Ltd., a global supplier of fashion, today announced they have entered into a strategic multi-year license agreement for the design, production and distribution of outerwear for the Champion and C9 Champion brands in North America, including exploring opportunities across Champion’s global network as a key partner.

“We are thrilled to work with G-III’s team of world-class experts in expanding and elevating iconic brands, making them a powerful partner as we grow Champion globally,” said Vanessa LeFebvre, president, Global Activewear. “G-III’s proven track record in category expansion and their best-in-class global infrastructure will enable us to reach a wider consumer base who already are, or will soon become, loyal to the Champion brand for generations. Champion is an inspirational lifestyle brand born from sport with a vision to be defined not by what we make, but by what we do. This partnership creates a significant opportunity to leverage G-III’s expertise in the outerwear category and their diversified distribution network, which will enable us to extend our offerings and support the brand’s lifestyle proposition.”

“We are excited to welcome Champion, an iconic American brand that is rooted in sports and an active lifestyle, to our portfolio of over 30 globally recognized brands,” said Jeffrey Goldfarb, executive vice president of G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. “Our vision is to build on the brand’s legacy and create quality heritage pieces which complement and enhance Champion’s principles of self-expression. This license aligns perfectly with G-III’s core competencies in outerwear, is a strong complement to our other brands, and will fit seamlessly into our already well-developed outerwear divisions and global network.”

Posted: September 7, 2023

Source: HanesBrands

Blue Ridge Home Fashions Partners With CICLO® Technology 

IRWINDALE, Calif. — September 7, 2023 — Blue Ridge Home Fashions today announced its partnership with CiCLO® technology, to debut its new innovative basic bedding collection in September, which will feature filled pillows, comforters, mattress pads, mattress toppers and blankets created with CiCLO polyester. Blue Ridge will feature CiCLO technology as part of its licensed organic Farm to Home bedding program.

CiCLO filled bedding developed by Blue Ridge will be available this fall across the country in a major department store. Blue Ridge will also launch the products enhanced with CiCLO technology internationally.

CiCLO technology is a patented textile ingredient designed to mitigate fugitive synthetic microfiber pollution, the most prevalent form of microplastic pollution found around the globe.

“Sustainability is a key consideration for all of our products from the design stage to when they arrive in stores,” says Jody Folino, chief marketing officer at Blue Ridge. “Using CiCLO technology within our assortment is a testament to our commitment to designing and creating sustainably conscious, quality products that will improve our homes and the planet.”

Synthetic materials like polyester and nylon are ideal choices for home furnishings because of their utility, high performance and strength. However, almost all fabrics shed during manufacture, use and care, and the small fibers end up as pollutants in the environment. Conventional synthetics like polyester and nylon are plastics and not readily biodegradable unless they are blended with CiCLO technology. The addition of CiCLO technology imparts the inherent characteristic of biodegradability, enabling microbes in wastewater sludge, soil, landfill and seawater to break down the polyester and nylon at greatly accelerated rates compared to conventional synthetics.

“We are thrilled to partner with Blue Ridge to help them reach their goal of using the best possible materials within the home textiles space,  and further progress on our mission to reduce the impact of unavoidable synthetic microfiber pollution,” said Andrea Ferris, co-inventor of CiCLO technology.  “We look forward to a future where there is no leakage of plastic into the environment, but until then, CiCLO technology brings us one step closer to solving the tremendous problem of microplastic pollution.”

Posted: September 7, 2023

Source: Blue Ridge Home Fashions

Goodwill Industries And Accelerating Circularity Test Textile-To-Textile Feedstock Hubs With Generous Grant From The Walmart Foundation

CAMPBELL HALL, N.Y. — September 7, 2023 — The Walmart Foundation has granted $1.2 million to support Goodwill Industries International Inc. and Accelerating Circularity to develop skills, systems, and infrastructure at participating Goodwill organizations to transform unsellable textile donations into recycling feedstock. This transformation is critical to the circular textile economy.

The partnership with Goodwill is intended to develop skills, systems, and infrastructure at local Goodwill organizations to transform unsellable textile donations into recycling feedstock. Participating local Goodwill organizations are using the grant funding to learn to produce post-consumer textile feedstock that meets recyclers’ specifications and to educate and train staff on sorting and feedstock preparation processes. 25 local Goodwill organizations are involved in this project, with leadership from Goodwill Industries of Tenneva Area, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, Goodwill Industries of Ontario Great Lakes, and Goodwill Industries of West Michigan. The local Goodwill organizations are modeling and testing regional textile collaboration hubs in partnership that can be replicated across the Goodwill member network, and adopted by other social enterprises for the benefit of their constituents and the advancement of textile circularity.

“This initiative with Goodwill Industries is an example of Accelerating Circularity’s unique role in creating new connections to mainstream the adoption of post-consumer textiles as raw materials,” said Sarah Coulter, Director of Operations and Special Projects for Accelerating Circularity “Accelerating Circularity has  lead the design and implementation of this program, providing subject matter expertise, program management, relationship building, and training and tools development at the participating Goodwill locations.”

“We see an opportunity to advance our mission by supporting Goodwill’s effort to transform textiles destined for salvage into higher-value recycling feedstocks by sorting to spec, removing trims and other irritants, and aggregating sufficient volumes to support full commercialization of textile-to-textile systems,” shared Karla Magruder, president and Founder of  Accelerating Circularity.

“Goodwill is focused on developing solutions for textiles that are scalable, circular, and traceable, and we see textile-to-textile recycling as a key pathway for donations that are unwearable and at their end of life. Establishing regional Goodwill collaborations for textile circularity supports Goodwill’s role as a critical player in the circular economy and aligns with our organizational sustainability strategy,” shared Brittany Dickinson, director of Sustainability at Goodwill Industries International.

Posted: September 7, 2023

Source: Accelerating Circularity

CovationBio™ PDO Announces Launch Of First Saucony® Running Shoe Powered By Susterra® Propanediol

NEWARK, Del. — September 7, 2023 — Saucony launches the corn-powered Triumph RFG featuring a midsole made from 55-percent Susterra® propanediol. It’s Saucony’s most sustainable shoe to date, making an immediate impact to reduce its environmental footprint.

Running toward a more sustainable future, global performance running lifestyle brand Saucony launches its most sustainable shoe to date today. The new Triumph RFG (Run For Good) shoe collaboration features a corn-based PWRRUN BIO+™ midsole, 55 percent of which is made from bio-based Susterra propanediol. The launch is part of Saucony’s recent sustainability goals to have 90 percent of its products contain organic, recycled or renewable materials by 2025, with 100 percent by 2030.

The all-new Triumph RFG brings together plant-based dyes in the upper with a 55-percent corn-based PWRRUN BIO+ midsole foam to help limit the dependence on plastic, a major contributor to negative environmental impact. The midsole foam is made with Susterra propanediol, a 100-percent regeneratively grown, dent corn-based 1,3-propanediol. The 80-percent natural rubber outsole is engineered to offer the same level of performance as a synthetic sole. The Triumph RFG is now available online for purchase and in select retailers globally.

As 22.2 billion pairs of footwear are produced each year, legacy brands like Saucony are partnering with bio-based performance brands like Susterra propanediol to support a shared mission of reducing industry use of fossil fuel dependency.

“This partnership with Saucony on the Triumph RFG was a natural collaboration as we aim to build a more circular economy with a renewable footprint globally, especially in the performance footwear brands category,” said John Hurban, vice president of global marketing and sales at CovationBio™ PDO, the world’s largest producer of 100 percent bio-based 1,3 propanediol (or “BIO-PDO®”). Susterra propanediol is a 100-percent BIO-PDO derived from regeneratively-grown dent corn. A partnership with Primient and Truterra LLC, supports these regenerative farming methods at farms across the Midwest (U.S.). By using nature as a source, CovationBio PDO transforms the plant-based feedstock into a building block designed to reduce the need for petroleum-based components and improve product performance.

“We are proud to be a part of Saucony’s sustainable mission, and this marks a milestone for Susterra propanediol. It’s the first example we’re aware of where this percentage of bio-based content is used in the midsole of an athletic shoe. We believe runners and fitness enthusiasts will benefit from increased high-performance shoe flexibility, comfortability, and durability. This shoe sizes up against the competition and goes the distance to have a lighter environmental footprint,” said Hurban.

Triumph RFG Features

  • PWRRUN BIO+ cushioning is 55-percent corn based (made from Susterra propanediol), limiting dependence on plastic
  • PWRRUN BIO+ sockliner; made to perform with PWRRUN+ sockliner for added comfort
  • Durable gum rubber outsole is made from 80-percent natural rubber
  • Breathable mesh upper made of cotton using plant-based dyes
  • Soft collar and padded tongue for 360 degree fit and feel
  • Category: Neutral
  • Heel-to-toe Offset: 10mm (37mm heel/27mm forefoot)
  • Weight: Men’s 10.4oz. (295g), Women’s 9.7oz (275g)
  • Sustainability: This style is vegan and contains recycled materials

Susterra Propanediol Features

  • USDA 100-percent certified bio-based product derived from regeneratively-grown dent corn
  • BIO-PDO is petroleum-free and offers high-performing, sustainable solutions for a wide range of polyurethane applications
  • Benefits include improved flexibility and tear strength, strong durability and adhesion properties, softness and transparency, and enhanced abrasion resistance
  • Generates up to 48-percent less greenhouse gas emissions cradle-to-gate compared to 1,4-butanediol (BDO), a common petrochemical-sourced alternative

Posted: September 7, 2023

Source: Primient Covation LLC / Saucony

AATCC To Announce 2023 J. William Weaver Paper Of The Year Award

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — September 7, 2023 — Seniha Morsümbül, Emriye Perrin Akçakoca Kumbasar, and Ahmet Ҫay are the recipients of the J. William Weaver Paper of the Year Award for their paper “Photochromic Microcapsules for Textile Materials by Spray Drying—Part 3: Applications of Photochromic Microcapsules on Cotton Fabrics,” published in the 2022 AATCC Journal of Research.

About the Authors

Seniha Morsümbül is a research assistant at Ege University in Turkey. She earned a BSc from the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Textile Engineering (2007); and a MS (2011) and PhD (2018) from the Institute of Natural and Applied Science, Department of Textile Engineering at Ege University. Since 2011, Morsümbül has been a research assistant at Ege, and in 2012, she spent three months working with Stefan Gierling at Hohenstein Institute in Germany. She has completed several national research projects, published articles in national and international journals, co-authored two book chapters, and presented research at international conferences and symposia.

Ahmet Ҫay is a professor in the Department of Textile Engineering/Department of Textile Technology at Ege University. He is also vice head in the Department of Textile Engineering. Ҫay received a BSc from the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Textile Engineering (2002); and a MS (2005) and PhD (2009) from the Institute of Natural and Applied Science, Department of Textile Engineering at Ege University. While a research assistant, he performed research for three months with Savvas Vassiliadis in the Department of Textiles at the Technological Educational Institute of Piraeus, Greece. For three months during 2012 and 2013, while an assistant professor, he worked with Mohsen Miraftab at the Institute for Materials Research and Innovation at the University of Bolton, United Kingdom.

Besides his current research, Ҫay has completed several national research projects. He has over forty articles published in international journals, has co-authored four book chapters, and presented research at conferences and symposia nationally and internationally.

Emriye Perrin Akçakoca Kumbasar is a professor in the Department of Textile Engineering/Department of Textile Technology at Ege University. She received a BSc from the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Textile Engineering (1984); and a MS (1988) and PhD (1997) from the Institute of Natural and Applied Science, Department of Textile Engineering at Ege University. As a research assistant, Kumbasar spent three months with Martin Bide in the Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design, University of Rhode Island. As a professor, she spent three months working with Boris Mahltig and Torsten Textor in the Deutsches Textilforschungszentrum Nord-West & Hochschule Niederrhein, University of Applied Sciences—Textile and Clothing Technology.

From 2016 through 2022, Kumbasar was head of the textile finishing discipline at Ege University and, since 2018, has served as department head. Besides her research, she has published many articles and made numerous presentations, nationally and internationally. She has co-authored three book chapters and one book and authored a second book. She edited the Fourteenth International Congress Proceedings Book of Izmir Textile and Apparel Symposium in 2017 and the Fifteenth International Proceedings Book of Izmir Textile and Apparel Symposium in 2021. In 2017, she edited the Third International Congress Proceedings Book of Egemeditex—International Congress on Healthcare and Medical Textiles. From 2010 through 2018, she was editor of Textile and Apparel Magazine (SCI-Expanded). Kumbasar was also a recipient of the J.W. Weaver Paper of the Year Award in 2018.

The Weaver Award

The AATCC Publications Committee presents the J. William Weaver Paper of the Year Award to the author or authors of the best peer reviewed paper published in AATCC Journal of Research each year.

Even before it began publishing its own journal, AATCC had a long-standing tradition of friendly rivalry among authors. From 1925 to 1933, awards were presented for the best AATCC conference papers published by American Dyestuff Reporter. From 1940 to 1996, an Intersectional Paper Competition winner was chosen each year. In January 1969, AATCC began publishing Textile Chemist and Colorist and in February 1979, an annual award was established to honor the best paper published in that journal.

In 1990, the award was named for J. William Weaver, who was chair of the AATCC Editorial Board at the time of his death. Over the years, winning papers have covered a variety of topics, including antimicrobial textiles, color measurement and calculation, computer technology, exhaust dyeing, fiber-surface modification, formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide bleaching, indigo dyeing, jet dyeing, metal content, recycling, soil release finishes, vacuum slot extraction, and yellowing.

The award includes a framed certificate signed by the AATCC president and the Publications Committee chair. It will be presented at AATCC’s Textile Discovery Summit during the Awards Luncheon on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville, South Carolina.

For additional information about the J. W. Weaver Paper of the Year Award, and a list of previous recipients, visit www.aatcc.org/weaver/.

Posted: September 7, 2023

Source: AATCC

SETEX, Navis TubeTex Team Up To Improve Textile Dyeing And Finishing With Their Integrated Solutions

MENGERSKIRCHEN, Germany/LEXINGTON, N.C. — September 6, 2023 — As the new SETEX agent in Canada, Honduras and the United States, Navis TubeTex can offer textile manufacturers comprehensive, integrated solutions to enhance efficiency, streamline dyeing and finishing processes, and ensure accurate, consistent quality, resulting in sustainable cost savings.

“The combination of SETEX’s advanced automation technology and Navis TubeTex’s industry expertise will drive efficiency and excellence in textile processing ” said Oliver Schermuly, owner of SETEX.

“With SETEX ́s manufacturing operations management software and controls for textile machinery, we have the opportunity to offer a proven combination of smart applications, systems and components, empower customers with enhanced efficiency, quality, cost savings, data insights, sustainability, and a competitive edge in textile manufacturing. SETEX’s camera measurement technology complements our integrated workflow seamlessly” said Will Motchar, president and CEO of Navis TubeTex.

Posted: September 7, 2023

Source: SETEX Schermuly textile computer GmbH / Navis TubeTex

Wild Utopia: Sunbrella And United Fabrics Release Lively New Collection

BURLINGTON, N.C.  — September 6, 2023 — Sunbrella and United Fabrics unleash Wild Utopia, their fourth joint upholstery collection to help design professionals bring vibrant textiles to commercial spaces. With 20 bold and bleach-cleanable fabrics in four lively patterns, the Wild Utopia collection takes inspiration from nature’s beauty, offering modern interpretations of patterns found in tropical landscapes through twists on scale, texture and color.

“As our collaboration with United has developed over the years, we’ve given ourselves permission to experiment and bring fun, unexpected fabrics to the commercial spaces,” said Tracy Greene, design director at Sunbrella. “Wild Utopia brings the energy of lush, tropical landscapes with an elevated approach, giving designers new textile offerings that can add both playfulness and sophistication to any space.”

Teeming with life and movement, Wild Utopia brings the untamed essence of nature to textiles with energetic color combinations that are meant to invoke curiosity and inspiration. Designed for both indoor and outdoor spaces, the collection is built on the proven performance of Sunbrella fabrics, which are highly durable, bleach-cleanable and fade-resistant, perfect for even the most demanding commercial projects.

“Inspired by the spirit of adventure, Wild Utopia celebrates the surprise and excitement of exploring nature,” said Lindsey Josepayt, director of design and marketing at United Fabrics. “Through unexpected color combinations and lively patterns, these new exclusive patterns are sure to create whimsical spaces and statement-making designs.”

The collection’s patterns include:

  • Nema — The loosely drawn lines of Nema create a modern approach to a wild and winding graphic pattern.
  • Fernie — An oversized botanical leaf pattern reminiscent of vintage wallpaper, Fernie includes a variety of foliage to build a lush and layered feeling to this full-of-life pattern.
  • Leopardo — Leopardo is not your average leopard print, with neutral color combinations at a playful scale that refresh this classic motif for easy use in modern commercial spaces.
  • Kudos — A foundational solid in a range of warm and cool colorways, Rally is designed to perfectly pair with the rest of the collection’s bold, lush patterns.

The collection is available through United Fabrics.

Posted: September 7, 2023

Source: Sunbrella / United Fabrics

Fine Cotton Factory Solves Apparel Industry Fabric Shrinkage Challenge With Its New 333 Jersey Introduction

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — September 6, 2023 — Fine Cotton Factory — a textile manufacturer specializing in high-tech, high-fashion textiles and certified knits for the North American market — is offering a solution to one of the greatest challenges in the apparel industry: fabric shrinkage. The company is introducing its proprietary 333 Jersey, which can significantly reduce the number of returns apparel retailers encounter due to garments that shrink after washing.

In creating 333, the company innovated new machinery that is capable of knitting jerseys that shrink three-width by three-length, by three percent torque, without washing — hence the name 333. The company’s exclusive machinery ensures that the twisting force that gives the yarn or thread its strength (torque) is wound together in a compact fashion to ensure the garment shrinks no more than three percent.

Historically, apparel manufacturers that have attempted to tackle the shrinkage issue have resorted to purchasing fabrics, designing and manufacturing garments, and then washing all of the garments before they are sold at retail. “We’re talking about millions of garments a week that had to be washed prior to sale, which wasted an incredible amount of water and energy,” said Skip Kann, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Fine Cotton Factory.

Installing a state-of-the-art dyeing and finishings facility in 2018, Fine Cotton became the only company in North America to wash and tumble-dry upwards of 1,000 fabric rolls a day. The pre-washed rolls of fabric are crafted to shrink an unnoticeable two percent after a consumer washes a garment made from them, which vastly reduces the number of in-store or online returns for retailers.

“Our new 333 Jersey is another important innovation because it requires no pre-washing at all, so there’s no waste of energy resources in its production. And that is important messaging for apparel brands that seek to be more eco-friendly today,” Kann said.

Headquartered in Toronto, Fine Cotton Factory serves leading apparel brands and manufacturers in Canada and the U.S. The company introduces major fashion collections twice each year, and all are displayed for buyers inside its 5,000-foot-showroom incorporating a sample room, design studio and future lab adjacent to the factory.

Posted: September 6, 2023

Source: Fine Cotton Factory

DAS Corp. To Bring 300 Automotive Jobs To Metter, Ga.

ATLANTA — September 6, 2023 — Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that DAS Corp. (DAS), an automotive parts company, will establish a new manufacturing facility in Metter. The facility will create 300 new jobs and generate more than $35 million in investment in Candler County. This initiative will also involve collaborative indirect investments.

“Suppliers for the Hyundai Metaplant resulted in over $2 billion in investment last fiscal year, alone, helping Georgia achieve a third straight year of record-breaking economic growth,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Our logistics assets, including a reliable network of rail lines and highways, connect companies like DAS to key business partners in all corners of the state and to markets across the world, providing direct benefits to Georgia communities.”

Established in Korea in 1987, DAS specializes in designing and manufacturing seating systems, safety seating components and seating structures. DAS is a key supplier for Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) and Hyundai Motor Group.

“The strategic location near prominent cities like Savannah and Macon, facilitating convenient access, played a pivotal role in our decision-making process,” said Sean Kim,COO at DAS. “Looking ahead to future expansion prospects, we deemed Metter to be an ideal location in anticipation of its role as a global electric vehicle production hub thanks to its close proximity to Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America.”

Located in the Candler County Industrial Park in Metter, the new DAS manufacturing facility will primarily produce automotive seat structures. Operations are projected to begin in the latter half of 2024.

Over the course of the next five years, DAS will be recruiting for assembly technicians. Information about employment opportunities can be found at www.i-das.com or by emailing hr@dasnorthamerica.com. Additionally, DAS intends to establish collaborations with local employment services as part of its hiring process.

“The City of Metter is proud to welcome DAS to Metter and Candler County,” said Metter Mayor Ed Boyd. “The impact on our community will be transformative, stimulating investment in housing, creating other business opportunities, and improving the social economic wellbeing of our citizenry.”

“On behalf of the citizens of Candler County, I would like to thank DAS for choosing us as their new home,” said Glyn Thrift, Chairman of the Candler County Board of Commissioners. “They will provide the boost we need to spur more economic development. We welcome them and encourage others to follow their lead.”

“Georgia Ports Authority is proud to do our part to support the growing automotive manufacturing presence in the state as we work together to drive economic activity and jobs,” said Griff Lynch, President and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority.

Director of Project Implementation and Supplier Strategy Alyce Thornhill represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this competitive project in partnership with the Candler County Industrial Authority, Georgia Ports Authority, Electric Cities of Georgia, and Georgia Quick Start.

“Georgia is well-positioned for the arrival of Hyundai’s supplier network as the result of years of consistent investment in site preparation, workforce solutions, and connectivity,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “DAS is another exciting addition to Georgia’s automotive community, and we are excited to welcome the company and congratulate them, along with our partners in the City of Metter, and Candler County on this exciting opportunity!”

For over a century, Georgia has fostered healthy industry practices, encouraged collaboration and innovation, and positioned the state as a leader in developing and harnessing emerging technologies for the evolving automotive and mobility industry. As the market transitions to electric vehicles, Georgia has pursued the entire supply chain, creating more than $25 billion in investments and 30,000 jobs since 2018. In fiscal year 2023, job creation in the automotive industry increased by 324 percent when compared to FY21, and suppliers attracted by Georgia’s mobility original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) resulted in over $2 billion in investment across the state in FY23.

Posted: September 6, 2023

Source: Georgia Office of the Governor

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