Eurofins Receives Sustainable Apparel Coalition Membership

HONG KONG — July 13, 2023 — The Eurofins Consumer Products Assurance (Eurofins CPA) network of companies is pleased to announce that it has become Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) Affiliate Member, joining more than 280 other members in driving progression and positive changes collectively.

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) is an independent and impact-creating organization that aims to lead the industry toward a shared vision of sustainability based upon a joint approach for measuring, evaluating, and improving performance. As a non-profit organization, it has members from across the apparel, footwear, and textile sector, but exists independently outside any one company so that it can drive progress. The SAC’s collective action efforts bring more than 280 global brands, retailers, manufacturers, NGOs, academics, and industry associations together.

Eurofins CPA was approved as Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) Verifier Body in 2021, a key tool under the Higg Index suite in measuring facilities’ environmental performance. Later in this year Eurofins CPA obtained Higg FEM Trainer Body accreditation as well. With SAC membership, Eurofins CPA is excited for the wider collaboration opportunities ahead to accelerate achievement of the industry’s commitment in sustainability.

Posted: July 13, 2023

Source The Eurofins Consumer Products Assurance (Eurofins CPA)

Global Shop Solutions VP Of Operations & Service Achieves 25-Year Milestone

THE WOODLANDS, Texas — July 13, 2023 — It’s rare to find employees who work 25 years at the same company, especially in the volatile software industry. That’s why Global Shop Solutions, a leading provider of ERP software for manufacturers, is proud to announce the 25th anniversary of Mike Melzer, vice president of Operations & Service.

“At Global Shop Solutions headquarters, Mike is often the first to arrive and the last to leave,” says Dusty Alexander, president and CEO of Global Shop Solutions. “We deeply appreciate his energy, integrity, loyalty, and knack for addressing our customers’ most challenging issues. As I’ve often said during our numerous customer visits together, standing alongside Mike makes me feel 10 feet tall — together, we can tackle anything!

“Others aptly refer to Mike as our Swiss Army knife™,’ highlighting his ability to create simple solutions to complex problems that others have struggled with,” Alexander added. “It’s a rare and valuable gift that Mike possesses. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mike and look forward to many more days at headquarters, Game Day trainings, and customer visits as we continue our mission to elevate manufacturers from good to great!”

Melzer earned his Engineering degree at Colorado School of Mines and joined Global Shop Solutions shortly thereafter. Starting out in service and consulting, he spent much of his time on the road converting customers to the latest version of Global Shop Solutions ERP software. The experience taught Melzer how to build good working relationships with customers and brainstorm better ways to get things done. It also paved the way for what was to come.

About two years into his tenure with the company, Melzer was chosen to run the company’s service department. Since then, his creative thinking and leadership skills have helped Global Shop Solutions grow from a small family business operating in the U.S. to a globally respected ERP provider.

“Mike is highly regarded by customers and Global Shop Solutions employees,” says Alexander. “He still travels frequently to help customers find unique solutions to ERP situations that require out-of-the-box thinking. When back at the office, he devotes significant time to making sure the company keeps employees engaged in their jobs by offering opportunities to learn, grow and advance in their careers.”

Melzer is a skilled, experienced and dedicated person who oversees the vital job of keeping Global Shop Solutions customers happy. What has kept Melzer on board for 25 years?

“This company is exceptional to work for,” Melzer said. “I love traveling, helping people solve problems, teaching customers and coaching employees. Most of all, Global Shop Solutions is a great group of people. We have a world-class ERP product that I am proud of, but what separates us from the competition is our people.”

Posted: July 13, 2023

Source: Global Shop Solutions

Manufacturing Solutions Center Offers M1 Programming Training For Stoll Flatbed Knitting

CONOVER, N.C. — July 13, 2023 — The Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC) at Catawba Valley Community College will provide M1 Programming training for Stoll Flatbed Knitting from August 7 through August 11 to individuals interested in learning about flatbed knitting or improving their flatbed knitting skills.

Class size is limited and is structured to the individual needs of attendees. Core concepts covered in the program include the functions of the M1 software, stitch formation, programming of various stitch structures, and shape attributes. The program will be held at the MSC II facility in Conover, N.C.

For more information about the program and costs, visit www.manufacturingsolutionscenter.org

Posted: July 13, 2023

Source: Manufacturing Solutions Center

Direct-To-Film Technology – Shaking Things Up In Digital Textile Printing

NAGANO, Japan — July 13, 2023 — In the printing industry, direct-to-film technology is having a transformative impact on the apparel decoration space. It provides a simple and affordable garment printing process that facilitates vibrant, dynamic, full-colour designs with a durable print. It opens up opportunities for digital print service providers (PSPs) to expand their product offerings in the textile industry, their network of potential customers, and thanks to the versatility of the process, expand the wide range of fabrics they can print on. As its popularity grows in the textile sector, Mimaki recognised the need for a quality solution that utilises our core technologies to take the process to the next level, combined with our well-established manufacturer support.

Direct-to-film vs. Screen Printing

Direct-to-film printing is the process of digitally printing directly onto a special transfer film sheet. This is subsequently applied to fabric choices with a hot-melt powder and heated. Once the transfer sheet is cured and dried, it can be heat-pressed onto a variety of fabrics to create premium transferred designs for customized merchandising, sportswear, and an array of other promotional applications for the textile market. Compared with the traditional methods of screen printing, the plate creation required for screen printing is far too time-consuming. Not only this, but the process does not meet direct-to-film’s ability to produce vivid colours and quality details such as shapes, lettering, and motifs often sought after in the promotional and merchandising space for bespoke textiles.

Why DTF?

For Mimaki, the move into direct-to-film technology is an exciting venture into a brand-new segment. Why did we choose to go down this path? For one, we knew we could offer a market-leading solution with our core technologies and the technical proficiency of the digital printers in our textile portfolio. In addition to this, there is a market need for a stable, reliable direct-to-film printing solution; for a complex print process like this, a trusted partner with dependable aftercare is paramount. Mimaki’s reputation is synonymous with support, which is what direct-to-film customers can expect every step of the way.

The Mimaki TxF150-75

Mimaki’s first direct-to-film inkjet printer is the TxF150-75, a fitting extension to the 150 series, with a maximum printing width of 80cm. Offering a stable printing plotter, the model’s built-in ink circulation system and degassed ink pack are resolutions to common direct-to-film challenges such as poor ink ejection and white ink clogging. The new printer also includes core Mimaki features including NCU (Nozzle Check Unit) and NRS (Nozzle Recovery System) for stable, uninterrupted print production. Operating in harmony with the textile printer itself is Mimaki’s ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® certified water-based pigment textile inks, formulated especially for the TxF150-75. Coupled with Mimaki’s RasterLink7 RIP software, users are offered end-to-end oversight and efficiency from creative design to final product.

In addition, and in line with Mimaki’s collaborative approach to meeting customer needs, Adkins has developed an 80cm wide powder shaker cure unit to complete this ‘A brand’ direct-to-film Printing solution. By offering the printer and post-processing unit at 80cm wide, customers can print larger garments with less waste and quicker production times, making the process much more cost effective.

The Mimaki TxF150-75 solution represents an exciting opportunity for Mimaki customers who are active in the decorated apparel sector or are looking for the right solution to facilitate entry into the digital textile printing market.

Posted: July 13, 2023

Source: Mimaki Engineering Co. Ltd.

EURATEX Welcomes EP Progress On Ecodesign Legislation, But Highlights Some Concerns

BRUSSELS — July 13, 2023 — Yesterday, the European Parliament adopted its position on the Ecodesign Regulation, which aims to improve the environmental sustainability and circularity of products placed on the EU market, including textiles.

While EURATEX recognises the importance of accelerating the green transition and welcomes the progress on the legislation, it regrets the EP’s approach to target the textile industry in a Regulation designed to be a framework legislation for all sectors.

Representing 160,000 European textile companies, EURATEX has been highlighting that a successful legal framework is based on an inclusive and feasible approach, ensures sufficient capacity and sets a timeline for businesses to adjust. Therefore, EURATEX welcomes MEPs’ call for tailored support and smooth transition for SMEs. Strongly advocated by EURATEX, the European Parliament also strengthens the provisions on market surveillance, which is a key element for ensuring level playing field for EU companies in the Single Market.

As businesses already face difficulties to navigate through all ongoing policy and legislative initiatives, EURATEX appreciates the efforts of the EP to ensure legislative consistency, the lack of which may only create additional costs and administrative burdens for companies. The inclusivity and transparency of the future Ecodesign Forum have indeed received a positive boost.

EURATEX regrets that the European Parliament has overlooked the plea for legislative coherence on substances of concern and for keeping the ESPR aligned with existing chemical legislation to avoid overlapping or conflicting regulation. EURATEX advises that social sustainability aspects should be addressed within the due diligence legislative framework.

Regarding the future Ecodesign requirements for textiles, these will have to be based on reliable data, and supported by thorough analysis and impact assessments. The requirements should be set out in the textile-specific Delegated Act and should be developed with relevant stakeholders.

As the ESPR trialogue negotiations between the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission unfold in autumn, EURATEX continues to stress the guiding principle of “fit-for-purpose” rules and the balance between high environmental objectives and competitiveness of companies.

Moreover, on Tuesday 11 July, the European Parliament’s position on Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) was adopted by MEPs with 396 votes in favour, 102 against and 131 abstentions. EURATEX expresses concerns on this text because of the inclusion of standalone finishing plants in the scope of the new IED. This creates inconsistencies with the recently finalised Textile BREF document (adopted in Sevilla by all parties), which regulates industrial emissions for both pretreatments and finishing plants. Standalone finishing companies, typically SMEs, now face challenges to comply with specifications which were originally designed for different and bigger companies.

Posted: July 13, 2023

Source: EURATEX

Brand Manufacturer HWASEUNG Enterprise Implements Coloreel In Vietnam

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — July 13, 2023 — HWASEUNG Enterprise, a footwear, headwear, and textile manufacturer, announces the first installation of Coloreel in Vietnam.

With Coloreel, HWASEUNG Enterprise takes another step towards more sustainable production. As a key supplier to leading global brands such as Nike, Adidas, Titleist and Lacoste, HWASEUNG Enterprise is a signatory to the UNFCCC Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action and has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030.

“By partnering with Coloreel, we are taking a significant step towards a more sustainable future while offering our clients unprecedented customization options”, says Darren Hamilton, Executive COO of Apparel & Accessories at HWASEUNG Enterprise. “This collaboration reinforces our commitment to innovation and environmental leadership, shaping the future of the textile industry.”

Coloreel’s technology eliminates pre-colored thread, reducing water and chemical consumption associated with dyeing. By dyeing a 100-percent recycled polyester thread in real-time, water consumption is reduced by at least 97 percent compared to traditional dyeing methods. In addition, the technology significantly reduces thread waste.

When Coloreel launched this technology for digital thread dyeing, the aim was to streamline an industry characterized by slow processes, difficulty in creating complicated designs, and excessive resource usage.

“A partnership with a company like HWASEUNG Enterprise, which produces over 20 million hats annually, can truly be a game-changer. With unlimited color and design possibilities, we offer a solution for quick turnaround, customization and small-batch production, providing significant value to our customers,” states Torbjörn Bäck, CEO of Coloreel.

Posted: July 13, 2023

Source: Coloreel

Change Of Management At Heimtextil: Margit Herberth Becomes New Director Of The Household Textiles Segment

FRANKFURT, Germany — July 12, 2023 — Change of personnel at Heimtextil: Margit Herberth will be responsible for the home Textiles segment of Heimtextil as director from 1 September 2023 and, together with Bettina Bär, will form the new dual leadership of the leading trade fair for home and contract textiles. Herberth, previously director marketing Consumer Goods/Multimedia & Data at Messe Frankfurt, succeeds Meike Kern, who is leaving the company of her own volition after 22 years to take on a new professional challenge.

Herberth will take over as director Heimtextil for the home textiles segment from September 1, 2023. She thus complements Bär, who has been responsible for the home textiles segment since September 2022. “We are delighted to have won Margit Herberth, a proven sales strategist with a strong global sales as well as marketing background, as director Heimtextil,” says Olaf Schmidt, vice president Textiles & Textile Technologies.

Herberth has more than 10 years of sales expertise as senior sales manager for Messe Frankfurt’s international consumer goods fairs Beautyworld, Hair & Beauty and Christmasworld. Since 2018, as Director Marketing Communications, she has managed all marketing activities for the Paperworld, Christmasworld and Creativeworld brands and was responsible for the design of global brand campaigns in the consumer goods sector, for example for Beautyworld.

Most recently, as head of Multimedia & Data, she decisively drove strategic performance marketing, including the implementation of targeted smart data campaigns, as well as the further development of audio and video formats for consumer goods trade shows – including Ambiente.

Herberth will in future be responsible for the household textiles segment and thus for the world’s largest brand and private label exhibitor range of bedding, bed linen, bathroom textiles, table and kitchen linen, mattresses, sleep systems, home accessories, blankets, pillows and textile processing machinery. Another important component is the further expansion of the textile sustainability content strategy as well as an even stronger internationalization of the Heimtextil Conference Sleep & More.

Meike Kern leaves Messe Frankfurt after 22 years

Herberth replaces Kern as long-time director, who is leaving the company for a new professional challenge. “In addition to the significant expansion of national as well as global sales structures, Meike Kern has also played a trend-setting role in the further development of Heimtextil into a content platform and global condensate of environmentally friendly textile innovations — not least in 2011 with the initiation of the first green formats. We wish her all the best for her new professional station,” Schmidt said.

In her 15 years as director, Meike Kern built strategic partnerships with customers on a global level, expanded sales channels and increased the market presence of exhibitors from core markets. In 2019, she also played a leading role in shaping the restructuring of Heimtextil and achieved an even clearer and more efficient visitor orientation at the trade fair with the targeted bundling and placement of the product range. In addition to several sustainable formats, she also established the Heimtextil Conference Sleep & More as a knowledge platform for the bedding trade as well as the industry and helped young start- ups to gain worldwide visibility at Heimtextil as part of New & Next.Heimtextil.

International trade fair for home and contract textiles Heimtextil will take place from 9 to 12 January 2024.

Posted: July 13, 2023

Source: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH

Cotton Incorporated Celebrates 50 Years Of The Seal Of Cotton, An Iconic Symbol Woven Into Life’s Moments

CARY, N.C  — July 12, 2023 — This year, Cotton Incorporated celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Seal of Cotton trademark, an iconic logo that transformed cotton from an agricultural commodity into a globally recognized symbol of natural comfort, trust, and sustainability. As the identifying mark and common thread for cotton, the Seal has become an icon for #MadeInCotton everywhere.

The Seal of Cotton was unveiled in 1973 as a symbol of trust, quality, sustainability and reliability to consumers, retailers, and textile brands. It was designed in 1973 by Susan Landor Keegin, daughter of Walter Landor who founded branding giant Landor Associates. Landor Keegin was inspired by seeing the cotton plant’s rigid stem and soft boll growing in the fields, which led her to incorporate the natural elements of cotton by having the word appear as if it were growing from the roots. From there, the Seal of Cotton was born, allowing for easy recognition of the fiber and differentiation from synthetic fibers.

“The assignment was to find a way to stand up against synthetics,” recalls Susan Landor Keegin of Landor Associates. “I was going to see relatives who lived in the area and saw cotton growing in the fields with the bolls puffed up. Something about seeing it in person, the rigidity of the stem and the softness of the boll, I had never seen that.”

Today, the Seal of Cotton is used by over 950 brands in nearly 70 countries, becoming a global symbol associated with fashion, durability, quality, and sustainability. Nearly 8 in 10 consumers (78 percent) have awareness for the Seal, according to Cotton Incorporated’s 2023 Seal of Cotton Consumer Research, allowing shoppers to make mindful purchasing decisions on a natural, sustainable fiber that’s known and trusted. More than 80 percent of consumers say that they can rely on a brand and its product when it features the Seal of Cotton, while 90 percent prefer the fabric because of its comfort and versatility.

In today’s retail environment, 46 percent of consumers in the United States are willing to pay more for a brand that they trust. The Seal of Cotton serves as a trusted resource by consumers, brands and retailers. When the Seal is used on a product, four out of five consumers believe that the brand is more trustworthy (79 percent), more authentic (80 percent), and one they would likely purchase (84 percent). This symbol has been easing the consumers’ journey for the past 50 years and, when present on a product, shows that it is reliable, transparent and high-quality.

“The 50th anniversary of the Seal of Cotton is a celebration of a highly-recognizable icon that brings consumers a sense of emotional and physical comfort and familiarity,” said Kim Kitchings, senior vice president, consumer marketing for Cotton Incorporated. “Cotton has been woven throughout the eras of American culture and is part of monumental moments in each one of our lives. Fifty years of marketing and innovation has earned consumer affection, with over 90 percent stating that cotton is a preferred choice because of its comfort, softness, and versatility. We’re proud that the Seal of Cotton garners more than two times the awareness of other fiber logos and is a favored fabric.”

The Seal of Cotton has grown over the years and is a preferred choice by manufacturers, brands, and consumers. It has made its mark on history from the 1980’s advertising campaign, “True Performance,” which introduced the symbol on millions of retail garments, to the development for the Blue Jeans Go Green denim recycling program in 2006, designed to repurpose denim into new products while diverting textile waste from landfills.

“The REVOLVE customer looks to Cotton as a leader in sustainability and quality, and with the Seal of Cotton, they are promised comfort and versatility with every purchase,” says Raissa Gerona, chief brand officer, REVOLVE. “We’re so honored to have worked alongside Cotton and supported their efforts to introduce more green, sustainable practices within the fashion industry. Cheers to 50 years and what’s to come!”

Cotton Incorporated celebrates the Seal of Cotton through the brand’s latest ad campaign with a video animation highlighting 50 years of the Seal in 50 seconds. The campaign focuses on the power of nostalgia, reminding consumers how powerful memories and fashion styles over the decades have one common thread: cotton. The campaign runs on television, streaming services and through digital partners. Additionally, Cotton Incorporated developed an exclusive iteration of the Seal for the 50th anniversary and the celebration continues throughout the year with additional activities in the coming months.

To celebrate the Seal of Cotton’s 50th anniversary, Cotton Incorporated is encouraging consumers to check the label for the Seal of Cotton on clothing or home good products, posting on social media with the hashtag #MadeinCotton. You can find more information on the anniversary and Seal of Cotton’s history here – https://lifestylemonitor.cottoninc.com/50-year-anniversary/

Posted: July 12, 2023

Source: Cotton Incorporated

Stand.earth Supports Inditex’s New Coal Phase-Out Commitment, Encourages Company To Ramp Up Renewable Energy Initiatives

SAN FRANCISCO — July 12, 2023 — Inditex — the world’s largest fast-fashion company and parent company of Zara and Pull & Bear — announced yesterday that it would set a new climate target to reduce its supply chain emissions by 50 percent by 2030. International environmental advocacy organization Stand.earth applauds the move, but called for the industry giant to show more substantive leadership in the race to decarbonize apparel production by also committing to transition its supply chain to clean, non-burning sources of renewable energy.

Inditex’s announcement includes a commitment to phase out on-site coal in factories for things like boilers and other sources of coal-fired heat or power generation by 2030, with a gradual phase down from 2023. However, Stand.earth expressed serious concern that Inditex’s support for switching its supply chain from coal to biomass, another dirty energy source, undermines this commitment.

The announcement comes only four months after Stand.earth published its Fossil Free Fashion Scorecard, in which Inditex earned a disappointing overall score of D+, reflecting its inadequate former climate targets and for demonstrating little progress in switching to renewable energy in its manufacturing facilities. Other Stand.earth research released during COP27 last year also shows that Inditex’s net-zero targets fell far short of the UN’s guidelines for impactful and measurable climate action.

In response to Inditex’s new climate target to reduce its supply chains emissions by 50 percent by 2030, Stand.earth Climate Campaigner Rachel Kitchin said:

“As the biggest fast-fashion company in the world and a major global polluter, Inditex has a responsibility to move the fastest and the furthest in its climate action, and this is an essential first step. This climate target has the potential to transform the massively-polluting supply chain of the fashion industry, but only if the company uses its power, resources and investment to help decarbonize the coal-ridden electricity grids that power its manufacturing, and support its suppliers to transition to clean, renewable energy sources like wind and solar. A commitment to 100-percent renewable energy in its supply chain would send a powerful signal to policymakers in countries where its manufacturing is located to stop the expansion of coal power plants and invest in rapidly scaling renewable energy.

However, while Inditex’s new on-site coal phase out target is an essential step, the company dilutes its own climate targets by promoting biomass burning as an alternative — a process environmentally worse than coal burning — instead of electrification. Biomass throws out harmful air pollution, impacting workers and communities around Inditex’s own factories, and is associated with serious human rights concerns.

The fashion industry, including Inditex, has been responsible for immense amounts of climate emissions and extreme levels of deadly air pollution in manufacturing countries like Bangladesh and Indonesia, because of its reliance on cheap, dirty coal to power factories, while making billions in profit every year. With only six years to halve its emissions, all eyes will be on how Inditex will act to support a rapid transition away from coal and toward clean renewable energy.”

Fashion is a multi-trillion dollar industry responsible for producing up to 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions — generating more GHGs than all international flights and maritime shipping combined — and those emissions are expected to drastically increase by 2030. The industry’s manufacturing processes disproportionately rely on coal and other fossil fuels, undermining climate stability while also causing a devastating impact on the health of supply chain workers and communities that are primarily located in Southeast Asia.

Posted: July 12, 2023

Source:  Stand.earth

Better Cotton Signs UN Pledge For Traceability And Transparency

LONDON — July 12, 2023 — Better Cotton, the world’s largest cotton sustainability initiative, has signed the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Sustainability Pledge ahead of the launch of its Traceability Solution at the end of 2023.

The Sustainability Pledge is an open-source suite of policy recommendations, guidelines and standards that enable industry actors to authenticate their sustainability claims. The aim of the Pledge is to create a Community of Practice that would together develop traceability and transparency as key enablers for sustainability and circularity.

The UNECE launched the framework to convene credible solution providers in knowledge exchange, with the belief that companies, academics and topic experts can collectively advance supply chain transparency by engaging in open discourse.

By recognizing legitimate tools and projects that aim to advance industry traceability, the pledge stands to benefit policymakers, companies, workers and consumers alike.

Alia Malik, senior director of Data and Traceability at Better Cotton, said: “We are signing UNECE’s Sustainability Pledge not only to affirm our commitment to improving traceability and transparency in Better Cotton supply chains, but also in support of traceability and the use of more credible sustainability claims across the industry.”

Elisabeth Türk, director, Economic Cooperation and Trade at UNECE, commented: “Once we know the provenance of the clothes that we buy, and the path they have travelled in global value chains, then we can make informed decisions as consumers about the sustainability claims of those goods. We welcome Better Cotton’s pledge and call on other players to join and make traceability and sustainability the new normal in the textile industry.”

As a signatory, Better Cotton joins more than 90 businesses to have committed to the pledge, including Inditex, Vivienne Westwood, WWF, Retraced and FibreTrace.

Better Cotton’s submission accounts for the development of its Traceability Solution, which has been developed as part of its 2030 Strategy. With over 2,500 Members across the world, Better Cotton is well placed to develop a solution that could be scaled globally.

It will offer Retailer and Brand Members the opportunity to verify the country of origin of the Physical Better Cotton in their products and enable farmers and suppliers to continue accessing increasingly regulated international value chains. All this will support Better Cotton’s work to improve lives and safeguard livelihoods in cotton farming communities.

The development of Better Cotton’s Traceability Solution has been based on extensive consultation with over 1,500 stakeholders including Suppliers, Members, and industry consultants.

In signing the Sustainability Pledge, Better Cotton has outlined key actions and a time frame within which the solution will be launched. A phased roll-out will follow, enabling all supply chain actors the opportunity to align with the new chain of custody requirements that will enable traceability before 2025.

The fashion and textile sectors face increasing regulatory pressure, particularly around greenwashing — the use of unsubstantiated claims to deceive consumers about a company or product’s sustainability credentials.

Better Cotton’s soon-to-be-launched Traceability Solution will serve to verify the provenance and chronicle the lifecycle of cotton, starting at a country-level with the aim to improve the granularity of data in the future.

Posted: July 12, 2023

Source: Better Cotton

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