Merrell Announces Richard Mcleod As Chief Marketing Officer

ROCKFORD, Mich. — February 10, 2025 —Hiking and outdoor footwear brand Merrell, announced it has welcomed Richard McLeod as chief marketing officer. Reporting to Janice Tennant, Merrell’s Global Brand president, McLeod will be responsible for leading Merrell’s global marketing and directing the creation of modern integrated marketing capabilities to further cement the brand’s position as a global leader in the outdoor active and lifestyle space.

Richard McLeod

“Rich is widely recognized as a consumer-obsessed leader and builder of talent with a track record of growing brands through strong consumer demand creation and retail execution,” Tennant said. “Rich’s depth of experience will help position Merrell for long-term growth.”

McLeod’s experience has spanned over two decades in senior leadership roles, and his career has been marked by a dedication to building globally recognized brands, fostering consumer connections, and driving strategic initiatives that deliver long-term growth and cultural relevance. He was most recently Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer at Champion, a global leader in iconic apparel brands, where he led the development of strategy and enhanced Champion’s market presence using consumer insights, brand development, creative storytelling and innovation. Prior to Champion, McLeod was Senior Vice President of Brand at Canada Goose, responsible for brand evolution, growth and performance.

“I am thrilled to join Merrell, a brand with a rich heritage and global impact,” said McLeod. “I look forward to developing world class marketing strategies that inspire more people to embrace the outdoors, connect with the brand, and drive the brand’s future growth.”

Posted: February 11, 2025

Source: Merrell – a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

Sympatex Presents New, Sustainable Innovations At Lineapelle 2025 In Milan

MUNICH, Germany — February 11, 2025 — Sympatex Technologies, a global supplier of sustainable functional textiles, announces its participation in Lineapelle 2025, taking place from February 25-27, 2025, in Milan. As one of the most influential international fairs for leather, accessories, components, synthetics, and materials for footwear, as well as leather goods, apparel, and furniture, Lineapelle serves as an ideal platform for Sympatex to showcase its latest innovations regarding sustainable materials.

Sustainable and innovative highlights

Sympatex is committed to developing functional textiles that combine sustainability with high performance. At Lineapelle, the company will present its latest advancements, including moisture-tech by Sympatex® and the next-generation non-woven technology, setting new standards for footwear materials.

moisture-tech by Sympatex®: Redefining footwear comfort

The moisture-tech by Sympatex technology is designed to rapidly absorb sweat and dry quickly, significantly improving the wearer’s comfort. Heat insulation tests have demonstrated a 45% reduction in internal shoe temperature compared to standard materials, helping to reduce blisters and heat stress.

“With CASERTA, we are expanding our moisture-tech by Sympatex portfolio with a sustainable product featuring 100 percent recycled polyester lining. This innovation is specifically designed for trail running, hiking, and children’s footwear, bringing us one step closer to our goal of closing the loop every day,” said Kim Scholze, CSMO at Sympatex.

Non-woven laminates: A sustainable alternative

Sympatex’s next-generation non-woven laminates offer a sustainable alternative to traditional foam-based solutions. By removing polyurethane foam from the production process, this innovation reduces CO₂ emissions by 10 percent and water consumption by 15 percent, while maintaining the same level of durability and comfort.

“We have replaced polyurethane layers with 100-percent recycled polyester nonwoven fabric. This change not only improves resource efficiency but also brings us closer to achieving full mono-material recyclability for our laminates,” explained Yasemin Malcolm, Product Manager Footwear at Sympatex.

Meet Sympatex at LINEAPELLE 2025

Join us at Hall 22, Booth H13-19, K14-20 to experience our latest breakthroughs firsthand! Our Technical Footwear Experts, Mario di Pippo and Nicola Poloniato, will be available to discuss Sympatex’s sustainable solutions and their impact on the future of footwear materials.

Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to explore the new Utmospheric® bootie innovation, with the patented Sympatex membrane for enhanced performance, including all environmental benefits.

Posted: February 11, 2025

Source: Sympatex Technologies GmbH

eVent Fabrics Brand Evolution Continues, Renames Plant-Based Laminates To “stormST” And “windstormST”  

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  — February 11, 2025 — eVent® Fabrics, a global supplier of waterproof/breathable and windproof fabric laminates, is continuing a brand evolution with the recent renaming their plant-based, ePTFE-free BIO Waterproof and BIO Windproof laminates to the new stormST and windstormST for the SS 2026 product season.

These name changes, along with eVent’s recently unveiled “defy the elements” tagline, are intended to strengthen and clarify eVent’s position as leading suppliers of sustainable, high-performance laminates to the outdoor, activewear, fashion, hunt, fish, golf, cycling, and footwear markets.

“We introduced eVent BIO in 2016, pre-COVID, and perhaps before the market was ready for it. With our increased focus in offering a variety of high-performance sustainable laminates, we felt that BIO might, at this point, be a bit confusing,” said Chad Kelly, president of eVent Fabrics. “We’ve noticed the term ‘bio’ showing up in a lot of marketing materials across consumer markets, and we felt its meaning had become diluted. Recognizing that this dilution could cause confusion for both brands and consumers, we opted to update our product names to create further differentiation. The new names, stormST and windstormST, are a more natural fit for our product architecture, better highlight the laminates’ weather protecting performance, and speak more strongly to our new tagline ‘defy the elements’.”

Starting in February 2025, eVent will cease promoting and supplying BIO branding assets, including for BIO footwear, which will also be stormST, and will work diligently with brand partners to ensure a smooth transition to the new stormST waterproof and windstormST windproof product names. eVent BIO apparel and footwear will be found in the market through the middle of 2026 in order to accommodate selling cycles and transition timelines.

eVent will introduce the stormST and windstormST to the materials sourcing industry at Performance Days in Munich this March. Anyone wanting to learn more about these ePTFE-free, plant-based membranes and the branding behind them, can visit eVent in booth Q12 or schedule an appointment by emailing info@eVentfabrics.com.

Posted: February 11, 2025

Source: eVent® Fabrics

Patagonia Revolutionizes Sustainable Color Management With DeSL

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CA.  — February 10, 2025 — Patagonia has been successfully utilizing Discover e-Solutions (DeSL) Color Lifecycle Management (CLM) software technology to streamline and automate its color management processes. DeSL is a market leader in digital transformation and sustainability solutions including integrated end-to-end PLM software for the fashion, apparel, textile, footwear, and retail sectors.

DeSL is proud to highlight Patagonia’s success with its CLM solution, which has enhanced operational efficiency, sustainability practices, and communication between the brand and its suppliers. This implementation reflects Patagonia’s commitment to the constant development of its products and industry leading efforts towards protecting the environment.

“With DeSL’s CLM solution, we’ve seen significant improvements in our color management workflow,” says Matt Swartz, Sr. Color & Surface Design Manager at Patagonia. “The software enables us to automate portions of our color evaluation process for lab dips, track production yardage using spectral data, and manage both spectro readable and non-spectro readable submits. In addition, DeSL’s web portal functions as a centralized platform to streamline collaboration with two-way communication and documentation database between us and our suppliers.”

DeSL looks forward to the continuous long-term partnership with Patagonia and is committed to supporting the brand’s ongoing sustainability and technology improvements. To learn more, visit DeSL or request a demo with a DeSL representative.

Posted: February 10, 2025

Source: DeSL

3M Collaborates With Hazzys, Lafuma, Pelliot, And Vector On Fresh Outdoor Styles

ST. PAUL, Minn. — February 10, 2025 — 3M™, a global supplier of advanced insulation and moisture-wicking technology, has teamed up with four exciting brands—Hazzys, Lafuma, Pelliot, and Vector—to bring 3M™ Thinsulate™ Insulation to the slopes in fresh and exciting styles. The latest looks were recently showcased at the opening of the Cervino Ski Resort in the Italian Alps.

Hazzy’s Jacket

“Working with Hazzys, Lafuma, Pelliot, and Vector is an exciting opportunity to elevate innovative design in outdoor apparel”, said Melissa Blakely, Global Portfolio Director for 3M™ Thinsulate™ and Scotchgard™. “It brings the trusted benefits of 3M™ Thinsulate™ directly to consumers who value performance and responsible design.”

  • The featured HAZZYS Padded Jacket combines advanced insulation with sleek style. Filled with 3M™ Thinsulate™, it offers lightweight, high-efficiency warmth that stands up to cold and damp conditions. Made with windproof, water-resistant fabric, it keeps you protected from the elements, while its breathable design ensures comfort during active wear. It has an adjustable hood and cuffs that provides a personalized fit, making it versatile enough for both the slopes and city streets.
  • The LAFUMA Jackets enables you to experience double the comfort with fluffy warmth and breathable freshness, thanks to 3M™ Thinsulate™ Insulation. This durable jacket is made to withstand frequent washing, ensuring long-lasting softness and warmth.
  • The Pelliot jacket are filled with 3M™ Thinsulate™ insulation for high-efficiency warmth. The jacket is lightweight, waterproof, breathable, and built to last. Whether you’re trekking through snow or gliding through the wind, it keeps you protected from the elements, unafraid of wind, frost, rain, or snow.
  • VECTOR Gloves are engineered with 3M™ Thinsulate™ insulation. These VECTOR gloves deliver high-efficiency warmth without added weight, keeping your hands dry and comfortable in cold, wet conditions. These gloves offer a flexible fit and secure grip, perfect for a confident hold during winter sports.

Hazzys, Lafuma, Pelliot, and Vector, leaders in apparel, are gearing up to launch new products featuring 3M™ Thinsulate™ Insulation this winter. These brands are committed to keeping consumers warm and comfortable in any environment, from snowy peaks to urban landscapes, by integrating high-performance insulation that stands up to the elements while supporting sustainable practices.

Posted: February 10, 2025

Source: 3M

Modern Meadow’s Exhibit At Lineapelle 2025 To Feature New Products And Colors Of Its Renewable And Recyclable Biomaterial

NUTLEY, N.J. — February 10, 2025 — Modern Meadow, a supplier of sustainable materials, today announced that it will be exhibiting at the Lineapelle 2025 show in the Fiera Milano Rho Center. The company will showcase its new BIO-VERA® products and colors made with more than 80% renewable carbon content. As an exhibitor in Hall 9 at Booth D02-04, Modern Meadow will display finished goods such as new models of shoulder bags, pouches, footwear and accessories. It will also feature new colors of suede swatches in camel, navy blue, taupe and forest green, as well as full grain swatches in white perforated and chestnut brown.

David Williamson

“Our participation at Lineapelle is an opportunity for brands and tanneries to experience the look and feel of BIO-VERA® first-hand,” said David Williamson, PhD, CEO of Modern Meadow. “This transformative material is beautiful, stronger and lighter than traditional materials as it is created using our revolutionary miscible blend of plant-based proteins, biopolymers and post-consumer waste that maximize performance and sustainability at the molecular level.”

This biomaterial is a novel, sustainable, animal-free material that combines the precision and performance of man-made material and retains the features for creativity found in traditional finishing processes. It requires no special preservation or storage conditions, which reduces complexity and costs, and it has scalable adoption. Modern Meadow has the capability to commercially produce more than 500,000 square meters per year of this material, making it readily available to customers and simplifying existing supply chain issues. It can easily integrate into and shorten existing production processes and allows designers and leather experts to produce bespoke materials for products across the furniture, automotive, apparel and fashion accessories industries.

Dr. Williamson continued, “We encourage Lineapelle participants to stop by our booth to learn how our leather alternative is inspired by nature, innovative by design and could be used in their luxury goods.”

Posted: February 10, 2025

Source: Modern Meadow

UNIFI®, Makers of REPREVE®, Launches Integr8™, Globally Available Performance Enhancing Filament Yarn

GREENSBORO, N.C. — February 10, 2025 — Unifi, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “UNIFI®”), the makers of REPREVE® and one of the world’s innovators in recycled and synthetic yarns, today launches Integr8™, the textile industry’s most comprehensive, multi-functional sustainable yarn. Traceable and made including REPREVE® recycled polyester, Integr8™ is a spandex-free stretch yarn that combines softness with moisture management and offers cutting-edge functionality for a wide range of applications. Integr8™ elevates the performance and functionality of woven, knit, and seamless products, making it ideal for apparel, footwear, and home furnishings.

“Integr8 represents a breakthrough, particularly for apparel and footwear brands that have long sought the stretch of spandex without the associated environmental burden. With one of the industry’s most comprehensive suites of performance-engineered technologies, UNIFI is ideally positioned to meet the growing demand for sustainable, functional yarn.” said Eddie Ingle, Chief Executive Officer of Unifi, Inc.

About Integr8:

  • Continuous filament yarn, made including post-consumer recycled plastic that delivers exceptional softness and superior performance characteristics.
  • Revolutionary, integrated performance features include ultra-soft hand feel, spandex-free comfort stretch, moisture management, evaporative cooling, UPF protection, and easy-care, low-wrinkle properties. (Certain properties may be dependent on fabric construction.)
  • Embedded with the superior characteristics of REPREVE® with fully traceable FiberPrint® technology and certified by U-TRUST®, along with Oeko-Tex®, GRS, and SCS certifications for recycled content.

The new filament yarn is available globally and can be used seamlessly across fabric applications. Its multifaceted functionality and scaled availability addresses key opportunities for the textile industry, particularly for brands aiming to create circular performance products and meet ambitious sustainability goals. With its versatility and traceability, Integr8 yarn offers endless possibilities across the apparel, footwear, and home furnishings industries.

UNIFI will showcase Integr8 at Hall 6 booth #6L40 during Première Vision Paris, taking place February 11th – 13th at the Paris Nord Villepinte convention center. For more information on UNIFI®, the makers of REPREVE®, please visit www.repreve.com.

Posted: February 10, 2025

Source: UNIFI, Inc.

 

Alliance For European Flax-Linen & Hemp Host Natural Fibre Composites Village At JEC World 2025

PARIS — February 10, 2025 — The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp will host a Natural Fibre Village at JEC World 2025 that will showcase the activities of the Alliance and nine of its members in a 250m2 area dedicated to natural fibre composites.

Partnering with the JEC Group, the Alliance will lead the European flax and hemp industry exhibit where Bcomp, Demgy, Depestele, Eco-Technilin, Flipts en Dobbels, Libeco, Norafin, Safilin and Terre de Lin and, for the first time, Linificio e Canapificio Nazionale SRL, will all exhibit a wide range of flax and hemp raw materials and composite products.

Materials on display throughout the village will include new services and products developed specifically for key Automotive, Architectural and Industrial Design applications such as: 2D woven flax reinforcements, roving, flax based thermoplastic tape, flax reinforcements produced from natural fibres and automotive industry waste, non-woven reinforcements, bio-sourced flax fillers for automotive OEM structural parts and much more.

On the JEC Mobility planets, JEC Innovation Award Finalist Bcomp and its partners Windicty, Arkema and NMG Europe, will display the rComposite® vertical wind blade, manufactured from recyclable materials including a mix of glass, flax and recycled carbon fibers combined with thermoplastic resins.

Bcomp will also showcase its collaboration with Temca on the Industrial Planet. Designed by Rudy Ricciotti and Roland Carta for Bouygues Bâtiment Sud-Est and manufactured by Temca using Bcomp’s ampliTex™, 880 cladding panels were created for the façade of the new Cité Scolaire Internationale Jacques Chirac in Marseille.

Also on the Industrial Planet, EcoTechnilin and Babolat have partnered to develop NF²-TECH for high performance sports rackets. Prioritizing the technical advantages of flax fibers, such as enhanced vibration damping and improved comfort, this innovation, used across Babolat’s premium racket range, demonstrates flax’s ability to meet strict technical and industrial requirements.

Finally, as part of the JEC Composite Exchange program, Alliance experts Julie Pariset Innovation & CSR Director and Marie Demaegdt Sustainability Director with the support of Bruno Pech, Innovation Project Manager will present a session entitled Advancing European Flax-Linen & Hemp Composites: Innovations, Insights, and Sustainable Pathways. This session, held on 4 March, 16.30, Agora Stage,  will explore the latest advancements in the European flax-linen and hemp composites sector, shedding light on its technical innovations, environmental contributions, and strategic pathways for a more sustainable future.

JEC World 2025 will form a key part of the Alliance’s acceleration of its sustainable transformation trajectory and will include updates on the evolution of Flax-Linen certifications, new environmental footprint tools and scientific validations on the technical properties of Flax-Linen.

Posted: February 10, 2025

Source: Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp

UK Government Leaders Unveil Pincroft’s £1.5m Military Textile Printing Expansion

ADLINGTON, UK — February 10, 2025 — Military fabric printer, dyer and finisher, Pincroft, has reinforced its position in camouflage fabric manufacturing with a £1.5 million investment in cutting-edge rotary printing technology. During a high-profile visit from UK government officials, the company also announced it has brought rotary laser engraving technology in-house, further strengthening its domestic capabilities in camouflage fabric production.

(L-R) John Vareldzis (CEO), Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Maria Eagle MP, Mike Collins (MD).

The event was attended by prominent figures including Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Chorley, Maria Eagle MP, Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Industry, and Pincroft’s CEO John Vareldzis, alongside Managing Director Mike Collins. In a symbolic moment marking the company’s military printing expansion, the officials cut the ribbon in front of a small group of directors and industry guests, underscoring the significance of UK-based expertise in military textiles. Discussions focused on the importance of reshoring camouflage fabric production, reinforcing national supply chains and the wider benefits for local employment.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “This is a major investment creating high quality jobs, but most of all, producing the best camouflage in the world being printed here. We look forward to the United Kingdom wearing printed uniforms from Adlington.”

Maria Eagle MP added: “The impact of having the capability in the UK to make uniforms to these standards is quite clear. It means that you can keep the intellectual property of how you’re designing your uniforms local, instead of them being sent around the world. To have the capability to do that here is a very powerful sovereign strength.”

John Vareldzis commented: “The scale of today’s visit and the calibre of attendees demonstrate the strategic importance of this investment—to ourselves, the local area and the UK. With many decades of military printing experience, we now have one of the best rotary printing technologies available. This positions us to meet our customers’ evolving needs, explore new markets and offer greater versatility, including lighter fabrics.”

Mike Collins highlighted: “This investment presents a huge opportunity for growth. By adding this additional equipment, we have increased our annual capacity to over eight million metres, ensuring we are well-positioned to meet growing customer demand.”

Pincroft’s new investment includes a Rotascreen TG by Austrian manufacturer Zimmer, with 12 printheads and a magnet system to ensure greater precision, faster reorders and uniform coverage. To further enhance production, Pincroft has also brought screen-making in-house with the SPGPrints bestLEN direct rotary engraving system. This allows for greater flexibility, creativity and speed when producing new designs for customers – from concept to printed fabric.

Posted: February 10, 2025

Source: Pincroft

TotalEnergies And Mayer & Cie. Co-Brand The Tixo Stainless Knitting Machine Oil Range

PARIS — February 10, 2025 — Under a new partnership agreement between TotalEnergies Lubrifiants and Mayer & Cie. signed, the Tixo Stainless co-branded product range will be sold by Mayer & Cie.’s expert distributors worldwide to their customers.

Rainer KEIEMBURG, Vice President for Industrial Lubricants at TotalEnergies Lubrifiants and Marcus Mayer, Managing Partner Mayer & Cie. signed the cooperation in Strasbourg on
Thursday, February 6, 2025 Photo — Benjamin Hincker

Signed on February 6, 2025, this new agreement allows the two leaders to join forces to combine TotalEnergies’ Tixo Stainless oils, one of the highest-performance knitting machine lubricants, with one of the best knitting machines available on the market.

TotalEnergies Lubrifiants is one of the world’s leading suppliers of oils for knitting machines. Its range of Tixo products, specially designed to meet the requirements of knitting machines and approved by key manufacturers, is one of the best oils available on the market for lubricating needles, needle beds, sinkers and knitting cams on knitting machines. They are also compatible with all types of yarn. Tixo knitting oils have been developed to offer the best washability at low, medium and high wash temperatures, without compromising mechanical performance. This ensures adequate lubrication of machine components, guaranteeing machine reliability and the quality of the knitted fabrics produced.

Mayer & Cie., a German company founded in 1905, is a long-established, premium manufacturer and supplier of large-diameter circular knitting machines. As a trailblazer in the sector, setting standards while developing new processes and approaches, the company is further distinguished by its strong expertise and market knowledge. Benjamin MAYER, Managing Partner Mayer & Cie. said: “We are excited to offer our circular knitting machine customers a premium-quality machine and needle oil, adding yet another element to ensure exceptional performance.”

Founded on shared values and a common passion for innovation, this agreement reflects both partners’ commitment to meeting their customers’ specific needs with highly advanced, high-performance solutions. The partnership also embodies TotalEnergies Lubrifiants’ expertise in knitting machines lubrication as several world’s key knitting machine manufacturers place their trust in the Tixo range, which Mayer & Cie. has just joined. For Rainer KEIEMBURG, Vice President for Industrial Lubricants at TotalEnergies Lubrifiants, “It is an honor to welcome Mayer & Cie. as one of our key partners. Combining their circular knitting machines with our lubricants was an obvious choice for me, and I am delighted to collaborate together to fully satisfy their customers.”

Posted: February 10, 2025

Source: Mayer & Cie. GmbH & Co. KG

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