May/June 2023

The San Francisco-based Apparel Impact Institute has named Claire Bergkamp to its board of directors. Bergkamp is CEO of the Textile Exchange.

Larry Radford was named dyehouse manager for Gastonia, N.C.-based Champion Thread’s new South Carolina-based thread and yarn dyeing facility.

Brooklyn, Ohio-based MMI Textiles Inc. has hired Bruce Dabbs as Technical Textile engineer. He is based in North Carolina for the company.

Joan Izzo has joined Apex Mills, Inwood, N.Y., as senior marketing manager.

Four industry professionals recently were named as recipients of Lifetime Awards from the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA), Cary, N.C. Jan O’Regan is the recipient of the Life-time Service Award; and Seshadri Ramkumar, Jim Robinson and Ed Thomas all will be honored with the Lifetime Technical Achievement Award. Each honoree will receive their award in person at an upcoming INDA event.

New York City-based Designtex has named Oriana Reich vice president of marketing.
Patrick Cummings was named senior vice president and CFO of Motion Industries Inc., Birmingham, Ala.

INX International Ink Co., Schaumburg, Ill., has hired Paul Edwards to be the vice president of the Digital Division.

Avery Dennison reports Chairman and CEO Mitch Butier will become executive chairman of the board of directors and current president and COO Deon Stander will become president and CEO, effective September 1, 2023, as part of a succession plan.

Switzerland-based Archroma recently announced a CEO transition plan. Heike van de Kerkhof is stepping down to pursue other career opportunities and Mark Garrett will take on the role of interim CEO. The company’s board of directors has initiated a CEO search and will evaluate both internal and external candidates.

May/June 2023

 

May/June 2023

The Itihaas Co.™ recently introduced a collection of lifestyle and home goods including velvet and fringe throws, pillows and cushions. The designs are inspired by the brand-owner’s childhood spent in India.

Spain-based Zara has partnered with Circ, Danville,Va., to introduce a women’s capsule collection that was made using recycled polycotton blended textiles.

Pindler, Moorpark, Calif., recently introduced the Exclusive Linen Trim Collection, which features linen and linen-blend trims in neutral and blue colorways.

Portland, Ore.-based Dovetail Workwear’s Ready Set Cargo Pant made using Cordura NYCO fabric from CORDURA® Advanced Fabrics, Kennesaw, Ga., was recognized by the Network Association of Uniform Manufacturers & Distributors with a 2023 Innovation Award in the fabric category.

Culp Inc., High Point, N.C., recently introduced Nanobionic®, a wellness-focused upholstery collection that uses infrared technology to help the human body restore and recharge while relaxing.

Wilmington, Del.-based DuPont recently introduced Kevlar® EXO™, a next-generation aramid fiber that offers lightweight and pliability for comfort with previously unavailable levels of ballistic protection, according to the company.

Trelleborg Engineered Coated Fabrics, Rutherfordton, N.C., has signed a distribution agreement with MMI Textiles Inc., Brooklyn, Ohio, for TACTWEAR™ High Abrasion Neoprene Kevlar® (HANK). Customers may now purchase TACTWEAR HANK from MMI Textiles in a variety of weights, colors and quantities.

The Advanced Textiles Association (ATA), Roseville, Minn., recently debuted a redesigned website located at textiles.org.

Spartanburg, S.C.-based Milliken & Company was named to Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity list for the second year in a row.

Lyndhurst, N.J.-based Lion Brand Yarn Co. is celebrating its 145th anniversary this year.

May/June 2023

Mission Critical

Artilect’s Darkstart Fusion jacket is protected from the rain with GTT’s environmentally friendly EMPEL™ DWR.

Green Theme Technologies’ EMPEL™ offers apparel brands like Artilect a sustainable, PFAS-free option for water repellency.

By Rachael S. Davis, Executive Editor

Brands often lead the way when it comes to sustainable textile products as they look to make the best products for the planet while satisfying consumer demands. Boulder, Colo.-based outdoor brand Artilect is one such company.

According to Artilect Founder Trent Bush, the company’s mission is to improve performance for both people and the planet at the same time. With this in mind, choosing a durable water repellent (DWR) for its outdoor clothing means choosing a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-free solution is of the utmost importance.

After researching available options, Artilect chose EMPEL™ from Green Theme Technologies Inc. (GTT), Rio Rancho, N.M., to protect products including its new Darkstart Fusion jacket, which is part of Artilect System’s (A/SYS) collection of apparel.

The EMPEL platform is built on the principles of clean chemistry, and in addition to being PFAS-free, also is a water-free technology. GTT developed a curing pod to molecularly bond its patented chemistry to each fiber in a polymerization process. The large pressure-cooking vessels move the EMPEL monomer chemistry into the fibers where it is then cured using heat to create performance enhancing polymer chains. Once cured, the finish is stable and durable, and EMPEL easily lasts for 50 washes and beyond. “The finish does not appear to come off, and now we are trying to figure out how to test for life of garment,” said Martin Flora, GTT’s president of Global Business Development.

To demonstrate the treatment’s water repellence, EMPEL DWR has been tested in six-hour hurricane rain chamber tests as well as using the Bundesmann Water Repellency Tester to international test standard ISO 9865.

Despite coating the fibers in the chemistry, the treated fabrics are breathable, as well as soft and do not become stiff. EMPEL’s base chemistry uses components found in facial creams that act as a softening molecular lubricant to maintain this soft hand.

In addition, the DWR chemistry is compatible with any fabric construction type — woven, knit or nonwoven — and all man-made fibers such as nylon and polyester as well as natural fibers like cotton and wool. This flexibility in application means a broad range of garments from man-made-fiber-based technical garments to knitted hoodies and wool blazers can benefit from the technology.

GTT is focused on making a change in the way textiles are processed globally. “Our technology is a targeted solution that delivers better long-lasting performance to keep clothing working for a much longer period of time,” Flora emphasized.

Artilect currently is the largest partner of EMPEL based on the number of styles the brand offers that incorporate the technology. “I chose EMPEL because it is the only DWR solution that outperforms not only C0 DWRs, but also C6 or C8 chemistries,” Bush said. “The fact that

it is PFAS-free is of course critical, and it allows us to follow our mission.”


For more information about EMPEL™, contact Martin Flora, martin.flora@greenthemetek.com; greenthemetek,com.

For more information about Artilect’s Darkstart Fusion jacket, visit artilect.studio/us/.


May/June 2023

PANGAIA Expands Plant-Based Activewear Collection Made With Hyosung creora® Bio-Based Spandex

SEOUL, South Korea and NEW YORK, NY — May 31, 2023 — Upon the success of Motion, a collection empowered by plants that launched last fall, purpose-driven materials science brand PANGAIA has expanded the range to include a new capsule collection for men and additional colorways for women.

The PANGAIA Motion collection is the brand’s most bio-based offering to date that’s made with 99.99% plant-based EVO® Nylon and 30 percent plant-based creora® spandex, the first of its kind. The activewear has an updated look and feel with seamless shapes offering comfort and stretch -designed to feel like a second skin with gentle compression.

The Motion collection features the Men’s Motion Mesh T-shirt, Men’s Motion Zipped Long Sleeve Top and Men’s Motion Tights offered in volcanic grey and black. The women’s collection includes the Women’s Motion Sports Bra, Women’s Motion Ribbed Tank Top, Women’s Motion T-Shirt, Women’s Motion Shorts and Women’s Motion Leggings offered in new taupe and cobalt blue, in addition to back, foliage green, and cerulean blue.

“We are thrilled to see such a fabulous reaction to PANGAIA’s plant-based Motion collection,” said Claire O’Neill, Hyosung European Marketing Manager. “It is a true testimony to the fact that consumers are making more sustainable choices when it comes to their apparel purchases. We look forward to our continued collaboration with such an innovative and passionate brand whose aim is to give back to the planet more than it takes.”

PANGAIA was the first brand to globally introduce creora® bio-based spandex in an activewear range.  The yarn is SGS certified guaranteeing that it is made with plant-based materials and produced in an eco-friendly environment. According to a recent third-party LCA, the manufacture of creora® bio-based spandex reduces its carbon footprint by 20 percent as compared to the production of conventional spandex.

The PANGAIA Motion collection is available online at PANGAIA.com. Hyosung will have pieces of the PANGAIA Motion collection on display at its Outdoor Retailer Show booth # 30097 taking place June 19-21 in Salt Lake City, UT.

Posted: May 31, 2023

Source: Hyosung

ACCELERATING CIRCULARITY Launches Textile-To-Textile Recycling Playbook At Circularity 23 Event June 7

CAMPBELL HALL, N.Y. — May 31, 2023 — Accelerating Circularity’s mission is to catalyze new supply chains and business models to turn spent textiles into mainstream raw materials. The Accelerating Circularity Playbook is designed as an introductory guide for stakeholders to implement circular systems to drive the diversion of millions of tons of textile waste from landfills and incineration.

“Circularity is a team sport which is why a Playbook as a how-to guide makes sense. It is intended to facilitate and expedite circular systems” said founder Karla Magruder, ACP founder, and president. “We have been working with 100+ value chain members in both the USA and Europe to catalyze new collaborations and pilot textile-to-textile recycling. The circular system pilot trials are at standard industry MOQ’s in categories representing t-shirts, denim, fleece, workwear, and towels. Our focus is on post-consumer textiles as we believe they are too good to waste. ”

Circularity 23 is sponsored by GreenBiz as the leading convening of professionals building the circular economy with thought-provoking keynotes, actionable breakouts, and a solutions-oriented expo with networking opportunities. Accelerating Circularity Founder, Karla Magruder, Sarah Coulter, Director of Operations, and ACP board member, Steve Bethel, founder of Bank & Vogue, Shelly Gottshamer, CEO Treadletree consulting on the project, along with trial partners from Cone Denim, Parkdale Mills, Unifi, Sortile, and Goodwill Industries will be there to discuss the textile-to-textile recycling playbook on June 7th.

For more information and to obtain a copy of the Accelerating Circularity textile-to-textile recycling playbook, visit https://www.acceleratingcircularity.org/playbook

To join Accelerating Circularity or for a customized workshop on how to implement circular textile systems at your company, please contact info@acceleratingcircularity.org.

Posted: May 31, 2023

Source: Accelerating Circularity

Calais Dentelles Announces The Sale Of ‘NOYON’ – Noyon Lanka Acquires 100 Years Of Lace Heritage

WALGAMA, Sri Lanka— May 31, 2023 — In groundbreaking industry news, Noyon Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., a subsidiary of MAS Holdings, and DESSEILLES CALAIS, a subsidiary of the CALAIS DENTELLES holding company, announced the sale of NOYON CALAIS’ IP rights and other intangible assets to Noyon Lanka.

NOYON CALAIS is a French lace manufacturer known for a 100+ years of heritage in the industry. This Intellectual Property (IP) acquisition now positions Noyon Lanka as an industry leader in lace manufacturing, combining the legacy and heritage of NOYON CALAIS SAS and MAS Holdings’ technical competency and manufacturing excellence. This sale gives the opportunity for the French business DESSEILLES CALAIS to focus on their main luxury core market.

The IP and other assets acquired enable Noyon Lanka to draw inspiration, create and commercialize lace products and manufacture lace products under the trademark ‘Noyon’. Additionally, Noyon Lanka will now be the owner of all ‘Noyon’ trademarks belonging to Noyon Calais and will own all their archives of sketches, drafts, and samples of lace and embroidery fabrics from the 19th and 20th centuries.

With the acquisition, Noyon Lanka enhances its ability to provide high-quality lace products to customers worldwide, drawing upon and preserving the rich history and heritage of lace manufacturing in France.

Noyon Lanka’s CEO, Ashiq Lafir, commenting on the acquisition, said, “This acquisition will enable us to expand our product design offerings and strengthen our leadership position in lace manufacturing globally. We are humbled and proud to take ownership of NOYON CALAIS’ remarkable legacy and combine it with our technical expertise to create beautiful, innovative lace products for our customers”.

Sébastien Bento Soares, the Directeur Général – CEO of CALAIS DENTELLES, the parent company of NOYON CALAIS, added that “This asset sale enables DESSEILLES CALAIS to focus on our core luxury market and ensures that the rich history and legacy of Noyon’s lace continues to effectively serve its long-time customers, who have come to rely on Noyon’s heritage in lace to provide some of the world foremost brands with the finest lace designs that their customers have adorned over many generations”.

Noyon Lanka was established in 2004 when Noyon Calais France, an industry expert in knitted and leavers lace, partnered with MAS Holdings. Today, Noyon’s lace creators and designers launch over 450 designs each year, with collections ranging from multi-way stretch, high tenacity lace to engineered lace for fabric.

In addition to its production facilities in Sri Lanka, the company has a global footprint with a manufacturing presence in Indonesia and China.

Posted: May 31, 2023

Source: Noyon Lanka Pvt. Ltd.

Internationally Renowned Marine Research Institute Reaffirms Biodegradability Of Lenzing Fibers

LENZING/SAN DIEGO — May 31, 2023 — The Lenzing Group, a provider of specialty fibers for the textile and nonwoven industries, has received further scientific proof that Lenzing fibers are biodegradable in the ocean and revert to being part of the ecosystem at the end of their life cycle. Scientists at the prestigious academic research institute Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) at the University of California, San Diego confirmed back in 2021 that LENZINGTM Lyocell fibers completely biodegrade in sea-surface conditions in a remarkably short time. In a second study published in May 20231, the biodegradability of LENZING™ Lyocell fibers, LENZING™ Viscose fibers and LENZING™ Modal fibers on the sea floor was also confirmed, providing definitive proof that they are a better alternative to petroleum-based fibers. The assessments are the result of an independent project aimed at understanding end-of-life scenarios for textiles and nonwovens that are discarded as waste in the environment.

SIO has a global reputation for being one of the oldest, largest and most important marine research centers. In its latest study, it compared the degradation processes of nonwovens made of petroleum and bio-based synthetic materials such as polyester and PLA, cellulosic materials such as cotton, and the Lenzing Group’s wood-based LENZINGTM Lyocell fibers, LENZING™ Viscose fibers and LENZING™ Modal fibers in specific scenarios. The materials were assessed in various real oceanic conditions and controlled aquaria conditions. The results of these experiments are striking: while the wood-based cellulosic fibers fully biodegraded within 30 days, both in sea-surface and sea-floor conditions, the petroleum-based fibers tested were practically unchanged after more than 200 days.

“Our business model is one of a circular economy. The Lenzing Group uses a highly efficient system of processing all raw materials to produce fibers that will return to the ecosystem at the end of their life cycle. Our goal is to raise widespread awareness of major challenges such as plastic pollution and, above all, offer a truly sustainable alternative to petroleum-based fibers,” comments Michaela Kogler, Project Manager in Research & Breakthrough Innovation at the Lenzing Group. “It is also important to raise awareness of biodegradability, as not everything with an “organic” label is genuinely compostable and biodegradable,” adds Kogler.

The biodegradability of LENZING™ Lyocell fibers, LENZING™ Viscose fibers and LENZING™ Modal fibers has been tested in the laboratory of Normec Organic Waste Systems (OWS) in Belgium – one of the world’s leading companies in biodegradability and compostability testing. The latter confirmed the results in real oceanic conditions and controlled aquaria conditions. The assessment was conducted in accordance with the prevailing applicable international standards and reflects all the relevant natural and artificial environments in which biodegradation can occur. Certificates from the certification organization TÜV Austria show that LENZING™ Lyocell fibers, LENZING™ Viscose fibers and LENZING™ Modal fibers rapidly biodegrade in all test environments (soil, industrial composting, home composting, fresh water and marine water) within the time periods set by the relevant standards.

Tailwind from legislation

Plastic pollution in the environment is a major problem of our time and may continue to impact many generations to come. The environmental damage caused by the fashion industry as a result of fast fashion business models is particularly extreme. The use of petroleum-based synthetic fibers in textiles has approximately doubled in the last 20 years. This trend is likely to continue. More than half of all textiles around the world currently contain polyester and this proportion is set to rise according to a report from the non-profit organization Changing Markets Foundation2.

Consequently, Lenzing also welcomes the EU’s targeted measures to combat plastic waste in general, such as those relating to the single-use plastic directive (EU) 2019/9043. In its recently adopted guidelines for implementing the directive, the EU Commission precisely stipulates the products that fall under this category, which will provide the necessary clarity for EU member states in their joint campaign against environmental pollution from plastic waste. Lenzing’s wood-based, biodegradable cellulosic fibers can play a role in creating a sustainable and innovative solution to this man-made problem, which will escalate in the future. The single-use plastic directive introduced in July 2021 sets out standardized labelling requirements for certain products, either on packaging or on the products themselves, such as plastic-based feminine hygiene products and wet wipes for body care or household use. One of the first steps towards solving this problem is to educate consumers and offer alternative, more circular materials.

1 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0284681

2 http://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/FOSSIL-FASHION_Web-compressed.pdf

3 Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment

Posted: May 31, 2023

Source: Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft

ITMA 2023 Exhibitor Preview: VeriVide

MANCHESTER, UK — May 31, 2023 — At ITMA 2023 in Milan from June 8-14, BTMA member VeriVide will introduce UltraView – its first all-LED light booth for achieving a new level of consistent and standardised colour assessment.

The company’s light booths and lighting cabinets are specified by major global retailers around the world, who rely on them for establishing and maintaining visual quality standards across their supply chains.

This is no easy feat, given the textile industry’s complex structure and the many process stages each individual garment undertakes from the designer’s desk to the finished garment on the retail shelf – often criss-crossing several continents during the journey.

Benefits

UltraView brings a range of sustainable new benefits to designers, mills and brands, and combined with VeriVide’s highly successful DigiEye system for non-contact colour measurement and digital imaging, can have a very positive impact on a company’s bottom line, bringing savings in time, money and CO2 emissions.

The new all-LED light booth meets all relevant international lighting and colour assessment standards. The UltraView incorporates the company’s A rated CIE D65 and CIE D50 artificial daylight light sources and includes multiple pre-set point of sale light sources while being fully tuneable for recalibration to the individual requirements of each customer. In the past, individual light booths have had to be dedicated to the stipulated settings of each specific customer’s switch sets. The rapid flexibility of UltraView, however, makes the need for multiple light booths a thing of the past.

It also eliminates the need for the regular bulb changes that were necessary with fluorescents, to provide significant energy savings.

As supply chains continue to move towards digitisation away from time-consuming and expensive physical sampling, a version of the UltraView, VisionView, is available with an internal monitor to enable physical samples to be compared with their digital versions, if required.

DigiEye

For non-contact colour measurement and digital imaging, VeriVide’s DigiEye collects and processes data that can be communicated and shared instantly, enabling manufacturers, producers and processors to speed up quality control, sustain product integrity and reduce waste.

DigiEye also overcomes the limitations of spectrophotometers, which are limited to products with a solid colour appearance and can only measure ‘average’ colour, assessing the limited area of the product exposed in the instrument’s aperture.

These limitations are further compounded if the product has any form of multi-coloured characteristics or appearance, an uneven or inconsistent surface, a colour area too small to be captured by the instrument or any sort of surface effect, such as carpet pile and the sheen of satin and silk.

“DigiEye addresses these challenges to provide a ‘best practice’ combination of lighting and visual assessment principles, together with non-contact digital measurement for quantifiable and objective quality control,” explains VeriVide Sales Manager Adam Dakin. “Unlike a spectrophotometer, the DigiEye system allows the entire product to be assessed, ensuring that all colours can be analysed and measured in context with all other visual and surface effect elements of a product. It can also accommodate items which are integral components of the apparel industry, such as lace, lingerie, patterns, prints and home furnishings, that are non-solid in colour and are heavily textured. We look forward to outlining the benefits of the new UltraView and our DigiEye system with customers old and new at ITMA 2023.”

“VeriVide is a family-run business which has specialised in colour management solutions for almost sixty years, and over that time has built up the trust of the major brands,” says BTMA CEO Jason Kent. “The company is rightfully proud of its standing and reputation for service across the industry and the new UltraView will only reinforce this.”

Posted: May 31, 2023

Source: BTMA

Glen Raven Restructures Business

Glen Raven, Burlington, N.C., recently announced a restructuring of the company’s operating framework to improve customer support with programs and strategies customized for each market. A new group, Glen Raven Materials Solutions Group, was established with the Glen Raven’s fabric brands — Sunbrella®, GlenGuard®, Dickson®, Sur Last® and others —combined under this umbrella group.

David Swers was named president of the Glen Raven Material Solutions Group. New business units within the group also were created with the following people leading the new units: Furnishings Business Unit — Suzie Roberts, vice president/general manager; Shade & Marine Business Unit — Katherine Carter, vice president/general manager; Protective Busi-ness Unit — Patti Bates, vice president/general manager; and a fourth business unit based in France, which will be led by Eugene Deleplanque, president/director general, Europe.

Glen Raven’s distribution business,Trivantage®, is not affected by the restructuring and will continue to operate as a stand-alone division within Glen Raven.

In related news, Glen Raven reports a salaried staff reduction of less than 4 per-cent as a result of challenging economic conditions.

May/June 2023

Elevate Textiles Announces Recapitalization Plan

Charlotte, N.C.-based Elevate Textiles Inc. has announced a recapitalization plan that will strengthen its balance sheet and allow the company to reinvest in its global operations.The transaction, which has the support of all key financial stakeholders, will better align Elevate’s financial foundation with its operational strengths. The company will be owned by a consortium of leading global investment firms, who will appoint a new board of directors.

The recapitalization will infuse $100 million of new capital into the company, providing it with the resources it needs to continue to grow. No impact on the company’s global operations is expected.

“We are pleased with the outcome of this recapitalization process which provides an improved balance sheet and reduced leverage to align with the strength and capabilities of our business and brands,” said Sim Skinner, president and CEO, Elevate.

“We appreciate the support of our financial stakeholders who have demonstrated their confidence in Elevate, our business plan, and our future. We look forward to directing our focus on delivering the high-quality service and premium products our customers have come to trust and depend on.”

May/June 2023

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