Raschel Machine Brings Smart Textile Projects Forward

OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — May 15, 2023 — Inauguration of an MJ 52/1-S from KARL MAYER for processing electrically conductive yarns at Grabher GROUP

The combination of electrically conductive material with textiles opens up a wide range of new possibilities, especially in the sports sector. The analysis of mobility through sensors, for example, helps to avoid incorrect overload to the body and to increase the fun factor during physical activity. The work of a consortium consisting of component and sports product manufacturers, service providers and research institutions, including the University of Salzburg with its sports, movement and computer scientists as the scientific lead centre, aims to demonstrate how the potentials can be utilized through specific, marketable products.

As a partner from the textile production chain, the Grabher GROUP is involved in the cooperation. A milestone was celebrated at the research subsidiary of the leading manufacturer of high-tech products, V-Trion GmbH, in Lustenau on May 3, 2023: Managing Director Günter Grabher inaugurated the MJ 52/1-S from KARL MAYER, a key machine for project work in the smart textile sector. On the Raschel machine with jacquard and multibar technology, electrically conductive yarns can be worked into warp knitted fabrics directly and placed as required in order to easily implement functional elements such as sensors, conductors and coils. The textile properties remain unchanged. The integrated production method saves additional process steps and reduces environmental pollution compared to other processes, such as conductive printing pastes.

The MJ 52/1-S will also be used for projects of the Smart Textiles Platform Austria. This network association brings together more than 80 international companies and research institutes. The Grabher GROUP and the KARL MAYER GROUP are members.

Fig.: Inauguration of the MJ 52/1-S at the Grabher GROUP in a ceremonial round, among the participants Michael Kieren (3rd from left) and, following in the picture to the right, Christof Naier from the KARL MAYER GROUP, Lustenau’s mayor Dr. Kurt Fischer and Günter Grabher, managing director of the Grabher GROUP

Posted May 16, 2023

Source: Karl Mayer Group

Better Cotton Offers Input On The United States FTC Green Guides

LONDON — May 15, 2023 — Better Cotton, the world’s largest cotton sustainability initiative, has submitted feedback to the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as part of an ongoing review of its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims(Green Guides).

The FTC is a bipartisan federal agency of the US government that champions the interests of American consumers. Its Green Guides framework was launched in 1992 to ensure that product sustainability claims made by companies are accurate and substantiated, with guidance updated intermittently to best reflect a modern context.

The guidance made available to companies covers general principles that apply to all environmental marketing claims, including information on how consumers are likely to interpret particular claims and how these can be substantiated, and how marketers can qualify their claims to avoid deceiving consumers.

As part of this latest review, Better Cotton has submitted feedback to ensure that the document considers an agricultural context and what constitutes progress at field-level.

Notably, one of the six components of the Better Cotton Standard System (BCSS) is its Claims Framework, through which it provides support to eligible members to communicate their commitment to Better Cotton in a clear, transparent and credible way.

The ability for Better Cotton Members to communicate about their financial investment in Better Cotton to consumers strengthens their commitment to its farm-level programmes which seek social, environmental and economic improvements for cotton farmers and farming communities.

Better Cotton is supportive of the FTC’s initiative, through its revised Guides, to establish a common framework through which US companies can ensure they communicate their sustainability efforts in a credible, verifiable and accurate manner.

In doing so, businesses benefit from a level playing field and are empowered to continually pursue bolder sustainability targets with the opportunity to relay such ambitions to an increasingly sustainability-conscious consumer base.

That said, to improve the guidance in its current form, Better Cotton considers that the FTC should continue to include examples of substantiation from a range of methods and avoid limiting substantiation to one standard methodology.

Establishing one single method as the standard methodology for the substantiation of claims such as lifecycle analysis (LCA) or product environmental footprints (PEF)would not be appropriate as, to date, there is no standard methodology available that can cover all relevant impact categories for all product types.

Moreover, LCA raises specific challenges when applied to an agricultural context. If this approach is adopted in the revised Guides, some of the most trusted and widely used sustainability schemes and their labels would effectively be unable to provide environmental marketing claims for their members.

Posted May 16, 2023

Source:

Chris Donovan Footwear Wins 2023 Fashion Group International Rising Star Award In The Accessories Category

NEW YORK, NY — May 16, 2023 — On Monday, May 8th, women’s footwear designer Chris Donovan was awarded the Fashion Group International (FGI) Rising Star Award in the accessories category. Designed in Massachusetts and hand-crafted in Italy, Donovan sources Italian leathers to create a luxury-grade collection of women’s footwear. The collection soft-launched in 2021 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic with 6 styles, and has been growing an online presence through the brand’s ecommerce site, resulting in a collection featuring 12 designs.

Prior to launching the brand, Donovan worked as a telephone repairman for over 25 years. At the age of 55, he wanted to seek a career path that brought joy to his life. After leaving his previous job, Donovan enrolled in a Masters in Footwear program at Polimoda Fashion Institute in Florence, Italy. The program was able to help him retain his unique voice and bring it to a much higher level of sophistication. He opened the final graduation show with his collection and subsequently showed some of his designs at Dutch Design Week. Back in Massachusetts, Donovan won a contest hosted by Project Runway to meet judge Tim Gunn and have him critique his work. Gunn noted his unique vision, developed from years spent drawing and studying his surroundings. For each collection, he draws inspiration from art, architecture, nature, found objects, and his many life experiences.

“Being in a room full of admirable members of the fashion industry is so awe-inspiring” says Chris Donovan after winning his Rising Star Award. “I can’t believe the unwavering support I have received from all corners of this industry and I feel truly humbled to have been acknowledged in such a way with this award. The fashion world is certainly a far cry from my 25 years in the telephone repair business, but it’s way more exciting and all the more satisfying!”

“It is our honor to welcome the fashion industry to the FGI Rising Star Awards each year and to celebrate such promising new talent in fashion and related sectors,” said Maryanne Grisz, Fashion Group International President and CEO. “FGI’s mission is to support the industry and our members, whether well-established or emerging talent. Over the years, past FGI Rising Star honorees have risen to become some of the leading voices in the business, and I cannot wait to cheer on our FGI Rising Stars in their next successes.”

Posted: May 16, 2023

Source: Fashion Group International (FGI)

Glen Raven Announces New Structure To Improve Focus On Customers And Key Markets

BURLINGTON, N.C. — May 16, 2023 — Glen Raven recently introduced an updated operating structure that creates even greater focus on each of the key fabric markets it serves. The company has combined its fabric brands, including Sunbrella®, GlenGuard®, Dickson®, Sur Last® and others, under a new Glen Raven Material Solutions Group.

Within the group, the company has created new business units tailored to serve specific markets. David Swers, president of the new Glen Raven Material Solutions Group, will oversee the group, and its new business units will be led by experienced Glen Raven executives:

  • Suzie Roberts, VP/GM Furnishings Business Unit, will lead the team focused on fabrics for furniture, cushions, umbrellas, and other related applications
  • Katherine Carter, VP/GM Shade & Marine Business Unit, will lead the team focused on fabrics for marine and shade applications, including awnings
  • Patti Bates, VP/GM Protective Business Unit, will lead the team expanding the company’s GlenGuard® fabrics used for protective workwear
  • Eugene Deleplanque, President/Director General Europe, will lead a fourth business unit based in France to support customers in the European market

The purpose of the business units in the new Glen Raven Material Solutions Group is to further improve the company’s existing support for customers through programs and strategies that are customized to the needs of each market.  The company’s sales teams will continue to support their customers as part of the new business units, so customers will not experience any disruptions during the transition.

Trivantage®, the nation’s largest distributor of fabrics, hardware, and accessories for the shade, marine, upholstery and related industries, is not affected and will continue to operate as a stand-alone division within Glen Raven, as will the company’s other businesses.

Along with this updated structure, the company reduced salaried staff in North America by less than 4% due to the challenging economic conditions.

Posted May 16, 2023

Source: Glen Raven

Scholarship Donations Honor Dr. Perry Grady

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — MAY 16, 2023 — Perry Grady was a lifelong supporter of AATCC and the NC State Wilson College of Textiles. When he died in January 2023, his family suggested gifts in his memory be made to AATCC Foundation. Friends and colleagues donated more than $2,000 to the Grady, Hauser, Houser, Daniels Graduate Fellowship.

GHHD Fellowship

The AATCC Foundation Grady, Hauser, Houser, Daniels Graduate Fellowship supports students pursuing a PhD in Fiber and Polymer Science at North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles. The $3,500 annual award was founded by Charles E Gavin III. Retired chair and CEO of MFG Chemical, as well as a past president and treasurer of AATCC, Gavin created the fellowship to continue his legacy of supporting the textile industry and to honor four individuals, all graduates of North Carolina State University, and all instrumental in the continued success of AATCC Foundation Inc. The four individuals are:

  • Perry Grady, retired associate dean emeritus at the College of Textiles, who worked for many years to help gain donations and develop scholarships for the Foundation
  • Peter Hauser, AATCC president and chair of AATCC Foundation 2013-2014, and retired professor in the Textile Engineering and Color Chemistry Department at the College of Textiles
  • Nelson Houser, AATCC president and initial chair of AATCC Foundation 1997-1998
  • John Y. “Jack” Daniels, AATCC executive vice president 1996-2018 and president of AATCC Foundation from its establishment in 1997 to his retirement in 2018

Posted May 16, 2023

Source: AATCC

Under Armour’s New Fiber Shed Methodology Receives SEAL Sustainable Innovation Award

BALTIMORE — May 16, 2023 — Under Armour is pleased to share that its new breakthrough method to measure fiber shedding has won a SEAL Business Sustainability Award in the Sustainable Innovation category. The brand is using its accessible, affordable, and repeatable method to drive visibility into the shed-rate of the materials and textiles it sources to create lower-shed products. Under Armour’s goal is for 75 percent of fabrics in its products to be made of low-shed materials by 2030.

The SEAL (Sustainability, Environmental Achievement and Leadership) Awards celebrate companies and leaders across the globe who make measurable contributions to sustainability. Read the full announcement here.

Kyle Blakely, senior vice president of Innovation for Under Armour, said: “At Under Armour, we’re committed to using our innovation muscle to address our fiber shed footprint over time. It’s an honor that the SEAL Awards have recognized the potential of our new test method, which is advancing our work to mitigate the shed-rate of products long before the associated fibers can enter the environment. We’re excited about our method’s potential and look forward to continuing to work with partners and peers to address the growing threat that microplastics pose to our planet and society.”

Michael Levine, vice president & chief sustainability officer for Under Armour, said: “Our industry has great potential to help make a dent in the growing microplastics problem. At Under Armour, we believe early intervention is key, and our new test method is a significant milestone in helping us activate on it. We are grateful to be recognized by the SEAL Awards for our innovative approach, which will help us deliver on our goal for 75% of fabric in UA products to be made of low-shed materials by 2030.”

Posted May 16, 2023

Source: Under Armour

Mannington Commercial Introduces The Crafted Collection

CALHOUN, Ga. — May 16, 2023 — Mannington Commercial (10th floor, 1039), a leading manufacturer of commercial flooring products crafted with purpose, is introducing the Crafted Collection. Available in modular format, the collection features a contemporary aesthetic and superior durability, making it an ideal flooring solution for interior spaces prone to heavy foot-traffic.

Two styles, Foam and Frost, each feature tonal, textural patterns and eight colors that range from mellow grays and warm neutrals to rich emerald, navy and red accents. Available in 12-inch by 36-inch tiles and made of Type 6 nylon fibers, the carpet collection delivers enhanced resistance against matting and abrasive wear. Its patented Infinity® 2 Modular backing withstands aggressive wet cleanings. These combined attributes allow Crafted to perform in high-traffic and multiple public space areas including office or hotel lobbies, dining environments and transportation facilities such as airports.

“The Crafted Collection expertly marries design, performance and leading environmental benefits into a beautifully crafted modular carpet collection,” said Mannington Commercial Roby Isaac, Vice President of Commercial Design. “The result is a highly versatile flooring solution that can be used across any number of commercial interior spaces and projects.”

To support the wellbeing of people in the built environment, 105% of the Crafted Collection products’ embodied carbon is offset cradle to gate. All products in the collection carry a Type III EDP and published HPD. The products are also CRI Green Label Plus Certified as low-emitting for better indoor air quality. In addition, the Infinity® 2 modular backing is certified NSF/ANSI 140 Gold. The collection boasts a limited lifetime wear and backing warranty, a limited 15-year XGUARD® Stain Resistance warranty and a limited 15-year ColorSafe® Bleach Resistance warranty.

Posted May 16, 2023

Source: Mannington Commercial

India’s Allen Solly Launches 5,000-Square-Foot Store In Bangalore At Hosur-Sarjapur Road Layout

BANGALORE — May 10, 2023 — Allen Solly, India’s pioneer brand in casual work wear from Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd., has opened its largest flagship store in Bangalore at Hosur-Sarjapur Road Layout (HSR layout). The store is located in heart of the city and is situated at 27th Main Road, HSR layout and offers a remarkable range of wardrobe options for men, women, and juniors.

With a retail space of 5,000 square feet, the store promises a shopping extravaganza with innovative and stylish products.

Allen Solly is dedicated to provide premium products and delivering unmatched comfort and performance to modern consumers. The launch is part of the brand’s plan to expand its offerings and network to customers in the southern market.

The exclusive collection at the Allen Solly store features a broad range of fresh designs and effortlessly cool styles for Men, Women, and Juniors. The collection includes the new range of suits and blazer featured under The Tuxedo wedding collection. An extensive line of formal and casual wear for Men, Women and Juniors along with partywear collection and dressed up casuals for Juniors.

Speaking on the launch, Richa Pai, COO, Allen Solly, said, “We are delighted to announce the launch of our largest store in Bangalore. Allen Solly aims to build stronger connections with its consumers and expand its market presence. Bangalore’s response to our effortlessly stylish range has been the driving factor behind this brand-new store.”

Posted: May 16, 2023

Source: Allen Solly

ECOFUSE™ Plant Based Nonwoven Materials Expected To Reduce GHG Emissions

CALGARY — May 16, 2023 — Roswell Textiles provides update on the carbon emission reduction potential of its flagship plant based nonwoven materials known as ECOFUSE™.

Roswell Textiles announces that its proprietary biopolymer nonwoven materials, sold under the brand name of ECOFUSE, are expected to reduce total GHG emissions by 3,750 MT CO2 per year, growing to over 10,000 MT CO2 by year 2030 as increased adoption is achieved. ECOFUSE technology is expected to initially reduce 1,500 MT CO2 in the Energy Sector with proprietary water filtration bags that are used in industrial water processing, 1,500 MT CO2 in the food and beverage industry by replacing synthetic polypropylene-based materials, 400 MT CO2 in the HVAC filtration industry and 350 MT CO2 in the Healthcare industry.

3,750 MT CO2 is a significant amount of carbon emissions. Here are some examples to help visualize how much CO2 that is:

  • The average commercial flight produces around 0.11 MT CO2 per hour per passenger. 3,750 MT CO2 is equivalent to the emissions from approximately 34,000 passenger hours of air travel (that’s about 3.88 years of continuous flying).
  • The average passenger car emits around 4.6 metric tons of CO2 per year. 3,750 metric tons of CO2 is equivalent to the annual emissions of approximately 815 passenger cars.
  • It’s about the emissions of 194,000 propane cylinders used for home barbeques.
  • It’s about 38.1 acres of forest preserved from deforestation.

With increased adoption as ECOFUSE materials become more widely utilized in technical and product applications, the average GHG emission reduction achieved on an annual basis could exceed 10,000 MT CO2. 10,000 MT CO2 is approximately:

  • 10,000 metric tons of CO2 is equivalent to the emissions from approximately 95,000 passenger hours of air travel (that’s about 10.84 years of continuous flying).
  • 10,000 metric tons of CO2 is equivalent to annual emissions of approximately 2,170 passenger cars.
  • It’s about the emissions of 517,000 propane cylinders used in home barbeques.
  • It’s about 102 acres of forest preserved from deforestation

ECOFUSE materials are being used by Roswell Textile’s strategic partners and clients to decrease the carbon footprint of their products (generally speaking, the raw materials used to manufacture ECOFUSE have a 70-percent smaller carbon footprint than the conventional synthetic polymer materials made in the United States). The ECOFUSE materials are already commercial in medical filtration (510(k) approved face masks, respirators, etc.), water filtration (industrial water processing filters) and residential filtration applications (first HVAC filters made with plant-based materials) with additional commercialization processes underway for the use of ECOFUSE materials in hygiene, food and beverage packaging as well as in construction materials.

ECOFUSE materials, once fully adopted and commercial, will be displacing conventional synthetic polypropylene plastics in medical gowns, drapes, wraps, bed sheets, pillows, dressings, wipes, coffee filtration, teabags, absorbent pads, insulation bags, packaging, home wrap, plastic wrap/packaging, HVAC filters, ventilators, fluid filtration, geotextiles, grain bags, silage wraps, seeding bags, and car filters.

Roswell Textiles, as a result of engineering and manufacturing their own production machinery in-house, utilizes proprietary production technologies that allow for the technical processing of biopolymers to achieve the high-performance requirements in nonwoven materials that have previously been impossible to achieve at commercial scale.

ECOFUSE materials are being used to increase OEM’s accomplishment of net zero carbon emissions in their product lines, as well as helping companies and industries reduce their carbon emissions to be in compliance with federally and internationally mandated carbon reduction policies. ECOFUSE meltblown materials, currently in commercial use in regulated and highly technical applications, are certified to be 100-percent biobased by the United States Department of Agriculture BioPreferred Program. ECOFUSE materials are eligible to create carbon offsets and directly align with The Paris Agreement, COP26 Initiatives, WHO, the Canadian Governments 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, US federal executive orders and legislation (the Federal Buy Clean Initiative, Inflation Reduction Act, Building a Clean Energy Economy, and sustainable procurement initiatives).

Posted: May 16, 2023

Source: Roswell Textiles

Datacolor Acquires matchmycolor

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — May 16, 2023 — Datacolor AG, a global supplier of color management solutions, announced the acquisition of matchmycolor LLC, a technology company specialized in color formulation and communication software. Datacolor consolidates matchmycolor as of January 1, 2023. The costs for the acquisition and the integration will affect the fiscal years 2022/23 and 2023/24. The strategic acquisition strengthens Datacolor’s market position and further expands its global industry presence in color management.

With more than 50 years of industry experience, Datacolor has established itself as a trusted global provider of color management solutions, serving customers in a wide area of activities such as the textile and apparel sector, the paint, dye and plastics industry, as well as the fast-growing consumer market. The acquisition of matchmycolor aligns with Datacolor’s vision to continuously invest in strengthening its comprehensive product portfolio of high-precision hardware and software solutions as well as its market-leading global service and sales organization helping even more customers get color right.

“We welcome all employees of matchmycolor in the Datacolor family. This acquisition enhances our ability to deliver innovative color management solutions, strengthening Datacolor’s comprehensive software offering. Together, we will empower customers to achieve accurate and consistent color performance across the globe,” said Albert Busch, CEO at Datacolor.

The owners of matchmycolor, Michael Jakobi and Judy van de Langkruis, expressed their delight to become part of a world-leading group, which will enable them to serve customers in a much larger market than before, saying, “We are looking forward to be joining forces with Datacolor. As one company, we will be able to offer an even wider range of solutions that will help customers achieve their color management goals.”

matchmycolor, was created in 2009 through a management buyout from the former Ciba Specialty Chemicals and achieved sales of about 3 million Swiss francs in fiscal 2022 with around 20 employees, mainly software specialists. The matchmycolor team will continue to work out of the company’s Basel offices.

Posted: May 16, 2023

Source: Datacolor AG

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