Machina Labs Awarded U.S. Air Force Contract For Robotic Composites Manufacturing

LOS ANGELES — March 16, 2023 — Machina Labs today announced that the United States Air Force (USAF) has awarded Machina Labs $1.6M to advance and accelerate the development of its robotic technology for manufacturing of metal tooling for high-rate production of composites.

Higher vehicle production rates in comparison to current rates is anticipated as experts project that the airline industry will need to triple its fleet to about 60,000 airplanes over the next 20 years. With respect to military applications, there is a similar drive towards balancing mission agility, sustainment, and vehicle cost; giving rise to emerging air vehicle concepts like the Low-Cost Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) program where there is a higher tolerance over limited life and loss of vehicles during operations.

In addition, Advanced/Urban Air Mobility (AAM/UAM) vehicles have received considerable commercial traction in recent years. These highly automated, on-demand passenger and air cargo vehicles are anticipated to have production rates in the tens to hundreds of thousands per year. Lightweight, high-strength composite structures are a key enabler for achieving these goals. As such, the factory throughputs of advanced composite structures have to be increased and their production cost lowered.

Machina Labs’ AFWERX Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) contract will be focused on metal tooling for a fast-cure, out-of-autoclave (OOA) composite processing route. Through its previous contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory, Machina Labs has validated that its tools have vacuum integrity, are dimensionally stable once thermally stabilized, and are thermally more responsive than conventional metal tools.

Composite tooling, depending on the materials selected and the tool size, could cost more than $1 million per tool and require 8-10 months of lead time. These costs and lead times for composite tooling do not support referenced increased manufacturing goals.

“Machina Labs has demonstrated that its large-envelope, two-robot, incremental sheet metal forming technology can be used for manufacturing of metal tooling for composites resulting in dramatically reduced tool costs and time-to-market of composite parts,” according to Craig Neslen, Manufacturing Lead for the ACP Program at AFRL. “At the same time, given that no part-specific hardware is necessary for manufacturing of the sheet metal tools, it is possible to not only fabricate the tools expeditiously, but to quickly accommodate design changes when necessary.”

Machina Labs uses robots the way a blacksmith uses a hammer to creatively manufacture different designs and material, introducing unseen flexibility and agility to the manufacturing industry. The company’s manufacturing platform combines the latest advances in robotics and AI so great ideas can quickly and affordably turn to reality and businesses can benefit from rapid iteration to bring more innovative products to market, faster.

“We are pleased to advance our work with USAF in order to advance composite tooling for a wide variety of applications,” according to Babak Raeisinia, Co-Founder and Head of Applications & Partnerships at Machina Labs. “Keeping inventory of tooling is expensive. I believe technology will free up capital and allow organizations such as USAF to transition to an on-demand tooling model.”

Machina Labs combines the latest advances in AI and robotics to deliver finished metal products in days – not months or years – and gives customers unprecedented time to market and competitive advantage. Robotic sheet forming is the first process enabled by Machina’s patented manufacturing platform. Using material- and geometry-agnostic technology, the platform outperforms traditional sheet forming methods that rely on custom molds or dies.

Posted: March 17, 2023

Source: Machina Labs

HanesBrands Names Lorenzo Moretti President Of Champion Europe

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.  — March 16, 2023 — HanesBrands, a global supplier of iconic apparel brands, today announced that Lorenzo Moretti has been named president of Champion Europe.

In this role, Moretti will drive growth in the Champion brand across Europe, with a focus on continuing to elevate the business by delivering innovative products and building brand desire. He will lead the Champion Europe direct-to-consumer business and build the company’s strong position in wholesale channels. Moretti will join HanesBrands in July and will be based in Carpi, Italy.

“Delivering profitable growth in Europe is crucial to unlocking our Full Potential, and I’m thrilled to add a leader with Lorenzo’s deep experience in activewear and retail to our global Champion team,” said Vanessa LeFebvre, president, Global Activewear. “Lorenzo has a long history of leading high-performing teams and building consumer-led product and marketing strategies. I look forward to working with him as we inspire consumers around the world to determine, ‘what do you Champion?’”

Moretti brings extensive experience in the activewear category, consumer goods, marketing, e-commerce and retail. He joins HanesBrands from Dr. Martens – Airwair International Ltd, where he was EMEA president, delivering significant revenue and earnings growth while expanding in new and existing markets. Moretti led the overhaul of the company’s product and marketing strategy with a focus on the consumer.

Prior to joining Dr. Martens in 2020, Moretti served as chief executive officer at Office Holdings, Ltd, the U.K.-based fashion retailer. Earlier in his career, Moretti held senior leadership positions at Nike, where he was responsible for the company’s European football strategy and development and the company’s European direct-to-consumer business. Moretti also held senior leadership positions at Gap and Tesco.

“Champion is an iconic brand with a record of innovation and style, and I’m thrilled to help unlock the enormous potential of this brand in Europe,” Moretti said. “I look forward to working with the passionate Champion Europe team as we take the brand to the next level.”

Posted: March 17, 2023

Source: HanesBrands

Corrosion Innovations, LLC, Acquires Chlor*Rid™ Product Line From Milliken & Company

HOUSTON — March 16, 2023 — Archie Cox, Jr, Chairman of the Board for Corrosion Innovations, LLC {a global leader in the corrosion-prevention industry}, announced that they acquired the Chlor*Rid™ product line from Milliken & Company (“Milliken”) on March 16, 2023. The Chlor*Rid™ product line includes surface decontamination, passivation products, and salt testing kits for soluble salt detection and removal.

“Chlor*Rid™ has been a staple of the industry for over 30 years and was a strategic target of ours from day one,” said Marlin Lester, CEO of Corrosion Innovations. He continued, “The liquid products and test kits are utilized all over the world by many different industry segments, including the U.S. military. Our team of AMPP-certified subject matter experts is ready to integrate Chlor*Rid™ into our market-leading business and provide a synergistic approach to soluble salt removal and testing in the industry.”

“Our approach to integrating the business will be the same as we have done with the Corr-Ze™ product line. We will invest in inventory to offset how this ever-changing world can impact supply chains.” Corrosion Innovations will provide continuous improvement and seek the counsel of its large customer base of end users to achieve this. We are excited about this acquisition and look forward to exponential growth in the second quarter,” Lester concluded.

“The Chlor*Rid™ team has developed the premier salt testing and removal solutions,” said Matt Valentine, Corrosion Innovations’ new Director of Sales and long-term employee of Chlor*Rid™ Products. “I am confident that Corrosion Innovations will continue to provide the service that our customers have come to expect and that our collective industry expertise will unlock the full potential of the Chlor*Rid™ product offerings.”

Gregg Taney, President of Corrosion Innovations, touted “the strong distribution network that Corrosion Innovations has combined with Chlor*Rid™ will be a powerhouse. The distributors are instrumental to the success of any venture, especially one of this capacity. We will not follow suit with competitors with eCommerce as this does nothing but undermine the people that are out selling your products with boots on the ground.”

Milliken decided to divest its Chlor*Rid™ line because it no longer aligned with the company’s overall coating additives business strategy. Milliken will continue to serve the coating additives market with its diverse portfolio, which includes Borchers: A Milliken Brand—a global leader in performance additives for the coatings, inks, and adhesives markets.

Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A. acted as legal advisor to Milliken. Corrosion Innovations was represented by legal advisor Ice Miller LLP.

Posted: March 17, 2023

Source: Corrosion Innovations

100% Naturally Sourced Yarn: RadiciGroup Launches Biofeel® Eleven

BERGAMO, Italy — March 17, 2023 — Biofeel® Eleven is a natural-sourced yarn born of a story that begins in India. In Hindi, “Eranda” is a small bean from which the perfect oil is extracted for the bio-polymer from which everything begins. And it is Castor oil that is the source of these new 100% sustainable yarns, which can be used for fabrics and fine garments in many sectors, from fashion to sports, from automotive to home textiles.
RadiciGroup, the only European producer of this material, has chosen the “Performance days” trade fair (that took place in Munich on 15 and 16 March) to unveil this yarn with excellent technical and environmental performance.

Today, 80% of the world’s castor-oil plantations are in India , particularly in the Gujarat region, due to its favourable climatic conditions. In this area, local people can earn an additional income by cultivating semi-arid land that does not compete with food production, and by applying the skills they have acquired over time to this work. Over the years, thanks to research, development and innovation in the value chain, the seeds from which the oil is produced have been selected and certified to ensure the finest quality, also in terms of end uses.
Castor beans contain around 45% oil, rich in ricinolein, from which the bio-polymer polyamide 11 is derived. This is the polymer RadiciGroup uses for its Biofeel® Eleven yarn. What remains after the first pressing is a highly effective bio-fertiliser that is returned to the soil. In short, a true example of circularity and “zero waste”.

“Biofeel® Eleven – underlines Marco De Silvestri, sales and marketing head of the Advanced Textile Solutions Business Area. – has unique and special properties, such as low water absorption, increased lightness and improved strength properties. . This means being able to produce fabrics that are both durable and comfortable to the touch and skin. This translates into a wide range of applications, from sportswear to workwear, from fashion garments to textiles for luxury cars.”

Posted: March 17, 2023

Source: RadiciGroup

Plastics Industry Association Applauds Utah’s Advanced Recycling Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — March 15, 2023 — The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) applauds the passage of Utah’s advanced recycling legislation. The bipartisan legislation, HB 493, regulates advanced recycling as manufacturing, enabling more plastics be recycled and remain in the circular economy instead of the environment.

“The plastics industry remains committed to recycling and eliminating waste in our environment,” said PLASTICS’ Vice President of Government Affairs, Mark O’ Connell. “This bipartisan legislation will allow more plastic to be recycled and reused while advancing innovation in the circular economy.”

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is the only organization that supports the entire plastics supply chain, including Equipment Suppliers, Material Suppliers, Processors and Recyclers, representing over one million workers in our $468 billion U.S. industry. PLASTICS advances the priorities of our members who are dedicated to investing in technologies that improve capabilities and advances in recycling and sustainability and providing essential products that allow for the protection and safety of our lives. Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members, and the sixth largest U.S. manufacturing industry, more globally competitive while supporting circularity through educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, convening opportunities and policy advocacy, including the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, NPE2024: The Plastics Show

Posted: March 17, 2023

Source: Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)

Pantone Expands Pantone® SkinTone™ Product Suite; Launches Special Edition Pantone® SkinTone™ Guide With Added Shades And Compatibility Across Platforms

CARLSTADT, N.J. — March 15, 2023 — Pantone LLC, the global color authority and provider of professional color language standards and digital solutions for the design community, today announced the launch of its special edition Pantone SkinTone™ Guide. This launch marks the 10th anniversary of the development of the product, which has now evolved to incorporate even more diverse shades, with a total of 138 shades and is integrated within Pantone’s digital platform, Pantone Connect.

Inclusivity and representation are standard expectations from consumers, and brands across industries must ensure that it is part of the fabric of their creations. Additionally, as we now live in a more hybrid world, designers, especially within areas of fashion, beauty, and product design are operating and creating work that is made to adapt to digital and physical spaces, so ensuring that accurate skin tones are incorporated seamlessly within that digital/physical workflow, and product delivery is essential.

Pantone has been leading the charge in these efforts for over 10 years, ensuring the creative community have the tools and support they need to further foster inclusivity and representation across their designs. From fashion, beauty, to product development, the 2023 SkinTone™ Guide has been part of Pantone’s continuous and ongoing effort to help brands and designers to meet these needs to try to include every skin tone match imaginable, and to ensure the guide is reflective of true coloring across a wider array of skin colors.

The Pantone SkinTone Guide was developed by Pantone color scientists by measuring thousands of actual skin tones across the full spectrum of human skin types. Now, the newly expanded 2023 SkinTone™ Guide includes 28 new shades in addition to the 110 existing SkinTone™ Guide shades. These 28 new shades consist of a wider array of darker tones and yellow undertones, an expansion inspired and informed by Pantone customers seeking out specific color matches that represent their communities.

“Our goal is to provide an inclusive, global product, in both digital and physical spaces, that reflects our global society and empowers companies to offer more inclusive color matches for their audiences around the world, ” said Tannese Williams, Product Manager for Fashion, Home & Interiors (FHI) for Pantone. “Color inclusivity has always been an important part of our work, and we look forward to leading that charge in this next evolution of our products.”

The SkinTone™ Guide is the foundation of Pantone’s growing suite of products to ensure accuracy in skin tones across industries and technologies. In 2022, Pantone also launched Pantone SkinTone Validated, the world’s first validation program for skin tones for technology, which allows display, TV, mobile device, and printer manufacturers to have their devices tested for authentically reproducing Pantone SkinTones, derived also from the Pantone SkinTone Guide. The SkinTone™ Guide’s digital values are also available in Pantone® Connect, a digital platform that enables users to access over 15,000 Pantone® colors in every library, ensuring consistency and accuracy to help accommodate the digital and physical nature of a modern day designer’s workflow.

Applications for the Pantone® SkinTone™ Guide work across a wide array of industries, with Pantone clients who leverage the tool work across fashion (apparel, costume design and intimates), beauty (cosmetics and skincare) and product design (digital and gaming, toys, and prosthetics).

Shantell Richardson, Co-owner of Trim Knowtions, who provides high quality branding and fashion embellishments for creative designs, said of the product, “For years the apparel industry has been without the vocabulary to describe the full breadth of skin tones we embody. The Pantone Skintone tool acts as a new dictionary, redefining our understanding and expanding our standards around the word “nude”. When it comes to trimmings and accessories, materials in a wide range of neutral skin tones provide the perfect foundation for beadwork, particularly in bridal wear.”

The Pantone® SkinTone™ Guide is immediately available on all Pantone platforms. As part of the launch, Pantone will also release a special edition Pantone Beauty Bundle, for Cosmetic and Beauty Product Developers who want to take their creativity to the next level. It includes four products that provide access to over 2,800 Pantone Colors for Fashion, Home + Interiors, as well as 138 spectrally matched skin tones product sets for their special edition Skintone™ Guide. For more information on how the Skintone™ Guide is used across industries, please visit www.pantone.com/skintone.

Posted: March 15, 2023

Source: Pantone

ACCELERATING CIRCULARITY Launches Cellulosic Textile-To-Textile Trials In Europe

CAMPBELL HALL, N.Y. — March 15, 2023 — Accelerating Circularity’s mission is to catalyze new supply chains and business models to turn spent textiles into mainstream raw materials. The vision is a world in which textiles are no longer wasted and millions of tons of waste are diverted from landfill and incineration.

Accelerating Circularity is an action-oriented nonprofit focused on textile-to-textile recycling at a commercial scale through a collaborative, stakeholder-led approach. In mid-2022, they launched Polyester textile-to-textile trials and have been working to define the products and value chains for cellulosics; 4 cellulosics value chains have been defined thus far.

“Circularity is a team sport.” said Ms. Karla Magruder, ACP founder, and president. “We have been working with 80+ value chain members representing the EU-27 plus Norway, Switzerland, the UK, Morocco, and Turkey. Our focus is on post-consumer textiles as we believe they are too good to waste. When a textile has cycled through repair, re-use, resale, and/or re-make, such that it retains no readily accessible value, the material is spent. By diverting post-consumer spent textiles from downcycling, incineration, and landfill, we can lower the textile industry’s environmental impacts.”

“Partnering with Accelerating Circularity has given us the opportunity to learn and develop our sorting processes to enhance the quality of feedstock for textile-to-textile recycling.” shared Ms. Sirma Zheleva, Head of Sustainability, TexCycle. “We believe that ACPE trials, and the collaboration with other value chain experts, will allow us to scale textile-to-textile recycling and achieve circularity in the industry.”

“The vision at Pure Waste is to create recycled products and closed loop solutions that inspire a change for a world without textile waste.” shared Ms. Maela Mandelli, Co-Founder, Pure Waste OY. “We are excited to be part of the ACPE trials and to work together with different partners along an international supply chain to contribute quality recycled products. “

“Gülle Entegre Tekstil İşletmeleri A.Ş. has grown as a family business over the last 50 years with a passion for continuous development in cotton processing from fiber to fabric with a commitment to quality and sustainability. Being a part of these ACPE trials gives us an opportunity to further our mission to be an integral part of global circularity projects and lead the change in textiles.” said Mr. Kerem Gülle, Gülle Entegre Tekstil İşletmeleri Emlak Dan. San. Ve Tic. A.Ş

“As a mountain sports brand, Salewa wants to build circular production models and shift in the way we deal with production processes, and interaction between companies and the people behind them,” shared Ms Christine Ladstaetter, Innovation & Special Projects Manager, Salewa. “The framework that ACPE is setting up is a “training field” which drives new ways of collaboration and commitment into circularity, leading to an economy built on the mindful use of resources.”

Further, Accelerating Circularity trials are supported by JUBEL.AI, a cutting-edge cloud-based platform with advanced AI technology. JUBEL.AI offers unparalleled data sharing capability, which enables the collaboration and information sharing required to make these pilot trials successful.

The product trial range will cover single jersey and Italian fleece items, woven light-weight shirts, and heavier-weight twill fabrics. The target composition is 40% recycled content; half is to come from post-consumer spent textiles. The goal is a minimum of 50 tons of post-consumer spent textile feedstock across all products and partners with the ideal timeline of Spring 2023 for initial development of fabrics. Brands interested in adopting ACP fabrics into their season should reach out to info@acceleratingcircularity.org.

Members:

  • Amazon
  • Avery Dennison
  • Bank & Vogue
  • Brav
  • CWS
  • Enviu
  • Erdotex
  • Eurotex / Texcycle
  • GIZ
  • Gülle Tekstil
  • Inditex
  • Lenzing
  • Polopiqué
  • Pure Waste
  • Recover™
  • Recyclatex Group
  • Reverse Resources
  • Salewa
  • Salvation Army
  • TEXAID
  • Tomra Sorting Solutions
  • Valérius 360
  • Vossen
  • Wolkat
  • WWF
  • Zalando

For more information on Accelerating Circularity visit https://www.acceleratingcircularity.org/

For more information on the Accelerating Circularity Project in Europe and in trial participation, please contact Alina@acceleratingcircularity.org.

Posted: March 15, 2023

Source: Accelerating Circularity, Inc.

Digital In Smart Circuits – ITA Supports SMEs In Digitization And Sustainability

AACHEN, Germany — March 15, 2023 — The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University, as part of the Mittelstandzentrum 4.0 Kompetenzzentrum Textil vernetzt, has supported numerous small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on their way to digitalization over the last five years. At the Digital Capability Center (DCC) in Aachen, for example, SMEs were able to experience digitised production from yarn to smart bracelets and thus test the feasibility of Industry 4.0 solutions in their working environment.

New supply chain laws and social sustainability now pose current challenges for SMEs. In the follow-up project Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Smarte Kreisläufe (SME Digital Centre Smart Cycles), ITA will be supporting SMEs from 1 March in implementing ideas for digitalisation and sustainability in concrete terms.

This means finding sustainable solutions and processes for the circular economy together with companies and developing new digital business models. The ITA’s solutions cover the areas of awareness-raising, qualification, implementation and networking. These offers are free of charge for SMEs – follow-up projects often lead to the funding programme “Central Innovation Programme for SMEs – ZIM” of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) or to research and development projects.

Posted: March 15, 2023

Source: The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University

YKK Recognized As A Supplier Engagement Leader, CDP’s Highest Rating For Supplier Engagement On Climate Change

TOKYO, Japan — March 15, 2023 — YKK Corporation has been selected as a “Supplier Engagement Leader” the highest score on the 2022 Supplier Engagement Report (SER) from CDP,* the international environmental non-profit focused on measuring and reporting companies’ environmental impact.

CDP’s annual Supplier Engagement Rating (SER) assesses how effectively companies engage with their suppliers on climate change issues, based on the CDP climate change questionnaire. It covers governance, targets, value chain (scope 3) emissions, and supplier engagement strategies, and factors in the company’s climate score.

YKK’s recognition as a “Supplier Engagement Leader” places the company in the top 8% of companies evaluated for supplier outreach on climate change. It demonstrates that YKK’s governance, targets, and initiatives to collaborate with suppliers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, all aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the YKK supply chain, constitute efforts befitting a global leader. This is the first time YKK has received this recognition.

“Since formulating our YKK Sustainability Vision 2050 in October 2020, we have been pursuing a range of initiatives to meet our goals,” said Asako Yoshioka, Vice President, Sustainability Department, YKK Corporation. “YKK’s corporate philosophy of the ‘Cycle of Goodness’ states that ‘no one prospers without rendering benefit to others.’ As such, we believe that in addition to pursuing our own initiatives, it is important that we disclose information on our progress and pursue initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout our entire supply chain. This year is the first that we received the highest Supplier Engagement Rating. We aim to replicate this in the next fiscal year and beyond by continuing to promote sustainability through our business activities, products, and technologies with the goal of solving climate change and other societal issues and helping realize a healthy global environment.”

YKK Corporation’s sustainability goal is to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. YKK is working on five themes – climate change, material resources, water resources, chemical management, respect for people – and ten SDGs goals related to each of these, and each year reports on its state of progress in the YKK Integrated Report, “This is YKK.”

In December 2022, YKK received an “A-” rating from CDP in the 2021 climate change survey. YKK will aim for the highest “A” rating and continue its efforts to address climate change and strive for transparent information disclosure to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Posted: March 15, 2023

Source: YKK Corporation

Neatsy.ai Launches The First AI-enabled Marketplace That Doesn’t Allow You To Pick The Size

MENLO PARK, California — March 15, 2023 — Neatsy.AI, a U.S.-based startup that detects podiatry and orthopedic health issues via smartphone camera, has launched a marketplace for AI-selected running shoes and insoles. The app provides a complete shopping experience, beginning with a foot scan to determine shape and features of each foot and then recommending the best shoe model to increase training efficiency and reduce injuries.

Neatsy’s AI podiatric technology is being researched with Harvard Medical School’s Foot & Ankle Research and Innovation Lab and Massachusetts General Hospital. It analyzes  length, width, arch and foot characteristics, detecting the most common podiatry problems such as flat feet and pronation type. It also helps to reduce the most common sports injuries related to running such as plantar fasciitis, runners’ knee, achilles tendonitis and stress fractures.

AI-powered shopping assistance helps solve the problem of responsible fashion consumption and high return rates. It takes only two minutes to analyze the customer’s foot scan, detect podiatry issues and recommend the right model of sneakers. Over 200 models are available for shopping and free worldwide delivery. Brands like New Balance, Nike, and Asics will be available, ranging from $50 and $180. The collections will be updated regularly with its partner, Fitness Sports.

“Half of all shoes bought online are returned because they don’t fit, causing 330,000 tons of CO2 emissions in Europe alone. Moreover, only 50 percent of returns are resold by stores due to their condition, which can be caused by use, damage, or even opened boxes. With its advanced AI and AR technologies, Neatsy ensures that users can get the perfect fit for their sneakers and insoles without leaving the comfort of their homes,” says Artem Semjanow, founder and CEO of Neatsy.ai.

These features will be available without subscription. A $20 subscription fee gives users access to podiatry issue detection along with corrective exercises. The app was made by former Prisma AI team members with seven years’ experience in computer vision AI products.

Posted: March 15, 2023

Source: Neatsy.ai

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