Indorama Ventures And Polymateria Sign Exclusive Partnership To Enable Hygiene Customers To Produce Biodegradable Wipes And Masks Through Biotransformation Technology

BANGKOK, Thailand & LONDON — March 14, 2023 — Indorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd. (IVL) and technology specialist Polymateria Ltd. have signed an exclusive 10-year partnership to help household brands bring biodegradable nonwoven hygiene products to the market through biotransformation technology.

This collaboration provides a new solution for dealing with essential items like facemasks and wipes once they have been used, ensuring they can return safely to nature without leaving behind any microplastics or toxic residue. It is specifically designed to tackle plastic leaking into the environment as unmanaged waste, meaning it is neither collected for landfill nor recycled. Given that most of the plastic in our oceans originates as unmanaged waste on land, addressing the unmanaged waste challenge is key. This partnership aims to do just that for essential hygiene items.

IVL’s exclusive right to use Polymateria’s unique biotransformation technology for nonwovens supports application in non-virgin resin recycling while providing a solution for ‘fugitive’ used articles, especially those items that end up in the natural environment. This biotransformation process involves the plastic transforming into a bioavailable wax in the open terrestrial environment, whereupon the wax is fully consumed by bacteria, microbes and fungi, leaving just carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. The pulp component is inherently biodegradable under similar conditions.

Innovating for more sustainable end-consumer products is in the DNA of both IVL and Polymateria. Yash Lohia, chairman of IVL’s ESG Council, said: “I am delighted with this 10-year partnership. After an extensive search and technical due-diligence process, Polymateria’s technology is clearly a step above solutions of the past and fits very well with IVL’s sustainability strategy. I look forward to seeing these products on supermarket shelves in the future, hopefully being marketed by some of the biggest brands in the world.”

Shachar Rachim, CEO of IVL’s Hygiene Business, added: “This is a great example of where technically focused companies work together on a common challenge, using their respective technologies in synergy to achieve a unique, and valuable, product proposition. It’s a positive direction for the market.”

Nonwovens made by IVL using Polymateria’s technology have been independently tested against, and meet the criteria in, the BSI PAS 9017 standard for the biodegradation of polyolefins in an open-air terrestrial environment published by the British Standards Institution in October 2020. This standard and/or its criteria – the first in the world to ensure plastic can biotransform in the open terrestrial environment without creating any microplastics – is being adopted around the world including in India, Malaysia, the Philippines and Hungary.

Polymateria CEO Niall Dunne said: “Polymateria was founded to help tackle plastic pollution at scale. Through our latest partnership with IVL, this is exactly what we are delivering. I am glad we have found long-term partners who share our commitment to science and evidence.”

Posted: March 14, 2023

Source: Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL) / Polymateria

American Textile Company Introduces Bedding Products With Ground-Breaking HeiQ Allergen* Tech

NEW YORK CITY — March 10, 2023 — Bedding manufacturer American Textile Co. (ATC) has entered a partnership with the Switzerland-based materials innovation company HeiQ to upgrade several bedding products with HeiQ Allergen* Tech for the North American market.

ATC and HeiQ announced a partnership for HeiQ Allergen* Tech application to mattress and pillow protectors, pillows, mattress pads, comforters, as well as blankets, throws, and other bedding product categories covering the USA, Canada, and Mexico, intended to deliver deeper relief to allergy sufferers.

The first products from ATC featuring HeiQ Allergen* Tech will be available in the market in 2024 under the renowned brands AllerEase®, the No. 1 selling allergy bedding solution in North America, and Sealy®, the No. 1 selling overall bedding brand. Products featuring HeiQ Allergen* Tech will be marketed under ATC’s own CleanBoost™ technology name.

HeiQ Allergen* Tech was launched at the end of 2022 and is a 100-percent bio-based, naturally derived technology that reduces users’ exposure to inanimate allergens such as house dust mite matter, and pet allergens with the help of active probiotics. It provides one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to reduce allergen exposure in the bedroom.

This innovation from HeiQ has been granted the Allergy UK Seal of Approval by The British Allergy Foundation following a comprehensive review and assessment of the technology. Additionally, it has been tested and certified by BMA Labor, an accredited lab in Bochum, Germany, to successfully reduce 96.6 percent of house dust mite matter allergen, 83.6 percent of cat hair allergen, and 76.5 percent of dog hair allergen.

Patrick Seiffert, senior vice president of Product Development and Marketing, ATC, said: “Our new AllerEase CleanBoost products will be the first-ever solution to offer dual-action protection against allergens. By combining our expertise in allergen barrier bedding with HeiQ’s revolutionary fabric technology, we are proud to introduce a product that not only blocks inanimate allergens but also reduces them on and around the bedding. Our flagship AllerEase brand has been trusted by millions of consumers seeking allergy relief for years, and this new partnership allows us to offer them a new level of unmatched protection. We are excited to be the strategic partner for HeiQ’s innovation and look forward to continue delivering new ways to help consumers sleep better and live better.”

HeiQ Group Co-Founder and CEO Carlo Centonze said: “We thank ATC’s trust in HeiQ over many years. ATC has always been a pioneer in adopting HeiQ’s latest innovations and bringing functionalized bedding products to their consumers. HeiQ Allergen* Tech was only launched in October last year and has been really popular so far. This proves our ability to rapidly develop and commercialize technologies that meet global demand. Our nature-based hygiene solutions are revolutionizing the multi-billion-dollar home textiles market. With over 90 percent of bedrooms in the US containing three or more detectable allergens, our partnership with ATC will make a real difference in people’s lives, and that’s what matters most to us. HeiQ Allergen* Tech can significantly improve bedding products, but it can also be applied to curtains, carpet, and upholstery.”

Upgraded products under this partnership between the American Textile Company and HeiQ will be launched at the Home & Textiles Market Week in New York March 13-16. Products featuring HeiQ Allergen* Tech will be showcased in the ATC Showroom at 230 Fifth Avenue, 15th Floor, NY 10001. The collaboration comes at a time when consumers are beginning to experience the first effects of the spring allergy season and scientists say allergy seasons are becoming longer and more intense.**

*Inanimate allergens such as house dust mite matter & pet allergens.

**According to the USDA

Posted: March 14, 2023

Source: American Textile Company / HeiQ Group

JEC Composites Startup Booster 2023: Tailored To Find And Assess The Best Startups In The Composites Industry

PARIS — March 14, 2023 — In six years, JEC Composites Startup Booster has become a reference for entrepreneurship in the composites industry worldwide. Hundreds of entrepreneurs, SMEs, startups and academic spinoffs have submitted their application in the past months, and among them, 20 have been selected as finalists: they will join us on stage at JEC world in April to pitch their project before a panel of expert judges.

Launched in 2017, the JEC Composites Startup Booster is a unique opportunity to network and shine a light on what will be the future of the composites industry. It has been organized in three different regions (Europe, USA and Asia) and has already fostered the emergence of 700+ innovative projects from 60+ countries, making it an irrefutable springboard for any participant internationally!

This year’s competition is sponsored by Airbus, Mercedes-Benz and Owens Corning as Main Innovation Partners, and Mitsubishi Chemical Group as Innovation Partner.

JEC Composites Startup Booster 2023 in a nutshell

The 20 finalists are divided into two categories:

  • Process, Manufacturing & Equipment
  • Products & Materials

The jury includes representatives from major manufacturers and investors:

  • Jelle Bloemhof, head of Manufacturing Technologies, Airbus
  • Karl-Heinz Fueller, manager Future Outside & Materials, Mercedes-Benz
  • Raphael Salapete, R&T Plan manager, Ariane Group
  • Christer Larsson, founding partner, The Impact Fellowship
  • Tim Vorage, Global Growth manager & founder of Business Incubator Growth Garage, Mitsubishi Chemical Group

Two pitching sessions of 10 presentations each will be held in the Agora stage (Hall 6), on Tuesday, April 25th , at 10 am for the category Products & Materials and at 4.30 pm for the category: Process, Manufacturing & Equipment. Three winners will be chosen by the jury and one winner for the sustainable aspects of the project.The awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, April, 26th at 3 pm.

Startups Booster Finalists JEC World 2023

Category “Products & Materials”

  • Agrona (Egypt)
  • ALD Technical Solutions (USA)
  • Algreen (UK)
  • Cobratex (France)
  • Grafren (Sweden)
  • Green Gen Technologies (France)
  • Hycco (France)
  • INCA Renewable Technologies (Canada)
  • Mushroom Material (Singapore)
  • Mussel Polymers Mussel Polymers (USA)

Category “Process, Manufacturing & Equipment”

  • Addyx (Italy)
  • Catack-H (Korea)
  • Composite Recycling (Switzerland)
  • Lineat Composites (UK)
  • Microwave Solutions (Switzerland)
  • Nova Carbon (France)
  • Plyable (UK)
  • Synthesites (Belgium)
  • TerraWaste (Netherlands)
  • Thermolysis (Taiwan)

Category “Products & Materials”

Agrona (Egypt): Making Wood Without Cutting a Single Tree

Two Billion trees are cut down every year just to supply wood to the furniture and the construction industry making deforestation the second leading cause of climate change. Agrona manufactures the first 100 percent eco-friendly wood panels in the world out of agri waste and bio-based resins without cutting a single tree. For every ton of panels produced by Agrona that helps to save three trees and avoid five hundred cubic meters of CO2 emissions. Agrona’s aims to expand it is operations to Europe in the next 2 years.

ALD Technical Solutions (USA): Empowering The Grid and Renewable Energies Through Advanced Composite Materials and Solutions

ALD Technical Solutions, a cleantech woman-owned enterprise, is commercializing patented Composite WiRe Wrap™ and GridWrap™ technologies that increase grid infrastructural strength and integrity while doubling power transmission capacity — with no downtime. This is a key requirement for achieving safe, cost-effective, resilient, and reliable 100 percent renewable energy goals.

Algreen (UK): Algreen provides the most sustainable solutions to petrol-based polyurethanes, which represent 8% of world plastics

Algreen provides the most sustainable solutions to petrol-based polyurethanes, which represent 8% of world plastics. Polyurethane foam, adhesive and coating are widely used in automotive, cosmetic, packaging, and fashion industries. Conventional polyurethanes come from carbon intensive petrol refineries and end their life in landfill generating significant Greenhouse Gases. Algreen invents fully biobased and biodegradable polyurethanes eliminating petrol-based polyurethanes. The global polyurethane market will be 29.2 million tons (2029). By replacing 1 percent of petrol-based polyurethane, Algreen eliminates 88bn kgCO2eq annually.

Cobratex (France): Enabling Industry to have a positive impact on the Environment by bringing bamboo in composite materials

COBRATEX manufactures innovative bamboo reinforcements using its patented technology to extract bamboo strips that are then welded together to obtain a unique continuous ribbon of unidirectional fibres. This ribbon is very different to the standard rovings. It is a composite structure by itself as it is composed of fibre bundles and closed honeycomb-like structures, offering a sustainable alternative with many technical advantages. COBRATEX provides the full range of reinforcements:

• Dry Fabrics: UD and woven
• Prepreg Fabrics: thermoplastic and thermoset

Grafren (Sweden): Enabling Multifunctional and Green Composite Materials by Graphene Nanoscale Coating

Grafren AB has a proprietary technology on manufacturing the high quality graphene materials and coating of the fibers-based substrates. Coating occurs on the fibers surface – nanoscale level via layer-by-layer mode, and is therefore extremely uniform, thin and lightweight. Since graphene is electrically and thermally conductive and fire and mechanically resistant, coating only 4-5 grammes of graphene per square meter of the fibres is enabling the new functionalities to the composites, favouring their way to the market.

Green Gen Technologies (France): Let’s develop together your eco-designed containers

Green Gen Technologies is a French start-up founded in 2017 that aims to revolutionise the packaging industry. These containers are made in France from bio-based, renewable and biodegradable materials.

Hycco (France): HYCCO Develops Carbon Fiber Bipolar Plates for the Next Generation of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

HYCCO has developed a new concept of bipolar plates, a key component of hydrogen fuel cells, which represents 75% of their weight for 30% of their cost. The materials used simultaneously increase the lifetime of the fuel cells (x4) and reduce their weight (-50% to -90%), without compromising their compactness. With a prototype production line in place, HYCCO® aims to deploy a pilot production line of carbon fiber bipolar plates for hydrogen fuel cells by 2024.

INCA Renewable Technologies (Canada): Developing stronger, lighter, cost competitive, sustainable bio-composites for the automotive, RV, marine, wind and consumer plastics industries.

INCA innovates and manufactures high performance, cost competitive, and sustainable composite substitutes for petroleum-based plastics, rainforest plywood and balsa wood.  Our team pioneered use of natural fiber for the automotive industry and have now created the next generation of patented prepreg for Toyota.  We have also developed natural fiber composite solutions for Winnebago, Gurit and others.  We are acquiring fiber from industrial hemp grown on the Canadian Prairie for protein and will refine it to automotive standards in Alberta, Canada.

Mushroom Material (Singapore): Sustainable Packaging

We’ve developed a mushroom-based alternative to polystyrene (Styrofoam) by combining agricultural waste with the root structure of mushrooms, better known as “mycelium”. Our material is completely sustainable and 100-percent biodegradable. It has the same protective properties as polystyrene and naturally degrades in your garden or landfill.

Mussel Polymers Mussel Polymers (USA): Developing Specialty Coatings that Adhere to Wet and Low Energy Surfaces and Enhance Surface Functionality with Applications in Composite Strengthening.

Mussel Polymers manufactures and sells a biomimetic version of the glue that mussels use to stick to rocks. Poly (catechol-styrene) binds to wet and low energy surfaces and confers valuable surface functionalization.  MPI partners with companies to develop new solutions for their customers.  Current products or those in development include an innovative coral adhesive for use in aquariums and reef restoration, an underwater adhesive (US Navy), anti-corrosion primers, dental adhesives and remineralization agents, and a composite-strengthening sizing for carbon fibers.

Category “Process, Manufacturing & Equipment”

Addyx (Italy): Unlock the Full Potential of Advanced Composite Materials with Topological Optimization and Innovative Manufacturing Solutions.

Addyx is revolutionizing the design and manufacturing of complex-shaped hollow high-performance composites through innovative additive manufacturing techniques and advanced topology optimization. Our patented water-soluble inflatable mandrel, together with the patented Carbon exoskeleton technology, enables greater design freedom, reduced manufacturing costs, and lighter and stronger composite components. Join us in opening new frontiers for the composites industry.

Catack-H (Korea): CFRTP Recycling via an eco-friendly and Sustainable Solvolysis Process.

Catack-H is an innovative recycling company that uses a 100% eco-friendly technology to recover high-quality recycled carbon fibers from waste carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP), materials that would otherwise go to the landfill or get incinerated.

Composite Recycling (Switzerland): Closing the loop on Composite Materials.

Composite Recycling has developed a highly energy efficient and sustainable process to separate the resin from the fibres. With the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, the team has designed a post-treatment to clean the fibres and make them reusable in new composites, closing the loop.

Lineat Composites (UK): Forming the Future of High-Performance Sustainable Composites.

Lineat Composites is an advanced cleantech manufacturing start-up based in Bristol (UK). It uses its patented Aligned Formable Fibre Technology (AFFTTM) to produce next generation advanced carbon fibre composites, solving key problems related to cost, productivity and sustainability. The process turns low value chopped fibres into a new highly aligned fibre material that can compete with continuous fibre performance, closing the loop for technical carbon fibre re-use and bringing unique forming advantages for faster and more complex part manufacturing.

Microwave Solutions (Switzerland): Imagineering Circular Composites.

Agile and modular circular composites solution: Selective de-polymerization of the matrix into valuable monomers, oligomers, and hydrocarbon products; recovery of high quality glass fibres, carbon fibres and fillers and carbon conversion to nanomaterials.

Nova Carbon (France): High-Performance Sustainable Carbon Fiber Semi-Finished Products.

Nova Carbon’s mission is to democratise the use of carbon fibre by developing a range of high performance semi-finished products made from carbon fiber waste. Our disruptive approach is based on Long Fiber Realignment, a technology patented by the University of Bordeaux that maintains the high performance of carbon fiber. Nova Carbon semi-finished products are designed for the composites industry.

Plyable (UK): Automating the Design and Manufacture of Composite Tooling.

Plyable is a first-of-its-kind solution. We use the latest in AI and machine learning technology to create a proprietary software that automates the design and manufacture of composite tooling. All the user needs to do is drag and drop component CAD data into Plyable. The Plyable portal can then automatically generate a tool design, provide instantaneous prices for manufacture in a variety of different materials and deliver to your door. Plyable has taken a multi week process and condensed it down to seconds!

Synthesites (Belgium): Intelligent Process Monitoring for Composites: Cure it Faster and Better.

Synthesites is aiming in automating the curing process of composites, in order to save up to 100% extra curing time. Since 2015, Synthesites developed the Online Resin State software that provides on the spot and accurately the glass transition temperature of a thermoset under curing. After tested successfully in a wide variety of liquid resins, prepregs or adhesives, Synthesites is working with the leading OEMS in aerospace and wind energy to apply this technology in serial production.

TerraWaste (Netherlands): Next-generation Advanced Material Company that is Turning Waste into New, Circular Materials.

TerraWaste  is developing a platform technology which focuses on recycling plastics, dry, wet and mixed waste through an advanced chemical recycling pollution-free process resulting in high-value chemicals, oil and biochar. The technology used for this process is a high-pressure/high-temperature Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) system whose design includes highly efficient use of energy, water and catalysts producing zero waste whilst converting waste plastics into value.

Thermolysis (Taiwan): Recycled Carbon Fiber Boosts Both Environmental Sustainability and Remarkable Strength.

The Thermolysis’s Recycled carbon fiber is an excellent choice for those who prioritize environmental sustainability and strength. This material is made from recycled carbon fibers, which reduces waste and supports sustainability efforts. Additionally, it has remarkable strength and durability, making it a popular choice in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, and construction. Choosing recycled carbon fiber not only benefits the environment but also provides top-notch performance.

Posted: March 14, 2023

Source: JEC Group

Program Announced For World Of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference

CARY, N.C. — March 14, 2023 — INDA announced the program for the World of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference, July 17-20, Atlanta. Key topics include: Plastics policy: closing the “intention-action” gap, sustainable manufacturing practices, what consumers think about sustainability and how they are driving cultural change, supply chain transparency, wipes advancements, flushability developments, and a special CEO panel sharing their organizations’ approach to inflation, supply chain challenges, and capacity/demand balance.

Among the leading organizations presenting at this year’s event are: Berry Global, Birla Cellulose, Bringabouts, Bureau Veritas, Diamond Wipes, Freudenberg Performance Materials, Glatfelter, Goodwipes, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, National Cotton Council, Mango Consulting, Plastics Industry Association, Rockline Industries, Sharon Laboratories, and Trützschler Nonwovens. Program and speaker details are available on the WOW website. https://www.worldofwipes.org/

Two new features at WOW this year are Lightning Talks and Lunch Around. Lightning Talks are an opportunity for tabletop exhibitors to highlight their innovations in “supersized elevator speeches” to WOW participants. Lightning Talks will take place before the tabletop exhibits open Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. The Lunch Around opportunity connects participants and thought leaders from the wipes industry at select downtown Atlanta restaurants on Tuesday and Wednesday. Space is limited and is first-come, first-served.

WOW kicks off with the WIPES Academy, a comprehensive course including elements of market research, materials, chemistry, converting, and regulatory filing. This course has been redeveloped to include all aspects of wipes development from concept to commercialization. The WIPES Academy is led by Heidi Beatty, Chief Executive Officer, and Paul Davies, Ph.D., Consultant, Crown Abbey LLC. Ms. Beatty and Mr. Davies bring decades of practical experience to give participants real-world solutions for product development challenges and tools to improve processes.

Registrations and tabletop exhibit reservations are open with early registration discounts offered until June 5. Nominations will be accepted for the World of Wipes Innovation Award® until May 5, 2023. For more information or to nominate, visit: www.worldofwipes.org/award-nominations.html

INDA is grateful for this year’s WOW sponsors – Cotton Incorporated and Rockline Industries.

Posted: March 14, 2023

Source: INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

Promotional Apparel And Accessories Wholesaler SanMar® Corp. To Establish Company’s Largest Distribution Operation In Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. — March 9, 2023 — Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that SanMar® Corp., a supplier of wholesale accessories and apparel, will invest at least $50 million to establish a distribution operation in the East Coast Commerce Center in Hanover County. The 1.1 million-square-foot speculative distribution building was developed by Equity Industrial Partners Corp. and Raith Capital Partners and will be SanMar’s largest operation, becoming the flagship center for the company’s East Coast distributions. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina for the project which will create up to 1,000 new jobs when the facility reaches full capacity.

“Securing SanMar Corporation’s flagship distribution center highlights Virginia’s strategic location, strong infrastructure, and workforce as critical decision factors for logistics operations,” Governor Glenn Youngkin said. “Hanover County has become a regional hub for the U.S. supply chain, and we are proud that the East Coast Commerce Center’s attracted an industry leader like SanMar. We look forward to partnering with SanMar as they continue to expand in the Commonwealth.”

“SanMar’s new operation will be a substantial addition to Virginia’s diverse logistics sector and bring valuable jobs and an economic boost to Hanover County,” Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick said. “Securing a project of this caliber says a great deal about the Commonwealth’s strategic location, competitive operating costs, and top-notch workforce, and we are proud to welcome SanMar’s largest distribution facility that will create up to 1,000 new jobs.”

“Whenever we look at a facility, of course we’re looking at logistics and the labor market, but we’re also really looking at the community and the culture, and the people who will be working in the building,” said Jeremy Lott, CEO of SanMar. “When we came here, we knew right away that this is a place we wanted to be. As we met and talked with people in the area, we knew this could be a great fit for us and for our future growth. We couldn’t be more excited to be here—to fill up this building, to build our team here, and to make this a home for a really long time.”

“I am delighted to welcome SanMar to our community as they commence moving into the existing building at East Coast Commerce Center,” said J. Robert Monolo, Beaverdam District representative for the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. “From day one the company has emphasized their responsibility to future employees and expressed desire to be a strong corporate citizen. SanMar will add to the already outstanding and strong business community we are blessed with in Hanover County.”

“SanMar’s strategic decision to locate in Virginia holds real value for the company, The Port of Virginia, and the Commonwealth,” said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “The Hanover County location gives SanMar easy access to Richmond Marine Terminal, which is an important, growing, inland logistics center on I-95. The port benefits because of an increase in volume, and then the job creation and investment has benefits that reach across Virginia. We are excited about the opportunities of having SanMar as a port user and are looking forward to a very productive, long-lasting relationship.”

“Exciting news out of Hanover County today as they welcome SanMar Corporation,” said Senator Siobhan S. Dunnavant. “This expansion to Virginia is a testament to the value of an effective workforce pipeline in Central Virginia and the Commonwealth that boosts local economies and provides economic opportunities.”

“I am thrilled and excited to welcome the SanMar Corporation to Hanover County! SanMar’s investment of $50 million in our economy with the construction of their distribution center and the accompanying 1,000 jobs will provide much-needed boost to our economy. I look forward to visiting their facility,” said Delegate Buddy Fowler.

At SanMar Corp., the company does more than make and sell t-shirts. SanMar builds meaningful connections that elevate lives. As the largest supplier of wholesale imprintable clothing and accessories in the United States, the company’s products and the connections created impact organizations, individuals, and the world we live in. It all started more than 50 years ago with a business philosophy that has held true since day one: Be Nice and Tell the Truth. Family owned and operated, SanMar is based in Issaquah, Wash., with eight additional distribution centers nationwide and apparel from more than 30 celebrated brands.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Hanover County and The Port of Virginia to secure the project for Virginia. The company is eligible to receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program.

Posted: March 13, 2023

Source: Virginia Office of the Governor

Milliken & Company Textile Business Launches “Anything. Everywhere.” Campaign

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — March 13, 2023 — Milliken & Company announced the launch of its textile business’s first-ever brand campaign, “Anything. Everywhere.” Anchored by a new landing page and brand video, the campaign explores the many roles textiles play in everyday life.

“Our goal is to show the public that textiles go well beyond the clothes on your back. The work we do to design and manufacture some of the highest performing fabrics in the world is transforming industries and improving lives,” said David Smith, executive vice president, Milliken & Company, and president, Milliken’s Textile Business.

Milliken’s textile history dates back to 1884 with its investment in 43 textile mills across the U.S., cementing its position as a leader in the booming American textile industry. It began manufacturing textiles of its own in 1944 at the Defore Mill in South Carolina, which produced tire cord during World War II. Today, the Milliken’s textile portfolio extends across four categories, including building and infrastructure, automotive, apparel, and protective fabrics. Headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Milliken’s Textile Business employs more than 4,500 associates with a manufacturing global footprint that spans across 26 plants.

“Our business is incredibly diverse, from the industries we serve to the products we develop. That’s what makes the ‘Anything. Everywhere.’ campaign so comprehensive; it captures the power of textiles in the simplest form, by showing them applied to everyday life,” noted Michael Eckert, director of brand and content for Milliken’s Textile Business. He adds, “This campaign asks everyone to consider what textiles can do for them. We’re pushing the limits of what is expected from a manufacturing company.”

The campaign debuted in December 2022 and will continue to run through social media channels, trade shows and events, and other digital platforms. You can explore the Anything. Everywhere. campaign online at milliken.com/anythingeverywhere.

Posted: March 13, 2023

Source: Milliken & Company

OrthoLite® Announces Exclusive Partnership With Novamont To Create The First Circular Foam Material Solution In Footwear

AMHERST, Mass./NOVARA, Italy — March 13, 2023 — OrthoLite®, the global supplier of sustainable, performance and comfort insoles and footwear materials solutions, and Novamont, the international innovator in the development, production and eco-design of biodegradable and compostable bioplastics and biochemicals, announce an exclusive partnership in the creation of OrthoLite Cirql™, the world’s first circular foam material solution for footwear.

OrthoLite Cirql foam is a patented footwear materials solution combining OrthoLite’s 26 years of expertise and innovation in foaming polymers and Novamont’s world-leading bio-based, compostable and recyclable polymer to provide the first technology capable of greatly reducing the high impact of the manufacturing process with multiple end-of-life disposal options.

According to a new Life Cycle Assessment carried out by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a typical pair of running shoes generates 14 kilograms or 30 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to running a 100-watt light bulb for a week.  Every year in the United States alone, people throw away more than 300 million pairs of shoes — 95 percent of which end up in landfills.

OrthoLite Cirql will offer a traditional plastic-free, scalable and truly circular material to OrthoLite’s 500+ footwear brand partners and factory stakeholders in 2023.

“OrthoLite Cirql illuminates the path forward to truly circular footwear,” said Glenn Barrett, CEO and founder of OrthoLite. “We are excited to be partnering with Novamont to escalate scalable solutions to drive positive change in the global footwear industry. This partnership is built on trust and transparency, as well as a relentless commitment to equip our 500-plus global footwear brand partners to have access to single-source circular materials, starting with the midsole.”

OrthoLite sought out the high-tech bio-polymer company because of Novamont’s pioneering activities in the field of the circular bioeconomy and for its 30 years of experience in the development of chemical and biotechnological processes to create low-impact certified biodegradable and compostable solutions with multiple end of life options for everyday life, including: packaging, separating organic waste collection, retail purchasing, disposable tableware, farming, lubricants, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and more.

“Proving by facts that it is possible to ‘do more with less,’ Novamont has always based its model on the development of products conceived as true catalysts for change, which are capable of activating much greater systemic effects than the product itself, and not as mere substitutes for traditional ones,” explained Catia Bastioli, CEO and founder of Novamont. “Our philosophy has always been to avoid the problems of pollutant accumulation in the environment, and the fruitful collaboration with OrthoLite, a company that is also committed in finding solutions and not just products, allows us to bring our approach to the footwear industry for the first time.”

OrthoLite Cirql is free from “forever chemicals” and responsibly sourced from non-GMO traditional vegetable raw materials derived from plants plus synthetic biodegradable materials.  The material can be returned to the production cycle by low-energy, advanced chemical recycling to help keep materials in use or back to nature as fully compostable through selected industrial composting methods and processors. Using existing and new, closed loop, take back, recycling streams for footwear, scalable end of life management will involve collaboration with footwear brands and the waste management sector. OrthoLite Cirql will also help avoid the accumulation of persistent microplastics as particles will biodegrade similar to natural polymers such as cellulose.

Novamont Research developed a tailor made bio-polymer material for the OrthoLite Cirql’s chemical-free foaming process which uses nitrogen (from the air we breathe) combined with renewable energy. Unlike the conventional foaming methods currently used, no dangerous or toxic chemical additives are used in the production of Cirql. The biopolymer pellets are melted and mixed with liquid nitrogen under extreme pressure, in a unique injection molding process that results in incredibly efficient cycle times that reduce energy consumption and create a finished part with no downtime, polymerization or waste.

Certified as a B Corp in 2020 with a top-tier ranking, Novamont is a member of the United Nations’ Global Compact network, a leadership platform for the development and implementation of responsible corporate policies and practices. OrthoLite Cirql marks the company’s debut in the footwear industry. Together, the partners are bringing a global solution for environmental improvement across the global footwear industry, a market currently valued at around $400 billion.

Operating sustainably has also been central to OrthoLite’s DNA since its founding more than 25 years ago, beginning with footwear insoles containing recycled rubber. As the insole supplier of choice for more than 470 leading footwear brands worldwide, across all categories — outdoor, athletic, running, comfort, golf, lifestyle, and fashion — OrthoLite insoles are utilized in more than 500+ million pairs of shoes every year. With trust-based relationships through its wholly-owned and vertically integrated global supply chain and production facilities located in countries around the world, OrthoLite’s commitment to sustainable, circular solutions has an immense and measurable global impact. The brand’s current goal is to achieve zero waste, which is a significant step toward pollution reduction and the regeneration of natural systems — central tenets of circular, sustainable solutions.

OrthoLite Cirql is committed to full transparency and third-party validation, and has undergone extensive third-party testing and analysis including a complete Life Cycle IVL Assessment. OrthoLite Cirql is Certified Industrial Compostable – (Din Certco), REACH-certified (EU) and USDA Certified Bio Preferred®, RSL compliant (Intertek), certified GMO-free, certified Vegan and Hypoallergenic.

OrthoLite’s Cirql headquarters is in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam where its factory achieved an overall verified score of 95 percent from the Higg Index in 2022. As a vertically integrated company with its owned and operated factories across the globe, OrthoLite understands how to implement scalability with its brand partners and their Tier 1 footwear factories. OrthoLite has room to scale capacity on site at its factory in Vietnam and will work with the footwear brands and their factory partners who will meet the larger demands of the brands when it comes to scaling it. Novamont, headquartered in Novara, Italy, is also a global, vertically integrated company with the means to scale and grow this innovation in stride with OrthoLite. OrthoLite Cirql is moving from the lab into production scale in the back half of 2023.

 

Posted: March 13, 2023

Source: OrthoLite®/Novamont

Interlining Manufacturer Chargeurs PCC Reports Growth Of 33.4 Percent For 2022

PARIS — March 13, 2023 — Chargeurs PCC, global manufacturer of interlining and inner components for clothing, reports 2022 revenues of 220 million euros ($236 million), up 33.4 percent on 164.9 million euros ($177 million) in 2021.

The double-digit growth for the last fiscal year is the result of a business plan substantially based on three pillars: a cross-selling and continuously expanding offer, a concrete commitment to sustainability, and a strong global presence. It is a formula that has successfully met customer demands and is confirmed by the 2022 international sales figures, with United States, France, Italy and Asia as top markets and South America in strong recovery.

The excellence of materials and design, research and the use of advanced technologies have made it possible to propose the most innovative solutions, from both product and efficient service point of view, to a broad market that ranges from the leading haute couture and luxury brands to large fashion manufacturing companies in Europe and America, to the trend-setters in sportswear and athleisure. A comprehensive global presence with eight production sites on four continents, three innovation centers, 30 offices and distribution centers and over 1,000 employees allow to satisfy the needs of both the most consolidated and the emerging markets, meeting the production and distribution needs of a constantly evolving sector.  The French Group’s business approach, based on cross-selling and penetration of new markets, has resulted in a 2022 annual production of more than 300 million meters of interlining.

Gianluca Tanzi, chairman and CEO of Chargeurs PCC, commented: “A global presence and investment in sustainable solutions and innovative technologies have been the drivers to consolidate our market leadership, provide better service, and grow the business. Chargeurs PCC is a company that operates on an international scale, able to meet the needs of thousands of customers from differing market segments, from luxury to sportswear. Our development strategy will continue on this ambitious path with the goal of confirming ourselves as a benchmark representing excellence in the world of interlining and inner components for apparel.”

Chargeurs PCC is recognized as a pioneer in the product and sustainable process area. The company, operating across all continents and meeting the highest environmental standards, continually seeks solutions to increasingly cut its carbon footprint and waste. The “sustainable 360” line offers a wide range of eco-friendly products, which achieved significant sales in 2022, as well as the NATIVA™ collection of inner components, made from sustainable wool and traceable throughout the supply chain, and ZERO WATER, the ultralight interlinings range, targeting haute couture, using no water in its dyeing processes. (Industry usually consumes 30kg of water to dye 1kg of fabric).

Posted: March 13, 2023

Source: Chargeurs PCC

ISKO’s Ctrl+Z Material Science – Now bluesign® APPROVED

TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — March 13, 2023 —Denim ingredient brand and the full-service solutions system with a focus on sustainable chemistry have teamed up in a concerted effort to strengthen their partnership while promoting more sustainable textile production. The shared responsible values, top-class expertise and advanced sustainable innovations exhibited by the two companies continue with their newest venture. ISKO has achieved the bluesign® APPROVED label for Ctrl+Z recycled denim fabrics containing no virgin cotton and only recycled and regenerated fibers that are made to be fully recyclable with the newest recycling technologies, enabling a fully circular system.

It is a credential that Bluesign grants only to bluesign® SYSTEM PARTNERs, including manufacturers, that meet the strict safety and environmental requirements of the bluesign CRITERIA such as ensuring production sites are safe for workers, reducing CO2 emissions and water consumption, as well as avoiding hazardous substances in production among many others.

This label is one of the hardest sustainability credentials to achieve, by one of the most trusted independent authorities in the world. As such, it speaks to the level of transparency of ISKO’s products and to the sustainable and innovative approach that Ctrl+Z brings to the table and to production. Specifically, Ctrl+Z is material science that hits “undo” on post-industrial waste delivering fabrics made from recycled and regenerated content that look and feel identical to their former compositions with increased strength and durability.

“This is a great achievement for ISKO as we have been seriously investing from the very beginning to make our production, and the industry as a whole, more responsible, transparent, and ultimately sustainable. We are looking forward to this new partnership with Bluesign which keeps raising the bar of what is to be expected to make business better” states Ebru Özküçük Guler, ISKO’s Head of Sustainability.

Daniel Rüfenacht, CEO of Bluesign added: “The importance of developing recycled denim using responsible chemicals and processes cannot be underscored enough. The negative impacts of this section of the industry are well-documented. But ISKO’s continued focus on advancing innovations in denim textiles, while adhering to Bluesign’s high standards, demonstrates how partnerships can work holistically.”

Posted: March 13, 2023

Source: bluesign technologies ag

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Debuts Furniture Collection with Award-Winning Designer Rafael de Cárdenas

TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — March 13, 2023 — Modern American home retailer Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams  celebrated for its custom-designed heirloom-quality furnishings, today unveils an extensive furniture collection designed with ELLE Decor A-List and AD 100 designer Rafael de Cárdenas. The 19-piece collection offers furnishings for every room and combines classic modern silhouettes with the power of self-expression and the ability to inject one’s personality into every custom-made piece. Coupled with MG+BW Home’s unparalleled quality and craftsmanship, it allows the most classic of forms to create a feeling of sensuality and interest. The collection is available today exclusively at MGBWhome.com/RdC and in MG+BW Home Signature Stores nationwide beginning in April.

“This collection offers our customers the dependability and exquisite craftsmanship of a true modern American heritage brand, with a novel and contemporary take on the future of design. Having the privilege of partnering with Rafael de Cárdenas for this collaboration is a truly special moment for us,” said Allison O’Connor, President and CEO of MG+BW Home. “Witnessing his interpretation of our brand has helped create a distinct collection that stays true to our core tenets of producing quality goods available for personalization and customization. This special collection combines the bespoke service he provides to his clients with the ability to work with multi-generational artisanal craftspeople at our North Carolina factory, the root of our storied history for nearly 35 years.”

Drawing inspiration from film and the culture that molded his design sensibility in his youth, de Cárdenas sought to create a collection both classic and contemporary while also serving as a palette of exploration for the user’s own interpretation. With an offering of MG+BW Home’s 500+ fabrics, it provides an opportunity to create truly distinct, versatile pieces, an integral part of the brand’s design process. And with a range designed to be both incremental and accessible, even the smallest of items like the Lily Pouf (starting at $1,194) or Lotus Side Table (starting at $2,130) have been meticulously crafted to immediately transform the design of a space.

“The MG+BW Home factory is a place where American craftsmanship has a home,” said designer Rafael de Cárdenas. “Witnessing firsthand the sheer amount of production here in the USA and seeing the factory in action with a very diverse group of people working under one roof makes me think we as a country are going to be okay. Together we made a collection my childhood dreams are made of, and with the help of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, made it accessible for every taste.”

The exclusive Rafael de Cárdenas for MG+BW Home Collection embraces timeless forms and natural materials with a subtle shift from the current state of design that lets the pieces feel unique yet at home in any space. The shelter-style Saturday Sofa (starting at $4,927) features rounded edges that lend a sense of playfulness, while the voluptuous Sunbeam Swivel Chair (starting at $2,927) evokes 1940s French Deco style that feels modern and buttoned up, bringing warmth, personality and MG+BW Home’s trademark comfort to any room.

The Rafael de Cárdenas for MG+BW Home Collection also includes:

  • Stiletto Collection (starting at $1,460) – Minimalism meets exceptional ease in this graceful modern collection of dining chairs and stools with plush comfort.
  • Horizon Bed (starting at $5,181) – Low-profile modern channel-tufted bed with optional headboard extensions to expand its presence in a room and create an oasis of comfort
  • Beam Bench (starting at $1,594) – Fully upholstered modern waterfall design with lush padding and a welcome curve, at home in entryways, living areas and end of bed
  • Honeymoon Nesting Coffee Tables (starting at $2,394) – Stunning contrast of natural walnut and rich Arabescato Italian marble makes each piece its own unique natural work of art
  • Darling Console ($3,594) – Naturally modern console in exquisite bleached walnut, featuring clean lines and rounded edges showcasing the beautiful grain of the wood
  • Full Moon Collection (starting at $2,394) – Modern bedroom storage crafted from bleached white oak with vegan leather tops, and designed with attentive details such as drawers with finger pulls that keep the look clean

The Rafael de Cárdenas for MG+BW Home collaboration is part of the brand’s Spring 2023 Collection, which celebrates creating spaces in the home centered on wellness and comfort.

Posted: March 13, 2023

Source: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

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