ABB Names Andrew Gregory Division CFO As Local Manufacturing Plant Readies For Growth

FORT SMITH, Arkansas — February 21, 2023 — Andrew Gregory has joined ABB as CFO for the company’s NEMA Motors Division. In this role, he is responsible for supporting the division’s financial long-range plan and ensuring the financial feasibility of the division’s strategy and its implementation. Gregory joins ABB after more than 20 years in the pool, filtration and industrial products industry, most recently with the second-largest distributor of pool equipment and supplies in the U.S. Gregory succeeds Larry Johnston who has assumed the role of controller for the division’s U.S. region.

“As global industry increases its focus on efficiency and sustainability, we must ensure that we have forward-thinking business leaders who fully understand the emerging needs of the market,” said Jesse Henson, NEMA Motors Division president. “Andrew’s experience in manufacturing and history of driving results will ensure ABB’s NEMA Motors Division is well positioned for growth while continuing to provide quality and value for our customers.”

Andrew has a bachelor’s degree in finance and international business from Northeastern University and a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Connecticut. He is a Certified Management Accountant and will be based in Fort Smith, Ark.

Posted: February 21, 2023

Source: ABB 

KNIT COUTURE Upcycling Project

OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — February 21, 2023 — Close cooperation between educational institutions and industry is vital in today’s world: they can inspire young students to new ideas, offer them future opportunities and awaken new passions. With this in mind, the KNIT COUTURE upcycling project was initiated between STOLL — part of the KARL MAYER GROUP — and the TEXOVERSUM Faculty of Textiles at Reutlingen University as part of the 3rd semester for fashion design. Both partners are leading the way in their industry. The results are clear to see.

Both the supervising professor Natalie Seng and project partners at STOLL have been impressed by the students’ creative achievements. “The works are evidence of extraordinary creativity and diversity. It is not a given that students in the 3rd semester are already able to demonstrate such creative achievement. We are excited to see how the students will develop throughout their studies and of course hope that we have been able to spark an interest in flat knitting as part of this project,” says Ellen Judith Müller, 3D designer at STOLL.

Cooperating with the best

STOLL is a producer of flat knitting machine technology and has a wide range of knitted swatches, as well as in-shape and seamless knitted garment products that make the possibilities afforded by flat knitting technology tactile. Regular trend collections constantly symbolise new technological possibilities.

Reutlingen University was recently named as Top University in Baden-Württemberg by the ratings portal Study-Check. It is second in the nationwide rankings for universities of applied sciences. As part of their fashion design studies, the students at TEXOVERSUM in Reutlingen focus on future issues facing the fashion industry, such as sustainability and digitization, where there are conflicts between handicrafts and consumer society.

A lens on sustainability

The joint KNIT COUTURE project also primarily focused on the topic of sustainability. A total of 13 students were asked to draw inspiration from historical knitting patterns donated by STOLL and to create new looks that brought old materials into a modern context, thereby giving them a new value. The young creatives developed mood boards, colour and collection concepts, and subsequently extended them into a compilation of at least ten different looks. The final piece included four outfits with two real-life models and two digital 3D simulations. These resultant diverse creations breathed new life into STOLL’s historic knitting patterns.

Figure 1: “Old is the new new” collection by Lisa Bassot

Turning Old Into New And Beyond

Lisa Bassot, for example, wants to appeal to a young target audience with her “Old is the new new” collection, featuring a modern design language. She is focusing on youngsters who want to get to grips with the production, personalisation and possible combinations of their clothes. Lisa Bassot wants to encourage people to wear clothes for several years and to value their wardrobe. These outfits – made from what already exists – stand out thanks to their creativity: knitted trousers were stuffed and knotted into novel tops. Tops were turned into a multi-layered skirt with lacing, and two jumpers were transformed into accessories.

Figure 2: “Break the system” collection by Janna Sautter and Özgenur Kesimal

Group work by Janna Sautter and Özgenur Kesimal also demonstrates a feel for current trends: The two designers’ “Break the System” collection reflects how modern upcycling can look through street-style-inspired outfits. Their designs not only reflect knitted STOLL patterns but also include their packing materials. In this case, novel knitwear creations have been combined with filled plastic puffer garments. As such, both designers are making a statement that no material is beyond upcycling.

Figure 3 “Selfesque” collection by Kirsten Hippmann and Klara Mahn

Packaging also inspired Kirsten Hippmann and Klara Mahn to create their “Selfesque” collection. The students stuffed real waste material with cut-up knitting pattern snippets and used them to make corsages and a cape. They also used excess yarn to develop new knitting patterns on the university’s own STOLL warp knitting machine. The new creations were combined with historical pattern pieces, satin, borders and feather accessories.

In contrast, Karina Gaus placed nature at the very heart of her collection: “Tails of the forest”. The budding designer explains that she believes nature is a magical place that needs to be protected. Stylistically, she was inspired by fairy-tale creatures. As part of her collection, she transformed a variety of STOLL knitting patterns into fantastic new creatures using smocking techniques, layering, crimping and embroidery.

Figure 4 “Tails of the forest” collection by Karina Gaus

Bilgen Colak also focuses on nature with her work “Contamination”. With polluted and deconstructed models, she is creatively denouncing the current environmental and marine pollution. To do so, she distorted knitting patterns that were originally colourful using dyeing techniques and foil printing to visualise how nature is being contaminated.

Figure 5: “Contamination” collection by Bilgen Colak
Figure 6: “Change.org” collection by Sophia Heinisch

Sophia Heinisch refers to current social issues in her collection, including the latest women’s movement in Iran, and demands for upholding human rights. “Through my ‘CHANGE.org’ collection, I want to pay tribute and express my admiration to those who are courageous enough to stand up and fight for a better future,” says Sophia Heinisch. Her collection represents empowerment: the courage to express oneself freely and individually. With skilled craftsmanship, she has combined different techniques, such as patchwork, crochet, screen-printing and classic pattern construction, to create expressive models.

Posted February 21, 2023

Source: STOLL/Karl Mayer Group

 

Leading Fashion Company Joins Fiber-To-Fiber Consortium Founded By Carbios, On, Patagonia, PUMA And Salomon

CLERMONT-FERRAND, France — February 18, 2023 — Carbios has signed an agreement with PVH Corp. to join its fiber-to-fiber consortium founded with On, Patagonia, PUMA, and Salomon*. Committed to accelerating the transition of the textile industry toward a circular economy. Carbios, On, Patagonia, PUMA, PVH Corp., and Salomon collaborate to test and enhance Carbios’ breakthrough biological recycling technology on their own products. The ultimate aim is to prove fiber-to-fiber closed circularity using Carbios’ biorecycling process at an industrial scale in support of the Consortium members’ ambitious sustainability commitments.

During the two-year collaboration, Carbios and its partners collaborate to deliver the biological recycling of polyester items at industrial-scale, including thorough sorting and dismantling technologies for complex textile waste. The existing members voted unanimously for PVH Corp. to join the Consortium stating : “The aim of our consortium is to support the development of actionable solutions that address the fashion industry’s contribution to climate change and PVH Corp. can bring a broader perspective to the project, which is always welcome.”

Carbios has developed a unique and sustainable technology using highly selective enzymes that can recycle blended feedstocks, therefore reducing extensive sorting required by current thermomechanical recycling methods. For mixed fiber textile materials, Carbios’ patented enzyme acts solely on the PET polyester found within. This innovative process creates recycled PET (r-PET), equivalent in quality to virgin PET, that can be used to produce new textile fibers: a major breakthrough for the textile industry.

Treatment of textile waste and recycling

Globally, only 13 percent of textile waste is currently recycled and mainly in lower quality applications such as padding, insulation or rags**. The remaining 87 percent is destined for landfill or incineration. In order to work on improving textile recycling technologies, Consortium members will supply feedstock in the form of apparel, underwear, footwear and sportswear. In 2023, a new line for textile PET waste will be operational at Carbios’ demonstration facility via notably the “LIFE Cycle of PET” project co-funded by the European Union. This comes in anticipation of future regulations, such as the separate collection of textile waste to be made mandatory in Europe from January 1, 2025.

Fiber-to-fiber : circularity of textiles

To produce fibers and fabrics, today’s textile industry largely relies on non-renewable resources, and in part on recycled PET bottles for recycled polyester fiber. This resource, however, will become scarce as PET bottles will be destined exclusively to produce new bottles within the Food & Beverage Industry. In a circular economy, the materials used to produce textiles are sourced from recycled or renewable feedstocks produced through regenerative practices. As well as supplying feedstock for the demonstrator, Consortium members aim to create new products from Carbios’ r-PET fibers produced using its biorecycling process.

“Partnering with Carbios and its consortium members demonstrates our ongoing commitment to including more circular materials in our collections,” said Esther Verburg, executive vice president, Sustainable Business and Innovation, Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe. “We are excited to support the development of Carbios’ enzymatic recycling technology, leveraging new solutions that can help us to drive fashion forward for good.”

“The Carbios belief is that we can achieve more as a collective. That’s why we rally forces with our Consortiums to advance our unique technology, and ultimately switch to a more sustainable industry, benefiting citizens and the environment,” commented Emmanuel LADENT, CEO of Carbios. “We are delighted to welcome PVH Corp. to join our Consortium with other prestigious brands to advance our shared vision of true circularity for the textile industry.”

Posted: February 21, 2023

Source: CARBIOS 

Champion Thread Opens New USA Dyehouse To Boost Service And Sustainability

GASTONIA, N.C. — February 17, 2023 — Champion Thread Co. (CTC) — a manufacturer and marketer of industrial sewing threads, engineered yarns, and other textile and sewn products accessories — has opened a new thread and yarn dyeing facility in Clover, S.C. Located in close proximity to its Gastonia, N.C.-based headquarters, the domestic manufacturing investment bolsters CTC’s customer service capabilities, product and operational sustainability, vertical capacity, and local workforce.

According to CTC President Matt Poovey: “At a time when global supply chain disruptions and uncertainties abound, we are strengthening our capacity as the go-to, on-time supplier that our textile and sewn products customers need to meet fast-changing market needs. In addition to boosting our service, this investment supports our ongoing focus on building lean, flexible manufacturing operations and environmentally sustainable products and operations. Our teams’ impressive commitment to seeing us through the pandemic made this investment in the American textile workforce a simple decision for us.”

The new facility is one of only a few such dyehouses built in the United States in a generation. The new facility enables CTC to quickly, efficiently, and locally dye its yarns and threads to speed deliveries, expand scheduling flexibility, reduce costs and ensure color accuracy.

The new dyehouse comprises many highly efficient and sustainable technologies. Key among these is low liquor ratio dyeing equipment that significantly reduces water usage and energy-efficient, on-demand boilers that substantially reduce dyehouse emissions. The CTC facility also has a state-of-the-industry dye lab, process automation, monitoring and control systems. The operation also increases local finish winding, twisting, and packaging capacity for threads and yarns.

To optimize all these innovative technology and processes, CTC is actively retraining existing team members and recruiting for new positions created as the new facility ramps-up production.

Posted February 21, 2023

Source: CTC

 

 

 

 

New European Initiative To Support SMEs In Transforming Textile Waste Into Value

BRUSSELS — February 21, 2023 — Today, 43 partners of the RegioGreenTex project met in Brussels to kick start a three year project that should change the way we manage textile recycling.

Regions for Green Textiles – known as RegioGreenTex – is a quadruple-helix partnership initiative aiming at mapping and reducing the difficulties, which currently exist in the implementation of a circular economy model within the textile ecosystem across the EU.

RegioGreenTex will support tangible solutions at SME level, where textile waste becomes a value. The project will contribute to maintain and develop jobs in the EU textile sector, reshoring the production in Europe and making the EU textile value chain more competitive and resilient. It will contribute to the EU Green Deal objectives of reducing carbon footprint, energy and water consumption.

Led by EURATEX, the project brings together 43 partners from 11 European regions, with 24 SMEs pioneering innovative solutions to recycle textile waste. Together the SMEs cover various value chain segments of circular textiles (sorting, recycling from material to fibre, removal of contaminants, processing of recycled fibres to new textile materials) and provide concrete solutions to EU value chain bottlenecks but also seizes upon market opportunities. The project will also promote the development of 5 regional ReHubs in some of the most important textile regions in the EU.

RegioGreenTex is supported by the European Commission through the Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument – I3, and will be coordinated by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA).

As part of the European Regional and Development Fund (ERDF), the I3 instrument aims at supporting interregional innovation projects in their commercialisation and scale-up phases giving them the tools to bring their project to investment level. This instrument focuses on strengthening economic cohesion in the EU by helping businesses work with innovation actors in other regions.

Dirk Vantyghem, Director General of EURATEX, welcomes the project: “RegioGreenTex will support our companies in making this transition towards a new sustainable business model. We’re happy to have 24 SMEs involved, who will directly benefit from the action. The project should also mobilise regional authorities to engage in textile waste recycling, which can give a new dynamic to the textile industry at large.”

Posted: February 21, 2023

Source: EURATEX

Hohenstein: DIN SPEC 4872 To Assess Impact Of Textile Microfibers

BOENNIGHEIM, Germany — February 20, 2023 — Testing service provider Hohenstein has worked with partners to create a new standardized test method for detecting and classifying the environmental effects of textiles during washing. DIN SPEC 4872 combines analysis of fiber release, biodegradability and ecotoxicity.

The test method according to DIN SPEC 4872 shows how many fibers are released during textile laundering, how well these fibers degrade in wastewater and how harmful the fiber residues are to the environment.

Studies have shown that washing textiles releases microfibers into the wash water, which cannot be sufficiently retained by wastewater treatment plants. Synthetic fibers pose the greatest risk to the environment because of their longevity and inability to biodegrade. However, Hohenstein project manager Juliane Alberts does not give the all-clear for biodegradable fibers and natural fibers: “Biodegradability alone does not mean that pure natural fibers, for example, are completely harmless to the environment. They, too, remain in ecosystems until they completely degrade and can also have a negative impact. In addition, additives, auxiliaries or finishes used in textile production can further slow the degradation process and leach into the environment.”

The new standard enables textile producers and suppliers to test, evaluate and compare products for fiber release during washing and environmental impact. Juliane Alberts sees this systematic evaluation as an opportunity for the textile industry to take the initiative on environmental impact: “Our reliable data can be used as a basis for more targeted product development. This is a way to actively and consciously control further environmental pollution.”

Posted: February 21, 2023

Source: Hohenstein

Sympatex Appoints Kim Scholze As Chief Sales And Marketing Officer

MUNICH/UNTERFÖHRING, Germany — February 21, 2023 — Kim Scholze was appointed to the board of management of Sympatex effective, January 1, 2023. As chief sales and marketing officer (CSMO), Scholze will be responsible for global Sympatex sales and marketing strategy. It is an absolute novelty that Sympatex divides the management in such a way and integrates a woman in the board.

Current CEO Dr. Rüdiger Fox, remains in management, with particular emphasis in new Technologies and the restructuring of the Supply Chain towards consistent Circularity.

The proportion of women in management board positions has been only 8.2 percent in 2022. Important positions in business (management, supervisory board) are still predominantly occupied by men.

“I took office about six years ago with the ambition of making consistent sustainability a non-negotiable board topic in our industry,” said Dr. Fox. “In recent months, fundamental progress has been made here: A consistent ban on fluorochemicals is now unstoppable worldwide. And the EU has set all the course to force our industry into a circular business model. The latter only works collaboratively across competitive boundaries. Kim Scholze has already credibly proven in the past that she is the best person to orchestrate such a process and to adequately embody our role in it. For this, I am happy to step aside.”, adds Fox.

Scholze has been with the company since March 15, 2021, as chief sustainable community manager and head of Storytelling. With Scholze in the board, the company’s orientation is clear: It is not about making the biggest possible profits. It is about attitude, collaboration, and a shared industry drive towards sustainability.

“I am a proud part of the sport and outdoor industry for over 30 years,” Scholze said. “I have been giving my conviction for sustainability, attitude and change a face — the creation and feeding of communication platforms are my expertise. Today, I am fully in with Sympatex, for different cases of platform-thinking. I identify personally with Sympatex and the company’s consistent and transparent strategy and, with immediate effect, I am managing director alongside Dr. Rüdiger Fox. My main function and responsibility are sales and marketing.”

“To drive change effectively, we need a different perspective and the openness for collaboration,” Scholze added. “In this sense, my biggest challenge is to find common ground for our ideas. If you are in a powerful position, like I am now, as CSMO, I recommend to always stick to the question: Are we working towards something that is relevant? If it doesn’t make sense to us as individuals and humans, it probably won’t be relevant to our customers and employees.”

Sympatex designs its products since many years towards “Closing-the-Loop”, communicates it, spreads information and knowledge and the strong desire of cooperation rather than investing in pure marketing campaigns. To achieve positive change towards alternative sustainable technologies and materials, collaboration with players across the industry is needed.

Sympatex’ Focus is working towards something that is relevant in the context of the global textile industry. With a team of like-minded people, Sympatex is pioneer in the development of a circular and regenerative business model. Along the way, the company has already achieved a lot and helped pushing boundaries. And yet, the board still sees a lot of untapped potential and the enormous value in designing attractive and regenerative solutions.

Posted: February 21, 2023

Source: Sympatex Technologies GmbH

emtec Electronic To Present Objective Haptic Measuring Solution At Performance Days Functional Fabric Fair

LEIPZIG, Germany — February 20, 2023 — Human tactile sensation is a complex phenomenon that is influenced by many subjective factors, including hand sensitivity, personal preference, mood, and culture. For the textile industry, this subjectivity often makes it difficult to reliably reproduce the haptic qualities of a fabric, especially when sourcing and production take place in different locations. Traditionally, hand panel testing is used to evaluate and rank the fabrics based on the overall haptic impression, also known as handle or hand-feel, of the material. The drawbacks of this approach are the time needed to organize such panels, the extensive testing needed, and the subjective results, which are not always reproducible across various locations.

At 4:00 p.m. on Day One of the Performance Days fair, Sales Area Manager Eric Haagen from the testing device manufacturer emtec Electronic will present a practical solution for achieving objective, reliable, and easily reproducible haptic results: the TSA Tactile Sensation Analyzer. Using hypersensitive sound analysis, the TSA device simulates the function of the human hand by registering the sound waves produced upon contact with a sample fabric. This allows the TSA to measure the individual parameters responsible for haptic perception – namely, the softness, smoothness, stiffness, as well as deformation and recovery characteristics. Proprietary algorithms, designed to correlate with specific market preferences, enable the device to combine the parameters into an overall hand-feel value. In some cases, the results are able to achieve a nearly 100 percent correlation to the results of extensive hand panel tests, but in a fraction of the time.

Onsite, emtec representatives Eric Haagen and Stefan Rübesam will demonstrate the capabilities of the TSA in a tabletop exhibit. Visitors to the fair are encouraged to stop by to find out more.

Posted: February 21, 2023

Source: emtec Electronic GmbH

The Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) Reports On A Surge In Farmers Committed To Organic Cotton

AMSTERDAM — February 20, 2023 — The Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA), the multi-stakeholder organization dedicated to organic cotton, today announced the publication of its annual Farm Programme Impact Report which heralds a new wave of farmers committing to organic cotton in India. OCA’s Farm Programme reports it has tripled farmer numbers compared to the previous year, with over 74,000 farmers participating during the 2021-2022 season.

Strengthening the farmer business case

OCA associates this surge to the sharp rise in the number of in-conversion farmers working towards fully certified organic cotton status, from 4,000 to 22,500 compared to the previous season. High demand for organic certified cotton, lower input costs combined with strong support systems in place are encouraging more and more cotton farmers to start on the path towards organic, a three-year journey known as “in-conversion.”

The wave of cotton farmers committing to organic proves the effectiveness of a robust farmer business case, training, and capacity building. During the 2021-22 season farmers who sold their cotton through OCA’s Farm Programme achieved a higher net income from their cotton than their local conventional peers, a 6 percent difference. On top of a high market price for organic cotton, over 4 million Euros was paid out to participating OCA farmers for their seed cotton procured.

It is the sixth year in a row when OCA, committed to securing organic and in-conversion farmer livelihoods, has successfully bridged the gap between conventional and organic farmers’ earnings. Strengthening the farmers’ business case in the organic cotton sector is paramount to building capacity and ensuring that it does pay to go organic, making it easier for more conventional farmers to take the first steps towards it.

Ruud Schute, Programme Director at OCA said: “We truly take the learnings and the feedback from our Farm Programme farmers to heart as we tackle some of this sector’s systemic challenges. The expansion of our program to include support for in-conversions farmers, developing the potential of Pakistan, and making sure farmers have the tools, training and support required, all  highlight our mission to drive impact and improvements. Accelerating benefits for the farming community, safeguarding their environment, and transforming the entire supply chain.”

“I do not want to go back to the conventional method of farming. Most of my investment was used for fertilizers and pesticides and in turn this negatively affected the soil health of my agricultural land. I have decided to extend organic farming now to all crops since it improves soil health gradually. Maintaining a rich living soil is my priority,” said Dipak, an OCA farmer from Kutki village in Wardha district of Maharashtra who harvested 6,700 kilograms of organic cotton from his farm during the 2021-22 season.

Danique Lodewijks, senior project specialist, Materials & Innovation, Bestseller, commented: “For BESTSELLER, the sourcing of our raw materials is of great importance, to create transparency and know the farmers who grow our cotton. Therefore, it is crucial we partner with OCA, an organization dedicated to organic cotton in a trustworthy, data-driven way with feet on the ground locally through their implementation partners. This direct-to-farm approach also secures the business case for the farmers, both financially and practically, with long-term commitments and uptake agreements.”

Amit Shah, CEO and founding partner, Spectrum Cottfibers LLP, added: “The journey with OCA has been both enlightening and fulfilling for the farmers and the program partners. Its the only industry driven platform that has managed to get all the players in the supply change on a single format of the ‘Farm Commitment Agreement’ that in a neutral manner looks at all costs involved and provides adequate assurances to all concerned. Additionally, Project Partners and Farmers associated with OCA have truly benefited from the new OCA curriculum and toolkit even as it continues to be rolled out across the country. My congratulations to the team at OCA, the retailers, civil society members and supply chain partners that have made this a success along with the entire farming community.”

Continuing the momentum

Alongside the established Farm Programme, now in its sixth year, the Impact Report highlights the importance of investment of OCA’s Contributors and the sector at large. The organisation has ensured the momentum continues by bringing new brands, suppliers, and farming partners onboard, developing and distributing the first Training Curriculum for the Organic Cotton sector and pursuing funding to build capacity and training projects. Expanding the Farm Programme into Pakistan with a pilot during the past season provided OCA with important guidance to kick-start its operations in the country which launched during the 2022-23 season.

Posted: February 20, 2023

Source: The Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA)

Indorama Ventures Wins Gold Medal By EcoVadis For Sustainability In Supply Chain Management

BANGKOK, Thailand — February 20, 2023 — Indorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd. (IVL), a global sustainable chemical company, has been awarded the ‘Gold Medal’ by EcoVadis, recognizing IVL’s commitment to sustainability in supply chain management.

IVL participates in the annual EcoVadis assessment to evaluate the company’s sustainable practices and ensure it can meet key customers’ requirements across the different business segments and operations. In 2023, the company achieved the Gold Medal with a score of 77; higher than 2022’s score of 75. IVL ranked in the 99th percentile in basic chemical, fertilizers, and nitrogen compound plastics and synthetic rubbers in primary industries of all assessed companies worldwide, with above industry-average performances in all four assessment areas, including environment, labor & human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.

Yash Lohia, chairman of the ESG Council at Indorama Ventures, said: “Sustainability has been embedded in every aspect of Indorama Ventures for over a decade to align with our vision of being a world-class sustainable chemical company making great products for society. We are delighted to receive some of the highest levels of recognition from EcoVadis over the past six years. This achievement demonstrates our operational efficiency and value chain management through continuous improvement to meet customer needs and global challenges.”

EcoVadis is a provider of business sustainability ratings. The assessment indices include more than 200 purchasing categories and 175 countries around the world.

Posted: February 20, 2023

Source: Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL),

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