Four Nonwoven Industry Professionals Honored With INDA Lifetime Awards

CARY, NC — May 9, 2023 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced four recipients for the Lifetime Service Award and Lifetime Technical Achievement Awards. Jan O’Regan, Seshadri Ramkumar, Jim Robinson, and Ed Thomas are being recognized for their key contributions to the growth of the nonwovens industry and INDA.

“We are pleased to recognize Jan, Ram, Jim, and Ed with these well-deserved awards. INDA is grateful for their contributions in growing the nonwovens industry and being advocates for INDA,” said Tony Fragnito, INDA President. “These Awards are meant to honor individuals with long-established records of service and technical achievement. All four have given their best both personally and professionally to INDA and the nonwovens industry,” Fragnito added.

  • Jan O’Regan will receive her award at the World of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference, July 18th at 4:30 pm
  • Seshadri Ramkumar will receive his award at the World of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference, July 18th at 4:45 pm
  • Jim Robinson will receive his award at the Hygienix™ Conference, November 14th at 4:30 pm
  • Ed Thomas will receive his award at the RISE® Conference, September 26th at 4:30 pm

Here are the Award recipients:

Jan O’Regan: INDA Lifetime Service Award

“When I ponder the multitude of professionals who have dedicated their time, intelligence and wisdom to the advancement and betterment of our nonwovens industry, I am truly honored and humbled to be chosen as a Lifetime Service Award recipient for 2023. I stand on their shoulders and value the experiences and relationships that service to INDA and the nonwovens industry have brought my way. This work has been a rewarding cornerstone of my career.”

Jan O’Regan was the Director, Strategic Initiatives and Nonwovens Marketing, for Cotton Incorporated and retired in 2022. In this capacity, she uncovered new opportunities for cotton to bring value into the nonwovens industry. Her work included leading efforts in strategic planning, technical and market project management, and sharing new ideas and results with the global supply chain.

O’Regan spent over four decades in the nonwovens industry in various roles, including sales, marketing, strategic planning and business management. Market responsibilities included consumer and industrial markets on regional, national, and global teams. Over the most recent years, she applied these broad experiences to new markets for cotton in nontraditional applications.

Serving and volunteering with INDA for decades, O’Regan most recently chaired the World of Wipes® committee, which she efficiently organized to produce innovative conferences for the wipes industry.  She was a frequent speaker at INDA, INSIGHT, EDANA, and other events, and for nearly two decades was a go to source of information for cotton fibers in nonwovens and hygiene. O’Regan earned a BS in Textiles and Business, summa cum laude, from Penn State University and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business.

Seshadri Ramkumar: INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award

“I am very humbled with the recognition and the award is an acknowledgment of over 2-decades of work carried out by many students from many countries in my laboratory. I am thrilled to note many of these students are contributing to the global nonwovens sector in leading research and marketing positions. I thank INDA, its staff, and colleagues in the industry for supporting our nonwovens research at Texas Tech University when I initiated it in 1999.”

Seshadri Ramkumar has over twenty-five years of experience within the technical nonwovens space, conducting industry leading research and educating nonwovens professionals at Texas Tech University (TTU).  At TTU, he established the Nonwovens Laboratory. Many of Ramkumar’s students have gone on to become technical leaders within their organizations and the nonwovens industry.

Ramkumar has numerous patent and invention disclosures, including Fibertect® toxic chemical decontamination wipes which have been recognized by the American Chemical Society as a notable success of federally supported innovation, endorsed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and adopted by multiple branches of the military.

In addition to many peer-reviewed publications, articles, and columns collectively over 500, including one on nanofibers that has been cited over 2,100 times, Ramkumar has contributed his expertise on the editorial boards of multiple fiber, nonwoven, and textile journals. Ramkumar has also organized conferences for nonwovens and textiles and actively promoted INDA and its technical training offerings for over 20 years.

He is a longtime member of the INDA Technical Advisory Board, been recognized by TAPPI, Society of Dyers and Colorists (UK), the Textile Institute (UK), and the Textile Association (INDIA), and received numerous awards from TTU.

Ramkumar holds a Bachelors of Technology (Textiles), Graduated with Distinction, and a Masters of Technology (Textiles), University First Rank in the Discipline, Anna University, and a Ph.D. (Textile Materials) from the University of Leeds, UK.

Jim Robinson: INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award

“I am humbled to be recognized on behalf of my industry colleagues with the honor of receiving the Lifetime Technical Achievement Award. Over my entire career I found the industry to be filled with opportunities to help people solve problems and to mutually share with them the technical understanding of our engineered products. I had fun many more days than not and, along the way, got to meet so many fine people and develop lasting, rewarding relationships.”

Jim Robinson has 33 years in the absorbent hygiene industry, including 28 years as a Technical Service Manager at BASF. He led technical teams that focused on the application of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) in hygiene products. Robinson has extensive knowledge of SAP applications, absorbent core formation, and hygiene article design, performance and testing. While with BASF, Robinson led efforts with multiple external companies to provide co-supplier solutions to hygiene converters.

Robinson’s extensive understanding of test methods and test method development led to his coordinating the establishment of fitness for use standards of adult incontinent products with the National Association for Continence and involvement in development and review of absorbent product test methods with INDA/EDANA. He is also an active contributor to INDA’s Technical Advisory Board and Hygienix organizing committee and was a contributing developer in establishing the INDA Absorbent Hygiene Training Course. Robinson has provided numerous presentations at INSIGHT, Hygienix, and RISE on performance and interactions of absorbent system components.

Recently, Robinson has been consulting and contributing to the success of multiple start-ups including those having been nominated for INDA product awards. Robinson has a BS in Chemistry from Hampden-Sydney College and an MS in Chemistry from Duke University.

Ed Thomas: INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award

“It is a fantastic honor to receive the Lifetime Technical Achievement Award,” said Ed Thomas. “From the very beginning of my journey in this tremendously dynamic industry, I remain in awe of the diversity and innovations that continue to blossom. It has been a true pleasure to participate in and contribute to the technical advances that make nonwovens such an exciting industry,” Thomas said.

Ed Thomas retired after 39 years, with 32 years in the nonwovens industry, and has remained active teaching the Intermediate Nonwovens Training Course for INDA and The Nonwovens Institute at North Carolina State University, as well as providing consulting services to the industry.

Thomas’ experience includes Process Engineering Manager and Plant Management, DuPont; Technical Director, Reemay; VP of Research and Operations, VP of Operations and Technology, and Global VP of Research and Development for Fiberweb/BBA Nonwovens; and Head of Research and Product Development, First Quality Nonwovens.

Thomas holds 10 U.S. nonwoven patents and he and his teams have been awarded more than 250 patents for numerous and diverse innovations that have played significant roles in the success of the nonwovens industry. These include applications for the global hygiene market, industrial nonwovens, and filtration media.

During his career, Thomas has presented several keynote addresses and papers to industry conferences, participated in North Carolina State University’s Nonwovens Cooperative Research Center (NCRC) prior to it becoming The Nonwovens Institute (NWI), INDA’s Technical Advisory Board, INDA’s Sustainability Committee, and was Vice Chair of NWI’s Industrial Advisory Board prior to retirement and remains an Emeritus member.

A Vietnam veteran, Thomas received his mechanical engineering degree from SUNY Buffalo.

Posted: May 9, 2023

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

Octarine Bio And Ginkgo Bioworks Announce Partnership To Produce Natural Colors

COPENHAGEN, Denmark and BOSTON — May 9, 2023 — Octarine Bio, a synthetic biology company developing new sustainable bio-based ingredients, and Ginkgo Bioworks, which is building a platform for cell programming and biosecurity, today announced a multi-stage partnership focused on compounds in the tryptophan pathway, with the objective of engineering a strain for producing violacein and its derivatives, a naturally occurring bis-indole pigment with potent bioactive properties including anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and UV protective properties. Although initially focused on violacein, the collaboration has the potential to expand to other tryptophan-derived compounds, each with their own unique applications.

The vast majority of textiles are still produced with synthetic colors and dyes derived from fossil fuels, a practice that has been linked to negative effects to human health and the environment. According to the United National Environmental Program and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, fabric dyeing and treatment produces about 20% of worldwide wastewater. In Europe, textile consumption has the fourth highest impact on the environment and climate change; it has the third highest impact on water and land use, and the fifth highest impact on raw material use and greenhouse gas emissions, as reported by the European Environment Agency.

Synthetic biology offers a viable alternative to this practice by enabling the development of safer and more innovative colors and dyes, made through microbial fermentation. Octarine Bio’s exceptional proficiency in enzymatic derivatization, which can enable improved production levels and superior properties of these colors, is a key part of Octarine’s technology. Combined with Ginkgo Bioworks’ expertise in strain engineering, a significant opportunity arises for Octarine to introduce new bioactive colors and dyes to the market that address the consumer desires for safer, healthier, and more sustainable alternatives.

“Natural colors and dyes constitute a significant and expanding market, especially given the heightened awareness from companies and the concerns of consumers about the harmful effects of conventional manufacturing processes,” said Ena Cratsenburg, Chief Business Officer at Ginkgo Bioworks. “This is a robust opportunity to contribute to the sustainability of the fashion industry, and we are excited to be working with Octarine as we aim to produce a new class of safer, high-performing colors and dyes that will appeal to consumers and companies worldwide.”

“We are thrilled to work with Ginkgo to improve the bio-based production process for our tryptophan program, focusing on a class of highly sought after natural colors and dyes in difficult to source color spectra,” said Dr. Nethaji Gallage, Co-founder & CEO at Octarine. “We see tremendous potential to apply these natural pigments as bio-based dyes, one of the fastest growing categories in the global textile market, and look forward to leveraging the Ginkgo platform to accelerate its development.”

Posted: May 9, 2023

Source: Ginkgo Bioworks

Universal Fibers® Announces A Natural Solution For A “Blank Canvas”

BRISTOL, Virginia — May 8, 2023 — Today, global fiber manufacturer Universal Fibers® introduced a new solution for carpet manufacturing customers. “Natural” polyamide 6,6 (PA6,6) and polyamide 6 (PA6) yarn from Universal Fibers as the answer in support of flexible designs using various dye and print methods.

For products and applications that require manufacturer-controlled dyeing, this product delivers reliable quality, on-time fulfillment, and open collaboration for which Universal Fibers is known. Available in a wide range of finish and texture options, Universal Fibers’ natural yarn is another powerful tool in the fiber design toolkit.

“Now we truly can say we support every known color, carpet design, and manufacturing situation.” Says Phil Harmon, President of Universal Fibers. We have always been about collaborating to give our customers an array of options and finding solutions for their project needs. This versatile product adds another dimension to our offering and gives our customers complete control to design with a blank canvas. Natural yarn provides a great complement to our extensive solution-dyed yarn portfolio. The opportunity for our customers to have a single stop for both Solution dyed and Natural yarns, are fully realized in this product.”

Engineered for versatility, Universal Fibers natural yarn can be sourced as a single fiber or blended with our solution-dyed products for a truly unique appearance, while our advances in low-carbon manufacturing, such as regional and renewable sourcing, offer our customers a sustainable fiber solution for designers utilizing varying dye methods.

“Our aspiration has always been to be a total solution for our customers – this may seem to be a new and somewhat unexpected offering from Universal Fibers,” notes Harmon, “but it’s entirely consistent with how we’ve done business for over 50 years: we listen to our customers, learn from their needs, co-create solutions, and deliver with integrity, speed, and quality. We’re proud to add another chapter to our story.”

Posted: May 8, 2023

Source: Universal Fibers, Inc.

National Retail Federation: Imports Expected To Remain Below 2022 Most Of This Year

WASHINGTON — May 8, 2023 — Import cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports is climbing back from a nearly three-year low in February but is expected to remain well below last year’s levels heading into this fall, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“Consumers are still spending and retail sales are expected to increase this year, but we’re not seeing the explosive demand we saw the past two years,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Congestion at the ports has largely gone away as import levels have fallen, but other supply chain challenges remain, ranging from trucker shortages to getting empty containers back to terminals. We were pleased by recent reports of progress related to the West Coast port labor negotiations but will continue to monitor the situation closely until there is a new agreement ratified by both parties. ”

“With economic uncertainty continuing, the impact on trade is clear,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said, noting continued high inflation, Federal Reserve interest rate hikes and recent bank failures. “Year-over-year import volumes have been on the decline at most ports since late last year and declining exports out of China highlight the slowdown in demand for consumer goods. Our forecast now projects a larger decline in imports in the first half of this year than we forecast last month. Our view is that imports will remain below recent levels until inflation rates and inventory surpluses are reduced.”

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 1.62 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units – one 20-foot container or its equivalent – in March, the latest month for which final numbers are available. That was up 5% from February – which saw the lowest levels since May 2020 – but down 30.6% year over year.

Ports have not yet reported April numbers, but Global Port Tracker projected the month at 1.73 million TEU, down 23.4% year over year. May is forecast at 1.83 million TEU, down 23.5% from last year’s 2.4 million TEU, the all-time record for the number of containers imported during a single month. June is forecast at 1.9 million TEU, down 15.9%; July at 2.01 million TEU, down 7.9%; August at 2.04 million TEU, down 9.9%, and September at 1.96 million TEU, down 3.4%. The large year-over-year declines are skewed by unusually high volumes last year.

The first half of 2023 – previously forecast at 10.8 million TEU – is now forecast at 10.4 million TEU, down 22.8% from the first half of 2022. Global Port Tracker has not yet forecast the full year, but the third quarter is expected to total 6 million TEU, down 7.2% from the same time last year, and the first nine months of the year would total 16.5 million TEU, down 17.8% year over year. Imports for all of 2022 totaled 25.5 million TEU, down 1.2% from the annual record of 25.8 million TEU set in 2021.

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by Hackett Associates, provides historical data and forecasts for the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at NRF.com/PortTracker

Posted: May 8, 2023

Source: National Retail Federation (NRF)

CIT Commercial Services Announces New Appointments

NEW YORK — May 8, 2023 — CIT Commercial Services, a subsidiary of First Citizens Bank, today announced leadership changes as it continues to align its business to support clients and future growth.

Tom Fingleton, who has served as Northeast regional manager since March 2019, has been named chief strategy officer overseeing strategy, business development and project management for all of CIT Commercial Services.

Fingleton first joined the Commercial Services group in 2012 and has served in positions of increasing responsibility since. Prior to becoming Northeast regional manager, he spent seven years as chief operating officer and senior vice president of strategy.

“Tom is a proven leader and a valued member of our leadership team,” said Michael Hudgens, who leads Commercial Services as managing director and group head. “We are pleased to leverage his strategic insights and look forward to his ongoing contributions to the growth of Commercial Services.”

Moving into the role as Northeast regional manager is Amna Mahmood, a managing director who has served as Commercial Services’ national underwriting manager since 2019. She has been a member of the Commercial Services team since 2007 and has advanced steadily throughout her career.

In her new position, Mahmood will be responsible for new business development and client portfolio management in one of the business’ most visible and important regions.

“Amna has long demonstrated outstanding customer focus and a deep understanding of how our services can best support our clients,” Hudgens said. “We are confident she will build on that expertise to help drive the continued growth of our business in the critical Northeast region.”

Succeeding Mahmood in the role of national underwriting manager is Daniel Goll, who will be responsible for overseeing underwriting for the business’ factoring contracts and asset-based lending.

Goll joined CIT Commercial Services in 2012 and has served in a number of positions since, including working in credit risk and underwriting.

“Dan is a skilled financial professional and we have long appreciated his expertise and agility in supporting our clients in the pursuit of their business goals,” Hudgens said. “We are pleased to welcome him to this important position and look forward to his continued accomplishments on behalf of our clients.”

In their new roles, all three of these leaders will report directly to Hudgens, who continues to lead Commercial Services with the guidance and support of Commercial Services President Marc Heller.

A subsidiary of First Citizens Bank, CIT Commercial Services is one of the nation’s leading providers of factoring, working capital financing, supply chain financing, credit protection and accounts receivable management to consumer product companies.

Posted: May 8, 2023

Source: CIT Commercial Services, a subsidiary of First Citizens Bank

Techtextil North America 2023 Exhibitor Preview: Bolger & O’Hearn To Showcase Two High Powered DWR’s Developed Without Fluorine

FALL RIVER, Mass. — May 8, 2023 — The team from Bolger & O’Hearn will be onsite, Booth 2506, at Techtextil NA 2023 in Atlanta to showcase Shell-Tech Free and Altopel F3 – two high powered DWR’s developed without fluorine in response to growing demand by mills and brands for fluorine-free textile finishes.

We will also showcase Shell-Tech Dual Action, an innovative Repel & Release finish that offers oil repellency, water repellency AND soil release. Shell-Tech Dual Action was developed for military and medical applications.

Techtextil NA 2023 takes place May 10-12 at the Georgia World Conference Center in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Visitors are welcome to stop by our booth on the show floor (2506) to learn more about our latest innovations. To set up an appointment, contact Shaun O’Hearn.

Shell-Tech Free is ideal for brands making the transition to fluorine-free durable water repellents. Shell-Tech Free provides the same repellency, wash durability and runnability as a quality C-6 and has been engineered for both sustainability and easy application at the mill. Shell-Tech Free can be used on a vast array of end products.

Shell-Tech Dual Action is unique from other protective finishes available to the US textile industry in that it offers high oil repellency, stain release, oily soil release and spray resistance. Also designed for easy application at the mill, Shell-Tech Dual Action is ideal for the uniform market, work wear, linens, military textiles and other textiles that are exposed to the elements, gasoline, oil, soil and rain.

“Our high performance finishes are manufactured in the USA and have been developed to meet the textile industry’s growing demand for high performance finishes that offer new levels of protection and sustainability,” said Shaun O’Hearn, president of Bolger & O’Hearn. “Consumers are asking for both and we are committed to helping our customers meet that demand.”

Posted: May 8, 2023

Source: Bolger & O’Hearn

ITMA 2023 Exhibitor Preview: KARL MAYER GROUP

OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — May 5, 2023 — Sustainability – a central theme of the KARL MAYER GROUP at ITMA, 08 – 14.06.2023, Fiera Milano, Hall 4 B119

The KARL MAYER GROUP is a family business with a long tradition and a strong sense of social responsibility. In its corporate strategy, it commits to act in line with social and ecological goals and to orienting itself towards the “Environmental Social Governance (ESG)” standards.

With a focus on a future worth living in, the KARL MAYER GROUP ensures sustainable processes with its products and services.

Sustainability will be the overarching theme shaping the KARL MAYER GROUP’s presentation at the world’s most important textile machinery exhibition. A compact sustainability gallery will feature elements including an example of the circular economy of material from the warp knitting sector, a 3D-knitted garment with extremely low-waste production, and a technical warp knitted grid fabric that offers two environmental benefits in one: not only is it made from natural fibres, but it is also used as a carrier material for CO2-effective vertical urban greening. Another feature of the sustainable innovations collection revolves around production technology: For the denim industry, a solution for indigo dyeing that has an extremely low carbon footprint will be shown.

In addition to the focused performance show, ITMA visitors will see the theme of sustainability reflected at almost every turn around the rest of the KARL MAYER GROUP’s stand. Under the motto “Master the Change – profitable, flexible, sustainable”, solutions and innovations are provided to answer our customers’ key questions, including: “How can I deal with the increasing pressure to be more sustainable?”

One potential way forward for warp knitting is shown by a new fall plate raschel machine, which – thanks to specific modifications – is suitable for processing staple fibres. The resulting warp knitted textiles are not only chic but also sustainable, meeting the growing demand for clothing with a low ecological impact.

A high-performance tricot machine operates using an energy-efficient direct drive. The energy consumption can be checked through newly developed monitoring. In addition, the machine uses pattern data from the cloud rather than pattern discs, thereby reducing its material and transport intensity. A warp knitting machine with weft insertion demonstrates how an optimised weft carrier can save waste in the weft yarn, and STOLL’s ADF model requires less energy thanks to a range of targeted design changes.

Digital solutions also contribute effectively to increased sustainability and economic efficiency at the same time. As an example, the latest innovative design software for flat knitted textiles – k.innovation CREATE DESIGN – can interact with any 3D software. Thanks to this connection, realistic 3D renders can be created, thereby enormously reducing the need for physical patterns and by extension, lowering material consumption.

In addition to the exhibits, the ambience in which they are presented will also reflect an air of sustainability. The focused stand concept relies on minimal material consumption for the wall and floor structures through the use of many modular and reusable components, without compromising on hospitality and clarity. Transport routes will be minimised by working together with an Italian stand builder, while attention is also being paid to reducing catering-related waste, such as by using reusable crockery and avoiding packaging where possible.

Posted: May 5, 2023

Source: KARL MAYER GROUP

Crystal International Publishes Sustainability Report 2022

HONG KONG — May 5, 2023 — Crystal International Group Limited (“Crystal International” or the “Group”) published the fourteenth Sustainability Report that summarises the positive steps and efforts made in 2022. With the accomplishments of the Third 5-year Sustainability Targets, the Report illustrates how the Group spearheaded sustainability in the industry by progressing Crystal Net Zero 2050, forging ahead with the next milestone Crystal Sustainability Vision 2030, and accelerating innovation for manufacturing excellence.

The Report covers Crystal International’s sustainability vision, strategies, key initiatives, achievements, and performance in 2022. It is in compliance with the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosure requirements of Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) as well as with reference to the GRI Standards.

Key Highlights of the Report

Progress in 2022 of Third Global 5-Year Sustainability Targets (2018 – 2022):

  • Reduced 33% freshwater intensity vs 2017 base year
  • Reduced 17% carbon intensity vs 2017 base year
  • 3.03 million trees planted since 2007
  • Empowered over 54,300 women through CARE programme
  • 67,600 volunteering hours

*All targets are achieved

Crystal Sustainability Vision 2030 – Impact for Better

  • Aims at creating positive impact on 11 areas across Nature, People and Community, such as climate, circularity, women empowerment, wellness, volunteering, etc.
  • Referenced the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Innovation

  • 24/7-operating smart warehouse in Vietnam denim factory, reduced 50% of the manpower, enhanced productivity and efficiency
  • From design to delivery – digitalised throughout the entire product-realisation process
  • Enterprise software system transformation – launched the module for accounting and financial management

Environmental Highlights:

  • Developed net zero roadmap
  • Expanded rooftop solar PV, Group’s total capacity reached 7.8 MW
  • Implemented 112 energy-saving measures, saved 3-5% energy in each factory
  • Launched MyBluPrint carbon calculator for denim jeans
  • Reduced freshwater use by 70% to 90% with water-efficient washing technologies and smart laundry
  • Achieved zero landfill of operational waste in China and Vietnam factories
    • Sustainable and net zero products, e.g.
      Net Zero Jeans certified by Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA)
    • Wash Minus- Collection with Ionic+ Technology, reducing the need of home laundry by 70%
  • Applied greener chemistries, 90% ZDHC MRSL Level 3 conformance chemicals in lifestyle wear factory in China and fabric mill in Vietnam
  • Received sustainable materials certifications, e.g. BCI, GOTS, GRS, OCS, REPREVE in more than 90% of the global factories

Social Highlights:

  • 10,899,281 hours of people trainings – comprehensive talent cultivation covering all job levels, e.g.
    • Self-developed Knits College online platform to learn industry and financial knowledge through 89 online courses
    • Created managerial learning and development curriculum, e.g.  Situational Leadership, Everything DiSC, executive training by Ivey Business School
  • Better Work High Performance Factory: two factories in Vietnam
  • Gender equality and women empowerment
    • Provided digital P.A.C.E training to women employees and extended it to workers in four Vietnam subcontractors
    • Organised anti-sexual harassment trainings and campaigns through mobile app and CARE Australia’s “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainability Tomorrow” project
  • Caring for our employees
    • Collaborated with customers to support working parents in China and Vietnam factories and their children (e.g. WeCare programme by the Centre for Child Rights and Business)
    • Worker Voice Programmes to improve social dialogue
  • Caring for community
    • Contributed USD515,000 and 11,850 man-hours via community activities, education and environmental stewardship
    • Contributed in-kind donations, e.g. air-conditioners and water heaters to neighbouring kindergartens in Vietnam, benches and solar-powered lights to a high school in Cambodia, and energy-efficient LED light bulbs to local communities
    • Leased premise area of the Cambodia factory as hawker stall space to 32 local street sellers for free

Awards and Recognition:

Received nearly 70 global and local awards in 2022, including

  • Hong Kong Management Association (HKMA) Hong Kong Sustainability Award 2022 – Distinction Award (Large Organisation Category)
  • Hong Kong ESG Reporting Awards (HERA) 2022 Best ESG Report – Mid-cap – Grand Award, Commendation for the Carbon Neutral Award, and Commendation for Excellence in Social Positive Impact
  • HKMA 2022 Best Annual Reports Awards – Certificate of Excellence in ESG Reporting
  • Carbon Neutral, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified – Headquarters
  • HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2022

The Sustainability Report 2022 is now available for download at the Sustainability Report section of the Group’s corporate website.

https://www.crystalgroup.com/sustainability-report

Posted: May 5, 2023

Source: Crystal International Group Limited

ITMA 2023 Exhibitor Preview: The Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University (ITA)

AACHEN, Germany — May 5, 2023 — “ITA Aachen and ITA Augsburg are part of the ITA Group International Centre for Sustainable Textiles. Experience our textile innovations at two exhibition booths,” explains ITA Institute Director Professor Dr. Thomas Gries. “See our ring spinning tester at booth H3-B304, which spins recycled fibres sustainably and individually in a previously impossible fineness. In addition, there is digital yarn monitoring, which enables new market potentials. Get an idea of the Recycling Atelier of ITA Augsburg at booth H3-A207 and see the textile cycle from used textile to solution steps for industrial implementation together with industry partners. Join us on the Walk4Recycling and follow the path from used textile to a new knitted pullover on a tour of the trade fair. This is how we live up to our claim as the ITA Group: sustainable – digital – individual.”

ITA Aachen – Digital ring spinning tester for recycled fibres enables spinning of fine yarns with high recycled fibres content

The Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University (ITA) will be exhibiting a digital ring spinning tester on its stand in Hall 3-B304, which spins recycled fibres directly and conventionally with a particularly high content of 60-70 percent. Up to now, recycled yarns have mainly been rotor-spun in this blend ratio. This results in rather coarse yarns and is not suitable for finer textiles such as outerwear. Ring spinning of recycled yarns now enables the spinning of finer yarns and thus a higher application level for recycled materials.

A unique selling point of the ITA ring spinning tester is the simultaneous spinning in the direct spinning process from the sliver and in the classic ring spinning process. For this purpose, the strength and elongation of the spun yarn are determined online and digitally for the first time. The real-time measurement allows process parameters and yarn properties to be adjusted iteratively and quickly. The ring spinning tester was upgraded from an existing tester to Industry 4.0 standard and is operated via a tablet. Operation via tablet enables the adjustment of process parameters including online quality monitoring remotely from anywhere in the world.

For this purpose, the ring spinning tester is also able to produce fine ring spun yarns. These yarns made from recycled material opens up a multitude of further fields of application for woven and knitted goods. Now, for example, clothing and technical textiles can be made from recycled material, the production of which was not possible before – such as outerwear made from recycled material. The development of new industries and fields of application opens up new market potential for recycled yarns – also and especially for processing in Europe. This creates the opportunity to preserve key technologies and jobs in cost-intensive locations.

Other exhibits such as a smart glove and a smart needle show you how the use of sensors in machine components and wearables makes daily work easier. Smart Glove, for example, is a smart glove based on polymer optical fibres and quantum dots. The quantum dots can be programmed to detect hazardous substances and trigger a fluorescent effect on contact that changes the glove’s luminous colour. In addition, we will show other recycling demonstrators in garments and technical textiles on our two stands H3-A207 and H3-B304, demonstrating the range of uses of recycled fibres. One example is a jumper made from 65 per cent recycled carbon fibres and 35 per cent virgin polyester fibres, produced from post-consumer textile waste with ring-spun yarn.

ITA Augsburg – Recycling Atelier: Walk4Recycling

The Recycling Atelier of the Institut für Textiltechnik Augsburg gGmbH on stand H3-A207 presents the textile recycling from used textiles into new products via the various process steps and, together with the industrial partners, opens up solution paths for industrial implementation.

Under the headline “Walk4Recycling”, a tour of the fair shows the cycle of used textiles from used knitwear into a new knitted pullover via a ring yarn made from a blend of 65 percent recycled cotton and 35 percent virgin polyester. The key innovation here is the high proportion of recycled fibres from post-consumer textiles for a ring yarn of this fineness. Today, mainly coarse rotor yarns for low-quality textiles are spun from these materials. The industrial partners participating in the Walk4Recycling are partners of the Recycling Atelier and contribute with their technologies to the fact that fibre material from old clothes can be processed in various process stages into a yarn of new value and high-quality ready-made garments.

The Walk4Recycling offers visitors the opportunity to experience a complete recycling cycle with the numerous process stages from tearing the old textiles, preparing and spinning the fibres and knitting a new jumper live during the fair. Get detailed information on the mechanical recycling of clothing via QR code, website and flyer about the participating exhibitors and their machines and technologies. A short movie will give you additional insights into the various processes involved in the production of the jumper.

The ring spinning tester of the Institute of Textile Technology of RWTH Aachen University also processes the fibre mixture of recycled and new fibres during the fair and is thus part of the Walk4Recycling.

With its knowledge of these processes and technologies, the Recycling Atelier offers training courses and workshops on recycling and the circular economy, as well as concept studies with prototype production, support in industrial implementation and the development of new business models.

Visit our stands H3-B304 and H3-A207 and take the Walk4Recycling with us – we look forward to seeing you!

Posted: May 5, 2023

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

ITMA 2023 Exhibitor Preview: Monforts — Montex®Coat Coating

MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany — May 5, 2023 — Monforts will be displaying its Montex®Coat coating unit at ITMA 2023 in Milan at stand B106 in Hall 18.

Over 30 of these machines have now been sold worldwide, with the majority integrated into some of the thousands of full Monforts Montex stentering lines already in full service.

The Montex®Coat serves a very diverse number of markets and enables full PVC coatings, pigment dyeing or minimal application surface and low penetration treatments as well as solvent coatings. Knife coating, roller coating or screen printing can also all be carried out with this system. As such, it provides the ultimate in flexibility and the ability to switch quickly from one fabric run to the next, without compromising on the economical use of energy or raw materials.

Robustness

The Montex stenter meanwhile remains unmatched in terms of its robustness and long service life, as well as resource-efficient productivity – overall energy savings of 40% can now be achieved compared to conventional stenters with its heat recovery and energy optimisation options.

“Exhaust air treatment on stenter frames has posed particular challenges over the years, since the air can contain significant amounts of oil, fibre and even wax particles that may see emissions limits being reached in the processing of certain fabrics,” explains Monforts Managing Director Gunnar Meyer. “In addressing this issue, we are incorporating the MonforClean module directly into the stenter frame. With this addition, the waste heat from the drying process is used to pre-heat the drying air, resulting in a radical reduction in the conventional heat supply required compared to gas and thermal oil heating.”

Nonwovens

Albarrie – a major player in North America’s industrial nonwovens industry – is now benefiting from one of the first Monforts Montex stenter installations equipped with the full range of MonforClean heat recovery and exhaust air purification technologies.

With the new three-chamber Montex stenter at its plant in Barrie, Ontario, the Canadian company is treating specialised needlepunched nonwovens up to 4mm thick. These have applications in a wide range of filter media and performance fabrics.

“The new Montex is enabling Albarrie to heat set and dry its materials to produce denser, higher quality fabrics which can also be finished and delivered to customers more rapidly,” says Meyer. “We can also offer a series of retrofits for Montex machines in operation, including the Monforts universal Energy Tower– a flexible, free-standing air/air heat exchanger for recovering the heat from the exhaust air flow of thermal processes.”

The Monforts Eco Booster, which completely can be integrated into the chamber design of the Montex stenter, is another retrofitting option. As a single state-of-the-art heat recovery system with automatic cleaning, it can be added to existing ranges. For ranges of up to eight chambers only one module is necessary to achieve significant energy savings.

Intuitive

With the highly intuitive Qualitex 800 visualization software, all article-specific settings can be stored and the formulations for thousands of treatment processes called up again at any time. Individual operators can also personalise their dashboards with the most important machine functions and process parameters.

The Qualitex 800 system is available for the automatic and continuous operation of the company’s Montex stenters, as well as its Thermex continuous dyeing ranges, Monfortex shrinking systems and Montex®Coat coating units.

Be ready for the future

For years Monforts offers several dual heating options for their machines to enable customers to be flexible and independent from one single energy source. For future alternatives Monforts is collaborating with other industry partners on the possibility of using hydrogen as a heating alternative.

With the Q-soft database, a central process control software, production planning and documentation can be easily carried via the central interface where all setpoints and actual values are filed with read and write access for setpoints. Several machines can be connected at the same time and no additional hardware is necessary. Three levels of network interfacing are possible – Interface to the network, output to a PC with graphic presentation (Monforlogic) and interfacing with a process control system to which can include machines from other manufacturers. As a supplement, the Monforlogic can be used for display, analysis and administration of machine data via a single interface with management of machine parameters amd recipes.

“At ITMA 2023 in Milan, we’ll be happy to explain the range of modifications and modernisations that can be made to your line, as well as all of the benefits of our latest technologies,” says Monforts Marketing Manager Nicole Croonenbroek. “Compared to a new machine, upgrades are a low-cost investment that deliver clearly defined benefits. Do come and meet the team in Milan.”

Posted: May 5, 2023

Source: A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG

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