Introducing Kapsul ATLAS Protective Athletic Gear With Revolutionary Dynamic Neck Stabilization Technology

WATERLOO, Ontario — December 14, 2022 — Kapsul Tech Corp. today announced the Kapsul ATLAS, a lightweight and flexible shirt with a protective collar designed to support athletes’ necks without compromising their performance.

Kapsul ATLAS fills the gap in protective gear between the torso and head with technology built on industry-leading research into neck biomechanics. Kapsul’s Built-in Dynamic Neck Stabilization Technology provides neck support and stabilization without impacting an athlete’s range of motion or mobility by dissipating forces during play to help mitigate the risk of injury, pain or strain.

The neck plays a critical role in athletic performance and Kapsul’s proprietary technology is built on years of research with athletes of all ages and skill levels in multiple sports. While neck support and protection is crucial for all athletes, Kapsul’s research also identified two groups that strongly benefit from additional protection — younger athletes whose muscles and bones are still developing and female athletes who typically have longer necks with lower muscle density,

Throughout their careers, athletes experience repetitive G forces that can cause force and fatigue damage to the muscles and tissues of the neck. The average G force of an airplane takeoff is 0.4G — the average hit in football is 103 Gs. In addition to mitigating these forces, Kapsul ATLAS can also reduce muscle fatigue and fatigue-related injuries, which empowers athletes to play and train longer.

“Kapsul ATLAS is the culmination of years of innovation, design and testing, with some of the world’s top athletes and government funded military research. Our team is excited to unveil this new model of protection and performance to the world of sports, power sports, safety and service,” said Dr. Daryl Sherman, CEO, Kapsul Tech Corp. “The neck is the perfect starting point to demonstrate this new model that supports joints through a full range of motion without performance deficit.” Dr. Daryl Sherman, CEO, Kapsul Tech Corp.

Bringing the Kapsul ATLAS to market required new testing methods since research on neck performance in sports lags behind other body parts. Kapsul conducted joint research with the Canadian Military and the University of Waterloo creating an FEM (Finite Element Model) using the Global Human Models Consortium. The GHMC is a clinically validated model that responds to forces in the same way the human body does. Unlike commonly used test dummies, this allows for an unprecedented level of detail, taking into consideration: soft tissue, skeletal structure, musculature and fluids during imposed forces. This is the form of testing also used by many major car manufactures.

The Kapsul ATLAS is available in men’s, women’s, and junior sizes and is available for purchase starting at USD 79.99. For more information, please visit kapsultech.com.

Posted: December 14, 2022

Source: Kapsul Tech Corp.

Lenzing Recognized For The Second Year In A Row As Global Sustainable Leader With Triple “A” Score By CDP

LENZING, Austria — December 14, 2022 — The Lenzing Group has been recognized for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change, forests and water security by global environmental non-profit CDP, securing a place on its annual ”A List”.

Through significant demonstrable action on reducing climate impacts, water security risks and deforestation, Lenzing is leading on corporate environmental ambition, action and transparency worldwide. The world’s economy looks to CDP as the gold standard of environmental reporting with the richest and most comprehensive dataset on corporate and city action. In 2022, more than 680 investors with over $130 trillion in assets and 280 major purchasers with $6.4 trillion in procurement spend requested companies to disclose data on environmental impacts, risks and opportunities through CDP’s platform. A record-breaking 18,700 companies responded.

”We are very proud that we have now been awarded a triple ’A‘ rating by CDP for the second time in a row. The rating shows that we are already on a very good path with our sustainability strategy and that the steps we are taking as the Lenzing Group to continuously improve and find solutions to the most pressing problems of our time are being seen and honored,” says Stephan Sielaff, CEO of the Lenzing Group. ”We are working hard to make our industries even more sustainable and to drive the transformation of the textile business model from linear to circular. Further efforts from the entire industry are needed for this transformation to take place,” Sielaff said.

“CDP saw nearly 20,000 companies disclose environmental data this year, including 70 per cent of European companies by market value. COP27 showed the need for transformational change is more critical than ever if we are to limit warming to 1.5 °C. I’m therefore delighted that European companies make up nearly half of all ’A List‘ companies around the world, including 15 with two A scores and eight with triple ’A‘ scores for climate change, forests, and water security leadership. We must cut emissions by half and eliminate deforestation by 2030, alongside achieving water security on the same timescale – there is no route to 1.5°C without nature. With the EU’s ground-breaking new reporting regulation, the CSRD, now agreed, CDP ’A List‘ companies are showing they are ahead of the game – taking clear action to reduce emissions and to address environmental impacts throughout their value chains. This is the type of environmental transparency and action we need economy-wide to prevent ecological collapse’,” said Maxfield Weiss, executive director CDP Europe.

Efficient use of resources

Wood, the pulp derived from it and water are some of the most important raw materials for the sustainable production of cellulosic fibers from Lenzing and also part of the most important focus areas of the Lenzing Group’s sustainability strategy. Lenzing assumes responsibility by striving for sustainable procurement based on environmental certificates and responsible and efficient use of these valuable resources. Lenzing sources wood and dissolving pulp from sustainably managed forests and plantations and not from ancient, protected or endangered forests. Lenzing’s biorefinery process ensures that 100 percent of wood constituents are used: to produce dissolving wood pulp for fiber production, biorefinery products, and bioenergy.

With its REFIBRATM and Eco Cycle technologies, Lenzing offers solutions for transforming the textile and nonwovens industries towards a circular economy. In line with its vision for the circular economy, “We give waste a new life. Every day.” Lenzing is driving the industry toward a full circular economy by striving to give waste a new life in all aspects of its core business and developing circular solutions together with potential partners inside and outside the current value chain.

Transparency and traceability of supply chains

Transparency forms the basis for credible sustainability performance and also creates trust among customers and consumers. That is why Lenzing is committed to promoting digital solutions throughout the supply chain and improving transparency and traceability in the textile and nonwovens industry. This is crucial as only an honest engagement with the industry can ensure traceability that verifies the origin of Lenzing fibers throughout the supply chain, all the way to the finished garment. Lenzing’s fiber identification system and e-branding service form the basis of the overall approach to transparency, while the TextileGenesisTM blockchain project leverages data to enable maximum traceability. This demonstrates Lenzing’s leadership in a very opaque industry and offers products with better sustainability credentials. A more comprehensive understanding of Lenzing’s suppliers as well as downstream customers is equally critical to minimizing the Lenzing Group’s overall environmental impact, leading the company on the right path to achieve a low-emission and CO2 neutral footprint by 2050. Close digital connections throughout the network help to close loops in an efficient and holistic way and facilitate the transition from a linear to a circular supply chain.

Posted: December 14, 2022

Source: The Lenzing Group

Joint SSDC Textiles & Clothing Statement: An Ambitious European Industrial Policy For A Competitive And Sustainable Textiles And Clothing Sector

BRUSSELS — December 14, 2022 — The European textiles and clothing sector is set for a major transformation which will affect both industry and workers. The EU’s strategy for sustainable and circular textiles aims to ensure that by 2030, textile products placed on the EU market are long-lived and recyclable with the industry moving from a linear to a circular business model. This strategy is accompanied with the EU’s transition pathway for a more resilient, sustainable, and digital textiles ecosystem linking the green transition with the digital transition while stressing the need for the sector to remain competitive.

IndustriAll European Trade Union (industriAll Europe) and Euratex, representing the workers and employers in the textiles and clothing sectors respectfully, jointly highlight both the challenges and opportunities of the giant forthcoming transformation of the sector and call for action to ensure that European industrial policy is fit for purpose and enables the sector to transform without negatively impacting workers or European industry.

Specifically, the European social partners jointly call for:

  1. EU action to guarantee that the European textiles ecosystem remains competitive, including ensuring a level global playing field.
  2. Measures to increase the demand of sustainable products including awareness raising campaigns, incentives such as lower VAT rates, and sustainability criteria in public procurement.
  3. Measures to ensure access to green and affordable energy.
  4. Policy gaps to be addressed, such as promoting a harmonised Extended Producer Responsibility approach across the EU and ensuring that SMEs can use Product Environmental Footprints.
  5. Action to ensure that the Sustainable Products Regulation and the forthcoming Digital Product Passport will offer a transparent, predictable and SME-friendly framework.
  6. Investment in attracting, training and reskilling workers including via concrete support for the EU Pact for Skills.
  7. Appropriate funding, sound metrics and legal incentives at regional, national, and European level to support the green and digital transitions of the textile and clothing sectors.
  8. Regional and national authorities to coordinate with sectoral social partners to ensure that the green and digital transitions are fair and just and do not leave the industry, regions or workers behind.

Social dialogue will be more vital than ever in order to ensure that the European textiles and clothing sector can transform into a more sustainable and digital industry while also remaining competitive on a fierce global market. IndustriAll Europe, Euratex, and their members, will continue to engage in quality social dialogue and to respect collective bargaining in accordance with national practices.

The European textiles and clothing sector has a proud history, and the European social partners will continue to work together to ensure a resilient and sustainable future for the industry and its workers for generations to come.

Posted: December 14, 2022

Source: Euratex

Jyl Davis Appointed Standard Fiber VP Sales And Merchandising

BURLINGAME, Calif. — December 14, 2022 — Standard Fiber has hired Jyl Davis as its new vice president, sales and merchandising, joining the company in this role on January 3, 2023.

In her new position, Davis will align with Standard Fiber’s executive leadership on strategic business development to plan and execute thoughtfully curated merchandising programs with key accounts in the home textiles and bedding accessories categories with the objective of creating new opportunities while accelerating its customers’ success.

Davis brings more than 17 years of leadership experience in product development, merchandising, sales, brand, and marketing management at Downlite International, where she most recently held the position of vice president marketing & product management.  She successfully managed full corporate product creation, customer development and new product launch lifecycles, while working with her team on major home furnishing retail accounts.

“We’re beyond excited to have Jyl join the Standard Fiber team, said Chad Altbaier, Standard Fiber CCO. “Her home furnishings product knowledge and market expertise are truly remarkable, and we’re confident she will add tremendous sales and merchandising value as we strategically expand our offering across broader product categories and distribution channels.”

“I am thrilled to join the very talented Standard Fiber team as Vice President of Sales and Merchandising,” Davis said. “The company’s global manufacturing infrastructure and unparalleled textile expertise is well-regarded throughout its impressive customer base and continues to expand. With such strong leadership and Standard Fiber’s ability to quickly respond to marketplace challenges, I am eager to put my skills to work and jump in to help the team drive their sales and merchandising initiatives.”

Davis will be based in Cincinnati and travel to support the Standard Fiber team and connect with key customers.

Posted: December 14, 2022

Source: Standard Fiber

Avgol® Wins Supplier Excellence Award From Procter & Gamble

BANGKOK — December 9, 2022 — Avgol®, an Indorama Ventures Limited company, has been honoured with the prestigious Supplier Excellence Award by leading global brand Procter & Gamble.

The award was in recognition of Avgol, a global leader in the manufacture of high-performance nonwoven fabric solutions, ‘being a notable and valuable supplier over the last fiscal year’ to the P&G Baby Care Business Unit.

Avgol CEO Tommi Bjornman said receiving the honour from P&G for the first time is a source of great pride for the company. “The assessment process for the award focuses on us as the supplier showing outstanding contributions across a range of key categories,” he said. “I am delighted and proud that the Avgol team was unanimously identified as being strongest in terms of our collaboration with the customer, as well as in our continuous improvement efforts across all regions of P&G’s global Baby Care program.

“It was heartening that, in making the award, P&G further noted that Avgol’s efforts have significantly assisted in their own commercial growth during a challenging period for the Hygiene market,” he said.

In 2018, Indorama Ventures Ltd. (IVL) acquired majority ownership of Avgol, resulting in a focused and faster growth of Avgol Nonwovens.

“With the combined financial, technical, commercial strength and expertise of Avgol and IVL, Avgol has been working hard to develop innovative products, putting sustainability front and centre in our plans for the future and ensuring we deliver the very best product and service to our customers around the world,” Tommi said.

“This award is recognition of the incredible efforts of the whole team, and I am proud and humble to have received this award on behalf of the company.”

Posted December 13, 2022

Source: Avgol®

Results Of The 17th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey

ZURICH — December 9, 2022 — The 17th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey (GTIS, formerly known as ITMF Corona-Survey) shows that on average the business situation in the global textile industry has deteriorated further in November 2022. At the same time, global business expectations in six months’ time remained in negative territory but did not get gloomier. The indicators for order intake, order backlog, and capacity utilization rate dropped, globally.

According to the survey, the business situation in the three Asian regions and Europe remained especially poor. In North & Central America the business situation has improved again markedly. Except for the textile machinery segment that still benefits on average from a long order backlog, all other segments found themselves in negative business situations, especially fibre producers and spinners. Global business expectations have remained negative but “stabilized” around -10 percentage points (pp) since July 2022. Expectations have improved significantly in South Asia to +10pp, and Europe to -30pp. Business expectations in all segments remain negative territory with four out of seven recording improvements.

Order intake nose-dived in November, in line with weaker business situation and weaker demand, currently the biggest concern for the global textile value chain. Only companies in North & Central America registered on average a good order intake, while all other regions were faced with an unsatisfactory order situation. Except for South-East Asia and North & Central America order backlog fell. The only segments where order backlog increased were the down-stream segments garments and home textiles. Capacity utilization rate dropped in all regions in November 2022. It only increased in the textile machinery segment but fell otherwise.

“Weakening demand” is by far the biggest concern in the global textile industry, followed by the root causes of demand reduction, namely high energy and raw material prices which lead to high inflation rates. Good news is that logistical costs are not much of a concern anymore. Concerns about geopolitics on the other hand have increased again in the past two months.

Posted December 13, 2022

Source: ITMF

Kappahl Selects TrusTrace As Its Traceability Solution To Support Sustainable Efforts  

STOCKHOLM, December 7, 2022 — TrusTrace, a global SaaS company with a market-leading platform for product traceability and supply chain transparency in fashion and retail, today announced that Kappahl, a leading Swedish apparel brand, has selected the TrusTrace platform to support its traceability efforts.

“Kappahl identified traceability as a key strategic enabler for sustainable change, and a way to facilitate compliance with evolving supply chain laws and regulations,” TrusTrace CEO and Co-Founder Shameek Ghosh said. “We’re thrilled that they selected TrusTrace as the framework to promote data-driven, sustainable action. Kappahl will be able to leverage robust supply chain data insights to enable responsible sourcing and adhere to laws such as the Norwegian Transparency Act and the upcoming EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles.”

In addition to adhering to regulations, Kappahl aims to leverage the TrusTrace platform to enable more data-based decision-making to drive sustainability in day-to-day operations, as well as to equip consumers to move towards more sustainable consumption. This will be achieved through communicating the impact of their products, allowing customers to shop according to their values and make more informed purchasing decisions.

“For Kappahl, it is important to be a transparent company, and we want to make it easy for our customers to make informed and sustainable choices. Our customer must receive as detailed information as possible in order to quickly know what it is they have bought, and knowing where and how the garment is made also raises its value. There is a lot of work behind each finished garment, the manufacturing process is long and involves many people — something perhaps not everyone is aware of. With TrusTrace, we get the tools to efficiently manage sustainability data for the approximately 40 million garments that are sold every year. Sustainability data can be presented for an overall picture of the garment’s values, which can then be communicated to customers in a simple and accessible way,” said Sandra Roos, vice president, Sustainability at Kappahl.

TrusTrace is a leader in fashion supply chain traceability, providing more than 40 global fashion and retail brands with verified data in real-time, as materials and finished goods move through the supply chain. Through its open architecture, the TrusTrace platform integrates seamlessly with retailer, manufacturer and supplier systems, as well as other third-parties, such as certification agencies, lifecycle datasets and other sustainability solution providers.

Posted December 13, 2022

Source: Kappahl/TrusTrace

North Carolina A&T, Alamance Community College Partner With IACMI To Provide No-cost Precision ACE Machining Training

GREENSBORO, N.C. — December 13, 2022 — North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T) and Alamance Community College (ACC) have kicked off the first Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining training of its kind in North Carolina. America’s Cutting Edge (ACE), a U.S. Department of Defense program designed to reestablish American leadership in the machine tool industry, provides online and in-person training — all at no cost.

“Industry demand for machine tool operators, engineers, designers, and entrepreneurs far outpaces our manufacturing workforce supply in the U.S.,” said Dr. Aixi Zhou, chair and professor in the Department of Applied Engineering Technology at N.C. A&T. “At North Carolina A&T, we are leveraging this opportunity with America’s Cutting Edge to better serve the Piedmont Triad region.”

The ACE program is comprised of two parts. The first is an online requirement that covers an introduction to CNC and 3D modeling using Fusion 360 and virtual machining applications. Upon completion, students become qualified to advance to a week-long, hands-on lab training “bootcamp.” Bootcamps provide opportunities for eligible students to learn in a high-intensity environment through hands-on, in-person training.

Working with education partner N.C. A&T as an ACE regional machine tools innovation and workforce development hub, ACC has plans to make its new CNC program a model for the state.

“The ACE program asked us to be part of their extended team and we were the first community college in North Carolina to accept the invitation and be approved,” said James Adkins, Department head of ACC’s Computer Integrated Machining (CIM) program. “CIM is a precision machining operation where students learn life skills that allow them to work anywhere in the world. This is especially true for female students who are in high demand in the industry.”

ACE also hopes to attract another traditionally underserved community in manufacturing, while connecting with industry. “As the country’s largest historically black university (HBCU) and leading producer of African American engineers, North Carolina A&T is uniquely positioned to increase diversity in manufacturing, particularly machining,” Dr. Zhou said. “The Piedmont Triad region plays an important role in some niche manufacturing industries, such as aerospace, automotive, bio-manufacturing, and furniture.”

When asked about her career plans, bootcamp participant Anaya Maxwell answered definitively, “THIS, exactly this. Today was my first experience working on a CNC machine, but last summer I took a summer camp in 3D printing and loved that too.” From Houston, Texas, Anaya is a sophomore at N.C. A&T pursuing a degree in Applied Engineering Technology. “I’d like to own my own business that combines additive and subtractive and work with other black women, but I don’t know where I’m going with that yet.”

ACE is supported by the defense department’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program. ACE brings together the scientific expertise of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), advanced training tools and techniques developed by University of Tennessee, Knoxville Professor Tony Schmitz and the workforce development leadership of the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation® (IACMI). More than 3,100 people from all 50 states are engaged in the online training that began in December 2020, and in-person training is expanding from Tennessee to hubs in North Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, and Florida. Machining and machine tools are at the foundation of America’s manufacturing capability and its global competitiveness.

Posted: December 13, 2022

Source: IACMI – The Composites Institute

Ahlstrom Appoints Helen Mets As President And CEO

HELSINKI — December 13, 2022 — Helen Mets was appointed president and CEO of Ahlstrom, effective January 1, 2023. With the company entering the next phase of growth and transformation, Mets will succeed current president and CEO Hans Sohlström, who has contributed greatly to Ahlstrom’s success since 2016. Hans will leave Ahlstrom at the end of December to pursue new opportunities outside the company.

Mets is an international business leader with more than 30 years experience. She has a proven track record of building successful businesses and maximizing value for all stakeholders. She has held a range of senior executive leadership roles at Avery Dennison, the family company Pon, and at Royal DSM, where, as executive vice president of Materials, she led the successful growth transformation, carve-out and divestment of the Specialty Materials businesses. Since December 2021, she has also served on the Ahlstrom board of directors.

Ivano Sessa, chairman of the board of directors, said: “We are now starting the next phase of Ahlstrom’s transformation and the Board is excited with the nomination of Helen. Her track record of value creation in the specialty materials industry, her strong customer-focused mindset and her capabilities to drive large-scale growth and transformations through sustainable innovation make her a great fit for Ahlstrom.”

“I wish to thank the Board of Directors for its confidence in me,” Mets said. “Ahlstrom is a company whose values and heritage I admire. I’m very much looking forward to work alongside Ahlstrom’s teams to lead our growth transformation, deliver on our purpose and strengthen the company’s position as a global leader in sustainable fiber-based specialty materials.”

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Hans for his energetic and inspiring leadership,” said Sessa. “During his seven years at the helm of the company, first as Chairman of the Board, and then for last five years as President and CEO, Ahlstrom has more than tripled its net sales and increased five-fold its EBITDA. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Hans Sohlström: “Ahlstrom has great culture, competences, and further growth potential. As I now hand over to Helen, I wish her and the entire Ahlstrom team the best of success.”

Posted: December 13, 2022

Source: Ahlstrom

Indorama Ventures Listed In The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) For The Sixth Consecutive Year

BANGKOK, Thailand — December 13, 2022 — Indorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd. (IVL), a global sustainable chemical company, has been included as a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for the fourth consecutive year, with a 96 percentile, and the Dow Jones Sustainability Emerging Markets Index (DJSI Emerging Markets) for the sixth successive year, with a 99 percentile. The achievement aligns with IVL’s purpose of “reimagining chemistry together to create a better world.”

Yash Lohia, chairman of ESG Council at Indorama Ventures, said: “We are honored to have been included as a member of the DJSI World and the DJSI Emerging Markets for many consecutive years. This is a significant testament to our impactful sustainability journey, which necessitates contributions from every sector along the value chain. Sustainability cannot happen without collaboration, and we would like to thank our employees, customers, and partners for continuously supporting our sustainability journey.”

In 2022, S&P Global invited over 11,000 companies to participate in the Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). Companies with outstanding results were then considered eligible for any DJSI. This year, there were 86 chemical companies that led the field in terms of sustainability and were eligible for the DJSI World, which tracks the performance of the top 10% of the 2,500 largest companies, and 34 chemical companies eligible for the DJSI Emerging Markets, which tracks the performance of the top 10% of the 800 largest Emerging Markets companies. Out of which, IVL is among only 10 chemical companies in the DJSI World and only 3 chemical companies in the DJSI Emerging Markets. That reflects the outstanding proposition of IVL as the world’s leading sustainable chemical company.

IVL’s consistently high ranking in DJSI is driven by the company’s ambition to build its industry leadership in sustainability. Under Vision 2030, IVL is committed to reducing GHG intensity by 30 percent and increasing renewable electricity consumption to 25 percent. This year, IVL also committed to setting science-based targets through the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). The company also participates in the SBTi Expert Advisory Group for the chemicals industry and provides funding for developing chemical sector decarbonization solutions.

As the world’s largest producer of recycled PET resins commonly used for beverage packaging, IVL is expanding its post-consumer PET bottles recycling capacity to help resolve environmental concerns and build a circular economy. The company has already passed the half-way point in its target of increasing its post-consumer PET bale input to 750,000 tons, or 50 billion bottles, per year by 2025 and has set its more ambitious goal of reaching 1.5 million tons, or 100 billion bottles, per year by 2030.

IVL continues to increase its investment in the Vision 2030 agenda, which includes advanced recycling and bio-based feedstock. This year, IVL partnered with Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, and the joint venture launched a new recycling plant called PETValue in the Philippines to recycle used beverage bottles to produce new food-grade bottles.

In alignment with the company’s finance strategy linked to its sustainability targets, IVL secured sustainable finance of totaling USD 1.3 billion in 2021 linked to improvements in the company’s sustainability performance as a global leader in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) integration, including green loans, a blue loan, and sustainability-linked bonds. In addition, this year, the company recently signed a 275 million euro ESG-linked revolving credit facility with six banks, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to the company’s longevity towards sustainability-driven financing.

Posted: December 13, 2022

Source: Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL)

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