Jim Kearns Elected As Chair Of TRSA Board Of Directors

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — September 15, 2022 — TRSA recently held its Annual Conference in Nashville, TN, where its new board members for the upcoming year were announced.

Jim Kearns, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Alsco Uniforms, was elected chair of TRSA’s Board of Directors during the Annual Membership Meeting on Sept. 15. A graduate of the University of Utah, Kearns joined Alsco Inc. in 1993 as the internal audit director and advanced steadily to his current position in January 2019. Alsco is a global leader in uniform and facility service rental and has been since 1889. They provide these services to over 355,000 customers in more than 180 locations worldwide.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as TRSA chair,” Kearns said. “Over the next two years, I’m going to focus on advocacy and the sharing of best practices to boost the industry as a whole. Our industry provides an essential service, and we need to safeguard the trust of our industry customer base and help solve problems with our products and services.”

TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci offered an upbeat assessment of the new chair, and thanked Kearns’ predecessor for her service. “As the linen, uniform and facility services industry continues to pursue renewed growth in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have in Jim Kearns a well-rounded, seasoned executive with a demonstrated record of growth and a knack for working with companies large and small,” Ricci said. “Our thanks go to outgoing Chair Noël Richardson for successfully leading us through the worst of the pandemic. We now look forward to continued progress with Jim Kearns guiding the association.”

In other news from TRSA’s Annual Membership Meeting, Randy Bartsch, CEO of Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service Corp., Vancouver, Canada, was elected vice chairman, while Dempsey Uniform & Linen Supply CEO P.J. Dempsey was elected treasurer.

Additional directors elected during the conference included:

  • Pierre Ferron, president, Buanderie Blanchelle, Montreal, Canada
  • Bob Hager, president, Miller Textiles, Wapakoneta, Ohio
  • Jim Rozakis, president & COO, Cintas Corp., Mason, OH
  • Kelsey Van Miert, president of customer relations, Northwest Health Care Linen, Bellingham, WA

In addition, the TRSA Supplier Partner Council has submitted Rick Kelly, VP, sales & marketing, Pellerin Milnor Corp., Kenner, LA, as the director candidate representing the hard goods category and Jake Gurtler, vice president, corporate accounts, Gurtler Industries, South Holland, IL, as the director of other goods.

Posted: September 16, 2022

Source: TRSA

Patagonia Chooses Eastman’s Naia™ Renew ES For Its Low-Impact Line Of Work Tees

KINGSPORT, Tenn. — September 15, 2022 — Eastman, maker of Naia™ Renew sustainable fibers and yarns, announces that it has collaborated with Patagonia® to offer a limited run of T-shirts made with Naia™ Renew ES — Eastman’s latest fiber offering made with increased recycled content — for the outdoor apparel retailer’s Workwear line.

Named for its enhanced sustainability, Naia™ Renew ES is made with 60% recycled content. Unlike other cellulose-based yarns and fibers, this option requires fewer virgin materials to make an environmentally friendly product. Naia™ Renew ES is made from a combination of molecularly recycled waste material (40%), recycled cellulose (20%) and renewable wood pulp (40%).

The 20% recycled cellulose comes from waste materials, textiles waste and non-forest-derived cellulose waste. This innovation is made possible through Eastman’s continuous efforts to collaborate with eco-conscious partners throughout the value chain. For example, the Naia™ team has partnered with GP Cellulose, a pulp supplier with a focus on sustainability, to integrate renewable forest fibers and non-forest fiber solutions into its feedstock.

The remaining 40% recycled content* comes from Eastman’s cutting-edge molecular recycling technology that breaks down hard-to-recycle waste materials like plastic packaging and old carpet into fundamental building blocks to produce the acetic acid used to make cellulose acetate yarn and fiber. This process not only produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions but also diverts waste materials from landfills, incinerators and other undesirable end-of-life destinations, finding new value for pre- and postconsumer waste that is not suitable for recycling by traditional means.

“Patagonia has always been a company that chooses its fibers carefully and responsibly,” said Ruth Farrell, Eastman textiles general manager. “The collaboration we’ve enjoyed with Patagonia has been instrumental in developing materials that appeal to its customers — environmentally conscientious people who work and play hard. Patagonia customers want garments that reflect who they are and what they care about without compromise on comfort and quality.”

Patagonia’s Workwear line is a Fair Trade line of apparel made for people who work hard daily to make the planet a better place to live, perform and produce. It features durable, low-impact fibers with a lower carbon footprint. Learn more at www.patagonia.com/workwear.

Naia™ fibers and yarns are responsibly sourced from sustainably managed pine and eucalyptus forests. Eastman has aligned its entire forestry supply chain with Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) sourcing standards, including controlled wood procedures. Eastman holds FSC® (C140711) and PEFC™ Chain of Custody certifications, and all its suppliers hold internationally recognized forestry certifications as well. Furthermore, Eastman has partnered with Canopy to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to sustainable forestry management.

“Now more than ever, people want to know how and where our clothes are made, paying particular attention to what they’re made from,” Farrell said. “Naia™ Renew ES is our answer to the overconsumption of raw materials, a growing plastic waste problem, and rising greenhouse gases caused by deforestation. It’s a future-focused fiber made with the next generations in mind — one that doesn’t compromise on the quality of the garment or the health of our planet.”

Posted: September 16, 2022

Source: Eastman

DYSIN GROUP Inaugurates Its New Plant For Specialty Polymer Manufacturing In Gazipur

GAZIPUR, Bangladesh — September 16, 2022 — Dysin Group, one of the pioneers to introduce new technologies for the Knit-Dyeing, Garments Washing, and Garments Printing Industries in Bangladesh since 1984, has set up a new plant for Specialty Polymer Manufacturing under the name of Dysin-Chem Industries (Pvt.) Ltd. at BCSIC Industrial Area, Konabari, Gazipur. The new plant will be inaugurated today, the 16th of September, 2022.

“We have been working in the textile industry since 1984, providing Dyestuff and Chemicals with technical services. Now Dysin is recognized as a trusted leader in delivering innovative and sustainable chemical solutions across multiple industries. The setup of a specialty Polymer Manufacturing Plant is an important part of our vision to grow in local manufacturing capability. This plant will serve to produce the intermediate chemicals used as raw materials in our textile auxiliaries manufacturing, in turn reducing the cost.” Managing Director of DYSIN Group, Mr. Md. Amanur Rahman said. He also added, “Our first manufacturing unit for Textile Auxiliaries was established in 1990. Now Dysin has three chemical manufacturing units under two companies, including a 100% export-oriented unit that serves the Export factories having a bond license.”

Mr. Rahman pointed out that instead of importing chemicals from abroad, textile mills can save valuable foreign currency, reduce their inventory, and reduce the lead time of garments export if they buy from local Textile Auxiliaries manufacturing companies like those of the DYSIN group.

Recently, Dysin Group’s Textile Auxiliaries manufacturing unit under the name of NAM Trading & Manufacturing Co., Ltd., became the first company in Bangladesh to receive ZDHC Confidence Level 3 certification (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) – the highest ZDHC certification level currently available. In this regard, Mr. Rahman said, “Working to be certified as ZDHC level 3 was a key achievement in our commitment to drive the Bangladesh textile industry to be more environmentally friendly and reduce its impact on the environment”.

Mr. Rahman, who is also the convener of Bangladesh Chemical & Dyestuff Manufacturers’ & Exporters’ Association, said, “We believe Bangladesh is at a turning point of Industrialization with huge potentials for growth in Chemical Industry, which can bring the second wave of industrial & export growth after the textile industry. However, we need Government’s policy support for this sector very much.”

Dysin is continuously investing to expand its R&D and manufacturing capabilities of Chemicals for Textile & other industries. We want to provide maximum benefit through “specialized” high-performance chemicals, for our customers to win in the marketplace, save our environment and contribute to making the world a better place, the company said in a media statement.

Posted: September 15, 2022

Source: Dysin Group

CIT Northbridge Serves As Agent On $65 Million Financing For Leading Sustainable Apparel Retailer Everlane

NEW YORK — September 15, 2022 — CIT Northbridge Credit, as advised by CIT Asset Management LLC, served as agent on a $65 million revolving credit facility for Everlane, Inc., a leading retailer of sustainable apparel, accessories and footwear in the U.S.

Founded in 2011 and based in San Francisco, Everlane aims to deliver high-quality and ethically sourced items at affordable price points. The company sells products primarily through its e-commerce website, as well as its 10 retail stores in New York, Massachusetts, Texas, Washington, California, District of Columbia and Pennsylvania.

“This financing will provide acceleration for our business through new stores and product expansion and allow us to continue to extend our mission of sustainability at a much-needed time in the world,” said Michael Preysman, founder of Everlane. “We are proud to partner with CIT Northbridge and appreciate their expertise and partnership in this next chapter.”

“With the trends we’re observing in the apparel space and the heightened focus on sustainability and environmental impact, we are pleased to work with Everlane to be on the front lines of this transformation,” said Neal Legan, who leads CIT Northbridge. “We are excited to add this financing to our portfolio and look forward to supporting Everlane’s future endeavors.”

CIT Northbridge Credit is a trusted financial partner supporting middle-market companies with a broad range of flexible asset-based debt solutions. A joint venture advised by CIT Asset Management, it provides revolving and term loan commitments from $15 million to $150 million to companies across various industries and business cycles, and serves primarily as sole lender, agent, club participant or co-lender.

Posted: September 15, 2022

Source: CIT, a division of First Citizens Bank

Achieve Maximum Softness In Nonwoven Hygiene Products With Haptic Measuring Device From emtec Electronic

LEIPZIG, Germany — September 14, 2022 — When it comes to rethinking hygiene products, it pays to have hard data on hand. Specific, objective knowledge about the haptic qualities of wet wipes, diapers, or feminine sanitary pads, for example, can lead to the development of a more aesthetically pleasing product line geared toward the preferences of the target market. Even small changes can make a huge impact in terms of optimizing product quality.

At this year’s Hygienix conference, device manufacturer emtec Electronic GmbH will present information about the TSA Tactile Sensation Analyzer, which delivers precise data about the haptic qualities of softness, smoothness, and stiffness of nonwoven products. In addition, the TSA is able to objectively measure deformation and recovery characteristics.

To illustrate: When producing hygienic nonwoven products such as wet wipes or diapers, technicians want to know the effects of different lotions on the way the product feels to the touch. The disadvantages of the traditional hand-panel method include the time it takes to organize and the subjective results, which must be repeated and averaged to arrive at a reliable hand-feel value. The TSA, on the other hand, allows for on-the-go measurements within seconds. The handy digital solution provides a numerical value for each measured parameter, as well as a calculated overall hand-feel value that has been shown to correlate very well with the results from traditional hand panel tests.

The device uses an innovative sound-based measuring principle to simulate the sensory capabilities of the human hand, allowing precise measurements of a material’s softness, smoothness, and stiffness. In addition, the elasticity, plasticity, and hysteresis are determined using a deformation measurement.

Find out more about how the TSA from emtec Electronic can help manufacturers of nonwoven hygiene products achieve maximum comfort by stopping by the emtec tabletop exhibit at the Roosevelt New Orleans Hotel during the Hygienix conference.

Posted: September 15, 2022

Source: emtec Electronic GmbH

Secant Group, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Collaborate To Advance Breakthrough Cardiovascular Technology

TELFORD, Pa. — September 14, 2022 — Secant Group, an implantable biomaterials developer based in suburban Philadelphia, PA, and a subsidiary of Solesis, has signed an agreement with The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH, to explore potential solutions for repairing congenital heart defects in children.

The Secant Group and Nationwide Children’s collaboration advances the development of implantable tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) to treat conditions such as coronary artery defects in children. The novel TEVGs at the center of Nationwide Children’s research have the potential to restore compromised vascular tissue into fully functioning vessels that naturally grow as children develop, potentially eliminating the need for multiple risky procedures throughout the patient’s life.

The technology supporting the Secant Group-Nationwide Children’s collaboration is Secant’s novel biopolymer poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS), a “stealth” material that does not overstimulate the body’s immune system. PGS is a biocompatible, biodegradable, and tunable elastomer that enables TEVGs to regenerate and restore healthy, compliant tissue.

“As the contract developer and manufacturer of the TEVG implant, Secant Group is supporting the advancement of Nationwide Children’s research to develop a potential solution for repairing heart defects. This is exactly the kind of unmet healthcare need that Secant Group set out to support with our polymer and textile expertise more than a decade ago,” says Jeremy Harris, PhD, Senior Director of Research at Secant, who is responsible for innovating Solesis’ core technologies in biomaterials and textile engineering.

“Research like this is vital in order to advance the care and treatment of children born with congenital cardiac anomalies,” said Christopher K. Breuer, MD, director of the Center for Regenerative Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “We look forward to continuing this important work to take more steps forward toward best outcomes for this patient population.”

Posted: September 14, 2022

Source: Secant Group

Joe Pajer Appointed As Chief Executive Officer And President Of Seegrid

PITTSBURGH — September 14, 2022 — Seegrid Corporation, supplier of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for material handling, today announced that Joe Pajer has joined the Company as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mr. Pajer succeeds Jim Rock, who will continue as a Seegrid shareholder and advisor. Mr. Pajer will also serve on the Board of Directors.

Pajer comes to Seegrid with more than 40 years of experience in the technology industry, including having previously served as CEO of Calero-MDSL (a technology expense management software company), Thinklogical (a high-end video switching company sold to Belden), and Vocollect (a warehouse automation software company sold to Honeywell). Prior to these roles, Pajer held leadership positions with Marconi, FORE Systems, Compaq, and AT&T. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering and a Master of Science degree in management, both earned at Carnegie Mellon University.

“We are delighted to have Joe at the helm of Seegrid,” said Steven F. Kaplan, Chairman of the Board. “I have worked with Joe for over a decade. He is a great fit for Seegrid. Not only is he a strong leader, but he is a Pittsburgh native, a CMU graduate, and an engineer. And he is a three-time winner as a CEO.”

“I am very excited to be joining Seegrid at this time,” Pajer commented. “Seegrid’s innovative and proven solutions are already enabling a long list of blue-chip customers to achieve significant operational improvement and financial savings in their manufacturing and distribution operations. At the same time, Seegrid is expanding its technological leadership, enabling entry into exciting and very large new markets. I am looking forward to helping this world-class company achieve new heights.”

Posted: September 14, 2022

Source: Seegrid Corporation

Geno CEO Applauds Greater Government Investment At White House Summit On Biomanufacturing

WASHINGTON — September 14, 2022 — Today, Genomatica (Geno) CEO Christophe Schilling applauded recent government investment to promote the growth of domestic biomanufacturing amid the newest White House Executive Order on emerging biotechnologies. Speaking at the White House Summit on Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing for the American Bioeconomy, Schilling reiterated that the Order will be an important driver of more resilient domestic supply chains through domestic infrastructure, delivering sustainable materials at scale, and a key component of the Biden Administration’s climate resilience plan.

The Order launches the National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative that calls for federal agency coordination in funding biomanufacturing projects that will accelerate the transition to more sustainable materials, at scale. The Order also increases mandatory bio-based purchasing by Federal agencies through programs like BioPreferred which Geno’s Brontide™ brand participates in. Further, the Order validates biotechnology innovations that reduce America’s use of fossil fuel sourced products through highlighting plant-based alternatives as a significant part of the climate solution. This Order will be incorporated into the Biden Administration’s climate policies where the biobased economy will play a critical role in mitigating the impacts of climate change. For Geno, the Order signals a critical moment that brings together our company and cross sector groups to accelerate the sustainable materials transition.

“It’s not often that one action fuels the economy, combats climate change and strengthens supply chains at the same time,” said Geno CEO Christophe Schilling. “By powering the bioeconomy to create jobs across America, bolster rural economies, onshore manufacturing and help industry transition away from fossil fuels, this week’s executive order does just that through a whole-of-government approach. At a time when business and environmental interests are often on a collision course, biotechnology and biomanufacturing prove that there is a different path forward. Today’s Summit and Executive Order jumpstarts this process, and Geno looks forward to continued engagement with the White House to put our unique solutions to work.”

Schilling is Chair Emeritus of Biocom, the largest advocacy organization for California’s life sciences sector and serves on BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section Governing Board. He is also a member of YPO, an international leadership organization for chief executives, and previously served on the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Biotechnology.

Geno already stands at the forefront of powering technologies that enable large scale biomanufacturing of sustainable materials. Geno is on path to deliver over 4 million liters of capacity and an annual production of 100,000 metric tons of plant-based products. Geno continues to be laser-focused on increasing its impact through scale and has recently closed multiple high-impact deals to accelerate the commercialization of sustainable materials. With the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100 million tons in upcoming years, recent milestones include scaling plant-based nylon, a collaboration with lululemon to bring plant-based materials into lululemon’s products and a venture with Unilever to provide additional, responsibly sourced palm oil alternatives to market with a 50% lower carbon footprint.

Posted: September 14, 2022

Source: Genomatica (Geno)

Nufabrx® Appoints New Board Members: Former W.L. Gore And Associates CEO, And Former CEO Of Airborne, South Beach Diet And Co-Founder Of Prestige Brands, Join

CONOVER, N.C. — September 14, 2022 — Nufabrx®, an innovative North Carolina-based platform technology company, is proud to announce the addition of Dr. Jason Field to their Board of Directors and to welcome new Advisory Board Member Elise Donahue. Nufabrx® is known for their groundbreaking technology to simplify patient compliance, focused on the controlled delivery of active ingredients (vitamins, supplements, and medications) through clothing. The company has grown to national retail distribution, including the world’s largest retailer, Walmart, as well as Target, CVS, Walgreens, and numerous others.

“We are honored and elated to have both Dr. Jason Field and Elise Donahue join the Nufabrx® Team,” stated Nufabrx® Founder & CEO Jordan Schindler. “They both bring an inspiring wealth of knowledge and expertise that will help continue to position Nufabrx® as the leader in the industry. Their belief in the vision of Nufabrx® speaks to the power of what we are building. We’re extremely excited to have them join us as we continue our rapid growth and mission of solving patient compliance for consumers.”

Dr. Jason Field

Jason Field is an entrepreneur and experienced executive with a track record of creating value in start-up, turn-around and stable operating environments.  He is the past president and CEO of W. L. Gore & Associates (the makers of Gore-Tex®), a $4B+ privately held global materials science company.  Prior to leading the enterprise, Jason served in a progression of global business and functional roles that helped establish Gore-Tex®’s Medical Products Division as the global leader in Aortic intervention.  He served on W.L. Gore & Associates’ and AdvaMed’s board of directors.

“I am delighted to join this innovative brand; the team and technology are inspiring, and the products have great potential to improve quality of life on a large scale. Nufabrx® simplifies health and wellness and is quickly becoming a staple in consumers’ healthcare arsenal. I’m excited to draw upon my platform technology experience with Gore-Tex® to help bring this revolutionary HealthWear® category to the next level,” says Field.

Jason earned his bachelor’s degree in pre-veterinary medicine and agribusiness from Arizona State University and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Oregon State University. Before joining Gore-Tex® in 2005, he owned and operated Northern Arizona Equine, PC and Fieldcare Veterinary Services, LLC, which delivered veterinary care to sport horses.  Jason serves as Board Chairman of the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education, is an executive coach and medical technology industry strategic advisor. He resides in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Elise Donahue

Ms. Donahue is recognized as a successful CPG executive that has focused her career on building a wide range of entrepreneurial health & wellness businesses. Under her leadership as CEO/President, she has strategically built wellness platforms, has successfully transacted 5 companies, and has raised over $120M in funds. Throughout her career she has been deeply engaged in understanding the consumer, partnering with trade partners, and using analytics to study and maximize fast-changing shifts in online behaviors.

“I am extremely excited by the technological advances Nufabrx® has made, and I look forward to contributing to the rapid HealthWear® category expansion. Not since my time at Airborne have I seen anything I thought could be a similar wellness phenomenon – until now.  It has so much potential,” says Donahue.

Ms. Donahue’s experience includes being the Chief Executive Officer at the South Beach Diet Corporation where she led the re-launch of the popular South Beach Diet including products, subscription model and a #1 selling book. Under Elise’s leadership, Airborne was named as a Fastest Growing Company by Inc. 500, with growth of 1,317.8% in a three-year period. She has also served as Board of Directors at Jenny Craig during its heyday, and at LA Fitness-Europe.

Nufabrx® is a state-of-the-art, patented platform technology, created by award-winning designers and PhD scientists that infuses active ingredients into textiles. HealthWear®, pioneered by Nufabrx®, is a market category that integrates medication and textiles to create wearable clothing and simplify health and wellness for consumers. The first product line available at retailers nationwide embeds a topical analgesic pain reliever into apparel, to heal aches and pains on-the-go. The product line enables clothing to enhance patient compliance of medications simply by getting dressed in the morning.

Posted: September 14, 2022

Source: Nufabrx®

2022 Size And Impact Report: Plastics Moves To America’s 6th Largest Manufacturing Industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. — September 14, 2022 — The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) unveiled its 2022 Size and Impact report, the association’s flagship annual analysis of the plastics industry’s contribution to the U.S. economy.

Dr. Perc Pineda, Chief Economist at PLASTICS, presented an overview of the report’s findings during an online Executive Briefing provided to PLASTICS members and members of the press.

Highlights shared during today’s briefing include:

  • The U.S. plastics industry accounts for nearly a million jobs (999,100); when suppliers to the plastics industry are included, that number rises to 1.5 million.
  • Plastics manufacturing employment grew 3.2% from 2020 to 2021, more than twice the growth of manufacturing as a whole (1.5%).
  • U.S. plastics shipments totaled $468.0 billion for 2021; when suppliers to the plastics industry are included, shipments totaled $600.4 billion.

“Today’s report shows that the plastics industry, while previously eighth is now the sixth largest manufacturing industry in the U.S,” said Matt Seaholm, President and CEO of PLASTICS. “Plain and simple, these numbers show that the PLASTICS industry is growing and will continue to do so as part of a circular economy.”

“Plastic is remarkable – It saves energy by being lightweight. It saves resources by being efficient to manufacture and transport, and it saves lives through protective gear, medical devices, and so much more. The PLASTICS industry is proud of our people and our products.”

“The plastics industry continues to develop new technologies that improve the manufacturing process to include more recycled content, less material, design for recyclability, and improved performance to better protect things like food and beverages, greatly reducing waste,” concluded Seaholm.

Posted: September 14, 2022

Source: The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)

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