Seatex Acquires ChemQuest Chemicals Co.

ROSENBERG, Texas — September 6, 2022 — Seatex, LLC, a specialty chemical manufacturer and formulator, is pleased to announce the acquisition of ChemQuest Chemicals LLC, a custom chemical manufacturer headquartered in Pasadena, Texas. For more than 25 years, ChemQuest has provided custom toll manufacturing services to customers globally, with expertise in complex blending and reactionary synthesis. This acquisition provides Seatex with enhanced production capabilities, increased capacity and a complementary customer base, representing a diverse set of end-markets.

The acquisition will take place immediately, with customers enjoying continuity of business operations and the benefit of the broad range of chemical services offered by both companies.

“ChemQuest’s reputation as a leading custom chemical manufacturer, its expansive technical capabilities, along with an accomplished and experienced team, led by President Clay Pace, made it the perfect fit for Seatex,” stated Jonathan O’Dwyer, CEO of Seatex. “We welcome the ChemQuest team to the Seatex family and believe our combined commitments to service, safety and quality, alongside expanded capacity and enhanced capabilities, will greatly benefit our customer base.”

Added Clay Pace, “We are excited to partner with Seatex and for the opportunity to leverage the broader platform as we aggressively pursue commercial expansion.”

With four manufacturing locations in Texas, Seatex’s combined service offering includes liquid reactions and complex blends, solids and dry blending, expansive packaging capabilities and formulation development, as well as R&D and lab support. With the acquisition of ChemQuest, the new company will be one of Texas’s custom toll manufacturers, with the ability to deliver creative and sustainable chemical solutions for all customers.

Posted: September 7, 2022

Source: Seatex LLC

Techmer PM, A Producer Of Advanced Engineered Materials And Masterbatch Products, Announces An Investment From Gryphon Investors To Accelerate Growth

CLINTON, Tenn. — September 7, 2022 — Techmer PM LLC announced today that it has received a majority investment from Gryphon Investors, a middle-market private equity firm. Techmer PM’s founder John Manuck, the company’s management team, and SK Capital, a private investment firm with a focus on the specialty materials, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals sectors, will remain investors in the company alongside Gryphon. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 1981, Techmer PM is known for its development of innovative materials which add functionality to materials, including fast-growing technologies, such as composites and additive manufacturing. The company serves customers across a diverse set of global markets serving many leading consumer products and packaging, healthcare, and building product OEMs. Techmer PM CEO Mike McHenry will continue to lead the company, supported by the existing management team.

“The Techmer team has significantly improved the overall business performance in a very challenging market environment. We are excited by the additional support, expertise, and resources that will come from Gryphon’s investment,” McHenry said. “We have a number of commercial strategies to expand our offering and deliver first-class service to a diverse customer base, and we believe that Gryphon, alongside SK Capital, gives us additional operational and capital resources to help Techmer maximize its potential in enabling brand success for our customers.”

Techmer PM represents Gryphon’s fourth investment in the materials and chemicals sector. The firm’s previous acquisitions include Pacur, a  supplier of specialty plastic packaging materials for the medical device industry; Kano, a branded penetrating oils and lubricants producer; and Vivify Specialty Chemicals, a provider of specialty organic colorants, functional ingredients, and additives.

“With our investment in Techmer PM, we are excited to partner with another leader in the advanced materials space,” said Craig Nikrant, Gryphon operating partner. “Techmer PM is at the forefront of delivering functional performance in some of the most critical and active areas of today’s economy, including weather resistance, light-weighting, and sustainable materials.”

Deal Partner and Head of the Industrial Growth Group at Gryphon Leigh Abramson added: “We see great potential for the company to grow its global reach and continue investing in technologies and capabilities that enable its customers to deliver the most innovative and complex projects. We look forward to partnering with Mike, his management team, and SK Capital as we work together to identify and pursue organic growth opportunities and strategic acquisitions.”

Techmer PM operates six production sites strategically located throughout North America, serving customers globally. It focuses on high-performance applications where quality, technical support, and problem-solving are critical in the design and delivery of engineered materials.

Piper Sandler served as financial advisor to Techmer PM in this transaction. Guggenheim Securities served as financial advisor to Gryphon in this transaction.

Posted: September 7, 2022

Source: Techmer PM/Gryphon Investors

Top Nonwoven Quality Is Becoming Increasingly Important In Emerging Markets: PFNonwovens Invests In Reicofil RF5 Technology In South Africa

TROISDORF, Germany — September 7, 2022 — Reifenhäuser Reicofil announces the sale of an RF5 SMMS 3200 nonwovens line to PFNonwovens for its production facility in South Africa. The hygiene and medical line is scheduled to be commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2022, and will be the first Reicofil 5 (RF5) line operating in Africa.

PFNonwovens is one an innovative nonwoven company, and continues to grow its footprint in the United States, Europe and Africa. PFN wants to set a new benchmark of high-quality and innovative products for the Southern African markets with this purchase.

Tonny de Beer, chief technology officer of PFNonwovens, said: “It is important for us to bring cutting edge nonwoven manufacturing capabilities to emerging markets as well. Parents in Southern Africa rely even more on high performance nonwovens in their diapers to provide comfort and protection to their babies. At the same time our customers rely on consistently high-quality nonwoven fabrics to enable day-to-day stability of their high-speed converting operations. And, of course, locally produced materials have become essential to eliminate long supply chain risks in addition to economic and environmental sustainability benefits. With the RF5 technology we will deliver a high level of performance at a lower basis weight compared to alternative platforms. The new RF5 line is therefore the perfect addition to our existing Reicofil BiCo line at our Cape Town manufacturing site, and we are convinced that the RF5 technology is a significant step in the right direction to satisfy demand in the African market.”

Markus Mueller, sales director of Reifenhäuser Reicofil and key account manager for PFNonwovens, added: “Since 2018, Reicofil has been delivering RF5 lines to support the global hygiene industry across four continents. The hygiene industry values the consistent product quality provided by RF5 and the key product performance properties it delivers at lower basis weights helping to drive industry sustainability goals. With an energy requirement of 1-1.2 kilowatt hours per kilogram produced, Reicofil 5 manages the conversion from raw material to nonwoven more efficiently than any other technology on the market. We are very pleased that after many years of partnership cooperation with PFNonwovens, we are now able to establish this technology at their South Africa location and look forward to our further collaboration to serve the hygiene and medical market in the whole region with top quality products.”

Posted: September 7, 2022

Source: Reifenhäuser GmbH & Co. KG Maschinenfabrik

YesAnd & Kornit Digital Launch Customizable On-Demand Printing Collaboration With Fashinnovation

ROSH HA’AYIN, Israel — September 7, 2022 — Sustainable fashion brands YesAnd and Kornit Digital are teaming up with the leading global platform fostering innovation in the fashion industry, Fashinnovation. This month, the three like-minded companies will be unveiling a revolutionary direct-to-garment printing collaboration.

YesAnd & Kornit Digital are (e)co-creating digital, on-demand printed certified organic blank merchandise, with graphic designs by artists, celebrities, influencers, musicians, fashion VIPs, NGO’s and more. Sharing core values of fashion and innovation, and non-toxic, zero-waste production, and the fusion of technology to accelerate impact, this launch represents a cutting-edge and sustainable solution that’s accessible, traceable, customizable, and scalable. By joining forces, this collaboration will educate, engage, and activate both consumers and industry alike.

As Marci Zaroff, founder and CEO of YesAnd, stated: “We are elated to be driving fashion forward with two incredible partners who share my passion and commitment to creativity, connection, community, collaboration, and consciousness. Through the lens of design, and from agriculture to popular culture, we must embrace the intersection of regeneration, circularity, and technology. The time is now.”

The YesAnd & Fashinnovation collection will be launching on September 7 at the Fashinnovation Worldwide Talks  where Kornit’s CEO Ronen Samuel will serve as a keynote speaker with a presentation entitled, “Fashion is On-Demand Production for a Sustainable Future” at the event — featuring the best in innovation, technology trends, fashion-tech and digital fashion, including inclusivity and diversity, gamification, entrepreneurship and experimentation, along with fashion sustainability. An in-person cocktail reception will follow from 6-8 p.m. at Spring Studios in New York City.

The brands will be showcasing unique YesAnd organic blank styles in-person, available for bespoke on-line purchasing — with inspiring graphics designed by the Fashinnovation art team. The founders of the collaboration, Marci Zaroff of YesAnd, and Jordana Guimaraes from Fashinnovation, will be joining the stage to empower attendees and viewers to wear the change we all wish to see in the world.

“We at Fashinnovation have a strong belief that the fashion industry must walk side-by-side with innovation, in order to ensure a sustainable future. We are thrilled for this collaboration with YesAnd and Kornit, as we hope to set an example when it comes to the power of unity. In our minds, it’s not about a person’s wins, but rather it’s about our collective progress,” said Jordana and Marcelo Guimaraes, founders of Fashinnovation.

Debuting the first of their brand collaborations with farm-to-print organic merchandise, this collaboration will together minimize waste, water, chemical use, and energy, while celebrating climate action, manufacturing efficiencies, and sustainable innovation — representing a true and timely fashion statement. The brands will be debuting their select blank styles of digitally-printed designs from the initial capsule collection — including the YesAnd Frida Hoodie, Gloria Hoodie Tee, Dominique Tee, and the Samata Dress, with a graphic option aligning the missions of YesAnd, Fashinnovation and Kornit Digital, “Don’t Wear Clothes, Wear Change.”

“This strategic collaboration is an excellent opportunity to showcase the power of on-demand, digital production—and how it can unleash new levels of creativity for designers to fulfill their ultimate visions. It’s also a reflection of the seamless way we are more effectively connecting designers direct to the consumer,” said Ronen Samuel, CEO, Kornit Digital. “It is now finally possible to flip the script on supply and demand — not selling what’s already been produced, but producing what has been sold. We are very excited about the possibilities this collaboration will bring.”

Posted: September 7, 2022

Source: Kornit Digital

The National Retail Federation: Import Slowdown Continues As Fed Tries To Rein In Consumer Demand

WASHINGTON — September 7, 2022 — With inflation continuing and the Federal Reserve hoping to cool demand through higher interest rates, imports at the nation’s major container ports are expected to fall below last year’s levels for the remainder of 2022, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“Consumers are still buying, but the cargo surge we saw during the past two years appears to be slowing down,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Cargo volumes are solidly above pre-pandemic levels, but the rate of growth has slowed and even slid into negative numbers compared with unusually high volumes last year. The key now is dealing with ongoing supply chain issues around the globe and with labor negotiations at West Coast ports and freight railroads. Smooth operations at the ports and on the rails is crucial as we enter the busy holiday season.”

Talks continue between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association, whose contract expired July 1. Meanwhile, the freight railroads and their union have continued to negotiate after recommendations from the Presidential Emergency Board appointed this summer were released. Both dockworkers and railroad workers remain on the job, but there are concerns about potential disruptions.

“The number of vessels waiting to dock on the West Coast has been reduced to near-normal,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said. “But with the switch of some cargo to the East Coast, congestion and pressure on the ports has shifted to the East Coast. The inland supply chain, particularly rail, continues to face difficulties that have resulted in the delay of containers leaving ports, causing terminal congestion that impacts the ability of carriers to discharge their cargo.”

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 2.18 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units – one 20-foot container or its equivalent – in July, the latest month for which final numbers are available. That was down 3.1 percent from June and down 0.4 percent from July 2021 – only the third year-over-year decline in two years and the first since December 2021.

Ports have not yet reported August’s numbers, but Global Port Tracker projected the month at 2.17 million TEU, down 4.3 percent year over year. September is forecast at 2.1 million TEU, down 1.8 percent; October also at 2.1 million TEU, down 4.8 percent; November at 2.04 million TEU, down 3.3 percent, and December at 2.01 million TEU, down 4 percent.

The first half of the year totaled 13.5 million TEU, a 5.5 percent increase year over year. The forecast for the remainder of the year would bring the second half to 12.6 million TEU, down 3.1 percent year over year. For the full year, 2022 is expected to total 26.1 million TEU, up 1.2 percent from last year’s annual record of 25.8 million TEU.

The current decline is expected to continue in January 2023, which is forecast at 2.11 million TEU, down 2.6 percent from January 2022.

The cargo data comes as NRF continues to forecast that 2022 retail sales will grow between 6 percent and 8 percent over 2021. Sales were up 6 percent during the first seven months of the year.

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: September 7, 2022

Source: The National Retail Federation (NRF)

 

ITMF: Results of the 15th ITMF Corona Survey — Business Situation, Expectation Have Turned Negative

ZURICH — September 1, 2022 — The 15th ITMF Corona-Survey shows that the business situation plunged into negative territory in July 2022. The business situation is worse in Asia than in the rest of the world. Textile machinery is the only segment still in positive territory. Business expectations have also turned negative for the first time since the start of survey in May 2021. South-East Asia and South America are relatively more optimistic, downstream segments as well.

Order intake is weakening globally but is still in positive territory. Here too, expectations have turned negative in all textile segments except for textile machinery producers. A difficult period is to be expected ahead. Order intake is deteriorating in all Asian regions and stable in North America, South America, and Africa.

Order backlog has been slightly decreasing in the past few months, from a maximum of 3.1 months in March 2022 to 2.9 months in July. It is expected to continue falling until March 2023. Capacity utilization rate has been stagnating since the beginning of 2022, on average. This indicator is rising in Africa and North and Central America. South Asia reports a strong decrease in capacity utilization, so do fibre and home textile producers as well as spinners.

While high prices for raw materials, energy, and logistics are still regarded as major supply side concerns, they have somewhat eased compared to May 2022. The prospects of weakening demand caused by surging inflation are worrisome.

Posted September 6, 2022

Source: ITMF

AATCC Proposes Constitution Changes

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — September 1, 2022 — This September, members of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) will vote on new Board members for the 2023-2024 term. They will also vote on significant amendments to the AATCC Constitution proposed by the C6 Membership Committee. The proposed amendments address two major items as well as minor updates to procedures and terminology.

 Member Categories
 One set of changes combines “Senior” and “Associate” member categories under the new designation “Individual.” The Membership Committee explains that there were several reasons for this proposal. While Senior membership has always officially designated at least five years of industry experience, members have expressed confusion, assuming Senior membership is reserved for those reaching a certain age. It is impractical to verify the credentials of each applicant and the Committee felt it was not desirable to limit the full involvement of “enthusiastic and knowledgeable newcomers.” In fact, AATCC recently launched a new Rising Professionals Interest Group to guide and support such members, whether they are entering textiles directly from school or from another industry.

 Board Composition
 Other changes eliminate Regional and Interest Group At-Large positions on the AATCC Board of Directors, while adding the Membership Committee Chair. The current regional system excludes a large portion of AATCC members from representation. Under the proposed structure, local sections, as well as student chapters, will report to the Membership Committee and the Chair will ensure their ideas and concerns are presented to the Board.

Board Elections

AATCC members will select their President-elect as well as Regional and Interest Group representatives to the Board of Directors. Ballots are customized based on each member’s geographic region and chosen interest group. As noted above, not all members are part of a voting region. All members do have the option to select a voting interest group.

Results

Ballots are distributed via email in September, with voting ending at the beginning of November. Results of the amendment referendum and elections will be announced at AATCC’s Annual Meeting on November 16. All are welcome to attend the meeting in person or virtually by registering for AATCC Research and Interest Group Meetings.

If you are a member of AATCC, now is your time to vote! If you are not a member of AATCC, you can still get more information or sign up to be a member! For more information about the proposed amendments and the Board candidates, visit www.aatcc.org/updates/#vote.

Posted September 6, 2022

Source: AATCC

GIS Founder Nick Geddes Takes New Role As Senior CTO at Nano Dimension; Steve Williamson Promoted To General Manager At GIS

Nick Geddes (left) and Steve Williamson

CAMBRIDGE, England — September 6, 2022 –  Global Inkjet Systems Ltd. (GIS), a Nano Dimension division, is pleased to announce the following personnel changes:  GIS co-founder Nick Geddes will be taking on the role of senior chief technology officer (CTO) at Nano Dimension and joins the group executive team; Steve Williamson is promoted to the role of GIS general manager (GM).

Nano Dimension, a NASDAQ listed technology company, began its existence specializing in Additive Manufacturing of Electronics (AME) and has since broadened to include Machine and Deep Learning (AI), Additive Manufacturing (AM), Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Industrial Inkjet Technology – via GIS. Following the acquisition of GIS in January 2022, teams on both sides have combined expertise and are working to develop technologies for even greater innovation in advanced industrial applications.

Geddes will take a leading role in the research and development (R&D) efforts at Nano Dimension, whilst continuing to provide a strategic role in GIS product R&D and key customer relationships. Williamson aims to build on his initial focus of strengthening the engineering teams at GIS to create a dynamic environment for further growth and to provide additional R&D support to the other divisions within Nano Dimension.

Geddes was the co-founder of GIS (established 2006) and formerly CEO and CTO. As CTO, Nick drove innovation and led the ever-growing R&D teams. Geddes wrote much of the original software, including the GIS variable data RIP, and was a key architect of the Atlas IQ® Tools for inkjet image quality enhancement. As CEO, he demonstrated commitment to retaining the core ethical and professional principles of GIS, making it a trusted partner within the industrial inkjet industry.

Williamson joined GIS in 2021 bringing more than 25 years of highly technical experience in Radio Frequency (RF) design and manufacturing, senior team leadership and project management. As a strategic member of the GIS executive team, Steve has used his high-level interpersonal management skills and in-depth technical experience to strengthen GIS’s R&D teams and has taken an increasing role in key customer relationships.

“We have a fantastic group of people at both GIS and Nano Dimension,” Geddes noted. “As Senior CTO, I can maximize the core values and strengths of GIS and add the most value to the whole company. I am excited to help realize the potential of all the R&D teams, whilst continuing to be involved with GIS product strategy and customers, as required.”

Williamson commented: “Since joining GIS I have been inspired by the passion for innovation and improvement that informs the culture, not only in R&D, but across all the teams. As general manager, my vision is to help our people accelerate product development for next generation industrial printing systems, leading to even greater growth and customer success.”

These changes take place with immediate effect.

September 6, 2022

Source: GIS

Durst Group Launches “Durst Kraftwerk” In Brixen

BRIXEN, Italy — September 05, 2022 — Durst, a manufacturer of digital printing and production technologies, opened “Durst Kraftwerk” on September 2, 2022. Located in the former DUKA building at Julius Durst St. 2, Brixen, the 5,300+-square-meter hall will be the new home of the company’s in-house spin-offs and start-ups.

“Born out of the need to give our U.S. acquisition Vanguard Digital Systems a home in Europe, the idea for the “Durst Kraftwerk” was born,” said Christoph Gamper, CEO and co-owner of the Durst Group. “A powerhouse that brings together our spin-offs and start-ups and offers them a new home. In this way, we provide a creative environment where the companies can fully concentrate on their respective areas of expertise – without the “burden” of integration into an established structure. I am grateful and proud of the individual co-founders and their teams and convinced that top performance and business success will go hand in hand in the Durst Kraftwerk. In fact, we’ve already created 35 highly qualified jobs by the time of the opening — in the final expansion stage, more than 100 employees will be researching, developing, designing, optimizing and teaching at the Kraftwerk – helping to shape tomorrow’s production processes and methods.”

“Technicon Holding unites internationally successful companies such as Durst Group AG and Alupress AG under its umbrella,” says Harald Oberrauch, owner of Technicon Holding. “At the same time, we act as an incubator to promote new business ideas that arise in our companies’ environment. From a bird’s eye view, we can clear hurdles more quickly, accelerate development processes and connect teams. We aim to create a true innovation center for specialized service providers at the Durst Kraftwerk.”

With Vanguard Europe GmbH, Kraftwerk is home to the European branch of the U.S. company Vanguard Digital Printing Systems, which  Durst Group acquired in 2020. The manufacturer of digital printing systems for signage, decor, corporate, industrial and packaging sectors, manufactures for the European market at this location and also has its own customer center.

Kraftwerk is also home to the Durst Academy, a modern training center for the group, with facilities for online & offline seminars and green-screen presentations to provide customized training for process technology, hardware & software to customers and service partners from around the world.

A specialized service provider is adddam GmbH, which uses high-end 3D/AM printing technologies to manufacture precision components from metals and plastics. One focus here is certified training and education for AM design. At Kraftwerk, adddam presents itself as a full-service provider, offering its services from consulting and development to the final product to all companies in the region.

With D3-AM GmbH, Kraftwerk is home to another company in the field of additive manufacturing (3D). The Durst spin-off specializes in the pinnacle of materials, technical ceramics. These high-performance ceramic components are used in the automotive, electronics, energy, aerospace and medical technology sectors. www.d3-am.com

DMC GmbH (Durst Media Company), an agency specializing in B2B marketing communications/new storytelling, is also moving into the Kraftwerk, offering the full range of services from conception to audio-visual implementation from a single source, and has a professional film studio at its disposal.

Posted September 6, 2022

Source: Durst

DMIx By ColorDigital Connects With e.dye

COLOGNE, Germany — September 6, 2022 — Two strong players in digital color management and ecological impact are partnering up and joining forces to transform the digital color market for a more sustainable future.

ColorDigital GmbH, with its interactive collaboration platform DMIx, is proud to announce that e.dye, textile manufacturer and creator of the e.dye® Waterless & Clean Color System™, is now available as partner on the DMIx platform.

e.dye uses spectral colors to make sure that its sustainably produced yarns and textiles are accurately matching the color specifications with 100 percent color reproducibility. With their “Zero Waste” principle and focus on digital product and color development, it is a perfect partner for DMIx. This collaboration reinforces digital supply chain efficiency, sustainable digital product development, and full product transparency. e.dye will make more than 40,000 smart colors available in its collection to interested DMIx customers.
Both companies are devoted to using digital colors and processes to make product development in the textile and fashion industry more efficient and as environmentally responsible as possible.

“e.dye is a perfect addition to the users of DMIx with their expertise to produce textiles that exactly meet the digital color values and their exceptional focus to drive the digital transformation to make our industry more sustainable,” says Gerd Willschütz, COO at ColorDigital.

“DMIx is a fabulous platform provided by ColorDigital for apparel brands as a sustainable tool to develop their products from color inspiration to apparel. It’s a perfect tool to speed up design and avoid unnecessary physical samples production reducing CO2 emission.” says George Yang, founder at e.dye Ltd..

Posted September 6, 2022

Soure: DMIx

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