YKK Develops AquaGuard® NATULON®, An Environmentally Friendly Water Repellent Zipper

TOKYO — October 13, 2022 — YKK Corp. has developed an environmentally friendly water repellent AquaGuard® NATULON® zipper. Beginning this month, YKK will spend about one year gradually replacing the conventional water repellent AquaGuard zipper with the environmentally friendly AquaGuard NATULON zipper, which has a tape made of recycled PET plastic.

The AquaGuard zipper has a polyurethane laminated water repellent tape and has been well received by customers for the 20 years since its launch in 2002. For the recently developed AquaGuard NATULON zippers, YKK not only adopted a green specification using recycled PET tape and a fluorine-free water repellent, but also improved the zipper’s opening/closing operability as well as the appearance of the zipper.

Key Points of the AquaGuard® NATULON® Zipper Development

(1) Switching to a green specification as an initiative toward achievement of the YKK Sustainability Vision 2050

YKK announced the YKK Sustainability Vision 2050, which is the Company’s sustainability goal for achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Goals were set up under five themes: climate change, material resources, water resources, chemical management, and respect of people. YKK is engaged in initiatives to achieve ten Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to these themes.

By using recycled PET for the tape, the AquaGuard® NATULON zipper contributes to resource utilization and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, switching the main material used in the water repellent finish (film) to one that is fluorine-free also leads to improvement of the manufacturing process environment. This move also meets the tightening of organic fluorine compound usage regulations in Europe and elsewhere.

Comparison of the AquaGuard® zipper and the AquaGuard® NATULON® zipper appearance. Top: Conventional AquaGuard® Bottom: AquaGuard® NATULON®

(2) Improvement of zipper opening/closing operability

The AquaGuard zipper is being widely used in wear and gear for fields such as sports and hardcore outdoor activities, including mountain climbing. In such items as sportswear, there are many situations in which the wearer needs to open or close a zipper while moving or wearing gloves. For this reason, the zipper used needs to open and close smoothly. To ensure that AquaGuard NATULON zippers can be used in such fields without worry, YKK made improvements to the structure of zipper parts such as the chain and slider, improving the pin insertion and the sliding force when opening and closing the zipper.

▼Improvement of the zipper sliding force (reference value: as compared with conventional AquaGuard® zippers)
No.3 CZT8: Improvement of about 40 percent/CZT10: Improvement of about 20 percent
No.5 CZT8: Improvement of about 30 percent/CZT9: Improvement of about 20 percent/CZT10: Improvement of about 30 percent
*Item Codes: T8: Shiny Transparent film; T9 Matte Colored film; T10: Matte Transparent film
*The operability differs according to the type of slider and surface processing

(3) Improvement of appearance

By reviewing the zipper chain configuration and processing conditions, a flatter appearance has been achieved.

*T8 and T10 indicate item codes.

“The AquaGuard NATULON zipper fulfills the desires of our customers that had been expressed in the past for a switch to green specifications as well as to improve operability,” said Hisashi Yoneshima, vice President, Product Strategy & Development Division, Global Sales Division. “The improvement of its appearance has also been achieved, and the zipper has been reborn into one that can be used with even less worry. YKK will continue to pursue further functionality of its fastening products while promoting the development of products that are friendly to the environment and will contribute to the achievement of a sustainable society.”

Posted October 18, 2022

Source: YKK Corp.

WhiteCycle: DITF Is Part Of An International Consortium For Plastics Recycling

DENKENDORF, Germany — October 14, 2022 — A consortium of 16 public and private sector organizations under the name “WhiteCycle” has set itself the goal of establishing a comprehensive and closed-loop recycling system for plastic waste. German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are part of this consortium and will make their contribution with a new synthesis process for processing recycled plastics.

Under the leadership of Michelin Group France, the consortium WhiteCycle was constituted at the beginning of July 2022. The aim of the European initiative is to establish an economic cycle to process inhomogeneous textile waste from different materials and to manufacture new, high-quality products from it. This project is intended to help achieve the targets set by the European Union for reducing CO2 emissions by 2030.

Complex, textile-containing PET waste such as tires, tubes or multilayer composite textiles from the clothing sector have so far been difficult or impossible to recycle. Under the WhiteCycle network, several projects and research approaches will be brought together to address the problem and provide new solutions.

The DITF will adapt an existing PET synthesis process to novel recycled monomers. The fundamental problem to be overcome is the impurities in the starting material due to its inhomogeneous composition. Together with the project partner Kordsa Teknik Textil A.S. (Turkey), the DITF are developing new synthesis concepts. Their aim is to eliminate possible disadvantages caused by residual contamination of the monomers. This is because, despite purification of the monomers prior to further processing, not all impurities can be removed. The approaches taken are demanding. For example, the type and quantity of additives used must be specifically adapted. These include catalysts, processing aids, nucleating and coupling agents, and chain extenders. In this way, it is possible to avoid the negative effects of unknown impurities. This improves the material properties of the recycled plastics, as they are thermally stabilized in the long term, which in turn results in improved mechanical and rheological properties. The modified process should enable recycled PET (r-PET) to have the same properties as commercial PET.

The consortium partners are pursuing other approaches to produce an improved recycling rate and higher-quality r-PET products: optimized sorting technologies for the sorting of waste are part of this, as is enzyme-based treatment of plastics to break them down into monomers in a sustainable way. Ultimately, the high-quality manufacture of new products from the recycled plastics will also help to close the raw material cycle.

Posted October 18, 2022

Sour e: DITF

Bally Ribbon Mills To Display High Performance 3-D Woven Composites At CAMX 2022

BALLY, Pa. — Ocotber 17, 2o22 — Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM) will showcase its high-quality, high-performance products at CAMX 2022, taking place October 17-20, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. BRM experts will be on hand in booth V61 to discuss the company’s 3-D woven joints, thermal protection systems (TPS), and other 3-D structures.

BRM uses 3-D continuous weaving to create new joint structures and improve existing joints. Delivering the optimal blend of strength, durability, and structural integrity, BRM’s 3-D woven joints are available in “Pi – π,” double “T,” “H,” and other complex net shapes. 3-D woven joints from BRM lower weight and cost without sacrificing integrity and performance. Because of the nature of the 3-D weave, strength and support is translated in all 3 dimensions, thus enabling the join to reinforce the strength along the load paths of the sub-structures being joined together. These 3-D woven shapes for joining can be tailored to suit the architecture of the structure itself, as well as the sub-components being joined.

3-D woven composites by BRM are particularly successful in aviation heat shield applications such as thermal protection systems. These systems are mission-critical components, particularly in space exploration vehicles, and 3-D woven composites reduce weight and cost while maintaining excellent performance in TPS systems. The ability to vary yarn types, density, thickness, and width, as well as resin type, allows BRM to create fully customizable TPS to fit each specific mission or application’s needs.

Along with TPS systems, 3-D woven components also function well as engine parts in aircraft. Replacing traditional titanium engine components with 3-D woven carbon fiber composites serves to reduce weight and therefore lifetime cost, all while meeting the rigorous demands of manufacturing and use.

For more information, speak with BRM experts in booth V61 at CAMX 2022.

Posted October 18, 2022

Source: Bally Ribbon Mills

ALLIED Feather + Down’s Groundbreaking TrackMyDown Transparency Tool Evolves To Support Strong And Growing Site Engagement

MONTEBELLO, Calif. — October 18, 2022 — Launched in 2015 alongside  the now omni-present Responsible Down Standard (RDS), Allied Feather + Down’s TrackMyDown traceability and education tool is launching into the Fall 22/Winter 23 season with a fully revamped user interface to better serve a strong and growing number of site visitors looking to learn more about the down inside their coats, sleeping bags, and bedding.

Created as a way to bring a more in-depth level of transparency and education to customers who are increasingly interested in the backgrounds, origins, and qualities of products they buy, TrackMyDown exceeded all expectations for user engagement. ALLIED is reinvesting in the platform to provide the most cutting-edge user experience possible, with more updates on the way.

“We knew that RDS certified products would bring a new level of confidence to purchasers of down products concerned with animal welfare, and we understood they would want more information than could be printed on a product hang tag,” said Matthew Betcher, creative director with ALLIED. “We developed TrackMyDown so customers could learn more about all aspects of down, including verified fill power, cleanliness and general care. The reception it’s received is beyond our expectations, and we are excited to continue to innovate on how down information is communicated to consumers..”

Since launching in 2015, over 200 outdoor, fashion and bedding brands as well as retailers have adopted the TrackMyDown program. At the same time, the platform has grown to see significant use from a global customer base, growing from approximately 800 unique lot views per month in 2015 to well over 15,000 per month for Fall 2019 and 2020 products. And even in the middle of the pandemic, the site saw an increase of 60,000+ unique users over those who used the tool for Fall 2019 products.

75% of the platform’s use is at point-of-sale, before a customer even makes a purchasing decision, with an average site visit time of over 1 minute in every season since inception. And during the pandemic when retail was mostly shuttered, TrackMyDown still saw a growth of  new users over previous, non-pandemic seasons.

“The analytics show just how significant information like this is to customers,” continued Betcher. “The 15%+ increase in new users from F19 through F20, confirms that customers now, more than ever, are interested in – and in many cases requiring – this level of transparency and knowledge about every single part of the products they are purchasing.”

Posted October 18, 2022

Source: Allied Feather + Down

MycoWorks Secures Strategic Investment From GM Ventures To Develop Fine Mycelium Materials For Sustainable Automotive Interiors    

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — October 18, 2022 — Biotechnology company MycoWorks announced today its newest investor GM Ventures, the investment arm of General Motors Co., and their long-term agreement to co-develop Fine Mycelium™ materials for potential use in a range of applications within automotive design. MycoWorks’ collaboration with GM marks the exploration of its entry into one of the largest end-use markets for leather and demonstrates the significant opportunity to create more sustainable materials for the automotive space.

MycoWorks’ breakthrough Fine Mycelium technology engineers mycelium, the infinitely renewable root structure of mushrooms, to craft a range of natural, customizable leather alternatives that match the performance of the highest quality animal leather with lower environmental impact. The company’s platform has enabled a new class of premium, non-animal materials which could have the opportunity to support GM’s continued progress toward its vision of a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion.

Animal-free and chrome-free, Fine Mycelium also has superior strength at low thicknesses, offering a compelling pathway to efficiency and weight reduction in car interiors while still meeting the most stringent performance, aesthetic, and environmental requirements of the automotive space.

“Working with General Motors to introduce Fine Mycelium to the automotive industry is an enormous step forward in the global new materials revolution,” said Matt Scullin, CEO of MycoWorks. “MycoWorks’s collaboration with GM is a first for us outside of the fashion industry, demonstrating the enormous potentialand applications for Fine Mycelium.”
“Our strategic investment in MycoWorks aims to advance the development of sustainable automotive materials,” said Wade Sheffer, managing director of GM Ventures. “This collaboration will help facilitate R&D efforts and build more sustainable alternatives for our designers.”

In August 2022, following an oversubscribed $125M Series C funding round, MycoWorks broke ground on its first full-scale production facility, which will enable initial mass-production volumes of several million square feet of Fine Mycelium materials per year, dramatically increase production and partnership capacity, and service Fine Mycelium to a wider range of industries and companies.

Posted October 18, 2021

Source: MycoWorks

Shaun White Expands Namesake Lifestyle Brand Whitespace With New Apparel And Snowboard Accessories

PARK CITY, Utah — October 17, 2022 — Shaun White, three-time Olympic gold medalist and winner of the most X-Games gold medals in history, builds upon his namesake brand with the addition of premium apparel and gear collections designed for on and off the mountain moments. Developed alongside outdoor retailer Backcountry, Whitespace gear combines White’s 30 years of professional riding experience, his unique style, and Backcountry’s industry-leading expertise.

“For me, Backcountry felt like the obvious first choice for this partnership,” White said. “Besides being a personal fan of Backcountry, they have over 25 years of experience in the outdoor retail business, and it all started with skiing and riding. It’s really important to me that people who use Whitespace products will get the right product personally tailored to their individual needs. Backcountry’s Gearheads are always on call with the knowledge and expertise needed to point you in the right direction. I’m really excited to see what we do together in the next couple years.”

White combines form and function in the brand’s first line of apparel. The concept behind the collection is that everything can be worn on the mountain and in the city. The Whitespace 3L Performance 3 in 1 Sherpa Jacket ($499 USD) can be stripped down to the essential elements, boasting more function out of less gear. The removable high-pile Sherpa fleece jacket provides an additional layer of insulation on the mountain but can be worn as a stylish standalone piece for post-ride drinks. The collection also includes streetwear-style items like the Whitespace SW Signature Puffy Jacket ($299 USD) and the Whitespace Merino Thermal Base Layer Mock Neck($119 USD). Both are built for bitterly cold days of riding or getting around town. Whether dropping into a halfpipe or facing a snowy commute, the urban style jacket’s high-loft baffles filled with synthetic insulation retains warmth even when wet. Add in a base layer for premium comfort and slip it under a peacoat for a casual dinner look in the evening. Each piece is designed for everyday life, so you’re getting more out of your gear and traveling lighter.

Whitespace has also expanded its line of high-performance hardgoods. Following the success of the inaugural, limited edition snowboard, White has added three new board designs to the collection, including the Freestyle Shaun White Pro ($575 USD), AMF Park Twin ($550 USD), and Powder! ($595 USD). In addition to snowboards, Whitespace introduces its first line of goggles built for advanced eye protection and visibility at every turn. The collection offers three new models with varying features at a price range of $74 – $289 USD.

“Shaun White is a true creative and visionary,” said Melanie Cox, Backcountry CEO. “His passion for snowboarding and streetwear fashion is really brought to life in his new collection. His unique style shines through in each piece, effortlessly blending technical features with contemporary silhouettes. As the exclusive retail partner of Whitespace, Backcountry is proud to partner with Shaun and bring his collection to market.”

As the Whitespace brand evolves, White expects it to transcend snowboarding and expand into other sports, while maintaining its core style and ability to exist on and off the mountain.

The new Whitespace collection is available now at https://www.backcountry.com/whitespace.

Posted: October 17, 2022

Source: Backcountry

MSA Safety Names Lee McChesney Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Lee McChesney

PITTSBURGH — October 17, 2022 — MSA Safety, a developer and manufacturer of safety products that help protect people and facility infrastructures, today announced that Lee McChesney has been named senior vice president and CFO. McChesney previously served as vice president, Corporate Finance and CFO for Stanley Black & Decker’s $12.8 billion operating unit, Global Tools and Storage.

“We are delighted to have Lee join our executive leadership team,” said Nish Vartanian, MSA Safety chairman, president and CEO. “Lee is a proven CFO with a track record of delivering exceptional results and creating value,” Vartanian said. “Coming from a Fortune 500 industrial manufacturing company that serves a number of markets common to MSA, I’m confident Lee will help strengthen our organization with his 20-plus years of financial leadership experience in guiding a large, growth-focused enterprise.”

McChesney joined The Stanley Works in 1999. Initially, he served in several finance and business leadership roles including business unit CFO, Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis Director and deploying the Stanley Fulfillment System. Over his career, McChesney has helped guide more than 40 acquisitions and integrations.  He also served as the finance integration leader for The Stanley Works and Black & Decker merger in 2010.

Following the merger, McChesney was named CFO for Global Tools & Storage, a business that more than doubled in size through the decade. In 2016, McChesney was named president, Hand Tools, Accessories and Storage, a $4 billion business that included the successful integration of Craftsman and Newell Tools. In 2019, McChesney was appointed CFO for Global Tools and Storage and Corporate FP&A, and in 2021 assumed additional responsibility for Corporate Tax and Treasury.

McChesney also helped launch one of Stanley Black & Decker’s largest innovation showcases for its Craftsman brand following its acquisition. The comprehensive program represented more than $500 million of incremental innovation at improved margin levels. “In addition to his operations and financial background, Lee understands the importance of innovation and how to best leverage it,” Vartanian said. “As we think about innovation at MSA, including our Connected Technology platforms and our recently launched MSA+ subscription service, I know Lee will bring to our team valuable insights on how we can best utilize those assets to drive greater value and market leadership.”

In his role with MSA, McChesney succeeds interim CFO Jonathan Buck, who will resume his responsibilities as chief accounting officer.

McChesney holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Connecticut. He also earned an MBA from the University of Massachusetts. In addition to his professional responsibilities, McChesney is actively involved with Junior Achievement of Central Maryland, serving on its board and as a member of its executive committee.  He also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Cabinet for the University of Connecticut School of Business.

Posted: October 17, 2022

Source: MSA Safety

Saint-Gobain Films & Fabrics Rebranding As Saint-Gobain Composite Solutions

WORCESTER, Mass. — October 17, 2022 — Saint-Gobain Films & Fabrics is rebranding as Saint-Gobain Composite Solutions to better position the business for changes in the marketplace and to more closely align with its core values. Saint-Gobain Composite Solutions will encompass the company’s familiar, yet refreshed brands SHEERGARD®, SHEERFILL®, ONESUIT® and VERSIV™ — a new brand that represents true versatility of its products and solutions.

“Corporate and product branding is more than just a logo or a tagline. It’s a promise to our customers, and it is ultimately defined by them — in how they perceive our company and our products,” says Dale Thomas, general manager, Saint-Gobain Composite Solutions. “We are excited to announce the change of our business unit and our product brands as we are re-envisioning our brand to better reflect who we are and our unique ability to deliver extraordinary performance across a spectrum of demanding settings.”

The new Saint-Gobain Composite Solutions brand signals the coming together of multiple materials and unified teams in a streamlined approach to solve customers’ challenges. By employing its deep technical expertise, drawing on proven products, and working in tandem with engineers, R&D, procurement, and professionals throughout the supply chain, Saint-Gobain Composite Solutions is committed to innovate and deliver composite materials that protect safety, release easily, insulate with integrity, and control friction.

Saint-Gobain Composite Solutions encompasses three existing brands which have strong global recognition:

  • SHEERGARD, which provides highly customized communication solutions that seamlessly protect the reliability of electromagnetic signals in cutting-edge and mission-critical applications.
  • SHEERFILL, which offers high-performance permanent tensioned membrane products that help architects and designers create structures that are uniquely contemporary, energy-efficient, and immediately iconic.
  • ONESUIT, which provides protective solutions to professionals in a variety of industries where maximum safety in the presence of hazardous chemicals is critical.

The rebrand also establishes a new product brand, VERSIV, which represents the company’s ability to provide versatile, innovative solutions. The new brand combines and replaces the CHEMFAB, CHEMFILM, NORFILM, FLUOROWRAP and CORETECH product brands, and encompasses the broadest range of high-performance material solutions on the market.

Designed and manufactured with the most demanding applications in mind the V represents the company’s ability to provide versatile, innovative solutions. The VERSIV line provides:

  • Protection applications that require the best optical clarity and the longest-term resistance against harsh chemicals.
  • Release applications for the cleanest, most consistent release performance possible.
  • Electrical applications where the best signal integrity under harsh conditions is vital.
  • Friction and wear applications for components that deliver the best energy-efficiency.

Posted: October 17, 2022

Source: Saint-Gobain Composite Solutions

Hyosung Introduces New Fall/Winter (FW) 23/24 Textile Trends At ISPO

SEOUL — October 18, 2022 — As a textile solutions provider Hyosung continually seeks to bring innovation across the value chain that exceed expectations. To bring value and creative solutions to its wide network of partners, Hyosung’s  Fashion Design Center (FDC), an interactive fashion studio, spans the U.S., Europe and Asia surveying progressive brands & retailers, and researching consumer insights. Hyosung FDC has released its forecasted Fall/Winter 23/24 Textile Trend report, which provides a vision of what major apparel brands will be incorporating into their collection next year.

FDC’s textile mega-trend for FW 23/24 is called Interconnected Future. This mega-trend is broken into four sub-trends and subsequent themes. Within each theme, the FDC team recommends a number of Hyosung’s multi-functional and sustainable yarns and apparel applications- most notably the company’s new 3rd party certified creora® bio-based spandex made with bio-based materials derived from industrial corn, along with its MIPAN regen ocean recycled nylon made from discarded fishing nets.

Concept garments made with recommended yarns from the FDC FW 23/24 Textile Trends will be featured in the Hyosung stand at ISPO Munich located in Hall A1, booth 312 this November 28-30.

Additionally, more detailed information on FDC’s FW 23/24 Textile Trends will be presented in its weekly Trend Byte series featured on the Hyosung Performance Textiles blog and LinkedIn page.

“As the Covid-19 pandemic has passed, we foresee an enhanced interconnection among social, environmental and economic systems triggering a mindset shift from individualism to interconnectedness is shaping new customer attitudes and behaviors,” said Lewis Hong, Team/General Manager, Hyosung Fashion Design Center. “For FW 23/24,we foresee textile trends focusing on materials that are kind to our environment and provide multi-function and comfort. Practical aesthetics and interesting surface detail are also important now that we are able to personally engage in community once again.”

Following is a preview of Interconnected Future’s four textile sub-trends, called Sport Smart, Exploration of Outdoors, Practical Aesthetics, and Science of Comfort.

The Sport Smart sub-trend touches upon essential base layers, winter performance leisure hybrids, core fabrics using smart technology for in-home and IRL gyms, year-round water sports, and futuristic meta streetwear where physical and digital worlds collide through fantasy-inspired aesthetics.

Exploration of Outdoors sub-trend addresses the ongoing rise in the outdoorsy lifestyle trend. Key themes include textiles incorporating new levels of protection taking extreme weather patterns into consideration, comfy knit mid-layers in functional fabrics, textiles that can transition between winter recreation and all-day wear, and functional outerwear for urban nomads.

As consumers adjust to the new work/life hybrid lifestyle, the Practical Aesthetics sub-trend focuses on textiles suited for comfortable office-ready apparel, loungewear with fashionable detail and textural interest, cozy tactile teddy-looking fleece fabrics for indoor and outdoor wear, and practical performance wear that meets comfort for home activewear.

And finally, the Science of Comfort sub-trend reveals that more diverse, sustainable fibers are leading the trend in new next-to- skin layers, and soft compression with additional technical properties will be key to basic underwear and loungewear for all-day performance comfort. Additionally, playful digital brights push classic lingerie into fashion limelight.

“As a textile solutions provider, we are grateful to work and collaborate with the entire value chain to help our brand partners continually innovate and deliverer products even before their customers know they want them,” said Hong.

Posted: October 17, 2022

Source: Hyosung

INDA Announces Date Changes For IDEA® In Miami Beach

CARY, N.C. — October 17, 2022 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announces new dates for the 22nd edition of IDEA® – The World’s Preeminent Event for Nonwovens & Engineered Fabrics. Originally scheduled to take place April 23-25, 2024, IDEA® now will be held April 29-May 1, 2025, at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Fla.

In 2022, IDEA® attracted 5,000 participants from across the global supply chain to engage with nonwovens & engineered materials senior-level leaders at the Miami Beach Convention Center. IDEA® 2022 was co-located with the second FiltXPO™, North America’s only exhibition and conference dedicated exclusively to filtration and separation.

“We are moving IDEA away from an already-crowded 2024 event calendar to better serve the industry,” said Tony Fragnito, INDA president. “In 2025, this IDEA schedule, again co-located with FiltXPO, is much more desirable as other industry relevant events adjust schedules post-pandemic. INDA remains committed to a two-year cycle for IDEA, which will take place every other year in the spring.  IDEA 2027 will be held March 29 to April 1.”

“We are excited to return to Miami Beach to build upon our successful 2022 event.  The 2025 program will focus on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) innovation and practices within our industry,” he said. “We will continue to expand our workforce development programs and highlight award-winning innovation with the coveted IDEA Achievement Awards program.”

Exhibition and registration information including important show news, updates and information is available at www.ideashow.org

Posted: October 17, 2022

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

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