Bank And Vogue’s Steven Bethell Joins Accelerating Circularity’s Board Of Directors

Steven Bethell

CAMPBELL HALL, N.Y. — August 29, 2022 — Accelerating Circularity is pleased to announce that Steven Bethell of Bank and Vogue has joined the organization’s board of directors. Bethell brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table as a 25 year veteran of the sustainable textile industry, and the founder of a group of companies that specialize in secondhand wholesale, vintage retail, and innovations in sustainable fashion: Bank and Vogue, Beyond Retro, and BVH Services.

Bethell’s parent company, Bank and Vogue, is the largest full-service broker of used goods in North America. The group’s retail arm is Beyond Retro, which is a leading vintage fashion powerhouse in Europe. BVH Services is the group’s innovation hub, which works to spearhead and develop groundbreaking innovations across the fashion field, specifically centered around sustainability.

Bethell and his companies are motivated by the belief that used clothing is not waste but a solution towards addressing the “crisis of stuff,” a core value that aligns exactly with Accelerating Circularity’s mission to “Put textiles to good use.”

“Accelerating Circularity is doing just that. Implementing circular systems to eliminate textile waste with an emphasis on collaboration is what it’s all about. I’m incredibly excited to join Accelerating Circularity as a Board Director and look forward to a promising future for our work, industry, and planet,” Bethell shared.

Bethell joins a board of other influential players of the sustainable apparel industry; Board members include Accelerating Circularity’s founder Karla Magruder as president; Director of Global Business Development Denim and Americas at Lenzing Group, Tricia Carey, as secretary; Head of Product Change at Ikano Bank in Sweden, Edward Denes, as treasurer, as well as Director of Product Sustainability at Gap Inc., Alice Hartley; Chief of Staff at NYC Department of Sanitation Bureau of Recycling and Sustainability, Kate Kitchner; and President and CEO of Coyuchi, Eileen Mockus, as directors.

Each member is a seasoned executive in their respective fields and offers a diverse background of expertise to Accelerating Circularity, including brand experience, post consumer and post industrial fiber, municipal waste, and finance. Bethell’s background in second hand retail will continue to expand this group’s diverse background and further broaden the board’s insight into how the industry problems Accelerating Circularity is aiming to solve can be addressed.

Accelerating Circularity is grateful for the addition of Bethell to the team, and excited about the direction his background will bring to the organization.

Posted: August 29, 2022

Source: Accelerating Circularity

Vienna Textile Lab, Kering Material Innovation Lab And ALBINI_next, Collaborating Towards More Sustainable Practices In The Fashion Industry

VIENNA, Austria — August 29, 2022 — The world of textiles is changing; the demand for more sustainable production methods, with less environmental impact are becoming increasingly important for retailers, brands, and producers. In order to transform and improve the textile industry towards becoming less environmentally harmful, new clean technologies and processes are required.

ALBINI_next, the Albini Group innovation hub, and Vienna Textile Lab are excited to announce their collaboration project in which they explore together the possibility of employing microbial colours for dyeing applications on cotton and other natural fibers. The objective of this joint project is to develop a more sustainable dyeing method to color textile products. This initiative is one of the projects supported by Kering Material Innovation Lab.

“Our innovation hub is the starting point for reaching innovation’s new frontiers, which is possible only collaborating with realities such as Kering and Vienna Textile Lab. Together we can reach incredibly high levels of innovation and sustainability, as we are doing with the transformation of microbial colors into new innovative dyes, a more sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic colors. It is a long process: it takes time and effort, but together we will achieve unprecedented results” stated Stefano Albini, Albini president.

Working in this exciting project together with ALBINI_next and Kering Material Innovation Lab opens new opportunities for the innovator Vienna Textile Lab. “The renaissance of biodegradable, nontoxic and natural dyes has come as we see a growing number of sustainable fashion brands and consumer sentiment impacting the sector,” says Karin Fleck, CEO and founder of Vienna Textile Lab. “We see ourselves as an “enabler” for all these different sustainability goals. Working together with strong industry partners like Kering and Albini helps us to understand how our microbial dyes behave on different fabrics. We learn so much through our close cooperation and can therefore bring our manufacturing method better and faster to an industrial level”.

Posted: August 29, 2022

Source: Vienna Textile Lab

Marimekko Releases Capsule Collection Made With Responsible SPINNOVA® Fiber

JYVÄSKYLÄ, Finland— August 29, 2022 — Finland-based design house Marimekko and sustainable textile material company Spinnova present their capsule collection, which contains the first ever commercially available printed products made using responsible SPINNOVA® fiber. The capsule collection combines Spinnova’s innovative technology with Marimekko’s art of printmaking. The collection is a step toward Marimekko’s ambition that in the future, timeless and sustainable products will be made in balance with the environment, in line with the principles of the circular economy. The capsule includes a denim-inspired smart utility overshirt, a pair of trousers and a tote bag, all with the iconic Unikko (poppy) print by Maija Isola from 1964.

This capsule represents the first ever printed products made using SPINNOVA fiber blend that are commercially available. The denim-like material blend consists of approximately 20 percent SPINNOVA fiber. The rest of the blend is cotton, of which about 70 percent is organic cotton. Spinnova’s innovative textile fiber is made of certified wood sourced from responsibly managed forests and is fully recyclable. According to a study by Spinnova, the production of SPINNOVA fiber consumes approximately 99.9 percent less water in comparison to conventional cotton. Spinnova uses zero harmful chemicals in the production of the fiber.

“The key to the success of this collaboration has been the truly close working relationship between both brands. Today, we are proud to present results of this work – the capsule collection of Marimekko and Spinnova with the first ever printed commercially available products made using SPINNOVA fiber. What has motivated us both throughout this journey is the shared desire to address the environmental impacts of the fashion and textile industry. The new capsule is one step towards our goals. Marimekko’s design philosophy is based on creating timeless design that brings joy for generations to come. It was a natural choice to partner with Spinnova thanks to its sustainability potential, and partnerships with the likes of Spinnova play a vital role in achieving our ambitious sustainability goals as a company,” said Suvi-Elina Enqvist, head of Innovation Works at Marimekko.

“Marimekko was one of the first fashion brands to partner with Spinnova and we have come a long journey together. The launch of this capsule collection marks a great milestone of the collaboration between the two markable players of the growing and impact-gaining Finnish textile industry. We as the sustainable textile leader are pleased to see the first printed products made with SPINNOVA fiber to be available for consumers – even more exciting is to see the fabric being printed with one of the most iconic prints of the whole design history,” said Kim Poulsen, CEO at Spinnova.

Marimekko and Spinnova have been collaborating on testing, developing, and commercializing new textiles made of SPINNOVA fiber since 2017. In February 2020, the brands presented two prototype outfits along with aspiration to introduce commercially viable product by 2022. The collaboration was recognized as a finalist in the Sustainability category in Fast Company’s 2020 Innovation by Design Awards. The collaboration also received an honorable mention in the Experimental category. Innovation by Design is one of the most sought-after design awards in the industry, and the only award that honors creative work at the intersection of design, business, and innovation. The awards recognize people, teams, and companies solving problems through design.

Marimekko made with SPINNOVA capsule collection is available in selected markets on August 29, 2022.

Posted: August 29, 2022

Source: SPINNOVA®

FANUC America: Boost Machining And Programming Efficiency With New Digitalization Suite

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — August 25, 2022 — FANUC America, a supplier of CNCs, robotics and ROBOMACHINES, introduces the next step in end-to-end digitalization tools for machine shops with the new NC Reflection Studio. The advanced software allows for complex program creation, troubleshooting and editing while simulating the cutting process.

NC Reflection Studio uses machine models from the machine tool builder or select CAM systems with a virtualized FANUC CNC creating a digital twin to provide powerful G-code and cutting simulation, in addition to backplotting, program editing as well as full-featured job setup. This unique aspect provides the ultimate simulation accuracy by using the real CNC parameters, machine layout and kinematics. Additionally, users can easily upload or download part programs to the CNC over an Ethernet connection for seamless program management.

“This is a tool that helps ensure programs are correct for the exact machine setup, ultimately making parts more efficiently with less risk, which is what all manufacturers want,” says Paul Webster, director of Factory Automation Engineering for FANUC America. “As a global leader in providing CNCs, we are the best source to provide real Industry 4.0 insight into the CNC. With this high-fidelity simulation suite, you’ll be able to spend less time testing posted programs at the machine and more time cutting.”

NC Reflection Studio allows robust part program editing and complete job setup of tooling, fixtures, offset and part blanks. Importing posted programs from CAM and testing using the machine models and CNC setup enables the ability to see how the machine will process the program in the real world. Traditional G-code simulation, while fast, lacks data about the setup of the real machine. Adding online simulation unlocks the ability to test programs utilizing the actual machine parameter settings. With this flexibility of editing programs between the backplot, cutting and online simulation environments, users can quickly test programs while editing as well as verify detailed programs before releasing them to production.

To see a demo of NC Reflection Studio, visit FANUC’s IMTS Booth 338919 in our Digital Twin area, which will provide an exciting way to see part production displaying a virtualized 5-axis machine tool cutting using the machine’s real-world behavior and kinematics.

Posted: August 29, 2022

Source: FANUC America Corp.

DuPont Mobility And Materials: ‘Transforming Industries, Improving Lives’ At K 2022

GENEVA, Switzerland — August 29, 2022 — At the triennial K Fair taking place October 19-26 in Düsseldorf, Germany, the world’s shared future will undoubtedly be at the forefront of nearly every discussion. It doesn’t matter whether the topic is automotive electrification or e-mobility, climate change or sustainability. Our planet needs solutions now.

To help OEMs and their suppliers rise to the challenge, DuPont’s Mobility and Materials (M&M) group will bring multiple innovative and rigorously tested solutions to K 2022. Within its
300 m2 exhibit stand (Hall 6 / C43), visitors can view not only new and sustainable materials but also related systems and application developments pioneered by the team and its wide-ranging polymer science expertise.

At the K, the M&M team will display new developments in more sustainable solutions, automotive electrification and e-mobility, robotics, consumer electronics, sporting goods, footwear, and more.

Sustainability without compromise

In addition, visitors will be invited to meet the sustainable future of the plastics industry in Future Lab, a section of the stand where designers and engineers can find inspiration and eco-friendly solutions that are either new or have yet to be introduced to the market. These material possibilities include Hytrel® ECO B thermoplastic elastomer, made with biomass; Rynite® PET based on post-consumer recyclate; low-density Zytel® polyamide and foamable grades of Hytrel® for weight reduction; and finally, a look at ongoing developments that will go well beyond these current solutions.

A recent innovation, Hytrel® ECO B, Hytrel®
 A new commercial application will be exhibited at the stand.

In addition, M&M will feature several low GWP materials and solutions, including eCool technology for sustainable EV battery cooling lines and Zytel® RS resins that contain between 20% and 100% renewably sourced material (by weight) derived from castor beans.

Automotive electrification

As a leading partner to OEMs and their suppliers in developing sophisticated EV systems, the company will engage customers with multiple material and service-based answers to current and future challenges. A few examples are:

  • The 3-in-1 Solution for EV batteries: a patent-pending concept to increase energy density that combines three elements into one modular unit to decrease range anxiety, increase passenger room, improve cooling, and integrate components.
  • DuPont™ Chemical Bonding (DuPontTM CB): this patented and novel technology simplifies manufacturing via direct polyamide-aluminum joining, a common challenge for automotive and industrial components, and produces higher bond strength.


E-mobility

Translating their accomplishments and expertise in the transportation industry to e-mobility applications is second nature to the M&M team. At K 2022, they will showcase success in solving customer challenges as well as the breadth of their materials portfolio.

  • E-bikes: DuPont offers a tailwind to this fast-moving and innovative market with a forward-looking, sustainable polymer portfolio coupled with design and processing expertise.
  • Wireless EV charging systems: Visitors will see this system and learn how the tier supplier producing it used multiple Zytel® solutions to meet wide-ranging requirements – from high gloss, NHFR, and low warpage, to the ability to withstand 1000 kg load at up to 100C.

Sporting goods and consumer electronics

From footwear for runners and fins for divers to the components that keep consumer electronic devices running, the M&M booth will feature many successful commercial applications in the consumer space. A few include:

  • Home appliances: Robot vacuum cleaners and espresso machines made possible by Zytel®, Hytrel®, Crastin®, and innovative design
  • Running shoes: From Hytrel® filament uppers to foamable Hytrel® insoles, midsoles, and outsoles, visitors will see multiple commercial examples.
  • Swim fins: One customer recently launched patented, foldable swim fins to consumers, thanks to an upgrade from Hytrel® ECO B.

Industrial & electrical

This sector encompasses innovative and exacting markets that DuPont has served well for decades. On the M&M stand, visitors will be able to view flourishing applications and solutions in:

  • Robotics: From industrial automation and collaborative applications to AMR and AGV technology, a forward-looking polymer portfolio coupled with design and processing expertise supports the limitless innovation in this market segment. A customer application on display will bear this out.
  • Dip solder-resistant thermoset replacement: Perhaps the only thermoplastic solution that can pass requirements for the high-temperature dip soldering process, this Zytel® grade is able to replace phenolic parts and is bio-based, recyclable, and NHFR at V0.

Posted: August 29, 2022

Source: DuPont Mobility & Materials

D3O Appoints Kevin Franks Senior Vice President, Marketing, North America

Kevin Franks

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — August 24, 2022 — D3O, an impact protection brand, is delighted to announce the appointment of Kevin Franks as senior vice president, marketing, North America.

Franks joins D3O with over two decades of marketing and brand leadership in the cycling and powersport industries including stints at Fox Racing, Specialized and Giro. Most recently Franks spent the past two years at Soldier Unlimited, a brand building agency.

Franks’ remit is to develop and implement the D3O brand and US marketing plan, across all sectors, as the company seeks to build on its position as the fastest growing protection brand in North America.

D3O is recognized as the world’s foremost impact protection brand, partnering with a significant portfolio of global brands across the motorcycle, sports, defense, workwear and consumer electronics industries, with D3O products used by the likes of the US Department of Defence, Fox Racing, ZAGG and Klim. Most recently D3O products have been adopted by brands that include Harley Davidson, Specialized, Giro, Ariat and Wrangler.

Kevin Franks commented: “I’m honored to join D3O in support of our purpose to enable people to push past personal limits and to challenge what’s possible. Joining a world class team and organization to further develop such a dynamic brand and proven product is truly a dream come true for me. I look forward to what’s in store for us and our esteemed brand partners.”

Stuart Sawyer, CEO D3O, commented: “I’m delighted to announce Kevin joining the leadership team here at D3O. Kevin’s appointment reflects the ambition and commitment to building and growing our brand and marketing programs in North America, building on the great work that Simon McNair, our SVP Sales is doing. We are building a great D3O North America team to ensure we maximise the many exciting opportunities we have.”

The appointment of Franks continues D3O growth ambitions in North America. In March this year the company opened its new dedicated Sales and Marketing office on the West Coast in Huntington Beach, Calif., complementing its Delta Three Oscar defence facilities in Virginia.

Posted: August 29, 2022

Source: D3O

MAS Holdings Partners With The Wildlife Foundation Kenya

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — August 30, 2022 — South Asian apparel manufacturer, MAS Holdings (MAS) has partnered with The Wildlife Foundation (TWF), Kenya to conserve 6,250 acres of the Nairobi National Park Wildlife Dispersal Area. In line with the MAS Plan for Change commitment of restoring 25,000 acres of habitat, this unique initiative enables MAS and TWF to collaborate with local landowners to conserve wildlife on community- and privately-owned land.

The project commenced in March 2022, with a land-lease gathering ceremony with the participation of 58 landowners from the Athi-Kaputiei area. The project is an extension of TWF’s ongoing conservancy model, through which TWF leases lands from local owners to promote wildlife conservation and better land use practices. Through this partnership, MAS has been able to expand TWF’s existing conservancy of 5,000 acres to a total coverage of 11,250 acres.

The conservancy model utilizes both monetary and non-monetary incentives to encourage landowners and local communities to keep land unfenced for wildlife and livestock to move freely in the outskirt lands of the park. This is coupled with initiatives to raise awareness on community-based conservation, place community rangers to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, train youth and women on topics such as beekeeping, biogas, and promote the use of technology to innovate solutions for conservation challenges.

Through the conservancy model, which is collaboratively funded by MAS’ strategic business units MAS Intimates and MAS Kreeda, MAS and TWF provide financial incentives to landowners, to keep private lands open and unfenced for wildlife movement. This contributes to reducing human retaliations against lions and other predators as well as supporting to improve the education of the children in the area by providing landowners with lease payments aligned to the start of the children’s school terms.

MAS established its manufacturing facility in Kenya in 2020, through its subsidiary MAS Intimates. Today, MAS Intimates Kenya (EPZ) Ltd is a leading manufacturer and exporter of lingerie and apparel wear to leading markets in the USA, Europe and Asia, and provides job opportunities for 3,200 Kenyans. The lands in the conservancy model are leased from the Machakos and Kajiado counties, where the majority of MAS Intimates Kenya staff reside.

This conservation project not only contributes considerably to MAS’ target of restoring 25,000 acres of habitat but has also created an opportunity for MAS to engage holistically with its local community in Kenya. The group’s sustainability strategy, the MAS Plan for Change, focuses on 12 commitments under three areas of focus of product, lives, and planet, including championing biodiversity and creating thriving communities.

MAS and TWF have committed to collaborate on this unique conservancy project for the next five years, with the collective hope of uplifting and empowering the community to help change our planet for good.

Posted: August 30, 2022

Source: MAS Holdings

Matouk Awarded STeP By OEKO-TEX® Certification For Sustainable Production Practices In Company’s Ongoing Commitment To Corporate Responsibility

NEW YORK CITY — August 26, 2022 — Matouk, a heritage American luxury linen brand, proudly announces the next achievement in their ongoing commitment to sustainability, planetary health, and safe working conditions for employees. The addition of the STeP by OEKO-TEX® certification for sustainable and responsible textile production means that Matouk’s Fall River, Massachusetts facilities fulfilled all the qualifiers of excellence in environmental performance and management, chemical management, quality management, health and safety in the workplace, and general social responsibility.

After two years of meticulous work and dedication from Matouk’s artisans, leadership and operations teams to complete the STeP assessment, Matouk is now one of only three STeP certified textile manufacturing facilities in the United States, a statistic that underscores the excellence of the certification and the achievement of the mission.

Milt Goncalves, vice president of Operations at Matouk, says of the newly acquired status: “The STeP by OEKO-TEX certification process confirms that Matouk’s Fall River facilities are manufacturing products in a socially responsible and sustainable manner. In addition, the comprehensive analysis and rigorous assessment of Matouk’s operations has given us a path forward to implementing world-class manufacturing processes which will ensure we are meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations.”

The STeP by OEKO-TEX certification is the latest credential in Matouk’s ongoing pledge to manufacture responsibly and generously for the betterment of the consumer and the environment. Matouk encourages its material suppliers to achieve STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX certification and Matouk is working on certification of its manufactured products as well.

While STeP certification ensures a sustainable production process and product, completing the requirements also promotes efficiency in the company and further accelerates Matouk’s role within the home industry as a leader for quality and social responsibility.

CEO George Matouk Jr. said: “While we’re extremely proud to receive the STeP designation from OEKO-TEX, we are only at the beginning of a lifelong commitment to sustainability and socially responsible business practices. I hope that all companies, in their own way and consistent with the resources they have at their disposal, can likewise commit to concrete actions that will leave the world in a better condition than how we found it.”

Posted: August 26, 2022

Source: Matouk

European Textile Industry Calls For Immediate Action To Tackle The Energy Crisis; The Future Of The European Industry Is At Stake

BRUSSELS — August 26, 2022 — The European textile & fashion in Europe, represented by EURATEX, calls for a single European strategy to tackle this energy crisis. To safeguard the future of the industry, a revision of the electricity price mechanism is necessary and an EU wide cap on gas prices at 80€/MWh. Special company support needs to be granted to avoid bankruptcy and relocation of textile production outside Europe.

Gas and electricity prices have reached unprecedented levels in Europe. Due to severe global competition in the market that characterizes the European textile & clothing industry, these cost increases are impossible to pass on to customers. This has already led to capacity reductions and production stops. Closures and the shift of production outside Europe are being forecasted should the current situation persist, leading to further de-industrialization of our continent and increased dependency on external suppliers.

Specific segments of the textile industry are particularly vulnerable. The man-made fibres (MMF), synthetic and cellulose-based fibres, industry for instance is an energy intensive sector and a major consumer of natural gas in the manufacturing of its fibres. The disappearance of European fibre products would have immediate consequences for the textile industry and for society at large. The activities of textile dyeing and finishing are also relatively intensive in energy. These activities are essential in the textile value chain in order to give the textile products and garments added value through colour and special functionalities (e.g. for medical applications).

The European textile industry calls for an EU-wide cap on gas prices at €80/Mwh, and a revision of the price mechanism for the electricity market, to reduce the huge price gaps with our foreign competitors.

Governments should ensure that critical industries, such textiles and all its segments, are able to ensure gas and electricity contracts towards the end of the year at an affordable price. Stable and predictable energy supply is of the utmost importance. Gas restrictions and rationing must only be used as a last resort. No mandatory consumption cuts should be foreseen.

In addition to these measures under discussion, we currently observe a proliferation of contradictory, uncoordinated national initiatives to tackle the energy crisis. This has led to a de facto fragmentation of the Single Market, resulting in a chaotic policy and regulatory environment that adds a further strain on our supply chain, which is fully integrated at European level. Measures that guarantee a level playing field in the EU are utmost important.

The future of the European textile & clothing industry is at stake!

EURATEX President Alberto Paccanelli explained: “Given the current situation, a scenario where entire segments of the textiles industry will disappear can no longer be excluded. This would lead to the loss of thousands of companies and tens of thousands of European jobs and would further aggravate the dependency of Europe to foreign sources of essential goods. This applies specifically to SMEs who need temporary support measures (e.g. state aids, tax relieves, energy price cap) to survive the current crisis and to prepare for the green transition in the longer run.”

Posted: August 26, 2022

Source: EURATEX

BASF, Sulzer Chemtech Sign Memorandum Of Understanding To Collaborate In Sustainable Technologies

LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany/WINTERTHUR, Switzerland — August 24, 2022 — BASF and Sulzer Chemtech (GTC Technology) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the goal of advancing technologies for renewable fuels and chemically recycled plastics that will further expand the partners’ portfolio of sustainable solutions. The companies agreed to enter a strategic partnership to reduce the carbon intensity of renewable diesel and aviation fuel. They will also drive the development of innovative, cost-effective chemical processing solutions to improve the conversion of plastic waste into new plastics. The collaboration combines complementary areas of expertise, integrating Sulzer Chemtech’s capabilities in licensed processing technologies and mass transfer equipment with BASF’s cutting-edge high-performance adsorbents and catalysts.

Sulzer Chemtech, an established licensor for process technologies for renewable fuels and chemical recycling of plastics, is leading efforts to harness resources that can help global producers achieve their net-zero ambitions. BASF Process Catalysts is driving multiple initiatives aimed at turning plastic waste into a secondary raw material, for example with its newly developed PuriCycle® portfolio, as well as providing adsorbent and catalytic materials to produce clean and renewable fuels.

“Global plastic pollution and mobility are challenges that we can help to solve by joining forces with partners”, said Detlef Ruff, senior vice president, Process Catalysts at BASF. “This is why we at BASF are involved in key strategic collaborations aimed at protecting our planet’s resources and transforming the way we do business. We are excited to work with Sulzer Chemtech and use our combined strengths to address plastic pollution and drive the adoption of more sustainable fuels.”

Torsten Wintergerste, president at Sulzer Chemtech, concludes: “Our process technology development team is continuously looking at new ways to support more sustainable, circular practices. The MoU with BASF allows us to broaden the scope of our portfolio and will lead to improved value offerings in both renewable fuels and the plastics recycling value chain. We look forward to working together to deliver advanced technologies that help our customers accelerate their path to net zero carbon emissions.”

Posted: August 25, 2022

Source: BASF SE/Sulzer AG

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