Print & Digital Convention 2022 A Great Success: Over 50% Visitor Increase

CHICAGO, IL — June 24, 2022 — With over 1,250 participants, the fifth edition of the PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION successfully closed in Düsseldorf, Germany. The event was again an important platform for multichannel and dialog marketing. The focus was on sustainable media production, programmatic print and value-added printing. The unique concept of congress and trade show ensured a communicative and busy atmosphere and enabled long-awaited networking and knowledge transfer at the booths and the presentations. The annual industry event has not only firmly established itself in the German-speaking region – many visitors also came from Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

“The atmosphere was excellent! Compared to the previous event, we were able to record an increase of over 50% in the number of participants. That’s a top result”, said Rüdiger Maaß, Managing Director of Fachverband Medienproduktion (f:mp.). “And we managed to bring the right target groups together to network and exchange ideas intensively. It was a wonderfully inspiring two days – not only for us, but also for the entire industry!”

Extensive program

Nine theme worlds, four stages, 50 top-class speakers, 19 half-hour presentations each day and 63 international exhibitors – including DATEV, Deutsche Post, FKS, Kodak, Konica Minolta, Mondi, Xerox and HP – offered participants future-oriented content on the potential of digital printing applications, multichannel solutions, creative finishing and sustainable packaging solutions.

Highlight projects show the fascination of print

Visitors were particularly interested in the seven highlight projects which f:mp. realized with its partners. These projects represent hands-on best practice and thus reflect the special unique selling point of the PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION: a “hands-on” trade show with concrete and practical application examples.

Next generation of Print

In order to get new and young target groups interested in print and packaging, the Media Production Association and Messe Düsseldorf, as organizers of the congress trade show, cooperated with the Fritz-Henßler-Berufskolleg (FHBK) from Dortmund, the Stuttgart Media University, the Akademie für Mode & Design (AMD) Düsseldorf and the Berufskolleg Bachstraße from Düsseldorf.  The young talents of tomorrow were able to find out directly from the experts at the booths and in the lectures about the fascinating applications of print and packaging in modern and sustainable media production.

“Even in the digital age, print is highly relevant and indispensable in its many facets – we want to convey this to the younger generation in particular,” explained Sabine Geldermann, Project Director Print Technologies at Messe Düsseldorf. “The response from students and trainees was very good. The demand for information is extraordinarily high! Young people want direct access to the market and want to experience live what potential print has to offer.”

For this reason, the organizers are planning to increase investment in the skilled workers of tomorrow even further for the next edition of PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION. For example, it is planned to offer “Youngster Talent Recruitment” for prospective trainees and interested companies while a “Start-up Area” will connect established companies with young and innovative newcomers.

The sixth edition of the PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION will take place in May 2023 in Düsseldorf, Germany (before drupa 2024).  For further information on visiting or exhibiting at  PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION 2023, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America; Telephone: (312) 781-5180; E-mail: info@mdna.com; Visit https://www.printdigitalconvention.de/en, www.drupa.com/en/drupa_global and www.mdna.com.

PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION 2022 Exhibitor Statements:

Frank Siegel, Managing Director Obility GmbH

“The PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION presented itself as the perfect marketplace for the graphic arts industry. Everyone was there: brand owners, buyers, production people, printing companies and suppliers. This advantage paid off for us in concrete terms.

We were able to demonstrate how print stores can process jobs much faster and more cost-effectively with our modern ERP/MIS system and make their work easier for their customers with integrated customer stores, web-to-print and job interfaces. These advantages of digitized business processes were reported to us by visitors. So we are now looking forward to follow-up appointments and certainly interesting projects.”

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Christian Kulhanek, Key Account Manager Digital & Print Solutions DATEV eG

“You can literally feel that there is more dynamism and movement in the industry again. The desire to network and exchange ideas has increased. This shows that the digital solution is not the only one – it’s the mix that counts! I see myself as a digital print bridge builder.

The audience at the PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION was broad and thus perfectly matched DATEV’s equally broad range of products and services. It was a matter close to our heart to present our trainee project “DATEV Cookbook” at the fair – presented by the trainees themselves. The special thing about it: The entire process of creating the cookbook was implemented independently by our junior staff from A to Z.”

Sebastian Hardung, Director Alliances & Marketing print Group / Werk II Medien- und Informationsgesellschaft mbH

“As a long-standing exhibitor at the PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION and a strategic partner of f:mp., we are delighted to be present again this year. For us, the trade show is a place of encounters and it is here that you notice that the industry wants to meet and exchange ideas again. We are noticing more and more in the market that print as a medium is no longer being declared dead but has arrived in the mainstream of digital marketing. As a software manufacturer, we are all the more pleased to accompany the further development of partners and customers. That’s why we also joined the Programmatic Print Alliances (PPA) in January.”

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Kim Niemeyer, Marketing & Communication, Ing. Fritz Schroeder GmbH & Co. KG, Barsbüttel

“The industry get-together shows once again that print is alive and how print can be experienced. We are delighted to be part of the PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION and to help shape the mix of technology, knowledge transfer and networking. For FKS, this year’s event was all about Industry 4.0, because automation and networking are the be-all and end-all of efficient process design these days. We were also able to present a European premiere for our B2 solution in the area of multifinishing. We held exciting discussions on all aspects of printing, postpress and intelligent process design and thus jointly developed and took away valuable inspiration and innovative ideas.”

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Bernhard Cantzler, Head of Marketing & Innovation at  Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper

“At this year’s PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION, we were able to hold exciting personal discussions with representatives from industry, retail and brand manufacturers. We also received positive feedback from numerous visitors about the interesting presentations. Here, for example, we were able to connect very well with the sustainability presentations with the fact that all Mondi own brands such as PERGRAPHICA® or Color Copy are Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze.  A huge compliment to the excellent organization, which allows us to focus on our core competence: Advising customers on paper selection.”

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Mirko Pelzer, Offering Manager Professional Printing Konica Minolta

“The PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION is a driver of innovation. Various companies and industries show here how the graphic arts industry will produce tomorrow. And all this in a familiar atmosphere with many and good opportunities for networking. That’s why Konica Minolta has been part of the event since the very first edition. We also have a traditional and longstanding partnership with f:mp.

The PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION is something special: The focus is not on the pure sale of machines, but rather on demonstrating solutions and application possibilities. To this end, Konica Minolta has implemented GLAMPRINT – a symbiosis of glamour and print. Here we can show all printing options and solutions that are possible in extended four-color printing. The focus for us is to offer the customer added value. This year, we were particularly pleased that many young students and trainees visited the trade show.”

Posted: June 24, 2022

Source: Messe Düsseldorf North America

Automotive, Medicine & Apparel: Techtextil And Texprocess Innovation Awards Transmit Textile Innovations

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — June 20, 2022 — After a Corona-related break of three years, the leading trade fairs Techtextil and Texprocess are once again presenting the renowned Innovation Awards. The award-winning new developments from areas such as New Products, Sustainability and Automation demonstrate: Textile innovations and technologies provide impulses for many branches of the industry and promise market and sales success far beyond their own sector. 13 winners from seven categories will be honored at a public awards ceremony at Techtextil and Texprocess on 21 June, 2022.

As is the case for many other industries, times are challenging for the textile industry: the consequences of Corona, the Ukraine war, strained supply chains, sustainability issues, rising energy prices and recruitment problems – the industry is under pressure from many sides. But more than almost any other industry, it is also very adept at meeting these challenges with new ideas, developments and business models. This year’s Innovation Awards at the leading trade fairs Techtextil and Texprocess are another example of this. With their new products, materials, solutions and processes, the 13 award winners are demonstrating in an exemplary manner that textile innovations are the ideal way to create market opportunities and boost future business revenues, out of the challenges of the present.

World’s first: first woven heart valve without postfabrication

In the “New Product” category, the Techtextil Innovation Award goes to the Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) at the Technische Universität Dresden. Together with medical product manufacturers and heart surgeons from the Cardiovascular Center Würzburg and the Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, textile researchers from the ITM have succeeded in developing the world’s first woven heart valve that does not require a single seam or other joining technique. “Our new development should also help children with heart valve defects in the future by growing with the heart of the young patients – avoiding repeated surgical interventions,” says Dr.-Ing. Dilbar Aibibu, research group leader for biotextiles and medical textiles at ITM. Worldwide, cardiovascular diseases are among the most common causes of death; several million people die from them every year. When patients receive heart valve replacements, artificial mechanical or biobased solutions are usually used. If ITM has its way, the woven valve, which won the Techtextil Innovation Award, should become a beneficial alternative in the future.

Reuse of waste from a natural source

In the “New Material” category, RBX Créations (France) receives the Innovation Award for a novel cellulose fiber made from hemp waste. The material, named Iroony®, was developed with regard to the following question: Hemp is now grown either to make fiber or to produce hemp oil – but could not the two be combined? RBX Créations has now succeeded in developing a process for extracting cellulose from the waste of oilseed hemp. Spun into textile fibers, it can be used to produce sustainable textiles, packaging and other “green” products. The award is given to RBX Créations for its continuous and successful efforts to convert waste from a renewable source into a valuable cellulose fiber that meets the highest sustainability standards.

Fiber shielding technology for hospitals, electric cars and server farms

The Techtextil Innovation Award in the “New Technology” category goes to Aachen-based FibreCoat GmbH and Deutsche Basalt Faser GmbH from Sangerhausen (Saxony-Anhalt) for the joint development of an aluminum-coated basalt fiber. It combines the strength of basalt with the electrical conductivity of aluminum. According to FibreCoat, electromagnetic shielding as wallpaper in buildings in hospitals or server farms, among other places, should be up to 20 times cheaper than with conventional aluminum foil thanks to the new development. Another attractive and particularly fast-growing market is shielding solutions for electric cars. Robert Brüll, CEO of FibreCoat: “For a young company like ours, winning the Techtextil Innovation Award is an important milestone. We are honored to receive this prestigious award from the independent jury of experts. In particular, the confidence of our customers and visibility gained as a result are crucial for a start-up like FibreCoat on the road to market success.”

More sustainable hygiene products such as diapers

Kelheim Fibres GmbH from Kelheim in Bavaria and the Saxon Textile Research Institute (STFI) in Chemnitz receive the Techtextil Innovation Award in the “New Concept” category for the development of novel, thermally bonded nonwovens based on cellulose for the production of reusable products with high absorbency. Consumers should no longer have to choose between high-performance or environmentally friendly products. Nature and performance of hygiene products go hand in hand thanks to the innovation of Kelheim, STFI and the Berlin-based start-up SUMO. Dr. Marina Crnoja-Cosic, Director New Business Development at Kelheim Fibres: “It is a great honor and pleasure for us to receive the Techtextil Innovation Award together with our partners. We see the award not only as a distinction for the project presented, but also as recognition of our innovation strategy. After all, in dialogue with partners we can react more quickly to current trends, develop in a more targeted manner and accelerate the commercialization of innovative solutions.”

Waste from the automotive industry as a resource

Another Techtextil Innovation Award in the category “New Approaches on Sustainability & Circular Economy” honors a process that uses natural leather waste from the automotive industry to produce innovative textile coatings. It was developed by CITEVE, the Technology Center for Textile and Clothing in Portugal, and partners ERT Têxtil Portugal, CeNTI and CTIC (all Portugal). After CITEVE researchers discovered that cutting operations in the automotive industry generate a large amount of natural leather classified as waste, they sought a solution to reuse it. The expert jury recognizes the development as a successful industrial symbiosis: “Waste from one industrial sector is used here as a resource in another. The work of the CITEVE researchers thus supports an important trend toward a resource-efficient, environmentally friendly and sustainable textile industry.”

Compostable textile coating

The Techtextil Innovation Award in the category “New Approaches on Sustainability & Circular Economy” goes to the textile research institute Centexbel (Belgium) for a bio-based and compostable dispersion for textile coatings and printing inks. The new development does not require solvents and brings a completely new type of polymer for coatings and printing inks to the market. According to the expert jury, the innovation is an important step for the textile coating industry towards more products based on renewable resources.

Fashion from pineapple peel

The Italian company Vérabuccia is honored in the “Performance Fashion Award” category for an innovative production process for the fashion and design sector. The patented process is designed to transform fruit waste into fashion highlights. A first material is the so-called “Ananasse”. According to Vérabuccia, the special feature of this is that unlike other plant leathers, which tend to imitate real animal leather, it retains the original appearance of a pineapple skin; this emphasizes the origin of the raw material. With the Techtextil Innovation Award, the jury honored the unconventional thinking of the young Italian label, whose originality proves that innovative and appealing fashion can be developed from surprising materials.

100 percent compostable binder for nonwovens

In the “New Technology” category, the company OrganoClick (Sweden) receives the Techtextil Innovation Award for the development of a 100 percent bio-based binder for nonwovens applications that is made from waste components and is therefore said to be fully compostable. The innovation is designed to replace plastic-based binders. Because nonwovens are often made from non-degradable plastics, the Swedish company specializes in developing compostable material alternatives from wheat bran, fruit or crab shells, among others. This convinced the jury of the Techtextil Innovation Awards: “OrganoClick receives the award for its efforts to find bio-based raw material alternatives to replace oil-based materials.”

Formaldehyde-free & bio-based coating system

The third award in the category “New Approaches on Sustainability & Circular Economy” goes to Deutschen Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf (DITF) from Baden-Württemberg and the company TotalEnergies – Cray Valley (France). Together, they have developed a novel, formaldehyde-free coating system. It is based on non-toxic hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) derived from biomass waste. These HMF-based dip formulations are capable of replacing formaldehyde-based adhesion promoters on a one-to-one basis. For background: in tires, conveyor belts or V-belts, rubber materials are reinforced by cord. The quality of such cord composite systems with high-strength fibers such as polyester, aramid or polyamide and rubber is determined by the adhesion properties of the fibers to the matrix. In the established manufacturing process, adhesion promoters made of resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex (RFL) are used. However, formaldehyde has been classified by the EU as a proven carcinogen and mutagen since 2014. The jury therefore welcomes the health and environmentally friendly new development. It contributes to a more sustainable textile industry and the reduction of harmful chemicals.

Texprocess Innovation Award

In the “New Technology” category of the Texprocess Innovation Award, as many as three winners will receive the prestigious award this year:

Cold gluing robot is set to revolutionize seam bonding

The welding and sewing machine manufacturer Vetron Typical Europe GmbH (Kaiserslautern) is being honored for a new type of cold gluing robot. For the first time, it is to perform the sealing of seams with adhesive tape on the reverse side completely automatically. Cold gluing, for example for decorative seams on dashboards or closing seams in outdoor clothing, is state of the art in many industries. But because the adhesive tape has to be cut off manually, the technology could not be combined with the high demands of process automation, for example in the automotive industry. Until now. For the first time, the new special robot applies the adhesive tape in an automated process and also cuts it off automatically using a tape cutter. According to Vetron, the innovation, which was presented publicly for the first time at Texprocess, is already attracting great interest from the automotive industry.

“Reinvention of the embroidery head”

The second award in the “New Technology” category goes to ZSK Stickmaschinen GmbH from Krefeld for a new type of embroidery head for single- and multi-head embroidery machines. According to ZSK, the “R-head” is designed to achieve embroidery speeds of up to 2000 stitches per minute. By comparison, traditional multi-head embroidery machines currently achieve embroidery speeds of up to a maximum of 1200 stitches per minute. With this innovation, ZSK aims to enable a new dimension of productivity with higher embroidery precision and reliability even at high embroidery speeds. According to ZSK, the R-head significantly reduces noise emissions compared to current embroidery heads. Customers should also be able to replace it themselves if necessary. The judgment of the expert jury: “This is the reinvention of the embroidery head.” Hans-Rochus Groß, Head of Application Technology at ZSK: “During the development of our latest embroidery head, we were driven by a quote from Hermann Hesse: ‘To achieve the possible, we must attempt the impossible.’ In this sense, the Texprocess Innovation Award confirms that we have achieved our ambitious goals. The award will be an additional drive for us to continue to achieve ‘the maximum possible’ for our customers in the future.”

Increasing productivity and reducing fatigue of sewing machine operators.

The third winner in this award category is Juki Central Europe (Poland), which has developed an AW-3S automatic bobbin thread winding and feeding device. This not only automatically calculates the amount of bobbin thread required when loading a sewing pattern, but can even change the sewing thread automatically, according to the manufacturer. AW-3S is thus designed not only to increase productivity, but at the same time to save operators from having to change the sewing thread manually. This reduces staff fatigue, allowing them to concentrate more on production and quality control. The jury welcomes the conversion of a manual process into an automated one as another example of Industry 4.0.

Advancing digitalization in the sewing industry

The industrial sewing machine manufacturer Dürkopp Adler receives the Texprocess Innovation Award in the category “New Digitalization” for its software module “QONDAC Guided Working”. The company from Bielefeld wants to take digitalization in the sewing industry to a new level. In interaction with programmable sewing machines, QONDAC Guided Working is intended to become the perfect link between planning, operating personnel and machine by supporting processes from production planning to the last work step at the final workstation. In addition, manual workstations or conventional sewing machines can also be easily integrated into the network. Niklas Böckmann, Head of Digital Products at Dürkopp Adler: “The Texprocess Innovation Award confirms us in our claim to drive the digitalization of the sewing industry. With developments such as QONDAC Guided Working, we want to make customers’ production more sustainable and efficient by offering them the possibility to react faster to changes in production processes.”

The jury of the Techtextil Innovation Award:

  • Prof. Dr. Fernando Carrillo, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Spain
  • Eng. António Braz Costa, Technological Centre for the Textile and Clothing Industry of Portugal (CITEVE), Portugal
  • Johannes Diebel, Forschungskuratorium Textil e.V. (FKT), Germany
  • Dr. Heike Illing-Günther, Saxon Textile Research Institute e.V. (STFI), Germany
  • Dr. Jan Laperre, Centexbel, Belgium (chairman of the jury)
  • Prof. Dr. René Rossi, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA), Switzerland
  • Dr. Thomas Stegmaier, Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung (DITF), Germany
  • Prof. Dr. Henry Yi Li, The University of Manchester, England

The jury of the Texprocess Innovation Award:

  • Alexander Artschwager, Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf, Center of Management Research (DITF-MR), Germany
  • Jürgen Brecht, HAUBER-GRUPPE FERD. HAUBER GMBH, Germany
  • Prof. Dr. Thomas Gries, Institut für Textiltechnik, RWTH Aachen, Germany
  • Prof. Dr. Yordan Kyosev, Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology, TU Dresden, Germany
  • Claudia van Bonn, Deutscher Fachverlag, Germany
  • Walter Wählt, Adidas AG, Germany (chairman of the jury)
  • Prof. Dr. Kerstin Zöll, Hochschule Niederrhein, Faculty Textile and Clothing Technology, Germany

The winners and award categories at a glance

Unternehmen Projektname Award-Kategorie

 

 Techtextil/Texprocess
Centexbel Biobased and compostable dispersion for use in textile coatings and inks – H2020 Biontop grant agreement No 837761.

 

 New Approaches on Sustainability & Circular Economy Techtextil
CITEVE Valorisation of natural leather waste from automotive industry for the development of  innovative textile coatings

 

 New Approaches on Sustainability & Circular Economy Techtextil
DITF Denkendorf New non-toxic dips for technical cord materials New Approaches on Sustainability & Circular Economy Techtextil
FibreCoat GmbH Alucoat New Technology Techtextil
ITM TU Dresden woven heart valves

 

 New Product Techtextil
Kelheim Fibres GmbH Cellulose-based Nonwovens for high absorbency reusable products

 

 New Concept Techtextil
OrganoClick 100% biobased and home compostable binder for nonwoven applications from waste stream components

 

 New Technology Techtextil
RBX Créations Iroony® : Innovative low-impact and performant cellulose supporting sustainable agriculture, for various applications in textile and packaging

 

 New Material Techtextil
Vérabuccia Vérabuccia

 

 

 Performance Fashion Award Techtextil
Dürkopp Adler GmbH QONDAC Guided Working Module

 

 New Digitalization Texprocess
JUKI Central Europe Sp. z o.o. Automatic Bobbin Thread Wind-and -Feed Device AW-3S New Technology Texprocess
VETRON TYPICAL Europe GmbH VETRON Automation Cold Bonding

 

 New Technology Texprocess
ZSK Stickmaschinen GmbH ZSK „R-Head“ for embroidery speeds up to 2.000 stitches/min with unique compensation

mechanism for first and second-order mass forces

 

 New Technology Texprocess

From 21 to 24 June only at Techtextil and Texprocess

The Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards will be presented on 21 June, 2022 in Hall 9.0. Textile innovations selected by international expert juries will be awarded prizes and presented publicly on all four days of the trade fair in Hall 9.1 (Techtextil) and 9.0 (Texprocess), in some cases for the first time. Here, from 21-24 June, visitors will have the unique opportunity to experience all the award-winning new developments in one place. For the 16th time, the Innovation Awards at the leading trade fairs Techtextil and Texprocess offer an excellent platform for cross-industry exchange between players from business, science and politics and for initiating forward-looking cooperations.

The event Techtextil & Texprocess will be held from 21 to 24 June 2022.

Posted: June 24, 2022

Source: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH


Suominen Invests In Strengthening Its Capabilities In Sustainable Products In Nakkila, Finland

HELSINKI — June 20, 2022 — Suominen strengthens its capabilities in sustainable products by enhancing and upgrading one of its production lines in Nakkila, Finland. The investment is made in line with Suominen’s strategy and supports company’s vision to be the frontrunner in sustainability.

“As we foresaw in our strategy the market demand in Europe has changed remarkably towards more sustainable products. With this investment we respond to the increased demand for environmentally friendly products and also enhance our operational performance in terms of safety, quality and productivity,” says Petri Helsky, President and CEO of Suominen.

The total value of the investment is approximately EUR 6 million and the investment project will be completed in the second half of 2023.

Posted: June 24, 2022

Source: Suominen Corporation

Infinited Fiber Company Picks Site Of Shut Paper Plant In Finnish Lapland For Its Planned EUR 400 Million Textile Fiber Factory Investment

ESPOO, Finland — June 20, 2022 — Fashion and textile technology company Infinited Fiber Company plans to build a commercial-scale factory to produce regenerated textile fiber for the world’s leading apparel companies at the site of renewable materials company Stora Enso’s closed Veitsiluoto paper mill in Kemi, a Finnish city on the northern shore of the Baltic Sea. The size of the investment is estimated at EUR 400 million, and it is expected to create around 270 jobs in the area. The annual fiber production capacity of the planned factory is expected to be 30,000 metric tons, which is equivalent to the fiber needed for about 100 million T-shirts.

Infinited Fiber Company’s technology enables cotton-rich textile waste to be transformed into a versatile, high-quality regenerated textile fiber called Infinna™, which looks and feels like cotton. Major international fashion and apparel companies – including Zara’s parent company Inditex, PVH Europe, which is known for the Tommy Hilfiger brand, Patagonia, PANGAIA, H&M Group and BESTSELLER – have already committed to Infinna™ purchases through multi-year agreements as they look for materials that enable the industry to shift towards circularity. Infinited Fiber Company expects to export most of the output of its planned factory. This makes Kemi an ideal location as the city’s port serves as an efficient link to the rest of the world.

Infinited Fiber Company will convert a building housing a discontinued paper production line into an Infinna™ fiber factory. Both the factory engineering and project implementation as well as the related financing negotiations were commenced at the beginning of the year and are progressing well. Infinited Fiber Company has also agreed on the provision of energy and water related services with utility infrastructure company Nevel.

Once up and running, the factory is expected to provide direct employment for around 220 people, and for a further 50 through on-site support functions such as services, maintenance, and logistics. The additional indirect employment impact is estimated to be around 800 jobs. The construction and installation phase is expected to create jobs equaling around 120 person-years. The factory is anticipated to operate at full capacity in 2025.

Finland can lead the way in textile circularity

“Circularity is at the heart of our business. We aim to make use of existing resources in all that we do, which makes the historic Veitsiluoto industrial site a great fit for us. At the same time, we will be creating new export products and jobs,” says Infinited Fiber Company CEO and co-founder Petri Alava. “Finland has solid bioeconomy know-how and is very supportive of circular economy innovations. We see these as major strengths that enable Finland to become a leader in the creation of the new, circular economy-based textile industry value chain.”

Infinited Fiber Company selected the Veitsiluoto industrial site after reviewing dozens of potential premises across Finland. Decisive factors supporting the decision included the site’s excellent existing infrastructure, the availability of fresh water, renewable electricity and energy, efficient port services, and local skilled labor.

“We are pleased to get part of the Veitsiluoto site utilized and happy about the investments and jobs that Infinited Fiber Company is set to bring there,” says Stora Enso Chief Financial Officer and Finland Country Manager Seppo Parvi.

“Supporting the transition to a climate-positive future through long-term cooperation is extremely important for us. We are delighted to be a utility infrastructure partner for Infinited Fiber Company as it prepares to build its factory in Veitsiluoto, and we believe that this collaboration will also create new opportunities in the area,” says Thomas Luther, CEO of Nevel.

Posted: June 24, 2022

Source: Infinited Fiber Company

Monforts Is Introducing A Range Of Modular Upgrades That Can Be Added To Existing Textile Finishing Lines

MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany — June 18, 2022 — “Our machines are known for their robustness and long service life, but the retrofitting of specific modules with new control and drive technology – going far beyond the basic replacement of spare parts – can have a significant impact on the performance of an existing line,” says Monforts Marketing Manager Nicole Croonenbroek. “This is especially the case in achieving further energy savings. In today’s challenging times, Monforts is always a helpful and reliable partner to customers who may be considering switching their heating systems to other energy sources. Customers can contact us individually to check the possibilities that are available for their ranges.”

The Monforts universal Energy Tower– a flexible, free-standing air/air heat exchanger for recovering the heat from the exhaust air flow of thermal processes – can result in a 30% reduction in the energy consumed by a line, depending on the exhaust air volume and operating temperature.

A Monforts Eco Booster, completely integrated into the chamber design of the Montex stenter, is another retrofitting option. As a single state-of-the-art heat recovery system with automatic cleaning, it can be added to existing ranges. For ranges of up to eight chambers only one module is necessary to achieve significant energy savings.

On an eight-chamber stenter with an operating width of two metres carrying out a fixing process on a 150gsm woven fabric, for example, the energy savings have been calculated to be 35% over an annual schedule of 6,000 operating hours.

In addition, the Eco Booster consumes only minimal amounts of water during the cleaning cycle and the entire process is controlled and monitored automatically.

The Matex Eco Applicator is an alternative to the conventional padding process for energy-conscious finishing and achieving considerable savings in the energy required for drying treated fabrics. The precise amount of chemical can be applied to the fabric and with less residual moisture after application of only approximately 35% so that less drying capacity is required in the stenter, which leads to huge energy savings.

Finishes can be evenly applied on either or both sides of the fabric, and two separate treatments can be applied to front and back.

This makes the unit ideal for the production of, for example, double-performance hydrophobic/hydrophilic fabrics for professional clothing, as well as the over dyeing or finishing of denim fabrics.

Options

“Other general retrofitting options available in our modular upgrade programme include a new clip opener for the stenter, which is located at the chain deflection points and reduces wear on the clip table and the blades,” says Achim Gesser, Monforts Head of Spare Parts. “At the same time, it ensures a quieter working atmosphere due to the smooth opening and closing of the clips. The addition of a glue flue selvedge dryer can meanwhile increase fabric transport speeds and improve fabric quality by protecting the fabric from overdrying.

“There are also considerable benefits to be gained from bringing a machine’s HMI up to date with our new 19-inch compact OS Windows 10 PCs, as well as with a range of frequency converter options for bringing a machine completely up to date technically and reducing downtimes.

“We’re happy to explain the range of modifications and modernisations that can be made to your line at any time. Compared to a new machine, upgrades are a low-cost investment that deliver clearly defined benefits. With more than 135 years of experience, Monforts is the right partner to assist valuable customers in offering retrofits to help with sustainability and energy savings.”

Further details of the Monforts modular upgrade programme are available at www.monforts.de/en/spare-parts-modifications/ or you can get in touch personally during Techtextil in Frankfurt from 21-24 June 2022, hall 12.0, booth B69.

Posted: June 24, 2022

Source: A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG

Trevira Gmbh & Trevira CS Review Of 2021 And Horizon Scanning For 2022

HATTERSHEIM, Germany — June 20, 2022 — Despite its challenges, 2021 proved to be a very successful year for Trevira, with total turnover coming in higher than expected at around €232 million.

As early as the first quarter of 2021, Trevira saw a significant upswing in all areas, a development stimulated by the roll-out of the vaccination programme and the consequent hope for a speedy end to the pandemic.

The market continued to give increasingly positive signals, especially in the area of home textiles. This followed a challenging year for Trevira CS ® in 2020, when the hotel and events sector was under especial pressure as a result of lockdown measures. By contrast, 2021 saw a revitalised market, with significant improvements in important regions such as Italy, Germany and Scandinavia. However, Trevira also faced major challenges as a result of massively increased costs, especially for energy, but also for raw materials, chemicals and packaging.

The first five months of 2022 have continued to go well, and we are seeing major development activities from our customers in relation to our new Trevira CS brands. The overall trend towards sustainability continues, and is reflected in the high demand for our Trevira CS eco product. Our UV-resistant, spun-dyed filament yarns – which were developed specifically for the outdoor market and are not only flame-retardant but also demonstrate excellent resistance to light and tearing – are also experiencing high demand, with the cruise shipping industry gradually gaining in momentum after two long Covid years.

Looking ahead to developments in our Trevira CS business in 2022, we anticipate that the upswing from the catch-up effect after the Covid lockdowns will have a greater impact than the potential downsides caused by rising energy and materials prices and the resulting economic inflation.

The integration of Trevira GmbH in parent concern Indorama Ventures PCL has progressed at speed. The Trevira business unit “Fibres”, based in Bobingen, has been allocated to “Vertical Hygiene”, with the business unit “Filaments” now assigned to “Vertical LifeStyle”, thus benefitting from synergies arising out of our close work with various sister companies. “Hygiene” and “LifeStyle” are represented at an Indorama joint booth together with the third vertical, “Mobility”, at the Techtextil in Hall 9.1, booth D05.

Thanks to this advanced integration of Trevira GmbH within Indorama Ventures PCL, the Trevira CS brand will in future be marketed as an Indorama brand. This shift will also be stressed at the Trevira CS booth at the Heimtextil Summer Edition fair this year.

Trevira GmbH’s LinkedIn channel was rebranded as a Trevira CS channel, offering the opportunity to present more news in relation to Trevira CS brands and their built-in safety concept.

Posted: June 24, 2022

Source: Trevira Gmbh

U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Confirmed As ISEAL Community Member

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — June 23, 2022 — The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol was accepted as an ISEAL Community Member following a rigorous and meticulous approval process and only eighteen months after the program’s launch.

ISEAL is a global membership organization that supports credited sustainability systems in their work, with the goal to drive greater impact and establish markets that are a force for good. The organization focuses on a wide variety of global challenges such as the climate emergency, biodiversity crisis and human rights issues among others. ISEAL works to define credible practices for sustainability, foster collaboration and shared experience, deliver expertise and training, and promote innovation to strengthen sustainability systems.

“I’m very happy to congratulate the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol on becoming an ISEAL Community Member,” said Karin Kreider, ISEAL’s Executive Director. “The Trust Protocol supports cotton producers to develop bespoke management plans aimed at improving their sustainability, and innovative use of data and metrics supports measurement of success over time. We are excited to have a fresh perspective in the ISEAL learning community, and to have another member working to improve sustainability outcomes in the cotton sector.”

ISEAL Community Members must be committed to continually improving their systems through learning and innovation, with emphasis on the importance of collaboration. They also are required to be transparent about how their programs’ work and how they measure impacts.

The Trust Protocol is the only fiber sustainability system that provides quantifiable, verifiable goals and measurement and drives continuous improvement in six key sustainability metrics – land use, soil carbon, water management, soil loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency. It also is the world’s first sustainable cotton fiber to offer its members article-level supply chain transparency through the Protocol Consumption Management Solution.

“We are proud that the Trust Protocol was accepted as an ISEAL Community Member understanding the rigorous process and governance ISEAL adheres to,” said Dr. Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “ISEAL Community membership provides the Trust Protocol the continued opportunity to set a new standard in more sustainable cotton production where full transparency is a reality and continuous improvement to reduce our environmental footprint is the central goal.”

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, recognized by Textile Exchange and Forum for the Future, and part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cotton 2025 Sustainable Cotton Challenge, Cotton 2040 and Cotton Up initiatives. It has also been recognized and published in the ITC Standards Map and recognized as a standard for sustainable cotton by the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles.

To learn more about the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol visit TrustUSCotton.org.

Posted: June 23, 2022

Source: U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol

HanesBrands Announces Long-Term Primary Apparel Partnership With The University Of Southern California

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — June 23, 2022 — HanesBrands (HBI), the world’s largest supplier of collegiate fan apparel, today announced a new primary apparel partnership with the University of Southern California (USC). The 10-year agreement gives HBI exclusive rights in the mass and mid-tier retail channels to develop consumer-driven collections of fan apparel that will expand the University’s retail footprint.

The agreement is in addition to USC’s existing relationship with Nike, which is the official outfitter of the 21 varsity Trojan sports and provider of fan merchandise.

HBI, which owns the iconic Champion and Hanes brands, as well as the eco-forward Alternative Apparel brand, will design, manufacture and distribute an expansive collection of men’s, women’s, unisex, youth, infant and toddler fan apparel. HBI will create special activations and enhanced retail presentations beginning in January 2023. The company brings in-house design expertise, manufacturing proficiency and a commitment to responsible, transparent manufacturing with a focus on people, planet and product.

“USC has a proud heritage, and we’re thrilled to support the school in supplying fan apparel that consumers will love,” said John Fryer, HanesBrands President of Licensed Sports Apparel. “Our iconic brands and unmatched products resonate with consumers around the world and will help enhance fan engagement for USC.”

USC joins the University of Texas, The Ohio State University, University of North Carolina, University of Georgia, Villanova, University of South Carolina, and University of Cincinnati as primary apparel partners with HBI.

“We are excited to enter into a long-term partnership with HanesBrands. Their collection of iconic brands, retail success, and commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing makes them a great fit for USC,“ said Matt Curran, USC Director of Trademarks and Licensing. “We’re confident in HanesBrands’ ability to service our growing market of fans, alumni, and students with quality apparel offerings.”

Posted: June 23, 2022

Source: HanesBrands (HBI)

Why Fabric Choice Matters In Combating Microplastic Pollution In The Oceans And Waters

CARY, N.C. — June 23, 2022 — From research journals and news headlines to social posts, there is increasing attention to microplastics in our environment. People are listening and seeking ways to help with change. Forty percent of respondents say they are aware of the concerns that microfibers from clothing are polluting our oceans and waters, according to Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Monitor™ Survey in February 2022, up from 35% in 2021.

The same survey notes, most consumers (66%) who are aware of microplastic pollution, know that much of this pollution is caused by washing of clothing made from synthetic fibers.

“Cotton’s versatility and durability makes it an ideal ingredient for reusable products,” says Mary Ankeny, vice president of Product Development and Implementation Operations for Cotton Incorporated. “All fabrics shed microfibers or fiber fragments through everyday wash and wear. It’s important to understand the origin of the fiber and what happens in the environment as those fibers build up or break down when developing products and shopping for clothing, sheets, towels, and personal care products.”

In 2020, Cotton Incorporated experts led research to show impacts of fabric fibers. Cotton microfibers are natural and biodegrade in tested water environments in about a month’s time compared to non-biodegradable synthetic fibers like polyester. Further research in 2021 demonstrated that cotton microfibers treated with common textile finishes, such as silicone softener, durable press finish, water repellent finish, and dye, biodegrade by more than 60% over a period of three months; a rate similar to a natural oak leaf.

“Shocking scientific research about microplastics in our drinking water and the impact plastic pollution is having on our environment is getting people’s attention,” comments Dr. Jesse Daystar, Cotton Incorporated’s vice president and chief sustainability officer. “Cotton is a plant-based and renewable ingredient. It can pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and nourish the soil; it can break down in water or soil. Discarded fabrics or garments can be recycled into something new. These benefits continue to position cotton as the go-to fiber for the fashion and textile industry looking to change sustainability standards.” Read more about textile recycling at https://cottontoday.cottoninc.com/our-sustainability-story/circularity/recyclability/.

Tips for minimizing microplastic pollution:

Check the label for cotton when buying clothing and home goods like sheets and towels

Wash clothing only when soiled instead of after every wear

Wash in cold water

Air dry clothing or don’t overpack the dryer to minimize friction

Learn more about cotton fabric care at https://thefabricofourlives.com/care-tips.

Check out the following Cotton Incorporated sites to learn more about cotton as a solution to microplastic pollution from our experts including dedicated content throughout July.

CottonToday, science-based facts and cotton research for sustainability-focused professionals. Learn more at https://cottontoday.cottoninc.com/our-sustainability-story/microfibers/.

Lifestyle Monitor™, data and analysis supporting brand and retail decision makers. Discover insights at https://lifestylemonitor.cottoninc.com.

Blue Jeans Go Green™ consumer denim recycling program, learn more at https://bluejeansgogreen.org/.

The Fabric of Our Lives®, cotton’s latest styles, fabrics and care tips, visit https://thefabricofourlives.com.

Posted: June 23, 2022

Source: Cotton Incorporated

Schoeller Textil Names Mark Pikaart Western Regional Sales Manager, North America

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. — June 23, 2022 — Schoeller Textil AG, the global textile solutions brand dedicated to innovating technical fabrics and smart textile finishing technologies for more than 150 years, announces that Mark Pikaart has joined its North America team as the Western Regional Sales Manager.

Pikaart, based in Southern California, comes to Schoeller with a vast history of experience in the outdoor industry, including specialty retail, sales management, marketing and product line management.  Pikaart spent the past 7 years at Deckers Brands, where he served as product line manager for the Teva and UGG brands.  Prior to that, he worked as a product marketing manager and key accounts manager for Wolverine Worldwide.  Pikaart will work closely with Schoeller Textil USA President Stephen Kerns, who is based in the Schoeller North America headquarters in Newburyport, Mass.

“Mark’s understanding of not only sales but also product line management and marketing brings a deep and dynamic level of insight and customer service to our brand partners,” said Kerns.  “He has enthusiastically dived into managing our many accounts in the Western Region, and we’re looking forward to continuing to cultivate and foster long-term Schoeller partnership throughout North America together.”

Pikaart lives in Ventura, Calif., with his wife, dog and cat.  He is a dedicated trail runner and loves to hike, camp and explore the outdoors,

Posted: June 23, 2022

Source: Schoeller Textil AG

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