Arkema To Acquire Polimeros Especiales, A Leading Emulsion Resins Producer In Mexico

COLOMBES, France — July 21, 2022 — The planned acquisition of this leading player in solvent-free waterborne acrylic resins will strengthen Arkema’s position in this fast-growing region.

Polimeros Especiales is a well-established privately owned Mexican company producing high performance waterborne resins for a broad range of applications in markets such as architectural and decorative paints, textiles, pressure sensitive adhesives and construction. The company has become a key manufacturer of emulsions in the region, achieving sales of around US$40 million in 2021 and employing 230 people.

This planned acquisition is fully in line with Arkema’s strategy to expand its Coating Solutions segment in growing markets and in low-volatile organic compound solutions. Waterborne is one of Arkema’s key solvent-free technologies, together with powder, ultraviolet/light emitting diode/electron beam and high-solid systems.

According to Manuel Garcia, General Manager of Arkema in Mexico: “Thanks to Polimeros Especiales, Arkema will develop new positions in the Mexican market, which is experiencing robust growth. The acquisition will ensure continuous strong support to our customers and will enable Arkema to broaden its product offering locally”.

“We welcome the addition of Polimeros Especiales and its teams to the Group as this leading company has developed strong customer proximity and technical know-how. Its solid manufacturing assets and logistics platform will strengthen our expertise and quality of service in the region” said Neil Tariq, Global Business Director, Arkema Coating Resins.

The Directors of Polimeros Especiales, added, “We are proud to be joining forces with Arkema and together, we will further develop innovative waterborne solutions for more sustainable resin offerings in the dynamic American market.”

This project, which is subject to approval by antitrust authorities, is expected to be finalized in Q3 2022.

Posted: July 21, 2022

Source: Arkema

KARL MAYER: New Patterning Dimensions With The HKS Digital Generation

OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — July 21, 2022 — With the HKS 3-M ON, KARL MAYER has initiated the changeover of high-performance tricot machines to the digital generation. The subsequent patterning trials at the premises of the innovative world market leader confirmed the exceptional performance of the newcomer. The HKS 3-M ON works with lapping data that can be purchased online via KARL MAYER’s WEBSHOP SPARE PARTS, and loaded immediately thanks to the machine’s networking. This means that articles can be changed in a matter of seconds without mechanical intervention. The new HKS does not need any pattern discs, but achieves the high working speeds typical of mechanical guide bar drives. The innovative machine thus contributes to improving production performance.

Article changeover made easy

In the first patterning projects, KARL MAYER’s textile product developers produced conventional basic articles, such as marquisette and flag fabric. They used the standard repeat length of up to 36 stitch courses – an increase of 12 stitch courses compared with the HKS 3-M model with pattern disc drive. All patterns could be produced with maximum efficiency and quality and changed quickly without any technical effort. There was no need for any manual intervention. Simply load the required lappings for an article via SwapKnit 36 or SwapKnit 36 Flat from the KM.ON cloud and production could start, with optimized machine data for maximum operating speeds.

Subsequent trials produced patterns with repeats of more than 36 stitch courses. The web-based software k.innovation CORE from KM.ON was used for this. With regard to the design, KARL MAYER’s textile specialists opted for variants with sophisticated crinkle looks. Articles with the crepe-like surfaces had already been successfully produced on an HKS 4-M EL in E 28. Now an HKS 3-M ON in E 32 was used, with the same material. In GB 1 and GB 2, a wrapping yarn made of polyamide with elastane in the core was processed. When relaxed, the two-component material gives rise to distinct plastic surface structures. GB 3 produced the fabric ground and alternated between polyamide and polyester feed. When polyester was used, targeted cross-dyeing resulted in sophisticated two-tone coloration of the three-dimensional goods. The relief effects are strongly pronounced due to the use of two ground guide bars.

In addition to the look, the performance of the items is right with the concise crinkle design. In clothing, they offer freedom of movement and a good fit due to their high elasticity. The three-dimensional structure also creates distances to the skin, which ensures a high climatic wearing comfort.

To be continued

Encouraged by the results of their processing trials, KARL MAYER’s textile product developers are implementing further pattern ideas. The focus here is on the fabric ground.

“We want to make the ground structure more varied, for example, combining open and dense areas to achieve openwork looks,” says Jürgen Wohlrab, product developer for textile technology at KARL MAYER. “Kettenwirk-Praxis” will continue to report.

Posted: July 21, 2022

Source: KARL MAYER Gruppe

Trapdoor Creative Integrates With 3D Design Pioneer Browzwear To Make Creating Photorealistic 3D Visualizations From The VStitcher Fashion Design Platform Faster & Easier Than Ever 

SALT LAKE CITY, UT  — July 21, 2022 — Trapdoor Creative, leader in 3D digital experiences, today announced a partnership with Browzwear that will bring Trapdoor’s STAGE technology for 3D visualizations directly from Browzwear’s VStitcher fashion design platform. This integration will enable VStitcher users to create, showcase, review and revise true-to-life 3D visualizations faster and easier than ever.

The integration of the STAGE API from Trapdoor Creative is part of Browzwear’s open platform approach, which facilitates connections between VStitcher and an array of industry-related software solutions. For fashion brands and manufacturers, this enhances the ability to drive efficiencies by seamlessly digitizing their entire workflow.

For VStitcher users, the addition of STAGE interactive 3D technology unlocks the power of Unreal Engine 5 through Trapdoor’s user-friendly and streamlined platform. This will accelerate processes including rendering and animating designs, allowing them to review designs, receive feedback, make changes and provide updated renderings for approval near-instantly. With the ability to perform the complete cycle quickly and with scale, brands and manufacturers can showcase collections digitally while having confidence that manufactured items will appear exactly as their digital twins do, enabling them to reduce material waste while also speeding up time to market.

“We are confident this integration with Browzwear will empower fashion businesses to operate more efficiently throughout the entire process,” said Trapdoor Creative Founder and CEO Barry Zundel. “From fit and design through to visualization and marketing, fashion brands can leverage the most photorealistic visualizations possible to truly envision the end product, which will speed time to market while also enabling them to reduce waste in manufacturing.”

“We are thrilled to join forces with Trapdoor Creative to bring VStitcher users an even faster and easier way to bring their designs to life – at least digitally,” said Vice President of Partnerships at Browzwear Sean Lane. “We expect this ability to grow in importance in the very near term, as businesses continue to look for new ways they can be and do better, both economically and ecologically.”

VStitcher users can begin accessing STAGE now, and Trapdoor Creative is offering users an extended STAGE trial period, VStitcher/Lotta Plug-in access, and a 10 percent discount on enterprise licenses for their first year of service. For more information and exclusive browzwear pricing and updates, visit www.trapdoorcreative.com/stage/browzwearsignup.

Posted: July 21, 2022

Source: Trapdoor Creative

China Penalty Tariffs On Finished Textiles & Apparel Give U.S. Companies A Chance To Compete And Are A Powerful Trade-Negotiation Tool, NCTO Tells U.S. International Trade Commission

WASHINGTON — July 21, 2022 — Section 301 penalty tariffs on finished Chinese textile and apparel imports give American manufacturers a chance to compete and provide trade officials with an essential trade negotiation tool, the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) told a key government panel today in a formal written submission. Removing them, the association said, would reward China, put U.S. manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage and do nothing to reduce inflation.

Those were among the key points outlined by NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas in a written testimony submitted to the U.S. International Trade Commission during three days of hearings on the economic impact of Section 301 China tariffs and Section 232 steel tariffs on U.S. industries.

The 301 penalty tariffs should be maintained “absent substantive improvements in China’s pervasive, predatory trade practices,” Glas said in her testimony.  China’s illegal actions “have put U.S. companies at a serious disadvantage, and tariffs give American manufacturers a chance to compete.” Glas noted that U.S. trade officials have “stressed that the penalty tariffs also create leverage and are a ‘significant tool’ in ongoing negotiations with China.”

While some advocates for lifting the tariffs point to concerns about inflation, Glas said, “canceling these penalty duties would do little to ease Americans’ inflationary pains.” She also noted that “apparel prices out of China continue to hit rock bottom even with the Section 301 tariffs in place. As detailed in an economic study recently released by Werner International, U.S. import prices for apparel from China have dropped 25 percent since 2019 and 50 percent since 2011.”

Glas also warned that lifting the tariffs would have “a substantial negative ripple effect” on U.S. free-trade agreements, including undermining those with Western Hemisphere partners that have established shorter coproduction supply chains and serve other U.S. and regional interests.

The Section 301 tariffs were first imposed in 2018 in response to China’s persistent violations of intellectual property rules. By law, they are now under review.

NCTO represents the full spectrum of the U.S. textile industry, from fibers to finished sewn products.

See the full written submission here.

Posted: July 21, 2022

Source: The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO)

Back On Track: Heimtextil 2023 Experiences Strong International Demand

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — July 21, 2022 — After the fair is before the fair – planning for the next Heimtextil in January 2023 is in full swing. The industry expects an internationally unique platform for home and contract textiles, interior design and trends at the start of the 2023/24 season.

During the Heimtextil Summer Special that just ended, the industry’s great need for personal encounters, tactile impressions and creative input became apparent. This time, there are only a good six months until the next Heimtextil, from January 10 to 13, 2023. The leading international trade fair for home and contract textiles will be the first event of the year to kick off the next season.

Demand from exhibitors is strong and once again covers the entire spectrum of global suppliers of home and contract textiles. Over 2,200 international exhibitors have registered for the event. This corresponds to around three quarters of the number of exhibitors at the pre-pandemic Heimtextil 2020. Only the Chinese suppliers are still struggling with planning uncertainties. The internationality of the event is also remains high.

The industry participants are courageously meeting the major challenges and are using Heimtextil to further internationalize their clientele: “To reach major international buyers, Heimtextil is absolutely the right decision,” emphasized Stefan Laxen and Matthias Ammon, Managing Partners, HJL GmbH & Co. KG. “For us, the quality of the visitors is relevant, not the quantity. There is no point in just bemoaning the current challenges, such as price increases and supply chain problems, and ranting about them. The question everyone needs to ask themselves is: where do we want to go? What do we want to achieve? It’s better to think big and internationally than to bemoan dwindling national retailers.”

It was already clear after the last Heimtextil Summer Special that the industry is meeting the current market challenges with a great desire for inspiration and new approaches to solutions, as well as the creation of new customer* relationships all over the world. Heimtextil 2023 provides the perfect range of relevant market players and complements the benefits for buyers with an extensive supporting program.

Highlights at Heimtextil 2023

Thematically, the overarching theme of sustainability will also be clearly visible at Heimtextil 2023. With the exhibitor guide, “Green Directory” as well as the “Green Village”, that offers a platform for discussion with the seal providers, Heimtextil offers important points of orientation in the jungle of the many sustainable offers. The popular trade fair tours “Green Tours” will also once again take interested visitors to curated exhibitors to learn more about their sustainability strategy and their products. Last but not least, the impressive “Future Materials Library” will be presented again as part of the Trend Space at Heimtextil 2023. The international collection of material innovations in the interior sector is curated by the future agency FranklinTill, which is also responsible for the conception of the Trend Space at Heimtextil 2023.

A new feature is that the Trend Space will be presented in Hall 9.0. There, the spectacular design and trend area will stage the Heimtextil Trends 2023/24, which will be developed beforehand by the international design agencies stijlinstituut amsterdam (Netherlands), FranklinTill (Great Britain) and SPOTT Design & Business (Denmark). With the “Material Manifesto”, the responsible trend office FranklinTill commits itself to a design of the area that is as sustainable as possible with predominantly recycled materials and elements as well as a strict waste avoidance strategy.

Interior.Architecture.Hospitality, the specialist program for interior designers, architects and hospitality experts, will once again take place at Heimtextil 2023 on a large scale and in the usual high quality. The program includes the Interior.Architecture.Hospitality LECTURES, in which renowned architects and well-known hotel experts will present their work and discuss current industry topics such as sustainability, as well as the Interior.Architecture.Hospitality TOURS, which will take participants to curated highlights and innovative textile solutions from the contract sector. The Contract Guide will once again list all the suppliers of contract textiles. In addition, the identification of the respective trade show booths ensures an effective trade show visit for the target group.

Another highlight is the Interior.Architecture.Hospitality LIBRARY. Launched in 2020, it is a material library for functional textiles. The library can also be found online at www.textile-library.de. A brand new edition will be published for Heimtextil 2023. The jury of the library will be expanded to include application experts or interior designers. Exhibitors with products for use in the property can submit them for the respective property, which will be selected by a panel of experts. The concrete naming and labeling of these 15 functional properties ensures an even more precise highlighting of the objects on offer in 2023.

DecoTeam, the community of interests of German home textile suppliers, is offering a far reaching event program as part of Heimtextil 2023. The focus will be on the topic of online marketing, with keynote speeches by Monika Winden and a subsequent YouTube workshop. A panel discussion with interesting discussion partners will also provide exciting insights into the topics of sustainability and social media marketing.

With the Heimtextil Conference Sleep & More, visitors* in 2023 will again be offered a top-notch lecture program for the areas of health, sustainability and the hotel industry. Over the course of four days, experts will speak about the latest findings, developments and trends in the field of healthy sleep from various perspectives of the industry.

With the “New & Next” program for young talents, young talents and start-up companies are given the opportunity to present themselves in the environment of the international industry. The fresh ideas and products of the New & Next exhibitors make a valuable contribution to the multi-faceted Heimtextil spectrum.

Heimtextil will take place from 10 to 13 January 2023

Posted: July 21, 2022

Source: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH

Borealis Announces The Start-Up Of New Ethane Cracker At Its Joint Venture Baystar In Port Arthur, Texas

VIENNA, Austria — July 21, 2022 — Bayport Polymers LLC (“Baystar”), a 50/50 joint venture (JV) between Borealis and TotalEnergies, today announces the start-up of commercial operations of a new ethane cracker with an annual production capacity of one million tons of ethylene.

This almost USD 2 billion project built on the site of the TotalEnergies Refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, represents 14 million hours worked with more than 2,500 workers at peak construction.

The ethylene produced by the cracker will be used as feedstock to supply Baystar’s existing polyethylene (PE) units, as well as a new Borstar® technology polyethylene unit currently under construction in Bayport, Texas.

“I am excited to see the start-up of this new ethane cracker, an important milestone for us as we are expanding our global footprint through Baystar. We are pleased to bring Borealis’ proprietary Borstar® technology to North America for the first time, allowing Baystar to produce enhanced polyethylene products for the most demanding applications,” said Borealis CEO, Thomas Gangl.

The start-up of the new ethane cracker is an important milestone for Baystar becoming a fully integrated polyethylene company. The focus is on growing the polymers market in North America and leveraging the power of partnerships.

The Baystar JV is the translation of the growth ambitions of Borealis and TotalEnergies in the United States. It includes:

  • The Baystar site in Bayport, Pasadena, Texas – with a 400,000 ton-per-year PE capacity.
  • The one million ton-per-year ethane cracker at the TotalEnergies Port Arthur Refinery, which now has successfully started operations.
  • The under-construction 625,000 metric ton-per-year PE unit in Bayport, using the Borealis proprietary Borstar® technology to deliver a broad range of products to help meet the growing global demand for plastic products. The Borstar® process offers simultaneous improvements in production flexibility and environmental performance such as high energy efficiency. Furthermore, Borstar® products excel in sustainability, for example through light-weighting and by enabling incorporation of more than 50% post-consumer recycled materials in some end products.

Posted: July 21, 2022

Source: Borealis

Auburn Manufacturing Hosts U.S. Commerce Department At Auburn Plant

AUBURN, Maine — July 21, 2022 — Today, Auburn Manufacturing Inc. (AMI) — an industry leader in the manufacture of advanced textiles for extreme-heat environments — hosted officials from the U.S. Commerce Department at AMI’s plant in Auburn. Part of an outreach initiative with Maine businesses, the Commerce Department’s visit focused on the state’s manufacturing sector and how global trade issues affect local manufacturers like AMI. The company’s successful anti-dumping claims against Chinese competitors also came up in the conversation, with AMI again coming out in support of fair, rules-based trade.

A Maine textile manufacturer with over four decades of experience, AMI is a leading producer of fire- and heat-resistant materials, manufacturing the most advanced products to meet U.S. safety standards. AMI textiles are used as protection from extreme high heat in mining, shipbuilding, steelmaking, and other critical industries. The company also manufactures end-use products, including a patented, modular removable insulation kit.

The AMI event featured a delegation of 12 Commerce Department representatives, led by Lisa Wang, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Enforcement and Compliance. A photo shoot was staged at the Auburn plant, with AMI CEO Kathie Leonard and other company officials showcasing recent improvements to the facility and new equipment upgrades.

The Commerce Department visit was facilitated by Thomas Conley, Senior International Trade Specialist at the International Trade Administration, and supported by the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), of which AMI is a proud member. A longtime supporter of AMI’s advocacy for Maine manufacturers, Conley is a former staffer at the Maine International Trade Center.

“The AMI team was proud to host the Commerce Department at our Auburn plant,” said Leonard. “It’s important for Maine-based manufacturers to collaborate with the federal government whenever possible, updating public officials on new threats and opportunities in the global marketplace. Today’s event shows that the public and private sectors are unified in their support for textile production and other domestic industries. Business leaders in states like Maine and federal officials in Washington, D.C. can indeed work together to solve a wide range of problems, and today was an important step forward in that regard.”

“Protecting U.S. workers and industries from the impacts of unfair trade is at the core of Commerce’s mission, and is critical to ensuring that U.S. companies can continue to produce high-quality products in the United States,” said Wang. “It is exciting to meet and connect with the workers impacted by the important work that Enforcement and Compliance does.”

“We sincerely appreciate Assistant Secretary Wang’s inaugural visit to AMI and the U.S. textile industry, where she gained firsthand knowledge of the company’s incredible, innovative, and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities,” said NCTO President and CEO Kimberly Glas. “The Assistant Secretary’s visit reinforced the importance of a public-private partnership between American textile producers and Commerce’s Enforcement and Compliance division, which assists U.S. firms harmed by unfair dumping of imported products into the U.S. market and a whole host of other unfair trade practices that continuously pose a threat to our industry and our workers. It is critically important that Commerce engage in robust trade enforcement to address predatory trade practices from China and other countries that undermine our industry and many others.”

Posted July 21, 2022

Source: Auburn Mfg.

Darn Tough Vermont® Rolls Bright And Boldly Into Spring ’23 With New Offerings

NORTHFIELD, Vt. — July 19, 2022 — As outdoor recreation remains a focus for activity-driven consumers, Darn Tough Vermont continues to create premium performance socks for any activity with the launch of the Spring 2023 collection. This seasonal introduction focuses on new bright colorways, updated fits and silhouettes for comfort and ‘out of the box’ designs for men, women and kids that consumers can connect with. Knitting every sock at the Vermont headquarters, Darn Tough lets its socks speak for themselves with an unconditional lifetime guarantee.

Color

Darn Tough adds a list of brand-new colorways across various categories including, Hike, Lifestyle, Run and more. Incorporating resort stripes, groovy florals, and the wilderness and natural landscapes in the design elements, these fresh looks are screaming creativity and fun, allowing consumers to uniquely express themselves as they return to life outdoors.

“Consumers are hungry for new experiences and products, and we are offering an exciting fresh take” said Lyn Feinson, VP of Product Design and Development. “These new designs and colorways are filled with high octane, bright color palettes, nods to nature, and a cosmic purple to speak to the ‘23 color of the year lavender.”

Fit

Each season, Darn Tough uses consumer feedback to make improvements through rigorous prototyping and field testing. The Spring ’23 line includes an improved fit on their No-Show Hidden profiles. Boasting a higher heel cup and silicone-free grip to keep them from sliding down, this new fit is sure to keep your socks hiding just below your shoe line and living up to the name, No-Show. Aside from the updated look, Darn Tough added lightweight terry cushioning to each toe box for impact protection that will remove any pinch points and allow consumers to enjoy the whole day in extreme comfort.

Design

New for this season, Darn Tough created a new lifestyle collection for both men and women, Wild Life. Wild Life is the next installment following the success of the Animal Haus collection. Inspired by the 50thanniversary of the U.S Clean Water Act and other organizations that protect clean water for communities, this collection will have you in over your head with bubbly seahorses, moose that can fish and beach scenes that look bananas. With New England themes visually incorporated throughout the styles, the Wild Life collection features stripes with a solid heel and toe, an untamed look.

The Spring ’23 collection will be available January 2023.

Posted July 19, 2022

AATCC Announces More Foundation Scholarship Winners

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — July 19, 2022 — AATCC Foundation Scholarships help fund over 20 students in their collegiate journey each year. These scholarships are helping fund the future of the textile industry. This year, 26 recipients were awarded more than $90,000 in scholarship and fellowship funds for the fall 2022/spring 2023 semesters.

If you would like to fund a scholarship and make your mark in textiles, please visit https://members.aatcc.org/store/foundation/1330/ to donate!

The AATCC Foundation is proud to introduce this year’s scholars:

AATCC Foundation Textiles Scholarships

Textile Chemistry: David Speckhart

I am from Pfafftown, North Carolina. As a rising sophomore at NC State University, I am majoring in Polymer and Color Chemistry with an American Chemical Society certified concentration. I am also minoring in Forensic Science. I am extremely grateful to receive the AATCC Foundation Textile Chemistry Scholarship for the 2022-2023 school year. It is an honor to receive this scholarship to fund my education, as it will enable me to focus on my academics. Before I graduate, I plan to enroll in the Accelerated bachelor’s/master’s Program at NC State. Taking graduate-level classes as an undergraduate will allow me to get a Master’s in Textile Chemistry faster. After graduation, I would like to be involved in a field that would include either sustainable textiles or forensics.

Fibrous Materials Scholarship: Antonia Craig

I am currently a Senior, majoring in Materials Science and Engineering at Clemson University, with an emphasis in polymers and plastics. I plan on graduating in December 2022 with a BA. While I attend Clemson as a full-time student, I also have a part-time job to help pay for my tuition. It’s not easy to balance work and school, and I am truly grateful for the assistance this scholarship is providing. When I graduate, I plan on going into a field where I can work with fibers to create innovative products. I am beyond grateful to have been selected as the recipient of the AATCC Foundation Fibrous Materials Scholarship for the 2022-2023 school year. Thank you for your generosity.

Textile Design Scholarship: Josie Edwards

I’m a current senior at the University of Arkansas, studying Apparel Merchandising and Product Development! I have been involved with the UARK Student Chapter of AATCC for the past two years, and I am honored to be receiving the AATCC Foundation Textile Design Scholarship. I am so excited to enter the fashion industry in the months to come, and I am very appreciative of AATCC’s role in my journey.

Textile Merchandising Scholarship: Lily McGrath

I am a junior at North Carolina State University majoring in Fashion and Textile Management with a concentration in Brand Management and Marketing. I am also minoring in Economics and French. I am honored to be the recipient of the Textile Merchandising Scholarship and I look forward to the opportunities presented by the scholarship, like attending the Textile Discovery Summit in Charlotte, NC. After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to pursue a graduate degree in textiles or begin a career in licensing/intellectual property. Thank you to everyone at AATCC for supporting students across the textile industry.

AATCC Foundation Metro Scholarship: Ryan Greene

I’m a rising senior at Cornell’s College of Human Ecology studying Fiber Science with a minor in Environment and Sustainability. I’m extremely grateful to receive this year’s Metro Scholarship, as it will allow me to continue pursuing both my education and research with reduced financial stress. I am currently working on my Honors Thesis in which I am electrospinning PET filters from recycled water bottles to implement into reusable face masks. I hope that this project will be able to create comfortable and effective face masks while simultaneously reducing one of the most common sources of plastic waste. Following graduation, I want to pursue a masters in either chemical or materials science engineering, using that degree to aid in the global transition towards sustainable materials. Thank you again to the AATCC Foundation Metro Scholarship Committee for selecting me from a pool of highly qualified applicants — receiving this honor has been extremely validating in my academic pursuits.

AATCC Foundation Martin J. Bide University of Rhode Island Scholarship: Courtney Capozzi

This fall, I will be a senior, studying Textiles, Merchandising and Design (TMD) at the University of Rhode Island. I am both excited and grateful for the opportunity to receive the AATCC Foundation Martin J. Bide URI Scholarship. This scholarship will allow me to continue gaining the higher level of education I have always wanted. Throughout my time so far at URI, I have advanced my knowledge in the fashion industry while growing professionally and personally. What I love most about the TMD program at the University is that I learn so much more beyond just fashion and design. I have gained background knowledge in several different topics such as chemistry, supply chain, marketing, computer science, and more. My well-rounded knowledge has landed me an internship this summer to work as Merchandising Analyst for Walmart headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. I am eager to put my knowledge and skills to the test within this internship while learning even more about the merchandising industry. I hope to succeed greatly this summer and during my final year at URI. I would like to thank all of my professors, classmates, and the University of Rhode Island for guiding me through this stage of my career.

AATCC Foundation West Region Scholarship: Becca Ziegler

I will be a senior in apparel design this next school year, at Oregon State University. I recently got back from studying abroad in Florence, Italy, where I had an incredible time living in a new country and studying at Accademia Italiana Design School. Being able to study abroad helped me to realize that in my future career as an apparel designer, it is my goal to work abroad and get to take on the challenges and experiences of living somewhere new. This scholarship is extremely helpful to me in my journey to achieve my goals as I work on completing my degree and taking on internships. The support from AATCC all throughout my college journey is very appreciated!

To learn more about each individual scholarship, please visit https://www.aatcc.org/foundation/#grants. Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients!

Posted July 19, 2022

Source: AATCC

adidas TERREX Hoodie Made Using SPINNOVA® Lands In Stores

HELSINKI — July 15, 2022 — Four months after announcing its first product made of SPINNOVA, adidas is bringing the adidas TERREX HS1 hoodie to stores. The mid-layer hiking hoodie is made in part with Spinnova’s technology, at least 30 percent of the hoodie’s fabric comes from wood-based SPINNOVA® fiber. The hoodie is available online and in select retail outlets from July 15 onwards.

The unisex mid-layer is multi-functional: it works on the trails and rolls up into its hood for easy storage or even a travel pillow, and it has been designed with a spectrum of sizes, genders and forms in mind. The adidas TERREX HS1 works with the material’s natural color. Since no dyeing or bleacing is applied, in turn this uses less water compared to standard dyeing process.

“The adidas TERREX HS1 hoodie embodies our ambition of helping progressive partners like adidas bring to market versatile products that don’t compromise on performance,” said Spinnova’s Co-Founder and CEO Janne Poranen. “We’re excited to see how consumers embrace our first commercial product with adidas TERREX and look forward to continuing our strong collaboration with adidas.”

We’re so excited to partner with Spinnova on the adidas TERREX HS1 hoodie, a collaboration that shows progress and a product created for the consumer without compromise on performance or style,” said Carla Murphy, general manager of adidas TERREX. “By working together, we are taking a step forward in our journey designing the future in balance with nature.”

Spinnova’s first commercial scale factory is expected to be completed in Finland at the end of this year. Together with its investor and joint venture partner Suzano, Spinnova aims to scale its global production to one million tonnes of sustainable fibre annually within the next 10-12 years — providing global fashion brands and retailers with a versatile and sustainable fiber at scale.

Posted July 19, 2022

Source: Spinnova

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