ORORO Heated Apparel Announces The Release Of New State-Of-The-Art Heated Scarf

LAS VEGAS — November 2, 2021 — ORORO Heated Apparel is thrilled to announce the launch of a new Unisex Heated Scarf to help keep you warm this winter season.

This new scarf is designed for ultimate performance with transformative features. The scarf heats up in just three seconds, providing quick and long lasting warmth. There are three levels of heat allowing you to select the perfect level of comfort and the large heating area ensures that your entire neck stays warm.

There are travel friendly features like the lightweight battery, the same one used for our heated gloves, so you only have to pack one charger to charge both items – adding extra convenience when packing for your next outdoor adventure. Our new scarf is also TSA-friendly, making it easy to pack for trips.

Other features include: water-resistant, wind-resistant, and breathable lining which is perfect for active outdoor activities.

Posted November 2, 2021

Source: ORORO Heated Apparel

Denim: ISKO And Soorty Launch ISKO Future Face™ By Soorty Collection: A First-Of-Its-Kind Collaboration

BURSA, Turkey — November 2, 2021 — Back in June, ISKO and Soorty announced the signing of a landmark technology licensing agreement which sees the two companies working in partnership on the production of fabric and garment collections. Today, the two companies have announced the launch of their first collaborative effort – ISKO Future Face™ by Soorty collection.

Created using ISKO’s innovative ISKO Future Face™ technology, the collection is produced by Soorty specifically for the US market. The ISKO Future Face™ technology is a patented woven fabric that looks like a knit: it combines a soft, silky finish with comfort, enhanced shape retention and a flattering drape, while maintaining all the properties of true denim. ISKO Future Face™ by Soorty is washed using the most responsible laundry techniques that avoid the use of stones, PPE or hazardous chemicals while reducing the water, energy and resource need, a collection that will help consumers to take care of the planet while staying stylish and comfortable.

As people emerge from isolation after a year and a half, it’s clear that everyone has been changed by the pandemic. Clothing is yet another reminder of this unintended yet undeniable transformation. Designing a life between masks, remote working, going out and meeting with nature whenever possible has brought back the sense of wellbeing to city lives. While defining a new normal, there shouldn’t be a choice between city life and comfort and both can be mutually inclusive. This is the age of a global awakening, abandoning the norm and embracing change which is necessary for a transition towards a brighter future for the industry.

Being truly at the forefront of sustainability, inclusivity, technology and education, both brands are always evolving and launching different initiatives that focus on a change for the better for the industry. Examples include Soorty approaching DENIM AS A POWER OF GOOD with a continuous investment on latest technology smart machinery and innovations that use less of what is limited and make more of it as well numerous CSR projects they conduct focusing on equality and welfare of all, creating an inclusive workplace, creating a transparent education platform, introducing the one size fits all – adaptive denim technology with genderless and unisex fabrics to open room for inclusivity, diversity and responsibility .

As for ISKO, the leading denim ingredient brand is continuously advancing circularity in fashion through new partnerships and activities, as well as contributing its expertise in textile innovation. A case in point is its recently announced participation in The Jeans Redesign, a project established by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Make Fashion Circular initiative, and the commitment that 85% of ISKO’s entire fabric production will consist of recycled material content made from pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled materials – a production that will be independently verified by Textile Exchange audit bodies. It has also provided scholarships to underprivileged students through the Sani Konukoğlu foundation.

For the ISKO Future Face™ by Soorty campaign, no editing or photoshop was used on the imagery of the models. This is the brands’ next continuation on the inclusivity movement, accepting different bodies, embracing everyone, and staying true to oneself without falling for the image that society portrays. This complements going back to the city after the pandemic and provides a reconnection moment which is the main story of the collection.

The collaboration between the two powerhouses combines ISKO’s renowned expertise in creating best-in-class, patented technologies with Soorty’s extensive vertical production network, which will be utilized to produce the collections; it also taps into a true passion for fashion solutions that never sacrifice looking good while upping their responsibility and sustainability game. This unique collaboration opens the door to significant, new business opportunities for both companies and will enable them to meet customers’ needs on a greater scale.

Through this partnership, ISKO and Soorty have developed a business model that is a first in the industry with the potential to change working practices for the better and unlock value for the entire market through the scaling of responsible innovations. The two players are driven by a shared approach that prioritizes synergy, cross-fertilization, and a quest for constant improvement.

Today’s business landscape is calling out to all stakeholders to create connections that help take care of the planet and its people. ISKO’s Responsible Innovation™ approach is founded on creativity, competence and citizenship and demonstrates the company’s effort to make the world a better place. Soorty, Pakistan’s largest vertically integrated denim company, is committed to a vision of a clean, green and fair future for all, which is a perfect alignment for this partnership.

“We have always aimed at pioneering new models and innovations for the industry, like patenting textile technologies and building an actual denim ingredient brand”, said Marco Lucietti, ISKO Director of Strategic Projects. “We are now proud to be the ones to initiate this kind of new collaboration together with Soorty.”

“ISKO Future Face™ by Soorty is a truly game changing offer that can be used to create an endless array of products, all of which are in high demand in both the pandemic and post-pandemic world. We’re hugely excited by the possibilities this opens up for the market”, said Asad Soorty, Director of Soorty Enterprises.

Posted November 2, 2021

Source: ISKO

Polartec Announces Switch To Peppermint For Metal-Free Odor Resistance

ANDOVER, Mass. — November 2, 2021 — Polartec®, a Milliken & Company brand, and creator of innovative and sustainable textile solutions, announced a switch to peppermint for metal-free odor resistance treatment across its line of performance fabrics. The bluesign®-certified peppermint oil odor resist treatment is an easily renewable, highly sustainable and biodegradable solution for inhibiting odor at the source. The more environmentally friendly push to use peppermint oil is just the latest in Polartec’s ever growing Eco-Engineering initiative.

Performance fabrics have long included anti-odor additives to improve product quality, lifespan, and reduce energy usage through washing. Under Polartec’s Eco-Engineering initiative, the company is constantly exploring better solutions for technical fabrics that meet and exceed the highest possible standards of quality, performance and sustainability.

Knowing that body odor occurs when bacteria metabolize fatty acids and proteins in sweat, and secrete waste, Polartec turned to peppermint oil, which effectively inhibits the growth of odor-causing microbes in the fabric.

The odorless peppermint oil-based treatment was proven in R&D trials to achieve a 99-percent microbial reduction, even after 50 wash cycles (per industry standard testing JIS L1902).  According to those results, the treatment is effectively permanent. In garment use trials, where it really counts, Polartec’s “sniff judges” rated the odor control as better than or equal to the protection offered by past metal containing treatments. A bellwether of peppermint oil-based treatment, all Polartec Power Dry®, Polartec Power Grid™, and Polartec Delta™ fabrics will have permanent odor resistance. Production in Italy and China will begin in the late fall, with the United States to follow in 12 months.

“This new odor-resist treatment using responsibly sourced, all natural peppermint oil aligns with our overarching Polartec Eco-Engineering™ mission, which is to develop performance materials based in sustainable science,” said Karen Beattie, Senior Polartec Product marketing manager.

Sustainably harvested using an eco-friendly steam extraction process, peppermint oil is a naturally derived solution to an age-old problem.

Posted November 2, 2021

Source: Polartec®, a Milliken & Company brand

New ITMAlive Series Features Textile Industry Trending Topics 

BRUSSELS — November 2, 2021 — The second season of ITMAlive, a content series created to support the ITMA exhibition is launched today. Comprising four industry discussions, the new ITMAlive series seeks to offer deeper discussions amongst industrialists on trending topics affecting the global textile and garment industry.

The discussions are based on ITMA 2023’s overarching theme of Transforming the World of Textiles and its focused areas: advanced materials, automation and digital future, innovative technologies, and sustainability and circularity.

Charles Beauduin, chairman of ITMA Services — organizer of ITMA 2023 — commented: “This new season follows last year’s Forging Ahead amidst a Pandemic series which consisted of interviews with 8 prominent leaders of textile and garment industry companies that had remained agile and resilient during the global coronavirus crisis. For this year’s series, we are privileged to have established leaders of the textile and garment industry to share in-depth views, create awareness to anticipate future demand and ideas to future-proof their business. Such discussions also create a more vibrant community within our industry.”

Each of the ITMAlive panel discussions features three industry members with the session moderated by a key media representative.

Panel 1: Advanced Materials

Moderated by Adrian Wilson, analyst and writer in technical textiles, nonwovens and composites industries from AWOL Media, the session covers the new technologies for the production of advanced materials and an overview of the current state of the industry and what can be expected in the near future.

The panel members are:

  • Lutz Walter, Secretary General, European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing (ETP)
  • Jerome Ville, CEO, Fibroline SA
  • Dr. Thomas Schmidt, Director of Innovation and RSL, Huafeng Textile Group

Panel 2: Automation and Digital Future

Spotlighting on the digital future, barriers to automation, and challenges to creating a sustainable future for the textile industry, the discussion is moderated by Madelaine Thomas, content lead, World Information Textile Network (WTiN).

The panelists include:

  • Hayato Nishi, Public Relations Manager, Shima Seiki USA
  • Jonas Larsson, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Textiles, Engineering and Business, The Swedish School of Textiles
  • Uwe Gansfort, Managing Director, canda International, C&A FIT (Factory for Innovation in Textiles)

Panel 3: Innovative Technologies

Focusing on current smart textiles trends and developments, and their impact on textile manufacturing technologies, the discussion is moderated by Claudia van Bonn, editor-in-chief, TextileTechnology, dfv media group.

The panel comprises:

  • Jean-Marc Senecot, Global Head of Research & Development, Porcher Industries
  • Michael Kieren, Product Manager, New Textile Technologies, Karl Mayer Stoll R&D
  • Prof Yoel Fink, Professor of Materials Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Panel 4:Sustainability and Circularity

As circularity becomes more crucial for the textile industry, the discussion will zoom in on why the textile industry needs to move towards more circular model, the opportunities/challenges around the implementation of these solutions and the way forward. It is moderated by John Mowbray, environmentalist and founder, Ecotextile News.

Panelists include:

  • Karla Magruder, Founder, Accelerating Circularity
  • Petri Alava, CEO, Infinited Fiber
  • Baptiste Carriere-Pradal, Chairperson, The Policy Hub

The series is available online at www.itma.com with a new panel discussion uploaded every Tuesday till 23 November. Click on this to view the first panel discussion on Advanced Materials.

The world’s largest textile and garment technology exhibition, ITMA will be held at Fiera Milano Rho, Milan, from 8 to 14 June 2023. It is expected to draw strong response. More details on stand space application can be found on the website. For participation enquiries, please email: application@itma.com.

The last ITMA exhibition, held in Barcelona in 2019, featured exhibits from the entire textile and garment making value-chain, including raw materials and fabrics. It drew a record-breaking participation of 1,717 exhibitors from 45 countries and visitorship of more than 105,000 from 136 countries.

Posted November 2, 2021

Source: CEMATEX and ITMA Services

Solico Engineering Showcase Superyacht, Commercial And Small Boat Engineering Capabilities At METS 2021

OOSTERHOUT, The Netherlands — November 2, 2021 — Solico, a Maritime composite engineering specialist, will be exhibiting at METS 2021 in Amsterdam from the November 16-18, 2021. The Solico stand will highlight the company’s full spectrum of composite engineering capabilities, focusing on sailing superyachts, motor superyachts, commercial marine craft, and small boats. Also on display will be two of Solico’s most recent projects, an all-carbon fibre captive reel winch from superyacht spar and component specialist Rondal, and a scale model of the new 30’ Aeolos P30 race boat.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the maritime sector, Solico works alongside many of the leading shipyards and builders, providing smart composite engineering solutions for vessel hulls, decks, superstructures, rigs, hatches, hull doors, rudders, radar masts, bowsprits, winches, anchor systems, and even propellers.

Solico has worked with market leading composite spar and component builder Rondal on a wide variety of engineering projects and is delighted to be able to showcase one of these most recent marine applications at METS 2021. The stunning all composite Rondal halyard winch on display on the Solico stand, the middle-sized unit from a set of 3 winch sizes engineered by Solico, is designed for a nominal line load of 18,000kg. Solico completed the FE analysis, structural verification, and laminate specifications for the carbon prepreg winch housing and filament wound carbon fibre winch drum. Weight reduction in these highly loaded winch systems improves the overall efficiency of the sail handling package as well as contributing to stability improvements and allowing additional equipment to be carried onboard.

The Aeolos Performance 30 (P30) is a lightweight carbon racing yacht, optimised for single and double handed sailing from UAE based Aeolos Composites. Earlier in 2021, Solico delivered a complete composite engineering package for the P30 including structural verification, laminate lay-ups and production drawings for the yacht’s hull, deck, coach roof, bowsprit, keel, and rudder.

Unique to the Aeolos P30 design is the option to purchase a 1:10 scale fully functional radio-controlled version of this all-carbon fibre race boat. One of these smaller P30’s will be on display on the Solico stand, whilst the full-size version is completed in Dubai before starting sea trials imminently.

The Solico team will be on hand throughout METS 2021 on stand EF.315 and are looking forward to once again being able to meet face to face with new and existing clients, sharing their expertise, and creating the smartest composite engineering solutions.

Posted November 2, 2021

Source: Solico Engineering B.V.

Indorama Ventures Strengthens Its Top Management Council With New Appointments And Role Rotations

BANGKOK, Thailand — November 2, 2021 — Indorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd. (IVL), a global sustainable chemical company, today announced it has strengthened its Indorama Management Council (IMC) — the company’s highest operational management committee — by rotating experienced executives and adding the COOs of the Fibers and Integrated Oxides & Derivatives (IOD) segments.

The elevation of Christopher Kenneally, COO of Fibers, and Alastair Port, COO of IOD, to the IMC — will enable more agile decision making as they build their high-growth segments into self-sustaining organizations that maximize value for IVL stakeholders. The appointments are effective immediately.

In a rotation of roles, Sanjay Ahuja, the current CFO of IVL, will switch to interim COO of Combined PET (CPET) for a period of 2 years, effective January 2022, as part of a rotation of senior expertise across the IMC. He will report to D K Agarwal as CEO, who will take on additional broader responsibilities as CFO. The CPET role rotation will enable new dynamism in this largest segment of IVL and establish a self-sustaining organization for the permanent successor that IMC selects over this period. Agarwal will be supported by Ashok Jain in an enhanced role as controller, covering Banking & Finance, Global Consolidation, Taxation and M&A.

Further, Klaus Holz will join the IMC as chief human resources officer, effective January 1, 2022. He replaces Roberto Bettini who will retire at the end of 2021.

Aloke Lohia, group CEO of Indorama Ventures, said, “It is important that we continue to nurture a ‘growth mindset’ by adding new executives to the c-suite and rotating experienced directors. Our newest business leaders in, Fibers and IOD, are now represented at the highest decision-making level which gives them the support they need, as our premium growth drivers, to realize full value for our stakeholders. I wish these exceptional executives all the best in their enhanced roles on our IMC as they help steer IVL to a bright future.”

Posted November 2, 2021

Source: Indorama Ventures

Bolger & O’Hearn’s Frank Keohan To Discuss The Role Of Industry Collaboration During A Crisis

FALL RIVER, Mass. — November 1, 2021 — On Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at IFAI Expo in Nashville, Tennessee, Bolger & O’Hearn’s Frank Keohan will deliver a campfire presentation that discusses the important roles that collaboration, pivoting and quick action played in meeting the urgent need for medical personal protective equipment (PPE) during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Keohan is Bolger & O’Hearn’s senior technology manager.

Titled “Pivoting on a Dime During a Time of Crisis,” the presentation will take place at 3:30pm in Booth A900 at the Music City Center convention complex in downtown Nashville.

During the early stages of the pandemic, China provided an estimated 85 percent of all of the medical personal protective equipment (PPE) used by physicians and hospitals in the United States. Shortages quickly emerged, including FDA Levels 1, 2 and 3 medical gowns. In response, several US textile companies turned to B&O for guidance on converting their operations to meet the sudden need for medical textiles.

Keohan will review the process involved including relevant testing methods and FDA  requirements.

In addition, Keohan’s presentation will discuss the role that fluorine-free durable water repellents played meeting that demand. He will also discuss the role fluorine-free, durable water repellents are playing now, as the textile industry moves toward increased focused on sustainability and the reduction of PFOA’s from the global textile supply chain.

A question & answer session will follow Keohan’s presentation and additional information will be available at Bolger & O’Hearn’s booth, A1114, in the Advanced Textiles section of IFAIExpo 2021.

Posted November 1, 2021

Source: Bolger & O’Hearn

The Green Machine To Transform Textile Recycling In Cambodia

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — October 12, 2021 — Today, an ambitious project to address textile waste in Cambodia was announced. The lead role is played by the Green Machine, the world’s first technology that can recycle blend textiles at scale, developed by The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited (HKRITA) and the H&M Foundation.

The announcement was made by an international consortium initiated by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ FAB-RIC project), HKRITA, Chip Mong Insee, Dakota Industri-al, H&M Foundation and VF Corp., one of the world’s largest apparel and footwear companies. A feasibility study is currently being launched to deploy the Green Machine in Cambodia by 2022. The Green Machine will contribute to a better future for people of Cambodia and the planet.

“Our aim is to develop technologies and solutions that can have a positive impact on our planet, and the Green Machine is an excellent example of that. The continuously growing demand for this solution will drive change and generate value for the entire fashion and textile industry,” said Edwin Keh, CEO at HKRITA.

The fashion supply chain ranges from production of fibres to the retail channels. However, it is at the manufacturing stages where the most harmful environmental effects are created. The processes are resource intensive in which large amounts of water and chemicals are used. Moreover, an estimated 10-15% of the total fabric used to produce garments currently becomes waste already at the cutting stage. Today, most of it ends up in landfill or is burnt.

To create a more sustainable fashion future, circular practices are key. Therefore, GIZ through its FABRIC project, brought together all key partners along the garment supply chain to assess the industrial scale development of the Green Machine in Cambodia.

The Green Machine, developed by HKRITA with the support from H&M Foundation, is the world’s first technology that can separate and recycle polyester and cotton blend textiles at scale without any quality loss. Recycling of single materials has long been possible, but the recycling of blends — and cotton and polyester blends being the world’s most common type of textile — has not. The Green Machine has changed the game. The process uses only heat, water and less than 15 percent of a biodegradable chemical to separate cotton and polyester materials in a closed loop system.

GIZ Fabric will support a feasibility study of The Green Machine in Cambodia so that the private partners could take an informed decision to deploy this cutting-edge technology to start waste recycling in Cambodia for the first time ever, by 2022.

“Better waste management will have a positive impact on communities’ resources such as water, air quality and land use. This will reduce long term stress factors and sources for conflict of different kinds. It will also create new jobs and a sense of pride,” said Marc Beckmann, project director of GIZ FABRIC

Posted November 1, 2021

Source: H&M Foundation

Kontoor Brands Launches Indigood™ Facility Certification Program Aimed At Expanding The Adoption Of Water Saving Technologies In Textile Production Globally

GREENSBORO, N.C. — October 28, 2021 — Kontoor Brands Inc., a global lifestyle apparel company with a portfolio led by two of the world’s most iconic consumer brands, Wrangler® and Lee®, today announced the expansion of its water-saving manufacturing program, Indigood™ Facility Certification. This expansion is part of Kontoor’s strategy to reduce the company’s carbon footprint and accelerate sustainability efforts including establishing science-based targets for carbon emissions, reducing freshwater during manufacturing, increasing renewable energy adoption, and transitioning to sustainable raw materials sourcing.

Launched in 2019, with the revolutionary introduction of foam dyed denim, the Indigood program recently expanded to include additional freshwater-conservation technologies used in textile manufacturing. Through the Indigood Facility Certification program, Kontoor is encouraging textile mills across the globe to adopt radically different water saving technologies. Textile manufacturing facilities using 90 percent less freshwater than conventional fabric production may qualify for full certification.

“At Kontoor Brands, we believe companies have a responsibility to use resources wisely, drive sustainable innovations, and preserve and protect the planet,” said Jeff Frye, vice president of Procurement, Product Development, Innovation and Sustainability, Kontoor Brands. “Wherever possible, we must challenge and encourage our end-to-end supplier network and other retail brands to incorporate these principles into their businesses. We view expanding our Indigood™ partnerships to textile mills across the globe as an important step that can significantly improve freshwater conservation efforts within the apparel industry.”

As of March 2021, Kontoor Brands has saved more than 8 billion liters of water through initiatives like Indigood. To expand its impact, Kontoor Brands is analyzing denim manufacturing facilities around the world, certifying those deploying processes that decreases freshwater use. This initiative aims to identify and highlight factories that have or are actively working to improve their water footprint.

The Indigood Facility Certification launched this fall with Arvind Ltd.’s Naroda Facility in India, the first textile mill to be certified through the Indigood program. Kontoor will survey program participants on a bi-annual basis to confirm continued compliance with certification standards.

“Indigood promotes advancing sustainable operations in denim manufacturing. Kontoor Brands has bridged the gap between sustainability and sourcing by encouraging the use of fabrics that are created by mills that prioritize water stewardship,” said Aamir Akhtar, CEO, Arvind. “We are honored to be the first mill certified, achieving the Indigood standard.”

Posted November 1, 2021

Source: Kontoor Brands Inc.

Unifi Elects Rhonda Ramlo To The Board Of Directors

GREENSBORO, N.C. — October 28, 2021 — Unifi Inc. today announced the election of Rhonda Ramlo to the board of directors, effective October 27, 2021.

Ramlo is currently vice president and general manager of Strategy, Acquisitions, and New Business Development at The Clorox Co., a leading multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products, a position she has held since 2013. Prior to her current role, she served as vice president and general manager of The Clorox Co.’s Laundry and Water Filtration businesses. Before joining the Clorox Co., Ramlo spent over 15 years in various executive leadership positions with Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Holdings, Inc. She also currently sits on the board of directors of two privately-held consumer packaged goods companies, Nuun Inc. and REDD Bar. Ramlo received her B.A. in economics from the University of California, Berkley and obtained her MBA in general management from Harvard Business School.

Al Carey, executive chairman of Unifi, stated: “We are very excited to welcome Rhonda to Unifi’s board of directors. She brings nearly three decades of experience in strategic and business development consulting. Rhonda has a wonderful track record in brand strategy, marketing, sales, and innovation. We are confident that her contributions and expertise will enhance Unifi’s growth potential.”

Ramlo stated: “I am grateful to join the Board of Directors of Unifi. This is an exciting time for the Company, as sustainability continues to become an even more prominent factor in the business environment. The team’s dedication to innovation and sustainability is paramount to creating the future of textile products. I look forward to working with the Unifi team and leveraging my past experiences to generate future success.”

Posted November 1, 2021

Source: Unifi, Inc.

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