Emily McGarvey Joins Modern Furniture Retailer Room & Board As Director Of Sustainability

MINNEAPOLIS — March 15, 2022 — Room & Board announces Emily McGarvey as its first director of Sustainability. In this new role, McGarvey will be responsible for implementing environmentally-sound strategies that further advance Room & Board’s mission of delivering built-to-last furniture through sustainable practices that prioritize American craftsmanship.

McGarvey brings 20 years of experience spearheading social and environmental strategies with a focus on product, supply chain, operations and branding. As Target’s director of Corporate Social Responsibility, she played an integral role in developing the corporation’s sustainability program, rolling out enterprise-wide initiatives including the company’s chemical management and transparency policy and their incredibly popular Car Seat Trade-In program. In 2018, she founded Star Impact Consulting, where she provided purpose-driven strategy and branding for both for-profit and nonprofit business sectors such as Apparel Impact Institute.

With a product line that is more than 90-percent American made and a long history of sustainable practices, Room & Board looks forward to expanding and amplifying its sustainability commitments under McGarvey’s guidance and expertise.

“My initial framework for furthering Room & Board’s sustainability strategy will elevate our position as a sustainability leader through a focus on how our home furnishings and décor are better for people and the planet, and to standardize the measures we hold ourselves to for our products and operations,” McGarvey said.

Founded in 1980, Room & Board creates timeless designs made from quality materials that have an enduring place in today’s homes. Sustainable practices have long been a pillar for the retailer. Current initiatives include sourcing reclaimed wood and incorporating recycled natural steel, plastic, and fabric into their furniture and decor.

“Hiring Emily and defining this role was the logical next step in our pledge to fight climate change and ensure we’re doing our part to protect the planet for generations to come,” said President and COO Bruce Champeau. “Room & Board has always been dedicated to local industries to craft our furniture. This model has allowed us to mitigate unnecessary waste and reduce the distance materials travel. We’ve proven that American made is not just smart business, it is also smarter environmentally.”

In 2017, Room & Board partnered with the USDA Forest Service to begin an initiative known as the Urban Wood Project. This partnership allows Room & Board to reclaim wood from old buildings destined for demolition and downed urban trees to repurpose them as unique, modern home furnishings. Since its start in Baltimore, the Urban Wood Project has expanded to Minneapolis, Detroit, Anaheim, and Sacramento, reclaiming the equivalent of more than 700 trees in the process.

As sustainability’s role in the retail industry is ever-evolving, McGarvey will navigate complex issues and further solidify Room & Board’s corporate values.

“Sustainability is exciting because it has the power to not only positively affect our communities and planet, but also a company’s bottom line – being sustainable should drive sales, reduce expenses, increase brand reputation, and mitigate brand risk,” McGarvey said.

Posted: March 15, 2022

Source: Room & Board

Polybion Completes Development Of World’s First Bacterial Cellulose Biomanufacturing Facility

MADRID and IRAPUATO, Mexico/ZURICH — March 15, 2022 — Polybion, the company growing next-generation materials designed with nature and manufactured with biology, today announced its bacterial cellulose facility is scaling up production, and the successful closing of a $4.4 million (4 million euros) Series A financing round led by Blue Horizon.

At maximum capacity, Polybion’s solar-powered, industrial-scale bacterial cellulose manufacturing facility will produce 1.1 million square feet per year of the company’s proprietary biotextile Celium®. Polybion is using the new funds to expand the company’s carbon-neutral bio-manufacturing facility, increase research and development efforts, and deploy Celium into consumer goods.

“Scaling the production of Celium, a sustainable alternative to animal-based textiles and petroleum-derived synthetics, is a huge step on Polybion’s mission to bring performance and possibility to 21st-century designers and materials engineers,” said Axel Gómez-Ortigoza, co-founder and chief executive officer, Polybion. “We are excited to partner with Blue Horizon, as we share a common vision on accelerating sustainability and the circular economy. In addition, having Blue Horizon as a partner allows us to scale new initiatives to build our brand and network.”

Tanmay Annachhatre, Blue Horizon principal, said, “We are happy to partner with Polybion and join Alexis, Axel, and the rest of this great team on their journey to create new and fully sustainable materials. Consumers, brands, and manufacturers are all seeking novel, sustainable materials. Few other companies have moved as quickly as Polybion to scale production of a completely circular material.”

Polybion was founded in 2015 by Mexican brothers Axel and Alexis Gómez-Ortigoza and Bárbara González Rolón. Together, they developed the tools and technology to grow high-performance bio-assembled materials by upcycling agro-industrial food waste and harnessing living organisms such as bacteria. Leveraging waste as raw material and designing, producing, and finishing products under the same roof are the north stars in Polybion’s long-term strategy.

Celium® is the first in a series of new biomaterials Polybion plans to create. Produced from the most abundant and versatile material on Earth – cellulose – Celium is an animal-free leather substitute with unique, high-performance characteristics that will ensure it becomes a new gold standard material for fashion, sportswear, and automotive applications. Polybion expects to reach the maximum production capacity of Celium per year by the third quarter of 2023 to fulfill the current demand from global brand collaborations.

“Polybion’s Celium has resonated with forward-thinking, global consumer brands across multiple sectors,” said Alexis Gómez-Ortigoza, Polybion co-founder and chief financial officer.  “With our expanded manufacturing capabilities, we are enhancing our ability to work with some of the world’s most iconic global consumer brands while reducing carbon emissions and displacing the animal-derived leather value chain. Our goal is to enhance these brands’ ability to accelerate the development of bioassembled products, increase sustainability, and accelerate the path toward the circular economy.”

Posted: March 15, 2022

Source: Polybion

Expansion Begins At Hexcel Engineered Core Operations Plant In Morocco

STAMFORD, Conn. — March 15, 2022 — Hexcel Corp. hosted customers and public officials today at its manufacturing site in the Midparc Free Trade Zone in Casablanca as the company broke ground on an expansion that will double the size of its existing engineered core manufacturing operation in Morocco to meet increased demand from aerospace customers for lightweight advanced composites.

The expansion, announced in September 2021, is expected to be completed in early 2023. The plant size will double to 24,000 square meters and employment is expected to increase from 120 to 400 people when the expansion is completed.

The Casablanca facility was built as part of Hexcel’s ongoing worldwide investment to create a diversified and robust global supply chain to support aerospace customers’ growing demand for engineered core. At the plant, Hexcel transforms lightweight honeycomb materials into engineered core parts to reinforce structures in the aerospace industry, particularly for aircraft, engine nacelles, and helicopter blades.

At the event, Thierry Merlot, Hexcel President – Aerospace for Europe, MEA/AP & Industrial, said: “We are pleased to celebrate this milestone with our customers and with the local community. The increased demand for lightweight, aerodynamic, advanced composites is growing, and our customers including Safran, Airbus, Airbus Atlantic, Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems have shown confidence in our ability to meet that demand. We appreciate the support from them as well as from the Ministry and everyone in the local community who continue providing us with the opportunity to further our investment in Morocco. The very successful establishment of Hexcel, the qualification of the workforce, the support of the state and the proximity of our customers have been real assets to launch this extension of our site in Casablanca.”

Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry & Trade said: “Hexcel’s decision to strengthen its presence at Midparc reflects the resilience, competitiveness and worldwide reputation of the Moroccan aerospace platform. We continue to support this project not only to help meet the growing demand for composite products but also to create more job opportunities for our youth and to further strengthen Morocco’s competitiveness through advanced technology and a decarbonized, circular industrial base. “

Hamid Benbrahim El Andaloussi, President of Midparc, said “The groundbreaking of the extension of the Hexcel plant at Midparc marks the strong recovery of the aerospace sector in Morocco after the downturn caused by COVID-19. In addition, it reflects a renewed confidence by Hexcel, a leader in advanced composite materials, in Morocco and in Midparc.”

Posted: March 15, 2022

Source: Hexcel Corp.

Milliken & Company Named To 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies For 16th Straight Year

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — March 15, 2022 — Milliken & Company has been recognized by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies. The diversified global manufacturer, with more than 60 locations and approximately 8,000 associates worldwide, is one of six companies to receive this prestigious ethics-based honor every year since the award’s inception.

“Ethisphere and its World’s Most Ethical Companies program is a key benchmark for the way we do business,” shares Halsey Cook, president and CEO for Milliken & Company. “Receiving this recognition for 16 straight years underscores the culture and commitment of Milliken team members globally. It’s who we are.”

In 2022, 136 honorees were recognized, spanning 22 countries and 45 industries. Milliken is one of seven industrial manufacturers. Grounded in Ethisphere’s proprietary Ethics Quotient®, the World’s Most Ethical Companies assessment process includes more than 200 questions on culture, environmental and social practices, ethics and compliance activities, governance, diversity, and initiatives to support a strong value chain. The process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify the leading practices of organizations across industries and around the globe.

Milliken’s run as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies illustrates its commitment to sustainability, recognizing that ethics anchors the company’s long-term success for all stakeholders.

“Congratulations to Milliken for achieving recognition as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 16th time,” said Ethisphere CEO Timothy Erblich. “We commend the entire Milliken team for this truly significant achievement and their commitment to driving positive, lasting change by intentionally creating a culture of ethics and purpose.”

Honorees

The full list of the 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies can be found here: https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees

Posted: March 15, 2022

Source: Ethisphere® / Milliken & Company

Chilewich, Designer Of Performance Textile Products, Announces Majority Investment By Berkley Capital

NEW YORK CITY — March 15, 2022 — Chilewich today announced that Berkley Capital, the private equity investment vehicle of W. R. Berkley Corp., has acquired a majority interest in the company. Founded in 2000 by designer and veteran entrepreneur Sandy Chilewich, Chilewich has grown from a pioneer of placemats to a global provider of textile products to the home furnishings, contract, hospitality, and transportation markets. Architect Joe Sultan joined the company as CEO in 2001. Partnering with Berkley Capital will help fuel Chilewich’s commitment to launch design-led innovations; inspire consumers and designers to choose beautiful, durable, made-to-last products through best-in-class brand marketing; and expand the company’s national and global reach.

“More than 20 years ago, I saw unlimited opportunities for weaving with extruded yarns. I was certain not only that this humble material could be made beautiful but also that it was able to last a lifetime,” said Sandy Chilewich, founder and creative director of Chilewich. “Today you can find our products in more than one hundred countries, and many of our first customers report that their placemats are still going strong. We’re thrilled to be embarking upon this next chapter with Berkley Capital. Their proven experience will be critical as the business accelerates growth going forward.”

“As we look toward the future, our goal was to find a partner who recognized the true value of our brand and the successful business we’ve built from scratch, and that is Berkley Capital,” said Joe Sultan, Chilewich CEO. “We are very much looking forward to this exciting and expansive new chapter for the company while staying true to our commitment to original design and American craftsmanship.”

“We chose to partner with Chilewich because of its design leadership, unparalleled product performance, and strong brand recognition across markets,” said Berkley Capital President, Frank Medici. “We’re proud to support the continued expansion of this rapidly
growing business, with capital as well as with our experience in supporting growth-oriented companies.”

Adds Berkley Managing Director Thomas Ghegan: “Sandy, Joe, and the rest of the talented leadership have built a company that is synonymous with original design and proven performance. We are excited to work with this innovation-oriented team, which is committed to realizing the tremendous potential for the Chilewich brand and its unrivaled products.”

Berkley Capital has become the majority owner of Chilewich, and Sandy Chilewich and Joe Sultan have retained minority ownership as they continue on with the company in advisory roles across design, research, development, and manufacturing.

John Edelman, former CEO of Design Within Reach, will join the Board of Chilewich, which will include Berkley Capital President, Frank Medici, and Managing Director, Thomas Ghegan, along with Sandy Chilewich and Joe Sultan.

Chilewich will continue to be headquartered in New York City, where it also operates two retail stores, and maintain operations at its 127,500-square-foot manufacturing facility and warehouse in Chatsworth, Georgia.

The Sage Group initiated the transaction and served as exclusive financial advisor to Chilewich. Troutman Pepper was legal advisor to Chilewich. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Posted: March 15, 2022

Source: Chilewich

ICE Europe: Reifenhäuser Cast Sheet Coating Presents New Ultrathin Coating Process For Film/Nonwoven Composites

MUNICH — March 14, 2022 — Reifenhäuser Cast Sheet Coating — specialists for cast film, sheet extrusion and extrusion coating lines — will showcase a completely new production process for cost-effective film/nonwoven composites with an exceptionally low grammage at ICE (International Converting Exhibition) Europe (Hall A5, Booth 1300). The leading international trade show for paper, film, and foil conversion and processing will be held at Messe München (Munich trade fair center) from March 15-17, 2022.

The Covid-19 pandemic and current supply shortages have exposed the dependence of companies on global supply chains. This situation is both a warning signal and an opportunity to boost and reorganize the local production of semi-finished products from the ground up. Reifenhäuser Cast Sheet Coating has now developed a trend-setting production process termed Ultrathin Coating, in particular for the sector of medical protective clothing. The process will permit customers to produce particularly lightweight film/nonwoven composites with greater cost efficiency and, as a result, more competitively. The patent-pending process has several advantages: It cuts film grammage by 66%; material consumption in the overall composite is reduced by 28%; and it slashes costs by up to 34% compared to conventional semi-finished products. Significant cost savings are achieved in various ways, for example, by replacing hotmelt adhesives, which reduces line maintenance to a great extent at the same time.

Mark Borutta, Sales & Marketing specialist at Reifenhäuser Cast Sheet Coating, explains: “We are currently experiencing a sustained increase in demand for medical protective clothing combined with a return strategy for local production capacity. Against this backdrop, producers achieve a fast return on investment and high profitability with Ultrathin Coating – even when production is based in Europe.” What is so special about Reifenhäuser Cast Sheet Coating’s solution is that its sister company, Reifenhäuser Reicofil, an experienced and global leading manufacturer of nonwoven lines, provided their invaluable support to the development.

Even if manufacturers already produce medical protective clothing and prefer to handle the coating process internally in the future instead of importing the necessary composites, it is worthwhile to set up an in-house production facility. In either case, the investment in Ultrathin Coating usually pays for itself in less than 12 months. The lower material input also reduces the consumption of fossil raw materials and this in turn responds to the increased demand for more sustainable products.

Posted: March 14, 2022

Source: Reifenhäuser GmbH & Co. KG Maschinenfabrik

Jeanologia Introduces Colorbox, The Efficient And Sustainable Alternative For Garment Dyeing

VALENCIA — March 14, 2022 — Jeanologia has introduced Colorbox, a technology for garment dyeing transforming the traditional way that garments are dyed in an efficient and faster process that respects the environment.

The dyeing is one of the most polluting processes in the fashion industry and with high production costs. Jeanologia is committed to creating an ethical and eco-efficient textile industry. This new technology makes an efficient and sustainable alternative possible, hitting a new milestone in the textile industry.

Colorbox reduces the environmental impact of the garment dyeing process, reducing resource use and pollution load of wastewater.

Through the perfect combination of Jeanologia technologies, the company provides the industry with advanced technical solutions, guaranteeing better production results at a lower environmental and production cost.

Enrique Silla, CEO at Jeanologia, stated that Colorbox considerably reduces water, chemical, energy and salts use in comparison with traditional garment dyeing processes, allowing a low EIM score. “The average saving for water and chemicals is 60 percent, 45 percent for energy and 76 percent for salt in garment dyeing,” Silla noted.

First time color reproducibility

The main cost of garment dyeing is the cost of reproducibility. With Colorbox it is possible achieve perfect reproducibility the first time with high-quality products and reduced production times. Jeanologia creates a new ecoefficient operating model for garment dying. This technology makes it is possible to dye the product, not only at the beginning of the process, but at any point during the manufacturing of the product, responding quickly to customer demands.

Silla describes how: “this allows us to reduce product color decision making deadlines, decreasing lead time to between two weeks and 48 hours in compared with the 18 weeks needed in traditional processes.”

More than 18.2 million cubic meters of water were saved in 2021

For World Water Day on March 22, Jeanologia has published the results of its annual ecological saving count by which it measures the amount of polluted water that is no longer poured into rivers and seas thanks to its technology.

In 2021, Jeanologia increased the amount of water saved and it is now 18,215,000 cubic meters; enough to provide the annual water consumption for one million people.

Also, for the first time, Jeanologia has measured carbon emissions mitigated using its technology. In 2021 the planet has been saved from 83,800,000 kilograms of CO2 emissions. This is the amount captured by a 100,000-acre woodland and a similar quantity to what would be eliminated by 5 million trees.

The company continues to work towards its MissionZero: the elimination of 100-percent of discharge generated in the manufacturing and finishing of Blue Jeans, from the fabric to the final garment, reducing the use of water to near zero and returning clean water to nature.

Posted: March 14, 2022

Source: Jeanologia

IDEA®22 Aims To Provide Industry Leaders With A Vital World View Of Nonwovens Through Expert Speakers Delivering Key Region Market Updates

CARY, N.C. — March 14, 2022 — Industry leaders will gain a compelling region-by-region view of the nonwovens industry from experts presenting the latest nonwovens trends in their areas of the world at IDEA®22, March 29-31, 2022, in Miami Beach.

Speakers with the latest knowledge will deliver important nonwoven market updates, demand forecasts and research findings on the industry in China, Asia, South America, North America and Europe.

The conference will explore how each region has responded to the pandemic challenges and supply chain issues with new innovations and solutions, providing IDEA®   attendees with vital insights for decision-making.

Program highlights include:

  • Overview and Green Innovation Development of China’s Nonwovens Industry,  by Guimei Li, Vice President, China Nonwovens and Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA) on March 29
  • South America – Land of Opportunity or Land of Turbulence? The Recent History and Trends That Are Shaping the South American Nonwovens Market, presented by Mariana Mynarski, Corporate Marketing Manager, Fitesa on March 29
  • Asian Nonwovens Production and Market Update by Chan-Hyou Park, Chairman, Asia Nonwoven Fabrics Association (ANFA) on March 30
  • Understanding the State of the North American Nonwovens Industry and a Market Gone Mad presented by Brad Kalil, INDA Director of Market Intelligence and Economic Insights on March 31
  • An Overview of Key Issues Facing Nonwovens on Top of European Market Trends presented by Pierre Wiertz, General Manager, EDANA on March 31

IDEA® Award Presentations

Another conference highlight will be the presentation of the IDEA® 2022 Achievement Awards in partnership with Nonwovens Industry magazine, based on the results of online voting in six categories as well as the announcement of the first Sustainability Advancement Award on March 30.

IDEA® — the World’s Preeminent Event for the Nonwovens & Engineered Fabrics Industry — will feature several hundred exhibitors from a myriad of industry sectors and is expected to once again draw an audience of several thousand senior-level buyers and attendees from over 60 countries to the Miami Beach Convention Center. A welcome reception will be held to officially kick off the event on March 28.

IDEA®22 Essentials of Nonwovens Training Courses

Product developers, marketing managers, technical sales, support and other professionals can expand their industry-focused knowledge by attending the IDEA®22 Essentials of Nonwovens Training Courses.

This vital training program will provide an immersive dive into the latest nonwoven technologies, industry segments and more with courses on absorbent hygiene cores, making nonwovens, industrial wipes and consumer wipes.

A must-attend educational session on patent searching on March 31 will cover the latest major changes in patent searches on the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website that has been updated to enhance user experience.

For registration information and details for the IDEA®22 Conference & Exhibition and Essentials of Nonwovens Training Courses, see https://www.ideashow.org/conference.php

Posted: March 14, 2022

Source: INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

Baldwin To Showcase Key Innovations Optimizing Converting, Printing And Film-Extrusion Processes At ICE Europe

ST. LOUIS — March 11, 2022 — Baldwin Technology Company Inc. — a one-stop source for high-performance coating, curing, treating, cleaning and inspection solutions — will feature pioneering new technology for optimizing converting, printing and film-extrusion processes in booth 1650 (hall A5) at ICE Europe, which will be held at the Munich Trade Fair Centre in Germany from March 15 to 17. Baldwin’s innovations are increasingly important now because they can help customers meet the burgeoning demand for film and packaging amid the many economic and logistical headwinds challenging the industry.

In addition, Michael Stürmer, Baldwin’s director of Strategic Accounts, will present “Back to the Future: The 100-year-old process-automation solutions the corrugated industry has overlooked, until now!” at 11:30 a.m. March 17 during the International Exhibition for the Corrugated and Folding Carton Industry, held in the same location as ICE.

Baldwin provides converters with expertise and a broad range of market-leading innovations that offer superior print results, and enhance the economic and environmental efficiency of print production processes. Solutions on display at ICE will include automated cylinder cleaning systems, corona surface pretreatment systems, LED-UV curing and IR-drying systems, hot-air dryers, rotary spray systems, and technologies for color management and defect detection, all of which increase productivity, reduce waste, improve working conditions and provide full control of producing flawless products.

“Ten years ago, the industry could manage with standard UV or IR/hot-air dryers,” said Carsten Barlebo, LED-UV Process Technology Specialist at AMS Spectral UV, a Baldwin Technology company. “Now, we see customers adopting LED-UV to allow them to compete and print the highest quality work at the fastest possible speeds, while improving their carbon footprint.”

Among the latest additions to Baldwin’s innovative lineup to be showcased at ICE is the new XP Quatro Series™ LED-UV curing module with one head and two frequencies for broader applications. It is designed to economically and efficiently cure LED-formulated printing inks and coatings on sheetfed and web offset printing presses, as well as on larger-format flexo presses and digital print engines.

Offering numerous market-leading features and patented dual-optic technology, the XP Quatro Series module provides unprecedented system flexibility and reliability. Hosting two large, high-performance LED-UV arrays, the new module delivers double the dose of a standard LED solution in a size only slightly larger than Baldwin’s standard compact XP Series module. The XP Quatro Series can emit two different wavelengths from the same head, so with deep, layered substrates, for instance, the longer wavelengths can penetrate further, and in applications that require simultaneous powerful surface curing for inks or adhesives, the shorter waves can achieve this at the same time. Additionally, in applications with dual chemistry on one substrate, such as two ink colors that cure better with different frequencies, both can be perfectly cured simultaneously.

With the XP Quatro Series, customers can easily integrate LED-UV technology into virtually any analog or digital printing press, further enhancing print quality while operating at top industrial speeds, and driving increased productivity and profitability.

Also at ICE, Baldwin will feature its automated FilmCylinderCleaner™, which consistently and efficiently cleans debris from the surface of process cylinders, ending the need for hand-cleaning. By automating this process, film extruders avoid stopping the line for debris buildup on the cylinder surface, eliminating restart waste and web-breaks, and dramatically increasing operator safety. By enabling shorter production changes, the FilmCylinderCleaner increases output and efficiency, while improving quality.

“Customers don‘t want to clean these large cylinders by hand,” said Baldwin’s Chief Commercial Officer Peter Hultberg. “The demands for a safer working environment, quality output, reduced downtime and increased production capacity are driving the industry to adopt automated solutions. Baldwin’s automated FilmCylinderCleaner is a proven, easy win that offers the added benefit of dramatically reducing the risk of damaging cylinder surfaces.”

Posted: March 11, 2022

Source: Baldwin Technology Company Inc.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $2.8 Million From Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative

LAWRENCE, Mass. — March 11, 2022 — The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $2.8 million in new infrastructure grants through the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative or M2I2 to three growing manufacturers. The three grants were announced by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy during an event at 99Degrees Custom in Lawrence, a 375-employee manufacturer of tech-integrated apparel, which received nearly $1.1 million in new state support. Grants were also awarded to Soliyarn, a maker of smart textiles based in Belmont, and to Human Systems Integration (H.S.I.), a wearable technology company headquartered in Walpole.

The three awards highlight the Commonwealth’s strength in innovative textiles, an advanced manufacturing sector targeted by the M2I2 program and a sector that the Commonwealth has played a leadership role in over the last two centuries.

“These three grantees are developing technical apparel used in medical and military applications, ‘smart’ products that provide enhanced protection from the elements but also provide enhanced functionality,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Through this support, they have the opportunity to enhance their ability to compete in markets across the U.S. and the globe.”

“Since its launch in 2016, M2I2 has impacted over 150 companies across the state and created hundreds of jobs at manufacturers like these,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “For these three grantees, the addition of new tools will help them grow their businesses, add jobs, and bring new products to market, further boosting our economy and growing our manufacturing sector.”

The M2I2 program, co-managed by the Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) at the MassTech Collaborative and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, aims to foster and grow sectors such as this to spur innovation and job growth within the state through cross-collaboration among companies, universities, national labs, government, incubators, accelerators, and other academic and training institutions. To date, the program has invested over $80 million in direct grants to growing companies, universities, and research labs across the state.

“Through the M2I2 program, we identify manufacturers that can leverage state funding to drive future growth, allowing them to become more efficient, more competitive, and more responsive to customer needs,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “For 99Degrees, Soliyarn, and H.S.I., these grants will help fuel the development of new products and drive corporate expansion, while simultaneously creating more high-skilled jobs and more innovative ‘Made in Mass’ products in the marketplace.”

The three awarded projects, totaling $2,838,375, include:

  • 99Degrees Custom, Lawrence, Mass., $1,088,375 for the project, “Integrated Apparel Innovation Center:” 99Degrees incubates, designs for manufacture, and produces technical performance activewear and wearable technology-integrated apparel for medical device, technology, and apparel retail companies. The Integrated Apparel Innovation Center at their facility will include a rapid prototyping center for apparel and technology-integrated apparel products, as well as an equipment R&D lab to design, develop and build the tooling and machinery needed to incubate and scale the production of advanced concept apparel and wearable technologies. This industry-led innovation center will ensure that the ideas coming out of the Commonwealth’s labs, academic institutions, research centers, and technologies companies are able to be designed for manufacture, piloted, and produced at-scale in Massachusetts.
  • Soliyarn, Belmont, Mass., $1,500,000 for an expansion project to build a manufacturing facility with scalable CVD Roll-to-Roll System for Conductive & PFC free DWR textiles. This project will complete a manufacturing facility with a scalable chemical vapor deposition (CVD) roll-to-roll system for conductive and durable water repellent (DWR) textiles that are free of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs). The objective is to expand the manufacturing capabilities and commercialize the technology by designing and building a roll-to-roll system of CVD chambers that will allow Soliyarn to produce bolts of conductive and DWR fabric. This higher throughput roll-to-roll machine, and other ancillary supporting elements, are required to meet identified military needs and the exploding market demand for these types of fabrics.
  • Human Systems Integration (H.S.I.), Walpole, Mass., $250,000 for the project Critical Manufacturing, Assembly, and Integration of Garment-Embedded, Textile Electronics Elements.  The objective of this project is to develop a new garment-embedded, wearable electronics platform that will be configurable during manufacturing to any desired product application. This program represents an opportunity for HSI, plus their current and emerging industry partners in Massachusetts, to establish a garment-embedded electronics supply chain for multiple products, applications, and markets. This initial Heated Apparel product offers a stepping stone to the development and deployment of an exciting garment-embedded electronics product category. This is the second M2I2 grant to H.S.I., following a nearly $1.5 million award announced in October 2019.

“99Degrees is honored to receive an M2I2 grant to scale our rapid prototyping and apparel development capabilities and to launch an automation + tooling R&D lab at our headquarters in Lawrence,” said Brenna Nan Schneider, CEO and Founder of 99Degrees. “Our lab will be New England’s first industry-led apparel innovation center focused on automation and tooling for apparel manufacturing and wearable tech integration. In this moment of surging demand for US manufacturing, the M2I2 grant helps us compete globally while employing locally. This grant is an investment in the future of US manufacturing, wearable technology innovation, and, most importantly, job creation right here in Lawrence.”

“Soliyarn is honored to have the support of the Baker-Polito Administration in our mission to innovate and transform the textile industry in the Commonwealth, using science developed at UMass Amherst by Dr. Trisha L. Andrew,” said Adrian Beach, Managing Member at Soliyarn. “This grant is incredibly impactful and allows us to take an active role in the rejuvenation of textile manufacturing in Massachusetts and help us lead the world in wearable technology.”

“H.S.I. is extremely grateful for the support shown to us by MassTech, along with various other state agencies,” said Brian Farrell, President and CEO of H.S.I. “This is the latest in a number of state collaborations which continue to drive our business towards our ultimate mutual end goals of new innovative products, which will in turn create additional jobs and bring additional revenues back into the Commonwealth. We consider ourselves fortunate to have established our business in a state which is actively committed to investing in the advancement of garment embedded technologies, both at a state and federal legislature and state body level.”

The Baker-Polito Administration has committed more than $100 million in funding to the M2I2 effort, which allows the Commonwealth to co-invest in projects supported by the national Manufacturing USA initiative, helping promote innovation and job growth across the state. The three grantees have also received support from the Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) national manufacturing institute based in Cambridge.

“Our strong manufacturing sector and involvement with companies through programs like M2I2 was a key reason why Massachusetts was quickly able to address the negative supply issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ben Linville-Engler, Chief Investment Strategist at the MassTech Collaborative. “The Commonwealth’s engagement with manufacturers and partnership with key R&D facilities, made it much easier to help textile manufacturers and others pivot to produce millions of masks, gowns, and face shields that were in high-demand at that time because that trust and collaboration already existed. These investment programs have created a strong foundation that have led to these manufacturing success stories that we intend to continue to build on.”

“AFFOA is excited to partner with Massachusetts manufacturers pushing the boundaries on advanced textile manufacturing innovation,” said Sasha Stolyarov, CEO of AFFOA. “These grants will support the development of scalable manufacturing processes, enabling a broad range of cutting-edge capabilities, from functional apparel with embedded sensors to electronic textiles for defense applications.”

In addition to the $80 million directly invested in Massachusetts organizations, M2I2 has leveraged over $250 million in funding from outside sources, helping to enable the development of over 100 new products. In addition to infrastructure investments, the program has also created workforce training opportunities for thousands of students and workers statewide.

“I want to congratulate 99Degrees for being awarded a Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2) Grant to help launch their Integrated Apparel Innovation Center,” said Senator Barry Finegold. “Investments in programs like M2I2 are critical to support economic and career growth in Lawrence and other Gateway Cities. I’m proud to see that Massachusetts continues to be a hub for innovative and emerging technologies.”

“Human Systems Integration is a national leader in wearable technologies and manufacturing innovation right here in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Paul Feeney.  “The funding received by HSI in East Walpole will continue to support the company’s cutting-edge products while supporting the skilled workforce that makes this innovation possible. I am thrilled that HSI will continue to benefit from the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2) Program, and I thank the Baker Administration and the leadership at HSI for their ongoing commitment to manufacturing here in the Commonwealth.”

“For more than three centuries, manufacturing along the Neponset River in East Walpole has been on the cutting edge of innovation,” said Representative John Rogers. “Human Systems Integration, Inc. (HSI) has continued this legacy.  I am pleased that this state funding will continue to incentivize technological and economic growth in our region and excited to see the new state of the art products this business will create.”

Manufacturers with facilities in Massachusetts can learn more about funding opportunities through the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and the M2I2 program at https://cam.masstech.org.

Posted: March 11, 2022

Source: Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech)

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