MEMPHIS, Tenn. — February 13, 2025 — The National Cotton Council (NCC) congratulates Brooke Rollins on her confirmation as the new U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
The NCC is confident as Ms. Rollins steps in as the new Secretary of Agriculture that her knowledge and commitment to producers and rural America will be vital in our efforts to strengthen the farm economy. The NCC looks forward to collaborating with Secretary Rollins to bring about positive developments for cotton and all of agriculture.
DURHAM, N.C. — February 13, 2025 — AATCC is still accepting submissions to the NEW 2025 Concept 2 Consumer Design & Merchandising Student Competition. The popular design and merchandising competitions have now been combined into one to allow students to better showcase their full range of skills.
Textile students are tasked with designing and merchandising an apparel collection based on the 2025 competition theme, “Creating Comfort: Waterway-Conscious Casual Apparel”. This theme aims to tackle issues regarding sustainability as many current textile items marketed as “comfortable” have a high ecological impact on waterways through microfiber shed, low tolerance to repeat laundering, and high-water usage during production. The industry relevant theme challenges students to think about how choices made early in the design and merchandising processes can reduce the environmental footprint of apparel.
To support and educate the students on competition related topics, AATCC is proud to offer webinars on topics such as textile testing, fiber fragments, low-impact textile production methods, and professional development. An official schedule of competition affiliated events can be found on the competition website.
The competition is open to all undergraduate and graduate students around the globe. Participants must be an AATCC student member to enter and AATCC memberships must be purchased prior to April 21, 2025, to be eligible. Only one entry per student per AATCC competition per year is permitted and entries are due April 23, 2025.
Awards
The first-place prize will be awarded US $2,000 from AATCC, US $300 from Farhan Patel, $150 from VV Hanwei Su, and a Color Atlas by Archroma® Mini Edition.
The second-place prize will be awarded US $1,500 from AATCC, US $200 from Farhan Patel, $100 from VV Hanwei Su, and a Color Atlas by Archroma® Mini Edition.
The third-place prize will be awarded US $500 from AATCC, $100 from Farhan Patel, $50 from VV Hanwei Su, and a Color Atlas by Archroma® Mini Edition. All winners will receive one (1) free year of AATCC membership.
Entries will be judged based on content, creativity, completeness, thoroughness, and presentation of poster. Winners will be announced in May 2025.
Sponsors
The sponsors for the 2025 Concept 2 Consumer Design & Merchandising Student Competition are Farhan Patel, VV Hanwei Su of Maison De Hoe, and Archroma.
BADINERES, France — February 13, 2025 — Porcher Industries, a developer and producer of high-performance textiles and thermoplastic solutions, is proud to announce three major highlights that will be showcased at JEC World 2025. These solutions, designed to support all players in the composite value chain, showcase Porcher Industries’ commitment to advancing composite materials.
Launch of the Composite Application Lab (CAL)
Porcher Industries is unveiling its Composite Application Lab (CAL), a unique service designed to accelerate innovation in textiles and thermoplastic solutions. Acting as a true application laboratory, the CAL supports clients in creating tailor-made solutions.
Key objectives:
Deliver innovative solutions leveraging expertise in technical materials.
Develop prototypes and small production runs for enhanced responsiveness.
Facilitate the transition to thermoplastic solutions with the “Vacuum Bag Only” process.
The CAL reflects Porcher Industries’ commitment to meeting its partners’ needs across all markets and applications.
Porcher industries introduces its Peel Ply range for composite parts
Porcher Industries Peel Ply
A Peel Ply range designed to meet composite process requirements
Porcher Industries offers a line of peel ply textiles specifically engineered to optimize the manufacturing processes of composite parts.
Key features:
Exceptional dimensional stability, ensuring a reliable manufacturing process.
Easy removal, thanks to precise fabric tension management.
Uniform weave, promoting strong and consistent bonding.
Targeted at demanding industries such as aerospace and industrial manufacturing, this range combines technical performance with ease of use, making it ideal for complex industrial processes.
Aerospace Innovation: a revolutionary Cockpit
Porcher Industries Cockpit Lining
In collaboration with Airbus, Porcher Industries presents an innovative aerospace cockpit panel prototype made with materials optimized for vacuum bag consolidation:
Thinner material lightweight, and easy to assemble.
Manufacturing time savings: Opportunity to reduce the use of paints and varnishes, thanks to a naturally optimized surface.
Enhanced recyclability compared to traditional thermoset materials.
Once again, this technology showcases Porcher Industries’ ability to drive the adoption of composite materials.
Visit our booth 5U40 at JEC World from March 4–6, 2025, to discover these innovations! The cockpit is visible on our booth and on the JEC PLANETE MOBILITY
GOTHENBURG, Sweden — February 13, 2025 — VERIGRAFT, a Swedish biotechnology company has been awarded a prestigious Eurostars grant to lead PREPPER (PREcision Printed PERsonalized Tissue Therapies), a groundbreaking project developing next-generation 3D-printed arterial grafts. Together with Readily3D SA (Switzerland), RISE (Sweden), and Sahlgrenska University Hospital (Sweden), VERIGRAFT will integrate advanced 3D printing, solution-blown fiber technology, and personalized tissue engineering. The goal is to create customized vascular grafts that mimic natural arteries offering superior durability and seamless integration compared to current synthetic alternatives. The project has secured 1.2 million euros in funding and brings together internationally recognized experts in their respective fields to drive real innovation in regenerative medicine.
A Potential Game-Changer not just in Vascular Surgery
PREPPER aims to overcome the major limitations of existing grafts, such as access to human donated material, poor integration and high failure rates. This should pave the way for a first-in-human clinical trial and future commercialization. The technology also has potential applications beyond vascular grafts.
“This Eurostars grant is a major milestone for VERIGRAFT and regenerative medicine. With PREPPER, we are accelerating the future of personalized tissue therapies,” said Dr. Raimund Strehl, CTO of VERIGRAFT. “The global vascular graft market is projected to exceed $4 billion by 2026, and PREPPER positions Europe at the forefront of 3D bioprinting and regenerative medicine.”
MANCHESTER, England — February 13, 2025 — The British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is alerting apparel brands, retailers and their supply chain partners to an important change taking place this month.
As of February 24, 2025, the sale of all fluorescent lighting will officially come to an end in the EU and UK, with potentially significant implications for everyone along the supply chain — from designers and fabric manufacturers through to merchandisers and window display artists.
Eliminating mercury
VeriVide is holding stocks of fluorescents for its installed light booths as brands make the switch.
“The phase-out of fluorescent lamps has been in progress for some years because they contain mercury which can be damaging to health,” explained BTMA CEO Jason Kent. “Lamps containing mercury were banned for general use in August 2023, impacting lighting in homes, factories and retail environments, but an exemption was granted for specialist applications such as visual and digital colour assessment until this month.
“So far, the legislation only initially applies in Europe and the UK but will rapidly be adopted globally and this means that specialist light booth manufacturers such as our member company VeriVide will no longer be able to sell new fluorescent-based light booths.”
“Color consistency is vital throughout the textile supply chain and all participants – from designers to fabric and garment manufacturers — have to be working under the same lighting conditions to guarantee it,” added VeriVide Sales Director Adam Dakin “The colour-matching that is carried out under fluorescent lamps in labs and design offices and passes through successive process steps in manufacturing can come out looking very different once it’s displayed in store under LEDs. This can result in very costly products returns, and even complete batch recalls.”
Colour ecosystem
VeriVide has spent the last decade developing and optimising its industry-leading all-LED light booths as part of its ecosystem of products specifically designed for instantly communicating colour decisions, colour fastness gradings, test reports and more, incorporating the DigiEye and DigiView digital colour measurement systems.
“What the ban means is we’ll no longer be able to manufacture fluorescent light booths,” Adam said. “What we will have going forward is the UltraView all-LED technology. We do, however, have a stock enabling customers to buy replacements for their existing light booths before transitioning to UltraView.”
Retail adoption
Since its launch in 2023, Ultra-View all-LED technology has already been successfully adopted by leading retail brands including H&M, George by Asda, Marks & Spencer, NEXT, River Island and Tesco.
“With UltraView from VeriVide, we are confident that we have future-proofed our capability for the visual assessment of colour,” says Gary Timmons, fabric technologist at NEXT.
“LED technology is the ideal alternative to fluorescent lighting being both mercury-free and using significantly less energy,” says Jason Kent in conclusion. “It’s vital that all players are working to the exact specs, especially because the textile supply chain can be so complex.”
Posted: February 17, 2025
Source: The British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA)
MIDLOTHIAN, Va. — February 14, 2025 — Fi-Tech is excited to announce the addition of Joe Bernard to its sales team as Sales and Market Development manager. In this role, Bernard will be responsible for market development and customer management in the Northeast, Mid-West and Western USA in addition to other duties on the sales team.
Joe Bernard
Bernard brings 15 years of manufacturing and sales experience in the textile and technical textile industries and holds a bachelor’s degree in Textile Technology from NC State University.
“We are thrilled to welcome Joe to our team,” said Managing Director Jeffrey G. Bassett. “His vast experience and expertise in textile manufacturing and more recent sales and market development experience will enhance Fi-Tech’s service to our customers and European principals. Joe has a tremendous work ethic, an established reputation, and strong communication skills, allowing him to connect with and to serve our growing customer base.”
Bernard also expressed excitement about joining Fi-Tech, saying: “I first worked with Fi-Tech on a project in 2014. The company and its staff have always been recognized as a provider of market leading products and services with the utmost professionalism. I experienced this firsthand in manufacturing and now I am excited to join their team.”
As Fi-Tech continues to expand, the addition of Joe reinforces the commitment to providing excellent service to our global customers. For more information, please contact Jeffrey Bassett, Managing Director, jbassett@fi-tech.com
SINGAPORE — February 13, 2025 — DyStar, a specialty chemical company with a heritage of more than a century in product development and innovation, announced the sale of the property housing its manufacturing facility in Charlotte, N.C., and subsequent consolidation of Charlotte production facility. As a result of the sale, the production facility, which produces performance chemicals, textiles and leather chemicals, will be integrated within DyStar LP in Reidsville, N.C.
DyStar has entered into an agreement with Constellation Real Estate Partners, for the land sale that currently houses DyStar Carolina Chemical Corp. The deal is expected to be completed by Quarter 4 of 2025 and is aligned with DyStar’s long-term vision for growth and development for the Americas region.
“DyStar is adopting a strategic approach as we enter this new phase, focusing on the changing needs of our customers and aligning with current market trends to enhance DyStar’s long-term business efficiency,” said Xu Yalin, managing director and president of DyStar Group. “This decision demonstrates our strong commitment to overcoming challenges and investing in emerging technologies and capabilities to strengthen our competitive position in the market.”
“We are committed to ensuring a smooth relocation process and are excited about the new opportunities that this move will bring,” added Clement Yang, vice president, Global Manufacturing, DyStar Group. “Our team is dedicated to maintaining the highest level of service our customers have come to expect, and we look forward to continuing to grow in our new location.”
Following the strategic decision of the sale and subsequent consolidation of manufacturing activities, some positions will be impacted. DyStar remains committed to provide extensive support to affected employees, including offering opportunities within other sites in the United States. This move is an important part of our long-term strategy for growth, and we deeply appreciate the hard work and dedication of all our employees during this transition.
The move of DyStar Carolina Chemical facility to DyStar LP in Reidsville is expected to take place over the next twelve months, with an expected completion by end of 2025 or early 2026. The consolidated facility at DyStar LP, coupled with added capability from DyStar Carolina Chemical, will eventually drive DyStar Americas towards our goal of improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing overall productivity. Customers can expect better proximity with an advanced infrastructure that is scalable for the future growth once the move is completed.
GRAZ, Austria — February 13, 2025 — International technology group ANDRITZ supplied and recently commissioned a state-of-the-art neXline airlay system for Revibat, France.
From left to right: Alexandre Butté, ANDRITZ; Sophie Bretillon Charrier, Revibat; Nicolas Brousse, Revibat; Alexis Gautier, ANDRITZ; Jörg Eberle, Schott & Meissner, in front of the ANDRITZ neXline airlay system at the opening ceremony. Photo — ANDRITZ
This innovative line, inaugurated at the beginning of February, enables the production of building insulation panels from glass wool waste that would otherwise be sent to landfills.
With the new ANDRITZ line, Revibat can now transform complex waste collected in the Paris region into valuable products. The patented process addresses two major challenges: giving a second life to insulation glass wool waste and reducing the carbon footprint across the entire production chain.
The line processes up to 1,500 kg of fiber per hour and is specifically designed to produce a unique nonwoven material, marking a significant step toward a circular economy in the insulation industry.
Nicolas Brousse, CEO of Revibat, states: “Our new ANDRITZ neXline airlay system represents a major milestone in our market as it enables us to start producing building insulation panels from glass wool waste. Our goal is to expand this solution across France, getting as close as possible to the waste and thereby minimizing our carbon footprint. Working with the experts at the ANDRITZ technical center in Cours has been a pleasure and essential for the development of this unique product.”
Revibat specializes in manufacturing construction materials from recycled building waste. Its mission has been to find a viable solution for the recycling of glass wool, a challenge that had previously remained unsolved. With a state-of-the-art laboratory, Revibat processes glass wool waste on an industrial scale, aiming to position itself as a key player in supporting eco-organizations in their efforts to collect, consolidate, and recover building waste and materials.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — February 12, 2025 — BOKSER Textiles, a provider of hospitality textiles, today announces the adoption of CiCLO® technology, a patented textile ingredient designed to help reduce the impacts of microplastic pollution from synthetic fabrics — a first-of-its-kind for the industry. The new Shoreline Collection of Top Sheets, made from recycled polyester and infused with CiCLO biodegradable technology, helps deliver a new level of sustainability to the hospitality linens category by reducing the persistence of microplastic pollution in the environment.
The BOKSER and CiCLO partnership introduces a new offering for hotel groups nationwide. The constant use and laundering that hotel fabrics endure result in a vast amount of unavoidable synthetic textile shedding, contributing to the increase in microplastic pollution in our environment. Fibers that shed from synthetic fabrics during manufacturing, use, laundering, and disposal are the most prevalent form of microplastic pollution found in all environments worldwide. When blended with CiCLO technology, synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon maintain durability and high performance but can also biodegrade at rates similar to wool, reducing the long-term environmental impact of synthetic microplastic pollution.
“Our Mission at BOKSER is to be the most affordable supplier of sustainable hospitality textiles. Partnering with Intrinsic to bring their cutting-edge CiCLO technology to the hospitality industry helps us take a big step forward in protecting our planet for generations to come,” said Ed Guzek, president of BOKSER.
“We are thrilled to partner with BOKSER to bring CiCLO technology to hotels nationwide. Through our work with BOKSER, we will deliver the luxury of sleeping on high-quality, sustainable bedding while simultaneously moving the industry towards a better future,” said Hector Torres, Global Sales Director, Home & Hospitality at Intrinsic Advanced Materials.
SEOUL, South Korea — February 12, 2025 — To further drive its business expansion in the US, Hyosung TNC has appointed industry expert, Malvina Hoxha, as its new U.S. director of Marketing.
At Hyosung, Hoxha will direct the company’s U.S. marketing team in the promotion of Hyosung’s specialty fibers and fabrics to targeted brand and retail accounts. Additionally, she will manage joint development and promotional programs with key industry partners.
Based on the U.S. East Coast, Hoxha has years of experience in the textile, fashion, and retail markets. She has led strategic roles throughout her career from business development, marketing to sourcing and developing products with organizations such as, Ralph Lauren, Lenzing Tencel, and Chargeurs. Hoxha holds a business degree from Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and an MBA certificate from Cambridge Judge Business School in circular economy and sustainable business models.
“Malvina brings a wealth of resources to our team,” said Sora Yoo, Hyosung chief marketing officer. “Her extensive expertise in navigating the complexities of product development, branding, retail, and consumer needs will reinforce our position as a leading textile solutions provider in the U.S.”
With offices in more than 29 countries, 77 cities and 119 business sites, Hyosung can locally support and interact with the international value chain. Together with Hyosung’s Fashion Design Center (FDC) Team who forecast trends and create fabric stories and samples in the context of global trends, Hyosung’s Global Brand Marketing Team supports brands and retailers with design concepts, textile, and product development, and facilitate the promotion of products made with Hyosung specialty fibers to consumers.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — February 13, 2025 — The National Cotton Council (NCC) congratulates Brooke Rollins on her confirmation as the new U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
