Hyosung Continues To Innovate With Eco-Friendly Partnerships And Products

SEOUL — August 19, 2021 — With increasing numbers of brands and consumers becoming more proactive in seeking out eco-friendly products, Hyosung continues to further is sustainable programs and product offerings.

When it comes to developing sustainable technologies and programs, partnerships can provide many benefits for the companies and brands involved, as well as for the local communities being served. Four such recent examples are Hyosung’s regen Jeju, regen Seoul, regen Ocean and Mipan regen Ocean, all of which are based in South Korea.

To establish a new resource circulation system, Hyosung partnered with the Ministry of Environment (MOE), Jeju Provincial Government, and startup Korean-based fashion brand, Pleatsmama, to produce and launch a recycled polyester made from discarded PET bottles from South Korea’s Jeju Island. The result was regen Jeju, which was adopted by The North Face Korea earlier this year.

Due to regen Jeju’s success, Hyosung expanded its domestic PET collection and recycling initiative to include the city of Seoul in order to produce regen Seoul 100% recycled polyester.

Addressing marine ocean plastic waste, Hyosung expanded its regen recycling initiative to include the waters surrounding South Korea and the port cities of Yeosu where it collects discarded PET bottles from cruise ships to develop regen Ocean polyester.

Continuing along that path, Hyosung recently signed an MOU with the Busan metropolitan government and social venture Netspa to produce Mipan regen Ocean, a recycled nylon textile made from abandoned fishing nets. In addition to producing Mipan regen Ocean, Hyosung is expanding investment in a depolymerization facility that will improve the purity of ingredients by removing the impurities in fishing nets. Hyosung’s goal is to produce more than 150 tons of Mipan regen Ocean per month by Q2 of 2022.

“In the U.S. and Europe in particular, there’s been a big push for recycled products. The whole conversation about sustainability began with brands wanting something sustainable, and back then the easiest thing to do was to implement recycled product into their lines,” said Mike Simko, Hyosung Global Marketing Director-Textiles. “Now, our conversations around sustainability are maturing. People are being more thoughtful because their companies are setting ambitious sustainability objectives and publishing them for all to see.”

Hyosung recently released the results of a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comparing the environmental performance of its creora regen spandex to its virgin creora spandex. The study concluded that creora® regen spandex reduces carbon dioxide production by approximately 67 percent (or by about two-thirds) compared to its creora® spandex in the production of 1 kg.

“Sustainability is a journey. The most significant advances today are that the industry has a deeper understanding of the impact that the textile industry has on the environment, and more importantly, there is a desire to make improvements,” said Simko.

Posted August 19, 2021

Source: Hyosung

Indorama Ventures Agrees To Buy Brazil-Based Oxiteno To Create Unique Portfolio In High-Value Surfactants

BANGKOK — August 16, 2021 — Indorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd. (IVL), a global chemicals producer, today announced it agreed to acquire Brazil-based Oxiteno S.A. Indústria e Comércio, a subsidiary of Ultrapar Participações S.A. The acquisition gives IVL a unique portfolio in high-value surfactants and significantly extends its existing Integrated Oxides and Derivatives (IOD) business.

Oxiteno is a leading integrated surfactants producer, catering to highly attractive end-use markets in LATAM. The acquisition brings an excellent management team, world-class expertise in green chemistry innovation, strong customer relationships in Brazil, Uruguay and Mexico, and substantial growth potential in attractive end markets, including the United States through a new facility in Pasadena, Texas. Oxiteno has a strong commitment to environmental governance, and its focus on lowering greenhouse gas emissions will also enhance IVL’s ESG credentials.

Through the acquisition, IVL will assume a unique market position in technologies catering to niche, IP-rich and value-added applications in home & personal care, agrochemicals, coatings and oil & gas markets. The surfactants market has seen consistent growth over the last decade, driven by trends in population growth, urbanization and increasing hygiene awareness amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

With 11 manufacturing plants, customers on four continents, and an experienced management team, Oxiteno will complement IOD’s footprint in the United States and Latin America, while its 5 research and technology centers will add to IVL’s innovation credentials in green chemistry. The extended footprint has potential to drive expansion in Europe and Asia by leveraging on IVOX’s surfactants business in Australia and India and IVL’s global presence in 34 countries. IVL expects to realize synergies of $100 million by 2025 through portfolio adjustments, asset optimization and operational excellence.

IVL will purchase Oxiteno for $1.3 billion (subject to adjustments at closing), with a deferred payment of $150 million in 2024. The transaction is subject to customary conditions to closing, including approval of relevant regulatory authorities. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2022 and will be earnings accretive immediately. Financing is secured through deferred payment, using existing extra cash on our balance sheet, free cash flow generated from existing businesses, short term loans against working capital and the balance as long-term debt.

Oxiteno and Indorama Ventures both have family-business origins and share a similar mindset, which positions people as a key business differentiator and values innovation and investments in an increasingly diversified and efficient portfolio.

Aloke Lohia, IVL Group CEO, said: “This acquisition is a natural fit for us. We have a solid track record of continuously driving value for shareholders through successfully integrating 50 acquisitions over the past 20 years. With Oxiteno, we are creating a global leader in surfactants. By bringing our companies together, we are strengthening our customer value proposition, our market reach, and our experienced team. Like us, Oxiteno grew as a family enterprise with an entrepreneurial mindset. The combination of our teams is unmatched in our industry, and we look forward welcoming them to our family.”

Frederico Curado, CEO of Ultra Group, said, “It is important to ensure that Oxiteno will benefit from integrating the new majority shareholder into the business, which is strategically positioned to lead the company through its growth path.”

Oxiteno’s HVA growth portfolio complements IVL’s existing IOD business

Oxiteno’s innovation-led HVA offering is a significant complement to IVL’s growth platform (see Figure 1), and a key driver of IVL’s EBITDA projection over the next two years, which is 15 percent above the company’s forecast in January 2021. Together with IVL’s world-class assets, which were acquired from U.S.-based Huntsman in 2020 (Spindletop transaction), the acquisition of Oxiteno will lead IVL’s newest IOD business segment as a major high-margin growth driver alongside its traditional PET commodities business, creating a stronger and more resilient hybrid platform.

The linkages between IOD, Oxiteno’s high-performing surfactants, and the Combined PET businesses through their crude oil, shale and oleo feedstocks gives IVL integration benefits across the value chain, which is key to the company’s sustainable business model as the world’s largest producer of PET resin and a large geographic footprint in non-ionic surfactants in the Americas (see Figure 2).

Oxiteno’s green chemistry innovation credentials also strengthen IVL’s ambitious sustainability objectives as a leader in PET circularity and bio-ingredients. Brazil is home to the largest inventory of ethanol, used to produce bio-ethylene to enhance EOD and PET sustainability. Today, IVL is the largest producer of resin used in recycled PET bottles and aims to recycle a minimum of 750,000 metric tons of PET globally by 2025, investing up to US$1.5 billion to achieve this goal.

D K Agarwal, CEO of Combined PET, IOD and Fibers Business, said: “The combination of Oxiteno and IVL’s existing Integrated Oxides & Derivatives business is highly complementary. It gives us a presence in the high-growth Latin American markets, and we also become a more reliable supplier to our global customers, especially in Europe and the US. It will drive sustainable long-term value creation by accelerating our expansion in downstream chemicals, increasing our exposure to high-quality markets, and adding to our R&D and sustainability credentials. The portfolio will accelerate revenue and EBITDA growth, and deliver cost synergies.”

Driving enterprise growth through a proven strategy

IVL has built a strong global platform based on some 50 successful acquisitions over 20 years, and is embarking on a program of continuous improvement through its 5 strategic priorities of costs transformation, asset optimization, adjacency growth, circularity, and organization excellence. These include significant investments in transformation, savings, and efficiency projects, which are driving expansion in IOD, strengthening its Fibers business segment, and enhancing value in its traditional Combined PET segment.

Group CEO Lohia added: “Since 2014 I have been very clear about our strategy of making big bets on HVA and innovation-led products that help us build global leadership positions. From our first PET plant in 1995, we have grown to our current global leadership position through a sound track record of acquiring and integrating new assets and teams that give us scale and differentiate us in the marketplace. This, and our focus on sustainable and circular models, our transformation and efficiency programs, and our ability to grow organically and from acquisitions, will continue to drive enterprise value.” (see Figure 3).

Posted August 18, 2021

Source: IVL

Meteor Works With Epson On New T3200, T1600 and D3000 Printheads

CAMBRIDGE, England — August 11, 2021 — Meteor Inkjet Ltd. — a supplier of electronics, software, tools and services for industrial inkjet — is developing printhead drive electronics and software for the new T3200, T1600 and D3000 printheads recently announced by Epson.

These solutions join Meteor’s existing products to drive Epson S3200, S800, I3200 and I1600 printheads, ensuring that Meteor continues to provide the most complete range of Epson industrial printhead driving solutions on the market.

Epson printheads embody technology that enables outstanding image quality, productivity, durability and printhead scalability.

The new T3200 and T1600 printheads incorporate a different piezo actuator from Epson’s I3200 printhead, which allows ejection of larger drops at higher frequencies. More significantly, the T3200 and T1600 are Epson’s first printheads to include built-in heaters, which is especially important for signage and product packaging applications.

The new D3000 offers 1200dpi and is Epson’s first printhead to support ink circulation at the nozzle level. This circulation facilitates stable printing and increases flexibility in the engineering of systems and ink. The D3000 also incorporates new positioning architecture that eliminates the need for elaborate printhead adjustment, thus significantly reducing assembly time for multi-head arrays.

Meteor’s driving solutions for these printheads are designed with space and cost efficiency at heart. Together with comprehensive software, Meteor electronics are readily scalable to systems of any size and offer straightforward integration of different printhead types within a single printer. Meteor’s DropWatchers and printhead waveform development services will be available for the new printheads, providing essential tools to accelerate time to market.

Jonathan Wilson, Meteor’s sales director, commented: “Our continued cooperation with Epson will allow our mutual customers to take advantage of everything these new printheads have to offer. Meteor’s electronics and software provide the fastest and easiest way for OEMs to unlock the potential of these printheads, allowing print system builders to reduce the effort and risk associated with design and delivery of superior industrial inkjet printers. Availability of Meteor solutions for these new printheads will coincide with availability of the printheads.”

Posted August 17, 2021

Source: Meteor

New 3-Millimeter Latex Layer Empowered By Biocrystal® Technology Introduced

RIJEKA, Croatia — August 17, 2021 — Great news is coming from the world of Biocrystal® innovations! The 3 millimeter (mm) latex layer empowered by Biocrystal has officially launched, and it is intended for bedding and all other manufacturers who want to be one step ahead and apply the globally recognized solutions to their products.

The latex layer width is 157 centimeters, its thickness is 3 mm, and its weight is 680 grams per square meter. It consists of a few primary materials and components: viscose, latex, and the essential Biocrystal powder. Carefully designed technical characteristics open up unique opportunities for current and new manufacturers and allow customers to enjoy the Biocrystal benefits in entirely new ways.

Crystal clear vision and countless implementation possibilities

Over the years, extensive research and testing were conducted to confirm the exact amount and ratio of crystals in textiles to affect the human organism unquestionably. The latex layer is specific in having a more significant amount of crystals on a smaller product surface, making it suitable for implementation into car seats, office chairs, eye masks, insoles, elements used in the aviation industry and the like.

“The ultimate latex layer was created with a specific aim in mind — to provide people with an anti-stress experience that would not require any additional efforts in an already busy daily schedule. The clinically proven formula is confirmed to have a relaxing and anti-stress effect on users, without any side effects or contraindications. In addition, using products empowered by Biocrystal, one can overcome sleepless nights and achieve the highest level of performance in all areas of life; be more productive and finally experience proper rest.” said Zlatko Karajić, managing director of BC Tech company.

Cost-effective for manufactures, affordable for customers

Combining natural resources with wonders of technology has many benefits. From the very beginning, Biocyrstal is mainly used for implementation into bedding products such as mattresses, pillows and toppers — as their inner sewn layer, placed together with other layers. In the form of a powder, it is often incorporated into foams and many everyday use products, bringing an added value of high importance.

Constant efforts have been made to keep this innovative technology simple, cost-effective, and easy to implement. For instance, BC Tech successfully partnered with manufacturers of yoga mats and beauty products such as eye masks. Besides that, some collaborations have led to designing products intended for the well-being of animals since Biocrystal is beneficial for all living beings. Over time, this ultimate technology became a must-have component that goes beyond comfort, enabling a stress-relieving experience for numerous users.

Challenging times call for innovative reflections

“Although the bedding and textile industries are our primary market branches, exchanging ideas with some other inventive entrepreneurs led us to some new insights! Besides, the ongoing global pandemic of COVID-19, causing a whole new set of difficulties, further encouraged us to keep searching for solutions that would adequately respond to the ever-growing need for stress relief,” said Vesna Pavletić, CEO and founder of BC Tech.

Scientifically certified and 100% natural solution

The very core of this ultimate technology is an optimal combination of natural crystals – diligently chosen, ground, and mixed in the form of a powder, proven to provide a strong anti-stress effect regardless of age, gender, health and physical condition. Researches conducted at European institutes undoubtedly confirmed that Biocrystal positively affects many physiological parameters such as heart rate, breathing and muscle tension, thus enabling a deep rest state of body and mind while relaxing or sleeping.

In the last decade, Biocrystal innovators have received some prestigious awards that confirmed the continuous progress and further encouraged their efforts to provide customers with entirely natural solutions. Their brand ambassadors confirmed it best, as well as numerous positive recommendations from satisfied customers worldwide. Biocrystal remains consistent in delivering efficient solutions for one of the modern era’s most significant challenges -stress relief, thus justifying all current and future accomplishments!

Posted August 17, 2021

Source: Biocrystal®

SVP Global Subsidiary Commences Commercial Operations At Its Textile Plant In Oman, Invests $150 Million

Chirag Pittie

MUMBAI — August 17, 2021 — Together with the celebration of India’s 75th Independence day, SVP Global Ventures Ltd., an India-based compact cotton yarn manufacturer, has announced commercial operations for its mega textile plant in Oman. The group has invested $150 million (around Rs. 1,100 crore) in setting up 1.5 lakh spindles and 3,500 rotors facility at Sohar Free Trade Zone in Oman. The plant is expected to reach peak utilisation by September 21 and expected to contribute hugely in overall revenue of the company.

Established in 1898, by Shri Vallabh Pittie, SVP Group is primarily engaged in manufacturing of polyester, polyester and cotton blends, and 100-percent cotton yarns across three state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Jhalawar (Rajasthan), Ramnad (Coimbatore) and Sohar (Oman). Company has a vision to become a world-leading, fully integrated textile company in manufacturing yarn, fabric and garments.

Commenting on the development, Chirag Pittie, director, SVP Group, said: “The expansion of Oman plant consisting of 150,000 spindles and 3,500 rotors has been successfully completed and is expected to fully contribute to the financial performance starting September 2021. The strong demand for high margin combed compact cotton yarn coupled with sales off-take agreements will enable us to fully utilise the new capacities and enhance value for our stakeholders. We have a vision to be a leading integrated textile manufacturer of the world.”

SVP Group expansion at Sohar Free Trade Zone in Oman offers many strategic operational and logistics benefits over a long period of time. In addition to 25 years corporate tax holiday it offers 100-percent foreign ownership, low cost of capital and less power cost. Power cost is 40-percent less compared to the home market in India. Oman also has Free Trade Agreements with the United States, Turkey and many other countries. Additionally it offers zero percent import or re-export duties.

With the completion of expansion at Sohar, the total operational capacity of the company has increased to 4 lakh spindles and 5,900 rotors.

Maj Gen O P Gulia, SM, VSM (retd), CEO of the group said: “Our manufacturing facilities are operating at near peak capacity and the Oman facility is planned to reach peak utilization by Sep 21. Our strategic growth initiatives, enhanced capacity and operational efficiencies, product and geographical expansion with focus on high margin products are likely to drive profitability and contribute to the growth of the company. The Group is now ready to foray into the complete value chain of textile. The order book of the company currently stands at Rs. 5,000 crore equivalent to next 2-3 years of revenue.”

The company has reported robust financials for the Q1FY22. For the Q1 ended June 2021, SVP Global Net sales of Rs. 412 crore, growth of over 300% Y-o-Y. EBITDA for Q1FY22 stands at Rs. 91 crore (EBITDA Margin of 22.2%) and Net Profit at Rs. 39 crore (PAT Margin of 9.5%).  For FY21, company reported total income of Rs. 1422 crore, EBITDA at Rs. 234 crore and PAT at Rs. 25 crore.

According to the company, SVP Global is among top 2 percent of Indian manufacturers with technology less than 5 years old and output of 153-154 grams per spindle per shift, which is highest in the industry. The company’s manufacturing facilities are equipped with latest technology automated machinery equipped with AI and IOT capabilities from Blow Room to Winding. SVP Global is accredited as an approved supplier for leading brands including IKEA and Zara.

Posted August 17, 2021

Source: SVP Global

NUFABRX (Textile Based Delivery Inc.) Ranks No. 50 on the 2021 Inc. 5000, With Three-Year Revenue Growth of 6,684 Percent

NEW YORK CITY — August 17, 2021 — Inc. magazine today revealed that NUFABRX  (Textile Based Delivery Inc.) is No. 50 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment — its independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

“It’s an unbelievable honor to be recognized by the Inc. 5000 as one of the fastest-growing companies in the nation!” said Jordan Schindler, CEO of Nufabrx. “Nufabrx’s growth is a true testament to our incredible team and their remarkable vision. When the idea of putting medicine in clothing was just a dream in my dorm room, I never imagined we would get to this point so quickly. We will celebrate this win with plenty of champagne as a company; and deep down we know this is just the beginning. Onwards and Upwards!”
Not only have the companies on the 2021 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but this year’s list also proved especially resilient and flexible given 2020’s unprecedented challenges. Among the 5,000, the average median three-year growth rate soared to 543 percent, and median revenue reached $11.1 million. Together, those companies added more than 610,000 jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc., which will be available on newsstands on August 20.

“The 2021 Inc. 5000 list feels like one of the most important rosters of companies ever compiled,” says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Building one of the fastest-growing companies in America in any year is a remarkable achievement. Building one in the crisis we’ve lived through is just plain amazing. This kind of accomplishment comes with hard work, smart pivots, great leadership, and the help of a whole lot of people.”

Methodology

Companies on the 2021 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2017 to 2020. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2017. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2020. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2017 is $100,000; the minimum for 2020 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to three decimal places. There was one tie on this year’s Inc. 5000.  Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.’s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

Posted August 17, 2021

Source: Nufabrx

AATCC Method Quantifies Fiber Shedding

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — August 17, 2021 — AATCC TM212-2021, Test Method for Fiber Fragment Release During Home Laundering, provides a standardized method for quantifying fiber fragment shedding in the ongoing challenge to combat aquatic pollution. These fragments are sometimes referred to as “microfibers” or “microplastics.”

AATCC TM212 was developed to provide a means to determine the mass of fiber fragments released in an accelerated laundering setting. This method provides the global industry with a consistent and uniform test method to follow.

AATCC TM212 defines standard nomenclature with the terms fiber fragment and microfiber, which address discrepancies that have long been a source of confusion for many who work to tackle pollution.

Originally assumed to be a plastics problem, natural fibers are also appearing in marine life’s food cycle. AATCC TM212 is not limited to man-made fibers, as it can be used to determine the fiber shedding potential of natural fibers and blends.

The standard is the result of collaboration, not only within AATCC committee RA100 Global Sustainability, but among stakeholders from several organizations including The Microfibre Consortium, headquartered in the UK, and the Cross Industry Agreement of European signatories. The outgoing Chair of RA100, Heather Elliot, extends her sincere gratitude. She said: “Thank you to everyone who helped make this test method happen. It has been years in the making and would never have happened without the hands and minds of so many amazing people. We can’t thank you enough! Here’s to measuring our mess so we can figure out how to clean it up!”

The incoming Chair of RA100, Shulong Li of Milliken, goes on to add, “Small fiber fragments in the environment is an emerging and serious concern that raises heightened public attention. TM212-2021 results from extensive collaboration representing a broad range of stakeholders in the textile industry, public and private institutions, and technical experts in the Global Sustainability committee. This new standard method provides a common and useful tool for the textile industry to gain a better understanding of the issues.”

Although unofficial and proprietary methods have been in use, AATCC TM212 is the first global standard published to address the issue of quantifying fiber fragment release. The test method was developed and approved by consensus from a diverse group of experts from around the world and across related industries.

AATCC TM212-2021 Is now available for purchase through the AATCC website at:    https://members.aatcc.org/store/tm212/3573/

It will also be included in the AATCC 2022 Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures released January 2022.

Posted August 17, 2021

Source: AATCC

Datacolor® Donates Color Management Equipment To Wilson College of Textiles At North Carolina State University

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — August 18, 2021 — Datacolor® announced today a large donation of state-of-the-art color management equipment and software to the Wilson College of Textiles’ Datacolor Color Science Laboratory at North Carolina State University (NC State). Datacolor and NC State will unveil the newly updated lab this month during Techtextil North America, North America’s only dedicated trade show for technical textiles and nonwovens.

The donation is comprised of The donation includes a SpectraVision, a solution that objectively measures and digitally communicates the color of previously unmeasurable materials such as multi-color prints, trim, yarn, zippers and lace. With this new technology, students are learning how to run colorimetric and color matching experiments through hands-on training in the lab using the same high-end equipment that industry professionals use today.

“At Datacolor, we recognize the importance of color education, and we are proud to support the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State,” said Albert Busch, president and CEO, Datacolor. “By equipping the Datacolor Color Science Lab with our state-of-the-art software and instruments, we want to provide the next generation of color experts a chance to practice what they learn as they prepare for a career in color.”

The color lab has all capabilities needed for color measurement and visual assessment that conform to AATCC, ISO and ASTM standards. It is used for education, research, external service work and training. A donation made to NC State from Datacolor earlier this year included handheld ultra-portable ColorReaderPRO devices, which students have been using to measure color during remote classwork.

“NC State has always been at the forefront of innovation,” said Dr. Renzo Shamey, director of Color Science and Imaging Laboratories, NC State. “Through our partnership with Datacolor, NC State students now have a unique opportunity to work with innovative industry-grade color management equipment, providing them with invaluable hands-on experience and unparalleled access to technology that will help them succeed well beyond their time here.”

Datacolor will host a reception at the Datacolor Color Science Laboratory during Techtextil on August 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. EST to debut the donation. Attendees are invited to bring samples with them to be measured during a SpectraVision demonstration.

Posted August 17, 2021

Source: Datacolor

Textile Exchange Report Shows Growth Of Preferred Fiber And Materials Market Needs To Be Accelerated

LUBBOCK, Texas — August 17, 2021 — According to a new Textile Exchange report, the market share for preferred fiber and materials grew significantly in 2020. The Preferred Fiber and Materials Market Report 2021 outlines the market for plant fibers such as cotton, hemp, and linen; animal fibers and materials such as wool, mohair, cashmere, alpaca, down, silk, and leather; manmade cellulosics (MMCFs) such as viscose, lyocell, modal, acetate, and cupro; as well as synthetics such as polyester, polyamide, and more.

The report is a unique annual publication about global fiber and materials production, availability, and trends, including those associated with improved social and environmental impacts, referred to as ”preferred.” The comprehensive report includes quantitative data, industry updates, trend analysis and inspiring insights into the work of leading companies and organizations as they create material change.

The results show that between 2019 and 2020 the market share of preferred cotton increased from 24 to 30 percent and recycled polyester from 13.7 to 14.7 percent. Preferred cashmere increased from 0.8 to 7 percent of all cashmere produced while Responsible Mohair Standard certified fiber expanded from 0 to 27 percent of all mohair produced worldwide in its first year of existence in 2020. The market share of FSC and/or PEFC certified MMCFs increased to approximately 55-60 percent. While the market share of recycled MMCFs is only 0.4 percent, it is expected to increase significantly in the following years.

Brands’ increased interest in the use of preferred fibers and materials was also demonstrated by an impressive 75 percent increase in the total number of facilities (to 30,000) around the world becoming certified to the organization’s portfolio of standards in 2020. These standards include the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Organic Content Standard (OCS), Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), Content Claim Standard (CCS), Responsible Down Standard (RDS), and Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS) and the Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS). In early 2021, Textile Exchange launched the Leather Impact Accelerator (LIA) to address the major sustainability challenges throughout the bovine leather supply chain from farm to finished leather, including an Impact Incentives program.

However, the report also notes that despite the increase, preferred fibers only represent less than one-fifth of the global fiber market. Less than 0.5 percent of the global fiber market was from pre- and post-consumer recycled textiles.

Indeed, global fiber production has almost doubled in the last 20 years from 58 million tonnes in 2000 to 109 million tonnes in 2020. While it is not yet clear how the pandemic and other factors will impact future development, global fiber production is expected to increase by another 34 percent to 146 million tonnes in 2030 if the industry builds back business as usual. If this growth continues, it will be increasingly difficult for the industry to meet science-based targets for climate and nature.

“Whether for current or post-pandemic business, the production and use of preferred fibers and materials must be a non-negotiable decision,” said La Rhea Pepper, Textile Exchange Founder and CEO. “Now is the time to accelerate a transition to increasingly sustainable practices to reduce conventional fiber and material production’s footprint on the planet.”

Textile Exchange aims to be the driving force for urgent climate action, and its Climate+ strategy calling for the textile industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent by 2030 compared to a 2019 baseline in the pre-spinning phase of textile fiber and materials production, while also addressing other impact areas interconnected with climate such as water, biodiversity, and soil health.

“Increasing the uptake of preferred fibers and materials, proliferating regenerative practices, mitigating land-use change, supporting the transition to renewable energy, and encouraging innovation and circularity are known solutions towards Textile Exchange’s Climate+ goal,” says Liesl Truscott, Textile Exchange Corporate Benchmarking Director. “Acceleration of such solutions have to guide us in the next nine years that are so decisive for the future of our planet and all life on earth.”

Textile Exchange encourages companies to commit to its 2025 Sustainable Cotton Challenge and/or 2025 Recycled Polyester Challenge which call for the apparel industry to commit to source all their cotton from the most sustainable sources and increase the amount of recycled polyester used from 14 to 45 percent (or 17.1 million metric tons), respectively, by 2025.

Textile Exchange invites brands, retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers to track and benchmark their progress by participating in the annual Material Change Index (MCI) survey (open through September; email: CFMB@TextileExchange.org).

Textile Exchange also invites participation in the organization’s 2021 Textile Sustainability Conference in Dublin, Ireland, November 15-19 including the preferred fiber and materials Round Tables Summits, held in conjunction with the event.

Posted August 17, 2021

Source: Textile Exchange

Precision Textiles Opens A Manufacturing Facility In North Carolina, Adds 100 Jobs To Local Economy

TOTOWA, N.J. — August 17, 2021 — To better serve its customer base in the high-growth mattress industry, Precision Textiles has signed a lease for a new 160,000-square-foot, 25-acre campus at 163 Glen Road in Troy, N.C. The new plant is expected to be operational by September 1 and will employ 100, all from the local area.

The facility — once a textiles production plant that serviced the automobile industry — is Precision Textiles’ first domestic manufacturing facility outside its New Jersey headquarters. It will double the manufacturer’s needle-punch nonwovens production and boost its high-loft quilting fiber output by 50 percent. In addition to its production capacity, the facility includes warehousing space. The workforce at the facility will include new employees as well as some experienced staff from the textiles company that previously operated the plant.

“Demand for these products has risen to the point where we are near full capacity at our home facility in New Jersey,” said Scott Tesser, CEO of Precision Textiles. “In addition to keeping pace with current demand, this investment positions us for future growth as we continue to expand our customer base in the bedding and automotive industries.

“This new factory will enable us to better meet the needs of our customers throughout the nation and logistically helps us reduce transit time to those located across the Southeast. It will also give us more capacity to better serve both existing and new customers,” Tesser added. “The plant previously had a nice history in textiles manufacturing, so it provided us with a head start in terms of equipment and experienced employees.”

Posted August 17, 2021

Source: Precision Textiles

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