ANDRITZ To Supply A Second High-Speed Spunlace Line To Zhejiang Saintyear Textile, China

GRAZ, Austria — June 11, 2021— International technology Group ANDRITZ has received a repeat order from Zhejiang Saintyear Textile Co. Ltd., based in China, to supply a second, complete neXline spunlace line for the production of premium-quality nonwoven roll goods. The line is scheduled for start-up during the third quarter of 2022.

No later than nine months after placing a first order for a complete high-speed spunlace line, Zhejiang Saintyear Textile has decided to rely on ANDRITZ once again by purchasing another complete line dedicated to the production of first-class wipes. The production capacity will be up to 2,800 kg/h for lightweight fabrics.

ANDRITZ will provide a full line with state-of-the-art equipment from web forming to drying. The scope of supply includes the precise opening and blending machinery from Laroche — newly acquired by the ANDRITZ GROUP — two inline TT cards, a proven JetlaceEssentiel unit for hydroentanglement, and the efficient neXdry through-air dryer.

Li Yi Ming, CEO, said: “Spunlace nonwovens are definitely a must nowadays due to their versatility, and we want to offer our customers the best-quality nonwovens. Hence, we had to go for the benchmarking company in the production of premium roll goods. This is why we have decided to rely on an ANDRITZ nonwovens system offering the best performance and runnability. We have already purchased one complete spunlace line recently from ANDRITZ that will go into operation in mid-2022. Project execution is running so smoothly so far that we did not hesitate to renew our trust by ordering a second line.”

Founded in 1981, Zhejiang Saintyear Textile Co. Ltd. is the core subsidiary of Saintyear Holding Group and one of the world leaders in the fabrics industry. With an annual output of more than 500 million meters of different fabrics, ranging from cottons, hemp and blending fibers to yarn-dyed and technical textiles, the company has become a major partner for domestic and famous international brands of clothing.

Posted June 11, 2021

Source: International technology group ANDRITZ

60th Dornbirn Global Fiber Conference (GFC) 2021, September 15-17 Webinar Week

VIENNA, Austria — June11, 2021— The 60th anniversary of the Dornbirn GFC Congress will take place virtually for well-known reasons this year.
 Nevertheless, one will be surprised by the highly interactive platform offering a wide range of services to the participants and it will create a “live feeling“ during the congress.

Top level key note speakers on the Opening Day

Representing the fiber industry, the packaging industry, the equipment & machinery industry and WWF.
 Key topics will be innovation, sustainability & circular economy and the final panel discussion with the above leaders will show us the way forward and how current and future challenges will be managed.

Exciting outcomes from the attempt of cross industry innovation – “Packaging Industry meets Fibre Industry“ – many synergies in terms of feedstock, process technology, applications, circular economy and others.

84 expert lectures from industry, universities and research institutes – Lectures will take place in parallel in 2 lecture halls.

Panel discussions, breakout sessions, virtual meeting lounges & meeting spaces – Providing a “deep dive“ on certain selective topics and offering opportunities for networking and information exchange.

Virtual exhibition area – 25 exhibitors use their booths as contact point & advertising space Dornbirn GFC 2021 Topics

  • Fibre Innovations;
  • Sustainability and Circular Economy;
  • Apparel;
  • Surface Modifications; and
  • Cross Industry Innovation: “Packaging Industry meets Fibre Industry.“

Thanks to our ambitious partners and sponsors, we are able to attract a global audience. This will foster the global exchange of ideas and innovations in the fibre industry and along the value chain of textiles and nonwovens and well into the packaging industry.

Other interesting ideas and topics will follow. Please join us and register: www.dornbirn-gfc.com

Posted June 11, 2021

Source: Dornbirn GFC

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2020 Exhibitor Preview: Marzoli

BRESCIA — June10, 2021— Marzoli – a Camozzi Group company and supplier of complete spinning lines, components and digitalized solutions that optimize performance in spinning process, will exhibit at the Asian textile exposition, ITMA Asia + CITME (Stand H8 – D50), Shanghai, June 12-16 2021.

The phrase “Textile Engineering” — incorporated in the company’s logo — perfectly expresses Marzoli’s ability to innovate and work in close contact with customers, supporting them throughout all phases of the process. Services start with feasibility and preliminary studies and continue through plant construction, line start-up, optimization, management and subsequent commissioning. Marzoli offers its services to all sizes of project from a single machine to a complete spinning mill.

Other services include: staff training and organization of maintenance activities; turnkey solutions and support in financing activities; business plan development; automation level analysis and project management.

This approach makes Marzoli the premier global partner for the textile industry today and in the future.

At ITMA Asia, Marzoli will display its Draw Frame DFR1, which leads the field in terms of production capacity and yarn quality, thanks to 1000 m/min production and low CV%. Easy to operate, outstanding reliability, high flexibility and low operational costs are key features of this world-class draw frame.

Digital Solutions

Another company strength is Marzoli’s expertise in developing the most advanced digital technologies which together create smart solutions for predictive maintenance, remote control and plant management.

Marzoli has developed MRM (Marzoli Remote Maintenance): the world’s first patented software platform able to analyse Big Data generated by machinery processes and also to continuously monitor mission critical operations. This ensures a reduction of machine downtime, a longer useful life of parts, and more timely and effective maintenance.

Alongside this, integrated management can be enabled by YarNet, highly innovative software, through which users can easily manage the entire Marzoli spinning process directly from their PC. With it every machine in a plant can be monitored with ease – a real value-added technology for customers aiming to maximise productivity and profitability.

Artificial Intelligence In Spinning Mills

Brain Box is a patented Marzoli software with an integrated APP, developed entirely in-house, which significantly improves plant performance. Tests confirm that Brain Box can generate a 5.5 percent increase in productivity, an 8% increase in efficiency, and 1.5 percent in energy savings. Installation is a fast and simple four-step process: mount sensors to each machine, connect the sensors to Brain Box, download the APP, and activate the monitoring function for the detection of any issues.

TAOMAPP is a new and innovative approach to cotton analysis in which the trash level inside the cotton is accurately determined through photographs taken by smartphone. It is based on ultra-high resolution image recognition techniques and quantifies the results on the Marzoli Trash Index. You just need to download the app and start the analysis.

Trash Analyzer: an effective tool that, together with Marzoli software platforms, analyses cotton’s trash content to optimise machinery set up. It can be applied wherever there is a flow of material in a pipeline.

Nonwovens

Marzoli will also be showing its innovative solutions for the nonwoven sector at ITMA. With its deep experience and technological knowledge in fibre preparation, Marzoli is uniquely qualified in the implementation of plant for nonwoven products. By developing strategic partnerships with each customer, bespoke nonwoven manufacturing lines, can be developed, with each one based on exact production needs.

Circular Economy

The circular economy, embracing sustainability, recycling and other green disciplines, will be another important topic at ITMA Asia. For many years Marzoli has focused on continuous innovation in the mechanical regeneration of textile fibres.

“For Marzoli, developing and adopting green technologies means carefully balancing business needs with environmental sustainability, explains Cristian Locatelli, Marzoli General Manager.  “Circularity through fabrics regeneration, is creating a synergetic value chain that benefits all stakeholders. The new paradigm of a circular fibre supply chain will accelerate learning and development of know-how pushing innovation and opening up to new potential.”

Lodovico Camozzi, president and CEO of the Camozzi Group, commented: “We are happy to be able to return to participating in exhibitions after more than a year of lockdown. Starting again with ITMA, the most important exhibition in Asian, will be a fitting occasion to compare with industry professionals and a precious opportunity to showcase the high value of Marzoli solutions for spinning. Our commitment to constant improvement represents added value for customers, who aspire to meet challenging new goals and grow in their target markets.”

Posted June 11, 2021

Source: Marzoli Machines Textile s.r.l.

EFI Reggiani Introduces State-Of-The-Art Industrial Entry-Level BLAZE Textile Digital Printer

SHANGHAI — June11, 2021— The new industrial, entry-level EFI™ Reggiani BLAZE scanning printer from Electronics For Imaging Inc. (EFI) is making its debut at the ITMA Asia + CITME tradeshow, June 12-16, 2021, in Shanghai, China. The high-quality printer is an easy-to-use, smart solution to help textile companies blaze their successful trail into the world of efficient, sustainable industrial inkjet printing. It is equipped with EFI Reggiani’s state-of-the-art technology, offering the highest quality, reliability and flexibility on the widest variety of designs.

“Despite the impact of the pandemic, EFI Reggiani has continued to invest and develop the next trailblazing technology for the textile market,” said EFI Reggiani Senior Vice President and General Manager Adele Genoni. “Our customers are our number one priority no matter how small or big they are. With the EFI Reggiani BLAZE, we are able to offer an ideal solution for companies that want to enter the industrial textile digital printing space. We are excited to be able to offer such a solution and look forward to embarking on this journey with our customers.”

EFI Reggiani is presenting the new Reggiani BLAZE printer in Hall 5, Booth D08 at ITMA Asia. The company’s exhibit in Shanghai is one of the most important showcases of new digital textile printing technology at the show, emphasizing leading-edge innovations that make customers successful in the global textile industry.

Cutting-edge technology in a compact footprint

The EFI Reggiani BLAZE printer is designed to give textile companies the opportunity to enter the digital textile printing market with a compact solution. The new, 1.8-meter wide printer offers an innovative, low-maintenance, continuous recirculation ink system equipped with a level sensor and degassing as well as a printhead crash protective system for longer printhead life and superior uptime.

Thanks to its cutting-edge printhead reliability and low maintenance costs for a competitive TCO (total cost of ownership), the BLAZE printer can produce up to 125 linear meters per hour with a printing resolution up to 600×1200 dots per inch (dpi). The printer — which delivers excellent productivity as one of the fastest digital inkjet solutions in its class — has eight 300-dpi dual channel printheads and can print in up to eight colors with full variable drop size.

Flexible fabric feed and handling for higher productivity

The EFI Reggiani BLAZE is equipped with a continuous and switchable belt washing unit to remove water and fabric hairs. An embedded device for adhesive application offers the possibility to use thermoplastic, resin and permanent adhesives.

The printer also includes other features for enhanced productivity and value, including a 400-mm roll unwinder, expandable shafts, an air gun and a pneumatic bar for standard fabrics.

Efficient software and electronics technology

The Reggiani BLAZE printer offers a friendly and intuitive user interface with real-time image processing and flexible queue management. The software also runs a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) job editor, as well as tools to accurately predict printing speed and ink usage.

The entry-level BLAZE launch is the first in an important series of 2021 product introductions coming from EFI Reggiani, including another advanced digital inkjet printer — a higher-volume EFI Reggiani HYPER model making its debut in July.

EFI Reggiani TERRA Silver enhancement

EFI has also released an enhanced version of the EFI Reggiani TERRA Silver printer, a 1.8-meter wide printer operating with EFI Reggiani’s unique TERRA pigment ink with binder solution for high-quality, highly sustainable, direct-to-textile printing without steaming or washing.

The new-version TERRA Silver printer is part of EFI’s complete TERRA line-up of pigment ink printer solutions for a greener, smarter, short process in industrial textile printing and features:

A new recirculating ink system for superior reliability and minimum maintenance at start up and during production;

  • Several printing modes to ensure maximum flexibility in terms of design capability;
  • New, real-time image processing that eliminates time spent in image pre-calculations;
  • A user friendly, intuitive interface;
  • A more-efficient polymerization process that takes place as printed textile goes through the printer’s on-board dryer.

The EFI Reggiani TERRA Silver solution prints with smooth and precise material handling of knitted and woven fabrics. Users benefit from high-uniformity printing modes, an accurate WYSIWYG interface and flexible queue management.

EFI Reggiani also is a leading developer of inks, and one of the only industry suppliers with a complete range that includes all primary textile ink types. At ITMA Asia, the company is announcing a new service provided to Chinese customers, offering EFI Reggiani AQUA water-based reactive inks that EFI Reggiani is now manufacturing in China. Designed to deliver outstanding quality on cotton, silk, viscose rayon, linen and lyocell, AQUA inks are ideal for producing home textile and fashion products with deep, intensive colors.

Now in its 75th year, EFI Reggiani delivers innovations that are the result of extensive research targeted at improving productivity and quality, optimizing the textile manufacturing process, and reducing energy and water consumption. Green EFI Reggiani processes also give users fast, complete and sustainable solutions across a broad range of textile applications. For more information about the EFI Reggiani portfolio of solutions for the textile and apparel industries, visit www.efi.com/reggiani.

Posted June 11, 2021

Source: EFI™

Cargill, HELM Partner To Build $300 Million Commercial-Scale, Renewable BDO Facility To Meet Growing Customer Demand

WAYZATA, Minn./HAMBURG, Germany — June 9, 2021 — Cargill and HELM are entering into a joint venture, Qore, to help leading brands replace fossil-based chemistries with bio-based intermediates, enabling them to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. As part of the agreement, both companies are investing a combined $300 million to build the first commercial-scale, renewable 1,4-butanediol (BDO) facility in the U.S. Bio-based intermediates give the apparel, automotive, electronics and packaging industries the ability to improve their environmental footprint without sacrificing product performance or altering their existing downstream manufacturing processes.

“With consumers demanding more sustainable products, brands are not only looking for more innovative, environmentally-friendly solutions but also are needing supplier capabilities and resources that can consistently meet those expectations,” said Jill Zullo, vice president, Biointermediates/Bioindustrial at Cargill. “This new venture combines Cargill’s end-to-end supply chain and long-standing, successful product commercialization in several bioindustrial markets with HELM’s expertise in effectively bringing unique chemical applications and other creative solutions to life and to the market.”

The Qore joint venture will focus on producing QIRA™, the next-generation 1,4-butanediol (BDO). Made biologically through the fermentation of plant-based sugars, QIRA can save up to 93 percent of greenhouse gas emissions when replacing today’s widely used chemical intermediates made from traditional fossil sources. QIRA can be used the same way as its chemical counterpart but with significantly better environmental performance. For example, QIRA can be used for making spandex and other polyester-based chemical fibers as well as biodegradable plastics, polyurethane coatings, sealants and artificial leathers, thereby improving their environmental footprint.

“For HELM Chemicals, this joint venture marks an important milestone in our commitment to providing solutions for a successful transformation to a sustainable planet and society. Through partnership and collaboration with brand owners and their suppliers, we will bring sustainable product options to these consumer-driven industries that will not only help them differentiate their brands but also create a more environmentally responsible future,” said Axel Viering, member of the executive board for Business Line Chemicals at HELM.

Cargill and HELM plan to build the bio-based intermediate production facility at Cargill’s existing biotechnology campus and corn refining operation in Eddyville, Iowa. The plant will be completed and operating in 2024 to meet the demanding specification of product supply chains.

Qore has licensed Genomatica’s BDO process technology and is using Cargill’s global feedstock supply and fermentation manufacturing expertise to initially produce and distribute an expected 65,000 metric tons per year minimally of its first bio-intermediate, QIRA. HELM will work with brand owners, original equipment manufacturers and their suppliers to incorporate QIRA into their respective products.

Posted June 10, 2021

Source: Cargill / HELM

Back-To-School U.S. Retail Sales Expected To Grow 5.5 Percent* Compared To Last Year, According To Mastercard Spendingpulse

PURCHASE, N.Y. — June 10, 2021— As students wrap up the current school year, retailers — and parents — are already preparing for a robust back-to-school shopping season as more kids head back into the classroom. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse™, which measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment, U.S. retail sales are expected to grow 5.5 percent excluding automotive and gas during the critical July 15 through September 6 back-to-school period compared to 2020. Compared to 2019, sales are expected to grow 6.7 percent.

“Back to school has always been a prime season for retailers. This year, the broader reopening brings an exciting wave of optimism as children prepare for another school year, and the grown-ups in their lives approach a similar ‘return to office’ scenario,” said Steve Sadove, senior advisor for Mastercard and former CEO and chairman of Saks Inc. “This back-to-school season will be defined by choice as online sales remain robust, brick and mortar browsing regains momentum and strong promotions help retailers compete for shoppers’ wallets.”

Anticipated Back-to-School Retail Sales
Anticipated Year-Over-Year (YOY) Growth

2021 (July 15-September 6) vs.

2020 (July 16-September 7)

 Anticipated Year-Over-Two Years (YO2Y) Growth

2021 (July 15-September 6) vs.

2019 (July 13-September 4)
Total Retail Sales (ex. Auto and Gas) +5.5% +6.7%
Total Retail Sales (ex. Auto) +10.0% +9.1%
E-commerce Sales -6.6% +53.2%
Apparel +78.2% +11.3%
Electronics +13.0% +9.6%
Department Stores +25.3% +9.5%
Source: Mastercard SpendingPulse, which measures overall retail sales across all payment types, including cash and check

Sector-Level Back-to-School Trends:

As the broader U.S. reopening occurs and consumers return to brick and mortar, we anticipate e-commerce sales will ease slightly compared to last year (-6.6%) but will remain up a significant amount (+53.2%) when compared to 2019. In terms of what consumers are buying this back-to-school season, we anticipate the following retail trends:

  • Apparel Refresh: While athleisure was the fashion statement of 2020, this year brings the diversification of the wardrobe as in-person schooling, reunions and other events drive consumers to make their social debuts in style. Apparel is expected to grow 78.2 percent YOY / 11.3 percent YO2Y.
  • Department Store Shopping Returns: Department Stores, outdoor shopping centers and malls offer a fresh change of scenery for shoppers. We forecast a 25.3 percent YOY/9.5 percent YO2Y increase in the Department Store sector as they rebound from last year’s dip in foot traffic. Buy online, pick-up in store as well as technologies such as contactless will remain important as consumers continue to seek low-contact experiences.
  • Tech Upgrade: If we learned one thing this past year, it’s that technology keeps us connected. With many states and schools determining the virtual/in-person cadence, we anticipate Electronics will be up 13.0 percent YOY/9.6 percent YO2Y.

Building on Ongoing Retail Momentum

The anticipated back-to-school sales growth is a continuation of ongoing retail sales momentum, with May marking the eighth consecutive month of Total Retail Sales growth*. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, U.S. retail sales excluding automotive and gasoline, increased 12.2% year-over-year in May, and 10.2% compared to May 2019. Online sales in May grew 1.1% and 94.8% respectively, compared to the same periods.

Mastercard SpendingPulse™ 
U.S. Snapshot – May 2021
Sales Growth 
May 2021 vs. 2020 Sales Growth 
May 2021 vs. 2019
Total Retail Sales (ex. Auto and Gas) +12.2% +10.2%
Total Retail Sales (ex. Auto) +16.4% +9.9%
E-commerce Sales +1.1% +94.8%
By Sector
Apparel +75.9% +14.7%
Department Stores +212.0% +4.2%
Furniture & Furnishings +22.5% +20.2%
Grocery +4.8% +14.4%
Jewelry +203.4% +44.7%
Lodging +254.4% -1.5%
Restaurants +84.7% +7.9%
Source: Mastercard SpendingPulse, which measures overall retail sales across all payment types, including cash and check

*excluding auto and gas sales

Posted June 10, 2021

Source: Mastercard

Amazon, Hanesbrands File Joint Lawsuits Against Infringers Of Champion Trademarks

SEATTLE — June 10, 2021— Today, Amazon.com Inc., together with HanesBrands Inc. and HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises LLC (collectively, HanesBrands) jointly filed 13 lawsuits against 17 defendants for selling silicone protective earbud case covers that illegally bear HanesBrands’ registered Champion trademarks. The defendants attempted to offer the infringing products in Amazon’s store, violating Amazon’s policies, infringing on HanesBrands’ registered Champion trademarks, and breaking the law.

The lawsuits were filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. They allege that the defendants used HanesBrands’ registered Champion trademarks without authorization to deceive customers about the authenticity and origin of the products and to create a false affiliation with HanesBrands. Amazon closed the defendants’ selling accounts.

“The vast majority of Amazon customers shop with the confidence knowing they will receive an authentic product,” said Dharmesh Mehta, vice president of Customer Trust and Partner Support at Amazon. “In the rare instances when bad actors attempt to take advantage of customers and companies like HanesBrands, our team is relentless about tracking down and holding them accountable.”

Amazon strictly prohibits infringing and counterfeit products in its store, and has invested more than $700 million and employed more than 10,000 people to proactively protect its store from bad actors and bad products. Amazon uses industry-leading tools to verify potential sellers’ identities, and Amazon’s proprietary systems analyze hundreds of unique data points to verify information provided by potential sellers. In 2020, only 6 percent of attempted new seller account registrations passed its robust verifications process and listed products. As a result, fewer than 0.01 percent of all products sold on Amazon received a counterfeit complaint from customers. Those complaints were then investigated for accuracy.

“We will aggressively defend our brands and our intellectual property around the world,” said Jon Ram, president of Global Activewear at HanesBrands. “We look forward to prevailing in these lawsuits.”

In June 2020, Amazon launched its Counterfeit Crimes Unit, a global team dedicated to pursuing bad actors and holding them accountable to the fullest extent of the law, including by working with law enforcement. Amazon has filed a series of lawsuits against counterfeiters, including a suit against individuals using social media to promote and facilitate the sale of counterfeits, as well as joint lawsuits with Italian luxury brands Valentino and Ferragamo, cosmetics brand KF Beauty, family travel accessory brand JL Childress, cooler manufacturer YETI, and family-owned-and-operated card game company Dutch Blitz.

HanesBrands, the owner of the iconic Champion brand, is a socially responsible leading manufacturer of everyday casual wear in the Americas, Europe, Australia, and Asia-Pacific. For nearly 100 years, the Champion brand has been synonymous with high-quality uniforms and apparel for amateur and professional athletes, as well as popular styles of sportswear and leisurewear for kids and adults. Champion apparel has been worn by millions of everyday people, celebrities, and athletes, and the Champion brand has become one of the most recognized sportswear brands in history.

Posted June 10, 2021

Source: Amazon.com Inc.

Aegle Launches The First N95 Mask To Feature Exclusive Acteev Anti-Microbial Fabric And Authentication And Traceability Technology

HOUSTON — June 10, 2021— Aegle, an American-made PPE manufacturer and health-tech company, has launched the first N95 and NIOSH certified mask that uses authentication and traceability technology, it announced today. Every box case and lot has an embedded NFC chip to prevent counterfeiting and ensure that every mask sold is trusted, transparent and authentic.

Aegle’s team comprises technologists, industrial designers, and healthcare experts including multiple Ph.D.s and experience in national security and technology. Aegle masks are manufactured domestically in the Houston, Texas metro area and the company has plans to launch and license further PPE applications of its patent-pending authentication and traceability technology.

Masks are available for corporations, businesses, healthcare institutions, essential workplaces and individuals to purchase on Aegle’s website and Amazon beginning today.

“Despite plummeting COVID-19 cases in the US, the world has forever changed as a result of COVID-19 with governments, healthcare organizations, businesses and consumers now well aware of the need to maintain domestic supply of authentic high-quality masks and PPE”, said Thomas Lopez, chief technology officer at Aegle. “We are actively responding to these needs through our health-tech solutions and our laser-focus on innovating and defining the future of high-tech, high-quality protective medical equipment. Our industry-first authentication and traceability technology is the first milestone in our larger mission to make medical protective equipment design safer, transparent and trustworthy.”

Aegle’s N95 mask is designed with careful attention to physical improvements and equipment design for safety and comfort. The masks are made from ultra-lightweight materials that deliver exceptional fit and breathability. Each Aegle N95 mask is designed to effectively secure mask placement, minimize mask movement, and deliver maximum visibility, helping to reduce inhalation exposure to airborne biological particles like COVID-19, Bacillus Anthracis, and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.

Exclusive Partnerships and Impact

Aegle’s anti-microbial N95 respirator is developed through the Company’s exclusive partnership with Ascend Materials. Ascend’s Acteev fabric is embedded with active zinc ions that independent experts have shown contain anti-viral and anti-microbial efficacy.

Since its founding in May 2020, Aegle has built strong relationships with industry partners including non-profits Project N95 and Get Us PPE to serve the overarching mission of building resilience into the US supply chains and strategic reserves of PPE. Specific initiatives include:

  • ProjectN95 and the Patriot Military Family Foundation: Aegle donated tens of thousands of masks to the National Guard for the Presidential inauguration in January.
  • United Food and Commercial Workers Union(UFCW): Aegle has committed that 100 percent of its employees will be unionized.
  • Aegle donated over 14,000 masks for COVID-19 relief in India last month, to combat one of the worst outbreaks globally

Aegle is backed by a team of Silicon Valley technology entrepreneurs and investors. Co-founder Andrew Moy said, “Aegle is more than a financial investment. Our team is protecting the security and safety of all Americans by supporting the reshoring of critical manufacturing to the United States. Investing in a domestic tech-based and impact-oriented PPE manufacturer helps America break supply chain bottlenecks that continue to plague the global economy as we recover from the pandemic and ensure that we remain prepared for future health crisis.”

Authenticity and Traceability

The authentication and traceability technology enhances supply chain intelligence to help ensure effective end-user distribution and that PPE is effective and not counterfeit.

Available information will include internal and third-party test data for all materials used in the production of the product, date of manufacturing, expiration date, lot number, and will verify that each box is an official Aegle product. Having a security layer that authenticates that the product was manufactured by Aegle aims to provide transparency to the entire supply chain – distributors, retailers, and end consumers.

Aegle’s first manufacturing and distribution center is located in the new VEnergy 100-acre industrial park near Brookshire in the Houston, Texas metro area, currently designated as an economic development HUBZone and Opportunity Zone. The center features 90,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space and neighbors other major national distribution facilities. Following the launch of its N95 mask, Aegle has plans to expand production and construct new industrial warehouse space by the end of this year. Aegle has capacity to produce over 20 million masks and expects to provide over 100 jobs in the greater Houston Area by Q4 2021.

About Acteev:

  • Tests show >99% antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal efficacy;
  • EPA-registered zinc ions embedded in the polymer;
  • Hygroscopic nylon 6,6 fabric attracts moisture, which activates the zinc ions;
  • Not a topical treatment or coating;
  • Not dependent on silver, copper; and
  • Proven efficacy in many end forms:
    • Knit and woven fabrics for consumer textiles, upholstery, uniforms, face masks;
    • Nanofiber, meltblown and spunbond nonwovens for filtration;
    • Fibers for carpets; and
    • Engineered plastics for high-touch surfaces.

Posted June 10, 2021

Source: Aegle

New Survey From Kontoor Brands, Parent Company Of Lee® And Wrangler® Finds Pent Up Demand Fuels Remote Workers’ Desire To Dress Down, Spend More When They Return To The Office

GREENSBORO, N.C. — June 10, 2021— As more remote office workers say they’re ready to return to the office, the time away appears to have rewritten their definition of “business casual,” according to a just-released study from Kontoor Brands, the parent company of Wrangler® and Lee®. While safety protocols mean the office itself may look different, there’s an expectation that office workers, specifically their clothing, will too.

Of the 1,006 adults surveyed, 85 percent expect their office will have a business-casual dress code, but the definition of “business casual” appears to be evolving. Respondents were asked how their return-to-work wardrobe will compare to their pre-pandemic office attire, which found:

  • Fewer people (36 percent) plan to wear dress pants or dress skirts when they return to the office, a decrease of 7 points.
  • Nearly 4 in 10 workers (39 percent) expect to wear jeans to the office, an increase of 7 points.
  • Sweatpants and jogging pants will be more prevalent, with 15 percent of office workers expecting to wear them to the office, an increase of 7 points.

“With the trends and expectations we’re seeing, employers should consider rewriting the ‘business-casual’ definition,” said Scott Baxter, president and CEO, Kontoor Brands. “What the survey findings suggest is employees prefer their clothing to provide a seamless transition between their evolving professional and personal roles.”

The overwhelming majority of office workers (84 percent) said a wardrobe refresh is in order. On average, these consumers plan to spend $445 on new clothes. And more than 8 in 10 (82 percent) indicated they’ll buy new jeans in the next 12 months, many of whom plan to wear jeans more frequently when they return to the office. As for the reasons behind the denim demand, respondents said their current jeans were old or worn-out (45 percent), no longer fit (32 percent) or felt buying new jeans would brighten their mood (34 percent).

“Our clothing is an extension of us, and during this time of uncertainty, people are buying and wearing clothes that make them feel more comfortable,” Baxter added. “Our Lee and Wrangler design teams believe office attire should be comfortable, relaxed and stylish. While office workers may have sacrificed comfort in the past, they now want to check all the boxes when selecting their return-to-office wardrobe.”

Furthermore, the survey found office workers expect their clothes to provide for an easy transition from the office to events. For example, consumers indicated they’re likely to wear jeans for a night out with friends (73 percent), a concert or live performance (70 percent) or date night (63 percent). And a surprising number said they plan to wear jeans to more formal events, such as weddings (31 percent).

About the Survey

Kontoor Brands commissioned unbiased, third-party vendor, KRC Research, to run an online survey of 1,006 adults in the United States 18 years of age or older who are currently employed and worked in an office setting prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (prior to March 2020). Data was collected May 7-13, 2021. More information is available at kontoorbrands.com/news.

Posted June 10, 2021

Source: Kontoor Brands Inc.

Sock Manufacturing Company Renfro Brands Acquired By The Renco Group

MOUNT AIRY, N.C. — June 9, 2021— Renfro Brands, a sock manufacturer and marketer, announces new ownership with the private holding company The Renco Group Inc. With 100 years of history and experience in the legwear industry, Renfro will further diversify The Renco Group’s portfolio while deepening its businesses within manufacturing. Through The Renco Group’s decentralized business model, Renfro’s leadership will partner with The Renco Group to solidify its position within the market while developing a long-term strategy for growth.

“We actively pursued Renfro Brands as they are the clear leader within their category and are poised for continued growth,” said Ari Rennert, president, The Renco Group. “With a unique combination of best-in-class owned and licensed brands, longstanding relationships with leading retailers, unparalleled development and supply chain capabilities, and a top-tier management team, Renfro Brands aligns with our values and represents the right opportunity to expand our portfolio.”

The Renco Group is committed to making long-term investments in Renfro, building value over time by retaining earnings and reinvesting in the business. Renfro’s existing management team, including that of the newly launched DTC marketplace Loops & Wales, will partner with The Renco Group on new areas of investment. Under the new ownership, investment will focus on consumer connectivity, operational agility and brand management.

“As Renfro Brands enters its monumental hundredth year in business, we are thrilled by the opportunity to not only further invest in talent, performance marketing and technology but to also elevate our supply chain resilience through The Renco Group’s manufacturing experience,” said Stan Jewell, CEO, Renfro Brands. “We are brand stewards and this acquisition strengthens our commitment to position brand management as one of our core competencies to create and drive more value internally and externally.”

Today, Renfro stewards over 20 globally recognized brands spanning the essentials, fashion, athletics, outdoors, work and wellness categories. Renfro’s brand portfolio model includes Fruit of the Loom, Dr. Scholl’s, Merrell, Copper Defense, Smartwool and more, including fashion sock labels Hot Sox and K. Bell. The brand’s commitment to sock manufacturing has resulted in long, trusted relationships with large retailers such as Macy’s, Walmart, Costco and Amazon as well as brand licensors. Under The Renco Group, Renfro will aim to create a best-in-class brand management experience for licensing partners and continue to build and balance their brand portfolio to drive value proposition and new business.

Posted June 10, 2021

Source: Renfro

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