Higg Technology Demonstrates Critical Role In Accelerating Sustainability Progress

SAN FRANCISCO — October 28, 2021 — Higg, a technology platform that enables consumer goods companies to measure, manage, and share the social and environmental impacts of their full value chain, released a new report today demonstrating the role Higg technology plays in helping brands reduce environmental impact. Since 2019, manufacturing facilities using the Higg platform have improved their environmental assessment scores by 20 percent. Brands and facilities that use Higg to contextualize their supply chain data are proving to be well-poised to urgently address the climate crisis.

“In order to accomplish large-scale climate and social change, we must provide accurate, trustworthy, and contextualized data to more businesses, more markets, and more shoppers as quickly as possible,” said Higg CEO Jason Kibbey in the inaugural Impact Report.

Notably, Higg’s platform growth is up 70 percent — total users exceed 45,000 in 2021, compared to 10,000 in 2018. Higg users are expected to surpass 50,000 by the end of 2021.

Higg’s environmental assessments (Facility Environmental Module, or FEM) evaluate facility performance on carbon emissions, water use, waste management, chemical management, and energy use. Currently completed on an annual basis, facilities can view year-over-year assessment data all in one place. The dashboard view of environmental performance can be organized to benchmark against industry standards and peers, analyzed for insights, and leveraged to inform sustainability investment decisions.

The Impact Report shares sustainability progress across Higg’s users to date. Specific to energy use, facilities that completed the facility environmental assessment three years consecutively show improvements in favor of energy efficiency, such as heightened energy use awareness. For example, according to Higg data, 12-percent more facilities have implemented energy use strategies in 2020, compared to 2018.

Consumer goods companies can compare the full lifecycle of products — from material sourcing to customer use, to understand which processes most determine overall sustainability performance. Higg is the only data platform enabling consumer goods companies to collect product-level data and then publish consumer-facing sustainability claims.

“We’re ramping up our environmental efforts and want to support our vendors and their factories to increase responsible environmental practices and management,” said Keterina Chong Williams Sonoma Manager, Sustainability. “The Higg analytics tool gives us quick visibility into the issues our suppliers are facing without having to sort through thousands of columns on a spreadsheet.”

From materials and product design, to manufacturing and facilities, and finally, to the environmental impact of brand and retail operations, businesses are using Higg to incorporate a sustainability-driven point of view across the value chain.

Posted October 28, 2021

Source: Higg

Klopman: Enhancing Supply Chain Transparency And Efficiency With New Supplier Portal

FROSINONE, Italy — October 28, 2021 — With the arrival of the pandemic and the consequent changes that have taken place for businesses globally, companies had to face shifting dynamics that significantly stressed the Supply Chain. The procurement of raw materials, mainly from Asia, highlighted the vulnerability of the entire procurement system and the extreme importance that the accuracy and timing of trading information have for reliable performance across the entire Supply Chain.

Klopman has therefore designed and implemented an innovative web-based application called ‘Supplier Portal’. This portal is shared with suppliers and aims to speed up the entire information flow between all parties, optimizing time and processes.

“We are very proud of this new tool, designed and created by and for Klopman and all of our supply chain partners,” said Manlio Ferragni, group Supply Chain and Purchasing director of the company. “It is a direct response to the many challenges the industry faces at this difficult time. The pandemic has highlighted all the limits of the supply chains of numerous companies, in almost every sector. At Klopman, we have chosen to analyze the situation, transforming it into opportunities for growth and innovation by involving our Supply Chain.”

Klopman’s ‘Supplier Portal’ provides a shared end-to-end vision of the company’s Supply Chain process, generating interaction with suppliers and promoting transparency in the supply chain. Within the portal, in real time, suppliers will have access to all the documentary information regarding their orders. Klopman, at the same time, will gain real-time evidence of the progress of all orders and related information.

This information flow will directly feed the Klopman ERP system, making the same data available to each department that needs it, throughout the entire organization.

“Our ‘Supplier Portal’,” concluded Ferragni, “is the result of an important Group project, developed with the involvement of our Supply Chain Team and the support of the IT department. It is an important strategic step towards a new way of thinking and managing the communication interface of the entire supply chain. Today, more than ever, an effective, efficient and transparent two-way information exchange is necessary, so as to allow the entire supply chain to obtain information in a collaborative way.”

Posted October 28, 2021

Source: Klopman International s.r.l.

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Resumes Work Producing Custom Spider Silk Yarns And Fabrics With Vietnam Re-Opening

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — October 28, 2021 — Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc., the biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of spider silk, shares today that easing travel restrictions and re-opening business operations throughout Vietnam has re-energized the company as it moves forward with the production of finished goods utilizing its specialized recombinant spider silk.

Safety protocols and restrictions enacted at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam led to closures and slowdowns of many businesses throughout the country, most notably in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City. The majority of these restrictions did not directly impact the company’s subsidiary, so Prodigy Textiles, located in central Vietnam, did not stop the production of its specialized silkworms. However, those shutdowns affected Prodigy’s employees and the company, including delayed laboratory equipment deliveries, which delayed operational growth, and slowdowns at yarn spinners and weavers, which limited the company’s ability to convert its raw silk into finished fabrics and garments.

Now, as these restrictions are lifting, Kraig Labs is ready to accelerate the scale-up of silkworm production with the scheduled delivery and installation of new quality control (“QC”) lab equipment. In the absence of the genetic screening that this new QC lab equipment will enable, the company intentionally maintained production below peak capacity to ensure a stable and healthy silkworm colony. Once installed, Prodigy’s facility will have onsite control systems far more advanced than nearly all silk producers.

This month brought several significant regulatory orders easing those restrictions, once again allowing the movement and travel for crucial goods, services, and personnel throughout the country. With the re-opening of textile mills and yarn spinners, Kraig Labs is now resuming work to produce the custom yarns and spider silk fabrics for the launch of SpydaSilk™ apparel, a joint development partnership with Kings Golden Harvest, PTE LTD.

“We are pleased to see conditions in Vietnam improving for its people and its economy,” said Kraig Labs COO Jon Rice. “In the coming weeks, we expect to receive and install several pieces of lab equipment delayed due to lockdowns. This quality assurance equipment will play a key role in our continued production expansion. Most critically, with this re-opening, we can once again work with the textile mills to weave our silk into the finished fabrics for the first garments for SpydaSilk and to supply materials to the numerous other brands eager to incorporate spider silk into their products.”

Posted October 28, 2021

Source: Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc.

Gaston College Breaks Ground On Fiber Innovation Center

BELMONT, N.C. — October 28, 2021 — A groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, October 27, celebrated the start of construction of the Fiber Innovation Center, an expansion of the Gaston College Kimbrell Campus and its Textile Technology Center. The campus is located on Wilkinson Boulevard in Belmont, N.C.

The Fiber Innovation Center will provide a world-class facility to develop and test fibers for the advanced materials industry for use in proprietary products developed by national and international clients. When completed, it will be the only North American facility open to industry that will house the entire range of advanced fiber development capabilities where scientists can start with an idea, move to small-scale trials, and work up to a commercially viable product ready for production. Local and regional support from the textile industry and from the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management is helping make this state-of-the-art project possible.

In his comments to ceremony attendees, Dr. John Hauser, president of Gaston College, said, “Today this groundbreaking represents a unique partnership that includes the Federal Government, the State of North Carolina, Gaston County, Gaston College, North Carolina State University, and our most important partner — private industry.

“I have worked with many partnerships and collaborations in my 24 years in the community college system, yet none compare to this,” he continued. “I am proud of our work and proud that we are owning our momentum as we join forces to build a world-class Fiber Innovation Center.”

Also speaking at the ceremony were John Dancoff, chairman of the Gaston College Board of Trustees; John Lowery, president of the Gaston College Foundation; Andy Warlick, chairman and CEO of Parkdale Mills; and Davis Warlick, executive vice president of Parkdale Mills.

Parkdale Mills is one of the Textile Technology Center’s vital partners and clients, and its executives have worked closely with Gaston College on the initial design concept of the Center.

“I have not seen in my lifetime in Gaston County a project with such overwhelming support from the state, county, city, academia, philanthropy, and industry,” Warlick said. “The Fiber Innovation Center is the future of the textiles industry.”

The architectural firm of WHN Architects designed the approximately 39,000 square foot facility and Shelco, LLC, is the contractor for the project.

The FIC represents Gaston College’s continuing commitment to the textile industry. For close to 80 years, the Textile Technology Center has played a significant role in helping the North Carolina textile industry remain competitive, manufacture quality products, and maintain a well-trained workforce. With this facility and the planned launch of a Textile Academy focused on addressing the workplace skills gap related to the textile industry, the College and the regional textile industry will be even more strongly woven together.

For more information about the Fiber Innovation Center and the Gaston College Textile Technology Center, visit gaston.edu/fic.

Posted October 28, 2021

Source: Gaston College

Bolger & O’Hearn Introduces Shell-Tech Free, The Latest Generation in Ultra-Durable, Fluorine-Free Water Repellence

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Oct. 20,2021 — Bolger and O’Hearn is proud to introduce Shell-Tech Free, an advanced, premium-performance, fluorine-free durable water repellent that provides the same repellency, wash durability and run-ability as a quality C-6. A versatile DWR that can be used on a wide variety of end products, Shell-Tech Free has also been engineered for sustainability and easy application at the mill.

Additional information about this technology will be available at IFAI Expo 2021, November 2-4, 2021, Booth A1114 in the Advanced Textiles section of the show at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn.

Fabrics finished with Shell-Tech Free are resistant to water, stains from soda, wine, sports drinks, mud, fruit juices, syrups and are durable up to fifty launderings and several dry cleanings. In many cases, repellency will last the life of a treated article. At the same time, Shell-Tech Free will not change or interfere with an article’s natural hand, drape, breathability or comfort.

Shell-Tech Free is the ideal DWR for a wide variety of end products, including medical wear & PPE, workwear, athleisure apparel, hats, gloves, socks, tarpaulins, boat covers, awnings, tents and more.

In addition, Shell-Tech Free is water-based, highly biodegradable, recyclable, doesn’t contain fluorine, VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) or PFA’s, doesn’t emit dangerous off-gasses and is manufactured using solar energy in a bluesign-accredited facility.

“The industry is steadily shifting to more sustainable options for repellents and other finishing solutions,” said Shawn Honeycutt, sales and marketing Manager at B&O. “Shell-Tech Free was developed to meet that need and fits the bill for an eco-friendly, high performance water repellent that gives finishers a drop-in replacement for conventional systems.”

At the mill, Shell-Tech Free can be applied at lower finish add-on levels compared to competing fluorine-free repellents. This produces repellent fabrics with significantly reduced mark-off issues. The lower finish add-on also reduces color change and hand stiffening, plus tolerates non-uniform fabric preparation and doesn’t require high temperatures for application.

Meanwhile, lower temperature curing preserves fabric properties such as color, hand and dimensional stability. It can also be applied successfully over fabrics that have received sub-optimal cleaning. While many fluorine-free DWR products demand scrupulous pre-cleaning before finishing to achieve high repellency, Shell-Tech Free can tolerate less rigorous cleaning and still perform at a high level.

“Shell-Tech Free represents another step by our company to provide the textile industry with products that are both highly effective and kind to the environment,” Honeycutt added. “Consumers are asking for both and we are committed to helping our customers meet that demand.”

Posted October 27, 2021

Source: Bolger & O’Hearn

 

VF Corp. Publishes New Made For Change Sustainability & Responsibility Report Revealing Achievements In People, Planet And Product Commitments And Sets A Dozen Ambitious New Goals

DENVER — October 26, 2021 — VF Corp., a global supplier of branded lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories, published its latest Made for Change sustainability and responsibility report today. With action and progress at the core of its message, the report highlights VF’s advancement toward achieving its commitments to better both people and the planet, including progress toward its ambitious science-based targets. The report also showcases VF’s leadership in driving measurable, industry-wide progress against environmental and social challenges.

“VF Corporation and our family of brands strive to be more than just an apparel and footwear company. Collectively, we work to be a leading global citizen, setting a high bar for corporate sustainability and responsibility,” said Sean Cady, vice president, Global Sustainability, Responsibility and Trade, VF Corp. “From our owned offices to our partner factories around the world, we use our scale and resources to take actions that advance meaningful and measurable progress.”

The latest report, Made for Change, is VF’s fourth sustainability and responsibility report and has three primary areas of focus: People, Planet and Product, which include worker development, gender parity, carbon emissions, waste and plastic reduction, responsible sourcing of materials, recycled and regenerative supply chains, and chemicals. In line with its commitment to continuous improvement, the company is also publishing 12 new ambitious goals in the report.

“VF is committed to fueling change in the apparel and footwear industries. We believe there is a reciprocal relationship between purpose and profit, and when we get it right, we create a virtuous cycle that positively impacts the world and our bottom line,” Cady said. “We’re proud of our work to date and know there is more work to do in this space independently and collaboratively with the global apparel industry and beyond. We’re confident we can drive continued progress while simultaneously delivering products that consumers desire.”

Report highlights include:

People:

  • Worker and Community Development (WCD): Through its WCD programs, VF provided support to 290,000 people through FY2020 and since inception nearly 550,000 workers total as the company strives to achieve its goal of improving the lives of one million workers and their communities by 2025 and two million by 2030.
  • Worker well-being: VF has announced ambitious worker rights commitments that aim to promote dignity, social dialogue and equal opportunities for people across its supply chain.
  • Workforce Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Action (IDEA): At end of FY2020, 375+ leaders have been trained to foster inclusion and address unconscious bias.
  • Equal Pay: By 2024, assess and resolve any identified pay gaps for associates, sponsored athletes, and influencers across the organization through pay equity analysis and review of pay practices.
  • Community Impact: In fiscal year 2020, the VF Foundation donated $6.2M+ to 72 community partners, including toward COVID-19 relief efforts.

Planet:

  • Scope 1 & 2 Emissions: By sourcing renewable energy and implementing energy efficiency initiatives VF achieved a 17% reduction toward its commitment of an absolute reduction of Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 55% by 2030 from a 2017 baseline.
  • Scope 3 Emissions: Over 50 million metric tons of GHG reductions were achieved through supplier factory sustainability programs. And despite experiencing a significant growth in business between 2017 and 2020, VF saw no corresponding increase in Scope 3 emissions, supporting its commitment to an absolute reduction of Scope 3 GHG emissions1 of 30% by 2030 from a 2017 baseline.
  • Renewable Energy: 29% of VF’s electric power at owned-and-operated facilities is powered by renewable energy sources. By 2025, the goal is to source 100% renewable energy across all owned-and-operated facilities.
  • Waste Reduction: 72% of distribution centers are verified zero-waste2 and will reach 100% verification at the end of calendar year 2021.

Product:

  • Sustainable Materials: 75% of all cotton purchased by VF was grown in the U.S., Australia or under a third-party sustainability scheme. VF’s goal is to reach 100% by 2025.
  • Traceability: VF set a new goal of tracing five of VF’s key materials through 100% of the supply chain by 2027. The company has already completed the mapping of all leather and cotton sourced by VF brands.
  • Sustainable Packaging: VF is progressing toward the elimination of single-use plastic packaging by 2025.

VF’s FY2020 sustainability and responsibility report was prepared in alignment with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards, and serves as VF’s annual communication on progress for the United Nations Global Compact. Unless otherwise stated, all data reported is for VF’s Fiscal Year 2020 (April 2019 – March 2020).

1 VF has set a commitment to achieve an absolute reduction of Scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services and upstream transportation of 30% by 2030 from a 2017 baseline.
2 Based on a diversion rate of 95% or greater

Posted October 26, 2021

Source: VF Corporation

Avantus Divests Composites Business To Focus On Expansion Into C-Class Components

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — October 26, 2021 — Avantus Aerospace continues its transformation into a ‘pure-play’ C-Class parts manufacturer, having recently completed the divestiture of its non-core composites business line. Two U.S.-based structural composites companies – Performance Plastics in San Diego, Calif., and Angeles Composite Technologies in Port Angeles, Wash., were sold to JW Hill Capital, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based private equity firm. SDM Composites in Hermosillo, Mexico, was sold to Groupe Latécoère, headquartered in Toulouse, France. The Avantus Group has facilities in the United States and Europe and provides shims, detailed parts, specialty fasteners, precision machining, and elastomer gaskets to the aerospace and semiconductor industries.

Brian Williams, CEO of Avantus, said: “As we position ourselves for the ramp-up in aerospace production, Avantus is focused on growing our core businesses and capabilities.  We’re certain that the new homes for our composites companies will likewise give them exceptional focus for growth and expansion.”

Avantus acquired three specialty fastener companies over the last 22 months, including two during the pandemic — Fastener Technology Corp., California Screw Products and Fastener Innovation Technology — and will continue to expand its range of C-Class components, both organically and via further acquisitions. With tremendous emphasis on operational excellence and customer service, the acquired accompanies have already achieved industry-leading performance in terms of quality, lead-times, on-time delivery, and customer responsiveness.

Avantus Aerospace is owned by Inflexion Private Equity and Auctus Industries. Inflexion is a leading European mid-market private equity firm, investing in high growth, entrepreneurial businesses with ambitious management teams and working in partnership with them to accelerate growth. Auctus Industries is a specialist investor in aerospace businesses.

Avantus Aerospace was advised by D.A. Davidson (Costa Mesa, CA), Goodwin Procter LLP (Santa Monica, CA) and Grant Thornton (Irvine, CA).

Posted October 26, 2021

Source: Avantus Aerospace

Fair Harbor Continues Growth With $7 Million In Financing From Gerber Finance

NEW YORK CITY — October 26, 2021 — Fair Harbor, maker of sustainable swimwear, clothing, and accessories, today announced it received $7 million in funding from Gerber Finance, an eCapital company and the leading finance partner for companies experiencing accelerated growth. The funding will fuel Fair Harbor’s expansion into a full lifestyle company providing products for every member of the family.

Founded in 2014 by siblings with backgrounds in fashion and climatology — Millennial Jake Danehy and Gen Z Caroline Danehy — Fair Harbor is an active lifestyle brand that turns post-consumer recycled water bottles into swimwear and clothing with the goal of preventing pollution to Earth’s oceans. To-date, Fair Harbor has recycled more than 10 million plastic bottles, preventing waste from entering the ocean. Fair Harbor has seen a steady rate of 1,000-percent year-over-year growth since before the pandemic and has recently expanded its product offering beyond swimwear in addition to launching a kids’ line.

“We chose Gerber Finance for two reasons,” said Jake Danehy, CEO of Fair Harbor. “First, they offer a more creative financing structure than we saw elsewhere in the market, and this structure will be pivotal in facilitating our continued growth. And, we spoke with some of Gerber’s existing clients and they all said Gerber stands out by being a true partner through good times and bad. We’re most excited about that partnership as we work with Gerber to continue to build our business.”

“Fair Harbor has seen incredible growth, and we love Jake and Caroline’s passion and purpose,” said Jennifer Palmer, CEO of Gerber Finance. “Fair Harbor’s model of turning recycled water bottles into clothing aligns with our commitment to fund companies giving back to the community and the planet through our Naturally Gerber Finance division, and we look forward to supporting their continued success.”

Gerber launched its Naturally Gerber Finance division in 2020 to serve the needs of the growing base of natural products companies in its portfolio. The team has funded dozens of natural products companies including Stasher, Coola, Honey Stinger, and Om Mushroom Superfood, along with sustainable clothing company Pact.

Posted October 26, 2021

Source: Fair Harbor

Accel Unite Revolutionizes Healthcare Isolation Gown

HOUSTON, Texas — October 26, 2021 — Accel Unite is beyond excited to announce its team has developed a new design for reusable isolation gowns that are not only more cost-effective, but also provide better protection for both the wearer and the environment.

Every year, hospitals and medical facilities use billions of disposable, single-use isolation gowns. It’s a number that only increased with the arrival of the COVID-19. In fact, at the height of the pandemic, some healthcare institutions were using 10,000 disposable isolation gowns per day. Due to increased demand and supply chain issues from Asia, providers across the country were fearful they would run out of isolation gowns and other PPE.

Megan Eddings, founder and CEO of Accel Unite, knew there had to be a better way. She and her team immediately began researching the current offerings for isolation gowns and started working on designing a better gown. After collaborating with Healthcare Infection Control, Eddings and her team designed a new style of isolation gown that is now patent pending in 153 countries. Accel Unite is also registered with the FDA.

Better for the Environment

“We all know about the damaging effects of single-use plastics on our environment and our oceans. I couldn’t even begin to fathom the effects of plastic gowns,” Eddings said. “I knew my team and I had to create a solution that would not only focus on protecting the healthcare hero, but also protecting the environment.”

Instead of being thrown away, Accel Unite’s gowns can be washed at home or by a commercial launderer.

Increased Protection for Healthcare Providers

Accel Unite’s gowns are also able to better protect the wearer from contaminants.

Many reusable gowns tie in the back of the neck, requiring the wearer to put their contaminated sleeves near their face and neck. Accel Unite’s gowns are different. They have a snap behind the neck, enabling the wearer to tug the gown at the chest or shoulders to remove it. They never have to put their contaminated sleeves near their face and neck.

Accel Unite’s gowns also have ties on the side instead of in the back, so they’re easily tied and adjusted. In addition, they include an optional thumb loop, which prevents the gown’s sleeves from riding up.

When testing the gowns, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standards were used. The AAMI standards focus on liquid barrier performance and protection in the critical zones of gowns.

Reduced Cost for Medical Facilities

Besides being a more sustainable and safe option, Accel Unite’s gowns are also less expensive per wear, compared to most disposable gowns. Hospitals, nursing homes, schools, clinics, and other medical facilities now have the option to incorporate a gown solution that reduces costs by as much as 25 to 50 percent.

And, because the gowns are made in North America, supply chain concerns are greatly reduced.

“Healthcare institutions can be proud to share with their community and staff that they are making decisions that are decreasing their environmental impact, while also keeping safety and protection at the forefront,” Eddings said. “Accel Unite isolation gowns provide increased protection compared to other reusable gowns, provide peace of mind in knowing they will not run out, and mirrors their sustainability initiatives.”

Posted October 26, 2021

Source: Accel Unite

Beaulieu International Group To Increase Prices Across Its Flooring Solutions Portfolio

WIELSBEKE, Belgium — October 26, 2021 — Beaulieu International Group (B.I.G.) announces global price increases for all of its flooring product brands to take effect during Q4 2021 and Q1 2022, or as contract terms allow.

“During 2021, we have tried to limit the impact on our customers of the general cost inflation of raw materials, logistics and energy. However, these costs have continued to increase significantly in the second half of this year, forcing us to implement additional price increases of typically 8 percent, depending on region and product line, during the last quarter of this year and into 2022,” said Wim Coppens, vice president, Flooring of Beaulieu International Group.

Sales representatives are already in contact with their customers to inform them of the price changes on their specific orders.

B.I.G. is a producer of resilient flooring, hard flooring, tufted carpet and mats, needle felt and artificial grass, in Europe, North America, Russia-CIS and Australia. The flooring brands and businesses that are part of B.I.G. include BerryAlloc, Beauflor, Orotex, Real, Carus, Ideal, Turfgrass and Beaulieu Mats.

Posted October 26, 2021

Source: Beaulieu International Group

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