Nike’s Most Sustainably-Minded Performance Shoe Yet

BEAVERTON, Ore. — September 13, 2021 — The Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next Nature takes Nike’s most elite performance shoe and recreates it with circular design principles. It is Nike’s most sustainably-minded performance shoe to date.

Following Nike Basketball’s Cosmic Unity, Nike Running designers were driven by a core belief within the Move to Zero initiative — Nike’s journey toward zero carbon and zero waste — that a product that makes the world better can also make an athlete better. Cosmic Unity set the bar with 25 percent total recycled content by weight; the Alphafly Next Nature advanced it by reaching at least 50 percent total recycled content by weight, making it Nike’s boldest move yet in merging sustainability and performance. Doing so with the crown jewel of racing footwear was an important symbolic choice.

“We don’t want to be about making shiny objects — we wanted to set our concept car as the intent for how we think about performance and sustainability,” says Rachel Bull, senior footwear product director for Nike Running. “Putting a sustainable focus on our fastest marathon shoe also means we need all hands on deck for it to work, from our teams in design to material sourcing to manufacturing.”

The design of the AlphaFly Next Nature arrives at new answers by considering new questions: What are creative ways to select different materials or processes for the shoe’s performance elements? Can leftover or recycled versions of those pinnacle features be made while maintaining their elite properties?

Those kinds of questions required fluid conversation between engineers, developers and manufacturers to create a shoe that performed in real life. That work translated into hitting meaningful numbers in sustainability for some of the shoe’s most important performance elements. Take the Nike ZoomX midsole, which was made with at least 70 percent recycled materials by weight. Bull attributes a big part of the magic of Nike racing shoes to the ZoomX foam, reaching back to Eliud Kipchoge’s daring quest to break the 2-hour marathon barrier. If any of it is going to waste, she says, it’s a huge loss for the people who would potentially wear those shoes on race day. One solution: Put the leftover recycled foam from the midsole back into the sock liner. Redeem a part of the shoe that symbolizes so much potential for the body.

This use-everything strategy got the teams thinking across disciplines and considering how other parts of the shoe could utilize waste. For example, the forefoot Zoom Air pods in the Nike Running racing line naturally consist of a high percentage of recycled content. The Alphafly Next Nature leveled this concept up and used leftover waste from those Zoom Air pods in the 3D-printing process that creates the textile for the hybrid Nike Flyprint and Nike Flyknit upper.

Created inside the NEXT% system, the original Alphafly NEXT% is the summation of many components working together. The design principles guiding Move to Zero are no different; every shoe fits within a larger pursuit of progress, as the insights derived from one shoe guide the next shoe forward in reducing its impact on the planet. According to Bull, the Alphafly Next Nature offers another jumping-off point, and a unique opportunity for Nike to continue scaling its sustainability efforts across its running line.

“The exciting thing about pushing performance and sustainability forward with the Alphafly Next Nature is that we know if we can do it with our most pinnacle performance product, then so much is validated to bring that technology into the rest of the line,” says Bull.

Posted September 13, 2021

Source: Nike

VF Corp. And Redress Announce 2021 Winner Of World’s Largest Sustainable Fashion Design Competition

DENVER — September 13, 2021 — VF Corp., a global supplier of branded lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories, continued its three-year partnership with environmental charity Redress, announcing the 2021 winner of the Redress Design Award. As the world’s largest sustainable fashion design competition, the Redress Design Award reflects VF’s continuous drive to innovate and foster the next generation of forward-thinking, environmentally-conscious designers in the apparel and footwear industry. The winner, Jessica Chang, will receive the opportunity to design a sustainable capsule collection with Timberland® available for sale in 2023.

“The Redress Design Awards showcase what is possible when emerging designs are given an opportunity to innovate around sustainability. We believe cultivating creative, up-and-coming talent is both good for business and a necessity for the future of our planet,” said Sean Cady, VF’s Vice President, Global Sustainability and Responsibility, who served as one of the judges. “Sustainable fashion and circular design align with our purpose of bettering both people and the planet. Watching our global teams embrace this sustainability competition and mentor the next generation of designers is incredibly rewarding.”

Ten finalists from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, India, and Greater China participated in virtual events, which took place September 1-11. The event included educational challenges and master classes on advancing sustainability and circular design in the fashion industry through a variety of sustainable production solutions. With a broader focus on the reduction of waste, the emerging designers secured their place in the competition by impressing judges with entries that offered climate positive apparel through zero-waste patterns, prolonged garment lifecycles, end-of-life disassembly, upcycling and minimal washing needs.

“At Redress, we believe that educating designers is an urgent must if we are to achieve our mission of reducing fashion’s waste. That’s why VF is a perfect partner for the Redress Design Award. They represent real life, big business proof that training their own fashion professionals does lead to action and positive impact. Education takes time and a long-sighted approach and the global education gap is worryingly huge. It’s refreshing to work hand-in-hand with VF on transforming fashion from the design board up,” said Christina Dean, the founder of Redress.

The 10-day event culminated with the Grand Final fashion show with each designer showcasing a full collection. The winner will participate in a mentorship program with VF’s Timberland brand and will ultimately design a sustainable apparel capsule collection that will launch in Spring 2023.

The First Prize Winner of the Redress Design Award, Jessica Chang, impressed the judges with her collection which incorporated waste materials into designs to connect with and inspire consumers. The winning collection demonstrated creativity in sustainable design as well as strong marketability and commerciality.

“Winning this chance to work with Timberland is a life-changer for me,” said Jessica Chang. “Entering this complex industry as an emerging designer is daunting because, so often, everywhere we look we see bad news and complexity. We know we can bring change. Yet it is hard to magnify our big ideas as start-up designers. The Redress Design Award has given me confidence — we are all in this together to make a positive change!”

Chang will begin working with the Timberland® team immediately, along with VF’s Sustainability and Responsibility team to ensure that the materials and design strategies meet the company’s sustainability objectives.

“The caliber of designs was extremely impressive and reinforces our commitment to eco-innovation,” said Mahmoud Salahy, vice president and managing director, Timberland® Asia Pacific. “We are looking forward to working with this year’s winner based on our past experience working with Redress and the level of talent and creativity emerging from this global competition.”

This moment comes as the capsule collection designed by last year’s Redress winner is preparing to hit stores this Spring. Vietnamese designer Le Ngoc Ha Thu spent nine months working with the Timberland global design team to create the Chinese New Year-themed capsule collection, which puts both nature and the consumer at the center of the conversation.

The full Redress Design Award 2021 Grand Final is available on Facebook and key highlights on YouTube.

Posted September 13, 2021

Source: VF Corporation

Lectra Joins The Plug And Play Open Innovation Ecosystem

PARIS — September 13, 2021 — Major global player in the 4.0 Industry for the fashion, automotive, and furniture market, Lectra is joining the Brand & Retail program of the Plug and Play network, the world’s leading innovation platform connecting startups, investors, and pioneering companies.

For Lectra — which designs industrial intelligence solutions including software, equipment, data and services — brands, manufacturers and distributors, this merger is another step towards achieving its ambitions: to become a benchmark player in the 4.0 industry’s markets, particularly fashion.

Among the mutually established goals, there is the encouragement of dialogue between startups and the brand, the emergence of innovative solutions, and also the development of a network of talents and mentors.

Lectra will benefit from the ecosystem developed by Plug and Play Brand & Retail in France for more than three years, bringing together the best French and international startups specialised in retail.

“We are excited and honoured to join the Plug and Play Brand & Retail program. This association reinforces our commitment towards open innovation, initiated in 2017 with the creation of the Lectra Innovation Lab. The accomplishments and pilot projects deployed, will be part of the co-creative actions initiated at the Innovation Lab. Being able to work with the most promising French and international startups and renowned companies is a great opportunity for Lectra. Our goal is to accelerate the emergence of disruptive innovations that will allow us to offer  an even higher value to our customers in the future,” stated Philippe Ribera, Innovation Director of Lectra.

“We are extremely honoured to welcome Lectra to our global innovation ecosystem. Lectra is one of the main global players involved in the production process and the digital acceleration of apparel and fashion. Plug and Play Brand & Retail has always strived to create the most comprehensive collaborative innovation ecosystem around the retail, fashion and brand industry, and Lectra will add a new and unique dimension to it. We are certain that their ideas and experience will be a huge contribution to our flourishing ecosystem. We look forward to working with them on new challenges while supporting their digital and innovation strategies,” added Christian Kunz, director of Plug and Play Brand & Retail France.

Posted September 13, 2021

Source: Plug and Play

The National Retail Federation: Coalition of Businesses, Trade Groups Endorse Ocean Shipping Reform Act 

HOUSTON, Texas — September 13, 2021 — A coalition of 152 companies and trade associations representing U.S. importers, exporters, transportation providers and other supply chain stakeholders today submitted a letter of support to Congress endorsing the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021.

The bipartisan legislation was introduced last month by Congressmen John Garamendi and Dusty Johnson and would update the Shipping Act to recognize the significant changes to the international maritime transportation system of the past two decades. U.S. companies, their workers and consumers rely on a global maritime transportation system to support their businesses and move goods through the supply chain. The proposed legislation is essential to bring critically needed system improvements that have been further highlighted during the global pandemic.

Statements from policymakers and business stakeholders:

Congressman Dusty Johnson (R-SD): “Foreign ocean carriers aren’t playing fair, and American producers are paying the price. It’s time for updated rules of the road. That’s what our bill does.”

Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA): “Foreign businesses’ access to the American market and its consumers is a privilege, not a right. California’s agricultural exporters and other businesses are willing to pay to ensure that American-made products reach key markets in the Asia-Pacific. In turn, companies looking to offload foreign-made products at West Coast ports must provide opportunities for American exports. Even during a global pandemic, trade must be mutually beneficial, and that is exactly what our bipartisan bill ensures.”

David French, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, NRF: “The supply chain ecosystem is instrumental to American retailers’ ability to deliver products across the country to customers each day. Now is the time for the Shipping Act to be modernized to address a 21st century supply chain. We appreciate the efforts of Congressmen Garamendi and Johnson to address these complex challenges so many businesses currently face and encourage Congress to move fastidiously on this crucial legislation.”

Jennifer Hedrick, Executive Director, National Industrial Transportation League: “The National Industrial Transportation League is grateful to Congressmen Garamendi and Johnson for their recognition of the challenges that maritime exporters and importers are experiencing, and for their commitment to seeking practical and workable solutions to the myriad issues affecting the entire maritime shipping network. NITL provides its full endorsement of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 and is pleased to see that it not only addresses current challenges, but also provides a framework for a more robust maritime supply chain for all stakeholders. NITL thanks Congressmen Garamendi and Johnson for their leadership in this area of significant importance to American businesses, consumers and the global economy.”

Peter Friedmann, Executive Director, Agriculture Transportation Coalition: “Agriculture and forest products are our country’s largest ocean export. Yet, there is nothing we produce in ag/forest products that cannot be sourced elsewhere in the world. We are pleased that Congressmen Garamendi and Johnson and over 140 members of Congress recognize that unless U.S. agriculture exporters can deliver affordably and dependably, our foreign customers will shift to other global suppliers. The Agriculture Transportation Coalition and our members in all 50 states are committed to build broad House and Senate support for OSRA21, even as we seek and support Federal Maritime Commission intervention, and as we engage with ocean carriers, ports, terminals, labor and truckers to find and implement solutions.”

The coalition aims to continue building support for the bill and Congressional passage this year. The letter is accessible here.

Posted September 13, 2021

Source: The National Retail Federation (NRF)

INDEX™20 Exhibitor Preview: Exxonmobil Presents New Groundbreaking High-Loft, Ultra-Soft Nonwoven Solutions For Hygiene Products

HOUSTON, Texas — September 13, 2021 — ExxonMobil will present its new breakthrough solution which is designed to produce nonwoven fabrics with lofty thickness, ultra-cushiony cotton-like softness, and a silk-like smooth touch at INDEX 20 (booth 2115). Also offering low lint and uniformity, the solution provides a tailored balance of properties for nonwovens used in premium diapers, pant-type diapers, feminine care and adult incontinence products.

“Working collaboratively with Reifenhäuser Reicofil has resulted in a new benchmark for high loft, soft nonwovens to meet growing market demand globally, and particularly in Asia Pacific,” said Olivier Lorge, global market manager, Polypropylene, Vistamaxx and Adhesions Business, ExxonMobil.  “Addressing the hygiene market’s desire for innovative, differentiated soft nonwovens, this solution will unlock business opportunities for ExxonMobil customers across the value chain.”

A blend of ExxonMobil™ PP3155E5, ExxonMobil™ Achieve™ Advanced PP3684 and Vistamaxx™ 7050BF performance polymer, the solution is easily processed using bi-component (BiCo) spunbond technology from Reifenhäuser Reicofil, an acknowledged market leader in complete nonwoven, meltblown and composite production lines.

By adjusting the formulation, nonwovens can be tailored to meet the needs of different hygiene product components such as the bellyband, back sheet and top sheet used in baby diapers, feminine care, and adult incontinence products.

Offering the thickness required for cushiony softness, the nonwoven fabric is as resilient as it is lofty, while delivering good drapability, uniformity for consistent products and low lint for surface stability.  Formulation variations allow nonwovens to be produced with a different feel to meet the needs of the application, from a cottony touch to a silky touch.

Spunbound fabrics can be manufactured that are up to 15 percent thicker for outstanding protection compared to other BiCo spunbond high-loft solutions.  Plus, 80 percent of the thickness is maintained after being placed under load for an extended period.

Posted September 13, 2021

Source: ExxonMobil

Polygiene® Announces The Appointment Of Sean Tindale As The New Chief Marketing Officer

MALMÖ, Sweden — September 13, 2021 — Polygiene® announces the appointment of Sean Tindale as the new chief marketing officer for Polygiene Group. He has a long career within marketing and his last appointment was at the Bestseller group as global marketing director for Vero Moda. Before that as senior global marketing manager at the footwear company ECCO, one of many roles within that company. He joins Polygiene in the end of September and will be located in the HQ in Malmö, Sweden and will be responsible for all marketing and brand activities within the Polygiene Group, including the Polygiene and Biomaster brands.

“Joining the Polygiene team has been all about the chemistry, both on a people and product level. It is not often that you get the opportunity to join a remarkable team and couple that with a company’s products and mission that connects directly with your personal values. Having spent the past eight years working in footwear and fashion, the Polygiene offering makes perfect sense to help multiple industries make the move from consumables to durables, something that the world needs now, more than ever. I am beyond excited to be part of the Polygiene Group family and help existing and new partners and consumers understand how we change the way we view products,” Tindale said.

“We are very excited to have Sean, with his positive energy and drive, join the team. With a solid experience in marketing and brand building he will be key in our journey forward”, said Ulrika Björk, CEO Polygiene

Posted September 13, 2021

Source: Polygiene

Digital Innovator And UPS CMO Kevin Warren To Be Keynote Speaker For January EFI™ Connect Conference

FREMONT, Calif. — September 13, 2021 — The January 17-21, 2022, EFI™ Connect users conference from print and packaging technology developer Electronics For Imaging Inc. will deliver an even stronger emphasis on digital innovation and data-driven insights with a Fortune 500 marketing leader, UPS® Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Warren. His January 18 fireside chat keynote session at the Las Vegas event will explore the evolution of digital and e-commerce, with an in-depth perspective of digital’s impact on business now and into the future.

“Kevin is one of the brightest minds in marketing, and has invaluable insights into the challenges virtually all EFI customers have in terms of creating demand, achieving excellence and driving growth, even in very challenging times,” said EFI Chairman and CEO Jeff Jacobson. “This will undoubtedly be one of the most engaging, informative fireside chat keynotes in the 21-year history of the EFI Connect conference.”

In his role with UPS, Warren is responsible for U.S. and International Marketing, The UPS Store, Digital Infrastructure Analytics, Revenue Management, Business Planning & Forecasting, Customer Loyalty Management, Digital Marketing, Customer Experience, Brand Relevancy, Customer Communications, and the company’s Ware2Go subsidiary. His highly developed perspective on data-centric business and non-traditional engagement channels is driving change at UPS and setting new standards in digitally enabled customer experience.

Prior to joining UPS, he served as executive vice president and chief commercial officer for Xerox® Corp. and as Xerox’s president of Global Growth Opportunities, responsible for accelerating revenue growth outside the United States. In addition, Warren, who first joined Xerox in 1984 as a sales trainee in his native Washington, D.C., also led Xerox’s 3-D printing operations and had strategic oversight for Xerox Global Imaging Systems and Xerox Canada during his career with the company.

Warren received his Bachelor of Science in finance from Georgetown University and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School, having completed Harvard’s Advanced Management Program.

“Now more than ever, simple and useful digital experiences are the key to driving business success,” said Warren. “UPS’s goal is to provide the best digital experience powered by our global smart logistics network, and I’m looking forward to sharing our progress and lessons learned on stage at EFI Connect.”

Next January’s event will bring hundreds of print professionals to the Wynn Las Vegas Resort for in-depth, informative training and education on key printing and packaging management and technology challenges. The conference – one of the longest-running and most important user conferences in the printing industry – is an ideal venue for open dialogue and idea exchange, giving EFI customers a valuable opportunity to participate in educational sessions, receive hands-on experience, discuss industry trends, network with peers, voice their opinions, and learn from others.

Connect gives EFI customers the opportunity to gain vital insights on important business management trends. Attendees can also learn the best ways to use EFI’s portfolio of production and industrial inkjet, integrated MIS/ERP workflow and Fiery® digital front end print server products. Plus, EFI customers can provide in-person feedback to senior EFI executive and technical development staff. For more information about EFI Connect 2022, and to register for the event, visit www.efi.com/connect.

Posted September 13, 2021

Source: EFI™

Columbia Sportswear Appoints Troy Sicotte President Of The Mountain Hardwear Brand

PORTLAND, Ore. — September 9, 2021 — Columbia Sportswear Co. today announced the appointment of Troy Sicotte as president of the Mountain Hardwear brand.

Sicotte is well-known to the Mountain Hardwear family, having served as vice president of sales for the past three years. During the search for a president, Sicotte co-led the team with Mike Parker, who together seamlessly transitioned the organization while still working remote. Now he will take the reins to lead the high-performing Mountain Hardwear team.

“Troy Sicotte is a modern, pioneering, and energetic leader with diversified experiences that will serve Mountain Hardwear well,” said Craig Zanon, senior vice president for Emerging Brands. “We are happy and proud that Troy’s internal promotion facilitates a smooth transition for the team and business.”

“My last three years with Mountain Hardwear have been the best ones in my career because of the hardworking and passionate people that have made this growth possible,” Sicotte said. “I’m honored to now help lead the brand’s continued global growth alongside these amazing teams in Richmond, Portland and abroad. Our focus on innovative mountain sport product and thoughtful distribution will optimally serve consumers and our retail partners across the globe.”

Posted September 10, 2021

Source: Columbia Sportswear Co.

Columbia Sportswear Appoints Monica Mirro President Of The prAna Brand

MirroPORTLAND, Ore. — September 9, 2021 — Columbia Sportswear Co. today announced the appointment of Monica Mirro as the president of the prAna brand.

Mirro will lead the prAna brand, continuing the brand-led, consumer focused approach to create clothing for positive change. She brings extensive experience in leadership roles building inspirational omni-channel brands, including Under Armour and SPANX. Her experience in go-to-market strategies, distribution channel diversification and success in achieving consumer brand loyalty will be important in growing the prAna brand.

“We’re excited that Monica will be joining us and are confident that her growth mindset, strategic discipline and people-first approach will propel the prAna brand,” said Craig Zanon, senior vice president for Emerging Brands.

“prAna is a brand that blends innovation and creativity with its innate integrity,” Mirro said. “I’m looking forward to leading the prAna team on a journey to allow more consumers to discover and experience the power of prAna.”

Posted September 10, 2021

Source: Columbia Sportswear Company

Mimaki Launches Four New UJF Series Printers

SUWANEE, Ga. — September 8, 2021 — Mimaki USA, a manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers and cutters, today announced the launch of four new UJF Series printers. These new direct-to-object inkjet printers are designed for high-quality output, improved productivity and efficient production. Sales are scheduled to start in October 2021.

The new printers include the UJF-7151 plus II, and three new UJF-MkII e Series models, offering unrivaled printing quality and stability. They feature an array of new capabilities designed to deliver significant quality and performance benefits, enabling users to explore new applications and increase productivity.

Mimaki was among the first companies to develop and bring UV inkjet printers to market and is an industry leader in this field. Mimaki’s UV-LED inkjet printers use UV irradiation, rather than heat, to cure ink and do not require the preparation of plates (as in screen printing). This immensely reduces the time and cost of production.

UJF-7151 plus II

The UJF-7151 plus II model incorporates 8 print heads, two more than the previous model, enabling configurations that suit any application. It includes 8 ink slots, which can be configured for a four color setup or up to eight inks including light color inks — Light Cyan and Light Magenta — white, clear, and primer. It achieves print speeds up to 190-percent faster than the previous model.

This printer is capable of printing up to 1800 dpi, compared to the 1200 dpi of the previous model, allowing users to experience high-definition quality with less graininess and color irregularities. The strengthened structure of the printer body and enhancements to the print table reduces shaking during printing, allowing precise positioning of ink droplets. Load capacity has been increased from 22 to 66 pounds (10 to 30 kilograms), allowing users to print on heavier metal jigs and other equipment, while maintaining accurate positioning.

A key feature is the new UV Color Gloss function, which enables a glossy finish on color UV inks without the need for clear ink. This new feature increases value and profitability on a variety of applications.

UJF-MkII e Series

The new UJF-MkII e Series models include the UJF-3042 MkII e, UJF-3042 MkII Ex e, and the UJF-6042 MkII e. These printers offer improvements to image quality and stability, and enhanced operational performance over their predecessors.

The printing area of the UJF-3042 MkII e and UJF-3042 MkII Ex e measures 16.5 X 11.8 inches (420 X 300mm); and the UJF-6042 MkII e measures 16.5 X 24 inches (420 X :610mm).

All of the announced models include the new Mimaki Fine Diffusion (MFD2) core technology for half-toning that processes and precisely controls the placement of ink dots. The following proprietary core technologies are also incorporated: Nozzle Check Unit (NCU[1]), Nozzle Recovery System (NRS[2]), and Mimaki Advanced Pass Systems 4 (MAPS4[3]). These functions enable stable output of high-quality prints

The announced models come equipped with Mimaki RasterLink7 software, which facilitates numbering and variable printing functionality, along with MDL command sets which enable integration with production systems and peripheral devices for automated workflows. These commands enable users to adjust the height of the printing table, start time, and other operations remotely. Ink levels and errors can also be checked from connected peripheral devices.

These printers are compatible with various ink types, suitable for a variety of uses which allow direct printing on a wide array of media, including acrylic, resins, glass, metal, and even leather. This allows them to be used in the production of industrial printing up to 153-millimeters thick such as nameplates, home appliances, information boards, indoor molded signs, custom goods, flexible media, and more.

The UV-LED curable inks are available in rigid or flexible formulations. Also available is Mimaki inkjet primer PR-200, designed to improve the adhesion of Mimaki UV-LED inks on certain media. As a result, they are the ideal solution for print providers looking to diversify their offerings.

The UV-LED curable inks LH-100, LUS-120, and LUS-150 received GREENGUARD Gold certification by UL, meeting the standards for chemical substance emission specified by this third-party safety science organization. This certification is recognized for its personal and environmental safety.

Posted September 9, 2021

Source: Mimaki USA

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