Gold Status For Kelheim Fibres In EcoVadis CSR Rating

KELHEIM, Germany — October 15, 2021 — The German specialty viscose fiber manufacturer Kelheim Fibres was awarded gold in the CSR rating by EcoVadis, scoring among the top 3 percent of all companies evaluated.

The rating was well above average in all four individual areas (environment, labor and human rights, ethics, sustainable procurement), but Kelheim Fibres achieved absolute top scores in the environment area in particular.

“We create plant-based specialty fibers that enable healthy lifestyles while helping to preserve our environment for future generations,” said Craig Barker, CEO at Kelheim Fibres. “Environmentally friendly production and our overall environmental, social and ethical performance is the measure of how seriously we take our own aspirations.”

“We don’t want to rest on our gold medal: As always, when we face an assessment like EcoVadis, we welcome any suggestions for improvement — constantly improving is a core element of our strategy for the future” Barker continued.

In addition to the excellent EcoVadis rating, Kelheim Fibres is also the first viscose fibre producer worldwide with a certified EMAS environmental management system and ranked highly in the Canadian NGO Canopy’s “Hot Button Report” for sustainable wood and pulp sourcing.

Since its founding in 2007, EcoVadis has grown to become the world’s largest and most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, creating a global network of more than 75,000 rated companies.

Posted October 14, 2021

Source: Kelheim Fibres GmbH


EFI Highlights Its Broad Portfolio Of Advanced Inkjet Solutions To Create Opportunities For Customers

LONDONDERRY, N.H. — October 13, 2021 — Efficient, high-quality, versatile digital inkjet solutions can be key to helping display graphics providers drive profitability and capture new growth opportunities. Electronics For Imaging Inc. (EFI) is working closely with those providers, presenting them innovative solutions that can drive their display graphics business forward faster in an economic recovery. This week, dozens of EFI™ customers, prospects and industry media and analysts are attending a series of EFI Ignition open house events that deliver a more-comprehensive view of growth opportunities display graphics providers can capture.

The events — one-day invitation-only presentations and demonstrations at the EFI Global Inkjet Innovation Center in Londonderry, New Hampshire — highlight the ways print providers can take their businesses to new heights by leveraging leading-edge production solutions.

“The pandemic has understandably forced the cancellation or postponement of several large tradeshows that would have served as launch events for these products, but that does not diminish our customers’ need for continued advancement and innovation,” said Ken Hanulec, vice president of Worldwide Marketing, EFI. “Our conversations with customers at this week’s Ignition event will give a strong representation of the market opportunities display graphics businesses have for success in a recovering market using our leading portfolio of innovative solutions.”

This week’s events highlight new product launches and a range of topic areas that address specific display graphics challenges and opportunities. New product launches and presentation topics include:

  • Growth opportunities in premium soft-signage applications with the launch of the new VUTEk® FabriVU® Plus series 70-, 133- and 205-inch dispersed dye-sublimation printers, including the 133-inch-wide VUTEk FabriVU® 340i+ model with in-line sublimation making its debut at the Ignition events. The FabriVU 340i+ model delivers upgraded performance thanks to eight high-performance printheads, and enhanced high-quality and backlit print modes, with the ability to print on transfer paper or direct to fabric using the same ink set. The FabriVU Plus series’ new CMYK x 2 configuration printhead array – along with new electronics, a new vacuum system, and a new heating element – deliver higher-quality 600 dpi graphics with better saturation and more density.
  • Achieving value with a wider range of possibilities with the newest EFI Wide Format hybrid printer, the 126-inch wide EFI Pro 30h LED flatbed/roll-fed system dual-roll capabilities in Continuous Board printing models to give commercial print shops, sign shops and in-plant print departments an efficient, highly versatile entry point into high-quality display graphics production.
  • An overview of digital print for packaging opportunities, with a presentation of market benchmark data from industry analyst Kevin Karstedt. EFI is also presenting highlights of the EFI Nozomi C18000 Plus printer – the world’s leading single-pass inkjet solution for corrugated – and an upcoming, premium-quality, shuttle-based UV LED printer, the EFI MCORR 1300, scheduled for release in 2022.
  • EFI’s expanding super high speed signage production solutions – the EFI VUTEk h5 hybrid roll/flatbed printer with ¾ automation along with the EFI VUTEk XT hybrid printer and single-pass Nozomi 18000+ LED printer for display graphics producers coming in 2022 – that deliver the automation, reliability and productivity needed to lower costs per square foot, at higher volumes, for an extended range of signage and display products.
  • High-volume, higher-value UV LED graphic production with the EFI VUTEk Q series – the fastest-ever VUTEk roll-to-roll production printers offering. Launched in 2021, the 138-inch-wide VUTEk Q3r and 208-inch-wide VUTEk Q5r printers offer expanded capabilities for a wide range of challenging, high-volume applications, with premium features such as multi-layer white and high-value in-line finishing, collection, and auto backlit and blockout options that help users achieve a remarkably low total cost of operation.
  • Emerging and high-growth industrial applications, with a presentation highlighting advanced inkjet printer, ink and coatings solutions that bring greater value, versatility, quality, and efficiency to markets, including for wood decoration and wood flooring production, luxury vinyl tile manufacturing, and more.
  • End-to-end workflows to drive profit. Ignite will highlight the unique advantages possible in display graphics production with comprehensive EFI Midmarket Print Suite MIS/ERP workflow solutions that handle web-to-print order entry, estimating and costing, accounting, production, fulfillment and more. This Ignition session also highlights the launch of new EFI Fiery® XF and Fiery proServer digital front-end solutions, offering significantly faster spot color processing and expanded print-and-cut support features.
  • Higher value in hybrid printing, leveraging the cost and productivity advantages of the 126-inch-wide EFI VUTEk h3 and h5 LED printers. Four-color is the new eight-color on these printers, thanks to an exceptionally wide color gamut that has successfully given users worldwide the power to drive faster throughput on premium work by moving away from eight-color process to a CMYK x 2 configuration with little to no loss in imaging quality.

For more information about sign and display graphics printing and other advanced inkjet solutions from EFI, visit www.efi.com.

Posted October 13, 2021

Source: EFI™

NCTO Issues Statement Following President Biden’s Remarks On Global Supply Chain Crisis; Stresses Importance Of Onshoring And Nearshoring

WASHINGTON — October 13, 2021 — The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) President and CEO Kim Glas issued a statement today following President Biden’s remarks on the global supply chain crisis and stressed the importance of investing onshoring and nearshoring.

National Council of Textile Organizations President and CEO Kim Glas issued the following statement:

We appreciate President Biden’s call to ensure we are building more resilient and reliable supply chains and to invest in our manufacturing industries here at home, in his address earlier today.

There is a reason we got into this mess and there is a reason we have a global supply chain crisis. Years of offshoring production in a race to the bottom — exacerbated by predatory trade practices that have undermined so many manufacturing industries — has led to a tipping point. In fact, it was not too long ago that nurses in New York City and beyond were wearing garbage bags as gowns as our overreliance on Chinese production chains exposed severe fragilities in keeping our health care workers safe during the height of the pandemic.

China’s virtually unlimited and unrealistic pricing power coupled with its subsidies and lack of enforceable environmental standards strips benefits and undermines policy objectives, and leaves us in an untenable situation of overreliance on a foreign supply chain for critical products and raw materials. This must change.

We must hold China accountable for predatory trade practices that have off-shored our industries and our jobs. We must onshore and nearshore more textile and apparel production chains out of Asia to the U.S. and also to Western Hemisphere trade partners. This has a multitude of benefits to ensure more reliability in production and also has remarkable job benefits to U.S. manufacturers and our allied trading partners who adhere to higher labor and environmental standards. Further, it will help address the migration crisis and grow better paying jobs.

Now is the time to we need to unlock long-term commitments to source product from the USA and from our Hemispheric partners.  If we moved another 10 percent of global production to the U.S. and the Hemisphere, imagine the benefits that could be achieved. Ensuring further verticalization and investment in all aspects of the industry, from raw materials to finished products, is good for the American economy and workers in the U.S. and in the region.

Our industry stands ready to help and provide the solutions to onshore and nearshore these production chains that benefit manufacturing workers, the U.S. economy, our Western Hemisphere allies, and consumers. Further, onshoring and nearshoring these critical production chains has remarkable benefits for the environment and addresses the growing, systemic and alarming issues associated with climate change.

It is critical that supply chains mitigate risks so that we are never in this situation again. We appreciate President Biden recognizing the value of onshoring these critical production chains and stand ready to work with the administration in these efforts.

Posted October 13, 2021

Source: The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO)

Reebok Introduces THERMOWARM+GRAPHENE Apparel Collection

BOSTON, MASS. — October 13, 2021 — Today Reebok announces the launch of the THERMOWARM+GRAPHENE apparel collection, the first commercially-priced use of graphene in sportswear. Graphene, first discovered by a group of researchers who isolated the material to its thinnest layer, discovered that this wonder material is one of the lightest, thinnest, strongest and most heat conductive materials on Earth. The groundbreaking discovery of graphene earned researchers the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010.

Reebok’s strategically placed THERMOWARM+GRAPHENE internal grid print zone technology helps retain between 8 and 15-percent more heat than unprinted zones, depending on the base fabric.

The graphene-infused technology is integrated in over a dozen silhouettes ranging from performance running leggings to outerwear jackets, offering consumers an assortment that fits into a variety of athletic lifestyles. All collection offerings feature a strategically placed THERMOWARM+GRAPHENE grid print in the most pivotal heat retention zones where it would most benefit consumers – in garment hoods, shoulder panels and upper leg panels. When wearing a THERMOWARM+GRAPHENE apparel piece, body heat will be absorbed and retained across the entire graphene-infused printed panels to help the consumer stay warmer in cold temperatures.

“We’re catapulting apparel into the future,” said Chandler Frost, Senior Product Manager at Reebok. “THERMOWARM+GRAPHENE technology revolutionizes how our winter garments will keep consumers warm. Now with THERMOWARM+GRAPHENE, consumers can stay warmer in cold weather temperatures without sacrificing performance, function, or style.”

Highlights of the THERMOWARM+GRAPHENE collection include:

  • THERMOWARM+GRAPHENE Cotton Fleece Hoodie: Banish heat loss without sacrificing style with this men’s piece. Featuring THERMOWARM+GRAPHENE printed fabric at the hood and a kangaroo pocket provides a warm place for chilled digits.
  • THERMOWARM+GRAPHENE Pants: Fashion meets performance with the THERMOWARM+GRAPHENE Pants inclusive of printed front panels for added warmth and versatility.
  • THERMOWARM+GRAPHENE Zip-Up Jacket: THERMOWARM+GRAPHENE grid print within the inside hood of this women’s full zip jacket offers heat retention at the most pivotal region of the body.

The majority of the THERMOWARM+GRAPHENE collection is globally available now on Reebok.com in men’s and women’s performance to lifestyle offerings, ranging from $70 to $140, with additional releases planned throughout the season ahead.

Posted October 13, 2021

Source: Reebok

Construction Begins On New Hexcel Center Of Research & Technology Excellence In Utah

STAMFORD, Conn. — October 12, 2021 — Hexcel Corp. hosted public officials, customers and local contractors today at its manufacturing site in West Valley City, Utah, as the company broke ground on a flagship Center of Research & Technology (R&T) Excellence, supporting next-generation developments in advanced composites technologies.

Once completed in late 2022, the 100,000-square-foot building will be home to a state-of-the-art laboratory where company scientists and researchers will collaborate with customers on the latest composite technology developments for aerospace, space and defense, and industrial applications. It will be the company’s largest center for innovation and product development in North America and a showcase for the company’s advanced composites technology, providing space for future growth and expansion in the years ahead. The company expects to add up to 150 jobs at the center over the next 12 years.

Hexcel Chairman, CEO and President Nick Stanage said that the Center will be “designed to encourage and inspire our team to dream big and ensure that our customers are awarded with the strongest, lightest weight, most durable advanced composites that the world has ever seen.” He said that when the Center opens, “you will be surrounded by everything it means to be a leader in advanced composites technology. You will see high-tech labs and cutting-edge research and testing equipment. Our lobby will showcase advancements and innovations that are propelling the future in commercial aerospace, space and defense, and industrial markets.” He thanked the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and West Valley City for economic support that led the company to choose to locate the new Center of Excellence in the area.

West Valley City Mayor Ron Bigelow, who attended the event, said, “Hexcel has been operating in West Valley City for years. I am pleased that they have once again chosen West Valley City as they expand their operations with a new research and technology facility. This expansion will bring more jobs to the city over the next few years and continues to show that Hexcel is committed to being part of West Valley City’s corporate community.”

The company’s existing operations in West Valley City include its largest high-performance carbon fiber manufacturing facility in the world. The site also is home to the company’s U.S. aerospace matrix operations. About 600 people currently work at the site.

Contractors for the project include R&O Construction, with corporate offices in Ogden and a regional team in West Valley City, and design firm Architectural Nexus Inc. of Salt Lake City.

Posted October 13, 2021

Source: Hexcel Corporation

Ascent Aerospace To Exhibit At CAMX 2021

MACOMB, Mich. — October 12, 2021 — Ascent Aerospace, a provider of tooling systems, factory automation and integration services to the aerospace, defense and space industries, will be an exhibitor at the upcoming CAMX 2021 event in Dallas, Texas from October 19-21, 2021. CAMX is an advanced materials and composites exposition, bringing together various industries with high-performing, cost-effective solutions.

Ascent will have a 3D printed trim fixture displayed at the event in booth L49. This fixture was printed using a Thermwood large format additive manufacturing machine, which is located at Ascent’s Santa Ana, Calif., facility. The tool has an integrated vacuum system with cutter grooves and seals to ensure, when used, the part is held to the tool so it can be accurately trimmed and machined.

Sean Henson, the Global Product Manager of Composites and Additive Manufacturing for Ascent, will be presenting in the CAMX Theater during the show on Wednesday, October 20 at 9:30am CDT. His presentation will include the features and benefits of utilizing 3D printed tools, the advantages of using composite materials and the cost savings associated with both.

To learn more about the innovative ways Ascent Aerospace is using composites and additive manufacturing as alternative tooling solutions, visit booth L49 at CAMX 2021.

Posted October 13, 2021

Source: Ascent Aerospace

PURA Features Hemp Blue Jeans As Validation Of Farmersville Hemp Brand Opportunity

DALLAS — October 12, 2021 — Puration Inc. (Pura) is building hemp processing and cultivation partnerships with the intention of establishing an industrial hemp brand cooperative under the Farmersville Hemp Brand name. In the fashion that Sun-Maid Raisins collectively markets for growers all selling under one brand name, Pura plans to collectively market for multiple hemp growers and processors under the Farmersville Hemp Brand name.

Today, Forbes published on article on Levi’s current and growing use of hemp in its blue jeans: “Levi’s Aims To Use More Hemp For Its Fashion Collections”

Pura highlight’s Levi’s hemp initiative as one prominent example of the overall market opportunity for hemp.

The overall global industrial hemp market was estimated at $5 billion in 2019 and expected to grow to $36 billion by 2026.

A key strategy to the Farmersville Hemp Brand collective marketing initiative will be to conduct focused, hands-on seminars for established companies with existing products that do not incorporate hemp and demonstrate to those established companies how hemp can be used to innovate their existing product lines.

The company recently broke ground on its 70-acre property in Farmersville Texas.  A construction pad has been cleared for the building of multiple buildings where Pura will facilitate hands-on marketing for a wide variety of products that can be derived from hemp.

The Farmersville Hemp Brand Facility will be able to host client companies for seminars to demonstrate hemp processing and how hemp can be used as a natural, cost effective and even superior alternative to currently available construction materials, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, clothing, fuel, and plastics — to name just a few. According to one source, more than 25,000 products can be made from hemp.

Pura does not plan to wait on the completion of construction in Farmersville to begin its seminars. Pura intends to imminently complete its hemp innovation curriculum and launch its first seminars in Q4 2021.

Posted October 13, 2021

Source: Puration Inc.

Smartwool Chooses Channel Signal To Get Closer To The Consumer

PARK CITY, Utah — October 13, 2021 — Channel Signal, an aggregator of product reviews and analysis, today announced its working with Smartwool, the Merino wool performance sock and apparel manufacturer. Channel Signal is helping Smartwool systematically monitor, measure, and understand its online consumer product reviews to institute a robust consumer feedback loop to inform its business and ultimately provide the best product experience possible for customers.

With its explosive growth in ecommerce, Smartwool realized the importance of gathering product reviews from multiple platforms, centralizing that data, and making it accessible to a variety of different business stakeholders to help it better serve their growing customer base.

Smartwool recognized Channel Signal’s unique ability to not only aggregate product reviews from across the internet (Amazon, major retailers, etc.) but to also clean and validate each. Next, using enhanced analytics, Channel Signal equips Smartwool to better understand and address the needs of its customers to drive product development and brand growth.

“Having visibility to the universe of consumer product reviews is critical to our mission to deliver the most comfortable, best performing product on the market,” said Marla Bailey, Strategic Planning Director for Smartwool. “Our product, QA, customer service and marketing teams all require more robust data directly from consumers, and Channel Signal provides a near real-time platform for us to monitor, capture and take action on critical consumer insights.”

Posted October 13, 2021

Source: Channel Signal®

INDEX™20 Exhibitor Preview: AUTEFA Solutions

FRIEDBERG, Germany — October 13, 2021 — Soaring demand in some critical nonwovens applications has made the global pandemic a period of both market growth and technical progress for companies at the forefront of the sector. The upcoming INDEX event is an ideal opportunity for equipment providers to present their latest innovations, and AUTEFA Solutions will be featuring novel systems targeting higher productivity, assured quality and energy efficiency.

The sales boom in some areas — notably spunlaced products for hygiene and sanitizing wipes — has clearly been driven by virus-related requirements. But Autefa is confident that the resulting “huge demand” will continue, as producers discover the benefits of the technological advances made.
 Autefa Solutions CMO Marco Fano said: “Our unique web-forming technology ideally meets our customers’ needs at this time, and we see the upward trend in order intake being sustained in future, particularly in combined card and crosslapper solutions. Our advanced spunlace manufacturing systems are able to deliver high standards of quality and performance, with the all-important advantage of rapid investment payback.”

Sustainable manufacturing is a key goal for Autefa, with a focus on manufacturing solutions which preserve both energy and raw materials. Spunlace processes can require relatively high energy usage, so Autefa has developed the unique combination of V-Jet FUTURA hydroentanglement machine and SQ-V Square Drum Dryer, which can reduce energy consumption by up to 30 percent. The V-Jet Injector also enables customers to modernize existing production lines with the newest hydroentanglement technology.

Savings in raw material costs and excellent fabric uniformity are major features of the Topliner crosslapper series. In combination with the WebMax and CLOSED LOOP system, this prevents weight increases at fabric edges — known as the smile effect — which would otherwise waste material. Autefa Solutions offers a complete range of nonwovens machinery, covering needlepunch lines, aerodynamic web forming, spunlace and thermobonding equipment. Application sectors range from hygiene and wipes through filtration, geotextiles, automotive, carpets, technical felts, wadding and insulation. In the premium nonwovens segment, Autefa Solutions is renowned for the quality, durability and performance of its technology for both forming and bonding processes, incorporating the famous brands Fehrer, FOR and Strahm.

Posted October 13, 2021

Source: Autefa Solutions Germany

Chargeurs Appoints Gianluca Tanzi As CEO Of Both Chargeurs*PCC Fashion Technologies And Chargeurs Luxury Materials

PARIS — October 13, 2021 — The Chargeurs Group —  producer of temporary surface protection technologies, garment interlinings, technical textiles and Nativa™ brand Merino wool — today announced that it has appointed Gianluca Tanzi as CEO of Chargeurs’ textiles division, comprising Chargeurs*PCC Fashion Technologies and Chargeurs Luxury Materials. Tanzi brings more than two decades of global operations, manufacturing and supply chain experience spanning fashion, textiles, eyewear, footwear and accessories from his time at Luxottica, United Colors of Benetton, Geox and other companies. The appointment is effective October 11, 2021, and Tanzi will report to Chargeurs Chairman and CEO Michaël Fribourg and Chargeurs Director of Group Performance Gustave Gauquelin.

“As we continue to prioritize digitalization, efficiency and sustainability, we’re extremely pleased to welcome Gianluca Tanzi to Chargeurs Group. Mr. Tanzi will confirm the CFT-PCC leadership and cutting-edge market advantage in green interlining solutions and performance material technologies and will accelerate the commercial synergies between our inner component business and our Nativa™ wool business,” said Michaël Fribourg, Chairman and CEO of Chargeurs. “We’re confident that his vast international leadership experience and deep operational and supply chain expertise across textiles and fashion will enable us to further build on our recent momentum and success. We also extend our deep thanks to Audrey Petit, who has served so successfully as interim CEO of Chargeurs*PCC Fashion Technologies since January 1, 2021.”

The company stated that Audrey Petit will fully resume her duties as Group Chief Strategy and Diversification Officer and that Federico Paullier will remain in his role as Managing Director of Chargeurs Luxury Materials.

“Chargeurs has been a highly respected industry leader for more than 140 years and I’m thrilled to join the company at this crucial moment, when we see such a significant opportunity to expand our textiles business globally,” Tanzi said. “I look forward to working with both the Chargeurs*PCC and Luxury Materials teams to take the business to new levels of growth and to continue to build a more sustainable fashion industry through pioneering technologies.”

Tanzi is a highly experienced global executive who has designed and executed successful retail, wholesale and e-commerce strategies for textile, fashion and accessories companies in Europe and the US. He previously served as COO and member of the board of directors of Brooks Brothers, where he achieved significant cost reductions, incorporated new technical innovations from Italy and managed the company’s Made to Measure division. He served concurrently as CEO of Southwick, an American tailored clothing brand under the Brooks Brothers umbrella. Tanzi has also served as COO of Italian shoe and clothing brand Geox, Chief Supply Chain Officer of Luxottica Group and EVP of Supply Chain for United Colors of Benetton. Early in his career, he spent 14 years in general management roles in some of the top textile mills in Italy. Tanzi holds a degree in Electronic Engineering and Management from the Polytechnic University of Milan.

Posted October 13, 2021

Source: The Chargeurs Group

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