Suominen Launches BIOLACE® Ultrasoft, A Plant-Based Nonwoven For Sensitive Skin

HELSINKI — July 2, 2021 — Suominen launches BIOLACE® Ultrasoft, a nonwoven for personal care and baby products made of plant-based, biodegradable, plastic-free, and compostable raw materials. BIOLACE Ultrasoft is the newest addition to Suominen’s sustainable product portfolio and a continuation for our growing BIOLACE product line that was launched over a decade ago.

Suominen’s strategy focuses on growth by creating innovative and more sustainable nonwovens. “Our strategy is put into action with the new innovative and sustainable products such as BIOLACE Ultrasoft. In 2020, the sales of sustainable products increased by more than 20% compared to the base year of 2019,” says Lynda Kelly, senior vice president, Americas & Business Development.

BIOLACE Ultrasoft was developed to match both the sustainability demands and the quality expectations of our customers and the consumers. BIOLACE Ultrasoft nonwovens structure and composition enables 25-percent higher cleaning efficiency compared to same basis weight of 100-percent viscose spunlace and a 38-percent improvement when compared to polyester wipes, according to tests conducted by Suominen.

“BIOLACE Ultrasoft is a sustainable product with great cleaning efficiency and exceptional softness. It is a perfect solution for baby and personal care products, such as cosmetic wipes and baby wipes. The softness makes it also suitable for gentle skin products,” said Johanna Sirén, manager, Category Management.

Posted July 6, 2021

Source: Suominen

Elkem Silicones Opens New ATRiON Research And Innovation Center In France

SAINT-FONS, France — July 1, 2021 — Elkem Silicones announces the official opening of its new Research and Innovation Centre in Saint-Fons in Lyon’s “Chemical Valley”. Short for “atrium and innovation”, ATRiON will foster synergies and collaborative research work, reflecting the evolution of research towards more open, more multidisciplinary formats.
With ATRiON, Elkem Silicones is doubling its space dedicated to research and innovation, with particular attention given to collaborative work and employee safety. Laboratories, offices and collaborative spaces branch out from a central atrium, the heart of the facility.

Offering a 7,000 square mater global showcase for staff, customers, shareholders and partners, this unique location will host collaborative research between Elkem Silicones’ teams and the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region’s “Open Innovation Network”.

ATRiON’s 120 researchers work on innovations in partnership with customers, mainly in the fields of the circular economy, digitalisation, consumer goods, living comfort and new materials for energy and mobility.

ATRiON brings together people and competences in chemistry, processes, formulations, applications, analysis, patents, project management and marketing.

According to Frédéric Jacquin, senior vice president, Elkem Silicones: “Investing in research and innovation is the best way to safeguard future growth. Having an open centre like ATRiON is fundamental to the cross-fertilisation of ideas and expertise, from which the best innovations often emerge.

“ATRiON, at the heart of the eco-system of our “Chemical Valley” and the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, is ideally placed and designed to accelerate the speed and diversity of our development projects and provide our R&I teams with the best possible working conditions,” says Sophie Schneider, Director of Research and Innovation.

ATRiON Fact Sheet

  • Investment: €25 million
  • Design and build: Spie Batignolles Sud-Est
  • Architect: TJ ARCHI
  • Useable area: 7,000 m², including 2,500 m² of laboratory space and 800 m² dedicated to collaborative work
  • 20 months of work and more than 100,000 hours to build & equip the building

Posted July 6, 2021

Source: Elkem

Karl Mayer’s Webinar Offered Worldwide Audience Of Experts

OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — KARL MAYER presented pioneering solutions for machines and technical services at the ITMA ASIA + CITME in Shanghai from June 12-16, 2021, which will make textile production even faster, more self-sufficient and more diverse. Many of the innovations from the fields of warp knitting, flat knitting, warp preparation and technical textiles focus on digitization.

Since June 18, 2021, at a hybrid fair, even interested parties without the possibility of travelling can find out more about what KARL MAYER has to offer for current and future business. With a simple click, there will be a tour of the virtually displayed exhibition stand and digital information material such as videos and expert interviews live from ITMA ASIA + CITME on the exhibition highlights. Guests can also book webinars on selected topics.

The first online seminars took place on June 29 and July 1, 2021, and dealt with warp knitting content. The launch event imparted basic knowledge about tricot and raschel technology. This was followed by detailed information on the HKS 3-M ON, KARL MAYER’s digital-generation tricot machine.

Both webinars were well attended. In each case, 80 to 100 participants had connected up, including brands, designers and customers who were interested in the subject, but also companies from outside the technology who wanted to know more about warp knitting. In addition to know-how, they all had the opportunity to exchange ideas, which was actively used. “We were able to inspire and provide food for thought with our webinar, as the numerous questions at the end of the event showed,” said Robert Kuna, trainer at the KARL MAYER Academy and head of the first webinars.

Posted July 6, 2021

Source: Karl Mayer

Infinited Fiber Company Raises 30 Million Euros

ESPOO, Finland — July 5, 2021 — Circular fashion and textile technology group Infinited Fiber Co. has secured investments totaling 30 million euros in its latest financing round completed on June 30. The round also brought Infinited Fiber new investors, including sportswear company adidas, Invest FWD A/S, which is BESTSELLER’s investment arm for sustainable fashion, and investment company Security Trading Oy. Among the existing investors contributing to this round of financing were fashion retailer H&M Group, who was the lead investor, investment company Nidoco AB, and Sateri, the world’s largest viscose producer and a member of the RGE group of companies.

This securement of new funding follows Infinited Fiber’s April announcement of plans to build a flagship factory in Finland in response to the strong growth in demand from global fashion and textile brands for its regenerated textile fiber Infinna™. The factory, which will use household textile waste as raw material, is expected to be operational in 2024 and to have an annual production capacity of 30,000 metric tons. The new funding enables Infinited Fiber to carry out the work needed to prepare for the flagship factory investment and to increase production at its pilot facilities in the years leading to 2024.

“We are really happy to welcome our new investors and grateful for the continued support from our older investors,” said Infinited Fiber co-founder and CEO Petri Alava. “These new investments enable us to proceed at full speed with the pre-engineering, environmental permits, and the recruitment of the skilled professionals needed to take our flagship project forward. We can now also boost production at our pilot facilities so that we can better serve our existing customers and grow our customer-base in preparation for both our flagship factory and for the future licensees of our technology.”

H&M Group is one of Infinited Fiber’s earliest investors. They first invested in Infinited Fiber in 2019.

“We’re thrilled to continue our journey with Infinited Fiber Company by further investing in them. To be joined by other global brands clearly speaks to the shared belief in the scalability of their technology as well as the team behind it. More importantly, it also shows the huge potential that their regenerated textile fiber has in driving the industry towards a more sustainable fashion future,” said Nanna Andersen, Head of H&M CO:LAB, H&M Group.

H&M Group has also signed a multiyear sales deal with Infinited Fiber to secure its access to agreed amounts of Infinna from the planned flagship factory.

New investor BESTSELLER has struck a similar sales deal with Infinited Fiber.

“We are very excited about this collaboration and hope to build a strong and long-lasting partnership with Infinited Fiber Company — both as an investor and as a business partner. Infinited Fiber Company has an opportunity to close the loop in the fashion industry with textile-to-textile recycling, which is a great match for Invest FWD’s aspiration to support the entire fashion ecosystem and BESTSELLER’s sustainability strategy Fashion FWD through strategic investments,” said Lise Kaae, a member of the board at Invest FWD.

“Our intensified cooperation with Infinited Fiber Company forms part of our strategic ambition to have nine out of ten products made from sustainable materials by 2025. Sustainability is a key focus of our strategy, with sustainable material innovations playing an important role in creating a more sustainable world. Today, we already use more than 60 percent recycled polyester and are aiming to be entirely virgin polyester-free by 2024. We believe that impact-at-scale in sustainability will require strong collaboration and look forward to pushing boundaries in cellulose-based materials together with Infinited Fiber Company,” said Katja Schreiber, senior vice president Sustainability at adidas.

In addition to strong interest by global fashion leaders, the technology has significant promise for major textile fiber producers. Allen Zhang, president of Sateri, said: “Sateri is excited to continue to invest in and collaborate with Infinited Fiber Company as part of our long-term commitment towards closed-loop, circular and climate-positive cellulosic fibers. This financing round marks a major milestone for our collaboration in scaling up next-generation fiber solutions.”

Infinited Fiber’s flagship plant preparations are also proceeding on other fronts. Several Nordic and international investment banks have given Infinited Fiber proposals on the financing options for the investment.

Infinited Fiber’s technology turns cellulose-based raw materials, like cotton-rich textile waste, into Infinna, a unique, premium-quality regenerated textile fiber with the natural, soft look and feel of cotton. Infinna is biodegradable and contains no microplastics, and at the end of their life, garments made with it can be recycled in the same process together with other textile waste.

More than 92 million metric tons of textile waste is produced globally every year and most of this ends up in landfills or incinerators. At the same time, textile fiber demand is increasing. Textile Exchange estimates the global textile fiber market to grow 30 percent to 146 million metric tons by 2030 from 111 million metric tons in 2019. Infinited Fiber’s fiber regeneration technology, which can use multiple cellulose-rich waste streams as its raw material, offers a solution both to stop waste from being wasted and to reduce the burden of the textile industry on the planet’s limited natural resources.

Posted July 6, 2021

Source: Infinited Fiber Co.

 

Sateri Continues Investment And Collaboration With Infinited Fiber Co. To Scale Next-Generation Textile Fiber Technology

SHANGHAI — July 5, 2021 — Viscose producer Sateri, a member of the RGE group of companies, continues its collaboration with Infinited Fiber Co., a textile fiber technology group based out of Finland, and participated in the company’s latest 30 million euro funding round completed on June 30, 2021. In addition to existing investors like Sateri, Infinited Fiber has attracted new investors including adidas and BESTSELLER.

Allen Zhang, president of Sateri, commented: “We started our collaboration in 2019 as a significant investor in the previous funding round. Sateri is excited to continue our collaboration with Infinited Fiber Company as part of our Sateri Vision 2030 commitment towards closed-loop, circular and climate-positive cellulosic fibres. This financing round marks a major milestone for both companies as we seek to scale up next-generation fibre solutions.”

Petri Alava, Infinited Fiber’s co-founder and CEO, added: “We are really happy to welcome our new investors, and grateful for the continued support from our existing investors. We see significant promise in our technology for major textile fibre producers, and we look forward to the continued collaboration with Sateri.”

This securement of new funding follows Infinited Fiber’s April announcement of plans to build a flagship factory in Finland in response to the strong growth in demand from global fashion and textile brands for its regenerated textile fiber Infinna™. The factory, which will use household textile waste as raw material, is expected to be operational in 2024 and to have an annual production capacity of 30,000 metric tons. The new funding enables Infinited Fiber to carry out the work needed to prepare for the flagship factory investment and to increase production at its pilot facilities in the years leading to 2024. The engineering progress supported by the additional funds also accelerates Infinited Fiber’s ongoing collaboration and potential technology licensing with Sateri.

Sateri strategically contributes to RGE’s commitment and strategic business direction. Sateri has developed and produced a diverse range of circular and sustainable products including Lyocell and FINEX™, which is made from recycled textile waste. The in-house R&D efforts and the investment in Infinited Fiber Company are part of RGE’s $200 million investment commitment to advance next-generation textile fiber innovation and technology.

Posted July 6, 2021

Source: Sateri

Indorama Ventures’ New Karawang Facility To Recycle 2 Billion PET Plastic Bottles Annually

JAKARTA, Indonesia — July 6, 2021 — Thailand-based Indorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd. (IVL) today announced it will build a facility in Karawang, West Java, to recycle almost 2 billion plastic bottles a year in support of the government’s plan to reduce ocean debris.

The facility, which is planned to launch in 2023, will recycle 1.92 billion polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles annually and create 217 new jobs. It is part of IVL’s global commitment to divert post-consumer PET bottles away from waste and back into the circular economy, supporting the Government of Indonesia’s National Plan of Action on Marine Plastic Debris. The recycling plant will provide the washed and shredded post-consumer bottles as PET flake feedstock to produce recycled resin that is suitable for food contact use.

Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Investment of the Republic of Indonesia, said: “I appreciate the initiative of Indorama Ventures to help the government to end and mitigate the plastic waste crisis through their investment in this greenfield recycling facility. It is time for the government, and all of us, to take action and address the waste problem. We invite more investors who are committed to social impacts for the community and environment. Together we must safeguard the richness of our marine biodiversity for our children and grandchildren.”

As the largest archipelagic state in the world, Indonesia is endowed with great biodiversity, rich natural resources as well as strategic and economic value that have all created blessings and challenges for Indonesians. Against this backdrop, Indonesia will by the end 2025 reduce 70 percent of its plastic debris from 2017. PET plastic, commonly used in bottles, is 100 percent recyclable and the most collected and recycled plastic packaging in the world.

“The unique PET plastic used in soft drinks and water bottles is 100% recyclable and must never end up in our oceans. Today we are announcing a new PET recycling facility in Karawang. It will recycle 1.92 billion post-consumer PET bottles per year from across Indonesia by the end of 2023,” said Yashovardhan Lohia, chief sustainability officer at Indorama Ventures. “We are pleased to contribute to the Indonesian economy by adding 217 ‘green jobs’ as well as indirect employment to the area. Today’s announcement is possible because of Indonesia’s ambitious national plan to reduce marine plastic debris by 70 percent, reduce solid waste by 30 percent, and handle 70 percent of solid waste by 2025.”

D K Agarwal, CEO of Combined PET, IOD and Fibers Business at Indorama Ventures said, “The Indonesia Government’s leadership on waste allows us to invest in the infrastructure needed. Giving waste an economic value, as feedstock for new bottles, also drives improvements in waste collection systems. By building the infrastructure to recycle post-consumer PET bottles into new bottles, we are reducing waste and preserving our oceans. This new recycling facility will support our shared goal of closed-loop solutions and clean oceans.”

Indorama Ventures has six Indonesian sites across Purwakarta, Cilegon, Tangerang and Karawang. With this new recycling facility, IVL brings a circular business model to support our Indonesian operations. In 2019 Indorama Ventures announced it aims to recycle a minimum of 750,000 metric tons of PET globally by 2025, investing up to $1.5 billion to achieve this goal. IVL’s new plant in Karawang, along with its other recycling facilities in Southeast Asia, will work with existing PET flake production facilities in Indonesia.

Posted July 6, 2021

Source: IVL

 

Lenzing Appointed To Board Of Governors At Nonwovens Association EDANA

Jürgen Eizinger, vice president of the Global Nonwovens Business at Lenzing

LENZING, Austria — July 6, 2021 — Lenzing Group is set to play an even more prominent role in supporting the sustainable development of the nonwovens industry going forward. Jürgen Eizinger, vice president of the Global Nonwovens Business at Lenzing, was appointed to the board of governors of the industry association EDANA (European Disposables and Nonwovens Association) in June 2021.

Lenzing has been investing in the development of sustainable innovation for many years and supports the implementation of numerous sustainability and climate targets, most notably the ambitious goal of halving carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality throughout the group by 2050. Thanks to the company’s new role at EDANA, the leading association for the nonwovens industry comprising more than 300 members worldwide, the whole sector will derive greater benefit from Lenzing’s expertise according to Robert van de Kerkhof, member of the managing board at Lenzing: “Lenzing has developed significant expertise over recent decades as one of the pioneers in the entire sector and, by leveraging this role, will remain highly involved in the systemic transition to a circular economy in future.”

Active member for 40 years

Lenzing has been a longstanding member of EDANA since 1980. EDANA’s vision is to provide global leadership in creating an environment that is beneficial to the sustainable and profitable growth of the nonwovens, engineered fabrics and related industries. It provides a comprehensive portfolio of services, as well as information and data geared towards promoting the sustainable development of the industry’s objectives and performance.

“Thanks to our membership, as well as gaining the support of experts from various fields, we are in a position to influence the issues and challenges facing the nonwovens industry across the whole supply chain. We can now also make a sustainable contribution in Lenzing’s capacity as a raw material supplier,” explained Eizinger in an initial statement.

#ItsInOurHands – campaign for greater awareness and transparency

Lenzing has always been committed to promoting issues such as sustainability and the responsible treatment of raw materials. Since the launch of its environmental campaign #ItsInOurHands in late 2019 via the VEOCEL™ fiber brand, the company has been supporting a movement to enhance awareness and transparency regarding materials used in wet wipes. The online platform provides extensive data and information as well as interviews with experts on this issue. The aim is to raise awareness among consumers, while enabling the industry to access alternatives to fossil-based plastics.

Posted July 6, 2021

Source: Lenzing

Nonwovenn Appoints Sustainability Director To Deliver Innovative Sustainable Solutions And Drive Growth

SOMERSET, England — July 6, 2021 — Award-winning England-based technical fabric manufacturer Nonwovenn is pleased to announce the appointment of Prabhat Mishra as sustainability director, effective August 2020.

With more than 20 years of diverse experience across FMCG, Food, Petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Packaging innovation, Sustainability, ESG and CSR, Prabhat drives the next level sustainability agenda internally at Nonwovenn, whilst collaborating externally to support the circular economy.

Prabhat is well-known in the sustainability arena. He is a Fellow of IOM3, Chartered Scientist, Master of Plastics Engineering & Management, alongside participating in iconic industry events as a keynote speaker etc., globally, he joins Nonwovenn from Johnson & Johnson, France, where he worked as Global Sustainability director.

On his appointment, Prabhat commented: “I am delighted to join Nonwovenn. Sustainability is frequently positioned at the top of board agendas, but rarely on the board. To be exclusively responsible for sustainability and seated on the main board, demonstrates how committed Nonwovenn is to the cause, and our aim to be carbon neutral by 2030.”

Posted July 6, 2021

Source: Nonwovenn

YKK Signs Licensing Agreement With Green Theme Technologies For Water-Free and Non-Toxic EMPEL Technology

TOKYO — July 6, 2021 — YKK, a global leader in zippers and fastening products, announced today that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Green Theme Technologies (GTT) to use their water-free and non-toxic EMPEL™ water protection technology on zippers.

GTT operates at the leading edge of sustainable performance textile finishes, and its PFC-free EMPEL platform is one of the best performing dry fabric finish in the world, now being utilized on zippers for the first time. The adoption of GTT’s EMPEL water protection technology is in keeping with YKK’s Sustainability Vision 2050 action plan to reduce water and chemical usage through innovative new technologies.

“While YKK is known for strong internal research and development, we are always looking for innovative new technologies to complement our own,” said Terry Tsukumo, vice president of YKK Global Marketing Group. “GTT’s EMPEL technology offers extremely durable water protection with unparalleled performance, without the use of harmful chemicals.”

According to GTT’s Martin Flora, “Support from YKK comes at a critical time when major clothing brands and textile mills have to step forward to make a change for the future of the planet.”

YKK has a long history of zipper innovation with its slide fasteners being used on everything from commercial fishing nets to space suits. As a leader in product sustainability, YKK launched the NATULON® zipper — the first zipper to be made with recycled material — in 1994. Since that time YKK has developed an expansive portfolio of eco-friendly products such as GreenRise® the first zipper to use plant-based polyester, and NATULON® Ocean Sourced® zipper, made from ocean bound plastic waste.

“The EMPEL technology will allow us to create a new generation of water protective zippers that perform better, have better flexibility, and are more sustainable,” said Mike Maekawa, Category Manager, YKK Global Marketing Group. “It is game changing technology for high performance zippers.”

GTT launched the EMPEL platform in 2018 and began with the goal of eliminating toxic PFCs. In addition to being highly sustainable, EMPEL treatment ranks among the highest water repellency and longest lasting protection available. GTT and YKK plan to collaborate with leading premium brands on the best quality and performance zippers on the market.

Posted July 6, 2021

Source: YKK

Carbios Strengthens Its Board Of Directors And Executive Committee

CLERMONT-FERRAND, France — July 5, 2021 — Carbios, a company pioneering new enzymatic solutions to reinvent the lifecycle of plastic and textile polymers, announced today the nomination of Mieke Jacobs, Vincent Kamel, BOLD, Business Opportunities for L’Oréal Development and Michelin Ventures to its board of directors, and the nomination of Lise Lucchesi and Vanina Varlamoff to its executive committee.

The appointments of Mieke Jacobs and Vincent Kamel further strengthen Carbios’ board of directors. Their strategic vision, as well as their deep knowledge of the polymers and recycling industry, will support Carbios as it expands and industrializes.

Previously observers on the board of directors, BOLD, Business Opportunities for L’Oréal Development represented by Laurent Schmitt, and Michelin Ventures, represented by Nicolas Seeboth, also joined the company’s board of directors as new members. Following Carbios’ last capital increase1, these two funds respectively hold 5.91 percent and 4.36 percent of the Company’s capital2.

In parallel, Carbios’ CEO Jean-Claude Lumaret appointed Lucchesi, Carbios’ Intellectual Property director and Varlamoff, Carbios’ Legal Affairs and Human Resources director, to the executive committee. There they join Martin Stephan, deputy CEO, Alain Marty, chief scientific officer, and Kader Hidra, CFO. Their combined expertise will help support Carbios’ ambitions and the successful execution of its industrial deployment priorities.

This new structure, which became effective on July 1, 2021, aims to contribute to the implementation of the company’s overall strategy.

“At this exciting time in our industrial growth, I am delighted that Lise and Vanina have been appointed to Carbios’ executive committee,” Lumaret noted. “Our company is approaching a significant phase, and their knowledge and experience are significant and valuable assets to our executive team. The nomination of Mieke and Vincent, as well as BOLD and Michelin Ventures, to Carbios’ board of directors, will also have a major influence in bolstering Carbios’ move to industrialization. I would like to express my gratitude to the outgoing Board members, Pascal Juery and Godefroy Motte, for their structuring role and assistance during the phases of Carbios’ early development.”

Nominations

Board of Directors

Mieke Jacobs holds a master’s degree in Economics/Engineering from the University of Leuven in Belgium and the University of Bilbao in Spain. Based in Belgium, Mieke has more than 20 years of industrial experience, including global roles in managing operations, supply chain, HR and large change management in Du Pont de Nemours and has been involved in several of the strategic shifts within the company. Since 2017, Mieke is active as an independent executive team facilitator, senior advisor to executive teams and transformational faculty and coach. Her work is focused on strategic change, value protection and value creation. She is also a thought leader, published author and teaches transformational programs.

Vincent Kamel is an engineer from École Centrale de Lyon, with more than 35 years’ experience within the polymer and chemical industry (Rhone-Poulenc, Rhodia, Solvay) in France and abroad (China, Korea, Brazil). Vincent has held leading positions such as Managing Director of the Solvay Polyamide Division, Director of Coatis Business Unit and Asia Director for Engineering plastics. He has acquired an in-depth knowledge of regulatory, industrial and commercial aspects related to recycling topics.

Executive Committee

Lise Lucchesi is a biotechnology engineer, holding the CEIPI diploma (Center for International Intellectual Property Studies) and a Specialized master’s in Biotechnology Business Management. After a few years as a market analyst in a green chemistry company, Lise joined Carbios in 2012 as Market Analyst Manager, and then moved to become the Intellectual Property & Contracts Manager. Today, as the Intellectual Property Director of Carbios, she is in charge of the management of the Company’s patents and trademarks portfolio. She also holds responsibility for contracts involving intellectual property rights (license, research collaborations and services, etc.)

Vanina Varlamoff is a lawyer, graduated from Paris’ Bar School. After spending few years as a lawyer in Paris, mainly in the fields of Intellectual Property rights protection and communication law, Vanina joined Carbios in 2017 as Legal Manager. Now Director of Legal Affairs and Human Resources, she is mainly in charge of analyzing and drafting strategic contracts. She also supervises the Human Resources department of the Company.

Posted July 5, 2021

Source: Carbios

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