Fenner Precision Polymers Officially Opens New Treatment Line Facility For Coating Technical Fabrics And Textiles

MANHEIM, Pa. — February 26, 2021 — Fenner Precision Polymers — a Michelin Group Company and supplier of reinforced polymer technology — hosted state, county, and local officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of its new $4 million fabric treatment line today in Manheim, Pa. Pennsylvania Senator Ryan P. Aument (R-36) joined local officials to observe state-of-the-art operations where technical fabrics are treated with specialized coatings and procured by clients in a variety of market sectors including aerospace, infrastructure, and energy.

On touring the treatment line, visiting officials saw how technical fabrics of varying widths receive multiple passes of specialty resins, the drying method, and the process for precisely measuring the thickness of applied coatings in order to meet clients’ custom specifications. Visitors also learned about the company’s commitment to sustainability and how its operation’s environmental controls support clean, safe, and healthy air standards.

“Fenner Precision Polymers is a shining example of what it will take to rebuild our local, state, and national economies,” Pa. Senator Aument said. “At every level of the organization team members collaborate to bring about the type of innovation that puts Pennsylvania on the map and our citizens back to work. I could not be more proud of their efforts and the engineered solutions they create together here in Manheim.”

Also attending along with Senator Aument were:

  • Scot Funk – Mayor, Manheim Borough;
  • Carol Phillips – President, Manheim Borough Council;
  • Suzanne Reiley – President, Board of Directors, Manheim Area Chamber of Commerce; and
  • Ezra Rothman – Manager, Economic Development Strategies, EDC of Lancaster County.

“We see this as just one part of a much larger growth story for our company,” said Jack Krecek, Divisional managing director, Fenner Precision Polymers. “It’s an investment in our company as well as the surrounding community. In fact, we anticipate filling several new positions to support this operation, and that benefits everyone.”

Posted February 26, 2021

Source: Fenner Precision Polymers

January/February 2021

The Champion® Defender Series hoodies feature protective elements including a face covering.

Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Champion® recently launched the Champion Defender Series hoodies featuring personal protective equipment (PPE) functions in the designs. Available in two styles, the Reverse Weave, anti-odor fabric hoodies feature a built-in or removable face covering with inner pocket for a filter or disposable mask as well as elongated cuffs with thumbholes to cover the hands. The styles are available exclusively on Champion.com in unisex men’s sizes.

England-based Optima 3D Ltd. has launched a new website located at optima3d.co.uk. The company currently offers three machines — the S-500 3D weaving machine, Optima Series R-2000 flexible rapier loom, and the Optima Series M-300. Information about the machines can be found on the new website.

Wilmington, Del.-based Sorona® has unveiled a new website in celebration of its Common Thread Fabric Certification program and apparel sub-brands Agile, Aura, Luxe, Profile and Revive. The website, which features all new iconography and photography, also offers a dedicated Customer Portal where partner companies can access brand assets.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Elevate Textiles — along with its portfolio of brands American & Efird, Burlington, Cone Denim, Gütermann and Safety Components — has joined the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), a group committed to improving supply chain sustainability.

Spartanburg, S.C.-based William Barnet & Son LLC has signed an agreement to sell and distribute yarns in the United States produced by The Filament Factory (TFF), Germany. TFF manufactures a new product named Ec0Pet, which features CiCLO® technology for biodegradation acceleration.

Techtextil North America 2021 — to be held at the Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, N.C., August 23-25, 2021 — is now accepting abstracts for the Techtextil North America Symposium, Show Floor Education programs and The Student Research Poster Program. Symposium submissions should be sent to ali.rosenberger@usa.messefrankfurt.com by April 2; abstracts for the show floor education events should be sent to ali.rosenberger@usa.messefrankfurt.com by May 1; and student poster abstracts should be sent to peyton.rowe@usa.messefrankfurt.com by May 21. Additional information can be found at the Techtextil North America website.

Luxemborg-based Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. will increase pricing for its acetylene black by 20 percent globally on March 2, 2021.

As result of continued uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Messe Frankfurt GbmH, Germany, has announced new dates for its Techtextil and Texprocess trade fairs as well as a permanent shift in the fair’s cycle. The shows will move to an even year cycle with the next events scheduled for June 21-24, 2022 and the following fair booked for April 9-12, 2024.

SDL Atlas’ Textender

SDL Atlas, Rock Hill, S.C., recently introduced the Textender, a testing instrument designed to measure stretch, recovery and growth properties of fabrics. According to the company, the instrument meets both ASTM D2594 and ASTM D3107 standards as well as modified requirements of retailers selling knit and woven fabrics made using stretch yarns.

Menomonee Falls, Wis.-based Kohl’s has announced a partnership with Eddie Bauer to offer outerwear and outdoor apparel for the whole family to Kohl’s customers fall 2021. Items will be available in as many as 500 stores nationwide with products also available on kohls.com.

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), Research Triangle Park, N.C., now offers a Skew & Shrinkage Template to be used when assessing dimensional changes in fabrics. The organization also has introduced an improved version of the AATCC 1993 Standard Reference Detergent Powder.

January/February 2021

Reborn Clothing Co. Names French/West/Vaughan (FWV) As Agency Of Record

RALEIGH, N.C. — February 25, 2021 — French/West/Vaughan (FWV), one of the nation’s 20 largest independently-held public relations and integrated marketing agencies, has been selected by Reborn Clothing Co. to support the brand’s integrated marketing strategy development and execution. Reborn Clothing Co. is a textile upcycling company on a mission to turn consumer and corporate waste into new, useful items.

“I met Emily Neville when she founded Reborn Clothing as an NC State University student in 2017 and have watched her company grow over the years,” said Rick French, Chairman & CEO of FWV. “Even then, her vision for Reborn and its potential for creating positive change in the textile industry was impressive. During a time when a brand’s environmental impact is more important than ever, FWV will use creative storytelling to bring awareness to the global climate crisis solution Reborn offers. We are honored to support Emily and the company’s continued growth.”

Reborn Clothing Co. started as a way for individuals to get clothing out of the back of their closets and made into new products, but the company quickly discovered an opportunity for textile waste reduction on a larger scale. Today, Reborn offers sustainable solutions to consumers and organizations of all sizes. Operating from manufacturing facilities in North Carolina, Reborn works with top brands, colleges and universities to transform surplus branded apparel and textile waste into enduring products.

“We have ambitious plans for Reborn in 2021, and we are excited to engage French/West/Vaughan to support us as we head into another year of projected growth,” Neville said. “FWV’s reputation and the list of top apparel brands on its client roster is impressive, so I know we are in capable hands.”

FWV kicked off work in January with Reborn Clothing Co., the latest company to be added to the list of apparel companies. The agency has worked with over the years including Wrangler, Lee, Jantzen, Peter Millar, Speedo, and Tasc Performance Apparel, among countless others.

Posted February 25, 2021

Source: French/West/Vaughan (FWV)

Magna’s New Michigan Plant To Support Fast-Growing Electric Vehicle Market

TROY, Mich. — February 23, 2021 — Magna has broken ground on a new manufacturing facility in St. Clair, Mich., that will build complex battery enclosures for the all-new 2022 GMC Hummer EV.

Construction of the 345,000 square-foot facility, named Magna Electric Vehicle Structures, represents more than a $70 million investment that is expected to bring more than 300 jobs to the city of St. Clair over the next five years.

The battery enclosure contributes to the structural and safety aspects of a vehicle’s frame and protects high-voltage batteries from damage and water. Magna can develop these advanced assemblies in steel, aluminum, and multi-material configurations, including lightweight composites, to meet the individual needs of its customers.

“Bringing this new battery enclosure technology to market is another example of Magna’s ability to deliver a full-system solution to automakers supporting their focus on a lower emissions future,” said John Farrell, president of Cosma International, Magna’s body and chassis group. “The move toward electrification allows us to rethink what is possible and demonstrate how we can leverage our core strengths to continue bringing customers innovative solutions that help them meet their goals, no matter how challenging.”

“This investment by Magna will create great jobs for our state’s talented workforce as we continue to implement our Michigan Back to Work plan to get Michiganders back on their feet,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “This announcement reaffirms Michigan is transforming along with the automotive industry to ensure the next generation of mobility and electrification is designed, developed, tested, and built right here in our state.”

Magna, through its body and chassis product group, has long been an industry leader in vehicle structures, providing a comprehensive range of capabilities and engineering solutions to global customers. This new business with GM marks an important evolution as the company expands its capabilities in all aspects of the vehicle electrification space.

Production at the new plant is expected to begin in early 2022. It will mark Magna’s 25th manufacturing facility in Michigan. The team at the Magna Electric Vehicle Structures facility is actively hiring for a variety of jobs — including managers, engineers, operators and more.

Posted February 25, 2021

Source: MAGNA

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Receives Its First-Ever Spider Silk Shipment From Its Vietnamese Production Facility

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — February 23, 2021 — Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc., the biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of spider silk, announces that the company received its first small shipment of spider silk from Prodigy textiles, its wholly-owned Vietnamese subsidiary.

The company has received fiber requests from a broad range of interested parties, including companies that produce products in the fields of sports apparel, industrial textiles, first responder supplies, medical products, and other manufacturers. In order to meet this demand, the company established Prodigy Textiles to scale up the production of its recombinant spider silk fibers, threads, and textiles.

The company’s operations at its Prodigy Textiles facility are now moving forward to significantly expand the company’s spider silk production. The company expects to begin filling the backlog of material requests, including requests from Polartec LLC and MtheMovement, as this added capacity comes online.

“I want to thank the Prodigy Textiles team for making this milestone possible and setting the stage for our expansion. This helps us transition from being the leading developer of spider silk technologies to the producer and supplier of high quality spider silk fibers,” said Jon Rice, the company’s COO. “Now we can focus on meeting the substantial demand for spider silk and solidifying market channel partnerships to reach our goal to develop and bring new products to market.”

Posted February 25, 2021

Source: Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc.

January/February 2021

David Johnson

David Johnson Jr. has joined Atlanta-based Hamilton International as sales director.

Kent Fountain was reelected as chairman of the National Cotton Council (NCC), Memphis, Tenn., for 2021, and Ted Schneider was reelected vice chairman. The following people were reelected to serve as NCC vice presidents: Jordan Lea; Robin Perkins; Kirk Gilkey; Kevin Brinkley; and Robert Lacy Jr. Jay Cowart is a newly elected NCC vice president. Barry Evans was reelected as secretary-treasurer. The following people were reelcted as NCC staff officers: Gary Adams, president and CEO; Marjory Walker, vice president, Council Operations; Jody Campiche, vice president, Economics and Policy Analysis; Reece Langley, vice president, Washington Operations; John Gibson, vice president, Member Services; and Harrison Ashley, vice president, Ginner Services. Newly elected NCC staff officers include Don Parker, vice president, Technical Services; and Tas Smith, vice president, Producer Affairs.

Benji Bagwell

Benji Bagwell has joined Spartanburg, S.C.-based Milliken & Company’s Textile Division as vice president of sales and marketing for the specialty interiors business.

Steve Rooney, CEO of Continental Structural Plastics, a Teijin Group company based in Auburn Hills, Mich., was promoted to general manager of the Composites business unit of Teijin Ltd., Tokyo. Rooney reports to Akimoto Uchikawa, the newly named president of Teijin’s Materials Business.

Herleman

American Textile Co., Duquesne, Pa., has named Karl Herleman senior vice president of Information Technology.

Jones Family of Companies, Humboldt, Tenn., has promoted Dennis St. Louis to vice president of sales, Bedding and Furniture channel; and hired Mike Jewell as senior vice president of operations, and Anthony Lado as human resources director/HR leader – Talent Acquisition.

PVH Corp., New York City, named Stefan Larsson CEO.

Portland, Ore.-based Columbia Sportswear Co. has appointed Skip Potter executive vice president, chief digital information officer, effective April 1, 2021. The company also named Tim Sheerin senior vice president of U.S. sales for the Columbia brand. In addition, the board of directors at the company appointed John Culver to serve as a director and member of its Compensation Committee.

The board of directors at Greensboro, N.C.-based Unifi Inc. has elected Emma Battle to the board. She is president and CEO of business services company MarketVigor, and CEO of public charity Higher Ed Works.

Ben Talbert

Ben Talbert recently launched an industrial recruiting firm named Better Than Found. The company specializes in nationwide professional and executive recruiting across the manufacturing, engineering and construction sectors for companies in the Upstate of South Carolina and throughout the Southeast.

MMI Textiles Inc., Westlake, Ohio, recently hired Kathleen Stevens as CFO. The company also promoted Debbie Grant to chief of staff, Nick Rivera to COO, Geoffrey Senko to director of Business Development, and Joshua Slack to supply chain manager.

Winston-Salem, N.C.-based HanesBrands and named Joe Cavaliere to the newly created role of group president, global innerwear. The appointment follows the retirement of Howard Upchurch, group president, innerwear Americas, after 34 years with the company.

January/February 2021

Grunt Style Officially Licensed To Sell Air Force And Space Force Apparel

SAN ANTONIO — February 24, 2021 — Online patriotic lifestyle retailer Grunt Style has contracted with the United States Air Force and Space Force to offer officially licensed apparel. With the new product line, Grunt Style now carries licensed apparel for all five military branches of the Department of Defense.

The agreement adds to Grunt Style’s wide selection of military licensed attire. Now, in addition to Army, Navy, and Marine Corps clothing, customers can choose from a selection of Air Force and Space Force t-shirts, ranging in size from small to 3XL, all made with 100-percent cotton and proudly printed in Carol Stream, Ill. Everything comes with Grunt Style’s lifetime guarantee.

“Grunt Style was founded with a very clear mission: To instill pride in self, in military, and in country,” said Glenn Silbert, CEO of Grunt Style. “As part of that, it was important to ensure all branches of our armed forces are represented within our product line. With our new Air Force and Space Force apparel, we have options for everyone, no matter which branch of military they serve in or support. Our customers have been asking for this, and we’re proud to deliver.”

Additional officially licensed Space Force and Air Force prints and styles, including hoodies, will be added later this year.

Posted February 25, 2021

Source: Grunt Style

Polymateria Open-Sources Recyclability Data To Show First Plastic Material To Be Both Recyclable And Biodegradable

LONDON — February 25, 2021 — Polymateria, who in 2020 became the first company to evidence full biodegradation of plastic in the open environment*, has today open-sourced data showing that its Biotransformation technology is recyclable as well as biodegradable.

Heralding a step forward in the shift to a more circular economy, polyethylene filmcontaining Polymateria’s Biotransformation technology has been shown to meet accepted industry protocol for recyclability through independent testing.

Polymateria’s technology demonstrates that the vision of a truly circular economy is possible. An economy where materials are reused or recycled as a matter of priority while allowing any items escaping the system to return to nature without causing any harm. By uniquely time-controlling when biodegradation will start, Polymateria’s technology allows time for recycling to take place before biodegradation is triggered.

Through open-sourcing its data, Polymateria invites other companies to work together to build a truly circular economy. The company is looking forward to working with plastic manufacturers, consumer brands and recyclers to unite the value chain and bring the circular economy vision to life.

Biodegradation of material containing Polymateria’s technology is verified by the British Standard Institution’s (BSI) new PAS 9017 standard for the Biodegradation of polyolefins in an open-air terrestrial environment which was launched in late 2020. The first of its kind, the standard sets a series of stringent pass/fail criteria ensuring full biodegradation with no microplastics or ecotoxicity left behind.

The open-sourced recyclability report from Impact Solutions can be found here. https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.impact-solutions.co.uk%2Frecyclability-evaluation-protocol-for-pe-films%2F&esheet=52385549&newsitemid=20210225005481&lan=en-US&anchor=here&index=2&md5=30fcc0630fc00096462e0ea8a93fc9c2

Nial Dunne, CEO of Polymateria, said: “This is a good day for all those who believe in building a circular economy. For too long, it has been assumed that biodegradable material cannot also be recycled. Our technology is changing perceptions. Products containing our technology should be recycled as a matter of priority, but any items escaping the system will return to nature at the right time without causing any harm. As enablers of a circular economy, we invite the industry to join the growing number of partners working with us to bring a circular economy vision to life.”

Dr Christopher Wallis, Polymateria senior vice president of Innovations, said: “I am pleased with the technical recyclability results achieved through the independent testing conducted by Impact Solutions. With these results, we can demonstrate that material containing our technology meets current industry protocol for mechanical recycling of polyolefins.”

Dr Michail Kalloudis, director of Polymer Science at Impact Solutions, said: “Our independent research clearly demonstrates that polyethele film containing Polymateria’s Biotransfromation masterbatch is recyclable within normal mechanical recycling streams. We tested the material stringently against recycling industry protocol.”

Dr Simon Hepworth, director of Enterprise at Imperial College London, said: “We are delighted to see the progress being made by Polymateria, first at the White City Incubator and now within the Translation & Innovation Hub (I-HUB), joining a range of deep tech companies and remaining part of Imperial’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. As a science-focused business developing technology to address global environmental challenges, we’re proud to see them flourish and to continue our role in supporting Polymateria’s efforts to build a circular economy.”

Technical note: Polyethelene film containing Polymateria’s masterbatch technology was tested by Impact Solutions, UK. The report can be accessed here. https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.impact-solutions.co.uk%2Frecyclability-evaluation-protocol-for-pe-films%2F&esheet=52385549&newsitemid=20210225005481&lan=en-US&anchor=here&index=3&md5=2a3c4e0958813042022b44b27b9a3799

*Recyclability was tested and proven against the Recyclass “Recyclability Assessment Protocols for PE Films” version 1.0 published on September 6th 2018.

https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Frecyclass.eu%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F07%2FRecyClass-Recyclability-Evaluation-Protocol-for-PE-Films-06-09-2018.pdf&esheet=52385549&newsitemid=20210225005481&lan=en-US&anchor=Recyclability+Assessment+Protocols+for+PE+Films&index=4&md5=a9d1aee1f51e21fb98ff812a1a9a2fb4

Posted February 25, 2021

Source: Polymateria

Fabletics Expands Into At-Home Fitness Market With Launch Of New Workout App

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — February 25, 2021 — Fabletics today announced the launch of Fabletics FIT, a new app with hundreds of on-demand workouts, meditations and more, designed to meet the growing demand for immersive, at-home fitness experiences. The new app is part of a series of initiatives by Fabletics to develop a 360 health and wellness experience for customers.

Fabletics FIT was created in response to feedback from its 2 million+ VIP member customer base and the past year’s global surge in home workouts. Uniquely leveraging the brand’s enhanced data, proprietary technology and predictive shopping platforms across the TechStyle Fashion Group portfolio, Fabletics FIT delivers the most curated and popular content experience in health and wellness available today.

“After a record-breaking year thanks to the growing interest in home-workouts, Fabletics is looking beyond apparel to meet the expectations of our customer base who are exploring new ways to stay fit at home,” commented Adam Goldenberg, Co-Founder and CEO, Fabletics. “Based on the response from our members to date, we believe a growing presence in health and wellness content will provide Fabletics an exciting opportunity to propel future growth.”

Access to Fabletics FIT is included in the Fabletics VIP Membership as a new perk and offered to non-members for $14.95 per month. Early insights gleaned from a recent beta period demonstrate high user engagement, with more than 100,000 workouts taken in under one month.

Fabletics FIT brings the Fabletics brand experience to life, connecting users from the comfort of their homes to Fabletics’s network of high profile instructors from popular Los Angeles studios as well as health experts leading hundreds of innovative on-demand fitness classes. Utilizing Fabletics’s in-house studios to produce high quality fitness content, the app aims to mirror the experience and quality of premium Los Angeles studio classes, with wide variety across categories including Barre, Cardio, Dance, HIIT, Meditation, Pilates, Stretch, Toning, Yoga and Recovery. Recognizing the growing interest in at-home mindfulness, the app also features a range of meditations, including for beginners, sleep, stress, anxiety, focus, personal growth and more.

Incorporating the Fabletics shopping experience, Fabletics FIT offers incentives such as apparel discounts in exchange for meeting fitness challenges. Unlike most existing fitness apps, Fabletics FIT also features seamless music integration through a partnership with Spotify which allows users to connect and play their own curated playlists while working out, with music layered in with instructor voices during classes.

Fabletics is also exploring various fitness content partnerships to continue enhancing the Fabletics FIT experience, beginning with an expanded collaboration with Hydrow, the at-home rowing machine with live and on-demand athlete-led workouts. As part of the official launch of Fabletics FIT, users will have access to exclusive Hydrow instructor-led rowing and strength workouts.

Fabletics first partnered with Hydrow in October 2020 as their exclusive apparel partner and to deliver an immersive fitness experience, opening long-term Hydrow Pop-Up shops across Fabletics’s fleet of retail stores. As part of the partnership, the two companies have collaborated on offering exclusive access for Fabletics’s community of over 2 million VIP members, including members-only pricing on Hydrow machines and subscriptions, custom apparel and accessories, and unique fitness content.

The new initiatives follow a year of record growth for Fabletics, in which the brand surpassed $500m in annual revenue and launched a men’s line, Fabletics Men, together with actor and comedian Kevin Hart. Betting on the return of retail, the brand continued to reach new customers by opening 11 new brick-and-mortar locations as it implemented new safety measures to safely reopen its existing fleet of storefronts. Today the brand operates 50 retail stores across the country, with further expansion planned for 2021.

Posted February 25, 2021

Source: Fabletics

Siren Announces First Fully Integrated Remote Patient Monitoring Solution In Podiatry

SAN FRANCISCO — February 25, 2021 — Siren, a health technology company that pioneered the development of microsensor-embedded textiles for medical applications, announced that it is augmenting its Siren Socks product offering by launching Siren Staffing, a remote patient monitoring (RPM) program. Initial customers include StrideCare and Village Podiatry Centers.

Siren Socks continuously track foot temperature and were developed to help patients living with diabetes manage their foot health more effectively. Temperature monitoring has been clinically established as an important physiologic marker of injury and is recommended as a tool to detect and prevent diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). DFUs occur in 25 percent of people with diabetes, accounting for over $43 billion in annual healthcare costs in the United States and are the leading cause of amputations.

Siren Staffing builds on the benefits of Siren Socks by utilizing licensed practical nurses to coordinate RPM activities with podiatric practices. Program nurses monitor temperature data collected by Siren Socks and contact patients who may be at risk of developing injuries to evaluate the status of their feet.

“With Siren Staffing, we now offer the first fully integrated remote patient monitoring solution in podiatry,” said Ran Ma, Siren co-founder and CEO. “We have combined an easy to use monitoring device, continuous data recording and analysis using proprietary algorithms, and a staff of trained nurses into a cohesive, end-to-end offering that allows any podiatric practice to successfully implement RPM and help patients avoid complications arising from foot ulcers.”

“Implementing Siren Staffing has made my practice more efficient and effective,” said Dr. Gavin Ripp, DPM, of Premier Podiatry & Orthopedics in Northern California. “The team works closely together to monitor patients and coordinate care with our systems. The result is that I am able to quickly act with greater information. This comprehensive solution allows us to monitor more patients to detect signs of inflammation and injury earlier and intervene effectively.”

Posted February 25, 2021

Source: Siren Care

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