January/February 2021
Quality Fabric Of The Month: Culp’s LiveSmart® Gets Smarter
LiveSmart Ultra™ and LiveSmart Barrier Plus™ offer clean home performance in a luxury fabric.
By Rachael S. Davis, Executive Editor
Compelled by the pandemic and a growth in demand for products that keep the home clean, High Point, N.C.-based Culp Inc., recently expanded its LiveSmart® fabric line with the addition of LiveSmart Ultra™ and LiveSmart Barrier Plus™. The new products join existing LiveSmart, LiveSmart Outdoor®, and LiveSmart Evolve® — a fabric made using at least 30 percent or more of Unifi Inc.’s REPREVE® yarn.
According to Tammy Buckner, senior vice president of design and marketing, all LiveSmart fabrics comprise low denier, high-performance polyester fibers that are encapsulated in a nano-based stain repellent, water repellent finish.
LiveSmart Ultra builds on the stain fighting protection of LiveSmart with the addition of a permanently bonded silver ion-based antimicrobial* technology for mold, mildew and odor protection. Culp partnered with a leader in the health field to adapt its Environmental Protection Agency-approved antimicrobial product to Culp’s fabric constructions to better protect the fabric.
“With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, keeping the home clean has been top of mind for everyone,” Buckner said. “LiveSmart Ultra goes that extra step for a deeper clean that continues working to kill the odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew that come into contact with your fabric and furniture. LiveSmart Ultra is recommended for any area of the home where keeping your furniture clean and protecting the fabric from degradation and mold and mildew is a concern.”
LiveSmart Barrier Plus incorporates a polyurethane barrier layer that forms an integrated moisture barrier to safely seal the fabric and take it from water repellent to waterproof. The fabric is easy-to-clean and prevents spills from penetrating into underlying furniture fibers and foams.
“Lift chairs and pet beds both are growing markets and LiveSmart Barrier Plus is the perfect waterproof fabric for these end uses,” Buckner said. The fabric also is suitable for dining chairs, nursery rockers and other high-use furniture that requires extra protection.
“We were already utilizing antimicrobial technology in our contract and hospitality lines to protect the fabric against mold, mildew, and odor-causing microbes, so adding it into our residential fabrics was an easy transition,” Buckner noted. “We believe you shouldn’t have to sacrifice soft and luxurious fabrics for the sake of performance in any environment. Our new lines are offered in the latest designer choices and in a wide array of colors, patterns and styles for your home. This new technology will help preserve your design vision easily and affordably while also delivering lasting performance you can count on.”
Consumers can locate the fabrics by the yard on online outlets including Amazon, Houzz and Overstock as well as on finished furniture sold by online and brick and mortar retailers Target, West Elm and Pottery Barn, among other retailers. For hospitality and commercial end-uses, the LiveSmart fabrics are sold under the Iclean brand.
*Anti-microbial properties protect fabric against mold, mildew, and odor-causing bacteria but do not protect against viruses or other germs.
For more information about Culp’s LiveSmart fabrics, please contact Tammy Buckner 336-290-8532; TGBuckner@culp.com; livesmartbyculp.com or culp.com.
January/February 2021
Champion® Athleticwear Announces A Multi-Year Collaboration With The G.O.A.T. — Muhammad Ali Brand
WINSTON SALEM, N.C — February 24, 2021 — Champion Athleticwear, makers of authentic athletic apparel since 1919, and Authentic Brands Group (ABG), a global brand development company today announced a multi-year collaboration for the Muhammad Ali brand. Through the partnership, Muhammad Ali will be the muse for a comprehensive, global campaign that will include integration across the Champion platforms and a series of product collections and limited edition drops. Champion will utilize Muhammad Ali’s iconic imagery, quotes, and his six core principles that fueled his journey.
“Champions are defined by how they carry themselves in sports and beyond,” said David Robertson, director of Champion Global Brand Marketing. “Muhammad Ali’s legacy and Champion share a common foundation of authenticity, confidence and inclusivity. We are incredibly excited to see how consumers react to this new collaboration and interpret how we’ve incorporated designs that reflect self-expression to help them feel comfortable, confident and ready to take on any challenge.”
As “The People’s Champion,” Muhammad Ali was the ultimate personification of what it means to be a champion – not for what he did inside the ring but for what was inside of him. The first drop of the Champion X Muhammad Ali collection is based on Ali’s six core principles: confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, respect and spirituality. Champion wants to inspire everyone using these core principles to feel strength from within and to be empowered to start a movement of staying true to oneself, on and off the field.
The partnership kicks off with the launch of the Champion X Muhammad Ali Collection, which evokes Ali’s spirit, celebrates living like a champion, and is an embodiment of sportsmanship. Ali’s core principles are reflected throughout the collection in the apparel designs, which feature iconic images of Muhammad Ali and some of his most famous quotes.
The collection spans sizes XS-2XL and will include Reverse Weave® hoodies, crewnecks and graphic t-shirts in a red, white, gold and black color scheme and a Hyped X Wash. The Special Edition Men’s Reverse Weave Hyped X Wash is a tie dye design, with each hoodie being one-of-a-kind and hand dyed by local Los Angeles artisans. Each hoodie is pre-washed for broken-in softness and has graphics including a photo-realistic, archival Ali image on the sleeve, and an elevated felt and satin The Greatest applique. The collection is rounded out with a limited-edition pin set available as an exclusive gift with purchase while supplies last in select Champion retail stores, that celebrates Ali with iconic images and words that commemorate his journey to greatness. Future collections and drops will be announced in the months to follow.
“The Greatest of All Time and Champion are a natural fit for a partnership, and we are really proud of the Champion X Muhammad Ali collection that drops today,” said Marc Rosen, President, Entertainment, ABG, which in conjunction with Lonnie Ali as trustee of the Muhammad Ali Family Trust (MAFT) owns Muhammad Ali Enterprises. “To quote Ali himself, ‘Champions aren’t made in gyms, Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision.’ This partnership will honor that sentiment and we are excited for it to kick off.”
To shop the Champion X Muhammad Ali collection, visit Champion.com, Champion Retail stores, Social Status or RSVP Gallery beginning today. Retailing between $40 and $125, the items are the first of three collection drops with Muhammad Ali in 2021, with the second and third drops slated for later this year and more collections planned for 2022.
Posted February 24, 2021
Source: Champion® Athleticwear
TreeToTextile Builds Demonstration Plant For Upscaling New Sustainable Textile Fiber
STOCKHOLM — February 23, 2021 — TreeToTextile, owned by H&M Group, Inter IKEA Group, Stora Enso, and LSCS Invest, is investing 35 million euros in constructing a demonstration plant in Sweden. It is a critical next step towards commercializing a new sustainable textile fiber, with scalable technology and low manufacturing cost. The aim is to make sustainable textile fibers available to all.
All over the world, sustainable textile fibers are in growing demand. TreeToTextile is committed to enabling brands, companies, and others with a progressive agenda, to have access to sustainable textile fibers. TreeToTextile offers a new technology to produce biobased textile fibers with a low environmental footprint at an attractive cost level. The new fiber is a regenerated cellulosic fiber, produced from renewable and sustainably sourced raw materials from the forest.
TreeToTextile’s strong sustainability performance is confirmed by a third party verified Life-Cycle-Assessment study1. Looking at the sustainability targets, the new technology would mean less use of energy, chemicals and water when benchmarked to the production of conventional fibers. The novel process is deliberately designed to have low energy demand and low chemical need. It is engineered to suit large scale production and includes a recovery system for reusing chemicals.
Our technology has the potential to reduce the environmental footprint of the textile industry significantly. With our owners’ support, innovative agendas, know-how, and size, we assess that TreeToTextile can play an important contributing part globally, in enabling the textile industry to become sustainable and circular, says TreeToTextile’s CEO Sigrid Barnekow.
TreeToTextile is now investing to construct a demonstration plant for upscaling the process technology. The cost is 35 million euros, which is funded with an investment of 27.4 million euros from the owners, H&M Group, Inter IKEA Group, Stora Enso, and LSCS Invest, and a grant of 7.6 million euros from the Swedish Energy Agency. The plant will be established at Stora Enso’s Nymölla mill in southern Sweden, and the construction will start in spring 2021. The production capacity will be 1,500 tons fiber per year.
The key to creating real change is cooperation. We are a young organization and at the beginning of our operations, but by investing in a demonstration plant, we are finally on the go. With it we are turning years of R&D into reality to increase the biobased share on the textile market to support climate action. That is why this is an important point in time, not only for TreeToTextile, says Roxana Barbieru, chairwoman of TreeToTextile; vice president, Emerging Businesses and Alliances Management, Biomaterials at Stora Enso.
Posted February 24, 2021
Source: TreeToTextile
New Crobialcoat™ Antimicrobial Coating Fights Both Corrosion And Bacteria- Leveraging The Power Of Protectaclear® And Microban® For Common High-Touch Surfaces
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. — February 23, 2021 — Everbrite Coatings officially announced the release of its newest product, CrobialCoat: a durable, clear coating that provides long lasting product protection on most surfaces from rust, salt damage, tarnish, corrosion and oxidation — as well as offering built-in antimicrobial technology specifically designed for highly polished or matte metals, ceramics, hard plastics, or hardwoods and keeps coated surfaces cleaner by inhibiting the growth of bacteria. Part of an ever-growing line of coatings and protective sealants, CrobialCoat is not sold in retail stores, but is available for direct worldwide consumer purchase from Everbrite online distributors.
CrobialCoat: With ProtectaClear and Microban
“Although the recent pandemic has highlighted the importance of keeping our vulnerable populations safe from unchecked viral spread, it’s become all-too-easy to forget about the host of average germs and microbes that still plague us,” said Everbrite President Teresa Sedmak. “That’s why we’re so pleased to introduce CrobialCoat as a useful tool in this fight. With one coating, it is effective product protection against the growth of damaging bacteria protection against basic microbial growth. You just apply it and know that the surface is protected and the protection will not wash off. It’s really that easy.”
CrobialCoat can be used in both home and commercial settings and is ideal for use in high-touch environments where cleanliness is of special importance, like schools, hospitals, dining and hospitality venues, or restrooms. CrobialCoat’s main features include:
- ProtectaClear: A tough, durable coating that protects metal surfaces from a variety of problems including tarnish, rust and even fingerprints. ProtectaClear is perfect for railings, door handles, stainless steel grills, sinks and countertops – giving each a freshly polished look with a crystal clear, invisible coating.
- Microban Antimicrobial Technology: A trusted industry technology that inhibits microbial growth and also hinders proliferation of mold and mildew. Microban disrupts the metabolism of contaminating microbes, preventing their reproduction and colonization.
- Long lasting and highly adhesive, CrobialCoat will not wash off, offering protection that lasts for the life of the coating.
- Highly salt resistant for marine and ocean locales. Prevents rust, verdigris, corrosion, and other types of metal degradation resulting from prolonged environmental exposure.
- Reduces odors and saves time and money by keeping public areas cleaner for a longer duration.
CrobialCoat is intended for use on a large variety of surfaces, including handles, light switches, handicap access push plates, railings, turnstiles, sinks, faucets, elevators, button panels, lockers, bathroom and kitchen hardware, restroom stalls, counters, and any other high-touch surfaces.
Bacteria can thrive on nearly any surface, doubling their number every 20 minutes. This growth can cause staining, unpleasant odors and textures, and deterioration of surfaces, impacting the durability and aesthetics of metals, plastic, and wood. Once microbes begin growing unchecked, constant cleaning is needed to keep that growth under control. The best weapon against any microbial growth is prevention. Lab studies have proven CrobialCoat to significantly reduce the growth of microbes and help surfaces stay 99% cleaner than unprotected surfaces.
Posted February 24, 2021
Source: Everbrite Coatings
Welspun India Reaches Digital Transformation Milestone With STYCHECO And BeProduct
NEW YORK CITY — February 23, 2021 — Welspun India has embarked on the next phase of its comprehensive digitization journey, working with digital innovation and technology implementation firm STYCHECO (Stitch-Co) to deploy the BeProduct platform and to revitalize its international design, development, and production processes.
Welspun India is part of the Welspun Group. With more than 25,000 employees, a presence in more than 50 countries, and a “farm-to-shelf” model of vertical integration that runs from design to drop shipping. Welspun has a broad product footprint covering bed, bath and flooring categories. In textiles, Welspun produces under license for household names in Asia, Europe, and North America, delivers to major global retailers, and oversees cutting-edge manufacturing worldwide.
To manage this complexity, the Welspun Group has embarked on a company-wide digital transformation project that spans from sales and marketing to sourcing. Welspun’s partnership with STYCHECHO and BeProduct quickly became a vital part of that digital transformation for its textile business, as Chief Marketing and Merchandising Officer Christopher Mooney explains:
“Our objective was to serve our customers better by transitioning all of our data, systems, processes, and people — across the entire value chain — to digital. It was therefore essential to us not only to find a new common IT platform, but to create secure, sustainable ways of working that would allow our design teams in New York to collaborate with their colleagues in India. From that point of view, Welspun’s digital transformation initiative relied on us finding the right technology, but also the right technical and cultural implementation partner. I’m thrilled that we found STYCHECO; with their assistance our digital transformation and growth goals are now in reach.”
“As digital transformation strategies go, Welspun’s is one of the boldest we have ever seen,” added Darioush Nikpour, Founder of STYCHECO. “The scope and the scale of the digitization is gigantic, which is why we were thrilled to be able to step in and assist the Welspun team with defining, executing, and building on their ideas for digitization.
“The goal of the CEO of Welspun, Dipali Goenka, was to connect with their customers and consumers through the collaboration with technology. The STYCHECO team cannot wait to continue its work with Welspun — helping an inspiring business to achieve digital transformation on a truly global scale.”
Posted February 24, 2021
Source: STYCHECO
Sorona® Unveils New Brand Website And Customer Portal
WILMINGTON, Del. — February 24, 2021 — Today, Sorona® unveiled its new website including refreshed iconography and photography in celebration of its Common Thread Fabric Certification program and apparel sub-brands—Agile, Aura, Luxe, Profile, Revive. The new website also includes a dedicated Customer Portal where partners can access brand assets showcasing their commitment to using the sustainably-made fiber.
Inspired by the plant-based element of Sorona polymer, the new sub-brand iconography borrows from nature utilizing hyper-detailed images of various flora that emulate the performance capabilities of Sorona in fabrics. Visitors to the website may also notice fashion forward, apparel-in-action shots, too, captured by award-winning photographer Stan Musilek.
The refreshed Sorona® website is the result of a collaboration between Addis, an integrated creative partner for progressive brands such as MightyLeaf and Kashi; OneMagnify performance marketing company specializing in strategic digital, brand, and customer experience communications; and TYPOConsult, a Copenhagen-based, full-service web consultancy company. In addition to the new iconography and sub-brand pages, the site also has dedicated sections for Sorona faux fur, Sorona for carpets, and a Customer Portal.
Now in its 21st year, Sorona is the revolutionary 37-percent bio-based polymer, offering spinners, mills, and brands a high-quality, eco-efficient fiber that adds softness, durability, and stretch to fabrics without sacrificing performance. Sorona is used in various apparel applications including athleisure and athletic wear, insulation, swimwear, outerwear, suiting, faux fur, and can also be found in Mohawk SmartStrand® carpet.
When used as an alternative to nylon 6, Sorona® is created using 30-percent less energy and releasing 63-percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions. When compared to the production of nylon 6,6, Sorona uses 40-percent less energy and releases 56-percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Sorona is a USDA certified bio-based product with an OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certification.
“We are so excited to launch our new website, which signals the natural evolution of our brand messaging and vision. We believe in transparency and traceability throughout the value chain and celebrating the sub-brands through this innovative creative execution felt like an exciting next step,” said Alexa Raab, Global Brand and Communications leader – Sorona.
Posted February 24, 2021
Source: DuPont Biomaterials
The Montex®Coat Ticks All The Right Boxes For Coating Success In 2021
MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany — February 24, 2021 — Flexibility, product uniformity and automation are the keys to success for coating businesses in today’s rapidly-changing technical textiles industry, explained Jürgen Hanel, Monforts head of Technical Textiles, at the recent 1st World Congress on Textile Coating.
Introducing the latest Montex®Coat magnetic roller coating option to virtual delegates from around the world at the conference organized by International Newsletters, Hanel explained why this technology makes perfect sense now
“The magnetic roller system allows a wide range of coatings and finishes to be carried out, while being easy to handle for operators and much easier to clean at the end of the process,” he said. “It provides textile finishers with an expanded range of options due to the fully-adjustable positioning of the magnet within the roller and with four different magnet positions possible, can be set to operate both as a direct coating system and as an indirect coater.”
With traditional dip coating systems, he added, as well as with many standard knife coating technologies, there is always a difference in the tension between the centre and the edges of the wide width fabrics being treated – and hence the amount of pressure with which the coating is applied. With the use of a magnetic roller, equal pressure is applied across the full width of the fabric, with consistent results even at wide widths of more than 2.4 meters. In addition, adjusting the roller surface, rather than changing the coating formulation to match the required add-on and viscosity for each coating effect required, leads to much higher output from the line.
Cleaner and less wasteful
The contribution of such flexible and resource-saving new technologies to a cleaner and less wasteful textile industry was a key theme at the congress — held virtually across the four afternoons of February 11, 12, 18 and 19 — as was digitalization and the many advantages it is providing.
“A typical integrated Monforts coating line is automated from the inlet feed to the winder,” Hanel told delegates. “Adjustments can also be made simply and easily from the touchscreen and with the new hand-held remote controller which has recently been introduced for the MontexCoat unit.”
Manual adjustment, he added, is time consuming and needs the attention of an experienced operator or the reproducibility will not be accurate between coating operations. The adjustment by motors allows each coating to be stored and downloaded again for 100 percent reproducibility.
The motors can be fully controlled from the touchscreen and all necessary adjustments carried out remotely, making switching from one process to another extremely quick and easy.
The accuracy that is now being demanded by today’s most exacting customers is met with an optional carbon fiber roller — especially in dealing with the winding tension required in the processing of materials such as prepregs for composites and other heavyweight fabrics. Typical applications for the MontexCoat include the finishing of tents and awnings, black-out roller blinds and sail cloth, automotive interior fabrics and medical disposables. Full PVC coatings, pigment dyeing or minimal application surface and low penetration treatments can all be accommodated.
“The World Congress on Textile Coating was characterized by some very stimulating presentations and forums between the speakers and a global audience of textile specialists,” Jürgen Hanel concluded. “It truly reflected the high level of positive changes now taking place in not just textile coating, but the entire textile industry. I look forward to the next edition, which hopefully will be a face-to-face event for even deeper level discussions and debate.”
Posted February 24, 2021
Source: A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG
Elevate Textiles Joins Sustainable Apparel Coalition: Elevate Brands A&E, Burlington, Cone Denim, Gütermann And Safety Component Participate
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — February 23, 2021 — Elevate Textiles announces that it has joined the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) to include its brands American & Efird (A&E), Burlington, Cone Denim, Gütermann and Safety Components. Elevate joins more than 250 global brands, retailers, and manufacturers, as well as government, non-profit environmental organizations, and academic institutions, which are collectively committed to improving supply chain sustainability in the apparel, footwear, and textile industry.
“Elevate and its brands share a long-standing commitment to being a leader in the development of sustainable products,” said Jimmy Summers, chief sustainability officer. “We work with many partners to continuously identify and lead various initiatives, and we are pleased to add the Sustainable Apparel Coalition to the industry initiatives in which we take part. By joining SAC, we are further committing to implement the Higg suite of tools in our supply chain, and to be a part of further developments and expansion of the use of the tools in the industry. We look forward to many opportunities to drive increased sustainability through meaningful collaborations across the textile and apparel industries.”
In its relationship with SAC, Elevate will contribute both data and resources to support the Higg Index, a tool which Elevate brands have been using since 2014, including the more recent addition of independently verified self-audits. The Higg Index is an indicator-based suite of tools that measures sustainability performance and drives supply chain transparency and decision making that enables suppliers, manufacturers, brands, and retailers to better evaluate materials, products, facilities, and processes based on environmental performance, social labor practices, and product design choices.
As part of Elevate’s commitment to positively impact the people and natural environments associated with its operations and supply chain, Elevate established its 2025 Sustainability Goals focused on sustainably sourced fibers, reduced water consumption and reduction in greenhouse gases. The company has also joined with other industry leaders as a signatory to the UN Global Compact, upholding the highest principles and working in support of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Additionally Elevate contributes towards many other efforts including the ZDHC Programme, UN CEO Water Mandate and has committed to set GHG reduction targets as a part of the Science Based Targets Initiative.
“We welcome the addition of Elevate Textiles to the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and look forward to its participation in this industry-wide effort in sustainability,” SAC Executive Director Amina Razvi said. “Having Elevate and each of its top textile brands as part of the Coalition widens the scope of our impact within the industry and accelerates the change we’re making towards responsible industry actions.”
Posted February 24, 2021
Source: Elevate Textiles
Beaver Paper Group Rebrands Legacy Cut & Sew Products
ATLANTA — February 23, 2021 — Beaver Paper Group, a member of Koehler Paper, announced the rebranding of its legacy sewn paper products to TexSewn™ family of Cut and Sew Papers.
By streamlining and reimagining its sewn paper category, Beaver Paper Group will be able to appeal to a broader customer base and support growth across new market channels. This change will provide customers with a total paper solution from the designing and cutting process to the final printing and transfer process.
“Our new rebrand is helping drive us to the future with a total solution package and a more consistent brand experience.” said Tobias Sternbeck, CEO of Beaver Paper Group. “We’re offering a one-stop-shop for our customer’s sewn products and sublimation transfer needs.”
Along with new branding comes renewed commitment and investment in the future of the TexSewn family of products. Beaver Paper Group has added a new two-in-one perforator to their plant floor. This will allow timely production and delivery of its most popular kraft papers as well as secure its position in the sewn products market.
Posted February 24, 2021
Source: Beaver Paper Group
