VDMA: Circular Economy And Carbon Footprint Are Drivers For Lightweight Technologies

FRANKFURT, Germany— February 16, 2021 — At the annual meeting of the VDMA Hybrid Lightweight Technologies working group, which took place on February, 12, 2021, it became clear that the industry is intensively addressing holistic concepts of lightweight construction, offering its customers worldwide customized solutions for CO2 reduction. In the automotive sector in particular, there is growing pressure from supply chains to live up to the guiding principle of climate-neutral manufacturing and to be able to prove this with data. In the context of taxation based on CO2 intensity, monetary benefits can also be generated through CO2 savings.

Ecological product design is gaining importance

In addition to sustainable production, the recyclability of plastics products is becoming increasingly important against the background of resource conservation and the goal of a functioning circular economy. It is still a challenge for materials and process technology to combine the benefits of use of new lightweight material composites with good ecological product design in terms of recyclability. Industry and research are working together on new methods for the material recycling of hybrid lightweight components, which improve the eco-balance and, at the same time, offer economic advantages. In the development of new lightweight components, design for recycling must have the same priority as functionality and production efficiency.

Consideration of the carbon footprint is becoming increasingly important for mechanical engineers. The chairman of the VDMA working group, Marc Kirchhoff, TRUMPF, stated: “In addition to the own production location, it is the degree of energy and resource efficiency of the machines that we deliver to our customers. But we can also score points with the positive CO2 balance of the lightweight 
products manufactured on these machines. The focus on circular economy and CO2 footprint opens up new fields of application for hybrid lightweight construction and drives development — not least the digitalization of production processes!”

To the overall context: Achieving the climate targets and a more sustainable use of raw materials is guiding policies and legislation worldwide when it comes to implementing new regulations for sustainable business. The European Union is aiming for climate neutrality by 2050 as part of the Green Deal. To achieve this goal, the EU is planning concrete measures for this year. These include, for example, the planned CO2 pricing or quotas for the use of recycled materials in order to promote the circular economy for plastics.

But sustainability goals do not only play a role in Europe. CO2 regulations per climate protection and the expansion of renewable energies are also on the agenda of the upcoming five-year plan of the Communist Party in China — one of the most important sales markets with growth potential for lightweight construction technologies.

Posted February 16, 2021

Source: VDMA

Global Bonding And Adhesive Manufacturer Bemis Associates Shares Basics Of Bonding

Shirley, Mass. — February 16, 2021 — Bemis Associates Inc. — a manufacturer of thermoplastic films, tapes, and adhesives for bonding — recently hosted two webinars on the basics of bonding, its technology and application information.

Participants learned the origination of bonding; the importance of it and how to use bonding on materials such as fabric, metal and wood. Bemis’ experts shared insights about adhesives and how each is unique and engineered for different materials and performance requirements. The presentation also showed the differences between chemical and mechanical bonding; critical factors in adhesion and various machinery used in the processes.

The post-webinar survey responses indicated that participants really appreciated the demonstration given by the company’s strategic design manager Stephanie Lohman, and the fact that she showed live examples of half-bonded samples so participants could gain a clear understanding of what section of the application was Bemis and what section was the substrate. The survey also indicated that viewers liked hearing from three different company experts, all of whom spotlighted their individual field of expertise.

A total of 230 people attended the webinars from across the globe including Asia, Europe, and the United States. More than 77 brands were represented from 22 different countries. Feedback such as “I loved Stephanie’s overview of design suggestions of how to incorporate Bemis products into garments;” “I most enjoyed seeing examples of finished items using Bemis film;” and “I like how the process of selecting the right adhesive was explained. It will definitely help cut down on back and forth (with customers) emails in the future.”

“We’re so pleased to see the incredible response and high rate of participation to our webinar series,” said Scott Wood, director, Product and Marketing. “We have a subsequent webinar scheduled for the near future that will take a deeper dive into the more technical aspects of bonding,” Wood said.

To view a recording of the webinar, go to https://vimeo.com/511796984

Posted February 16, 2021

Source: Bemis Associates Inc.

Techtextil North America 2021 Educational Features Now Accepting Applicants

ATLANTA  — February 16, 2021 — The 2021 edition of Techtextil North America is now accepting abstracts for the Techtextil North America Symposium and additional educational features including Tech Talks, The Lab, and The Student Research Poster Program. Techtextil North America 2021 will be held August 23-25, 2021 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, N.C.

Techtextil North America Symposium

The Techtextil North America Symposium will provide the latest research and technology across verticals — with insights into textile industry trends, challenges brought on by emerging technology and how to keep stride in an ever-changing, global business landscape. It will explore advancements throughout the supply chain and address the industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The highly acclaimed Symposium will feature seven paid sessions featuring presentations and discussions with academia and industry experts on the following topics:

  • Reinventing the Supply Chain;
  • Digital Transformation;
  • Sustainability in Laundering and Textile Care;
  • Circular Economy;
  • Fabric and Materials ID;
  • Government Laws and Regulations; and
  • Nonwovens and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Submissions to present in the Techtextil North America Symposium must be sent to ali.rosenberger@usa.messefrankfurt.com by April 2, 2021.

Show Floor Education

Also returning to Techtextil North America are Tech Talks and The Lab — complimentary mini-sessions on the show floor, for which abstracts are now being solicited in (but not limited to) research, design, engineering, and innovation in the following areas:

  • New Fiber Technologies;
  • Testing and Standards;
  • Raw Materials & Sustainability;
  • Medical/Healthcare/PPE;
  • Durable Nonwovens;
  • High Performance Materials;
  • Nanotechnology;
  • Military Textile Applications;
  • Smart Textiles;
  • Automotive & Aerospace;
  • Manufacturing Technology; and
  • Textile Care.

Submissions to present in the Techtextil North America Symposium must be sent to ali.rosenberger@usa.messefrankfurt.com by May 1, 2021.

Student Research Poster Program

For students with research in technical textiles, nonwovens or a related field, the Student Research Poster Program is also now open for applications. Techtextil North America invites students perusing their undergraduate, graduate, or Ph.D. degrees to submit unpublished, technical research to be considered for this opportunity to present their findings on the show floor among industry professionals. Subject areas include but are not limited to:

Technical Textiles

  • Aerospace;
  • Automotive;
  • Coated Fabrics;
  • Composites;
  • Geosynthetics;
  • High Performance;
  • Medical & Healthcare;
  • Military, Safety & Protective;
  • Nanotechnology; and
  • Smart Textiles.

Nonwovens

  • Automotive;
  • Fibers;
  • Filtration;
  • Functionalization;
  • Geosynthetics;
  • Medical & Hygiene;
  • Nanofibers;
  • Polymers; and
  • Wipes.

Student applications must be sent to peyton.rowe@usa.messefrankfurt.com by May 21, 2021.

Informational flyers and other forms can be found at: https://techtextil-north-america.us.messefrankfurt.com/us/en/themesandevents.html

Posted February 16, 2021

Source: Messe Frankfurt North America

INDA Adds Additional Webinar Date To Explain New ASTM Standard On Facemasks

CARY, N.C.  — February 16, 2021 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced an additional webinar date of Tuesday, March 2, at 11 a.m. EST to discuss the new ASTM F3502-21 Standard Specification for Barrier Face Coverings launched by ASTM on February 15.  This standard establishes for the first time a set of test methods that evaluate the filter, fit and leakage performance of barrier face coverings, commonly referred to as “face masks” worn by the general public, and not to be confused with respirators nor medical or surgical masks. The webinar will be presented by respiratory expert, Jeff Stull, vice chair of the ASTM Committee that wrote the standard, and Dave Rousse, INDA president.  It will provide a detailed review of the new ASTM standard and the test methods it entails and the impact on the entire supply chain of facemask production. Details and registration are available here: www.inda.org/inda-webinars

The purpose of guidance for the general public to wear face masks is to control the spread of viruses. Face masks made to this new ASTM standard will also provide a degree of particulate filtration to reduce the amount of inhaled particulate matter.

The goal of the standard is to assist consumers in making informed decisions about face masks given the vast array of products currently for sale, including various patterns promoted for homemade manufacture using common textile materials. Prior to the ASTM standard, no standard test method existed which allowed comparisons among different products nor were there any minimum performance requirements. This new standard provides these performance requirements as well as a set of specifications, guidelines and expectations for face mask manufacturers and media suppliers.

“We approached NIOSH last year on developing a general public face mask standard that could use nonwoven materials beyond meltblown that still deliver an effective level of filtration, as there was so much demand for the N95 respirators and masks once the Asian supply chain was cut off,” said Dave Rousse, INDA resident. “We were delighted to get a positive response from Jon Szalajda, NIOSH deputy director, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, who is also the chair of the ASTM Committee dealing with standards in this area.”

“This was a worthwhile project that we worked through the ASTM process in record time,” Szalajda said. “It should provide an important benefit in the fight against COVID-19 spread by reducing consumer confusion about what works and what does not and assisting manufacturers in making effective products.”

“The development of this standard has been followed by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA),” Rousse said, “as it considers the January 21 Presidential Executive Order on whether any emergency temporary standards with respect to masks in the workplace are necessary to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread, and if so, to issue them by March 15. This would have a significant and rapid impact on the facemask industry. In our March 2 webinar, we will review all of these developments and provide needed information and guidance to the suppliers, converters and marketers in this important sector.”

This webinar on March 2 will be in addition to the INDA Webinar Series already scheduled for March 16, March 25 and April 6. For information on the full webinar series, visit www.inda.org/inda-webinars.

Posted February 16, 2021

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

Gildan Awarded Silver Class Distinction in The Sustainability Yearbook 2021

MONTREAL — February 15, 2021 — Gildan Activewear Inc. has reinforced its position as a sustainable leader in apparel manufacturing with a ninth-consecutive recognition in The Sustainability Yearbook, an award that distinguishes the world’s highest performing sustainable companies. This year, Gildan was awarded a Silver Class distinction, which recognizes that the company’s ESG score is within 1 to 5 percent of the industry’s highest performing companies. Gildan scored particularly high in categories related to climate strategy, operational eco-efficiency, occupational health and safety, and risk and crisis management. Once again, Gildan was the only North American company to be recognized as a sustainability leader in the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry.

The Sustainability Yearbook, by S&P Global, is one of the world’s most comprehensive publications providing in-depth analysis on corporate sustainability. This annual ranking showcases the sustainability performance of the world’s largest companies and rewards the top 15 percent with class distinctions. This year, a record number of companies across 61 industries were assessed with the goal of identifying those which exemplify leading corporate sustainability practices and a focus on long-term growth drivers.

“We are proud to be part of The Sustainability Yearbook once again, even more so this year as the number of companies assessed increased by close to 50 percent,” said Claudia Sandoval, vice president of Corporate Citizenship at Gildan. “This recognition is the result of our commitment towards continuously identifying risks, measuring impacts, and disclosing transparent results.”

“We congratulate Gildan on its Silver Award in The Sustainability Yearbook 2021, which showcases the best performing companies among industry peers and in terms of financially material ESG metrics. With over 7,000 companies assessed, an inclusion in the yearbook is a true statement of corporate sustainability excellence,” said Manjit Jus, global head of ESG Research at S&P Global.

Posted February 15, 2021

Source: Gildan Activewear Inc.

Avery Dennison To Acquire JDC Solutions

GLENDALE, Calif.  — February 15, 2021 — Avery Dennison said today it has agreed to acquire JDC Solutions Inc., a privately owned manufacturer of pressure-sensitive specialty tapes headquartered in Mount Juliet, Tenn., for the purchase price of $24 million. JDC employs approximately 75 employees located at its headquarters and manufacturing site in Tennessee, with approximately $30 million in annual revenue.

JDC manufactures specialty tapes for use in a variety of high-value industrial applications, and has longstanding relationships with U.S. converters serving the automotive, consumer appliance, and building and construction industries, among others. Upon completion of the acquisition, JDC’s manufacturing operations, workforce and product portfolio will become part of Avery Dennison’s Performance Tapes North America business.

The acquisition is expected to close in Q1, subject to customary conditions and approvals.

Posted February 15, 2021

Source: Avery Dennison

From New Materials To Antiviral Coating And A Upcoming Nordic Recycling Hub, Finland Offers New Solutions To Textile Industry Challenges

HELSINKI — February 15, 2021 — The textile industry has a huge impact on the environment and new sustainable solutions are needed for each stage of a textile’s life cycle. Available raw materials are not meeting growing needs for textile fibers and at the same time, millions of tons of textile waste are burned or end up in landfills. Finland is leading the revolution towards sustainable materials and business models in the international textile business.

The production and consumption of textiles causes significant environmental, climate and social impacts due to the vast amounts of water, land, pesticides and chemicals used as well as the emission of greenhouse gases and pollutants caused by the industry. The currently available raw materials cannot meet the constantly growing demand for fibers and textiles. At the same time, on a global scale, an estimated 92 million tons of textile waste is produced every year of which 75 to 85 percent is either burned or ends up in landfills.*

Finland offers groundbreaking solutions and knowhow at every level of the sustainable textile ecosystem from textile waste handling, treatment, B2B & B2C sales and usage, collection and recycling to identification and back to waste handling.

Leading Finnish experts are Rester, NordShield®, Emmy, Spinnova and Infinited Fiber Co. which offer Finnish innovations across the textile ecosystem.

“By replacing primary raw materials with recycled components or using, for example, wood-based textile fiber, and by keeping already existing materials in the economy as long as possible, we have the opportunity to impact the huge global system and value chains,” said Marika Ollaranta, Head of the Bio and Circular Finland program from Business Finland, Finland’s trade, investment and travel promotion and innovation funding organization. “Finnish innovations offer revolutionary solutions that cover the whole life cycle of a textile. Governments, consumers and the industry itself are waking up to the challenges of a very single-use oriented industry, but more work is needed to build awareness and change mindsets and behaviour to make the cycle more sustainable, while also maintaining the level of quality and reasonable costs.”

Rester collaborates closely with Southwest Finland’s municipal waste management company LSJH in a project that brings together the private and public sectors in textile waste handling.

From waste handling to a textile’s physical features, NordShield®’s patented technology enables natural antimicrobial treatment of textiles, free of heavy metals.

Spinnova and Infinited Fiber Co. have come up with innovative ways of making fiber out of wood pulp and discarded textiles, while Emmy Clothing Co. has created a transparent resale-as-a-service for clothes, which makes it possible for all actors in the ecosystem to participate in prolonging a textile’s life cycle.

Waste management & recycling: The Nordics’ first large-scale end-of-life textile refinement plant opens in Finland this summer

Responding to the growing issues of textile waste, new textile recycling regulations will come into force in the EU in 2025. However, Finland aims to start the process already by 2023.

Rester, together with LSJH, is opening a textile refinement plant in Paimio, Finland, that will refine end-of-life textiles into raw material fiber that can be used in new products. The plant could become one of the biggest textile refinement plants in Northern Europe, making Finland one of the Nordics’ recycling hubs. The plant’s two production lines will process post-consumer textiles from households and pre-consumer textiles from the B2B sector. At its launch, the plant will process 12,000 tonnes of end-of-life textiles annually. The plan is to scale up the volume in the future to double the capacity.

“There has been a lot of interest towards the new plant and we are very excited to be the forerunner in the systemic change of the textile industry. Our goal is to guarantee the quality of the recycled fiber, optimize the material to meet the customers’ needs and ensure the best possible product performance by further development of the fiber. Our vision is to build an eco-community, Green Field Hub, in Paimio, and create a closed loop system that enables the reuse and recycling of textiles at scale, together with the other actors in the ecosystem,” said Outi Luukko, CEO of Rester.

New materials to meet growing demand for textiles: New fibers that are recyclable to begin with

Finland-based textile company Spinnova makes fiber directly from wood pulp or pulp made of side streams without dissolving and the use of harmful chemicals. The manufacture of sustainable textile fiber made with Spinnova’s method creates 0-percent waste or side streams, 0-percent microplastics and has minimal CO2 emissions and water use.

“We want to help fill the textile industry’s sustainability deficit by making cellulose-based materials cost-efficient, environmentally friendly and preferred option for brands. Replacing cotton with the patented SPINNOVA® fiber could have a significant impact on the whole value chain by reducing the emissions and use of water,” says Spinnova’s Head of Communications Emmi Berlin. Spinnova’s collaboration with iconic design house Marimekko has been recognized in the Sustainability category in Fast Company’s 2020 Innovation by Design Awards.

Finland-based biotechnology company Infinited Fiber is known for technology that can turn discarded textiles into a premium regenerated textile fiber, called Infinna™. Infinna has the soft and natural look and feel of cotton and it offers a circular alternative to less sustainable conventional textile fibers that rely on virgin raw materials. The company was recently listed on the 2021 Global Cleantech 100 list.

“Infinited Fiber’s technology is not dependent on a single raw material but offers a way to create value out of multiple waste streams while reducing pressure on natural resources, land and water. The technology can be fed with a range of cellulose-rich raw materials to create unique textile fibers with the natural look and feel of cotton and superior properties. The created fibers have natural antimicrobial properties, they are biodegradable, contain no microplastics, and can be recycled together with other textile waste,” said Petri Alava, cofounder and CEO of Infinited Fiber.

Infinited Fiber is also leading the E.U.-funded New Cotton Project, a consortium of brands, manufacturers, suppliers, innovators and research institutes that is breaking new ground by demonstrating an entirely circular model for commercial garment production. This is a world first in the fashion industry. Over a three-year period, textile waste will be collected, sorted and regenerated into Infinited Fiber’s unique, cellulose-based textile fibers which will be used to create different types of fabrics for clothing designed, manufactured and sold by global brand Adidas and companies in the H&M Group.

A physical armor against COVID-19?

Finland-based biotechnology company NordShield® has created natural-based antimicrobial technology that works against bacteria, fungi and viruses (including human corona viruses). It is free of heavy metals and instead harnesses the ancient power of Nordic forests. In its various forms, the technology can be applied to textiles and fibers as well as medical devices, plastics and even skin.

“The power of nature is the power of NordShield. We want to eliminate the usage of non-sustainable, non-renewable and toxic ingredients in antimicrobial protection. By offering a superior alternative to the existing antimicrobial products, we are making a positive impact on the world and making the new normal as safe as possible. Our technology minimizes the chemical load on the environment and is also cost-competitive,” said NordShield®’s CEO Kristoffer Ekman.

The recently launched NordShield BioLayr is a durable antibacterial solution for making consumer textiles antimicrobial. The revolutionary NordShield Brilliant technology can be applied to a variety of products, such as for sanitizing hands, feet, surfaces and even community face masks. Tests conducted in December 2020 and January 2021 confirm NordShield Brilliant’s long-lasting efficacy for up to five weeks. Before the market entry of NordShield Brilliant products, disinfectants have used alcohol as the active substance to eliminate microbes and germs. However, the effect of alcohol is short-lived; after it has evaporated, typically in a matter of seconds, the treated surface or skin is exposed to contamination again. NordShield Brilliant products contain alcohol for the immediate kill effect, but the long-lasting efficacy is derived from its disruptive technology that is based on a unique layer that does not evaporate but forms a physical, armor-like barrier on the treated surface. The technology is available for wholesalers throughout the E.U./EEA and in Switzerland.

Less waste: Getting more wear out of our clothes

Emmy Clothing is a Nordic online marketplace for pre-owned premium clothing. The webstore enables consumers, apparel retailers and fashion brands to easily and efficiently resell, discover and buy high-quality fashion, with complete transparency regarding quality, availability and delivery options. With a focus on quality, all the items are hand-inspected and authenticity-checked. Emmy also provides consumers and partners a fully transparent service toward textile reuse, and valuable information on apparel quality as well as the apparel’s impact on the environment.

“Extending the clothing lifecycle is our mission. The most sustainable way is to use the clothing in its original form. We want to offer our customers a fun, effortless and rewarding way to recycle clothes,” said Emmy’s CMO Taru Marjamaa.

*Pulse of Fashion industry 2017

Posted February 15, 2021

Source: Business Finland

Hexcel’s HexPly® XF Surface Technology Revolutionizes The Blade Surface Finishing Process

STAMFORD, Conn. — February 15, 2021 — Hexcel is pleased to announce its latest HexPly® XF surface technology that significantly reduces shell manufacturing time within the wind blade surface finishing process. HexPly XF increases overall blade manufacturing efficiency by reducing time in the mold by up to two hours and by banishing surface defects that require rework before painting.

As the surge in wind energy continues, wind turbine manufacturers are under increasing pressure to reduce costs, increase quality, and optimize productivity. Hexcel’s HexPly XF surface technology has been formulated to address the limitations of current blade shell surfacing techniques whereby pinholes and other surface defects have to be repaired by hand to achieve the perfectly smooth surface required for painting.

HexPly XF surface technology satisfies the most challenging surface quality requirements by introducing a new material format as the surface finishing layer, eliminating the need for a traditional in-mold gel coating process. HexPly XF for infused rotor blades, is a lightweight non-woven semi-preg construction, comprising an epoxy resin matrix, that co-cures with standard epoxy infusion systems. The product has a successful track record in prepreg blades and has now been adapted for infusion processes.

Easy to handle and supplied in a ready to use roll form, HexPly XF can be quickly applied by hand or with semi-automated layup equipment. It features one self-adhesive, surface finishing side — indicated by a removable protective foil. This side of the prepreg is placed against a release agent treated mold surface. Once the material has been positioned, the lay-up of the blade shell structure can start immediately, and the laminate can be infused. After curing, the blade is de-molded with the manufacturer benefiting from a pinhole-free surface that needs minimal preparation before painting.

HexPly XF material is less than half the weight of a typical gel coat per square meter, reducing the overall weight of the blade. Additionally, the consistent areal weight and thickness of the prepreg film provide a completely uniform surface coating, ensuring blade weight distribution and balance are maintained, which is critical as rotor diameters continue to increase. With no need to handle or mix liquid chemicals as in the gel coat process, HexPly XF also improves the health and safety working conditions on the shop floor.

The material has a shelf life of six weeks at ambient temperature, which also minimizes cold storage requirements and helps to reduce scrap.

Posted February 15, 2021

Source: Hexcel Corporation

Carrington Textiles Secures Joint Venture In Asia And Announces Growth In Europe

ADLINGTON, England  — February 15, 2021 — Carrington Textiles and Sapphire Textile Mills have announced a joint venture in Pakistan under the name of Carrington Textiles International, with new textile dyeing and finishing operations that will provide up to 20 million meters a year of dyed and white fabric to its global customer base.

This new partnership between the two textile giants has been developed after a solid relationship of more than 20 years and offers customers the widest range of woven workwear fabrics, including cotton rich, polyester/cotton, stretch and new sustainable fabrics, all manufactured to the highest industrially launderable standards.

Both companies will combine their strengths in manufacturing, marketing, research, and development to bring value to the market. A new production facility, now in operation, has some of the most modern European dyeing and finishing plant and machinery, including a double width dye range for greater efficiency. This will further enhance the capabilities of the joint venture.

With the closeness to Sapphire’s existing spinning and weaving operations, as well as to other existing local suppliers, this adds to the ability of Carrington Textiles International to provide a vertically integrated manufacturing solution, reducing lead times and further enhancing service to customers.  Finished stock will be warehoused in Lahore, Asia and the South African port of Durban, ensuring the best possible service to all major markets.

Carrington Textiles’ CEO, John Vareldzis, said: “Following years of working closely with Sapphire as one of our strategic loomstate suppliers, we have made the next logical step together and invested in a new state of the art dyeing and finishing factory in Lahore. This not only gives us our own European engineered manufacturing plant in Asia, but it also provides access to a vertical operation, from spinning through to weaving, dyeing and finishing. All of the dyeing and finishing machinery has been specified by our technical experts to meet the exacting standards of the workwear market and we are confident this integration of our supply chains will help to give our customers the best chance to succeed in a challenging and exciting market”.

Nabeel Abdullah, Sapphire’s COO, said: ‘Carrington Textiles International is an excellent project we are excited to be part of, and we are pleased our longstanding relationship with Carrington Textiles has developed into this joint venture.’

Strong European growth

The RTS Group, parent company of Carrington Textiles and Pincroft Dyeing & Printing in the United Kingdom, Melchior Textil GmbH in Germany, MGC in Portugal and Adventum Technologies in Russia, announced a range of strategic investments to support the continuing development of their global footprint, from a solid manufacturing base and with a strong local presence in key markets.

Vareldzis explained: “Following the U.K.’s departure from the E.U., and despite any real warning of what the shape of Brexit would look like, we are pleased that all of our hard work, planning and preparation has meant that we have been able to continue to supply all of our customers. Having put our investment plans on hold until we had greater clarity, we are now ready to start investing in two of our manufacturing sites, Pincroft and MGC”.

In the United Kingdom, Pincroft Dyeing & Printing will benefit from significant capital investment in a new combined heat and power plant, aimed at further reducing CO2 emissions and improving the facility’s carbon footprint, sustainably lowering energy consumption and costs.  A five year CapEx plan to modernize the factory will be put in place to ensure the factory is ready for the changing demands and product trends of the workwear market with details being released later in the year. This investment will ensure that the United Kingdom retains its competitive position for the future and has solid platform from which it can continue to build.

MGC in Portugal will also see a 5 year modernization plan, with the installation of a new color dispenser, automatic inspection and rolling machines. Completion of the E.U.-U.K. trade deal has given clarity to the group’s ability to continue providing fabrics that are fully compliant with E.U. rules of origin, clearing the way for further investment in plant and machinery in this key region.

In Germany, Melchior Textil GmbH continues to boost its customer focus with the recruitment of new senior management and sales leadership for the DACH region, whilst Adventum Technologies in Russia continue to focus upon innovation and product development in both flame retardant and workwear, as both markets remain of key strategic importance for the RTS group.

With Pincroft Dyeing and Printing, MGC and the additional volumes from Carrington Textiles International, Melchior and Adventum, the group production capacity increases to 130 million square meters of fabric a year.

Posted February 15, 2021

Source: Carrington Textiles, Ltd.

Lubrizol Advanced Material Science Brings Modern Performance And Innovation To The New Premiere Series By Footjoy

CLEVELAND  — February 15, 2021 — Designed with the needs of experienced and professional players in mind, The Premiere Series by FootJoy features ESTANE® TRX TPU polymers from Lubrizol offering superior traction on wet and dry surfaces. ESTANE TRX TPU’s design flexibility helps ensure the successful molding of FootJoy’s (FJ) patented revolutionary anti-channeling tread pattern VersaTrax+, engineered to provide total traction coverage for any angle, reducing slippage.

The innovative VersaTrax+ outsole technology, first introduced in FJ Stratos™ spikeless golf shoe in the fall of 2020, utilizes multiple ESTANE TPU compounds to grip any surface — a harder TPU for better on-course grip and a softer TPU for traction on hard surfaces. VersaTrax+ provides the Premiere Series modern performance innovation, while staying true to its timeless design.

“The VersaTrax+ outsole in the Premiere Series, made with innovative Lubrizol ESTANE TPU solutions, is a premiere technology using our premiere material for a premiere line of shoes,” said Kenneth Kim, Footwear Market Development manager, Lubrizol. “This new line is a nod to traditional golf designs blended with innovative technology to deliver performance and style for the experienced golfer.”

“We saw a terrific opportunity to completely reinvent the classically inspired golf shoe from the ground up,” said Chris Tobias, vice president, FJ Footwear. “And to accomplish that, we leveraged every ounce of innovation, as well as direct input from the world’s best players, to deliver next-level performance with a distinctly modern take on classic design.”

Lubrizol invented thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) polymers more than 60 years ago and continues to be a world leader in TPU, delivering high performance solutions to a wide range of industries from performance footwear and apparel to surface protection, consumer electronics, transportation, industrial specialties, bonding solutions and more. The customizable properties of TPU allow manufacturers to Create Smarter, helping reduce waste in manufacturing and providing durable, long-lasting, recyclable* solutions that can help differentiate their products from others in the market.

The Tarlow, The Packard and The Flint shoes in the Premiere Series by FootJoy will be available to purchase on March 1, 2021.

Posted February 15, 2021

Source: The Lubrizol Corp.

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