NEW YORK CITY — May 10, 2021 — Following the success of two virtual editions, the east coast’s premier sourcing event will return in-person with a new sourcing concept in a brand new location. Unlike the typical trade show setting, no exhibitors will be physically present onsite. This approach to sourcing will take place at the Starrett-Lehigh Building.  Nestled in the chic neighborhood of West Chelsea, the stunning view of the New York Hudson River will be the backdrop for the 2021 Summer Edition of the New York Textiles Shows – Texworld New York City, Apparel Sourcing New York City and Home Textiles Sourcing this July 20-22. The three day event will immerse fabric buyers, designers, and textile professionals into a dynamic environment of sourcing, learning and networking.

“Continuing to evolve, we see the Sourcing Showroom as a bridge between the virtual platform and the fully physical event and look forward to introducing it at the Starrett-Lehigh Building,” stated Jennifer Bacon, Show Director, Fashion & Apparel, Messe Frankfurt Inc. “It’s been a challenging year for all of us in the textile sourcing arena, but through it all, our events have consistently been able to create opportunities for international suppliers to remain connected to their customers and we look forward to another successful venture this summer.”

Bridging the Gap

Acknowledging that a great deal of the international manufacturers are still facing challenges surrounding travel restrictions during these uncertain times led to the launch of the Sourcing Showroom. This innovative exhibition concept offers exhibitors the ability to showcase their textiles and finished goods without physically being present at the event. Buyers can return to sourcing, experiencing the latest fabrics, colors and trends, in-person, while still afforded the ability to communicate with participating exhibitors across the virtual platform through one-on-one chat capabilities.

Curated by New York-based trend agency, The Doneger Group, the Sourcing Showroom will be transformed into a modern gallery of textiles and finished apparel, highlighting the Autumn/Winter 20/22 trends. With textile and apparel experts on-hand, visitors will explore thousands of fabrics, apparel and accessories from global suppliers in more than 25+ countries, including India, Pakistan, Turkey, China, Portugal, Taiwan, Korea and more. Each textile will be equipped with a QR code directly linking the buyer to the exhibitor’s virtual space where an immediate conversation can be made with the supplier and a more detailed list of product information can be found.

Learning Continues

The incomparable educational programs, the Lenzing Seminar Series and Textile Talks will remain an integral part of the show, as well as the highly regarded Trend session with Kai Chow of The Doneger Group.  In an effort to support buyers and ensure a positive experience for both the in-person and virtual platforms, the education will be streamed live at the Starrett-Lehigh Building during show hours.

Back to Business

The changes to the location for this July event came only after several discussions with the Jacob K. Javits Center, and their current state as a mass vaccination center – an essential contribution to getting the city fully open and back to business. Texworld New York City has a long history with the facility and future plans still include utilizing this venue, even as the tradeshow begins a new business relationship with the Starrett-Lehigh Building.

“Remaining agile has always been an asset for Messe Frankfurt, and utilizing this skill allows us to the elevate our platforms to serve a global audience, stated Konstantin von Vieregge, President and CEO, Messe Frankfurt Inc. “We are pleased with the introduction of the new concept and the response from the industry and will continue to build bridges in supporting the textile community as we move forward together in business around the world.”

Returning to in-person and with a continued focus on the health and well-being of our visitors, vendors and staff, mask mandates and other safety policies will be instituted based on local, state and federal guidelines.  Stay informed and find a complete list of requirements on the official show website.

Registration for the Summer 2021 edition is open.  Follow us on our social platforms, or for additional details on any of these events, please visit us online.

Posted May 10, 2021

Source: Messe Frankfurt North America

CLEVELAND— May 10, 2021 — Avient today announced the addition of three proprietary, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) formulations that contain antimicrobial additives to its GLS™ TPE portfolio. Tested in accordance with JIS Z2801 and ASTM G21-15 standards, these additives protect molded plastic parts by inhibiting bacterial growth (99.9 percent or more) and resisting fungal and mold growth.

In addition to potentially causing odor issues, these microrganisms can cause detrimental aesthetic and mechanical property changes to a finished plastic part. High-touch surfaces and applications are especially vulnerable. In response, Avient developed GLS TPEs with antimicrobial additives, available as Versaflex™ and OnFlex™ grades. Potential applications include consumer electronics, personal care item grips, and automotive applications such as cup holder mats and HVAC seals.

GLS TPEs with antimicrobial additives can help extend a product’s useful life, which results in a reduced need to replace it. Additional benefits include preserved surface integrity, increased durability, and minimized odors for a better consumer experience.

“Products can now be designed with TPEs that can help extend useful life by inhibiting microbial growth,” said Matt Mitchell, director, global marketing of Specialty Engineered Materials at Avient, “and these newly formulated materials also deliver the performance synonymous with our GLS brand of TPEs.”

Tested against common microbes, GLS TPEs with antimicrobial additives are proven to protect finished parts from microbial growth on both textured and smooth surfaces. They are formulated with an EPA-registered antimicrobial from a trusted leader in microbial control solutions, Lonza LLC. This additive chemistry is the same one that has been used for decades in personal care products such as anti-dandruff shampoo.

GLS TPEs with antimicrobial additives are commercially available in the United States and Asia. Additional antimicrobial-containing formulations are in development.

Posted May 10, 2021

Source: Avient Corporation

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — May 7, 2021, 2021 — Economy Linen and Towel Service’s Zanesville, Ohio laundry has achieved Hygienically Clean Healthcare recertification. This renewal reflects the Dayton, Ohio-based company’s commitment to best management practices (BMPs) in laundering as verified by on-site inspection and their capability to produce hygienically clean textiles as quantified by ongoing microbial testing. The Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification confirms the organization’s continuing dedication to infection prevention, compliance with recognized industry standards and processing healthcare textiles using BMPs as described in its quality assurance documentation, a focal point for Hygienically Clean inspectors’ evaluation.

Economy Linen’s Dayton laundry is also Hygienically Clean Healthcare certified. With these two processing facilities and distribution centers in Cincinnati, Columbus and Indianapolis, the company is an acknowledged regional market leader in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia. Medical customers recognize Economy Linen’s commitment to combine the state-of-the-art facilities and services expected from a national firm with the personal service, integrity, and value of a family-owned company. Clients are provided with proprietary software to help track and manage their inventory. Company personnel meet with them each month to discuss their textile use, facilitating customization and improvement of their medical linen programs.

independent, third-party inspection of laundries that are prospects for Hygienically Clean certification and recertification confirm essential evidence that:

• Employees are properly trained and protected
• Managers understand regulatory requirements
• OSHA-compliant
• Physical plant operates effectively

To achieve certification initially, laundries pass inspection plus three rounds of outcome-based microbial testing, indicating that their processes are producing Hygienically Clean Healthcare textiles and diminished presence of yeast, mold and harmful bacteria. They also must pass a facility inspection. To maintain their certification, they must pass quarterly testing to ensure that as laundry conditions change, such as water quality, textile fabric composition and wash chemistry, laundered product quality is consistently maintained. Re-inspection occurs every two to three years.

This process eliminates subjectivity by focusing on outcomes and results that verify textiles cleaned in these facilities meet appropriate hygienically clean standards and BMPs for hospitals, surgery centers, medical offices, nursing homes and other medical facilities.

Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification acknowledges laundries’ effectiveness in protecting healthcare operations by verifying quality control procedures in linen, uniform and facility services operations related to the handling of textiles containing blood and other potentially infectious materials.

Certified laundries use processes, chemicals and BMPs acknowledged by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, American National Standards Institute and others. Introduced in 2012, Hygienically Clean Healthcare brought to North America the international cleanliness standards for healthcare linens and garments used worldwide by the Certification Association for Professional Textile Services and the European Committee for Standardization.

Objective experts in epidemiology, infection control, nursing and other healthcare professions work with Hygienically Clean launderers to ensure the certification continues to enforce the highest standards for producing clean healthcare textiles.

“Congratulations to Economy Linen on their recertification,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “This achievement proves their commitment to infection prevention and that their laundry takes every step possible to prevent human illness.”

Posted May 7, 2021

Source: TRSA

WASHINGTON — May 7, 2021, 2021 — Imports at retail container ports hit a new record this spring and volume during the first half of 2021 is expected to be a third higher than last year as the economy continues to recover from the pandemic, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“Despite the continuing pandemic, most consumers are in good financial health and aren’t hesitating to spend,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “More spending translates into more merchandise arriving at our ports as retailers continue to meet increasing demand. The cargo surge that began last fall doesn’t show any sign of stopping. Unfortunately, disruption and congestion issues are also continuing.”

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 2.27 million TEU in March, the latest month for which final numbers are available. That was up 21.2 percent from February and set a new record for the number of containers seen during a single month since NRF began tracking imports in 2002. The previous record was 2.21 million TEU set last October. A TEU is one 20-foot container or its equivalent.

March volume was up a record 64.9 percent year-over-year but the growth rate was artificially high because many Asian factories had shut down because of the pandemic at that point last year and most U.S. stores were being ordered to close.

The first half of 2021 is forecast to be up 33.9 percent from the same period in 2020. As with March, the growth is skewed because of the sharp decline in imports during the first half of last year. But the six-month total of 12.7 million TEU would put 2021 on track to beat 2020’s full-year total of 22 million TEU, which was up 1.9 percent over 2019 despite the pandemic.

April numbers are not yet available, but the month was projected at 2.17 million TEU, up 34.5 percent year-over-year. May is forecast at 2.22 million TEU, up 44.9 percent; June at 2.08 million TEU, up 29.7 percent; July at 2.15 million TEU, up 12.2 percent; August at 2.23 million TEU, up 6 percent, and September at 2.13 million TEU, up 1.3 percent.

The ongoing high cargo volume reflects the recovering U.S. economy. Gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 6.4 percent in the first quarter and some economists are predicting 13 percent in the second quarter.

“Growth that fast is a clear indication that U.S. economic output has almost recovered to its level before the pandemic struck,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said. “Retail sales numbers show consumers are spending a large portion of their stimulus checks as well as savings that accumulated while staying home rather than going out and income from new jobs. This is turning out to be a year of super growth that will act as the driver of the global economy.”

Congestion at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach – the nation’s largest ports – has begun to ease as carriers have shifted vessels to the Pacific Northwest or to the East Coast via the Panama Canal, Hackett said. But some ships are still facing delays to unload as ports work at capacity and COVID-19 infections impact workers. Shortages of containers and other equipment and operational issues also continue to slow down the supply chain.

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by Hackett Associates, provides historical data and forecasts for the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at NRF.com/PortTracker

Posted May 7, 2021

Source: The National Retail Federation (NRF)