Labor Crisis, Consumer Behavior Shifts Temper Healthcare Laundry Specialists’ Recovery

ALEXANDRIA, VA — May 5, 2021, 2021 — Healthcare laundry operators and suppliers have faced enormous challenges in the 14 months since COVID-19 turned the economy upside-down. Recovery has progressed, but many operators on TRSA’s April 27 Healthcare Virtual Roundtable said their volume hasn’t returned to 2019 levels and processing what’s back is difficult due to labor shortages.

Participants in the session, which included 60-plus operators and suppliers for two hours of talks, cited a variety of reasons hospital accounts are producing less than pre-pandemic revenue, including:

  • Elective surgeries continue to be postponed, although they are expected to reach prior levels through second quarter 2021.
  • Many such surgeries and other procedures that otherwise might have been performed in hospitals have shifted to outpatient or urgent-care centers. Telemedicine also has accelerated amid COVID-19 concerns.
  • Hospital emergency rooms (ERs) aren’t as busy because schools are closed and students aren’t as active, reducing accidents. Less ER activity translates to fewer hospital admissions.

How much more will these trends affect hospital laundry specialists, who weathered linen volume declines from hospitals and nursing homes on average from 10%-20% during the pandemic? Technology, comfort and cost control will continue to drive growth in outpatient care, one Roundtable participant said, but the aging of nearly 70 million baby boomers means that hospitals will continue to care for many chronically ill people.

Enhanced unemployment benefits and stimulus payments are viewed as disincentivizing paid work. This may moderate in the United States in September when benefits are slated to expire, said Kevin Schwalb, TRSA’s Vice President of Government Relations. He co-moderated the roundtable with Director of Membership & Industry Outreach Ken Koepper.

Government officials suggest paying people more; this fails to consider how tight profit margins and rigorous competition make it nearly impossible to remain solvent, Schwalb observed.

Roundtable attendees discussed a range of responses including:

  • Work with rehab organizations seeking to provide ex-offenders with “second chance” opportunities
  • Hire interns from local community colleges who could become full time employees
  • Emphasize stability and career growth opportunities in the industry
  • Note in recruiting the environmental benefits of reusable textiles to attract candidates looking for a “green” opportunity out of high school or college

An appeal in the same vein as the latter could be made to customers in positioning reusables against disposables. Each COVID patient requires 30 or more isolation gown changes per staff, per shift. Disposable gowns were in short supply as the pandemic began and demand for reusables skyrocketed. Now COVID caseloads have stabilized, disposables’ supply has returned and hospitals have reverted to form in ordering them.

To reform such practices for the long haul, ideas shared at the Roundtable included:

  • Make the case for reusables in nursing schools and other healthcare educational settings
  • Push for regulation such as California’s mandated 50-50 stockpiling of reusable and disposable PPE, enacted with TRSA’s support
  • Ads with images that emphasize the environmental and supply-chain benefits of reusables, such as nurses clad in garbage bags due to disposable PPE shortages

Other issues discussed included using TRSA’s Hygienically Clean standard to ensure cleanliness and hygiene. Samlane Ketevong, TRSA’s recently hired senior director of certification and accreditation, gave attendees a brief overview of the progress of the program, which has already certified roughly 150 healthcare plants worldwide, with eight new companies in the process of certifying in ’21. Among these are Bates Troy Inc., Alsco Uniforms, HandCraft, NOVO Healthcare, Sohn Linen and others. Readers with an interest in Hygienically Clean certification may contact Ketevong at sketevong@trsa.org.

Additional TRSA Roundtables are slated for Food and Beverage/Hospitality from 1-3 p.m. EST on May 12 and an Industrial Roundtable from 1-3 p.m. EST on June 8.  Visit www.trsa.org/events for more information.

Posted May 5, 2021

Source: TRSA

Aurora Specialty Textiles Group Wins Awards For Operational Excellence, Innovation And Continual Improvement

YORKVILLE, Illinois — May 5, 2021, 2021 — For the second year in a row, Aurora Specialty Textiles Group has won awards for outstanding business and manufacturing practices from the Valley Industrial Association (VIA),  which represents the manufacturing industry in the Fox Valley region of Illinois, a large industrial hub outside Chicago and a major Midwest manufacturing region.

This includes winning the award for Operational Excellence for the second year in a row for a company with 51 to 250 employees. VIA’s Excellence in Operations Award recognizes leadership in operational strategic planning and implementation.

The awards were announced April 28, 2021, at the annual VIA Spark Awards Benchmarking for Excellence celebration. In addition to Operational Excellence, Aurora won the awards for Innovation for a company of 51 to 250 employees and for Overall Most Improved.

The Innovation award recognizes companies that cultivate a culture of innovation and have an innovation process to engage employees, capture ideas, provide benefits for customers, as well as drive business initiatives.

Overall Most Improved celebrates continual improvement year after year in the areas of Safety, Workforce Development, Innovation, Culture, Operational Excellence and Social Responsibility.  Aurora  was most improved out of all of the companies, of all sizes, that vied for this award.

Aurora was also a finalist in the category for Social Responsibility, which reflects the company’s continual improvements and contributions in the areas of sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

“Even during a year of immense and unprecedented challenges, we managed to make improvements in Social Responsibility, Innovation, Operational Excellence, Safety, Culture and Workforce Development,” said Marcia Ayala, president of the company.

“The awards speak to the great employees we have at Aurora and our continuous focus on improvement,” she added. “The awards also demonstrate a consistent effort and focus throughout the Aurora organization.  Thanks to all Aurora employees! I am very proud and appreciative.”

The awards announced April 28 are just the latest in a long list of accolades that Aurora has earned. In 2019 Aurora was recognized by the Sign Graphics Industry Association (SGIA) for excellence in implementing sustainability practices throughout their Yorkville plant. In 2019, Aurora was also recognized for its sustainability programs by the Yorkville Chamber of Commerce, which designated Aurora as a Green Connect business.  In February of 2020, Aurora was the recipient of the Yorkville Chamber of Commerce annual Green Business of the Year award. And in 2020, Aurora won the VIA’s  award for Operational Excellence.

“We look forward to the VIA benchmark results every year to evaluate how we compare to our peers and to help us define plans that address areas of improvement,” Ayala added. “A great deal can be learned about your business’ competitiveness through organizations, such as the  VIA, which provides a wide range of resources for manufacturers related to learning best practices and sharing opportunities for improvement. Thanks to the VIA and to Aurora’s employees for making this possible.”

Posted May 5, 2021

Source: Aurora Specialty Textiles Group Inc.

INDA Announces World Of Wipes Innovation Award® Finalists

CARY, N.C. — May 5, 2021, 2021 — Nonwoven-based wipe products for sanitizing, cleaning and beauty applications from Kimberly-Clark Professional, Lenzing and SharkNinja are the finalists vying for this year’s World of Wipes Innovation Award® that will be selected at the 15th edition of the 2021 World of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference, July 12-15, in Atlanta.

These three companies will present their innovations live at WOW 2021 to the wipes professionals attending the in-person event who hold an important one-third of the vote in their hands.

The award finalists will make their presentations at the conference on July 13 and the winner will be announced on the morning of July 15, capping off the conference focused exclusively on wipes that will be held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

The World of Wipes Innovation Award recognizes products or technology innovations within the entire wipes value chain that expands the use of nonwoven fabrics and demonstrate advancements in creativity, novelty of approach, uniqueness, and technical sophistication.

“We are excited about returning WOW to an in-person event. We have plans for an exceptional conference addressing the key issues facing the wipes industry and including three strong finalists for this year’s prestigious World of Wipes Innovation Award®. The finalists were selected by the INDA Technical Advisory Board from dozens of competitive wipes innovations. I applaud the ingenuity and creativity shown by Kimberly-Clark Professional, Lenzing, and SharkNinja in advancing the wipes market sector,” said Dave Rousse, INDA president.

Finalists for the World of Wipes Innovation Award are:

  • Kimberly-Clark Professional – Scott® 24 Hour Sanitizing Wipes are the first pre-saturated wipes to quickly disinfect and maintain surface sanitization for 24 hours, killing 99.9 percent of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes and Community-Associated Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteria. The wipes patented formulation is found to be effective by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for disinfecting on hard, non-porous surfaces against numerous strains of bacteria and viruses, including SARS-COV-2 when used as directed. (It is not approved in California for use against SARS-CoV-2.)
  • LENZING™ – LENZING Lyocell Skin fibers are designed with a patented technology that makes them translucent when impregnated with serum. Designed for the growing facial sheet mask market, these fibers are the basis for a premium facial sheet mask skincare routine that meets the expectations for translucency, smoothness, fineness and comfort. LENZING Lyocell Skin fibers are an exquisite solution for consumer demands for more sustainable single-use masks made from natural cellulose and contributing to circularity.
  • SharkNinja – The Shark VACMOP™ is a cordless hard floor cleaning system that utilizes suction and spray mopping for a more thorough clean. The all-in-one disposable pad uses multiple nonwoven types allowing consumers to pick up and lock away dry debris, and also spray-mop to tackle the toughest messes.  Shark VACMOP pads consist of two components — a dirt chamber that collects and locks away dirt and debris picked up by vacuum, and a fiber pad that mops up tough messes. Lightweight and cordless, the Shark VACMOP goes anywhere. With a click of a button, the pad (dirt, debris, wet mess) can be tossed away — without touching the dirty pad.

Attendees at WOW 2021 will have the opportunity to interact with and learn from the top companies who are changing the face of the wipes industry, and gain essential industry insights from an outstanding roster of speakers during the conference. Sessions include wipes and the growing plastics debate, new directions in sustainability, the explosive growth in cleaning brought on by COVID-19, emerging markets, regulatory changes and more.

“We are looking forward to welcoming wipes industry product managers, buyers and suppliers to meet in-person in July, INDA is committed to the safety of our participants and adherence to all CDC and local protocols and guidelines. Face masks, hand sanitizer, and wipes will be available. Other protocols include safe distance seating in the conference areas as well wider aisles for the tabletop displays and receptions,” said Rousse.

Other WOW Highlights

This year’s event will open with a day and a half devoted to the WIPES Academy training and a Monday evening Welcome Reception at the conference hotel. WOW will feature three days of cutting-edge conference program content and two evenings of tabletop displays.

The program also includes over 11 hours of face-to-face networking time to renew relationships, form new ones, and strengthen existing bonds over breakfasts and session breaks, the Welcome Reception, the tabletop receptions and other opportunities to connect with industry peers.

An “On-Demand” version of the WOW Conference speaker presentations and Q&A’s will be available for purchase after July 19. For the full program details and list of speakers, visit the WOW 2021 website (https://www.worldofwipes.org/).

Posted May 5, 2021

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

EURATEX Welcomes Revamped EU Industry Strategy, But Calls For Consistency Across EU Policies

BRUSSELS — May 5, 2021, 2021 — EURATEX comments on today’s release of the revised EU Industry Strategy:

Europe’s industry is going through turbulent times as a result of the corona-pandemic; turnover in textiles and clothing sector dropped between 10 and 20%. However, even bigger challenges lie ahead: serious disruptions in supply chains, soaring energy prices and protective tendencies are threatening the competitiveness of our industry.

Against that background, the revised EU Industry Strategy – launched today – is addressing very relevant issues, and underlines the need to think carefully about Europe’s industrial base. EURATEX welcomes the initiative, including the focus on 14 “eco-systems” and the proposal to develop privileged partnerships with trusted partners.

At the same time, EURATEX calls for more consistency by the EU across its different policy areas. Director General Dirk Vantyghem commented: “We welcome the recognition that we need a strong industrial base in Europe, but at the same time are struggling to maintain that base, as our companies face significant challenges related to over-regulation and raising energy and supply costs. It feels like one hand offering you help, while the other hand squeezes you tight”.

Looking at the global perspective, EURATEX is not calling to close the European borders; our industrial model relies on accessing global markets. But clearly, there is a need to establish global rules to ensure fair competition, and make sure these rules are properly implemented and controlled. Also today’s proposal to address distortions caused by foreign subsidies in the Single Market, should be welcomed in this context.

Dirk Vantyghem concluded: “European textiles and clothing industry went through turbulent times. Today, as part of this new EU Industry Strategy, we have an opportunity to build a new business model, based on innovation, quality, sustainability and fairness. We look forward to develop that new EU Textile strategy with all stakeholders involved.”

Posted May 5, 2021

Source: EURATEX

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2020 Exhibitor Preview: DiloGroup

EBERBACH, Germany — May 5, 2021, 2021 — As a machine manufacturer DiloSystems provides production lines for any nonwoven process and all types of staple fibre products. Looking back on a difficult year 2020, positive developments and a recovery in many industry sectors are now underway.
DiloGroup with DiloSpinnbau, DiloTemafa, DiloMachines and DiloSystems as the general contractor delivers the complete range of machinery needed to produce needled nonwovens, and together with partners, thermobonded and hydroentangled nonwovens. All over the world, Dilo lines produce nonwovens for a wide range of applications including geotextiles, housing and roofing, automotive products, filtration, acoustics, artificial leather and medical or hygiene products.

DiloGroup lines can be supplied turnkey from the general contractor DiloSystems as your partner for a coordinated, professionally managed investment with a single responsibility to fulfil all needs technically and commercially. The complete staple fibre process equipment, starting at fibre preparation (DiloTemafa), continuing with webforming by carding (DiloSpinnbau), up to crosslapping and needling (DiloMachines) is built in-house by Dilo’s highly specialized departments. These complete line projects are developed in close contact with our customers and on the basis of textile technological research and studies carried out in our technical centre in Eberbach, Germany.

Recently Dilo added water entanglement lines to its portfolio by cooperating with SICAM S.r.l., a well-known producer of high- quality machinery for the nonwovens industry. Apart from state of the art spunlace lines, DiloGroup is able to fulfill demands and requirements for products having improved tensile strength ratios with Dilo high-speed carding and layering technology.

In 119 years of history, the company has always set new standards regarding machine performance and efficiency. Innovative technologies like DI-LOUR, DI-LOOP and Hyperpunch-needling have created new markets for the nonwovens industry and pushed needlepunch technology to be one of the most important and versatile entanglement processes. New approaches promise higher productivity, quality and ground breaking possibilities for nonwoven textiles.

“diloline 4.0” smart manufacturing is available to be used on every line. Numerous information modules can be recalled via mobile apps and cloud data (mindSpheres). These methods allow the user to improve control of the machines and to generate production data to further secure the complex functions within the production system independently of personnel and shift. Standstill times are decreased.

The 3D-Lofter technology is adding numerous possibilities to nonwovens. It works like a 3D- printer whose ink consist of fibres and the addition of adjustable amounts of fibre in a specific pattern on top of fibre mats or needled felts enables applications like decorative features, precise reinforcement or improved fibre mat quality. Furthermore, nearly all fibres like PES, carbon or natural fibres are usable.

Also in the classical needling process Dilo achieves steady improvements. The recently developed needle pattern 8000X generates a new level of homogenous surface based on even distribution of stitches. At the same time, this needleboard allows a high stitching density at high line speeds, due to the high number of needles. Furthermore, related patterns like 6000X are ready to be used in Hyperpunch needlelooms.

“Microneedling” has been developed as an alternative to water entanglement. Optimized kinematics and maxed out stitch density generate intense but gentle needling at a high line speed. These fabrics can match water jet products regarding quality and productivity at a weight of 60 g/m2 and more. The main advantage here is the low energy consumption, since no high pressure and water processing is needed, which will gain importance in upcoming challenges to the industry for a low CO2 footprint.

These and other fibre processing and nonwoven fabric related topics can be discussed in detail with DiloGroup during ITMA Asia from June, 12 to 16 , 2021 at our booth No. A09 in hall H7.

Posted May 5, 2021

Source: DiloGroup

O’Neill Introduces New Sustainable Swimwear Collection Made With Hyosung Mipan® regen Nylon

IRVINE, Calif./SEOUL — May 4, 2021, 2021 — To meet consumer desire for eco-friendly activewear, O’Neill, the original American surf brand, has developed a line of women’s swimwear made with Hyosung’s Mipan® regen nylon as part of its new O’Neill Blue sustainable collection.

Mipan regen nylon is 100 percent recycled from reclaimed waste, which saves valuable resources from being removed form the earth. The fiber is recognized and certified by the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) of the Control Union in the Netherlands for its energy saving benefits.

“O’Neill is such an iconic brand among the surf community, and we are proud to have worked with the team to develop a sustainable solution for a swimwear range its consumers will feel good about purchasing — and wearing — knowing it is good for the environment,” said Mike Simko, global marketing director, Hyosung – Textiles.

O’Neill recently announced its mission to minimize the impact on our planet and become a frontrunner on sustainability. Founder, Jack O’Neill, said it himself, “The ocean is alive, and we’ve got to take care of it.” In 1996, O’Neill founded the O’Neill Sea Odyssey as a commitment to educating the youth about ocean conservation. Today, O’Neill carries on the spirit of Jack O’Neill in protecting our playgrounds through ocean initiatives, supply chain and expanding the O’Neill Blue sustainable product collection.

Posted May 4, 2021

Source: Hyosung

Durst P5 TEX iSUB — A Milestone For Sublimation Printing

BRESSANONE, Ital — April 29, 2021 — Durst, manufacturer of innovative digital printing systems and software solutions, is setting a milestone in the field of sublimation printing with the launch of the P5 TEX iSUB. The abbreviation iSUB stands for “inline sublimation.” This eliminates individual work steps, resulting in a significant increase in quality and efficiency for the user.

The soft signage market is experiencing enormous growth rates in all areas of application – from visual communication and decor to textile clothing. In the period from 2017 to 2023, the sales volume will increase by more than 60 percent, according to a forecast by Keypoint Intelligence. Converted to absolute figures, the market will grow globally from around $19.2 billion in 2019 to $31.4 billion (2023).

A number of trends can be pinpointed for this continued growth, which clearly speak in favor of the soft signage market. These include environmental friendliness through the use of water-based, odorless inks. Other user benefits include cost efficiency in logistics and low ink consumption, as well as fast project implementation and a wide range of applications. “Durst has been active in the soft signage market since 2010, and we have been able to place over 250 systems from the Rhotex series on the market worldwide,” emphasized Christian Harder, vice president, Sales, Durst Group AG.

Integrated inline fixation

In tune with these trends in the soft signage market, Durst has developed the P5 TEX iSUB, which is based on the successful P5 platform with a maximum print width of 3.3 meters. At the heart of the Durst P5 TEX iSUB is the integrated inline fusing for direct printing on polyester fabrics. The advantages of this one-step process are obvious, explains Andrea Riccardi, Head of Product Management, Durst Group AG: “No investment and no floor space is required for a calender. The Durst P5 TEX iSUB is operated by only one operator, and the process acceleration also increases our customers’ ability to deliver.” Whereby the P5 TEX iSUB is not limited to direct printing, but transfer papers can also be printed and further processed in the usual way. It is precisely the combination of both processes in one system that gives users enormous flexibility.

Innovation iSUB – contactless fixing technology

The Sublifix dye sublimation ink developed by Durst delivers vivid colors, even on difficult media such as blackback or backlit for light boxes or flags. A unique feature of the P5 Text iSUB is its innovative contactless fusing. The iSUB contactless technology ensures color consistency as well as sharpness of detail in images and text, also blurring or bleeding of color is virtually eliminated.

A wide range of applications can be implemented with the P5 TEX iSUB. One example is decorative fabrics with strong, brilliant colors and exact reproduction of details. Another are flags that show good print on both sides of the material even without external calendaring. Blackback applications as well as colorful light boxes round out the spectrum while retaining the soft-touch feel. In all these applications, the Durst RIP plays a central role, ensuring consistent color across all media.

The maximum print speed is 383 m2/hour when the 330 cm print format is fully utilized, inspiring the efficient implementation of all these application examples. Access to two rolls via the Multiroll option makes changing materials much easier in practice. In addition, the Dualroll option allows two rolls with a width of 1.6 meters to be printed. Another outstanding feature of the Durst P5 TEX is the integrated finishing unit, which can be used to sew and stitch media.

Test under practical conditions

The Durst P5 TEX iSUB is currently undergoing field testing at the Italian ABS Group, which has a long-standing partnership with the Durst Group and has been working with a Rhotex 500 and Rhotex 325 for many years. In conjunction with the Durst P5 TEX iSUB, ABS Group benefits from the flexibility and significant process acceleration. “The Durst P5 TEX iSUB will also prove its reliability in 24/7 operation and deliver a significant increase in quality to our customers,” said Andrea Riccardi. The ABS Group management also gives a very positive assessment of the Durst Analytics tool, the data from which is used to network the P5 TEX iSUB with the ERP software developed in-house and thus optimize production planning and individual processes.

“The P5 TEX iSUB combines efficiency, quality and productivity at the highest level. At Durst, we are convinced that our solution will give a significant boost to the soft signage market,” Harder assured.

Posted May 4, 2021

Source: Durst Group

Green Fiber Tranforms More Than 2 Billion PET Bottles Each Year Into Sustainable Fiber Solutions

BUCHAREST, România — April 29, 2021 — Staying true to its mantra of “what lived once, will live again,” Green Fiber, part of the wider Green Group family, has become a player in the growing circular economy by announcing the business is now transforming more than 2 billion polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles each year into sustainable polyester staple fiber products for an array of industries.

Working in tandem with its sister company Green Tech, a PET recycler in Europe, Green Fiber closes the circular loop by creating sustainable fibers recycled from PET bottles into polyester staple fibers which produce an impressive 50-percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, compared to virgin fiber material alternatives.

With an increased focus worldwide by businesses on reducing their carbon footprint and promoting a more sustainable image, Green Fiber’s 100-percent recycled products have never been more important as they now offer a diverse range of industries, such as hygiene and healthcare, automotive, engineering and construction, and home textiles, the opportunity to confidently state they are firmly committed to reducing their carbon footprints.

An example of Green Fiber’s products having a significant environmental impact on an industry is the automotive sector. The company’s fibers are used throughout the interior of cars and with various commitments made by car manufacturers to become more environmentally friendly and sustainable, using Green Fiber products is no longer a nice to have but an act of responsibility due to the significant reduction in CO2 emissions compared to virgin polyester fiber alternatives.

Alina Elena Genes, general manager of Green Fiber, commented: “As part of our regenerative role of both producer and recycler, we are proud to recycle over 2 billion PET bottles a year which are then transformed into sustainable fibers for an array of
crucial industries. Furthermore, as we are the largest producer of 100-percent PET recycled fibers in Europe with a range of products emitting 50-percent less in C02 emissions compared to virgin fiber alternatives, we believe it’s now essential for sustainable businesses to use our fibers if they are serious in reducing their carbon footprints.”

Posted May 4, 2021

Source: Green Fiber

3DLOOK Announces Appointment Of Paul Schaut To Board of Directors

SAN MATEO, Calif. —  April 29, 2021 — 3DLOOK today announced that Paul Schaut has joined its board of directors. A technology pioneer with more than two decades of experience leading and serving as an outside director on the boards of companies in the e-commerce sector, Schaut will focus on supporting 3DLOOK’s explosive growth as the company enables mass customization of consumer apparel products based on human body data in the fashion retail and uniform sectors.

“Paul is a strong, experienced leader who has been driving innovation in e-commerce since the pre-dot-com bubble times,” said Vadim Rogovskiy, CEO and co-founder of 3DLOOK. “We’ve seen exceptional growth over the past year, with our business increasing nearly sixfold as leading brands have accelerated digitization to offer a more personal, contactless shopping experience driven by data intelligence, and we’re confident that Paul’s expertise and strategic mindset will help us build on that momentum and achieve our most ambitious goals.”

Schaut is an accomplished CEO and a board director with an exceptional grasp of how to leverage technology to disrupt marketplaces and gain competitive advantage. He has successfully helmed eight companies as CEO or interim CEO and has served on the boards of 21 companies in total. As board director of Fluid Inc., a leader in emotive and conversational e-commerce, Schaut assisted in securing funding from Goldman Sachs and the eventual sale to both IBM and Astound Commerce. Earlier in his career, he helped publicly held Open Market, an early e-commerce innovator, establish and execute its successful sales, marketing and business development strategies as well as Engage – the first behavioral profiling company which he took public and grew to a high market cap of $12b leading a team of 1800 people.  Schaut holds a BS in Business from San Jose State University and has worked with the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship and served on the Massachusetts High Technology Council. He is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).

“3DLOOK is driving the next phase in the evolution of e-commerce, where product fit is not determined by generic standards created by retailers, but is instead personalized based on each consumer’s unique body data,” Schaut said. “I have been fortunate over my career to have gained significant experience with companies that offer disruptive new concepts and 3DLOOK’s technology is cutting edge. I’m extremely pleased to join the company’s board and to work with this exceptional team as they execute their vision and enable customization at scale across retail categories.”

3DLOOK’s mobile camera–based solutions provide personalized fit and size recommendations for online shoppers and body data intelligence that brands can use to create better-fitting clothes. The technology uses a patented combination of computer vision and 3D statistical modeling to instantly measure the human body using just two photos. Brands that use 3DLOOK’s solutions have seen 30-percent decreases in return rates, while increasing conversion by four times year over year.

Earlier this year, the company announced its Series A round of $6,5M funding, led by Almaz Capital. 3DLOOK counts more than 100 customers worldwide, including leading global fashion retailers Tailored Brands and 1822 Denim.

Posted May 4, 2021

Source: 3DLOOK

U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and TextileGenesis™ Announce Collaboration

MEMPHIS, TENN — April 29, 2021 — The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a new science-based sustainability program that collects robust farm-level data against six key sustainability metrics, is pleased to announce that it is further enhancing the value of its program by delivering unparalleled supply chain transparency through its Protocol Credit Management System (PCMS). Recognizing the growing importance of increased supply chain visibility to brand and retail members, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is joining the TextileGenesis™ platform as the world’s first sustainable cotton fiber to offer full transparency across the supply chain on the platform.

“Today, having a holistic view of every step throughout the supply chain is imperative for brands and retailers,” said Dr. Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “We are proud to announce our collaboration with TextileGenesis to address this need as the Trust Protocol aims to set a new standard for more sustainable and trackable cotton production.”

In combination with the existing Protocol Platform, developed by Memphis-based technology partner The Seam LLC., the TextileGenesis platform will allow the PCMS to record and verify the movement of U.S. cotton fiber through the entire process by capturing and verifying article level transactions between the multiple participants along the complete supply chain. Upon receipt of their finished products, Trust Protocol brand and retail members will be able to claim Protocol Credits, digital tokens equivalent to the physical cotton produced under the program, and make corresponding claims related to the environmental metrics and sustainable practices adopted by participating Trust Protocol growers.

“We have engineered our platform to leverage the latest technology and industry-specific best-practices, with a heavy emphasis on strong data methodologies,” said Amit Gautam, CEO and founder of TextileGenesis. “Collaborating with the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, with its clear focus on robust data and the strength of its verification practices, creates a powerful solution for brands and retailers worldwide in their search for more sustainable fibers and enhanced visibility in their supply chains.”

The collaboration will result in initial pilot trials with selected brands and mills in early June 2021, with full deployment of the PCMS envisioned for early 2022.

The Trust Protocol has welcomed more than 300 brand, retailer, mill and manufacturer members since its launch in 2020. It is included on the Textile Exchange’s list of 36 preferred fibers and materials that more than 170 participating brands and retailers can select from as part of Textile Exchange’s Material Change Index program. The Trust Protocol also is working to align with existing standards in the cotton industry and is part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, the Forum for the Future Cotton 2040, and the CottonUp guide.

Posted May 4, 2021

Source: U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol

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