Confluent Medical Announces Strategic Investment In The Electrospinning Company

Fully automated process of attaching biomedical textiles to heart valve frames

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — May 4, 2021, 2021 — Confluent Medical Technologies Inc. announced today a strategic investment in The Electrospinning Co. Ltd. . Electrospinning, a U.K.-based company, has developed a proprietary electrospinning process that will expand the design options utilized in the structural heart market and fully automate the process of attaching biomedical textiles to heart valve frames.

Implant designs for the fast-growing, transcatheter structural heart market primarily utilize a custom textile that is sutured to a high-performance Nitinol metal frame. Confluent’s Nitinol and biomedical textile expertise, in combination with Electrospinning’s leadership in electrospun nanofiber biomaterials, expands the design options that Confluent customers can utilize in the structural heart market. Additionally, the application of the textile to the valve frame will be fully automated, simplifying the manufacturing process.

“The investment in Electrospinning reinforces Confluent’s strategy of Applying Materials Science to MedTech Innovation,” said Dean Schauer, CEO and president of Confluent Medical. “This partnership creates an opportunity for our two companies to facilitate further expansion of innovative structural heart products on behalf of our customers.”

Posted May 4, 2021

Source: Confluent Medical Technologies Inc.

TenCate Protective Fabrics Welcomes Maria Gallahue-Worl As CEO

UNION CITY, Ga. — May 4, 2021, 2021 — The Supervisory Board of TenCate Protective Fabrics is pleased to announce the appointment of Maria Gallahue-Worl as CEO.

Having served in a wide spectrum of roles — from engineering, to manufacturing, to market development, to business management — Gallahue-Worl’s wealth of experience informs her unique command of the specialty and advanced materials value chain. She joins TenCate Protective Fabrics after a 21-year tenure with Solvay SA, most recently in the role of executive vice president, head of Strategic Growth.

“We have full confidence in Maria’s capabilities to successfully lead the company and drive the team forward in our mission to develop a winning strategy and create value,” said Kees Verhaar, chairman of the Supervisory Board, TenCate Protective Fabrics.

Based in the Atlanta area, Gallahue-Worl will fulfill her role as CEO from the company’s global headquarters in Union City, Ga.

Posted May 4, 2021

Source: TenCate Protective Fabrics

DuPont Rebrands Silicone Masterbatches For Thermoplastics As MULTIBASE™ Products

WILMINGTON, Del. — April 29, 2021 — DuPont Mobility & Materials today announced that it has rebranded its full portfolio of silicone masterbatches for thermoplastics as MULTIBASE™ products. The new brand took effect this month and applies to all legacy Dow Corning silicone-based masterbatch products.

This initiative builds on the global brand awareness of MULTIBASE, a highly respected Dow Corning company with a 20-year history of supplying high-performance silicone masterbatch technologies that are used worldwide to enhance, extend and reinforce the overall performance of thermoplastic materials. These materials are also well-suited for use in a broad range of key industries, including packaging, automotive, wire and cable, fiber, consumer and industrial.

The MULTIBASE brand name will be used for all future DuPont silicone masterbatches as they are developed and commercialized. The brand change does not affect the formulation, properties or quality of these industry-leading products. DuPont will continue to manufacture the same high-quality silicone masterbatches using the same processes and applying the same rigorous standards as before.

“As market trends, competition, regulations and applications evolve, polymer manufacturers often face new challenges in tailoring their materials to address these changing needs,” said Jacek Madry, global business leader – Hytrel®, MULTIBASE, Vamac®, DuPont. “Our MULTIBASE silicone-based additives offer many options for extending properties, enhancing processing and reinforcing materials. They also deliver unique attributes that can help customers address regulatory requirements; reduce energy use; and improve the function, aesthetics, quality and durability of end products.”

The most recent masterbatch product to be introduced was MULTIBASE AMB-12235 masterbatch for multilayer polyethylene (PE) blown film. This masterbatch combines an anti-block agent with a compatible, permanent slip additive to improve film processing and ensure consistent quality.

Future DuPont MULTIBASE products will align with key market trends such as extending the lifespan of end-use applications, optimizing manufacturing to reduce energy consumption and scrap generation, and reducing formulation complexity to promote recyclability.

Posted May 4, 2021

Source: DuPont Mobility & Materials

ADOLFO DOMÍNGUEZ’s New Campaign, DRESS LIKE A TREE, Proposes Reconciling Fashion With Nature

LENZING, Austria — May 4, 2021, 2021 — The premium fashion brand ADOLFO DOMÍNGUEZ has launched its new campaign, DRESS LIKE A TREE, which focuses on the design of garments created with TENCEL™ Lyocell, a fiber derived from the renewable raw material, wood, which both respects the planet and goes gentle on the skin.

The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world. In Spain, the textile sector generates more than 900,000 tons of waste and only 10 percent of this waste is recovered. The remainder is burnt leading to the emission of polluting gases.

Faced with this situation, the Dress Like A Tree campaign claims a return to our origins and proposes a reconciliation with nature. To this end, it is embracing the use of Tencel as a fiber of the future.

“Wearing it is a manifesto”, is the motto of the Adolfo Domínguez campaign. The latter highlights the value of a fiber of natural origin that does not require intensive cultivation, like cotton does. Growing cotton takes up only 2.4 percent of the world’s arable land, but consumes 16 percent of all insecticides. At the same time, fibers of natural origin do not have the enormous environmental impact of polyester, which requires large amounts of oil for its manufacture and releases microplastics that end up in the sea.

Adolfo Domínguez’s commitment to sustainability

The Spanish premium fashion brand is committed to more environmentally friendly consumption. With campaigns such as Be Older, Think – Then Buy or Repeat More – Need Less, Adolfo Domínguez invites society to reflect on how we use our clothing.

In 2010, the brand developed and introduced a Manifesto for Animal Welfare and has not included fur in its garments for a decade. Since 2012, it has had a line of vegan handbags, which are among the brand’s bestsellers.

With the addition of Tiziana Dominguez as the Creative Director in 2019, the company is returning to its artistic roots. After years of absence, it is once again putting in an appearance on catwalks with a new agenda: non-professional models and delocalized fashion shows. Local production has been given a boost thanks to limited collections that experiment with avant-garde design, and the company is working intensively to include a growing number of sustainable fabrics in its collections.

Now, with the Dress Like A Tree campaign, Adolfo Domínguez is taking another brave step to satisfy today’s consumer who is increasingly aware and demands that brands’ commitment to sustainability has to be real. In this sense, the traceability of the Tencel fiber guarantees the end consumer that the origin of the material used in the garments is truly environmentally friendly.

A fiber that cares for the environment and the skin

Tencel fibers — the flagship brand of the Austrian multinational Lenzing Group — are extracted from wood from sustainably managed forests. The fibers are produced using a unique closed-loop system that recovers and reuses the solvents used thus minimizing the environmental impact of production.

In addition to FSC® certification — which guarantees sustainable forest management — Tencel fibers have also been certified as biodegradable and compostable in industrial, domestic, soil and marine conditions, so they can be completely returned to nature without harming the environment.

On the other hand, Tencel fibers are very versatile and stand out among cellulose fibers due to their higher strength. Fabrics made with these fibers maintain their colour intensity after repeated washing. They have a soft hand and ensure comfort for sensitive skin.

Through moisture management, Tencel fibers promote the body’s natural thermal regulation. Derived from natural material, the fiber’s microscopic fibrils are structured to regulate moisture release, which contributes to the breathability of the fabric and results in greater absorption than with cotton.

Other advantages of Tencel fibers are that they blend well with other materials, do not shrink and provide a soft drape and wearability.

Partners for a greener future

In Lenzing, Adolfo Domínguez has found a partner well known for its sustainability. One which has added value to its strategy of transforming consumer habits towards a more environmentally-friendly fashion, which firmly believes in concepts such as timelessness, durability and slow fashion.

Based in Austria and with numerous sites around the world, Lenzing collaborates with the most prestigious fashion brands. It helps to create value for their business and products which take the needs and perspectives of consumers into account, thus expanding the area of action from B2B to B2C.

Lenzing plays a key role in doing much more than just supplying fibers. All of its business customers — spinners, weavers, mills, dyers and converters, but also fashion brands and retailers — see Lenzing as a reliable and committed partner because it understands their needs, shares its knowledge and makes plans for the future together with them.

Lenzing’s Director of Business Development in Spain, Susanna Pérez, is satisfied with the Dress Like A Tree campaign and explains that, “at this time of uncertainty, it is an honour and a pleasure to share the road with a team with the sensitivity and know-how of Adolfo Domínguez”. She also highlights its “excellence in comfort, elegance and technical innovation and its care when it comes to the treatment of sustainable materials such as Tencel”.

Posted May 4, 2021

Source: The Lenzing Group

New Research Collaboration To Advance Data On Winding Capability For Composite Parts

WINCHAM, England — May 4, 2021 — A collaboration between two of the United Kingdom’s leading experts in textile machinery has been launched to demonstrate the capability of new winding technology used in the manufacture of composite parts.

The Northwest Composites Centre (NWCC), which is part of the University of Manchester’s Department of Materials, and composites technology company Cygnet Texkimp announced the major new research project to benchmark Cygnet Texkimp’s Multi Axis Winder (MAW) and 3D Winder technologies against their two closest alternative technologies, braiding and traditional filament winding.

The research will be undertaken by the NCCEF, the commercial arm of the Northwest Composites Centre which provides independent, accredited testing and qualifying services to the aerospace, automotive, oil and gas, marine and wind energy industries, including all major primes and Tier 1 and 2 suppliers.

The project will demonstrate the damage tolerance and impact resistance of composite parts manufactured using Cygnet Texkimp’s MAW and 3D Winder technologies compared to parts created using braiding and conventional filament winding.

The 3D Winder is a robot-mounted, multi-axis, high-speed winding machine. Launched in 2018, it is the first winding technology of its kind capable of laying down very high volumes of fibre quickly and accurately to manufacture complex, curved composite components that are strong and repeatable.

The Multi Axis Winder (MAW) was launched in January 2021 and uses rotating rings to lay down large volumes of material at high speed around a static mandrel. This technology is a development of the 3D Winder but has been optimised for throughput and designed to manufacture long, straight, continuous composite parts with angles and slight curves, including aircraft wing spars, crash protection structures, fuel pipes, tubes, masts and other profiles.

The NWCC has been awarded funding and resources from The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Impact Acceleration Account to carry out and showcase the results of its work.

“The Multi Axis Winder and the 3D Winder are both very new and innovative technologies,” explained Dr. Yan Liu, R&D Specialist at Cygnet Texkimp.

“Engaging the rigour of a respected, external testing body will help us to gather valuable data and demonstrate their uses and benefits to the industry with the aim of accelerating their adoption.

“We are confident that they offer unparalleled levels of speed and throughput at reduced capital cost; what the NWCC research will also show us is where these techniques sit in the process hierarchy in terms of the strength and impact resistance of the finished part.”

The project will be led by Professor Potluri, director of the NWCC. Researchers will take a range of composite parts manufactured on the MAW, 3D Winder, a braider and a conventional filament winder and carry out a series of tests, including four-point bending, impact, and bending after impact testing, to investigate how strength and damage tolerance are affected by the manufacturing technique.

“Using science to investigate and compare manufacturing techniques is increasingly important as composites manufacturers and end-users look for better and more efficient ways to create high performance materials and parts,” Professor Potluri said.

“Trials like these are extremely useful not only to validate new technology but to give commercial customers the insights to select the right technology for their business.

“The main purpose of our research is to quantify how structural performance and damage tolerance can be maximised depending on the method of manufacture employed.”

This is the second time the two organizations have worked together. In 2018 they took part in a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, which focused on a 9-axis winding concept first developed by Professor Potluri. That technology was further developed and commercialized by Cygnet Texkimp to create the 3D Winder.

“The University has a key role to play at the interface between academia and industry, supporting the commercialization of innovative concepts that have the potential to transform manufacturing,” Professor Potluri said.

“Combining our knowledge and resources with those of a world-class company like Cygnet Texkimp means that together our work can have a real and positive impact on the industry.”

Cygnet Texkimp CEO Luke Vardy will present findings from the research project as part of the Composites World Tech Days: Composites in the Hydrogen Economy, exploring the role of 3D Winding technology in the manufacture of hydrogen storage tanks, on May 18, 2021.

Posted May 4, 2021

Source: Cygnet Texkimp

Kaylee Smith Joins Mehler Engineered Products

Smith

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Mehler Engineered Products, Martinsville, Va., is pleased to announce that Kaylee Smith has joined the company as regional sales manager North America. Smith will focus on Specialty Fabric accounts in North America from the company’s Hlinsko, Czech Republic, and Landim, Portuga,l weaving facilities.

Smith earned her degree in 2017 from North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles in Textile & Product Engineering with a minor in Material Science & Engineering.

Posted May 4, 2021

Source: Mehler Engineered Products

Avery Dennison Sets Ambition To Be Net-Zero On Carbon Emissions By 2050

GLENDALE, Calif. —May 4, 2021 — Avery Dennison today announced its ambition to be net-zero on greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This commitment comes as the company raises the bar on its sustainability goals with new targets for 2030.

As part of these new targets, the Retail Branding and Information Solutions (RBIS) business commits to 100 percent of its core products (printed fabric labels, woven labels, paper, interior heat-transfer labels, packaging and RFID) meeting its third-party verified ClearIntent Standard which requires products and solutions that enable circularity, reduce material usage, increase recycled content in end products or are sourced responsibly. The company is also expanding its portfolio to include more intelligent labeling to advance the communication of data, reduce costs and waste, and create better recycling processes. This will ensure that Avery Dennison is well-positioned to satisfy current or future recycling, composting or reuse requirements for single-use consumer plastic packaging and apparel.

The specific 2030 targets fall under three broad sustainability goals:

  • Deliver innovations that advance the circular economy;
  • Reduce environmental impact in operations and supply chain; and
  • Make a positive social impact by improving the livelihoods of people and communities.

In addition, the company’s 2030 ambitions include procuring paper exclusively from responsibly-managed forests to help ensure a deforestation-free future.

“Meeting our 2030 ambitions will be the greatest test yet of our capacity to innovate, as well as an invaluable opportunity to position our business for lasting success,” said Michael Colarossi, vice president, innovation and sustainability, Retail Branding and Information Solutions, Avery Dennison. “We are proud to have exceeded our 2025 goal for reducing absolute GHG emissions, and we are making steady progress on our other sustainability commitments.”The company has also pledged to reduce emissions by 70 percent against its 2015 baseline, and to work with its supply chain to reduce Scope 3 emissions by 30 percent against its 2018 baseline. The company’s overall ambition is to produce net-zero emissions by 2050 and enable a future of regeneration. The 2030 goals also include targets for gender diversity, employee engagement and inclusion, safety, and more.

“With our 2030 goals, we’re expanding our focus to make an even greater difference,” Colarossi said. “Since establishing our original sustainability goals, we’ve gained a greater understanding of where our business overlaps with the world’s most urgent environmental challenges — and importantly, the areas where we can, and will, lead.”

Posted May 4, 2021

Source: Avery Dennison

Italian Textile Machinery: Orders Once More On The Rise For First Quarter 2021

MILAN — May 4, 2021, 2021 — The index of orders intake for textile machinery compiled by ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, during the period January-March 2021 was up by 66 percent compared to the same period for 2020. The value of the index was confirmed at 129.3 points (basis: 2015 = 100).

This result depended on a positive performance for orders coming in from abroad as well as from Italian market. A 68-percent increase was recorded on foreign markets, with the absolute value of the index reaching 125.5 points. On the domestic side, the upward trend in orders was more contained, but still significant (+54% compared to the first quarter of 2020), with an absolute value of the index at 164.1 points.

ACIMIT President Alessandro Zucchi commented on these results: “This significant increase in orders should be compared with the first quarter 2020 results, the period in which the pandemic began and production almost completely stopped.

“Still, these numbers are certainly encouraging, even though the pandemic is still not under control, especially in countries that are essential markets for our industry, such as India. Investments in the textile sector have thus seen a rather patchy recovery. Without a widespread vaccination plan on a global scale, our people remain limited in their movements, jeopardizing the possibility of seizing business opportunities in different markets.

“A future recovery is also threatened by rising prices for raw materials,” Zucchi added. “A significant growth trend is currently under way, beginning from last summer and continuing to swell between late 2020 and early 2021. These price hikes are pushing up input costs and, in the absence of a price adjustment, the negative impacts for machinery manufacturers could be quite significant.”

Posted May 4, 2021

Source: ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers

Textile-Based Engineering Firm Ryzing Technologies To Expand In Staunton, Va.

RICHMOND — April 16, 2021 — Virginia Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Ryzing Technologies LLC, a designer and manufacturer of textile-based engineering solutions, will invest $149,000 to expand capabilities at its facility in the City of Staunton. The company serves the U.S. military and allied forces, as well as industrial, commercial, and governmental clients, specializing in engineered textiles, rigid inflatable structures, and rapid prototyping. This expansion project will create 31 new jobs.

“Supporting the growth of Virginia’s small businesses is a top priority, and we are thrilled that the expansion of Ryzing Technologies will result in 31 new high-skilled positions,” said Governor Northam. “We commend the City of Staunton for fostering an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship where companies like Ryzing Technologies can develop pioneering solutions for a wide range of industries, including the military.”

In 2015, founders Ryan Gundling and Ryan Long participated in Staunton’s Bright Rewired Business Plan Competition, resulting in the establishment of Ryzing Technologies. In 2017, the company was awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research grant from the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center to continue the development of an adjustable, reusable platform for expeditionary military shelters. Ryzing Technologies’ platform system can be deployed by soldiers in hours and packaged to be redeployed with the basecamp multiple times. The company’s textile-based engineering solutions include inflatable structures, shelter systems, tensile membrane structures, protective barriers, environmental control systems, mechanical systems, filtration equipment, material handling, soft dynamic technologies, and other advanced textile and mechanical products. The company’s engineers and fabricators partner with government and private industry clients to engineer, fabricate, and test real-world solutions.

“Virginia companies continue to be at the forefront of cutting-edge technology, and we are proud that Ryzing Technologies will significantly expand its capabilities and its workforce in the City of Staunton,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “The region’s infrastructure and quality-of-life amenities are attracting jobs and investment by businesses that recognize the high quality talent pool and want to live and work in the Shenandoah Valley.”

“Ryzing Technologies was started five years ago in Staunton for two reasons: the founders personally saw value for their families to live in the area and were confident the area had the amenities required to attract the right talent to grow a successful business,” said Ryan Gundling, Cofounder and CEO of Ryzing Technologies. “This has been accurate, and we have put together an incredible team. We were surprised to discover the incredible programs and organizations in Virginia to assist businesses. Ryzing Technologies has worked with the Center of Innovative Technology to get training that aided our Small Business Innovation Research Program and to get funding for our soft robotic technology development. We have also participated in the Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program through the Small Business Development Center for training in the commercialization of technologies. Virginia has been an incredible place to start a business, and we are excited to be expanding to create more jobs for the area.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Staunton to secure the project for Virginia and will support Ryzing Technologies’ job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP), which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities. As a business incentive supporting economic development, VJIP reduces the human resource costs of new and expanding companies. VJIP is state-funded, demonstrating Virginia’s commitment to enhancing job opportunities for citizens.

“The City of Staunton is very excited about the expansion of Ryzing Technologies in our community, and celebrates the creation of new jobs for area residents in an exciting and critical technology sector,” said Staunton Mayor Andrea Oakes. “Ryzing’s continuing focus on innovation, creativity, and partnership with government and private industry has made it a successful and valued member of Staunton’s business community, and we applaud this most recent achievement.”

“I am pleased Ryzing Technologies is expanding in Staunton, bringing more jobs that highlight innovative engineering and real-world solutions to market,” said Senator Emmett Hanger. “Growing companies demonstrate obvious success within and additional opportunities for its employees and the communities in which they live. This company has a strong future here in Virginia, and I am glad they are able to benefit from state programs to help ensure growth and stability.”

“I am thrilled to see Ryzing Technologies expanding its operations to continue its innovative engineering in Staunton,” said Delegate John Avoli. “The high-skilled jobs created by this expansion are very welcome and I applaud Ryzing Technologies for the cutting-edge technology and solutions they provide for our armed forces.”

Posted May 3, 2021

Source: Viginia Office of the Governor

Hexion Inc. Names Sanjeev Rastogi Senior Vice President, Global Resins

COLUMBUS, Ohio — May 3, 2021 — Hexion Inc. today announced that Sanjeev Rastogi has joined the company as senior vice president, Global Resins.

Rastogi is an accomplished global executive bringing to Hexion a distinguished track record of creating profitable growth and value. Throughout his 25-year career, he has held a variety of senior leadership roles. Rastogi most recently served as vice president and general manager, Performance Materials and Technologies at Honeywell International Inc. where he had overall responsibility for the direction and results of the company’s global Fluorine Products business since January 2018.

With Honeywell since 2004, he held a number of roles with progressively broader experience and increased responsibilities, including: Business Director, Foam and Industrial Products and several strategic marketing and innovation director roles for several businesses. Prior to Honeywell, he served as associate principal with Arthur D. Little /Charles River Associates, a leading strategic consulting firm, and as a project scientist with Union Carbide/Univation Technologies.

Rastogi earned a bachelor’s of science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Bombay, a doctorate degree in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware, and a master’s in business administration from New York University, Stern School of Business.

“Hexion is well-positioned for continued success and we have tremendous confidence in Sanjeev’s ability to drive continued momentum in our global resins business based on his proven track record of earnings growth, strategy and innovation,” said Craig Rogerson, chairman, president and CEO. “His experience in leading global commercial teams, deep operational acumen and strong technical background make him the ideal choice to accelerate our growth strategy within our Adhesives segment. We have a deep leadership bench within our global resins team and under Sanjeev’s leadership, our valued customers can expect us to continue to provide innovative forest product resins solutions with a high degree of technical and customer service support.”

Rastogi replaces Mark Alness, who retired after more than 40 years with Hexion and most recently served as senior vice president, Global Resins.

“I’d like to congratulate Mark on his retirement and thank him for his tremendous contributions over his career,” Rogerson said. “Mark built a high-performance team culture within the Forest Product business as a lasting legacy that continues to serve us well going forward.”

Posted May 3, 2021

Source: Hexion Inc.

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