Herman Miller Introduces Its “Most Sustainable Textile Collection Yet”

Herman Miller’s Revenio Textile Collection

ZEELAND, Mich. — March 2, 2021 — Today, global design manufacturer Herman Miller Inc. announced the introduction of a new sustainable textile collection including fabric made from all recycled and ocean-bound plastic materials and a 100-percent post-consumer biodegradable polyester*.

The collection, known as Revenio, focuses on using the latest sustainable textile innovations to alleviate global waste, without sacrificing aesthetics, performance, or longevity.

For every yard in the Revenio collection, 7 to 15 bottles of plastic are diverted from the ocean. Annually, the Revenio Collection will divert an estimated equivalent of 4.6 million or approximately 37,000 pounds of discarded plastic bottles — 1.37 million of those bottles will be collected in vulnerable coastline cities, where they will be intercepted before reaching the ocean.

“This is our most sustainable textile collection yet,” said Elaine Gerbers, director of Materials at Herman Miller. “This new collection amplifies our commitment to creating a circular economy through the use of environmentally mindful materials. By utilizing 100-percent recycled content and introducing ocean-bound plastic, we are diverting plastic from the landfill and our waterways and giving them new life in these beautiful new textiles. Additionally, our new biodegradable textile reduces the environmental impact at the end of a product’s life.”

The industry-leading 100-percent post-consumer biodegradable polyester can decompose in landfills and wastewater conditions at a rate similar to that of natural fibers (tested under ASTM D5511). This is achieved through the addition of a biocatalyst in the yarn extrusion process that enables anaerobic digestion in landfill and wastewater treatment conditions. In addition, these polyester fabrics can also be recycled and reused as raw materials for future generations of polyester fabrics.

Herman Miller joined NextWave® Plastics as a founding member in 2018 and has been working to incorporate ocean-bound plastic in its solutions. Convened by Lonely Whale, NextWave is a collaborative and open-source initiative convening leading multinational companies to develop the first global network of ocean-bound plastic supply chains.

“Herman Miller was foundational to the creation of NextWave Plastics and since 2017 has been a driving force in our collective work to turn off the tap on plastic pollution,” said Dune Ives, CEO of Lonely Whale. “This milestone launch is a story about perseverance and an ongoing commitment to open-source collaboration that makes a tangible impact for our ocean. Each year, over 8 million metric tons of plastic enters the ocean. If no action is taken, the amount of plastic going into the sea every year could triple in the next 20 years. Herman Miller, and all the NextWave Plastics members, are taking the action needed to keep plastic in the economy and out of the ocean.”

The Revenio Collection is currently made up of four textiles and will be available on Herman Miller seating and workspace solutions such as the Sayl Chair, Eames Molded Plywood Lounge and Dining Chairs, and Canvas Office Landscape. The textiles will also be offered on products from Herman Miller Group brands, Geiger and naughtone.

They will be available to order starting March 1, 2021, in North America. Additional textiles with ocean-bound plastic and details around global distribution will be announced at a later date.

Inside the Revenio Collection

Terra

Terra is a 100-percent post-consumer recycled biodegradable* polyester, and displays a curated neutral palette highlighting linearity and earth tones echoing the material’s sustainable composition.

Scatter

With saturated colors and dark organic flecks, Scatter is a sustainable textile reminiscent of the intricacy and interest of recycled paper. Each yard of Scatter diverts nine plastic bottles from reaching our oceans.

Mellow

A sustainable, comfortable solution with softly tinted, tonal contrast in a cooling palette, is reflective of the material’s eco-friendly origin. Each yard of Mellow diverts seven plastic bottles from reaching our oceans.

Crepe

A timeless favorite, Crepe, is now offered with ocean bound plastic content. The signature organic texture is created from the random nature of the weaving technique. Each yard of fabric diverts 15 plastic bottles from reaching our oceans.

*Rate and extent of biodegradation into elements found in nature is 91 percent after 1,278 days under ASTM D5511 (Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High Solids Anaerobic Digestion Conditions). Test completed with same component (PET) polyester and biocatalyst additive. No evidence of further degradation.

Posted March 3, 2021

Source: Herman Miller, Inc.

Alice Ballenger Joins Textile Division At Milliken & Company As Director Of Strategy

Alice Ballenger

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — March 3, 2021 — Milliken & Company is pleased to announce that Alice Ballenger has been hired as director of strategy for the Textile Division, effective immediately. In her new role, she is responsible for supporting the Division’s business growth and overall strategy.

“Alice brings a unique perspective to the global marketplace that will be instrumental to Textile Division initiatives. From marketing to manufacturing, her ability to analyze data to uncover strategic insights that translate into action is invaluable,” said Chad McAllister, executive vice president of Milliken & Company and president of the Textile Division.

With industry experience across multiple global markets, working both independently as a business strategist as well as in senior-level roles with Glen Raven, Ballenger brings an abundance of cross-functional experience to her role. She will provide thought leadership and strategic direction to every business across the Textile Division.

Ballenger earned her undergraduate degree from the University of the South and holds both a Master of International Studies from N.C. State and a Master of International Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.

Posted March 3, 2021

Source: Milliken & Company Textile Division

Rudolf Group: BIONIC-FINISH®ECO — Fluorine-Free, Water Repellent Finishes For Ultimate Performance

GERETSRIED, Germany — March 3, 2021 — In recent years, many scientists have shifted from favoring a “primordial soup” in pools of water to hydrothermal vents deep in the ocean as the original source of life on Earth. Regardless what the real beginning really was, water was certainly involved in the process some 3.5 billion years ago. And since then, Mother Nature designed many ways to benefit of water and to be sheltered from it. Many engineering challenges humans face can be solved by turning to those 3.5 billion years of experience and by using natural design as springboard. That’s biologically inspired engineering or, in short, bionics.

BIONIC-FINISH®ECO of Rudolf Group is Mother Nature’s work reproduced on textiles and apparel to protect us from water. To perform.

Back in 2003, Rudolf Group borrowed from Mother Nature the idea of dendrimers — from dendron, Greek word for tree — molecules made of multi-functional branches that interact among themselves, co-crystallize, and self-organize into highly ordered, multi-component systems. These hyper-branched polymers attach to the textile and embed fluorine-free, durable water-repellent performance.

In 2021, Bionic-Finish Eco comes as a reviewed and extended family of unique non- halogenated, APEO-free, fluorine-free formulations suited for different materials and designed for different applications and needs. Still very much based on patented dendrimer technology, the new and strengthened Bionic-Finish Eco’s product portfolio:

  • Provides non-fluorinated and highly durable water repellent textile finishes for high-performance, professional applications (e.g. when brushing resistance is required);
  • Delivers highly efficient and durable performance with low application amounts thus not affecting fabric feel and appearance (e.g. when remarkable softness is important);
  • Fulfills a range of challenging technical requirements (e.g. minimal impact on flame retardant properties of technical fibers);
  • Is suitable for both sportswear and outdoor applications, as well as for casual apparel and fashion clothing;
  • Is bluesign® approved, ZDHC chemical gateway certified and compliant with most RSLs;

Bionic-Finish Eco new portfolio includes universal and versatile solutions targeting the most standard requirements, as well as customized solutions that meet more demanding and specifi c expectations such as improved resistance to dry-cleaning.

“None of us can entirely predict where our voyage will lead” says Dr. Gunther Duschek, Rudolf Group managing director. “However, Bionic-Finish Eco of Rudolf Group will always be the fluorine-free, durable water repellent for ultimate performance. As it is today”.

Posted March 3, 2021

Source: RUDOLF GmbH

Modern Meadow: Pioneer In Biofabrication Designs The ZOA™ Collection

NUTLEY, N.J. — March 2, 2021 — Created for both the eco-minded and design conscious, ZOA™ is a collection of biofabricated materials that give brands an opportunity to reinvent or launch their products with function and sustainability. Designed by Modern Meadow, a pioneer in biofabrication technologies, ZOA is animal-free and made to have a positive impact on climate change.

“Biofabrication has the potential to change the way we produce products in many industries moving forward,” said Modern Meadow Co-founder and CEO Andras Forgacs. “To be able to create animal-free goods with this quality and durability can completely eliminate our needs for animal-derived products”

ZOA integrates a range of unique technologies to deliver enhanced sustainability and material performance. In the creation of ZOA, proteins-nature’s building blocks-are derived from plants and are engineered based on the desired ZOA functionality. Every material in the ZOA family is molecularly tuned for enhanced sustainability and performance. This makes ZOA an ideal alternative for brands looking to move away from animal-based products. and minimize fossil fuel inputs without sacrificing performance.

ZOA is also able to introduce color to materials in a liquid state where dyes chemically bind directly to the proteins. Not only does this allow for deeper colors and superior colorfastness, but ZOA’s unique solution-dyeing process also yields zero residual waste. Proteins are then combined with bio-based polymers to create Bio-Alloys™, ZOA’s new to the world proprietary creation, which maximizes material performance and reduces petrochemical content by more than 50% compared to conventional man-made materials.

ZOA’s first premium material is inspired by leather but leads a new class of biofabricated materials: materials assembled with biological building blocks to yield new structural and functional properties. ZOA has 80-percent lower carbon footprint than leather and 25-percent lower than man-made leathers. ZOA is abrasion-resistant, water-resistant, and retains flexibility for optimal performance and vibrant color over time and wear.

Posted March 2, 2021

Source: Modern Meadow

SDC Survey: 77 Percent Of Textile Coloration Professionals Believe There Is A Widening Skills Gap In The Dyeing Industry

HOLMFIRTH, England — February 24, 2021  — The textile dyeing industry is experiencing a global skills gap, now reaching crisis point, as younger people fail to enter the profession, according to a new survey from the Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC).

Lack of knowledge is now harming textile production, and adding to coronavirus woes, agreed a majority of more than 100 respondents from 14 countries.

The SDC, the international dyeing and coloration membership organization and training provider, has highlighted growing concerns — and a need for more, ongoing workplace education to counter these issues, as agreed by an overwhelming 87 percent.

Findings state that a third of global employers involved in dyeing and finishing are unable to recruit the talent that they need, with a further 55 percent of participants claiming that there is a lack of transferable scientific knowledge within the industry.

A total of 77 percent agreed there was a skills crisis and 53 percent believed this was already at crisis point. Reasons for this were cited as young people having negative perceptions of the industry, or wanting to be designers rather than dyers, alongside a lack of knowledge of the chemistry behind the processes, as well as poorly promoted opportunities in dyeing.

Suggestions for deepening the international talent pool included more online learning made available globally, dedicated support from governments, and a bridging of the skills gap by working together to promote apprenticeship roles.

If the gap is not closed, respondents believe that industries will disappear worldwide, quality of finished products will be compromised, and knowledge and expertise will be lost permanently.

Graham Clayton, CEO of the SDC, commented: “We have been hearing anecdotally that there is a serious skills gap in the dyeing and coloration industry, and our new research proves that not only is this true, but that the situation is much worse than originally imagined.

“The results of our survey are worrying, but it is also evident that the industry is willing to collaborate and work proactively to ensure that a deeper crisis is avoided — and this is something that the SDC is certainly committed to supporting.”

Research was carried out in December and involved employers as well as dyeing and coloration employees at all levels.

The full report and research findings can be found in the latest white paper from the Society and Dyers and Colourists by downloading it from: sdc.org.uk/whitepaper

Posted March 2, 2021

Source: Society of Dyers and Colourists

Spinnova, Suzano To Open Commercial-Scale Factory In 2022

JYVÄSKYLÄ, Finland — February 25, 2021 — Material innovation company Spinnova and the world’s largest wood pulp producer Suzano will make an estimated 22 million euro ($26.6 million) investment to build the first commercial scale SPINNOVA® production facility in Finland. The total investment, including all needed infrastructure such as real estate, is estimated to be some 50 million euros ($60.4 million). Spinnova’s sustainable fibrer, created out of wood and waste without the use of harmful chemicals, will be available for global textile brands in 2022.

The new, industrial scale production unit will be located in Jyväskylä, Finland, home of Spinnova’s R&D hub and pilot facility. Production will be managed and operated by a new joint venture company owned 50/50 by Spinnova and its partner and investor, Suzano.
The joint venture investment is estimated to be 22 million euros in size. According to Spinnova, the total investment, encompassing all needed infrastructure such as real estate, is some 50 million euros. The real estate will be built and rented for the joint venture by the Jyväskylä real estate development company Jykia.

“Every leading textile brand is looking for ways to minimise their emissions and ecological footprint, and build a circular material foundation for their products,” said Spinnova’s CEO and co-founder Janne Poranen. “We feel humble and proud that soon we will be able to provide brands our new, disruptively sustainable fibre and fabrics.”

Suzano is a world leader in the production of eucalyptus pulp and has expanded its operations to create sustainable and innovative solutions derived from trees to the challenges faced by society. In the joint venture, Spinnova will be the exclusive technology provider, while Suzano will ensure the supply of sustainably produced micro-fibrillated cellulose obtained from eucalyptus planted by Suzano in Brazil. The fiber produced will be sold under the SPINNOVA trademark.

“Suzano uses only planted trees in its production processes. This renewable raw material is being combined with Spinnova’s technology for producing fibers that are more sustainable than the options currently available in the textile industry, which is aligned with the demands of contemporary society”, says Fernando Bertolucci, chief technology and innovation officer of Suzano.

With a process that uses no harmful chemicals and 99 percent less water than the cotton value chain, the SPINNOVA fiber can be considered the most sustainable textile fiber there is. Fiber produced this way creates minimal CO2 emissions, is quickly biodegradable and contains no microplastics. The fact that these fibres can be recycled into a new fibre again and again makes the SPINNOVA fiber disruptively circular. The Spinnova technology enables textile fiber production out of wood but also from textile waste or agricultural waste such wheat or barley straw.

Spinnova materials have been developed in collaboration with leading fashion brands such as Danish clothing company Bestseller, Finnish fashion house Marimekko, and Norwegian outdoor brand Bergans. Today, the H&M Group announces it has joined this group of brands in a partnership with Spinnova.

“The H&M Group’s ambition is to become fully circular, and we are continuously testing and actively looking to further integrate the use of sustainable materials through our group’s brands. We see Spinnova as having great potential to address several of the sustainability challenges we face today,” commented Mattias Bodin, H&M Group’s Circular Innovation Lab Lead.

Most leading apparel brands are committed to become climate neutral or even climate positive. Since Spinnova materials’ cradle to gate emissions are considerably less than those of cotton, it’s a radical improvement to existing textile fibers. Spinnova’s fiber already works well in blends with other natural fibers, especially cotton. In big volumes, Spinnova blends alone can have a big positive environmental impact.

Spinnova will be announcing a number of new brand collaborations and products later this year. The company expects to fill the new factory’s production capacity during this year.

“We believe that the SPINNOVA fiber will be the breakthrough that the textile and fashion industry has been waiting for,” Poranen added. “We have all the needed components in place: a good quality product that can replace cotton in end products, proof of concept from our production pilot, scalable technology and ample, sustainable raw material supply.”To speed up the company’s further growth, Spinnova is now actively exploring multiple substantial financing alternatives.

Posted March 2, 2021

Source: Spinnova

Meteor Adds Support For Epson I3200 PrecisionCore Printheads

CAMBRIDGE, England — February 25, 2021 — Meteor Inkjet Ltd. — a supplier of electronics, software, tools and services for industrial inkjet — further expanded its product portfolio with the introduction of a set of products for Epson’s I3200 range of PrecisionCore printheads. These products join Meteor’s previously launched solutions for Epson S3200, S1600 and S800 printheads.

Epson PrecisionCore print heads embody technology that enables outstanding image quality, productivity, durability and print head scalability. With a compact form factor accommodating four separate colors at 600dpi, the I3200 is easy to carriage-mount, making it ideal for low-cost, multi-pass printers such as those used in direct-to-garment textile printing. The head is also attractive in single-pass applications requiring ultra-low cost without sacrificing print resolution, including on-demand, color book printing and direct-to-shape product personalization. Compatible with water-based, UV or eco-solvent inks, the heads can also be used in any number of functional inkjet applications.

Meteor’s new PDS-3EI3200Z Print Driver Stack (PDS) for the I3200 is designed with space and cost efficiency at its heart. Supporting three printheads per PDS, the electronics are easily scalable to systems of any size and, coupled with Meteor’s comprehensive software, OEMs can significantly reduce the effort and risk associated with the design and delivery of superior industrial inkjet printers. Moreover, Meteor’s DropWatching Systems and printhead waveform development services are essential tools to accelerate time to market for new inkjet applications.

Jonathan Wilson, Meteor’s sales director, commented: “Through successful cooperation with Epson, Meteor is proud to present a solution which allows our mutual customers to take advantage of all the I3200 has to offer. Meteor’s electronics and software provide the fastest and easiest way for OEMs to unlock the potential of these printheads.”

Paddy O’Hara, business development manager, Epson Europe adds, “At Epson we work with market leading partners to provide the printhead driver solutions that our OEM customers demand. With the introduction of Meteor’s system for driving the I3200 series of print heads, our customers will have access to extremely versatile hardware and software, allowing them to develop printers for a wide range of applications.”

Posted March 2, 2021

Source: Meteor

SYNLawn® Earns USDA Certified Biobased Product Label

DALTON, GA — March 2, 2021 — SYNLawn®, manufacturer and innovator of synthetic grass in North America, announced it has earned the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product label. The product, SYNAugustine 347 Organic Infill System, is now able to display a unique USDA label that highlights its percentage of biobased content.

“We are thankful for our continued partnership with the USDA, and appreciate their efforts to help support biobased products,” said George Neagle, executive vice president at SYNLawn. “We are proud to provide our clients with more sustainable and eco-friendly artificial turf with a proprietary system that accounts for more than 70 percent renewable content.”

The following SYNLawn products have earned the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label:

  • SYNAugustine 547 with 19% biobased content
  • SYNAugustine 547 Bio-Based System with 70% biobased content
  • SYNAugustine X47 Organic Infill System with 67% biobased content
  • SYNAugustine 347 Organic Infill System with 71% biobased content
  • SYNTipede 343 Organic Infill System with 72% biobased content
  • SYNTipede 321 Organic Infill System with 70% biobased content
  • SYNPro 70 Organic Infill System with 72% biobased content

Third-party verification for a product’s biobased content is administered through the USDA BioPreferred Program, an initiative created by the 2002 Farm Bill (and recently reauthorized by the 2018 Farm Bill). One of the goals of the BioPreferred Program is to increase the development, purchase and use of biobased products.

The USDA Certified Biobased Product label displays a product’s biobased content, which is the portion of a product that comes from a renewable source, such as plant, animal, marine, or forestry feedstocks. Utilizing renewable, biobased materials displaces the need for non-renewable petroleum-based chemicals. Biobased products, through petroleum displacement, have played an increasingly important role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that exacerbate global climate change. Biobased products are cost-comparative, readily available, and perform as well as or better than their conventional counterparts.

“We applaud SYNLawn for earning the USDA Certified Biobased Product label,” said Vernell Thompson, USDA BioPreferred Program. “Products from SYNLawn are contributing to an ever-expanding marketplace that adds value to renewable agriculture commodities, creates jobs in rural communities and decreases our reliance on petroleum.”

According to a report that USDA released in July 2019, biobased products contributed $459 billion to the U.S. economy in 2016 (a 17 percent increase from 2014) and support, directly and indirectly, 4.6 million jobs. The report’s research team estimates the reduction of fossil fuels and associated GHG emissions from biobased products equivalent to approximately 12 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) prevented as of 2016. The increased production of renewable chemicals and biobased products contributes to the development and expansion of the U.S. bioeconomy – where society looks to agriculture for sustainable sources of fuel, energy, chemicals, and products.

Posted March 2, 2021

Source: SYNLawn®

O2TODAY, SINTX Technologies Enter Commercialization Agreement To Fight COVID-19

O2TODAY and SINTX executives signed an agreement to commercialize a “catch-and-kill” mask that will inactivate COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.

SALT LAKE CITY — February 25, 2021 — O2TODAY, a mask company that develops, manufactures and commercializes face masks for medical and non-medical uses, and SINTX Technologies Inc., an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of silicon nitride ceramics, announced today they have entered into a worldwide exclusive licensing agreement.

O2TODAY expects to release its first consumer mask integrated with SINTX’s silicon nitride during 2021. The mask will inactivate pathogens in the fabric itself, therefore reducing the spread of viral diseases and effectively fighting against COVID-19. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, SINTX Technologies has been testing the antiviral properties of silicon nitride for use in antipathogenic applications. Rigorous safety, efficacy, and wearability tests are currently underway.

O2TODAY and SINTX entered a collaboration during 2020 shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic was underway. The newly announced and signed Technology License Agreement is a two-year engagement, with an option for extension. The agreement includes a license fee, a commercial agreement on silicon nitride sales, and royalties based upon product sales of the masks and filters.

“We are thrilled to enter this agreement with SINTX Technologies, a company that has a remarkable history of conducting the science and developing products based on silicon nitride and its various formulations,” said Bruce Lorange, CEO of O2TODAY. “We are passionate about respiratory health, and have been an innovator in the design, and manufacturing of protective face wear that reduces exposure to airborne threats since 2015. We believe that this agreement will position O2TODAY as a market leader in the next generation of face masks to combat COVID-19 and other air-borne ailments caused by viruses and bacteria.”

“The development of a catch-and-kill mask containing SINTX’s silicon nitride is an important step towards offering viral protection to healthcare professionals and the general public,” said Dr. Sonny Bal, CEO and president of SINTX Technologies. “Given the effectiveness of silicon nitride in inactivating pathogens, there is an opportunity to turn what has been single-use masks into a reusable PPE, thereby extending their life for healthcare workers and essential personnel.”

O2TODAY products are distributed through airport and travel retailers, direct-to-consumer, enterprise, and healthcare channels. COVID-19 has boosted the market demand for respiratory and surgical masks with overall shipments estimated to reach over 10 billion units by 2025. Beyond COVID-19, there is a global need for respiratory hygiene, and the global reusable mask market is expected to continue growing. In addition to disease-causing viruses and bacteria, particulate pollution, dust, and smoke, and respiratory diseases are a reality in many countries, including the United States.

To control the supply chain from raw material to finished goods, and to meet the global demand for face masks driven by COVID-19, O2TODAY established a new production facility in Salt Lake City, close to SINTX’s manufacturing plant. O2TODAY produces a range of products including surgical and N95 health care respirator masks, as well as replacement filters for its line of reusable face masks.

Posted March 1, 2021

Source: O2Today/SINTX

Texo Trade Services Introduces Murosubli® Soft Touch Cosy ­ PVC-Free Textile Wallpaper For Sublimation

MOORDRECHT, The Netherlands — February 26, 2021 — Following the successful introduction of MuroSubli®, the only PVC-free textile wallpaper for sublimation, Texo Trade Services (TTS) is now expanding its product range with MuroSubli® Soft Touch Cosy for the higher-end market segment. Once again, this is a PVC-free textile wallpaper for sublimation printing. What’s more, it is partially handmade and features a chic, warm textile feel. TTS has combined all this with a stunning range of colours and a very matt finish to lend a luxurious appearance to the walls of offices, homes, shops, and shortly to trade fair stands again.

An injection of luxury for stylish spaces
MuroSubli® is the only textile wallcovering that can be printed using direct or transfer sublimation. The result is odourless printing, a very wide range of colours, and the option of designing the wallpaper according to personal preferences. Because the colour is incorporated into the polyester, the inks cannot come off. They remain beautiful and as good as new. MuroSubli® Soft Touch Cosy goes even further; it feels very pleasant to the touch and gives rooms an instant injection of luxury. The textile consists of a non-woven laminate and a fabric top layer. It is partially handmade and has a super matt finish. This stylish addition to walls in offices, homes and shops is also suitable for trade fairs and events. It is available in 135 cm widths.

April: introduction of MuroSubli® UVTex
The introduction of MuroSubli® Soft Touch Cosy is not the end of the story. In April, TTS is launching MuroSubli® UVTex, and it too is PVC-free. This is a seamless photo wallpaper that is printed on a single sheet. It can even be used to seamlessly cover large walls. Thanks to the grey coating on the back, the substrate doesn’t show through. Consequently, any unevenness on the wall will not be noticeable. It is easy to apply, fire retardant and easy to clean. Despite its fine structure, the material is extremely strong. It is scratch resistant, won’t tear and the printed images are razor sharp.

Posted March 2, 2021

Source: Texo Trade Services (TTS)

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