The National Council Of Textile Organizations (NCTO) Re-Elects David Roberts, CEO Of Cap Yarns, As Its Chairman; Council Chairs & Board Members Elected

WASHINGTON, DC — March 24, 2021 — The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber through finished sewn products, held its officer elections for fiscal year 2021 today.

NCTO has re-elected David Roberts, CEO of Cap Yarns, as chairman and David Poston, president of Palmetto Synthetics, as Vice Chairman.

In addition to the appointment of a new chairman and vice chairman, NCTO elected chairs for each of its four councils. NCTO is comprised of four councils to ensure a broad representation of the industry supply chain. Each council has an allotted number of members who are elected to the association’s board of directors, in addition to the executive committee.

“I am pleased to announce our new officers, council chairs, and board and executive committee members for NCTO’s 2021 fiscal year,” said NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas. “David Roberts (CEO of Cap Yarns) has been re-elected as our chairman and David Poston (President of Palmetto Synthetics) has been re-elected as our vice chairman. I want to thank both of them for their vital contribution to the Board and NCTO. Their input is invaluable.”

“This is a critical juncture for our industry, which answered the call of the nation to produce lifesaving personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic,” Glas added. “We will continue to engage with all stakeholders to press for policies that support the industry overall, help onshore PPE production and create a permanent domestic supply chain.”

“With the support of our elected officers, NCTO will continue to work on behalf of its members to shape policies that will help our industry persevere and thrive. Through a dedicated association staff and a committed group of industry leaders, we will ensure that together we continue to have a seat at the table in Washington.”

Elected as NCTO Chairman and Vice Chairman for 2021 are:

  • Chairman – David Roberts, CEO of Cap Yarns, Inc. — Roberts is CEO of Cap Yarns Inc., based in Clover, S.C. Cap Yarns is a specialty yarn manufacturer and a leader in developing unique yarns for the knitting and weaving industry.
  • Vice Chairman – David Poston, president of Palmetto Synthetics LLC — Poston is President of Palmetto Synthetics, based in Kingstree, S.C. Palmetto Synthetics is a leading specialty synthetic fiber producer that has provided specialty thermoplastic fibers to companies across the globe.

Elected to the NCTO Board of Directors during the various Council meetings were the following:

  • Fiber Council – Jay Brinson of PHP Fibers; Tom Brekovsky of Auriga; Chuck Hall of William Barnet & Son; Melissa Minihan of The LYCRA Company; Alejandro Sanchez of DAK Americas; and Chip Stein of Stein Fibers
  • Yarn Council – Jim Booterbaugh of National Spinning Co.; Charles Heilig of Parkdale Mills; Eddie Ingle of Unifi; Robin Perkins of Frontier Yarns; Allen Smith of American & Efird; and Marvin Smith of Shuford Yarns
  • Fabric Council – Norman Chapman of Inman Mills; Kathie Leonard of Auburn Manufacturing; Chad McAllister of Milliken & Company; Leib Oehmig of Glen Raven, Inc.; Dirk Pieper of Sage Automotive Interiors; and Blake Millinor of Valdese Weavers
  • Industry Support Council – Cyril Guerin of Picanol; Ian Mills of Fi-Tech; and Marisa Fumei-South of Two-One-Two New York Inc.

Elected by their respective Councils to serve on the Executive Committee were: Ian Mills of Fi-Tech; Melissa Minihan of LYCRA; Leib Oehmig of Glen Raven; Robin Perkins of Frontier Yarns; Allen Smith of American & Efird; and Chip Stein of Stein Fibers

Elected to chair the Councils:

  • Fiber Council: David Poston of Palmetto Synthetics
  • Yarn Council: Robin Perkins of Frontier Yarns
  • Fabric and Home Furnishings Council: Leib Oehmig of Glen Raven, Inc.
  • Industry Support Council: Ian Mills of Fi-Tech

Posted March 24, 2021

Source: The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO)

Evolution St. Louis Co-Founder Joins University Of Missouri Professional Advisory Board

Elmuccio

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — March 17, 2021 —  Evolution St. Louis announced today that co-founder John Elmuccio joined the University of Missouri Textile and Apparel Management (TAM) Professional Advisory Board.

Elmuccio’s appointment was unanimously approved by faculty members in early March.

“I am honored to join the respected members of the University of Missouri Textile and Apparel Management Professional Advisory Board and look forward to providing guidance and leadership to the faculty and students in the Textile and Apparel Management department,” Elmuccio said. “The University of Missouri has a long track record of educating leaders in the fashion, apparel and textile supply industries chain and I am proud to lend my expertise to help shape the future of fashion for years to come.”

The TAM Department Advisory Board is composed of high-level industry leaders representing segments of the textile, apparel and retail fields. Board members serve as role models for students, provide feedback on curriculum, serve as classroom speakers and more.

“We are honored and excited to have John Elmuccio join our board,” said Jung Ha-Brookshire, TAM department chair. “Board members offer invaluable industry perspectives and leadership to textile and apparel management students and faculty.”

In addition to his role as co-founder and manager partner of Evolution St. Louis, Elmuccio serves as an industry consultant to private investment firms on global market trends in textiles and apparel. Elmuccio has served as a senior executive for Fortune 500 apparel companies, launched major designer brands and founded and sold an apparel company. He has also opened and directed international businesses and supply chain operations initiatives in over a dozen countries.

Posted March 23, 2021

Source: Evolution St. Louis

bluesign Is Recognized By The German Government For Green Public Procurement 

ST. GALLEN, Switzerland — March 23, 2021 — Now that the impact of past and present business and manufacturing practices on the local and global environment is becoming more and more apparent, governments and public authorities are trying to lead by example and change to green public procurement (GPP) practices for the large volumes of goods (and services) they purchase. The EU Green Deal will further drive this trend in the EU.

The rules and requirements for public procurement in the EU are defined in Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014. Environmental label requirements defined in Article 43 stipulate open, transparent and comprehensible processes for the creation, revision and application of label criteria which are implemented in the national legislation of the member states such as Germany (German Federal Regulation on the Award of Public Contracts). Provided that the requirements are fulfilled, the labels concerned can be used in public procurement processes according to applicable procurement guidelines.

For the latest revision of the bluesign® CRITERIA, bluesign® initiated a stakeholder involvement process and invited more than 500 stakeholders to participate in the consultation process. This stakeholder involvement provided valuable feedback for criteria revision and insights into the needs of different stakeholder groups, thereby contributing to the continual improvement of the bluesign® SYSTEM.

“We are pleased to learn that the German authorities now recognize the bluesign® SYSTEM as a qualifier for Green Public Procurement. For Gore, this milestone is further proof point of the science based, profound and pragmatic approach of the bluesign® SYSTEM, which will help transform and strengthen the segment of consumer and technical protective apparel in the textile industry. This is strong support for Gore´s efforts to provide high performance protective fabrics to professionals in public safety, security, and workwear arenas with the least environmental footprint. We are confident that the German example will be acknowledged in textile procurement throughout the EU,“ says Kilian Hochrein, W.L. Gore & Associates.

“Public procurement of textile articles is a large market (workwear for fire fighters, police forces, the military, bed linens for hospitals, etc.) and governments will increasingly focus on the procurement of sustainable textiles. Governmental bodies should be a forerunner, and in some countries there are already commitments to achieve a certain level of sustainable textiles in procurement decisions. We are proud that bluesign® is now accepted as a qualifier. That´s important for public sector bodies because with our label a wide range of textile articles with high technical performance will now be accepted,” says Thomas Schaefer, Head of bluesign Academy.

bluesign® is proud to further contribute to sustainable production of textiles in the manufacturing countries and improved consumer safety for public servants and other people using publicly procured textiles.

Posted March 23, 2021

Source: bluesign technologies ag

Elkem Silicones Receives A New ISO 14001 Certification

LYON, France — March 23, 2021 — Elkem Silicones’ Saint-Fons plant obtains ISO 14001 certification and demonstrates its commitment to environmental management at the Saint-Fons site south of Lyon.

This certification comes after an audit in December 2020. This environmental approach is part of the Elkem Group’s sustainable development strategy. The Saint-Fons site thus joins all the production sites of Elkem Silicones (perimeter 2020) already certified alongside the manufacturing site of Roussillon in France which is having the dual CERTIFICATION ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 for 4 years.

Elkem Silicones’ goal is to develop and produce silicones that meet the needs and expectations of its customers, while respecting its compliance obligations and reducing its environmental impact by mastering the environmental aspects of its activities.

“Our commitment is to continuously control and improve our environmental footprint. We have launched an ambitious action plan to address these challenges,” said Sébastien Stérin, director of the Saint-Fons plant.

“This process is part of the entire value chain of our business, from the purchase of raw materials or services, to the realization in our industrial processes, to the delivery of the product to our customers. Elkem is a signatory to the Responsible Care Global Charter, societal and environmental issues are at the heart of our group’s growth strategy,” said Didier Lemoine, HSE director Elkem Silicones.

Posted March 23, 2021

Source: Elkem Silicones

BASF, Vaude Partner To Make Outdoor Pants Made Using Old Tires

LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany — March 19, 2021 — Recycled pants based on old tires: The new product line of the outdoor apparel company VAUDE which will be available in stores from March 2022, does not only stands out due to its timeless design, robust material and simple reparability — the pants are also sustainable, as chemically recycled scrap tires are used as a raw material. With this innovation, BASF and VAUDE seek to make a contribution towards reducing waste and preserving valuable resources.

“Our Ultramid® Ccycled™ is an innovative polyamide 6 that can be used to manufacture high-quality textiles. During production, we save fossil-based raw materials while also offering our customers a reduced carbon footprint,” stated Christoph Gahn, vice president Business Management Polyamides at BASF.

René Bethmann, Innovation Manager at VAUDE, added: “We want to be a pioneer in building up a circular economy for our functional clothing. Our goal is to make a measurable contribution for the environment. This clearly includes reducing the amount of primary fossil resources used, as well as cutting down on the CO2 emitted when making our products. By using Ultramid Ccycled, we can reduce the carbon footprint by more than half*.”

BASF feeds pyrolysis oil from old tires into its production Verbund in Ludwigshafen, and in doing so partially replaces fossil resources. The share of recycled raw material is assigned to certain products manufactured in the Verbund using a certified mass balance approach. As products with “Ccycled” in their name have exactly the same properties as the equivalents made from fossil raw materials, customers can process them in the same manner and use them in their conventional processes. Accordingly, Ultramid Ccycled can also be used in applications with high quality and performance requirements, such as in the textile industry.

* based on the HIGG Material Sustainability Index

Source: BASF/Vaude

Toray Receives Chemical Society Of Japan Award For Technical Development


TOKYO — March 23, 2021 — Toray Industries Inc., has received the 2020 CSJ Award for Young Chemist in Technical Development from the Chemical Society of Japan. This award is for a prediction method for interfacial free energy of fluoropolymers using molecular simulations. This is the first time in three years for that organization to bestow this award and the sixth time for Toray to receive it, the previous occasion being in 2014.

The award recognizes Toray for becoming the first in the world to quantitatively predict the fluoropolymer contact angles and interfacial free energy of liquids through large-scale supercomputer- based molecular simulations and for developing a molecular-level surface structure design technique that could cut development lead times.

Interfacial free energy governs adsorption, adhesion, capillary actions, and other phenomena. Adsorption is the prime separation membrane performance determinant. It is also an important thermodynamic property for understanding the scientific elements of separation. These include water treatment membrane fouling (clogging from contaminant adsorption on membrane surfaces) and the adsorption of gas molecules affecting the performance of gas separation membranes.

Contact angle measurement is generally used to evaluate interfacial free energy. While simple, this technique can precisely measure surface functional groups and shapes. However, it is challenging to clarify the correlation between the macroscopic contact angle and the microscopic molecular level surface structure. That issue has prolonged development lead times to date because of trial and error in establishing the proof of concept for separation membrane design.

Toray is a member of the Research Association of High-Throughput Design and Development for Advanced Functional Materials, which promotes the Ultra High-Throughput Design and Prototyping Technology for Ultra Advanced Materials Development project funded by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization. Toray undertook joint research with Professor Susumu Okazaki of Nagoya University (now at the University of Tokyo). The company enhanced the proprietary molecular simulation technology that it has cultivated over the years. It chose fluoropolymers used in manufacturing water treatment membranes as model materials quantitatively predicted interfacial free energy through large-scale molecular simulation.

Broad applications for Toray’s technology could extend beyond separation membranes to encompass interfacial adhesion strength control. As a general-purpose polymer surface design technology, the company’s advance could contribute greatly to the polymer materials industry’s development. Toray will leverage simulations and informatics to keep driving progress in digital materials design.

Toray will further enhance its capabilities in organic synthetic chemistry, polymer chemistry, and nanotechnology. It will integrate these core capabilities with digital technologies in an ongoing quest to develop revolutionary materials that transform societies in keeping with its commitment to innovating ideas, technologies, and products that deliver new value.

Posted March 23, 2021

Source: Toray Industries Inc.

Standard Textile Announces Launch Of Encircle™: New, Stretch Knitted Bedding Solution

CINCINNATI, Ohio — March 23, 2021 — Standard Textile today announced the release of a new solution for hoteliers and hospitality designers.

Encircle™ box spring cover allows for easy covering of a box spring in a matter of minutes, without having to remove the mattress or take on the heavy lifting of the box spring in order to put the cover in place. The innovative design makes the box spring cover easy for one person to install, taking much less time and physical effort from housekeeping teams. For guests, Encircle presents a clean, tailored appearance and complements bed linens beautifully.

Standard Textile’s Interiors and R&D teams are focused on creating innovative products that transform spaces easily and economically with an intentional focus on solutions that make housekeepers’ jobs easier

“Housekeeping and hotel management teams have a lot to consider these days when creating clean, fresh, comfortable guest rooms,” said Joshua Frankel, vice president, Standard Textile Interiors Group. “Encircle was developed with our customers’ needs in mind as a way to quickly refresh and modernize the look of the bed — and the entire room — without placing additional stress on busy housekeeping staff or adding significant expense.”

Cleanliness is critical in today’s hotel environment, and many hotels have revised their cleaning playbooks to address guests’ concerns over safety. Encircle was designed with cleanliness as a key principle. Removal is simple. Encircle™ lifts easily off for laundering without the need to remove the top mattress.

“For more than 80 years, Standard Textile has continuously developed high-quality innovative products that provide customers smart solutions to the industry’s many challenges,” said Dr. Richard Holbert, director of Development for Standard Textile. “Our team conducted research that confirmed guests’ perception of a clean hotel room has a considerable impact on their comfort level staying at a hotel. That’s why we prioritized designing an attractive box spring cover that was easy to remove for laundering.”

Additional features and benefits of Encircle:

  • Encircle accommodates various heights of box springs, ranging in heights from 5 inches up to 14 inches, and it allows for a 2-inch tolerance for length and width, for a smooth, snug fit on nearly any box spring.
  • Encircle can be easily and quickly removed for laundering, and its durable construction holds up to the rigors of industrial processing.
  • Encircle box spring cover can be custom printed. Supply your own art or work with our design team to create the desired expression for your environment.
  • Stock covers are available in two colors (Magnesium and Sand) with a basket weave pattern, which can also be custom colored to match your room. Available sizes King, Hotel King, Queen, and Full.

Posted March 23, 2021

Source: Standard Textile

Ultrafabrics Releases Its Annual Sustainability Report And Outlines The Milestones Of The Past Year

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — March 20, 2021 — Ultrafabrics has issued its annual sustainability report highlighting the company’s 2020 progress against its sustainability objectives while outlining plans to leverage technology and innovation to further develop healthy, low-impact materials.

As a producer of animal-free performance fabrics, Ultrafabrics’ vertically-integrated business, with manufacturing and design operations in Japan and sales and distribution in the U.S. and Europe, enable to drive sustainability throughout the value chain.

In 2019, Ultrafabrics conducted a comprehensive ESG materiality assessment to inform the development of a targeted sustainability strategy.  This strategy focuses on three key themes with 27 related objectives that address where the company can have the greatest impact;

  • Product Quality, Health and Safety;
  • Material Innovation; and
  • Transparency and Accountability.

In line with its new strategy, Ultrafabrics 2020 Sustainability Report captures its efforts to improve the sustainability performance of its manufacturing processes and materials.

Improving Sustainability Profile Of Materials

Ultrafabrics has established the following sustainable product goal: 100-percent of all new products will include biobased and/ or recycled materials by 2030.  In line with this goal, in Q4 of 2019, it launched Volar Bio, it’s first biobased collection. Volar Bio incorporates a unique product construction made up of multiple layers of renewable plant-based materials; integrating corn-based ethanol with wood pulp-based materials into the twill backcloth.  While it maintains the functionality of a conventional plastic alternative, plant-based resins produce a fraction of the emissions.

Volar Bio was created with both functionality and sustainability in mind and has a 29 percent USDA BioPreferred program label and received the 2020 PETA Vegan Homeware Award.

Reducing And Reusing Water

Ultrafabrics notes the essential role that water plays in its complex manufacturing processes, but also fully recognizes that the business has a responsibility to reduce its water footprint. To this end, it has implemented a new distillation process, which has enabled it to reduce its total freshwater use by up to 10 percent.

Reducing And Diverting Waste

Ultrafabrics has a long-term commitment to eliminating waste across manufacturing, unsold inventory, and product returns. During 2020, it established baselines for manufacturing and inventory waste, implemented new inventory control measures, and continued its donation programs.  n 2020, the company reduced its waste intensity by approximately 10 percent. This includes significant reductions across waste from manufacturing defects and scraps, product returns and discontinued inventory.

Commitment To Safe Chemistry

During 2020, Ultrafabrics took significant steps to restrict the use of substances of concern in its products and provide clear guidance on how those products can be used and cared for safely. The company notes that while the manufacturing process for their products requires organic solvents, its’ equipment enables it to capture and reuse greater than 98 percent.

Posted March 23, 2021

Source: Ultrafabrics

Sandler Continues To Grow Despite The Pandemic

Sandler CEO Dr. Christian Heinrich Sandler

SCHWARZENBACH/SAALE, Germany/PERRY, Ga. — Notwithstanding the pandemic, Sandler is looking back on a successful year 2020. The nonwovens manufacturer achieved an increase in sales from 322 to 328 million euros. Welcoming 60 new staff members, the Sandler team grew to 940, including 19 apprentices who started their professional careers in 2020. To contribute to the fight against the coronavirus, the Sandler team kicked up its efforts, putting decades of experience in filtration to effective use and utilizing as much capacity as possible for the production of nonwovens for face masks.

In the wake of the first phase of the pandemic, supply shortages regarding protective masks quickly and dramatically exacerbated. “In April, we therefore decided without further ado to invest in a new production line for nonwovens for face masks“, CEO Dr. Christian Heinrich Sandler remembers. In record time, the new line was set up at the company’s headquarters in Schwarzenbach/Saale (Bavaria). Production started in August 2020 and by September, the nonwovens line was running 24/7, making the CEO proud of his team.

In May 2020, Sandler became one of the founding members of the Mask-Alliance Bavaria. The company has since been applying its competence in this organization, which set up a fully Bavarian value chain, manufacturing these medical products for use in fighting the coronavirus.

The pandemic also rapidly changed the requirements of Sandler’s markets. In the automotive industry and furniture production orders declined in the second quarter 2020, while demand in other segments, such as nonwovens for disinfection wipes or personal protective equipment, increased markedly. At the same time, Sandler substantially invested in the modernization of workplaces and factory buildings. As for the company’s product range, Sandler continued to expand all of its market segments, among them applications in construction or hygiene products, also extending its range of efficient sound-absorbing materials for interior acoustics.

For Sandler, the pandemic gave rise to further challenges: At Sandler Nonwoven Corp. in Perry, Ga., a new production line was being set up inside a new building constructed specifically for this purpose. Advancing the strategic expansion of the U.S. site, specialists from headquarters regularly travel to Perry to contribute to the installation of the new line. Corona-related travel restrictions imposed by the U.S. Government delayed the on-site support, but the U.S. team steadily continued the assembly. Since late 2020, the German experts have been able to join their colleagues and apply their competences in person again. In late December, first trial runs of the new production line were conducted; commissioning is now in its final stages.

In addition to concerns about maintaining supply chains, 2020 was characterized by significant fluctuations in raw material prices and freight costs. For CEO Dr. Sandler, the cooperation and team spirit within the Sandler staff are the reasons why the company was able to successfully navigate this tense situation: In all areas of the company, staff members working in divisions affected by declines in orders determinedly took on new tasks to assist their colleagues in segments where demand was increasing rapidly.

Sandler traditionally puts a large emphasis on sustainability, which in 2020 was again reflected in the expansions of both company sites as well as innovative product solutions geared towards conserving valuable resources. Sandler uses various natural and recycled raw materials in the production of both durable technical nonwovens and materials for disposable hygiene products. In cooperation with customers and suppliers the company ascertained which fibers are suitable for nonwovens production, for example pineapple, flax, bamboo, or corn. In April 2020, these innovations were at the centre of the “green month” on the company’s social media channels. Every week, Sandler introduced an alternative fiber. In addition, the campaign was linked to a fundraiser: For every shared post Sandler donated one Euro to an organization that used the sum collected to plant 500 trees. Advancing its sustainability agenda, Sandler consistently pursues the goal of further reducing the ecological footprint in the manufacture of its products.

Growth and innovation continue to be Sandler’s predominant focus in 2021. “Building on the experiences and knowledge gained from the crisis year 2020, the Sandler team is excellently equipped to achieve these goals”, concluded Christian Heinrich Sandler.

Posted March 23, 2021

Source: Sandler AG

Stein Fibers Acquires Consolidated Fibers

ALBANY, N.Y. — March 23, 2021 — Stein Fibers Ltd. is excited to announce the acquisition of Charlotte, N.C.-based Consolidated Fibers. Since 1960, Consolidated Fibers has been a leader in the man-made fiber business specializing in various products for the nonwoven industry. In addition to polyester and viscose fibers, Consolidated Fibers bring a complement of specialty and niche products to Stein’s portfolio.

Stein Fibers is also pleased to retain Bob Kunik, the owner and president of Consolidated Fibers, as well as several other Consolidated Fibers key sales and operational associates.

Posted March 23, 2021

Source: Stein Fibers

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