NCTO: Industry And Union Coalition Outlines Policy Recommendations In Letters To President Biden, Congressional Leaders

WASHINGTON — January 29, 2021 — A broad coalition of industry organizations and labor unions, representing a broad spectrum of manufacturers and workers who stepped up to make essential PPE and other products throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, sent a letter today to President Biden and congressional leaders outlining recommendations on specific policy initiatives that must be adopted to re-establish a permanent PPE industry in the United States.

As noted in the joint letter (See a link to the full letters below):

“The heroic efforts of the U.S. textile industry and its exemplary workforce throughout this crisis clearly demonstrate that domestic industry has the technical capabilities and capacity to make the United States self-sufficient in terms of our national PPE needs. However, the permanence of this [industry] is dependent on the development of government policies designed to help domestic manufacturers survive the current economic crisis and incentivize the long-term investment needed to bring PPE production back onshore. If appropriate policies are not implemented, the valuable and substantial progress made over the past year to onshore a vibrant PPE industry will evaporate in the face of China’s global manufacturing dominance in the PPE sector.”

The associations are requesting that President Biden and Congress adopt the policy recommendations outlined in the letter through legislation, executive order and other appropriate means.

The coalition sent a letter to President Biden and a second letter to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) outlining these requests.

See the full letters here:

Industry Labor Letter COVID Relief to Congress

Industry Labor Letter COVID Relief to President Biden

The letters were signed by the following organizations. Please see relevant contacts where provided:

  • National Council of Textile Organizations;
  • AFL-CIO;
  • Coalition for a Prosperous America;
  • Georgia Association of Manufacturers;
  • Hand Tools Institute;
  • INDA: Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry;
  • National Cotton Council;
  • Narrow Fabrics Institute;
  • Parachute Industry Association;
  • Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network;
  • SEAMS: Association of the U.S. Sewn Products Industry;
  • SPESA: Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas;
  • South Carolina Textile Council;
  • U.S. Industrial Fabrics Institute;
  • United States Footwear Manufacturers Association;
  • United Steelworkers;
  • Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition; and
  • Workers United/SEIU.

Posted January 29, 2021

Source: National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO)

Primaloft Expands Use Of Its High Performance Primaloft® Cross Core™ Technology With Increased Emphasis On Sustainability

LATHAM, N.Y. — January 29, 2021 — PrimaLoft Inc., a global supplier of advanced material technology, is increasing the use of post-consumer recycled content in its high-performance PrimaLoft® Cross Core™ Series, which now includes a stretch version for freedom of movement. The Cross Core platform fuses existing PrimaLoft fibers with next-generation materials. The initial line of products utilize Aerogel, a highly porous, lightweight structure originally developed by NASA scientists that acts as one of the world’s best insulators. Beginning Fall ’21 products in the Cross Core Series will contain up to 90 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, while maintaining high performance attributes.

“Our Relentlessly Responsible mission places equal focus on innovation, performance, and sustainability,” said Mike Joyce, president and CEO of PrimaLoft. “Our Cross Core series of technologies includes some of our highest-performing products, to date. It’s important that we marry that performance with an increased emphasis on the sustainability component. We’ve been able to include much higher ratios of recycled content and will continue to innovate on additional sustainable materials and processes.”

The current products in the PrimaLoft Cross Core Series utilize Aerogel for increased thermal performance. Originally developed by NASA for use in aeronautical applications, silica Aerogel is composed of more than 95-percent air and is the lightest solid material known to man and one of the most effective insulation materials. PrimaLoft engineers have found a way to integrate Aerogel material into the fibers, allowing PrimaLoft to develop apparel insulation that withstands the extreme challenges of outdoor garments. When Aerogel is fused with PrimaLoft Insulation, it provides a significant boost in warmth without increasing weight. This enables PrimaLoft customers to achieve both enhanced warmth and decreased weight, allowing for the freedom to design both highly technical apparel and fashionable pieces with a variety of silhouettes.

“When we first began experimenting with the idea of using Aerogel in insulation fibers, our focus was on getting the formula right so that we were delivering a new level of thermal performance,” said Vanessa Mason, PrimaLoft senior vice president of Engineering, Insulation and Polymers. “Once we became the first to crack that code, we knew we needed to continue to innovate on the sustainability side and find a way to use as much recycled content as possible, while maintaining that performance. We’re excited with our progress and will continue to explore how we can introduce additional sustainable practices to this technology.”

This unique use of Aerogel technology can be found in several PrimaLoft products:

PrimaLoft Gold Insulation with Cross Core technology blends the long-standing pinnacle PrimaLoft Gold Insulation with Aerogel to deliver unprecedented lightweight warmth, all while using 90 percent post-consumer recycled material, up from 35 percent in the previous version.
PrimaLoft Gold Insulation with Cross Core technology is also now available in a Stretch version that maintains the same thermal performance characteristics while also introducing 5 percent stretch to allow for greater freedom of movement. This version utilizes 70-percent post-consumer recycled content.

PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Hi-Loft Ultra with Cross Core has a distinctive accordion-like construction that enables unending loft and quick compression recovery for long-lasting, lightweight warmth. Great for use in puffier jacket silhouettes and sleeping bags, this product now offers 74-percent post-consumer recycled material.

PrimaLoft Silver Insulation ThermoPlume® with Cross Core Technology is the next level of warmth in loose-fill synthetic insulations. By blending each individual fiber of the small, silky plumes with Aerogel technology, this insulation delivers the aesthetic and performance of natural down with up to 12-percent more warmth compared to previous ThermoPlume insulations. This loose-fill insulation has excellent compressibility for long-lasting durability and a water-repellent finish to ensure wet weather protection.

Products in the PrimaLoft Cross Core Series have been adopted by more than 50 brands like Maloja, Mammut, Vaude, Dynafit, La Sportiva, Millet, Bergans, Haglöfs, Norröna, Montane, RAB, L.L.Bean, Sitka, Black Diamond, Patagonia and Strafe.

Posted January 29, 2021

Source: PrimaLoft Inc.

Gaston College Is Developing A World-Class Fiber Innovation Center In Belmont, N.C.

BELMONT, N.C. — January 28, 2021 — The Gaston County Board of Commissioners and Gaston College are working in partnership to transfer $5.3 million in funding to the college for the addition of a new Fiber Innovation Center on the College’s Kimbrell Campus in Belmont.

The new Fiber Innovation Center (FIC) will be a facility expansion of the Kimbrell Campus and be a resource of the Manufacturing & Textile Innovation Network, a partnership between Gaston College’s Textile Technology Center and Catawba Valley Community College’s Manufacturing Solutions Center. The MTIN partnership, announced on December 15, 2020, was formed to develop a regional workforce focused on advanced materials and textile testing development. The collaboration also affords better support to each Center’s clients in the textile and manufacturing industries, expand services to other related industries, and provides opportunities for research and development.

Gaston College President John Hauser has been working closely with County Commissioners and has moved forward with selecting an architect for the Fiber Innovation Center. Speaking before Commissioners on Tuesday, January 26, he showed two optional preliminary floor plans of 40,000 square feet and 22,000 square feet. Also, an exterior site plan showing the location of the new building on the Kimbrell Campus and an exterior concept design.

“We have started initial design meetings with the architect with the involvement of executives at Parkdale Mills, one of the Textile Technology Center’s vital partners and clients,” Dr. Hauser said.

“I engaged Parkdale early in the project and they have been strategically involved with the initial concept design of this facility that will transform the Kimbrell Campus to a world-class Fiber Innovation Center. At the same time, we were developing training and workforce development programs that will complement the full array of services at the Kimbrell Campus.”

Davis Warlick, executive vice president of Parkdale Mills, told Gaston County Commissioners that there is currently no facility like the proposed Fiber Innovation Center that can produce advanced fibers for advanced materials for industry. “This center will be a breakthrough for the textile industry because the fiber idea or concept conversion will be all under one roof. Currently, the system we have today is timely, expensive and highly fragmented.”

“The new Fiber Innovation Center will focus on sustainability, better performance and better product materials so we can produce the products that we need, and it will not be made in China or Asia but in Gaston County,” Warlick said.

The Fiber Innovation Center will provide a state-of-the-art facility to develop and test advanced fibers for the advanced materials industry for products such as crucial personal protective equipment, smart textiles for the defense sector, and many other proprietary products developed by national and international clients of the MTIN.

The FIC will be the only facility in North America open to industry that will house the entire range of advanced fiber development capabilities where scientists can start with an idea, move to small-scale trials, and work up to a commercially viable product ready for production. Through growing local and regional support from the textile industry, the college expects the Kimbrell Campus will become a world-class Fiber Innovation Center.

Funding for the project originated with the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management. Initial guidelines stated that the funds were to be expended by December 31, 2020. Out of concern that the spending deadline could not be met, Gaston College and Gaston County administration negotiated with the OSBM and an agreement was reached for the funds to be directed initially to Gaston County with the provision that the funds be transferred to Gaston College at a later date. The funds were spread across multiple CARES ACT funding areas to support the County’s needs. The subsequent transfer of those funds to Gaston College through Gaston County’s Capital Funds are expected to be approved officially by the County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, February 23 at 6 p.m.

In addition to providing support for the textile and manufacturing industries, the new Fiber Innovation Center will enable Gaston College to expand its Academic and Industry Training programs. The College will offer a two-year Associate in Applied Science degrees in Textile Technology and in Cybersecurity, a Career Now program which gives a pathway to these AAS degrees to high school students, participation in the Apprenticeship 321 program that allows Textile Technology Technician students to earn apprenticeship hours with industry and college credits toward their AAS in Textile Technology, STEM courses for traditional college and high school students to earn college credits toward career pathways in textile technology and cybersecurity, and other industry-related educational opportunities.

After the initial design work for the Fiber Innovation Center is completed, the College, with assistance from the State Construction Office, and approval of the Gaston College Board of Trustees, will engage a contractor for the project. The construction of the project expansion is expected to begin by summer.

Posted January 28, 2021

Source: Gaston College

 

Indorama Ventures (IVL) Remains On Track To Deliver Its 2021-2023 Strategy That Will Double EBITDA And Deliver Double Digit ROCE By 2023

BANGKOK, Thailand — January 28, 2021 — Indorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd., a global chemical producer, hosted its annual IVL Capital Markets Day 2021 announcing its strategic progresses. Highlights are as follows:

Our Platforms. People. Systems – prepared for growth

Despite the challenges of 2020, IVL’s vertically-integrated and multi-regional platforms have proven resilient on the back of strong volume growth and prudent capital management to maintain strong operating cash flows. Impact on demand and spreads across segments largely temporary and expected to make a strong recovery along with the economy.

In addition, the management team has used 2020 to prepare for growth by re-organizing the business, building strong leadership teams at every vertical and enabling the teams with strong support systems  — centers of excellence, shared services, one ERP for, example.

Olympus transformation ahead versus first year plan

Execution of the company’s cost saving transformation project, called Olympus, is off to a strong start as IVL is ahead of first year plan by more than 25 percent. Encouraged by internal assessment and out performance, we have increased our Project Olympus ambition to deliver $610M million impact by 2023 — versus $350 million announced last year — comprising of more than 2,500 Cost Transformation and Business Full Potential initiatives.

Segment strategies refreshed

Each segment has refreshed its strategy to reflect the changing macro environment, higher ambition from transformation, opportunity to harness the ‘One IVL’ advantage and new growth and adjacency opportunities.

Sustainability and Circular Economy

IVL remains committed to ESG and continues to be recognized by rating agencies as a leader in the Chemicals Industry. In addition, IVL is on track to meeting its 2025 global commitment on recycling

Strong Financial Performance expected

IVL expects to double its EBITDA and deliver double-digit ROCE by 2023. In doing so, IVL will generate healthy cash flows to meet its capital management goals, invest in value accretive attractive projects, sustain its dividend policy to reward shareholders and continuously de-leverage its balance sheet from 1.46 to 0.6x

Aloke Lohia, group CEO of Indorama Ventures, said: “Despite a challenging year, 2020 has given me even more conviction in our businesses. Through the pandemic, we have strengthened our platforms, empowered our people and advanced our systems agenda, therefore positioning ourselves well to take advantage of opportunities in the recovery, to unlock the full potential of IVL and to ready the company for the next era.”

Posted January 28, 2021

Source: Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL)

NexTex Innovations’ TurboDry® Technology Wins Outdoor Retailer Innovation Award

ATLANTA — January 28, 2021 — NexTex Innovations, an Atlanta-based textile technology developer that builds strategic partnerships with brands, entrepreneurs and manufacturers to bring textile innovations to market has won a 2021 Outdoor Retailer Innovation Award in the Function category for its TurboDry® technology.

NexTex’s TurboDry technology, which launched in January 2020, is a unique fabric that keeps users’ skin significantly drier than regular wicking materials. Its patent-pending, one-way moisture transport process mimics the same action used by trees to pull moisture from the roots into the tree — delivering comfort and drying speeds unlike any material on the market. The permanent technology built into the fabric creates garments that last longer and perform better.

“We are thrilled to have won this award just one year after we introduced our TurboDry technology at the 2020 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market,” said Chad Lawrence, NexTex CEO. “We’ve received an overwhelming response from the market since our launch, and we are grateful and proud to be recognized among a number of equally innovative finalists.”

The Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards recognize the gear, brands, and retailers making an impact through innovation. A record total of 189 entries were received in the third year of the annual program. The 2021 winners were voted on by a 19-member judging panel and selected from this year’s 34 finalists. The winning products and programs cross all seasons and were scored by the judges for their design, functionality, and impact.

All finalists can be viewed in the online Innovation Gallery through the duration of Outdoor Retailer Winter Online, which runs until March 19, 2021.

NexTex invites you to learn more about its TurboDry technology by visiting its booth at Outdoor Retailer Online https://outdoorretailer.com/home-winter/ through March 29, 2021.

Posted January 28, 2021

Source: NexTex Innovations

Techtextil North America 2021 To Reunite Technology Rich Textile Industry, Provide First-Class Education And Networking Opportunities

ATLANTA — January 28, 2021 — As the first major textile event since COVID-19 put the brakes on tradeshows in early 2020, Techtextil North America returns to Raleigh August 23-25, 2021, to reunite an industry hungry for in-person business interactions.

The show’s theme this year is “Accelerating Technology” and aims to highlight the textile industry’s high level of innovation and contribution to the global supply chain through advanced technology. North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles — internationally renowned as a leader in the field of textile education and innovation — will again serve as the Official Academic Partner, with several members of the college’s faculty also seated on the show’s Advisory Council.

Selected for their industry knowledge and expertise, the Advisory Council acts as a support to the management team in the planning and execution of the Techtextil North America Symposium and other educational content and show features, which, in line with the show’s theme, will heavily focus on advanced technology in textile design, development and end-to-end manufacturing.

This year’s advisory council will include:

  • Frank Henderson, president, Henderson Sewing;
  • Dr. Karen Leonas, professor of Textile Sciences, Department of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University
  • Dr. Bryan Ormond, professor of Polymer and Color Chemistry, Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science and the Textile Protection and Comfort Center, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University;
  • Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, associate dean for Industry Research and Extension, William A. Klopman Distinguished Professor of Materials, professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, and executive director, The Nonwovens Institute, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University; and
  • Melissa Sharp, associate director, Zeis Textiles Extension, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University.

The Techtextil North America Symposium will provide the latest research and technology across verticals — with insights into textile industry trends, challenges brought on by emerging technology and how to keep stride in an ever-changing, global business landscape. The Symposium will include six paid educational sessions over the course of the three day event, and will be complimented by show floor mini-sessions.

Explore the Sewn Products Industry at Techtextil North America

This year, the event will include the first-ever Texprocess Americas pavilion, supported by SPESA — featuring machinery, equipment, and technology suppliers for the sewn products industry — designed to foster new business opportunities and strategic partnerships between exhibitors and attendees. Leaders from across the industry will be given the chance to meet, learn, and see equipment functionality firsthand.

In addition to the pavilion, SPESA will once again co-locate its Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference with Techtextil North America in 2021. The conference features presentations and panel discussions from SPESA members about the products they make as well as the challenges they face as they aim to improve efficiency, speed, and accuracy in sewn products manufacturing. Co-locating the Advancements Conference with Techtextil North America allows attendees to make the most of their valuable time and resources by attending two events in one. Conference registration includes access to the show floor, and plenty of time to network with speakers, exhibitors, and attendees.

Techtextil North America first landed in Raleigh February 26-28, 2019, a decision made in order to bring the event back to the heart of the textile industry. Moving the show from its 2017 location in Chicago to the Southeast proved popular among the industry, making the 2019 edition the highest attended odd-year show to date.

For more information on the upcoming edition of Techtextil North America, August 23-25 in Raleigh, please visit www.techtextilna.com.

Posted January 28, 2021

Source: Messe Frankfurt North America

Oerlikon Barmag Huitong Engineering Commissions Its First PBS System

REMSCHEID, Germany/YANGZHOU, China — January 28, 2021 — A polybutylene succinate (PBS) polycondensation system was commissioned at Yingkou Kanghui Petrochemical Co. Ltd. in Dalian in the Chinese Liaoning Province at the beginning of January 2021. The PBS system, for which Oerlikon Barmag Huitong Engineering supplied both equipment and engineering, has a daily production capacity of 100 tons

It is used to manufacture high-viscosity chips for biodegradable films. Consequently, Yingkou Kanghui, a subsidiary of the Hengli Group, is catering to rising demand for biodegradable polymer products — demand that is increasing not just in China, but across the globe. Yingkou Kanghui Petrochemical Co. Ltd., founded in 2011, predominantly produces polyester chips and films. By expanding its portfolio to include the manufacture of PBS products, the enterprise is positioning itself as a pioneer of biopolymer production: In view of the large quantities of plastic waste not just in the oceans, biopolymers are considered the materials of the future.

The new plant at Yingkou Kanghui Petrochemical Co, Ltd. was production-ready with the support of Oerlikon Barmag Huitong Engineering within less than 14 months following contract signing.

Posted January 28, 2021

Source: Oerlikon

Flexco, MLT Minet Lacing Technology Establish Strategic Partnership In North America

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — January 27, 2021 — Flexco and MLT Minet Lacing Technology announced today that they have signed an agreement in which Flexco will be the exclusive source for MLT products in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As part of the agreement, MLT will continue to manufacture the products for North America as Flexco integrates MLT North American business into its organization.

MLT will continue to manufacture and distribute its products through its six subsidiaries and its distribution partners throughout the rest of the world.

The terms and financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Flexco is headquartered in Downers Grove, Ill., and operates subsidiary locations in nine other countries, partnering with its distributor network to provide superior knowledge and products that make belt conveyor operations as productive as possible for its global customers.

MLT is headquartered in Saint-Chamond, France. With three factories located in France, six subsidiaries, and two R&D centers, MLT is distributed in more than 120 countries around the world. The company produces high quality solutions that are quick and easy to install and reduce the downtime of conveyor belts with definitive splice and repair solutions.

“Flexco has long respected Minet Lacing Technology’s innovative and productivity-enhancing products and we are looking forward to growing our business with our North American customers through this agreement,” Flexco President and COO Thomas S. Wujek said.

“We pride ourselves on providing our North American customers with the peace of mind of knowing that we are available to help them choose the right solution for their application, and that service and support will continue to grow with Flexco,” said Shawn Godfrey, director of MLT U.S.A.

MLT CEO Group — Operations and Innovations Frédéric Guillemet and MLT CEO Group  Business and Development Patrick Vericel are very happy with their strategic partnership with Flexco in North America.

“Our company is widely known for our innovation and technical developments and we look forward to working with Flexco to increase the productivity and efficiency of the conveyor belts of customers in North America now and into the future,” Guillemet and Vericel said in a joint statement.

Posted January 27, 2021

Source: Flexco/Minet Lacing Technology (MLT)

Columbia Sportswear Appoints Skip Potter To New Chief Digital Information Officer Role

PORTLAND, Ore. — January 27, 2021 — Columbia Sportswear Co. today announced the appointment of Skip Potter to the role of executive vice president, chief digital information officer, effective April 1, 2021.

In this newly created role, reporting directly to Chairman, CEO and President Tim Boyle, Potter will be responsible for leading Columbia’s global technology organization, where he will play a pivotal role in evolving the company’s digital footprint and omni-channel and supply chain capabilities across the enterprise. As a veteran tech leader, Potter brings extensive experience to Columbia. Most recently, he spent four years as Nike’s chief technology officer, where he led a global organization of 2,000 digital and ecommerce technology team members. Prior to his time with Nike, he served as managing vice president of Engineering and vice president of Technology Innovation at Capital One. Before joining Capital One, Potter was the CIO/CTO for British Telecommunication’s Enterprise Group. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

“Elevating our information technology and digital capabilities will continue to be a critical component to the success of our business,” Boyle said. “I’m thrilled to have Skip’s leadership on board to drive and enable the growth and continued transformation of our business.”

Posted January 27, 2021

Source: Columbia Sportswear Company

Target, Levi Strauss & Co. Expand Partnership, Announce Limited-Edition Collection

MINNEAPOLIS — January 26, 2021 — Target Corp. today announced a limited-edition collection with Levi Strauss & Co., featuring an assortment of home and lifestyle items and marking Levi’s® first Home partnership. Reinventing what a retailer’s relationship with a national brand can represent, the Levi’s for Target limited-edition Home collection builds on the decade-long partnership between the two iconic companies, which began with the introduction of the DENIZEN® from Levi’s value denim brand, and expanded in 2019 with the introduction of Levi’s Red Tab brand at Target. As part of the Red Tab expansion, Target is rolling out curated in-store displays to be set in 500 stores by Fall 2021.

The new Levi’s for Target limited-edition collection launches February 28, 2021. Available at Target.com and in most Target stores, the collection features thoughtfully-designed, durable pieces meant to inspire a more sustainable home and life.

“Strategic partnerships like our work with Levi’s have long been a key part of Target’s success, allowing us to offer our guests the very best national brands alongside our incredible assortment of owned brands,” said Jill Sando, chief merchandising officer, Target. “Through this partnership, we’re able to offer a collection of items guests can’t find anywhere else, with pieces that exemplify the values and design prowess of both the Target and Levi’s® brands.”

“We’re thrilled to be introducing our one-of-a-kind home collection with Target,” said Karyn Hillman, chief product officer, Levi’s. “We immediately connected on our mutual passion for purposeful and timeless design, with sustainability and quality at the core of everything we do. We dialed up the best elements of our two iconic brands and discovered fresh new ways to create truly unique products to be enjoyed for years to come.”

Target and Levi’s worked hand-in-hand to create a collection of durably-made items for the entire family across home, pets, and apparel and accessories. As Levi’s first Home partnership, the assortment features items like tableware, quilts, pillows and more, allowing guests to feel cozy and comfortable during a time when they are spending more time at home than ever before. In addition to home, the collection includes the iconic Levi’s trucker jacket and sleepwear, along with pet apparel and accessories.

Given Target and Levi’s commitments to sustainability and timeless design, the individual materials that make up each item focus on durability and offer more sustainable certifications and claims than any past Target limited-time-only design collaboration. For example, items within the collection feature recycled glass, Fair Trade USA, GOODWEAVE and FSC Wood certifications.

Levi’s for Target includes more than 100 items and ranges in price from $3-$150, with most items under $25. Apparel in the collection ranges in size from XXS-3X for women, S-4X for men, XS-XL for kids, 0-3M-3T for babies and toddlers and XS-XL for pets. The collection will be available at most Target stores and Target.com beginning Sunday, February 28, while supplies last. In addition, the collection will be available via Target’s contactless same-day services, including Drive Up and Order Pickup.

Posted January 27, 2021

Source: Target Corporation

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