KARL MAYER Names Axel Wintermeyer New President Of Warp Knitting Business Unit

OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — July  2, 2025 — KARL MAYER’s Warp Knitting Business Unit is working flat out to prepare for ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 in Singapore. The most important division of the renowned industry player will be presenting itself at the key textile machinery trade fair under new leadership.

Axel Wintermeyer

The new man at the helm is Axel Wintermeyer, an experienced manager from KARL MAYER’s own ranks who has been with the company for 29 years.

From the very beginning, the qualified textile engineer with additional business training and an international background has helped to shape the company’s success.

At his first post, in machinery sales for the Asia-Pacific market, he successfully established entry into the new machinery business in India. In addition, in Korea he increased the market share of weft insertion warp knitting machines from KARL MAYER Malimo from 50% to 95% competing against the most important German competitor at that time.

Six years later, in 2002, he took over as Vice President Sales at the KARL MAYER Chemnitz subsidiary and left a big impression there too. The market share of composite machines rose from 10% to 50% by 2013, also comparing with KARL MAYER’s main German competitor at that time.

From 2014 to 2020, Axel Wintermeyer headed the spare parts business of the Warp Knitting Business Unit, which he developed from a marginal business into an important cornerstone of the company’s success. He also introduced a spare parts web shop with an SAP connection, thereby increasing the benefits for customers.

Most recently, Axel Wintermeyer had the establishment of the CARE SOLUTIONS division as the next level of after-sales support on the agenda by 2026. This initiative is intended to further improve customer loyalty and strengthen KARL MAYER’s competitive position.

The track record of the new President of KARL MAYER’s Warp Knitting Business Unit is therefore impressive and makes us look forward to the activities with which he will advance his current area of responsibility.

Axel Wintermeyer is looking forward to ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 to engage in intensive dialogue with visitors at the KARL MAYER stand A 301 in Hall 5 of the Singapore EXPO.

Posted: July 3, 2025

Source: KARL MAYER

The Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) Announces 10 New Firms And 2 Relocations To Its Growing Design Community

ATLANTA — June 12, 2025 — Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) is proud to announce the continued expansion of The Design Studios at ADAC, with 12 premier design firms securing leases in a newly redeveloped 12,500-square-foot wing on the building’s second floor. This milestone increases ADAC’s dedicated studio footprint to over 50,000 square feet—now home to more than 40 thoughtfully curated workspaces designed exclusively for architects and interior designers throughout the footprint.

Originally announced in July 2024, the expansion reflects strong demand for high-quality, customizable office environments within ADAC’s design-driven campus. Tenants began moving into the newly delivered shell spaces in early Q1 2025, with bespoke buildouts currently underway and a Grand Opening to follow early this fall.

Located near The Hungry Peach café, the new “242 Design Studios” offer an abundance of natural light, shared conference rooms, unisex bathrooms, a break room with a kitchenette, and thoughtfully designed common areas—creating a collaborative, elevated environment for design firms of all sizes.

“We are beyond thrilled to welcome these talented designers and expand our community at ADAC,” said Katie Miner, General Manager of ADAC. “This expansion is not just about space – it’s about investing in creativity and connection while curating some of the best designers and architects in the region to call ADAC home base. The enthusiasm we’ve seen from the design community reinforces ADAC’s role as the region’s design epicenter.”

The newest additions and relocations within the ADAC campus include:

  • Brittany Cason Interior Design
  • C. Weaks Interiors (temporary short-term lease)
  • Claudia Stimmel Interiors
  • Forbes Masters
  • Joy Street Design
  • Liza Bryan Interiors
  • Mandy Culpepper Interior Design
  • McKenzie Design
  • Reiner Design Group
  • Sande Beck Design
  • The House at 396 Interiors
  • Tish Mills Interiors

This expansion reflects more than just added square footage—it signals a deepening investment in ADAC’s role as a hub for the Southeast’s most influential design talent. By offering custom-tailored studios in a setting that blends convenience, inspiration, and community, ADAC continues to meet the evolving needs of today’s design professionals.

With its expanded footprint, ADAC now offers even more opportunities for connection and collaboration among interior designers, architects, and builders working at the highest level. The curated nature of The Design Studios fosters daily interaction, idea exchange, and creative synergy that few environments can replicate.

Looking ahead, ADAC remains committed to cultivating a vibrant, forward-thinking campus that supports the business of design— helping firms grow their presence, elevate their brand, and deliver exceptional work to clients across the region and beyond.

Posted: July 3, 2025

Source: The Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC)

PureCycle, Emerald Carpets Partner To Drive Circularity In Trade Show Industry

ORLANDO, Fla.  — July  2, 2025 — PureCycle Technologies, Inc., a U.S.-based company revolutionizing plastic recycling, today, announced a partnership with Emerald Carpets, a leader in trade show carpets. This collaboration aims to transform the trade show carpet industry by creating closed-loop circularity in carpet production.

As part of the partnership, Emerald Carpets signed a commercial supply agreement with PureCycle for approximately 5 million pounds annually of PureFive™ resin. PureFive Choice™ resin will be blended into Emerald Carpets’ existing fiber production, enabling them to immediately exceed the current policy-mandated recycled content requirement in California. PureCycle and Emerald Carpets qualified the resin for numerous applications and are currently testing additional applications to expand the portfolio offering.

The partnership includes PureCycle recycling used trade show carpets from Emerald Carpets, designed to transform the material into purified fiber-grade recycled polypropylene (rPP) pellets. Successful recycling of the materials would allow Emerald Carpets to then manufacture new carpets out of the rPP, creating a sustainable carpet-to-carpet solution. This should allow Emerald Carpets to meet California’s carpet-to-carpet (closed loop) recycled content requirements that go into effect in 2028.

Throughout 2025-2026, Emerald Carpets and PureCycle plan to work together at their respective production facilities in Dalton, Georgia, and Ironton, Ohio, to develop, test and ultimately scale the process, anticipating the use of more than 5 million pounds annually, with the goal of delivering circular trade show carpets to the marketplace.

Emerald Carpets President Tom Boykin expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with PureCycle. Our commitment to circularity in our material procurement and use aligns perfectly with PureCycle’s mission, as well as our customers’ expectations. We believe using recycled polypropylene will help us create carpets that not only perform exceptionally well on the conference circuit but also contribute positively to resource efficiency and waste reduction.”

The partnership has experienced successful trials by Emerald Carpets using purpose-formulated PureFive Choice™ resin, including Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) material. The trial demonstrated the potential of high-performance carpets made with PCR rPP content to meet the demands of trade show environments. Traditionally, sourcing drop-in PCR rPP for carpet production has been a challenge due to the complex nature of carpet fiber manufacturing and the limitations of mechanically recycled rPP material.

Dustin Olson, CEO of PureCycle, added, “Partnering with Emerald Carpets marks an important step toward advancing circularity in the carpet sector. They are a trusted partner for many of the largest general contractors and special event producers in the trade show industry, and we see this as a great growth opportunity for PureCycle.” Olson added, “As the carpet industry faces pressing sustainability challenges, our PureFive Choice™ resin offers a drop-in solution to create durable and environmentally friendly flooring options.”

Currently, polypropylene represents a significant part of carpet fibers, as alternatives have been scarce.  PureCycle’s innovative, dissolution recycling technology enables carpet manufacturers to reduce their reliance on virgin materials in the production of high-quality carpets, paving the way for a more sustainable carpet and events industry.

Posted: July 3, 2025

Source: PureCycle Technologies LLC.

Leadership Change In Durst Group’s Business Unit Graphics: Johann Strozzega Appointed Director Global Sales Graphics

BRIXEN, Italy — July  2, 2025 — Digital printing and production systems provider, Durst Group, has appointed Johann Strozzega as Director Global Sales Graphics. Strozzega succeeds Christian Harder, who has served as Chief Sales Officer (CSO) with overall sales responsibility for all business units of Durst Group since 2021 and who also headed the Business Unit Graphics. With the official handover to Johann Strozzega, an important step has been taken in the strategic development of the global sales organization.

Johann Strozzega flanked by Christian Harder (left) and Christoph Gamper at the Durst HQ in Brixen.

“In recent months, I had the privilege of mentoring Johann. Our long-standing and successful collaboration in the Ceramic Printing segment has shown me early on that he has the strategic instinct and leadership skills to further expand our market share in Graphics,” explains Christian Harder, Chief Sales Officer of Durst Group. “This move allows me to focus even more strongly on group-wide strategic topics in the future – and to prepare the next growth steps together with our business units.”

Continuity in Collaboration – Clear Perspective for the Future

Christian Harder and Johann Strozzega share a long and successful history of collaboration, particularly in the Ceramic Printing market segment of the Durst Group. This shared history creates a foundation of trust for a seamless transition and consistent strategic development.

“It is a great honor for me to take on this responsible leadership role. I thank Christian for his support and trust – and Christoph Gamper for the opportunity to shape this role in such an important market segment. Together with my team, I will do everything to further expand our strong market position and actively contribute to the global growth of Durst Group,” says Johann Strozzega, new Director Global Sales Graphics.

Strong Leadership – Strategic Focus

With this new appointment, Durst Group is strengthening its leadership structure in a key business area and laying the foundation for sustainable international growth. The company’s management sees this as a clear signal of continuity, customer focus, and future security:

“With Johann Strozzega, we are bringing an experienced manager with a strategic compass to the top. My thanks go to Christian Harder – for his strong commitment and for actively shaping this transition. We do not fill leadership roles based on status but on substance and future viability – for our customers and the sustainable success of Durst Group,” says Christoph Gamper, CEO and co-owner of Durst Group.

Posted: July 3, 2025

Source: The Durst Group

Cleanic Baby Eco Microbiome Care – Gentle Protection From The Very First Days Of Life

WARSAW — July  2, 2025 — At Harper Hygienics, we know how important it is to care for your baby’s skin with the utmost gentleness and understanding. That’s why we created Cleanic Baby Eco Microbiome Care – wet wipes designed to support the natural balance of delicate skin and care for it in harmony with nature.

Your baby’s skin is protected by a natural layer of beneficial microorganisms known as the microbiome. A well-balanced microbiome plays a key role in maintaining healthy, resilient skin. Our wipes are specially formulated to help protect this precious balance while offering daily care and comfort.

The formula is enriched with rice proteins, which stimulate the skin’s defense processes and

have an exceptionally nourishing effect on it, taking care of maintaining the epidermal barrier. They help soothe irritations, rashes and abrasions. To further promote skin health, we’ve added both probiotic and prebiotic ingredients – by maintaining the correct pH and stimulating the renewal of the protective barrier, they prevent the development of pathogens, protect against infections and allergens and stabilize the skin microbiome.

To prevent dryness, we included inulin, a gentle moisturizer that helps lock in hydration by creating a protective film on the skin’s surface.

The wipes are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and pH neutral for the skin, making them suitable even for newborns. Each wipe is 100% biodegradable.

Posted: July 3, 2025

Source: Harper Hygienics

Edgecombe Furniture Selects Lectra’s Valia Furniture Platform To Accelerate Digital Transformation And Boost U.S. Manufacturing Efficiency

NEW YORK — July  2, 2025 — Lectra, a provider of industrial intelligence technology solutions to players in fashion, automotive and furniture, today announced that Edgecombe Furniture, a U.S.-based hospitality furniture manufacturer, has selected Valia Furniture, Lectra’s next-generation platform, to modernize operations and drive productivity.

Known for its handcrafted upholstered furniture and commitment to American-made quality, Edgecombe Furniture turned to Lectra to streamline operations and bring automation to key production workflows. By integrating Valia Furniture, the company will gain greater visibility across operations and improve flexibility, traceability, and output—all without sacrificing the artisanal craftsmanship that defines its brand.

“Partnering with Lectra and implementing Valia Furniture allows us to significantly improve the flow of materials, labor, and data across our shop floor,” said Bob Phillips, CEO of Edgecombe Furniture. “Valia Furniture drives value for our customers through exceptional matching quality, reduced lead-times on small batch orders, and reduced COM requirements. This positions us well for long-term growth. This new solution also allowed us to continue working with existing patterns in our Gerber AccuMark pattern software, making onboarding much easier.”

Valia Furniture centralizes product and production data, creating a foundation for optimized performance and decision-making. With built-in connectivity to cutting and design systems, Valia Furniture empowers furniture manufacturers like Edgecombe to adapt quickly to shifting demand and reduced lead times. Valia Furniture powers and easily pairs with Lectra’s high-performing cutting solutions – Virga (single-ply cutting) and Vector (multi-ply cutting) to create the most optimal multi-line cutting process that allows manufacturers to go from order to cutting in minutes.

Edgecombe’s benchmark analysis of Valia Furniture revealed a 10% potential reduction in material consumption, a savings that is already delivering ROI in production. After using Valia Furniture to re-nest a large job, the platform delivered $14,000 in fabric savings for Edgecombe.

“As furniture makers across North America embrace digital transformation, Valia Furniture is emerging as the platform of choice to unlock efficiency and support sustainable growth,” said Leonard Marano, President of the Americas at Lectra.

This partnership marks another milestone in Lectra’s mission to support the next generation of manufacturers through industry-specific, data-driven solutions that empower companies to scale with confidence.

Posted: July 3, 2025

Source: Lectra

Sun Chemical To Highlight Digital Printing Solutions At FuturePrint 2025

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — July  2, 2025 —Sun Chemical will showcase its comprehensive portfolio of digital solutions for textiles, graphics and industrial print applications at FuturePrint 2025 from July 16-19 at Distrito Anhembi in São Paulo, Brazil.

“We look forward to sharing our newest products for digital printing with customers at this year’s FuturePrint show,” said Renato Rossi, Sales Manager, Latin America–Advanced Materials, Sun Chemical. “The latest technological developments for digital printing from Sun Chemical are designed to help our customers use more efficient processes and more sustainable materials to create more stand-out, innovative products.”

Visitors of stand H250 will learn about Sun Chemical’s latest ink, textile inkjet, screen, industrial as well as wide and super wide format inkjet solutions for textiles and graphics.

Textile Inks

Launched earlier this year, Xennia Sapphire inks for textile will be on display at Sun Chemical’s stand. With bold colors and high-resistance properties, these inks can be printed on cotton, polyester or blended fabrics and offer excellent color performance, wash fastness and durability. Xennia Sapphire inks contain binders and are fixed with dry heat only, leading to less water usage during the post-process than other dye-based digital textile inks. Xennia Sapphire inks span low, medium and high viscosity digital printhead platforms for extensive compatibility with wider format and industrial printers.

Other textile inks on display will include Xennia Jade for direct-to-film (DTF) printing, which enable reliable, long-lasting, quality prints that optimize efficiency through vibrant colors and high-opacity whites. Sun Chemical’s water-based sublimation inks for textiles will also be highlighted at the show, including ElvaJet Opal and ElvaJet Topaz. Visitors can also find out about Xennia Amethyst reactive inks for textiles and Xennia Agate acid inks.

Industrial Solutions

Sun Chemical will highlight its global inkjet brand, SunJet, along with innovative collaborations with OEM partners, system integrators and printhead manufacturers. SunJet can be used for applications such as graphics, décor, direct-to-shape, industrial and packaging.

For inkjet degassing, Sun Chemical’s SEPAREL modules offer a significant advancement in degassing technology by facilitating optimal ink performance through minimal pressure loss and compact size.

Inks for Wide and Super Wide Format Graphics

Streamline Toccata is Sun Chemical’s newest water-based ink for wide format graphics. Based on innovative dispersion and resin chemistry and compatible with a wide variety of substrates, the aqueous Streamline Toccata inks are designed to meet the high demands of display graphics in poster and point-of-purchase corrugated applications.

The Streamline range of eco-solvent inks will also be showcased, offering low-odor and GREENGUARD Gold certification, with updates to the Streamline ESL 2 and Ultima inks highlighted for compatibility with Epson i3200 and Brother printheads.

Streamline TVL 2 and TEL2 inks have been engineered to support eco-solvent inkjet printers with an extensive color palette, including new inks in orange and green.

Sun Chemical’s stand will also display a new UV ink technology for low viscosity printheads. Targeting graphics and UV DTF markets, this range of inks includes CMYK, white and varnish and is a low-viscosity formula that requires no heating within the printer.

To learn more about Sun Chemical’s innovations and solutions on display at FuturePrint 2025, stop by stand H250 at the show or visit www.sunchemical.com/digital.

Posted: July 3, 2025

Source: Sun Chemical Corporation

Synthetic, Cotton, And Blended Spun Yarn Manufacturer RSWM Ltd. joins  ITMF as Corporate Member

ZÜRICH, Switzerland — July  2, 2025 — RSWM Ltd., the flagship company of LNJ Bhilwara Group (India), is one of the leading manufacturers and exporters of synthetic, cotton, and blended spun yarns as well as knitted and denim fabric in India. The company exports a wide range of yarns and fabrics as well as denim products to over 70 countries across the globe.

Mr. K.V. Srinivasan, President of ITMF

Mr. K.V. Srinivasan, President of ITMF, expressed: “At ITMF we are very pleased to welcome RSWM as a Corporate Member of ITMF. As an integrated textile company RSWM has a broad and in-depth knowledge and understanding of the global textile value This will strengthen the collective knowledge of and discussions within ITMF. It also underlines the relevance of ITMF as a unique global platform for information exchange, discussions, and industry networking.

We are convinced that RSWM will benefit from the various services ITMF offers like statistics, reports, surveys, webinars, and of course the networking opportunities at our conferences, workshops, or excursions.”

Mr. Rajeev Gupta, Joint Managing Director of RSWM Ltd. stated: “It is a privilege for RSWM Ltd. to join the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), a global platform dedicated to shaping the future of the textile industry. As we align with fellow innovators and leaders across continents, we look forward to contributing to meaningful dialogue, advancing sustainable practices, and furthering the spirit of collaboration that defines this community. Our association with ITMF reinforces our commitment to driving excellence and global competitiveness in the textile value chain.”

Posted: July 3, 2025

Source: International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)

DOMOTEX 2026 Gains Momentum: Experiencing Strong Exhibitor Demand

HANNOVER, Germany— July  2, 2025 — With six months to go before the event, DOMOTEX 2026 is already demonstrating strong momentum: Numerous leading companies from the international flooring and interior finishing industries have confirmed their participation. With an expanded concept, DOMOTEX positions itself as a platform for holistic interior design – from flooring to wall and ceiling systems, to acoustic solutions, paints, wallpapers, tiles, and sun-shading systems.

In the flooring segment, global players such as Egger, ter Hürne, Swiss Krono, Amorim, Flo.it, Kronospan, Li & Co., Baltic Wood, Forestry Timber, FN Neuhofer, Unilin, Küberit, Välinge, Selit, Classen, Weitzer Parkett, HMTX, Lamett, Project Floors, Gerflor, Barth & Co., Das Teppichwerk and Republic Floor have already secured their spots. Building chemicals and adhesives will be represented by industry leaders such as Bostik, Saint-Gobain and Lanxess.

New segments such as paints, coatings, wallpapers, and indoor sun-shading solutions are also generating strong interest. Key players including Keimfarben, Erfurt & Sohn, Meffert Farbwerke, PPG Coatings, Jonas Farben, LECO Werke, Gardinia and Peter Hüssen are already on board.

The strong exhibitor response reflects the industry’s interest in the expanded concept. As Markus Oberbauer, Managing Director of Kronoflooring GmbH (Kronospan), explains: “We’re excited to once again be part of DOMOTEX in Hannover in 2026. As a manufacturer of laminate and design flooring, Kronospan stands for quality, innovation, and sustainable solutions. DOMOTEX is a key platform for presenting our products internationally and engaging with decision-makers from retail, craft, and architecture. The new focus on Interior Finishing creates valuable synergies and makes the event even more relevant for us.”

Céline Quervel, Managing Director of the CLASSEN Group, adds: “We are excited about participating in DOMOTEX 2026 and will use this opportunity to inspire our international customers with our latest innovations and product highlights.”

Architects Space: A Hotspot for the Architecture Community

With the new Architects Space and the trend topic acoustics, DOMOTEX 2026 specifically targets architects and planners. In collaboration with Heinze, the curated Architects Space provides a 600 m² hub for design professionals. Visitors can take part in three daily Architects Runs — guided tours showcasing the most relevant exhibitors for architecture and design. Additionally, B2B Speed-Datings offer exhibitors direct contact with highly qualified planners and decision-makers. Another highlight: students from Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts will present acoustic prototypes, offering fresh perspectives on functional interior architecture. The Architects Space is a premium stage for presenting materials and solutions that create holistic, immersive spaces.

Acoustics – A Key Trend in Interior Design

A major focus of the Architects Space will be acoustic design. As demands for energy efficiency and multipurpose spaces rise, the acoustic performance of interiors is becoming increasingly important. DOMOTEX addresses this trend by showcasing systems that seamlessly combine form and function.

With its expanded content, new special displays, and wide exhibitor base, DOMOTEX 2026 promises to be a high-impact international industry event for all stakeholders involved in interior design and finishing. The next edition of the world’s leading trade fair for Flooring & Interior Finishing will take place from January 19–22, 2026 at the exhibition grounds in Hannover.

Posted: July 3, 2025

Source: Deutsche Messe

BW Converting’s Machine Learning Project Selected For New Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab In Milwaukee

GREEN BAY, Wis. — June 27, 2025 — BW Converting is proud to announce that a digital innovation initiative centered around fault anomalies has been selected as one of the first projects for the new Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus. The project submission was generated by the Accelerate digital services team in conjunction with Barry-Wehmiller’s Digital Innovation team. This milestone strengthens BW Converting’s role within Wisconsin’s tech ecosystem and marks a new chapter in its digital transformation journey alongside TitletownTech — an innovation hub backed by the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft.

Accelerate is BW Converting’s digital transformation platform designed to help customers go beyond just viewing machine data. While dashboards are a powerful tool, they are just the beginning. Accelerate pairs real-time dashboards with the insight of their specialized technicians, enabling users to understand the data and take action to reduce downtime, boost efficiency and enhance long-term performance.

“At BW Converting, it’s not just about seeing the numbers — it’s about understanding them,” said Amber Stollfus, Director, Digital Services and Solutions, BW Converting. “That’s the power of Accelerate.”

Originally launched in 2020, Accelerate continues to evolve as a dynamic, customer-focused solution. The development philosophy behind it is simple: Development should never stop.

TitletownTech is the operating partner of the Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab in Milwaukee, helping potential participants define, refine and quantify the value of their most promising AI-driven solutions. TitletownTech provided BW Converting with the support, infrastructure and connections necessary to submit the project to Microsoft for evaluation.

“TitletownTech has been instrumental in helping us manage communications with Microsoft and guiding us through essential processes. They’ve acted as the bridge between our team and the broader tech ecosystem,” said Stollfus.

The Co-Innovation Lab allows participants to work alongside Microsoft engineers in a rapid prototyping session to accelerate their time to market and learn about the latest technology available.

“We believe our enthusiasm and strong vision for what Accelerate can do played a major role in our selection for this engagement,” said Stollfus.

Accelerate helps customers by not only leveraging real-time machine data but also enhancing it with expert analysis. It’s not just a dashboard — it’s a service that empowers users to act on insights. That unique pairing of technology and human expertise made it stand out in a competitive field.

The partnership includes upcoming strategic meetings between BW Converting leadership and TitletownTech’s managing partners. The goal: build awareness, foster innovation and expand AI-driven development throughout Wisconsin. In the end, BW Converting’s customers will reap the resulting benefits.

Posted: July 3, 2025

Source: BW Converting / Barry-Wehmiller

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