Precision Textiles’ All-Natural, Glass-Free FR Mattress Barrier Earns Ul Greenguard Gold Certification

TOTOWA, N.J. — January 11, 2021 — Precision Textiles, a supplier of coated fabrics, nonwovens and laminations for the bedding, automotive and healthcare industries, has received UL GREENGUARD Gold certification for its IQFit Natural line, a 100 percent glass-free, fire-resistant (FR) mattress barrier for roll-packed mattresses. Made with sustainable, renewable cotton, it provides a glass-free alternative to FR barrier solutions made with exposed fiberglass.

Recognized and referenced by more than 400 codes, rating systems and procurement policies worldwide, UL’s GREENGUARD Gold Certification Program requires that products meet some of the world’s most rigorous standards for low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into indoor environments.

“As consumer eco-consciousness continues to become more and more important, a growing number of mattress manufacturers are striving to meet health, wellness and sustainability criteria,” said Keith Martin, vice president of Precision Textiles. “Earning the GREENGUARD Gold certification for our IQFit Natural line further demonstrates our commitment to consumers’ health and wellness and gives our bedding industry partners confidence that they are choosing a product that is not only natural and safe but also supports healthy indoor environments.”

UL tested IQFit Natural for total VOCs, formaldehyde and VOCs with health-based limits. The GREENGUARD Gold label validates and provides evidence that the product line is low-emitting and supports healthy indoor environments.

In addition to being 100 percent glass-free, IQ FIT Natural is also made with sustainable, renewable cotton that delivers outstanding breathability and superb moisture wicking. The cotton used to manufacture it is a natural, hypoallergenic, durable, long-lasting fiber that stays strong after years of use and biodegrades when composted. The glass-free barrier also eliminates the breakdown of fiberglass and provides bedding manufacturers with a safer FR solution.

Each component within the barrier was chosen not only for the safety of consumers but also for the safety of the environment. The barrier is also free of para-aramid and antimony — both of which offer fire resistance but can cause respiratory and skin irritation — to ensure consumers receive an all-natural sleep experience.

“With a focus on health, comfort and sustainability, low VOC emissions are just one more area where IQFit Natural demonstrates superior performance,” Martin continued. “Many consumers actively shop for products that support a range of performance criteria including safety, sustainability, health and wellness. IQFit Natural achieves all of those criteria, reducing the risk of flammability, using renewable cotton to benefit the environment and offering low emitting materials.”

Posted January 11, 2020

Source: Precision Textiles

JCPenney Reinvents Xersion® Activewear Brand

PLANO, Texas — January 7, 2021 — JCPenney continues its journey to strengthen its merchandise offerings with more brands in 2021, beginning the new year with exciting developments in its apparel division. For the first time since its introduction to JCPenney in 2008, the Xersion® activewear assortment has been redesigned from the inside out and with the latest performance technology, EVERAIR™.

“We are kicking off 2021 in the best way possible — offering new and improved merchandise to our customers,” said Michelle Wlazlo, executive vice president and chief merchant. “We know it can be challenging for customers to find activewear that delivers on performance, technology, design, comfort, and style, and the new Xersion product is sure to impress with updated details to help our customers meet their wellness goals.”

Designed by JCPenney’s in-house product development and design team, Xersion activewear is built for performance and gives customers the Motivation to Move, regardless of size or fitness level. Also being introduced is Penney’s new innovative and exclusive EVERAIR fabrication, combining breathable technology and Quick-Dri® wicking for optimal air flow to remain cool and dry. Xersion products allow customers to fully focus on their activity with design that encourages a distraction-free workout, with sweat-proof pockets, reflective and anti-odor elements, venting, thumbholes, compression, built-in mesh, and chafe-free seams. Women’s sports bras and high-waist leggings stay in place with three compression levels — studio, move, and train — that match her workout, offered in matching monochromatic or color-blocking styles.

Available today in all stores and at the JCPenney flagship store, jcp.com, the size-inclusive line is available in boys, boys husky, girls, girls plus, women’s size XS-3X and Men’s size  S-XXL in the accessible price range of $12-70 across divisions.

The re-launch of the Xersion brand is the first of several planned new installments in 2021, which follows the repositioning and launch of several exclusive JCPenney brands in 2020, including the introduction of the Stylus™ apparel brand and Linden Street™ home brand, offered alongside a wide array of national brands including Champion®, Levi’s®, Puma®, Skechers®, New Balance®, Clarks®, Vans®, and more.

Posted January 8, 2020

Source: JCPenney

The National Retail Federation: 2020 Retail Imports May Break Record Despite Pandemic

WASHINGTON — January 8, 2021 — Imports seen during 2020 appear to be headed toward a new record despite the coronavirus pandemic, and remain at high levels as 2021 begins, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“Nobody would have thought last spring that 2020 would be a record year for imports, but it was clearly an unpredictable year,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Consumers and retailers once again proved their resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges. Thanks in part to government stimulus, retail sales saw strong growth during 2020 even with the pandemic, and import numbers show retailers expect the economic recovery will continue during 2021.”

With high import volumes over the past few months, ships carrying goods from Asia have backed up at West Coast ports in particular, and there have been shortages of shipping capacity and equipment including chassis and empty containers.

“With COVID-19 accelerating across the country, the pandemic is causing logistics problems beyond the congestion at the ports,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said. “With large numbers of people infected by the virus and unable to report for work, the supply chain is potentially facing challenges to find enough workers for goods distribution.”

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 2.11 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in November, the latest month for which final numbers are available. That was up 24.5 percent year-over-year but down 4.9 percent from October’s 2.21 million TEU, which set the record for the largest number of containers handled during a single month since NRF began tracking imports in 2002. A TEU is one 20-foot container or its equivalent.

December was projected at 2.02 million TEU, down 17.3 percent year-over-year but still one of only six times in nearly 20 years that the monthly total has hit the 2 million TEU mark. If the December number holds up once actual data is available, 2020 will have ended with a total of 21.9 million TEU, up 1.5 percent from last year and breaking the previous annual record of 21.8 million TEU set in 2018.

Imports during the last half of 2020 set a string of new records, including an all-time high of 8.3 million TEU for the July-October “peak season” when retailers rush to bring in merchandise for the winter holidays each year.

January is forecast at 1.96 million TEU, which would be up 7.7 percent from a year ago and the busiest January on record; February at 1.6 million TEU, up 6.1 percent year-over-year, and March at 1.64 million TEU, up 19 percent from March 2020, when factories in China failed to reopen after the Lunar New Year holiday because of the coronavirus. April is forecast at 1.76 million TEU, up 9.6 percent, and May at 1.86 million TEU, up 21.7 percent, both year-over-year.

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by the consulting firm Hackett Associates, provides historical data and forecasts for the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at NRF.com/PortTracker

Posted January 8, 2020

Source: The National Retail Federation (NRF)

Jinfa Zhang Receives 2020 Cotton Genetics Research Award

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — January 6, 2021 — Dr. Jinfa Zhang, a professor, Cotton Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, is the 2020 Cotton Genetics Research Award winner.

The announcement was made here today during the 2021 Beltwide Cotton Improvement Conference, which convened as part of the National Cotton Council-coordinated virtual 2021 Beltwide Cotton Conferences. Zhang, who was selected by the Joint Cotton Breeding Committee, received a plaque and a monetary award.

In her nomination of Zhang, Dr. Jane Dever, a professor of cotton breeding at Texas A&M AgriLife Research, stated that he deserved the award for making not only genetic resources available but also rigorously peer-reviewed scientific knowledge unreservedly accessible to the cotton genetics research community “as we all work together to confront future challenges together.”

She said Zhang confronted a strategic threat to the U.S. cotton industry from expansion of Fusarium wilt race 4 (FOV4) into Texas and New Mexico with academic integrity and authentic generosity to share knowledge with others. In 2019, he publicly released two Upland cultivars with demonstrated resistance to FOV4 and in the past two years alone has published six peer-reviewed articles on FOV4 with three more in review.

In seconding Zhang’s nomination, Dr. Mustafa McPherson, a breeder with Corteva, said, “it takes knowledge of the U.S. cotton industry to anticipate the need for a trait such as FOV4 and then … to develop germplasm that will be useful to private breeders in the development of commercial varieties with resistance to FOV4. This a perfect example of basic research conducted by public breeders that is most valuable to the cotton industry.”

In her supporting nomination, Dr. Margaret Shields, BASF’s global cotton breeding lead, said Zhang is “driven to find genetic solution for the industry and holds the rest of us responsible to his drive.” His contribution to the research community, she noted, has been “critical to creating a better understanding of cotton as a field crop and improving the genetics through his germplasm releases” of which several have been the basis of new breakthroughs in BASF’s program for fiber quality with the added benefit of increased production.

Dr. Megan Sweeney, a BASF cotton breeder, also supported the nomination by adding that Zhang released several glandless lines that are gossypol free and worked to establish a niche market for this material which is a high value food source and can be produced in low input environments.

Zhang earned a bachelor, master and doctor in Agronomy from Central China Agricultural University and his Ph.D. in Plant Genetics and Molecular Biology at the University of Arkansas.

Before joining New Mexico State University in 2002 as an assistant professor, Zhang conducted research at Central China Agricultural University, the University of Arkansas, McGill University and Monsanto. He has more than 170 peer-reviewed scientific publications and 150 proceeding papers and abstracts along with 10 cultivar, 22 germplasm releases, and one genetic population of 95 recombinant inbred lines. He received the Crop Science Society of America’s Editor’s Citation for Excellence award in 2016.

The annual Cotton Genetics Research Award was established in 1961 by U.S. commercial cotton breeders to recognize and encourage basic research in cotton genetics, cytogenetics and breeding. It is administered by the Joint Cotton Breeding Committee consisting of representatives of the NCC, the USDA, state experiment stations, Cotton Incorporated and commercial breeders.

Posted January 7, 2020

Source: National Cotton Council of America

Motion Industries Breaks Ground For New Facility In Irondale, Ala.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — January 6, 2021 — Motion Industries Inc. — a distributor of maintenance, repair, and operation replacement parts, and a premier provider of industrial technology solutions — held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of its planned shop facility in Irondale, Ala. The address is 2721 5th Avenue South.

In attendance were Randy Breaux, Motion president, and Joe Limbaugh, Motion senior vice president Distribution, Inventory, and Operations Support; along with Irondale’s mayor and representatives from the Birmingham Business Alliance, Brasfield Gorrie, and Graham Co. The socially distanced event was held to officially kick off the first stages of construction, already underway.

When completed, the $11.2 million 104,000 square-foot building will house Motion’s area fluid power shop, hose and rubber shop, and engineering department. Along with the advantage of operational streamlining and efficiencies, the building and the shops within will feature world- class processes, equipment, and safety advantages. Capabilities will include fluid power component repair and fabrication, power unit fabrication, machining, hose kitting and assembly, and engineering design. The structure’s design was planned under the new Motion industrial design and décor standards, according to Limbaugh.

“This project continues our excellent partnership between Brasfield Gorrie and Graham Co.,” Limbaugh said. “These two companies also did a fantastic job with the recent headquarters renovation. At this property, we’re making excellent progress, and while it’s early, we’re ahead of schedule.”

“The main reason for the investment is to strengthen our position and provide the best customer service possible, as our customer base and our company grow,” said Mr. Breaux. “We’re looking forward to the positive impact this operation will have — for our customers, our employees, and our community.”

Announced in October 2020, the project is estimated to complete in the third quarter 2021 and will create 15 new jobs while retaining 13.

Posted January 7, 2020

Source: Motion Industries Inc.

Devan’s R-Vital® Multivitamin Textile Treatment Meets Standard 100 By Oeko-tex®

RONSE, Belgium — January 7, 2021 — Devan’s latest technology, R-Vital Multivitamin, meets the requirements of the Standard 100 by Oeko-tex® (Class II). The technology is part of Devan’s R-Vital® range of microencapsulated active ingredients and consists of vitamin C, vitamin E and ginger.

Preventative health is top of mind and we feel more concerned than usual about staying strong and healthy. The Covid-19 pandemic has also caused people to think about how they can become more resilient and lead a healthy lifestyle.

A balanced immune system is crucial and depends on how healthy we are, both mentally and physically. People seek out products to boost that immune system. Providing products and services which allow consumers to become healthier is key. A survey from McKinsey & Company revealed that 75 percent of respondents in China want to eat more healthily after the crisis.

The new multivitamin blend is part of the R-Vital range. R-Vital is a fabric treatment that enables textile manufacturers to boost their textiles with a patented range of microencapsulated active ingredients. The technology was first launched at Heimtextil in 2018 with active ingredients including Q10, Thyme oil, Aloe Vera, and more. The fabric treatment is based on microencapsulation. Active ingredients are encapsulated and applied to the fabric. The treated textiles touch our skin and the friction causes the microcapsules to break. Then, the active ingredients are absorbed by our skin.

Since its launch in 2018, Devan has continuously added new ingredients such as CBD, Avocado and Echinacea. The latest blend contains vitamin C, vitamin E and ginger and is designed for immunity-boosting properties. Recently, the treatment has been found suitable for Standard 100 by Oeko-tex.

With vaccination campaigns still ongoing, Devan’s treatment might be a valuable technology for those seeking to give that little extra support to their immune system in the meantime.

Posted January 7, 2020

Source: Devan Chemicals NV

DSM And Clariter Partner To Pursue Chemical Recycling Solution For Dyneema®-Based End-Products

GELEEN, The Netherlands — January 7, 2021 — Royal DSM, a global science-based company in Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Living, and Clariter, an international clean-tech company, today announced a strategic partnership to pursue a next-generation chemical recycling solution for products based on DSM’s Dyneema®, an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber. As a first step, sample products — including ropes, nets, and ballistic materials made with Dyneema — were successfully converted at Clariter’s pilot plant in Poland, demonstrating the recyclability potential of Dyneema and underlining the active commitment of DSM Protective Materials to shape a more sustainable world.

In line with its ambitious sustainability targets, and following the successful launch of bio-based Dyneema (mass balance), DSM Protective Materials is actively pursuing reuse and recycling solutions for end-of-life Dyneema-based products. To drive technical recycling solutions, DSM Protective Materials and Clariter partnered to test the feasibility of using Dyneema as a feedstock in Clariter’s chemical recycling process. Sample products made with Dyneema were used in Clariter’s tests at its pilot plant in Poland. The positive results confirm the technical viability of transforming Dyneema-based end-products into high-value, industrial grade, product families: oils, waxes, and solvents via Clariter’s patented 3-step chemical recycling process. These can be further used as ingredients to manufacture new end- and consumer products.

Moving forward, DSM Protective Materials and Clariter will continue to drive this initiative to shape a more sustainable world. Specifically, building on the success of the lab-scale trial, Clariter has scheduled commercial-scale trials at its facility in South Africa for 2021, with the aim to use Dyneema-derived feedstock in its full-scale European plants that will be built in the coming years. In addition, DSM will continue to actively explore the possibilities of reducing the environmental impact of Dyneema across all product life stages.

Petra Koselka, Clariter COO, said: “To stretch and explore boundaries of the next circular solution requires courage, foresight, and tenacity, which DSM has demonstrated with abundance. Looking at the logistics challenge to collect many tons of used marine ropes, nets, and ballistic materials is daunting. However, when an economical route presents itself, suddenly the next horizon seems within reach. We are pleased to work with DSM to perform R&D on what we have dubbed ‘exciting exotics’, and plan to use it as part of our raw materials in the full-scale plants we will build in Europe.”

Roeland Polet, President DSM Protective Materials, said: “Following our successful efforts to introduce bio-based Dyneema (mass balance), these results mark the next important step on the circularity journey of DSM Protective Materials. Recyclability is key to us, our customers, and society at large and achieving it requires cross-value chain efforts. To this end, we’re looking forward to continue building our partnership with Clariter, and to continue using our science-based capabilities to deliver on our purpose of creating brighter lives for all.”

Posted January 7, 2020

Source: DSM

Columbia Sportswear Company Appoints John Culver, Leader Of International Growth At Starbucks Corp., To Its Board Of Directors

PORTLAND, Ore. — January 6, 2021 — Columbia Sportswear Co. today announced that its board of directors appointed John Culver to serve as a director and member of its Compensation Committee, effective January 5, 2021.

Culver currently serves as Starbucks Corp. group president of International, Channel Development and Global Coffee, Tea and Cocoa, and is a member of the Starbucks executive leadership team. He has responsibility for leading Starbucks retail growth and operations in 60 markets across China, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and growth for the Global Channel Development business which includes Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Foodservice and Evolution Fresh. Culver also has the additional responsibility of leading the growth and development of Starbucks coffee, tea and cocoa businesses.

Culver serves on the board of directors and audit committee of Kimberly-Clark and is a director of The Mission Continues, a national, nonpartisan nonprofit that empowers veterans to continue their service, leveraging their talent and skills to generate visible impact for communities. He has a B.S. in Business Administration from Florida State University.

“We are thrilled to have John join our board of directors,” said Chairman, President and CEO Tim Boyle. “John has been instrumental in driving international growth in various markets at Starbucks for almost twenty years and we are excited for him to bring that knowledge and expertise to our board of directors as we continue to focus on unlocking our international omni-channel growth opportunities. Mr. Culver also brings a deep understanding of the consumer and consumer trends, including the digital transformation, which we hope to leverage during his service on the board.”

Posted January 6, 2020

Source: Columbia Sportswear Company

Wolverine Worldwide Names Jim Zwiers As President, Global Operations Group

ROCKFORD, Mich. — January 5, 2021 — Wolverine World Wide Inc., which operates one of the world’s largest portfolios of footwear and lifestyle brands, today announced the appointment of Jim Zwiers as president, Global Operations Group, responsible for portfolio-wide sourcing, logistics, distribution, customer service, and information technology.   Zwiers will concurrently serve as president, International Group, a position he has held since 2014, and will remain executive vice president of the company and a member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team.

Zwiers, 52, has been with Wolverine Worldwide for almost 23 years, serving in many significant operational roles including president of the Performance Group and president of the Outdoor Group, along with leadership of the company’s global eCommerce and retail businesses. He has also held senior operational roles including senior vice president with responsibility for strategy, business development, and legal.

“Jim is uniquely and ideally suited to lead the Global Operations Group, and I could not be more pleased with this expansion of his role,” said Blake Krueger, Wolverine Worldwide’s chairman and CEO. “His extensive experience with the company’s brands and international operations, coupled with his digital background and successful implementation of speed-to-market initiatives, will help accelerate the company’s digital-first transformation and global eCommerce growth.”

Zwiers succeeds Mike Jeppesen as president, Global Operations Group. Jeppesen, 60, is retiring after more than 33 years in the footwear industry, the last nine of which have been with Wolverine Worldwide. Jeppesen will remain in an advisory role through mid-year to assist with the transition.

“We are grateful to Mike for his many years of dedicated service to both the company and our industry,” said Krueger. “He has been a key advisor to me and a trusted Executive Leadership Team member for many years, and we certainly wish him and his family well as he transitions into a well-deserved retirement.”

Jeppesen commented: “I have been fortunate at Wolverine Worldwide to work with the best team in the industry, and I wish them continued success. Jim is a seasoned leader who knows our industry inside and out, and he is well-positioned to lead the Global Operations Group into the future as the Company accelerates its ongoing digital transformation.”

Posted January 6, 2020

Source: Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

Georgia-Pacific Announces Agreement To Sell Nonwovens Business To Glatfelter

ATLANTA — January 6, 2021 — Georgia-Pacific LLC announced today that it has reached an agreement to sell their nonwovens business to Glatfelter, a global supplier of engineered materials, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearances from competition authorities. The price is $175 million.

The proposed transaction includes Georgia-Pacific’s nonwovens operations located in Mt. Holly, N.C., along with a research center operation in Memphis, Tenn. The nonwovens operations in Mt. Holly produces airlaid nonwoven material for commercial customers used to make table top, wiping, food pads, hygiene and related products. In the proposed transaction, current Georgia-Pacific nonwovens employees, totaling approximately 150 people, will become employees of Glatfelter at the time the deal closes.

“Georgia-Pacific nonwovens employees at Mt. Holly and Memphis have run safe, productive operations and worked hard to advance our nonwovens business to meet customer needs,” said Mike Adams, president – Georgia-Pacific Professional and Nonwovens. “We believe this sale to Glatfelter, an established manufacturer and supplier of nonwovens products, is in the best interests of both customers and our nonwovens employees.”

In 2018, Georgia-Pacific LLC sold Steinfurt GmbH, the company’s European nonwovens business, to Glatfelter for $185 million.

Posted January 6, 2020

Source: Georgia-Pacific

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