Filo Has Presented The 55th Edition

BIELLA, Italy — December 15, 2020 — The 55th edition of Filo has been presented to operators and the press today through a webinar which had a large audience. The International Exhibition of Yarns and Fibres for orthogonal weaving, circular knitting and technical fabrics will be held on Wednesday the 24th and Thursday the 25th of February 2021 at MiCo – Milan Convention Centre (via Gattamelata 5, Milan).

As usual, the meeting consisted of two parts: during the first one, Paolo Monfermoso, general manager of Filo, explained the objectives and the new projects of the Exhibition, while during the second part Gianni Bologna (creativity and style supervisor for Filo) described product development proposals for the 55th edition of Filo.

In his speech, Paolo Monfermoso did not hide the difficulties and the uncertainties which are still affecting textile industry: “Just because we are going through a difficult situation, our industry should increase its efforts to continue to propose the excellence of our supply chain in an international panorama. In this context, physically attended exhibitions play a fundamental role: for the companies which participate in, they represent an essential tool for promotion and communication, the privileged place where to meet both new and long-standing customers. This applies especially for the companies upstream of the production process, as it is the case with the exhibitors of Filo. Is it with this aim that we are working for the edition of Filo to be held on February 2021: we want to give life to an Exhibition which is increasingly focusing on concreteness and the ability to make possible the meeting between demand and supply of yarns of excellence, in order to give international visibility to the companies which believe in quality, careful treatments, sustainability of products and production processes.”

Monfermoso then focused on the high participation recorded by the online presentation of the 55th edition of Filo: “The webinar formula highlights the choice of presenting product development proposals through a mix of live speeches and pre-recorded videos. On the other hand, it allows us to reach all interested people in Italy and abroad in a single occasion and in a simple, effective and rapid way, from exhibitors to style offices and the press. Digital is a channel that allows us to dialogue with a much wider audience than the one that traditionally followed our meetings in Biella, Milano, Prato, thus confirming its usefulness in supporting the fair “in presence”.”

Developed by Gianni Bologna, the product development proposals of the 55th edition of Filo, under the title “Single tickets”, are divided into three sections: Re-creating, Re-thinking, Re-starting. Mr. Bologna says: “If we want to find the positive aspect in the difficult situation of today, we could find them within the stimulus which may arise to generate a new connection with labour conditions or with our nature itself. The problem is not to find novelties, but rather to give new values to the existing situations, or even better, to re-elaborate and re-consider the things that we already know how to do. In the three sections that make up “Single tickets” we find garments with no season and no time which express reassuring continuity with our handcrafted and artistic manual traditions. What we do not find is “exhibition” as an end in itself, but a nearly extremist discretion, with fabrics which are both elegant and anti-elegant, but most of all “convincing”. Last but not least, we have a hybrid style which uses urban sportswear comfort, blending it with sophisticated lines and materials for “special occasion” formal garments.

Posted December 15, 2020

Source: Filo

JEC Summit Sports & Health – Connect Exceeds Goals And Sets New Standards For JEC Digital Events

PARIS — December 15, 2020 — First edition of JEC Summit Sports & Health – Connect, an online event platform devoted to medical and sports equipment manufacturers using composites, ended last week going above and beyond its set goals. JEC Summit Sports & Health – Connect brought together professionals from the whole composites value chain and allows decision-makers to evolve and inspire through a subsequent event program. This summit was the first in a long line of events devoted to composites in the Sports and Health industry that are to come within the next two years.

The three-day event was conceived as a forum to gather composites professionals, affiliates, and high-profile speakers to share their expertise in composites materials involved in creating state-of-the-art medical devices and sports equipment.

“Following the enforced postponement of many trade shows, we took the step of becoming the first organizer to stage an online event dedicated to composites in the sports and health industry. We put together a high-level conference agenda and speaker roster, and devised some great ideas for virtual networking, said Christian Strassburger, event director at JEC Group. “I could not be prouder of what we achieved with many delegates from Europe and Americas tuning in, including representatives from more than 36 countries. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors and partners. Their trust, support, and input were a crucial part of both the quality and success of the summit.”

The event attracted an audience of more than 1,100 professionals from the composites industry, from 36 countries, and helped organize 216 pre-arranged one to one meetings between buyers and sellers via our dedicated online meeting rooms, this without mentioning informal networking between participants. It reached these numbers, as participants logged on in considerable numbers to learn from the insights and ideas of the unparalleled line-up of high-level speakers who took part in the summit’s twenty-track conference.

The agenda for the JEC Summit Sports & Health – Connect featured tracks on current trends and Innovations in sports & health composite applications, with keynotes delivered by Dominic LeBlanc Senior Concept Engineer, at Callaway Golf, Christophe Lecomte, Director of Biomechanical Solutions R&D, at Össur, Fleur Jong, Professional Sprinter, and Co-founder of the Para Athletics Foundation and Damiano Salvatori, Materials Research Engineer, at the Straumann Group.

The panel of high-profile experts from Europe and America offered perspectives and inspiration for the next generation of medical and sports devices made of composites materials. The line-up included Bjorn Ivar Austrem, Technical Director, at Madshus, Laurine Calistri, Research Engineer, at Proteor, Anatole Gilliot, CEO of Suprem, Julien Duplay, Composites Methods Engineer, at Decathlon, Eric Jackson, President of Apex Watercraft, Stéphan Vérin, General Secretary, at EuraMaterials, Maximilian Segl, Principal Expert Composites, and Johannes Wölper, Development Engineer, both from Ottobock, and Matthew Dickinson, Senior Lecturer in Engineering, at University of Central Lancashire. Christos Karatzias, at Mitsui Chemicals Europe and Anthony Bert, at Helicoid Industries.

And one cannot omit the international startups that pitched all through the three-day event: ProsFit (Bulgaria), Alchemy (Greece), moi composites (Italy), Mercuris (Germany), Arevo/Superstrata (USA), Checkerspot/WNDR Alpine (USA), Ambrocio (Finland) Nairoby (Argentina). All gave inspiring and promising perspectives in the sector and what to look for in the near future.

Posted December 15, 2020

Source: JEC Group

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2020 On Track For Next June Showing

SINGAPORE — December 15, 2020 — Preparations for the seventh edition of ITMA ASIA + CITME are underway as scheduled. Following the completion of the stand allocation exercise, some 1,650 exhibitors have started to receive their certificate of admission and stand details from December 14, 2020.

Despite the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic, the combined show continues to receive the support of exhibitors from 25 countries, including the world’s most established textile machinery brand names.

Among the major exhibitors allocated space are: CHTC, Danis Makina, Electro-Jet, Eton Systems, Fong’s, Groz-Beckert, Itema, Jeanologia, Karl Mayer, MS Printing Solutions, Muratec, Oerlikon Barmag, Picanol, Reggiani Macchine, Rieter, SDC Enterprises, Santoni, Saurer, Savio, Shima Seiki, Staubli, Toyota, Tsudakoma, Vandewiele and Vanwyk.

Dr. Dirk Burger, CEO/CSO of Truetzschler Group, said, “We have never missed any ITMA ASIA + CITME exhibition since its first edition was in Shanghai in 2008. While this has been a difficult year for everyone, we are glad that the exhibition will take place next year so that we can connect with our customers face-to-face. After all, the combined show is the most significant platform in Asia and so we still need to have a consistent presence in this important market.”

Fellow exhibitor Jordi Juani, Asia Division Director of Jeanologia, agreed, “ITMA ASIA + CITME is one of the most relevant shows where we release the latest information on our products and services. Since we are focused in the Asian market, we want to be closer than ever to our customers, attending the show and giving extra support through our China team and our new hub in Hong Kong.”

The show owners, CEMATEX and Chinese partners – the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT (CCPIT-Tex), China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA) and China Exhibition Centre Group Corporation (CIEC), are pleased with the firm support and scale of the exhibition.

Ernesto Maurer, president of CEMATEX, explained, “The pandemic might have disrupted the world but exhibitors are eager to resume their marketing efforts. Therefore, the show has not suffered a significant change in support. While there have been some concerns about international business travel from some quarters, the combined show is still gearing up for a mega showcase.”

Wang Shutian, Honorary President of China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA) concurred, “Due to the global epidemic, some overseas participants have adjusted their exhibition plans. Still, we will have the presence of internationally renowned textile machinery manufacturers. Once conditions permit, we will be embarking on roadshows to promote the exhibition.”

ITMA ASIA + CITME will take place June 12-16, 2021, at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC) in Shanghai. It will be held over 6 halls with a gross exhibition space of 170,000 square metres. It is organized by Beijing Textile Machinery International Exhibition Co Ltd and co-organized by ITMA Services. Japan Textile Machinery Association is a special partner of the show.

The last ITMA ASIA + CITME combined show in 2018 welcomed the participation of 1,733 exhibitors from 28 countries and economies and registered a visitorship of over 100,000 from 116 countries and regions.

Posted December 15, 2020

Source: CEMATEX, CCPIT-Tex, CTMA & CIEC

Newly Commissioned Biostoom Waste-To-Energy Plant Delivers Steam And Electricity To Borealis In Beringen, Belgium

BERINGEN, Belgium — December 15, 2020 — Borealis and Bionerga announce the joint commissioning of Biostoom, a new waste-to-energy plant constructed and operated by Bionerga in Beringen, Belgium. The long-term agreement between Borealis and Bionerga, a Belgium-based specialist in recovering energy from waste, has enabled Borealis to move closer to its goal of sourcing 50 percent of its total electricity consumption from renewable sources for operations in its major business areas by the year 2030. The new Biostoom Beringen facility is allowing Borealis to reduce the amount of natural gas used in operations by supplying steam and electricity recovered from processing of non-recyclable waste collected from nearby communities. The first electricity delivery took place in August, and the first steam was delivered in October 2020.

New biosteam power station reduces dependence on fossil fuel-based energy sources

The newly-built Biostoom power station supplies steam and electricity generated from non-hazardous, non-recyclable waste collected from local households in nearby Limburg. By reducing its dependency on fossil fuel based sources of energy, Borealis is lowering its direct and indirect carbon dioxide emissions (defined as Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol) by 20 percent at its Beringen operations. The state-of-the-art facility generates steam and electricity exclusively for Borealis operations on site. The facility will supply nearly 100 percent of the electricity consumed by Borealis Beringen operations, of which 47 percent is considered renewable. The intake of natural gas will be reduced by around 40 percent.

“Life demands progress. Borealis is taking concrete steps to bring about a circular economy based on reuse, recovery and recycling. The Biostoom Beringen project is the perfect example of re-inventing for more sustainable living: if materials are not recyclable, recovering energy is the best alternative for waste that would otherwise be landfilled,” said Martijn van Koten, Borealis executive vice president Base Chemicals & Operations. “The fact that this project is sourcing non-recyclable waste from adjacent communities further strengthens the sustainability aspect.”

“The success of this project is the result of the careful planning and preparations carried out by highly-qualified Borealis and Bionerga teams,” says Thomas van De Velde, Borealis senior vice president Hydrocarbons & Energy. “This waste-to-energy recovery plant is bringing a sustainability step-change to the Borealis Beringen site. We aim to deepen and solidify co-operation with partners like Bionerga in the future.”

Posted December 15, 2020

Source: Borealis

Baldwin Expands Cleaning Portfolio With TowerClean™ G2 For Coldset Offset Presses

ST. LOUIS — December 15, 2020 — Baldwin Technology Co. Inc. has added TowerClean™ G2 for coldset offset presses to its range of best-in-class cleaning systems and consumables. Complementing the Impact Fusion™ and PREPAC® product lines, the TowerClean G2 is a combined blanket and guide roller cleaning system that enables consistent print quality, more flexibility and increased productivity through fast and efficient cleaning cycles, which optimize uptime and reduce start-up waste.

For efficient blanket cleaning, TowerClean G2 distributes spray evenly across the web, and its optional brushes aid in lint removal. Utilizing Baldwin’s precision spray technology, this innovative system also has a dual-side option for those printers running coated stock paper. In addition, TowerClean G2 offers various operation modes, including combined blanket and guide roller cleaning, blanket cleaning only and guide roller cleaning only.

“TowerClean G2 brings Baldwin surface cleaning technology to the small-format press market,” said Michael Stürmer, Baldwin’s vice president, Product Line Cleaning. “While highly valued for their format flexibility, these presses often do not have the space needed for conventional blanket cleaning. With its modular and expandable design, the TowerClean G2 provides several configuration options to meet production requirements.”

To support this new system, Baldwin offers its unique and Fogra-approved cleaning solvent TowerWash 2, which was specifically created for TowerClean G2.

“The TowerClean G2 was developed because of requests from customers, and we have, in fact, already sold two systems to web offset printers in Europe and the US,” continued Stürmer. “This new system further reinforces Baldwin’s strong commitment to creating innovative cleaning technologies for web offset customers.”

Posted December 15, 2020

Source: Baldwin Technology Company Inc.

Heimtextil, Techtextil & Texprocess: A Positive Outlook On Next Year’s Trade-Fair Trio

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — December 15, 2020 — New dates, new perspectives, new opportunities: from May 4-7, 2021, Heimtextil joins forces with Techtextil and Texprocess to bring together leading representatives of industry, trade, design, science and research at the same time and place. Olaf Schmidt, vice president, Textiles & Textile Technologies of Messe Frankfurt, offers insights into the current planning status and the outlook for the trade-fair trio.

What makes you confident that the trade-fair trio of Heimtextil, Techtextil and Texprocess can be held successfully in May 2021?

This year, we all experienced a previously unknown set of circumstances with unpredictable developments. None of us foresaw the consequences and the duration of the pandemic. And we are still at the point where we do not know when we will be able to draw up reliable plans again. Nevertheless, there is good reason to be optimistic. Towards the end of the summer, Germany’s fair and exhibition industry was given the go-ahead to hold fairs again — not long before the second wave hit us.

In view of this, we are relieved that we decided at an early stage to postpone the next Heimtextil from January until May 2021. For, although we are still far removed from having complete planning certainty, we are tackling the projects for Heimtextil, Techtextil and Texprocess 2021 with confidence — in the hope that the current, second lockdown and the no-less challenging winter months ahead of us will be followed next spring by an improvement in the corona situation. Looking towards Asia also gives us ground for optimism. There, in mid-October, Messe Frankfurt began holding fairs with up to 150,000 participants.

Despite the fact that the way China has handled the virus is not comparable with the European approach, we nevertheless see the situation there as encouraging. All the more so because we firmly believe that social distancing and an efficient supply of fresh air is much easier to regulate in exhibition halls than, for example, in a shopping centre. Moreover, we have prepared our hygiene and safety concept very thoroughly over the past months. Naturally, we remain in close contact with the appropriate authorities and our exhibitors, the vast majority of whom want to see the sector getting together in the near future. Accordingly, we are working flat out on holding our fairs safely in 2021.

How do you see the mood on the industry and trade sides, and what has been the exhibitor response to date?

From Germany’s home-textile manufacturers, furnishing specialists and retailers, we know that the order books are well filled at the moment. People were unable to travel much in 2020 and thus invested more in their homes. According to the Heimtex trade association, there was no summer downturn this year and some sectors were able to make up for the losses from the first lockdown.

Nonwoven manufacturers achieved a five percent increase in sales with the production of face masks and hygiene articles. Overall, however, sales of technical textiles fell for the first time after many years of developing in a positive direction. According to the IVGT textile association, revenues were down by approx. 13 percent between January and September, this year, compared to the same period in 2019.

Following a collapse in sales in the second quarter of this year, exports of textile machines from Germany are now increasingly stable. According to VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies, Germany’s machine and plant manufacturers noted a drop of approx. 16 percent in exports to the EU 27 between January and September compared to the previous year. However, this is set to improve over the course of the year.

We have heard that many companies are hoping for a trade fair and personal encounters with customers and partners in the near future, to give their businesses an additional boost. Leading representatives of the home-textile sector recently rated the coming Heimtextil as a decisive source of impulses for their business in times of crises. Many of them have also reacted positively to the postponement of the fair until May, and the echo from our exhibitors has been correspondingly good. At present, around 1,600 companies have said they are interested in exhibiting at the next Heimtextil. Techtextil and Texprocess can also boast very good registration figures with over 85 and 65 percent respectively of the exhibition space at previous events already having been reserved.

We consider ourselves fortunate that our exhibitors and partners have shown such confidence in us and that, even in times of crisis, they continue to rely on our leading trade fairs. With a comprehensive hygiene and safety concept, we at Messe Frankfurt are doing everything possible to ensure that visitors and exhibitors feel safe and can attend our events with a good feeling.

What are the benefits for exhibitors and visitors of holding the three trade fairs — Heimtextil, Techtextil and Texprocess — concurrently on this one occasion?

In September, we decided to postpone Heimtextil from January to May, next year, and to hold it concurrently with Techtextil and Texprocess. In addition to the significantly improved prospects of success given by the later dates, holding the three trade fairs in parallel offers valuable synergistic effects for many participants, as well as the unique chance to discover large parts of the textile value chain at the same time and place — from fibres and yarns, via functional textiles and production and finishing processes, to finished products for a variety of applications, especially textile interior furnishings.

Thanks to the close proximity to manufacturers of innovative technical textiles and nonwovens at Techtextil, Heimtextil exhibitors and visitors have the opportunity to meet potential partners from a new area of business. From the point of view of many Heimtextil participants, the machines and new technologies for processing textile and flexible materials to be seen at Texprocess are a field of considerable interest. Specifically, this means that product designers, buyers or textile engineers from exhibiting companies at Heimtextil can also make business contacts at Techtextil and Texprocess, and discover the latest products on the market.

Moreover, the presence of retailers, furnishing specialists, interior architects, architects, designers, materials experts from research and development and machine and technology specialists means that the participants of all three events will receive impulses from sectors that are rarely to be found all together at the same venue. Thus, the trade-fair trio will be a ‘textile powerhouse’ offering inspiration, expertise and business opportunities in completely new constellations. In particular, Techtextil and Texprocess will offer more digital services for the first time. We will stream lectures and discussions, as well as install a new online matchmaking service. Thus, international participants will have the chance to obtain in-depth information during or after the event, as well as to make valuable contacts.

What are the next steps towards holding the fairs? What factors will be decisive for the trade-fair trio to be held successfully in May?

In February, we will have received binding registrations from our Heimtextil exhibitors. In the case of Techtextil and Texprocess, the deadline is the end of January. Only then — after these deadlines have — will we have a clearer view forward and our teams be able to plan the fairs in detail. As soon as possible afterwards, we will hold a press conference and provide details about the number of registrations received and the planning status of the individual events.

We hope very much that the situation will improve over the winter months and, in particular, that the travel restrictions can be relaxed. Under these circumstances, we are confident that, with our carefully prepared hygiene and safety concept, we will be able to hold a safe and highly successful trio of fairs.

Posted December 15, 2020

Source: Messe Frankfurt

The Sweet Living Group, Evercare Announce Global Distribution Partnership Of Zinc Oxide For The Textile And Laundry Detergent Industries

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va./RALEIGH, N.C.  — December 10, 2020 — The Sweet Living Group LLC (SLG), a provider of zinc oxide (ZnO) and nanoparticle zinc oxide technology for the textile and laundry detergent industries, and EverCare, a provider of hih-quality zinc oxides and raw material innovation, announce an exclusive partnership to distribute ZnO to the textile industry and SLG customers around the globe.

The SLG’s extensive intellectual property enhances textiles by: controlling odor, providing antimicrobial/mold and mildew-resistance, incorporating ultraviolet protection, increasing resistance to degradation, and enhancing flame resistance. SLG is a leader in innovation for the textile industry with 14 issued U.S. patents, five pending patent applications, and two trademarks encompassing ZnO and nano-ZnO for textiles.

EverCare is focused on innovation, supply and expertise of high-quality ultrafine zinc oxides for personal care and industrial applications, such as coatings, textiles, plastics and is bringing these innovations and high-quality products on the market under the Zano® and Tenray® brand names. The company is head quartered in Raleigh, N.C., and has production facilities and offices in The Netherlands and Belgium. Evercare is a division of EverZinc group, committed to creating products that matter and a provider of specialty zinc materials including fine zinc powders, zinc oxides, battery zinc powders.

SLG’s intellectual property scope of coverage allows its patents to be applied in both the textile and laundry detergent industries including industrial and commercial applications. The licensing program is administered for SLG by Blackhawk Technologies, which is one of the world’s most experienced intellectual property, licensing/patent companies.

“We recently commercialized our technology for the textile industry and are slated for global distribution,” said Ron Kramer, SLG Partner/COO. “We have a streamlined supply chain. EverCare produces the highest quality zinc oxides and we are working with our innovation production partner, Low Impact Technologies, to supply masterbatch fiber for global consumers. Low Impact Technologies is known for developing the most advance yarns, fabrics and garments available in the textile industries,” said Mr. Kramer.

“Our new partnership with The Sweet Living Group allows us to deliver EverCare’s innovations, technologies and key learnings from other industries to textile applications”, said Jeroen van den Bosch, EverCare’s managing director. “Together our two companies will be able to provide synergies to not only offer better technologies, but make it available quicker globally.”

“This partnership is a clear example of the strategic focus that is being applied in EverCare’s development of ultrafine zinc oxides for industrial application areas, which is one of the main reasons for the creation of EverCare in 2019”, said Vincent Dujardin, CEO of EverZinc.”

The zinc oxide technology of The Sweet Living Group, combined with Evercare’s Tenray zinc oxides will be commercialized under the EcoZinc® brand, providing protection for people, textiles and the environment.

Posted December 15, 2020

Source: The Sweet Living Group/EverCare

PANGAIA Announces Investment In Materials Science Company Kintra Fibers

NEW YORK CITY — December 14, 2020 — PANGAIA announced today its investment in Kintra Fibers, a material science company that makes high-performance, 100-percent biobased, and compostable yarns for the fashion and apparel industry. PANGAIA will help Kintra scale its patent-pending resin and yarn process through its supply chain and will develop first-of-its-kind compostable fabric blends and apparel leveraging the Kintra technology, pioneering increased sustainability standards for synthetic materials. The material will be available to use by additional brand partners.

The new Kintra material is positioned as an alternative to the global overuse of petroleum-based synthetic fabrics, as well as a powerful solution to harmful microplastic ocean pollution perpetuated by traditional, non-biodegradable synthetics. The Kintra resin and yarns can be seamlessly integrated into existing man-made manufacturing and textile production supply chains at a competitive price point, providing a scalable and cost-effective sustainable alternative to synthetics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), recycled PET (rPET0 or nylon.

“We are excited to be value chain partners with Kintra and help them realize the commercialization of their resin and yarn technology, bringing real systemic change of material possibilities for the industry. We hope this material will become a model not just for PANGAIA, but for the industry at large,” said Amanda Parkes, chief innovation officer at PANGAIA. “The Kintra fiber is a true embodiment of PANGAIA’s commitment to ‘high tech naturalism,’ our material philosophy. Kintra’s breakthroughs in responsible, bio-based chemistry allow us to design for the performance and end-of-life of our garments from the molecule up.”

“PANGAIA’s science-based standards for sustainability are unparalleled, and their commitment to the planet is visible in each step of their supply chain. We look forward to collaborating with the PANGAIA team and integrating our technology into their fabrics and garments,” said Billy McCall, cofounder and CEO at Kintra Fibers. “As a lifelong surfer, protecting the oceans is near and dear to me. By designing for the material end-of-life at its start, we offer the industry a solution for microfiber pollution, as well as the ability to fit with chemical and physical recycling systems.”

Instead of petroleum, the inputs used to make the Kintra resin are sourced from sugar. This offers brands the opportunity to set a new standard of transparency in the synthetic material supply chain: A 2019 survey by Textile Exchange of 170 fashion brands found that only 8 percent knew their polyester supply chain to the chemical supplier level, and none have made this information public. Yet polyester represents 52 percent of the global fiber market.

“We are committed to bring visibility to an opaque part of the supply chain to help brands build a better, more sustainable future and share this with their consumers in a more meaningful manner. We’re thrilled to work with PANGAIA, a brand that has demonstrated their commitment to revolutionizing raw materials through their track record of working with eco-friendly innovations and processes,” said Alissa Baier-Lentz, cofounder and COO at Kintra Fibers.

PANGAIA invested alongside Tech Council Ventures, which focuses on science and technology companies, and FAB Ventures, which invests in the sustainable fashion and beauty sector and is founded by Odile Roujol, former CEO of Lancôme.

Kintra joins PANGAIA as a long-term innovation partner in the textile value chain, with the vision to bring new materials and science to the forefront of the fashion and textile industries.

Posted December 14, 2020

Source: PANGAIA

Propel LLC: Helping Protect The U.S. Military And Now General Public

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — December 14, 2020 — Propel, a woman-owned textile technology innovation company focused on the development of products for the U.S. military market, has experienced explosive growth in 2020 after pivoting quickly to producing cutting-edge cloth masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic. While the company primarily focuses on the U.S. military market, innovation and industry expertise have made it possible to continue to grow the business during this difficult time while achieving the goal of creating superior masks that are both affordable and accessible.

In early March 2020, when the pandemic had made its way to the United States, Propel’s leadership had the foresight to order a half-million yards of elastic, anticipating the oncoming need for protection for the military as well as the general public. From concept to production, the process of developing the mask took only five days. The company is now producing masks in multiple U.S. factories, sourcing U.S.-made textiles and components from its home state of Rhode Island and across the country. Together with its partners, including Darlington Fabrics of Westerly, R.I., the textile company has constructed a mask that meets CDC recommendations, is comfortable and features a nose-stay that reduces the need for the constant re-adjusting typical of many other masks and helps prevent glasses from fogging. Due to this innovation and fortitude, Propel was awarded a Defense Logistics Contract to make the same face cover design for the Department of Defense.

To date, the company has sold approximately 1.6 million masks to the military and over 2 million masks overall and counting with the capacity to make over 100,000 masks per week. A line of adjustable children’s masks in the colors black, navy, purple and green just launched on www.propelmasks.com. Free ground shipping is available for orders of five or more. As mission-driven causes are important to the organization, Propel donated 1,000 masks to the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless earlier this year.

“It’s humbling to have Propel products on the front lines of this pandemic protecting those who protect us,” said Clare King, president of Propel LLC. “The team appreciates the opportunity to transform the world of textiles alongside other small businesses making a difference at home and globally.”

Posted December 14, 2020

Source: Propel

Delilah Home Launches World’s First GOTS Organic Hemp Sheets Collection

WEDDINGTON, N.C. — December 14, 2020 — Just in time for holiday gift giving and cuddling up for the winter, North Carolina-based home textiles company Delilah Home is launching the world’s first 100-percent organic hemp sheets certified from field to finished product to the stringent Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). GOTS requires the use of organic fiber and prohibits the use of hazardous processing inputs.

Delilah Home launched the nation’s first extensive collection of hemp sheets just a year ago, in November 2019, and has since found a source for certified organic hemp. Processing is undertaken in a family-run factory in Portugal, a country renowned for quality textile manufacturing. There, the hemp fibers are turned into cozy sheets with a non-toxic process used to soften them to a pleasing linen-line texture.

“With our organic hemp sheets, Delilah Home is helping create or expand an organic safe haven in the home,” says Michael Twer, Delilah Home CEO.

The sheets, available in white as well as calming mineral green and light grey tones, complement Delilah Home’s range of plush 100 percent organic cotton bed linens and towels. The 180 gram sheets and duvet covers are silky soft while the towels — available from hand towels to bath sheets — have a pile that is luxurious to the touch and absorbs water easily. All products are available at Delilah Home, as well as Bloomingdales, Macys.com, and The Grommet­.

Hemp fibers are known for being long, strong (read: long-lasting!), absorbent, mildew-resistant, and temperature regulating. This means that hemp will keep a person warm in winter and cool in summer than cotton.

In 2020, the Sleep Foundation named Delilah Home’s hemp sheets some of the “Best Cooling Sheets” that not only allow cool air to reach the sleeper’s body but can wick away excess moisture to keep the sleeper dry and comfortable. The hemp sheets also won over the Wall Street Journal: “they hit a delightful balance between textured and soft. Like a heavy linen’s, their heft was cozy and reassuring…with a tussled, rustic look… worth the splurge.”

All Delilah Home organic cotton and hemp products are now GOTS-certified, and the company also is one of the first textile businesses to have it products Certified Vegan by Vegan.org.

Posted December 14, 2020

Source: Delilah Home

1...946947948...2,648Page 947 of 2,648

Sponsors

Breaking News

Load more

Digital Issue

2026 Quarterly Issue II

View Latest Digital Issue

FEATURED ARTICLES

© Copyright 2017 Textile Industries Media Group, LLC.