Lenzing Managing Board proposes dividend of EUR 4.35

The Managing Board of Lenzing AG, a leading manufacturer of specialty fibers made from the renewable raw material wood, has resolved to propose to the Annual General Meeting a dividend of EUR 4.35 for the 2021 financial year. This dividend proposal reflects the suspended dividends from 2019 and 2020.

The total dividend payout to shareholders will amount to about EUR 115,492,500, subject to the acceptance of the proposal by the Supervisory Board at its meeting scheduled for March 09, 2022 for the purpose of approving the consolidated financial statements as well as the approval granted by Lenzing AG shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on April 26, 2022.

The Annual Report of the Lenzing AG for the 2021 financial year will be published on March 10, 2022.

Koketa is including US-made Acteev® in leggings and undergarments

Koketa, a brand of premium womenswear based in Peru, has begun sampling leggings, undergarments and workout wear featuring Acteev® Protect fabric. Produced by U.S. manufacturer Ascend Performance Materials, Acteev incorporates the odor-fighting and mildew-destroying antimicrobial benefits of zinc ions embedded into the matrix of superior nylon yarns and fabrics.

“When it comes to what’s closest to your most vulnerable skin, being safe and sanitary is a top priority,” said Juan Daniel Del Carpio, commercial director for Koketa. “The Koketa woman wants beauty, comfort and protection, and a partnership with Acteev makes it easier than ever for us to deliver all three.”

Koketa garments with Acteev feature Koketa’s signature innovative styles, including unique knit patterns, on-trend colors and flattering silhouettes. The Acteev fabric is buttery-soft and breathable yet long-lasting and resistant to pilling.

INDA Hires New Chief Operating Officer

• Tony Fragnito Will Oversee INDA’s Business Operations

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced that Anthony “Tony” Fragnito has joined the company as chief operating officer reporting to INDA president, Dave Rousse. Fragnito will take a lead role in updating INDA’s technology platform, financial operations and implementing INDA’s new Strategic Plan.

He brings decades of leadership experience assisting trade and professional organizations in realizing their organizational and operational potential. A certified public accountant, Tony brings strong financial acumen in addition to extensive technology, human resource and program management accomplishments from organizations representing a variety of professions and industries. He most recently was chief financial officer of International Society of Automation (ISA) in Research Triangle Park, NC. Before that he was chief executive officer of XBRL International, Inc. an international consortium of companies which developed and promoted technologies for the collection of business and financial data. He is a graduate of George Mason University and a resident of New Hill, NC.

AVK and SMC BMC Alliance launch SMCCreate 2022 Design Conference

The European Alliance for SMC BMC and the AVK expert task force SMC/BMC are announcing they will organize together SMCCreate 2022, a conference about design in SMC and BMC composite materials. This conference will provide valuable insights in the entire product design process from idea to part manufacturing, targeted both at experienced designers and at designers that are new in applying these versatile materials.

SMC and BMC are composite materials ideal for making light and intricate parts that combine structural performance with a smooth surface finish. For that reason, SMC and BMC are increasingly used in a broad range of end-use applications and markets.

Companies that have been using SMC and BMC solutions have a lot of expertise available, which can help designers to be more successful in bringing products to market. Therefore, the European Alliance for SMC BMC and the AVK expert task force SMC/BMC would like to organize together this design conference, allowing designers to learn from the experts, apply gained insights into their own designs, and broaden their horizon for new part developments.

Huntsman’s AVITERA® SE Rose delivers Sustainability and Performance

Huntsman Textile Effects has released the latest addition to the third generation of its revolutionary AVITERA® SE polyreactive dye range with the introduction of AVITERA® ROSE SE for brilliant bluish-red shades. The innovative new dye significantly outperforms the available dyeing technologies for cellulosic fibers and blends, delivering substantial water and energy savings, exceptional overall fastness, and reduced costs.

AVITERA® ROSE SE slashes the water and energy required for production by up to 50% thanks to its unique low-temperature and high-speed wash-off technology. It further delivers excellent right-first-time performance, with outstanding compatibility, levelling properties, and on-tone build-up. The cost-effective formulation reduces recipe costs for medium-dark shades while both minimizing processing costs and eliminating reprocessing. It also increases mill output by up to 25% or more.

TBWA\Helsinki: Finnish webstore replaced its products with friends to the lonely

Black Friday is known as the world's largest shopping event, which is constantly growing in size. Rather than offering highly promoted sales, a Finnish clothing company Pure Waste joined forces with HelsinkiMissio, an NGO battling loneliness in Finland. On Black Friday, instead of buying clothes anyone can donate a friend to people suffering from loneliness.

A Global survey shows that over a third of adults experience feelings of loneliness worldwide. Many who feel lonely try to cope by shopping, which in fact has been proven to aggravate loneliness and can even cause feelings of depression.¹

This is why HelsinkiMissio, a Finnish NGO battling loneliness, and Pure Waste, a Finnish clothing manufacturer, joined forces on Black Friday. All Pure Waste’s products on their webstore have been replaced with a chance to donate for HelsinkiMissio’s important work against loneliness.

Indorama Ventures launches the industry's first report on contributions to UN Sustainable Development Goals

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), a world-class sustainable chemical company, introduced the first independent Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Report developed by the private sector in Thailand. The report provides details of the company’s sustainability strategy, aligned with the United Nation’s SDGs.

Renaud Meyer, UN Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative to Thailand, said, “We support countries in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals through integrated solutions. Achieving the goals at global level requires the partnership of governments, private sector, civil society and citizens alike to make sure we leave a better planet for future generations. The Sustainable Development Goals Report developed by the private sector is one way to urge more constructive collaboration among sectors.”  

Italian spinning group launches new metalloplastic yarns

• Marchi & Fildi Group presents the selection of metalloplastic yarns with GRS certification of its Gleaming line, coming from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester

With the goal to expand the offer of yarns coming from recycled raw materials for a textile more attentive to the consumption of resources, the MFT division of the Marchi & Fildi Group completes the range of metalloplastic yarns of its Gleaming collection with the insertion of 100% recycled polyester yarns coming from post-consumer material and with the GRS (Global Recycle Standard) certification.
Starting from recycled polyester with traceable origin, in compliance with environmental and social criteria extended to all the phases of the supply chain, metalloplastic yarns are obtained with the same esthetic features and performance, compared to similar products based on virgin raw materials.

ISKO champions circularity and biodiversity at the Circular Fashion Summit 2021

• The leading denim ingredient brand joins lablaco’s virtual reality Circular Fashion Summit 2021 as an Innovation Partner

ISKO continues to reaffirm its commitment towards circularity by participating as an Innovation Partner in the Circular Fashion Summit 2021 by lablaco. The summit will bring together leaders of change across design, technology and sustainability to share knowledge and take action towards creating a circular future for fashion. The event will be held in a VR version of the Grand Palais Éphémère in Paris and will take place on 9-12 December.

ISKO’s approach to circularity is built on creating a future where no virgin resources are needed to produce beautiful durable and high performing woven fabrics To achieve this, the leading denim ingredient brand is working to remove its reliance on fossil fuels and virgin materials by employing only renewable energy and by setting the challenging target of using 100% recycled or reused materials.

The AVK – Industrievereinigung Verstärkte Kunststoffe – presents its Innovation Awards 2021

The AVK – Industrievereinigung Verstärkte Kunststoffe – has once again presented its Innovation Awards to companies, institutes and their partners. Three composites innovations were recognised in each of the three categories – “Innovative Products/Applications”, “Innovative Processes” and “Research and Science” – at the new event JEC Forum DACH on 23 November 2021, the first edition of which was held in Frankfurt.

“As usual, the submissions included a lot of very interesting and promising products and processes this year. The Innovation Awards highlight the outstanding efficiency, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of fibre-reinforced plastics as well as the companies and institutes operating in the sector,” explains Dr. Elmar Witten, Managing Director of the AVK. The jury of leading experts from the industry honoured the following innovations this year: