From the Sector

• Oerlikon integrates automation solutions for largescale plants in technology portfolio

Remscheid, Germany / Pfäffikon, Schwyz, Switzerland - Oerlikon announced today that it has acquired Germany-based AC-Automation GmbH & Co. KG, an engineering company specializing in large-scale plant automation solutions for the textile and packaging industries. The two companies have been partnering since the early 1980s. The integration of AC-Automation in Oerlikon expands the market-leading technology portfolio of its Manmade Fibers Segment. It also marks a milestone in Oerlikon’s ongoing quest to offer innovative, fully automated and digitally networked Industry solutions in the manmade fiber industry.

The 60 employees at AC-Automation’s Bernkastel-Kues and Augsburg locations will become part of Oerlikon’s Manmade Fibers Segment, which includes the leading brands Oerlikon Barmag and Oerlikon Neumag. The move will expand the Segment’s business model, adding another key core component to its current offering of production plants and technology solutions from melt to yarn, fibers, andnonwovens. Ultimately, Oerlikon will be able to offer customers a total solution from a single source, including automation logistics for packaging, high-bay storage, and other areas, which complement its current market-leading spinning and process technologies for the textile industry.

"We see our expanded overall offering as an Industry solution, reflecting the future of an even more efficient, digitized and profitable chemical fiber industry, especially for large-scale plants with daily production capacity of several hundred tons of polyester, nylon, polypropylene, or other manmade fibers,” explains Georg Stausberg, CEO of the Manmade Fibers Segment. Manmade fiber producers from China — the world’s most important market, generating more than 70 % of worldwide manmade fiber production — as well as companies from other fast-growing markets such as India, Turkey and the USA are also relying on automated and networked Industry total solutions.

"The acquisition and integration of AC-Automation’s automation solutions will provide new opportunities for our manmade fiber business. It enables the Segment to increasingly position itself as an Industry solution provider in combination with our own digitization solutions,” says Oerlikon Group CEO Dr. Roland Fischer. “As a leading provider of advanced materials, surface solutions and materials processing including the engineering and production of polymer plants, this acquisition marks another milestone in Oerlikon’s strategy to strengthen its businesses and thus sustain profitable growth.”

"After such a long partnership, we are excited to be able to benefit even more in the future as part of a global player in the textile industry. Our market access will further improve with the help of the Oerlikon
Group's sales and service network. For my employees, I am very pleased to be able to bring them into an international Group, in which there would be new opportunities and perspectives for them personally,”
said Rolf Gänz, AC-Automation’s Managing Director.

Idéal Fibres & Fabrics Comines received the Textile Industry Award during the award ceremony of the “Trophées de l’Industrie des Hauts-de-France” (Trophies of the Industries of Hauts-de-France) which is hosted each year by the Société Industrielle du Nord. These trophies reward companies who are selected by trade and pooling associations based on their exemplary performance, innovations and achievements in an area of specialty which is different each year.

Idéal Fibres & Fabrics Comines (IFFC), a subsidiary of the Belgian Beaulieu International Group of companies, announced today that it was awarded the Textile Industry Award, which is one of the Trophies of the Industries of Hauts-de-France. The award ceremony took place on the 29th of March of this year at the Cité des Échanges of Marcq en Baroeul, France. Michiel Leys, Manufacturing Manager for Europe and General Manager of the production site, and Loïc Derôme, Operations Manager at IFCC, attended the ceremony and received the prize in person.

As part of the Industry Week, the ceremony is each year a time of exchange, optimism and encouragement to flagship companies of the industrial trades.
Idéal Fibres & Fabrics Comines’ production site has been based in the North since 1993 and manufactures high quality polypropylene and polyamid based textured yarns for applications in the automotive, and commercial and residential building sectors. “We regularly invest in technology on the one hand, and in safety, security and working conditions on the other”, says Loïc Derôme, Operations Manager at IFCC. “For the past two years, we have invested around for million euros and, this year, we are in the on-going process of further developing our manufacturing resources to meet the technical needs of the market and to increase the safety of our site.”

“We have selected IFCC because of its significant surface, but also because it is a French company belonging to a Belgian group, who decided to build on France as a country”, adds Eric Mezin, Délégué Général UIT Nord. Such attributes as open-mindedness, strong focus on sustainable development and effective communication efforts in view of attracting new talents, including among older, more experienced people, are but a few of the multiple aspects that accounts for the election of IFFC as an award-winner.

Mit der neuen Produktionsstätte stärkt creora® seine Marktstellung auf dem Subkontinent

• Hyun Joon Cho diskutiert Expansionspläne mit dem indischen Premierminister Modi
• Bau der ersten Spandex-Anlage von Hyosung im Bundesstaat Maharashtra angekündigt
• Fertigstellung im Jahr 2019 geplant, Investitionssumme zunächst 100 Millionen US-Dollar
• Hyosung Vorsitzender Cho setzt auf zweistelliges Wachstum mit der indischen Wirtschaft

Seoul, Korea, März 2018 - Hyosung, der größte und am schnellsten wachsende Spandex-Anbieter der Welt, verkündet stolz Pläne zum Bau der ersten Spandex-Produktion im indischen Bundesstaat Maharashtra. Mit einer Erstinvestition von 100 Millionen US-Dollar wächst Hyosungs Marktanteil ihrer Marke creora am indischen Spandex-Markt auf 70 Prozent.

Hohe Wachstumsraten der indischen Textilindustrie

Der indische Markt für Spandex wuchs von 2012 bis 2017 mit einer durchschnittlichen jährlichen Wachstumsrate (CAGR) von über 16 Prozent; für 2020 wird ein Wachstum von 12 Prozent prognostiziert. Der Bundesstaat Maharashtra im Westen Indiens, wo Hyosung sein Werk errichten wird, ist eine Schlüsselregion für die Textilproduktion des Landes. Das neue Werk schafft Arbeitsplätze und kurbelt die regionale Wirtschaft und die Entwicklung von Unternehmen an, die auf Weben, Stricken und Nähen spezialisiert sind.

Analoges Wachstum zur indischen Wirtschaft erwartet

Vorsitzender Cho: „Hyosung erwartet ein analoges, zweistelliges Wachstum mit der indischen Wirtschaft.“ Bei seinem Treffen mit dem indischen P.M. Modi sagte Cho: „Indien ist einer der größten Textilmärkte der Welt und wir erwarten ein bemerkenswertes Wachstum im indischen Verbrauchermarkt. Mit der vollen Unterstützung der indischen Regierung für unser neues Werk hoffe ich auf Wachstum, gleichermaßen von Hyosung und der indischen Wirtschaft.“

• Spanish outdoor and sportswear market leader expands international presence thanks to Lectra’s latest product lifecycle management solution

Ismaning/Paris – Lectra, the technological partner for companies using fabrics and leather, is pleased to announce that the Ternua Group, a world-renowned Spanish outdoor clothing and sportswear group, has chosen Lectra Fashion PLM 4.0 to increase their geographical presence by improving global teamwork.

Founded in 1994, the Ternua Group has achieved worldwide success by promoting adventure through respect for nature, producing sustainable technical clothing for outdoor sports enthusiasts worldwide. The group’s strong commitment to the environment is shown through their R&D that focuses on developing their own fabric by using eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton and recycled down.

Today, the group’s portfolio includes three brands Ternua, Astore and Lorpen, currently exporting to more than 50 countries, with operations in Europe, America and Asia. Compounding this global success, the ambitious group plans to penetrate more markets across the globe.

The group is implementing Lectra Fashion PLM 4.0 into their entire production process. Specifically developed to help fashion companies navigate the digital era, this modular and user-friendly solution will help the Ternua Group centralize and store information coming from their brands by digitalizing their supply chain. This will connect all teams involved in the design-to-production process, regardless of geographic location. Team members will also be able to comm unicate better with external suppliers, access accurate information and keep track of every collection’s development progress. The group can hence speed up the entire production process and help their brands deliver their collections to markets all over the world on time.

“We manage our design and product development processes in-house but outsource our production in Europe, north of Africa and Asia. For our business to expand globally, we need to go fully digital. By having a system that consolidates and standardizes data coming from all supply chain actors across the world, we can respond faster to consumer demand,” explains Aitor Barinaga, Chief Operations Officer, Ternua Group. “We have assessed all other vendors—and Lectra Fashion PLM 4.0 is clearly the winner. It has the ability to fully integrate all processes and improve communication and teamwork across all departments through sound data management. We are more than happy to have a trusted partner as Lectra for such an ambitious project.”

“Ternua Group is constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation. This is shown through their desire to help customers achieve their personal best by providing them with high-performance technical wear that is also environmentally friendly. We are thrilled to embark on this new journey with the Ternua Group, and we are confident that our solution and expertise will help them get their collections out to new markets on time,” says Rodrigo Siza, Managing Director, Spain and Portugal, Lectra.

• Mit den praktischen Reparatur- und Pflegemitteln von Gear Aid die Lebensdauer von Zelten, Jacken und Co. verlängern

Wir leben in einer Wegwerfgesellschaft. Kaum klemmt ein Reißverschluss oder eine Naht löst sich auf, schon wird das Produkt entsorgt und neues Equipment angeschafft. Letztendlich leidet darunter nicht nur der eigene Geldbeutel, sondern auch unsere Umwelt, die sich Tag für Tag neuen Belastungen aussetzen muss.
Um die Natur zu entlasten und zu verhindern, dass gebrauchte Textilien wie Jacken, Hosen, Zelte oder Schlafsäcke vorschnell entsorgt werden, macht es sich Gear Aid zur Aufgabe, die Lebensdauer von Outdoor-Ausrüstung zu verlängern. Mit den praktischen Reparatur- und Pflegemitteln bietet das Unternehmen bei Verschließ oder Schäden die passende Lösung und sorgt dafür, dass wir uns nicht allzu schnell von unseren Lieblingsprodukten trennen müssen.

Egal, ob beim Klettern, Bergsteigen, Surfen, Tauchen oder Trekking, die Care & Repair Produkte von Gear Aid sind leicht zu verstauen und können im Notfall so manches Abenteuer retten. Mit einem umfassenden Produktportfolio sorgt Gear Aid dafür, dass sich Naturliebhaber in den unterschiedlichsten Umgebungen keine Sorgen um ihre Ausrüstung machen müssen. Um die Produktqualität und -leistung in einer Vielzahl von Klimazonen zu gewährleisten, werden die Produkte umfangreichen Entwicklungs- und Testprozessen unterzogen.

Gear Aid Seam Grip
Der Seam Grip von Gear Aid dichtet Oberflächen und Nähte von Zelten, Jacken und anderen Textilien zuverlässig und dauerhaft ab. Dabei versiegelt er nicht nur Nähte, sondern kann auch Risse und kleine Löcher permanent schließen. Durch die einfache Handhabung kann somit jeder zum Meister der Reparatur werden. Weitere Vorteile bietet Seam Grip durch seine ausgezeichnete Haftung, die langanhaltende Flexibilität sowie eine äußerst hohe Resistenz. Der Klebstoff hält auf allen natürlichen und synthetischen Stoffen, wasserdichten- und abweisenden Schichten sowie auf Leder und Venyl. Daher kann er auch bei Bodenplanen, Rucksäcken oder Schuhen eingesetzt werden. Auch die Behandlung von Neopren, PVC und Gummi stellen für Seam Grip kein Problem dar.

• Versiegelt Nähte von Zelten, Planen, Rucksäcken, Regenkleidung, Stiefeln
• Schließt Löcher permanent und beseitigt Risse
• Resistent gegen Kälte und Hitze
• Ideal für unbeschichtete und PU-beschichtete Materialien
• Inhalt: 28 g
• Eine Tube versiegelt ca. 366 mm

Gear Aid Zipper Cleaner + Lubricant
Der Gear Aid Zipper Cleaner + Lubricant verhindert eingeklemmte und hakende Reißverschlüsse, indem er schädliche Schmutz-, Sand und Salzablagerungen sowohl vom Zipper als auch vom Schieber entfernt. Somit verlängert er die Langlebigkeit von Reißverschlüssen und sorgt für eine einfache Handhabung. Über einen integrierten Auftrage-Pinsel hinterlässt die Tube ein Schmiermittel, welches ein einfaches Schließen und Öffnen ermöglicht.

• Reiniger und Schmiermittel in einem
• Ohne Silikon
• Biologisch abbaubar
• Verwendbar für Plastik-, Nylon- und Metallreißverschlüsse
• Ideal für Zelte, Rucksäcke, Schlafsäcke oder Jacken
• Inhalt: 59 ml

• JEC World 2018, closes its doors on March 8 with a record increase in attendance resuming 3 days of vibrant networking and knowledge sharing.

The event confirms its leading position of JEC Group as number one organization for the promotion and development of the composites industry. Indeed the show welcomed more than 1,300 exhibitors from every continents and counted 42,445 professional visits from 115 countries. “The ability of JEC Group to gather the whole composites Industry under one roof over 3 days lies in the fact that we always initiate new precursory programs to the service of composites professionals.” says Ms. Frédérique Mutel, JEC Group President & CEO. “This year we initiated new programs, for instance the Composite Challenge allowing 10 PhD students to pitch their thesis in front of the industry, thus facilitating connections between students and industrialists. In the same spirit, we increased in power our Start Up Booster and Innovation Award Programs to accelerate relations between young or innovative companies with investors or established enterprises. We also introduced one new planet called “Make it Real” along with the Aero, Auto and Construction planets. In this planet, we could discover astonishing futuristic products for example the Aeromobil, a flying car that would revolutionize urban transportation in the near future,“ she adds. “We launched our new Book on Natural Fibers: Flax and Hemp. We had strong communications on Composites Environmental Input and Recycling.”

The event was the first event to promote and host the new “French Fab”, a French government initiative to internationally promote the French Industry and Manufacture. Also, JEC World welcomed the French Secretary of State to the Minister of Economy and Finance Ms. Delphine Gény-Stephann, visit that demonstrates the growing role of composites in the industry.

Inspiring Keynotes to foster composites disruption

Dirk Ahlborn,CEO of Hyperloop opened the Startup Booster ceremony by supporting the spirit of ingenuity in the Industry. Dayton Horvath, industry expert and consultant in additive manufacturing presented his vision of how to apply artificial intelligence to composite Materials and Manufacturing. Finally, Yves Rossy, the “jetman” using the latest carbon-fiber wings for flight introduced the JEC Innovation awards ceremony, motivating the audience to pursue their dreams and explaining how composites could made his dreams come true.

The "Public Choice” Awards Winners

A first at the show this year was the introduction of the public votes to elect their favorite projects among two JEC programs promoting innovation. “The goal to create the “public choice awards” was to involve and embark our community to make their innovation loud. Our vision at JEC is to demonstrate and to make understand towards a broader scope the vast range of possibilities that composite materials offer.”
comments Ms. Anne-Manuèle Hébert, Director for JEC World and European Events for JEC Group.

Public Choice Award for Startup  Booster: Inca-Fiber (Germany) with 62.36% of the 2,221 votes
Public Choice Award for JEC Innovation Awards: Infusion technology for an aircraft wing by AeroComposit JSC (Russia) gaining 20.96% of the 4,126 votes.

• Lectra – ESCP Europe ‘Fashion & Technology’ Chair round-table event hears panelists emphasize the need for fashion companies to embrace Industry 4.0.

Paris, February 27, 2018 – Lectra, the technological partner for companies using fabrics and leather, the French business school ESCP Europe and their joint ‘Fashion & Technology’ Chair explored the impact of Industry 4.0 on fashion’s value chain during a recent insightful round table discussion at ESCP Europe’s London campus.
For the participants Robert Diamond, Founder and CEO, Fernbrook Partners; Dan Hartley, Global Head of Digital Commerce, AllSaints; Laëtitia Hugé, Vice-President, Product Marketing, Lectra; Pierre Mercier, Senior Partner and Managing Director, Boston Consulting Group; and Evelthon Vassilou, CEO, Alison Hayes, there was consensus. Industry 4.0 represents unparalleled opportunities to take the fashion industry forward.

From brand to manufacturer, panelists from across the value chain emphasized the necessity for the industry to embrace the alliance between man and machines to leverage massive benefits, from quicker decision-making to cost-reduction.
Exploring the advantages of Industry 4.0 technology, Evelthon Vassilou commented: “Interpreting the data of what is, and isn’t, selling should help to speed up decisions. You can react very quickly across the entire supply chain, and either stop producing something unsuccessful or ramp up production if successful. Data and data analytics is not sufficient, to succeed this also requires a high degree of trust and integration between retailers and suppliers.”

“It’s about using technology to deliver continuous improvement in everyday business,” said Robert Diamond. “People are not good at making a large volume of repeatable decisions with many different data inputs”. Identifying where machines, and where people, bring value is an important part of embracing Industry 4.0. “If the business decision, or the outcome of the resolution tomorrow, is pretty much the same as what happened yesterday, then there is a chance for machine learning to help improve the situation.”
For Pierre Mercier, technology propelled by Industry 4.0 is disrupting former sources of competitive advantage, “forcing companies to rethink how they want to compete in their respective industries, and how to use data to compete differently. The common denominator in the fashion ecosystem is that everyone is facing the opportunity for a step change and need to figure out where to double down and accelerate their transformation.”

“Agility and flexibility are increasingly important for fashion players. Cutting-edge technology is supporting the fashion industry as it steps into the 4.0 era, ensuring businesses have the right solutions in their own ecosystems, to effectively harness the right data to make the right decisions,” stated Laëtitia Hugé.

At UK fashion brand AllSaints, valuable data harnessed from the net promoter score is paramount for their business. “We take customer feedback very seriously and we use it as a framework for our internal roadmap - from a tech and development point of view, through to design and fit, the customer is at the heart of everything we do,” stated Dan Hartley. In addition, he underlined that using technology across communications “will be huge going forward for AllSaints. From supply chain to store teams, we aim to use a cloud-based system that works within our own eco-system, complementing our agile model.”
The round table was moderated by the co-director of Lectra-ESCP Europe ‘Fashion and Technology’ Chair Valérie Moatti.
 

The two AZL Partners Conbility GmbH and Fraunhofer IPT, Aachen started their long-term cooperation for the further development and for the commercialization of Fraunhofer´s tape-placement and tape winding systems with in-situ-consolidation by the usage of laser or IR heat sources.

With this cooperation, the company Conbility GmbH makes 25 years of expertise in special machine development of tape placement systems of the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT commercially available. Conbility offers two different tape processing systems available in different configurations.

The “PrePro 2D” machine system allows for the automated tailored tape placement of UD laminates and which can be used for subsequent thermoforming or as stiffening structures in injection molding processes. The machine comprises a rotating and translational table which is moved relatively to the applicator station. The table is scalable according to the requirements of customers. Standard table diameters are 1200 mm or 2000 mm. The applicator station can be equipped with a single or with multiple spool applicators. Because of the large process area, a 9 kW IR heater is used for the in-situ-consolidation process.  
Three in one: Three technologies included in one single modular system
Furthermore, the award-winning “PrePro 3D” tape placement and winding applicator is available as modular product with decentral control system (including closed-loop control of energy input into the processing zone) for the “plug-in” implementation in existing robot systems or machine systems by standard interfaces for the communication with the master control system. Conbility provides the single applicator as well as turn-key ready systems including the robot and handling systems.

Unique selling point of the PrePro 3D system is its multifunctional range of usage: it accomplishes laser-assisted thermoplastic tape placement, IR-assisted thermoset prepreg placement and dry fiber placement: Three technologies included in one single modular system.  

During the JEC World in Paris (March 6th – 8th 2018), Conbility GmbH will present its new “VCSEL Tape Placement and Winding Applicator” (Fig. 3), developed in cooperation with Fraunhofer IPT and Philips Photonics at the AZL Composites in Action area (Hall 5A, C55).

VCSEL Laser Systems as heat source for lower investment and process costs
This applicator uses an integrated VCSEL Laser System as heat source which has been developed by Philips Photonics. This tape placement and winding applicator can also be integrated as modular “plug-in” system into industrial jointed-arm and linear gantry robots in variable manufacturing cells. Using the new VCSEL Laser as heat source (VCSEL: Vertical-Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) leads to significant lower investment and process cost in comparison to other laser systems. Furthermore, the VCSEL laser system can accomplish controllable in-process adjustments of the laser-spot geometry as well as the intensity distribution within the spot size during the process (in-process control of laser-spot geometries and intensities) for the first time. The new system with 2 kW laser power and 10 separate emission zones which can be controlled separately will be shown at JEC World in Paris 2018 as new product of Conbility GmbH.

Im Rahmen einer Pressekonferenz auf der Sportartikelmesse ISPO Munich verkündeten der Geschäftsführer der ABS Protection GmbH,vo Dr. Stefan Mohr und Felix Neureuther heute ihre strategische Partnerschaft. Mit der Information, dass diese Partnerschaft über eine Verpflichtung als Testimonial hinausgeht, gab Neureuther heute erstmals bekannt, dass es hier um seine berufliche Zukunft nach der aktiven Karriere als Skirennfahrer geht.

Gemeinschaftlich traten Dr Stefan Mohr und Felix Neureuther auf die Bühne, und als Team verließen sie diese auch wieder, mit aufgeblasenen Lawinenairbags durch die Partnerauslösung als Symbol der gemeinsamen Zukunft. Geschäftsführer Dr Stefan Mohr ist nach seinen ersten vier Monaten im Amt sehr zuversichtlich, dass das Unternehmen schon in der kurzen Zeit einen großen Sprung gemacht hat und alle Zeichen auch weiterhin auf Wachstum stehen: „Mit dem Claim „Protection in Adventure“ soll ABS auch mit Hilfe von Felix Neureuther eine Marke werden, die als Synonym für den Schutz bei egal welchem Abenteuer werden, im Winter und erstmals auch im Sommer. Wir haben viele Ideen und sind gerade dabei uns viel breiter aufzustellen als bisher und weg vom saisonalen Geschäft zu gehen“, erklärt er. Auch Felix Neureuther spricht über das große Potential der Marke und erzählt in einem Nebensatz, dass sogar sein Großvater, damals als Arzt bei der Bergrettung in Garmisch-Partenkirchen Einsatz, schon an der Entwicklung des ersten Lawinenairbags vor über 30 Jahren beteiligt war. „Das Thema Sicherheit liegt mir sehr am Herzen und ich möchte gerne das bestehende Produktportfolio erweitern und auch aktiv an der Produktentwicklung mitarbeiten, schließlich geht es jetzt für mich als Teilhaber nun auch um den wirtschaftlichen Erfolg des Unternehmens.“

At the upcoming ISPO exhibition, SITIP are pleased to introduce BEHOT, a SITIP Heat Generating Technology for fabrics that has been licensed from the unique ROICA™ StretchEnergy™ System by Asahi Kasei and is already adopted by Santini that is offering Premium cycle wear Made in Italy since 1965.

SITIP is a leading Italian textile company specialized in high-tech and function-rich innovations for sport, technical underwear, shapewear, beachwear, footwear components, protective helmets, and in particular Velcro-receptive fabrics for mechanical fastening systems and a number of innovative technical fabrics for other industrial end-uses, all made through key manufacture technologies that include weft & warp knit fabric innovations.

Further, SITIP has more recently launched 16 unique trade brands, each one specialized in highly advanced innovation solutions designed to fit both market and the discerning needs of the contemporary consumer.

Santini is offering to the market a multi-panel thermal bib tight for the coldest winter training. Made with the special BeHot fabric by Sitip, constructed with the ROICA™ StretchEnergy™ active performance material, it not only insulates, but generates up to 2 degrees of heat as you workout as certified by CeRism, Outdoor Sport Research Centre at Verona University. Complete comfort and protection thanks to the Acquazero by Sitip treatment that ensures you stay dry even in the most challenging conditions.

The design is completed with breathable mesh braces for added comfort and a reflective pixel detail on the leg to improve visibility in low light conditions. BeHOT represents a special combination of a highly refined type of knitted construction combined with this unique ROICA™ Premium Stretch yarn function, and has been especially developed for this new high-function concept.