From the Sector

National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) Chairman David Poston, who was elected for the 2022-2023 term, delivered the trade association’s State of the U.S. textile industry overview at NCTO’s 18th Annual Meeting on May 11.
 
Poston’s speech outlined (1) the U.S. textile industry’s resilience and significant rebound in 2021 (2) U.S. textile supply chain, economic, trade data, and (3) NCTO’s  policy achievements and priorities for domestic textile manufacturers.
 
You can find his remarks here and a data infographic prepared by NCTO illustrating the current economic status of the U.S. textile industry here.
 
Poston is president of Palmetto Synthetics, a specialty synthetic fiber producer based in Kingstree, South Carolina.
 
NCTO’s annual meeting was held May 10-11 in Washington, D.C.

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) announces the release of its 2021 Annual Report. Even with the continued constraints of COVID-19, 2021 was a year of significant developments for GOTS. An increased interest in sustainability in the textile industry led to greater awareness of GOTS certification from businesses as well as consumers.

The 31-page report details the record growth experienced in 2021, which included an increase of 19 percent in GOTS certified facilities around the world, with Certification Bodies (CBs) reporting 12.338 facilities in 79 countries (+11 percent). Three new GOTS-approved Certification Bodies brought the total to 18, nine of which have chemical input approval in their scopes. The additional CBs are helping meet an ever-increasing demand for certification. The rise in certifications also allowed GOTS to expand internally, adding Representatives as well as colleagues with expertise in Standard Development and Implementation, Quality Assurance, Communication, and IT. GOTS representatives worldwide offered training and education to thousands of participants, including businesses, governmental representatives, certification bodies, and other stakeholders. Visits to the GOTS website jumped 43 percent from 2020 and GOTS’s following on social media expanded significantly, gaining 57 percent across platforms.

“Despite ongoing difficulties and uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, decision-makers continue to pursue their sustainability goals and value GOTS as a tool to accomplish them. We will continue to strive toward our vision of a future in which organic textiles are a significant part of everyday life, enhancing people’s lives and the environment,” says GOTS Managing Director Claudia Kersten.

Additional highlights covered in the report include chronicling the implementation of the most recent update to the standard document, GOTS version 6.0, and the release of ‘Conditions for the Use of GOTS Signs (CUGS)’, which outlines the rules for using the GOTS logo and labeling and updates to GOTS Scope and Transaction Certification policies which are a crucial part of the certification process.

Nach zwei ergebnislosen Treffen konnte am 5. Mai 2022 in der dritten Verhandlungsrunde zwischen den Tarifparteien eine Einigung erzielt werden. Nach einer schwierigen 17-stündigen Verhandlung steht der Tarifabschluss fest. Demnach erhalten die Beschäftigten der Textilindustrie in Brandenburg, Berlin-Ost, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt und Thüringen über eine Laufzeit von 25 Monaten in zwei Schritten zusammen 5,6 Prozent mehr Entgelt. Neben einer Entgelterhöhung um 4,1 Prozent ab dem 1. Oktober 2022 wird diese um weitere 1,5 Prozent ab dem 1. Oktober 2023 gesteigert. Außerdem erhalten die Beschäftigten zum Mai 2022 eine Einmalzahlung von 200,00 EUR brutto und zum August 2022 nochmals 120,00 EUR. Die Höhe der Einmalzahlungen wird für Teilzeitkräfte entsprechend ihrer Arbeitszeit angeglichen.

Ab dem 1. August 2022 erhöhen sich auch die Vergütungen für alle Auszubildenden auf 855,00 EUR im ersten Ausbildungsjahr gestaffelt auf bis zu 1.020,00 EUR im vierten Lehrjahr. Im folgenden Jahr ab dem 1. August 2023 gibt es dann im ersten Jahr der Ausbildung 880,00 EUR und wiederum gestaffelt im vierten Ausbildungsjahr 1.045,00 EUR. Für die Beschäftigten wird das Urlaubsgeld ab diesem Jahr auf 690,00 EUR und ab 2023 auf 720,00 EUR steigen. Alle Auszubildenden erhalten die Hälfte des zusätzlichen Urlaubsgeldes.

Des Weiteren einigten sich die Tarifvertragsparteien darauf, dass die Jahressonderzahlungen ab dem Jahr 2023 in Höhe von 75 Prozent des durchschnittlichen Monatsbruttoverdienstes bzw. der monatlichen Ausbildungsvergütung gezahlt werden. Darüber hinaus werden die Regelungen der Altersteilzeit vom 30. April 2019 für alle Beschäftigten fortgeführt und enden dann zum 31. Mai 2024.

Der Entgelttarifvertrag und die Tarifverträge zur Ausbildungsvergütung sowie zu den Jahressonderzahlungen sind erstmals mit einer Frist von zwei Monaten zum 31. Mai 2024 kündbar.
Die IG Metall, Bezirksleitung Berlin – Brandenburg – Sachsen, und der Verband der Nord-Ostdeutschen Textil- und Bekleidungsindustrie e. V. (vti) schlossen so eine tragfähige tarifrechtliche Basis für die Arbeitnehmer und Arbeitgeber in den tarifgebundenen Unternehmen der Textilindustrie ab. Für die Tarif- und Sozialpartner verhandelten von der IG Metall die Verhandlungsführerinnen Stefanie Haberkern und Miriam Bürger und für die Arbeitgeberseite die Mitglieder des Tarif- und Sozialausschusses des vti unter Vorsitz von André Lang, Geschäftsführer der Norafin Industries GmbH aus Mildenau im Erzgebirge.

Das Verbandsgebiet des Nord-Ostdeutschen Textil- und Bekleidungsindustrie e. V. (vti) umfasst die neuen Bundesländer, in denen rund 16.000 Mitarbeiter der Branche beschäftigt sind, davon mit Schwerpunkt in Sachsen 12.000 und in Thüringen 2.500 Beschäftigte. Damit vertritt der vti die Interessen der Textil- und Bekleidungsunternehmen in einer der viertgrößten deutschen Textilregion. Moderne Spinnereien, Webereien, Strickereien, Wirkereien, Vliesstoffhersteller, Stickereien, Veredelungsbetriebe und Konfektionäre sind hier ebenso ansässig wie leistungsfähige Forschungs- und Bildungseinrichtungen.

„Die sehr intensiven Gespräche waren auch von der gegenwärtig äußerst schwierigen wirtschaftlichen Lage der Textilunternehmen mit exorbitant gestiegenen Energiekosten und einem deutlich höheren Aufwand für Rohmaterialien, Verpackungen und Transport geprägt.  Trotz dieser schwierigen Rahmenbedingungen wurde mit dem Abschluss ein weiterer Schritt zur Angleichung der Entgelte an das Westniveau gemacht. Insbesondere mit den Einmalzahlungen im Mai und August wurde der besonders schwierigen Situation der Beschäftigten in den unteren Gehaltsgruppen Rechnung getragen. Wir haben mit dem vorliegenden Abschluss einen tragfähigen Kompromiss erreicht, der auch unseren Unternehmen eine Planungssicherheit für die nächsten zwei Jahre gewährleistet“ fasst André Lang, Vorsitzender des Tarif- und Sozialausschusses des vti, das Ergebnis zusammen.

In Deutschland greifen vielfältige Regelungen und Gesetze rund um das Thema Datenschutz und Gesundheitsdaten. Diese Heterogenität stellt eine Hürde für die optimale Nutzung von Gesundheitsdaten zur Verbesserung der Gesundheitsversorgung dar. Das beschreiben die Teilnehmer:innen aus Politik, Recht und Industrie des Digital-Talks des Bundesverbands Medizintechnologie e.V., BVMed, am 28. April 2022. „Wir sehen die dringende Erfordernis, die digitale Transformation der Prozesse voranzutreiben, zu harmonisieren, vorhandene Daten zu nutzen und auch die privaten Einrichtungen zur Forschung und Entwicklung mitzunehmen“, so Franziska Hoppermann, CDU-Abgeordnete und Mitglied im Digitalausschuss des Deutschen Bundestags. Dem stimmte Prof. Dr. Dr. Christian Dierks, Rechtsanwalt und Geschäftsführer von Dierks+Company, zu. Ein Zugriff der Industrie auf Gesundheitsdaten sei besonders wichtig, denn sie „investiert in Forschung und Entwicklung und geht die damit verbundenen Risiken ein, um Gesundheitslösungen zu entwickeln“, beschreibt Prof. Dierks. Der Digital-Talk widmete sich dem Thema „Nutzung von Gesundheitsdaten“ und diskutierte Herausforderungen sowie mögliche Lösungen für eine bessere Gesundheitsversorgung.

In den letzten Jahren wurden viele Initiativen und Aktivitäten für eine digitale Gesundheitsversorgung angestoßen. Diese Entwicklung soll laut Koalitionsvertrag fortgesetzt werden. Dabei wird von der MedTech-Branche insbesondere das sogenannte „Gesundheitsdatennutzungsgesetz“ erwartet. Der BVMed begrüßt ein solches Gesetz und setzt sich dafür ein, dass auch der Gesundheitsindustrie der Zugang zu Daten ermöglicht wird. Deshalb widmete sich der erste BVMed Digital-Talk 2022 direkt der Fragestellung „Zwischen Datenschatz und Datenschutz: 2022 als Schicksalsjahr für Nutzung von Gesundheitsdaten?“. Moderiert wurde die Veranstaltung von Dr. Joachim Haes, Sprecher des BVMed-Arbeitskreises Digitalisierung sowie Director Government Affairs DACH und Osteuropa bei Intuitive Surgical.

Weitere Informationen finden Sie hier.

Der BTE hat eine Online-Umfrage zur aktuellen Liefersituation und der Preisentwicklung bei Ware der Herbst/Winter-Saison gestartet. Alle Textil-, Schuh- und Lederwarenhändler sind eingeladen, bis zum 9. Mai (10 Uhr) fünf kurze Fragen zu beantworten. Der Teilnahme-Link ist auf der Startseite von www.bte.de eingestellt. Die Ergebnisse werden Mitte Mai veröffentlicht. Auf Wunsch erhalten die Teilnehmer eine separate Auswertung zugemailt.

With the wipes sector adapting to demands for products that protect consumers from COVID-related risks, industry experts will present the latest insights for moving forward post-pandemic at the World of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference.   

The shift from “clean” to “safe” in the world of wipes will be among the key topics thought-leading speakers will address at the in-person event, June 27-30, at the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.

The information-packed program will tackle timely topics to support decision making on the following key themes: Circular and Sustainable Wipes, Supply Chain Challenges in Wipes, Nonwoven Substrates for More Sustainable Wipes, Trends in the Wipes Market and Among Consumers, Disinfection Concerns and New Technologies, Sustainable Wipe Packaging Trends and Developments in Flushability Issues.

World of Wipes Session Highlights

• Lifestyle Shifts and the World of Wipes: Meeting the Changing Consumer Demand to Secure Growth – Liying Quian, Research Analyst, Euromonitor International will explore personal and beauty care trends based on consumer surveys that could shape wipes’ long-term performance
• The Supply Chain – Import Pressures Versus Domestic Manufacturing – Jacob Smith, Director, Supply Chain and Customer Care, Health, Hygiene, and Specialties Division, North America, Berry Global will share his expertise and experience on how COVID-19 has impacted domestic production and international sourcing of wipes
• Packaging Sustainability:  A Global Perspective – David Clark, Vice President of Sustainability, Amcor will look at how consumer brands, retailers and others are responding to consumer demand for more sustainable packaging and discuss progress and risks in the U.S. and other countries
• How Sustainable are You Willing to Be? New Technology to Support Use of Recycled Fiber Sources – Richard Knowlson, Principal, RPK Consulting will tackle the question of how new manufacturing technology can help produce more sustainable nonwoven substrates in today’s price-sensitive environment
• Dead Turtle Logos – What We Know So Far in the EU – Heidi Beatty, Chief Executive Officer, Crown Abbey, LLC will share the latest learnings on the European Union’s Single Use Plastic Directive and the impact of the plastic-free packaging logos on consumer attitudes
• Challenges and Pitfalls of Scaling Up a Waste Cleaning Wipes Collection and Recycle System – Sergio Barbarino, Research Fellow, Fabric and Home Care Open Innovation, Procter & Gamble Distribution Company Europe will look at cleaning wipes’ potential to be recycled and become a convenient pioneering experimental platform
• Case Study: Surface Disinfection Incompatibility with Medical Devices Creates Potential Patient Risks – Caroline Etland, Ph.D., RN. CNS, ACHPN, Associate Professor, Hahn School of Nursing, BINR, University of San Diego will share real examples of the issues healthcare facilities face with surface disinfection incompatibility that make cleaning and disinfection a major challenge

In addition to the conference program, WOW 2022 also features two nights of tabletop displays and receptions; the presentation of the World of Wipes Innovation Award® and the INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award; and 11 hours of face-to-face engagement during a welcome reception, first-time attendee mentorship program, and breakfast connections. The event kicks off with the WIPES Academy, a 1.5-day value-added training opportunity on June 27-28.

At the forthcoming Texprocess, Techtextil and Heimtextil shows taking place in Frankfurt from June 21-24 – members of the Swedish Textile Machinery Association TMAS will be showcasing a range of solutions aligning with the growing trend for more localised and automated textile manufacturing.

Digitalisation and the push for more sustainable, shorter and less expensive supply chains are currently making manufacturing in high-cost countries within Europe more attractive and there have been many other contributing factors to this over the past two years.

The Covid-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerability of many countries to shortages of essential items like PPE while at the same time making the full exploitation of new digital options essential during national lock-downs and long periods of restricted travel. The escalating cost of global transportation, as well as the growth of online retailing and the associated benefits of on-demand digital manufacturing, are further reinforcing the many benefits of short-run and near-shore new operations.

Secure supply
At Texprocess, for example, Eton Systems will be unveiling its latest Ingenious software solution which further enhances the company’s Opta Unit Production System (UPS) introduced in 2021.

“Our automated technology has already had a great impact on the productivity of thousands of garment production lines,” says Eton’s Managing Director Jerker Krabbe. “Our systems help producers across the world to reduce repetitive manual tasks and increase efficiency, which evens out some of the differences between production in high and low-cost countries, making reshoring a feasible option. Creating a diversified production portfolio with a mix of production facilities, some closer to home, makes for a more secure product supply.”

Flexibility
Imogo meanwhile recently installed the first industrial scale dyeing system in Sweden for many years. The Dye-Max spray dyeing line has the potential to slash the use of fresh water, wastewater, energy and chemicals by as much as 90% compared to conventional jet dyeing systems. It is capable of carrying out the application of a wide range of fabric pre-treatments and finishing processes, providing users with unbeatable flexibility in production.

“Here in Scandinavia, we are currently seeing an explosion of companies developing sustainable new cellulosic fibres – many from waste clothing – but a problem is that all of the environmental benefits they deliver can potentially be lost in the further processing, and especially in conventional dyeing,” observes the company’s Founding Partner Per Stenflo. “The Dye-Max system positively addresses this, but interest in it has not just been confined to Europe. We are currently seeing a lot of activity in Turkey – largely as a near-shore partner to European brands – but also in Bangladesh.”

Robotics at Heimtextil
ACG Kinna Automatic specialises in automation solutions for filled products such as quilts, pillows and mattresses and its live demonstrations of robotics in action have proved a magnet for visitors to Heimtextil. This year’s show will be no exception.

“The use of robotics is now standard across many industries dealing in solid goods, but the handling of soft materials such as textiles is a little more complex,” says Managing Director Christian Moore. “Nevertheless, it’s something we have successfully mastered, and our robotic systems are proving highly beneficial to their users. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution when it comes to automation and our approach is always to carefully examine where it will make the difference in each bespoke system. A focus is on identifying and eliminating bottlenecks which will increase product flows.”

During the Covid-19 pandemic, ACG Kinna drew on all of its automation know-how and extensive network of contacts to build a new nonwovens fabric converting and single-use garment making-up plant in a matter of weeks, in order to supply the Swedish authorities with urgently-needed medical gowns.

Instant colour
Localised textile production is also booming in the USA, where Coloreel has recently secured multiple orders for its instant thread colouration technology via its US partner Hirsch.

“Coloreel technology enables the high-quality and instant colouring of a textile thread while it is actually being used in production and can be paired with any existing embroidery machine without modification, while also making it possible to produce gradients in an embroidery for the first time,” explains VP of Sales Sven Öquist.

“Advanced rapid colour formulation software and high-speed drive technology allow a single needle to carry out what it previously required many multiples of them to do – and with much more consistent stitch quality. By instantly colouring a recycled white base thread during production, our system enables complete freedom to create unique embroideries without any limitations. Colour changes along the thread can either be made rapidly from one solid colour to another, or gradually, to make smooth transitions or any colouring effect desired. This provides big benefits when it comes to sustainability and design creativity.”

Milestone
Svegea will be promoting its latest EC 300 collarette cutting machine at Texprocess 2022. This machine is used by garment manufacturers around the world for the production of tubular apparel components such as waistbands, cuff and neck tapes and other seam reinforcements. With its E-Drive 2 system and fully automatic FA500 roll slitter, the EC 300 has an output of around 20,000 metres per hour.

“Advances in automation are only making the specialised, bespoke machines we engineer even more efficient and we are expecting a very busy year,” says Managing Director Håkan Steene. “The garment components our collarette cutters produce make it logical for them to be integrated into the operations of making-up operations, wherever they are.”

Sensors
The advanced yarn tension monitoring technologies of Eltex of Sweden meanwhile play an essential role in rectifying defects in  weaving, tufting and composite reinforcement operations.

“A correct tension of the warp and weft threads ensures proper machine operation,” explains Eltex Global Marketing and Sales Manager Anoop K. Sharma “The constant tension monitoring and automatic control of the tension of the thread help to overcome unnecessary problems.

“We continue to make advances in both the hardware and software of our tension monitoring systems, such as the EyE™ for the warping process. With the EyE™, the yarn tension values from all yarns are continuously updated and displayed on screen. In addition, tension values outside the warning level are indicated both on the sensor’s LEDs and on the screen for complete quality control. No fabric can be woven without the appropriate and correct tension.”

• Participants Embrace Renewed Face-to-Face Business with Global Leaders in Nonwovens & Engineered Materials at IDEA® 2022 and FiltXPO™

Approximately 5,000 participants embraced the opportunity to again engage in face-to-face business meetings with global leaders in nonwovens and engineered materials at IDEA® 2022 in Miami Beach, Fla., co-located with the second FiltXPO™,  North American’s only exhibition and conference dedicated exclusively to filtration and separation.

Industry participants at IDEA® 2022,  the 21 st edition of the world’s preeminent event for nonwovens and engineered fabric professionals, expressed their business confidence through the floor exhibits and the return to face-to-face business interaction. Scott Beir, Executive Officer, CFM Global, called IDEA® 2022 “an exceptional show.”

Bob Usher, Technical Director, US Fibers, added that his company made valuable business connections. According to Rolk Kammermann, Head of Sales and Marketing, Innovative Swiss Made Nonwovens, “the size and scope of IDEA and FiltXPO have been excellent for us as both exhibitors and as visitors.”

Organized by INDA, IDEA® also featured five essential nonwovens training classes; market presentations from China, Asia, Europe, North America and South America; industry recognitions with the IDEA® Achievement Awards and the IDEA® Lifetime Achievement Awards; and a welcome reception celebration.

Also, organized by INDA, FiltXPO™ featured five panels of global leaders in filtration and separation for the first-ever “Summit for Global Change,” discussing societal challenges such as indoor air quality, environmental sustainability, pandemic readiness, clean water, and filtration standards.  The event also featured a 1.5-day filter media training course, and sessions highlighting filter media market trends and filtration industry statistics.  

Exhibitors and attendees noted the welcome return to meeting face-to-face among industry senior leaders participating in the three-day event.

A highlight of IDEA® was the announcement of the IDEA® Achievement Awards by INDA, in partnership with Nonwovens Industry magazine. Moderated by Rousse and Karen McIntyre, Editor, Nonwovens Industry the awards recognize the leading introductions in equipment, raw materials, short-life, long-life and nonwovens products, and sustainability, since the previous IDEA® Exposition in 2019.

In addition, INDA presented the IDEA® 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award to Val Hollingsworth, board chair and CEO of Hollingsworth & Vose, and Nonwovens Industry presented the IDEA® Entrepreneur Achievement Award to Doug Brown, president of Biax-Fiberfilm/5K Fibres at the event.

IDEA® 2022 Achievement Awards winners:

• IDEA®  Equipment Achievement Award – Elastic Thread Anchoring (ETA) Sonotrode – Herrmann Ultrasonics, Inc.
• IDEA®  Raw Material Achievement Award – ODOGard – Rem Brands, Inc.
• IDEA® Short-Life Product Achievement Award – LifeSavers Wipes – LifeSavers LLC
• IDEA® Long-Life Product Achievement Award – Nanofiber Cabin Air Filter – MANN + HUMMEL GmbH
• IDEA®  Sustainability Advancement Award – Fiber-based Screw Caps – Glatfelter Corp. and Blue Ocean Closures
• IDEA®  Nonwoven Product Achievement Award – HYDRASPUN® Aquaflo – Sustainable Nonwoven Substrates – Suominen Corporation
• IDEA®, the Preeminent Event for the Nonwovens & Engineered Fabrics Industry, will next be held on its new 24-month schedule on April 23-25, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.

Names of the IDEA® Achievement Award honorees pictured:

Row 1, Left to right:
IDEA® Long-Life Product Achievement Award winner, Jon Nichols, MANN + HUMMEL, GmbH and Dave Rousse – Nanofiber Cabin Air Filter – MANN + HUMMEL, GmbH
IDEA®  Nonwoven Product Achievement Award winners, Pramod Shanbhag, Suominen Corporation, Karen McIntyre, Nonwovens Industry Magazine, and Avinav Nandgaonkar, HYDRASPUN® Aquaflo – Sustainable Nonwoven Substrates – Suominen Corporation
Row 2, left to right:
IDEA® Short-Life Product Achievement Award winner, Georgia Crawford, LifeSavers Wipes – LifeSavers LLC, and Karen McIntyre, Nonwovens Industry Magazine
IDEA® 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Val Hollingsworth, Hollingsworth & Vose, and Dave Rousse, President, INDA
IDEA®  Equipment Achievement Award winners, Uwe Peregi, Dave Rousse, and Thomas Herrmann – Elastic Thread Anchoring (ETA) Sonotrode – Herrmann Ultrasonics Inc.
Row 3, left to right:
IDEA®  Raw Material Achievement Award winner, David Schneider, ODOGard – Rem Brands, Inc. and Dave Rousse, INDA
IDEA®  Sustainability Advancement Award winner, Chris Astley, and Karen McIntyre Fiber-based Screw Caps – Glatfelter Corp. and Blue Ocean Closures
IDEA® Entrepreneur Achievement Award winner, Doug Brown, Biax-Fiberfilm / 5K Fibres

Shopping bleibt wichtigstes Motiv zum Besuch der Innenstädte. Das hat die dritte Auflage einer vom BTE beauftragten Kundenbefragung aus den beiden ersten März-Wochen in insgesamt 10 Städten sowie online ergeben. 55 Prozent der mehr als 4.000 Befragten gaben Einkaufen als Hauptgrund für den City-Besuch an, am Samstag waren es sogar 63 Prozent. Mit deutlichem Abstand folgten Essen/Trinken vor Verweilen/Sightseeing und notwendigen Erledigungen.
 
Handelsintern liegt der Modeeinkauf (inkl. Schuhe/Lederwaren) mit einer Nennungsrate von 67 Prozent weit vorne. Mit deutlichem Abstand wurde (auch) der Einkauf von Lebensmitteln (30 Prozent), Parfüm/Drogerieartikeln (19 Prozent) sowie Sportartikeln und Uhren/Schmuck (jeweils 16 Prozent) und Bücher/Schreibwaren (14 Prozent) genannt.
 
Weitere interessante Ergebnisse der BTE-Kundenbefragung:

• Der Anteil der auswärtigen Besucher ist gegenüber dem Januar 2022 leicht um drei Prozentpunkte auf 47 Prozent gestiegen, erreicht aber noch nicht dem Wert vom Sommer 2021 (53 Prozent).
• 54 Prozent der City-Besucher kamen mit dem PKW in die City, 31 Prozent mit dem ÖPNV und zehn Prozent zu Fuß oder mit dem Fahrrad. Signifikant gegenüber den vorherigen Befragungen war der Zuwachs bei den PKW, während die ÖPNV-Nutzung kontinuierlich abnahm.
• Überdurchschnittliche Frequenzzuwächse gab es bei den unter 25-Jährigen, die 20 Prozent der März-Besucher stellten (Januar 2022: 9 Prozent!). Anteilseinbußen gab es dagegen in den mittleren Altersgruppen, während sich die Quote der über 65-Jährigen in den drei Untersuchungszeiträumen kaum veränderte.
• Knapp 30 Prozent der Befragten suchten bei ihrem City-Besuch drei und mehr Modegeschäfte auf, 45 Prozent zumindest zwei Outfitläden. 17 Prozent waren lediglich in einem Modegeschäft, jeder zehnte Befragte besuchte ausschließlich Geschäfte anderer Branchen.
• 57 Prozent der Befragten waren ein bis zwei Stunden im Modehandel unterwegs, 13 Prozent immerhin drei Stunden und mehr. Die übrigen 30 Prozent benötigten weniger als eine Stunde zum Mode-Shopping.

The California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) and INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry joined in welcoming the recent introduction of the WIPPES Act in the U.S. Senate by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Susan Collins (R-ME).

This bipartisan legislation is intended to address the growing problem of sewer system clogs caused by improper disposal of consumer wipes like baby wipes, household cleaning wipes, cosmetic wipes and others that are not intended to be disposed of in toilets. Improper disposal of these wipes can have significant negative impacts on wastewater infrastructure, including causing sewer spills. The bill would help address this problem by establishing federal requirements for these disposable wipes to carry prominent “Do Not Flush” labeling on packaging. Additionally, the bill would provide funding for an Environmental Protection Agency-administered grant program focused on educating consumers about how to recognize “Do Not Flush” labeling, identify relevant products, and understand the impacts that flushing these products can have on wastewater treatment infrastructure.