CARBIOS and Hündgen: Supply agreement for PET biorecycling plant

CARBIOS and Hündgen Entsorgungs GmbH & Co. KG (Hündgen), a waste management expert in logistics, sorting services and the recycling of recyclable materials from waste mixtures, announce the signing of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding relating to the sourcing, preparation and recycling of 15kt/year of post-consumer PET waste using CARBIOS’ biorecycling technology at its first commercial plant in Longlaville, from end 2026.

The partnership will leverage Hündgen’s expertise and network in the sourcing and preparation of light packaging waste collected from German households. This PET waste will be prepared into flakes ready for biorecycling using CARBIOS’ enzymatic depolymerization technology, which produces food-grade PTA and MEG, further re-polymerized into PET.

Archroma at Bangladesh Denim Expo 2024

Archroma is bringing a comprehensive suite of denim solutions to the Bangladesh Denim Expo 2024 at the International Convention Center (ICCB) in Dhaka on May 6 to 7, 2024.

The demand for denim wear is on the rise, accompanied by consumers' heightened expectations for sustainability. Brands looking to meet this demand must not only deliver functional and stylish denim but also minimize environmental impact.

Archroma is presenting a range of planet conscious solutions at the expo, including DENISOL® PURE INDIGO 30, DIRESUL® EVOLUTION BLACK, EARTHCOLORS®, as well as their latest SUPER SYSTEMS+ for Denim and the recently launched DENIM HALO concepts.

Stahl joins GO!PHA alliance

Stahl has joined the Global Organization for PHA (GO!PHA), a non-profit platform that advocates and advances the use of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a naturally occurring polymer that offers a lower-impact, bio-based alternative to traditional fossil-based plastic feedstocks.  

GO!PHA is a coalition of over 60 stakeholders ranging from producers and formulators to users as well as universities and research institutes. The members, all early adopters of PHAs, work together to increase understanding of this relatively new PHA technology and advance the science behind these renewable, compostable and biodegradable materials. As a member of the network, Stahl will have the opportunity to join forces with the wider PHA value chain to help move PHAs beyond the testing phase and accelerate the potential application of the technology in the coatings market. 

adidas: Results for first quarter of 2024

Major developments:

Polartec announces the Milliken & Company 2023 Sustainability Report

Polartec, a Milliken & Company brand, underscores its dedication to building a more sustainable future as it pursues the 2025 People, Product and Planet Goals, including certified science-based net-zero targets.

The Milliken & Company 2023 Sustainability Report discloses performance against the diversified global manufacturer’s 2025 Sustainability Goals and Net-Zero Targets and details the company’s key impacts across its people, product, planet, and net-zero measures. It also includes updates on each of the key impact areas Milliken and Polartec adhere to, including:

Jérôme Viala joins Lectra’s Board of Directors

Lectra’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 26 appointed a new Director, Jérôme Viala, for a four-year term. He becomes member of the Audit Committee, the Strategic Committee and the Compensation Committee.

For the 2023-2025 period, Lectra aims to harness its transformation to accelerate its growth, significantly increase the share of SaaS solutions in its sales, and seize opportunities for external expansion. Supported by the commitment of its employees and recognized by its customers, the Group is at the forefront of a more sustainable future.

Jérôme Viala has held various positions within the Lectra Group since 1985. In recent years, and until his retirement on March 31, 2024, he served as Executive Vice President, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee and Secretary to the Board of Directors of Lectra.

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris taking place in July

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris opens its doors from 1 to 3 July at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. More than a thousand exhibitors from the world's major sourcing countries will be offering inspirational sources for building collections for 2025-2026. This season's show will focus on suppliers of innovative products and solutions for high-performance and sustainable fashion.

Yarn in the spotlight
Taking us further upstream in the industry and for the first time at the Parisian trade shows, a pavilion featuring yarn producers will be found at the exhibition. Co-organised with Yarn Expo, a Shanghai show in the Messe Frankfurt galaxy, this dedicated pavilion will feature companies from China, India, Pakistan and Taiwan.

SATCoL and Project Plan B: New polyester recycling plant in UK

A joint venture between Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL) and Project Plan B, known as Project Re:claim, has begun operations in Kettering, Northamptonshire - the first commercial-scale, post-consumer polyester recycling plant of its kind that provides a solution to the issue of polyester textile waste.

The plant will recycle post-consumer garments and other textiles, and supply the raw material back into the fashion and textiles industries.

The machine was installed in January 2024 and is now fully operational, with polyester pellets being produced from polyester waste. The plant is on track to recycle 2,500 tonnes of unwanted polyester this year, with a further 5,000 tonnes in year 2, and creates polyester pellets which can be spun into yarn for use in textiles along with other industrial applications. The pellets are expected to be integrated into the manufacturing processes of new products later this year.

NCTO elects new Chairman and Vice Chairman

The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber through finished sewn products, held its officer elections for fiscal year 2024 at its annual meeting April 9-11.
NCTO has elected Charles Heilig, President of Parkdale Mills, as Chairman; and Chuck Hall, President and CEO of Barnet, as Vice Chairman.

In addition to the appointment of a new chairman and vice chairman, NCTO elected chairs for each of its five councils. NCTO is comprised of five councils to ensure a broad representation of the industry supply chain. Each council has an allotted number of members who are elected to the association’s Board of Directors, in addition to the Executive Committee.

Elected as NCTO Chairman and Vice Chairman for 2024:

AkzoNobel: Results of Q1 2024

Highlights Q1 2024 (compared with Q1 2023)

• Organic sales up 2%, driven by volume growth in both Paints and Coatings; revenue down 1%
• Operating income improved to €261 million (2023: €182 million)
• Adjusted EBITDA €363 million (2023: €305 million), adjusted EBITDA margin 13.8% (2023: 11.5%)
• Net cash from operating activities negative €170 million (2023: negative €50 million)

2024 Outlook
Based on current market conditions and constant currencies, AkzoNobel targets to deliver between €1.5 and €1.65 billion adjusted EBITDA in 2024, while reducing its leverage to around 2.3 times net debt/EBITDA by the end of the year.