From the Sector

The 11th Bangladesh Denim Expo attracted 99 exhibitors from 11 countries and once again proved itself the most significant show of its kind in Bangladesh. In total there were 5,692 visitors – a remarkable achievement.

The great and good of this diverse industry once again descended on the expo which illustrated, once again, that the denim sector of Bangladesh is in rude health.

In this edition exhibitors displayed fabrics, garments, threads, machinery, finishing equipment and accessories, positioning the show as a true representation of Bangladesh’s denim industry - the second largest denim exporter to the EU and third largest to the United States. The expo also saw other participating countries including china, Japan, Italy, India, Singapore, Brazil, Spain, Pakistan, Turkey and Germany.

Responsibility was the theme of the 11th Bangladesh Denim Expo. Founder and CEO Bangladesh Denim Expo Mostafiz Uddin said: “It is the duty of all stakeholders in the denim industry to acknowledge their responsibility and to analyse the business practices for the benefit of all.”

The current generation of PFAFF shoe post-bed machines, that is viewed in the industry as the mother of all shoe machines, is the most frequently copied industrial shoe post-bed machine. Being copied means that PFAFF have done a lot on the machine that is good. However, it also means that the German machinery supplier always have to be one step ahead with regard to technology and that bit better with regard to quality. This is what the market expects, this is what the customer expects from PFAFF. The new “Programmable thread tension” is the latest feature of the electronic shoe post-bed series PFAFF 1571/1574/1591. The key benefit of “programmable thread tension” is that suitable thread tensions can be applied for different material thicknesses and/or for different seam sequences (as these can be programmed on electronic machines). The tensions can be accessed and/or set via a knee switch or stitch counting. Manual setting of the thread tension, as is common with current shoe machines, is no longer necessary with the programmed thread tension. This increases the quality and significantly improves the process reliability. “Programmable thread tension” is initially available as an option on the electronic machines 1571/1591.

The restyled line of fabrics for shirts where formal and sporty are perfectly merged: a versatile range with a high technological content, thanks to man-made fibres.

With TECHNO SHIRT Canclini 1925 revolutionises the world of fabrics for shirts, through a line which brings together high performance of technical fabrics with the most traditional and formal look. Thanks to the exclusive combination between ground-breaking technological innovation and made in Canclini creativity, TECHNO SHIRT restyles the traditional concept of shirt in a modern, trendy and green version. It is a collection where technology, performance and eco-innovation are merged, based on an approach which expresses a research and development pathway intrinsic to the essence of the Canclini 1925 product ranges.

What really makes TECHNO SHIRT extraordinary is also the great versatility of this product range, which consists in three lines: Biker, Performante and Dice. These three creations are entirely manufactured using man-made fibres, and they are able to combine the style background of the company from Como with the highest technical performances. For example the use of polyamide with its intrinsic ability to absorb and manage humidity, allows for thermal regulation by the body and for garment transpiration.

Collaborative app helps customers get their machines back up and running quickly

Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC), part of Barry-Wehmiller, has launched Accelerate Live, a mobile app that enables machine inspection and troubleshooting in the field, providing quicker service for customers.

Accelerate Live creates a fully collaborative live environment with an instant audio/video connection between the customer facility and PCMC technicians and engineering experts. Through the use of a tablet, both participants can draw in a relative 3-D space to facilitate the troubleshooting and diagnostic process.

“When our customers’ equipment is down, we realize they don’t have time to wait for service,” said Noah Kellermann, Field Service Training Leader for PCMC. “With Accelerate Live, we can offer a rapid response to equipment issues to get machines back up and running quickly.”

Accelerate Live is a subscription-based service that works through a PCMC-provided tablet and noisecanceling Bluetooth headphones. It was developed to connect in industrial facilities that have low-bandwidth
Wi-Fi.

• A naturally advanced collection, a cutting-edge coloration technology, and a brand-new collaborative business model.
• TINTEX stands out at PERFORMANCE DAYS, the functional fabric fair for the sourcing in sports, work and corporate wear.
• Performance Days, Munich, November 13th -14th, 2019 –booth C08 / hall C1

The leading jersey manufacturer brings a new holistic and sustainable approach spun from the company’s DNA and woven in the mission to create Naturally Advanced fabrics.

The WEME collection - A/W 20/21
The new statement collection goes beyond intellectual and spiritual individual needs to embrace a communal vision blurring ‘we’ and ‘me’, ‘conscious’ and unconscious’, responsible innovation and creativity. Developed around the concept sub-collections ID, Superego and EGO, the range comes in electric and active tones and combines smart ingredients and processes to drive innovation by harnessing the company’s unique dyeing and finishing expertise.

The new fabrics are made from a mix of new generation fibers that enhance free movement such as REFIBRA™ by Lenzing, Q-NOVA® by Fulgar and the unique GRS certified premium stretch ROICA™ EF.  The smartcel™ powered ID sub-collection is defined by striped structures that simulate flaws on initially smooth and perfected surfaces and provides soothing, anti-inflammatory effects thanks to the inclusion of zinc oxide, provides soothing, anti-inflammatory effects. The “EGO” selection comes in rich purples, calm lilacs and feminine yellows and features natural fibers such as organic wool. The “Superego” is available in unique styles and colours, achieved thanks to Colorzen® and the Naturally Clean® finishing. Together these enhance the natural beauty of cotton and cellulosics eliminating harsh treatments and optimizing clean surfaces with vivid colors, and an exquisitely smooth hand feel. Transformed materials take such as ECOTEC® by Marchi&Fildi take the lead saving up to 77.9% in water compared with regular cottons.

COLORAU®
TINTEX’ cutting edge color technology which received the Sustainable Solution award in the May 2019 edition of Techtextil debuts in Munich. COLORAU®  was created with a Portuguese consortium constituted by premium realities and gives life to responsibly colored fabrics with antimicrobial properties, using natural dyes extracted from different types of natural plants resources that do not use salt in the production.

COLORAU® uses only compounds of natural origin such as thyme, boldo, peppermint, chestnut and gambier in the production of functional and sustainable textiles in a variety of fibers such as cotton, lyocell and wool. An eco-efficient and low temperature surface treatment improves the affinity between the textile substrate and these natural compounds. The technology features a selection of “performing” extracts for appropriate color fastness to light and washing as well as color durability and antimicrobial functionality.

CO.LAB

TINTEX is proud to announce CO.LAB, a smart and collaborative business model and a totally new supply chain developed in coordination and with the support of C.L.A.S.S.. The first sustainable and PETA-Approved collections are 100% traceable without compromising on quality and style. As co-leader and founding actor, TINTEX has invited Becri, Confetil and Pedrosa & Rodrigues, 3 leading companies, each producing specialized garment styles. The new collections are:

1. The ECOPERFORMER by TINTEX with Confetil collection meets the values of millennials and generation Z consumers. Sustainable, multitasking, gender neutral and designed to fit contemporary urban lifestyle. The collection comprises modern soft sports garment with fully transparent innovation values. The range flexes its muscles with the best sustainable and high-performative materials for comfort, ease and style. All selected fabrics are PeTA APPROVED VEGAN. Designed to win.
2. ‘LEGACY H20’ by TINTEX with Becri is 100% traceable and focuses on responsible water-management.
3. ‘SENSING SMARTS’ by TINTEX with Pedrosa & Rodrigues, a next-to-skin soft and sensual range of materials enhancing wellbeing and comfort while harnessing an innovative and responsible way of using chemical products for a greener and safest future.

• Group sales increases by approximately 6 percent compared to the prior year period to 832 million euros due to organic growth in the market segments Digitization, Energy and Chemicals
• Group recurring EBIT at around 54 million euros; adjusted for a positive one-time effect in the prior year approximately on the comparable level of the prior year
• Business unit Composites – Fibers & Materials (CFM) deteriorated substantially in the third quarter 2019 due to the weak development in the market segments Textile Fibers, Wind Energy and Industrial Applications; Graphite Materials & Systems (GMS) developed better than expected on the very good level of the prior quarter reaching overall a record high level in 9M/2019
• Free cash flow from continuing operations improved significantly in the first nine months
• Impairment testing triggers a non-cash impairment charge of approximately 75 million euros in CFM in the third quarter
• Revised guidance of October 25, 2019: Recurring EBIT at CFM in a negative mid-to-high single digit million euros amount and on Group level at 45 to 50 million euros
• Countermeasures initiated to improve earnings of CFM
• Dr. Michael Majerus, Spokesman of the Board of Management of SGL Carbon: ”The structural growth drivers remain intact in our strategically relevant markets. The countermeasures to improve earnings of CFM will be implemented consistently.”

In the third quarter 2019, the business units of SGL Carbon developed very differently. While Graphite Materials & Systems (GMS) showed better than expected results, Composites – Fibers & Materials (CFM) deteriorated compared to the two previous quarters. This is attributable to the weaker development in the market segments Textile Fibers and Industrial Applications. In total, sales revenue in the first nine months 2019 grew by approximately 6 percent to reach 832 million euros. Recurring Group EBIT after nine months reached approximately 54 million euros. Adjusted for a positive one-time effect in the prior year, this was comparable to the prior year level.

In its ad-hoc notification of October 25, 2019, the company revised its guidance for recurring EBIT of CFM downwards to a negative mid to high single digit million euro amount. On the Group level the company now expects a recurring EBIT at 45 to 50 million euros. Due to the lower starting point in 2019 as well as the ongoing weakness in the market segments Textile Fibers and Industrial Applications in the business unit CFM a non-cash impairment charge in the amount of approximately 75 million euros was recorded in the third quarter 2019. In recent years acquired assets of the former joint ventures with BMW and Benteler were not affected by this impairment. In addition, the impairment charge of CFM led to a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets in the amount of 7.4 million euros. Against this background, SGL Carbon now expects a net result of approximately minus 100 million euros for fiscal year 2019.

Lenzing was awarded for the introduction of the blockchain technology for fiber identification as well as its achievements as a leading company and significant economic engine in the region

On November 4, 2019, Lenzing AG won the “Digital Corona” in Gold. The coveted business prize was awarded for the first time in this category. It is awarded to companies that have dynamically advanced the digitization of business processes, products, services and business models in recent years. At the premiere, Lenzing was delighted to receive the first prize for the introduction of the blockchain technology for fiber identification along the textile value chain.

“Consumers increasingly want to understand the ingredients and suppliers of the products they buy, requesting a new level of transparency and traceability. With the introduction of blockchain technology, Lenzing is pursuing the ambitious goal of creating full transparency across the value chain, driving change in an industry where less than five percent of the top 250 apparel brands can track their garments back to the fiber origin”, Stefan Doboczky, CEO of the Lenzing Group, says. Lenzing enables its customers and partners to identify TENCEL ™ branded fibers across each production and distribution step from fiber-to-retail. The technology also allows consumers to verify the garment composition and the underlying textile supply chain at the point of sale, simply by scanning the barcode with a mobile device. As a result, Lenzing also directly supports the business with its very sustainably produced TENCEL™ lyocell fibers.

Experts from the tire industry will meet again in 2020 for the annual Tire Technology Expo in Hanover, Germany. Saurer Twisting Solutions is looking forward to welcoming customers and visitors at Booth 4006 in Hall 6 from 25 to 27 February 2020 and to presenting the innovative CableCorder CC5. With a complete package of numerous innovations, the CC5 once again demonstrates its technological leadership and the associated customer benefits.

The Saurer CableCorder for the production of high-quality tire cord is a permanent fixture in the tire industry. The fifth generation of the CableCorder will appeal to customers with its numerous innovations. It provides Saurer's customers with decisive competitive advantages: they benefit from lower energy consumption, a smart spindle concept, modern quality monitoring, improved ergonomics, flexible automation solutions and the integration of the CableCorder into Senses, the Saurer mill management system.

• Performance Days: November 13th-14th 2019, Munich, Germany

Munich – ROICA™ smart innovations are The Sustainable fil rouge at Performance Days, the influential fair for innovations, trends, safety & durability and sourcing of fabrics and accessories in functional sportswear & athleisure. Leading fabrics manufacturers and nearly all the well-known sportswear and active clothing brands have chosen the company’s premium stretch fibers of the ROICA Eco-Smart™ family to create their ultimate collections combining comfort, movement and responsibility.

“We are excited to see such a brilliant response from both manufacturers and brands which have decided to use our premium stretch sustainable fibers. We are excited because it really shows that sustainability is not only a marketing hype, but more and more literally interwoven into garments.” Says Shinohe Hiroaki, ROICA™ Chief Marketing Officer based in Germany.  

The company’s partners empowering their ultimate collections with ROICA™ are CIFRA S.p.A. (IT), Maglificio Ripa S.p.A. (IT), M.I.T.I. S.p.A. (IT), Payen group ESF (FR), Piave Maitex S.r.l. (IT), SITIP S.p.A. (IT), Sofileta S.A.S (FR), Sportswear Argentona S.A. (ES), TINTEX Textiles S.A. (PT) and TVB GmbH (DE).

ROICA Eco-SmartTM Family

• “The certified and hyper-performing family features two responsibly made yarns with outstanding stretch performances that give free rein to designers’ creativity and provides the highest stretch ability while complying to the most-cutting edge sustainable standards.” adds Shinohe.
• The GRS - Global Recycled Standard - certified ROICA™ EF is made with 58% of pre-consumer recycled content. GRS guarantees its sustainable mission with a certification by the influential Textile Exchange*, one of the most known and recognized global standards in the market.
• The ROICA™ V550 proudly breaks down without releasing harmful substance under the testing environment according to Hohenstein Environmental Compatibility certification. Made and engineered by Asahi Kasei R&D team, and produced in ROICA™ German plant only, the yarn offers additional and relevant circular economy advantages linked to material health as proved by a Gold Level Material Health Certificate by the Cradle to Cradle Product Innovation Institute for a safe and biological end of life cycle

Led by the leading ingredient brand ISKO, the discussion dealt with the entire production chain, from field to shelf, highlighting current issues and the innovative solutions that are already improving the fashion industry. Among these, ISKO R-TWO™ platform and its fabrics, mixing and blending certified reused cotton and certified recycled polyester.

A four day extravaganza to reimagine the retail experience of finding the perfect pair of jeans: this was Amazon Destination Denim. It took place from October 24th to 27th at Berlin’s Kuehlhaus and it will continue on Amazon online hub, where customers can experience interactive features. ISKO was involved in this landmark online and offline fashion event, sharing the knowledge and expertise that made the company the denim ingredient brand behind people’s favorite jeans.