From the Sector

A sunny yellow shade on a mission to fill our homes with optimism, pride and a splash of vibrant color – that’s True Joy™, AkzoNobel’s Color of the Year for 2025.

Supported by three complementary color palettes, True Joy is the result of extensive research into color, design, cultural, economic and social trends, which identified a desire to make a joyful leap into the unknown, celebrate craftsmanship and embrace who we are.  
 
“In this rapidly changing world, it’s easy to feel uncertain about our next steps,” explains Heleen van Gent, Creative Director of AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Center. “But change creates an opportunity for imagination; a chance to create something even better. With our new Color of the Year and ColourFutures 2025 palettes, we want to inspire consumers to celebrate their roots and creativity and embrace the optimism of moving forward in their homes and spaces.”
 
AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Center has been translating trends into desirable colors for homes for more than 30 years. Its annual ColourFutures trend forecast meeting brings together in-house experts, international architects, designers and journalists to share insights into how our reactions to the world around us impact our color choices. Junior designers and interns were also included for the first time this year, to ensure that consumers from the widest possible age range were represented in the influential Color of the Year decision-making process.
 
Their discussions led to three decorative paint color stories being designed around True Joy to help consumers find the right complementary colors to match their mood and design preferences. The Bold color story urges you to leave your comfort zone and inject adventure into your home with bright and uplifting colors, while the Human color story encourages you to bring creativity into your home by filling it with unique handmade pieces. The Proud color palette invites you to embrace your identity and have the confidence to create a home that’s just as unique as you are.
 
Apart from Deco brands, the on-trend colors, textures and special effects have been designed for other key markets and segments, including aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, metal furniture, lighting, cabinetry, flooring, and building and architectural products.

Traditional heating systems in vehicles often rely on bulky and energy-intensive methods. Smart textiles, equipped with integrated heating elements powered by Loomia’s technology, offer an efficient alternative. These textiles can provide targeted warmth directly to occupants, reducing energy consumption compared to conventional heating systems. Whether integrated into seats, armrests, or steering wheels, smart heating textiles enhance comfort while optimizing energy use.

Smart surfaces in automotive interiors go beyond aesthetics, offering interactive functionalities that improve safety and convenience. Loomia’s smart surfaces can transform mundane surfaces into dynamic interfaces, capable of displaying information, adjusting settings, and responding to touch or gestures. For example, smart door panels can illuminate and provide feedback when touched, enhancing both usability and safety during nighttime operation.

Loomia’s expertise in smart textiles allows seamless integration into various aspects of vehicle design. From customizable lighting elements embedded within upholstery to responsive control panels, smart textiles enhance the overall aesthetics and functionality of automotive interiors. These innovations not only elevate the driving experience but also contribute to a more sustainable and technologically advanced automotive industry.

Looking ahead, the potential applications of smart textiles in automotive environments are vast. Future developments could include adaptive textiles that respond to environmental conditions, such as adjusting ventilation based on temperature and humidity levels. Moreover, advancements in sensor technology integrated into smart textiles may enable enhanced vehicle monitoring and diagnostics, further improving safety and efficiency on the road.

Carbios announced the appointment of Tommy Maussin as its Chief Marketing Officer, effective 2 September 2024.  His mission involves developing and overseeing CARBIOS’ global marketing and sales activities with brands across various industries, including packaging, textiles, luxury, automotive, cosmetics, healthcare, and industrial goods. Maussin will be responsible for enhancing Carbios’ global presence to initiate and conclude commercial agreements with brand owners. His proven track record of profitable businesses in a variety of industries, and in complex and international environments, is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping Carbios’ customer-centric marketing strategies moving forward.  Tommy Maussin joins the Executive Committee and reports to Emmanuel Ladent, Chief Executive Officer of CARBIOS.

With over 17 years of experience in international business for several Michelin tire divisions, Maussin spent the last four as European Director and Vice President of its lifestyle division, successfully transforming operations and driving substantial growth for Michelin Guides and Robert Parker Wine Advocate across various regions. His vision for Carbios centers on driving business growth through strategic execution, fostering multicultural teams, and maintaining a strong focus on customer relationships to drive business growth.

Freudenberg Performance Materials (Freudenberg) will present packaging solutions with various sustainability benefits at Fachpack 2024 in Nuremberg, Germany, from September 24-26. The range of exhibited products includes Evolon® microfilament textiles for reusable technical packaging of sensitive industrial parts, bio-based nonwoven materials for desiccant bags, and Evolon® The Food Bag – a solution for food preservation.

Freudenberg’s innovative Evolon® technical packaging product line will emphasize the company’s commitment to sustainability. Evolon® offers enhanced surface protection for various kinds of sensitive industrial parts, including molded plastics and painted components. It is notable for its durability and high recycled PET content. The microfilament fabric serves as an eco-friendly alternative to single-use packaging, particularly in the transportation of sensitive industrial goods such as automotive parts. Evolon®'s protective qualities reduce damage during transport and lower the rejection rate.

Additionally, Evolon® ESD (electro-static discharge) materials address the need for specialized packaging of sensitive electronic components by providing customizable permanent electro-static discharge protection in additional to surface protection.

Evolon® The Food Bag
Freudenberg will also be exhibiting a packaging product for food preservation in the home. Evolon® The Food Bag extends the shelf life of vegetables, fruits and bread by providing great moisture and climate management. The innovative bag was a finalist in the 2020 Zu gut für die Tonne!  prize (“Too Good For The Bin”), part of the National Strategy for Food Waste Reduction launched by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL).

Sustainable nonwoven materials for desiccant bags
A further highlight at Fachpack 2024 will be nonwoven materials for manufacturing desiccant bags. In addition to conventional fully synthetic materials, Freudenberg’s product range includes sustainable bio-based wetlaid nonwovens which are binder-free and industrially compostable.

AZL Aachen GmbH announces a ‘Joint Partner Project’ focusing on the technology for reinforcing electric motors with fibre composite reinforcement sleeves. The nine-month project will investigate current and future applications for electric motors, their requirements for armouring sleeves and provide technological insights.

The project, entitled "Rotor Sleeves for Electric Motors: Potentials for Composite Materials and Technologies", aims to address the growing demand for more efficient, powerful and compact electric motors in mobility and industrial applications.

Compared to metals, composite rotor sleeves with their high stiffness, low density, almost zero thermal expansion and favourable electromagnetic properties are particularly suitable to contribute to all the development goals.

The application, manufacturing and material technologies for composite rotor sleeves have been proven to be mature, so far mostly in niche high power applications. Due to the increasing demand for efficient electric drives, the demand for rotor sleeves and the corresponding production volumes is growing rapidly. Composite based rotor sleeves are expected to expand into mass applications for electric vehicles, power tools, machine tools, electric aircraft and other industrial applications.

AZL will bring together experts from across the value chain to investigate current and future applications, analyse requirements and assess the impact on design, material selection and production concepts.

Companies interested in the project can join the consortium consisting of Kümpers GmbH, Rassini and Schunk Kohlenstofftechnik GmbH, among others, until the kick-off on September 12th, 2024.

The second conference on flame retardancy will now take place in Berlin from 20-21 November 2024, organized by the AVK - Industrievereinigung Verstärkte Kunststoffe e. V. in cooperation with the FGK - Forschungsgesellschaft Kunststoffe e.V.

In addition to the transport sector, the requirements in the construction/infrastructure sector will also be considered. Components made from fiber-reinforced plastics/composites that are manufactured for these sectors often have to have specific flame-retardant properties. Over the course of one and a half days, 14 presentations will provide information on new developments, requirements and innovations from the fields of standardization, material development, construction/infrastructure, public transport, automotive and research & science.

The lecture titles range from requirements and challenges for low-voltage products to the possibilities offered by new types of ceramifying fillers and flame retardants for e-mobility applications.

The event will be held in English.

The German Pavilion is confirmed to return from 19 – 21 September at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. For the first time since borders reopened, industry leaders gathering under the banner will bolster the fair’s innovation and sustainability with a comprehensive showcase, from raw materials to machinery, complemented by diversified fringe events across the fairground.

Located in a prime area of the International Hall, the German Pavilion is set to draw crowds with its reputable products and technology. Assembling under the pavilion this year will be some new and returning German exhibitors, having made their names in the sub-categories of automotive nonwovens, industrial-use monofilaments, weaving machinery, and many more. After confirming their participation, Hansa Industrie-Mixer, J.H. Ziegler Nonwovens and New Materials, Lindauer Dornier, Monosuisse, and Perlon will showcase their expertise together with other highlighted exhibitors, including:

• Autefa Solutions – A full-service provider for turnkey nonwoven lines and machines, the company offers machines for fibre opening and blending, carding, crosslapping, needle punching, spunlace, thermobonding, amongst others. At the fair, the company will showcase technology spanning 10 application areas.
• Emtec Electronic – The company develops specialised test devices for the nonwoven and textile industries. An innovation said to quantify handfeel, its TSA Tactile Sensation Analyzer objectively measures the softness, smoothness and stiffness of textiles and nonwovens, as well as their recovery and elongation.
• Neuenhauser Group – The Neuenhauser Textile division provides fully-automated cleaning systems, transport automation solutions, winding technology, high-performance can coilers and weaving machine accessories. With decades of experience, the Group will debut at the fair with various innovative Agrotech, Buildtech, and Geotech solutions.
• Reifenhauser Enka Tecnica – A specialised provider of spinnerets and precision components to the man-made fibre industry. The company manufactures a broad spectrum of spinnerets and spin packs for all spinning processes, as well as premium jet strips for hydro-entangling with extra-long service life.
• Reifenhauser Reicofil – A well-known provider of spunbond, meltblown and composite lines for nonwoven applications in the hygiene, medical, filtration and industrial sectors. Offering a wide range of machinery at the show, the company is developing technical solutions for sophisticated and sustainable applications, with a strong focus on machine intelligence and energy efficiency.

New fringe events to further advocate innovation and sustainability
At this year’s fair, AiDLab^[1] will present its AI-based Textile Inspection System (AiTIS). A world first, AiTIS automatically and accurately detects material defects in nonwovens (especially for mask making), and various textiles, reflecting the collaborative efforts of AiDLab and a Hong Kong healthcare brand. At the event, Professor Calvin Wong, CEO & Centre Director of AiDLab, will introduce the system. This will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A session with independent consultant Mr Eric Sham and moderated by AiDLab’s Mr Barry Tai, including insights on how advanced technology is reshaping the textile industry landscape.

Going beyond innovation, the fringe programme will also for the first time include Econogy Talks^[2] and sustainability tours to reflect Messe Frankfurt’s commitment to a sustainable future. Fairgoers can also visit the Innovation Showcase Area for outstanding industry achievements, with the focus this year on cutting-edge technology, green development and high-end applications. Product submission is now open. Contact us to submit your products, or register here for your visitor badge.

The fair’s product categories cover 12 application areas, which span a full range of potential uses in modern technical textiles and nonwovens. These categories also cover the entire industry, from upstream technology and raw materials providers to finished fabrics, chemicals and other solutions. This scope of product groups and application areas ensures that the fair is an effective business platform for the entire industry.

Cinte Techtextil China will be held from 19 – 21 September 2024.

^[1] The Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design, jointly established by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the UK’s Royal College of Art, under HKSAR government funding
^[2] ‘Texpertise Econogy’ – the umbrella for Messe Frankfurt’s sustainability activities at its more than 50 textile trade shows worldwide

Bcomp announces its support on the new Italdesign Quintessenza™, a concept car unveiled at the 2024 Auto China in Beijing. Reflecting the harmonious relationship between nature and technology, the all-electric Quintessenza™ offers a blend of the functionality of a load-bearing pick-up and the dynamism of a GT-inspired family sports vehicle. The architectural concept breaks new ground in the automotive industry, as does its focus on the use of sustainable materials and finishes with the integration of Bcomp’s natural fibre composites across both its interior finishes and exterior body parts.

The Quintessenza™ is the world’s first vehicle to feature black-tinted NF (natural fibre) as a visual layer, showcasing Bcomp’s commitment to innovation. The interior design includes a foundational layer of ampliTex™ biaxial fabric combined with a layer of black-tinted NF. This advanced natural fibre composite, developed through a customised process that infuses the ampliTex™ fabric with a custom black resin, not only offers a durable and visually appealing surface finish but also facilitates the recycling process through its monomaterial composition.

The concept car also uses ampliTex™ material for several exterior parts, the front and back bumpers, the side rocker covers and the wheel arches. Not only does this enhance the vehicle’s appearance and cut CO₂ emissions by up to 85%, compared to carbon fibre, but as parts reach their end-of-life, natural fibre components can be processed through waste-to-energy plants, serving as a renewable energy source and avoiding the landfill route of carbon and glass fibres.

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from the Turkish insulation felt manufacturer Şiteks to supply a complete needlepunch line for its production plant in Tekirdag.

With this investment, Şiteks will expand its production capacity to meet the international demand for needlepunched nonwoven insulation products in the automotive and construction sectors. The line is scheduled to start up in the first quarter of 2025. This is the second line that Şiteks has purchased from ANDRITZ.

The ANDRITZ needlepunch eXcelle line for Şiteks can process different types of fibers, including natural fibers, and is specifically designed to meet the customer’s requirements in terms of productivity, quality, and sustainability.

Şiteks Şişmanlar Tekstil San. ve Tic. A.Ş, a member of the Hassan Group, is one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of thermal and acoustic insulation felts. Its products are used in a wide range of applications in the automotive, white goods, construction, and mattress and furniture industries.

Stratasys Ltd. is announcing updates to several Industrial and Healthcare Business Unit products and Stratasys Direct. These include a new open platform for the F900™ 3D printer, more on-demand 3D printing capabilities and a new high-performance material for its Fused Deposition Modeling line.

OpenAM comes to the F900
Stratasys OpenAM™ is a software application that enables the user to modify machine controls to achieve results beyond standard print settings. Already available for the Fortus 450®mc printer, Stratasys is now making its OpenAM software available for the F900 printer. This will allow for expanded functionality and capabilities and will unlock new materials for F900 users.

New VICTREX AM 200 material for FDM
A new material offering that opens the application potential for demanding industries like aerospace and medical, where material properties are critical components of a 3D-printed solutions. This new high-performance, high-strength, validated material, VICTREX AM™ 200, will be available for the Fortus 450mc and the F900. VICTREX AM 200 is a PEEK-based polymer that is temperature, corrosion, and chemical resistant, with excellent mechanical properties which can be utilized with soluble and breakaway support material.

Carbon Fiber Visual Print Option for the F-Series
Carbon Fiber Visual Print Option is a new 5-slice (0.005”) layer height across the F-123 Series™ line of printers that is coming later this month for FDM®ABS-CF10. It produces a smoother surface finish, to provide the perfect finish when a part’s visual appearance is important to the application. It is built for applications that demand the durability of a carbon-filled polymer, but also requires a visually appealing result without additional post-processing.

F770 adds New Colors
The F770® printer can now print in multiple colors, in addition to its original single ivory color. Six new ASA colors, including red, white, light gray, black, blue, and yellow, will allow for more application versatility with FDM® ASA and ABS-M30 tried-and-true engineering plastics. The new colors enable printing without painting or other post-production marking, allowing parts to be available much faster, increasing productivity.

Somos NeXt Validated for SLA
Somos® NeXt™ is now a validated material for Stratasys NEO® stereolithography 3D printers. Somos NeXt is a resin with superior strength and can be used in automotive and consumer products, along with other applications, including prototyping, to produce durable, accurate and detailed parts.

New GrabCAD Software Print Integration Enhances On-Demand 3D Printing Capabilities
Stratasys has introduced Parts on Demand by GrabCAD, a new integration that synchronizes the company's software platform with Stratasys Direct. This addition allows GrabCAD Print™ customers to access Stratasys Direct’s fleet of 3D printers, allowing for larger and more intricate designs, a selection of more than 50 engineered materials, and the assurance of stringent quality inspections.