From the Sector

At this year's CINTE Techtextil fair in Shanghai, DILO received the innovation award for its intensive needling technology “MicroPunch”. Recent developments in energy costs, particularly for electricity and gas, and given the increasing shortage of water resources, have led to a shift in thinking over the past few years. Together with economic efficiency, the evaluation of the environmental impact of production has become increasingly important.

For DILO, this meant focusing on needling technology for the fine and lightweight nonwoven sector over the last years. The individual elements of the intensive needling technology underwent a complete revision. It became clear that the high production rates could only be achieved using the two-dimensional kinematics of the needle beam of "HyperPunch" or "CycloPunch." The necessary high feed rates of around 50 mm per stroke, coupled with the highest stitching densities to achieve good abrasion resistance, led to a need of a significant increase of the number of needles and needle density—almost doubling from approximately 20,000 needles/meter/board to around 45,000 needles/meter/board. It also became obvious that ensuring a high efficiency rate in production also required the careful attention to a quick assembly of the needle boards with needle modules. A completely new approach was needed in the design and construction of the needle boards to enable rapid module exchange and achieve a very high mechanical precision.

Previously, needling technology was primarily used for a surface weight range starting at 100 g/m² up to several kilograms per m². The expansion into the range below 100 g/m², and potentially down to 30 g/m², now completes the applicability of needling technology. The intensive needling technology "MicroPunch" opens up an economical field for a wide variety of lightweight nonwoven fabrics that can be produced by a pure mechanical processes. The product characteristics achieved, such as abrasion resistance, are comparable to those of hydroentangeld nonwovens. Needled fabrics tend to have more volume and more stretch while offering similar tensile strength values. These special quality characteristics are particularly interesting for applications in hygiene, medicine, cosmetics, and for technical products.

With this new development, the energy required to produce lightweight nonwoven fabrics has been reduced up to approximately 75% compared to other bonding technologies of this segment.

eVent^®️ Fabrics, a global leader in waterproof and breathable laminates, announced the hiring of three key team members to assist with growing demand for the brand’s expanding line of performance laminates and recent expansion into the South Korean market. Founded in 1999, the company impressed the industry with the first air-permeable 100% waterproof membrane and continues to innovate with sustainable, high-performance textiles. eVent is globally recognized for its breathable waterproof solutions and commitment to reliable, high-performance laminates.

Recent hires include Bartosz Lassak to the US sales team and Xie Yi to engineer the next generation of eVent textiles. For the recent expansion into Korea, Terry Kim will assist as eVent’s Korean Market Consultant.

eVent’s recent expansion into the Korean market includes a new strategic partnership with GEO International Co., LTD, a leading Korean company in the textile industry. This collaboration will introduce eVent’s high-performance waterproof breathable laminate solutions for apparel, footwear, and accessories to the Korean market, catering to the increasing demand for premium outdoor and performance apparel.

eVent’s newest team members include:

Bartosz Lassak – Senior Sales Manager
Based in Washington D.C., Bartosz is a Senior Sales Manager for the Eastern U.S. region and will help expand eVent’s sales footprint as new customers are added to the eVent portfolio. Bartosz brings 20 years of global industry experience and has a deep knowledge of outerwear materials, end use applications, and component brand sales. Most recently, Bartosz was a Territory Sales and Marketing Manager for Primaloft, managing ingredient brand distribution in the UK, Germany, Eastern Europe, Russia, Turkey, and North America.
 
Xie Yi – Textile Engineer
Having recently graduated with a double Master’s Degree in Textile Materials and Product Design from the highly regarded Donghua University, Xie joins the eVent team full time as a Textile Engineer. Xie will be integral as eVent continues to enhance product strategy and new product introductions. Throughout her academic career, Xie worked as a Production Assistant for Oya Jacquard Belt limited and a Research and Development Assistant at Atelier LUMA.

Terry Kim – Senior Consultant in Korea
Terry will support the expansion of eVent’s global footprint into Korean markets and assist with marketing efforts in the Korean market as well. Terry has significant experience in the industry including 20 years working in roles such as Sales Director and New Business Development Director in his time at Gore-Tex. In his most recent role, Terry was the Managing Director of Fabric Division for Gore-Tex.

Anlässlich des World Cotton Day weist die Bremer Baumwollbörse auf das Potenzial von Baumwolle zur Gestaltung einer nachhaltigeren Welt hin. Für etwa 100 Millionen Bauern ist Baumwolle eine Existenzgrundlage und für viele Menschen ein Kulturgut, das bis in die Anfänge der menschlichen Zivilisation zurückreicht. Vor sechs Jahren folgten die Vereinten Nationen einem Vorschlag der sogenannten „Cotton Four“, der westafrikanischen Baumwollanbauländer Benin, Burkina Faso, Tschad und Mali, den 7. Oktober zum Weltbaumwolltag zu erklären.

In diesem Jahr wird der Tag von dem westafrikanischen Land Benin ausgerichtet, wo sich über 400 Akteure aus der Baumwollweltgemeinschaft treffen. Aufmerksam gemacht werden soll auf die Vorteile der natürlichen Ressource und ihr Potenzial für wirtschaftliche Entwicklung weltweit. Der World Cotton Day 2024 steht unter dem Motto „Cotton for good“. Zu den diesjährigen Themen gehören regenerative Landwirtschaft und die Förderung von Biodiversität, die Rolle von Frauen in der Baumwollproduktion, die fast die Hälfte der Baumwollfarmer weltweit ausmachen, und die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit von afrikanischen Kleinbauern.

Die Cotton Four Länder als Impulsgeber für den World Cotton Day gehören zu den führenden Baumwollproduzenten Afrikas. Der Beitrag der Baumwollproduktion zum jeweiligen Bruttoinlandsprodukt und der Anteil der Baumwollexporte an den gesamten landwirtschaftlichen Exporterlösen gehört zu den höchsten weltweit. Die Baumwollindustrie ist ein zentraler Pfeiler für die wirtschaftliche und soziale Entwicklung in Benin, Burkina Faso, Tschad und Mali. Baumwolle ist insbesondere für ländliche Gemeinschaften ein Schlüsselsektor für die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung und zur Linderung von Armut.

Ins Leben gerufen wurde der World Cotton Day 2019 am Hauptsitz der Welthandelsorganisation (WTO) in Genf, zusammen mit vier weiteren Gründungsorganisationen, dem Internationalen Baumwollsekretariat (ICAC), dem Internationalen Handelszentrum (ITC), der Welternährungsorganisation (FAO) und der Welthandels- und Entwicklungskonferenz (UNCTAD). Auch die Bremer Baumwollbörse beteiligt sich regelmäßig am Weltbaumwolltag.