From the Sector

• Winners in Six Categories to be Announced at IDEA® 2022 in Miami Beach

Online voting for the IDEA® Achievement Awards representing the “best of the best” innovations in the global nonwovens and engineered fabrics industry in six categories will open on Feb. 28.

Industry professionals will have the opportunity to vote for the winners from the finalists and see award-winning achievements in person at IDEA® 2022, the World’s Preeminent Event for Nonwovens & Engineered Fabrics, March 28-31, at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Presented by INDA, in partnership with Nonwovens Industry magazine, the awards recognize the leading introductions in equipment, raw materials, short-life, long-life and nonwovens products, and sustainability. To vote on the Nonwovens Industry website, visit: https://www.nonwovens-industry.com/idea-reg-achievement-awards

In addition, INDA will unveil the IDEA® 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree and Nonwovens Industry will announce the IDEA® Entrepreneur Achievement Award recipient at the event.  

All of the winners will be announced on March 30 at a ceremony at IDEA® from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. moderated by Dave Rousse, President, INDA and Karen, McIntyre, Editor, Nonwovens Industry.

The INDA Technical Advisory Board, consisting of technical professionals from member companies, has narrowed the competition from more than 100 online nominations to the following 18 finalists selected for their leading innovations since the last IDEA show in 2019.

The industry will have the chance to select their top choices from the three finalists in each of the following six categories through the online voting process:

IDEA® Equipment Achievement Award

• ESC-8 – Curt G. Joa, Inc.
  Imagine endless combinations of insert and chassis designs for adult incontinence production at the push of a button. With patent-pending ESC-8™ Electronic Size Change Technology, JOA has addressed the need for automated product size change. The release of this industry-leading, first-of-a-kind technology gives customers the flexibility to configure endless insert and chassis combinations while maintaining higher production speeds and minimizing raw material usage. The ESC-8™ can be integrated into new and existing machines.
   
• Elastic Thread Anchoring (ETA) Sonotrode – Herrmann Ultrasonics Inc.
  Elastics are an integral component to many hygiene products. Imagine a diaper or incontinence product that is reliable, adhesive-free and extremely soft. Herrmann Ultrasonics Elastic Thread Anchoring (ETA) Sonotrode technology provides just that, in an industry first, easy-to-use closed-loop feedback manufacturing solution. The fixation of the elastic threads is accomplished with ultrasonic energy that offers a wide process window, without the need for tool changeovers, at processing speeds above 2,000 ft./min.
   
• Doffer Airlay Card – Technoplants SRL
  With airlaying suction and a doffing system like traditional roller cards, the Doffer Airlay Card makes it possible to produce carded webs with doffer in thicknesses from 10 to 1.500 gsm. With top and bottom suction, it can produce a partly carded and partly airlaid web. This card can comb, separate and make parallel all types of natural, synthetic and regenerated fibers for applications including hygiene, filtration, medical and gradient acquisition distribution layer (ADL).

IDEA® Raw Material Achievement Award

• sero™ premium hemp fiber – Bast Fibre Technologies Inc.
  sero™ 100 percent premium hemp fibers are the result of years of the company’s top-to-bottom supply chain experience. BFT’s proprietary processing technology is employed to carefully clean, individualize, and soften bast fibers that meet stringent nonwoven technical standards and are plastic-free, tree-free, and compostable. sero™ fibers are a plug-and-play replacement for plastic fibers that run seamlessly on major nonwoven platforms without compromising production speeds, efficiency, or uniformity.
   
• ODOGard – Rem Brands, Inc.
  Rem Brands, Inc.’s patented ODOGard® technology is a revolutionary advancement in odor elimination. This next-generation odor elimination mechanism works by covalent molecular bonding to malodors. Malodors are permanently attached to the ODOGard® molecule, changing them into non-odorous molecules forever. ODOGard® can be impregnated into pulp fluff and other kinds of media. Whether  malodors come from the air or from hygiene products, ODOGard® has it covered.
   
• SharoWIPES™ – Sharon Laboratories
  SharoWIPES™ by Sharon Laboratories, Israel, is a technological breakthrough from in-depth scientific research addressing industry needs for more “clean label, non-irritating, eco-friendly” consumer wet wipes. With their unique anti-biofilm mechanism, SharoWIPES™ offer dual protection from microbial contamination of both the wet wipe formula, as well as the non-woven fabric. SharoWIPES™ preservation systems deliver broad-spectrum protection at low levels contributing to wet wipe brand equity with free from, microbiome friendly, vegan and biodegradable claims.
   

IDEA® Short-Life Product Achievement Award

• MDP™ – Dermasteel, Ltd.
  MDP™ presents a breakthrough approach to restoring the quality of life for men experiencing bladder leakage. MDP™ is a revolutionary nonwoven product for men coping with light urinary incontinence that is invisibly discreet, effective, comfortable, and reliable. It features Body ID Technology™ for customized adjustment, variable elasticity strapping, self-reflexive side panels for unimpeded breathability, form-fitting to the unique characteristics of each man’s anatomy, and the smallest carbon footprint of any comparable male incontinence option.
   
• Organic 2.0 – Ellepot A/S
  In young plant propagation, plastic products are used in large quantities. Ellepot’s new paper is a game-changer supporting plastic exit strategies. During six years in development, Ellepot and Ahlstrom-Munksjö partnered with OrganoClick, the developer of special binders using organocatalysis, a field of chemistry awarded the Nobel Prize in 2021. The product is approved for organic crops in Germany, the UK, Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden and Canada and certified okay home compostable and biodegradable in soil.
   
• LifeSavers Wipes – LifeSavers LLC
  LifeSavers Wipes are personal hygiene wipes that change color if they detect abnormal health indicators in the urine. The launch product is a diabetic wipe, which will change color if there are abnormal levels of glucose in the urine. The wipes are therefore triple purposed as they assist with personal hygiene after urinating, act as an early warning system, and serve as an instant glucose monitor. UTI and kidney disease wipes are next in line.
   

IDEA® Long-Life Product Achievement Award

• Canopy Hero Pro – Canopy
  Today’s reusable respirators are uncomfortable, limit communication, and can lose effectiveness after cleaning. Disposable options pose similar issues and generate waste. Canopy® has created a next-generation, reusable respirator for healthcare workers that’s comfortable, easy to clean, exceeds federal safety standards, has a transparent front to allow for improved communication, costs less than disposables, and can help save 7,200 tons of waste daily. Its patented, transparent, fully mechanical filter helps protect those who protect us.
   
• Long-Life Cellulose-based Nonwovens for Higher Performance in Reusable Baby Diapers – Kelheim Fibres GmbH and Sumo Diapers
  Innovation exemplified: the trend-setting Sumo Baby Cloth Diaper shows how needle-punched/thermobonded nonwovens find their way into reusable diapers, thanks to Kelheim Fibres’ specialty viscose fibers with adjusted cross-sections (trilobal and hollow). This technology pushes liquid management capabilities and the absorbency of washable hygiene products to new levels, creating a unique duality of high-performance and high-sustainability credentials, and opening up new fields of application.
   
• Nanofiber Cabin Air Filter – MANN + HUMMEL GmbH
  MANN+HUMMEL has developed a hybrid media by combining electret-based spunbond and a pure mechanical filtration layer of ultrafine polymer fibers. The result: an outstanding separation of PM1 particles up to 95 percent, according to DIN EN ISO 16890. This technology enables stable filtration performance and long-term efficiency over the whole filter lifetime. The nanofiber layer can be combined with any cabin air filter media of the MANN+HUMMEL range, improving air quality in a vehicle’s cabin significantly.
   

IDEA® Sustainability Advancement Award

• Pureflow8 – In Flight Material Separator – Diaper Recycling Technology Pte. Ltd.
  New bolt-on additions to the company’s Generation 8 recycling platform guarantee increased performance in terms of material purity and work efficiency. While recovering up to 87 percent of diaper waste raw material’s financial investment, DRT pushes the boundaries further to meet sustainability targets and include active pulp scanning, fluidizing SAP re-gen technology, and gravimetric pulp refeed processes. DRT recognizes its teams and suppliers who have worked tremendously hard to complete this major milestone.
   
• Fitesa® 100 Percent BioBased Bico – Fitesa
  Fitesa® S Bico 100 percent BioBased PE/PLA is a technically sophisticated plant-sourced nonwoven that has been successfully applied in innovative baby diapers as topsheet, backsheet, and front ear components to deliver classic spunbond strength with good abrasion resistance and converting performance. It is responsibly sourced, PE soft, and sustainable, leaving a negative carbon footprint by reducing environmental CO2. It represents the next generation of hygienic nonwovens designed to make work easier and life better.
   
• Fiber-based Screw Caps – Glatfelter Corp. and Blue Ocean Closures
  Finally, an alternative to metal and plastic screw caps! Blue Ocean Closures partnered with Glatfelter and ALPLA to accelerate and produce sustainable and environmentally-friendly packaging solutions. The companies optimized their use of renewable and recyclable wood fibers and airlaid materials by creating paper-based screw caps that are durable, strong, and water-resistant. The method of proprietary vacuum press forming allows for low production cost and high scalability.
   

IDEA® Nonwoven Product Achievement Award

• Sontara® Silk – Glatfelter Corp.
  Sontara® Silk perfectly fits facial contour, is luxurious on the skin, and has a minimal environmental impact. When infused with lotion, these masks have enhanced elasticity, conform closely to the skin, and have excellent adhesion. Sontara® Silk has superior translucency and ensures even penetration of active ingredients onto the skin. Sontara® Silk fabric is manufactured with premium fibers derived from natural raw material. These sustainable materials allow the product to be biodegradable and compostable.
   
• HYDRASPUN® Aquaflo – Sustainable Nonwoven Substrates – Suominen Corporation
  Suominen’s latest moist tissue product, HYDRASPUN® Aquaflo achieves dry tissue dispersibility through a proprietary blend of 100 percent sustainable cellulosic materials, minimizing environmental impact. This flushable nonwoven has a premium hand feel for a luxurious consumer experience. In addition, it passes dispersibility standards set by INDA (GD4) and the International Water Services Flushability Group (IWSFG.) HYDRASPUN® Aquaflo is produced in Europe and North America and represents multi-year development and market insights to deliver a personal care product ideal for today’s consumer.
   
• LS SAF™ Nonwoven Fabrics –Technical Absorbents
  Technical Absorbents developed a new grade of Low Shrink (LS) superabsorbent fiber (SAFTM) for use within a new range of nonwovens that are more resistant to shrinkage. The new LS SAFTM fiber and resulting fabrics were developed in response to demand from the medical industry for a superabsorbent nonwoven suitable for use in advanced wound pad dressings. The new fiber was engineered to be capable of withstanding the moisture used in the EtO sterilization process.

Moving forward after this year, the IDEA® Achievement Award will be presented every two years under the new cycle announced for the event with the subsequent IDEA® taking place April 23-25, 2024.

• ITM of TU Dresden – your research partner in the field of virtual product development at ISPO Munich
• ISPO Munich Online 2021 – the world´s leading sports business platform from February 1st to 5th 2021

The Chair of Assembly Technology for Textile Products of ITM presents itself for the first time at ISPO Munich Online 2021 – showcasing its expertise in the field of virtual product development. Its know-how in the determination of material parameters, digital data processing, and data transfer will be presented as well as its competencies in 3D/4D body shape recording via scanning, data animation for the 3D product development for functional clothing, and simulation for wear comfort/usage visualization. The Chair of Assembly Technology for Textile Products of ITM has manifested its leading global position in the virtual product development sector by successfully completing a variety of national and international interdisciplinary research projects.

Researchers of the Chair of Assembly Technology for Textile Products have been actively involved in the preparation and digital representation of material samples for the ISPO Textrends Forum. Thus, the material parameters of the ISPO Textrends Award textiles were determined for 3D fit simulations in Vidya (Assyst/Vizoo), automatically analyzed, and digitally processed by the specially developed "Material Analyzer" software. This software in addition to other state-of-the-art CAE infrastructure, such as the recently installed 4D Scanner Move4D, are essential for the further establishment and promotion of its leading position in the field of digitalization and virtual product development for garments for high-tech applications.

The researchers involved eagerly await future collaborations in this promising field of research. This pilot project presented at ISPO 2021 was coordinated by the company FOURSOURCE Group GmbH, thus enabling the characterization and 3D visualization of the award-winning materials that are presented to all visitors at ISPO 2021.

A true New Eco High-Tech Force of Nature

At ISPO, AKA – Asahi Kasei Advance keept the planet fit and healthy at the same time. The cutting edge department of global material innovator Asahi Kasei, unveils ECOSENSOR™, the cutting-edge fabric collection boosting responsible innovation with a “New Eco High-tech Force of Nature” new generation of performance.

Harnessing AKA expertise in yarning a smarter future, the new range focuses on sportwear, urban and athleisure fabrics. “At ISPO we launch the energetic protein fitting perfectly in textiles for clothes with an active imprint, comfort touch and smooth style. From-yarn-to-dyeing and along the whole supply chain, the collection is 100% traceable.” Says Nishizawa Akira, President & Representative Director Asahi Kasei Advance corporation.

With ECOSENSOR™, Asahi Kasei Advance truly innovates at ISPO as the very first producers choosing the high-performance path with sustainable values.

Indeed, the flexible and multitasking range is the high-tech solution for sportwear, outerwear and beyond. The collection embraces the casual and sporty mood of active urban surfers as well as that easy-to-wear attitude for a relaxing free-time at home.

The must-have fabrics platform for activewear and sportswear apparel, developed by ISKO, will be featuring in the Munich arena showcasing its Responsible Innovation™ approach resulting once more in groundbreaking performance properties.

ISKO returns once again to ISPO, Hall C1 – Booth 401, to present its pioneering innovation in the world of sportswear and activewear. The leading denim ingredient brand will be presenting the latest edition of ARQUAS™, the much-loved fabrics platform set to bring about an even more responsible era.

Featuring 35 fabrics, most of which are made with certified recycled materials, ARQUAS™ 6.0 combines high-performance properties with the mill’s Responsible Innovation™ approach – a holistic vision based on creativity, competence and citizenship that constantly defines new standards.

Although many of the textile concepts included in the collection may have the look and hand feel of knitted fabrics, they are all woven, thus ensuring superior durability and greater recovery. Among the many qualities that come with ARQUAS™ 6.0, moisture management, UV and wind protection, heat retention, water and stain repellency stand out. Nylon, which is used for the first time in this edition, allows for super light woven and cozy outdoor fabrics, reversible and packable styles, as well as patented fabrics, such as 4 waystretch ISKO Blue Skin™ for a 360° elasticity. Finally, the collection offers super compact fabrics that are made suitable also for fully bonded garments with body shaping and high recovery properties.

To provide trailblazing inspiration to its customers, ISKO’s world-class design team have created both a men’s and women’s garment collection based on three lifestyles – active, outdoor and club sports.

ACTIVE: Ideal for a wide range of sports from yoga to fitness to running. Whether participating in highor low-impact activities, these fabrics perfectly fulfill the technical requirements of athleisure and performance-wear apparel.

OUTDOOR:
Fabrics that stand for superior comfort, durability, water repellency and breathability, protecting the wearer from the elements of nature in any kind of setting.

CLUB SPORTS:
From the perfect golf swing to a wild horse ride, essential features such as maximum flexibility, fit and performance make these the ultimate textile concepts for the sportswear market.

Tailor-made solutions for hygiene, medical, filtration and other technical applications as well as extensive product and process know-how – with these arguments Oerlikon Nonwoven made a convincing appearance at the 18th Shanghai International Nonwoven Exhibition (SINCE) that took place from December 11 to 13.

Dr. Ingo Mählmann, Head of Sales and Marketing of Oerlikon Nonwoven, was very pleased with the three lively days at the trade fair: "The many discussions showed that we are on the right track with our strategy and the further development of our technologies with regard to nonwovens. Visitors were impressed by our technology solutions for disposable nonwoven fabrics or geotextiles". Almost all wellknown nonwoven fabric producers visited the trade fair stand of the plant manufacturer from Neumünster to find out about the advantages of spunbond, meltblown and airlaid technologies.

Overall, the nonwoven fabric team of the Oerlikon Group draws a very positive conclusion and looks back with satisfaction on the intensive and good quality discussions as well as numerous concrete inquiries from customers and prospective customers.

The Japanese brand of regenerated cellulose fibers is set to fly to some of the most cutting-edge global destinations on planet Fashion to present its collaborations with leading partners along with its collections. An intensive roadmap and warm up to Première Vision (Paris, February 17-19) where the company will double its presence debuting new collections and collaborations.

First appointment of the year is Pitti Uomo in Florence, Italy, Jan. 7-10. The company then joins Première Vision NYC, Jan 21-22, and ISPO in Munich, Jan. 26-29.

During the conference it was very interesting to see how the Chinese recycling industry in general and the Chinese polyester recycling industry in detail is on its way to digest the drastic measures of the Chinese government to ban the import of any plastic waste from January first, 2018 onward.

While Europe is struggling with individual measures such as the ban on drinking tubes, cotton swabs, balloons, plastic bags or disposable tableware, the Chinese leadership has created eight ministerial administrative units covering the entire complex of environmental protection, renewable energies, circular economy including recycling and climate protection. There is still a substantial gap to European environmental standards but Chinese velocity of progress is impressive in this field.

More than 360 delegates form China and oversees listened to the latest results in polyester recycling technology, production and market and exchanged their recent experiences. Especially the exhibition was core of social and technical networking.

Two contributions from governmental organizations and three from industry associations are underlining the high administrative attention of the recycling issue and loop economy in general.

• Unterstützung bei Anreise und Unterkunftssuche
• Vergünstigte Tickets für Fachhändler
• Internationales Retail-Programm

Vom 30. Juni bis 3. Juli 2019 trifft sich die internationale Outdoor-Branche erstmals zur OutDoor by ISPO Fachmesse in München. Das internationale Retail-Publikum steht im Fokus der Veranstaltung und profitiert von zahlreichen Vorteilen: Neben Unterstützung bei der Anreise und Unterkunftssuche erwarten die Fachbesucher vergünstigte Ticketpreise sowie ein eigenes Händler-Programm.

„Die Fachhändler sind unsere wichtigste Zielgruppe. Wir unterstützen sie bestmöglich bei der Organisation ihres Messebesuchs, sodass sie einfach und effektiv ihren Teil zur neuen Outdoor-Bewegung beitragen können“, sagt Markus Hefter, Projektleiter OutDoor by ISPO. „Zusätzlich stellen wir Ihnen mit den digitalen Services des ISPO Netzwerks ganzjährig eine relevante Informations- und Netzwerkplattform zur Verfügung.“

„Outdoor“ neu definiert
Bei der OutDoor by ISPO Premierenveranstaltung erwartet das Fachpublikum ein breites Themenspektrum, das einem modernen Outdoor-Verständnis folgt, wie es vom Konsumenten bereits gelebt wird: Neben klassischen Aktivitäten wie Klettern und Wandern gehören dazu unter anderem auch Segmente wie Bike, Trailrunning, Wassersport und Urban Outdoor. Ergänzt wird das Angebot um übergreifende Themen wie Nachhaltigkeit und Technologie. Präsentiert werden all diese Bereiche in Form von Erlebniswelten. Zahlreiche Focus und Activation Areas dienen als Schauplatz eines umfangreichen Vortrags- und Eventprogramm. Die Fachbesucher erhalten nicht nur eine umfassende Übersicht über Produkte, sondern zudem Inspirationen für die Sortimentsanpassung, -erweiterung, Ladengestaltung oder Kundenansprache. Spezifische Präsentationen und Diskussionen zu neuen Konzepten rund um den Point of Sale finden in der eigens geschaffenen Retail Lounge statt, die zugleich als Treffpunkt und Ruhezone dient.

• ISPO bietet Zugang zu weltweiten Produktkennzeichnungen
• Zusammenarbeit mit dem Weltverband der Sportartikelindustrie (WFSGI) und Technologieanbieter Compliance & Risks

Produktkennzeichnungen durch sogenannte Labels sind für Verbraucher weltweit von Vorteil, um sich beim Kauf eines Produkts direkt über dessen Eigenschaften wie Qualität oder Herkunft zu informieren. In zahlreichen Ländern gibt es eine rechtliche Kennzeichnungspflicht, internationale Standards sind jedoch kaum vorhanden. Das stellt Hersteller oft vor große Herausforderungen. In Zusammenarbeit mit dem Weltverband der Sportartikelindustrie (WFSGI) bietet ISPO über eine globale Datenbank von Compliance & Risks Zugang zu stets aktuellen Labels weltweit.

Tobias Gröber, Geschäftsbereichsleiter Konsumgütermessen bei der Messe München und verantwortlich für die ISPO-Gruppe: „Die Compliant Labelling Requirements (CLR)-Datenbank des WFSGI bietet einen entscheidenden Überblick über weltweite Anforderungen bei der Kennzeichnung von Produkten – und damit einen klaren Wettbewerbsvorteil. Denn mithilfe der Datenbank können Marken und Hersteller Zeit und Kosten sparen sowie Risiken in Abläufen minimieren.“ In zahlreichen Ländern gelten für unterschiedliche Branchen verpflichtende Labels, die von staatlichen Institutionen, unabhängigen Verbänden oder Brancheneinrichtungen vergeben werden. Allerdings haben diese oft nur einen regionalen oder nationalen Geltungsbereich. „Global agierende Unternehmen stellt dies vor die Herausforderung, sich stets über die aktuellsten Labels in den einzelnen Ländern zu informieren und Änderungen rechtzeitig umzusetzen. Kommt es zu Versäumnissen, kann dies rechtliche und vor allem wirtschaftliche Konsequenzen, wie Umsatzverluste, mit sich bringen“, so Gröber weiter.

Dank der neuen Label-Datenbank können diese Risiken minimiert und Abläufe effizienter gestaltet werden. Unter anderem werden Nutzer proaktiv informiert, wenn sich Anforderungen ändern. Ist ein Produkt-Launch in einem neuen Markt geplant, kann im Vorfeld zudem nach Label-Spezifikationen gesucht werden. Der Service umfasst folgende Produktgruppen in 49 Ländern in Afrika, Asien, Australien, Europa sowie Nord- und Südamerika: Bekleidung und Textilien, Schuhe, Unterhaltungselektronik (Wearables), persönliche Schutzausrüstung, Sportausrüstung und Fahrräder (einschließlich E-Bikes). Interessierte Marken und Hersteller erhalten auf ispo.com ganzjährig Informationen. Darüber hinaus werden zukünftig anhand von Praxisbeispielen und Use-Cases die Vorteile aufgezeigt.

Der ISPO Award gilt als etabliertes Gütesiegel für herausragende Produkte in der Sportbranche. Jetzt stehen die Gewinner für 2019 fest. Aus mehreren Hundert Einreichungen wählte eine unabhängige internationale Experten-Jury die Sieger in den fünf Segmenten Health & Fitness, Outdoor, Snowsports, Team & Social Sports sowie Urban. Trends zeichnen sich ab in der digitalen Vernetzung von Sportprodukten, im Bereich moderner Hightech-Materialien sowie in der Nachhaltigkeit bei Funktionskleidung und -schuhen. Eine Auswahl der prämierten Produkte wird vom 3. bis 6. Februar 2019 auf der ISPO Munich in Halle B1 ausgestellt.

Unter den eingereichten Produkten finden sich immer mehr intelligente Sportgeräte, die Trainingsdaten sammeln, analysieren und aufbereiten. Wie bereits in den letzten Jahren richten zudem viele Marken ihren Fokus auf Nachhaltigkeit. Eine Entwicklung, die im Rahmen des ISPO Awards mit einer eigenen Eco-Jury unterstützt wird. „Das Streben der Branche in den letzten Jahren, Bewusstsein für Nachhaltigkeitsthemen zu schaffen, macht sich bemerkbar: Insgesamt sind es deutlich mehr Brands, die sich beispielsweise um eine nachhaltige Produktionskette, wiederverwertbare Materialien oder den Kampf gegen Plastikmüll kümmern“, so Anna Rodewald, Nachhaltigkeitsexpertin und Leiterin der ISPO Award Eco Responsibility Jury. Ebenfalls neu in diesem Jahr: Snowboards, Ski und Wintersportequipment wurden für den ISPO Award 2019 erstmals dem Praxis-Check auf der Piste unterzogen. Vor dem offiziellen Jury-Meeting ging es für ein Kernteam nach Österreich und Frankreich.