From the Sector

STAMFORD, Conn. – At this year’s CAMX conference, taking place on September 24-26 in Anaheim, CA (Booth L42), Hexcel will promote its broad portfolio of composite innovations for aerospace and industrial applications.

On display at the Hexcel booth, visitors will see an integrated wing panel demonstrator made with HiMax™ non-crimp reinforcements that were specially developed to complement a new generation of infusion resin systems. Visitors will also see a wing box demonstrator made from HiTape® dry carbon reinforcements. Both parts were injected with Hexcel’s RTM6 infusion resin and incorporate a toughening veil to enhance mechanical properties to meet the structural requirements for aerospace parts.

With 50 years of experience and the most qualified carbon fiber positions on aerospace programs in the industry with its comprehensive range of high-strength, high-strain PAN-based carbon fibers, Hexcel continues to innovate and is introducing a new fiber to its portfolio. HexTow® HM54 combines high modulus and high tensile strength, which allows structural designers to achieve higher safety margins for both stiffness and strength-critical applications. HexTow® carbon fibers are excellent not only for aerospace applications but also industrial and recreational applications. HexTow® carbon fibers are excellent not only for aerospace applications but also industrial and recreational applications, examples of golfing applications will be on display.

Additive manufacturing is on the forefront of innovation for composite technologies, and Hexcel is leading the way with its HexAM® additive manufacturing process. HexAM® additive manufacturing combines high performance PEKK thermoplastics with carbon fiber to produce flight-ready 3D printed HexPEKK® parts. HexPEKK® structures offer significant weight, cost and time-to-market reductions, replacing traditional cast or machined metallic parts in highly demanding aerospace, satellite and defense applications.

HexPly® M77 snap-cure prepregs are yet another example of Hexcel technology leading the way. HexPly® M77HF, the latest member of this quick-curing prepreg family, is revolutionizing the world of composites for high-performance sporting goods with its faster production times and excellent surface quality. It will be featured in the Hexcel booth in two products – a carbon fiber Goode water ski which is setting records in the competitive world with its precision and durability, and in a HED cycling wheel noted for its aerodynamics and light weight.

Among Hexcel’s latest technologies are the RF Interference Control materials made by ARC Technologies, a Hexcel company. A selection of these industry-leading custom RF / EMI and microwave absorbing composite materials for military, aerospace and industrial applications will be on display at the Hexcel booth.

HexForce® bias weave woven reinforcements are a patented solution to optimize material usage. These bias weave reinforcements are continuous rolls of carbon fiber fabric in which the warp and weft yarns are oriented on the bias at +/- 45° which can reduce prepreg waste up to 60%. Visitors at CAMX will be able to see this new woven reinforcement and learn more.

Schoeller, the global textile solutions manufacturer dedicated to sustainability and innovation for more than 150 years, introduces its new PROEARTH™ collection of biodegradable textiles. The new collection, comprised of bluesign® approved fabrics with biodegradable polyester, will debut as part of its Schoeller FTC (SFTC) line, a joint venture between Schoeller Textil AG and the Taiwanese Formosa Taffeta Co. Ltd., at Premiere Vision Paris, September 17-19, Hall 6, Stand 6J18.

As the founding developer of the bluesign® system, the first activewear and leisurewear manufacturer to receive Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification, and one of the first companies to sign the UN’s Paris Agreement for climate change, Schoeller continues to be on the cutting edge of sustainable practices, bringing one of the first collections of biodegradable synthetic fabrics to the market. Its most recent development, PROEARTH was created to help offset the more than 16 million tons of textile waste produced in the US alone each year.

Jacket, pant and lining fabrics
The SFTC PROEARTH collection will launch with five, bluesign®-approved fabrics designed for lifestyle, fashion and outdoor categories. Made with virgin polyester that has been optimized for biodegradation and has tested to biodegrade at faster and better rates than competitive offerings, the initial PROEARTH articles available this fall include jacket, pant and lining material qualities with various colour options.

With the announcement of the eligible vehicle models, the World Car Awards 2020 kickedoff today at the IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany. This year again, the majority of contenders is equipped with lightweight components for acoustic and thermal management from Autoneum. The world’s leading automobile industry awards will be presented at the New York Motor Show in the spring of 2020.

A total of 46 new vehicle models have passed the initial screening and are now contenders for trophies in the categories “World Car of the Year”, “World Luxury Car”, “World Performance Car”, “World Urban Car” and “World Car Design of the Year”, including five new fully-electric models alone. Whether it’s a lightweight underbody, a noise-absorbing carpet system or a heat-reducing engine encapsulation – most of the eligible vehicles benefit from Autoneum’s innovation leadership in thermal and acoustic management. Autoneum’s expertise extends to new forms of mobility such as electric vehicles: Also thanks to numerous Autoneum components, Jaguar’s fully-electric SUV “I-PACE” impressed the jurors for the World Car Awards 2019, which was the first model ever to be named “World Car of the Year”, “World Car Design of the Year” and “World Green Car” at the same time.

On the occasion of today’s eligibility announcement, Autoneum CEO Martin Hirzel said: “Once again, the contenders are testimony to our innovation leadership. The World Car Awards also confirm our forward-looking approach: Nominated e-models feature Autoneum components as well. Welcoming our industry’s transformation early on, we today supply environmentally sustainable, lightweight components for most electric models available worldwide.”

Gerry Malloy, President of the World Car Awards Association, added: “As a market leader, Autoneum is the ideal partner for us. Our shared commitment to innovation was a decisive factor in forming a partnership back in 2014. Nowadays, this is a crucial aspect for manufacturers and suppliers who wish to remain successful in times of industrial and technological change.”

The World Car Awards, which have been presented annually since 2004, are the world’s leading nd most widely recognized automotive industry awards. A jury comprising of more than 80 international automotive journalists selects winners in five categories. The winners of the 2020 World Car Awards will be announced in April next year at the New York Motor Show.

• Committed To Making a Better World

EUROBIKE, the world’s leading trade fair for the cycling industry, will include ROICA™ smart innovations into the race. Cycle retailers, brands and manufacturers will discover ROICA™ premium stretch that provides comfort and movement as it energizes.

Spearheading the premium stretch market, ROICA™ partners’ materials elevate new standards for high-tech performance that can enhance cycling products to compete responsibly. ROICA™ partners excite you as they show a fantastic range of stretch essentials for cycling clothing, gear, and apparel that offer solid performance perks.

Most importantly, visit ROICA™ partners at EUROBIKE to learn about their ongoing commitment to responsible innovation and creativity by experiencing their advanced responsible developments made with the ROICA Eco-SmartTM Family.

The ROICA Eco-Smart™ family offers two responsible made yarns with outstanding stretch performances that give free rein to designers’ creativity and guarantees the highest quality while complying to the most-cutting edge sustainable standards.

• The ROICA™ EF– GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certified - 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 players in the market.
• The ROICA™ V550   Indeed, it 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.

Witness ROICA™ partners as leaders in high-tech performance fabrics for the world of sports for riders that want to stand out. See, feel, imagine and learn why choosing ROICA™ is a winning decision. View the unbeatable collection of well-constructed fabric

• M.I.T.I. SpA (IT), Hall/Stand No. A7-215 partner with ROICA™ since the very beginning, develops and creates from more than 85 years, innovative stretch warp knitted fabrics for high performance sports.
• Payen – ESF (FR), Hall/Stand No. A7 / A7-219, committed to develop durable performant solutions chooses ROICA Resistance™ range of high-tech protection stretch functions.
• Piave Maitex (IT), Hall/Stand No. A7-123 presents AGAIN, the new smart and technically advanced line able to balance performances and sustainable features, formed of highly performing jerseys. Two premium sustainable ingredients have been involved for the creation of AGAIN: Global Recycled Standard (GRS) owned by Textile Exchange - premium stretch fiber ROICA™ EF and perPETual high quality sustainable polyester born from a cost-effective process that reverses engineer consumer waste PET bottles.
• SITIP SpA (IT), Hall/Stand No. A7-213 creates high-tech innovative sports fabrics that are made in Italy including BeHot fabric constructed with ROICA™, providing a new dimension to active performance.
• Sportwear Argentona S.A. (ES) Hall/Stand No. A7-322 based in Spain, these leaders in high-tech tech, optimal performance sports fabrics create specialized structures for all facets of sports including high comfort, elastic and performance.

Production units with latest joining technologies for the filtration industry

The core competence of PFAFF Industriesysteme und Maschinen GmbH is the joining of flexible materials. The company not only masters industrial sewing applications, but has also been an innovation leader in textile welding applications for decades. Depending on the material and customer requirements, customer solutions are implemented using the ULTRASONIC, HOT-AIR or HOT WEDGE welding methods. In addition to the classical industries such as 'clothing, shoes, home and car upholstery', the company has made a name for itself as a specialist supplier of production solutions for the filter industry. Whether it be filters for dry filtration (dust removal, air conditioning and ventilation technology) or for liquid filtration, such as pleating filters, tube filters, stocking filters, pocket filters, bag filters, etc., the articles must first be assembled. In close dialogue with the customer, PFAFF defines the right joining technology and implements this in the machine or production line.

With the brands PFAFF INDUSTRIAL and KSL, the company has the necessary experience in process engineering, electrical engineering, automation technology and robotics to meet customer requirements for reliable, partly fully automatic solutions. A fully automatic production line for the manufacture of filter bags (with longitudinal seams) for an Asian customer is currently being manufactured in Kaiserslautern/Germany. At the heart of the system are the exchangeable hot-wedge welding and 3-thread chainstitch sewing units. Depending on the application, these can be implemented in the manufacturing process in just a few minutes. The raw material is unrolled, precisely formed and quickly and reliably fed to the sewing or welding unit. After joining, the 'tubes' are cut (filter length selectable via display) and automatically ejected. Optionally, the parts can be labelled using a printer. Depending on the material, the plant reaches a production speed of 10m/min.

U.S. textile executives participated in a roundtable today with Representative Tom Rice (SC-07), a key member of the House Ways & Means Trade Subcommittee, at which they discussed the competitiveness of the domestic industry, outlined priority issues in Washington and explored ways to jointly push for passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Congressman Rice, a leader on trade and competitiveness issues that heavily impact the domestic textile industry, participated in an executive roundtable hosted by Milliken & Company at its headquarters in Spartanburg, S.C.

"Milliken is honored to host Congressman Rice today to talk about innovation, competitiveness and the importance of passing USMCA,” Jeff Price, EVP of Milliken Operations stated.  “USMCA makes several key updates to NAFTA that will enable our trilateral trade to become stronger, which benefits this key industry in South Carolina. We greatly appreciate the Congressman being here today and appreciate his leadership.”

Congressman Rice stated: “I was honored to participate in today’s roundtable with leaders in South Carolina’s textile industry to discuss the need to pass the USMCA as quickly as possible. Modernizing outdated trade agreements to reflect our 21st century economy will support American manufacturers and enhance our global competitiveness. I will bring the valuable input I received today back to Washington as I continue working to advance the USMCA and keep our economy booming.”

• Trimetric Filtermedien: Top in Temperaturbeständigkeit, Rückhalterate und Robustheit

Das innovative, hochporöse Filtermedium aus Sinterwerkstoffen, Trimetric, verbindet in einem Medium alles, was effiziente Heißgasfiltration erfordert: Hohe Rückhalteraten, thermische Beständigkeit bis 600 °C, mechanische Robustheit gegen Schwingungen sowie Regenerierbarkeit im laufenden Betrieb. Mit dieser neuen Produktfamilie macht die international führende technische Weberei GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG (GKD) jetzt erstmals die in der IMVT-Studie nachgewiesene Effizienz von Kombinationen aus Optimierten Tressen und Metallfaservlies in der Praxis verfügbar. Anwendungsspezifisch auslegbar, können die eigenstabilen Filterelemente in allen kostengünstigen Bauformen von Standard-Staubfiltern eingesetzt werden – mit geringen Anpassungen bei der Fixierung auch in Schlauchfilteranlagen.

Ob zur Herstellung von Farbpigmenten und Katalysatoren, zur Rückgewinnung von Wertstoffen oder bei der Verbrennung von Holzschnitzeln, industriellen und kommunalen Abfällen: Die Filtration und Aufbereitung heißer Gasströme hat eine Schlüsselfunktion, um steigenden Anforderungen an Umweltschutz und Wirtschaftlichkeit gerecht zu werden. Von entscheidender Bedeutung für CO2-Footprint und Gesamtwirkungsgrad der Anlagen ist die Rückgewinnung der thermischen Energie nach dem Filtrationsprozess. Betriebstemperaturen über 260 °C vermeiden nicht nur ein energieintensives Wiederaufheizen des Abgases, sondern tragen auch zum Schutz nachgelagerter Aggregate wie Wärmetauscher, Katalysatoren oder Gaswäscher bei. Dort kann bei niedrigen Prozesstemperaturen die Ablagerung von Teer einen nur schwer zu entfernenden Belag verursachen, der zeit- und kostenaufwendige Reinigungsarbeiten erfordert. Höhere Betriebstemperaturen stellen jedoch entsprechend hohe Anforderungen an die eingesetzten Filtermedien, um sehr gute Rückhalteraten auch von Feinstpartikeln unter 0,1 μm Größe aus dem Gasstrom zu gewährleisten. Das derzeit am häufigsten eingesetzte Temperaturspektrum zur Partikelabscheidung aus heißen Gasströmen liegt im Bereich von 300 bis 500 °C. Mit zunehmender Temperatur steigt bei dieser kuchenbildenden Staubfiltration jedoch auch der Druckverlust. Eine regelmäßige Abreinigung der Filtermedien durch Druckimpulse ist deshalb für den Leistungserhalt des Filters unverzichtbar.

Der Einsatz von Filtermedien aus PTFE oder anderen synthetischen Fasern ist auf Temperaturen von maximal 260 °C begrenzt. Zudem können sie durch glimmende Partikel beschädigt werden oder sogar in Brand geraten und damit die Sicherheit der gesamten Anlage gefährden. Bei höheren Temperaturen sind deshalb Keramikfilter Stand der Technik. Sie sind jedoch in ihrer Länge begrenzt, da sie durch den zur Regenerierung eingesetzten Druckpuls ins Schwingen geraten – mit daraus resultierender Bruchgefahr. Filtermedien aus metallischen Werkstoffen sind bis 600 °C temperaturbeständig, nicht brennbar und widerstehen auftretenden Schwingungen mit mechanischer Robustheit. Bisher erreichten sie jedoch nicht den Rückhaltegrad von PTFE-Medien.

Echter Alleskönner

Mit dem hochporösen Trimetric Filtermedium bietet GKD jetzt ein Filtermedium, das alle positiven Eigenschaften bisher bewährter Filtertypen in einem Medium vereint. Das vierlagige, eigenstabile Produkt kombiniert drei verschiedene Filtermedien – darunter Metallvlies – zu hochleistungsfähigen Filtern für die Heißgasfiltration. Als gesintertes Filtermedienlaminat basiert Trimetric auf den bei GKD langjährig bewährten Prozessen zur Herstellung des Gewebelaminats Gekuplate und den Ergebnissen der IMVT-Studie. Sie wies nach, dass die Kombination aus Metallfaservlies auf der Abström- und Optimierter Tresse auf der Anströmseite in Abreinigung und Filtrationseffizienz unübertroffen ist. Die hohe Schmutzaufnahmekapazität dieser Kombination gewährleistet einen langsamen Druckverlustanstieg bei hohem Abscheidegrad. Temperaturbeständig bis 600 °C ist das Laminat aus Edelstahl-Medien auch dort einsetzbar, wo polymere Filtermedien nicht mehr funktionieren. Der Werkstoff gewährleistet gute Schweißbarkeit und somit auch die notwendige Abdichtung zwischen Roh- und Reingasseite.

Dank seiner Stützstrukturen benötigt das selbsttragende Filterelement keinen Stützkorb. Zur Abreinigung wird der Filterkuchen durch lokale Differenzdruckumkehr von dem starren Filtermedium abgelöst. Die aus der sehr guten Regenerierbarkeit der Trimetric Filterkerzen resultierenden langen Standzeiten sind die Basis für einen ebenso dauerhaften wie zuverlässigen Betrieb. Anders als Keramikkerzen erlauben Filterkerzen aus Trimetric zudem die Reinigung außerhalb des Filtergehäuses per Hochdruckreiniger und somit eine mehrfache Wiederverwendung. Diese mechanische Stabilität macht sie Keramikkerzen generell deutlich überlegen: Auch schwingender Belastung durch impulsartigen Druckanstieg bei der Abreinigung oder zu fest angezogener Schraubverbindungen halten Trimetric-Kerzen ohne Bruchgefahr stand.

Universell einsetzbar

Die Kerzenlänge ist mit diesem neuen Filtermedium grundsätzlich nicht limitiert: Aus bis zu 900 Millimetern langen Segmenten werden die benötigten Formate anwendungsspezifisch ohne Werkzeuge oder kostspielige Formen montiert. Dadurch sind auch Reparatur oder Austausch defekter Einzelsegmente jederzeit möglich. Mit individuell wählbaren Außendurchmessern von 60 bis 600 Millimetern haben Trimetric-Filtermedien standardmäßig einen zylindrischen Zuschnitt. Grundsätzlich ist jedoch auch ein quadratischer Zuschnitt oder jede andere Geometrie denkbar. Diese Modularität ermöglicht den Einsatz von Trimetric Filtermedien in allen kostengünstigen Bauformen der Standard-Staubfilter. Dort gewährleistet sie eine optimale Schmutzaufnahme bei den üblichen Anströmgeschwindigkeiten von 0,7 bis 1 Meter pro Minute. Ohne Umbau können die innovativen Trimetric-Filtermedien von GKD in vorhandene Kerzenfilteranlagen eingesetzt werden. Auch existierende Schlauchfilteranlagen oder Anlagen auf Basis von Filterplatten lassen sich mit nur leichter Modifikation der Befestigungselemente im Filtergehäuse umrüsten.

Anhand von Serienaufbauten auf VDI-Prüfständen wurden die Abreinigungseigenschaften und Filtrationseffizienz von Trimetric Filtermedien getestet: Verglichen mit reinen Metallfaservlies- oder Pulverkerzen sehr gute Regenerierbarkeit, zudem bruchresistent und im Rückhaltegrad gleichwertig zu PTFE-Medien – jedoch für Temperaturen bis 600 °C – tragen Trimetric Filtermedien signifikant zur Steigerung der Prozesseffizienz, Reduktion der CO2-Emissionen und Wirtschaftlichkeit bei.

• Hersteller der Schuluniformen in Harry Potter streicht nach Gesprächen mit PETA USA Kaschmir aus dem Sortiment

Das schottische Strickmodeunternehmen Lochaven of Scotland hat nach Gesprächen mit PETA USA Kaschmir aus seinem Sortiment gestrichen. Außerdem hat das Unternehmen den Wollanteil einiger beliebter Produkte reduziert. Die Firma war der ursprüngliche Lieferant der in den Harry Potter-Filmen getragenen Hogwarts-Uniformen.
 
PETA Asien führte kürzlich eine Video-Ermittlung in Kaschmirfarmen und Schlachthäusern in China und in der Mongolei durch. Die beiden Länder sind zusammen für 90% der weltweiten Kaschmirproduktion verantwortlich.

Reinach, Switzerland  - Archroma, a global leader in color and specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, recently launched at the ITMA exhibition its new Foron® SP-WF, a range of high wet-fast disperse dyes for sportswear and active wear applications.

The Foron® SP-WF dyes are especially suited for the coloration of polyester fibers and microfibers, and polyester/elastane blends, in exhaustion application.
The Foron® SP-WF dyes were developed in compliance with “The Archroma Way: safe, efficient, enhanced, it’s our nature”. The approach finds its origin in Archroma’s deep belief that it is possible to make the textile industry sustainable, economically and ecologically.

The new product is at the core of Archroma's Fast Sport, a coloration system for polyester knitted sportswear, providing the best fastness in the shortest possible time with a reduced environmental footprint.
The Foron® SP-WF range which includes primary and ternary color grades has been developed to fulfil the high color wet fastness and performance requirements of sportswear manufacturers and brands.
Moreover, the core ternary color grades enable deep shades at lower dyeing temperatures on sensitive polyester/elastane fabrics without causing excessive fiber damage, saving energy resources and meeting the high fastness demand of leading brand companies.

When using Foron® SP-WF dyes as part of the Fast Sport system, manufacturers can in many cases have the potential to significantly reduce their consumption of time, energy, chemical, and water, as well as their CO2 emissions.

“We see a growing demand for apparel in the sportswear and active wear segment, reinforced with the now installed athleisure trend,” says Mark Dohmen, Head of Archroma’s Competence Center Automotive and Synthetic Dyes. “Consumers want deep color that stays put on the fiber and brands are defining their requirements accordingly. With our Foron® SP-WF, we can offer to manufacturers of sportswear textiles a solution that combines high levels of wet fastness with high productivity and low resource consumption. Because it’s our nature!”

Neue Initiative für Langenfelder Einzelhändler gegründet

In der Future City Langenfeld startet am 8. Juli 2019 die Initiative „digital reality for retail“. Gründungsmitglieder sind die drei Unternehmen 7th Space, EECC und gmvteam GmbH. Gemeinsam haben sie sich zum Ziel gesetzt, den lokalen Einzelhandel zu stärken. Hier werden Projekte und Konzepte ermöglicht, in denen ortsansässige Händler mittels virtueller Welten Mehrwerte für ihre Kunden schaffen und sie neu begeistern. Zielgruppe sind die inhabergeführten Einzelhändler von Langenfeld, die sich dem Wandel der Zeit stellen wollen. Interessierte Unternehmen können per E-Mail an silke.reichenbach@gmvteam.de Kontakt aufnehmen.

Der Hintergrund: Laut dem Institut für Handelsforschung Köln (IFH Köln) ist der Handelsstandort NRW ein Ort mit bundesweiter Strahlkraft. Es ist daher wichtig, dass sich der Handel in NRW zukunftsfähig aufstellt. Vor allem der wachsende Onlinehandel, der Strukturwandel im Handel und die zunehmende Verstädterung werden die Handelslandschaft nachhaltig verändern. Aktuell befinden sich in Nordrhein-Westfalen noch knapp 110.000 Einzelhandelsgeschäfte. In den am wahrscheinlichsten zu erachtenden Szenarien rechnen die IFH-Experten mit 13.000 bis 20.000 Geschäftsschließungen.