From the Sector

adidas is adjusting its outlook for the financial year 2022. While second quarter results were somewhat ahead of expectations reflecting continued strong momentum in Western markets and a return to growth in Asia-Pacific, the company has been experiencing a slower-than-expected recovery in its business in Greater China since the start of the third quarter. Previously, the company had assumed that in absence of any major lockdowns as of Q3, currency-neutral revenues in the region would be flat during the second half of the year versus the prior year level. However, given the continued widespread covid-19-related restrictions, adidas now expects revenues in Greater China to decline at a double-digit rate during the remainder of the year.

As a result, adidas now expects currency-neutral revenues for the total company to grow at a mid- to high-single-digit rate in 2022 (previously: at the lower end of the 11% – 13% range). Because of the less favorable market mix due to lower-than-expected revenues in Greater China as well as the impact from initiatives to clear excess inventories in this market until the end of the year, the company’s gross margin is now expected to be around 49.0% in 2022 (previously: around 50.7%). Consequently, the company’s operating margin is now forecasted to be around 7.0% in 2022 (previously: around 9.4%) and net income from continuing operations is expected to reach a level of around € 1.3 billion (previously: at the lower end of the € 1.8 billion – € 1.9 billion range).

So far, the company did not experience a meaningful slowdown in the sell-through of its products or significant cancellations of wholesale orders in any other market. Nevertheless, the adjusted guidance also accounts for a potential slowdown of consumer spending in these markets during the second half of the year as a result of the more challenging macroeconomic conditions.

Despite these headwinds, adidas continues to expect double-digit revenue growth during the second half of the year for the total company. In addition to easier prior year comparables, the acceleration will be driven by adidas’ strong product pipeline, the restocking opportunity with its wholesale customers given unconstrained supply as well as the support from major sporting events.

Based on preliminary numbers, adidas’ currency-neutral revenues grew 4% during the second quarter. This increase was driven by strong double-digit growth in North America and Latin America, high-single-digit growth in EMEA (also double-digit growth excluding negative Russia/CIS impact) as well as a return to growth in Asia-Pacific. In euro terms, sales increased 10% to € 5.596 billion. The company’s gross margin declined 1.5 percentage points to a level of 50.3% and operating margin reached 7.0% during the second quarter (2021: 10.7%). Net income from continuing operations was € 360 million in Q2 (2021: € 387 million) supported by a one-time tax benefit of more than € 100 million due to the reversal of a prior year provision.

• Hohe Beschaffungspreise und rückläufige Nachfrage
• Geschäftsklima bricht ein

Die Hersteller der deutschen Maschenindustrie stellen sich auf schwierige Zeiten ein. Die Geschäftsklimaumfrage von Gesamtmasche für das 3. Quartal ergab einen drastischen Absturz der Geschäftserwartungen: Der Index fällt in den Negativbereich, die Erträge erodieren. „Viele Firmen können ihre rasant steigenden Produktions- und Beschaffungskosten nicht an die Kunden weiterreichen“, sagt Martina Bandte, Präsidentin des Gesamtverbands der deutschen Maschenindustrie. „Hohe Energiepreise, drohende Versorgungslücken und die gefährlich hohe Inflationsrate machen Unternehmen wie Verbrauchern zu schaffen.“

Mit -2,37 Indexpunkten verzeichnet der Geschäftsklimaindex der deutschen Maschenindustrie einen drastischen Absturz. Im vorangegangenen Quartal hatte er noch bei 9,28 Punkten gelegen. Negative Indexwerte wurden zuletzt im Lockdown erreicht.

Die Hersteller fürchten vor allem um ihre Inlandsumsätze. Für die kommenden Monate rechnen ca. 40 Prozent der Hersteller mit einem schlechteren Geschäft. Ein Drittel der befragten Unternehmen beklagt aktuell rückläufige Erträge. Bis zum Herbst erwarten sogar gut 52 Prozent der Firmen weitere Ertragseinbrüche. Während derzeit noch ca. 85 Prozent der Betriebe mit ihrer Kapazitätsauslastung zufrieden sind, rechnet ein Drittel mit einer Verschlechterung im nächsten Vierteljahr.

„In Deutschland ist die Inflation so hoch wie seit über 40 Jahren nicht mehr. Schrumpfende Realeinkommen und Energieknappheit nur mit dem Ukraine-Krieg zu erklären, greift zu kurz. Die Folgen einer ideologisierten Energiepolitik und 15 Jahre ungehemmte Geldmengenexpansion schlagen jetzt bitter zurück“, kritisiert die Familienunternehmerin Bandte. „Statt Ursachenbekämpfung zu betreiben, werden teure Notfallpläne aufgelegt. Tatsächlich wächst die Belastung für Firmen und Verbraucher immer weiter. Wenn unsere Wirtschaft wieder wachsen soll, muss die Politik dringend ihre Prioritätensetzung ändern.“

C&S strengthens its position in the luxury segment with the acquisition of Texo S.R.L., a company based in Cagli (Pesaro and Urbino) with 10 years of experience in the production of fashion apparel for Texo and for third parties.

C&S enriches the offer of its Style Services Luxe division, the research and production solution for any kind of style needs, together with Style Services Denim and along with C&S Experience projects, initiatives in direct contact with retail such as the haikure brand and the license agreements for Europe for Jeckerson and Purple. C&S’s history begins over 40 years ago in Trestina, in the Perugia province, and is rooted in denim culture and in the limitless potential that comes with this fabric. The company has begun to establish itself as a partner for the creation of jackets, shirts, outerwear, and denim. Its know-how expresses the combination of the production souls that characterize its territory of origin, between Umbria and Marche: all the typical tradition of premium denim mixed with the culture of luxury apparel, intimately dedicated to beauty, quality, and attention to detail.

“We are proud to have achieved this new milestone” states Federico Corneli, C&S’s main shareholder. “We firmly believe that the added value that Texo S.R.L.’s specialization brings to the table will allow us to grow further and to be able to accelerate the strategic path that will lead us to establish ourselves as special partner for the most important luxury brands”.

Premium Group and JOOR have renewed their partnership to power the SS23 PREMIUM and SEEK trade shows through JOOR’s digital platform, underpinning their belief in the power of a hybrid approach to wholesale.

From 7 - 9 July, buyers visiting the shows in Berlin will be able to learn more about and shop from exhibitors in a new hybrid way. Buyers can discover the full PREMIUM and SEEK portfolio of brands both in-person and online 24/7 by visiting JOOR Passport, JOOR's digital trade show destination.

Premium Group unites its various show locations to one cosmos for SS23 at Messe Berlin. The PREMIUM and SEEK shows will be joined by two further components— The Ground is a D2C creative platform for brands and consumers to meet, connect, and collaborate through one-of-a-kind experiences, engaging content, and innovative products, while FASHIONTECH, features masterclasses and panel discussions from the fashion industry’s most brilliant minds. A calendar of content includes deep dives into strong, successful, and sustainable strategies. As part of the content offer, JOOR will facilitate a masterclass on ‘Digital Wholesale’ and a future-looking roundtable discussion with four leading fashion brands on the FASHIONTECH stage.

Throughout the duration of the show, in-person buyers and visitors will have the ability to shop via the Premium Group mobile app. By simply scanning a brand’s corresponding QR code, visitors will link to the brand’s custom profile on JOOR Passport and be able to shop collections directly on the platform. JOOR Passport will also extend the duration of the shows by up to three months, allowing brands to continue wholesale selling digitally outside the window of the physical show.

JOOR and Premium Group’s flexible hybrid format allows visitors and brands a seamless digital and physical introduction to each other and their collections, the opportunity to connect in an efficient, effective, and longer term way, and the convenience to shop the show 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world.

Brands participating include Drykorn, Closed, Bertoni of Denmark, Veja, Ecoalf, Wrangler and Absolut Cashmere.

Sustainable products that solve problems are the themes for this year’s finalists for the World of Wipes Innovation Award® that will be presented at the 16th annual World of Wipes® International Conference, June 27-30, at the Marriott Marquis in Chicago, Illinois.    

The three products vying for the award are an all-natural substitute for plastic fibers from Bast Fibre Technologies, a dual-textured 3D cleaning wipe from Fitesa and an environmentally safe flushable wipe from Nice-Pak.

INDA’s Technical Advisory Board selected the finalists from nearly 20 submissions based on their creativity, novelty, uniqueness, technical sophistication within the entire nonwovens wipes value chain and expansion of nonwovens use.

Kimberly-Clark Scott® 24-Hour Sanitizing Wipes was the recipient of the 2021 World of Wipes Innovation Award®.

This year’s in-person WOW International Conference is expected to draw 400-plus senior-level wipes professionals from all wipes segments, repeating last year’s strong live event that welcomed 475 wipes professionals from 14 countries to Atlanta, GA.

Finalists Announced
The three companies vying for the award (in alphabetical order) are:

• Bast Fibre Technologies – Sero® Hemp Fibers
• Fitesa – Dual Textured 3D Wipe
• Nice ’N CLEAN® SecureFLUSHTM Technology Flushable Wipes by Nice-Pak

WOW 2022 Conference Highlights
This year’s WOW conference sessions focus on: Circular & Sustainable Wipes, Supply Chain Challenges in Wipes, Nonwoven Substrates for More Sustainable Wipes, Trends in the Wipes Market and Among Consumers, Disinfection Concerns and New Technologies, Sustainable Wipe Packaging Trends, and Developments in Flushability Issues.

Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC), part of Barry-Wehmiller, welcomed 70-plus customers, suppliers and area supporters to its new Packaging Innovation Center on April 26 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tour and overview presentation.

Located at PCMC’s headquarters in Green Bay, the facility — focused on the printing and packaging industries — will serve as a resource for training, demonstrations and industry trials, along with research and development opportunities. The new center features the latest equipment for plate mounting, anilox roll laser cleaning, and central impression and inline flexographic printing.

PCMC’s current partners at the center include 3M, All Printing Resources Inc., AV Flexologic, Clean Planet, Fox Valley Flexo Services, Harper Corporation of America, Interflex Laser Engravers, INX International Ink Co., Miraclon, Rossini s.p.a., Sandon Global, tesa SE, Wikoff Color Corporation and XSYS, in addition to Hudson-Sharp, which is part of PCMC. In the future, PCMC will seek to expand the center’s capabilities by collaborating with additional innovative companies serving the flexographic printing industry.

Anlässlich der 5. UNEA (The United Nations Environment Assembly)-Konferenz in Nairobi, die am 2. März 2022 zu Ende ging und auf der eine Resolution zur Aufnahme der Verhandlungen für eine globale Plastikkonvention verabschiedet wurde, fordert der »Runde Tisch Meeresmüll« eine schnelle Reduktion des Eintrags von Mikroplastik in Nord- und Ostsee. In einem aktuellen Themenpapier unter Federführung des Fraunhofer UMSICHT zeigt der Runde Tisch zahlreiche Möglichkeiten auf, wie weniger Mikroplastik ins Meer gelangen kann. Dazu gehört, den Reifenabrieb zu verringern, emissionsärmere Textilien zu entwickeln beziehungsweise diese vorzuwaschen oder schärfere Vorschriften auf Baustellen für Dämmstoffe. Plastik im Meer ist eines der drängendsten Probleme auch für Nord- und Ostsee. Es wird in allen Bereichen der deutschen Meere nachgewiesen und kann die Fortpflanzungsfähigkeit und Fitness von Meereslebewesen insbesondere an der Basis des marinen Nahrungsnetzes beeinträchtigen. Das Gesamtausmaß sowohl von Menge wie Auswirkungen sei allerdings aufgrund unzureichender Untersuchungs- und Analyseverfahren noch nicht absehbar, so der Bericht.

Das neue Themenpapier stellt konkrete Maßnahmen vor, um den Plastikeintrag ins Meer zu verringern.
Mikroplastik stellt ein komplexes Umweltproblem dar. Es kann als direktes Mikroplastik in die Umwelt gelangen oder während der Nutzung durch Abrieb entstehen. Zur ersten Gruppe gehören zum Beispiel Kunstraseninfills oder Pelletverluste. Zur zweiten Gruppe zählen unter anderem Reifen- und Straßenabrieb, die Verwitterung von Farben und Beschichtungen, Verluste aus Dämmstoffen und die Faserfreisetzung aus Textilien. Die Reduktion von Kunststoffemissionen ist daher durch einzelne Maßnahmen nicht zu erreichen, sondern nur durch ein breites Bündel an Aktionen.

Das Papier des »Runden Tischs Meeresmüll« beruht auf den Ergebnissen einer dreiteiligen Workshopreihe, die vom Umweltbundesamt und Fraunhofer UMSICHT gemeinsam mit den Mitgliedern der Unterarbeitsgruppe zu Mikroplastik des Runden Tisches Meeresmüll organisiert wurde. Es zeigt, dass bei den Quellen und den freigesetzten Mengen noch immer auch auf Abschätzungen vertraut werden muss. Der Runde Tisch fordert daher weitere vertiefende empirische Untersuchungen, um zu belastbaren Zahlen zu kommen.

Stefanie Werner, Meeresschutzexpertin im Umweltbundesamt und Geschäftsführerin des Runden Tisch Meeresmüll: »Um das Mikroplastikproblem zu bekämpfen ist insbesondere die Kunststoffindustrie gefragt. Sie sollte Sorge tragen, die notwendigen vertiefenden Untersuchungen hinsichtlich der freigesetzten Mengen von Mikroplastik durchzuführen, um dem Vorsorge- und Verursacherprinzip zu entsprechen und so zur Lösung des zu großen Teilen durch sie verursachtem Umweltproblems beizutragen.«

28 konkrete Maßnahmen für den Meeresschutz
Jürgen Bertling von Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Korrespondenzautor des Themenpapiers: »Die Reduktion von Kunststoffemissionen ist durch singuläre Maßnahmen kaum zu erreichen, sondern erfordert zahlreiche inter- und transdisziplinäre Zugänge. Ähnlich wie bei den Erkenntnisgewinnen zum Klimawandel über die letzten Jahrzehnte werden auch bei den Kunststoffemissionen, die mit ihnen zusammenhängenden Wirkungen erst langsam verstanden. In beiden Fällen spricht die schiere Menge der Emissionen, aber für einen vorsorgenden Umweltschutz.«

Der Bericht des Runden Tisches Meeresmüll schlägt zu diesem Zweck 28 konkrete Maßnahmen vor. Besonders hohe Relevanz für den Meeresschutz haben dabei:

• Verringerung der Freisetzung von Mikroplastik aus Reifenabrieb durch Anpassung von Verkehrskonzepten und neue Reifenmaterialien;
   
• Entwicklung emissionsärmerer Textilien und besserer Verarbeitungstechnologien sowie Vorwaschen von Textilien;
   
• Verminderung der Einträge der besonders leichten und damit mobilen Polystyrolschaumstoffe aus der Bauwirtschaft durch Schärfung der Vorgaben zur Verwendung und Verarbeitung von Dämmstoffen und Einsatz von temporären Niederschlagsfiltern um Baustellen;
   
• Verbesserung der Regenwasserbehandlung als zentralem Eintragspfad für nicht intendiertes Mikroplastik bspw. durch Bodenretentionsfilter;
   
• Reduzierung des Einsatzes von Kunststoffen in umweltoffenen Anwendungen in der Meeres-/Küstenumwelt (z.B. Geotextilien, Korrosionsschutz von Offshore-Installationen);
   
• Ausstattung des bestehenden freiwilligen Konzepts der Kunststoffindustrie »Operation Clean Sweep« mit einer extern validierten Zertifizierung für Pellets von Kunststoff-Werkstoffen (Granulate, Flakes, Grieß oder Pulver);
   
• Regulierung von bewusst zugesetztem Mikroplastik und Entwicklung und Implementierung von Normen und Standards, um für bestimmte Produkte und Materialien die biologische Abbaubarkeit auch unter marinen Bedingungen sicherzustellen.

Runder Tisch Meeresmüll
Der Runde Tisch Meeresmüll steht unter der Schirmherrschaft des Bundesministeriums für Umwelt, Naturschutz, nukleare Sicherheit und Verbraucherschutz, des Niedersächsischen Ministeriums für Umwelt, Energie, Bauen und Klimaschutz und des Umweltbundesamtes

• 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.

Latest trade data (January-September 2021) show a dramatic drop of imports and exports of textile goods between the EU and UK, with significant losses for companies on both sides. The situation is likely to get worse, as the full customs regime between UK and EU has entered into force on 1 January 2022. EURATEX calls on the European Union and the United Kingdom to effectively cooperate to remove the issues in the EU-UK Trade agreement that prevent smooth trade flows.  

All the sectors have been already suffering a significant loss in the past year and textiles has been no exception. Compared to the same period in 2020, between January and September the EU recorded a dramatic fall in imports (-44%, corresponding to almost € 2 billion) and in exports (-22%, corresponding to € 1.6 billion). The data show that the most impacted EU countries on the export side are Italy, Netherlands, Belgium and Germany while on the import side the most impacted countries are Germany, Ireland and France. Among the T&C sectors, clothing articles are facing the most severe drop in both imports and exports, corresponding to a total trade loss of more than € 3.4 billion over the 9 months period. Despite these alarming figures, the UK continues to be the most important export market for EU textiles and clothing.

Concerning the impact on the UK textiles sector, in May 2021 the UK Fashion and Textile Association’s (UKFT) surveyed 138 businesses, including leading UK fashion brands, UK textile manufacturers, wholesalers, fashion agencies, garment manufacturers and retailers.

The results of the survey showed that:

• 71% currently rely on imports from the EU
• 92% are experiencing increased freight costs  
• 83% are experiencing increased costs and bureaucracy for customs clearance
• 53% are experiencing cancelled orders as a result of how the EU-UK agreement is being implemented
• 41% had been hit by double duties  
• The vast majority of the surveyed companies declared they are looking to pass the increased costs on to consumer in the next  6-12 months

The above situation is expected to get worse. Since 1 January, full customs controls are being implemented. It means that export and import rules have become stricter: products should already have a valid declaration in place and have received customs clearance. Export from Britain to the EU must now have supplier declarations and the commodities codes changed.  

EURATEX calls on the European Union and the United Kingdom to effectively cooperate to address, solve and remove the issues in the EU-UK Trade agreement that currently prevent smooth trade flows between the two sides of the Channel. It is causing considerable losses for textile companies both in the EU as well as in the UK. 

• Gestörte Lieferketten und sinkende Margen bremsen das Wachstum  

Nach zaghafter Erholung im Sommer befindet sich die deutsche Maschenindustrie weiter im Aufwärtstrend.  Doch Probleme in der internationalen Logistik und stark gestiegene Rohstoffpreise behindern das Wachstum. „Lieferengpässe und hohe Beschaffungskosten gefährden den Aufschwung. Dazu kommt eine regelrechte Kostenlawine bei den Energiepreisen“, sagt Martina Bandte, Präsidentin von Gesamtmasche. „Dabei haben wir die Belastungen durch den Lockdown noch längst nicht aufgeholt.“

Angesichts der Erholung von Umsätzen und Auftragseingängen bleibt der Geschäftsklimaindex der Maschenindustrie zum 4. Quartal mit 14,54 Indexpunkten weiter im positiven Bereich (Indexwert zum 3. Quartal: 16,93). Vor allem aus dem Ausland erwartet die Branche in den kommenden Monaten Impulse. Allerdings klagen die meisten Hersteller über schrumpfende Margen. Über 13 Prozent der Befragten wollen daher, trotz guter Auftragslage, Personal abbauen.
 
Verbandspräsidentin Martina Bandte warnte vor einem Abwürgen der Wirtschaft durch weitere Kostenbelastungen: „Das Wachstum flacht bereits wieder ab, denn die Produktionskosten am Standort und verteuerte Auslandsbeschaffung erodieren die Margen. Nicht nur die international verschobenen Kräfteverhältnisse stellen uns vor immense Herausforderungen. Die neue Regierungskoalition steht vor einem riesigen Reformstau. Der lässt sich nur mit einer wachstumsfreundlichen Politik anpacken. Dazu muss Deutschland aufhören, mit nationalen Maßnahmen globale Fragen lösen zu wollen.“