From the Sector

At the forthcoming Texprocess, Techtextil and Heimtextil shows taking place in Frankfurt from June 21-24 – members of the Swedish Textile Machinery Association TMAS will be showcasing a range of solutions aligning with the growing trend for more localised and automated textile manufacturing.

Digitalisation and the push for more sustainable, shorter and less expensive supply chains are currently making manufacturing in high-cost countries within Europe more attractive and there have been many other contributing factors to this over the past two years.

The Covid-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerability of many countries to shortages of essential items like PPE while at the same time making the full exploitation of new digital options essential during national lock-downs and long periods of restricted travel. The escalating cost of global transportation, as well as the growth of online retailing and the associated benefits of on-demand digital manufacturing, are further reinforcing the many benefits of short-run and near-shore new operations.

Secure supply
At Texprocess, for example, Eton Systems will be unveiling its latest Ingenious software solution which further enhances the company’s Opta Unit Production System (UPS) introduced in 2021.

“Our automated technology has already had a great impact on the productivity of thousands of garment production lines,” says Eton’s Managing Director Jerker Krabbe. “Our systems help producers across the world to reduce repetitive manual tasks and increase efficiency, which evens out some of the differences between production in high and low-cost countries, making reshoring a feasible option. Creating a diversified production portfolio with a mix of production facilities, some closer to home, makes for a more secure product supply.”

Flexibility
Imogo meanwhile recently installed the first industrial scale dyeing system in Sweden for many years. The Dye-Max spray dyeing line has the potential to slash the use of fresh water, wastewater, energy and chemicals by as much as 90% compared to conventional jet dyeing systems. It is capable of carrying out the application of a wide range of fabric pre-treatments and finishing processes, providing users with unbeatable flexibility in production.

“Here in Scandinavia, we are currently seeing an explosion of companies developing sustainable new cellulosic fibres – many from waste clothing – but a problem is that all of the environmental benefits they deliver can potentially be lost in the further processing, and especially in conventional dyeing,” observes the company’s Founding Partner Per Stenflo. “The Dye-Max system positively addresses this, but interest in it has not just been confined to Europe. We are currently seeing a lot of activity in Turkey – largely as a near-shore partner to European brands – but also in Bangladesh.”

Robotics at Heimtextil
ACG Kinna Automatic specialises in automation solutions for filled products such as quilts, pillows and mattresses and its live demonstrations of robotics in action have proved a magnet for visitors to Heimtextil. This year’s show will be no exception.

“The use of robotics is now standard across many industries dealing in solid goods, but the handling of soft materials such as textiles is a little more complex,” says Managing Director Christian Moore. “Nevertheless, it’s something we have successfully mastered, and our robotic systems are proving highly beneficial to their users. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution when it comes to automation and our approach is always to carefully examine where it will make the difference in each bespoke system. A focus is on identifying and eliminating bottlenecks which will increase product flows.”

During the Covid-19 pandemic, ACG Kinna drew on all of its automation know-how and extensive network of contacts to build a new nonwovens fabric converting and single-use garment making-up plant in a matter of weeks, in order to supply the Swedish authorities with urgently-needed medical gowns.

Instant colour
Localised textile production is also booming in the USA, where Coloreel has recently secured multiple orders for its instant thread colouration technology via its US partner Hirsch.

“Coloreel technology enables the high-quality and instant colouring of a textile thread while it is actually being used in production and can be paired with any existing embroidery machine without modification, while also making it possible to produce gradients in an embroidery for the first time,” explains VP of Sales Sven Öquist.

“Advanced rapid colour formulation software and high-speed drive technology allow a single needle to carry out what it previously required many multiples of them to do – and with much more consistent stitch quality. By instantly colouring a recycled white base thread during production, our system enables complete freedom to create unique embroideries without any limitations. Colour changes along the thread can either be made rapidly from one solid colour to another, or gradually, to make smooth transitions or any colouring effect desired. This provides big benefits when it comes to sustainability and design creativity.”

Milestone
Svegea will be promoting its latest EC 300 collarette cutting machine at Texprocess 2022. This machine is used by garment manufacturers around the world for the production of tubular apparel components such as waistbands, cuff and neck tapes and other seam reinforcements. With its E-Drive 2 system and fully automatic FA500 roll slitter, the EC 300 has an output of around 20,000 metres per hour.

“Advances in automation are only making the specialised, bespoke machines we engineer even more efficient and we are expecting a very busy year,” says Managing Director Håkan Steene. “The garment components our collarette cutters produce make it logical for them to be integrated into the operations of making-up operations, wherever they are.”

Sensors
The advanced yarn tension monitoring technologies of Eltex of Sweden meanwhile play an essential role in rectifying defects in  weaving, tufting and composite reinforcement operations.

“A correct tension of the warp and weft threads ensures proper machine operation,” explains Eltex Global Marketing and Sales Manager Anoop K. Sharma “The constant tension monitoring and automatic control of the tension of the thread help to overcome unnecessary problems.

“We continue to make advances in both the hardware and software of our tension monitoring systems, such as the EyE™ for the warping process. With the EyE™, the yarn tension values from all yarns are continuously updated and displayed on screen. In addition, tension values outside the warning level are indicated both on the sensor’s LEDs and on the screen for complete quality control. No fabric can be woven without the appropriate and correct tension.”

Huntsman Textile Effects, a global leader in innovative solutions and environmentally sustainable products, is featuring high-performance end-to-end systems for protection effects and sustainable solutions for any wear at Performance Days on April 27-28, 2022, in Munich, Germany.

With more consumers seeking comfort and protection when buying sportwear, they expect their sports apparel to dry quickly, resist stains and odors, and offer breathability. Achieving these functionalities with on-trend aesthetics whilst realizing sustainability, are possible.

Resource saving solutions
Huntsman will introduce the AVITERA® SE Fast process at Performance Days. The revolutionary technology delivers the lowest environmental impact for dyeing polyester-cellulosic (PES-CO) blends. It combines alkali-clearable TERASIL® W/WW disperse dyes and AVITERA® SE reactive dyes to cut processing time from around nine hours to just six, helps mills reduce the water and energy required for production by up to 50% and increases output by up to 25% or more while delivering outstanding wet-fastness to ensure that sportswear will not bleed or stain during home laundering, or while in storage or transit.

EROPON® E3-SAVE is another next-generation water saving innovation. An all-in-one textile auxiliary for PES processing, it allows pre-souring, dyeing and reduction clearing to be combined in a single bath and eliminates the need for anti-foaming products, which shortens processing time and saves water and energy.

Eco-friendly stain and rain resistance
In partnership with Chemours, Huntsman will present the new eco-friendly finishes that repel water and stains, and help garments looking new for longer. Teflon™ EcoElite with Zelan™ R3 technology contains 63% plant-based materials and is the industry’s first renewably sourced water-repellent finish. It exceeds performance levels possible with traditional fluorinated technologies, with excellent water repellency and durability while reserving breathability.

Innovative odor control solutions
Huntsman will also showcase revolutionary antimicrobial and odor-control solutions as part of their partnership with Sciessent. Sciessent’s latest anti-odor technology – NOBO™ specifically developed to reduce odors in natural and synthetic fabrics. It can be incorporated into virtually any fabric – from base layer and activewear tops to socks and underwear to jeans and chinos. It offers a cost-effective way to upgrade everyday garments.

In addition, the partners will also present Sciessent’s Agion Active X2®, a next-generation odor-control solution that combines advanced antimicrobial and odor-absorbing technologies to both capture and fight odor-causing bacteria, and Lava X2®, a standalone odor adsorption product and key component of Agion Active X2® that attracts, absorbs and degrades odors for long-lasing odor protection.

Tata Communications, a global digital ecosystem enabler, announces its financial results for the quarter and full year ended 31st March 2022.

Consolidated financial highlights:

• Consolidated revenue for FY22 came in at INR 16,725 Crores (USD 2,244.9 Mn) and at INR 4,263 Crores (USD 567.0 Mn) for Q4 FY22
• Most of the segments across Core Connectivity, Digital Platforms & Services, and Incubation services of Data business witnessed healthy growth:
  • Data business grew by 2.1% QoQ and 1.4% YoY
  • Within Digital Platforms, all segments except Collaboration witnessed double digit YoY growth and strong sequential growth
  • Core Connectivity witnessed a revenue growth of +0.5% QoQ and +1.4% YoY
  • Incubation portfolio grew by 49.1% QoQ and 67.6% YoY
• Consolidated EBITDA stood at INR 4,227 Crores (USD 567.3 Mn); with margins in at 25.3%, expanding by 40 Bps YoY. For the quarter, margin came in at 24.5%
• Consolidated PAT stood at INR 1,482 Crores (USD 198.9 Mn) as compared to a profit of INR 1,251 Crores (USD 168.4 Mn) in FY21, registering a growth of + 18.5% YoY
• CAPEX for this year was INR 1,608 Crores (USD 216.9 Mn) as compared to INR 1,421 Crores (USD 191.4 Mn) in FY21; Free Cash Flow for FY22 was at INR 2,619 Crores (USD 345.6 Mn)

The Board has recommended a dividend of INR 20.7 per share as a result of the Company reporting strong profitability.

• Mit der Farbberatung von Juliana von Gatterburg zum Farbkonzept für die eigenen vier Wände: ein Service von CAPAROL ICONS

Farbe in Wohnräumen liegt im Trend. Mit Wandfarben schaffen wir Atmosphäre und Individualität in unserem Zuhause. Aber worauf muss man achten? Essenziell ist das Zusammenspiel aus konkreten Räumen, spezifischen architektonischen Gegebenheiten, dem bevorzugten Einrichtungsstil und nicht zuletzt der eigenen Persönlichkeit – um daraus ein stimmiges Farbkonzept zu entwickeln. Der Luxusfarbenhersteller CAPAROL ICONS bietet dafür nun den exklusiven und individuellen Service einer qualifizierten Farbberatung mit der Expertin Juliana von Gatterburg an – digital oder vor Ort zu Hause.

Eine Farbberatung von CAPARPL ICONS – wie läuft sie ab?
Juliana von Gatterburg kennt sämtliche Nuancen und Wirkungen der CAPAROL ICONS Farbikonen. Wie aber läuft eine Farbberatung mit ihr ab? Am Anfang steht immer eine schriftliche Bestandsaufnahme über Größe, Art und Anzahl der zu gestaltenden Räume. Für einen Vor-Ort-Termin kommen große Echtfarbmuster – mit Originalfarbe gestrichene größere Platten – zum Einsatz. Bei einem digitalen
Termin dient ein Farbfächer als Arbeitstool für die Bemusterung an den Wänden. Dann geht es in die Beratung: Welche persönlichen Farb-Vorlieben gibt es? Wie spielen Architektur, Einrichtung und die Lichtverhältnisse zusammen? Wie sollen die einzelnen Räume wirken? Nach dieser Phase erstellt Juliana von Gatterburg ein maßgeschneidertes Farbkonzept.

Mit Wandfarbe Atmosphäre schaffen – worauf kommt es dabei an?
Farbberatung mit Juliana von Gatterburg – persönlich vor Ort oder digital. „Bei der Entwicklung eines Farbkonzeptes ist es stets wichtig, den Raum in seiner vollen Größe und Wirkung wahrzunehmen. Die Art und Anzahl der Fenster, der Materialien von Fußboden und Möbeln, die Deckenhöhe und die Architektur sind wichtige Aspekte“, so Juliana von Gatterburg. Die Funktion eines Raums spielt
eine große Rolle: Was passiert in dem Zimmer, wie oft wird es genutzt und für was? Die Antworten auf diese Fragen grenzen die Auswahl bereits auf bestimmte Farbnuancen ein. Beispielsweise unterstützen uns frische und kühle Farbtöne dabei, morgens aufzustehen. Die Erinnerung an bestimmte Reiseziele mit all ihren Assoziationen an Farben und Materialien dienen ebenso der Inspiration wie Vorlieben,
die mit der eigenen Persönlichkeit zu tun haben.

• Montalvo Honored to Work with Highly Prestigious TsingHua University

Montalvo, an international specialist in Web Tension Control and Web Handling, is honored to work with the highly prestigious TsingHua University in China. TsingHua is known as an elite university in China, with outstanding Research Programs where they focus on addressing global challenges by developing competitive and creative solutions. In this collaboration, TsingHua University purchased multiple pairs of Montalvo ES Load Cells and Amplifiers for their R&D project of a new Web Material Transfer Device. This partnership is a testimony to the accomplishments, successes, and ultimately the recognition Montalvo has earned in the web converting industry for their products, quality, and functionality having been selected by TsingHua University for this project.

CEO Bryon Williams says “This is a very exciting collaboration for Montalvo. We are enthused to be working with universities around the globe in all of our markets, and to be working with a university as prestigious as TsingHua is a great accomplishment. We are very proud to have China as one of our highest export markets as we have been consistently growing our exports to China and around the world. We know their standards are high and are proud that TsingHua has recognized Montalvo’s elite quality of products and highest levels of support. We are very excited to continue our work in providing the world with Better Support, Better Service, and Better Web Tension Control”. 

EDUARD DRESSLER eröffnet drei neu gestaltete Shop-in-Shops bei Peek & Cloppenburg in Wien und Frankfurt.

Die exklusive Herrenmodemarke EDUARD DRESSLER weitet die konzeptionelle Neuausrichtung ihrer Shop-in-Shop-Flächen auf drei weitere Standorte aus: Mitte April findet die Eröffnung der neuen Flächen bei Peek & Cloppenburg auf der Frankfurter Zeil sowie in den Wiener Filialen Kärntnerstraße und Mariahilferstraße statt.

Auf den neu gestalteten Flächen zeigt EDUARD DRESSLER die komplette Produktrange von Anzügen, Sakkos, Chinos sowie Strick und Wirk bis hin zu Jacken und Mänteln. Auch die saisonalen  Kollektionsthemen werden im Rahmen des neuen Shop-in-Shop-Konzepts attraktiv in Szene gesetzt. Für Frühjahr/Sommer 2022 steht das Thema „Come Together“ und die sommerliche Unbeschwertheit in Materialien, Schnitten und Farben im Mittelpunkt.

Das Shop-in-Shop-Konzept wurde von den renommierten Architekten Blocher+Blocher verwirklicht, denen es gelungen ist, die Internationalität und Modernität der Marke in einem stimmigen Raumkonzept zu kommunizieren. Materialien wie Holz, Glas und Messing stehen für die Wertigkeit und die traditionelle Handwerkskunst der Marke. In Kombination mit leichten und flexiblen Möbeln wurde ein helles und ansprechendes Ambiente geschaffen, in dem die Produkte im Total Look schlüssig präsentiert werden. Ein integrierter Loungebereich mit Flatscreen lädt zum Verweilen ein und lässt den Käufer das Markenerlebnis hautnah erfahren.

„Nach zwei Jahren, die von den Auswirkungen der Pandemie bestimmt waren, freuen wir uns, mit den Shop-in-Shops bei Peek & Cloppenburg in Wien und Frankfurt wieder neue positive Impulse für den stationären Handel zu setzen. Wir glauben an diese starke Partnerschaft und blicken optimistisch in die Zukunft,“ sagt Matthias Rudowicz, Head of Sales bei EDUARD DRESSLER.

Epson wertet seine Serie SurePress Etikettendrucker um zwei wichtige Charakteristika auf. Zunächst ist das Modell L-6534VW ab sofort entweder mit dem Farbset CMYK + Weiß + Lack oder mit CMYK + Weiß + Orange verfügbar. Somit gibt es bei der L-6534VW nun zwei Modelle mit unterschiedlichem Tintenset, denn die bei der Installation getroffene Wahl ist nicht reversibel.

Des Weiteren wird die erfolgreiche SurePress 4000-Serie mit den neuen L-4733A/AW-Modellen weiter ausgebaut. Dank des für sie entwickelten Tintensystems inklusive eines verbesserten Trocknungsprozesses erreichen diese Maschinen eine spürbar höhere Produktivität, besonders auf folienbeschichteten Materialien. Die SurePress-Serie mit UV- und Aqueous-Tinte ist deshalb noch besser geeignet, den Kundenanforderungen der Bereiche Nahrungsmittel/Getränke, Kosmetika/Pharmazie sowie Industrie- und Haushaltswaren zu genügen.

The Corporate Family Rating of SGL Carbon SE was raised to B3 by the renowned rating agency "Moody's Investors Services". At the same time, Moody's confirmed the B3 rating of the guaranteed senior secured notes (maturity: September 2024). As part of the upgrade, the outlook for the Company was changed from positive to stable.

The upgrade of SGL Carbon's corporate family rating to B3 is in particular based on the improvement of the company's liquidity profile over the last 12 months, the solid business development in 2021 and the expectation that SGL Carbon will continue to reflect the achieved credit metrics for the B3 rating in the next 12 to 18 months.

“We are pleased that the success of the transformation started at the end of 2020, the stabilization of our financial fundamentals and in particular the improvement of our liquidity situation are reflected in the Moody's upgrade. We also see the upgrade as a motivation to improve further," explains Thomas Dippold, CFO of SGL Carbon SE.

Im Mittelpunkt des Messeauftritts des Sächsischen Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) stehen im Jahr 2022 aktuelle Entwicklungen, die sich dem Recycling und der Nachhaltigkeit von Leichtbauwerkstoffen widmen. Der Einsatz von rezyklierten Hochleistungsfasern wird an diversen Anwendungsbeispielen aus den Bereichen Sport und Freizeit sowie Mobilität erlebbar gemacht. Beispielsweise werden die Ergebnisse des zum 30.03.2022 beendeten IGF-Vorhabens „VliesSMC“ präsentiert. Gemeinsam mit dem Forschungspartner Fraunhofer ICT, Pfinztal, wurde im Rahmen des Projektes der Einsatz von rezyklierten Carbonfasern in der SMC-Prozesskette detailliert untersucht. Hierzu wurden zunächst Vliesstoffe entwickelt, die es ermöglichen, die rezyklierten Carbonfasern der SMC-Anlage zuzuführen. Die hergestellten SMC-Halbzeuge konnten anschließend sowohl im Form- als auch Fließpressverfahren verarbeitet werden. Der Benchmark mit konventionellen SMC-Produkten zeigte, dass bei niedrigerem Faservolumengehalt vergleichbare Kennwerte erzielt werden konnten.

Zukunftsweisende Materialien bieten zudem die Entwicklungen aus dem Bereich nachwachsender Rohstoffe in Kombination mit biobasierten Harzsystemen. Das Projekt Gro-Coce verfolgte das Ziel, durch die Verbindung nachhaltiger Bauprodukte und -weisen ein innovatives Deckensystem zu entwickeln, welches auf Grundlage der Holz-Beton-Verbundbauweise (HBV-Bauweise) als ökonomische und ökologisch vorteilhafte Alternative zu den momentan vorherrschenden, energie- und ressourcenintensiven Deckenkonstruktionen aus Stahlbeton funktioniert. Das Deckensystem besteht aus Holzstegen, deren Zugzone durch hochleistungsfähige hanffaserbasierte Armierungstextilien verstärkt wird. Dadurch gelingt eine deutliche Reduktion des notwendigen Holzquerschnittes und eine anforderungsgerechtere sowie verantwortungsvollere Nutzung des Querschnitts für alle üblichen Spannweiten des Hoch- und Geschossbaus. Ziel war die Verwirklichung hoher mechanischer Kennwerte der Fasern, bei gleichzeitig geringer Streuung der Materialeigenschaften, um ein im Vergleich zu industriell gefertigten Fasern konkurrenzfähiges und nachhaltiges Produkt aufbieten zu können.

Zudem stellt das STFI neueste Möglichkeiten zur kontinuierlichen Herstellung von Organoblechen vor. Unter Einsatz einer Intervallheißpresse wurden in den letzten Jahren Organobleche auf Basis unterschiedlichster Verstärkungsstrukturen in Kombination mit thermoplastischen Matrixsystemen entwickelt. Die Palette reicht dabei vom industrieüblichen PP und PA bis hin zu hochtemperaturbeständigen Polymeren wie PPS oder PEI.

Hologenix® announces that its newest innovation has achieved two recognitions. In addition to being a Top Ten winner in the Fibers & Insulation Category of ISPO Textrends Fall/Winter 2023/24, pure white CELLIANT has been shortlisted in the Drapers Sustainable Fashion 2022 Awards. The company is sharing the spotlight with recognized brands such as H&M, Sweaty Betty and Timberland. According to Drapers, the leading authority on fashion retailing in the UK since 1887, which sponsors these awards annually, this year they received the most entries ever, making them very competitive.

To create pure white CELLIANT rPET fiber, Hologenix developed a strategic partnership with the Ireland-based Wellman International Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of Indorama Ventures. Indorama Ventures is investing $1.5 billion on sustainability initiatives, allowing them to recycle 50 billion PET bottles globally by 2025 to support the growth of the circular economy. Wellman International has been a pioneer of recycling technologies for almost 50 years, offering specialist solutions for the medical, hygiene, automotive, home care and apparel sectors.  

Pure white CELLIANT rPET fiber is sustainably manufactured, with a low-impact supply chain. It is achieved by embedding bioceramic materials, that are naturally derived and ethically sourced, into fibers, yarns and fabrics. Wellman International has converted 100% of pure white CELLIANT Polyester production into rPET. This conversion to rPET has been implemented across all CELLIANT product categories, replacing traditional polyester and dramatically enhancing CELLIANT’s sustainability initiatives.

Pure white CELLIANT is recognized as a Class 1 medical device in the European Union and is able to carry the CE mark. Like CELLIANT, pure white CELLIANT captures and converts body heat into infrared energy, powering bio-responsive textiles. This energy is reflected back to the body, resulting in increased local circulation and cellular oxygenation. These advantages have a variety of wellness benefits, including stronger performance, faster recovery and better sleep, as well as many functional properties such as thermoregulation, quick-dry properties and odor inhibition.  

Wellman International distributes pure white CELLIANT fibers across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the USA.