From the Sector

Farbenfroh und frisch startet der hawaiianische Schuhhersteller OluKai in den Frühling. Für den richtigen Aloha-Vibe sorgen die neuen Damenschuhe Pehuea Li und Pehuea Humu Lau. Während sich die Vegetation auf den hawaiianischen Inseln mit Macht auf den farbenprächtigen Sommer einstellt, präsentiert der Schuhspezialist Damenschuhe für die warmen Tage.

So angenehm wie eine frische Brise in der Hitze: Der Pehuea Li (UVP 100 Euro) ist ein Sommer-Sneaker! Er punktet auf den ersten Blick mit lässiger Optik, aber auch seine inneren Werte überzeugen: Das leichte und atmungsaktive Mesh-Obermaterial bringt Luft an den Fuß und sorgt für ein angenehmes Klima und besonderen Tragekomfort.
 
Auf Hawaii wird es nie richtig kalt – aber einen Winter gibt es auch dort. Wenn im Frühjahr die Temperaturen steigen, erblühen die Inseln. Hibiskus, Eukalyptus oder Plumeria – OluKai zaubert die heimische Flora auf einen ganz besonderen Schuh. Die Farben und detaillierten Stickereien des Pehuea Humu Lau (UVP 100 Euro) sind von der Blütenpracht Hawaiis inspiriert.
 
Beide Modelle sind mit herausnehmbaren sowie waschbaren Einlegesohlen ausgestattet. Ihre anatomisch geformten Fußbetten sorgen für Dämpfung und bringen ungeahnten Tragekomfort. Pehuea Li und Pehuea Humu Lau verfügen über den OluKai-eigenem Drop-In-Heel®: Ihre Fersen lassen sich umklappen und verwandeln den Sneaker bzw. Slip-On fix in offene Slipper.

Ein Teil des Erlöses für diese Schuhe kommt der Ama OluKai Foundation zugute. Die von Olukai gegründete Stiftung hat es sich zum Ziel gemacht, das kulturelle Erbe von Hawaii zu bewahren und fördert unterschiedliche Projekte und Vereine auf Hawaii. Jedes Paar Pehuea Li und Pehuea Humu Lau gibt so etwas an die Insel und ihre Bewohner zurück.

TRSA said today that a study published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology painted an unnecessarily alarming picture regarding the risk of C. difficile contamination from hospital linens and potential infectious outbreaks.
The study, titled From ward to washer: The survival of Clostridium difficile spores on hospital bed sheets through a commercial UK NHS healthcare laundry process concludes that “processing infected linen in commercial washer/extractor cycles could disseminate low levels of C. difficile spores and may be contributing to sporadic outbreaks of C. difficile infection (CDI).”

“Therefore, even in the study’s assessment, the findings are conditional,” said TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci. Ricci said that additional facts mitigate them even more:
•    The conclusion is based on one wash formula’s inability to meet the British National Health Service (NHS) standard. This standard indicates that water temperature and the amount of time that linen is washed are the true indicators of wash quality.
•    Best-management practices dictate that the quality of the wash process is maximized by using a complete wash formula that includes temperature, chemistry and mechanical action, which are customized to address various soil levels and generate hygienically clean textiles. In addition, heat from drying, ironing and finishing these linens also contributes to the linens’ cleanliness. Perhaps the only valid conclusion that can be reached from this research is that the one wash formula tested in the study is inadequate to remove C. difficile.
•    Most outsourced, professionally laundered healthcare linens and uniforms are processed using a tunnel washer, not washer/extractors used in the research.
•    Most healthcare-related wash formulas are designed to account for time, temperature, chemistry and mechanical action that appropriately eliminate C. diff. For example, the FDA recently approved the use of a disinfectant specifically formulated to kill off C. difficile spores.
•    TRSA has been collecting microbiological testing data since 2014 on linen and uniform service laundries that have achieved and maintained the Hygienically Clean certification by eliminating bacteria on soiled linens to negligible levels; there have been no positive identifications of C. difficile.
•    difficile contamination linked to linens is extremely rare. The best way to protect your facility and patients is to partner with a Hygienically Clean certified laundry.

• September 19, 20, and 21, 2018
• This September visit Première Vision’s Smart Square for a great opportunity to meet and greet ROICA™ experts to discuss responsible innovation and well-being.

ROICA™ experts showcase the world-first ROICA™ Eco Smart family that offers 2 responsible made yarns: a GRS (Global Recycled Standard) version 3 certified yarn and the world’s first yarn awarded Cradle2Cradle Material Health Gold Level Certificate and Hohenstein Environment compatibility certification.

On display in the Smart Square, a 800-sq. m. area dedicated to shed light on a new generation of values combining creativity, innovation and sustainability, is a  unique  range of ROICA™ Eco-Smart family based fabrics, the world's first responsibly made premium stretch fibers creating ROICA™ smart yarns that offer sustainable solutions with impressive certifications:

• Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified by Textile Exchange - ROICA™ constructed with more than 50% pre-consumer recycled content.
• Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Gold Level for Material Health product and ingredients - ROICA™ yarn evaluated throughout the supply chain for lower impacts on human and environmental health. Striving toward eliminating all toxic and unidentified chemicals for a safe continuous cycle. Hohenstein Environment Compatibility Certificate - ROICA™ proudly breaks down without releasing harmful substances.

ROICA™ experts empower attendees with knowledge, and inspire creativity as they demonstrate ROICA™ Eco-Smart family functionality. Engage the experts in the Smart Square, ask questions and learn about the company’s ongoing commitment to responsible innovation. At the corporate level, ROICA™ has achieved the following certifications: Oeko Tex 100, ISO 14001:2004, ISO 9001:2008. Moreover, ROICA™ mills in Germay achieved the certification of ISO 50001:2001.

ROICA™ partners exhibiting at Première Vision Paris presenting ROICA™ Eco-Smart family:

• Fukui Warp Knitting CO.,LTD  (JP) Hall 6 booth H15
• Iluna Group S.p.A (IT) Hall 5 booth N14 P13
• Jackytex (IT) Hall 5 booth M24 N23
• Lanificio Europa (IT) Hall 6 stand D12, F49
• Maglificio Ripa S.p.A. (IT) Hall 5 booth 5P29
• M.I.T.I. Spa (IT) Hall 6 booth G19
• Penn Textile Solutions GmbH / Penn Italia (DE/IT) booth 6G17
• Sofileta (FR) Hall 6 booth H18 6J13
• TINTEX Textiles (PT) Hall 5 booth N56

Additional ROICA™ partners at Première Vision also exhibiting a wide-range of other ROICA™ specialties:

• Eusebio (IT) Hall 5 booth 5P34 5R15
• Kurabo Industries LTD (JP) Hall 6 booth C20 D21

Lastly, on Friday 21st September 2018, at 1.30 pm, you are invited to join Dr. Stephan Hütte at Première Vision Smart Square as he facilitates an open discussion with exhibitors and introduces the audience to ROICA™ Eco-Smart family. Dr. Hütte will discuss ROICA™ textile innovations for contemporary consumer within the fashion, lingerie and activewear markets.

Recognizing Asahi Kasei for spearheading the premium stretch market, the Dorbinbirn-GFC Global Fiber Congress has invited Dr. Stephan Hütte, Development Manager ROICA™ Fibers at Asahi Kasei to present ROICA™ Eco-Smart family at this year’s congress. The Europe-centered innovation platform for the fiber industry is a distinguished idea and network generator hosting top-ranking international experts in fiber innovations. The event includes 700 participants from 30 nations and will take place September 12th through the 14th in Austria.

Last but not least, at Première Vision ROICA™ is proud to welcome Shinichiro Haga, Senior Executive Manager - ROICA™ Division. The company also announces an internal appointment: Mr. Hiroaki Shinohe elected as Chief Marketing Officer for European market.

• Sandale für Entdecker

Mit Hilfe von Sonne, Mond und Sternen haben die frühen Polynesier ihre Segelboote über den Pazifik navigiert. Als Hommage an die Tradition der polynesischen Seefahrt präsentiert der hawaiianische Schuhspezialist OluKai den Hokule’a Kia: eine hochwertige Herren-Zehensandale für den nächsten Segelturn – oder Landgang.

Die Hawaiianer sind heute stolz auf ihre Kultur und ihre Traditionen. Das war nicht immer so: Erst in den 1970er Jahren hat die polynesische eine Renaissance erlebt. Ein wichtiger Teil dieser Rückbesinnung war die Wiederbelebung der traditionellen Seefahrt.

Die frühen Polynesier waren gekonnte Seefahrer, die mit einfachen Mitteln den Pazifischen Ozean erschlossen. Ihre Schiffe, aus Holz gefertigte Hochseekanus, wurden mit Hilfe von Sternen, Sonne, Wind und Wellen navigiert. 1973 erbaute die polynesische Reisegesellschaft ein Replikat dieser traditionellen Kanus. Der Zweimaster namens Hokule’a erinnert noch heute an die Fähigkeiten der alten Seefahrer. Er hat mit dem Team rund um Kapitän Nainoa Thompson in den vergangenen drei Jahren 40.300 Seemeilen hinter sich gebracht und 23 Länder besucht – ohne GPS oder andere Hilfsmittel.

Die unglaubliche Reise der Hokule’a hat den hawaiianischen Schuhspezialisten OluKai zum Hokule’a Kia (UVP 125 Euro) für Herren inspiriert. Die hochwertige Vollledersandale ist mit einer dämpfenden EVA-Zwischensohle und einem anatomisch geformten Fußbett nach dem „Wet-Sand-Priciple“ ausgestattet. Die Außensohle besteht aus nicht abfärbendem Kautschuk und sorgt durch flache Gummistollen für extra guten Halt auch auf nassem Untergrund. Das Fußbett der Herrensandale ziert ein feines Motiv des traditionellen Zweimaster-Kanus. Der bequeme Sommerschuh, dekoriert mit einem Stückchen polynesischer Kultur, ist handwerklich schön gemacht und spricht nicht nur „Watermen“ an!

The two AZL Partners Conbility GmbH and Fraunhofer IPT, Aachen started their long-term cooperation for the further development and for the commercialization of Fraunhofer´s tape-placement and tape winding systems with in-situ-consolidation by the usage of laser or IR heat sources.

With this cooperation, the company Conbility GmbH makes 25 years of expertise in special machine development of tape placement systems of the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT commercially available. Conbility offers two different tape processing systems available in different configurations.

The “PrePro 2D” machine system allows for the automated tailored tape placement of UD laminates and which can be used for subsequent thermoforming or as stiffening structures in injection molding processes. The machine comprises a rotating and translational table which is moved relatively to the applicator station. The table is scalable according to the requirements of customers. Standard table diameters are 1200 mm or 2000 mm. The applicator station can be equipped with a single or with multiple spool applicators. Because of the large process area, a 9 kW IR heater is used for the in-situ-consolidation process.  
Three in one: Three technologies included in one single modular system
Furthermore, the award-winning “PrePro 3D” tape placement and winding applicator is available as modular product with decentral control system (including closed-loop control of energy input into the processing zone) for the “plug-in” implementation in existing robot systems or machine systems by standard interfaces for the communication with the master control system. Conbility provides the single applicator as well as turn-key ready systems including the robot and handling systems.

Unique selling point of the PrePro 3D system is its multifunctional range of usage: it accomplishes laser-assisted thermoplastic tape placement, IR-assisted thermoset prepreg placement and dry fiber placement: Three technologies included in one single modular system.  

During the JEC World in Paris (March 6th – 8th 2018), Conbility GmbH will present its new “VCSEL Tape Placement and Winding Applicator” (Fig. 3), developed in cooperation with Fraunhofer IPT and Philips Photonics at the AZL Composites in Action area (Hall 5A, C55).

VCSEL Laser Systems as heat source for lower investment and process costs
This applicator uses an integrated VCSEL Laser System as heat source which has been developed by Philips Photonics. This tape placement and winding applicator can also be integrated as modular “plug-in” system into industrial jointed-arm and linear gantry robots in variable manufacturing cells. Using the new VCSEL Laser as heat source (VCSEL: Vertical-Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) leads to significant lower investment and process cost in comparison to other laser systems. Furthermore, the VCSEL laser system can accomplish controllable in-process adjustments of the laser-spot geometry as well as the intensity distribution within the spot size during the process (in-process control of laser-spot geometries and intensities) for the first time. The new system with 2 kW laser power and 10 separate emission zones which can be controlled separately will be shown at JEC World in Paris 2018 as new product of Conbility GmbH.

The AZL will continue its collaboration on composites in buildings and infrastructure after completing an initial market and technology study which identified new potentials for composite technologies in buildings and infrastructure markets. The aim of the new AZL Workgroup which will meet for the first time on January 25th, 2018 is to jointly develop new applications and to support the business development for composites in these two growing markets. The meeting is open to interested companies from the composite industry as well as the building and infrastructure markets.

The aim of the initial workgroup meeting will be to turn insights from the study into a long-term workgroup collaboration and to define topics and initiatives for the joint cooperation in the field of process and manufacturing technologies, fire safety regulations, materials as well as standards and norms. Industrial keynote presentations will introduce these action fields and will provide an insight into building and infrastructure applications for composites. The meeting will furthermore provide a platform to network with companies along the entire composite value chain.

Dr. Amer Affan, CEO and founder of AFFAN Innovative Structures based in Dubai is in charge of various composite projects for buildings such as the Museum of the Future in Dubai: “We have been utilizing structural composites in construction since 2010. Composites is a truly high-tech material compared with the traditional building materials (steel, concrete, timber and aluminum) but it is still to be recognized as such in the conservative and price-sensitive building industry. AZL, particularly its location at the RWTH Aachen University and its partner companies, offers a good platform to progress the use of composites in construction.”

AZL together with more than 25 companies just completed the Joint Market and Technology Study on “New Potentials for Composite Technologies in Buildings and Infrastructure” establishing a broad knowledge on business opportunities for composite technologies in these two growing markets. In a structured approach, the study determined the key segments as well as the technologies/applications with the highest market and technological potential. Analyses of 20 market segments, investigation of 438 applications, technology analyses of 25 highlight components and 11 detailed business cases were elaborated throughout the study. Additional to requirement analyses for materials and production technologies, new concepts for efficient profitable production technologies and cost engineering analysis were developed. With the workgroup, the AZL will take this initiative a step further with the aim to build a long-term cooperation platform for composites in buildings and infrastructure markets.

Justin Jin, CEO of the Korean company AXIA Materials participated in the study and is part of the AZL Partner Network: “As producer of large thermoplastic composite sheets and composite SIP (Structural Insulated Panel), we are eager to drive composites in B&I applications with the best efficient way. The AZL study on Buildings and Infrastructure provided us a great networking with key players in this business field and opportunities to strengthen our products with the key elements from partners. The study also gave us a proper market understanding including market size/volume in numbers to prove the value of this technology to building industry. We are looking forward to following up on these first insights and to realize applications with the AZL and its partners.”

Besides the networking options, the meeting will offer the opportunity to get an insight into the activities of the AZL Network consisting of nine research institutes at the RWTH Aachen Campus and more than 80 companies from 21 countries. During an optional guided tour, participants will visit selected institutes at the RWTH Aachen Campus. The meeting is open to all interested companies and free of charge.

More Information on Meeting and the Study
Information on AZL activities in the field of buildings and infrastructure:
www.azl-lightweight-production.com/composites-buildings-infrastructure
Details and registration to first Workgroup Meeting on January 25th, 2018:
http://www.azl-lightweight-production.com/termine/1st-workgroup-meeting-buildings-infrastructure