In the dynamic and global textile fiber industry with its various manufacturing processes and end-uses, news and information is breaking on a daily basis. International Fiber Journal is tracking stories relevant to our industry from manmade to natural to bio-based fibers, innovations in nonwoven, woven, braided and technical textiles, technologies for additives, bonding, coatings and polymers, and applications from apparel to hygiene to transportation, and more. Here we will post news stories relevant to textile fibers and their downstream applications on an ongoing basis. Please check back for regular updates. If you have news that you feel should be added to this summary report, please email it to Ken Norberg at ken@ifj.com.
Most recent update: October 03, 2024
Microfiber Capture Technology for Textile Manufacturing
British climate-tech company Matter has launched its new microfiber capture technology, Regen.™, during New York Climate Week.
Regen, developed in collaboration with Paradise Textiles, is a self-cleaning filtration system designed to prevent microfibres from entering waterways by capturing them during the wastewater filtration process. The partnership will see Regen installed in Paradise Textiles’ new textile facility in Egypt next year.
Paradise Textiles, the material science arm of the Alpine Group – a major manufacturer of materials and apparel for brands such as The North Face, Lululemon, American Eagle Outfitters, and Puma – helped in developing the application of the technology for the textile industry. It provided insights into textile manufacturing processes, funded early research, and helped shape Matter’s Microfibre Assessment Program (MAP) to maximise fibre capture.
Matter also raised $10 million in their 2023 funding round, and is backed by investors including S2G Ventures, SOUNDwaves, and Regeneration.VC.
The microfiber technology is designed to tackle the estimated 120,000 tonnes of microfiber emissions generated from textile production each year.
Microfibers are a large contributor to microplastic pollution in water, air, soil, and food sources, and recent studies have warned against the alarming health concerns that microplastics have been linked to.
Techmer PM Expands Portfolio with Acquisition of OptiColor Inc.
Techmer PM, LLC, a global leader in polymer materials design, announced the successful acquisition of OptiColor, Inc., a full-service color compounder specializing in color concentrates and masterbatches for critical applications.
This strategic acquisition and the combined technology of the two organizations will further solidify Techmer PM’s position as an innovation leader in colorants and additives for the plastics industry, ensuring a promising future for the company and its stakeholders.
OptiColor, a company with a strong foothold in the color compounds market, was established in Huntington Beach, Calif., in 1995. OptiColor’s expertise lies in compounding custom concentrates, pre-colored materials, and specialty dyes into transparent, translucent, opaque, clear, white, and color products for critical applications, including performance eyewear, military lasers, and sustainable lighting solutions.
Hologenix + Cadense Adaptive Footwear Introduce Infrared Technology Sock
Hologenix, a pioneer in textile innovation and the company behind CELLIANT® infrared materials, has linked up with Cadense, the world’s first and only Variable Friction shoe for ground-breaking adaptive solutions. Together, the companies are pleased to debut the Cadense Energy Boost Performance sock. Made using CELLIANT’s proprietary minerals, the sock converts body heat into infrared energy to increase local circulation and cellular oxygenation.
Cadense products are specifically designed to empower those with walking difficulties. Their shoes reduce friction between the shoe and the ground to prevent the foot from catching on the floor during the swing phase of walking for those with injuries, neurological and physical conditions or age-related mobility issues. The new Boost socks powered by CELLIANT is the first time the brand has created a sock that harnesses the power of infrared technology (IR) to address the needs of their community even further.
When embedded into socks, CELLIANT captures body heat and converts it into infrared energy, which is reflected back into the foot and lower leg. While anyone can benefit from infrared light therapy via wearing IR socks, the circulation benefits are particularly helpful for people who spend a lot of time on their feet or need extra support.
Indorama Ventures Concentrates Yarn Production in Italy
Indorama Ventures, one of the world’s leading petrochemical producers and a leading player in the polyester fibers market, is concentrating large parts of its high-performance polyester filament yarn production for the European textile industry to Milan, Italy.
By transferring current German production and bundling the company’s spinning, draw texturizing and dyeing expertise in Sandigliano and its neighboring site in Saluzzo, Indorama Ventures executes on its strategy to transform its global asset network into a focused footprint that can serve volatile markets.
European textile filament customers will benefit from efficient, reliable supply of high-quality, colored, spun and package dyed, as well as functional yarns for a vast range of applications in customized quantities. End use applications are, among others, in apparel, home textile, woven label and automotive interior markets.
Freudenberg Performance Materials Acquires Parts of Heytex Group
Freudenberg Performance Materials is expanding its business in coated technical textiles. The technical textiles specialist is acquiring major parts of the Heytex Group from the private equity investor Bencis Capital Partners. The acquisition covers the core business of Heytex with three production locations in Germany and China, and all headquarter related functions, including Sales and R&D.
The Heytex Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality and functional technical textiles. The company with an international presence is headquartered in Bramsche, Germany. In 2023, the parts of the Heytex Group to be acquired by Freudenberg Performance Materials generated sales of roughly €100 million with a workforce of some 400 employees. The transaction is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities.
