United Sewing Automation Inc (USA) has reported excellent results for the testing of its American-sourced and manufactured face masks in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, reports the Textile World. These American-sourced and manufactured masks now comply with the Berry Amendment and qualify for Department of Defense contracts.

America’s reliance on imported PPE has caused supply chain issues. In addition, the country has been flooded with cheap, imported, inferior-quality face masks that do not provide adequate protection to fight the spread of COVID-19. In response, USA’s ownership team has invested in automated equipment to manufacture American-made medical grade masks that provide proper protection for Americans.

Made from high-quality, US-sourced materials, these face masks feature a three-ply design with a built-in adjustable nose bridge and ear loops made of nylon and Spandex, providing a better fit than traditional disposable masks. USA’s ownership team has many years of experience in the textile and apparel industry and aims to bring apparel manufacturing back to Mount Airy, NC through automation. The company recently installed high-tech ultrasonic welding machines and automated production equipment capable of producing over 1,000,000 facemasks per week, with the ability to expand to meet market demand.

Organizers of Paris fashion trade show Tranoï have cancelled the upcoming edition scheduled to be held during Paris Fashion Week from October 2 to 5, reports Sportswear International. Instead, Tranoï has launched a digital platform, Tranoï Link, which has registered 250 concept and department stores from around the globe including renowned names such as Galeries Lafayette, United Arrows, Biffi, Lane Crawford and Nitty Gritty.

It will showcase 60 ready-to-wear and accessories brands including emerging designers and international brands such as Coralie Marabelle from France, YanJiang Studio from Switzerland, Alufai from Taïwan and Orange Culture from Nigeria among others.

Tranoï Link offers fashion brands their own B2B site where they can promote their collections and share news with the audience. Buyers can search for products for current or upcoming seasons, discover brand innovations such as drops and collaborations and get ideas from weekly fashion editorials and advice.

Textile manufacturers and exporters in Tirupur plan to decentralize by setting up textile parks in other districts. Manufacturers say, this would cut production costs by about 10 per cent. The first such park will be set up by the Tirupur Exporters’ and Manufacturers’ Association (TEMA) in Vedaranyam taluk of Nagapattinam. TEMA will set up similar parks in Ramanathapuram, Tiruvannamalai, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Tuticorin districts in future.

The Vedaranyam Textile Park would be spread over 50 acre and set up at a cost of Rs 120 crore, of which 67 per cent would be central and state government subsidies. Around 36 exporters and manufacturers would set up their units in this park, which would employ 7,000 people. The park will have cutting, sewing, packing and dispatching units. A skill development centre for workers and creche for their children will also be set up. The project has been approved by the state government and it will commence in December.

According to Banupriya Sentilkumar, the project will help the industry save 10 per cent of accommodation and transport costs of workers.

The Lycra Company exhibited its latest products designed to meet consumer needs at Intertextile Shanghai, held from September 23 to 5. The company showcases new Lycra Anti-Slip fiber technology alongwith other well-received technologies such as Lycra FitSense technology, Lycra MyFit fiber and Coolmax freshFX technology

Lycra Anti-Slip fiber technology is an exceptional denim seam slippage solution for applications in single core spandex fabrics that require durable stretch and good recovery power. Designed to help prevent seam slippage and improve garment quality and yield, this patent pending fiber helps maintain garment appearance wash after wash and wear after wear.

Lycra FitSense technology is a patented, water-based dispersion that features the same molecules as LYCRA fiber, but in liquid form. This revolutionary innovation provides lightweight, targeted support across a range of garment types. It also helps streamline garment manufacturing through the potential elimination of double-layers and extra seams and offers unlimited design possibilities for brands and retailers.

Lycra MyFit fiber is a patent-pending, fiber technology engineered with a polymer designed to deliver improved comfort and fit. It gives greater shape tolerance and a customized fit experience for a differing range of body shapes. Ultimately, it gives brands and retailers the potential to higher customer satisfaction, minimize returns, reduce SKUs and costs by undercutting patterns.

FDI projects in Vietnam's textile industry in the first eight months of 2020 declined 86.3 per cent to a value of $19.54 billion. According to Le Tien Truong, CEO, Vinatex, FDI inflow into the country’s textile sector is unlikely to pick up in the near future. However, experts expect a bright outlook for Vietnam once the pandemic is controlled.

Vu Duc Giang, Chairman, Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association one of the strongest candidates to takeover FDI investment in textile as traditionally large producers such as China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan have seen reduced output in recent years. Trade deals including the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) continue to make Vietnam an attractive destination for investors.

In addition, the country's success in fighting off the novel coronavirus may encourage investment. Having more FDI projects also means faster and stronger localization of textile productions as the country must stay on course with product origin commitments.

Kelheim Fibers has been selected among the finalist for Sustainability Heroes Award in the ‘Sustainable Innovation’ category reports Textile World. The company has been honored for its pioneering efforts in sustainability. The award will be presented by DQS - German Association for Sustainability and DGQ-German Association for Quality.

As against other plant-based fibers, viscose fibers can be modified and functionalized during the production process. They can be adapted to meet the exact requirements of the single components of a hygiene product in terms of their liquid management properties and match the performance of synthetic fibers.

Today, environmentally conscious consumers are often compelled to decide between feeling safe and a clear conscience. Kelheim Fibers aims to balance both by combining sustainably manufactured and completely biodegradable fibers with the technical performance of synthetic fibers. The company aims to reduce the use of crude-oil-based plastics in single-use products and their negative impact on the environment.

Launched a year ago, Huntsman Textile Effects’ all-in-one ErioponE3-Save textile auxiliary for polyester process has helped save more than 130 million liters of water, reports Innovation in Textiles. Textile auxiliary eliminates the need for separate pre-scouring, allowing pre-scouring, dyeing and reduction clearing to be combined in a single bath. Mills that use ErioponE3-Save can shorten the polyester dyeing process and save water, energy and cost.

Dae Young Textile Vietnam Co, an early adopter of the Eriopon E3 Save technology was able to reduce its process time by over 20 per cent and water consumption by over 50 per cent through this technology which also enabled its save 30 per cent annual costs..

The unique polymer technology of Eriopon E3-Save promotes controlled exhaustion to ensure right first-time level dyeing. It extracts oil and oil-based impurities from the fiber during processing and displays a high affinity to disperse dyes, enabling the rapid removal of unfixed surface dyes from the fiber during reduction clearing. The technology also enhances reproducibility and improves wet- and rub-fastness, the company concludes.

Both Techtexil and Texprocess have announced a variety of changes in their upcoming editions including supplementary digital features, a comprehensive hygiene and safety concept, and a move to new exhibition halls. The two events will be co-held in Frankfurt am Main from May 4 to 7, 2021. The fairs are being planned on the basis of Messe Frankfurt’s current hygiene and safety concept. They will further sharpen visitor profiles with reoriented communication measures.

In the first stage, both events will be given new subtitles. Techtextil will be promoted with the subtitle ‘Performance. Function. Future’ while Texprocess will be promoted with ‘Technology. Efficiency. Progress’. In 2021, both shows will move to the western section of Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre and occupy Halls 8, 9, 11 and 12.

In addition to the exhibitor presentations at Techtextil and Texprocess, the two exhibitions will be supplemented by a variety of events, highlight themes and special features. Apart from the physical events, the two fairs will emphasize on complementary digital features for exhibitors and visitors. These include live streams from conferences, new digital presentation options for exhibitors and opportunities for digital matchmaking between exhibitors and visitors.

Hyosung has launched new creora Color+elastane for natural blended materials at Interfiliere Connect, which is being held digitally from September 2 to 30, 2020. Creora Color+ offers the same performance stretch characteristics as Hyosung’s flagship fiber, creora Power Fit besides providing richer colors in natural and cellulose yarns – an attractive fiber blend for leading intimate, activewear and ready-to-wear brands.

Hyosung opines, Creora Color+ for natural fibers will be a nice addition to the successful creora Color+ for stretch fabrics that is made with nylon, a well-established yarn used in activewear. The company also plans to launch its expanded multi-function regen collection of GRS-certified recycled elastane, nylon and polyester fibers made with 100 per cent reclaimed waste at Interfilière Connect.

Hyosung Corporation is a South Korean industrial Chaebol, founded in 1966. It operates in various ields, including the chemical industry, industrial machinery, IT, trade, and construction

The five-day virtual International Textile and Apparel Fair, ‘Vastra 2020’ was organized by RIICO and FIICI-Rajasthan.

Over 249 buyers from 62 countries from Africa, Europe, America and other regions have registered for the expo while over 276 Indian buying houses and agents have registered. Over 80 exhibitors are participating from garments, home furnishings, home textiles and fabric sectors.

Delivering the opening address, Ashok Kajaria, Chairman, FICCI Rajasthan State Council, said that presently when business sentiments are down all across the globe and physical events have been put on hold, virtual expos have opened up new avenues for generating new business. ‘Vastra 2020: Virtual Edition’ will help in re-energizing and rebooting the textiles and apparel business all across the globe. The main aim of the mega-event is to bring back the synergies and synchronise all the stakeholders on one platform for business generation.