Hygienix Showcases Innovation That Caters More to Customer Preferences
SPOTLIGHT ON INDIA
Manjushree Spntek – Working Smarter Through Customization for Military & Medical, Among Others
Solution Center: Technical Absorbents/SAF™
CEO Interview: ZymoChem Debuts Scalable Bio-Based SAP
By Caryn Smith, Chief Content Officer & Publisher, IFJ
Show Preview:
Cellulose Fibers Conference: Biosynthetics Are In the Mix
Natural Renewable Resources Find Favor for Medical and Healthcare Textiles
By Geoff Fisher, European Editor, IFJ
ATA EXPO 2024 – Exploring Next-Gen Advanced Textiles
By Marie O’Mahony, Smart & Advanced Textiles Correspondent, IFJ
CEO Interview: Rajat Kumar Kedia: Manjushree Spntek Working Smarter By Arun Rao, Correspondent to India, IFJ
Hygienix: Getting Personal with Hygiene
By Caryn Smith, Chief Content Officer & Publisher, IFJ
Period Product Innovation By Heidi Beatty and Paul Davies
Show Previews:
Viewpoint
New Hygiene Products Get Personal
By Caryn Smith, Chief Content Officer & Publisher, IFJ
Tech Spotlight
Cortland Biomedical Expands Cutting-Edge Capabilities of Woven Biomedical Textile Structures
Tech Notes
New Technology Briefs
Movers & Shakers
Industry News and Notes
The Intersection of Nonwoven Materials & Sustainability.
Nonwovens for a Healthier Planet.
IDEA®25 brings together the global nonwovens industry to discuss future materials and applications, shaping markets.
Experience IDEA®25: engage with innovations firsthand and forge new business connections. Exhibit your company to inspire brand owners through your materials and technologies, promoting recycling, reusing, and repurposing for a healthier planet.
Sustainability in Nonwovens
Conference
Visit
for more info.
Conveniently co-located with IDEA®25
IDEA®z25 is a comprehensive event with a 2-day Sustainability in Nonwovens Conference, highlighting responsible sourcing, innovative sustainability, and end-of-life solutions. It provides manufacturers with global insights into sustainable advancements, benefiting product developers, designers, engineers, and marketers focused on minimizing environmental impacts in their products and processes.
Key topics include:
Apr 29-30, 2025 Learn the basics of nonwovens and market-focused areas at IDEA®25.
• Natural Fibers and Polymers
• Innovations in Nonwoven Sustainability
• Process Improvements with Sustainability Impact
• Product Design Enhancements with Sustainability Impact
• End-of-Life or Next-Life Considerations
• US and EU Regulatory Requirements
Whether you’re a nonwovens newcomer or seasoned professional, discover the key elements of manufacturing nonwovens. Gain expertise in technical design and performance across baby and adult care absorbent systems, wet wipes, and period products.
Get up to speed quickly and efficiently before heading off to the Exhibit Hall, Sustainability in Nonwovens Conference, and the Advances in Filtration Conference. ideashow.org/ training-courses
Caryn Smith
Chief Content Officer & Publisher, INDA Media csmith@inda.org +1 239.225.6137
Military & Space Protective Technical Textiles Innovations in 3D Performance Textiles
• Apparel/Fast Fashion
• Cutting & Crimping Systems
• Nonwovens: Baby Care
• Composites & Advanced Materials
• Home & Automotive Textiles Industry
• Geotextiles & Agriculture
• Automation, IOT & The Future
• Nonwovens: Durables and Disposables; Plastics Legislation Update
Adrian Wilson International Correspondent adawilson@gmail.com +44 7897.913134
CALL FOR CONTRIBUTORS
International Fiber Journal is seeking contributed technical articles and editorial columns from qualified industry professionals and those allied to the fiber industry. If you would like to pitch an article in IFJ, please contact Caryn Smith at csmith@inda.org.
Solution Center: Spinning & Winding Systems Denim Recycling Equipment
Showfloor Showcases: IDEA 25, Techtextil NA, Converters Expo, EDANA Innovation
Solution Center: Wet-Laid Machinery
MicroPunch Technology
Showfloor Showcases: World of Wipes, CAMX, Dornbirn GFC
Solution Center: Finishing, Coating & Laminating
Showfloor Showcase: Outlook, ATA Expo, RISE, ITMA ASIA & CTME Bonus: 2025 Buyer’s Guide
VIEWPOINT
New Hygiene Products Get Personal
“At the end of the day, your job isn’t to get the requirements right – your job is to change the world.” – Jeff Patton, Veteran Product Manager and Consultant
Any good thing that has resulted from my efforts have been driven by personal experience that shaped my world view. I believe what makes us feel most useful, fulfilled and purpose driven (what we all want, right?) is when we engage our time, effort, talent, and resources with endeavors that have meaning and also can make a positive difference for others.
The more I see presentations for new innovation, the more I see a pattern of entrepreneurs inventing and reinventing products based on their own experience. Maybe this is how it always has been in history, but I never connected the dots.
One category of textiles, hygiene, is not known for change. It is dominated by large legacy companies who provide important and essential hygiene products to consumers. They earned the prime spots on shelves for a reason – for generations, they have supplied the mainstream consumer with choices that are trusted as safe and highly effective. So what’s there to innovate?
From user experience, entrepreneurs are seeing gaps where they think they can make a difference in niche product markets. Their presentations often begin like this: “When we had a baby, when my Mom struggled with incontinence, when I learned about environmental waste from hygiene products,” etc. Some of these niche ideas are catching on, just check out KUDOS Diapers (mykudos.com), a brand we reported on in its infancy (November/ December IFJ 2022, p. 16) and now has shelf-space in Walmart!
In this issue, you will read about several ground-breaking innovations inspired by personal experiences of the developer. For instance, on page 12, you will read
the story of ZymoChem and their first-tomarket scalable, 100% bio-based, biodegradable super absorbent polymer (SAP). Co-founder Harshal Chokhawala, PhD and his wife had twins ... and the rest you can say is history as his company began to research and develop the creation of a scalable environmentally-friendly SAP.
On page 30, in a review of Hygienix 2024, you’ll learn about several companies who launched new products that take special consideration of the environment, demographic segments, fiber choices, community building, and more, as differentiators.
Other articles to note: On page 18, Geoff Fisher reviews how natural renewable resources are making their way into medical and healthcare textiles, while on page 22, Marie O’Mahony explores nextgen advances of advanced textiles.
On page 26, Arun Rao brings another interesting Q&A from India, one of the hottest textile growth markets, with an interview of Rajat Kumar Kedia, Managing Director, Manjushree Spntek Pvt. Ltd. Shows and exhibitions continue to attract record crowds, and in this issue you read what is in store for the Cellulose Fibres Conference (p. 16), JEC World (p. 36), and IDEA®Show 2025 (p. 37). Did you want an opportunity to share about your company’s latest invention? Share your story with our vast readership of 16,000+ subscribers. Check out the IFJ Editorial Calendar on page 4 and email your story pitch to me at csmith@inda.org! Just keep innovating!
Caryn Smith Chief Content Officer & Publisher, INDA Media, IFJ
Cortland Biomedical Expands Cutting-Edge Capabilities of Woven
Biomedical Textile Structures
ortland Biomedical, a fullservice biomedical textiles product development company, is expanding its weaving capabilities with the incorporation of two additional Jacquard looms. This strategic move not only enhances the company’s capacities but also opens new avenues for groundbreaking advancements in medical textiles.
The New York-based Cortland Biomedical integrates cutting-edge technologies into its machinery, ensuring the highest quality possible in every aspect from contact surfaces to yarn tensioning systems. Specializing in plain and narrow weave fabrics, including shuttle and rapier weaving, Cortland Biomedical creates unique three-dimensional structures for applications like vascular grafts. These woven textiles are specifically designed for vascular and abdominal aortic aneurysm grafts and ensure limited blood flow. In addition, these woven textiles prove invaluable in orthopedics for bone and soft tissue repair, combining high strength with flexibility.
The addition of two Jacquard looms signifies a leap forward in Cortland Biomedical’s capabilities. This cutting-edge technology allows for unlimited possibilities in fabric design. Manipulating individual warp ends enables the creation of intricate structures, including bifurcations, convergences, tapers, and multi-layered fabrics. The fully electronic Jacquard loom offers unparalleled flexibility in altering fabric structures and patterns, significantly reducing material and time during prototyping.
“Agility, curiosity, and credibility are at the heart of our mission, and set us apart as the easy-to-work-with partner our customers can count on to meet their unique medical
delivering the highest standards of quality, compliance, and service to its medical device customers.
device needs,” said Eric Brown, general manager, Cortland Biomedical. “Aligned with this strategy, our decision to add these Jacquard looms was driven by our commitment to expanding capabilities, meeting the growing demands of the medical device industry, and fostering maximum innovation for our customers.”
These looms can weave thoracic size tubular grafts up to 46mm in diameter, create bifurcated structures as well as tapered flat and tubular structures, and generate infinite pattern designs through computer programming. With electronic let-offs designed for managing fine denier yarns, these looms can weave structures with high density and low permeability using polyesters, aramids, resorbables, and other fibers prominent in the medical device space.
Cortland Biomedical recently received FDA registration, marking a significant milestone in the company’s evolution. This new designation positions the company as a fullservice contract manufacturer and reinforces the company’s unwavering commitment to
As an FDA-registered contract manufacturer, the company will better support its clients in highly regulated markets, particularly in the orthopedic sector, where precision and reliability are critical. The FDA registration, partnered with ISO 13486:2016 compliance, ensures that Cortland Biomedical operates under a robust Quality Management System (QMS) that meets stringent regulatory requirements, offering its customers peace of mind in the safety and performance of their devices.
“FDA registration is a game-changer for Cortland Biomedical and our customers,” said Tara Yunkunis, Senior Business Development Manager, Cortland Biomedical. “This milestone underscores our dedication to maintaining world-class quality systems and compliance practices. As a contract manufacturer, we can now take a more active role in helping our customers bring innovative medical devices to market faster and with greater confidence.”
www.cortlandbiomedical.com
Cortland Biomedical excels in creating unique threedimensional structures for applications like vascular grafts.
Cortland Biomedical
Cortland Biomedical is expanding its weaving capabilities with the incorporation of two additional Jacquard looms. Cortland Biomedical
TECH
NOTES
Bally Ribbon Mills Highlights Broad Product Line of Medical Textiles and Fabrics
Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM), an industry leader in the design, development, and manufacture of highly specialized engineered woven fabrics, is highlighting its broad product line of medical textiles and fabrics ideal for use in cardiovascular, orthopedic, and dental prosthetic applications.
Tubular prosthesis of medical textiles can become one with the repaired vessel over time and can provide less invasive options than operations like open heart surgery. BRM’s woven seamless tubular materials for stent and knitted grafts offer solutions for aortic repair and endoluminal devices. Other BRM cardiovascular textiles facilitate Trans Aortic Valve Replacement and Aseptal Defect repair.
BRM’s medical textiles also include woven tapes and webbing in flat fabrics, or straight or bifurcated tubular structures. Monofilament materials used in blood filtration, aspirating devices, and bone marrow transplants
are also available. For materials used in the manufacture of dental prosthetic devices, BRM offers braided composite substrates.
BRM works closely with major manufacturers to help support medical device development due to its capability to go from prototype into full-scale production. BRM manufactures medical textiles in a certified clean room to ensure cleanliness and quality and maintains the rigorous ISO 13485:2016 certification for the design and manufacture of medical devices. Additionally, medical textiles engineers, prototype weavers, and braiders at BRM work on a confidential basis to protect the intellectual property of customers. www.ballyribbon.com
Monadnock Nonwovens Enhances Meltblown Material
Monadnock Non-Wovens LLC, a manufacturer of meltblown synthetic media for the automotive, respirator, surgical face mask, and air and liquid filtration markets, has invested in technology to deliver higher efficiency meltblown media for air filtration. The new enhanced filter media, Monadnock HPAQ 3F, is engineered specifically for respirators, HVAC and air purification filters. HPAQ 3F will meet all international filtration standards: ASHRAE 52-2, ASTM 2100, EN-149, HEPA, MERV 10-16, and NIOSH.
Filters made with Monadnock HPAQ 3F will capture more dust, pollen, allergens, viruses, and smoke with lower pressure drop than traditional polypropylene and other synthetic meltblown media.
“Bringing this new capability to our manufacturing facility enables us to produce materials that help meet global air filtration standards,” said Jim Cree, MNW president. “In a time with forest fires and airborne diseases, we are offering the filtration market a healthier solution that is made right here in the United States.”
HPAQ 3F is available in rolls up to 95”/2.4 m wide. This virgin polypropylene (PP) product is recyclable, and trim waste can be repurposed in sorbent applications. As with all MNW products, it is made with 100 percent renewable windpowered electricity (Green-e certified RECs). www.mnwovens.com
Teijin Frontier Develops Next-Generation Comfort Material for Active and Functional Apparel
Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd., announced that it has developed a nextgeneration comfort material that uniquely combines contact cooling functionality with sweat stickiness prevention. The new material features a dual-layer, knit structure where the inner layer alternates Teijin Frontier’s newly developed hydrophobic WAVERON™ yarn and conventional hydrophilic WAVERON™ yarn. The hydrophilic yarn absorbs perspiration, while the hydrophobic yarn prevents it from adhering to the skin to keep the skin dry. The outer layer disperses absorbed perspiration to the outside.
Teijin Frontier plans to promote and sell this next-generation comfort material as a desirable fabric for the 2026 spring/summer sports and outdoor apparel season, in both domestic and international markets. In advance of that season, the company aims to sell 100,000 meters of the material. Subsequently, it will
expand into functional apparel such as fashion clothing. By fiscal 2028, Teijin Frontier expects to sell one million meters of this next-generation comfort material per year. www2.teijin-frontier.com
Teijin Frontier’s new comfort material.
Bally Ribbon medical textile.
Michelman Provides Sizing Support for FibreCoat’s Basalt Fiber
Michelman, a global developer of advanced materials, has collaborated with FibreCoat, a high-performance materials company based in Aachen, Germany, to support the launch of FibreCoat’s aluminumcoated basalt fiber.
This new fiber, AluCoat, was developed by FibreCoat to address the need for lightweight, conductive materials in applications such as electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI) shielding, as well as thermal management for electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and energy storage.
Michelman’s Hydrosize ® fiber sizing technology plays a critical role in enhancing the performance and processability of FibreCoat’s fiber for composite manufacturing. FibreCoat’s patented aluminum-coating process partially or fully coats basalt fibers, combining the material’s mechanical properties with aluminum conductivity. By integrating Michelman’s Hydrosize ® fiber sizing, the aluminum-coated fibers achieve key performance attributes necessary for reliable composite applications.
Michelman’s sizing helps form stable fiber bundles, reducing fuzz and maintaining fiber integrity during processing, and supports weavability, making continuous fibers more spreadable. Additionally, the sizing ensures compatibility with the resin systems, and balances compatibility between the aluminum and basalt surfaces on the fiber. www.michelman.com
Acme Mills Unveils “Natura” Bio-Based PLA Fabrics
Acme Mills Company, a global leader in textile innovation, recently introduced Natura, its groundbreaking line of bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) fabrics. Designed to replace petroleum-based nonwovens such as PET, PP, and nylon, Natura represents a revolutionary step toward reducing environmental impact without compromising performance or quality.
The Natura product line includes a diverse range of PLA fabric types, such as spunbond nonwovens, needled felts, hydroentangled, and melt-blown textiles. These innovative materials are tailored to meet the demands of industries including food and beverage, packaging, automotive, furniture, healthcare, and filtration.
“Natura is more than just a product line; it’s a testament to our commitment to innovation and sustainability,” said Matt Utley, Chief of Strategy. “By offering a bio-based alternative to petroleum-based textiles, we are empowering industries to make environmentally responsible choices without sacrificing performance.”
Natura fabrics are crafted from renewable resources such as corn starch and sugarcane, and they are biodegradable under industrial composting conditions. Drawing from sustainability insights by industry leaders like NatureWorks, Natura fabrics significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption compared to traditional plastics. www.acmemills.com
Acme Mills 200gsm PLA Felt.
Michelman’s Hydrosize® fiber sizing technology plays a critical role in enhancing the performance and processability of FibreCoat’s fiber for composite manufacturing.
NOTES TECH
MoistTech Highlights IR3000 Series
Moisture Sensors for Textile and Nonwoven
MoistTech Corp., a leader in moisture measurement and control, is highlighting its cutting-edge IR3000 series moisture sensors for the textile and nonwoven industries. These state-of-the-art sensors, featuring Near Infrared (NIR) technology, offer unparalleled accuracy and reliability in moisture analysis, significantly enhancing product quality, productivity, and energy efficiency throughout the textile manufacturing process.
The IR3000 series sensors provide instant, continuous moisture measurement, allowing textile manufacturers to maintain precise control over moisture content from fiber production to finished fabrics. This capability is crucial for ensuring optimal product quality and manufacturing efficiency as water can greatly impact textile production lines. Many fabrics rapidly absorb and release moisture due to their hygroscopic nature. Consequently, the water context of a fabric greatly affects
its physical properties, including length, dimension, strength, elasticity, and electrical resistance.
One of the key advantages of the IR3000 series is its ability to measure moisture in a wide range of materials, including natural fibers like cotton and wool, synthetic fibers, and blended fabrics. In industries where mold is a concern, particularly in the cotton ginning sector, the IR3000 effectively maintains moisture content below 8%, thereby preventing losses caused by mold.
Corp.’s IR3000 Series Moisture Sensors.
The IR3000’s non-contact design allows for continuous operation without interfering with
Microban Launches New Nature-Inspired Odor Control Technology
Microban International, a global leader in odor control technology, recently announced Freshology ™ , a patent-pending, natureinspired* solution for combatting odors.
The new technology offers advanced performance by neutralizing a wide range of odors, keeping textiles fresher for longer. It meets GB/T 33610 and ISO 17299 testing standards for four of the most common odorants: isovaleric acid (IVA), acetic acid (HOAc), ammonia (NH3) and nonenal, making it a groundbreaking solution for tackling unpleasant smells.
“Freshology was developed by balancing and optimizing performance between different chemical profiles,” said Ryan Scott, senior product development chemist at Microban. “The technology offers key advantages for consumers: it effectively traps a wide range
of body odors, unlike products that target only one specific odorant. Additionally, it improves moisture management and enhances the softness and feel of treated fabrics.”
Freshology is integrated into synthetic materials such as polyester, nylon and spandex during the finishing process and captures odors until the fabric is washed. During washing, the technology releases the trapped odorants, renewing the product’s effectiveness. It is nonionic, which allows for the incorporation of additional technologies
the manufacturing process, minimizing contamination and maintenance requirements. This feature is particularly beneficial in highspeed textile production environments where continuous monitoring is essential. www.moisttech.com
or treatments during manufacturing without compromising the integrity of the product. www.microban.com
Microban’s odor control technology.
MoistTech
Products Absorb Better with SAF™
Super Absorbent Fibre (SAF™) technology innovation has been the focus of our business for over 30 years. Today, we not only produce these specialist fibres, but also design and manufacture a wide range of technical, high-performing superabsorbent materials – all Powered by SAFology™.
Technical Absorbents is a trusted name in the superabsorbent and nonwovens industries. Collaboration is key. We believe in firmly understanding a brief before commencing a new project. This allows us to engineer innovative absorbent solutions to meet the specific needs of our customers and their endproducts.
SAF™ technology is now used globally by customers who operate in a diverse range of markets, including hygiene; food packaging; medical; construction; cable and filtration.
So, What is SAF?
SAF™ is a highly technical, soft, staple fibre, that absorbs significant amounts quickly. In fact, it can take in up to two hundred times its own weight in water, even under load. It also provides excellent levels of containment and retention, which can be hugely beneficial in a wide range of applications.
As SAF™ is not applied as a coating, it does not shed. This minimises issues with dust and resulting blind spots. SAF™ is naturally white and odorless. It has an excellent toxicity profile and is FDA and EFSA approved as an absorbent for use in food packaging.
As standard, SAF™ is produced in three staple lengths –6mm, 52mm and 80mm. Commercially, these are available in 250kg bales or 100kg boxes. However, we can also engineer innovative SAF™ solutions to meet individual customer and product requirements.
Our team of SAFologists will swiftly respond to discuss your needs and guide you to the right fibre, fabric, or yarn. From concept to launch, we’re here to solve your super absorbency challenges.
SAFology@techabsorbents.com techabsorbents.com.
Scan the QR code to see our fibres in action.
SAFTM can also be spun into yarns.
SAFTM can be processed into a wide range of nonwoven fabrics.
SAFTM is highly absorbent fibre.
ZymoChem Debuts Scalable Bio-Based SAP
Harshal Chokhawala, Co-Founder & CEO, Shares the Vision for BAYSE™ – the World’s First Scalable, Bio-Based, Microplastic-Free, Biodegradable Super Absorbent Polymer
By Caryn Smith, Chief Content Officer, IFJ
Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) is the key ingredient for any hygiene product in the marketplace that is meant to absorb fluids and provide protection for baby and adult diapers, and sanitary napkins, among others. SAP is traditionally a petroleum-based product that is not biodegradable and contains plastics and chemicals that when released disrupts soil moisture balance. Products made with SAPs are taking the heat when it comes to these end-of-life environmental implications. The industry is taking this seriously, and is rising to the challenge to explore bio-based solutions.
The biggest hurdle to most bio-based solutions in development now is industrial scalability. Laboratory-proven bioSAP is under development across the supply chain; the challenge is being able to produce it in mass and be able to easily adapt to current production and manufacturing processes in place.
At the recent Hygienix 2024 in Nashville, TN in November, ZymoChem revealed their historic achievement in bio-SAP production. The San Leandro, CA, company announced the launch of BAYSE™, the world’s first scalable, bio-based, microplastic-free, and biodegradable Super Absorbent Polymer, set to revolutionize the $145 billion global hygiene industry and pave the way for a more sustainable future.
BAYSE™ is a drop-in replacement for traditional, fossil fuel-based SAPs, which
Q+A
IN THIS ISSUE: HARSHAL CHOKHAWALA
Co-Founder & CEO
ZymoChem
are a key component in disposable, absorbent hygiene products such as infant diapers. Unlike petroleum-derived, polyacrylate counterparts, BAYSE™ is made from renewable resources, maintains a lower carbon footprint, and is readily biodegradable, addressing the environmental concerns associated with the 300,000 diapers that enter landfills or are incinerated every minute.
What is even more important, the company shared that ZymoChem’s proprietary technology platform enables the
production of BAYSE™ at a cost which is competitive with traditional SAPs, ensuring that sustainability can be achieved without the need for a “green premium.” This emphasis on delivering novel materials to the market that meet the performance expectations of consumers and do so at a cost that is approachable is central to ZymoChem’s product design approach and how it is posed to make an outsized impact on the industry.
ZymoChem is breakthrough science for a fossil-free future. ZymoChem envisions a world in which the goods consumers depend on everyday are bio-manufactured from 100% renewable materials and designed for a sustainable economy. Through their multi-generational and multi-product patents, ZymoChem’s proprietary Carbon Conserving (C2) microbes convert renewable feedstocks into bio-based materials without compromising price, performance, scale, or sustainability, while radically minimizing CO2 loss during the production phase.
The company is led by Dr. Harshal Chokhawala, PhD, Co-Founder & CEO. Chokhawala is a dynamic leader in the field of biotechnology, renowned for his groundbreaking work in decarbonization and sustainable manufacturing practices. Given his deep expertise, Chokhawala offers invaluable insights into the future of clean energy, green technology, and the role of innovation in combating climate change. He navigated ZymoChem’s evolution from an idea on paper to a well-
“We’re upending the materials industry. Our technology delivers sustainability without compromising performance, scale, and importantly, economics.”
funded entity, securing backing from venture capital, government grants, and collaborations with Fortune 500 companies.
To support the scale up of BAYSE™ and the rest of ZymoChem’s product portfolio, this early stage company relies on a syndicate of progressive thinking venture investors. In 2024, ZymoChem raised a $21 million Series A round of funding with investments led by Breakout Ventures. Participation came from well recognized, new investors including lululemon athletica, inc. and Toyota Ventures, and existing investors including GS Futures, KdT Ventures, and Cavallo Ventures.
International Fiber Journal sat down to talk with Chokhawala at the Hygienix Show to discuss how all this came about, and how they were able to engineer the first to scale bio-SAP.
International Fiber Journal: Tell us about your company and its evolution.
Harshal Chokhawala: We’ve been operating since 2015 as a growing company. In the beginning, coming out of University of California Berkley, my co-founder Jon Kuchenreuther and I were heavily into the research side of how to engineer microbes and build the technology for the microbes. When we formally incorporated in 2015, we were accepted into the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) program that support biomedical engineering and research.
We received multiple Department of Energy grants, joined Breakout Labs and were backed by the Thiel Foundation and partnered with Agile BioFoundry, which is funded by U.S. Department of Energy BETO.
With all this activity to support our platform development, it was in 2019 that we started transitioning from a research
organization to a more commercial organization. ZymoChem underwent its first growth surge, when the applications for our polymers business expanded.
We were very focused on replacing materials that existed today. Rather then sourcing from petroleum, our ingredients are made from sugar or other renewable carbon sources via fermentation. It is from here that we are have found incredible applications for our specialty chemicals, like a super absorbent in hygiene articles.
IFJ: What is your marketplace for BAYSE™? What makes it different?
Chokhawala: We are very excited that in 2024, we announced the launch of our first commercial product, which is the low-carbon footprint bio-based super absorbent polymer, called BAYSE™. That has been exceptionally exciting for ZymoChem from a product perspective. We also announced the close of Series A round of funding, raising $21 million with iconic companies investing and partnering with us. So, 2024 was a fantastic year.
We grew the team to 60, from under 20 just two and a half years ago. And that expansion has been in support of this initial product.
In terms of the market, we are a North American company, so we will start here, but we want the sustainability and this product to be global. We’re upending the materials industry. Our technology delivers sustainability without compromising performance, scale, and importantly, economics.
What makes us different is the technology. The molecule is different. We’re bringing a different molecule to the table that shows great promise, and the approach is different. We have leveraged a biotech fermentation-based process, and that’s relatively new in the industry. The SAP market is built off of polyacrylic acid. Similar to how PLA has made an impression on the plastics industry with a novel take, we’re doing this with a different material called PGA – polyglutamic acid.
We’ve been developing this technology for almost a decade now, and we have been incredibly fortunate to have the support, the investment, and the commer-
cialization expertise of some of the largest companies on the planet, including brands such as lululemon, large petrochemical companies, and some of the world’s largest auto manufacturers.
Jon Kuchenreuther, Chief Scientific Officer & Co-Founder. ZymoChem
Why are all of these companies so excited and invested in this success? Well, one of the big reasons is the technology of bio-manufacturing that we have developed is fundamentally reinventing how polymers and materials are made for everyday goods that these large companies produce, all the way to hygiene products. We have the potential to touch a lot of these different types of industries.
IFJ: What was the inspiration behind the research for BAYSE™?
Chokhawala: Please indulge me on a personal back story of how we came here. In 2019, my wife became pregnant with twins, a boy and a girl. I started reading a lot about how the development of a baby in the womb. One of the things that sort of blew my mind was how micro-plastics could pass through the human placenta into the baby. As a scientist with a PhD, I know it takes a special amount of work to design drugs that do that, and micro plastics just went in and out.
This was the real genesis of this idea. We recognized that the products around us, how they are made, how they persist, all have an impact on our health. We knew with
our experience in biochemistry that we could develop a better way.
As a company, we recognized that sustainability was a key pillar to our product design, and so that focus went to the end of life of the product. When you design plastics, they need to have end of life that is in tune with the life of what is used for.
With twins, as you can imagine, we had a mountain of trash coming out of my home. Being a materials company focused on everyday growth using sustainability, I could visually see how this was contributing to the larger problem. As we started digging deeper into this industry, we realized you could literally have a diaper designed to be fully circular in natural, made with bio-based ingredients, except for one thing: the SAP. And that also happens to be the primary component responsible for the performance.
This was the genesis of sorts, where we identified an opportunity that needs to be solved. Given our company background, the question was: How do you engineer microbes to make chemicals
in a more stable way? What is nature’s portfolio of chemicals you can make? We found this really beautiful thing called polyglutamic acid.
IFJ: Explain polyglutamic acid (PGA) and how you discovered it is a drop-in substitute for fossil fuel based SAP?
Chokhawala: There is a Japanese delicacy called natto which is fermented beans. When eaten, it’s very stringy. And that’s PGA formed by bacterial fermentation.
Structurally, it is a polymer which has very similar characteristics of the polyacrylic acid that is used today to manufacture SAPs. We endeavored to design something based on this polymer that would be super absorbent.
Now, it took us four years to go from concept to a product that matches toe-totoe with the fossil-based SAPs and to build our IP protection. It is a fermentationbased technology, so inherently, it is substantially lower carbon footprint than fossil-based manufacturing, and you can design materials that have much better end of life properties versus what is available today.
IFJ: What other areas is your company exploring?
Chokhawala: Super absorbents are one target. We also work on other very large materials, like nylons as an example, which also have a huge environmental problem. Nylon production carries with it a tremendous carbon footprint, and is used in millions of metric tons globally each year.
BAYSE™ Bio-Process
Overall, our vision from day one has been, how do we disrupt these very, very large industries which have systemic problems because of the way materials are manufactured or disposed of. The goal is to use breakthrough science to help the world transition to a fossil free future.
We are blazing a new path forward for how products we use every day – from the items we touch, feel, and wear — are sourced, manufactured, consumed, and disposed of.
IFJ: Explain the science behind BAYSE™.
Chokhawala: In some respects, creating BAYSE™ is somewhat straight forward since we use a fermentation process which is like brewing beer. In other respects, it can be quite complex, relying on our team’s years of expertise in biochemistry.
In simple terms, we use a source of sugar to feed our microbes and brew a broth. That material is then purified and, using our proprietary process, cross-linked to provide the qualities – in the case of the SAP, hyper absorbency – that we are seeking.
IFJ: How did you prove the ability to deliver BAYSE™ to industrial scale levels? How was it tested?
Chokhawala: Yes, making this material in small quantities in the lab setting is one thing. Translating this to industrial scale is another. We are happy to share a recent announcement that last Fall we were able to deliver the same output we’ve seen in the lab scale in 45,000 L fermentation tanks. That means that we scaled 180,000 times the lab setting and moved from producing hundreds of kilograms of our material to metric tons of it. We are excited to continue this scale up in 2025 and begin satisfying commercial interest, which requires hundreds and thousands of metric tons, beginning in 2026.
IFJ: What are the plans for 2025 and beyond? What new things are you working on?
Chokhawala: 2025 is all about scale. We recognize the immense pentup demand that exists in the hygiene industry for a technology like BAYSE™ that checks all the boxes and that is what we are excited to deliver. We are prioritizing our available material with those wanting to invest in our mutual success and be a first mover in this space. We continue to hear from stakeholders in non-hygiene categories of how this technology can impact their industries so prioritization of interest and intent will be key.
Beyond the products themselves, we also were thrilled to share recently that we became both a public benefit corporation and achieved B Corporation certification. These are important achievements for our organization and serve as a great message to customers that we can build game changing technology and deliver them in a way that has a positive impact on society and the environment.
In a nutshell, 2025 is about building for scale and impact. Learn more at www.zymochem.com.
expert at drawing your fibres to perfection
Rolls, godets, heating elements and custom built machines for heat treatment and drawing of synthetic filaments. Win – OLT ® yarn tension on-line monitoring systems. Engineered and produced in Switzerland
Are In the Mix Biosynthetics
The Cellulose Fibres Conference Will Highlight Biosynthetic As a Replacement for Traditional Synthetic Fibres
The Cellulose Fibres Conference with exhibition, will be held March 12-13, 2025, is the annual event held in Cologne, Germany hosted by nova-Institut GmbH. Registration is now open, with expectations for a vibrant crowd in attendance to enjoy the expert educational program. The unique conference is focused on cellulose fibers in textiles, hygiene products and packaging, and in the past, 214 participants from 23 countries attended in 2024. The conference will present the most successful solutions based on cellulose fibers that are currently available on the market, new developments and approaches and also sheds light on the policy framework.
New this year are discussions around biosynthetics. According to CFC, besides cellulose fibers, bio-based polymer fibers (“biosynthetic”) are an excellent option to reduce fossil fibers in textiles. Biosynthetics offer a powerful alternative to traditional synthetic fibers, bringing both performance and technical properties that make them drop-in replacements. Derived wholly or partially from natural, renewable sources like lactic acids, sugar beet, sugarcane or wood, biosynthetics represent a bio-based option compared to fossil-based counterparts.
In a special session, “Biosynthetics – Replacing Traditional Synthetic Fibres,” experts will explore the latest advances, challenges and opportunities in the field. Discussing innovative approaches like biosynthetics is essential to drive sustainable transformation within the fashion and textile industries. Other session topics include Strategies in Changing Market Conditions for Cellulose Fibres, Fibre-To-Fibre Recycling from Textiles, Marine Biodegradability versus Fibre Microplastic Formation, New Technologies and Applications for Fibres, Supply Chain Innovation, Technologies for Pulps, Fibres and Yarns and the annual “Cellulose Fibre Innovation of the Year 2025,” with short presentations from the finalists –GIG Karasek, Fibers365, Releaf Paper France, SA-Dynamics, Sci-Lume Labs, TMG Automotive and Uluu.
In 2022, the European Commission has made the thorough transition towards sustainability and circularity for different industries and especially the textile sector a main focus
by publishing the “EU Strategy for sustainable and circular textiles” and by announcing the “Proposal for a Directive on Green Claims” in 2023. This demands a new way of thinking with regard to sustainability, circularity and consumer communication within the textile economy. What can we expect from the new regulations and how can the industry prepare for them?
How can textile industry achieve textiles circularity? How can textiles or other waste materials be processed into new cellulose-based man-made fibers and contribute to the sustainability and circularity of the textile and many other sectors? These and other questions represent the topics of the upcoming Cellulose Fibres Conference.
The Cellulose Fibres Conference 2025 will cover the entire value chain, from lignocellulose, chemical pulp, cellulose fibers such as rayon, viscose, modal or lyocell and new developments to a wide range of applications: Textiles of all kinds, nonwovens such as wet wipes as well as new areas such as composites, packaging or nanocellulose in the food industry.
Register for the event at https://cellulose-fibres.eu/registration.
From New Developments to a Wide Range of Applications in Textiles, Hygiene and Packaging
The conference will again cover the entire value chain of the sustainable textile industry, from lignocellulose, pulp, cellulose fibres such as rayon, viscose, modal or lyocell and new developments to a wide range of applications: Textiles from renewable fibres, nonwovens such as wet wipes, as well as areas such as composites, hygiene and packaging.
This year, for the first time, the conference will include a dedicated session on biosynthetics – a promising area for expanding bio-based fibre alternatives.
• Strategies, Policy, Framework of Textiles and Market Trends
• Biosynthetics
• Opportunities for Cellulose Fibres in Replacing Plastics
• Sustainability and Environmental Impacts
• Circular Economy and Recyclability of Fibres
• Alternative Feedstocks and Supply Chains
• Technologies for Pulps, Fibres and Yarns
• Technologies and Applications beyond Textiles
Shaping the Future of Fibres with Sustainable Cellulose Fibres:
Call for Posters open until 31 January 2025
Call for Innovation
Vote for the “Cellulose Fibre Innovation of the Year 2025” live at the Conference
WNatural Renewable Resources Find Favor for Medical & Healthcare Textiles
Natural Fibers
Are Continuing to Make Inroads Into
ith increasing concerns over their environmental impact, medical textiles from natural renewable resources such as natural fibers, particularly where these products remain in close contact with the human body, are continuing to find favor owing to their biological compatibility, biological degradability, permeability and nontoxicity.
Both specialty and commodity fibers are used in the manufacture of medical and hygiene textiles. Specialty fibers include such materials as chitosan, chitin, collagen and calcium alginate fibers, while commodity fibers can be further subdivided into natural fibers, such as cotton, silk and viscose, and synthetic fibers, such as polyester, polyamide, polypropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene.
These fibers can be biodegradable or non-biodegradable, depending on the application, with the resulting medical textile products being either reusable or disposable.
a Sector Dominated by Man-Made Fibers
By Geoff Fisher, European Editor, IFJ
Sustainable Uses for Cellulose
Cellulose is one of the most abundant biodegradable materials in nature and has been widely used in medical applications such as wound dressings, tissue engineering, controllable drug delivery and blood purification owing to its biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, biodegradable, non toxicity and antimicrobial properties.
Lithuanian scientists have now developed a production method for a nanofibrous cellulose matrix, which has the potential for use in non-renewable biomedical applications.
The cellulose nanofiber was developed by researchers at the Faculty of Chemical Technology, Kaunas University of Technology, using the wet-type electrospinning method, in which cellulose is dissolved in ionic liquids and the solution converted into fibers.
As well as the use of “green solvents,” the raw material for this process can be either raw cellulose or cellulose waste.
Depending on the purity of the material, the resulting fiber can be used for different biomedical products.
For example, recycled cellulose can be used to produce new polymer composite products, including biomedical applications where this type of nanofibrous structure has unique biocompatibility properties.
So far, the use of cellulose in tissue engineering has been tested for the reconstruction of cartilage, bone and vascular structures, according to Ingrida Pauliukaityte, a Ph.D. student at the university.
Biodegradable Superabsorbent Made From Hemp
Researchers at the Purdue Research Foundation, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA, are using cellulose extracted from hemp and refined through treatments to create superabsorbent materials, which could find applications in various industries, including disposable diapers and feminine hygiene products.
iStockphoto-Ershela Haziz
The research team, led by Professor Senay Simsek, head of the university’s Department of Food Science, utilized cellulose extracted from the highly absorbent hurds (the inner woody core) and the less absorbent but strong and durable bast (the fibrous outer layer) of the hemp plant, which were then refined through a patented sequence of treatments. This process enhances the surface area and porosity of the cellulose, significantly increasing its water absorption and retention capabilities.
The researchers tested the new superabsorbent materials made using standardized absorbency tests, comparing them with traditional materials. The hemp hurds showed higher absorption capacity than both hemp bast and many traditional materials.
Artificial Spider Silk
Chinese scientists have developed artificial spider silk that consists of proteins and can heal chronic wounds. The artificial silk was strong enough to be woven into bandages that helped treat joint injuries and skin lesions in mice, according to an article published by the American Chemical Society.
The researchers, based at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, aimed to modify the natural protein sequence to design an easily spinnable, yet still stable, spider silk using microbes.
The team first used these microbes to produce the silk proteins, adding extra peptides, which helped the artificial silk proteins form an orderly structure when folded and prevented them from sticking together in solution, increasing their yield.
Then, using an array of tiny, hollow needles attached to the nozzle of a 3D printer, the researchers drew the protein solution into thin strands in the air and spun them together into a thicker fiber.
They then wove their artificial silk fibers into prototype wound dressings that they applied on mice with osteoarthritis and chronic wounds caused by diabetes. Drug treatments were easily added to the dressings, and the team found that these modified dressings boosted wound healing better than traditional bandages.
PLA Fibers with Antibacterial Properties
Spanish scientists have developed new biocompatible fibers with antibacterial properties. Made from polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable and degradable polymer, and reinforced with magnesium nanoparticles, these fibers show potential for use in medical implants, improved healing and reduced infection risk in a wide range of medical applications.
To create the fibers, the researchers from the Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros and Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalúrgicas used electrospinning, with PLA as the base material, to which they incorporated magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles in gradually increasing concentrations, ranging from 0.5% to 20%.
The researchers observed promising signs for the new PLA-based electrospun fibers for bone repair and for combating infections. Further, the biocompatibility and potential versatility of these fibers suggest a wider range of applications, such as wound dressings, tissue engineering scaffolds or advanced sutures.
Dressings That Prevent Infection
Wound dressings are important for wound care and management, but there is little evidence to support the routine use of current antimicrobial dressings for complex wounds, which aim to prevent or stop the growth of microbes.
Most antimicrobial dressings do not show clear advantages, which could be due to the active agents preventing wound healing or not working against certain microbes. Further, the repeated or prolonged use of traditional antibiotics in wound care, especially chronic wound treatments, can cause the emergence of bacteria, fungi and viruses resistant to these commonly used antimicrobials.
To address these issues, a multidisciplinary team in the UK is working to develop a new type of wound dressing that could prevent wound infection and help improve healing.
Headed by Professor Jason Wong of the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, the researchers are aiming to develop new dressings that contain antimicrobial peptide (AMP) releasing hydrofibers. Unlike traditional antibiotics,
Senay Simsek, head of the Department of Food Science and the Dean’s Chair in Food Science at Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, leads a team developing patent-pending, superabsorbent materials from cellulose extracted from hemp and refined through a sequence of treatments.
Tom Campbell/Purdue Agricultural Communications
AMPs are effective against a wide range of microbes, can act quickly and penetrate through microbes’ resistant barriers.
The team has already developed an AMP that has been tested against a range of microbes, is easy to produce and is non-toxic. The study will aim to show that it has low side effects and develop it towards a clinical product.
Covered Shape-Memory Polymeric Fibers
As well as natural fibers, developments in polymeric fibers continue to be announced. For example, shape-memory polymeric fibers (SMPFs) for medical textile applications, such as body support bandages and orthotics, where shape fixity and recovery can be kept constant over multiple shape-memory cycles, have been developed by the HelmholtzZentrum Hereon, a research institute in Geesthacht, Germany.
The covered SMPFs have a core fiber of semi-crystalline polymer and an unstretchable covering yarn wound around it such that the maximum engineering strain of the core shape-memory fiber is reduced to at most the strain at the yield point of the uncovered core fiber.
As a result, the covering yarn is used to limit the stretchability or deformation of the core shape-memory fiber during programming to ensure maximum recoverable strain.
Essentially, this structure prevents overstretching of the core fiber, causing its irreversible plastic deformation and deterioration of mechanical and shapememory properties as well as shape. The semi-crystalline core fiber can be selected from a range of shape-memory polymers, such as a polyethylene-co-vinyl acetate.
For the fiber sheath the team chose polycaprolactone (PCL), a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer that is already being used successfully in the medical field.
The SMPFs developed by Hereon will be particularly useful for medical applications, such as compression garments, orthopedic bandages, orthoses, posture correction garments, push-up garments, corsets and corsages, and sports garments.
“Liquid Core” Polymer Fibers
Researchers at Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, are developing polymer fibers that can deliver active ingredients precisely over the long term. These “liquid core fibers” contain drugs inside and can be processed into medical textiles.
The aim is to produce medical textile products with special capabilities, such as surgical suture materials, wound dressings and textile implants that can administer painkillers, antibiotics or insulin precisely over a longer period of time. Another aim is to achieve individual, patient-specific dosage of the drug in the pursuit of personalized medicine.
The novel polymer fibers with a liquid core can deliver drugs in a targeted manner. The image shows a fiber bundle approximately 1 mm wide at 80x magnification (left: electron microscopy, colored; right: Raman microscopy). Empa
Scanning electron microscope image of an environmentally friendly cellulose nanofiber. Kaunas University of Technology
The University of Sheffield-led study found polypropylene mesh fibers became stiffer and showed signs of degradation 60 days after implantation, as seen in this 3D tomography image. University of Sheffield
For the fiber sheath the team chose polycaprolactone (PCL), a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer that is already being used successfully in the medical field. The fiber sheath encloses the active substance, such as a painkiller or an antibacterial drug, and releases it over time.
Led by Dr. Edith Perret from Empa’s Advanced Fibers laboratory in St. Gallen, the researchers have produced PCL fibers with a continuous liquid core by means of melt spinning. In initial laboratory tests, stable and flexible liquid-core fibers were produced.
Together with a Swiss industrial partner, the Empa team demonstrated that this process not only works in the laboratory but also on an industrial scale. The parameters according to which the medical fibers release an enclosed agent were first investigated using fluorescent model substances and then with various drugs.
With diameters of 50–200 µm, the medical fibers are large enough to be woven or knitted into robust textiles. However, they could also be guided inside the body to deliver hormones such as insulin, said Perret. Another advantage is that fibers that have released their medication can be refilled.
In the next step, the researchers want to equip surgical suture material with antimicrobial properties. The new process will be used to fill various liquid core materials with antibiotics in order to suture tissue during an operation in such a way that wound germs have no chance of causing an infection.
What is Not Working y Vaginal Mesh Implants
The “vaginal mesh scandal” – a global health crisis involving the use of mesh implants to treat urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, often experi-
enced by women after childbirth – continues to rumble on.
Made from polypropylene (PP), the inert mesh is permanent and not designed to be removed; removal surgery can damage nerves and organs. However, complications include vaginal bleeding, discharge, pain and difficulty having intercourse, with some women left in constant pain, unable to walk, work or have sex. Further, many women say they were not told about the potential risks of the implants by their surgeons.
In the U.S., thousands of women have sued the mesh manufacturers and received billions of dollars in payouts. In the UK, more than 800 women are suing the country’s National Health Service and manufacturers, including Johnson & Johnson.
New evidence of the failings of the PP mesh material has now been revealed in a study by researchers at the UK’s University of Sheffield, which showed that the material can begin to degrade within 60 days of being implanted. This degradation increased further in materials implanted for up to 180 days.
Of particular concern to the researchers was the discovery of PP particles within the tissue surrounding the implantation site. The concentration of these particles was significantly higher – more than 10 times greater – after 180 days than at 60 days.
y Toxic Metals Detected in Tampons
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has launched an independent review into
any possible effects of toxic metals found in tampons. This follows the release of a study last July by researchers at the University of California Berkeley, who found traces of arsenic, lead, cadmium and other metals in 30 tampons from 14 brands obtained from major online retailers and stores in the U.S., the UK and Greece.
The research team highlighted significant health risks associated with their use: metal absorption has been found to heighten the risk of dementia, infertility, diabetes and cancer. Such toxic metals can damage the liver, kidneys and brain, as well as the cardiovascular, nervous and endocrine systems. In addition, these metals can harm maternal health and fetal development.
Lead and arsenic were notably present among the toxic metals detected, with organic tampons showing higher arsenic levels and non-organic ones containing more lead. The study also found that products sold in the U.S. had higher concentrations of lead than those marketed in the Europe.
Geoff Fisher is the European editor of IFJ and director of Textile Media Services, a B2B publisher of news and market reports on medical textiles, transport textiles, smart materials and emerging markets. He has more than 35 years of experience covering fibers and textiles. He can be contacted at gfisher@ textilemedia.com or +44 7803 718443.
TAT EXPO 2024 –Exploring Next-Gen Advanced Textiles
By Marie O'Mahony, Smart & Advanced Textiles Correspondent, IFJ
he Advanced Textiles EXPO is held in different North American cities each year, spanning both coasts and a sprinkling of key cities inland. The selection is driven by a combination of closeness to textile hubs, and good transport connections. Some exhibitors and speakers attend every year, while others come to the show when it is close to their manufacturing or client base. All of this means that each EXPO has a different flavor, so that brings a degree of certainty what to expect but enough unknowns to keep exhibitors and delegates on their toes – in a good way!
Advanced Textiles Expo 2024 was held in Anaheim, California at the Convention Center from September 24-26, 2024. It is the largest event of the Advanced Textiles Association (ATA), with exhibitors that include its membership but reaching beyond to attract manufacturers, research and testing institutes as well as delegates throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. Once again it was held in conjunction with Sun Shading Expo North America, with that show organized by Messe Stuttgart. Exhibitor figures across both shows were 380, while attendee figures for the combined events reached 4,295 visitors from across the globe.
Steve Schiffman, President and CEO of ATA was pleased with the outcome and the
feedback commenting, “Our community values networking opportunities that introduce them to new people and new ideas, and we’re delighted that expo is the platform where that happens.” He sees bringing the textiles industry together every year as a key function of expo, and to that goal the format is reviewed and refined constantly.
The AT Emerging Technologies Conference and “campfire” events have a pivotal role in achieving this, so that this year, for example, saw more speakers in the latter to allow for exhibitors to attend while being in easy reach of their booth. The conference is held the day before the expo starts, and is then followed by more than 25 educational campfire sessions held during the show. The education topics ranged from textiles in the new space age to dealing with
current and future PFAS regulations, how to be more environmentally conscious in fields such as medical textiles and technical textiles, to the potential (as well as the risks) afforded by artificial intelligence (AI).
New Space Age: Innovation and Testing in Space
MIT’s Dr. Juliana Cherston presented a paper at the Emerging Technologies Conference on the development of the first electronic sensor in Space. The presentation highlighted both the innovative development and the complexity of stakeholders and funding channels involved.
The space blanket is being developed to protect the International Space Station (ISS) from orbital object threats that are both man-made and
The opening night party at AT EXPO 2024 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Mark Skalny Photography
natural. While that is the immediate goal, Cherston also sees potential for a robust sensing fabric to be incorporated into the pressurized spacesuits to give astronauts a sense of touch.
In the development discussed, a sandwich structure of fabrics includes a Beta cloth known to be strong and highly durable against micrometeoroid impacts in extreme environments and capable of withstanding Ultra Violet (UV) exposure as well as radiation without suffering degrading. Vectran, spacer fabric layers are also included with a woven fabric incorporating a thermally drawn fiber developed by one of their collaborators, the Fibers@MIT Group, as a centimeter-thick sandwich of materials that is heated and stretched to sub-millimeter thickness that is not unlike pulling a multicolored taffy.
Counter intuitively, giving the heat and stretching process, the fiber emerges with a highly precise architecture that can be used for electronic and sensing functions, for example sensors for vibration, light, and temperature. These can then be woven directly into a fabric. Without sufficient data to simulate testing on Earth, the fabric “quilt” has been placed in a sample holder and tested in Space for over a year on the ISS completing around 7,000 orbital cycles around the Earth before returning to MIT in February 2022. The complex logistics come with a financial cost met from a number of sources such as the IISS US National Lab, NASA TRISH, Accenture, Hayashi-
ULVAC MISTI Seed Fund, MIT Media Lab Consortium and the MIT Media Lab Space Exploration Initiative.
Where Do Printed Electronics Sit Within the E-Textiles Industry?
E-fiber developments are growing in popularity but in her campfire presentation, Paige Mullis looked to the Consumer Electronics (CES) show for clues to how the electronics and textile industries are coming together from a printed electronics
Apex Mills are regular exhibitors, specialising in elastomeric, circular knits, mesh nettings and knitted Spacer fabrics. They manufacture for a wide array of markets from healthcare to aerospace and automotive, with this year seeing the introduction of a small selection of ‘fancy’ decorative designs to their portfolio.
perspective. She pointed to a mutual interest from both industry sectors in finding ways to partner more effectively. The electronics industry is moving towards more flexible and miniaturized technologies such as Powerfoyle, a solar cell that can be seamlessly integrated onto curved surfaces to gather energy from outdoor as well as indoor light sources to deliver clean, sustainable energy.
With the global printed electronics (PE) market size valued at $10.76 billion in 2023, this is expected to reach $75.89 billion by 2033 according to Mullis, with printed heating, batteries and sensors key technologies. The markets for Smart Home, e-health, workplace and rehabilitation wearables as well as gaming are already established.
Irrespective of whether the application is in the home or on the body, the consumer is demanding that the technology be as discrete as possible to the point of invisibility. This points to greater integration between the electronics and the material – not an easy feat while being cognisant of the need to repair, replace components and disassemble at the end of life.
Marie O’Mahony
NASA Soft Goods team booth showcasing many of their new developments from space boots to protective camera covers. Mark Skalny Photography
NASA Soft Goods team has developed a camera cover to protect against the sharp shards of lunar dust and other hazards. Marie O’Mahony
Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
The topic that no one wanted to talk about last year proved the hot topic this year, though not necessarily with everyone agreeing.
There were two speakers addressing perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) this year, Elizabeth Denly, Vice President, PFAS Initiative Leader and Chemistry Director, TRC Companies and Frank Keohan, Senior Technology Manager at Bulger & O’Hearn. Denly described the many PFAS textile reporting categories and the information required by the
United States’ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that includes chemical identity and structure, production, use, by products, exposure, disposal, health and environmental effects. The EPA is providing information and resources on its website, but the onus is firmly with the manufacturer or importer with historical reporting required from January 2011 to the end of December 2022 with no de minimis threshold. Facilities need to show documented due diligence in 2024 with complete reporting in the EPA’s Central Data Exchange (CDX) by January 2026.
The process of undertaking due diligence in this area is time consuming but Denly recommends not working with a regulator or a third party in order to avoid any potential errors. She also stresses the benefit of developing a strategy that allows stakeholders across the value chain to respond to regulatory drivers in a timely way.
Stain and water repellent fabrics are a key source of PFAS, from apparel to footwear, furniture and automotive interiors. In his presentation, Frank Keohan focused on the challenges in finding PFAS-free alternatives that can achieve the same level of functionality, with the most economical option, hydrophobic waxes, proving to be the least durable and require heat to regain repellency after wetting.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) uses PFAS-based materials in a wide range of products from uniforms to backpacks, shelters and medical items. To eliminate the chemical from all products poses a significant standards, specification and procurement re-evaluation and the DOD has published a formal Request for Information (RFI) regarding the use of PFAS in textile-related defense materials. Brands in the consumer sector face the challenge of differing state regulations with some having no regulations and California banning the manufacture, sale or distribution of any textile containing in excess of 100 parts per million (ppm) on January 1, 2025.
Show Floor Innovations: From Fastening to Synthetic Leather
Fastenings proved to be a source of new innovations at AT EXPO 2024. Responding to consumer demand for waterproof zips for submersible and water sports applications. TRU Zip showcased their patented design of a sliding, airtight zipper. It is leakproof achieving a rating IP67 making it ideal for use in waterproof bag designs. Halco showcased an aramid loop tape with a stainless steel hook designed for high strength applications such as thermal blankets used to protect the outside of rockets as they enter Space. A new exhibitor at expo from Turkey,
Simon Papo, CEO (left) and Ceki Papo, COO (right) Şafak Technical Textil at their booth where they exhibited their Corium and Acryloop. Marie O’Mahony
In his presentation Frank Keohan argued that not all PFAS are created equal, that there is a variable level of toxicity and bioaccumulation potential. Marie O’Mahony
Textiles for the New Space Age panel discussion moderated by Wendy Gao, Aerospace textile Engineer, NASA Johnson Space Center, with panelists Jason Smith, Customer Solutions and Business Development Lead, Aegis Aerospace Inc, Dr. Juliana Cherston, Postdoc Fellow at the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard and Smithsonian and Ted Fetterman, Vice President Sales and Marketing Bally Ribbon. Mark Skalny Photography
The electronics industry is moving towards more flexible and miniaturised technologies such as Powerfoyle, a solar cell that can be seamlessly integrated onto curved surfaces to gather energy from outdoor as well as indoor light sources to deliver clean, sustainable energy.
Şafak Technical Textil, introduced visitors to their range of synthetic leathers suited for applications such as high-end marine, automotive and aviation seating and trims. Sustainability is important to the 60-year-old company, with a unique waterbased production process used in the manufacture of Corium, a polyurethane -impregnated (PU) microfiber produced in an array of colors with a pattern embossed to give a kid-leather or suede-like tactile quality.
Textile SME’s and AI: Balancing Time and Financial Costs with Benefits
AI has been the hottest topic of 2024, but while everyone acknowledges that it is here, for the majority of textile SMEs it is a period of learning and dipping a cautious toe in the water. Adam Penner’s presentation, “Unlocking AI: A Small Business Guide to Harnessing the
Adam Penner, AP Consulting and Technical Services, speaking about the opportunities and challenges of AI during a campfire session.
Marie O’Mahony
Power of Artificial Intelligence,” was well attended as a campfire session.
He provided an overview and brief history, with a forthright discussion of the risks. There are privacy and ethical concerns around AI especially as it grows in the healthcare sector. It is also time and energy-intensive to train, as indicated by the moves in U.S. and Europe to open new and reopen nuclear power plants – most controversially the Three Mile Island nuclear power facility in Pennsylvania, which was the location of the most serious nuclear accident in American history.
Finally there is the issue of hallucinations where AI simply makes things up for no apparent reason other than part of its learning process. This latter point has not been highlighted nearly enough as it has the potential to inflict so much life-threatening, safety and reputational
damage that will become increasingly difficult to detect. On the benefit side, it can certainly process and reduce large quantities of information into a more humanly manageable size and there are gains in real-time manufacturing diagnostics. The concerns are not new, and until they are addressed AI will continue to be viewed with caution.
Advanced Textiles Expo 2025 will be held November 5-7, 2025 in Indianapolis. www.advancedtextilesexpo.com
Dr. Marie O’Mahony is an industry consultant, author and academic, the author of several books on advanced and smart textiles published by Thames and Hudson. She can be contacted at marie.consultant@ gmail.com or https://www.linkedin.com/in/ dr-marie-o-mahony-94776836.
Samples of Şafak Technical Textil’s Corium showing some of the many color and embossed patterns available for the artificial leather.
Marie O’Mahony
Working Smarter
Manjushree Spntek Expands Into Value-Added Products to Address
Nonwoven Fabric Overcapacity
By Arun Rao, Correspondent to India, IFJ
To survive intense competition due to over capacity in the Indian as well as the global nonwovens fabrics market, India-based Manjushree Spntek Pvt. Ltd. has forayed into value addition products. The company is now offering disposable printed hospitality textiles for applications in table cloths, bedsheets and aprons. To offer these value added products, the company has invested in a state of the art printing technology, which combines the advantages of both digital and screen printing. This printing technology has been attempted for the first time in the world and these disposable hospitality textiles will help in eliminating water consumption, which otherwise would have been used to wash similar products made from traditional textiles.
Among other value added products, the company’s R&D department has developed a chemotherapy gown, developing a fabric which has higher barrier resistance to the chemotherapy drug.
Q+A
IN THIS ISSUE: RAJAT KUMAR KEDIA
Managing Director, Manjushree Spntek Pvt. Ltd., India
Manjushree has also launched what it calls a “Smart Fabric,” which is a combination of the fabric that comes out of a production line which is called “Smart” and the second depends on the recipe which is customized and tailored.
International Fiber Journal: Please provide a history about your company, such as its beginnings and founder.
Rajat Kumar Kedia: Our first group company was started in 1982 founded by my father, Vimal Kedia, and manufactured flexible and HD films for packaging in the East Indian state of Assam under the name of Manjushree Technopak. Our progress continued when we shifted base to the south Indian city of Bengaluru in 1994, where we started production of rigid packaging.
The packaging business had a very good organic and inorganic growth and we reached a turnover of US $143 million. In 2018, we sold the whole company to a global private equity company named Advent International.
Post selling of the business, we were looking for other opportunities for investment. With the start of COVID-19 pandemic, we got into the business of nonwovens fabrics since the basic technology of nonwovens is similar to plastics extrusion technology. We ordered our first production line from Reifenhäuser Recofil in the peak period of COVID-19. We have a large
Manjushree Spntek Pvt. Ltd.
parcel of land of which 20,000 sq. metres is a built-up area. The built-up area is adequate to install one more nonwovens production line.
Before purchasing, we evaluated the various Recofil technologies available and went in for the Smart Recofil machine. This machine gave us the capability to produce both hygiene and medical textiles. It is a spunmelt technology and is a four beam SMMS line with a 3.2 metre width and has a production speed of 600 metres per minute. Depending on the fabric GSM, our average production is around 15-20 tons per day. We have 100 plus employees and our primary raw material is polypropylene.
Since we produce hygiene fabrics, we have an ultra clean production zone. We have positive air pressure across the factory. Positive pressure is created by mechanically pushing fresh and clean air into the factory, which is also being constantly pushed out of the factory. This system does not allow any dust borne particle or bacteria to enter the factory. This positive air pressure system is considered a good manufacturing practice.
IFJ: Which are the core company products and solutions you offer for the market? Please share more details on bedding and home décor applications as this is very interesting.
Kedia: We have an eclectic mix of products and are able to produce fabrics as low as 9 GSM and also 120 GSM. Hygiene products are primarily produced from fabrics between 9 and 25 GSM and applications include baby, adult diapers and femcare products. Applications for fabrics between 25 and 60 GSM includes the medical industry primarily for infection control and there are around 100 applications in medical textiles.
We also have a fabric finishing machine in which we coat the fabric with various chemicals and provide various finishes to the fabric. For example, there is a lot of blood spurting during an orthopedic operation. To avoid contamination to the doctors, nurses, the patient as equipment, it is necessary to protect
them. One of our products is an alcohol repellent anti-static fabric (ARAS).
It is a known fact that alcohol has lesser density than water and blood and so when a fabric is treated with alcohol, any spurt of blood will not penetrate the ARAS fabric gown worn by the operating team. This ARAS fabric made gown gives the operating team the utmost level of safety. Additionally, nowadays there is lot of electronic equipment in the operation theatre. So, to avoid any static electricity, it is important for the operating team to also wear anti-static gowns.
From 60 to 80 GSM, the applications include industrial fabrics like fire retardant fabrics, pharmaceutical product cover-all, etc. From 80 to 120 GSM, the applications are more specialized. These include industrial coveralls, cubicle curtains, FR protective apparel, geotextile, bedding, etc.
To provide value-addition to our fabrics, we have recently added a printing line. Traditionally nonwovens are printed on digital printing machines, but production is very low. The second option is screen printing which has higher productivity, but the registration of the print is not very high nor is it possible to print multi-color fabrics. We have purchased a state of the art printing technology, which combines the advantages of both digital and screen printing and at an economical cost. This
printing technology has been attempted for the first time in the world and we have a set of markets which we want to target with our printed fabrics. Applications include table cloth, bedsheets and aprons.
A normal table cloth made from either cotton or polyester in a restaurant is replaced after each meal and this means washing the table cloth every time which uses 20-30 liters of water. Our product is primarily trying to address and reduce water usage in the same way as disposable medical gowns. Similarly, bedsheets and aprons need to be washed after every use in a hotel or restaurant. Our disposable table cloths, bedsheets and aprons will go a long way in reducing water consumption.
We are trying to position our products where durability is not a priority, but bacteria fungus and virus are a matter of concern. This is a new concept that we have introduced and we call it fast fashion and could be a game changer for the hospitality industry. We have begun commercial sales of these fabrics.
IFJ: You have a R&D department. What has been its role in the development of products offered by your company?
Kedia: We are in a B2B business and our success is dependent on the success of
our customers. So, we have set up a R&D department to make our customers succeed in their goals. We have two approaches in our R&D. The first is where our customer gives suggestions to design and develop a product. We call this customer led approach. In the second approach, we ourselves look for trends in the market and develop and design products for our customers which will serve a purpose. These may also include sustainable and environmentally friendly products.
The R&D department acts like a chef to tweak a process or anything else to develop a product. One of the latest products developed by our R&D team is a chemotherapy gown. The doctors, nurses and caregivers for cancer patients are always exposed to the hazardous cancer liquid drugs day in and day out, due to which they could develop side effects from these drugs. Sometimes these drugs are mixed with other drugs which can create a potent drug and becomes hazardous if it spills. A regular nonwoven fabric does not offer that protection.
We studied the composition of a cancer drug and then developed a fabric which has higher barrier resistance to the chemotherapy drug. The fabric has also been successfully tested as per ASTMF 3267-22 & ASTM D6978 and we can now commercially sell it in the market.
IFJ: Your website mentions “Smart Fabric Tailored Treatments Endless Applications.” What is the meaning of this?
Kedia: The smart fabric is a combination of two words. One of which is that the fabric comes out of a production line which is called “Smart” and the second depends on the recipe which is customized and is tailored. We are now working on applications of our nonwoven fabrics for the armed forces like camouflage fabrics for humans and tents, heat sensitive fabrics and more.
For example, a conventional tarpaulin would weigh around 200 kilograms, however a disposable tarpaulin made from our fabrics would weigh just six kilograms. It would be more convenient for the armed forces to abandon the disposable tarpaulins rather than carry a 200 kg tarpaulin tent everywhere.
IFJ: Do you have any compliance certificates to share?
Kedia: We sell our fabrics to heavily regulated industries so we need several compliance certifications for our fabrics. We have ISO 9000 and ISO 14385, which is a medical devices certification. Currently we are in the process of getting an environmental certification named ISO 42000. We also have other certifications like Oeko-Tex 100 certificate. A lot of our fabrics are also bio-compatible. We also have certifications to prove that our materials are phthalates free. All of these certifications are approved globally.
IFJ: Please share details of your presence in the Indian and export markets and your distribution or sales channels?
Kedia: We are a relatively young company but still our exports now make up for 15% of our revenues. At the same time, we are also trying to generate more revenues from the Indian market by educating surgeons in India to wear certified products while doing operations. We do not have distribution channels or agents and deal directly with the converter, who in turn directly deals with the end users. As of now we do not have plans for converting our fabrics.
IFJ: How important is sustainability for your company? What sustainable offerings do you supply to your customers?
Kedia: Sustainability is the number one focus area for us. We are carbon neutral as well as water positive and we do this out of respect for the environment. Our products may not be sustainable and raw materials may not be environmentally friendly, but since there are no viable alternatives to plastics, we try to optimize consumption of plastics. We are also trying to seek diaper which goes into a landfill, and decomposes in 200 days. We are in the process of developing sustainable raw materials which will decompose when sent to landfills by partnering up with various other research organizations. We also have invested in three start-ups who are concentrating on developing bio-material products.
Manjushree Spntek Pvt. Ltd.
Manjushree Spntek Pvt. Ltd.
IFJ: What are the key trends in consumer demand and the growth trajectory of India, as well global nonwovens industry?
Kedia: During COVID-19, getting into or expanding nonwovens capacity was considered a good opportunity. However, currently the global supply of nonwoven fabrics is 2.5 times over and above the demand. We however cannot comment on the situation in China. So, this is driving down prices to ridiculous levels. Currently prices are at rock bottom for nonwoven fabrics, which has also led to margins being hit. This is a worrying trend going forward. Our customers tell us to optimize cost and that can be done only by compromising on quality of products, which ultimately impacts the safety of end users. Nonwoven producers in a west Asian country are supplying at ridiculous low prices. This pricing is impossible if one were to supply a fabric which meets the highest quality and safety standards.
IFJ: What other initiatives are important to your company and culture?
Kedia: We are trying to create very hightech environment, work force and prod-
ucts. We take care of our employees in the best possible ways. We are in the same industrial zone where the plant of Toyota Motors is located, which follows world class production systems. We are trying to follow same principles as followed in Toyota. We recruit our workforce from those trained in the Toyota training schools and so they come equipped with an understanding of the production system and also have good analytical skills to resolve the challenges they face on the shop floor. We also put efforts into provide them additional training to ensure they turn in to excellent operators or engineers.
IFJ: Your expectations on future growth and opportunities for nonwoven fabrics in all the applications that Manjushree offers in the Indian as well as overseas markets?
Kedia: There are plenty of opportunities in the market if a company is innovative. But growth is currently stalled due to over capacity. So, if we do not earn from our current investments, there will be no money to spend in the future on new investments. In the next five years, we expect sustainable products to be a driver of
growth. We are a young company, so we have everything to learn, perform and deliver and nor have we reached a saturation point. We see a good future for infection control medical products. The current penetration of these products is only 25% in the Indian market. So, there is a huge opportunity if the medical community is educated on these products. The Indian government also has a role to play in regulating these products and ensure they meet the needed parameters.
Arun Rao started his career in the textile industry and has worked across the segments of spinning and weaving production. He forayed into the sales function, beginning with selling branded innerwear and graduated to selling clothing of well-known brands. He then joined Fibre2fashion, a B2B textile website, as News Editor for seven years. Recently, he launched Taurus Communications, a PR & advertising agency focused on the textile industry value chain. With a love for journalism, he freelances for renowned textile magazines, along with managing the agency. He is the India foreign correspondent to the IFJ
Manjushree Spntek Pvt. Ltd.
Getting Personal with Hygiene
By Caryn Smith, Chief Content Officer, IFJ
The hygiene industry’s biggest challenge is achieving sustainability and market growth through innovative thinking. From period care to infant diapers to incontinence, items contain a complicated blend of plastics, fibers, and toxins that are harming the environment. There is no one-size-fits-all solution that can address all of the environmental challenges caused by hygiene products. Furthermore, legacy hygiene providers that fail to innovate risk losing market share to emerging brands that rethink a more personal approach to delivering personal hygiene products. Emerging entrepreneurs are addressing these concerns with new product introductions, providing eco-friendly solutions as well as new methods to suit the consumer’s hygiene wants and needs.
Sizing Up the Market
We are all aware that the industry is vast. According to Precedence Research, the global feminine hygiene products market was valued at US $42.13 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach roughly US $89.29 billion by 2033, rising at a CAGR of 7.80% between 2024 and 2033[1] (Figure 1). The market’s growth is being driven by increased literacy about personal hygiene health.
They also report that the feminine hygiene products market in North America was estimated to be worth US $11.80 billion in 2023 and is expected to increase to roughly US $25.45 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 7.98% from 2024 to 2033.[2] (Figure 2).
According to Statistica’s recently updated revenue predictions, the global infant diaper market revenue is expected to expand by US $18.7 billion (+32.86 percent)
Hygienix 2024 Focuses on Tailored Product Markets and Sustainable Options
between 2024 and 2029.[3] Following the ninth straight year of growth, the indicator is expected to hit a new high of US $75.59 billion in 2029.
The global adult incontinence product market was valued at US $9.15 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to US $15.09 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 5.71% during the forecast period, according to Straights Research.[4] The North American market as a whole was valued at US $3.14 million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.62%, reaching US $6.08 million by 2032, reports Astute Analytica.[5]
With the predicted increase in these markets, the stage is set for global expansion. The question remains, where?
The Hygienix 2024 Conference, held in November in Nashville, TN and presented by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, included thought
leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts who sought to provide those specifics on how and where to bring solutions to the future generation of consumers. Discussions primarily centered on infant care, adult incontinence, and femcare.
Where Is the Opportunity?
Setting the tone for the conference, Pricie Hanna, founding partner of Price Hanna Consulting, demonstrated why “the sun never sets on hygiene.” Speaking from a global perspective, one factor driving the market expansion of infant diapers is the trend to delay potty training children and increased use of training pants for toddler nighttime accident prevention and travel.
Globally, Africa is an opportunity region, as it is the only one in the world where the birth rate is really increasing. “In Southeast Asia, the birth rates are declining as are most countries in North America, Europe, South America, India, and in China the average regional birth rate is flat,” she elaborates.
“In the five largest countries – India, China, Indonesia, the U.S., and Brazil – while they are large, their future growth trends are declining, or are low, except for the region of China,” she went on to indicate. “However, we see major variations in the growth opportunities for market penetration. India has the greatest potential, whilst the United States market is already saturated. However, depending on the pace of penetration, these growth prospects are also tied with their economic progress.”
“Now, the million-dollar question is: where will global politics and trade go in the near future?” Hanna continued. “Well, there’s no answer. Continued volatility in the Middle East and Central Europe is to be expected.” Tariffs [from the new administration] will almost certainly have consequences, Hanna notes, but no one knows what they will be. “So simply keep watching. Our industry must continue
to establish flexible supply networks and evaluate risk scenarios when making large investment decisions in areas where these challenges exist.”
Hanna concluded by summarizing the industry’s most serious difficulty. “Climate change is undoubtedly an ongoing big concern. Many, including INDA and EDANA, are working hard on this. Recycling technology initiatives have been demonstrated solutions, but I believe the current difficulty is how to gather and sort adequate amounts of the appropriate waste for each technology. Cooperation among industry, local communities, and governments is required to enable largescale investment and recycling systems.”
On China
Ashley Wang, China National Household Paper Industry Association (CNHPI), discussed the “Latest Development of Disposable Hygiene Products Industry in China.” Key metrics include the rise in sanitary napkin consumption from 1 billion in 1993 to 91 billion in 2023, and infant diapers peaking at 39 billion in 2019, declining only with the dwindling birth rate. “The government is instilling new policies to encourage the young people to have children,” she said, “and it is believed that the birth rate in 2024 will rebound to a certain level.”
Wang reports that China’s hydrogen market is growing. “Over the past 30 years,
Research
Research
the Chinese disposable hydrogen products industry has not only seen a significant increase in production and consumption, but has also become more diversified in terms of product categories, product structure, and production machinery.”
Marketing efforts for innovative products such as menstrual pants have increased their popularity, and growth continues. Following more than a decade of development, China began designing and promoting menstruation pants in 2012. Production technology has advanced significantly, resulting in more soft, thin, and comfortable products on the market.
“Natural materials are used more often in hydrogen products, as is other innovative materials like a new type of superoxide polymer that can quickly absorb blood,” she reports.
Green initiatives, particularly in packaging, film, SAP, hot melt adhesives, and nonwoven fibers, are significant endeavors that China is addressing, not only in terms of sustainability, but also ESG and energy efficiency through sustainable raw material sourcing. (Figure 3).
On Africa
Raymond Chimhandamba of Handas Consulting in Africa stated that the worldwide pandemic revealed how unprepared the region and the world were to deal with hygiene waste problems.
Pricie Hanna, founder of Price Hanna Consulting. Caryn Smith
Ashley Wang, China National Household Paper Industry Association (CNHPI). Caryn Smith
The scenario created an opportunity for the business of sustainability in Africa.
“When we look at markets like South Africa, we realize that plastics and recycling solutions create an opportunity for several businesses in the region, that also includes garment recycling as well as plastic recycling,” he elaborates. “I think we will see more and more recycling initiatives within the African region, especially in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, particularly those. Those in my mind will be the top three markets.”
He believes that the nonwoven industry has a recycling opportunity for flexible polypropylene from AHP convertors in Africa. There are more than 120 AHP convertor lines are in Sub-Saharan Africa alone, and even more in North Africa.
Innovators Share The Drivers
In period care, Hanna stated that “the level of health, education, and economic development, as well as the culture of the country, can determine product and consumer preferences. Innovation is driven by competition in the premium categories. One interesting example is a unit showing a new panty liner with testing technology that helps women track when they are likely to conceive. And I think we
will see more period products offering a combination of protection and health testing in the future.”
In India, she shared the story of Unicharm’s Project “Jagriti” (awakening), which selects and trains female entrepreneurs to run shops in rural India to provide product access and menstrual education. By 2023, this program had 230 women operating shops and earning a regular income. Unicharm increased its sanitary product sales by making them available in more regions, while also achieving its key initiative to “empower women.”
Hanna notes also that the senior demographic is a key target market for many hygiene products, but also that younger adults are increasingly turning to pads that perform well and are specifically designed for light and moderate incontinence. The product of choice differs for
each demographic, as does the environment in which it is used and the method by which it is acquired.
Robin Beck, CEO of Mfg2Retail and co-founder of Auntie LLC with Sara Pedersen, discussed the environment for innovation in a category where the same products have dominated shelves for decades without change. Auntie is a hygiene brand that focuses on the often-ignored perimenopausal needs of a woman’s life, with products built around education and community to support and innovate, putting women in control of their journey.
“How do we push this category to innovate?” questions Beck. “By prioritizing consumer-driven development. I want to use my ‘aunties’ community to help develop the product. We hope it is more than just a product, we want it to be a trusted brand with a supportive community,” she says. Sara Pedersen commented, “Design is about giving people solutions they didn’t know they needed and feeling good about the world they are in.”
Beck’s experience as a product development leader at Target for over 12 years, where she launched over 3,000 items, from diapers to wipes, household cleaners, paper towels, kitty litter to doggie diapers, gives her insight into brand
Robin Beck is CEO of Mfg2Retail and cofounder of Auntie LLC.
Caryn Smith
Robin Beck
Figure 3. Green Development of Sustainable Raw Materials in China.
Ashley Wang
Raymond Chimhandamba of Handas Consulting in Africa.
Caryn Smith
placement in major retail environments.
“As technical experts, we often focus on creating the most technically advanced products, but the work goes beyond that. It’s about understanding what the consumer expects and finding ways to evaluate their experiences. A product can fail if consumers don’t believe or trust it. Therefore, consumer perception is just as important as technology.”
To create a strong brand presence and meet expectations, it’s important to consider your core consumer’s emotional drivers during product development. Consider what drives them, what they want, and whether they’re ready for innovation. By understanding these things, you can assist marketers in bridging the gap.
Innovation Unleashed
Even more innovation was highlighted at Hygienix, with some demonstrating real prospects to increase the hygiene sector in a variety of ways.
HIRO Technologies, Inc.’s MycoDigestable™ Diapers were awarded the 2024 INDA Innovation Award.
Founder and Chief Creative Officer Miki Agrawal shared on “the world’s first MycoDigestible™ diapers,” powered by HIRO’s fungal technology. HIRO’s MycoDigestible™ solution introduces plastic-eating mushrooms in a safe, user-friendly way that seamlessly integrates into everyday life.
For Agrawal, who has worked for over twenty years in the hygiene space, product development was personal. Upon the arrival of her first child in 2017, and being an eco-conscious mom, her attention quickly turned to diaper choices, seeking out eco-friendly and high performing options.
When she learned more about a diaper’s end-of-life, she discovered that one child goes through 6,000 diapers in its first few years and that each diaper takes 400+ years to compost in a landfill. “Those were alarming stats,” she says. “I then researched the global plastic crisis, realizing that 90% of plastic is not recycled. If we keep going, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050. We don’t want to leave our next generation with this much waste.”
“I started with reusable diapers and washable diapers, and spent all my time washing them in the tub. Bending over while recovering from a cesarean birth certainly did not work for me.” She turned to “eco-diapers” which did not meet her performance expectations. So, she turned to traditional, safe, and high performing diapers.
Inspired by nature and developed through thousands of experiments over four and a half years, the development team settled on a plastic-eating fungi to break down diapers in a mere six months. This formula is to be used with HIRO’s MycoDigestable™ Diapers, constructed from the world’s first unbleached cotton back sheet, and beautifully made with natural materials for a baby’s comfort. The HIRO Diaper combines exceptional absorbency with natural materials.
“We utilize plastic-eating fungi that function to break down trees and harness them to break down plastic of the soiled
diaper. In the digestion process, first, the fungi recognize the plastic as food, then the mycelium [the network of thread-like fungal filaments that form the body of a fungus] spread over the plastic surface, and then the fungi release natural enzymes to break down the plastic. The fungi absorb the broken-down molecules for fuel, and then it turns into soil,” according to Agrawal. “Once the diaper/fungi combination is in the landfill, the fungi will continue to grow and break down other plastics, too.”
Hello Hazel, Inc., maker of the Hazel High & Dry Briefs, is one of the three finalists in the 2024 INDA Innovation Awards at Hygienix.
The company aims to empower women by providing the first and only disposable, leakproof briefs that look and feel like real underwear for women of all ages and sizes. Steven Cruz, Co-Founder and CEO of Hello Hazel, Inc., affirms the opportunities in the incontinence market, particularly among women.
“One in two women experience bladder leakage due to natural life experiences like pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause,” he says. “That’s 78 million women in the U.S. alone. For perspective, the incontinence category is about $16 billion
2024 INDA Innovation Award Winner: HIRO MycoDigestable™ Diapers at different stages of composting, employing a special fungal solution that breaks down the plastic of baby diapers in only six months. Caryn Smith
HIRO Technologies, Inc. MycoDigestable™ Diapers were awarded the 2024 INDA Innovation Award. Caryn Smith
Miki Agrawal,
Caryn Smith
Steven Cruz, Co-Founder and CEO of Hello Hazel, Inc. Steven Hazel
in sales.” He emphasizes that stigma still plagues the category, and little radical innovation has been achieved in decades. He notes that about 62% of women experience urinary incontinence, yet only half seek solutions.
Engineered with a novel, ultra-thin, highly absorbent core seamlessly integrated beneath a unique elasticated cover that moves naturally with a woman's body, Hazel High & Dry Briefs offering unparalleled comfort, discretion, and reliable protection. They are purposefully designed to reduce stigma and address both physical and needs, two-thirds of their customers are completely new to this category.
“We spoke with thousands of women to get their input,” says CEO Cruz, “and this really allowed us to rethink how a woman uses the product on a day-to-day basis, as well as how she shops for the product. We also found that our consumer is much more active than the traditional incontinence consumer.”
Harper Hygienics S.A., also one of three finalists in the 2024 INDA Innovation Awards at Hygienix, showcased their Cleanic Naturals Hemp, an innovative femcare line crafted with sero™ regenerative hemp fibers produced by Bast Fibre Technologies and processed on Harper’s proprietary unique Hemplace™ technology platform. Hemplace™ represents a culmination of
expertise, a spectrum of technologies and know-how to integrate hemp into materials, which are setting new industry standards.
Business Development Director in the Americas, Timothy Odenwald, shared their vision. “Harper is a Polish company for more than 30 years as a manufacturer of nonwoven products in various CPG categories, both branded and private label products. Several years ago, the company wanted to add a second hygiene category to its innovative product portfolio, yet desired to differentiate the product in the marketplace,” he said. The result was Cleanic Naturals Hemp, which leverages the natural fiber that is known for its hygienic, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties.
Summarizing Hygiene’s Future
Rachel Braun, CEO of Spark Solutions for Growth, spoke on the FemTech world – the potential of wearable devices and tracking technologies to improve patient compliance and quality of life, along with concerns about data privacy and the need for user-friendly, affordable solutions. These devices offer data, but frequently leave important questions unanswered. The new narrative aims to redefine women’s health by considering the impact on their overall lives, including exercise.
Consumers are becoming more complex, she stated, “We demand more from our work-life balance, more from the products that we buy. We want people to
express their values. We’re going to practice conscious capitalism, buying products from companies that we care about. This up-andcoming generation is demanding better solutions. They want comfort, flexibility, and the ability to continue doing activities they enjoy.”
“We’re seeing examples of this here at Hygienix. No one can eliminate incontinence or cure it, so to speak. But there are better ways to manage the symptoms. We will produce better products and have increased patient compliance with technologies. There will be decreases in symptoms and the severity of symptoms, which is one of the claims that many of the new devices are able to make,” says Braun.
In redefining women’s health, Braun suggests, “We’re talking about looking at a woman as a total person. How does she live a confident and full life? What kind of exercise can’t she do? Is she leaving the house, or is the problem so severe that it’s affecting how exactly she lives her life?” In the past, women were sold products based on their stage of life (menstruation, pregnancy, etc.). New technologies should improve health outcomes, provide improved quality of life, and take the environment into consideration.
References
1. Precedence Research, “Feminine Hygiene Products Market Size, Share, and Trends 2025 to 2034,” www.precedenceresearch.com/ feminine-hygiene-products
2. Precedence Research, “Feminine Hygiene Products Market Size, Share, and Trends 2025 to 2034,” www.precedenceresearch.com/ feminine-hygiene-products-market.
3. Statistica, “Revenue of the baby diapers market globally from 2019 to 2029,” www.statista.com/forecasts/1439153/revenue-baby-diapers-tissue-hygiene-paper-market-worldwide.
Rachel Braun, CEO of Spark Solutions for Growth. Caryn Smith
Hazel High & Dry Briefs are disposable leak-proof briefs that feel like actual underwear.
Cleanic Naturals Hemp, a new femcare product, is produced with regenerative hemp fibers and processed on Harper’s patented unique Hemplace™ technology platform. Caryn Smith
Timothy Odenwald, Harper Hygienics’ Business Development Director. Caryn Smith
Hello Hazel
Period Product Innovation
Who Are We Developing For?
By Heidi Beatty, with Paul Davies
Innovation in the period product category has experienced a boost in recent years as part of the growing interest in women’s health products. The “Big Three” period product companies, P&G, Kimberly-Clark and Edgewell, still held over 70% of the U.S. market in 2022. Will they keep that 70% share going forward or will other companies start taking from that share? Who is innovating? And what are they doing to keep ahead of competition?
That was the topic for the Hygienix Workshop “Innovations in Menstrual Care” that I led in Nashville. I was exploring not just “fluid management” but looking at several different cycles: a woman’s cycle, the lifecycle of the product, cycling cultural changes as well as the latest cycle of innovative technologies.
Disruptive brands, start-ups and the area of FemTech are key areas to watch. Collectively they are destigmatizing this category, and we can finally use the word “period” in marketing, as well as talking about the issues women deal with. Simultaneously, there has been an explosion in products in the sexual health category and a move away from outdated, reserved language. This newfound ability to discuss issues openly and clearly and, more importantly, without stigma, has allowed the category to expand, as well as pushing boundaries.
Product innovation is becoming more multifaceted. Skin care and microbiomefriendly technologies have entered this category, leading to impacts of products on the vulva and vaginal skin (a mucous membrane) being considered more carefully. Additionally, more studies are being carried out regarding periods; did you know there is a potential connection between the pain you experience as a teenager during your periods and chronic body pain in later life? Other studies show that men and women experience pain very
differently and 30 to 40% of teenagers and young women will have periods that are so painful they can’t go to school or to work. We need to change the assumption that period pain is normal. This means we need to start with fresh data. And from this, innovation will flow!
What we are really doing is growing the category, and not just taking from the existing market share. Through better consumer insights, and by driving innovation, we are growing the whole supply chain. I am truly inspired that period products are being sold in beauty stores like Ulta, via its Wellness Shop. I’ve been in this industry for a couple of decades, and that would have been unthinkable when I started!
This is all positive news – and there are other great examples of where we are helping to drive positive change through, for example, lobbying against the Tampon Tax and through providing more ingredient transparency. I am always aware that “there is no global health without menstrual health.”
Adaption in the period products sector is also underway and many different companies are looking at using period products beyond absorbing fluid. Brands like Callavid, Daye and Joii, are using period products as drug delivery systems and diagnostics. This is a hugely exciting development that will hopefully enable better diagnosis and treatment options in the future. Some of these new applications will require changes to the composition of our products. Plastic is used in many of our products, so how do we address this? It's really about changing the way we think about innovation and not necessarily removing plastic (I'm not against plastic), it's about selecting the right technology for the right layer for the right product.
We looked at many different types of marketed products, from the more traditional to the ones that make you do a double take (like waterproof liners for
swimming). We also explored the range of disposable, single use products to reusable products and the hybrid products that combine both textiles and nonwovens.
We did a dive into exciting technologies that have been launched recently, that we should all be considering when developing our future portfolios. That includes the fibers and the nonwovens, the films and laminates, also the adhesives and the packaging, and even the latest product testing approaches – no stone was left unturned! Our environment is a key driver, too, so we looked at how we can create a truly circular economy in period care. This could encompass recycled materials or more effective products using simply less raw materials or more sustainable fibers. Seaweed? Hemp? Wool? These are all available to us now, and more options are being either developed or made available, creating new possibilities and opportunities to be explored.
As we all know, our category is about much more than just fluid management – we look at the life cycle of the product, the woman, expectations and cultural changes and we then take all this information and insights and then pair it with the latest technologies to make the best products.
Crown Abbey will be running an extended version of the “Innovations in Menstrual Care” Workshop live at IDEA, in collaboration with INDA. Sign up and join us!
Heidi Beatty is CEO of Crown Abbey. She and her team helps a global client base across consumer, health care and nutritional categories to identify and commercialize new technologies.She can be reached at hbeatty@crownabbey.com.
Paul Davies joined Crown Abbey in 2019, and has 30 years experience in product development working for large companies. Email him at pdavies@crownabbey.com.
JEC World Brings the Global Composites Community Together in Paris
EC World is the only global trade show dedicated to composite materials and applications. Taking place annually in Paris, JEC World will host all the major players in a spirit of innovation, business and networking. JEC World has become a celebration of sorts in composites and a “think tank” featuring hundreds of product launches, awards ceremonies, competitions, conferences, live demonstrations and networking.
To be held March 4-6, 2025, it features ground-breaking solutions, unique manufacturing, and business opportunities inside a networking hub of creativity, vision, and action.
Panel Highlights:
Demystifying LCA – A Guide to Sustainable Composites: As companies strive to meet zero-emissions goals, evaluating a product’s carbon footprint is vital. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is one tool composites industry OEMs and Tier suppliers are using to move toward sustainability targets. This conference dives deep into Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies for composite materials. Explore cutting-edge research on minimizing environmental impact throughout the entire product lifecycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life options.
Startup Booster, Live Demo, Planets, Country Stage
The JEC Composites Startup Booster is JEC’s competition in the world of Composites and Advanced Materials. It is opened to entrepreneurs, SMEs, startups and academic spinoffs building innovative projects in the field of Composites and Advanced Materials. Ten of the startups in the “Products and Materials” category have been selected to pitch in front of the prestigious jury.
Explore the “Future of Advanced Manufacturing” in the Live Demo Area, featuring more demonstrations, showcasing the latest innovations and advancements in the composites industry. Innovation Planets present R&D centers in two showcase areas.
Composites for Hydrogen Transportation & Distribution: The transition to hydrogen transportation requires a revolution in storage and distribution technology. This session focuses on the exciting advancements in composite materials designed specifically for compressed hydrogen storage & pipelines. It will discuss the projected surge in carbon fiber usage and explore new methods for developing and manufacturing storage vessels and pipelines with a focus on sustainability throughout their lifecycle.
From Trash to Treasure – Building a Thriving Recycled Composites Supply Chain: This session will explore the current barriers to be overcome both to develop a well-organized collection system for composite waste and also to scale-up efficient recycling technologies for composite materials, to enable the successful creation of a robust recycled composites supply chain that reduces costs and increases market adoption. Ultimately, the session aims to showcase how effective waste management systems and innovative recycling technologies can be combined to transform composite waste into valuable resources for a more sustainable future.
Trailblazers in Composites: Celebrating Women Who Are Shaping the Future: This inspiring and empowering conversation will spotlight incredible women trailblazers who are redefining success and breaking barriers in their fields.
• Mobility Planet: including Automotive, Land Transportation (railway, trucks, buses), Aerospace, UAVs, and New mobility solutions
• Industry Planet: Building, Sports & Leisure, Civil Engineering, Marine Transportation, and Energies.
Attendees can go online to see what companies are participating in this forum to plan their way around the show.
Also of note, presenters from Italy are on stage to present “Italy’s Industry Solutions for the Advancement of Composite Materials Circularity.” It explores Italy’s industry solutions for the advancement of composite materials circularity.
Rounding Out the Options
Exhibitor presentations in the “Composites Exchange” section of the show bring the latest from cutting-edge companies. These sessions highlight the latest innovations and business cases, giving attendees a unique opportunity to see the full range of what the Composites Industry has to offer.
Also, the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) showcases materials and process engineering as leading experts from SAMPE China, Europe, Japan, and North America over six sessions.
Find out more at www.jec-world.events
Nonwovens for a Healthier Planet
IDEA®25 is the intersection of nonwoven materials & sustainability
DEA®25 highlights the industry’s leading innovators, including those making strategic investments toward eco-friendly engineered material solutions,” says Tony Fragnito, President & CEO of INDA – The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, the show host.
The biggest show in North America for nonwovens is set for the Miami Beach Convention Center, in Miami, FL, April 29-May 1, 2025
“Attendees can learn and explore alternative production methods including the developments and incorporation of bioderived, recycled and biodegradable components. This event showcases the industry’s commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility in its operations and products,” says Fragnito. “INDA chose sustainability as its 2024-25 focus and is committed to representing the industry on this broad and important topic. While sustainability within individual organizations impacts many aspects of their business, INDA is most engaged on the topics which form our three pillars: Sustainable Sourcing; End-of-Life Solutions; and Industry Innovations,” he says.
With this focus, the IDEA®25 Show programming will be centered around this theme. Preliminary planning is still under way but what we know so far, the show is shaping up to deliver around 25 presentations, several expert panels and insightful sessions that target Sustainability Managers, Product Developers, and Regulatory Teams.
Some sessions include U.S., EU, UN regulation; Start-of-Life –Materials Sourcing, Natural Fibers, etc.; Product/Process Innovations; End-of-Life – Advances in Biodegradability/Compostability; and Next Life – Fiber-to-Nonwoven Recycling, Advanced Recycling, EPR.
“IDEA® has long served as a premier platform for engaging with the entire nonwovens supply chain – from resins and fibers to fabrics, films, and finished consumer products,” notes Matt O’Sickey,
Director of Education at INDA who is leading the effort to design a robust informational and educational program. “The dedicated two-day Sustainability in Nonwovens Conference follows this same comprehensive approach, covering responsible sourcing, processing, and converting, through to end-of-life and next-life solutions. Regardless of where your company operates within the supply chain, this conference offers invaluable insights to drive sustainability and innovation.”
Many attendees come for the exposition, which is already 95% sold out for both IDEA® and the colocated FiltXPO®, sharing the same show floor.
“We’re looking forward to seeing what our exhibitors come up with this year. This combined IDEA®/ FiltXPO® already has over 600 exhibitors (and it’s still growing) from 6 continents and about 40 countries. All in, we’re expecting more than 6,500 attendees to flow through. Exciting developments this year include the ‘Miami Vice Lounge’ – sponsored by Kimberly-Clark, which will be open for specialty drinks and snacks throughout the show. At the INDA booth, we’ll have a series of ‘Lightning Talks’ from industry leaders. To recharge your energy or your phone, there will be ‘Charging Lounges’ spread throughout the show floor, sponsored by BASF. They also make a great space for an impromptu meeting.” Other large corporate sponsors to note include Magnera, Stein Fibers, Cotton Inc. and Exxonmobil.
• Registration is now open at https://ideashow.org/register/
• It is also encouraged to get your hotel soon to guarantee you have the location near the show you desire!
• To see the Expo Floor and Exhibitor List, visit https://inda.expocad.com/Events/ifx25/index.html
Leigh Fibers to End Nonwovens Production Amidst Restructuring
Leigh Fibers has decided to idle a nonwovens line in Wellford, South Carolina as part of a restructuring plan aimed at further integrating its businesses with ReVive Fiber which it purchased last year. In addition, the plan calls for the consolidation of the company’s operational footprint, a renewed focus on its core competencies and streamlining of its internal structure to position the company for profitable, long-term growth.
Leigh Fibers will retain a small presence in Wellford after consolidating the majority of this operation into ReVive Fiber’s facility, in Spartanburg. All office staff will be relocated to ReVive’s offices in Spartanburg. The Brownsville, Texas facility will continue to operate as is without any lost production capabilities.
The company’s focus in the future will be on its engineered fiber business, global trading business and continued leadership in the second life and sustainability efforts being put into diverting post-consumer textile waste from landfills. www.leighfibers.com
Americhem Expands Research and Development Capabilities in India
Americhem, Inc. announced the opening of a new research and development center in Silvassa, India. This new facility, located at Olive Industrial Park, will enhance Americhem’s ability to provide faster and more localized service to customers throughout India and Southeast Asia. The 4000 square feet center will offer specialized testing services for masterbatch color development, particularly for melt spinning and textile manufacturing customers. Additionally, it will provide field and technical services to support customerspecific requirements.
tract new customers and industries that prioritize speed and efficiency in their supply chain.
The new laboratory aims to help Americhem expand into new markets and areas of business by offering enhanced capabilities for custom color matching and faster response times. This will at-
Textile Chemicals & Dyes Gets Separate Product Area at Techtextil
Techtextil will for the first time bundle the range of exhibitors in the field of Textile Chemicals & Dyes in an independent product area from April 21-24, 2026 in Frankfurt. The leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens is creating a central hub for suppliers and users.
The research and development center began operations in late 2024 and is strategically situated just 5 km from Bhilad Highway NH-48, with future access to the Mumbai-Delhi Expressway. www.americhem.com
It emphasizes the increasing demand and relevance of Textile Chemicals & Dyes for the global textile industry.
Techtextil is responding to the growing demand from users and the requirements of suppliers for a centralized and concentrated industry platform for textile chemicals and dyes, and Techtextil is creating new synergies with this future bundling.
Textile Chemicals & Dyes will be located in the same hall as Fibres and Yarns and Performance Apparel Textiles. Preliminary stages, suppliers and users will come together in the immediate proximity of each other. This makes it easier for them to communicate specific requirements and needs and find solutions more quickly.
Their growing importance of the segment is underlined by a 2021 analysis by the market research firm ‘MarketsandMarkets.’ According to the study, the global market for textile chemicals is expected to grow to a volume of US $33.1 billion by 2026. The study cites a number of factors as drivers of this growth, including the increasing demand for chemicals for the rapidly growing technical textiles market. www.techtextil.messefrankfurt.com
Americhem Custom Fiber Color Matching. Business Wire
Textile Chemicals & Dyes will have its own product area at Techtextil Frankfurt in April 2026.
Indian Technical Textiles Startup Raises $4.2m Seed Funding
Whizzo, a Bengaluru, India-based startup specializing in engineered and technical textiles, has raised US $4.2 million in a seed funding round led by Lightspeed, with participation from Beenext.
The funding will be used to enhance research and development in materials science.
It will also help establish a design lab and strengthen supply chain infrastructure in India, Vietnam, China, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.
Founded in 2024 by Shrestha Kukreja, Whizzo creates customized textile blends using woven, nonwoven, and composite technologies for various industries.
The company is currently working with over 25 clients and plans to expand its customer base to over 100 in South America, West Asia, Africa, Europe, and Japan. www.whizzo.org
Courtney Harold Joins Green Theme Technologies as Head Of Marketing
Green Theme Technologies (GTT) announced the appointment of Courtney Harold as Head of Marketing. With over 25 years of experience in the textile, apparel, and footwear industries, Courtney brings a proven track record of transforming complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies that drive growth and product innovation.
“I am thrilled to join GTT and help lead the initiative to bring EMPEL’s innovative, waterfree, and PFAS-free DWR technology to market,” said Courtney Harold. “GTT’s commitment to surpassing industry standards is precisely the challenge fueling my passion for solving complex problems.
“I look forward to spearheading the marketing initiatives to position EMPEL as the leading brand in the DWR sustainable performance fabrics.”
As GTT continues to dominate the water-free and sustainable DWR space, Harold’s expertise in brand building, market entry strategies, and product innovation will be instrumental in positioning EMPEL for continued growth and success. www.greenthemetech.com
ANDRITZ to Supply Equipment to Juthor Paper, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
nternational technology group
IANDRITZ has received a major order for a tissue production line from Juthor Paper Manufacturing Co., part of Middle East Paper Co. (MEPCO) Group, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Start-up is scheduled for 2026. The value of the order will not be disclosed.
The line will be equipped with the latest ANDRITZ technologies from stock
preparation to the reel to ensure low energy consumption and high product quality. The tissue machine will be one of the world’s fastest high-capacity machines, with a design speed of 2200 m/min and up to 5.47 m width at the reel. A comprehensive automation and digitalization package will contribute to high performance and operational efficiency. www.andritz.com
High-speed tissue production with ANDRITZ PrimeLine technology.
Milliken & Company Achieves EcoVadis Gold Rating
Global diversified manufacturer Milliken & Company announced that it earned a gold rating on its 2024 EcoVadis assessment. EcoVadis provides trusted business sustainability ratings for more than 130,000 organizations representing more than 220 industries. Milliken’s 2024 EcoVadis score, assessed across its chemical, textile, flooring and healthcare operations, again places the company in the top 5% of organizations rated. This is the third consecutive year that Milliken has earned a gold rating from EcoVadis.
“We are honored to receive a gold rating from EcoVadis once again,” said Halsey Cook, president and CEO at Milliken. “This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to sustainability and the significant strides we have made on our journey. Our dedication to promoting transparency and innovation is what drives us to continually improve and reach new heights in our sustainability efforts.” www.milliken.com
Courtney Harold.
Mark Ushpol Appointed EVP, Americas Business Area at Suominen
ark Ushpol has been appointed Executive Vice President, Americas business area at Suominen. He will be a member of Suominen’s Executive Management Team and report to President and CEO Tommi Björnman. Ushpol will start in his new position on January 6, 2025.
Ushpol joins Suominen from Ahlstrom, where he worked as Executive Vice President of the Food & Consumer Packaging division and as a member of the Executive Management Team.
“Mark has a strong experience in leading industrial business and operations.
He also has industry knowledge and proven record in successfully executing company goals. I am sure he will be a valued member in our Executive Management Team and support us in our journey towards profitable growth,” said Tommi Björnman, President and CEO of Suominen. www.suominen.fi
AD SALES
ADVERTISING | SALES PUBLISHER Driven By Design LLC General Inquiries: advertising@inda.media
M MMI Textiles Inc., a global diversified supplier of industrial and custom fabrics and textile components with military, tactical, medical, commercial, and apparel expertise, has acquired New Jersey-based manufacturer of knit textiles, Jason Mills, LLC. Effective January 2, 2025, the acquisition instantly expands the MMI Textiles product line, accelerating a key strategic growth initiative for the company.
“We have had the privilege of working with Jason Mills for many years and have tremendous respect for their approach to business, which aligns seamlessly with the culture we’ve built at MMI Textiles,” said Amy Bircher Bruyn, Founder, and CEO of MMI Textiles. “This acquisition marks an exciting milestone as we continue to grow and strengthen our position in the textile industry. We are eager to integrate their expertise, resources, and innovation to better serve our customers and address the evolving needs of the market.”
Founded in 1976, Jason Mills is known for its high-performance knits and operates in several major markets, including recreational trade, occupational safety, aeronautical, automotive and marine, healthcare, filtration, and industrial textiles. www.mmitextiles.com
Drake Purchases PureCycle Resin Following Successful Production of Continuous Filament Yarns
PureCycle Technologies, Inc. announced the initial sale of nearly 500,000 pounds of resin to Drake Extrusion Inc. for the production of continuous filament yarns, which could be used to make items such as rugs, upholstery, and apparel. Drake is North America’s leading manufacturer of colored filament yarn, and staple fiber. The agreement comes after Drake’s successful production of continuous fiber using a compound that includes PureCycle’s PureFive™ resin. The resin was produced at Ironton, Ohio from 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) feedstock and then developed into a compound by PureCycle’s Research & Development team in Durham, North Carolina.
Approximately 20% of the global virgin polypropylene (PP) supply is used for fiber and yarn. Until now, there has not been a reliable recycling alternative to replace virgin PP due to the complexity of the fiber manufacturing process. Polypropylene fiber is preferred for its light weight, durability, moisture and chemical resistance. www.purecycle.com
