Introducing FreshPer4mance | Seat fabric coating technology

Customizable protection against stains, liquids, static and microbes that works with virtually any seating fabric

Johnson Controls introduces an innovative, highly effective, one-stop solution for not only keeping automotive seat fabrics clean, but preventing them from getting dirty in the first place.

It’s called "FreshPer4mance".

FreshPer4mance is an advanced coating technology that makes any fabric liquid repellent, anti-stain, anti-static and anti-microbial – or any combination thereof. Fabrics coated with FreshPer4mance are easier to keep clean, hygienic and odor free -- even in heavily used commercial vehicles.

Because FreshPer4mance works so well with all our materials, automakers and designers can let their imaginations run free and utilize any fabric color – especially lighter colors -- to bring to market more distinctive vehicles with greater consumer appeal.

Whatever the fabric construction – flat, 3D, woven – we can apply FreshPer4mance equally effectively. And, we coat the entire fabric -- not just one side -- for greater protection and better long-term performance.

Depending on your target market, you may want your automotive seats to be only stain resistant, or only liquid repellent. Or you may want the full range of protection against liquid, stains, static and microbes. Whatever your needs, we can customize our FreshPer4mance formulation for each product and application to deliver the exact performance you need.

FreshPer4mance from Johnson Controls has been thoroughly tested and validated and it’s available right now. Plus, each of our plants in North America, Europe and around the world has made the FreshPer4mance coating capability a standard practice. As a result, we can deliver FreshPer4mance coated fabrics quickly and more affordably to your plant anywhere around the globe. You don’t have to go to one vendor for the chemical, another for the fabric and yet another to do the coating. Johnson Controls is your one-stop source for superior automotive seat fabric coating.

Automotive seat fabrics can easily become stained, unpleasant to look at and unhygienic. Fabrics treated with FreshPer4mance coating from Johnson Controls, are protected from even the toughest stains such as coffee, cola and ketchup. FreshPer4mance works with virtually every fabric, including the lightest colors, thereby expanding your design possibilities.

Lenzing introduces flushable TENCEL® fiber

Lenzing, the leading producer of the manmade cellulose fibres, believes it is satisfying the trend of the times in the nonwovens industry with its short-cut type cellulose fibre Tencel that is said to be ideal for high quality wipes and care wipes, due to its flushability properties.

Convenience and sustainability are not a contradiction with TENCEL®

The market for wipes will grow by 6.5% per year.1 In an increasing number of households one can find practical wipes for hygiene and care applications and the trend is on the rise. Many wipes are disposed of in the toilet whether they are “flushable” or not which leads to problems with blockages in public sewage systems. This is the very reason why industry is looking into this problem and demanding new production technologies. With TENCEL®, Lenzing supplies a raw material which is of botanic origin, contains no additives, and is biodegradable. When processed in the right way, practical wipes can be produced which comply with the convenience mindset of consumers and are, at the same time, biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

More quality with TENCEL® for a wipe with a “flushable” function

“Flushable” wipes from TENCEL® stand out due to their high quality. Due to the enormous fiber strength, the TENCEL® wipe is particularly tear-resistant in contrast to the materials conventionally used such as pulp and short-cut viscose. The high strength of the TENCEL® fiber also reduces the use of binding agents which are mostly made of acrylic, latex or bi-component fibers. Another advantage of TENCEL® compared to short-cut viscose is that due to the higher strength profile, fewer fibers are required for a comparable quality than in a wipe of short-cut viscose.

“Quality does not, however, only mean enhanced service properties but also refers to the skin-friendly attributes of TENCEL®. The fiber has already demonstrated in tests that it is particularly well suited to sensitive skin,” Dr. Dieter Eichinger, head of the Hytec market segment (hygiene, home and technical textiles) at Lenzing explains.

“The exceptionally smooth surface of TENCEL® makes the fiber ideal for the skin and prevents skin irritations. For this reason, wipes of TENCEL® are particularly smooth and gentle on the skin,” Eichinger argues.

TENCEL® perfect for new technology

The merging of paper and spun-laced technology will revolutionize the market for wipes. Short-cut TENCEL® is ideally suited to this application and due to its properties, it will play a key role in the development of “flushable” wipes particularly with this technology. “Here the fiber strength of TENCEL® also plays a vital role,” Eichinger is positive.

Certificates confirm the sustainability of TENCEL®

Environmental certificates such as the EU-Ecolabel, Nordic Swan, OK biodegradable from Viocotte or Ecocert demonstrate the environmentally responsible production of TENCEL®.

”In particular the botanic origin of TENCEL® and the sustainable production of the fiber fit perfectly with the current consumer demands and are vital for the production of disposable wipes,” Elisabeth Stanger, Head of Hygiene at Lenzing, is convinced.

Source: Lenzing.com

Nylstar selected to develop new cosmeto-textile brand

Meryl Hyaluronan, the anti-ageing fibre produced by Nylstar, has been selected as the fibre to develop GT Calze’s new and exclusive Yaluronica cosmetotextile product line.

The new product line was showcased during Cosmoprof Bologna 2014, which took place at the weekend. The launch is expected to mark a new direction for the cosmetotextile segment.

GT Calze Srl, a market leader in medical stockings and shaping and slimming underwear, has teamed with Nylstar to develop the innovative anti-ageing brand Yaluronica that is said to guarantee instant slimming results due to compression and cosmetic effects provided by the Meryl Hyaluronan fibre.

Meryl Hyaluronan uses cutting edge nanotechnology and contains molecules of wrinkle reducing hyaluronic acid. Nanoparticles of hyaluronic acid are inserted into the yarn during the spinning process, making the cosmetic effects of Meryl Hyaluronan permanent in the fabrics.

The new Yaluronica product line will be launching eight references, all of which contain Meryl Hyaluronan and according to the company, as soon as these garments contact the wearer’s skin they begin the cosmetic action.

Within a few days improvements in terms of moisturising, firming and antioxidant are impressive, Nylstar reports.

Cut resistant glove offers dexterity and cool feel

Ejendals, a leading Swedish specialist in the development, manufacture and marketing of quality products that protect hands and feet, will be introducing its latest protective knitted glove, model 909, which incorporates Dyneema Diamond Technology, at SAWO 2014 that is taking place from 9-15 April in Poznań, Poland.

The new fine gauge glove was developed specifically for applications requiring very good dexterity with cool feel and is ideal for high precision handling of small components, the company reports.

The 909 glove is made with DSM’s innovation platform Dyneema® Diamond Technology. The key feature of this technology is that it is twice as thin as the regular yarn normally used in cut Level 3 gloves. This enables the finest knitting structure possible for seamless knitted cut resistant gloves with a level 3, resulting in exceptional dexterity and tactility combined with light weight, making the glove easy to wear with less fatigue. The glove combines Dyneema® Diamond Technology yarn with Nylon and Spandex and coated in the palm with Polyurethane. The glove can be washed yet keep the same performance.

With the new glove, Ejendals sets out to meet the need for a high level of cut resistance, combined with maximum wearer comfort. Niclas Wiklund, Product Manager of Ejendals, explained: “We previously produced three Ejendals Tegera gloves using Dyneema® Diamond Technology. After the success of these gloves, we are proud to introduce a glove that is cut resistant and offers dexterity as a second skin. This is made possible with the newly introduced super fine grade of Dyneema® Diamond Technology that became available in August 2013.”

“The basic idea for these new gloves came from our close cooperation with many end-users. We started the process several years ago with one clear objective: to make best cut-resistant level 3 glove on the market. Not an easy task, as we needed to deliver maximum strength with the best tactile performance. Because we were not prepared to jeopardize the protection level, we chose to work only with the best materials. For cut-resistance, there is only one option: Dyneema® Diamond Technology.” Mr. Wiklund added: “I also want to mention the support from and the team feeling created by the skilled and service minded people at DSM Dyneema. In fact, we share the same vision: we do not only sell gloves - we protect hands.”

According to Olivier Boubeaud, global segment director, High Protective Textiles, DSM Dyneema, the new breakthrough technology is meeting a global market need: “Dyneema® Diamond Technology is rapidly becoming the new standard in cut resistant gloves as wearers are looking for the ideal combination of high protection and high comfort.”

About Dyneema® Diamond Technology

Dyneema® Diamond Technology offers the most comfortable and lightest solution for extreme cut resistance. This state-of-the-art technology is pushing forward the properties of cut resistance in a lightweight and ‘natural feeling’ fiber. Applying Dyneema® Diamond Technology in a lightweight elasticised glove can boost cut performance levels up to EN388 Level 5, without the use of glass fiber or steel wire.

It requires no compromise on comfort, tactility and weight of the glove, while providing significantly higher cut resistant performance, and better durability - especially compared to aramid based gloves. By fulfilling end user demand for more dexterous and comfortable hand protection Dyneema® Diamond Technology has the potential to become the new standard in cut protection.

Eco finishing solutions for knits on show in Shanghai

Benninger, a leading company in the development of technologically advanced textile finishing and tire cord solutions, will exhibit its Trikoflex drum washer and a Benninger-Küsters DyePad Basic at ITMA Asia + CITME trade fair that is due to be held in Shanghai, China, from 16-20 June.

According to the manufacturer, despite the tremendous efforts of machine designers to reduce the liquor ratio, finishing of knitted goods in jet dyeing machines still requires large amounts of water and therefore also a great deal of energy.

Benninger has developed and implemented a continuous open width finishing process that is said to offer water and energy savings. This process makes it possible to lower CO2 emissions by nearly two thirds in comparison to the exhaust dyeing processes, the company reports. Benninger’s Trikoflex bleaching and washing plants and the Benninger Küsters DyePad are said to perfectly suit this type of application.

Trikoflex

Washing on Benninger’s high efficiency Trikoflex drum washer with mechanically-assisted front and back washing is said to reduce the water consumption by more than 40% in comparison to conventional washers.

At the same time the energy required to heat up the washing water is reduced. Additionally Benninger’s Trikoflex has been specifically developed for tension sensitive textiles.

Benninger-Küsters DyePad Basic

The DyePad Basic has been especially designed to suit the needs of Asian markets. It focuses on easy handling. Two swimming rollers ensure a maximum deflection potential and allow dyeing of knit and woven fabrics without any restrictions.

With the CPB dyeing process the reactive dye is fixed at room temperature. With controlled dyeing conditions plus the latest developments in the dye itself, this modern CPB dyeing system can be used on cellulose fibers for woven fabrics as well as knits, the company reports.

Source: Knitting Industry

New 3D wovens plant for aero engine composites

Senior staff from both Albany International and Safran have inaugurated a new plant in Rochester, New Hampshire that will produce composite parts for aircraft engines.

The Rochester operations of Safran and Albany International are located at a new complex, about 300,000 sq. ft. large, located in the Granite State Business Park. The plant, which opened in 2013, was built to produce 3D woven composite parts using RTM technology for aircraft engine parts. The first application will be fan cases and fan blades for CFM International’s LEAP engine. A total of 130 people currently are employed at the joint operation, with a total of 400-500 envisioned when full-rate production is attained.

The foundation of the LEAP engine is deeply rooted in advanced aerodynamics, environmental and materials technologies. Particularly strong and lightweight, the 3D woven RTM composite parts produced by Safran and Albany will contribute strongly to provide 15 percent better fuel efficiency compared to today’s best CFM engine. Selected to power new and improved narrow-body commercial aircraft including the Boeing 737 MAX and the Airbus A320neo, the LEAP engine has achieved broad-based market acceptance with more than 6,000 engines ordered to date.

Joseph Morone, President and CEO of Albany International Corp., said "Today’s event is an important milestone in a collaboration between Safran and Albany that began in 2000 as joint research and development and that has blossomed into the unique partnership epitomised by this plant. The strong relationships our two companies have formed with the State of New Hampshire and City of Rochester and their support of our joint effort have contributed immeasurably to the success we celebrate today."

Both companies have made significant investments in the Rochester plant, which features a state-of-the-art industrial design, and the two companies are also building a similar plant in France that will produce the same advanced composites parts for the LEAP engine.

Innovations of Trützschler at ITMA ASIA 2014

On the 600 m² Trützschler stand in hall W2, the four business areas SPINNING, NONWOVENS, MAN-MADE FIBER and CARD CLOTHING, as well as the Chinese TRUETSCHLER TEXTILE MACHINERY SHANGHAI (TTMS), are represented.

TTMS exhibits the Truetzschler Card TC 8, the currently leading card in China in regards to technology. This card has the longest carding section for optimal fiber protection and high performance. Developments such as Setting Optimiser T-Con and the flats system MAGNOTOP are some typical features that make Trützschler cards, like the exhibited TC 8, unique.

The autoleveller Draw Frame TD 8 shown at the stand is equipped with the separately driven SERVO CREEL. The highlights of this machine are the new input sensor DISC LEVELLER and the quality monitoring system with sensor DISC MONITOR.

Spinning

Truetzschler Spinning places emphasis on two machines that have not yet been introduced at a trade fair. The first one is Toyota SUPERLAP TSL 12. This machine for combing preparation is said to deliver laps of the highest quality. Due to the multi-drive system, the speeds of the individual elements can be optimised with utmost sensitivity and precision, the company reports.

The second introduction is the new Integrated Draw Frame IDF 2. Direct spinning of slivers from the machine combination Card TC11 and IDF 2 saves considerable costs and provides a higher yarn quality, according to Truetzschler.

Nonwovens

Truetzschler Nonwovens puts emphasis on the variety of products for nonwovens production. The company offers complete systems ranging from fibre opening to winding of the web for the four web bonding processes (hydroentangling, needling, thermobonding and chemical bonding).

A wet-in-wet process represents a brand new development for such end products as flushable wipes. The technology and design of the production plant was developed with the German company Voith Paper.

Furthermore, information on various tailor-made components will be presented: The new Streamliner dryer realises maximum evaporation rates for hydroentangled webs at minimum energy consumption. Concerning winders, the focus is also on the variety of available inline and offline solutions. An example is the new, energy-efficient automatic surface winder for spunlace materials.

Man-Made Fibres

Truetzschler Man-Made Fibres will exhibit its system competence in the field of staple fibres and filament. This ranges from texturing units for BCF yarns, compact systems, to highly productive two-stage staple fibre lines.

Card Clothing

Truetzschler Card Clothing provides all products and services regarding clothing for cards and roller cards. This also includes special clothing for openers or for opening rollers of rotor spinning machines. This year, TTMS has taken over the marketing and service for opening roller clothing in China. These wires can be used on all types of opening rollers and for a broad variety of applications, the company reports. They are available as Standard and Chemically polished versions.

The Novotop 58 flat top is an invention within the flats product range. It is used in the area of fine combed yarns. The product has been specifically designed for coloured fibres and regenerated fibres for rotor spinning.

Source: Trützschler