Sustainable

The Teijin Group, one of the world's leading suppliers of high-performance fibre, is participating at Technotex 2013, India’s premier exhibition of technical textiles, which will be held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, India this week from 17-19 January. Teijin’s debut appearance at the show will highlight the group’s expanding initiatives to develop the Indian market for high-performance materials.

The International OEKO-TEX Association has reported it is currently working on an optimised, independent certification system for environmentally friendly and socially responsible companies which will replace the current OEKO-TEX Standard 1000, launching this summer.

Its official - the next edition of Techtextil will be bigger than ever before. According to organiser Mess Frankfurt, the number of exhibitor registrations for the trade fair, which will be held in Frankfurt am Main from 11 to 13 June 2013, is already significantly higher than at the comparable time two years ago.

Lycra brand owner Invista has announced that it has joined the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), a group representing more than 60 leading apparel and footwear brands, retailers, suppliers, nonprofits and nongovernmental organisations working to reduce the environmental and social impacts of apparel and footwear products around the world.

Philip Lehner, long-time chairman and CEO of Leigh Fibers, passed away on 5th January at his home in Hingham, Massachusetts. He was 89.

Milliken has announced the launch of Consequence 2.0 and Yarn Storm, two new collections from the global floor covering division. The introductions aim to provide designers with innovative floor covering solutions - to create unique interior aesthetics through multi-dimensional patterning and colour.

At a recent International Press Conference for the Texprocess and Techtextil fairs to be held in Frankfurt in June, Francesco Marchi, Director General of EURATEX, highlighted the importance of the textile and clothing industry, its coming challenges and the role of technical textiles and new processes in the industry. In Mr Marchi stressed the importance of world-class fairs like Techtexil and Texprocess Fairs to the sector.

To learn about how different types of sewing thread can help in the manufacture of specialist technical textile products, as well as with more conventional textiles, readers should visit Texprocess 2013, from 10-13 June and Techtextil 2013, from 11-13 June. The two exhibitions are being held concurrently at Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany.

Clariant has signed an agreement to sell its Textile Chemicals, Paper Specialties and Emulsions businesses to SK Capital. The total consideration of the sale amounts to approximately CHF 502 million, out of which approximately 460 million in cash, equivalent to 6.3 times the estimated full year 2012 recurring EBITDA of those businesses. The divestment has been approved by the Boards of both companies. Subject to regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2013.

Alexium International Group (Alexium) announced it has received its second progress payment on a US Air Force contract this month, with additional progress payments on the contract expected over the next five months. Alexium’s says its financial position is strengthening, based on growing revenues from the US Air Force contract, awarded earlier this year and continued revenues from its commercial roll out of its novel FR nylon treatment.