Sleeptech Magazine July 2020 by istmag

July August 2020 www.sleeptechmagazine.com

www.elektroteks.com.tr

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Boyteks produced antiviral fabric against viruses

Naturepedic raises awareness for baby crib and child mattress safety

Henkel launches comprehensive global solidarity program

“Smart Factory” for technical foam solutions

INDEX ADS Boyteks............................................. Back cover Boyçelik................................ Inside back cover Elektroteks............................. Inside front cover Elektroteks.......................................................... 1 Durak Tekstil....................................................... 2 Comfyteks..................................................... 5-6 Kırayteks............................................................. 7 Nova................................................................... 9 Bedcovers................................................... 10-11 Kozmos............................................................. 17 Bedco............................................................... 19 Asya Örme....................................................... 21 Gemba............................................................ 23 İpeker............................................................... 25 Nerteks............................................................. 27 Feryal................................................................ 29 Histeks............................................................... 31 Akdemir Makina............................................. 33 Nano Yay......................................................... 35 EMS Sünger.................................................40-41 Giz Grup...................................................... 76-77

Lenzing Introduces TENCEL™ Modal Fibers with Eco Pure Technology to Strengthen Sustainability Commitment

“Made in Türkiye” will spread goodness to the world

Turkey’s central bank pledges measures to support postpandemic recovery

COVID-19 to boost demand for Turkish products globally

From The Editor

w w w . s l e e p t e c h m a g a z i n e . c o m

Let’s do it! Let’s hope that everything will be fine.

Let’s think that digital ways will open the way for doing business almost as good as physical ways and will even be more profitable since there will not be travels, international fair attendances, time losses, etc. Let’s believe that we will provide the imports for lower prices and exports for higher; everything to the favor of our company. Let’s work harder to restore what we lost in the early months of the pandemic. Let’s be optimistic about our business colleagues and family members. Let’s feel compassionate about all needy creatures and help everybody we can reach. We had seen changes in trends, technologies, fashions, systems and everything. But this time we are going through a biggest ever change. It affects all… It covers all. It does not only set the trends but sets the rules. It is pandemic forced us to change to a digital world almost completely. Let’s do it well… Let’s play the game with the rules… Let’s digitalize at every phase. More importantly; Let’s pray for the vanishment of the pandemic as soon as possible to open to a safer and more active world. Stay healthy and happy!

Mehmet Soztutan

Publisher

ISTMAG Magazin Gazetecilik Yayıncılık İç ve Dış Ticaret Ltd. Şti. Adına sahibi H. Ferruh IŞIK

Managing Editor (Responsible)

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E-commerce volume totals $20 bln in 2019; it’ll be much more in 2020

In the first five months of this year, especially amid the coronavirus pandemic, the volume of e-commerce reached 63.3 billion Turkish Liras ($9.2 billion). It will certainly be more in the future because of the pandemic and the consumers were accustomed the system. The volume of e-commerce in Turkey amounted to 136 billion Turkish Liras (nearly $20 billion) in 2019, the country’s trade minister said on June 24. During a virtual meeting on Turkey’s Electronic Commerce Information System (ETBIS), Ruhsar Pekcan shared some details of the country’s e-commerce data that is compiled for the first time. In the first five months of this year, especially amid the coronavirus pandemic, the volume of e-commerce reached 63.3 billion

Turkish Liras ($9.2 billion),” Pekcan revealed. This, she said, marks an increase of 48% compared to the same period last year, adding e-commerce food shopping increased six folds during the pandemic. During the period, sectors showing the highest increase in card transactions were white goods and home appliances with 75% increase, clothing, shoes and accessories with 43%, electronics sector and software sector with 53% and 95% rises, respective-

ly. Emphasizing that this data will be the main source in all future analyzes related to the e-commerce, Pekcan said 85% of the country’s total e-commerce volume in 2019 comprised of domestic purchasing, 9% purchase from other countries through Turkish e-commerce sites, and 6% of Turkish citizens shopped from overseas. Pekcan pointed out that currently a total of 68,457 businesses continue their e-commerce activities.

Boyteks produced antiviral fabric against viruses A lot of products such as masks, protective clothing, gowns, gloves and mattresses against viruses with its antiviral fabric developed by Boyteks, which always stands out with its innovative works. More than 100 kinds of bedding fabrics with different innovative features are produced at Boyteks AŞ, a textile company operating in Kayseri Organized Industrial Zone, within the body of Erciyes Anadolu Holding, managed by the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF). While bedding fabrics are exported to all over the world, an antiviral feature fabric has been developed, which is stated to be effective against viruses in order to contribute to the new type of coronavirus (Kovid-19) epidemic process.

Boyteks AŞ General Manager Mehmet Yıldız stated in his statement to AA correspondent that they exported to 105 countries from Kayseri last year and had a sectoral share of approximately 10 percent in the global market. Yıldız, who said, “1 in every 10 beds in the world is produced with our fabrics,” explained that they met the fabric needs of largest global

mattress manufacturers from the USA to Chile, from Japan to China. Yıldız emphasized that they have invested heavily in technology and R&D studies and said: “When the epidemic started in China, we were brainstorming with our R&D teams to answer ‘how we can use our innovative experience, how we can contribute to this process.” We worked on the fabrics with our know-how and R&D experience about ‘how to neutralize the virus.’ The antiviral fabrics we have developed as a result of our studies will have a wide range of uses. “

“The protein and fat layers of the viruses on the fabric deteriorate” Boyteks R&D Manager Özkan Yıldızhan reminded that they have had significant production on hygiene textile in recent years and that they had done an important study on “Zika virus” in 2017. Stating that they had prepared and succeeded in a fabric project to eliminate this virus that had appeared in South America, Yıldızhan also said, “We used particles with high antiviral properties on the textile surface. We applied these particles to our fabrics with a special polymer technology and special processes we formed a hygienic surface. “ “We got the test reports from Germany” Yıldızhan gave the following information about the antiviral fabric they developed: “The protein and oil layers of the viruses that come on the antiviral fabric we have developed are deteriorating. The virus automatically becomes

inactive. Thus, a more hygienic textile surface is formed. One of the most important points after producing the fabric is the test process. There are a number of test methods according to international textile standards, this particular one is an international standard called ISO 18184. It is a method of testing antiviral textile materials. We received the test reports from Germany. Later, it was reported by Erciyes University that the product development studies, test methods and test results were realized in accordance with the standards. “

Patent application Stating that they have completed the process in this way, Yıldızhan said, “At this point, we have made our patent application about the production with antiviral textile fabric to the Turkish Patent and Trademark Institution about 1 month ago. It is now registered.” Yildizhan added that they would be aiming to deliver this product to their customers quickly within a planning, which they consider as a project in the framework of social responsibility.

Malouf™ earns Multiple Graphic Design USA Awards

LOGAN—Malouf™ announced that it was presented with three American Package Design Awards from Graphic Design USA (GDUSA). Malouf™ was recognized in the CBD and Cannabis category for its CBD pillow packaging and the Private Label and Luxury categories for its private-label packaging projects. When developing the CBD Pillow, Malouf’s graphic design and product development teams selected a product color that coordinates with the company’s existing product line. Both departments then chose an all-natural cotton package with button closures and a sewn-on patch to highlight the organic nature of

the product. Finally, the graphic design team strategically placed all messaging on the packaging to cement a consistent product story. Director of the Malouf™ graphic design department Olivia Godfrey explained, “We did a lot of research across industries to see how existing CBD products were portraying themselves. Our goal was to create something that appeals both to consumers seeking out CBD and those learning about its benefits for the first time.” Malouf™ also received two American Package Design Awards for its mattress protector and pillow packaging, created

for two separate private-label programs. Each packaging concept features a unique structure, sleek design and callouts that highlight the product’s premium features. “With our Malouf™ product line, we continually push the envelope with packaging design and storytelling—but our innovation doesn’t end there, “ said VP of Sales Mike Douglas. “We bring the same energy and in-house creativity to our private-label and white-label programs. Ultimately, we seek to offer the best merchandising solutions in the industry to help our partners attract more customers and increase sales.”

Kozmos Tekstil keeps pace with the crisis 16

A leading manufacturer of mattresses, mattress covers and similar digitally printed products, Kozmos Tekstil is known for its innovation, vast experience and reliability in business. As every company over the globe, Kozmos also faced the challenge of coronavirus and took necessary measures to cope with the pandemic situation. Its main concern was taking care of the health of its staff and meeting demands in retail and wholesale business. We asked the details of the operations of Kozmos to Ă&#x2013;mer KarÄąĹ&#x;man, technology manager of the company.

What is the biggest challenge you have been facing these days? During the pandemic and the resulting self-isolation terms our business, like many others, was tested in the hardest environments. What is happening is one of the most global events we have seen in our lifespan. Our biggest challenge was to maintain our fulfillment promises to both our retail and wholesale

customers while understaffed and facing a logistics crisis. International shipping options and prices have changed overnight while demand increased.

Have you been re-organized for working in terms of production, logistics and distribution? I am proud to say that we were fully prepared for a case of remote work and shift man-

agement. We have pioneered in introducing work-from-home thanks to all the precautions and proactive decisions. During such unimaginably big and chaotic situations it is very hard to succeed with reactive decisions. Still, the fine balance of protecting health while maintaining job security was very hard each and every day. I must add that even though we were prepared, it was only to some extent. Having every variable change in production, logistics and distribution was difficult. We are still operating with essential personnel on premises.

Are there any changes in preprogrammed projects and objectives, such as fairs, export operations, solutions, etc.? We are re-evaluating our exhibition program. We expect low attendance in the foreseeable future. Is there any message you would like to underline? I must emphasize the impor-

tance of an online presence, now more than ever. Especially the mattress industry is just exploring the potential of ecommerce. With offline shopping experience being limited, demand for online shopping hugely increased. A significant portion of this increase was new market penetration.

Seeing opportunities in the crisis 18

More efficient business through optimized site planning: Tangible added value for the visitors and exhibitors of interzum The world is in motion more than ever in the light of the current situation, but it is also certain that there is going to be business after the crisis too. Trade fairs will have a special significance here, because they serve as a driver and trendsetter for an industry. Beyond this, trade fairs also create space and encounters that cannot be depicted virtually. “Leading international trade fairs

like interzum are pure energy, which enfolds when people get together, engage in a personal and emotional exchange and ultimately result in business,” stated Matthias Pollmann, Vice President, Trade Fair Management, Koelnmesse. “This is why we are getting ready unabatedly for interzum 2021, because we intend to continue the success story of interzum,” the Vice President added. The

high interest in interzum is also reflected by the current registration status. Good twelve months before the next interzum opens its doors on 4 May 2021, the clear form of the new concept is visible: The hall allocation has been optimized with the addition of the exhibition hall 1plus, supplier segments have been grouped together and the homogeneous

structures revitalized. Most conspicuously the new hall, 1plus, which is being integrated into the trade fair concept for the first time in 2021 for the segment “Materials & Nature”. However, this new exhibition hall is just one aspect of an even more deeply-founded structure optimization of the exhibition space: The spatial consolidation of the exhibition segments enables the exhibitors to present themselves more cohesively in line with the focus of their offers. The consequences: A significant increase in the efficiency and quality for the trade fair visitors and thus more successful contacts, facilitated business and faster transactions. The foundation was already laid for the new concept at interzum 2019: with the integration of Hall 10.1 a closed hall connection, a kind of “strip” from Hall 9, to 10.1 through to the levels 1 and 2 of Hall 11 was created in the section “Textile & Machinery”. As such, the suppliers for mattress production, fabrics and material processing were located on one connected visitor aisle. This type of visitor guiding will also apply in future for the segment “Materials & Nature”. The Halls 6, 4.2, 5.2 and 1plus form a further connected area. The attractiveness of this planning has convinced many exhibitors so far to apply for the coming interzum at an early stage – and happily not just existing, loyal customers, but also global players, who haven’t been represented in Cologne before such as Financiera Maderera, S.A. or Yildiz Entegre. The section “Function & Components” is also benefitting from the new hall concept, namely in addition to its main focus lying in Halls 7 and 8, it will

Matthias Pollmann Vice President Trade Fair Management

have a second hotspot in Hall 10.2. Thanks to the concentration on just two centers for the fittings section, the visitors will be spared a lot of walking in the spring of 2021, which means they can engage in their planned business dialogues quickly and directly. Of course, in a year’s time the component suppliers for the office furniture industry will once again be placed as a closed group. With the relocation from Hall 5.2 to Hall 5.1, the site optimization will enable the success model for this homogenous group to continue. “I am convinced that we are taking a major step forward with our comprehensively optimized site plan. Our international leading trade fair has also been adapted in this aspect to secure the satisfaction and business success of our exhib-

itors and visitors. And with a view to imminent changes in the trade fair business, we intend to sustainably enhance the foundation of interzum precisely at this period in time to ensure a high appeal long-term and raise interzum’s profile,” concluded Matthias Pollmann, Vice President, Trade Fair Management, Koelnmesse.

Biocrystal® wins “20 PLUS 20” Annual list award of interzum guangzhou

Biocrystal® - stress relief technology named the winner of “20 PLUS 20” - Annual List award given by the interzum Guangzhou, as an outstanding furniture accessory. Natural, effective and scientifically validated, Biocrystal® is a blend of natural crystals, precisely selected, mixed and crushed - ready to be implemented into the wide range of furniture, bedding, textile and other products for everyday use. As a component that answers the biggest market demands by relieving stress Biocrystal®

is a solution the most common problem of people today. Outstanding features of Biocrystal® technology placed this product to the top 20 most influential innovative furniture accessories accolade for 2019/20, according to “20 PLUS 20” annual list award. This prestigious award is established and given by the Interzum Guangzhou,

2019-2020 Asia’s most influential trade fair for the furniture production, woodworking machinery and interior décor, with more than 1500 exhibiting companies from 35 countries and regions. “We are so proud to be recognised as an outstanding furniture accessory by an established industry’s opinion maker such as interzum Guangzhou. This award comes as an homage to the years of hard work and our devotion to establish a trend of an active treatment to the bedding, furniture and textile industry, by introducing Biocrystal® - stress relief technology”, said Mrs Vesna Pavletic, founder of the BC Tech company, the innovator and provider of Biocrystal® technology. Considering the role of innovative technologies in today’s industry, BC Tech’s Managing director, Mr Zlatko Karajic said: “If you trust the devastating world statistics regarding stress and its overall impact to health of people globally, you will understand the important role of Biocrystal® technology within the modern society. Furniture, bedding and textile manufacturers today need to offer more than just comfort, they need to provide an active treatment

with a result to its customers. This is exactly where Biocrystal® steps in as the stress relief technology with an easy implementation process. For me, the interzum’s award is a great honour and another confirmation we successfully recognised the need.” Biocrystal® technology is chosen to the top 20 most technologically innovative furniture accessories by Mr. Dick Spierenburg, who is an internation-

ally renowned designer and member of the interzum Award jury, together with the judging committee. To all the exhibitors and visitors of this year’s interzum Guangzhou: Biocrystal® will be exposed at the special display, together with other awarded products, at the entrance of International Hall 15.1. from 27 to 30 July 2020 in Guangzhou, China.

Naturepedic raises awareness for baby crib and child mattress safety Leading organic nontoxic mattress company Naturepedic educates on the chemical, allergenic, physical, hygienic and breathability elements needed for maximum mattress safety.

CHAGRIN FALLS, OHIO (PRWEB) – June’s National Safety Month puts child safety in the spotlight, as U.S. certified organic mattress and bedding manufacturer, Naturepedic, drives education and awareness around the various safety issues to look out for in crib and children’s mattresses. Their proprietary 5-Step Safety Check is a simple way for consumers to make sure they are checking all the boxes when they are purchasing a mattress for their babies and children.

• Chemical Safety • Allergenic Safety • Physical Safety • Hygienic Safety • Breathability Safety For Barry A. Cik, a 40-year veteran environmental engineer and founder of Naturepedic, inventing a safer, nontoxic, organic crib mattress that supersedes conventional quality and raises the bar on chemical safety standards was

the driving force behind starting Naturepedic in 2003. “The unfortunate reality is that many mattresses on the market, including many baby and children’s mattresses, are made with toxic and questionable chemicals, including dangerous flame retardants and/or flame barriers, and, as well, with vinyl, phthalates, PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals), PFAS, formaldehyde, pesticides, GMOs, glues/adhesives, and more,” says Cik. “Babies today are born into a polluted world, and the more we can help parents understand the impact that toxic chemicals can have on their development and overall health, the more equipped they will be to make the necessary changes, “ comments Amy Ziff, Founder and Executive Director of MADE SAFE®, “That’s why we released our latest Healthy Pregnancy Guideand why we applaud and feature brands like Naturepedic who are always raising the bar for the highest safety standards possible.” Another important safety issue in baby mattresses is allergenic safety. Cik warns that consumers should be weary of crib mattresses made with latex, especially as the FDA cautions that latex may cause allergenic reactions. “Approximately 6-8% of people, including babies, are allergic to latex, so the only responsible course of action is to keep them away from it. Latex includes the use of coir (shredded coconut husks), which is always mixed with latex,” comments Cik. When it comes to the physical safety of a child, Cik explains this means “having proper firmness across the entire mattress, including at the edges, to ensure sufficient support. The problem is that many crib mattresses, even if firm in the middle, are mushy at the edg-

es, which doesn’t provide the stable support that a toddler needs when standing at the edge of a crib and jumping up and down.” Hygienic safety is vitally important too, because a baby mattress is expected to last for years, and it must remain hygienic constantly. “The only way to really do that is to waterproof the mattress. The problem is that waterproofing is generally done with toxic chemicals or toxic plastics,” comments Cik. The Clean Production Action, as well as Greenpeace, have evaluated various plastics and have concluded

that polyethylene is the safest. The Naturepedic food-grade waterproofing criteria, which also meets FDA standard for food-contact, takes it a step further by using non-GMO sugarcane to make the food-grade polyethylene. Breathability is, of course, also basic and extremely critical. To begin with, Naturepedic follows pediatric guidelines to make baby mattress surfaces firm, because proper support requires a firm mattress. With proper firmness, the baby’s head cannot sink into the mattress when

the baby is face down. In addition, Naturepedic offers air-flow covers which increases air-flow surrounding the baby, allows the baby to breathe directly through the breathable surface, and allows heat to escape. “Lessons from the ongoing Covid-19 crisis include a new understanding of how we are all interconnected and a heightened awareness of the importance of choices for environmental safety,” comments Susan Ingles, Executive Director, Sustainable Furnishings Council, “Given how often furnishings introduce harmful chemicals and other unsustainable materials into our home environments, now it is more important than ever to make conscientious, safe choices. Perhaps the most important place to start is in the nursery, eliminating the harmful and questionable chemicals in baby and children’s mattresses that our children sleep on for twelve to even fifteen hours every day.” Naturepedic proudly combines their five-step safety measures to help keep babies and children safe, while maintaining the most stringent safety certifications, recommendations, awards, and advocacy associations available in the marketplace. “My greatest wish is to eradicate all the health issues that we’re seeing with our babies and children. By eliminating chemicals and questionable materials and replacing them with safer and more non-toxic materials, while ensuring that we provide for allergenic safety, physical safety, hygienic and breathability safety, we are making it easier for parents to make informed choices for their children’s wellbeing,” states Cik.

Lenzing demonstrates its environmental responsibility and sustainability approach The Lenzing Group stands for ecologically responsible production of specialty fibers made from the renewable raw material wood.

During the pandemic process we are going through, the nature has started to refresh itself. However, when everything returns to normal, our natural resources will continue to deplete due to increase in the world population and changing consumption habits. Now both manufacturers and consumers need to take more responsibility to

pass on these resources to future generations. We see that in this process we are going through, we need to increase our environmental awareness a bit more. With this awareness, people will choose their clothings as well as the food and materials they use with delicate care in the coming days. Companies and brands that pay

more attention to such consumer demands and want to contribute to a sustainable world will set more premium on environmentally friendly production. With this awareness, Lenzing Group integrates a sustainability approach to the company’s activities at every stage, asking everyone to use natural resources optimally and choose environmentally friendly products so that the needs of future generations can be met.

“Sustainability is in Lenzing’s DNA” “Lenzing Group has proved to be an eco-friendly company in all the countries it operates. Today, an environmentally responsible and sustainable production is more attracting to consumers than ever before. Both manufacturers and consumers should take responsibility in this process. With increasing awareness about environment, now people pay more attention to considering the environmental impacts of the products they

use in daily life when choosing them, ranging from food to wet wipes and diapers, from sanitary pads to clothing, On the other hand, the companies and brands that pay more attention to such consumer demands and want to contribute to a sustainable world tend to set premium on environmentally friendly production. At Lenzing, we endeavor to address the awareness of consumers with a wide product range, like clothing in the textile industry with our biodegradable and compostable fiber brands of botanic origin TENCEL ™, LENZING ™ ECOVERO ™, and personal care products in the nonwoven industry, such as wipes and facial sheet masks with our VEOCEL ™ brand”, says Miray Demirer Acar, Marketing Communication & Branding Manager Turkey, Middle East and Africa of the Lenzing Group.

A sustainable world for the future With VEOCEL™ as a premium brand for daily care, Lenzing

supplies the nonwoven industry with fibers that are are certified clean and safe, biodegradable, from botanic origin, and produced in an environmentally responsible process. VEOCEL ™ branded fibers are used in a wide range of products in baby care, beauty and body care, intimate care and surface cleaning. TENCEL™ is the textile premium brand under the Lenzing Group, covering textile specialty product offerings derived from renewable wood sources and defining a new evolutionary step on sustainability and natural comfort. LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose fibers are produced from sustainable wood and pulp coming from certified and controlled sources with an environmentally friendly production process that meets high environmental standards. With the motto ““Don’t Let The Colors of Nature Disappear”, LENZING ™ ECOVERO ™ Viscose fibers assure you that your choice of fashion is environmentally responsible and has low environmental impacts.

Elektroteks strictly manages its operations with measures against pandemic situation

As one of the most leading mattress manufacturing and exporting companies of Turkey, Elektorteks takes utmost care for its employees and customers on the one hand, it meets the requirements of the industry with an exemplary organization. Elektroteks is an innovative and powerful mattress manufacturing line manufacturer. It has an excellent flexibility when developing machinery according to rising demands in the industry. It showed an impressive flexibility in coping with the virus crisis with excellent precautions by reorganizing its staff and operations. We asked the details of these works to Baran Ozis, sales engineer at the company.

What is the biggest challenge you have been facing these days? Elektroteks has been following

current developments and news in the World as well as WHO from the very beginning of this unprecedented pandemic out break. We have been giving tremendous effort to be conscientious in terms of understanding virus spread mechanism and precautions for that. We completely re-organized working hours for every single crew in our facility and mandate them to obey some physical rules.

Have you been re-organized for working in terms of production, logistics and distribution? For sure! Otherwise, it is hard to be survival. It is still dependent to humanity not to let World to turn into post-apocalyptical world. You cannot get away by ignoring

how important is this contagious disease and organizing became business management challenge amongst the companies for whom think it is serious condition. We have reduced our production volume by nearly 50 percent and let most of the staff to work remotely at home and arranged our employees to be at the factory site in days following consecutive day offs. No one is allowed to sit next to each other in the shuttles in the mornings and at the end of the days. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve isolated some units from each other during the day and closed pathways and corridors in the building. Social distancing is a key element especially

for the lunch and tea breaks, our staff is instructed to keep 1.5 meter distance each other. I believe that we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to mention about masks and put hand sanitizers in every unit. Company cars are cleaned every single day. No one is in company allowed to start shift without their fever is being inspected with contactless thermometer. We have faced some restrictions in terms of product supply for sure like everyone did. Some of our customers had to postpone their deliveries. In the meantime, Elektroteks service team conducted remote installation to our customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s factory for delivered equipment.

How do you evaluate the role of associations you were in during this period? Who were with you during this troublesome period? Turkish government financially act supportive during this transition era and did not let companies to fall apart as much as they can do. This help should be continued since pandemic is not over yet and authorities portrays it will last long. There still are certain labor loss in industry.

Are there any changes in preprogrammed projects and objectives, such as fairs, export operations, solutions, etc.? We are very fond of international fairs and full-time participant of them but as current situation points out that is not even a chance to hold an international organization across the globe, we will most likely conduct our market relations individually apart from exhibitions. As you may know ISPA 2020 has been postponed and eventually canceled. Elektroteks will stay tuned in act according to latest situation. We remain at entire disposal of our customers and collaborate for export operations. Still, regulations and restriction may instantaneously change on borders and we try to stay up to date with going on news. Is there any message you would like to underline? Well, this is very challenging time for all the World and obviously it is not going to disappear in the short term. In the meantime, managers should encourage their employees to work by motivating psychologically. And precautions that we have done so far in our site due to corona, will most likely remain solid and daily rules are not even going to be violated for long term. We highly recommend the same for everyone and stay precautious.

Adhesives & Bonding Expo measures the Impact of Covid-19 on the Foam and Adhesives & Bonding Industries

Foam Expo is the right place to source the latest technologies and manufacturing innovations to stay ahead of your competitors. It is the best venue to discover new solutions to solve your manufacturing challenges and optimize your products. It is also the best place to meet over 500 specialist suppliers form all sectors of the foam and adhesive supply chains. The show is an ideal place to learn

the latest trends challenges and opportunities experts at free-toattend conferences. During the period between April 16, 2020 and May 6, 2020, Foam Expo and the Adhesives & Bonding Expo reached out to its community of end-users and OEMs, foam and adhesives manufacturers, converters and fabricators, raw material and chemical suppliers, to understand how the Covid-19 pan-

demic is having an impact on their businesses, and what the effects and consequences may be for the supply chain in the longer term. Through an anonymous online survey, 224 industry professionals shared their insight and sentiment during that challenging time. The organizers of the show arranged a comprehensive report with the results of the survey which benchmarks the

status of the foam and adhesives & bonding supply chains. They invited a panel of four industry experts to review the results in a live webinar and discuss the current status of the market and how they view the future of the industries. Some of the points they made were included in the report. The survey is representative of the whole supply chain as there is a relatively even spread in responses from different tiers, though it is worth pointing out that the majority of the respondents seem to be in some kind of leadership role either as manager or senior executive, which makes up 85% of the total.

fore the outbreak: 74% of the organizations either performed in-line with projections or were sustainably performing beyond projections. Segmentation of the results into the specific tiers in the supply chain shows a similar pattern across all categories. In addition, a majority of 59% work for small to medium sized companies (up to a size of 500 employees) and are predominantly based in North America (84%) as only 9% indicated to be based in Europe and 4% said they were based in Asia Pacific. The remaining 3% is based in Latin America and Africa. The majority of respondents indicated their companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth was performing well be-

Automotive, construction and packaging were the top performing markets before the pandemic. The report of Adhesives & Bonding Expo details the impact of the pandemic by months and offers valuable information about the industry as below: Given the spread of the virus from the end of December 2019 throughout China and the rest

of East Asia, some business already started noticing economic impact before the virus outbreak was declared a pandemic by the WHO on March 11, 2020. Although only 9% of the total respondents indicated to have started noticing an impact as early as January, nearly a quarter (23%) of end-users / OEMs / component manufacturers said they started noticing the impact during this month. A fifth of the total respondents started noticing the economic impact in February: it consisted of 29% of the testing and engineering services, 22% of the suppliers of chemicals / raw materials / additives and 21% of the foam and adhesives & bonding manufacturers. 65% of all organizations indicate March as the month they started to feel the economic impact. On March 11, 2020, President Trump suspended nearly all foreign travel as a response to the WHOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s categorization of the disease as a pandemic and most states had entered lockdown by the end of the month. A majority of converters and fabricators (72%), foam and adhesives and bonding manufacturers (66%), chemicals / raw materials / additives suppliers (64%) and end-user / OEMs / component manufacturers (57%) all started to take a hit during this time. Only 7% of organizations are saying they were not yet experiencing any economic impact at the time of the survey, within this group a third are foam and adhesives manufacturers and a fifth converter / fabricators.

Looking ahead â&#x20AC;&#x201C; how will Covid-19 impact the future of the Foam and Adhesives & Bonding Supply Chain In order to get some insight into how the pandemic has affected business priorities and investment strategies for companies within the foam adhesives supply chains we asked the respondents to indicate how their businesses prioritized certain activities before the pandemic, which activities continued during the pandemic, and how much strategic investment they expect for these activities over the next 24 months. Prior to the outbreak of the pandemic in March, the foam and adhesives & bonding supply chain prioritized the following business activities: corporate sustainability, new product development and launching products, sales and account management, R&D, and marketing and business development.

During the pandemic, most business activities were down to minimal operationality, although sales and account management as well as marketing and business development continued on reduced activity levels. Looking ahead, industry professionals expect that sales and account management and marketing and business development will become more important in future investment strategies. It seems the supply chain will mainly be consolidating their manufacturing activities as respondents expect that there will be slightly less investment in hiring and developing talent, expanding manufacturing capacities and mergers & acquisitions.

Future outlook on business plans While much will remain uncertain for the ongoing future, it is important to look ahead to how the industry can and will recover from this period of severe

disruption. Our respondents do expect increased investment in sales and account management, and marketing and business development, undoubtably to try and recover the losses brought on by the crisis. When asked about the top challenges in ensuring business continuity, respondents indicated that a reduction in orders and sales is the biggest challenge for their business at present. Otherwise, it seems the supply chain is relatively robust in their ability to deliver raw materials and fulfilling & delivering orders. This is reinforced by the results of the sentiment poll. The majority of the respondents feel there is enough inventory and availability of materials and components to continue production in the event of a prolonged disruption in the supply chain. They are less optimistic regarding the impact on a businessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; revenue. As economies globally are taking a hit and supply chains and demand have slowed down, it is difficult to say how the impact on revenue will develop in the coming months, though the rise in demand within the medical and pharma sectors, and the fact that many companies through-

out the supply chain are able to continue their manufacturing activities, offers many new opportunities. Finally, we investigated sentiment towards their employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handling of the crisis and the impact on their own work life. On average, respondents indicated to be optimistic regarding their employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preparedness to the outbreak of the pandemic, as well as its communications to employees and customers. They do not feel that working remotely has impacted their personal situation much, such as keeping up productivity while working from home and maintaining a work-life balance. Of course, it must be noted that the majority of respondents are in a leadership role themselves. However, 23% of the respondents do feel that there was room for improvement. When asked to elaborate if their organization could have done to better prepare for the outbreak some of their feedback included: better support for working from home, better and faster communication, contingency plans, better availability of virtual tools, identifying which customers were vulnerable for shutdown, embracing technology sooner, stock PPE and to not keep inventory levels so tight. Having said that, an overwhelming majority of 77% of the respondents think that their organization couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have done anything else to better prepare for a black swan event like this pandemic.

Ankara eyes sustainable, balanced trade with Beijing

Turkey wants to make its trade with China more sustainable and balanced by enabling high value-added exports, Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan said.

Europe via land and maritime networks along six corridors to improve regional integration, increasing trade and stimulating economic growth.

Pekcan made the comments after holding a phone call with her Chinese counterpart Zhong Shan.

“Some 28,243 tons of freighter was loaded through Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway during the coronavirus pandemic, while it was 4,200 tons per month in January,” Pekcan said.

The duo discussed bilateral trade, use of local currencies in trade, Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, agricultural exports and the agenda of a joint economic commission. They also addressed World Trade Organization reforms, customs issues, cooperation in civil aviation, specialized free zones and the facilitation of commercial visas. Pekcan said Turkey could become an ideal regional hub for China’s global companies, thanks to its quality human capital, a customs union with the European Union and a flexible incentive system for investors.

She brought Turkey’s free-trade zones, specializing in research and development, high-tech and high value-added activities to the Chinese minister’s attention. Pekcan invited Chinese firms to invest in these zones as Turkey aims to speed up international cooperation and become a global hub. Pekcan added that Ankara was also ready to cooperate on the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s ambitious development program to connect Asia with Africa and

Bilateral trade volume between Turkey and China surged to $21.6 billion (TL 147 billion) in 2019, up from $1.1 billion in 2001, she added. Pekcan said China could purchase specific products, such as motor vehicles, medical equipment, electrical machinery and agricultural products, from Turkey for better quality and under favorable conditions. “We’re ready to cooperate with China in those fields,” she added.

Spoon Sleep uses ‘Pillar Technology’ to offer an adaptive sleep system for all sleep positions Pillars and individual coil system work together to not just provide back and lumbar support, but to create comfort, cushioning and positioning.

CHICAGO (PRWEB) – Proudly designed and made in the USA, Spoon Sleep wakes a slumbering industry with a mattress featuring innovative, industrial-strength foam pillars (patent pending) and strategically placed premium coil systems to comfort and cushion in every sleep position. These technologies support shoulders, back and hips,

adapting to each person’s sleep preferences and movements during the night, and offer balance and peace for different types of sleepers nestled together. Backed by its 100-night trial, Spoon is built for every sleep position, ensuring adaptive support to create comfort and cushioning. Spoon Sleep helps all kinds of sleepers achieve the health benefits of restful sleep, especially

as people spend more time at home and in their beds this summer. The pillars and coil system work together to allow enough give for back and stomach sleepers for full contact along the spine. Back sleepers get enough cushion for their backsides to sink in so the lower part of the spine remains in contact with the mattress, and stomach sleepers get enough support for their hips to allow the back to be comfortable all night long. For side-sleepers, the pillars create a supportive space for the shoulders and hips for proper spinal support, avoiding tightness or pain in the necks, shoulders, or hips by

giving pressure points room to sink in. Spoon Sleep is designed with both Rely foam and Serene foam which are durable and engineered to be dense and responsive, eliminating body impressions while remaining comfortably soft with a 10-year limited warranty. With the convenience of front door delivery, the bed-in-a-box mattress provides the best-in-class support and comfort for back, stomach, or side sleepers. “Sleep is the catalyst of how we function and contributes to our overall health,” says Spoon Sleep. “We like describing Spoon as a slightly firmer but still a responsive sleep system that will make a difference in how you feel all day long. What’s especially beneficial is that each person in bed can still have a comfortable sleep based on his or her weight distribution and sleep position. That’s hard to find when searching for a new mattress.” The 13” mattress features CertiPUR-US certified 1835 Base foam, 913 Quantum Edge Elite, Serene foam, patented pillar technology, Rely foam, and cool touch cover. Spoon Sleep recommends a 30-day adjustive period for the spine to realign and offers a convenient 100-night trial to feel the body’s response difference before purchase. Check out Spoon Sleep’s website for more information: https://www.spoonsleep.com/

Henkel launches comprehensive global solidarity program

Henkel has announced a comprehensive global solidarity program to support employees, customers and communities facing the global COVID-19 pandemic. The program consists of: Donation to WHO/UN Foundation fund and other organizations: An amount of two million euros will be donated to different funds and organizations to help fight the pandemic. The Fritz Henkel Foundation will donate one million euros directly to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) Foundation. This donation will help to provide protective equipment for frontline health workers, equip

diagnostic laboratories, improve data collection and analysis, establish and maintain intensive care units as well as to accelerate research and development of potential vaccines and therapeutics. In addition, one million euros will be distributed by the Fritz Henkel Foundation globally to different organizations and partners as well as to support the personal commitment and voluntary engagement of employees fighting the crisis. Donation of personal and

household hygiene products: Henkel will also donate 5 million units of personal and household hygiene products globally. This includes hand sanitizers, soaps and protective equipment as well as detergents, disinfectants and other household cleaning products. Henkel’s corporate citizenship team will implement these donations in close coordination with charity organizations, local authorities and partners around the world. Shifting production facilities to produce disinfectants: In addition, Henkel plans to produce disinfectants in selected production sites. The products are intended to help public institutions and professional groups in the fight against the coronavirus. Improved payment terms for selected business partners: Henkel will also consider improved payment terms for small

and mid-sized hairdressers to support them during the current challenging situation. Ongoing crisis management and safety measures for employees: Since the onset of the crisis, Henkel has addressed the situation proactively through its crisis management teams on country, regional and global level. The primary objective of the crisis management is to do everything possible to ensure the safety of employees, customers and business partners and to maintain operations under these challenging circumstances. “At Henkel, we are committed to help addressing this un-

precedented challenge. In line with our values, we want to make a contribution through a comprehensive global solidarity program,” said Carsten Knobel, Chief Executive Officer of Henkel. “We stand united in our fight against the pandemic, striving to protect our employees and their jobs, serving our customers and supporting the communities in which we operate.” “I would also like to thank our global and local crisis teams which have been active since the coronavirus began to spread. For our employees who continue to work on site to maintain our operations we have taken extra measures to reduce infection risks. For example, strict protocols in case of suspected infections, increased hygiene, separating shifts and reducing the number of employees working on site by requesting home office work wherever possible.”

Soft-Tex International expands antimicrobial treated bedding products with expanded Trademark License Agreement and new collection of Ultra-Fresh Technologies New agreement expands Soft-Tex’s use of Ultra-Fresh antimicrobial technologies to many end uses in new product categories including memory foam pillows, mattress pads, protection products, and mattress toppers.

WATERFORD, N.Y. (PRWEB) – Soft-Tex International is pleased to announce it has entered into an expanded trademark license agreement with Thomson Research Associates, Inc. (TRA) for new end uses of Ultra-Fresh antimicrobials to be used in SoftTex’s new collection of BioPEDIC® Fresh & Clean bedding products.

Expanded Trademark License Agreement The new expanded trademark agreement extends Soft-Tex’s long

standing use of Ultra-Fresh treated fiberfill to also include treated fabrics for end uses across multiple bedding product categories including: memory foam pillows, mattress pads, pillow and mattress protectors, and mattress toppers. Ultra-Fresh treated fabrics provide built-in odor control and antimicrobial protection. All new products are lab tested using the AATCC-100 method to protect the product by inhibiting the growth of 99% of tested odor and stain-causing bacteria.

“We’re proud to expand our long-standing relationship with TRA and our use of Ultra-Fresh branded antimicrobial treatments in our bedding products. Ultra-Fresh antimicrobial technologies deliver on the features consumers want and the technology is perfectly aligned to our fresh and clean national brand, BioPEDIC®” said Chris Marsh, Soft-Tex’s Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. “Through our expanded partnership, we are delighted to continue adding value to Soft-Tex’s growing BioPEDIC® product line with the addition of our Ultra-Fresh antimicrobial treatments, creating cleaner and fresher products together” added Sonia Poropat, Corporate Development Strategist for TRA.

New Ultra-Fresh Antimicrobial Treated Products The new products will be merchandised under Soft-Tex’s BioPEDIC® national brand which boasts several award-winning products treated with Ultra-Fresh antimicrobials like the BioPEDIC 4-Pack Bed Pillows with BuiltIn Ultra-Fresh Anti-Odor Tech-

nology which is recognized as “Amazon’s Choice” and named to numerous “Best Pillow” lists like Better Homes and Garden’s Best Pillows of 2020. The new collection of Ultra-Fresh treated products will launch under Soft-Tex’s BioPEDIC® national brand in Q3 2020 and MSRPs for the new collection are $29.99 for memory foam pillows, $19.99-$34.99 for protectors, $39.99-$69.99 for the mattress pad, and $64.99-$119.99 for the mattress topper.

Antimicrobial Bedding is in Demand In Soft-Tex’s recent 2020 Bedding Buyer Pulse Survey, 78% of retailers surveyed reported a positive trend for antimicrobial treated bedding products and consumer search volume for antimicrobial has spiked with Google Trends data showing a 3-4x lift in intensity this quarter vs. the average for the previous 16 years.

Devan adds multivitamin ® blend to R-Vital range for immunity-boosting properties RONSE, BELGIUM – Textile innovator Devan is launching a new blend in addition to its R-Vital® range of active ingredients. The new ‘multivitamin’ blend consists of vitamin C, vitamin E and ginger and is developed for immunity-boosting properties.

“COVID-19 makes us feel more concerned than usual about staying strong and healthy”, says Devan CEO Sven Ghyselinck. “Scientists discovered SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019, but most of our immune systems had never heard of the virus. While we wait for a vaccine, we need to rely on our bodies to fight off the virus and build up our line of defense. A balanced immune system is crucial

and depends on how healthy we are, both mentally and physically.” The new multivitamin blend is part of the R-Vital® range. R-Vital® is a fabric treatment that enables textile manufacturers to boost their textiles with a range of microencapsulated active ingredients. The technology was first launched at Heimtextil in 2018 with active ingredients including Q10, Thyme oil, Aloe Vera, and

more. The fabric treatment is based on microencapsulation. Active ingredients are encapsulated and applied to the fabric. The treated textiles touch our skin and the friction causes the microcapsules to break. Then, the active ingredients are absorbed by our skin and transported throughout the body. Since its launch in 2018, Devan has continuously added new ingredients such as CBD, Avocado and Echinacea. This week, the company added a multivitamin blend in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The blend contains vitamin C, vitamin E and ginger and is designed for immunity-boosting properties. A recent study found that dietary supplements such as vitamin C are effective in helping the immune system fight off COVID-19. The research was carried out by Adrian Gombart of Oregon State University‘s (OSU) Linus Pauling Institute and collaborators at the University of Southampton (United Kingdom), the University of Otago (New Zealand) and University Medical Center (The Netherlands), and

findings have been published in the journal Nutrients. “Vitamin C has roles in several aspects of immunity, including the growth and function of immune cells and antibody production”, says Adrian Gombart, professor of biochemistry and biophysics in the OSU College of Science and a principal investigator at the Linus Pauling Institute. According to Business Unit Manager Marleen van der Auwera, there’s more: “Vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it protects skin cells from damaging free

radicals caused by UV exposure. Vitamin E is an antioxidant as well, and may help protect your cells from damage. We also included ginger in the blend because it’s known for its anti-inflammatory properties.” “We have also learned from the lockdown that consumers increasingly invest in Health & Wellness- related textile products”, Ghyselinck adds. “Brands who are into smart digital marketing, have shown that these products can generate successful and profitable business”.

“Smart Factory” for technical foam solutions

Advanced FoamPartner Converting Center delivers first parts from highly digitalized, flexible and automated operations The new FoamPartner Converting Center GmbH complements the existing expertise of the FoamPartner Group to provide a vertically integrated value chain from foam production to customized precision components. Only 12 months after groundbreaking in April 2019, FoamPartner has commissioned its state-of-the-art foam Converting Center at the company’s Duderstadt site in Germany. By end of June 2020, the new plant had already manufactured more than 1,000 different parts and components. The number will likely exceed 5,000 when the new facility is fully functional this October. The 8,500 square meter Center represents an

investment of 10 million euros, has created 50 new jobs, and is expected to receive ISO 9001 certification before the end of the year. “Since the kick-off in September 2018, our project team has worked hard to complete the Center within the shortest possible time frame and started production in April 2020 – despite the difficult circumstances caused by COVID-19” says Tobias Gruener, Executive Vice President Business Region Europe. “The Center was purpose-designed as a ‘Smart Factory’ in adherence to Industry 4.0 principles, featuring a highly digitalized and automated workflow.”

Flexible Manufacturing with More Than 50 Different Machines Highlights in the new FoamPartner Converting Center include a thermal press for the compression of foam sheets in controlled millimeter steps, which is particularly essential for filtration foams. The modular design of the Center with more than 50 machines, in part specially tailored to the requirements of FoamPartner, enables a highly efficient, flexible combination of widely different processing and manufacturing technologies. The range of capacities comprises horizontal splitting and vertical cutting of foam sheets, die cutting and various stamping processes, horizontal and multi-spindle drilling, milling,

thermal compression, welding, bonding, lamination and impregnation. There is also a smallscale machining center available for specialty products in lower volumes. SAP S/4 Hana ERP software ensures the efficient planning, transparent coordination and traceability of all work processes from procurement to manufacturing and shipping. A real-time logistics system (RTLS) with scanners and industrial PCs at all production work stations provides for a paperless flow of goods. The semi-autonomous material transport is handled by automated guided vehicles (AGV) as well as floor-bound conveyors in the stocking area, using a plant-wide WLAN. Finished products are removed by fully autonomous robots. Robot systems were also installed for cleaning work.

Enhanced Competitiveness, Safety and Sustainability “The new Converting Center sets new standards in the manufacturing of foam product solutions. Its streamlined material management, industrial scale and consistent digitalization increase our capabilities for precision products in larger volumes, without compromising our flexibility for smaller jobs,” underscores Dr. Michael Riedel, CEO of FoamPartner. “And by pooling our expertise – R&D, foam production, processing, application engineering, prototyping, etc. – we now provide the entire value chain for our customers at one and the same site, for fastest possible order-to-delivery and timeto-market at the highest quality and competitiveness.” The new greenfield Center also meets the requirements of energy and material efficiency, resource-saving job order planning, which

At the company’s Duderstadt site in Germany, FoamPartner brought on line an 8,500 square meter Converting Center, which was designed as a highly digitalized and automated ‘Smart Factory’ to set new standards in the manufacturing of foam components. Photos: Building view, robotized foil packaging area, storage zone for foam blocks (ready for further processing), high-precision thermal press, tailored microphone windshield manufacturing cell. (Photos: FoamPartner)

minimizes waste and improves the sustainability of manufacturing. Moreover, the work environment was designed with stateof-the-art ergonomic standards to ensure maximum occupational safety and health protection.

Leader in Technical PUR Foams The FoamPartner Converting Center in Duderstadt sources most technical foams from three group owned foam production facilities in Europe, such as the neighboring operations of FoamPartner Germany GmbH, which reduces transportation needs and optimizes the carbon footprint. As a global player in polyurethane ester and ether foam market, FoamPartner specializes in a diversified range of demanding application markets, that include: • Acoustic foams for sound proofing of white goods, such as vacuum cleaners and washing machines, for sound insulation of industrial equipment, such

as aggregates and generators, as well as for sound insulation in building & construction and room acoustics. • Sealing foams for reliable sealing against liquids, gases and air, dust and dirt, sound, vibration and heat. These foams are needed in building & construction, e.g. for ventilation systems or combination boilers, as well as in appliance engineering, e.g. for vending machines. • Filtration foams for use in air and activated carbon filters of air-conditioning systems, in water filters of aquariums and in storage filters of stamp pads. • Microphone windshields and headphone cushions in broadcasting, TV and studio engineering. • Packaging solutions made of foam for the protection, display and transportation of sensitive and valuable goods.

Key trend: Antimicrobial textiles 60

According to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc., the Antimicrobial Textiles Market size is estimated to surpass USD 20.5 billion by 2026. Growing concerns towards Hospital-Acquired Infection (HAI) coupled with rising demand for advanced textiles in the medical industry may positively affect the market demand over the coming years.

Rising concern over spread of infectious diseases in healthcare sector coupled with growing awareness about advantages of antimicrobial fabric over conventional textiles in regular apparel wear will drive the market growth. Growing requirement of odor control and degradation prevention textiles in sportswear and personnel wears are expected to offer

lucrative opportunity for antimicrobial textiles market expansion.

Growing requirement of quality home textiles will escalate antimicrobial textilesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; popularity The growing consumer demand for quality home textiles that support their healthier lifestyle choices c oupled with the rising R&D investment to support the demand for

antimicrobial fabrics from several end users will drive the antimicrobial textiles market growth. Additionally, the entry of new startups in the market and funding provided by several agencies to these starts up are expected to provide lucrative opportunities for market expansion. For instance, in August 2019, Sonovia Ltd. received around USD 2.66 million funding from the European Unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s research and innovation program, Horizon, 2020. Commercially available antimicrobial fabrics have a very strong regulatory framework to pass through before coming to the market. Potential concerns related to environment and human health regarding antimicrobial fabrics have compelled regulatory agencies to form stringent regulations. However, development of new eco-friendly textiles and usage of biobased antimicrobial expected to limit the potential environmental concerns and support the global trade of antimicrobial textiles market.

Government funding programs and establishment of new facilities in Europe are supporting market growth Europe recorded for the maximum share in the global antimicrobial textiles market in 2019 owing to the rising usage of antimicrobial fabrics for healthcare and apparel applications. Government sup-

port and several funds available through projects such Horizon 2030 for development of new textiles will further drive the industry expansion. The establishment of new commercial projects and the integration of such projects with academic institutions for promoting research activities will further drive market growth over the forecast timeframe. Latin America expected to generate over $1 billion revenue by 2026, owing to rising demand for antimicrobial textiles from healthcare sector. Growing awareness about hygiene and positive outlook for apparel industry will further drive the antimicrobial textiles market share. In 2017, textile & apparel industry accounts for over 5% of Brazilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GNP and growing at faster pace with considerable rise in exports to Middle East. Some of the key participants involved in antimicrobial textiles industry include, Unitika Limited, Milliken & Company, Thai Acrylic Fibre Co., Ltd., Trevira GmbH, PurThread Technologies Inc., among others.

Lenzing Introduces TENCEL™ Modal Fibers with Eco Pure Technology to Strengthen Sustainability Commitment

TENCEL™ branded modal fibers with Eco Pure technology are manufactured with a proven total chlorine-free bleaching process in pulp and fibers. Today, Lenzing Group announced the introduction of Eco Pure technology which enhances the production of environmentally responsible modal fibers for the textile industry. TENCEL™ Modal fibers with Eco Pure technology are considered as the most environmentally responsible option among existing modal fibers in the industry. Total chlorine-free bleaching in pulp and fiber delivers the industry’s new standard of clean modal fiber production. With the gentle bleaching process, textiles made predominantly of such fibers tend to be softer than conventionally bleached TENCEL™ Modal fibers, and are very suitable for undergarments, loungewear, bedding and more. The Eco Pure technology features an eco-responsible production process guided by the EU Ecolabel , a label of environmental excellence that is awarded to products and services that meet high environmental standards throughout their life-cycle . TENCEL™ Modal fibers with Eco Pure technology are produced exclusively in Austria mainly from beech wood sourced from sustainably managed forests across Central and Eastern Europe. “The ongoing innovation in cellulosic fiber technologies and eco-responsible production processes has witnessed more

sustainable fiber alternatives across the textile value chain. This has provided businesses and brands with new opportunities and perspectives to enhance product quality and improve sustainable practices. The introduction of Eco Pure technology for TENCEL™ Modal fibers is providing brands and consumers with great comfort and more responsible environmental options. With sustainability in our DNA, we will continue to review customers’ feedback to develop and produce high-quality fibers that suits their needs and preferences.” said Florian Heubrandner, Vice President of Global Business Management Textiles of Lenzing. Over the few past years, brands have made conscious decisions to better understand their supply chain with a core focus on sustainability and transparency in clothing pro-

duction. In light of this, the TENCEL™ Modal fibers with Eco Pure technology are identifiable through a special identification technology, making the eco-fibers identifiable throughout all stages of the textile manufacturing process. “For the TENCELTM brand, ensuring a sustainable supply chain has become very important, with a focus not only on ethical production, but also the actual fiber production process. In 2020, one of our main goals and a core business strategy will be to continue production of high-quality fibers that strive to set higher standards for industry sustainability and comfort. It is encouraging to see that the industry and consumers are paying more attention to sustainability. We believe that the popularity of sustainable fibers will continue to grow,” added Heubrandner.

KPMG Trade: “The UK market now on thin ice” Turkey’s second largest foreign trade market, the UK, took a second blow due to covid-19. While sectors such as automotive and textile are trying to predict the effect of Brexit on exports, the country is now navigating through uncertainty led by covid-19. Murat Palaoğlu, Head of KPMG Turkey’s Customs and Foreign Trade Services, noted, “Coronavirus outbreak taking place during Brexit, has made the UK market more fragile for our exporters.” Trade relations between Turkey and the UK are facing a new round of uncertainty. KPMG Turkey’s Head of Customs and Foreign Trade Services Murat Palaoğlu, evaluated the impact of covid-19 on the notable volume of trade between Turkey and the UK. Noting that the UK is among Turkey’s foremost trading

partners, Palaoğlu commented, “The UK is one of the countries with the most foreign investors in Turkey. The UK is also among the countries to which we aim to increase our exports strategically in the 2020-2021 period.” Trade volume between the UK and Turkey stood at 18.6 billion dollars in 2018 and 16.3

billion dollars in 2019. In the January-March period of 2020, Turkey’s exports to the UK were 2 billion 525 million dollars. Textile and ready-to-wear products, electrical and non-electrical machines, motor vehicles and components, iron and steel products stand out among the exported goods. Looking at our

imports, we purchase electrical and non-electrical machines, gold, iron and steel products as well as medication from the UK. Pointing to the decrease in the import and export figures of the UK in January and February of 2020 due to covid-19, Palaoğlu said, “In this period, we see a sharper decline in the imports of the UK with respect to its exports. This situation adversely affects expectations regarding our exports. Sectors such as automotive and textile hit by covid-19, are our main export items to the UK. For our exporters, who are still trying to anticipate the impact of Brexit, the UK market is now on an even more fragile ground due to covid-19.”

Brexit lags behind Reminding the UK government’s insistence on sticking to the timeline for Brexit, Palaoğlu said: The UK is still in a transition period until December 31, until when it will continue be treated as an EU member. The country thinks that it would be reasonable to extend the EU transition process for 1 or 2 more years under the current circumstances. Both parties do their best to speed up the process, but time is passing by. During this process, Brussels asks if they need another major change at the end of the year while tackling the effects of coronavirus. EU leaders are in the opinion that if there is a demand for postponement, this should come from London. It seems that covid-19 still has not changed the official positions of the parties. However, it is possible to say that the Brexit process is operationally interrupted and lags behind covid-19 as a strategic priority. The time will

show whether there will be a delay or not. Noting that the UK has been affected by the global covid-19 outbreak above average, Murat Palaoğlu commented, “Although it is difficult to predict in which direction and how much this impact will affect the position of the UK in the global economy and politics in the future, it seems certain that there will be a serious shift. The two main factors that distinguish the UK from other countries for us are that it also has a Brexit agenda during this uncertainty and is one of the most important export markets for us. Therefore, it’s crucial to closely monitor the developments in the UK, an important export market for Turkey.” Another recent development on Brexit is the tariff rates, which will be implemented after Brexit, announced by the UK government on May 19. These rates are stated to take effect as of January 1, 2021. The tariffs announced in case of a “nodeal Brexit”, lack of an agreement following negotiations with the European Union, will also

be applicable to imports from the European Union. Looking at the statement, we see that the current tariffs have been either reduced or reset. Another notable point is that in the current situation, 47% of the trade in the UK is tax-free, while this rate will increase it to 60% within the framework of the announced plan. When we examine the tariffs announced by the UK government on a sector basis, the 10% customs duties determined for the automotive industry and 12% for textile and ready-to-wear products stand out. Since these two sectors has the biggest share in Turkey’s exports to the UK, it is crucial to monitor the developments closely. Apart from these, we see that the tax rates to be applied to products such as dishwashers and freezers have been reset, but to protect the domestic producer, customs duties have been maintained for agricultural products and certain meat and dairy products. Looking at all these developments, it is safe to say that the free trade agreement negotiated between the UK and Turkey has grown in importance.

A prelude to industry recovery: Return of Asia’s largest woodworking machinery, furniture production trade show in July Touted as the largest and most comprehensive trade exhibition for the woodworking and upholstery machinery, furniture materials and interior decor industry in Asia, CIFM / interzum guangzhou will be back in its namesake city from July 27-30. Traditionally held alongside the China Guangzhou International Furniture Fair (CIFF) office segment, the new date will see this year’s CIFM / interzum guangzhou coinciding with the home installation of CIFF which features household furniture as well. Poised to be a shot in the arm for the rebound of the furniture market in the second half of

the year, the triple event will showcase industry verticals comprising finished furniture, production equipment and raw and auxiliary materials under the same roof, offering attendees a chance to grasp the trade dynamics of the entire industry.

“in” Live Streaming • Online Business Matching Debuting this year, the “in” Live Streaming • Online Business Matching aims to allow selected buyers who are unable to visit the exhibition to connect with exhibitors providing added business opportunities to both parties. The scheduled one-onone sessions will be held at

the first three days of the show according to the four main product categories sought by buyers: hardware, machinery, decorative materials and upholstery accessories. All interzum guangzhou 2020 exhibitors are expected to have the opportunity to participate in the event. While recognizing that “touchand-feel” in the furniture industry is irreplaceable, organizer Koelnmesse says the live streaming component serves to provide industry players with a more diversified procurement experience to meet the various business needs and unique situations of buyers.

Industry rallies behind interzum guangzhou Thanks to China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the rapid development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, as well as the exhibition’s long-standing reputation for its effectiveness, interzum guangzhou has continued to garner strong support from loyal exhibitors, while also ushering in several new names. As part of the plans to maxi-

Hardware & Components: Ferramenta, Turkey’s Samet, Koyo, Union Star, FREITAS IRMÃOS, Stabilus, Suspa

mize efficiency, Area C of the event venue will also be optimized and integrated to present a more refined and centralized layout to facilitate procurement.

Wood Products & Adhesives: H. B. Fuller, Henkel, French Timber, Urufor, Malaysian Timber Council, Quebec Wood

Some industry heavyweights slated to appear in 2020 include: Woodworking Machinery & Cutting Tools: Paolino Bacci, HSD, GreCon, Nanxing, Leitz, WDMAX, Vollmer, Freud

Interior Decoration & Accessories: Schattdecor, Impress, Technocell, DNP, LG, Hyundai

Upholstery Machinery & Pneumatic Components: Turkey’s Elektroteks, Limoss, Duerkopp, Lianrou, Yuantian, LINAK, DewertOkin, Nantong Healthcare, Huajian

Based on estimates from the International Monetary Fund, China is expected to contribute 28 percent of global economic growth from 2019-2024, playing an important role in the global economy. In addition, the country has the advantages of

Upholstery Accessories: Latexco, Lien A, Richard Pieris, Theptex, Vinabedding

a huge market and the presence entire industry value chain, which provide an internal driving force for the overall economic recovery in the post-pandemic era.

Unexpected positive changes With more time spent staying home, the pandemic has inadvertently brought about a newfound awareness by consumers on their living spaces - new materials, personalized designs, customization and aesthetics are aspects that have become more prominent than ever. Riding on this wave, the spokesperson of Italian hardware brand Italiana Ferramenta said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The market now has increasingly strict demands for product design and furniture details. Furniture manufacturers are constantly looking for better hardware accessories, because well-made hardware accessories can enhance the overall value

of furniture and in turn provide better products for consumers. The current custom furniture trend in China has driven production companies to continuously improve the flexibility of their products and services.” “In recent years, we are seeing an increasing number of design studios and small-scale custom production factories that provide customized services and furniture products. Furniture customization trends reflect the structural upgrading of furniture consumption, especially in China. These trends will cause new changes in the furniture industry and the formation of new supply chains to adapt to these market changes,” said the spokesperson of Linak Transmission Systems on his observations of a more market-oriented industry. The novel coronavirus outbreak might ironically have a positive impact and provided the impetus to drive China’s bid to transform and upgrade its furniture production industry from just “manufacturing products” to “manufacturing quality products”.

“Made in Türkiye” will spread goodness to the world While Turkey extends its friendly hand to over 70 countries during the Covid-19 outbreak in support of the global struggle, Turkish exporters take the ‘humanity’ and ‘goodness’ movement one step further by saying ‘Made in Türkiye’. Turkish Promotion Group (TTG) carries its activities under the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) in pursuit of the vision of contributing to the worldwide branding of export sectors. By sending special design hygiene kits to the major traders in the target markets, representatives of trade associations, and the press, TTG aims to revive the spirit of solidarity in difficult times and tell Turkey’s success in production, supply, and exports.

DHL Express, has undertaken the project’s logistics support, will deliver kits to 10,000 destinations in more than 60 countries. DHL Express will bring Turkey’s goodwill message to a much wider audience with the #GoodnessFromTürkiye tags to be added to every international shipment for 2 months and raise awareness by carrying the same message on its domestic courier vehicles.

TIM, continuing to work non-stop at a time when the Covid-19 epidemic hit international trade drastically, has brought the “national production mobilization” it launched into an international dimension. International promotion and solidarity work will be carried out with the #GoodnessFromTürkiye project implemented by TTG, active within TIM. In the framework of this project, TTG has prepared special

design kits consisting of hygiene products with the logo “Made in Türkiye” to symbolize Turkey’s spirit of solidarity in this period and to increase the country’s brand value. DHL Express, the project’s logistical sponsor, will deliver these kits to major buyers, trade association representatives, press members, and world-famous social media phenomena in more than 60 countries. Moreover, it

will carry the goodwill message of Turkey and its exporters with the #GoodnessFromTürkiye tags, which it will add to each international shipment for 2 months. The same message will be placed on domestic courier vehicles. İsmail Gülle (TIM and TTG Chairman) and Claus Lassen (DHL Express Turkey CEO) participated in the ceremony held at TIM headquarters during the shipment of kits.

İsmail Gülle: “We have delivered the products to their destinations in time” İsmail Gülle (Chairman of TIM and TTG), who delivered a speech in the ceremony, emphasized that since the beginning of 2020, the world was giving a unique struggle against a global epidemic of a size unprecedented for a century. “We are giving a good account both as a country and as exporters in such a hard time in world history. The effective management of our fight against the virus, under the strong leadership of our President, has enabled us to initiate normalization steps for the Turkish economy to reach the peak of the epidemic sooner than expected, as data obtained from the Ministry of Health points out. During this process, the product donations made to more than 70 countries with our helping hand has both demonstrated Turkey’s production and supply opportunities and capabilities to the world and become a sign of the country’s ability to show international solidarity. As Turkey, we are trying to extend our hand to every needy point in the world. Even though international conditions are difficult from time to time, we have been working with our utmost strength since the first day without stepping back from our goals. Despite

many challenges in the global supply chain, we have restored our confidence by delivering products in timely manner. We believe it will give us a great advantage in the future and help to the brand of Turkey reach a different point in the eyes of overseas buyers.”

İsmail Gülle: “We have given the message that we are with you and we are here for your supply needs” Gülle continued his words: “Our exporters who worked, produced, designed, branded for both their country and world economy for many years, and who struggle almost with a frontiersman’s sense of belonging during this challenging process, now supply medical materials for the health of our country and the world , launching a

‘National Production Campaign’. While our country supports the global struggle with its friendly hand extended to more than 70 countries during the recent Covid-19 epidemic, we as exporters are taking this ‘humanity’ and ‘goodness’ movement one step further with the ‘Made in Türkiye’ hygiene products. We aim to revive the spirit of solidarity in difficult times by sending special design hygiene kits to major buyers, trade association representatives and the press in our target markets, as well as to strengthen the perception of Turkish products and our position as ‘Reliable Supplier Turkey’. Above all, we believe that to overcome this global epidemic, all humanity must unite its mind and heart. With Covid-19, personal hygiene awareness has reached remark-

ably high levels. It is predicted that this awareness will continue during the period what we call the new normal. In this period, we wanted to send the message to our stakeholders abroad that we stand by them, with the hygiene products produced in our country. At the same time, we had the opportunity to remind once again that production continues in our country and that we are here today and in the future as a reliable partner for all areas in need of supply. I would like to thank all the manufacturers who have supported the preparation of the products in this process and DHL Express for having undertaken the logistics processes of our kits to go all around the world. We believe that epidemics and crises can be stopped through the implementation of preventive measures against this global epidemic, which has deeply affected all of us, with the determination of the leading authorities of all world countries, and then development will ensue as long as we produce a sustainable environment for human health, which is the most important thing.”

Letter Diplomacy from TİM The kits will go to major buyers in more than 60 countries, representatives of commercial associations, the press, and world-famous social media phenomena together with a letter penned by İsmail Gülle, the team head, conveying messages of friendship. The letter emphasizes the awareness towards Turkish products around the world, while giving a message of cooperation and support in the fight against the virus. Claus Lassen: “Turkey’s exporters work with great determination and enthusiasm as always”

“As the leader of the international rapid air transport sector, we persist with our mission to connect businesses in Turkey to the world, as we always do, during the Covid-19 epidemic we are going through,” said Claus Lassen, CEO of DHL Express Turkey, in his speech at the ceremony. In this process, we see Turkey’s young, entrepreneurial, and dynamic exporter family is working with great determination and enthusiasm to expand their business and open up to new markets as they always do. We are glad to work with them as close business partners in this process with our products and services that will facilitate the process as much as domestic trade for those who want to ship abroad. TIM and I have worked together in many projects before. The cooperation we realize today

has given us the chance to do more about the introduction of Made in Türkiye products to the world. We are happy to use our expertise to ensure that this demonstration of goodwill will enable the products to reach their interlocutors all over the world in the fastest way and contribute to the promotion of Turkey.”

Kits will also serve as communications for buyers in need of supply Hygiene kits include cologne, which is part of Turkey’s unique hospitality and cleaning tradition, as well as mask, hand sanitizer gel, hand sanitizer wipes, anti-bacterial wet wipes, and solid soap, all produced in Turkey.

Singapore welcomes exporters and investors

As one of the least virus-hit countries in the world, Singapore has been re-exporting around half of its imports to other countries. Thanks to this feature, the country is used as a steppingstone to get into the surrounding countries by many countries in addition to its fairly dynamic domestic market which is composed of consumers having very high-level incomes.

Singapore represents a promising investment opportunity for individuals who want to gain exposure to a unique emerging market in Southeast Asia. In fact, it is one of the premiere countries in the world for investment opportunities. Singapore is known as a small island country when its land and population of 5.6 million is considered. But it is a fact that

the country had USD 361 billion GNP and USD 59 thousand per capita income as of the 2018 year-end figures. Singapore has one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s richest populations, favorable demographics, and a growing economy, With its foreign trade volume of USD 783 billion, over two folds of its national income, it has a considerable economic and trade potential. In 2018 the country

realized USD 412 billion exports and 371 billion import according to Singstat figures. Posing as one of the most important trade and finance centers thanks to its location and as a market passing to other markets, Singapore is at Asian Economic Zone and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Its efficient

economic and commercial ties with nearby countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand and Australia in addition to China and India are reinforced its position.

An ideal destination for exporters Singapore is a city-nation with an ultra-modern infrastructure of roads, railways, and international sea and air connectivity. The government system operates at benchmark efficiency to support international trade. Most major international brands operate in Singapore, which is a business hub of Asia and in many ways a major international trading hub. The average Singaporean however is known for high purchase power and demand for quality products and services. There are many types of goods exported to Singapore. The export formalities and procedures are usually common in almost all countries. The technical terms used for import and export process could be changed from nation to nation. However, most of the process to export and import are same. Like overseas business to any countries, export of goods to Singapore is also simple it is easy to get informed by the governmental and non-governmental economic organizations such as governmental organization the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). Options which may work well for you to export your products to Singapore are: * Using direct sales - as English is widely spoken it’s easy to do business via direct sales in Singapore. * Using agents and distributors - factors such as distance from your country and lack of experience in the market means many

exporters appoint an agent or distributor. * Setting up a regional office. Communications across South East Asia are fast and easy, and incorporating a company can be done in a very short time. Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower also provides information on starting a business in the country, including a list of Singapore government agencies who can help. When we look at the outlook of the market, we can see two main concerns; domestic market’s demands and tourists in the country and products addressing to Asia Pacific Region countries.

Invest in Singapore Singapore is a rich and thriving nation that provides so many opportunities for people looking to invest. When you choose to invest in a country, you always need to think about the economy you’re investing in. You have to look at the range of economic opportunities on offer,

and how healthy the economic situation is. It’s important to take all these into consideration before you make any kind of decision about the sort of investing, you’ll be doing. It’s also important to consider any factors that will impact on the economy. So, when it comes to Singapore you need to think about how diverse the economy is. For one thing, it has a massive tourism industry that helps it to boom and evolve. There are also strong economic ties to shipping, real estate and financial services as well. So, the nature of the economy, and how strong it is, is one of the best reasons to try to invest some of your money in Singapore. There are so many things you need to take a look at that can provide great opportunities for you. It’s important to understand what it is that makes Singapore such a great hub for investment. Singapore is considered to be one of the freest global economies and one of the easiest countries in the world in which to conduct business as a result

of its business-friendly regulations. It is among the easiest countries in regulations such as to start a business, to get permissions, access to credits, speed of solving trade conflicts, tax systems, protecting stake rights of minorities, etc. It is on top of the list among 190 countries for ten years in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Doing Businessâ&#x20AC;? which covers applications in business life. In 2017 it ranked second to New Zealand and followed by Denmark, South Korea and Hong Kong.

The average period of setting up a business and starting operations is 21 days but it is 2 and a half days in Singapore. Singapore has one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s richest populations, favorable demographics, and a growing economy. The taxation system, government support and industrial incentives of Singapore attract many companies to invest in the country. Having one of the most productive and busiest ports of the world and opportunities offered by regulatory conditions have played an important role in making Singapore one of the most attractive investment centers in the region. In this framework, its import potential and re-export capability, liberal trade policies and logistically ideal location to be used as a steppingstone to other parts of the region make Singapore an important focus of attention for exporters.

Turkey’s central bank pledges measures to support post-pandemic recovery

Turkey’s central bank will rapidly take decisions needed by the country and the economy to counter the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak and to support the post-pandemic recovery and will implement them in an effective manner, the bank’s governor said. “The monetary measures we have taken are aimed at supporting production and financial stability so that this period can be overcome with minimal damage,” Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) Governor Murat Uysal told the 12th International Conference on Economics and Finance. “Thus, we aimed to minimize the long-term effects of the temporary pandemic on production and employment,” Uysal noted. “(With steps taken)

we aimed to support financial stability and the post-pandemic recovery process by providing the financial system and the real sector with the liquidity they need under appropriate conditions,” he added. The governor noted that the measures aimed at overcoming this period with minimal damage by supporting production and financial stability in the economy have supported the liquidity and credit conditions of the financial sector, and the money transfer mechanism has maintained its effectiveness. “In the coming period, we will continue to take rapidly the decisions that our country and our economy will need and implement the decisions that are taken effectively,” Uysal said. To limit the negative effects

of coronavirus-related developments, it is important that the financial markets, credit channels and cash flow of firms continue to operate in an uninterrupted and healthy manner, Uysal said. Measures to backstop economy The bank has taken multiple measures to stimulate and backstop the economy and government finances in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Uysal said they have taken action to support the liquidity in the Government Domestic Debt Securities (GDDS) market. He stressed the aim was to deepen the capital markets by incorporating asset- and mortgage-backed securities into the collateral pool to preserve the market depth of capital markets and to diversify the liquidity

opportunities available to financial institutions. Among others, the bank earlier this month announced it would reallocate TL 20 billion ($2.93 billion) of the limit of Turkish lira rediscount credit facility as advance loans against investment commitment for more effective utilization to support investments in select critical sectors, in line with government efforts to reduce the country’s dependence on imports. Uysal said that the aim of this step was to encourage investments that increase productivity, reduce imports and support exports, reduce external dependence and the problem of the current account deficit and support sustainable growth. The financial support under the relief package the government announced in March to cushion the economic fallout from the outbreak has exceeded TL 280 billion (nearly $41 billion), Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak recently said. With the multiplier effect, the size of the bailout package has hit over TL 600 billion, he said. Broad, powerful set of tools The central bank has a broad and powerful set of tools to minimize the negative effects of the pandemic, the governor said. “In this period, we will continue to determine our monetary stance to ensure the continuity of the decline in inflation and use all the tools we have with a data-driven approach for price stability and financial stability purposes,” Uysal said. “As we have always stressed, price stability contributes to sustainable growth by reducing uncertainties and supporting the growth potential of the economy, while healthy and inclusive growth strengthens the sustainability of price stability.” The bank last month delivered the ninth consecutive

rate cut to counter the economic downturn brought on by the outbreak. It cut its benchmark one-week repo rate to 8.25% from 8.75%. Thus, the bank has cut its key policy rate by 1,575 basis points since July last year in a muscular bid to stimulate the economy. On the inflation side, it climbed more than expected to 11.39% year-on-year in May, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) data. May’s annual inflation was up from 10.94% in April. Month-onmonth, consumer prices rose 1.36% in May. The bank has also executed a record bond-buying stimulus as part of quantitative-easing measures. It has bought more than TL 50 billion of bonds since the end of March, shortly after the first coronavirus case in the country was announced. Those purchases include some TL 23 billion from the Unemployment Insurance Fund. The share of government debt among its as-

sets exceeded 10% last week, according to official data. The bank holds some TL 75.6 billion of government debt as of June 8, up from TL 19 billion at the end of 2019. The bank has set the bond purchase limit at 10% of its assets, up from 5%, but the debt from the Unemployment Insurance Fund is not included in that quota. The government has tapped the insurance fund to provide support for citizens who have lost work hours or were laid off, through methods such as unemployment and short-labor pay. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last week said that since March, more than 3 million people had benefited from the short-labor pay, which provides additional wages to employees whose work hours are cut short. He said around TL 5 billion had been disbursed. At the end of February, the Unemployment Fund had TL 131.6 billion, a large part of which consisted of Treasury bonds.

New opportunities lie ahead for Turkish exports Turkey has the potential of emerging stronger from the COVID-19 crisis and increasing its share of exports in the European markets thanks to its location and resilient supply chains, the chairman of a leading exporters’ group said. Speaking at a webinar titled “The Course of the Coronavirus in Target Markets”, Aegean Exporters’ Association Coordinating Chairman Jak Eskinazi lauded steps taken by Turkey to ensure the sustainability of supply chains such as developing contactless foreign trade system at customs gates and resuming roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ships. Eskinazi said Turkey has the opportunity to form new cooperations and increase its foreign trade potential with neighboring countries, especially with the EU market, once the international freight transportation begins to return back to normal and pandemic-related border restrictions are lifted. “Countries experienced serious crises even in the production of most basic health equipment. The pandemic highlighted the importance of geographical proximity and strong cooperation among neighbors,” Eskinazi said. He noted that Turkey has a greater advantage of filling the void in post-pandemic foreign trade due to its young and dynamic population, qualified workforce and fast production capabilities. “Using this power to expand our exports in neighboring countries will be a solid

step to get a larger share in the EU market,” Eskinazi said. Eskinazi said targeting the East European markets, especially Bulgaria and Romania, could bring new opportunities for Turkish exporters in the post-pandemic period. Turkey recorded a total of $1.36 billion (TL 9.32 billion) exports to Romania and $875 million exports to Bulgaria in the January-March period. Turkey has been cited as one of the countries that stands to gain the most from a shift of supply chains amid the pandemic and could emerge stronger from the crisis. A recent study by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

(EBRD) found that of over three dozen countries where the bank invests, Turkey has a “revealed comparative advantage (RCA).” Turkey has RCA in 189 product groups, the largest of any country in the EBRD regions. The country also proved to have a significant delivery deadline advantage over the Far East. RCA, defined as the ratio of a product’s share in a country’s total exports and the share of that product in global trade, helps measure the extent to which countries could benefit from a shift of supply chains away from China, currently the dominant global supplier.

“Our Expectations from Turkish Exporters are Beyond the Normal”

Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) announced the provisional foreign export data for May. In May, Turkey's export was $9 billion 964 million, decreasing 40,9 percent. Exports in the last 12 months decreased by 8,4 percent to $165 billion 732 million. Chairman of TIM Ismail Gülle pointed out that Germany’s Export numbers faced the biggest decrease in the last 30 years in April, Japan’s Export numbers also faced the biggest decrease after the financial crisis in 2008. Mr. Gülle also said “With the normalization process and the following months, our expectations from Turkish exporters are beyond the normal.”

Virtual trade delegations to be continued with India and South Korea Gülle also said: “We will continue to hold virtual trade delegations with the coordination of Trade Ministry, within the scope of the ‘next generation trade diplo-

macy’ activities. We organized two virtual Trade delegations to Uzbekistan and Kenya in the past weeks. We plan to hold two more delegations to India on 15th-19th of June and South Korea on 22nd-23rd of June.” Leader exporter sector was “Automotive Industry” in May In May, Export in “Automotive Industry” was $1 billion 203 million, “Chemistry Products” followed automotive with $1 billion 177 million and “Clothing”

was the 3rd sector in monthly export with $840 million 203 thousand. In May, according to same month in 2019, Automotive export decreased by 56,3 percent, Chemistry’s export decreased by 48,2 percent and Clothing’s export decreased by 39,1 percent. In May, according to same month in 2019, Turkey’s export to Switzerland increased by $44,4 million, to Azerbaijan increased by $39,1 million and to Venezuela increased by $15,9 million.

Turkish tourism set to bounce back from virus crisis, SunExpress CEO says Turkish tourism will recover from the pandemic fallout “without a doubt” thanks to its proven resilience in dealing with crises, according to the CEO of Turkish-German carrier SunExpress. “There is one sentence that perfectly describes Turkey: Turkey is a rebound country,” SunExpress CEO Max Kownatzki said. In addition to its famed hospitality and friendliness, Turkey can be proud of offering a wide range of options, a strong and diverse tourism industry and professional infrastructure, he stressed. With the easing of COVID-19-related travel restrictions, SunExpress was the first airline to restart both its domestic and international flights from Turkey’s Aegean province of Izmir and the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, plus international flights from the capital Ankara. Kownatzki stressed that passenger numbers were higher than expected as there was a significant rise since the first flights restarted, both domestically and internationally. “It seems our passengers missed flying as much as we did,” he said. However, he underlined that returning to usual operations on international flights will depend on countries mutually lifting their travel bans or warnings. “As the bans get lifted, we will continue to add new destinations and increase the flight frequency,” Kownatzki noted.

‘Transparent, world-class standards’ Touching on steps taken globally to stem the virus’ spread, Kownatzki said in many countries, bureaucrats imposed decrees that could not be implemented by the industry. “But in Turkey, politicians transparently communicated their targets and worked with industry experts to implement measures for our mutual goal to provide world-leading hygienic standards for air travel,” he explained. “And as a Turkish-German carrier, in many cases, we go beyond the standards that most airlines have implemented through the European agencies or the American institutions,” he underlined. As Europe’s economic recovery will likely take some time, Kownatzki said, “Countries that offer safe and hygienic travel with excellent value for the money will come out the winners from this crisis, and Turkey, I am sure, will be one of them.” He added that there is still a strong demand in

Europe to travel to Turkey thanks in part to the Turkish diaspora on the continent. Turkey welcomed 51.9 million visitors last year, a rise of 13.7% from the previous year, made up of 86.2% foreigners and 13.8% Turkish citizens residing abroad, according to Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) data. “We saw in past years that even terrorist attacks or political tensions couldn’t stop these friends of Turkey from coming and visiting the myriad cultural heritage sites, enjoying the great food and relaxing in the sun,” Kownatzki said. Pent-up demand As SunExpress works with the largest European tour operators, he said the signs he has seen from them, especially the ones that specialize in Turkey, are very positive. “Our European customers really enjoy Turkey’s climate and riviera,

and as soon as the bans and travel warnings are gone, the demand will pick up,” he predicted. SunExpress recently shuttered its German subsidiary when the pandemic forced them to reconsider plans and targets, said Kownatzki. In light of this, the company decided to focus on Turkey, ceasing its operation between Europe and non-Turkish tourist destinations such as Egypt, Bulgaria and Italy. This has made SunExpress an even more reliable partner of Turkish tourism, he stressed. “This means we will secure the sector, no matter how this crisis unfolds. Turkish tourism has a reliable and robust aviation partner in SunExpress,” Kownatzki highlighted. SunExpress last year saw a passenger load factor of 83% and carried an impressive total of over 10 million travelers. Underlining that the company is “the natural air bridge” between Germany and Turkey, Kownatzki said: “We see that this market will recover soon. I’m optimistic

about Turkish tourism too.” The company recently launched a campaign throughout Europe to promote Turkey, he noted. “Most people, including me, are tired of the quarantine situation. All they want to do now is to sit back and relax on a lounge chair on a beautiful beach. And Turkey is the best place to make that dream come true,” Kownatzki added. Based in sunny Antalya on the Mediterranean shore, SunExpress was founded in 1989 as a joint venture of Turkish Airlines and Germany’s Lufthansa. Each year, Antalya hosts more than 4 million German tourists, whose travel plans carry crucial importance for the recovery of Turkey’s tourism industry due to their large population and generous holiday rules. Turkey is the third-most-popular holiday destination for Germans after Spain and Italy. In 2019, it hosted more than 5 million visitors from Germany, an 11.4% year-on-year increase, according to government data. Turkey’s tourism industry enjoyed a buoyant year in 2019 with

more visitors and soaring revenues. Tourism revenues hit $34.5 billion (TL 236.40 billion) last year, a record high, according to a report issued by TurkStat earlier this year. That was a 17% increase compared to the sector’s revenue of $29.5 billion in 2018, the statistical authority said. In the wake of the pandemic that hammered global tourism due to imposed restrictions, including the suspension of flights, Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Ministry launched the Safe Tourism Certification program in partnership with the Foreign Ministry. The program covers a broad range of safety measures in transport, accommodation and hygiene, both for employees and tourists, according to the Tourism Ministry. The certificate, which is also issued by international certification institutions, validates the execution of high-level health and hygiene requirements in airline companies, airports and other transport hubs, as well as in accommodation outlets and food and beverage facilities.

COVID-19 to boost demand for Turkish products globally The demand for Turkish goods will continue to grow globally, day after day during the pandemic, Murat Özyeğin, the head of Turkish conglomerate Fiba Holding, said.

tors were affected by measures to stem the spread of the virus. Several manufacturing firms in the developed countries faced supply shortages due to the closed factories in China.

European countries will turn to closer-distance alternatives and reliable countries such as Turkey, said Özyeğin, also the chairman of the Foreign Economic Relations Board’s (DEİK) Turkey-Netherlands Business Council.

“The pandemic showed that the dependence on one country, China, within the global supply chain poses severe risks,” Özyeğin stressed.

“As in many countries of the world, as a result of this (pandemic) process, the trend of diversifying supplier countries will also rise in the Netherlands,” he noted. After the COVID-19 pandemic, which first appeared in China last December, several sec-

He reminded that Turkey and the Netherlands’ bilateral trade volume has been expanding every year. In the first four months of 2020, Turkey’s exports to the country amounted to $1.7 billion while imports from the Netherlands totaled $1.2 billion. Last year, the bilateral trade was around $9 billion – $5.8 billion

exports and $3.2 billion imports, official figures showed. The Netherlands is one of the largest investor countries in Turkey, with 16% or $25.5 billion of the total $160.6 billion foreign direct investments in the last 18 years. Turkey’s foreign investments in the Netherlands totaled $13.8 billion over the same period. Among the largest 20 world economies, in terms of gross domestic product (GDP), the Netherlands is 17th and Turkey is 18th, Özyeğin recalled. Increasing cooperation with the Netherlands will be beneficial for both the countries, he noted.

Mattress Industry Terms 88

Source: ISPA, International Sleep Products Association

Adjustable base: An electro-mechanical or manual bed frame construction that permits the raising and lowering of the head and/or foot portions of the mattress. Airbed: An air mattress with a core that is an air-filled vinyl bladder. Better airbeds are multichambered, covered with cushioning, upholstered with ticking and sold with a foundation. Anti-microbial fiber and foam: Treatment that inhibits the growth of microbial contaminates. Backing: Any fabric or sheeting ma-

terial that is used during quilting to anchor the stitches. Batting:

See Cotton Felt.

Bedding: Commonly used as a generic term for a mattress and foundation set, but may also apply to accessory items such as blankets, sheets, pillows, comforters, mattress pads, etc. Bedding ensemble: A complete sleep support system, consisting of a metal frame or a bed, a foundation and a mattress set. Bed frame: A metal or wood frame with legs used to support a

mattress and foundation. Conventional height is 7-1/4 inches and the low-profile version is 5-3/4 inches when measured from the floor to the bottom of the foundation. Generally a headboard can be attached. Metal frames are sometimes known as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hollywoodâ&#x20AC;? frame. Bedsprings: Open-spring or wire fabric box springs without upholstery materials or cover. Binding tape: Fabric tape used to bind and close the mattress or foundation where the vertical and horizontal panels of outer ticking

come together, providing the edge trimming for the mattress or foundation. See Tape and Tape Edge. Body impressions: Indentations occurring on the surface of a mattress over time, due to the compression of materials by the human body. Bonnell: A knotted, round-top, hourglass-shaped steel wire coil. When laced together with crosswire helicals, these coils form the simplest innerspring unit, also referred to as a Bonnell. Border: The vertical side or edge of a mattress or foundation. Prebuilt borders are constructed by stitching together the ticking, foam or other filling materials and a backing material. Commonly quilted or vertical-stitched.

Box spring: Also referred to as a “foundation.” A base for an innerspring mattress, consisting of coils or other forms of springs mounted on a wood or metal frame and secured with a wire-interlaced or welded-wire grid, topped with upholstery and insulating materials (felt, urethane or other resilient materials), and covered on the top and sides with ticking and on the bottom with a dust cover. It is an important part of a bed set since it serves as a shock absorber, distributes weight, and supports and interacts with the innerspring mattress to properly support the body.

Border rod: A heavy gauge wire rod attached to the perimeter of the innerspring unit (top and bottom) by means of a helical wire or metal clips.

Box-top mattress: A mattress featuring a raised surface finishing treatment where a separate, sided and rectangular encasement of soft materials–usually with a tape edge–is attached via a welt to the entire surface on top of existing cover and upholstery.

Boric acid: A chemical additive applied during the garnetting of cotton and/or other fibers to provide cigarette ignition resistance characteristics.

Bunk bed: A two-tiered wood or metal frame designed to accommodate two mattresses, typically twin-size, one above the other. Some models allow the upper and

lower units to be detached and used as separate beds. Bunkie: A mattress, usually twinsize, and platform base used on bunk beds. Cal 117: Refers to California Technical Bulletin 117, which specifies a vertical flame testing procedure for bedding and furniture component materials. Foam referred to as “Cal 117 foam” has passed this test. Carbon: The principal hardening element in steel. The higher the carbon content, the harder the metal and the more temper it will take, thus giving longer “memory.” Cellulose acetate pad: Woody fiber compacted into a pad and used as an insulator. May be glued or sandwiched between plastic netting to help hold it together. Coil count: The number of coils in an innerspring unit. Though the count can effect weight distribution, it is not the determining factor for firmness. The count is usually based on the number of coils in a full-size unit. Coils: The individual wire springs that form an innerspring unit. See

Hourglass, Continuous and Offset Coils. Coir pad: An insulator pad made from coconut husk fiber, garnetted, needled, bonded and pre-cut to size. Comfort system: Refers to the upholstery layers of the mattress, generally consisting of a combination of materials (cover, cushioning, topper pad, insulators, etc.). Conjugate polyester fiber: Spirally crimped fiber that is crimped chemically rather than thermally. Is very durable and resilient. Continuous coils: An innerspring configuration in which the rows of coils are formed from a single piece of wire. Conventional bedding products: Mattresses and foundations in the conventional adult sizes of twin, twin extra long, full, full extra long, queen and king. Convertible sofa: A sofa with a bed folded beneath the seating surface, generally consisting of a mattress resting on a metal mechanism. Also called “sleep sofa” or “sofa sleeper.” Convoluted foam: Better known as “egg-crate” foam that is specially cut to produce hills and valleys, giving gentle softness and more surface comfort. Foam surface treatment is available in multiple patterns. Cornell test: Devised by Cornell University School of Hotel/Motel Administration. Designed to test cosmetic performance of bedding sets, such as body impression or support firmness. Two round surfaces are pounded into the finished product 100,000 times and checked periodically for failure or changes. Corner guards: Molded plastic or

metal, (sometimes upholstered) fittings secured to foundation corners to prevent material damage from the bed frame.

Cotton pickers: “Fall out” from ginning or garnetting. These shorter staple cotton fibers are blended with linters to produce cotton felt.

Cotton felt: Produced by a garnett machine which combs cotton and other fiber binders into a continuous web or layer. Several such layers combined are called cotton “batt”. For compressed cotton felt, thick layers of garnetted cotton fiber are mechanically compressed to reduce body impressions.

Crown: A convex surface on a mattress. Mattresses with a half-inch crown are a half-inch thicker at the center than at the edges.

Cotton linters: The short fibers adhering to the seed after the long staple fiber has been removed in the ginning process. Used in making cotton felt.

Cushioning: Materials that lie above the insulator and below the fabric covering in an innerspring mattress. These materials are typically combinations of polyurethane foam, cotton felt, and/or mademade fibers. Damask: Woven ticking produced on a loom that has yarns running at 90-degree angles to each other,

the warp and the weft. The damask design is woven into the fabric rather than printed on the surface. Density: A measure of weight per cubic volume, usually expressed in pounds per cubic foot. Often referred to when discussing foam. Double tempering: Heating of wire components, usually in an oven, after they have been given shape or form and have been electronically stress-relieved. Refers to tempering coils as well as border rods and helicals in a complete spring unit. Dual-purpose: A broad term used to include all sleep pieces, which can be converted to other uses, including: convertible sofas, high-risers, daybeds, futons, etc. See Convertible Sofa. Dust cover: A woven or non-woven fabric attached to the underside of a foundation to prevent the collection of dust inside. May also be known as “sheeting” or “cambric.”

Edge guard: Generally an extra component added to the edge of a mattress and/or box spring to give support on the sides. Engineered edge support: A special design where the coils on the outer edge of an innerspring unit are actually positioned under the border rod. Most units have the coils recessed from the edge, which can contribute to a “roll out of bed” feeling. Euro-top mattress: A mattress featuring a raised, squared-off surface finishing treatment filled with soft comfort layers and attached to the mattress upholstery at the tapeedge. Fabric cover: Cloth or textile material woven, knitted or felted of any fiber or mixture of fibers. Often referred to as “ticking” or mattress fabric. Fales pad: Compressed cotton felt that is stitched together to better retain compression.

Fiber pad: Usually refers to manmade or natural fibers (wool, silk, etc.) that are garnetted, needled, carded and/or bonded together. Often used in quilting panels for mattress tops. Filler cloth: Refers to a plain fabric used on the top of a foundation instead of ticking. Commonly offers non-skid characteristics. Flanging: The process whereby a strip of fabric is sewn to the edge of the mattress cover and, in the assembly process, secured to the perimeter of the innerspring unit to prevent the cover and filling materials from shifting. Foam foundation: Consists of a built-up wood slat frame covered with a sheet of cardboard or similar material, topped with at least 2” of foam and covered with ticking. Foundation: Any base or support for a mattress, sometimes used as a generic term for box spring. A foundation may be made entirely

its name from its similarity to the metal ring in a hog’s nose. Hourglass coils: Coils that taper inward from top to middle and outward from middle to bottom, thus resembling an hourglass in shape. Employed in bonnell and offset coil designs. Hybrid: Commonly used industry term for a mattress that combines an innerspring unit with specialty foams such as visco-elastic or latex. of wood or a combination of wood and steel or steel springs. See Box Spring and Foam Foundation.

sion much like a hammock. Terms “dish” and “sagging” also used to describe this phenomenon.

Futon: A Japanese-style mattress construction, consisting of a cover and filling material, which is typically cotton but can be innerspring and/or foam.

Hand: Term used to describe the touch or feel of fabrics (e.g., soft, smooth, etc.).

Garnetting: A mechanical process whereby short cotton fibers and/ or other fibers are combed into a specific orientation and formed into a thin web, which are then layered to create a batting used as an upholstery material. See Cotton Felt. Gauge, coil: A measurement of the diameter of the steel wire used in coil construction. Wire gauge for innerspring coils range from 12.5 to 17. The higher the gauge, the thinner the wire. Gel foam: Generally a visco-elastic foam that is infused with beads or swirls of gel during the foam pouring process. Hair pads: Horse tail or mane, cattle tail or hog hair, which has been processed and curled for use as a mattress or upholstery filler. Hammocking: An undesirable characteristic sometimes associated with worn out or low-end mattresses. When weight is placed in the center, the corners tend to rise and bow in response to deep compres-

Hand-tied: The process of hand-lacing the coils in a box spring together with twine. Seldom used, this process has been replaced with modern technology and new designs. Headboard: An upright unit of wood, metal, plastic, or upholstered material, to be attached at the head of a bed, usually with the bed frame. Helical: A tightly-coiled, elongated wire used in the manufacture of innerspring units to join individual coils to each other and to the border rod. High-contour mattress: Measures 9” – 13” thick. A mattress under 9” thick is considered “standard”; over 13” thick is considered “custom.” High riser: Usually a frame or sofa with two mattresses of equal size without a backrest. The frame slides out with the lower bed and rises to form a full bed or two single beds. Hog ring: Metal ring used to secure the insulator and flange material to the innerspring unit. Takes

Ideal weight distribution: Equalization of support in such a way as to eliminate pressure points that cause discomfort resulting in tossing and turning. Best achieved with coil on coil construction and properly designed insulation and cushioning material. Innerspring unit construction (for mattresses): The spring construction used as the main support system inside an innerspring mattress. Some common types are: pocketed (see Marshall) and all metal (i.e., bonnell, offset and continuous wire). Insulator: Any material used on top and bottom of an innerspring unit to prevent the upholstery layers from cupping down into the coils. Some common types are: a fiber pad, non-woven fabric, netting, wire mesh or foam pad. Knit: A basic polyester or nylon ticking fabric produced through a knitting process (tricot) rather than weaving. Designs are printed onto the surface. Lacing wire: Finer gauges of wire used to form helicals. Latex: A flexible foam created from a water dispersion of rubber, either from the rubber tree (natural latex) or a man-made, petroleum-based product (synthetic latex). Most latex used in mattresses today is

a combination of natural and synthetic latex rubber. LFK: An unknotted offset coil with a cylindrical or columnar shape. Link fabric: A wire foundation for bedsprings, cots, studio couches, sofabed mechanisms and gliders. So called because the fabric is a succession of metal links. Marshall: A type of innerspring construction in which thin gauge, barrel-shaped, knotless coils are encased in fabric pockets. Also known as “pocketed coils.” Mattress: A manufactured product to sleep on, consisting of various resilient materials covered with an outer ticking. Comes from the Arabic term “matrah” meaning to throw down. Early Arabs traveled with their bedding and threw it down on the ground or floor at night. Memory: The ability of tempered steel, foam or some fabrics to return to their original state after being compressed or stretched. Mesh: Plastic netting generally stretched across the face of an innerspring unit as an insulator. Microcoils: A low-profile metal spring unit, typically with individually wrapped coils, used in the top comfort layers of a mattress. Molded foam core (for mattresses): A core made of flexible foam is made in molds and used as the main support system in a foam mattress. Mounting: Attachment of a box spring unit to a wood or metal frame. Needlepunched fabric: A manufacturing process for which high strength, lightweight, non-woven construction fabrics are produced. These fabrics are produced by garnetting fibers, entangling or

inner-locking these fibers together by a series of needles and then mechanically bonding or fusing them together via heat to produce a fabric without glue or binders. Needlepunched pad: A manufacturing process used to produce insulator pads and non-woven fabrics whereby loose, garnetted fibers are inner-locked by a series of “needles.” This process usually requires additional bonding to keep the fibers in place. Offset coils: An hourglass type coil on which portions of the top and bottom convolutions have been

flattened. In assembling the innerspring unit, these flat segments of wire are hinged together with helicals. Orthopedic: Generalized term to imply set gives proper postural alignment and support. Should not necessarily mean hard or board feeling. Proper support with a degree of comfort to contour to the body is best. Panel: The part of the ticking that constitutes the top sleep surface of a mattress, as well as the bottom of a mattress on a two-sided bed.

Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads.The tag is available in a hangtag or permanent label.

Pedestal-type metal or wood bed frame: A low-profile bed frame with a solid pedestal base underneath each side of the frame, instead of legs.

Smooth top: A plain surfaced mattress, neither tufted nor quilted. Also called button-free.

Pillow-top mattress: A mattress featuring a surface finishing treatment where a separate encasement of soft materials is attached to the entire surface on top of existing cover and upholstery.

Spring wire: Wire made from high carbon steel, characterized by toughness, strength and ductility. Typically furnished in 8 to 18 gauge for bedding industry applications.

Plus 4 edge: Two border rods engineered with one inside of the other and designed so that they make the edge 4% firmer than the balance of the sleep surface to eliminate that “roll out of bed” feeling and edge sag.

Steel unit construction (for box springs): The spring construction used as the main support system inside a box spring. Stitch bonded pad: See Fales Pad.

Pocketed coil: See Marshall. Polyurethane foam: See Urethane Foam. Print: A ticking fabric, which can be a woven or non-woven sheeting, commonly of synthetic fiber composition, on which a design has been printed. Quilting: The surface treatment in which the cover, foam and/or other fibers are sewn together, using various stitch patterns on quilting machinery, including scroll or panel quilters (single needle) and multi-needle quilters. Resilience: Surface liveliness and spring-back ability. Rollator test: An approximately 230 lb., six-sided roller is passed across a sleep set to determine the structural strengths or weaknesses of the set and components (i.e., foam or quilt failure, breaking of helicals and coils). The industry standard to duplicate the life of a mattress is 100,000 passes. Rollaway bed/cot: A portable metal bed/cot with a frame that folds in half with the mattress when not

in use so it can be rolled away into a closet (or elsewhere) for compact storage. Sheeting: a woven or non-woven fabric other than knits that have a degree of sizing and are somewhat stiff. Side rail: A metal or wood rail, which hooks into the outside edges of a headboard and footboard to provide the support base for a foundation and mattress. Sisal: A product of the henequen plant formed into a pad and used as an insulator. Named after the. small port of Sisal in Yucatan. Slats: Narrow strips of wood used to support the coils in the box spring frame. Also used in a bedstead to support the box spring. Sleep Products Safety Council hangtag: Used voluntarily by bedding producers since 1987, the safety hangtag program provides critical consumer information about the safe use of sleep products. Manufacturers certify that they use the tag only on mattresses that meet the Federal Standard for the

Straightline deflection: Pertains to mattress innerspring construction and refers to the constant ratio between stress and strain, weight and movement. The benefit is that constant support is provided regardless of the weight applied. No bottoming out of soft spots. Basically it means that two people of unequal weight, sleeping on the same mattress, receive the same support. Stretch knit: A heavy-weight mattress ticking consisting of a top layer, bottom layer and filling material knitted together and intermittently stitched to keep the filling yarns stable. Super zoned box spring frame: A support, generally wood, attached longitudinally to the underside of a foundation for added support where the main body weight rests. Another important structural point is that the vertical slats are turned on edge for added strength. This is extremely important on queen sizes and for 4-poster beds where typically no center support is provided. Also known as a “center rail.” Tape:

Fabric material that closes

over the rough-sewn edge where the top and bottom panels are joined to the border of a mattress or box spring. Tape edge: A specified type of sewing machine designed to stitch binding tape around the top and bottom edges of the mattress, joining the panels with the border and closing the mattress. Tempering: Heat treatment of wire to reduce brittleness. Accomplished by electric charge, oven heat or both. Also known as “stress relieved”. Ticking: Fabrics for covering mattresses and foundations. Common types include: stretch knits, woven damasks, knits and nonwovens. Torsion bars: A type of spring system used in box springs characterized by square-shaped wire forms. Trundle bed: A low bed that is rolled under a larger bed. In some constructions, the lower bed springs up to form a full bed or two single beds as in a high riser. Tufting: Consists of passing twine, cords or tape vertically through the mattress from top to bottom, knotting and securing the loops thus formed with tufts, buttons, or lacing. The purpose is to hold the mattress filling in place. Uniflex grid: A steel wire grid used to bridge the “mouth” of the coils on an innerspring unit to prevent “pocketing” of insulation down into the coil and to eliminate “coil feel.” Also helps to distribute the body weight of a person. Urethane foam: Synthetic (chemically foamed) flexible urethane used for mattress cores and as a cushioning material. As a core, it’s the main support system. Generic term covering both polyester and polyether foams.

Ventilator: Metal or plastic screens attached to the sides and sometimes the ends of mattresses to permit the passage of air. Unnecessary with normal high quality materials used today, except for hospital type mattresses with wetproof covers. Visco-elastic foam: Also known as “memory foam.” Slow recovery urethane foams that are temperature sensitive. They conform to the body and distribute pressure according to body heat and dynamics. Waterbed: A sleep system employing a water-filled vinyl bladder as its primary support system. Original models relied on rigid framing to contain the vinyl components and were known as a “hardside”. Newer styles consist of vinyl components (bladder and liner) typically encased in foam and made to look like a conventional mattress, usually paired with a regular upholstered foundation. Also called a “softside” waterbed. All versions are sometimes referred to as “flotation beds.” Welded grid top: Basic wire welded into a lattice to which box spring coils, formed wire or mod-

ules are fastened. Offers even weight distribution, yet allows some flex and give. Wood bed: A bed with a headboard and footboard made of wood, having side rails of wood or metal that support the foundation and mattress. Wood frame (for box springs): The wood frame in a box spring on which the spring construction is mounted. Woven stripe: A once ubiquitous woven ticking with colored stripes. The style was referred to as “ACA”, the traditional designation for the 8 oz. blue- and white-striped ticking that has mostly fallen out of favor and is seldom produced.

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