Pakistan Textile Journal, March-2022

Established 1951 March 2022

Swiss Review

“The Archroma Way to a Sustainable World: Safe, Efficient, Enhanced.

It’s our nature.”

Mujtaba Rahim, President & CEO, Archroma Pakistan Limited

Calendar of Events

Techtextil 2022, Frankfurt Dates: June 21st to 24th, 2022

Textile Asia 2022, Faisalabad

Venue: Frankfurt am Main.

Cinte Techtextil China International Trade Fair for Technical Textiles and Nonwovens

Dates: March 26th to 28th 2022.

Venue: Faisalabad Expo Centre.

Dates: September 6th to 8th, 2022.

Heimtextil 2022, Frankfurt

Venue: Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shanghai, China

Dates: June 21st to 24th, 2022 Venue: Frankfurt am Main.

FILTECH 2022 Dates: March 8th to 10th, 2022 Venue: Cologne, Germany.

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2022 Dates: November 20th to 24th, 2022.

Apparel Sourcing Paris Autumn

Venue: NECC, Shanghai, China.

Dates: July 4th to 6th 2022.

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles

Venue: Paris

DOMOTEX Hannover 2023

Dates: April 14th to 16th 2022.

Dates: January 12th to 15th 2023.

Venue: Shanghai, China.

Venue: Hannover, Germany.

INTEX SOUTH ASIA 2022 Dates: June 16th to 18th 2022.

Venue: Dhaka, Bangladesh.

DOMOTEX asiaCHINAFLOOR 2022 Dates: May 25th to 27th 2022.

Venue: NECC, Shanghai, China.

Dates: July 27th to 29th 2022.

Venue: Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Istanbul Yarn Fair Dates: February 16th to 18th 2023.

Dates: December 8th to 10th 2022.

Venue: Istanbul, Turkey.

Venue: New Delhi, India.

Index 2023

FESPA 2022 st

rd

Dates: May 31 to June 3 2022.

Venue: Berlin, Germany.

IGATEX Pakistan 2022, Lahore Dates: September 1st to 4th 2022.

Dates: April 18th to 21th, 2023.

Venue: Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland.

Venue: Expo Centre, Lahore.

ITM 2022

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iCADEX Pakistan 2022, Lahore

ITMA 2023

Dates: June 14th to 18th, 2022.

Dates: September 1st to 4th 2022.

Dates: June 8th to 14th, 2023.

Venue: Istanbul, Turkey.

Venue: Expo Centre, Lahore.

Venue: Milan, Italy.

PAKISTAN TEXTILE JOURNAL - March 2022

Founded in 1951 by Mazhar Yusuf (1924-2009) Vol. LXXI No. 03 March 2022 Publisher Nadeem Mazhar Editor in Chief Amina Baqai

Rs. 565.00

EDITOR’S PAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Pakistan continues to be a strong market for Swiss textile machinery

Associate Editor Dr. Noor Ahmed Memon

TEXTILE BRIEFS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Associate Editor Shahnawaz Khan

NEWS & VIEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Production Manager Mazhar Ali

AROUND THE WORLD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Hony-Editorial Board

CORPORATE NEWS Sicomin supports advanced fiberglass industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Dr. Hafizur Rehman Sheikh Ph.D (UK) F.T.I. (UK)

Syed Mahfooz Qutab C.TEX, F.T.I (U.K), B.Sc. Fellow I.C.T.T Atlanta, GA; (USA)

Mian Iftkhar Afzal B.S.N.C State, M.Sc. (Leeds) C.TEXT.F.T.I (UK)

Dr. Zubair Bandukda PhD (Textiles), CText ATI

Editorial & Advertising Office B-4, 2nd Floor, 64/21, M.A.C.H, Miran M. Shah Road, Karachi - Pakistan Tel: +92-21-34311674-5 Fax: +92-21-34533616 Email: info@ptj.com.pk URL: http://www.ptj.com.pk

PTJ Europe Ltd. Correspondence & Mailing address: PTJ Europe Ltd. 93 Fleming Place, Bracknell, RG12 2GN, United Kingdom Tel: +44 792 2228 721 Registered Office: Dairy House, Money Row Green, Holyport, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 2ND, UK Registered no. 09141989

18 PERSONALIA Cotton Council International elects 2022 Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

DYES AND CHEMICALS Archroma launches EARTH SOFT system new vegan textile softener . . . . . . . . .22 Huntsman Textile Effects launches water conservation project in India . . . . . .24

FAIRS AND EXHIBITIONS FESPA Global Print Expo 2022: Full line-up of major exhibitors confirmed . . . . . . . . .26 Italian Textile Machinery at Techtextil North America 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Available on Gale and Factiva affiliated international databases through Asianet Pakistan

Printed at: Color Plus Korangi, Karachi.

Published by Nadeem Mazhar from D-16, K.D.A. Scheme No.1. Karachi.

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FIBRES AND YARNS When it comes to sustainable cotton.Transparency Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Naia™ from Eastman showcases sustainability and growth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 HYPETEX®, adidas Selected as JEC Innovation Awards 2022

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

MILL REPORT Monforts: Turkish upholstery leader opts for the Montex®Coat . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

SPECIAL REPORT “Terylene Clean becomes the first traceable and sustainable 100% Recycled Polyester Staple Fibre brand of Pakistan ” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

FEATURE

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Groz-Beckert presents product highlights for the nonwovens industry . . . . . . .40 Fourcore Oil-Lubricated Technology for Sustainable Denim Production . . . . . . .42

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SWISS REVIEW Going digital: Swiss textile machinery shows the way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Innovative technology for new business models

2021 was a strong year for Swiss textile machinery sector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Cornelia Buchwalder, Secretary General Swissmem, Swiss Textile Machinery

Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

by Prof. Dr. Noor Ahmed Memon, Associate Editor, Pakistan Textile Journal.

Archroma teams delivered the best ever all around performance inspite of significant challenges like global & local Covid lockdown.” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Mujtaba Rahim, President and CEO, Archroma Pakistan Limited.

Stony Creek Colors & Archroma strategic partnership to produce Indigold™ . . . .53 Rieter: How Customers Cut Energy Costs with VARIOline ECOrized . . . . . . . . . .58 Saurer: Digitalisation is an integral part of the portfolio of the solution provider . . . .60 Uster: Quality Expert: the operators’ and managers’ favorite . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Oerlikon: Strong growth and margin expansion expected to continue in 2022 . .64 SSM: The Secrets Behind the Science of Winding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Jakob Müller: Fascinating world of narrow fabrics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 Stäubli: Weaving solution provider from Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 Benninger: New Benninger Laboratory Single End Cord Line put into operation at Intercord Thueringen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 EspriTech develops and manufactures textile folding machines . . . . . . . . . . . .71

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EDITOR’S PAGE

Pakistan continues to be a strong market for Swiss textile machinery Switzerland is known worldwide for its precision watches, cheeses, chocolates and financial services. However, Swiss competence is not limited to these well-known sectors. Equally strong are the Swiss companies in the textile technology, testing equipment, chemicals and service sectors. What differentiates Swiss companies from others is their tradition and passion for innovation, precision engineering as well as their focus on high productivity and respect for the environment.

Swiss companies have been close partners of Pakistan’s textile companies for more than six decades. Companies such as Uster, SSM, Loepfe and Rieter have helped our spinning industry to reach the highest quality standards. In the weaving sector, Staubli is the world leader in Jacquard technology and Jakob Mueller is the undisputed leader in the narrow fabric technology. Saurer is the leader in the embroidery sector.

Established 1951 March 2022

Swiss Review

“The Archroma Way to a Sustainable World: Safe, Efficient, Enhanced.

It’s our nature.”

Mujtaba Rahim, President & CEO, Archroma Pakistan Limited

March 2022.

Pakistan remains one of the most important markets for the Swiss textile machinery. At present Pakistan is the 7th most important market for Swiss textile machinery. The imports of textile machinery from Switzerland to Pakistan increased from CHF 26.8 million in 2018 to CHF 38.5 million in 2019.

In 2020 due to Covid 19 pandemic, the imports declined to CHF 22 million in 2020 and made a remarkable recovery of 22% to CHF 27 million.

In the world of textile chemicals, Archroma is another great example of the commitment of Swiss companies to Pakistan. Archroma’s chemical manufacturing plant at Jamshoro, Sindh is the world’s first zero discharge plant by a chemical company. With a firm commitment to the environment, Archroma has developed the world’s first Aniline free indigo, an achievement possible with the efforts of the dedicated team of Archroma.

Switzerland is one of the most competitive economies in the world. They have always strengthened their trade relations with Pakistan. The Swiss companies intend to increase their investments in Pakistan, while the current Government of Pakistan is continuously improving its imports policy to allow liberal imports of textile machinery, industrial raw materials, capital goods, and essential consumer goods. Over the centuries, the sheer innovative spirit of the Swiss has been demonstrated many times through inventions spanning various fields of human experience. Their impact on the global textile industry has been among the most notable, with continuous and significant developments.

Our current issue of March 2022, as in the past is devoted to Switzerland and in this special edition, our readers will find reports and news about Swiss companies and their innovative technological solutions for Pakistan’s textile industry as well as a comprehensive analysis of Swiss Pakistan trade relations.

In the post pandemic period while the world is still trying to recover and going through turmoils and tribulations, Swiss companies continue to be strong partners of Pakistan. 

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Textile Briefs National

Textile exports surged by 25 percent to $11 billion in the first seven months of this year. Key export driver during the last seven months was valueadded exports. The knitwear segment contributed the most, increasing by 33 percent year on year (YoY) to $2.9 billion.

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Textile mills have to pay millions of rupees in demurrages due to the delay in clearance and offloading of cotton consignments at the Karachi Port by the Plant Protection Department, a letter written

by All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) revealed recently.

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The exports of textile commodities increased by 26.08 per cent during the first eight months of the current fiscal year (2021-22) as compared to the corresponding period of last year, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported.

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Textile exporters have welcomed the industrial support package, announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan, and stated that it focused on industrialization, foreign exchange inflows and revival of sick industrial units. They added that the scheme sets progrowth measures in place to steam up industrialization, boost exports and place the country’s economy on path of sustainable growth.

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According to details, Pakistan's textile exports for February were a whopping $1.69 billion which is a huge improvement from last year. In February 2021, the textile exports were $1.23 billion.

However, during February 2022, the figures rose by 37%.

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Punjab Minister for Agriculture Syed Husnain Jahania Gardezi has emphasised the use of modern technology and Integrated Pest Management for improving cotton crop management and field results. Addressing a seminar organised by the Punjab University Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), he further

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said that agriculture was the backbone of our country and nearly 60% of country’s export was based on cotton and cotton-related products.

Seed cotton (Phutti) equivalent to over 7.4 million or exactly 74,41833 bales have reached ginning factories across the country till March 1, 2022, registering increase of 32 per cent as compared to corresponding period of last year.

According to a fortnightly report of Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) released recently, over 7.4 million or 74,40568 bales have undergone the ginning process i.e. converted into bales.

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Textile Briefs International

The gross value of cotton production is forecast to increase by 157 per cent to US$4.3 billion by the end of the 2022 fiscal year. This rise is on the back of a sharp increase in production volumes and strong international prices.

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Garment workers in Bangladesh are suffering from violations of workers’ rights because of a lack of government action, according to a new report from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).They suffer discrimination and harassment, nonpayment of wages and benefits, being forced to work unpaid overtime, and being denied freedom of association.

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PAKISTAN TEXTILE JOURNAL - March 2022

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has said Bangladesh and India have enormous scope to complement each other for the development of apparel and textile industries of both neighboring countries.

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Cotton prices in Brazil fluctuated between BRL 6.89/pound and BRL 7.02/pound between March 1 and 15. Still, sellers' firm stance on prices prevailed and underpinned quotations from wholesalers and end-of-season buyers.

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China's textile industry recorded a double-digit growth in 2021.

China's garment exports

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grew 8.4 per cent YoY to reach a record high of US$315.5 billion in 2021, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

The Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (EuroCham Cambodia) which aims to increase sustainability in the country's garment industry.

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India's merchandise exports between April 2021 and Feb 2022 were worth US$ 374.05 billion. This is an increase of 45.80 per cent over

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US$256.55 billion in April 2020-Feb 2021, and 28.16 per cent year-over-year.

According to the Joint Clothing Association Forum, Sri Lanka's apparel exports in January 2022 were at their highest level in that month in the last five years (JAAF). The results illustrate the industry's underlying strength as it recovers from the pandemic's effects.

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Over 150,000 Tunisian textile and garment workers have earned a 6.5 percent salary raise (backdated to September), with a further 7% increase expected in May. (2022).

They're members of Tunisia's General Labor Union (UGTT).

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Pakistan exports of readymade garments in 2022 Pakistan’s textile exports surged to an all-time high as they surged by 25 percent to US$11 billion during the first seven months of the current fiscal year compared to US$8.76 billion in the same period last year, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The key export driver during the last seven months was value-added exports where the knitwear segment contributed the most, as it increased by 33 percent year-on-year (YoY) to US$2.9 billion followed by ready-made garments 22 percent to US$2.2 billion and bedwear by 19 percent to US$1.9 billion exports, the data shows.

The data shows that on a month-onmonth (MoM) basis, Pakistan’s textile exports were down 4 percent to US$1.5 billion in January 2022, led by lower value-added exports segments mainly in knitwear down 12 percent MoM and ready-made garments down 4 percent MoM respectively.

As compared to the last year, Pakistan’s textile exports remained up by 17 percent on yearly basis on January 22 led by significant recovery witnessed in value-added segments, largely in

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PAKISTAN TEXTILE JOURNAL - March 2022

knitwear up by 19 percent YoY, readymade up by 17 percent YoY, and bedwear 21 percent YoY. It is expected that Pakistani exporters will touch US$18 to US$19 billion at the end of the fiscal year.

The federal cabinet on 15 February 2022 finally approved the Textile and Apparel Policy 2020-25 after the Ministry of Commerce submitted the revised draft of the textile policy to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) incorporating a few amendments. The key reason behind the late approval was the dispute between the Commerce Ministry and the Energy Ministry on the issue of Energy Tariffs (RLNG and Electricity).According to a report by Topline Securities, the updated draft stated that Energy Tariffs will be provided to the textiles and apparel industry at regionally competitive rates during the policy years. For this, the tariff will be reviewed and announced in the federal budget by Finance Division.As per the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), the average regional electricity tariff rate stood at 7.4 cents per kWh in March 2021 which, as believed, has increased since then. Pakistan’s current electricity tariff is around nine cents per kWh.

In the case of RLNG, the average regional RLNG rate stood at US$4 per MMBTU as per PIDE vs Pakistan’s tariff rate at US$6.5 per MMBTU. It is believed that the above-stated textile policy will have a neutral impact on the sector.

Given, Pakistan is already offering subsidized energy and RLNG tariffs to textile players and Pakistan is part of an IMF [International Monetary Fund] program, a further reduction from the current levels is highly unlikely.

The RLNG tariff is expected to remain intact at US$6.5 per MMBTU level although the regional average is comparatively low. It is to note that RLNG is currently being provided at US$9 per MMBTU to the textile sector till March 2022 due to supply issues.

Millers incur heavy demurrages as cotton deliveries get stuck at port Textile mills have to pay millions of rupees in demurrages due to the delay in clearance and offloading of cotton consignments at the Karachi Port by the Plant Protection Department, a letter written by All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) revealed recently.

“Textile sector that over-performed with US$20.5 billion exports in the first eight months of the current financial year is facing massive delay in importing cotton as their containers are not being allowed to get cleared and offloaded on time at the Karachi Port,” the letter read. The textile mills were being forced to pay millions of rupees in the shape of demurrages, APTMA letter written to secretary of Ministry of National Food Security and Research added.

Containers carrying imported cotton take more than a month to get offloaded and returned in Pakistan, whereas in other countries such as Bangladesh and India, containers get returned in four days at the most. The hurdles by the Department of Plant Protection, Karachi were not only causing delay in materialising the arrival of imported cotton in textile mills, but also impacting the pace of Pakistan’s textile exports, it said.

Since Pakistan was cotton deficient, textile industry had no choice but to import raw material from various countries to meet export targets, but since there were delays at the port, “even shipping lines were becoming evasive about bringing imported raw material to Pakistan,” one of the top men of a textile unit said.

APTMA has urged the Ministry of National Food Security and Research and Plant Protection Department, director general, Karachi to effectively play their role in getting containers offloaded and returned on time. As many as 25 textile mills have faced these issues at the port. Out of these, 22 mills managed to get their containers offloaded after a lapse of many times. However, three mills were still running pillar to post because of the delay in getting their containers having 1,988 bales of cotton cleared and offloaded.

According to the letters of APTMA, the three mills were NP Cotton Mills Limited Karachi, Fazal Cloth Mills Limited Multan, and Sapphire Textile Mills Limited, Karachi.

Over 7.4 million cotton bales reach Ginneries across Pakistan Seed cotton (Phutti) equivalent to over 7.4 million or exactly 74,41,833 bales have reached ginning factories across the country till March 1, 2022, registering increase of 32 per cent as compared to corresponding period of last year. According to a fortnightly report of Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) released recently, over 7.4 million or 74,40,568 bales have undergone the ginning process i.e. converted into bales.

Cotton arrivals in Punjab were recorded at over 3.9 million or 39,28,690 bales, registering a surplus of 12.20 percent as compared to corresponding period of last year when arrivals were recorded at 35,01,580 bales. Sindh generated over 3.5 million or 35,13,139 bales, registering an increase of 64.46pc as compared to corresponding period of last year when arrivals were recorded at 21,36,169 bales.

Textile mills bought 73,32,000 bales while exporters purchased 16,000 bales and Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) didn’t buy during the cotton season 2021-22.

Sanghar district of Sindh topped with cotton arrival figure of

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News & Views

13,19,844 bales followed by Bahawalnagar district of Punjab with 11,32,157 bales. Total eight ginning factories were operational in the country.

Exactly 93,833 cotton bales unsold stock was available in ginning factories.

Pakistan’s exports reach US$100 million per day in February Pakistan’s exports reached US$100 million per day in February, which is an impressive record for the economy. This was stated by Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood while presiding over a consultative meeting to discuss the trade trends for the financial year 2021-22.

The adviser was informed that according to the provisional figures compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) exports from Pakistan during February 2022 grew by 7.9 percent to US$2.820 billion as compared to US$2.614 billion in January 2022.

They increased by 36.4 percent as compared to US$2.068 billion in February 2021. He was informed that for the first time, export reached US$100 million per day in February 2022.

He was informed that there were indications that the growth in imports has started to decline. The imports in February 2022 decreased by 2.14 percent to US$5.907 billion as compared to US$6.036 million in January 2022.

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PAKISTAN TEXTILE JOURNAL - March 2022

He was briefed that important exports commodities showed substantial doubledigit growth in February 2022 over February 2021. These included knitwear (grew by 57 percent), readymade garments (64 percent), bed wear (43 percent), cotton cloth (73 percent), nonbasmati rice (51 percent), cotton yarn (17 percent), towels (44 percent), rice basmati (67 percent), made-ups excluding towels & bedwear (22 percent) and plastic materials by 119 percent.

Dawood expressed his satisfaction with the growth of exports and advised the officials of the Ministry of Commerce to monitor export growth so that the momentum is maintained and necessary interventions are made if and when necessary.

Pakistan to launch BWP for textile, apparel sector Pakistan is all set to launch the Better Work Program (BWP) soon which will enable the country in achieving decent work standards, especially in the exportoriented Textiles and Apparel sector, said a report issued by the Ministry of Commerce recently.

2013 to 6.64 billion Euros in 2021, registering an increase of 86%.

While Pakistan’s imports from the EU member states have also increased from 3.31 billion Euros in 2013 to 5.59 billion Euros in 2021, which represents an increase of 69%.

To note, EU GSP Plus is a mutually beneficial arrangement leading to exports increase for both Pakistan and the EU. GSP Plus has played an important role in the expansion of bilateral trade.

Meanwhile, this increased bilateral trade led to more jobs, better working conditions, promotion of sustainable policies overall improvement of macroeconomic indicators for Pakistan.

In terms of country-wise exports to EU member states, there are 12 EU Member states in which Pakistan’s exports have increased by more than 100% including Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Denmark, Ireland, Cyprus, Spain, Netherlands, etc.

The report “GSP+ Insights Pakistan” further revealed that the country is cofunding ILO BWP through Export Development Fund, with support from European Commission.

GSP Plus played a key role in Pakistan’s trajectory to a greener future.

It led to devising legislative instruments and taking policy actions for a greener and cleaner Pakistan. The report stated that the country has achieved SDG 13 ‘Climate Action’ target 10 years ahead of time. The environmental protection bill has been passed.

According to the statistics mentioned in a report, Pakistan’s exports to the EU have increased from 3.56 billion Euros in

Highlighting Pakistan’s commitment to zero carbon emissions, the report stated that 20 textile and apparel

companies are leading Pakistan’s firstever net-zero coalition to reach zero net carbon emissions by 2050.

GSP Plus has strengthened Pakistan’s commitment to further improve decent work standards and labour rights. In 2021, the Government of Punjab increased the minimum wage by 10% while the KP government raised it by 20%, the report noted.

US, EU countries top importers of Pakistani goods United States of America, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, and Italy remained top importers of Pakistani goods in the month of February, the Ministry of Commerce data showed recently.

Pakistan’s exports to US and European nations grew in February, when Pakistan’s relations with US and European nations ran into trouble after Islamabad’s neutral stance on RussiaUkraine conflict.

Exporters however pointed out that February’s exports to these countries were based on the orders received some five to six months ago. About the future prospects of Pakistan’s exports to US and European countries in the current situation, exporters do not see any threat from these nations.

“Why should Pakistani exports suffer when Pakistan didn’t side with any one camp in the Russia-Ukraine conflict,” Khurram Mukhtar, Patron-inChief of Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) said, adding that

Pakistan was not the only country to hold a neutral stance on the issue.

According to the figures of the Ministry of Commerce, Pakistani exports to US grew 25 percent to US$ 473 million in February this fiscal compared to US$ 379 million in the same month last fiscal.

This was followed by United Arab Emirates, where Pakistan exported US$164 million worth of goods against US$ 75 million exported in the same month last year, showing 118 percent growth.

Exports to Italy grew 102 percent to US$123 million, compared to US$ 61 million last fiscal, whereas exports to Spain increased 90 percent to US$121 million from US$ 64 million in the same month last fiscal.

In the month under review, exports to UK increased 27 percent to US$199 million compared to US$156 million in the previous year’s February. Similarly, exports to China climbed up 17 percent to US$ 284 million against US$ 243 million; Bangladesh rose 62 percent to US$ 80 million compared to US$ 50 million, and exports to Turkey increased 157 percent to US$43 million against US$16 million in February of last fiscal.

About the reasons behind growth of exports, Khurram said that Pakistan was competitive and did not face supply chain disruptions. Its track record concerning delivery security has been excellent when compared to regional countries.

AUSTRALIA Cotton prices expected to rise in short-term The gross value of cotton production is forecast to increase by 157 per cent to $4.3 billion by the end of the 2022 fiscal year. This rise is on the back of a sharp increase in production volumes and strong international prices.

And cotton export values are predicted to increase by a staggering 404 pc to $3.4 billion in 2021-22 and a further $4.1 billion in 2022-23 with favorable production conditions to continue and large crops. This is according to the latest Outlook report from Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES).

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The surge is expected to stem from a combination of strong demand for cotton coupled with global supply chain disruptions causing cotton mills to seek additional buffer stocks, driving international prices.

According to the national forecaster, disruptions to international freight have proven to be a significant barrier to trade with the world's largest exporter, the US, struggling to get its recent 2021-22 cotton crops to major import markets.

Although demand for cotton is expected to grow, an easing of supply chain bottlenecks will result in lower international cotton prices in 2022-23 averaging US 98 cents/pound.

BANGLADESH

The national forecaster also predicted total cotton production around the world to increase by 8.1pc tp 27 million tonnes of 600,000 bales.

Garment workers suffering from violations of workers’ rights

Favourable conditions across most of Australia's cotton growing regions mean production estimates sit at 5.2 million bales, almost 10 times larger than the drought impacted 2019-20 crop of 590,000 bales. International prices are expected to surge with the Cotlook 'A' index forecast to average US116 cents per pound in 2021-2022, up by 35pc compared to the previous year.

Garment workers in Bangladesh are suffering from violations of workers’ rights because of a lack of government action, according to a new report from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

PAKISTAN TEXTILE JOURNAL - March 2022

They suffer discrimination and harassment, non-payment of wages and benefits, being forced to work unpaid overtime, and being denied freedom of

association, according to ITUC, the world's largest trade union federation.

The report, released ahead of the Bangladeshi government’s latest progress report to the International Labour Organization (ILO) recently, also focuses on the country's leather and shipbreaking sectors.

BGMEA stresses Bangladesh-India cooperation in apparel, textile industries Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has said Bangladesh and India have enormous scope to complement each other for the development of apparel and textile industries of both neighboring countries.

He stressed the need for more collaboration and cooperation between the two neighboring countries involving business communities and trade associations to explore avenues towards deriving two-way trade benefits.

The BGMEA president made the observation at a meeting with Sri Narain Aggarwal, former Chairman of the Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC), at BGMEA's PR office in Dhaka. BGMEA Vice Presidents Shahidullah Azim and Miran Ali were also present at the meeting.

They discussed possible areas of collaboration between BGMEA and SRTEPC to identify mutual business

Around the World opportunities and work to make the best use of them. They also talked about how both associations could work together to create a bridge between apparel and textile businessmen of Bangladesh and India to facilitate meaningful business interactions.

reach 5.17 trillion yuan in 2021, as per official data.

Additionally, China’s garment exports grew 8.4 per cent YoY to reach a record high of US$ 315.5 billion in 2021.

CAMBODIA CHINA Chinese textile industry recorded double-digit growth in 2021 The textile industry of China witnessed a strong expansion in 2021 as its revenue and profits recorded a doubledigit growth, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

Textile firms with annual operating revenue of 20 million yuan (US$ 3.16 million) and above recorded profits of 267.7 billion yuan in 2021, up 25.4 per cent year on year (YoY).

The total operating revenue of the firms increased by 12.3 per cent YoY to

New deal to promote Cambodian garment sector The Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (EuroCham Cambodia) which aims to increase sustainability in the country's garment industry.

One of the first moves under the agreement will be for EuroCham to set up a public training programme on sustainable textile sourcing, worker health and safety, and compliance through the Cambodian Garment Training Institute (CGTI). This programme will be supported by the German development agency GIZ under its FABRIC project to

promote sustainability and social responsibility in the Asian textile and garment industry.

INDIA Highest-ever export target of US$ 400 billion reported by India India has successfully achieved the export target of US$ 400 billion for fiscal 2022 (FY22) nine days ahead of schedule, up 37 per cent year-over-year from US$ 292 billion in fiscal 2020-21.

India’s merchandise exports between April 2021 and Feb 2022 were worth US$ 374.05 billion, an increase of 45.80 per cent over US$ 256.55 billion in April 2020-Feb 2021 and a rise of 28.16 per cent over US$ 291.87 billion in April 2019-Feb 2020.

Additionally, India exported cotton textile products such as made-ups, yarns and fabrics worth US$13.95 billion between April 2021 and February 2022, surpassing the target of US$12.50 billion, as per official data.

Around the World “India set an ambitious target of US$400 billion of goods exports and achieves this target for the first time ever.

I congratulate our farmers, weavers, MSMEs, manufacturers, exporters for this success. This is a key milestone in our Aatmanirbhar Bharat journey. #LocalGoesGlobal,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet.

“We have scaled the US$400 billion goods exports mountain. Every hour, day & month leading to this monumental achievement has been exhilarating. Now, there are higher peaks to scale. #LocalGoesGlobal,” tweeted Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, consumer affairs and food and public distribution and textiles.

India’s merchandise exports in February 2022 were worth US$33.81 billion, an increase of 22.36 per cent over US$27.63 billion in February last year and a rise of 21.88 per cent over US$27.74 billion in February 2020. Merchandise imports in February 2022 were worth US$55.01 billion, rising by 34.99 per cent and 45.12 per cent over US$40.75 billion in February 2021 and US$37.90 billion in February 2020 respectively.

PM Modi in his tweet said,”India exported goods worth $33 billion every month and close to $1 billion every day.”

SRI LANKA Apparel exports set 5-year record Sri Lanka’s apparel exports in January 2022 were at their highest level for that month in the last five years. The performance demonstrates the industry’s underlying strength as it bounced back from the sustained shocks from the impact of the pandemic over the last two years, says The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF).

Sri Lanka’s apparel export earnings rose to US$ 487.6 million in January 2022, overtaking the US$ 452 million recorded in January 2019, prior to the pandemic, by 8%. Growth over January 2021 export earnings was 23%.

“Amidst significant turbulence, this strong performance is testimony to the resilience of Sri Lanka’s apparel industry and augurs well for the industry’s

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progress towards realising its goals for 2025,” said Yohan Lawrence, Secretary General, JAAF, the apex body of the Sri Lankan apparel industry.

The industry’s 2030 vision is to transform Sri Lanka to a global apparel hub by that year and an intermediate goal is to increase annual export earnings from apparel to US$8 billion by 2025.

“Through close cooperation between all key stakeholders, the apparel industry can further increase its already-strong contribution to the national economy, as a major generator of vital foreign exchange and high-quality employment,” Lawrence added.

The industry’s January 2022 performance also reflects the success of rigorously applied safety measures adopted by the sector, in close cooperation with health authorities, to minimize the spread of the pandemic among employees to zero.

Additionally, apace with the national vaccination drive, 65% of employees in Sri Lanka’s apparel sector have now received both doses and the booster, while 95% of employees have received at least both doses. Apparel exporters also proactively adopted additional safety measures, even before the Omicron variant came to Sri Lanka.

UNITED KINGDOM UK plans to share EPR textiles scheme options in 2022 The UK government is conducting ongoing research to develop options for a textiles policy framework that includes EPR and it is said to be committed to engaging stakeholders on these options by the end of this year.

The UK Government’s Resources & Waste Strategy for England report identified textiles as being one of five priority sectors for a potential EPR scheme alongside chemicals, construction, food and metals. The report defines the textiles sector as including at least all clothing, as well as other household and commercial textiles such as bed linens.

A UK EPR scheme specifically for textiles would mean producers of apparel and textiles would contribute to the costs of recycling and this would be supported by measures to encourage better design and labelling. The scheme would also aim to boost the reuse and recycling of apparel and textiles and reduce the environmental footprint of the sector.

The Government’s draft Waste Prevention Programme for England that

was published for consultation in March 2021 is also said to affirm its commitment to an EPR scheme and sets out its consultation approach.

The Government is already showing its commitment towards reducing waste within the fashion sector by starting engagement with stakeholders on the Textiles 2030 initiative.

USA Drought pushes cotton prices to ten-year high Cotton prices rose to their highest level in more than a decade due to a prolonged drought in parts of the central United States. The plant fiber reached US$1.3171 per pound (about 453 grams) on the key US futures contract, the highest since July 2011.

Rainfall has been exceptionally low since early January in the northwest part of Texas, which produces about 40 percent of all US cotton production.

Depending on the region in the United States, cotton is planted from March to June, so there is uncertainty in the market about size of this year's crop, according to John Robinson, a professor at Texas A&M University and cotton specialist.

VIETNAM Middle East market remains promising for Vietnamese exporters With a population of 400 million, the Middle East is emerging as a promising market for Vietnamese exporters, a news agency quoted experts as saying.

According to VNA, the Middle East - thanks to the rising oil prices - is enjoying high growth. Among 16 regional countries, Vietnam has mostly traded with six member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), namely the UAE, Saudi, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman.

Trade between Vietnam and the GCC countries has surged from US$2.7 billion in 2012 to US$12.5 billion in 2021.

So far, Vietnam has signed economic, trade and scientific-technological cooperation agreements with five GCC countries, trade deals with two nations, double-tax avoidance agreements with five countries and investment protection deals with four countries. Vietnamese products are suitable to the demands of the GCC countries.

Nguyen Tuan, Deputy Director of the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of Ho Chi Minh City (ITPC), said that Middle East countries have high demand for wooden furniture, plastics, grains, garments, footwear, rubber products, meat, milk and vegetables, which are strong products of Vietnam.

Corporate News

Sicomin supports fiberglass industries in large scale adaptable composite project for the Museum of the Future interior, Dubai Sicomin is proud to have supported the build of Dubai’s Museum of the Future.

Sicomin supplied its innovative biobased intumescent gelcoat and fireretardant laminating resins for the production of over 200 double curved panels making up the interior of the Museum’s entrance lobby.

The Museum of the Future, a stunning new addition to Dubai’s skyline by architects Killa Design, engineers Buro Happold and contractor BAM International, opened on 22nd February 2022 and features a large percentage of composite materials in the interior construction.

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Advanced Fiberglass Industries (AFI) manufactured 230 double curved interior panels, a unique doublehelix DNA structure staircase that scales the full seven levels of the museum and 228 GRP oval shaped light structures for the museums car parking area.

Lightweight, quick to install, durable and highly formable fireretardant composites provided the optimum

Corporate News

material solution for the torus shaped Museum’s double curved interior panels that were decorated with a unique raised calligraphy design featuring quotes from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

In a first of its kind for a large scale composite project, adaptable mould technology from Danish company Adapa, was introduced by Advanced Fiberglass Industries, Dubai (AFI) to ensure that the interior panels could be delivered in line with the project schedule. As well as allowing each unique panel shape to be rapidly configured without the machining of traditional moulds, the adaptive mould technology massively reduced waste generated in the moulding process, contributing to the building’s low carbon LEED platinum credentials.

high-performance fire-retardant material solution was approved by Dubai Civil Defence, as well as achieving Class A (ASTM E84) and B-s1,d0 (EN13510-1) classifications in the testing carried out by Thomas Bell-Wright.

“Sicomin’s FR epoxy solutions gave us just the right balance of structural performance, processability and fire performance that we needed for the Museum’s interior panels,” commented

Majid Akram Chaudhry, General Manager, AFI. “We were able to quickly dial in the new techniques required to use the materials on the Adapa moulds and the industrial scale up we needed to deliver the project on time was no problem for Sicomin to manage. As a result, we were able to increase the scope significantly and for the staircase and car park light fittings too.” 

With a challenging structural and fire safety specification defined, Sicomin’s bio-based SGi128 intumescent gelcoat and SR1122 fire retardant laminating epoxy were chosen for the panels, an additional advantage being that in addition to high fire properties, SGi 128 is also formulated with over 30% carbon from renewable sources, reducing the final carbon footprint significantly.

Sicomin worked alongside the panel manufacturer, providing technical support for the fire test panels and the initial Adapa moulding trials. As a result the

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Personalia

Cotton Council International elects 2022 Officers Carlos C. Garcia, a cooperative official from Lubbock, Texas, was elected as president of Cotton Council International (CCI) for 2022. CCI is the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) export promotion arm and carries out programs in more than 50 countries globally under the COTTON USA™ trademark. Garcia and other CCI officers were elected at CCI’s board meeting held as part of the NCC’s 2022 Annual Meeting that convened in Houston, Texas.

“Despite the global pandemic, CCI held 35 events – both virtually and in person – in 12 of the biggest cotton importing countries of the world in 2021,” Garcia said. “I was proud to represent the U.S. industry during a COTTON USA event last year and saw firsthand how CCI’s business-building programs resonate with our customers overseas. I will continue to communicate U.S. cotton’s competitive advantages with CCI in 2022 with a focus on the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol® and COTTON USA SOLUTIONS™.

Garcia is the export sales manager at Plains Cotton Cooperative Association (PCCA), a marketing cooperative owned by farmers in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and New Mexico dedicated to supplying sustainably-grown, high-quality cotton fiber around the world.

Originally from Van Horn, Texas, Garcia attended Texas Tech University.

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While pursuing his degree, he worked as a marketing intern in PCCA’s Traffic and Invoicing Department. In 2000 after earning a degree in multi-disciplinary studies from Texas Tech, Garcia joined PCCA’s export department. He became the export sales manager in 2004 and has worked at PCCA for 22 years.

Garcia is past president of the Lubbock Cotton Exchange and current board member. He is also a member of the International Cotton Association and has served on the Advisory Committee on Universal Cotton Standards. A NCC Cotton Leadership Program graduate, he currently serves on the NCC’s Public Relations and International Market Development Committee.

Garcia is involved with several community organizations as well, currently serving on the Board of Managers of Lubbock County Hospital District, and as chairman in 2021. He is currently a UMC Foundation Board Member and past director as well as having served on the Slaton Independent School District Board of Trustees.

Other 2022 CCI officers elected include: chairman, Ted D. Sheely, a producer from Lemoore, California; first vice president, Steve Dyer, a merchant from Cordova, Tenn.; second vice president, J. Lee Cromley, a producer from Brooklet, Ga.; secretary, Gary Adams, also of Cordova; and assistant

secretary, Bruce Atherley, from Washington, D.C. Newly elected as CCI treasurer was Carlo Bocardo, a cooperative official from Bakersfield, California.

Elected as 2022 CCI directors were Kevin Brinkley, a Lubbock, Texas cooperative official; James (Jim) Martin, a Gastonia, N.C. manufacturer; and Beau Stephenson, a Richardson, Texas merchant.

Re-elected as 2022 CCI directors were: PRODUCERS – Philip F. Edwards, III, a Smithfield, Va.; Barry W. Evans, Kress, Texas; John F. Lindamood, Tiptonville, Tenn.; Richard Gaona, Roby, Texas; Matthew R. (Matt) Hyneman, Jonesboro, Ark.; Neal Isbell, Muscle Shoals, Ala.; and Paul (Paco) Ollerton, Casa Grande, Ariz.; GINNERS – George G. LaCour, Jr., Morganza, La., and Curtis H. Stewart, Spade, Texas; MERCHANTS – John C. King, III, Memphis, Tenn.; Tim G. North, Dallas, Texas; Ernst D. (Ernie) Schroeder, Jr., Bakersfield, California; and William A. Barksdale, Cordova, Tenn.; COOPERATIVES – Frederick Barrier, Greenwood, Miss.; and Donald A. Robinson, Garner, N.C.; COTTONSEED – James (Jim) C. Massey, Harlingen, Texas; WAREHOUSEMAN – Vance C. Shoaf, Milan, Tenn.; and MANUFACTURERS – Robin Perkins, Sanford, North Carolina.

Dyes and Chemicals

Archroma launches EARTH SOFT system based on Siligen® EH1, vegan textile softener with one-third plant-based active content Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, announced the launch of EARTH SOFT, a new softening system for textile and fashion applications, based on Archroma's latest innovation, a vegan silicone softener, Siligen® EH1, with 35% plant-based active content.

Siligen® EH1 is the latest addition in the plant-based innovations developed by Archroma in recent years, such as EarthColors® dyes and Appretan® NTR binders, as alternatives offered to manufacturers and brands looking to reduce the use of fossil fuel based ingredients without compromising performance.

The range has been developed in line with the principles of “The Archroma Way to a sustainable world: safe, efficient, enhanced, it’s our nature”.

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More than 35% of the Siligen® EH1 softener's active content is based on plant-based, renewable raw materials. In addition, the product features ultralow cyclic siloxanes (D4, D5, D6) which are classified by the European Chemicals Agency as “Substances of Very High Concern” due to their very persistent and bioaccumulative properties.

Siligen® EH1 is suitable for both woven and knitted articles. It can be applied by padding process, as well as by exhaust process as it shows a very good shear stability and a low foaming profile.

It can be used on white articles and those treated with optical brighteners, as it doesn’t cause thermo migration nor phenolic yellowing.

Siligen® EH1 is ideally suited for shirts, underwear, sportswear, towels, bed sheets, etc. as it provides an excellent wearing comfort by supporting a good moisture transportation and delivering a smooth and soft touch.

Paul Cowell, Head of Competence Centers for Brand & Performance Textile Specialties at Archroma, comments: “The new EARTH SOFT system based on Siligen® EH1 softener adds to our growing portfolio of innovations based on natural and renewable plant-based resources.

This new breakthrough innovation by Archroma helps us and our partners in the textile and fashion industry to minimize our dependence on petroleum fossil fuel products.”

The new softener, and the EARTH SOFT system which also includes a Hydroperm® wicking agent to boost hydrophilic properties on synthetic and blended fibers, can be applied on all natural and synthetic textile fibers.

Dyes and Chemicals

Huntsman Textile Effects launches water conservation project in India Huntsman Textile Effects, the global leader in innovative and environmentally sustainable dyes, chemicals, and digital inks, has successfully implemented a water conservation process to improve water efficiency and reduce net water usage at its Baroda facility, which is located in the western region of India.

76 KL/Day water saving by optimizing pH analysis process in dye vessels The initiative undertaken at the plant aims to save around 76 kilo liters of Reverse Osmosis water per day by modifying the phase sequence in the pH measurement program.

Potential savings of over Rs 10 crore or USD146,000 annually from the project

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Water is used extensively throughout textile processing operations. The amount of water used varies widely in the industry, depending on specific processes operated at the plant, equipment used, and policies concerning water use. This conservation project at the Baroda Plant will have a potential savings of Rs 10 crore or USD146,000 a year for the organization.

creating a more sustainable future and are committed to the well-being of the communities where we operate, and the protection of the environment. We are continually looking for ways to improve the environmental footprint of our manufacturing sites and have been implementing numerous projects in recent years to reduce our water usage.”

Speaking on the development, Mark Devaney, Vice President Manufacturing and Operations Excellence, Huntsman Textile Effects said, “At Huntsman, we recognize the important role we play in

“The team has done a detailed assessment of the pH analysis process in dye vessels, mapping the existing water usage and potential conservation method.

PAKISTAN TEXTILE JOURNAL - March 2022

A step closer to achieving the ‘Huntsman Horizon 2025’ goal After a brief study and several brainstorming sessions, we were able to adjust the phase sequence, resulting in conservation of Reverse Osmosis water by almost 76 kilo liters of water per day.” said Kavishwar Kalambe, Site Director, Huntsman Textile Effects. “This project directly contributes to Huntsman’s Horizon 2025 goals to reduce net water usage at facilities in water-stressed regions,” he added.

Fairs and Exhibitions

FESPA Global Print Expo 2022: Full line-up of major exhibitors confirmed Berlin events will offer most comprehensive innovation showcase for print and signage since 2019 FESPA Global Print Expo and European Sign Expo 2022 (31 May – 3 June 2022, Messe Berlin, Germany) are set to bring together the strongest line-up of exhibitors since 2019, with more than 250 suppliers already contracted to exhibit and many more active discussions in progress. The list of confirmed participants includes many who were unable to be at the 2021 Amsterdam event and who are now eager to regain their momentum by being part of the Spring 2022 events.

Visitors will be able to see hardware solutions from major exhibitors including event sponsors Durst, Mimaki, Brother and HP, as well as Agfa, aleph, Canon,

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Epson, Fujifilm, Kornit Digital, Mutoh, M&R, Roland DG and swissQprint. The array of media and consumables suppliers includes 3A, Ahlstrom Munksjö, Avery Dennison, Hexis, InkTec, Neenah Coldenhove, Neschen, ORAFOL, PoliTape and Sun Chemical. Barbieri Electronic, Caldera, OneVision and ONYX Graphics are among the companies presenting automation, workflow and colour management solutions.

Head of FESPA Global Print Expo, Michael Ryan comments: “It’s so motivating to have such a strong vote of confidence from the supplier community for FESPA and our power to reinvigorate the speciality print industry after the challenges of the last two years. Suppliers who joined us in Amsterdam in October 2021 were reminded of the unique value of live events and the commercial

advantage of connecting with customers and prospects face-to-face, so we’re delighted that many more exhibitors will reap these benefits in 2022.”

Now that businesses are back up and running and senior decision-makers are looking to secure their future investments, the importance of live shows to accelerate recovery has never been more significant.

European Sign Expo 2022, the leading European exhibition for signage and visual communications, will be co-located with FESPA Global Print Expo. The event will reunite key signage professionals with companies specialising in channel lettering, digital signage, dimensional signage, engraving and etching, illuminated displays, out of home media, LED, outdoor systems, laser cutters and sign tools.

Fairs and Exhibitions Platinum Sponsor EFKA will return to European Sign Expo alongside confirmed exhibiting companies including: Art Neon Lighting, Cosign, dap, Domino Sign, Harmuth, NEX LINE SRL, SolaAir, and vhf camfacture.

Christoph Gamper, CEO & Co-owner, Durst Group AG comments: “All signs point to FESPA 2022 meeting a weakened COVID scenario, and we can finally talk business again. But it's no longer about unchecked "wild growth" but solutions for a more sustainable world.

Print can be an essential part of this, and FESPA is a fixed point in the universe of print.

In this respect, experiencing print in motion means new, sustainable business models for our customers and us.

We are looking forward to FESPA, to Berlin, and above all, to finally seeing customers "live" again and demonstrating new ways and possibilities.“ Kevin Jenner, European Marketing Manager, Fujifilm Wide Format Inkjet

Systems comments: "Having not attended any major exhibitions since before the pandemic, FESPA 2022 is happening at the perfect time for Fujifilm.

In 2021 we unveiled our 'new blueprint for wide format' with two new Acuity presses (the Acuity Prime flatbed and the

Acuity Ultra R2) built with a completely new look, a new level of functionality and enhanced ROI. FESPA 2022 provides us with the perfect platform to reveal the exciting next phase of machines in this expanding range.” 

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Fairs and Exhibitions

Italian Textile Machinery at Techtextil North America 2022 The next edition of Techtextil North America will take place in Atlanta from May 17th to 19th, 2022. ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, and Italian Trade Agency organize an Italian Pavilion.

More than 17 Italian machinery manufacturers involved in the production of machines for technical textiles will show their innovative solutions.

ACIMIT members exhibiting in the Italian Pavilion are: 4M Plants, Aeris, Arioli, Computer House, Fadis, Flainox, Guarneri Technology, Ima, Kairos Engineering, MCS, Ramina, Siltex, Stalam, Testa and Willy.

The US textile industry is one of the top in US manufacturing sector, with a sales volume of exceeding US$ 64 billion in 2020, with approximately 300,000 workers and about 15,000 companies.

The industry’s strength lies in cotton, man-made fibers, and a wide variety of

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yarns and fabrics, including those for apparel and industrial uses.

In 2021, the USA represented the third market for Italian textile machinery exports, behind China and Turkey. In

2021 January-September period the value of Italian sales to US market was 93 million Euros, an increase of 74% compared to the same period of the previous year. 

When it comes to sustainable cotton...

Transparency Matters Now more than ever, there is an imperative and understanding for the need to protect and preserve the planet.

In October 2021, COP26 brought together many fashion brands and highlighted the need for sustainability within the industry.

The event resulted in a new version of the United Nations Environment Program’s fashion charter, which now includes 130 signatures from companies like Gap Inc. Evolving attitudes regarding sustainability and changing priorities among brands, retailers and consumers are creating demand for greater sustainability and transparency, starting at the field and continuing throughout the entire supply chain. In fact, a letter published during COP26 highlights the need for collective action in sustainability.

The letter focused on the need to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, readdressing supply chains, and a shift in attitude from profit driven to wellbeing of the planet.

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With the increased scrutiny on sustainability, brands and retailers want to ensure what they buy is what they get, with raw material sourcing more important today than ever before.

The U.S. cotton industry’s existing commitment to leadership in more sustainable cotton growing practices has been clear over the past 35 years. It has made significant strides in reducing its environmental impact, decreasing water use, soil loss, greenhouse gas emissions and energy use while increasing soil carbon and land use. But the U.S. cotton industry knew there was still work to be done to ensure that it contributed to the protection and preservation of the planet.

Launched in 2020, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is a farm level, sciencebased program that sets a new standard in more sustainably grown cotton. It brings verifiable goals and measurements

to cotton production - driving improvements in land use, soil carbon, water management, soil loss, greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency.

The Trust Protocol allows U.S. producers to showcase their sustainable practices and how they have been, and will continue to be, leaders in sustainability on a global scale.

The Trust Protocol measures, evidences and verifies sustainability credentials. ”For sustainability to be meaningful we understand the textile supply chain must demonstrate continuous improvement...”

At the same time, the program was designed to meet the needs of brands and retailers in the fashion and textile industries, which are increasingly expected to show the sourcing data for their products.

Fibre and Yarns

“The Trust Protocol measures, evidences and verifies sustainability credentials,” said Dr. Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “With the Trust Protocol we are providing access to more sustainability grown cotton for brands and retailers, and science-based, data led assurances that their consumers can have confidence in – something that has been lacking in the industry to date.”

Trust Protocol members have access to aggregate data based on selfassessment questionnaires of participating growers in key sustainability metrics.

This data-based approach, backed up by independent, third-party verification from Control Union Certifications North America, gives brands and retailers the critical assurances that the cotton fiber element of their supply chain is more sustainably grown.

However, the program does not stop there. Recognizing the growing importance of increased supply chain visibility to brand and retailer members, the Trust Protocol has selected to collaborate with TextileGenesis™ in order to be the world’s first sustainable cotton fiber to offer its members article level transparency across the supply chain.

Harnessing blockchain technology, the Protocol Consumption Management Solution (PCMS) begins at the gin where it records and verifies the movement of U.S. cotton throughout the supply chain and provides a transparency map, including the names and locations of Trust Protocol mill and manufacturer members that were involved every step along the way, into the finished products that are shipped to brands and retailers.

Currently in pilot, the PCMS provides brands and retailers the assurance and visibility that U.S. cotton is included in their products.

Mills and manufacturers who join the Trust Protocol can also be identified as part of a fully transparent supply chain and selected by brands and retailers as they look to source U.S. cotton fiber.

“For sustainability to be meaningful, we understand that the textile supply chain must demonstrate continuous improvement and transparency throughout the entire process – building trust from field to fabric,”said Adams.

In its first year the Trust Protocol has welcomed more than 560 brand, retailer, mill and manufacturer members since its launch in 2020. This includes J.Crew, Madewell, Levi Strauss & Co. and, Gap Inc. as well as global apparel manufacturer Gildan. The Trust Protocol has also welcomed UK retailers Tesco, Byford and Next Plc. To learn more about the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol visit TrustUSCotton.org.

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Fibre and Yarns

Naia™ from Eastman showcases sustainability and growth at Première Vision Eastman, a producer of sustainably sourced NaiaTM cellulosic fibre participated in Première Vision (PV), the global event for fashion professionals, held during February 8– 10, 2022, and the online PV Digital Marketplace during February 7–11, 2022.

Having debuted at this event only three years ago, the versatile NaiaTM offerings have been expanded as the company has collaborated with dozens of brands and numerous value-chain partners worldwide.

Ruth Farrell, marketing director of textile fibres for Eastman took part in the session: Live, Learn, Lounge - Global insights into every closet must-have item: Loungewear.

NaiaTM Renew offers clear advantages. It is available in a filament featuring a silky hand, rich luster and fluid

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drape that can be used to create fashionable womenswear garments or a staple fiber, which is inherently soft and quick drying. Its reduced pilling properties make it ideal for loungewear. It blends well with other eco-friendly materials such as lyocell, modal and recycled polyester to produce sustainable fabrics and garments that are ideal for every day and everywhere. From tops, dresses, Tshirts, comfy pants and sweaters, NaiaTM Renew offers a wide array of sustainable options.

"The global pandemic has strengthened our resolve and allowed us to further innovate to meet our goal: making sustainable fashion accessible to all. We have experienced strong growth due in large part to the quality of our offerings, the inherent sustainability of NaiaTM and a strong network of global partners,” Farrell said. “Collaboration is key to creating measurable impacts in

sustainable fashion. Numerous brands are working with us to meet their sustainability goals, and we’re helping our mill partners with their sustainability offerings to market.”

NaiaTM Renew is created with the highest safety, social and environmental standards, bringing the richness of nature to comfortable and effortlessly luxurious fabrics. It’s produced from 60% sustainably sourced wood pulp and 40% hard-to-recycle waste material diverted from landfills or incinerators with a low carbon footprint in a closed-loop process where solvents are safely recycled back into the system for reuse.

NaiaTM Renew can be produced at scale with the circular economy in mind, providing the highest quality products without compromising creativity or the planet’s resources. With traceability from tree to fiber, NaiaTM Renew is the perfect choice for womenswear. NaiaTM

Fibre and Yarns

Two new Naia™ Renew staple fiber fabrics from Polopique: Polopique 2556 and Polopique 2557

certifications and traceability are available online.

NaiaTM Renew recycled content is achieved by allocation of recycled waste materials using an ISC Ccertified mass balance process.

Some of Eastman’s value-chain partners who exhibited their NaiaTM fabrics at PV include Akin Tekstil, Brunello, Elyaf Tekstil, Eusebio SRL, Familitex, GI Tessil, Girani, Gülipek Textiles, Gülle Tekstil, Ipeker, Karsu, Kipas Textiles, Luxury Jersey, Manifattura Pezzetti, Marini Industrie (supplied by Ghezzi/Lombard), Mario Cucchetti Tessuti, Meltam Tekstil, Nilba Tekstil, Nuryildiz Tekstil, Parlamis Atadan Tekstil,

Pastel By Yilmazipek, Riopele, Sampaio & Filhos, Barutçu Tekstil, Ekoten, Youngbo Textile Co., SNT Co., Ltd., and Saechang Commercial Co, Ltd. More fabric images and information can be found at the PV Digital Marketplace.

About Eastman Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day.

With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability.

The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of worldclass technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation,building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries.

The company had 2021 revenues of approximately $10.5 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. 

Two new Naia™ Renew staple fiber fabrics from Ekoten: Ekoten 2202 Teal Spun Diagonal Fleece Knit and Ekoten 2201 Sand Spun 2x1 Rib Knit

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Fibre and Yarns

HYPETEX®, adidas Selected as JEC Innovation Awards 2022 Finalists for Kromaskin™ Field Hockey Stick Hypetex®, London, February 4th 2022: Hypetex®, the market leaders in colouring carbon fibre materials, is delighted to announce that its Hypetex® Kromaskin™ field hockey stick for adidas has been selected as a finalist for the 2022 JEC Innovation Awards.

Hypetex® was commissioned by adidas to develop a market leading hockey stick differentiated from existing equipment not just by its unique pigmented carbon fibre finish, but also by its game changing hitting power and consistency. The patented range of KromaskinTM sticks, created with support from project partners Textreme® and Marque Makers, was found to outperform competitors in a benchmark study against eight other premium hockey sticks carried out by Loughborough’s Sports Technology Institute (STI).

Hypetex® lead the design, engineering, materials, and production process development for the adidas field hockey stick project. By incorporating the stick’s finish colour within the outermost carbon fibre layer, the stick mould could be adjusted outwards, placing the highly structural spread tow materials right at the outer extremities of the mould cavity, increasing mechanical performance and maximising the structural benefits of the composite materials used.

Whilst the KromaskinTM surface provides a stunning depth of colour with minimal finishing required after demoulding, the Hypetex® technology, including an epoxy based expanding microsphere system used in the core, delivers significant performance gains on the hockey pitch. In tests at the STI, adidas KromaskinTM sticks had up to 16% higher coefficient of restitution (COR), meaning they will return more energy and the ball will travel faster. In addition, through the production led design and materials used, the variation in COR was

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70% less than the other sticks on test, a significant reduction in the production inconsistencies common with the manufacturing of performance sporting goods.

The JEC Innovation Awards are recognized as the composite industry’s most prestigious awards. Over the last 16 years, the JEC Innovation Program has involved nearly 1,900 companies worldwide. The award winners will be announced on the 26th April in Paris, and Hypetex® and adidas are finalists in the Sports & Leisure category.

“We are thrilled to be nominated as finalists for the 2022 JEC Innovation Awards and are delighted that the awards committee recognized the significant performance gains realized with the new adidas sticks as well as the stunning visual finish created by our Kromaskin™ technology,” comments Marc Cohen, CEO, Hypetex®.

Exhibiting as part of the Composites UK stand, Hypetex® will display its full portfolio of uniquely coloured materials at JEC World including 3K woven styles,

ultra-lightweight spread tow fabrics, UD materials, and new coloured flax products. The Hypetex® Kromaskin™ hockey stick for adidas will also be on show in Paris as part of the JEC Innovation Planets platform.

About Hypetex® Hypetex® are leaders in colouring advanced materials, supplying a broad spectrum of visually stunning coloured technical textile reinforcements which, along with offering a colour as an option, provide significant part finishing time and cost benefits without the additional weight of a traditional paint system.

Hypetex® Special Projects (HSP) division in house engineering, product design, and processing engineering expertise supports clients throughout their composite project from initial concept to final production component. offering a complete end-to-end suite of services for companies that wish to design, create, and produce products using advanced composite technology. 

Mill Report

Altun Plant Manager Mehmet Mor at the controls of the new machine.

Turkish upholstery leader opts ® for the Montex Coat Turkish powerhouse in home textiles and furnishing fabrics Altun Tekstil has just commissioned the first Montex®Coat coating system in Turkey.

The advanced machine has been installed at the ever-expanding familyowned company’s industrial complex in Bursa and is being employed to provide an anti-slip and textured backing to upholstery fabrics with a stable and uniform foam, via knife-over-roller coating.

Founded in 1993, Altun exports its fabrics to more than 60 countries, with its major export markets being Russia and Ukraine, as well as many Middle Eastern and European countries.

The Montex®Coat unit enables an even foam application to be achieved at high speeds.

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PAKISTAN TEXTILE JOURNAL - March 2022

Mill Report Its integrated operations include the production of texturized yarns, weaving and raschel knitting, in addition to dyeing and finishing. With a major focus on tulle curtains and upholstery, the company’s fabric range also extends to a wide variety of apparel styles.

“Despite the current market conditions, our investments continue to increase,” said company owner Murat Altun. “We have established both a knit and woven fabric dyehouse and an integrated upholstery fabric weaving factory, where in 2022 we will also backward integrate into synthetic filament spinning from chips. In the longer term, we plan to bring all of our operations together in a single facility of 350,000 square metres, to employ approximately 10,000 people. We have new investment targets that aim to further reduce our dependence on overseas suppliers and enable us to do everything within our own operations.”

Altun has installed eight Monfongs stenters in various widths at its two plants since 2016 – coincidentally the year Monforts Turkish representative Neotek was founded.

“We have worked with Neotek from the start and both its service and the product quality with Monforts technology

The coater is installed at the front of the eighth Monfongs Montex stenter supplied to the company.

are extremely satisfying,” said Plant Manager Mehmet Mor. All of the stenters are engineered for specific product lines and the Montex®Coat unit is integrated into the latest of these lines, which has a maximum working width of 2.2 metres and eight chambers. ®

“With the Montex Coat unit Altun is able to achieve an even foam application at high speed which results in a very

economic process,” said Monforts Sales Manger Thomas Päffgen.

The fully integrated line benefits from universal control technology and the unique Monforts visualisation system.

The Montex®Coat’s bordering system has been optimised for enhanced userfriendliness, while the doctor blade adjustment range is the most precise available on the market.

The fully integrated line benefits from the unique Monforts visualisation system.

37

“Terylene Clean becomes the first traceable and sustainable 100% Recycled Polyester Staple Fibre brand of Pakistan ” A signing ceremony was held at ICI Polyester Manufacturing site located in Sheikhupura to celebrate the partnership between FibreTrace and Terylene Clean. With this partnership, Terylene Clean has become the first traceable and sustainable 100% RPET Fibre brand of Pakistan.

ICI Polyester Business takes pride in the fact that it introduced Polyester Staple Fibre to the world through its brand, Terylene in 1941. Terylene continues to take lead in the most innovative and unique technologies. Six years ago, Terylene envisioned a four tier strategy (Sustainability, Health & Hygiene, Traceability and Versatility) to align itself with the future needs of the textile world.

Under its sustainability theme, its core product remains “Terylene Clean”, which allows the textile downstream industry to seamlessly shift its production on recycled content to fulfil orders of leading sustainable textile brands. Now, it also provides

38

PAKISTAN TEXTILE JOURNAL - March 2022

Special Report complete, end-to-end traceability from the raw rPET fibre to the finished good and is GRS, OEKO-TEX and Ecoflower certified. To date, the brand has recycled more than 250 million PET bottles and saved carbon dioxide emissions that are equivalent to plantation of more than 200,000 trees. By May 2022, Terylene Clean will have an additional capacity of 18,000 MT per annum bringing the total recycled PET bottles to 1.2 Billion per annum.

During the ceremony, the audience were apprised about the recent 18-month long study that has sent shockwaves across the global RPET industry. An article named “Net closes on rPET fraud as testing market expands” dated 3rd February 2022 and published online in “Apparel Insider” has shed light on the fact that two-thirds of textile products claiming to be produced from recycled polyester were found to be fraudulent. Thus, transparency has become a license to operate as question arises that brands that are promoting sustainability, are they getting it?

Under this mission, Terylene Clean has joined hands with FibreTrace to embed its patented tracer technology which can be instantly tested at any stage of the value

chain through a Bluetooth scanner.

FibreTrace® is an advanced transparency technology business, combining physical and digital traceability with the power of authentication. It provides brands and retailers with true custody of supply, the ability to quantify and audit fibre content, and access primary impact data for natural and man-made solutions.

The ceremony had senior management representation from FibreTrace, ICI Pakistan Limited, WWF Pakistan,

Consulting Services International and Tti Laboratories. The media partners were TexTalks and The Pakistan Textile Journal.

The session was able to bring in all the stakeholders together that are working to establish an eco-system to promote traceable RPET from Pakistan.

For more information on Terylene Clean, kindly download the Terylene App or email at market.research@ici.com.pk 

39

Features

Groz-Beckert presents product highlights for the nonwovens industry at IDEA Miami Albstadt, Germany/Miami, USA: GrozBeckert will be exhibiting its Felting and Carding product areas at IDEA in Miami, USA, from 28 to 31 March 2022. At booth 1420 in the Miami Beach Convention Center, Groz-Beckert experts will be presenting the latest products and solutions for the production of nonwovens. IDEA takes place every three years and is one of the most important trade fairs for nonwovens and technical textiles for the international nonwovens industry.

Whether hydroentanglement, traditional needling or service: The product group Felting gives visitors comprehensive insights into the portfolio for the nonwovens industry. For spunlace customers, Groz-Beckert presents its HyTec® P jet strips, which are characterized by a significantly higher hardness compared with conventional jet

40

PAKISTAN TEXTILE JOURNAL - March 2022

strips and therefore also offer excellent scratch resistance.

product and process optimization.

In the area of traditional needling, the patented GEBECON® felting needle is one of Groz-Beckert’s highlight products.

Thanks to its unique geometry, it offers optimized bending resistance with high flexibility. By using Augmented Reality, it can be viewed in detail at the booth.

At IDEA, the Groz-Beckert InLine card clothing series is the main focus of the product group Carding. Thanks to a new and patented production method, Groz-Beckert has developed a new range of metallic card clothing, which offers improved process reliability and increased uptime of the card for the nonwovens industry. At the same time, the new production method also reflects the corporate principles of environmentally-friendly and resource-saving production.

Know-how protection and improved needle logistics are just two of the many benefits of the customer product that the Felting product group will highlight for customers at the booth.

In addition, visitors can take a virtual tour through the technology facility in the Groz-Beckert Technology and Development Center (TEZ) in Albstadt, Germany. This way, they experience the staple fiber needle punch line (SVL) up close and learn how Groz-Beckert can assist in product development as well as

The card clothings are characterized by a controlled and very precise hardening of

Features

the teeth, a reduced rib height of 1.3 millimeters and completely scale-free surfaces without burrs. An exhibit at the booth will highlight how this differs from conventional production methods. It shows an impressive comparison between the new Groz-Beckert InLine card clothing and the previous generation.

The SiroLock™ plus worker and doffer wire was developed as the first special geometry of the Groz-Beckert InLine card clothing series. In addition to the advantages of the GrozBeckert InLine card clothings, the SiroLock™ plus impresses with a more effective fiber take-up,

control and transfer. The functionality and operating principle behind the

SiroLock™ plus can be experienced by IDEA visitors via Augmented Reality.

41

Features

Fourcore Oil-Lubricated Technology for Sustainable Denim Production

42

Sustainable design for Eco-Conscious textile businesses

Fourcore: Reduced manufacturing materials and waste

While the history of denim is fascinating, its creation is no less captivating. Raw cotton, picked from the fields, goes through a plethora of processes and changes before being transformed into a pair of jeans or other apparel pieces. Earlier denim’s rugged, hard wearing nature drove its no-frills beginnings. From skinnies, baggies to ripped, distressed and more, denims have consistently evolved in character and style. Today’s innovative stretch fibers have propelled their flight into the fashion domain, ushering in the era of the “jegging”.

In the case of the L200e model, compared to a conventional two stage 200 kW compressor:  Reduces material used by 22%.  Reduces waste by 19%.

To meet the dynamic needs of constantly evolving fashion, textile manufacturers will need to improve the efficiency of their processes through energy-efficient technology. This is where CompAir reliable compressed air Fourcore oil-lubricated technology can help as it’s a necessity at nearly all levels of the process chain.

For example, a L160e model running 8,000 hours/year, compared to a conventional 160 kW compressor delivers reduced greenhouse emissions equivalent to that of 32 passenger cars, or space available, the opportunity to take advantage of the capabilities of twostage technology. When compared with previous single-stage compressors in this

PAKISTAN TEXTILE JOURNAL - March 2022

CompAir’s new 160, 200 and 250 kW FourCore compressor has been designed with reducing waste and improving sustainability throughout the entire product lifecycle in mind. This has resulted in a system that not only runs more efficiently than alternative compressor technologies, but one that has been created with sustainability at its heart.

size range from CompAir, the new models are up to 8 percent more efficient, offering a best-in-class oillubricated solution. 371,800 miles driven by a passenger car in a single year, and carbon sequestered by 181 acres of forest. While a L200e model running 8000 hours/year, compared to a conventional two-stage compressor delivers reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that of 6 passenger car, or 70,000 miles driven by a passenger car in 12 months.

The FourCore range also offers all the capabilities of a two-stage compressor, but with only the Footprint of a singlestage unit, providing businesses, who might not have previously had the onsites pace available, the opportunity to take advantage of the capabilities of twostage technology. When compared with previous single-stage compressors in this size range from CompAir, the new models are up to 8 percent more efficient, offering a best-in-class oillubricated solution.

Swiss Review

Going digital: Swiss textile machinery shows the way Innovative technology for new business models Members of the Swiss Textile Machinery Association introduced their innovations in the field of digitalization on the occasion of an international press conference on February 8, 2022. Digitalization is a big story in the world of business. It’s all about change, making use of technology to transform attitudes and create new opportunities to grow revenue. At its heart is innovation, with new systems and intelligent use of data. In textiles, the entire value chain is going digital, as evidenced by the commitment of Swiss Textile Machinery Association member firms. Their story was presented in six ‘chapters’ – spanning industry sectors through spinning, weaving, finishing and nonwovens. The member companies who gave their presentations were: Uster, Autefa, Espritech, Rieter, Jakob Müller and Saurer. The session was initiated by Cornelia Buchwalder, Secretary General, Swiss Textile Machinery who informed about the Swiss textile machinery sector and introduced the presenting member companies. Following are the excerpts of the presentations.

Uster Technologies Presented by Michele Saig Product Manager

Better process, better workplace Pioneering in the field of digitalization Uster embraces social responsibility along with the introduction of bold new technological innovations. That’s a commitment made by Uster, as it aims to shape future working practices in the textile industry in areas where its systems are applied. In fabric inspection, that means combining the strengths of human capabilities with the performance of Artificial Intelligence. Automatic defect classification with machine learning

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PAKISTAN TEXTILE JOURNAL - March 2022

technology is the next leap in digitalization for fabric manufacturers, following on from automated detection of fabric faults, which is already well established in weaving and finishing mills.

This will bring benefits in profitability for the manufacturer – as well as an improved working environment for their operatives, freed from repetitive tasks.

make it easier for potential customers to grasp the idea. It’s also a big help for training and servicing needs. Most of all they digitalize important parts e.g. of a baling press line with perfectly interconnecting software tools. This is an excellent method for reducing commissioning times.

Autefa Solutions

readiness in the form of a digital twin,

Ordered bale presses reach technical

Presented by André Imhof, CEO

before they are commissioned in the real

See the future system today

to get the line up and running. Speaking

Autefa Solutions uses the concept of digital twinning, visualizing any realworld concept of a nonwovens line to

on behalf of Swiss Textile Machinery

world. This typically halves the total time

Association members, André Imhof, CEO of Autefa Solutions Switzerland AG, says:

Swiss Review “Making digitalization our friend opens doors for business model innovations, which is essential for our industry competitiveness. The approach is to digitalize everything that can be digitalized. We won’t stop.”

It’s also quite certain that there will be many more chapters of the digitalization story invented in Switzerland.

EspriTech Presented by Philipp Rueedi,CFO

Cost savings and more The process of digitalization in the textile industry today is continuous – faster in some segments than others – but noticeable everywhere. Automation is promising in many areas of finishing and making-up, where initial investments are being made. An example is folding of finished goods, previously a slow manual operation. Now, high-performance automatic folding machines from Swiss company Espritech deliver the potential for cost savings, unlocking new options for positive change at this most laborintensive stage of production. For manufacturers in low-cost areas, the benefit results from its volume and is a simple financial one. In higher-cost segments, the application of this technology can be part of a completely new business model, taking production closer to the end customer.

RIETER

portal, perfectly developed to provide essential production information.

Presented by Selwyn Von Grunigen Head of Automation & Digital

Making the most of it Rieter takes advantage of latest digital technology to offer customers a unique experience. Their digital spinning suite helps spinners overcome their daily challenges and manage costs and efficiency more effectively. This all-in-one mill management system connects all the machinery, giving quick access to the right information and a holistic view, from bale to yarn.

Users profit from full transparency, and are presented with recommendations based on long-standing experience and know-how. This is digitalization at its most practical, applied to allow spinners to make the most of their installed machinery.

Jakob Muller Presented by Juan Carlos Product Manager Labels

Information, flexible and fast Access to data is critical in the digitalized world of textiles. It must be flexible, fast and secure, and available to all levels of the company – worldwide.

Jakob Muller serves the narrow fabrics industry ideally with a digitalization

Swiss Textile Machinery Association The Swiss Textile Machinery Association is the representative body for Switzerland’s producers of textile equipment, systems and services. Founded in 1940 currently 45 companies are affiliated, including manufacturers of machines and components, and service providers, for the textile industry. The companies offer solutions covering the entire textile value chain, from spinning to weaving, knitting, finishing, embroidery and quality control.

The Swiss Textile Machinery Association is part of Swissmem – the leading association for SMEs and large companies in Switzerland's mechanical and electrical engineering (MEM) industries and related technology-oriented sectors.

Swissmem provides member companies in industry sectors with a forum for information exchange and marketing activities. Swiss Textile Machinery is the oldest of the 25 industry sectors within Swissmem.

The portal is a browser-based production data acquisition system, with direct access to the machine controls. The system offers unique data monitoring and communication on a global framework.

Digitized weave rooms present information 24/7 on desktops at the customer’s plant, as well as on tablets and smartphones remotely.

SAURER Presented by Pia Terasa Marketing and Marketing Intelligence

Production, service, training – digital everything As a solutions provider, Saurer puts digitalization at the core of business, integral to its technology offering to customers. Some latest examples include self-optimization of spinning machines, and a fully automated transport of cylindrical or conical cross-wound packages.

These are automatically stored in an internal buffer system, for later feeding to subsequent processes. Of course aftersales service is also digital: the e-shop and machine information hub, together with the web-based training centre, ensure that knowledge is transferred to customers – turning employees into experts.

The Swiss Textile Machinery Association is a member of the European textile industry committee CEMATEX (Le Comité Européen des Constructeurs de Machines Textiles), which owns ITMA, the world’s largest international textile machinery exhibition.

The mission of the Ernesto Maurer, President association is to support and promote the Swiss textile machinery industry. This encompasses a range of activities, such as: Organisation of symposia in important textile markets.

Swiss Pavilions at exhibitions and events where a prominent Swiss presence is beneficial.

Innovation workshops, dealing with topics such as additive manufacturing or digitalisation.

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Swiss Review

“2021 was a strong year for Swiss textile machinery sector” Cornelia Buchwalder, Secretary General Swissmem, Swiss Textile Machinery

Q. What are the new developments and innovations introduced by the Swiss Textile Machinery in 2022?

The fields of efficiency, sustainability and digitalisation remain some of the fields in which further improvements and innovations will also take place in 2022.

Personally, I am very much looking forward to ITMA 2023 in Milan. This is always a great showcase to see the innovations and developments in the textile and textile machinery world.

Q. Can you see a shift in the Swiss Machinery to support sustainability and green environment demands?

Sustainability is a big and very important topic. It has been for years, but now it is even more important due to the

Exports of Swiss Textile Machinery (Jan-Dec 2021 vs Jan-Dec 2020)

Country

Exports Exports Exports Rank Mio. Share ± CHF% CHF CHF

World

599.6

17.4% 100.0%

China

1

115.1

49.7% 19.2%

Germany

2

59.3

8.5%

9.9%

Turkey

3

50.6

-4.5%

8.4%

India

4

43.4

50.2%

7.2%

USA

5

42.3

6.2%

7.1%

Italy

6

29.9

65.9%

5.0%

Pakistan

7

27.5

22.9%

4.6%

Japan

8

21.0

22.7%

3.5%

Czech Rep

9

20.5

16.5%

3.4%

Bangladesh

10

19.4

20.2%

3.2%

Source: Swissmem.

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PAKISTAN TEXTILE JOURNAL - March 2022

new EU strategy for sustainable textiles.

As an association, we have also taken on this topic and are currently developing an individual programme for our member companies. Of course, some member companies are already very advanced in this topic, but others will certainly be able to benefit.

Q. How did the COVID affect the sales of Swiss Machinery and could you see situation getting better in 2022?

Looking back to 2021, most of our members reported a very strong year. The business climate has recovered faster and stronger than could be expected. Despite this positive and rapid recovery, there were some challenges to overcome. The still complicated and highly expensive transports, the scarcity and long delivery times of raw materials and the complexity of travel planning. For Switzerland, there was also the additional challenge of the again strengthening Swiss currency, mainly compared to the Euro. As it was a very strong year, both the capacity utilisation rate and the productivity rate

Table 1: Exports of Swiss Textile Machinery Year

Exports (CHF million)

Exports ±(CHF %)

2015

1,064.3

-20.6%

2016

909.8

-14.5%

2017

880.7

-3.2%

2018

821.7

-6.7%

2019

694.0

-15.5%

2020

510.6

-26.4%

2021

599.6

17%

Source: Swissmem.

developed positively. The view into 2022 will be somewhat more neutral. It remains to be seen how current geo political developments will affect consumption and investment. In addition, the afore mentioned challenges will continue to exist.

Q. Industry 4.0 / digitalization how it is reflected on Swiss Machinery manufacturing?

Industry 4.0 or Industry 2025 as we call it in Switzerland offers various possibilities, be it in product or process optimization or in the development of completely new business models. Our member companies use these possibilities to generate maximum customer benefit.

The pandemic in particular has shown us how important digitalisation can be.

Customers and suppliers who can offer for example remote service were certainly in an advantageous situation.

Q. What is the biggest market/ country for sales of Swiss Machinery and what is Pakistan’s position?

The top five export markets in 2021 were China, Germany, Turkey, India and the USA. In 2021, the export volume from Switzerland increased by 17.4% to 599.6 million Swiss francs. However, this only shows a part of the Swiss textile machinery production. Almost all our members have production facilities in different countries such as China and India. These figures are not included in the Swiss export statistics.

Pakistan was the 7th most important market for Swiss textile machinery accounting for 4.6 of total exports. Swiss textile machinery leaders have been present in this important market for more than 50 years. 

Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Switzerland

by Prof. Dr. Noor Ahmed Memon, Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education / Associate Editor, Pakistan Textile Journal.

Switzerland's highly developed economy is large because of its technologically progressive industrial sector, which is differentiated by highly specialized, internationally experienced, and flexible small and medium-sized companies.

Switzerland and Pakistan have good, long-standing relations. The two countries have signed a range of economic agreements that have helped to develop bilateral trade. There are numerous bilateral agreements between Switzerland and Pakistan covering a range of areas including investment protection, debt consolidation, aviation, double taxation and disaster relief.

Switzerland also engages in regular political dialogue with Pakistan.

Pakistani businessmen to enhance trade volume between the two counties.

Over the years this level of cooperation has increased significantly which is the reason why Switzerland has been among the top five largest investors.

The Swiss multinational companies that operate in Pakistan, do not just market their world class products and services, but also create employment opportunities in the country. There are 21 Swiss companies in Pakistan employing 15,000 people. Major Swiss companies that have invested in Pakistan include ABB, Archroma, Clariant, Sika, Gate Gourmet, Nestle and Novartis.

Pak-Swiss Trade

Pakistan's trade relations with Switzerland have been quite happy. The trade between Pakistan and Switzerland increased, but Table 2: Exports of Swiss textile machinery exports remained less than the to Pakistan imports. Over the past five Exports Exports years, trade between Pakistan Year Mio. EUR ±EUR% and Switzerland has increased, 2016 24.4 -34.5% but the rise in imports has been 2017 35.5 +45.5% greater than the exports. The 2018 26.8 -24.5% total trade volume between 2019 38.5 +44% Pakistan and Switzerland in 2020-21 was over US$ 2.02 2020 22.4 -42% billion with the balance of trade 2021 27.5 -22.9 favouring Switzerland.

Source: Swissmem.

The Swiss Business Council had also been set up for providing guidance to

Table 1: Pak Swiss Trade Value: US$ Million Year

Exports Imports Bal of Trade

2016-17

57

850

-793

2017-18

128

1,084

-956

2018-19

95

926

-831

2019-20

98

649

-551

2020-21

108

752

-644

Source: State Bank of Pakistan.

In 2020-21, Swiss exports to Pakistan amounted to US$ 108 million and consisted mainly of machinery, chemical and pharmaceutical products and watches. Swiss imports from Pakistan mainly textiles and agricultural products amounted to US$ 752 million. Pak- Swiss Trade for the last five years are given in Table-1.

Import of textile machinery from Switzerland to Pakistan increased from CHF 22.4 million in 2020 to CHF 42 million in 2021, thus showing an decrease of 22%. Imports of textile machinery (Major items) from Switzerland to Pakistan in terms of rupees are given in Table 2.

References  Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.  Swissmem.  State Bank of Pakistan-Annual Reports. 

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SPECIAL REPORT “Best time to convert challenges into opportunities is now.”

“Archroma teams delivered the best ever all around performance inspite of significant challenges like global & local Covid lockdown.”

Interview: Mujtaba Rahim, President and CEO, Archroma Pakistan Limited.

Pratteln, Switzerland and Springfield, Tennessee, USA ‘Archroma and Stony Creek Colors to enter strategic partnership to produce Indigold™ high-performance plant-based pre-reduced indigo at scale Directors’ Report, Awards and Achievements.

Celebrating highest ever sales and a decade of consecutively winning Management Association of Pakistan’s Corporate Excellence Award Employer of the Year Award Living The Global Compact Best Practices Sustainability Award

“Archroma teams delivered the best ever all around performance inspite of significant challenges like global & local Covid lockdown.”

Mujtaba Rahim, President and CEO, Archroma Pakistan Limited.

Archroma is celebrating our ninth anniversay this year with the distinction of best ever performance thus creating a new benchmark, We have grown by leveraging local entrepreneurship in a collaborative way enabling our customers to win in their respective market.

It is our passion to deliver leading inno-

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PAKISTAN TEXTILE JOURNAL - March 2022

vative solutions and enhance people’s lives respecting our planet.

Two flagship programs give us the strength to move forward with dedication. Our Jamshoro site provides free of cost clean drinking water to the neighbouring community @ 11,000 gallons per day. At Archroma Center of

Excellence, our Student Internship Program is running since decades and has educated about 8000 students in our textile labs.

With sustainability at its forefront, Archroma strives to play its role in the corporate world with strong commitment.

Swiss Review

From the field to the plant: Shrubs of Indigofera US-grown by Stony Creek Colors (photo: Stony Creek Colors)

Archroma and Stony Creek Colors to enter strategic partnership to produce Indigold™ highperformance plant-based pre-reduced indigo at scale Pratteln, Switzerland and Springfield, Tennessee, USA Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, and Stony Creek Colors (“Stony Creek”), a trusted manufacturer of traceable natural indigo dyes, today announced that they have entered a strategic partnership to produce and bring to the market Stony Creek’s IndiGold™ high-performance plant-based pre-reduced indigo at scale.

Stony Creek extracts its dye from proprietary Indigofera plant varieties grown in partnership with family farms as a regenerative rotational crop.

Stony Creek Colors developed the new IndiGold™ concept as the world’s first pre-reduced natural indigo dye, which was then developed with Archroma to offer the first ever plant-based alternative

to synthetic pre-reduced indigo. The dyestuff will be sold as a 20% concentration in a soluble liquid form that displays similar performance to comparable synthetic indigo products available on the market.

Stony Creek Colors evolved into an innovative leader in plant-based indigo due to its complete development of an

51

Swiss Review improved agricultural value chain, from seed breeding and production to biomass harvest and extraction. The company has been selling its US grown indigo to denim mills since 2015.

From the field to the plant: Shrubs of Indigofera US-grown by Stony Creek Colors (photo: Stony Creek Colors) The pre-reduced plant-based indigo partnership took root in 2020 when Stony Creek was looking to work with likeminded partners to produce the new dyestuff at scale. Archroma emerged as the ideal partner as the company is well known for its expertise in indigo manufacturing and application, as well as for its commitment to transform the denim industry towards creating better blue jeans.

Archroma continuously introduces eco-advanced indigo innovation such as the first ever aniline-free* synthetic prereduced indigo or the Archroma x CleanKore technology for aniline-free* potassium permanganate-free* spray with no laser booster needed for white abrasion.

Archroma immediately offered to support the idea of Stony Creek Colors with

extensive pilot scale manufacturing trials and engaged with its network of denim machinery manufacturers to test the first samples in industrial conditions. The trials showed excellent coloration and the typical indigo wash down, as with synthetic indigo. Archroma will produce the first batches of IndiGold™ in Salvatierra, Mexico, and has other locations where the product could be made. The company will support Stony Creek Colors through its manufacturing and logistics capabilities, and its expertise in denim dyeing with customers using pre-reduced indigo.

From the field to the plant: Archroma’s indigo plant in Salvatierra, Mexico (Photo: Archroma) While this development was underway, the global innovation platform Fashion for Good selected Stony Creek Colors as an innovator in its global Innovation Program. The program connects brands with innovators to work together to test, validate and ultimately scale disruptive innovations in the fashion industry to drive positive impact. Through the program, Fashion for Good facilitated a collaboration between brand partner Levi Strauss & Co. and Stony Creek Colors which was announced in

December 2021. The partners will pilot the use of IndiGold™ in denim mills at scale, with the goal of unlocking key learnings around shade application and other efficiencies of this new dyestuff.

“For years our consistent powder and paste products have been able to fill a void in the marketplace for denim mills needing verifiable plant-based indigo.

We, along with many in the industry, see IndiGold™ as the holy grail for indigo dyeing and are ecstatic to now be bringing it to life with such a reputable partner as Archroma. The coupling of our two technologies allows us to fulfill the ultimate desire from our customers for an easy-to-use, pre-reduced liquid formulation that stems from a 100% plant-based supply”, said Sarah Bellos, CEO and Founder of Stony Creek Colors “I am very proud that Archroma supports Stony Creek’s project. We shared the same vision that plant-based prereduced indigo can be scaled up and color the nature-friendly collections that denim brands & retailers have been dreaming of, and we are pleased to help bring it to the market,” comments Heike van de Kerkhof, CEO of Archroma. 

From the field to the plant: Archroma’s indigo plant in Salvatierra, Mexico

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PAKISTAN TEXTILE JOURNAL - March 2022

Swiss Review Visit of Advisor to Chief Minister on Environment Barrister Murtaza Wahab visited Jamshoro site to get acquainted with our proactive measures on environmental protection. He was highly appreciative of providing clean drinking water to community and other environment friendly activities of massive tree plantation, COVID awareness to public and contribution over & above of then environmental regulations e.g. emissions etc.

Barrister Murtaza Wahab speaking at gathering of Archroma management and at SET plant tour

Tree Plantation on Earth Day- making our environment clean & green After making our sites clean & green, Archroma team took the task to neighbouring institutions. Tree saplings mainly leafy & shady were planted during monsoon tree plantation season between July. September. So far massive tree plantation has been done at Liaquat Medical College, Sindh University, Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Offices of Sindh Environment Protection Agency and Police.

Archroma team has planted hundreds of trees and given awareness at schools, universities and local government to plant and nurture trees to reduce pollution from the environment.

Tree plantation at Liaquat Medical College & SEPA offices

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Swiss Review Public Service activities It is our endeavour to keep local community informed on preventive measures of COVID-19. Throughout the year we distributed printed material on COVID SOPs, face masks and hand sanitizers to public with the help of volunteers. Hepatitis awareness and prevention workshop were also held for the local community.

Public services activities in full swing

Education Technical expertise is another attribute with which Archroma is recognized world-wide. Archroma Centre of Excellence (ACE) is a state-ofthe-art Research & Development laboratory to support the industry when technical answers cannot be easily found. So far, 201 batches comprising of 5827 students have been trained by Archroma. Increase in female interns is also a commendable feature of our program. Training is also provided to technicians and entrepreneurs of the Textile Industry and therefore, we have shouldered corporate social responsibility of sustainable development by passing the torch of knowledge to our next generation.

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Awards and Achievements

Swiss Review

Celebrating highest ever sales and a decade of consecutively winning Management Association of Pakistan’s Corporate Excellence Award Exchange. Our achievement is a recognition of complying successfully with the highest standards of financial & operational excellence and crossing annually raised bars set by the Stock Exchange.

The winning criteria is based on capital efficiency, good corporate governance, listing regulations, transparency and timely distribution of profits.

Decade of Corporate Excellence

Mr. Mujtaba Rahim & Mr. Irfan Chawala receiving the Corporate Excellency Award from the Honourable Chief Guest, Mr. Shabbar Zaidi

Top 25 Companies Award Pakistan Stock Exchange ranked Archroma on 5th position for the year

2019. A remarkable feat achieved for the 18th time as Archroma wins positions amongst Top 25 companies at the Stock

Archroma completed a decade of consecutively winning Corporate Excellence Award – Chemical Sector by Management Association of Pakistan on 28th October 2021. The Award is a recognition of Good Management Practices which include a vast section of policies and procedures in finance, compliance, human resources and corporate social responsibility. 

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Swiss Review Employer of the Year Award At the 8th contest, Archroma Pakistan once again emerged as winner of Diamond Award for the year 2020 in multinational category. The President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi conferred this prestigious award to Mr. Mujtaba Rahim on 12th March 2021 at Karachi in presence of a large corporate gathering. Archroma enjoys the unique distinction of winning Employer of the Year and Chief Executive of the Year Award three time in a row from 2015 to 2017.

Living The Global Compact Best Practices Sustainability Award Archroma is amongst the 20 founding signatories of Global Compact rolled out to the corporate world in December 2005 by Employers Federation of Pakistan. Its ten complying principles relate to Human rights, Labor, Environment and Anti-Corruption. Within Archroma, we observe all principles with full sanctity and discipline. We won 3rd position in a nationwide competition on best practices of UN SDGs & Global Compact principles on 30th March 2021 at Karachi. Mr. Irfan Chawala received the award from Mr. Zaki Ahmed Khan, Vice President, Employers Federation of Pakistan.

Tree Plantation Award

Corporate Social Responsibility Award Archroma Pakistan won CSR Award in the area of Community Service in recognition of its many actions aimed at saving water, providing it to the neighbouring community and contribution to enhance education through internships at Archroma Center of Excellence. The national contest was organized by National Forum for Environment & Health. Mr. Ihtasham Elahi received the award from Governor of Punjab, Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar on 25 February 2021 at Islamabad.

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Archroma promotes tree plantation in schools, civil administration offices and neighborhood. At our production sites in Jamshoro and Landhi, it is our motto to plant fruit trees with the resultant that mangoes, guavas, cheeku, dates, grapefruit, papayas and coconuts are available in abundance in every season. We utilize designated open spaces for growing vegetables. Archroma contributes to cleaner environment by converting organic solid waste into compost. So far 9,000 kgs of organic compost has been made to enrich the soil. Composting is an initiative of our team and is done inhouse using organic kitchen and garden waste, paper and saw dust. In recognition of our efforts to upscale the environment, National Forum for Environment & Health presented us Tree Plantation Award for the third year on 16 September 2021 at Karachi.

Environment Excellence Award Once again Archroma came out as winner of this prestigious award.

The nationwide contest was organized by National Forum for Environment & Health. Detailed inspection of Jamshoro and Landhi are held, the assessments revealed that both sites were fully compliant of all environmental standards, regulations and guidelines.

Swiss Review Green Offices Archroma is amongst the forerunners to adopt “Green Office” initiatives of WWF effective 2016. It enables us to take concrete steps in environmental protection through internal management practices e.g. saving in water usage, utilities – electricity, gas and fuel and waste management.

Archroma Center of Excellence Labs are designed in such a manner that we take maximum benefit of daylight, here no bulbs are used. Water lines from taps are laid towards green spaces where it is utilized for plantation.

Global Recognitions Archroma Sustainability Awards – 2021 In May 2021, Archroma announced a global contest on Sustainability inviting all countries wherein Archroma is operating to showcase their projects.

Archroma employees all over the world voted to select projects of their choice in seven categories. Pakistan came out with a unique winning streak @ 100% – two of its project received highest votes from all over the world on 22nd September 2021: Safety & Health category It’s our Nature - ACCIDENT FREE archform PAKISTAN Sustainable Partnership category Future R US – Archroma Harvesting New Minds Towards Sustainable Norms Another accolade included Pakistan IT team Excellence Improvement category It Services Optimization Towards Cost Efficiency, User Satisfaction and Digitalization.

Mr. Mujtaba Rahim and Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi with MoU document

Memorandum of Understanding with NED University of Engineering & Technology Customary to our past practices, Archroma started the year 2021 by signing a MoU with NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi on 1st January 2021. The signing was done at respective offices of the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi and Mr. Mujtaba Rahim. Archroma collaborates with NED University specially the Textile Faculty on internships at Archroma Center of Excellence and research projects. Developmental projects are in pipeline leading to Industrial.

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Swiss Review

Aditya Arunkumar Biyani, Managing Director, is pleased with the energyefficient blowroom at Damodar.

How Customers Cut Energy Costs with VARIOline ECOrized Rieter’s customers Damodar (India) and Karteks Tekstil (Turkey) integrated the intelligent solution VARIOline ECOrized into their blowroom lines and now benefit from lower energy consumption, smooth operations, and improved indoor air quality. The ECOrized option controls all fans dynamically and ensures that the fibers pass through each of the blowroom machines with excellent energy efficiency.

Damodar was the first customer in India to utilize Rieter’s high production blowroom VARIOline with the new precleaner UNlclean B 15. In another first for lndia, the intelligent solution VARIOline ECOrized which is managed via the control system UNlcontrol was integrated into the blowroom. VARIOline ECOrized automatically adjusts the air speed to the

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material quantity (Fig. 1), the process sequence, and when changing assortments. As a result, Damodar’s energy consumption has decreased by 4.5 kW/h in the pneumatic fiber transport and an additional 4.5 kW/h in the filter house.

Maximum production at a blowroom line in India Damodar’s new blowroom VARIOline ECOrized is one of the most productive blowrooms in India. “If the Rieter blowroom is producing at 1 500 kg/h, it only requires one UNIfloc A 12 and one UNIclean B 15. In addition to this, the constantly measured and automatically adjusted airflow makes it the most energy-efficient blowroom”, states Aditya Arunkumar Biyani, Managing Director at Damodar Mills Ltd. (Fig. 2). Furthermore,

no operator is needed to adjust the air balance manually. The system also facilitates predictive maintenance and helps to avoid interruptions in production.

Cleaner air improves working conditions VARIOline ECOrized has considerably reduced the dust in the blowroom thanks to the closed exhaust air pipes to the filter station. This improves the working conditions in the mill significantly.

Damodar also benefits from improved yarn quality: Compared to competitor’s spinning mills, the Rieter blowroom provides excellent cleaning performance with a much-less lint loss which is also evident in the yarn results. Based on test results, Damodar is confident that the blowroom will produce just as reliably at a much higher production rate.

Swiss Review

Karteks Tekstil saves USD 19600 per year in energy costs thanks to VARIOline ECOrized.

Energy savings of USD 19600 per year VARIOline ECOrized also greatly reduced energy consumption at Karteks Tekstil in Turkey. The customer invested in three new blowroom lines VARIOline, including the intelligent solution VARIOline ECOrized. To determine the energy savings made thanks to the ECOrized system, Karteks Tekstil operated the three blowroom lines in the standard pneumatic fiber transport mode for the first three weeks. After collecting enough data, the lines were switched to the VARIOline ECOrized mode and have been operating in this mode ever since.

The blowroom generated 22% energy savings, with 27% less energy for fans and 16% less energy required for the filter. This translates to savings of USD 19600 per year for all three blowroom lines (Fig. 3).

permanent monitoring of the filter installation.

About Rieter Rieter is the world’s leading supplier of systems for short-staple fiber spinning.

Based in Winterthur (Switzerland), the company develops and manufactures machinery, systems and components used to convert natural and man-made fibers and their blends into yarns. Rieter is the

only supplier worldwide to cover both spinning preparation processes and all four end-spinning processes currently established on the market. Furthermore, Rieter is a leader in the field of precision winding machines. With 17 manufacturing locations in ten countries, the company employs a global workforce of some 4 900, about 18% of whom are based in Switzerland. Rieter is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange under ticker symbol RIEN. 

Optimum interaction of the machines Karteks Tekstil operates a complete Rieter ring spinning system from bale to yarn. “The advantage of Rieter as a system supplier lies in the optimum interaction of the machines. An example for this is the solution VARIOline ECOrized, which – along with many other benefits – saves 22% energy in the blowroom. Rieter developed a solution with great added value by addressing customer’s needs,” says Mr. Hüseyin Kadi, Mill Manager at Karteks Tekstil. Like Damodar, Karteks Tekstil also benefits from better indoor air quality in the blowroom and a smoother operation thanks to predictive information and a

VARIOline ECOrized controls all fans needed for the pneumatic fiber transport in the blowroom dynamically.

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Digitalisation is an integral part of the portfolio of the solution provider Saurer By harnessing the power of the internet, Saurer empowers its customers through a range of digitalised innovations, including the Senses mill management system, Secos – Saurer Customer Portal, Saurer Academy and remote service.

As Saurer has transformed itself from a machine provider to a solution provider for customers along the entire textile value chain, interconnectivity and digitalisation have become vital. Since digital solutions are accessible remotely, Saurer customers are no longer limited by distance and also save time. Whether they need to order an original part, optimise the processes within their machines or have a machine serviced, customers can access the most relevant information pertaining to Saurer products as the information updates and without waiting for an external party to visit their mills.

An early start into digitalisation Saurer started early into digitalisation of its spinning machinery. 10 years ago, Saurer launched the revolutionary Autocoro 8 that already offered the digitalised option DigiPiecing and DigiWinding. Today, Saurer is looking back at over 1 million supplied spinning positions of Autocoro 8/9/10. The customers benefit from the single-spindle

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technology, unprecedented productivity due to intelligent automation and digitalization. The latest version, Autocoro 10, is a secure platform for Industry 4.0 in the rotor spinning mill.

On the ring spinning side Saurer offers digitalised features like Optispeed.

Together with the ISM (individual spindle monitoring) Optispeed is a function for self-optimisation of the spindle speed depending on the yarn break rate. The operator can set the limits for yarn breaks per 1000 spindle hours. Optispeed automatically raises or lowers the spindle speed, optimizing productivity.

Digitalisation and Automation The Saurer Robot AGV is designed for the ergonomic handling and transportation of cylindrical or conical cross-wound packages. It picks up the packages from a pallet, buggy, trolley or from the conveyor belt of the machine and stores them in its internal buffer system. Due to the modern laser navigation system, the Saurer Robot AGV moves fully automatically and autonomously through your mill. It detects obstacles in its path independently and drives around them or stops if the minimum safety distance is not maintained.

Senses mill management system integrates all machines into one system Saurer consolidates all digital information in Senses and has ensured that this mill management system can be integrated seamlessly into spinning plants. Senses enables customers to connect all their Saurer machines and allows third-party machines - all in one system. With Senses, customers can carry out various analyses to control the productivity and quality within their mills remotely using any mobile device. With the customisable Senses cockpit, customers can focus on the key data that is relevant to them. The system also provides the user with relevant key information, helping them to solve problems quickly and efficiently e.g., that a spinning position is not performing optimally due to the number of yarn breaks.

The efficiency of an entire machine is based on the cumulated efficiency of each spinning position. In order to increase machine efficiency, Senses’ offstandard function pinpoints single positions with low efficiency by monitoring all machines after every shift change. It then visualises all outliner positions, allowing the customer to implement countermeasures. With this

Swiss Review function, the customer is able to increase the overall efficiency by 2−3%.

The mill management system’s basic functionality can be extended with Senses Elements, which can be seamlessly integrated into all processes. These are additional features to increase functionality for key areas. Each Element focuses on a specific area: for example, the Senses Element Maintenance digitalises, structures and simplifies all maintenance processes to increase productivity. Senses Workforce digitalises personnel management and improves the efficiency of staff. With Senses Element Shop Floor, customers can optimise their increases productivity by optimising operator guidance, shortening the distances they need to walk in the plant.

Senses Recipe enables customers to monitor and adjust the settings of their machines.

Secos assistance functions – saving time in day-to-day business The Secos – Saurer Customer Portal is more than just an e-shop for Saurer original parts. With the updated version of the portal, it is easier for customers to find original parts – with photo uploads, customers can quickly identify the required original part they need. In the user’s Secos account, all machine-related manuals and technical documentation for their machines are saved for quick reference in case of questions on operation and maintenance. Like Senses, Secos can be accessed anytime, from any mobile device.

Saurer Academy – turning employees into experts This platform offers a wide range of training and further education courses for machine operators. Customers can book classroom and live web-based training courses. In addition, the Saurer Academy offers e-learning courses with multimedia, audio-visual training material that explain complex issues and processes in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. Course contents include training on the function, operation and maintenance of Saurer machines and their assemblies. Webbased trainings (WBTs), recorded webinars and learning cards give employees the flexibility to decide for themselves when, where and at what pace they want to learn. Knowledge tests with certificates allow workers to keep track of their progress and review the work.

The Saurer Robot AGV is designed for the ergonomic handling and transportation of cylindrical or conical cross-wound packages

In 2021, during training sessions with a South African customer, the Saurer Academy team also arranged for specialists from various Saurer departments to join the class during the live virtual training sessions, to answer specific questions the customer’s employees had. After each training session, Q&A rounds were held to address specific issues that the attendees may encounter, along with solutions. This virtual offering has also proved particularly useful during the pandemic, when it was not possible for trainers to travel on-site.

Remote service – have our Twisting experts inside your machine in minutes Saurer experts can access a fully digital read-out of the error log, which allows them to identify any issues immediately. They can also adjust machine control settings, update software and do diagnostics checks of any hardware defects as well as check CPU usage, energy consumption and machine temperature. This means getting the customer’s machine running at optimal capacity faster with less downtime. Using the Saurer remote service is also more

affordable than calling out a technician.

This service is particularly beneficial to customers that are located in more remote areas. Again, such services have been invaluable during the past lockdown-prone years.

Illustrating how this works in practice, Saurer technicians were able to remotely detect two defective pieces of hardware and restore a customer’s recipe list in just two hours. On another occasion, our technical staff quickly and successfully solved a major machine breakdown in 30 minutes, avoiding an unnecessary and costly on-site intervention.

Digitalisation has revolutionised traditional services such as site visits, inperson training and machine troubleshooting. Even Secos goes beyond being an e-shop but is instead a knowledge base tailored to each user. Increasing digitalisation, combined with functions that enhance machine intelligence – such as Optispeed, DigiWinding and DigiPieicing in the case of Saurer – will boost interconnectivity, allowing machines within Saurer systems to communicate, further providing customers with added benefits in the mill.

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Quality Expert: the operators’ and managers’ favorite Uster’s Quality Management Platform makes a huge different to shopfloor personnel Looking for vital information in a busy textile mill can be quick and easy – or a tedious job, turning minutes into hours.

Heavy e-mail traffic can just add to the burden. That’s why leading Vietnamese producer Hoa Tho Textile chose Uster Quality Expert, to give fast access to centralized key data and drive major efficiency benefits.

Founded in 1962, Hoa Tho is part of one of Vietnam’s largest and longestestablished textile and garment enterprises. Operating a number of mills, the company wanted to ensure that quality standards were equal across all of them – and equally high, to serve customers in demanding markets such as the USA, Europe, Japan and South Korea.

So quality management must be comprehensive, including data from different locations as well as various

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instruments and systems, for quick reports and smart analysis.

One-stop quality data Uster Quality Expert is the Quality Management Platform for advanced process optimization across yarn manufacturing processes. A single system provides full transparency and complete control, securing fiber, yarn and fabric quality. All information is in one place – definitely a valuable benefit of Quality Expert. Hoa Tho connected its Uster AFIS Pro 2, Uster Tester 6, Uster Tensojet 5 and Uster Quantum 3 yarn clearers to this one system.

With Quality Expert in place, the mill managers now have a common reference to compare quality levels in each mill.

They can now access quality information very easily. Previously more time was

needed to create quality reports, which were then distributed by email. “The information took too long to reach the right people and was not always up to date. Now, the latest quality results are available in real time and any required action can be taken immediately,” says Nguyen Huu Khanh, Manager of the Yarns Technology Department at Hoa Tho Textile.

The all-round view Connecting to Uster Quality Expert is the route to effective all-round process optimization in textile mills. The system expands its insightful analytics with valuable intelligence, as each additional instrument is connected. It is the ultimate Quality Management Platform to drive consistent quality in every part of the spinning process. That’s what decided the Vietnamese spinning mill to invest. “It is

Swiss Review very important for us to control the quality in yarn clearing in combination with the quality results from blowroom, carding and roving,” says Nguyen. With Quality Expert, a combination of 100% in-line monitoring, precise laboratory testing and integrated intelligence delivers the power to predict potential faults and prevent claims.

Data-based preventive measures are a tremendous asset in yarn production, but Uster observes that customers also greatly appreciate the single Value Modules of Quality Expert. Each of these five modules is based on Application Intelligence, offering advantages in specific fields.

The Alarm Center creates awareness and triggers action – with problemsolving suggestions – in case of issues.

Mill Analysis offers insightful analytics for data-based decisions, and Yarn Prognosis raises the spinner’s reputation to a new level with customers. The ‘star’ elements among the Value Modules are Total Contamination Control and Ring Spinning Optimization. TCC balances ejections in the blowroom with clearer cuts in winding in the most advanced way. RSO brings improved spinning performance

with quality transparency from top to bottom of the cop.

Feel good: efficiency and control Nguyen has a secret favorite among Uster Quality Expert benefits: “The Uster Mobile Alert App is a great tool to access information while on the road, or away from the spinning mill. The personnel and I can be notified, and so solve most issues faster on the shopfloor. Our mill management has better control and this results in fewer problems needing to be escalated to me,” he says.

The Quality Management Platform was developed for decision-makers – but the biggest fans are actually the operators and managers working with the system on a daily basis. “Personally, I have a better view of the quality produced in our mills, while spending less time to get the information I need. I would not want to go back to the era before Quality Expert at any price,” says Nguyen.

Uster Quality Expert comes in two distinct versions – both with no compromises in ultimate analysis. It’s integrated within Uster Tester 6 and also available as a standalone solution.

About Uster Technologies Uster is the world’s leading provider of quality management solutions from fiber to fabric.

Uster Technologies offers hightechnology instruments, systems and services for quality control, prediction, certification and optimization in the textile industry. This includes systems for quality management, laboratory testing and in-line process control for fibers, staple and filament yarns, fabric inspection as well as value-added services.

Uster provides the globallyacknowledged Uster Statistics benchmarks for trading, textile knowhow training, consulting and worldwide after-sales services – always aspiring to fulfill the textile market’s needs, to drive innovation forward with ‘quality in mind’.

Uster Technologies AG is headquartered in Uster, Switzerland and operates worldwide. It has sales and service subsidiaries in the major textile markets and Technology Centers in Uster (Switzerland), Knoxville (USA), Suzhou (China) and Caesarea (Israel). 

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Strong growth and margin expansion in both divisions; expected to continue in 2022 CEO Roland Fischer stepping down for private reasons; Michael Suess will assume Executive Chair role.

“We grew the company and delivered strong margin expansion in 2021, and expect profitable growth to continue in 2022,” said Roland Fischer, CEO Oerlikon Group.

“Operationally, we executed well, efficiently managed cost and successfully mitigated supply chain shortages, driving EBITDA above pre-COVID levels.

Moreover, we successfully completed two accretive bolt-on acquisitions, further diversified our business and made excellent progress in our sustainability initiatives,” added Fischer. “The Board will propose a dividend of CHF 0.35 per share at the AGM.” “In 2022, we will continue to execute on our strategy to expand in growth markets, take advantage of recovering markets and focus on cost control. We expect Group sales to be around CHF 2.9 billion and our operational EBITDA margin to be around 17.5%,” concluded Fischer.

Strong FY 2021 Group Top-Line Performance Driven by Both Divisions Oerlikon delivered growth in orders and sales, supported by market recovery in Surface Solutions and strong demand in Polymer Processing Solutions.

Successfully Sustained Cost Actions and Operating Leverage in FY 2021 Group operational EBITDA increased by 39% to CHF 447 million, versus CHF 323 million in 2020. Correspondingly, the operational EBITDA margin improved by 260 basis points to 16.9%, reflecting sales recovery and the sustained positive impacts from cost actions.

Continued Strong Commitment to Sustainable R&D In 2021, Oerlikon strengthened its innovation pipeline by filing 90 patents.

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The company continued to invest in innovation and spent 4.0% (CHF 105 million) of 2021 Group sales on R&D to develop new, improved and sustainable technologies to meet customers’ needs and demands.

2022 Outlook: Continued Profitable Growth Oerlikon will continue to expand its business in growth markets, leverage opportunities in recovering markets and exercise cost containment. The Group will continue to actively manage and mitigate any further impact from challenges stemming from short-term supply chain and COVID-19-related issues. For 2022, Group sales are expected to be around CHF 2.9 billion and the operational EBITDA margin to be around 17.5%.

New Group Leadership Structure as of July 1, 2022 with an Executive Chair Model to Support Strategic Focus of Oerlikon After six years leading the company and ensuring its successful transformation, Roland Fischer, Oerlikon Group CEO, has announced his decision to step down for private reasons, effective June 30, 2022, in consultation and with the endorsement of the Board of Directors.

“I am proud of what we have achieved at Oerlikon since I joined as CEO, and how the company has been transformed into a globally active engineering and technology company with a clear strategic focus and organization,” said Fischer. “In the past two years, the Surface Solutions Division

Swiss Review

Roland Fischer; CEO

has successfully implemented cost measures and embarked on a transformation to empower the regions and become closer to key markets. The Polymer Processing Solutions Division has successfully continued its strategic diversification into non-filaments markets.

My priority now is to ensure a smooth transition so that the company can continue to be a global market leader in advanced materials, surface engineering and polymer processing.”

“I very much regret but fully understand and respect Roland’s decision.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our deep gratitude for his extraordinary service. He has been a key driver in the successful transformation of Oerlikon,” said Michael Suess, Chairman of the Board. “Our two divisions are distinct from each other in that they serve different customers in different industries and also differ in their growth potential.

With the Executive Chair model, the division CEOs will gain agility in decision making, which will enable them to expedite the execution of their business and ensure sustainable growth.”

Prof. Dr. Michael Süss, Chairman of the Board of Directors

Under the Executive Chair model, the Board of Directors delegates the operational management of the Group as follows: i. The two current division CEOs, Markus Tacke and Georg Stausberg, will continue to have operational control and accountability in leading their divisions. In addition, the new management model will provide them the added agility and speed of execution to run and grow their business. ii. Michael Suess, will assume the position of Executive Chair, overseeing all

Group-level management topics and leading the Executive Committee in addition to his role as Chairman of Oerlikon’s Board of Directors. iii. The Executive Committee will be responsible for ensuring the harmonized Group-wide management of all organizational topics with cross-divisional relevance.

As of 1 July, 2022, the Executive Committee will consist of the two division CEOs, the Chief Financial Officer, Philipp Mueller; and the Chief Human Resources Officer, Anna Ryzhova, and will be led by the Executive Chair. 

About Oerlikon Oerlikon is a global innovation powerhouse for surface engineering, polymer processing and additive manufacturing. The Group’s solutions and comprehensive services, together with its advanced materials, improve and maximize the performance, function, design and sustainability of its customers’ products and manufacturing processes in key industries. Pioneering technology for decades, everything Oerlikon invents and does is guided by its passion to support customers’ goals and foster a sustainable world. Headquartered in Pfäffikon, Switzerland, the Group operates its business in two Divisions – Surface Solutions and Polymer Processing Solutions. It has a global footprint of more than 11800 employees at 207 locations in 38 countries and generated sales of CHF 2.65 billion in 2021. 

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SSM: The secrets behind the science of winding Every yarn manufacturer’s dream is to achieve a perfectly wound package so that the yarn can be processed easily in downstream processes, like dyeing or weaving. What does it take to achieve a perfectly wound package and what makes this an amazing engineering feat that helps save energy and resources?

Winding is a small but crucial step in the textile value chain. This is when yarns are wound tightly onto a bobbin to prepare them for the next manufacturing stage. Every yarn manufacturer’s dream is to achieve a perfectly wound package so that the yarn can be processed easily in downstream processes, like dyeing or weaving.

SSM’s preciforce sets new standards The secret behind getting a perfectly wound package is achieving regular density across the entire package which is especially important for dyeing. But what looks easy on the surface is nothing less than a carefully designed engineering feat built on decades of expertise.

Until now, winding systems were limited to merely monitoring density without the ability to adjust pressure levels. SSM’s preciforce changes all this with the ability to regulate backpressure so that each and every bobbin reaches the same density. The perfectly even package densities make the dyeing process easier, thus optimizing results.

Even better, dye houses save energy and water as they no longer need to repeat the dyeing process which is necessary when packages are wound unevenly.

A winning team: preciforce and DIGICONE 2 Perfect density is great, but costs also play a role. At SSM, the company’s mission is to help customers manufacture at the lowest possible cost and with the least amount of waste. Winding is a repetitive action so SSM engineers found that what was working for Google

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SSM’s preciforce™ offers the ability to regulate backpressure so that each and every bobbin achieves the same density.

searches and algorithmic trading – which are based on recurring, sequential actions – was good for winding, too. They developed an algorithm that ensures the winding machines apply a step-by-step procedure to achieve a tightly wound package in the most economical way.

DIGICONE 2 was developed with this advanced winding algorithm that ensures optimal accuracy in yarn laying. Together preciforce and DIGICONE 2 make an unbeatable team to manufacture a superior package in the most economical way.

In addition, preciforce helps to save roughly 20% energy compared to standard automatic backpressure systems.

To round it off, the reliability of SSM machines is unmatched, with the longest lifetime for machines and spare parts.

SSM also provides a world-class service network with over 10 local service stations and 80 agencies worldwide. This translates into short journeys and fast response times for customers.

For further information please contact: SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG. 

Swiss Review

Jakob Müller: The fascinating world of narrow fabrics - product innovation and solutions Digitization runs through the entire value-added process, from logistics to the end consumer. The Jakob Müller Group covers a large part of "Smart Production" and makes a major contribution to making the process chain even more efficient and sustainable.

Any solution in Jakob Müller Group’s digital portfolio is clearly focusing on customer benefit. In this context mymueller® - the Jakob Müller Group’s customer portal plays an important role.

The mymueller® customer portal provides access to companyspecific information, know-how, services and license products online – around the clock worldwide. mymueller® displays the customer's machine park on desktop computers, smartphones or tablets. In addition, operating instructions and spare parts catalogs can be called up and spare parts orders can be triggered.

All in all a “carefree package,”which is constantly extended with additional services and products for the worldwide customer base.

One of the latest products out of Jakob Müller Group’s license product portfolio is the browser based data acquisition and management software mymuenet®. Today's market environment requires flexible, fast and secure exchange and access to data at all company levels - worldwide. The production data management plays an important role here.

In this context Jakob Müller Group is providing a browser based solution. The

mymuenet® production data acquisition and management system with direct access to the machine controls offers a unique data monitoring, communication and exchange in a global framework.

Furthermore designs, which are being created by Jakob Müller Group’s design software MÜCAD can be transferred through mymuenet® to machines in any location worldwide.

Digitalization however does not only refer to software solutions, but also applies on end products in the field of Smart Textiles. For this constantly growing market Jakob Müller Group is providing specific machine technology for processing i.e. conductive yarns for various applications with digital features like humidity measurement, integrated solar cells and many others. 

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Swiss Review

S3260 electronic rotary dobby

Stäubli – Weaving solution provider from Switzerland Pakistan’s textile production industry has benefitted from increasing market demand in recent years. Home textiles, including bed-linen, is one of many applications that has seen significant production growth. The main prerequisites for the efficient weaving of such applications are high operational speeds and continuous production. Stäubli is one the renowned suppliers of reliable shed forming machinery and weaving preparation solutions that improve the processes and efficiency of mills.

are adapted to their needs to stay at the forefront of their market. We provide quality high-speed machinery made of first-class materials combined with ingenious R&D as a result of our decades of experience and partnering with our customers,” says Mr Fritz Legler, Textile Marketing Officer at Stäubli. For example, Stäubli offers the renowned ultra-reliable high-speed S3000/S3200 series of electronic rotary dobbies along with maintenance-free harness motions.

High-speed weaving increases productivity but requires reliable machinery. At the same time, high quality standards must be upheld in order to produce a maximum volume of firstchoice fabrics. Stäubli provides a wide range of leading-edge solutions, including unique and custom solutions.

Integrating such an optimized combination into the weaving machine is a key to precise shed formation when the highest operating speeds are required.

For high-speed Jacquard weaving, Stäubli provides e.g. the LX/LXL/LXXL series of electronic Jacquard machines. With their exceptional operational stability, and thanks to the ingenious NOEMI electronic architecture, these machines set standards in high-speed applications.

They are in daily operation worldwide, handling demanding applications like

Reaching very high speeds in weaving, whether on rapier, air-jet, or water-jet machines, is the credo of many future-oriented weaving mills. “Our customers are looking for solutions that

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PAKISTAN TEXTILE JOURNAL - March 2022

fabrics for luxury clothing, home textiles, and technical fabrics such as OPW (onepiece-woven) airbags.

One step ahead of weaving, in the time-consuming phase of weaving preparation, Stäubli enables mills to quicken the pace with its leading-edge automation solutions for leasing, drawing in, and tying – which together ensure rapid preparation of high-quality, completely drawn-in weaving harnesses.

SAFIR automatic drawing-in machines enable repeat-specific distribution of the warp yarns into drop wires, healds, and reed in a single cycle. These systems feature state-of-the-art Active Warp Control (AWC) technology, and Initial Conditions Settings (ICS) for specific yarn properties are now available as well. Fritz Legler points out that these technologies allow mills to ensure quick style changes and further enhance their processing performance and the quality of multicoloured warps, with or without a lease.

All Stäubli weaving preparation solutions

Swiss Review share a key critical attribute: They support the production of perfect warps that enhance the downstream weaving process, which leads to higher volumes of first-quality output.

By investing in Stäubli machinery, the weaving mill can expect to benefit from an optimized production process. What’s more, all Stäubli solutions offer built-in flexibility that allows them to adapt to the mill’s changing needs in the future. “Our global and local service teams and our spare parts network also support our customers with personalized services”, says Fritz Legler. “We enable mills that are determined to remain one step ahead to achieve their goals more easily and to master the challenges of successful highperformance weaving.”

From Switzerland to Pakistan Stäubli Textile has been providing reliable high-speed solutions to weaving mills around the world for over 125 years.

Stäubli Textile collaborates with its agent Simag Pvt. Ltd to provide its proven machinery to Pakistani weaving mills.

Headquartered in Karachi, the company ensures the Stäubli presence, sales, and services. The important activities of Simag are closely supported, from abroad or in Pakistan, by international Stäubli sales representatives and product specialists – in line with the Group’s tenet of partnership with customers.

Mr Fritz Legler, Stäubli Textile Marketing Officer, in front of a SAFIR S60 automatic drawing-in machine.

LXXL electronic Jacquard machine

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Swiss Review

New Benninger Laboratory Single End Cord Line at Intercord, Thueringen After 18 months of joint development, the new Benninger Laboratory Single End Cord Line is successfully in operation at Intercord Thueringen. The line runs at a speed of up to 30 m/min and is used for the development and small series production of technical yarns of the highest quality.

The latest generation of the Benninger Laboratory Line is based on the concept of a modular system that can be extended as required. This system offers almost endless possibilities for the development of innovative technical yarns and technologies.

The Laboratory machine was developed and implemented together with the company Intercord and takes into account special customer requirements. Yarns are impregnated, coated, dried and heat-set on the new versatile system.

The masterpiece from Benninger offers excellent convertibility from

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PAKISTAN TEXTILE JOURNAL - March 2022

laboratory to production scale. In addition, the Laboratory machine offers the possibility to conveniently test new processes, recipes and processes.

Intercord Thueringen is a German manufacturer of high-quality technical yarns for special applications. Intercord yarns are used, among other things, as reinforcing material in drive belts, hoses, tires and air suspension systems.

Benninger is a Swiss textile machinery manufacturer and specialist in tire cord system solutions. The two companies have maintained a trusting professional business relationship for more than 20 years.

The inauguration ceremony of the new development center with the Benninger high-tech plant at Intercord Muehlhausen GmbH took place on June 9, 2021. In his laudation, Mr. Ramazan Yasbay, the Managing Director of Intercord Muhlhausen GmbH, emphasized: "A heartfelt thank you goes

to, among others, our long-standing partner, Benninger Zell GmbH, for the trust shown over many years and the successful cooperation. These are the foundations on which we can present the new generation of laboratory lines to the world today.”

About Benninger The Swiss company Benninger has been the textile industry’s leading partner across the globe for more than 160 years.We develop and manufacture textile finishing and tire cord production ranges as well as complete system solutions. We supply overall solutions for all important textile finishing processes and we specialize in the continuous openwidth treatment of woven and knitted fabrics, technical textiles as well as jet-, beam dyeing machines and jiggers.

Since 2016 Benninger is part of the Jakob Müller Group (Frick, Switzerland).

Swiss Review

EspriTech develops and manufactures textile folding machines EspriTech GmbH develops and manufactures different types of advanced textile folding machines for textile production and processing companies. Our machines are based on a modular system so that we can respond to the specific requirements of our customers.

The machines can be used as standalone equipment or can be integrated into an automated production line (Industry 4.0).

The espriTech textile folding machines are highly efficient and fold to your desired product size. All espriTech machines fold to exact end-measures and you can finely adjust each folding step.

The large number of setting options of our machines allow high flexibility in production. Our programs enable fast product changeover during production.

Our machines are a sustainable investment with a payback after just a few years. Over the lifetime of a folding machine it will create savings of 1.75 to 2.25m USD. That is a ROI of 45 to 65% per year.

Contact us to learn more about the investment advantages of our machines.

WHITE DIAMOND flat sheet folder The White Diamond folding system is for the folding and stacking of flat sheets, fitted sheets, duvet covers, curtains, blankets and other flat product - woven, non woven, non-elastic pieces.

This installation is a stand - alone unit.

The folding machine is able to work up various material types including cotton, sateen, mixture fabric, polyester/cotton, and flannel.

The feeding edges of the pieces are shown as outside fold or hidden as inside fold. The system is equipped with a cardboard inserting device for standard and book fold folding.

BLUE SAPPHIRE t-shirt folder The apparel folding machine type Blue Sapphire designed for the folding and stacking of Apparels and other flat products. The folding machine is able to work up various material types including cotton, mohair, cashmere, mixture fabric as polyester/cotton. The Machine is operated by one Person.

WHITE SAPPHIRE pillow case folder The White Sapphire folding machine is for the folding and stacking of pillow cases and other flat products - woven, non woven, non-elastic flat pieces. This installation is a stand-alone unit. The folding machine is able to work up various material types including cotton, sateen, mixture fabric, polyester/cotton and flannel. The feeding edges of the pieces are shown as outside fold or hidden as inside fold. The system is equipped with a cardboard inserting device for standard and book fold folding.

BLACK OPAL towel folder The Black Opal folding machine is for the folding and stacking of towels and other flat products, - woven, non woven, non-elastic flat pieces. This installation is a stand-alone unit. The folding machine is

able to work up various material types including terry, cotton, sateen, mixture fabric, polyester/cotton and flannel. The feeding edges of the pieces are shown as outside fold or hidden as inside fold.

BLACK DIAMOND flat sheet folder The Black Diamond folding machine is for the folding and stacking of flat sheets, fitted sheets, curtains, blankets and other flat fabrics - woven, non woven, nonelastic flat pieces. This installation is a stand - alone unit. The folding machine is able to work up various material types including cotton, sateen, mixture fabric, polyester/cotton and flannel. The feeding edges of the pieces are shown as outside folding or hidden as inside folding. The system is equipped with a cardboard inserting device for standard and book fold folding.

RED DIAMOND fitted sheet folder The Red Diamond folding machine is for the folding and stacking of fitted sheets, flat sheets, duvet covers, curtains, blankets and other flat product - woven, non woven, non-elastic pieces. This installation is a stand - alone unit. The folding machine is able to work up various material types including cotton, sateen, mixture fabric, polyester/cotton, and flannel. The feeding edges of the pieces are hidden as inside fold. The system is equipped with a cardboard inserting device for standard and book fold folding.

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Classified

ADVERTISERS INDEX MARCH 2022

Archroma ..................................................................FC AVM Chemicals ...................................................6 & 72 Benninger....................................................................17 Chhipasons................................................................72 CCI USA.....................................................................3 Fine Industries ..........................................................21 Graf............................................................................1 IGATEX Pakistan 2022 ...............................................25 ICADEX Pakistan 2022...............................................48 Intex South Asia ........................................................35 ITMA Asia + Citme 2022 ..........................................IBC ITM 2022 ..................................................................23 iTextiles .....................................................................BC Jakob Mueller AG ......................................................13 Jet Logistics................................................................72 Rastgar.............................................................. 29 & 72 Staubli........................................................................15 SPGPrints ....................................................................9 SSM ...........................................................................11 Zhejiang Rifa..............................................................IFC

Established 1951 January 2022

Apparel and Knitwear / Denim

February 2022

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