Textile Dyestuff & Chemicals

DyStar

New Facility Opened in Nanjing

DyStar officially opened its new production facility for textile dyes in Nanjing, China, on October 25, 2006. Addressing guests from local government and Nanjing Chemical Industry Park (NCIP), project partners, customers and employees at the opening

DyStar has invested around US$55 million in the new site, which is the company's biggest ever foreign investment after its site in Gabus, Indonesia. Twelve buildings have been constructed on the 53,000-square-meter site in just about one year. The production is being started up in close collaboration with production specialists from Germany. The state-of-the-art production facilities meet DyStar's high global standards of quality, occupational safety and environmental protection. Initially, DyStar will have around 300 employees in Nanjing.

DyStar manufactures a wide range of dyes for the coloration of cellulosic and synthetic fibers at this site, including "Remazol" reactive dyes, "Indanthren" vat dyes, Indigo Solution 40% and "Astrazon" cationic dyes. The flexible structure of the multi-purpose facilities allows subsequent extension and the integration of additional product lines. DyStar can thus respond fast and flexibly to changing market requirements.

The Nanjing site is located centrally in relation to DyStar's other sites in China: a production site in Wuxi, 150 kilometers east of Nanjing, which was opened in 1997, and its Chinese customer service center in Shanghai which is DyStar's second foothold in the country besides Hong Kong. Through the acquisition of the Rotta and Boehme auxiliaries groups, DyStar now also has production sites in Qingdao and Hangzhou. It has seven companies in China and a nationwide network of sales offices and service labs.

China has rapidly become a major textile exporter in recent years, especially since joining the World Trade Organization. Today, it accounts for more than 30% of global output of textiles. China is also the most important growth market for DyStar, generating double-digit annual growth in sales volume and turnover. Eric Hopmann, who heads DyStar's activities in China, summarizes the situation, "China plays a key role in the world's textile industry. As a premier supplier of products and services, we are investing in our activities here. Through our high-quality products, modern technology and skilled staff we want to help China's industry move forward and position ourselves as a reliable partner for our customers."

New "Evo Gard" Label for Water- and OilRepellent Textile Finishes

DyStar, one of the premier suppliers of products and services for the textile industry, has introduced a new label for textiles with excellent water, oil and soil-repellency. The new "Evo Gard" label can be used on fibers of all types finished with DyStar's high-quality "Evo Gard" auxiliaries. These fluorocarbon-based products give the textiles a special surface structure that repels water, oil and dirt.

The new "Evo Gard" label is exclusively available for textiles tested for conformance with international standards in DyStar laboratories to ensure that the finish withstands repeated washing.

The "Evo Gard" label is part of a series of DyStar labels for functional modern textile finishes. The series includes special labels for "Evo Care Wellness" finishes with aloe vera, jojoba oil and vitamin E, and odorabsorbent Breeeze finishes with "Evo Fresh". Labels are an additional incentive for consumers to choose a specific product so they help textile manufacturers differentiate their products.

Appeal Lodged in Patent Dispute DyStar Indigo Vat Solutions

DyStar is appealing against decisions by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the 37th Federal Court in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in a patents dispute with C.H. Patrick Co., Inc. (U.S.) and BANN Quimica, Ltda. (Brazil).

Both cases relate to infringement of patents for dyeing denim with DyStar Indigo Vat Solution. C.H. Patrick and BANN recognized the benefits of this DyStar technology, produced a similar dye and infringed DyStar's patents for the process by marketing it in countries such as the U.S. and Brazil.

DyStar won its patent infringement case in the U.S. last year and was awarded compensation for the damages. C.H. Patrick and BANN subsequently appealed against the part of the judgment referring to the validity of the patent but accepted the judgment that they had infringed the patent. Their case has now been granted. Almost simultaneously, the court in Brazil ruled in favor of BANN in a case brought by this company to nullify DyStar's patent.

DyStar is convinced that its patents are valid and will continue to defend its intellectual property rights through the courts.

Huntsman

Pioneering Products for Organic Cotton

In response to growing consumer interest in organic products, Huntsman now offers a wide range of dyes and chemicals approved for Organic Cotton.

An increasing number of textile mills along with textile brands and retailers are developing and promoting lines of organic cotton textiles. Huntsman's product stewardship experts have taken the lead in working with organizations like Control Union Certifications (CU), with their Skal International Standards for Sustainable Textile Production, and with the Institute for Marketecology (IMO) which is instrumental in developing and in implementing the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

Huntsman is the first company to offer a wide range of dyes and chemicals that qualify for the GOTS and has a comprehensive list of products that qualify for both GOTS and CU standards.

"Organic cotton is still at an early stage of development, and there is confusion and misinformation in the marketplace due to the lack of a universally accepted definition," says Peter Otto, Vice President, Global Marketing.

"Textile Effects helps mills, apparel brands and retailers understand how to meet Organic Cotton requirements and processing standards with our products and how to achieve the high levels of fabric performance that consumers expect."

Huntsman Textile Effects is a founder member of the Ecological and Toxicological Association of Dyes and Organic Pigments Manufacturers (ETAD) and Bluesign and a signee of the Global Charter of Responsible Care. Environmental health and safety and expertise in product stewardship are a cornerstone of the Huntsman textile business.

New Flame Retardant for Polyester, Cotton & Blends

Huntsman Textile Effects has launched a new flame retardant for polyester and cotton and their blends. Combining high performance with cost-effectiveness, "Flovan CWF" leaves treated textiles with a soft hand. The product, for which a patent application has been submitted, contains phosphorus and nitrogen and is free of halogen. Applied by padding, "Flovan CWF" is compatible with selected polymers, fluorochemicals and softeners. It is suitable for products such as curtains, mattresses, technical textiles, automotive applications and construction materials.

To support customers, Huntsman provides expertise in flame retardants, as well as testing facilities and complete finishing systems incorporating flame retardants, dyes and fluorochemicals, as required.

Price Increases for Selected Textile Dyes & Chemicals

Huntsman announced that, effective October 1 or as contracts allow, its Textile Effects Business is selectively increasing the prices of textile dyes and chemicals in Europe, the Middle East and Africa by up to 10%.

"Our superior products and services clearly add value for our customers," explains Michael Effing, Vice President of Textile Effects Region Europe, Middle East and Africa. "We are very pleased with the smooth transition and integration from Ciba Specialty Chemicals to Huntsman. We want to continue providing our customers with innovative textile products as a basis for design, manufacturing and product differentiation. We are committed to further invest and to grow the business as the market leader for textile solutions. We are also continuing invest in innovation in order to further enhance the performance of textiles, at the same time providing robust and cost-efficient manufacturing processes as well as taking difficult restructuring decisions."

According to Effing, measures to improve the cost position and productivity are ongoing, but cannot completely compensate for increased input costs, such as those of raw materials, energy and transportation.

Ciba Specialty Chemicals

Silver-Based Antimicrobials Approved by Oeko-Tex Association

Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc. announced that its range of silver-glass-based antimicrobials, "Irgaguard B 7000", has gained approval by the Oeko-Tex Association in spinmelt applications for fibers and nonwovens used in items such as clothing, home textiles and bedding materials.

"Irgaguard B 7000" antimicrobials provide highly effective protection against a wide range of bacteria, mold and yeast. With their special glass matrix that allows controlled release of silver ions, the products are designed for use in polymers processed at up to 500[Angstrom]?C and provide high protection against light-induced discoloration. These properties make "IrgaguardB 7000" antimicrobials especially suitable for thin items such as fibers for textiles, nonwovens, tapes and transparent applications.

New Internet Pages for Personal and Home & Fabric Care

Ciba Specialty Chemicals has launched new, easy-to-use Internet pages featuring colorants and stabilizers for the personal and home and fabric care industries: www.cibasc.com/ind-pc-cs.htm. The pages contain comprehensive information and know-how, including product applications, features and benefits as well as regulatory information and formulation advice.

"We offer essential tools for differentiating products and brands through brilliant color and long-lasting appeal," says Jerry Pool, Global Head of Ciba Specialty Chemicals' Colorants & Stabilizers business. "As well as a wealth of information about our products, the pages give users the benefit of our regulatory and technical know-how in the closely related areas of personal care and home & fabric care."

From the new gateway, users explore a wide range of color and stabilization solutions, find color recommendations and access a database containing Home & Personal Care formulations.

The new look and feel makes the pages easy to navigate, and the content is organized by industry, effect and product range, allowing users to gather detailed information fast.

Clariant

Acquisition of Masterbatches Business From Ciba SC

Clariant has expressed its intention to acquire the Ciba Specialty Chemicals' masterbatches business for an undisclosed price in order to further strengthen its globally leading position for color and additive concentrates for plastic products. The transaction is subject to approval of the relevant authorities and is expected to be closed before the end of the year.

With production facilities in France, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia and around 300 employees Ciba Specialty Chemicals' masterbatches business generates annual sales of approximately CHF 80 million. The acquisition will help Clariant's Masterbatches division to optimize its service capabilities to the European countries and to enhance its presence in the fast growing Middle Eastern and Asia Pacific markets.

Chief Executive Officer Jan Secher says, "The acquisition of Ciba's masterbatches business perfectly fits into Clariant's strategy of expanding number one market positions and driving growth in service-driven businesses. It gives us the opportunity to leverage our technological expertise and to further provide innovative solutions."

BASF

Teaming Up With Arch Chemicals

BASF's Performance Chemicals for Textiles business unit and Arch Chemicals, Inc. have formed a global alliance to market Arch's "Reputex 20" freshness-enhancing finish and its associated "Purista" brand label, which is used on treated consumer products. The companies will work together to enter new application sectors in everyday clothing and home textiles, such as shirts, fashion tops and bed linens.

This alliance will offer the industry unrivalled expertise. With the rise in consumer demand for comfort enhancing and easy-care textiles, textile manufacturers as well as retailers and brands are looking for new ways to add value. As an expert in textile finishing, BASF can support manufacturers in smoothly implementing the new product into their existing processes. Furthermore, the already established positive appealing elements of the "Purista" brand proposition will support the retailer and brand in communicating the additional benefits to consumers.

"Reputex" is an antimicrobial treatment for cellulosic textiles such as cotton and cotton blends. It makes textiles stay fresher for longer by controlling the growth of microorganisms, which would cause odor and fabric deterioration during today's lower temperature wash and wear cycles. This is a very useful benefit for consumers seeking increased comfort and easier care from textiles to support their busy lifestyles. On finished consumer products the "Purista" brand is used to communicate the benefits of purity, freshness, labor saving, and eco-friendliness. These benefits are captured with the strapline , "Treated with 'Purista' - Fresher for longer."

BASF's global textile network and technical knowhow, and Arch Chemicals' superior treatment technology and "Purista" branding activities, complement each other. "We wanted to join forces with a company that would strengthen our existing operations making 'Purista' treatment available throughout the global textiles chain and at the same time offering technical development potential. BASF was the natural choice for us," states Peter Cowey, International Business Manager - Textiles from Arch.

Dr. Michael Schmitt, Head of Innovation Textiles from BASF comments: "The freshness-enhancing treatment fits perfectly into our overall finishing product portfolio for the textiles industry. We can now offer customers additional functions together with our existing comfort enhancing finish. The benefits and strong position of the 'Purista' brand opens up new market sectors, and brings BASF closer to the retailer and brand, as well as consumers."

Dow Corning

New High-Performance Silicone Screen Printing Ink

Dow Corning Corporation, a leading supplier of innovative silicone solutions for the textile industry, has launched a new silicone textile ink for manual screen printing. "Silastic LCF 9601" textile printing ink allows apparel manufacturers to capture the full potential of the market for high-quality, screen-printed clothing with a durable, environmentally friendly ink that provides a semi-gloss finish, good elongation, excellent color fastness and a soft, non-tacky handle.

"Manual screen printing technology represents a large growth opportunity for manufacturers of sportswear and casual apparel," says Jenny Geng, Asia Textiles Marketing Manager. "However, PVC (plastisol), PU and PA inks have some serious drawbacks, such as inferior wash and weather durability, poor hand feel and tackiness, which limit their use, particularly in high-end apparel applications."

These products also often contain solvents and have other negative environmental effects. To counter these problems, some printing mills have tried using silicone printing materials because of their good washing durability, hand feel, elongation properties and environmental friendliness. "But those silicone products had their own set of issues, too," explains Geng. "Tackiness, high viscosity, stiffness and the inability to create low-gloss finishes still meant the apparel manufacturer would end up with a less than ideal product."

LCF 9601 delivers a set of features and benefits that surmounts these challenges for the first time:

* Good hand feel: Soft, non-sticky handle with no blocking problem upon folding

* Excellent durability: Wash- and weather-resistance

* Color fastness: No color migration, even between red and white

* Improved fashion appearance: Semi-gloss finish with no creasing

* High elongation: Suitable for fabric with 15-20% "Lycra" content

* Fast cure: Skin cures in 3-6 seconds at skin temperatures between 100-130?C

* Operation-friendly: Suitable viscosity and thixotropy for manual screen printing

* Easily pigmented: A base/catalyst system with a minor to major part of less than 10%

* Environmentally sound: Does not contain organotin, phthalate, formaldehyde, PVC or solvent

* Reduced total cost of use: Lower cycle time and better coverage

According to Geng, LCF 9601 Textile Printing Ink is suitable for manual screen printing processes on most natural and synthetic fabrics including elastic fabrics. Possible applications include jerseys, jackets, hats, gloves, bathing apparel, shirts, sleepwear, children's clothing and undergarments. Because of its water repellency and good adhesion, the printed and cured fabric is able to pass 10 washing cycles: five cycles at 40?C plus five cycles at 60?C, with no separation or deformation.

Dow Corning Textiles will offer the benefits of its globally recognized Powered by Dow Corning ingredient branding program to help promote products using LCF 9601 textile printing ink. For example, a unique hangtag explaining the benefits of the ink will be available for manufacturer use.

"Dow Corning has a well-deserved reputation as a trusted ally and innovative solutions provider to the textile industry," Geng says. "We have outstanding materials and expert technologies that can differentiate a product in many ways, like increased functionality, versatility, performance and protection. LCF 9601 textile printing ink is just one example of how we use proactive, creative thinking to develop products that meet our customers' needs exactly."