TW Special Report
The Arlington, Va.-based Synthetic Yarn and Fabric Association (SYFA) recently held its annual spring conference at the Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel in Charlotte. The conference was titled, “A Sustainable Thread,” and featured a wide variety of presentations focused on innovation and sustainability.
Presenters came from such companies as NAPCOR, Polartec, Wells Fargo, Shaw Industries, Supreme Corp., Americas Apparel Producers’ Network, NC State, IFB — formerly Industries for the Blind — Twistechnology, and Indorama Ventures.
Senior Economist at Wells Fargo Mark Vitner presented the current state of the U.S. economy with an overall positive forecast, drawing attention to the importance of a new trade deal with China.
Supreme Corp. CEO Matt Kolmes talked about the use of Volt Smart Yarns in the development of innovative smart fabrics. End uses include fabrics with integrated sensors, bandages with an induced current that enhances healing, and grounded bed sheets.
Also featured was a presentation by Indorama Ventures’ Sustainability Platform Manager Sanjay Mehta, which highlighted the demand to transform the systems associated with polyester recycling. The presentation, entitled “New Horizon For Chemical Recycling,” moved beyond the mechanical processes as Mehta explained new processes that are in development to further chemically capture the polyester monomers in the physical waste discharged from the mechanical recycling processes currently in use.
SYFA secretary and treasurer Alasdair Carmichael, of Florence, Ky.-based NAPCOR, presented “Is There Enough US RPET To Meet Fiber Industry Needs?” Carmichael also led the election of new SYFA Officers and board of directors (see sidebar).
Sponsors for the spring conference included Gold Sponsor Premiere Fibers Inc.; Silver Sponsor Pulcra Chemicals LLC; and Bronze Sponsors Burlington, DAK Americas LLC, Goulston Technologies Inc. and Jomar Softcorp International Inc. Patrons and Exhibitors Sponsors were Clariant Corp., Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Milliken & Company, Polyspintex Inc., Techtextil North America, Textile World and Unifi Manufacturing Inc.
SYFA will hold its fall conference November 7-8, 2019, at the Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel.
May/June 2019
