The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), an association of governments in cotton-producing countries, is projecting global cotton planting to contract by 8 percent and production to decrease by 6 percent to 25.1 million tons. The sharp decline in prices in 2011-2012, from recent record highs in 2010-2011, has made cotton a less attractive crop to [...]

Printing Industries of America (PIA) recognizes graphic arts companies for outstanding human relations efforts that contribute to successful workplaces with the Best Workplace in The Americas awards. The 2011 awards went to 14 “Best of the Best” and 19 “Best Workplace” companies, which range in size from small businesses to multi-plant operations. “The program is [...]

The International Textile Manufacturer’s Federation (ITMF) reports that global yarn production rose 12.1 percent in the second quarter of 2011, due to higher output by Asia and, in particular, China. While yarn production in Asia increased by 13.9 percent, all other regions decreased. Production fell 7.3 percent in South America, 6.5 percent in Europe and [...]

Somfy Systems Inc., a leading manufacturer of radio-controlled motors for interior and exterior window coverings, was recently awarded a 2011 EXC!TE Award from Custom Retailer Magazine for its Total Home Automation System, TaHomA™. The innovative, Z-Wave®-based home automation solution allows consumers to control, schedule and supervise their Somfy-powered window coverings, lighting and thermostats; the system [...]

What if clothes or bedding improved oxygen levels in the body, stimulated healing, improved athletic performance, balanced body temperature or improved the quality of sleep? Fibers, yarns and fabrics containing Celliant®, a patented technology developed by Hologenix LLC, Newport Beach, Calif., may help users recycle their own electromagnetic energy. Five clinical trials back up the [...]

Futureguard Building Products Inc., Auburn, Maine, recently added Landon Luiten to its sales team to increase sales of NuImage and Bel-Aire brand awnings in the western states. Luiten brings extensive experience in direct sales, installation and service of Futureguard awnings as a former dealer. He has a B.S. from Eastern Washington University.

By Jeff Rasmussen Despite encumbrances to growth, the U.S. economy is recovering, due in large part to unprecedented stimulus measures, but the rate of expansion began to moderate in the second quarter of 2010. Unfortunately, the level of GDP growth falls far short of the 3.5 percent rate economists say is needed to reduce the [...]

Jorge Young has been with DAK Americas LLC, a Charlotte, N.C., producer of PET resins and polyester fibers, since it was first established in 2001. In January, he was named president and CEO of DAK Americas, building on his work to achieve tremendous growth in the company’s PET resin business. Young’s promotion follows the retirement [...]

Growing up in coastal South Carolina, Jamie Martin became an avid boater and fisherman, comfortable in marine environments. He has joined Safety Components Fabric Technologies Inc., Greenville, S.C., as sales and marketing representative for WeatherMax, an engineered polymer product for marine, awning and other outdoor fabricating markets. Martin holds a degree from Clemson University and [...]

[Transformit] Gorham, Maine, U.S.A. A new wing at the North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, N.C., makes unprecedented use of daylight through an unusual system, which provides even illumination free of shadows and without excessive ultraviolet light. The one-story building’s roof was covered with hundreds of identical skylights; below each skylight rests a polymer sheet [...]