Co-development of Teijin and Toyohashi University of Technology realizes chemical recycling of polylactic acid

It was revealed that the chemical recycling of polylactic acid was jointly realized by Teijin and Toyohashi University of Technology. As a result of soaring oil prices, the number of cars using bio-fuel is increasing. Corn is becoming popular as a source of bio-fuel. If the demand for corn continues to increase for bio-fuel, it could severely damage the production of polylactic acid fiber.

It is significant that Teijin and Toyohashi University of Technology have succeeded in developing technology for the chemical recycling of polylactic acid as a solution. The characteristic of the technology is that it uses only water for reaction and no additional agents such as catalysts, and the collection rate of chemical recycling is almost 100%.

CMM JAPAN & JSP 2007 and Neo Functional Material

FUJIFILM Graphic Systems exhibits inkjet press (defined printing range)
With maximum operation speed of 80m²/h, using the piezo method and maximum output level of 1000dpi

The 8th Converting & Special Printing Machinery / Materials Conference and Exposition in Japan 2007 (CMM JAPAN & JSP 2007) was held at Tokyo Big Sight from April 25 to 28, and FUJIFILM Graphic Systems announced that it has developed and started the promotion of four types of wide-format inkjet press called inca SP320 Series in response to VOC regulations. The series has a wide range of applications including paper and various flat hard materials of less than 3mm thick in the non-fiber material area, such as tile, wood, stone, aluminum, stainless steel, brass, glass, plastics including acryl, artificial turf, rubber and leather.

The newly developed devices are capable of printing a maximum range of 1.6m x 3.2m. Ink discharge is by the piezo method and it is capable of a maximum output level of 1000dpi. Maximum operation speed is 80m²/h. It uses quick-drying non-VOC type ink.

SP320 in the picture

Dainichiseika Color and Chemicals Mfg. introduces bioecosystem deodorization device complying to VOC regulations at its booth

At the booth of Dainichiseika Color and Chemicals Mfg. in the 8th Converting & Special Printing Machinery / Materials Conference and Exposition, various machines complying to VOC regulations were introduced. The bioecosystem deodorization equipment was exhibited as one such example. It is characterized by not producing CO２. It is a deodorization device with water-wash and biological deodorizing, and natural deodorant injection.

Bioecosystem specification

Nittobo introduces room-temperature cure-type hard coating agent at Neo Functional Materials as well as transparent coating agent for textiles to add flame resistant properties.

Coated samples with “SSG coat”

Nittobo introduced "SSG coat," one-liquid/ room-temperature cure-type hard coating agent at the Neo Functional Materials(co-hosted with the 8th Converting & Special Printing Machinery / Materials Conference and Exposition). "SSG coat" is a transparent and colorless liquid and room-temperature cure-type which does not require any special equipment but is simply applied to objects. It only takes 2 to 3 days (at room temperature), which makes the operation process shorter. The final degree of hardness is more than 9H.

The company introduced flame-resistant transparent coating agent "SSG FP50" for fabric, paper and wood material. "SSG FP50" can be used after being diluted with water, and applied by spraying, hand-painting, with a roll-coater or flow -coater.

<Shanghaitex>
Seiren Electronics exhibits latest automatic weft straightener in Hall 3

Seiren Electronics will be exhibiting at the international textile machinery fair "Shanghaitex" held in Shanghai new international expo center from June 1 to 4. The booth number is W3H01 in Hall 3. Their latest automatic weft straightener will be exhibited.

Various weft straighteners from around the world (including ones made in China) have started to be promoted in China, but Seiren Electronics' automatic weft straightener was rated as a first-class device by a Chinese technical specialty magazine owing to its various software programs for weft straightening and its high processing capabilities.

High-accuracy automatic weft straightener

Ahlstrom of US acquires Fiberweb, becoming world's third largest nonwoven manufacturer

Ahlstrom of the US will acquire the consumer wipes business of Fiberweb for 65 million euros. The acquired business includes four plants, two of which are located in Italy, one in Spain and one in the US and this will make Ahlstrom the third largest nonwoven manufacturer in the world, with production bases in both the US and Europe.

The wiping fabrics produced by Fiberweb's consumer wipes business are used mainly in personal care, baby care and household wipe applications, and in 2006, the net sales of this division amounted to 110 million euros and it employed approximately 400 people. Ahlstrom anticipates closing the deal within the second quarter of 2007 subject to antitrust clearances.

Summary of FTA in textile area between US and Korea

The US and Korea concluded FTA negotiations on April 2. The Korean textile industry is expecting that the elimination of tariffs with this FTA being reached can lead to the revival of exports to the US.

The following is a summary of the FTA in the textile area reached between the US and Korea.

• Both sides agreed to abolish 100% of tariffs on all items. The US will immediately abolish 61 % of tariffs in terms of its import value, and Korea 72%. Tariffs on the rest of the items will be abolished in 5 years by Korea and in 10 years by the US.
• The agreement adopts the "yarn forward" rule as the rule of origin, which in principal requires apparel to be produced from yarns within the region. Except some garments and items which require raw materials that cannot be produced within the region.
• The agreement successfully employed the "textile safeguard", which can be invoked for 10 years. Korea agreed to cooperate on custom procedures to avoid the roundabout trade of Chinese textile products.
• Both sides agreed to establish a "committee on outward processing zones on the Korean Peninsula" to discuss dealing of items produced in Gaeseong Industrial Complex in North Korea after commencement of the FTA, on condition of denuclearization of North Korea.

Vietnam imposes export licensing system on apparel exports to US

The Vietnam government has made it mandatory for apparel exporters to the US an export license from February 28. It is announced that the government has a policy not to provide a license to those who export at a price below the standard. This export licensing system is in response to the U.S. Department of Commerce monitoring program on apparel imports from Vietnam from January 11.

The Bush administration approved monitoring of apparel imports from Vietnam last year, responding to the call of House and Senate. The purpose is to prevent dumping, with the US authorities monitoring whether there are any lower-priced imports than the standard targeted trousers, shirts, sweaters, underwear and swimming suits.

With the introduction of an export licensing system, Vietnamese authorities can collect information before the US, which makes it possible for them to take counter measures before coming under suspicion of dumping, leading them to aim increasingly at added value exports.

Apparel exports in to the US originating in Vietnam in 2006 amounted to $3.22 billion. Apparel exports in January 2007 were $252 million, a decrease of 6.7% from the same month last year, which was believed to be a result of taking a cautious stance on moves by the US.