Lectra, the world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries using soft materials—textiles, leather, industrial fabrics, and composite materials—is pleased to announce significant investments in India with the opening of two new offices, based in Delhi and Tirupur, one International Call Center in Bangalore and with the strengthening of its sales and distribution network in India.

COTTON USA boosts awareness campaign of “COTTON USA Mark of Quality” in Thailand as the trend grows for more quality and environmentally friendly products within the Thai market.

Based in Istanbul, his main role will be to accompany Lectra’s new technological solutions in Turkey and within the region

For anyone lamenting the decline of big U.S. innovators like Kodak or worried that U.S. industry is losing its creative mojo, we bring you this good-news story—a reminder that some manufacturers have gotten innovation right:

LENZING, Austria — January 12, 2012 — The Lenzing Group will continue to supply flame-resistant specialty fibers for a new generation of U.S. Army combat uniforms. The signature of U.S. President Obama on December 31, 2011 formally approving the National Defense Authorization Act enables the delivery of "TenCate Defender™M" uniform fabrics for an unlimited period of time ("permanent waiver"). The key component included in this fabric is the heat protection fiber Lenzing FR® of the Austrian Lenzing Group. In principle, only clothing products "Made in USA" are allowed for the U.S. Army. Up until now, textiles made from Lenzing fibers were supplied on the basis of a limited exemption granted in the year 2008.

Teijin Fibers Limited, the core company of the Teijin Group's polyester fibers business, announced today that it has decided to commercialize a new version of its Nanofront high-strength polyester nanofiber with a diameter of 400 nanometers, or 22,500 times smaller than the cross-sectional area of a strand of hair, an unprecedented achievement for a commercial polyester fiber.

Thailand-based polyester producer Indorama Ventures PCL (IVL) has acquired Duluth, Ga.-based FiberVisions Holdings LLC — a producer of specialty polyolefin staple fibers for nonwoven applications, and through its joint venture (JV) ES FiberVisions, a producer of bicomponent fibers.

•    Project secures BASF’s position as the low-cost TDI producer
•    80,000 metric tons TDI plant in Schwarzheide planned to be closed

In 2011, the International Cotton Association (ICA) received 242 requests for technical arbitration - over five times its normal yearly average and more than double the Association’s prior record high of 2008.

BASF and SINOPEC inaugurated the $1.4 billion second phase of their integrated petrochemical site in Nanjing, bringing crucial chemicals to the China market that will support the development of more sustainable local industries.