#Knitting & Hosiery

2021-05-25

EASY MASK

As we enter the second year of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic there is a continuing need for masks. While face masks help greatly in mitigating the spread of the virus and protecting the wearer, they also contribute to environmental problems such as waste and pollution.

Sustainable industry collaboration between Indorama Ventures, DyeCoo and STOLL, a brand of the KARL MAYER GROUP

EASY MASK is a collaborative initiative between Indorama Ventures, DyeCoo and STOLL to produce a fashionable mask with a sustainable mind-set throughout the whole production process - starting from the yarn production and followed by the dyeing, design and production. With the advanced technologies of the three companies, the mask does not just eliminate waste, but also reduces the use of water and energy. The design approach ensures that all components can be easily removed and re-used for other masks.

Deja™ recycled polyester

Deja™ is the sustainable recycled polyester brand from Indorama Ventures. The polyester performance yarn is made from 100% post-consumer recycled PET bottles and can be used for a multitude of home and apparel applications. The yarn is independently certified and traceable, with full transparency across raw material and processes including GRS, Ecomark, RCS, Oeko-Tex 100 and Reach.

Locally sourced 100% post-consumer rPET products offer a low-carbon footprint and closed loop solution. Deja™ is 100% recyclable at the end of use and can be repeatedly re-processed without harmful emissions or discharges to create new high value-added products.

CO2 Dyeing

The Deja™ recycled yarn is afterwards dyed with the innovative supercritical Carbon Dioxide textile dyeing technology by the Dutch company DyeCoo at CleanDye factory. The sc-CO2 dyeing machines can dye yarns or fabric rolls in a closed-loop process without using water and process chemicals, thereby producing any wastewater. By using only the pure non-toxic Corangar dyestuff made by Colourtex, in combination with sc-CO2 that 95% reclaimed in the machine, textile dyeing has less of an environmental impact compared to traditional dyeing technologies. As Carbon Dioxide has the same quality every day and over the whole world the technology is reliable and reproducible.

Design and Production

The sustainable product advantages achieved through the use of Deja™ recycled polyester and CO2 dyeing technology are further enhanced with the design and production method.

EASY MASK is a fresh approach to reinterpret a traditional medical facemask from a design perspective. It is a 3D knitted and playful kinetic object that expands and collapses easily. It is simple to use and comfortable to wear; be it over the face or around the neck. The design approach allows customization, on-demand production, and reduces production waste to below 1%. Integrated ventilation increases breathability. Whilst it does not protect the wearer from infection it limits the spread of viruses.

Both the production method, as well as the design itself, take environmental and sustainable aspects into account. The seamless production method eliminates cut and sew and reduces waste material whilst offering customized on-demand production to lessen product surplus. Washing at 60°C makes repetitive use possible. All mask components (metal bar, knitted strings and adjustment tube) can be easily removed and re-used for other masks.

The mask is knitted on a STOLL CMS 530 HP B E 7.2 machine, but can also be knitted on other types of STOLL machines. This allows for flexible local production independent of the machine park.

The new RDJ 7/3 defines the design footprint of modern athletic shoes

Stylish, functional, and efficient to produce – spacer fabrics are the all-arounders among textile materials. These versatile fabrics are particularly in demand in the sports and casual footwear sector, as they combine comfort, breathability, and design freedom. At the same time, this industry is trend-driven, dynamic, and price-sensitive like few others. Innovations are therefore a decisive factor for success. With the RDJ 7/3, KARL MAYER offers a solution specifically tailored to these requirements. The particular strength of the new double raschel machine: its exceptional flexibility, thanks to its three jacquard bars.

More Jacquard. More functionality. More fashion.

With the addition of another member to its successful RASCHELTRONIC® family, KARL MAYER is opening up new possibilities for creative product development for warp knitting mills and brands. The RJ 4/2 EL offers with two stitch-forming Jacquard bars entirely new design options for functional sportswear and bi-elastic lingerie. Available in gauges E 28 and E 32, this new model helps manufacturers set their collections apart from the competition. The fine E-32 gauges, in particular, impress with their clean surface, a pleasantly soft feel, and an exceptionally elegant look.

KARL MAYER's HKS 2-SE Expands Possibilities for Premium Stretch WARP KNITS

Warp knitted fabrics with a woven look are more in demand than ever in the fashion and apparel industries. Stretch WARP KNITS, in particular, impress with their freedom of movement, breathability, and virtually wrinkle-free wear – thereby opening up new style worlds such as smart casual or business casual. When it comes to the highly efficient production of premium-quality stretch WARP KNITS, the HKS 2-SE has long been the machine of choice. KARL MAYER’s best-selling tricot machine produces standard elastic fabrics characterized by high gauges, smooth, delicate surfaces, and a soft hand feel.

SHIMA SEIKI brings new flat knitting technologies to FEBRATEX 2026

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Brazilian representative BRASTEMA TECNOLOGIA TEXTIL LTDA., will exhibit at the Brazilian Textile Industry Fair (FEBRATEX 2026) this month. On display will be a roundup of SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting technology, represented by WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines featuring a brand-new model with high productivity and excellent cost performance, a glove knitting machine and the latest digital solutions.

Lenzing reports improved half-year results and advances strategic transformation

Despite a persistently challenging market environment in the first half of 2026, characterized by volatile energy and raw material prices, subdued global consumer demand and intensified competition from Asia, the Lenzing Group significantly improved its financial performance. Net result after tax more than doubled to EUR 35.6 million, compared with EUR 15.2 million in the first half of 2025. Free cash flow increased to EUR 45.8 million, while EBITDA amounted to EUR 239.2 million. Revenue totaled EUR 1.27 billion, compared with EUR 1.34 billion in the previous year.

Trützschler’s latest spinning and card clothing innovations at CAITME 2026

From September 8 to 10, 2026, Trützschler will present its latest innovations in spinning and card clothing for state-of-the-art fiber processing at CAITME in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visitors are invited to meet the experts at Pavilion 2, Booth D50 and explore solutions designed to increase productivity, streamline processes, and ensure consistently high yarn quality. Key topics include the next-generation card TC 30i, the integrated draw frame IDF 3, the high-performance comber TCO 21XL as well as Trützschler Card Clothing’s new flat top series STEELTOP®.

BICO BCF yarn delivers impressive performance in field testing

In a joint development project with other partners, Barmag and Object Carpet have successfully tested BICO BCF yarn in the carpet manufacturing process. The results show that this innovative yarn technology offers significant performance advantages and opens up new possibilities for recycling-oriented carpet constructions.