With the “Innovating Today for a Challenging Tomorrow” theme the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) organized its 2019 International Conference from April 9-11 at the Sheraton Downtown in Fort Worth, Texas.
Microfiber pollution, Chinese regulatory actions on textiles and personal microclimates were on the AATCC agenda.
Presenters included executives from JCPenney, Lands’ End, Honeywell, Cotton Incorporated, Lenzing and the NCTO’s Microfibers Committee, among many others. Trey Bowles, Cofounder and Executive Chairman of the Dallas Entrepreneur Center, provided the keynote address on “Building the Future Innovation Ecosystem through Collaboration.”
As we look at the changing workforce requirements over the next few decades, it is essential that we figure out how to develop ecosystems driven by collaboration. Through working together we can ensure that all stakeholders in an ecosystem are working together to provide the necessary education, training, and development to ensure our future workers are adequately prepared to ensure innovation is possible.
The keynote explored the key components of an innovation ecosystem and how by working collaboratively we have the best chance of innovating today for the challenges of tomorrow.
Two USA companies who are the textile manufacturers shared their opportunities with challenges, both companies took speed to market as their main opportunity and regulations as their current challenge. To be a success they have trusted automation and strategic partnership with innovation.
AATCC International Conference focused several issues including fiber, fabric and materials innovations; technology and process innovation; product design and supply chain challenges and environmental challenges and planning for the future.
The first-day session ends up with student paper competition followed by a welcoming reception at the exhibit area.
Textile professionals from various countries participated in this international conference including Bangladesh. Bangladeshi participants included Sanjeewa Malaviarachchi from A&E Thread Bangladesh; Ruwanga Prasad Yatawara from Harris & Menuk; Janitha Kulasekara from Jeanologia; Hafizur Rahman (Nixon) from Swiss Color and Azeez Asukeen from Harris & Menuk.
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