Milan, Italy, May 16--The Radici Group today signed a master license agreement to produce and sell Ingeo fiber, a new technology that allows man made fibers to be derived from 100 percent annually renewable resources.
The Radici Group, founded in 1946 as a home furnishing textile manufacturer, plans to develop and produce filament textiles from Ingeo fibers in both undyed forms and a range of solution dyed and package dyed colors. Applications include home furnishings such as sofas, carpets, curtains, and outdoor furniture and apparel fabrics for fashion and contemporary sportswear.
"Radici Group was founded on principals and values that stimulate new challenges. We are continuing to invest in these values with Ingeo fibers," said Luciano Radici, general manager at the Radici Group. "The unique characteristics and story behind Ingeo fibers offer Radici a way to reinvent our yarns; and we are confident that this is not only good for business development, but for the future of the environment and the future of the world."
According to Radici, the technical profile of the fibers, such as its natural source polymer raw material, the sustainability of its solvent-free melt spinning process and the advantage of processing on conventional equipment are ideally suited for the company's technical yarns.
"Radici announced earlier this year that they support and believe in Ingeo fibers and are dedicated to making a difference with their products," said Tim Eynon, general manager fibers, Cargill Dow. "The signing of this master license agreement is an example of their market leadership as they formally commit their support of Ingeo and this will provide both companies with a significant impetus to growth in the furnishings and apparel markets"
The agreement between Radici and Cargill Dow enables Radici to manufacture and sell filament textiles that will be branded as Ingeo fiber. Radici can then sell the branded products to accredited downstream participants for use in furnishings, apparel and other textile markets. Radici will introduce a range of commercial yarns in June 2003 and will continue development of specialty yarns that will be phased in over the coming months.
