ImagesMagUK_December_2020

INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 22 images DECEMBER 2020 Stay in the picture with our Instagram feed and stories: @imagesmaguk Inks and primers for the Roland Texart XT-640S-DTG printer gain Eco Passport The inks and primers for the Texart XT-640S-DTG printer are now Eco Passport by Oeko-Tex certified, Roland DG has announced. Eco Passport is a globally recognised mechanism that guarantees suppliers of textile chemical colourants and auxiliaries that the chemicals used in the printed image meet regulatory requirements. Encarna Luque, senior product manager for inks and business development in textile and decoration for Roland DG EMEA, commented: “Our customers respect and value this certificate as clear proof of sustainable textile production. “As the global sustainability effort strengthens, governments, brands and consumers are demanding a higher standard of eco-friendly textile products. Many of our customers have an eco-conscious ethos, and it’s imperative that they are able to tell their own clients that the textiles under their production have been made sustainably and meet regulatory demands.” imagesmag.uk/TexartXT-640S- EcoPassport UK government extends furlough to March and increases support for self-employed The UK government has announced a five-month extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), as well as increased support through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). The furlough scheme will now run until the end of March 2021, with employees receiving up to 80% of their salary for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month — employers are currently being asked to cover only their employees’ National Insurance and pension contributions for hours not worked. The government said this CJRS extension will be reviewed in January to examine whether the economic circumstances are improving enough for employers to be asked to increase contributions. Support for self-employed workers through the SEISS has also been increased, to offer a third grant covering November to January 2021 calculated at 80% of average trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500. imagesmag.uk/Furlough- Extended-March21 Willow Farm Embroidery Willow Farm Embroidery embroidered this strikingly detailed 67,762 stitch design on hoodies for a local agricultural fencer and building contractor. imagesmag.uk/Willow-Farm-Embroidery Clear face coverings developed for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities Workwear manufacturer Alexandra has created a clear face covering in order to help those who are deaf or hard of hearing communicate during the coronavirus pandemic. The Bristol-based company was approached by clients in the healthcare and education sectors to come up with a personal protective equipment (PPE) solution for deaf and hard-of-hearing patients and students struggling with wearing standard face masks — clear face coverings help them by allowing lip-reading and facial expressions to be interpreted. Alexandra worked with key suppliers to produce the purpose-designed face coverings, which are both breathable and washable, and will not mist up when worn. The new clear face coverings form part of Alexandra’s new range of PPE. The company is currently a Tier One Supplier to the NHS in England, having manufactured several million medical scrub sets for healthcare workers on the Covid-19 frontline, as well as sourcing PPE and other vital equipment. imagesmag.uk/Alexandra-Clear-Face- Coverings Lip reading is possible with Alexandra’s new clear face coverings Inks and primers for Roland’s Texart DTG printer are Eco Passport-certified