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President's Message
By Beth Huntley
Dear Cordage Institute Friends,
As cold weather settles on the mid-Atlantic states of the US, it feels like it is time to pause and reflect on our experiences in 2024 and plan new adventures with optimism for the coming year.
The Cordage Institute strives to serve the global industrial community by developing rope standards and test methods. Throughout the last year, we have achieved ongoing success in this area and awareness of CI standards continues to grow throughout the world.
We appreciate all the members that were able to attend the Fall Technical Committee and Board Meetings held in Philadelphia on 1-2 October. Thanks to Forrest Sloan (Technical Chairman) and Sarah Padilla (Technical Director), our Technical Committee held very active workgroup sessions. Some of the work included a continued effort to develop a Fiber Rope Static Bending Test Method by CIRTS (Committee for International Rope Testing Standards), the five-year review of several test and performance standards by the Life Safety Applications Subcommittee, and the drafting of a new Test Method for Tensile Properties of Synthetic Fibers by the Fiber Suppliers Subcommittee. Please contact Sarah Padilla if you would like more information regarding these or any other workgroup activities.
As always, we also thank member companies for allowing attendees to participate in these technical groups as it is the core strength of our association. Many committees still need additional members and chairs, and we welcome everyone’s participation. We also thank our Associate members for their continued support of the organization.
- Hailide America, Inc
- Honeywell
- Hyosung Advanced Materials
- I-Coats N.V.
- Kuraray America, Inc.
- Robco Engineering
- Teijin Aramid
- TP Industrial Yarns B.V.
This is also a good time to thank Pete Lance (Executive Director) and Dan Paschke (Administrative Director) for all the work they do to keep the organization running smoothly. Special thanks also to our Communication Committee headed by Fran Hoffman and James Wolfington (Marketing Director), for keeping us all connected and well informed through social media.
Please remember to mark your calendars for the Winter Virtual Technical Meeting on February 4-5, 2025. With typical winter travel weather as a concern, we have decided to continue this as a virtual event. We are pleased that this once-a-year digital format enables the participation of members who otherwise may not be able to attend CI meetings.
We look forward to networking and socializing in person at our annual meeting on 20-22 May, 2025 at the Hotel Place d’Armes, in Montreal, Quebec. This elegant venue is located in the vibrant neighborhood of Old Montreal and offers a charming blend of history and modernity for our conference. Reservation details and the agenda will be shared in future correspondences.
As the winter holidays approach, my sincerest hope is for you and your loved ones to be enveloped with happiness, good health, and genuine peace. 2025 is an opportunity to dream big and set ambitious goals for the bright future. May the new year bring you professional success, personal fulfillment, and an abundance of blessings.
Warm regards,
Elizabeth Huntley
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Cordage Institute Happenings | |
Highlights of the Cordage Institute Fall 2024 Technical Meeting | |
On October 1-2, 2024, the Cordage Institute hosted a Technical Meeting at the dual-branded Element Philadelphia Downtown and W Philadelphia, conveniently located near Rittenhouse Square and City Hall. The event featured a lively dinner filled with good food, laughter, and opportunities for attendees to reconnect. Additionally, the full Cordage Institute Technical Committee met, with each Subcommittee and Task Group presenting their reports. | |
Attend the Cordage Institute Winter 2025 Technical Committee | |
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The next meeting of the Cordage Institute’s Technical Committee will be held virtually on Tuesday, February 4, 2024 and Wednesday, February 5, 2024 via Zoom.
The meetings will begin on both days at 7:00 a.m. PST | 9:00 a.m. CST | 10:00 a.m. EST | 4:00 p.m. CET (Your time zone).The agenda and meeting times will be confirmed based on how much time each subcommittee and task group will need.
Please mark your calendars for these meetings. Once meeting times are finalized, an agenda with information on joining the meetings will be sent to members. In the meantime, please reach out to the CI office if you have any questions.
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Save the Date for the Cordage Institute 2025 Annual Conference | |
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Please mark your calendar and check your passport for the Cordage Institute Annual Conference on May 20-22, 2025, at the Hotel Place d'Armes in Montreal, Quebec. Hotel Place d'Armes, located in Old Montreal, is situated in four stunning 19th-century neoclassical buildings opposite the breathtaking Notre-Dame Basilica. Old Montreal is a historic district that blends European charm with North American vibrancy, featuring cobblestone streets, 17th-century architecture, and vibrant public squares. Its rich cultural heritage and bustling waterfront make it a top destination for history lovers and modern adventurers alike.
The program will feature technical working group meetings, a meeting of the Technical Committee, the annual business meeting, a technical seminar, the Sim Whitehill Golf Tournament, award presentations, and plenty of other networking opportunities.
A passport is required for entry into Canada. Ensure yours is up-to-date before departure. More information on the conference and program will be sent to members and posted on the website soon.
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The Cordage Institute Call for Technical Paper Abstracts is Now Open! | |
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We are seeking engaging and educational technical presentations for the Cordage Institute Annual Conference on May 20-22, 2025 at the Hotel Place D’Armes in Montreal, Quebec. The presentations, which will be given during the Annual Technical Seminar on Thursday, May 22, should cover timely and noteworthy topics related to fiber ropes, cables, chains, and other synthetic tension members.
Please send your abstract with your name, affiliation, phone number, and postal address to info@ropecord.com by February 7, 2025.
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New Cordage Institute Member
The Cordage Institute is happy to welcome the following new member:
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DCL Mooring & Rigging is a recognized leader in supplying a variety of lifting, mooring, towing and inspection products and services to domestic and international customers in the marine, construction, industrial, aerospace and oil and gas industries. Based in New Orleans, LA, the company has been meeting the needs of customers for over 77 years.
The operation grew from its beginning in 1945 as Dreyfus Supply, Inc. to the power-house it is today through organic growth and acquisitions. In 2003 Dreyfus acquired the Cortney Company forming Dreyfus-Cortney, Inc. Dreyfus Supply and the Cortney Company were premier mooring supply operations providing anchors, anchor chain, buoys, fenders, related hardware and mooring design expertise to the market. Dreyfus-Cortney, Inc acquired Lowery Brothers Rigging Center in 2004 creating the only company internationally to offer a complete array of not only mooring products and expertise but ALSO full-service sling fabrication, rigging product supplies and testing services to customers. The company began doing business as DCL Mooring & Rigging in 2006 to recognize the history of its operating companies and unique combined capabilities. DCL has expanded its synthetic rope offering with the recent acquisition of Gator Supply and offers full-service splicing, inspection and testing of synthetic rope assemblies.
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Knots & Notes
By Sarah Padilla, Cordage Institute Technical Director
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The Knots and N otes section of Ropecord News informs you of the standards being developed by the Cordage Institute, as well as by other industry organizations. As we develop this section of the newsletter, please let us know what type of content is of interest to you by sending an email to sarah@ropecord.com or info@ropecord.com.
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Standards Update
Updates from the Cordage Institute Standards subcommittees on how things are progressing since the last newsletter.
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The Standard Review
Updates from other standards bodies that are relevant to the cordage industry.
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Member News and Press Releases | |
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Yale Cordage Redefines Arborist Climbing with Launch of Blue 32 Rope
Press Release
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Yale Cordage proudly announces Blue 32, an innovative 32 strand arborist climbing rope designed to deliver exceptional performance for both professional and competitive climbers. Introduced at the TCI Expo in Baltimore, MD, on November 6, 2024, XTC-32 Blue 32 sets a new benchmark for climbing equipment with its advanced construction, flexibility, and patent-pending, high-strength low-profile eye splice.
Developed in collaboration with professional arborist climbers and Yale Cordage’s engineering team, Blue 32 reflects a focus on user feedback and real-world application. Climbers praised its smooth handling, durability, and static, low-bounce feel, which make it ideal for rigorous climbing operations. Test climbers’ input led directly to innovations such as the low-profile splice, which simplifies hardware compatibility by easily fitting through mechanical climbing devices while maintaining a high break strength.
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Automate Your Twisting Process and Gain Increased Productivity with a Doffing Robot
Press Release
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The AD400 doffing robot is specifically engineered to automate the doffing process for tubeless bobbins on the Robco Tornado 400 twisting machine. This ensures a swift and efficient transition between production cycles, reducing downtime and increasing overall productivity.
The robot removes finished bobbins from the spindle and precisely places them on an external tray. After successfully doffing the finished bobbin, the AD400 will restart the Robco Tornado 400, ensuring a continuous and uninterrupted production flow and thereby increased productivity.
By automating the doffing process, the AD400 minimizes the need for manual intervention and compensates for lack of labor.
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Pelican Rope Works® & U.S. Rigging Supply® Celebrate 50 Years of Innovation and Excellence
Press Release
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Pelican Rope Works® and U.S. Rigging Supply®, a leader in safety product manufacturing and distribution, proudly mark their 50th anniversary.
For half a century, Pelican Rope and U.S. Rigging Supply have dedicated themselves to delivering superior products that enhance safety and performance. From high-performance synthetic ropes to essential rigging supplies, their offerings are considered the gold standard in industries such as climbing, fall protection, industrial lifting, and arborist applications.
Terry Walker, CEO, reflects on this significant milestone: "Our 50-year journey has been driven by the shared mission of our two companies: Making Difficult and Dangerous Work Easier and Safer. This anniversary is a testament to our incredible customers and dedicated team who share our passion for excellence and safety." He added, "We look forward to continuing to innovate and provide the best solutions for our customers for many more years to come."
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Acteon and Applied Fiber Enter Memorandum of Understanding
Press Release
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Acteon, through its Moorings and Anchors Business Line, InterMoor, and Applied Fiber have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on mooring solutions for various global offshore markets, from oil and gas to gigawatt-scale Floating Offshore Wind.
Through the MOU, the companies agree to jointly explore developing optimized mooring solutions using Applied Fiber’s socketed termination technology for fibre ropes and Acteon’s vast mooring experience. Another area of joint work will be the field of real-time condition monitoring of mooring lines. Both MOU partners will jointly develop concepts for exporting real-time condition monitoring data directly from the mooring lines for integration into digital twin models to reduce the risk of mooring line failure.
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Lankhorst Ropes and Sensor Technologies Forge Dynamic Partnership, Unveiling Revolutionary Maritime Product
Press Release
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WireCo, a renowned global leader in synthetic and steel wire rope manufacturing, proudly announces a groundbreaking collaboration with one of its brands, Lankhorst Ropes, and Sensor Technologies, a leading provider of maritime technology solutions. Together, they unveil “Sureline Systems,” an innovative product set to redefine industry standards and drive maritime operations into the future.
The strategic alliance between Lankhorst Ropes and Sensor Technologies combines decades of expertise and cutting-edge technology to address the evolving needs of the maritime sector. Leveraging Lankhorst Ropes’ unparalleled knowledge in rope performance and Sensor Technologies’ advanced maritime technology, the partnership aims to deliver a transformative solution that enhances efficiency, safety and sustainability across maritime operations globally.
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Samson: Introducing Link-IT MaxTM for Lifting Applications
Press Release
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Samson, the leading developer of high-performance synthetic rope solutions worldwide, is pleased to announce the addition of Link-It Max™, a high-performance soft shackle explicitly designed for lifting applications.
Rounding out the popular Link-It family of products, Link-It Max is a button-knot soft shackle made with Samson’s flagship Amsteel®Blue 12-strand rope and a durable chafe jacket with a unique and patent pending secondary locking mechanism. Link-It Max is a lightweight and safe alternative to traditional steel shackles. Short connection lengths and flexibility provide ease of handling when added to existing lifting systems. Rated to handle Working Load Limits from 5-130 tons, it is available in various lengths. Each soft shackle comes tagged with rating information and is designed in alignment with the principles defined by ASME B30.26 and B30.9-4.
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Eurocord Autumn Meeting
Last October, Eurocord held its Autumn Meeting in Portugal. The meetings were rich with discussions and updates:
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Trade Defence Panel Discussions: These included contributions from Inès Van Lierde of AEGIS Europe (the alliance of European manufacturing associations) and Sofia Baião Horta and Joana Valente of CIP, Portugal’s largest employers’ confederation.
- Sustainability:
- Updates on the Glaukos Project.
- A session on the Circular Economy of Ropes.
- ESG Discussion Groups, where we exchanged ideas on integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance practices into our industry.
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Technical Meetings: The ISO and CIRTS meetings on international standards.
In general, the meetings reinforced how important it is for us to collaborate, innovate, and keep pushing forward—together. In today’s challenging global landscape, it’s clear that working collectively is essential to addressing trade issues and advancing towards sustainability.
It was a special moment to celebrate Antonio Freitas, Eurocord’s Technical Director, and his many years of dedication to our industry. We honoured him in his hometown of Porto, bidding him farewell with heartfelt gratitude for all he has done.
Save the date the next Eurocord Annual Meeting is taking place in Spain from 15 to 17 June 2025.
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CEN TC 466 Stakeholders Meeting
CEN/TC 466
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The European standard series EN 17988 on circular design of fishing gear and aquaculture equipment, developed by CEN/TC 466, has officially been published on the 27th of November 2024.
These groundbreaking standards will transform the industry by promoting circular design principles. The instruments taken up within the series are useable during the entire life cycle, from design until end of life.
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Rope Hats are the New Trend in the NFL
NSS Sports
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Every sport has its trend. For example, in soccer, we wondered if the inserts in the shorts would represent the trend for the 2024/25 season. Going back in time, during the 2010/11 Premier League season, we witnessed the spread of neck warmers. Carlos Tevez and the Manchester City players started a trend so broad and widespread that the IFAB was eventually forced to ban them to stop their proliferation. Switching sports, the story remains the same. In the United States, on and off the field, there is no league cooler than the WNBA at the moment. Tunnel fits have become fashion shows, dominating the Instagram and TikTok profiles of the players. Now, people are wondering about the spread and usefulness of single sleeves, a trend in which A'ja Wilson is the leading figure. Every sport has its trends. In tennis, due to sponsorship deals, it's watches: the first item every player puts on before a post-match interview. If we think back to the Olympics, the first things that come to mind are the cyberpunk jackets of shooters, the winter coats used by swimmers, or the colorful nails of athletes. | |
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Plymouth Cordage Museum Celebrates 200th Anniversary Of The Company
WATD 95.9 News & Talk Radio, South Shore Massachusetts
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In Plymouth, it’s really a birthday party and a big one! The Plymouth Cordage Museum invites folks to join the Plymouth Cordage Company’s Bicentennial Celebration to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Cordage Company.
Once the town’s biggest employer, and for over one hundred forty years, supplier to the world of rope and twine, the Company wasn’t simply a business to Bourne Spooner, who founded the company in 1824, just down the road in North Plymouth.
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How This Group is Turning Its 'Rope Mountain' Into Your Next Garden Tool
CBC News
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Slowly but surely, Nicole Waaler has been building what she calls her "rope mountain" of discarded old rope. It's been sitting in a large pile for years. Now she has a way to recycle it.
"We were prepared to store it for as long as possible. But I'm glad that we got this partnership sorted out this year," said Waaler, an outreach co-ordinator with the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in Saint Andrews and head of Debris Free Fundy.
The Huntsman has partnered with the Ocean Legacy Foundation in Vancouver, an organization dedicated to clearing plastics from the ocean and shores.
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Cordage Institute Winter 2025 Virtual Technical Meeting
February 4-5, 2025
Zoom
AWRF 2025 Spring PIE & Technical Summit
April 6-9, 2025
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
Denver, Colorado
WSTDA 2025 Annual Meeting
April 27-29, 2025
Driskill Hotel
Austin, Texas
Offshore Technology Conference
May 5-8, 2025
NRG Park
Houston, Texas
Techtextil North America
May 6-8,2025
Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, Georgia
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Cordage Institute 2025 Annual Conference
May 20-22, 2025
Hotel Place d’Armes
Montreal, Quebec
Cordage Institute Fall 2025
Technical Meeting
September 30- October 1, 2025
Element Philadelphia Downtown
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
International Workboat Show
December 3-5, 2025
Morial Convention Center
New Orleans, Louisiana
Techtextil Frankfurt
April 21-24, 2026
Messe Frankfurt
Frankfurt, Germany
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Ropecord News
Ropecord News is published by the Cordage Institute. The Cordage Institute is an international association of rope, twine, and related manufacturers, their suppliers, and affiliated industries. Articles appearing in Ropecord News are the views of the authors and not necessarily those of the Cordage Institute. Members are encouraged to contribute articles and items of interest by emailing them to info@ropecord.com.
Rates for advertising are available from the Institute.
Peter M. Lance, Executive Director
Tel: 610-971-4854
Fax: 610-971-4859
E-mail: info@ropecord.com
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