2025 - Issue 2

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Register for the Cordage Institute 2025 Annual Conference

Register now for the 2025 Cordage Institute Annual Conference to enjoy plenty of opportunities to connect and collaborate with members and industry professionals. The program will feature technical working group and committee meetings, presentations by industry experts, member-led discussions, the Sim Whitehill Golf Tournament, and social activities.

In addition, on the evening of Wednesday, May 21, the Cordage Institute will present the Richards Technical Contribution Award to a representative of the Technical Committee, and Tony Bon, a longtime member who served on the Cordage Institute’s Board of Directors from 2009 to 2015, will be recognized with the prestigious Gale Foster Award of Merit. 

A passport is required for entry into Canada. Ensure yours is up-to-date before departure.

Keynote Presentation at the 2025 Annual Conference

Navigate the Economy: Prepare for Takeoffs and Landings

During the General Business Session on Wednesday, May 21, discover the vibrant and exciting side of Economics through the dynamic duo, Jeremy Bess and Patrick Luce. Similar to the camaraderie found in the early 2000s sitcom Scrubs, these lifelong friends have collaborated for years, bringing genuine passion to the field of Economics. Their mission is to transform the perception of economics, turning negativity on its head.

In a world where uncertainty is the only constant, navigating the complexities of the economy can lead to decision-making paralysis. Amidst the information overload and click-bait headlines, understanding economic realities becomes increasingly challenging.

This session is designed to empower attendees with data-driven insights to cut through the noise and provide actionable management solutions for navigating what is going on today and plan for what's ahead. This presentation will connect the microeconomic dynamics of the Cordage Institute’s markets with the core economic phenomena that you deal with every day.

Join us for outlooks from experts who will explore these critical areas, providing clear, unbiased perspectives on the current economic landscape. Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions in an ever-evolving economic environment.

Read Jeremy's and Patrick's full bios.

Technical Seminar Presentations at the 2025 Annual Conference

The Cordage Institute Technical Operating Committee is proud to announce the following technical presentations for the 2025 Annual Conference:

• "The Influence of Different D/d Ratios on the Bending Strength of HMPE Fiber Rope Slings" by Ho Bingbing and Chiate Chou with Zhejiang Four Brothers Rope

• "Considerations For Total Mooring System Energy and Testing Opportunities" by John Hughson, Danielle Stenvers, and Michael Botterbusch with Samson Rope Technologies

• "Dynamic Behavior of Aramids: Implications for Rope and Cable Applications" by Bo Cornelissen, Egbert Bottema, and Ben Rolink with Teijin Aramid B.V.

• "D/D Ratios" by Roster Farmer with CCF Legacy

• "Tanker Mooring Line Failure Trends and Analysis" by Beth Huntley with Whitehill Manufacturing

The Technical Seminar on Thursday, May 22 will feature presentations carefully chosen to align with the committee's aim of addressing current and significant topics concerning fiber ropes, cables, chains, and other synthetic tension members. These selected presentations will be showcased during the Technical Seminar and subsequently made available on the Cordage Institute's website.

The abstracts for the selected technical presentations can be viewed by clicking on the link.

Tony Bon Selected for the 2025 Gale Foster Award of Merit

The Cordage Institute is proud to announce that Tony Bon, a longtime leader in the cordage industry and past President and CEO of Samson Rope Technologies, will be honored with the Gale Foster Award of Merit at the upcoming Cordage Institute Annual Conference in Montreal. Named after the Cordage Institute’s esteemed former Technical Director, the Gale Foster Award of Merit recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding service to the organization and made significant contributions to the fiber rope industry over an extended period of time.

Tony’s influence on the industry spans decades. He joined Samson in 1973 and rose through the company ranks, eventually becoming President and CEO—a role in which he guided Samson through significant advancements in high-performance rope technology and global expansion. During Tony’s tenure, Samson pioneered the use of high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE) fibers and engineered rope solutions for marine, industrial, and arborist applications, helping to redefine performance expectations for synthetic rope worldwide.

Beyond his work at Samson, Tony was deeply involved in industry collaboration and innovation. His dedication to product quality, safety, and education helped shape the industry. He served from 2010 to 2015 on the Cordage Institute Board of Directors and was a key advocate for the organization. Tony was known not just for his technical knowledge, but for his mentorship, professionalism, and long-term vision for the rope and cordage industry.

After more than four decades of dedication, Tony retired in 2016, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and a company well-positioned for the future.

Tony will receive the award on Wednesday May 21, during the President’s Night Dinner. Past recipients of the Award of Merit include industry luminaries such as Rollin Stirman, John Flory, Steve Swiackey, Sim Whitehill, Tom Yale, Bill Hagenbuch, and Steve Hudson.

Highlights of the Cordage Institute Winter 2025 Virtual Technical Meeting

On February 4-5, 2025, the Cordage Institute held a Virtual Technical Meeting. The two-day event consisted of Technical Subcommittee and Task Group Meetings, and a meeting of the full Technical Committee. During the full Technical Committee meeting, reports from each Subcommittee and Task Group were provided.

New Cordage Institute Members

The Cordage Institute is happy to welcome the following new members:

Scope Computer Vision Technologies is a leading company specializing in rope inspection and maintenance, dedicated to ensuring safety and reliability across various industries. With a team of experienced professionals, Scope leverages cutting-edge technologies, including computer vision and deep learning neural networks, to conduct thorough assessments of rope integrity. This innovative approach enhances our ability to identify potential issues, helping clients prevent accidents and extend the life of their lines.

Galan Textile Machinery is a company with over 85 years of expertise in the design, development, and manufacture of twisting and winding machinery. They cater to all types of natural and synthetic fibers, with a particular focus on producing yarn from high-performance fibers such as HMPE, aramids, and carbon, for rope, twine, and various technical applications.

The company continuously innovates and adapts to the evolving needs of the technical textile sector. Their machines are renowned for their high degree of customization and compliance with Industry 4.0 standards. Equipped with the latest Industry Standard Monitoring Solutions, these machines can be monitored globally, allowing customers to fine-tune the production process using collected data.

Galan Textile Machinery is committed to continuous innovation, holding numerous patents and technological advancements. They welcome inquiries from cord, twine, and rope manufacturers looking to develop new twisted yarns. Galan is represented in the USA and Mexico by Fi-Tech, Inc., (fi-tech.com).

Standards Update

Updates from the Cordage Institute Standards subcommittees on how things are progressing since the last newsletter.

The Standard Review

Updates from other standards bodies that are relevant to the cordage industry.

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Transforming Aquaculture Towards a Sustainable Future:

The Innovative FishRISE Project

Press Release - Badinotti

In June 2024, Badinotti successfully concluded FishRISE, a three-year research project that sets a new standard for sustainable aquaculture. This initiative, funded by the Ministry of Scientific Research and carried out in collaboration with 12 partners, including universities, private companies, and research institutes, combines cutting-edge technology and sustainability in both land-based and marine systems to transform the industry.

Our Latest Sustainability Report - Together for Tomorrow

Press Release - Teufelberger

Sustainability is not a trend for us at Teufelberger, but a central responsibility in all areas of our company. With the publication of our new sustainability report, we show how we put this responsibility into practice.

Regardless of the final Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), we are excited to share even more about our sustainability strategy and initiatives. For us, sustainability is much more than a reporting obligation – we have been intensively working on numerous topics for many years and are continuously implementing new measures.

A New Chapter in Regional Leadership

Press Release - Teijin Aramid

Markets are shifting. Customer needs are evolving. Sustainability is no longer optional. And strong leadership is the key to meeting these challenges head-on. Frans van Huizen (EMEA), Amy Jenkins (Americas), and Monica Lopez Lorenzo (Japan) are our newest regional managers who bring deep expertise, a customer-first mindset, and a vision for the future. Each of them comes from a unique background, but they share a common goal: empowering teams, fostering innovation, and ensuring that we remain a trusted partner for customers worldwide. 

"Big Bertha": Taking Rope Manufacturing to New Heights

Press Release - Southern Ropes

As the demands on rope technology evolve, industries are searching for solutions that not only provide exceptional strength but also deliver versatility and long-term durability. Southern Ropes has spent the last 40 years building a reputation as a leader in high-performance rope solutions, approaching it with an unwavering commitment to quality and innovation.

Now, with the introduction of our latest manufacturing project, affectionately named “Big Bertha”, we are taking yet another leap forward in the industry, setting new benchmarks in performance and safety.

Eurocord Corner

In 2025, we celebrate 50 years as Eurocord, but our journey began nearly 70 years ago, in 1959, as FIDUROP. Since becoming Eurocord in 1975, we have grown into a network recognized for uniting the industry in Europe and nurturing collaboration across borders. Eurocord unites members around key themes: Trade Defence, Sustainability, and Standardization, fostering international cooperation to promote growth in the sector.

As we mark this milestone, we reflect on the strong relationships that have shaped our organization, including the valuable transatlantic ties that continue to drive progress in our industry. We look forward to celebrating our history while embracing the future together. Thank you to the Cordage Institute for your continued partnership!

Once a year, Eurocord members come together for our Annual Meeting. In 2025, alongside our usual meetings, we are also celebrating a major milestone—50 years of Eurocord!

Location: Perelada, Catalonia

A day and a half of discussions, including:

🔹 General Assembly

🔹 Technical Working Groups

🔹 New Member Presentations

🔹 Business Speakers

Plus, a Gala Dinner to celebrate this special occasion!

Contact us for details: eurocord@eurocord.com

Please review our update on Machine Regulation and Harmonised Standards regarding textile lifting accessories and hoisting ropes as part of the lifting machinery.

Industry News

OEKO-TEX New Regulations 2025

OEKO-TEX

Fostering trust within the textile and leather industry remains the mission of OEKO-TEX®. Since trust relies on consistently high standards, the OEKO-TEX® Association has released the updated testing criteria, limit values and guidelines for its certifications, based on the latest scientific research and legal developments. Key changes include enhanced organic cotton certification through OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON, with inclusion in OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN, stricter BPA limits under OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 and rigorous transparency requirements for leather supply chains under OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD. The expanded OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT will include commodity chemicals and biodegradability verification. The revised standards will take effect on April 1, 2025, following the transition period.

CoastLine USA Joint Venture

CoastLine Cordage Group

We’re excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership: the merger of CoastLine Cordage Group, SGT Knots, and Reconxx. Together, we proudly introduce The Rope Hub, a unified platform for innovation and excellence in the industry. Together, we’re forging a joint venture designed to transform the rope industry through vertical integration, innovation, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.

Synthetic Rope Market Anticipated to Reach USD 2.14 Billion by 2031

openPR

QY Research announces the release of 2025 latest report "Synthetic Rope Market". Based on current situation and impact historical analysis (2020-2024) and forecast calculations (2025-2031), this report provides a comprehensive analysis of the global Synthetic Rope market, including market size, share, demand, industry development status, and forecasts for the next few years.

Reclaimed Climbing Rope Used in Shape-Shifting Furniture Through Multiweave Method

Yanko Design

Forget static silhouettes and predictable forms. Kryss, a Swedish company, is shaking up the furniture landscape with their captivating “Entwined Objects” series. This collection isn’t just about seating or storage; it’s a dynamic exploration of material, form, and the very essence of adaptability, all beautifully realized through the humble yet resilient medium of reclaimed climbing rope. Imagine furniture that can redefine itself, shifting and molding to your needs and desires but also steady enough to hold various weights. By ingeniously weaving and knotting discarded climbing ropes, they’ve crafted self-supporting structures that possess an almost organic fluidity. These aren’t your grandma’s stiff armchairs; they’re pieces that seem to breathe, their forms evolving depending on how they’re interacted with.

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

Cordage Institute 2025 Annual Conference

May 20-22, 2025

Hotel Place D’Armes

Montreal, Quebec

Eurocord Annual Meeting &

50 Years Celebration

June 15-17, 2025

Perelada Castle

Perelada, Spain

Cordage Institute Fall 2025 Technical Meeting

September 30-October 1, 2025

Element Philadelphia Downtown |

W Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

AWRF 2025 Fall General Meeting

October 19-22, 2025

Omni Charlotte Hotel

Charlotte, North Carolina

International Workboat Show

December 3-5, 2025

Morial Convention Center

New Orleans, Louisiana

Techtextil Frankfurt

April 21-24, 2026

Messe Frankfurt

Frankfurt, Germany



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