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President's Message
By Beth Huntley
Dear Cordage Institute Members,
Summer is a great time of year! I hope you enjoy a few sunny days filled with outdoor adventures and warm lazy evenings dining al fresco with sounds of crickets and cicadas setting a relaxed mood.
The cold weather we experienced in Montreal for the Cordage Institute Annual Conference feels like a distant memory. Thank you to the 90+ members who attended and actively participated in the technical and networking events.
We extend a special “Thank you” to Forrest Sloan of Kuraray for completing a two-year term of service as the Technical Committee Chair and appreciate the commitment of Loet Hoppe of I-Coats who has accepted the role to replace him. We also welcome Patrick Yerger from the Cortland Companies as the next Technical Committee Vice-Chair.
Congratulations to Amy Jenkins from Teijin as the recipient of the prestigious Richards Award. Amy earned this recognition as an active member of the Technical Committee for over 18 years, where she chairs the fiber supplier sub-committee and gracefully guided a revision of CI-2003 Comparative Reference: Fibers for Cable, Cordage, Rope and Twine. Amy also worked tirelessly as a CI representative to the OCIMF committee that wrote the industry leading MEG4 guidelines and previously served a two-year term as the CI Technical Committee chairman. To round out her extensive achievements, Amy also was closest-to-the-pin during the golf outing at the Annual Conference. Well done and thank you for all you do!
Eurocord held their annual meeting and 50th Anniversary celebration in Peralada, Spain in mid-June. The weather was perfect, the content of the meetings was informative, and they certainly know how to host a lovely party. Cordage Institute is fortunate to be holding our 2026 Annual Conference with Eurocord in Portugal next summer (June 14-17, 2026). Mark your calendar now because that is an event you do not want to miss.
The next Cordage Institute Technical meeting will be held in Philadelphia on September 30th and October 1st. An agenda of the meetings will be circulated soon. In addition to our work to advance rope standards, test methods, and guidelines, we are planning to go bowling as the networking activity during the evening. I am not an experienced bowler, but am looking forward to the fun, fellowship, and wearing the rented shoes!
Kind regards,
Elizabeth Huntley
| | Cordage Institute Happenings | | Highlights of the Cordage Institute 2025 Annual Conference | | |
On May 20-22, the Cordage Institute held its Annual Conference at the Hotel Place d’Armes in Montreal, Quebec. The full conference program included a Technical Seminar, Business Meeting, Technical Subcommittee and Task Group meetings, as well as a meeting of the full Technical Committee. During the full Technical Committee Meeting, reports from each Subcommittee and Task Group were provided.
The Business Session included a keynote presentation by Jeremy Bess and Patrick Luce titled “Navigate the Economy: Prepare for Takeoffs and Landings.”
| | | Don’t Miss the Fall 2025 Technical Meeting in Philadelphia | | | | |
The next meeting of the Cordage Institute Technical Committee will be held on September 30-October 1, 2025 at the dual-branded Element Philadelphia Downtown and W Philadelphia, located near Rittenhouse Square and City Hall.
A group dinner and activity is planned for Tuesday, September 30. This year’s event will take place at Lucky Strike Bowling and will include bowling, games, and a casual dinner for the group. The games will begin at 7:30pm. The per-person cost, which covers bowling, the meal, taxes, service charges/gratuities, is expected to be $86. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the cost. Final details will be shared closer to the meeting date. Please note that pre-payment will be required to participate.
| | Marco Bambach Elected to Cordage Institute Board of Directors | | |
The Cordage institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Marco Bambach to the Board of Directors. Marco Bambach is an accomplished international executive with a background in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and over two decades of leadership experience across Europe, Asia, and North America. As President and Managing Director of Teufelberger Fiber Rope Corp., he leads the North American division of a global leader in high-performance rope solutions, driving growth and innovation across industrial, marine, life-safety, climbing, and arborist markets, with a strong commitment to advancing the cordage industry.
Marco seeks to contribute to the Cordage Institute Board by promoting technical standards, fostering collaboration, and helping shape a more sustainable, innovative, and globally aligned future for the sector.
| | | Patrick Yerger Elected Vice Chair of the Cordage Institute Technical Committee | | | | |
The Cordage Institute is excited to announce that Patrick Yerger with Cortland International has been elected the new Vice Chair of the Cordage Institute‘s Technical Committee.
Patrick brings over 30 years of experience in engineering and sales leadership across a range of industries, including utilities, industrial computer components, and synthetic rope manufacturing. He has spent the last 15 years in the synthetic rope sector, holding key roles at three leading manufacturers. Throughout his career, Patrick has worked across diverse markets such as offshore energy, government, aerospace, marine, and mining, bringing deep technical expertise and strategic insight to each.
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New Cordage Institute Members
The Cordage Institute is happy to welcome the following new members:
| | Mahesh Twisto Tech Pvt. Ltd. (MTPL) is an innovative company for rope making machine and extrusion plant. It was established in 1985. Initially, Mahesh was only manufacturing needle looms and then in 1998, it started manufacturing rope making machines. Now, the company is spread over a 40,000 sq. meter area with nine operational units. The expanded facilities handle in-house manufacturing to produce the most efficient and durable machines. | | Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS) employs a civilian workforce of top-tier professionals to safely overhaul, repair, and modernize the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet, specifically Los Angeles and Virginia-class submarines. They provide quality overhaul work in a safe, timely, and affordable manner. This includes a full spectrum of in-house support-from engineering services and production shops, to unique capabilities and facilities, to off-site support - all of which serves the multifaceted assortment of fleet requirements. | | |
Trinidad Ropeworks Limited is a manufacturing company based in Trinidad and Tobago located in the Caribbean and was established by the owner Mr. David Ross in 1991. It is a family-owned business which has built a reputation of quality products upon which people can trust and rely to perform as intended.
Their product range includes a variety of ropes, twines, cordage and plastic trash bags as well, which are all manufactured in-house. They produce and offer polypropylene fiber and sisal ropes and the sizes range from 3/16” to 1”.
Trinidad Ropeworks Limited exports to over 15 countries within the Caribbean, South and Central America. Their products are used in many areas, including Supermarkets, Hardware, Heavy Industries, Fishing, Agriculture and General Household use.
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Knots & Notes
By Sarah Padilla, Cordage Institute Technical Director
| | 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 | | |
A Commitment to Sustainable Material & Environmental Responsibility
Press Release - Samson
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At Samson, sustainability means integrating environmental responsibility into every part of our operations to reduce our impact on people, communities, and the planet. We focus on:
- Environmental Stewardship: Reducing waste, optimizing recycling programs, and introducing eco-friendly materials.
- Eco-Friendly Products: Several of our high-performance ropes, including AmSteel®Blue, AmSteel®X, Saturn-12™, EverSteel®X, and Turbo-RC™, are now available with sustainable, bio-sourced fiber, reducing reliance on fossil-based resources while maintaining the strength and durability Samson is known for.
- Community Engagement: Supporting programs that provide education, basic needs, and long-term sustainability solutions. For Samson, it's a strategic mindset acknowledging the vital roles that ecological and social factors play in long-term success.
We have integrated sustainability into our core operations, considering the environmental impact of materials used in our products, the health and safety of our employees, and engagement with our local communities. By prioritizing sustainable materials and incorporating recyclable materials wherever possible, we actively reduce waste and optimize resource efficiency.
Embracing sustainable business practices, Samson will contribute to a better future for current and future generations.
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Watch: The Dangers of Rope Twisting
Press Release - Wilhemsen Ships Service
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Wilhemsen Ships Service has published a video regarding the common problem of twisting of mooring ropes, which can reduce the strength of a rope and lead to potential safety hazards for the crew.
One of the major dangers that seafarers and crew may not be fully aware of during mooring operations is rope twisting. Wilhemsen has conducted extensive testing on this issue and found that:
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Garware Strengthens Global Footprint with Purchase of Leading Norwegian Rope Firm
Press Release - Garware Technical Fibres Limited
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Garware Technical Fibres Limited (GTFL), an India-based manufacturer of engineered polymer solutions, has announced the acquisition of Norwegian rope manufacturer Offshore & Trawl Supply AS (OTS) through its UK subsidiary.
The deal forms part of GTFL’s strategy to expand its presence in Europe and enhance its product offering in offshore, aquaculture, and commercial fishing segments. A share purchase agreement has been signed for the full acquisition of OTS, which is headquartered in Valderøya, near Ålesund, Norway.
OTS is known for its advanced synthetic rope solutions used across offshore oil and gas, aquaculture, and marine and commercial fishing. The company has established a strong reputation in the North Sea region, supported by a team of experienced engineers and sector specialists.
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Graphene One is Using Patented, Breakthrough
Technology to Infuse Yarns, Fibers and Filaments with Graphene.
Press Release - Graphene One
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Graphene is being increasingly explored in textiles for its thermal management properties, especially in cooling and heat dissipation and Graphene One is at the forefront of this movement. Graphene One’s parent company, QS Safety, began R&D into graphene in 2009. By 2015, QS Safety had successfully figured out how to integrate graphene into yarn, fibers and filaments. In that same year, Graphene One officially launched Kyorene®: a graphene-infused fiber that can be used in clothing and textiles.
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Smart Denier Processing at TP with an Unconventional Edge
Press Release - TP Industrial Yarns B.V.
| | At TP, we take a different approach to producing high-quality yarn constructions. For example, in the 3,000 to 30,000 Denier range, which is widely used in technical applications, including the rope industry. Instead of relying on specific machines built for certain industries, we consciously select and adapt equipment from different industries and processes. This gives us the flexibility to engineer yarns with greater precision, consistency, and speed. | | Eurocord Celebrates 50 Years | | |
Our story began on May 30th, 1975, in Helsinki, when two Swiss-based associations, FIDUROP and COMICORD, initiated a new phase of collaboration. They dissolved themselves to create the Eurocord Federation, officially founded in Zurich. The goal was to simplify activities, boost representation, and reduce fragmentation in our sector. In 1992, Eurocord opened its doors to Affiliates and Corresponding Members, welcoming machine manufacturers, raw material suppliers, coating experts, and other key partners. Since then, the network has grown stronger and more connected. Today, our Active and Associate Members work hand in hand, producers and suppliers sharing businesses and knowledge and building better products together. Eurocord members are behind the ropes, nets, and twines used in all kinds of sectors: from agriculture and offshore to sports, forestry, construction, and energy.
Over the years, Eurocord has built strong relations with key organizations, including the Cordage Institute, our partner in technical standards and industry networking.
Looking ahead, Eurocord must maintain its collective identity and remain supportive: networking among members, active involvement in European affairs, technical cooperation, shared knowledge, and problem-solving on mutual relevant matters.
On behalf of the Secretariat and the Board, we thank all our members and partners for your trust, your work, and for shaping this story over five decades.
It’s the weaving of different strands that gives us strength and resilience. Here’s to the next 50 years of cooperation, sustainability, and a strong European industry.
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Book Review by Captain Robert Beringer, Sail Magazine: "Rope, How a Bundle of Twisted Fibers Became the Backbone of Civilization"
Author Tim Queeney
| | In ancient times, man responded to the urgent need for food, transportation, and trade by building all sorts of watercraft. After mastering the rivers and lakes, his attention soon turned to journeys across oceans and the wealth these new lands represented. But all that unpleasant rowing—there had to be a better way. By attaching large sections of cloth to wooden spars, he could harness the wind, and with a paddle at the stern, he could steer. But to make all this work he needed one more thing: rope. | | |
More than 10,000 Pounds of Rope Removed from Massachusetts Waters
By Leah Crowlet, WPRI 12
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Over the course of 24 days, 520 lost traps and more than 10,000 pounds of rope were recovered from Massachusetts waters.
Every spring, when critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whales make their way to Cape Cod Bay, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries ends the commercial lobster fishing season.
The Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) said during that time, their nonprofit is allowed to work with fishermen to remove abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear that threatens the whales and other marine life.
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Modeling and Boundary Control of Deep-Sea Cranes with Flexible Rope: Distributed Interference Suppression Methods
By Yan Li, Yuzhe Qian, He Chen, Shijie We, Hebei University of Technology, Ocean Engineering
| | The increasing demand for deep-sea crane systems has spurred advancements in marine resource exploitation and subsea infrastructure development. However, hydrodynamic disturbances during underwater operations exacerbate payload oscillations and system nonlinearity, creating significant challenges for motion control precision. To address these issues, this study develops a variable-length flexible cable dynamic model for deep-sea cranes based on Hamilton’s principle, which comprehensively incorporates unfixed boundaries, time-varying cable lengths, and distributed disturbances. Building on this modeling framework, two innovative strategies are proposed. The first is a model-based controller that offers theoretical foundations and structural guidance, while the second is an adaptive robust controller capable of effectively handling complex deep-sea environments and parametric uncertainties. Lyapunov-based analysis shows that both controllers achieve uniformly ultimately bounded stability with exponential convergence rate and effective disturbance suppression. In the simulation section, two sets of numerical experiments compare the proposed methods with two benchmark approaches, validating the effectiveness and robustness of the developed control strategies. Finally, two preliminary experiments are conducted to verify the theoretical results and practical feasibility of the exact model-based approach. This research provides a theoretical framework and practical solutions for improving control efficiency in autonomous deep-sea operations and offers valuable insights for marine engineering applications. | | |
Cordage Institute Fall 2025 Technical Meeting
September 30-October 1, 2025
Element Philadelphia Downtown |
W Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
WSTDA 2025 Fall Meeting
October 6-8, 2025
Hilton Toronto
Toronto, Canada
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
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Techtextil Frankfurt
April 21-24, 2026
Messe Frankfurt
Frankfurt, Germany
Offshore Technology Conference
May 4-7, 2026
NGR Park
Houston, Texas
Cordage Institute and Eurocrod 7th Joint Conference
June 14-17, 2026
Portugal
Techtextil North America
August 4-6, 2026
Raleigh Convention Center
Raleigh, North Carolina
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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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