Page 38 - Craftcil June 2024

N ews highlights

US Cookware giants address cookware safety through new alliance

Cookware giants Groupe SEB and Meyer Corporation have safety.” The CSA – which has technical experts on its team – will
teamed up to launch the Cookware Sustainability Alliance (CSA), work with industry stakeholders, policymakers, scientific experts
a nonprofit organization that looks to foster robust policy and consumer advocates to address pressing issues such as
discussions and enhance public understanding of the safety of material safety and product durability, it said.
cookware based on scientific research and verifiable data, it said.
It wants to “ensure that discussions and decisions concerning
While the cookware category has seen a lot of innovation, in cookware are grounded in scientific fact and data-driven analysis,”
recent years, “the industry has witnessed sensationalized claims Burns said in the release. “Policymakers and stakeholders will benefit
and unfounded fears surrounding cookware manufacturing from technical experts that can discuss and answer questions about
processes,” a release said. The reason for creating the CSA is due the safe and stable use of PTFE in cookware products.”
to new proposed laws banning PFAS across a range of products
“As industry leaders, we have a responsibility to protect the
that “are springing up across the country,” and have either already health and safety of our consumers. Our goal is to continue
passed or are in early stages, said Steve Burns, president of the
delivering the highest quality materials for performance and
CSA, a client of consulting firm Summit Strategy Group LLC. convenience,” said a spokesperson for Meyer Corporation.
“There are thousands of chemicals in the PFAS family,” said “Fluoropolymers have a proven decades-long safety record
Burns. “Our point is simple: the chemical used in nonstick cookware
recognized by regulatory bodies worldwide. Their formidable
is PTFE, which is non-toxic, does not bioaccumulate, is not water- properties have made cookware products essential for millions
soluble and therefore cannot be absorbed by the human body.
of consumers and businesses. The Cookware Sustainability
Yet PTFE in cookware is being included in many of these PFAS Alliance will provide stakeholders with all the material they need
bans. We are hoping to educate lawmakers about the unique
to make well-informed decisions,” said a spokesperson for Groupe
qualities of PTFE in cookware.” SEB. The Cookware & Bakeware Alliance, which promotes the
The release added that, “Proposals to ban fluoropolymer cookware and bakeware industry, commended CSA members
nonstick cookware ignore decades of science and U.S. and “for taking action on a topic that is important to them.”
international policy that underpins fluoropolymer cookware Source : www.hfndigital.com

Dorm essentials spending expected to hit $12.2 billion this BTC season

Back-to-College spending this year could come near to $149.71 on food ($9.5 billion total)
touching the record-breaking layout seen in 2023. Total back-to- $112.60 on shoes ($7.1 billion total)
college spending is projected to reach $86.6 billion, the second-
In line with recent years, the top shopping destinations for
highest figure in the history of the annual spending intentions
the back-to-college season are online (50%), followed by
survey fielded by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper
department stores (35%), discount stores (31%), and college
Insights & Analytics. Last year, total spending was forecast to hit a
bookstores, office supply stores and clothing stores (tied at 26%).
record $94 billion.
Collectively, 86% of consumer have squared away about
College students and their families are expected to shell out
half of their shopping for the Back-to-School (K-12 grades) and
an average of $1,364.75 on items for the upcoming college year,
Back-to-College season. The top reasons consumers still have
in line with last year’s record of $1,366.95. Purchases of home
shopping to do are because they are waiting for the best deals
furnishings will come in second only to electronics, according to
(45%) or they don’t know what is needed yet (45%).
the forecast. The top five categories for college spending include:
“Retailers have anticipated this early demand and are well-
$359.49 on average for electronics ($22.8 billion total)
positioned to offer a variety of products at competitive prices,”
$192.40 for dorm or apartment furnishings ($12.2 billion total)
said Katherine Cullen, NRF’s VP of Industry and Consumer
$171.06 on clothing and accessories ($10.9 billion total)
Insights. Source : hometextilestoday.com
38 CRAFTCIL • June 2024