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ITM 2026  9-13 JUNE 2026 ISTANBUL

#Research & Development

How innovations drive BASF’s success

“Innovation has always been part of BASF’s DNA. Especially in these volatile times, it is crucial to leverage our innovative strength to develop competitive solutions that differentiate us as a company in our markets and give us a competitive edge,” said Dr. Stephan Kothrade, Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF and Chief Technology Officer, at the company’s Research Press Briefing held today. To achieve this, BASF implemented its “Winning Ways” strategy about a year ago with the clear goal of becoming the preferred chemical company to enable its customers’ green transformation.

#Associations

Joint Statement: Urgent clarification needed on scope of Textiles EPR for PPE and Medical Devices

EDANA, the voice of nonwovens, alongside fellow industry associations CIRFS (European Man-Made Fibres Association), EURATEX (The European Apparel and Textile Confederation), ESF (European Safety Federation), and EuroCommerce (Retail & Wholesale), has issued a joint statement raising critical concerns regarding the transposition of Directive (EU) 2025/1892, the targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive.

#Textile chemistry

Archroma and Lilienweiss join forces to deliver faster and localized color management services in Europe

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals focused on sustainable solutions, today announced its partnership with Lilienweiss, who will begin offering Archroma Color Management solutions across Europe starting January 2026.

#Sustainability

YKK recognized with Top ‘A’ rating by CDP for climate change leadership for third consecutive year

YKK Corporation announced its achievement of the highest “A List” rating in the 2025 Climate Change survey conducted by the global environmental disclosure nonprofit, CDP . This marks the third consecutive year YKK has received this prestigious recognition.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Between 121 and 142 million people are employed in the circular economy globally, new study finds

Between 121 and 142 million people worldwide are employed in sectors that contribute to the circular economy, such as repair, recycling, second-hand trade and waste management. This represents roughly between 5 and 5.8 percent of total global employment (excluding agriculture), according to a new joint report by Circle Economy, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Bank Group, in partnership with the UN Partnership for Action on Green Economy (UN-PAGE).

#Man-Made Fibers

Teijin Carbon Europe receives EcoVadis Silver status – ranked among the top 15% of evaluated companies

Teijin Carbon Europe (TCE) has been recognized for its sustainability performance and has been awarded the EcoVadis Silver Medal in the latest assessment. In its first-ever EcoVadis evaluation, the company achieved a notable 72 out of 100 points, ranking among the top 15% of all companies evaluated worldwide, within the “Manufacture of Man-Made Fibres” category.

#Weaving

Vandewiele Group: Innovation across the textile value chain at ICFE Istanbul 2026

At the 2026 Istanbul Carpet & Flooring Expo (ICFE), Vandewiele Group presents its latest advancements spanning the entire textile value chain. From spinning and weaving to tufting, carpet manufacturing and digital finishing, the Group demonstrates how integrated innovation can boost performance, efficiency and sustainability across all stages of production. As a global technology leader, Vandewiele continues to develop solutions that strengthen processes, enhance product quality and enable smarter, greener manufacturing.

#Research & Development

Small tolerances, big impact and a recyclable alternative to elastane

ITA Master's student Janne Warnecke investigated tension differences over the fabric width in the weaving process and thereby contributed to quality assurance; ITA Bachelor's student Jasmin Roos found a basis for the development of recyclable yarns and textiles. For these developments, they were awarded the Walter Reiners Foundation's Promotion and Sustainability Prizes on 27 November. Peter D. Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation, presented the awards at the Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference (ADD-ITC) in Aachen, Germany.

#Associations

Young researchers recognised for cutting-edge work in recycling, fibre technology and textile mechanics

At the Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference held in Aachen at the end of November, Peter D. Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation of the VDMA, honoured five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability prizes were awarded in the categories bachelor/project theses and diploma/master theses. Academic theses that develop solutions for resource-saving products and technologies, for example, are eligible for the sustainability awards.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Advanced Recycling Conference 2025 fuels innovation across key waste streams

The Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) 2025 brought together nearly 220 experts from 28 countries to spotlight pioneering advancements and foster industry collaboration in recycling across diverse waste streams including plastics, textiles, automotive and other materials.

#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

Navis TubeTex announces U.S. partnership with Icomatex

Navis TubeTex, a global leader in advanced dyeing and finishing machinery solutions, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Icomatex (www.icomatex.com), a respected European manufacturer of high-quality stenters and textile finishing equipment. Under this agreement, Navis TubeTex will exclusively represent the Icomatex stenter line in the United States.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

ADVANSA launches ADVA®tex: A new step toward textile-to-textile recycling

ADVANSA has introduced ADVA®tex, a new filling fibre made entirely from recycled pre-consumer textile waste, positioning the material as a significant step forward in textile-to-textile (T2T) recycling. The fibre is designed for use in duvets, pillows, mattresses, and furniture applications and is available in three versions.

#Knitting & Hosiery

KARL MAYER celebrates 35 years of EL pattern drive

KARL MAYER is celebrating an anniversary this year: on 30 November 1990, the first warp knitting machine with electronic guide bar control, the KS 4 EL, was delivered – another milestone for patterning. As early as 1980, the SU gearbox with the MRS42SU had initiated the transition from mechanical chains to digital data.

#Research & Development

The region of renewable raw materials: Central German Alliance for Bioplastics

The development of sustainable plastic solutions is rapidly gaining importance in light of global environ- mental pollution, dwindling fossil resources and ambitious climate protection targets. As part of the re- gional alliance RUBIO, which brings together 18 partners from central Germany and the Berlin-Branden- burg area, the bio-based and biodegradable plastic polybutylene succinate (PBS) was comprehensively investigated, starting with the raw material, through the manufacturing process, to industrial application.

#Textile processing

YKK receives ISPO Textrends Awards for circular innovations

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) is pleased to announce that the ISPO Textrends judges have selected YKK's 3D Composite Puller as the Best Product in the Accessories category. They also selected YKK’s NATULON Plus® Fiber Sourced™ zipper with Recycled PET Open Parts as a Top 5 item in the same category. The competition, held twice a year in conjunction with the ISPO trade show, recognizes the most innovative performance textiles, components, and apparel.

#Heimtextil 2026

Global market overview: Carpets & Rugs strengthens the carpet industry with trends, expertise and an expanded portfolio

Heimtextil 2026 rolls out Carpets & Rugs more extensively than ever before: With a new structure and an expanded offering, the leading trade fair for home and contract textiles and textile design brings together leading suppliers and relevant product categories under one roof. For the first time, premium unique pieces round off the global range.

#Textile chemistry

Archroma funds development of sustainable textile laboratory at Mumbai’s Institute of Chemical Technology

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals focused on sustainable solutions, has supported the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai, India in the renovation and development of a sustainable laboratory facility as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.

#Nonwoven machines

Cooperation in the field of meltblown laboratory technology

The Nonwoven Institute (NWI) at North Carolina State University and Oerlikon Nonwoven will be collaborating in the field of meltblown laboratory technology in the future. This was announced by Professor Raoul Farer, Executive Deputy Director of the NWI and Professor at the Wilson College of Textiles at North Carolina State University, and Dr. Ingo Mählmann, Sales Director Nonwoven at Oerlikon Neumag, during this year's ITMA Asia and CITME in Singapore.

#New Materials

Bioworks’ plant-based fiber PlaX makes commercial debut in THE NORTH FACE and NEUTRALWORKS.

Bioworks Corporation has announced the first commercial launch of PlaX, its plant-based synthetic fibre engineered from PLA, in partnership with Goldwin Inc. The material debuts in the Fall/Winter 2025 collections of two Goldwin brands: THE NORTH FACE and NEUTRALWORKS.

#Composites

JEC World 2026 reveals the list of finalists for the Innovation Awards

Each year, the JEC Composites Innovation Awards recognize collaborative, innovative, and ambitious projects that illustrate the potential of composite materials. Created in 1998, this benchmark program aims to identify, promote, and reward the most innovative composite solutions worldwide. In 28 years, the JEC Composites Innovation Awards have attracted more than 2,200 participating companies from around the world. A total of 269 companies and 811 associated partners have been recognized for the excellence of their innovations.

#Man-Made Fibers

Teijin and Asahi Kasei to merge textile subsidiaries into joint venture

Teijin Limited and Asahi Kasei Corporation have signed a definitive agreement to integrate their textile subsidiaries Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd. and Asahi Kasei Advance Corporation. The announcement was approved by Teijin’s Board of Directors on 1 December 2025 and marks a significant consolidation move within Japan’s advanced materials and textile sector.

#Textile chemistry

Archroma and Fibre52® partner to scale next-generation low-temperature neutral-pH, bleach system for cotton and cotton/polyester fabrics

Archroma becomes the exclusive global distributor of Fibre52®’s patented chemistry—advancing a new standard in sustainable processing. Combined with Archroma’s AVITERA® SE dyes, the partnership delivers the industry’s most resource-efficient bleach-and-dye systems.

#Nonwovens

European Commission imposes registration on imports of PET spunbond from China

On 15 September 2025, the European Commission opened an Anti-dumping (AD) investigation into imports of PET spunbond from China following a complaint by the EU industry (AD738). On 2 December 2025, the Commission made imports of PET spunbond from China subject to registration. This is an important milestone in the proceedings.

#Knitting & Hosiery

Mayer & Cie. to shut down after failed search for investor – 270 jobs affected

Mayer & Cie., the long-established German manufacturer of circular knitting and braiding machines, will cease operations after its international search for an investor ended without success. The company, based in Albstadt-Tailfingen, had been undergoing insolvency proceedings in self-administration since its filing on 23 September 2025. As Schwarzwälder Bote reports, the insolvency court has now formally opened the proceedings, triggering the decision to wind down the business in an orderly process.

#Man-Made Fibers

Trevira CS® ignites Heimtextil 2026 with "WE CARE" campaign

Indorama Ventures, a global sustainable chemical company, announces its Trevira CS® brand’s powerful and socially responsible presentation at Heimtextil 2026 in Frankfurt, Germany, from January 13 to 16, 2026. The impactful theme of the show: “WE CARE.”

#ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore 2025

India becomes growth engine for the warp knitting industry

ITMA ASIA 2025 exceeded all expectations for KARL MAYER – above all thanks to the strong interest from India: around 30% of the qualified discussions were held with partners from this traditional textile country. The response underlines the growing importance of the Indian market, which could become the second largest sales region for KARL MAYER after China. The warp knitting industry in particular is developing dynamically.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Texworld, New York City

January 20 - 22, 2026,

New York City, USA

DOMOTEX

January 19 - 22, 2026,

Hanover, Germany

Première Vision New York

January 13 - 14, 2026,

New York, USA

Heimtextil 2026

January, 13 - 16, 2026,

Frankfurt, Germany


#Recycling / Circular Economy

European research project addresses textile waste through integrated recycling technologies

A major European research initiative coordinated by Fraunhofer UMSICHT has been launched to develop integrated solutions for textile waste recycling. The AUTOLOOP project aims to create a comprehensive system that could process 1.24 million tonnes of textile waste annually by 2050, whilst potentially creating over 130,000 green jobs across the EU. This project aims to develop, test and integrate automated sorting, tracing, and closed-loop recycling technologies for polyester-based textiles (NRT), addressing the pressing challenge of textile waste management.

#Recycled_Fibers

CARBIOS and Wankai sign strategic PET biorecycling pact

CARBIOS (Euronext Growth Paris: ALCRB) and Wankai New Materials (“Wankai”), a listed subsidiary of Zhink Group, the 3rd largest PET producer in China and 4th worldwide, announce the signing of the definitive agreement establishing a strategic partnership for the industrial rollout of CARBIOS’s PET biorecycling technology in Asia. The first milestone will be the construction of a PET biorecycling plant in China.

#Home Textiles

Beaulieu International Group announces the sale of its upholstery business to GH Private Equity

Beaulieu International Group (B.I.G.) has signed a Share Purchase Agreement with GH Private Equity to sell all shares of its upholstery activities, known under the brand name Tessutica. The closing was officially finalized on Thursday 27 November 2025.

VIDEOS

#Natural Fibers

Video invitation from Her Excellency, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

#Recycled_Fibers

matterr at the K 2025 fair

#Sustainability

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) enters a new phase of positive impact, rebranding as Cascale.

#Industry 4.0 / Digitalization

Every yarn tells a story. RadiciGroup makes it traceable – all the way to the finished garment.

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