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#Associations

Winners announcement: 2021 AATCC Outstanding College Graduate Award

This year’s recipient of the AATCC Outstanding College Graduate of the Year Award is Josephine “Josie” Cranfill from North Carolina State University (NCSU). She was chosen from all the AATCC Student Chapter Award recipients for this award; she received a plaque and a check from AATCC in the amount of US$1,000.

Cranfill will graduate with a degree in Polymer & Color Chemistry Science with an Operations Concentration and a Spanish Minor. Her ability to apply her knowledge, specifically in the textile areas, is exceptional. She demonstrates this each day with her work in the NCSU Pilot Lab. Putting her knowledge into practice is where Cranfill’s understanding of textile chemistry principles really shines.

Josephine Cranfill © 2021 AATCC
Josephine Cranfill © 2021 AATCC




Cranfill has completely dedicated herself to the service of the university and the AATCC Student Chapter. Whether it was her role as her class’s representative, a university student ambassador, the founder of an organization focused on healthcare and sanitary needs for women experiencing homelessness, or as president of the student chapter, she has given so much of her time to serve, help, and mentor others. Her work with the NCSU AATCC Student Chapter helped to significantly increase the active membership outside of the chemistry majors and reach students in the apparel and fashion majors. Through her service, she has had an impact on hundreds of students during her time at the university.

Cranfill says, “Immediately after spring graduation, I plan on completing a second senior research project with NCSU’s Harold Freeman and Gerardo Montero centered on supercritical carbon dioxide dyeing. I’m excited to further my research on non-aqueous dyeing methods with two renowned experts in the field. In July, I will be joining Unifi at their Reidsville, NC, USA, dyehouse as a Management Trainee. I’ve been able to speak with Unifi representatives throughout my undergraduate career and am happy to be a part of a company so focused on sustainable innovation. Post-graduation, I’ll be continuing my involvement with AATCC as a newly graduated young professional while keeping up contact with our NC State chapter as an alumna.”


More News from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists

#Associations

AATCC announces 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition winners

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) recognized the winners of the 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition. Founded in 1982 to give student members the chance to conduct and present original research, the competition was renamed in 1994 in honor of Herman and Myrtle Goldstein, following their US$60,000 endowment. Their gift is a lasting remembrance of their dedication to young people in the textile industry.

#Research & Development

New funding available for textile research

The AATCC Foundation Student Research Support Grant Program provides financial assistance for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing textile-related projects. Students may submit proposals now for funding to be awarded January 2026. Applications must be submitted by October 1, 2025, to be considered.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

AATCC’s Circularity Conference approaches as organization continues 2025 Sustainable Textile Event series

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) announces that registration is closing soon for its highly anticipated Circularity Conference, continuing this year’s sustainability event series that has delivered significant value to industry professionals.

#Associations

AATCC Textile Standards adopted by Colombian and Sri Lankan Governments

AATCC test methods and procedures are international standards, meeting the criteria set forth by the World Trade Organization and used around the globe. The standards gain additional recognition through Memoranda of Understanding with Colombia and Sri Lanka.

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#Europe

European textile industry calls for €10 handling fee on ultra-fast-fashion imports

The introduction of the €3 customs duty on low-value imports marks an important milestone in Europe’s efforts to address the challenges created by the rapid growth of ultra-fast-fashion imports. Together with the abolition of the €150 customs duty exemption, it demonstrates that policymakers are willing to act when market distortions become impossible to ignore. However, the European textile and clothing industry considers this a first step rather than the final destination.

#Associations

Business situation weakens slightly, but the industry stays cautiously optimistic

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has published the results of its 39th Global Textile Industry Survey (GTIS), conducted from 14 to 22 July 2026 among companies along the entire global textile value chain. Worldwide, 10% of participants rated their business situation as good, 53% as satisfactory and 37% as bad — a balance of -26pp, down from -17pp in May but still well above the 2023 lows. All regions are now in negative territory, from South Asia at -3pp to North & Central America at -58pp.

#Associations

IVGT membership: expertise that pays off

For energy-intensive textile companies, government compensation mechanisms are an important economic factor. The IVGT successfully supports its member companies in applying for state aid and thereby regularly contributes to significant financial relief.

#Associations

Italian textile machinery orders show quarterly recovery in Q2 2026

In the period between April and June 2026, order intake for Italian textile machinery manufacturers showed mixed but encouraging signals for the second half of the year. The order index at constant prices stood at 46.6 points (taking 2021=100 as the base year), showing a slight decrease of 3% compared to the same quarter of 2025. This trend was largely due to the contraction recorded in the domestic market, which fell by 25% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

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#Research & Development

From smart jackets to laser technology: Mona Neubaur explores Textile Factory 7.0

As part of her summer tour, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Mona Neubaur, visited Textilfabrik 7.0 in Mönchengladbach to experience the project’s innovations first-hand. Under the motto “smart and clean”, the visit focused on innovative technologies and sustainable alternatives for textile production - from smart jackets to the decolourisation of textiles using fungal cultures.

#CINTE Techtextil China 2026

Cinte Techtextil China 2026 has opened today, bringing global innovations and resources to Shanghai

As Asia’s premier platform catering to the evolving needs in technical textiles and nonwovens, Cinte Techtextil China has opened today at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, gathering over 300 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions. Across Halls W3 to W5, this edition will create chances for fast-growing sectors and emerging trends – such as Mobiltech, Medtech & Protech, Indutech and more. The curated zones, pavilions, and fringe programme are designed to better connect exhibitors with targeted buyers from across China, Asia-Pacific, and further afield. Meanwhile, the Association Village will gather international industry associations to foster even more global collaboration.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris opens with focus on AI, circularity and new sourcing regions

More than 1,000 exhibitors from around the world are gathering at Paris-Le Bourget as Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris opens its doors from August 31 to September 2. With around 500 textile manufacturers and a similar number of apparel and accessories suppliers, the trade fair reflects the ongoing transformation of global sourcing and the growing diversification of supply regions.

#Raw Materials

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

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