#Associations

2024-07-04

Program announced for 2024 AATCC Textile Discovery Summit

AATCC is excited to announce the program for the 2024 Textile Discovery Summit, held October 6 to 8 in Savannah, Georgia, USA. With a focus on A Path Forward Through Innovation, this year’s conference will be a groundbreaking event for the textile industry.

Attendees of the Textile Discovery Summit will have the opportunity to engage in educational presentations, stimulating networking receptions, insightful breakout sessions, and witness the latest advancements in textile technology at the exhibitor showroom. Furthermore, participants will be able to enjoy a golf challenge on The Westin’s 18-hole PGA Championship course and an evening boat cruise along the Savannah River on Sunday, October 6.

Start the Summit off by joining the NC170 session, “Research Personal Protective Technologies for Current and Emerging Occupational and Environmental Hazards,” on Sunday, October 6, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. This session addresses the critical need for effective Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) across industries such as firefighting, healthcare, military, and more. Continue the following day with discussions about the Future of Textiles through circular economy, thoughtful production methods and more insightful presentations scattered throughout. Complete your Summit experience with either discussing the Advances in Sustainability or hear about the improvements in Comfort and Wellness followed by Coloration updates. Be sure to stay until the end to take a chance at winning the exciting raffle prize!

AATCC is also actively seeking companies to join as sponsors for the 2024 Textile Discovery Summit. With three comprehensive package levels – Platinum, Gold, and Silver – sponsors can select the tier that best aligns with their marketing objectives and budget. Each level offers unique benefits, including prominent brand visibility, VIP access, and complimentary registrations to provide exclusive networking opportunities with industry leaders. For those looking for more targeted exposure, AATCC also offers the option to sponsor individual items or events within the summit. By becoming a sponsor, companies not only gain invaluable exposure to key decision-makers in the textile industry but also demonstrate their commitment to driving innovation and sustainability in the sector. Interested parties are encouraged to contact AATCC promptly, as sponsorship opportunities are limited and expected to fill out quickly.

The 2024 Textile Discovery Summit is open to all individuals who wish to participate. Whether you are an industry professional, researcher, or textile enthusiast, this event offers a unique platform to gain insights, foster collaboration, and stay informed about the latest developments in the field. For comprehensive program details, accommodation information, sponsorships, tabletop reservations, or registration, please visit www.aatcc.org/summit/.

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.

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.

FITA, ABIT and EURATEX underline strategic importance of Mercosur – EU Partnership Agreement for the textile and apparel industry

The Argentine Textile Industry Federation (FITA), the Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association (ABIT), and the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX) continue to monitor the process of internalizing the Mercosur-European Union Partnership Agreement. This agreement is essential for the competitiveness of our industries, on both sides of the Atlantic.

European business associations celebrate the signature of the EU-Mercosur FTA

The 17th January marks a historic milestone with the signing of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement, creating the biggest trading block in the world. European business – represented by more than 28 associations across a wide range of sectors – warmly welcomes this signature. It sends a strong and timely signal that the EU remains open and is committed to rules-based global trade. In a time of global uncertainty, this agreement is a key growth booster.

“Action helps us change what we do!”

DAY 0 takes place deliberately before PERFORMANCE DAYS begins. It is conceived as a space for reflection, dialogue and active engagement — a moment to pause before the fair, rethink established systems and address sustainability not as a trend, but as a fundamental transformation challenge. Under the guiding metaphor “Turn the Tap Off”, DAY 0 focuses on root causes rather than symptoms, systemic change rather than isolated solutions, and collective responsibility rather than individual silos.

Pets in fashion: functional and sustainable textiles find new market at Intertextile Apparel

China’s pet economy is booming, especially amongst younger generations, and pet apparel – from designer outfits to functional garments – was a RMB 3.5 billion (over USD 500 million) market in 2024, growing more than 20% annually¹. To help exhibitors harness this trend, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2026 will launch the Pet Boutique, presenting a range of innovative, sustainable materials that prioritise both functionality and comfort for pets.

VAUDE eliminates PFAS from all products

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are now detectable worldwide – in drinking water, soil and the human body. These so-called “forever chemicals” are considered hazardous to health and potentially carcinogenic, as they do not break down and remain in the environment permanently. Despite these risks, PFAS are still used in a wide range of products. More than 15 years ago, VAUDE made a strategic decision to gradually eliminate PFAS from all product categories.

Lenzing AG to become majority owner of TreeToTextile AB and accelerates industrialization of new fibers

The Lenzing Group is taking another strategic milestone by acquiring a controlling majority in the Swedish innovation company TreeToTextile AB. This step strengthens Lenzing’s position as a leading provider of sustainable, wood‑based specialty fibers and expands its innovation pipeline with a highly scalable, patent‑protected technology platform. The transaction is executed through the issuance of new shares.