#Associations

2025-02-06

6th AddTex project partner meeting in Prague

On January 21 and 22, 2025, the 6th AddTex project partner meeting took place in Prague at the invitation of the Czech cluster for technical textiles CLUTEX. After an update on the activities of the eleven European partners, the IVGT presented a draft business model that will ensure sustainable activities beyond the end of the project.

The 6th AddTex project partner meeting took place in Prague in January 2025 at the invitation of CLUTEX.© 2025 ADDTEX

Workshops develop ideas for HUBs

The focus was on the question of how HUBs in the textile industry can contribute to driving digitalization and sustainability through innovations in education and training. The project partners worked together to develop tasks, objectives and potential for the AddTex HUBs, contributing their perspectives as clusters, universities (HEI) and educational institutions (VET). The feedback collected is now being evaluated and integrated into further project work.

AddTex Masterclass Webinars: Dates are set

In Prague, the dates for the AddTex Masterclass webinar series on the project topics Green - Smart - Digital were also set. The 60-minute webinars will take place from February to May 2025 and are free of charge. As IVGT members, Penn Textile Solutions and the TFI - Institute for Floor and Spatial Systems at RWTH Aachen eV are participating with specialist presentations.

Dates:

February 5, 2025 – Building bridges between industry and education

March 5, 2025 – Intelligent solutions in textiles

April 2, 2025 – Digital Transformation in Textiles

May 7, 2025 – Green solutions in textiles

Registration: www.addtex.eu ? HUBS / Masterclasses section

Language: English

IVGT Textile Connect #3: Digitalization & AI in focus

Digital transformation is a decisive competitive factor in the textile industry. In keeping with this, the IVGT is opening its seminar year 2025 with IVGT Textile Connect #3 on February 11 and 12, 2025 in Aachen.

The event offers in-depth insights into automated data exchange, digital product passports and process optimization with AI

A special highlight is the visit to the DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials eV, which presents the latest research approaches to fibers and AI-supported analytics. There is also the opportunity to visit the McKinsey Innovation Center for Narrow Textiles in cooperation with the ITA Aachen Academy. Take the chance to get to know practical applications and network with experts! Register at: https://ivgt.info/itc3/ Further information at www.ivgt.de

International practical experience for textile students

As part of the European Erasmus+ project AddTex, the partner institutions organised several hackathons simultaneously from 15 to 17 May 2024 at the universities in Borås (Sweden), UPC (Spain), PIN (Italy) and TUS (Ireland). The aim was to develop practical solutions to real challenges facing the textile industry. The German family-owned company Schmitz Textiles, a specialist in complete textile solutions for indoor and outdoor use, challenged students at the University of PIN in Prato to increase the recycled content of yarns for awning production to 100 per cent.

Fifth transnational ADDTEX meeting in Prato

From 1 to 5 July 2024, the fifth member meeting of ADDTEX took place in Prato at PIN s.c.r.l. Educational and Scientific Services for the University of Florence. Parallel to the meeting of the project partners and in the same building in Piazza Giovanni Ciardi, 25, PIN organised a textile innovation boot camp with students from Sweden, Spain, Romania, Ireland, Italy and Portugal.

Young talents honoured – 60 years Walter Reiners Foundation

At the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of April, Peter D. Dornier, chairman of the VDMA’s Walter Reiners Foundation, presented awards to five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability awards were presented in the categories of bachelor’s/project theses and diploma/master’s theses. Academic theses are eligible for the sustainability awards if, for example, they develop solutions for resource-efficient products and technologies.

BTMA backs global growth while investing in future UK leaders

As one of a number of new initiatives launched this year, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is launching the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, has implications that extend across sourcing, competitiveness and long-term trade dynamics, believes BTMA CEO Jason Kent.

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.

ANDRITZ at INDEX ’26: Driving sustainability with next-generation nonwoven technologies

From May 19-22, ANDRITZ Nonwoven & Textile is presenting its innovative solutions for the nonwoven & textile industry in Geneva, Switzerland. ANDRITZ will focus on technologies for sustainable and durable nonwovens, converting, sustainable fiber processes, textile recycling, and life-cycle services on booth 2114 in hall 02.

INDEX™26: World’s leading nonwovens exhibition presents groundbreaking product launches, exclusive seminars and immersive experiences

From 19 to 22 May 2026, 620 exhibitors from 44 countries will gather in Geneva at Palexpo for INDEX™26. The exhibition aims to demonstrate how the future of technical materials will increasingly be shaped by collaborative supply chains and integrated innovation across the nonwovens industry. This year’s edition focuses not only on individual technological advances, but also on how cooperation throughout the value chain can enhance the performance, sustainability and value of nonwoven solutions.

The LYCRA Company launches LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber for nonwovens, advancing comfort and fit in disposable hygiene at INDEX™ 26

The LYCRA Company, a leader in innovative and sustainable fibers for apparel and personal care, today announced the official global launch of LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber for nonwovens at INDEX™ 26, in Geneva, Switzerland, May 19–22. This breakthrough stretch fiber, already trusted by leading global apparel brands, now ushers in a new era of comfort, fit, and performance for baby diapers, disposable hygiene products, adult incontinence, and feminine care.