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#Associations

ITMF names three winners of the Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026

Three projects from the UK, Korea and China have been selected as winners of the ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026. The projects address textile-to-textile recycling, chemical recycling for automotive textiles and a regenerative approach combining silk production with ecological restoration.


The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has announced the three winners of its Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026. The winning projects will be presented at the ITMF & IAF Conference 2026, taking place from October 14–15 in Fortaleza, Brazil, and co-hosted by the Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association (ABIT).

The ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award recognizes sustainable and innovative achievements in the textile industry, with a focus on innovation, design, development and production under high standards of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Epoch Biodesign, UK

Project: “Scaling AI-driven enzymatic depolymerization to turn textile waste into fiber-grade nylon 6,6”

Epoch Biodesign is developing an enzymatic recycling process designed to convert textile waste into recycled nylon 6,6 suitable for fiber production. The company is currently scaling the technology from pilot to demonstration level, with further expansion towards commercial-scale production planned.

Huvis, Korea

Project: “Polyester Chemical Recycling Technology for Sustainable Automotive Textiles”

Korean fiber and materials manufacturer Huvis is developing chemical recycling technology for polyester with a focus on automotive textile applications. The project addresses the use of recycled polyester materials in a sector with demanding technical and quality requirements.

Simabo Technology Co., Ltd. and Wuhan Textile University, China

Project: “Desert-Mulberry – Bioactive Silk Eco-Regenerative Cycle”

The project combines silk production with an ecological regeneration approach based on the cultivation of resilient mulberry trees in arid and desertification-prone regions. It aims to link silk and bioactive material production with resource recovery and environmental restoration.

The three winning projects will be presented at the ITMF & IAF Conference 2026 in Fortaleza, giving participants an opportunity to learn more about the technologies and approaches behind the awarded concepts.



More News from International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)

#Associations

ITMF survey shows slight improvement in global textile industry despite continued pressure

The 40th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey (GTIS), conducted from 21 to 29 September 2026, shows a slight improvement in the global business situation, to -23pp, well above the November 2023 low of -46pp. Conditions nevertheless remain weak, in what has become a new normal of high uncertainty. Only South Asia (+13pp) and Africa (+9pp) are positive, while Europe (-36pp), South America (-44pp) and North & Central America (-56pp) report the weakest conditions.

#Associations

ITMF names five winners of the Start-up Award 2026

Five start-ups from Switzerland, Brazil, the United States and China have been selected as winners of the ITMF Start-up Award 2026. Their concepts range from new polymer chemistry and natural-fiber biocomposites to zero-waste design, 3D weaving and enzymatic PET recycling.

#Associations

HeiQ & Archroma and Lenzing & Armedangels win ITMF International Collaboration Awards 2026

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has named two industry partnerships as winners of the ITMF International Collaboration Awards 2026. The awards go to collaborations between HeiQ and Archroma as well as Lenzing and Armedangels, highlighting joint approaches to innovation and sustainability across different parts of the textile value chain.

#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.

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#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

TMAS members drive textile technology innovation ahead of ITMA Asia

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#Associations

VDMA Textile Machinery with new Executive Board

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#Associations

TMAS technology behind the perfect little black dress

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#Associations

Italian textile machinery at TITAS 2026: strategic partnership and tailor-made solutions for the Taiwanese market

The excellence and innovative capabilities of Italian textile machinery technology are coming to Taipei for TITAS 2026 (Taiwan International Textile & Garment Machinery Show), the leading event for the island’s textile industry and the wider Asian region, scheduled to take place from 6 to 8 October 2026.

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#Functional Fabrics

ROICA™ presents stretch textile innovations from nine partners at PERFORMANCE DAYS 2026

ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei will return to PERFORMANCE DAYS Munich on October 13–14, 2026, presenting textile developments from seven European partners and two Japanese specialists under its global brand message, “STRETCH YOUR FUTURE.” Visitors can discover the developments at Booth P10 in Hall A4.

#IGATEX 2026

SHIMA SEIKI to showcase flat knitting and digital design solutions at IGATEX Pakistan 2026

Leading computerized flat knitting technology provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Pakistani representative ALMURTAZA MACHINERY CO., (PVT) Ltd., will exhibit at the upcoming International Exhibition for Garment, Textile Machinery and Accessories (IGATEX Pakistan 2026) in Lahore, Pakistan, from October 15–18. SHIMA SEIKI will introduce computerized flat knitting machines, 3D design software and various web platforms as proposals for sustainable production through innovative shaping technology and the latest digital solutions.

#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

Brazilian market leader Cedro Têxtil focuses on greater efficiency, sustainability, and product quality with Brückner

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#Recycling / Circular Economy

The Or Foundation, adidas, BESTSELLER, H&M Group, and Inditex launch Apparel Recovery Coalition, responding to impacts of post-consumer textile exports

adidas, BESTSELLER, H&M Group, Inditex and The Or Foundation, with support from Circle Economy, unveiled the Apparel Recovery Coalition (ARC). The coalition will explore how producer responsibility systems can support circular pathways such as reuse, upcycling, recycling, and responsible waste management in countries that receive large volumes of exported secondhand apparel.

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