#Denim

2022-04-14

RUDOLF OFFUEL ®: 'It's Time to Get Wasted'

Celebrating the Group’s 100 years anniversary with the launch of the “It’s time to get wasted” denim collection: denim icons reused, reworked, reimagined and, of course, finished with OFFUEL®.

RUDOLF is turning 100 years old this year. Quite frankly though, it’s difficult to find a quiet moment to celebrate. The past 18 months have taught us how rough things can get and how quickly they can change. The shortages of raw materials, gas and oil are having dramatic consequences. Because of geo-political situations and because of petroleum being a scarce resource, we can expect even more dramatic supply bottlenecks in the future.

This unsettling scenario was the “inspiration” for RUDOLF OFFUEL®, a progressive array of chemical auxiliaries for denim finishing consisting, by at least 90%, of alternatives to crude oil and/or components based on recycled materials. OFFUEL® meets two pressing needs of society: the definition of sustainable industrial practices rooted in renewable sources and the identification of economic alternatives.

Finishing auxiliaries from waste

One of the most advanced and progressive frontiers of textile chemistry, is the transformation of waste (natural or not) into substances that can be further used in a greener and more sustainable world. Until not long ago, waste of any origin was an unconceivable raw material for the chemical industry due to poor consistency and availability issues. Nowadays, through the upcycling of organic waste and the chemical recycling of plastics, RUDOLF can present the denim industry and society with another option: textile finishing auxiliaries from renewable raw materials and waste.

RUCOGEN® UPCYCLE RNB is the crown jewel within the OFFUEL® range. It’s a dispersing agent, specific for denim washing, based on chemically recycled, PET plastic waste. It’s about the upcycling of post-consumer, disposable PET plastic bottles into valuable textile chemistry.

Celebrating the company’s 100 years with the 'It's Time to Get Wasted' collection

The OFFUEL® Collection, designed by Labor Made Inc, is a series of modern denim icons reused, reworked, reimagined and, of course, finished with OFFUEL® products. These styles can be worn across gender and have a natural unisex feel and style. The collection is focused around the Japanese word 'Mottainai' - meaning "Don't waste what is valuable:' “The intent behind the collection is refining on how we embrace waste and discarded materials” says Gordon Muir of Labor Made. “Then we turn them into beautiful items that embrace today's modern culture and sustainable values”, he adds.

The Kaihara fabric has its highest possible pre-consumer waste content, the pocket bags are made from vintage Japanese yukata and the back patches are recycled and reprinted. Everything is hand made using the best local, Japanese craftsmanship and traditional skills.

RUDOLF appoints Marcos Furrer as CEO, Dr Gunther Duschek as CTOO and Dr Oliver Kusterle as CSO – Dr Wolfgang A. Schumann becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors

RUDOLF, a leading global medium-sized specialty chemical company, is adopting a new management structure at the beginning of 2025 to accelerate the implementation of its strategic goals. The aim remains to further strengthen RUDOLF‘s international market position and to sustainably, expand the company‘s innovative strength in an increasingly dynamic competitive environment.

RUDOLF introduces innovative digital pigment printing toolbox

RUDOLF, a world leader in speciality chemicals, announces a development in digital textile printing with the introduction of its new Digital Pigment Printing Toolbox. Continuous research and development enables RUDOLF to offer products with maximum performance and minimum environmental impact. Interest in digital pigment printing is growing because it has the advantage over other printing technologies of eliminating one process step. With pigment printing, there is no need for posttreatment, which means that the water required for post-treatment can be saved.

RUDOLF wins Responsible Care Federal Competition 2023

The innovative company RUDOLF has been honoured for its outstanding achievements in the field of sustainability and environmental protection and has won the coveted Responsible Care Federal Competition 2023 in the category SME. In line with the theme „Our sustainable and economical use of energy“, RUDOLF is investing in a new refrigeration plant to supply cooling water for production at its headquarters in Geretsried.

Officina39 brings “Shades of Sunset” to Kingpins Amsterdam

At the Winter edition of Kingpins Amsterdam (October 15–16, SugarFactory), Officina39 unveils Shades of Sunset, the new creative collection where color becomes a language for emotions. Inspired by the shifting hues of the sky at dusk, both on calm days and during dramatic storms, this interpretation of Spring–Summer 2027 embraces the imperfect beauty of nature and turns it into expressive, wearable storytelling. From serene and sun-washed gradients to intense contrasts and moody undertones, each piece reflects a unique “sunset state of mind.”

Jeanologia shapes the denim of the future at Kingpins with ‘Mediterranean Soul’

Jeanologia, the global leader in sustainable technologies for the textile industry, returns to Kingpins Amsterdam with its new collection “Mediterranean Soul”, blending nature, creativity, and technology to prove that authentic denim can be designed and produced with efficiency and minimal environmental impact.

The Address of innovation and investment in textile technologies: ITM 2026

Sales for ITM 2026, one of the world’s most comprehensive and prestigious exhibitions in textile technologies, are continuing at full steam. The record number of exhibitors and visitors achieved at ITM 2024 once again proved the industry’s confidence and the commercial success of the exhibition; meanwhile, the strong interest shown in ITM 2026, to be held on 9-13 June 2026, has far exceeded expectations.

STOLL in focus:

At the beginning of this year, KARL MAYER announced that it would be shifting its focus back to its core areas of warp knitting, warp preparation and technical textiles. As part of this strategic realignment, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand will be discontinued. The Reutlingen plant will close down on 31 October 2025. Production in China will end in December 2025. This was an extremely difficult decision for KARL MAYER.

Heimtextil 2026 strengthens the global home textile industry with trends, designs and AI technologies

With an optimised hall layout, progressive design collaborations, inspiring trends and AI-driven innovations, Heimtextil 2026 reacts to the current market situation – and offers the industry a reliable constant in challenging times. Under the motto ‘Lead the Change’, the leading trade fair for home and contract textiles and textile design shows how challenges can be turned into opportunities. From 13 to 16 January, more than 3,100 exhibitors from 65 countries will provide a comprehensive market overview with new collections and textile solutions. As a knowledge hub, Heimtextil delivers new strategies and concrete solutions for future business success.