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#Europe

EU-New Zealand trade agreement enters into force, opening new opportunities for EU exporters

EU businesses, producers and farmers are now able to take advantage of a host of new export opportunities with the entry into force of the EU-New Zealand trade agreement today. The deal is expected to cut €140 million a year in duties for EU companies.

Thanks to this deal, EU-New Zealand trade is expected to grow by up to 30% within a decade, with EU exports potentially growing by up to €4.5 billion annually. EU investment into New Zealand has the potential to grow by up to 80%. This landmark agreement also includes unprecedented sustainability commitments, including respect of the Paris Climate Agreement and core labour rights.

EU farmers will benefit from the elimination of tariffs on key EU exports such as pig meat, wine and sparkling wine, chocolate, sugar confectionary and biscuits. Moreover, the agreement protects the full list of EU wines and spirits (close to 2,000 names), such as Prosecco and Champagne, as well as 163 of the most renowned traditional EU products (Geographical Indications), such as Feta cheese, Istarski pršut ham and Lübecker Marzipan. Meanwhile, sensitive EU agricultural products such as beef, sheepmeat and dairy products are protected with carefully designed tariff rate quotas.

EU business can now take advantage of benefits such as:

  • Zero tariffs on EU exports to New Zealand.
  • A more open New Zealand services market in key sectors such as financial services, telecommunications, maritime transport and delivery services.
  • Non-discriminatory treatment of EU investors in New Zealand.
  • Improved access for EU companies to New Zealand government procurement contracts for goods, services, works and works concessions.
  • A dedicated chapter to help small business exports.
  • Significantly reduced compliance requirements and procedures.

Practical information to help EU exporters take advantage of these new opportunities can be found on the Commission's Access2Markets page:

https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/eu-new-zealand-free-trade-agreement





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#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

Mahlo introduces AI-supported Orthopac RVMC-20 plus at ITMA Asia 2026

From November 20 to 24, 2026, Mahlo GmbH + Co. KG will present its system portfolio for the textile industry at ITMA Asia in Shanghai. Together with its local sales and service partner Kuantex and Mahlo China, the Bavarian technology specialist will demonstrate at Booth C22 in Hall 7.1 how intelligent measurement and control technology can improve the quality and efficiency of textile production processes. The spotlight will be on the new Orthopac RVMC-20 plus, which combines precise weft straightening with fully integrated process control.

#Denim

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#Associations

Italian textile machinery orders rise 7% in Q3 2026 as export demand strengthens

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#Research & Development

STFI showcases new Textile LAB Professional with focus on climate protection and sustainable technologies

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#Europe

Strategic policy can drive a clean and competitive European industry

Europe can strengthen its industrial competitiveness while cutting climate and environmental pressures, but progress needs to accelerate. A new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) finds that the transition of key industrial sectors offers opportunity and explores the policies, investments and enabling conditions needed to drive clean, circular and decarbonised production at scale, delivering prosperity.

#Europe

Textile ETP launches bioeconomy strategy for Europe’s textile industry

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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.

#Europe

The Digital Product Passport registry is now live

On 20 July, the European Commission launched the Digital Product Passport Registry together with a testing environment, marking an important milestone in making the Digital Product Passport (DPP) a practical reality for businesses placing products on the EU market.

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#Spinning

Rieter reports higher sales and order intake but lowers 2026 earnings outlook

Rieter achieved an order intake of CHF 951.4 million in the first nine months of 2026 (2025: CHF 559.3 million), up 70.1%. This growth is attributable to the first-time consolidation of the Man-Made Fiber Division. On an organic basis, order intake was 10.5% lower than the previous year.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

PURE LOOP's DynaShape® automation increases recycling productivity by up to ten percent

The intelligent automation solution for the ISEC evo recycling machine automatically adjusts operating parameters to changing input materials, improving throughput, melt quality and process stability while reducing operator workload.

#Denim

Wrangler introduces debris-repellent sherpa fleece technology Hay Away™

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#Natural Fibers

Woolmark and Hyosung TNC develop Merino wool blends for performance apparel

The collaboration combines Merino wool with regen™ BIO Spandex and recycled functional fibres to develop fabrics offering comfort, breathability, stretch and shape retention. Future development will focus on recovery wear applications.

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