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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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#Research & Development

ITA spin-off TERNAfil wins third place at KUER.NRW 2026 with MAXCarbon technology

The Aachen-based ITA spin-off TERNAfil GmbH has secured third place in the KUER.NRW Business Plan Competition 2026 with MAXCarbon, an innovative carbon-ceramic hybrid fibre developed for applications in the hydrogen economy. The technology combines the mechanical properties of carbon fibres with the thermal and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials.

#Textile processing

Jeanologia and Sue Barrett explore new interpretations of camouflage in COMMON GROUND

Jeanologia has collaborated with Sue Barrett, founder of Denim Forum, to create COMMON GROUND, a new denim collection that reinterprets camouflage through nature-inspired patterns, vintage garments and modern finishing technologies. Developed as part of Jeanologia’s Denim Métiers initiative, the project combines archival references and creative experimentation with laser and ozone technologies to explore new possibilities in contemporary denim design.

#Heimtextil 2027

Heimtextil 2027 strengthens its sleep segment with leading brands and new international suppliers

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#Spinning

Barmag’s single-stage Bi-Shrinkage concept impresses with yarn quality and efficiency

The Indian company Garden Silk Mills Pvt. Ltd. adopts Barmag's new single-stage Bi-Shrinkage Yarn (BSY) spinning concept based on WINGS FDY PLUS eco. The systems, which have been in operation for about a year, deliver excellent yarn quality with very good productivity.

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#Nonwovens

EU imposes definitive anti-dumping duties on Chinese PET spunbond imports

The European Commission has introduced definitive anti-dumping duties ranging from 39.8% to 48.1% on imports of PET spunbond from China. The measures, which entered into force on 31 October 2026, will remain in place for five years and are intended to address unfairly priced imports that have caused injury to European manufacturers. The EU market for these nonwoven materials is valued at approximately €200 million.

#Associations

European and Canadian textile associations call for stronger transatlantic cooperation

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#Europe

Strategic policy can drive a clean and competitive European industry

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#Europe

Textile ETP launches bioeconomy strategy for Europe’s textile industry

On 22 September 2026, Textile ETP's Circular & Biobased Textiles Innovation Hub published its strategy for the biobased and circular transformation of Europe's textile and apparel industry.

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#India ITME 2026

Trützschler brings intelligent fiber processing and automation to India ITME 2026

From December 4 to 9, 2026, the Trützschler Group will present its latest innovations in spinning, card clothing and nonwovens at India ITME in Greater Noida, India. At Hall 11, Booth B15, visitors can discover solutions designed to increase productivity, reduce operating costs and ensure consistently high product quality. Key highlights include the intelligent card TC 26i, the 12-head comber TCO 21XL, innovative card clothing solutions for improved fiber utilization and quality, as well as advanced nonwovens technologies for hygiene, wipes and technical applications.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Circulose resumes recycling of discarded cotton textiles and appoints interim CEO

Circulose today announced its restart of commercial-scale production plant at Ortviken in Sundsvall, Sweden, marking a significant step in scaling next-generation materials for the global fashion industry. The Ortviken plant is the world’s first commercial-scale chemical textile recycling facility. Its restart demonstrates that the fashion industry is seeking ways to scale proven solutions that move beyond pilots and into commercial production.

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

Itema brings textile versatility to ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026

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#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

AEI reaps the benefits of all-electric new Monforts range

The impact of the rising cost of energy on the textile industry has been well documented, with some European countries paying up to seven times more to run their manufacturing operations than in other regions of the world.

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