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#Man-Made Fibers

Ascend Performance Materials secures court approval for restructuring and appoints new CEO

Ascend Performance Materials has reached a major milestone in its Chapter 11 process: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas has confirmed the company’s Plan of Reorganization. Ascend expects to emerge from Chapter 11 by year’s end with a significantly improved capital structure. In parallel with the restructuring progress, Ascend announced a leadership change.

Patrick Schumacher has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Phil McDivitt. McDivitt, who has led Ascend since 2017 and oversaw the company's global expansion, will remain as a special advisor to ensure a smooth transition.

CEO Schumacher brings more than 25 years of experience in chemicals and industrials, including senior roles at Olin Corporation and Celanese. He emphasized his commitment to driving Ascend’s operational and financial resurgence, supported by the company’s resilient workforce.

McDivitt highlighted the momentum built in recent years and expressed confidence that Schumacher is the right leader as Ascend enters its next phase.

Ascend continues to operate normally as it completes final steps toward emergence and refocuses on profitable growth in high-performance materials.



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#Recycling / Circular Economy

Circular Polymers by Ascend and ReDefyne experts highlight expanded application options for post-consumer recycled nylons, PET and PP

Engine covers, automotive fabrics and decking materials are among the newest applications that now can be made with recycled materials by Circular Polymers™ by Ascend, as showcased at the annual Plastics Recycling conference this week.

#Yarn & Fiber

Ascend reaches GHG abatement milestone

Ascend Performance Materials has begun operating a new thermal reduction unit (TRU) that will eliminate over 98% of the greenhouse gas emissions tied to adipic acid production in Pensacola, Florida. This new equipment enhances improvements Ascend made in 2021 by adding a new control device and brings its total GHG reduction investments at the world’s largest integrated nylon site to greater than $50 million.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Circular Polymers by Ascend and ReDefyne experts highlight expanded options for post-consumer recycled nylons, PET and PP

Recycling post-consumer nylons for high-performance applications is possible – and achievable with high product consistency and low energy consumption. Circular Polymers by Ascend leader Maria Field has been tapped by Compounding World Expo to show attendees the possibilities.

#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

Acteev experts to share trends in medical textiles, sustainability in functionalized fabrics

Acteev experts have been tapped to share their knowledge at two upcoming expos. Cristina Acevedo, Ph.D., will discuss trends in health care at the Advanced Textiles Expo in Orlando, and Nikki Huffman will present on sustainability in textiles at Functional Fabric Fair in Portland.

More News on Man-Made Fibers

#Man-Made Fibers

Lenzing AG to become majority owner of TreeToTextile AB and accelerates industrialization of new fibers

The Lenzing Group is taking another strategic milestone by acquiring a controlling majority in the Swedish innovation company TreeToTextile AB. This step strengthens Lenzing’s position as a leading provider of sustainable, wood‑based specialty fibers and expands its innovation pipeline with a highly scalable, patent‑protected technology platform. The transaction is executed through the issuance of new shares.

#Spinning

Monitor, adjust, perfect

FiberGuard BCF is the name of the new system for real-time monitoring of yarn tension in all Neumag BCF production processes. Barmag, the innovation and technology leader for filament spinning systems, presented this innovation of its Neumag product line at ITMA Asia + CITME in Singapore last November. The new BCF yarn tension sensor is compatible with all current Neumag BCF machines and can be easily retrofitted to existing Neumag BCF S8 machines.

#Man-Made Fibers

INVISTA, Epoch Biodesign sign MoU to advance development of post-consumer recycled Nylon 6,6

INVISTA, a global leader in the manufacture of chemical intermediates, polymers and fibers for the nylon and polypropylene value chains, and Epoch Biodesign, the global leader in enzymatic plastic recycling technology, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing the development of post-consumer recycled nylon 6,6.

#Knitting & Hosiery

KARL MAYER and Lenzing partner to advance warp knitting with scalable cellulose fiber solutions

The Lenzing Group, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulosic fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, together with KARL MAYER, the global market leader in warp knitting machines and warp preparation systems, debut a joint innovation project during Premiere Vision, Paris.

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#Functional Fabrics

“Action helps us change what we do!”

DAY 0 takes place deliberately before PERFORMANCE DAYS begins. It is conceived as a space for reflection, dialogue and active engagement — a moment to pause before the fair, rethink established systems and address sustainability not as a trend, but as a fundamental transformation challenge. Under the guiding metaphor “Turn the Tap Off”, DAY 0 focuses on root causes rather than symptoms, systemic change rather than isolated solutions, and collective responsibility rather than individual silos.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Pets in fashion: functional and sustainable textiles find new market at Intertextile Apparel

China’s pet economy is booming, especially amongst younger generations, and pet apparel – from designer outfits to functional garments – was a RMB 3.5 billion (over USD 500 million) market in 2024, growing more than 20% annually¹. To help exhibitors harness this trend, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2026 will launch the Pet Boutique, presenting a range of innovative, sustainable materials that prioritise both functionality and comfort for pets.

#Sustainability

VAUDE eliminates PFAS from all products

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are now detectable worldwide – in drinking water, soil and the human body. These so-called “forever chemicals” are considered hazardous to health and potentially carcinogenic, as they do not break down and remain in the environment permanently. Despite these risks, PFAS are still used in a wide range of products. More than 15 years ago, VAUDE made a strategic decision to gradually eliminate PFAS from all product categories.

#Raw Materials

Better Cotton Initiative marks certification anniversary with progress update and accreditation

One year since becoming a certification scheme, the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has announced that more than 3,000 supply chain actors have been certified. At farm level, more than 30% of farms and producer units supplying BCI Cotton have received a positive audit outcome.

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