#Recycling / Circular Economy

2021-03-11

Renewable Materials Conference 2021 – A unique concept that covers all renewable materials solutions in one event

Program already available – application period for the innovation award “Renewable Material of the Year 2021” still open! The conference will take place as an online event.

Which renewable materials are solutions that meet the needs of future societies? As a response to this challenging question, nova-Institute has decided to unite all relevant industries in the new “Renewable Materials Conference”, May 18–20, 2021 (http://www.renewable-materials.eu), featuring a unique concept to present all renewable material solutions at one event: bio-based, CO2-based and recycled. There is a growing market demand for advanced and ready-to-use renewable material solutions with a low carbon footprint – that are fossil-free.

For the first time, nova-Institute jointly presents all renewable material solutions: bio-based, CO2-based and recycled. Highlights and innovations of bio- and CO2-based chemicals and materials, and of chemical recycling will be presented. Or in other words: All material solutions based on renewable carbon – avoiding the use of additional fossil carbon.

Program highlights of the “Renewable Materials Conference”

The three-day program of the first Renewable Materials Conference is almost final and gives a complete overview of the latest renewable material solutions, a performance show for a wide range of sustainable raw materials and technologies (http://www.renewable-materials.eu/programme).

The first day (18 May 2021) of the conference will focus on renewable chemicals and building-blocks. Latest news about biorefineries will be presented by Borregaard, Cosun Beet, NESTE and UPM Biochemicals. BASF, Eastman and BioBTX will show their latest insights on chemical recycling and Lanzatech and Renolit will present innovations on CO2-based chemicals. Further, Meo Carbon Solution, nova-Institute, TNO and Vito will focus on new technologies, markets, sustainability assessments and strategies.

The second day (19 May 2021) is dedicated to renewable polymers and plastics, starting with the question of how polymers can be recycled and cycled. Participants can look forward to presentations from Arkema, gr3n, INEOS, Recenso, Synova, TNO and UBQ. Further, Covestro and Avantium will show how polymers and other products can be made from CO2, and both also present highlights on polymers made from biomass, together with Circular Biobased Delta, IFF and Ren Com, followed by presentations from the six nominees of the Innovation Award “Renewable Material of the Year 2021”. After the six 10-minute presentations of each candidate, three winners will be chosen online by the conference participants and ceremoniously honoured by Covestro, the sponsor of the Innovation Award.

The third day (20 May 2021) is about markets, trends and sustainability of bio- and CO2-based polymers and biocomposites, political framework conditions, biodegradability and packaging solutions. Presentations from Carbiolice, FKuR, nova-Institute and Papiertechnische Stiftung will provide deeper insights.

Also, Fibres and biocomposites show exciting renewable material solutions. We will be delighted to hear exciting presentations on the latest trends and developments from Amorim Cork, Bcomp, HempFlax and Lenzing.

The conference will help shaping the sustainable future of chemicals and materials and will provide new advantages and synergies by establishing a meeting point for numerous cross-sectoral networking opportunities. Participants from the industry will be able to greatly benefit from the first event of this format as it provides a platform for renewable strategies and a broad range of new prospects and materials solutions.

The conference will be held as an online event, which offers unique networking possibilities to the participants with the help of an innovative conference software from Finland.

Innovation Award “Renewable Material of the Year 2021”

For the first time, the innovation award “Renewable Material of the Year” will be awarded to the most exciting new materials made from renewable carbon! The application period is open until 31 March, pioneers from all sectors are invited to submit their innovation at http://www.renewable-materials.eu/award-application.

To demonstrate the wide range of possibilities and the diversity of renewable materials, the innovation award will be granted to innovative and trend-setting products and technologies based on renewable materials. All nominated products will have one thing in common: They avoid or substitute fossil-based materials. The renewable materials have to be available on the market already or their market launch should take place in the near future.

A jury consisting of experts from nova-Institute, the advisory board and sponsors of the event will nominate the outstanding “Top 6” applicants prior to the conference. The nominees will present their innovation in a 10-minute presentation to the audience on the second day of the Renewable Materials Conference (19 May 2021). The audience will vote online for the three winners. The innovation award is sponsored by Covestro (DE).

Neste (FI) and UPM (FI) will support the conference as Gold Sponsor and Alfa Laval (SE), FKuR (DE) and MMAtwo (EU) as Silver Sponsors. Companies interested in our attractive sponsoring opportunities are invited to contact Guido Mueller, Key Account Manager: guido.mueller@nova-institut.de.

All information about the new conference:

http://www.renewable-materials.eu

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI reshape textile processing

Investment decisions in textile processing have become increasingly complex. Rising energy prices, labour shortages and geopolitical uncertainties are forcing companies to prioritise technologies that deliver measurable improvements in efficiency and process stability. This applies not only to apparel production, but also to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. Modernisation projects are therefore being evaluated more selectively – but the pressure to upgrade production systems continues to grow. Texprocess 2026 reflects this tension between cautious investment behaviour and increasing technological demand.

Textile Chemicals & Dyes: Innovation in Textile Chemistry moves into focus at Techtextil 2026

From PFAS-free finishes and water-saving dyeing technologies to advanced coatings and recycling-compatible formulations, innovation in textile chemistry is accelerating across the industry. Reflecting this development, Techtextil 2026 introduces Textile Chemicals & Dyes as a dedicated product segment, highlighting the growing role of chemical solutions in shaping the next generation of technical textiles.

textile.4U publishes special edition “Top 100 Textile Recycling Companies 2025”

With a comprehensive 176-page special edition, textile.4U is dedicating its latest issue entirely to one of the most dynamic and influential topics in today’s textile industry: textile recycling. The new issue, published exclusively in high-quality print, presents the Top 100 textile recycling companies researched and selected by TexData – organizations that already play a key role in the transition to circular textiles or are expected to have a significant impact in the near future.

Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 signed by Governor

Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) is proud to announce that Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024, has been signed into law by the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom. This groundbreaking legislation establishes the country’s first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) textile recycling program, marking a significant step forward in the state’s efforts to combat waste and promote sustainability.

Europe needs tipping point to scale textile-to-textile recycling, BCG and ReHubs say

A new report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and ReHubs, titled “Advancing Textile Circularity – Europe’s textile waste challenge: Scaling Textile-to-Textile requires enabling mechanisms”, highlights the urgent need for systemic action to tackle Europe’s growing textile waste and scale a circular textile economy.

AI Circular Economy Conference 2026 fuels innovation at the intersection of AI and Circular Economy

The AI Circular Economy Conference 2026, organised by nova-Institute, brought together 116 participants from 15 countries in Cologne and online to explore the transformation of the chemical and materials industry supported and accelerated by artificial intelligence. During the two-day event, leading experts from industry, research, start-ups and the investment community discussed how AI can maximise the potential of renewable carbon creating efficient circular value chains. The conference featured 24 presentations and multiple panel discussions, highlighting the growing convergence of digital technologies and circular material systems. It demonstrated how artificial intelligence is progressing from the experimental stage to real industrial implementation within the circular economy.

Circ deepens access to recycled fibers with Xinxiang Bailu Chemical Fiber Co., Ltd. partnership agreement

Circ®, a global leader in textile‑to‑textile recycling, today announced a new partnership agreement with Xinxiang Bailu Chemical Fiber Co., a Canopy Dark Green Shirt producer and one of the world’s leading producers of viscose filament. The agreement marks a significant step in Circ’s continued expansion in China and strengthens its position within the country’s rapidly evolving circular textile ecosystem; further supporting Circ’s ability to supply recycled fibers near existing fashion supply chains.

YKK launches “YZiP® Light” aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has launched YZiP® Light, a lightweight aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants, with sales beginning in late March. The introduction of YZiP® Light expands YKK’s zipper portfolio—led by the flagship YZiP® copper alloy zipper—providing customers with greater flexibility to meet diverse garment needs.

Shima Seiki showcases WHOLEGARMENT® and 3D knitting solutions for technical textiles at Techtextil 2026

Leading textile technology solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, along with its Italian subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI ITALIA S.p.A., will be participating in the Techtextil 2026 exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany next month. On display will be WHOLEGARMENT® and other advanced three-dimensional knitting applications across a wide range of industries besides fashion apparel that are not typically associated with knitting, such as technical textiles using industrial materials and advanced three-dimensional knitting.