#Recycling / Circular Economy

2021-08-19

Wired features Infinited Fiber on its hottest startups list

Global tech publication Wired has included Infinited Fiber Company in its lineup of this year’s 100 Hottest Startups in Europe. The list celebrates the startup scene across Europe, highlighting the success, innovation and investment happening throughout the continent.

Finland was one of the few European countries to have seen growth in the amount of capital poured into tech startups in 2020. Finnish gaming company Supercell CEO and co-founder, Ilkka Paananen, believes that Finland is “the best place in the world” to found a startup, thanks in part to the high quality of living, which is increasingly appealing to international talent.

Infinited Fiber Company is thrilled to be included in the Hottest Startups in Helsinki list, along with many other innovative companies that span a wide range of sectors, including IQM, developers of quantum computing hardware, Gubbe, who organise elderly care by connecting the families of the elderly with students, Flowrite, a language generation browser extension, and sustainable packaging company Sulapac. A key commonality in Finland’s list is the focus on sustainability.

“We’re delighted and grateful to be included in Wired’s list of the hottest startups in Europe. We want to bring joy and hope back into fashion by helping to make circularity an everyday reality in the textile industry. Wired is a globally renowned publication, and this recognition provides a great platform to increase awareness for Infinited Fiber Company’s technology for regenerating high-quality textile fibers from textile waste,” said Petri Alava, Infinited Fiber Company co-founder and CEO.

Infinited Fiber Company features on the list as a result of its unique recycling technology and the resulting regenerated textile fiber, Infinna™, which enables circularity in textiles. Wired also cites Infinited Fiber's aim to renew excitement in fashion for environmentally-conscious customers, which has garnered investment from leading global fashion brands such as H&M Group, adidas, BESTSELLER and Patagonia.

Infinited Fiber Company hopes its inclusion on the list will lead to more people recognizing the importance of shifting towards a circular economy and the innovation happening to make textile circularity an everyday reality.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Creating a circular economy for fashion and textiles in the UAE

As the United Arab Emirates (UAE) accelerates its shift towards a circular economy, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation is working to co-design and deliver a national textiles circularity policy framework as part of the country’s wider Naseej initiative, a Presidential-level programme to create a circular economy for fashion and textiles.

Indorama Ventures strengthens Packaging business through strategic circular PET partnership

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company, today announced a strategic partnership through Indovida, Indorama Ventures’ packaging business segment, with Suntory Holdings Limited, Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and Iwatani Corporation, to bring commercial-scale circular PET packaging to Thailand. The collaboration further strengthens Indorama Ventures’ downstream packaging platform while expanding its leadership in circular packaging solutions.

RDJ 6/2 in E 32: Finesse in Motion

The appearance of sports and casual shoes is as diverse as their applications, ranging from sporty to stylish and from functional to fashionably practical. In particular, spacer fabrics produced on highly flexible KARL MAYER double needle bar raschel machines with Jacquard technology are in high demand for manufacturing these trendy shoes. These efficient production machines enable attractive designs with integrated multifunctional zones on one or both fabric surfaces, such as breathable mesh structures. Flexible in size and positioning, these features enhance both aesthetics and wearing comfort.

3D designs with a wow factor made on HKS 4-M EL ECO: When crepe, ruffles, and sheer fabrics redefine fashion

Seersucker, flip-flap items, Fırfır, or crepe materials: structured fabrics have long been more than just a passing trend. They lend timeless looks depth, dynamism, and an exciting tactile dimension. Whether classic striped patterns or modern solid-color interpretations, these versatile pieces pair perfectly with casual and business-casual outfits and effortlessly create a modern look.

Texhibition Istanbul to bring together more than 500 exhibitors for 10th edition

The 10th edition of Texhibition Istanbul Fabric and Textile Accessories Fair will take place from 9 to 11 September 2026 at Istanbul Expo Center. More than 500 exhibiting companies across five halls and 42,850 square metres will present new-season collections, materials and technologies, bringing together Türkiye’s textile production strength with an increasingly international sourcing community.

IFCO Istanbul strengthens international reach with 12,550 trade visitors

The tenth edition of Istanbul Fashion Connection (IFCO), held from 19 to 21 August 2026, attracted 12,550 trade visitors from 117 countries to the Istanbul Expo Center. More than 200 exhibitors presented collections, manufacturing expertise and sourcing solutions across womenswear, menswear, kidswear, denim, eveningwear, lingerie, hosiery, accessories and homewear.