#Research & Development

2022-04-14

Six innovations are nominated for the “Renewable Material of the Year 2022” award

One way to overcome the chemical industry's dependence on fossil fuels is to replace oil and gas with renewable carbon within the existing structures of the chemical industry. But it applies also to innovation, the development of new processes, building blocks and materials. This requires rethinking of chemistry and materials. Ready-to-use fossil-free sustainable material solutions with a low carbon footprint are in fast-growing demand. Innovative brand owners are keeping an eye out for such solutions, in particular those that will soon reach the mainstream.

Participants at the “Renewable Materials Conference” will vote for the winners

With the innovation award “Renewable Material of the Year 2022”, nova-Institute (organiser) and Covestro (sponsor) would like to award three particularly exciting and promising solutions that contribute to replacing fossil carbon from the ground. Innovations could be submitted until 15 March, and 31 were received. The Advisory Board and the nova-experts had some trouble selecting the six most exciting ones and nominating them for the award. Learn more about the six nominees in the picture and the innovation brochure “Renewable Material of the Year 2022”.

Six “Renewable Material of the Year 2022” Nominees:

Borregaard (NO) – Exilva® fibrillated cellulose / Eastman (US) – Material-to-Material Molecular Recycling Technologies / Lactips (FR) – Plastic Free PaperTM with CareTips® – a Natural Polymer to Rethink Plastic / Origin Materials (US) – Technology Platform for Producing Carbon Negative PET / Twelve Benefit Corporation (US) – Electrochemical CO2 Transformation to Chemicals and Materials and VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie (DE) – VerBioChem Ethenolyis Platform for Renewable Chemicals.

The innovation award is one of the highlights of the “Renewable Materials Conference”, 10th-12th May in Cologne (Germany), with 60 confirmed speakers and more than 400 expected participants. On the second conference-day, the nominated companies will present their products and all conference participants, on site and online, will vote for the three winners. This exciting competition will be decided by the participants themselves.

All information and registration are available at: http://www.renewable-materials.eu

The nova-Institute would like to thank the innovation award Sponsor Covestro (DE) and Premium Partner CLIB (DE) for their support. Many thanks also to all Gold Sponsors Alfalaval (SE), Avantium (NL), Henkel (DE), GS Biotech (CN), IFF (US), Neste (FI), UPM Biochemicals (FI), Sorona (NL) and Sugar Energy (CN), Silver Sponsors FKUR (DE), Renolit (DE) and Suncoal (DE) and last but not least Bronze Sponsor Cargill (US).

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.

Textilfabrik 7.0 launched: Mönchengladbach becomes a real-world lab for sustainable textile production

With the official kick-off event of the Textilfabrik 7.0 (T7), a major transformation project for the German textile and apparel industry has been launched in the Monforts Quarter in Mönchengladbach. At the “Textile Roundtable,” an event format organized by the Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier, representatives from industry, research, politics, and the regional economy came together to jointly lay the foundation for CO₂-neutral, circular, and economically viable textile production in Germany.

STFI presents concepts for the textile circular economy and solutions for a healthy and safe life at Techtextil

Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) has been supporting companies in developing marketable innovations for over 30 years. With a clear focus on sustainability, the environment, health and protection, the STFI offers future-oriented research, textile testing for tailor-made solutions and certification of per- sonal protective equipment. At Techtextil 2026, the institute will present ideas for the textile circular econ- omy and showcase solutions for healthy and safe living.

Cetex: Textile innovations “Made in Saxony” at Techtextil

This year, the Cetex Institut gGmbH is once again not only exhibiting but also organising a joint booth at Techtextil. Together with co-operation partners, textile innovations “Made in Saxony” will be presented on almost 85 m². The spectrum covers everything from textile machine construction and the manufacture of technical textiles to measuring and testing technology, with research and development also having its place.

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.