#Sustainability

2020-08-06

AATCC announces new 2020 sustainability special issue of AATCC journal of research

The AATCC Journal of Research (AJOR), AATCC’s flagship peer-reviewed textile science journal, is now in its seventh year of publication. In addition to AJOR’s regular bimonthly issues, available to members and subscribers, AATCC publishes occasional AJOR Special Issues on topics of importance to the textile industry. These Special Issues are free access and available to all.

The new 2020 Special Issue One of AJOR, covering sustainability issues in textile science, is now available for free on IngentaConnect.

Introduced and organized by Karen Leonas, professor of Textile Sciences, in the department of Textiles and Apparel, Technology and Management at the Wilson College of Textiles at North Carolina State University, this Sustainability Special Issue of AJOR includes articles on four critical issues affecting our diverse industry. These include: a review of the waste cotton supply chain, including non-traditional textile products, with different end-of-use options; the characterization of the biodegradation of reactive dyes using high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS); a comparison of the loss of fiber fragments (microfibers) from fabrics with varying amounts of virgin and recycled cotton and polyester during accelerated laundering; and an exploration of replacing sodium hydrosulfite in the indigo dyeing of cotton with an alkaline catalase and iron (II) sulfate reduction system.

AJOR’s scope includes papers from advanced materials, fiber and polymer sciences, textile and polymer chemistry, color science, textile and apparel design, nanotechnology, sustainable materials and processes, and biomedical materials. AATCC members and subscribers enjoy access to all AJOR content.

Download:

https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/aatcc/jor/2020/00000007/a00101s1

For more information on accessing and submitting manuscripts to AJOR, please visit:

https://www.aatcc.org/pubs/ajor/.

AATCC announces 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition winners

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) recognized the winners of the 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition. Founded in 1982 to give student members the chance to conduct and present original research, the competition was renamed in 1994 in honor of Herman and Myrtle Goldstein, following their US$60,000 endowment. Their gift is a lasting remembrance of their dedication to young people in the textile industry.

New funding available for textile research

The AATCC Foundation Student Research Support Grant Program provides financial assistance for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing textile-related projects. Students may submit proposals now for funding to be awarded January 2026. Applications must be submitted by October 1, 2025, to be considered.

Results of the 38th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey

The global textile industry appears to be turning a corner, but this is more likely a fragile and possibly temporary improvement than the start of a durable recovery. According to the 38th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey, conducted worldwide during the second half of May 2026, business sentiment, order intake, order backlogs and capacity utilization all improved versus March — yet every indicator remains weak by historical standards, and rising costs cast doubt on how long the upturn can last.

Closing the Footwear Loop reveals challenges and opportunities for circular footwear

The footwear industry faces one of the most complex circularity challenges in the fashion sector. A new Phase 1 report from the Fashion for Good initiative Closing the Footwear Loop, developed together with Circle Economy, provides new insights into the composition, condition and recycling potential of post-consumer footwear waste.

The updated poster on biodegradable Polymers in various environments has been released

As part of the PerPlacsBio project, nova-Institute has updated its popular poster on the biodegradability of polymers in different environments. The updated version reflects current standards, certifications and the latest scientific findings. The poster can be used to assess biodegradable alternatives for use in agriculture and forestry, and it is now available in German for the first time.

A new standard to combat plastic waste in forests

With DIN SPEC 35808 “Tree Shelter for Forestry Applications,” the testing and research service provider Hohenstein, in collaboration with Rottenburg University of Forestry, as well as forestry authorities and industry partners, has established a clear framework for bio-based and fully biodegradable tree shelters. The pre-standard defines requirements and practical testing methods designed to reduce plastic waste in forests and strengthen the long-term protection of soil and the environment.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Textile Exchange publishes comprehensive polyester LCA study

Textile Exchange has released a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing detailed data on the environmental impacts of both virgin and recycled polyester production. The study aims to strengthen understanding across the fashion, textile and apparel industries and support more informed decision-making regarding polyester sourcing and production.