#Sustainability

2024-03-21

Romania provides untapped opportunities for Europe’s bio-based sector and green growth

The Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), Europe’s leading industry association putting circularity, innovation and sustainability at the heart of the European bioeconomy, has published an updated version of its Country Report on Romania, “Mapping Romania’s bio-based potential”.

The European bioeconomy represented between 10.9-16% of EU GDP in 2019 (EU JRC report 2023). The bio-based industries contributed 814 billion euros to the EU’s economy in 2019 (The European Bioeconomy in Figures 2008-2019).

BIC’s updated Country Report on Romania builds on the first edition released in 2018. It maps out the potential for bio-based growth in the country, highlighting untapped and under-exploited bio-based resources. The report helps to identify new opportunities for the primary sectors, the food and beverage sector, the blue bioeconomy, bio-based chemicals, etc. to valorise side streams and waste that today have low or no value.

Further developing Europe’s bio-based industries in Romania presents opportunities for domestic and foreign investment at a time when green growth is high on the EU agenda. In addition, the EU continues efforts to increase the participation in innovation and research of the EU-13 Widening Countries, which includes Romania.

BIC is a partner in expanding industrial bio-based activities across Europe. To this end, we are focusing on assisting countries that want to benefit more from their enormous potential for a bioeconomy given their availability of sustainable feedstock and presence of innovation centres. Romania’s strong industries in the primary and chemical sectors, combined with its well-organised innovation support infrastructure will make it possible to accelerate bio-based industrial activities and the bioeconomy in the country and the region in the short term.

“We hope that as this report is disseminated, it will promote the bioeconomy and its potential in Romania; that it will motivate all stakeholders – industry, policymakers and academia – to exploit the opportunities for investment and greening the economy. Romania has a strong agricultural sector, which can be the basis for an innovative and sustainable bio-based industry in the country, creating jobs and growth,” said BIC Executive Director Dirk Carrez.

Detailled information and the latest reports for download are available at: www.biconsortium.eu

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

Hohenstein publishes 2025 Sustainability Report

The testing and research service provider Hohenstein has published its latest sustainability report, outlining key progress and strategic initiatives. The report focuses on ambitious CO₂ reduction targets, the company’s new mission statement and the systematic expansion of sustainable services for customers worldwide.

Global Standard gGmbH launches second public consultation for GRTS Draft 2 for the textile industry (1–30 April 2026)

Global Standard gGmbH is pleased to announce the release of Draft 2 of the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS) for its second public consultation. The consultation will be open from 1 April 2026 to 30 April 2026, inviting stakeholders across the textile and apparel value chain to provide input and contribute to the further development of this new Standard.

Textile Exchange publishes cotton Life Cycle Assessment study to strengthen impact data

Textile Exchange has published the first in a series of seven Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies designed to improve the quality and robustness of environmental impact data for raw material production across the fashion, textile, and apparel industry. The first LCA study focuses on cotton and addresses critical data gaps and methodology variability through new high-quality data across key producing countries. The study includes organic, regenerative, recycled, and country averages for conventional cotton production systems, providing a clearer picture of the associated environmental impact.

Kornit Digital expands digital production into footwear and technical textiles with Presto MAX PLUS

Kornit Digital (NASDAQ: KRNT) (“Kornit” or the “Company”), a global pioneer in sustainable, on-demand digital fashion and textile production, today unveiled the Kornit Presto MAX PLUS, a new roll-to-roll system expanding digital manufacturing into footwear, automotive interiors, military camouflage, high-performance sportswear, and high-end furnishings. Debuting at Texprocess 2026 in Frankfurt, Presto MAX PLUS enables entirely new applications for on-demand textile production.

Covestro, FILK Freiberg, and OUT e.V. develop flexible, conductive polymer smart textile system

As the smart textiles market continues to grow across healthcare, personal protection, sportswear, and automotive applications, developers are seeking new ways to integrate electronic functionality directly into textiles, without the rigidity and complexity of conventional wiring. To address this challenge, FILK Freiberg Institute, an independent research institution with expertise in polymer coatings for textile applications, collaborated with Optotransmitter-Umweltschutz-Technologie (OUT) e.V. The joint project, funded under the German Industrielle Gemeinschaftsforschung (IGF) program of the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE), focused on developing flexible, conductive polymer surfaces for next-generation smart textiles.