#Textile chemistry

2019-10-24

Garmon introduces smart foam, the technology that makes water saving easy as blowing bubbles

Result of a collaboration between three leading companies across the garment finishing market, smart foam simplifies the sustainable practices, helping suppliers of any segment achieve their sustainability goals.

Garmon, the brand for chemical solutions for the denim and fashion industry owned by Kemin Industries, launches smart foam at The Kingpins Show in Amsterdam.

Through an innovative patented technology, smart foam has the goal of revolutionizing garment finishing. The system is designed to minimize natural resource consumption, making sustainable garment production easy and accessible.

Innovative

smart foam is a patented technology, a result of a collaboration of Garmon, Itaclab and Mactec, three leading companies across the garment finishing industry.

With smart foam the chemical carrier is not water, but a special foam created with a combination of new technologies:

Garmon’s tested and selected range of chemicals

easyfoam and easyfoam pro, Garmon’s special foaming agents

foam generating equipment recommended by Garmon

The smart foam system can be used to create everything from traditional finishes to unique fashion concepts and styles.

Sustainable

The main benefit of smart foam is the great reduction of water and energy consumption.

Compared to traditional washing processes, the application of chemicals through smart foam allows savings of up to 80% of water. All the treatments are performed at room temperature, therefore reducing the energy required.

Moreover, when combined with Garmon certified chemicals, smart foam can be used to perform treatments fully compliant with greenofchange®requirements.

Overall, smart foam helps suppliers of any segment achieve their sustainability goals, to better serve the fast-moving fashion industry.

Easy

smart foam has been designed to be the easiest and most affordable system to save water in garment finishing, making the technological investment accessible to any industrial laundry.

Compared to nebulization systems, smart foam is up to 3 times faster to load chemicals in the washing machine, and it doesn’t require a sealed equipment, allowing technicians to interrupt finishing treatments and check garments with safety and ease. For this reason, any type of washing machine - from the traditional to the advanced - can be utilized with the smart foam equipment and process.

Covestro to exhibit solutions for a more sustainable and productive textile industry at Techtextil 2026

Covestro will present a broad portfolio of material innovations for textile coatings, adhesive films and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) at Techtextil 2026 (Hall 11.0, Booth C79). The exhibits will demonstrate how advanced solutions can enhance durability, recyclability and manufacturing efficiency across applications such as automotive, infrastructure, protective apparel and sportswear. A particular focus will be on more sustainable coating technologies, including antimicrobial systems based on INSQIN® in combination with AGXX from Heraeus Precious Metals, as well as the integration of Pontacol® thermoplastic adhesive films into Covestro’s offering.

Archroma expands denim possibilities at Kingpins Amsterdam

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, will present a portfolio of six sustainable denim innovations at Kingpins Amsterdam from April 15-16, 2026. Under the theme “Creating Possibilities in Denim”, the showcase reflects Archroma’s commitment to giving brands and mills solutions that are as commercially compelling as they are environmentally responsible.

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.