#Textile chemistry

2021-02-11

Thomas Gangl appointed new Borealis CEO as of 1 April 2021

Following the acquisition of the majority shares in Borealis by OMV AG and the intensified and close cooperation between OMV and Borealis, the Supervisory Board of Borealis has decided to appoint Thomas Gangl (49), currently Executive Board member of OMV AG, as CEO of Borealis.

Alfred Stern appointed OMV Executive Board member for Chemicals & Materials

Alfred Stern (56), who has successfully led Borealis’ transformation from a virgin polyolefins producer to a leading provider of advanced and circular polyolefin solutions, and European market leader in the mechanical recycling of plastics, was appointed Executive Board member for Chemicals & Materials of OMV AG and will step down as CEO of Borealis AG. Thomas Gangl will take over the role as Borealis CEO.

These changes will take effect as of 1 April 2021.

“By appointing Thomas Gangl we have succeeded in gaining an exceptional manager and expert from among our own ranks to take the helm of Borealis. In recent years, Thomas Gangl has not only played a significant part in shaping the refining and petrochemicals business in the OMV Group but was also responsible for establishing chemical recycling and thereby laying the foundation for our future circular economy,” comments Rainer Seele, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Borealis AG and CEO of OMV.

“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.

Archroma and Prosperity Textile to collaborate on denim innovation

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, and Prosperity Textile, an international fabric manufacturer with production bases in China and Vietnam, have announced a partnership to drive denim innovation. They will collaborate to develop, evaluate and implement new approaches to improve denim aesthetics, durability and performance, with a shared commitment to sustainability.

SANITIZED and RUDOLF join forces to extend textile performance and wearability

Long-lasting performance textiles require solutions that address a wide range of consumer expectations, from lasting freshness and comfort to reliable protection against the elements. SANITIZED and RUDOLF are highlighting their latest innovations, demonstrating how specialized textile technologies can support the functional durability and wearability of modern apparel.

Nicca names Archroma exclusive ZELAN™ distributor, extending a decade-long legacy

Archroma and Nicca Chemical are collaborating to support the continued growth of ZELAN™ non-fluorinated durable water repellents (DWRs) across the global textile industry. The announcement follows Nicca’s acquisition of the ZELAN™ business from The Chemours Company in March 2026 and extends Archroma’s decade-long legacy with the ZELAN™ brand.

BW Converting, Archroma and Monforts to highlight precision spray finishing at IGATEX Pakistan 2026

BW Converting, Archroma and Monforts will participate in IGATEX Pakistan 2026, held Oct. 15–18 at the Expo Centre Lahore, at Al-Ameen Trading Corporation’s stand F-2-09 in Hall 2. Together, the companies will highlight precision spray-finishing technology, textile chemistry expertise and application-development support to help Pakistan’s textile manufacturers evaluate opportunities to improve finishing performance and production efficiency.