#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

2024-02-16

Alchemie Technology unveils Discovery lab system for assessment of clean-tech production digital dyeing technology

Alchemie Technology, a leading innovator in clean-tech digital dyeing solutions, has announced the launch of its Discovery lab system, designed to give industry professionals a hands-on understanding of Alchemie’s technology. This low-cost, compact system replicates the production environment of Alchemie’s Endeavour digital dyeing process that enables a step-change in the sustainability of textile dyeing.

Textile dyeing and finishing currently accounts for 3% of global CO2 emissions and is predicted to increase to 10% by 2050. Textile dyeing and finishing is also the second-largest contributor to global industrial wastewater pollution, directly impacting millions of people. Alchemie’s Endeavour digital dyeing production process reduces the carbon footprint of dyeing by 85%, eliminating 95% of wastewater and decreasing the required amount of chemicals by 30%.

Discovery is equipped with key features such as Alchemie’s state-of-the-art digital non-contact jet dye applicator with Jetronica nozzles. The system ensures hassle-free dye recipe-to-production, generating dye recipes and enabling fast colour-matching without traditional lab dip processes. With precise 10-micron droplet control of 20,000,000 drops onto A5-sized fabric swatches, Discovery delivers unparalleled accuracy and precision. The innovative Discovery lab system enables the creation of a colour recipe library, allowing for quick and safe development. Designers benefit from unique capabilities to create new effects, making it an invaluable tool as the textile industry responds to achieve its ESG targets.

Alan Hudd, CEO and Founder at Alchemie Technology said, "Our Discovery lab system represents a significant leap forward in our mission to revolutionise the textile industry, providing customers with a high level of confidence to move to a clean-tech dyeing process. It not only provides a hands-on understanding of our Endeavour digital dyeing technology but also offers unprecedented efficiency in the research process, saving time and resources."

In conjunction with the Discovery launch, Alchemie Technology is also introducing the exclusive Pioneer Club, a limited opportunity for early adopters to assess the technology ahead of the curve. Limited to the first 25 special edition Discovery systems, Pioneer Club members will gain invaluable insights into Alchemie’s innovative production digital dyeing technology and enjoy benefits such as free on-site installation, priority access to upgrades, and an exclusive invitation to a Pioneer Workshop in Cambridge or Taiwan. Additionally, members will receive a free early production trial to validate the experience of using Discovery and priority invitations to Endeavour’s global production launch in April in Taiwan.

Hudd added: "Our Pioneer Club is a testament to our commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation in the textile industry. This exclusive offer is strictly limited to 25 Discovery systems, making it a rare opportunity for those seeking to be at the forefront of digital dyeing innovation. We invite pioneers to join us on this transformative journey."

“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.

SETEX turns dyeing and finishing data into daily production control

At ITM 2026, SETEX will show how textile mills can use machine, recipe, quality and energy data for more reliable daily production decisions — not as another reporting layer, but as part of the running dyeing and finishing process. With OrgaTEX X3 MES, E390x/C390x controllers, CamCOUNT and FabricInspector Portable, SETEX connects planning, machine execution and fabric-related quality insight within existing mill structures.

Tradition and Innovation – Phoenox Textiles Ltd. relies on state-of-the-art carpet back-coating line from Brückner

For more than 70 years, Phoenox Textiles Ltd. has been synonymous with quality, reliability, and inno-vation in the textile industry. Founded in 1954 in Huddersfield (Yorkshire, UK), a region with a long tradition in textiles, this family-owned business has continued to evolve without losing sight of its roots. Today, in its fourth generation under the leadership of the Mosley family, Phoenox successfully combines decades of experience with a clear, forward-looking corporate strategy.

YKK develops concept EXCELLA® zipper tape using nonwoven fabric partially derived from used clothing

YKK Corporation has developed a concept version of its premium EXCELLA® zipper series made from nonwoven fabric sheets created by fiberizing used clothing and other textile materials. Based on a proposal by fashion designer Yuima Nakazato, this item was created as a result of collaboration between Nakazato, Seiko Epson Corporation and YKK. The concept zipper was incorporated as a material component for pieces in the newest YUIMA NAKAZATO Couture Collection, “INFERNO,” which was unveiled in Paris, France on July 8, 2026.

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris highlights evolving global sourcing landscape

From 31 August to 2 September 2026, Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris will bring together more than 1,000 international exhibitors at Paris-Le Bourget Exhibition Centre. This edition reflects the new global balance of textile and apparel sourcing, highlighting a strong diversity of sourcing countries — some unexpected.

Dedicated car seat model of SHIMA SEIKI’s P-CAM® R Cutting Machine unveiled

Leading Japanese textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, showed a special version of its P-CAM® R multi-ply computerized cutting machine dedicated to the production of car seats for the first time, at a private exhibition held over two days on Thursday, July 2nd and Friday, July 3rd at the Kariya City Industrial Promotion Center in Aichi Prefecture.

ALADIN paves the way for circular and demand-driven textile production in Europe

Textile production can be organized sustainably by utilizing short supply chains and preventing overproduction. This can already be achieved today by intelligently connecting and efficiently utilizing existing infrastructure. At the same time, production becomes circular when innovative technologies and materials are used that enable high-quality recycling. The ALADIN research project, launched in May 2026 and co-funded with five million euros under the EU Horizon Europe program, is creating the conditions for this.