#Textile chemistry

2024-10-17

Archroma brings “PLANET CONSCIOUS+” innovations to PERFORMANCE DAYS 2024

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, will showcase innovations that advance sustainability for functional fabrics at PERFORMANCE DAYS 2024 in Munich this month.

“To compete effectively today, brands in the sportswear, sports fashion, athleisure and workwear markets have to combine functionality and aesthetics in products that are also better for people and the environment. Archroma supports the industry to adopt cleaner chemistries that not only save water and energy, but also boost end-product performance and factory productivity,” Lee Howarth, Director of Strategic Marketing & Brand Engagement, Archroma, said.

“PERFORMANCE DAYS is the ideal platform for us to share how innovations under our ‘PLANET CONSCIOUS+’ concept are advancing what’s possible for sustainable functional fabrics.”

Announced last month, “PLANET CONSCIOUS+” is a roadmap designed to support apparel and textile brands and mills to chart their sustainability journey. Built on a commitment to innovation and partnership, it has six dimensions: powerful end-to-end SUPER SYSTEMS+ that combine processing solutions and intelligent effects; the SAFE EDGE+ compliance platform and beyond-compliance product portfolio; the ONE WAY+ value chain mapping and Sustainability Improvement Program; the advanced COLOR MANAGEMENT+ color design and development solution; global INNOVATION+ research and development initiatives; and transparency-driven COMMUNICATION+ solutions.

The innovations being showcased at PERFORMANCE DAYS 2024 under the “PLANET CONSCIOUS+” vision include Archroma’s Conscious coloration range. It features the ERIOFAST® reactive dyes for intense shades and excellent fastness on polyamide (PA) and PA/elastane blends; robust TERASIL® W/WW disperse dyes for outstanding results for polyester and its blends, even for deep and very deep shades; and the award-winning AVITERA® SE dye range for high-performance cellulosic dyeing that is both economical and environment-friendly. Archroma is also presenting its patented EarthColors® technology, which creates high-performance dyes from food and agricultural waste.

Drawing on its extensive portfolio of intelligent effects, the Archroma team will also highlight fluorine-free durable water repellents from the PHOBOTEX® and ZELAN® product ranges and advanced odor-neutralizing solutions from the Sanitized® Odorex™ product family. Featured systems included coldblack®, a finishing technology that imparts reliable UV protection and keeps the wearer cool, even for dark fabrics, and POWER COTTON, which delivers five times the abrasion resistance of cotton while preserving its natural softness.

Meet the Archroma team at PERFORMANCE DAYS 2024

Focusing entirely on new innovations and trends in functional fabrics, PERFORMANCE DAYS is held twice a year to support seasonal sourcing. Around 3,000 specialist visitors, including designers, product managers and purchasing professionals, are expected to attend the October 2024 edition of the fair in Munich, where more than 530 international suppliers will be exhibiting. The event also attracts online attendees from around the world.

Visit Archroma in Munich at Booth T16 in Hall A2, Messe München for PERFORMANCE DAYS 2024 from October 23-24, 2024.

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.

Archroma brings high-impact textile innovations to Colombiatex 2026

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, is proud to announce its participation in Colombiatex 2026, one of the most influential textile and apparel industry events in the Americas. The event will take place in Medellín, Colombia, from January 27 to 29, where Archroma will welcome visitors at Booth PC006.

Archroma and HeiQ partner to bring revolutionary antimicrobial and odor-control solutions to textile industry

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, and HeiQ, a Swiss deeptech materials innovator active in functional textiles and sustainable fibers, have entered into a co-marketing agreement that combines their complementary strengths to deliver advanced, planet-conscious anti-odor and antimicrobial technologies to brands, retailers, and textile mills worldwide.

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.

A flagship for chemical production: BASF inaugurates world-scale Verbund site in China

BASF today (March 26, 2026) celebrated the official inauguration of its newly built, world-scale Verbund site in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province in southern China. Covering an area of around four square kilometers, it is more than a major BASF project in the chemical growth market of China. “Zhanjiang shows what the future of chemistry looks like: efficient, digital and sustainable by design. The site showcases a smart integrated Verbund structure on an industrial scale,” said Dr. Markus Kamieth, CEO of BASF, at the ceremony attended by representatives from government, customers, business partners and employees.

Hof University develops sustainable textile coating for the fashion of tomorrow from mushrooms

Clothing is often treated as disposable: T-shirts for events, general merchandise, or short-term campaigns frequently end up in the trash after only a few uses. This is particularly problematic given that their production still largely relies on fossil-based materials. This is precisely where a new research project at Hof University of Applied Sciences comes in.

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.