#Textile chemistry

2025-01-23

Courtney Harold joins Green Theme Technologies as Head of Marketing

Green Theme Technologies (GTT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Courtney Harold as Head of Marketing. With over 25 years of experience in the textile, apparel, and footwear industries, Courtney brings a proven track record of transforming complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies that drive growth and product innovation.

“I am thrilled to join GTT and help lead the initiative to bring EMPEL’s innovative, water-free, and PFAS-free DWR technology to market,” said Courtney Harold. “GTT’s commitment to surpassing industry standards is precisely the challenge fueling my passion for solving complex problems. I look forward to spearheading the marketing initiatives to position EMPEL as the leading brand in the DWR sustainable performance fabrics.”

As GTT continues to dominate the water-free and sustainable DWR space, Courtney’s expertise in brand building, market entry strategies, and product innovation will be instrumental in positioning EMPEL for continued growth and success.

Seasoned marketing leader with 25 years of experience in launching new products and brands within the textile, apparel, and footwear sectors

Courtney’s career began at Hill Holliday Advertising, where she built a solid foundation for creating impactful value propositions for the retailer Marshalls. She continued to enhance this foundation as a member of the inaugural branding team at Polartec, contributing to the development of a leading brand that resonates with both consumers and industry professionals.

At Sappi Release Papers, Courtney led efforts to establish specification programs targeted at apparel and footwear product developers, resulting in a unique partnership with Nike.

For over 10 years, Courtney launched the first footwear supplier tradeshow for the world’s largest footwear tradeshow and staged the MAGIC apparel tradeshow in China, a highly complex market. She has also developed market entry strategies for several fashion, outdoor, and apparel brands entering the Chinese market, enhancing her knowledge and understanding of the supply chain, the global retail sector, and the crucial connection between product development and market positioning.

Green Theme Technologies closes $6 million series C funding round

Green Theme Technologies, Inc. (GTT), a leader in sustainable textile and materials science, is pleased to announce the successful closing of a $6 million Series C funding round. This funding will accelerate GTT’s mission to transform the textile industry with its EMPEL® high-performance, sustainable technology. Leading the round were Pangaea Ventures and Cottonwood Technology Ventures, two venture firms known for supporting breakthrough innovations in advanced materials and sustainability.

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.

Jeanologia urges industry to accelerate PP Spray phase-out following ZDHC Watchlist update

Potassium permanganate has officially entered the Chemical Watchlist of the ZDHC Foundation, signaling increased scrutiny and potential phase-out of one of the most hazardous chemicals still used in denim finishing. The inclusion confirms an industry shift that Jeanologia anticipated more than a decade ago.

LineONE – Smart performance, smart investment at Techtextil 2026

At Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt (April 21–24, Hall 12, Booth C79), AUTEFA Solutions will present its LineONE concepts for cost-efficient nonwoven production. As a full-line supplier for nonwoven production lines, AUTEFA Solutions covers the entire process chain – from fibre opening through to web bonding. With its LineONE line concepts, the company combines proven technologies into well-balanced, cost-efficient turnkey solutions. These concepts are designed for capacity expansions, modernisation projects and new production lines, offering robust design and high flexibility for applications such as filtration, geotextiles and automotive.

EU and Australia strengthen relations with Security and Defence Partnership and Trade Agreement

The EU and Australia have today announced the adoption of a groundbreaking Security and Defence Partnership. They have also concluded negotiations for an ambitious and balanced free trade agreement (FTA) and agreed to launch formal negotiations for the association of Australia to Horizon Europe, the world's largest funding programme for research and innovation. With these steps, the EU and Australia are delivering mutually beneficial outcomes and further reinforcing their already close relations in a time of geopolitical uncertainty.

DuPont introduces Tyvek® APX™ 400 protective coverall, setting a new benchmark for extreme breathability

DuPont (NYSE:DD) announced the launch of the Tyvek® APX™ 400 protective coverall, the first in a new generation of extremely breathable disposable chemical protection garments. Manufactured using DuPont™ Tyvek® APX™ groundbreaking fabric, the new garment combines 360° protection and durability with extreme breathability, taking worker comfort and safety to a whole new level.