#Textile chemistry

2026-03-05

DyStar Group announces Board transition to drive innovation

The appointment of Ruan Cunfan and the conclusion of Yao Jianfang’s tenure mark a seamless transition, reinforcing stability while opening doors to new opportunities.

DyStar, a leading specialty chemical company with a heritage of more than a century in product development and innovation, announced today the appointment of Ruan Cunfan to its Board of Directors, effective 20 February 2026.

Ruan Cunfan graduated from Claremont McKenna College in the United States, holding dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics & Accounting and Chemistry. He currently serves as a Director and Assistant to the Chairman of Zhejiang Longsheng Group Co., Ltd., and as Assistant to Chairman of Longsheng Group Holdings (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. He brings extensive experiences, having built a distinguished career overseeing its Group real estate investment strategy, operations, and management. His appointment reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening governance and driving long-term strategic growth globally.

At the same time, Yao Jianfang will be stepping down from the Board. Since 2015, Yao has served with dedication and provided invaluable guidance throughout his tenure. The Board and management express their sincere appreciation for his contributions.

“The appointment of Ruan Cunfan marks an important step in strengthening our Board for the future,” said Ruan WeiXiang, Chairman, Board of Directors, DyStar Group. “His visionary expertise and innovative leadership will be instrumental as we continue to advance DyStar’s internationalization process. This transition reflects our commitment to leadership continuity, while also embracing new opportunities aligned with our long-term vision for responsible and resilient development.”

“We are delighted to welcome Ruan Cunfan to the Board at this pivotal moment in the Group’s journey,” said Xu Yalin, Managing Director, President and CEO of DyStar Group. “His fresh perspective and outstanding innovative capabilities will help us further expand our impact, while embedding sustainability deeply into every facet of our strategy. At the same time, we pay tribute to Yao Jianfang, thanking him for his past contributions to the Board, and we look forward to his continued insights and guidance at the shareholder level in support of DyStar’s growth.”

DyStar Group remains committed as it embarks on its next phase of growth. The Group looks forward to building stronger partnerships, advancing sustainability initiatives, and delivering enhanced value across its global operations.

Update on DyStar’s transition to full ownership of Zhejiang Longsheng Group

DyStar, a leading specialty chemical company with a heritage of more than a century in product development and innovation, wishes to provide an update on the progress of Share Purchase Agreement signed for the acquisition of 37.57% of the issued share capital of DyStar Global Holdings (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

SOKO presents low-impact denim finishing innovations at Denim PV Milan

SOKO will present a range of sustainable denim finishing technologies and collaborative projects at the upcoming Denim Première Vision Milan on 20–21 May in Milan. At booth G27 in Superstudio Più, the company will showcase new chemical solutions designed to combine fashionable denim effects with reduced environmental impact.

Speed and connectivity: Techtextil and Texprocess provided market-ready solutions for industries under pressure

With more than 36,000 visitors and 1,700 exhibitors from a total of 112 countries, Techtextil and Texprocess 2026 demonstrated how innovation comes into industrial use. The convergence of research, industry and application proved to be a breeding ground for new material solutions, manufacturing and processing technologies. Natural fibres, performance apparel, connected systems and AI-driven processing technologies emerged as key growth and future markets.

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles unveils Trends 2027 alongside new lifestyle zone and product expansion

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition 2026 will spotlight forward-looking design directions and evolving consumer demand, as the global home and lifestyle market continues to adapt to sustainability priorities, emotional well-being, and diversified living spaces. Taking place from 18 – 20 August 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the fair will present its latest trend theme, ‘BREATHE UP!’, developed in collaboration with leading international trend forecaster NellyRodi™ Agency, alongside expanded product categories, and the debut of the Home Textiles Lifestyle Zone.

Itema to showcase weaving excellence at ITM 2026

From June 9 to 13, Itema will exhibit at ITM 2026 in Istanbul (Hall 8 – Stand 806D), unveiling a distinctive exhibition concept designed to highlight the Company’s expertise across the entire weaving value chain. For this year’s edition, Itema will introduce an innovative stand experience built around two core areas: advanced weaving and spare parts solutions and an immersive textile gallery featuring fabrics produced by Itema Customers worldwide.