#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2021-01-28

More than 70 of the most outstanding new products in the sporting goods industry receive the seal of quality

Image credit: Munich Trade Fair Centre / Munich Trade Fair Centre

The results of the ISPO Award 2021 are in: As of now a total of 76 sports products bear the prestigious seal of quality for innovation and functionality in the sporting goods industry. A jury of international experts selected a total of 76 “Products of the Year,” “Gold Winners” and “Winners” from 250 submissions in the four segments of Snowsports, Outdoor, Running & Fitness and Urban Life. Six products were also awarded special recognition for their particularly sustainable concepts and ideas.

The highest award, “Product of the Year,” will first be announced during the official award ceremonies via live stream as part of ISPO Munich Online, from February 1 to 5, 2021. The Gold Winners, Products of the Year and Winners with the special Sustainability Achievement will be presented during the event in their own digital award showroom.

250 product submissions in four segments

76 prizes and special awards for sustainability

Award ceremony and digital showroom at ISPO Munich Online 2021

“Even in these particularly challenging times, product development didn’t come to a halt. We have got to know many innovative concepts all over again. One thing that has again been made clear is that awareness for sustainability topics within the industry has increased across the board. That’s why more and more manufacturers are committed to an advanced circular economy” said Jacqueline Eskandar, Senior Product Manager of ISPO Awards & Innovation at Messe München, summing up the most important findings from this year’s edition of the ISPO Award.

?Due to the prevailing coronavirus pandemic, the two-day jury meeting was held in a hybrid format for the first time – partly on site, partly by video call. A jury of 25 experts, consisting of representatives from retail, designers, product specialists and media representatives, selected winners from the 250 submissions in segment-specific teams. In addition to innovative nature, above all the assessment criteria included functionality, quality and choice of materials. Exceptional performance in terms of sustainability across all segments was honored accordingly with special prizes.

Grand stage for the awardees at ISPO Munich Online 2021

For maximum international visibility, the ISPO Award ceremony will take place as part of ISPO Munich Online 2021:

Tuesday, February 2, 3:30 p.m.: Snowsports

Wednesday, February 3, 3:00 p.m.: Running & Fitness, Urban Life

Thursday, February 4, 3:30 p.m.: Outdoors

All of the winning products can be experienced throughout the entire duration of ISPO Munich Online 2021 and all year round at ispo.com.

What the end consumers think: Premiere for the ISPO Public Choice Award

As part of the ISPO Award 2021, end consumers will also be involved for the first time and an additional public choice award will be presented: More than 70,000 members of the ISPO Open Innovation Community have been called upon to select their personal favorites from all of the Gold Winners. The product with the most votes will win and be honored with the first ISPO Public Choice Award, also at ISPO Munich Online 2021 on Friday, February 5.?Anybody can take part and cast their vote after registering in the community for free*. More information on the ISPO Award is available online.

*ISPO Open Innovation is an all-year platform on which enthusiastic athletes can actively contribute to the development of upcoming products with their know-how and their creativity via exclusive tests and surveys.

Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 signed by Governor

Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) is proud to announce that Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024, has been signed into law by the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom. This groundbreaking legislation establishes the country’s first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) textile recycling program, marking a significant step forward in the state’s efforts to combat waste and promote sustainability.

Modtissimo promotes sustainability with 28 coordinates in the Green Circle

Modtissimo is proving more and more to be a textile and clothing show that delivers the latest innovations in the area of sustainability, with the iTechStyle Green Circle being the main showcase for companies' creations. In this 60+4 edition, taking place on 12 and 13 September, 28 coordinates will be exhibited in a section organised by CITEVE and curated by Paulo Gomes.

The EU and Egypt team up to mobilise private sector investments at Investment Conference and sign a Memorandum of Understanding underpinning €1 billion in macro-financial assistance for Egypt

At the EU-Egypt Investment Conference, co-organised by the EU and the Government of Egypt on 29-30 June, the EU and Egypt are teaming up to intensify private sector investments in Egypt. They are also signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the disbursement to Egypt of up to €1 billion in Macro-Financial Assistance.

Freudenberg accelerates local production for apparel market by expanding its site in India

Freudenberg Performance Materials Apparel (Freudenberg Apparel) celebrates the grand opening of a major expansion at its manufacturing facility in Chennai, India, on October 14, adding 20,000 square feet of production space and introducing new production lines tailored to the Indian apparel market. This strategic investment is aimed at significantly reducing lead times and enhancing the availability of high-quality, locally produced interlinings for the fast-evolving apparel sector in India and South Asia.

KARL MAYER develops seersucker WARP KNITS with even more character and style

Seersucker fabrics are icons of the clothing industry and assure their manufacturers' success. Just in time for ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025, the textile product developers at KARL MAYER have succeeded in creating brand new variants of this material. These fancy newcomers feature unique bubble effects and, with their new dimensionality, inject extra dynamism into the textile surface – and into the market.

The Address of innovation and investment in textile technologies: ITM 2026

Sales for ITM 2026, one of the world’s most comprehensive and prestigious exhibitions in textile technologies, are continuing at full steam. The record number of exhibitors and visitors achieved at ITM 2024 once again proved the industry’s confidence and the commercial success of the exhibition; meanwhile, the strong interest shown in ITM 2026, to be held on 9-13 June 2026, has far exceeded expectations.

STOLL in focus:

At the beginning of this year, KARL MAYER announced that it would be shifting its focus back to its core areas of warp knitting, warp preparation and technical textiles. As part of this strategic realignment, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand will be discontinued. The Reutlingen plant will close down on 31 October 2025. Production in China will end in December 2025. This was an extremely difficult decision for KARL MAYER.

Heimtextil 2026 strengthens the global home textile industry with trends, designs and AI technologies

With an optimised hall layout, progressive design collaborations, inspiring trends and AI-driven innovations, Heimtextil 2026 reacts to the current market situation – and offers the industry a reliable constant in challenging times. Under the motto ‘Lead the Change’, the leading trade fair for home and contract textiles and textile design shows how challenges can be turned into opportunities. From 13 to 16 January, more than 3,100 exhibitors from 65 countries will provide a comprehensive market overview with new collections and textile solutions. As a knowledge hub, Heimtextil delivers new strategies and concrete solutions for future business success.