#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2022-01-20

The new ISPO Award publishes a first preview of the best sports products for 2022

One of the most renowned awards in the sports industry has selected the first winners. At the beginning of the year, most of the ISPO Award winners are brands that have consistently developed existing products further in the direction of more sustainability, lightness and functionality. The ISPO Award itself is also breaking new ground with a modernised concept: from now on, the popular sports industry award will be presented all year round—by a jury of sports enthusiasts from the ISPO Collaborators Club and independent sports and outdoor editors. More award winners will be selected and announced throughout the year.

The clear trend in the sports industry in the first quarter of 2022 is re-invention: products are being reworked and relaunched in a more contemporary way—especially in favour of more environmentally friendly materials and manufacturing processes. For example, more and more brands are relying on reusable raw materials, dispensing with harmful chemicals and focusing more on durability and the issue of disposal. But aspects such as easier access to sports and outdoor, digital and new highly functional solutions are also becoming more important.

Some of the winners of the first jury meeting for the ISPO Award 2022 are examples of these market developments: For example, for its Storm Shift Jacket for snowboarders, Patagonia relies on the first PFC-free GORE-TEX membrane and a water-resistant DWR coating that consists of 100 percent recycled outer material. SCOTT ventures a first step into the world of recycled products. For their Shield Recycled ski goggles, the company has processed the frames of old goggles into new frames, and the goggle strap is also made of 100 percent recycled polyamide. And for environmentally conscious alpine fans, the Loska SPINNOVA® ski by PUSU reinforces a solid wood core with SPINNOVA® textile fibre - a new composite material and thus a world first for skis. Frequent runners can look forward to a new sustainable road running shoe - the WINQS Zerofly™. It is the world's first performance running shoe made from bio-based and recycled materials as part of a circular approach - and is therefore also certified as climate neutral.

In addition to these first winners of the coveted seal of quality, other innovations received the award as well, including new avalanche backpacks, mountaineering equipment and winter sports articles suitable for children. A detailed presentation of the first winners of the ISPO Awards 2022 is now available at ISPO.com.

The new ISPO Award: Four jury meetings, year-round winners

Not only manufacturers and brands are innovative, the ISPO Award itself is also breaking new ground this year: without segment boundaries and different winner levels, but instead with even more proximity to sports enthusiasts and seasonal trends, thanks to a new jury concept and year-round awards.

From now on, the independent jury of the ISPO Award will meet four times a year to take a close look at the best products, services and apps of the sports and outdoor world. And the jury also has a new composition: for the first time ever, half of the expert panel consists of sports enthusiasts from the ISPO Collaborators Club, the other half is formed by specialist editors from ISPO.com. At the beginning of January 2022, the jury met for the first time for the ISPO Award 2022 to select the first winners.

The special feature of the new ISPO Award: Award-winning brands can decide for themselves when they will receive the award. From now on, all award winners will not only be the focus of interest at the OutDoor by ISPO (June 12 to 14, 2022) and ISPO Munich (November 28 to 30, 2022) trade fairs, but will now also enjoy year-round international coverage. They receive editorial review reports on ISPO.com: In three languages, the award-winning products are described in detail with text, images and video. All reviews are systematically played out to the desired target group, integrated into editorial specials and curated.

“We have designed the new ISPO Award in such a way that innovative products and services can now be submitted all year round. The jury therefore meets quarterly. Exhibitors and brands who receive an award can choose the publication date themselves. The brands are thus given much more flexibility to optimise their communication. The complete overview of all winners is available twice a year at the ISPO trade fairs and on other ISPO platforms,” says Christoph Beaufils, Brand Strategist Consumer Goods & Product Owner ISPO.com.

OutDoor by ISPO will take place from June 12 to 14, 2022, ISPO Munich from November 28 to 30, 2022.

Detailed information on the ISPO Award, the innovations and benefits as well as the possibility to register is available online at ISPO Award | ISPO.com.

Further information on the ISPO Group and the various platforms can be found at https://www.ispo.com/en/about.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

Messe Frankfurt commits further to East Africa: three textiles trade fairs during Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week from 2027

Messe Frankfurt and its Texpertise Network continue their steady, successful trajectory in the region. As Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) opened today, Member of the Executive Board Detlef Braun announced that Messe Frankfurt is licencing its three leading international trade fair brands Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess to Nairobi, Kenya for the first time in 2027. From now on, they will take place annually as part of the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) Nairobi.

“We Believe in the Value of Textiles”: Successful Opening of the KARL MAYER TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER

KARL MAYER inaugurated its new, state-of-the-art TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER (TIC) with a four-day opening week from April 21 to 24. The highlight of the week was the grand opening on Thursday, which drew a strong turnout from the international textile industry: around 220 customers, brands, and partners from across the textile value chain came to the company’s headquarters in Obertshausen for a first-hand look at the new high-tech development environment and lively exchange with industry peers.

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.

Last chance to apply: ITMA 2027 Start-Up Valley closes tomorrow

Applications for the Start-Up Valley at ITMA 2027 close tomorrow, offering young technology companies the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of several successful participants from the 2023 edition. The initiative, organised under the CEMATEX Start-Up Grant programme, has already helped a number of textile start-ups accelerate their transition from early-stage concepts to industrial partnerships, funding rounds and commercial deployment.