#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2025-03-01

Filo 63 highlights sustainability and innovation with C.L.A.S.S.

At the 63rd edition of Filo, the initiative “Sustainability from A to Z”, developed in collaboration with C.L.A.S.S., focuses on responsible innovation and expanding knowledge through technical insights, case studies, and direct industry testimonials. This initiative aims to guide companies through the complexities of sustainability while aligning with the evolving market landscape. The proposals presented by C.L.A.S.S. as part of this initiative closely relate to discussions within “Dialoghi di Confronto”, offering further opportunities for industry insights.

The C.L.A.S.S. exhibition space at Filo 63 showcases projects and solutions implemented by selected organizations and companies. This season, the focus is on “green chemistry” and the role of advanced natural fibers, particularly cotton and linen, where companies have adopted comprehensive innovation strategies, making traceability an essential requirement.

In the cotton segment, Supima®, a premium cotton grown in the United States and accounting for less than 1% of global cotton production, is featured. Renowned for its extra-long staple, Supima® offers exceptional strength, softness, and long-lasting color retention. To ensure authenticity and traceability, Supima® has introduced the AQRe™ Project (Authenticated Quality and Responsible Engagement), a blockchain-based digital platform developed in collaboration with TextileGenesis™, allowing real-time supply chain monitoring. Additionally, Oritain™ forensic testing verifies the cotton’s origin at every production stage, ensuring that all SUPIMA®-branded products meet the industry's increasing demands for transparency and sustainability.

For linen, the Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp, representing the European agro-industrial supply chain, plays a crucial role. In 2025, the organization accelerates its sustainable transformation with key initiatives, including:

+ + + Evolution of Flax-Linen certifications

+ + + Launch of a digital Flax-Linen traceability platform (developed with TextileGenesis - Lectra, set to debut in May 2025)

+ + + Publication of environmental footprint datasets and development of B2B calculation tools

+ + + Scientific validation of Flax-Linen's functional properties

+ + + New sourcing platform for innovative materials and textile solutions

A notable Italian innovation in green chemistry is also highlighted at C.L.A.S.S., featuring REVECOL® by ERCA Textile Chemical Solutions. This 100% Made in Italy breakthrough transforms waste materials, such as used vegetable cooking oil, into high-performance textile auxiliaries, reducing CO? emissions by up to 72% compared to traditional chemical processes. With certifications including GRS, RCS, ZDHC, bluesign®, and GOTS, REVECOL® is setting new industry standards in sustainability, circularity, and performance.

Throughout Filo 63, the C.L.A.S.S. team is available to discuss these innovations with professionals interested in sustainability, traceability, and technological advancements in textiles.

Additionally, two key discussions within Dialoghi di Confronto further explore these themes:

+ + + On February 26 at 3:30 PM, Giusy Bettoni, CEO & Founder of C.L.A.S.S., interviews Roberto Ghioldi, Sales Director of ERCA TCS, about REVECOL®'s role in sustainable textile chemistry.

+ + + At 4:00 PM, a panel discussion on advanced natural fibers highlights traceability and innovation opportunities, featuring industry experts and TextileGenesis™ representatives.

Paolo Monfermoso, General Manager of Filo, emphasizes that this collaboration with C.L.A.S.S. has reached a new qualitative level, particularly in its focus on natural fibers. He highlights the high level of research and innovation demonstrated by producers of wool, linen, cotton, and silk and reaffirms Filo’s commitment to offering tangible solutions to real industry challenges.

Giusy Bettoni, CEO & Founder of C.L.A.S.S., states that this edition further strengthens Filo and C.L.A.S.S.'s shared vision of promoting responsible innovation. She underscores the importance of linking projects within the C.L.A.S.S. space with discussions in Dialoghi di Confronto, ensuring that sustainability remains at the forefront of the textile industry. This edition particularly focuses on “green chemistry” and natural fibers, reinforcing their timeless value and their promising future in sustainable fashion.

The 63rd edition of Filo closed with positive results

The 63rd edition of Filo, the International Yarns and Fibres Exhibition, closed today in Milan by performing very positive results. Despite the current economic downturn, buyers have appreciated highly valuable collections proposed by the exhibitors, which have shown the ability in innovation and research for sustainability of Italian and foreign textile producers.

Mario Jorge Machado re-elected President of EURATEX

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation.

Next week’s focus: Intertextile Shenzhen & Yarn Expo Shenzhen fuse textile tradition with sustainable, digital trends

Fashion will not be left behind in one of the world’s undisputed tech and manufacturing capitals. Which is why next week, at Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026, the organisers have made special efforts to integrate textile topics such as materials innovation, holistic sustainability, digitalisation and AI. Yet, from 9 – 11 June at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, the platform also includes timeless tradition and heritage-inspired evolution in equal measure. Across both shows, over 600 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions are set to showcase everything from Peruvian alpaca wool fabrics to tea-derived fibres, while their fringe programmes will explore diverse solutions along the entire value chain.

Cotton made in Africa partners receive top marks in independent verifications

Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) and CmiA Organic are two internationally recognised standards that aim to promote sustainable development in the African cotton sector south of the Sahara. To ensure the standards’ credibility among brands, retailers, and consumers, independent verifiers evaluate compliance on the ground. The verification results for 2025, now published in the Aggregated Verification & Implementation Report, were very strong: The verifiers awarded consistently very good remarks regarding management, people, prosperity, and the environment.

Bangladesh: Italian textile machinery mission stops in Dhaka and Chittagong

Technological upgrading and the transition toward higher value-added production are driving the new Italian industrial mission to Bangladesh. This year, the mission will split between the country’s two main manufacturing hubs, where Italian manufacturers will meet the leaders of the local textile supply chain in two strategic stages: July 7th in Dhaka and July 9th in Chittagong.

Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026 closes doors, advancing sustainable and innovative sourcing in South China

Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026 served as a strategically positioned mid-year sourcing platform for the Greater Bay Area, highlighting Shenzhen’s role in connecting regional demand, supply and innovation exchange across the textile value chain. During the three-day fair, over 20,000 visits were drawn from 74 countries and regions[1], as exhibitors and buyers engaged with new developments in greener, performance-led, and value-added yarn and fibre solutions. Held in conjunction with Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and PH Value, the fair underscored the benefits of closer synergy and new materials across yarn, fabric and apparel platforms for the South China market.