#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.

YKK launches “YZiP® Light” aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has launched YZiP® Light, a lightweight aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants, with sales beginning in late March. The introduction of YZiP® Light expands YKK’s zipper portfolio—led by the flagship YZiP® copper alloy zipper—providing customers with greater flexibility to meet diverse garment needs.

Coats to showcase innovative reinforcement and filler materials for leather goods and accessories at APLF 2026

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Design, innovation and sustainability propel VIATT 2026’s expanding role in ASEAN textile sourcing

At its third edition, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles, and Textile Technologies (VIATT) further reinforced its role as a key sourcing and business platform for ASEAN’s textile industry. The three-day fair welcomed over 17,000 visits from 54 countries and regions, and featured over 460 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions across 18,000 sqm. The 2026 edition was marked by the introduction of new international pavilions and zones, broadening the fair’s sourcing scope across new geographies and product categories. The fringe programme, headlined by the debut Trend Forum, further distinguished VIATT as the region’s most integrated textile trade platform – uniquely spanning the entire value chain.

RE&UP partners with Madewell and ISKO on textile-to-textile denim capsule

RE&UP Recycling Technologies is accelerating the shift toward a closed-loop textile economy through a collaboration with American denim brand Madewell and global fabric manufacturer ISKO. By transforming approximately 20,000 pairs of post-consumer jeans into recycled feedstock for a textile-to-textile denim capsule, RE&UP demonstrates the commercial viability of circular systems in the denim sector.

Sedo Treepoint will exhibit smart technologies for technical textile production

As technical textile production becomes increasingly complex and sustainability requirements intensify, digital integration is evolving from an efficiency tool into a strategic task. At Techtextil 2026 (April 21–24, Frankfurt am Main), Sedo Treepoint will present smart digital systems designed to address the demanding production environments of technical textile manufacturing. The company’s focus will be on practical technologies that enhance process transparency, reproducibility, and efficient resource use. Visitors will meet Sedo Treepoint in Hall 12, Booth D05.

ITM presents cutting-edge textile research at Techtextil

From April 21 to 24, 2026, the Chair of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) at TUD Dresden University of Technology will be presenting its current research at Techtextil, the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens. In Hall 12.0, Stand D41, the team will be demonstrating how it combines high-performance fibers, AI-supported digital development tools and innovative machine technologies to develop textile solutions for lightweight construction, construction, medical technology and sustainable production from atom to product.

CHT Group to showcase intelligent specialty chemical solutions at Techtextil 2026

At this year's Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt am Main, the CHT Group will be presenting its comprehensive portfolio of tailor-made specialty chemicals and process solutions for technical textiles. As a reliable partner to the global textile industry, the company offers innovative products and in-depth technical expertise across all areas of the textile value chain – from pretreatment, dyeing, and printing to finishing, coating, and fiber auxiliaries.