#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2025-05-29

CiCLO technology reduces lasting microplastic pollution while keeping signage durable and eye-catching

K&R Solutions Group, a leader in producing and installing printed tension fabric, graphics, and lightboxes, today announced widespread adoption of its U.S. made Bio Knit SEG fabric made with CiCLO® technology. Produced by Intrinsic Advanced Materials (ILM), a joint venture between Parkdale Advanced Materials, Inc. and Intrinsic Textiles Group, LLC, CiCLO technology reduces microplastic pollution while keeping signage durable and vibrant.

In partnership with Departure Media Airport Advertising, the only national OOH company to work exclusively with airports, this distinctive solution meets the constant demand for high-performance large-format fabric signage while addressing the environmental impacts of synthetic materials. Bio Knit with CiCLO technology is being deployed in over 30 airports and leading corporate and retail spaces nationwide.

Corporate adoption is gaining traction with Estée Lauder Companies installing more than 30 Bio Knit graphics made with CiCLO polyester at its New York headquarters. Leading beauty brands such as MAC and La Mer have also adopted Bio Knit for brand displays and a backlit version is currently being developed to expand sustainable options for illuminated signage.

Some of the Airports now featuring signage made with Bio Knit include Augusta Regional Airport (AGS), Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), Dayton International Airport (DAY), Des Moines International Airport (DSM), Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH), Kansas City International Airport (MCI), Clinton National Airport (LIT), Norfolk International Airport (ORF), Peoria International Airport (PIA), St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), and Richmond International Airport (RIC).

K&R Solutions Group drives widespread adoption of bio knit fabric with CiCLO® technology in signage across airports, offices, and retail spaces nationwide © 2025 K&R Solutions Group

"This is an important industry shift," said Karen Fiorentino, owner and managing partner of K&R Solutions Group. "Brands and airports now can integrate true sustainability into their signage programs without sacrificing quality or visual impact. With Bio Knit made with CiCLO technology, we're turning sustainability from an aspiration into a real, operational standard."

Bio Knit is engineered by embedding CiCLO technology directly into the polyester fiber. This creates natural "sweet spot" pathways where microbes can biodegrade the material naturally if it ends up in environments such as soil or seawater. It is printed using OEKO-TEX ® certified inks, ensuring compliance with international standards for safety and environmental responsibility.

"CiCLO technology was developed to reduce the environmental impact of synthetic textiles across apparel and home applications, but its potential extends well beyond those markets," said Cheryl Smyre, vice president of Parkdale Advanced Materials.

"We are now expanding the reach into public spaces around us, bringing responsible innovation to airports, offices, and retail stores. Sustainable material options should not be limited to choosing what we wear or use in our home, it's a mindset that can transform every industry where synthetics are used, without compromising performance," Smyre continued.

Founded in 2019, by veterans of the airport and Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising industry, K&R Solutions Group specializes in producing tension fabric displays, SEG graphics, and lightboxes. Their partnership with Departure Media and the integration of Bio Knit made with CiCLO technology marks a significant step forward in advancing sustainable innovation across commercial signage platforms.

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.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Textile Exchange publishes comprehensive polyester LCA study

Textile Exchange has released a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing detailed data on the environmental impacts of both virgin and recycled polyester production. The study aims to strengthen understanding across the fashion, textile and apparel industries and support more informed decision-making regarding polyester sourcing and production.