#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2025-09-18

Toray Industries and MAS Holdings announce Joint Venture in Odisha, India

Toray Industries (H.K.) Ltd., has officially entered a joint venture with South Asia’s largest apparel manufacturer MAS Holdings, marking a unique opportunity to enhance the two companies’ supply chain capabilities and pursue product manufacturing within and for the fast-growing Indian market. The joint venture, operating under the name Toray MAS Apparel India, will see the establishment of a new manufacturing facility at the MAS Apparel Park Bhuinpur in Odisha, India, which is currently under development.

from left to right: Yasukochi Akira - Sales Director, Toray MAS Apparel India, Teruki Umeda - Managing Director, Toray MAS Apparel India, Teruo Funhashi - Managing Director, Toray Hong Kong, Malik Ahamadeen - CEO, MAS India, Suren Fernando - Group CEO, MAS Holdings, Shakthi Ranatunga - Chief Operating Officer, MAS Holdings, Rajitha Jayasuriya - Director, Corporate Affairs, MAS Holdings, Sid Amalean, Director – Innovation & Business Strategy, MAS Holdings, Surath Chandrasena, Finance Director, MAS Holdings. © 2025 Toray MAS Apparel India

The groundbreaking for the MAS Apparel Park took place earlier this year in March 2025, with operations expected to commence in early 2026. The new facility is aimed at catering to both current and potential customers in the region, supporting the growing demand for high-quality, innovative textile solutions.

The official signing ceremony for the partnership took place in June at the MAS Head Office in Colombo, with Teruo Funahashi, Managing Director of Toray Hong Kong, and Suren Fernando, Group Chief Executive Officer of MAS Holdings, representing the two organizations.

Commenting on the partnership, Teruo Funahashi, Managing Director of Toray Hong Kong, said “Toray MAS Apparel India will contribute to local employment and economic growth by manufacturing advanced, top-quality offerings. That company will serve as a garment stronghold in India for Toray and MAS Holdings, reinforcing their partnership by deploying strategies that capitalize on their capabilities”.

Suren Fernando, Group CEO of MAS Holdings stated "This joint venture marks a significant step forward in strengthening our global supply network and deepening our partnership with Toray Industries. The Odisha facility will play a key role in supporting our customers’ evolving needs, driving innovation and contributing to regional economic development. In today’s global economic landscape, strategic partnerships like this are key to enhancing our capabilities and continuing to deliver value-added solutions to our customers."

The collaboration builds on MAS Holdings' extensive apparel manufacturing expertise and Toray Industries' advanced material technologies, positioning Toray MAS to deliver innovative products to global brands while fostering economic growth and job creation in Odisha.

The operation being set up aims to advance sustainability by incorporating renewable energy solutions such as rooftop solar PV, energy-efficient technologies across operations, and advanced water and wastewater management systems. The facility is also being designed to ensure universal accessibility, integrating environmentally responsible practices in waste and chemical management, aligning its future operations with both environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

Toray and Honda start jointly validating chemical Nylon 6 recycling for automotive applications

Toray Industries, Inc., announced today it signed an agreement with Honda Motor Co., Ltd., to jointly develop a chemical recycling technology for glass-fiber reinforced nylon 6 parts recovered from end-of-life vehicles. The two have begun verifying this technology, which entails depolymerizing with subcritical water (see note) and regenerating the materials as caprolactam, a raw monomer.

Pets in fashion: functional and sustainable textiles find new market at Intertextile Apparel

China’s pet economy is booming, especially amongst younger generations, and pet apparel – from designer outfits to functional garments – was a RMB 3.5 billion (over USD 500 million) market in 2024, growing more than 20% annually¹. To help exhibitors harness this trend, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2026 will launch the Pet Boutique, presenting a range of innovative, sustainable materials that prioritise both functionality and comfort for pets.

VAUDE eliminates PFAS from all products

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are now detectable worldwide – in drinking water, soil and the human body. These so-called “forever chemicals” are considered hazardous to health and potentially carcinogenic, as they do not break down and remain in the environment permanently. Despite these risks, PFAS are still used in a wide range of products. More than 15 years ago, VAUDE made a strategic decision to gradually eliminate PFAS from all product categories.

Sustainable, lightweight, and sound absorbing: Polyester-based front trunk solution for BEVs

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.

Rieter responds to higher raw material prices

Global political and economic developments have been leading to rising raw material and energy costs for some time. The textile machinery industry is also affected by this trend. Rieter machines and components consist to a large extent of steel, copper, aluminum and electronics. These materials in particular have seen higher demand and higher prices in recent months.

Stäubli demonstrates how innovation translates into real benefits for weaving mills at SITEX 2026

One of India’s most prominent textile industry events, SITEX 2026, is held from February 21 to 23 in Surat. Committed to empowering Indian weaving mills with state‑of‑the‑art solutions tailored to regional needs, Stäubli will present a selection of solutions designed for performance, reliability, and power efficiency. Through its weaving preparation, cam and dobby shedding solutions and Jacquard technologies, Stäubli highlights its global expertise tailored to the specific needs of the local market.