#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2025-11-27

Asteks and Nexrone launch global investment initiative

Westure Ventures established in the Netherlands

Asteks Chairman & CEO Emre Akman and Nexrone Founder Ersoy Soyer © 2025 Asteks

A new joint investment company, Westure Ventures, has been founded by Asteks and Nexrone to focus on the development of next-generation transformative technologies. Türkiye’s long-established industrial powerhouse Asteks and one of the rising innovative forces in Europe’s startup ecosystem Nexrone Global announced the launch of their new investment company built on a shared vision: Westure Ventures.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, Westure aims to invest more than USD 30 million over the next five years. The company will focus on future-shaping fields such as financial technologies (fintech), artificial intelligence (AI), manufacturing technologies, deeptech, space and aviation, and health technologies. At the core of its investment strategy lies a commitment to what it defines as “Goodness Technologies” - ventures that deliver tangible value to society and the planet.

Innovative power combines with deep-rooted experience

With nearly 50 years of history, Asteks ranks among the world’s top three manufacturers in production technologies. Nexrone, one of Europe’s rapidly growing technology companies, stands out with its innovative approach to the entrepreneurship ecosystem and its strong growth performance, including partnerships with global and billion-dollar companies over the past three years.

Combining these two strong structures, Westure Ventures aims to embody a true “smart money” model - providing not only capital but also access to global markets, strategic partnerships, and deep technical know-how.

Investment strategy from early stage to Series A and beyond

Westure Ventures plans to support startups across various maturity levels, including early-stage, Series A, and later rounds. Beyond financial growth potential, the company evaluates each venture’s positive impact on humanity and a sustainable future.

Asteks Chairman & CEO Emre Akman and Nexrone Founder Ersoy Soyer, co-founders of Westure Ventures, summarized the vision: “At Westure, we focus on bold and determined entrepreneurs who think without borders. What matters to us is not only the technology itself, but the point at which that technology touches human life, simplifies it, and contributes hope to the future. This is why our investments are shaped around technologies that create genuine value. Finance can be used anywhere, but when your focus is generating societal value, you must have the right strategy.”

First investments to be announced soon

Westure Ventures will soon unveil its first investment portfolio. In addition to financial backing, the company aims to create a high-impact platform by offering strategic collaborations, commercialization support, and global network access that enable startups to scale across multiple markets.

Asteks to meet the global market at ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025

Getting ready to take its place at ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025 with advanced grinding solutions and a wide range of aprons and cots, Asteks is expanding its target for the Asian market. The company, focusing on strengthening relations with current and potential customers, will highlight the “Made in Türkiye” label with its innovative and competitive products.

Asteks meets with Uzbekistan and surrounding markets at CAITME 2025

Asteks’ best-selling and most trusted aprons and cots, along with its advanced R&D grinding technologies, stand out with the advantages they offer textile manufacturers. The Asteks booth at CAITME 2025 will become a popular destination for visitors with innovative offerings. Asteks, a leading manufacturer of high-quality and durable aprons and cots as well as advanced cots grinding, UV cots surface treatment, and automation solutions, will highlight its innovative products and strong local service at the 16th Central Asian International Textile Machinery Exhibition, CAITME 2025.

European textile industry calls for €10 handling fee on ultra-fast-fashion imports

The introduction of the €3 customs duty on low-value imports marks an important milestone in Europe’s efforts to address the challenges created by the rapid growth of ultra-fast-fashion imports. Together with the abolition of the €150 customs duty exemption, it demonstrates that policymakers are willing to act when market distortions become impossible to ignore. However, the European textile and clothing industry considers this a first step rather than the final destination.

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris opens with focus on AI, circularity and new sourcing regions

More than 1,000 exhibitors from around the world are gathering at Paris-Le Bourget as Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris opens its doors from August 31 to September 2. With around 500 textile manufacturers and a similar number of apparel and accessories suppliers, the trade fair reflects the ongoing transformation of global sourcing and the growing diversification of supply regions.

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

Hong Kong strengthens position as Asia's leading sustainable fashion hub

Hong Kong's position as one of Asia's most prominent sustainable fashion hubs has been further strengthened, with the HKTDC ESG Index 2026 released by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) for the fashion industry rising to 65.5 in 2026, up 2.3 percentage points from 2025. The increase reflects growing industry confidence in Hong Kong as a premier platform for sustainable fashion development and ESG-related business opportunities.

From smart jackets to laser technology: Mona Neubaur explores Textile Factory 7.0

As part of her summer tour, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Mona Neubaur, visited Textilfabrik 7.0 in Mönchengladbach to experience the project’s innovations first-hand. Under the motto “smart and clean”, the visit focused on innovative technologies and sustainable alternatives for textile production - from smart jackets to the decolourisation of textiles using fungal cultures.

Cinte Techtextil China 2026 has opened today, bringing global innovations and resources to Shanghai

As Asia’s premier platform catering to the evolving needs in technical textiles and nonwovens, Cinte Techtextil China has opened today at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, gathering over 300 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions. Across Halls W3 to W5, this edition will create chances for fast-growing sectors and emerging trends – such as Mobiltech, Medtech & Protech, Indutech and more. The curated zones, pavilions, and fringe programme are designed to better connect exhibitors with targeted buyers from across China, Asia-Pacific, and further afield. Meanwhile, the Association Village will gather international industry associations to foster even more global collaboration.

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.