#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2026-03-12

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

Visit Coats at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre on 12-14 March 2026 in Hall 1E

Coats, a world-class Tier 2 manufacturer and trusted partner for the apparel and footwear industries, will be promoting four advanced materials from its ‘Lifestyle Solutions’ portfolio at APLF 2026 in Hong Kong in March. Each innovation has been specifically engineered to help luxury and premium brands elevate the craft, durability, sustainability and creative expression required in the manufacturing of handbags, purses, and other high-end designer accessories.

As a valued innovation partner to the world’s leading fashion houses, Coats will showcase novel reinforcement and filler materials with the power to help brands translate cutting-edge creative concepts into high-performance market-ready accessories, including:

Coats Aquiline – A high-quality, durable filler material for the main body of leather bags. This material is available in different colours and is impregnated with a thermo adhesive making it suitable for the production of complex designs or load bearing parts. Coats Aquiline features Tex2Tex fibres, which transform textile waste into a premium filler, to deliver a high-quality finish while reducing landfill impact and closing the loop in fashion.

Coats Pyroflex – A premium hot-melt reinforcement material engineered for modern handbag manufacturing. Pyroflex offers exceptional tear resistance and dimensional stability with minimal stretch and low weight and is ideal for demanding applications.

Coats RX V 5000 – An eco-friendly thermo-adhesive reinforcement solution made from high-level GRS-certified recycled wood and polymers. With a stable structure, Coats RX V 5000 can deliver lasting shape while helping to reduce the carbon footprint of luxury handbags.

Coats Ultrasoft – A high-density non-woven material designed for luxury handbag components where exceptional softness and lasting resilience are critical. Engineered to rival microfiber suppleness, while offering superior elasticity and durability, Ultrasoft ensures flexible parts maintain shape without permanent creasing or structural marks.

All featured products have been designed to help the global fashion and manufacturing community create goods that balance performance, artisan craftsmanship, heritage, and design-led innovation.

Explaining more, Nicoletta Baratta, Global Sales Director of Lifestyle at Coats, said: “In today’s dynamic fashion landscape, brands need materials that deliver exceptional performance and quality, while also supporting their environmental goals. Our commitment to sustainable innovation, evidenced by products like Aquiline, enables them to meet consumer expectations - without compromising design or functionality. Our presence at APLF reflects our long-standing partnership with key players in the fashion industry and our focus on creating cutting-edge materials that enable brands to bridge the gap between heritage, artisan, accessory production techniques and future-ready designs. We’re excited to show our latest innovations at APLF.”

APLF is recognised as one of the world’s leading leather and materials exhibitions, bringing together international leather, materials and fashion businesses to source materials, discover innovations, build partnerships, and connect with decision-makers across the leather, fashion, and manufacturing supply chain.

Coats’ Lifestyle Solutions portfolio includes a comprehensive range of high-quality threads, reinforcement materials and fillers designed specifically for the production of handbags and accessories. With a strong focus on both functional performance and visual appeal, the company is a trusted partner for brands creating luxury and premium products that are both beautiful and built to last.

Visit Coats at Booth B₂9 in Hall 1E to explore its latest material innovations, engage with technical experts, and discover how the company’s reinforcement and filler solutions can support the next generation of luxury lifestyle products.

For more information about Coats Lifestyle Solutions, visit: https://www.coats.com/en/info-hub/lifestyle-solutions/

Coats Digital appoints Himanshu Mehrotra as Managing Director to lead next phase of cloud and AI-driven innovation

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Tunicotex Group boosts OTDP to 85%, cuts planning time by 25% & expands production capacity by 40%

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Suzhou Tianyuan boosts costing accuracy to 98% with Coats Digital’s GSDCost

Coats Digital is delighted to announce that Suzhou Tianyuan Garments Co., Ltd., a leading manufacturer of high-quality sportswear and functional apparel for global brands such as Adidas, FILA, ANTA, and The North Face, has achieved remarkable productivity and cost management improvements following the implementation of Coats Digital’s award-winning method-time-cost optimisation solution, GSDCost.

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.

Bremen Cotton Exchange: Fritz A. Grobien re-elected as President

The members of the Bremen Cotton Exchange have re-elected Fritz A. Grobien as President during the association’s 152nd General Assembly on June 18, 2026. The election confirms the organization’s commitment to maintaining its role as a leading international platform for the cotton and fiber industry amid a period of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Organic cotton at the crossroads: Ideology, evidence, and the road ahead

Organic cotton occupies one of the most contentious spaces in global agriculture. While praised by brands and consumers for its environmental ideals, it also faces persistent questions about yield stability, certification integrity, and scalability. The current edition of The ICAC Recorder cuts through the ideology to deliver a rigorous, evidence-based assessment of both sides of the debate.

New spinning package with two-step filtration for recycled yarns and more

At the ITM in Istanbul, BB Engineering unveiled its new, patented ValuePack spinning package for the first time, which features a two-stage filtration system. This is particularly beneficial for re-cycling processes. Until now, spinning packs have used either metal powder (“sand”) or filter candles as filter media. Both options are suitable for differ-ent applications, and each has its own specific advantages and dis-advantages.

ITMA 2027 gains strong momentum

In line with the theme "Co-creating the future of textiles", ITMA continues to strengthen its support for start-ups, recognising their role in driving innovation and shaping the future of textile and garment manufacturing. Through the Start-Up Valley, emerging companies gain access to a global marketplace where they can connect with industry leaders, potential partners, investors and customers.