#Yarn & Fiber

2021-04-15

Spinnova appoints seasoned corporate finance expert Harri Sundvik as Board Member

Spinnova has invited Harri Sundvik to join its Board of Directors. Sundvik’s appointment adds valuable international financial markets and corporate finance experience to Spinnova’s already strong Board.

MBA, LL.M Harri Sundvik has had a long international investment banking career, as Managing Director Investment Banking with JP Morgan in London from 1987 to 2006, followed by ten years with Bank of America Merrill Lynch in London as Vice-Chairman of Global Investment Banking. During his career, Sundvik has worked with Nordic companies to introduce them to international capital markets, and advised emerging sustainable technology leaders to tap into international pools of growth capital. In the last couple of years, Sundvik has held various Chairman and board positions, particularly in the technology sector and emerging companies such as Spinnova.

“Spinnova is a very exciting entrant to the global scene of natural sustainable materials. The unique Spinnova technology combined with a highly skilled and ambitious team, joined by world-class strategic partners, serve as a springboard for what can be expected to be an exceptional and truly transformational success on a global scale. I am delighted to join the Spinnova team from the board perspective as the company is ready to take multiple key steps in is development,” says Harri Sundvik.

“Harri is a great addition to the team that supports Spinnova. This year, we are looking to speed up the company’s growth and scaling, which means we are actively exploring multiple, substantial financing alternatives. Here, Harri with his extensive corporate finance background and international network can add a lot of value,” says Spinnova’s CEO and co-founder Janne Poranen.

In February 2021, Spinnova announced its commercial production scaleup and 50/50 joint venture with Suzano, Spinnova’s long-term strategic partner and investor and the world’s largest wood pulp producer. The total investment, encompassing all needed infrastructure such as real estate, is some 50 million euros.?

Spinnova’s materials are being commercialized in close collaboration with leading industry brands such as the H&M Group, Bestseller, Marimekko, and Bergans, to support their sustainability and CO2 reduction targets. Commercial production of SPINNOVA® is estimated to commence by the end of 2022.

In addition to Sundvik, Spinnova’s Board members now include Chairman, Board professional and entrepreneur Timo Soininen, New Business Executive Officer of Suzano Vinicius Nonino, Founding Partner of Maki.vc Ilkka Kivimäki, Vice President, Global R&D of Lenzing AG Gert Kroner, private investor Hanna Liiri, and Spinnova’s Chief Technology Officer and co-founder Juha Salmela.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Lenzing improves profitability as strategic transformation gains momentum

The Lenzing Group reported improved operating profitability in the first nine months of 2026 despite declining revenue and a challenging market environment. Revenue decreased by 2.3 percent to EUR 1.93 billion, while adjusted EBITDA remained stable at EUR 353 million. The adjusted EBITDA margin increased from 17.9 percent to 18.3 percent, reflecting progress in the company's strategic transformation under its “Grow Nonwovens. Reset Textiles.” strategy.

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories launches performance yarn development program based on spider silk

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories has launched a development program for high-performance yarns based on its recombinant spider silk technology. The initiative follows the company's first commercial shipment of a custom spider silk yarn to a performance apparel customer and includes the delivery of spider silk samples to a textile technology company with experience in aerospace-related material development.

Lenzing and Kaihara to debut REMOD denim collection at Kingpins Amsterdam

The Lenzing Group, a global producer of wood-based fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, has partnered with Japanese denim manufacturer Kaihara Corporation to launch the “REMOD Collection”. The collection combines three of Lenzing's fiber offerings for denim applications: TENCEL™ Lyocell Standard, TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 and TENCEL™ Lyocell dtex 2.2.

Itema brings textile versatility to ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026

Itema announces its participation in ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026, taking place November 20–24 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. In Hall 3 – Stand D06, the company will showcase two Galileo-RX rapier weaving machines weaving heavy denim and conveyor belt fabrics, demonstrating its ability to address different textile requirements with application-specific configurations. Five additional Itema machines at partner booths will extend the exhibition lineup to upper shoe fabric, label, Jacquard leno fabrics, and shirting, offering visitors a broader view of Itema rapier and air-jet weaving technologies.

Brückner showcases sustainable technologies for the future of textile finishing at ITMA ASIA 2026

With rising energy costs, increasing environmental requirements, and growing competitive pressure, textile manufacturers worldwide are facing the challenge of making their production processes both more sustainable and more cost-effective. As one of the world's leading specialists in textile finishing machinery, Brückner will present innovative solutions and advanced production technologies at ITMA ASIA 2026 in Shanghai. These technologies can play a key role in significantly reducing both energy consumption and emissions.

Stäubli to introduce new S3292 dobby for high-speed weaving at ITME India 2026

Stäubli will introduce its new S3292 dobby at ITME India 2026, taking place from December 4 to 9 at the India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Designed for high-speed air-jet weaving, the new machine will be among the highlights of the company's presentation, which also includes warp preparation systems, cam motions, Jacquard technologies and digital services.