World Of Wipes® 2025 Delivers Industry Engagement, Insights, And Innovation In Columbus, Ohio

CARY, N.C. — July 31, 2025 — The World of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference brought the global wipes industry together for four engaging days of insights, innovation, and connections, July 21-24, at the Hilton Columbus Downtown, in Ohio.

WOW featured expert-led sessions, over 50 tabletop exhibits, and the presentation of the World of Wipes Innovation Award®. The event garnered high praise from attendees for its valuable networking and content, as well as strong participation from across the global wipes supply chain.

World of Wipes Innovation Award®

The 2025 World of Wipes Innovation Award® was presented to Cookware Care Seasoning Wipes, 100 percent viscose wipes that offer a convenient, mess-free solution for maintaining cast iron and carbon steel cookware. Infused with non-petrochemical oils and beeswax through a proprietary waterless process, the wipes simplify seasoning while expanding nonwoven applications beyond traditional uses.

“Walking into WOW 2025 as a brand-new company, we didn’t know what to expect. From the moment we arrived, the encouragement, curiosity, and warmth of the industry made us feel truly welcome,” said Cookware Care co-founders Jordan and Blaire Burdey. “Connecting with so many knowledgeable and inspiring individuals made winning the World of Wipes Innovation Award® even more meaningful. This recognition validates two years of passion, late nights, and unwavering belief in our vision, and it motivates us to continue growing and getting Seasoning Wipes™ into more hands. We are deeply grateful to INDA and to everyone who showed us such genuine support.”

Fellow finalists Dude Products’ Dude Odor Destroyer XL Flushable Deodorant Wipes and Magnera’s Sontara® EC Green Cotton were also celebrated for their innovation and market potential. Nominations for the 2026 World of Wipes Innovation Award® will open August 7, 2025.

Thoughts from Industry Leaders

“The content was comprehensive, timely, and engaging, making it a truly enriching experience for all attendees,” said Nick Santoleri, COO of Rockline Industries. “The venue (just a stone’s throw away from The Ohio State University) provided ample space for networking as well as private conversations, allowing for meaningful connections to be made. Additionally, the overall look of the conference and signage gave one the feeling of a world-class event. Kudos to the organizing, marketing, and creative staff at INDA for this year’s exceptional event!”

“This year’s WOW conference was a great opportunity to meet with several of our suppliers and customers in one place,” said Pramod Shanbhag, Vice President of Innovation and Technology at Suominen. “I loved the interactions at the tabletop events and hope to see even more tabletops next year.”

WOW Session Highlights

With the theme “Wipe to Win: Innovating for a Sustainable and Profitable Future,” WOW 2025 delivered a wide array of expert-led sessions and panel discussions, including:

  • Global drivers for plastic-free wipes and machinery innovations for sustainable materials
  • Consumer motivation, emotional product design, and social media impact
  • Nanofibers, niche applications, and a licensing deal for sports wipes with the NBA
  • Consumer perceptions, slitting advancements, and classic and innovative preservation strategies
  • Expert panel addressing evolving regulatory legislation, trade and tariffs across the U.S. and Europe

Among the other key topics discussed were product responsibility, inflation, artificial intelligence, the California wastewater forensic studies, and sustainability.

The event opened with the WIPES Academy, held July 21-22 and led by Heidi Beatty, CEO of Crown Abbey. This 12-session course provided a comprehensive overview of wipes development, from concept to commercialization, covering materials selection, formulation design, and packaging considerations.

INDA announced that the next edition of the World of Wipes® Conference will take place June 29-July 2, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Posted: July 31, 2025

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

Italian Textile Machinery: In Q2 2025 Signs Of Recovery In The Domestic Market

MILAN — July 31, 2025 — In the second quarter of 2025, the index of orders for textile machinery, compiled by the Economics Department of ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, showed a slight decrease compared to the same period in 2024 (-1%). In absolute terms, the index stood at 47.1 points (base year 2021=100).

This result was driven by an increase in order intake from the domestic market, which almost entirely offset the decline recorded in foreign markets.

Orders collected on the domestic market rose by 38% compared to the second quarter of 2024, reaching an absolute value of 70.9 points.

In foreign markets, orders were down 7% compared to the same period of the previous year. The absolute value of the index stood at 43.8 points.

In the second quarter, the order backlog reached 3.9 months of guaranteed production (up from 3.6 months in the first quarter). It is also worth noting that, on average, companies in the sector used only 55% of their production capacity in the first half of the year. Utilization is expected to reach 60% in the second half of 2025.

Marco Salvadè, President of ACIMIT, commented: “The signals coming from the domestic market are encouraging, but concerns about the future remain. Demand in Italy is still weak. The increase recorded between April and June will need to be confirmed over the course of the year.”

“On the foreign front,” added Marco Salvadè, “a general climate of uncertainty persists, due not only to U.S. tariffs imposed on the EU, but also to the broader geopolitical situation. The 15% duty, combined with a significant depreciation of the euro against the dollar, may have varying negative impacts on our exports to the U.S., depending on the tariff rates applied to other Countries supplying technology to U.S. textile companies. For now, the U.S. remains a key market for our manufacturers: it was the fourth largest in 2024, with a value of over 112 million euros, and it continued to grow in the first four months of 2025 (+3%). Also concerning is the weak demand for textile machinery in the two most important markets, China and Turkey. Italian sales from January to April 2025 fell by 32% in the Chinese market and by 47% in the Turkish one.”

Posted: July 31, 2025

Source: The Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT)

NCTO Commends President Trump For Taking Action To Close The De Minimis Loophole For Commercial Shipments Globally

WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 30, 2025 — The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber, yarn and fabrics to finished sewn products, issued the following statement from President and CEO Kim Glas today, regarding President Donald Trump’s executive order to end de minimis for all commerce shipments globally, effective August 29.

Statement from President and CEO Kim Glas

NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas

“On behalf of the U.S. textile industry, we commend President Trump for using his executive authority to end de minimis for all global commercial shipments, effective August 29.

“For eight years, NCTO has led critical efforts to close the de minimis backdoor pipeline for cheap, subsidized, and often illegal, toxic and unethical imports—half of which are estimated to be textiles and apparel. Every day, 4 million de minimis packages flood into the U.S., undermining American manufacturing, evading inspection, and allowing forced labor-made goods from Xinjiang, China as well as illicit fentanyl to reach consumers unchecked.

“The de minimis mechanism has functioned as a black box for low-cost, subsidized, and unethical Chinese imports and undermined the competitiveness of the U.S. textile industry—a key contributor to the workforce and the U.S. economy.

“In the face of the rising flood of de minimis shipments, NCTO doubled-down on advocating for comprehensive de minimis reform and proudly joined the Coalition to Close the De Minimis Loophole, representing a wide range of American voices committed to ending the de minimis crisis, including manufacturers, business associations, labor unions, law enforcement, families of fentanyl victim groups, drug prevention organizations, consumer groups, and others.

“Today marks a significant milestone for all our efforts to repeal this harmful provision in U.S. trade law. We are grateful to President Trump for recognizing the severe impact of this loophole and validating that de minimis has caused widespread harm across businesses and communities, in the action he is taking today to repeal de minimis immediately.

“We thank the president and his administration for listening, acting, and standing with American manufacturers and workers. Today’s executive order is a game changer. It restores fairness for U.S. manufacturers, closes a major gateway for illegal and toxic goods, and lays the groundwork for reinvestment and job creation here at home.

“Coupled with the bipartisan legislation to codify de minimis repeal by July 2027, this action slams the door shut on one of the most damaging trade loopholes in U.S. history.”

Posted: Jul 30, 2025

Source: The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO)

Gap Inc. Appoints Maggie Gauger Athleta President and CEO

SAN FRANCISCO — July 29, 2025 — Gap Inc. today announced Maggie Gauger will join the company as Global Brand president and CEO of Athleta effective August 1, as Chris Blakeslee steps down from the role.

Gap Inc. Appoints Maggie Gauger as Athleta president and CEO

“As we continue to reinvigorate our house of iconic American brands to not only shape culture but drive profitable, sustainable growth over the long term, we believe in Athleta’s incredible potential in the women’s active market and within our portfolio,” said Gap Inc. CEO Richard Dickson. “Over the past two years, Chris has led the early stages of Athleta’s reset, recentering the brand to win with innovative performance product and refining the brand’s point of view, helping to position Athleta for the future.”

Dickson continued, “We are thrilled for Maggie Gauger to join as CEO of Athleta as we look to accelerate the brand’s reinvigoration. Maggie blends proven business transformation capabilities, deep consumer centricity, product fluency, and a heartfelt commitment to empowering women and girls. This combination of skills and experiences will equip her to lead Athleta into its next chapter of growth – rooted in purpose, performance, and people.”

Gauger, a proven leader in women’s active sport and style, comes to Athleta with more than 20 years of experience in key leadership roles at Nike, most recently serving as the head of its North America Women’s Business, where she was responsible for driving growth, brand love, and customer affinity and acquisition within the large active and athleisure market. Her extensive background across retail, strategy, merchandising, product creation, commerce, digital, and general management — both domestically and globally — are critical assets to the future growth of Athleta.

“I’m energized to bring my experience working at the intersection of sport, style and culture to Athleta — a brand with strong purpose and still so much untapped potential,” Gauger said. “Athleta has an unwavering mission focused on the power of women – not just as athletes, but as leaders, creators, and change-makers. And I can’t wait to work with the incredible Athleta team to grow, to lead, and to inspire the next generation through the power of product and community.”

As Gauger transitions into her role, Blakeslee will remain with the company as an advisor to support a smooth transition.

Posted: July 29, 2025

Source: Gap Inc.

Experience Trützschler’s Latest Technologies At CAITME 2025 In Tashkent, Uzbekistan

MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany — July 29, 2025 — September 9-11, 2025, the Trützschler Group will showcase its latest innovations at CAITME in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. A highlight at booth D60 in Pavilion 2: the TC 30i, Trützschler’s next generation card. After its market introduction in 2024, customers have reported up to 40 percent higher productivity in man-made fiber applications while maintaining or improving yarn quality. Discover the TC 30i alongside other innovations and high-performance equipment at the exhibition.

Trützschler Spinning

Trützschler’s solutions for higher productivity and consistent yarn quality: The TC 30i card and the integrated draw frame IDF 3.

As one of the highlights at CAITME, the TC 30i exemplifies how Trützschler is shaping the future of spinning preparation. Equipped with the intelligent gap optimizer T-GO, it ensures optimal carding gaps even under changing production conditions, leading to consistent, operator-independent results. A sophisticated waste suction system enables the separate collection of different waste types, allowing more than 50 percent of card waste to be reused in a high-quality manner. The TC 30i also comes with the proven WASTECONTROL system, an easy-to-use and effective assurance against unnecessary fiber loss.

Visitors can also learn about the integrated draw frame IDF 3, which enables a significantly shortened spinning preparation process without compromising on quality. In fact, the IDF 3 helps to improve yarn quality levels, especially when processing raw materials with high short fiber content, and increases efficiency with a new can changing system that reduces changeover times by 3 percent.

Another key topic is TRUECYCLED, Trützschler’s complete solution for textile recycling. It enables partners to turn textile waste into high-quality yarns using Trützschler technology in their recycling process. A recent success story: WYRON TRUECYCLED yarn, developed and produced under license by the company Brain of Materials, is now used for certain textile surfaces in Lotus Eletre and Emeya electric vehicles. The yarn consists of 50% post-consumer textile waste and 50 percent recycled polyester. This example shows how sustainability and performance can complement each other in modern textile applications.

Trützschler Card Clothing

Trützschler Card Clothing (TCC) will present a wide range of technologies from its card clothing portfolio, including two key innovations: The T-WINDER, a unique piece of service equipment that ensures consistent fitting tension by indicating the actual fitting force – independent of external influences. It helps customers unlock the full potential of their carding machines while keeping costs low. The T-WINDER is compatible with all cards in spinning and nonwovens. In addition, the Flexible Bend Control (FBC) ensures the perfect flat setting for all card models within seconds and guarantees optimum quality at all times.

See you in Tashkent, Uzbekistan!

CAITME 2025 is a great opportunity to connect with our experts from Trützschler Spinning and Trützschler Card Clothing. We look forward to welcoming you at pavilion 2, booth D60 – and to sharing how our innovations can support your success in fiber processing.

Posted: July 29, 2025

Source: Trützschler Group SE

The Campaign For Wool Marks 15 Years Of Championing Nature’s Smartest Fiber

LONDON — July 29, 2025 — This October, the Campaign for Wool proudly celebrates its 15th anniversary with a powerful call to action for consumers: “Check It’s Wool.” As part of a nationwide and international series of events, the campaign is urging the public to make informed choices and opt for wool, one of nature’s most innovative, sustainable and planet-friendly fibers, over synthetic alternatives.

Launched in 2010 by His Majesty King Charles III — then HRH The Prince of Wales — the campaign has grown into a globally recognized initiative, which now unites more than 1,000 global companies across farming, textiles, fashion, interiors and design. From woolgrowers, processors and weavers to iconic brands, the United Kingdom has played a pivotal role in redefining the value and versatility of wool in modern life.

“As we mark this milestone, our mission remains more relevant than ever,” said Peter Ackroyd, chairman at the Campaign for Wool. “Wool is not only natural, renewable and biodegradable, the simple act of buying wool products is also one of the easiest things we can do to help the planet. It biodegrades in soil and water, leaving no harmful microplastic trace, making it one of the most responsible fibers we can choose today.”

The anniversary celebrations spotlight wool’s role in circular design, soil health, marine safety, and in creating sustainable and healthier living environments. Events will range from interactive installations and educational showcases to retail pop-ups and artisan-led workshops, inviting the public to learn about the many ways wool can improve our lifestyles.

Expect to see participation from top flight brands including:

Fashion – Amy Powney, Anderson & Sheppard, Aubin, Brora, Finisterre, Gieves & Hawkes, Harris Tweed Hebrides, Henry Poole, Jeremy Hackett, Johnstons of Elgin, John Smedley, Moons, Navy Grey, Smalls Merino Vivienne Westwood, Walker Slater.

Lifestyle/Interiors – Camira, Brockway, Harrison Spinks, Moons, Roger Oates, Thermafleece, Vispring, Wallace Sewell.

For full details of the October programme and information, visit www.campaignforwool.org or follow @campaignforwool on social media.

Posted: July 29, 2025

Source: The Campaign for Wool

Archroma And Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (V.J.T.I.) Forge Strategic Partnership To Advance Research And Sustainability

PRATTELN, Switzerland — July 29, 2025 — Archroma, a global supplier of sustainable specialty chemicals, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (V.J.T.I.), Mumbai, to advance research and innovation in green chemistry and sustainable technologies. This strategic partnership brings together industry expertise and academic excellence to tackle some of today’s most pressing environmental challenges.

Ribbon cutting ceremony. From left to right: Mr Anjani Prasad, VP of South Asia,
Archroma; Mr Sunil Chari, Managing Director, Rosary Ltd; Mr Sachin Kore, Director, VJTI.
(Photo: Archroma)

The collaboration focuses on pioneering research and development in green chemistry, emphasizing the design of safer chemicals and cleaner industrial processes. Key areas of innovation include renewable energy solutions such as biofuels and hydrogen technologies, and the development of sustainable materials like bioplastics, advanced composites, and nanomaterials.

Water treatment is also a major area of focus, with initiatives targeting advanced wastewater recycling and the recovery of valuable resources. In parallel, education and training programs are being developed to raise awareness about sustainable practices and to equip the next generation of engineers and scientists with the tools needed to drive lasting change.

As part of this partnership, VJTI is launching a new course, “Sustainability: Industry Perspectives for a Greener World,” developed in close collaboration with Archroma. The syllabus seamlessly integrates academic principles with real-world industry applications, offering students a comprehensive framework on sustainability. Topics include waste management, greenhouse gas emission measurement and ESG compliance. By incorporating theoretical concepts alongside industry case studies, the course is designed to equip students with the technical and decision-making skills needed to lead sustainable transformation across sectors.

“We are proud to partner with V.J.T.I. in this bold initiative to push the boundaries of green chemistry and sustainable technologies. At Archroma, sustainability is not just a commitment — it’s at the core of how we innovate and operate,” said Anjani Prasad, vice president, South Asia, Archroma. “This partnership enables us to combine our global industrial expertise with academic excellence to create scalable, science-driven solutions for the environmental challenges facing our industry and planet.”

The partnership also includes a strong industry collaboration component, aimed at accelerating the adoption of sustainable manufacturing practices. This includes the development of life cycle assessment tools, carbon footprint analysis methodologies, and policy advocacy to support the creation of environmentally responsible regulations. Scientific insights generated through the partnership will guide decision-making and promote public awareness.

Community outreach forms a vital part of this initiative, with workshops, seminars, and local collaborations designed to implement and promote eco-friendly technologies at the grassroots level.

To further strengthen the industry-academia bridge, the collaboration will focus on securing CSR funding, inviting industry leaders for guest lectures, launching student training programs, and modernizing laboratory infrastructure. These steps are expected to drive industry-funded research projects and foster real-world applications of academic research in sustainable industrial practices.

“This collaboration with Archroma strengthens our commitment to innovation in sustainable technologies and opens new avenues for research, real-world application, and student development. We are proud to join forces with a global leader and look forward to setting new benchmarks in industry-academia cooperation,” said Mr. Sachin Kore – Director of V.J.T.I.

Through these multifaceted efforts, Archroma and V.J.T.I. aim to become a model for impactful, sustainable collaboration that delivers tangible environmental and societal benefits.

Posted: July 29, 2025

Source: Archroma

LAIP Launches MINI JET: The Smart Solution For In-House Fabric Sampling Debuts At ITMA ASIA

PRATO, Italy — July 28, 2025 — LAIP, an Italy-based manufacturer of dyeing machines, is unveiling its latest innovation: MINI JET, a compact yet powerful machine set to transform the way textile companies handle fabric sampling. The official debut will take place at ITMA ASIA 2025 in Singapore, where visitors can discover the MINI JET at Hall H7 – Booth A305.

In an industry increasingly driven by speed and customization, MINI JET is positioned as an essential tool for textile producers seeking full in-house control over sampling processes, eliminating the need for external lab dip suppliers.

Unlike traditional lab dips that test only a small quantity of fabric, MINI JET allows direct dyeing of up to 20 meters per color, that enable customers to create real garment prototypes, evaluating both color accuracy and fabric behaviour under realistic production conditions.

What sets MINI JET apart is its 100 percent dye reproducibility. The results achieved on MINI JET can be flawlessly replicated on industrial dyeing machines, ensuring seamless consistency from sample to bulk production without rework or recalibration.

Another standout feature is its remarkably fast dyeing cycles, which enable up to 50 percent time savings. This translates into more sample tests per day, increased operational agility, and faster product development cycles.

MINI JET is also fully Industry 4.0 ready, offering integration with advanced digital systems for remote monitoring, data analytics, and full process traceability.

With MINI JET, LAIP once again demonstrates its commitment to smart, sustainable innovation —delivering a compact, efficient, and future-oriented solution tailored to the real needs of modern textile production. A must-see for anyone seeking to reshape their sampling workflow.

Posted: July 28, 2025

Source: LAIP

Hollister, A division Of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Celebrates 25th Anniversary By Reissuing Its Most Iconic Styles

NEW YORK CITY — July 29, 2025 — Hollister, a division of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., is celebrating its 25th anniversary and marking the milestone by going back to where it all started: Y2K. The brand, born in 2000 and credited with defining the original 2000s aesthetic, is re-releasing a limited-edition capsule of its most iconic styles — proving it’s still the definitive destination for Y2K fashion. The reissue collection will launch on July 29, both online and in stores nationwide.

After seeing rising demand and traffic for archived Hollister styles on secondhand platforms, such as Depop, it became apparent that customers were craving authentic pieces from the early 2000s. Hollister decided that the best way to celebrate these styles wasn’t to reimagine them, but to reintroduce them.

The reissue features nostalgic silhouettes such as strapless babydoll tops, ultra-low-rise shorts for women, and the fan-favorite Hermosa bootcut jeans for men — all with the brand’s iconic retro topstitching, throwback appliqué graphics, and seagull logo. Even the original tags are back, paying homage to a quarter-century of heritage.

“To celebrate our history, we wanted to bring back the styles that put Hollister on the map 25 years ago,” said Kelly Hall, senior vice president of Merchandising and Design, Hollister. “We’re excited to reissue these beloved looks in a way that feels both nostalgic, but very relevant and on trend. We can’t wait to see how our customers style them today, years after their initial debut!”

“It has been fun to see the demand grow for our now-vintage pieces on resale sites and in thrift stores,” says Megan Brophy, vice president of Americas Marketing, Hollister. “We’re getting tagged in viral thrift hauls on social and our customers are commenting begging for these styles to make a comeback. Reissuing them makes them more accessible to our customers.”

The Hollister Y2K capsule collection includes 22 styles for women, including tees, shirts, hoodies, shorts, and dresses all available in sizes XS – XXL and ranging in price from $14.95 – $49.95. For men, there are 16 styles available, including hoodies, tees, shorts, and denim, ranging in sizes XS – XXL and priced between $24.95 – $59.95. All pieces are available online at www.hollisterco.com and in-stores nationwide beginning July 29, 2025.

Posted: July 28, 2025

Source: Hollister Co.  — a division of Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

Aero Tec Laboratories (ATL) Supplies Every World Rally Championship Car Using Equipment Made With Dupont’s Kevlar® EXO™

WILMINGTON, Del. — July 23, 2025 — DuPont and Aero Tec Laboratories (ATL), a supplier of safety fuel systems and flexible fluid containment technology, have announced a new collaboration with World Rally Championship cars. Starting at the WRC Delfi Rally Estonia, every World Rally Championship car will have a crash-resistant fuel bladder made by ATL using Kevlar® EXO™. This upgraded fuel bladder reduces the overall weight of the Safety Fuel Cell by around 20 percent, increasing performance while prioritizing safety, fuel compatibility and efficiency.

This marks the next step in DuPont and ATL’s partnership to bring innovation to the racing industry. In October 2024, the two companies announced the launch of the crash-resistant fuel bladders in Formula One as they completed testing to meet the stringent FIA safety requirements.

“After DuPont and ATL’s initial success in F1, we’re thrilled to expand our collaboration into the World Rally Championship,” said Jill Clements, DuPont Segment leader. “Being able to apply our learnings beyond F1 moves us toward reaching our shared goal to further innovate equipment in the racing industry.”

Kevlar EXO is DuPont’s biggest aramid fiber innovation in over 50 years. While first introduced to the life protection market in April 2023, its exceptional balance of flexibility and lightweight strength has led to a number of discoveries and innovative applications including its use for orbital debris protection in satellites and in improving the comfortability of bullet-resistant vests. Now, by using Kevlar EXO material in fuel bladders, World Rally Championship cars will have the ability to reduce weight with an overall increase in safety and reliability.

“The Delfi Rally Estonia will go down in history for Oliver Solberg’s dominant debut victory on his return to top class machinery, but behind the scenes, DuPont and ATL have worked tirelessly to overcome the challenges presented by the introduction of new sustainable fuels in the extreme conditions presented by the World Rally Championship, with a focus on safety and the efficiency of these amazing machines,” said ATL CEO Giles Dawson. “By integrating Kevlar EXO into these reimagined fuel bladders, we’re not just reducing weight  — we’re helping teams gain a competitive edge while increasing protection and reliability.”

DuPont and ATL plan to expand their partnership and bring further innovation to the racing industry, exploring new ways to apply learnings from F1 fuel bladders to other motorsport series such as NASCAR, IndyCar and Le Mans.

Posted: July 28, 2025

Source: DuPont Kevlar® EXO™

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