From Plant To Performance: ANDRITZ Delivers End-To-End Bast Fiber Processing

KREFELD, Germany — July 16, 2026 — As global industries accelerate their transition toward sustainable materials, natural fibers are moving to the forefront of innovation. Bast fibers and regenerated natural fibers are increasingly used in technical textiles, automotive components, construction materials, insulation, and geotextiles. Mastering these fibers, however, requires deep process knowledge and robust technology.

Natural Fibers In Industrial Applications

Jute, hemp, flax, and coconut fibers – each serve a broad range of end applications, reflecting their distinct mechanical and functional properties.

Jute is widely used in geotextiles, erosion control fabrics, carpet backing, and packaging due to its strength, biodegradability, and cost efficiency.

Hemp combines high tensile strength with durability and moisture resistance, making it ideal for automotive interior components, technical composites, insulation materials, and construction applications.

Flax, valued for its fine fibers and excellent stiffness‑to‑weight ratio, is commonly applied in high‑quality textiles, automotive lightweight composites, furniture, and thermal or acoustic insulation panels.

Coconut fibers (coir), known for their resilience and resistance to moisture and rot, are extensively used in mattress and bedding products, horticulture, erosion control mats, brushes, and cushioning applications.

Together, these fibers enable a wide spectrum of sustainable end products, ranging from high‑performance industrial solutions to everyday consumer goods.

ANDRITZ Laroche, around the 20’s of the 20th century

France’s Expertise In Natural Fibers

France has long been at the forefront of natural fiber handling and utilization, building on a deep industrial and cultural heritage. For centuries, the country has been a global reference for linen (flax) production, particularly in regions such as Normandy and Northern France, which are still recognized today for producing some of the world’s finest flax fibers used in textiles and technical applications.

France also played a key role in the historical development of hemp processing, with hemp widely cultivated and transformed for ropes, sails, and industrial textiles as early as the Middle Ages. In addition, the French silk industry, centered around Lyon from the Renaissance onward, set benchmarks for fiber processing, innovation, and textile engineering. This long tradition of mastering natural fibers – from agriculture to industrial transformation – has laid the foundation for France’s continued leadership in modern, sustainable nonwoven and technical textile solutions.

Today, ANDRITZ is closely involved in this development through its three locations in France, building on longstanding expertise in natural fiber processing.

ANDRITZ Solutions For Natural Fiber Processing  

With over a century of experience in textile engineering and a unique portfolio covering the entire value chain, ANDRITZ offers industrial solutions that transform natural fibers from decortication to final nonwoven products, using downstream airlay and carding technologies – reliably efficiently, and at scale. The company offers access to three internationally recognized technical centers in France, located in Elbeuf, Cours-La-Ville and Montbonnot where customers can test a wide range of fibers and applications under production-like conditions.

Processing natural fibers starts long before web formation. Fiber variability, impurities, length dispersion, and dust content present significant challenges that many equipment suppliers address only partially. It therefore becomes key taking a different approach by engineering integrated solutions starting at the fiber preparation stage. In order master natural fibers handling from the very beginning, ANDRITZ decortication, refining, and cottonizing technologies are specifically designed for bast fibers, ensuring gentle fiber opening, excellent cleaning efficiency, and optimal downstream processability – whether for carding or airlay applications.

Bast Fiber Processing Performance And Output

ANDRITZ teXline bast fiber integrates dry cleaning, decortication, and refining to deliver reproducible material yields and stable industrial performance. For typical hemp processing, the teXline configuration achieves approximately 50% cleaned shives, 25% cleaned refined fibers, 15–20% dust, and about 5% very short fibers, while maintaining high separation efficiency and fiber integrity. The solutions are designed to process bast straw at controlled humidity levels between 12 and 16%, depending on fiber type, and can handle both rectangular cut bales (up to 50 cm length) and round uncut bales.

Modular and upgradeable line concepts allow installed capacities to start at 1 T/h and be expanded up to 2.5 t/h, with standard industrial lines available for 2.5, 5, or 10 t/h of straw throughput. In addition, ANDRITZ offers dedicated cottonizing processes, derived from decades of flax cottonizing experience, with capacities ranging from 0.1 to 1 t/h, enabling downstream use of bast fibers in spinning, nonwovens, hygiene, and specialty applications while ensuring consistent fiber quality and minimal shive content.

From Fiber Processing To Value Creation

With decades of experience in bast fiber processing via its own technical centers in France, ANDRITZ provides customers with a stable, repeatable fiber base, significantly reducing production risks and quality fluctuations.

Once fibers are prepared, ANDRITZ technologies enable precise and flexible web formation through airlay & carding systems, tailored for natural fibers, while remaining compatible with recycled or shoddy fibers as a complementary activity. This downstream process will give the final products their textile characteristics. It appears for leading market players to be more and more crucial to control the full value-chain both for competitiveness and quality control, as natural fiber properties can vary depending on their origin and harvest conditions.

Natural fiber production relies on a complete local ecosystem. Decortication lines must be located close to cultivation areas, such as hemp fields. The fibers produced should then be further processed locally through downstream applications, supporting value creation across the overall production process.

Airlay Production Lines

ANDRITZ airlay lines stand out for their ability to process short, long, recycled, and fragile natural fibers in a single, highly controlled process. From blending to mat consolidation, the technology ensures homogeneous fiber distribution, excellent weight uniformity, and consistent product performance, even with challenging raw materials, usually for end products included from 500 to 10,000 gsm mainly aimed at automative and insulation.

End-To-End Integrated Solutions

When considering new capital investments, complete success is not solely based on individual machines, but also on system expertise and long‑term upstream & downstream partnerships. One distinguishes itself through comprehensive end-to-end process competence, covering every step from natural fiber decortication to the production of finished nonwovens.

As a true one-stop-shop, ANDRITZ integrates fiber preparation, web forming, bonding, and finishing into fully engineered solutions tailored to customer needs. This approach is reinforced by application-driven engineering, with technologies developed, tested, and validated around the world.

Backed by hundreds of proven installations across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and emerging markets, ANDRITZ combines global experience with a strong sustainability focus, enabling customers to profitably valorize natural, recycled, and bio-based fibers while meeting the demands of future-oriented markets. This holistic approach translates into faster commissioning, higher uptime, consistent quality, and long‑term competitiveness for customers for the decades to come.

Posted: July 19, 2026

Source:  ANDRITZ Küsters GmbH

Missouri S&T Named Core Partner In $160 Million NSF Critical Materials Crossroads Engine

ROLLA, Mo.— July 14, 2026 — Missouri University of Science and Technology will serve as a core partner in the Critical Materials Crossroads Engine, an initiative selected today for up to $160 million through the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines program.

Initiated by the University of Missouri System in 2022 and led by the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Critical Materials Crossroads brings together more than 260 partners across Missouri and Kansas to strengthen domestic supply chains for materials used in advanced manufacturing, electronics and national defense.

As a core partner, Missouri S&T will draw on its internationally recognized leadership in mining, metallurgy, and mineral exploration and processing. The university will lead the consortium’s mineral extraction and concentration research and also focus on advanced manufacturing, commercialization and workforce development.

Dr. Lana Alagha, a Robert H. Quenon Professor of Mining engineering at S&T, is the university’s principal investigator for the Critical Materials Crossroads research.

“Many of the nation’s major advances in the discovery, production and use of vital mineral resources have their roots at Missouri S&T, and we are proud to continue that legacy through our work with the Critical Materials Crossroads Engine,” says Missouri S&T Chancellor Mohammad Dehghani. “We have the expertise and facilities necessary to transform research into practical technologies that support America’s economy and national security and appreciate this partnership with UMKC.”

“Missouri S&T’s role as a leader in critical minerals research is unique because it spans the full pathway from mineral extraction and concentration to processing and commercialization,” says Dr. Kwame Awuah-Offei, S&T’s Union Pacific Foundation/Rocky Mountain Energy Company Professor and chair of mining and explosives engineering. “That breadth of expertise allows us to solve challenges across every stage of the critical materials supply chain, from the mine to manufacturing.”

NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines program supports regional partnerships that translate research into economic growth through technology development, commercialization and workforce development. Critical Materials Crossroads is one of 12 awards announced nationwide from a pool of 285 proposals.

The initiative will initially receive $15 million over two years and could receive up to $160 million over the next decade.

To learn about Missouri S&T’s critical minerals research, Regional Technology and Innovation Hub designation and annual NSF-supported Resilient Supply of Critical Minerals workshop, visit criticalminerals.mst.edu.

Posted: July 19, 2026

Source:  Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T)

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Support Bolsters Textile Innovation, NC State Research

RALEIGH, N.C. — July 14, 2026 — The National Science Foundation (NSF) has renewed its commitment to innovation in the textiles sector, providing $16 million in renewed funding for a research initiative that supports more than a dozen projects led by North Carolina State University researchers. The funding could be extended to provide up to $45 million over three years.

The funding comes via a grant renewal for the NSF Textile Innovation Engine of North Carolina, an initiative powered by The Industrial Commons, which was launched in 2024 to support textile manufacturing, bolster supply chain resilience, and foster the development of next-generation textile technologies.

“The Textile Innovation Engine continues to help the NC State research community connect with projects that bring meaningful benefits to North Carolina and the nation,” said Krista Walton, NC State’s vice chancellor for research and innovation. “Our researchers are developing innovative solutions ranging from new wound-healing materials to embedded sensors that ensure seatbelts and load straps aren’t strained to the point of failure. We’re eager to continue translating research into real-world impact.”

Researchers from NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles are leading 19 of the Textile Innovation Engine’s research projects. These range from converting used military uniforms into new yarns and fabrics to transforming cotton textile waste into bio-based feedstock for 3D printing.

NC State researchers are also involved in four translation projects, collaborating with startup companies to help move textile technologies closer to commercial viability.

“Through the Textile Innovation Engine, NSF is enabling transformative research to support the success of current and future entrepreneurs, create advanced manufacturing jobs that don’t yet exist, and power innovation here in North Carolina and beyond,” said David Hinks, the Prakash Chand Kochhar Dean of NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles. “This additional funding will empower the Engine and its partners to meet the challenges our industry faces with innovative advanced manufacturing solutions that benefit all.”

“The next three years will be focused on connecting research to real-world production, leveraging advancements in AI and robotics to support manufacturers, and building the workforce needed to compete globally,” said Anne Wiper, CEO of the NSF Textile Innovation Engine.

The NSF Textile Innovation Engine is led by The Industrial Commons, a non-profit organization with a strong reputation within the textile sector for being a hub of regional, rural innovation with deep local, national and sectoral knowledge and relationships. The Engine’s region of service encompasses the textile supply chain covering central and western North Carolina, and stretches into the Appalachian regions of upstate South Carolina, eastern Tennessee and southern Virginia.

Posted: July 19, 2026

Source:  North Carolina State University

Syntetica Raises $30M Series A With Investment From Lululemon And MAS Holdings To Advance Solutions For Nylon Recycling

PARIS — July 16, 2026 — Syntetica, the French deeptech company advancing technology to recycle complex textile waste, today announced a $30 million Series A funding round from heavyweight tech investors and trusted apparel brands.

The round was led by the Ecotechnologies 2 fund managed on behalf of the French government by Bpifrance, with participation from SWEN Capital Partners, lululemon, MAS Holdings, existing investor EQT Ventures, and the family offices of Peugeot, Etam and Indorama Venture’s largest shareholder. The new round also includes support from public institutions including Bpifrance (French public investment bank) and the European Innovation Council.

Syntetica has developed a proprietary solution capable of recycling both Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 from mixed textile waste in a single process. The need to identify and separate different nylon types has been one of the biggest technical barriers to recycling post-consumer nylon at scale.

According to Textile Exchange’s Materials Market Report, global nylon production reached around 7 million tonnes in 2024. Despite growing demand for circular materials, recycled nylon still accounts for only around 2% of the total nylon market because of the technical challenges involved in recycling post-consumer textiles. More than 80% of textiles discarded by households are currently incinerated, landfilled or abandoned in the environment, underlining the need for technologies that can increase the recovery of valuable materials from complex textile waste.

Syntetica’s technology overcomes one of the main hurdles to increased recycling, making it possible to process more of the nylon waste that arises from the apparel industry. The company is already working with brands including Victoria’s Secret and Etam, alongside a growing number of global apparel companies, as demand for scalable circular materials continues to grow.

From laboratory breakthrough to industrial scale

The funding will support the planned construction of Syntetica’s first commercial demonstration facility in France, bringing the technology from laboratory scale to industrial production, targeting the processing of hundreds of tonnes of textile waste each year. The demo plant will be developed through the company’s partnership with Michelin’s Centre for Sustainable Materials in Clermont-Ferrand.

The investment comes as brands, manufacturers and policymakers seek new ways to reduce waste and strengthen material supply chains. Unlike most recycling technologies, which focus on clean production waste, Syntetica’s process is designed for post-consumer textiles, which account for around 80% of textile waste and represent one of the industry’s largest untapped recycling opportunities.

Building strategic materials infrastructure in Europe

For Syntetica, this creates an opportunity to build new industrial supply chains around materials that already exist within Europe, reducing reliance on imported fossil-derived resources while supporting new manufacturing capacity across the region. While nylon remains its initial focus, Syntetica plans to expand its technology platform into additional materials and applications over time, including opportunities across textiles, automotive and speciality chemicals.

The company is backed by French and European public funds, including Bpifrance and the European Innovation Council, as governments look to strengthen industrial capabilities around strategic materials and waste processing.

Marco Bertone, co-founder and chief executive officer of Syntetica, said: “For decades, mixed nylon waste has been considered too complex and too expensive to recycle at scale. We have shown that it is possible to recover high-value materials from the waste streams the industry has historically written off. This funding allows us to move from breakthrough chemistry to industrial reality and accelerate the transition to more circular materials.”

Alexandre Wagner, Investment Director, Bpifrance Green Venture, said: “Syntetica has developed a differentiated technology that addresses one of the textile industry’s most complex recycling challenges. We are pleased to support the company’s next phase of growth as it scales its technology and manufacturing capabilities in France, which is in line with our investment strategy.”

Sid Amalean, Director, Group Innovation, MAS Holdings, said: “Recycling technology succeeds when brand commitment, manufacturing partnership, and industrial scale-up expertise all converge – and Syntetica is one of the few ventures in this space that has brought all of these together. We’re excited to support Syntetica to scale their technology by leveraging MAS’ apparel manufacturing expertise. We see this investment as a strategic move for the industry as a whole.”

Posted: July 19, 2026

Source:  Syntetica

Meadow Grove Research Joins The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) As Corporate Member

ZÜRICH, Switzerland— July 15, 2026 — Meadow Grove Research is a commodity research firm specializing in supply, demand, and trade analysis in cotton and other soft commodities. Providing clarity to the complex nature of the global fiber supply chain is one of our most formidable services. We thrive on customer engagement and providing the best framework for critical decisions

Dr. Christian Schindler

Mr. Christian Schindler, Director General of ITMF, commented: “At ITMF we are delighted to welcome Meadow Grove Research as a new Corporate Member of ITMF. It shows that ITMF offers a platform for the entire textile value chain comprising all segments of the very long value chain from fiber down to finished textile products.

“To better understand the changing dynamics of the global textile value chain, it is important companies and associations to have access to specialized service providers. In return, the ITMF platform offers its members a variety of unique statistics, reports, surveys, etc. as well as access to companies and associations around the world at conference, workshops, webinars or excursions, that helps to get a better understanding of developments and changes along the global value chain.”

Mr. Chris Kramedjian, Managing Director of Meadow Grove Research, commented that “we are honored to join such a distinguished organization and provide a unique perspective to the ITMF community.”

For more information about the Meadow Grove Research,

please go to:https://mgr-cotton.com/

For more information about ITMF, please go to www.itmf.org and/or contact secretariat@itmf.org.

Posted: July 19, 2026

Source:  The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)

KARL MAYER: The New RJ 4/2 EL Revolutionizes Body Mapping And Expands Creative Possibilities

OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — July 16, 2026 —  The new RJ 4/2 EL revolutionizes body mapping and expands creative possibilities – from smart lingerie to sporty athleisure designs

With the addition of another member to its successful RASCHELTRONIC® family, KARL MAYER is opening up new possibilities for creative product development for warp knitting mills and brands.

The RJ 4/2 EL offers with two stitch-forming Jacquard bars entirely new design options for functional sportswear and bi-elastic lingerie. Available in gauges E 28 and E 32, this new model helps manufacturers set their collections apart from the competition. The fine E-32 gauges, in particular, impress with their clean surface, a pleasantly soft feel, and an exceptionally elegant look.

Smart Lingerie: When Function Becomes a Design Element

In the lingerie sector, the RJ 4/2 EL offers a fresh approach to functionality in particular. Exciting options for product development include:

  • Delicate, soft SpotNet items with 4-Way-Stretch: The gentle, elastic mesh structures offer exceptional comfort, subtle sheerness, and an ideal fit.
  • Shapewear with specialized functional zones: The different functional areas can be combined as desired and, thanks to a high modulus in both the longitudinal and transverse directions, enable targeted silhouette shaping, while a low modulus ensures comfort fit – perfectly in line with the trend away from rigid shapewear toward intelligent body engineering.
  • Lace-like bands with color variations: The lace-like appearance, combined with striking colors, opens up new possibilities for fashionable lingerie, bralettes, and decorative trims.
  • Fabrics with small-repeat textural effects: The interplay of pattern and elasticity creates surfaces with fine, relief-like structures. The look is reminiscent of the current seersucker trend in outerwear and brings fashionable textures to the lingerie sector. This opens up new possibilities for modern bralettes, loungewear, soft bras, and bodywear concepts where comfort and fashion are equally important.
  • Patterns with matt-shiny effects: The interplay of the materials used creates exciting contrasts with a special sense of depth and a high-quality, vibrant look – all without the use of additional colors.

The new design possibilities offered by the RJ 4/2 EL are particularly well-suited for premium lingerie and shapewear brands. With soft, elastic SpotNet structures, intelligently zoned shapewear, and lace-like designs featuring multicolor effects, the machine combines comfort, functionality, and fashion-forward differentiation – three key success factors in today’s lingerie market.

Performance with Style: Sportswear at the Intersection of Athletics and Aesthetics

The RJ 4/2 EL proves that performance can also be chic, showcasing its design potential for the sportswear sector. New features include:

  • Items with precisely placed and shaped functional zones: The integration of ventilation, compression, or support zones is a key development focus in modern performance apparel. Mesh zones with strategically designed hole sizes provide customized breathability, and compression zones can also be tailored to specific needs. The RJ 4/2 EL also makes it possible to place the functional zones exactly where athletes need them – perfect body mapping for optimal temperature management, freedom of movement, and support, right on the machine!
  • Soft stretch fabrics with jacquard mesh and holes, as well as matt-shiny effects: The combination of soft elasticity and integrated design structures meets the demand for sports textiles that are both functional and visually attractive. The appearance stands out for its clarity – the result of using pure elastane instead of core yarn.
  • Multicolored sportswear items: Multicolor designs create a stronger visual distinction and support the ongoing athleisure trend, in which functional clothing also serves as a fashion statement.

The future of sportswear is highly functional – and it looks great, too. With multicolored designs, stretchy mesh fabrics, and advanced body mapping concepts, the RJ 4/2 EL delivers exactly the features innovative brands are looking for: maximum performance without compromising on style.

Maximum flexibility and cost-effectiveness

The RJ 4/2 EL is available with a working width of 130″. The unique flexibility of the new RASCHELTRONIC® is ensured by its configuration with two Jacquard bars able to make counter lapping, combined with KARL MAYER’s proven EL guide bar control system. The machine also impresses with its efficiency. It offers an excellent price-performance ratio, maximum reliability, and ease of operation.

Posted: July 19, 2026

Source: KARL MAYER

bluesign Appoints Hanane Taidi As CEO To Lead Next Phase Of Global Impact

ST. GALLEN, Switzerland— July 16, 2026 — bluesign, which partners with the textile industry to reduce adverse impact across the value chain, appoints Hanane Taidi as Chief Executive Officer, marking a pivotal moment as the company builds on its leadership amid rapid industry change.

With more than 25 years of industry leadership, bluesign, an SGS company, has established itself as a trusted system for more responsible textile production that meets strict safety and environmental standards.

Hanane Taidi

As regulatory frameworks accelerate and expectations around transparency and accountability grow, the organization is stepping into a more operational role, helping companies navigate the intersection of compliance, verified data, and real-world implementation. The appointment of Hanane Taidi as CEO signals this shift.

Taidi brings over two decades of global leadership across sustainability, public affairs, and strategic communications. She most recently served as Director General of TIC Council, the international voice of the testing, inspection, and certification industry, where she led cross-regional strategy across Europe, the United States, China, and India. During her tenure, she unified two major global organizations into a single, globally recognized body, strengthening the industry’s role in shaping regulatory and sustainability policy.

Her appointment reflects a natural alignment with bluesign’s role within the broader testing, inspection, and certification ecosystem. With experience working closely with regulatory bodies, including as a European Commission expert since 2014, Taidi is well positioned to guide bluesign through a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by frameworks such as CSRD and ESPR. As the textile industry enters a critical phase, the need for trusted data and transparent systems continues to grow – an area bluesign addresses through its system approach, connecting partners across the supply chain and providing independent verification to drive consistent, measurable impact.

As CEO, Taidi will focus on scaling what bluesign has already proven, while accelerating its relevance in a rapidly evolving regulatory and market landscape. Her vision centers on advancing bluesign from a trusted standard into essential infrastructure for responsible production and compliance globally. Key priorities include expanding access to verified data across all tiers of manufacturing, strengthening collaboration across the System Partner network, and translating complex regulatory frameworks into practical, on-the-ground solutions for brands and manufacturers.

“bluesign has built a powerful foundation rooted in science and trust,” said new CEO Hanane Taidi. “The opportunity ahead is to scale that impact, giving the industry the tools, data, and systems needed to turn responsibility into measurable progress.”

Since its founding, bluesign has taken an end-to-end approach to textile production, from chemical inputs to finished products, with a focus on continuous improvement over time. Under Taidi’s leadership, bluesign will continue to build on this foundation, supporting partners in meeting rising expectations for transparency, accountability, and verified environmental performance.

Posted: July 19, 2026

Source:  bluesign

Hyosung TNC Showcases Commercial Scale-Up Of regen™ BIO Spandex At  Interfilière Los Angeles

SEOUL, South Korea — July 16, 2026 — As consumers increasingly seek intimate apparel made with natural and renewable materials, brands are looking for stretch solutions that align with their sustainability goals without sacrificing comfort or performance. Hyosung TNC, a complete textile solutions provider and major manufacturer of spandex supplying the broadest range of stretch fiber offerings, can now offer the performance stretch intimate apparel brands expect, and provide them with a responsible made story that they can tell directly to consumers with its regen™ BIO Spandex derived from sugarcane.

At Interfilière Los Angles (IFL LA) this July 21-23, Hyosung will present how its bio-based spandex is progressing toward broader commercial adoption through infrastructure and close collaboration with mill and brand partners.

regen™ BIO Spandex – Your bio transition, powered by sugarcane

Hyosung will present the scale-up of its regen™ BIO Spandex derived from sugarcane at its fully integrated production facilities in Vietnam, where raw sugar is fermented into bio-BDO (a primary spandex ingredient) then transformed into Bio-PTMG and ultimately regen™ BIO Spandex for apparel applications. Hyosung’s sugarcane feedstock is verified through the VIVE Sustainable Supply Program.

Identical to conventional BDO, bio-BDO is a drop-in spandex component, allowing regen™ BIO Spandex to be exactly the same as conventional spandex with regards to performance and quality over time including elongation and recovery. Keeping production in Vietnam creates an integrated vertical supply chain, reducing carbon emissions tied to transportation. This localization also builds in risk mitigation and speed, helping to prevent supply disruptions.

“As consumer demand for intimate apparel and loungewear made with natural fibers continues to grow, we’ve seen strong interest in our regen™ BIO Spandex from brands seeking high-performance stretch solutions made with renewable and responsibly sourced materials that complement their natural fiber offerings,” said Laura Nilo, Hyosung US West Coast Marketing Manager – Textiles. “We look forward to presenting a collection of garments and fabrics featuring Lenzing’s TENCEL™ and regen™ BIO Spandex developed by our mill partner, Pacific Textiles, who will be exhibiting at IFL LA with us, to help brands envision how bio-based stretch solutions can be integrated into their product portfolios.”

On Tuesday, July 21 from 1:00-2:00 PM, Hyosung will host an expert talk titled: From Innovation to Adoption, Scaling Next-Gen Bio-Based Materials from Innovation to Retail Reality. Laura Nilo with Hyosung, Robert Masanari Murakami, General Manager, R&D Division, Pacific Textiles, and Zoe Abel, founder of Natra, will share real-world insights into bio-based spandex platform, and successful industry partnerships. By showcasing the synchronized efforts of a fiber innovator, a high-capacity mill, and an agile brand, the panel demonstrate exactly how next-generation materials successfully transition from raw fiber into premium, shelf-ready garments.

 CREORA® functional textiles – Functional performance, enhanced versatility

Beyond its bio-based innovation, Hyosung and Pacific Textiles will also showcase functional textile solutions designed to enhance comfort, cooling, and aesthetics in intimate apparel. These include: CREORA® Coolwave and Aqua-X Nylon for long-lasting cooling and moisture management to help keep consumers fresh; CREORA® EasyFlex Spandex for soft, all-day stretch comfort; and CREORA® Rexy 2 Nylon, which delivers a luxurious, luminous sheen that adds a touch of glamour to garments.

Hyosung and Pacific Textiles, invite IFL LA attendees to visit booth E02 to explore and experience their latest sustainable and performance innovations, and discover how these solutions can support intimate apparel development.

Posted: July 19, 2026

Source:  Hyosung TNC

AMMA: New York Hands Out Chinese Masks During Wildfire Smoke Emergency, Snubs U.S. Manufacturers

NEW YORK, NY — July 17, 2026 — As dangerous smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets cities across the United States, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani are telling residents to protect their lungs with Chinese-made KN95 masks. At the same time, they are ignoring proven, American-made, NIOSH-approved N95 respirators produced in New York and across the country.

American Medical Manufacturers Association Executive Director Eric Axel put it plainly, saying, “By choosing KN95s, Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani are telling people to line up for Chinese masks, bought with American taxpayer funds, during a dangerous smoke emergency.

They have a chance to support good-paying jobs in New York City and State. Instead, they are bypassing in-state and other U.S. manufacturers who can supply NIOSH-approved N95 respirators. That is bad public health policy, bad economic policy, and bad for our national security.”

Wildfire smoke is not a nuisance, and its presence is becoming all-too-common on the eastern seaboard and beyond. Health authorities warn that fine particles in wildfire smoke penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream and can trigger or worsen respiratory and cardiovascular disease. In this kind of emergency, New Yorkers deserve the highest level of protection, not a second-tier import.

Yet New York City is advertising “free KN95 masks” at distribution sites citywide. KN95 is a Chinese regulatory standard. These masks are never made in the United States. They are certified by the Chinese government, not by NIOSH, and are designed for general consumer use, not high-risk environments.

“This is outrageous,” said Tom Allen, President of the American Medical Manufacturers Association (AMMA) and CEO of New York-based Altor Safety, which manufactures respirators and PPE.

Allen added, “New Yorkers are breathing wildfire smoke, and their leaders are handing out Chinese masks while U.S. manufacturers stand ready with NIOSH-approved N95 respirators. That is a slap in the face to local and US-based manufacturers and a reckless choice for public health.”

N95 respirators are the gold standard of respiratory protection in the United States. They are NIOSH-approved, built to strict federal workplace safety requirements, and subject to aggressive testing, random audits, and immediate enforcement if quality slips. KN95s, by contrast, are governed by China’s standard and rely heavily on manufacturer self-certification.

The choice of Chinese masks is linked to China’s human rights abuses and forced labor, raising ethical concerns that should matter to all Americans committed to justice.

The U.S. government has launched sweeping Section 301 investigations and proposed broad forced-labor tariffs targeting economies that facilitate the movement of Chinese goods produced with forced labor into global markets. In that context, using American taxpayer dollars to buy Chinese-certified PPE is not just short-sighted. It is indefensible.

“Even in emergencies, public dollars should not underwrite supply chains tied to human rights and forced labor concerns,” Allen said. “They should support American workers and American standards. Right now, New York is doing the opposite.”

Meanwhile, U.S. manufacturers have already built the capacity that policymakers begged for during the pandemic. AMMA member companies can produce about 435 million N95 respirators per year today, which is roughly 97 percent of the estimated 450 million routine annual demand. They can surge to as many as 1.5 billion N95s per year in an emergency.

AMMA suppliers also manufacture reusable respirators with replaceable cartridges, giving Americans multiple high-quality options for respiratory protection.

New York is not just any public buyer. It is home to AMMA members who invested heavily to protect this state and this country. Altor Safety, HPK Industries, and New York Embroidery Studio / NY Protect manufacture NIOSH-approved respirators and PPE in New York, creating local jobs and maintaining surge capacity.

“First and foremost, New Yorkers should stay safe and wear a properly fitting respirator if they have to be outside in the smoke,” said Michelle Feinberg, CEO of New York Embroidery Studio. “I am glad the City is making masks available. But New York should be prioritizing domestically manufactured, NIOSH-approved N95 respirators whenever they are available. That is what real leadership looks like.”

New York entrepreneur Tom Allen of Altor Safety warned that this moment exposes a deeper problem. “We cannot afford complacency, or leaders who fall back on the cheapest overseas option to prepare for a crisis. We built and support the domestic industry, so New York would not have to beg China for masks ever again. That capacity exists right now. There is no excuse for their failure.”

Today, AMMA is calling on Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams to:

  • Stop relying on Chinese KN95s immediately and prioritize domestically manufactured, NIOSH-approved N95 respirators for all public distributions.
  • Follow the actions of the Federal Government, including both the Biden and Trump administrations, and bipartisan Congressional support, to fill regional stockpiles built on American-made PPE, in line with the Made PPE in America Act.

AMMA Executive Director Axel concluded, “Today is a watershed moment for New York. They have chosen dependence on hostile foreign supply chains over supporting local businesses.  We urge them to change their course for our safety and security.”

Posted: July 19, 2026

Source:  The American Medical Manufacturers Association (AMMA)

Rieter: Barmag Integration On Track

WINTERTHUR, Switzerland— July 17, 2026 — The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region.

The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.

In June 2026, Rieter entered into a strategic partnership with Recycling Powerhouse. The global textile industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Increasing amounts of textile waste and the steadily growing demand for sustainable products are increasing the need for scalable circular solutions. The aim of the partnership is to industrialize, standardize and scale the recycling of textiles. As part of this collaboration, Rieter is contributing its extensive know-how in the tearing of textile waste and spinning of short fibers and is creating the basis for innovative and sustainable recycling solutions in the textile industry.

The first signs of a market recovery are emerging in the India region and the Components & Technology Division. The demand for consumables, wear & tear and spare parts has increased by 3%. This early indicator suggests a positive development in the capacity utilization of spinning mills and indicates that further investments may result from this.

Order intake

In the first half of 2026, Rieter recorded an order intake of CHF 554.1 million (first half of 2025: CHF 355.4 million). This represents a pleasing increase of around 56% compared to the previous year. The increase is mainly attributable to the first-time consolidation of Barmag as the Man-Made Fiber Division, which contributed to the growth with an order intake of CHF 261.3 million.

Sales

As already announced in March 2026, the first half of 2026 was challenging in terms of sales volume, but largely in line with expectations. Sales amounted to CHF 576.7 million, which was 72% higher than the prior-year period (first half of 2025: CHF 336.2 million) due to the first-time consolidation of Barmag.

Order backlog

As at June 30, 2026, the company had an order backlog of around CHF 760 million (first half of 2025: CHF 510 million).

Operating EBIT, net profit, free cash flow

Rieter achieved an operating EBIT (before restructuring costs, transaction costs and purchase price allocation effects) of CHF -6.3 million. Due to the existing capacity and the fixed cost structure, operating EBIT in the first half of 2026 was below the operating profit breakeven point. Rieter expects a higher sales level in the second half of 2026.

Rieter closed the first half of 2026 with a net loss of CHF 54.9 million (first half of 2025: CHF -20.0 million). The loss is attributable to the low sales level as well as higher interest costs and purchase price allocation effects.

Free cashflow amounted to CHF -96.3 million in the first half of 2026 (first half of 2025: CHF -36.7 million). This was the result of the net loss and the increase in net working capital for orders to be delivered in the second half of 2026.

Outlook for the full year 2026 confirmed

In 2026, a year of transition, Rieter expects sales in the range of CHF 1.3 to CHF 1.5 billion.

The outlook for 2026 reflects the integration of Barmag and the restructuring measures announced in 2025, which are yet to be fully implemented. As a result, a positive operating EBIT margin in the range of 0 to 3% is expected.

Posted: July 18, 2026

Source:  Rieter Holding Ltd.

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