First Graphene Limited Accelerates USA Expansion & Defence Sector Exposure With Strategic Acquisition Of MITO® Material Solutions

SYDNEY — June 3, 2026 — First Graphene Limited (“First Graphene” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that it has entered a binding Sale Agreement (“Agreement”) to acquire all product lines, manufacturing equipment and intellectual property of MITO® Material Solutions, Inc (“MITO”).

Importantly, the acquisition will expand First Graphene’s capability to functionalise graphite, graphene and graphene oxide — increasingly important materials used across a broad range of commercial and defence applications to enhance the performance of advanced material additives.

The agreement includes acquiring MITO’s E-GO®, LIGRA™, OMEGA and DELTA product lines, which represent a suite of thermoset, thermoplastic, composite materials, coatings, liquids, resins and nanomaterial additives.

FGR accelerates strategic expansion into the United States

The acquisition represents a strategic step for FGR, significantly broadening the Company’s technology platform beyond high-performance graphene powders and dispersions into advanced graphene oxide, hybrid graphene additives and functionalised nanomaterial technologies.

Importantly, the acquisition also establishes FGR with a direct operational and commercial platform within the USA, enhancing access to the world’s largest defence and advanced materials market, positioning the Company to pursue new areas for revenue growth, customer penetration and strategic partnerships.

Expanding defence and aerospace opportunities

The acquisition, by creating an operating presence in the USA, enhances FGR’s exposure to emerging USA defence and aerospace opportunities involving graphene enhanced technologies.

Functionalised graphene and graphene oxide technologies are increasingly recognised as critical enabling materials across aerospace and defence applications due to their ability to improve interfacial bonding, mechanical performance, conductivity, durability and multifunctionality.

Recent US Department of Defence and DARPA1 initiatives have increasingly focused on lightweight graphene enhanced composite structures, thermal management systems, advanced energy materials and next-generation survivability materials.

FGR’s acquisition of MITO builds directly on the Company’s materials portfolio with potential defence applications, including perovskite solar technologies for endurance drones through the Company’s partnership with Halocell, mechanically strengthened composites, carbon fibre technologies and advanced conductive and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) shielding additive systems.

Proven products with established US customers

MITO’s products are already deployed by multiple premium USA brands seeking advanced material performance enhancements, including Parlor Skis, Folsom Custom Skis and St. Croix Rods.

Parlor Skis uses MITO’s graphene enhanced E-GO® technology to improve the strength-to-weight ratio, responsiveness and durability of high-performance custom skis. Graphene enhanced composite systems reduce weight while maintaining structural stiffness and vibration damping, key performance attributes in high end ski hardware.

Folsom Custom Skis incorporates MITO’s graphene technologies to improve composite laminate performance, delivering increased durability, enhanced flex control and improved energy transfer characteristics for high-performance ski applications.

St. Croix Rods utilises graphene enhanced additive systems to improve sensitivity, strength and lightweight performance in fishing rods. Graphene enhanced materials assist in improving toughness and responsiveness while reducing overall product weight.

MITO’s customer portfolio validates the commercial applicability of its functionalisation technologies in demanding real-world applications where performance advantages are critical.

These applications can apply directly into large scale industrial and defence opportunities.

Market-ready business on doorstep of a massive market

The take-forward business has already conducted 8 years of R&D and product development to deliver market-deployable materials readily manufactured and sold to existing customers.

Future R&D and manufacturing capabilities will leverage FGR’s existing expertise, minimising the impact of overheads while also providing an opportunity to toll manufacture in North America.

The USA sports market is valued at more than US$1 trillion2, while defence spend by the USA Department of Defence alone has reached USD$1.18 trillion3, presenting immense opportunity for First Graphene to deliver performance enhancing solutions across two high-value markets.

Advantageous success-based terms

Under the Agreement the acquisition will be completed for a cash-stock consideration, predominantly underpinned by a two-tranche allocation of FGR stock on achieving strict MITO product sales targets over a 24-month period.

Commenting on First Graphene’s push into the US, Managing Director and CEO, Michael Bell, said:

“The acquisition of MITO Material Solutions assets represents a transformational push into the USA market for First Graphene, immediately expanding the Company’s product portfolio further into graphene oxide and functionalised graphene technologies – two rapidly emerging segments of the advanced materials market. Combined with our existing PureGRAPH® technologies, this acquisition creates one of the broadest and most advanced graphene product portfolios globally.

MITO has established commercial traction with premium USA customers and built a substantial pipeline of opportunities across sporting goods, industrial composites and advanced materials.

Importantly, this acquisition provides First Graphene with a direct operational and commercial launch platform into the USA, enabling the business to aggressively accelerate revenue growth and customer adoption in the world’s largest advanced materials and defence market. The addition of graphene oxide and functionalisation capabilities significantly strengthens our ability to deliver next-generation performance additives across defence, aerospace, composites, coatings, polymers and energy applications.

The graphene industry is approaching a major commercial inflection point. Customers are increasingly seeking proven suppliers such as First Graphene with scaled manufacturing, differentiated technology and real commercial capability.

With two acquisitions underway, expanding commercial revenues, growing defence exposure and a significantly enhanced technology platform, FGR is building substantial momentum globally.”

Posted: June 9, 2026

Source: First Graphene Limited

Denovia Advances “The Ark” From Launch To Commercial Scale-Up, Targeting The Trillion-Dollar Plastic And Textile Waste Opportunity

VANCOUVER, BC — June 5, 2026 — Denovia Inc., a leader in next-generation chemical recycling technology, today announced the next phase of commercialization for The Ark, its containerized demonstration unit located in Vancouver, Canada.

Denovia ARK (CNW Group/Denovia Inc)

Since its launch, The Ark has showcased Denovia’s proprietary depolymerization technology, which rapidly converts mixed and contaminated plastic and textile waste into high-purity, virgin-grade chemical building blocks under mild operating conditions. The system is designed to demonstrate how difficult waste streams — including polyester textiles, mixed plastics, contaminated materials, and other feedstocks historically considered uneconomic to recycle — can be converted back into valuable inputs for global manufacturing supply chains.

The Ark was developed to prove that advanced recycling does not need to rely on massive, centralized infrastructure to be commercially relevant. Designed for mobility, modularity, and rapid deployment, The Ark demonstrates Denovia’s vision for a new class of circular economy infrastructure: compact systems capable of being placed near waste sources, industrial partners, ports, municipalities, and major feedstock hubs.

For Denovia, this next phase is about moving beyond proof of concept and into commercial scale-up.

The market opportunity is enormous. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the world produces roughly 92 million tonnes of textile waste every year, while humanity generates about 400 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has also reported that global plastic waste more than doubled from 156 million tonnes in 2000 to 353 million tonnes in 2019, with only a small fraction ultimately recycled after accounting for processing losses.

For Denovia, these numbers represent more than an environmental crisis — they represent a trillion-dollar materials opportunity hidden in plain sight.

Denovia Plastic Recycling (CNW Group/Denovia Inc)

The company is targeting high-volume waste streams across both the textile and plastic sectors, including polyester, mixed plastic waste, contaminated feedstocks, and materials that have historically been excluded from traditional mechanical recycling. By focusing on waste streams that are abundant, problematic, and commercially underserved, Denovia is positioning itself at the intersection of two massive global markets: waste management and advanced materials.

“The Ark represents a major step in proving that our technology can work in real-world environments and move toward commercial deployment,” said Nick Spina, Founder and CEO of Denovia. “We are now inviting strategic partners, investors, and industry leaders to tour the facility and witness firsthand how our breakthrough process can transform plastic and textile waste management globally.”

Spina added: “The world has a waste problem not because waste has no value, but because the technology has not existed to unlock that value at scale. Denovia is building the infrastructure to change that.”

The Ark builds on Denovia’s prior successes, including the January 2025 launch of its PL-2 machine at Tymac’s facilities in the Port of Vancouver and the October 2025 strategic partnership with Resident Holdings to explore deployment opportunities across the Philippines.

Recent independent validation has confirmed the technology’s ability to achieve up to 98.3% purity of terephthalic acid in its crystalline phase from mixed, contaminated textile waste — underscoring the platform’s potential to recover high-value outputs from one of the world’s fastest-growing waste streams.

Denovia’s platform operates at a fraction of the time and energy required by traditional recycling methods while producing high-purity outputs suitable for reintroduction into manufacturing supply chains. This capability is especially relevant as global regulators, consumer brands, municipalities, and waste operators face increasing pressure to address plastic pollution, mounting textile waste, recycled-content requirements, and the demand for lower-carbon materials.

Denovia in partnership with Tymac (Vancouver, BC) (CNW Group/Denovia Inc)

As industries search for scalable alternatives to landfill, incineration, and downcycling, Denovia believes technologies capable of producing high-purity materials from contaminated waste will become critical industrial infrastructure.

Denovia continues to advance discussions with strategic partners, waste management groups, feedstock suppliers, and potential customers across North America and international markets. The company’s goal is to deploy its technology into major waste and materials ecosystems where high-volume feedstocks can be transformed into valuable chemical building blocks and circular manufacturing inputs.

With The Ark now entering its next phase, Denovia is advancing financing activities to support business expansion, equipment deployment, strategic partnerships, and commercialization of its platform across major waste and materials markets.

Posted: June 9, 2026

Source: Denovia Inc

AAFA Publishes Industry Glossary Of Traceability Terms

WASHINGTON, D.C.— June 3, 2026 — Today, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) published for the first time The Global Apparel, Footwear, & Accessories Glossary of Traceability Terms.

The glossary is intended to provide a common reference point for terminology used across the apparel, footwear, and accessories industry by defining key traceability-related terms and addressing terminology that may appear in existing or emerging regulations. This resource aims to promote clarity, consistency, and shared understanding across the global supply chain.

The Global Apparel, Footwear, & Accessories Glossary of Traceability Terms was created by the AAFA Traceability Working Group and the Solutions Providers Advisory Group, which are comprised of representatives of the entire supply chain – from materials providers to retailers, organizations involved in the industry and/or traceability, and traceability solutions providers to the industry. The Traceability Working Group consulted with dozens of organizations representing the global supply chain, and engaged with traceability initiatives across the industry.

This publicly available and open-source glossary will be refreshed with future iterations that incorporate new or updated traceability-related terms as well as terminology that may appear in new regulations.

Nate Herman

“This is an exciting time for our industry as regulations begin to take shape, driving greater transparency and stronger outcomes for people and the planet,” said Nate Herman, Executive Vice President of AAFA. “As these conversations evolve, we saw a clear need to align on language so everyone can engage with a shared understanding  to help drive progress and avoid roadblocks.”

To supplement its publication, AAFA will host an open industry Briefing on New Global Industry Glossary of Traceability Terms virtually on July 15 at 10 AM ET, providing the background that led to the creation of the glossary, the goals of the glossary, an overview of the contents, and next steps. The publication of The Global Apparel, Footwear, & Accessories Glossary of Traceability Terms, builds off AAFA’s work on establishing the THREADS Sustainability and Social Responsibility Protocol which identifies core tenets that enable policymakers to develop practical, workable, and effective regulatory proposals.

Posted: June 9, 2026

Source: American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA

Intertextile Shenzhen & Yarn Expo Shenzhen Fuse Textile Tradition With Sustainable, Digital Trends

SHENZHEN, China— June 4, 2026 — 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 June 9 – 11, 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.

Speaking ahead of the fairs, Ms Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, said: “We are proud to give our exhibitors the opportunity to leverage the fashion potential in the heart of China’s current manufacturing and tech capital. Both shows will welcome domestic and international buyers looking to pair sustainable textile innovation with downstream technological progress. In today’s world, progress is rapid but there is also a very real trend of nostalgia that many of our exhibitors capture with their offerings.”

With visitors expected to hail from across the Greater Bay Area, other parts of China, Asia and beyond, accessibility is key. Located centrally in Futian, the fairs cover around 45,000 sqm in the venue’s interconnected Halls 1 and 9, and there will be much for fairgoers to explore. Alongside a robust programme of fringe events and cutting-edge designer display areas, the fairs will provide a key platform for exhibitors from China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Peru, the US, and Vietnam. Notably, a contingent of Japanese suppliers will gather in Intertextile Shenzhen’s Japan Zone.

The full hall overview cis available

Fashion trends, sustainability, and innovation on show at Intertextile Shenzhen
The fair’s product categories include cotton, wool, silk, linen/ramie and functional fabrics for application in ladieswear, casualwear, denim, suiting and shirting, performance wear, swimwear, and lingerie. Highlighted exhibitors include:

  •    3M China Limited (China) – Functional: the multinational’s featured product is 3M™ Thinsulate™ Insulation, a lightweight, thin insulator which effectively traps body heat while allowing moisture to escape. Its high warmth-to-thickness ratio enables garment design with less bulk and enhanced movement.
  •    Incalpaca TPX SA (Peru) – Wool: a symbol of Peruvian heritage, and a part of Grupo Inca, one of the country’s key economic groups, Incalpaca specialises in natural fibres like alpaca. The mill’s dedication to sustainability and superior craftsmanship has led to established partnerships with top global fashion brands.
  •   Trabaldo Togna SpA (Italy) – Wool: established in 1840, for over 180 years the company has produced superfine fabrics across men’s and women’s fashion for renowned luxury labels. At this edition, the brand’s Chinese agent will showcase the latest worsted wool fabrics and tweeds.

Intertextile Shenzhen’s exhibitor list is available

Alongside the booths, various expert-led fringe events will take place at Textile Dialogue (Hall 1) and Talking Point (Hall 9), covering four themes: Design & Trends, Technology & Solutions, Econogy Talks and Market Information & Business Strategies. At the intersection of all four themes is the Future Horizons Forum, with topics covering the next wave of textile innovation, pathways to a sustainable future, and AI applications for fashion. Meanwhile, the Innovation Studio will showcase curated displays from the Asia International Hemp Federation; School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong; and Wuyi University, all a short distance from the informative display at the Digital Innovation Exploration Space.

Other featured events include:

  •   S/S 2027 Fabrics China Trend Forum: this session will explore macro trends and consumer insights to predict in-demand design styles and materials to determine which fabrics to target for the upcoming fashion season.
  •    Digital Intelligence-Driven: Agile Renewal – A Practical Guide to Digital Transformation for SMEs: this forum aims to drive true digital and intelligent upgrading of the textile industry through actionable case studies and hands-on lightweight tools.
  •    Hemp and the Future of Sustainable Materials – Appropriate Technology for Industrial Hemp: experts from Asia International Hemp Federation (AIHF) and Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL) will explore the development of technologies to support the hemp value chain, highlighting the fibre’s innovative applications and scalable potential for future industries.

Upstream breakthroughs presented at Yarn Expo Shenzhen

Held concurrently in Hall 1, the fair will present an array of premium yarns and fibres including innovative synthetic options, high-quality natural fibres, and an extensive selection of sustainable and functional yarns. Highlighted exhibitors include:

  •    Better International Holding (HK) Limited (Hong Kong): a pioneer in functional plant-based fibres. Signature products include derivations of mint, coral grass, tea, hemp, and Chinese herbs. Widely used in sportswear, casual wear, underwear and home textiles, these fibres’ properties range from antibacterial, cooling, and anti-inflammatory, to deodorising, temperature-regulating, UV-protective, and anti-mite.
  •   I Impact Fashion International Co Limited (Hong Kong): making its debut at Yarn Expo Shenzhen, the company will showcase its eco-friendly recycled fibre series, primarily functional recycled polyester fibres (rPET) and organic cotton. I Impact Fashion aims to use the platform to explore South China’s market potential, gaining insights to set the stage for long-term regional development.

Yarn Expo Shenzhen’s full exhibitor list is available

Several exhibitors will take full advantage of the fair’s engagement opportunities, with its fringe programme hosting nearly 20 product presentations and seminars unpacking the industry’s latest developments, emerging trends, and changing market dynamics. Additionally, Yarn Expo Shenzhen will welcome two highlighted events: the New Fibre New World – Textile Materials Innovation Forum and the Tongkun – China Fibre Fashion Trends Display Zone.

Across both fairs, buyers will have the opportunity to source a wide variety of accessories, fibres, yarns, fabrics and garments, with the concurrently held PH Value presenting a unique blend of knitted fabrics. Visitors can pre-register for all three shows here:

https://yarnexpo-shenzhen.hk.messefrankfurt.com/shenzhen/en/exhibitor-search.html

Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; Messe Frankfurt (Shenzhen) Co Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Center. Yarn Expo Shenzhen is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; China Cotton Textile Association; and China Chemical Fibers Association.

The fairs will be held from June 9 – 11, 2026.

Other upcoming shows:

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition / Yarn Expo Autumn
August 25 – 27, 2026, Shanghai

Posted: June 9, 2026

Source: Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd

Recover™ Launches Recover™ Yarns To Accelerate Recycled Cotton Uptake

MADRID, Spain — June 9, 2026 — Recover™, a materials science company and one of the world’s largest producers of recycled cotton fiber, today announces the launch of Recover™ Yarns, a curated portfolio of ready-to-use yarn solutions designed to accelerate the adoption of recycled cotton across the apparel supply chain.

A Curated Platform of Ready-to-Use Yarn Developments

Developed in partnership with a global network of spinners, Recover™ Yarns brings together a wide variety of constructions, blends, and technical capabilities, covering end uses from denim and workwear to jersey, fleece, and refined woven applications, all made with low-impact, high-quality Recover™ recycled cotton fiber.

By consolidating these pre-approved developments under a single platform, Recover™provides brands and manufacturers with direct access to proven, scalable solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing production processes.

With Recover™ Yarns, Recover™ now offers a fully integrated ecosystem spanning fiber, yarn, fabric, and blank garments, connecting every stage of the supply chain under one consistent brand, ensuring clarity, traceability, and circularity from raw material to finished product.

“By translating our fiber into ready-to-use yarns, we are making it easier for brands and manufacturers to move from ambition to implementation in their sustainable strategy,” said Anders Sjöblom, CEO of Recover™.

“Recover™ Yarns addresses the need for adaptable product solutions that enable the integration of recycled cotton at scale,” said Enes Adak, Chief Product Officer of Recover™.

Recyled Cotton as a Scalable Material

Recover™ Yarns simplifies the sourcing and development of recycled cotton yarns, while enabling partners to benefit from the strengths of Recover™ recycled cotton fiber, one of the most recognized and trusted branded recycled materials in the industry, backed by full traceability, transparency, a robust life cycle assessment, and demonstrated environmental performance.

The Recover™ Yarns portfolio is the result of strategic developments created in collaboration with our network of more than 150 spinning partners across key global sourcing hubs, delivering a versatile range of yarn options and collections that continuously adapt to evolving market needs, innovative blends, and emerging technologies.

This adaptive approach ensures the Recover™ Yarns platform can support brands of all sizes, across volumes, geographies, price points, and end uses, while enabling long-term collaboration with partners. It offers a flexible and scalable solution that evolves alongside production and sustainability strategies, maintaining recycled cotton as a core material in their portfolios.

Recover™ Yarns are available starting today. Brands and manufacturers can learn more and get in touch at recoverfiber.com.

Posted: June 9, 2026

Source: Recover™

Grasim Industries Announces Fresh Investment Of ₹3094 Crore (Approximately US $324 Million) To Expand Lyocell Capacity

MUMBAI — June 8, 2026 — Grasim Industries Limited, the flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group and a global leader in cellulosic fibres, today announced an investment of ₹3,094 crore, for Phase II Lyocell capacity of 110K TPA at Harihar, Karnataka. This expansion will consist of 2 lines of 55K TPA (150 Tons per day) each. The first line is expected to be commissioned by 2028, and the second line is expected to be commissioned by 2030.

This additional capacity will complement the Phase I Lyocell plant of 55K TPA currently under construction at Harihar, which is expected to be commissioned by mid-2027. Upon completion, Grasim’s total Lyocell capacity, will reach nearly 210K TPA, making it one of the largest Lyocell producers globally.

Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group, said, “The Aditya Birla Group has always demonstrated the willingness to invest ahead of the curve in sectors that will define India’s future competitiveness and economic resilience. This investment carries forward that legacy. It is a vote of confidence in the scale and promise of the Indian market, aligns closely with the aspirations of Make in India, and will help position India as a more competitive and resilient force in the global textile industry.” He added, “This investment also marks another significant step in Grasim’s strategic expansion of advanced fibre capabilities, catering to the growing global demand for sustainable and high-performance textile materials. This fresh expansion will catapult Grasim’s overall Cellulosic Fibres capacity beyond 1 million tonnes per annum, reinforcing its position as a global leader in sustainable Man-Made Cellulosic Fibres (MMCF).”

Mr Vadiraj Kulkarni, Business Head, Grasim Pulp & Fibre added, “This expansion strengthens our position in the evolving MMCF landscape by scaling a high-value, future-ready fibre segment. By expanding Lyocell capacity, we are accelerating the shift towards high performance fibres with a lower environmental impact. Lyocell enhances our product mix, supports premium applications, and aligns with our focus on delivering differentiated, sustainable solutions to global markets.”

Lyocell is a versatile, next-generation fibre widely used across apparel, home textiles, and technical textile applications. Manufactured through a highly efficient closed-loop process, Lyocell offers a compelling combination of durability, breathability, comfort, and lower environmental impact. The expansion would strengthen the Company’s Specialty product portfolio and solidify its position as a key player in the global sustainable fibre industry. Grasim’s Specialty portfolio share (including Lyocell, Modal, Dope-dyed and Recycled fibres) would increase to 35% by 2030.

Posted: June 9, 2026

Source: Grasim Industries Limited

Import Cargo Volume To See Year-Over-Year Gain Again In June, Then Remain Below 2025 Levels Into Fall

WASHINGTON — June 8, 2026 — Import volumes at major U.S. container ports are expected to see a skewed year-over-year bump again this month in anticipation of more tariffs and rising fuel prices but then remain below last year’s levels into the fall, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“We expect to see a year-over-year increase this month that’s partly driven by retailers bringing in merchandise early because of higher costs from tariffs or fuel prices that could come starting in August,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Nonetheless, the ongoing trend is for lower imports as the conflict in Iran continues to cause higher inflation and economic uncertainty.”

Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said the year-over-year gain expected in June is partly because of the comparison against import levels that dropped sharply after President Donald Trump announced “Liberation Day” tariffs in April 2025. But higher shipping costs and worries about additional tariffs imposed after those tariffs were ruled illegal by the Supreme Court are also a concern.

“We have increased our outlook for June cargo volume as retailers bring forward their peak season cargo to mitigate increasing shipping costs as carriers pass along the sharply rising cost of fuel and because of concerns about punitive replacement tariffs,” Hackett said. “The current import surge will likely last into July, with an early peak season that resembles the more recent pattern of raised volume rather than a sharp peak. After this, we expect a weakening in import volume as consumer uncertainty remains high and the impact of increasing inflation takes its toll.”

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 2.05 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units — one 20-foot container or its equivalent — in April, although the Port of New York and New Jersey has not yet reported its numbers. That was down 5.1% from March and down 7.3% year over year.

Ports have not yet reported May numbers, but Global Port Tracker projected the month at 2.14 million TEU, up 9.7% from a year earlier, when imports were down sharply because of last year’s “Liberation Day” tariffs. June is forecast at 2.25 million TEU, up 14.3%, with the increase also because of low imports a year earlier. July is forecast at 2.19 million TEU, down 8.4% year over year; August at 2.12 million TEU, down 8.6%; and September at 2.06 million TEU, down 2.2%. October is forecast at 2.08 million TEU, up 0.1%.

Those numbers would bring the first half of 2026 to 12.6 million TEU, up 0.6% from the same period in 2025 thanks, in part, to the May-June increases.

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by Hackett Associates, provides historical data and forecasts for the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at NRF.com/PortTracker. Subscription information for non-members can be found at www.globalporttracker.com.

As the leading authority and voice for the retail industry, NRF analyzes economic conditions affecting the industry through reports such as Global Port Tracker.

Posted: June 9, 2026

Source: The National Retail Federation (NRF)

Barmag And Hitech Automation Enter Into Partnership For An Auto-Doff System For Texturing Machines

REMSCHEID / SUZHOU / SURAT— June 9, 2026 — Barmag (Suzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. and Hitech Automation Solutions PVT LTD. of Surat, India, have agreed to an exclusive partnership to jointly market Hitech’s Doffmatic automation solution for Barmag’s proven manual eFK texturing machines. In many texturing facilities, manual doffing processes remain heavily operator-dependent – resulting in issues such as increased scrap, inconsistent quality, and limited productivity.

Exclusive partnership for automation solutions for manual texturing machines

The goal of the joint solution for texturing customers is to create technological and economic value –with a solution positioned between manual and fully automated concepts, offering an attractive alternative for numerous operational and investment scenarios with a clear focus on rapid ROI and improved yarn quality.

For new machines and upgrades: Automation as a (retrofittable) solution

The agreement covers both the sale of new eFK texturing machines in combination with Doffmatic, under the name eFK Doffmatic, as well as upgrades to existing Barmag machines (retrofits), which will continue to be marketed under the familiar names eFK and Doffmatic. In this way, the two partners offer customers solutions for two key aspects: investment decisions for new equipment as well as the rapid, step-by-step modernization of older machines.

The eFK Doffmatic – the perfect combination of cost-effectiveness, productivity, and reduced reliance on operators.

Technically, Doffmatic is designed as an add-on system that integrates into eFK texturing machines without requiring additional space. This enables the auto-doffing function while maintaining the well-known consistently high yarn quality. Customers benefit from a fast and low-risk modernization path with short payback periods – both for new installations and for retrofit projects. This makes it attractive for yarn producers who do not (yet) use automatic texturing machines but still want to achieve significantly greater efficiency, process stability, and product quality.

Efficiency and reproducible quality

Doffmatic aims to automate the doffing process while ensuring that bobbins have exactly the same length – a key prerequisite for consistent quality and seamless downstream processing. “Through this exclusive partnership, we combine local market insight, engineering expertise, and localized service –offering texturers an automation solution that addresses both efficiency and yarn quality,” summarizes Oliver Lemke, Sales Director at Barmag. And Brij Patel, Managing Director of Hitech, adds: “Doffmatic was developed to offer seamless automatic doffing functionality for new and retrofit projects. Together with Barmag, we are now expanding our machine portfolio – with a clear focus on our customers’ operational requirements.”

Posted: June 9, 2026

Source: BARMAG – A Subsidiary of the Rieter Group

Results Of The 38th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey : Bottoming Out, Cautious Recovery?

ZÜRICH, Switzerland — June 8, 2026 — The global textile industry appears to be turning a corner, but this is more likely a fragile and possibly temporary improvement than the start of a durable recovery. According to the 38th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey, conducted worldwide during the second half of May 2026, business sentiment, order intake, order backlogs and capacity utilization all improved versus March — yet every indicator remains weak by historical standards, and rising costs cast doubt on how long the upturn can last.

The new survey shows a business situation balance rising to −17 percentage points (pp) from −25pp in March. Business expectations climbed to +16pp (from +5pp), order intake to −9pp (from −25pp), backlogs to 2.5 months and capacity utilization to 74%. Order cancellations stayed contained and inventories lean low. The direction is encouraging, but the levels rest on a thin and fragile cushion.

The upturn was geographically uneven. Africa led on business situation, order intake, backlog and expectations, alongside gains in Europe and North & Central America. The Asian production hubs lagged, with East Asia weakest on both current conditions and the six-month outlook. Along the value chain, segments closest to the end-consumer slightly fared best, while capital-goods and upstream segments trailed.

Cost and demand pressures persist: weak demand remains the major concern for 53% of participating textile manufacturers, followed by raw-material prices (52%) and energy prices and geopolitics (42% each).

The survey links rising costs to the war in Iran, which has pushed crude oil to around USD 100 and lifted gasoline prices by roughly 50% since March, feeding inflation and squeezing margins. Whether the May reading holds will depend largely on energy prices and the resolution of ongoing conflicts.

For more information, please see www.itmf.org or contact secretariat@itmf.org.

Posted: June 9, 2026

Source: International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)

Recycled Fibers: Uster’s New Recycling Opening Index Guides Spinners To The Perfect Blend

USTER, Switzerland — June 9, 2026 — Uster AFIS 6 now offers the key data for better decisions when blending recycled fibers. Process control is decisive in determining the quality and economic outcome. The new R Recycling Module of AFIS 6 introduces the Recycling Opening Index (ROI), so spinners can optimize their circularity credentials. It is officially launched at ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Cotton recycling has become a strategic priority for brands, regulators, and technology providers because it directly addresses the textile sector’s biggest challenges: growing volumes of waste, resource scarcity, climate impact, and regulatory pressure.

Recycled waste and the use of it

Uster AFIS 6 – The fiber process control system

Recent industry data shows that most textile waste is post-consumer waste (75% by volume) while post-industrial (pre-consumer) waste makes up around 25%. However, when it comes to recycling – turning this waste into quality new yarn – the situation is different.

Even though it’s a smaller share of total waste, about 95-99% of post-industrial waste is already being reused. Almost every scrap of factory waste is already being collected and spun back into yarn. That’s because it’s clean, consistent, and relatively easy to process.

Spinners generally see it as the safer option to start their recycling activities with post-industrial waste. These raw materials are more predictable in their behaviour, so it’s simpler to refine spinning techniques to suit them. An optimized process can then be developed for blending in pre- and/or post-consumer waste.

Controlling processes with recycled raw materials

Now, objective measurement data from Uster is available to give clear indicators of processability and profitability when using recycled raw materials. This comes with the Recycling Opening Index (ROI), together with the total yarn pieces value. The ROI is a metric in the Uster AFIS 6 R Recycling Module, which describes the effectiveness of the opening process in the recycling of cotton fibers. It is defined as the ratio of opened fibers to remaining yarn pieces (hard ends). ‘Total yarn pieces’ means the sum of yarn fragments present in the raw material that have not yet been fully opened into individual fibers.

If a low ROI value is indicated, this suggests a poor degree of opening, which can disrupt the spinning process and cause issues such as yarn irregularity (IPI), weak spots and uneven surface structures.

So, the ROI is a vital metric for evaluating the quality of recycled cotton materials. For the first time, spinners can have a quantitative assessment of the opening process.

R Recycling Module of Uster AFIS 6

Uster AFIS 6 with the R Recycling Module supports better decisions through real measurements. The concept of the Recycling Opening Index (ROI) combined with the number of yarn pieces per gram, provides spinners with a more precise evaluation of recycled material processing. The R Recycling Module also offers advanced recycling parameter measurements, as well as a refined short fiber content analysis with < 6.35 mm indicating the non-spinnable fiber content. In addition, the module enhances fiber quality assessment by incorporating detailed nep and fiber length parameters. The R Recycling Module on AFIS 6 is an optional, on-demand feature designed exclusively for this latest model.

The new module fits perfectly within Uster AFIS 6, with its expanded measurement range for 100% synthetic fibers giving details of cut length and denier/fineness, to help spinners make proper raw material selections. The updated reporting package simplifies complex data analysis, and the integrated Uster Statistics remains the essential tool for spinners to optimize intermediate process steps – finally empowering full control of their processes.

Posted: June 9, 2026

Source: Uster Technologies AG

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