NCTO Recommends Additional Steps To Strengthen U.S. Textile Manufacturing In USTR Section 301 Forced Labor Investigations

WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 7, 2026 — The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of the U.S. textile industry from fiber, yarn, and fabric production to finished sewn products, provided recommendations on the U.S. Trade Representative Office’s proposed actions as part of its Section 301 investigations of the acts, policies, and practices of various economies related to goods made with forced labor.

“Forced labor remains prevalent in global textile and apparel supply chains and unfairly disadvantages U.S. textile manufacturers. “The administration now has the opportunity to take meaningful actions in the investigations to revitalize the domestic textile industry and to defend it from unfair, predatory trade practices like forced labor,” NCTO states in its written comments. “The right approach could potentially double industry capacity; the wrong solution will cost U.S. jobs and create irreparable harm.”

See NCTO’s full written submission here. NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas is set to testify at the USTR hearings on the Section 301 forced labor investigations on July 9.

Among its recommendations, NCTO urged USTR to:

  • Impose Section 301 duties on imports of apparel and finished textile products from China and South and Southeast Asian countries that utilize forced labor in manufacturing.
  • Preserve critically important duty-free treatment for USMCA/CAFTA-DR qualified textiles and apparel.
  • Make necessary reforms to the proposed textile mechanism to support domestic industry growth.
  • Strengthen customs enforcement.

In response to the textile mechanism proposed by USTR as part of its forced labor investigations, NCTO voiced opposition to the mechanism “as it stands” and proposed three reforms to ensure it “does not harm U.S. textile manufacturers and instead encourages growth of the domestic industry:”

  • Exclude raw cotton from the proposed textile mechanism as it rewards offshoring of U.S. yarn, fabric and apparel production and rewards Asia.
  • Exempt textile manufacturing inputs and machinery not available domestically from additional Section 301 tariffs to enhance U.S. competitiveness.
  • Incentivize more sourcing of U.S. textiles and apparel from the Western Hemisphere to boost domestic textile manufacturing and reward supply chains without forced labor.

Further, the association urged USTR to adopt an alternative textile and apparel incentive program developed by textile, apparel, and retail industry groups to support the U.S.-Western Hemisphere textile and apparel supply chain and grow U.S. manufacturing jobs.

“USTR should include an innovative textile proposal that would reward the whole textile and apparel supply chain, including U.S. cotton through a novel program developed by NCTO and brands and retailers to create over 56,000 jobs in the United States,” the submission stated.

Posted: July 7, 2026

Source: The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO)

 

Wipes Leaders Advanced Their Business At The 2026 World Of Wipes® Conference

CARY, N.C. — July 7, 2026 — The World of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference brought the global wipes industry together for four days of insights, innovation, and connections, June 29-July 2, at the Grand Hyatt Nashville, in Tennessee. WOW featured expert-led presentations, exhibits, and the presentation of the 2026 World of Wipes Innovation Award®.

World of Wipes Innovation Award

The 2026 World of Wipes Innovation Award was presented to Rockline Industries for their First Defense™ Fentanyl Detection Wipe. In collaboration with Visual Detection Systems, Rockline developed the First Defense Fentanyl Detection Wipe, a single-use presumptive test that rapidly detects trace fentanyl through a visible color change. Featuring specialized indicators bound to viscose fibers with a starch-based system, the wipe improves field usability and reliability. Tested with pharmaceutical and street-grade fentanyl and other opioids, it is designed for law enforcement, first responders, military, airports, schools, and correctional facilities.

“Rockline is honored to receive the 2026 World of Wipes Innovation Award for the First Defense Fentanyl Detection Wipe. This recognition reflects the innovation, passion, and dedication of our team to develop a first-of-its-kind solution that helps protect first responders, EMS, law enforcement, and others with a convenient, single-use product that performs effectively in real-world environments.” – Doug Cole, Vice President – Global Product Development, Rockline Industries

Fellow finalists The Clorox Company, with their Clorox™ Refreshables™, and Lenzing Fibers, Inc., with their Lenzing™ DualWipe, were also honored for their innovation and market potential. Nominations for the 2027 World of Wipes Innovation Award® will open August 7, 2026.

2026 Lifetime Technical Achievement Awards

INDA was proud to honor Tom Daugherty and Carey Hobbs with Lifetime Technical Achievement Awards, recognizing their lasting contributions to the advancement of nonwoven technologies, business innovation, and the continued growth of the industry.

“It has been a great privilege to spend nearly 45 years collaborating with so many talented individuals in this industry to improve the lives of consumers worldwide. I am truly humbled to receive the INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award. My deepest thanks to my colleagues at P&G, partners across the supply sector, The Nonwovens Institute at NC State, the INDA community, and my wife and family for their amazing partnership. Here’s to the next generation of innovation!” – Thomas Daugherty, Associate Director, Procter & Gamble, and Deputy / Operations Director, The Nonwovens Institute (retired)

“I was shocked to learn that I’m receiving this Lifetime Achievement Award. I have devoted my professional career to making cars quieter, making jackets warmer, defending our country, and helping families enjoy quilting. This honor humbles me and lets me know that my career has positively impacted people’s lives.” – Carey Hobbs, President, Hobbs Bonded Fibers (retired)

Thoughts from Wipes Leaders

“WOW brought together an excellent mix of people, ideas, and commercial opportunity. The quality of the presentations was very strong, but what stood out most was the value of the conversations — connecting with customers, suppliers, and industry leaders in a setting that was both highly engaging and commercially meaningful. The organization of the event was excellent, and the INDA team created a professional, welcoming environment that made it easy to engage, exchange ideas, and strengthen relationships across the wipes and nonwovens industry.” – Nigel Gautry, Corporate Marketing and Sales Director, Saudi German Co. for Nonwoven Products

“WOW provided a fantastic experience and a valuable opportunity to share Soane Materials’ technology platform with leaders across the wipes industry. The presentations offered meaningful insight into where the market is headed, and the networking breaks created high-value conversations around innovation and new business opportunities.” – Elizabeth Huth-Helreigel, Business Development Director, Soane Materials

“WOW was a great experience from the moment I arrived. Within the first hour, I was already connecting with industry colleagues, customers, and partners for meaningful conversations about current business trends and future opportunities. The quality of the networking made it clear very quickly that WOW brings the right people together in one place.” – Robert Langill, Senior Director Sales, Precision Concepts / Comar

“Participation in WOW26 was an energetic and highly productive event that made it possible to consolidate relationships with existing customers, develop new business opportunities and gather strategic indications on the evolution of the North American wet wipes market. The networking was excellent, and the conversations we had with customers, partners, and industry leaders create valuable opportunities.” – Michael Lynch, Director – North America, IMA Tissue & Nonwoven

WOW Program Highlights

The program featured presentations and panel discussions on:

  • Consumer trends, growth opportunities, and innovations in wipes
  • Standards, regulations, labeling, and policy issues
  • Sustainable substrates and flushable material design
  • Manufacturing, converting, and performance innovations
  • Packaging sustainability and EPR requirements
  • Formulation, preservation, and product development advances

The event opened with the Wipes Development Course, held June 29-30 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 7-10, 2027, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Posted: July 7, 2026

Source INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

U.S. Textile, Apparel, And Retail Groups Unite Behind Innovative Textile And Apparel Trade Incentive Program To Strengthen U.S. Manufacturing

WASHINGTON, D.C.  — July 6, 2026 — Industry organizations representing U.S. textile manufacturers, apparel brands, and retailers urged the Trump administration to adopt a newly developed textile and apparel trade incentive program they proposed in a joint submission to the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office (USTR) today. This is the first time these organizations have teamed up to publicly advocate for a joint trade policy initiative.

In their written submission to USTR related to proposed actions in Section 301 investigations of various economies’ policies on goods made with forced labor, the groups—which normally take strongly divergent policy positions on trade—jointly proposed a program designed to “reshore domestic manufacturing, stabilize and grow Western Hemisphere textile and apparel supply chains, and help brands and retailers to diversify sourcing at a critical time.”

“Our joint efforts have resulted in the development of a novel trade incentive program that would achieve various important goals,” including “the revitalization and growth of U.S. textile manufacturing, exports, and investment, resulting in over 56,000 new jobs” in the United States.

Increased U.S. textile exports under the program could “drive billions of dollars of new domestic investment” and benefit the entire supply chain, including cotton farming.

The program is designed to “allow brands and retailers to earn tariff credits when they buy U.S. textiles and qualified apparel goods from key Western Hemisphere U.S. free trade agreement (FTA) partners. Brands and retailers could then apply those credits to offset potential Section 301 tariffs from eligible countries—a win-win strategy to unlock significant growth for U.S. textile manufacturers, brands, and retailers,” they state in their joint submission.

See a link to the full USTR submission here.

The associations developed and put forth the new incentive program in response to a textile mechanism proposed by USTR as part of the Section 301 investigations on forced labor.

“We believe with the right incentives we can grow jobs substantially in the United States, reopen shuttered factories, and make the critical investments needed to maintain and to grow America’s textile industry by also helping brands and retailers find new opportunities. As such, we respectfully request the United States Trade Representative to consider including our proposed incentive program as a component of any remedy that results from the Section 301 investigations currently underway.”

If adopted by the administration, the groups note their textile and apparel trade incentives program “has the potential of doubling U.S. textile exports to the Western Hemisphere, reaching a total of $29 billion annually. This significant increase in U.S. textile exports would create substantial new U.S. jobs and unleash a much-needed wave of textile sector investment in the United States.”

The public submission was filed by the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA), and the U.S. Industrial and Narrow Fabrics Institute (USINFI).

Learn more about the associations:

National Council of Textile Organizations : https://ncto.org/

American Apparel & Footwear Association : https://www.aafaglobal.org/

United States Fashion Industry Association  : https://www.usfashionindustry.com/

U.S. Industrial and Narrow Fabrics Institute : https://usinfi.textiles.org/

Posted: July 6, 2026

Source: National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA), and the U.S. Industrial and Narrow Fabrics Institute (USINFI)

Cygnet Texkimp Develops 500kg VHD PAN Precursor Unwinding Creel To Increase Efficiency In Carbon Fiber Production

CHESHIRE, England  — July 2, 2026 — Fiber handling and composites technology specialist Cygnet Texkimp has developed a VHD (very heavy duty) creel solution capable of handling 500kg packages of fibre as part of an industry collaboration to increase efficiency in carbon fibre manufacturing.

The large-scale creel will be used to unwind bobbins of PAN precursor fibre into carbon fibre production lines. Its development signals a major leap in capability for the carbon fibre manufacturing industry which has, for over a decade, relied on fibre packages weighing up to 350kg. The impact of the new technology will be to reduce operational downtime and increase efficiency by cutting the frequency of package changeovers and allowing longer continuous run cycles between package changes.

Cygnet Texkimp is a market leader in the manufacture and supply of VHD creels to the carbon fibre industry with over 70 VHD creels in operation globally, processing in excess of 24,000 bobbins of fibre.

Peter Stevenson, Director of Projects at Cygnet Texkimp, explains:

“A 500kg bobbin offers an immediate win over a 350kg bobbin in terms of line efficiency by extending the length of continuous operation that can be achieved. The creel also supports the work of manufacturers to process higher tow count fibres, such as 24k or 48k tows, and achieve faster line speeds by increasing the size and weight of the PAN precursor bobbin.

“We’ve developed this new capability as part of our ongoing consultation with the industry and driven by sustained growth in carbon fibre production capacity globally. In particular, the technology addresses the needs of a growing number of high-volume industrial applications around the world, many of which are designed to establish new sovereign capability.”

The solution uses an operator-managed lifter loader system to unload the packages of PAN fibre from the winding system and load them onto the creel, with the option of a bespoke handling solution incorporating a higher degree of automation. Like all Cygnet Texkimp’s VHD Creels, it is equipped with an electronic tension control system that uses a closed-loop dancer arm mechanism to maintain near-constant fibre tension while unwinding packages of fibre into the process.

Posted: July 4, 2026

Source: Cygnet Texkimp

EDANA: Joint Statement On The Single-Use Plastic Directive (SUPD) Evaluation

BRUSSELS, Belgium — July 1, 2026 — The undersigned associations, representing several European industrial sectors, call on EU institutions to maintain the current legal text of the Single-Use Plastic Directive (SUPD), adopted in 2019. While the signatories recognise the importance of ensuring that the SUPD delivers measurable and meaningful environmental outcomes, reopening the Directive now will create legal uncertainty, add disproportionate burden for economic operators that are already navigating partial and often divergent national transpositions, and increase the risk of regulatory overlaps or contradictions with existing and upcoming legislation. Moreover, there is currently insufficient evidence on the effectiveness of the current SUPD to justify a revision, as described below:

  • Insufficient evidence to inform a revision of the SUPD. An impact assessment of the SUPD cannot be carried out at a moment when several of its provisions are not yet in place. While a first report on the state of implementation of the SUPD was published in April 2026, it remains partial, and reporting is not harmonised, preventing meaningful comparison of data across countries. Taking the example of consumption reduction targets, Member States and other EEA countries only reported data on SUP products placed on the market in 2022 and, even for this report, did so using different indicators. Crucially, since the target on consumption reduction is set for 2026, no data are yet available on whether that target has been achieved. In summary, the partial application of the SUPD and the limited data available suggest that a revision of the SUPD would be premature at this time.
  • Preventing further fragmentation and gold-plating. The transposition of the SUPD has produced  significant regulatory fragmentation, uneven enforcement, and widespread instances of gold‑plating, creating persistent uncertainty for companies active across multiple Member States. The result is a patchwork of national rules that undermines the integrity of the Single Market, inflates compliance costs, and fails to deliver proportionate environmental benefits. These structural shortcomings must be fully recognised in the evaluation of the SUPD and effectively addressed prior to considering a reopening of the Directive.
  • Ensuring legal certainty for economic operators. A revision of the SUPD would create legal uncertainty for companies and Member States that are still implementing several of its provisions. While the SUPD entered into force in mid-2021, the date of application for most of its provisions is at a later stage. Furthermore, the EU Commission has only recently adopted some of the implementing decisions and guidelines on the current SUPD. Any change to the SUPD at a moment when companies are still adapting to new obligations, and Member States are still in the process of implementing some key provisions, would create legal uncertainty for economic operators who do not know whether targets or the scope of the SUPD may change. Legal uncertainty carries significant economic costs for economic operators, notably in terms of investment delays likely to persist throughout the entire SUPD revision process (2–3 years).
  • Avoiding overlaps with other legislation. Revising the SUPD while the Ecodesign and Packaging  Regulations are still being implemented, and as negotiations on the Circular Economy Act (CEA) begin, increases the risk of regulatory overlaps and contradictions. These frameworks cover intersecting areas[1] and a revision of the SUPD in parallel with the CEA would almost inevitably lead to duplicative or conflicting provisions. Even if the EU Commission ensured full coherence in its proposal, the co-legislators could still introduce provisions that diverge from or contradict the SUPD framework, further undermining legal certainty and the functioning of the Single Market.

At a time when EU leaders have made regulatory simplifications and a fully integrated Single Market central to Europe’s competitiveness agenda, we urge EU policymakers to focus legislative efforts where they are most needed and avoid reopening a framework that has yet to deliver concrete results.

[1] It should be recalled that the SUPD is a lex specialis in relation to Regulation (EU) 2025/40 and, in case of conflict, it should prevail within the scope of its application.

Posted: July 4, 2026

Source: EDANA

IFDA’S Educational Foundation Announces Design Student Scholarship Winners For 2026

LEWISVILLE, N.C. — July 2, 2026 — The Educational Foundation (EF) of IFDA, the International Furnishings and Design Association, is pleased to announce its design student scholarship winners for 2026.  Since the early years of this 79-year-old global design industry alliance, EF has awarded scholarships to high-achieving design students.  This year the 10 scholarship winners received a total of $27,500.  The judging was conducted by a subset of the EF’s Board of Trustees.

“We are very pleased to present these scholarships to such exceptional students,” said Karen Dzendolet, Chairman of the Board of the Educational Foundation of IFDA.  “Their shared commitment to improving the world through design is commendable, whether the focus is on sustainability, biophilic design, neurodivergent design, health and well-being or community engagement and giving back.”

Earline Feldman, FIFDA, Director of Scholarships & Grants, echoed the sentiment.  “True to our mission, we awarded 10 scholarships to outstanding students whose talent, creativity and dedication distinguished them among an exceptionally competitive field.  With applications from across the country, selecting the winners was no easy task for our judges.”

Applicants must be currently enrolled, and scholarships are paid to the school for the 2026 fall semester tuition.  The 10 scholarship winners are as follows:

Sophia Royale won the new Avalon Flooring Scholarship for $2,000. Sophia is an emerging interior design professional with a background in sales and client relations.  She graduated from the University of Arizona in 2023 before transitioning into the design industry.  Sophia currently works full-time at Amanda Stefanski Interiors in Wayne, Penn., while furthering her education through the Interior Design Certificate Program at Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia.  Combining strong communication skills with a passion for thoughtful, functional spaces, she is dedicated to developing her expertise in residential interior design and creating environments that are both beautiful and purposeful.

Troy Rudolph was awarded the Tony Fusco Scholarship for $6,000, another new scholarship open to New England residents currently enrolled in interior design or related programs at the full-time undergraduate or graduate level.  Troy is  currently pursuing a Master of Architecture degree at Boston Architectural College after earning his bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies and Visual Arts from Fordham University in New York City in 2024.   In 2025, he was recognized at the IFDA New England Awards Gala, receiving both the Best Student Architecture Residential and Commercial Project awards.  His  goal is to design civic architecture in order to create meaningful spaces that engage and support the communities in which they exist.

Gabriella Sutherland, a dual-degree student in Interior Design and Psychology, minoring in Cognitive Science, Neuroscience and Environments and Sustainability at Mississippi State University, won the FBN Leaders Commemorative Scholarship for $3,000 open to full-time undergraduate students.  She’s passionate about how the built environment shapes human experience, well-being and behavior.  Her academic work and research interests lie at the intersection of sustainable design, environmental psychology and universal accessibility; especially in educational, institutional and hospitality spaces.  She’s pursued opportunities that allow her to investigate how space impacts cognition, mental health and inclusivity, with a particular focus on neurodivergent individuals and those with disabilities.

Chelsea Brown, a third-year interior design student at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind, was awarded the Part-Time Student Scholarship for $1,500. She made a career pivot after nearly a decade in sales.  Her design philosophy focuses on sustainable design practices and centering occupant well-being.  While all stages of design development pose a creative challenge, she most enjoys the puzzle of crafting effective and succinct floor plans. Outside of class her hobbies include travel, reading and more recently trying her hand at drawing and painting.  This upcoming fall semester she will be working as an undergraduate teaching assistant for IU’s Design Methods course.

The IFDA Student Member Scholarship for $2,000, open to full-time IFDA student members, went to Kirsten Jones, a recent graduate of Endicott College in Beverly, Mass., with a BFA in Interior Architecture.  She has always had a passion for interior design and always knew this was the path for her.  She is also excited to go back to school to earn her master’s degree in interior architecture with a focus in education.  She is very much looking forward to continuing her education and seeing what the future holds.

 

Gianna Palazzolo of the University of Idaho captured the Vercille Voss IFDA Graduate Student Scholarship for $2,000.  She has always felt a calling to design. Her previous years of education revolved around the life sciences and arts and, eventually, she found that these two passions aligned perfectly within interior design.  “Design, in my eyes, is a nexus between creativity and human health,” said Gianna.  Throughout her college career, she has explored this interest.  She’s learned about sustainable practices and earned her LEED Green Associate credential.  She has also learned more about my community through qualitative research and a service-learning project.  In graduate school, she hopes to further understand how the built environment can improve quality of life.

Sophia Hancock, an undergraduate Interior and Furniture design student at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, Ga., walked away with the Ruth Clark Furniture Design Scholarship for $4,000.  This scholarship is open to full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate students.  Sophia has a passion for transforming everyday spaces through movement, texture and sustainability.  In tandem with her interests in nature and rock climbing, she hopes to create spaces that integrate the belief that furniture and interior spaces shouldn’t just fill a space but tell stories; the hands that made them, the people who live them and the lives they live beyond them.

Marissa Scheid won the Tricia LeVangie Green/Sustainable Design Scholarship for $1,500. It is open to full- or part-time undergraduate students.  She is an interior design student at Palomar College in San Marcos, Calif., pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Building Performance and Environmental Design.  After spending eight years in marketing and operations, she transitioned to design to create spaces that enhance well-being, foster connection and support environmental responsibility.  Her work is inspired by biophilic principles, thoughtful material selection and the belief that design can positively impact both people and the planet.  “I am passionate about creating human-centered spaces that are beautiful, functional and sustainable,” she said.

Open to full- or part-time undergraduate and graduate students with course emphasis on Textile Design, the Barbara Beckmann Textile Design Scholarship for $3,000 was awarded to Nina DiCicco, a Junior Fibers major at the Savannah College of Art and Design with a concentration in Print & Pattern Design, and a minor in Business Management and Entrepreneurship.  Her passion for surface design begins with the origin art. Reinterpreting everyday objects in a new space reminds her that even the smallest details have meaning and purpose.  Each collection begins with a singular, hand-drawn motif, emphasizing artisanal craft in a primarily digital age.  Much of her color palette and overall work is inspired by fine art and the essence of joy and childhood.

Joshua Paul captured the IFDA Philadelphia Scholarship for $2,500, which this year focuses on Designs and is open to two-, three- or four-year interior design or related program students.  He is an undergraduate graphic design student at Anderson University in Anderson, S.C.  His passion is to glorify Jesus Christ through creative excellence.  Whether designing a bespoke typeface for a Christian summer camp, an Instagram post for his college’s campus ministry or a cohesive visual campaign to address homelessness in Anderson, Joshua seeks to give through creativity.  Design, to Joshua, is about reflecting the heart of his Creator through creativity and generosity.  Long-term, he is interested in starting a freelance graphic design studio that specializes in branding for non-profits, churches and small businesses.

IFDA Educational Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt, 501©(3) organization.  Its 10 scholarships support both full and part-time undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of interior, green/sustainable, product and textile design.  In addition, five grants support professional development opportunities for IFDA members and other design industry professionals as well as needed resources for design schools.  Visit instagram.com/ifdaef/ and facebook.com/ifda.educational.foundation/

Posted: July 4, 2026

Source: The Educational Foundation (EF) of IFDA, The International Furnishings And Design Association

Hyosung TNC Presents Sustainable And Performance Textile Solutions At Functional Fabric Fair NYC

SEOUL, South Korea — July 2, 2026 — Lower-impact materials and scalable technologies are driving the future of the textile industry. To discover and learn more about the latest sustainable textile innovations, brands and retailers will gather in New York City next week to attend the Functional Fabric Fair (FFF) taking place July 7-9.

Hyosung TNC, a complete textile solutions provider and major manufacturer of spandex supplying the broadest range of stretch fiber offerings, is looking forward to presenting how its bio-based spandex is progressing toward broader commercial adoption through infrastructure, and its latest collection of functional materials designed for trends shaping tomorrow.

Hyosung will launch its participation at the trade show as a sponsor of the FFF DAY 0 Sustainability Workshop on July 7, 2026. Bringing together industry experts, brands and manufacturers, the workshop will feature practical insights into key sustainability topics, the latest industry developments, and real-world implementation examples. Attendees will engage in interactive activities and roundtable discussions designed to provide actionable knowledge and practical strategies from day one of the Fair.

On FFF days one and two (July 8-9) , Hyosung will showcase the following:

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.

“We’ve seen strong interest in our regen™ Bio Spandex from brands seeking high-performance stretch solutions made with renewable and responsibly sourced materials to complement their natural fiber offerings,” said Malvina Hoxha, US Marketing Director, Hyosung TNC. “At the show, we’ll showcase a capsule collection of garments and fabrics featuring Lenzing’s TENCEL™ and regen™ BIO Spandex, alongside additional natural fiber and bio-based spandex innovations, to help brands envision how bio-based stretch solutions can be integrated into their future product portfolios.”

To provide a practical case study showing how fiber producers, mills, and brands can work together to bring commercially viable lower-impact materials to market, Malvina Hoxha, Hyosung US Marketing Director and Dana Davis, Brand Strategist and Consultant, will host an expert talk titled Innovation to Adoption: Launching Hyosung BIO Spandex Through Brand Collaboration on Thursday, July 9 at 1:05 -1:50PM. This session will explore how next-generation fiber innovation reaches the consumer through strategic brand collaboration, showing how mills, fiber producers, and brands can work together to bring commercially viable lower-impact materials to market.

CREORA® functional textiles – Comfort engineered to endure

Through continuous innovation, Hyosung stays ahead of evolving brand and consumer expectations by developing multifunctional textile solutions that enable brands to deliver performance apparel to keep wearers cool, fresh, comfortable, and stylish.

For instance, Hyosung’s CREORA® Coolwave Nylon provides enhanced moisture management so pople can feel cool, fresh, and confident.

As glossy finishes continue to gain momentum in the activewear and bodywear markets, CREORA® Rexy 2 captures this trend with a luxurious, luminous sheen that enables garments to transition effortlessly from street to studio. For those who love the performance of polyester but the natural feel of cotton, CREORA® Cotna and Conadu Polyester magically brings the best of both fibers into one. CREORA® EasyFlex Spandex allows wearers to enjoy soft, supportive, and lightweight garments throughout the day. Its gentle stretch provides a comfortable fit, making it suitable for diverse body types and lifestyles.

Hyosung invites FFF attendees to visit booth 426 to explore and experience its latest sustainable and performance innovations, and discover how these solutions can support the future of apparel development.

Posted: July 4, 2026

Source Hyosung TNC

KARL MAYER’s HKS 2-SE Expands Possibilities For Premium Stretch Warp Knits

OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — July 2, 2026 — Warp knitted fabrics with a woven look are more in demand than ever in the fashion and apparel industries.

Stretch WARP KNITS, in particular, impress with their freedom of movement, breathability, and virtually wrinkle-free wear – thereby opening up new style worlds such as smart casual or business casual.

When it comes to the highly efficient production of premium-quality stretch WARP KNITS, the HKS 2-SE has long been the machine of choice. KARL MAYER’s best-selling tricot machine produces standard elastic fabrics characterized by high gauges, smooth, delicate surfaces, and a soft hand feel.

With its unmatched precision, efficiency, and reliability, the HKS 2-SE leads the market; two new variants now offer additional benefits for customers: A 312″-model complements the existing offering with working widths of 130″ (expandabel by 4″) and 156″, thereby ensuring even greater productivity and application versatility. New use and fabric qualities are also made possible by the HKS 2-SE TWO two-in-one machine with the new E 40 gauge.

HKS 2-SE TWO in E 40 for hybrid classics

The HKS 2-SE TWO is the first model in a fresh line of two-bar tricot machines from KARL MAYER that sets new standards for efficiency with double the output. With a working width of 2 x 134″, this two-in-one model simultaneously produces two fabric panels of identically high quality – all at an impressive speed and with an easy operation.

The HKS 2‑SE TWO is now – and this is new – available not only in gauge E 36 but also in gauge E 40. This makes the machine, which is ideally suited for producing durable fabrics with smooth textures, particularly appealing for polo shirts and pants.

HKS 2-SE now also available for bedding

Another new addition is an HKS 2-SE with a working width of 312″. The increased width and a working speed of 3,800 min-1 set new productivity standards for large-format applications such as bedding. In particular, duvets made from supple fabrics with a satin finish and a smooth, cool feel against the skin are in extremely high demand during the hot summer months – and expand the HKS 2-SE’s range of applications to include home textiles in addition to sportswear, swimwear, and lingerie.

The machine is available in E 36 and E 40 gauges, operates with an N-pattern gear drive, and is equipped with KAMCOS® 2.

Posted: July 4, 2026

Source KARL MAYER

Manufacturing PMI® At 53.3%; June 2026 ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report

TEMPE, Ariz.  — July 1, 2026 — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in June for the sixth consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report.

The report was issued today by Susan Spence, MBA, Chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.

“The Manufacturing PMI® registered 53.3 percent in June, 0.7 percentage point lower than in May. The overall economy continued in expansion for the 20th month in a row. (A Manufacturing PMI® above 47.5 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy.) The New Orders Index expanded for the sixth consecutive month after four straight readings in contraction, registering 56 percent, down 0.8 percentage point compared to May’s figure of 56.8 percent. The June reading of the Production Index (52.2 percent) is 2.1 percentage points lower than May’s reading of 54.3 percent. The Prices Index remained in expansion (or ‘increasing’ territory), registering 73 percent, a 9.1-percentage point decrease from May’s reading of 82.1 percent. The Backlog of Orders Index registered 50.5 percent, down 1.7 percentage points compared to the 52.2 percent recorded in May. The Employment Index registered 49.7 percent, up 1.1 percentage points from May’s figure of 48.6 percent,” says Spence.

“The Supplier Deliveries Index indicated slowing performance for the seventh month in a row after one month in ‘faster’ territory. The reading of 57.4 percent is down 3.2 percentage points from its May reading of 60.6 percent. (Supplier Deliveries is the only ISM® PMI® Reports index that is inversed; a reading of above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries, which is typical as the economy improves and customer demand increases.)

“The Inventories Index registered 51.4 percent, returning to expansion territory and up 1.5 percentage points compared to May’s reading of 49.9 percent. The Customers’ Inventories Index reading of 42.3 percent is 0.4 percentage point lower compared to the 42.7 percent recorded in May.

“The New Export Orders Index returned to contraction territory with a reading of 48.5 percent, 2.1 percentage points lower than the 50.6 percent registered in May. The Imports Index registered 52.9 percent, 0.1 percentage point lower than May’s reading of 53 percent.”

Spence continues, “In June, U.S. manufacturing activity remained in expansion territory, growing at a slightly slower pace as compared to the month before. Of the five subindexes that make up the PMI®, the New Orders and Production indexes grew slower as compared to the previous month, the Supplier Deliveries Index slowed at a slower rate, and the Employment and Inventories indexes improved with the latter entering expansion territory.

“In June, 34 percent of the comments were positive and 66 percent negative, with a 1-to-1.9 ratio of positive to negative sentiment. Among negative comments, the Iran war was mentioned in 31 percent and tariffs in 17 percent; 50 percent of the panelists mentioned pricing volatility as an issue for their companies.

“In June, two of four demand indicators (New Orders and Backlog of Orders) were in expansion, and the Customers’ Inventories Index remained in ‘too low’ territory, contracting at a faster rate. A ‘too low’ status for the Customers’ Inventories Index is usually considered positive for future production. New Export Orders returned to contraction, losing 2.1 percentage points since May.

“Regarding output, the Production Index is in expansion for the eighth month in a row, and the Employment Index increased by 1.1 percentage points but remained in contraction. Among panelists, 36 percent indicated that managing head counts remains the norm at their companies, while 64 percent are hiring — a near reversal of those numbers from the start of the year (66 percent of companies were managing staff levels in the January report).

“Finally, inputs (defined as supplier deliveries, inventories, prices, and imports) were mixed, with the Supplier Deliveries Index decreasing 3.2 percentage points, the Inventories Index entering into expansion, the Imports Index losing 0.1 percentage point but staying in expansion, and Prices Index relief coming with a 9.1-percentage point drop, a reading of 73 percent versus 82.1 percent in May.

“Looking at the manufacturing economy, 5 percent of the sector’s gross domestic product (GDP) contracted in June, compared to 2 percent in May, and the percentage of manufacturing GDP in strong contraction (defined as a composite PMI® of 45 percent or lower) was 3 percent, compared to 2 percent in May. The share of sector GDP with a PMI® at or below 45 percent is a good metric to gauge overall manufacturing weakness. All but one (Petroleum & Coal Products) of the six largest manufacturing industries expanded in June, in the following order: Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products.”

The 14 manufacturing industries reporting growth in June — listed in order — are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Textile Mills; Primary Metals; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; Plastics & Rubber Products; Transportation Equipment; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Chemical Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products. The three industries in contraction are: Paper Products; Furniture & Related Products; and Wood Products.

WHAT RESPONDENTS ARE SAYING

  • “The conflict in Iran has impacted pricing in every category of raw materials. Especially, items that have a heavy concentration of oil in the components like our adhesives.” [Chemical Products]
  • “Continued pressure from conflict in Middle East is resulting in a more conservative approach to capital expenditures. We are seeing an increase in consumables and services purchasing from sectors like chemical analysis, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and environmental and pharmaceutical testing.” [Computer & Electronic Products]
  • “General purchasing operations are being shaped by (1) moderating but still elevated inflation, (2) higher interest rates and (3) continued policy uncertainty, particularly around tariffs and global trade. While overall economic growth remains resilient, it is slowing as consumer spending weakens under pressure from higher costs for energy and essential goods, reducing demand visibility and increasing cost sensitivity for buyers. Meanwhile, supply chains have stabilized compared to prior years but remain structurally complex, with trade policy volatility, geopolitical tensions and regulatory changes now ongoing cost drivers rather than temporary disruptions. Our organization continues balancing cost control with resilience, shifting sourcing strategies, tightening inventories and prioritizing supplier diversification and risk management.” [Computer & Electronic Products]
  • “Retail electronics sales seem to have stabilized to some extent. The pause in tariff changes has been welcomed the last two months, but it’s only a matter of time before more confusion is introduced.” [Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components]
  • “Input costs remain elevated across key categories, driven largely by Middle East conflict impacts and ongoing tariff uncertainty. Supplier lead times have stretched, which is influencing our inventory strategy and sourcing decisions. We are managing exposure through diversified supplier bases and contract structures that balance cost certainty with operational flexibility.” [Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products]
  • “Conditions are optimistic but not yet booming for our company, even though many others, it seems, are experiencing growth. Machinery in support of defense and semiconductor manufacturing is very strong, a bright spot for our team. Industrial and medical clients are slow to purchase, focusing more on refurbished and upgraded units versus new ones.” [Machinery]
  • “Core business remains solid in the face of ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Cautiously optimistic that a deal will be reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz; concerned about ongoing ripple effects even when the strait reopens but situation is highly concerning if the strait remains closed. AI industry continues to have huge capacity consumption for critical electronics. Monitoring impact of U.S. defense industry needs on supplier capacity.” [Miscellaneous Manufacturing]
  • “No major changes from last month. With the potential ending of the Iran war, management is expecting us to go back to February pricing structures and plans since the increase in oil prices was driven by the war and not regular market influences.” [Petroleum & Coal Products]
  • “Requests from suppliers in Europe and India for ‘energy surcharges’ have stopped this past month. We’re seeing continued capacity growth in the Asia-Pacific region (excluding China), including Vietnam, Thailand and South Korea. Most suppliers are building for the longer term as geopolitical protection from all sides.” [Transportation Equipment]
  • “The new Section 232 tariffs continue to destroy our profitability and demand as we have to raise prices to deal with this gigantic tax. Add the ‘incentives’ for our company to pivot to purchasing non-U.S. sourced material, and one realizes the total ineptitude of this tariff policy.” [Transportation Equipment]
MANUFACTURING AT A GLANCE

June 2026
Index Series
Index

Jun

 Series
Index

May

 Percentage

Point

Change

 Direction Rate of
Change		 Trend*
(Months)
Manufacturing PMI® 53.3 54.0 -0.7 Growing Slower 6
New Orders 56.0 56.8 -0.8 Growing Slower 6
Production 52.2 54.3 -2.1 Growing Slower 8
Employment 49.7 48.6 +1.1 Contracting Slower 33
Supplier Deliveries 57.4 60.6 -3.2 Slowing Slower 7
Inventories 51.4 49.9 +1.5 Growing From Contracting 1
Customers’ Inventories    42.3 42.7 -0.4 Too Low Faster 21
Prices 73.0 82.1 -9.1 Increasing Slower 21
Backlog of Orders 50.5 52.2 -1.7 Growing Slower 6
New Export Orders 48.5 50.6 -2.1 Contracting From Growing 1
Imports 52.9 53.0 -0.1 Growing Slower 5
OVERALL ECONOMY Growing Slower 20
Manufacturing Sector Growing Slower 6

ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report data is seasonally adjusted for the New Orders, Production, Employment and Inventories indexes.
*Number of months moving in current direction.

COMMODITIES REPORTED UP/DOWN IN PRICE AND IN SHORT SUPPLY

Commodities Up in Price
Aluminum* (31); Aluminum Products (3); Brass (2); Copper (12); Copper Based Products (7); Corrugated Products (3); Electrical Components; Electronic Components (6); Freight (4); Fuel* (4); Memory Components (4); Metal Products (3); Ocean Freight (2); Oil (3); Oil Based Products (3); Packaging Materials (3); Paper Products (3); Plastic Based Products (3); Plastics (4); Printed Circuit Boards; Resins (5); Semiconductors; Steel (8); Steel — Hot Rolled (6); Steel — Stainless (5); Steel Products (7); and Sulfur Products (3).

Commodities Down in Price
Aluminum*; Corn; Crude Oil; Fuel*; and Polypropylene Resin.

Commodities in Short Supply
Electrical Components (12); Electronic Components (16); Memory (6); Semiconductors (4); and Steel — Hot Rolled.

Note: The number of consecutive months the commodity is listed is indicated after each item.
*Indicates both up and down in price.

JUNE 2026 MANUFACTURING INDEX SUMMARIES

Manufacturing PMI®
The U.S. manufacturing sector expanded in June for the sixth straight month following a 10-month period of contraction, registering 53.3 percent, a decrease of 0.7 percentage point compared to May. Of the five subindexes that directly factor into the Manufacturing PMI®, four (New Orders, Production, Supplier Deliveries and Inventories) were in expansion territory, one more than in May. The Employment Index stayed in contraction but improved compared to May. Five of the six largest manufacturing industries expanded in June, with Petroleum & Coal Products the exception. A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing sector is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting.

A Manufacturing PMI® above 47.5 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. Therefore, the June Manufacturing PMI® indicates the overall economy grew for the 20th straight month. “The past relationship between the Manufacturing PMI® and the overall economy indicates that June reading (53.3 percent) corresponds to a 2-percent increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) on an annualized basis,” says Spence.

THE LAST 12 MONTHS

Month Manufacturing
PMI®		 Month Manufacturing
PMI®
Jun 2026 53.3 Dec 2025 47.9
May 2026 54.0 Nov 2025 48.0
Apr 2026 52.7 Oct 2025 48.8
Mar 2026 52.7 Sep 2025 48.9
Feb 2026 52.4 Aug 2025 48.9
Jan 2026 52.6 Jul 2025 48.4
Average for 12 months – 50.7

High – 54.0

Low – 47.9

New Orders
ISM®‘s New Orders Index expanded in June with a reading of 56 percent, a decrease of 0.8 percentage point compared to May’s reading of 56.8 percent. “Of the six largest manufacturing industries, four (Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; Transportation Equipment; and Chemical Products) reported increased new orders. Demand sentiment was positive in June, with a 2.7-to-1 ratio of positive to negative comments,” says Spence. A New Orders Index above 51.9 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Census Bureau’s series on manufacturing orders (in constant 2000 dollars).

The 11 manufacturing industries that reported growth in new orders in June, in order, are: Primary Metals; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Transportation Equipment; and Chemical Products. The six industries reporting a decline in new orders in June, in order, are: Paper Products; Furniture & Related Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Wood Products; and Textile Mills.

New Orders %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Jun 2026 22.3 64.3 13.4 +8.9 56.0
May 2026 30.9 55.2 13.9 +17.0 56.8
Apr 2026 31.6 53.2 15.2 +16.4 54.1
Mar 2026 29.1 56.3 14.6 +14.5 53.5

Production
The Production Index expanded in June for the eighth month in a row, registering 52.2 percent, a 2.1-percentage point decrease compared to May’s reading of 54.3 percent. “Of the six largest manufacturing industries, four (Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; Transportation Equipment; and Chemical Products) reported increased production. Panelists had a 2-to-1 ratio of positive to negative comments regarding output,” says Spence. An index above 52 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Federal Reserve Board’s Industrial Production figures.

The eight industries reporting growth in production during the month of June — listed in order — are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Fabricated Metal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Computer & Electronic Products; Primary Metals; Machinery; Transportation Equipment; and Chemical Products. The six industries reporting a decrease in production in June, in order, are: Paper Products; Wood Products; Furniture & Related Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Textile Mills.

Production %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Jun 2026 19.0 68.0 13.0 +6.0 52.2
May 2026 26.7 57.8 15.5 +11.2 54.3
Apr 2026 28.3 58.7 13.0 +15.3 53.4
Mar 2026 24.5 62.8 12.7 +11.8 55.1

Employment
ISM®‘s Employment Index registered 49.7 percent in June, 1.1 percentage points higher than May’s reading of 48.6 percent. “The index posted its 33rd consecutive month of contraction after expanding in September 2023. Since January 2023, the Employment Index has contracted in 41 of 42 months. Of the six big manufacturing industries, three (Machinery; Transportation Equipment; and Chemical Products) reported higher levels of employment in June. The panelist comment ratio of hiring to managing/reducing head counts was 1.8 to 1 in June, nearly a reversal of the 1-to-2 ratio at the beginning a year,” says Spence. An Employment Index above 50.3 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on manufacturing employment.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, nine reported employment growth in June, in the following order: Printing & Related Support Activities; Paper Products; Primary Metals; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Plastics & Rubber Products; Machinery; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Transportation Equipment; and Chemical Products. The three industries reporting a decrease in employment in June are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Fabricated Metal Products. Six industries reported no change in employment in June.

Employment %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Jun 2026 16.2 70.0 13.8 +2.4 49.7
May 2026 17.0 67.6 15.4 +1.6 48.6
Apr 2026 17.5 62.3 20.2 -2.7 46.4
Mar 2026 14.2 70.8 15.0 -0.8 48.7

Supplier Deliveries†
Delivery performance of suppliers to manufacturing organizations was slower in June for the seventh consecutive month after one month of faster deliveries. “The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 57.4 percent, 3.2 percentage points lower than May’s reading of 60.6 percent. Of the six big industries, five (Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Chemical Products; and Transportation Equipment) reported slower supplier deliveries,” says Spence. A reading below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries, while a reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries.

The 12 manufacturing industries reporting slower supplier deliveries in June, in order, are: Textile Mills; Primary Metals; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Fabricated Metal Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Chemical Products; and Transportation Equipment. No industry reported faster deliveries in June. Six industries reported no change in supplier deliveries in June.

Supplier Deliveries %Slower %Same %Faster Net Index
Jun 2026 18.1 78.5 3.4 +14.7 57.4
May 2026 24.6 71.9 3.5 +21.1 60.6
Apr 2026 22.6 75.9 1.5 +21.1 60.6
Mar 2026 19.5 78.8 1.7 +17.8 58.9

Inventories
The Inventories Index registered 51.4 percent in June, up 1.5 percentage points compared to the reading of 49.9 percent in May. “Of the six big industries, three (Machinery; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Transportation Equipment) expanded inventories in June,” says Spence. An Inventories Index greater than 44.5 percent, over time, is generally consistent with expansion in the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) figures on overall manufacturing inventories (in chained 2000 dollars).

Of 18 manufacturing industries, the seven reporting higher inventories in June — in the following order — are: Textile Mills; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Machinery; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Transportation Equipment. The five industries reporting lower inventories in June are: Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Primary Metals; Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; and Wood Products. Six industries reported no change in inventories in June.

Inventories %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Jun 2026 15.4 70.4 14.2 +1.2 51.4
May 2026 18.1 65.4 16.5 +1.6 49.9
Apr 2026 14.5 68.3 17.2 -2.7 49.0
Mar 2026 16.7 64.3 19.0 -2.3 47.1

Customers’ Inventories†
ISM®‘s Customers’ Inventories Index remained in “too low” territory in June, with reading of 42.3 percent, a decrease of 0.4 percentage point compared to the 42.7 percent reported in May. (For more information about the Customers’ Inventories Index, see the “Data and Method of Presentation” section below.)

The four industries that reported that customers’ inventories were too high in June are: Textile Mills; Wood Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Plastics & Rubber Products. The eight industries reporting customers’ inventories as too low in June, in order, are: Fabricated Metal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Primary Metals; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; and Chemical Products. Six industries reported no change in customers’ inventories in June compared to May.

Customers’
Inventories		 %
Reporting		 %Too
High		 %About
Right		 %Too
Low		 Net Index
Jun 2026 78 7.5 69.5 23.0 -15.5 42.3
May 2026 73 7.0 71.3 21.7 -14.7 42.7
Apr 2026 73 7.6 62.9 29.5 -21.9 39.1
Mar 2026 74 6.9 66.3 26.8 -19.9 40.1

Prices†
The ISM® Prices Index registered 73 percent in June, a decrease of 9.1 percentage points compared to its May reading of 82.1 percent, indicating raw materials prices increased for the 21st straight month. This is the largest decrease in the index since July 2022, when it dropped 18.5 percentage points. Of the six largest manufacturing industries, five — Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products — reported price increases in June. “The Prices Index reading is still being driven by (1) increases in steel and aluminum prices that impact the entire value chain, (2) tariffs applied to many imported goods and (3) increases in petroleum-based products as a result of the Middle East conflict. Higher prices were reported by 55.1 percent of respondents in June, down 11.2 percentage points from May’s 66.3 percent,” says Spence. A Prices Index above 52.8 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials.

In June, the 15 industries that reported paying increased prices for raw materials, in order, are: Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Machinery; Primary Metals; Wood Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Paper Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; Furniture & Related Products; Textile Mills; Chemical Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products. Only one industry (Petroleum & Coal Products) reported paying decreased prices for raw materials in June.

Prices %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Jun 2026 55.1 35.7 9.2 +45.9 73.0
May 2026 66.3 31.5 2.2 +64.1 82.1
Apr 2026 70.3 28.5 1.2 +69.1 84.6
Mar 2026 59.4 37.8 2.8 +56.6 78.3

Backlog of Orders†
ISM®‘s Backlog of Orders Index registered 50.5 percent in June, a decrease of 1.7 percentage points compared to the May reading of 52.2 percent. Of the six largest manufacturing industries, three (Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; and Machinery) reported expansion in order backlogs in June.

The eight industries reporting higher backlogs in June — listed in order — are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Plastics & Rubber Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Primary Metals; Chemical Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Machinery. The six industries reporting lower backlogs in June — listed in order — are: Textile Mills; Wood Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Paper Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Transportation Equipment.

Backlog of
Orders		 %
Reporting		 %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Jun 2026 88 20.4 60.2 19.4 +1.0 50.5
May 2026 87 20.4 63.5 16.1 +4.3 52.2
Apr 2026 90 22.1 58.6 19.3 +2.8 51.4
Mar 2026 90 24.6 59.6 15.8 +8.8 54.4

New Export Orders†
ISM®‘s New Export Orders Index returned to contraction territory in June, as it registered 48.5 percent, down 2.1 percentage points from May’s reading of 50.6 percent. “Among panelists’ comments, the positive-to-negative sentiment ratio was 1.5 to 1,” says Spence.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, the four that reported growth in new export orders in June are: Computer & Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The nine industries that reported a decrease in new export orders in June — in the following order — are: Wood Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Paper Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; and Textile Mills.

New Export
Orders		 %
Reporting		 %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Jun 2026 71 10.9 75.2 13.9 -3.0 48.5
May 2026 74 12.8 75.6 11.6 +1.2 50.6
Apr 2026 75 10.4 75.0 14.6 -4.2 47.9
Mar 2026 74 12.1 75.5 12.4 -0.3 49.9

Imports†
ISM®‘s Imports Index was 52.9 percent in June, a 0.1-percentage point decrease compared to May’s reading of 53 percent.

The 10 industries reporting higher imports in June — in the following order — are: Wood Products; Textile Mills; Primary Metals; Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Fabricated Metal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Chemical Products; and Transportation Equipment. The two industries that reported lower volumes in June are: Printing & Related Support Activities; and Paper Products. Six industries reported no change in imports in June compared to May.

Imports %
Reporting		 %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Jun 2026 86 12.5 80.7 6.8 +5.7 52.9
May 2026 85 15.4 75.2 9.4 +6.0 53.0
Apr 2026 85 10.6 79.3 10.1 +0.5 50.3
Mar 2026 87 15.1 75.0 9.9 +5.2 52.6

†The Supplier Deliveries, Customers’ Inventories, Prices, Backlog of Orders, New Export Orders, and Imports indexes do not meet the accepted criteria for seasonal adjustments.

Buying Policy
The average commitment lead time for Capital Expenditures in June was 171 days, the same as May. The average lead time in June for Production Materials was 84 days, a three day increase since May. The average lead time for Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies was 48 days, the same as May.

Percent Reporting
Capital
Expenditures		 Hand-to-
Mouth		 30 Days 60 Days 90 Days 6 Months 1 Year+ Average
Days
Jun 2026 16 5 7 15 30 27 171
May 2026 17 5 7 11 34 26 171
Apr 2026 15 4 7 13 35 26 174
Mar 2026 17 3 10 12 32 26 170
Percent Reporting
Production
Materials		 Hand-to-
Mouth		 30 Days 60 Days 90 Days 6 Months 1 Year+ Average
Days
Jun 2026 8 23 28 26 10 5 84
May 2026 8 25 27 25 11 4 81
Apr 2026 7 26 25 28 10 4 81
Mar 2026 8 26 27 26 7 6 82
Percent Reporting
MRO Supplies Hand-to-
Mouth		 30 Days 60 Days 90 Days 6 Months 1 Year+ Average
Days
Jun 2026 28 35 17 13 6 1 48
May 2026 27 39 16 12 4 2 48
Apr 2026 27 36 18 14 4 1 46
Mar 2026 29 38 15 13 4 1 44

 

Posted: July 1, 2026

Source Institute for Supply Management

Reju Opens First U.S. Research & Development Center In Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

PARIS and CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.  — July 1, 2026 — Reju, the textile-to-textile materials regeneration company, today announced that it had opened a Research & Development Center in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, marking the company’s first dedicated research facility in North America. Located within Technip Energy’s Advanced Materials and Catalysts’ existing research center, the lab will help Reju accelerate the deployment of its recycling technologies and will help develop Reju’s next-generation circular solutions.

Reju opens its first U.S. Research & Development Center in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, accelerating the path from circular innovation to industrial-scale textile regeneration.

The R&D Center marks the relocation of Reju’s core research team from IBM’s Almaden Research Center in San Jose, California, where Reju’s Volcat depolymerizaztion technology, a catalytic chemical recycling method breaking down polyester into reusable raw materials, was first developed.

“I am excited to be joining such an innovative company and to be part of the team moving the technology towards industrialization and supporting the infrastructure for true post-consumer textile-to-textile recycling at scale,” said Gregory Breyta, Reju’s Director of Research & Development.

The facility will be focused on the full development spectrum, from early-stage feasibility through to kilo-scale production. It will span polyester recycling, mixed-fabric solutions, and new circular chemistry pathways, enabling rapid iteration and accelerating Reju’s path from concept to industrial reality. The new R&D center will support the development and validation of technologies intended for deployment across Reju’s future Regeneration Hubs.

By locating the facility within Technip Energies’ existing research infrastructure, Reju will benefit from direct access to decades of Technip Energies’ expertise in catalysis, process development, technology integration and industrial scale-up.

The establishment of the R&D Center is a component of Reju’s broader strategy to build a closed-loop recycling ecosystem that converts discarded fabric and textiles back into quality products. The center joins Reju’s growing global infrastructure, including their first textile-to-textile facility Regeneration Hub Zero in Frankfurt, Germany and future Regeneration Hubs that have been announced in Sittard (Netherlands), Lacq (France), and Rochester, New York (USA).

“Together, these facilities form a replicable global circular infrastructure designed to turn today’s textile waste into tomorrow’s raw materials,” said Breyta.

Posted: July 1, 2026

Source Reju / Technip Energies

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