PARIS — February 10, 2025 — The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp will host a Natural Fibre Village at JEC World 2025 that will showcase the activities of the Alliance and nine of its members in a 250m2 area dedicated to natural fibre composites.
Partnering with the JEC Group, the Alliance will lead the European flax and hemp industry exhibit where Bcomp, Demgy, Depestele, Eco-Technilin, Flipts en Dobbels, Libeco, Norafin, Safilin and Terre de Lin and, for the first time, Linificio e Canapificio Nazionale SRL, will all exhibit a wide range of flax and hemp raw materials and composite products.
Materials on display throughout the village will include new services and products developed specifically for key Automotive, Architectural and Industrial Design applications such as: 2D woven flax reinforcements, roving, flax based thermoplastic tape, flax reinforcements produced from natural fibres and automotive industry waste, non-woven reinforcements, bio-sourced flax fillers for automotive OEM structural parts and much more.
On the JEC Mobility planets, JEC Innovation Award Finalist Bcomp and its partners Windicty, Arkema and NMG Europe, will display the rComposite® vertical wind blade, manufactured from recyclable materials including a mix of glass, flax and recycled carbon fibers combined with thermoplastic resins.
Bcomp will also showcase its collaboration with Temca on the Industrial Planet. Designed by Rudy Ricciotti and Roland Carta for Bouygues Bâtiment Sud-Est and manufactured by Temca using Bcomp’s ampliTex™, 880 cladding panels were created for the façade of the new Cité Scolaire Internationale Jacques Chirac in Marseille.
Also on the Industrial Planet, EcoTechnilin and Babolat have partnered to develop NF²-TECH for high performance sports rackets. Prioritizing the technical advantages of flax fibers, such as enhanced vibration damping and improved comfort, this innovation, used across Babolat’s premium racket range, demonstrates flax’s ability to meet strict technical and industrial requirements.
Finally, as part of the JEC Composite Exchange program, Alliance experts Julie Pariset Innovation & CSR Director and Marie Demaegdt Sustainability Director with the support of Bruno Pech, Innovation Project Manager will present a session entitled Advancing European Flax-Linen & Hemp Composites: Innovations, Insights, and Sustainable Pathways. This session, held on 4 March, 16.30, Agora Stage, will explore the latest advancements in the European flax-linen and hemp composites sector, shedding light on its technical innovations, environmental contributions, and strategic pathways for a more sustainable future.
JEC World 2025 will form a key part of the Alliance’s acceleration of its sustainable transformation trajectory and will include updates on the evolution of Flax-Linen certifications, new environmental footprint tools and scientific validations on the technical properties of Flax-Linen.
ADLINGTON, UK — February 10, 2025 — Military fabric printer, dyer and finisher, Pincroft, has reinforced its position in camouflage fabric manufacturing with a £1.5 million investment in cutting-edge rotary printing technology. During a high-profile visit from UK government officials, the company also announced it has brought rotary laser engraving technology in-house, further strengthening its domestic capabilities in camouflage fabric production.
(L-R) John Vareldzis (CEO), Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Maria Eagle MP, Mike Collins (MD).
The event was attended by prominent figures including Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Chorley, Maria Eagle MP, Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Industry, and Pincroft’s CEO John Vareldzis, alongside Managing Director Mike Collins. In a symbolic moment marking the company’s military printing expansion, the officials cut the ribbon in front of a small group of directors and industry guests, underscoring the significance of UK-based expertise in military textiles. Discussions focused on the importance of reshoring camouflage fabric production, reinforcing national supply chains and the wider benefits for local employment.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “This is a major investment creating high quality jobs, but most of all, producing the best camouflage in the world being printed here. We look forward to the United Kingdom wearing printed uniforms from Adlington.”
Maria Eagle MP added: “The impact of having the capability in the UK to make uniforms to these standards is quite clear. It means that you can keep the intellectual property of how you’re designing your uniforms local, instead of them being sent around the world. To have the capability to do that here is a very powerful sovereign strength.”
John Vareldzis commented: “The scale of today’s visit and the calibre of attendees demonstrate the strategic importance of this investment—to ourselves, the local area and the UK. With many decades of military printing experience, we now have one of the best rotary printing technologies available. This positions us to meet our customers’ evolving needs, explore new markets and offer greater versatility, including lighter fabrics.”
Mike Collins highlighted: “This investment presents a huge opportunity for growth. By adding this additional equipment, we have increased our annual capacity to over eight million metres, ensuring we are well-positioned to meet growing customer demand.”
Pincroft’s new investment includes a Rotascreen TG by Austrian manufacturer Zimmer, with 12 printheads and a magnet system to ensure greater precision, faster reorders and uniform coverage. To further enhance production, Pincroft has also brought screen-making in-house with the SPGPrints bestLEN direct rotary engraving system. This allows for greater flexibility, creativity and speed when producing new designs for customers – from concept to printed fabric.
PARIS — February 10, 2025 — Under a new partnership agreement between TotalEnergies Lubrifiants and Mayer & Cie. signed, the Tixo Stainless co-branded product range will be sold by Mayer & Cie.’s expert distributors worldwide to their customers.
Rainer KEIEMBURG, Vice President for Industrial Lubricants at TotalEnergies Lubrifiants and Marcus Mayer, Managing Partner Mayer & Cie. signed the cooperation in Strasbourg on Thursday, February 6, 2025 Photo — Benjamin Hincker
Signed on February 6, 2025, this new agreement allows the two leaders to join forces to combine TotalEnergies’ Tixo Stainless oils, one of the highest-performance knitting machine lubricants, with one of the best knitting machines available on the market.
TotalEnergies Lubrifiants is one of the world’s leading suppliers of oils for knitting machines. Its range of Tixo products, specially designed to meet the requirements of knitting machines and approved by key manufacturers, is one of the best oils available on the market for lubricating needles, needle beds, sinkers and knitting cams on knitting machines. They are also compatible with all types of yarn. Tixo knitting oils have been developed to offer the best washability at low, medium and high wash temperatures, without compromising mechanical performance. This ensures adequate lubrication of machine components, guaranteeing machine reliability and the quality of the knitted fabrics produced.
Mayer & Cie., a German company founded in 1905, is a long-established, premium manufacturer and supplier of large-diameter circular knitting machines. As a trailblazer in the sector, setting standards while developing new processes and approaches, the company is further distinguished by its strong expertise and market knowledge. Benjamin MAYER, Managing Partner Mayer & Cie. said: “We are excited to offer our circular knitting machine customers a premium-quality machine and needle oil, adding yet another element to ensure exceptional performance.”
Founded on shared values and a common passion for innovation, this agreement reflects both partners’ commitment to meeting their customers’ specific needs with highly advanced, high-performance solutions. The partnership also embodies TotalEnergies Lubrifiants’ expertise in knitting machines lubrication as several world’s key knitting machine manufacturers place their trust in the Tixo range, which Mayer & Cie. has just joined. For Rainer KEIEMBURG, Vice President for Industrial Lubricants at TotalEnergies Lubrifiants, “It is an honor to welcome Mayer & Cie. as one of our key partners. Combining their circular knitting machines with our lubricants was an obvious choice for me, and I am delighted to collaborate together to fully satisfy their customers.”
ANAHEIM, Calif., and MILFORD, Mass. — February 4, 2025 — MD&M West – Waters Corporation today announced the launch of the TA Instruments™ ElectroForce™ Apex 1 Mechanical Testing Instrument, specially designed for increased versatility, speed, and ease of use to support precise tensile and fatigue testing of high performance and lightweight polymers and composites.
Tabletop and floor-standing models of the TA Instruments ElectroForce Apex 1 Mechanical Testing Instrument.
“As an additive manufacturing company, we build 3D-printed polymer parts that are increasingly being used in highly demanding applications where strength and durability are essential. After one short training session, we were able to use the ElectroForce Apex 1 Instrument to easily conduct tensile and fatigue testing to characterize our new materials,” said Javier Ramos, Chief Technology Officer for Inkbit Corporation. “The ease of use and quick time to results have given us the confidence to explore a greater range of materials, testing the limit of our manufactured materials and processes.”
Material strength and durability testing is increasingly important for accelerating the development of products in demanding applications such as those in the medical device, polymer, aerospace, automotive, and additive manufacturing industries. The ElectroForce Apex 1 Instrument’s motor stroke range is at least 43% greater than the competition, providing laboratories and manufacturers the versatility to perform monotonic and fatigue testing across a greater variety of materials. The increased motor stroke range also speeds testing by up to 30%, which can reduce costs early in development by helping users to identify and eliminate weaknesses in material selection and design, before the validation or post-launch phase.
“As manufacturers pivot towards developing and using more high-quality sustainable materials, the need for simple, accurate, and affordable mechanical testing becomes increasingly important,” said Yu Cheng, vice president of Research and Development and Product Solutions, TA Instruments Division of Waters. “The ElectroForce Apex 1 Instrument was designed for customers looking for precise, safe, and reliable testing to inform material selection and design, as well as component and product performance assessments.”
Designed to reduce operator process steps and errors, the ElectroForce Apex 1 Instrument comes equipped with new software features, including TuneIQ™ Technology, which can automatically tune the instrument without operator intervention and without additional, invasive stress or strain applied to the sample. The new motor control system improves break-stop capabilities during mechanical testing, increasing workflow options and operator confidence to run longer experiments unsupervised, including overnight. The instrument also comes with intelligent data acquisition to help prevent computer hard drive overload by selecting test-specific data parameters and limiting collection to more critical and manageable data.
Waters ElectroForce™ Apex 1 Mechanical Testing Instrument is available for order today.
YAMAGATA, Japan — February 3, 2025 — Spiber, a pioneer in protein fibers (ISO 2076) produced using fermentation technology, is excited to announce its debut at Milano Unica, taking place from February 4–6, 2025.
Pure Brewed Protein™ pique Composition: 100% Brewed Protein™ fiber Produced by A-girls Credit: Spiber Inc.
At the show, Spiber will unveil over 20 newly developed woven suiting fabrics created in collaboration with Takisada-Nagoya, a Japanese fiber distributor based in Aichi prefecture. Takisada-Nagoya is renowned for its exceptional in-house textile developments, particularly with wool, and is a trusted supplier to both premium global and mass-market brands.
The collection features a wide range of blends containing 10%–50% Brewed Protein™ fiber and includes materials like wool, polyester, and more—ideal for suits and jackets. This unveiling marks a significant milestone for Spiber in showcasing such a versatile and extensive lineup of suiting fabrics.
“Brewed Protein™ fiber is highly appealing for its fine diameter, excellent compatibility with worsted fabrics, and its ability to deliver an unparalleled sense of luxury and superior texture. Suit fabrics made with Brewed Protein™ fibers not only embody sustainability but also feature a unique sheen and luxurious feel, setting them apart from traditional materials like silk or cashmere. Recognizing the potential to redefine value in the declining global suit market, we embarked on this initiative to create and promote innovative suit fabrics. Looking ahead, we plan to leverage our global production strengths to explore broader applications for material development beyond suits.” – Ryuichi Tanaka, Takisada-Nagoya Co., Ltd. Menswear Fabric Section 2 Manager
Additionally, Spiber will showcase 40 newly developed Brewed Protein™ blended fabrics, with Brewed Protein™ fiber content ranging from 6%–100%. These fabrics were crafted in partnership with A-girls, a distinguished Japanese textile manufacturer based in Wakayama prefecture, known for its expertise in circular-knit production and artisanal craftsmanship. A-girls’ exceptionally soft, comfortable fabrics have made it a trusted supplier for global luxury brands. Since beginning their collaboration with Spiber in 2023, A-girls has produced an expanding collection of approximately 120 textile designs.
“Brewed Protein™ fiber can be compared to a new seasoning in cooking—one that has the potential to transform the dish itself. It is a groundbreaking material that stimulates the creativity of developers, offering the possibility of realizing projects beyond our imagination. Additionally, there is great joy in developing fabrics that are closer to human skin than any material previously available. As a manufacturing company, aiming to eliminate waste and reduce the burden on natural resources and animals aligns perfectly with our philosophy. The unique creativity and cutting-edge development technology that Spiber possesses are indispensable for the future. We have high expectations for Spiber to drive technological innovation not only in the textile field but also in new areas such as medicine and food.” – Tomohiro Yamashita, A-GIRL’S CO., LTD. President
Visitors can explore the full range of Spiber’s showcased textiles at Booth JOB A12. Purchases will be available through Takisada-Nagoya (JOB B09/11) and A-girls (JOB A13), who are also presenting at Milano Unica.
Since its founding in 2007, Spiber has dedicated over 15 years to researching and developing protein materials. This journey culminated in the launch of its first commercial protein polymer production plant in 2021. The company has since partnered with leading domestic and global yarn and textile manufacturers, including Botto Giuseppe e Figli S.p.A., Consinee Group, Filatura Papi Fabio S.p.A., Marzotto Wool Manufacturing Srl, RD Gruppo Florence, Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia, and others. Brewed Protein™ fiber has also been featured in products from renowned brands like Goldwin, the Issey Miyake group, Margaret Howell, sacai, The North Face, Woolrich, and more.
With its versatility and vast potential for diverse applications, Brewed Protein™ fiber represents a groundbreaking material for a sustainable future. Spiber remains committed to driving innovation and expanding its global network of suppliers, working toward solutions that contribute to a better, more sustainable society.
PARIS — February 5, 2025 — Reju™, the progressive textile-to-textile regeneration company, and Cibutex, a cooperative of companies dedicated to establishing a more sustainable textile supply chain, today announced they have signed a partnership. Through this collaboration, Reju and Cibutex will work to establish an ecosystem among Cibutex member companies.
This partnership will deliver feedstock supply of secondary raw materials derived from post-consumer textile waste to Reju for the recycling and the production of regenerated Reju Polyester™. This provides circular regeneration opportunities using Reju’s innovative textile-to-textile recycling technology.
Reju is pioneering a global infrastructure for large-scale textile waste regeneration, starting with polyester. Reju Polyester™ , will have a 50% lower carbon footprint compared to virgin polyester and can be regenerated infinitely. This partnership with Cibutex will see materials from the cooperative’s member companies processed at Reju’s Regeneration Hub Zero in Frankfurt, Germany, which will be fully operational in 2025 and at future Reju Regeneration Hubs.
Cibutex brings together companies from the textile service sector to collect and process post-use business textiles, creating a pathway for these materials to be reintroduced into the production cycle. It aims to close the loop on business textile production, ensuring that B2B post-use textiles are collected and transformed into valuable raw materials. By integrating Reju’s proprietary regeneration technology, this union ensures traceability and scalability, key components of a truly sustainable and circular textile supply chain.
Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju, said:
“Reju and Cibutex are joining forces to lead the change in creating a circular ecosystem for business textiles. Cibutex’s distinct approach to mobilizing member companies aligns perfectly with Reju’s mission to regenerate textiles at scale. Together, we are tackling the challenge of textile waste, building an infrastructure that keeps valuable resources out of landfills and incineration while reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.”
Jan Lamme, CEO at Cibutex, added:
“Our cooperative was founded on the principle of fostering a circular textile economy. Partnering with Reju strengthens our ability to bring post-use business textiles back into the production cycle, achieving the traceability and quality which are essential for a sustainable future. This cooperation represents a major step forward in realizing our vision of a closed-loop supply chain for the textile service sector.”
The joint efforts of Reju and Cibutex highlight the strength of combined ingenuity and innovation in tackling the growing challenge of textile waste. With the European Union’s mandate for textile waste collection taking effect this year, along with pending regulations in the U.S., this initiative comes at a pivotal moment, ensuring scalable solutions to meet regulatory demands and achieve a more sustainable future.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — February 3, 2025 — Unifi, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “UNIFI”), an innovator in recycled and synthetic yarn, today announced it will be transitioning yarn production out of its manufacturing facility in Madison, North Carolina, and placing the property for sale in calendar 2025. Production activities currently occurring at the Madison, North Carolina facility will be consolidated into UNIFI facilities in North and Central America.
Eddie Ingle, Chief Executive Officer of UNIFI, Inc., stated, “We are very grateful for the hard work, contributions, and support from everyone involved with the Madison facility, including the community and employees, past and present. We will work closely with our employees and community to ensure the smoothest transition possible, and we are offering existing employees available opportunities at our other facilities in North Carolina.”
Ingle continued, “The closure of this facility enables us to better align UNIFI’s manufacturing footprint with our growing customer base across North and Central America. This move, which involves relocating some machinery to other manufacturing locations, will enhance our cost structure and strengthen our balance sheet.
“Importantly, this transition will not impact our ability to meet the demands of the market or our strategic initiatives focused on innovation, the REPREVE® portfolio, and continuous financial improvement. We look forward to transitioning to a more robust operating profile, revitalizing our Americas businesses, and creating a more sustainable future for all our stakeholders.”
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam — February 5, 2025 — At the turn of the new year, Vietnam’s textile industry is poised to celebrate a significant milestone achieved in 2024: it is likely to have overtaken Bangladesh as the world’s second-largest garment exporter, following China. With a robust lineup of Chinese exhibitors showcasing to the Vietnamese market, and sustainability high on the list of priorities, these two textile powerhouses are set to unlock new opportunities at the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles, and Textile Technologies (VIATT), taking place from 26 – 28 February 2025.
Chinese manufacturers are increasingly seeking strategic investment opportunities in Vietnam, a key beneficiary of the China Plus One strategy. In October 2024, the two countries signed 10 agreements to enhance cooperation, ranging from an action plan for mutual recognition between customs agencies to cross-border QR code payments. To take advantage of the expanding market, in addition to other international exhibitors VIATT will welcome leading Chinese suppliers from the entire textile value chain. Highlighted exhibitors include:
Apparel fabrics, yarns & fibres and garments
Supertex Int’l Jiangyin Jiaxiang Trading: for over 20 years, the company has been a leader in providing vertical fashion supply chain services to top fashion brands, as well as fabric development services for designers. Its all-in-one digital system also supports functions such as visitor registration, intelligent workshops, virtual fitting, and online ordering.
Tenglong Textile: Tenglong specialises in a wide range of products manufactured in Vietnam, including pongee, stretch fabric, oxford cloth, and other polyester based chemical fibre fabrics, catering to various applications including jackets, outdoor gear, and travel bags.
Also aiming to leverage Vietnam’s strong apparel textile sector, other notable suppliers in this category include Foshan Shi Recoton Textile, Heng Li String and Braid (Shanghai), Idole Trading, and Zhangjiagang VCARE Textile.
Home & contract textiles
Shanghai Donglong Hometextile Products: part of the Donglong Group, the company excels in producing down materials and home textiles, with a strong global presence, particularly in Europe, Japan and the US.
Jiangsu Etex Textile Corp: Etex focuses on high-end home textiles, its main products including kitchen towels and bathroom home textiles. With annual production capacity of towels of 2,000 tons, the manufacturer also holds multiple international certifications, including OEKO-TEX®, GOTS, BSCI and ISO.
Frontever Home Vietnam Company: a leading home textile exporter, the company has established itself as a top supplier of Walmart, Amazon, Disney, Aldi, Auchan, and Carrefour, with numerous end consumers worldwide using its products. Its Vietnam office, established in 2013, has strengthened its supply network in Southeast Asia.
Nanjing Heniemo Home Textiles: Heniemo currently has a factory cluster of 500,000 sqm, manufacturing key products such as bedding four-piece sets, quilt multi-piece sets, curtains, blankets, pillow inserts, throw pillows, and more.
Joining the home and contract textile category at VIATT 2025 will be Changxing Dacheng Light Textile, Huzhou Yilai Textile, Muye Home Fashion Vietnam, Pearl Comfort, Zhangjiagang Coolist Life Technology, Zhejiang Guzi Textile, and Zhejiang Yong Li Warp Knitting.
Technical textiles, nonwovens, and textile technologies
Jiangsu Yingyang Nonwoven Machinery: as the largest nonwoven machinery manufacturer in China, the company’s production lines have been installed in 77 countries, providing a complete solution for nonwovens, in categories ranging from geotextiles, hygienic products, home textiles to automotive interior materials.
CTA Hi-Tech Textiles: CTA Hi-Tech Textiles produces multifunctional fibre-based composite materials, producing functional coated textiles such as TPU fabrics, inflatable fabrics, and TPU film, serving diverse sectors such as labour safety, automotive auxiliary, medical care, and aerospace.
In this product zone, buyers can also source from a wide range of innovative products from a variety of other Chinese suppliers, including Livite (Wuxi) High Polymer Materials, Rufong Machinery (Zhengzhou), Zhejiang Jinqian New Material, and Zhejiang Kingsafe Hygiene Materials Technology.
With sustainability a key focus for manufacturers across the entire textile value chain, the show’s inaugural Econogy Hub will serve as a dedicated zone for eco-fabrics suppliers and certifications providers, connecting Vietnamese, Chinese, and other international industry players to a range of traceable solutions.
This zone is set to feature 12 global exhibitors, including well-known testers and certifiers Cradle to Cradle Innovation Institute (Netherlands), Global Organic Textile Standard (Germany), Hohenstein (Germany), IDFL Laboratory and Institute (USA), and The Woolmark Company Pty Ltd (Australia). By prominently grouping green suppliers and service providers, VIATT will take another step towards becoming ASEAN’s sustainable, one-stop sourcing platform for the entire textile value chain.
The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE). For more details on this fair, please visit www.viatt.com.vn or contact viatt@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com.
VIATT will be held from 26 – 28 February 2025.
Other upcoming shows:
Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition /
Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition /
Yarn Expo Spring
March 11 – 13 — 2025, Shanghai
Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics /
Yarn Expo Shenzhen
June 11 – 13, 2025 — Shenzhen (Futian)
Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition
ZÜRICH, Switzerland — February 5, 2025 — The ITMF’s 30th Global Textile Industry Survey conducted in January 2025 reveals a cautiously optimistic outlook amid ongoing challenges in the textile value chain. While the overall global business balance remains negative at -15 percentage points (pp), the trend has been on an upswing since November 2024, especially in South America, which shows a positive balance of +21pp. Notably, garment manufacturers have also turned positive, registering a balance of +3pp.
Looking ahead, optimism is growing with 43% of survey participants expecting improved conditions in the next six months, lifting the global outlook to a positive balance of +29 percentage points. Regions like South America and producer groups such as spinners, which report a balance of +46pp and +45pp, respectively, are leading this sentiment.
Order intake continues its steady recovery with January 2025 figures showing a balance of –6pp after 14 months of progress. South Asia and South America post strong positive performances, but home textile is the only segment with a positive balance. Meanwhile, the global order backlog has risen to 2.5 months, with North & Central America at 2.9 months, indicating increased demand despite persistent concerns.
Challenges persist as global capacity utilization rate slips to 72%, even though it remains above previous lows. The survey also highlights ongoing worries over weak demand and geopolitical risks, with high energy and raw material prices adding to industry pressures. However, order cancellations have stayed low and stable, and overall inventory levels have remained relatively unchanged.
Posted: February 7, 2025
Source The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)
ISTANBUL — February 4, 2025 — Stating that they have been guiding companies through the METAMORPHOSIS Project, carried out within the scope of the EU’s IPA projects, Paşahan said, “Although we have faced cyclical challenges over the past two years, we take a long-term perspective. Apparel will remain crucial for the Turkish economy for many years to come. With this awareness, we are establishing an infrastructure that will strengthen our position in global trade.”
The “From Design to Production: Digital Transformation in the Apparel Industry (METAMORPHOSIS)” Project, carried out by the Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association (İHKİB) under the EU’s Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA-2) program, has been completed. Speaking at the closing event of the project, which was implemented under the leadership of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, Mustafa Paşahan stated that the apparel industry is among the leading sectors pioneering digital and green transformation. Stating that they have been guiding companies through the METAMORPHOSIS Project, carried out within the scope of the EU’s IPA projects, Paşahan continued:
Mustafa Paşahan
“We received a grant of €10.4 million from the European Union for the project, which was implemented under the leadership of our Ministry of Industry and Technology. Within the scope of the project, a current situation analysis of the apparel and textile sectors was conducted. Additionally, the EU Digital Single Market Strategy, Adaptation Strategy, and a Digital Transformation Roadmap for the sector were developed. Institutional capacity- building activities were carried out. Digital Fashion Design Training was provided to 125 SME representatives. A Digital Maturity Assessment was conducted for 60 SME-scale companies. More than 100 SMEs received Digital Transformation and Social Compliance Consultancy Services. A total of 100 testing and analysis services were conducted to enhance SMEs’ quality standards. R&D studies were carried out on Turkish organic cotton.”
Highlighting that they launched the Digital Transformation Center (DDM), the main hub of the project, for the service of the sector in 2022, Paşahan stated that the DDM has been authorized as an “assessor” for businesses’ digital maturity assessments, roadmap creation, and investment planning processes under the Ministry of Industry and Technology’s “digital transformation support program.”
Stating, “I would like to express my gratitude to our Ministry of Industry and Technology for their support during this process. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to the esteemed Deputy Minister, Zekeriya Coştu, who has made significant contributions to this project,” Paşahan continued:
The European Union’s Grant Support Has Reached €37 Million.
“Two years ago, we completed and shared the sustainability action plan for the apparel and textile sector, which serves as a roadmap for aligning with the EU Green Deal. We will launch our ‘Carbon Footprint Monitoring and Reduction’ project within this year. Additionally, we have become eligible for grants under the European Digital Innovation Hubs Program. The total EU grant support for all these projects has reached €37 million. We are using these grants to develop our fashion industry, increase our digital and green production capacity, and accelerate the transition to branded production.”
Mustafa Paşahan, pointing out that the opportunity for competition in the fashion industry based on price-focused production is increasingly diminishing, said, “Therefore, we must create a new path for ourselves through value-added production. Design, innovation, and branding are crucial. Indeed, we have very successful brands. Our apparel brands have more than 3,000 stores in over 100 countries. We take pride in our brands, which are market leaders in their respective fields in the countries they are present in.
All of these are important. However, we also know that our performance related to the twin transition will be decisive in determining our future role in the global fashion industry. With the twin transition, we hope to open a window of opportunity for our sector.”
Zekeriya Coştu: We Used €400 Million Of Eu Funds For 46 Projects During The Ipa-1 Period.
Zekeriya Coştu
In his speech, Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Zekeriya Coştu reminded that Türkiye has been using IPA funds since 2007. Stating that with these financial aids, projects have been implemented to increase the commercial and administrative capacities of institutions, taking into account Türkiye’s needs and priorities on the road to EU membership, Coştu continued:
“In the first phase of the Competitive Sectors Program, which was implemented by our Ministry, co-financed by the EU, and ended in 2018, we had identified reducing socio-economic disparities between regions as our main goal. During this period, we implemented 46 projects in the 43 cities located east of the Hatay-Sinop line, including shared-use facilities, technology development centers, business development centers, licensed warehouses, improvements in tourism infrastructure, financial instruments, clustering, and capacity development. For these projects, we used a total of €500 million, with €400 million from EU funds and €100 million from our Ministry’s budget.
The Ipa-2 Period, Consisting Of 43 Projects, Has A Budget Of €260 Million
Zekeriya Coştu stated that in the second phase, which will be completed this year, they are focusing on projects centered around R&D, innovation, digital transformation, green transformation, creative industries, and technology transfer. Coştu concluded his remarks as follows:
“We aim to make our SMEs and entrepreneurs part of a greener, more technology-rich, more efficient, more creative, and competitive ecosystem. The IPA-2 program, consisting of 43 projects focused on R&D and innovation, has a total budget of €260 million, covering 23 provinces. With the digital transformation projects we support in this period, we are ensuring that our leading sectors in production and exports adapt to the needs of the era, and we are striving to support our country in becoming a leader in rapidly developing fields such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and big data. We believe that the METAMORPHOSIS project, of which İHKİB is a beneficiary, will make significant contributions to our SMEs operating in the apparel and textile sectors in Türkiye by promoting digital transformation, compliance with international standards, and environmentally friendly solutions.”
Jurgis Vilcinskas: Our Collaboration Journey With İhkib Has Been A Continuous And Evolving Process.
Jurgis Vilcinskas
In his speech, Jurgis Vilcinskas, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Türkiye, emphasized that significant progress has been made in aligning the Turkish textile and apparel sectors with the EU agenda. Stating that they are determined to support the transformation of these two sectors in Türkiye, Vilcinskas said:
“We are working together with Türkiye to overcome challenges. Since 2007, the EU has invested €780 million under the IPA programs aimed at enhancing Türkiye’s industrial competitiveness and innovation. Our collaboration journey with İHKİB has also been a continuous and evolving process focused on advancing the Turkish textile and apparel sector through innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. This ongoing collaboration
serves as an example of progressive steps towards innovation, digitalization, and sustainability, in line with the EU’s broader goals for the textile and apparel industry and beyond. These efforts demonstrate the importance of Türkiye-EU cooperation in overcoming challenges for the textile and apparel sector and in building a digital, sustainable, and innovative future.”
Posted: February 7, 2025
Source: Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association (İHKİB)
PARIS — February 10, 2025 — The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp will host a Natural Fibre Village at JEC World 2025 that will showcase the activities of the Alliance and nine of its members in a 250m2 area dedicated to natural fibre composites.
