NEW YORK CITY — February 3, 2025 — Carnegie, a provider of sustainable textiles and acoustical management solutions for the commercial industry, proudly announces Carnegie Siltech Plus, a part of the An Ode to Textiles collection. Siltech Plus is the first high-performance coated upholstery fabric on the market that’s available in a bio-based version.
Siltech Plus features bio-based polyurethane-coated upholsteries made with corn starch. Combining sustainability with superior performance and cleanability, Siltech Plus prioritizes extreme durability, hydrolysis, bleach cleanability, stain resistance, and comes with a 10-year warranty. Backed with 100 percent post-consumer recycled polyester, this collection includes:
Bouquet Print: A fresh take on botanical patterns with gestural strokes and illustrative movement, available in six colorways.
Elysees Print: A stylish plaid design in five vibrant colorways.
Halles: A tailored leather look available in 17 earthy tones.
Marais: A versatile solid featuring a subtle woven texture offered in a versatile palette of 17 neutrals and hues.
Thimble Print: A timeless design inspired by delicate embroidery, available across five printed colorways.
“Siltech Plus takes inspiration from the timeless charm of vintage design, combining soft textures with a soothing color palette,” said Mary Holt, chief design strategist at Carnegie. “With its biobased composition, Siltech Plus offers a sustainable alternative that significantly lowers the carbon footprint compared to vinyl (PVC) upholstery.”
All products in the Ode to Textiles collection are 100 percent PVC-free, PFAS-free, and free of harmful chemicals, with comprehensive Health Product Declarations (HPDs) available. The collection reflects Carnegie’s mission to lead the industry in authentic, responsible innovation, from biobased materials to post-consumer recycled content. For more information, visit carnegiefabrics.com.
SALT LAKE CITY — February 3, 2025 — Cotopaxi, a “Gear for Good,” B-Corp adventure lifestyle brand, is proud to announce the appointment of two key leadership positions: Craig Rowley as chief marketing officer (CMO) and Sara Westbrook as senior vice president of Product & Merchandising.
These key hires come at a pivotal moment as Cotopaxi seeks to empower people to see the world and make it better, elevate its brand direction, expand across its channels — wholesale, retail, e-commerce, corporate and international — and introduce inclusive, authentic, and innovative products designed to inspire outdoor adventure while advancing its foundational mission to fight poverty both in the United States and abroad.
Craig Rowley
As Cotopaxi continues to evolve as a market leader in outdoor gear, Rowley will be responsible for steering the company’s marketing strategy with a sharp focus on elevating the brand’s presence across all consumer touchpoints. Rowley brings a wealth of experience driving innovative omni-channel marketing strategies that have driven outsized retail and e-commerce growth for brands like Nike, Mountain Hardwear, Shutterfly, Toyota, and one of Cotopaxi’s key wholesale partners, REI.
“I’m excited to work alongside our talented Cotopaxi team to continue to build our vibrant community of brand enthusiasts,” Rowley said. “Cotopaxi has always been about redefining what it means to be an outdoor brand. We are doubling down on that strategy as Cotopaxi continues to lead with bold, innovative gear and apparel to fuel adventures near and far.”
In parallel, Westbrook will lead the company’s product strategy, guiding the development of innovative, unique outdoor gear and apparel that reflects the brand’s purpose and its customers’ evolving needs. Drawing on years of experience with top-tier brands such as Marine Layer and J.Crew, Westbrook will ensure that Cotopaxi continues to deliver exceptional products that balance design, durability, and sustainability.
Sara Westbrook
“Thoughtful product curation and innovation is at the heart of what we do,” said Sara. “Our team is focused on creating products that enable and welcome people to the outdoor experience while minimizing environmental impact. I’m excited to work with the team to deliver products that solve problems for our customers, evoke joy and optimism, and champion the values we stand for.”
In addition, Cotopaxi founder Stephan Jacob, who held the COO/chief technology officer role for the past 10 years is transitioning into a chief global/business development officer role. In that capacity, he will oversee the brand’s rapid growth in Canada, Europe, Asia, and LATAM as well as corporate and marketplace channels.
“These have been our founding principles since day 0 and I am beyond grateful that Sara and Craig have joined our team. Their tremendous expertise and hands-on leadership will allow us to expand Cotopaxi’s reach and impact globally during this next decade of brand building,” said Stephan.
Lindsay Shumlas
“Product excellence and brand integrity go hand in hand,” said Lindsay Shumlas, CEO of Cotopaxi. “With Craig and Sara on board and Stephan in a global growth role, we are poised to not only expand our product offerings but also deepen the positive impact we have on the environment and the communities we serve. Their leadership will be instrumental in amplifying our mission and creating lasting change in the outdoor industry here in the US and abroad.”
Under their leadership, Cotopaxi will continue to prioritize environmental sustainability, ethical manufacturing, and a commitment to giving back. The Cotopaxi Foundation plays a crucial role in funding initiatives that center around global poverty alleviation efforts, across human rights, education, clean water, and livelihoods in the developing and developed worlds.
GENEVA — February 3, 2025 — Better Cotton has today completed its transition to become a certification scheme. This strategic move underscores the organization’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of sustainability and transparency in the cotton industry.
By outsourcing all farm-level certification decisions to independent third parties, Better Cotton provides additional rigor to its already robust model, further boosting impartiality and independence.
Tom Owen, head of Certification at Better Cotton, said: “For more than a decade, Better Cotton has led one of the sector’s most robust and credible voluntary standard systems. The transition to a certification scheme and standardizing third-party verification will not only strengthen our current approach, but also enable us to continue driving meaningful industry-wide change.”
Alongside third-party audits Better Cotton will continue second-party monitoring of its global network of farmer-focused organizations. This dual approach will help identify areas of non-conformity, ensure ongoing visibility of its operating environment and inform capacity-strengthening efforts to drive continuous improvement.
In addition, all supplier and manufacturer members wishing to source Physical Better Cotton will be in scope for certification against the Better Cotton Chain of Custody Standard. This will improve supply chain traceability and boost demand for sustainably produced cotton while aligning with evolving regulatory expectations.
Later this year, retailers and brands that wish to use Physical Better Cotton will also be eligible to use a new product label that speaks to their commitment to Better Cotton’s mission.
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — February 3, 2025 — The international trade fairs Techtextil and Texprocess strengthen their offering for the upcoming edition from 21 to 24 April 2026. The focus is on a restructured hall layout, additional product areas and the extension of content formats. As strong and reliable platforms for the global industry, Techtextil and Texprocess are thus responding to the growth opportunities and needs of the innovative branches: international business chances, expert knowledge and young professionals. The early-booking offer for exhibitors is available until 12 March 2025.
Performance Apparel on Stage
The international branch is confronted with market changes such as high energy prices, consumer restraint and a lack of investment. As strong partners, Techtextil and Texprocess open up future perspectives and opportunities.
“The industry is facing challenges which require further development. New technologies and innovative materials hold potential for the future. At Techtextil and Texprocess, we support companies in realising this potential and seizing international market opportunities. New business partners and market access are the key,” explained Olaf Schmidt, vice president, Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt.
An adapted hall layout thus creates even more synergies, additional customer contacts and ideal links between the relevant product areas of Techtextil and Texprocess. With Hall 8.0, Texprocess is located in direct proximity to the ‘Textile Production Technologies’ product area in Hall 12.0 and to ‘Performance Apparel Textiles’ in Hall 9.0 at Techtextil.
The leading trade fairs also recognize the need for young talents and new ideas. Presentations by start-ups are taking center stage more than ever before. Modern solutions and established industry leaders thus come together. In addition, relevant offers for industry newcomers provide networking with young professionals.
Market requirements are currently developing at a rapid pace. Consumers’ sustainability requirements, the EU Green Deal, the establishment of AI and economic and political changes. Keeping pace and strengthening one’s own market position are essential. With top experts, the content and knowledge formats at Techtextil and Texprocess highlight the challenges and opportunities facing the industries.
Texprocess sets international benchmark for digitalization, automation and AI
Global market access, direct contact with processors of technical textiles – Texprocess is the leading platform for the processing industry for textiles and flexible materials. As the driving force of the global branch, international manufacturers here present the world’s most comprehensive range of sewing technology as well as cutting solutions, CAD/CAM and other processing and finishing technologies. The growing possibilities offered by digitalization, automation and AI are coming into focus and promising developments are emerging. Increasingly innovative digital printing offerings are also emerging.
‘The market opportunities offered by Texprocess are enormous. New, pioneering technologies are presented here in an international industry environment. Texprocess is the number one address for all companies wanting to position themselves internationally and explore future perspectives, especially in a market environment that is currently changing very rapidly,’ says Elgar Straub, managing director, VDMA Textile Care, Fabrics and Leather Technologies.
Another benefit of Texprocess: the synergies with Techtextil. In 2024, 72 per cent of Techtextil visitors also visited Texprocess and took advantage of the global networking potential. Together, Texprocess and Techtextil cover almost the entire value chain in one place: textile preliminary stage at Techtextil meets processing and finishing technology at Texprocess.
Techtextil 2026: Innovations and growth in natural fibres, functional textiles and textile chemicals & dyes
Whether in the automotive or construction industry, the demand for natural materials is increasing. Nature and performance come together in innovative solutions – a real milestone towards sustainability. More and more new solutions are emerging, which was also evident at the last Techtextil. Around 15 per cent of the exhibitors there presented natural fibres and materials. Techtextil 2026 will therefore place functional natural materials even more center stage. These pioneering products can be found in the “Nature Performance” area in Hall 9.1.
In 2026, Techtextil will also present one of the most important and particularly fast-growing product groups extensively: Performance Apparel Textiles. Materials, fabrics, yarns and fibers with functional properties ensure maximum safety in suits for aerospace and firefighting. In modern sportswear, they also enable intelligent regulation of breathability and sweat transport. Performance Apparel Textiles will be located in a separate area in Hall 9.0 in 2026 – in the immediate vicinity of Fibres & Yarns and Textile Chemicals & Dyes. And: in close proximity to Texprocess in Hall 8.0 and thus to visitors from the apparel industry.
The special show ‘Performance Apparels on Stage’ presents selected application examples. Here, visitors experience functional textiles even more intensively with end products.
Techtextil 2026 is introducing a separate product segment for textile chemicals and dyes for the first time. This emphasizes the relevance of these products. Textile Chemicals & Dyes offers providers a central platform and creates valuable synergies by being located in the same hall as Fibres & Yarns and Performance Apparel Textiles. The direct proximity facilitates dialogue between providers, suppliers and users and promotes the development of efficient solutions.
Techtextil and Texprocess will be held from 21 to 24 April 2026.
NEW YORK CITY — January 13, 2025 — Sustainable textiles and acoustical management solutions for the commercial industry supplier Carnegie, is proud to announce that Xorel Cruise — its collection of high-performance wallcoverings designed specifically for high-traffic marine-grade applications, has achieved the IMO-MED WheelMark certification. Combined with the previously awarded IMO certification, Xorel Cruise now meets all necessary criteria for specification on cruise ships and passenger vessels worldwide, such as flame retardancy, anti-pollution regulations, and weather resistance.
Xorel Cruise — Courtesy of Carnegie
Representing decades of innovation, Xorel Cruise wallcovering combines authentic sustainability, style, and comfort to elevate cruise ship interiors to new heights. Xorel Cruise is Cradle to Cradle Silver certified and designed to work in tandem with Carnegie’s existing suite of other IMO-certified products. As the exclusive designer and manufacturer of Xorel, Carnegie offers clients endless customization opportunities, as well as favorable pricing and lead times on high-volume orders.
With over 35 years of experience working within IMO standards, Carnegie understands the unique challenges faced by cruise design professionals, who today are expected to design for all the amenities and luxuries of a resort hotel. By achieving the WheelMark certification, Xorel Cruise provides a seamless integration into Carnegie’s suite of IMO-certified products, such as upholstery and drapery, simplifying the selection process and offering a comprehensive design system for cruise interiors.
CHARLESTON, S.C. — January 29, 2025 — Gildan is pleased to donate $200,000 worth of American Apparel® and Gildan® garments to FireAid, a concert benefiting those affected by the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, California. Shirts and hoodies will be available for purchase at the event with all funds from their sale going directly to short-term relief efforts as well as long-term initiatives to prevent future fire disasters in Southern California.
“At Gildan, we believe in making apparel responsibly and supporting the communities in countries where we operate,” said Chuck Ward, president, Sales, Marketing and Distribution at Gildan. “Our hearts go out to everyone, who has been affected by the wildfires in Southern California, and we are pleased to contribute to the relief efforts through our donation to the FireAid concert.”
Scheduled for January 30, FireAid features two star-studded lineups held at Intuit Dome and Kia Forum in Los Angeles. FireAid will also be broadcast and streamed across multiple platforms, as well as in select AMC Movie Theaters.
LEONBERG, Germany — January 29, 2025 — For more than 75 years, the German mechanical engineering company BRÜCKNER has been developing, producing and selling lines for textile finishing worldwide. The core competence of the family-owned company includes coating, drying, heat-setting and much more.
Schematic representation of the automatic cleaning system
Environmental protection and energy efficiency have always played a central role. Reducing emissions and the consumption of resources, as well as the use of different heating media, has always been the focus of BRÜCKNER’s research and development work.
This will be an even stronger focus in the future. In order to be even better prepared for this and to be able to provide customers with comprehensive advice, BRÜCKNER has bundled its personnel capacities in a new “Environmental and Energy Technology” department headed by Andreas Troscheit. This area includes all heat-recovery and exhaust air cleaning systems. Troscheit has already been responsible for the Technology Center in Leonberg and for the entire technical application advice for three years.
Team technology (from left to right): Tobias Keitel, David Knies, Andreas Troscheit
In environmental and energy technology, Troscheit is now supported by Tobias Keitel and David Knies. Keitel focuses on the distribution and design of these systems, while Knies specializes in software and control. This also includes the ExperTex simulation tool. This intelligent software, which is available for all new machines, enables customers to increase their production output and reduce energy consumption. Depending on the year of manufacture, this tool can also be retrofitted to older lines.
BRÜCKNER’s product portfolio in the field of environmental and energy technology is very extensive. The various units for heat-recovery and exhaust air purification are available individually or as a fully integrated system. Thanks to their modular design, these systems can be individually adapted to any customer requirement. Depending on the process, individual units can be flexibly switched on or off.
Newly developed automatic cleaning systems ensure additional energy savings, a significant reduction in maintenance and personnel costs, a longer service life for the filter modules and consistently good filter separation performance. The cleaning programs can be freely configured and the cleaning intervals can be individually controlled so that there is no need to interrupt ongoing production.
BRÜCKNER is the only supplier on the market who can offer all heat-recovery and exhaust air cleaning components from a single source. The newly established energy and environmental technology team combines all the advantages for you as a customer: state-of-the-art technology, expertise and years of experience. You can benefit from this and make your textile finishing sustainable and future-oriented.
Posted: January 29, 2025
Source: Brückner Textile Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — January 29, 2025 — After a successful edition with increase in both visitors and exhibitors, Heimtextil is tapping into further growth potential with an optimized new hall structure in 2026 — thus responding to the industry’s changing market needs. The most influential and international trade fair for home and contract textiles as well as textile design is thus developing its range in a target group-specific way, creating shorter distances and promoting synergies between its diverse product segments.
Photo: Messe Frankfurt / Pietro Sutera
With a new hall concept, Heimtextil is building on the success of the last edition, which saw increase in visitor and exhibitor numbers, and is responding to current market demands in the textile industry: “Heimtextil 2025 was characterized by increased internationality and demand. In 2026, we are using this strong starting position to align the range even more closely with the needs of all trade fair participants by strategically selecting and combining relevant product groups – and thus to leverage further growth potential,” said Olaf Schmidt, vice president, Textiles & Textile Technologies.
The new concept reinforces Heimtextil as the leading industry platform for holistic textile and non-textile interior design. In challenging times, it offers the industry a strong base. Thanks to overlapping visitor target groups, exhibitors increase their reach and are noticed by potential new customers. Using all entrances creates additional efficiency and helps buyers find new relevant business partners. Core content such as the Heimtextil trends ensures further traffic and increases the visibility of manufacturers.
Textile and non-textile interior design
The new center for high-quality textile and non-textile interior design, as well as decorative and furniture fabrics, is located in halls 3.0, 3.1 and 4.1.
In Hall 3.0, Interior Design Concepts: Window, Wall & Floor, visitors find a wide range of products, from wallpaper and digital printing to textile editors, curtains and floor coverings, as well as sun protection. The combination of high-quality individual products and complete collections creates holistic interior concepts that are tailored to the requirements of interior decorators, designers, DIY stores and specialist retailers.
The adjacent halls 3.1 and 4.1 complement this spectrum. Together, both levels offer the largest international range of decorative and upholstery fabrics, contract textiles, imitation leathers, outdoor textiles as well as fibers and yarns.
Special highlights include the Interior.Architecture.Hospitality Library in Hall 3.1 and the design installation by Patricia Urquiola in Hall 3.0. They make the area a central content hub for designers, architects and hospitality decision-makers.
Sleep and textile designers: direct connections
In Hall 4.0, Smart Bedding presents a comprehensive selection of bedding, blankets, pillows, mattresses, sleep systems, fibers and yarns.
The connection to Bed, Bath & Living in halls 5.0, 5.1, 6.0 and 6.1 enables short distances for bed retailers and decision-makers from the hotel, contract and specialist retail industries. There, brands and private label suppliers present bed linen, bathroom textiles, table and kitchen linen, decorative pillows and home accessories.
New in 2026 is the placement of Textile Design in Hall 6.1. Design studios and CAD/CAM suppliers find a creative environment here, right next to the Heimtextil Trends 26/27 – with designs that seamlessly align with tomorrow’s collections.
Comprehensive platform for the global carpets and flooring industry
Carpets & Rugs tripled the number of exhibitors in 2025. Thanks to the new hall structure, the successfully established segment has additional opportunities for growth. It is complemented by the new product segment Flooring & Equipment. The combination of textile and non-textile floor coverings maximizes synergies for architects, interior designers, and DIY stores – while opening new opportunities for specialist retailers and craft professionals.
In the modern halls 11.0 and 12.0, leading suppliers present machine-woven and hand-woven as well as hand-knotted carpets, unique items and floor mats. In the directly adjacent Flooring & Equipment segment in Hall 12.0, elastic floor coverings, design floor coverings, cork, laminate, parquet and outdoor solutions will be on display. Special presentations supplement the variety with business-promoting content.
Global Home and Global Home Excellence: proven concepts and new opportunities
The proven concept of Global Home in Halls 8.0 and 9.1 and Global Home Excellence in Hall 9.0 continues in 2026. International manufacturers and country pavilions present a broad spectrum – directly at the Galleria and Torhaus entrances. In addition, Global Home and Global Home Excellence will be located in halls 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3. The connection to Carpets & Rugs and Flooring & Equipment creates valuable synergies: The merging of complementary target groups strengthens Heimtextil as Europe’s largest platform for sourcing high-quality home textiles.
Heimtextil 2026 takes place from January 13 to 16, 2026.
GRAZ, Austria — January 29, 2025 — International technology group ANDRITZ has supplied and commissioned a state-of-the-art reXline tearing installation at Aitex in Alicante, one of Europe’s largest textile research and development centers. This customized line enhances Aitex’s capabilities for textile recycling trials and expands its portfolio of innovative recycling solutions.
Cut textile pieces before tearing process. Image: ANDRITZ
Aitex is Spain’s leading center for research, innovation and advanced technical services for the textile industry and the only Spanish center accredited to issue OEKO-TEX® certifications. With the installation of the new ANDRITZ equipment, Aitex strengthens its support for customers from various industries including geotextile and agrotextile, automotive, and fashion.
New ANDRITZ reXline tearing line in operation at Aitex . Image: ANDRITZ
The reXline tearing equipment can process a large variety of raw materials and has been customized to meet Aitex’s specific needs for R&D projects focused on recycling post-industrial and post- consumer waste.
“This collaboration with ANDRITZ allows us to expand our trial capabilities and enhance services we provide to our customers,” said Vincent Blanes, CEO of Aitex. “The new equipment efficiently supports the growing demand for textile recycling solutions and ensures our R&D remains at the forefront of innovation.”
WINTERTHUR, Switzerland — January 29, 2025 — At 725.5 million Swiss francs ($800 million), order intake was significantly higher than in the same period of the previous year (2023: 541.8 million Swiss francs ($598 million)), representing an increase of 34 percent. This was the fourth consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth. As expected, the Rieter Group ended financial year 2024 with lower sales than in the previous year.
According to preliminary, unaudited figures, total sales amounted to 859.1 million Swiss francs ($948 million), which is around 39 percent down on the previous year (2023: 1,418.6 million Swiss francs ($1,565 million)). For the full year 2024, Rieter expects an EBIT margin in the upper half of the guidance range of 2 percent to 4 percent communicated in October 2024 (2023: 7.2 percent).
Order intake
Order intake in 2024 was 34 percent higher than in the previous year at 725.5 million Swiss francs (2023: 541.8 million Swiss francs). Rieter thus succeeded in strengthening its competitive position in a challenging market environment. Compared with the previous year, there were signs of an initial market recovery.
Sales by division
The Machines & Systems Division posted sales of 424.9 million Swiss francs ($469 million), a decrease of 56% compared with the previous year (2023: 965.0 million Swiss francs ($1,065 million)). In the Components Division, sales declined to 247.6 million Swiss francs ($273 million), down 7 percent from the same period of the previous year (2023: 266.2 million Swiss francs ($294 million)). The After Sales Division reported sales of 186.6 million Swiss francs ($206 million), comparable to the previous year (2023: 187.4 million Swiss francs ($207 million)).
Order backlog
At the end of 2024, the company had an order backlog of about 530 million Swiss francs ($585 million) (December 31, 2023: 650 million Swiss francs ($717 million)).
EBIT margin
Rieter successfully implemented the measures of the “Next Level” performance program. Despite significantly lower sales, a solid EBIT margin is expected in the upper half of the 2 percent to 4 percent guidance range, as communicated in October 2024.
NEW YORK CITY — February 3, 2025 — Carnegie, a provider of sustainable textiles and acoustical management solutions for the commercial industry, proudly announces Carnegie Siltech Plus, a part of the An Ode to Textiles collection. Siltech Plus is the first high-performance coated upholstery fabric on the market that’s available in a bio-based version.
Siltech Plus features bio-based polyurethane-coated upholsteries made with corn starch. Combining sustainability with superior performance and cleanability, Siltech Plus prioritizes extreme durability, hydrolysis, bleach cleanability, stain resistance, and comes with a 10-year warranty. Backed with 100 percent post-consumer recycled polyester, this collection includes:
