SYFA Spring Conference — The Fabric Frontier: “Our Future in Every Fiber”

Industry leaders gather at SYFA’s 2026 Spring Conference to explore innovation, collaboration, shaping the future of textiles.

TW Special Report

The Synthetic Yarn and Fabric Association (SYFA) will host its Annual Spring Conference April 1-2, 2026, at the Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel, bringing together leaders from across the textile supply chain for two days of insight, connection, and innovation. Themed “The Fabric Frontier: ‘Our Future in Every Fiber,’” the event continues SYFA’s tradition of uniting fiber producers, yarn manufacturers, and fabric innovators to address both technical progress and market dynamics.

Each year, the SYFA Spring Conference attracts decision-makers and technical experts seeking to understand the intersection of material science, business strategy and global trade. The 2026 program includes speakers from across the industry, such as Mike Hall of Drake Extrusion, Shannan Billings of S&P Global, Marianne Nardella of Nilit, and Mevlut Tascan of Syre, with presentations handpicked to address the most pressing issues facing textile companies today.

Sessions will focus on technology-driven manufacturing methods, product advancement, trade conditions, compliance, logistics and marketing trends. With a balance between economic awareness and innovation, the agenda aims to provide actionable insight for executives navigating shifts in supply chain structure, consumer demand and sustainability.

SYFA’s Spring Conference attracts speakers from across the industry, preceded with the fourth SYFA Golf Tournament.
“The SYFA is a reminder that the industry is bigger than one person, program, or company,” said Meredith Boyd, EVP, Chief Product Officer, UNIFI®, and SYFA President. “It’s a network of capability and every conference puts that on display both in the content of the speakers and the quality of the networking. Attending is an opportunity to collaborate, seek input for challenges, and often find solutions through the capability in the room.”

Boyd emphasized that the conference benefits professionals from all sectors and experience levels within the textile ecosystem. “Content and conversation will draw those of all backgrounds and experiences,” she said. “Material developers, marketers, executives, entrepreneurs, start-up founders, and many more all benefit, and are meaningful contributors. Those just entering the industry gain from the wealth of knowledge, connections, and learning, while those who are more tenured bring experience and wisdom.”

Supporting Workforce Development

The conference is preceded by the SYFA Annual Spring Golf Tournament, to be held March 31 at the Rocky River Golf Club in Concord, North Carolina. The event supports the SYFA Scholarship at Gaston College’s Textile Technology Center, which trains students for technical careers in textile manufacturing. The Captain’s Choice format tournament offers prizes for longest drives, closest to the pin, and top overall team score — combining camaraderie with philanthropy.

“Four years ago, we introduced the annual golf tournament to benefit a scholarship at the Textile Technology Center at Gaston College,” Boyd said. “The membership and SYFA leadership had long looked for a way to benefit the industry, and the textile technology programs at Gaston College align perfectly with that goal.”

Continuing the Mission

Now in her leadership role as SYFA President, Boyd said she sees the association as a vital connection point for an evolving industry. “It has been an honor to serve as president of the SYFA board,” she said. “I am looking forward to continuing to support the organization and finding ways that SYFA can benefit both its membership and the industry through education, thought leadership and collaboration.”

With its blend of timely content, peer connection and purpose-driven programming, the SYFA Spring Conference offers a rare opportunity for textile professionals to engage with the industry’s future — one fiber at a time.

2026 Quarterly Issue I

Peak Performance’s R&D Helium Loop Anorak — Circularity By Design

Circular anorak proves high-performance apparel can marry collaboration and circularity.

TW Special Report

Stockholm, Sweden-based sportswear brand Peak Performance is testing a new template for circular performance outerwear with its R&D Helium Loop Anorak, developed in partnership with ALLIED Feather + Down, NetPlus, Pertex and Resortecs. The project targets a long- standing problem for technical apparel: complex, mixed-material garments that perform well in the field but are nearly impossible to recycle at end of life.

Traditional performance jackets combine insulation, shell fabrics, zippers and elastic trims in ways that make cost effective disassembly unrealistic once the product is worn out. The R&D Helium Loop Anorak tackles that challenge up front, using materials and construction methods designed for eventual recovery and recycling rather than landfill or incineration.

“For years now, brands have wanted to introduce more circularity into their products, but the onus has fallen on their ingredient partners and startups to make that happen,” said Matthew Betcher, creative director at Montebello, Calif.-based ALLIED Feather + Down. “The reality is that garments need to be designed for circularity before any sense of recyclability can even start to be possible.”

ALLIED supplies 800-fill power down as insulation, positioning a renewable, recyclable and biodegradable material at the core of the concept. NetPlus, developed by Redondo Beach, Calif.-based Bureo, converts discarded fishing nets into 100% post-consumer recycled nylon yarn, capturing plastic waste before it becomes pollution. Padiham, England-based Pertex then weaves the yarn into the shell and liner fabrics used in the anorak. Resortecs, based in Brussels, Belgium, contributes Smart Stitch™, a heat-activated thread engineered to melt away under controlled conditions, enabling the Smart Disassembly™ process.

The R&D Helium Loop Anorak jacket is designed for circularity, using materials chosen for the Smart Disassembly process.
“The core insight is that true circularity isn’t about accepting compromises, it’s about engineering garments to be unmade as thoughtfully as they’re made,” said Marie Andersson, designer at Peak Performance. “Our R&D Helium Loop proves that when premium materials meet thoughtful disassembly design, with end of life in mind, circularity becomes a performance advantage, as every component maintains its highest value across multiple lifecycles.”

Together, these elements create a garment that can be “unmade” as deliberately as it is made. In practice, the Smart Stitch threads allow the shell and liner to separate from the down insulation during an industrial disassembly process, so each material stream can be recovered and recycled individually at its highest possible value. That design for disassembly approach addresses technical and economic barriers that have limited circularity in insulated outerwear.

“The Helium Loop project demonstrates how responsible materials and design can prevent pollution and reduce reliance on fossil fuels – a win for the outdoor community,” said David Stover, CEO of Bureo, the company behind NetPlus. “By connecting better materials with thoughtful design, the Peak Performance team was able to explore the worthwhile challenge of building products suited for end-of-life recycling and push forward on the industry transition away from fossil fuels.”

The R&D Helium Loop Anorak is a step toward Peak Performance’s goal of achieving total range circularity by 2030.

For more information, contact Scott Kaier, Formidable Media, scott@formidable-media.com

2026 Quarterly Issue I

Bally Ribbon Mills to Highlight 3-D Continuous Weaving

BALLY, Pa. — Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM), a manufacturer of specialized engineered woven fabrics, will showcase its advanced 3-D weaving capabilities at JEC World 2026, March 10-12 in Paris-Nord Villepinte, France, Booth #6K104.

BRM will feature its film-infusion process for 3-D woven joints, which ship as pre-made assemblies to ensure quality control and reduce customer processing costs. “BRM has perfected the science and art of 3-D continuous weaving to fabricate complex shapes such as ‘Pi,’ double ‘T,’ and ‘H,’” the company said.

Visitors can also explore BRM’s woven thermal protection systems (TPS) and the 3DMAT Quartz Material — developed with NASA for the Orion spacecraft and named the 2023 NASA Government Invention of the Year. “Our advanced weaving technologies help customers build lighter, stronger, and more cost-effective composite structures,” said a BRM spokesperson.

2026 Quarterly Issue I

New Shape-Memory Thermoplastic Hybrid From Porcher

Fabric with shape-memory properties
Badineres, France-based Porcher Industries has unveiled an advanced range of multilayer hybrid textiles, featuring shape-memory thermoplastic technology for sports, automotive, medical and industrial applications. Developed for in situ consolidation, the new fabrics address the limitations of traditional thermoplastic prepregs by combining exceptional deformability, drape and formability.

According to the company, traditional prepregs reach their limits with complex shapes. Porcher Industries hybrid textile structure, made from commingled glass, carbon or aramid fibers, allows precise, high-speed molding with fewer plies and greater efficiency.

Designed for fast cycles — under 10 minutes using suitable heating and cooling systems — the hybrid material supports vacuum molding and advanced consolidation processes. Its recyclability and low energy production align with sustainable manufacturing goals.

The innovation, showcased at JEC World 2026, reinforces Porcher Industries’ leadership in thermoplastic composites and its commitment to scalable, responsible solutions for next generation materials.

2026 Quarterly Issue I

Flax-Linen & Hemp Expands Bio-Materials Presence

Bcomp’s JEC Innovation Award-winning flax components for BMW demonstrate new natural fiber composite applications.
The Paris-based Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp will expand its presence at JEC World 2026, joining the newly renamed and enlarged Bio-Materials Village in Hall 5. The space has grown more than 30% to 333 square meters and will host 14 Alliance members and partners representing the full natural fiber composite value chain.

New participants include Norafin, Biofibix and GreenPoxy by Sicomin, alongside returning innovators such as Bcomp and Safilin. Highlights include Bcomp’s JEC Innovation Award-winning flax composite components for BMW and Safilin’s Ecotrain rail interior project with Stratiforme.

Alliance experts will also lead a March 11 roundtable, “From Data to Applications,” on leveraging environmental and technical data to accelerate adoption of natural fiber composites. “This expanded showcase demonstrates the maturity, credibility and innovation capacity of Europe’s flax and hemp composites sector,” said Bruno Pech, innovation project manager at the Alliance.

2026 Quarterly Issue I

Nonwovenn Expands PFAS-Free Ostomy Care Range

Nonwovenn, a global supplier of nonwoven fabric technologies, is expanding its PFAS-free, activated carbon filter media for ostomy pouches, addressing the medical sector’s growing demand for safer and sustainable filtration materials.

The new media combines odor and gas adsorption with low-pressure drop and carbon integration, while meeting evolving global regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In the EU, proposed PFAS restrictions under REACH and U.S. medical device regulations are intensifying compliance requirements.

“Demographic trends and regulatory changes are driving the need for next-generation ostomy care technologies,” said John Birkett, MediTech business director at Bridgwater, England-based Nonwovenn. “We’re focused on delivering high-quality PFAS-free filter media that meet the practical and regulatory demands of modern ostomy systems.”

Nonwovenn’s products are engineered without intentionally-added PFAS and supplied as roll goods or filter inserts for standard pouch formats.

2026 Quarterly Issue I

Freudenberg High-Performance Tapes Enhance Protection & Durability

Freudenberg Performance Materials will return to the Wire trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, April 13 17, to showcase its portfolio of high-performance cable tapes for power, data and specialty applications. The Weinheim, Germany-based company will present solutions for medium and high voltage cables — MV, HVAC and HVDC — including semiconductive and non-conductive water-blocking, binding, bedding, separation and specialty tapes.

The tapes enhance cable protection and durability through advanced swelling performance and conductivity. For submarine cables, Freudenberg offers tapes engineered to expand instantly on contact with water, sealing against moisture intrusion.

“Freudenberg is a globally preferred partner for cable manufacturers,” said Jochen Bialek, head of global sales, cable and electro. “By returning to Wire in Düsseldorf, we’re strengthening our industry relationships and supporting customers as they address today’s and tomorrow’s energy and digital demands.”

2026 Quarterly Issue I

Atomic-6 Space Armor® To Fly Aboard SpaceX

Atomic-6 shot a 3mm particle into its Space Armor® tile to simulate untrackable debris. Traveling at Low Earth Orbit (LEO) speeds of 7.2 km/s, this test proved both protection and no harmful secondary debris was created (Photo: Atomic-6, Inc.)
Marietta, Ga.-based Atomic-6 announced that Portal Space Systems has selected its Space Armor® tiles as the primary Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) protection system for an upcoming spacecraft launching on SpaceX’s Transporter 18 Rideshare mission in October 2026.

The mission marks the first operational orbital deployment of Space Armor®, validating its use in commercial and national security applications. “Portal is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in orbit, and they need protection that keeps up with their ambitions,” said Trevor Smith, CEO of Atomic-6.

“Our customers rely on Portal spacecraft to remain maneuverable over extended timelines,” added Jeff Thornburg, CEO of Portal Space Systems. “Incorporating Atomic-6’s Space Armor® tiles expands our ability to deliver sustained on-orbit performance.”

Lighter and thinner than traditional metallic shields, Space Armor® tiles offer fragmentation resistance, RF permeability and scalable debris protection for spacecraft systems.

2026 Quarterly Issue I

Reju Selects Site In Rochester, New York

18.9-acre site in Eastman Business Park for first Reju Regeneration Hub in the U.S.
Reju, a textile-to-textile regeneration company, has selected an 18.9-acre site at Eastman Business Park in Rochester, New York, for its first U.S. industrial Regeneration Hub. The plant is designed to regenerate the equivalent of 300 million garments annually into rBHET, which will be repolymerized into Reju PET, supporting near-shoring and diversified manufacturing. The project remains subject to a final investment decision by the board of Technip Energies, Reju’s parent company.

“As our first Regeneration Hub in the United States, this site selection is a major leap forward in building a truly global circular system,” said Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju.

“New York state is committed to creating good paying jobs, and supporting innovative projects and companies that are working to keep materials out of landfills and protecting our planet,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Through partnerships with global brands, mills, and waste aggregators, Reju ensures full textile-to-textile traceability, transforming garments destined for landfills or incineration into raw material for a new, circular economy.

2026 Quarterly Issue I

Huixing Machine Acquires Mayer & Cie.

Chinese textile machinery manufacturer Huixing Machine Co., Ltd. has acquired key assets of Albstadt, Germany-based Mayer & Cie., the German maker of circular knitting and braiding machines currently in insolvency proceedings. The deal includes Mayer & Cie.’s Albstadt property and subsidiaries in China and the Czech Republic.

Huixing, based in Shishi City, plans to resume circular knitting machine production in Albstadt following regulatory approvals expected within six to eight weeks.

“With the sale of Mayer & Cie.’s circular knitting division to Huixing, we have found a prospect for the planned resumption of business,” said restructuring lawyer Martin Mucha of Grub Brugger.

Trustee Ilkin Bananyarli of PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH called the outcome “a very welcome result for this long-established company.”

Volker Wintergerst of Wintergerst Societät added that persuading Huixing to invest “is a great success for all of us.”

2026 Quarterly Issue I

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