LOS ANGELES — January 7, 2025 — Ambercycle and Shenghong Holding Group have announced a strategic partnership to scale the production of regenerated filament yarns made with cycora® material. This collaboration brings cycora into the Chinese value chain, addressing global demand for truly circular solutions in the apparel industry.
Shenghong and Ambercycle team came together to commemorate partnership signing ceremony. (From left to right: Top row: Gerry Xue – Country Manager, China, Ambercycle; Shay Sethi – CEO, Ambercycle; Jason Tang – General Manager, Shenghong; Alex Miao – Marketing Director, Shenghong; Bottom row: Matthew Iezzi – Head of Production, Ambercycle; Charming Qian – Vice General Manager, Shenghong.)
Since 2024, Ambercycle and Shenghong have collaborated to develop high-quality regenerated filament yarns using cycora material. “As the industry adopts textile-to-textile solutions, cycora is leading the way in delivering materials that meet the demands of global brands,” said Jason Tang, general manager of Shenghong Chemical Fiber New Material. “This partnership is pivotal in driving scalable, impactful change across the apparel sector.”
Today, less than 1 percent of end-of-life textiles are recycled in closed-loop systems. By replacing virgin inputs with textile-to-textile regenerated materials, cycora enables brands to integrate sustainability into their supply chains seamlessly. This partnership accelerates the industry’s transition to a circular future, where waste is reimagined as a valuable resource.
Shay Sethi, co-founder and CEO at Ambercycle, said: “Our partnership with Shenghong underscores our shared vision for a circular future. By leveraging Shenghong’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, we can ensure cycora is seamlessly integrated into the supply chains of leading global brands. Together, we’re not just scaling production; we’re driving the adoption of circular materials across the apparel industry at the pace necessary to meet the growing demand.”
With Shenghong’s world-class yarn manufacturing capabilities and Ambercycle’s expertise in circular materials, this alliance is uniquely positioned to scale the production of textile-to-textile filament yarns for global adoption. Shenghong, one of the largest and most advanced recycled producer of polyester from bottles, is now advancing circularity in the apparel industry by introducing a textile-to-textile solution through cycora® material.
DALLAS — January 7, 2025 — RTCM Holdings Inc. (dba Reclaimed Cleaning Textiles, dba World Wear Project), a family of textile recycling and distribution companies, today announced the purchase of United-Southern Waste Material Company (USW), a Dallas-based textile recycling and repurposing company. The transaction will establish the largest textile recycler in North Texas.
Founded in 1914, USW specializes in the recycling and repurposing of clothing and wiping rags, which are sold across global and domestic markets, respectively. The company has built a reputation as a highly respected organization in the space, expanding in recent years to collect its own credential, with more than 120 bins. USW currently operates out of an 88,000 square foot facility. Co-owner and third-generation family member Mindi Levine Kahn will remain with the business to provide her expertise and ensure continuity throughout the integration.
“Our stated vision is to divert 100 million pounds of textiles from landfills on an annual basis as part of our commitment to make a difference in the world,” said Craig McAndrews, president and CEO of Reclaimed Cleaning Textiles. “USW’s operation will help us expand our capacity and drive essential long-term growth. Mindi and her family have been pioneers in the second-hand clothing industry, and we are excited to come together to create a best-in-class regional operation.”
“Reclaimed Cleaning Textiles has long been a leader in the recycled textiles space, with a focus on sustainable profitability,” said Mindi Levine Kahn. “This next chapter will offer customers, suppliers, and employees enhanced resources in an evolving market.”
Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP served as legal counsel for Reclaimed Cleaning Textiles, and Haynes and Boone, LLP served as legal counsel for USW. Financial terms were not disclosed.
SEOUL — January 7, 2025 — As part of its commitment to continuous creative innovation and sustainable textile solutions across the entire value chain, Hyosung’s Fashion Design Center (FDC), which is an interactive fashion studio that spans the U.S., Europe, and Asia renowned for analyzing progressive brands and retailers while researching consumer insights, has unveiled its forecasted FW 26/27 Textile Trend report. This report, titled Restorative Journey, outlines the essential materials that leading apparel brands are expected to integrate into their collections in the coming year.
Restorative Journey embraces three major trends – Wellness Travel, Emergence of Quiet Outdoor, and Eco-Accountability.
Wellness Travel: Travel has evolved beyond traditional sightseeing. Today, many travelers are increasingly focused on improving their physical and mental well-being, often seeking this through their journeys. The wellness tourism market, fueled by growing interest in personal health, the expanding travel industry, and the rise of adventure sports, is set to keep growing, offering a wide range of experiences designed to meet the diverse needs of travelers.
The Emergence of Quiet Outdoor: Outdoor enthusiasts are shifting away from products with bold logos and intricate details, favoring simpler, more refined designs that exude understated luxury. This evolution is reshaping the Gorpcore trend, with a growing demand for elevated garments featuring minimal branding and technical fabrics that effortlessly transition between urban and outdoor settings. A new trend emphasizing minimalist, functional outdoor style is gaining momentum this season.
Eco-Accountability: Responses to the climate crisis have evolved from a sense of ‘urgency’ to recognizing it as an ’emergency,’ with accountability now becoming the critical next step. Both corporations and individuals must embrace accountability as a core principle to move beyond eco-rage and foster hope, as environmental extremes increasingly affect daily life. The fashion and apparel industry faces mounting pressure, with both suppliers and consumers needing to prioritize eco-responsibility to safeguard the planet.
According to Gary Oh, Team/General Manager, Hyosung FDC, the first step to prepare for the forthcoming sustainability regulations, fashion brands are turning to planet-friendly raw materials, especially bio-based raw materials that can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and achieve a low carbon footprint. These bio-derived materials are not limited to only fibers, but also in the production process including membranes and finishings.
With this insight in mind, FDC predicts the three following themes for apparel made with Hyosung’s broad range of CREORA® and certified sustainable regen™ brands of spandex, performance nylon and polyester yarns.
Activewear
Feel Good Dash: Running core-fashions with enhanced performance.
Refined Athluxe: Luxurious, durable activewear pieces with a sleek and sheen surface along with comfort stretch for the gym and street.
Paper-Weight Shield: Lightweight woven fabrics updated in papery touch and semi-shiny surface.
Outdoor Wear
Technical Luxury: Sophisticated travel wear to minimal outdoor wear on or off the mountain.
Off the Slope: Ski inspired winter resort sportswear that’s versatile to be worn off the slopes.
Toasty Fleece: Winter outdoor essentials with renewed fleece.
Loungewear
Saturday Stretching: Gentle exercise in bed for wellness.
Duvet Recovery: Soft brush lounge fabrics for better rest.
Relaxed Chic: Formal style, yet comfortable feel.
More detailed information on FDC’s FW 26/27 Textile Trends will be presented in a weekly Trend Byte series featured on the Hyosung Performance Textiles Creativity Inspired blog beginning January 6, 2025.
GAITHERSBURG, M.D. — January 7, 2025 — Picture this: You have a bag of heavily used clothes that can no longer be donated taking up space in your closet, so you drop it off at your local recycling center. But what happens to that bag of clothes? You might assume that the clothes would get broken down and reused to make new products.
Researcher Amanda Forster stands in her lab looking at near-infrared spectroscopy data obtained from clothing and textile samples. Photo — A. Boss/NIST
However, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2018 around 85 percent of used clothes and textiles headed to landfills and incinerators, wasting precious resources and polluting our environment. One reason is that recycling can be more expensive than landfilling, so companies have little incentive to recycle.
To help solve this problem, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a database that contains the molecular “fingerprints” of different kinds of textile fibers and that can enable more rapid, efficient sorting of fabrics at recycling centers.
“This reference data will help improve sorting algorithms and unlock the potential for high-throughput sorting, which requires less manual labor,” said Amanda Forster, a NIST materials research engineer. Forster leads the NIST project focused on keeping end-of-life textiles in the economy, a process called textile circularity. “That should reduce costs and increase efficiency, making textile recycling more economically viable.”
The database is free and available to download at the NIST Public Data Repository. https://data.nist.gov/od/id/mds2-3325
A clothing sample is analyzed using an analytical lab technique called near-infrared spectroscopy. The method measures how much of the light passes through or scatters off the fabric, producing a unique pattern — a sort of fingerprint that can identify the types of fibers in clothing. Photo — A. Boss/NIST
The problem of textile waste has been growing in recent years. One reason is fast fashion, a business model that has companies churning out large volumes of inexpensive, trendy clothes that are often quickly discarded. New types of textiles, blended textiles, and incomplete or inaccurate labeling also pose significant challenges when it comes to sorting textiles at recycling centers.
At those centers, workers sort clothing using handheld devices that shine near-infrared light. Those devices measure how much of the light passes through or scatters off the fabric, producing a unique pattern — a sort of fingerprint that can identify the type of fibers in the clothing. This technique, called near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, can also be used in automated conveyor belt systems. However, current techniques still require a lot of manual labor.
In recent years, recycling equipment manufacturers have increasingly used machine learning and artificial intelligence to improve their sorting algorithms. To train these algorithms, they need high-quality reference data.
That’s where NIST’s database comes in. Called the Near-Infrared Spectra of Origin-defined and Real-world Textiles, or NIR-SORT, it contains 64 different fabric types along with the NIR fingerprints they produce. The database includes pure fiber types, such as cotton and polyester; blended fiber types, such as spandex blends; and real-world fabrics taken from thrift stores. Manufacturers of NIR scanner systems can use this database to train and test their sorting algorithms and improve the performance of their products.
NIST researchers have developed a database that contains the molecular “fingerprints” of different kinds of fabrics. Some of the clothing and textile samples for the database are shown here. Photo — A. Boss/NIST
“The difficulty comes in when fibers are similar, like cotton or hemp. That means that the near-infrared signal is similar. The same is true with a cotton and polyester blend. Is this a new fiber or a blend of two or more fibers?” said NIST research chemist Katarina Goodge, who led the development of the database. “AI can help make the decision-making process more accurate.”
Because NIST is the nation’s measurement institute, it has the equipment and expertise to fill this database with very high-quality spectra. That will hopefully mean fewer errors when identifying fabrics, and more textiles getting recycled.
This research stems from a key initiative of a report by NIST in which experts recommended the development of better technology for identifying and sorting textiles and clothing. These efforts are part of NIST’s Circular Economy Program, which develops measurement science and methods to support an economy where materials are designed to retain their value through repeated reuse, repair and recycling, with disposal as a last resort.
Posted: January 7, 2025
Source: National Institute Of Standards And Technology — US Department Of Commerce
BALLY, Pa. — January 7, 2025 — Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM) — an industry designer, developer, and manufacturer of highly specialized engineered woven fabrics — announced it will showcase its high-quality, high-performance tapes and webbing at the SHOT Week Supplier Showcase, booth 51238, to be held January 20-21, 2025, as part of SHOT Show. Visit BRM at SHOT Show to meet with subject matter experts and see samples of industry-leading specialty binding tapes, 100 percent Berry-compliant polyester webbing, and harness, belt, and sling webbing.
In partnership with NASA, BRM developed the 3D Orthogonally woven 3DMAT Quartz Material for the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) compression pads. The 3DMAT Quartz Material was named the 2023 NASA Government Invention of the Year.
Visitors to the booth can see samples of BRM’s specialty textile materials used to land NASA’s Perseverance and Curiosity rovers on Mars. Tapes and webbing for the current Artemus program that will be on display include those used in inflatable habitats, flight suits, and rocket deceleration, and safety systems. These are good examples of NASA partnering with American small business with a unique specialized technological capability that will further current and future exploration plans.
Showcased at the booth will be representative samples of BRM’s specialty binding tapes, ideal for improved abrasion resistance and toughness. BRM’s materials offer consistent quality and width, optimizing the sewing fabrication process. They also enable significantly better throughput, making them a better overall value than lower quality tapes. There are several finishes for improved “hand” available.
Also on display are samples of BRM’s 100 percent Berry Amendment-compliant polyester webbing, ideal for use by DOD contractors manufacturing aircraft seat belts, retractors, restraining harnesses, and tie-downs. BRM’s Berry-compliant webbing is a good choice for civilian agencies involved in U.S. military procurement activities. Webbing is available in a wide range of widths, from 1-inch to 6-inch and is offered in low minimum runs and custom dye colors.
The harness, belt, and sling webbing that will be showcased at the booth is available in small runs with customization of dye color, widths, and weave designs and patterns. BRM experts offer complete design and textile engineering services.
For more information, speak with BRM experts in booth 51238 at the SHOT Week Supplier Showcase, or visit https://www.ballyribbon.com/.
SAN LEANDRO, Calif. — January 7, 2025 — ZymoChem, the biotech company creating sustainable materials for everyday products, is proud to announce that it is now a Certified B Corporation™. This highlights the company’s dedication to meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency set by B Lab™.
Building on its designation as a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), ZymoChem is recognized for considering its impact on people, planet, and profit across its operations.
What It Means to Be a B Corp™
Certified B Corporations™ are part of a global community using business as a force for good. B Corps meet rigorous standards of verified performance weighing the impact of their decisions on workers, customers, suppliers, communities, and the environment.
By earning this certification, ZymoChem joins a network of over 9,000 businesses worldwide committed to fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economic system.
“Achieving B Corp certification is a significant milestone for ZymoChem,” said Joe Giallanella, General Manager of ZymoChem’s Branded Products division. “It underscores our commitment to sustainability and our role in driving a real-zero economy. We not only help brands improve the sustainability of their products when they adopt our innovative bio-based solutions, we also impact the health of people and the planet.”
ZymoChem’s Impact
ZymoChem’s proprietary Carbon Conserving (C2) microbes transform renewable feedstocks into bio-based materials while minimizing carbon dioxide emissions. This breakthrough technology enables the replacement of fossil-based ingredients with bio-derived, low-carbon, and biodegradable alternatives in everyday products. For example, ZymoChem’s solutions address the environmental challenges posed by hygiene products, which are the third-largest contributor to U.S. landfill waste.
The dual recognition as a PBC and a B Corp solidifies ZymoChem’s reputation as a sustainability leader in the biotechnology industry – and it aims to inspire other companies in the sector to embed sustainability and social impact into their business models.
To learn more about ZymoChem’s role in creating a fossil-free future with its bio-based materials, visit www.zymochem.com.
CARY, N.C. — January 7, 2025 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, today announced that registration is open for the IDEA®25 International Conference and Exhibition on April 29-May 1, 2025, at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida.
For the first time at IDEA, the two-day conference will be dedicated exclusively to sustainability, recognizing its critical importance to the nonwovens industry. The conference will bring together C-suite leaders, business development professionals, sustainability managers, product developers, regulatory teams, sales, and marketing to advance “Nonwovens for a Healthier Planet.”
The regional market overviews and company presentations that have previously been part of the conference program will be moved to the exhibition portion of IDEA, which will spotlight product innovations and solutions from leading companies across the industry.
“Industry leaders will convene at IDEA25 to share knowledge and insights that will propel the sustainability movement within the nonwovens sector,” said Dr. Matt O’Sickey, INDA’s director of Education & Technical Affairs. “We are excited to provide a collaborative platform where innovation meets environmental responsibility, ensuring the health of our planet and the future of our industry.”
Among the topics industry experts will explore in presentations and panel discussions at IDEA25 are:
Regulations: Upcoming regulations in the U.S., European Union (EU), and the United Nations impacting sustainability efforts
Product and Process Innovations: Sourcing sustainable materials featuring natural fibers, advances in biodegradability and compostability, and fiber-to-nonwoven recycling and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiatives
Circular Economy and Bio-Materials: Responsible sourcing, innovations in sustainability, and end-of-life solutions that reduce waste and lower energy consumption, leading to significant cost and resource savings
Details regarding the presenters and abstracts for the conference will be announced in the coming weeks.
IDEA25 Highlights
The IDEA® Achievement Awards, in partnership with Nonwovens Industry magazine, will be presented based on the results of online voting in six categories, including sustainability achievement.
The event will kick off on April 28th with training courses covering the essentials of nonwovens and market-focused areas, including a Nonwovens 101 short course on manufacturing nonwovens and advanced sessions on technical design and performance in baby and adult care absorbent systems, wet wipes, period products, and filter media training.
In conjunction with IDEA25, INDA also announced registration has opened for FiltXPO™ 2025, the International Filtration Conference and Exhibition, on April 29-May 1, 2025, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. For updates on both events, visit the INDA website https://www.inda.org/
Posted: January 7, 2025
Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry
WEINHEIM, Germany — January 7, 2025 — Mehler Texnologies, a specialist in coated technical textiles is well known for the high quality of its products. The company needs to adapt to market changes and therefore plans to close down the Fulda plant.
For several years, Mehler Texnologies has been faced by a persistently sluggish market environment. In view of considerable overcapacities within its own production network, the company therefore plans to close its Fulda plant in the course of 2025. On the basis of the current situation, 192 employees will be affected by the decision.
Mehler Texnologies has already notified the responsible employee representative bodies of its plans and socially compatible solutions are being developed in joint discussions. The specific date of the plant closure depends on the outcome of these discussions.
MONTREAL — January 6, 2025 — Gildan Activewear Inc. is pleased to share that it has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability™ North America Index (DJSI North America)1, one of the world’s leading ESG performance rankings for publicly traded companies. This marks the 12th consecutive year the Company has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. The results highlight that Gildan continues to be a sustainability leader, ranking in the 98th percentile of the Textiles, Apparel, and Luxury Goods industry2 out of 189 companies assessed in this industry. Gildan was the only apparel manufacturing company included in the DJSI North America.
“We take pride in being included in the DJSI North America again this year. ESG is an integral part of Gildan’s long-term business strategy, and our continued inclusion in the DJSI reflects our two-decade long commitment to sustainability,” says Glenn Chamandy, president and CEO of Gildan. “With our Next Generation ESG strategy firmly rooted in the Gildan Sustainable Growth strategy, we are paving the path for an even more sustainable future for Gildan, our people, our communities, and the environment.”
The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) are a family of best-in-class benchmarks for investors who have recognized that sustainable business practices are critical to generating long-term shareholder value and who wish to reflect their sustainability convictions in their investment portfolios. The indices measure the performance of companies selected from an Invited Universe that satisfy Environment, Social, Governance & Economic criteria using a best-in-class approach. Constituents of the DJSI are determined using a company’s S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) score. The Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index represents the top 20% of the largest 600 North American companies in the S&P Global Broad Market Index that lead the field in terms of sustainability.
1. Index Inclusion Announced on December 23, 2024.
2. CSA Score as of September 17, 2024.
PARIS — January 7, 2025 — After joining forces for many years to create the annual Paris Composites Week, combining the SAMPE (Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering) Europe Summit and JEC WORLD, the global event about composite materials, showcasing their applications in various industries, both the SAMPE Global and JEC organizations have decided to expand their cooperation, by launching the “SAMPE Technical Sessions” during JEC World 2025, and they have also committed to highlight young engineers.
Rebekah Stacha, CEO of SAMPE, and Eric Pierrejean, CEO of JEC have signed a dedicated agreement to include technical programming organised by SAMPE Global, within the Conferences program of JEC World 2025. These SAMPE Technical Sessions will take place on March 5 at JEC World 2025 in the Open Stage, in Hall 6, from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. And for the first time, JEC World will host the final of the new “Young Engineers Challenge” by SAMPE Europe.
Eric Pierrejean, JEC CEO, stated: “Both SAMPE and JEC are entirely dedicated to the composites and advanced materials community, fostering knowledge sharing and networking at their events. The success of our joint activities for many years and our mutual understanding have led us to expand our cooperation to present worldwide achievements and highlight young engineers.”
Rebekah Stacha, SAMPE CEO stated: “SAMPE Global is proud to collaborate with JEC World to bring technical programming directly to the show floor this year, showcasing expertise from our regions on some of the most critical and innovative topics in advanced materials and composites. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to uniting the global SAMPE community and the wider composites community of JEC, driving innovation and advancing the industry.”
Save the Dates:
SAMPE Europe 2025 Summit
March 3 – Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel Hotel
JEC World 2025
March 4-6 – Paris Nord Villepinte
SAMPE Technical Sessions 2025 and Young Engineer Challenge @ JEC World
LOS ANGELES — January 7, 2025 — Ambercycle and Shenghong Holding Group have announced a strategic partnership to scale the production of regenerated filament yarns made with cycora® material. This collaboration brings cycora into the Chinese value chain, addressing global demand for truly circular solutions in the apparel industry.
