NCTO Commends President Trump For Preserving USMCA Qualified Goods, Reciprocal Tariff Plan And Closing The De Minimis Loophole

WASHINGTON, D.C. — April 3, 2025 — The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber, yarn and fabrics to finished sewn products, issued the following statement from President and CEO Kim Glas regarding President Trump’s reciprocal tariff plan.

Statement by NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas:

NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas

“We strongly commend President Trump and his administration on their tariff reciprocity plan to finally begin rebalancing America’s trade positioning in markets at home and abroad. We want to thank President Trump on behalf of the U.S. textile industry and the 471,000 workers we employ.

“We are particularly pleased with the administration’s decision to preserve duty-free trade for imports from Mexico and Canada that are compliant with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) rules of origin.

“The U.S. textile industry ships $12.3 billion, or 53 percent, of its total global textile exports to Mexico and Canada and those component materials often come back as finished products to the United States under the USMCA. It is by far the largest export region for American textile producers, representing $20 billion in two-way trade that spurs enormous textile investment and employment in the United States.

“Preserving duty free, qualified trade is absolutely critical to the U.S. textile industry and will provide incentives for more companies to onshore even greater production capacity, giving a boost to American textile manufacturers and their workers.

“We are also grateful to the Trump administration for getting tough on the predatory trade practices of China, Vietnam and other Asian suppliers that have long undermined domestic textile and apparel manufacturing through the rampant use of unfair trade practices, which the U.S. textile industry has been raising concerns about for decades.

“We encourage the administration to keep these penalty tariffs on finished textile and apparel products in place long-term with countries like China and Vietnam to provide the necessary market signals to recalibrate the global textile and apparel supply chain.

”Doing so, will help level the playing field for U.S. textile and apparel producers once and for all, given our industry has been victimized by predatory trade practices that have offshored critical jobs across the United States.

“Additionally, we hope the Trump administration extends the exemption for duty-free qualified trade from other Western Hemisphere free trade partners, such as the countries of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). This is a critical supply chain for U.S. textile exports that are essential to the American textile industry and our workers.

“The Western Hemisphere as a whole accounts for nearly 70 percent of all U.S. textile exports, represents $34 billion in annual two-way trade and supports 2.6 million jobs.

“Equally as important, the USMCA and CAFTA-DR production platforms serve as an alternative and counterweight to the China-led, Asia-based production platform that competes based on illegal tactics, such as the used of forced labor, subsidies and counterfeits, and has largely come to dominate global trade.

“We would also like to commend the Trump administration for its substantial and long overdue reform of the de minimis loophole. This loophole facilitates 4 million shipments a day to the United States that often hide illegal and unethically made products, unsafe goods and illicit fentanyl and other narcotics that reach our doorsteps. Countries such as China currently avoid billions in U.S. duties through the use of de minimis to the United States.

“We applaud the fact that the President’s announcement will essentially close de minimis on a global scale once the Secretary of Commerce puts the mechanism in place to collect duties on these imports. Half of de minimis shipments are estimated to be textile and apparel products, and NCTO has long called for the closure of this destructive loophole.  We encourage the full closure as soon as possible and stand ready to help the Administration in any way to formulate plans for its effective implementation.

“Finally, President Trump emphasized the importance of holding trade cheaters accountable in his Rose Garden event on Wednesday. The U.S. textile industry looks forward to working with the administration to develop a robust enforcement plan to help President Trump achieve the important goals outlined his new tariff plan to ensure fraudulent actors and cheaters are penalized.

“We are grateful to President Trump and his administration for their strong support for our industry. If aggressively enforced coupled with long-term certainty, there is a huge opportunity to reshore production and grow jobs in the United States.”

Posted: April 3, 2025

Source: The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO)

Elastic Inks For Textile-Integrated Electronics

Electrically conductive printing paste. Image courtesy of DITF

TW Special Report

Electrically conductive prints on textiles are the basis for functional textiles with electronic functions, so-called smart textiles. Conductive inks and binders must be well matched to ensure permanent conductivity even under external mechanical influences such as stretching, pressure and bending. The DITF are working on new ink formulations that meet these requirements.

Sports, fashion and the automotive industry – textiles with integrated electronics are used in many areas of everyday life. Textile-integrated electronics help monitor human vital parameter and performance data, and enable the fashion industry to integrate interactive elements into clothing. It is used in a variety of ways in the automotive industry, where it enhances passenger comfort and safety.

Applying the conductive layer with a squeegee. Image courtesy of DITF

The most common conductive components used in textiles to date are wrapped yarns and tension-relieved conductive yarns arranged in loops. They ensure a reliable flow of electricity even in textiles subject to high mechanical stress. Their production is complex. As a result, they are expensive and only partially suitable for the mass market. Printing conductive structures on textile surfaces using screen printing or chromojet technology, a digital spray printing technique, is much more cost-effective.

However, there are several challenges in producing printed conductive textiles. One of the biggest difficulties is ensuring the conductivity of the printed materials while maintaining the flexibility and softness of the textile. In addition, the durability of the prints can deteriorate, especially with frequent washing or mechanical stress. Stretching or movement can cause the prints to break or tear. Electrical conductivity is often impaired even under low mechanical stress, when the stretching of the conductive layer is not reversible. The adhesion between the print application and the textile can weaken with repeated stretching. This results in poor long-term stability. The integration of electronic elements into textiles is also often hampered by the fact that the connection between the conductive elements and the electronic components is prone to failure.

Applying the conductive coating. Image courtesy of DITF

The DITF are working on new solutions to address these challenges. The Color- and Functional-Printing Working Group is working on new ink and paste formulations based on conductive particles and elastic binders. The aim is to improve the elongation behavior of prints while maintaining good electrical conductivity. The elastic properties of the binder are largely determined by the auxiliaries and additives used. The DITF determine the interactions between these components and derive knowledge for the formulation of new elastic and highly conductive inks.

The hysteresis properties of new ink formulations are of central importance. Hysteresis refers to the ability of a material to maintain its properties under repeated strain or stress. Well-matched hysteresis supports the conductivity of printed structures even under continuous mechanical stress. Suitable materials can adapt to the movement of the textile without compromising the conductive properties.

Dried conductive, elastic layer on the textile surface. Image courtesy of DITF

The goal of the research team at the DITF is to expand the knowledge of the interactions between conductive particles and binders, between additives and textile auxiliaries, in order to produce highly conductive inks and pastes. This will make it possible to produce the best possible and most resistant print coatings for different textile substrates and different applications, enabling reliable conductivity.

Under these conditions, the costs for mass production of textile electronics can be reduced.

April 1, 2025

Manufacturing PMI® At 49%; March 2025 Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business: Textile Mills Report Growth

TEMPE, Ariz. — April 1, 2025 — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in March after two consecutive months of expansion preceded by 26 straight months of contraction, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®.

The report was issued today by Timothy R. Fiore, CPSM, C.P.M., chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee:

“The Manufacturing PMI® registered 49 percent in March, 1.3 percentage points lower compared to the 50.3 percent recorded in February. The overall economy continued in expansion for the 59th month after one month of contraction in April 2020. (A Manufacturing PMI above 42.3 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy.) The New Orders Index contracted for the second month in a row following a three-month period of expansion; the figure of 45.2 percent is 3.4 percentage points lower than the 48.6 percent recorded in February. The March reading of the Production Index (48.3 percent) is 2.4 percentage points lower than February’s figure of 50.7 percent. The index dropped back into contraction after two months of expansion, with eight months of contraction before that. The Prices Index surged further into expansion (or ‘increasing’) territory, registering 69.4 percent, up 7 percentage points compared to the reading of 62.4 percent in February. The Backlog of Orders Index registered 44.5 percent, down 2.3 percentage points compared to the 46.8 percent recorded in February. The Employment Index registered 44.7 percent, down 2.9 percentage points from February’s figure of 47.6 percent.

“The Supplier Deliveries Index indicated a continued slowing of deliveries (though at a slightly slower rate of change), registering 53.5 percent, 1 percentage point lower than the 54.5 percent recorded in February. (Supplier Deliveries is the only ISM® Report On Business index that is inversed; a reading of above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries, which is typical as the economy improves and customer demand increases.) The Inventories Index registered 53.4 percent, up 3.5 percentage points compared to February’s reading of 49.9 percent. The index returned to expansion after six months of contraction.

“The New Export Orders Index reading of 49.6 percent is 1.8 percentage points lower than the reading of 51.4 percent registered in February. The Imports Index continued in expansion in March, though just barely, registering 50.1 percent, 2.5 percentage points lower than February’s reading of 52.6 percent.”

Fiore continues, “In March, U.S. manufacturing activity slipped into contraction after expanding only marginally in February. The expansion in both February and January followed 26 consecutive months of contraction. Demand and output weakened while input strengthened further, a negative for economic growth. Indications that demand weakened include: the (1) New Orders Index falling further into contraction territory, (2) New Export Orders Index dropping into contraction, (3) Backlog of Orders Index contracting at a faster rate, and (4) Customers’ Inventories Index remaining in ‘too low’ territory.

Output (measured by the Production and Employment indexes) also weakened. Factory output (production) contracted in March, indicating that panelists’ companies are revising production plans downward in the face of economic headwinds. The Employment Index moved deeper into contraction, as panelists’ companies continued to release workers. Companies continued to cite ‘attriting down’ as the best process, as opposed to layoffs.

Inputs — defined as supplier deliveries, inventories, prices and imports — expanded. All four indexes indicated expansion, which is not a positive sign when demand is moving in the opposite direction. Inventories growth is a temporary move to avoid tariffs and will decline when such trade issues are resolved.

“Demand and production retreated and destaffing continued, as panelists’ companies responded to demand confusion. Prices growth accelerated due to tariffs, causing new order placement backlogs, supplier delivery slowdowns and manufacturing inventory growth. Forty-six percent of manufacturing gross domestic product (GDP) contracted in March, up from 24 percent in February. The share of manufacturing sector GDP registering a composite PMI calculation at or below 45 percent (a good barometer of overall manufacturing weakness) was 7 percent in March, a 5-percentage point increase compared to the 2 percent reported in February. Of the six largest manufacturing industries, three (Petroleum & Coal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Transportation Equipment) expanded in March, one fewer than in February,” says Fiore.

The nine manufacturing industries reporting growth in March — listed in order — are: Textile Mills; Petroleum & Coal Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Primary Metals; Computer & Electronic Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Transportation Equipment; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The seven industries reporting contraction in March, in order, are: Wood Products; Paper Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Furniture & Related Products; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Machinery.

What Respondents Are Saying

  • “Complex markets saw a surge in volume buying in anticipation of 2025 being slightly better than 2024. In March, however, all markets saw a slowdown, with fear and inventory stocking to hold through a potential crisis.” [Chemical Products]
  • “Acute shortages continue to impact supply chain continuity. Chinese restrictions on critical minerals such as germanium have caused major shortages, resulting in all supply needed in 2025 already assumed — and, not surprisingly, significant price increases as a result. Tariffs are causing minor ripples at the moment in securing supply, with purchase order terms narrowing due to uncertainties. A&D (aerospace and defense), which has been very resilient, is starting to see questionable medium- to long-term demand due to governmental policy, including retaliatory actions taken by foreign countries with foreign military sales.” [Transportation Equipment]
  • “Customers are pulling in orders due to anxiety about continued tariffs and pricing pressures.” [Computer & Electronic Products]
  • “Starting to see slower-than-normal sales in Canada, and concerns of Canadians boycotting U.S. products could become a reality.” [Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products]
  • “Business condition is deteriorating at a fast pace. Tariffs and economic uncertainty are making the current business environment challenging.” [Machinery]
  • “New order levels have increased and are better than expected. We suspect that our customers are trying to build inventory at current prices to get ahead of expected tariff and related cost increases. We expect this surge in demand to be short-lived.” [Fabricated Metal Products]
  • “Demand has been stable, consistent with last year. No evidence of growing demand. Tariff impacts and mitigation strategies are a daily conversation.” [Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components]
  • “Newly implemented tariffs are significantly impacting gross profits. Canada’s new tariffs on U.S. goods are significantly impacting orders from that country. Quotes and sales are lower from Europe due to the threat of retaliatory tariffs.” [Miscellaneous Manufacturing]
  • “Worldwide economic instability has really begun to impact our oil and gas business. Aside from the change in the U.S. administration, the economies of China, India and Europe are drivers in what we believe is the next cyclical trough.” [Petroleum & Coal Products]
  • “Bearish market sentiment and tariff applications and costs have dominated discussions over the past month and should continue to dominate markets until a clear path forward is determined. Overall concern is whether or not demand destruction will occur with higher pricing.” [Primary Metals]
MANUFACTURING AT A GLANCE
March 2025
Index Series
IndexMar		 Series
IndexFeb		 Percentage

Point

Change

 Direction Rate of
Change		 Trend*
(Months)
Manufacturing PMI® 49.0 50.3 -1.3 Contracting From Growing 1
New Orders 45.2 48.6 -3.4 Contracting Faster 2
Production 48.3 50.7 -2.4 Contracting From Growing 1
Employment 44.7 47.6 -2.9 Contracting Faster 2
Supplier Deliveries 53.5 54.5 -1.0 Slowing Slower 4
Inventories 53.4 49.9 +3.5 Growing From Contracting 1
Customers’ Inventories 46.8 45.3 +1.5 Too Low Slower 6
Prices 69.4 62.4 +7.0 Increasing Faster 6
Backlog of Orders 44.5 46.8 -2.3 Contracting Faster 30
New Export Orders 49.6 51.4 -1.8 Contracting From Growing 1
Imports 50.1 52.6 -2.5 Growing Slower 3
OVERALL ECONOMY Growing Slower 59
Manufacturing Sector Contracting From Growing 1

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

Commodities Reported Up/Down In Price And In Short Supply

Commodities Up in Price
Aluminum (16); Aluminum Products; Brass; Copper (2); Corrugate; Corrugated Boxes; Critical Minerals; Electrical Components (2); Electronic Components (2); Packaging; Paints & Adhesives; Plastic Resin (2); Polypropylene Resin (2); Steel (2); Steel — Carbon (2); Steel — Cold Rolled; Steel — Hot Rolled (2); Steel — Scrap (3); Steel — Stainless; and Steel Products.

Commodities Down in Price
Industrial Alcohols; and Natural Gas.

Commodities in Short Supply
Cable Assemblies; Critical Minerals; Electrical Components (54); and Electronic Components.

Note: The number of consecutive months the commodity is listed is indicated after each item.

March 2025 Manufacturing Index Summaries

Manufacturing PMI®
The U.S. manufacturing sector contracted in March after two consecutive months of expansion preceded by 26 months of contraction, as the Manufacturing PMI registered 49 percent, 1.3 percentage points lower compared to the 50.3 percent reported in February. “In March, the Manufacturing PMI reversed its recent momentum to register below its reading in December. Of the five subindexes that directly factor into the Manufacturing PMI, two (Supplier Deliveries and Inventories) were in expansion territory, the same number as in February, when Production and Supplier Deliveries indicated growth. Slower supplier deliveries and expanded inventories in March are not considered positives for the economy: Both conditions figure to be temporary and are driven by tariff concerns, either delaying buyer/seller negotiations or advancing material deliveries that will be reversed after tariffs are deployed, leading to a drawdown of manufacturing inventory. Both the Employment and New Orders indexes moved further into contraction in March. Of the six biggest manufacturing industries, three (Petroleum & Coal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Transportation Equipment) registered growth,” says Fiore. A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing sector is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting.

A Manufacturing PMI above 42.3 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. Therefore, the March Manufacturing PMI indicates the overall economy grew for the 59th straight month after last contracting in April 2020. “The past relationship between the Manufacturing PMI and the overall economy indicates that the March reading (49 percent) corresponds to a change of plus-1.9 percent in real gross domestic product (GDP) on an annualized basis,” says Fiore.

The Last 12 Months

Month Manufacturing
PMI®		 Month Manufacturing
PMI®
Mar 2025 49.0 Sep 2024 47.5
Feb 2025 50.3 Aug 2024 47.5
Jan 2025 50.9 Jul 2024 47.0
Dec 2024 49.2 Jun 2024 48.3
Nov 2024 48.4 May 2024 48.5
Oct 2024 46.9 Apr 2024 48.8
Average for 12 months – 48.5

High – 50.9

Low – 46.9

 

New Orders
ISM’s New Orders Index contracted in March for the second consecutive month after three consecutive months of expansion, registering 45.2 percent, a decrease of 3.4 percentage points compared to February’s figure of 48.6 percent. This is the lowest reading since May 2023 (43.4 percent) for the New Orders Index, which hasn’t indicated consistent growth since a 24-month streak of expansion ended in May 2022. “Of the six largest manufacturing sectors, two (Petroleum & Coal Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products) reported increased new orders. Three (Machinery; Transportation Equipment; and Chemical Products) reported declines. Panelists noted a weakening level of demand performance, with a 1-to-2 ratio of positive comments versus those expressing concern about near-term demand, a clear decline from February. Orders continue to slow, as discussions about who will pay for potential tariff costs are the prime topic of negotiations between buyers and sellers,” says Fiore. A New Orders Index above 52.1 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Census Bureau’s series on manufacturing orders (in constant 2000 dollars).

The six manufacturing industries that reported growth in new orders in March, in order, are: Textile Mills; Petroleum & Coal Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Primary Metals. The eight industries reporting a decline in new orders in March, in order, are: Paper Products; Wood Products; Furniture & Related Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Machinery; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; and Chemical Products.

New Orders %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Mar 2025 19.9 56.8 23.3 -3.4 45.2
Feb 2025 20.3 62.4 17.3 +3.0 48.6
Jan 2025 26.3 53.7 20.0 +6.3 55.1
Dec 2024 21.0 54.9 24.1 -3.1 52.1

 

Production
The Production Index dropped into contraction territory in March after two consecutive months of expansion, registering 48.3 percent, 2.4 percentage points lower than the February reading of 50.7 percent. Prior to January’s reading, the index was in contraction territory for eight consecutive months, with the last reading above 50 percent in April 2024 (50.7 percent). Of the six largest manufacturing sectors, two (Computer & Electronic Products; and Transportation Equipment) reported increased production. “Production levels in March showed a marked decrease for the first time in 2025, as order books remain weak and new orders continue to decline, causing head-count reductions and lack of capital investment,” says Fiore. An index above 52.1 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Federal Reserve Board’s Industrial Production figures.

The five industries reporting growth in production during the month of March are: Textile Mills; Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; and Primary Metals. The nine industries reporting a decrease in production in March, in order, are: Paper Products; Furniture & Related Products; Wood Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Machinery; and Chemical Products.

Production %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Mar 2025 21.0 58.1 20.9 +0.1 48.3
Feb 2025 16.5 68.9 14.6 +1.9 50.7
Jan 2025 19.4 62.1 18.5 +0.9 52.5
Dec 2024 15.3 59.3 25.4 -10.1 49.9

 

Employment
ISM’s Employment Index registered 44.7 percent in March, 2.9 percentage points lower than February’s reading of 47.6 percent. “The index posted its second consecutive month of contraction after expanding in January, with seven straight months of contraction before that. Since May 2022, the Employment Index has contracted in 28 of 35 months. Of the six big manufacturing sectors, none expanded employment in March. Respondents’ companies continue to reduce head counts through layoffs, attrition and hiring freezes, with an approximate 1-to-1.3 ratio of hiring versus staff-reduction comments, supporting an acceleration of head-count reductions due to the uncertain near- to mid-term demand. Freezing and attrition were the primary tools used for the second straight month, in lieu of the more dramatic and costly layoff process,” says Fiore. An Employment Index above 50.3 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on manufacturing employment.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, the only industry reporting employment growth in March is Primary Metals. The seven industries reporting a decrease in employment in March, in the following order, are: Wood Products; Textile Mills; Chemical Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Transportation Equipment; and Computer & Electronic Products. Nine industries reported no change in employment in March as compared to February.

Employment %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Mar 2025 8.3 73.7 18.0 -9.7 44.7
Feb 2025 12.0 70.9 17.1 -5.1 47.6
Jan 2025 11.7 75.1 13.2 -1.5 50.3
Dec 2024 7.0 75.3 17.7 -10.7 45.4

 

Supplier Deliveries†
Delivery performance of suppliers to manufacturing organizations was slower in March, with the Supplier Deliveries Index registering 53.5 percent, a 1-percentage point decrease compared to the reading of 54.5 percent reported in February. This continued expansion follows a contraction (which indicates faster delivery performance) in November, preceded by four consecutive months of slower deliveries, with four straight months of faster deliveries before that. After a reading of 52.4 percent in September 2022, the index went into contraction territory the following month and remained there for 20 out of 21 months, with February 2024 the exception. Of the six big industries, five (Petroleum & Coal Products; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; Machinery; and Computer & Electronic Products) reported slower supplier deliveries in March. “Deliveries continued to be marginally strained as suppliers struggled to meet accelerated delivery requests from customers and as suppliers and panelists’ companies negotiate who pays for current tariffs,” says Fiore. A reading below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries, while a reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries.

The 11 manufacturing industries reporting slower supplier deliveries in March — in the following order — are: Petroleum & Coal Products; Textile Mills; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Furniture & Related Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Chemical Products; Primary Metals; Transportation Equipment; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Machinery; and Computer & Electronic Products. The two industries reporting faster supplier deliveries in March are: Plastics & Rubber Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products.

Supplier Deliveries %Slower %Same %Faster Net Index
Mar 2025 13.4 80.2 6.4 +7.0 53.5
Feb 2025 14.9 79.1 6.0 +8.9 54.5
Jan 2025 7.8 86.2 6.0 +1.8 50.9
Dec 2024 6.4 87.4 6.2 +0.2 50.1

 

Inventories
The Inventories Index registered 53.4 percent in March, up 3.5 percentage points compared to the reading of 49.9 percent reported in February. The Inventories Index has gained 7.5 percentage points the last two months to reach its highest level since October 2022, when it also registered 53.4 percent. The last time the Inventories Index was above 50 percent was in August (50.2 percent). Of the six big industries, five (Petroleum & Coal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Machinery) grew input inventories in March. “Manufacturing inventories expanded in March, as panelists’ companies continue to pull forward (advance) deliveries of materials in an attempt to minimize the financial impacts of potential tariffs,” says Fiore. An Inventories Index greater than 44.5 percent, over time, is generally consistent with expansion in the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) figures on overall manufacturing inventories (in chained 2000 dollars).

Of 18 manufacturing industries, the 12 industries reporting higher inventories in March — listed in order — are: Petroleum & Coal Products; Textile Mills; Furniture & Related Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Paper Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Machinery. The three industries reporting lower inventories in March are: Wood Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; and Nonmetallic Mineral Products.

Inventories %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Mar 2025 21.5 65.7 12.8 +8.7 53.4
Feb 2025 14.6 72.4 13.0 +1.6 49.9
Jan 2025 12.2 67.4 20.4 -8.2 45.9
Dec 2024 14.4 64.8 20.8 -6.4 48.4

 

Customers’ Inventories†
ISM’s Customers’ Inventories Index registered a reading of 46.8 percent in March, an increase of 1.5 percentage points compared to the reading of 45.3 percent in February. “Customers’ inventory levels in March continued to contract, but moved closer to ‘about right’ territory. (For more information about the Customers’ Inventories Index, see the “Data and Method of Presentation” section below.) Panelists are reporting that the amounts of their companies’ products in their customers’ inventories suggest a demand level that remains positive for future production,” says Fiore.

The seven industries reporting customers’ inventories as too high in March — in the following order — are: Furniture & Related Products; Paper Products; Wood Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Machinery; and Plastics & Rubber Products. The eight industries reporting customers’ inventories as too low in March, in order, are: Textile Mills; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Chemical Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Transportation Equipment.

Customers’
Inventories		 %
Reporting		 %Too
High		 %About
Right		 %Too
Low		 Net Index
Mar 2025 77 11.8 70.0 18.2 -6.4 46.8
Feb 2025 77 8.0 74.6 17.4 -9.4 45.3
Jan 2025 77 9.0 75.4 15.6 -6.6 46.7
Dec 2024 78 11.5 70.3 18.2 -6.7 46.7

 

Prices†
The ISM Prices Index registered 69.4 percent in March, elevating 7 percentage points compared to the February reading of 62.4 percent, indicating raw materials prices increased for the sixth straight month after a decrease in September. The Prices Index has increased 21.1 percentage points over the past six months to record its highest reading since June 2022 (78.5 percent). Of the six largest manufacturing industries, five — Transportation Equipment; Machinery; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Computer & Electronic Products — reported price increases in March. “The Prices Index indicated increasing prices in March for the sixth consecutive month, driven by dramatic increases in steel and aluminum prices as a result of recently deployed tariffs. Corrugate, copper and plastic resins have all experienced price growth as companies move to minimize their exposure to foreign-made goods, causing domestic prices to rise amid new demand. Forty-six percent of companies reported higher prices in March, compared to 31 percent in February. This share has consistently increased over the past five months, from a low of 12.2 percent in November,” says Fiore. A Prices Index above 52.8 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials.

In March, the 15 industries that reported paying increased prices for raw materials, in order, are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Textile Mills; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Fabricated Metal Products; Primary Metals; Plastics & Rubber Products; Paper Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Transportation Equipment; Wood Products; Machinery; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Furniture & Related Products; and Computer & Electronic Products. No industries reported paying decreased prices for raw materials in March.

 

Prices

 %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Mar 2025 46.0 46.7 7.3 +38.7 69.4
Feb 2025 31.4 61.9 6.7 +24.7 62.4
Jan 2025 20.7 68.3 11.0 +9.7 54.9
Dec 2024 14.4 76.1 9.5 +4.9 52.5

 

Backlog of Orders†
ISM’s Backlog of Orders Index registered 44.5 percent, a decrease of 2.3 percentage points compared to the February reading of 46.8 percent, indicating order backlogs contracted for the 30th consecutive month after a 27-month period of expansion. Of the six largest manufacturing industries, only one (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products) reported expanded order backlogs in March. “Given the state of weak new orders and consistent production output, the hoped-for return of expanding backlogs has been deferred until trade issues and other geopolitical tensions recede,” says Fiore.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, only two reported growth in order backlogs in March: Fabricated Metal Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products. The 10 industries reporting lower backlogs in March — in the following order — are: Wood Products; Paper Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Primary Metals; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Chemical Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Transportation Equipment.

Backlog of
Orders		 %
Reporting		 %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Mar 2025 91 15.4 58.2 26.4 -11.0 44.5
Feb 2025 92 14.0 65.5 20.5 -6.5 46.8
Jan 2025 93 12.6 64.6 22.8 -10.2 44.9
Dec 2024 91 14.9 62.0 23.1 -8.2 45.9

 

New Export Orders†
ISM’s New Export Orders Index contracted in March after expanding for two consecutive months, registering 49.6 percent in March, down 1.8 percentage points from February’s reading of 51.4 percent. “The New Export Orders Index reading indicates that export orders reversed course after growing in February for a second consecutive month. This brief period of expansion followed an ‘unchanged’ status (a reading of 50 percent), preceded by six straight months of contraction. New export orders contracted as panelists’ comments cited Canadians’ lack of desire to purchase U.S. goods due to the friction between the countries,” says Fiore.

The five industries reporting growth in new export orders in March are: Paper Products; Textile Mills; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; and Machinery. The seven industries reporting a decrease in new export orders in March — in the following order — are: Furniture & Related Products; Primary Metals; Plastics & Rubber Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; and Fabricated Metal Products.

New Export
Orders		 %
Reporting		 %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Mar 2025 73 12.1 74.9 13.0 -0.9 49.6
Feb 2025 73 12.9 77.0 10.1 +2.8 51.4
Jan 2025 74 12.0 80.8 7.2 +4.8 52.4
Dec 2024 74 10.9 78.2 10.9 0.0 50.0

 

Imports†
ISM’s Imports Index showed growth for the third straight month in March, with a reading of 50.1 percent indicating marginal expansion, 2.5 percentage points lower than the reading of 52.6 percent reported in February. Before expanding in January, the index contracted for seven months in a row, preceded by five consecutive months of expansion, with 14 straight months of contraction prior to that. “Imports remained in expansion as buyers try to get ahead of tariffs by pulling forward future deliveries to the extent that is possible,” says Fiore.

The five industries reporting an increase in import volumes in March are: Textile Mills; Fabricated Metal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Transportation Equipment. The eight industries that reported lower volumes of imports in March — in the following order — are: Petroleum & Coal Products; Furniture & Related Products; Wood Products; Primary Metals; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Chemical Products; and Machinery.

Imports %
Reporting		 %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Mar 2025 86 16.5 67.1 16.4 +0.1 50.1
Feb 2025 85 16.4 72.3 11.3 +5.1 52.6
Jan 2025 85 11.6 78.9 9.5 +2.1 51.1
Dec 2024 85 12.8 73.8 13.4 -0.6 49.7

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

Buying Policy
The average commitment lead time for Capital Expenditures in March was 165 days, a decrease of three days compared to February. The average lead time in March for Production Materials was 80 days, a decrease of five days compared to February. The average lead time for Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies was 47 days, an increase of two days compared to February.

Percent Reporting
Capital
Expenditures		 Hand-to-
Mouth		 30 Days 60 Days 90 Days 6 Months 1 Year+ Average
Days
Mar 2025 17 3 10 15 30 25 165
Feb 2025 17 4 9 14 30 26 168
Jan 2025 17 4 8 15 30 26 168
Dec 2024 14 5 8 15 30 28 175
Percent Reporting
Production
Materials		 Hand-to-
Mouth		 30 Days 60 Days 90 Days 6 Months 1 Year+ Average
Days
Mar 2025 8 24 27 28 9 4 80
Feb 2025 8 22 28 28 8 6 85
Jan 2025 6 25 29 26 9 5 83
Dec 2024 7 25 28 27 8 5 81

 

Percent Reporting
MRO Supplies Hand-to-
Mouth		 30 Days 60 Days 90 Days 6 Months 1 Year+ Average
Days
Mar 2025 30 33 20 10 6 1 47
Feb 2025 29 37 16 13 4 1 45
Jan 2025 29 34 19 11 6 1 47
Dec 2024 30 35 16 13 5 1 46

 

Posted: April 1, 2025

Source: Institute for Supply Management

Techtextil And Texprocess Frankfurt, Germany 2026: With Strong Booking Status, Exhibitors Count On The Leading Industry Platforms

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — April 1, 2025 — High registration numbers with many new exhibitors herald a strong Techtextil and Texprocess Frankfurt, Germany 2026. April 21-24, 2026, international suppliers present their innovations at the two leading trade fairs — whether in terms of materials, technologies or sustainability. The aim is to tap into new markets, win customers, find business partners and master industry challenges. With an adapted hall layout and new product groups, Techtextil and Texprocess create the best conditions for this.

Photo – Messe Frankfurt – Pietro Sutera

Turbulent times for the industry: recession, sustainability requirements and geopolitical challenges are putting market participants under pressure with subdued purchasing behavior, restrained investment or complex process adjustments. The industry’s response: innovation and outstanding solutions. Whether new material ideas, efficient processes or sustainable developments: The most important platforms to present these are the world’s leading trade fairs Techtextil and Texprocess in Frankfurt. This is also reflected in the current high level of interest in participating. Exhibitors are using this opportunity to position themselves globally and prepare for the future. In addition to the familiar big players, an exceptionally large number of new exhibitors will take part in 2026.

‘The outstanding level of bookings shows: the industry is seeking for global visibility more than ever. The key lies in finding the right partners for pioneering innovations and unlocking market opportunities. Techtextil and Texprocess offer the ideal setting for this. The registration status promises two strong events in April 2026 and underlines the growth strategy of the two leading trade fairs,’ says Sabine Scharrer, director Brand Management Technical Textiles & Textile Processing at Messe Frankfurt.

Texprocess 2026: Global visibility for world premieres

Exhibitors from all product groups have already registered to take part in Texprocess, the leading trade fair for processing textile and flexible materials. From cutting and sewing to finishing. Among them are Brother Internationale Industriemaschinen, Gütermann (Germany), Morgan Tecnica (Italy), Robotech (Turkey), Sheffield Cutting Equipment (USA), Style3D | Assyst, Veit and Zünd Germany. New exhibitors include Amann (Germany), Coloreel (Sweden), Comelz, Cutting Edge Automation Machines (Italy) or Pathfinder Australia. Driven by automation, digitalization and AI, exhibitors are developing increasingly efficient solutions — and are thus resonating with the needs of the international market.

Techtextil 2026: realizing market potential with innovations

Techtextil is also seeing great booking interest from exhibitors. Among those registered are Concordia Textiles (Belgium), Groz-Beckert (Germany), Klopman International (Italy), Kolon Industries (Korea), Lenzing, Sattler Pro-Tex (Austria), Sioen (Belgium) and Schill+Seilacher (Germany). The many new exhibitors include Dystar Singapore, Indorama Ventures Fibers Germany, Monteiro Ribas (Portugal), TreeToTextile (Sweden) and Woolmark (Germany). The leading trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens covers the entire spectrum of high-tech textiles. Suppliers meet buyers from a wide range of industries here. They are looking for customized material solutions — whether for the automotive or apparel industry. For the first time, there is a separate area for Textile Chemicals & Dyes in Hall 9.0, which is already in high demand. The new Performance Apparel Textiles area in Hall 9.0 is also attracting great interest. It offers promising synergies: With Fibres & Yarns, manufacturers find their upstream stage in the same hall. In addition, the proximity to Texprocess in Hall 8.0 makes it even more accessible for the apparel industry.

Techtextil and Texprocess will be held from 21 to 24 April 2026.

Posted: April 1, 2025

Source: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH

Heberlein: A Dynasty Of Textile Innovators For More Than 190 Years

WATTWIL, Switzerland — April 1, 2025 — The art of reorientation runs through Heberlein’s 190-year company history. Georg Philipp Heberlein and his descendants ran an exemplary family business with roots in yarn dyeing.

Heberlein company premises in Wattwil (Switzerland) photographed between 1910 and 1920

It developed into a corporate group and ultimately became a highly specialized company that is regarded as the world’s leading provider of air interlacing and air texturing jets for synthetic continuous filament yarns.

Today Heberlein’s core competence is the development and production of highly-specialized key components for treatment and finishing of synthetic yarns — especially filaments. The company story over the years is a showcase of unique innovations.

Fantastic elastic

The initial concept involved twisting and heating man-made fiber threads at high speeds of 500,000 twists per minutes in a process known as false-twisting. This caused the fibers to be deformed and set, before being untwisted in the opposite direction. The resulting end-products retained their shape, were easy to care for, and — most importantly — had superb elastic characteristics.

This process of crimping the yarn — known as texturization — was patented in 1931. The new yarn type was first made from viscose filaments. The brand name Helanca was chosen by combining ‘He’ from Heberlein and ‘Lana’ for wool.

Helanca Advertising

Helanca’s major commercial breakthrough came in the early 1950s, when Heberlein was able to develop and patent special spindles to process polyamide (nylon) filaments. Improving the twisting head made it possible to increase the number of twists so that large-scale industrial production started to gain momentum.

By the early 1960s, Heberlein was producing around the clock. Every day, thread output length was equivalent to twice the distance from earth to the moon! Annual production reached 2.5 million kilos of Helanca yarn. As demand soared, Heberlein responded by authorizing more than 100 licensees worldwide, in what was now a highly lucrative business.

Mechanical initiative

Heberlein false-twisting machine manufactured around 1950

Helanca’s success was based on sophisticated mechanical processing. However, the earliest machines had to be developed from scratch. The first system, with horizontally mounted false-twist spindles, was built in the company’s own workshop and put into operation in 1953.

These development activities saw the creation of a new branch of the company, devoted to mechanical engineering. Around 1960, the former repair and maintenance department became Heberlein Maschinenfabrik. Soon it had a comprehensive production program, known worldwide, and became the fastest-growing Heberlein division.

Air currents

From its position of strong growth, Heberlein Maschinenfabrik was later severely affected by restructuring in the ever-weakening European textile industry. After 1978, Heberlein no longer built complete machines, but instead focused on subcomponents.

This decision, concentrating on innovating technology components, brought Heberlein new success. The product strategy targeted the air-jet texturing process, which was again trending at that time. With air-jet texturing, spindles, machine spare parts, and air interlacing jets, the company remained in business.

More diversification

During the economic boom, Heberlein became active in various new areas, driven by expansion and diversification. In 1997, Heberlein Fasertechnologie AG was founded and once again concentrated on a core area. Eight years later, Heberlein Ceramics was founded, where valuable knowledge for today’s Heberlein jets was accumulated.

With takeovers and changes of ownership, the Heberlein story stays significant in the 21st century. An investment foundation took over the company in 2023, ensuring its long-term success. Since then, the company has been known as Heberlein Technology AG.

Innovative and agile

Heberlein’s ability to adapt to external conditions helped the company through the various crises and wars of the 20th century. The group was flourishing, with yarn mercerization, fabric finishing, textile printing, synthetic fibers, mechanical engineering and licensing businesses. Even still as a family operation, Heberlein has ranked among the 20 largest Swiss industrial companies at times.

Innovative strength means the company can keep on bringing new products on to the market, to meet the needs of a broadening customer base. The range includes: Transparent (sheer fabrics for blouses and summer dresses), Hecolan (wool-like properties for cotton), Hetex (lace and embroidery fabrics for evening dresses and curtains), and Helanca, among others.

Heberlein continues to innovate and inspire, with unique yarn properties that not only look and feel great — but also deliver improved process efficiency and profitability.

Posted: April 1, 2025

Source: Heberlein Technology AG

 

Monforts Focus On Energy Savings At IGATEX 2025 With Universal Energy Tower

MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany — March 31, 2025 — At the forthcoming IGATEX textile machinery exhibition in Karachi, Pakistan, from April 24-26, Monforts will highlight the benefits of its latest Universal Energy Tower.

This stand-alone air/air heat exchanger module enables recovery of the heat from the exhaust air flow of thermal systems such as existing tenters and THERMEX dyeing ranges with infrared predryers, resulting in energy savings of up to 25 percent, depending on the exhaust air volume and operating temperature.

The stand-alone Universal Energy Tower enables the heat from the exhaust air flow of thermal systems to be recovered.

The Energy Tower has an integrated fresh air fan with speed control. It offers good access to the heat exchanger modules for easy cleaning as well as a large condensate collection tank with a lint filter.

Visualization of real-time temperature and maintenance intervals is also included.

The Universal Energy Tower is one of a series of modular upgrades the company has developed to be added to existing finishing lines already in production, with a significant impact on a manufacturer’s operational costs.

Manfred Havenith

“Monforts machines are known for their robustness and long service life, but the retrofitting of specific modules with new control and drive technology — going far beyond the basic replacement of spare parts — can have a significant impact on the performance of an existing line,” said Monforts Area Sales Manager Manfred Havenith.

“This is especially the case in achieving further energy savings. At this year’s IGATEX, we are looking forward to discussing the possibilities with customers. Compared to a new machine, upgrades are a low-cost investment that deliver clearly defined benefits.”

The Matex Eco Applicator is meanwhile an alternative to the conventional padding process for energy-conscious finishing and achieving considerable savings in the energy required for drying treated fabrics. The precise amount of finishing chemical can be applied to the fabric and with less residual moisture after application of only approximately 35 percent, so that less drying capacity is required in the tenter, which leads to huge energy savings.

Finishing chemicals can be evenly applied on either or both sides of the fabric, and two separate treatments can be applied to front and back.

This makes the unit ideal for the production of, for example, double-performance hydrophobic/hydrophilic fabrics for professional clothing, as well as the over dyeing or finishing of denim fabrics.

Options

“Other general retrofitting options available in our modular upgrade program include a clip opener for the MONTEX tenter, which is located at the chain deflection points and reduces wear on the clip table and the blades,” says Manfred Havenith. “At the same time, it ensures a quieter working atmosphere due to the smooth opening and closing of the clips.

“There are also considerable benefits to be gained from bringing a machine’s HMI up to date with our new 19-inch compact OS Windows PCs, as well as with a range of frequency converter options for bringing a machine completely up to date technically and reducing down times. With more than 140 years of experience, Monforts is the right partner to assist retrofits to help with sustainability and energy savings.”

Monforts continues to gain significant repeat orders for its equipment from Pakistan’s major vertically-integrated textile manufacturers as they seek to both expand and diversify into new markets. Customers in the regions around Pakistan’s three biggest cities of Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad include all of the main players in the fields of home textiles and denim production.

“These companies rely on our established technologies, including MONTEX stentering equipment, Monfortex sanforizing units and THERMEX dyeing ranges,” Havenith said. “As they look to new markets in today’s highly-competitive industry, we continue to assist them with trials and optimised processing parameters in developing advanced fabrics for a wide range of end-uses, both at their own plants and at our Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) in Germany.”

Monforts specialists can be consulted at the stand of partner Al-Ameen at IGATEX 2025, A13-A30 in Hall 5.

Posted: April 1, 2025

Source: A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG

Modern Meadow’s Sustainable Biomaterial Selected By Designer Karmuel Young For Sustasia Fashion Prize Submission

NUTLEY, N.J. — March 31, 2025 — Modern Meadow, supplier of sustainable materials, announced today Karmuel Young, founder of the Karmuel Young label, used the company’s biomaterial in his Sustasia Fashion Prize submission. Young, based in Hong Kong, elected to use Modern Meadow’s INNOVERA™, formerly known as BIO-VERA®, in his four-in-one jumpsuit that can transition from a jumpsuit to a long coat, short jacket and pants.

Organized by the Shanghai Fashion Designers Association and yehyehyeh, the 2025 Sustasia Fashion Prize is designed to accelerate sustainable practices and innovation in Asia’s fashion industry. By providing a monetary award and industry support, the prize encourages designers to combine sustainable principles, innovative materials and new techniques into their work. The eight prize finalists from across Asia presented their final works on March 28 to a panel of judges who assessed based on sustainability, innovation, aesthetics and practicality.

David Williamson

“We are honored that Karmuel Young chose to use our INNOVERA biomaterial in his Sustasia Fashion Prize design to showcase the beauty and versatility of sustainable innovative materials in clothing,” said Dr. David Williamson, CEO of Modern Meadow.

“We, like the organizers of the Sustasia Fashion Prize who seek to address sustainability within the fashion industry, are inspired by nature and driven by purpose to introduce new materials and processes that can enable a healthier future for our planet.”

Young, whose brand focuses on a modern masculine wardrobe, used camel INNOVERA in suede for his design. He created a multi-functional piece with a modern twist for men to wear for different purposes, meant to promote longevity and timelessness. Given how INNOVERA is engineered to replicate the look and feel of the collagen found in leather, the material is ready to resonate through infinite design interpretations. It is crafted using plant-based proteins, biopolymers, and recycled rubber — resulting in over 80 percent renewable carbon content, and is 25-percent lighter and two times as strong. It can be customized in color, hand feel, and nap depending on how the designer prefers to use it.

“This is my first convertible look, and it will give men more options to style their wardrobes in a timeless, sustainable way,” Young said. “Modern Meadow’s INNOVERA has the smell, look and feel of luxury and held its form well across my stitching and buttons. Being able to do good by using biomaterials and thinking about my impact on earth is very important to my designs and I look forward to incorporating more of these materials in the future.”

Now until April 6, the exhibition of the finalists’ submissions will be open to the public at SUHE HAUS in Shanghai.

Posted: March 31, 2025

Source: Modern Meadow

Beyond Retro Leads Upcycling Projects In Partnership With Wrangler, Urban Outfitters, Coach, And Converse

TORONTO — March 31, 2025 — Bank & Vogue, the parent company of popular vintage and second-hand retailer Beyond Retro, is setting a new standard for circulation in the fashion industry with its groundbreaking upcycling projects. Collaborating with iconic brands such as Wrangler, Coach, and Converse, Bank & Vogue is blending creativity with eco-consciousness to transform pre-loved clothing and accessories into high-quality, fashion-forward pieces.

Through a range of innovative partnerships, Bank & Vogue has spearheaded a series of upcycled collections that reduce waste and promote a circular economy. These collaborations bring together heritage brands and the expertise of Bank & Vogue’s skilled artisans to craft one-of-a-kind items that highlight both brand legacy and sustainability.

As part of Bank & Vogue’s ongoing sustainability mission, these collaborations represent a larger effort to promote responsible consumerism in the fashion industry. By upcycling pre-loved clothing and accessories, Bank & Vogue is not only reducing waste but also offering consumers the chance to own exclusive, environmentally conscious products. The collections are available for purchase online and in select stores, giving customers access to these upcycled treasures while encouraging a shift towards more sustainable fashion choices.

In addition to these brand collaborations, Bank & Vogue continues to expand its efforts in promoting circular fashion through its own initiatives, including Beyond Retro’s in-house upcycling program. The company’s commitment to the environment and sustainable practices is further reflected in its ongoing investment in renewable energy, eco-friendly packaging.

Posted: March 31, 2025

Source: Bank & Vogue – Beyond Retro

Accelerating Circularity, Dhana Inc. Partner To Advance Textile Circularity Through Technology

NEW YORK CITY — March 31, 2025 — Accelerating Circularity Inc. (ACP) and Dhana Inc. have joined forces to drive textile circularity forward with innovative tools and AI-powered solutions.

“This partnership represents a transformative step in accelerating the transition to a fully circular textile system,” said Karla Magruder, founder of Accelerating Circularity. “By working with Dhana Inc., we can harness cutting-edge technology to create scalable solutions that enable industry stakeholders to implement circular strategies effectively.”

Dhana Inc., a Certified B Corporation and leader in fashion technology, brings its expertise in AI and data integration to the collaboration. Building on the success of its AI-powered fashion platform, D/Sphere, the company is co-developing an application to make circularity more actionable.

“Our mission has always been to drive innovation at the intersection of sustainability, fashion, and technology,” said Shamini Dhana, founder and CEO of Dhana Inc. “By collaborating with ACP, we are developing the next generation of digital tools that will make circularity more accessible and scalable across the textile value chain.”

With plans to launch in 2025, the co-developed application will empower brands, manufacturers, resellers, sorters and recyclers to make data-driven, sustainable decisions— paving the way for a more circular future.

Posted: March 31, 2025

Source: Accelerating Circularity Inc. (ACP)

New Ownership, New Name – Composite Resins By Alta Performance Materials

DUBLIN, Ohio/BARCELONA, Spain— March 31, 2025 — On December 2, 2024, INEOS Enterprises announced it entered into an agreement to sell its composites business to KPS Capital Partners LP (KPS). The acquisition has now closed and, as of today, INEOS Composites has become a standalone company under KPS’ ownership. The name of the new company is Alta Performance Materials (Alta).

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, and Barcelona, Spain, Alta has approximately 900 employees and operates 17 manufacturing facilities and three technology centers across North and South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Andrew Miller appointed CEO of Alta Performance Materials

Andrew Miller, who served as the CEO of INEOS Composites, continues to lead Alta as the new CEO with the support of the existing senior management team.

“We are excited for this new chapter as an independent company. We are proud of the organization we have built and look forward to driving innovation and excellence as a company dedicated to elevating performance in composites.  Becoming an independent company fully focused on composites gives us a unique opportunity to drive development of the future of composite materials to win together with our customers,” said Andrew Miller, CEO of Alta Performance Materials. “We couldn’t be happier to partner with KPS in this next phase given their extensive track record of establishing and growing world class industrial companies.”

Focus on innovation, continuous improvement and customer experience

KPS, Alta’s new owner, is a leading global private equity firm with decades of experience successfully transforming its portfolio companies into industry-leading competitors in the industrial and manufacturing sectors.

“We will leverage KPS’ successful, multi-decade experience of investing in process industries, along with our commitment to manufacturing excellence and global network, to drive profitability and create an entrepreneurial culture centered on innovation, continuous improvement and superior customer experience. We look forward to partnering with Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Miller, and the Alta Performance Materials team to accelerate the Company’s value creation plan,” said Raquel Vargas Palmer, managing partner of KPS.

Beginning of a new chapter

Alta is a trusted leader in high-performance composite resins with a legacy built on decades of innovation and chemical expertise, The company has roots of origin in industry pioneers Dow, Neste, and later Ashland, and has continually evolved to meet the needs of its customers. Alta is entering an exciting new chapter as an independent company—one defined by agility, growth, and a renewed entrepreneurial spirit.  Alta is poised to deliver even greater value to its customers and partners through its relentless commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation. “We are excited to shape the future of composite resins with the same dedication our customers have come to expect—now with even greater flexibility to drive innovation forward,” says Andrew Miller.

Posted: March 31, 2025

Source: Alta Performance Materials

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