Welspun’s New Home Linen Campaign With Vidya Balan Encourages Consumer To Make Smarter Choices

MUMBAI, India — August 25, 2025 — Welspun Living Ltd. (WLL), a global supplier of home textiles and a part of India’s fastest growing global conglomerate Welspun World, today announced the launch of its latest campaign, ‘Kyunki Farq Padta Hai’. As part of the campaign, the brand launched two films starring talented actor Vidya Balan in a playful horror-comedy avatar, blending nostalgia, humor, and just a touch of spook to show why quality home linen really matters.

In a market crowded with ‘one-size-fits-all’ options, Welspun’s new campaign aims to drive home a simple truth, that product quality makes a difference. Drawing on familiar habits of choosing ‘cheaper’ or unbranded products, the film playfully flips the script, using the tagline ‘Kyunki Farq Padta Hai’ (‘Because it makes a difference’) to remind consumers that the right choice can change everything.

Conceptualized by ^a t o m network, the campaign’s short films feature Welspun’s QuikDry® Towels and Purekot Bedsheets. Each film has its own storyline, but both follow a fun supernatural twist, an unexpected “ghostly” intervention that nudges characters (and viewers) toward better choices. With punchy dialogues, cinematic visuals, and Vidya’s unmistakable charm, the message is clear: when it comes to what touches your skin and what you bring into your home, quality always makes a difference.

Speaking about the campaign, Dipali Goenka, managing director and CEO of Welspun Living, said: “Every homemaker knows that what we bring into our homes is not just about utility. It is about trust, care, and something that lasts for years. Every purchase is thoughtful, and quality is what gives peace of mind. ‘Kyunki Farq Padta Hai’ is our way of saying that the small differences in quality make a big difference in everyday life whether it’s comfort, durability, or the feeling of pride when guests come home. With this campaign, we wanted to go beyond just talking about products and instead celebrate the choices women make every day to keep their homes warm, welcoming, and enduring. And with Vidya, who embodies the strength and relatability of the Indian homemaker, we have the perfect voice to tell this story of care, longevity, and authenticity.”

Actor Vidya Balan added: “I’ve heard ‘kya farq padta hai’ so often, and every time I’ve wanted to say what this film says, yes, farq padta hai! Between ordinary and better, random and reliable. I had a great time bringing that emotion alive with a bit of drama, a bit of comedy, and a lot of truth.”

Yash Kulshreshtha, co-founder and chief creative officer at ^a t o m network, explained: “We took a real consumer habit, the belief that everyday linen doesn’t need to be branded, and gave it a theatrical spin with cultural flavour and Vidya’s screen presence. It’s storytelling designed not just to create awareness, but to shift preferences.”

The campaign is now live across TV, digital, print, outdoor, and social media, and aims to reach millions of households in urban and semi-urban India. It reflects Welspun’s larger mission, to create products that make everyday living better, both in function and in feel.

With Kyunki Farq Padta Hai, Welspun isn’t just telling people what makes its products better, it’s making them smile, laugh, and feel the difference.

Posted: August 26, 2025

Source: Welspun Living Ltd. (WLL), part of the $5 Bn Welspun World

Venus Williams Debuts Custom LUAR x Woolmark Merino Wool Performance Kit At The 2025 U.S. Open

NEW YORK CITY — August 25, 2025 — Tennis icon Venus Williams made her U.S. Open return in a merino wool performance kit designed by LUAR in partnership with Woolmark. The collaboration brings together high fashion, elite sport, and natural performance innovation to challenge conventional expectations of both tenniswear and wool.

Venus Williams is seen during The Stars Of The Open exhibition match on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 21, 2025 in Flushing Queens. Credit: Mpi04/Media Punch/Alamy Live News

“We will continue our commitment to wool because we see its strengths: tech, versatility and legacy,” said LUAR designer Raul Lopez. “It’s why Venus chose wool for her U.S. Open kit — the fiber’s natural performance qualities make it ideal for athletes, while its elegance translates seamlessly into fashion. Woolmark has been a key partner in our growth, and wool remains a fabric of choice across our collections.”

Designed by LUAR, a Woolmark licensee and finalist in the 2025 International Woolmark Prize, the performance kit showcases Merino wool’s versatility through two distinct looks and functional wool accessories:

  • Look 1: A striking black knitted Merino wool-rich mesh dress, crafted for on-court performance styled with the LUAR Unbutton Track Jacket.
  • Accessories: A water-resistant messenger bag crafted from 100-percent Optim™ wool, combining utility with elevated design plus a wool hat and scrunchie to complete the look.
  • Look 2: A beige merino wool-rich two-piece knit skirt and top, designed for off-court comfort and press appearances.

This partnership highlights Merino wool’s place at the intersection of performance, sustainability and cultural expression. It also marks a continued commitment from LUAR to use Merino wool as a cornerstone of the brand’s design ethos.

Each piece has been developed in collaboration with Woolmark-certified supply chain partners, ensuring the highest standards in fibre innovation and garment construction.

“Merino wool is a natural high performer, making it ideal for the demands of modern tennis,” said Woolmark managing Director John Roberts. “Seeing Venus Williams bring this outfit to life on the court proves what we’ve always known: Merino wool doesn’t just belong in performance wear – it excels in it. This collaboration with LUAR shows what happens when innovation, elegance and athleticism come together.”

By bringing natural fibre innovation to one of the world’s most-watched sporting stages, the LUAR x Woolmark x Venus Williams collaboration redefines what performance-wear can look and feel like.

Posted: August 25, 2025

Source: Woolmark 

Gartex Texprocess India 2025 Opens: All-Time High Participation More Than 200 Exhibitors, 600 Brands, 35% New Exhibitors

NEW DELHI — August 21, 2025 — The 13th edition of Gartex Texprocess India opened on a high note today at the Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan – New Delhi. The landmark event is being held between the 21st -23rd August 2025.

Organized by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt. Ltd. and MEX Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd., the exhibition is bound to set a new benchmark in the garment, textile manufacturing and denim industry. This 13th edition of the Gartex Texprocess India features two new additions — the LeatherX Pavilion and the Textile Care Forum which makes the event more holistic and all-encompassing.

The Gartex Texprocess India 2025 has a record participation from over 200 exhibitors and 600+ brands from India and with international brands like Durst, Morimota Singapore (Kansai), Epson, Morgan, Jinjen, Groz Beckert, Brothers International, Jack Franc, Veolia, Amazon and more recording international participation from China, Japan, Italy, Germany and Singapore.

What also makes it more exciting is that there has been a whopping 35 percent entry from first-time exhibitors. The first day of the exhibition saw a high-level of engagement and was marked with vigorous activities across all stalls.

Spread across more than 1,50,000 square feet of show area, the Gartex Texprocess India has become a formidable global platform for the textile industry with stakeholders exchanging meaningful conversations and sharing innovative ideas.

Inaugurating the show, Chief Guest, Shri Manohar Lal Khattar expressed: “The textile industry is one of the largest sources of employment generation in the country with over 45 million people employed directly, including a large number of women and rural population. The government has taken a number of measures/ incentives to boost the textile sector and generate employment in the country. I give due credit to the two joint organisers for doing a great job of amalgamating the complete value chain from yarn to finished products here in Delhi.”

Speaking on energy, Shri Khattar added: “Coming to power, we have extended several schemes, including subsidies up to 75%. Today, we are looking at the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. I urge you all to kindly upgrade your plants to renewable energy, as India is moving towards its Mission 2047 to reduce emissions. India had set a target to replace 50% of the energy by 2030 with renewable and clean sources but has managed to achieve the same this year.”

He was followed by the address from the Guest of Honour: Shri Rakesh Sachan, Hon’ble Minister, Department of MSME, Khadi, Village Industries, Sericulture and Textile, Government of Uttar Pradesh. He expressed: “The Indian textile industry is yet to produce indigenous machinery. It relies mostly on imports. The Government of Uttar Pradesh is taking efforts to allow industries to excel with special dedicated land parcels in the state. We had requested about 200 acres of land for the development of industries. Of these, we have received approval of about 100 acres. In another development, the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) is developing a 150-acre apparel cluster in Noida, which will be Uttar Pradesh’s first textile park. The project aims to attract investment, generate employment, and boost exports in the apparel sector.”

Speaking on the US tariffs, Shri Sachan said: “The surge in US tariffs has hit hard, but this is the time to upgrade and create capacity, improve on indigenous technology.”

The expo was inaugurated by Chief Guest: Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, Hon’ble Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs, India, Minister of Power, Government of India.

The inauguration of the show was attended by distinguished dignitaries on the dais, including:

  • Chief Guest: Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, Hon’ble Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs, India, Minister of Power, Government of India
  • Guest of Honour: Shri Rakesh Sachan, Hon’ble Minister, Department of MSME, Khadi, Village Industries, Sericulture and Textile, Government of Uttar Pradesh
  • Shri Kundan Kumar (IAS), Resident Commissioner, Investment Commissioner and Managing Director, Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA)
  • Mr Sharad Jaipuria, President, Denim Manufacturers Association & Chairman & Managing Director, Ginni International Ltd
  • Mr Simon Lee, Managing Director of Hyosung Group (Hyosung Corporation India Pvt Ltd)
  • Mr Lalit Thukral, President, Noida Apparel Export Cluster
  • Ms Himani Gulati, Director, MEX Exhibitions Pvt Ltd
  • Mr Raj Manek, Executive Director & Board Member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings Ltd
  • Mr Olaf Schmidt, Vice President – Textile &Textile Technologies, Messe Frankfurt GmbH

Mr Raj Manek, Executive Director & Board Member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings Ltd, says: “We are thrilled by the overwhelming response received on the opening day of the exhibition. India is high on the global textile map and Gartex Texprocess India 2025 is a perfect platform to up the ante and bring all stakeholders together under one umbrella. I am very hopeful that the next two days are going to be equally fruitful.”

Ms Himani Gulati and Mr Gaurav Juneja, Directors, MEX Exhibitions Pvt Ltd, stated: “The response so far has been most encouraging. We are glad that the 13th edition of Gartex Texprocess India is more future-focused, and we are sure that the participants will benefit from the many sessions that are planned during the show and will be a step forward for all in the right direction.”

The opening day saw amazing enthusiasm among both exhibitors and visitors. It was witness to many impactful discussions among stakeholders, putting India in the global textile eco-space.

The highlights of The Gartex Texprocess India 2025 are ‘The Denim Show’ in association with the Denim Manufacturers Association and the featured zones of the Fabrics and Trims Show, Screen Print India (Textile) and the latest addition of LeatherX Pavilion and launch of the Textile Care Forum in association with the Drycleaners and Launderers Association of India enhance the platform by connecting the industry.

The new developments add value to the already composite nature of Gartex Texprocess India. With a focus on technology and modernisation, the exhibition is a step forward towards setting global standards in textile manufacturing, denim, leather goods, laundry management and the overall fashion industry.

The overwhelming response on the first day is a testament to India is already dominant role in the global space and the next two days of the exhibition are expected to yield a more fruitful outcome.

Posted: August 25, 2025

Source: Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India

Loepfe: A Tradition Of Innovation Celebrated At ITMA 2025 In Singapore

WETZIKON, Switzerland — August 21, 2025 — For 70 years, Loepfe has embodied precision, technological excellence, and uncompromising quality. Join us as we proudly celebrate seven decades of innovation at ITMA 2025 in Singapore. Founded in 1955 by two visionary brothers, Helmut and Erich Loepfe, the company has been a pioneer in yarn quality control — continuously pushing technological boundaries to meet and exceed industry expectations.

Decades of dedicated research, development, and manufacturing in Switzerland have firmly established Loepfe as a true expert in yarn quality control. This milestone is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation — we look forward to celebrating it together with our valued partners, clients, and colleagues.

Celebrate with us in Hall 4 on booth A302, where you can experience firsthand Loepfe’s unique and clever yarn clearing methods. Take a moment to create your own memory in front of the stunning Swiss Alps backdrop, symbolizing the precision and reliability that define our brand.

Clever Yarn Clearing at ITMA

The yarn clearer that delivers it all is and remains PRISMA: enhancing efficiency and improving yarn quality through its unique capability to provide comprehensive four-sensor measurement methods. Featuring real dual measurement in all models, an RGB-based all-color foreign matter detection, and a dedicated P sensor for the most efficient PP clearing, PRISMA sets the standard in yarn clearing technology.

Experience the latest innovations firsthand, including the Compactness feature — an essential tool designed specifically to achieve superiority in compact yarn spinning. Additionally, explore the new climate compensation feature for P-clearing, which guarantees consistent performance and optimal results under all environmental conditions.

And there’s even more to discover: take a look at the most effortless yarn clearing experience on the market, called Autoclearing. With its AutoStart function, PRISMA offers the fastest and safest way to create secure settings for new and existing articles. The automatically created clearing curves for all matrices can save up to one hour of setting time, while providing support and security for efficiency and yarn quality.

Loepfe’s portfolio also includes the proficient yarn clearer ZENIT+, widely used in spinning mills around the world. Known for delivering reliable and accurate clearing results under all circumstances.

Join us at ITMA 2025 to celebrate 70 years of innovation and discover how Loepfe continues to lead the way in yarn quality control, driving the industry forward with cutting-edge technology and an unwavering dedication to excellence. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing this special milestone together.

Posted: August 25, 2025

Source: Loepfe Brothers Ltd.

Mistra-Autex, Estonia, Orders New Needlepunch Line From ANDRITZ

VIENNA, Austria, — August 21, 2025 — Mistra-Autex AS has awarded ANDRITZ an order to supply a complete needlepunch line for its plant in Raasiku, Estonia. The new line will produce various types of nonwovens for surface applications, 3D molding, and other technical materials, primarily for the automotive industry.


Mistra-Autex AS, Estonia
© ANDRITZ & Mistra-Autex AS

Start-up is scheduled for the end of the third quarter of 2026.

The scope of supply includes all machinery from the carding stage to the end-of-line section. The line features the patented ANDRITZ ProWin™ web optimization system in a closed-loop configuration. This system will enable Mistra-Autex to achieve high end-product quality by ensuring optimal fiber distribution across the line.

With this investment, Mistra-Autex is taking its production to a new level, as productivity is expected to increase more than fivefold. At the same time, the company is reinforcing its commitment to innovation.

Priit Tamm, owner of Mistra-Autex, said: “We trust ANDRITZ to renew our needlepunch equipment and value its expertise throughout this important project. As we share the same strong culture of innovation, we are confident that this will be the beginning of a successful long-term collaboration.”

Mark Raja, R&D director at Mistra, stated: “ANDRITZ’s technology ensures excellent product quality while increasing line speed and reducing operational costs. The ProWin™ system reduces fiber deposits at the web edges and optimizes the CV ratio. This results in up to 10 percent fiber savings and higher production speeds, providing a faster ROI.”

The value of the order will not be disclosed. It is included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the first quarter of 2025.

Founded in 1986, Mistra-Autex AS is a Europe-based supplier of high-quality nonwoven and tufted carpet products for the automotive industry. Its technological expertise enables the company to offer comprehensive services, including design, engineering, and production of systems for passenger cars, trucks, and heavy-duty industrial vehicles.

Posted: August 25, 2025

Source: ANDRITZ AG

Van de Velde Advances Digital Transformation Journey With DeSL’s PLM And Quality Solutions

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, Calif. — August 20, 2025 — DeSL (Digital e-Solutions Ltd.), a provider of digital transformation solutions for the fashion, retail, and footwear industries, is proud to announce the luxury lingerie company Van de Velde has selected DeSL’s Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Total Quality Management solutions to drive its digital transformation journey.

With this new partnership, Van de Velde is transitioning away from disconnected, manual processes, and Excel based systems into a unified digital platform built to support product development collaboration, efficiency, and quality.

“Our product creation and quality processes were heavily reliant on manual actions, isolated data, and a dependence on key individuals,” shared Annelies Sierens, Business Process owner from Van de Velde. “We chose DeSL because their solutions addressed all core challenges meeting our full list of requirements. DeSL’s intuitive, end-to-end platform modernizes collaboration across teams and suppliers, accelerates development cycles, and provides the insights we need to make data-driven decisions at every stage.”

DeSL’s PLM solution will empower Van de Velde to:

  • Centralize product data across design, sourcing, and manufacturing.
  • Improve collaboration between internal brand teams and external suppliers.
  • Enable agile workflows for materials, BOMs, costing, and production preparation.
  • Support Digital Product Passport and traceability requirements.
  • React faster to evolving market needs with better planning and visibility.

DeSL’s Total Quality Management system will unify Van de Velde’s quality efforts for both in-house labs and third-party partners. The solution consolidates everything into one system including testing plans, inspection processes, and quality data, whether for raw materials or finished goods. It also facilitates non-conformance tracking, issue escalation, and flexible reporting to identify and reduce quality risk across production.

This partnership marks a leap forward in Van de Velde’s digital transformation journey, enabling the company to unify systems, enhance agility, and maintain the high product standards their brand is known for. DeSL is proud to be part of this transformation, providing the tools and technology to drive smarter, faster, and more connected operations.

To learn more about DeSL’s PLM and Quality Management solutions or request a personalized demo with a DeSL representative visit www.desl.net.

Posted: August 25, 2025

Source: Digital e-Solutions Ltd (DeSL)

American Apparel & Footwear Association Plus The Council Of Fashion Designers Of America React To U.S.-Eu Trade Framework

WASHINGTON — August 21, 2025 — Following the issuance of a joint United States-European Union Framework on an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade, AAFA and CFDA leadership, AAFA President and CEO Steve Lamar and CFDA President Steven Kolb, offer the following joint statement:

“We are grateful to U.S. President Donald J. Trump, EU President Ursula von der Leyen, and the rest of the negotiating teams for ensuring that the new 15 percent reciprocal rate is not-stacked on top of existing high most-favored nation (MFN) rates that the U.S. fashion industry has long been paying on imports of inputs, equipment, and finished goods.

“We are urging the U.S. to embrace this vital non-stacking concept in other deals so that fashion industry can continue to directly and indirectly support more than 10 million U.S. workers as we design, make, market, and sell safe, affordable, authentic, and responsibly-made clothes, shoes, and accessories.”

For regular updates about the impact of tariffs on the U.S. apparel and footwear industry, and to keep track of key tariff dates, visit AAFA’s Fashion Tariffs 101 page: https://www.aafaglobal.org/tariffs

Posted: August 21, 2025

Source: The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)

Manchester Fashion Week: The Countdown — The Event Returns September 9-11 After A 10-Year Absence

MANCHESTER, England — August 20, 2025 — Manchester landmarks were transformed this morning to celebrate the countdown to the city hosting Fashion Week for the first time in a decade.

The schedule for the event reveals an ambitious three-day program featuring international sustainability experts, pioneering tech innovators and breakthrough designers committed to fashion’s circular future.

Notable speakers include Carry Somers, founder of Fashion Revolution, Safia Minney MBE, founder of Fashion Declares, design legend Wayne Hemingway MBE, and music icon DJ Paulette, alongside UN Fashion Sustainability Consultant Lavinia Muth.

Fashion elite, including industry pioneers, tech innovators, and emerging designers will be descending on Manchester for the three-day celebration of conscious fashion, running from September 9-11, 2025. Tickets for public events are now on sale.

Program Highlights:

Day One: Heritage & Future-Proof opens with an exclusive industry breakfast hosted by Eco Age, followed by circular fashion discussions, workshops on greenwashing with UN sustainability experts, and concludes with a public book launch at Waterstones for Carry Somers’ “The Nature of Fashion.”

Day Two: Eco-Systems & Outerwear explores British textile heritage through “The Fabric of Britain” panel and celebrates local talent with the Mancunia Founders Panel. Public events include “Future Fashion Fare” and an evening conversation between Wayne Hemingway MBE and DJ Paulette.

Day Three: Fashion Tech & Innovation positions Manchester as a fashion tech leader with panels featuring innovators from Circkit, UGENIE, Nanoloom, CIFR, and VOXELO, concluding with “The Club PreLoved” runway show for conscious brands.

The programme features emerging Northern designers and local brands putting Manchester on the map for conscious fashion.

After a decade-long hiatus, Manchester Fashion Week returns with a bold blueprint for the future of fashion, addressing the city’s £12bn fashion industry’s challenges around sustainability, technology and cultural relevance.

Gemma Gratton, Executive Producer of Manchester Fashion Week, said: “This schedule represents Manchester’s DNA – innovative, inclusive, and unafraid to challenge the status quo. We’re not just showing fashion; we’re reshaping how the industry thinks about creativity, community, and consciousness.”

Carry Somers, Co-Founder of Fashion Revolution and League of Artisans and Author of The Nature of Fashion, said: “Fashion needs a radical transformation, rethinking the systems on which it is built. The rebirth of Manchester Fashion Week offers a space to confront the realities of our industry while celebrating the creativity that can drive genuine change.”

Mariusz Malon, Fashion Designer, said: “Every great designer started as an emerging one. Having a platform here in Manchester is more than exposure—it’s an opportunity to shape perspectives of the North, influence industries, and build a legacy through conscious design.”

John Higginson, CEO of Eco Age, said: “The breadth of this program proves Manchester is ready to lead global conversations about fashion’s future. From heritage craftsmanship to cutting-edge technology, this schedule offers something for everyone invested in fashion’s evolution.”

Manchester Fashion Week is supported by SHIKO, Department Campfield, Innovate UK, Accenture, Turing Innovation Catalyst, The Break Creative and more.

To see the full schedule and tickets for public events on sale at www.fashionweekmanchester.co.uk

Posted: August 20, 2025

Source: Manchester Fashion Week — supported by SHIKO, Department Campfield, Innovate UK, Accenture, Turing Innovation Catalyst, The Break Creative and more.

A Billion-Dollar Business Is Brewing In Textile Waste – Potential For Hundreds Of Plants Across Europe

ESPOO, Finland — August 20, 2025 — According to a Finnish research project, textile recycling is a massive opportunity for the whole of Europe. Recycling technology is advancing rapidly, but a lack of regulation and challenges relating to the composition of waste materials are hindering a real breakthrough.

“In Europe alone, around 10 billion kilograms of textile waste are discarded annually. Textile fibre’s price per kilogram ranges between 2 and 3 euros, so this field offers enormous business potential,” says Ali Harlin, Research professor at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.

Currently, only around one percent of the world’s textiles are recycled back into textiles. According to Harlin, the recycling challenges are primarily due to the complexity of textile raw materials and the lack of regulation.

The EU has long been working on a revision of the Waste Framework Directive, which will bring the textile sector under the so-called Producer Responsibility. As a result, textile companies themselves would be responsible for organizing textile recycling.

“The EU is a global leader in textile recycling regulation, but even here, progress has been slow. Proper regulation needs to be in place before we can expect significant advancements in textile recycling rates,” Harlin said.

Recycling with the minimal processing principle

The Telaketju network of Finnish textile companies and research institutions has researched textile recycling for ten years. The Telavalue project, which ended last year, aimed to solve the sustainability and waste challenges associated with the textile industry. According to VTT’s Principal Scientist Pirjo Heikkilä, recycling should always follow the principle of minimal processing.

“If a textile can no longer be repaired or reused, the preferred option is mechanical fiber recycling, where collected and sorted textile waste is opened by shredding the fabric and yarn structure into fibers that can be reused in textile production. When the waste is heavily worn or of low quality, it makes sense to move towards chemical recycling, where fibers are broken down and rebuilt at the polymer and even monomer level,” Heikkilä explained.

In the Telavalue project, textile recycling solutions were assessed in terms of the value and quality of the activity as well as the amount, costs, and environmental impacts of processing.

Bringing the textile industry back to Europe

According to VTT’s Ali Harlin, the increase in recycling could bring parts of the textile production chain back to Europe. Currently, strong technology development takes place in Northern and Western Europe, while manufacturing expertise is mainly based in Eastern and Southern Europe. A functioning European textile recycling ecosystem requires European cooperation.

“Individual countries are too small to act alone. Europe could see the rise of five to ten chemical recycling plants. To feed one chemical plant with textile raw material, we need approximately ten mechanical fiber plants,” Harlin calculates.

Current cotton and workwear recycling – poor quality ultra-fast fashion is a major problem

Textile recycling technology is advancing rapidly. Cotton can be successfully recycled already — a good example is Infinited Fiber Co., which is working to build a new fibre factory in Kemi, Finland. Cotton and polyester will also soon be able to be separated from each other, and chemical methods used in PET bottle recycling could be utilised in pure polyester recycling. There are dozens of suitable applications.

“Used textiles can be made into not only new textiles but also nonwoven fabrics, wind turbine blades, and even vehicle sound insulation. When textile fiber is mixed with concrete, the structure becomes lighter and more fire-resistant. In asphalt, textile fiber reduces the formation of ruts in the road,” Harlin explained.

The popularity of price-cutting, ultra-fast fashion is a major problem for textile recycling. Low-quality and mixed composition textiles are difficult to recycle profitably. The workwear sector, on the other hand, is already in a more favorable situation.

“Workwear is mainly purchased as a service, which means that the quality, maintenance, washing, and repair of the clothes are in order. Textiles are used for as long as possible, and the business model encourages the use of durable, high-quality materials. When a garment reaches the end of its lifecycle, recycling back to textiles is easier because the materials of the textiles are well known,” Heikkilä said.

According to Eetta Saarimäki, senior scientist at VTT, not all complex textile structures and blended materials can be recycled into new textiles. “However, through thermo-mechanical recycling, these materials can be used to produce composite products, giving them a new life one more time,” Saarimäki said.

Information on research projects

The public Telavalue research project of VTT, LAB University of Applied Sciences, and Turku University of Applied Sciences was funded by Business Finland together with 17 companies and other organisations. The Telavalue project is part of Metsä Group’s and Fortum’s ExpandFibre ecosystem. The research on textile recycling continues in the EU-funded tExtended and PESCO-UP projects, where numerical values are calculated for the costs and environmental impacts of different recycling methods.

Posted: August 20, 2025

Source: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

Texprocess 2026 With Strong Registration Figures – Industry Positions Itself On Key Future Issues

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — August 20, 2025 — More than 200 exhibitors, including numerous new exhibitors, top brands and long-standing customers, have already registered for Texprocess 2026. The most important global industry meeting place focuses on automation, digitalization and AI from 21 to 24 April 2026. Technological innovations provide concrete answers to the current demands of industry, such as efficiency and flexibility. Exhibitors also benefit from visitors to the concurrently held Techtextil.

The current strong registration figures show: exhibitors relying on the leading trade fair to reach international markets and new customers. The focus is on technologies for increasing efficiency — driven by automation, digitalization and AI.

Top brands and new exhibitors on board

Sewing Technologies and Materials
Photo: Messe Frankfurt/Pietro Sutera

More than 200 exhibitors from 24 countries are currently registered to participate. These include Barudan (Japan), Brother Internationale Industriemaschinen (Germany), Kornit Digital Europe (Germany), Macpi (Italy), Morgan Tecnica (Italy), Sheffield Cutting Equipment (USA), Style 3D | Assyst (Germany), Veit (Germany), Vetron Typical Europe (Germany) and Zünd (Germany). 25 new exhibitors from various product groups have already registered, ranging from cutting and embroidery to printing technologies. These include Amann & Söhne (Germany), Avantex Software (USA), Coats Group (UK), Comelz (Italy), Cutting Edge Automation Machines (Italy), Hans-Joachim Schneider (Germany), Humanetics Digital Europe (Germany), Mimaki Deutschland (Germany), Pathfinder Australia, Valvan (Belgium) and many more.

“Numerous long-standing customers as well as many new exhibitors rely on Texprocess. This is a strong signal, as the leading trade fair offers them exactly what they need to position themselves for the future: global visibility and new contacts with decision-makers and industry experts. The economic pressures and uncertain market conditions call for efficiency and flexibility. Visitors find the technological solutions for this at Texprocess,” says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt.

Addressing challenges through new developments

Never has it been more important to be visible to the international market than it is today. The industry is facing major challenges, and companies need to explore new avenues, find business partners, drive developments forward and seize market opportunities. This is because investment restraint, tariffs, declining consumption, geopolitical developments and much more are placing the industry under massive pressure.

At Texprocess, exhibitors present solutions to meet these demands – ranging from intelligent material flow systems and robot-assisted sewing units to AI-based real-time quality control. The focus is on boosting efficiency, optimising the targeted use of resources and reducing dependence on volatile supply chains. New technologies are the key to streamlining processing operations amid limited budgets and declining consumer demand.

“Technological innovations are key to the future viability of apparel manufacturers and technical textile processors. At Texprocess 2026, exhibitors will once again set significant trends for the future, helping to strengthen their customers’ competitiveness – particularly in today’s challenging geopolitical times,” explains Elgar Straub, Managing Director, VDMA Textile Care, Fabrics and Leather Technologies.

Texprocess: Exhibitors benefit from Techtextil visitors

At Texprocess, exhibitors also reach visitors to the concurrently held Techtextil. For the first time, Performance Apparel Textiles, Textile Chemicals & Dyes, and Fibres & Yarns are located in Hall 9.0 – directly adjacent to Texprocess in Hall 8.0. This means that overlapping visitors from the apparel industry can access the offerings of both leading trade fairs more easily. At the previous edition, 72 percent of Techtextil visitors also took advantage of the offerings at Texprocess.

Texprocess brings together all technologies and services for textile processing – from design, cutting, sewing and finishing to digital printing. Visitors from a wide range of sectors use Texprocess to find the best technologies for processing their products. These include clothing, denim, functional and protective apparel, footwear, home and contract textiles, automotive components and medical products. The aim is to improve production processes and increase efficiency. In this regard, the market overview provided by Texprocess is crucial for investment decisions.

Texprocess will be held from 21 to 24 April 2026.

Posted: August 20, 2025

Source: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH

 

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