IACMI Celebrates Decade Of Innovation, Economic Growth And Strengthening U.S. Advanced Manufacturing

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — January 9, 2025 — The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation® (IACMI), also known as IACMI–The Composites Institute®, celebrates today a decade of revitalizing American manufacturing and strengthening the nation’s defense industrial base. Established by the Department of Energy (DOE), IACMI was announced as the fifth of now 18 Manufacturing USA® institutes on January 9, 2015.

IACMI Impact: A Decade of Innovation and Economic Growth

For 10 years, IACMI has played a pivotal role in America’s reindustrialization, aiming to secure its position as a global leader in manufacturing innovation and workforce development. Reshoring initiatives have been key to bolstering U.S. economic and national security. Through multiple national workforce programs sponsored by DOE and the Department of Defense (DoD), IACMI has been inspiring, educating, and training a skilled workforce to help address the projected 4.6 million open manufacturing jobs in the coming decade.

IACMI’s impact for economic growth has been clear in four primary ways:

  • Public-Private Collaborations – convening more than 170 members and 4,500 professionals from industry, academia, and federal labs to tackle the composites industry’s toughest challenges in automotive, aerospace, wind, infrastructure and the circular economy
  • Technical Innovation – connecting 90+ of its members to conduct 60+ industry-led R&D projects that helped commercialize dozens of products, advance the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of numerous technologies, and create hundreds of design, engineering, and manufacturing jobs
  • Workforce Development – catalyzing IACMI, ACE, and METAL programs to enable
    • 100+ internships with industry collaboration, resulting in 100 percent placement in industry jobs or higher education
    • 18,300+ STEM outreach engagements
    • 12,400+ trained online across 50 states in CNC machining
    • 5,100+ trained in-person in composites, CNC, metrology, and metallurgy
    • 40 machine tool training centers in 14 states
  • Leveraging Resources – providing open access to over $400M in scale up facilities across 8 states has led to an additional $220M+ for companies, universities, national labs, and workforce initiatives

“For 10 years, IACMI has harnessed the power of public-private partnerships to improve products, processes, and people’s lives through composites innovation and workforce solutions that secure America as a global leader in advanced manufacturing,” said Chad Duty, CEO, IACMI. “With steadfast investment and support from industry and government partners, notably DOE and DoD, IACMI has empowered domestic manufacturers to accelerate design and commercialization, fostering a more reliable, secure, and competitive U.S. economy.”

Since 2015, IACMI, the DOE, and state economic development organizations have invested in a shared infrastructure that collectively delivers a breadth and scale of open-access advanced composites manufacturing R&D capabilities that stand unmatched in the U.S. These facility and infrastructure investments have been led by IACMI’s core innovation partners in Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. Today, these capabilities uniquely position IACMI to build on past achievements, de-risk future research, and accelerate onshoring efforts in the United States.

Examples of state-of-the-art scale-up facilities include:

  • Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
  • Carbon Fiber Technology Facility (CFTF) at ORNL
  • Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility (FCMF) at University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Laboratory for Systems Integrity and Reliability (LASIR) at Vanderbilt University
  • The Composites Laboratory at the University of Dayton Research Institute
  • The Composites Manufacturing & Simulation Center (CMSC) at Purdue University
  • The IACMI Scale-Up Research Facility (SuRF) in Detroit, Michigan
  • The Composites Manufacturing Education and Technology Facility (CoMET) at National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

IACMI has leveraged these facilities to undertake transformational R&D, in nation-critical industries including energy, transportation, aerospace, and infrastructure & construction. An IACMI-sponsored project team helped Volkswagen of America redesign and validate a composite liftgate for SUVs, reducing the weight by 35 percent and lowering its recurring cost by 9 percent compared with steel. Technological advances from this research are now being used across multiple VW platforms, including the new VW ID Buzz EV. The scaling, manufacture and testing of novel thermoplastic wind turbine blades that are recyclable and lower in cost has also been demonstrated. Further research in automating finishing processes for wind blades aims to reshore wind manufacturing jobs. Simulation and modeling work to develop a virtual twin for additive manufacturing is revolutionizing the production of tooling.

IACMI has become an “ecosystem of innovation” and has discovered an effective formula that works: Technical Innovation + Workforce Development = Economic Growth. As the first DOE institute to receive renewed funding in 2023, and with DoD investments expanding proven programs, IACMI is committed to building on these successes. Over the next few years, IACMI and its partners will leverage their full-scale facilities and equipment and significantly expand programs. In this next chapter, IACMI will advance its purpose to convene, connect, and catalyze the U.S. composites community by attracting startups and small enterprises while creating opportunities with large enterprises, national labs, and universities.

Posted: January 10, 2025

Source: IACMI – The Composites Institute

TWINTEX Implements Automated Vertical Warehouse To Optimize Logistics Operations

FUNDÃO, Portugal — January 10, 2025 — TWINTEX, a Portuguese clothing manufacturing company with 45 years’ experience and specializing in the production of garments for medium-to- high-end and luxury brands, has installed the Hänel Lean-Lift automated vertical warehouse from VRC WAREHOUSE TECHNOLOGIES to transform its logistics management and ensure greater accuracy in internal processes. The Hänel Lean-Lift from VRC enables operators to access materials quickly, eliminating low-value manual tasks and ensuring real-time control of stored items.

“Nowadays, a clothing manufacturing company is much more than just a warehouse where garments are produced. That is why we’ve embraced a highly complex logistical responsibility,” explained Mico Mineiro, COO of TWINTEX. “With VRC WAREHOUSE TECHNOLOGIES’ equipment, an operator can, in just a few steps, retrieve and organize all the necessary materials, while stock management is updated by the day, hour, and minute, significantly enhancing performance in an impressive way.”

The automated warehouse has also reduced the factory’s space usage by 40% and improved safety conditions for employees. “We no longer use ladders, and there’s no physical strain. This was a complete transformation,” emphasized Ana Almeida from TWINTEX’s Trimming Department.

Furthermore, this investment reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainability, an area in which it holds several eco-label certifications, such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Organic Content Standard (OCS), Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), and Global Recycle Standard (GRS).

“We have a pressing need to store and keep everything well-organized and compartmentalized. This upgrade in our organization has made us much more efficient and able to work in a much simpler way,” added Beatriz Tavares, Social and Environmental Sustainability Ambassador at TWINTEX. The installation of the Hänel Lean-Lift from VRC WAREHOUSE TECHNOLOGIES is a clear example of how technology can transform the textile industry, making it more efficient, sustainable, and future-ready.

Posted: January 10, 2025

Source: TWINTEX

Nantong Teijin’s Efforts To Reduce Water Usage Certified As Model Activities For Supporting The Environment In The Yangtze River Delta Region

TOKYO — January 8, 2025 — Teijin Frontier Co. Ltd. announced today that its group company, Nantong Teijin Co. Ltd. has been recognized by China’s Jiangsu Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment for reducing water usage by approximately 300,000 tons/year. Nantong Teijin, which manufactures polyester long-fiber woven and knitted fabrics in Jiangsu Province, independently developed equipment and systems for analyzing, recovering, storing and reusing wastewater from its water-intensive dyeing process. This initiative, which began in 2022, has also resulted in a 4 percent reduction in CO2 emissions, based on a third-party lifecycle assessment review conducted according to ISO14040. As a result, Nantong Teijin has been certified as a company promoting environmental initiatives in the Yangtze River Delta region.

The certification of model activities for supporting the environment was implemented to strengthen ecological and environmental protection in the Yangtze River Delta area. The Nantong City Bureau of Ecology and Environment in Jiangsu Province evaluated companies subjected for certification based on their self-reported efforts to reduce environmental impacts and on onsite inspections and recommended selected companies to the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment. Out of a total of 164 companies recommended, 30 were selected by the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment. Among this group, five companies, including Nantong Teijin, were particularly highly rated.

Nantong Teijin is the only Japanese company, and the only one in the textile industry, among these five companies.

The Teijin Frontier Group promotes environmentally friendly manufacturing and systems under its environmental strategy, THINK ECOⓇ. Using this certification as an opportunity, Nantong Teijin aims to further promote environmentally friendly manufacturing by expanding its water usage reduction initiatives to other group companies.

Posted: January 10, 2025

Source: Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd.

ANDRITZ Bast Fiber Lines For Flax Processing Start Up At Van Robaeys

GRAZ, Austria  — January 10, 2025 — International technology group ANDRITZ supplied and recently commissioned two new refining and cottonizing lines for Van Robaeys, France. These fully customized teXline bast fiber lines enable the company to increase its production of textile fibers from flax.

ANDRITZ teXline bast fiber line in operation at Van Robaeys, Image — ANDRITZ

With the new lines, Van Robaeys is responding to the growing demand from the French market for cottonized and high-quality textile fibers from natural sources. Europe is the world’s largest producer of flax fibers, showing a 133-percent increase in flax cultivation areas between 2010 and 2020.

The ANDRITZ teXline bast fiber lines can process up to 800 kg/h of fiber and use state-of-the-art equipment to ensure a high degree of flexibility throughout the fiber processing operations.

These lines are the seventh and eighth ANDRITZ cottonizing lines for Van Robaeys, with the first having been in operation for fifty years.

“It has been a real pleasure to collaborate with the ANDRITZ textile experts again, fifty years after purchasing our first ANDRITZ line. With our new equipment, we benefit from the latest bast fiber processing technology and significantly increase our capabilities in the production of high-quality fibers,” said Pierre D’Arras, CEO of Van Robaeys.

Van Robaeys is a family-owned company producing flax fibers for the spinning industry. Its extensive expertise in flax scutching dates back to 1919. The recent investment supports the company’s efforts toward sustainable and zero-waste fiber production.

ANDRITZ has many years of expertise in technology for the decortication of straw from bast fiber crops, as well as for refining and cottonizing fibers and shives for further processing. This premium quality fiber is ready to be used for nonwoven or spinning processes in the textile industry.

Posted: January 10, 2025

Source: ANDRITZ GROUP

The National Retail Federation (NRF): Import Cargo To Remain Elevated In January

WASHINGTON — January 10, 2025 — A potential strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports has been avoided with the announcement of a tentative labor agreement, but the nation’s major container ports have already seen a surge in imports that is expected to continue because of potential increases in tariffs, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“The new contract brings certainty and avoids disruptions, and we hope to see it ratified as soon as possible,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “But the agreement came at the last minute, and retailers were already bringing in spring merchandise early to ensure that they would be well-stocked to serve their customers in case of another disruption, resulting in higher imports. The surge in imports has also been driven by President-elect Trump’s plan to increase tariffs because retailers want to avoid higher costs that will eventually be paid by consumers. The long-term impact on imports remains to be seen.”

The International Longshoremen’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance announced Wednesday that they had reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year labor contract, and that workers will remain on the job until the pact is ratified. A temporary contact extension reached in October was set to expire on Jan. 15 and the move avoided a possible strike on Jan. 16. The strike would have been the second in less than four months following a three-day walkout at the beginning of October.

“Just a few days ago, the clock was ticking down toward a possible strike at U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports, and an agreement that would avoid a shutdown appeared to be some way off,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said. “We have narrowly averted a strike, but that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been an impact. Importers had already front-loaded cargo in anticipation of delays, giving a boost to imports in December and early January.”

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 2.17 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units – one 20-foot container or its equivalent – in November, although the Ports of New York and New Jersey have yet to report final data. That was down 3.2% from October but up 14.7% year over year.

Ports have not yet reported December’s numbers, but Global Port Tracker projected the month at 2.24 million TEU, up 19.2% year over year. That would bring 2024 to 25.6 million TEU, up 15.2% from 2023. Before the October port contract extension and the 2024 elections, November had been forecast at 1.91 million TEU and December at 1.88 million TEU, while the total for 2024 was forecast at 24.9 million TEU.

January is forecast at 2.16 million TEU, up 10% year over year; February at 1.87 million TEU, down 4.5% because of Lunar New Year factory shutdowns in China; March at 2.13 million TEU, up 10.6%; April at 2.18 million TEU, up 8%, and May at 2.2 million TEU, up 5.9%.

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by Hackett Associates, provides historical data and forecasts for the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at NRF.com/PortTracker

As an authority and voice for the retail industry, NRF analyzes economic conditions affecting the industry through reports such as Global Port Tracker.

Posted: January 10, 2025

Source: The National Retail Federation (NRF) 

KOLAB Collection launches LOOP, A Platform To Recirculate KOLAB Clothing To The Next Wearer 

NEW YORK CITY — January 9, 2025 — KOLAB Collection, a sustainable clothing brand, will be launching its secondhand retail platform LOOP today. LOOP is KOLAB’s circular fashion platform that enables customers to extend the lifecycle of their KOLAB garments by passing it on to new wearers.

It is estimated that 92 million tons of textiles waste ends up in landfills every year. KOLAB offers an alternative solution through LOOP, where customers can sell their pre-loved KOLAB items instead of disposing of them. Sustainable fashion consumers can use the platform to source for preloved KOLAB clothing.

Launched in October last year, KOLAB Collection is one of the first clothing companies to use NFC tagging technology on a wide scale and day-to-day basis by using NFC tags to aid in authentication, inventory management, resale management, and traceability. The LOOP platform is the next node in this ecosystem, where users can pass on their KOLAB items to users who are looking for preloved clothing.

It is estimated that the United States’ demand for secondhand apparel will grow at a rate of 2.6 percent through 2034, driven by younger shoppers who recognize the cost-effectiveness and environmental impact of thrift shopping.

Paul Ng, Founder of KOLAB Collection, shared: “LOOP allows us to extend the lifecycle of our garments by offering our customers a centralized platform to sell items they no longer need, ensuring these garments find new owners instead of ending up in a landfill. Likewise for sustainable fashion consumers who want to stay true to their values, the LOOP platform provides them a simplified way to acquire authentic preloved KOLAB clothing.”

Streamlined Process

Each KOLAB outerwear piece is equipped with an NFC tag, simplifying the authentication process between buyers and sellers. This eliminates the need for third-party verification, inventory management, and complex shipping arrangements, ensuring a smooth transition of garments to their new owners.

How It Works 

Existing KOLAB account holders can log in onto LOOP and sell previously purchased clothing items. Sellers have the autonomy to set prices, upload photos, and choose shipping options for their items. Prospective buyers can effortlessly browse the range of preloved KOLAB clothing and make purchases using their preferred payment method. Upon confirming the transaction, the seller will directly ship the clothing to the buyer, who can then add a sustainable clothing item to their wardrobe. With KOLAB outerwear being NFC-tagged, buyers are assured of the authenticity of their items and can trace the provenance of their clothing.

Future Plans

At present, the LOOP platform is exclusively available for KOLAB clothing. However, there are plans to expand and enhance the platform, including offering the technology on a B2B basis, enabling other businesses to integrate it into their inventory management systems. LOOP is an innovation that can embed circular fashion practices into the very fabric of businesses’ retail operations.

Retail Information 

KOLAB Collection can be found on www.kolabcollection.com, with free shipping in the United States* and Canada. KOLAB is proud to partner with Greenspark, an innovative Impact-as-a-Service platform, to ensure that every order contributes to a positive environmental impact. Please refer to the Annex for further information.
*except remote areas

Posted: January 9, 2025

Source: KOLAB 

The Association For Advancing Automation Promotes Alex Shikany To Executive Vice President

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — January 9, 2025 — The Association for Advancing Automation (A3), North America’s preeminent automation trade association, proudly announces the promotion of Alex Shikany to executive vice president. Previously serving as vice president of Membership & Market Intelligence, Alex brings over a decade of dedicated leadership and innovation to his new role.

Alex Shikany

As executive vice president, Alex will oversee several key operations for A3, serving as the day-to-day liaison to the A3 Board of Directors and leading the A3 Leadership Team. His focus will be on driving strategic initiatives, fostering collaboration, and enhancing member value to advance A3’s mission.

A3’s President Jeff Burnstein highlighted the importance of Shikany’s promotion in light of the Association’s rapid growth. “Over the past five years, we’ve doubled our team, established Automate as North America’s leading annual robotics and automation event, and expanded internationally into Mexico and India. With A3 in its strongest position ever, Alex’s leadership in internal operations allows me to focus on long-term strategy, including partnerships, accelerating adoption of automation, and growing our global footprint.”

Burnstein also praised Shikany’s contributions to A3’s success. “Alex has been a transformative force for our team, demonstrating visionary leadership, a strategic mindset, and collaborative approach. His efforts have shaped our direction, and I am confident he will continue to elevate the Association’s impact on the automation industry.”

Reflecting on his promotion, Shikany stated, “It’s an honor to step into this new role and further A3’s mission to drive innovation and growth in the global automation industry. I am grateful for the incredible team at A3, as well as our talented members and community, whose efforts drive meaningful change and innovation worldwide.”

Since joining A3 in 2012 as director of Market Analysis, Shikany has held increasingly impactful roles. Notably, he led A3’s rebranding initiative, unifying four organizations under the A3 umbrella in 2021—a two-year effort that set the stage for A3’s continued success.

In his previous role, Shikany spearheaded membership growth, expanding A3’s global reach to over 1,300 member companies while advancing its market intelligence capabilities in robotics, machine vision, motion control, and artificial intelligence. His contributions have solidified A3’s position as the trusted voice of the automation industry.

Posted: January 9, 2025

Source: The Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

Built For The Open Waters: Highly Water-Repellent Sunbrella Plus® Collection Expands With New Colors

BURLINGTON, N.C. — January 7, 2025 — Sunbrella announced the expansion of its Sunbrella Plus® marine shade offering to include 17 total color selections. Sunbrella Plus features the benefits all Sunbrella fabrics are known for, including superior UV protection, weather-resistance and durability, while delivering enhanced water repellency thanks to its high-performing undercoating. The result is a highly versatile fabric that’s suitable for a variety of marine shade applications, including bimini tops, dodgers, protective covers and beyond.

“When you’re on the water, performance may reign supreme, but design takes the boating experience to a new level,” said Kate Carter, vice president and general manager of shade and marine at Sunbrella. “By broadening the color range of our Sunbrella Plus collection, we hope to give fabricators an enhanced toolkit for their marine boat top projects with fabrics that will thrive on the water time and time again.”

Sunbrella Plus maintains the elevated look of traditional Sunbrella canvas backed by an additional undercoating for enhanced water repellency. It’s the perfect solution for marine applications that require enhanced water repellency against sprays or weather without compromising on breathability and performance. Sunbrella Plus delivers superior UV protection that’s recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as part of a complete sun protection regimen, and its non-PFAS formula is compliant with all state PFAS regulations. When combined with the most comprehensive five-year warranty* in the industry, Sunbrella Plus is designed to be the perfect companion on the water.

In addition to its expanded range of colors designed to coordinate with popular boat palettes, Sunbrella Plus provides powerful protection against staining and fading, so colors look their best for the long haul. The collection also delivers superior resistance to mold, mildew and dirt, and it is bleach-cleanable for worry-free maintenance.

Posted: January 9, 2025

Source: Sunbrella/Glen Raven Inc

ShinWon Corporation Secures Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)  Approval For 2050 Net-Zero Emissions Targets

SEOUL, South Korea — January 9, 2025 — ShinWon Corp., a global apparel manufacturer, has received approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its Net-Zero emissions target.

Panoramic view of ShinWon Corporation Indonesia PT. Fashion Stitch Joshua

The SBTi is a global coalition that helps companies in setting science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets to accelerate climate action. Established in 2015 by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the UN Global Compact (UNGC), the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the initiative currently includes over 1,700 participating companies worldwide.

The approval confirms ShinWon’s goal to achieve Net-Zero emission by 2050. Here it is important to note that the company’s Net-Zero target is supported by a series of commitments across Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.

ShinWon has committed to reduce its direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 42 percent by 2030, compared to 2022 levels. Furthermore, the company aims to cut emissions across its value chain (Scope 3) by 42 percent within the same timeframe. By 2050, ShinWon plans to completely eliminate Scope 1 and 2 emissions and achieve a 90 percent reduction in Scope 3 emissions, ultimately reaching Net-Zero across its entire operations.

To achieve these objectives, ShinWon is actively accelerating its transition to renewable energy across its international facilities. Solar power systems have been deployed at production sites in Indonesia, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, contributing to an on-site renewable energy generation rate of more than 40 percent. Additionally, the company is purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to cover 100 percent of externally sourced electricity in Vietnam and Indonesia, with a commitment to expanding this initiative to other countries. Internally, ShinWon is implementing sustainable procurement standards and increasing the use of sustainable materials to further reduce Scope 3 emissions.

JJ Park, CEO of ShinWon, stated: “We are advancing a range of initiatives to achieve Net-Zero, including expanding solar energy generation, installing EV charging stations, and improving energy efficiency. By integrating these efforts into our long-term ESG goal, we reaffirm our commitment to sustainable management and proactive climate action for a better future.”

ShinWon continues its efforts to reduce carbon emissions from its global production operations and has made significant progress toward its ambitious sustainability goals. The company continues to invest in solar energy expansion and wastewater recycling systems, while collaborating with key customers to develop recycled fabrics. These initiatives not only support ShinWon’s sustainability goals but also position the company as a trusted partner for brands seeking environmentally responsible manufacturing solutions.

Posted: January 9, 2025

Source:  ShinWon Corp.

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris Returns To The Paris-Le-Bourget Exhibition Centre

PARIS— January 9, 2025 — The return of Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris to the Paris-Le-Bourget exhibition centre February 10-12 will see a number of innovations both in terms of the products on offer and the visitor itineraries.

More than 1,200 weavers and garment makers are expected in Halls 2, 3 and 4 of the exhibition center for this first edition in 2025. This return to a redesigned space marks a new chapter in the visitor experience. This session will also offer a true reflection of the diversity of global sourcing, with creative ranges at competitive prices for the fashion industries.

New sourcing destinations for Texworld

Alongside the Top 5 weaving nations loyal to Texworld – China, Türkiye with its 70 manufacturers grouped together under the pavilion of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, India, Korea and Taiwan – alternative sourcing zones such as Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, the Netherlands and Egypt are enriching the show’s offering. Dutch exhibitors Quality Textile, Nooteboom and Verhees Textiles are also back in the cotton sector, with cutting-edge and particularly creative catalogues. In the knitwear sector, we can also note the participation of the Koreans O.N.K, specialists in circular knitting, W-Tex, whose polyester blends produce remarkable fancy fabrics, or specialists in silky aspects such as JK Tex or TL Corporation. The Denim sector is growing this year, with around thirty exhibitors, including some of the world’s leading names such as Winwin Textile from China and Bangladeshi supplier NZ Denim.

Innovations, initiatives and sustainability

The new “Initiatives” zone at the entrance of Hall 4 will be showcasing inspiring and sustainable solutions, such as that of Vietnamese company Bao Lan Textile with its range of silk and fabrics made from pineapple leaf fiber. These products, developed with Ecofa Vietnam, have natural antibacterial properties and offer natural UV protection up to 50+ UPF. This area will also host the China Textile Information Centre’s trends forum, as well as the Econogy Hub, which brings together Messe Frankfurt’s expertise on sustainability-related initiatives in the textile sector. Also to be discovered in the activewear sector is the range from Japan’s Toyoshima, known for its streetwear collections, its ‘non-denim’ fabrics that consume very little water, and its astonishing wagami fabrics, produced from blends of very fine yarns made to order from cotton, linen and wool.

Apparel Sourcing: focus on Africa and near sourcing

Apparel Sourcing also has a great session in store. With more than 500 exhibitors expected — up on February 2024 — the show’s rich offering of finished products, clothing and fashion accessories will be on full display over the three days. Especially when it comes to local sourcing. Alongside the major manufacturing nations – led by China and India, and Pakistan and Bangladesh, both of which have grouped their exhibitors under their national pavilions – visitors will have access to products from the Africa zone, with a hub of companies from Ethiopia, Rwanda (Pink Mango) and the Arise Integrated Industrial Platform, which brings together the expertise of garment manufacturers based in Togo, Benin and Gabon. Ukraine, back with five companies supported by its national textile association, will be adding to the Euromed offering from Foursource, Messe Frankfurt’s near sourcing partner, which will be presenting catalogues from companies in Eastern Europe, Portugal and Morocco.

An optimized sourcing experience

The return to Paris-Le Bourget Exhibition Centre has been accompanied by an overhaul of the organisation of visitor areas. The layout of sectors and services has been reviewed to create new synergies between raw materials and finished products. Women’s wear areas (All about her, Embrodery & Lace, Silky aspect…) have been set up in Hall 4 — dedicated to knitwear, silk and lace — and a large area will be devoted to the outdoor – sportswear – casualwear offer in Hall 3. Hall 2 will be a focal point for relaxation, catering and networking, as well as a place for inspiration and exchange, with trend forums, product presentations, services and the Agora for conferences and round tables.

Econogy, Small Quantity & Hand Made: themed itineraries

Three exhibitor itineraries have been designed by the Messe Frankfurt France team to meet visitors’ needs. The Econogy Finder trail, for example, enables visitors to find more than 80 suppliers of sustainable textiles, listed in the show app and indicated by the Econogy logos visible on the corresponding booths.

The Small Quantity itinerary then highlights the more than 200 suppliers able to offer small quantity production (less than 300 pieces for garments or less than 100 metres for fabrics). A plus for buyers looking for limited editions or small orders for capsule collections. Finally, the Hand Made itinerary identifies the more than 130 exhibitors whose catalogues feature authentic, handmade products or unique skills. These manufacturers can also be found directly on the fair’s online directory.

Posted: January 9, 2025

Source: Messe Frankfurt France

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