BRUSSELS — November 3, 2026 — ReHubs is proud to continue its collaboration with Textiles Recycling Expo as the Structural Partner for the third consecutive year, reinforcing its commitment to bringing together the organisations, expertise and solutions needed to scale textile-to-textile recycling across Europe.
As preparations begin for the 2027 edition in Brussels, ReHubs is calling on organisations across the textile value chain to contribute their expertise and help shape a conference programme that reflects the industry’s most important challenges, innovations and opportunities.
Béatrice Moureaux, recently appointed CEO of ReHubs, sees the Textiles Recycling Expo as an important opportunity to bring the industry’s different perspectives together and accelerate progress towards commercially viable circularity.
“Europe has made significant progress in developing textile recycling technologies, but innovation alone will not deliver circularity at scale. We need to address the economic and structural barriers that are preventing these solutions from becoming commercially viable. Textiles Recycling Expo provides an important platform to bring the entire value chain together, challenge existing thinking and share practical solutions. ”
Through its continued partnership with the Expo, ReHubs aims to encourage dialogue across the value chain and help ensure that the conference reflects both the challenges facing the sector and the practical opportunities for collective progress.
The Call for Speakers is now open, offering experts the opportunity to present their research, technologies, case studies and insights to a highly engaged audience of recycling professionals, brands, manufacturers, policymakers and investors.
Alongside the conference, entries for the Textiles Recycling Awards are now open. With six categories, free entry, and a live awards ceremony held in the conference theatre during the event, the awards provide an excellent opportunity to showcase achievements and gain industry recognition.
Companies looking to raise their profile can also exhibit at the event. With more than 100 exhibitors already booked, stand availability is becoming increasingly limited, making early booking essential.
ReHubs looks forward to seeing the wider textile recycling community represented across the conference programme, awards and exhibition floor as the industry comes together to drive textile circularity forward.
PHOENIX — November 2, 2026 — Purecare, a wellness-focused bedding brand, has named industry veteran Keith Mackey chief revenue officer, a newly created executive position designed to support the company’s continued expansion in domestic and international markets.
Keith Mackey
Mackey brings nearly 40 years of experience in the furniture and bedding industries, with an extensive background in retail operations, sales leadership, franchise development and strategic account management. His career spans both the retail and wholesale sides of the business, giving him a broad understanding of the strategies that drive revenue growth for manufacturers and their retail partners.
In his new role, Mackey will oversee Purecare’s revenue growth strategies across domestic and international markets, including leadership of the company’s sales organization, account development and customer service initiatives. He will also provide strategic input on product development to ensure the company’s offerings align with retailer needs and market opportunities.
The appointment also brings together Mackey and Purecare Chief Executive Officer Sean Bergman, who have been respected industry colleagues and friends since Bergman worked for Mackey nearly 20 years ago. The two have long shared an interest in working together again, but the right opportunity had yet to emerge.
“I have long looked up to Keith over the years, and he has been a personal mentor to me. I know exactly who he is, the kind of excellence he expects from his team, and the dedication he shows to his customers.” Bergman said. “Purecare has reached a point in our business where we need a seasoned executive leader focused on driving revenue and building on the successful partnerships we’ve achieved. Keith understands this business from every angle, and he knows what retailers need to drive revenue. His experience, relationships and strategic approach make him the ideal person to lead that effort.”
Most recently, Mackey served as chief sales officer for Mattress By Appointment, where he previously held the position of vice president of business development. Earlier in his career, he served as vice president of sales for North America at Protect-A-Bed, leading wholesale sales efforts and supporting the company’s retail distribution network.
Mackey also served as Senior Director of the Strategic Retail Group at Serta Simmons Bedding, where he spearheaded the development and expansion of a dedicated division focused on innovative licensed retail business models. Under his leadership, the division developed and managed multiple retail programs designed to accelerate revenue growth, expand market presence and strengthen brand and category awareness among retailers nationwide.
Mackey also held several leadership positions with Verlo Mattress, advancing from general manager to president. His progression reflected his success in supporting franchise operators and owners, strengthening retail operations and developing strategies to support franchise growth. His earlier career included leadership positions with Mattress Outlet and Heilig-Meyers Furniture.
Together, these experiences have given Mackey a comprehensive perspective on the bedding industry’s retail and wholesale channels, from the day-to-day challenges facing store operators to the sales, merchandising and distribution strategies that support manufacturer growth.
“I’m bringing a 360° perception of consumer, retailer, and wholesale manufacturing and how they all work together, driven not just through experience, but through deep research and analysis,” Mackey said. “I’m excited to share Purecare’s health and wellness story through that lens.”
The appointment comes as Purecare continues to expand its portfolio of wellness-focused bedding products, including mattress protectors, pillows and sheets designed to enhance the sleep environment and create additional sales opportunities for retail partners.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — November 1, 2026 — Everra, a global supplier of textile fibers and polymers, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, marking five decades of growth, adaptability and service to the textile industry.
Founded in 1976 as Stein Fibers, the company has evolved from a traditional textile fiber distributor into a diversified global enterprise serving a broad range of markets. Today, Everra operates two primary business segments, textile fibers and polymers, with approximately 170 employees and an extensive international sourcing and distribution network.
The company commemorated the milestone Oct. 20 with a private anniversary dinner in Charlotte, bringing together current and former employees, company founders, family members and industry partners.
“For 50 years, first as Stein Fibers and today as Everra, our company has grown by adapting to change,” said Jaren Edwards, co-CEO of Everra. “We’re proud of that history, and equally proud of the steps we’ve taken since our founders passed us the baton.”
Over the past decade, Everra has pursued a growth strategy combining organic expansion into new markets with strategic acquisitions. Its fiber portfolio has expanded into specialty materials, including aramids, while its polymers business focuses on recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE).
The company’s largest textile fiber markets include upholstered furniture and automotive, with growing opportunities in nonwovens, geotextiles, medical products and specialty applications. Its polymers business serves markets including food and beverage packaging.
Headquartered in Charlotte, Everra operates company-owned warehouses in Georgia, South Carolina and New Jersey, along with more than 28 third-party locations across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Its USI manufacturing facility in LaFayette, Ga., employs approximately 75 people, while international offices in China and Mexico support global sourcing and commercial operations.
Everra’s growth builds on the foundation established by longtime business partners Peter Spitalny and Chip Stein, whose commitment to customer service, strong relationships and employee development continues to shape the company’s culture.
Those principles are reflected in Everra’s I.C.A.R.E. core values: integrity, consistency, accountability, respect and empowerment.
The company also maintains a longstanding relationship with NC State University’s Wilson College of Textiles, including support through the Sidney J. Stein Scholarship, established in 2001. Dr. David Hinks, dean of the Wilson College of Textiles, was a guest speaker at the anniversary celebration, highlighting the importance of industry partnerships, workforce development and textile innovation.
Looking ahead, Everra sees continued opportunities in specialty fibers, recycled polymers and value-added distribution services, particularly in markets involving recycled PET.
“Our name says it best. Everra stands for an ‘Ever Evolving World,’ and that idea is at the heart of who we are,” said Robert Taylor, Co-CEO of Everra.
“Ten or 20 years from now, we want Everra to be known as the company that never stopped evolving: the enduring partner that helps customers navigate an ever-evolving world, while staying true to the roots and values that brought us here.”
MILAN — October 29, 2026 — Missoni, an iconic name in Italian fashion, has chosen Kubix Link PLM, the comprehensive and highly configurable cloud solution provided by Lectra – a leading provider of industrial intelligence technology solutions for the fashion industry, to advance the transformation of its processes. Kubix Link proved essential in supporting the internalization of the Missoni Home line, enabling the company to structure new operational workflows, improve information quality and manage activities more smoothly and cohesively, while delivering tangible, measurable results.
“Projects such as the one delivered with Missoni demonstrate how a PLM solution can become a true accelerator of transformation,” comments Antonella Capelli, President of EMEA at Lectra. “Our Kubix Link solution enables companies to address organizational and business changes with agile, scalable tools, ensuring operational continuity, reliable data and effective alignment across business functions and the partner ecosystem. Seeing it successfully support the innovative drive of a historic brand such as Missoni is a great source of satisfaction and pride for us.”
Missoni’s needs
Founded in 1953 by Ottavio and Rosita Missoni, the Missoni brand is today an icon of Made in Italy fashion, internationally recognized for its distinctive use of color, geometric patterns and innovation in knitwear – elements that define an unmistakable style. Over the years, the company has expanded its product universe to include, in addition to men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, sportswear, beachwear, textile accessories and home furnishings.
As part of this journey, Missoni decided to bring the Missoni Home line—dedicated to textiles, accessories and home furnishings—in-house, undertaking a strategic shift that required the internal management of processes previously outside the team’s direct control. This decision highlighted several major challenges: the need to respond quickly, structure new operational workflows and adopt a tool capable of effectively supporting different business departments, including IT, product and production, while ensuring ease of use, rapid user adoption and a scalable architecture that could be easily integrated with existing systems.
Lectra’s support: a scalable PLM foundation to support growth and agility
To meet these needs, Missoni chose Lectra’s Kubix Link PLM, a solution that centralizes all product-related data, integrates easily with existing company systems and is designed to support end-to-end collection management. The relationship has deep roots: Missoni and Lectra began working together in the early 2000s with the introduction of CAD solutions.
Based on industry best practices, Kubix Link PLM supports internal and external teams in aggregating, storing and sharing product data, significantly improving collaboration and production process efficiency. This end‑to‑end connectivity accelerates collection launches while providing a solid data foundation to support traceability, compliance requirements and future regulatory needs across a fast‑moving, regulated supply chain.
“Kubix Link helped us achieve our objectives thanks to its versatility and ability to adapt quickly to our operational needs. One of the most valuable aspects was the ability to implement new functionalities within a short timeframe, combined with timely and effective support,” says Andrea Mariani, IT Business & Omnichannel Manager at Missoni.
Following the analysis phase, implementation began less than a year later. After 12 months, the solution went live with the creation of master data for the new collection.
As a scalable solution, Kubix Link has been progressively adopted by more than 40 users across different business functions—from product development and quality control to merchandising and compliance—creating a shared, integrated work environment. A key element of the project was extending PLM use to the supply chain: over 20 suppliers and subcontractors were given direct access to technical product information, improving alignment and transparency across the entire value chain.
Concrete results and a future-oriented roadmap
Lectra’s Kubix Link PLM integrated easily with other programs already in use within the company and had a positive impact on Missoni’s workflows. By centralizing product information and rolling out the solution across departments, Missoni connected its teams, enabled seamless collaboration, established a shared language and streamlined data exchange throughout the entire product development and management process.
From an operational standpoint, Missoni now manages over 20,000 SKUs (Stock Keeping Units, codes used for inventory control and warehouse management) and creates nearly 1,000 new items each year, while maintaining high system performance even when handling complex multimedia content. Direct access to technical sheets by the supply chain has drastically reduced information exchange via email, standardizing working methods and improving overall efficiency.
One of the most significant benefits is the time saved on product data management and maintenance activities, estimated at around 60%. Additional benefits include the solution’s flexibility, the speed at which new features can be implemented and the continuous support provided by the Lectra team.
Together, these elements enabled Missoni to adapt the system quickly to its operational requirements, accelerate time‑to‑market, and remain agile as business needs evolve.
“For over 25 years, our relationship with Lectra can be summed up in three key words: integration, flexibility and collaboration—the ingredients that also contributed to the success of this project,” adds Mariani. “Looking ahead, we plan to extend the use of Kubix Link to ready-to-wear as well, with the goal of having a single, integrated and scalable platform capable of supporting increasingly complex processes and accompanying the brand’s growth.”
AMSTERDAM — October 29, 2026 — The ZDHC Foundation today launched Version 4.0 of its ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (ZDHC MRSL). This update reflects the latest scientific developments and evolving industry needs.
The ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List provides a harmonised, science-based framework for restricting hazardous substances in chemical formulations used during manufacturing. Unlike traditional Restricted Substances Lists, which focus on finished products, the ZDHC MRSL addresses chemicals at their source, helping to prevent hazardous substances from entering production processes in the first place.
The update was developed through ZDHC’s established MRSL governance process and independently assessed by the ZDHC MRSL Council, drawing on scientific, regulatory and industry evidence as well as stakeholder review.
Independent governance and MRSL CouncilThe updates in ZDHC MRSL V4.0 build on the ongoing review process led by the ZDHC MRSL Council, an independent group of technical experts representing diverse segments of the textile, apparel, leather and footwear industries, alongside other relevant stakeholders.
The Council uses an objective, science-based approach to assess proposed substances and recommend their inclusion in the ZDHC MRSL or MRSL Candidate List. For Version 4.0, this assessment took into account developments in relevant regulatory lists, including Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC), as well as inputs from the ZDHC Chemical Watchlist.
The proposed updates also underwent a stakeholder review to gather broader industry feedback. All substances in ZDHC MRSL V4.0 are relevant to the covered industries, with identified hazards including toxicity to aquatic life, endocrine disruption, and carcinogenicity. This approach ensures that the updated restrictions reflect evolving scientific knowledge, regulatory developments and industry-specific chemical risks.
“With version 4.0, we have added some significant harmful chemicals and, against a backdrop of increasing legislative complexity, we have improved the clarity of the listings to keep its practical application at the forefront. Our goal is to help the industry make better-informed chemical choices and drive meaningful progress towards safer manufacturing.” – Phil Patterson, ZDHC MRSL Council Chair
What changes in ZDHC MRSL V4.0
Version 4.0 introduces 16 new substances not previously covered under ZDHC MRSL V3.1, reflecting evolving industry standards and regulatory requirements. These include bisphenols, formaldehyde, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and certain UV absorbers, addressing chemical risks such as endocrine disruption, carcinogenicity, and aquatic toxicity.
The update also strengthens existing restrictions by lowering limits for substances including alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs), chlorinated paraffins and certain organic solvents.
Three additional substances have been added to the ZDHC MRSL Candidate List for continued monitoring, while two substances have been moved to the Archive List. Titanium dioxide has been removed from the ZDHC MRSL following changes to its regulatory classification.
Alongside these changes, V4.0 updates chemical restrictions, formulation limits, analytical methods and material-specific guidance covering textiles, leather, rubber, foams and adhesives.
It also provides tailored information for suppliers, chemical formulators and testing organisations, outlining considerations and responsibilities for specific substances. Together, these updates strengthen the ZDHC MRSL’s systematic approach to identifying hazardous substances, supporting the transition to safer alternatives and maintaining transparency as scientific knowledge and industry practices evolve.
Managing PFAS: intentional use and unintentional contamination
ZDHC MRSL V4.0 sets defined limits for unintentional contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including 25 µg/kg for individual PFAS, 250 µg/kg for the sum of PFAS, and 50 mg/kg for total fluorine content.
It also confirms that intentionally added PFAS are not permitted in MRSL-conformant chemical formulations.
Alongside the MRSL update, ZDHC is publishing its PFAS position paper and practical interpretations. Using the OECD’s 2021 definition, the paper reinforces ZDHC’s position against the intentional use of PFAS across the textile, apparel, leather and footwear supply chain.
It provides practical guidance on assessing ZDHC MRSL conformance, distinguishing intentional use from unintentional contamination and addressing the limitations of current analytical testing methods.
The approach is designed to build, wherever technically appropriate, on existing industry practices, recognised certification schemes and available analytical evidence rather than create unnecessary duplication. This supports more harmonised implementation across the value chain while maintaining the assurance level needed for credible MRSL conformance.
What this means for industry and implementation
ZDHC MRSL V4.0 provides clearer guidance for brands, suppliers, chemical formulators, certifiers, and testing organisations on how to apply the updated requirements.
Where credible evidence already exists through recognised industry systems, the intention is to make appropriate use of that evidence rather than create parallel requirements.
ZDHC will continue to work with chemical formulators, suppliers, testing organisations and certification bodies to support consistent implementation as science, regulation and analytical capabilities evolve.
A defined implementation and transition approach will help stakeholders adapt formulations, testing, certification, and ZDHC Gateway processes to the updated requirements.
ALTSHAUSEN, Germany — October 13, 2026 — STADLER Group, the globally active German company specialized in the planning, production and assembly of turnkey sorting plants, has acted as technology partner to IGERS s.r.l. in the development of its new textile recycling plant in San Pietro Mosezzo, in the province of Novara, Piedmont. STADLER supported IGERS throughout the design phase, from the earliest discussions on process requirements through to a plant layout designed to fit the existing building. It integrated key treatment equipment purchased by IGERS so that the individual process steps work together as one system, and designed and supplied the fully automated sorting line.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony at the IGERS textile sorting plant in Italy, attended by Italian Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto FratinRibbon-cutting ceremony at the IGERS textile sorting plant in Italy, attended by Italian Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin
“STADLER worked with us not simply as a supplier, but as a technology partner, understanding the specific requirements of a project that is both new and ambitious within the Italian context,” says Gian Luca Miceli, CEO of IGERS.
Inaugurated on 21 September 2026, the San Pietro Mosezzo facility is the first plant in Italy to include all treatment phases of textile recycling, producing high-quality flakes and frayed material suitable for the spinning industry from post-consumer and post-industrial textile waste, with full traceability throughout the entire process. It has a capacity of 4 t/h and is authorized to process up to 19,200 tonnes of textile waste per year. The total investment amounts to approximately €8 million, with €1.3 million in co-financing from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The plant comes at a time when textile recycling is gaining increasing importance across Europe. New requirements for separate textile collection and Extended Producer Responsibility are increasing the need for industrial solutions capable of sorting and preparing textile waste for high-quality recycling.
A patented process for a complex waste stream
IGERS Textile Sorting Plant by STADLER – Opening Tour in San Pietro Mosezzo, Italy
Textile waste is highly heterogeneous, combining different fibers, composite materials, accessories and contamination, with widely varying quality levels. At the same time, there is a growing need for transparency about how material is sorted and its final destination. IGERS has responded by designing a complete process of its own, patented in Italy, that runs from the initial buffer through sanitizing, sorting and tearing to the final output.
“The distinctive value of our process lies in the integration of impurity separation, technology-based material sorting, mechanical regeneration and digital traceability,” explains Gian Luca Miceli. “We do not consider these stages as isolated activities: they are parts of a single system that enables more accurate decisions to be made about the destination of each material stream.”
“The opening of the San Pietro Mosezzo plant represents IGERS’ transition from vision to industrial capability,” he adds.
A reliable partner for an emerging sector
Textile recycling is a sector still in its early stages, with limited prior knowledge to draw on. Developing an industrial solution for textile recycling requires not only sorting technology, but also extensive expertise in plant engineering, material handling and system integration.
“We chose STADLER because we were looking for a partner with international experience and a proven ability to translate complex requirements into a reliable engineering solution,” says Gian Luca Miceli. “In a project like this, technology is fundamental, but technology alone is not enough: you also need a structured approach, responsiveness, rigorous interface management and attention to detail.”
The project called for a significant coordination effort to bring together all the suppliers involved and harmonize the existing components, as well as a plant design offering maximum flexibility in sorting operations.
Matteo Zaninelli, Project Manager at STADLER
“IGERS approached us looking for a reliable partner who could turn their ideas into a real, scalable industrial solution,” says Matteo Zaninelli, Project Manager at STADLER. “At the beginning, we focused mainly on the process: what IGERS wanted to achieve, the characteristics of the material and the required outputs. From there, we started developing the flow diagrams, selecting the most suitable equipment and finally, designing the complete layout around the available building. It was very much a step-by-step development, with IGERS bringing its knowledge of textile recycling and STADLER contributing its experience in plant engineering, material handling and sorting.”
Joining forces to tackle an unpredictable material
“Textiles present very specific handling challenges,” explains Matteo Zaninelli. “They are soft and flexible; they come in many different shapes and sizes; and they can fold, overlap or become entangled.”
Understanding how the material behaves was a joint effort. STADLER carried out extensive trials at its Test Center, while IGERS conducted many tests of its own and shared considerable practical knowledge. The results helped define the most suitable configurations for feeding, dosing, conveying and distributing textiles throughout the plant. The positioning of the dosing units and the design of their distribution hoppers were specifically studied around the behavior of textile material. “These may seem like relatively small details, but they have a significant impact on the stability of the material flow and therefore on the performance of the entire sorting process,” Zaninelli notes.
One integrated system with two-stage NIR sorting
The STADLER sorting line comprises two dosing units, two TOMRA NIR optical sorters and 16 conveyors. Its main role is to prepare textile material for the subsequent recycling stages.
The quality of separation is particularly important, as different textile fractions may have different destinations and require different downstream treatments. The line also provides a continuous, homogeneous material flow, creating more stable conditions for the downstream equipment and supporting both process efficiency and the quality of the final fractions.
In the initial sorting stage, the first NIR sorter separates pure textiles, such as 100% cotton or 100% wool, from blended textiles and impurities. While the high-value pure fractions are stored in a buffer, the second NIR sorter separates the mixed textile stream from impurities and non-conforming materials, such as pieces of hangers and leather. In the second stage, the buffered material is recirculated through the same sorting equipment, with the NIR sorters configured to separate it according to fiber type.
Flexibility, one of IGERS’ key requirements, was built in from the start. The plant is designed to handle different incoming textile streams and throughputs, while giving IGERS the freedom to decide what happens to each output fraction – whether it goes to the baler, one of several storage containers, a recirculation buffer, or the fiber-opening process. “This gives IGERS the possibility to adapt the plant to different materials and sorting strategies, which is particularly important in a market that is still evolving rapidly,” says Zaninelli. The line is fully automated and requires just one plant manager, who starts and stops it and adjusts the NIR sorters’ settings as needed.
Building the foundations for textile circularity
“Our objective is to consolidate San Pietro Mosezzo as a leading industrial and technological platform,” says Miceli. “Building on this foundation, we intend to progressively develop additional recycling hubs, in line with the availability of material streams, regional requirements and demand for high-quality recovered materials.”
For STADLER, the IGERS project builds on experience gained through previous textile sorting projects, combined with its extensive expertise in plant engineering and system integration. The project further strengthens STADLER’s know-how in developing integrated solutions for textile sorting and recycling.
“The plant built for IGERS demonstrates that textile recycling requires not only high-performance machinery, but also a strong ability to integrate different technologies, specialized engineering expertise, and a plant design capable of adapting to complex and variable material flows,” says Matteo Zaninelli. “In this sense, the project is a concrete example of how we can support the development of industrial infrastructure for a sector that is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years.”
“We expect textile sorting and recycling to become increasingly industrialized,” he concludes. “Sorting technology has to develop together with the recycling processes it is feeding. Ultimately, our job is not simply to separate textiles, but to provide downstream processes with the right material, at the right quality, and in a consistent way.”
Posted: November 3, 2026
Source: The STADLER Group / STADLER Anlagenbau GmbH
MANCHESTER, UK — October 28, 2026 — Over this summer, Roaches International – a member of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) – has dispatched its largest integrated order for textile laboratory equipment to date.
A total of 19 testing machines weighing more than two tons have been delivered for a new lab being established by Indonesia’s Alia Digital Printex, demonstrating the British manufacturer’s ability to supply complete testing facilities rather than just individual instruments.
A total of 19 testing machines were dispatched on the 12,000 mile journey.
Established in Jakarta in 2017, Alia Digital Printex specialises in digital textile printing and fabric production, particularly for scarves, hijabs, prayer garments and apparel.
Employing more than 500 people, it has a printing capacity of 18,000 metres of fabric per day and serves fashion brands in Indonesia and international markets.
The new lab will support its expanding manufacturing activities and requirements for consistent fabric quality and performance.
Working with its Indonesian partner PT. Kawan Era Baru, Roaches has coordinated the project from design and equipment specification through to manufacturing, dispatch and on-site engineering support.
Connected future
The order also highlights the advantages of sourcing a complete testing laboratory from a single supplier as textile manufacturers move towards more digitally integrated quality control operations.
Looking ahead, artificial intelligence is predicted to accelerate this transition, enabling information from previously independent instruments to be combined and analysed to identify relationships between fabric properties, processing conditions and finished product quality.
A single supplier can offer benefits in equipment standardisation, operator training, maintenance and technical support, while potentially providing a more consistent foundation for future data integration.
Roaches has coordinated the project from design to on-site engineering support.
“This is a particularly significant project for Roaches, not simply because of its scale, but because it demonstrates the advantages of working with a single supplier to establish a complete textile testing laboratory,” says Roaches marketing executive Seth Seagraves. “As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly important in textile manufacturing, we believe laboratories will need to move beyond treating individual testing machines as isolated pieces of equipment. The real opportunity is to connect the information they generate, enabling manufacturers to build a much more comprehensive picture of fabric quality and performance.
“Having equipment supplied and supported by one specialist partner provides a strong foundation for that transition. At the same time, we are continuing to develop technologies such as our Martindale AXYZ and Sentire systems, which demonstrate how digital control and objective measurement can improve laboratory operations.”
BTMA CEO Jason Kent
“This substantial order is another excellent example of the international reputation British textile technology companies have built through innovation, engineering expertise and customer support,” adds BTMA CEO Jason Kent. “Roaches International is demonstrating how established testing technologies can evolve to meet the demands of an increasingly digital textile industry, while continuing to win significant business in highly competitive overseas markets. It’s exactly the kind of success we work to support our members achieving.”
Posted: November 3, 2026
Source of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA)
NEW ZEALAND— October 28, 2026 — Nuyarn® Technologies, a proven innovator in performance yarn and fabric, is proud to announce an official partnership with YETI to integrate advanced merino wool into the brand’s performance apparel line.
Marking a major category expansion for the publicly traded cooler and drinkware giant, YETI has integrated Nuyarn’s proprietary spinning technology into two new merino styles. The debut collection features the Caprock Merino 250 Quarter-Zip, a versatile midweight layer utilizing a waffle-knit construction, alongside the Hueco Merino 310 Full-Zip, a heavyweight piece delivering a soft, cozy feel with advanced stretch, breathability, and moisture-wicking performance.
Nuyarn upgrades the YETI collection beyond conventional spun merino to deliver 9x greater durability, 35% more thermal retention, and triple the drying speed with a 30% reduction in material use.
“Partnering with a brand like YETI, which shares our foundational pillars of durability and high performance, is a natural progression for Nuyarn,” said Andy Wynne, CEO of Nuyarn. “We are proud to integrate our advanced technology into this debut collection and have further styles in development. We fundamentally believe our merino technology sets a new standard that belongs to anyone, from elite athletes to those seeking unmatched comfort and resilience in their daily wear.”
WASHINGTON, DC — October 26, 2026 — The equipment finance industry expanded to an estimated $1.51 trillion in 2025—a new all-time high—with 87% of end-users using some form of financing to fund their equipment and software (E&S) acquisitions, according to a survey from the Industry Horizon Report: A Market Sizing Study 2026-2027. The report, which was released today by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Association, also reveals that approximately 55.2% of the $2.7 trillion (nominal) invested in E&S, and 61.2% of private sector E&S investment, was financed in 2025.
The Industry Horizon Report focuses on ELFA’s biennial survey of equipment end-users, which was conducted in summer 2026. Using data collected through the survey, ELFA estimates the current size of the equipment finance industry, assesses the propensity to finance private sector equipment investment for key equipment verticals, and forecasts end-user plans to acquire and finance equipment in 2027.The Industry Horizon Report focuses on ELFA’s biennial survey of equipment end-users, which was conducted in summer 2026. Using data collected through the survey, ELFA estimates the current size of the equipment finance industry, assesses the propensity to finance private sector equipment investment for key equipment verticals, and forecasts end-user plans to acquire and finance equipment in 2027.
“Equipment and software investment continued to expand in 2025, contributing to solid U.S. economic growth despite tariff impacts, and the trillion-dollar-plus equipment finance industry contributed significantly by supporting these acquisitions,” said ELFA Acting President & CEO James Cress. “Despite a shift in investment toward AI-related technology, much of which is funded by large firms with ample internal cash flow rather than reliance on financing, the share of end-users using at least one form of financing rose. The industry’s footprint is 2.5 times larger than it was at the time of the industry’s first end-user survey in 2007, and it is projected to continue expanding in the years ahead. This report delivers must-have insights that will give business leaders and decision makers a competitive edge in driving that growth.”
Highlights from the Industry Horizon Report include:
Equipment finance industry grew 8.7% since 2024. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, E&S investment (both financed and not financed) expanded by 10% in 2025 to $2.7 trillion (nominal). ELFA estimates that approximately 55.2% of this investment was financed, leading to an estimated industry size of $1.51 trillion. This figure represents 8.7% nominal growth for the equipment finance industry compared to 2024.
More end-users are relying on financing. The end-user survey revealed that 87% of respondents who acquired equipment or software in 2025 used at least one form of financing to do so. This represents an increase from 82% in the 2024 survey.
2027 will likely see acquisitions continue to increase. End-users were twice as likely to believe their E&S acquisitions will increase in 2027 (35%) versus decrease (17%). The most commonly selected verticals among end-users who plan to boost acquisitions were software, computers, office equipment, and communications equipment, reflecting the importance of online sales channels, AI, and other new technology tools critical to business operations.
Top methods of payment to acquire equipment and software. In 2025, 23% of total E&S acquisitions were leased, followed by lines of credit (14%), secured loans (13%), and unsecured loans (8%). Among non-financed acquisitions, paid-in-full credit card purchases were the most prevalent payment method (20%), followed by cash (17%).
Optimizing cash flow is the primary reason to use financing. The top reasons end-users chose to finance their E&S acquisitions in 2025 were “optimization of cash flow” (72%), “tax advantages” (55%), and “protection from equipment obsolescence” (54%). Going into 2027, users cited “technology advancements and/or obsolescence” (37%), “general economic conditions” (34%), “interest rates/Federal Reserve policy” (34%), and “inflation” (31%) as reasons for financing E&S acquisitions.
Medical equipment tops list of most financed equipment types. Medical equipment was the most likely equipment type to be financed (82% of acquisitions) followed by automobiles (77%), agricultural (73%), and construction (70%). Furniture (41%), computers (47%), and other industrial equipment (50%) were the least likely equipment verticals to be financed. Because computers were both among the least-financed verticals and the fastest-growing category of investment amid the AI buildout, the shift toward investment in computers contributed to the modest decline in the overall propensity to finance, even as the share of firms using financing increased.
Health care tops list of industries most likely to finance equipment. End-users in the health care industry were the most likely to use financing (80%), followed by finance & insurance (74%), construction (71%), and information businesses (62%).
AI adoption is growing rapidly. Per the end-user survey, 74% of respondents currently use generative AI in their businesses (up from 42% in 2024), and an additional 19% intend to do so over the next two years. Businesses use generative AI primarily to analyze data (54%), automate workflows (44%), and generate content (43%). Notably, the lowest-ranked reason for harnessing generative AI was to identify/mitigate fraud (20%), despite the rapid increase in AI-enabled fraud.
Companies want digital financing experience. An overwhelming majority of end-user survey respondents (82%) say they would use a free, fully digital online platform to manage the equipment acquisition process, if available. The digital features that would have the greatest positive impact on the financing experience for end-users include real-time tracking of application status (44%), online document upload and verification (43%), and electronic signatures (43%). Currently only 5% of respondents primarily interact with their equipment financing provider via a mobile app.
About the study
The Industry Horizon Report: A Market Sizing Study 2026-2027 is one of several ELFA research publications that contain industry-relevant economic insights to help industry leaders make more informed business decisions. Specifically, the end-user survey offers a detailed look at equipment acquisition and financing decisions for specific equipment verticals and industries, the key factors influencing the decision to use financing (e.g., a business’s industry, size, and profitability; economic conditions; and policy developments), and how financing decisions are likely to evolve over the next year. The report was prepared by Keybridge.
Posted: November 3, 2026
Source: The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA)
KOLKATA, India— October 27, 2026 — Building on nearly a decade of industry engagement and successful editions in Delhi and Mumbai, Gartex Texprocess India is set to expand its footprint to Eastern India with the launch of its Kolkata edition from 22–24 January 2027 at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Kolkata. Organised by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt Ltd and MEX Exhibitions Pvt Ltd, the Kolkata edition marks the next phase in the show’s growth journey, taking its established platform for textile and garment manufacturing to a region deeply rooted in India’s textile heritage and increasingly positioned for future manufacturing growth.
West Bengal has long held a distinctive place in India’s textile landscape, with its rich handloom traditions, jute industry and established hosiery and garment manufacturing base. The state’s renowned weaving and craft clusters, including Fulia, Santipur, Bishnupur and Murshidabad, reflect a textile heritage that continues to shape the region’s identity. Kolkata and its surrounding districts are also regarded as the historical home of India’s hosiery industry, with a cluster that has grown over more than a century.
The city is also a major centre for ethnic wear, kidswear, zari and embroidery work, while the Hooghly belt remains the heartland of India’s jute industry, now moving into bags, home textiles, geotextiles and composites. As the garment sector grows, so does the need for woven fabric, and the state has been encouraging powerloom and processing investment, among them the integrated textile park at Ashoknagar–Banipur. At the same time, manufacturers across Eastern India are increasingly looking towards modernisation, advanced machinery, technology adoption, capacity expansion and wider market access.
Since its inception, Gartex Texprocess India has evolved into an established platform serving India’s garment and textile manufacturing ecosystem. With editions in Delhi and Mumbai, the show has developed strong engagement among garment manufacturers, fabric suppliers, technology providers and buyers. The addition of Kolkata comes at this intersection of heritage and opportunity and expands the show’s geographical presence across North, West and East India, taking its annual calendar to three editions.
The Kolkata edition is designed to strengthen connections between the region’s manufacturing community and technology and machinery providers from across India and international markets, supporting a garment and apparel sector that is ready to scale up, adopt newer technologies and compete more widely. For exhibitors, the new edition provides an opportunity to access a market where many have traditionally had limited physical presence.
For Eastern India-based companies, it creates a home platform through which they can showcase their capabilities to a wider national audience. For visitors, the exhibition will bring machinery, technology, fabrics, trims and allied solutions closer to their market. Kolkata’s strategic location also provides access to a wider economic region encompassing Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and the North-East, from Bhagalpur’s silk base and emerging garment units in Bihar to new apparel and technical textile investments in Odisha and the handloom and Muga and Eri silk economy of the North-East, while its connectivity with neighbouring markets such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan adds a cross-border dimension for fabric, trim and technology interest.
Commenting on the expansion, Mr Raj Manek, Executive Director and Board Member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings Ltd, said: “Over nearly a decade, Gartex Texprocess India has evolved alongside India’s textile and garment manufacturing industry, building strong industry engagement through our editions in Delhi and Mumbai. Our expansion to Kolkata is a natural next step in that journey. Eastern India combines a remarkable textile and handloom heritage with an increasingly ambitious manufacturing community that is looking towards technology, modernisation and new markets. We want Gartex Texprocess India to be part of that future growth, connecting the strengths of this region with technology providers, manufacturers and buyers from across India and international markets.”
Mr Gaurav Juneja, Director, MEX Exhibitions Pvt Ltd, added: “Eastern India’s textile and garment industry presents significant opportunities, particularly as manufacturers look towards capacity expansion, modernisation and wider market access. Gartex Texprocess India in Kolkata will provide the industry with a platform where manufacturers and buyers can see, compare and source technologies and solutions in one place. For exhibitors, it opens access to a new and important market, while for visitors it brings a comprehensive textile technology platform closer to their doorstep. Kolkata is a market we have been evaluating closely, and we believe the time is right to be here.”
The Kolkata edition is expected to bring together companies across the textile and garment manufacturing chain, weighted to the strengths of this belt. These include circular knitting, hosiery and knitwear machinery; spinning, sewing, embroidery and garment-making technology; digital textile printing, dyeing and finishing equipment; power looms, weaving, sizing and woven processing, in step with growing demand for woven fabric in the state; and jute processing and technology for diversified jute products, along with fabrics, trims, accessories and allied solutions.
For a region where centuries-old textile traditions coexist with a growing appetite for modern manufacturing technologies, Kolkata provides Gartex Texprocess India with an opportunity to connect India’s textile heritage with its next generation of growth.
BRUSSELS — November 3, 2026 — ReHubs is proud to continue its collaboration with Textiles Recycling Expo as the Structural Partner for the third consecutive year, reinforcing its commitment to bringing together the organisations, expertise and solutions needed to scale textile-to-textile recycling across Europe.
As preparations begin for the 2027 edition in Brussels, ReHubs is calling on organisations across the textile value chain to contribute their expertise and help shape a conference programme that reflects the industry’s most important challenges, innovations and opportunities.
Alongside the conference, entries for the Textiles Recycling Awards are now open. With six categories, free entry, and a live awards ceremony held in the conference theatre during the event, the awards provide an excellent opportunity to showcase achievements and gain industry recognition.
