WASHINGTON, D.C. — May 14, 2026 — The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) applauds the bipartisan leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment for advancing two key recycling bills during today’s markup: H.R. 2145, the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act (RIAA), and H.R. 4109, the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act (RCAA).
“Today’s actions represent an important step toward improving recycling accessibility, enhancing data collection and reporting, and strengthening the effectiveness of the nation’s recycling system,” said Chris Rager, Vice President of Government Affairs at PLASTICS. “We commend the committee for advancing commonsense legislation that supports American manufacturing and helps keep valuable materials in productive use and out of the environment.”
PLASTICS recognized House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie, Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr., Subcommittee on Environment Chairman Gary Palmer, Ranking Member Paul Tonko, and other members of the subcommittee for their bipartisan support of the legislation.
PLASTICS also commends bill sponsors U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Joe Neguse for their leadership on the legislation. The two bills were combined during the markup to align with the bipartisan STEWARD Act framework previously passed by the Senate.
Rager added that today’s markup reflects continued bipartisan momentum around policies that support recycling innovation, infrastructure expansion, and circular manufacturing solutions.
“We are encouraged by the strong bipartisan support demonstrated during today’s markup and look forward to consideration by the full committee,” Rager said. “Today’s action also helps build momentum around additional proposals, including the Recycled Materials Attribution Act (RMAA), the Recycling Technology Innovation Act (RTIA), and the Packaging and Claims Knowledge (PACK) Act, that support all recycling technologies, strengthen U.S. manufacturing, and advance a more circular economy.”
Posted: May 15, 2026
Source: The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)
SYDNEY — May 15, 2026 — Oritain, global supplier of forensic origin verification, has announced the release of its inaugural 2026 Global Supply Chain Intelligence Report. Drawing on multiple global datasets, the report reflects a critical inflection point for global trade: as regulatory scrutiny, economic pressure and consumer skepticism intensify, visibility alone is no longer enough to operate with confidence.
The findings point not to a single-issue risk spike, but to a wider structural gap between supply chain documentation and supply chain truth, with implications for markets, consumers, investors and regulators alike. Using cotton as a spotlight commodity to examine how one of the world’s most traded materials moves under overlapping regulatory, trade and cost pressures, the report shows that after three years of steady progress, exposure to cotton prohibited by legislation has surged back to pre 2021 levels.
The report draws on a multi-year forensic sampling programme analysing approximately 1,000 garments across 40 brands annually, alongside large-scale consumer research, industry professional and supplier intelligence spanning key global manufacturing hubs. While nearly 94% of UK companies and 87% of US companies surveyed now trace their cotton supply chains, Oritain’s Market Insights data shows that 90% of brands analysed in 2025 recorded at least one risk consistent result, up sharply from 64% the previous year. The data suggests that while transparency initiatives have scaled, assurance has not kept pace.
The “Verification Gap”: Moving Beyond Procedural Compliance
Oritain’s 2026 Global Supply Chain Intelligence Report highlights a fundamental shift facing corporate leadership: while traceability demonstrates intent and process, only verification provides a defensible
source of truth in an increasingly enforcement-led environment. As supply chains evolve and sourcing strategies adjust under economic and geopolitical pressure, periodic assurance models are proving insufficient.
“The data tells a clear story: risk isn’t disappearing, it is re-emerging,” said Alyn Franklin, CEO at Oritain.
“As brands pivot manufacturing regions they’re finding that upstream material exposure hasn’t gone away – it is increasingly appearing in other key manufacturing hubs. Without independent verification, that risk travels quietly through complex trade routes and only surfaces at the end of the supply chain, when goods are stopped, costs escalate and production timelines are already missed.”
Key Insights from Oritain’s 2026 Global Supply Chain Intelligence Report
Risk Re-emergence: As sourcing patterns shift under tariff, trade and policy pressure, global manufacturing capacity is expanding faster than internal controls and traditional compliance models can adapt.
Systemic Exposure: With 90% of brands analysed impacted by exposure to prohibited cotton, exposure is no longer an isolated issue. It reflects a system wide challenge requiring a programmatic, scientific approach rather than ad hoc checks or reliance purely on paper trails
The Trust Deficit: Consumer scepticism is at record levels. 60% of consumers actively avoid products linked to untrustworthy origins, while only 3% trust marketing claims. Instead, trust is anchored in credible, independent evidence, with government regulation (27%) and scientific traceability to origin (23%) sitting at the top of the hierarchy of consumer trust.
Transparency expectations are rising across materials: focussing on leather alone, 69% of consumers support mandatory ethical sourcing proof, reinforcing the need for the inclusion of leather within the EUDR scope.
The Cost of Failure: The consequences are no longer theoretical. 80% of UK brands and 37% of US brands surveyed have already experienced material impact, including border delays, financial penalties, disrupted production cycles and lost commercial relationships.
A New Standard for Global Intelligence
The report demonstrates that reliance on declarations alone is no longer sufficient to support market access, investor confidence or brand resilience.
The future of resilient supply chains lies in programmatic forensic verification: a continuous, independent and repeatable model that enables proactive management rather than late-stage remediation. By operating as a connected network, spanning brands, suppliers and regulators, this approach allows businesses to detect issues earlier, substantiate claims credibly and navigate complexity with confidence.
“As regulatory and economic pressures intensify, visibility without verification no longer holds,” said Alyn.
“What matters now is evidence that stands up. Oritain’s role is to provide the science, intelligence and networked approach that allows organisations to move from reactive compliance to proactive supply chain management – building trust that is measurable, defensible and scalable over time.
BRUSSELS, Belgium — May 15, 2026 — On 13 May 2026, after eight months of investigation, the European Commission imposed provisional anti-dumping duties of 45.6-50.0% on imports of PET spunbond from China.
EDANA welcomes this expression of the Commission’s clear determination to protect EU industries from the unfair trade practices of Chinese producers.
According to the Commission’s findings, Chinese producers of PET spunbond have engaged in dumping practices on the EU market that have caused material injury to the EU industry, including declines in production, sales, and profitability. The imposition of provisional AD measures is therefore essential to re-establish a level playing field, to preserve European jobs, and to foster growth and innovation in the EU.
“It is encouraging to see the EU institutions are determined to support EU industries during these globally difficult times. EU production creates a lot of added value to our economy, and it is essential for the stability and prosperity of our continent that EU industrial value chains are not exposed to unfair, state-supported market behaviours on their home markets”, said Jacques Prigneaux, Market Analysis & Economic Affairs Director at EDANA.
The provisional anti-dumping duties will apply until 13 November 2026, by when the Commission must make a final decision in the case on whether to impose definitive anti-dumping duties for a 5-year period. At that time, the Commission may also decide to impose the definitive AD measures retroactively up to 90 days prior to the date of application of the provisional measures.
Jacques Prigneaux added: “EDANA and the EU industry will continue to cooperate fully with the Commission during the remainder of the proceedings. We look forward to final measures which maintain a level playing field on the EU market. We also want to remind all parties of the legal requirement to declare imports under the correct customs code. Accurate use of TARIC codes is fundamental to ensuring the proper application of trade measures and avoiding material risks in customs compliance and import processing.”
The products concerned are defined as certain non-woven needle-punched sheets of polyester filaments, whether or not reinforced by glass fibers, weighing more than 70 g/m², of a thickness exceeding 0.5 mm but not exceeding 1.8 mm, impregnated with one or more binders, containing less than 30 % of glass fibers by weight, not coated or covered, and are to be classified under CN codes ex 5603 13 90, 5603 14 20 and ex 5603 14 80 (TARIC codes 5603 13 90 70 and 5603 14 80 70).
GRAZ, Austria — April 14, 2026 — International technology Group ANDRITZ will be presenting its innovative nonwovens production and textile solutions at INDEX26 in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 19-22, 2026 (Hall 2, booth 2114). ANDRITZ will focus on technologies for sustainable and durable nonwovens, converting, sustainable fiber processes, textile recycling, and life-cycle services.
Redefining Hygiene Production Through Innovation And Circularity
ANDRITZ will showcase its full range of advanced absorbent hygiene products (AHP) converting and recycling solutions – from high‑quality converting processes for adult, feminine and baby care, to recycling systems that transform diaper production waste into valuable raw materials, to next‑generation adult care lines delivering high efficiency, superior super absorbent polymers (SAP) management, and operator‑friendly performance.
The diaper recycling system leverages the combined expertise of ANDRITZ Diatec in hygiene converting and ANDRITZ Laroche in recycling processes. This AHP recycling line ensures efficient separation of SAP, fluff pulp, and plastics, enabling closed‑loop reuse for more sustainable manufacturing.
Alongside these solutions, ANDRITZ will also highlight its high‑precision ultrasonic lamination technologies, featuring modular full‑servo systems designed for stability, low waste, and easy customization. These innovations underline ANDRITZ’s commitment to delivering sustainable, flexible, and high‑performance technologies for the hygiene industry.
Comprehensive Solutions For Sustainable Wipes Production
ANDRITZ neXline wetlace hybrid pro line for the production of wipes
ANDRITZ is advancing sustainable nonwoven solutions with economically viable solutions that meet the global demand for eco-friendly, high-performance wipes. The portfolio includes spunlace technologies using natural and renewable fibers, enabling high‑performance nonwovens for wipes and hygiene applications, as well as all varieties of Wetlace™ technologies designed for efficient production of pulp‑based and blended structures.
In addition, ANDRITZ will highlight its Wetlace™ solutions for flushable and dispersible wipes, addressing increasing regulatory and market expectations. The offering is complemented by fully integrated carded pulp and airlaid technologies, providing a flexible alternative to wetlaid processes, including upgrades of existing, conventional spunlace lines.
Complete MMCFProduction Solutions For Lyocell
ANDRITZ introduces its competences in production plants for MMCF, namely lyocell – a rapidly growing market driven by demand for sustainable materials. The solutions cover the full scope, from engineering to specialized equipment like flash dryers and pulp preparation systems. With decades of expertise in pulp and paper, ANDRITZ also provides audits and upgrades for existing plants. The lyocell process stands out for its environmental benefits and high-quality output, making it a key technology for the future of textiles and nonwovens.
High‑Speed Crosslapping: New Performance Benchmark With The Andritz X‑Pro™ Crosslapper
ANDRITZ X-ProTM crosslapper for high-speed production for needlepunch and spunlace lines
With the X‑Pro™ crosslapper, ANDRITZ sets new standards in high‑speed crosslapping for spunlace and needlepunch applications. Designed to combine higher productivity with great web uniformity, the X‑Pro™ crosslapper enables producers to push performance limits while maintaining consistent fabric quality. Its innovative design supports optimized batt formation at high inlet speeds and integrates seamlessly with the ANDRITZ ProWin™ web weight regulation system. Available both for new lines and as a retrofit solution, the X‑Pro™ crosslapper allows existing installations to be upgraded efficiently, backed by ANDRITZ service expertise.
Life‑Cycle Management: Andritz Synergy™ Service Agreements
ANDRITZ SYNERGY™ service agreements offer structured and cost‑effective life‑cycle management solutions designed to support reliable and uninterrupted production. Tailored to complement customers’ in‑house capabilities, the agreements cover the entire equipment life cycle, including regular expert visits, preventive maintenance, retrofits, and upgrades. With this approach, ANDRITZ helps ensure stable operations, long‑term performance, and sustained asset value.
Digitalization And Smart Plant Solutions With Metris
Digitalization will again be a key highlight of ANDRITZ’s presence at INDEX26. Under the Metris brand, ANDRITZ presents its continuously expanding portfolio of digital products and services. A central element is the Metris digitalization platform, which supports nonwoven production plants throughout their entire life cycle. The platform integrates advanced functionalities for production management, process simulation and optimization based on state‑of‑the‑art AI, as well as Advanced Control Expert (ACETM) solutions and condition monitoring using smart sensors. At INDEX26, ANDRITZ will demonstrate live at its booth how these digital solutions help improve efficiency, transparency, and long-term operational reliability.
Spunlace & Wetlace™ Trials At Our Montbonnot Technical Center
Visitors to INDEX26 can take the next step beyond the show floor. From May 11 to May 29 ANDRITZ FRANCE offers the opportunity to book spunlace, Airlace™ and Wetlace™ trials at its technical center located in Montbonnot, France, two hours drive away from Geneva. In a dedicatsettings anding environment, customers can run their own raw materials, compare structures and softness, validate key process settings, and assess dispersibility/flushability concepts in the lab with ANDRITZ specialists – supporting faster decision-making and smoother project implementation.
The entire ANDRITZ Nonwoven & Textile team is looking forward to welcoming customers and partners at booth 2114 in hall 2.
DÜLMEN, Germany — April 13, 2026 — From 19 to 22 May, Trützschler Nonwovens will present itself at booth 1641 as a long-term partner to its customers.
The focus will be on new products for all nonwoven processes, further developments of the digital working environment T‑ONE, and an expanded service portfolio.
The new, compact AquaJet TWB‑AJ‑X: efficiency meets an anniversary
In the field of hydroentangling technology, Trützschler will introduce the new, compact AquaJet – a space-saving and energy-efficient machine for the production of nonwovens for dry and wet wipes. The market launch coincides with the 30th anniversary of AquaJet technology: since 1996, more than 200 AquaJet systems have been installed worldwide. The new jet is aimed at customers looking to efficiently produce proven product qualities.
ATB technology for super-soft hygiene nonwovens
With specially designed components and machines, Trützschler enables its customers to process extremely fine microfibers down to 0.4 dtex. These fibers allow the production of through‑air bonded, super‑soft hygiene nonwovens, for example for diaper backsheet applications. This technology has already proven itself in demanding Asian markets and underlines Trützschler’s expertise in the growing hygiene segment.
Carding technology as a driver of innovation
NC-X card in a T-SUPREMA customer installation
At the heart of fiber‑based processes lies Trützschler’s innovative carding technology. With more than 350 cards supplied in through‑air bonding, needle-punching and hydroentangling processes, Trützschler Nonwovens has extensive know‑how in meeting product requirements for hygiene, wipes and technical end uses. The card is also a key element of the T‑SUPREMA needle-punching concept, whose first installations are now successfully operating at customer sites. With the new compact NC‑Xe card, the company will present an economical solution for standard needle-punching and ATB processes at INDEX.
T‑ONE: digital intelligence for greater efficiency and performance
The digital working environment will be expanded by two key features. The new Energy Management function enables real‑time monitoring of electricity and gas consumption and calculates the CO₂ footprint per unit of time, nonwoven roll or order. Camera‑based anomaly detection identifies issues such as fiber migration and fiber build‑ups at an early stage and alerts the production team. This helps prevent production downtime and equipment damage while significantly reducing inspection effort, especially in hard‑to‑access or poorly visible areas of the line.
Rethinking Service
Trützschler Nonwovens is strategically expanding its service portfolio. In addition to classic services such as spare parts supply and maintenance, the company is increasingly offering strategic consulting, machine upgrades, refurbishments and retrofits.
Trützschler Nonwovens sees itself as a partner along the customer journey, supporting customers with tailored solutions in their current operations as well as in their future development.
Posted: May 12, 2026
Source: Trützschler Nonwovens / The Trützschler Group SE
CHEMNITZ, Germany — May 11, 2026 — From 19 to 22 May 2026, INDEX™ will invite visitors to Lake Geneva for the world’s leading nonwovens trade fair. The Centre of Excellence in Nonwovens at the Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) will be in attendance to present the latest developments in nonwovens research.
In the field of the textile circular economy, the STFI will present acoustically effective nonwovens made from chemical recycling residues. The range also includes innovations aimed at replacing conventional raw materials, such as the biobased and biodegradable polymer polybutylene succinate (PBS) and Kendyr as an alternative to cotton. One of the highlights will be the ring-spun yarn produced from the straw of the Kendyr plant. The advantage of Kendyr is that it thrives on soils that have become salinated due to long- term cotton cultivation. Meet our exhibition team at Stand 1369 in Geneva.
Textile circular economy: Acoustically effective non-woven fabrics from chemical recycling residues
Chemical recycling of mixed textile fractions produces textile residues that are currently mostly not reused as material, but instead thermally recovered or disposed of. To facilitate further recycling, the STFI, in cooperation with the company Refresh Global, is investigating efficient processing and treatment methods to enable these textile residues to be reused. They can be used in sound-absorbing design products, such as acoustic walls or furniture. Nonwoven formation processes are particularly suitable for processing these textile residues. At STFI, the recycled materials are mechanically processed on pilot-scale plants at laboratory or semi-industrial scale before being formed into a nonwoven fabric and consolidated. Through appropriate finishing, a visually suitable top layer can also be integrated directly onto the nonwoven fabric. Under
the use of samples on our booth, possible applications as acoustic pictures and a miniature sound box are shown.
Bulletproof: Ballistic composite textile
Shown here is a ballistic composite textile based on nonwoven fabrics, which, through shaping and design, can be used to equip structural elements, particularly the interior areas of buildings, especially shooting ranges. The research resulted in a three-dimensional, pressure-stable and rigid nonwoven composite that is not only able to catch shrapnels and meets fire class B1 according to DIN 4102-1, but is also extremely sound-absorbing and provides excellent damping in critical frequency ranges. The nonwoven composite was processed and tested in practical panels suitable for the refurbishment of bulletproof floors, walls and ceilings in enclosed shooting ranges.
Rubio: Central German alliance for bioplastics
The development of sustainable plastic solutions is rapidly gaining importance in the face of global environmental pressures, dwindling fossil resources and ambitious climate protection targets. As part of the regional RUBIO alliance, which brings together 18 partners from Central Germany and the Berlin-Brandenburg
Posted: May 12, 2026
Source The Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI)
VEJLE, Denmark — May 8, 2026 — Fiberpartner has been nominated for the INDEX™26 Award in the category “Raw materials or components of special relevance to the nonwovens and related converted products industry” for its PLA-based fiber innovation, PolyPlant®.
The nomination, announced by EDANA, recognizes PolyPlant® as part of a select group of technologies representing the latest advancements in nonwoven material science and sustainable innovation.
PolyPlant® is an advanced PLA-based fiber engineered to overcome the well-known limitations of conventional polylactic acid materials, particularly in relation to thermal resistance, crystallization behavior, and long-term mechanical stability. Through proprietary material engineering, Fiberpartner has developed a formulation that enhances crystallization kinetics, molecular stability, and fiber morphology – without relying on synthetic additives or fossil-based modifiers.
This approach enables:
High and uniform crystallinity without traditional nucleating agents
Improved thermal stability and reduced shrinkage
Consistent mechanical performance over time
Faster and more stable processing behavior
Full retention of biogenic carbon content
By addressing the traditional performance gap between renewable and fossil-based fibers, PolyPlant® provides a viable pathway for manufacturers seeking to transition toward more sustainable materials without compromising process efficiency or product performance.
“PolyPlant® has been developed to meet the real demands of industrial nonwoven production,” says Selahattin Onur, Head of Innovation at Fiberpartner. “It enables converters to integrate renewable fibers into existing production setups while maintaining stability, consistency, and throughput.”
The fiber is designed as a drop-in solution compatible with standard nonwoven processing technologies, supporting reliable bonding behavior and reduced defect risk during thermal processing. This makes PolyPlant® relevant across a wide range of applications where both performance and sustainability are critical.
The INDEX™ Awards are among the most recognized distinctions in the nonwovens industry, highlighting innovations that contribute to technical progress and sustainability across the value chain. Winners will be announced during INDEX™26 in Geneva, taking place from 19–22 May 2026.
Fiberpartner will be present at INDEX™26 and welcomes industry professionals to engage in discussions on how PolyPlant® can support the transition toward high-performance, bio-based nonwoven solutions.
MILAN — May 8, 2026 — In the first quarter of 2026, order intake for Italian textile machinery manufacturers recorded a decrease of 5% compared to the same period in 2025, reflecting a still challenging start to the year. The decline affected foreign markets (-7%), while the domestic market showed growth (+21%).
Compared with the previous quarter (October–December 2025), total order intake increased by 18%. The orders index for the January–March 2026 period stood at 37.3 points (base year 2021=100). In Italy, the index reached 35.3 points, while in foreign markets it stood at 37.6 points.
In the first quarter of 2026, the order backlog guaranteed a workload of approximately 4.5 months.
From a sector perspective, weaving and other manufacturing segments showed relatively more dynamic signals.
Forecasts for the second quarter of 2026 (compared with the previous quarter) indicate pessimism for the domestic market and stability for the foreign one.
Marco Salvadè, President of ACIMIT, commented:
Marco Salvadè ACIMIT President
“It is encouraging to see the first positive sign in the domestic market, but forecasts still reveal a degree of pessimism. The difficult international context and the slow actions of government institutional representatives do not allow companies to plan investments.
“As an Association, we are working in close synergy with the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) to strengthen promotional activities across several strategic markets. We also look with confidence to the upcoming ITMA 2027 in Hannover, which will represent an important opportunity to relaunch the sector, stimulate new investments, and strengthen the international presence of Italian manufacturers.”
Posted: May 11, 2026
Source: The Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT)
WASHINGTON — May 8, 2026 — Import volume at major U.S. container ports is expected to remain below last year’s levels into early fall despite a skewed year-over-year bump in May and June, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
“The numbers show a year-over-year increase for the next two months, but that’s only because of the sharp fall-off in imports after ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs were announced in April 2025,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “With inflation rising and consumer confidence falling among global economic uncertainty driven by the conflict in Iran, the overall trend of lower imports is expected to continue after that.”
Amid ongoing economic uncertainty, Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said retailers have been cautious about building up inventories.
“Containerized imports in the first quarter were down year over year, and forward demand is weakening,” Hackett said. “Stalling re-stocking efforts and rising geopolitical tensions are increasingly clouding the outlook.”
U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 2.16 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units — one 20-foot container or its equivalent — in March, the latest month for which final data is available. That was up 0.6% year over year and up 13.6% from February, when many Asian factories were closed for Lunar New Year celebrations and bad weather delayed the arrival of cargo at some U.S. ports.
Ports have not yet reported April numbers, but Global Port Tracker projected the month at 2.13 million TEU, down 3.6% year over year. May is forecast at 2.17 million TEU, up 11.1% year over year; June at 2.13 million TEU, up 8.2%; July at 2.2 million TEU, down 7.8%; August at 2.19 million TEU, down 5.5%, and September at 2.08 million TEU, down 1.3%.
Those numbers would bring the first half of 2026 to 12.59 million TEU, up 0.5% from the same period in 2025 thanks, in part, to the May-June increases.
Imports totaled 25.4 million TEU in 2025, down 0.3% from 25.5 million TEU in 2024.
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
TREVOSE, PA — May 8, 2026 — Penn Emblem Company is proud to announce that it has received the prestigious 2026 The Network Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD) Innovation Award for its groundbreaking Glow-in-the-Dark Silicone emblem technology.
The award-winning design, the Centurion FR Silicone on Glow-in-the-Dark, was recognized for pushing the boundaries of emblem manufacturing through a combination of advanced silicone molding, intricate detail, and functional low-light visibility.
According to NAUMD, Penn Emblem’s innovation “pushes the frontier of emblem design” by combining “detailed FR logo artistry with a functional glow-in-the-dark silicone backing.” The organization also highlighted the emblem’s exceptional micro-detail, raised elements, and precision lettering, calling it “a compelling identification solution that performs beautifully in all conditions, day or night.”
Silicone emblems have become one of the fastest-growing decoration solutions in the industry, known for their dimensional appearance, flexibility, durability, and modern aesthetic. Penn Emblem’s award-winning innovation takes the technology even further by integrating glow-in-the-dark functionality without sacrificing the high-definition detail and premium finish that today’s brands demand.
“We’re truly grateful to be recognized with the Innovation Award,” said Rich Hirsh while accepting the award on behalf of Penn Emblem Company. “Silicone has been dominating the emblem market for the past few years, so our goal was to take it to the next level. Seeing it go from concept to a finished product, and now to this stage, is incredibly rewarding for our whole team.”
The company emphasized that the achievement was the result of collaboration across departments, from design and development to production and manufacturing.
“Innovation like this doesn’t happen alone,” Hirsh shared. “It’s the result of collaboration across design, production, and everyone behind the scenes who helped push the idea forward and refine it every step of the way.”
Penn Emblem’s silicone emblems and transfers are designed to deliver a modern, elevated look while maintaining exceptional durability in harsh conditions. Featuring embossed 3D dimension, intricate raised details, waterproof flexibility, and long-lasting wear resistance, silicone has become an increasingly popular solution across uniforms, promotional products, bags, footwear, and branded apparel.
The Glow-in-the-Dark Silicone emblem represents the latest evolution in that technology—blending brand impact, innovation, and functionality into a single decoration solution.
“We’re proud of what this represents for our company, and even more excited about where it can go from here as we continue to explore new ways to elevate decorated apparel,” the team added.
Penn Emblem Company is honored to receive this recognition from NAUMD and looks forward to continuing to develop innovative decoration solutions for the uniform and promotional products industries.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — May 14, 2026 — The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) applauds the bipartisan leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment for advancing two key recycling bills during today’s markup: H.R. 2145, the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act (RIAA), and H.R. 4109, the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act (RCAA).
