Cinte Techtextil China Proves To Be Dynamic International Platform And Launchpad For New Market Potential

SHANGHAI — September 22, 2025 — After three days of facilitating meaningful exchange for numerous applications of technical textiles and nonwovens, Cinte Techtextil China 2025 concluded on September 5 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

Feedback across the fairground was highly positive, especially from first-time exhibitors and buyers who valued the platform’s capability to create new opportunities both in China and overseas markets. The fair attracted nearly 20,000 visits from 74 countries and regions — a 17-percent increase from last year, and, as the most comprehensive edition ever in terms of product categories, visitors had much to explore.

Major fringe events, such as the China International Nonwovens Conference (CINC), Econogy Tour, Sustainability Forum, and AI Panel, effectively linked innovation and sustainability with industry demands, maximising reach and business opportunities for participants.

Wilmet Shea, general manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. was delighted to see engaging dialogues taking place onsite: “Cinte Techtextil China boasts a unique positioning, featuring highly functional, specialised and sophisticated products and technologies. Upholding the brand’s reputation for the cutting-edge, we continuously seek to integrate innovation and sustainability with new avenues for growth. This year’s new product categories and enhanced fringe programme infused fresh energy and opportunities, making the show a launchpad for exploring new domestic and international market potential. Chance encounters are a key driver in business, and we’re proud to have facilitated many of these at this show – which achieved solid results and instilled confidence in the industry’s future.”

As Asia’s only dedicated show for the full spectrum of technical textiles and nonwovens, Cinte Techtextil China 2025 hosted over 300 global exhibitors, and welcomed a wide range of visitors, including sourcing decision-makers, textile & mechanical engineers, product developers, researchers, and more.

The fair saw a significant rise in visitor pre-registrations, with international numbers increasing by over 40% compared to the previous edition. VIP buyers from across the globe attended the fair, as did 14 visitor delegations with over 250 participants. Some of the leading brands included domestic representatives from Kimberly-Clark (China), Li Auto, Li Ning, and L’Oréal (China); and international participants from Lego System (Denmark), Norafin Industries (Germany), Rockline Industries (USA), and Toyoshima & Co. Ltd (Japan). Strong visitor engagement opened new prospects for new and returning exhibitors across Halls W3 to W5.

Among the returning exhibitors, key international players included AUTEFA Solutions, Lindauer DORNIER and Rowa Group from Germany, Fil Man Made Group from Italy, Graf + Cie and Swisstulle from Switzerland, Picanol from Belgium, and more. This edition also welcomed several newcomers, partly due to the incorporation of textile chemicals and dyes into this year’s product categories. Key exhibitors making their debuts included: Serel Industrie (Belgium) and Proton Products (UK) in the European Zone; Wetekam Group in the German Zone; Dupre Minerals (UK) and Michelman (USA) in the Textile Chemicals and Dyes Zone; Huamao (Xiamen), BW Advanced Materials, Shanghai Shenda, and Zhejiang Kingsafe Group from China, JCT Industries Group from Malaysia, Vietnam Geotextile from Vietnam, and more.

To support the diverse array of exhibitors and visitors onsite, Cinte Techtextil China identified specific development areas and offered relevant fringe events to facilitate meaningful interaction. The Econogy Tour and Sustainability Forum promoted the industry’s eco-transition, with the latter sparking cross-sector discussions among academia, brands, and other industry players. On the innovation front, the AI Panel and the Innovation Product Award and Presentation provided forward-looking insights from various perspectives, helping the industry reshape its future.

Other events like the CINC, themed ‘Breaking the Deadlock and Reconstruction’, offered in-depth discussions and report presentations for the nonwovens industry to navigate upcoming challenges and opportunities. To harness the promising Mobiltech trend, the fair organised a Technical Innovation Exchange Conference on Automotive Textiles followed by a tour visiting related exhibitors. Interested parties could also enjoy live-streamed tours organised for in-demand sectors such as Medtech, Mobiltech, and Protech.

First-time exhibitors found business value at Cinte Techtextil China

“We received over 80 enquiries in two days, which is excellent for our debut at the fair. Chinese visitors appreciate seeing new European suppliers, and we’ve identified new potential markets for filtration and air conditioning fabrics. We believe China’s demand for innovative solutions is strong, particularly in fire protection. The potential customers we met are mainly Chinese – our target – with the rest from Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, and more. Our position in the debut Textile Chemicals and Dyes Zone boosted footfall.” — Mr Reece Berrisford, Sales Manager, Dupre Minerals Ltd., England

“Cinte Techtextil China effectively met our core objectives of showcasing innovations and initiating new business relationships. Its international scope offered us invaluable access to Chinese and global contacts – it is well suited to expand reach and crucial for market entry into China. We are pleased with the quality of visitors and the number of new connections made. This experience has reinforced our strategy to utilise international platforms for showcasing products and enhancing our presence in the region.” — Nhu Quynh Nguyen, Vietnam Geotextile Joint Stock Company, Vietnam

“This influential fair is a vital international platform for expanding our overseas customer base, particularly in the technical textiles sector. We showcased key products of safety and protective applications, and eco-friendly options with excellent functionality. We connected with numerous international buyers from Europe – our target group – and found the fair effective in facilitating high-quality visits and meetings. Overall, this positive experience has reinforced the fair’s value as a promotional platform and business opportunity for export-oriented companies like ours.” — Hiyen Lin, Regional manager, HUAMAO (XIAMEN) Special Material Co. Ltd., China

Buyers impressed by the fair’s comprehensiveness and in-demand offerings

“This is my first visit here, looking for special materials and high-end technology, particularly functional items for the automotive sector. The fair’s internationality allowed me to discover unique materials and techniques from various places, including European countries like Germany, as well as Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and around the world. There are a lot of foreign visitors here as well. Spanning three halls, the fair is a sizable, effective sourcing platform – it’s easy to meet people face-to-face and to see the products.” — Harald Bartisch, CEO, Blue Brain Alpha Science Coaching/Consulting, Austria

“I was attracted to the fair for its strong reputation and comprehensive offerings, to explore alternatives for our single-source materials. With sustainable yarns increasingly important in Europe but limited there, I find the Asian and Chinese markets effectively filling these gaps, providing the alternatives I seek. I am pleasantly surprised by the nonwoven materials available onsite and I’ve found almost everything I need here. The presence of many international companies also added to the fair’s appeal.” — Williams Peeters, Sourcing Manager, Milliken Textiles BV – Milliken Europe BV, Belgium

“The benefits gained and the international level at this fair exceeded expectations, with the German Zone showcasing industry-leading material innovation and precise craftsmanship. Companies from across Europe and Asia highlight the fair’s global influence. With a substantial number of exhibitors and a wide range of product categories, my sourcing efficiency significantly improved and I am particularly impressed by the filter products made with new fibreglass materials. The fair also provided access to the latest global industry technologies.” — Bintao Chen, Marketing Director, Zhejiang Aiye Lvbu Co Ltd, China

Speakers appreciated the opportunity to spark insightful discussions

“Each year, we see ongoing technical and sustainable progress, underscoring the importance of gathering annually at this fair to get updates. This year, the sustainability tour has fully integrated into Messe Frankfurt’s Texpertise Econogy system. For exhibitors who passed the Econogy Check and were on the Econogy Tour, the Econogy symbol served as an excellent promotional tool, highlighting these companies to a group of international buyers and journalists who were there to listen to their stories. This offered a powerful opportunity for exhibitors to promote their concepts globally.” — Karl Borgschulze, Managing Director, Consulting Service International Ltd, Hong Kong

“The AI Panel served as a critical educational platform to clarify AI concepts and applications, particularly in fabric inspection, while highlighting the innovations in our technology. Academia-industry collaboration is essential for R&D projects, as understanding industry needs is key to producing effective, transferable research results. By participating in trade fairs, we gain direct insights from potential clients, allowing us to adjust our technology to better meet market demands. Exhibiting and speaking at the fair maximised our communication and connection with both new and existing clients.” — Prof Calvin Wong, CEO & Centre Director of Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab) and Cheng Yik Hung Professor in Fashion of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The fair’s product categories cover 12 application areas, which comprehensively span a full range of potential uses in modern technical textiles and nonwovens. These categories also cover the entire industry, from upstream technology and raw materials providers to finished fabrics, chemicals and other solutions. This scope of product groups and application areas ensures that the fair is an effective business platform for the entire industry.

The next edition of Cinte Techtextil China will be held September 1 – 3, 2026.

The fair is organized by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Nonwovens & Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA).

Posted: September 22, 2025

Source: Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Nonwovens & Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA)

Reliance Industries Raises The Bar With R|Elan™ GreenGold: Verified, Traceable, And Truly Sustainable

MUMBAI — September 22, 2025 — For years, the textile industry has wrestled with unverified claims of “recycled polyester” made from PET bottles, raising concerns of green washing and eroding consumer trust.

Now, Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) has introduced R|Elan™ GreenGold, a fabric that sets a global precedent for verified sustainability.

Models during the R l ELAN PRESENTS NAMRATA JOSHIPURA show in the 25th year – Lakmé Fashion Week 2025 at Jio World Convention centre in Mumbai, India on 28th March 2025.
Photo : Perfect Shadows / FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week / RISE Worldwide

Made from 100-percent post-consumer PET bottles, R|Elan GreenGold brings together responsible sourcing, traceable systems, and chemistry-backed proof to ensure authenticity at every stage.

The initiative not only strengthens confidence in recycled textiles but also fosters a broader ecosystem of sustainability, fashion innovation, and circular design.

What Makes R|Elan™ GreenGold Stand Out?

  1. Closed-Loop, Responsible Sourcing

Unlike conventional recycled polyester, R|Elan GreenGold is backed by a brand-controlled ecosystem that ensures every bottle collected, flaked, and spun into fiber is accounted for. With reverse vending machines, trusted on-ground channels, and stringent vendor compliance on labor and environmental standards, Reliance has built end-to-end transparency from waste collection to final fabric.

  1. Scientific Proof Through IPA Testing

One of the biggest gaps in sustainable textiles is proof of authenticity. R|Elan GreenGold bridges this gap through Isophthalic Acid (IPA) testing — a chemistry-based method that verifies the fiber’s true PET-bottle origin. Independent global-standard tests consistently validate GreenGold at ~1.8 percent IPA content, offering brands irrefutable proof of recycled authenticity.

  1. Beyond Fabric – A Sustainability Movement

RIL has expanded GreenGold into a platform for circularity and awareness:

  • Empowering stakeholders – from spinners to global brands – with sustainability-driven practices.
  • Encouraging entrepreneurs to embed recycling and waste-reduction into business models.
  • Supporting designers with R|Elan™ GreenGold fabrics to make sustainability mainstream in fashion.
  • Circular Design Challenge (CDC) – a flagship platform, now global, nurturing design talent around recyclability and circular fashion.
  • The Earth Tee – an annual World Environment Day initiative where limited-edition tees, crafted from GreenGold, are retailed through NGOs, with proceeds dedicated to tree plantation.
  • The Earth Tee – an annual World Environment Day initiative where limited-edition tees, crafted from GreenGold, are retailed through NGOs, with proceeds dedicated to tree plantation.
Photo : Perfect Shadows / FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week / RISE Worldwide

A Proven Alternative to Greenwashing

With 100 percent recycled PET origin, full traceability, and scientific validation, R|Elan GreenGold is more than an eco-friendly material — it is a tested, credible alternative to unchecked claims in the textile industry. By combining science, style, and sustainability, Reliance Industries has created a fabric that addresses both environmental responsibility and brand credibility.

Posted: September 22, 2025

Source: Reliance Industries Ltd.

Textile Manufacturer Think Group Invests In New Talent To Accelerate Growth And Innovation

BRADFORD, England — September 22, 2025 — England-based textile manufacturer Think Group — formerly James Robinson Fibres/Texfelt — is celebrating one year since its successful major rebrand by announcing two new integral hires, Harriet Adams and Lance Bray, who will help maximize the opportunities created by the rebrand while building on the firm’s 150-year heritage and reputation as a pioneer in the fibers and nonwovens sector.

Harriet Adams and Lance Bray

Adams joins the organization’s senior leadership team as Development director. Her role will see her responsible for focusing on growth strategies and identifying new markets beyond existing channels. She brings 13 years of product development and operational experience from Camira and H & C Whitehead, and has worked in textiles for 18 years.

Adams commented: “I’m excited to be joining Think Group at such an exciting time for the company. What stood out to me about the firm is the team’s commitment to innovation and their focus on developing sustainable products and processes.”

Bray joins the group with a strong background in product development within the bedding and upholstery sectors, followed by more than a decade at one of the UK’s leading furniture retailers, SCS. The new key accounts manager will be responsible for strengthening customer partnerships and supporting the global expansion of the manufacturer’s non-woven portfolio.

Danny Shortall, managing director, comments: “These appointments demonstrate our commitment to innovation and growth, and Harriet and Lance will be integral in shaping Think Group’s future. Over the next few years, we will aim to build on the reputation of our non-wovens division, pushing the limits of our current production and developing bespoke solutions where necessary to enter new and exciting sectors.”

Posted: September 22, 2025

Source: Think: Group

Cooperation Between Germany And India (Tamil Nadu) In The Field Of AI-Supported Manufacturing, Robotics And Smart Textiles

DÜSSELDORF, Germany — September 1, 2025 — The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) and the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University are planning to cooperate in the future in the field of AI-supported manufacturing, robotics and smart textiles. At the same time, the aim is to promote talent exchange and a sustainable Indian-German partnership.

(left to right): Felix Neugart (CEO, NRW.Global Business), V. Arun Roy, I.A.S. (Principal Secretary, Department of Industry, Government of Tamil Nadu), Hon. M.K. Stalin (Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu), Hon. Dr TRB Rajaa (Minister of Industry, Investment Promotion and Trade, Government of Tamil Nadu), Dr Akram Idrissi (ITA – RWTH Aachen), Varqha Bagwan (ITA – RWTH Aachen) and Reinhold von Ungern-Sternberg (BVMW) Source: Guidance Tamil Nadu

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during the Tamil Nadu Rising Investment Conclave in Düsseldorf. M. K. Stalin, Chief Minister of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and high-ranking representatives from government and industry were present at the signing.

The aim of the partnership is to create an open innovation ecosystem that combines dynamic industry with Germany’s excellent research. This partnership is strongly supported by Guidance Tamil Nadu and Hon. Dr TRB Rajaa, Minister for Industry, Investment Promotion and Trade of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Thiru V. Arun Roy, I.A.S., Principal Secretary, Department of Industry, Government of Tamil Nadu, exchanged the MoU on behalf of Sandeep Nanduri, I.A.S., Managing Director, TIDCO.

Dr Akram Idrissi, Head of Strategy & Business Development at ITA, exchanged the MoU on behalf of ITA Director Prof. Dr Thomas Gries.

Posted: September 22, 2025

Source: The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University

X-Rite Adds New Pantone Fashion, Home + Interiors (FHI) Color Library To PantoneLIVE Digital Color Ecosystem

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — September 22, 2025 — X-Rite Inc., a global supplier of color science and technology, today announced the addition of the Pantone TPG color library to its PantoneLIVE™ digital color ecosystem. Part of the Pantone Fashion, Home + Interiors (FHI) system, the new library enables accurate digital visualization and communication of Pantone TPG colors across a variety of applications, including leather goods, ceramics, cosmetics, and other hard surfaces. This helps apparel and home goods brands maintain color consistency from design through production and assembly across a range of different substrates and materials.

Available through the PantoneLIVE Production – Plastics, Coatings & Textile subscription, the Pantone TPG (Textile Paper – Green) libraries are specifically designed for use on coated materials such as paints and leather as well as being used in cosmetics. These lacquer-coated color standards provide a visual reference that matches back to their corresponding TCX (Textile Cotton System) colors. This alignment ensures color consistency across materials, whether designing for textiles or hard goods, allowing brands and suppliers to ensure design intent is achieved and color is produced quickly and accurately.

As consumer product lifecycles shorten and the demand for speed and consistency grows, the new TPG libraries in PantoneLIVE help eliminate costly guesswork and delays in color development. Designers and manufacturers can preview achievable, production-ready color options digitally, reducing approvals, rework, and physical sampling. With over 4,000 Pantone FHI colors now accessible through PantoneLIVE, the expanded digital color library supports a wide range of applications across fashion, home furnishings, accessories, cosmetics, and ceramics.

“PantoneLIVE now extends its value to brand owners who rely on the FHI system to specify and manage color across both soft and hard materials,” said Pieter Mulder, director Global Brand Accounts, X-Rite and Pantone. “By digitizing Pantone TPG colors and aligning them with TCX textile standards, we’re giving designers and suppliers a unified, reliable approach to producing accurate color across materials while speeding up production.”

Digital Color Solutions for the Textile Industry

PantoneLIVE integrates with X-Rite’s portfolio of software and hardware solutions for the textile industry, including Textile Color Hub for brand color specification and approval, Color iMatch for formulation, Color iQC for quality control, and X-Rite spectrophotometers for precise color measurement. Together, these solutions create a connected workflow helping brands, dye houses, and manufacturers streamline communication, reduce color matching time, and improve time to market by up to 75 percent.

“These new PantoneLIVE libraries, combined with X-Rite’s measurement solutions, give brands and suppliers the ability to preview and deliver consistent color across the full production chain,” continued Mulder. “That means less guesswork — and more confidence that the final product will look exactly as intended.”

Learn more about X-Rite’s digital color management solutions at Fabricating the Future: AATCC and SEAMS 2025 Annual Conference, October 5–7 in Savannah, Ga.

For more information on digital color workflow solutions for textile brands and manufacturers, visit https://www.xrite.com/industry-solutions/cpg-textiles

Posted: September 22, 2025

Source: X-Rite Incorporated

SDL Atlas Launches Upgraded Scorch/Sublimation Tester For Heat And Pressure Fabric Testing

ROCK HILL, S.C. — September 22, 2025 — SDL Atlas announces the release of its newly upgraded Scorch/Sublimation Tester, engineered for greater accuracy, efficiency, and operator safety in evaluating fabrics under heat and pressure.

The instrument precisely measures ironing color fastness, dimensional stability under dry heat, and sublimation fastness, ensuring consistent and reliable results across applications.

SDL Atlas Scorch/Sublimation

A unique feature of the SDL Atlas Scorch/Sublimation Tester is its specially engineered lower hotplate system. Rather than depending on the upper plate’s weight for accuracy across different test methods, pressure is applied via a precision load cell beneath the lower hotplate. This design ensures pressure can be precisely adjusted to meet specific test standards, all easily controlled through the intuitive touch screen interface. It also enables a single instrument to perform both large plate and small plate tests with ease.

Other Key Upgrades:

  • Flexible Configuration — Standard large plate with optional small plate for special samples.
  • Built-In Standards — Preloaded international/domestic test methods with multi-language support.
  • Enhanced Safety — Insulated shell to reduce the risk of heat exposure
  • Higher Precision — Improved temperature and timing systems for accurate, repeatable testing.
  • Touch-Screen Controls — Intuitive interface for quick test setup.

Fully compliant with AATCC 92/114 and BS1006 UK-LA, the upgraded tester provides a reliable and safe solution for global textile laboratories.

The upgraded SDL Atlas Scorch/Sublimation Tester is now available worldwide.

Posted: September 22, 2025

Source: SDL Atlas

NCTO Signs Letter To President Trump With Several Business, Law Enforcement And Fentanyl Victims Groups Applauding His Action Closing De Minimis Globally

WASHINGTON — September 19, 2025 — Business, law enforcement, and families of fentanyl victims groups commend President Trump for taking decisive action to close the de minimis tariff loophole for all global commercial shipments, while countering misconceptions fueled by supporters, and urging the president to ensure the repeal remains in place if court rulings weaken it.

In a joint letter sent today, the groups state the president’s executive actions have “helped to level the playing field, restoring fairness for U.S. manufacturers and laying the groundwork for reinvestment and job creation in the United States,” while closing “a dangerous gateway used by bad actors seeking to illegally funnel fentanyl and precursor chemicals and other illicit goods into the United States, contributing to the drug epidemic ravaging our communities.”

As equally important, the groups urged the administration to ensure the closure of de minimis cannot be undone: “Insofar as recent or future court rulings overturn, nullify or introduce any uncertainty … we urge you to use existing executive authorities without hesitation to ensure that the de minimis loophole remains closed for good,” the letter states.

Further, the groups challenged defenders of de minimis who have raised alarms about the reforms, countering “the price surges, supply chain collapses, and delivery delays…have not come to pass.” They added when de minimis shipments from China, which accounted for the vast majority of all de minimis shipments into the United States, ended on May 2, “no significant disruptions” followed, and major carriers quickly adapted.

“We stand ready to continue challenging misconceptions about the end of de minimis being promoted by de minimis supporters and others, knowing how important closing this loophole has been for our economy and for the safety of our communities,” the letter states.

See a link to today’s full letter here: https://www.closedeminimis.com/letters/sept-19-2025-letter

The letter was signed by:

  • Achieve Greatness
  • Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA)
  • Facing Fentanyl
  • Families Against Fentanyl (FAF)
  • Fentanyl Victims Network of North Carolina
  • Kelsie’s Cause
  • Lost Voices of Fentanyl (LVOF)
  • National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO)
  • National Bike Dealers Association (NBDA)
  • National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO)
  • Reshoring Initiative
  • Shatterproof
  • Sherrill Manufacturing
  • United Against Fentanyl
  • Victims of Illicit Drugs (VOID)
  • Voices for Awareness

Posted: September 19, 2025

Source: The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO)

AATCC Honors Leaders in Textile Science and Service with 2025 Olney Medal and Harold C. Chapin Award

DURHAM, N.C. — September 19, 2025 — The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) proudly announce two distinguished award recipients for 2025: DR. Karen K. Leonas, recipient of the Olney Medal, and Barry P. Brady, recipient of the Harold C. Chapin Award. These honors celebrate remarkable achievements in textile science, sustainability, and dedicated service to the Association.

Karen K. Leonas Receives 2025 Olney Medal

Karen K. Leonas

Karen K. Leonas, professor in the Department of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management at North Carolina State University, is the 2025 recipient of AATCC’s prestigious Olney Medal. She is recognized for prolific contributions to textile sciences — particularly sustainable processes and practices across the supply chain, including textile processing, recycling, closed-loop manufacturing, circular economy methods, life-cycle analysis, and social justice. Her expertise also extends to weathering and degradation of polymeric materials; protective apparel material design for small particle and liquid penetration; and surface and chemical modifications of textiles and polymeric materials.

Leonas’s research outcomes appear in peer-reviewed publications, books, and presentations, and she has mentored dozens of graduate and undergraduate students. She has earned multiple honors from universities and professional societies, including the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA). A member of AATCC since 1978, Leonas has contributed through numerous committees, student chapter advising, and conference presentations.

The Olney Medal — established in 1944 to recognize outstanding achievement in textile or polymer chemistry or related fields — will be presented during Fabricating the Future: AATCC and SEAMS Annual Conference, October 6–8, 2025, at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah, Georgia. Leonas will deliver the traditional Olney Medal Address, “Textile Chemistry: What a Wonderful World,” on October 6 at 4:15 p.m.

Barry P. Brady Honored with Harold C. Chapin Award

Barry P. Brady

AATCC also announces Barry P. Brady as the 2025 recipient of the Harold C. Chapin Award, given in grateful recognition of years of dedicated service to the Association. Brady has been a member of AATCC since 1979 and currently serves on both the AATCC and AATCC Foundation Boards of Directors. Since 2023, he has held the roles of 13th Treasurer of AATCC and 6th Treasurer of the Foundation, guiding financial growth and stability.

Brady chairs the Committee on Conferences and contributes to several administrative committees, including the Study Committee of Employee Benefits, Building and Grounds Committee, and Appropriations Committee. Previously, he chaired and moderated sessions for the Yarn Dyeing Technology Research Committee (1993–2008) and organized Yarn Dyeing and Jet Dyeing symposia. An enthusiastic advocate for education, he has judged student competitions, evaluated scholarships, and inspired countless members to engage in AATCC programs.

Brady’s award will also be presented during the Fabricating the Future: AATCC and SEAMS Annual Conference on October 6, 2025, in Savannah, Georgia.

Posted: September 19, 2025

Source: The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC)

Artistic Milliners Acquires Majority Stake In Cone Denim

LOS ANGELES & GREENSBORO, N.C. — September 18, 2025 —  Artistic Milliners, a global denim innovator, announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Cone Denim from Elevate Textiles.

The new multi-national company will operate under the historic Cone Denim name. Artistic Milliners’ Pakistan operations and business will continue to operate independently. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.

Cone Denim will offer fully vertical, end-to-end solutions – ranging from premium denim fabric to expertly finished garments. “We are committed to bringing the full breadth of our expertise to help unlock Cone’s competitive strengths. Cone Denim will preserve its unique identity while continuing to drive its own business strategy. Our goal is to collaborate closely with the Cone Denim team, building on the legacy and achievements of more than 130 years,” said Murtaza Ahmed and Omer Ahmed of Artistic Milliners in a joint statement.

Cone Denim and Artistic Milliners leadership at signing ceremony. Left to right: Steve Maggard, Murtaza Ahmed, Jeffrey P Pritchett, Omer Ahmed.

The new entity will operate a global platform spanning both hemispheres and will be comprised of a combination of selected assets from each organization. Cone Denim will now operate its existing mills in Parras and Yecapixtla, Mexico and its facility in Jiaxing, China; as well as Artistic Milliners’ recently inaugurated garment facility in Parras, Mexico; and its Star Fades International (SFI) laundry and development center in Los Angeles.

The Ahmeds continued: “Cone Denim’s distinctive position as the iconic American manufacturer joins Artistic Milliners’ global portfolio, creating an international organization that leverages our collective infrastructure and expertise to offer customers unparalleled service and flexibility. Our multinational manufacturing locations will offer speed, scale and surety of supply.”

Cone Denim will continue to operate as a standalone portfolio company under Artistic Milliners. Steve Maggard, President of Cone Denim, will lead the new entity, reporting to the Board of Directors, which includes Omer Ahmed, Murtaza Ahmed, and Jeffrey P. Pritchett alongside to-be-determined directors.

Pritchett, CEO and member of the Board of Directors, Elevate Textiles, added: “We are excited to unite two global denim leaders with shared values furthering the Cone Denim name and legacy. Cone Denim and Artistic Milliners both possess long-standing textile heritage and are recognized worldwide for their commitment to innovation, traceability, and sustainability. They are both well respected, responsible, and ethical manufacturers. As the new Cone Denim, we are able to better leverage synergies across our brands, operations, and global footprint including the return of Cone Denim production capabilities in the US and expansion into new global regions.”

Cone Denim and Artistic Milliners customers will continue to interact with their existing product and sales representatives and can anticipate the same high standard of service, delivery, and quality to be upheld.

“We remain committed to providing enhanced fabric variety, design innovation, and comprehensive garment services to our customers — this includes our planned expansion into North Africa,” Maggard added.

Posted: September 18, 2025

Source: Elevate Textiles

Itema Lays The First Stone Of The New Manufacturing Site Of Ponte Nossa, Italy

PONTE NOSSA/BERGAMO, Itay— September 18, 2025 — The ceremony for the laying of the First Stone of the new Itema Site in Ponte Nossa took place on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

The area, which once accommodated Cotonificio Cantoni, has lied unused since 2004. In July 2022, Itema concluded the acquisition of the site with the goals counteracting the abandonment of mountain areas and giving new life to an area that for many years in the past was the flagship of the industrial reality of the Seriana Valley, and of creating a new world-class production hub for the world of weaving machinery and solutions.

The Group of Colzate has then worked on an industrial requalification plan for the area, which is divided in multiple steps, and aimed to have new innovative spaces in terms of sustainability and circularity to accommodate efficiency enhancements in the production and engineering activities of Itema Group companies.

The laying of the First Stone marked the beginning of the construction works of Step 1 which is expected to be completed during 2027. This first step is dedicated to building a new manufacturing plant to improve the efficiency of the production capacity of the Itema weaving core business.

Ground breaking remarks at the new Ponte Nossa manufacturing site

The CEO of Itema Group, Ugo Ghilardi, said: “In 2022 we took the decision to begin a journey that would lead Itema Group to have a position adapted to the turbulent changes taking place and at the same time strengthen our brand, which is recognized throughout the textile world as an ambassador of “Made in Italy”.

“One step of this journey involves both process and production, and product assets, which find a home in this new manufacturing site in Ponte Nossa. A completion of our industrial presence in Bergamo, in Seriana Valley, that will also allow our historical site in Colzate to further develop. Our ambition is to create value in this territory in order to compete in the global textile industry”.

“In fact, the new plant will be built according to the most innovative principles of productive and logistic efficiency, while implementing the latest technologies in terms of manufacturing.”

Maurizio Radici, Itema Group’s president of the Board of Directors, added: “We are proud to continue our textile journey in Seriana Valley, the cradle of our history, with a project in which vision, innovation, and sustainability converge. Our roots are here. This new manufacturing hub represents our investment in a cutting-edge and prosperous future for our territory”.

The investment in the new manufacturing hub of Ponte Nossa, that will also involve a future development for Lamiflex S.p.A. in the following steps, testifies to the Itema Group’s desire to continue to represent a solid industrial entity for Bergamo and whole Italy, as well as a partner that looks at the future for all the weaving mills of the world.

Posted: September 18, 2025

Source: Itema S.p.A.

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