LONGKOU (Shandong Province China) / REMSCHEID, Germany — December 11, 2025 — With the successful commissioning of a multi-digit PA66 spinning line for microfiber yarns, Chinese textile company Shandong Nanshan Fashion Technology Co., Ltd. has added yarn production to its textile value chain.
Growing Interest in polyamide yarn systems
The EvoQuench radial quenching system enables efficient production of microfiber yarns for both PA6 and PA66.
The world’s first PA66 spinning plant in combination with an EvoQuench radial quenching system achieved excellent yarn data right from the start with high plant efficiency. The new plant produces high-quality microfiber yarns for its own downstream production stages. In its first year of operation, the yarn produced on the Barmag plant has already established itself as a first-class product in terms of quality and price. This provides the company with the best conditions for the internationalization of its fashion brands.
The large-scale polyamide 66 project reflects the current market demand for polyamide yarns as a whole. “We are seeing increased interest in polyamide yarn plants. PA66 is a particular focus,” notes Barmag Sales Director Jens Schumacher. “We have recently signed contracts for two more similar projects in East Asia.” The more comfortable wearing properties of polyamide compared to polyester justify the higher yarn price and thus make polyamide yarn production profitable; EvoQuench radial quenching also enables the efficient production of microfiber yarns.
Strategic partnership for PA6 and PA6.6 solutions
At the end of 2023, Barmag and Nanshan Fashion signed a strategic cooperation agreement for polyamide POY and DTY. This laid the foundation for chemical fiber production at Nanshan Fashion. The company is part of the publicly traded Nanshan Group and is one of the top 500 companies in China.
BRUSSELS, Belgium — December 17, 2025 — Against a backdrop of rapidly evolving environmental legislation, the EDANA Sustainability & Policy Forum 2025 concluded the past week in Brussels, marking a step forward in the dialogue between the nonwovens industry and European policymakers. Held from 9-10 December at the historic Residence Palace, the two-day event successfully brought together business leaders, sustainability experts, and EU officials to address the dual challenges of circularity and industrial competitiveness.
Designed to foster strategic alignment, the Forum moved beyond standard information-sharing to encourage deep, cross-sector debate. With the European regulatory landscape shifting—spanning chemicals, product design, waste, and climate due diligence—the event provided a timely platform for the industry to move from reactive responses to collective reflection.
The Forum’s primary objective was to facilitate high-level exchange free from day- to-day regulatory pressures.
Murat Dogru
“From EDANA’s side, the primary goal of the Sustainability & Policy Forum is to create a dedicated space where industry, policymakers, experts and stakeholders can step back from day-to-day regulatory pressure and engage in more strategic, forward-looking discussions,” said Murat Dogru, General Manager of EDANA. “The level of participation, the diversity of viewpoints and the quality of exchanges — particularly around regulation, circularity and the evolving policy landscape during our dedicated advocacy workshops — confirmed the relevance of the Forum as a platform for constructive debate and co-development”.
The Forum opened with a powerful keynote address by Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-Founder & Chair of the Systems Transformation Hub. Addressing the theme “Social & Environmental Tipping Points,” she challenged attendees to unpack the reality of today’s geopolitical situation and identified the “elephants in the room” regarding current sustainability strategies. Her presentation underscored the urgent need to “hack humanity and values back into our policy and economic activities” to navigate the systemic challenges of the 21st century.
Following the keynote, the conversation turned to the practicalities of business leadership under regulatory pressure. Ulrika Kolsrud, President & CEO of Essity, led a pivotal session on “Sustainability priorities in the age of simplification and competitiveness”. Joined by Murat Dogru, Kolsrud explored how the European industry can maintain its ambitious sustainability goals while simplifying regulations to foster investment and innovation. The session highlighted that while sustainability expectations are rising globally, legislation must remain proportionate to ensure the continued competitiveness of essential European industries.
The programme featured intensive sessions tackling the industry’s operational challenges, featuring a diverse roster of experts:
Moving beyond compliance was a key theme. Krishna Manda (Lenzing) and Anna- Stina Reuter (Sphera) discussed how sustainability reporting can drive business value and resilience. They were joined by Pia Hildén (Suominen), who encouraged companies to use the CSRD as a strategic tool rather than a mere obligation, and Ralf Weis (Freudenberg Performance Materials), who highlighted the importance of providing clear, relevant data to customers in the durable nonwovens market.
A panel featuring Lutz Walter (Textile ETP), Mireille Kong – Van Rekum (Indorama Ventures), and Christian-Yves Crépet (PETCORE Europe) debated the intersection of textiles and nonwovens. Their consensus was clear: circularity in Europe cannot be achieved in silos and requires shared infrastructure and aligned policy frameworks.
The afternoon sessions explored specific technical frontiers. Dominic Byrne (Plastics Europe) and Thorsten Bies (Schlegel und Partner) examined the future of chemical recycling policy and technology. Meanwhile, Tatiana Dias, PhD (DuPont), addressed the healthcare sector, advocating for the legal recognition of mass balance methodologies to unlock circularity in medical packaging
Day 1 concluded with an exclusive networking dinner at the prestigious Musée BELvue. Surrounded by Belgium’s rich history and elegant architecture, participants utilized the evening to unwind and connect, reinforcing the relationships that are vital for cross-industry collaboration.
The second day shifted focus directly to advocacy and policy implementation. Hugo Maria Schally, a former EU official, provided an insider’s perspective on the “EU Toolbox,” explaining how product policies are drafted within DG ENV and how the industry can engage effectively without compromising safety or performance.
A highlight of the event was the interactive EU Advocacy Workshop. Attendees split into smaller groups to dissect EDANA’s current policy files, fostering an open exchange on issues ranging from the Waste Framework Directive to the Single-Use Plastics Directive.
One participant noted the value of this hands-on approach:
“The advocacy workshop was an eye-opener. Instead of just listening to updates, we were able to actively debate the implications of the legislation with peers. It clarified exactly where the industry needs to present a united front to be heard in Brussels.”
In a move to bridge the gap between legislation and industry, the Forum concluded with a visit to the European Commission at the Conference Centre Albert Borschette. Participants engaged directly with Commission representatives, including Vincenzo Gente (DG Environment) on the Waste Framework Directive and Ewa Malz (DG Environment) on environmental policy simplification.
Reflecting on the visit, another attendee shared:
“Walking into the Commission and hearing directly from the people drafting the Green Deal policies was invaluable. It demystified the process and showed us that there is a genuine willingness to listen to technical realities if we present them with credible data.”
The EDANA Sustainability & Policy Forum 2025 has set a clear trajectory for the coming year. As the industry faces the release of new legislative packages from the Commission, EDANA remains committed to helping members anticipate developments and align on credible, science-based approaches to climate and circularity.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — December 17, 2025 — The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) Chief Economist, Dr. Perc Pineda, has released a new economic analysis examining how recent trade data and shifting tariff policies are redrawing the map for U.S. plastics imports in 2025, with impacts varying widely by product category and global supplier.
Perc Pineda, Chief Economist, PLASTICS
Dr. Pineda explains, “Taken together, the trade developments of 2025 underscore a central reality for the U.S. plastics industry: tariff impacts are uneven, highly product-specific, and deeply influenced by evolving bilateral negotiations. While higher tariffs have constrained imports from some key partners, others have seen stable or even rising trade flows as rates were revised or exemptions applied. For an industry that relies on globally integrated supply chains, understanding where tariff pressures are binding remains essential. As negotiations continue and policies continue to evolve, firms will continue to be challenged to maintain competitiveness in an uncertain global trade environment. Still, businesses can find comfort in the fact that cost-prohibitive import rates cannot sustain economic growth—hence, the resolution of tariff issues may ultimately emerge.”
To read the full analysis visit: https://www.plasticsindustry.org/blog/reciprocal-tariffs-in-2025-where-the-us-plastics-industrys-imports-stand/
Posted: December 19, 2025
Source: The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)
STOCKHOLM — December 18, 2025 — Circulose, a producer of recycled textile pulp for the fashion and textile industry, and Birla Cellulose, a global leader in sustainable viscose fiber, have signed a strategic partnership agreement to jointly accelerate textile recycling.
This partnership supports Circulose’s renewed strategy, which focuses on deeper brand collaborations and providing end-to-end solutions across the value chain. Under the agreement, Circulose will supply pulp made with 100% recycled textile waste to Birla Cellulose, and Birla will produce viscose staple fiber made with CIRCULOSE® pulp and make it available to Circulose’s brand partners.
“Over the past year, we’ve refined our approach to put brands at the center, with a clear focus on creating offerings that enable mainstream adoption. Achieving this requires closer collaboration with key partners across the value chain. Our partnership with Birla Cellulose is a cornerstone of our strategy, and we’re very excited to have them onboard,” says Jonatan Janmark, CEO of Circulose.
Recognized as a top-tier company in Canopy’s Hot Button Report, Birla Cellulose has earned international recognition for its sustainability and circularity achievements. Circulose and Birla Cellulose have collaborated since the founding of Renewcell and today, Birla Cellulose continues to lead in advancing large-scale circularity, setting benchmarks in India and across the global textile industry.
“Our partnership with Circulose marks a significant step forward in advancing sustainable and responsible sourcing. Through this collaboration, we reaffirm our commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainability-conscious fiber solutions that empower our customers and contribute to a circular future” says Vadiraj Kulkarni, Business Head, Birla Cellulose.
This agreement reflects a shared vision to help drive meaningful progress toward a circular textile value chain designed for the long term.
PFAEFFIKON, Switzerland — December 19, 2025 — Oerlikon has received all regulatory clearances for the divestment of its Barmag business to Rieter. Closing of the transaction is scheduled for the beginning of February 2026. The transaction, announced on May 6, 2025, values Barmag at CHF 850 million enterprise value (excluding a potential earn-out of up to CHF 100 million). Closing will mark the final step in Oerlikon’s strategic transformation into a pure-play company that is a global market and technology leader for surface solutions. The proceeds from the sale will be used to repay debt and for general corporate purposes. Financial details and impacts related to the closing will be disclosed in Oerlikon’s full-year financial announcement on February 24, 2026.
As previously announced, Georg Stausberg, CEO Oerlikon Barmag, will step down from the Executive Committee at closing to join the Executive Committee of Rieter AG.
Michael Suess, Executive Chairman of Oerlikon, stated: “With the Barmag transaction, we have successfully completed our pure-play process. Oerlikon now stands for a high-tech leader in surface technologies and advanced materials. With our strong brands, leading technology toolbox and strong financial foundation, we are well positioned for the future.”
Georg Stausberg
“I am convinced that the combination with Rieter is the right setup for the positive development of Barmag and I would like to thank the entire Barmag team and especially Georg Stausberg for his outstanding contributions and loyalty. Georg has been a highly respected and trusted member of the Executive Committee and a driving force behind Barmag’s positive development over the past decade. He will always remain a valued friend of Oerlikon. On behalf of the Board and the Executive Committee, I wish him all the best for his professional and personal future”, Suess continued.
With the closing, Oerlikon becomes a pure-play surface technology company with a clear brand and positioning towards its stakeholders. Oerlikon serves a broad base of customers in demanding industries – from automotive, aerospace, tooling and energy to luxury, medical and semiconductors – with a comprehensive toolbox of high-tech surface technologies. The company delivers innovative technologies that help customers achieve greater efficiency, performance and productivity while improving sustainability. Oerlikon will continue to leverage its core competencies to grow in its end markets with new applications and expand its regional presence, especially in Asia and the Americas.
DUNCAN, S.C. — December 16, 2025 — Stäubli, a global supplier of industrial and mechatronic solutions, announced today that it will merge Stäubli Electrical Connectors in Windsor, California, and Stäubli Corporation in Duncan, South Carolina, into one legal entity named Stäubli Corporation, effective January 1, 2026. The move strengthens Stäubli’s presence in North America, brings clarity, and supports growth in one of its key focus regions.
Stäubli Corporation in Duncan, South Carolina – the main location for U.S. operations.
The consolidation brings together two major U.S. operations under a single structure, enabling Stäubli to streamline processes and expand capabilities. In North America, Stäubli currently employs 350 people across five legal entities, offering engineering, manufacturing, assembly, customer support, service, sales, and training.
Stäubli Windsor will become a multi-division site as part of the U.S. merger.
For the Windsor site, the merger creates an opportunity to evolve from a dedicated Electrical Connectors location into a multi-division site, including Fluid Connectors, Robotics and Textile. This expansion will provide a stronger presence on the West Coast and improve service for customers in the region.
Gerald Vogt, CEO of the Stäubli group
“Our goal is to accelerate growth and strengthen our business in North America, spanning all Stäubli divisions,” said Gerald Vogt, group CEO of Stäubli. “By bringing Electrical Connectors, Fluid Connectors, Robotics and Textile together under one integrated organization, we can serve our customers more effectively and foster innovation across every area of expertise.”
François Masbou, Managing Director for North America, added: “Combining these operations under one legal entity allows us to leverage resources and expertise across divisions. It positions us to deliver more value and support to our customers in the U.S. and beyond.”
Stäubli Electrical Connectors originally joined the Stäubli group through the acquisition of Multi-Contact in 2002 and has since developed into a major pillar for the company. This merger marks a strategic step in consolidating operations under one organization in the U.S, with its main location in Duncan, South Carolina, a factory and R&D center in Windsor, California, complemented by offices in Querétaro, Mexico, and Novi, Michigan.
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — December 18, 2025 — Under the banner “Texpertise Focus AI”, Messe Frankfurt will place a strong emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) across its international textile and apparel trade fairs from 2026 onwards, setting a future-shaping signal for the industry. The initiative highlights the responsible use of AI along the entire textile value chain, from fibre production to the point of sale. The programme will launch at Heimtextil in Frankfurt in January 2026.
The textile and apparel industry is undergoing significant transformation: artificial intelligence is reshaping workflows, enabling new business models and offering solutions for sustainability, efficient value chains and the sector’s skills shortage. Commercial market analyses estimate the global market for AI in the textile industry to reach around USD 21 billion by 2033, roughly ten times the 2023 figure. According to Eurostat, 13.5 percent of European industrial companies were already using AI in 2024, including many businesses in the textile sector. Under the communication umbrella “Texpertise Focus AI”, Messe Frankfurt will showcase exhibitor applications and content formats relating to artificial intelligence at its international textile and apparel events from 2026 onwards.
“The potential applications of artificial intelligence are growing rapidly and are fundamentally changing how we work, produce and trade. This also applies to the textile and apparel industry. As the world’s leading organiser of trade fairs for the sector, we make relevant developments visible and foster global dialogue,” says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles and Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt. “With Texpertise Focus AI, our events provide orientation for the targeted and responsible use of AI within the industry.”
Artificial Intelligence as a Key Focus
From 2026, Texpertise Focus AI will further enhance the visibility and accessibility of AI-related topics at Messe Frankfurt’s textile trade fairs. This includes curated content formats such as panel discussions, guided tours and live demonstrations featuring international industry experts. In addition, many exhibiting companies will present AI-related solutions.
The initiative will commence at Heimtextil from 13 to 16 January 2026 in Frankfurt am Main. AI will feature across numerous programme items, searchable online under “Texpertise Focus AI”. On Wednesday, 14 January at 3 p.m., internationally renowned thought leader in AI for design, Tim Fu, will join the Architonic Live Talk. Under the title “Woven intelligence: designing spaces in the era of AI”, Fu will discuss how artificial intelligence can support meaningful collaboration between architecture and interior design to create spaces that connect craft with computational technology. Messe Frankfurt will roll out the initiative across its textile trade fairs worldwide. Local characteristics and market-specific challenges will be integrated into the concept to ensure relevance.
Artificial Potential for the Value Chain, Sustainability and Workforce Development
AI is transforming the textile value chain from fibre production to the point of sale and offers potential for greater efficiency, higher quality and improved resilience. In raw-material sourcing, AI systems support cultivation, harvesting and recycling through intelligent analytics and sorting technologies. In design and development, AI tools accelerate creative processes and simulate material properties, a concept reflected, for example, in the immersive installation “among all” by Patricia Urquiola at Heimtextil 2026. Production and logistics processes can also be optimised, waste reduced and supply chains made more transparent.
Artificial intelligence is also driving the twin transformation – the convergence of digitalisation and sustainability. Around 116 million tonnes of textile fibres are produced annually worldwide, yet only one percent of post-consumer textile waste is recycled. With AI, companies can conserve resources and reduce waste. AI-based design and forecasting models help prevent overproduction, while life-cycle analyses enable environmentally conscious sourcing. Image-recognition systems sort used textiles, laying the foundation for a true circular economy. The entire spectrum of textile processing technologies will be showcased at Texprocess from 21 to 24 April 2026 in Frankfurt am Main.
In the workplace, AI is creating new job profiles and reshaping existing ones, in areas such as data analytics, digital design and process control. It also has the potential to ease labour shortages: according to the German Institute of Textile Technology (ITA) at RWTH Aachen University, up to 70 percent of standardised production tasks could be automated. AI can also support recruitment by enabling targeted identification and selection of qualified professionals.
For more on “Texpertise Focus AI” see: https://texpertisenetwork.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/about/focus-ai.html
LEIPZIG, Germany — December 19, 2025 — emtec Electronic GmbH, supplier of innovative measurement solutions for the paper, nonwovens and textile industries, proudly celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Since its founding on December 19, 1995, with just four dedicated employees, the company has grown into a globally recognised specialist headquartered in Leipzig, supported by a network of more than 30 international representatives.
emtec team
Over the past three decades, emtec has delivered numerous groundbreaking measurement technologies that have become industry standards, helping manufacturers optimise production processes and significantly improve product quality worldwide. In recent years, the company has expanded its footprint in the textile sector, embracing new applications and markets while maintaining its core strength in paper testing.
“This year marks a special milestone in our company’s journey,” said Giselher Gruener, Managing Director of emtec Electronic GmbH. “For three decades, emtec has stood for innovation, precision, and genuine partnership with our customers. The most important factors for the company’s success have always been and continue to be: intensive sales and service activities worldwide, the highest level of professionalism, employee satisfaction, flexibility, and cost awareness. Our growth is the result of a great team and close cooperation with users worldwide. We are proud of this — and we will continue to build on it in the future.”
During its anniversary year, emtec Electronic has reached another significant milestone by being honored with the Changemakers Award at the Innovate Textile Awards 2025. The award recognizes emtec’s transformative contributions to the textile industry, particularly in the field of objective haptic quality measurement.
With the TSA Tactile Sensation Analyzer and the cloud-based Virtual Haptic Library, emtec enables textile manufacturers, brands and researchers worldwide to better understand, evaluate and optimize tactile product properties. Receiving this award in its 30th year underlines emtec’s long-standing commitment to innovation, sustainability and meaningful technological progress.
To mark the anniversary, emtec brought together its global network for a special Global Sales Meeting in Leipzig, celebrating past achievements and aligning on strategic initiatives that will shape future growth. In 2025 alone, the company’s sales organisation attended more than 25 international trade fairs, reinforcing its commitment to customer engagement and innovation at the global level.
With an expanding portfolio of advanced test instruments — including the ACA Ash Content Analyzer, the FPO Fiber Potential Analyzer Online and TSA Tactile Sensation Analyzer — emtec continues to enable objective, reproducible quality measurement across material types and industries. As the company looks forward to the next chapter, it remains focused on delivering value for customers through technological excellence, collaborative partnerships and dedicated service.
NEW YORK, NY — December 19, 2025 — Schumacher, the venerable American design house, announces the opening of its first showroom and design shop in the newly developed Charleston Design District in Charleston, South Carolina. It will include a traditional to-the-trade showroom experience exclusively tailored for interior designers as well as a luxury shop where designers and design aficionados alike can source accessories and antiques. Schumacher’s sister company Patterson Flynn, which specializes in floorcoverings, will also have a significant presence in the space.
Schumacher chose Charleston for its rapidly growing art and design community, recognizing it as an important hub for interior designers and like-minded individuals with an interest in living in beautiful spaces, entertaining, and self-expression. The showroom and shop will be located in North Charleston’s historic Navy Yard, which has been revitalized and restored by Jamestown LP to create the newly developed Charleston Design District. Schumacher will occupy 3,760 square feet at 2158 Noisette Boulevard, Suite 101.
The acclaimed Charleston-based designer Betsy Berry, who was tapped to design the interiors, has drawn from her vast knowledge of local architecture and design history to bring the spirit of Charleston to life throughout the new space.
Interior designers will be able to shop more than 7,000 signature Schumacher fabrics, wallpapers, and trims as well as patterns from sister brands Backdrop, Iksel Decorative Arts, Boråstapeter, Tillett Textiles, and Raoul Textiles. The offerings from Patterson Flynn will include a highly curated range of made-to-order rugs, pieces from its signature abaca collection, and a variety of artisanal hand-knotted and flatweave floorcoverings, all crafted in the luxe materials that the brand has made its name on.
The design shop will sell a meticulously edited collection of antiques, pillows, throws, baskets, coffee table books, art, handmade ceramics, and more, in addition to hosting educational events, trunk shows, book signings, and workshops.
“Charleston has always been a great market for us,” says Patterson Flynn President Peter Touma, “and we look forward to having a physical presence in the city and to connect more deeply with its vibrant design community.”
“Charleston’s rich design heritage makes it the perfect home for our newest showroom and design shop,” adds Emily Raquel Romero, President of Schumacher North America. “We are deeply committed to our clients here and excited to invest further in this inspiring design landscape.”
For more information, visit schumacher.com or stop by the new location at 2158 Noisette Boulevard, Suite 101, North Charleston
GRAZ, Austria — December 19, 2025 — Zhejiang Yanpai Filter Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Yanpai”) has placed an order with international technology group ANDRITZ for two high-performance needlepunch lines.
The equipment will be installed at Yanpai’s headquarters facility in Tiantai County, China. Commissioning is scheduled for the third quarter of 2026.
These two lines are specially designed for the efficient processing of high-end nonwovens. They will increase Yanpai’s nonwovens production capacity and support the company’s entry into new applications.
The scope of supply includes ANDRITZ’s double-doser opening system, a card, and a crosslapper with an integrated ProWid™ system for optimized web weight evenness. The compact layout maximizes output per square meter and fits seamlessly into Yanpai’s existing needlepunch workshop.
This order further strengthens Yanpai’s partnership with ANDRITZ. The company has operated eight ANDRITZ needlepunch lines since 2019.
“Installing two additional lines from ANDRITZ underscores our confidence in its technology and service,” said Chen Ping, Vice-Chairman of Yanpai. “They will support our expansion into new industrial segments and help us ensure stable quality.”
The value of the order will not be disclosed. It is included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the third quarter of 2025.
Guillaume Julien, Global Sales Director Engineered Textiles at ANDRITZ, commented: “We are proud to support Yanpai’s rapid growth. A repeat order is a strong confirmation that our technology delivers both high quality and a fast ROI for Yanpai.”
Founded in 2014, Yanpai Filter Technology Co., Ltd. has become a major supplier of filtration and separation materials in China. The company possesses high-quality, customized, and full-range product design and manufacturing capabilities for industrial solid-gas and solid-liquid separation filter materials, providing thousands of high-performance, customized filtration solutions for customers in the global chemical, metallurgy, environmental protection, new energy, and other industries.
LONGKOU (Shandong Province China) / REMSCHEID, Germany — December 11, 2025 — With the successful commissioning of a multi-digit PA66 spinning line for microfiber yarns, Chinese textile company Shandong Nanshan Fashion Technology Co., Ltd. has added yarn production to its textile value chain.
