LEVERKUSEN, Germany — September 30, 2025 — Laboratory tests reveal that AGXX antimicrobial surface technology from Heraeus Precious Metals is fully compatible with Impranil® PU dispersions which are part of the waterborne INSQIN® textile coating technology from Covestro, paving the way for more sustainable antimicrobial textile coatings.
This discovery comes at a key moment for the textile coatings industry. As the sharing economy continues to grow, more people are coming into regular contact with high-use surfaces, creating ideal conditions for bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms to thrive. Applications range from office furniture used in shared offices to car interiors, which are frequently used in car sharing, to public transport.
At the same time, according to the review process of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), conventional antimicrobial silver technologies face the challenge of meeting the requirements of the BPR due to concerns over potential harm to human, animal, and ecological health. Many are now set to be phased out in the years ahead.
To address the demand for more sustainable antimicrobial surface coatings, Heraeus Precious Metals created AGXX: a system that eliminates a wide range of bacteria, fungi, and viruses without releasing harmful silver-ion components. AGXX works due to a catalytic reaction of two precious metals that converts oxygen into reactive oxygen species (ROS) using moisture derived from air humidity. These ROS eliminate microbes by disrupting their outer cell membranes, organelles, and DNA.
Martin Danz, Global Head of Antimicrobial Technologies at Heraeus Precious Metals said: “AGXX is skin-friendly,* BPR-compliant, and suitable for a wide range of applications. Results from our joint tests with Covestro now show that AGXX can be combined with Impranil® PU dispersions to add long-lasting antimicrobial properties to textile coatings for synthetic materials.”
Tests also revealed that incorporating AGXX with INSQIN textile coatings technology from Covestro does not impact manufacturing processes. “We found that AGXX could be mixed with our Impranil products without dulling the performance or properties of either solution or requiring any changes to manufacturing processes for coated textiles,” said Dr. Torsten Pohl, Global head of Textile Coatings at Covestro.
“When combined with AGXX, our INSQIN technology maintains its cleanability, flexibility, and ability to withstand usage over long periods. For textile coating manufacturers, this tried-and-tested guide formulation offers a fast and effective way to infuse their coatings with safer and more sustainable antimicrobial properties and still gain the sustainability improvements of our low-VOC waterborne PU dispersions.”
With demand for hygienic, reliable, BPR-regulation-compliant, and safer textile coatings expected to increase, the combination of AGXX and INSQIN technology will enable textile manufacturers to quickly adapt to the rapidly evolving needs of the sharing economy.
To see how the combined guide formulation works in real-world applications, visit Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt from April 21 to 24, 2026. Items coated with AGXX and Impranil® will be on display at the Covestro booth.
*Tested by bio compatibility test according to ISO 10993-5
BUDAPEST, Hungary — September 30, 2025 — EDANA concluded its flagship event, OUTLOOK™ 2025, last week, marking it as a major success and addressing the biggest questions facing the industry.
The three-day conference highlighted the urgent need for a unified approach to sustainability, regulation, and innovation in the absorbent hygiene and wipes sectors.
OUTLOOK conference always serves as a critical hub for dialogue, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and policy experts. This year’s conversations consistently centered on how to turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.
A World in Flux: Global Insights and Market Realities
The event kicked off with a powerful keynote from Ambassador Ivo H. Daalder, who offered a big-picture view of how global alliances and economic policies are reshaping trade and market opportunities. This strategic perspective set the stage for a deeper dive into the industry’s specific challenges.
Experts from around the world shared insights on the absorbent hygiene product (AHP) markets, particularly in developing countries, where local players are thriving by embracing agility and sustainability. A separate session focused on the wipes sector, where speakers from Water UK, Euromonitor International, and Suominen Corporation underscored that collaboration, innovation, and credible claims are key to a sustainable future for the category.
Sustainability in the Spotlight
Throughout the conference, sustainability was less of a buzzword and more of a central theme. Sessions provided practical guidance on navigating the EU’s Green Deal and securing funding for projects. A session on Green Claims in Practice was particularly vital, with representatives from the European Environmental Bureau, the TIC Council, and the European Advertising Standards Alliance offering clear advice on how to build consumer trust and avoid greenwashing.
Innovation was also on full display, with HIRO Technologies’ groundbreaking MycoDigestible™ diaper capturing attention. The product, which uses plastic-eating fungi to safely break down diapers, offered a glimpse into how biotechnology could create truly circular solutions.
Looking Ahead: AI and the Future of Nonwovens
The discussions also reached beyond today’s challenges to explore tomorrow’s opportunities. A keynote on Day 3 by Roover Consulting addressed the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the industry. The session showcased real-world examples of how AI can boost creativity and accelerate product development, while also addressing the crucial need for responsible implementation.
“OUTLOOK 2025 was a powerful testament to our industry’s resilience and forward-thinking nature,” said Murat Dogru, general manager of EDANA. “The conversations were about leading the change. We saw an industry that is committed to turning regulation into a competitive advantage and using innovation to create a truly sustainable future.”
Networking with Budapest as the backdrop
The value of face-to-face connection was a recurring theme. Beyond the formal sessions, OUTLOOK had many networking events, including a cocktail reception at the stunning Buda Castle. Participants valued the side discussions that happen during the conference: “The presentations are great, but the real magic of OUTLOOK happens in the hallways and at the evening events. This is where you get to meet the relevant people of our industry — and that’s invaluable.”
With a clear path forward and a renewed sense of purpose, OUTLOOK 2025 wrapped up, leaving delegates equipped with the knowledge and connections needed to navigate the evolving landscape. The dates for OUTLOOK 2026 were announced for September 22-24, 2026.
AMHERST, Mass. — September 30, 2025 — OrthoLite®, a global supplier of footwear comfort solutions, announces a new strategic partnership with Bureau Veritas Hong Kong Ltd., an inspection, certification and auditing services company. This collaboration highlights OrthoLite’s commitment to establishing standardized testing practices across all global operations, ensuring consistency while staying a step ahead of upcoming regulatory requirements in material traceability, safety, and compliance.
Under this partnership, Bureau Veritas will provide OrthoLite with comprehensive services including product testing, inspections, social audits, factory audits, security audits, and environmental audits in production facilities worldwide. These rigorous evaluations ensure OrthoLite’s products and manufacturing processes conform with stringent quality assurance protocols and supplier compliance measures.
Bureau Veritas’ audits will assess various aspects such as environmental management systems, workplace conditions, factory security, and product conformity to industry and legal standards. Through ongoing inspections and testing performed at Bureau Veritas’ accredited facilities and client-designated sites, OrthoLite’s leadership in responsible manufacturing will be further solidified.
“Collaboration with Bureau Veritas supports OrthoLite’s goal of delivering sustainable, high-quality footwear solutions responsibly,” said Richard Bevan, COO of OrthoLite. “This partnership strengthens our ability to uphold transparency and accountability across our supply chain, ensuring superior product performance and ethical manufacturing practices.”
The multi-year agreement includes provisions for confidentiality, ownership of intellectual property, and adherence to stringent audit protocols, reflecting the mutual dedication to professionalism and data integrity. Furthermore, Bureau Veritas will work closely with OrthoLite’s vendors to identify and address any quality or compliance issues proactively.
As consumer demand for sustainable and ethically produced products grows, OrthoLite’s investment in third-party verification demonstrates a strategic approach to maintaining industry leadership and supporting brand partners worldwide.
OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany— September 30, 2025 — Effective November 1, 2025, the Supervisory Board of the KARL MAYER Group, a global provider of solutions in textile machinery manufacturing, has appointed Lutz Wolf as the new sole CEO of KARL MAYER Holding SE & Co. KG.
Lutz Wolf, new Chairman of the Management Board of KARL MAYER Holding SE & Co. KG and CEO of the KARL MAYER Group from 1 November 2025 (Photo: Armin Frieling)
Wolf will assume overall responsibility for the internationally active group of companies, which has its headquarters in Obertshausen, Germany.
Industry professional with over 30 years of international experience
Wolf most recently spent eight years on the Executive Board — including more than four years as CEO — of the Neuenhauser Group, a family-owned, internationally active group of companies in the field of mechanical engineering and metal processing based in Lower Saxony, Germany, with around 2,500 employees. During this time, he was responsible for the textile machinery and automation segments as well as the entire metal processing division of the family company, headed up central process optimizations, and shaped the strategic development of the group.
Wolf launched his career in 1995 at Siemens, where he held various management positions in Germany and China. After many successful years at Siemens (1995–2007), he moved to the GEA Group, where he was able to gain a wealth of valuable experience from 2007 to 2017, including as sole managing director of a U.S. subsidiary.
Wolf succeeds Uwe Lüders, who will retire on November 1, 2025.
Dr. Lorenz Zwingmann, chairman of the Supervisory Board of KARL MAYER Holding SE & Co. KG: “On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board and all employees, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Uwe Lüders for his tireless commitment as long-standing chairman of the Supervisory Board and, most recently, interim CEO of KARL MAYER. Uwe Lüders has made a lasting impact on the KARL MAYER Group over his many years of service.”
Zwingmann on the appointment of Wolf: “We are delighted that Lutz Wolf has joined the KARL MAYER Group. Wolf’s comprehensive profile combines operational depth, strategic foresight, and, above all, international management experience – qualities that are key to the ongoing transformation of the KARL MAYER Group. On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I wish Mr Wolf every success in his wide range of tasks within our Group.”
Wolf, new chairman of the Management Board of KARL MAYER Holding SE & Co. KG and CEO of the KARL MAYER Group from November 1, 2025, said: “With more than 85 years of market experience, KARL MAYER looks back on a long tradition as the global market leader in textile machinery manufacturing. We want to, we will, and we must now continue to focus the group on what has made us successful: strong products, customer proximity, and speed of implementation. We now need cohesion, focus, and speed. I am very much looking forward to my new responsibilities at this very special technology leader with its great potential — and the challenges they bring.”
Cultural change with a new focus and emphasis on results
With an experienced management team that has been newly assembled in recent months, Wolf wants to fully develop the group’s performance: “We want to refocus on what we do particularly well. In the future, we will concentrate on the core business areas of knitting machines, technical textiles, and warp preparation for weaving. All activities will be consistently aimed at current and future market requirements. It’s not about playing it safe — it’s about moving forward,” Wolf concluded.
MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany— September 30, 2025 — What if the future of cotton cleaning was already here – setting a new standard for cleaning efficiency, productivity and energy savings?
That future has a name: CL-X.
Since its market launch in 2022, the Pre-Cleaner CL-X has become a true bestseller, proving its value in several hundred customer applications worldwide.
Now, new results from Türkiye demonstrate again how the Pre-Cleaner CL-X outperforms the competition.
Benchmarking the best
Compared to a Swiss competitor, the CL-X reduced waste from raw material by up to 2.5 percent across both ring-spun (100 percent local Turkish cotton, combed compact, Ne 30/1) and rotor-spun (70 percent Australian cotton/30 percent cotton waste, Ne 16/1) applications, while also enhancing yarn quality. This achievement was made possible through our proven WASTECONTROL system. The improved cleaning efficiency was also reflected in the darker color of the waste, demonstrating a more effective removal of impurities. Smoother downstream processes, ultimately leading to higher yarn quality with fewer IPIs are another confirmed benefit of these trials. Impressed by these results, the Turkish customer placed an order for more CL-X machines to upgrade their blowroom line.
Maximized throughput, minimized energy use
The CL-X doesn’t stop at superior cleaning. It also sets new benchmarks in energy efficiency and a higher production capacity. Where previously two machines were needed to effectively clean cotton, the CL-X now handles the task alone. Thanks to its optimized material and air flow, it processes up to 2,000 kg per hour while consuming over 30 percent less energy than the current benchmark. That’s not just efficient — it’s transformative.
Smart design that goes the extra mile
Looking closer at the details, it becomes clear that achieving such efficiency requires a precision-engineered system at every stage. Key improvements include a redesigned grid bar profile offering 20 percent more cleaning surface and the industry’s longest cleaning section at 2.60 meters. This extended zone enables a precise two-step cleaning process: cotton tufts move at different speeds along the grid bars, while individually adjustable devices at each opening roller separate trash according to its size.
The dark color of the waste shows the difference in cleaning efficiency.
Additionally, the WASTECONTROL sensor continuously monitors trash content and raw material quality, using real-time data to optimize machine settings. When too many good fibers are detected in the waste, the system automatically suggests an optimized setting for the knives and deflector blades to minimize fiber loss. This ensures consistently high cleaning performance and maximum fiber yield.
Designed with operators in mind
The CL-X also eases the workload for operators — a major advantage in times of labor shortages and rising personnel costs. Working in tandem with the BO-P bale opener, it automatically adjusts settings such as grid bar positioning, opening roller speed, and inlet airflow to match the current lot. Material flow is continuously monitored to prevent disruptions, while the T-LED remote display provides an overview of all operations. Easy to clean and maintain, the CL-X ensures smooth and reliable operation — even with less experienced personnel.
Worldwide satisfaction
From left to right: K.K. Sivakumar(Field Manager Technology at Trützschler India), R. Balamuragan (Functional Head Service at Trützschler India), G. Thiruvadi (General Manager Shri Santhosh Meenakshi Textiles) and Christian Freitag (Division Manager R&D Air Technology at Trützschler Group).
The CL-X continues capturing the attention of spinning mills worldwide. For example, G. Thiruvadi, general manager at Shri Santhosh Meenakshi Textiles, a leading Indian mill, says: “Facing rising costs and tightening environmental standards, adopting the CL-X has been the best decision for our blowroom operations. We’re seeing cleaner cotton with less waste, and higher-quality yarn, which proves that smart technology can tackle real-world challenges head-on”. This customer quote is representative of for the excellent market feedback that the CL-X has achieved. With the CL-X, the future of cotton cleaning is already there!
Posted: September 30, 2025
Source: Trützschler Group – Martin Dovern / Maren Schubert
EMIGSVILLE, Pa. — September 29, 2025 — Herculite Products Inc., a manufacturer of high-performance and custom fabrics, is pleased to announce the appointment of Austin Barshinger as the new Quality Supervisor in York, Pa.
Barshinger has been a valuable member of our team since he joined Herculite in December 2021. Over the past four years, he has consistently taken on more responsibilities in operations and safety, demonstrating his dedication to growth within Herculite. He has advanced to a Level 7 Lam Operator, earned his Master Supervisor Certificate through the Manufacturers’ Association, and is a founding member of the Safe Pack committee. Additionally, he has reliably served as a backup team leader when needed. His understanding of our production processes, commitment to quality, and passion for continuous improvement make him an excellent fit for this role.
In his new role, Barshinger will be responsible for leading the Quality Team in their daily duties supporting Herculite’s mission to help customers grow their businesses by delivering products and services of exceptional value — marked by their quality and innovation — on time, every day.
MUNICH, Germany — September 29, 2025 — Sympatex Technologies announces a change in its management team. Effective immediately, Kim Scholze is taking on the role of sole managing director (CEO). Dr. Rüdiger Fox, who has shaped the company since 2016 and served as CEO, will step down from the management board.
Kim Scholze
With this new management structure, Sympatex is setting a clear course for the future. “We want to use this moment of change to initiate the next steps for the company and make Sympatex even more future-ready — in close collaboration with our partners, with innovative products, and with a clear focus on circularity,” Scholze explained.
Scholze has been a member of the management board since 2023, serving as chief sales and marketing officer. In her new role, she will retain this position while also assuming responsibility for corporate strategy and development. With this move, Sympatex is ensuring both continuity and a sharpened focus in the company’s leadership.
“We look ahead with optimism and are setting a course for growth and transformation. At the same time, we would like to express our sincere thanks to Rüdiger: with his expertise, courage and tireless commitment, he has been a defining force behind Sympatex and laid a foundation that we can build on,” Scholze said on behalf of Sympatex.
During his tenure, Dr. Fox guided Sympatex through a period of transformation and positioned the company as a pioneer of sustainability in the textile industry. He helped establish the pillars upon which Sympatex is built — from the complete avoidance of PFAS in our products to the development of mono-material and Fiber2Fiber laminates, and on through to cross-industry collaborations for greater circularity. His influence on Sympatex will extend well beyond his active tenure.
With Kim Scholze at the helm, Sympatex is reinforcing its profile for the future: as a pioneer of sustainable, high-performance functional materials, the company will continue to drive innovation that combines performance with responsibility. The focus remains on close partnerships with the market’s brands, expanding the Fiber2Fiber portfolio, and the unerring pursuit of the company’s 2030 goals.
BURLINGTON, N.C. — September 29, 2025 — Trivantage, a trusted supplier for workroom and upholstery professionals, recently hosted an all-new educational event called The Makers Meet — celebrating the skill, creativity, and community that drive great workrooms and upholstery shops.
The Makers Meet brought workshops, business insights, and more to workroom professionals.
At the Sunbrella® headquarters in Burlington, N.C., attendees soaked up exclusive insights from industry leaders, saw product demos, and gathered practical business tips. They also enjoyed fabric previews and behind-the-scenes access, and networked with peers and vendors.
The event featured a series of workshops, led by experts like Susan Woodcock, Grant Trick, and Charlene Clark. In an intimate setting, attendees got to learn from the best on topics like luxury drapery construction, precision and process, and resilient-business building.
“I’ve tried really hard to take all the opportunities I have to learn new techniques and methods, but there’s a real difference between hearing in a lecture format versus watching somebody sew in a hands-on capacity,” Jessie Lee Miller, owner of Winston’s Workroom and event attendee, said of the workshops.
Beyond education, Trivantage says the experience was designed to champion creativity. Lindsay Shakarjian, marketing director at Trivantage, described The Makers Meet as “a celebration of artistry, helping workroom professionals refine their skills, reimagine their potential, and lead with confidence in a fast-evolving industry.”
In 2024, Trivantage successfully relaunched a traveling marine-fabrication focused seminar, Performance on Deck, which has visited cities across the country and steadily gained momentum. Trivantage’s ultimate goal through events like The Makers Meet and Performance on Deck is to empower makers with the knowledge, skills, and inspiration to unlock their creativity and elevate their craft.
“Our mission is to go beyond supplying materials and tools and serve as a partner and thought leader—helping shape the future of our industry,” said Bret Kelley, president of Trivantage.
LENZING, Austria — September 29, 2025 — Lenzing AG, a provider of regenerated cellulosic fibers, refined its strategy to strengthen its global positioning and competitiveness. With this step, the company responds to the ongoing challenges in the global textile and nonwovens markets as well as geopolitical changes. Cornerstones of the refined strategy include focusing on high-performance fibers, enhancing operational efficiency and asset footprint optimization, which should further unlock the company’s full value creation potential.
Chairman of the Managing Board and CEO Rohit Aggarwal
“For us, 2025 is the year of continued execution. We have demonstrated that we can increase our profitability even in a challenging environment. It is important to further strengthen the agility, resilience and cost position of Lenzing with the aim of long-term value creation in order to reinforce the company’s position as global market leader in sustainable cellulosic fibers,” said Chairman of the Managing Board and CEO Rohit Aggarwal. “We are building on our strength as an innovation leader while optimizing our structures and processes to realise cost savings and further strengthen our competitiveness.”
In the first half of 2025, the company achieved continued increase in earnings and profitability with strong cash flow generation. Despite this positive development, Lenzing anticipates that the global environment will remain volatile and uncertain. Trade conflicts, subdued consumer sentiment, rising costs, and increasing competition from Asia continue to shape a challenging market environment. The company’s refined strategy prepares it to succeed in challenging market conditions: leaner, more agile, more resilient – with any market recovery as an upside.
Strategic priority: Focus on premium products to grow in high-value end markets
Premium branded fibers with higher margins — TENCEL™, VEOCEL™, LENZING™ ECOVERO™ — will take center stage, with a gradual withdrawal from lower-margin commodity segments. In line with this premiumization strategy, the company started a strategic review including a potential sale of its Indonesia-based production site.
Growth will not only be targeted in established applications such as denim, home textiles, and menswear, but also through expansion in hygiene, packaging, filtration, medical, and industrial applications. In addition, production capacities will be selectively shifted from textile to nonwoven applications in order to capture the growing demand for renewable nonwoven fibers. Application driven innovation through strategic partnerships with customers will be pursued with greater intensity by strengthening Lenzing’s application innovation centers. The refined focus of resources will expand Lenzing’s technological leadership and strengthen the regional sales organization.
Additional measures to improve cost competitiveness
The weak market recovery (e.g. due to tariff uncertainties), low generic fiber prices in China, and rising costs in personnel, energy, and raw materials require additional measures to ensure long-term competitiveness. To further strengthen operational efficiency, Lenzing plans to reduce costs with a series of efficiency measures. This includes a reduction in headcount in the Lenzing-based headquarters. Jobs, particularly in overhead, will be reduced by approximately 300 employees, thereof 250 until the end of 2025 with an objective to make administrative areas of Lenzing leaner and more efficient.
This is expected to result in annual savings of over 25 million euros from 2026 onwards. At the same time, the company will strengthen its international presence in Asia and North America, moving closer to its customers in key textile and nonwoven markets. This internationalization move will result in another headcount reduction at the Lenzing site of approximately 300 employees by end of 2027, with both measures leading to total annual savings of more than EUR 45 mn, latest fully effective before end of 2027. Lenzing is aware of its responsibility towards its employees, and all necessary measures will be implemented in accordance with a new social plan already agreed with the works council representatives.
Additional efficiency measures include a systematic energy optimization in all plants to reduce energy consumption by more than five per cent, bringing both cost and sustainability benefits. Another lever to drive labor and asset productivity is a continued relentless focus on an operational excellence program.
Lenzing COO Georg Kasperkovitz
Lenzing COO Georg Kasperkovitz commented: ”The refinement of the strategy has — despite social plan and additional support — tough but unavoidable implications for around 600 out of more than 3,500 Austrian employees. However, cutting labor cost is just one of several elements to increase profitability and unlock Lenzing’s value. Lenzing will remain a major industrial company in Austria, also strengthened by intended local investments exceeding 100 million euros.”
More than EUR 100 mn in intended strategic investments at Austrian sites Lenzing and Heiligenkreuz, further investments in preparation
To strengthen competitiveness and lasting site profitability in Austria, an investment package has also been put together for the Lenzing and Heiligenkreuz sites. More than 100 million euros are intended to be invested at both sites until end of 2027. Heiligenkreuz will strengthen its global leadership position as the most environmentally friendly production facility of specialty fibers and the hub to drive innovation through targeted investments in new technologies. At the Lenzing site, further investments with strategic partners are in preparation to support Lenzing’s premiumization strategy.
The Management Board decided to start a review of strategic options including a potential sale for the Indonesian production site, which supports Lenzing’s strategic focus on branded high-performance fibers with higher margins. Accordingly, Lenzing AG expects to recognize impairment losses of the non-current assets, especially property, plant and equipment of up to 100 million euros in 2025. This non-cash charge impairment has a negative impact on consolidated EBIT and consolidated net income but no impact on Lenzing’s EBITDA.
International markets with growth prospects
The global demand for regenerated cellulosic fibers is forecast to grow at 5 to 6 percent per year over the next five years. A growing global population, increasing purchasing power, global constraints of cotton supply and increasing willingness to pay for sustainability drive this volume growth. With growth rates above the general market, Lyocell and Modal are relatively small but attractive segments. Lenzing is a leader in these high-growth market segments and will focus resources to capture this profitable growth potential, thereby reducing exposure to the mature Viscose standard fiber market and shifting resources to the growing TENCEL and VEOCEL branded applications.
With the refined strategy Lenzing aims to achieve a balanced distribution both of revenues across the world and between textile and nonwoven business, thereby also strengthening its pulp business.
Outlook
With the measures initiated, the company is further strengthening its position as a premium supplier of regenerated cellulosic fibers. The goal is to secure value creating growth despite a challenging market environment and to enhance resilience — with any market recovery as an upside.
The Management Board of Lenzing confirms the “above previous year” EBITDA guidance for the financial year 2025. Based on the refined strategy and defined measures, Lenzing’s management targets an EBITDA of around EUR 550 mn for 2027, subject to unchanged market conditions and geopolitical stability.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — September 25, 2025 — Milliken & Company is proud to announce that its Milliken Assure™ moisture barrier, the first non-PFAS, non-halogenated, UL-certified flame-resistant moisture barrier for firefighter turnout gear in North America, has been named a winner of the 2025 R&D 100 Awards. This recognition places Assure among the year’s most innovative technologies and highlights Milliken’s commitment to solving complex performance challenges through materials science.
Milliken Assure™ moisture barrier, the first non-PFAS, non-halogenated, UL-certified flame-resistant moisture barrier for firefighter turnout gear in North America, has been named a winner of the 2025 R&D 100 Awards.
“We are honored to receive an R&D 100 Award for Assure,” said Halsey Cook, president and CEO of Milliken. “This recognition reflects the ingenuity of our team and our dedication to solving real-world challenges through materials science and innovation.”
Assure was selected for its pioneering design that eliminates per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and halogenated flame retardants — two chemistries long used in moisture barriers — while meeting the rigorous demands of structural firefighting. Certified to both NFPA 1971-2018 and NFPA 1970-2025 standards, Assure delivers heat, water, and chemical resistance without relying on added PFAS or halogenated flame retardants.
Assure’s lightweight and breathable construction helps firefighters perform under pressure while meeting rigorous safety benchmarks. It joins Milliken’s growing portfolio of non-PFAS fire service fabrics, offering departments across the country advanced solutions as they evaluate and upgrade their turnout gear. Assure was developed by a cross-functional team of engineers, scientists, and product design experts, reflecting Milliken’s collaborative approach to innovation.
“Assure was born from listening to the fire service and recognizing a challenge that had gone unanswered for too long,” said Marcio Manique, senior vice president and managing director of Milliken’s apparel business. “This R&D 100 Award is more than recognition — it’s proof that Assure is setting a new standard and making a real difference for those who protect us every day.”
The R&D 100 Awards, often referred to as the “Oscars of Innovation,” honor the most impactful new products of the year across science and technology. Milliken has previously received R&D 100 recognition for innovations in textiles and specialty chemicals.
LEVERKUSEN, Germany — September 30, 2025 — Laboratory tests reveal that AGXX antimicrobial surface technology from Heraeus Precious Metals is fully compatible with Impranil® PU dispersions which are part of the waterborne INSQIN® textile coating technology from Covestro, paving the way for more sustainable antimicrobial textile coatings.
