MILAN — March 19, 2024 — The Thermore group today announced the debut of its most dynamic stretch insulation in its five decades of innovation: Freedom.
Made from 50 percent post-consumer recycled polyester, this unique and compelling insulation offers ground-breaking stretch while providing warmth across a multitude of uses, including alpine sports, running, golf, commuter, fishing & hunting, cycling and a host of other active pursuits.
The Thermore group today announced the debut of its most dynamic stretch insulation in its five decades of innovation: Freedom. Made from 50% post-consumer recycled polyester, this unique and compelling insulation offers ground-breaking stretch while providing warmth across a multitude of uses, including alpine sports, running, golf, commuter, fishing & hunting, cycling and a host of other active pursuits.
Dynamometer testing shows that the insulation — which comes in four levels of warmth, ranging from 60-150 grams per square meter — has incredible elasticity and recovers to 100 percent of its pre-stretch size time after time.
The ability to provide warmth while also allowing for a dynamic range of motion is what impels performance brands to utilize Thermore in their product lines. The new Freedom insulation adds a higher level of comfort and functionality than what was previously attainable in the stretch category. It reaffirms Thermore’s place in the textile industry as a true innovator that is deeply rooted in performance and sustainability.
The Freedom stretch is bluesign and GRS certified. It’s machine washable, can be dry cleaned and is easy-care for the consumer- and very design friendly for product developers with its high resistance to fiber migration.
This represents another step forward in Thermore’s ongoing dedication to commit to a sustainable product line. Thermore pioneered the use of recycled fibers in the 1980s and has mastered the technology ever since.
WILMINGTON, Del. — March 19, 2024 — The LYCRA Co., a global leader in developing innovative and sustainable solutions for apparel, has announced its participation in seminars held during Performance Days Munich, March 20-21 in Germany. The seminars will explore the current state of polyester recycling from textile waste, and is hosted by Accelerating Circularity, an action-oriented non-profit organization focused on textile-to-textile recycling systems on a commercial scale.
Jean Hegedus, The LYCRA Company’s Director of Sustainable Business Development, will be a panelist at Performance Days from March 20 to 21 in Munich, Germany. Photo — Business Wire
Jean Hegedus, The LYCRA Co.’s director of Sustainable Business Development, will be a panelist in the Recycled Polyester Database Launch session, held in the Reality Zone from 3 to 4:30 p.m. each day of the fair. The platform brings together polyester recyclers and fabric producers who are incorporating textile feedstocks into their processes and products.
Following the presentation, panelists will discuss the challenges of using textile waste and how to overcome them. Then they will break into groups to offer brands and retailers the opportunity to speak directly with providers in more detail.
The LYCRA Co. has been a leader in the development of specialty polyester fibers made from textile waste, offering COOLMAX® and THERMOLITE® EcoMade fibers made from 100% textile waste since 2021. These fibers are of virgin equivalent quality, and are available in staple, filament and insulation forms and can be used in a broad variety of applications from performance wear to outdoor garments, to socks and ready-to-wear.
To help customers realize the benefits of sourcing products made from textile waste, last year The LYCRA Company launched “Waste for Good,” a new promotional campaign that features the tagline, “Don’t Waste this Opportunity.” The messaging promotes the advancement of circularity in the apparel and textile industry with COOLMAX and THERMOLITE EcoMade technologies.
“We are grateful to Accelerating Circularity for hosting this event and highlighting the need to move to textile waste as an input, thus setting the stage for our industry to close its own loop,” Hegedus said. “This is particularly important as recycled bottles are projected to be in short supply within the next few years, with bottling companies working to secure supply for their own recycling efforts.”
MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany — March 19, 2024 — Boosting productivity has never been easier! The new high-performance comber TCO 21XL makes it possible to increase productivity by 50 percent. Real-world results from spinning companies worldwide — including Bakan Tex in Uzbekistan — have confirmed the TCO 21XL’s high levels of performance and quality. Why is this new comber grabbing attention among top spinning companies? Find out here.
Great performance in Uzbekistan
Diagram 1
Our customer Bakan Tex, headquartered in Uzbekistan, has already enjoyed an exclusive sneak-peek at this machine. Bakan produces 14,500 tons of combed cotton yarn per year (ranging from Ne 20 to Ne 40) at its state-of-the-art spinning mill. The company has a high degree of automation and focuses on future- oriented technologies.
Diagram 2
“The production and quality data of the TCO 21XL are simply fantastic,” says Mr. Sekar, General Manager at Bakan Tex. “We’re incredibly excited about how the 12-head comber is going to benefit our business.” Bakan Tex was able to perform a comprehensive comparison between eight-head and twelve-head machines under identical production conditions because it already has TCO combers installed. You can see the results on Diagram 1 and Diagram 2.
Further results are promising
Diagram 3
The team at Bakan Tex was thrilled to see how one comber can meet its market needs so effectively. Further results in Turkey, for example, confirmed higher productivity at no compromise in quality, stable running performance and very satisfactory endurance test results. These trials were carried out for ring spinning with uzbek cotton as the raw material. The yarn count was Ne 30.
Lower cost of ownership
Diagram 4
Next to boosting productivity, the TCO 21XL requires 25 % less space to accommodate the same number of combing heads (see Diagram 4). This reduces initial construction costs and also results in lower ongoing operating costs, including costs associated with lighting, air conditioning and other overheads. Our new ONLINE NOIL MONITORING function also enables further cost savings by automatically detecting variations in the noil and giving a warning signal in case of significant changes. Of course, the TCO 21XL also features the proven drive technologies DUAL DRIVE and 2TWIN DRIVE for a completely synchronous running on all combing heads and a uniform combing result.
The world’s first 12-head comber: TCO 21XL
We are excited that this innovative comber has started fulfilling its most important role – delivering outstanding productivity and quality to customers worldwide.
SEOUL, South Korea — March 19, 2024 — Expanding its dedication to ongoing innovation and delivering sustainable solutions for a wide range of needs throughout the value chain, Hyosung will introduce a distinctive range of certified sustainable materials at forthcoming international trade shows this spring.
At Performance Days Munich & Functional Fabric Fair Portland
From nature to performance fiber
Creating a more powerful sustainable story, Hyosung has expanded its offering of regen™ Bio-Based Elastane, replacing nearly all the fiber’s raw materials previously made with petroleum-based resources with 100-percent renewable resources. The company recently received an independent third party LCA for its expanded offering of regen Bio-Based Elastane.
Hyosung was the first company to commercially introduce USDA and SGS-certified regen Bio-Based Elastane made with 30-percent renewable resources in 2021, which has been successfully adopted by leading global brands. According to an independent third party LCA, the manufacture of 1 kilogram (kg) regen Bio-Based spandex reduces its carbon footprint by 20 percent as compared to the production 1 kg of conventional spandex.
“We are very excited about our expanded regen Bio-Based Elastane offering that further reduces our dependence on fossil fuels and carbon emissions,” said Claire O’Neill, Hyosung director of European Brand Marketing. “As a comprehensive provider of sustainable textile solutions, our goal is to provide textile options that meet the diverse needs of our mills, brands, and consumers. We take pride in achieving this objective.”
Ocean Protection Initiative
At Performance Days and Functional Fabric Fair, Hyosung will also present the latest innovations with its GRS-certified, 100 percent post-consumer recycled regen Ocean Nylon made from discarded fishing nets. Third party LCA data shows that the manufacture of 1 kg regen ocean post-consumer recycled nylon made with discarded fishing nets reduces CO2 emissions by 73 percent, fossil resource use by 76 percent, and water consumption by 98 percent compared to the manufacture of 1 kg of conventional nylon. Under its proprietary recycling process, Hyosung recently increased production and re-launched regen Ocean Nylon in early 2023, which has led to major outdoor brand adoptions that are launching new products made with the material this spring.
David Kwon, senior manager of Hyosung’s Nylon and Polyester marketing team, will join a panel discussion exploring what ocean-bound plastic is exactly and what can be done with plastics already at sea led by Technical editor of WSA magazine, Sophie Bramel, held on the second day of Performance Days, March 21 at 2pm.
Reuse. Recyle. Regen.
To meet consumer desire for sustainable apparel that offers comfort with performance benefits, Hyosung has uniquely added multi-function properties in the manufacture of its certified 100 percent recycled Elastane, Nylon and Polyester fibers. For instance, Hyosung’s regen Askin Polyester offers cool touch, UV protection and quick drying benefits. Its regen Xanadu is a mechanical stretch fiber made with a blend of recycled post-consumer PET and plant-based materials providing a performance fit.
At Kingpins Amsterdam
Innovation for denim you want to live in
At Kingpins Amsterdam, Hyosung will present new denim stretch innovations with its CREORA® 3D Max Elastane. Hyosung’s CREORA 3D Max elastane delivers high-performance stretch and recovery with a very small portion of elastane content uniquely allowing the garment to be recycled according to Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s The Jeans Redesign.
Anticipating denim brand needs, Hyosung has added sustainable and functional versions of the fibre that matches the same performance and recyclability benefits as conventional CREORA 3D Max Elastane, which include USDA and SGS-certified regen Bio-Based 3D Max Elastane, RCS certified, 100-percent recycled regen 3D Max Elastane made from industrial waste, and CREORA Easy 3D Max Eastane that provides soft power and excellent stretch.
“Hyosung is dedicated to developing various versions of denim spandex with added bio-functionality in the future, said Simon Hong, Hyosung Denim Lead. “This initiative aims to provide consumers with options that prioritize not only eco-friendliness but also comfort and convenience. By incorporating special features into these products, Hyosung seeks to enhance the overall user experience while contributing to sustainable practices in the fashion industry.”
At Kingpins, Hyosung will sponsor and participate in a panel discussion with denim design professionals with varied prospectives on what fit might look like in 5 years’ time.
Hyosung can be found at Performance Days Munich March 20-21, stand 50x, Functional Fabric Fair Portland, April 17-18, booth 1608, and Kingpins Amsterdam April 24-25 taking place in the SugarFactory.
ISTANBUL — March 18, 2024 — ITM 2024 Exhibition will host the latest innovations in textile machineries, technologies, artificial intelligence supported machines, software and design marvel devices. Visitors who visit the ITM 2024 Exhibition, where innovations from every field of textile from weaving to knitting, from yarn to digital printing, from finishing to denim will discover innovative, environmentally friendly and pioneering technologies in digitalization for a sustainable future.
ITM 2024 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, which will be organized in collaboration with Tüyap Tüm Fuarcılık Yapım A.Ş. and Teknik Fuarcılık A.Ş. and in partnership with Textile Machinery and Accessories Industrialists Association (TEMSAD), will open its doors to its visitors at Tüyap Fair and Congress Center between 4-8 June 2024. ITM 2024 Exhibition, which will turn into a platform full of state-of-the-art machinery, digital design trends and sustainable production solutions; will give exhibitors the opportunity to discover the most up-to-date and effective applications in the sector.
New Manufacturing Techniques such as Artificial Intelligence and Automation will be in the Spotlight at ITM 2024
2023 was a year in which sustainability, digitalization and innovation were highlighted. The use of recyclable materials, adoption of water-saving technologies and efforts to reduce carbon footprint heralded groundbreaking developments in the industry. Sustainability, digitalization, artificial intelligence and automation will continue to play a key role for the textile industry in 2024. Machines that are designed to increase production efficiency and reduce costs, new production techniques such as digitalization, artificial intelligence and automation will be one of the focus points of ITM 2024. Machinery and equipment designed to reduce environmental impact and made from sustainable materials will be featured at ITM 2024. Topics such as the use of recyclable materials, energy efficiency, waste reduction solutions, smart weaving machinery and production monitoring systems will also be presented at ITM 2024.
Intensive Demand for ITM 2024 Exhibition from Professional Visitors and Trade Delegations
Hundreds of exhibitors from Turkey and abroad are counting the days to introduce their latest technologies for the first time at ITM 2O24 Exhibition. Leading textile machinery manufacturers, global industry investors and professional visitors are planning to come to ITM 2024 Exhibition to see the latest technologies closely.
Trade delegations from dozens of countries are requesting to come to the ITM 2024, which is included in the list of ‘Domestic Fairs Covered by the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Turkey. Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Iran, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Morocco, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Serbia, Poland, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela are among the countries that have requested a procurement delegation.
Turkish Consulates and Commercial Attaché Offices are supporting trade delegations with visa applications. If you want to take your place among the trade delegations coming to ITM 2024 Exhibition, you can apply to the Turkish Consulates and Commercial Attaché Offices in your country.
Posted: March 19, 2024
Source: Tüyap Tüm Fuarcılık Yapım A.Ş. and Teknik Fuarcılık A.Ş.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — March 18, 2024 — Polartec®, a Milliken & Company brand and the premium creator of innovative and more sustainable textile solutions, is pleased to introduce Polartec® Power Shield™ RPM, made from recycled polyester materials and the iconic Polartec 200 and Micro Series recycled fleeces featuring cutting-edge Polartec Shed Less technology. Designed to perform better, go farther and enhance the lives of those who wear them, Polartec Power Shield RPM represents yet another milestone in reducing impact on the planet and enabling circular processes.
Ramesh Kesh, senior vice president at Milliken & Company and business manager Polartec said, “Polartec has a 30-year tradition of textile innovation aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of our products. With these latest initiatives, we’re ramping up our commitment to prioritize the planet. Whether it’s minimizing our impact, creating products built to last, or fostering circularity, Polartec is dedicated to making a positive difference today, tomorrow and beyond.”
Made to enable circularity, Polartec Power Shield RPM is a recycled polyester fabric that revolutionizes weather protection by offering waterproofness, wind-proofness, and breathability that also ensures high-stretch comfort and resilience. With its high range of motion and highly durable 100 percent recycled polyester membrane designed for high intensity activities, Power Shield RPM elevates end use comfort and is perfect for runners, cyclists and golfers who refuse to trade performance for sustainability.
Polartec Power Shield RPM: Offering excellent stretch and recovery, this pioneering fabric features a highly durable non-PFAS coating to repel precipitation, 10,000mm hydrohead to keep it off, and is available in both 3-Layer and 2-Layer versions. When combined with an industry leading breathability spec of 30,000g/m2/24hrs, Power Shield RPM redefines the idea of unstoppable comfort for highly active users. Designed to satisfy the requirements of top-tier athletes and weekend enthusiasts alike, the use of sustainably sourced recycled polyester reduces both the product’s carbon footprint and the reliance on fossil fuels while enabling circular processes.
Less is more with Polartec Shed Less technology, an innovative process that decreases fiber fragment shedding during home laundering up to 85%* without compromising the performance or durability of the fabrics it’s applied to. Less shedding means fewer microfiber fragments end up in the oceans and waterways. Less shedding means more years of wearing indulgently soft Polartec fleece fabrics that help pave the way for a more sustainable future. Less shedding means more value, which is why this one-of-a-kind technology is now globally available on the most iconic Polartec recycled fleeces, Polartec 200 and Micro Series.
How the Shed Less process works is as revolutionary as its results. Optimizing yarn construction, knitting, chemistry, and manufacturing excellence, Polartec has engineered a way to ensure that the same fibers that give its iconic fleece a soft, comfortable hand now resist breaking or rubbing off – all without altering the trademark characteristics that make Polartec fleece the go-to choice for lightweight, breathable and cozy mid-layer warmth.
Polartec Micro Series: engineered to provide long-lasting comfort in a vast range of conditions and activity levels, this premium recycled fleece with Polartec Shed Less technology is made from a lofted structure with thermal air pockets to retain warmth without inhibiting breathability. Highly durable yet incredibly soft, Polartec Micro™ Series is both hydrophobic and fast drying, making it the most versatile synthetic fleece on the market.
Polartec 200 Series: the modern version of the original PolarFleece, which in 1993 became the first performance fleece knit from yarn made from recycled plastic bottles, is now treated with state-of-the-art technology to protect its longevity while protecting the planet. With greater resiliency, lightweight warmth and faster drying times, Polartec 200 Series sets the industry standard when it comes to high-performance synthetic fleece.
Karen Beattie, director of Product Management at Polartec, added, “Our dedication to environmental circularity extends from incorporating repurposed plastics and plant-based fibers, to employing non-PFAS treatments and reducing both emissions and waste across our production and distribution platforms. It is seen in the longevity and durability of our fabrics, ensuring our products can be cherished for generations. We make sure nothing feels better, performs better, or protects better than Polartec, in complete harmony with the world around us.”
* Test results using AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists) TM212-2021 test method for fiber fragment release during home laundering.
MANCHESTER, UK — March 18, 2024 — Sophisticated systems for the testing of fibers and advanced materials will be showcased by key members of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) at the forthcoming Techtextil 2024 exhibition which takes place in Frankfurt, Germany, from April 23-26.
James Heal Performance
James Heal, for example, has established strong ties with major producers of technical textiles over many years and with its latest Performance Testing collection of instruments has put the emphasis on making testing simple, fast and intuitive.
The latest James Heal AirPro air permeability tester is used to test the resistance of the flow of air through woven, knitted or nonwoven textiles. Its software offers flexibility with standards and comprehensive reporting options and different test head sizes are available, making it suitable for a range of applications and standards.
The James heal HydroView hydrostatic head tester is designed to measure the penetration of water into materials.
The HydroView hydrostatic head tester is meanwhile designed to measure the penetration of water in materials which have an end use that requires water resistance, such as those in the medical, geotextiles and nonwovens sectors. It is also proving essential in the testing of end-use applications for technical textiles ranging from protective gloves, diving suits and winter sports apparel to fishing waders, roofing, tenting, ground sheets and more.
Water repellency is another important function of technical fabrics from a safety and comfort perspective and with the TruRain, James Heal has reduced the volume of wastewater and energy consumed in water repellency tests to a fraction of that of competing products.
James Heal is at stand A40 in Hall 12, at Techtextil 2024.
Visual accuracy
Colour is the prime focus of VeriVide (Hall 12, stand A70) and its systems are widely employed by manufacturers of technical textiles for end-use applications including automotive, aerospace and other transport interior materials, seat belts, airbags, helmets and gloves, and even medical implants and prosthetics.
Coordinating colour palettes on a wide range of materials is a constant challenge for the airline industry that can be overcome with the Verivide DigiEye system.
For non-contact color measurement and digital imaging, VeriVide’s established DigiEye system collects and processes data that can be communicated and shared instantly, enabling manufacturers, producers and processors to speed up quality control, sustain product integrity and reduce waste. DigiEye also enables the non-contact measurement of curved and textured parts and provides objective and accurate colour data.
Patterned fabric inspection
The precise detection of faults during the production of technical fabrics has recently been significantly advanced with the introduction of the latest WebSpector automated fabric inspection system by Shelton Vision (Hall 12, stand E54)
Building on its market leading vision system for plain, single colour textiles, Shelton’s patent-pending image processing techniques now recognize and adapt to complex patterns — even those on fabrics with significant distortion and deformation.
Fabrics are not rigid and can be sheared or stretched while also being subject to local distortion, but the WebSpector system successfully deals with such anomalies in real time to provide a reliable inspection process at the same levels as plain fabric.
The unique and advanced software techniques ensure a totally clean image, allowing the full detection of faults on fabrics running at high speeds.
While the automotive interiors and one-piece woven airbags sectors remain major destinations for this advanced technology, further finished fabric WebSpector systems are now currently being supplied to manufacturers of performance wear and high-end fashion, denim, outdoor upholstery, sunscreen, mattress ticking, window dressings and even carbon fibre composites.
Splicing
Resource efficiency in the processing of such extremely expensive like carbon and aramid is meanwhile a key benefit of the latest splicing technologies of Airbond (Hall 12, stand E31).
Pneumatic yarn splicing is a clever process established in the textile industry for joining yarns and works by intermingling individual filaments closely together, to make joint which are stronger and flatter than knots.
The patented splicers in Airbond’s latest range are 3D printed, making them both lighter and stronger, and now enable the splicing of yarns in sizes of up to 16,000 tex – compared to the 1,200 tex most splicing machines can handle.
New fibers
Fibre Extrusion Technologies (FET, Hall 12, stand A84) works closely in collaboration with its customers on the development of specific multifilament, monofilament and nonwoven polymers for niche applications – over 70 to date – and designs the bespoke fibre extrusion and spunbond and meltblown nonwoven systems to successfully produce them.
Following the opening of its expanded Fibre Development Centre at the start of 2023, with considerably enhanced facilities more than doubling capacity and increasing efficiency, the company has significantly accelerated the number of technical trials it has conducted for clients.
Expanding markets
Other BTMA members who will be exhibiting at Techtextil 2024 include Avocet (Hall 11, stand B25) the manufacturer of Cetaflam high performance flame retardant (FR) chemicals, Ascotex (Hall 12, stand B41) a specialist in the development and application of yarn guides, and Vandewiele UK (Hall 12, stand D20) the UK arm of Bonas Textile Machinery specialising in high capacity jacquard technology for the weaving industry.
“Techtextil is an essential show for many BTMA members and there are growing opportunities in a number of rapidly expanding markets with exponential growth,” says BTMA CEO Jason Kent. “We are looking forward to some very fruitful meetings and discussions at Techtextil 2024, which is always an essential barometer for gauging where the technical textiles markets are headed next.”
Founded in 1940, the British Textile Machinery Association actively promotes British textile machinery manufacturers and their products to the world. The non-profit organisation acts as a bridge between its members and the increasingly diverse industries within the textile manufacturing sector.
Posted: March 19, 2024
Source: The British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA)
ADLINGTON, England — March 18, 2024 — Pincrocroft — a European textile dyer, printer, and finisher — released the company’s latest energy saving figures after investing €3.5m in a new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant for its site, where the manufacturer is now able to produce its own electricity and recycle heat for use across its textile operations.
What is a CHP unit and how does it work?
A CHP unit is essentially a system that generates electricity and useful heat simultaneously from the same energy source. Usually, when electricity is produced, a great deal of heat is generated as a byproduct, which often goes to waste. A CHP unit captures this byproduct heat during electricity generation so it can be used across the production process.
With this technology, Pincroft has been able to produce 67% of its own electricity while the heat recovered from the CHP plant has saved an amount of natural gas equivalent to 658 tonnes of CO2 emissions during its first operating year.
“CHP is a proven technology offering a viable alternative to traditional centralized power generation, delivering a considerable efficiency increase compared to separate energy systems”, said Pincroft’s Business Strategy Analyst Louise Becart.
“As next steps, we are evaluating other sustainable technologies to combine with our CHP equipment, with the aim of reducing our reliance on natural resources and power consumption as much as possible, in line with our net zero goals,” Becart added.
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — March 18, 2024 — Whether architecture, mobility, agriculture, industry or clothing: Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in all fields of application for technical textiles and textile technologies. For this reason, the leading international trade fair Techtextil, taking place from 23 to 26 April 2024 together with Texprocess, sets a special focus on this future-oriented topic. The professional highlight in this context is the Nature Performance area in the Fibres & Yarns product segment.
Whether bio-based, recycled or degradable materials, circular economy or regenerative design: the development of sustainable solutions in the textile industry is progressing at a rapid pace. The driving forces behind this are no longer solely the ecological benefits. Today, sustainable products and processes are in no way inferior to their conventional competitors in terms of performance and are also increasingly profitable. More than 15 per cent of the exhibitors at Techtextil already have natural fibres and materials in their product range.
Photo — Messe Frankfurt / Jean-Luc Valentin
“As one of the major drivers in the textile industry, sustainability is increasingly becoming a decisive business factor. With our new formats, we are creating platforms for relevant innovations and innovative pacemakers in the industry and supporting market participants from all areas of production and application in networking in a sustainable context,” said Sabine Scharrer, Director Brand Management Technical Textiles & Textile Processing at Messe Frankfurt, describing the objective of the new program.
New: Nature Performance area
A special highlight at Techtextil is the “Nature Performance” area. This is located in Hall 9.1 in the Fibres & Yarns product segment. The participating exhibitors will be presenting state-of-the-art alternative, recyclable and sustainable materials with future-proof functional properties. Their spectrum ranges from natural fibres and materials to bio-based fibres and materials. The exhibitor presentations will focus on their performance for a wide range of applications, from architecture, construction, mobility and medicine to the garment industry.
One of the exhibitors in the Nature Performance Area is the Swiss start-up OceanSafe, which is presenting its “naNea” innovation here. “In terms of durability and performance, our Cradle to Cradle certified fibres and yarns even surpass the classic solution, as they are not only biodegradable, but also inherently flame-retardant and hydrophilic. This makes them particularly attractive for many fields of application, from fashion and sportswear to industry and automotive,” explains Manuel Schweizer, founder and CEO of OceanSafe. “Sustainability only works in collaboration with research, manufacturing companies, brands and new technologies, which requires good visibility of innovations and new developments. We therefore very much welcome the fact that Techtextil is bringing the topic into the spotlight so prominently with this concentrated area,” he says, emphasising the value of the area for the industry.
“For an up-and-coming company like Vegeto, Techtextil is a valuable opportunity to introduce our plant-based thermal insulation made from milkweed fibers to new markets. It opens the door to new business relationships with those most interested in textile innovation, in a space dedicated to sustainable materials. There is enormous potential for natural fibers and it is crucial to make these performant eco-friendly solutions widely available. Techtextil is therefore definitely a good place to join a vast network of proactive suppliers“, says Ghyslain Bouchard, General Manager of Vegeto.
New: Future Materials by FranklinTill
In the same area, the renowned trend and future agency FranklinTill invites visitors to gain an exciting insight into the current state of regenerative design. Under the title Future Materials, FranklinTill curates and honours visionary designers and producers who are making a special contribution in this field. The globally orientated material library showcases state-of-the-art textiles, successful approaches and progressive projects, opening up new perspectives for products, partnerships and networks for interested visitors. In addition to Heimtextil, the successful exhibition will also be presented at Techtextil for the first time in 2024. (A look at the material library)
New: Econogy
The Nature Performance area is part of the Econogy programme which Messe Frankfurt has introduced for its global textile events. The new label consolidates the numerous networking and information formats on the topic of sustainability and creates transparency through standardised evaluation criteria. The term Econogy stands for the inseparable link between economy and ecology and thus indicates the direction of the future-oriented guiding theme.
Econogy Finder: The Econogy Finder is a key element of the programme. The online directory comprehensively lists exhibitors with sustainable offers that have been certified and checked by experts. At Techtextil itself, the green label on the exhibition stands identifies Econogy exhibitors. In this way, visitors can also spontaneously discover interesting new partners for their sustainable strategies.
Econogy Talks: The Econogy Talks provide current topics and solutions. The high-profile lectures and discussion panels will take place as part of the Techtextil Forum in Hall 9.1. The topics range from new technologies to product innovations. Ricardo Vega Ayora from ITA Academy GmbH, for example, will address the question of how AI can be used for energy optimisation. Or Robin Oddon from Techtera and Johannes Leis from STFI, Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. shed light on the development of circular processes for carbon and glass fibre composites in the MC4 project.
The Econogy Tours, on the other hand, are led by independent experts from the branch to selected companies which are convincing with their sustainable approaches and offerings. During the tour, participants immerse themselves in the latest innovations and technologies, get to know visionary providers and network with potential partners and interested peers across sectors.
The events Techtextil and Texprocess will be held from April 23 to 26, 2024.
ISTANBUL — March 18, 2024 — In a move to enhance the global competitiveness of the Turkish apparel industry, the Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association (IHKIB) has entered into a collaborative agreement with the Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP). IHKIB, representing 80 percent of Türkiye’s apparel exports, aims to facilitate and guide its members in navigating new markets and staying abreast of sectoral developments.
IHKIB actively engages with its members, providing support through partnerships and initiatives with various ministries to further promote and streamline export activities. With the majority of Turkish apparel exports being conducted by IHKIB members, the association holds a pivotal role in both national and international ecosystem.
“WRAP-certified facilities reduce audit fatigue and enhance their competitiveness in the global market.”
The significance of WRAP certification in global market competitiveness was highlighted in the joint announcement. WRAP, a US-based non-profit organization, focuses on promoting safe, lawful, humane, and ethical working conditions within the textile and apparel industry. Suppliers with WRAP certification demonstrate a commitment to workers’ rights, occupational health and safety, environmental sustainability, and compliance with local laws. The certification not only reduces audit fatigue for the more than 3,500 WRAP-certified facilities worldwide but also enhances their competitiveness in the global market, meeting the expectations of leading brands and retailers.
“IHKIB – WRAP signed a Good-Will Agreement to support business relations between Türkiye and the USA”
In a milestone collaboration, Selcuk Mehmet Kaya, Chairman of the International Relations and Sustainability Committee of IHKIB, and Mr. Avedis Seferian, President and CEO of WRAP, officially inked a collaboration agreement on March 8, 2024, marking a significant step towards fostering business relations between Türkiye and the USA. The agreement focuses on a pilot project developed by IHKIB and WRAP, aiming to identify leading Turkish apparel companies exporting to the USA and encouraging these facilities to attain WRAP certification. In return, WRAP will provide in-person and virtual training at no charge to guide these facilities through the certification process. The project seeks to strengthen business ties between Türkiye and the USA, creating additional opportunities for mutual cooperation between the parties in both countries.
Selcuk Mehmet Kaya expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating: “This partnership with WRAP aligns seamlessly with our mission to guide IHKIB members towards excellence, sustainability, and global competitiveness, ultimately contributing to our goal of increasing Turkish apparel exports in the lucrative U.S. market.”
Avedis Seferian shared his insights, said: “WRAP is committed to promoting responsible and ethical practices in the global textile and apparel industry. Partnering with organizations like IHKIB allows us to extend our reach and contribute to the success of Turkish exporters, reinforcing our shared values.”
Posted: March 19, 2024
Source: The Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association (IHKIB)
MILAN — March 19, 2024 — The Thermore group today announced the debut of its most dynamic stretch insulation in its five decades of innovation: Freedom.
