Lenzing Introduces TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 To China Market At Intertextile Shanghai, Advancing Denim Innovation Through Mill Partnerships

LENZING, Austria — MARCH 17, 2026 — The Lenzing Group, a leading global producer of regenerated cellulosic fibers, shared the China market debut of its latest fiber innovation, TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100, at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition.

Originally developed for denim constructions and first introduced at Kingpins Amsterdam in September 2025, TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 is now advancing beyond denim applications into broader woven apparel categories. The fiber is a key component of Lenzing’s strategy to offer premium fibers that serve growing global consumer demand for alternative, more responsible fabrics¹ ² ³.

The promising launch of HV100 is being propelled by Lenzing’s partnerships with mills and their trust in the TENCEL™ brand. With initial traction in denim, development has now expanded into bottom-weight fabrics like chinos and shirting. Chinese mill partners are at the forefront of bringing these next-phase applications to market.

“China is one of the world’s leading markets for innovation and we are committed to strengthening our partnerships with brands, retailers and fabric mills across the country,” said Yann Lepage, Executive Vice President, Commercial Textiles at Lenzing AG. “The new TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 fiber reflects our collaborative approach to innovation, acting on client insight with our R&D expertise to deliver a differentiated solution to the market. We very much look forward to continuing to work closely with our partners here in China. Together we are driving product innovation and supporting the evolving needs of this important market.”

Demand driven by consumer trust

The growing momentum behind TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 reflects the value and trust consumers, mills and brands place in the TENCEL™ brand, particularly in China.

According to a NielsenIQ study¹, TENCEL™ is the fiber brand that consumers in China are most aware of for the fifth consecutive year, with purchase intent reaching 92% for apparel. Globally, among consumers familiar with the TENCEL™ brand, 85% express intent to purchase garments made with its fibers, while 88% report satisfaction with products they have purchased containing TENCEL™ fibers.

Engineering texture, expanding applications

TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100, while serving a market need, carries the same strong environmental credentials as the broader LENZING™ Lyocell fiber portfolio² ³ ⁴. The fiber was engineered to create fabrics that look and feel close to natural fibers while retaining the soft hand-feel and environmental profile TENCEL™ fibers are known for.  Through the Variocut technology, Lenzing creates controlled variation in the TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 fibers staple lengths which produces subtle surface irregularities and a matte finish to give fabrics an organic, less uniform appearance.

“TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 is a unique offering for the apparel market. While standard TENCEL™ Lyocell is known and loved for creating smooth and even fabrics, TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 provides a look and feel that is more reminiscent of naturally grown fibers. TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 thus opens up new possibilities in segments where a more matte and irregular fabric surface is desired,” said Julia Ulrich, Head of Product Management Textiles, Lenzing.

China mills as catalysts for global innovation

Chinese textile manufacturers play a pivotal role in scaling new fiber concepts for the global textile market. These mills serve not only domestic demand but also act as R&D partners and production engines for international and Chinese brands alike. Their technical sophistication and established relationships with brands and retailers worldwide make them essential partners in bringing innovations like TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 from concept to commercial scale.

“For the Chinese market, TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 bridges the gap between technology and nature, especially in denim, delivering a rugged and matte texture, injecting new momentum into the high-end fabric market. Partners like Advance Denim have demonstrated how their craftsmanship turns TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 into a unique semi-matte handfeel, demonstrating distinctive technique in the high-end denim sector,” said Vincent Hu, Senior Commercial Director, Textiles China, Lenzing.

Mills currently testing TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 report predictable processing across standard spinning and weaving equipment. Texture intensity can be adjusted through blend composition, giving designers flexibility from warp to weft constructions.

Wang Zongwen, Managing Director of Advance Denim shared, “Having partnered with Lenzing for over two decades, we have always been dedicated to tackling industry pain points and meeting consumers’ demand for comfort. This collaboration is especially exciting, we have jointly tackled a ‘seemingly impossible’ challenge, building on the exceptional drape, strength, and environmental advantages of TENCEL™ Lyocell, and endowing it with a cotton-like natural luster. This product is a significant breakthrough in advancing the denim category and a testament to Lenzing’s technical prowess.”

“Through the blending of long and short fibers, TENCEL™ Lyocell-HV100 delivers an unprecedented texture of natural fibers, with production results achieving an exceptionally high first-pass quality that far exceeded expectations. I believe that this ‘cotton-like’ new style not only injects vitality into denim but also holds the potential to extend into areas like knitwear and sweaters in the future, with the long-term promise of reshaping the landscape of niche markets,” added Wang Gang, Sales Director of Denim Yarn at Texhong International Group.

Enabling the next chapter of innovation together

The China debut of TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 marks the next phase of innovation and will support higher-value product development, broader applications and deeper cross-value-chain collaboration. Lenzing invites industry partners to explore TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 and the broader fiber portfolio.

Detailed fiber specifications, application guidelines and certification information are available through Lenzing Pro (lenzingpro.com), Lenzing’s digital platform built for supply chain partners.

Fiber characteristics

  • Linear density: 1.7 dtex
  • Luster: Semi-dull (matte aesthetic)
  • Staple length: High variation (Variocut technology)
  • Blending flexibility: Variable ratios with TENCEL™ Lyocell Standard or cotton

Environmental profile² ³ ⁴

  • Carbon footprint: ≥50% reduction vs. generic lyocell
  • Water consumption: ≥50% reduction vs. generic lyocell
  • Sourcing: FSC® (FSC-C041246) or PEFC-certified/controlled wood
  • Manufacturing: Closed-loop process with >99.8% solvent recovery

Current applications

  • Denim (including warp constructions)
  • Woven apparel (bottom-weight fabrics, shirting)

Posted: March 17, 2026

Source: The Lenzing Group

Where Performance Becomes Product Strategy: Techtextil (Frankfurt) 2026 Puts Functional Apparel In The Spotlight

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany  — MARCH 17, 2026 — The demand for high-performance textile solutions for the apparel industry increases – and with it the sector’s innovative strength.

Techtextil 2026 addresses these developments: The Performance Apparel Textiles area (Hall 9.0) presents around 130 exhibitors from 13 countries showcasing innovative materials for workwear, protective clothing, smart fashion, outdoor and sports.

Global key players such as Concordia Textiles, Getzner, Kermel, Klopman International and YKK Europe are among the participants. The live show “Performance Apparels on Stage” brings forward-looking wearables on stage and demonstrates textile innovations where they matter most: in action.

Whether protecting, cooling, regulating or measuring: functional textiles perform in extreme situations. For brands, this opens up innovative product concepts, higher value creation and new opportunities for differentiation in the market.

  • But which features are embedded in these wearables?
  • How can performance, comfort and sustainability be combined?
  • And where do textile solutions unlock new application potential for outdoor, smart fashion or personal protective equipment?

Techtextil reflects this dynamic – and offers with the growing segment Performance Apparel Textiles a global hub for decision-makers in sourcing, product development and design across the apparel industry. With the curated live show “Performance Apparels on Stage”, the leading trade fair translates material innovation into market-ready applications and presents smart wearables on stage several times a day.

An independent expert jury consisting of Hendrik Beier (Saxon Textile Research Institute), Judith Bosch (ETP), Nora Kühner (fashion.design.consulting) and Wolfgang Quednau (BTTA) selected the exhibits. Each outfit demonstrates a specific application – ranging from UV protection, heat and flame protection to circular materials, thermoregulation and integrated lighting technology.

Visitors can explore the exhibited products throughout the day in the dedicated area, build new connections and initiate ordering and cooperation discussions directly with suppliers of functional textiles. Techtextil thus brings together innovation, sourcing and business decision-making for the global apparel industry on one platform.

“Techtextil is the international leading trade fair for the industry. For anyone active in the market for technical textiles and functional apparel, it is an essential platform for orientation, innovation and networking. Particularly in the performance apparel segment, we see dynamic growth, as sustainability, functionality, comfort and fashion requirements increasingly converge,” says jury member Wolfgang Quednau (BTTA).

“What impressed me most about the submitted products was how consistently new functionalities are linked with a more holistic understanding of sustainability – taking into account aspects such as wearing comfort, durability, repairability and easy-care properties.”

Highly protective, thermoregulating, circular: Performance Apparels on Stage

The selected exhibits reflect the wide range of innovation in modern performance apparel textiles. BASF and Fulgar, for example, present loopamid, a GRS-certified polyamide made from textile waste for closed material cycles.

ECOlastic Workwear stands for recyclable, stretchable high-visibility fabrics with high shape stability and wash resistance. For extreme operating conditions, RWTH Aachen developed the Molotov Cocktail Protective Suit featuring a lightweight, breathable yarn structure.

Karl Mayer’s Warp Knitted UV Protection Jacket achieves SPF 50+ without chemical finishing, while the 3D-Knitted Illuminated Backpack integrates light fibres into a knit-to-shape structure produced with almost no waste.

For active heat management, Freeze Tech Alpha combines cooling print technology with temperature-regulating fibres and heat-reflective components. Royotec presents recycled multi-risk fabrics with certified performance. COOL.SKIN with Outlast ensures a stable microclimate through encapsulated phase-change materials, while PBI GOLD SHIELD introduces a lightweight, highly durable PBI aramid fabric for demanding industrial applications.

The right processing determines how functional textiles can fully realise their specific properties in practice. Complementing Techtextil, the adjacent Texprocess (Hall 8.0) serves as a platform for textile processing technologies and demonstrates how textile innovations can be efficiently transferred into production at scale – from automated processes to AI-supported manufacturing.

Posted: March 17, 2026

Source: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH

MISSION Introduces The Cool Compression Collection: A Second-Skin Feel Powered By Dry-To-Cool Technology 

NEW YORK — MARCH 16, 2026 — MISSION, a supplier of wearable cooling solutions and sun-safe performance accessories, announces the launch of its newest innovative collection: the Cool Compression Collection. Designed to support movement, recovery, and comfort across seasons, the collection includes arm, leg, and knee sleeves as well as a back wrap engineered for active lifestyles and high-heat environments.

Designed for athletes, runners, workers, and everyday movers, these lightweight compression sleeves deliver a second-skin fit while featuring MISSION’s dry-to-cool fabric—engineered to feel cool to the touch for sustained cooling throughout wear. The collection enhances circulation, supports recovery, and provides adaptable comfort without restricting movement.

Notable product features across the collection include:

  • Mild Compression: Comfort and support with compression benefits
  • Moisture-Wicking: Keep You Dry and Comfortable
  • Easy Maintenance: Machine washable for convenience
  • Odor-Free: Resists unwanted odors for lasting freshness
  • Cooling Relief: Features cool compress elements to help soothe discomfort
  • Enhanced Recovery Comfort: Designed to aid your comfort during post-activity recovery
  • Lightweight and Breathable: Ensures maximum ventilation and freedom of movement for all-day wear

A hero product of the collection, the Compression Arm Sleeve, launched March 15, 2026, retailing for $24.99. Designed for both athletes and workers, the Cool Compression Arm Sleeve provides targeted compression to support circulation, reduce muscle fatigue, speed recovery, and help the wearer stay on the move. The quick-dry, cooling fabric converts sweat into a refreshing sensation, while built-in UPF protection helps shield skin from the sun. Its low-profile, secure fit stays in place and layers comfortably under clothing for all-day support.

Posted: March 16, 2026

Source: MISSION

Ultraleather By Ultrafabrics Appoints Diane Pressler As Residential Sales Director

NEW YORK — February 25,2026 — Ultraleather by Ultrafabrics, the residential brand by Ultrafabrics, a global spplier of high-performance coated fabrics and leather alternatives, is pleased to announce the appointment of Diane Pressler as Residential Sales Director.

Diane Pressler, Residential Sales Director at Ultraleather by Ultrafabrics

In this role, Pressler will lead the brand’s residential growth strategy, strengthening its presence across OEM and retail, expanding distribution, and aligning cross-functional teams to support scalable, long-term momentum.

Pressler joins Ultraleather by Ultrafabrics with a proven track record of building high-performing teams, developing go-to-market strategies, and accelerating revenue growth within design-led consumer and trade businesses. Most recently, she served as Regional Director at The Rug Company, supporting sustained growth and market expansion. Prior to that, she was Vice President of Global Trade Sales at Perennials and Sutherland, where she helped lead global trade and customer service strategies across trade and hospitality channels, supporting significant growth and international expansion.

Her earlier leadership includes senior roles spanning luxury and retail operations, including Vice President of Retail, US at NYX Professional Makeup (L’Oréal), Vice President of Retail Stores, Operations, L&D and Visual Merchandising at Intermix (Gap Inc.), Senior Vice President, Head of Global Retail at Marc Jacobs International (LVMH), and Vice President of Retail Stores, North America at Tory Burch. Pressler began her career with a long tenure at Ralph Lauren, helping drive strategy and execution across the brand’s home and apparel divisions.

“I’ve always been drawn to brands that sit at the intersection of design, innovation, and performance, and Ultrafabrics does that beautifully,” says Pressler. “I really resonate with the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, while still being deeply design-driven. It feels modern, forward-thinking, and aligned with where the residential and hospitality markets are headed. I’m excited to bring my retail and trade experience to a brand that has strong foundations, with tremendous runway for growth in the residential space.”

In her new role, Pressler will focus on clarifying Ultraleather’s residential positioning, deepening relationships within the design community, and ensuring partners across the channel feel supported with the tools, programs, and alignment needed to win. She will work closely with internal stakeholders to define success metrics, strengthen the go-to-market roadmap, and build a foundation for profitable, sustainable growth.

“Diane’s background scaling premium brands across retail, trade, and global markets makes her an exceptional addition to our team,” says Sergio Prosperino, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Brand at Ultrafabrics. “Her ability to translate strategy into execution, and to build the relationships and infrastructure that drive long-term growth, will be instrumental as we continue expanding Ultraleather’s presence in the residential space.”

To learn more about Ultraleather by Ultrafabrics, visit ultraleather.com. For additional information on Ultrafabrics, visit ultrafabricsinc.com.

Posted: March 16, 2026

Source: Ultraleather by Ultrafabrics

Thermore Introduces Ecodown Fibers T2T: The Thermal Insulation That Transforms Textile Waste Into Warmth

MILAN — March 11, 2026 — Thermore, a company in the thermal insulation sector for clothing, proudly announces the launch of Ecodown Fibers T2T, a free fiber insulation made from recycled polyester waste from the textile supply chain. For over 50 years, the Italy-based company has embedded environmental responsibility into every operational decision, directing its research toward recycled materials and solutions designed for greater efficiency and long-lasting performance.

Thermore® Ecodown Fibers T2T

With Thermore® Ecodown Fibers T2T, Thermore marks a major leap forward, reinforcing its leadership and unwavering commitment to a more sustainable future. This innovative free fiber allows for the recovery of textile polyester waste and its transformation into warm, high-performance insulation. Made from 100% recycled polyester fibers, this clever blend is a combination of 80% post-industrial textile waste and 20% post-consumer PET bottles. Unlike the downcycling that typically characterizes textile recovery, Ecodown Fibers T2T stands apart by delivering the same high quality of other Thermore products.

“I have personally coordinated the Thermore research group for years, and the theme of circularity and textile-to-textile has long been the subject of study by our team,” says Patrizio Siniscalchi, Managing Director of Thermore. “In fact, just as we pioneered the use of recycled fibers from PET bottles over 40 years ago, in recent years we have worked on the revaluation of textile waste. Ecodown Fibers T2T is already the second generation of padding we have produced using these important  resources.”

But sustainability is not the only strong point of this product. Ecodown Fibers T2T stands out for its high lofting and softness, guaranteeing optimal comfort. It’s also highly versatile and can be blown into baffles, placed inside panels, or applied by hand. Its structure is engineered to stay stable over time, minimizing clumping.

Ecodown Fibers T2T is GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certified, a standard that verifies the content of recycled materials and traceability along the production chain. It also holds Bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certifications, related to the control of chemical substances and compliance with rigorous criteria for product safety and health protection.

With this new product, Thermore once again wants to redefine the concept of responsible thermal insulation – no longer a simple technical element, but an integral part of a system where durability, performance, and resource efficiency become central design factors. Ecodown Fibers T2T represents an evolution for the world of fashion and sports, towards solutions where responsibility, performance, and style find a concrete balance.

Posted: March 16, 2026

Source: Thermore Group

KARL MAYER Believes In The Value Of Textiles And Is Opening A Textile Innovation Center

OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — March 9, 2026 — KARL MAYER sees performance fabrics and next-level textile solutions in particular as potential growth drivers for its customers, as a motor for business development and as real game changers for the entire textile industry.

Innovation does not happen by chance. It is the result of close exchange with customers & brands, textile expertise and competence in textile machine engineering. This is why KARL MAYER is investing in progress and collaborative development and opening its TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER (TIC) – a place to be for the entire textile world. Its size, equipment and offerings are unique worldwide. With a floor space of 5,000 m², the TIC provides everything that makes development processes faster, more efficient and more successful.

TIC Showroom: Textiles & Applications

A spacious showroom brings textile visions to life. Its curated presentation of textile materials and applications opens up space for inspiration, encourages out-of-the-box thinking and fuels new ideas – bridging the gap between the conceivable, the possible and the feasible. Whether you are searching for initial ideas or have a specific development goal in mind, innovation starts here innovation starts here with fresh perspectives.

There is much to discover:

  • The latest samples from KARL MAYER’s textile product development range
  • Concept textiles and applications with real market potential
  • Trend collections straight from market scouting.

Everything is clearly structured into tried-and-tested textile categories: Fashion & Apparel, Sports Textiles, Footwear, Home Textiles and Technical Textiles.

At the opening, TIC visitors will be able to discover innovative solutions for the growing workwear sector – from protective clothing to stylish items for the office.

Inspirationhub: 90 Years of Textile Expertise

Why start from scratch when there is already a treasure trove to draw from? With its unique collection of patterns, KARL MAYER opens the doors to almost nine decades of textile development. The INSPIRATIONHUB is thus a creative catalyst – a place where the past becomes the foundation for the new.

Textile Machines: Customer Trials & New Developments

The TIC supports customers, brands and other textile players throughout their entire innovation process – from the initial idea to the near-series prototype.

A range of innovative machines for knitting, warp preparation and technical textiles is available to put ideas into practice.

This is where testing, trialing and further development take place, because ‘Driving WARP KNIT Inspiration’ means not just thinking up ideas, but making them possible, through:

  • Processing tests under real conditions
  • Production simulations with genuine practical relevance
  • Experiments to create new textile constructions and push technological boundaries

Machine equipment highlights include:

  • A small three-bar high-performance warp knitting machine with PLUS configuration and gauge E 14  that produces completely new warp knitted fabrics, including trendy shoe fabrics at HKS speed
  • A next-generation Raschel machine for the highly efficient production of shade netting
  • A modular fibre spreading set-up for new lightweight construction applications and solutions for the protection sector
  • A warp knitting machine with weft insertion that excels at high-precision and gentle hollow fibre processing
  • A high-performance machine for the sectional warping of performance materials

Top Experts: Expertise, Networks and a Genuine Spirit of Innovation

At the TIC, customers work side by side with KARL MAYER’s textile experts – and benefit from an extraordinary pool of experience, openness and innovativeness. As a team, the experts have decades of practical experience in a wide range of market segments – from Fashion & Apparel to Sports Textiles and highly specialised technical applications.

What sets them apart? They don’t think in terms of standards, but in terms of possibilities. With an open mindset, a strong focus on solutions and genuine enthusiasm for textile innovation, the experts at KARL MAYER support TIC partners in all their individual objectives.

They contribute not only in-depth material, process and machine expertise, but also a strong international network of fibre manufacturers, technology partners, institutes and brands. The experts are the heart and soul of the TIC.

Academy: Expertise for Professionals

The KARL MAYER Academy, which is well established in the market, has become part of the TIC and continues to offer a unique training programme. The training courses stand for sound expertise, the very highest quality and a clear focus on the requirements of everyday production. They are aimed at customer technicians, brand employees, in-house service technicians and students of textile-related subjects – and are characterised by their exceptionally high practical relevance. Here, theory is not just taught, but directly applied.

The combination of know-how, machine access and an innovative environment makes the Academy even more attractive.

KARL MAYER looks forward to presenting all these possibilities to customers, partners and the international trade press at the Textile Innovation Center in Obertshausen during the opening event week.

Save the date: 21 to 24 April 2026, Obertshausen – in parallel to Techtextil Frankfurt.

Pre-Registration at:

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=wN-xQvoWVUme0yq53uw9Hp6EVE41oPtGtA5BADYEQ1BUME1NQlczNDNSUVBOR0wxRTdBUkc1RDA0UC4u&route=shorturl

Posted: March 16, 2026

Source: KARL MAYER

World Emblem Launches New AI Powered Patch Design Platform

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — March 11, 2026 — World Emblem, the world’s largest emblem and patch manufacturer, today announced the official launch of WE VISION, its new AI-powered patch design platform. Now available to all World Emblem clients, WE VISION enables customers to visualize and approve patch designs in minutes instead of days.

Randy Carr

“AI is a gamechanger for World Emblem and its customers, and WE VISION is proof of the impact this technology can have on the apparel industry,” said Randy Carr, CEO of World Emblem. “In the past, it would have taken up to a week to complete an emblem or patch design, but with WE VISION, it is now possible to create realistic, high-quality digital samples in a matter of minutes.”

Using WE VISION, clients can quickly choose from thousands of different product attributes – including for patch shape, size, fabric, color, border type, and backing – and approve a realistic design in minutes instead of having to wait days for a physical sample to arrive, enabling the World Emblem team to rapidly move to production.

“In addition to saving our customers thousands of work hours per year, the AI-powered WE VISION platform is expected to reduce the number of physical patch samples that need to be produced by up to 80 percent, resulting in significantly less waste of physical materials,” Carr added.

In the next stage of its AI development, World Emblem plans to utilize AI to optimize and speed up the scheduling and production of completed patch designs for customers, a process that is currently done by hand.

World Emblem utilizes the latest equipment and state-of-the-art technology to manufacture customized emblems and multi-textured products for clients. The company has plants in Georgia, Texas, California, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic (opening soon), enabling it to offer clients faster production and delivery times than overseas manufacturers.

Posted: March 16, 2026

Source: World Emblem

BW Converting Expands Southeast Asian Presence With New Agency Partnerships In Vietnam And Indonesia

GREEN BAY, Wis. — March 10, 2026 — BW Converting is strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia through new agency partnerships in Vietnam and Indonesia, reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting textile manufacturers across the region.

The expansion comes as BW Converting prepares to exhibit at SaigonTex 2026 (April 8–11, Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) and INDO INTERTEX 2026 (April 15–18, Jakarta International Expo, Indonesia).

In Vietnam, BW Converting has partnered with Peja Vietnam, a long-established representative organization with offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Founded in 1992, Peja Vietnam has built a strong reputation in machinery sales, technical support and project management across the textile sector.

In Indonesia, BW Converting has appointed NUTEK, a Jakarta-based organization founded in 2015 by experienced textile technology specialists. NUTEK focuses on sales, service, installations, start-ups and after-sales technical support across Indonesia and the broader Southeast Asia region.

Together, these partnerships strengthen BW Converting’s regional footprint as textile production continues shifting across Asia and manufacturers invest in advanced processing technologies.

At both SaigonTex and INDO INTERTEX, BW Converting will highlight the company’s Baldwin TexCoat® G4 precision spray finishing system, which has gained strong traction across Asia for its ability to reduce water, energy and chemical consumption while delivering uniform chemical application and improved process control.

“Our presence at SaigonTex and INDO INTERTEX marks an important step in expanding our textile activities in Southeast Asia,” said Simone Morellini, Sales Manager, BW Converting Textile Solutions, EMEA Region, Indonesia and Vietnam. “With experienced local partners in Vietnam and Indonesia, we are well positioned to support customers as they implement advanced finishing technologies and build on the strong momentum we are seeing for precision spray systems in other Asian markets.”

BW Converting’s participation in both exhibitions reflects the company’s continued investment across the region and its commitment to delivering innovative, resource-efficient solutions to textile manufacturers worldwide.

Posted: March 16, 2026

Source: BW CONVERTING / Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc.

Automatex Introduces Game Changing Quilting Machine

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — March 11, 2026 — Having achieved rapid market success with its fully automated fitted sheet system, Automatex, a member of TMAS, the Swedish textile machinery association, has developed a game changing quilting machine which doubles productivity compared to what has previously been achievable.

The P12-PB Automatic Lock Stitch Quilting Unit is engineered to deliver continuous, programmable quilting while reducing manual intervention in the stitching of bedding and padded home textiles.

TMAS Secretary General Therese Premler-Andersson

“Across our member companies we are seeing automation move beyond individual machines towards intelligent, interconnected production environments,” says TMAS General Secretary Therese Premler-Andersson.

“Solutions like this demonstrate how textile technology manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of consistency, productivity and digital control in areas that were traditionally dependent on operator skill.”

Maximizing uptime

Designed for high-volume manufacturers, the new P12-PB platform feeds fabric and filling directly into a quilting module equipped with twelve modified servo-driven lock stitch sewing heads. Arranged in two programmable banks of six, the heads allow producers to switch between straight line quilting and different shaped patterns without mechanical changeover, enabling flexible production runs while maintaining consistent stitch geometry.

The quilting module is equipped with twelve modified servo-driven lock stitch sewing heads.

At the core of the Automatex system is an automation architecture focused on maximising uptime. Each sewing head incorporates an automatic bobbin case changer supported by a retrieval system, allowing uninterrupted production during thread depletion. Thread break detectors further minimise defects, while servo indexing ensures accurate needle positioning across the working width. A colour touch screen interface simplifies pattern programming and machine operation and remote access capability enables troubleshooting and technical support without on-site intervention.

Operating at speeds of up to 12 metres per minute, the P12-PB is suitable for filling weights from 100-450gsm with stitch lengths between 3-4 mm. The machine produces various stitching patterns and straight lines at 21.7cm needle spacing, supporting a wide range of quilt constructions. It has been engineered for installation within standard industrial utility frameworks.

Continuous production

Automatex has also designed the unit for full line integration.

The new P12-PB platform.

“The P12-PB can be connected directly in-line with our automated sewing and folding systems to form a continuous production chain, from fibre processing through to finished product handling,” says Automatex Director of Business Development Chuck deSousa. “This approach reflects a broader industry shift toward labour-light manufacturing, traceable production and repeatable quality across large batch volumes.”

Posted: March 16, 2026

Source: TMAS – The Swedish Textile Machinery Manufacturers Association

Uster Fabric Vision 2: Developed To Assist Fabric Producers Transition From Manual To Automated Inspection – With The Same Staff

USTER, Switzerland — March 11, 2026 — Why do many fabric producers still feel the need to rely on manual inspection? It’s understandable that they are nervous about safeguarding their fabric quality, given that it is the basis for customer satisfaction. Yet the skilled personnel they rely on to secure that quality can now be the success factor in a massive leap of progress – to automated inspection with the new Uster Fabric Vision 2. Smarter, more reliable inspection, creating bigger yields and avoiding the dreaded quality claims.

Uster Fabriq Vision 2 – The simplicity of fabric quality assurance

Fabric Vision 2 was developed to enable the smooth and simple transition from manual to automated inspection, with the confidence of knowing that the same knowledgeable staff are still a vital part of the process, the safe hands that make the upgrade worry-free for producers.

It’s true that fabric inspection solutions still occupy something of a niche position, despite years of development. Even with the extra possibilities from AI integration, manual inspection is still preferred by many companies.

The required investment in time and expertise for set-up and adapting to different fabrics has likely been a barrier. What’s needed is a game-changer – a system that is the perfect fit with existing staff skills to protect quality standards, reputation and profitability.

Smarter, simpler, more reliable

Uster developers are always innovating with latest technology, but they realized that progress in fabric inspection automation would need to focus on reducing the complexity for style configuration and setups, so the skills of current staffs could readily be applied. They also prioritized user-centric workflows, to avoid overly sensitive settings that might result in over-detections and time-consuming album reviews.

With these smart concepts, Uster Fabric Vision 2 becomes the game-changer the industry needs. Proven defect detection reliability is enhanced with cutting-edge AI technologies. But importantly it follows the unique approach of using human intelligence where needed – and automating the rest.

This new fabric inspection system doesn’t need an Uster expert or a specially-trained technician to operate it. Simplicity is the key, so existing staff have required skills. They can already define what a fabric defect is, with the ability perfected over years working on manual fabric inspection. Uster Fabric Vision 2 is based on a user-friendly workflows, simplifying complex tasks, so the system is transparent, intuitive, and quickly up and running.

Style tuning in 10 minutes

Camera of Uster Fabriq Vision 2 – and reddot award winner 2025 for innovative and industrial design

Uster’s latest-generation fabric inspection system benefits customers through AI-supported style tuning, based on textile parameters, enabling startup of new articles in less than 10 minutes.

Users with a basic understanding of the appearance of common defects can quickly create new detection settings for a specific fabric, guided step-by-step by a wizard which uses known textile parameters along with live images fromst the system cameras.

The integrated intelligence then applies this information to preset and adjust the necessary detection parameters to create an initial article setting. Inspection parameters can be visually fine-tuned, based on true color images, allowing quick and confident decision-making while setting adjustments, as well as creating classification rules.

Uster‘s machine learning classification reduces over-detection, using transparent rule-based methods, alongside real-time defect classification with individually customizable defect codes. Furthermore, the Super Inspection feature enhances process and quality assurance by allowing higher sensitivity background detection, making detailed information available whenever needed.

These simple and smart workflows are the key to improving both inspection reliability and operational efficiency.

Fast, intuitive… and already a hit

The fully integrated platform of Uster Fabric Vision 2 brings together an advanced inspection system, AI-supported workflows, and powerful analysis and reporting tools in one seamless solution. This holistic approach enables fabric producers to achieve consistent quality, increase yield, and make informed, data-driven decisions with greater ease and confidence. Uster Fabric Vision 2 achieves all this with reduced cost of ownership, thanks to lower user skill requirements, faster adoption times and self-maintenance possibilities.

First introduced at ITMA Asia + CITME in Singapore in 2025, Uster Fabric Vision 2 was a hit with visitors to the show. Its improved user-centric workflows and usability, enabling customers to rely on their own quality inspection staff as operators, proved its value in meeting modern demands for automated fabric inspection. First-hand information will again be available at the upcoming Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt, Germany. Meet the Uster fabric inspection experts with Uster agent Elmatex, at its booth D05 in Hall 12.0 from April 21 to 24. Curious fabric producers are warmly welcome!

Posted: March 16, 2026

Source: Uster Technologies AG

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