INDA Honors Four Industry Leaders With 2026 Lifetime Service And Technical Achievement Awards

CARY, NC — MARCH 17, 2026 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has announced the four distinguished recipients of the 2026 INDA Lifetime Service Award and Lifetime Technical Achievement Award.

Tom Daugherty, Pricie Hanna, Carey Hobbs, and CK Wong are being recognized for their exceptional leadership, innovation, and enduring contributions to advancing the nonwovens industry and strengthening the global community it serves.

“These awards celebrate individuals whose careers have helped shape the growth and progress of the nonwovens industry,” said Tony Fragnito, INDA President and CEO. “We are proud to recognize Tom, Pricie, Carey, and CK for their remarkable achievements and for the lasting impact they have made through their leadership, expertise, and dedication to INDA and the industry.”

The INDA Lifetime Awards honor professionals with distinguished records of service and technical accomplishment whose work has significantly influenced the development and advancement of nonwoven technologies, businesses, and the broader industry.

Award Recipients

  • Tom Daugherty and Carey Hobbs will receive their awards at the World of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference, June 30th beginning at 4:30 pm
  • Pricie Hanna will receive her award at the Hygienix™ Conference, November 17th at 4:30 pm
  • Sabrina Wong, President, U.S. Pacific Procurement Company Ltd., will accept the posthumous award on behalf of her husband, CK Wong, at a future INDA event

Tom Daugherty: INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award

“It has been a great privilege to spend nearly 45 years collaborating with so many talented individuals in this industry to improve the lives of consumers worldwide. I am truly humbled to receive the INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award. My deepest thanks to my colleagues at P&G, partners across the supply sector, The Nonwovens Institute at NC State, the INDA community, and my wife and family for their amazing partnership. Here’s to the next generation of innovation!”

Tom Daugherty’s career spans decades of service to the nonwovens industry, both in industry R&D leadership roles at Procter & Gamble where he first retired in 2016, and also in a unique industry-academic partnership role at The Nonwovens Institute at NC State, where he retired in 2025.

Throughout, he was dedicated to the idea of driving business growth through innovation, and doing this by working to improve consumer’s lives with delightful benefits and winning with consumers vs. the best competition.  Other powerful innovation themes included focus on platform technologies that could be leveraged for multi-generational initiatives to meet consumer needs, and to allocate balanced effort across the different innovation types to build, transform, and create markets.

He advanced through R&D positions spanning upstream technology development, business unit product development, and initiative launch.  And through his collaboration as a part of multidisciplinary teams representing, in varied capacities, global brands such as Pampers, Luvs, Always, Naturella, Bounty, Swiffer, Mr. Clean, and others, he contributed to product and process technologies that have been used hundreds of billions of times by consumers around the world.

Nonwoven specific innovations include developing benefits and functions related to comfort, resilience, softness, wettability, fluid handling, apertures, mechanical fastening, carrier for skin care ingredients, barrier for leakage prevention, surface cleaning, personal care skin cleaning, and stretch.  And at The Nonwovens Institute, it was an honor to contribute to the delivery of filtration products needed for health care during the COVID pandemic.

Recognizing the importance of contributing to building the business, and to building organizational and industry capability, Tom was also very active in industry service roles.  He served on the INDA Board of Directors from 2007 to 2009 and later as a member of the INDA Executive Committee from 2010 to 2016. In addition, he played a significant role at The Nonwovens Institute (NWI), serving on its Executive Committee from 2003 to 2016, including as Chair from 2006 to 2008, and as Chair of the NWI Scientific Advisory Board from 2010 to 2016.  And in his second career at The Nonwovens Institute, Daugherty brought enthusiasm and strategic leadership to the organization, helping support its continued growth and success.

Tom commented upon the highlights of his long and multi-faceted career, “The absolute best part of my career was having the opportunity and privilege to collaborate with so many talented people in the nonwovens industry.  Collaboration is the most powerful, and fun, way to create and deliver business results.”

Pricie Hanna: INDA Lifetime Service Award

“I have benefited from the services of INDA’s talented staff for the 40 years that I have been in the nonwovens industry.  I am truly humbled and honored to receive the INDA Lifetime Service Award. It has been a blessing to collaborate with this close-knit community of dedicated professionals as the industry has innovated and grown all around the world.”

Pricie Hanna is Managing Partner of Price Hanna Consultants, a firm founded in 2011 with Partner, David Price, which specializes in nonwoven products and technologies. Pricie’s expertise in hygiene absorbent products ranges from tracking market trends to estimating the demand and technical requirements for raw materials – such as resins, fiber, fluff pulp, nonwovens, film, superabsorbents, adhesives and elastics – used to make these products. She is a frequent conference speaker and has authored numerous papers and publications on the global markets for hygiene absorbent products and other nonwovens businesses.

For twenty-three years before that, Pricie was Vice President of John R. Starr, Inc., and led the firm’s consulting practice in hygiene absorbent products and nonwoven wipes. Pricie managed numerous client engagements involving market and technology feasibility, supply/demand outlook, strategy development, new product opportunity evaluation, competitor assessments, value chain analyses, and financial valuations.

Prior to joining John R. Starr, Inc., Pricie was Vice President – Finance, Planning and Administration for the Scott Nonwovens Division of Scott Paper Company. During sixteen years with Scott Paper, Pricie held various corporate positions including Vice President – Corporate Planning; Vice President – Corporate Financial Services and Assistant Treasurer. Before joining Scott Paper, Pricie was a corporate lending officer at Citibank in New York City. She received an A.B. degree from the University of Pennsylvania and completed the Executive Education Program in Corporate Financial Management at the Harvard Graduate School of Business. She and her husband Colin live in West Chester, Pennsylvania. They have two adult children and two avid soccer-playing grandsons.

Carey Hobbs: INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award

“I was shocked to learn that I’m receiving this Lifetime Achievement Award. I have devoted my professional career to making cars quieter, making jackets warmer, defending our country, and helping families enjoy quilting. This honor humbles me and lets me know that my career has positively impacted people’s lives.”

Carey Hobbs joined Hobbs Bonded Fibers (formerly known as Clark Brothers Felt Company) in 1963 and grew the company into a leader in the nonwoven industry, with applications across government, military, medical, automotive, industrial, and crafts until he sold in 2015.

He loved providing jobs that his employees could depend on, and his team members became integral leaders in their community.

The company was only the seventh bonded polyester plant in the world. Carey was renowned for creating the Heirloom and Tuscany Collections, which became two of the most in-demand quilt batting labels in the industry.

While he produced his own brands that ranked #2 in the industry, he also manufactured the #1 and #3 brands for other companies. As a result, he produced 90% of the quilt batting sold in America.

“I saw quilting as the ideal arena because it is so personal. Quilt patterns and techniques have been passed down from generation to generation. We still have quilts made by our own parents and grandparents.”

Carey adds, “I figured that if I couldn’t sell all the quilt batting in the nation, at least I could manufacture most of it. If I were going to lose a sale to someone, I could lose it to myself under a different label. I was fortunate to lead a team of innovators who elevated an entire industry.”

Carey was the second-largest producer of fiber fill for ski jackets and leaned into the automotive sector, supplying components for 12 of the 15 top-selling vehicles in the United States. A constant innovator, he owns or has owned all or parts of at least four patents, some of which remain classified as projects involving the joint Armed Forces.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) named Carey the “Small Businessperson of the Year” for the Dallas District. He was also appointed by the George H.W. Bush administration to serve on the U.S. Department of Commerce Industry Sector Advisory Committee for Trade Policy Matters for Textiles and Apparel.

He celebrated his 90th birthday in December and published his memoir, Piloting Life, which includes 60 years of stories and advancements in the nonwoven industry, along with his passion for family and flying. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Carey served our nation in the U.S. Marine Corps as a jet fighter pilot and a test pilot. In our industry, he served two terms on INDA’s board of directors. Today, he focuses on his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and serves on the boards of various charitable organizations. He and his late wife, Brenda, helped start the Texas Tech University Center for Collegiate Recovery Communities, which became the model adopted by more than 200 universities.

CK Wong: INDA Lifetime Service Award

“It is with profound gratitude that I accept this Lifetime Service Award in honor of my late husband, C.K. Wong. His dedication to nonwovens industry was not just a career, but a calling. He gave his time, his wisdom, and his heart to advancing the work and uplifting those around him. This recognition is a testament to the values he lived by—integrity, perseverance, and service. Though he is no longer with us, his legacy continues to guide and inspire, and I am deeply moved that his contributions are remembered in this way.” – Sabrina Wong, President, U.S. Pacific Procurement Company Limited

C.K. Wong, Chairman and CEO of U.S. Pacific Nonwovens Industry Limited, built a distinguished career at the forefront of the global nonwovens sector. Born and raised in Hong Kong, he became a U.S. citizen in his twenties after earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in New York City.

Recognizing the potential of the emerging nonwovens industry in the early 1970s, CK began his career in the export and import of nonwoven products. In 1988, he returned to Hong Kong as a marketing consultant, and the following year established his corporate headquarters there to oversee manufacturing operations in China. His company specialized in converting nonwoven roll goods into disposable products for industrial and medical protection, addressing the critical challenge of cross-contamination. Over time, the business expanded into household, sports, and other value-added applications. Among his notable achievements was the invention of a patented patient mobility product, which generated significant global business through collaboration and partnerships.

Under CK’s leadership, U.S. Pacific Nonwovens Industry Limited experienced substantial growth. Beginning in 2000, he emphasized the importance of environmental sustainability, investing heavily in a spunbonding production line dedicated exclusively to PLA (polylactic acid), a biodegradable material.

Beyond his business accomplishments, CK was a respected industry leader and advocate for the advancement of nonwovens worldwide. He served as Vice Chairman, Vice Chairman-Finance, and later as an Executive Committee Appointee of INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, where he was credited with helping to open the doors to China for the association. In China, he held prominent leadership roles, including Honorable Chairman of the Guangdong Nonwovens Association (GDNA) and Chairman of the Spunbonded Division of the China Nonwovens & Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA).

Through his vision, leadership, and commitment to innovation, CK Wong made lasting contributions to the growth and globalization of the nonwovens industry. His legacy continues today, inspiring entrepreneurship, sustainability, and international collaboration.

Posted: March 18, 2026

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

Standard Fiber Names Randy Spence To Top Merchandising Post

HENDERSON, Nev.  — MARCH 17, 2026 — Standard Fiber has named 40-year industry veteran Randy Spence to the newly created role of chief merchandising officer, further strengthening the company’s leadership team as it continues to expand its home textiles business.

Randy Spence

In this role, Spence will oversee merchandising, product development, marketing and sourcing, bringing a unified strategy to the company’s product and brand initiatives. His appointment reflects Standard Fiber’s focus on aligning innovation, market insight and operational execution to better serve its retail partners. He reports to Brett Scharf, managing director and CFO for Standard Fiber.

Spence brings four decades of sales and leadership experience in the consumer goods industry, including executive roles that have contributed to the growth and success of several major organizations. He began his career in the early 1980s as a bedding buyer for California-based department store chain Mervyn’s. Over the next two decades, Spence held sales management and executive roles with Pillowtex and Springs Global, gaining extensive experience across product development, sourcing and global supply chains.

In 2004, Spence founded NVM Pet, which grew to become one of the largest domestic manufacturers of pet beds. The company was the first to market with mattress-branded pet beds, demonstrating Spence’s ability to identify untapped opportunities and translate bedding expertise into new product categories. He sold the business in 2020 with the intention to retire.

Spence said he was drawn back to the industry by the opportunity to help shape the next phase of Standard Fiber’s growth.

“Randy’s experience across merchandising, manufacturing and brand development makes him an ideal fit for this new role,” said Scharf. “He understands the entire lifecycle of a product—from concept to retail floor—and his ability to bring teams together around a common vision will be invaluable as we continue to grow.”

Spence’s entrepreneurial background and experience building NVM Pet make him uniquely suited to lead Standard Fiber’s cross-functional teams across merchandising, marketing, sourcing and product development. In addition, his longstanding relationships with leading bedding brands across the industry are expected to further strengthen Standard Fiber’s market position and strategic partnerships.

“Standard Fiber has built a strong reputation for innovation and value in the home textiles space,” Spence said. “I look forward to collaborating with the team to further develop the company’s product strategy and help create programs that resonate with both retailers and consumers.”

Posted: March 17, 2026

Source Standard Fiber

Hexcel Names James Coogan As New Chief Financial Officer

STAMFORD, Conn. — MARCH 13, 2026 — Hexcel Corporation announced today that James (Jamie) Coogan has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective May 1, 2026. He will report to Tom Gentile, Hexcel Chairman, CEO and President. Coogan succeeds Mike Lenz who has been serving as interim Chief Financial Officer. Lenz will remain for a period of time when Coogan joins the company as a Senior Advisor to assist with the transition.

“Jamie brings the experience and the financial leadership that will help Hexcel build on our momentum as we enter a period of growth with rising commercial aircraft production rates and an expanding defense and space market,” said Tom Gentile, Chairman, CEO and President, Hexcel Corporation. “His experience in aerospace and defense companies and broader industrial manufacturing organizations will enable him to make a meaningful impact quickly on Hexcel’s strategic priorities.”

“I also want to thank Mike Lenz for his steady leadership as interim Chief Financial Officer of Hexcel,” added Gentile. “Mike’s contributions during this period have been invaluable while we conducted the search for a new CFO and we appreciate his continued support during the transition.”

Coogan most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Axcelis Technologies (Nasdaq: ACLS), a supplier in the semiconductor industry, having joined the company in September 2023. Previously he served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer at Kaman Corporation (formerly traded on the NYSE under the symbol KAMN). During his 15 years at Kaman, he held various management positions including Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Development, Assistant Vice President, External Reporting and SEC Compliance, and Director, External Reporting and SEC Compliance.

Coogan has more than 20 years of finance, accounting and investor relations experience across multiple industries, including aerospace and defense. After starting his career at PwC, he held several financial management roles at Ann Taylor Stores Corporation and Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority before joining Kaman.

Coogan holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management, an M.S. in Accounting and a B.S. in Business Administration, Accounting from the University of Connecticut.

Posted: March 17, 2026

Source Hexcel Corporation

The LYCRA Company To Eliminate More Than $1.2 Billion Of Debt Through Prepackaged Restructuring Process, Positioning Business For Long-Term Financial Stability And Growth

WILMINGTON, Del. — MARCH 17, 2026 — The LYCRA Company, LLC (“LYCRA” or “the Company”), a global  developer of fiber and technology solutions for the apparel and personal care industries, announced today that it has entered into a restructuring support agreement (“RSA”) with the overwhelming majority of its creditors to eliminate approximately $1.2 billion of long-term debt and establish a sustainable capital structure that will recapitalize the Company and position it for long-term financial stability and growth.

The RSA has overwhelming support from holders of the Company’s senior secured term loan, 16.000% Senior Secured Notes, and 7.500% Senior Secured Notes, who have agreed to vote in favor of a prepackaged plan of reorganization (the “Prepackaged Plan”). To implement the Prepackaged Plan, the Company and certain of its affiliates, have filed a voluntary prepackaged Chapter 11 case in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.

The Prepackaged Plan reflects a consensual agreement reached over the course of several months of productive discussions with the Company’s key financial creditors. Given the near unanimous support of its stakeholders, the Company expects to complete its financial restructuring expeditiously and emerge from the Chapter 11 process within 45 days.

“The LYCRA Company’s products have long been a symbol of quality, delivering benefits like lasting comfort, fit, and performance across a wide variety of apparel and personal care applications,” said Gary Smith, Chief Executive Officer of The LYCRA Company. “Today marks a significant milestone for The LYCRA Company as we are taking decisive action to meaningfully reduce our debt and strengthen our financial foundation. By taking this step, we will continue serving our customers, supporting our partners, and providing the high-quality products on which they rely. I want to thank our team members for their ongoing dedication and our loyal customers and partners for their continued support throughout the process.”

The Company is seeking customary “first day” relief that will enable it to operate in the ordinary course of business throughout the restructuring process. As part of these first day motions, the Company will seek approval to continue to pay all valid amounts owed to vendors and suppliers in full in the ordinary course of business. To support these ordinary course operations, the Company has obtained commitments for $75 million in debtor-in-possession financing (“DIP Financing”) and more than $75 million in exit financing, which is poised to refinance the DIP Financing, providing the Company with capital upon completion of the Chapter 11 process.

Importantly, certain entities within The LYCRA Company are not included in the Chapter 11 filing. A list of those entities included in the filing can be found at

https://restructuring.ra.kroll.com/lycra.

Posted: March 17, 2026

Source: The LYCRA Company

COOLMAX CloakFX™ Fiber Makes Official Global Debut aA Performance Days Munich

WILMINGTON, Del. — MARCH 12, 2026 — The LYCRA Company will officially launch COOLMAX CloakFX™ fiber globally at Performance Days Munich, Europe’s leading functional fabric fair, March 18–19. This innovation is designed to help garments appear drier by minimizing visible sweat marks while delivering moisture management and cooling comfort.

COOLMAX CloakFX™ fiber, the latest innovation from The LYCRA Company, helps garments appear drier by minimizing visible sweat marks and delivering moisture-wicking, cooling performance. Photo: The LYCRA Company

COOLMAX CloakFX™ fiber is for brands, mills, and garment makers creating performance-driven activewear, workwear, and everyday apparel. The technology diffuses light at the fiber level using optical “masking” that reduces the visual appearance of moisture, helping to make sweat marks less noticeable. Because the technology is built into the durable fiber, its benefits last wear after wear and wash after wash.

“Visible sweat on apparel is the leading pain point for consumers across demographics, often forcing them to compromise between performance, comfort, and appearance,” said Tara Maurer-Mackay, product category director, branded specialty products, The LYCRA Company. “Consumers want one fabric that does it all, and COOLMAX CloakFX™ fiber helps garments look drier while keeping them cool and dry.”

In addition to sweat-masking performance, COOLMAX CloakFX™ fiber can provide higher UPF protection than conventional polyester fibers due to its unique structure and composition. Ninety-three percent of the polyester in this GRS-certified fiber is recycled, helping support sustainability goals without requiring changes to manufacturing processes.

Following extensive validation through the company’s innovation and testing processes, development of COOLMAX CloakFX™ fiber continues across knit, woven, and seamless applications. The innovation pipeline is also expanding into additional wearing occasions and select non-apparel markets, underscoring its broader potential.

The LYCRA Company will also be showcasing elastane fabrics and garments made with renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber at the textile trade show. Made from 70 percent plant-based resources, this bio-derived solution reduces the carbon footprint of apparel while delivering the same trusted performance as traditional LYCRA® fiber.

To see sample commercial fabrics developed by leading mills that feature COOLMAX CloakFX™ fiber, visit The LYCRA Company’s stand C09-C10 at Performance Days Munich.

Posted: March 17, 2026

Source: The LYCRA Company

UTulsa Receives $12.6M In Appropriations For AI, Cyber, Extreme Materials, Energy Research

TULSA, Okla. — MARCH 13, 2026 — The University of Tulsa has received four federal appropriations supporting major research initiatives that will strengthen the nation’s energy resilience, advance next-generation materials and manufacturing and position Oklahoma as a hub for secure autonomous-systems innovation. These funds will expand UTulsa’s pilot-scale research infrastructure, deepen industry and community partnerships and create new pathways for student engagement in cutting-edge discovery.

“From providing novel energy systems to securing physical artificial intelligence systems, these investments reaffirm UTulsa’s role as a national leader in applied research that delivers real-world impact,” said Rose Gamble, vice president for research. “We are excited to broaden and enhance UTulsa’s expertise, facilities and industry collaborations.”

These federally funded initiatives will:

  • Grow Oklahoma’s workforce in materials science, energy systems, autonomy and cybersecurity through faculty-led research, student participation and industry involvement
  • Support area manufacturers and energy firms with fabrication partnerships, prototype testing and data-driven insights
  • Expand UTulsa’s pilot-scale research facilities

“UTulsa’s partnerships with industry and community stakeholders ensure these breakthroughs translate into economic and societal benefits,” said Interim President Rick Dickson. “We are grateful to our state’s congressional delegation whose commitment to strengthening Oklahoma’s research capacity and economic future is critical.”

Advanced, Low-Cost, Grid-Scale Energy Storage

UTulsa researchers will develop pilot-scale zinc-sulfur batteries as a safer, lower-cost alternative to lithium-ion technology for utility-scale battery energy storage systems. The project combines new battery-manufacturing capability, industrial-grade characterization equipment, grid-simulation systems and GPU-based artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) modeling to evaluate performance, safety and reliability under real-world grid conditions.

Resilient and Safe Energy Transportation

Building on UTulsa’s pilot-scale pipeline facilities, researchers will analyze multifuel flow behavior, corrosion risks and leak-detection challenges using advanced distributed sensor networks and machine-learning models.

Extreme Materials

This project focuses on materials capable of withstanding extreme environments, including temperatures above 600 degrees and corrosive or high-velocity conditions relevant to deep-well drilling, hypersonics and spacecraft reentry. UTulsa is one of the few U.S. universities able to manufacture carbon-carbon composites through chemical vapor infiltration and perform pilot-scale performance testing.

Cooperative and Secure Physical AI Systems

UTulsa will advance the next generation of physical AI systems in the form of autonomous robots that interact with the world through real-time sensing, adaptation and decision-making. The initiative integrates robotics, AI/ML, kinesiology, user-experience research and cybersecurity toward assistive robotics for home services and health care.

Posted: March 17, 2026

Source: The University of Tulsa

Surforce Technology Group Achieves Major Breakthrough In Functional Nanofiber Nonwoven Materials

QINGDAO, China — MARCH 12, 2026 — A news report from iQingdao: Recently, the “Low-Carbon Industrialized Complete Technology and Equipment for Functional Nanofiber Nonwoven Materials” independently developed by Surforce (Qingdao) Technology Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Surforce Technology Group”) has passed authoritative appraisal, with the overall technology reaching internationally advanced levels.

This breakthrough not only resolves the worldwide challenge of electrospinning industrialization but also provides the global market with a fluorine-free, environmentally friendly PTFE alternative solution, leveraging the cost advantages brought by mass production.

Since its establishment in 2003, Surforce Technology Group has remained dedicated to the R&D and industrial application of advanced materials. Through years of technological accumulation, the company has built China’s first ten-million-meter-scale nanofiber factory, with an annual production capacity of 20 to 30 million meters.

In 2025, the Group received high-level national and industry recognition in this field: Won Second Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress from the China National Textile and Apparel Council; Awarded the “Top Ten Textile Technologies in China” achievement title; Selected for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s 2025 Key Products and Processes “End-to-End” Application Plan and the Qingdao Municipal Science and Technology Bureau’s Key Technology Research Projects.

The Group’s core product, “Surforce Nanofiber Membrane,” features extremely large specific surface area, excellent mechanical properties, composite structural performance, and special physical and chemical characteristics. It can be produced using various raw materials and is widely applied in new energy, high-end filtration, consumer electronics, and textile sectors.

The product serves as a separator material for semi-solid-state batteries, high-end filtration (high-temperature gas dust collection) material, and waterproof breathable material for consumer electronics. In the textile field, this product overcomes the limitations of traditional PTFE and TPU membranes in terms of breathability and elasticity, driving the extension of protective clothing into daily functional apparel. The company has already established partnerships with renowned domestic and international brands.

The Group places strong emphasis on R&D investment and intellectual property system development. It currently holds 25 authorized patents at home and abroad, has passed TÜV Rheinland certification, and obtained internationally authoritative certifications including ISO 9001, OEKO-TEX, and GRS.

In response to global opportunities in the new materials industry, the Group will continue to deepen its full-chain innovation system and promote the large-scale application of high-performance nanofiber materials. “We will remain technology-driven, committed to bringing Chinese nanomaterials to the world and providing global customers with cost-effective, environmentally friendly solutions,” said a senior executive of Surforce Technology Group.

Posted: March 17, 2026

Source: Surforce Technology Group / IQINGDAO

Azerbaijan Textile Association (ATA)  Becomes Member Of ITMF

ZÜRICH, Switzerland — MARCH 16, 2026 — The Azerbaijan Textile Association (ATA) has officially become a Member Association of the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), further strengthening Azerbaijan’s integration into the global textile value chain.

Founded to represent and promote the interests of Azerbaijan’s textile and apparel industry, ATA plays a key role in sector development, policy dialogue, capacity building, and international cooperation. By joining ITMF, ATA reinforces its commitment to fostering sustainable growth, innovation, and global competitiveness within the national textile ecosystem.

Dr. Christian Schindler

ITMF members are responsible for approximately 90% of global textile and apparel production and represent the entire textile manufacturing value chain. Through its membership, ATA and its member companies gain access to a unique global platform for information exchange, dialogue, and industry networking.

Mr. Christian Schindler, Director General of ITMF, stated: “Welcoming the Azerbaijan Textile Association as a new Member Association further strengthens ITMF’s global network. Azerbaijan’s textile sector has significant development potential, and ATA’s participation in ITMF will contribute to deeper international collaboration, knowledge sharing, and integration into the global textile value chain.”

Through ITMF membership, ATA members will benefit from exclusive access to global statistics, reports, surveys, webinars, and industry insights. In addition, ITMF conferences, workshops, and networking events provide valuable opportunities for Azerbaijani textile companies to expand their international partnerships, enhance export potential, and adapt best global practices.

Ms. Farida Akhundova, Executive Director of ATA, stated: “Joining ITMF marks an important milestone for Azerbaijan’s textile industry. It is a strategic step toward deeper integration into global markets and the adoption of international standards and innovations. ITMF membership opens new opportunities for our member companies to strengthen their competitiveness, expand exports, and build long-term international partnerships.”

This membership represents a significant achievement for Azerbaijan’s textile sector and reflects ATA’s strategic vision to position the country as an increasingly competitive and reliable partner in global textile trade.

For more information about ATA, please visit: www.textile.az

For more information about ITMF, please visit: www.itmf.org

Posted: March 17, 2026

Source: The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)

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

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