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Textile World

Name: Techtextil North America (Raleigh)
Start: 2026-08-04T00:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-08-06T23:59:59-04:00
Location: Raleigh Convention Center

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Techtextil North America Returns To Raleigh In 2026

May 31, 2026

August technical textiles event spotlights education, innovation and networking.

Textile World Special Report

Techtextil North America will return August 4-6, 2026, to the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, N.C., bringing together the technical textiles and nonwovens value chain from raw materials through end-use applications. The event will offer a mix of exhibits, education and networking aimed at helping decision-makers track developments across key application sectors.

“Techtextil North America 2026 is shaping up to be one of our most dynamic editions yet,” said Julie Nickel, senior show manager for organizer Messe Frankfurt Inc., based in Atlanta.

“Raleigh places us in the heart of a thriving technical textiles corridor, creating valuable opportunities for connection across the industry.” Nickel noted that, alongside a strong exhibitor lineup and the returning Symposium and Tech Talks programs, the show will debut the Econogy Sustainability Forum to bring focused conversations on innovation and sustainability to the forefront.

Raleigh Bound

Raleigh provides a fitting backdrop for the 2026 edition. In addition to its role in research and innovation, the city combines historic neighborhoods and cultural attractions with a growing advanced manufacturing and technology base. It is home to North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles, reinforcing the event’s connection to workforce development and academic research in textiles.

Twelve Application Areas

The exhibition floor will span 12 application areas, reflecting the breadth of the technical textiles industry. Agrotech covers products for agriculture, horticulture, forestry and landscape use, from crop-protection fabrics to shading and ground covers. Hometech encompasses upholstery fabrics, carpets and curtains for home and contract interiors, while Oekotech focuses on environmental protection, including erosion control, waste-management textiles, and air and water filtration.

Buildtech highlights materials for construction and architecture such as membranes, awnings, tarpaulins and soundproofing. Packtech addresses packaging solutions including bags, sacks and flexible intermediate bulk containers.

Clothtech covers functional components for clothing and footwear, from interlinings and sewing threads to insulation materials. Geotech is dedicated to geotextiles used in civil engineering for reinforcement, filtration and drainage.

Indutech focuses on industrial applications such as filtration media, cleaning textiles and conveyor belts. Medtech centers on medical and hygiene uses, including surgical gowns, bandages and implants.

Mobiltech covers automotive and aerospace textiles, from seatbelts and airbags to interior fabrics. Protech addresses personal and property protection, including flame-retardant fabrics, bullet-resistant products and high-visibility clothing. Sporttech encompasses sports and leisure, from performance sportswear to equipment covers and sailcloth.

Symposium Sessions

The Techtextil North America Symposium will offer sessions on topics ranging from product development and performance to supply chains and reshoring. Planned sessions include: “Designing Textile-Based Medical Devices: From R&D to Real Use;” “Supply Chain: In the Round;” “Digital Design and Anthropometric Measurement;” “Protective and Military Textile Advancements;” “Designing for Real Performance;” and “Manufacturing/Re-shoring/Nearshoring.” The program is intended to deliver focused information on specific industry topics as well as perspectives on current and emerging market demands, and symposium registrants receive a three-day show-floor pass.

Tech Talks

Complementing the Symposium, the Tech Talks program will provide shorter, solution-focused sessions on emerging technologies, held directly on the show floor to encourage informal discussion and networking. The Start-Up Zone will give early-stage companies a dedicated area to present new technologies and business models to potential partners and customers.

Econogy Forum

Sustainability will also be highlighted through the Econogy Sustainability Forum on Thursday, August 6. The forum will feature two sessions in the Symposium Room: one examining circularity across the span of a textile career and another exploring how natural fibers can be reused and reimagined through technical textiles under the theme “Old to New — Circularity, Use and Reimagining of Natural Fibers Through Technical Textiles.”

Techtextil Innovation Awards

Innovation will be in focus through the Techtextil Innovation Awards, which recognize developments in research, materials, products, applications and technologies. Categories include new concepts, materials, applications, products, chemicals and dyes, recycled materials and recycling technologies, as well as production technology, digitalization and AI solutions.

“We look forward to celebrating the exhibitors whose advancements are elevating performance and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible across the technical textiles and nonwovens community,” said Kristy Meade, vice president of Technical Shows for Messe Frankfurt Inc.

Award winners will be selected by a jury of industry experts and announced onsite during the event.

Networking will extend beyond the show floor through the Techtextil North America Reception, offering attendees an additional setting to connect with peers and customers in an informal environment.

Additional events organized by Messe Frankfurt include Texprocess Americas, Texworld events in New York and Los Angeles, and other trade shows in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

2026 Quarterly Issue II

Textile Recycling Expo USA Takes Charlotte

May 31, 2026

Inaugural event addresses pressing topic facing U.S. textiles.

Textile World Special Report

Event organizer Applied Market Information Ltd. (AMI) launched the Textiles Recycling Expo in Brussels, Belgium in 2025, as its first event focused on textile waste, leveraging its long experience in plastics recycling.

Building on the momentum that began in Brussels, the Charlotte Convention Center recently hosted the U.S. inaugural edition.

With 1,858 visitors, 95 exhibitors, and 52 speakers, the inaugural event was met with a diverse group of attendees and visitors engaged in finding connections and information on one of the most popular topics facing U.S. textiles — recycling.

“As organizer of the inaugural Textiles Recycling Expo USA, it was incredible to see the event come to life in Charlotte, with packed sessions, a busy show floor and real momentum across the industry,” commented Isobel Ree, Marketing Manager — Textiles Recycling Expo Portfolio, AMI.

“The quality of conversations and diversity of attendees showed just how committed the sector is to advancing textile circularity.

“It was a proud moment to see the industry come together on one platform, reinforcing just how essential collaboration will be moving forward.”

Opinion From The Floor

Speaker and exhibitor Meredith Boyd, EVP, Chief Product Officer, Greensboro, N.C.-based UNIFI, Inc., shared her views on the Expo: “We were very pleased with the Textiles Recycling Expo in Charlotte to have the opportunity to exhibit and showcase our newest textile-to-textile, circular innovations: REPREVE Takeback™ and ThermaLoop™ insulation.

Jessica Franken, Vice President, Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART) made that first presentation on the agenda of speakers.

“The turnout was fantastic, and it validated that the industry – brands, mills, designers and developers – are looking for: solutions that are available now, globally and at scale. “

Long-time industry veteran Ludovic Pitrois, North America Sales Director, FIMIC, commented, “Having spent the last six years in the plastics industry after a career in textiles, attending this inaugural U.S. edition was a particularly insightful experience.

“What surprised me most was the breadth of the technical discussions. I had anticipated a heavy focus on PET, but the curiosity extended across the entire polymer spectrum, including PA, PP and PE.

“Seeing that level of diversification in recycling interest was a very welcome surprise.”

Jessica Franken, Vice President, Government & External Affairs, Alexandria, Va.-based Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART) made the first presentation on the agenda, stated, “It was a very positive and well-executed event; easy to navigate and a great platform to spotlight this rapidly growing area while bringing together a diverse mix of stakeholders across the value chain. The energy was palpable, with strong engagement between traditional textile players and those focused on reuse and recycling.”

Hardy Sullivan, Managing Director, Thies US, LLC, remarked, “Visitors included many people and companies new to me along with representatives based in the region. Awareness of the U.S.’ 17+ million tons per year of textile “waste” is growing, along with state-by-state regulatory initiatives. The Expo showed us that many companies want to either promote their approach or figure out what role to play.”

Adding some perspective, Sullivan added, “In my view, textile recycling is feasible, today, and if done right, it equates to strengthened domestic manufacturing. By turning “waste” into raw materials regionally, as opposed to shipping all used textiles offshore, means we will have raw materials for use by domestic sources, be it in textiles or other industries.

“I believe in the “All of the Above” strategy to recycling. “

Based on the industry’s positive reaction, the next edition of the Textile Recycling Expo USA will return to Charlotte, N.C. on April 7–8, 2027.

2026 Quarterly Issue II

SYFA Conference, Networking And SYFA Scholarship

May 31, 2026

The Synthetic Yarn and Fabric Association (SYFA) event featured presentations, networking and annual tournament.

Textile World Special Report

The Synthetic Yarn and Fabric Association (SYFA) hosted its Annual Spring Conference April 1-2, 2026, at the Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel. The event drew 104 attendees for presentations and networking with industry peers.

Themed “The Fabric Frontier: ‘Our Future in Every Fiber,’” the conference featured presentations by industry notables including Drake Extrusion, Nilit, Syre, Gaston College, S&P Global and Under Armour.

Chuck Hall, president and CEO of Spartanburg, S.C.-based Barnet, offered remarks on the “State of U.S. Textiles.” Hall, the 2025 National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) chairman recently addressed the NCTO’s 22nd annual meeting in Washington with the detailed presentation (see “2026 State Of The U.S. Textile Industry,” this issue).

(Left to right): Charlotte, N.C.-based BARMAG members Matt Pierce and Daniel Page, both in Technical Service Sales, with BARMAG President Chip Hartzog and General Manager, Services Sales Manuel Wray enjoyed the fourth annual Spring Golf Tournament.

Prior to the conference, the SYFA Fourth Annual Spring Golf Tournament was held at Rocky River Golf Club in Concord, N.C. The event supports the SYFA Scholarship at Gaston College’s Textile Technology Center, offering technical training to students for careers in textile manufacturing.

“Participation in the Annual SYFA Tournament reflects our continued commitment to the textile industry, as well as our support for educational fundraising initiatives,” said Charlotte, N.C.-based BARMAG President Chip Hartzog.

“This year, we also showcased our new BARMAG branding through a hole sponsorship. Together we enjoyed a beautiful day and greatly valued the opportunity to spend quality time with our industry partners and customers.”

The conference closed with remarks by the new SYFA president, Chris Schultz of Columbia, S.C.-based Shakespeare Company. Schultz takes the helm from Meredith Boyd of Greensboro, N.C.-based Unifi Inc. Boyd remains a strong supporter of SYFA and now serves as secretary and treasurer.

2026 Quarterly Issue II

Engineered For Workwear

May 31, 2026

NILIT positions SENSIL® for evolving workwear needs.

Textile World Special Report

Migdal Haemek, Israel-based NILIT is introducing a new collection of SENSIL^® technical fabrics and garment concepts for the workwear sector, designed to address durability, comfort and wearer well-being, according to the company. SENSIL^® is NILIT’s premium Nylon 6.6 brand for apparel.

According to NILIT, as job-site expectations evolve, workwear must do more than withstand wear and tear. Garments are increasingly expected to support productivity while improving physical and mental comfort. The company says it is leveraging its background in athleticwear, outerwear and fashion apparel to develop fabrics tailored for modern work environments.

“The workwear market requires well-designed, multifunctional apparel that not only handles the demands of the workplace but supports the wearer with technical features that contribute to productivity, mental and physical comfort, and overall wellness,” said Sagee Aran, NILIT’s chief commercial officer.

The new collection is marketed under NILIT’s SENSIL^® brand, its premium Nylon 6.6 platform. Nylon 6.6 is widely recognized for its strength, resilience and abrasion resistance, characteristics that make it suitable for performance applications, including workwear.

Within the SENSIL^® portfolio, the fabrics are said to incorporate technologies intended to address key industry needs. These include thermal regulation to help maintain body temperature, moisture management to wick perspiration and odor control to support hygiene during extended wear. Additional features such as muscle support — described by the company as providing light compression — and abrasion and tear resistance are intended to improve durability and wearer comfort.

NILIT says the SENSIL^® products are manufactured with an emphasis on sustainability and are designed to support circularity, referring to efforts to reduce waste and extend material life cycles. According to the company, these attributes align with emerging global regulations focused on environmental impact and transparency.

“While NILIT has always served the workwear market, we are now leveraging our proven expertise in athleticwear and fashion apparel into new workwear concepts that truly stand out for excellent performance, aesthetics and durability,” Aran said.

The collection also reflects evolving expectations around workwear aesthetics, according to NILIT. In addition to performance, garments are increasingly expected to deliver a professional appearance, particularly in customer-facing roles. The company says its fabrics are designed to support both functional and branding requirements.

The fabrics and garment concepts were presented at Techtextil Frankfurt 2026 in NILIT’s booth and through mill partners including Pontetorto, Concordia, Getzner, Edelweiss, Alto Milanese, FOV, IBQ and Sofileta. NILIT says these partnerships are intended to support broader adoption across the textile supply chain.

Target applications include corporate uniforming, hospitality, food service, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, first responders and military, sectors with varying performance requirements ranging from durability to long-wear comfort.

Founded in 1974, NILIT is a global producer of Nylon 6.6 fibers with four vertically integrated manufacturing facilities and global offices serving customers in EMEA, Asia, Latin America and North America. Its SENSIL® brand spans multiple apparel categories, including intimate apparel, legwear, activewear, denim, outdoor wear and workwear.

For more information, contact nilit.com

2026 Quarterly Issue II

People 2026 Quarterly Volume 2

May 31, 2026

Universal Fibers Appoints Jay Brown President

Bristol, Va.-based Universal Fibers announced the appointment of Jay Brown as president, effective May 1, 2026. Brown brings more than 35 years of leadership experience across the flooring, fiber and building materials industries. He previously served as president and chief operating officer at Bentley Mills and executive vice president at Happy Floors.

Carbon Appoints Jason Rolland Chief Technology Officer

Redwood City, Calif.-based Carbon, a product development and manufacturing technology company, announced the promotion of Jason Rolland, Ph.D., to chief technology officer. Rolland has been with Carbon for more than 12 years, built the materials team, and co-invented the company’s patented dual-cure resin platform. He holds over 60 issued U.S. patents.

Lyle Shipley Joins Herculite As Innovation Director

Emigsville, Pa.-based Herculite Products announced that Lyle Shipley joined the company as director of innovation. Shipley brings more than 25 years of experience in the plastics industry with expertise in film formulation, product management and new product development. He most recently served as senior product manager at Continental AG.

Arne Arens Joins unspun As CEO

San Francisco-based unspun, a B Corp-certified apparel technology company, announced the appointment of Arne Arens as chief executive officer. Arens brings decades of experience leading global consumer apparel brands including The North Face, where he served as global brand president, and Boardriders, where he served as CEO. Arens will guide unspun’s next phase of growth as it scales automated, localized manufacturing infrastructure for the apparel industry.

Teruyuki Sakimon Named CEO Of Toray CMA

Tacoma, Wash.-based Toray Composite Materials America Inc., a manufacturer of advanced composite materials, announced the appointment of Teruyuki Sakimon as president and chief executive officer effective April 1, 2026. Sakimon has been with Toray CMA for more than 20 years and with Toray Industries’ advanced composites division for nearly 30 years. He succeeds Dennis Frett, who is retiring after more than 30 years with the company.

(clockwise from upper left) Tom Daugherty, Pricie Hanna, Carey Hobbs and CK Wong

INDA Honors Four With 2026 Lifetime Awards

Cary, N.C.-based INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced the four 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 leadership, innovation and contributions to advancing the nonwovens industry.

“These awards celebrate individuals whose careers have helped shape the growth and progress of the nonwovens industry,” said Tony Fragnito, INDA president and CEO.

Tom Daugherty’s career spans decades at Procter & Gamble and The Nonwovens Institute at North Carolina State University. He served on the INDA Board of Directors from 2007 to 2009 and the INDA Executive Committee from 2010 to 2016.

Pricie Hanna is managing partner of Price Hanna Consultants, specializing in nonwoven products and technologies. She was previously vice president of John R. Starr Inc. for 23 years.

Carey Hobbs joined Hobbs Bonded Fibers in 1963 and grew the company into a leader in the nonwoven industry until he sold it in 2015. He served two terms on INDA’s board of directors.

CK Wong was chairman and CEO of U.S. Pacific Nonwovens Industry Limited and served as INDA vice chairman.

LYCRA Company Appoints Alistair Williamson Sustainability VP

Wilmington, Del.-based LYCRA Company appointed Alistair Williamson as vice president of product sustainability. Williamson brings four decades of experience in textile fibers and apparel, having held commercial, sales and marketing leadership roles across EMEA, North America and South Asia. He will guide the company’s sustainability strategy and oversee initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact across products, operations and innovation platforms. Williamson joined the predecessor of LYCRA Company in 2007.

Thermore Appoints Don Reichelt To North American Sales Team

Milan, Italy-based Thermore, a supplier of sustainable synthetic insulation, appointed Don Reichelt as North American sales representative. Reichelt brings experience across the outdoor and endurance sports industries and is the founder of Colorado-based Rocky Peak Marketing. He has worked with brands in the outdoor, run and active lifestyle spaces. In his new role, Reichelt will focus on expanding Thermore’s relationships with North American apparel partners.

Trivantage Adds West Coast Furnishings Sales Representative

Burlington, N.C.-based Trivantage announced the appointment of Kate McCracken as a sales representative for the furnishings division. McCracken will strengthen customer relationships across the West Coast, focusing on outdoor furnishings and OEM segments. She brings nearly a decade of experience across textile sales, hospitality project management and the architectural industry.

Nonwovenn Appoints Dr. Nisarg Tambe Innovation Director

Bridgwater, England-based Nonwovenn appointed Dr. Nisarg Tambe as director of innovation. Tambe brings more than a decade of experience in the nonwovens industry and most recently served as head of research and development for the Evolon product range at Freudenberg Performance Materials. Dave Hill will transition from innovations director to next gen products director, focusing on continuation and commercialization of existing product development activities.

Edd Denes Named CEO Of Accelerating Circularity

New York-based Accelerating Circularity announced the appointment of Edd Denes as chief executive officer. Denes previously served as board treasurer of Accelerating Circularity since 2021. He brings more than two decades of leadership experience spanning financial services, technology transformation and international operations. Accelerating Circularity works with brands, manufacturers, collectors, sorters, recyclers, and innovators to build systems for textile-to-textile recycling at scale.

Texcare Names Altmann-Morelli Director

Frankfurt Am Main, Germany-based Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH named Vivien Altmann-Morelli director of Texcare International, effective May 1, overseeing the global laundry, dry-cleaning and textile services trade fair and brand portfolio. She will also lead Food Technologies and report to Kerstin Horaczek. Altmann-Morelli succeeds Johannes Schmid-Wiedersheim.

Standard Fiber Names Spence Merchandising Chief

Henderson, Nev.-based Standard Fiber named Randy Spence chief merchandising officer, a new role overseeing merchandising, product development, marketing and sourcing. He will unify product and brand strategy and report to Brett Scharf. Spence brings 40 years of experience across consumer goods, including roles at Pillowtex and Springs Global, and founded pet bed manufacturer NVM Pet, sold in 2020.

Carters Names Sharon Price John CEO

ATLANTA-based Carter’s Inc. named Sharon Price John CEO and president, effective June 15, 2026, and a board member. CFO/COO Richard F. Westenberger will serve as interim CEO. John joins from Build-A-Bear, where she drove profitability, omnichannel growth and market expansion. Douglas C. Palladini departed; the company reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 outlook.

2026 Quarterly Issue II

AGY, SAERTEX Develop Advanced S-2 Glass Non-Crimp Fabrics

May 31, 2026

AGY S-2 Glass non-crimp fabric using SAERTEX USA production process.

Aiken, S.C.-based AGY, a global supplier of specialty glass fiber reinforcements, and Saerbeck, Germany-based SAERTEX, manufacturer of multiaxial non-crimp fabrics, announced a joint development focused on using AGY’s high-strength S-2 Glass fiber in SAERTEX engineered non-crimp fabric architectures.

The collaboration combines AGY’s S-2 Glass reinforcement with SAERTEX’s tailored multiaxial NCF technology to deliver lightweight, high-strength composite solutions for aerospace, defense, industrial and advanced mobility applications.

SAERTEX non-crimp fabrics are designed with precisely aligned fiber orientations and optimized surface weights to maximize load performance while reducing component weight and layer count.

“Combining S-2 Glass with SAERTEX’s advanced multiaxial fabric design enables lightweight solutions that can compete in applications traditionally reserved for higher-cost materials,” said Patrick Hunter, chief commercial officer and president of AGY.

“The integration of AGY’s S-2 Glass fiber allows us to offer customers enhanced mechanical performance while maintaining the processing advantages of non-crimp fabrics,” said Christian Beckmann, CEO of SAERTEX.

The companies are qualifying multiple multiaxial constructions for structural composite applications.

2026 Quarterly Issue II

Dimension-Polyant Launches X-Pac hyperTEC Fabric Series

May 31, 2026

Putnam, Conn.-based Dimension-Polyant introduced X-Pac hyperTEC, a family of advanced performance fabrics engineered for mountaineering, climbing, skiing and bikepacking applications.

“What sets X-Pac hyperTEC fabrics apart is their high-modulus fiber architecture,” said Taylor North, Dimension-Polyant global head of technical fabrics. “Using advanced fibers allows us to produce laminates that are ultra-light and have a tremendous strength-to-weight ratio, while maintaining the durability and reliability that X-Pac is known for.”

X-Pac hyperTEC fabrics are built with high-modulus fibers, advanced reinforcement and technical constructions engineered for resilience and optimized load paths. The company’s lamination technology delivers stable fabrics at lightweight specifications with inherent waterproof performance.

X-Pac hyperTEC UX fabrics are made with a 100% Ultra-PE (UHMWPE) face fabric and Ultra-PE X-PLY reinforcement. The series includes UX10 (82 grams per square meter), UX10 ST (122 grams per square meter), and UX20 ST (154 grams per square meter), each engineered for different performance and durability requirements.

2026 Quarterly Issue II

Fire-Dex AeroFlex Turnout Earns UL Particulate Verification

May 31, 2026

AeroVent^® technology allows sweat vapor to escape without letting heat inside.

Medina, Ohio-based Fire-Dex announced that UL Solutions verified particulate ingress results for its AeroFlex turnout system under UL Verification 1641. The verification confirms performance to NFPA Particle Inward Leakage testing requirements when the ensemble is worn in a specific configuration.

“Particulate barriers in pant/coat interfaces add protection from contaminants, but the trade-off is that they can limit breathability,” said Todd Herring, vice president of product innovation and strategy at Fire-Dex. “AeroFlex is designed differently, with vents that help hot air escape from inside turnouts but that also keep particulates out.”

The evaluated configuration included the AeroFlex coat with a properly engaged self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), along with AeroFlex pants equipped with the optional particulate-blocking barrier. According to UL Solutions, testing reported less than 1 microgram exposure on the wearer across the ensemble.

The AeroFlex turnout system places VaporLite breathable composite panels where heat and sweat concentrate and integrates AeroVent Technology to move warm humid air outward under pressure with an integrated particulate-blocking element.

2026 Quarterly Issue II

Apparel Brands Back unspun’s U.S. Automated Manufacturing Push

May 31, 2026

According to the company, unspun technology enables in-season production, reduces excess inventory and can improve margins by 400–500 basis points.

San Francisco-based unspun, backed by more than $50 million in venture funding, has secured letters of support from Walmart and REI to build U.S.-based automated apparel manufacturing hubs using AI-enabled 3D weaving technology.

Supply chain partners Bethel Industries, Peckham and PDS Ltd/ GSC Link will support development with initial production expected in the near term. The proprietary system produces semi-finished garments directly from yarn in minutes, replacing multiple cut-and-sew steps with a single automated process.

“We are not exploring whether domestic apparel manufacturing can work. We are building it,” said CEO Arne Arens.

According to the company, the technology enables in-season production, reduces excess inventory and can improve margins by 400–500 basis points.

“Our customers are proud to buy apparel made in America,” said Avisnash Bhasker, Walmart vice president of apparel production development.

unspun is evaluating U.S. sites and workforce training programs for deployment.

2026 Quarterly Issue II

Shoppers Increasingly Aware Of Microplastics, Prioritize Natural Fibers

May 31, 2026

Cary, N.C.-based Cotton Incorporated released research showing consumer awareness of microplastics has climbed to 41%, up from 17% in 2017, with growing concern about synthetic fibers in clothing.

According to the company’s 2026 Global Sustainability Survey of 1,022 U.S. consumers, 59% say they are likely to seek clothing made with microplastic-free fibers. Among those concerned about microplastics, 41% consider wearing clothing containing microplastics a major concern.

“Consumers overwhelmingly view cotton as environmentally safe compared with synthetic fibers, signaling that fiber perception is playing a larger role in how apparel sustainability is evaluated,” said Melissa Bastos, director of corporate strategy and insights at Cotton Incorporated.

Overall, environmental concern stands at 73%, while motivation-to-act sustainably rose to 76% in 2026 from 73% in 2023.

Consumers report taking action including limiting plastic purchases (37%), recycling (27%) and seeking natural materials (12%). However, 37% feel overwhelmed by unclear information and 36% are unsure what to do, creating opportunities for brands and mills to provide clearer guidance on natural-fiber options and anti-shedding innovations.

2026 Quarterly Issue II

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