Christopher Heyn Appointed Chief Executive Officer Of brrr° To Accelerate Innovation, Growth, and Global Brand Partnerships

ATLANTA, GA — July18, 2025 — brrr°, a supplier of advanced cooling and comfort fabric technologies, today announced the appointment of Christopher Heyn as Chief Executive Officer. Heyn has been serving as Executive Chairman and will now assume the CEO role to lead the company into its next phase of innovation, operational excellence, and global expansion.

Christopher Heyn

Heyn brings decades of proven leadership experience in building and scaling lifestyle, apparel, and performance brands across global markets. He previously served as President and CEO of Lion Brothers, where he led its transformation into a global innovation partner in apparel customization before its acquisition by Avery Dennison. His track record also includes driving brand growth and profitability at Southern Tide, Summit Golf Brands, Nautica, and the NBA.

As CEO of brrr°, Heyn will spearhead the company’s mission to deliver advanced thermoregulating fabric solutions that enhance comfort and performance throughout all seasons across a wide range of apparel, activewear, accessories, and lifestyle products. The company’s patented technology — which combines the powers of natural cooling minerals, active wicking, and rapid drying, plus advanced UPF sun protection — is engineered to provide a superior comfort experience at work and at play, and everywhere in between.

“I’m honored to serve as CEO as well as Executive Chairman of brrr° as we focus on breakthrough innovations in cooling comfort fabric technologies,” Heyn said. “With a winning sales and brand strategy, global partnerships, stronger operational execution, and a commitment to excellence, brrr° is ideally positioned to scale across multiple markets as we offer authentic and impactful solutions that support a more comfortable lifestyle — anywhere, anytime.”

“brrr° is uniquely positioned at the intersection of science, innovation, and consumer demand,” Heyn continued. “We’re excited to collaborate with brands, product developers, mills and other partners to bring our next-generation cooling solutions to life in ways that make everyday life more comfortable and more enjoyable so you can feel your best.”

Under Heyn’s leadership, brrr° is intensifying its focus on high-growth categories including athletic and golf, outdoor, casual lifestyle, and advanced performance uniform and workwear segments. The company is also enhancing supply chain capabilities and expanding its global footprint through strategic distribution and development partnerships in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Mary-Cathryn Kolb, a former Spanx executive who founded brrr° more than a decade ago, continues to support the company as an Advisor and Board Member.

“Bringing brrr° to life — shaping a complex idea into a real brand with real impact — has been one of the most meaningful journeys of my career,” said Kolb. “As a founder, I’m proud of the innovation we created and the trust we’ve earned from some of the world’s most recognized brands.”

Posted: July19, 2025

Source: brrr°

Essential But Under Threat: Potential EU Countermeasures On US Fluff Pulp Risk Driving Up Prices Of Diapers, Menstrual Products, And Incontinence Products

BRUSSELS — July18, 2025 — EDANA, an association representing the nonwovens and related industries, which include the manufacturers of hygiene products, such as menstrual products, adult incontinence and baby diapers, and their value chain, acknowledges the European Commission’s potential decision to implement countermeasures in response to the recently imposed US tariffs.

One such measure—targeting US-origin fluff pulp—would have far-reaching and unintended consequences. Fluff pulp, classified under CN code 47032100, is a critical raw material used in the manufacture of absorbent hygiene products (AHPs), including but not limited to baby diapers, feminine care, and adult incontinence products. These products are essential to the health, dignity, and daily wellbeing of millions of Europeans—particularly babies, women, and elderly citizens.

From the first diaper of a newborn to the pads that allow women to move through their day with confidence, to the products that restore dignity to the elderly—this material touches lives in deeply personal ways.

Approximately 90%1 of fluff pulp is used in AHPs due to its role in these products. US fluff pulp is irreplaceable because most of the global fluff pulp capacity comes from the US, and it can’t be fully replaced by other markets. Imposing duties on this material would significantly increase manufacturing costs, compounding already high inflationary pressures. The result: higher prices on essential hygiene items for those families who can least afford them.

The ripple effects would extend beyond consumers. European manufacturers would be placed at a disadvantage, facing rising input costs while competitors outside the EU continue exporting finished hygiene products into Europe without the same burden. This threatens not only industry jobs but also the long-term resilience of our production ecosystem.

The global market reality further complicates the issue:

  • The United States accounts for more than 80% of global fluff pulp production. There are no alternative suppliers that can meet European demand in volume or regulatory compliance.
  • Less than half of EU demand for fluff pulp can currently be met through sources outside the US.

If the proposed duties are enacted, they would not only strain household budgets but risk disrupting the supply of indispensable health and hygiene products across Europe. EDANA calls on policymakers to exclude fluff pulp (CN code 47032100) from any countermeasure. Protecting access to essential products, supporting European manufacturers, and avoiding unnecessary hardship for vulnerable consumers must remain a shared priority.

1Trade Tree Online (TTO) and Brian McClay and Associates (BMA) – TTO/BMA (February 2025). Data available on subscription.

Posted: July19, 2025

Source:EDANA

CiCLO Technology Expands Into New Markets And Announces Additional Brand Collaborations Ahead Of Functional Fabric Fair NYC

New York, NY — July17, 2025 — CiCLO® technology, the proprietary fiber innovation that helps reduce synthetic microfiber pollution, is heading into the second half of 2025 with growing traction and fresh industry interest. The company has reached significant milestones and continues to expand its global influence as a leader in biodegradable textile solutions. As the industry prepares for the upcoming Functional Fabric Fair in New York City, July 21–23, CiCLO technology is being recognized for its measurable environmental impact and potential for scalable adoption. Specifically, its new categories include: soft signage, technical performance apparel, outdoor apparel, hospitality, headwear, and nonwoven durable packaging.

In addition to penetrating new markets, CiCLO technology has achieved substantial growth across key areas of the business:

  • 55+ brand partners globally, including leaders in the USA, Canada, UK, Japan and Korea
  • More than 120,000,000 million pounds of fibers sold into the global supply chain
  • An increasing role in circular design strategies, supporting brands seeking durable synthetics made from recycled materials that also reduce the impact of microplastic pollution

“CiCLO technology is driving the industry to take real steps toward reducing the impacts of synthetic microfiber pollution, a major source of microplastics in our ecosystem,” said Andrea Ferris, founder and CEO of Intrinsic Advanced Materials. “These milestones show that progress is possible when material science, design, and business goals align. Our solution is affordable, scaled globally and easy to implement, alongside other solutions to this complex problem like designing fabrics to shed less and improving filtration where feasible.”

In support of continued industry education and transparency, Ferris will speak at a key Expert Talks session at the Functional Fabric Fair New York on July 22, 2025. The session, titled “The Fiber Connection: How Brands and Retailers Are Rebuilding Trust Through Sustainability,” explores how ingredient brands are driving environmental accountability across the apparel value chain.

Ferris will discuss the power of fiber-level solutions and how performance, sustainability, and consumer trust can be combined. “Consumers are increasingly concerned with the environmental impact of their purchases, and that starts with materials,” Ferris continued. “CiCLO technology is working with partners across categories to embed sustainability at the fiber level, where it has the greatest long-term impact.”

Posted: July19, 2025

Source: CiCLO® Technology / Advanced Materials, LLC (IAM)

AAFA Flags Anti-Counterfeiting Recommendations During Anti-Counterfeiting Awareness Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. — July17, 2025 — The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) — a leading voice for safe workplaces, consumer protection, and brand integrity — raises priority actions during National Anti-Counterfeiting and Consumer Education and Awareness Month.

  • Today, AAFA delivered a   letter to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative  (USTR) ahead of its next Notorious Markets List (NML) submission process. The U.S. government’s annual NML report calls out the worst marketplaces for the promotion and sale of counterfeits. As expanded upon in the letter, the first Trump Administration broke new ground in 2019 by including the foreign domains of Amazon (a U.S.-headquartered third-party marketplace), in the NML for the first time. Despite efforts by several stakeholders and AAFA, to nominate U.S.-headquartered third-party marketplaces for the NML, it has not included any such nominations since 2020.
  • Last month, AAFA submitted critical comments to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) regarding the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (“OECD”) Draft Voluntary Guidelines for Countering Illicit Trade in Counterfeit Goods on Online Marketplaces.

On July 14, AAFA organized and sent a letter signed by a dozen cross-industry association leaders urging Congress to protect funding for the Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC) and to advocate for an IPEC appointment before the end of the year.

Steve Lamar, American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA)

“Counterfeit, illicitly traded goods—including apparel, footwear, accessories, and travel goods—undermine trusted American brands but also threaten the jobs and livelihoods of millions of U.S. workers and the safety of American consumers and the environment,” said Steve Lamar, President and CEO of AAFA.

“Through stronger education and more effective public policy, we must all work together to combat the scourge of counterfeits increasingly being promoted and sold across e-commerce and social commerce platforms. Counterfeit listings flood these platforms daily while brands fight a lopsided battle with illicit traders who have a completely unfair advantage. As stated in today’s letter to USTR Ambassador Greer, we are eager to work with USTR to update the Notorious Markets List process to include domestic platforms and marketplaces to level the playing field for all businesses, protect legitimate commerce and valuable IP, and to continue the fight against dangerous counterfeits. All of us can do more to support American innovation, to raise awareness, and to protect American families going into the holiday season.”

Today AAFA also extends its gratitude to the sponsors, including Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and co-sponsor—Senators Chris Coons (D-Delaware), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii)—for their continued leadership in recognizing July as ‘National Anti-Counterfeiting and Consumer Education and Awareness Month.’ The designation, introduced by S.Res.314, brings vital attention to the role trademarks play in both the U.S. economy and the protection of consumers.

Learn more about AAFA’s concerns around the larger Digital Devalue Chain of Counterfeits.

https://www.aafaglobal.org/counterfeitdevaluechain

Posted: July 17, 2025

Source: The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)

Uster Technologies: Discussing The Challenges Of Making Yarn From Recycled Fibers

USTER, Switzerland — July16, 2025 — What does it take to spin quality yarn from recycled fibers? Uster Technologies brought textile industry leaders together to discuss the role of technology, data and automation – as well as the current challenges in using recycled raw material.

Experts from Rieter, Säntis Textiles, Otto Yarns, and TVU commented on the current situation and looked into the future of spinning in a panel discussion organized at Uster headquarters.

It’s more than just machinery – it’s about rethinking processes, embracing AI, data and machine automation as well as building industry-wide collaboration. As spinners navigate the multiple demands of circularity, customer satisfaction, and profitable business, one thing is clear: the future of recycled textiles must be individually engineered, comprehensively tested, and connected like never before.

Standards and individuality: engineering for reliability and diversity

Advanced machinery is a critical component in enabling engineering teams to optimize processes and drive innovation. Machines from leading manufacturers offer reliability but don’t make an inimitable product. “With the goal of being different and unique, we create our own path by developing our own final machines,” says Andreas Merkel, CEO at Otto Yarns. Otto engineers customize the machines for specialized applications. A notable example is the Spin-Knit system, which integrates spinning and knitting into one continuous operation. Originally configured for cotton, the machine was re-engineered to process technical fibers, by removing the standard top section and implementing a proprietary drafting system.

The production of recycled yarns brings technical requirements that are significantly different from those with virgin fibers. According to Stefan Hutter, owner of Säntis Textiles, there is a clear need for the development of new industry standards tailored specifically for recycled materials, and he advocates for Uster Technologies to take a leading role in this effort. Ultimately, the successful integration of advanced production machinery, newly-defined quality standards, and precise quality control systems will require close industry collaboration. This is the only way that confidence in recycled yarns can be established – ensuring that customers not only trust the product’s performance and consistency but are also willing to invest in its value.

Adapting spinning processes for recycled yarns

Recycled yarn production can be achieved with existing spinning technologies, either by adapting current systems or by integrating additional processing steps. “Spinners must go back to the basic task and again learn how to spin, starting from scratch and going through the whole line of spinning,” says Michael Will, Head Textile Technology & Process Analytics at Rieter. This re-learning process is essential due to the variable nature of recycled fibers, and it demands extensive testing and data collection – measuring key parameters, validating process changes, and ensuring consistency through iterative quality control.

Growing customer demand for more automation presents a dual challenge: matching the need for   maximum flexibility with the rigid configurations typical with interconnected automated systems. In conventional spinning mills, linking multiple machines can limit process adaptability. However, machine-level automation offers potential for enhanced flexibility, particularly when processing smaller lot sizes. For instance, features such as automated adjustment of comber nip distances can streamline setups.

The role of data and AI

In the recycling process, sorting, separating, and cleaning are advanced operations in which artificial intelligence plays a critical role in pattern recognition and optimization. In this way, AI enables optimization of material recovery at the right quality, to improve process efficiency. Another key area is traceability, which ensures product reliability and builds trust throughout the supply chain. “For downstream processes such as dyeing, it must be possible to trust certificates,” says Thomas Franz, Sales and Purchasing Manager at TVU.

Data analysis is fundamental to these efforts, but it becomes truly effective only when integrating comprehensive data streams. This means connecting spinning machinery and testing instruments – ideally across different brands – to enable holistic process monitoring and control. For spinners, seamless working between equipment and systems is crucial to unlocking maximum operational benefits and ensuring consistent quality in recycled yarn production.

Enabling the future would start with technology partners meeting, discussing and working together. This is a common belief of the experts participating at the panel discussion – and the Uster event has been one step in this direction.

The panel discussion (Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLgmyPprjNk) is available in full to those interested in more details.

Posted: July 17, 2025

Source: Uster Technologies AG

Mahlo GmbH + Co. KG Celebrates 80 Years of Company History

SAAL ON THE DANUBE, Germany — July17, 2025 —80 years of experience, innovation, and family spirit – this year, mechanical engineering company Mahlo GmbH + Co. KG from Saal an der Donau is celebrating a very special anniversary. Since its founding in 1945, Mahlo has evolved from a small pioneering workshop into a globally sought-after specialist in measurement and control technology.

It all started with the radio. By building radio receivers, Dr. Heinz Mahlo began his entrepreneurial success story shortly after the end of World War II with the founding of the “Dr. Heinz Mahlo Electromechanical Workshops” in Saal an der Donau. The visionary engineer soon recognized the potential of the textile industry and developed the first measurement systems for fabrics. A major breakthrough came in 1958 with the patent for the first automatic weft straightener – a technological milestone that still forms the basis for modern straightening machines today.

This initial success laid the foundation for the company’s continuous development. In the decades that followed, Mahlo opened up new markets, expanded its product portfolio to applications in the nonwoven, paper, and plastics industries, and built an international sales and service network. Step by step, subsidiaries were established in the USA, Italy, Belgium, and China, along with global service partnerships to ensure close customer support on site.

Technology for Textiles, Nonwovens, Paper, and More

“As the global market leader in textile straightening technology, we continue to build on the ideas and entrepreneurial foresight of Dr. Heinz Mahlo – and have developed the broadest portfolio of straightening systems in various configurations on the market,” summarizes CEO Rainer Mestermann.

Rainer Mestermann

He has been leading the company since 2011 and has helped Mahlo successfully expand beyond the textile sector. “In the late 2000s, we established a second pillar in the field of web measurement technology with our quality measurement system Qualiscan QMS – also to become less dependent on typical market fluctuations in the textile industry.”

The new product line was so successful that in 2018, a new production hall was built specifically for this area. And in true Mahlo fashion, the bar was set high – today the company is considered the provider with the most comprehensive portfolio of in-house developed sensors.

Strong Through Change – Thanks to Strong Roots

But even a solid flagship like Mahlo is not immune to turbulent developments in the global market. “With an export share of around 80 percent, we are naturally closely tied to the global economy,” says Mestermann. Current geopolitical crises are dampening the demand for capital goods. Ultimately, the demand for Mahlo technology is closely linked to the consumption of high-quality products – such as in the clothing or packaging industries. “And it’s precisely this quality we stand for – and our systems ensure it is reliably achieved.”

Still, the managing director remains optimistic that Mahlo will weather these rough waters as well: “Keeping a company successful in the market over eight decades is only possible with a spirit of innovation, reliability, and the dedication of many smart minds. I am proud of our team and grateful for the trust of our customers around the world.”

Innovation Hub in Saal an der Donau

One of the key pillars is the motivated and skilled team at the Saal headquarters. All systems are developed and built there – in line with the company’s guiding principle that explicitly emphasizes its commitment to Germany as a development and production location. To secure the necessary skilled workforce – known to be in short supply in Germany – Mahlo strongly promotes young talent as one of the largest training companies in the Kelheim area. “That was already very important to my grandfather,” emphasizes Ralph Greenwood-Mahlo, grandson of the company founder and, together with his wife Aura, owner of the company. Both continue to lead Mahlo in the spirit of Dr. Heinz Mahlo: “We want to preserve the company culture that has grown over time while also providing momentum for new developments. It’s important to us to allow room for fresh ideas while offering continuity.”

A Family with Responsibility – Then and Now

For the Greenwood-Mahlo family, running a family business means thinking in generations, not in quarterly numbers. This also means making sustainable decisions. “By firmly integrating resource-saving behavior into our company practices, we can not only protect the environment but also ensure our company’s long-term success.” Mahlo’s systems also contribute to this – helping manufacturers save raw materials, make processes more efficient, and minimize waste.

According to Ralph Greenwood-Mahlo, this reflects a lived responsibility towards employees, customers, the region, and future generations: “Dr. Heinz Mahlo was a pioneer who had the courage to tackle technical challenges while always striving to find the best solution for his customers. This spirit of innovation still shapes Mahlo today – and we see it as our duty to carry this legacy forward without losing touch with reality. Innovation with responsibility – that was his core idea, and it’s ours too.”

Posted: July 17, 2025

Source: Mahlo GmbH + Co. KG

Fachpack 2025: Freudenberg To Present Protective Packaging Solutions For Automotive OEMs That Target Waste Prevention And Climate Goals

WEINHEIM, Germany — July17, 2025 —Freudenberg Performance Materials (Freudenberg) will showcase packaging materials combining high performance protection, CO2 emission reduction and waste prevention at Fachpack 2025 in Nuremberg, Germany, from September 23-25. Evolon® packaging solutions offered by Freudenberg are particularly suited for packaging automotive components with sensitive surfaces. The Freudenberg experts are looking forward to welcoming visitors at Stand 3-231 in Hall 3.

Evolon® sustainable protective packaging Source: ©Freudenberg Performance Materials

Evolon® packaging materials provide superior surface protection for a wide range of automotive parts, including molded plastics and painted elements. The high-end textiles make an important contribution to the quality goals of OEMs and tier suppliers by preventing damage to transported parts and lowering rejection rates.

Recycled content and low CO2 footprint

Evolon® textiles have a small carbon footprint because their manufacturing process uses low-CO2 energy, and the fabrics are lightweight and reusable. Furthermore, Evolon® packaging materials are made of up to 85% recycled content. “By replacing virgin raw materials with recycled content, we’ve been able to cut the carbon footprint of our fabric production by 35%. We are actively exploring the possibility of manufacturing Evolon® using 100% recycled content to drive CO₂ emissions down even further,” explains Jean-François Kerhault, Director Global Sales & Marketing General Industry at Freudenberg Performance Materials.

Although Evolon® fabrics are lightweight – from 80gsm to 300gsm – they nevertheless still provide the high mechanical strength properties required for automotive packaging applications. This conserves raw materials and reduces the weight of transported loads. In particular, the new Evolon® Ultra Force is approximately 50% lighter than PVC-based materials with similar high mechanical strength, while containing a minimum 50% recycled content and no PVC.

Waste prevention

Evolon® materials play an important role in decreasing waste when it comes to transporting automotive parts. Above all, the high-end materials provide superior surface performance which directly reduces scrap of transported parts.

In addition, packaging waste is also prevented because Evolon® technical packaging textiles are designed for reusable packaging containers. Single-use packaging is avoided. Moreover, Evolon® packaging material lasts for the entire production cycle of a car model.

Posted: July 17, 2025

Source: Freudenberg Performance Materials (Freudenberg)

Reju And Circle-8 Textile Ecosystems Partner To Further Large-Scale Textile Recycling In The U.K.

PARIS — July17, 2025 —Reju™, the progressive textile-to-textile regeneration company, and Circle-8 Textile Ecosystems, a key builder of ecosystems and infrastructures unlocking textile-to-textile recycling, today announced a partnership to further facilitate a circular textiles ecosystem in the U.K.

Circle-8 will furnish Reju’s future European Regeneration Hubs with feedstock supply from post-consumer textile waste processed through its’ first digitized Automated Textile Sorting and Preprocessing (ATSP) facility, as a step to a network of industrial scale facilities Reju will then leverage the feedstock for production of its regenerated Reju Polyester™, that will have a 50% lower carbon footprint compared to virgin polyester and can be regenerated infinitely.

“Working with Circle-8’s growing ecosystem and ATSP enables us to elevate the efficiency of the textile recycling process, making it easier and more precise, resulting in a premium product meeting the high Reju standard for polyester,” said Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju. “As more consumers and clothing producers become aware of the importance of keeping textiles out of landfills, it is critical to have automated, streamlined processes and facilities in the places where the textile waste is.”

The partnership between Reju and Circle-8 will contribute to building UK infrastructure for materials processing and establishing partnerships for a fully transparent and viable fibre-to-fibre ecosystem. The agreement is set to lead UK brands and retailers to transition to a circular textile industry. With Circle-8 providing pre-sorted and pre-processed feedstock at a large scale for Reju’s proprietary regeneration technology, this partnership ensures efficiency, accuracy and scalability for the upwards of 700,000 tonnes of non-reusable textile waste generated in the UK every year.

“Reju and Circle-8 share an unwavering commitment to unlocking true indefinite textile-to-textile recycling here in the UK and around the globe,” said Cyndi Rhoades, co-founder and CEO at Circle-8. “This partnership highlights the importance of cooperation and innovation in turning textile waste into resource. With global regulatory bodies enacting coordinated efforts addressing the issue, Reju and Circle-8 are dedicated to scalable solutions meeting regulatory demands and achieving a more sustainable future.”

Posted: July 17, 2025

Source: Reju

Mimaki To Exhibit At Texworld Paris With Its Next Generation Textile Printing Solution, TRAPIS

AMSTERDAM — July17, 2025 — Mimaki Europe, a manufacturer of inkjet printing and cutting technologies, announces its participation in Texworld Paris, taking place from 15th-17th September at Parc des Expositions de Paris-Le Bourget (Halls 2-4). The company will demonstrate TRAPIS (Transfer Pigment System) alongside real-life customer use cases at its booth (Hall 3, Stand O204). Situated within Avantex Paris, part of Texworld Paris, this dedicated area highlights companies committed to reducing pollution and promoting circularity in the textile and fashion industry, so to create the fashion of the future.

Mimaki will demonstrate its TRAPIS solution at leading textile show, Texworld Paris (15th-17th September)

Launched last year, Mimaki’s TRAPIS solution offers printers a simple two-step process, consisting of an inkjet printer and a high-pressure calender. Significantly reducing wastewater by approximately 90% compared to conventional digital dyeing methods and cutting carbon emissions by up to 92%, TRAPIS allows manufacturers, designers or retailers to create vibrant textiles easily and sustainably. Ideal for on-demand printing for fashion and interior décor applications, it can print on a wide range of fabrics, including natural and synthetic fibres.

Martial Granet, Branch Manager France & Maghreb, Mimaki Europe, comments, “Texworld Paris provides an invaluable platform to showcase our accessible and sustainable TRAPIS solution directly to thousands of global textile professionals. Continuing the momentum of the TRAPIS roadshow in June, which generated strong interest from fashion brands, we’re excited to see how it is received here by visitors.”

Ahead of Texworld Paris, Mimaki will also showcase TRAPIS at Texworld New York (22nd to 24th July), giving US-based textile professionals the opportunity to experience this innovative and sustainable printing technology firsthand (Hall 3B, Stand F10).

For more information about products and services from Mimaki, visit www.mimakieurope.com.

Posted: July 17, 2025

Source: Mimaki Europe B.V.

Functional Fabric Fair Announces New Winter Edition, Co-Located At The 2026 PGA Show

NORWALK, Conn. — July17, 2025 —  Beginning in 2026, Functional Fabric Fair powered by PERFORMANCE DAYS® is expanding to a fourth event with the launch of its winter edition in Orlando, Florida. The show will take place January 21–22, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in the Tangerine Ballroom, running concurrently with the PGA Show, the longest running and largest global gathering for the business of golf, organized by Reed Exhibitions (RX) and the PGA of America.

The new Orlando winter edition of Functional Fabric Fair will feature 75 curated exhibitors and spotlight key areas including Expert Talks and the Trend Forum. Registration opens in September 2025, is free to verified industry professionals, and is separate from the PGA Show.

Functional Fabric Fair is the premier North American trade-only sourcing event for high-performance textiles with a focus on sustainability, featuring spring and fall editions in Portland, Oregon, and a summer edition in New York City. The Orlando edition is designed to bring innovative materials and technologies to a wider audience, particularly those in the golf, outdoor and activewear sectors.

The roots of Functional Fabric Fair trace back to the PGA Show’s 2016 initiative to introduce a raw materials sourcing area, giving brands access to emerging innovations for golf and tennis apparel. Interest grew rapidly, expanding from 30 exhibitors in 2017 to 68 by 2018, establishing a dedicated destination for performance materials.

Building on this momentum, Functional Fabric Fair launched in Summer 2018 to serve a broader market across outdoor, sport and fashion sectors. The Fair further distinguished itself by implementing specific sustainability and manufacturing criteria for its exhibitors, ensuring attendees connect with vetted, responsible sourcing partners. What began with a focus on golf and leisure apparel now spans four annual events, bringing together over 1,000 exhibitors and attracting more than 8,000 visitors.

“There is an exciting crossover between the performance needs of the golf industry and the advanced textile technologies featured at Functional Fabric Fair,” said Steve McCullough, Event Vice President. “We are thrilled to bring our sourcing platform back to Orlando during the PGA Show and help connect designers, developers and decision-makers with the functional fabrics that elevate product performance.”

For more info visit: Functional Fabric Fair Winter | Orlando:

https://www.functionalfabricfair.com/

Don’t miss the upcoming summer edition of Functional Fabric Fair, taking place at the Javits Center in New York City, and the debut of the Day 0 Sustainability Workshop on Monday, July 21, ahead of the exhibition hall opening on July 22–23. This edition will showcase 150+ sustainability-certified suppliers featuring materials and innovations for the Summer 2026/2027 seasons. As with all editions, it will offer expert-led education and is open to designers, product developers, buyers and media across the outdoor, fashion and lifestyle industries.

Posted: July 17, 2025

Source: Functional Fabric Fair powered by PERFORMANCE DAYS® – RX  Global

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