OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — October 9, 2025 — Super stretchy, breathable and quick-drying—this performance means that elastic fabrics from 2-bar tricot machines lead the field when it comes to sportswear, athleisure wear and swimwear. These supple fabrics feel cool and silky against the skin, are super soft to handle and extremely easy to care for. Dense fabrics in particular, manufactured in the high gauge of E44, also offer matchless sun protection. An ultraviolet (UV) protection factor more than twice as high as that of circular knits with the same weight per unit area is driving increasing demand, especially for outdoor clothing.
The outstanding, functional comfort these fabrics offer is sparking interest in the conventional clothing sector, too: wearers of suits, shirts, dresses and skirts also want the comfort, ease of care and modern style of these engineered smooth warp knits.
An original pleated skirt, which KARL MAYER is highlighting at its booth at ITMA ASIA, showcases the exciting possibilities these textiles offer for classic outfits.
The super-stretch warp knit turns this icon of the feminine wardrobe into a comfortable all-rounder with a sporty touch. The fabric neither creases when worn nor restricts movement — and adds extra pep to the strict pleated design.
In Singapore, this upgraded fashion classic will be presented right next to the new 2-bar tricot machine on which its material was manufactured. During the trade fair, the new machine with its unconventional concept and unbeatable price-performance ratio will be producing a fabric in gauge E 36.
Further garments and fabric samples for inspiration will be on display at the textile show at the KARL MAYER booth A301 in Hall 5 of the Singapore EXPO.
TOKYO — October 2, 2025 — Teijin Frontier Co. Ltd., today announced the launch of THERMOFRONT™, a new master brand for sheet insulation that combines environmental responsibility with high thermal performance. The new insulation is comprised of more than 70 percent ECOPETⓇ, Teijin Frontier’s recycled polyester fiber, and incorporates hollow cross-sectional fibers and functional raw materials to deliver outstanding warmth.
THERMOFRONT insulation is designed for a wide range of applications, from sports and outdoor wear to casual apparel.
In the first phase of this product rollout, Teijin Frontier is introducing three sub-brands: THERMOFRONT OA, THERMOFRONT SL and THERMOFRONT BE. Each offers distinct value-added features such as bulkiness, lightweight comfort and moisture control. Domestic and international sales of these three sub-brands will begin on October 7. They will be marketed for outdoor, sports and casual wear for the Autumn/Winter 2026 season.
In recent years, as people increasingly enjoy outdoor activities and sports in their daily lives, diversified lifestyles have driven demand for insulated outerwear and sportswear that offers not only warmth and light weight but also bulkiness, softness and comfort across various settings. At the same time, growing environmental awareness among consumers has increased the need for sustainable products. In response, Teijin Frontier developed THERMOFRONT high-performance sheet insulation by integrating its expertise in nonwoven fabric design and processing technologies with its long-standing recycling capabilities.
Key features of THERMOFRONT™ insulation
All products under the new THERMOFRONT brand share these attributes:
Environmental responsibility: ECOPET recycled polyester fiber, more than 70 percent of component, significantly improves the sustainability of the insulation.
Enhanced insulation performance: Hollow cross-sectional staple fibers provide superior thermal insulation compared to conventional polyester sheet insulation.
Maximizing the functionality of combined fibers through Teijin Frontier’s proprietary nonwoven fabric design and sheet processing technologies..
First three THERMOFRONT™ sub-brands
THERMOFRONTTM OA uses OCTAIR™, Teijin Frontier’s hollow, 8-fin cross-sectional staple fiber, to deliver excellent bulkiness and lightweight comfort. Moreover, combining it with ECOPET staple fiber and sheeted at optimal density enable to maintain thermal performance over time. THERMOFRONT OA is made entirely from recycled polyester.
THERMOFRONT SL combines Teijin Frontier’s SOLOTEXⓇ, a polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) fiber with a spring-like molecular structure, and AEROCAPSULEⓇ γ ECO, a three-hole hollow polyester fiber with a spiral shape. This blend offers a soft texture, good shape recovery and superior warmth, ensuring comfortable wear.
THERMOFRONT BE features a nonwoven fabric made from BEMBERGⓇ — a regenerated cellulose cupro fiber and a registered trademark of Asahi Kasei Corp. — and AEROCAPSULEⓇ γ ECO. The moisture absorption and desorption properties of BEMBERG, along with its moisture control capabilities, help prevent discomfort from sweating. The combined use of recycled polyester and regenerated cellulose reaches 97 percent.
Production of these three materials will begin in Japan and China, with plans to expand manufacturing to Vietnam and Europe. The three sub-brands will be marketed for outdoor, sports, and casual wear for the Autumn/Winter 2026 season. Teijin Frontier aims to sell 300,000 meters of THERMOFRONT products in fiscal 2025 and 1 million meters by fiscal 2028.
Teijin Frontier will continue to expand the THERMOFRONT series to meet diverse market needs and provide solutions tailored to evolving lifestyles.
DURHAM, N.C. — October 10, 2025 — AATCC announces the renewal of its OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certification for AATCC Powder Laundry Detergent, Certificate No. 21.0.93288. This renewal highlights AATCC’s commitment to sustainable textile testing practices.
AATCC Renews Eco Passport for Powder Detergents
The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) is proud to announce the renewal of its OEKO-TEX ECO PASSPORT certification for the AATCC Standard Reference Laundry Powder Detergents, Certificate No. 21.0.93288. This renewal reinforces AATCC’s commitment to sustainable and responsible textile testing practices.
The ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX is an independent certification for chemicals, colorants, and auxiliaries used in the textile and leather industry. Products awarded this certification have been tested for harmful substances and meet the strict criteria for environmentally friendly production.
AATCC Powder Detergent is widely used in standardized textile testing and is now also listed in the ZDHC Gateway, supporting the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals initiative. This listing enhances transparency and promotes safer chemical management across the global supply chain.
This renewal is a testament to our ongoing dedication to sustainability and product integrity. We’re proud to offer a detergent that meets rigorous environmental standards while supporting the textile industry’s testing needs.
Detergent and AATCC Eco Passport Information
The updated certificate and supporting documentation are now available on the AATCC website at https://www.aatcc.org/detergent-certification
To purchase AATCC Powder Detergent, visit the AATCC Store: https://members.aatcc.org/store/
To learn more about the benefits of AATCC Standard Laundry Detergent, visit: https://www.aatcc.org/laundering/
What is ZDHC?
ZDHC- stands for the zero discharge of hazardous chemicals. It is a program started by apparel and footwear brands and retailers who wanted to lead the industry toward zero discharge of hazardous chemicals. ZDHC has a materials-restricted substance list (ZDHC-MRSL), which is a list of chemical substances that are prohibited from use. Compliance comes in the forms of Levels 1 – 3. AATCC is compliant with Level 1. For more information on ZDHC visit https://www.zdhc-gateway.com/
What is ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX®?
ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX is an independent certification system for chemicals, colorants, and auxiliaries used in the textile and leather industry. Following a multistep process, each individual ingredient in a chemical product is analyzed to determine if it meets statutory requirements and that it is not harmful to human health.
The textile chemicals certified in accordance with the ECO PASSPORT have been tested for harmful substances in critical concentrations as listed in the ECO PASSPORT standard. The label provides transparent proof of which articles meet the criteria for ecologically responsible textile and leather manufacture (oeko-tex.com).
The process for AATCC’s certification included the following:
CAS Number Screening of the chemical ingredients- During the CAS Number Screening, the product components were compared against the list of harmful chemicals for the ECO PASSPORT (RSL/MRSL), which includes the SVHC Candidate List from REACH.
Analytical Verification-An analytical laboratory test was carried out to ensure that the certified chemicals can be used in the sustainable production of human-ecological optimized textiles.
AATCC worked with OEKO-TEX through Hohenstein which is a certifying body for ZDHC-MRSL. You can now find the AATCC powdered detergent listed on the OEKO-TEX Buying Guide. https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/buying-guide Find out more about ECO PASSPORT at https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/our-standards/eco-passport-by-oeko-tex
What does the ZDHC-MRSL, and ECO PASSPORT distinctions mean for AATCC Powdered Detergent customers?
The chemicals used to manufacture AATCC 1993 Standard Reference Detergent With Brightener (W/B) and AATCC 1993 Standard Reference Detergent Without Brightener (WOB) Powders have been evaluated and confirmed to not be hazardous to the environment per the guidelines established for ECO PASSPORT and ZDHC-MRSL. For those companies on a journey to sustainable chemical management and ZDHC-MRSL compliance, the AATCC powders can confidently be used as part of your value chain. The powdered detergent formulas are consistent and ZDHC Level 1 compliant. Additionally, ECO PASSPORT serves as credible proof that it can be used in sustainable processes.
Customers may request a full copy of the AATCC ECO PASSPORT Certificate by visiting https://www.aatcc.org/testing/SDS. The certificate may be validated by following the QR Code:
Now is your chance to help move the textile industry in a more sustainable direction! Buy AATCC 1993 Standard Reference Detergent With Brightener (W/B) and AATCC 1993 Standard Reference Detergent Without Brightener (WOB) Powdered Detergents because they are now ECO Passport and ZDHC certified! You can purchase AATCC Detergent and more at https://members.aatcc.org/store
Posted: October 10, 2025
Source: The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC)
MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. — October 8, 2025 — Atlas has officially launched the next-generation Ci3000 Weather-Ometer®, featuring nearly double the sample capacity, enhanced irradiance and temperature uniformity, a redesigned NextGen Ci user interface, and a sleek new exterior finish with integrated chamber lighting — all engineered to deliver more consistent and efficient testing across global labs. The upgraded system streamlines test setup, method selection, and day-to-day operation while building on the performance that has made the Ci-Series a trusted tool for plastics, coatings, and automotive OEMs.
Ci3000 Weather-Ometer®
A benchmark instrument for accelerated weathering and lightfastness testing, the Ci3000 is the most compact and cost-effective rotating-rack xenon arc unit in Atlas’s Weather-Ometer lineup (alongside Ci4400 and Ci5000). It reproduces years of outdoor exposure in weeks through controlled cycles of xenon light, heat, moisture, and spray.
“The Ci3000 has earned its place in labs worldwide by producing accurate, repeatable weathering data,” said Chelsea Todd, Product Marketing Manager at Atlas. “With these updates, customers gain higher throughput, wider test coverage, and improved stability – without losing the dependability they trust.”
Expanded sample capacity with improved uniformity
A new two-tier rotating rack nearly doubles sample capacity (from 20 to 38). Its redesigned airflow system delivers best-in-class, tier-to-tier uniformity across test parameters — an advantage for comparative and multi-client programs.
Wider irradiance range and stability
The next-gen Ci3000 introduces a widened irradiance range, enabling both high- and low-level test methods to be run directly, without additional modification. Controlled irradiance technology provides greater precision and repeatability, while advanced algorithms hold irradiance and temperature steady across varying lab conditions. These updates expand the instrument’s testing capabilities and improve reproducibility.
Simplified control and connectivity
The updated NextGen Ci user interface features a larger, high-contrast touchscreen for direct control of irradiance, temperature, humidity, and spray. Built-in notifications and multi-language support streamline daily operation. With WXView® II software, users can remotely monitor instruments, compare results across sites, archive data, and standardize workflows across facilities.
Automated environmental stability
SmartDamper™ technology provides advanced control of black panel temperatures (BPT/BST) and chamber temperature. This helps maintain tight, repeatable conditions and compensates for ambient fluctuations, supporting more reliable results across extended test runs.
Smarter, more efficient operation
A newly designed DI water cooling system improves lamp safety, efficiency, and reliability. The optional LiquiAir™ recirculating DI system can reduce tap-water use by up to 100%. A stacked indicator light clarifies test status at a glance.
Refreshed industrial design
The Ci3000 introduces a new exterior design in line with Atlas’s new design direction. A built-in chamber light makes lamp changes, cleaning, and maintenance easier.
Comprehensive standards coverage
The Ci3000 provides 14 factory pre-programmed methods, with space for 12 custom programs and sub-cycle capability. Its broadened irradiance range supports a wider range of test methods, and it conforms to current ISO, ASTM, SAE, Ford, GM, JASO, and other major global standards for weathering and lightfastness.
The Ci3000 will be on display at K-2025 in Düsseldorf, October 8–15, Hall 10 / D27.
For more information, visit atlas-mts.com
Posted: October 9, 2025
Source: Atlas Material Testing Technology – Atlas MTS
LENZING, Austria — October 9, 2025 — When Kingpins Amsterdam opens its doors next week, the global denim community will witness Lenzing unveil a special denim showcase featuring a curated selection of key pieces made with TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 fibers in collaboration with various leading mill partners.
Featuring a wide range of denim styles from bottoms to tops in light and dark washes, the collection shows how this collaborative fiber innovation brings versatility to both everyday staples and elevated statement pieces.
Engineering authenticity through innovation
The challenge seemed paradoxical: how to engineer imperfection that looks natural? With Variocut technology, the fibers create natural irregularities and a matte finish, paired with a soft hand feel and reduced drape fluidity, delivering the authentic, premium look designers and brands seek while opening new creative and functional possibilities for denim:
Textured look — authentic denim wash down performance with a soft, natural hand feel;
Matte finishing and opaque aesthetic; and
Natural softness paired with a reduced drape fluidity.
“With the introduction of TENCEL Lyocell – HV100, we are reaching a new milestone in denim innovation. This new development delivers the authentic wash-down performance and opaque, matte aesthetics of a genuine denim, while maintaining the sustainability advantages of TENCEL fibers¹,². TENCEL Lyocell – HV100 also enables new design expressions with textured surfaces and a natural, comforting softness — opening fresh possibilities for denim creators worldwide,” explained Tuncay Kılıçkan, head of Global Business Development, Denim at Lenzing.
Adriano Goldschmied, the industry known “Godfather of Denim”, shared his vision on why authentic texture and new fiber solutions are vital for the future of denim: “I was truly excited to see how Lenzing’s new TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 expands the creative horizon for TENCEL™. Its evolution brings the fiber closer to the essence of heritage denim, with a richer, more intense uptake of indigo dye – deep, soulful, and beautifully authentic. All of this, while preserving the signature softness and drape we love in TENCEL™. In my view, it bridges the core denim look with the elevated hand feel that defines modern comfort.”
Amy Wang, general manager, Advance Denim: “Driven by the passion for Lenzing’s products, I often incorporate TENCEL fibers across our denim fabric designs. I have long sought a fiber that combines all the benefits of TENCEL with the natural feel of cotton – previously a major challenge for Lenzing. Now, they have delivered TENCEL Lyocell – HV100, which perfectly achieves the effect I envisioned.”
Hasan Javed, executive director, AGI Denim: “For us, TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 means striking the right balance between authenticity, comfort and sustainability; it’s helping us meet the evolving customer needs, whilst pushing the boundaries of conscious fashion.”
Oktay Okuroglu, head of Sales, Marketing and Product Development Director, ORTA: “When I saw the TENCEL Lyocell – HV100 results, I said ‘we did it’ – It wasn’t grey, it wasn’t shiny, and it reacted to the indigo dyeing and washing exactly like cotton. To the eye, you cannot tell the difference; to the touch, you feel the softness and the comfort which you cannot get from a 14 oz cotton fabric.”
Juan Pares, President of Textil Santanderina Group: “At Santanderina Group, we’ve been working side by side with Lenzing for over 35 years, together with developing textile solutions that push boundaries and set new standards. That is why we are proud to be part of this new launch. TENCEL Lyocell – HV100 is more than a fiber; it is a step forward in performance, sustainability, and innovation. At Santanderina Group we are excited for what’s next, because it’s the future of textiles we’ll build together. Thanks, Lenzing, for giving us possibilities for the future with new innovations and new fibers.”
DURHAM, N.C. — October 8, 2025 — CEP Running, the performance compression brand built on medical-grade compression technology, today announces the appointment of Marc Sylvester as National Specialty sales manager. Sylvester will lead CEP Running’s U.S. sales strategy, across run specialty and strategic retail partners, with the mission to support the brand’s growth in compression socks, sleeves, performance apparel and footwear.
Marc Sylvester
As part of CEP Running’s ongoing commitment to the specialty channel, the brand continues to invest in the people and resources that fuel growth and strengthen retail partnerships. In this role, Sylvester will build on that commitment by driving sell-through through best-in-class education, enhancing category storytelling at retail, and deepening CEP Running’s relationships with leading run-specialty accounts.
Sylvester brings more than a decade of run-specialty, brand, and channel leadership experience, paired with an extensive background as a competitive runner, coach, and community builder. A fixture in the running community, Sylvester has served runners from every facet of running — starting as a collegiate runner to becoming a fitter and gait-analysis specialist, then advancing into territory sales, retail marketing, and brand-side leadership roles. He has built programs for sell-in and sell-through, led product education clinics, and partnered with high school, collegiate, and club teams to elevate performance and recovery. His background includes work with leading performance brands and specialty retailers, spanning route-to-market strategy, account service, and event activation.
“Marc is a runner’s runner who speaks the language of performance and understands the heartbeat of the run-specialty channel,” said Torrie Jackson, vice president of CEP Running. “His track record in footwear and performance retail, combined with authentic
credibility among athletes, coaches, and store teams, makes him the ideal leader to scale CEP Running’s next phase of growth.”
Sylvester will lead a close-knit team of both internal and independent sales reps nationwide to support run specialty with new product introductions, as well as retail and consumer education around the performance benefits of medical-grade compression, including improved circulation, reduced muscle vibration, and accelerated recovery. In addition, he will expand strategic partnerships across teams, coaches, and race organizations to connect CEP’s product benefits directly to athlete outcomes.
“Compression is a competitive advantage when it’s done right—grounded in science, proven in training, and trusted on race day,” Sylvester explained. “I’m excited to expand CEP’s footprint with dealers who value education, measurable performance, and a closer connection to their running communities.”
ZURICH/PARIS — October 8, 2025 — In a significant advancement for supply chain transparency, TextileGenesis has introduced a new feature in its advanced digital traceability solution, the Fiber-to-Retail (FTR) module, enabling suppliers to upload Haelixa DNA/Forensic Traceability Certificates via a dedicated dropdown menu: ‘DNA/Forensic Traceability Certificate’. This integration bridges the gap between physical and digital traceability, offering brands and suppliers a unified platform to verify material authenticity from source to retail.
The textile industry continues to face growing risks of fiber adulteration, blending, and fraudulent claims, particularly when it comes to premium materials such as organic cotton, recycled fibers, cashmere and other high-value fibers. By combining Haelixa’s forensic DNA markers, which are embedded directly into the fiber, with TextileGenesis’ blockchain-inspired digital chain of custody, this integration enables a multi-layered traceability system, providing irrefutable scientific evidence alongside transparent, tamper-proof digital records.
“Traceability must go beyond trust — it must be verifiable,” said Gediminas Mikutis, founder and CTO of Haelixa. “By embedding natural DNA markers at the fiber level, we offer forensic proof of origin. When paired with TextileGenesis’ digital platform, brands gain unprecedented visibility and assurance over the authenticity of their materials throughout the supply chain.”
“Supply chain transparency demands both depth and integrity,” adds Amit Gautam, Founder & CEO of TextileGenesis. “This integration with Haelixa is a powerful example of how digital and physical traceability methods can complement one another. It allows brands to consolidate all traceability data, transactional, certified, and forensic, into a single, trusted system of record.”
As global regulatory frameworks increasingly emphasize evidence-based sustainability claims, this collaboration supports brands and suppliers in strengthening their traceability infrastructure, reducing compliance risks, and reinforcing consumer trust through authenticated data and science-backed proof of origin.
Posted: October 9, 2025
Source: Haelixa / TextileGenesis, A Lectra Company
ROSH-HA`AYIN, Israel — October 6, 2025 — Kornit Digital Ltd. announced today that Printeez, Inc. is the latest custom apparel leader to transition production volumes from screen printing to high-quality, on-demand digital production with Kornit Atlas MAX POLY systems.
Printeez, headquartered in Quebec, service brands, creators, franchises, and sports teams across North America. Specializing in polyester and blended blanks, the company delivers vibrant apparel for professional sports, nonprofits, and top eCommerce sites without minimum order constraints. Its on-demand infrastructure enables rapid order-to-delivery, scalability, and retail-grade quality at speed.
Following its initial investment in two Atlas MAX POLY systems earlier this year, Printeez has now expanded to four — virtually eliminating reliance on traditional screen printing. With Kornit at the center of its production, Printeez is cutting labor costs, reducing manual steps, and accelerating turnaround for customers.
“Printeez was born out of a passion to disrupt and transform the future of the apparel industry,” said Shawn Sckoropad, founder and CEO at Printeez. “Our mission is to build a true retail-grade print-on-demand solution for individuals and major brands alike. Kornit gives us the technology to realize this vision. Together, we’re building our U.S.-based production facility and scaling our platform to serve more than 10,000 users.”
“The sports and apparel industry is under tremendous pressure to deliver rapid turnaround with a retail-like experience,” said Ilan Elad, president of the Americas at Kornit Digital. “Too often, they remain tied to outdated screen technology. With Kornit, companies like Printeez are meeting demand with the speed, customization, and quality today’s market requires — especially in the growing sportswear segment where polyester dominates.”
He continued, “We’re proud to support young entrepreneurs and family-based businesses like Printeez focusing on quality and quick turnaround. Together we’re streamlining labor costs and more quickly achieving their vision of becoming THE premium platform for modern brands.”
ZÜRICH, Switzerland — October 8, 2025 — The winners of the ITMF Start-up Awards 2025 will present their business models at the upcoming ITMF & IAF Conference 2025 which will be held October 24-25 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia and will be co-hosted by the Indonesia Textile Industry Association (API).
The objectives of the ITMF Start-up Awards are to provide start-ups a platform to showcase their innovative ideas and to offer them the possibility to meet in-person with well-established companies from the entire textile value chain.
The 5 winners of the ITMF Start-up Award 2025 are (in alphabetical order):
Ambercycle, USA: https://www.ambercycle.com/
A Bridge to the Future – Building Circularity at Scale
aweXome Ray (Korea): https://awexomeray.com/
CNT Fiber Innovation – From Dream Material to Industrial Reality
BYBORRE (Netherlands): https://byborre.com/
The Last Industry to be Digitized
Silana (Austria): https://www.silana.com/
From Offshor to On-Demand – How Robotics is Reshaping Fashion Manufacturing
ZymoChem (USA): https://www.zymochem.com/
Commercialization of Biobased Nylon 66
Posted: October 8, 2025
Source: The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)
WASHINGTON — October 8, 2025 — With most holiday merchandise already on hand and tariffs continuing to rise, monthly import cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports is expected to fall below the 2 million TEU mark for the remainder of the year, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
“This year’s peak season has come and gone, largely due to retailers frontloading imports ahead of reciprocal tariffs taking effect,” said NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold. “New sectoral tariffs continue to be announced, but most retailers are well-stocked for the holiday season and doing as much as they can to shield their customers from the costs of tariffs for as long as they can.”
The latest tariffs — 25 percent on upholstered furniture regardless of country and the same rate on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities — are set to take effect next week and increase in January. And a tariff increase on imports from China that was delayed by 90 days in August is scheduled to go into effect November 10, unless a deal is reached or President Donald Trump decides on another delay.
“Ongoing volatility in U.S. tariff policy is creating significant economic uncertainty, with trade volumes expected to see unpredictable shifts over the next four to six months,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said. “Many large companies preemptively imported goods to build up inventories, but as those stockpiles are depleted, the full inflationary impact of the tariffs will become apparent.”
U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 2.32 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units — one 20-foot container or its equivalent — in August. That was down 2.9 percent from July’s 2.39 million TEU — the peak month for the year — but up 0.1 percent year over year.
Ports have not yet reported numbers for September, but Global Port Tracker projected the month at 2.12 million TEU, down 6.8 percent year over year.
October is forecast at 1.97 million TEU, down 12.3 percent year over year, and November at 1.75 million TEU, down 19.2 percent. December is forecast at 1.72 million TEU, down 19.4 percent year over year for the slowest month since 1.62 million TEU in March 2023.
While the falling monthly totals are related to tariffs, the year-over-year percentage declines are both because of this year’s early peak season and because imports in late 2024 were elevated by concerns over port strikes.
The first half of 2025 totaled 12.53 million TEU, up 3.7 percent year over year. The full year is forecast at 24.79 million TEU, down 2.9 percent from 25.5 million TEU in 2024.
January 2026 is forecast at 1.87 million TEU, down 16.1 percent year over year, and February 2026 is forecast at 1.77 million TEU, down 12.8 percent.
Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by Hackett Associates, provides historical data and forecasts for the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at NRF.com/PortTracker
OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — October 9, 2025 — Super stretchy, breathable and quick-drying—this performance means that elastic fabrics from 2-bar tricot machines lead the field when it comes to sportswear, athleisure wear and swimwear. These supple fabrics feel cool and silky against the skin, are super soft to handle and extremely easy to care for. Dense fabrics in particular, manufactured in the high gauge of E44, also offer matchless sun protection. An ultraviolet (UV) protection factor more than twice as high as that of circular knits with the same weight per unit area is driving increasing demand, especially for outdoor clothing.
The outstanding, functional comfort these fabrics offer is sparking interest in the conventional clothing sector, too: wearers of suits, shirts, dresses and skirts also want the comfort, ease of care and modern style of these engineered smooth warp knits.
