AATCC Honors 2025 Award Recipients For The AATCC Future Leaders Award

DURHAM, N.C.— November 21, 2025 — AATCC honors 2025 award recipients for the AATCC Future Leaders Award, the J. William Weaver Paper of the Year Award, and the AATCC Technical Committee on Research (TCR) Service Award. These awards were presented on November 11, 2025, at the AATCC Fall Committee Meetings. This year, the Fall Committee Meetings were held November 11-13, 2025, at the StateView Hotel in Raleigh, NC, USA.

Future Leaders Award

The AATCC Future Leaders Award recognizes promising young professionals in the fields of textiles, apparel, and related material sciences, provides acknowledgment and recognition to enhance their careers, engages these young professionals in the work of the Association, and brings their insights and needs to the forefront. Award recipients represent the various AATCC Interest Groups.

Award Recipients

Xiuzhu Fei, senior product development engineer at Microban International Inc., leads sustainable antimicrobial product development and has launched two next-generation products. She holds multiple patents, including one that earned a 2025 Silver Edison Innovation Award, and has advanced degrees in textile chemistry and fiber science from NC State. An active AATCC member since 2016, Fei contributes to research committees, conference steering groups, and speaks at industry summits.

Karen Haberland, senior project officer at ECRI Institute, leads investigations on PPE and vaccine administration technologies and has directed grant-funded studies on isolation gown protectiveness. She has developed technical specifications for global procurement programs, published research, and holds a patent for a medical device curvature system. Haberland earned degrees in mechanical engineering from Lehigh and Rowan Universities and studied engineering research at the National University of Ireland Galway. Since joining AATCC in 2021, she has served as secretary of RA75 and chairs a subcommittee on water resistance test methods.

Kaitlin Sigmon is an analytical lab technician at the Manufacturing Solutions Center, specializing in testing apparel, PPE, and upholstery materials since 2018. She actively promotes domestic manufacturing and quality standards and serves on multiple ASTM committees, including textiles and PPE. Sigmon earned her BS in Biology from Western Carolina University and completed the ASTM Emerging Professionals Program in 2025. As an AATCC member since 2022, she serves as secretary for RA23 and RA109 and participates in RA31 Antimicrobial Activity.

Monét Freeman is lead physical testing specialist at Gaston College’s Textile Technology Center, where she oversees lab operations and conducts standardized testing on fibers, yarns, and fabrics. She also provides customer consultations and previously coordinated customized textile training and helped launch the Textile Academy. Freeman brings extensive industry experience from companies like World Elastic Corporation, Kate Spade, and Madewell, and is a member of ASTM and ISO 9001:2015. She earned her BS in Textile Technology: Medical Textiles from NC State in 2014.J.W. Weaver Paper of the Year Award

J.W. Weaver Paper of the Year Award

The AATCC Publications Committee presents the J. William Weaver Paper of the Year Award to the author or authors of the best peer reviewed paper published in the AATCC journal each year. The best paper is selected from among those published in the AATCC Journal of Research during the preceding calendar year. All authors of the winning paper are recognized. The award includes a framed certificate signed by the AATCC president and the Publications Committee chair.

About the Authors

Xiaoxiao Qiu, Shuaitong Liang, Wenqing Cheng, Hongjuan Zhang, Liujun Pei, and Jiping Wang are the recipients of the J. William Weaver Paper of the Year Award for their paper, “The Environmental Impact of Low-Pressure Anhydrous Dyeing Technology for Polyester: Carbon Footprint Quantification and Evaluation” published in the November/December 2024 issue of AATCC Journal of Research.

Xiaoxiao Qiu earned a bachelor’s degree from Zhejiang Sci-Tech University in 2022 and earned a master’s degree from Shanghai University of Engineering Science in 2025. In 2022, Qiu received a Provincial Government Scholarship, and received a Graduate Academic Scholarship in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Shuaitong Liang is an associate professor and Department Associate Dean for the Shanghai University of Engineering Science, School of Textiles and Fashion. Since 2019, Liang has worked at the Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Clean Production of Textile Chemistry. Liang received a bachelor’s degree from Shaanxi University of Science and Technology (2010), a master’s degree from Shanghai University of Engineering Science (2014), and a doctoral degree from Donghua University (2018). Liang also studied at the University of California, Davis, as a visiting scholar from 2016 to 2017. Liang has several recently published research papers in relevant journals, including AATCC Journal of Research.

Wenqing Cheng works at Zhejiang Green Universe Textile Technology Co. Cheng received a bachelor’s degree from Qingdao University (2012), a Master of Engineering  from Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology (2015), and a doctoral degree from Zhejiang Sci-Tech University (2021). In 2023, Cheng served as the Deputy Director of Research and Development in the Research and Development department of Zhejiang Lvyu Textile Technology Co., Ltd. Cheng has papers published in several journals.

Hongjuan Zhang is an associate professor at Shanghai University of Engineering Science. She received a bachelor’s degree from Zhongyuan University of Technology (2012), and a master’s (2015) and a PhD (2019) from Donghua University.

Liujun Pei works as an associate professor at Shanghai University of Engineering Science.
In 2011, Pei received his bachelor’s degree from Zhongyuan University of Technology, and degree (2014) and a doctoral degree (2017) from Zhejiang Sci-Tech University. In 2021, Pei received the Wang Shanyuan’s Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation. Pei has several published works in various journals.

Jiping Wang is a professor at Shanghai University of Engineering Science. Wang earned a bachelor’s degree from Zhejiang Sci-tech University (1982), a master’s degree from Donghua University (1985), and a PhD from the University of Texas at Arlington (1994). Wang joined AATCC in 1995, and is an active member, holding leadership positions and participating in several research committees. Since 2015, he has served as Chair of C7 Publications Committee, on the AATCC Board of Directors, and the AATCC Foundation Board of Directors. Wang has also served as the AATCC Global Membership Representative in China for the past 10 years.

Technical Committee on Research (TCR) Service Award

The Technical Committee on Research Service Award was established in 2008 to recognize those members who have contributed greatly to the AATCC organization in a technical capacity. Individual members of the Association with at least five years of continuous membership in AATCC, who have contributed outstanding technical service to the Association through activity in a research committee, are eligible. The Award consists of a plaque and an honorarium.

Award Recipients

Alan Buttenhoff joined AATCC in 2003. He serves as the chair of RA57 Floor Covering Test Methods research committee and is active in RA50 Lightfastness and Weathering Test Methods research committee. He served as a member of the AATCC Board of Directors from 2010 to 2012. Since joining AATCC, Buttenhoff has established several work groups that improved the stain reference scale manufacturing process, developed a new vinyl for the vinyl staining test method, and improved documentation and detection limits of the TM189-2017e Test Method for Fluorine Content of Carpet Fibers. He is an active member of the Technical Committee on Research and is a voting member of the Materials Interest Group.

Miranda Klaas joined AATCC in 2019. Since 2019, Klaas has served as chair of RA59 Fibrous Test Materials research committee and has served as secretary of RA60 Colorfastness to Washing Test Methods research committee. Klaas has attended several conferences, including the Textile Testing Training Conference, and is a part of various committees. She is a member of the Technical Committee on Research, the Materials Interest Group, and serves as the social media content creator for the Delaware Valley Section.

Posted: December 2, 2025

Source: The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC)

SINTX Technologies Signs Supply Agreement With EVONIK To Manufacture Silicon Nitride–PEEK Compound For AI-Assisted, 3D-Printed Patient-Specific Implants

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — December 1, 2025 — SINTX Technologies, Inc. (“SINTX” or the “Company”), an advanced ceramics and biomaterials company, today announced that it has signed a supply agreement with Evonik Corporation (“EVONIK”), a global leader in high‑performance polymers, to manufacture the Company’s proprietary silicon nitride–PEEK compound (SiN/PEEK) (U.S. Patent No. 10,806,831) engineered for AI‑assisted additive manufacturing of patient‑specific implants that will be produced using equipment already in place at SINTX’s U.S.-based production facility.

Under the agreement, EVONIK will produce SiN/PEEK compound leveraging its commercial-scale capability to SINTX’s specifications, enabling the Company to immediately begin manufacturing AI‑designed, 3D‑printed, patient‑specific implants. SINTX has already received physician requests to provide humanitarian‑use vertebral body replacement (VBR) implants for orthopedic and neurosurgical oncology patients following tumor resections in the spine. In addition, the Company intends to use the SiN/PEEK compound to support regulatory clearances of patient matched and traditional subtractive manufactured implantable devices.

Eric K. Olson, Chairman, President & CEO of SINTX, said, “This agreement with EVONIK is another pivotal moment for SINTX and for the field of patient‑specific implants. By combining EVONIK’s industrial‑scale PEEK polymer manufacturing expertise with SINTX’s silicon nitride biomaterial manufacturing capabilities, we can deliver next‑generation implants that address critical needs in trauma, spine, oncology, and beyond. We believe SiN/PEEK offers compelling advantages over standard PEEK, including antipathogenic surface characteristics, osteogenic potential, and improved visualization—features that matter in complex, high‑risk procedures.”

Marc Knebel, head of EVONIK’s Medical Devices & Systems market segment, said, “We are excited to support SINTX in bringing a high‑performance SiN/PEEK composite filament to market for additive and subtractive manufacturing of regulated medical devices. This is another example of enabling innovation that EVONIK has delivered to improve medical outcomes. Our collaboration is designed to provide consistent quality, supply reliability, and scalability—foundational elements for our continued broader collaboration and data generation to support future medical device market work.”

Why SiN/PEEK for Patient-Specific Implants

SINTX’s silicon nitride has been studied for its antipathogenic behavior and osteogenic properties, while PEEK composites are valued for radiolucency and mechanical tunability. The SiN/PEEK combination aims to deliver:

  • Antipathogenic surface behavior to help reduce microbial adherence on implant surfaces.
  • Osteogenic support to promote bone on-growth and integration.
  • Improved visualization vs. standard PEEK for intra-operative and post-operative imaging.
  • Design freedom via AI-assisted, additive manufacturing for patient-specific geometries.
  • Scalable, consistent filament to support high-mix, low-volume production typical of patient-specific workflows.

With today’s supply agreement, the parties envision making SiN/PEEK compound available to other qualified manufacturers for complex implant indications where silicon nitride’s attributes may add clinical and economic value.

SINTX’s near‑term humanitarian efforts are focused on trauma and oncology indications for post‑tumor resection cases, where surgeons face challenging anatomy and infection risk, and where patient‑specific designs may facilitate better fit, fixation and overall clinical outcomes, stated Dr. Ryan Bock, SINTX Chief Technology Officer. “We’re responding to real‑world surgeon requests in oncology‑related care. Our immediate focus is on humanitarian‑use cases while we build the quality systems, regulatory files, and production capacity to expand into additional indications through appropriate FDA pathways.”

For more information on SINTX Technologies or its materials platform, visit www.sintx.com.

 

Posted: December 2, 2025

Source: SINTX Technologies, Inc.

 

YKK To Make Its Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Debut With Next-Generation Fastening Solutions

TOKYO — December 2, 2025 — YKK Corporation announced that it will make its debut at CES 2026 (Consumer Electronics Show), the world’s largest technology exhibition, to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, in January 2026, where it will showcase groundbreaking innovations that connect the future.

AiryString®

Visitors will discover how YKK is redefining everyday functionality through smart, sustainable, and connected fastening technologies.

At this exhibition, under the theme “Fastening the Future: Where Technology Meets Design,” YKK will showcase new possibilities for fastening solutions that fuse technology and design. From its lineup of fastening products available in over 70 countries and regions worldwide—including zippers, snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, and buckles—YKK will present a range of innovative concept models, including an autonomous zipper. Through these exhibits, visitors will experience YKK’s vision for creating new value and shaping the future of manufacturing.

Comment from Terry Tsukumo, Senior Vice President, Product Strategy Division, Global Sales Headquarters, YKK Corporation:

Autonomous Zipper

“In April 2025, YKK established a new division, the Global Product Innovation Center (GPIC). Headquartered in Silicon Valley, USA, with additional offices in Kurobe and Tokyo, Japan, GPIC collaborates with startups and research institutions through industry-academia partnerships to gain deep customer insights and address latent needs, driving the creation of new value.

“YKK integrates its sales, development, and manufacturing teams to develop innovative products that solve challenges, propose new applications, and deliver compelling solutions—all with the goal of building a better future. Experience YKK’s commitment to innovation firsthand at CES.”

Posted: December 2, 2025

Source: YKK Corporation

Asahi Kasei Advance And Teijin Frontier To Integrate Businesses For Sustainable Growth

TOKYO — December 1, 2025 — Asahi Kasei has announced that Asahi Kasei and Teijin Limited (“Teijin”) have entered into an agreement today to implement an absorption-type merger between Asahi Kasei Advance Corp. (“Asahi Kasei Advance”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Asahi Kasei, and Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd. (“Teijin Frontier”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Teijin, whereby Teijin Frontier will serve as the surviving company and become a joint venture between Asahi Kasei (20%) and Teijin (80%), effective October 1, 2026.

Asahi Kasei Advance was established in 2015 as a trading company primarily handling products from the Asahi Kasei Group, such as fibers, chemical products, and construction materials. Considering sustained business expansion, it was determined that operation of the business under Teijin Frontier, which combines trading company functions having strong global procurement capabilities and manufacturing functions to develop and produce high-performance fibers, providing unique solutions across a wide range of fields, including apparel textiles and industrial materials, would be the most promising path forward rather than pursuing independent growth for Asahi Kasei Advance.

The purpose of the integration announced today is to combine the business platforms, sales networks, and customer bases of Teijin Frontier and Asahi Kasei Advance to drive sustainable growth and maximize corporate value. The strengths of both companies will be leveraged to form a corporate entity with greater competitiveness and a solid foundation for growth, positioned for sustainable value creation.

Hangzhou Asahikasei Textiles Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Asahi Kasei (China) Co., Ltd., which manufactures and sells textile products, will be transferred to Asahi Kasei Advance prior to the integration.

The effect of the integration on the consolidated earnings of Asahi Kasei is immaterial.

Corporate profile after the integration

  Surviving Company
1) Company name TBD
2) Location TBD
3) Name and position of representative TBD
4) Business field TBD
5) Paid-in capital TBD
6) Shareholders and percentage of equity Teijin 80%, Asahi Kasei 20%
7) Fiscal year-end TBD
8) Net assets TBD
9) Total assets TBD

 

Profile of Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd.

Representative Yasunari Hirata, President and Chief Executive Officer
Operations Manufacture, processing, sale, and import/export of polyester yarn and fiber, textiles, apparel products, automotive materials, construction and architectural materials, industrial supplies, lifestyle products, etc.
Location Nakanoshima Festival Tower West, 2-4, Nakanoshima 3-chome,

Kita-ku, Osaka
Employees 878
Establishment October 1, 2012

 

Profile of Asahi Kasei Advance Corp.

Representative Keiji Kasumi, President & Representative Director
Operations Product trading, manufacturing and processing, and services in the fields of textiles, chemicals, and construction materials
Location Sumitomo Fudosan Onarimon-ekimae Bldg., 17-21 Shimbashi 6-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Employees 553
Establishment April 1, 2015

 

Business Portfolio Transformation

Under its three-year medium-term management plan “Trailblaze Together,” Asahi Kasei is improving capital efficiency and accelerating earnings by converting past growth investments into tangible returns. To support this, the company is implementing structural reforms that channel resources to its key growth pillars—pharmaceuticals, critical care, overseas homes, and electronics.

Recent actions such as exiting methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer and related businesses, and expanding capacity for Pimel photosensitive polyimide, demonstrate Asahi Kasei’s disciplined execution of this strategy and reinforce the foundation for sustained, profitable growth.

Posted: December 2, 2025

Source: The Asahi Kasei Group

Flexible Automation: Rieter’s Autoconer X6

Rieter’s new Cop Exchanger enables more flexible automation.

Rieter’s Autoconer X6 offers intelligent data analysis and improved ergonomics as well as flexible automation in package winding.

TW Special Report

Switzerland-based Rieter Ltd.’s winding machine Autoconer X6 Type V delivers on every front, according to the company. Equipping it with the Cop Exchanger, which automatically removes defective cops, means yarn quality is safeguarded, production seamless and operator workload reduced. The all-new compact design combines ergonomic comfort with enhanced safety features. Additionally, the Ring-Winder-Connect module enables targeted operator guidance to faulty spindles. It improves quality, reduces waste, lowers energy use, and enables preventive maintenance.

Customers with a high degree of automation rely on the Autoconer X6 type V with its direct connection to the ring spinning machine. The integration of Cop Exchanger and Ring-Winder-Connect increases process reliability and performance, while simplifying operation and data analysis.

Automated Cop Handling

The Cop Exchanger works based on the results of the spindle identification system SPID. This detects alarm cops with faulty yarn, as well as off-standard cops with below-average yarn quality. Additionally, sensors in the automation aggregates monitor processing status of the cops and detect those that cannot be processed, for example. Smarttrays and RFID technology enable an intelligent cop material flow. Based on collected data, the Cop Exchanger removes affected cops from the Smarttrays and replaces them with empty tubes. Cops are sorted into two boxes: one for cops that cannot be processed, one for lower yarn quality cops.

Maximum Process Reliability

The Cop Exchanger offers user-friendly operation and high flexibility. It has a large empty tube capacity and can process two lots — with identical tube lengths — in parallel. Its boxes are easy to change. The unique decentralized material flow enables flexible combination with the spinning tube stripper and the Color Check, ensuring correct tube assignment via tube color monitoring.

Space-Saving Design And Improved Ergonomics

The machine’s length has been reduced by 350 millimeters (mm) to 818 mm, improving space efficiency — even in 96-spindle machines. This is especially beneficial for integration into existing buildings. The compact design is based on sections with six or 10 winding units and a newly designed, space-saving energy unit.

Rieter engineers also have optimized the machine’s ergonomics. The operating height at the winding unit is now 80 mm lower, thus increasing the operator’s safety and comfort. In addition, the new color scheme aligns the Autoconer X6 with Rieter ring and compact-spinning systems.

Intelligent Data Analysis With Ring-Winder-Connect Module

The new Autoconer X6, Type V, is ready for advanced data analysis and management with the Ring-Winder-Connect module. It analyzes SPID quality data from the Autoconer X6 and data from individual spindle monitoring system ISM on the ring spinning machine. This enables targeted operator guidance to faulty spindles. Ring-Winder-Connect improves quality, reduces waste, lowers energy use, and enables preventive maintenance, according to the company.

2025 Quarterly Issue IV

2025 Quarterly Issue IV

The Jones Family of Companies, Humboldt, Tenn., has hired Eric Delaby as senior director of sales.

New York City-based nonprofit Accelerating Circularity has announced founder and current CEO Karla Magruder will transition to board chair, where she will continue to guide the organization’s strategic direction. As part of the transition, Eileen Mockus was named new CEO.

Jonathan Puckett was appointed CFO of Houston-based specialty chemicals company Orion S.A.

Ebert

New Zealand-based Nuyarn® has named Monica Ebert vice president, sales, North America.

Suominen Corp., Helsinki, has appointed Francois Guetat COO and a member of the Suominen Leadership Team.

Fruit of the Loom Inc., Bowling Green, Ky., has appointed Scott Daley senior vice president – Brands. He replaces Tony Iannuzzi who is retiring at the end of the year.

John Brearley was named president, Americas, for Paris-based Lectra.

Bjorkman

Brett Bjorkman was named CEO of Next Level Apparel, Torrance, Bjorkman Calif. He
replaced the founder Joe Simsoly who has retired.

Julian Sponseller has joined the direct sales team at Emigsville, Pa.-based Herculite Products Inc. as Western Regional Manager. Austin Barshinger was named the new Quality Supervisor at Herculite’s facility in York, Pa.

England-based Think Group recently hired Harriet Adams as development director, and Lance Bray as a key accounts manager.

Compression brand CEP Running, Durham, N.C., has named Marc Sylvester National Specialty sales manager.

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), Washington, has promoted its senior vice president of Policy, Nate Herman, to executive vice president.

England-based Carrington Textiles has hired Kim Proctor as sales manager. She will focus on a portfolio of accounts and drive growth across flame-retardant, printed and workwear fabrics.

The Global Nonwovens Alliance (GNA) has announced its inaugural board members. GNA is a federation established by the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA), Cary, N.C., and Brussels-based EDANA the Voice of Nonwovens. Murat Dogru was appointed CEO of GNA. INDA representatives on the GNA board are Mark A. Thornton, The Procter & Gamble Co.; Mike Clark, Hollingsworth & Vose; Jodi Russell, The Clorox Co.; Paul Harmon, Magnera; Douglas Dowdell, International Paper; and Jaren J. Edwards, Everra. EDANA’s representatives on the GNA board are Mikael Staal Axelsen, Fibertex Personal Care/Innowo Print; Jörg Ortmeier, TWE Group; Giorgio Mantovani, Corman S.p.A.; Thorsten Habeck, BASF; Ulrich Hornfeck, Sandler AG; and Anke Renz, Essity.

Ackerman

Covation Biomaterials (CovationBio), Newark, Del., has appointed Steven Ackerman CEO.

Avery Dennison Corp., Mentor, Ohio, named Mariana Rodriguez vice president and general manager, Materials Group EMENA.

Chris Blakeslee was named the first independent board member of Unspun, San Francisco.

The Supervisory Board of the Germany-based Karl Mayer Group has appointed Lutz Wolf CEO of Karl Mayer Holding SE & Co. KG.

Boulanger

Sophie Boulanger is the new CEO of SRTX, Montreal, the company known for Sheertex tights.

Microban International, Huntersville, N.C., has appointed Shermon McMillan president.

The American Association of Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), Durham, N.C., awarded its 2025 Olney Medal to Dr. Karen K. Leonas, professor in the Department of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management at NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles; and the Harold C. Chapin Award to Barry P. Brady, AATCC board member and AATCC Foundation board member.

The Washington-based United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) named Michael Lambert executive director of Global Trade and Compliance.

2025 Quarterly Issue IV

SENSIL® By NILIT And ROICA™ By Asahi Kasei Collaborate To Reduce Apparel’s Footprint

MUNICH — December 1, 2025 — Rapidly transforming apparel into a lower-carbon industry requires collaboration, innovation, and creativity. In this spirit, SENSIL® by NILIT and ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei have collaborated to introduce the concept of a new fabric with less environmental impact, combining SENSIL® ByNature, a NILIT Biomass Balanced Nylon 6.6 yarn, and Biomass Balanced ROICA™ premium stretch fiber, both designed for high-performance apparel.

Both companies utilize textile raw materials created through the Biomass Balance (BMB) approach, which utilizes renewable feedstocks made from reclaimed and recycled organic waste that does not compete with food sources, nor need the use of land for its production.

  • SENSIL® ByNature is the first textile Nylon 6.6 yarn for apparel made using a Biomass Balanced renewable feedstock sourced from biogenic waste.
  • Biomass Balanced ROICA™ premium stretch fiber incorporates renewable raw materials in place of traditional fossil hydrocarbons. ROICA ™ will focus its Biomass Balanced (BMB) efforts at its Taiwan plant, the company’s key reference hub for BMB production.

Because BMB products are identical to traditional products, the resulting fabrics engineered with SENSIL® ByNature and Biomass Balanced ROICA™ retain the comparable comfort, aesthetics, and performance as their conventional counterparts. This means that apparel brands can integrate these environmentally conscious fabrics without redesigning collections.

The companies use Biomass Balance accounting and third-party certification to appropriately allocate the percentage of renewable feedstocks to their products so that brands and consumers can rely on the sustainability claims. In addition, the companies are certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC+) system, ensuring rigorous control and transparency in renewable feedstock use across the supply chain.

This partnership will contribute to reducing environmental impact:

  • NILIT’s SENSIL® ByNature lowers greenhouse gas emissions by about 1.8 kg CO₂ eq per ton of yarn versus traditional nylon.
  • Asahi Kasei projects that the new ROICA™ Biomass Balanced stretch fiber, combined with manufacturing optimizations, will reduce CO₂ emissions compared to existing products. However, since production decisions have only just been made, exact numbers are not yet available.

When blended, SENSIL® ByNature and Biomass Balanced ROICA™ stretch fiber help designers create outstanding stretch fabrics that substantially reduce a garment’s environmental footprint, lessening reliance on fossil resources, supporting circularity initiatives through renewable inputs, and improving Life Cycle Assessment, while maintaining the premium look, feel, comfort, or stretch performance consumers expect.

Discover more about BMB technologies and experience the next generation of sustainable stretch apparel at ISPO Munich in Hall B1/308 ISPO BrandNew Area.

Posted: December 2, 2025

Source: NILIT

2025 Quarterly Issue IV

Shawmut, West Bridgewater, Mass., recently launched Shawmut™ Insights, a proprietary Life Cycle Assessment system for its automotive textiles, from raw materials to end-of-life.

Microban International, Huntersville, N.C., recently introduced EcoFresh™ odor capture technology that was designed with active and outdoor enthusiasts in mind.

1888 Mills and Cotton Incorporated have developed a bath and bedding collection.

1888 Mills, Griffin, Ga., and Cotton Incorporated, Cary, N.C., have co-developed a new bath and bedding collection that comprises 100-percent cotton towels, sheet and bedding at an accessible starting price point.

Italy-based Thermore® has introduced Thermore Freedom, a 100-percent recycled thermal insulation material developed for active warmth and its ability to adapt to movement.

Fire-Dex, Medina, Ohio, has launched Fire Investigation PPE, a protective ensemble designed specifically for fire investigators.

Primaloft, Latham, N.Y., has expanded its product portfolio with the addition of six new products including PrimaLoft® UltraPeak™, ThermoPlume® PrimaLoft ReRun™, Silver PrimaLoft ReRun, PrimaLoft Therma-Stretch™, PrimaLoft Heat-Sphere™ and PrimaLoft Rise Sleeping Bag™.

Intrinsic Advanced Materials, Gastonia, N.C., reports the Home Fashion Products Association recognized its CiCLO® technology with the 2025 Home Excellence Behind the Seams award. In other CiCLO news, Minneapolis-based BOKSER Textiles has introduced the Vermilion Sheeting Collection — a blend of 52-percent polyester treated with CiCLO® and 48-percent modal.

For the third consecutive year, the Central Penn Business Journal and Lehigh Valley Business have named Herculite, Emigsville, Pa., as one of the Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania in 2025.

The Textile Institute, England, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Its Royal Charter was granted in 1925 by King George V.

England-based Nonwovenn reports it achieved its 19th consecutive year of profitable growth, with a 25-percent growth in sales year-over-year during the 2024-25 financial year.

Cincinnati-based Standard Textile and hospitality brand Accor have launched the Mascioni Hotel Collection as the preferred luxury linen provider for some of Accor’s brands including Fairmont, Sofitel Legend, Sofitel and MGallery Collection.

SDL’s Scorch/Sublimation Tester

SDL Atlas, Rock Hill, S.C., has released the latest iteration of its Scorch/Sublimation Tester, which offers improved accuracy, efficiency and operator safety while testing fabrics that are under heat and pressure, according to the company.

The American Association of Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), Durham, N.C., reports the OEKO-TEX® Eco Passport certification, Number 21.0.93288, has been renewed for its AATCC Powder Laundry Detergent.

Atlas Material Testing Technology, Mount Prospect, Ill., recently introduced the nex-gen Ci3000 Weather-Ometer. The unit features almost double the sample capacity, enhanced irradiance and temperature uniformity, as well as a new user interface.

Replin by Hainsworth turned 80 this year.

England-based Replin by Hainsworth, a producer of fabrics for aviation and transport interiors, is celebrating 80 years since its founding by Hungarian refugee and textile innovator Dr. Maurus Banyai.

Milliken & Company, Spartanburg, S.C., reports its Milliken Assure™ Moisture Barrier was awarded a 2025 R&D 100 Award. The flame-resistant moisture barrier designed for firefighter turnout gear is non-halogenated, non-per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (non-PFAS) and UL-certified. Assure is certified to both NFPA 1971-2018 and NFPA 1970-2025 standards.

Sunbrella®, Burlington, N.C., has launched Sunbrella Interiors, a new sub-brand of fabrics and products developed for interior spaces. The product line includes plush chenilles, bouclés and other soft, textured fabrics; window treatments; and throws. In addition, Sunbrella has expanded its Sunbrella Horizon® marine vinyl collection with 14 new stock keeping units including the Tuscano leather-grain texture style in two colorways.

2025 Quarterly Volume IV

 

PANGAIA Tests AeoniQ™ In Limited Capsule

A 55-piece collection showcases the climate-positive AeoniQ™ cellulosic yarn designed to rival polyester and nylon in performance.

By Rachael S. Davis, Executive Editor

London-based PANGAIA — a company established to scale cutting-edge material solutions — recently introduced a limited-edition 55-piece capsule collection of hooded jackets, half-zip overtops and straight-leg trousers made using AeoniQ™ cellulosic filament yarn developed by HeiQ, Switzerland. An alternative to fossil-fuel derived fibers, AeoniQ was designed to imitate the performance of polyester and nylon while offering closed-loop circularity.

HeiQ and PANGAIA have previously collaborated, and “Over time, our partnership has evolved to explore more transformative technologies that can shift the textile industry toward regenerative, closed-loop systems,” said Chelsea Franklin, head of Advanced Concept Design, PANGAIA. “AeoniQ represents the next chapter of that collaboration, a truly circular, climate positive alternative to synthetics like polyester and nylon.”

Renewable cellulose feed-stocks, including wood and eucalyptus pulp, form the starting materials for AeoniQ, making the fiber fully recyclable and biodegradable. When used in place of polyester, the fiber may reduce emissions by up to 3.2 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram of yarn, according to assessments by Amsterdam-based Fashion for Good and South Pole, Switzerland.

AeoniQ is a continuous filament with a smooth, lustrous surface; and innate tenacity, abrasion resistance and drape. “The performance properties are inherent in the AeoniQ filament itself,” Franklin shared. “HeiQ’s proprietary spinning technology allows precise control over filament formation, giving the yarn its strength, resilience and smooth hand feel.” Yarn twist and fabric density as well as final fabric weight also can impact durability in the finished garments. Applications include both apparel and technical textiles.

According to Franklin, AeoniQ does not fibrillate so it maintains a smooth and stable finish with no pilling, which makes it different to typical cellulosic fibers.

Hooded jackets were featured in the 55-piece AeoniQ™ capsule collection.

“Additionally, AeoniQ can be texturized, providing diverse hand feels and allowing designers and manufacturers greater flexibility in creating both soft and structured textiles, something not possible with traditional cellulosic fibers,” Franklin shared.

For the capsule collection, PANGAIA worked closely with both HeiQ and Italy-based mill Beste to develop the 100-percent AeoniQ fabric. “The capsule was intention-ally limited, only 55 pieces, to showcase the material’s potential and validate its performance through design,” Franklin said. “HeiQ is currently scaling AeoniQ production with plans to increase capacity over the next year. As availability increases, PANGAIA is exploring a broader application of AeoniQ across product categories where performance and circularity intersect.

“At PANGAIA Lab, we believe design plays a critical role in bridging scientific innovation and cultural desirability,” Franklin said. “By translating new materials like AeoniQ into timeless wearable pieces, we can help shift perception, showing that responsible innovation can be both advanced and accessible.”

For more information, visit pangaia.com.

2025 Quarterly Issue IV

The Role Of Print Design In Textile Innovation

Image courtesy of Dumy Estamparia — Brazil

By Alessandra Olisia Medeiros

C

onsidering “Print Design as a Driver of the Textile Industry,” the world of print design connects creativity, technology, and engineering, and it is one of the main drivers of innovation within the textile industry. More than an aesthetic element, print has become a force that propels the development of new materials, machinery, and industrial processes.

Over the past decades, surface design has encouraged manufacturers to create faster, more precise, and more sustainable equipment, reducing waste and opening space for new forms of visual expression.

As Audaces, a technology leader in fashion innovation, explains: “The art of producing prints is millenary and, like most textile processes, has evolved alongside the industry’s technological and industrial development — with more and more digital technologies being incorporated into processes that were once manual.”1

From Art To Industrial Process

Since the earliest civilizations, humans have expressed their ideas through images. On walls, fabrics, and paper, the first forms of painting and printing emerged, eventually giving rise to what we know today as textile printing. With the Industrial Revolution, this artistic practice transitioned into an industrial process, laying the foundation for a field that merged creativity and engineering.2

Modern screen printing owes much to the 1960s, when technological advances allowed production to meet industrial demand. One of the key figures was Michael Vasilantone, founder of Vastex in Philadelphia, who developed a dual rotary printing press in 1967. This innovation enabled fabric printing with greater speed and accuracy, transforming screen printing from an artisanal practice into a scalable, industrial process.3

Another significant milestone was the development of new inks. Early water-based inks were slow to dry and difficult to control. The introduction of plastisol, made from PVC particles, changed the game. It offered higher viscosity, greater durability, and stability, enabling consistent, long-lasting results. This evolution expanded creative possibilities, allowing designers to explore layered effects, 3D-textures, and more intense colors, merging artistic expression with industrial efficiency.

Balancing Technique And Art

Automation transformed screen printing without eliminating human touch. Operators remain essential for feeding garments and ensuring quality control, but the difference in productivity is remarkable: while a manual press can produce 40 to 100 T-shirts per hour, an automatic press can print more than 2,000 garments per hour.

According to FESPA, the world record reached 2,139 T-shirts per hour, demonstrating how automation redefined textile production speed and scale.4 Even so, manual printing maintains its artistic value. Many manufacturers today combine both methods, creating hybrid workflows, using automation for large runs and manual presses for smaller or specialized projects.

Contemporary screen printing also continues to evolve through tactile and sensory effects, such as puff, glitter, and glow-in-the-dark inks, which some of them have a little difficult to replicate digitally. This ability to create unique textures and visual depth keeps screen printing relevant in the digital era.

When Design Drives Technology

As screen printing advanced, digital textile printing began to reshape the industry. With the arrival of DTG (direct-to-garment) and, more recently, DTF (direct-to-film) technologies, it became possible to print directly onto fabric or transfer designs onto various materials, eliminating screens, reducing setup time, and enabling faster and more flexible production.

These methods expanded the creative freedom, allowing designers to produce highly detailed, colorful, and customized artwork that was previously impossible with traditional techniques. According to Kornit Digital, a leading manufacturer in the field, these processes combine “photographic quality with on-demand production,” serving both the fashion and promotional markets.5

This progression demonstrates how design continues to drive industrial innovation: as designers and brands pursue new forms of expression, manufacturers respond by developing smarter machines and more sustainable processes.

Designing The Future

Today, innovation in textile printing is closely tied to sustainability. The industry’s pursuit of more conscious practices has led to the use of low-impact inks, the adoption of 3D digital prototyping and sampling, which reduces water consumption and fabric waste, and the growth of on-demand production systems that minimize excess inventory. This integration of technology and sustainability shows that print design goes far beyond aesthetics, it plays a crucial role in the technical and ethical progress of the textile industry, bringing new solutions that combine agility, cost efficiency, and environmental responsibility.

Print design remains a vital bridge between creativity and textile engineering. Every industrial innovation begins with a creative vision that pushes technical boundaries and inspires new possibilities for fashion and design. As technology becomes smarter and production processes more sustainable, the designer’s role grows even more essential, positioned at the intersection of art, innovation, and efficiency. When creativity and technology work in harmony, fabric ceases to be just material; it becomes a true expression of innovation. That’s why collaboration between designers and industry is so important, together, they shape new technologies that combine the best of both worlds.

In addition, designers today are deeply engaged in monitoring trends in consumption behavior and market needs. Because they are close to brands and in tune with what the end consumer demands, they could be able to propose innovations to machinery and production systems. Working collaboratively, designers and manufacturers can co-create next-generation technologies that better reflect both aesthetic vision and industrial feasibility, shaping processes that elevate entire product ecosystems.

References

1 Audaces Blog. “Estamparia Digital: A arte de produzir estampas é milenar…” (2023). https://audaces.com/pt-br/blog/estamparia-digital

2 WNY Book Arts Center. “A Brief History of Screenprinting.” https://wnybookarts.org/a-brief-history-of-screenprinting/

3 Everpress “A Brief History of T-Shirt Screen Printing.” https://everpress.com/creator-toolkit/a-brief-history-of-t-shirt-screen-printing/

4 FESPA “Automation in Screen Printing.” https://www.fespa.com/en/news-media/analysing-the-benefits-of-automation-in-screen-printing-for-textiles/

5 Kornit Digital. “What Is Direct to Garment Printing – A Full Guide.” Published July 2024. https://www.kornit.com/magazine/what-is-dtg-printing-a-full-guide-kornit/

Editor’s Note: Alessandra Olisia Medeiros is founder and creative director of Brazil-based Olisia Design Studio

December 1, 2025

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