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

INDA: Hygienix™ 2025 Opens Registration And Tabletop Exhibit Reservations

CARY, N.C. — July17, 2025 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has opened registration and tabletop reservations for Hygienix™ 2025, taking place Nov. 17-20 at the Omni Orlando ChampionsGate Resort in ChampionsGate, Florida.

Hygienix will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and business professionals from across the absorbent hygiene products (AHP) industry for expert-led conference sessions, product showcases, interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and the presentation of the Hygienix Innovation Award™.

Hygienix Program Highlights

Attendees will gain valuable insights across key areas driving the future of hygiene:

  • Sustainability and Circularity: A panel discussion will cover the latest advances in biobased materials, natural fibers, packaging innovations, Safe Operating Limits (SOL) and End-of-Life (EOL) solutions, and product construction.
  • Consumer and Market Insights: Speakers will explore trends such as the growth of private label products, regional market outlooks, and in-depth sessions on skin health and the microbiome.
  • Smart Innovations: Sessions will provide insights on AI-powered manufacturing, retail technologies, and innovative point-of-sale models.
  • Regulations and Standards: Presentations will address crucial regulatory updates, including PFAS regulations, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Quality Assurance Programs (QAP), and testing methods for modern AHP designs.

Business Opportunities and Networking

Tabletop exhibits will showcase the latest innovations in the absorbent hygiene industry, offering a platform for companies to demonstrate their products and services to potential partners and clients.

Hygienix 2025 will also feature Lightning Talks—a series of fast-paced, five-minute presentations by nearly 20 companies scheduled for Nov. 18-19 in the afternoon.

Workshops

Kicking off the conference, INDA will host three workshops on Nov. 17, providing hands-on learning and insights on crucial topics within the sector, including:

  • Innovations in Menstrual Care
    Heidi Beatty, Chief Executive Officer, Crown Abbey, LLC
  • Baby and Infant Care Market Dynamics
    Natalia Richer, Director of Business Development, Diaper Testing International

Hygienix Innovation Award™

Recognizing breakthrough products, technologies, and solutions that are making a significant impact in the hygiene sector, the Hygienix Innovation Award will be awarded at the event.

Nominations will be accepted until Sept. 15. Finalists will present their products on Nov. 18, and the winner will be announced on Nov. 20 to close the event. Last year’s winner was HIRO Technologies’ MycoDigestable™ Diapers, a biodegradable solution driving environmental progress in infant care.

For information, registration, and tabletop reservations, visit Hygienix 2025: https://www.hygienix.org/

Posted: July 17, 2025

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

Better Cotton Enhances Due Diligence And Decent Work Approaches In Uzbekistan

GENEVA, Switzerland — July16, 2025 — Better Cotton, the world’s largest cotton sustainability initiative, has announced significant progress in the delivery of its Uzbekistan programme, including the adoption of stronger and more refined approaches to due diligence and decent work activities.

Katerina Gorbunova, Head of Better Cotton’s programme in Uzbekistan, said: “In collaboration with our Programme Partner, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), we have strengthened the programme’s framework and the services we offer to accelerate change across the country’s cotton sector.”

Woman working at a cotton field in Uzbekistan. Photo credit: Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Agriculture

Better Cotton’s Uzbek programme has strengthened in-country verification of licensed clusters by building the capacity of independent civil society groups and third-party auditors, plus implementing an updated due diligence methodology to ensure more robust and local oversight.

This new-and-improved approach includes in-depth interviews and questionnaires with both cluster management and workers. It also consists of checks on financial health, ethics, and governance, providing a more comprehensive view of risk and performance across participating enterprises. The insights generated through this process are used to inform targeted interventions.

Decent work-related actions have also evolved in light of Better Cotton recently becoming a certification scheme. The organisation now conducts preliminary assessments of newly onboarded clusters before the season begins to determine their readiness for certification  and if requirements are not met, audits are postponed to the following season.

For clusters with active licences, second party checks by qualified Better Cotton staff are conducted to identify potential decent work-related issues and, if necessary, trigger a more comprehensive examination by external labour rights monitoring organisations.

Since August 2024, Better Cotton and GIZ have expanded training to cover not only innovative and regenerative agricultural practices, but also social sustainability and decent work principles following recent changes to Uzbek labour laws.

This effort deployed a cascading training methodology to target cotton cluster management on the basis that they can subsequently educate workers, who can then support their peers.

Gorbunova said: “The Uzbek cotton sector has tremendous potential to be a leader in the production of more sustainably produced cotton. This can only be achieved through collaboration, robust and transparent processes, and perseverance. Better Cotton is uniquely positioned to help unlock this potential and will continue to engage stakeholders across the country to make our vision a reality.”

Paul Schumacher, Cotton Project Manager at GIZ Uzbekistan, added: “Today, sustainable agricultural methods, trade facilitations and decent work are no longer parallel efforts, they are parts of one sustainable system. With the right networks and shared effort, as we created within the frame of Better Cotton, we turn individual action into systemic change.”

Posted: July 16, 2025

Source: Better Cotton

NCTO: House National Defense Authorization Act Closes Military Procurement Loophole In Boost For U.S. Textile Industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. — July16, 2025 — The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), spanning the entire spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber to finished sewn products, issued a statement today commending the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) for passing the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which contains a provision that could boost domestic textile industry sales to the U.S. military.

The House NDAA bill, which authorizes funding levels and provides authorities for the U.S. military, includes a provision that would eliminate a statutory exemption under the Berry Amendment that acts as a loophole allowing the U.S. military to buy textiles abroad instead of from American textile manufacturers as long as the purchase is at or below a small purchase threshold of $150,000.

The NDAA also includes language from the Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTS) Act, a bill that NCTO has pushed for as part of a broader coalition. The provision requires the Secretary of Defense to issue regulations within two years that prohibit any member of the Armed Forces from wearing optional combat boots as part of a required uniform unless those boots are made in the United States with American-made components, with a few exceptions.

NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas

“We applaud the HASC for passing the FY 2026 NDAA and including provisions that would help boost domestic manufacturing, strengthen American economic competitiveness, and meet the mission-critical needs of our Armed Forces,” said NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas.

“We are sincerely appreciative of the leadership of Congressman Don Davis (D-NC) and Congressman Pat Harrigan (R-NC), who led efforts to close the Berry Amendment loophole and co-sponsored the amendment to the NDAA.

“The Berry Amendment requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to purchase 100% U.S.-made textiles and clothing. But the small-purchase exemption in the statute has led to U.S. military purchases of foreign-made textile articles largely at the expense of American textile manufacturers who have potentially lost several million dollars per year in U.S. government sales.

“Eliminating this exemption will lead to the military procurement of more American-made military textile products as well as oversight of Berry Amendment compliance.

“Lastly, we also applaud the inclusion of the BOOTS Act in the NDAA, which will support domestic military footwear production.

“This is a win for the American textile and apparel industry, a key strategic contributor to our national defense that supplies over 8,000 products a year to our men and women in uniform. The industry provides high-tech, functional components for the U.S. government, including more than $1.8 billion worth of vital uniforms and equipment for our armed forces annually.

“It is vital to America’s national security that the U.S. military maintain the ability to source high-quality, innovative textile materials, apparel, and personal equipment from a vibrant American textile industrial base. After passage of the FY 2026 NDAA by the full House, we look forward to working with the Senate and House to ensure this provision is included in the final NDAA conference report.”

Posted: July 16, 2025

Source: The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO)

Wrangler And Genesco Sign Multiyear Licensing Agreement

GREENSBORO, N.C. — July15, 2025 — Wrangler and Genesco — a footwear industry leader with a portfolio of owned and licensed lifestyle brands and more than 1,250 retail stores — have signed a new multiyear licensing agreement for Genesco to design, source and market men’s, women’s and children’s footwear under the Wrangler brand.

The agreement between Wrangler and Genesco is a strategic move for both companies, designed to support Wrangler’s growth and development as a cross-category lifestyle brand and leverage and build on Genesco’s extensive branded footwear expertise. Wrangler seeks to expand its reach and accessibility, resonating with a broader audience looking for style and functionality across both apparel and footwear.

The initial collection will feature a blend of classic Wrangler inspired designs and more trend-driven styles. With Wrangler’s signature rugged look and Genesco’s track record for innovation and success, the partnership promises to deliver fresh and distinctive designs to the market.

“We are thrilled to partner with Genesco, an industry leader with a proven track record of successfully interpreting brands and bringing compelling footwear to market,” said Steve Armus, vice president of Licensing and Collaborations at Wrangler. “This licensing agreement represents a promising opportunity to introduce Wrangler footwear to a wide audience. We believe this partnership will strengthen our brand presence and allow more consumers to experience the quality and heritage of Wrangler in an exciting new product category.”

“Partnering with Wrangler presents a meaningful opportunity to accelerate growth in our Genesco Brands Group portfolio,” said Rick Higgins, president of Genesco Brands Group. “We’re excited to leverage our know-how to build a footwear assortment that honors Wrangler’s legacy of adventure, new frontiers and craftsmanship. From everyday workwear to casual lifestyle to Western-inspired silhouettes, we see significant potential to blend rugged authenticity with unique styling, storytelling, innovation and comfort.”

The first Wrangler footwear collection under the licensing agreement is expected to launch in Fall 2026.

Posted: July 15, 2025

Source: Wrangler®, of Kontoor Brands

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