Archroma & Lilienweiss join forces to deliver faster and localized color management services

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals focused on sustainable solutions, today announced its partnership with Lilienweiss, who will begin offering Archroma Color Management solutions across Europe starting January 2026.

Through this partnership, Lilienweiss will provide direct distribution across the region as well as custom color standards creation. European brands, retailers, suppliers and vendors will benefit from the shorter lead times, reduced shipping costs and easier access to Archroma Color Management’s full portfolio including the award-winning Color Atlas by Archroma®, supported through Lilienweiss’ local team of specialists.

Chris Hipps, Head of Archroma Color Management said: “Archroma and Lilienweiss share the same vision: helping brands, designers and retailers significantly reduce the time and costs associated with developing colors. By offering direct, local access to our solutions in Europe, we enable customers to win in their markets while minimizing environmental impact. Working with a trusted partner like Lilienweiss is a win-win for brands and their suppliers.”

RUDOLF PCF Program certified under PACT

RUDOLF, a leading provider of innovative specialty chemical solutions for textile, construction, coatings, and consumer care industries, has received one of the first Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) Program certifications from TÜV SÜD based on the PACT Methodology V3: Methodology for Calculating and Exchanging Cradle-to-Gate Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs). In addition, the RUDOLF PCF Program is aligned with the global chemical sector-specific methodology: Together for Sustainability (TfS) PCF Guideline V3.

The certification applies to all chemical products covered by the RUDOLF PCF Program. This pioneering achievement not only confirms the methodological integrity but also demonstrates how reliable data can guide design-stage decisions, helping us and our partners identify realistic opportunities early in the development process and turning transparency into actionable impact across the value chain. We are committed to expanding the RUDOLF PCF program across our global operations, creating a solid foundation for meaningful change.

Walter Reiners Foundation: Promotion and Sustainability Prizes awarded

ITA Master's student Janne Warnecke investigated tension differences over the fabric width in the weaving process and thereby contributed to quality assurance; ITA Bachelor's student Jasmin Roos found a basis for the development of recyclable yarns and textiles. For these developments, they were awarded the Walter Reiners Foundation's Promotion and Sustainability Prizes on 27 November. Peter D. Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation, presented the awards at the Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference (ADD-ITC) in Aachen, Germany.

Thermoplastic elastomers as a recyclable alternative to elastane
The increasing importance of a circular economy for conserving resources and minimising negative environmental impacts requires innovative recycling concepts for textiles. The increasing use of elastane poses a particular challenge in textile recycling. Even small amounts of elastane cause difficulties in established recycling technologies such as thermomechanical recycling, for example by clogging filter media or decomposing into potentially toxic degradation products.

Archroma & Fibre52®: Distribution partnership

Archroma becomes the exclusive global distributor of Fibre52®’s patented chemistry—advancing a new standard in sustainable processing. Combined with Archroma’s AVITERA® SE dyes, the partnership delivers the industry’s most resource-efficient bleach-and-dye systems.
 
Archroma, a leading global specialty chemicals company committed to sustainable innovation, and Innovo Fiber LLC, owner of the patented Fibre52® system, announced an exclusive global distribution partnership to expand the reach of Fibre52®’s proven low-temperature, bleaching technology with innovative dyeing application to textile mills and brands worldwide.

When combined with Archroma’s AVITERA® SE reactive dye range, the collaboration brings forward a comprehensive system that reduces resource use across pretreatment and dyeing, setting a new benchmark for sustainable cotton and cotton/polyester production. Together, the technologies enable mills to reduce water use and CO₂ emissions by up to 50%, helping brands accelerate their progress toward carbon-reduction and sustainability targets.

Global Fashion Summit 2026: ‘Building Resilient Futures’

Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) has revealed the theme for Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition 2026: ‘Building Resilient Futures’. Under the esteemed patronage of Her Majesty the Queen of Denmark, the leading forum for sustainability in fashion will take place on 6 - 7 May at the iconic Copenhagen Concert Hall, with pre-Summit events commencing on 5 May. Throughout the event, fashion's most influential figures will focus on forging the infrastructure of a future that is durable, restorative, and fair. Registration is now open. 

Trevira CS® at Heimtextil 2026 with "WE CARE" campaign

Indorama Ventures, a global sustainable chemical company, announced its Trevira CS® brand’s presentation at Heimtextil 2026 in Frankfurt, Germany, from January 13 to 16, 2026. The theme of the show: “WE CARE.” 

“WE CARE”: A Focus on Community, Sustainability, and Craftsmanship 
Trevira CS®, alongside its partners, is transforming the traditional trade show display into an active, meaningful experience at the Trevira CS Joint Booth. The theme "WE CARE" embodies a commitment to the textile industry, fire safety, mindful resource usage, and social responsibility. 

“We care about the textile industry, fire safety indoors, the communities we operate in, the mindful usage of our resources, and about you and your loved ones. At Heimtextil 2026, we are completely shifting the focus from a passive display to an active, memorable, and meaningful experience,” says Svenja Fromm, Fibers Global Communication and Brand Manager. 

Experiencing the fabric: Sensory engagement and social impact 
The core of the "WE CARE" booth is an interactive activity designed to enhance sensory engagement and support a worthy cause: 

Kelheim Fibres: Transaction Process Failed – Preparation for Production Phase-Out

Kelheim Fibres GmbH announces that the transaction process pursued as part of the ongoing self-administered insolvency proceedings with the Munich-based LEO III Fund, exclusively advised by the DUBAG Group, could not be successfully completed despite intensive efforts. The purchase agreement, which had already been notarised, could not be executed due to the non-fulfilment of essential closing conditions – in particular, the absence of binding volume commitments from several major customers for the year 2026. As a result, the investor was compelled to withdraw from the agreement, as a viable business model could not be secured.

Despite broad support from the majority of customers and the restructuring measures already successfully implemented, the currently binding order volume is not sufficient to economically justify a regular continuation of operations beyond 31 December 2025. Against this backdrop, Kelheim Fibres must now prepare for an orderly phase-out of production.

CARBIOS & Wankai New Materials: Strategic partnership for the first PET biorecycling plant in China

In line with the commitment signed on November 6, 2025, CARBIOS and Wankai New Materials, a listed subsidiary of Zhink Group, the 3rd largest PET producer in China and 4th worldwide, announce the signing of the definitive agreement establishing a strategic partnership for the large-scale deployment of CARBIOS’s PET biorecycling technology in Asia, with the first step being the construction of a PET biorecycling plant in China.
 
The two companies have signed on 2 December 2025 the shareholders’ agreement for their joint venture, dedicated to the construction and operation of a first PET biorecycling plant in China, with a processing capacity of 50,000 tons of PET waste.
 
Wankai will be the majority shareholder of this company with a 70% stake, while CARBIOS will hold the remaining 30%. The financing of the plant’s construction, estimated at €115 million, will be covered 30% by equity and 70% by debt, with all debt guaranteed by Wankai.
 

Autoneum: Acquisition of Chengdu Yiqi-Sihuan Automobile Interior Co., Ltd. completed

Autoneum has closed the acquisition of Chengdu Yiqi-Sihuan Automobile Interior Co., Ltd., a leading Chinese supplier of acoustic and thermal management solutions for the automotive industry. This strategic transaction marks a key step in Autoneum’s expansion in Asia and further strengthens its position in the world’s largest automotive market. 

Originally announced in May 2025 as the takeover of Chengdu FAW-Sihuan Group, the transaction includes all shares of Chengdu Yiqi-Sihuan. The company name was clarified during the process to better reflect the scope of the transaction. This takeover follows the recent integration of Jiangsu Huanyu Group. Together, these initiatives reinforce Autoneum’s commitment to its “Level Up” strategy and its goal to generate 20 percent of Group revenue in Asia over the medium term. 

Founded in 2011, Chengdu Yiqi-Sihuan operates four production facilities across China and em-ploys approximately 240 people. The company supplies major Chinese OEMs including FAW-VW, FAW-Audi, FAW-Toyota, and Geely. In 2024, it generated revenues of approximately CHF 27 mil-lion, with further growth expected in the coming years. 

Hygienix™ 2025: Absorbent Hygiene Innovation, Sustainability, and Collaboration

Hygienix™ 2025 brought together hundreds of industry leaders to explore advancements in the absorbent hygiene and personal care markets during the 11th annual Hygienix™ event, held November 17-20 in Orlando, Florida. INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced Confitex Technology as the winner of the 2025 Hygienix™ Innovation Award™ for its groundbreaking Washable Nonwoven Sanitary Pads, recognizing exceptional innovation in absorbent hygiene materials, products, or technologies.

2025 Hygienix Innovation Award winner:
Confitex Technology – Washable Nonwoven Sanitary Pads
Making single-use reusable: As regulators, retailers and consumers move toward a greener future, a new category of washable AHPs is creating opportunities for the nonwoven industry. Confitex Technology has created and patented world’s first washable nonwoven sanitary pads designed for sustainability and scalability without the need for SAPs. Confitex Technology is leading Innovator and Private Label supplier. Their purpose is to transform the lives of millions and reduce the Earth’s landfill by creating the ultimate reusable AHPs.