From the Sector

At Booth 50, Eastman will present U.S.-produced Naia™ staple fibers and filament yarns for casualwear and activewear, supporting closer collaboration across the regional value chain.

As brands and retailers explore more diversified and responsive sourcing networks, the Naia™ from Eastman brand is strengthening its engagement with the textile and apparel value chain across the western hemisphere. From August 18 to 20, the company will participate for the first time in Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala, a regional meeting point for apparel sourcing, manufacturing and nearshoring.

Produced in the United States, Naia™ offers regional manufacturers, brands and sourcing teams a cellulosic fiber option within the western hemisphere, creating opportunities for direct dialogue and new collaborations across the regional textile and apparel supply chain.

At Booth 50, Eastman will showcase both Naia™ staple fiber and filament yarn offerings for casualwear and activewear. A key focus of the presentation will be Naia™ On The Move, an application designed for active, everyday wear and built around Naia™ Renew staple fiber, made with 40% GRS-certified recycled materials* and 60% sustainably sourced wood pulp. The application demonstrates how Naia™ fiber blends can deliver next-to-skin comfort, breathability and a soft hand feel, together with moisture management and quick-dry performance. 

Developed to help garments stay fresh and comfortable throughout the day, Naia™ On The Move highlights the versatility needed for urban lifestyles, where changing temperatures, humidity and active routines call for adaptable apparel solutions. 

“The western hemisphere is becoming an increasingly important part of the sourcing conversation,” said Chad Doub, Global Segment Market Manager, Casual Wear and Home at Eastman. “Our participation in Guatemala gives us the opportunity to build new relationships and explore how Naia™ staple fibers and filament yarns can support innovative fabric developments for casualwear and activewear. We believe Naia™ On The Move, our application designed for this segment, is particularly well suited to the needs of the region and of the brands sourcing here, where versatility, comfort and performance are increasingly important.”

The Apparel Sourcing Show brings together businesses operating across the textile and apparel supply chain, including textiles, machinery, accessories, services and manufacturing. Eastman’s participation also builds on its engagement with the Americas Apparel Producers’ Network.

Following the 2026 pro:Americas Annual Conference in May, the Guatemala show represents another step in the company’s efforts to connect with businesses developing more integrated supply chains across the region.

In fiscal year 2025, the CHT Group further established sustainability as an integral part of its corporate management. The latest 2025 Sustainability Report shows how environmental, economic, and social goals are increasingly being made measurable and integrated into processes, decisions, and product development. 

A major success for the Group was the award of the German Sustainability Award 2026 in the product category to the innovative PIGMENTURA dyeing process. The technology combines resource conservation with tangible customer benefits and underscores the CHT Group’s innovative strength. 

Independent assessments also confirm the company’s sustainable development: With an EcoVadis rating of 81 points and Gold status, the CHT Group ranks among the top five percent of companies in its industry worldwide. In addition, it was awarded “Best Managed Company 2026” as part of a program organized by Deloitte Private, UBS, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, and the Federation of German Industries (BDI). 

A key focus was on further developing sustainability management. By aligning its reporting with the requirements of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), the CHT Group is enhancing the transparency and comparability of its sustainability performance. 

Similarly, in 2025, a global climate risk and water risk analysis was conducted for all CHT sites worldwide, and measures were identified to further reduce these risks. 

At the same time, concrete climate protection measures were implemented. These include the switch to renewable electricity at the sites in the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Shanghai, as well as the investment in the company’s own photovoltaic system in Torreón. These measures are complemented by projects such as the biomass-based heating system at the Dußlingen site. 

To ensure greater transparency along the value chain, the CHT Group has also introduced automated calculation of the Product Carbon Footprint. This enables product-specific emissions to be analyzed and reduced in a targeted manner. 

Progress has also been made in the social sphere: Already today, more than 95 % of CHT employees worldwide receive compensation above the respective living wage level. By 2030, this is expected to apply to all CHT employees.