From the Sector

EDANA, the voice of nonwovens, alongside fellow industry associations CIRFS (European Man-Made Fibres Association), EURATEX (The European Apparel and Textile Confederation), ESF (European Safety Federation), and EuroCommerce (Retail & Wholesale), has issued a joint statement raising critical concerns regarding the transposition of Directive (EU) 2025/1892, the targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive. 

As Member States begin implementing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles, a lack of distinction within the Directive’s Annex IVc is causing confusion. Currently, the specified CN codes do not distinguish between standard apparel and essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or Medical Devices (MD). 

The joint statement highlights that PPE and Medical Devices are engineered to protect users from hazardous environments, including chemical, biological, and radiological risks. Consequently, these garments often become contaminated and are classified as hazardous waste, requiring incineration—often with energy recovery—rather than recycling, to ensure safety. 

Including these products in standard textile EPR schemes poses significant risks: 

• Cross-Contamination: Mixing hazardous PPE waste with household textiles threatens human health and environmental safety. 
• Regulatory Conflict: Contaminated PPE disposal is already regulated under Articles 13, 17, 18, and 19 of the existing Waste Framework Directive. 
• Low Circularity Potential: PPE constitutes less than 1% of textile waste, with 80-90% treated as hazardous. The environmental benefit of recycling the remaining fraction is negligible compared to the transport required to aggregate sufficient volumes. 

The statement also calls for guidance on safety shoes. Like other PPE, these items face contamination issues that limit recyclability. Furthermore, manufacturers cannot guarantee product warranties or conformity for reused safety footwear, and the fee scaling for heavy items (e.g., steel-toed boots) remains unclear. 

Recital 28 of the Directive already suggests that products posing safety or hygiene risks should be excluded from the EPR. However, this is being overlooked in national implementations, such as in Spain and the Netherlands. 

Therefore, the signatories urge the European Commission to issue clear guidance to Member States confirming that products complying with the PPE Regulation (2016/425) and the MD Regulation (2017/745) are outside the scope of the Textiles EPR.

The development of sustainable plastic solutions is rapidly gaining importance in light of global environmental pollution, dwindling fossil resources and ambitious climate protection targets. As part of the regional alliance RUBIO, which brings together 18 partners from central Germany and the Berlin-Brandenburg area, the bio-based and biodegradable plastic polybutylene succinate (PBS) was comprehensively investigated, starting with the raw material, through the manufacturing process, to industrial application. The aim was to evaluate the potential of PBS as an environmentally friendly alternative to polyethylene and to create the technological basis for new sustainable value chains. As a partner in the alliance, STFI was able to demonstrate that the bioplastic PBS is suitable for textile processing using the example of a net for straw bales. 

The starting point: bioplastics sought as a substitute for PE
Increasing reports of macro and microplastics everywhere on earth, the finite nature of fossil re-sources, EU climate protection targets, and the call for CO2 reduction compel all stakeholders, especially the plastics industry, to act promptly. Bio-based and simultaneously biodegradable plastics ap-pear to be valuable raw materials for many applications, ranging from the packaging industry to the textile sector and agriculture. The aim of this project was comprehensive investigation of polybutylene succinate (PBS) from raw material to its industrial applicability. In order to qualify the biopolymer as a substitute for polyethylene (PE), its material properties were tested and evaluated with regard to their suitability for a wide range of applications.

The textile processing of the bioplastic PBS
During project work, STFI main task was to explore opportunities and limits of technological processing of PBS materials (resins, film, nonwoven fabric, ribbons) into textile end products. Investigations were carried out on processing behavior of resins to nonwoven fabrics, followed by cutting processes into narrow ribbons, as well as studies on cutting and stretching PBS films and resins into ribbons. Subsequently, these ribbons were used to produce surfaces on knitting and weaving ma-chines. As a result, nonwoven fabrics, ribbons, and textile structures are available, which will be further optimized in subsequent projects. It has been possible to develop a knitted straw bale net that meets the requirements regarding mechanical properties of DLG (German Agricultural Society) for novel bio-based plastics.

Success and outlook
The results include spunbonded fabrics, ribbons and textile structures. A knitted straw bale net has been successfully developed that meets the requirements of the DLG (German Agricultural Society) for innovative bio-based plastics in terms of mechanical properties. 

The focus for the future is on optimising textile production processes for the bioplastic PBS. The RUBIO2Value project was launched in December and will focus on applications such as injection-moulded reusable packaging, textiles and geotextiles, but also disposable packaging in upcoming studies by the consortium. At STFI, established textile processes are being converted to sustainable and renewable raw materials in order to use recycled or biodegradable materials for sustainable production.

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: 

1. Sensory enhancement: Visitors, including interior designers, decorators, and media, will be encouraged to physically touch, feel, and work with the Trevira CS fabrics, enabling a deeper understanding of essential qualities like drape, weight, and texture. Trevira CS fabric donations from various partners have been turned into pillowcases. Partner in this craftsmanship activity is hum Kissen, Sulingen, Germany. Since over 20 years, hum stands for sustainable design, high quality, and fair cooperation for cushions. That's why they only use valuable, certified materials for their hum design and outdoor cushions, which are manufactured in Germany. Their value promise: feel good in any environment! Also, pillowcases from various displays and showcases have been submitted by Trevira CS partners – all awaiting the following next step. 
2. Memorable interaction & giving back: The WE CARE highlight activity invites Heimtextil visitors to stuff these pillowcases using permanently flame-retardant fibers provided by Indorama Ventures. This hands-on process allows participants to truly appreciate the fabric's "hand" and craftsmanship. 
3. One act of kindness: All cushions created during the show will be handed over to the Lions Club Wiesbaden. They will ensure that the finished cushions are distributed to those in need within the local community, supporting two initiatives: “Herzenswärme” (Warmth of the Heart) initiative and the „IFB“ (Inklusion.Förderung.Betreuung/Inclusion.Support.Care.) initiative, which focuses on the inclusion of children with disabilities. 

Trevira CS Joint Booth Experience: Innovations in Flame-Retardancy & Design 
The Trevira CS Joint Booth will feature a diverse collection of inherently flame-retardant products for the home textiles and contract market. The exhibiting partners will showcase products across all textile applications, from spun to fancy flame retardant yarns eligible for the brand Trevira CS to from lightweight curtains to upholstery fabrics, woven and knitted fabrics as well as interior solar shading solutions.

Dedicated gallery information walls will provide unique insights into the Trevira CS brand, its sub-brands, rigorous trademark testing, various application areas, and its path forward using advanced recycled materials. 

Exhibiting Partners at the Trevira CS Joint Booth (Hall 3.1, G95) 

• Baroni Filati S.r.l. 
• FILTRADING S.R.L. 
• ILCAT S.P.A. 
• TORCITURA LEI TSU S.R.L. 
• LODETEX S.P.A. 
• MOTTURA Spa 
• PIF sarl 
• Pugi RG S.r.l. 
• Tintoria filati Sala S.r.l. 
• Selvafil S.A. 
• Hum Kissen 
• The Lion Club Wiesbaden 

Deja™: Advancing Sustainability with Recycled Materials 
Demonstrating a commitment to a sustainable path forward, Indorama Ventures will also introduce the deja™ brand family. Deja marks fibers, yarns and technical fabrics made from what is already here, thereby significantly reducing CO2 emissions and environmental impact while delivering virgin-like performance. 

This sustainable product family of staple fibers, filament yarns, and technical fabrics is suitable for a broad variety of applications, including home textiles, apparel, and automotive interiors. 

Indorama Ventures and Trevira CS® invite all visitors to experience the "WE CARE" concept, to stuff a cushion, and engage with the Trevira CS partners, and its brands Trevira CS® and deja™ at Heimtextil 2026.

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.
 
The plant will be located in Haining (Zhejiang province) on site provided by Wankai, which is already equipped with infrastructure (equipment, waste treatment, etc.), thus reducing the investment cost. Construction is expected to begin during the first quarter of 2026, with commissioning targeted by the first quarter of 2027.
 
CARBIOS and Wankai have also approved on 2 December 2025 the license agreement, which will be granted by CARBIOS to the joint venture upon its incorporation.
 
CARBIOS and Wankai have committed to a long-term partnership with the ambition to build and operate several PET biorecycling plants in Asia. CARBIOS agrees to exclusively license its PET depolymerization technology in Asia to Wankai for a period of three years, subject to signing licenses with the latter for at least 100 kt per year of additional capacity. This term will be extended in five-year increments if additional licenses for at least 200 kt per year of extra capacity are signed.
 
To strengthen the strategic partnership between the two companies, Wankai has committed to subscribe, before 2 June 2026, to a dedicated capital increase of €5 million in the share capital of CARBIOS S.A., paid on the basis of an issue price per share of €8.0947, corresponding to the volume-weighted average of the last five trading days preceding the 1st of December 2025, reduced by a 10% discount. 

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.

Finalists Dukane – Curved Leg Elastic (CLE) and ZymoChem – BAYSE™ were also recognized for their significant contributions to advancing performance, sustainability, and consumer well-being in absorbent hygiene.

“The innovations presented this year demonstrate remarkable creativity and a clear focus on improving lives while advancing environmental stewardship,” said Tony Fragnito, INDA President & CEO. “The level of collaboration and innovation seen at Hygienix continues to raise the bar for our industry.”

Networking and Collaboration Across the Hygiene Value Chain
The 2025 Hygienix™ Conference fostered meaningful connections through multiple networking formats, including:

• Women in Nonwovens (WiN) Luncheon – Encouraging mentorship, leadership, and collaboration among women in the industry.
• Lightning Talks – High-energy, five-minute presentations from exhibiting companies.
• Evening Receptions & Exhibits – Showcasing breakthrough technologies and supplier capabilities across absorbent hygiene.
• Lunch Around with Olivia Ahn, MD, Co-Founder, Planera – Sharing her start-up journey and sustainability vision.
• Welcome Reception – An informal kickoff Monday evening connecting industry peers and innovators.

Program Content: Insights Driving the Future of Absorbent Hygiene
The conference featured a comprehensive technical program and three Pre-Conference Workshops on absorption systems, menstrual care innovation, and baby and infant care market dynamics.

Throughout the week, attendees explored presentations and panel discussions on:

• Circularity and sustainable materials, including bio-based fibers, PFAS-free chemistries, and flushable packaging.
• Regulatory, testing, and consumer trends shaping product design and market growth.
• New applications such as pet care, eczema-friendly testing, and private label innovation.

Speakers represented a global cross-section of the value chain, including Absorbent Hygiene Insights, BAHP, Cycleology, Euromonitor International, Kuraray Europe, Lenzing AG, ProVerde Environmental, SmartSolve, Soane Materials, Trützschler Nonwovens, Woolchemy NZ, and many others.

Industry Momentum and Strong Attendance
This year’s event was well-received by all attendees, drawing global participation from brand owners, converters, material and equipment suppliers, and entrepreneurs committed to advancing performance and sustainability in absorbent hygiene.

Ontex Group NV, a leading international developer and producer of personal care solutions, launches Dreamshield® 360 Night Pants, a new night-time concept designed to give babies dry nights and parents greater peace of mind. The new night pants offer extra absorbency for up to 12 hours of protection – especially important for long nights, heavy wetters, extended naps and travel.

Ontex’s Dreamshield®360 baby pants are already trusted for nighttime use, and the new night pants build on that foundation by offering parents an even more reassuring solution for prolonged overnight protection.

Research confirms that nighttime performance remains a critical priority for families: 75% of parents identify their baby’s sleep quality as their top stressor, with nighttime leaks the leading cause of disruption. Parents increasingly look for products that guarantee dryness for longer periods, not just overnight but also during situations that require absorbency designed for high-demand occasions.

Recent consumer insights confirm the relevance of stronger night-time protection: parents choose baby pants more often for nighttime across all ages and tend to switch to baby pants sooner at night than during the day.

Superior nighttime protection, comfort and sustainability
Dreamshield® 360 Night Pants deliver enhanced overnight performance together with the trusted features of the Dreamshield® 360 Pants range:

• Extra absorbency for long nights – up to 12 hours of leak-free sleep and extended-use protection.
• Triple leak protection – including Ontex’s unique pee & poo back barrier.
• Soft, secure 360° fit – gentle materials and an elastic waistband for comfortable sleeping.
• Night-time packaging – clear extra absorbency claims and strong night icons for quick and confident shopper navigation.
• Sustainability at the core – supporting Ontex’s targets of CO₂ emissions and plastic reduction across its product portfolio.

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, a leader in spider silk technology*, launched a key hiring initiative at its production operations in Southeast Asia. This expansion of the company's production workforce is driven by rapidly increasing throughput, an expanded operational footprint, and preparations for the opening of its newest production center, now in active development.
 
The company is ramping up staffing to support what it expects to be a significant increase in production volumes over the coming quarters. These new team members will play a critical role in supporting the deployment of the Company's advanced spider silk technologies and modernized sericulture systems across its growing network of facilities.
 
All incoming production staff will receive specialized training under Dr. Nirmal Kumar, one of the world's foremost sericulture experts. Training under Dr. Kumar will prepare new hires to support operational growth at Kraig Labs' newest production center, currently in development, increasing capacity, resilience, and commercial production of its high-performance spider silk.
 
"This hiring initiative reflects the incredible momentum we are building and the strength of our forward-looking production strategy," said Kim Thompson, Founder and CEO of Kraig Labs. "As we scale up our next-generation spider silk technology and expand our production footprint, we are focused on assembling a team capable of supporting the high growth trajectory we anticipate. Bringing new staff into the fold and having them train directly with Dr. Kumar ensures that we are building the strongest possible foundation for the future of our operations."
 
The Company's expanded workforce will contribute to Kraig Labs' increasing production capacity and its readiness to meet both near-term production targets and longer-term commercial opportunities. As construction and development of the new production center takes shape, these newly trained team members will be positioned to support the facility's launch and help drive the Company's next major phase of growth.
 
Kraig Labs expects to continue adding staff and resources as it advances its mission of delivering the world's first cost-effective, eco-friendly, industrial-scale recombinant spider silk.

Deren and Dibella are joining forces and have agreed to a partnership for the French market. Through this strategic collaboration, both companies combine their strengths: Dibella’s expertise in high-quality, durable, and sustainably produced textiles, and Deren’s market knowledge and trusted customer relationships across France. 

Together, Deren and Dibella will offer French customers a comprehensive portfolio of long-lasting, responsibly manufactured textiles alongside excellent service. The alliance cooperation represents an important step in Dibella’s international growth strategy, and reinforces the shared commitment both companies have to providing professionals with sustainable textile solutions that stand for quality, reliability, and responsible business practices. 

Deren and Dibella look forward to a successful collaboration and to jointly shaping a more sustainable future for the French market.

The planned acquisition of the “Barmag” Division of OC Oerlikon will create the leading system provider worldwide for natural and man-made fibers. Rieter is confident it will receive all regulatory approvals to complete the acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2025. The Rieter Group is therefore adjusting its Group structure as of January 1, 2026, to take this acquisition into account and to be able to provide an even more agile response to market challenges. 

The Machines & Systems and After Sales Divisions will be merged. Alexander Özbahadir will take over the new “Short-Staple Fiber” Division, which will be responsible for the short-staple fiber business, effective January 1, 2026. This will create synergies in sales and service activities and increase customer centricity through a geographical focus. 

Roger Albrecht will now be responsible for the “Components and Technology” Division. His mandate will be to develop pioneering technology solutions, drive innovation and achieve growth in the key components business. With this organizational change, Rieter will further expand its technology leadership and intensify its development activities between Rieter and the component companies Accotex, Bräcker, Graf, Novibra, Suessen, SSM and Temco. 

Serge Entleitner has decided to step down from the Group Executive Committee, effective December 31, 2025, and will support the company on various projects until his retirement in 2027. 

Upon successful closing of the Barmag acquisition, the “Man-Made Fiber” Division will be integrated into the Rieter Group. Georg Stausberg will continue to lead the division and report to Thomas Oetterli, CEO of Rieter. He will also take a seat on the Group Executive Committee. 

As of January 1, 2026, the Rieter Group Executive Board will comprise the following members: 

• Thomas Oetterli, Chief Executive Officer 
• Oliver Streuli, Chief Financial Officer 
• Emmanuelle Gmür, Chief Human Resources Officer 
• Alexander Özbahadir, Head of the “Short-Staple Fiber” Division 
• Georg Stausberg (after closing), Head of the “Man-Made Fiber” Division 
• Roger Albrecht, Head of the “Components and Technology” Division 

Rieter is responding to the persistently weak market situation with further cost-cutting measures by adjusting production capacities, simplifying supply chains, and streamlining overhead functions. The estimated one-off costs of around CHF 30 to 35 million will result in annual savings of just under CHF 30 million.

Barmag, a subsidiary of the Swiss Oerlikon Group, will commission three HMLS yarn systems with a total of 30 stations at renowned technical yarn manufacturers in China over the next three months.

China expands HMLS capacities
Among them are two HMLS producers who had previously purchased from competitors. "They were convinced by our process technology, which guarantees the economic production of HMLS yarns of the very best quality," says Sales Director Oliver Lemke, who, together with his colleagues on site, provides support to customers in the field of technical yarns. The sophisticated material obtains its special properties during the spinning process. High speeds in the production process guarantee a stable arrangement of the molecules within the polymer that forms the actual thread. The internal structure of the molecular chain, in turn, is decisive for the dimensional stability of the final yarn.

Growing demand for HMLS yarns
The industry expects demand for HMLS yarns to increase in the coming years. This is mainly due to the trend toward lighter tires. Whereas high-modulus polyester yarn (HMLS) was previously used mainly in high-speed tires, its properties now also allow the tire carcass of small vans to be converted from steel cord to polyester. HMLS yarn is extremely tear-resistant, yet highly elastic and temperature- and dimensionally stable.

Another factor is the steadily increasing number of vehicle registrations worldwide. In China in particular, the production of local car brands has increased rapidly in recent years, which explains the expansion of capacity in the country.