From the Sector

Beginning January 2026, the production at Asahi Kasei’s Nobeoka facility – Bemberg™’s only production site – will gradually resume, marking a new chapter following the partial shutdown caused by the April 2022 incident. 

This progress is the result of significant investments and continuous work to reinforce safety measures, restore full operational capacity, and establish long term stability. As production progressively increases, Asahi Kasei renews its initiatives to support the market with reliability, efficiency, and confidence. 

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our customers, partners, and employees for their patience and continued trust throughout this period,” stated Kaoru Hashimoto (Bemberg™ Senior General Manager). “Restoring production is a crucial milestone, and together with our stakeholders we remain committed to contributing to the development of a responsible and future-oriented business.”

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) takes on new responsibilities under the EU's One Substance, One Assessment (OSOA) Package. 

Working closely with other EU agencies and authorities, ECHA will lead efforts to build a common data platform on chemicals, streamline assessments, and strengthen collaboration to better protect human health and the environment.

The Agency is committed to driving this initiative forward and will deliver its new responsibilities with transparency and efficiency.

Dr Sharon McGuinness, ECHA’s Executive Director said:
"The OSOA package represents a significant step towards a more efficient chemical safety system in Europe. By joining forces with our partner agencies and authorities, we will create a system that anticipates risks, and brings together existing knowledge, and supports innovation.  

Our shared goal is clear: a safer, more sustainable Europe through collaboration and science-based action.’’  

Under this legislation, ECHA is entrusted with significant new tasks, reinforcing its role in delivering coherent, predictable, and transparent chemical assessments. These changes will enhance efficiency and improve consistency across EU chemical legislation.

Building a common data platform on chemicals 
The OSOA package also introduces the Regulation on common data platform and monitoring and outlook framework for chemicals. 

ECHA will manage this platform in close collaboration with other EU bodies – including the European Environment Agency (EEA), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) under the governance scheme and implementation plan adopted by the European Commission. 

The platform will integrate information from multiple sources and provide services such as: 

• Information Platform for Chemical Monitoring;
• Repository of reference values;
• Study notifications database; and
• Databases on standard formats and controlled vocabularies, regulatory processes, legal obligations, chemicals in articles or products, alternatives to substances of concern, and environmental sustainability-related data.

This will create a one-stop-shop for chemicals data, improving transparency and accessibility for regulators, industry, and the public.

New tasks for ECHA
Beyond the data platform, ECHA will:

• Develop a monitoring and outlook framework;
• Support early warning and risk identification;
• Generate new data when needed; and
• Promote the use of scientific research to strengthen chemical safety.

ECHA will also take on scientific and regulatory responsibilities previously managed by other bodies, including:

• Preparing restriction proposals under the RoHS Directive (hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment), and processing exemption requests;
• Setting and reviewing limit values for persistent organic pollutants in waste under the POPs Regulation; and
• Updating guidelines on how to perform the benefit-risk assessment of the presence of certain hazardous substances in medical devices under the Medical Devices Regulation.

A quiet revolution in church restoration
Across Europe’s historic skylines, the silhouettes of medieval towers and Baroque spires have stood for centuries, but the fabric that keeps them watertight has rarely lasted more than a generation or two. Today, architects and conservationists face the delicate task of renewing these protective layers without altering the appearance or breathability of ancient structures. In this context, nonwoven fabrics have quietly become one of the most transformative materials in restoration behind the scenes of heritage roofs.

Traditional roofing on churches was never designed as a sealed envelope. Slate, tile and lead coverings were laid over open rafters or timber boards, relying on ventilation and sheer mass to manage moisture. When such buildings are re-roofed under contemporary conservation standards, contractors must reconcile modern performance expectations – airtightness, resistance to driving rain, and compliance with safety regulations – with the need to preserve original construction logic. This is where engineered nonwovens, with their combination of vapour permeability and water resistance, provide an elegant solution.

Invisible defence
A nonwoven underlay acts as a secondary shield beneath the outer covering, shedding any wind-driven rain that penetrates between slates while still allowing moisture from within to diffuse outwards. Its fibrous matrix creates a microscopic labyrinth of pores that block liquid water but remain open to water vapour, so that timber structures can continue to breathe much as they always have. The result is an invisible line of defence that does not interfere with the historic envelope’s ability to regulate humidity naturally.

In practical terms, the benefits are more than theoretical. Many heritage sites must remain open during works or lie exposed for long periods while leadwork and masonry are repaired. A strong, lightweight nonwoven can be laid in a day over newly stripped sections, immediately restoring weather protection and allowing carpenters and masons to proceed without interruption. On complex church roofs – often steeply pitched, ornamented with dormers and difficult to scaffold – this ability to secure a weathertight covering has proved invaluable. It reduces the need for daily tarpaulin handling, cuts labour costs and limits the risk of water ingress that might damage ancient ceilings or murals below.

Microporosity
The conservation world has traditionally been wary of modern membranes, and rightly so. Earlier generations of bituminous or plasticised underlays created sealed cavities that trapped condensation, leading to timber decay and corrosion. Nonwovens differ in that they rely on microporous structures rather than applied coatings for their performance. Because they are made from mechanically bonded fibres rather than laminated films, they remain vapour-open by design. In the language of building physics, they have “low vapour resistance yet high water holdout” – two qualities rarely achieved together in earlier materials.

Their structural behaviour also suits the irregular geometry of historic carpentry. Whereas stiff plastic sheets can tear over uneven boarding or sharp ridges, nonwovens drape naturally around contours and resist puncture. They are also quiet under wind load, which is an overlooked comfort factor when a centuries-old tower stands in a residential quarter, and they age more gracefully than brittle films. In a craft context, this flexibility matters as much as technical data – restorers appreciate a material that behaves predictably under hand tools, that can be cut cleanly and that adheres reliably with standard tapes or battens.

Economy of disturbance
From a sustainability perspective, nonwovens also align with the ethos of minimal intervention. They are light to transport, require little energy to manufacture and can often be installed without altering existing timberwork. Because they extend the lifespan of expensive outer coverings, they reduce the frequency of disruptive roof replacements and in long-term stewardship terms, that economy of disturbance is as important as any embodied carbon metric.

Projects across Europe illustrate how seamlessly nonwovens have entered the conservation vocabulary. In medieval churches where roof spaces are inaccessible, their use has allowed designers to maintain the unventilated build-ups of the original fabric while still meeting moisture-control criteria. In Baroque structures with intricate domes, their thin profile helps maintain sightlines at eaves and cornices without introducing visible ventilation slots. Even in smaller rural chapels, they provide an insurance layer beneath reused or weathered slates, reducing the risk of localised leaks that might otherwise threaten timber vaulting or plaster ceilings.

Another virtue, often underestimated, lies in their role during construction sequencing. Because nonwovens can serve as both temporary and permanent weather protection, they simplify project logistics. Once laid, they remain in place through the entire build, so there is no wasted material or duplicated effort. In many restorations, this flexibility has shortened programme durations and reduced the environmental impact associated with single-use coverings.

Detailing
Nonwovens also lend themselves to hybrid detailing. In some restorations, they are combined with traditional sarking boards and lime-based insulation systems, maintaining a breathable overall assembly. In others, they form part of modern warm-roof solutions under lead or copper sheeting, where their stability under heat and UV exposure becomes a key advantage. Their neutrality makes them compatible with almost any heritage-appropriate finish.

A challenge lies not in proving the performance of nonwovens but in ensuring they are specified sensitively. Every church roof tells a different story – some rely on massive oak frames that demand free airflow, others contain fragile painted timbers or medieval tiles that call for careful moisture control. 

A responsible designer must therefore balance the convenience of modern materials with a deep understanding of how historic buildings breathe and move. 

When chosen wisely, a nonwoven underlay can protect centuries of craftsmanship without ever announcing its presence.

The 10th edition of Techtextil India 2025 concluded recently at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, with strong buyer turnout, primarily from Western India, reaching 9144 visitors across 235 Indian cities and 45 countries. Over three days, the trade fair brought together leading domestic and international brands, technology providers, institutional buyers and policymakers, reinforcing India’s ambition to emerge as a global hub for value-added technical textiles. The show hosted 216 exhibitors, featuring over 300 brands and showcased cutting-edge solutions across 12 application areas, keeping the show floor busy throughout the three days. 

As a key knowledge and sourcing platform, the fair drew decision makers from sectors such as mobility, healthcare, construction, filtration, protection and sportswear, helping bridge the gap between fibre producers, converters, brand owners and end users. Strategic support from leading industry associations and state textile departments further amplified the show’s role in driving investment and collaboration in India’s technical textiles ecosystem.

Guest of Honour, Honourable Smt R Lalitha, IAS, Director of Textiles, Directorate of Textiles, Government of Tamil Nadu, shared: “Techtextil India 2025 weaves together leading innovators, policymakers and companies to frame appropriate policies for the growing industry. I believe that man-made fibres is the sunrise sector of the future. Concepts like sustainability and circularity will give rise to better technology that could help speed up research and development in India.”

Echoing the government’s thrust on sustainability, conference sessions and special features at Techtextil India 2025 spotlighted topics such as circular supply chains, advanced recycling, bio-based materials and resource-efficient manufacturing. These discussions aligned with India’s broader vision to boost textile and apparel exports through high-value, environmentally responsible products and technologies.

For fibre and material innovators, Techtextil India 2025 served as a high-quality business and feedback platform. Mr Shyamlal Patnaik, Joint President – Global Head Speciality Business at Birla Cellulose believed: “Techtextil India is a great platform to interact with our customers. It helps us understand customer requirements, connecting us globally and strengthening our presence domestically. It also helps us to showcase our new products before genuine buyers.” 

On the first day of Techtextil India, Brawntex Industries Pvt Ltd announced its partnership with Kurabo Industries Ltd, a Japanese brand known for its fire-retardant fabrics. Sharing details about the new partnership and the overall expo experience, Mr Nitesh Mittal, Founder & CEO, Brawntex Industries Pvt Ltd said: “We will be representing Kurabo in India for military and industrial workwear such as oil & gas, iron & steel. We have been participating in Techtextil India for the past 7 editions. The show has been amazing as the crowd here is targeting the business needs and the footfall has been great. We could meet our partners, customers and some new ones as well. I can summarise it by saying the expo has been incredible.”

Another exhibitor, part of the Germany Pavilion, Mr Umashankar Mahapatra, Managing Director, Pulcra Chemicals, displayed sustainable chemicals for textile processing, speciality additives for man-made fibre and natural fibre industry. He stated: “This was a really effective show for us as we could connect with customers who are willing to invest in the technical textile industry. We received enquiries from the traditional market of Surat who are looking to venture into the technical textile sector. For any new business to start, the show offers right raw material – fibre, machinery and speciality chemicals. It is a very effective show that is connecting the dots.” 

Product launches and demonstrations spanned high-performance fibres, speciality yarns, functional fabrics, nonwoven solutions, coating and finishing technologies, testing equipment and process automation, reflecting the industry’s rapid move toward value-added, engineered textiles. Many exhibitors used the platform to unveil India-specific solutions tailored to mobility, infrastructure, medical, hygiene and protective applications.

Innovative products such as special fabrics for firefighter suits, crop covers, vehicle seats and airbags, bags, woven sacks/bags, parachute and clothing for special needs like defence and steel industry. Besides these, innovation in knitting technology based on various applications also drew visitor interest. 

The show had a dedicated Sporttech Pavilion in a collaboration with Concepts N Strategies. It delivered three power-packed panel discussions that drew exceptionally high footfall and dynamic participation from global buyers, sourcing leaders, and performance-textile innovators and highlighted India’s accelerating shift toward premium, scalable activewear manufacturing.

Similarly, the Indian Technical Textile Association (ITTA) powered conference surfaced advanced solutions for crop protection, coastal protection wear, the use of natural fibres with smart materials, and reinforcing better utility. Another conference in collaboration with the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) also held intriguing discussions on establishing circular supply chains with key topics such as PET waste to yarn, AI-based waste sorting, recycling technologies, automation and traceability of waste value chain. 

The show not only showcased advances across various categories in the world of technical textiles but also served as a platform that displayed technical textiles manufactured utilising waste, upcycling of waste into yarn, post-consumer waste for yarns and fabrics, lifestyle products from waste and more. A visitor, Ms Samidha Mayee, Manager-Brand Marketing & Sales Planning, Archroma, explaining the diverse range of products at Techtextil India said: “Techtextil India is a vast show drawing huge crowd and is an all-inclusive and comprehensive exhibition. I was happy to see everything right from the fibre, yarns, fabrics, manufacturing, processing and even the recycling of the polyester fibres.”

Unveiling the visitor experience, Mr Ashish Arya, Sales and Marketing Leader-Medtech, Thermaissance described: “It was a memorable experience for me. I have learnt how the entire processing, manufacturing and other capabilities are being employed for fabric making, especially the recycling process. The best part was the innovative products being displayed and the rapid pace of new product development. The entire setup of the event was good, including the ambience and footfall.” 

The next edition of Techtextil India will continue to build on this momentum, offering a powerful marketplace and knowledge forum for stakeholders across the value chain.

Under the banner “Texpertise Focus AI”, Messe Frankfurt will place a strong emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) across its international textile and apparel trade fairs from 2026 onwards, setting a future-shaping signal for the industry. The initiative highlights the responsible use of AI along the entire textile value chain, from fibre production to the point of sale. The programme will launch at Heimtextil in Frankfurt in January 2026.

The textile and apparel industry is undergoing significant transformation: artificial intelligence is reshaping workflows, enabling new business models and offering solutions for sustainability, efficient value chains and the sector’s skills shortage. Commercial market analyses estimate the global market for AI in the textile industry to reach around USD 21 billion by 2033, roughly ten times the 2023 figure. According to Eurostat, 13.5 percent of European industrial companies were already using AI in 2024, including many businesses in the textile sector. Under the communication umbrella “Texpertise Focus AI”, Messe Frankfurt will showcase exhibitor applications and content formats relating to artificial intelligence at its international textile and apparel events from 2026 onwards.
 
Artificial Intelligence as a Key Focus 
From 2026, Texpertise Focus AI will further enhance the visibility and accessibility of AI-related topics at Messe Frankfurt’s textile trade fairs. This includes curated content formats such as panel discussions, guided tours and live demonstrations featuring international industry experts. In addition, many exhibiting companies will present AI-related solutions.
 
The initiative will commence at Heimtextil from 13 to 16 January 2026 in Frankfurt am Main. AI will feature across numerous programme items, searchable online under “Texpertise Focus AI”. On Wednesday, 14 January at 3 p.m., internationally renowned thought leader in AI for design, Tim Fu, will join the Architonic Live Talk. Under the title “Woven intelligence: designing spaces in the era of AI”, Fu will discuss how artificial intelligence can support meaningful collaboration between architecture and interior design to create spaces that connect craft with computational technology. Messe Frankfurt will roll out the initiative across its textile trade fairs worldwide. Local characteristics and market-specific challenges will be integrated into the concept to ensure relevance.

Artificial Potential for the Value Chain, Sustainability and Workforce Development 
AI is transforming the textile value chain from fibre production to the point of sale and offers potential for greater efficiency, higher quality and improved resilience. In raw-material sourcing, AI systems support cultivation, harvesting and recycling through intelligent analytics and sorting technologies. In design and development, AI tools accelerate creative processes and simulate material properties, a concept reflected, for example, in the immersive installation “among all” by Patricia Urquiola at Heimtextil 2026. Production and logistics processes can also be optimised, waste reduced and supply chains made more transparent.
 
Artificial intelligence is also driving the twin transformation – the convergence of digitalisation and sustainability. Around 116 million tonnes of textile fibres are produced annually worldwide, yet only one percent of post-consumer textile waste is recycled[3]. With AI, companies can conserve resources and reduce waste. AI-based design and forecasting models help prevent overproduction, while life-cycle analyses enable environmentally conscious sourcing. Image-recognition systems sort used textiles, laying the foundation for a true circular economy. The entire spectrum of textile processing technologies will be showcased at Texprocess from 21 to 24 April 2026 in Frankfurt am Main.
 
In the workplace, AI is creating new job profiles and reshaping existing ones, in areas such as data analytics, digital design and process control. It also has the potential to ease labour shortages: according to the German Institute of Textile Technology (ITA) at RWTH Aachen University, up to 70 percent of standardised production tasks could be automated. AI can also support recruitment by enabling targeted identification and selection of qualified professionals.

• Borealis has entered a strategic partnership with BlueAlp, a chemical recycling technology leader based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands
• Under the agreement, Borealis will transfer its majority stake in Renasci to BlueAlp, and acquire a direct 10% stake in BlueAlp to support its future growth and scale-up
• The strategic move reflects Borealis’ evolving engagement in the chemical recycling value chain
• Operating chemical recycling assets is for BlueAlp a logical next step that accelerates technology innovation and strengthens the licensing proposition 

December 16, 2025, Borealis announced a strategic partnership with BlueAlp, a leading chemical recycling technology company headquartered in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The partnership will see Borealis transfer its majority share in Renasci, a chemical recycling company based in Ostend, Belgium, to BlueAlp, while acquiring a 10% share in BlueAlp to support its future growth and scale-up.
 
Renasci licensed BlueAlp’s technology to create a 20 kt p.a. scale-up plant, which BlueAlp engineered, constructed, and has supported throughout its operation in recent years. Moving from supporting operations to directly operating the asset is a logical next step in BlueAlp’s growth. This will accelerate technology innovation, establish a robust platform for producing high-quality circular feedstock, and further strengthen BlueAlp’s licensing proposition.
 
Since entering into Renasci, Borealis has led the development to become one of the few operating chemical recycling plants in Europe. Following the agreement, BlueAlp will lead the next phase of development and further advancement of Renasci, while Borealis continues to develop customer solutions based on chemically-recycled feedstock.“Borealis’ direct support comes at a pivotal moment in the chemical recycling industry, where rapid expansion of capacity is needed to achieve recycled content targets. Their market experience and materials expertise will support our growth and position us well to turn more plastic waste into high-quality circular feedstock,” says Valentijn de Neve, BlueAlp CEO.
 
This collaboration helps Borealis and BlueAlp’s customers and partners across the value chain to prepare for the EU’s upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in 2030, which is expected to increase demand for recycled materials suitable for contact-sensitive applications like food and cosmetics packaging, such as those based on chemically recycled feedstock.
 
”The deepening of the partnership with BlueAlp, combining assets and technology, will accelerate progress in chemical recycling for the industry,” says Stefan Doboczky, Borealis CEO. “It will allow Borealis to accelerate serving our customer base with an ever-broadening range of polymers based on chemically recycled feedstock. This transaction is fully in line with Borealis We4Customers Strategy, helping customers to deliver on their sustainability ambitions, whilst strengthening the innovation and operational focus of the group.”
 
The financial details of the transaction are not being disclosed.

The process, which is both economically and environmentally sustainable, has enabled the production of an underwear set made from 100% recycled nylon and LYCRA® fibre in a closed-loop system.
      
Recycling of garments made from different types of fibres has always represented a major challenge for the textile industry. In the absence of a chemical or mechanical process capable of separating and recovering the individual materials, these garments have so far become waste destined for incineration or landfill. Today, however, Radici InNova, the RadiciGroup division dedicated to research and innovation, has developed an innovative recycling process based on selective dissolution technology, capable of treating mixed textile waste — such as swimwear, tights and leggings — and recovering both nylon and LYCRA® fibre, making them available again for the production of new garments. The collaboration with The LYCRA Company and Triumph, internationally-renowned lingerie brand, has made it possible to validate the process by using the recovered fibres to create a 100% recycled lingerie set. The process, internationally patented, uses non-toxic, non-flammable and environmentally compatible solvents. It can be applied to the main types of nylon (PA6 and PA66) and is economically sustainable because it allows for the recovery of both nylon and LYCRA® fibre, regardless of their respective proportions in the fabric, as well as the solvent itself.

“Thanks to this project, textile recycling enters a new dimension, demonstrating for the first time that it is possible to recover fibers from mixed fabrics and reuse them to produce new garments. This is an unprecedented innovation that opens up revolutionary development opportunities for the textile industry. As RadiciGroup, we are proud to have conceived and achieved this important milestone together with our partners, and we are ready to take the next steps,” said Stefano Alini, CEO of Radici InNova.

“This innovative project highlights the role that elastane can have in helping to advance circularity in the apparel industry. Working closely with Radici InNova and Triumph, The LYCRA Company has demonstrated that LYCRA® fibres can retain their renowned stretch and recovery performance — providing comfort, fit and ease of movement — even when reintegrated into the spinning cycle,” commented Nicholas Kurland, Product Development Director, Advanced Concepts The LYCRA Company.

The project began four years ago, when Radici InNova launched the study of an innovative process for the dissolution and separation of mixed textile fibres. After the initial development phase, subsequent tests made it possible to recover samples of LYCRA® fibre from multi-material fabrics, which were then sent to The LYCRA Company to verify their recyclability. The next step was to demonstrate the feasibility in practice: Triumph provided its own production surplus, a fabric containing 16% LYCRA® fibre. From this material, Radici InNova succeeded in recovering both LYCRA® fibre and nylon. The LYCRA® fibre was then re-spun by The LYCRA Company, while RadiciGroup processed the recycled nylon to produce new Renycle® yarn. Using these recycled yarns (LYCRA® fibre and Renycle®), a 60-meter black fabric was created, which Triumph used to produce a coordinated lingerie set — bra and briefs — concretely demonstrating the possibility of closing the loop: from textile waste to new garments. The result achieved so far by Radici InNova, The LYCRA Company and Triumph should be considered a prototype (concept garment) designed to prove the technical feasibility of recycling mixed textiles and lay the groundwork for its future industrialization.

“Although still in its early stages, Triumph is proud to contribute to this pioneering initiative and to explore the potential of this innovative recycling technology for future applications. Our next step will focus on developing a capsule collection, while also working on solutions to ensure product identification, traceability and circularity systems, so that garments can remain in use for as long as possible and, once they reach the end of their life, can be recycled in the most appropriate way. At Triumph, we are committed to promoting innovation and collaboration in the field of sustainability. Being part of this project strengthens our belief that circularity for garments made from mixed textile fibers is possible, and we are proud to help turn this vision into reality,” said Vera Galarza, Global Head of Sustainability – Triumph.