From the Sector

Researchers from Empa, Eawag and Agroscope have produced the first systematic estimate of how much microplastic is deposited from the atmosphere across Switzerland. For areas below 2,000 metres, the study estimates annual deposition of about 219 tonnes, including roughly 78 tonnes on agricultural land and around ten tonnes directly into water bodies.

The official release identifies loose fibres from functional clothing among the sources that can enter the environment, alongside PET bottles and other plastic products. Sampling was conducted for a full year at five locations, with particles between 20 and 215 micrometres analysed using imaging infrared microspectroscopy. PET, polyethylene and polypropylene were the most frequently detected polymers.

For textiles, the findings matter because they add atmospheric transport to the better-known discussion around fibre release through washing. The work provides a new evidence base for assessing material emissions and mitigation priorities, while the researchers stress that long-term environmental and health effects remain under investigation.

BASF will use SIMAC 2026 in Milan to present polyurethane and thermoplastic-polyurethane concepts spanning the footwear life cycle. The portfolio includes Elastopan SpringPURe for thermoformed midsoles together with Elastollan and Infinergy solutions.

Working with Gusbi, BASF has developed an automated heat-press process for lightweight midsoles designed to combine low density, design freedom and durable comfort with almost waste-free processing. With DESMA, the company is also showing a closed-loop concept that combines PU and TPU and links mechanical and chemical recycling. Three concept shoes illustrate separation and recycling routes.

The company is also introducing Infinergy Revolution, an energy-efficient heat-press processing route for expanded TPU. The approach is intended to enable lighter components, new surface designs and improved recyclability. The broader signal is that footwear development is increasingly bringing performance, disassembly, material recovery and processing energy into the same engineering discussion.

Editorial relevance: Very high – a measurable functional-textile application combining natural fibre and surface engineering.
Cornell University researchers have demonstrated that polydopamine-dyed wool can serve as a low-cost, renewable material for solar-driven water purification. The approach uses interfacial solar vapor generation, concentrating solar heat at the water surface while a textile structure transports water and converts it into vapor.

The strongest configuration used ultrablack wool positioned vertically and illuminated from both sides. It produced 2.43 kilograms of water per square metre of fabric per hour, while polydopamine-only wool achieved 2.21 kilograms. Both rates were nearly twice those reported for conventional horizontal two-dimensional evaporation systems. The material also operated continuously for ten hours without salt accumulation.

The work is relevant to technical textiles because performance depends on fibre choice, dye chemistry, surface structure and textile geometry acting together. Salt levels in the collected water were below the World Health Organization drinking-water threshold. Future work will test rainwater and wastewater and improve water-collection designs.

Uster Technologies has introduced a structured matrix for assessing mechanically recycled fibers. The approach is intended to help spinners deal with the wider variability of recycled feedstocks and relate measured fiber properties more directly to processing decisions and intended end uses.

Mechanically recycled cotton typically shows greater variation than virgin material because fiber length is reduced and input streams differ in origin and processing history. A consistent assessment framework can therefore support bale management, blending decisions and the adjustment of spinning parameters. Uster positions the Recycled Fiber Matrix as a practical bridge between increasing recycled-content targets and reliable quality control.

This matters for circularity at industrial scale. More recycling capacity alone does not guarantee usable yarn feedstock; recycled fibers also need to enter established production systems with predictable performance. Testing and data interpretation are becoming part of the infrastructure required to move textile-to-textile recycling from availability to repeatable production.

The new Horizon Europe project MELANGE aims to reorganise how colour is designed and applied in interior textiles. Rather than treating coloration mainly as a finishing-stage operation, the project moves colour decisions upstream and explores fibre-stage technologies including spin, dope and solution dyeing, as well as the use of pre-coloured recycled fibres. The rationale is that conventional coloration consumes substantial water, energy and chemicals, while the pursuit of near-perfect uniformity can drive additional trials and material losses.

MELANGE brings together nine partners from seven European countries under the leadership of Aalto University, with Textile ETP responsible for dissemination and stakeholder engagement. The project proposes treating variation as a design feature rather than automatically as a defect. It draws inspiration from Prato’s practice of blending pre-coloured recycled fibres by shade to avoid re-dyeing. According to the project communication, the approach aims to reduce water and chemical use by up to 50% compared with conventional finishing-stage processes. Business models, B2B marketing, standards and policy are also part of the work.

US textile-to-textile recycler Circ has entered into a partnership with Shenghong Chemical Fiber New Material for the commercial production of polyester filament yarn using Circ’s recycled material. Shenghong will purchase Circ PET chip and manufacture recycled-content filament yarn at commercial scale. For Circ, the agreement expands access to one of China’s major fibre producers and creates an additional route to market for polyester recovered from textile waste. For brands and mills, the key point is that textile-to-textile feedstock is moving closer to established high-volume yarn manufacturing structures. The partnership also underlines that scaling chemical recycling depends not only on polymer recovery but on robust downstream relationships with fibre and yarn producers.

NC State University is a core partner in the BRIDGES Engine initiative backed by the US National Science Foundation, with up to $160 million available over ten years. A central focus is the development of miscanthus and switchgrass as feedstocks for biobased products.

The plant fibres are intended for applications including automotive, construction and packaging. NC State will contribute techno-economic assessment, sustainability analysis and processing expertise to convert agricultural feedstocks into fibre materials suitable for industrial use.

For technical textiles, the initiative is particularly relevant because it goes beyond laboratory-scale material development and aims to build supply chains, processing capacity and regional markets in parallel.

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.