Aus der Branche

Monforts and its partners Archroma and BW Converting are setting new standards in the resource efficient and cost-effective finishing of fabrics.

During a recent webinar organised by Germany’s VDMA textile machinery association, specialists from the three companies provided details of the range of new energy-saving options that is now available to mills.

In particular, BW Converting’s Baldwin TexCoat® G4 precision spray technology – in combination with advanced Archroma finishing formulations and Monforts MONTEX stenters and MONFORTEX shrinking ranges and related technologies – is pushing the envelope in new standards for sustainable and long-lasting clean productivity.

Functionality
Michael Schuhmann, Global Marketing Finishing at Archroma Textile Effects, explained that typical key functions provided in textile finishing include sweat and odor control, water repellence and UV resistance. Softeners are primarily applied to make fabrics more comfortable while other finishes provide reduced crease formation for easy-care properties. The traditional padding or exhaust techniques for applying these finishes require huge volumes of water and energy intensive drying.

Spray application, by contrast, requires much less water due to drastically reduced ‘pick up’ – the amount of liquid that a fabric absorbs and retains, determining how much finishing agent remains in the fabric. This also enables significantly faster drying, making process speeds of up to 100 metres per minute possible, depending on the fabric. 

“As the global fashion brands commit to reducing their emissions, the textile processing industry must respond by adopting safer chemistries with resource-saving processes such as spray application,” Schuhmann said.

Precision
Rick Stanford, Vice President Global Business Development for Textiles at BW Converting, explained that at the core of the Baldwin TexCoat G4 technology are precision valves that were originally developed for the offset printing industry and have been refined over the past 40 years through more than 40,000 installations globally. 

“These enable extremely precise spray flows which are controlled by proprietary software algorithms,” he said.

Over 100 TexCoat G4 units have been installed worldwide and all three companies are enjoying notable success with bed sheeting manufacturers in Pakistan.

“Our first TexCoat G4 in Pakistan was installed in Spring of 2024 for a manufacturer using Archroma chemistry and a ten-chamber Monforts MONTEX stenter,” Stanford explained. “When using the padder at this mill, the pickup rate was 65% and with TexCoat G4 we were able to reduce that to 27%. As a result, the customer was able to increase the MONTEX speed from 60 metres a minute to 100 metres a minute, while also reducing the operating temperature in the stenter. We have subsequently sold 30 TexCoat G4 units in Pakistan, driven primarily by the system’s proven productivity and efficiency gains.”

Energy savings
“A BW Converting Baldwin TexCoat G4 unit is now installed at the Monforts Advanced Technology Center (ATC) for trials and fully complementing spray finishing operations are our multiple energy saving innovations,” added Saskia Kuhlen, Monforts Engineer for Textile Technologies. “MONTEX stenters are equipped with the TwinAir air volume regulation system as well as the TwinTherm system for temperature control and feature CADstreamE variable nozzles. These features enable full adjustment to a specific fabric width for either higher operational speeds or lower electrical energy. A further benefit is the150-mm wide advanced insulation system inside the stenter frame”.

Further Monforts modules for optimizing processes include the the coaTTex unit for the knife coating of paste and foam application and the EcoApplicator, a kiss-coating technology for the indirect application of finishes on one or both sides of a fabric, with a stenter production speed up to 100m/min. Both can be integrated into existing lines.

The Monforts Energy Tower and EcoBooster are meanwhile modules for air/air heat exchanging, for heat recovery from the exhaust flow of thermal systems. They can also be retrofitted to existing stenter frames, relaxation dryers, infrared pre-dryers and hotflues.

“We continue to explore the best heating options for every customer, with optimised combinations in order to make our lines as energy efficient as possible,” Kuhlen said. “We have also been deeply investigating the potential of green hydrogen as a further option for the future.”

BW Converting’s Baldwin TexChroma™
In response to a big market demand, the three technology partners are now turning their attention to the dyeing process.

At ITMA Asia + CITME in Singapore, from October 28-31, they will introduce the resource-saving combination of THERMEX continuous dyeing ranges with the new BW Converting Baldwin TexChroma™ spray dyeing system. 

“We are excited to introduce the Baldwin TexChroma because spray dyeing is the future,” said Stanford. “We’ve been cautious about providing details on TexChroma too early, but now we’re ready and look forward to outlining its benefits in Singapore with interested customers. We will also be installing a TexChroma unit on a THERMEX line at the Monforts ATC in 2026.”

BW Converting will preview its new Baldwin TexChroma™ digital spray dyeing system at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 in Singapore, Oct. 28–31, 2025. This transformative solution builds on the company’s success with Baldwin TexCoat® G4 precision spray finishing system and is designed to help dyehouses achieve major reductions in energy, water, and chemical usage while improving quality and profitability.
 
“We are excited to introduce Baldwin TexChroma because spray dyeing is the future and many of our customers are already experiencing the benefits,” said Yiannis Vasilonikolos, Global Sales Leader for Textiles, BW Converting. “We have conducted successful trials of TexChroma using pigment, reactive, acid, and disperse dyes on both cotton and synthetic fibers.”
 
According to production data to date, TexChroma can deliver savings of more than 30% in energy, dyes, and chemicals compared to continuous pad batch dyeing, and up to 50% compared to exhaust reactive dyeing. A unique feature is its ability to mix reactive dyestuffs and alkali fixation chemicals just seconds before spray application, eliminating tailing and listing - common issues that cause uneven dye application and color variation.
 
The launch of TexChroma follows the success of the Baldwin TexCoat G4 precision spray finishing system, which has seen rapid adoption worldwide for its ability to deliver 40–50% energy savings and cut water and chemical usage by half. 
 
“We believe TexChroma will be a game-changer for dyehouses, reducing costly rework and delivering the consistency this market has long been waiting for," explained Rick Stanford, Vice President of Global Business Development for Textiles, BW Converting. "The dyeing process is unforgiving, and we’ve taken a careful, deliberate approach to get it right. The market has been ready for some time, and now, so are we.”
 
BW Converting will showcase TexChroma alongside its textile finishing solutions at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025.

Während der führenden Fachmesse für Kunststoffe und Kautschuk K in Düsseldorf, gab die EREMA Gruppe eine strategische Investition in das Clean-Tech-Unternehmen BlockTexx® bekannt. Der australische Pionier hat ein Verfahren entwickelt, das Polyester und Cellulose aus Mischgeweben trennt. Durch die Kombination der Technologien beider Unternehmen soll das Recycling von gebrauchten Textilien auf industrielle Maßstäbe skaliert werden.

Der Prozess von BlockTexx® trennt Polyester und Cellulose aus gebrauchten Textilien und Bekleidung. Das gewonnene Polyester wird anschließend von der EREMA Technologie weiterverarbeitet. Die INTAREMA® FibrePro:IV bereitet es zu Pellets auf, die sich für die Herstellung neuer Bekleidungsstücke eignen. „Unser thermomechanisches Recyclingsystem ist ein Kernelement für das Textilrecycling“, sagt Wolfgang Hermann, Business Development Manager Fibres & Textiles bei der EREMA Gruppe. „Für ein vollumfängliches Textilrecycling ist jedoch eine Kombination verschiedener Technologien erforderlich, wobei BlockTexx® die Lösung für die Verarbeitung von Polyestergemischen bietet.“

Expansion im industriellen Maßstab
BlockTexx® betreibt seine erste Anlage in Australien mit einer Verarbeitungskapazität von 10.000 Tonnen pro Jahr und plant eine zweite Anlage mit 50.000 Tonnen pro Jahr. Für diese Expansion ist ein starker Investitionspartner erforderlich. „Mischtextilien wie Baumwolle-Polyester machen über 60 Prozent der weltweiten Bekleidungsproduktion aus, sind jedoch aufgrund von Faserinkompatibilitäten und chemischer Verunreinigungen bekanntermaßen schwer zu recyceln“, sagt Adrian Jones, Mitbegründer von BlockTexx®. Die Investition der EREMA Unternehmensgruppe bringt neben Kapital fundiertes Recycling-Know-how, bewährte Technologie und Infrastruktur mit sich.

Textilindustrie steht vor Herausforderungen beim Recycling
Laut der globalen Non-Profit-Organisation Textile Exchange wurden im Jahr 2023 75 Millionen Tonnen synthetische Fasern produziert, wobei Polyester mit einem Anteil von 57 Prozent an der gesamten Faserproduktion am häufigsten vorkam. Die Recyclingquote für Polyester wird auf nur 1 Prozent geschätzt. „Derzeit stammt fast das gesamte recycelte Polyester der im Einzelhandel erhältlichen Kleidung aus PET-Flaschen“, sagt Graham Ross, Mitbegründer von BlockTexx®. Nach Angaben von Textile Exchange machten recycelte Fasern im Jahr 2023 7,7 Prozent des globalen Fasermarktes aus, wobei 7 Prozent recyceltes Polyester aus PET-Flaschenabfällen waren. Hackl betont: „Das Ziel muss sein, dass rPET aus Flaschen wieder zu neuen Flaschen verarbeitet wird. Somit ist diese Investition nicht nur für die Textilindustrie positiv, sondern auch für die Kunststoffindustrie. Indem wir rPET im Bottle-to-Bottle-Kreislauf halten, können wir das Angebot und die Preise für den Markt stabilisieren.“

Mit der kürzlich erfolgten Verabschiedung verbindlicher Rechtsvorschriften durch die EU, die Textilhersteller durch Systeme der erweiterten Herstellerverantwortung (EPR) für die Sammlung, Sortierung und das Recycling von Textilabfällen verantwortlich machen, steht der Sektor vor einem Wandel. Mit dem Inkrafttreten dieser Vorschriften in den kommenden Jahren wird die Nachfrage nach Lösungen für das Recycling von Alttextilien voraussichtlich erheblich steigen. „Die EU-Gesetzgebung könnte die Branche grundlegend verändern. Während der Großteil der Textilproduktion in Asien stattfindet, ist Europa ein wichtiger Konsument von Mode. Diese Gesetzgebung wird daher erhebliche globale Auswirkungen haben“, sagt Ross.

Neue Standards für Kreislaufwirtschaft
Durch die Kombination von mechanischer Verarbeitung, chemischer Trennung und Faserregeneration schafft die Partnerschaft ein Modell, das neue industrielle Standards für die Kreislaufwirtschaft setzt. „Vor 25 Jahren konnte man sich noch kein Bottle-to-Bottle-Recycling vorstellen. Heute ist es Standard. Ich bin überzeugt, dass dies auch für das Recycling von Textile-to-Textile geschehen wird“, sagt Hackl. „Die Textilindustrie hat die Bedeutung des Recyclings nur langsam erkannt und oft Schwierigkeiten als Ausrede angeführt. Jetzt gibt es keine Ausreden mehr. Durch die Zusammenarbeit zwischen der EREMA Gruppe und BlockTexx® wird das Recycling von Textilien zu Textilien im industriellen Maßstab Realität werden“, fügt Jones hinzu.

Mit der strategischen Zusammenarbeit unterstreicht die EREMA Group ihr Engagement, Polyester wieder in den Produktionszyklus der Bekleidungsindustrie zurückzuführen und Textile-to-Textile-Recycling zu etablieren. „Die PET-Faserindustrie ist dreimal so groß wie die PET-Flaschenindustrie. In den vergangenen Jahren haben wir kontinuierlich in die Forschung und Entwicklung im Bereich Textil- und Faserrecycling investiert und verfügen über die geeignete Technologie für das Recycling von Polyesterfasern. Langfristig verfolgen wir das Ziel, Textilrecycling in großem Maßstab industriell zu realisieren. Wir sehen BlockTexx® hierfür als einen zentralen Partner. Deren Technologie ebnet den Weg, um gebrauchte Textilien wieder in den Produktionszyklus zu bringen“, so Manfred Hackl, CEO der EREMA Group.

RE&UP is diving into Textile Exchange Conference 2025, joining a global community of innovators, brands, and changemakers. This year’s conference theme is Shifting Landscapes: Connecting Environmental Adaptation and Systems Transformation, which explores how the fashion industry can adapt, innovate, and accelerate the shift toward circularity. 

RE&UP is a circulartech company reshaping the traditional textile-to-textile paradigm. By producing Next-Gen Cotton and Next-Gen Polyester that maintain the same performance as virgin fibers, it brings sustainable solutions to life, addressing the planet's most pressing challenges. Enriched by SANKO’s centenary knowledge in textile innovation, RE&UP creates a circular ecosystem that transforms end-of-life textile waste into high-quality raw materials at scale.

On Day 1 of the event, Ebru Ozkucuk Guler, RE&UP’s Chief Sustainability Officer, joined the panel “Toward Impactful Textile-to-Textile Recycling Systems”, alongside Suhas Khandagale (H&M) and Cyndi Rhoades (Circle-8 Textile Ecosystems). The interactive session examined the current and future scale of feedstocks for textile-to-textile recycling, discussed legislation, sorting challenges, and explored practical solutions to accelerate circularity. 

“If we truly want to create a solution, brands must stay committed, stepping back is no longer an option,” said Ebru Ozkucuk Guler, RE&UP. “We were thrilled to share insights and explore actionable solutions with partners committed to circularity.” 

Beyond the panel, RE&UP is showcasing its pioneering circular solutions and engaging with brands and suppliers to translate sustainability commitments into measurable impact. By connecting practical solutions with policy insights and on-the-ground innovation, RE&UP is helping the industry move from theory to action, proving that circularity is not just a goal, but a tangible path forward. 

With the fashion industry facing increasing pressure to reduce waste and embrace regenerative practices, events like Textile Exchange are critical for building collaboration, sharing knowledge, and inspiring systemic change.

Jeanologia, a global leader in sustainable technologies for the textile industry, returns to Kingpins Amsterdam with its new collection “Mediterranean Soul”, blending nature, creativity, and technology to prove that authentic denim can be designed and produced with efficiency and minimal environmental impact.

The collection draws inspiration from the power of the Mediterranean Sea and the essence of Valencia, Jeanologia’s hometown. Following the devastating floods that hit the city in October 2024, the collection is a tribute to resilience, nature, and Mediterranean creativity, reinterpreted in the world’s most universal fabric: denim.

"Mediterranean Soul is a story of resilience and creativity brought to life through denim," says Carme Santacruz, Creative Director at Jeanologia. The collection captures the Mediterranean beauty and vibrancy in every garment: the deep blues of the sea, the golden texture of sand, sunlight reflecting on facades, and the lively energy of urban and natural landscapes. More than fashion, it is a manifesto— environmentally conscious design that is at once authentic, innovative, and sustainable. "Mediterranean Soul is a journey that connects our roots with our global mission to detoxify and dehydrate the fashion industry, without sacrificing creativity or efficiency," adds Santacruz.

Laser + G2 Ozone: bringing Mediterranean landscapes to life through denim
To capture this Mediterranean spirit, Jeanologia combines two most powerful technologies:

• Laser, which brings landscapes and natural textures to life with hyper-realistic, unique designs. It has transformed the way jeans are designed and produced, eliminating any hand tough and offering infinite creative possibilities. Today it allows reproducing vintage effects, 3D textures, breaks, or vector designs with precision, speed, and consistency, digitalizing the entire design process and ensuring creativity, quality, and efficiency.
• G2 Ozone Indra, whose ATMOS process creates abrasion and a wide variety of washes, from deep indigo blues to light tones, as well as blacks and greys. This “air washer” replaces traditional washing methods with ozone and precise humidity control, achieving authentic washes without water, chemicals, or pumice stones, and reducing both environmental impact and costs.

Together, Laser + G2 Ozone give designers total freedom to create authentic finishes with greater contrast, brightness, and naturalness, achieving true sustainability at the best cost.

‘Digital to real’, from virtual design to real garment
At Kingpins, Jeanologia also presents ‘Digital to Real’, a space where visitors can experience how digitalization accelerates the design-to-production process. With eDesigner, brands can develop and visualize denim finishes in a fully digital environment, reducing up to 80 percent of physical samples, cutting emissions, and connecting creativity directly with production.

‘Made in España’: creativity, innovation, and sustainability
At Kingpins, Jeanologia takes part in ‘Made in España’, a space that celebrates the strength and creativity of the Spanish textile industry.

Together with Recover, Jeanologia showcases circular, responsible, and creative denim, highlighting new ways to enhance sustainability and close the loop in denim production.
Alongside Textil Santanderina and Pinter, the company will inspire visitors with a collection that blends art and fashion, a reflection of Spanish innovation, craftsmanship, and contemporary creativity.

Reju, together with 11 other companies representing the textile value chain, launched the European Circular Textile Coalition’s manifesto for a fully circular textile economy, urging the EU to transform post-consumer textile waste into a driver of green jobs, innovation and competitiveness. 

The coalition is formed of businesses across the textile value chain; Reju, Resortecs, COLEO, Tissage de Charlieu, Synergies TLC, Nouvelles Fibres Textiles, Sympany, European Spinning Group, Ariadne, Erdotex, Utexbel, Noyfil.

Europe generates 12.6 million tonnes of textile waste annually, with most of it landfilled, incinerated or exported and just 1% recycled back into new garments. The coalition stresses that this is no longer acceptable. 

“We refuse to accept textile waste as an inevitability, instead, we see it as a solvable challenge for our generation,” the manifesto states. 

The coalition calls for urgent EU action to match regulatory ambition with investment in recycling and manufacturing systems. 

“Without system readiness, even the most forward-looking regulations risk falling short. We are here to help bridge that gap,” the group highlights. 

To drive change, the manifesto sets out three policy pillars: 

1. Ensure a competitive European textile chain, bringing production back to European shores to uphold environmental and labour standards. 
2. Prioritise high-quality textile-to-textile recycling, making post-consumer textile waste the main feedstock for new textiles. 
3. Set mandatory recycled content in textiles, with ambitious but realistic targets phased in over time. 

‘Reju is a system change company and we strongly believe that change happens with collaboration. That is why this collation is important to drive change collectively as an industry pulling together and we welcome more businesses to join us.’ says Patrik Frisk, Reju CEO. 

“Voluntary efforts have proven grossly insufficient – we need binding standards to drive demand for recycled materials,” the coalition insists. 

The coalition is launching an advocacy tour to engage policymakers and invites other actors from across the textile value chain to join its mission. 

“Now is the time to act — because when a world without waste is possible, we cannot afford to wait!

About Reju
Reju is a materials regeneration company focused on creating innovative solutions for regenerating polyester textiles and post-consumer PET waste. Owned by Technip Energies and utilizing technology originating with IBM Research, Reju is driven by its purpose to unlock infinite possibilities within finite resources. The company aims to establish a global textile recycling circular system to regenerate and recirculate polyester textiles. 

Decathlon, der international tätige Sportartikelhersteller und -händler, hat am Freitag, den 14. November 2025, seinen neuen Store im Stammhaus von Wöhrl am Ludwigsplatz eröffnet. Auf einer Verkaufsfläche von rund 3.000 m² entsteht eine neue Anlaufstelle für alle Sportbegeisterten der Region. Mit dem neuen Standort, der zugleich die 100. Filiale in Deutschland ist, schafft Decathlon rund 35 neue Arbeitsplätze und stärkt seine Präsenz in Bayern.
 
Die Eröffnung in der hochfrequentierten Nürnberger Innenstadt markiert einen besonderen Moment für das Unternehmen. Es ist der zweite Store neben dem bereits bestehenden Store in Fürth für die Region. Im Laufe des Jahres 2026 wird zudem im Nürnberger Franken-Center noch eine weitere Filiale eröffnen. Modernes Store-Konzept in zentraler Lage
Bei der Filiale handelt es sich um eine klassische Multisport-Großfläche, die mit ihrer Größe ausreichend Platz für ein breites Sortiment sowie für großzügige Testflächen bietet. Kunden können Produkte direkt vor Ort ausprobieren und sich von sportlichen Fachexpert:innen beraten lassen. 

Unter anderem gibt es vor Ort ein Angebot für ambitionierte Läuferinnen und Läufer sowie Fitness-Athlet:innen, das durch eine gezielte Auswahl für den Trekking- und Bergsport ergänzt wird. Das nahtlose Omnichannel-Erlebnis wird durch digitale Terminals im Store sichergestellt, über die auf das gesamte Online-Sortiment zugegriffen werden kann. Bis zu einem Gewicht von rund 30 Kilogramm sind Bestellungen nach Hause kostenlos.
Die Filiale bietet zudem umfassende Serviceangebote wie Reparaturen in der Werkstatt, den Ankauf von Gebrauchtartikeln (Buy Back) und den Verkauf von geprüften Second-Use-Produkten.

Strategische Partnerschaften als Wachstumstreiber
Die Eröffnung in Nürnberg ist ein Paradebeispiel für die aktuelle Expansionsstrategie von Decathlon. Starke Partnerschaften mit etablierten Händlern sind ein wichtiger Hebel, um in attraktiven Innenstadtlagen präsent zu sein. 

Die Eröffnung in Nürnberg ist Teil der deutschlandweiten Expansionsstrategie, die bis 2027 eine Aufstockung auf insgesamt mindestens 150 Filialen vorsieht.

Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd., announced the launch of THERMOFRONTTM, a new master brand for sheet insulation that combines environmental responsibility with high thermal performance. The new insulation is comprised of more than 70 percent ECOPETⓇ, Teijin Frontier’s recycled polyester fiber, and incorporates hollow cross-sectional fibers and functional raw materials to deliver outstanding warmth. THERMOFRONTTM insulation is designed for a wide range of applications, from sports and outdoor wear to casual apparel. 

In the first phase of this product rollout, Teijin Frontier is introducing three sub-brands: THERMOFRONTTM OA, THERMOFRONTTM SL and THERMOFRONTTM BE. Each offers distinct value-added features such as bulkiness, lightweight comfort and moisture control. Domestic and international sales of these three sub-brands began on October 7. They will be marketed for outdoor, sports and casual wear for the Autumn/Winter 2026 season. 

In recent years, as people increasingly enjoy outdoor activities and sports in their daily lives, diversified lifestyles have driven demand for insulated outerwear and sportswear that offers not only warmth and light weight but also bulkiness, softness and comfort across various settings. At the same time, growing environmental awareness among consumers has increased the need for sustainable products. In response, Teijin Frontier developed THERMOFRONTTM high-performance sheet insulation by integrating its expertise in nonwoven fabric design and processing technologies with its long-standing recycling capabilities.

Key features of THERMOFRONTTM insulation 
All products under the new THERMOFRONTTM brand share these attributes: 

• Environmental responsibility: ECOPETⓇ recycled polyester fiber, more than 70% of component, significantly improves the sustainability of the insulation.
• Enhanced insulation performance: Hollow cross-sectional staple fibers provide superior thermal insulation compared to conventional polyester sheet insulation. 
• Maximizing the functionality of combined fibers through Teijin Frontier’s proprietary nonwoven fabric design and sheet processing technologies.

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc., a leader in spider silk technology*, announced the company has succeeded in significantly increasing the production throughput of its recombinant spider silk production platform.   
 
This increase is the successful result of the continuous work in the selective breeding of parental strains for its production hybrid silkworms, which is the basis of its recombinant spider silk production system. Kraig's first successful hybrid, designated the BAM-1, demonstrated hybrid vigor, which increased both cocoon shell weight (a critical measure of silk output) and robustness. That hybrid was created by mating two genetically divergent parental strains. The fielding of the BAM-1 was a major improvement in spider silk production technology. 
 
Over the past two years, the Kraig has been using selective breeding to create more advanced parental strains with the goal of increasing hybrid vigor to further increase shell weight. One of these new advanced strains was specifically designed as a replacement for one of the original BAM-1 parental strains. 
 
By mating the strongest of the BAM-1 parental strains with the new advanced strain, the company has demonstrated measurable hybrid vigor (as measured by cocoon shell weight) of 22%, an increase in hybrid vigor of more than 245% compared to the BAM-1. The new advanced hybrid has been designated as BAM-1 Alpha and will be the Company's production workhorse moving forward.
 
"Our small team of researchers continues to outperform our competitors in spider silk R&D and commercial development. The creation of our new BAM-1 Alpha hybrid is the product of our focused vision for large-scale commercialization of spider silk and the dedication of our geneticists to that vision," said Kim Thompson, Founder and CEO of Kraig Labs. "Frankly, the 250% increase in hybrid vigor over the original BAM-1 has significantly exceeded our expectations and design parameters. The BAM-1 Alpha is producing larger cocoons and more silk, resulting in increased throughput and lower production cost. Though we do not have hard data yet on increases in robustness other than cocoon size and shell weight, our expectation is that general robustness will follow this same pattern."
 
Kraig Labs utilizes its proprietary genetically enhanced silkworm technology platform to produce recombinant spider silk. These silkworms spin recombinant spider silk fibers naturally within their cocoons, combining the scalability of traditional sericulture with the superior performance of spider silk proteins.
 
With BAM-1 Alpha now moving into commercial deployment, Kraig Labs will leverage its multi-facility production infrastructure to integrate this enhanced production hybrid into ongoing manufacturing. This advancement supports the Company's vision of delivering high-performance spider silk fibers for applications spanning performance textiles, defense, medical, and industrial markets.

Teysha Technologies has successfully validated KarmaCane, its patented sugar-derived biopolymer, in extreme field conditions. Products manufactured from KarmaCane withstood sub-zero temperatures and intense UV exposure during the record-breaking Mission: Everest expedition.

This real-world trial marks a turning point for the material platform, showing that biopolymers can perform under the harshest conditions while offering a safe and fully biodegradable end-of-life. KarmaCane has achieved OECD 310 biodegradability certification, confirming that it breaks down into non-harmful natural sugars rather than microplastics or acids.

A Versatile Materials Platform
The Everest test underscores KarmaCane’s ability to serve a wide variety of applications beyond eyewear. The platform can be engineered into very different formats:

• Hard solids for durable goods such as frames, tools, and structural components.
• Sticky liquids as natural film-formers in cosmetics, replacing synthetic polymers.
• Water-based dispersions as hydrophobic coatings for paper and cardboard packaging.
• Filaments for 3D printing, opening pathways for additive manufacturing.

This flexibility allows industries to adapt KarmaCane to specific needs, from packaging and consumer goods to medical devices and marine applications.

Manufacturing & Scale
KarmaCane has already been validated across multiple production methods:

• Extrusion into pellets and filaments.
• Injection moulding at lab scale.
• Hydrophobic coatings for fibre- and paper-based packaging.

Teysha is preparing to scale monomer production to tonne-level manufacture, using third-party industrial assets to expand rapidly without infrastructure bottlenecks. Early modelling indicates KarmaCane products will be cost-competitive with PET, ABS and other mainstream plastics once at scale.

Commercial Potential Across Sectors
KarmaCane’s design directly addresses regulatory and commercial pressures:

• Cosmetics: Eliminates the need for microplastics used as thickeners, stabilisers and film-formers. Replacing these polymers could remove up to 8,700 tonnes annually from the cosmetics sector alone.
• Packaging: Early coating trials show water-resistant barriers for paper and cardboard without plastic laminates.
• Marine environments: Rapid aquatic biodegradation without persistent fragments makes KarmaCane suitable for coastal and offshore use.
• Medical: Degradation into alcohol and CO₂ rather than acids could reduce inflammation risks compared to existing biodegradable polymers.

Market Context
Global regulation is driving urgent demand for sustainable alternatives:

• The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is rolling out restrictions on microplastics in consumer products.
• International bans on single-use plastics are accelerating the need for scalable biodegradable solutions.

Matthew Stone, CEO of Teysha Technologies says that “The Everest test proves KarmaCane can survive the harshest environments. But more importantly, it shows that our polymer platform can be engineered to meet the needs of very different industries — from packaging to cosmetics to medical applications.”

Karen Wooley, CTO and inventor at Teysha Technologies explains, “KarmaCane is not just one product. It’s a materials platform. We can design it as a solid, a liquid, or a water-based suspension, depending on the application. That versatility sets it apart from other biopolymers and is key to scaling sustainable solutions.”

Teysha Technologies develops biodegradable polymers from natural sources to replace petroleum-based plastics across multiple industries. Founded in 2017, the company has secured multiple patents for its KarmaCane biopolymer platform and maintains research partnerships with Texas A&M University and other leading institutions.