BTMA: Innovation in technical textiles, digitalisation and testing

Members of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) can look back on 2025 as a year marked by notable technological advances and continued progress in global trade, despite an uncertain and volatile market.

“Our members have been very active over the past 12 months and this has resulted in new technologies for the production of technical fibres and fabrics, the introduction of AI and machine learning into process control systems and significant advances in materials testing,” says BTMA CEO Jason Kent. “There’s real excitement about what can be achieved in 2026 as we look ahead to upcoming exhibitions such as JEC Composites in Paris in March and Techtextil in Frankfurt in April.”

Composites momentum
Cygnet Texkimp, for example, has been nominated for a 2026 JEC Innovation Award for its collaboration with McLaren Automotive on the ART rapid tape-deposition system. Capable of depositing dry fibre tapes at up to 2.5 metres per second with exceptional precision, ART reduces scrap, shortens cycle times and delivers structural improvements already being realised across McLaren’s composite-intensive vehicle platforms.

Techtextil India 2025: Sports textile, circular supply chains, bio-based materials and resource-efficient manufacturing under spotlight

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.

San Francisco Fire Department Adopts Non PFAS Turnout Gear

The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) has become the largest department in the United States to transition its entire fleet to non-PFAS turnout gear. The gear was purchased in part through a $2.35 million Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) from FEMA and matching funds from the department, amid growing momentum around identifying PFAS alternatives in firefighting gear.

The department worked with textile innovator Milliken & Company and gear manufacturer Fire-Dex to fulfill the order, whose first shipment was delivered this month. The department plans to receive 1,100 sets of non-PFAS turnout gear, one set for every frontline suppression member, by December 31, 2025.

Messe Frankfurt puts Artificial Intelligence Centre Stage at its International Textile and Apparel Trade Fairs

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.

FET ends 2025 exhibition run with COMPAMED 2025

Fibre Extrusion Technology Ltd (FET) of Leeds, UK reported another successful exhibition at COMPAMED 2025 in Düsseldorf, following closely on the heels of ITMA ASIA in Singapore. This was the second time that FET had exhibited at this international trade fair for the medical technology supplier sector, a reflection of the company’s growing role in this sector. More than half of FET’s turnover is currently derived from the burgeoning medical market.

COMPAMED is aimed at suppliers of a wide range of high-quality medical technology components, services and production equipment for the medical industry. FET’s expanding role in the medical sector is therefore an ideal fit for this trade show.

Mimaki: TRAPIS Textile Printing at Heimtextil 2026

Mimaki Europe, a leading provider of industrial inkjet printers and cutting plotters will return to Heimtextil with a renewed focus on material versatility and simplified textile production. At the tradeshow, the company will present TRAPIS, its innovative pigment transfer printing system that enables manufacturers to print on a wide range of fabrics using a single ink set – ranging from natural fibres to blended and synthetic fabrics. Designed for easy, compact and cost-efficient operation, TRAPIS removes traditional barriers to digital textile printing, while also offering the added benefit of drastically reduced water use compared to conventional processes.

ISPO joins the European Outdoor Conservation Association as a Sustaining Member

Raccoon Media Group, organisers of ISPO the world’s most influential trade event for the sporting goods, outdoor and winter sports industries, confirms its commitment to ensuring an enduring impact by joining the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) as a Sustaining Member and revealing more details of the newly established ISPO Impact Fund.

Recognising that sustainability is non-negotiable, these announcements underscore ISPO’s long-term dedication to environmental responsibility, industry stewardship and collaborative action across the global outdoor community.

EDANA: Uniting the industry and EU policymakers to navigate the future of nonwovens

Against a backdrop of rapidly evolving environmental legislation, the EDANA Sustainability & Policy Forum 2025 concluded the past week in Brussels, marking a step forward in the dialogue between the nonwovens industry and European policymakers. Held from 9-10 December at the historic Residence Palace, the two-day event successfully brought together business leaders, sustainability experts, and EU officials to address the dual challenges of circularity and industrial competitiveness. 

Designed to foster strategic alignment, the Forum moved beyond standard information-sharing to encourage deep, cross-sector debate. With the European regulatory landscape shifting—spanning chemicals, product design, waste, and climate due diligence—the event provided a timely platform for the industry to move from reactive responses to collective reflection. 

The Forum’s primary objective was to facilitate high-level exchange free from day-to-day regulatory pressures. 

Businesses Urge EU: Allow Sale of Legacy Stock to Avoid Unnecessary Waste

Businesses urge European Commission to allow continued sale of products already lawfully placed on the market before the Empowering Consumers Directive’s application to avoid unnecessary waste and costs 

EDANA, the voice of nonwovens, alongside a coalition of leading European business associations, has issued a joint statement urging the European Commission to introduce a "grandfathering clause" to the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (ECGT) Directive. The coalition warns that without transitional provisions for products already lawfully placed on the market, the new rules could inadvertently lead to massive waste and economic disruption. 

While the signatories fully support the Directive’s objective to combat greenwashing and provide accurate sustainability information, they are deeply concerned by the current interpretation of the rules. According to a recent Commission FAQ, any environmental claim must comply with the new Directive by September 2026, regardless of when the product was manufactured or stocked. 

Key Concerns: 

Outlast® Wins WTiN Innovate Textile Award with Aersulate®

Outlast Technologies GmbH has been awarded the WTiN Innovate Textile Award in the cate-gory Material Innovation for Aersulate®, its aerogel-infused insulation technology. The award honors outstanding achievements in advanced material development and textile innovation.

Aersulate® marks a significant advancement in thermal insulation. The technology integrates aerogel, whose highly porous structure efficiently traps air, delivering exceptional thermal per-formance at extremely low weight and minimal thickness. In Aersulate® wadding, aerogel ac-counts for approximately 50% of the material volume, enabling superior insulation without bulk.