ROICA™: European Innovation and Japanese Craftsmanship at Performance Days

ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei will exhibit at Performance Days 2026 in Munich, presenting a curated selection of textile developments that highlight performance‑driven innovation and material expertise across regions. ROICA™ brings together leading European partners alongside two Japanese textile specialists, demonstrating how refined stretch performance enables diverse approaches to fabric design, construction, and application. From advanced warp‑knit–based structures and engineered developments to precision‑crafted materials, the ROICA™ booth offers a comprehensive view of how elastic functionality supports contemporary sportswear, active, and lifestyle textiles. 
 
Brugnoli 

British textile machinery at Techtextil and Texprocess 2026

As global demand accelerates for lighter, stronger and more sustainable technical textiles, the machinery and testing technologies behind their manufacture are evolving at pace. 

At the Techtextil and Texprocess exhibitions in Frankfurt this April, eight members of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) will demonstrate how advanced engineering continues to shape the performance, precision and resource efficiency of advanced fibre and fabric production.

From the careful handling of ultra-high value yarns to the forensic inspection of finished fabrics, the exhibiting BTMA members collectively represent a complete chain of innovation across processing, monitoring and quality assurance.

adidas AG: Bjørn Gulden’s contract as CEO extended

The Supervisory Board of adidas AG resolved on several matters regarding the Executive and Supervisory Board that ensure leadership continuity and underpin the company’s successful trajectory of strong and profitable growth.

Executive Board
The Supervisory Board of adidas AG has extended Bjørn Gulden’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer until December 31, 2030. Bjørn Gulden has been a member of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer of adidas AG since January 1, 2023.

Asahi Kasei Advance to showcase high-performance at Techtextil 2026

Asahi Kasei Advance will present its portfolio of high-performance nonwovens, flame-retardant fabrics, and advanced textile and fiber solutions designed for various industries during its first-ever exhibition at Techtextil 2026. Techtextil is the leading international trade show for technical textiles and nonwovens, taking place from April 21-24, 2026, in Frankfurt, Germany. Asahi Kasei Advance will highlight 14 brands, with special focus on four key materials.

Advanced Flame Protection: LASTAN™
LASTAN™ is a non-mineral flame-retardant fabric made by air baking a special acrylic fiber at 200–300°C. Featuring a limited oxygen index (LOI) of 47.5-50, it is characterized by high flame resistance and good electrical insulation, and a special coating process allows the material to disperse sparks generated during welding or cutting operations, thereby suppressing ignition. This allows the material to provide effective protection against flames and particle exposure from venting gases. With these excellent characteristics, LASTAN™ has been used for many years as an optimal material for failure prevention and safety in various industries.

Mimaki Europe: Empowering Women in the Print Industry

Across all industries, cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace is increasingly recognised as valuable and essential to long-term success. However, despite the print industry’s significant advancements in technology and innovation, visible representation of women remains limited. As the sector grapples with low recruitment, it’s important to challenge outdated perceptions. Creating real change, however, requires collective effort - no single company can do it alone.

As we mark International Women’s Day on 8th March, it is an important moment not only to celebrate the achievements of women across industries, but also to reflect on the tangible actions we can take to build a more inclusive and representative future for print.

The Importance of Empowering Women in the Print Industry
So, how can we empower the women already working within the industry, and provide them with the visibility and support they need to succeed?

Techtextil 2026: STFI presents concepts for the textile circular economy

Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) has been supporting companies in developing marketable innovations for over 30 years. With a clear focus on sustainability, the environment, health and protection, the STFI offers future-oriented research, textile testing for tailor-made solutions and certification of personal protective equipment. At Techtextil 2026, the institute will present ideas for the textile circular economy and showcase solutions for healthy and safe living.  

EDANA warns of consequences of misclassification of PET spunbond imports

EDANA would like to remind its members and industry stakeholders of the legal requirement to comply with the EU rules on customs classification when importing non-wovens from third countries outside the EU. In this regard, it was recently discovered that there appears to be a high level of customs misclassification occurring in the nonwoven’s industry. This could have dangerous and costly consequences for importers. 

Following repeated requests by its members, EDANA worked closely with the European Union and the World Customs Organisation to introduce in 2024 specific customs codes CN code 5603 14 20 and 5603 9420 in order to better monitor imports of certain PET spunbond and staple fibre products. Based on market intelligence, EDANA knows that third country imports of the respective products were in the range of 15,000 to 30,000 MT in 2024 and 2025. However, actual import volumes recorded under the specifically created CN codes were significantly lower. 

Minna Rouru (CPCO) leaves Suominen

Suominen Chief People and Communications Officer (CPCO) Minna Rouru has announced her decision to leave Suominen to take on a role in another company. She will leave Suominen at the latest on August 26, 2026. The CPCO succession process has been initiated and will be announced in due course.

“I would like to warmly thank Minna for her significant contribution to Suominen’s transformation. Her expertise, commitment, and positive mindset have been instrumental in advancing our cultural change and strengthening our organization. I wish Minna all success in her next professional projects,” says Charles Héaulmé, President and CEO of Suominen.

Monforts with coating solutions at Techtextil 2026

Over the past few years Monforts has significantly advanced its technologies for coating, with the successive introductions of the MontexCoat, coaTTex and VertiDry systems combining flexibility, precision and energy efficiency for the technical textiles market.

Monforts experts will be on hand at the forthcoming Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt from April 21-24, to discuss the virtually endless possibilities these advanced coating and drying technologies open up for adding functionality and performance to textile substrates.

Applications
In outdoor and architectural textiles, for example, typical coated products include tents, awnings, sailcloth and blackout blinds, with coating providing the desired combinations of water resistance, dimensional stability, opacity or weather durability. 

VIATT 2026: Connecting the ASEAN textile sector - sustainability, trends and technology

Opening this week Thursday, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles, and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is set to welcome visitors from ASEAN’s dynamic textile market and beyond. From 26 to 28 February, VIATT 2026 – the fair’s third editions – will reinforce its strategic proposition with an integrated showcase of the three core sectors of the entire textile value chain. Beyond new sourcing opportunities in Apparel Fabrics & Fashion, Home & Contract Textiles, and Technical Textiles & Technologies, the fair will present an expanded fringe programme. Highlights include the inaugural Trend Forum, alongside an industry summit, local and international fashion shows, interactive workshops, and expert seminars.