VEGANCELIO: Transforming organic waste into vegan leather and cosmetic microcapsules

Organic waste accounts for around 50% of municipal waste in Spain. Current treatment methods, such as composting or biogas production, do not generate products with sufficient economic value to offset management costs. In response to this environmental and economic challenge, VEGANCELIO has emerged—a project led by AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre—which proposes a solution aligned with the circular economy and the bioeconomy.

The project, funded by the Valencian Institute of Competitiveness and Innovation (IVACE+i) with ERDF funds, aims to develop advanced technologies to recover value from organic waste by converting it into two key products: vegan leather made from fungal mycelium, intended for the textile sector, and chitosan microcapsules with cosmetic applications, capable of encapsulating active ingredients with antioxidant effects and controlled release.

Textile Cascade Filter for Removing Microplastics from Wastewater

Microplastics are now found almost everywhere, even in remote regions of Antarctica. They enter the human body through the food chain. Studies indicate that microplastics may have negative effects on the human health.

One important source of microplastic pollution is the washing of textiles made from synthetic fibers. During washing, significant amounts of microplastics are released into wastewater and then enter aquatic ecosystems. To address this problem, the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) have developed a textile-based cascade filter system.

The amount of microfibers released per wash cycle and per kilogram of textiles is estimated to range from 12 and 1,400 milligrams. Wastewater treatment plants are already able to remove a large portion of microplastic particles from wastewater, with removal rates of up to 99 percent. However, because of the high volume of wastewater discharged every day, these plants can still contribute significantly to microplastic pollution in the environment.

SNUGGLE joins Sedex in commitment to social and environmental sustainability

SNUGGLE LTD became a Sedex member in February 2024 and recently undertook their first independent SMETA audit, joining a world-leading organisation in their latest commitment to supply chain sustainability. Sedex is a global technology company that specialises in data, insights and professional services to empower supply chain sustainability.
 
SNUGGLE LTD is dedicated to being a responsible business, managing their operations and supply chain in a way that safeguards workers, communities and the environment. Serving the apparel, textile and fashion industry, the company helps brands move at the speed of trend while reducing waste, risk and unnecessary inventory. Its digital garment decoration and agile production model enables rapid customization, short runs and scalable fulfillment with premium quality at every stage.
 
Sedex’s technology and services help companies such as SNUGGLE LTD to source more sustainably. The platform and solutions provided empower businesses with the practical tools, data analysis and insights needed to drive more socially and environmentally responsible practices in their both own operations and with suppliers.
 

INDA Announces Legislative Champion and Industry Advocate Awards

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced the winners of its inaugural Legislative Champion and Industry Advocate of the Year Awards, recognizing policymakers and industry members for their support of the nonwovens industry’s advocacy agenda.

Legislative champion award winners were Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI), recognized for their support of the WIPPES Act, which would enact national Do Not Flush labeling standards for non-flushable wipes. Senator Merkley accepted his award in person at INDA’s third annual Washington D.C. Fly-In and Advocacy Summit, held in conjunction with ISSA, the Worldwide Cleaning Association’s Clean Advocacy Summit.

Senator Merkley was able to share the news with the group that the WIPPES Act, S. 1092, had been passed by the United States Senate the day prior with unanimous consent.

Industry Advocate of the Year awards were given to Martyn Davis, President of Sellars Nonwovens, and Sam Nebel, co-founder of Goodwipes, in recognition for their support of the nonwoven industry and INDA’s wipes advocacy.

Italian Textile Machinery Innovation Takes Center Stage at Techtextil 2026

The Italian textile machinery industry is gearing up for a key event on the international trade fair calendar: Techtextil 2026, taking place from April 21–24 in Frankfurt, Germany. A prestigious representation of Italian companies will participate in the German exhibition—a global benchmark for technical and innovative textiles—to present cutting-edge technologies dedicated to an ever-expanding market.

Italy confirms its position among the world leaders in the textile machinery sector, thanks to a solid and highly specialized production system. The industry stands out for its strong international vocation, with a predominant share of production destined for foreign markets (86% of its sales) and a consolidated presence in over 130 countries. This places the country among the top global exporters of textile technology, renowned for its quality, innovation, and reliability.

INDA Applauds the U.S. Senate for Passage of the WIPPES Act (S. 1092)

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, applauds the U.S. Senate for passing the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act (S. 1092). The WIPPES Act, which creates national standards for “Do Not Flush” labeling for non-flushable wipes, cleared the Senate floor on March 22, 2026. The House version of the bill, H.R. 2269, previously passed the U.S. House on a voice vote in June 2025. The Senate version will now move back to the House for consideration.

This bipartisan legislation is intended to address the growing problem of sewer system clogs caused by improper disposal of consumer wipes that are not intended to be disposed of in toilets. This federal solution is the result of a years-long industry collaboration with wastewater operators, which has resulted in the passage of similar legislation in seven states. The WIPPES Act will create a national standard based on existing state laws to ensure non-flushable wipes will carry prominent “Do Not Flush” labeling on packaging.

Hexcel: New Chief Financial Officer

Hexcel Corporation announced that James (Jamie) Coogan has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective May 1, 2026. He will report to Tom Gentile, Hexcel Chairman, CEO and President. Coogan succeeds Mike Lenz who has been serving as interim Chief Financial Officer.  Lenz will remain for a period of time when Coogan joins the company as a Senior Advisor to assist with the transition.

“Jamie brings the experience and the financial leadership that will help Hexcel build on our momentum as we enter a period of growth with rising commercial aircraft production rates and an expanding defense and space market,” said Tom Gentile, Chairman, CEO and President, Hexcel Corporation. “His experience in aerospace and defense companies and broader industrial manufacturing organizations will enable him to make a meaningful impact quickly on Hexcel’s strategic priorities.”

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Increases R&D Capacity

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc., a leader in spider silk technology, announced a significant expansion of its research and development capacity designed to keep pace with rapid progress of its advanced materials initiative, Project Atlas.

The Company has expanded its laboratory capabilities, onboarding new scientific personnel and the deployment of new advanced equipment. These improvements have roughly tripled screening throughput, allowing the R&D team to keep up with the rapid development of new transgenics.

Kraig Labs implemented these upgrades in direct response to the rapid technical progress made under Project Atlas. Atlas is the Company’s next-generation recombinant spider silk program focused on creating advanced biomaterials with potential industrial and defense applications.

CHIC Shanghai 2026: 160,000+ visitors and clear signals of market transformation

CHIC Spring 2026 (March 11–13, Shanghai) has successfully concluded, reaffirming its position as Asia’s leading fashion and lifestyle trade fair. Across 117,200 sqm, 1,291 exhibitors with 1,335 brands from eight countries and regions met more than 160,000 trade visitors at the National Exhibition & Convention Center in Shanghai  – highlighting the event’s role as a key international business platform.

Under the guiding theme “In Search of Spring,” CHIC reflected an industry in transition, shaped by structural change, new growth markets and evolving consumer demands. With 12 clearly structured segments covering the entire textile value chain, over 130 invited buyer groups from leading platforms such as JD.com, Douyin and Little Red Book, and more than 100 industry events, the fair offered targeted sourcing, high-level networking and strategic dialogue.

Reconomy joins ReHubs to accelerate textile recycling in Europe

Reconomy, the international circular economy specialist, announces that it has joined ReHubs, a leading alliance dedicated to accelerating the transition to a circular textile economy across Europe.

ReHubs brings together over 30 leading organisations from across the textile value chain – collectors, sorters, recyclers, brands, Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) and policy experts – to accelerate circularity. Through joint projects and the ReHubs Think Tank, it promotes investment, knowledge sharing and coordinated action across the sector.