Knitting machine makes solid 3D objects

A new prototype of a knitting machine creates solid, knitted shapes, adding stitches in any direction – forward, backward and diagonal – so users can construct a wide variety of shapes and add stiffness to different parts of the object.

Unlike traditional knitting, which yields a 2D sheet of stitches, this proof-of-concept machine – developed by researchers at Cornell and Carnegie Mellon University – functions more like a 3D printer, building up solid shapes with horizontal layers of stitches.

“We establish that not only can it be done, but because of the way we attach the stitch, it will give us access to a lot of flexibility about how we control the material,” said François Guimbretière, professor of information science in the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and information science and the multicollege Department of Design Tech. “The expressiveness is very similar to a 3D printer.” 

Guimbretière and co-author, Victor Guimbretière ’29, who is in Cornell Engineering, presented the work, “Using an Array of Needles to Create Solid Knitted Shapes,” at the ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology in Busan, Korea on Sept. 30.

RE&UP debuts at Ecomondo 2025

RE&UP makes its first appearance at Ecomondo – The Green Technology Expo, Europe’s leading event for ecological transition and circular economy.

Specializing in textile-to-textile recycling, RE&UP transforms end-of-life fabrics into Next-Gen recycled cotton fibers and polyester chips, giving new life to materials that would otherwise go to waste. At this year’s edition, the company will showcase how its circular technology is already powering large-scale collaborations with leading brands – including multi-year work with PUMA’s RE:FIBRE program and a partnership with BESTSELLER’s ONLY brand. Visitors can discover these collaborations and learn more about RE&UP’s industrial-scale circular model.

RE&UP will also participate in two sessions at the Textile District – Workshop Area:

Heraeus Precious Metals & RUDOLF: Strategic Partnership Bringing AGXX Technology to the Textile Industry

Heraeus Precious Metals, a leading company in the precious metals industry, and RUDOLF, an international specialist in textile chemistry, have signed an agreement for the exclusive marketing of products for textile finishing and textile care. The cooperation focuses on Heraeus Precious Metals‘ AGXX technology, a groundbreaking antimicrobial innovation that has the potential to transform the textile industry in the long term.

AGXX works in a fundamentally different way to conventional biocides, especially silver technologies. The technology is based on a catalytic reaction triggered by the interaction of two precious metals. In the presence of air humidity, oxygen is converted into reactive oxygen species. These kill odour-causing and other microorganisms and also have an oxidative effect on odour-causing residues. As the mechanism is based on a circular redox system, AGXX technology is not consumed but continuously regenerated. The versatile technology can be integrated into textile finishing processes as well as directly into fibres and yarns.

New York wool goes to fashion school

Happy sheep trotting toward a fresh pasture inspired fiber science major Miriam Lourie’s wool sock design: a creamy white stripe across a textured green knit that puckered like a gently rolling field.

Lourie is one of 9 budding fashion designers in Knitwear Design and Other Applications, a College of Human Ecology class where students are working with New York sheep farmers and wool processors to explore ways to grow the local industry.

New York weather makes sheep farming hard. Feeding hay through the winter means bits of vegetative matter get stuck in the wool. Fine-wool breeds like Merino and Rambouillet do better in drier climates. New York fiber farms tend to be small, producing enough wool for a boutique industry aimed at crafters, and meat-focused sheep farms raise breeds that produce wool that is too coarse for industrial knitting machines. But through a series of visits to regional farms and experimentation with local wool, students in the class are discovering its idiosyncrasies and charms.

Kraig Labs Spider Silk Production Operations Unaffected by Southeast Asia Typhoons

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc., a world leader in spider silk technology*, announced that its production operations in Vietnam remain fully secure and uninterrupted following the recent series of typhoons that have impacted parts of Southeast Asia.

Kraig Labs confirmed that its spider silk production facilities and infrastructure sustained no damage or disruption, including its mulberry feedstock supplies, from the severe weather events that caused widespread flooding in lowland regions. The Company’s strategic decision made in 2024 to relocate its operations into the protected highlands has proven to be a highly valuable investment in operational resilience and long-term stability.

U.S. Textile Industry Urges Stronger USMCA Rules

The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber, yarn, and fabrics to finished sewn products, welcomes the review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) and calls on the administration to strengthen and to extend the trade deal to preserve a crucial Western Hemisphere co-production chain, enhance customs enforcement, and confront predatory trade practices that threaten domestic jobs and supply chains.

NCTO expressed strong support for preservation of the current exemption of USMCA-qualifying trade from International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs imposed to curb the flow of illicit fentanyl and illegal migration, while also calling for a similar exemption for qualifying trade under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) currently subject to IEEPA reciprocal tariffs, in public comments submitted to the U.S. Trade Representative’s office today.

Toyota Motor Europe: Participation in the AZL Joint Partner Project on thermoplastic pressure vessels

As the global shift toward sustainable hydrogen storage accelerates, thermoplastic composites are emerging as a transformative enabler. Building on its longstanding partnerships with leading companies across the composites value chain, AZL Aachen GmbH has launched its new Joint Partner Project “Thermoplastic Pressure Vessels – Benchmarking of Design -for-Manufacturing Strategies to Optimise Material Efficiency and Cost”. Among the first participants, Toyota Motor Europe underscores the strategic importance o f a comparative evaluation of design and manufacturing concepts for thermoplastic composite pressure vessels.

Driving Innovation in Thermoplastic Composites
Thermoplastic composites offer unique advantages for high-pressure vessel applications: automation, energy efficiency, recyclability, and reprocess ability. However, when thermoset -derived design principles are applied unchanged, the unique processing and performance capabilities of thermoplastics remain largely untapped.

Italian Textile Machinery at ITMA ASIA + CITME

Over 100 Italian companies are exhibiting at ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025, taking place from October 28 to 31. With an area of around 4,000 square meters, Italy ranks among the top exhibiting Countries, as in previous editions. 53 Italian exhibitors will show their innovations within the National Sector Groups, organized by ACIMIT (Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers) and Italian Trade Agency.

ITMA ASIA + CITME show has always been the main showcase for textile machinery manufacturers in Asia, which absorbs 50% of global exports for a value of 8.8 billion euro in 2024. The main world market for textile machinery are China and India, importing textile machines for a total value of 4.3 billion euro.

For Italian manufacturers as well, the Asian market is the top foreign destination. In 2024, Italian exports to Asia amounted to 664 million euro, while in the first six months of 2025 Italian sales to this geographical area grew at 1% rate on the same 2024 period, reaching a value of 317 million euro. China, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are the main Asian destinations for Made in Italy machinery.

Girbau: New production facility in the United States

Girbau, a global leader in industrial laundry solutions, marked a key milestone this week: the official inauguration of its new production plant in Oshkosh (Wisconsin, USA), coinciding with the celebration of its 105th anniversary. Both events reinforce Girbau’s commitment to strengthening its presence in the North American market and to continuing its sustainable and customer-focused growth.

The inaugural event, held on October 29, was attended by representatives from local Wisconsin and Oshkosh authorities, ACCIÓ (the Agency for Business Competitiveness of the Government of Catalonia), and members of the Girbau and Continental Laundry Solutions teams. The day included guided tours of the facilities, institutional speeches highlighting the importance of this new factory as a symbol of international collaboration, local job creation, and commitment to industrial sustainability, as well as the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony. The project was developed with the support and collaboration of ACCIÓ.

Francois Guetat joins Suominen as COO

Suominen has appointed Francois Guetat, M.Eng., as Chief Operating Officer, and member of Suominen Leadership Team effective November 3, 2025.

Francois Guetat brings over two decades of global experience in operations, supply chain, and manufacturing excellence. Most recently, he served as SVP of Integrated Supply Chain at Kalmar, where he led business across sourcing, manufacturing, logistics and strategy. His leadership has been shaped by 22 years at Volvo, where he held key roles in Sweden, USA, and Poland.

“I’m pleased to welcome Francois to our team. He has consistently driven results through transformational programs, systematic continuous improvement deployment, strong commitment to total quality, safety and sustainability, and great people leadership skills”, says Charles Héaulmé, President and CEO of Suominen.

Suominen’s Chief Operating Officer Darryl Fournier has decided to leave the company to pursue other professional endeavors. He will continue with Suominen until end of January 2026, focusing on strategic projects.