From the Sector

The Italian textile machinery industry flies to Ashgabat to participate with a large “Made in Italy” delegation at TURKMEN TEXTILE EXPO 2026, the major international showcase taking place from June 4 to 6, 2026. The Italian presence, coordinated by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and ACIMIT (the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers), aims to consolidate Italy’s primary technological role in a highly strategic market with interesting prospects.

Turkmenistan confirms its status as a crucial hub for the global textile sector. With cotton representing the country’s third-largest export item, national authorities are strongly committed to strengthening an integrated domestic supply chain capable of processing raw materials locally to generate high-value-added products. The success of this ambitious industrial plan requires continuous technological integration, positioning the demand for advanced machinery as a fundamental pillar for the country’s economic diversification.

In this scenario, Italy proposes itself as the partner of excellence for Turkmen producers. Following the positive results recorded in 2023—a year in which Italian exports to Turkmenistan reached 13 million euros—the market is now entering a physiological transition phase while awaiting the investment plans dedicated to the sector repeatedly announced by government authorities.

Among the most requested Italian technologies in the Turkmen market, accessories stand out (covering 56% of total exports to the country), followed by spinning machinery (31%) and knitting machinery (13%).

“The Turkmen market is experiencing a period of maturation,” declares the President of ACIMIT, “and for the near future, we see significant opportunities related to upgrading existing plants and the investment plan scheduled by local public authorities, with a focus on high-tech specialization. The flexibility, versatility, and high technological level driven by our companies’ constant R&D activities allow us to offer tailored responses and innovative solutions, confirming Italian technology as the optimal choice for the industrial future of Turkmenistan.”

The Italian companies present in the Italy Pavilion are: BIANCO, COLOR SERVICE, CORINO MACCHINE, DOVER INDUSTRIES ITALY, ITEMA, M.C.S. OFFICINA MECCANICA, MARZOLI MACHINES TEXTILE, MESDAN, SALVADE’, SAVIO MACCHINE TESSILI, STALAM.
Please also note the participation of the company FERRARO, which will be exhibiting at an individual stand. 

The CHT Group GmbH has been honored as Best Managed Company 2026. The seal of approval recognizes excellently managed medium-sized companies and is awarded as part of a program by Deloitte Private, UBS, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, and the Federation of German Industries (BDI).

For the CHT Group GmbH, the award is above all confirmation of the transformation course it has embarked upon. In recent months, the company has fundamentally realigned its organization: with a consistent focus on customer value and customer proximity, clearer responsibilities, and simplified structures.

“This award comes at a time when our company has faced significant challenges. That makes us see it all the more as confirmation that we are on the right track. Even though we are still on this journey and have not yet fully achieved our goal, this award is valuable confirmation that we are taking the right steps,” says Eva Baumann, CEO of CHT. “Our goal is to be a clearer, more focused organization that is closer to our customers, thereby remaining competitive in the long term.”

The selection process for the Best Managed Companies Award is rigorous and is based on a comprehensive analysis of key corporate dimensions, including strategy, innovation and performance, corporate culture, as well as governance and financial management. The evaluation takes place through a multi-stage process involving in-depth interviews and a final selection by an independent jury composed of representatives from the business, academic, and media sectors.

From the perspective of the CHT Group GmbH, however, the focus is not on the award itself, but on what it reflects: a clear strategic direction, an efficient organization, and a value-based corporate culture that actively shapes change.

“This award is not an end in itself for us, but rather an incentive,” CEO Eva Baumann continued. “We will steadfastly continue on our path of transformation with the goal of further strengthening our competitiveness and creating real added value for our customers.”

“Best Managed Companies recognizes outstanding corporate leadership that creates stability and does not rest on past achievements. Behind the CHT Group GmbH is a motivated team that takes responsibility on the basis of strong values – for its employees, the market, and society as a whole. This is paired with a distinctive corporate culture that consistently links economic strength with a clear contribution to the common good,” emphasizes Markus Seiz, Director at Deloitte Private and Head of the Best Managed Companies Program.

• INDEX™26 officially concluded at Palexpo as a successful edition, spread over a gross exhibition space of 50’000m2, the event featured 625 exhibitors from 44 countries, fully playing their part through high-quality, prestigious stands, confirming its status as a central hub for nonwovens innovation. 
• The event attracted 11,452 visits providing an important meeting place for global decision-makers to witness the industry's evolution toward high-tech, durable, and sustainable solutions. 
• A defining theme of the edition was the integration of technical excellence and environmental responsibility, with a major focus on circular design and carbon footprint reduction as primary performance indicators. 
• Beyond the exhibition halls, the strong response to the specialized seminar programme and new immersive experiences highlighted how global collaboration and smart technologies are helping to shape a path for a circular manufacturing landscape. 

INDEX™ 26, the World’s Leading Nonwovens Exhibition, officially closed its doors today at Palexpo. In a context marked by uncertainty and continued pressure, the 2026 edition of INDEX™ concluded successfully. With a diverse range of 625 exhibiting companies from 44 countries, an important number of visitors, and an expanded international reach, the event confirmed its role as a central hub for innovation and a representative showcase of the nonwovens ecosystem. 

Driven by the strong presence of exhibitors, the 2026 edition confirmed the continued relevance of the event. With 11,452 visits, the four-day event brought together a strong mix of global decision-makers and technical experts, who came to explore the sector’s evolution from mass-produced disposable items to high-tech, durable and sustainable solutions. The professional events were well attended, establishing the exhibition as an indispensable meeting place for sharing experience and passion for the industry. Magali Fakhry Dufresne, Director of INDEX™, noted: “Despite the current geopolitical context, affecting travel conditions and budgets, the industry demonstrated a strong commitment to attend. Participants were keen to meet in person, reconnect with their peers and advance discussions. INDEXTM is a great opportunity for the young generation to discover many innovations all gathered under one roof. Once again, INDEX™ confirmed its role as a key event for the global nonwovens community every three years.” She adds: “I also would like to thank the industry, and particularly the exhibitors, for their engagement and continued commitment. Exhibitors played a decisive role in the success of the edition, with high-quality, prestigious stands that reflected the strength and ambition of the sector.” 

The defining theme of the 2026 edition was the integration of environmental responsibility and technical excellence. Industry representatives demonstrated that sustainability and performance now form a unified mission that permeates the entire value chain. A key focus was the increasing significance of reducing the carbon footprint as the industry's primary performance indicator. Exhibitors presented the latest production technologies designed to increase throughput and produce finer fibres. Circular design was a major focus of these developments, with many new materials replacing complex multi-layer structures with recyclable designs made from a single material. Furthermore, the event showcased high-performance protective textiles that meet new safety standards without the use of PFAS. 

“The INDEX™26 seminar programme and products presentations showcased developments demonstrating how companies are achieving a competitive edge by going beyond regulatory compliance. It showed that it is vitally important for companies to adapt and be agile to successfully master new market challenges such as the Iranian and other crises”, added Pieter Meijer, Chairman of the INDEX™ Advisory Board. 

Networking and immersive experiences 
The exhibition offered a consistent experience-oriented approach, as evidenced by the numerous areas dedicated to innovation and technical demonstrations. The event also strengthened its networking dimension, introducing a unique 'Women's Networking Breakfast' to build mentoring networks for the future of the community. The new immersive experience, 'Nonwovens: In Every Layer of Life', was well received, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the integral role these materials play in modern society. Over four days, Geneva provided the setting for an exhibition that remains a place of discovery for current and future technologies. 

Looking to the future 
Murat Dogru, General Manager of EDANA concludes: “INDEX™26 had demonstrated how innovation in the industry is now being driven by global collaboration. The synergy between automated machinery, smart chemistry, and extreme weight reduction has pointed to a promising direction for a more efficient, circular manufacturing landscape. We are already looking forward to INDEXTM29 (15-18 May 2029), to discuss the latest developments.”

The nonwovens industry has officially crowned its new winners. Today at the opening of INDEX™ 2026, five companies were honoured with the INDEX™ Awards, the industry’s highest accolade for technical excellence and forward-thinking design. 

From high-speed machinery to breakthroughs in molecular chemistry, this year's winners were selected for their ability to merge top-tier performance with the urgent requirements of a circular economy. 

Category: Nonwoven roll goods 
Winner: Lenzing - LENZING™ Dualwipe 
LENZING™ Dualwipe is a high-performance cleaning wipe crafted from regenerated cellulose using LENZING™ Nonwovens Technology. Its innovative dual-surface design integrates abrasion and absorbency in a single material, enabling efficient cleaning without relying on fossil-based synthetic materials, binders, or chemical additives. One side features a mechanically active surface for scrubbing away dirt, grease, and residues, while the other offers a soft, highly absorbent surface for liquid uptake and surface finishing. Designed for industrial, professional, and household applications, LENZING™ Dualwipe is compatible with existing converting and processing infrastructure, facilitating rapid adoption. 

Category: Finished products made from, or incorporating nonwovens - Single-use application 
Corman - Organyc brand "Personalized Protection" Light Incontinence Pads 
Corman’s new light incontinence pads deliver personalized protection through three key innovations. The Smart-Cotton™ cover with a citric acid buffer maintains an ideal skin pH of 5.5, reducing irritation. The patented Cotton-Balanced Absorbent Core channels liquid to superabsorbent polymers that lock in moisture and expand toward the body for superior leak protection. Natural odor control uses an organic ingredient to bind ammonia and slow odor formation, eliminating odor instead of masking it. Clinically proven, the pads address the three main concerns of light incontinence: leaks, odor, and skin irritation.

Category: Finished products made from, or incorporating nonwovens - Durable application 
Winner: Confitex Technology - Reusable Nonwoven Bed Pads 
This new Confitex technology has enabled the world’s first machine-washable and tumble-dryable nonwoven bed pads, opening a significant new application for nonwoven materials. Using a proprietary fibre-stabilisation bonding technique, the innovation allows absorbent nonwoven structures to withstand more than 30 machine wash and tumble-dry cycles while maintaining performance. The fully nonwoven construction combines a fast-wicking top sheet with a highly absorbent core capable of holding over two litres of liquid. In addition, a bonded frame structure prevents leakage across the entire surface, including the edges, addressing a common weakness of stitched textile bed pads. 

Category: Raw materials or components (e.g.polymer,fibre, binder, film, tape) of special relevance to the nonwovens and related converted products industry 
Winner: Bostik - Kizen™ Miles 9.0 
Bostik - Kizen™ Miles 9.0 Bostik’s latest innovation, Kizen™ Miles 9.0, is the first adhesive designed for disposable hygiene article construction, that offers the unique feature of debonding on demand: when exposed to a specific chemical key, combined with controlled temperature and mechanical stress, the adhesive allows clean, rapid separation of plastic components in minutes. This process keeps the adhesive material on the substrate, preventing contamination for cleaner, more efficient hygiene article recycling. But during the lifetime of the hygiene article, this new material, based on up to 75% renewable materials, delivers exceptional bonding across a wide range of substrates—including PP, PE, and PLA—while maintaining stable performance over time and under wet conditions. 

Category: Innovation in machinery of special relevance to the nonwovens industry 
Winner: ZUIKO – Recloseable Baby Diaper Converting Machine 
ZUIKO - Converting machine for recloseable baby diapers 
ZUIKO has developed a converting line to produce adjustable pull on pant diapers that address the challenge of achieving a secure fit around a baby’s waist and legs while maintaining softness and stretchability. The design of such a diaper combines the adjustability of open diapers with the stretch characteristics of pant diapers. Unlike conventional pant diapers, which are processed symmetrically, ZUIKO’s recloseable diapers are asymmetric, requiring a precise, glue-less attachment process during folding. Central to the production is ZUIKO’s patented “Stretch Re-pitch Drum™,” which regulates elastic tension and product spacing, allowing panel folding in line with the machine’s flow. This system enables the production of over 700 diapers per minute without the need for multiple folding units.

• Pidigi S.p.A. of Verona and a German subsidiary acquire key assets of Sympatex by way of an asset deal  
• 21 jobs and all four apprenticeship positions will be retained at the Unterföhring site 
• Transaction creates significant operational and economic synergies 

In the insolvency proceedings concerning the assets of the Munich-based textile company Sympatex Technologies GmbH, insolvency administrator Axel W. Bierbach of the law firm Müller-Heydenreich Bierbach & Kollegen (Munich) has found a viable solution for the continuation of business operations. The operating business is to be taken over by Pidigi S.p.A. of Verona by way of an asset deal effective June 1, 2026. Pidigi is an owner-managed, internationally active Italian supplier and innovation partner to the footwear, leather goods, and apparel industries, with a market presence spanning more than 70 years. Pidigi develops and markets high-quality materials and sustainable components for industrial applications.  

As part of the asset deal, Pidigi and a German subsidiary are acquiring the core assets of Sympatex and intend to continue business operations under the Sympatex brand. At the Unterföhring site near Munich, 21 jobs and the apprenticeships of all four trainees will be retained. The international locations in France, China, and Hong Kong, as well as the Korean sales office, are also to be continued. As part of the structural realignment, 25 employees at the Unterföhring site will receive notices of termination for operational reasons in the course of May, effective at the end of August. 

To mitigate the economic consequences for the affected employees, a reconciliation of interests and a social plan have been agreed upon. Around 20 employees have already left the company on their own initiative during the preliminary insolvency proceedings. With the transfer of business operations to Pidigi, future operational responsibilities will also be reorganized. Kim Scholze, who took over Sympatex as sole managing director during an extremely challenging phase and guided the company through the insolvency proceedings, will leave the company upon completion of the transaction. 

Basis secured for the continuation of operations at the Unterföhring site 
Insolvency administrator Bierbach described it as particularly encouraging that Sympatex’s Unterföhring site will be retained, thereby laying a crucial foundation for the sustainable continuation of business operations in Germany. He expressly thanked Kim Scholze, the entire workforce, and the works council for their dedication over the past few months. “Under difficult circumstances, Sympatex’s employees and managing director have contributed with a high degree of professionalism, great commitment, and remarkable loyalty to maintaining stable business operations and laying the groundwork for this investor solution,” Bierbach stated. Business operations have been able to continue in full during the three and a half months since the insolvency filing at the end of January 2026.  

“The past few months have demanded an enormous amount from Sympatex’s employees. This makes me all the more filled with respect for how professionally, loyally, and dedicatedly the teams worldwide have supported business operations, customer relationships and key projects during this phase. The fact that an investor solution for the technology, brand, and core business areas has now been achieved is a significant shared success. My special thanks go to all employees, partners, and customers who have supported Sympatex during this time with trust, dedication, and resilience,” said Kim Scholze.  

From the perspective of insolvency administrator Bierbach, Pidigi’s entry has created a viable future for the company. “Given the challenging market environment, which is subject to significant competitive and cost pressures, and Sympatex’s unique corporate history, finding a suitable buyer for Sympatex was a very demanding task. I am all the more pleased that we were able to secure an ideal investor in Pidigi, a company that knows this highly specialized market well and has itself been successfully rooted in the footwear and apparel industry for many decades. Pidigi has a clear vision for and brings excellent operational capabilities as well as deep industry expertise to secure and sustainably develop Sympatex’s international market presence, technological know-how, and established customer relationships,” the insolvency administrator said.

Pidigi has been working with Sympatex for several decades and, as a long-standing distributor in the footwear segment in Italy, possesses comprehensive market knowledge as well as a strong international network in the footwear and apparel industry. In addition, there is a long-standing partnership in the field of tape production. The Italian family-owned business uses Sympatex laminates and membranes, which Pidigi incorporates into its footwear and apparel products. 
This creates significant operational and economic synergy potential throughout the value chain.  

Strong foundation for continued growth and new market opportunities 
For Dr. Giorgio De Gara, owner and managing director of Pidigi, the transaction marks a milestone in the family business’s continued development. “The acquisition of Sympatex is an important strategic step for us, building on a long-standing and trusting partnership. We have known the company, its technologies and the people behind them for many years and are delighted to now welcome Sympatex as part of the Pidigi family. Together, we aim to further develop Sympatex’s international business in a targeted manner – from performance laminates and tapes for footwear applications to technical solutions for the public sector, workwear and apparel markets. By combining Sympatex’s technological expertise with Pidigi’s global market presence and operational strength, we are creating a strong foundation for further growth and new market opportunities. It is important to us to preserve Sympatex’s valuable technological know-how and the Unterföhring site, and to offer employees long-term prospects”, Dr. De Gara said. 

The structured investor sale process was supported by an experienced team of advisers. On the M&A side, the insolvency administrator was advised by Dr. Wieselhuber & Partner (W&P). Led by Dr. Hubertus Bartelheimer, M&A specialists Ante Jelavic and Thomas Müller oversaw the entire transaction process. Legal advice to the insolvency administrator was provided by Taylor Wessing Germany, led by Dr. Hendrik Boss and Lisa K. Iwersen, LL.M. (Stellenbosch). 

The GoodTextiles Foundation, in collaboration with Dibella India, Gallant Regenerative Organic Private Limited, and Spoorthi Raith Producer Company Limited, announces the launch of its new flagship project Common Ground. This initiative marks a significant step toward fostering sustainable, regenerative cotton cultivation among smallholder farmers in southern India. 

A Shared Vision Rooted in the Land 
Set in the rural landscapes of Karnataka’s Haveri district, Common Ground brings together farmers, local communities and agricultural experts with a unified goal: to restore harmony between people and nature through organic and regenerative farming practices. 

The foundation for this initiative was laid as early as 2024 through site visits, farmer dialogues and collaboration with the University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad. In 2025, the project entered its implementation phase, including soil assessments, team training, community engagement and the registration of participating farmers. 

Seven carefully selected villages now form the core of the project. Chosen for their accessibility, strong community structures and development potential, they provide fertile ground for a scalable model that can be replicated across other regions. 

Empowering Farmers Through Knowledge and Structure 
At the heart of Common Ground lies a commitment to people. To date, 510 farmers have been identified, with 475 already in the final stages of enrolment into a newly established Organic Cotton Grower Group (OGG). 

The project combines technical expertise with hands-on support close, continuous support. A dedicated team—comprising an Internal Control System (ICS) Manager and trained field staff—is being steadily expanded to ensure effective on-the-ground implementation. Farmers participate in targeted training sessions that introduce them to organic cultivation practices and certification requirements, equipping them with the knowledge needed for long-term success. 

In parallel, external experts are developing location-specific “Packages of Practice” tailored to local conditions, alongside watershed-level strategies that promote sustainable resource management. To ensure transparency and traceability from the outset, all farms are digitally documented, including GPS-based mapping of agricultural plots.

Beyond Cotton: Building Resilient Futures 
Common Ground goes far beyond sustainable cotton production. It is an investment in the long-term resilience of farming communities. By improving soil health, conserving water resources and enhancing biodiversity, the initiative supports both environmental sustainability and economic opportunity. 

At the same time, it strengthens farmers’ independence and confidence in an agricultural system capable of sustaining livelihoods for generations to come. 

Together the partners are building a scalable model for regenerative value creation – from seed to finished textile. Step by step, a transparent and responsible supply chain is emerging. 

With every field converted, every training delivered and every partnership formed, Common Ground is cultivating more than cotton – it is nurturing a growing community committed to shaping a more sustainable future.

FET has received the Techtextil Innovation Award 2026 in the New Production Technology category. The Techtextil Innovation Award honours outstanding ideas in textile technology, sustainability, AI and the creation of technical textiles, selected by an international jury of experts. Ranging from new materials to new production technologies, this award recognises progressive ideas that are driving forces for numerous industries, such as automotive, medical and construction.

The new FET-500 Series now allows rapid, small-scale gel spinning of UHMWPE without the use of the toxic solvents typically associated with the process. This game-changing equipment will finally unlock R&D and new product development in UHMWPE yarns, which was previously blocked by the large-scale nature of UHMWPE yarn production, enabling significant savings in cost, footprint and environmental factors.

“We are proud that the Techtextil Innovation Award recognises our intensive work. It shows that we are at the forefront of technological developments supporting the textiles of tomorrow.” - Richard Slack, Managing Director.

This reinforces FET’s success in processing over 130 different polymer types in multifilament, monofilament and nonwoven formats, collaborating with specialist companies worldwide to promote greater sustainability through innovative manufacturing processes.

The EU textile system is at a critical crossroads. Today, less than 1% of discarded garrments are recycled into new garments, despite EU-wide obligations for separate collection.

In response, Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) is launching the 2030 Circularity Blueprint, in partnership with ReHubs. This ambitious initiative is designed to support the transformation of the EU textile ecosystem to advance textile-to-textile recycling and drive the transition to a circular economy. The Blueprint will be officially presented at the Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition on 6 May - one of the world’s leading forums for sustainability in fashion - bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to accelerate collective action.

Building on the ambitions of GFA’s 2020 Circular Fashion System Commitment and grounded in robust industry and value chain engagement, the Blueprint identifies and addresses the systemic fragmentation that has long hindered progress. It introduces a coordinated roadmap to close collection gaps, align stakeholders, and unlock the estimated €8–11 billion Capital Expenditure required to build Europe’s textile-to-textile recycling infrastructure.

Accelerating System-Level Change
The 2030 Circularity Blueprint sets out a clear implementation pathway - presenting eight interconnected intervention areas that have been designed to address systemic barriers in a coordinated way:

Systemic Conditions:
1.    Shared Framework for Circular & Sustainable Materials 
2.    Textile Waste Intelligence Platform
3.    Demand Signal Initiative: Long-Term Offtake Commitments 

Value Chain Interventions
4.    Designing for the Loop: Circularity at Product Design Stage 
5.    Closing the Collection Gap: Effective Textile Collection Systems 
6.    Closing the Sorting Investment Gap: Demand Certainty for Sorters
7.    Pre-Sorting & Feedstock Preparation: Regional Hub Infrastructure 
8.    Recycling Infrastructure at Scale: A Coordinated CAPEX Roadmap

When implemented correctly, the eight interventions are designed to create a system that turns voluntary ambition into investment-grade infrastructure and scalable industrial capacity by 2030, with the ambition to reach a target of 2.7 million tonnes of textile-to-textile recycling capacity by 2035.

As part of the 2030 Circularity Blueprint, GFA and ReHubs will bring two collaborative programmes to life. The first, led by ReHubs, centres on the 'Textile Waste Intelligence Platform'. The second tackles the critical challenge of closing the collection and sorting gap.

A Collaborative Path Forward
The 2030 Circularity Blueprint is designed as a dynamic, collaborative ecosystem, bringing together stakeholders across the value chain to co-create solutions, share ownership, and track progress. It will require coordinated, cohesive effort from all stakeholders - across brands, sorters, recyclers, infrastructure operators, and policymakers - working in alignment rather than in parallel.  The intervention areas will be advanced in partnership with other organisations ready to lead and invest. 

Call to Action:
GFA and ReHubs are actively seeking funding, partnerships, and contributions to bring the full 2030 Circularity Blueprint to life. Organisations are invited to lead and support the remaining intervention areas critical to achieving Europe’s circular textile ambitions.

To further catalyse progress, GFA is issuing a Call to Action for a Targeted Policy Incentive Framework, with concrete suggestions on how to unlock the secondary raw materials market in the EU. While demand for recycled feedstock is rising, cost remains a key barrier: recycled inputs currently command a premium ranging from approximately 20% to as much as double the price of virgin materials. Addressing this will require stronger demand through public procurement, more harmonised and fit-for-purpose Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems across countries, clearer requirements for the use of recycled materials, and increased investment in recycling infrastructure.

Recognising that scaling circular textiles requires aligning economic drivers with policy ambition, the proposal sets out targeted incentive measures across EU legislative and financial instruments. It urges the European Commission to integrate these across existing and forthcoming frameworks, while encouraging Member States to operationalise them at national level, ensuring that circular solutions can compete and scale in practice.

Federica Marchionni, CEO, GFA, says: "The vision for a textile circular economy is clear, and innovation is gaining ground. Yet progress is stalled by supply–demand deadlocks, compounded by a fragmented landscape where initiatives and stakeholders operate in silos, often unaware of their interdependence. Furthermore, without precise incentives to align efforts and investment, progress cannot move at the pace required.

Evan Wiener, Interim COO and Board Advisor to ReHubs, says: “Unlocking textile circularity at scale requires the full value chain to move together. ReHubs brings leading organisations from across the textile recycling value chain to the same table to align interests, orchestrate investment, and turn fragmented efforts into a functioning ecosystem. This collaborative initiative directly supports our strategy to industrialise textile-to-textile recycling and break the supply–demand deadlock at scale.”

The 2030 Circularity Blueprint aims to change that—identifying key bottlenecks and leveraging interconnections to unlock the potential of the circular value chain: turning ambition into tangible progress.

Local events, webinars, on-demand content, and podcasts unite creatives, brands, retailers, supply-chain experts, and print producers – leading seismic shift in apparel and textile production.
 
Kornit Digital, a global pioneer in sustainable, on-demand digital fashion and textile production today announced the launch of Konnections 365 - a year-round movement designed for the people moving the apparel, print, and retail industries forward. The strategy is built on the success of Konnections 2026 held in Hollywood, Florida, featuring more than 500 customers, partners, and collaborators who together are driving the future of apparel and textiles.
 
Bringing together brands, retailers, creatives, print producers, and supply-chain experts, Konnections 365 delivers thought leadership, local and global experiences, committees, webinars, podcasts, and on-demand resources. The intent is to help the industry navigate a watershed moment driven by digital print, AI, sustainability, new inventory models, and emerging technologies.
 
“During our live Konnections event, the room moved and now the industry is ready to follow. We brought together an ecosystem around one clear truth: the winners will be the companies that connect demand, production, technology, and speed – faster than the market can change,” said Ilan Elad, President at Kornit Digital Americas. “Kornit 365 is an extension of this movement, and we can’t wait to see how the industry responds.”
 
Konnections 365 is built on three pillars:
Movement — Year-round community driving industry priorities;
Learn — Practical education through content and thought leadership;
Connect & Act — Events and pilot programs that turn ideas into measurable results.
 
Participants benefit from rapid learning, local-to-global engagement, and the ability to move from ideas to pilots that reduce waste, shorten lead times, and improve margins.
 
Education is free for all participants. However, community events, business networking, and pilot programs are by invitation only for the Kornit Digital Production Community and ecosystem.

As fashion brands and retailers navigate an increasingly complex landscape shaped by geopolitical disruption, ongoing supply chain challenges, evolving trade tensions and regulatory uncertainty, alongside shifting consumer demand, understanding what truly matters to buyers has never been more critical. For its July 2026 edition, Source Fashion is placing these challenges at the centre of its content agenda, using new industry insights and advisory board input to shape a programme designed to help buyers make more informed, commercially viable decisions in a market defined by constant change.

Insights from Source Fashion’s advisory board and from industry research point to a growing sense of complexity and fatigue across the industry. Buyers are being asked to navigate rising costs, increasing regulation and ongoing uncertainty, while making faster, higher-stakes sourcing decisions. Sustainability, once driven by advocacy, is now increasingly shaped by compliance and reporting requirements, leaving many teams questioning how to balance commercial reality with long-term responsibility.

Key themes shaping 2026
The research highlights six key shifts shaping buyer priorities in 2026:

• Operating in permanent volatility - as geopolitical disruption, supply chain instability and unpredictable consumer demand force businesses to plan in a world that is constantly shifting. 
• The commercial realities of sustainability – where doing the right thing does not always align with cost pressures, margins and supplier constraints. 
• Making circularity commercially viable – with growing focus on resale, repair and lifecycle integration as part of a scalable business model. 
• Rethinking the fashion value chain – as traditional sourcing strategies evolve and closer collaboration across the value chain becomes essential. 
• Innovation with measurable impact – as brands look beyond hype to understand which technologies, including AI, can deliver real, scalable value. 
• Regulation, data and compliance – as increasing reporting requirements and upcoming legislation reshape how businesses approach sustainability often shifting the focus from advocacy to obligation.

In response to these insights, Source Fashion’s July 2026 content programme has been designed to move beyond discussion and provide practical, commercially relevant guidance for buyers navigating an increasingly complex landscape. Through a series of new formats and returning features, the show will translate industry challenges into actionable insight, helping visitors better understand how to balance cost, risk and responsibility within their sourcing strategies. This approach is designed to support faster, more confident decision-making in a rapidly changing market.

Fashion Deconstructed will offer a hands-on, interactive space designed to help buyers better understand materials, processes and techniques, from upcycling and repair to innovative production methods. Alongside this, the Catwalk Stage will bring together industry leaders and practitioners to explore the future of fashion through panels, case studies and debates, while the return of the Debates Stage will create space for more open, peer-led discussion around the issues shaping the industry today. 

Speaker highlights include:

• Marguerite, Global Insights Manager, Fashion, Euromonitor International  
• Bill McRaith, Executive Advisor, Future-Proof Fashion  
• Sonica Beckman, Founder and CEO, House of Kind  
• Sarah Coleman, Head of Development, Design and Sustainability, Margarett Howell 
• Nick Reed, Founder, Neem London 
• Rosie Cripps, Head of Circularity, Vivo Barefoot
• Joseph Mountain, Sustainability Manager, N Brown   

Suzanne Ellingham, Event Director of Source Fashion, said “What we’re hearing isn’t rocket science, what we know from listening is that the industry has become more complex, more pressured and, in many cases, overwhelming. There are no shortage of high expectations, new strategies, regulation or technology, but there is a real need for clarity on what actually works in practice, and what delivers real value at scale. As an industry we have to share insight now to help the boat go faster for everyone, in the right direction.

For us, this research is about listening to those challenges and shaping a content programme that responds directly to them. We want to move the conversation beyond theory and into practical, actionable insight that helps buyers navigate cost, risk and responsibility in a more confident and informed way. It’s about making sure the industry conversations we’re having translate into real business impact. Ultimately we want to talk about the things that matter.”