From the Sector

Mimaki Europe, a leading provider of industrial inkjet printers and cutting plotters, has unveiled its new vision, structure and go-to-market strategy against a backdrop of new product innovations making their debut at FESPA Global Print Expo 2025.

Mimaki’s new technology and pioneering ink products represent over half of the company’s product line-up being demonstrated live on its FESPA stand. These latest solutions include the new Mimaki UJV300DTF-75 Printer, which leverages Mimaki’s UV printing expertise to deliver a reliable solution for object decoration, enabling high-quality, durable prints on surfaces that were previously unsuitable for direct UV printing.

Launched last week, the new Mimaki ELH and ELS inks are also being showcased for the very first time. These sustainable inks deliver the same high-standard functionality as equivalent Mimaki inks but have been formulated to be completely free of SVHC and, uniquely, CMR, therefore reducing the impact on human health and the environment.

Two new printers, the JV200-160 and Tx330-1800, will make their debut in EMEA. An easy-to-use roll-to-roll printer, the JV200-160 uses eco-solvent inks and offers reliable signage production with outstanding print quality. Created for the textile and apparel markets, the Tx330-1800 is equipped with a dual ink set capability to seamlessly switch between textile pigment inks and dye sublimation inks for a more diverse range of applications in one machine.

As Mimaki kicks off this innovation-packed FESPA, the company officially announces Arjen Evertse’s promotion to Director Sales, along with the landmark news that he is the first locally appointed member to join the Mimaki Europe Board of Directors.

Mimaki Europe will implement a new strategy that enables further ‘horizontal growth’, as Mimaki’s new product introductions continue to push the boundaries of what is possible and open up opportunities in new markets, and ‘vertical growth’ as it continues to support entry-level and industrial scale print production. Mimaki’s new ‘Print Different’ ethos underpins this approach. ‘Print Different’ not only encapsulates Mimaki’s legacy of breakthrough technologies but also highlights the company’s continuous commitment to driving creativity, differentiation and sustainability in the digital printing industry.

Rieter has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Barmag from OC Oerlikon for an upfront equity purchase price of CHF 713 million. The acquisition will create a globally leading player in natural and manmade fibers, headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, and is highly complementary to Rieter’s short-staple fiber business.

Barmag is a provider of filament spinning systems used for manufacturing manmade fibers, texturing machines, BCF1) systems, staple fiber spinning and nonwovens solutions and – as an engineering services provider – offers solutions along the textile value chain. In the financial year 2024, the company generated sales of CHF 734 million with around 2 600 employees.

Barmag comprises the established product brands Oerlikon Barmag, Oerlikon Neumag and Oerlikon Nonwoven. The main markets for the Barmag product portfolio are China, India, Türkiye and the United States of America. The innovative and technologically advanced products are developed in Remscheid and Neumünster (Germany) as well as Suzhou and Wuxi (China).

As fiber consumption is projected to rise, most of the growth is expected to come from manmade fibers. The increase of natural fibers such as cotton and linen is limited due to natural boundaries. Manmade fibers will help to meet expanding demand for clothing, technical and home textiles. The strategic acquisition of Barmag will transform Rieter into a leading supplier for converting natural and manmade fibers into yarn.

The transaction is fully in-line with Rieter’s strategy and follows previous acquisitions, where Rieter complemented its portfolio in short-staple fiber machinery and expanded its footprint in components and machinery for manmade fiber production. The combined platform allows to leverage the recovery of global filament and short staple fiber spinning markets and to reduce cyclicality due to diversification of end-markets. The acquisition will further enhance Rieter’s position in the important Asia-Pacific region and provide access to Barmag’s filament expertise, which will help to further scale Rieter’s own capabilities and improve digitization solutions and product sustainability.

Rieter’s largest shareholder, Peter Spuhler (c. 33% shareholding) is supportive of the transaction and committed to participating in the rights-issue pro-rata by exercising its subscription rights as well as investing additional capital through the non-pre-emptive capital raise. After the capital increase, PCS Holding AG is expected to retain a shareholding of c. 33%.

Additionally, Rieter’s second-largest shareholder, Martin Haefner (c. 10%), also supports the transaction and has committed to participating pro-rata in the rights-issue by exercising its subscription rights and investing additional capital through the non-pre-emptive capital raise.

CARBIOS, (Euronext Growth Paris:  ALCRB), a pioneer in the development and industrialization of biological technologies to reinvent the life cycle of plastic and textiles, announces to its shareholders and the financial community that its 2024 Universal Registration Document including the annual report, the management report and the report on corporate governance was filed with the French Financial Market Authority (Autorité des marchés financiers) on April 30, 2025 under the number D.25-0354.

Copies of the Universal Registration Document are available in French free of charge, pursuant to applicable law, and can be downloaded from the Company's website at www.carbios.com under the “Investors – Regulated information” section, as well as on www.amf-france.org. An English version will follow shortly.

On March 31, 2025, DEMGY Group took a decisive step in its international development strategy by acquiring the American company TOOL GAUGE, which specializes in the manufacture of plastic components for the interior of aircraft cabins. This acquisition will enable DEMGY to consolidate their position as one of the world leaders in high value-added plastics processing for civil and military aeronautics.

With this operation, DEMGY is extending its footprint on the North American market, a strategic territory for the aerospace sector. The American company, now renamed DEMGY Pacific, is thus joining a group already present in France, Germany, Romania and the United States, bringing the total number of the group's industrial sites to 10.

Recognized expertise for the benefit of American aerospace
Based in Tacoma, Washington State, TOOL GAUGE has nearly 60 years of experience in the processing of high-performance polymers and the machining of precision parts. Recognized for its operational excellence, it has been awarded the Silver Performance Excellence Award by Boeing for 9 consecutive years.

The company has two complementary production units: one dedicated to plastic injection, particularly for interior fittings in aircraft cabins, and the other specializing in the machining of metal and plastic parts. This technical expertise considerably strengthens DEMGY's offering to major clients in the aerospace sector.

Airbus, Boeing: DEMGY stands out as a key partner
This strategic acquisition enables DEMGY to become a tier 1 supplier for Boeing and Airbus, as well as a tier 2 supplier for all their equipment manufacturers in Europe and North America. This positioning considerably strengthens the group's visibility and attractiveness on the global aerospace market.

"By strengthening its leadership in high value-added plastics processing for the aerospace and defense industries, the DEMGY Group has become one of the world's leading, if not the leading, supplier of plastic parts for cabin interiors directly to Airbus and Boeing, as well as to all American and European aircraft equipment manufacturers," says Pierre-Jean LEDUC, Chairman and CEO of DEMGY Group. "This enables us to deploy our high and extreme performance plastics solutions on a much larger scale".

Integration driven by DEMGY Group's cross-functional synergies
DEMGY Pacific will be managed by Mike Walter, also President of DEMGY Chicago, and Eric Wilmoth, Vice-President of Operations. Both will be tasked with implementing industrial and commercial synergies with all the entities of the group, particularly in terms of injection, assembly and decoration.

This integration will promote the development of global solutions to meet the growing demands of the aerospace industry in terms of lightness, performance and durability.

Target of 200 million euros: managed growth
With its 10 industrial sites and 950 employees, DEMGY forecasts sales of over 130 million euros by 2025. Our group's ambition is to reach 200 million euros by 2030, capitalizing on its unique know-how, capacity for innovation and proximity to major customers.

Materials lightening at the heart of decarbonization
For several years, DEMGY has been committed to reducing the carbon footprint of industries, by designing polymer materials that are lighter than metal, durable and recyclable.Thanks to our circular Multiplasturgy® offer, we integrate eco-design from the product development phase.

As the Indian textile and apparel sector embraces digitisation, sustainability, smarter production and responsible manufacturing, Gartex Texprocess India emerges as a critical node in this narrative bringing together the textile and garment machinery manufacturers, denim mill owners, digital textile printing technology solution providers, as well as manufacturers of apparel fabrics, textile and textile processing machinery and more, who are set to unfold innovations. With 125+ participating companies, representing 300+ brands and growing participation from international countries, this edition will offer a panoramic view of the sectors next chapter.

India’s textile industry often referred to as the lifeblood of nations manufacturing economy, is on the cusp of a technology-led transformation. Leading this evolution is Gartex Texprocess India – Mumbai organised by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt Ltd and MEX Exhibitions Pvt Ltd. The expo is a definitive sourcing and innovation platform growing with global participation and solutions for the future.

What sets this edition apart is its focused attention on technology integration, automation and responsible manufacturing – themes that are redefining how India produces, sources and innovates on the global textile map through its product showcase as well as curated knowledge sessions.

A global showcase:
Making headlines this year is the strong international participation especially from China, Italy, Japan, Korea, Singapore and a dedicated pavilion for Taiwan, along with the leading Indian companies on board. Displaying a wide range of products for the garment and textile manufacturing industry. A few international names include: EPSON, Kornit and MACPI International among others. Some will participate directly and some through their partners and distributors. This global representation is matched with a stellar Indian line-up featuring names such as Balaji Sewing Machines, DCC, EH Turel, Mexum, Pantone and Sky Enterprises amongst others.

Denim Takes Centre Stage:
With the backing of Denim Manufacturers Association, the Denim Show at Gartex Texprocess India is expected to bring together all the major denim manufacturers and mill owners from India under one roof. As Indian denim exports steadily rise and demand for eco-conscious denim production grows, the show provides a much-needed window into how this resilient segment is re-inventing itself with sustainability and style at its core.

Trims & Accessories:
Beyond denim, this edition places a sharp focus on innovative fabric solutions, trims, digital screen printing and accessories – with dedicated zones for the Fabrics and Trims shows and Screen-Print India - Textile.

With 25+ new entrants and expanding categories, the Mumbai edition will be a hotspot for denim designers, boutique owners, apparel brands and labels, garment manufacturers, dyeing and finishing companies, distributors and agents of textile and garment machinery and accessories, merchandisers and sourcing heads scouting for the latest in material and design and more.

As India marches towards becoming a global textile powerhouse, Gartex Texprocess India – Mumbai 2025 will serve as the ultimate confluence of technology, talent and trade, weaving together a stronger future for the Indian textile industry.

Gartex Texprocess India is a leading exhibition in the textile manufacturing technology with collocated show: The Denim Show’ and dedicated featured zones of ‘Fabrics and Trims Show’ and ‘Screen Print India – Textile’ making this a one-stop destination for the textile manufacturing.

The expo is jointly organised by MEX Exhibitions Pvt Ltd and Messe Frankfurt Trade Fair India Pvt Ltd. Gartex Texprocess India Mumbai and is scheduled from 22 – 24 May 2025 at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra.

adidas announced its latest edition of Move For The Planet - the annual initiative that focuses on making sports facilities more resilient against extreme weather conditions, across the globe. By inspiring everyday athletes to track movement, funds are raised to help deliver sustainability education and help improve the places that sport is played.

For every ten minutes of relevant activity logged in the adidas Running app – or, for the first time, Strava - between 12th-25th May, adidas will donate €1 - up to a total of €1.5 million - to several projects across the globe.  Participants can choose from over 100 trackable sports and movements including running, swimming and wheelchair rugby – and add to the 400,000,000 minutes of movement already logged since the initiative began in 2023.

Working with its partners – Common Goal and UN Climate Change - adidas will donate the funds to implement and upgrade infrastructure for communities impacted by extreme weather. This includes weather-resistant facilities – such as water harvesting and purification systems introduced into projects such as United Through Sport in South Africa and waste management processes like the system implemented through Enabling Leadership in India.

The funds raised also provide accessibility to an education platform for global NGOs and organizations, that enable education on more sustainable actions – using the power of sport to help ensure its future in communities. This year, it will directly impact projects such as Girls United in Mexico, El Rio in Colombia, Red Deporte in Spain and United Through Sport in South Africa.

Since its inception, Move For The Planet has helped introduce sustainability education programs to over 8,000 individuals and over 23,000 people have had access to improved sporting facilities across all participating projects.

Ashley Czarnowski, Senior Director, Global Purpose Marketing at adidas said: “We’re delighted to welcome back Move For The Planet for a third year. It’s an extremely important initiative that helps to support sporting communities facing the effects of extreme weather.  With the continued expansion of sports and projects included in Move For The Planet, we can’t wait to see the movement and impact grow even further. This year we are calling for the adidas community to be catalysts for action; motivating the people in their lives to join in and get moving.”

To help inspire more movement, a new roster of global adidas athletes join Move For The Planet for the first time. This will include FIFA World Cup winner Alexis Mac Alister, Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup Champion Valentina Höll, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Ferdinand Omanyala and renowned health and fitness coach Massy Arias. Featuring in a series of short films inspired by their own connection to foundational sporting spaces, each athlete outlines the communities that rely on them, and the role these facilities play for the next generation of athletes.

Rute Caldeira, Head of Impact at Common Goal said: “Move for the Planet exemplifies the power of collaboration in driving the urgent action needed to make sports facilities more resilient. This partnership is invaluable to us, as it combines innovation with impact. Leveraging sports-for-good organizations, deeply rooted in the fabric of their communities, is a game-changing strategy in our approach to this goal. Over the past two years, Move for the Planet has delivered transformative results, enabling real and lasting improvements in some of the most resource-scarce regions of the world. We’re thrilled to continue this vital work into a third year, building a brighter future for the communities who need it most.”

Lindita Xhaferi-Salihu, Sports for Climate Action Lead at UN Climate Change, said: “This partnership aims to strengthen sustainability knowledge and action within the sports community, as it brings together diverse expertise and best practice case studies to sport organizations and sport NGOs. By sharing perspectives, needs and collaborating on solutions, we can drive positive change, strengthen communities, and create lasting impact through sport.”

Denim is timeless. From casual Fridays to nights out, from factory floors to fashion runways - jeans have become an essential part of modern life. But there's one thing even the most loyal denim lovers can't deny: on warm days, they can make you sweat. Outlast Technologies GmbH is changing that - by making denim that helps you sweat less and feel more comfortable throughout the day.

After intensive research and development, Outlast introduces its temperature regulation technology into denim fabrics - without compromising the rugged authenticity and durability denim is known for. The result is a smarter, more comfortable denim that adapts to the body's temperature, no matter the season or activity.

“Jeans are the undisputed icon of modern fashion - they work for every occasion,” says Volker Schuster, director of R&D at Outlast Technologies GmbH. “But when the temperature rises, they can become uncomfortable. That’s exactly the problem we wanted to solve. Our solution is a denim fabric that works with your body, not against it.”

The innovation lies in embedding natural wax directly into the fibers before the denim is woven - creating intelligent fabrics that interact with your body. When it’s warm, these fibers absorb excess body heat and store it, helping to reduce sweating and keep you feeling comfortably balanced. As temperatures cool or your activity level decreases, the stored warmth is gradually released - helping to prevent chills. The result? Jeans that intuitively adapt to your body’s needs, so you stay comfortable, whatever the day brings.

Achieving this level of functionality, however, was no easy task. The challenge was to ensure that the temperature-regulating effect could withstand the intense wash and finish treatments typical in denim production - all while preserving the look, feel, and durability expected of high-quality jeans.

To meet these demands, Outlast found the perfect partner in AGI, the renowned denim producer from Pakistan. With its deep expertise in denim manufacturing, AGI played a key role in refining the integration of temperature regulation technology - resulting in denim products that are highly attractive to both brands and end consumers alike.

Equally appealing to end users is the lasting performance of the innovation: the natural wax is embedded inside the fiber itself. This means the temperature-regulating function does not wash out or diminish over time. Unlike surface treatments, the technology remains effective throughout the entire life cycle of the garment.

With this development, Outlast reaffirms its position as a pioneer in temperature regulation textiles - bringing comfort, performance, and innovation to one of the world’s most beloved fabrics.

Archroma, a leader in specialty chemicals, has won major awards in key categories at the Just Style 2025 Excellence Awards. It took home a coveted Innovation Excellence award for its bio-based PHOBOTEX® NTR-50 durable water repellent (DWR) and an Environmental Excellence award for advancing water circularity at its Mahachai plant in Thailand.

The awards recognize Archroma’s commitment to driving meaningful change in the textile and fashion sector with win-win innovations that protect the environment while delivering value for brands and mills, local communities and end-consumers.

“As an industry leader working with brands and suppliers worldwide, we feel a deep responsibility to make an impact by putting sustainability at the core of our innovations. Archroma tackles the industry’s biggest challenges head-on - such as developing cleaner and longer-lasting functional effects and reducing water consumption,” Dhirendra Gautam, VP Global Marketing and Strategy, Archroma, said. “We are honored to be recognized in the Just Style Excellence Awards, and we will continue to strive for a better tomorrow through people-centered sustainability.”

Innovation Award for DWR Breakthrough
Archroma won its Just Style Excellence Award for Innovation for developing an effective DWR that is non-PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and non-formaldehyde, as well as 50% renewable carbon content based on ASTM D6866. PHOBOTEX® NTR-50 not only provides excellent water repellence on all kinds of fibers but also achieves a soft handle that makes fabrics more comfortable to wear, along with improved longevity. This makes it ideal for sports apparel, outdoor wear and home textiles.

PHOBOTEX® NTR-50 also has excellent runnability, which ensures reproducible performance and high production safety, even at elevated temperatures. This is helpful for mills seeking to solve challenges like roller build-up, yellowing and chalk marking in mass production. As a crosslinker-free solution, PHOBOTEX® NTR-50 can also be combined with other products to improve wash and dry-cleaning resistance.

Environmental Award for Water Circularity
The Just Style Excellence Awards jury also recognized Archroma for its success in advancing water circularity with an innovative Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technology at its Mahachai plant in Thailand, reclaiming up to 90%-95% of wastewater.

Using advanced technologies from global water treatment innovator Gradiant, the plant is capable to convert wastewater into clean water for reuse and to recover concentrated brine that industry partners can use for applications such as resin regeneration and chlorine production. This not only significantly reduces the plant's dependence on freshwater from local supplies but also creates a model for sustainable textile dye production as part of a circular economy.

The Just Style Excellence Awards celebrate the top achievements and innovations in the global textile and apparel sector to encourage companies to pursue excellence and drive positive change.

Technically and economically viable lightweight production based on fiber-reinforced plastics and multi-material systems requires an integrated approach. Due to the almost unlimited combination possibilities of different materials and the very complex interactions between materials, component design, manufacturing processes and the machine and system components, an optimal production process requires a direct link between materials science, process engineering and production technology.

As the official center for “Composite-based Lightweight Production” of the RWTH Aachen Campus, AZL Aachen GmbH uses its strong network to provide these capacities and possibilities on an interdisciplinary basis. Within walking distance, researchers and students are working on the latest technologies for the cost-efficient development and production of lightweight components on one of the largest research landscapes in Europe - the RWTH Aachen Campus: Aachen Center for Integrative Lightweight Production of RWTH Aachen University, Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, Institute for Automotive Engineering (ika) of RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Plastic Processing in Industry and Craft at RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Structural Mechanics and Lightweight Design (SLA) of RWTH Aachen University, Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) of RWTH Aachen University, Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) of RWTH Aachen University, Welding and Joining Institute (isf) of RWTH Aachen University.

Exklusive insights into the latest lightweight technologies

Once a year, the AZL Open Day offers an exclusive and unique insight into the R&D capacities of the institutes in the field of lightweight construction and sustainable mobility. This year, nine AZL partner institutes opened their machine halls and research laboratories on April 9, 2025 to provide interested industrial players with comprehensive insights into their current focus areas along the value chain. Among other things, the institutes presented high-precision laser processes for plastics processing, new joining processes for thermoplastic composites, 5-axis CNC machining with real-time quality management, large-format 3D printing and their own tape lines & tape integration. Design, prototyping and testing of products & solutions such as crash-optimized vehicle structures, thermoplastic pressure vessels, digital twins for structural-mechanical monitoring as well as prototyping and recycling approaches for battery systems were also demonstrated. The range of topics, key activities & infrastructure, seen at the Open Day, enables new technologies to be tested under real production conditions and efficiently brought to market maturity.

“The AZL Open Day is a great opportunity to discover the numerous technology centers, labs, prototyping and testing facilities that are available on the Aachen campus, that makes it unique in its kind. The AZL organization and teams located there are a true catalyst for new projects and development for the Composites industry: they are creating the link between Market analysis & technology scouting, academic research resources and business opportunities with their industrial partners. They are currently working on several topics that are at the forefront of Composites” reports Éric Pierrejean, CEO of the JEC Group. Apart from being there as an interested participant, he also gave the audience an insight into the key topics and trends in the composites industry as seen at this year's JEC World Show.

Efficient use of established infrastructures & know-how

As a one-stop shop for lightweight solutions, AZL offers an interface for successful cooperation between research and industry. In close coordination between scientific developments and specific customer requirements, solutions are developed in a targeted and tailor-made manner: as part of the AZL partnership, consortial projects or individual projects. In addition to the know-how of the institutes, cooperation with the AZL's industrial partner network also enables direct access to the necessary infrastructure of components, materials, tools and machine and system parts, which can be tested, developed or newly constructed in integrated process chains on a large scale.

Thanks to the close networking between science, industry and the AZL team of experts, companies can access an established infrastructure and utilize synergies for their projects.
The date for the next AZL Open Day will be announced in the second half of the year.

ISKO’s new FW 26/27 collection explores a diverse and ambitious vision for sustainable denim. With a strong focus on fiber innovation, the collection incorporates organic and regenerative cellulosic fibers, alongside Next-Gen circular materials powered by RE&UP — transforming end-of-life textiles into high-performance fabrics that rival the durability and comfort of virgin fibers.

Among the highlights of the FW 26/27 collection is RECODE DENIM, ISKO’s latest breakthrough in circular denim technology. Built on advanced recycled content and proprietary weaving innovation, RECODE sets a new benchmark for quality, resource efficiency, and scalability — seamlessly integrating sustainability with style.

This season also marks the debut of new fabric technologies that elevate denim’s potential for both performance and creativity:

• ISKO™ We’Raw – delivers an authentic raw denim aesthetic that resists shrinkage, fading, and distortion, even after repeated home washing.
• ISKO™ FitWise – engineered for lasting structure and a smart, adaptive fit with zero compromise on comfort.
• ISKO™ Wondersoft – combines silky softness and authentic denim texture using sustainable fibers like modal and lyocell.

From rich textures to sculpted silhouettes, the collection embraces a deep winter palette — dark indigos, blackened hues, and earthy browns – further elevated by TINTED MANIA, a curated series of tone-on-tone color effects that enrich the visual depth of each garment. Fabric weights range from 9 oz to 15 oz, offering versatility and adaptability across seasonal applications.

ISKO™ Multitouch, introduced in SS26, remains a key fabric concept for the FW 26/27 season. Known for its ability to deliver multiple textures and finishes from a single fabric, it continues to empower designers with options like 3D effects, permanent embossing, vintage-inspired wash-downs, and soft or firm hand feels – all achieved through responsible finishing processes that reduce environmental impact.

“With this collection, we’re continuing to merge fashion and function – introducing new updates in finishing and construction that reflect the latest industry trends,” said Fatma Korkmaz, Product Development Manager at ISKO. “We see a clear resurgence in demand for stretch, and have focused on delivering smart, adaptive solutions that meet both performance and aesthetic needs. We’Raw, FitWise, and RECODE Denim aren’t just technical breakthroughs — they embody our vision for the future of denim, where innovation, comfort, and responsibility go hand in hand.”