From the Sector

Teijin Carbon announced the NCAMP (National Center for Advanced Materials Performance) qualification of its Tenax™ IMS65 E23 24K non-crimp fabrics (NCF) and woven unidirectional (UD) materials, in conjunction with the Syensqo PRISM® EP2400 epoxy resin system. This milestone marks the first NCAMP qualification of dry carbon reinforcements using vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) as a standalone and process-separable infusion route.

The Teijin Carbon materials are formally qualified under material specification NMS 241 and process specification NPS 82401 and are accompanied by a publicly available NCAMP material property data report. The NCAMP program is sponsored by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

The NCAMP database supports proof of equivalence across various types of infusion equipment and techniques, opening the door for broader aerospace adoption of out-of-autoclave (OoA) composite manufacturing.

Partnership with Mississippi State University Enhances Implementation
To support practical implementation of the qualified system and part development, Teijin Carbon and Syensqo have partnered with Mississippi State University’s Advanced Composites Institute (MSU-ACI) in Starkville. With its advanced VARTM capabilities and scalable tooling strategies, MSU-ACI plays a key role in validating process robustness and material consistency. The institute helps give manufacturers confidence that they can achieve aerospace-grade quality with accessible, cost-effective production methods.

This collaboration reflects Teijin Carbons’s commitment to facilitating the adoption of infusion technologies by reducing learning curves and enabling faster design-to-certification pathways through NCAMP-qualified data.

Material Benefits for Structural Aerospace Applications
The newly qualified Tenax™ non-crimp facric based on IMS65 E23 24K combined with the Syensqo PRISM® EP2400 epoxy resin system deliver:

• Out-of-autoclave processing with autoclave-comparable mechanical performance
• High fiber volume with near-zero void content
• Long out-life dry preforms — ideal for large, complex components
• Global availability of all components by sea, land, or air
• Accelerated FAA certification with publicly available B-basis allowables

This qualification offers aerospace OEMs and tier suppliers a scalable and robust alternative to traditional prepreg processing. It is suitable for small to extra-large primary or secondary structures as well as integrated parts such as control surfaces, access panels, fairings, in commercial and defense platforms. This processing method can contribute to efficient and resource-conscious manufacturing aligned with the aerospace industry's sustainability goals.

Teijin Carbon and Syensqo will continue to collaborate under the partnership with Mississippi State University to provide the world with advanced composite material solutions that can shape a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable future for aerospace.

The automotive industry is facing a profound transformation that goes far beyond electrification. Key future trends include software-defined vehicles, autonomous driving, connected mobility and the ongoing decarbonization of supply chains.

Autoneum is responding to these developments with a clear focus on innovation and sustainability. The company's products are not only suitable for all types of drive systems, but also for the requirements of software-based vehicle architecture. With NVH solutions for quiet interiors, thermal shielding for battery modules, and fully recyclable materials, Autoneum is helping to make the mobility of tomorrow safer, more comfortable and more resource efficient and is now also developing specialized components for battery-powered mobility – with a focus on occupant protection and battery safety.

Sustainability – circular economy in action
Sustainability is a key focus. Autoneum processes over 30,000 tons of recycled PET annually – equivalent to around three billion 0.25-liter bottles. Products such as Flexi-Light PET, Di-Light, and the fully recyclable N-Join1 carpet consist of over 90% recycled material and thus make a measurable contribution to decarbonization and resource conservation.

Flexi-Light PET, a particularly malleable and durable polyester-based acoustic material, provides effective sound insulation in the vehicle interior and is fully recyclable. Thanks to its thermal formability and structural properties, Di-Light not only offers good noise insulation for vehicle carpets, but also a high degree of design freedom – ideal for large-area applications. With N-Join1, Autoneum has also developed a mono-material system that does not require any latex or adhesives. It is made entirely from recycled materials and can be easily recycled at the end of its product life cycle.

"Sustainability is an integral part of our strategy," says Eelco Spoelder, CEO of Autoneum Management AG. "With innovative materials and resource-saving processes, we are actively contributing to the transformation of the automotive industry – and demonstrating that economic success and ecological responsibility go hand in hand." 

New mobility needs new materials
According to forecasts, global sales of electric vehicles will rise to around 20 million units in 2025 – an increase of 35 percent over the previous year. The industry’s transition is also reflected in Autoneum's product strategy. By 2024, more than 115 electric models worldwide were equipped with Autoneum components – and this figure is expected to rise to almost 150 in 2025. Sixty percent of all new orders last year were for purely electric vehicles; a significant increase compared to 35 percent in 2023. 

The company develops highly specialized components for the next generation of vehicles – especially for electric vehicles with new battery architectures. With components such as the Impact Protection Plate, the mica-free E-Fiber Shield, and the acoustically efficient Ultra-Silent, Autoneum demonstrates how safety, lightweight construction and sustainability can be combined in forward-looking materials that meet the requirements of modern electric vehicles. 

The Impact Protection Plate is a newly developed protective plate made of composite materials that combines mechanical strength with thermal insulation. It protects battery systems from impact and contributes to the safety and efficiency of electric vehicles. The E-Fiber Shield is a mica-free flame-retardant material that increases the safety of vehicle occupants in the event of thermal runaway of the battery. It offers high heat resistance (up to 1400°C), electrical insulation, and geometric flexibility. And Ultra-Silent is a robust, lightweight material for frunks and underbodies that consists of up to 70 percent recycled fibers. It combines high acoustic performance with sustainability. 

Local production for global resilience
In an increasingly challenging market environment, Autoneum relies on proximity to customers as a strategic success factor. With its "local-for-local" strategy, the company manufactures at around 70 locations worldwide, right where the vehicles are produced – efficiently, sustainably and independently of global supply chains. "Our local production strategy makes us resilient – even in an environment characterized by trade barriers," emphasizes Spoelder. "Manufacturing directly in the market significantly minimizes cross-border risk and strengthens our operational stability."

The full programme for the 93rd Textile Institute World Conference (TIWC 2025) has been announced, with over 100 presentations to be delivered in parellel sessions at the event, which takes place from October 7-10 at the Porto Palácio Hotel and Spa in Porto, Portugal.

In a comprehensive and international programme, the close collaboration between researchers on separate continents will be highlighted, with a major focus on the further development of technologies and practices assisting in the need for advanced fibre-to-fibre recycling as a means of accelerating a circular textiles economy.

Research teams working continents apart are arriving at strikingly similar solutions – circularity, digital integration, cleaner chemistry and human-centred reform are all critical. These interlocking themes will define this year’s conference.

Circularity will be one of the most prominent concepts underpinning the programme and researchers from Manchester in the UK, for example, will share their evaluation of end-of-life garments and show how almost half of those currently sent to waste could be channelled into advanced recycling. 

From Chemnitz in Germany, new knitting technology will be presented that allows higher proportions of recycled content in cotton fabrics while retaining softness and durability. 

Case studies from Bangladesh and Pakistan will meanwhile explore how local enterprises are already adopting closed-loop systems and circular business innovations, with recycled yarns reaching the supply chains of major global brands. 

Taken together, the many presentations addressing circularity will demonstrate how waste is beginning to shift from a burden to a new raw material, while also pointing to the infrastructure and policies that will be needed to make such systems commercially viable.

Alongside this, the conference will also highlight the revolution now taking place in digitalisation. 

Far from being a niche domain of design software, digital tools are becoming the backbone of sustainability itself. Work will be presented on blockchain, digital product passports and RFID systems that trace garments throughout their lifecycle, strengthening consumer trust and helping businesses meet new regulatory requirements. 

New methods of digital textile printing and open-source knitting software will also be discussed, offering designers the ability to localise production and work with greater creative agency.  

The message of these projects is clear – digitalisation is not an add-on to sustainability but one of its primary enablers.

Perhaps most significant at TWIC 2025 will be the attention given to the human dimension of sustainability. 

In Sri Lanka, small and medium-sized apparel manufacturers will be shown to face critical health and safety risks as climate change brings rising temperatures, air pollution and extreme weather. A new assessment tool will be introduced which is helping firms build resilience and protect workers. 

The Sustainable Fibre Alliance will also demonstrate how cashmere herders, traders and processors in Mongolia are being engaged in a collective effort to reduce rangeland degradation and safeguard livelihoods. 

UK fashion educators will further share approaches to preparing the next generation to embrace circular models and ethical consumerism, equipping future designers to balance profit with responsibility. At the consumer end, new research will reveal misalignments between brand recommendations for garment care and the behaviour actually adopted by wearers, showing that communication must evolve. 

“These examples will remind delegates that technology and recycling alone cannot deliver sustainability without parallel shifts in culture, education and policy,” says Textile Institute CEO Stephanie Dick. “The global nature of the challenges facing textiles is already widely acknowledged and climate change, waste, toxic chemicals, unsafe labour practices and consumer overconsumption have combined to make fashion and textiles one of the world’s most scrutinised industries. What will emerge from this conference, however, is an unmistakable sense of convergence and solid progress.”

As a global military fabrics manufacturer, Carrington Textiles has partnered with Haartz® GmbH to bring the ProTact by Haartz® range of laminated fabrics to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

This partnership expands the specialist portfolio of defence fabrics with high performance technical laminates designed for military and tactical equipment. Manufactured in Germany by Haartz® GmbH, the ProTact range is engineered to meet the demanding requirements of modern military applications, including rucksacks, load carrying systems, vests and pouches.

The range offers several technical benefits for tactical equipment manufacturers, including:

• Laser-cut ready – clean edges, no residue
• Reduced fraying – precision layer bonding
• Superior flexibility – softer feel, more comfortable wear
• CORDURA® Truelock technology – consistent colour, UV fade resistance
• No delamination – even in extreme conditions
• Proven field performance – engineered for reliability under pressure

The initial range includes ProTact G510.1, a 500D/1000D fabric offered in black, coyote brown and the MultiCam® camouflage pattern, and ProTact G55.1, a 500D/500D option available in black, coyote brown and ranger green.

ProTact by Haartz® has already proven itself in the field with advanced durability and protection. The addition of this range complements our existing military fabric offering and further strengthens our position as a trusted supplier to defence forces and tactical equipment manufacturers.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published the updated proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the EU’s chemicals regulation, REACH. The update has been prepared by the authorities from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, who submitted the initial proposal in January 2023.

The five authorities, acting as the Dossier Submitter, have completed their evaluation of the more than 5 600 scientific and technical comments received from third parties during the 2023 consultation. Based on the evidence gathered, they have updated their initial restriction proposal. This updated report, called the Background Document, forms the basis for ECHA’s committees’ opinions. This document may still be updated further, based on the evaluation of the committees.

The five authorities have, among other things, identified and carried out assessments for eight sectors that were not specifically named in the initial proposal. These sectors are:

• printing applications;
• sealing applications;
• machinery applications;
• other medical applications, such as immediate packaging and excipients for pharmaceuticals;
• military applications;
• explosives;
• technical textiles; and
• broader industrial uses, such as solvents and catalysts.

In addition, they have considered alternative restriction options, beyond a full ban or a ban with time-limited derogations for certain applications. These options involve conditions allowing the continued manufacture, placing on the market or use of PFAS where the risks can be controlled. These alternative options have been assessed by the Dossier Submitter for:

• PFAS manufacturing;
• transport;
• electronics and semiconductors;
• energy;
• sealing applications;
• machinery applications; and
• technical textiles.

ECHA’s scientific committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) continue to evaluate the proposed restriction. The Agency aims to provide the European Commission with a transparent, independent, and high-quality RAC and SEAC opinion as soon as possible.
The European Commission will ultimately decide on the restriction in consultation with the EU Member States.

Background
The proposal to restrict PFAS in the EU/EEA was prepared by authorities in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. It was submitted to ECHA on 13 January 2023. It aims to reduce PFAS emissions into the environment and make products and processes safer for people. The six-month consultation ran from 22 March to 25 September 2023.
Currently, ECHA’s scientific committees, comprised of independent experts from EU Member States, are evaluating the proposal.

Machine learning and AI are now entering the field of textile technology and at this year’s ITMA Asia + CITME exhibition from October 28-31 in Singapore, UK-based Shelton Vision will demonstrate how these advanced new disciplines are informing its latest machine vision technology.

The company is one of a 20-strong delegation of members of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) who will be present at the Singapore exhibition, showcasing advances in technologies for new high performance fibres and fabrics, as well as testing, instrumentation and control in processing.

The ability to detect and classify even the tiniest faults in both plain or fully patterned fabrics which are moving at industrial speeds is significant breakthrough. In Singapore, Shelton Vision will demonstrate its latest machine vision inspection technology which incorporates machine learning to provide a defect detection level of above 98%, and Deep Learning AI to provide up to 100% defect classification and grading accuracy.

Third party adoption
Shelton will also demonstrate a stand-alone AI Classifier in multiple applications used within the Shelton suite of vision system components. This is can be adapted for use with existing third party inspection systems that do not have defect classification (naming) or grading functionality – eliminating subjective manual decisions in day to day operation and vastly increasing the efficiency and throughput of the album review process

Additionally Shelton will optimised cut plan capability for the Shelton AI Review station or use in the fabric production plants, based on the automated classifier and grading system output which forms a key component in the ROI of the entire system.

“At the show, we will focus on the output data from our vision systems and how this can generate benefit for the whole value chain, including brand, by providing to everyone a reliable source of fabric quality data immediately the fabric is inspected,” explains CEO Mark Shelton. “This results in reduced lead times, reduced fabric waste and increased productivity and efficiency and our patterned fabric inspection system is now already entering new markets such as outdoor upholstery and one piece woven (OPW) airbags, even as the original market of camouflage printing continues to grow.”

Industries around the world are transforming to meet modern demands – with technology advancing, markets changing, and sustainability as vital as ever – and the technical textiles and nonwovens sector is no exception. At this year’s Cinte Techtextil China, fringe events will be organised into four key segments to help industry players adapt: Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, Innovation, and Industry Insight. With an impactful lineup of events, speakers, and product showcases, the organisers expect the array to draw significant interest at the show, taking place 3 – 5 September at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

Key themes highlight insights and business exchange in modern economic climate

Sustainability

• Sustainability Forum: taking place in the Econogy Talks seminar area, the forum will address the dual challenges of environmental protection and technological innovation, and outline how manufacturers need to adapt production methods to suit transformation requirements for the sector. Speakers will use insights and practical case studies to show how the integration of technology and design, and innovative business models, can drive the sector towards a greener future.
  
  Moderated by Dr Guoxiang Yuan, Graduate Supervisor of Donghua University and Research Fellow of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, guest speakers include Mr Dominique Simard, Founder & CEO of Rethink Fashion; Ms Jackie Liu, Business Leader from 3M China Limited; and Mr Kinor Jiang, Professor of School of Fashion and Textiles of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
• Econogy Tour: an insightful tour of independently verified sustainable exhibitors, led by Mr Karl Borgschulze, Managing Director of Consulting Service International. The tour will shine a spotlight on the global companies making positive environmental impacts through innovative product design, production processes, or supply chain management. Combining ‘ecology’ and ‘economy’, Messe Frankfurt’s innovative ‘Texpertise Econogy’ initiative promotes a greener, business-friendly future for the textile industry.  

Artificial Intelligence

• AI Panel Discussion: focusing on the challenges and opportunities associated with using AI for automated textile material inspection, the panel will offer insights into AI’s enhanced accuracy, reduced labour costs, and real-time inspection capability in high-speed manufacturing environments. Participants include Prof Calvin Wong, CEO & Centre Director of Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab) and Cheng Yik Hung Professor in Fashion of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Mr Eric Sham, Senior Consultant at AiDLab; and Ms Dorothy Yeung, Assistant Manager of Business Development at AiDLab (moderator).

Industry Insight

• China International Nonwovens Conference (CINC): held for 12 consecutive years, the influential conference is organised by the China National Industries Textile Association (CNITA), and has become an important platform for attendees to understand the global nonwovens market, relating to policies, technological developments, and applications. Featuring a range of high-profile speakers, each session focuses on various companies’ nonwoven or related product advancements and development status, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. This year’s conference theme is ‘Breaking the Deadlock and Reconstruction.’

Innovation

• Innovation Space: an exhibition area focused on spotlighting the technical textile and nonwoven sector’s cutting-edge advancements. The space serves as a guide to drive industry upgrades, providing visitors with a high-quality showcase of new materials, new products, and new technologies.
• Innovation Product Awards and Presentation: the event provides a valuable opportunity for innovators to promote their products to key industry players and potential collaborators, encouraging technological innovation, green development, and high-end applications, and accelerating the adoption of new technology. Outstanding products will be awarded the ‘2025 Innovation Product Award.’

During the three-day fair, other events include various livestreamed tours, focusing on textile application areas such as medical; protective; filtration & separation; automotive; and tent & composite materials. Meanwhile, the ‘Kingsafe Dangs’ National University Students’ Nonwovens Development and Applications Showcase aims to promote and recognise innovation from the next generation. This is set to boost the show’s design and entrepreneurial exchange, with the corresponding awards ceremony giving added visibility to some of the industry’s most promising talents.

Cinte Techtextil China will be held from 3 – 5 September 2025.

The fair is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Nonwovens & Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA).

A new material developed by University of Toronto researchers could offer a safer alternative to the non-stick chemicals commonly used in cookware and other applications. 

The substance is capable of repelling water and grease about as well as standard non-stick coatings; it also contains far lower amounts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a family of chemicals – that includes Teflon – that have raised environmental and health concerns.

It was developed in the Durable Repellent Engineered Advanced Materials (DREAM) laboratory at U of T’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering using a novel chemistry technique described in Nature Communications.

“The research community has been trying to develop safer alternatives to PFAS for a long time,” says Kevin Golovin, an associate professor in the department of mechanical and industrial engineering who heads the DREAM lab. “The challenge is that while it’s easy to create a substance that will repel water, it’s hard to make one that will also repel oil and grease to the same degree. Scientists had hit an upper limit to the performance of these alternative materials.” 

Since its invention in the late 1930s, Teflon – also known as polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE – has been prized for its ability to repel water, oil and grease alike.

Its non-stick properties are the result of the inertness of carbon-fluorine bonds, with PFAS molecules consisting of chains of carbon atoms, each bonded to several fluorine atoms.

However, this chemical inertness also causes PFAS to resist the normal processes that would break down other organic molecules over time. For this reason, they are sometimes called ‘forever chemicals.’ 

In addition to their persistence, PFAS are known to accumulate in biological tissues, and their concentrations can become amplified as they travel up the food chain. 

Various studies have linked exposure to high levels of PFAS to certain types of cancer, birth defects and other health problems, with longer-chain PFAS generally considered more harmful than the shorter-chain variety.

Despite the risks, the lack of alternatives means that PFAS remain ubiquitous in consumer products: in addition to cookware, they are used in rain-resistant fabrics, food packaging and cosmetics.

The material Golovin’s team have been working with is an alternative to PFAS called polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

“PDMS is often sold under the name silicone, and depending on how it’s formulated, it can be very biocompatible – in fact it’s often used in devices that are meant to be implanted into the body,” says Golovin. “But until now, we couldn’t get PDMS to perform quite as well as PFAS.” 

To overcome this problem, PhD student Samuel Au developed a new technique called nanoscale fletching which involves bonding short chains of PDMS to a base material – which Au likens to bristles on a brush.

“To improve their ability to repel oil, we have now added in the shortest possible PFAS molecule, consisting of a single carbon with three fluorines on it. We were able to bond about seven of those to the end of each PDMS bristle,” says Au.

“If you were able to shrink down to the nanometre scale, it would look a bit like the feathers that you see around the back end of an arrow, where it notches to the bow. That’s called fletching, so this is nanoscale fletching.” 

The team coated the new material on a piece of fabric, before placing drops of various oils on it to test its repellency.

The coating achieved a grade of 6 on an American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists scale – placing it on par with many standard PFAS-based coatings.

“While we did use a PFAS molecule in this process, it is the shortest possible one and therefore does not bioaccumulate,” says Golovin. 

“What we’ve seen in the literature, and even in the regulations, is that it’s the longest-chain PFAS that are getting banned first, with the shorter ones considered much less harmful. Our hybrid material provides the same performance as what had been achieved with long-chain PFAS, but with greatly reduced risk.” 

Golovin says the team is open to collaborating with manufacturers of non-stick coatings who might wish to scale up and commercialize the process. In the meantime, they will continue working on even more alternatives. 

“The holy grail of this field would be a substance that outperforms Teflon, but with no PFAS at all,” says Golovin. “We’re not quite there yet, but this is an important step in the right direction.” 

CARBIOS has signed a multi-year commercial agreement with Indorama Ventures, a global leader in PET production. This agreement covers the supply of biorecycled monomers from its Longlaville plant, which will be transformed into r-PET filaments by Indorama Ventures and then integrated by Michelin into the manufacturing of its tires.
 
A strategic commitment to turn complex PET waste into high-performance materials. 
Thanks to its enzymatic PET recycling technology, CARBIOS will produce monomers from complex PET waste at its future industrial site in Longlaville. Indorama Ventures will handle the repolymerization and production of technical filaments. Michelin will use these innovative materials in its tire reinforcements. 
 
A new milestone in the pre-commercialization of the Longlaville plant. 
This commercial agreement is part of the pre-commercialization momentum of CARBIOS’ future industrial site, just weeks after signing the first sales contracts for biorecycled PET with two global cosmetics leaders.
 
Vincent Kamel, CEO of CARBIOS: “This commercial agreement with Indorama Ventures marks a new step in the realization of our industrial project. It confirms the trust of Indorama Ventures and Michelin in our PET biorecycling technology. Alongside the commercial successes already achieved in cosmetic packaging applications, this agreement illustrates our ability to deliver innovative solutions to the most demanding industries, particularly industrial filaments for tire applications and, more broadly, textile.”

Fibre Extrusion Technology Ltd (FET) of Leeds, UK will be exhibiting at three major trade shows in Asia and Europe over the next 3 months.

This sequence begins in early September at Cinte Techtextil China, the leading trade fair for technical textile and nonwoven products in Asia. FET will be taking a 30sq. metre stand in conjunction with its agent and partner, Chemtax in Hall W5.

This will be followed by ITMA ASIA in Singapore, aimed at the textile and garment industry in South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East. This exhibition takes place at the end of October and FET can be found at Hall H4.

This trio of events is rounded off at COMPAMED 2025 between 17-20 November in Dusseldorf, Germany. This exhibition is widely recognised as a major international trade fair for the medical technology supplier sector. FET’s will be exhibiting in Hall 08B.

“This is a very hectic period for FET,” commented FET’s Managing Director Richard Slack. “However, these exhibitions provide a great opportunity for smaller specialist companies like FET to raise our profile on the international stage and reflects our growing influence in the fields of technical textiles, medical device innovation and many other sectors.”

FET designs, develops and manufactures extrusion equipment for a wide range of high value textile material applications worldwide and the diversity of these three exhibitions illustrates FET’s scope in the industry.