From the Sector

Waterloo researchers develop cloth that can heat up by 30 degrees Celsius after 10 minutes of sun exposure.

A new type of cloth developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo can heat up when exposed to the sun thanks to innovative nanoparticles embedded in the fabric’s fibre. This advance represents an innovative and environmentally friendly option for staying warm in the winter.

Wearable heated clothing typically relies on metals or ceramic heating elements to heat up and an external power source, which could pose safety risks for users.

This new cloth incorporates conductive polymer nanoparticles that can heat up to 30 degrees Celsius when exposed to sunlight. The design requires no external power and can also change colour to visually monitor temperature fluctuations.

“The magic behind the temperature-sensitive colour change lies in the combination of nanoparticles embedded in the polymer fibres,” said Yuning Li, a professor in Waterloo’s Department of Chemical Engineering, and part of the research team that includes Chaoxia Wang and Fangqing Ge from the College of Textile Science and Engineering at Jiangnan University in China.

“The nanoparticles are activated by sunlight, enabling the fabric to absorb heat and convert it into warmth.”

The fibre is created using a scalable wet-spinning process, combining polyaniline and polydopamine nanoparticles to enhance light absorption and improve photothermal conversion. Thermoplastic polyurethane serves as the spinning matrix, while thermochromic dyes enable the reversible color-changing feature. The resultant fiber can be woven into fabric for wearable applications.

In addition to its temperature-changing capability, the Waterloo researcher’s new fabric can stretch out by as much as five times its original shape and withstand as much as two-dozen washings while still maintaining its function and appearance. Its reversible colour-changing ability provides a built-in temperature monitoring feature to ensure the wearer’s safety and convenience.

“We prioritized durability, ensuring the fabric could withstand repeated use and environmental exposure while maintaining its innovative properties,” said Li.

The Waterloo team is exploring more cost-effective alternatives to polydopamine to make the smart fabric technology more accessible. Future developments will focus on scaling the production process and reducing costs without compromising on the fabric’s innovative properties.

The fabric’s potential applications include aiding in cold rescue situations and solar-powered pet clothing to help keep them comfortable when outside during the winter.

2025 International Battery Seminar in Orlando: Freudenberg to present innovative battery separator solutions for stationary energy storage systems and further applications

Freudenberg Performance Materials (Freudenberg) will be showcasing its nonwoven battery separators at the International Battery Seminar in Orlando, Florida, USA, from March 17-20, 2025. The manufacturer of technical textiles will present innovative materials that enable long-duration, high-performance and safe stationary energy storage systems.

Freudenberg will present its range of battery separators that increase the cycle-life, performance and safety of batteries for stationary energy storage systems, as well as batteries used in transportation, communications and computer systems. This includes nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, nickel-zinc, nickel-hydrogen, metal-air and lead-acid batteries plus many more.

One highlight will be the latest unique surface finishing technology that provides excellent electrolyte absorption as well as increasing the speed. The company combines this new finishing and a variety of other finishes with its versatile nonwoven technologies to develop further custom-made separators that meet the needs of energy storage system manufacturers and other battery manufacturers in the aviation, rail vehicle construction or computer systems sectors. Freudenberg has a broad range of nonwoven technologies in the industry, including wetlaid, drylaid and spunbond processes. These offer unique capabilities to tailor material homogeneity and uniformity, electrolyte absorption, wicking rate, air permeability, thickness and tensile strength.
With production sites on several continents, Freudenberg can manufacture locally and offer major battery manufacturers optimal service.

Freudenberg high-performance nonwoven separators play an important functional role in batteries. Besides their primary function of separating the electrode and cathode, they form an electrolyte reservoir in the battery, and contribute to enhancing battery functionality, self-discharge, and durability. They help to prevent short circuits by avoiding dendrite growth.

As in the previous year, Autoneum’s Swiss headquarters in Winterthur was again recognized as a Top Employer in Switzerland by the renowned Top Employers Institute in 2025. Fostering a people-centric culture is a central pillar of Autoneum’s Level Up strategy and thus an integral part of the global guidelines and people practices implemented throughout the company.

Participation in standardized certification programs supports organizations in making their commitment to an employee-oriented corporate culture measurable and tangible. Following the first successful participation of Autoneum’s Human Resources (HR) department at the Swiss headquarters in Winterthur in the comprehensive survey carried out by the renowned Top Employers Institute last year, the location was again recognized again as a Top Employer in Switzerland in 2025.

The internationally recognized Top Employers Institute certifies organizations based on their results in the HR Best Practices Survey. The survey covers six HR domains and twenty areas such as People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Wellbeing and more. Participation in this survey enables companies to objectively evaluate the measures, guidelines and people practices implemented in these areas.

The program has certified and recognized over 2 400 Top Employers in 125 countries/regions across five continents.

Green Theme Technologies (GTT) has appointed Courtney Harold as Head of Marketing. With over 25 years of experience in the textile, apparel, and footwear industries, Courtney brings a proven track record of transforming complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies that drive growth and product innovation.

“I am thrilled to join GTT and help lead the initiative to bring EMPEL’s innovative, water-free, and PFAS-free DWR technology to market,” said Courtney Harold. “GTT’s commitment to surpassing industry standards is precisely the challenge fueling my passion for solving complex problems. I look forward to spearheading the marketing initiatives to position EMPEL as the leading brand in the DWR sustainable performance fabrics.”

Courtney’s career began at Hill Holliday Advertising, where she built a solid foundation for creating impactful value propositions for the retailer Marshalls. She continued to enhance this foundation as a member of the inaugural branding team at Polartec, contributing to the development of a leading brand that resonates with both consumers and industry professionals.

At Sappi Release Papers, Courtney led efforts to establish specification programs targeted at apparel and footwear product developers, resulting in a unique partnership with Nike.

For over 10 years, Courtney launched the first footwear supplier tradeshow for the world’s largest footwear tradeshow and staged the MAGIC apparel tradeshow in China, a highly complex market. She has also developed market entry strategies for several fashion, outdoor, and apparel brands entering the Chinese market, enhancing her knowledge and understanding of the supply chain, the global retail sector, and the crucial connection between product development and market positioning.

The Middle East’s industrial sector is synonymous with high-risk environments, particularly in oil and gas production. Workers face hazards such as flash fires, chemical splashes and electric arcs—all within the context of demanding conditions, including sweltering heat and long shifts. In response to these challenges, flame-retardant (FR) fabrics with stretch properties are emerging as the next generation of protective workwear, delivering comfort, safety and durability.

Traditionally, FR fabrics prioritised protection over comfort. However, the increasing demand for ergonomic clothing has driven a shift towards stretch solutions. Thanks to innovations in textile engineering and the influence of modern fashion, these fabrics now combine unparalleled flexibility with the stringent safety standards required in high-risk industries.

Stretch fabrics such as Carrington Textiles’ Flametougher 290AS Flex and Flameflex 300AS demonstrate how this transition is not just a luxury but a necessity. Flametougher 290AS Flex, for example, incorporates 19.5% CORDURA® nylon 6,6 for exceptional durability and strength, blended with 78% cotton for lightweight comfort. At just 290gsm, it ensures workers maintain mobility without compromising on protection.

Meeting the needs of Middle Eastern workers, Flameflex 300AS, weighing 300gsm, provides a perfect balance of durability, flexibility and flame resistance. Its 83% cotton and 14% polyester composition ensures longevity, while 2% EOL fibres enable enhanced elasticity—critical for workers in physically intensive roles such as oil rig operations or refinery maintenance.

Flexibility in workwear isn’t just a matter of comfort, it’s a matter of safety. Restricted movement can lead to fatigue, reduced compliance with safety standards and accidents. Stretch FR fabrics excel in adaptability. Whether it’s a worker scaling scaffolding on an oil platform or handling maintenance in a petrochemical plant, garments made with stretch FR textiles allow for the unrestricted movement critical to performing tasks safely.

The rise of these type of fabrics also owes much to the fashion industry. Decades of innovation in stretch garments for everyday use have created a ripple effect in workwear. Workers increasingly expect the same level of comfort and fit in their protective clothing, and manufacturers are responding.

From 3 to 5 September, Cinte Techtextil China will return to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, with new features capitalising on market growth. In addition to its regular European Zone, the upcoming edition will launch two product zones, namely the Medtech & Protech Zone and the Mobiltech Zone, alongside other precisely crafted features.

With innovation and sustainability at its heart, the fair’s fringe programme will include events such as Econogy Talks, an innovative product showcase and other themed conferences and presentations, maximising promotion and information exchange between fairgoers.

“As the largest global organiser of textile trade fairs, pairing the strength of Messe Frankfurt’s Texpertise Network to market needs as global economies evolve, is key to Cinte Techtextil China’s long-term growth,” said Ms Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. “These new zones have been created strategically, allowing us to expand on under-utilised opportunities for exhibitors and visitors in high-potential technical textile and nonwoven sub-sectors, as well as steering the industry towards an innovative and sustainable future.”

No longer an initiative but a prevailing commitment, sustainability has opened up new possibilities for technical textile and nonwoven development. Speaking at the 2024 edition, Mr Lin Yang, Sales Department Minister of Nihon Glass Fiber Industrial Co., Ltd. commented: “The sustainability trend has fostered the robust growth of new energy vehicles and in turn the automotive interior material businesses. Under the global eco-trend, green application will become the core development of automotive textiles, with more and more car manufacturers applying functional fibres to make automotive materials more durable, anti-high-energy radiation and so on.”

A few booths away, Mr Denis Wallrafen, Sales Manager of Reifenhäuser Enka Tecnica, also referred to sustainability as “the rule for success”, saying that the company has “developed an innovative, cost-effective method for refurbishing spunbond and meltblown spinnerets without compromising quality, with the same excellent performance of a new spinneret.”

Sustainability and innovation will again be strong focuses for Cinte Techtextil China in 2025, as will its propensity to bridge gaps between Asian and Western markets. Speaking at the previous edition, which attracted nearly 17,000 visits from 77 countries and regions, Mr Kabilen Sornum, Vice President Asia Pacific of Marketing & E-Commerce at Groz-Beckert East Asia said: “As one of the most important fairs for us in China, Cinte Techtextil China covers the domestic market, while we also receive a lot of international visitors here, allowing us to exchange ideas and gain market insights. As China is a very big market, very often we sell directly and indirectly to them during the fair, where all our users come together.”

The fair’s product categories cover 12 application areas, which comprehensively span a full range of potential uses in modern technical textiles and nonwovens. These categories also cover the entire industry, from upstream technology and raw materials providers to finished fabrics, chemicals and other solutions. This scope of product groups and application areas ensures that the fair is an effective business platform for the entire industry.

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).

Autoneum expands its sustainable product portfolio for commercial vehicles with new polyester-based side and rear wall panels. Their carrier material consists of Propylat PET, the company’s eco-friendly and fully recyclable Pure technology made of 100 percent polyester. Autoneum’s components thus offer a significantly more sustainable alternative to the composite or thermoset resin panels commonly used in trucks today, which are difficult to recycle. Thanks to the unique material composition of Propylat PET, they contribute to optimized acoustic and thermal management.

With the establishment of a dedicated Business Unit Commercial Vehicles at the beginning of 2024, Autoneum has set the course for further sustainable and profitable growth in this market segment on a global scale. Manufacturers of medium and heavy trucks as well as agricultural vehicles thus benefit not only from Autoneum’s existing production footprint and comprehensive product and technology portfolio, but also from the Company’s longstanding experience in the development and manufacturing of environmentally friendly monomaterials. Components such as the new polyester-based side and rear wall panels support customers in improving the environmental performance of commercial vehicles and are therefore an important step towards a circular economy also in this vehicle segment.

The carrier material of Autoneum’s sustainable trim components consists of 100 percent polyester. Thanks to the high content of recycled fibers and the excellent end-of-life recyclability of Propylat PET, the side and rear wall panels from Autoneum are considerably more environmentally friendly than the composite or thermoset resin alternatives commonly used in trucks today. Furthermore, additional components can be welded onto the material without the use of adhesives or other chemicals, which further increases the products’ recyclability at the end of their service life. Due to the unique material composition of Propylat PET, the components also improve the acoustic and thermal insulation of the vehicle interior and are characterized by minimal emission of volatile organic compounds as well as low odor. In addition, Autoneum continues to invest in the develop-ment of monomaterial components for commercial vehicles, where both the carrier material and the aesthetic surface are made entirely of polyester, thus further advancing the transition to a sustaina-ble circular economy.

Autoneum has supported Renault Group in the development of Renault Emblème, a low-carbon demonstration car designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent over its entire life cycle. As a key partner of the project, Autoneum further optimized the environmental performance of its sustainable Pure technologies, which were used for numerous components in the vehicle interior and exterior. Leveraging its proven expertise in the development of lightweight and fully recyclable monomaterials with a high recycled content, as well as in the areas of life cycle analysis (LCA) and product innovation, Autoneum was able to reduce the carbon footprint of its parts and contribute to a significant reduction in vehicle weight for Renault Emblème.

Increasingly stringent regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale, new directives and the electrification of mobility require innovative approaches from the entire automotive industry. To support vehicle manufacturers in achieving their sustainability targets, Autoneum continuously optimizes the environmental performance of its products and processes: from further increasing the share of recycled content and the end-of-life recyclability of its lightweight technologies to reducing waste and shifting to renewable energy in its production facilities. In addition, the Company is working closely with customers and partners to validate data and products together. One of the most recent examples of such a successful collaboration is Autoneum’s contribution to Renault Emblème.

The Renault Emblème demonstration car emits 90% fewer greenhouse gases over its entire life cycle than a comparable vehicle produced today. To achieve these ambitious decarbonization targets, Renault Group assembled more than twenty suppliers from across the industry to participate in specialized projects in five different areas: eco-design, raw material selection, manufacturing, use and end of life. In addition to providing valuable expertise in the areas of LCA and product development, Autoneum’s contribution entailed the further optimization of its environmentally friendly Pure technologies, which already today are characterized by an excellent sustainability performance across the product life cycle and also include the Company’s growing portfolio of monomaterial technologies made of 100 percent polyester.

Autoneum’s innovative and lightweight materials were used for around thirty fiber-based components in the interior and exterior of Renault Emblème, including the carpet, the underbody panels and wheelhouse outer liners as well the front and rear trunk. Thanks to the high recycled content, the waste-free production process and the excellent recyclability of the materials at the end of their service life, Autoneum was able to reduce drastically the carbon footprint of the components. This outstanding achievement was made possible by further boosting the sustainability performance of existing technologies such as Ultra-Silent, Propylat PET, Hybrid-Acoustics and Autoneum’s monomaterial polyester carpet systems. In addition, the parts contributed to a weight reduction, which positively affected both the carbon footprint and the range of the electric car.

SAATI Germany, a leading manufacturer of highly developed technical fabrics, has further optimised its production processes by using innovative measurement and control technology from Mahlo.

The globally active SAATI Group produces filter fabric for blood transfusion devices, aramid fabric for bulletproof vests and functional fabric for mobile phones and tablets, among other things. SAATI is known for its high precision and quality, which is maintained at all stages of production.

The installation of a Mahlo distortion control system Orthopac FMC-15 and a Famacont PMC-15 yarn density meter in the outfeed of a stenter frame was a further step in this optimisation process.

As Saati produces highly technical fabrics, the exact thread count (up to over 300 F/cm) is an essential quality feature. The PMC-15, a camera-based measuring system, can continuously record and log this parameter. At the same time, the FMC-15 records residual distortion and contributes to the elimination of so-called back sheet distortion in the fabric by automatically controlling the take-off roller of the stenter frame. This ensures the consistently high quality of the end products and reduces potential sources of error.

The investment in these systems proved so successful that SAATI initiated the next stage of process optimisation in 2024. „With the installation of an Orthopac GRVMC-15 straightening machine before the infeed of the stenter frame, we have further perfected the control of fabric
quality,“ says Operations Manager Thomas Brockmeier. The heavyweight among the Mahlo straightening systems with a working width of 2,800 mm enables SAATI to correct skew and bow distortions in the raw fabric even before the stenter frame. This is because a weft yarn that is only slightly skewed or curved can render the fabric unusable or visually unfit for use.

By combining the GRVMC-15 with the FMC-15 already installed in the outfeed, SAATI now has a fully automatic system that offers maximum monitoring and control options. The co-operation of these two technologies enables the company to deliver precisely shot-straight items. „I am delighted that we were able to complete the project so successfully,“ says Brockmeier.

The Chinese Junma Group has expanded its HMLS capacities by 20 positions, hence becoming one of the largest tire cord manufacturers in China. At present, the company has 64 positions of HMLS systems from Oerlikon Barmag.

Junma processes the tire yarn produced in the titer range of 1100 dtex to 2200 dtex in-house into tire cord using the downstream processes of dipping and weaving. The largest HMLS single project for Junma and Oerlikon Barmag to date was put into operation in record time. After just two weeks, the various yarn specifications were approved.

High-end HMLS technology for the international tire market
Junma supplies its end products to renowned international tire manufacturers and sees definite growth potential in this segment of the automotive industry. “This year, we opened our first branches outside of China. And for the coming year, we are planning our first production facility in Thailand,” says Wang Hongbin. In doing so, Junma continues to rely on the expertise of Oerlikon Barmag. The HMLS process from Oerlikon Barmag scores particularly highly with production speeds of up to 6300 m/min, at which the core components of high-speed godets and winders demonstrate their reliability.