From the Sector

A result of Eastman’s recently announced strategic partnership with Huafon Chemical, the new filament yarn features even higher tenacity, making it the perfect solution for premium lightweight fabrics. 

On August 13, Eastman and Huafon Chemical jointly announced a formal strategic partnership to establish a joint facility to produce cellulose acetate yarn. The facility will be dedicated to localized production and product innovation of Eastman Naia™ cellulose acetate filament yarns in China. This collaboration demonstrates Eastman’s long-term commitment to the Chinese market and further deepens its market presence in China by enabling a more agile supply chain response to meet the market demand for high-quality, innovative, and sustainable textile materials in the region.

With the vision to make sustainable textiles accessible to all, the Eastman Naia™ portfolio offers responsibly sourced, biobased cellulosic fibers and yarns. These eco-friendly options empower mills, designers, and brands to create textiles that do not compromise on comfort, quality, or appearance. 

Naia™ acetate filament yarn is widely recognized and used by both high-end luxury and high-street fashion brands in China and around the world. It is favored for ready-to-wear fashion and linings because of its luxurious silky hand feel, beautiful drape, and rich luster. Beyond aesthetics, Naia™ delivers superior comfort, durability, and ease of care. 

Eastman has developed a robust network of mills and fabric trading partners in China, collaboratively driving innovation to develop some of the most advanced acetate-based fabrics in the global textile market today.

With the publication of its first sustainability report, Freudenberg Performance Materials has reached a major milestone on its path toward greater environmental responsibility and corporate transparency. Until now, information about the company’s sustainability performance was only included in the sustainability report of its parent company, the Freudenberg Group. The newly released report, however, focuses specifically on the business of technical textiles.

Sustainability at Freudenberg is deeply rooted in the company’s 175-year history. Freudenberg Performance Materials also aligns with the UN Brundtland definition and aims to minimize waste and emissions while reducing the use of energy, materials, and water. By 2045, the goal is to achieve CO₂ neutrality at all sites (Scope 1 and 2).

In 2024, Freudenberg Performance Materials made significant progress: 

• CO₂ emissions (Scope 1 & 2) were reduced by another 3% – 29% less than in the base year 2020.
• Despite higher production levels, energy efficiency improved by 10%.
• 30% of all purchased electricity came from renewable sources, powering 25 production lines with green energy.
• The share of green energy in the total energy consumption rose by 26% to 13.5%.
• The company’s biggest gas-powered asset was replaced with wet-scrubber technology, resulting in a reduction of approximately 4,000 tons of CO₂.

In addition, Freudenberg Performance Materials has defined medium- and long-term sustainability goals that serve as guidelines for short-term planning and decision-making. In preparation for the upcoming EU regulation “Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation” (ESPR), the company has begun implementing software to calculate the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF).

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."

Allbirds presents the latest addition to its leading-edge lineup of footwear: Remix. Born from a pioneering partnership with Blumaka, a leader in converting recycled foam into footwear products, and Circ®, a leading innovator in textile-to-textile recycling, Remix styles give second life to manufacturing waste by transforming blended textile waste and foam scraps into brand new shoes.

With billions of shoes produced annually, the footwear industry generates a staggering amount of manufacturing waste–trimmings, shavings, and dust from the cutting and shaping processes. In midsole foam alone, the industry produces 344,000 tons of waste annually—enough material to craft 2.5 billion midsoles—yet much of this high-quality foam goes unused and discarded. The materials, which are often non-biodegradable and notoriously difficult to recycle, are then routed to landfills where they take decades to decompose and emit harmful chemicals like methane. In an industry-first, Allbirds, Blumaka and Circ are intervening in the process by taking the landfill-bound waste and refashioning it into two Remix styles: the Runner NZ Remix and Cruiser Remix.

The Remix styles incorporate Blumaka midsoles, crafted from reclaimed foam scraps from athletic footwear manufacturing that are ground and molded into a high-performance, recycled foam blend. Not only does this process use 99 percent less water and emit 65 percent fewer carbon emissions than traditional foam production, but it also creates a product that exceeds the expectations of durability, comfort and performance. Blumaka’s approach challenges assumptions about sustainability: these reclaimed materials are not just recycled; they are revitalized into elite, performance-ready components that deliver all-day comfort and cushioning.

Additionally, Remix styles are the world’s first-ever footwear to utilize textile-to-textile recycled materials derived from polycotton waste, using Circ’s proprietary hydrothermal recycling process that separates and recovers cotton and polyester fibers from blended garments. The resulting textile lends a luxurious look and feel, with like-new quality that meets and exceeds virgin synthetics.

The materials combine to create two artful, visually distinct silhouettes that require no compromise on comfort, sustainability or style–offering consumers a fresh look that they can feel good in, and feel good about.

“To us, ‘better things in a better way’ means that we’re not tied to one technology or one method of making–we have a limitless curiosity that inspires us to explore unexpected approaches,” said Adrian Nyman, Chief Design Officer, Allbirds. “Remix is the next step in our innovation journey, delivering on sustainable design that enhances both look and feel.”

The launch of Remix follows a decade of sustainable innovations from Allbirds, including the likes of: Futurecraft.Footprint, an ultra-low carbon running shoe created in collaboration with Adidas; and most recently, M0.0NSHOT Zero, the world’s first net zero carbon shoe made with carbon-negative regenerative wool.

“Allbirds is demonstrating that the world doesn’t need more foam — it needs smarter use of existing resources,” said Stuart Jenkins, CEO of Blumaka. “We don’t recycle trash — we reclaim the most advanced foam ever made and improve upon it. Our process produces elite-level products with proven durability and comfort. Allbirds Remix shows that waste foam isn’t a problem — it’s an opportunity. Better for people. Better for the planet.”

“This collaboration with Allbirds marks a major milestone in proving that textile-to-textile recycling can scale beyond apparel and into high-performance footwear,” said Peter Majeranowski, CEO of Circ. ““By using Circ® Filament Lyocell from recycled textile waste as part of the upper for the Remix, we’re showing that circular materials don’t require compromise, they can look better, feel better, and do better for the planet. This is the future of fashion, and we re proud to help lead the way.”

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) aims to complete its scientific evaluation of the proposed EU-wide restriction on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by the end of 2026. 

In a note, published today, ECHA provides an update on its assessment of the proposal and clarifies the expected timeline. This follows the publication of the updated restriction proposal, which took place on 20 August 2025.

The European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) scientific committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) have been evaluating the proposal to restrict PFAS in the EU/EEA since March 20231. This restriction proposal covers more than 10 000 substances and many sectors of application. Following its submission to ECHA, the subsequent six-month consultation has resulted in more than 5 600 responses from allstakeholder groups (Industry, NGOs, institutions, academia, national authorities, agencies, civil society actors, citizens etc.).

The Committees’ evaluation is being carried out in batches, focusing on the 14 different sectors2 analysed in the originally submitted restriction proposal, as well as PFAS manufacturing and horizontal issues. In parallel, the national authorities of Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, who prepared the proposal (the Dossier Submitter), have progressively updated their initial report to address the significant number of responses received during the consultation, sector by sector. This updated report, called the Background Document, forms the basis for the Committees’ opinions.

The information from the consultation has also led to the identification of a further eight sectors3. These sectors have been assessed by the Dossier Submitter and incorporated into the now completed Background Document, which has been received by ECHA on 24 June 2025 and made available to RAC and SEAC and to the public on ECHA’s website4.

It is the collective goal of ECHA, the Dossier Submitter and the European Commission to allow for appropriate action to be taken to protect human health and the environment, as soon as is practicably possible. The European Commission, in the Chemicals Industry Action Plan adopted on 8 July 2025, has also communicated that ‘The scientific assessment of the Universal PFAS restriction by the ECHA’s committees is ongoing and scheduled to conclude in 2026. The Commission is committed to presenting a proposal as soon as possible after receiving ECHA’s opinion, with the overall objective of minimising PFAS emissions’.

Considering the sheer scale of this complex restriction proposal, RAC and SEAC have already made good progress in their opinion making on the 14 sectors covered by the original restriction proposal, plus PFAS manufacturing and horizontal issues. However, including a further 8 sectors into the Committees’ evaluations now would require significant time beyond 2026 to finalise the opinion with these sectors. Therefore, in the ongoing procedure, the Committees will not carry out a sector specific evaluation of these further eight sectors. However, the evaluation of horizontal issues will cover, amongst others, the hazard assessment and risk management measures of general applicability that are able to monitor and limit emissions of PFAS to the environment (e.g. reporting requirements, PFAS management plan).

• A branded, circular polyester resin made entirely from textile waste and completely traceable from feedstock to final product.
• Virgin-quality resin for high-performance applications including fashion, sportswear, and home textiles.
• Low environmental footprint with significant reduction of CO₂ emissions.

Loop Industries, Inc. a clean technology company accelerating circularity in plastic and fiber markets, announced the launch of Twist™, a branded circular polyester resin made entirely from textile waste. Loop is currently advancing its discussions with apparel brands for offtake from its planned India JV and will supply Twist™ as its branded product offering. Originally developed as Loop’s fiber-grade PET resin, the product has now been rebranded to reflect its role in helping the textile industry transition from linear to circular systems, shifting away from virgin materials and from bottle-to-textile recycling, to give global brands a high-performance solution that embodies both sustainability and next-gen material innovation.

Utilizing Loop’s globally patented depolymerization technology, Twist™ is produced by breaking down polyester textile waste into its base monomers, DMT and MEG, which are then purified back to their initial purity, before being polymerized into Twist™ resin. This process removes all dyes, colorants, contaminants, and blends, delivering a resin that is chemically identical to virgin polyester. Textile-to-textile recycling allows apparel companies to mitigate the increasing environment impact of textile waste.  

Twist™ achieves the highest purity, color and dyability consistency and increases production efficiency, making it fully compatible with existing spinning and manufacturing infrastructure. 

The production of Twist™ saves up to 418,600 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually1 and reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 81%2 when compared to fossil fuel-based resin. This has been independently validated by Franklin Associates, a division of ERG who completed an LCA study of Loop’s technology. 418,600 tonnes of CO₂ emissions are the equivalent of more than 1 billion miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle.

Twist™ is set to transform textile recycling as the first textile-to-textile polyester resin offering complete traceability. Embedded chemical tracers allow customers to track finished products directly back to their original waste textile inputs. This transparency meticulously verifies every step of the recycling and manufacturing process, building crucial trust in the circular economy and setting a new standard for accountability in sustainable textile production. With full traceability from waste input to finished product, Twist™ empowers brands to confidently meet growing regulatory, and consumer demands for transparency and circularity.

Twist™ will be expanded from Loop’s Terrebonne facility and produced at the Infinite Loop™ India facility, a strategically located manufacturing platform designed to serve global textile and apparel brands. The facility will provide Twist™ at competitive pricing levels. This combination of performance, price, traceability and sustainability positions Twist™ as a key material for brands seeking to lead on circularity and meet evolving sustainability targets.

Australia’s war on waste has a powerful new ally, Deakin University’s Recycling and Clean Energy Commercialisation Hub (REACH). 

REACH has joined forces with Samsara Eco to fast-track world-first technology that could recycle plastics and textiles, previously considered unrecyclable, that would take centuries to eliminate from the environment.   

Textile waste is one of the world’s most persistent environmental issues, driven by fast fashion, high consumption and poor disposal practices. In Australia, synthetic fibres like nylon and polyester make up almost 60 per cent of the materials used in clothing, yet with less than one per cent of discarded garments recycled into new clothes, most end up in landfill or are incinerated, adding to pollution and harmful emissions. 

Samsara Eco’s AI-designed enzymes break down fossil-fuel derived materials like synthetic fibres, including nylon 6,6 and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into their original building blocks or monomers – allowing them to be rebuilt into new products with virgin-quality performance.  

The collaboration will see Samsara Eco lean into Deakin’s advanced chemical analysis and polymer processing expertise to better understand and find recycling solutions for specific additives like dyes, finishes and coatings present in textile waste. 

‘We are laser-focused on creating true circularity and that means finding a solve for all plastics,’ said Founder and CEO at Samsara Eco Paul Riley. ‘This research supports our efforts to make this a reality. We’ve already come a long way with our enzymatic recycling technology, which can infinitely recycle PET and nylon 6,6 plastics used for clothing and other textiles, including mixed fibres and plastics. Our research collaboration with Deakin will support our efforts to recycle more waste at speed, scale and with precision.’  

Unlike mechanical recycling, which degrades the quality of materials and limits recyclability, Samsara Eco’s enzymatic depolymerisation technology is making it possible to rebuild worn or contaminated textiles into virgin-equivalent materials.  

Distinguished Professor Colin Barrow, Chair in Biotechnology at Deakin’s School of Life and Environmental Sciences said:  

‘Our research tackles a critical challenge in textile recycling – understanding how dyes, textile finishes, coatings and other chemical treatments affect the breakdown and rebuilding of synthetic fibres, including other types of polyester and nylon to repurpose into new products.  

‘We are exploring solutions by analysing these contaminants and determining their impact on textile recycling processes, to make it possible to produce high-performance recycled materials from all types of waste feedstock.’  

Associate Professor Chris Hurren from Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials is also collaborating on the project and said:  

‘By testing how these materials perform in real-world polymerisation and processing, we’re helping to refine the recycling pipeline and bring closed-loop textile recycling closer to commercial reality.’  

With growing global pressure on the textile industry to cut emissions and reduce waste, Associate Professor Hurren says this technology could revolutionise the sector – delivering both environmental and economic benefits.  

‘We’re working to unlock a scalable, circular future for fashion – one that reduces reliance on harmful inputs and keeps textiles out of landfill.’  

Samsara Eco has a 10-year agreement with global activewear brand lululemon to support approximately 20 per cent of its overall fibre portfolio with its recycled materials. This builds on previous collaborations between the two, launching the world’s first enzymatically recycled nylon 6,6 garment, recreating their iconic Swiftly top, and a limited-edition Packable Anorak jacket – the first retail garment made from enzymatically recycled polyester.  

With their first commercial facility set to open in Jerrabomberra later this year, Samsara Eco’s 2030 vision is to recycle half a billion clothing items and 10 billion plastic bottles annually, avoiding hundreds of thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions. 

‘We’re uniquely positioned to recycle mixed plastics and fibres,’ said Mr Riley. ‘We’re taking post-industrial and post-consumer waste to create new products and are already working with helping brands to swap virgin inputs for our low carbon, enzymatically recycled materials, which plug directly into existing supply chains. 

‘Together with Deakin’s researchers, we can find further recycling solves to keep more out of landfill and in circulation.’ 

In a major push to advance circularity and environmental accountability in the technical textiles sector, Techtextil India 2025 will launch the dedicated ‘ReCycle Zone’ in collaboration with the Society of Plastics Engineers India (SPE India). Reclaim, Reuse and Reimagine are among the key features of the zone at the upcoming edition of Techtextil India scheduled from 19th – 21st November 2025 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai.
 
As industries across the globe adopt circular economy models and sustainable production practices, the ReCycle Zone will serve as a vital platform for stakeholders working to transform textile and plastic waste into value-added materials. The initiative reflects Technical India’s ongoing commitment to driving responsible innovation by converging recyclers, solution providers, machinery manufacturers startups and policy enablers under one roof. This new industry focused zone will spotlight sustainable innovation and next-gen recycling technologies.
 
Spotlighting on Textile Waste Management and circularity, this ReCycle Zone will host companies specialising in: 

• Garment, agro-textiles and medical textiles waste recycling
• Plastic and PET waste recycling for textile applications
• Fibre to fibre and yarn regeneration 
• Sorting, shredding and advanced recycling machinery 
• EPR compliance, traceability and green certifications 
• AI and automation in waste management systems 

This initiative aims to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation by connecting buyers, suppliers, R&D specialists and sustainability officers.
 
To deepen the technical engagement, SPE India will curate a series of focused knowledge sessions and panel discussions within the ReCycle Zone. Experts from academia, policy think tanks and leading corporates will weigh in on topics such as circular product design, industry compliance and mandates, advances in waste recovery, and investment outlook in green tech.
 
The launch of ReCycle Zone aligns with India’s national efforts towards sustainable manufacturing, driven by programs like LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and PM MITRA Parks (Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel). As technical textiles play an increasingly important role across sectors such as defence, healthcare, automotive and agriculture, integrating recycling and circular design into their production processes has become essential.
 
The zone further reinforces Messe Frankfurt India’s role in nurturing a sustainable business ecosystem through its leading industry platforms. Techtextil India will mark the 10th edition of India’s most comprehensive exhibition for technical textiles, nonwovens, and composites. Organised by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India, the show will cover 12 diverse application areas from protective wear and functional fabrics to smart textiles, filtration and mobility solutions.
 
Scheduled from 19th – 21st November 2025 at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, the show will bring together global and domestic exhibitors, solutions providers, institutional buyers, research organisations and key industry bodies for three days of business, innovation and networking.
 
Adding momentum to the industry dialogue the India edition of the Dornbirn Global Fibre Conference one of the most prestigious global conferences for fibre and material innovations, will take place on 18th November 2025 also at NESCO, Mumbai – one day prior to Techtextil India show.

The Discover Natural Fibres Initiative (DNFI) was created in January 2010 as an outgrowth of the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009, declared by the United Nations General Assembly. DNFI is an organization that works to further the interests of natural fibres by serving as a platform for information exchange and by raising awareness of the benefits of natural fibre industries to the world economy, environment and consumers. 

Celebrating Breakthroughs in Natural Fibre Innovation – DNFI Award 2025 
The DNFI Innovation in Natural Fibres Award 2025 shines spotlight on groundbreaking developments in the world of natural fibres. Its mission: to highlight innovative achievements, amplify the work of leading researchers, innovators and producers, to create new pathways for commercial impact. From sustainability to smart materials, the award honors those pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with nature’s finest resources. 

The DNFI Award 2025 will be judged across three categories: Innovative products, components or applications; innovative processes or procedures; and research and science projects. Entries will be evaluated based on outstanding scientific work and technical feasibility, the extent to which the innovation improves or increases the effectiveness of existing products or processes, and its potential to open up new markets or sectors for products made from natural fibres.

Candidates for the DNFI Innovation in Natural Fibres Award 2025 are requested to send the application with the appropriate submission form by email to: Secretariat[at]dnfi.org.
 
Entries will be accepted until 30th September 2025. The winner will be announced in a press release in October 2025 and invited to attend the DNFI plenary session on 14 January 2026. The award ceremony will take place the following day, 15 January 2026, at the Heimtextil trade fair in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The 2025 award will once again be sponsored by the DNFI member organisation The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF).

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, an international sustainable chemical company, announced it has recycled more than 150 billion post-consumer PET bottles since 2011. This significant milestone underscores the company’s long-term commitment to circular economy practices and its sustained investment in global recycling infrastructure. 

With more than 20 recycling facilities across 11 countries, supported by strong business partnerships and optimized operations, Indorama Ventures collectively recycles 789 bottles every second — transforming used PET into high-quality recycled PET (rPET) resins and other circular materials. These are used across various industries globally, supporting Indorama Ventures and its customers in achieving their sustainability goals. 

Since beginning its recycling journey in 2011, Indorama Ventures has accelerated its impact. The company reached its first major milestone of 50 billion bottles recycled in March 2020 and doubled that figure to 100 billion bottles in 2023, just three and a half years later. Now the company has reached the 150 billion mark which reflects both growing global demand for recycled content and the company’s strategic investments in infrastructure, partnerships, and innovation to scale up recycling at speed. 

By recycling 150 billion PET bottles, Indorama Ventures has helped avoid an estimated 3.8 million tons of CO₂ emissions over the product lifecycle and diverted 2.8 million tons of plastic waste from landfills and the environment.  

By partnering with a wide network of collection organizations, Indorama Ventures ensures a consistent supply of high-quality post-consumer PET, supporting the integrity of circular supply chains. In parallel, the company works with leading technology providers to deploy advanced recycling solutions that improve processing efficiency and reduce environmental impact. 

As global demand for recycled materials grows, Indorama Ventures reaffirms its commitment to expanding recycling capacity, investing in innovation, and working with stakeholders across the value chain to accelerate the shift toward a circular economy.