From the Sector

Avient is introducing Dyneema SK80, a new HMPE fibre grade for mooring lines and offshore applications. According to the company, the fibre was engineered at polymer level to deliver at least twice the durability and fatigue resistance of Dyneema SK78 in demanding mooring applications.

The technological emphasis is therefore less on headline tensile strength than on service life under cyclic loading. In mooring systems, repeated load cycles, abrasion, bending stress and environmental exposure are major failure drivers. Improved fatigue resistance can therefore have a direct effect on maintenance intervals, operational safety and lifecycle costs.

The new fibre will be presented at SMM in Hamburg in early September. For Textination, the development is relevant because high-performance fibres are increasingly being positioned not only through weight and strength advantages, but through durability, reliability and the total cost of technical textile systems.

Located at the 7H Dyehouse in Kinnahult, Sweden, it represents a significant milestone in the company’s evolution, offering a fully operational environment where brands and manufacturers can experience the future of textile dyeing.

Imogo’s digital spray technology drastically reduces the use of water, energy and chemicals compared with traditional processes, while also lowering production costs.

“For early partners who have followed our journey, this opening marks the moment vision meets reality,” says CEO Joacim Wellander CEO. “While previous discussions have focused on the potential of spray dyeing, we are now fully equipped with the machinery, technical expertise, and operational experience to move projects from the lab to full-scale commercial production.”

The showroom features the latest generation of Imogo technology including both the Dye-max and Mini-max spray dyeing systems capable of handling both laboratory trials and full-scale production for fabrics up to 2.4 metres wide.

High volume production
Imogo is specialising in the coloration of natural fibres for both knitted and woven constructions, with chemistry optimised for the high-performance application of reactive dyes. The Dye-max line enables commercial high volume production, with a capacity of 1.5 metric tons per day.

“We are thrilled to welcome our early contacts and new partners to Kinnahult,” says Wellander at Imogo. “We’ve spent the last few years refining our process and our hardware and today, we aren’t just showing a concept but delivering a proven, high-capacity solution that helps the textile industry meet its urgent sustainability goals without compromising on quality or scale.”

“Imogo’s new showroom marks the third major new expansion from TMAS member in the past 12 months,” says TMAS Secretary General Therese Premler-Andersson. “It follows ACG’s expansion at its headquarters in Skene for advanced automation services, and the etsblishment of ReSpin’s new Holma Spinning Mill in Forsa. All three of these new facilties will play cricial role sin shaping the future of textile production technology through digital technologies with a sustainable future at their core.”

The imogo showroom is now open for bookings and the company is inviting industry stakeholders to witness the Dye-max technology in action, conduct trial runs on their own fabrics, and discuss how to integrate its efficiencies into their existing supply chains.”

From premium basics to fringes and sequins, right through to the return of capri pants and 90s-style denim: all the trends and price trends in the United States & Europe, according to data from Retviews by Lectra.

• Premium basics take center stage in Spring/Summer 2026 
• The 90s effect: capri pants (+62%) and flip-flops (+73%) lead the return to minimalism  However, maximalism persists: sequins (+40%) and fringe (+34%) are becoming increasingly widespread  
• Rising prices and premiumization strategies, with a new balance between value and aspiration 

As the summer season unfolds, the fashion industry is confirming a structural transformation that is already underway: the definitive shift towards ‘premiumization’. But what will be the key garments, the dominant trends, and how are prices evolving? 

Lectra – a leading provider of industrial technology solutions for the fashion market, has analyzed data from Retviews, its AI-powered solution specializing in competitive intelligence and automated benchmarking, to identify the latest fashion trends and how brands are adapting their strategies and pricing to navigate an increasingly complex landscape. 

“In a market characterized by more discerning consumers and growing competitive pressure, the real shift is the move from volume to value,” said Ketty Pillet, Lectra’s VP of Marketing, Americas. “Today, the fashion industry finds itself competing with spending on other experiences, from travel to dining, and this requires brands to strengthen their cultural and perceived value. At the same time, persistent cost pressures and differences between markets, such as between the United States and Europe, require increasingly targeted pricing and sourcing strategies. Thanks to Retviews’ insights, it is possible to interpret these dynamics and make more informed, growth-oriented decisions.” 
 
From T-shirts to sequins: the clash between minimalism and maximalism returns in the Spring/Summer (SS) 2026 collection 
While demand for essential, timeless pieces is on the rise, there is also a strong desire for self-expression. 

Retviews data shows that premium basics dominate the product ranges: T-shirts have seen a 41% increase (22% in the United States), whilst denim has risen by 47%. Shirts (up 13%) and outerwear (up 17%) remain must-haves, in line with a growing focus on versatility and durability. 

At the same time, however, maximalism is also making a comeback, bringing a touch of glamour to everyday wear. For this Spring/Summer season, sequins are up by 40% and fringe by 34%, a sign of an aesthetic that responds to the need for escapism and individuality, further fueled by the boom in resale and vintage fashion. 

1990s minimalism is dominating the season, driven by a renewed interest in streamlined, sophisticated dressing. The trend has been further fueled by the resurgence of style icon Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, following the release of the Love Story series. According to Retviews data, certain iconic items are enjoying a real resurgence, with capri pants (+62%), flip-flops (+73%) and stripes (+8%). 

Denim remains a must-have (+21% in product ranges), but its silhouettes are evolving: low-rise styles (+22%) and bootcut styles (+15%) are on the rise, whilst flares (+94%) and cargo jeans (+108%) are experiencing a real boom. In contrast, the popularity of baggy jeans is on the decline (-5%). 

Furthermore, there is also a strong functional element. The utility style, ranging from technical jackets to cargo pants (+8%) – is gaining ground in collections, reflecting a growing fusion of fashion, comfort and lifestyle. This trend can be attributed to the rise of the wellness culture and sports communities, which are increasingly influencing the language of everyday clothing. 

Color: between expressiveness and wearability 
For the SS 2026 collections, there is a strong trend, particularly in the mid-range segment, towards color palettes that are both expressive and versatile. According to Retviews data, orange stands out as one of the season’s fastest-growing shades (+150% year-on-year), driven by its influence on the catwalks of brands such as Chanel, Valentino, Dior, Prada and Loewe. Cherry red is also consolidating its presence (+50%), establishing itself as a livelier evolution of the burgundy seen in the previous season. 

At the same time, more versatile shades are emerging and continue to drive commercial performance. Blue has seen a 23% increase, boosted both by moments of high cultural visibility and by the prominence of denim and high-quality basics. Brown (+75%) remains one of the dominant colors, whilst the blue-brown combination has established itself as one of the season’s signature pairings, reflecting a broader trend towards understated, sophisticated and easy-to-wear palettes. 

Pricing trends: the new balance between premiumization and perceived value 
The Spring/Summer season confirms a trend that is now well established: the mass and mid-market segments are increasingly behaving like the luxury sector. Retviews data highlights double-digit price rises for players such as Zara and Gap, reflecting a gradual shift towards premiumization in the product range. This trend is reinforced by the intensification of collaborations with high-profile designers, from John Galliano for Zara to Zac Posen for Gap, right through to Stella McCartney’s return with H&M, which boost the creative credibility of mass-market brands and justify further price rises. This is a ‘high-low’ model, in which an aspirational approach coexists with affordability, giving rise to long-term premiumization strategies. 

2026 marks the triumph of conscious spending: people are buying less, but better, prioritizing quality, durability and versatility. This is reflected in the growth of premium basics, the rise in average prices (outerwear +9% in the EU, +17% in the US; shirts +4% in the EU, +9% in the US) and in the renewed momentum of denim, with ranges expanding significantly in the EU (+50% year-on-year) and prices rising (+7% in the EU, +1% in the US), a sign of the premiumization of essential garments. In this context, ‘value’ takes center stage: according to recent PWC data, 74% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable and traceable products. 

Overall, a definitive shift is becoming apparent: mass-market and mid-market collections are now structurally more expensive than they were two years ago, not as a result of temporary fluctuations, but due to a strategic repositioning. In this context, a brand’s success will depend on its ability to interpret the concept of value in a credible way, translating it into desirable, durable products that meet the expectations of an increasingly discerning consumer. 

Fashion for Good announced the launch of Project DW(O)R-X, a collaborative initiative designed to benchmark PFAS alternative durable water- and oil-repellent (DW(O)R) chemistries. Responding to growing market demand for alternatives to PFAS based finishes, the project aims to generate reliable, comparable data that can support informed sourcing decisions and the assessment of emerging chemistries.

Historically, durable water- and oil-repellent (DW(O)R) finishes have been used to help materials stay dry, clean and durable over time. Some formulations have contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of chemicals characterised by their high persistence. As a result, PFAS can remain in the environment for extended periods, bioaccumulate in humans and ecosystems, and have been associated with adverse health effects when exposure exceeds established thresholds. 

Despite the momentum towards PFAS-based alternatives, several challenges remain. First, many currently available alternatives do not match the oil repellency and long-term durability of PFAS-based finishes. Second, there is currently no unified approach to assessing performance, and existing protocols do not always reflect real-world use, making meaningful comparisons between solutions difficult. Third, current benchmarks no longer reflect the capabilities of today’s PFAS alternative solutions; updated benchmarks are needed to identify leading solutions and understand performance gaps, to help inform R&D and scale-up efforts. Finally, as the industry works to identify suitable alternatives, it is essential to carefully assess their environmental and health impacts to minimise the risk of regrettable substitution, where one problematic substance  is replaced by another without sufficient understanding.

To address these core challenges, Project DW(O)R-X will benchmark nine PFAS alternative solutions, ranging from early-stage innovations to established chemistries, across three dimensions: performance, environmental impact, and cost. To support this, project partners have developed a performance framework designed to better reflect real-world use by incorporating multi-condition testing and custom stains relevant to sportswear and outerwear, including soil, sunscreen, and sweat. 

This approach will enable the group to test a performance framework built on combining various standardised methods. The insights generated can help establish a common reference point for the industry: brands and mills can use it to inform internal decision-making, while chemical companies can rely on it to substantiate performance claims.

The project brings together an exciting group of industry stakeholders, including leading brands adidas and C&A, manufacturing partners Shahi Exports, Paradise Textiles, Positive Materials and Wujiang Fuhua Fabric Co., alongside technology providers Archroma, Daikin Chemicals Europe, Dow, Dryfiber, Jintex, Lamoral Coatings, Pulcra Chemicals, Rudolf, and vandeyk.tech. Performance testing will be conducted by SGS. 

“The challenge for the whole industry isn’t just phasing out PFAS: it’s ensuring we don’t replace it with something equally concerning that we understand less well. Right now, brands and mills are navigating this transition without updated benchmarks to compare these alternatives. Project DW(O)R-X gives them the data they need: performance testing that reflects real-world use, comprehensive impact assessment, and a better understanding of cost structures. This is how we enable informed decisions and genuine progress toward safer chemistry at scale.” Katrin Ley, Managing Director at Fashion for Good.
 
“We have not allowed the intentional use of PFAS in our products for many years. However, phasing out PFAS across the sector requires coordinated action across the value chain. A responsible transition depends on shared changes in manufacturing practices, supported by accessible and reliable alternatives that are understood and available at scale. Project DW(O)RX provides a rigorous benchmarking framework to evaluate alternatives across performance, environmental impact and cost. By collaborating with other brands and partners, we are contributing to a shared knowledge base that supports progress towards safer chemistry, while maintaining the quality and durability our customers expect.” C&A External Affairs

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Brazilian representative BRASTEMA TECNOLOGIA TEXTIL LTDA., will exhibit at the Brazilian Textile Industry Fair (FEBRATEX 2026) this month. On display will be a roundup of SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting technology, represented by WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines featuring a brand-new model with high productivity and excellent cost performance, a glove knitting machine and the latest digital solutions. In addition, visitors will be able to explore a wide range of knit samples demonstrating the potential of advanced knitting technology for industries beyond fashion apparel, including technical textiles and industrial applications. 

The flagship SWG-XR® WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machine features the company's original SlideNeedle™ on four needle beds supporting a wide range of high-quality WHOLEGARMENT® knitting in all needles. N.SVR®183 is a conventional V-bed machine capable of WHOLEGARMENT® knitting in every other needle. 

In addition, the SWG®091N2 “Mini” machine provides opportunities in WHOLEGARMENT® knitting across a wide range of items in a compact, economical package. The N.SSR® series, SHIMA SEIKI’s global standard in shaped knitting, features a brand-new model, which will be shown for the first time in Brazil at FEBRATEX. The N.SSR®132 features a 52-inch (132 cm) knitting width to accommodate larger sizes, offering the flexibility required for responding to diverse customer and market needs at an economical price-range, all while maintaining Made-in-Japan SHIMA SEIKI quality and reliability. N.SSR®072 is the new global standard machine that specializes in knitting of jacquard collars. Made-in-Japan quality, reliability, productivity, user-friendliness and cost-performance combine to satisfy high expectations placed by the world's fashion industry. N.SIR®123SP features a special loop presser bed with inlay capability and is capable of producing unique knit-weave hybrid fabrics as well as technical textiles. The SVR®202 features tandem knitting capability whose twin carriages can be used together for double-system knitting, or used separately for single-system knitting of two identical pieces in tandem. The SFG®-I glove knitting machine rounds out SHIMA SEIKI's comprehensive knitting machine exhibit. 

In addition to machine technology, presentations will be made on SDS® KnitPaint-Online knit software, the proven software used by knitting companies across the globe to create knitting data for programming SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting machines. Also demonstrated will be APEXFiz® subscription design software that supports the creative side of knitting from planning and design to realistic textile simulation and 3D virtual sampling of products. Virtual samples are a digitized version of sample making that are accurate enough to be used effectively as prototypes, replacing physical sampling and consequently reducing time, cost and material that otherwise go to waste. When a design is approved for production, knitting data which is automatically generated can be easily transferred to SDS® KnitPaint-Online for converting into machine data, digitally bridging the gap between design and production. APEXFiz® and SDS® KnitPaint-Online therefore help to realize sustainability while digitally transforming the supply chain.

SGL Carbon and X-energy announced a binding agreement to double SGL’s production capacity for medium-grain isotropic graphite (“NBG-18”), a specialized material central to X-energy’s Xe-100 high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. X-energy and SGL Carbon’s agreement would expand the supply chain for a critical long-lead material, supporting execution of X-energy’s commercial pipeline.

Under the agreement, X-energy will invest up to $8 million in milestone-based payments to support new facilities and equipment upgrades at SGL’s site in Chedde, France, enabling the facility to produce graphite billets for up to eight new Xe-100 reactors per year. SGL Carbon has concurrently agreed to expand U.S. capacity for machining of billets into graphite blocks, helping to ensure greater supply chain continuity for a safety-critical material. Full execution would double European manufacturing capacity for NBG-18 by 2030, with additional capacity investments under consideration across multiple regions to further debottleneck initial billet production.

The expansion builds on a 10-year Supplier Framework Agreement established in January 2026, which included an initial three-year award valued at over $100 million for X-energy’s first commercial projects. The first NBG-18 graphite blocks produced under this award at SGL’s site in Chedde have since been shipped to SGL sites in the United States, for machining into components. This follows a successful prototyping campaign which began earlier this year, consisting of non-nuclear testing and validation at X-energy’s Technology and Advancement Center in Frederick, Maryland (USA) in advance of final production.

“Commercializing new nuclear at scale rests first and foremost on our ability to significantly expand the new nuclear supply chain, a challenge that extends beyond any one company, supplier, or nation,” said J. Clay Sell, CEO of X-energy. “We look forward to driving this work forward with SGL, and to engaging with potential partners who share our bold vision for a robust, resilient, U.S. and allied nuclear supply chain.”

“By jointly expanding our production capacity for nuclear-grade graphite, we are reinforcing the importance of our partnership and ensuring reliable supply to X-energy. For SGL Carbon, this agreement is a strategically important step that strengthens our position in the highly specialized growth market for nuclear-grade graphite, underscores the importance of our graphite expertise for safety-critical applications, and opens up attractive opportunities for further growth,” said Andreas Klein, CEO of SGL Carbon.

NBG-18 is a nuclear-grade graphite central to the Xe-100 design, functioning as a neutron moderator, and a structural component of the pebble-bed core. The material was first developed for South Africa's Pebble Bed Modular Reactor program, and later the U.S. Department of Energy's (“DOE”) Next Generation Nuclear Plant project, two direct predecessors to X-energy’s Xe-100. Through these, X-energy’s and SGL Carbon’s own initiatives, NBG-18 has undergone extensive qualification work for commercial nuclear operation, gathering operational data that helps to validate the material’s performance over decades of high-temperature operation.

Initial NBG-18 production is intended to support X-energy’s first commercial deployment of the Xe-100 reactor, a proposed four-unit plant in partnership with Dow Chemical Company under the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program of the United States Department of Energy (DOE), with additional capacity secured for follow-on projects to support manufacturing readiness for safety-critical, long-lead materials. SGL Carbon’s and X-energy’s partnership is part of a growing, diversified portfolio of experienced suppliers supporting Xe-100 deployment, as well as the continued development of a global industrial supply chain.