From the Sector

Sports shoes made from algae, leggings made from mushrooms, filtering (diesel) oil from water, 4D textiles, recyclable, sustainable and featuring AI – this is what the ITA Group is presenting at three individual stands run by ITA Aachen, ITA Augsburg gGmbH and ITA Technologietransfer GmbH on the joint stand of Elmatex in hall 12.0 D05.

ITA Aachen embraces the concept of sustainability and, through its exhibits, presents solutions to specific contemporary challenges:

1. 4D-printed textiles
   4D textiles are textile structures capable of selectively altering their shape or function over time. The ‘fourth dimension’ refers to their response to external stimuli such as temperature, humidity, light or electrical impulses. These are typically based on active materials such as shape-memory polymers, shape-memory alloys or hygroscopic fibres, which are integrated into textile structures. Their role lies in the development of adaptive, functional systems: from climate-regulating clothing and textile-based actuators in soft robotics to self-deploying or medical applications. 4D textiles transform textiles from passive flat structures into responsive, intelligent systems.
2. AlgaeTex sports shoe
   Algae have immense potential as a bio-based raw material to replace petroleum in synthetic textiles: they grow rapidly and can absorb carbon dioxide more efficiently than other bio-based raw materials derived from land plants. Furthermore, their cultivation requires less land – including land unsuitable for other crops – and avoids the use of pesticides. The use of algae as a renewable resource for the production of biopolymers and textiles circumvents the challenges of competing with low fuel prices by creating higher-value applications. In this way, the German textile industry can act as a catalyst for the shift away from fossil fuels towards a bioeconomy in which algae represent an important source of biomass.
   
   The AlgaeTex project demonstrates that the production of thermoplastic biopolymers from algae for textile applications is technically feasible. These novel biopolymers are melt-spun and processed into high-quality textiles that are of significance to the sporting goods industry, such as knitted shoe uppers or T-shirts. 
3. Visionary Agrotextiles
   Agrotextiles are of particular importance for specialised crops such as strawberries, lettuce and kohlrabi, as they have a significant influence on growing conditions. For instance, they can raise soil temperature, channel water to the plants and protect seedlings from external influences, particularly during early growth stages. Agrotextiles consist almost exclusively of petrochemically produced polymers that are not biodegradable. This demonstrator therefore showcases a carded fleece made from biodegradable polymers, which is used to bring forward the harvest in strawberry fields. In the same crop but serving a different purpose, a monofilament net is on display; its deep red colour and a coating of ultra-fine silicate particles serve to protect the plants from invasive insect species.
4. Bionic Oil Adsorber
   On various biological surfaces, oil is adsorbed from the water’s surface and transported along floating leaves.
   ITA postdoctoral researcher Dr Leonie Beek has transferred this effect to a technical textile using her Bionic Oil Adsorber (BOA), which, at maturity level 4, can remove up to 4 litres of diesel per hour from the water.
   
   The BOA differs from technical solutions in that the oil-water separation takes place without external energy and without toxic substances. The work on the BOA has been recognised with the Bionics Award – only in German available - and the Paul Schlack Prize.
5. BioPEtex – A PE-based, solution-dyed and sustainable T-shirt made from organic raw materials
   In the multi-billion-pound fibre market, fossil-based polyesters (PES) dominate the clothing sector, accounting for 52% of the market. Unfortunately, PET, the most commonly used PES, cannot be produced on an industrial scale as 100% bio-based material, unlike polyethylene (PE). Bio-based PE (bioPE), a drop-in polymer derived from fermented starches or sugars, has properties identical to those of fossil-based PE and is easily recyclable. It is also more cost-effective than other biopolymers used in fibres and can be processed at lower temperatures, which saves energy. Solution-dyed bioPE offers significant environmental benefits: it consumes 50% less energy and water than conventional dyeing processes and emits 60% less CO2.
   
   Life cycle assessments (LCA) predict that PE could significantly reduce the textile industry’s ecological footprint, with solution-dyed bio-PE further enhancing this reduction. Furthermore, PE textiles are IR-transparent and thus provide passive cooling for the body.
   
   Despite these advantages, PE is not yet used in the clothing industry. Preliminary research findings from the ITA suggest that PE can be processed into spun, dyed filaments and knitted fabrics with promising textures. The T-shirt on display is spun and dyed and features an elastic surface made from bio-based raw materials. A bio-based elastic finish enhances the T-shirt, which is made from a single source and is thermomechanically recyclable. Contact: Mathias.Ortega@ita.rwth-aachen.de
6. FungalFibers – Leggings
   Against a backdrop of limited resources such as oil, water and arable land, as well as increasing environmental degradation and potential for conflict, there is significant social and commercial interest in providing competitive, socially and environmentally sustainable alternative raw materials for the textile industry. The aim of this project is to develop a completely new process chain for the production of bio-based, vegan textiles from chitosan fibres (filament and staple fibre yarns).
   
   Chitosan is chemically closely related to chitin, the second most abundant substance in nature after cellulose. It occurs naturally in a variety of sources: in insects, crab and shellfish shells, and as a structural component of the cell walls of all fungi. Chitin can therefore be obtained from by-products of crab meat production, insect protein or fungal biomass waste from industrial processes. Chitosan, in turn, can be easily produced from chitin through deacetylation. Contact: Leonie.Beek@ita.rwth-aachen.de.
   
   ITA Group will be presenting the latest developments in sustainable textile products and production processes at Techtextil 2026, taking place from 21 to 24 April 2026 in Frankfurt am Main. The exhibits from ITA Augsburg gGmbH and ITA Technologietransfer GmbH will be on display at the Elmatex joint stand in Hall 12.0, Booth D05.

ITA Group will showcase various approaches to mechanical and thermo-mechanical recycling, addressing potential applications in the textile, materials and automotive industries. ITA Augsburg gGmbH, which specialises in mechanical textile recycling, will present innovations in the fields of composites, mechanical textile recycling and artificial intelligence in production. These include sound and thermal insulation panels from the “IsoTex” project, a towel from the “EcoYarn” recycling project, and the “ColoSens” demonstrator, an AI-based solution for automated colour recognition of fibres in the recycling process.

ITA Technologietransfer GmbH demonstrates thermo-mechanical recycling using numerous examples within the Fabric2Fabric cycle. Using a 3D-printed car seat demonstrator as an example, the recyclable filament yarns are incorporated into a seat cover.

In addition, ITA Technologietransfer GmbH is showcasing its patented ‘Textile Anchor’ concept, an innovative anchoring system designed to protect and secure structures in geotechnical environments such as mountains, in the ground and underwater, as well as for use in building construction. The textile anchor offers an ultra-lightweight solution with high flexibility and optimal adaptability, and is manufactured from extremely durable or biodegradable and sustainable textiles.

At ITA Group’s ‘shared booth’, ITA Technologietransfer GmbH will be providing information on innovations from various industrial partners:

• technofibres s.a. from Luxembourg offers solution-dyed PET and sustainable trPET filament yarns with a wide range of matting levels, filament cross-sections and packaging options for bespoke solutions, even in the smallest batch sizes, making it unique in Europe.
• Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. from Japan offers Xarec™, a syndiotactic polystyrene (SPS) fibre for use in fabrics and nonwovens. The advantages of this semi-crystalline high-performance material, which acquires its syndiotactic structure through the polymerisation of polystyrene and a metallocene catalyst, are demonstrated in nonwoven samples for the filtration sector in comparison with conventional materials.
• The Swedish company Luma Wire Tech AB is an innovative specialist in fine wires, with expertise in advanced plating. Each wire, ranging from 4 to 300 microns and produced from tungsten, molybdenum, or other advanced materials, is tailored to meet each customer’s specific needs— available either uncoated or with high-performance coatings of gold, silver, palladium, or other.

Organic waste accounts for around 50% of municipal waste in Spain. Current treatment methods, such as composting or biogas production, do not generate products with sufficient economic value to offset management costs. In response to this environmental and economic challenge, VEGANCELIO has emerged—a project led by AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre—which proposes a solution aligned with the circular economy and the bioeconomy.

The project, funded by the Valencian Institute of Competitiveness and Innovation (IVACE+i) with ERDF funds, aims to develop advanced technologies to recover value from organic waste by converting it into two key products: vegan leather made from fungal mycelium, intended for the textile sector, and chitosan microcapsules with cosmetic applications, capable of encapsulating active ingredients with antioxidant effects and controlled release.

VEGANCELIO is structured around a comprehensive technological approach that includes the production of fungal mycelium from organic waste, the sustainable extraction of chitosan from fungal biomass using chemical and enzymatic methods, the manufacture of vegan leather by optimising plasticisers and processes such as extrusion, and the development of chitosan and hybrid microcapsules for dermocosmetic applications. Furthermore, the project envisages knowledge transfer to the plastics, textile and cosmetics sectors in the Valencian Community, with the potential to replicate the model in other industries and for other types of waste with a similar composition.

The project involves collaboration with Tejidos Royo S.L., which specialises in the manufacture of textile materials, and DERMOPARTNERS S.L., an expert in the formulation of dermocosmetic products. Both companies provide valuable industrial and market insights, actively participating in the definition of technical parameters, specialist advice and the validation of the materials developed. Their involvement ensures the practical and commercial viability of the processes, strengthening the potential for the real-world application of the project’s results.

“The products developed in VEGANCELIO respond to a real market demand, which allows the applied technologies to be made profitable. The project represents an opportunity for companies implementing these results to position themselves as leaders in sustainability and innovation,” explains Pablo Ferrero, lead researcher in Biotechnology at AIMPLAS.

VEGANCELIO’s comprehensive approach not only contributes to the reduction of organic waste and greenhouse gas emissions but also promotes the production of materials free from harmful substances, fostering sustainable, profitable and scalable processes. The project reduces reliance on imported raw materials and positions the Valencian Community as a leader in sustainable innovation.

VEGANCELIO joins other initiatives led by AIMPLAS that promote waste recovery and the development of sustainable materials, consolidating its role as a driver of innovation.

Under its Neumag brand, Barmag will present its technologies for the production of nonwovens for filter media at this year’s FILTECH. The main focus is on solutions for producing high-performance filter media at competitive costs. Here, Neumag excels in both the meltblown sector and with its spunbond solutions. 

Meltblown technology for the highest quality requirements 
Neumag’s meltblown technology enables the efficient and straightforward production of high - performance nonwovens for filtration, insulation, and sorption applications. A wide variety of polymers can be processed—from classic polyolefins such as PP and PE, through PET, PLA, PBT, and PA, to specialty plastics like PPS or TPU. All of these and other raw materials can be processed safely and reliably using the Neumag meltblown process. 

The hycuTEC hydrocharging technology, which was honored with the Edana Filtrex Innovation Award, enables the production of particularly high-performance electret filter media. This allows the pressure drop of a typical FFP2 filter medium to be reduced to less than a quarter. “Filtration efficiencies of over 99.99% are easily achievable with standard media weighing around 35 g/m² and a maximum pressure drop of 35 Pa,” explains Andreas Frisch, Regional Sales Director Nonwoven. “Furthermore, the additional drying step is eliminated in most applications—another advantage of this innovative technology,” he adds. 

Spunbond solutions for high-performance filter concepts 
Spunbond nonwovens are becoming increasingly important in filtration—both as carrier materials and as standalone filter media. By tailoring nonwoven structures specifically to the task at hand, customer - specific requirements can be precisely met. It is also possible to combine multiple functions within a single layer. 

In particular, the company’s long-standing expertise in bicomponent spinning processes opens up new possibilities in the design of innovative nonwoven structures. The Neumag Bico spunbond process allows for the combination of different fiber cross-sections as well as the simultaneous production of different fibers from one or more polymers on a single line. The spectrum ranges from classic core-sheath and side-by-side filaments to split fibers and so-called mixed fibers.

Fibre Extrusion Technology Limited (FET) will be exhibiting once again at Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt, which runs from April 21 – 24. Techtextil attracts major international companies at the cutting edge of technology, which are seeking innovative solutions to technical challenges, so this event represents an ideal opportunity to demonstrate FET’s strength in helping customers achieve their goals.

FET is an acknowledged leader in laboratory and pilot melt spinning equipment for a vast range of applications. These include precursor materials used in high value technical textiles, sportswear, medical devices and specialised novel fibres from exotic and difficult to process polymers. 

Where melt spinning solutions are not suitable, FET provides a viable alternative with pilot and small scale production wet spinning systems. In addition, FET has also recently launched its FET-500 Series of gel spinning systems. These systems have the potential to revolutionise the research and development of UHMWPE fibres, with significant savings in cost, footprint and environmental factors.

As part of the launch of the FET-500 series, FET’s Senior Scientist Dr Kristoffer Kortsen will be a speaker at the Techtextil Forum on Wednesday 22 April. All visitors are invited to come along and find out more about FET’s new process exploiting super-critical fluids. To date, FET has successfully processed over 130 different polymer types in multifilament, monofilament and nonwoven formats, collaborating with specialist companies worldwide to promote greater sustainability through innovative manufacturing processes.

FET’s Fibre Development Centre further enhances this service, allowing clients to trial their own products in an ideal environment. Resident equipment in the Fibre Development Centre reflects the wide range of fibre extrusion and other systems offered by FET to clients worldwide and will enable continued growth of the company through innovation.  

Managing Director Richard Slack and his technical team will be in attendance on the stand. Slack commented. “We have now exhibited at over 10 Techtextil exhibitions around the world and we again look forward to meeting customers face-to-face to discuss their fibre technology requirements.”

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, will present a portfolio of six sustainable denim innovations at Kingpins Amsterdam from April 15-16, 2026. Under the theme “Creating Possibilities in Denim”, the showcase reflects Archroma’s commitment to giving brands and mills solutions that are as commercially compelling as they are environmentally responsible.

“Denim leaders are strongly motivated to reduce environmental impact, but cannot afford to sacrifice market appeal or production efficiency,” Julio Perales, Technical & Product Segment Manager Denim, Archroma, said. “At Archroma, we continuously challenge conventions, with an R&D philosophy that accepts nothing less than eliminating hazardous chemicals and processes while simultaneously improving performance and reducing resource use. That’s how we have built such a broad portfolio of game-changing solutions.”

At Kingpins Amsterdam, visitors can explore:

CLEANER DYESTUFFS
Archroma denim dyes address the most persistent challenges in indigo and sulfur dyeing – from hazardous impurities to resource-intensive synthesis processes.

• DENISOL® PURE INDIGO: The industry’s first synthetic aniline-free* indigo makes it possible to produce authentic indigo-dyed denim that complies with major eco-standards, reduces pollution risk and creates denim that can be more sustainably recycled.
• DIRESUL® EVOLUTION BLACK: Archroma's cleanest sulfur black dyestuff ever – and the winner of the 2023 Just Style Excellence Award for Innovation in Dyes – delivers an overall lifecycle impact reduction of 57%** versus standard Sulfur Black 1, with no ammonia, no sodium salts waste, no liquid effluents and 73% less water in synthesis.
• DIRESUL® RDT: With a comprehensive bluesign®-approved sulfur dye palette spanning blues, blacks, navies, khakis and fashion colors, DIRESUL® RDT supports topping, bottoming and self-shade applications across the full range of denim styles.

CIRCULAR COLORANTS
Archroma's biosynthetic dye ranges replace petroleum-based raw materials with upcycled waste streams, turning circular economy principles into commercially deployable color solutions.

• EARTHCOLORS®: A patented range of biosynthetic dyes derived from non-edible agricultural and herbal waste (such as leaves and nutshells), EarthColors® helps reduce the negative impact on water footprint, natural resources and climate change.
• FIBERCOLORS®: Synthesized with a minimum of 50% wool waste raw material, FiberColor® solves a problem for sheep farmers while advancing sustainability for brands.

UPSTREAM DYEING INNOVATION
Winner of the ITMF 2025 Sustainability & Innovation Award, DENIM HALO is a yarn pretreatment and dyeing process that enables superficial ring-dyeing at the denim mill. This allows downstream garment laundries to achieve popular high-contrast distressed effects by laser or washdown – avoiding the hazardous potassium permanganate sprays, hand scraping and harsh bleaching these looks have traditionally required.

“Impact assessments using Archroma’s One Way Impact Calculator show substantial environmental benefits for DENIM HALO versus standard processes,” Julio explained. “But even better, DENIM HALO doesn’t require mills to choose between sustainability and business performance. It’s designed to work within existing mill workflows, so there’s no need to modify standard dye recipes or set up. And it actually improves fabric performance by reducing yarn shrinkage and boosting garment tensile strength.”

The LYCRA Company,  a global leader in developing fiber and technology solutions for the apparel and personal care industries, announced that it has entered into a restructuring support agreement (“RSA”) with the overwhelming majority of its creditors to eliminate approximately $1.2 billion of long-term debt and establish a sustainable capital structure that will recapitalize the Company and position it for long-term financial stability and growth.

The RSA has overwhelming support from holders of the Company’s senior secured term loan, 16.000% Senior Secured Notes, and 7.500% Senior Secured Notes, who have agreed to vote in favor of a prepackaged plan of reorganization (the “Prepackaged Plan”). To implement the Prepackaged Plan, the Company and certain of its affiliates, have filed a voluntary prepackaged Chapter 11 case in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.

The Prepackaged Plan reflects a consensual agreement reached over the course of several months of productive discussions with the Company’s key financial creditors. Given the near unanimous support of its stakeholders, the Company expects to complete its financial restructuring expeditiously and emerge from the Chapter 11 process within 45 days.

“The LYCRA Company’s products have long been a symbol of quality, delivering benefits like lasting comfort, fit, and performance across a wide variety of apparel and personal care applications,” said Gary Smith, Chief Executive Officer of The LYCRA Company. “Today marks a significant milestone for The LYCRA Company as we are taking decisive action to meaningfully reduce our debt and strengthen our financial foundation. By taking this step, we will continue serving our customers, supporting our partners, and providing the high-quality products on which they rely. I want to thank our team members for their ongoing dedication and our loyal customers and partners for their continued support throughout the process.”

The Company is seeking customary "first day" relief that will enable it to operate in the ordinary course of business throughout the restructuring process. As part of these first day motions, the Company will seek approval to continue to pay all valid amounts owed to vendors and suppliers in full in the ordinary course of business. To support these ordinary course operations, the Company has obtained commitments for $75 million in debtor-in-possession financing (“DIP Financing”) and more than $75 million in exit financing, which is poised to refinance the DIP Financing, providing the Company with capital upon completion of the Chapter 11 process.

From April 21 to 24, 2026, the Trützschler Group will present its future‑ready solutions at Techtextil in Frankfurt, Germany. Trützschler Nonwovens will showcase its latest developments for efficient nonwovens production, including comprehensive service and consulting solutions. Highlights include the fully upgraded X‑Series nonwoven cards suitable for spunlace, needle‑punching and air‑through bonding (ATB) processes, as well as the T‑ONE digital working environment enhanced with new features. Trützschler Card Clothing will complement the presentation with a new card wire designed with a specially engineered surface for high‑performance nonwoven applications. Visitors can also take a closer look at Trützschler’s complete solution for the recycling of textile waste, TRUECYCLED. 

Trützschler Nonwovens
The T-SUPREMA needle punching line has proven its performance in the market, with lines successfully operating at two customer sites since early this year. It demonstrates the exceptional versatility of needle-punched nonwovens, covering basis weights from below 50 gsm to above 2,000 gsm. New streamlined configurations featuring the compact NC-Xe card further reduce the footprint while ensuring high process stability and consistent product quality.

Beyond complete line solutions, Trützschler Nonwovens will showcase upgrades to its single machine portfolio, including the X-Series nonwovens cards (the high-speed card NCT-X, the versatile NC-X and the compact NC-Xe), the MPD high-performance dryer and the new compact AquaJet-X. These developments are designed to combine compact machine concepts with high operational reliability and outstanding performance.

At Techtextil 2026, Trützschler Nonwovens will also highlight its advanced ATB technology for hygiene applications. The process enables the reliable processing of ultra fine fibers down to 0.4 dtex, producing exceptionally soft nonwovens that meet the highest requirements for softness and performance in baby diaper applications.

T‑ONE, Trützschler Nonwovens’ digital working environment, serves as a powerful digital backbone for any nonwoven line. New enhancements include an energy management function for real‑time monitoring of electricity and gas consumption and CO₂ footprint calculation per time unit, roll or order, as well as camera‑based anomaly detection that identifies fiber migration and accumulations at an early stage. This helps to prevent unplanned downtime while improving process stability and production transparency.

With tailored modernization and development solutions, Trützschler Nonwovens supports manufacturers in optimizing existing installations and translating new product ideas into stable, industrial scale production. Application-specific consulting enables higher efficiency, increased output and longer service life – without compromising quality.

Trützschler Card Clothing (TCC): Next‑generation card clothing for demanding nonwovens applications
Visitors can experience top nonwovens performance with our high-efficiency card clothing. Our TCC experts will present our latest innovation: a new wire with special surface designed for Hygiene, Spunlace and ATB applications. It ensures cleaner operation, less contamination and reduced downtime - delivering maximum productivity for your line. More details will be revealed at the exhibition – don’t miss this opportunity to see it first hand. 

Trützschler Spinning: TRUECYCLED – the complete solution for textile recycling    
Visitors can also learn more about TRUECYCLED, Trützschler’s complete solution for the recycling of textile waste. It covers the complete process: from cutting and tearing textile waste to carding and drawing secondary fibers. Based on Trützschler’s technological recommendations and a Trützschler machinery line-up, it ensures the best possible quality of the end product. 

Nostalgia was king at the 42nd annual Cornell Fashion Collective (CFC) Spring Runway Show, complete with a crown.

Collections at the March 21 show in Barton Hall paid homage to well-loved storybooks and designers’ childhood memories and cultural backgrounds. A total of 42 students showed their work, including nine seniors who designed full collections.

“Nostalgia is my favorite feeling,” said Madison Feely ’26, a fashion design management major in the College of Human Ecology (CHE), who referenced childhood classics including “Where the Wild Things Are” (with an illustrated sweater and crocheted crown), “Little Women,” “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” in her collection, “Homebody.” “My designs celebrate a well-lived and well-loved childhood, honoring the authors and illustrators who allow me to relive it each time I open their books.”

For the past two years, Feely has been the student assistant for the Shima Seiki knitting machine, gaining experience with knit programming and knitwear design. She paired the machine knit pieces with labor-intensive crochet and hand-pieced quilting techniques. She also made matching earrings out of Shrinky Dink paper.

Meanwhile Ana Mocklar ’26, an information science major in the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, took a page from Moe Willems’ series of pigeon books for “Don’t Let the Pigeon Design a Collection,” with eight whimsical looks each representing a city mishap, based on a trip to New York City. “The Puddle Pigeon” featured beads that portrayed rain falling off an umbrella skirt; “The Cat Attack Pigeon” had large slashes shown by red pleats on the jacket and pants; and “The Takeout Bag Pigeon,” had red lettering with the words “Thank you!” and “Have a Nice Day!” across the shoulders.

CHE fashion design major Lucy Jones ’26 reflected her experience growing up in Los Angeles in her collection, “Crosseyed and Painless.” T-shirts emblazoned with the words “Cable TV” and “Around Six PM” were juxtaposed with plaid shorts and minidresses.

Other collections took root in memories from across the globe. In “<Neighborhood>”, CHE fashion design major Andy (Seungjoo) Kim ’26 imagined what traditional Korean neighborhoods would look like if they had persisted today. “Mare,” by Julia Schanen ’26, a mathematics major in the College of Arts and Sciences, evoked her Romanian heritage, using natural fabrics like silk, leather and wool. The wool came from small farms in Ithaca and Michigan, and she sourced the silks from various locations, including a class trip to India and Sri Lanka in January. She purchased all the leather wholesale, because it was deemed too damaged to sell at retail, and used many upcycled and salvaged antique remnants. 

“I’m always so inspired by the past and incorporated antique trims and accessories into my collection,” she said. Every look required handwork, and the materials were delicate and required handling with a lot of care.

Kylie Gillen ’26, a fashion design major in CHE, blended her experience and cultural heritage to create her collection, which sought to preserve traditional Japanese practices through contemporary forms, materials and perspectives. Patterns resembling traditional woodblock prints graced long flowing trains. 

“Permanence is not about resisting change but about allowing tradition to evolve and stay meaningful in modern life,” she said. 

The Italian textile machinery industry is gearing up for a key event on the international trade fair calendar: Techtextil 2026, taking place from April 21–24 in Frankfurt, Germany. A prestigious representation of Italian companies will participate in the German exhibition—a global benchmark for technical and innovative textiles—to present cutting-edge technologies dedicated to an ever-expanding market.

Italy confirms its position among the world leaders in the textile machinery sector, thanks to a solid and highly specialized production system. The industry stands out for its strong international vocation, with a predominant share of production destined for foreign markets (86% of its sales) and a consolidated presence in over 130 countries. This places the country among the top global exporters of textile technology, renowned for its quality, innovation, and reliability.

In the first eleven months of 2025, sales in Germany have already reached 81 million euros. Among the most requested technologies, accessories stand out (36%), followed by finishing machinery (33%)—the latter being essential for the production processes of the most innovative textile sectors.

The strength of Italian textile machinery lies in its dynamic structure, composed of small-to-medium-sized companies that are heavily oriented toward Research & Development. This flexibility allows Italian manufacturers to collaborate closely with end-users, transforming customer needs into highly personalized and versatile technological solutions.

“The growing demand for innovative textiles across various industrial fields is further consolidating our manufacturers’ position,” emphasizes Marco Salvadè, President of ACIMIT. “At Techtextil 2026, the Italian offering will once again demonstrate how the combination of high technology and customization capabilities is the key to meeting the challenges of the technical textiles sector.”

Italian expertise, rooted in historic districts such as Bergamo, Biella, Brescia, Como, Milan, Prato, and Vicenza, continues to guarantee standards of quality and reliability that make Made in Italy a point of reference for the entire global industry.

The ACIMIT associate companies present in the Italy Pavilion include: Aeris S.r.l., Aigle S.r.l., Beschi S.r.l., Bettarini & Serafini S.r.l., Bonino S.r.l., Castello S.r.l., Ferraro S.p.A., Gemata S.p.A., Gualchieri e Gualchieri S.r.l., Guarneri Technology S.r.l., Idealtech S.r.l., IMA S.p.A., Lonati S.p.A., Mariplast S.p.A., MCS Officina Meccanica S.p.A., Monti-Mac S.r.l., M.T.V. S.r.l., Noseda S.r.l., OMMI S.r.l., Ramatex Italia S.r.l., Ramina S.r.l., Salvadè S.r.l., Simet S.r.l., S.R.S. Spindle Research & Service S.r.l., Stalam S.p.A., Tecnomeccanica Biellese S.r.l., Tecnorama S.r.l., Texera S.r.l., Ugolini S.r.l., Unitech Industries S.r.l., Zanfrini S.r.l..

The strength of the Italian presence is further confirmed by ACIMIT associate members exhibiting at individual stands or through local retailers, including:  A.Piovan S.r.l., Autefa Solutions Italy, Bianco S.p.A., Cormatex S.r.l., Dell’orco & Villani S.r.l., Emme S.r.l., Fadis S.p.A., Itema S.p.A., Lawer S.p.A., LGL Electronics S.p.A., Mesdan S.p.A., Monti Antonio S.p.A., O.M.R. S.r.l., Ratti Luino S.r.l., Siltex S.r.l., Texilmesa S.r.l., Texnology S.r.l., Toscana Spazzole Industriali S.r.l., Willy Italiana S.r.l., Zappa Macchine S.r.l..

Hexcel Corporation announced that James (Jamie) Coogan has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective May 1, 2026. He will report to Tom Gentile, Hexcel Chairman, CEO and President. Coogan succeeds Mike Lenz who has been serving as interim Chief Financial Officer.  Lenz will remain for a period of time when Coogan joins the company as a Senior Advisor to assist with the transition.

“Jamie brings the experience and the financial leadership that will help Hexcel build on our momentum as we enter a period of growth with rising commercial aircraft production rates and an expanding defense and space market,” said Tom Gentile, Chairman, CEO and President, Hexcel Corporation. “His experience in aerospace and defense companies and broader industrial manufacturing organizations will enable him to make a meaningful impact quickly on Hexcel’s strategic priorities.”

Coogan most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Axcelis Technologies, a supplier in the semiconductor industry, having joined the company in September 2023. Previously he served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer at Kaman Corporation (formerly traded on the NYSE under the symbol KAMN). During his 15 years at Kaman, he held various management positions including Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Development, Assistant Vice President, External Reporting and SEC Compliance, and Director, External Reporting and SEC Compliance.

Coogan has more than 20 years of finance, accounting and investor relations experience across multiple industries, including aerospace and defense. After starting his career at PwC, he held several financial management roles at Ann Taylor Stores Corporation and Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority before joining Kaman. 

Coogan holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management, an M.S. in Accounting and a B.S. in Business Administration, Accounting from the University of Connecticut.