From the Sector

Freudenberg Performance Materials and Foshan United Medical Technologies (UMT) will make their first joint appearance at the WUWHS congress in Kuala Lumpur since Freudenberg acquired the Chinese wound-care specialist at the end of July. The combined platform stretches from fibre and nonwoven technologies to finished advanced wound-care solutions.

UMT’s primary dressings include alginate, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and chitosan technologies. Alginate variants include silver-containing options for antimicrobial protection, while CMC is used for moisture management and gel formation. Chitosan brings haemostatic and bacteriostatic properties. UMT is also presenting a non-invasive wound-closure system.

Freudenberg complements these primary-care products with Tacnera®, its patented silicone-coated foam-dressing technology. A dual-silicone construction combines secure edge adhesion with a gentler wound-contact layer, while a wave-pattern coating is designed to improve flexibility and exudate management. The wider industrial story is vertical integration: UMT’s capabilities run from fibre production and functionalisation through nonwovens, packaging, sterilisation and regulatory approval.

H&M has named ELIE SAAB as its next designer collaborator. The collection will bring the Beirut-founded couture house’s codes into a mass-market collaboration covering womenswear, menswear, accessories and footwear.

The range is set to include embellished gowns, shimmering separates and tailored pieces, with details such as lace, gradient sequins and monograms. The project extends H&M’s long-running collaboration model, in which luxury and designer brands are translated into limited retail collections with broad consumer reach.

The collection launches in selected stores and online on 22 October 2026. For the fashion and retail market, the partnership is a further example of how high-fashion brand equity, scarcity and cross-price-segment collaboration are used to create traffic and global media visibility.

Researchers from Empa, Eawag and Agroscope have produced the first systematic estimate of how much microplastic is deposited from the atmosphere across Switzerland. For areas below 2,000 metres, the study estimates annual deposition of about 219 tonnes, including roughly 78 tonnes on agricultural land and around ten tonnes directly into water bodies.

The official release identifies loose fibres from functional clothing among the sources that can enter the environment, alongside PET bottles and other plastic products. Sampling was conducted for a full year at five locations, with particles between 20 and 215 micrometres analysed using imaging infrared microspectroscopy. PET, polyethylene and polypropylene were the most frequently detected polymers.

For textiles, the findings matter because they add atmospheric transport to the better-known discussion around fibre release through washing. The work provides a new evidence base for assessing material emissions and mitigation priorities, while the researchers stress that long-term environmental and health effects remain under investigation.

BASF will use SIMAC 2026 in Milan to present polyurethane and thermoplastic-polyurethane concepts spanning the footwear life cycle. The portfolio includes Elastopan SpringPURe for thermoformed midsoles together with Elastollan and Infinergy solutions.

Working with Gusbi, BASF has developed an automated heat-press process for lightweight midsoles designed to combine low density, design freedom and durable comfort with almost waste-free processing. With DESMA, the company is also showing a closed-loop concept that combines PU and TPU and links mechanical and chemical recycling. Three concept shoes illustrate separation and recycling routes.

The company is also introducing Infinergy Revolution, an energy-efficient heat-press processing route for expanded TPU. The approach is intended to enable lighter components, new surface designs and improved recyclability. 

Cornell University researchers have demonstrated that polydopamine-dyed wool can serve as a low-cost, renewable material for solar-driven water purification. The approach uses interfacial solar vapor generation, concentrating solar heat at the water surface while a textile structure transports water and converts it into vapor.

The strongest configuration used ultrablack wool positioned vertically and illuminated from both sides. It produced 2.43 kilograms of water per square metre of fabric per hour, while polydopamine-only wool achieved 2.21 kilograms. Both rates were nearly twice those reported for conventional horizontal two-dimensional evaporation systems. The material also operated continuously for ten hours without salt accumulation.

Performance depends on fibre choice, dye chemistry, surface structure and textile geometry acting together. Salt levels in the collected water were below the World Health Organization drinking-water threshold. Future work will test rainwater and wastewater and improve water-collection designs.