From the Sector

US textile-to-textile recycler Circ has entered into a partnership with Shenghong Chemical Fiber New Material for the commercial production of polyester filament yarn using Circ’s recycled material. Shenghong will purchase Circ PET chip and manufacture recycled-content filament yarn at commercial scale. For Circ, the agreement expands access to one of China’s major fibre producers and creates an additional route to market for polyester recovered from textile waste. For brands and mills, the key point is that textile-to-textile feedstock is moving closer to established high-volume yarn manufacturing structures. The partnership also underlines that scaling chemical recycling depends not only on polymer recovery but on robust downstream relationships with fibre and yarn producers.

As Asia’s premier platform catering to the evolving needs in technical textiles and nonwovens, Cinte Techtextil China will open next week at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, gathering over 300 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions. Across Halls W3 to W5, this edition will create chances for fast-growing sectors and emerging trends – such as Mobiltech, Medtech & Protech, Indutech and more. The curated zones, pavilions, and fringe programme are designed to better connect exhibitors with targeted buyers from across China, Asia-Pacific, and further afield. Meanwhile, the Association Village will gather international industry associations to foster even more global collaboration.

As a hub for global innovation, the fair will feature a strong contingent of international industry leaders in Hall W5’s Overseas Zone, including Andritz (China) Ltd, Groz-Beckert (Germany), A.Celli SPA (Italy), and Dilo (Germany), while others such as Picanol NV (Belgium) will showcase in Hall W4.

The sought-after European and German Zones will also be in Hall W5, featuring high-performance solutions from such markets. Key suppliers in the European Zone will include Monosuisse Group (Switzerland) and Comerio Ercole S.p.A (Italy), while the German Zone will include IBENA Textilwerke GmbH and Mahlo GmbH + Co KG. Nearby, the Textile Chemicals and Dyes Zone will return to offer advanced solutions for diverse technical applications.

A key highlight of Hall W5 is the Association Village, designed to showcase expertise, foster international trade networks and collaboration, as well as present the latest trends that shape the industry’s future. Key organisations anchoring this feature include the Asia International Hemp Federation (AIHF) (Thailand), UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT), Government of Tamil Nadu India, and Nonwoven Federation of India (NWFI).

Targeted solutions displayed across high-demand application areas
With the technical textiles and nonwovens markets evolving, exhibitors are presenting advances engineered for critical application areas across the show floor:

• Mobiltech: highlighted suppliers include JR Ltd (Korea) and Eastex Industrial Science & Technology (China). Also on the domestic side, Tiandingfeng Holdings Co Ltd will showcase high-strength PET filament needle-punched nonwovens. The Mobiltech Zone, set to feature other key exhibitors, will also be in Hall W4.
• Medtech: featuring first-time exhibitor NIPPON Paper Industries Co Ltd (Japan) with its Cu-TOP product – a functional material derived from wood pulp combined with copper technology. The Reifenhauser Group from Germany will also be in Hall W5, with Reifenhauser Reicofil presenting full nonwoven production lines, and Reifenhauser Enka Tecnica the service components that aid their longevity. Joining the lineup, Yixiang Health Technology Co Ltd and Zhejiang Kingsafe Hygiene Materials Technology Co Ltd will both showcase medical and hygiene nonwovens.
• Protech: key Protech exhibitors include a new exhibitor Tepar Tekstil San Ve Tic A S (Turkiye), and Dawnsens New Materials (Xiamen) Co Ltd (China), both showcasing advanced safety materials.
• Indutech: IMAE Industries Ltd (Japan) will make its debut at the fair. The company specialises in thermal insulation fibre products and supplies fine ceramics for heavy industry, automotive, iron and steel, chemical, power generation and more.

Other first-time international brands will include Care Holdings Pte Ltd (Singapore) and Texbond Nonwovens (India); while China’s innovation will be spotlighted with domestic pavilions in Hall W3 featuring medical and hygiene textiles and in Hall W4 featuring filtration and separation textiles. Exhibitors are set to be greeted by a wide range of industry visitors.

Before the fair, overseas visitor pre-registrations have risen notably compared to the same period last year. These include 139 VIP buyers from 27 countries and regions, such as Hyundai Motor Company and Sejong Healthcare (Korea), Meditec Japan Co Ltd (Japan), ALSICO (Belgium), Focus Industries Limited (Hong Kong), Freudenberg Performance Materials Service GmbH and MöllerWerke GmbH (Germany), seeking high-demand solutions across Mobiltech, Medtech and Protech, Indutech, and more. In addition, seven international buyer delegations, from industry hubs across Asia-Pacific and beyond, will add to the fair’s global business appeal.

Fringe events explore innovation, emerging markets, and automotive trends in Halls W4 and W5 

• Panel Discussion (Day 1 morning) (W5 E20): the discussion topic, Industrial Hemp Fibre – Building the Future of Sustainable Materials, will take Thailand as a successful example to explore the use of advanced hemp fibre materials through cross-sector innovation and international investment. Complemented by the AIHF display area (W5 B20), featuring the evolution of raw hemp stalks into modern bioplastics, composites, mobility components, lifestyle products and other engineered applications.
• 2026 Nonwovens Industry High-Quality Development Conference (Day 1 afternoon) (W4 D38): under the theme ‘Redefine the growth paradigm’, Ms Guimei Li, President of China Nonwovens & Industrial Textiles Association, will show China’s nonwovens development during the 15th Five-Year Plan. Guest speaker Mr Anshumali Jain, Vice President of the Nonwoven Federation of India, will discuss the situation and opportunities of India’s industrial ecosystem, while Mr Tony Fragnito, President of the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, will explore the state of the US market.
• Automotive textile panel (Day 2 afternoon) (W5 E20): titled “Defining the Future Cabin: Multi-functional Evolution of Nonwoven Materials in Automotive”, the panel will include automotive end users, Tier-1 automotive interior suppliers, and upstream nonwoven technology providers. The Mobiltech Display Area (W4 F25) will complement the panel, with exhibits from Groz-Beckert, AIHF, Care Holdings Pte Ltd, Swisstulle (Qingdao) Co Ltd, and more.

Other key events include a presentation on sustainability by UKFT and the Sustainability Tour by Mr Karl Borgschulze, Managing Director of Consulting Service Intl Ltd (both on Day 2 morning) (W5 E20); other guided tours led by industry experts (covering medical, protective, automotive, and tents & coverings); Technology Innovation and Product Development for Future Technical Textiles; Deeyeo Flushable Wipes Scientific Consensus Release and Industry High-Quality Development Dialogue; and a display zone dedicated to Industrial Textiles in the 15th Five-Year Plan.

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

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.

At Booth 50, Eastman will present U.S.-produced Naia™ staple fibers and filament yarns for casualwear and activewear, supporting closer collaboration across the regional value chain.

As brands and retailers explore more diversified and responsive sourcing networks, the Naia™ from Eastman brand is strengthening its engagement with the textile and apparel value chain across the western hemisphere. From August 18 to 20, the company will participate for the first time in Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala, a regional meeting point for apparel sourcing, manufacturing and nearshoring.

Produced in the United States, Naia™ offers regional manufacturers, brands and sourcing teams a cellulosic fiber option within the western hemisphere, creating opportunities for direct dialogue and new collaborations across the regional textile and apparel supply chain.

At Booth 50, Eastman will showcase both Naia™ staple fiber and filament yarn offerings for casualwear and activewear. A key focus of the presentation will be Naia™ On The Move, an application designed for active, everyday wear and built around Naia™ Renew staple fiber, made with 40% GRS-certified recycled materials* and 60% sustainably sourced wood pulp. The application demonstrates how Naia™ fiber blends can deliver next-to-skin comfort, breathability and a soft hand feel, together with moisture management and quick-dry performance. 

Developed to help garments stay fresh and comfortable throughout the day, Naia™ On The Move highlights the versatility needed for urban lifestyles, where changing temperatures, humidity and active routines call for adaptable apparel solutions. 

“The western hemisphere is becoming an increasingly important part of the sourcing conversation,” said Chad Doub, Global Segment Market Manager, Casual Wear and Home at Eastman. “Our participation in Guatemala gives us the opportunity to build new relationships and explore how Naia™ staple fibers and filament yarns can support innovative fabric developments for casualwear and activewear. We believe Naia™ On The Move, our application designed for this segment, is particularly well suited to the needs of the region and of the brands sourcing here, where versatility, comfort and performance are increasingly important.”

The Apparel Sourcing Show brings together businesses operating across the textile and apparel supply chain, including textiles, machinery, accessories, services and manufacturing. Eastman’s participation also builds on its engagement with the Americas Apparel Producers’ Network.

Following the 2026 pro:Americas Annual Conference in May, the Guatemala show represents another step in the company’s efforts to connect with businesses developing more integrated supply chains across the region.

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced that the conference program is now available for Hygienix™ 2026, the premier global event for the absorbent hygiene and personal care markets. Hygienix will take place Nov. 16–19 at the Hyatt Regency Houston in Houston, Texas.

Conference Program
The conference program will feature the future of absorbent hygiene products, materials, manufacturing, and consumer care. Key topics include:

• Global energy, economic, and market trends influencing raw material costs, supply chains, product affordability, and business strategy
• Emerging consumer expectations, adult incontinence solutions, product insecurity, and opportunities to improve comfort, dignity, and access
• Advances in absorbent cores, superabsorbent materials, polymers, nonwovens, adhesives, fluid management, skin health, and next-generation product design
• Sustainability, biodegradability, manufacturing efficiency, and end-of-life considerations driving material and product innovation
• Evolving regulatory, legislative, reimbursement, and industry standards affecting absorbent hygiene manufacturers and suppliers

Event Highlights
Pre-Conference Workshops – Monday, Nov. 16
Hygienix will offer three interactive pre-conference workshops:

• “Inside the Absorbent Core: A Hands-On Systems Approach to Fluid Control” – Jim Robinson, Principal, Absorbent Hygiene Insights, LLC
• “Inside Sustainable Hygiene: A Hands-On Reality Check for Materials, Claims, End-of-Life, and U.S. Compliance” – Heidi Beatty, Chief Executive Officer, Crown Abbey, LLC
• “Inside the Diaper Market: Hands-On Benchmarking, Performance, and Trends” – Natalia Richer, Director of Business Development, and Irene Richer, Director of Laboratory Operations, Diaper Testing International

Networking Opportunities
Attendees will have multiple opportunities to build relationships, exchange ideas, and connect with absorbent hygiene industry leaders and solution providers, including:

• Lunch Around – An extended networking lunch designed to encourage meaningful conversations with industry leaders; seating is limited
• Lightning Talks – Five-minute exhibitor presentations highlighting new technologies, products, and capabilities
• Evening Receptions and Exhibits – Opportunities to meet leading suppliers serving the absorbent hygiene and personal care markets
• Welcome Reception – A lively opening-night event bringing attendees together to kick off Hygienix

Lifetime Service Awards
Carl Cucuzza and Pricie Hanna, the 2025 and 2026 Lifetime Service Award recipients, respectively, will be recognized during a presentation on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 4:15 p.m.

The Lifetime Service Award recognizes individuals who have provided longstanding service to the absorbent hygiene and personal care industry and contributed to its growth and advancement.

Hygienix Innovation Award™
The Hygienix Innovation Award™ will recognize an innovative technology that is advancing the absorbent hygiene and personal care industry. Finalists will present their technologies on Tuesday, Nov. 17, and the winner will be announced during the closing session on Thursday, Nov. 19. Nominations for the 2026 Hygienix Innovation Award close Sept. 14.

The 2025 award recipient, Confitex Technology Ltd., was recognized for its Washable Nonwoven Sanitary Pad, designed to provide a sustainable and scalable solution without the use of superabsorbent polymers.