From the Sector

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), the organisation behind the global Woolmark brand, has announced Bryan Fry as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. 

AWI Chairman George Millington says the decision by the Board follows an extensive recruitment process: “Bryan brings global leadership experience, most recently serving as Chairman and Global Chief Executive Officer of Pernod Ricard Winemakers, where he led large-scale international operations across multiple markets and premium brands. 

His career is distinguished by a rare combination of hands-on agricultural experience as an agronomist alongside deep expertise in international marketing, brand development and commercial strategy. This unique blend of skills positions him strongly to lead the research, development and marketing organisation for Australian woolgrowers, including AWI’s global Woolmark program. 

Bryan’s background in agriculture, coupled with his proven global leadership and brand expertise, makes him exceptionally well suited to lead the organisation. 

I would also like to thank John Roberts for his outstanding leadership as CEO since October 2021. During his tenure, John has delivered strategic focus and strong performance for the organisation and industry alike. John will work closely with Bryan to ensure a thorough and seamless handover, supporting continuity and ongoing momentum.” 

Bryan Fry said he was looking forward to commencing the role and working closely with stakeholders across the industry: “I am excited to join AWI and to help deliver better outcomes both on and off farm. Australian wool is by far the best natural fibre in the world and I am looking forward to playing my part in securing an even brighter future for woolgrowers and the wider industry.”

EDANA unveiled the nominees for the INDEX™26 Awards, the nonwoven industry’s highest accolade for technical and sustainable excellence. Out of a record-breaking field of entries, the finalists represent the cutting edge of material science—from bio-based hygiene fibers and PFAS-free protective textiles to revolutionary water-filtration machinery. Each nominee has been selected by a jury of industry experts for their ability to solve critical global challenges, including the transition to a circular economy and the pursuit of enhanced consumer performance. 

1. Nonwoven Roll Goods

Lenzing – LENZING™ Dualwipe 
LENZING™ Dualwipe is a high-performance cleaning wipe crafted from regenerated cellulose using LENZING™ Nonwovens Technology. Its innovative dual-surface design integrates abrasion and absorbency in a single material, enabling efficient cleaning without relying on fossil-based synthetic materials, binders, or chemical additives. One side features a mechanically active surface for scrubbing away dirt, grease, and residues, while the other offers a soft, highly absorbent surface for liquid uptake and surface finishing. Designed for industrial, professional, and household applications, LENZING™ Dualwipe is compatible with existing converting and processing infrastructure, facilitating rapid adoption. 
 
The jury praised LENZING™ Dualwipe for addressing the pressing industry challenge of combining performance with sustainability. By leveraging a novel web architecture of cellulose filaments, it eliminates plastics and microplastics while delivering high-efficiency cleaning. The innovation demonstrates how fiber-level design can create tangible environmental impact without compromising functionality, offering a scalable, market-ready solution that aligns with both regulatory and consumer demands. 
 
Magnera Corporation - Next-Gen Fluid Barrier Technology 
Magnera’s proprietary fluid barrier technology represents a major advancement in protective medical textiles. Designed for demanding surgical and clinical environments, it delivers durable liquid repellency against water, oil, and other fluids without intentionally added PFAS, chemicals traditionally used for this function. Evidence of PFAS persistence in the environment and possible associated health risks has prompted global regulatory action and growing demand for alternatives. Through advanced material engineering, the technology maintains the high-performance healthcare professionals require while aligning with evolving global regulatory expectations. By eliminating legacy chemistries and ensuring consistent barrier performance, it provides a safer and more environmentally responsible alternative to conventional PFAS-based materials.  
  
The jury recognized Magnera for addressing a long-standing challenge in medical textiles: achieving reliable fluid resistance without harmful chemicals. Combining regulatory readiness, operational reliability, and sustainability, the innovation offers healthcare providers and manufacturers a credible, scalable solution for the future.  While healthcare remains a primary application, the underlying platform has potential relevance in other markets that require durable, PFASalternative liquid barrier solutions. 
 
Woolchemy  - neweFlex™ ADL 
Woolchemy has developed neweFlex™ ADL, a plastic-free acquisition distribution layer containing neweFibre™ — Woolchemy's hygiene-grade wool fibre that meets strict regulatory standards for non-sterile hygiene products while preserving wool's natural functionality. Engineered as a plastic-free alternative to petroleum-based ADLs, neweFlex™ ADL is a blend between wool and plant-based fibres to deliver natural benefits including breathability, thermal regulation, and odour control — while being naturally compatible with skin. Wool is a keratin-based fibre — the same structural protein found naturally in human skin, making it an inherently gentle, renewable choice for disposable hygiene products such as diapers and sanitary pads. 
 
The jury recognised neweFlex™ ADL for overcoming long-standing technical and regulatory barriers that previously prevented wool from being used in disposable hygiene products. By enabling wool fibres to run on standard carded spunlace nonwoven equipment, Woolchemy has created a plug-and-play solution for manufacturers seeking alternatives to fossil-based nonwovens. Demonstrated performance in hygiene layers, including fast liquid acquisition and low rewet, confirms that this renewable material can match synthetic materials while advancing the industry’s transition toward more sustainable, plastic-free hygiene products.

2. Finished products made from, or incorporating nonwovens - Single-use application

Corman - Organyc brand "Personalized Protection" Light Incontinence Pads  
Corman’s new light incontinence pads deliver personalized protection through three key innovations. The Smart-Cotton™ cover with a citric acid buffer maintains an ideal skin pH of 5.5, reducing irritation. The patented Cotton-Balanced Absorbent Core channels liquid to superabsorbent polymers that lock in moisture and expand toward the body for superior leak protection. Natural odor control uses an organic ingredient to bind ammonia and slow odor formation, eliminating odor instead of masking it. Clinically proven, the pads address the three main concerns of light incontinence: leaks, odor, and skin irritation. 
 
The jury recognized the product for its consumer-focused innovation, combining skin-friendly materials, adaptive absorption, and effective odor control in one solution. The patented absorbent core was highlighted as a market-first technical advancement. Supported by clinical evidence, the product enhances comfort, confidence, and dignity for users. Its impact is amplified by the brand’s sustainability initiatives, including reducing ocean plastics and improving livelihoods through the Plastics for Change partnership, demonstrating both social and environmental responsibility. 
 
Teknomelt Teknik Mensucat – Fibrasiv® 
Fibrasiv® Abrasive Spunlace is an application-driven nonwoven innovation developed to meet the growing demand for effective yet safe cleaning materials across multiple end-use sectors. The material functions by combining a soft, absorbent spunlace base with an integrated abrasive structure that enables controlled mechanical cleaning. This allows the removal of stubborn dirt, residues, and contaminants while minimizing the risk of surface damage. 
 
The jury appreciated Fibrasiv® for redefining the functional boundaries of spunlace nonwovens. By embedding controlled abrasive performance directly into a soft, flexible fabric, the innovation transforms a traditionally gentle wiping material into a multifunctional cleaning solution. This approach improves cleaning efficiency, reduces reliance on harsh chemical cleaners, and simplifies cleaning processes by replacing multiple tools with a single material. Its combination of performance, usability, and sustainability makes Fibrasiv® a valuable advancement for both professional and consumer cleaning applications. 

3. Finished products made from, or incorporating nonwovens - Durable application

Confitex Technology - Reusable Nonwoven Bed Pads 
This new Confitex technology has enabled the world’s first machine-washable and tumble-dryable nonwoven bed pads, opening a significant new application for nonwoven materials. Using a proprietary fibre-stabilisation bonding technique, the innovation allows absorbent nonwoven structures to withstand more than 30 machine wash and tumble-dry cycles while maintaining performance. The fully nonwoven construction combines a fast-wicking top sheet with a highly absorbent core capable of holding over two litres of liquid. In addition, a bonded frame structure prevents leakage across the entire surface, including the edges, addressing a common weakness of stitched textile bed pads. 
 
The jury particularly valued how this innovation unlocks a new market segment for the nonwoven industry. By making absorbent nonwovens fully laundry-compatible, the technology enables nonwoven suppliers to enter the rapidly growing reusable bed pad market, historically dominated by textile products. At the same time, the product delivers improved absorbency, leak protection, and ease of care for users, while supporting sustainability goals through reusability and the use of predominantly natural-based fibres. 
 
DuPont Personal Protection - DuPont™ Tychem® 6000 SFR 
DuPont™ Tychem® 6000 SFR garments represent a breakthrough in personal protective equipment, delivering unprecedented dual protection against chemical exposure and flash fire hazards. Designed to be worn over primary flame-resistant (FR) clothing, these garments use a lightweight, multi-layer fabric laminate to provide at least 30 minutes of barrier protection against more than 250 chemicals, including toxic industrial chemicals, and flammable organic solvents. By combining advanced chemical resistance with secondary flame protection, Tychem® 6000 SFR enables workers in oil & gas, chemical manufacturing, and emergency response to operate safely in high-risk environments without compromising comfort or mobility. 
  
The award jury highlighted the innovation for its ability to address a long-standing safety challenge: protecting workers simultaneously from chemical and thermal hazards. Tychem® 6000 SFR protective coverall delivers the broadest chemical coverage in the lightest-weight secondary flame-resistant garment, while its engineered design self-extinguishes in flash fire scenarios. The jury praised the garment’s combination of multi-hazard protection, durability, and comfort, recognizing its significant contribution to improving occupational health and safety standards. 
 
Pelsan Tekstil - Metabreathe™ 
Metabreathe™ is an advanced nonwoven-based thermal insulation composite designed to address a key challenge in cold chain logistics: combining high solar reflectance with breathability and recyclability. Unlike conventional covers that rely on glued aluminum foils or PET films, Metabreathe™ utilizes a proprietary process where reflective particles are precision-printed onto a high-performance breathable film, which is then integrated with a specially engineered nonwoven structural foundation. This unique composite approach preserves the fabric’s interstitial spaces and the film's microporosity, allowing air and moisture vapor to pass through while reflecting over 90% of solar radiation. Scientifically proven to keep cargo 1215°C cooler during extreme ramp exposure, Metabreathe™ is currently trusted by global logistics leaders. 
 
The award jury highlighted Metabreathe™ for its practical and environmental impact This innovation represents a notable step forward for cold chain materials, reducing raw material consumption by 70% and demonstrating how nonwoven material science can reconcile performance, efficiency, and circular economy principles.

4. Raw materials or components of special relevance to the nonwovens and related converted products industry  

Bostik  - Kizen™ Miles 9.0 
Bostik’s latest innovation, Kizen™ Miles 9.0, is the first adhesive designed for disposable hygiene article construction, that offers the unique feature of debonding on demand: when exposed to a specific chemical key, combined with controlled temperature and mechanical stress, the adhesive allows clean, rapid separation of plastic components in minutes. This process keeps the adhesive material on the substrate, preventing contamination for cleaner, more efficient hygiene article recycling. But during the lifetime of the hygiene article, this new material, based on up to 75% renewable materials, delivers exceptional bonding across a wide range of substrates—including PP, PE, and PLA—while maintaining stable performance over time and under wet conditions. 
 
The jury praised Kizen™ Miles 9.0 for its combination of sustainability and functionality. By reducing carbon footprint by up to 90% per kilogram of adhesive (compared to fully fossil based adhesives, according to internal Bostik calculation) and enabling separation of complex hygiene article components, it addresses a critical bottleneck in diaper recycling. Its ability to maintain performance during use yet allow controlled disassembly after use was recognized as a breakthrough in circular economy solutions for absorbent hygiene products. 
 
Fiberpartner – PolyPlant® 
PolyPlant® is a PLA-based fiber engineered to overcome the traditional mechanical, thermal, and processing limitations of conventional polylactic acid. Its proprietary formulation enhances crystallization behavior, molecular stability, and fiber morphology while maintaining full biogenic carbon content. Without relying on synthetic additives, PolyPlant® delivers high-performance PLA fibers that are compatible with existing industrial equipment, enabling manufacturers to adopt renewable materials without sacrificing efficiency or product quality. 
 
The award jury praised PolyPlant® for its scientific ingenuity and practical impact.  By addressing PLA’s limitations, PolyPlant® provides a credible alternative to fossilbased fibers. Its intrinsic performance improvements, achieved without additives, ensure consistent product quality and reliable processing in real-world production lines. The jury highlighted its potential to accelerate the transition toward sustainable materials while maintaining industrial efficiency, marking PolyPlant® as a transformative innovation for the fiber and nonwoven sectors. 
 
The Lycra Company - LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber 
Building upon its proven performance in apparel, LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber now elevates hygiene garments with hybrid elasticity that adjusts to the body at rest and in motion. This results in products that stay in place, have a second skin fit and are easier to put on and take off. LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber represents a material-led innovation that has the potential to enable consistent, inclusive user experience across expanded size ranges— addressing an industry-wide challenge. 
 
The jury praised LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber for addressing a key industry challenge: delivering a consistent wearing experience across expanded size ranges without adding SKUs. By dynamically adjusting to diverse body shapes, the fiber ensures comfort, support, and fit for users at all points of the size spectrum. This innovation helps manufacturers pursue scalable solutions that feel personalized across body types—while preserving SKU discipline and operational efficiency.

5. Innovation in machinery of special relevance to the nonwovens industry 

Kansan – KM Hydroentanglement Filtration System 
This innovation is a mechanical filtration system developed as an alternative to conventional chemical filtration units used in wetlaid and spunlace production lines.  
 
Instead of complex filtration systems, flotation units, and chemical additives, the system utilizes dedicated mechanical filtration equipment to enable the recovery and reuse of water and fibers directly within the production process.  
 
By eliminating the need for chemicals, the system provides a more sustainable, efficient, and process-integrated solution for water and fiber management in nonwoven production. 
 
The jury recognized that through its multi-stage mechanical filtration concept, the system delivers substantial environmental and operational benefits: approximately 200 kWh of energy savings per hour, 20 cubic meters of water savings per hour, and up to 2 tons of fiber recovery per day. Its ability to significantly reduce chemical consumption, lower operational costs, and improve sustainability without compromising production efficiency impressed the jury as a truly forward-thinking solution. 
 
Teknoweb Converting - OCEAN – Converting technology for high-performance, lowimpact underpads 
OCEAN is IMA Teknoweb’s advanced converting system for absorbent underpads, combining new manufacturing technology with a revised product design to improve performance while using fewer materials. The system features a drumless core formation process that builds the absorbent core directly on a carrier web, ensuring even distribution of fluff and SAP and enabling ultra-thin, lightweight underpads. It also supports multilayer structures, including optimized 5-layer designs and a patent-pending 4-layer configuration with integrated leakage barriers. This approach allows production of thinner, lighter, and more efficient underpads without affecting quality or output. 
 
The award jury highlighted OCEAN for addressing industry challenges around material efficiency, product reliability, and sustainability. Its linear core formation and multilayer designs can reduce raw material use by up to 30% and lower energy consumption. By combining stable output with reduced environmental impact, OCEAN provides manufacturers with an approach that balances innovation, performance, and resource efficiency, responding to the market demand for highquality, discreet absorbent products. 
 
ZUIKO - Converting machine for recloseable baby diapers 
ZUIKO has developed a converting line to produce adjustable pull on pant diapers that address the challenge of achieving a secure fit around a baby’s waist and legs while maintaining softness and stretchability. The design of such a diaper combines the adjustability of open diapers with the stretch characteristics of pant diapers. Unlike conventional pant diapers, which are processed symmetrically, ZUIKO’s recloseable diapers are asymmetric, requiring a precise, glue-less attachment process during folding. Central to the production is ZUIKO’s patented “Stretch Repitch Drum™,” which regulates elastic tension and product spacing, allowing panel folding in line with the machine’s flow. This system enables the production of over 700 diapers per minute without the need for multiple folding units. 
  
The jury recognized the technical ingenuity of ZUIKO’s approach, particularly how the machine merges two product attributes efficiently. They highlighted the asymmetric folding and tension-control mechanisms as practical solutions to a long-standing industry challenge. The innovation offers a new product format for consumers and provides manufacturers a method to produce it at scale without added complexity. 
 
The winners in each category will be announced during a special ceremony at the INDEX™26 exhibition, the world’s leading nonwovens event, which will take place on the first day of INDEX™26, Tuesday, 19 May at 10:30 CET, on the EDANA stand. These awards serve not only to honor the ingenious engineering of the finalists but also to provide a roadmap for the future of the entire nonwovens supply chain. 

EDANA would like to remind its members and industry stakeholders of the legal requirement to comply with the EU rules on customs classification when importing non-wovens from third countries outside the EU. In this regard, it was recently discovered that there appears to be a high level of customs misclassification occurring in the nonwoven’s industry. This could have dangerous and costly consequences for importers. 

Following repeated requests by its members, EDANA worked closely with the European Union and the World Customs Organisation to introduce in 2024 specific customs codes CN code 5603 14 20 and 5603 9420 in order to better monitor imports of certain PET spunbond and staple fibre products. Based on market intelligence, EDANA knows that third country imports of the respective products were in the range of 15,000 to 30,000 MT in 2024 and 2025. However, actual import volumes recorded under the specifically created CN codes were significantly lower. 

“There is a clear mismatch between import volumes observed in the market and what is reported under the correct customs codes. Often, importers continue to use outdated customs codes as a matter of habit not paying due attention to changes of the Combined Nomenclature”, says Jacques Prigneaux from EDANA. “However, this is problematic, especially where certain products are subject to investigations by the EU authorities.” 

EDANA has therefore actively commenced an outreach initiative to raise awareness among its members. They have also contacted the European Commission and the national customs authorities of the EU member states to ask the authorities to enhance import checks. 

Incorrect customs classification not only makes EDANA’s work more difficult to monitor import flows and protect the interests of its members. It can also have severe negative legal consequences for importers. Customs authorities penalize misclassifications with additional duties, administrative fines and even criminal penalties. “To avoid such unpleasant surprises, we recommend that all members and their supply chain regularly review and update their customs classification databases and also instruct their customs agents accordingly” adds Mr Prigneaux. 

Awareness and compliance are in particular important where imports are under enhanced customs control (such as in the framework of import registration during an anti-dumping investigation) or subject to special trade or regulatory regimes (such as duty-free or reduced duty imports from countries with which the EU has special trade arrangements). 

A list of preferential trade regimes can be found on the website of the European Commission (here) and the Access2Markets webpage contains product-specific information for imports of goods into the EU (here). Also, presently, certain PET spunbond from China is subject to an EU anti-dumping investigation and imports were made subject to registration in December 2025 (see here for further information). The exact definition of the product subject to the investigation is: ‘non-woven needle-punched sheets of polyester filaments, whether or not reinforced by glass fibres, weighing more than 70 g/m², of a thickness exceeding 0.5 mm but not exceeding 1.8 mm, impregnated with one or more binders, containing less than 30% of glass fibres by weight, not coated or covered’. All imports of these products must be classified under TARIC code 5603 1390 70, CN code 5603 14 20 or TARIC code 5603 1480 70.

The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber, yarn and fabrics to finished sewn products, applauded the launch of the House Berry Amendment Caucus. 

Statement from National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) President and CEO Kim Glas

“On behalf of the U.S textile industry, NCTO sincerely thanks Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC) and Rep. Don Davis (D-NC) for their leadership in co-chairing the new bipartisan House Berry Amendment Caucus, aimed at strengthening national security and the U.S. defense industrial supply chain through the federal procurement of American-made mission critical clothing, textiles and gear. 

“NCTO strongly supports this new caucus to promote and expand the Berry Amendment, a law requiring the Department of War (DOW) to buy textile and clothing products made with virtually 100% U.S. content and labor to support our U.S. warm industrial base. 

“The U.S. textile industry provides $1.8 billion of high-tech and functional components for vital uniforms and equipment for our armed forces each year. The Department of War estimates that over 8,000 different textile items are purchased for use by the U.S. military—and over 30,000 line items when individual sizes are considered.

“It is vital to America’s national security that the U.S. military maintain the ability to source high-quality, innovative textile materials, apparel, and personal equipment from a vibrant U.S. textile industrial base and key to this goal is defending and strengthening the Berry Amendment.

“We look forward to working with the new caucus’ leadership and our industry partners to focus congressional efforts on preserving the Berry Amendment and expanding opportunities for U.S. textile manufacturers, safeguarding domestic supply chains, and ensuring our troops continue to receive innovative, high-quality American-made products.”

The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), which represents the full U.S. textile supply chain from fiber and yarn to fabrics and finished sewn products, lauds a bill introduced today aimed at ending the U.S. Customs & Border Protection’s (CBP) “first sale” rule.

National Council of Textile Organizations President and CEO Kim Glas
“NCTO and the U.S. textile industry strongly support the Last Sale Valuation Act, a bill that would eliminate a harmful CBP rule that significantly lowers duties paid by importers on textile and apparel goods and disadvantages U.S. textile manufacturers in favor of countries that often employ predatory trade practices and fail to provide reciprocal market access.

“We sincerely thank Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) for their leadership on this bill. Closing this loophole will help level the playing field, bolster the U.S. textile industry, and spur more onshoring and investment here and in our Western Hemisphere.”

The Argentine Textile Industry Federation (FITA), the Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association (ABIT), and the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX) continue to monitor the process of internalizing the Mercosur-European Union Partnership Agreement. This agreement is essential for the competitiveness of our industries, on both sides of the Atlantic. 

The entities remain confident that, despite the submission of the agreement to the Court of Justice of the European Union, the vision of the agreement's strategic role for both sides of the Atlantic will prevail.

For the textile industry, the agreement confirms the commitment to economic integration and predictable rules, as well as signalling support for multilateralism in a challenging global scenario. 

FITA, ABIT, and EURATEX reaffirm their commitment to actively contribute to this implementation process of the agreement, as well as to undertake other inter-regional and international projection actions that consolidate both blocs as relevant actors in the global economy.

The EU textiles and apparel industry includes ca. 200,000 companies and 1.2 million dedicated workers, generating a turnover of nearly €170 billion. 

The Mercosur countries also have a significant textile and clothing industry. In Brazil, this industry has 25,700 companies with 1.3 million employees and a turnover of USD 40.9 billion. In Argentina, the textile and clothing industry comprises 4,000 companies and employs 540,000 workers along the value chain.

The Mercosur-European Union Partnership Agreement offers the textile and apparel industry opportunities related to market access, technological cooperation, investment, strengthening of environmental standards for countries in both economic blocs.

The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp participats at JEC World 2026, featuring a significantly expanded presence and an enhanced offering for the global composites industry.

Building on previous successes, the Alliance members will be at the core of a newly renamed and enlarged Bio-Materials Village in Hall 5. The village has grown by more than 30%, expanding from 250 m² to 333 m², and will feature 14 Alliance members and partners representing the full natural fibre composite value chain from fibre cultivation and processing through to semi-finished materials, resins, and industrial applications.

This year’s village welcomes several new members, including Norafin, which brings advanced technical nonwoven expertise using flax and hemp fibres, and innovative start-up Biofibix developing next-generation bio-based composite solutions. Another new participant is GreenPoxy by Sicomin, a leading supplier of bio-based epoxy resins that complement natural fibre reinforcement systems and enable lower-impact composite structures.

Innovations Showcase
The Bio-Materials Village will highlight several award-winning and shortlisted developments, including exhibits from JEC Innovation Award winners and finalists.

Bcomp has received the Automotive & Road Transportation Parts Award for its series-production exterior flax composite components developed for BMW, demonstrating the scalability and performance of flax reinforcements in demanding automotive applications. 

Safilin will also present its collaboration with Stratiforme on the Ecotrain project, showcasing the successful integration of natural fibre composites into rail interiors, delivering weight reduction, improved environmental performance, and industrial feasibility.

Biofibix, shortlisted among the 20 finalists of the 2026 JEC Startup Booster, will present its proprietary reinforcement technology designed to overcome one of the key challenges of natural fibre composites : structural consistency. Biofibix develops flax-based reinforcement systems that combine controlled fibre orientation with thermoplastic and thermoset compatibility, enabling improved mechanical performance and process reliability. 

Visitors will also discover the Ssuchy-Next project, an initiative focused on wind energy applications. The project explores the use of hemp-based composite solutions for a 12.6 m wind turbine blade, combining optimized fibre architecture, bio-sourced materials, and industrial manufacturing processes. Ssuchy-Next demonstrates how natural fibres can contribute to reduced carbon footprint, improved vibration damping, and end-of-life advantages, while meeting the mechanical and durability requirements of the wind energy sector.

Additional cutting-edge innovations on display will be showcased by other Alliance members and partners that include BComp, Circular Structures, DEMGY, Depestele, Ecotechnilin, Emanuel Lang Flax Composites, Flaxco, Libeco, Linificio e Canapificio Nazionale, Norafin, Safilin, Terre de Lin Technique, and many more. 

Industry Conference 
As part of the JEC Composite Exchange programme, Alliance experts will organize a round-table discussion on Wednesday 11 March at 2:00 pm Agora 5, titled:

“From Data to Applications: How Environmental and Technical Flax-Linen & Hemp Data Help Build Industrial Solutions.” The discussion will highlight how environmental metrics and technical performance data are essential tools for designers, engineers, and manufacturers in accelerating the adoption of natural fibre composites, while exploring the latest technical advances in flax-linen and hemp composites, their environmental performance, and the strategic pathways supporting the industrial deployment of bio-based composites in Europe.

January, 17 marks a historic milestone with the signing of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement, creating the biggest trading block in the world. European business – represented by more than 28 associations across a wide range of sectors – warmly welcomes this signature. It sends a strong and timely signal that the EU remains open and is committed to rules-based global trade. In a time of global uncertainty, this agreement is a key growth booster. 

By opening access to over 270 million consumers via the elimination of trade barriers and the removal of tariffs on over 90% of EU exports, the agreement provides the thrust European companies need to export, invest, and grow, as well as to diversify their supply chains, sourcing essential products and raw materials from Mercosur. By 2040, according to DG Trade’s calculations, the agreement is expected to add 77.6 billion euros to the EU GDP, resulting in a 39% increase in EU exports to Mercosur. 

With the agreement now signed, the ball is firmly in the court of the European Parliament in ensuring rapid ratification. We therefore call on Members of the European Parliament to give their consent and allow Europe’s engine of economic growth and prosperity to be switched on and move ahead decisively. After over 25 years of negotiations, we are finally in sight of the finish line. We cannot afford to wait any longer.

The German Federation of Reinforced Plastics (AVK) is calling for entries for the prestigious AVK Innovation Award 2026. The association is looking for outstanding innovations in the field of fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) / composites in the following categories:

• Innovative products/components or applications 
• Innovative procedures/processes 
• Research and science 

The aim of the AVK Innovation Award is to promote forward-looking products, components, and applications made from FRP, as well as innovative manufacturing methods and processes. Another focus is on recognizing excellent scientific work from universities, colleges, and research institutes.

Sustainability plays a central role in all categories. Awards are given not only to the innovations themselves, but also to the companies and institutions behind them. In this way, the AVK aims to highlight the performance, innovative strength, and future viability of the entire composites industry.

The submissions are evaluated by a high-caliber jury of proven experts from the composites industry.

The deadline for submitting application documents is March 27, 2026. Further details and evaluation criteria can be found online.

The award ceremony will take place on October 20, 2026, as part of the JEC Forum DACH in Cologne (October 20-21, 2026).

Members of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) can look back on 2025 as a year marked by notable technological advances and continued progress in global trade, despite an uncertain and volatile market.

“Our members have been very active over the past 12 months and this has resulted in new technologies for the production of technical fibres and fabrics, the introduction of AI and machine learning into process control systems and significant advances in materials testing,” says BTMA CEO Jason Kent. “There’s real excitement about what can be achieved in 2026 as we look ahead to upcoming exhibitions such as JEC Composites in Paris in March and Techtextil in Frankfurt in April.”

Composites momentum
Cygnet Texkimp, for example, has been nominated for a 2026 JEC Innovation Award for its collaboration with McLaren Automotive on the ART rapid tape-deposition system. Capable of depositing dry fibre tapes at up to 2.5 metres per second with exceptional precision, ART reduces scrap, shortens cycle times and delivers structural improvements already being realised across McLaren’s composite-intensive vehicle platforms.

Cygnet is the world’s largest independent manufacturer of prepreg production machinery, alongside a broad portfolio of handling and converting systems for the composites industry. 

In addition, the company is licensed to design and build the DEECOM® composite recycling system developed by fellow BTMA member Longworth Sustainable Recycling Technologies. DEECOM® is a zero-emission, low-carbon pressolysis solution that uses pressure and steam to reclaim fibres and resin polymers from production waste and end-of-life composites.

Other BTMA members supporting the composites sector include Emerson & Renwick, which applies deep expertise in print, forming, vacuum and coating technologies to carbon fibre processing, while Airbond is a pioneer in pneumatic yarn splicing for high-value carbon and aramid fibres. Slack & Parr meanwhile supplies high-accuracy gear metering pumps across the manmade fibre market, where they process a wide range of polymers and fibres with uniformity and consistency.

Gel spinning
Further resource savings in high-end fibre processing have been realised by Fibre Extrusion Technology through the introduction of a new process for manufacturing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The company’s patented solvent extraction system exploits supercritical carbon dioxide. 

“Current UHMWPE systems are huge in scale and extremely complex,” says FET R&D Manager Jonny Hunter. “That makes the supply chain inflexible and limits new product development. These disadvantages have been addressed in our new FET-500 series lab and small-scale gel spinning system.”

Quality assurance
Alongside materials innovation, BTMA members are also reshaping quality assurance via digitalisation and data-driven manufacturing. Shelton Vision has significantly advanced automated fabric inspection with the latest generation of its WebSpector system. Using patent-pending image processing techniques, WebSpector now enables reliable real-time defect detection on complex patterned fabrics, including those subject to distortion, shear or stretch during processing.

Building on its leadership in plain fabric inspection, the Shelton system now adapts to intricate designs such as camouflage and delivers clean, stable images that allow full fault detection at high running speeds. While automotive interiors and one-piece woven airbags remain key applications, WebSpector systems are increasingly being supplied to producers of performance wear, fashion, denim, outdoor upholstery, mattress ticking, window dressings and even carbon fibre composites.

Continuous colour
A comparable shift from intermittent checks to continuous monitoring is taking place in colour management through the work of C-Tex. Traditionally reliant on periodic swatches, mills can now apply laboratory-level colour measurement directly in production. 

“What we are doing is taking a lab capability and putting it into production,” says Managing Director Rob Ricketts. Working with Shelton, C-Tex has combined inline defect detection with continuous colour variation analysis, enabling both parameters to be assessed simultaneously.

Importantly, this data is now shared across supply chains. When fabrics reach garment, automotive or furniture manufacturers, downstream users know exactly what they are receiving and whether it meets their requirements. 

“This visibility is a big breakthrough,” says Ricketts. “It’s well established in automotive, but now it’s coming to textiles too.”

Intuitive testing
Advanced testing remains another cornerstone of BTMA innovation. James Heal has long supplied advanced textile testing systems and its latest Performance Testing collection focuses on speed, simplicity and intuitive operation for parameters such as airflow and water resiliency. Water repellency testing has similarly been improved with the TruRain system which dramatically reduces wastewater and energy consumption.

During 2025, the company also introduced the new Martindale Motion.
The new nine-station instrument with individual lifting heads now offers the flexibility to run each station independently for carrying out different textile tests simultaneously. Once set up, the Martindale Motion can be left running with the sample holders automatically lifting at the required evaluation points, freeing up the operator’s time to do other work without the need to return until the abrasion or pilling test is fully completed, including overnight.

Colour accuracy is addressed by the VeriVide DigiEye system which provides non-contact colour measurement and digital imaging, enabling objective data capture and rapid sharing across organisations. Recent developments include 100% LED illumination, integrated dust filtration, software-controlled lighting geometry and automated image capture, improving both precision and efficiency.

Tactility challenge
The tactile sensation experienced when touching and manipulating fabric is meanwhile a critical aspect of textile evaluation, but to date has been very subjective. One of the biggest challenges faced by designers and manufacturers is in describing and sharing information about fabric aesthetics before manufacturing, or without the costly and time-consuming process of transporting physical samples.

These limitations are being overcome with the new Sentire fabric handle tester from Roaches International.

“No two people will describe how a fabric feels in the same way and the lack of a common language to describe fabric tactility poses communication challenges across the complex global fashion and textile supply chain,” says Roaches International MD Sean O’Neill. “The Sentire has been developed to allow our customers to objectively measure qualities such as softness, smoothness, drape and stiffness and market response during 2025 has been extremely positive.”

Convergence
Bringing these developments together, Jason Kent sees a clear strategic direction emerging. 

“Across the BTMA we’re seeing a convergence of advanced machinery, intelligent software and rigorous testing,” he says. “Our members are responding to today’s challenges around efficiency, sustainability and quality, while laying the foundations for a more transparent, data-driven and resilient textile manufacturing sector. Despite market uncertainty, there is genuine confidence about what lies ahead for British textile machinery and its global customers.”