From the Sector

Archroma becomes the exclusive global distributor of Fibre52®’s patented chemistry—advancing a new standard in sustainable processing. Combined with Archroma’s AVITERA® SE dyes, the partnership delivers the industry’s most resource-efficient bleach-and-dye systems.
 
Archroma, a leading global specialty chemicals company committed to sustainable innovation, and Innovo Fiber LLC, owner of the patented Fibre52® system, announced an exclusive global distribution partnership to expand the reach of Fibre52®’s proven low-temperature, bleaching technology with innovative dyeing application to textile mills and brands worldwide.

When combined with Archroma’s AVITERA® SE reactive dye range, the collaboration brings forward a comprehensive system that reduces resource use across pretreatment and dyeing, setting a new benchmark for sustainable cotton and cotton/polyester production. Together, the technologies enable mills to reduce water use and CO₂ emissions by up to 50%, helping brands accelerate their progress toward carbon-reduction and sustainability targets.

Under the agreement, Archroma will integrate Fibre52® into its global sales and technical network, expanding access to the ZDHC MRSL v3.1 and OEKO-TEX®-approved system for mills adopting high-performance, sustainable processing.

Revolutionizing Cotton and Cellulose Processing
Fibre52®’s breakthrough technology replaces harsh, high-temperature caustic bleaching with a gentle, low-temperature system that preserves the cotton fiber’s natural wax layer. The result is stronger, softer, more durable fabrics that reduce process weight loss by 2–4%, lower energy and water use, and deliver cost-neutral conversion—while minimizing the need for added softeners through the cotton’s naturally enhanced hand feel.

Already adopted by partner mills across multiple regions, the process delivers consistent results across all shades—including whites—and performs exceptionally on cotton/polyester blends, reducing time and water requirements. Combined with Archroma’s AVITERA® SE dyes, it enhances dye uptake, color depth, and overall resource efficiency—a next-generation solution for sustainable textile processing.

Engineered for versatility across modern bleaching and dyeing platforms, Fibre52® offers mills a single, low-impact system adaptable to a wide range of fabric constructions and process methods. Designed for cotton and effective with cotton/polyester, manmade cellulosics, and cotton-rich blends, the system also supports greater use of recycled cotton, advancing circular textile production.

By combining Archroma’s global reach and technical expertise with Fibre52®’s patented innovation, the partnership will accelerate the industry’s shift to a comprehensive bleach-and-dye system, unlocking new efficiencies and environmental benefits at scale. Together, Archroma and Fibre52® are setting a new benchmark for sustainable, high-performance cotton and blended fabric processing.

Executive Perspectives
“Our goal has always been to make sustainable cotton processing the global standard,” said Laura Thornquist, President of Innovo Fiber LLC, owner of Fibre52®. “Through our partnership with Archroma, we can now deliver that vision at scale—combining Fibre52®’s neutral-pH, caustic-free technology with Archroma’s AVITERA® SE dyes to create a complete, low-impact bleach-and-dye system. This is how the industry moves forward: practical innovation that improves performance, protects fibers, and dramatically reduces environmental impact.”

“This partnership is a strategic milestone that brings together Innovo Fiber’s groundbreaking technology and Archroma’s sustainability innovation. Together we are empowering the textile industry to achieve new levels of efficiency and environmental sustainability. This is a game-changer for the industry and we are excited to lead the charge,” said Dhirendra Gautam, VP Commercial, Archroma. “With Fibre52®, we now deliver a unique, industry-first solution, for cotton and its blends, as part of Archroma’s SUPER SYSTEMS+ portfolio.”

® Trademarks of Archroma registered in many countries.
Fibre52® is a registered trademark of Fibre52 (Innovo Fiber LLC).

Eton Systems – a member of TMAS, the Swedish Textile Machinery Association – is taking part in the current Microfactories System Innovation project which is working on the development of a fully automated workflow for second hand garments.

Eton is contributing its well-proven transport system for material handling to the project, which also involves specialists at the Swedish School of Textiles in Borås, the Automation Region innovation cluster at Mälardalen University and the national collaboration platform iHubs Sweden.

High volumes
According to ThredUp’s 2025 Resale Report, the value of the global second-hand apparel market is already worth an annual $256 billion this year and growing at 10% annually to reach a value of $367 billion by 2029.

Additionally, the online resale segment alone is forecast to double over the next five years to around $40, billion reflecting higher growth of 17%.

“The volumes are now so large that handling must be automated for it to work,” says Jan Molin, CEO of Eton Systems. “The new EU regulations requiring separate collection of textiles are having an impact, but we are also seeing an increasingly positive attitude towards reuse and greater awareness of the textile industry’s environmental impact.”

AI categorisation
As part of the project, a test facility is being established at Science Park Borås involving garments being placed on custom product carriers within an Eton Systems conveyor system and transported through a series of stations. 

The garments are inspected using a vision system, after which AI is employed to categorise them based on parameters such as manufacturer, model and size. Any damage is analysed and the system also provides recommendations for possible repairs.

“The collected information is fed into a calculation model that, based on market data, makes suggestions for a sales price,” Molin explains. “Finally, the garment is photographed for marketing and then transported to a warehouse awaiting sale.”

Historic automation 
Eton’s material handling system was developed as early as the 1960s for the company’s own shirt production in Gånghester outside Borås. At the time, material handling was estimated to account for up to 80% of the manufacturing time. 

The company’s Unit Production System (UPS) was developed as an automated ceiling-mounted conveyor system that moved the shirts one by one through the various work steps, the company was able to move from mass production to one-off production.

“It provided many benefits, including shorter lead times, greatly reduced material handling time and better ergonomics for operators,” says Molin. “Quality defect costs were also reduced because defects could be detected on individual products instead of at the batch level.”

The UPS concept was very successful and in 1967 was spun off into the stand-alone automation company Eton Systems, which now runs its operations in a modern production facility in Nordskogen in Borås. Its customers are global with an emphasis on clothing production, home textiles and furniture manufacturing, but the system is also used in, for example, the transport and handling of plastic parts for the automotive industry.

Opportunities for Swedish industry
The textile industry has a major environmental impact, not least through extensive overproduction. Clothing companies often order large volumes from the manufacturers and what does not sell is sold out or destroyed. 

The Microfactories System Innovation project builds on previous projects that have mainly focused on developing small-scale, local and needs-based production. Now the focus is on the growing market for reuse.

“We see enormous potential in second hand,” says Molin. “It is an area that is growing rapidly and where there is room for innovation and new business models. There is also the opportunity to move technology from other industries.”

Work on the project started in 2024 and will continue for four years. For Eton Systems, participation means both a chance to test new applications for its technology and to strengthen the company’s ability to innovate.

“Collaboration with universities and innovation environments helps us to be at the forefront,” says Molin. “We can participate in freer and more visionary development, without having to take on all the work ourselves. But above all, it is about contributing to a more circular industry, where materials can be used for longer and in a smarter way.”

Accelerating circular systems
“It’s very encouraging to note this growing willingness by many consumers to embrace the second-hand market as an important component of the drive towards accelerating circular systems,” adds TMAS General Secretary Therese Premler-Andersson. “Automation and digitalization as developed by Swedish companies like Eton are increasingly innovating ways in which this market – and more generally textile manufacturing and retailing – can be sustained and made ever more efficient in the general fight against textile waste.”

The Microfactories System Innovation project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, Region Västra Götaland and Region Västmanland.

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (EFI™) announced that it has signed an agreement for Fiery, LLC, to acquire all interests in Inèdit Software, the leading RIP (Raster Image Processor) and color management software company serving all brands of digital textile printers worldwide. Inèdit’s software products, including neoStampa, neoTextil and neoCatalog, serve the digital textile and specialty printing markets, and will enable Fiery to broaden its suite of solutions targeted at those markets. EFI Reggiani will continue its strong working relationship with Inèdit as an OEM partner.

“Fiery is a key OEM partner for EFI, supplying RIPs and color management tools for our packaging and display graphics businesses,” said Frank Pennisi, EFI’s CEO. “With this transaction, Fiery will now support our textile business as well, enabling EFI to focus on its core businesses of systems, production software, and ink. In addition, as part of Fiery, LLC, Inèdit will be able to take advantage of additional growth opportunities. We believe this transaction brings strong benefits to both companies while ensuring continued availability of software products that are important to the textile printing industry.”

Fiery plans to continue with the leading Inèdit brand as an independent product suite, supporting current and prospective partners and customers with its strong software development capabilities and deep understanding of the digital textile printing industry. Financial details and a timeline for completion of this transaction are not available at this time.