From the Sector

FET has received the Techtextil Innovation Award 2026 in the New Production Technology category. The Techtextil Innovation Award honours outstanding ideas in textile technology, sustainability, AI and the creation of technical textiles, selected by an international jury of experts. Ranging from new materials to new production technologies, this award recognises progressive ideas that are driving forces for numerous industries, such as automotive, medical and construction.

The new FET-500 Series now allows rapid, small-scale gel spinning of UHMWPE without the use of the toxic solvents typically associated with the process. This game-changing equipment will finally unlock R&D and new product development in UHMWPE yarns, which was previously blocked by the large-scale nature of UHMWPE yarn production, enabling significant savings in cost, footprint and environmental factors.

“We are proud that the Techtextil Innovation Award recognises our intensive work. It shows that we are at the forefront of technological developments supporting the textiles of tomorrow.” - Richard Slack, Managing Director.

This reinforces FET’s success in processing over 130 different polymer types in multifilament, monofilament and nonwoven formats, collaborating with specialist companies worldwide to promote greater sustainability through innovative manufacturing processes.

In the first quarter of 2026, order intake for Italian textile machinery manufacturers recorded a decrease of 5% compared to the same period in 2025, reflecting a still challenging start to the year. The decline affected foreign markets (-7%), while the domestic market showed growth (+21%).

Compared with the previous quarter (October–December 2025), total order intake increased by 18%. The orders index for the January–March 2026 period stood at 37.3 points (base year 2021=100). In Italy, the index reached 35.3 points, while in foreign markets it stood at 37.6 points.

In the first quarter of 2026, the order backlog guaranteed a workload of approximately 4.5 months.

From a sector perspective, weaving and other manufacturing segments showed relatively more dynamic signals.

Forecasts for the second quarter of 2026 (compared with the previous quarter) indicate pessimism for the domestic market and stability for the foreign one.

Marco Salvadè, President of ACIMIT, commented:
“It is encouraging to see the first positive sign in the domestic market, but forecasts still reveal a degree of pessimism. The difficult international context and the slow actions of government institutional representatives do not allow companies to plan investments. As an Association, we are working in close synergy with the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) to strengthen promotional activities across several strategic markets. We also look with confidence to the upcoming ITMA 2027 in Hannover, which will represent an important opportunity to relaunch the sector, stimulate new investments, and strengthen the international presence of Italian manufacturers.”

ACIMIT (the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers) was established in 1945 with the primary aim of promoting the Italian textile machinery industry by supporting its activities both in Italy and abroad. ACIMIT represents an industrial sector comprising around 300 companies (employing approximately 12,500 people) and producing machinery with a total value of approximately €1.9 billion, about 86% of which is exported. Creativity, sustainable technology, reliability, and quality are the key features that have made Italian textile machinery a world leader.

The EU textile system is at a critical crossroads. Today, less than 1% of discarded garrments are recycled into new garments, despite EU-wide obligations for separate collection.

In response, Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) is launching the 2030 Circularity Blueprint, in partnership with ReHubs. This ambitious initiative is designed to support the transformation of the EU textile ecosystem to advance textile-to-textile recycling and drive the transition to a circular economy. The Blueprint will be officially presented at the Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition on 6 May - one of the world’s leading forums for sustainability in fashion - bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to accelerate collective action.

Building on the ambitions of GFA’s 2020 Circular Fashion System Commitment and grounded in robust industry and value chain engagement, the Blueprint identifies and addresses the systemic fragmentation that has long hindered progress. It introduces a coordinated roadmap to close collection gaps, align stakeholders, and unlock the estimated €8–11 billion Capital Expenditure required to build Europe’s textile-to-textile recycling infrastructure.

Accelerating System-Level Change
The 2030 Circularity Blueprint sets out a clear implementation pathway - presenting eight interconnected intervention areas that have been designed to address systemic barriers in a coordinated way:

Systemic Conditions:
1.    Shared Framework for Circular & Sustainable Materials 
2.    Textile Waste Intelligence Platform
3.    Demand Signal Initiative: Long-Term Offtake Commitments 

Value Chain Interventions
4.    Designing for the Loop: Circularity at Product Design Stage 
5.    Closing the Collection Gap: Effective Textile Collection Systems 
6.    Closing the Sorting Investment Gap: Demand Certainty for Sorters
7.    Pre-Sorting & Feedstock Preparation: Regional Hub Infrastructure 
8.    Recycling Infrastructure at Scale: A Coordinated CAPEX Roadmap

When implemented correctly, the eight interventions are designed to create a system that turns voluntary ambition into investment-grade infrastructure and scalable industrial capacity by 2030, with the ambition to reach a target of 2.7 million tonnes of textile-to-textile recycling capacity by 2035.

As part of the 2030 Circularity Blueprint, GFA and ReHubs will bring two collaborative programmes to life. The first, led by ReHubs, centres on the 'Textile Waste Intelligence Platform'. The second tackles the critical challenge of closing the collection and sorting gap.

A Collaborative Path Forward
The 2030 Circularity Blueprint is designed as a dynamic, collaborative ecosystem, bringing together stakeholders across the value chain to co-create solutions, share ownership, and track progress. It will require coordinated, cohesive effort from all stakeholders - across brands, sorters, recyclers, infrastructure operators, and policymakers - working in alignment rather than in parallel.  The intervention areas will be advanced in partnership with other organisations ready to lead and invest. 

Call to Action:
GFA and ReHubs are actively seeking funding, partnerships, and contributions to bring the full 2030 Circularity Blueprint to life. Organisations are invited to lead and support the remaining intervention areas critical to achieving Europe’s circular textile ambitions.

To further catalyse progress, GFA is issuing a Call to Action for a Targeted Policy Incentive Framework, with concrete suggestions on how to unlock the secondary raw materials market in the EU. While demand for recycled feedstock is rising, cost remains a key barrier: recycled inputs currently command a premium ranging from approximately 20% to as much as double the price of virgin materials. Addressing this will require stronger demand through public procurement, more harmonised and fit-for-purpose Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems across countries, clearer requirements for the use of recycled materials, and increased investment in recycling infrastructure.

Recognising that scaling circular textiles requires aligning economic drivers with policy ambition, the proposal sets out targeted incentive measures across EU legislative and financial instruments. It urges the European Commission to integrate these across existing and forthcoming frameworks, while encouraging Member States to operationalise them at national level, ensuring that circular solutions can compete and scale in practice.

Federica Marchionni, CEO, GFA, says: "The vision for a textile circular economy is clear, and innovation is gaining ground. Yet progress is stalled by supply–demand deadlocks, compounded by a fragmented landscape where initiatives and stakeholders operate in silos, often unaware of their interdependence. Furthermore, without precise incentives to align efforts and investment, progress cannot move at the pace required.

Evan Wiener, Interim COO and Board Advisor to ReHubs, says: “Unlocking textile circularity at scale requires the full value chain to move together. ReHubs brings leading organisations from across the textile recycling value chain to the same table to align interests, orchestrate investment, and turn fragmented efforts into a functioning ecosystem. This collaborative initiative directly supports our strategy to industrialise textile-to-textile recycling and break the supply–demand deadlock at scale.”

The 2030 Circularity Blueprint aims to change that—identifying key bottlenecks and leveraging interconnections to unlock the potential of the circular value chain: turning ambition into tangible progress.

Local events, webinars, on-demand content, and podcasts unite creatives, brands, retailers, supply-chain experts, and print producers – leading seismic shift in apparel and textile production.
 
Kornit Digital, a global pioneer in sustainable, on-demand digital fashion and textile production today announced the launch of Konnections 365 - a year-round movement designed for the people moving the apparel, print, and retail industries forward. The strategy is built on the success of Konnections 2026 held in Hollywood, Florida, featuring more than 500 customers, partners, and collaborators who together are driving the future of apparel and textiles.
 
Bringing together brands, retailers, creatives, print producers, and supply-chain experts, Konnections 365 delivers thought leadership, local and global experiences, committees, webinars, podcasts, and on-demand resources. The intent is to help the industry navigate a watershed moment driven by digital print, AI, sustainability, new inventory models, and emerging technologies.
 
“During our live Konnections event, the room moved and now the industry is ready to follow. We brought together an ecosystem around one clear truth: the winners will be the companies that connect demand, production, technology, and speed – faster than the market can change,” said Ilan Elad, President at Kornit Digital Americas. “Kornit 365 is an extension of this movement, and we can’t wait to see how the industry responds.”
 
Konnections 365 is built on three pillars:
Movement — Year-round community driving industry priorities;
Learn — Practical education through content and thought leadership;
Connect & Act — Events and pilot programs that turn ideas into measurable results.
 
Participants benefit from rapid learning, local-to-global engagement, and the ability to move from ideas to pilots that reduce waste, shorten lead times, and improve margins.
 
Education is free for all participants. However, community events, business networking, and pilot programs are by invitation only for the Kornit Digital Production Community and ecosystem.

The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber through finished sewn products, held its officer elections for fiscal year 2026 at its annual meeting April 14-16.

NCTO has elected Amy Bircher Bruyn, CEO and Founder of MMI Textiles as Chair, and Jay Todd, CEO and Managing Partner of Service Thread, as Vice Chair.

In addition to the appointment of a new chair and vice chair, NCTO elected chairs for each of its five councils. NCTO is comprised of five councils to ensure a broad representation of the industry supply chain. Each council has an allotted number of members who are elected to the association’s Board of Directors, in addition to the Executive Committee.

“I am pleased to announce NCTO’s 2026 officers, council chairs, and board and executive committee members,” said NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas. “I thank Chair Amy Bircher Bruyn and Vice Chair Jay Todd for stepping into these critical roles. As we navigate a challenging environment, their leadership will be key as we advance policies to preserve preferential treatment under USMCA and CAFTA-DR, strengthen customs enforcement against import fraud, refine tariff policies with carve-outs for inputs and machinery not made in the U.S., expand the Berry Amendment and America-made procurement, and grow our Western Hemisphere co-production chain—while opposing measures that undermine a domestic supply chain supporting more than 450,000 jobs.”

Elected as NCTO Chair and Vice Chair for 2026:

• Chair – Amy Bircher Bruyn, MMI Textiles
  Ms. Bircher Bruyn is CEO and Founder of MMI Textiles, a global industrial and custom textile supplier based in Brooklyn, Ohio.
• Vice Chair – Jay Todd, CEO and Managing Director of Service Thread, an industrial yarn and sewing thread manufacturer based in Laurinburg, N.C.

Elected to the NCTO Board of Directors during the various Council meetings were the following:

• Fiber Council – David Adkins of Lenzing Fibers; Geoffrey Hietpas of The LYCRA Company; and David Poston of Palmetto Synthetics
• Yarn Council – Justin Ferdinand of Kentwool; Chris Alt of American & Efird; Marc Doyon of Gildan; Charles Heilig of Parkdale; Eddie Ingle of Unifi; and Tim Manson of Meridian Specialty Yarn Group
• Fabric and Home Products Council –Allen Jacoby of Milliken & Company; Leib Oehmig of Glen Raven Inc.; Bill Rogers of Mount Vernon Mills; Brian Rosenstein of TSG Finishing; Dan Russian of Sage Automotive Interiors; and Walter Spiegel of Standard Textile
• Finished Textiles and Apparel Products Council – Gabrielle Ferrara of Ferrara (Alternate: Marisa Fumei-South of Two-One-Two New York)
• Industry Support Council – Todd Bassett of Fi-Tech; Greg Duncan of American Truetzschler; and Jim Reed of YKK Corp.

Elected by their respective Councils to serve on the Executive Committee were:
Justin Ferdinand of Kentwool; Tim Manson of Meridian Specialty Yarn Group; Bill Rogers of Mount Vernon Mills; Allen Jacoby of Milliken & Company; David Adkins of Lenzing Fibers; Gabrielle Ferrara of Ferrara; and Todd Basset of Fi-Tech.

NCTO Chair Amy Bircher Bruyn has appointed additional executives to serve on the Executive Committee: Chuck Hall, Barnet and NCTO immediate past chairman; Anderson Warlick, Parkdale Mills; Jay Self, Greenwood Mills; Marisa Fumei-South, Two One Two New York; and Jackie Ferrari, American Fashion Network.

Elected to chair the Councils:

•    Fiber Council: David Adkins of Lenzing Fibers
•    Yarn Council: Tim Manson of Meridian Specialty Yarn Group
•    Fabric and Home Products Council: Allen Jacoby of Milliken & Company
•    Finished Textiles and Apparel Products Council: Gabrielle Ferrara of Ferrara
•    Industry Support Council: Todd Bassett of Fi-Tech

In addition to the chair and vice chair, NCTO also elected the following officers for the upcoming fiscal year:

•    President & CEO – Kim Glas, NCTO
•    Treasurer – Robin Haynes, NCTO
•    Secretary – Katherine White, NCTO

The European Alliance for Thermoplastic Composites (EATC) has published a comprehensive study on the market, applications and prospects for thermoplastic composites. 

Thermoplastic fibre-reinforced plastics – also known as thermoplastic composites – are becoming increasingly important across a wide range of industries. From the automotive industry and aerospace to construction and sports and leisure products, they offer a compelling combination of high strength, low weight and good recycling prospects. As such, they are regarded as a key material for sustainable and high-performance lightweight construction solutions. 

Against this backdrop, the European Alliance for Thermoplastic Composites (EATC) has commissioned and provided technical support for a new market study on the European market for thermoplastic composites. The aim of the study is to provide a systematic overview of the current situation, developments and future opportunities within this dynamic materials segment. 

Focus on market structure, applications and growth drivers 
The study analyses the fundamental material properties of thermoplastic composites and highlights the advantages of using them over alternative materials. It also identifies differences between various material classes and outlines the historical development of their industrial applications. 

Particular emphasis is placed on analysing the current size of the European market and the application areas that dominate today. In addition, the study identifies future market potential based on relevant macroeconomic factors. 

In focus: LFT, GMT und CFRTP 
The focus is in particular on LFT (long fibre-reinforced thermoplastics), GMT (glass mat reinforced thermoplastics) and CFRTP (continuous fibre-reinforced thermoplastics). These material groups play a central role in modern structural components with high mechanical requirements. They combine the advantages of thermoplastic matrices – such as short cycle times, efficient processing and new manufacturing possibilities – with the performance of reinforcing fibres. 

A strategic material for European industry 
The findings of the study highlight the growing strategic importance of thermoplastic composites for Europe as an industrial hub. Particularly at a time when demands for resource efficiency, CO₂ reduction and the circular economy are on the rise, thermoplastic composites offer great potential for innovative product solutions. 

Now available
The study is now available in PDF format from AVK upon advance payment. EATC and AVK members can purchase the study for EUR 149,- (plus VAT); for non members, the study is available for EUR 349,- (plus VAT).

• Maximilian Peter to take charge of the Polymers division on May 1, 2026 
• Effective the same date, the previous head of the division, Peter Summo, to take charge of Sales & Distribution 

On May 1, 2026, Maximilian Peter will take over as head of WACKER’s Polymers division. Holding a doctorate in chemical engineering, he has been with WACKER since 2012. After working in process development, he took charge of Corporate Development and was most recently responsible for Human Resources. 

Maximilian Peter succeeds Peter Summo, who headed the Polymers division for ten years. Effective May 1, 2026, Summo will take charge of Sales & Distribution. A graduate in business administration, he began his career at specialty chemicals manufacturer Akzo Nobel before joining WACKER in 1995. Since then, he has held various management positions within the company. 

“With Maximilian Peter and Peter Summo, we are filling two key positions at WACKER with experienced colleagues who have already played a decisive role in using their expertise to shape the company,” said Christian Hartel, WACKER’s CEO, in connection with the changeover. “As head of the Polymers division, Maximilian Peter will continue to drive forward its regional expansion. Peter Summo will continue to forge ahead with WACKER’s market and customer focus and promote sales excellence throughout the company. I wish them both every success in their new roles and look forward to our continued collaboration going forward,” he added. 

As one of a number of new initiatives launched this year, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is launching the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition.

The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, has implications that extend across sourcing, competitiveness and long-term trade dynamics, believes BTMA CEO Jason Kent.

“At its core, this deal removes or reduces tariffs on the vast majority of clothing and home textiles, with duties of around 8-12% on Indian exports to the UK effectively eliminated,” he explains. “This gives Indian manufacturers significantly improved price competitiveness in one of the world’s most valuable consumer markets.”

For the BTMA’s manufacturers of textile machinery it also has strategically important benefits, he adds. 

“India is one of the world’s largest textile producers and continues to invest heavily in modernising its mills – from spinning and weaving through to finishing. Improved trade terms, including reduced tariffs and clearer market access conditions, make it easier for UK machinery suppliers to compete in this expanding market.”

The official launch of the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition will take place on May 8th at the India ITME Centre in Mumbai, and businesses and media interested in attending should contact the BTMA’s Janette Hunter via info@ btma.org.uk.

Home opportunities
Back in the UK, the BTMA has launched the Future Leaders Committee (FLC) aimed at high-potential, mid-career professionals within its member companies.

The FLC programme is being structured to develop leadership, governance and strategic capability through formal training and enable its members to gain exposure to industry-wide challenges and opportunities, while acting as an advisory committee providing fresh perspectives and future-focused insight to the organisation.

In further support to companies, the BTMA Industry Placement Bursary Scheme is designed to support member companies in taking on student placement graduates and apprentices, while strengthening the future skills pipeline of the textile machinery and services sector. 

The new Curious about Textiles short course has meanwhile been developed to support new BTMA member company entrants as well as a refresher to others in this vibrant sector of the industry.
 
“We need to ensure we are doing enough to support the future of the industry, not just commercially, but in terms of people, skills and leadership,” Jason Kent concludes. “The course is now fully developed and has been curated directly from the expertise of our members. We’ll be running a two-day pilot in early June at the BTMA offices in Manchester and then rolling it out more broadly to our membership in the autumn. It’s heavily subsidised by BTMA, so participation for our member organisations is very affordable. Please contact us directly for further information and let’s work together to support the exciting future for UK-made textile technologies.”

The shareholders of Autoneum Holding Ltd approved all motions proposed by the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting. For the 2025 financial year, a total distribution of CHF 3.20 per share was approved. 

A total of 205 shareholders attended the Annual General Meeting of Autoneum Holding Ltd in Winterthur. Overall, 62.09 percent of the share capital was represented either by shareholders present or by the independent proxy. 

In his address, Chairman of the Board of Directors Hans Peter Schwald also referred to Autoneum’s 15 year anniversary: “Over this period, Autoneum has successfully established itself as a global market and technology leader, expanded its presence in Asia, continuously developed its portfolio, strengthened vertical integration and at the same time built a strong, distinct corporate culture.” 

CEO Eelco Spoelder outlined the key developments of the 2025 financial year and stated: 
“While the automotive industry has recently made many negative headlines, Autoneum has developed positively. Thanks to our clear strategy, broad customer base, dedicated employees, and the high powertrain independence of our products and technologies, we are confident about the future.” 

The shareholders approved the 2025 Annual Report, including the consolidated and standalone financial statements. They also approved the Board of Directors’ proposal to distribute a total of CHF 3.20 per registered share for the 2025 financial year, reflecting the positive consolidated result. As of May 5, 2026, a dividend of CHF 1.60 per share will be paid, less 35 percent Swiss withholding tax, as well as a withholding tax exempt repayment from capital contribution reserves of CHF 1.60 per share. 

Hans Peter Schwald will remain Chairman of the Board of Directors. The shareholders re elected Liane Hirner, Norbert Indlekofer, Martin Klöti, Michael Pieper and Oliver Streuli as members of the Board of Directors for a further term of office. Yanni von Roy Jiang, a member of the Board of Directors and of the Strategy and Sustainability Committee since 2025, did not stand for re election. Hans Peter Schwald commented: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to sincerely thank Yanni von Roy Jiang for her commitment and valuable contributions. With her international experience and strategic foresight, she has significantly enriched the work of our Board. We wish her all the very best for the future.” 

The shareholders re elected Hans Peter Schwald, Norbert Indlekofer and Oliver Streuli to the Compensation Committee. KPMG AG, Zurich, will continue as statutory auditors for another year, and Ulrich B. Mayer was again confirmed as the independent proxy for a further term. 

The shareholders granted discharge to all members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee with more than 99.35 percent of the votes cast. The advisory votes on the 2025 Compensation Report and the Corporate Responsibility Report received approval ratings of 86.62 percent and 95.53 percent respectively. The proposals on the maximum compensation of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee for the 2027 financial year were also approved by a large majority.

In the end, what matters is the result: a filter that performs reliably, a membrane that remains stable in storm conditions, a composite material with precisely defined properties. But the path to achieving this is demanding. In the production of technical textiles, numerous parameters interact – and even the smallest deviations can have major consequences. 

This very challenge shaped this year’s Techtextil. Many of the exhibiting companies face the daily task of producing complex materials while maintaining consistently high quality standards. It requires a finely tuned interplay of fibers, coatings, temperature, moisture, and tension. Whether it is protective textiles, technical filters, or carbon applications: precision is not an option, but a prerequisite. And monitoring these parameters is the key to success. 

Perfect Alignment for Woven Fabrics  
Companies such as Frenzelit, Freudenberg, Friedola, Getzner, Juta, Sattler, Swisstulle, and Toray demonstrated at the trade fair just how diverse the applications of classic woven fabrics can be. At the same time, it became clear that even the slightest distortion errors can lead to functional failure and therefore waste. Mahlo’s Orthopac systems ensure that fabrics remain perfectly aligned throughout these processes – continuously, reliably, and often unnoticed in the background. 

Consistent Quality in Nonwovens 
Nonwovens are no less complex. Manufacturers such as Alkegen (Gutsche), Dyneema, Filz Fulda, Freudenberg, Johns Manville, Lenzing, Norafin, Polyvlies, Pont Aurell, Tenowo, and TWE represent materials with a wide range of properties used in hygiene products, vehicles, filters, and medical applications. 

What matters most here is one thing above all: basis weight. Even minor deviations can determine whether a product meets the required specifications or not. With Qualiscan QMS, this crucial parameter is monitored continuously – and adjusted immediately when necessary. This ensures consistent quality, even at high production speeds. 

Coatings Under Full Control 
Another key topic at Techtextil was coatings. Multi-layer materials, complex constructions, and precisely defined properties are what characterize modern technical textiles. But the more complex a material becomes, the more sensitive it is to fluctuations in the process. 

This is where Mahlo sensors provide decisive insights: they detect early on when coatings become too thick or too thin, enabling immediate corrective action. Errors do not only become visible at the end – they are prevented from being produced in the first place. 

Moisture and Temperature: Invisible but Essential 
The same applies to moisture. It is invisible, but crucial for many processes. Whether in nonwovens, felts, or drying processes, precise control saves energy, stabilizes operations, and ensures product quality. IR and microwave sensors provide the necessary real-time data.
For sensitive materials such as prepregs or thermally stabilized fabrics, temperature control becomes essential. Systems such as Optipac and Ecopac ensure that materials are processed exactly within the required temperature ranges.