From the Sector

The third edition of the SMCCREATE conference, organised by AVK and the European Alli-ance for SMC BMC, will take place again in Prague (Vienna House Diplomat Prague), Czech Republic, on November 04th – 05th, 2025. The event brings together international experts to discuss the latest developments and applications in the field of SMC/BMC.

SMC and BMC – Innovative materials for modern designs
SMC (sheet moulding compound) and BMC (bulk moulding compound) are high-performance fibre composites that are particularly suitable for the manufacture of light-weight, complex-shaped components – they combine structural properties with a smooth surface. For this reason, SMC and BMC are increasingly being used in a wide range of end applications and markets.

Application-oriented content for the areas of design and development
SMCCREATE will once again offer a compact and high-quality program in 2025:
Over the course of one and a half days, leading companies and research institutions such as AOC, Owens Corning, Menzolit and TU Delft will present the latest findings, best prac-tices and innovative solutions relating to the use of SMC and BMC in modern construction processes.
Participants can look forward to a total of 15 presentations on the topics of market & trends, sustainability and design.

Ahead of this year’s ITMA Asia + CITME exhibition in Singapore from October 28-31, industry leading companies Archroma, BW Converting and Monforts will take part in a webtalk with German association VDMA on September 18th.

The three companies will share insights from recent trials conducted at the Monforts Advanced Technology Center in Germany, where a Baldwin TexCoat™ G4 spray unit has been integrated into a Montex stenter to apply Archroma’s latest waterborne chemicals. The collaborative effort aims to maximise resource efficiency and throughput in textile finishing. In addition, the partners will unveil details of a new, cutting-edge line concept set to debut at ITMA Asia in Singapore.

Installed in 2024 at the Monforts Advanced Technology Center in Mönchengladbach, the full-width Baldwin TexCoat G4 unit has enabled extensive real-world testing of advanced finishing formulations. The system’s integration into the Montex stenter has provided a valuable platform for evaluating performance, precision, and sustainability across a wide range of application scenarios.

“This work now enables us to guide manufacturers through the transition from standard impregnation processes to spray application systems, which have the potential to reduce water and energy consumption as less water is needed to transport the chemicals to the textile surface,” explains Michael Schuhmann, Global Marketing Segment Manager for Technical Textiles at Archroma Textile Effects. “Our latest addition to this range of options is a patent-pending, highly wash durable hydrophilic softener which enhances the longevity of the treated fabrics and will be commercially available soon.”

Commercial success
BW Converting is already seeing commercial success with the Baldwin TexCoat G4 system in the field. In Pakistan, for example, its integration into Montex stenters using Archroma chemistry has proven to be a highly effective line concept for bed sheet production.

“We have helped our customers double their stenter output, while also significantly enhancing the hand feel of the finished fabrics,” says Rick Stanford, Vice President of Business Development for Textiles at BW Converting.

Independent testing by Fashion for Good, a global platform for sustainable textile innovation, compared TexCoat G4 spray application with traditional pad-based finishing, using a Monforts stenter and Archroma formulations. The results confirmed that combining advanced equipment design, process expertise, and tailored chemistry can significantly reduce energy and water consumption while improving capacity utilisation for textile mills.

Monforts has long focused on developing optimised processes paired with energy-efficient machine layouts. Building on the success of their recent collaboration, the three partners are now working on a similar resource-saving concept, combining Monforts’ Thermex continuous dyeing range with the new Baldwin TexChroma spray dyeing system and Archroma dyestuffs.

“We are committed to continuing to work together with a focus on bringing transformative change to the dyeing and finishing space,” says Monforts Technologist Saskia Kuhlen.

The VDMA webtalk, Driving Innovation in Sustainable Textile Finishing and Beyond, will take place from 14.00 – 15.30 CET on September 18th and invitations will be published a week in advance via the VDMA LinkedIn channel.

AZL Aachen GmbH, a leading engineering partner for lightweight technologies, is initiating a new cross-industry collaboration titled “High Value Composite Applications – A Joint Market and Technology Study on Opportunities for Fiber-Reinforced Plastics in Space & Defence Applications.” The project brings together international companies to explore and quantify the potential of fibre-reinforced plastics (FRP) in two of the most dynamic innovation markets: space and defence. 

Shaping Emerging Markets with Composites 
The demand for high-performance, lightweight, and modular components is accelerating rapidly in both sectors. With more than 50,000 satellites projected in orbit by 2035 and significant defence investments being implemented across Europe and beyond, the relevance of scalable composite-based structures has never been greater. This Joint Partner Project (JPP) aims to provide participants with a consolidated market and technology roadmap, combining deep technical insights with actionable strategic data.  

A Proven Collaboration Format 
The project will be executed as a Joint Partner Project – a pre-competitive, cost-shared initiative moderated and conducted by AZL. This format allows companies from across the value chain to jointly define focus topics, benefit from AZL’s expertise in market and technology analysis, and contribute their own perspectives throughout the process. Having coordinated over 15 such industry projects with more than 200 participating companies, AZL offers proven processes for delivering structured outcomes and fostering effective exchange between partners. 

Kick-off and Participation 
The project will begin with a Kick-off Meeting on July 15th, 2025. All participating companies will have the opportunity to introduce their organizations, share their expectations, and help define the specific scope of the study. This setting fosters transparency, engagement, and cross-industry insights. Companies interested in participating are invited to request the detailed project description and schedule an individual consultation with AZL’s industrial services team:

Contact
Philipp Fröhlig 
Head of Industrial Services 
Email: philipp.froehlig@azl-aachen-gmbh.de 
Telefon: +49 241 475 735 14 

Source Fashion opens Tuesday, 8th July, at Olympia London, welcoming buyers, retailers, and sourcing professionals from around the world. Running until 10th July 2025, the show will host over 250 makers and manufacturers from over 22 key sourcing regions, including UK, Portugal, Morocco, India, Nepal, Italy, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Türkiye, France, and China, to name just a few.
 
With leading retailers and brands such as AllSaints, Burberry, Frasers, French Connection, Gymshark, Harrods, JD Sports, John Lewis, JoJo Maman Bebe, Killstar, Lyle & Scott, Next, Paul Smith, Primark, River Island, Selfridges, Tottenham Hotspur, Victoria Beckham, Zalando, and more, already pre-registered, Source Fashion is set to be a must-attend event for businesses looking to source responsibly and discover innovative solutions to industry challenges. 
 
Exhibitor Highlights
Returning this season, Amplebox Ltd is a Leicester-based womenswear manufacturer with over 30 years' experience delivering fast-turnaround outerwear to major UK and European retailers. Specialising in design-to-delivery solutions, the company has sharpened its focus on sustainability and ethical production.
 
Deni Mai, based in Istanbul with design offices in London and LA, brings premium denim and knitwear across womenswear, menswear, and childrenswear. Known for flexible minimums, quick lead times, and sustainable techniques like laser finishing, they offer full-service production tailored to today’s market demands.
 
Glovika, a rising Nigerian label from Abuja, showcases bold, bespoke garments that fuse contemporary style with vibrant African textiles. Their presence underscores the global momentum behind African fashion and the demand for culturally rich, responsibly made collections.
 
Exhibiting as part of the Made in Ethiopia initiative, a delegation of Ethiopian manufacturers will showcase the country’s growing strength in sustainable apparel production. Supported by the Sustainable Industrial Clusters project (backed by the British and German governments), the pavilion highlights Ethiopia’s capacity as a reliable sourcing destination, with over 100,000 workers in the sector and a focus on ethical manufacturing within its industrial parks. With duty-free access to the UK under the EBA agreement, Ethiopian producers are poised to connect with international buyers seeking scalable, responsible solutions.
 
From Insight to Impact: Exploring Trends, Innovation, and Ideas on the Source Stage
Visitors can immerse themselves in the latest trends and insights shaping responsible fashion with the Source Catwalk Show, presented three times daily. This season, the catwalk puts pre-loved garments centre stage through a new partnership with leading circular fashion platform Reskinned. Curated by the Source Fashion team, the show features womenswear looks built from exhibitor collections and pre-loved pieces, highlighting how resale, reuse, and repurposing can deliver trend-led, high-impact style. The result is a bold, visual statement that proves pre-loved fashion is not only sustainable, but undeniably stylish.
 
Source Fashion’s thought-leading content programme returns this July with a sharp focus on how to thrive in a volatile world. Running across two stages over three days, the agenda tackles the real challenges facing fashion businesses today, from supply chain resilience and ethical sourcing to pricing pressures and changing consumer behaviour. Back by popular demand, the Source Debates Stage delivers bold, provocative conversations designed to spark honest reflection and collective problem-solving. 
 
Key Speaker Highlights 

• Finding clarity from chaos – leading with purpose. Fireside chat, Lynda Petherick, Chief Information Officer, New Look and Non-Executive Director, British Fashion Council shares honest reflections on steering teams through disruption.
• Leading and collaborating through geopolitical and economic upheaval. Hash Ladha, Former CEO, Jigsaw delves into how strong internal alignment, cross-functional communication, and strategic supplier partnerships can build resilience and help businesses navigate global instability with confidence.
• The new ‘New’ - is pre-loved the future of fashion? Fashion Director and renowned sustainability advocate Bay Garnett explores whether the explosion of second-hand marketplaces and rental platforms represents a lasting shift or passing trend.
• When will consumers really pay more – are they ready? Panel with Anna Berry, Co-Founder and Director, Retail 100, Berni Yates, Knowledge Exchange Lead, CSM and Mark Sumner, Textiles Lead, WRAP
• Rethinking the rules - what would a smarter fashion system look like? Mark Sumner, Textiles Programme Lead – WRAP on Source Debates Stage to reimagine fashion’s supply chain from the ground up

After being previewed at key industry events like Kingpins Amsterdam and Denim Première Vision Milan and following the success of several industrial-scale trials, Officina39 announces the official launch of ZeroPP|ALL.IN, a breakthrough process that allows for the complete replacement of Potassium Permanganate (PP) in denim finishing. The innovation lies in a significant simplification: the entire workflow can now be performed directly onto raw garments using just one product, making the system more accessible, efficient, and sustainable than ever before.

Despite its well-documented toxicity and environmental risks, PP remains widely used for its ability to deliver worn, vintage effects at low cost. Finding a viable replacement has been a key challenge for the industry, until now. Finally, Officina39 presents a unique innovative product that replaces Potassium Permanganate at the beginning of the process and can be applied directly to raw garments.

ZeroPP|ALL.IN offers a four-step workflow:

1. Spray or nebulization application – The ZeroPP|ALL.IN single product is applied directly onto raw denim garments.
2. Laser marking – Performed immediately after ZeroPP|ALL.IN single product application, to define graphics or wear patterns.
3. Dry Ozone treatment – Executed immediately after Laser marking without rinsing; ozone reacts with the laser-marked areas to replicate the typical indigo corrosion of PP.
4. Final washes and finishing – To deliver the complete, ready-to-market garment. This one-cycle process reduces time, energy, and water consumption, while enhancing safety, transparency, and creative control. It’s the ultimate solution for brands and laundries aiming to transition away from hazardous legacy practices, positioning ZeroPP|ALL.IN as a feasible and cost-efficient real solution for the industry.

“ZeroPP|ALL.IN represents the fulfillment of a path we began years ago,” says Andrea Venier, Managing Director of Officina39. “Through continuous refinement, real-world  testing, and feedback from our customers and partners, we’ve achieved a true turning point. The result is a streamlined, single-product process applied directly to raw garments, finally making the full replacement of Potassium Permanganate both sustainable and industrially viable.”

EURATEX and its Danish member Dansk Mode & Textil are calling upon the Danish Presidency of the EU to bring back stability and transparency to the European agenda. These last few months major upheavals and turbulence in global markets have been seen, as well as uncertainty surrounding a number of regulatory initiatives. All this creates a climate of uncertainty for European industry and anxiety with the consumers. As a result, demand for textile and garments is low, and entrepreneurs are hesitant to make any further investment decisions.

The Danish Presidency should do its utmost to restore confidence in the EU, by setting clear timelines and a regulatory pathway, which will allow our companies to make their investment and business plans for the next 5 years. 

Specifically, the associations encourage the Presidency to move forward on some specific dossiers:

• Ensure that the Circular Economy Act will support the demand for sustainable textile products and create a single market for textile waste (en-of-waste criteria);
• Accelerate the much needed reform of the Union Customs Code, and adopt specific measures much faster (e.g. on the de minimis threshold) and much bolder (e.g. going beyond the €2 handling fee for on line parcels);
• Move forward on implementing the Waste Framework Directive, allowing EPR schemes to be rolled out across the EU in a harmonised way. 
• Clarify the future of the Green Claims initiative, which is an important initiative to avoid greenwashing in the fashion industry. 
• Put the ratification of the Mercosur FTA back on track as quickly as possible, as European textile companies stand to gain from that agreement
• By contrast, carefully monitor the negotiations with India, to ensure a comprehensive and balanced agreement can be reached (as against a quick and partial deal).
• Quickly move forward with the Energy Union, which should result in much needed lower energy prices for our European manufacturers.
• Ensure a more efficient and coherent regulatory chemicals framework through a REACH revision, which increases transparency and predictability, and retains companies from relocating outside of the EU.

Thomas Klausen from DM&T commented as follows: “In these uncertain times we need the EU as a stabilising factor, and this also goes for the Danish fashion and textile industry. It is crucial that EU creates a level playing field and ensures the predictability, the industry needs to make the necessary investments. We hope that the Danish Presidency will be a key driver in ensuring this.” 

Dirk Vantyghem from EURATEX added: “Our textile companies face too many uncertainties. While the EU cannot solve them alone, we expect from the Danish Presidency to show some leadership and move forward on these many urgent topics. We have no time to loose if we want to safeguard the competitiveness of our industry.”

The Danish textile and clothing industry contributes 87 billion Danish kroner annually to Denmark's total GDP and helps create 96,000 jobs in Denmark.

The industry accounts for six per cent of total Danish goods exports and thus plays a central role in Danish the economy as a whole.

REMONDIS and H&M Group formed a joint venture, Looper Textile Co, an independent company that collects, sorts and enables reuse and recycling of textiles. Rhenus 4PL Solutions GmbH, a Rhenus Group company, is supporting the venture as REMONDIS' contractual partner by providing advanced logistics solutions – including the centralized coordination of transport flows, end-to-end supply chain visibility, and the implementation of a digital 4PL Control Tower tailored to the specific requirements of circular textile logistics.

Smart Solutions for Circular Textile Flows
Looper Textile Co. is an independent joint venture owned by H&M Group and REMONDIS. The company has set itself the goal of collecting and sorting used clothing and textiles for reuse and recycling in order to make the best possible use of these valuable resources. “The need for collection and sorting solutions has never been greater, and Looper is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change,” says Erik Lagerblad, CEO of Looper Textile Co.

“Used textiles are one of the largest material flows in the world. We rely on digital solutions and our expertise in the circular economy to efficiently coordinate the movement of collected volumes of 150 million pieces per year. Together, we want to take the sustainable use of textiles into the future,” commented Simon Bodmer, Head of Logistics Department at REMONDIS Recycling GmbH & Co. KG.

Enabling circular flows: Over 70 million garments sorted in 2024
Looper Textile Co. enables circular textiles through reuse and preparing for recycling. Operating out of two sorting facilities in Germany and one in Poland, while working with a global network of partners, Looper sorts into over 200 categories based on material and garment type. In 2023, the first year of operations, Looper helped extend the life of over 40 million garments, and over 72 million garments in 2024, 65% reuse, 25% recycling, and <10% responsibly disposed due to contamination. A commitment to innovation within Looper includes a pilot line for automated sorting using near-infrared and optical sensor technology, meeting the precise material requirements of emerging textile-to-textile recycling solutions.

Rhenus 4PL Control Tower for transparency in Looper’s supply chain
As part of the project, Rhenus 4PL Solutions GmbH is deploying its 4PL Control Tower – a central digital platform that enables real-time coordination and monitoring of all logistics activities across the supply chain. As a Fourth Party Logistics (4PL) provider, Rhenus assumes overarching responsibility for managing logistics partners and processes. The system has been specifically tailored to support the requirements of the circular economy, ensuring full transparency, optimized material flows, and efficient, data-driven supply chain operations. In a circular project like Looper Textile Co., the Control Tower plays a key role in enabling textile reuse and recycling by seamlessly coordinating all stakeholders and creating end-to-end visibility.

“Our 4PL Control Tower provides a central platform for the coordinated and integrated management of all logistics activities and increases visibility along the entire value chain. This is crucial to achieving Looper Textile Co.'s goals,” explains Chris Gerfertz, Managing Global Director at Rhenus 4PL Solutions.

The textile industry continues to face growing regulatory and market pressures to shift toward more sustainable and inclusive production models.

Launched at the June Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition 2025, the Fashion Impact Toolkit provides an impact inventory and framework to help textile companies navigate sustainability  challenges. This interactive resource is designed for companies across the complex textile value chain, from raw material producers and retailers to recyclers and remanufacturers, and is applicable across major sub-sectors, including high-street fashion, luxury, footwear, sportswear, and textile manufacturing. It can serve as a starting point to help companies map their areas of influence based on parameters such as materials, processes, and geographies.

“We hope that the Fashion Impact Toolkit will be a valuable resource for the textile industry as it navigates increasing regulatory and stakeholder pressure,” says Federica Marchionni, CEO of the Global Fashion Agenda. “By identifying and acting upon the most critical sustainability implications across the value chain, companies can foster greater resilience, trust, and long-term transformation. We are proud to collaborate with Deloitte to support this much-needed shift.”

Developing an impact inventory
The Fashion Impact Toolkit outlines nearly 3,000 potential impacts across value chain stages, including challenges and opportunities, to help inform leaders’ decision-making. Geographical scoping was applied to serve as the basis for identifying potential impacts across the main stages of the textile lifecycle.

The resulting value chain mapping and impact inventory highlight key hotspots and pressure points across six distinct stages: production of materials, garments manufacturing, product distribution and use, end-of-life management, material recycling, and high-value recovery activities.

A framework to help drive transformation
The interactive Fashion Impact Toolkit is structured according to the current European Financial Reporting Advisory Group’s (EFRAG) European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). To help organizations navigate the toolkit and turn insights into action, the toolkit follows a seven-step framework: 

1. Identify the position in the value chain
2. Generate material- and geography-specific insights
3. Translate potential sector-wide impacts to company-specific ones
4. Quantify the identified potential impacts
5. Define the risks and opportunities
6. Shape the ambition and strategy
7. Collaborate for systemic change

A stepping stone to circular transition
The Fashion Impact Toolkit can serve as a stepping stone toward a circular economy. Circular strategies can help reduce a wide range of identified environmental impacts and can be effective in building resilience across the value chain. 

SANITIZED AG, a global leader in hygiene function and material protection technologies, and the global specialty chemical company Rudolf Holding SE & Co. KG, announce a new exclusive distribution partnership. Effective February 1, 2026, RUDOLF will become the exclusive distributor of Sanitized® textile additives worldwide. A transition period will begin on September 1, 2025, during which both the current and new distributors will ensure continuity of supply and support to customers. 

This strategic collaboration brings together two family-owned companies that share common values: a deep commitment to customer proximity, a sustainable business mindset, and the ambition to drive game-changing innovation in the global textile industry. With SANITIZED’s trusted expertise in hygiene management and odor control and RUDOLF’s world-leading capabilities in textile finishing, the partnership unites two highly competent and respected industry players in service of the global textile industry. 

The shift comes at a time of increasing market complexity. Evolving customer requirements, trade barriers, and structural overcapacity are placing new demands on the industry. In response, SANITIZED and RUDOLF are joining forces to deliver even greater value through close collaboration, global availability of products and technical support, and ongoing innovation aligned with the latest technological and sustainability standards. 

With more than 2,000 employees, 18 production sites, and 50 sales offices across Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Asia, RUDOLF offers market access and customer support at a global scale. Its “One-Phase to the Customer” mindset ensures that service, technical consulting, and customer needs are handled with a seamless, integrated approach. 

Customers will benefit from global availability, strong local support, and broad range of trusted high-quality products. The Sanitized® Seal of Confidence further builds consumer trust and helps customers differentiate their offerings, showcasing proven effectiveness and lasting product reliability. Sanitized® technologies will be available through RUDOLF from September 1, 2025, onward. As of February 1, 2026, RUDOLF will assume full exclusive distribution rights.

“We are very much looking forward to working with our new distribution partner,” said Michael Lüthi, CEO of SANITIZED. “RUDOLF shares the same long-term values as SANITIZED – a deep commitment to partnership, trust, and delivering added value to the textile industry. Together, we are ready to take the next step in serving our customers worldwide and striving to be the industry’s preferred partner.” 

Marcos Furrer, CEO of RUDOLF, added: “With over a century of experience in textile chemistry, we deeply value the importance of trusted partnerships and staying close to the customer. This new exciting collaboration with SANITIZED is a strong strategic fit that allows us to combine technical excellence with a shared ambition to use our common understanding of customer’s needs. We are thrilled to embark on this journey together.” 

Vehicle manufacturers are increasingly looking for recycling solutions for end-of-life vehicles to meet sustainability targets and comply with new regulations that are accelerating the automotive industry’s transition toward a circular economy. In response, Autoneum has developed the N-Join1 carpet. This innovative, monomaterial carpet system, made from recycled materials, eliminates the need for latex and adhesives, thereby offering an eco-friendly solution for vehicle interiors.

The N-Join1 employs a unique process that joins the carpet surface together with the substrate in a single step. The substrate can be made from various materials including Autoneum’s Pure technology components made of 100 percent polyester, making N-Join1 easier to recycle without limiting customers’ design freedom. 

The new carpet system offers multiple benefits for vehicle manufacturers. As with other Autoneum interior floor products, N-Join1 is designed to ensure driving comfort with optimal noise protection in the passenger cabin. This innovation can be used together with the Di-Light carpet, which offers an attractive appearance even in highly curved carpet areas due to its uniform surface finish. 

Additionally, its monomaterial construction enables waste-free production and full recycling at the vehicle’s end-of-life. By eliminating the use of latex, which is water and energy-intensive, N-Join1 reduces resource usage and ensures cleaner production, supporting the automotive industry’s move towards more sustainable practices. 

Overall, the new carpet system achieves a significant reduction in the carbon footprint when com-pared to traditional carpet systems of equal weight. The greatest contribution comes from the end-of-life recycling potential enabled by the monomaterial system. 

N-Join1 is suitable for a wide range of vehicles, including both internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). It is currently available in Europe and North America.