From the Sector

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in developing innovative and sustainable fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, showcased samples made with bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber at Performance Days in Munich. When it launches commercially later this year, this highly anticipated fiber will be made from annually renewable Iowa field corn to help reduce the environmental impact of apparel.

Bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber will be the world’s first large-scale commercially available renewable elastane. It delivers equivalent performance to the original LYCRA® fiber and is a one-to-one replacement with no re-engineering of fabrics, processes, or garment patterns required. The product contains 70 percent renewable content and can potentially reduce the carbon footprint of LYCRA® fiber by up to 44%*.

"Bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber seamlessly blends sustainability with the lasting comfort, fit, and performance consumers desire," said Nicolas Banyols, chief commercial officer of The LYCRA Company. "This breakthrough innovation also helps our customers as they work towards their own sustainability goals."

LYCRA® brand returned as the presenting sponsor of the Bodywear Collective, located across from its stand. Inside the exhibit, the Innovation Zone featured tunnels displaying activewear, shapewear, underwear, swimwear, and seamless garments crafted from high-performance fabrics sourced from leading global mills. Advanced stretch solutions from the LYCRA® ADAPTIV, LYCRA FitSense®, LYCRA® SPORT, and LYCRA® XTRA LIFE™ brands enhance the collection.

The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber to finished sewn products, issued the following statement March, 7 from President and CEO Kim Glas regarding President Donald Trump’s one-month suspension of tariffs for qualifying imports under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):

“We sincerely thank President Trump for pausing the 25 percent penalty tariffs on qualifying imports from Mexico and Canada under the USMCA trade deal for one month, while all parties continue to negotiate a deal to address his administration’s concerns over illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking. We urge an expeditious resolution for all the parties to ensure the vitality of the U.S. textile industry.

“Under USMCA, the U.S. textile and apparel industry has formed a vital coproduction chain with Mexico and Canada that supports 1.6 million workers and generates $20 billion in two-way trade. It is by far the largest export region for American textile producers, representing $12.5 billion in combined U.S. exports – 53 percent of our total annual exports. U.S. textile inputs routinely come back as finished products to the United States under the trade agreement.

“As such, imposing tariffs on imported goods that comply with the USMCA would only serve to harm a key U.S. manufacturing sector that contributes significantly to the U.S. economy and workforce. It would also adversely impact two key trading partners and a North American coproduction chain that competes directly with China and Asia. In addition, it would further undermine the U.S. industry’s ability to make critical products for the U.S. military if this critical production chain were harmed.

“We appreciate President Trump’s delay in these tariffs and urge a more measured approach as well as a negotiated solution that at the very least exempts qualifying USMCA goods from penalty tariffs and closes the de minimis loophole once and for all.

“We look forward to working with President Trump and his administration on his trade agenda aimed at bringing jobs back to the U.S. and will continue to provide input on a plan to build a stronger, more vibrant domestic supply chain.”

Starlinger & Co GmbH puts the focus on its technologies for sustainable and efficient polypropylene tape production as well as food-safe recycled PET and polyolefins at Chinaplas this year.

With a maximum melting capacity of 1000 kg per hour and production speeds of up to 550 meters per minute, Starlinger’s starEX 1600 tape extrusion line unites high efficiency with resource-saving state-of-the-art design. It produces top-quality PP or HDPE/LLDPE tapes for high-performance packaging applications for dry bulk goods such as woven PP sacks or big bags. Specially developed and worldwide unique machine components such as the eqoSTRETCH stretching and annealing system ensure energy-saving production and uniform tape characteristics, while the eqoCLEAN filter system enables the processing of high shares of recycled polypropylene for producing more sustainable woven PP packaging.

“We have gathered decades of expertise both in woven plastic packaging production as well as in plastics recycling,” said Harald Neumüller, Chief Sales Officer at Starlinger. “By combining this know-how, we have developed technology that helps packaging manufacturers to establish closed packaging loops and make plastic packaging circular.” Starlinger has already realised lighthouse projects with customers in the FIBC sector, proposing a closed-loop economy for big bags made from rPP and rPET. “We consider used plastics as a resource, not waste,” Neumüller continued. “This is the only way to get a grip on the increasing amount of plastic waste worldwide. By collecting used plastics and reprocessing it we protect our environment, conserve natural resources, and at the same time save money that would need to be spent for waste treatment facilities and environment clean-ups.”

Precision to the core
With its high-speed winding technology, the twinTAPE+ automatic precision winder is Starlinger’s top-scale tape winder model. It ensures that the produced PP tapes from the starEX tape extrusion line are wound into perfect packages that improve productivity and fabric quality on the looms. The bevelled bobbin edges avoid that tapes come off during doffing, transport and handling and increase loom efficiency during weaving. The automatic bobbin change procedure of twinTAPE winders reduces operator work significantly, and the patented linear traverse system features an infinitely variable stroke, allowing a wide variety of bobbin designs. As the winder does not need lubrication, maintenance work is reduced to cleaning, which saves significant amounts of operator time.

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), a global sustainable chemical producer, is preparing for a new era of growth under its IVL 2.0 strategy as it outlined a new approach to partnering with major industry peers, positioning the company to capitalize on significant expansion and consolidation opportunities unlocked by fundamental shifts in global chemical markets.

At the company’s annual Capital Markets Day in Bangkok, Mr. Aloke Lohia, Group CEO of Indorama Ventures, outlined the significant potential for Indorama Ventures—now revitalizing itself under its 3-year IVL 2.0 optimization plan—to resume its growth journey as it pivots towards a future that is being re-shaped by macroeconomic forces such as China’s push for self-sufficiency in manufacturing, the uneven impact of Peak Oil across East and West, and India’s rapid economic expansion. A few days ago, on 26 February, the company posted improved full-year 2024 EBITDA as its focused management executed their plan to transform the business through decisive ‘self-help’ actions amid one of the most severe industry downturns in recent years.

Mr. Lohia told an audience of analysts and investors, “Today, Indorama Ventures is a fitter company than we were when we announced our IVL 2.0 strategy a year ago, and we are now able to compete with the best. Our plan is designed not only to help us re-tool and re-skill to navigate the current downturn—which is expected to persist—but also to restore our historical growth trajectory. As an innately entrepreneurial family business with global scale and deep expertise, we have always been able to take advantage of change to grow our unmatched model and generate increasing shareholder returns. I am excited by new opportunities to substantially expand our business as our industry undergoes seismic, generational shifts and consequently unlocks fresh growth potential.”

IVL 2.0 Progress
At the event, senior executives provided updates on their measures under IVL 2.0 to fortify the business against prevailing market headwinds and set a new course for enhanced, sustainable earnings growth. In a year of alignment, mobilization and launch, all segments recorded improved performances in 2024 as they took concerted management steps to refine their organizations, optimize assets, and transform their business processes through modern data-led toolsets and digital enterprise systems.

Still, in light of continued industry pressures, the company fell short on its deleveraging and cash conversion targets in 2024 and has determined that further management actions are necessary to sustain progress toward the company's objectives, building on the significant measures already taken.

Strategic Growth Plan
Indorama Ventures, as a mature company with more than three decades of successful growth, is fundamentally changing its approach to generating increasing returns as it prepares a next generation of leaders to operate in a vastly different environment. In a departure from the company’s previous M&A-led model, Mr. Lohia outlined several expansion projects currently in the pipeline, all involving complementary strategic partnerships with major industry peers. This new growth approach aims to leverage Indorama Ventures’ unmatched organization, platform, processes, and systems—revitalized under IVL 2.0 and the company’s “indispensable chemistry” brand—to consolidate dominant positions and grow scale in attractive growth markets, including India.

In February, the company bought a minority stake of ~24.9% of EPL Limited, an Indian specialty packaging company and the largest global manufacturer of laminated tubes. The transformation that Indorama Ventures is undertaking under IVL 2.0 provides a critical springboard enabling the new partnerships-led growth model, Mr. Lohia explained.

In addition, Indorama Ventures is planning spin-offs of its Indovinya downstream chemicals segment and its Indovida packaging unit—as flagged a year ago—to enable them to achieve their potential as independent high-growth businesses.

March, 5 marks the official launch of the T2T Alliance - Powering Policy for a Textile-to-Textile Future, spearheaded by recyclers Circ, Circulose, RE&UP, Syre to advocate for their sector within the EU policy framework and beyond. With the textile industry at a critical juncture, the T2T Alliance unites key stakeholders to secure their place at the heart of Europe’s circular economy policies. By bringing recyclers’ expertise to the forefront, the T2T Alliance is driving policy change that supports a thriving, resilient and truly sustainable textile industry.

Set to become the defining textile policy of 2025, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) will introduce market-entry ecodesign requirements that mandate a significant increase in recycled textile fibers by 2028. Alongside ongoing work in the EcoDesign Forum, the Commission’s technical body is preparing ecodesign requirements and invited stakeholder feedback on its latest report. The T2T Alliance seized the opportunity to provide expert input on the development of ecodesign requirements for textile apparel through:

• Promoting T2T recycled content and recyclability as core requirements in the ESPR ecodesign requirements for textiles
• Supporting a closed-loop textile recycling approach which includes post-industrial, pre-consumer waste and post-consumer waste
• Clarifying misconceptions about the textile recycling industry in the report (for example, by debunking the assumption that allowing post-industrial waste to fulfil recycled content targets would incentivise its overproduction)
• Advocating for a wide range of verification methods for tracing recycled material.

The T2T recycling industry requires urgent strategic intervention to ensure its long-term viability. Closing the loop in the textile industry, textile-to-textile recycling is an innovative process that involves converting used or waste textiles into new textile products. While the developments on the ESPR represent a momentous milestone, the direction that policy discussions are currently taking will have detrimental effects on the growth of T2T recyclers.

Even though the perspective of T2T recyclers is essential for effective policymaking, it seemed to be underrepresented in policy discussions so far. The T2T Alliance is a force to provide policymakers with an understanding of the real-world impact of sustainability policies, holds them accountable and ensures textile circularity is a non-negotiable in EU policy. The group is facilitated by 2B Policy, a consultancy that supports businesses to navigate a regulated future by offering strategic guidance, compliance support and facilitating industry collaboration and association building. The T2T Alliance will act as a hub for advocacy, collaboration and joint action and ensure T2T recyclers’ interests are not just heard but embedded in future textile policies, in the EU and beyond.

The Alliance is committed to:

• Advocating for textile-to-textile recyclers’ perspective in EU legislation and policies.
• Supporting the development of new legal requirements mandating textile-to-textile recycled content and recyclability in new textile products in the context of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
• Removing barriers that hinder the growth and scalability of the T2T industry.

The formation of the T2T Alliance marks a significant milestone in the development toward a truly circular textile economy. By uniting key stakeholders, the Alliance will advocate for textile-to-textile recyclers to receive the necessary recognition in the policy ecosystem and support policymakers in understanding the full impact on T2T recyclers and incorporating these insights into policies.

The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber to finished sewn products, issued the following statement today from President and CEO Kim Glas regarding the Trump administration’s notices imposing 25 percent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada and additional 10 percent tariffs on China.

Statement by NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas:

“The newly imposed tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada threaten a crucial textile and apparel coproduction chain with our two valued trade partners—one that sustains nearly 500,000 American jobs and a total of 1.6 million jobs across North America.  Destabilizing this production chain coupled with the de minimis loophole will only exacerbate migration and the fentanyl crisis.  We appreciate that President Trump has drawn much needed attention to these significant problems, but we believe there is another way that achieves critical objectives that grow U.S. jobs, stabilizes the Western Hemisphere, and closes dangerous tariff loopholes that are hurting us all.  We want to work with the President to find solutions that work to meet all these objectives.

“The U.S. textile industry ships $12.3 billion, or 53 percent, of its total global textile exports to Mexico and Canada and those component materials often come back as finished products to the United States under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This coproduction chain under USMCA represents $20 billion in two-way trade and spurs U.S. investment in the region as well as at home.

“Equally as important, it serves as an alternative and counterweight to the China-led, Asia- based production platform that competes based on illegal tactics, such as the used of forced labor, subsidies and counterfeits, and has largely come to dominate global trade.

“For these reasons, we are extremely concerned that the imposition of penalty tariffs on imports from our critical USMCA partners will only serve to benefit China and other Asian countries and harm the U.S. textile industry, which has lost 27 plants in the past 20 months.

“Separately, we welcome President Trump’s plan to impose an additional10 percent penalty tariff on imports from China, bringing the total of new tariffs on China to 20 percent this year. In fact, we encourage even higher penalty tariffs on China and recommend that these penalty duties be specifically targeted to finished apparel and textile imports.

“In addition, we are calling on President Trump to close the de minimis loophole to all commercial shipments from China, Mexico and Canada, and more importantly from all countries. This loophole facilitates 4 million shipments a day to the United States that often hide illegal and unethically made products, unsafe goods and illicit fentanyl and other narcotics to our doorsteps.

“Raising tariffs on countries without closing this destructive loophole will only serve to drive more shipments to the duty-free de minimis loophole. Incentivizing greater use of de minimis will further harm U.S. manufacturers and exacerbate the fentanyl crisis, because this loophole will continue to provide a workaround for importers of consumer products and drug cartels alike who are seeking to avoid punitive trade enforcement.”

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Trump administration on these important trade policies that have widespread implications for the U.S. textile industry and those of our free trade partners. This is a pivotal moment for the domestic textile industry, and we believe the right policies will preserve and bolster this vital manufacturing base and spur more job creation and investment.”

The partnership between Filo and C.L.A.S.S., the international eco-hub founded by Giusy Bettoni, is renewed once again .
 
At the 63rd edition of Filo, “Sustainability from A to Z” — the service created by Filo in collaboration with C.L.A.S.S. and aimed at companies that want to navigate the complex world of sustainability — chooses to focus its showcase on the concept of responsible innovation and the means to expand its knowledge through technical insights, case histories, and direct testimonies. The ultimate goal, shared by Filo and C.L.A.S.S., is to support the industry and the market in making conscious choices that align with the evolving market landscape. In this regard, the proposals that C.L.A.S.S. brings to Filo as part of “Sustainability from A to Z” are closely linked to the debates and discussions taking place in the “Dialoghi di Confronto”, since they provide an additional opportunity for further insight.
 
In the space dedicated to C.L.A.S.S. at the 63rd edition of Filo, projects and solutions implemented by organizations and companies selected by C.L.A.S.S. will be showcased. This season, the focus will be on “green chemistry” and the role of “advanced” natural fibers, particularly in relation to cotton and linen. For the two fibers, companies have often adopted comprehensive innovation strategies, leading to what we define as “advanced” productions, where traceability processes have become an essential requirement.
 
In the C.L.A.S.S. space at Filo63, Cotton is represented by Supima®, a high-quality cotton grown in the United States, accounting for less than 1% of global cotton production. What makes it special compared to other types of cotton is its extra-long staple, which provides superior strength, softness, and long-lasting colour retention. To ensure the authenticity and traceability of its cotton, Supima® has introduced the AQRe™ Project (Authenticated Quality and Responsible Engagement). This cutting-edge system replaces the previous licensing program, offering a blockchain-based digital platform in collaboration with TextileGenesis™, allowing real-time monitoring of the entire supply chain. Additionally, Supima® partners with Oritain™ to conduct forensic testing, verifying the cotton’s origin at every stage of production. This advanced combination of technologies guarantees that every product bearing the SUPIMA® brand is made from high-quality American-grown cotton, meeting the market’s increasing demand for transparency and sustainability.
 
Regarding Linen, the Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp will be present, the European agro-industrial organization that brings together all actors in the European Flax and Hemp supply chain starting from its fields origin.  2025 is the year of acceleration its sustainable transformation trajectory from the field to the finished product. New developments to be seen:  

• Evolution of its Flax- Linen certifications  
• Launch of a new digital Flax-Linen traceability platform: Flax-Linen traceability platform. European Certified fibres to Retaildeveloped in cooperation with   TextileGenesis - Lectra and set to launch in May 2025. This innovative blockchain-based digital tool enables tracking at every stage of production, ensuring authenticity and full transparency throughout the entire supply chain
• Publication of datasets and development of a specific B2B tool for calculating environmental footprint
• Scientific validation of the functional properties of Flax-Linen
• New Flax-Linen & Hemp sourcing platform for innovative materials and textile & technical solutions

At the C.L.A.S.S. space an Italian story about “green chemistry” will showcase featuring REVECOL® by ERCA Textile Chemical Solutions. REVECOL ® is a revolutionary 100% Made in Italy innovation that utilizes critical waste materials, such as exhausted vegetable cooking oil, transforming it into a next-generation line of safe, certified, high-performance, and competitive chemical auxiliaries designed for the entire textile industry. This unique approach allows for a CO₂ emissions reduction of up to 72% compared to traditional chemistry, setting a new industry standard. The range includes 18 auxiliaries certified according to GRS, RCS, ZDHC, bluesign®, and GOTS, ensuring high performance with a reduced environmental impact. REVECOL® is the missing certified end-to-end element that can drive sustainability, circularity, and performance in the fashion creation process, meeting the needs of a market increasingly focused on traceability and environmental responsibility.
 
Throughout Filo63, the C.L.A.S.S. team will be available to explore these innovations in depth with companies and professionals eager to gain insight into the three pioneering realities redefining sustainability, traceability, and innovation in the textile sector.

A celebration of timeless design powered by ISKO’s SS26 denim fabrics made from recycled materials.

ISKO is proud to collaborate with BLANCHE for the launch of KOKORO, the brand’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection. Rooted in sustainability, KOKORO embodies BLANCHE’s commitment to timeless design and conscious fashion, with ISKO’s innovative denim at its core.

As a leading denim producer, ISKO is dedicated to redefining the future of fashion through innovative and responsible textile solutions with its fashion-first approach that complements sustainability, emphasising that sustainability need not compromise style. The KOKORO collection – where all denim is crafted using ISKO fabrics – exemplifies this commitment. Thanks to ISKO’s premium recycled denim, the collection maintains high-end quality while significantly reducing its environmental footprint, resulting in beautifully crafted fashion pieces.

“Real change in fashion happens when innovation meets integrity and purpose. Our collaboration
with BLANCHE shows that responsibility and great design are not opposing forces – they
strengthen each other. This is the future of denim: responsible, resilient, and ready to inspire.”
– Keith O’Brien, Senior Global Marketing & PR Manager at ISKO.

The KOKORO collection will be available online and in stores from February 2025.

At the recent Dhaka International Textile & Garment Machinery Exhibition (DTG), Jeanologia showcased its integrated ecosystem of technologies designed to drive automation, efficiency, and sustainability across the entire denim production process.

Jeanologia, a global leader in the development of sustainable technologies for the textile industry, wants to reinforcing Bangladesh’s position as the world’s leading denim manufacturer by offering cutting-edge solutions that transform the industry from fabric treatment to garment finishing.

With over 20 years of presence in Bangladesh, Jeanologia continues to be a strategic partner for the country’s leading manufacturers, supporting them in their transition toward a more eco-efficient and competitive industry. By integrating its fabric-to-garment finishing solutions, the company is accelerating the shift towards a new era of digital and sustainable denim production.

Since its founding, Jeanologia has been on a mission to transform the textile industry into a more ethical, sustainable, and efficient model. The company works closely with brands, retailers, and suppliers on this transformative journey, offering disruptive technologies, innovative software, and a new operational model. Their groundbreaking solutions, including laser technology, G2 ozone, Dancing Box, e-flow, H2Zero, and ColorBox, have redefinedgarment design and finishing standards, eliminating polluting processes and significantly reducing the use of water, energy, and chemicals. Thanks to these advancements, Jeanologia has saved millions of liters of water and eliminated harmful substances, turning its vision of a truly sustainable textile industry into reality.

G2 Dynamic: Fabric finishing
Jeanologia’s G2 Dynamic technology is revolutionizing fabric treatment and garment finishing by replacing highly polluting conventional processes with an eco-efficient ozone-based alternative. This solution significantly reduces the environmental impact of denim manufacturing by cutting water and chemical consumption by up to 95% and energy use by 80%.

Automated, digital, and sustainable garment finishing
Beyond fabric treatment, Jeanologia provides advanced garment finishing solutions that integrate automation, digitalization, and sustainability. These include Laser technology, a fully digital and automated system that replaces traditional manual and chemical-intensive processes, increasing precision and creativity while reducing environmental impact; G2 Indra, based on Airwash technology, this eco-efficient solution achieves authentic vintage and aged denim looks without using water or chemicals, reducing environmental impact while maintaining fabric integrity; e-Flow, a nanobubble technology that applies chemicals using minimal water, drastically reducing waste, and improving fabric performance; and H2 Zero, a water recycling system that enables zero discharge in the finishing process, making garment production more sustainable and resource-efficient.

“Our goal is to transform the denim industry by offering an end-to-end solution that enables a more responsible, automated, and sustainable production model. Bangladesh plays a key role in this transformation, and our technologies support the country’s leadership in the global market,” said Jean Pierre Inchauspe, Jeanologia’s Business Director in Asia.

Pioneering a new era in sustainable fashion, TrusTrace, adidas, and Tapestry are set to headline a thought-provoking panel at SXSW 2025 titled "Honest Marketing and Circularity: A New Era for Fashion." This session will delve into the imperative of transparent data in guiding consumers towards environmentally conscious purchases and the transformative role of data and Digital Product Passports in fostering deeper brand-consumer connections. Registration is now open here.

Kicking off SXSW on opening day, March 7th, at 2:30 PM CT, this panel will bring together industry leaders to share key sustainability insights and explore fashion’s evolution from a storytelling-driven industry to one built on transparency, featuring:

• Sigrid Buehrle, adidas SVP Sustainability and ESG
• Logan Duran, Tapestry VP of ESG and Sustainability
• Anja Sadock, TrusTrace SVP of Marketing
• Brooke Roberts-Islam, TECHSTYLER Founder, Forbes Senior Contributor Sustainability (Moderator)

“For years, adidas has been dedicated to increasing the use of recycled materials in our products, incorporating third-party certified cotton and ensuring our leather is processed to the highest standards set by the Leather Working Group,” said Sigrid Buehrle, SVP Sustainability and ESG at adidas. “However, tracking material information from raw material to finished products needs robust data and systems. Providing transparent information about our products is of utmost importance to adidas, as we know that it drives trust and credibility with consumers and other stakeholders.”

“Transparency in sustainability claims and reporting is simply a business imperative.” said Logan Duran, VP of ESG and Sustainability at Tapestry. “Brands that ground communication in facts and not promises build stronger trust with their customers, investors, and stakeholders. Companies that prioritize transparency and data-driven accountability can drive real environmental impact while ensuring they meet the rising expectations for corporate responsibility.”

“We’re on the verge of a major shift in the fashion industry,” said Anja Sadock, SVP of Marketing at TrusTrace. “Advancements in technology and AI have made data-driven transparency more accessible than ever, unlocking new opportunities to drive real impact, strengthen consumer trust, and empower shoppers to make more sustainable choices.”

Brooke Roberts-Islam, a renowned writer and consultant on sustainability in the fashion industry, will moderate the discussion, using her expertise to explore how brands can navigate the evolving landscape of sustainability and consumer expectations. “Fashion marketing has long been marred by unsubstantiated and confusing sustainability claims. Brands now have an obligation–and a powerful opportunity–to share evidence-based sustainability information to empower consumers, level the playing field and re-build trust.”