From the Sector

Uster FiberQ automated raw material management generated more than 2,000 laydowns in a year for Sagar, one of India’s leading spinners. The results delivered consistent yarn quality and optimized process efficiency – giving a payback period of three months.

Sagar is taking advantage of the new annual subscription format, which includes the software solution plus valuable advisory services from Uster expert technologists.

After one year using FiberQ, A.K. Saini, Chief General Manager Operations at Sagar Manufacturers Pvt. Ltd., reported: “We have seen better fiber utilization, significantly improved yarn quality consistency and elimination of seldom-occurring faults such as white specks and barré. The overall outstanding results convinced our management about the value of FiberQ and we confirmed the renewal of the subscription services of FiberQ and the 360Q platform.”

Sagar insists on consistently high standards in yarn quality and performance. The company wanted to go even further, by optimizing its manufacturing operations and achieving maximum fiber yield.

Sagar Manufacturers Pvt. is renowned for excellence, in both its home country of India and the global textile marketplace, as a producer and supplier of top-class cotton yarns and knitted greige fabric. Saini says: “Our strategic focus is on integrating advanced technology and eco-friendly practices, for creative solutions which drive excellence in manufacturing performance and ensure customer satisfaction.”

Before FiberQ, the company was already proud of the excellent raw material management processes in its spinning operation. It was a determination to improve still further in both production efficiency and consistent quality which led to the decision to implement the Uster FiberQ raw material management solution.

Sagar has always embraced new technologies – especially those focused on innovation and automation – and it was naturally one of the first adopters of the FiberQ raw material management solution. FiberQ combines advanced technology and textile expertise to automate many tasks previously done manually. So it became a very interesting value proposition for progressive spinners like Sagar. The automated, intelligent, reliable and easy-to-use system minimized manual efforts but also provided consistent results. Uster’s end-to-end solution also offers access to continuous improvements such as supplier statistics and fiber-to-yarn correlation, which will add even more value in future.

Impact on production
Sagar figures show that yarn realization has increased by 0.3% to 0.5% on average and it has eliminated the need for ‘cut and creel’ – a big advantage in terms of efficiency and fewer changes in production. During the year, FiberQ generated more than 2,000 laydowns for all production units in a very efficient, fast and easy way. Another plus was the easily accessible laydown history and the visibility of the impact of different cotton lots in use.

Customer feedback has also been strong. Sagar’s improved quality consistency was said to have resulted in better fabric appearance. And since Sagar can now provide customers with bigger yarn lot sizes with the same quality and color properties, they can produce larger, uniform batches of knitted and dyed fabrics and save manufacturing costs.

Advisory service benefits
FiberQ is not only a software solution. It comes with advisory services from expert Uster textile technologists. The FiberQ advisory services ensure there is always a textile engineer with mill experience and deep knowledge available to support the spinners. As well as taking care of all aspects of installation, there are periodic assessments to track quality status from fiber to yarn, which is a unique competence of Uster and a highly appreciated element of the service.

FiberQ is offered as a yearly subscription service. For the industry, the idea of subscribing to a software service for raw material management is quite new, although it has been established for many years in other fields.

As the global demand for technical textiles surges, India is emerging as a key hub for innovation and growth. Recognizing the vast potential of this evolving market, Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India announced a collaboration for ‘Techtextil India - the country’s premier platform for the technical textiles industry with Austrian Fibers Institute. This strategic alliance between the two-leading platforms in technical textiles will bring the Asia edition of the renowned Dornbirn GFC at a part of Techtextil India Symposium in 2025.

The 10th edition of Techtextil India 2025 which is scheduled from 19 – 21 November 2025, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, will open its doors for the Dornbirn Global fiber congress Asia on 18th November 2025 to be held under Techtextil India Symposium.

The Dornbirn GFC Asia in India 2025 will spotlight on theme titled as ‘Shaping the future: Sustainable Growth in Fiber Solutions and Innovations’. The conference will be led by globally acclaimed subject matter experts, researchers, manufacturers and thought leaders.

The GFC Asia – India Conference will host a diverse line-up of speakers from India and around the world, showcasing cutting-edge innovations and expertise in the fiber and textile industry. The discussions will spotlight ground-breaking advances in spinning technology.

Driven by intensive research and development, the upcoming edition of the Techtextil India will present the innovative strides made by the industry players. From various stages of production of man-made fibre, non-woven and others, to the evolving applications and maintenance methods, the expo will be a source of upgrading knowledge and expanding the network.

Techtextil India 2025 edition is already sold out and has witnessed a strong interest from leading global brands who have signed up to exhibit. Indian government is aiming for the technical textile market to reach USD 40 billion by 2030 and total exports targeted are USD 10 billion by 2030. The Indian government and the industry players are confident that India will soon become the world leader in manufacturing of technical textiles. Schemes like National Technical textiles Mission (NTTM) and Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) are offering the benefits to industry stakeholders. Under NTTM, the government is focusing on 156 R&D projects for driving innovations. The government is also encouraging Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) to boost the segment.

The growing focus on sustainability and circularity in textiles is opening up new avenues encouraging reuse, repairing, refurbishing and recycling of the products. Indian government and technical textile educational programmes are witnessing a growth to impart knowledge and skills across categories like medical textiles, mobile textiles, geotextiles, geosynthetics and etc., which represent an attractive future. Applications ranging from medical textiles to sportswear, automotive to construction and environmental sustainability are driving the demand for high-performance materials.

Amidst this backdrop, the collaboration of Dornbirn GFC and Techtextil India 2025 marks a pivotal step in positioning India as a global hub for technical textile innovation and strengthening cross-border knowledge exchange. With the technical textiles market poised to redefine industries, Techtextil Symposium India will also present Meditex Conference during the event.

Guide to Smart, Digital, and Green Skills: A free eBook is now available for download on the ADDTEX website. This comprehensive guide provides an introduction to the ADDTEX Smart, Digital, Green Skills Academy, which offers nine specially developed courses designed to help professionals enhance their skills in digital and green technologies.

Flexible Learning for the Textile Industry
The ADDTEX Academy is based on a gap analysis of the textile industry and provides targeted training programs focused on the smart, digital, and green transformation of the sector. The courses cater to engineers, technicians, and managers, addressing their specific needs. They are delivered through a state-of-the-art e-learning platform with a modular design and flexible learning options, allowing learners to access the content at their own pace and convenience.

The eBook explains the structure and benefits of the courses, delivered in a MOOC format (Massive Open Online Courses). It also includes practical case studies and a microcredentialing system to certify newly acquired skills. These mini-diplomas are a crucial step in improving career prospects and aligning with the demands of an evolving job market.

The EU project ADDTEX (Advancing industrial digital and green innovations in the advanced textile industry through innovation in learning and training) is an Erasmus+ initiative aimed at fostering digital and green innovations in the textile industry.

From July 2022 to June 2025, twelve partners from ten European countries – including businesses, clusters, universities, and vocational education providers – are collaborating on the project. Key outputs include a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), a training platform, a mobility program, and new hubs to support further education.

A special focus is placed on key technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the European textile industry.

Practical Focus and Certification through Microcredentials
The ADDTEX Academy courses combine theoretical knowledge with practical components, including case studies and quizzes. Microcredentials are awarded upon completing each module and passing the respective tests. These certifications allow for quick and targeted recognition of skills, enhancing job market opportunities. With an integrated learning management system (LMS), learners have lifetime access to course content, making the ADDTEX Academy a valuable tool for lifelong learning in the textile industry.

New Perspectives for the Textile Sector
Through targeted training and cutting-edge technologies, the innovative EU project ADDTEX provides in-depth expertise on key topics such as digitalization, sustainability, and advanced (smart) technologies. The eBook and flexible course offerings make it easy to access professional development, equipping industry professionals for the challenges of a digital and sustainable future.

From 18 to 20 January 2025 in Hofheim-Wallau near Frankfurt, this international trade fair will be presenting sustainable fashion collections, footwear and accessories for all generations and all occasions.

Labels invest in their presence at the fair
For the first time, organiser MUVEO GmbH has positioned DESIGN DISCOVERIES in the foyer of the Messecenter Rhein-Main, instead of on the first floor as previously. The new location for the first-time exhibitors featured in DESIGN DISCOVERIES, immediately inside the main entrance, ensures that the labels covered by this support programme are immediately visible. The four brands, selected by a jury, include Maison Labiche from France, embroiderers of womens-, mens- and kidswear. Ikiala brings accessories made of Madagascan raffia. Kiwistories supplies fashion items with prints and patterns, while Delin uses linen for its shirts, T-shirts, clothing etc.

The area previously occupied by DESIGN DISCOVERIES has now been used to provide larger spaces for exhibitors. “We have noted that for some years now the stands have been growing ever larger,” comments Jens Frey, Managing Director of MUVEO GmbH. “The increasing willingness to make this type of investment is something we see as a positive signal from the sector, especially in the face of continuing commercial challenges. The labels are saying something with their generously designed areas – it’s well worth a visit!”

Insider expertise for conventional retail too
Events of various kinds will take place in the Talk Area on the first floor: one highlight of the programme is the Retail Association’s expert panel on the Monday, aimed primarily at buyers. Under the title ‘Best practices in retail: ’Tackling challenges with active customer engagement and other strategies’, a panel comprising Dr. Eva Stüber of the Institute for Retail Studies Cologne (IFH), Jost Wiebelhaus of Frankfurter Laufshop, Olivia Dahlmen of Quartier Frau, Marion Käfer of Lumiis and Silvio Zeizinger of the Hessen Retail Association (Handelsverband Hessen e.V.) will be speaking on trends and solutions for retail. Cheryll Mühlen, Editor-in-chief at specialist magazines Textilmitteilungen, J'N'C and Green Knowledge, is the moderator.

„Community-building will be even more important in the future“
The motto of the 55th INNATEX, ‘TOGETHER’, is a call to those involved in the Green Fashion sector to stick together, in order to find synergies and maintain confidence. “Smaller businesses in particular can benefit in very concrete ways from collaboration,” says Hitzel. “The opportunities range from sharing resources and knowledge to extending reach and saving costs. I also believe that community-building will become even more important in the coming years.”

Kornit Digital LTD., engaged in sustainable, on-demand digital fashion and textile production technologies, announced the appointment of Peter Alderath as General Manager for the DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and Benelux regions. His extensive industry expertise and leadership acumen will be instrumental in driving Kornit’s growth and strengthening its market presence in these key European regions.

Peter Alderath brings over 25 years of experience in the digital print and technology industries, with a focus on delivering customer-centric solutions and fostering strategic partnerships. As General Manager for DACH and Benelux, he will spearhead Kornit’s efforts to support its customers, expand its market share, and promote the adoption of Kornit’s innovative, sustainable solutions across the region.

With the leadership of the new General Manager, Kornit Digital aims to accelerate the adoption of its technologies, enabling creators, brands, and manufacturers to embrace sustainable, agile production processes in these regions and beyond.

Solvay and Hankook announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the development of circular silica coming from biosourced and waste sourcing for tire production. This partnership combines Solvay's silica expertise and sustainability commitment with Hankook’s manufacturing capabilities and market leadership.

Solvay’s silica portfolio is recognized to ensure low rolling resistance, which contributes to lower fuel consumption for thermal engines and extended battery range for electric vehicles, but also provides high wear resistance, leading to longer tire life. In addition, highly dispersible silica (HDS) is instrumental to reach the circular ambition of tire manufacturers. In the continuity of the Livorno (Italy) rice husk ash (RHA) production, Solvay is continuously engaged in a substantial circular conversion in all regions with tire industry leaders.

The companies will now jointly advance the technical development of circular silica, with the goal of mass production in the near future. Solvay products, currently at pilot phase, are under evaluation. This partnership aligns with both companies' commitment to sustainability and their shared goal of a more environmentally responsible automotive future.

"This partnership marks a significant milestone in our journey towards more sustainable tire manufacturing," said Bonhee Ku, President & CTO of Hankook Tire. "By collaborating with Solvay, we can advance the development of sustainable materials that enhance tire performance while contributing to a circular economy and a greener future."

An Nuyttens, President of Solvay’s Silica & Special Chem business added, "Silica is essential for high-performance tires. We are thrilled to collaborate with Hankook on circular silica solutions to address key industry challenges while offering superior performance and environmental benefits. Together, we aim to push the boundaries of sustainable innovation.”

From 3 to 5 September, Cinte Techtextil China will return to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, with new features capitalising on market growth. In addition to its regular European Zone, the upcoming edition will launch two product zones, namely the Medtech & Protech Zone and the Mobiltech Zone, alongside other precisely crafted features.

With innovation and sustainability at its heart, the fair’s fringe programme will include events such as Econogy Talks, an innovative product showcase and other themed conferences and presentations, maximising promotion and information exchange between fairgoers.

“As the largest global organiser of textile trade fairs, pairing the strength of Messe Frankfurt’s Texpertise Network to market needs as global economies evolve, is key to Cinte Techtextil China’s long-term growth,” said Ms Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. “These new zones have been created strategically, allowing us to expand on under-utilised opportunities for exhibitors and visitors in high-potential technical textile and nonwoven sub-sectors, as well as steering the industry towards an innovative and sustainable future.”

No longer an initiative but a prevailing commitment, sustainability has opened up new possibilities for technical textile and nonwoven development. Speaking at the 2024 edition, Mr Lin Yang, Sales Department Minister of Nihon Glass Fiber Industrial Co., Ltd. commented: “The sustainability trend has fostered the robust growth of new energy vehicles and in turn the automotive interior material businesses. Under the global eco-trend, green application will become the core development of automotive textiles, with more and more car manufacturers applying functional fibres to make automotive materials more durable, anti-high-energy radiation and so on.”

A few booths away, Mr Denis Wallrafen, Sales Manager of Reifenhäuser Enka Tecnica, also referred to sustainability as “the rule for success”, saying that the company has “developed an innovative, cost-effective method for refurbishing spunbond and meltblown spinnerets without compromising quality, with the same excellent performance of a new spinneret.”

Sustainability and innovation will again be strong focuses for Cinte Techtextil China in 2025, as will its propensity to bridge gaps between Asian and Western markets. Speaking at the previous edition, which attracted nearly 17,000 visits from 77 countries and regions, Mr Kabilen Sornum, Vice President Asia Pacific of Marketing & E-Commerce at Groz-Beckert East Asia said: “As one of the most important fairs for us in China, Cinte Techtextil China covers the domestic market, while we also receive a lot of international visitors here, allowing us to exchange ideas and gain market insights. As China is a very big market, very often we sell directly and indirectly to them during the fair, where all our users come together.”

The fair’s product categories cover 12 application areas, which comprehensively span a full range of potential uses in modern technical textiles and nonwovens. These categories also cover the entire industry, from upstream technology and raw materials providers to finished fabrics, chemicals and other solutions. This scope of product groups and application areas ensures that the fair is an effective business platform for the entire industry.

Cinte Techtextil China will be held from 3 – 5 September 2025.

The fair is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Nonwovens & Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA).

A Study Dissemination on ‘Assessment of Technological Transition in the Apparel Sector of Bangladesh and Its Impact on Workers’ has arranged by Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF), Solidaridad Network Asia & Brac University.

Automation had led to a 30.58% decline in the total workforce across production processes in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector with the majority of the displaced workers being helpers, according to the study.

While automation has boosted economic growth and productivity in the sector, it has simultaneously created significant challenges for RMG workers—especially women, older employees, less literate individuals, and those lacking skills or confidence.

The sweater factory subsector experienced the highest workforce reduction, with a 37.03% decline per production line, followed by woven factories, which saw a 27.23% drop. In terms of specific production processes, the cutting stage showed the most pronounced reduction, with a 48.34% decrease in workers, whereas the sewing process experienced a comparatively smaller decline of 26.57%.

The findings emphasize the urgent need to address “Just Transition” issues, which aim to balance economic advancement with equitable outcomes for displaced workers, as highlighted in the study’s executive summary.

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has opened the registration for the IDEA®25 International Conference and Exhibition on April 29-May 1, 2025, at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida.

For the first time at IDEA, the two-day conference will be dedicated exclusively to sustainability, recognizing its critical importance to the nonwovens industry. The conference will bring together C-suite leaders, business development professionals, sustainability managers, product developers, regulatory teams, sales, and marketing to advance “Nonwovens for a Healthier Planet.”

The regional market overviews and company presentations that have previously been part of the conference program will be moved to the exhibition portion of IDEA, which will spotlight product innovations and solutions from leading companies across the industry.

Among the topics industry experts will explore in presentations and panel discussions at IDEA25 are:

• Regulations: Upcoming regulations in the U.S., European Union (EU), and the United Nations impacting sustainability efforts
• Product and Process Innovations: Sourcing sustainable materials featuring natural fibers, advances in biodegradability and compostability, and fiber-to-nonwoven recycling and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiatives
• Circular Economy and Bio-Materials: Responsible sourcing, innovations in sustainability, and end-of-life solutions that reduce waste and lower energy consumption, leading to significant cost and resource savings

Details regarding the presenters and abstracts for the conference will be announced in the coming weeks.

IDEA25 Highlights
The IDEA® Achievement Awards, in partnership with Nonwovens Industry magazine, will be presented based on the results of online voting in six categories, including sustainability achievement.

The event will kick off on April 28th with training courses covering the essentials of nonwovens and market-focused areas, including a Nonwovens 101 short course on manufacturing nonwovens and advanced sessions on technical design and performance in baby and adult care absorbent systems, wet wipes, period products, and filter media training.

In conjunction with IDEA25, INDA also announced registration has opened for FiltXPO™ 2025, the International Filtration Conference and Exhibition, on April 29-May 1, 2025, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. For updates on both events, visit the INDA website.

Members of TMAS – the Swedish textile machinery association – are providing crucial manufacturing and automation services to the filtration sector, which is an often invisible but very significant part of the global textile industry.

Technical woven and nonwoven fabrics are used in a wide variety of products in filtration systems for air, gas and liquid filtration, touching on almost every facet of life in the 21st Century.

They are crucial to aerospace and road transportation and a vast range of industrial processes and also to be found in every home, hotel and institutional building in air conditioning systems and household appliances such as washing machines and vacuum cleaners.

At its Skjåk manufacturing plant in Norway, for example, Interfil manufactures an annual 230,000 air filter units from a staggering range of some 15,000 variants, with 9,000 products moving continuously through the differing stages of the plant at any time each day, and a daily finished output of 1,100 products.

It’s a similar situation at the US plant of Filtration System Products (FSP) in Farmington, St Louis, which now has a daily production of over 2,200 filter hoses and media.

Both Interfil and FSP rely on the automated material handling expertise of TMAS member Eton Systems.

Eton’s individually addressable product carriers are designed to eliminate manual transportation and minimise handling throughout a manufacturing plant, ensuring each individual product arrives at its correct position precisely when required for each separate process step.

Interfil has relied on Eton automation since 2014, when a 50-metre overhead conveyor system was designed and installed to link the company’s two production halls at the Skjåk plant, eliminating the need for manual handling and truck transport between the facilities. This has resolved the challenge of having semi-finished products made far from the final assembly area, not only improving efficiency, quality control and component traceability across all parts of production, but also increasing on-site safety due to the need for fewer trucks.

FSP has meanwhile calculated that since installing an Eton system in 2023, it has increased its production output by 60% using the same number of operators and the same working hours as with the previous manual system. Eton’s inbuilt quality system also ensures that only 100% perfect products are unloaded from the system, allowing for a much more efficient quality control process. In addition, Eton’s compact method of moving single units through the production process has saved floor space and created a safer and more ergonomic work environment.