From the Sector

Through a nationwide network of charity shops, donation centres and clothing banks the Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL) work with community groups, large organisations, local authorities, schools, colleges and individuals - all with a shared aim to help others and help protect our planet.

SATCoL work in partnership with brands and retailers to accept excess, returned and end-of- line stock of clothing and home-goods to be resold in its charity shops across the country.

This partnership opportunity for brands helps them to save on additional storage costs, create more room in their warehouse for new stock and divert more items away from disposal.

By extending the useful life of products, Salvation Army Trading Company and its partners make a positive contribution to reducing unnecessary waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and raising vital funds for charity work. In addition to this, SATCoL’s investment in modern processing centres and new technology means they can offer new ways of reusing and recycling textiles on a commercial scale, never seen in the UK. The trading arm of the charity also support businesses to amplify the message around their sustainable collaboration by making the public aware of their partnership goals and aspirations to create lasting change.

As a call to action, SATCoL produced a photoshoot with leading fashion industry photographer Camille Sanson and Fashion Stylist Karl Willett whose work includes styling celebrities for The Grammy’s, The Met Gala, Vanity Fair magazine and more.

Karl shared “It was a pleasure to be part of the Corporate Donations shoot, a scheme that is contributing to positive change and sustainability for the planet by diverting more everyday items away from landfill.”

The stylish images demonstrate the potential of second-hand fashion, electronic devices and home-goods, all of which the organisation is keen to receive. The Salvation Army Trading Company has received industry wide recognition for their efforts to support brand and retailers to meet their sustainability goals and encourage second-hand shopping.

Shaunacy Burne, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Salvation Army Trading Company shared: “We are partnering with businesses to receive their obsolete, end of line and faulty stock to be reused or repurposed. Not only are we helping brands to meet their CSR goals with our sustainable solutions, but the donations we receive are sold in our retail outlets to help raise vital funds for our parent charity. We’re keen to explore partnership opportunities with retailers, together we can reduce waste and divert more items away from landfill. Please get in touch, we want to hear from you.”

Increasingly weaker demand from key sales markets over the course of 2024 is slowing SGL Carbon's sales and earnings growth. Group sales in 2024 amounted to €1,026.4 million, down slightly by 5.8% on the prior-year level (2023: €1,089.1 million). The group's adjusted EBITDA decreased by 3.3% to €162.9 million (2023: €168.4 million).

Despite the slight decline in sales, the adjusted EBITDA margin improved from 15.5 % in the previous year to 15.9 % in 2024. This is mainly due to positive price and product mix effects.

Declining demand from the key semiconductor and automotive markets, coupled with persistently unsatisfactory demand from the wind industry, led to a decrease in volume and sales in three of four business units. Only Process Technology was able to improve its sales and adjusted EBITDA.

Earnings performance in the past fiscal year was strongly affected by non-recurring items of minus €118.5 million (2006: minus €52.9 million). These mainly included the impairment of assets of the Carbon Fibers business unit totaling €91.2 million (previous year: €44.7 million) and expenses from restructuring measures in the Carbon Fibers and Battery Solutions business lines totaling €19.0 million. After deducting one-off effects and non-recurring items as well as depreciation and amortization of €58.7 million (2023: €58.9 million), EBIT amounted to minus €14.3 million in 2024 (2023: €56.6 million).

Taking into account the financial result of minus €32.6 million (2023: minus €34.2 million) and tax expenses of €32.5 million (2023: €19.3 million), SGL Carbon recorded a net loss of €80.3 million (2023: net profit of €41.0 million) despite the solid overall business performance.

In 2024, the Carbon Fibers (CF) business unit's sales continued to decline, decreasing by 6.7% to €209.8 million (2023: €224.9 million). The decline was due in particularly to the continued low demand from the wind industry and the increasing competitive headwind resulting from global overcapacity for textile and carbon fibers.

Adjusted EBITDA in the Carbon Fibers business unit decreased by €18.2 million year-on-year to minus €11.0 million (2023: €7.2 million). The lack of fixed cost absorption led to high idle capacity costs and combined with declining margins for our fiber products, had a negative impact on adjusted EBITDA. It should be noted that the Carbon Fibers business unit included the result of the equity accounted activities (mainly the joint venture Brembo SGL Carbon Ceramic Brakes, BSCCB) in the amount of €15.8 million (2023: €18.3 million). Excluding the contribution from the equity-accounted BSCCB, the adjusted EBITDA of Carbon Fibers would amount to minus €27.0 million (2023: minus €10.9 million).

In February 2025, as part of the review of all strategic options for the Carbon Fibers, a decision was made to extensively restructure the Carbon Fibers business unit, which also includes the closure of unprofitable business activities. A complete sale of the Carbon Fibers activities was reviewed and is currently not considered feasible.

In the reporting period, sales in the Composite Solutions (CS) business unit amounted to €124.6 million, down 19.0% (2023: €153.9 million). The decline was due in particular to the premature expiration of a significant project-related supply contract with an automotive customer.

As a result of lower volumes and product mix effects, CS's adjusted EBITDA decreased by €4.0 million or 18.0% year on year to €18.2 million (2023: €22.2 million). It should be noted that the adjusted EBITDA includes a compensation payment of €3.0 million for a prematurely terminated customer contract. The adjusted EBITDA margin remained almost constant at 14.6% compared to the previous year (2023: 14.4%).

Forecast
For the year 2025, SGL Carbon expects different but overall challenging developments in their key sales markets. For the semiconductor industry and in particular for silicon carbide-based semiconductors, the demand is expected to remain moderate. The main reasons are lower than originally forecast growth rates for electric vehicles and continued high inventories at our customers site. At the earliest, demand could pick up in the second half of 2025. The company also expects a high degree of uncertainty combined with lower momentum for the automotive market segment.

The forecast for the current fiscal year 2025 takes into account all four operating business units, as they are still in the early stages of restructuring our Carbon Fibers business. Based on their assumptions regarding the development of the key sales markets, the managers expect consolidated sales for fiscal year 2025, including all business units, to be slightly below the previous year (2024: €1,026.4 million).

Taking into account all four operating business units, an adjusted EBITDA in 2025 is expected to range between €130 million and €150 million. Furthermore, the assumption is that the free cash flow at the end of the 2025 financial year - excluding payments for the planned restructuring of the CF - will be below the previous year's level but still positive (2024: €38.7 million).

Restructuring Carbon Fibers
On February 18, 2025, the Board of Management of SGL Carbon announced a restructuring of the loss-making CF business unit. This includes a significant reduction of CF's business activities and a focus on a profitable core. SGL Carbon's group sales guidance for 2025 excluding the expected sales contribution from CF would be approximately €200 million lower. On the other hand, the adjusted EBITDA for the remaining businesses excluding the operating adjusted EBITDA of CF would be between 155 – 175 million €.

“In the coming months, our work will focus on restructuring the carbon Fibers business unit and safeguarding our profitability. This includes focusing on new sales opportunities to further utilize our production capacities and strict cost management. The major trends such as digitization, climate-friendly transportation and renewable energy sources remain intact and are the drivers for our key sales markets. SGL Carbon will benefit from these trends and the associated growth opportunities in the medium and long term,” explains Andreas Klein, CEO of SGL Carbon SE.

Fueled by robust demand, the fair wrapped up successfully on 13 March at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Over 370 exhibitors engaged with more than 25,000 visitors from 85 countries and regions, with total visitor numbers up by 8%, and the number of international visitors more than double that of the previous Spring Edition. As consumer preferences continue to evolve, buyers increasingly sought home products that harmoniously blend style, comfort and sustainability. This trend was evident throughout Hall 5.2, highlighted by the extensive mix of exhibitors and the accompanying fringe program focused on eco-innovation and smart sleep, reinforcing the fair as an important business platform for the advancing industry.

Speaking on the final day, Ms Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, said: “The visitor flow throughout the hall clearly demonstrated the strong demand and recovery within the Chinese home textile market, with many exhibitors reporting high-quality leads. Notably, there was a significant increase in overseas visitors, highlighting the event's growing international appeal. We observed various trends, but prominent themes were sustainability and smart bedding solutions, as more exhibitors are increasingly incorporating technology and eco-friendly practices into their materials and production processes. Overall, the comprehensive selection of products catered to the varied interests of buyers across the industry.”

Eco-consciousness has evolved from being just a nice-to-have to becoming an essential aspect in the home textiles market. In the bedding sector, this has led to a growing emphasis on organic, reusable, and recyclable materials that are free from hazardous chemicals. Throughout the three-day fair, the fairground was abuzz with products that offered both comfort and environmental responsibility.

From smart bedding, featuring temperature regulation and antibacterial technologies, to sustainable home textiles using biodegradable and organic materials, exhibitors showcased a diverse collection of solutions designed to elevate the modern home. Particularly notable was CoolisT Life Technology Co Ltd, which displayed bio-based biodegradable sponges, including Zero Foam and Hydrophilic Foam. Renowned buying brands, including Sainsbury’s, Americana International, Li & Fung, and many more, proactively pursued technological innovations, sustainable solutions, and high-end products to better meet the demands of consumers.

The fringe programme also played a key role in driving industry dialogue around eco-consciousness and innovation. The Green and Low Carbon Forum explored sustainable textiles for bedrooms and homes, while the Sleeping Aid Summit 2025 discussed the integration of smart home technologies into bedding. Another event in the spotlight was Timeless and Transformative Colour: Celebrating the Rich Diversity of Modern Living for 2026, held by the Pantone Color Institute. At this event, participants discovered the vibrant colour palettes for home interiors that are expected to be popular trends in 2026.

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, in partnership with International Filtration News magazine, announces the finalists for the inaugural FiltXPO™ Awards. Recognizing outstanding achievements across the entire filtration value chain, the awards celebrate groundbreaking advancements that utilize nonwoven fabrics and technology.

Presented at FiltXPO™, April 29-May 1, 2025, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Florida, these awards highlight exceptional innovations in three categories:

• Air/Gas Filtration Media
• Water/Liquid Filtration Media
• Filtration Equipment

Each nominated product has demonstrated creativity, uniqueness, technical sophistication, and the potential to significantly advance filtration performance and sustainability. Voting takes place on the International Filtration News website and the deadline to submit votes is April 18, 2025:

FiltXPO Air/Gas Filtration Award

• Hollingsworth & Vose – NanoWave® ESA
  Introducing NanoWave®ESA, an all-synthetic, 3D filter media free from PFAS. This revolutionary product enables production of highly efficient, comfortable, stretchable respiratory protection, suitable for various protective applications.
• Lanaco – EcoStatic® ML Series Filter Media
  Lanaco’s wool-based air filtration solution utilizes advanced electrostatic technology, providing exceptional efficiency and ultra-low pressure drop, even under challenging environmental conditions. USDA-certified as 100% Biobased, EcoStatic® ensures sustainability without sacrificing performance.
• Greentech Environmental LLC – Greentech Filters with ODOGard®
  ODOGard® technology deeply integrates odor-neutralizing polymers into nonwoven and nanofiber filters, offering an innovative, non-toxic approach to indoor air quality. ODOGard® significantly enhances filtration durability and performance.

FiltXPO Water/Liquid Filtration Award

• Ahlstrom – BioProtect™
  Ahlstrom’s sustainable BioProtect™ material offers superior dye-catching performance for laundry applications. Manufactured from 100% naturally derived fibers and OC-Biobinder®, BioProtect™ is both biobased and home compostable, combining premium performance with environmental responsibility.
• Periodic Products, Inc. – MetalXtract® Filter Media
  Using patented Chelok® Polymer Technology, MetalXtract® provides remarkable metal adsorption capabilities—100 to 500 times greater than traditional resins—across a wide pH range. Ideal for wastewater treatment and environmental remediation, this biodegradable solution effectively controls contamination at high flow rates.

FiltXPO Filtration Equipment Award

• Luwa America Inc. – Multi Cell Filter (MCV)
  The space-saving MCV significantly reduces required floor space by approximately 70% compared to traditional drum filters. Its intelligent PLC-controlled design optimizes filter cleaning cycles, reduces energy usage, and substantially cuts operational costs and carbon footprint.
• Oerlikon Neumag – hycuTEC
  Oerlikon Neumag’s innovative hycuTEC technology hydrocharges nonwoven filter media, achieving over 99.9% filtration efficiency with dramatically lower pressure loss and minimal resource consumption. Easy to integrate and retrofit, hycuTEC represents a breakthrough in high-efficiency filtration media production.
• Filtration Advice Inc. – FA-TCO Software
  This cutting-edge software provides comprehensive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis and predictive modeling for air filtration systems. FA-TCO enables data-driven decisions, extending filter lifespans, reducing operational costs, and enhancing overall sustainability in filtration management.

Finalists will present their innovative solutions at FiltXPO, showcasing breakthroughs that elevate quality, efficiency, and sustainability across the filtration industry.

“We’re delighted to highlight these groundbreaking innovations that promise to reshape the filtration landscape,” said Matt O’Sickey, Ph.D., INDA’s Director of Education & Technical Affairs. “FiltXPO provides the perfect stage to recognize the industry’s most significant advances and inspire future developments.”

Eastman, global specialty materials company and manufacturer of Naia™ Renew cellulosic fibers, unveiled the most comprehensive product application matrix of its Naia™ fiber brand at the China International Textile Fabrics and Accessories (Spring/Summer) Expo. Making its debut, the innovative “Naia™ On The Move” new blending solution concept offers a fresh take on active urban fashion, redefining comfort and versatility, and reinforcing Eastman’s commitment to driving sustainable innovation in the fashion industry.

Naia™ Renew is a sustainable circular fiber composed of 60% sustainably sourced wood pulp and 40% GRS-certified recycled* waste materials. Utilizing Eastman’s carbon renewal technology (CRT), this process breaks down hard-to-recycle waste material into basic molecules to make new cellulose acetate fibers without compromising quality. This innovation offers a scalable solution to two of the world’s most pressing environmental issues: waste pollution and raw material overconsumption.

At the expo, Eastman also highlighted Naia™ Renew staple fiber's application in denim, achieving a balance between comfort and sustainability in denim. Additionally, its use in woven woolen fabrics, ranging from structured shirts to tweed coats, showcases its versatility. The fiber’s integration into home textile fillings further embeds sustainability into everyday living, demonstrating its vast potential.

Five Years of Innovation: From China Debut to Global Expansion
“Since its initial successful adoption in the Chinese market in 2020, Naia™ staple fiber has embarked on a five-year journey of innovation and persistence. As a novel fiber, Naia™ staple has not only filled a market gap but has also become a key force in helping brands achieve their sustainability goals,” said Chad Doub, global segment leader of staple fibers for Eastman’s textiles division. “Over the past five years, Naia™ staple fiber applications have expanded from loungewear to casual T-shirts, knitwear, and beyond. At our booth, visitors discovered the latest applications in activewear, denim, woven fabrics, and home textile fillings – our most extensive showcase yet.”

Dibella has strengthened its sales team with a new sales representative since March 2025. The company is thus continuing its growth strategy and aims to further optimise its customer service.

Dennis Bujack, with over 20 years of experience in sales of contract textiles, will be available as a competent contact person for customers in future. Bujack will be responsible for exports and for the northern German region, where he will be responsible in particular for looking after existing customers and acquiring new business partners.

With his many years of expertise in advising and supporting business customers, Dennis Bujack has extensive knowledge of the requirements of the textile service sector. Most recently, he worked for one of the market-leading terry towelling manufacturers.

Organized by İTKİB FuarcılıkA.Ş. in collaboration with the Istanbul Textile Exporters Association (İTHİB), Texhibition Istanbul 2025 once again proved itself as one of the leading international trade fairs for fabrics, yarns, and textile accessories. From March 5–7, 2025, the Istanbul Expo Center transformed into a dynamic meeting point for textile professionals worldwide presenting for fabrics, yarns, and textile accessories. More than 500 exhibitors presented their latest collections and technologies, 22.623 visitors from 106 countries—spanning Europe, North and South America, and Asia—seized the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and explore new business opportunities. European visitors have increased by 30 % compared to September 2024.

The denim sector established itself on its own stage in the Blue-Black Denim Hall 7,
Workshops, creative installations, and fashion presentations, such as the Blue Black Denim Show, made this section one of the most vibrant areas of the fair. Artistic and innovative denim collections showcased the latest developments in the denim industry, including metallic-shimmering fabrics and vintage-reworked denim.
Since the introduction of this segment, Texhibition Istanbul has recorded a significant increase in visitors from the EU, while demand for Turkish denim fabrics has grown considerably.

A central theme at Texhibition Istanbul 2025 was the sustainable transformation of the Turkish textile industry. More and more companies are embracing eco-friendly processes, energy-efficient production methods, and innovative recycling solutions.

Türkiye’s textile and apparel sector is a global leader with an export volume of $32.1 billion. Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat emphasized that Türkiye is among the world's top six textile exporters and the EU’s third-largest supplier. Texhibition Istanbul strengthens the industry by showcasing innovation and design expertise on a global scale. In response to rising costs and global competition, Türkiye successfully focuses on sustainability, technology, and market differentiation.

International technology group ANDRITZ has supplied and commissioned a reXline tearing system for Buitex, Semin Group, located in Cours, France. The new production line enables the company to expand textile waste recycling for sustainable insulation production.

Founded in 1895, Buitex is a French manufacturer of high-performance recycled products. As a pioneer in circular economy practices, Buitex transforms textile waste into high-performance insulation and comfort products. Since joining the Semin Group in 2023, the company has operated a 20,000 m² production site equipped with six production lines and has become one of Europe’s major players in the circular economy.

This second ANDRITZ tearing line at Buitex increases the company’s recycling capacity while maintaining high fiber purity, thanks to an advanced hard-point removal system. The latest-generation cyclone technology further improves disruptor sorting, enhancing overall efficiency. The system can process up to an additional 2.5 tons of fiber per hour, enabling the production of recycled fibers for applications such as bedding, construction, and automotive insulation.

"It is crucial for us to make the building insulation industry more sustainable by giving new life to post-consumer clothes that would otherwise be incinerated or end up in landfills. The European market has abundant raw materials and a strong demand for sustainable insulation products. With this new line, ANDRITZ enables us to significantly enhance our recycling capabilities,” says Adam Adamowicz, CEO of Buitex.

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has announced the program for IDEA®25, a two-day Sustainability in Nonwovens Conference. IDEA25 will take place April 29-May 1, at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida.

The IDEA25 conference will bring together industry professionals to share knowledge and strategies to advance sustainable practices, highlighting the need for ongoing innovation, regulatory compliance, and incorporating eco-friendly materials to foster a more sustainable future.

The conference will include engaging sessions on various pertinent topics such as regulatory trends, data and technology, innovative and sustainable materials, hemp and natural fibers, bioplastics, equipment and processes, and integrating sustainability throughout the lifecycle of products.

Highlights of the IDEA25 Sustainability Conference

April 29:

• Navigating the Shifting Winds of Sustainability Regulations: Gain U.S. and European Union perspectives on compliance and innovation in the face of evolving regulations
• “In God We Trust… All Others Bring Data”: Learn how to craft a believable and transparent sustainability story
• Innovative and Sustainable Materials: Discover how green product development starts with greener nonwovens
• Hemp Fibers in Nonwovens: Explore the potential of hemp and other natural fibers and their applications in sustainable products

April 30:

• Cradle to Grave Bioplastics: Understand the importance of ensuring sustainability in the use of bioplastics from the beginning to the end-of-life
• Design for Sustainability: Explore the impact of product and process design on overall product sustainability, during two sessions
• Cradle to Next Life: Challenge the “to the grave” mentality and explore strategies for product reincarnation

The conference is an integral part of IDEA, the premier event for the nonwoven and engineered fabric industry. Hundreds of companies from around the globe representing the entire global supply chain will showcase their latest innovations at the exhibition. 

Circ, the US-based pioneer in textile-to-textile recycling, has closed its latest investment round led by Taranis through its Carbon Ventures fund, with continued support from existing strategic investors, including Inditex, one of the world’s largest fashion retailers, and Avery Dennison, a global materials science and digital identification solutions company. This latest funding builds on Circ’s major technical and commercial progress over the past 18 months and helps fuel the company’s push to scale its revolutionary recycling technology, advancing its mission to transform the fashion industry’s waste problem into a circular solution.

Circ is uniquely positioned to transform the industry as the only company with the demonstrated ability to recycle polycotton blends and recover both fractions for textiles, having successful public collaborations with Zara, Mara Hoffman, United Arrows, Chrisitan Siriano, and more.

As Circ moves toward launching its first industrial-scale blended textile recycling plant, this partnership brings more than capital—Taranis, owned by the Perenco Group, will contribute deep expertise in developing and operating large industrial projects. Taranis’s experience engineering complex, high-volume processes will be invaluable in commercializing Circ’s technology globally.

Taranis, an investment and asset management company dedicated to sustainable industrial solutions, sees Circ’s model as a key step in reducing the environmental impact of global supply chains. Beyond financial investment, Taranis is providing direct technical validation of Circ’s processes to accelerate the transition from demonstration-scale to industrial-scale production.

“Circ has developed and demonstrated a breakthrough solution for circularity in fashion, and we believe our industrial expertise can help take it to the next level,” said Emmanuel Colombel, CEO of Taranis. “Our goal is to support scalable, pragmatic technologies that reduce waste and emissions. Circ’s vision aligns perfectly with that mission, and we’re excited to support Circ in its journey toward a more circular and responsible fashion industry.”