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Presidency Team Photo (c) European Apparel and Textile Confederation EURATEX
Presidency Team
12.06.2026

Mario Jorge Machado re-elected President of EURATEX

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation. 

With a degree in Production Polymer Engineering from the University of Minho, Mario Jorge Machado brings extensive industrial experience and a strong commitment to innovation, competitiveness and sustainable transformation. 

Upon his re-election, Mario Jorge Machado said:
“My priority for this new mandate is clear: to strengthen the competitiveness of our industry, ensure that the same rules apply to all products sold in Europe, and support our companies through the green and digital transition. Europe must decarbonise its industry, not deindustrialise it.” 

Three priorities for the new mandate

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation. 

With a degree in Production Polymer Engineering from the University of Minho, Mario Jorge Machado brings extensive industrial experience and a strong commitment to innovation, competitiveness and sustainable transformation. 

Upon his re-election, Mario Jorge Machado said:
“My priority for this new mandate is clear: to strengthen the competitiveness of our industry, ensure that the same rules apply to all products sold in Europe, and support our companies through the green and digital transition. Europe must decarbonise its industry, not deindustrialise it.” 

Three priorities for the new mandate

1. Competitiveness as the foundation
Mario Jorge Machado has made clear that competitiveness must be the starting point for any successful industrial policy. In his recent Brussels address, he stressed that without competitiveness there can be no investment, no innovation, no sustainability and no strategic autonomy. He will therefore continue to push for a stronger business environment for textile companies, with support for investment in automation, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, skills and innovation, especially for SMEs. 

2. A genuine level playing field
A second key priority is to ensure that the same rules apply to everything sold in Europe, not only to what is made in Europe. Mario Jorge Machado has repeatedly called for stronger market surveillance, better border enforcement and more effective control of imports sold through digital platforms, so that European companies are not put at a disadvantage against products that bypass EU safety, environmental and consumer rules. EURATEX will continue to advocate for equal enforcement, fair competition and a market where compliance is rewarded. 

3. Supporting industry through the transition
Mario Jorge Machado also wants to ensure that the green and digital transition strengthens European industry rather than weakening it. He has underlined that sustainability must become a source of competitiveness, not a burden, and that companies need realistic rules, affordable energy, workable implementation and targeted support to adapt successfully. He has also stressed the importance of stimulating demand for sustainable European-made textiles, including through public procurement and transparency tools that are feasible for companies. 

Presidency Team
The General Assembly also confirmed the composition of the EURATEX Presidency Team, which will support the President in steering the organisation’s strategic direction:

  • Mr. Franz Peter Falke, T+M, Germany
  • Ms. Barbara Cimmino, Confindustria Moda, Italy
  • Mr. Ismail Kolunsag, IHKIB, Türkiye 
  • Mr. Grégory Marchand, UIT, France 
Source:

European Apparel and Textile Confederation EURATEX

01.06.2026

Lenzing AG: Georg Kasperkovitz new Chief Executive Officer

The Supervisory Board of Lenzing AG has appointed Georg Kasperkovitz, Member of the Management Board and Chief Operations Officer, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lenzing AG with effect from June 1, 2026. 
Kasperkovitz will assume this role in addition to his current function as Chief Operations Officer (COO). 

Kasperkovitz has been a member of the Management Board of Lenzing AG as Chief Operations Officer since June 2025. In this role, he has most recently led the Fiber Division (sales, production, and supply chain) as well as the further development and execution of the performance program. He has achieved significant progress in operational excellence and the profitability of the fiber production sites. 

As CEO, in addition to overseeing the company-wide fiber production sites, he will also assume global responsibility for fiber sales, supply chain, and human resources. 
Kasperkovitz’s mandate as CEO runs for three years until May 31, 2029. 

The Supervisory Board of Lenzing AG has appointed Georg Kasperkovitz, Member of the Management Board and Chief Operations Officer, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lenzing AG with effect from June 1, 2026. 
Kasperkovitz will assume this role in addition to his current function as Chief Operations Officer (COO). 

Kasperkovitz has been a member of the Management Board of Lenzing AG as Chief Operations Officer since June 2025. In this role, he has most recently led the Fiber Division (sales, production, and supply chain) as well as the further development and execution of the performance program. He has achieved significant progress in operational excellence and the profitability of the fiber production sites. 

As CEO, in addition to overseeing the company-wide fiber production sites, he will also assume global responsibility for fiber sales, supply chain, and human resources. 
Kasperkovitz’s mandate as CEO runs for three years until May 31, 2029. 

Supervisory Board emphasizes continuity and performance 
Patrick Lackenbucher, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Lenzing AG, commented: “Over the past months, the Supervisory Board has intensively addressed the appointment of the CEO position and evaluated both internal and external candidates. It became clear that the current Management Board works very effectively together and that Georg Kasperkovitz manages his areas of responsibility extremely successfully. 

He has achieved measurable progress in operational performance and profitability. His appointment as CEO is therefore a logical step that ensures stability and execution strength, particularly in challenging market environments. 

The Management Board will continue to consistently focus on structural profitability and strengthening competitiveness, with the aim of further expanding Lenzing’s position as a leading integrated premium supplier of regenerated cellulose fibers.”

Focus on transformation, profitability, and growth 
Georg Kasperkovitz said: “I would like to thank the Supervisory Board for their trust and for appointing me as CEO, and I am very much looking forward to actively shaping Lenzing’s future. 

A clearly prioritized strategy focused on premium products, the consistent execution of our performance program, and a strong leadership team are key drivers of Lenzing’s continued transformation. 

We will drive sustainable growth in high-margin market segments, such as nonwovens applications in hygiene and filtration, while further advancing next-generation technologies such as Tree-to-Textile. 

At the same time, we will consistently implement measures to further strengthen our cost position and global competitiveness. Our goal is to unlock the company’s full value-creation potential.” 

Management Board structure remains unchanged 
The composition of the Management Board remains unchanged and continues to consist of Georg Kasperkovitz (CEO), Mathias Breuer (CFO), and Christian Skilich (CPO/CTO). 
The extended Executive Committee, consisting of six members, also remains unchanged. 

About Georg Kasperkovitz 
Georg Kasperkovitz holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Vienna University of Technology) and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He has more than 15 years of international management experience across Europe, North America, Asia, and China—Lenzing’s key production regions and markets. Prior to joining Lenzing, he served as Business Unit CEO at the international packaging and paper company Mondi plc (2016–2019) and as CEO of Rail Cargo Austria AG (2012–2016). He previously worked as a partner at the global consulting firm McKinsey & Company.

Source:

Lenzing AG

Award winner Tobias Dickmeiß with his certificate © Katharina Dubno
Award winner Tobias Dickmeiß with his certificate
08.05.2026

Elastic yarns to become more recyclable and environmentally friendly in future

On 29 April 2026, ITA student Tobias Dickmeiß was awarded a sponsorship prize by the Wilhelm Lorch-Stiftung for his innovative approach, to replacing conventional elastane with elastic yarns made from thermoplastic copolyester elastomers (TPC). Thanks to their thermoplastic nature and compatibility with typical polyesters used in the textile industry, elastic TPC yarns offer improved recyclability. Furthermore, the use of the melt-spinning process in yarn production eliminates the need for solvents that are harmful to the environment and human health.

Elastic textiles have become an integral part of our everyday lives, as they ensure comfort, a good fit and freedom of movement. At the same time, the increasing use of traditional elastic yarns, known as elastanes, significantly complicates textile recycling. Even small amounts of elastane can impair thermomechanical recycling processes and prevent a closed recycling loop.

On 29 April 2026, ITA student Tobias Dickmeiß was awarded a sponsorship prize by the Wilhelm Lorch-Stiftung for his innovative approach, to replacing conventional elastane with elastic yarns made from thermoplastic copolyester elastomers (TPC). Thanks to their thermoplastic nature and compatibility with typical polyesters used in the textile industry, elastic TPC yarns offer improved recyclability. Furthermore, the use of the melt-spinning process in yarn production eliminates the need for solvents that are harmful to the environment and human health.

Elastic textiles have become an integral part of our everyday lives, as they ensure comfort, a good fit and freedom of movement. At the same time, the increasing use of traditional elastic yarns, known as elastanes, significantly complicates textile recycling. Even small amounts of elastane can impair thermomechanical recycling processes and prevent a closed recycling loop.

As part of his bachelor’s thesis, Tobias Dickmeiß carried out extensive empirical process studies on a pilot-scale melt-spinning line. By systematically analysing the influence of various process parameters on yarn properties, he succeeded in specifically improving the properties of the resulting TPC yarns. The findings of his bachelor’s thesis thus provide a promising basis for the further development of recyclable elastic yarns and textiles.

Tobias Dickmeiß was granted a sponsorship prize of EUR 5,000 for specific further training in recognition of his outstanding bachelor’s thesis, ‘Development of a melt spinning process for elastic yarns made from thermoplastic copolyester elastomers at pilot scale’.

During his bachelor’s thesis, hr was supervised by ITA PhD student Ricarda Wissel.

Source:
Institut für Textiltechnik der RWTH Aachen University
05.05.2026

NCTO: Officer elections for fiscal year 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elected as NCTO Chair and Vice Chair for 2026:

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

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

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

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

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

Elected to chair the Councils:

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

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

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

Source:

National Council of Textile Organizations

Maximilian Peter to take charge of the Polymers division on May 1, 2026 Source: WACKER
Maximilian Peter
01.05.2026

Wacker: Polymers division under new leadership

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source:

Wacker Chemie AG