From the Sector

OETI is partnering with Austrian designer Julia Deiger, founder of the sustainable label DeLin. INSPECTED QUALITY is a quality label from OETI for textile and leather businesses. Based on OETI’s 60 years of market experience and current standards, the label is supported by a transparent labelling guideline and independent verification processes.

The initiative is part of TEX-DAN, an EU-funded project led by the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, which aims to develop innovative, market-ready concepts promoting circular economy models for small and medium-sized enterprises in the textile sector across the Danube region.

As an accredited and independent testing institute, OETI – Institute for Ecology, Technology and Innovation GmbH brings its extensive expertise to this project partnership. Together with designer Julia Deiger, OETI has developed the new INSPECTED QUALITY "Regionally Produced" label.

This label confirms the strong regional focus and sustainable philosophy of the DeLin brand: the entire value chain is based exclusively in Austria, using only natural, durable materials. The label enhances transparency for consumers and highlights the brand’s commitment to resource-efficient textile production.

Through this project, OETI and Julia Deiger are making a valuable contribution to promoting future-oriented, locally rooted production models within the European textile industry.

A Model for Market Transformation
“The TEX-DAN project generates new, marketable ideas for advancing circular economy models across the Danube region. Our collaboration with Julia Deiger demonstrates how natural materials, short supply chains, and regional production – supported by a structured quality assurance system and visible label – can collectively drive transformation in the textile sector,” concludes Helene Melnitzky, Head of Department Ecology / OEKO-TEX® Products, at OETI, who is responsible for developing the INSPECTED QUALITY “Regionally Produced” label.

Longstanding partnership with Stratasys increases worker safety, and fuels on-demand factory tooling 
Stratasys Ltd. announced that Toyota’s production engineering group is accelerating innovation on the factory floor through its strategic collaboration with Stratasys. The automaker is empowering automotive workers to seamlessly integrate advanced 3D printing technology in their manufacturing process, taking tools, fixtures and jigs from initial concept to working prototype in just one day. 

Through the more than 10-year partnership with Stratasys, Toyota engineers have access to industrial-grade 3D printers and advanced materials designed to withstand tough factory conditions. These Stratasys high-performance polymers reduce reliance on external suppliers and long lead times, giving frontline engineering teams the ability to iterate rapidly and adapt to shifting production needs in real time. 

Toyota is currently using the Stratasys F3300, F900, Origin One, F770, Neo800, H350, F370, J850, and Fortus 450mc printers to produce robust factory tooling, end-use parts, and functional prototypes throughout its North American facilities. 

By integrating Stratasys industrial 3D printing solutions across its North American operations, Toyota can transform ideas into durable, customized tools that support workflows, enhance worker safety, and withstand wear and tear. Much of this work is powered by the Toyota Add Lab, the company’s in-house additive manufacturing center that was opened in January 2023 and dedicated to accelerating R&D and factory innovation. 

“Sometimes we start with nothing more than a sketch on paper or an idea in our heads,” said Dallas Martin, Additive Manufacturing Engineer at Toyota North America. “We can model it digitally and hold a working part in our hands the very next day. That speed lets us move quickly, implement safer solutions, and continuously iterate to improve our processes.” 

The collaboration reflects Stratasys’ broader commitment to helping automotive leaders transform their manufacturing workflows with scalable, cost-effective additive solutions that drive innovation. From jigs and fixtures to ergonomic aids and complex assembly tools, additive manufacturing is helping Toyota team members solve production challenges with unprecedented speed and flexibility. 

“Additive manufacturing has transformed how our teams collaborate and innovate,” said Lisa Bednar, Group Manager, Production Engineering at Toyota North America. “Instead of sending an idea out and waiting weeks for a part, we’re building it ourselves, refining it the same day, and getting it into production faster. It’s not just about speed — it’s about giving our people the tools to think differently and act immediately.” 

Thanks in part to the Add Lab’s innovations, Toyota engineers have used 3D printing to redesign a door assembly fixture, creating a lighter, more ergonomic tool on-site in just a few days. In another case, they developed a custom window alignment jig that turned a multi-person job into a one-person task, boosting both safety and efficiency. 

“Toyota is a standout example of how leading manufacturers are leveraging additive manufacturing to deliver meaningful operational impact,” said Rich Garrity, Chief Industrial Business Officer at Stratasys. “Their teams are using our technology to move faster, adapt on the fly, and build safer, more efficient production environments. We’re proud to support a partner that’s turning bold ideas into real-world, measurable improvements on the factory floor.” 

In a major push to advance circularity and environmental accountability in the technical textiles sector, Techtextil India 2025 will launch the dedicated ‘ReCycle Zone’ in collaboration with the Society of Plastics Engineers India (SPE India). Reclaim, Reuse and Reimagine are among the key features of the zone at the upcoming edition of Techtextil India scheduled from 19th – 21st November 2025 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai.
 
As industries across the globe adopt circular economy models and sustainable production practices, the ReCycle Zone will serve as a vital platform for stakeholders working to transform textile and plastic waste into value-added materials. The initiative reflects Technical India’s ongoing commitment to driving responsible innovation by converging recyclers, solution providers, machinery manufacturers startups and policy enablers under one roof. This new industry focused zone will spotlight sustainable innovation and next-gen recycling technologies.
 
Spotlighting on Textile Waste Management and circularity, this ReCycle Zone will host companies specialising in: 

• Garment, agro-textiles and medical textiles waste recycling
• Plastic and PET waste recycling for textile applications
• Fibre to fibre and yarn regeneration 
• Sorting, shredding and advanced recycling machinery 
• EPR compliance, traceability and green certifications 
• AI and automation in waste management systems 

This initiative aims to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation by connecting buyers, suppliers, R&D specialists and sustainability officers.
 
To deepen the technical engagement, SPE India will curate a series of focused knowledge sessions and panel discussions within the ReCycle Zone. Experts from academia, policy think tanks and leading corporates will weigh in on topics such as circular product design, industry compliance and mandates, advances in waste recovery, and investment outlook in green tech.
 
The launch of ReCycle Zone aligns with India’s national efforts towards sustainable manufacturing, driven by programs like LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and PM MITRA Parks (Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel). As technical textiles play an increasingly important role across sectors such as defence, healthcare, automotive and agriculture, integrating recycling and circular design into their production processes has become essential.
 
The zone further reinforces Messe Frankfurt India’s role in nurturing a sustainable business ecosystem through its leading industry platforms. Techtextil India will mark the 10th edition of India’s most comprehensive exhibition for technical textiles, nonwovens, and composites. Organised by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India, the show will cover 12 diverse application areas from protective wear and functional fabrics to smart textiles, filtration and mobility solutions.
 
Scheduled from 19th – 21st November 2025 at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, the show will bring together global and domestic exhibitors, solutions providers, institutional buyers, research organisations and key industry bodies for three days of business, innovation and networking.
 
Adding momentum to the industry dialogue the India edition of the Dornbirn Global Fibre Conference one of the most prestigious global conferences for fibre and material innovations, will take place on 18th November 2025 also at NESCO, Mumbai – one day prior to Techtextil India show.

The Discover Natural Fibres Initiative (DNFI) was created in January 2010 as an outgrowth of the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009, declared by the United Nations General Assembly. DNFI is an organization that works to further the interests of natural fibres by serving as a platform for information exchange and by raising awareness of the benefits of natural fibre industries to the world economy, environment and consumers. 

Celebrating Breakthroughs in Natural Fibre Innovation – DNFI Award 2025 
The DNFI Innovation in Natural Fibres Award 2025 shines spotlight on groundbreaking developments in the world of natural fibres. Its mission: to highlight innovative achievements, amplify the work of leading researchers, innovators and producers, to create new pathways for commercial impact. From sustainability to smart materials, the award honors those pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with nature’s finest resources. 

The DNFI Award 2025 will be judged across three categories: Innovative products, components or applications; innovative processes or procedures; and research and science projects. Entries will be evaluated based on outstanding scientific work and technical feasibility, the extent to which the innovation improves or increases the effectiveness of existing products or processes, and its potential to open up new markets or sectors for products made from natural fibres.

Candidates for the DNFI Innovation in Natural Fibres Award 2025 are requested to send the application with the appropriate submission form by email to: Secretariat[at]dnfi.org.
 
Entries will be accepted until 30th September 2025. The winner will be announced in a press release in October 2025 and invited to attend the DNFI plenary session on 14 January 2026. The award ceremony will take place the following day, 15 January 2026, at the Heimtextil trade fair in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The 2025 award will once again be sponsored by the DNFI member organisation The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF).