From the Sector

With its latest Joint Partner Project titled “Thermoplastic Pressure Vessel Production – Benchmarking of Design-for-Manufacturing Strategies to Optimize Material Efficiency and Cost,” AZL Aachen GmbH invites companies from across the pressure vessel and composite value chains to collaborate on the next step in sustainable high-pressure storage solutions.

Unlocking the Full Potential of Thermoplastic Composites
Thermoplastic composites are widely recognized for their potential to reduce processing times, offer alternative recycling routes, and improve design flexibility. Yet, when traditional thermoset vessel designs are simply transferred to thermoplastic manufacturing, cost and efficiency often fall short of competitiveness. The aim of this project is to rethink vessel design and production holistically – aligning thermoplastic material properties with optimized design- and manufacturing strategies to unlock their full economic and technological potential.

Collaborative Engineering for Scalable Solutions
Conducted as a Joint Partner Project, the initiative brings together companies with shared interests to co-finance and co-shape the project. The AZL Engineering Team will analyse current technologies, develop new design concepts for hydrogen and CNG vessels, and benchmark the resulting configurations in terms of weight, cost, recyclability and production KPIs. The consortium of participating companies will get access to simulation results, concept layouts, and comparative evaluations based on a unified framework.

Experience and Exchange Built In
The JPP format provides a platform not only for technical development, but also for strategic networking. Each partner can contribute input, benefit from consolidated expertise, and gain early access to the results. With more than a decade of experience managing such initiatives, AZL ensures a structured and result-driven collaboration.
The project will start on July 16th, 2025. All participants are invited to engage in an interactive Kick-off Meeting to define key priorities and present their internal perspectives. 

With increasing demand for sustainably-minded performance laminates for apparel and footwear, eVent®️ Fabrics, a global leader in breathable waterproof, weatherproof, and windproof fabric technologies, introduces the new www.eventfabrics.com. 

The new website delivers several upgrades over the previous one, including simplified navigation, cohesive brand storytelling, and improved messaging around eVent’s increasing focus on more sustainable, circular, high-performance laminates.  

“As we continue to position ourselves as leaders in PFAS-free performance laminates and our brand messaging evolves to support our overall brand mission, this new website will better represent our brand to our core audiences,” said Chad Kelly, President of eVent Fabrics. “As demand grows, this new site will help brands, product developers, and customers better understand who we are as a brand and what we offer in PFAS-free laminates, allowing everyone along the value chain to make more informed buying decisions.”

Faced with more stringent sustainability regulations and growing consumer demand, eVent’s increasing focus on delivering PFAS-free and circular performance laminates to a global market is driving awareness, interest, and sales. The new website is designed to better highlight the eVent’s evolving brand story and support discovery of sustainably-minded performance technology.

As eVent’s PFAS-free laminate offering continues to gain traction, the new site better supports brand direction, growth, and messaging. Improved navigation helps site visitors more easily identify and learn about the breathable waterproof, weatherproof, and windproof laminates that address their performance and sustainability goals. In addition, the new site will serve as the hub for the overall eVent brand evolution, helping to better tell the brand’s unique story. 

Ontex Group NV, a leading international developer and producer of personal care solutions, is advancing its sustainability journey with the introduction of bio-based superabsorbent polymers (bioSAP) in its diapers, with an initial rollout in selected Moltex Pure and Nature products. This new material will gradually and incrementally replace virgin fossil-based plastic SAP in the core absorbent component, helping lower the carbon footprint of the product while maintaining performance. 

SAP (superabsorbent polymer) is essential to diaper performance yet is traditionally made from fossil-based plastic. It is also one of the most carbon-intensive components in hygiene products. The bioSAP now being introduced has a 15% to 25% lower carbon footprint than conventional SAP, with a promising outlook as the technology continues to evolve. By embracing innovations like bioSAP, Ontex is advancing its long-term goal of reducing environmental impact through sustainable solutions. 

Reducing impact through smarter material choices 
Ontex’s Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions are largely driven by raw materials, which account for approximately 80% of the total footprint across sourcing, production, and end-of-life waste treatment. Materials such as SAP and plastic nonwovens represent about half of these emissions. 

The shift to bioSAP is a strategic move towards achieving Ontex’s SBTi-validated target to reduce Scope 3 emissions by 25% by 2030. While it is initially rolled out to selected products under the Moltex Pure and Nature brand, Ontex’s baby diaper brand available in retailers and online across Europe, the development also lays the groundwork for broader application. This includes future products and offerings for retail partners. 

BioSAP: a step forward, with an eye on circularity 
The conventional SAP available in the market is currently not recyclable or industrially compostable. However, Ontex views biodegradable SAP as a key enabler for multiple circular solutions in the future. The company continues to monitor innovation in this area closely, while remaining realistic about current limitations.

Reconomy, a leading international circular economy specialist, has published a new global strategy exploring the evolving global landscape of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles, outlining how businesses can prepare for upcoming changes and detailing Reconomy’s strategic initiatives to support businesses across Europe and worldwide.

The textile industry is approaching a period of significant regulatory and operational transformation. Traditionally, one of the most resource-intensive sectors, textiles generate substantial waste and emissions throughout their lifecycle. 

New EPR legislation is driving a fundamental shift by making producers responsible for end-of-life management, including collection, reuse, recycling, and disposal. This structural change is intended to accelerate the transition towards circular business models and more sustainable production and consumption patterns.

Reconomy views this regulatory shift not as a compliance burden, but as a critical opportunity for innovation and competitive differentiation. By supporting stakeholders in turning regulatory requirements into strategic advantages, Reconomy aims to help businesses build more resilient and circular operations while meeting increasing expectations from consumers, retailers, and policymakers.

The new strategy paper, Textile EPR Strategy 2030, sets out a comprehensive five-year roadmap, providing an overview of anticipated policy timelines and evolving requirements. It also addresses key themes including eco-modulation, Digital Product Passports, and the growing need for robust data and supply chain transparency.

The document outlines Reconomy’s mission and specific initiatives over the next five years that will enable clients to navigate the complex textile EPR landscape effectively.

In the short term, during the “pre-EPR” phase, this includes helping clients understand the regulatory impact, preparing them operationally, building strong partnerships across the textile ecosystem — including with sorters, recyclers, and other key stakeholders — and investing in technology to enable advanced data management and material returns. 

In the longer term, once EPR legislation is established across all EU member states and additional global markets, Reconomy will continue to support clients with multi-jurisdictional compliance (including in regions such as North America), help them leverage product-level data insights to drive innovation and better product design, and accelerate their transition to circular business models.

The strategy follows the launch of Reconomy's Textile EPR Impact Assessment service – a new tailored service designed to help businesses prepare for the rapidly evolving landscape of textile regulations.

Lavi Aharon, Director of Reconomy’s Textile Programme and Business Development Director, said:
“Textile producers are facing an increasingly complex and fast-evolving regulatory landscape as EPR schemes roll out across the world, and especially in Europe. At the same time, they are under growing pressure to demonstrate real progress on sustainability to retailers and consumers.”

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, launched CYCLANON® XC-W e, an innovative washing-off auxiliary that improves productivity and reduces resource consumption in cellulosic dyeing while delivering outstanding color fastness, even in difficult high-electrolyte or hard water conditions.

Conventional polyacrylate or copolymer washing-off agents often struggle to fully remove unfixed dye from fabric, especially when a high concentration of salt remains on it from the dye bath or under hard water conditions. This can lead to excessive rinsing and multiple washing baths. Ineffective washing-off may result in quality rejections due to backstaining or uneven shade development.

Archroma’s trio-polymer CYCLANON® XC-W e was designed to overcome these challenges, delivering high performance, improved productivity and water and energy savings, with minimal added cost compared to conventional polymer-based products.

Wet-fastness with measurable water, energy and time savings
With easier unfixed dye removal, mills can reduce pre-rinsing and the number of washing baths to achieve shorter washing-off cycles and save time, water, energy and chemical inputs compared to conventional polyacrylate or copolymer washing-off agents:

• Up to 15% shorter process time
• Up to 20% less water used in the washing-off stage
• Up to 20% lower CO2 emissions through reduced energy consumption
• Up to 20% reduction in chemical use

Significant productivity gains for competitive advantage
These efficiency gains also translate into higher productivity. By shortening washing-off cycles and reducing rework, CYCLANON® XC-W e helps mills process more fabric with existing equipment.
•    Up to 15% increase in throughput with the same machine set up
For example, a knit production plant producing 10 metric tons (MT) of dyed fabric per day could increase daily output by 1 MT, without expanding capacity, by using CYCLANON® XC-W e to eliminate two washing baths and reduce quality rejections.

Part of the SUPER SYSTEMS+ portfolio
CYCLANON® XC-W e is part of Archroma’s SUPER SYSTEMS+ portfolio and can be combined with the Blue Magic all-in-one pretreatment and NOVACRON® EC/S reactive dyes to create an end-to-end solution for high-quality dyeing of 100% cotton fabrics.

The system is categorized as an IMPACT+ solution within Archroma’s SUPER SYSTEMS+ Impact Matrix. This means it delivers the highest level of resource savings, high wash durability and beyond-compliance chemicals – as compared to standard FOUNDATION processes with ZDHC Gateway MRSL Level 3 compliance.

CYCLANON® XC-W e complies with the latest regulatory and brand requirements, including stringent MRSL and RSL standards. Registration for bluesign®, ZDHC Level 3, and GOTS 7.0 are underway.

In response to mounting global regulations and the push for a circular economy, CEMATEX (the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers) is launching ITMA Sustainability Forum: Accelerating the Green Transition on 30 October at Singapore Expo. 

The half-day forum is designed to help textile and garment manufacturers, particularly from South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East, navigate the European Union’s evolving sustainability regulations, and access to green financing opportunities to support their transition. 

Held alongside ITMA ASIA + CITME, Singapore 2025, the forum brings together EU policymakers, financial institutions, and industry leaders to facilitate cross-border dialogue and knowledge exchange. 

Singapore Fashion Council, the official association for the textile and fashion 
industry in Singapore, is the programme partner of the forum organised by ITMA Services. 

Mr Alex Zucchi, President, CEMATEX, said: “Sustainability has become a global priority. The textile industry must act swiftly to modernise production in line with regulatory demands and growing consumer expectations. This forum provides a much-needed platform for manufacturers to better understand the EU’s legislative landscape and the financing tools available for sustainable growth.” 

A key highlight of the forum will be the keynote presentation by Ms Kristin Schreiber, Director, European Commission DG GROW. She will provide a comprehensive overview of the EU’s sustainability roadmap and upcoming regulations driving the shift towards circular textile production.

Ms Schreiber said: “South and Southeast Asia are vital players in the global textile value chain. Many producers in these regions export to the European market, and their ability to align with upcoming requirements will be critical to a successful and inclusive transition. I look forward to exchanging perspectives at this forum on how we can collaborate globally to build a more sustainable and resilient textile industry.”

Under the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, by 2030, all textiles placed on the EU market must be durable, recyclable, largely made from recycled fibres and free from hazardous substances. Manufacturers worldwide must act now to meet these requirements and remain competitive. 

Programme highlights 

• Shaping Sustainability: Responding to EU Policy Changes
  Moderator: Ms Nicole van der Elst Desai, Founder, VDE Consultancy 
  Speaker: Mr Robert van de Kerkhof, CEO, ReHubs 
• Profit Meets Purpose: Financing Sustainability 
  Moderator: Mr Brandon Courban, Senior Advisor (Climate), Openspace Ventures
  Speakers:
  - Dr Rene Van Berkel, Senior Circular Economy Expert, Switch Asia, EU Policy Support Component
  - Ms Iris Ng, Head, Emerging Business & Global Commercial Banking, OCBC Bank
  - Mr Michael Rattinger, Senior Climate Change Specialist, Asian Development Bank

As a global workwear textile manufacturer and part of RTS Textiles Group, Carrington has published their second annual sustainability report, marking one year since the first edition was launched in July 2024. The publication showcases the progress that has been achieved in environmental performance and sustainable innovation across the Group.

The report reflects a pivotal year for RTS Textiles Group, formed in early 2025 through the consolidation of RTS Textiles Ltd. with their long-standing joint venture partners TMG in Portugal and STM in Pakistan. This unification brought the businesses under full ownership as a single group, with all parties now shareholders, creating a global organisation with over 130 million metres of annual production capacity and operations spanning the UK, mainland Europe and Asia.

Across their facilities, they have delivered measurable environmental achievements. At Carrington Textiles International in Pakistan, €3.4 million were invested in a state-of-the-art Effluent Treatment Plant to enhance water treatment capacity. The site also reduced CO2 emissions by more than 20,000 tonnes, reclaimed 95% of caustic soda through its recovery plant and sourced 98% of steam consumption from biomass boilers.

At MGC in Portugal, a 7% reduction in CO2 emissions was realized per tonne of product. The site also digitised energy management using Siemens Energy Manager Pro and introduced composting initiatives by repurposing biomass ash.

In the UK, Pincroft generated 68% of its electricity through Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and transitioned 100% of its purchased electricity to renewable sources, supported by REGO certification.
RTS Textiles also strengthened their sustainable product offering with the addition of technologies and fibres like Sorona®, alongside our ongoing commitment to Better Cotton, REPREVE® recycled polyester, organic cotton, TENCEL™ and CiCLO®.

Source Fashion announces £500,000 investment in a scheme to support British Heritage manufacturers. On Day 2 of Source Fashion the show has unveiled a major new initiative designed to champion British manufacturing. The new scheme will provide each of 15 selected UK-based heritage manufacturers with a fully funded stand, marketing support, and brand development assistance, representing over £500,000 worth of support to run across the next three years.

Beginning February 2026, Source Fashion will form a dedicated British Heritage Pavilion to showcase the 15 curated, high-quality, heritage manufacturers, from across the UK. The selected businesses will receive support for three consecutive editions of the show, a move designed to help them build long-term visibility and growth.

“As Source Fashion grows into the largest manufacturing sourcing show in Europe, we believe it’s our responsibility to support the brilliant manufacturers we have here in the UK,” said Suzanne Ellingham, Event Director of Source Fashion. “This is about more than just giving away stands. We’re investing in the future of British manufacturing by helping these businesses tell their stories, connect with international buyers, and grow sustainably. It’s a small way that we can give back, while also making sure UK manufacturing is properly represented on the global stage.”

The programme will be open to a diverse range of UK manufacturers, from heritage textiles in Scotland to component specialists in the Midlands and South. It aims to address a long-standing lack of support for British producers who often struggle to afford the costs of exhibiting, especially when compared to government-subsidised competitors abroad.
Each business will receive:

• A free stand at three consecutive Source Fashion shows in January 2026, July 2026 and January 2027.
• Dedicated bespoke PR and marketing campaigns
• Exposure through Source Fashion’s global content channels

To ensure the most deserving and high-potential manufacturers are selected, Source Fashion will work with their advisory board to identify manufacturers and makers that would benefit from the show.  

The first full cohort of heritage manufacturers will be announced in September 2025. While most participants are still under wraps, organisers have confirmed outreach has already begun, and standout British businesses have already been selected to join the inaugural pavilion include Courtnery and Co, The last remaining button manufacturer in the UK, and Alexander Manufacturing. These companies represent the exceptional craftsmanship and highlight how special British manufacturing and heritage can be. The scheme aims to spotlight, with more names to be revealed in the coming months.

Polyurethane foam has traditionally been used to reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in vehicles, contributing to passenger comfort. At the Automotive Acoustics Conference in Constance, Germany, Autoneum presented a polyester felt-based sound insulation system that is lightweight, resilient and shapeable, thus combining best-in-class acoustic performance and precise contours with enhanced recyclability.

Flexi-Light PET is manufactured from a novel blend of polyester fibers that is primarily sourced from recycled PET. Through a state-of-the-art production process, Autoneum can adjust the fibers’ orientation to produce a proprietary felt with mechanical and acoustic properties comparable to polyurethane foam. The material is flexible and can be molded into 3D shapes, making it an ideal insulation material for interior components with complex contours, such as carpets and inner dashes.

Composed entirely of PET — up to 90% of which is recycled content — Flexi-Light PET can be used as a decoupler in conjunction with other PET-based technologies within Autoneum’s product portfolio to support full circularity, allowing for the reuse of production waste and end-of-life recycling of the product. Flexi-Light PET is the latest addition to Autoneum's Pure technologies, which are intended to offer an excellent environmental performance throughout the entire product life cycle.

This innovation builds on the Flexi-Loft technology, which is made from a blend of recycled cotton and polyester fibers and was initially introduced by Autoneum in 2021.

The 56th INNATEX in Frankfurt addresses urgent issues in the Green Fashion sector. From 19 to 21 July 2025 at the Messecenter Hofheim RheinMain, the international trade fair for sustainable textiles offers not only an exhibition of more than 200 Green Fashion labels but also a range of new elements. As a general trend, a rise in the number of young, progressive HERITAGE brands is evident.  

Increase turnover with the right digital strategy 
First there will be a motivating presentation by CDH Mitte (the wholesale and retail industry association for the German states of Hessen, Thuringia and Rhineland Palatinate) entitled ‘Digitalisation that sells – how textile and lifestyle brands are actually reaching new customers today’. Speaker Meltem Alca demonstrates, with the aid of a digital showroom, how emotive appeals to customers and modern sales psychology work. The presentation is aimed at fashion designers, labels, agencies and retailers. 

“Nowadays, anyone wanting to increase sales needs to sell in the same way that people make decisions – personally, intuitively, digitally,” says Meltem Alca. “Video, voice and neuro-sales tools make relationship-based sales strategies easier. These new concepts enable customers to be addressed through emotions, they are brain-friendly and they are measurable.” 
Likewise new to the programme is the Handelsverband Hessen’s expert session ‘Security in retail: shoplifting, rights, prevention’. In this Q&A session, Manuel Hable (Head of Security & Fraud Prevention at JC New Retail AG, the holding company for the Peek & Cloppenburg Group), Ina Kasperski (police superintendent at the State of Hessen Office of Criminal Investigation) and Stefan Siegel (Managing Director of security firm Rentario Sicherheitsmanagement GmbH) will be providing practical suggestions for dealing with a problem affecting physical retail stores ever more frequently. 
 
Foresight, progress and world events 
The keynote speech ‘On the state of sustainable fashion: what is important now’ explores why, despite climate change, the focus on sustainability is reducing while fast fashion flourishes. Speaker Nina Lorenzen of Fashion Changers presents the background and the opportunities that arise, even – in fact especially – for smaller businesses. 

“We all share the vision of a fair and sustainable world, but without a strategic view of sales, profitability and readiness to continue developing, businesses no longer get very far,” says Alexander Hitzel, INNATEX Project Manager. “That may seem obvious but it’s not at all easy in practice. From digitalisation and increasing levels of shoplifting to societal trends, change is evident on many different levels. Companies would do well to respond to this and act for the long term.” 

Three days of inspiration for fashion folk 
In the foyer, on all three days of the fair, Lena Huber will be welcoming visitors and exhibitors and sparking a fascination for plant-based textile dyeing. Fashion professionals can discover techniques for handling natural dyes in this interactive dyeing workshop staged in association with Fashion Campus 2030 and Halt.Clothing. 

Further highlights of the programme include the Community Talks with moderator Mirjam Smend (Greenstyle Munich): one of her panels concerns ideas for the circular economy (‘The second, third, fourth chance: keeping fashion and materials in circulation’), while the other looks at fashion that unites the zeitgeist and timelessness (‘Made to last: contemporary fashion with substance and attitude’). 

More and more younger brands 
The in-demand DESIGN DISCOVERIES, companies exhibiting at INNATEX for the first time, bring together some very diverse themes. mor Khadi Streetwear combines hand-spun denim from India with a casual street style. The latest line from the Berlin-based Zamt label creates minimalist unisex designs from deadstock materials. Sloppy Tunas is bringing along boardshorts made from recycled materials, while moefe has women’s office-wear in organic cotton. First-time exhibitors include Rotholz with casual coolness for women and men, and Patron Socks in fun patterns.