From the Sector

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced that experienced policy expert Kevin Conroy has joined the association’s government and regulatory affairs staff as Senior Manager of Government and Regulatory Affairs.

Conroy brings extensive experience in government, politics, and public service to his new role at INDA. He most recently served on the staff of former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, where he held multiple senior positions over the course of Hogan’s eight years in office, including Director, Chief of Staff, and Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Maryland.

“We are excited to welcome Kevin to the INDA team,” said INDA President Tony Fragnito, “his wealth of experience will expand our government and regulatory affairs impact at the state and federal levels while positioning INDA for even more proactive advocacy for the nonwovens sector.”

Conroy began his career on Capitol Hill in the office of Congressman Chris Shays before working for Congressman David Dreier and the House Rules Committee. He has managed numerous political campaigns at both the state and federal levels, building coalitions and executing successful strategies in competitive races.

“Kevin’s wealth of experience will allow us to hit the ground running on several issues important to the industry, including EPA rulemaking, state and federal PFAS and chemical regulations, and plastics,” added Wes Fisher, INDA Director of Government Affairs.

With a career spanning legislative, executive, and electoral arenas, Conroy brings a deep understanding of public policy, intergovernmental affairs, and political strategy to his new position at INDA. He will be working on the INDA team out of the greater Washington, D.C. area.

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition is set to return from 20 – 22 August 2025 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), once again positioning itself as Asia’s preeminent platform for the global home and contract textile industry. With nearly 900 exhibitors representing 20 countries and regions, including eight new countries, the event will span 100,000 sqm across four halls, showcasing the latest cutting-edge products, market trends, and design concepts. The fair will offer a comprehensive fringe programme that aims to inspire, inform, and connect industry professionals. Focusing on sustainability and innovation that will shape the future of home textiles, the 2025 edition promises a vibrant exchange of ideas and opportunities to forge meaningful business partnerships in an increasingly competitive landscape.

To enhance sourcing efficiency and cultivate meaningful business connections, the fair will present 15+ dedicated product zones encompassing upholstery and sofa fabrics, bedding, curtains, sun protection, and more. These zones will be organised across four halls – 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, and 6.2 – with each hall spotlighting a particular category: Brand Fabrics Hall (5.1), Trendy Fabrics Hall (5.2), International Brands & Household Hall (6.1), and Furniture Fabrics Hall (6.2). Additionally, visitors will benefit from contract business services offered by exhibitors, providing access to specialised expertise and tailored solutions that can enhance their sourcing and operational efficiency.

The Editors Zone is a prominent area featuring a curated lineup of design-focused exhibitors presenting both domestic and international brands. 20 exhibitors will represent 53 high-end brands from 16 countries and regions – 23 of which are new. These brands primarily originate from Western Europe, the US, South Asia, and East Asia. Among the new exhibitors in the Editors Zone are Art Home Korea (Korea) (5.1H C18), Kaeen Sdn Bhd (Malaysia) (5.1H C08), and more. Notable names such as Beijing Ya Da (China), Rioma (Spain), and Raffinato (USA) will be present.

Home textile industry represented by global players 
This year, the fair will welcome international exhibitors from 20 countries and regions, including Australia, Belgium, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Iran, Japan, Korea, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, the UK, and the US. Notably, eight new countries – Bulgaria, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and Vietnam – are joining this diverse lineup.

On the domestic front, six major Chinese home textile pavilions – representing Haining, Huzhou, Linping Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Wujiang Suzhou, and Tongxiang – will showcase regional strengths and innovations.

To date, buyers from 63 countries and regions have pre-registered, with 19 buyer delegations (up 73% from the 2024 edition) confirmed from 23 countries including China, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Central Asia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador and more. 

Fringe programme: four new themes guiding the future of home textiles
Collectively emphasising the dynamic nature of the home textiles industry – NextGen, Palette, Connector and Go-Green – will focus on creativity and aesthetics in design, fostering collaboration through shared business strategies and market insights, showcasing innovations and advancements in textiles, and addressing sustainability trends and technological needs to align with market demands. Key highlights include:

• Future & Textile Zone (NextGen): where participants can discover future-focused materials, and AI trends lead by Ms Anja Bisgaard Gaede, CEO of SPOTT trends & business.
• Designer Tour and Guided Tour (Palette): Ms Camilla Rudnicki (Founder of Camilla Rudnicki Home & Interior, Denmark), offering curated walkthroughs of standout exhibits with visitor.
• Econogy [1] Forum (Go-Green): will address the dual challenges of sustainability and technological advancement. Leading experts from China, Hong Kong, Italy, and the US will share cross-disciplinary insights and case studies, focusing on how integrated advancements in technology, design, and business models can support a more sustainable textile industry.

Additional highlights include The Home Textiles x Interior Decoration Summit (Connector), will gather thought leaders to explore the transformation of the industry and its future direction. A series of market strategy seminars will provide valuable insights into regional developments, with featured sessions from Colombia, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. 

Furthermore, the 2026 / 27 China Home Textile Trend Area (Palette) will offer an exclusive preview of upcoming domestic design and consumer trends. Rednote: Weaving the Ideal Home, Home Textile Trend Insights (Connector), and From Cross-Boundary to Boundless: The 11th Home Furniture & Textile TOP Business Matching (Connector) will also be taking place. 

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Home Textile Association (CHTA).

Australia’s war on waste has a powerful new ally, Deakin University’s Recycling and Clean Energy Commercialisation Hub (REACH). 

REACH has joined forces with Samsara Eco to fast-track world-first technology that could recycle plastics and textiles, previously considered unrecyclable, that would take centuries to eliminate from the environment.   

Textile waste is one of the world’s most persistent environmental issues, driven by fast fashion, high consumption and poor disposal practices. In Australia, synthetic fibres like nylon and polyester make up almost 60 per cent of the materials used in clothing, yet with less than one per cent of discarded garments recycled into new clothes, most end up in landfill or are incinerated, adding to pollution and harmful emissions. 

Samsara Eco’s AI-designed enzymes break down fossil-fuel derived materials like synthetic fibres, including nylon 6,6 and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into their original building blocks or monomers – allowing them to be rebuilt into new products with virgin-quality performance.  

The collaboration will see Samsara Eco lean into Deakin’s advanced chemical analysis and polymer processing expertise to better understand and find recycling solutions for specific additives like dyes, finishes and coatings present in textile waste. 

‘We are laser-focused on creating true circularity and that means finding a solve for all plastics,’ said Founder and CEO at Samsara Eco Paul Riley. ‘This research supports our efforts to make this a reality. We’ve already come a long way with our enzymatic recycling technology, which can infinitely recycle PET and nylon 6,6 plastics used for clothing and other textiles, including mixed fibres and plastics. Our research collaboration with Deakin will support our efforts to recycle more waste at speed, scale and with precision.’  

Unlike mechanical recycling, which degrades the quality of materials and limits recyclability, Samsara Eco’s enzymatic depolymerisation technology is making it possible to rebuild worn or contaminated textiles into virgin-equivalent materials.  

Distinguished Professor Colin Barrow, Chair in Biotechnology at Deakin’s School of Life and Environmental Sciences said:  

‘Our research tackles a critical challenge in textile recycling – understanding how dyes, textile finishes, coatings and other chemical treatments affect the breakdown and rebuilding of synthetic fibres, including other types of polyester and nylon to repurpose into new products.  

‘We are exploring solutions by analysing these contaminants and determining their impact on textile recycling processes, to make it possible to produce high-performance recycled materials from all types of waste feedstock.’  

Associate Professor Chris Hurren from Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials is also collaborating on the project and said:  

‘By testing how these materials perform in real-world polymerisation and processing, we’re helping to refine the recycling pipeline and bring closed-loop textile recycling closer to commercial reality.’  

With growing global pressure on the textile industry to cut emissions and reduce waste, Associate Professor Hurren says this technology could revolutionise the sector – delivering both environmental and economic benefits.  

‘We’re working to unlock a scalable, circular future for fashion – one that reduces reliance on harmful inputs and keeps textiles out of landfill.’  

Samsara Eco has a 10-year agreement with global activewear brand lululemon to support approximately 20 per cent of its overall fibre portfolio with its recycled materials. This builds on previous collaborations between the two, launching the world’s first enzymatically recycled nylon 6,6 garment, recreating their iconic Swiftly top, and a limited-edition Packable Anorak jacket – the first retail garment made from enzymatically recycled polyester.  

With their first commercial facility set to open in Jerrabomberra later this year, Samsara Eco’s 2030 vision is to recycle half a billion clothing items and 10 billion plastic bottles annually, avoiding hundreds of thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions. 

‘We’re uniquely positioned to recycle mixed plastics and fibres,’ said Mr Riley. ‘We’re taking post-industrial and post-consumer waste to create new products and are already working with helping brands to swap virgin inputs for our low carbon, enzymatically recycled materials, which plug directly into existing supply chains. 

‘Together with Deakin’s researchers, we can find further recycling solves to keep more out of landfill and in circulation.’ 

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), a global sustainable chemical producer, posted a as management continues to execute its three-year IVL 2.0 transformation strategy, maintaining steadfast focus on fortifying the company against a prolonged downturn in global chemical markets. 

In 1H25, Indorama Ventures’ Adjusted EBITDA1 fell 21% on a year-on-year (YoY) basis to $606 million. Sales volumes dropped 8% YoY as scheduled maintenance at several plants and a winter freeze in the U.S temporarily disrupted operations. The first six months of the year reflected a continuation of the macro-economic pressures that have beset the industry for more than two years, including new Chinese supply and the impact of geopolitical conflicts in Europe and the Middle East on global supply chains, input costs, and consumer demand. 

Throughout this period of profound industry change, Indorama Ventures’ management has continued to drive forward ‘self-help’ actions under IVL 2.0 to optimize operations, reduce fixed costs, and generate cash. Operating cash flow in the first half was strong at $618 million, with 111% Reported EBITDA conversion, while overall fixed costs were reduced by $51 million, net of inflation. These reflect a methodical approach to financial management and commercial excellence as well as the inherent resilience of Indorama Ventures’ unique leadership model across diverse markets. 

In the most recent quarter, operations continued to normalize after the winter freeze and planned turnarounds, which was reflected in a 2% rise QoQ in revenue in 2Q25, although the 11% drop on a year-on-year basis reflected the broader industry challenges. In 2Q25, Adjusted EBITDA climbed 20% QoQ to $330 million, led by an improvement in the company’s largest Combined PET (CPET) business, while down 11% YoY. 

Business Segments 
In 1H25, the Integrated PET portfolio benefited from the asset optimization actions taken over the past year under IVL 2.0, driving a 12% increase in Adjusted EBITDA despite persistent overcapacity in the industry. Overall, CPET segment recorded a 31% YoY decline in Adjusted EBITDA, on a 10% drop in sales volumes, amid multiple planned turnarounds, weaker integrated MEG market conditions in the U.S, and lower NDC production due to the timing of campaign. MTBE profitability normalized in 1H25 with gasoline markets more balanced than in 2024.  

Fibers segment posted a 21% YoY gain in Adjusted EBITDA, and a 3% rise in sales volumes, in 1H25, reflecting an improved business environment in Lifestyle and management’s ongoing actions to streamline operations across the segment. Indovida packaging segment was steady across the half, supported by demand in Egypt and the Philippines. Indovinya segment recorded a 6% decrease in Adjusted EBITDA, on a 3% drop in volumes, on weaker performance in its Essentials business driven by higher palm input costs. The Surfactants business was resilient at 17% margin, flat YoY. 

Mr. Aloke Lohia, Group CEO of Indorama Ventures, said, “Since we launched IVL 2.0 more than a year ago, we have consistently focused on disciplined self-help actions that are building resilience and helping us to emerge stronger and agile to pursue our growth objectives post weathering this historic downturn. One of the final pegs to hammer down is our Integrated EO/EG business in the U.S Gulf Coast. The Board would like to undertake a strategic review of this business to assess its value to our CPET segment. On the growth front, we continue to fund our Surfactants portfolio, our Packaging business, and our leadership of Recycled Polymers from internal cashflows, as well as remain focused on our deleveraging exercise for longer term financial security.” 

Mid-Year Update on IVL 2.0 
Since launching IVL 2.0 in March 2024, Indorama Ventures’ experienced management has continued to focus on bolstering resilience and repositioning the company for long-term sustainable growth. Now, more than 1 year into  the 3-year strategy (2024-2026), leaders are building a leaner, more agile, and financially disciplined enterprise through a program of footprint optimization, operational excellence, innovation, and digital acceleration. 

In the last 12 months, the company rationalized sites in Portugal, Netherlands, Australia and Canada, realizing $116 million in fixed-cost savings. It expects annualized savings of $130–150 million by 2025 and $170–190 million by 2027. Furthermore, the company expects cash proceeds of $190–200 million from the proposed sale of rationalized property from 2H25 through to 2026. 

Indorama Ventures has reorganized its four business segments with empowered, accountable leadership structures and clear mandates to deliver industry-leading performance across the cycle. A similar reorganization of Corporate functions is currently underway. The segments are already benefiting from a comprehensive digital transformation program following the successful rollout of SAP S/4HANA, which is providing the foundation for additional tools including Salesforce and Workday, and AI-driven solutions for manufacturing and maintenance. 

The company continues to maintain a strong liquidity position, with $1.8 billion as of June 2025, and a focus on financial discipline and driving sustainable free cash flow to further strengthen the balance sheet towards a longterm target of Debt/EBITDA at 3x. In the first half, Indorama Ventures raised $1.5 billion through long-term refinancing at improved spreads, which helped reduce costs and ensure liquidity through to 2027. 

As part of its renewed growth strategy to invest in high-value segments and select growth markets, in the first half the company completed the acquisition of a 24.9% equity stake in EPL. An expanded pipeline of innovative highvalue-added (HVA) products includes new offerings such as PEN polymers and PET-G, which generate better margins than traditional PET; and two leading brands in the energy extraction sector, Kemelix and Flowsolve. The Mocksville hygiene fibers facility in the U.S commenced operations during the half, benefiting from the U.S tariffs, while a strategic partnership with PolySource to distribute specialty polymers for advanced applications is broadening the company’s presence in performance materials. 

In 2Q25, Indorama Ventures—one of the world’s leading PET recyclers—marked a significant milestone in recycling 150 billion bottles since operations began in 2011. The company is accelerating its ambition to recycle 50 billion bottles a year, having recycled the last 50 billion bottles in 2.5 years.

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).

Under the motto “Closing the Loop. Opening Potential,” BB Engineering (BBE) and Barmag will be presenting innovative and profitable technologies for sustainable plastics processing at K 2025. BBE will be focusing on high-performance extruders, highly efficient melt filters, and integrated recycling solutions for highquality rPET melts. A special highlight: the parallel Open House event at the BBE Technical Center with live demonstrations. 
 
BB Engineering (BBE) will once again be appearing at K 2025 together with its parent company Barmag (a member of the Swiss Oerlikon Group) and its associated brands, showcasing its expertise in extrusion, filtration, and recycling. Under the motto “Barmag Recycling Technologies – Closing the Loop. Opening Potential,” the companies will place a clear focus on profitable sustainability at their joint booth 10H12 and provide information about a wide range of products and services. 

Extrusion technologies 
BBE's origins lie in extrusion: the company can look back on decades of experience and many thousands of extruders delivered. Its single-screw extruders are suitable for a wide range of polymers such as PP, PET, rPET, PA, and PE, and are particularly well suited for demanding applications in film production, synthetic fiber spinning, and high-quality PET recycling. With screw diameters ranging from 30 to 360 mm, the systems cover a wide processing spectrum and enable throughputs of 3 to 6,000 kg/h, depending on the material and process requirements. In addition to singlescrew extruders, BBE also offers extrusion cascades for high output rates while meeting the highest quality requirements. 

Efficient filtration for melt qualities 
BBE perfectly complements its extrusion technology with a comprehensive range of melt filters – including the innovative COBRA filter, which sets new standards in continuous polymer filtration. This powerful system features automatic valve switching and integrated inline intermediate cleaning. This equipment enables continuous, uninterrupted operation with consistently high filtration quality – a clear advantage, especially when processing recycled plastics with varying material properties. With a maximum filter area of 24 m² and a throughput of up to 4,000 kg per hour, the COBRA filter impresses with its high efficiency and stable process conditions. 

Integrated recycling solutions for high-quality rPET melt 
For many years, BBE has been dedicated to developing highperformance technologies for plastics recycling. In addition to a broad portfolio of extruders, melt filters, and the VarioFil® R filament spinning system, which are designed for PET recycling, BBE offers VacuFil®, a fully integrated system for PET recycling via liquid-state polycondensation. 

VacuFil® combines large-area, gentle melt filtration with precise IV control, thus ensuring consistently high quality of the rPET melt. The modular system concept allows flexible adaptation to different material qualities and areas of application in the recycling process. The capacity is 150-4,000 kg/h. The central component of the system is Visco+®, the liquid-state polycondensation unit for targeted viscosity adjustment. Continuous adjustment of the IV results in a homogeneous melt with optimal processing properties – ideal for high-quality end products in the fiber, film, or packaging industry. 

Open House at the BBE Technical Center 
At the BBE Technical Center in Remscheid, visitors can experience the entire product portfolio live, thanks to its proximity to the Düsseldorf Exhibition Center. Here, BBE is hosting an open house event on two days of the K show, where PET waste is recycled on the test facilities and spun directly into high-quality recycled yarn (POY). The new COBRA filter will also be on display here. The yarn produced is then further processed using BBE's JeTex® airtexturizing system with a new auto-doffing unit. (October 10 and 13, 2025, participation by individual invitation) 

The Lenzing Group, a supplier of regenerated cellulosic fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, reported both revenue and earnings growth year-on-year in the first half of 2025. In the second quarter, however, international tariff measures and the resultant uncertainty led to tangible stress along the textile value chain and slowed the Lenzing Group’s recovery. Market prices remained at a low level while costs for raw materials, energy and logistics continued to be high. 
 
The Lenzing Group generated revenue of EUR 1.34 bn in the first half of 2025, which was higher than in the same period of the previous year. The operating earnings trend benefited significantly from the positive effects of the performance program. EBITDA grew by 63.3 percent to EUR 268.6 mn, which included positive exceptional effects from the sale of surplus EU emission allowances amounting to EUR 30.6 mn and the valuation of biological assets amounting to EUR 12.5 mn. The EBITDA margin rose from 12.5 percent to 20 percent. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) amounted to EUR 109 mn (compared with EUR 18.9 mn in the same period of the previous year), which corresponds to an EBIT margin of 8.1 percent (compared with 1.4 percent in the same period of the previous year). Earnings before tax (EBT) amounted to EUR 22.1 mn (compared with minus EUR 22.3 mn in the same period of the previous year). Earnings after tax improved significantly to EUR 15.2 mn (compared with minus EUR 65.4 mn in the same period of the previous year).  
 
“Lenzing made further progress on its path to operational recovery in the first half of 2025. Our performance program is making a clear contribution to earnings improvement. At the same time, we are seeing tangible effects from the growing uncertainties in international trade in the second quarter – particularly as a consequence of the aggressive tariffs policy. These developments not only affect our visibility, but also our earnings. For this reason, we are all the more determined to continue our measures to secure our turnaround in the long term and further strengthen our margins,” notes Rohit Aggarwal, Lenzing Group CEO.  
 
The Lenzing Group’s performance program is comprehensively geared towards strengthening long-term crisis resilience and enhancing agility in the face of market changes. The aim is to sustainably improve EBITDA and generate free cash flow through increased profitability and consistent cost excellence. Measures such as acquiring new customers for key products and expanding into smaller markets were implemented in order to strengthen sales activities and thereby revenue growth. At the same time, Lenzing is implementing measures to significantly improve its cost structure, which are being reviewed and further developed on an ongoing basis. Over EUR 130 mn in cost savings were already achieved in 2024. Progress was made especially in terms of product costs and product quality. The Managing Board also expects further efficiency gains in the coming quarters, especially in production costs and overhead functions. The ongoing improvements in structures, processes and personnel expenses are expected to lead to an increase in both revenue and margins. The Managing Board anticipates cost savings of in excess of EUR 180 mn in the current financial year.  
 
Lenzing has also successfully strengthened its capital structure over the course of the year to date. A syndicated loan of EUR 545 mn was concluded in May. The structure of the loan comprises a EUR 355 mn term loan with a three-year term and a revolving line of credit of EUR 190 mn, also with a three-year term and extension options totaling two years. In addition, a new EUR 500 mn three-year non-callable hybrid bond was successfully placed on the market. With these measures, Lenzing secures its financing until 2027 and can continue to focus fully on implementing its successful performance program to enhance margins and free cash flow as well as to improve the cost position. 
 
Outlook
For 2025, the IMF forecasts global growth of three percent, followed by 3.1 percent in 2026 – marking a slowdown compared to the previous year (2024: 3.3 percent). The projection remains below the pre-pandemic historical average. At the same time, the IMF warns of persistently high risks to the global economy: a renewed escalation of trade conflicts, geopolitical tensions, or tighter financing conditions could dampen growth and reignite inflationary pressures.  
 
In an environment characterized by uncertainty and a persistently high cost of living, consumers are anticipated to remain cautious. This is exerting a lasting negative impact on their propensity to spend. Given the announced tariff increases, the rise in spending on apparel in the USA in the first half of the year is to be regarded as a temporary, one-off effect and is unlikely to continue over the course of the remainder of the year. 
 
The currency environment is expected to remain volatile in regions relevant to Lenzing.  
 
In the global bellwether market for cotton, market analysts’ current forecasts anticipate a slight increase in stocks to around 16.3 mn tons for the coming 2025/26 harvest season. 
 
Lenzing will continue to consistently implement its performance program and will conduct ongoing evaluations in order to leverage further cost potentials and further improve its revenue and margin generation.  
 
At present, the Lenzing Group confirms its guidance for the 2025 financial year of year-on-year higher EBITDA.  
 
The ongoing tariffs conflict and associated uncertainty are negatively affecting market expectations and are continuing to exert a very restrictive effect on earnings visibility.   
 
In structural terms, Lenzing continues to expect growing demand for environmentally responsible fibers for the textile and apparel industry as well as the hygiene and medical sectors. Lenzing is therefore very well positioned with its strategy and is pushing both profitable growth with specialty fibers and the further expansion of its market leadership in the sustainability area.