From the Sector

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company, together with Nigerian Breweries Plc, the foremost brewer in Nigeria, and Genesis Power & Energy Solutions Ltd, a leading African clean energy infrastructure development and asset management company, have entered a strategic partnership to establish one of Africa’s largest state-of-the-art recycled PET (rPET) production facilities in Nigeria, based on planned production capacity. The landmark collaboration marks a significant step toward strengthening circular economy infrastructure and sustainable packaging value chains across the region. 

Located in Lagos, the site represents an investment to develop a facility capable of producing up to 45,000 tons of food‑grade rPET resin annually, with start‑up targeted in the first half of 2027. By converting post‑consumer PET bottles into high‑quality recycled material for packaging applications, the initiative aims to meet fast‑rising demand for recycled content, reduce plastic waste, and create local value through improved collection systems, job creation, and increased participation across the recycling value chain.  

The partnership brings together complementary strengths across the PET value chain. Indorama Ventures, the world’s largest recycler of PET for beverages, contributes expertise in sustainable materials development. Nigerian Breweries, a Heineken operating company, provides strong local market insight and engagement across Nigeria’s beverage ecosystem, while Genesis Energy supports the initiative with sustainable infrastructure and energy expertise. The project is expected to support recycling capacity in Nigeria, subject to regulatory approvals, technical validation, and operational implementation. Together, the partners aim to establish commercially viable rPET operations that enable responsible growth and longterm environmental impact. 

This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s National Policy on Plastic Waste Management, introduced in 2020 to strengthen collection, recycling, and circular economy solutions, with the goal that all plastic packaging be recyclable, biodegradable, compostable, or reusable by 2030. Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial hub, provides a strategic base to develop recycling infrastructure capable of serving both national and regional demand. 

Commenting on the landmark partnership, Yash Lohia, Executive President of Petchem and Chairman of ESG Council at Indorama Ventures, said, “This partnership marks a defining milestone in our global recycling journey. By establishing our largest recycling facility to date and one of the largest rPET sites in Africa, we are bringing Indorama Ventures’ global expertise, proven technologies, and long-term vision for circularity to a region with immense growth potential. This investment reflects our belief that scaling sustainability solutions locally is essential to building resilient, sustainable packaging systems that deliver lasting environmental and economic value.”  

With a global recycling footprint spanning 20 facilities across 11 countries, Indorama Ventures has recycled more than 160 billion post-consumer PET bottles into high-quality recycled materials. The Nigeria facility represents the company’s first recycling investment in Africa and the largest recycling plant Indorama Ventures has ever built, underscoring the scale of the company’s long-term commitment to circular infrastructure, advanced recycling technology, and partnerships that strengthen collection, education, and innovation across the value chain. 

Genesis Energy supports the partnership by enabling sustainable infrastructure and energy solutions that underpin low carbon industrial development and circular economy systems across Africa. The company operates across 11 African countries, with utility-scale generation projects of more than 780MW in operations, ongoing construction, and advanced development in Nigeria, South Africa, Benin Republic, Zambia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Mali and United Kingdom, as well as a project development pipeline north of 4.5GW. It deploys solar, wind, battery storage, and natural gas solutions, and is pursuing an ambition to allocate up to $2 billion annually over the next five years, with a targeted 10 GW of installed and contracted capacity.  

Speaking on the partnership, Chairman and CEO of Genesis Energy, Mr. Akinwole II Omoboriowo, said, “This compelling initiative demonstrates Genesis’ commitments to deploying capital to climate resilient investments by leveraging clean energy as a strategic nexus to advancing viable economic opportunities. The investment is also a testament to how cross-sector partnerships can enable sustainable industrial development. By combining circular economy principles with resilient infrastructure and energy solutions, the initiative supports long-term environmental impact and local value creation.”  

Beyond industrial investment, the project is expected to contribute to broader environmental and socioeconomic objectives through increased PET collection, diverted plastic waste away from landfill, and sustained engagement with local communities to promote best practices in waste collection and recycling.  

The signing of the partnership agreement represents the first milestone in a longer-term development roadmap and reflects a shared commitment by the partners to invest responsibly, support sustainable packaging solutions, and contribute to Nigeria’s transition toward a more circular and resource-efficient economy. 

The Lenzing Group, a supplier of regenerated cellulose fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, hosted a high‑level roundtable in Brussels to discuss how bio‑based materials can strengthen Europe’s economic security and support the shift toward a fossil‑free future. Organized in cooperation with Euractiv, the event brought together representatives of the European Commission, the UK Mission to the EU, academia, civil society, and industry. 
 
Speakers included Aurel Ciobanu‑Dordea, Director for Competitive Circular Economy and Clean Industrial Policy at the European Commission’s DG Environment, Dr. Daniel Bradley, Deputy Counsellor & Head of Climate and Environment at the UK Mission to the EU, and Patricia A. Sargeant, Executive Vice President Nonwovens Commercial at the Lenzing Group. 
 
A key topic of discussion was the potential of cellulosic fibers as fully bio‑based, biodegradable alternatives in nonwoven applications such as wet wipes. While Europe has the industrial foundation to scale these fossil‑free materials, competitiveness is constrained by global regulatory and cost asymmetries. Lenzing identified clear, coherent policy signals – including possible updates to the Single Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) –as essential for investment certainty and broader market uptake. 
 
“Europe has set ambitious goals for a clean‑industry transition. Our roundtable in Brussels showed that bio‑based materials are not a future vision – they are a practical, scalable reality today. As an integrated cellulosic fiber producer with deep European roots, Lenzing helps strengthen industrial resilience while accelerating the shift away from fossil‑based synthetic fibers,” said Georg Kasperkovitz, Member of the Management Board of Lenzing Group. 
 
Lenzing reaffirmed that industrial competitiveness and climate ambition can reinforce each other. Its specialty fibers, produced from renewable wood, offer lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to generic alternatives and are certified biodegradable and compostable. The company’s climate targets align with the 1.5‑degree pathway and have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. 
 
“Maintaining and expanding European production capacity is essential for supply‑chain resilience and strategic autonomy. Lenzing operates major integrated pulp and fiber sites in Austria, Czechia, and the UK, with Europe‑based R&D supporting jobs, innovation, and technological know‑how within the region. Cellulosic fibers play a critical role in single-use products for hygiene applications – underscoring the need to redesign products toward biodegradable material solutions that address SUPD concerns and microplastic pollution,” emphasized Patricia A. Sargeant. 

lululemon announced the launch of its first-ever sweat-concealing technology designed for high-sweat activities. The new technology, which will live under lululemon’s ShowZero™platform, conceals higher volumes of sweat, while ensuring enhanced breathability, moisture management, and an incredibly lightweight feel, to support the most demanding, high-sweat activities. 

The new ShowZero technology was developed in collaboration with lululemon Ambassador Frances Tiafoe and will be featured in his custom kit for the BNP Paribas Open. The kit features a Burgundy Bay colourway, with a vertical stripe design on the shorts. 

lululemon's Product Innovation team began developing the new ShowZero technology in 2024, using insights from extensive in-lab and on-court testing and feedback sessions with Tiafoe. By analyzing Tiafoe’s sweat rate, on-court movements, and competitive environments, lululemon identified an opportunity to solve for an unmet need by evolving its ShowZero technology platform and developing a sweat-concealing solution for high-sweat activities like tennis. 

“Our Ambassadors play a critical role in how we innovate, which starts with understanding how we can best solve for their unique needs. Frances competes with relentless intensity at the highest level, which means he needs gear that helps him feel, look, and perform his best,” said Yuki Aihara, Senior Director, Product Innovation, lululemon. “We’ve combined advanced sweat-concealing technology with our feel-first design approach to develop a high-performance tennis kit to keep him feeling confident and focused through even the most intense matches.” 

The new ShowZero is a yarn technology that changes how light interacts with the fabric and eliminates the absorption of light when wet, making sweat virtually invisible. In addition to concealing sweat, the technology offers enhanced comfort with its lightweight feel, breathability, and advanced wicking to facilitate quick drying. 

lululemon plans to bring new ShowZero products to guests later this year. 
The launch of ShowZero for high-sweat activities expands on lululemon’s sweat-concealing offerings. In summer 2024, lululemon introduced ShowZero for golf, in collaboration with PGA golfer and lululemon Ambassador Min Woo Lee. 

In November, lululemon announced a multi-year partnership with the BNP Paribas Open, the largest combined ATP and WTA 1000 tennis tournament in the world, to become its official apparel and footwear outfitter. The collaboration will showcase lululemon’s athletic and lifestyle offerings at the BNP Paribas Open, including the company’s high performance, high style tennis gear that provide athletes with innovative on and off the court solutions. 

UNIFI, Inc. launches Luxel™, a yarn technology that combines the luxurious look and feel of linen with high-performance, easy-care, and textile-to-textile recycled materials. 

Luxel captures the natural look and feel of linen while offering advanced performance features such as moisture-wicking, wrinkle resistance, and odor control. This innovative technology is built directly into the yarn, providing exceptional versatility across a wide range of fabric constructions ranging from apparel and footwear to home furnishings, work wear, and accessories, empowering material developers to innovate across multiple categories with ease. 

Luxel is available globally and made with REPREVE recycled polyester yarn, including 30% REPREVE Takeback™, reinforcing UNIFI®’s commitment to sustainability and circularity in the textile industry. By incorporating recycled content, including textile waste, Luxel helps brands reduce environmental impact while delivering high-performance, stylish fabrics. 

Key Benefits of Luxel: 

• Luxurious feel and breathability: Delivers a natural, linen-inspired texture with a smooth finish. 
• Enhanced function and performance: Provides moisture management and built-in odor control for effortless maintenance. 
• Wrinkle resistance: Maintains a polished, fresh appearance with minimal effort. 
• Sustainable and traceable: Made with REPREVE recycled polyester including 30% REPREVE Takeback circular polyester embedded with our proprietary FiberPrint® tracer technology and verified by U-TRUST® to certify recycled content. 

In the German research project bioPEtex, BB Engineering (BBE) is working with other partners to develop textiles made from 100% bio-based polyethylene (PE). The aim is to make use of this polymer, which has hardly been used in the chemical fiber industry to date. BBE is contributing its spinning and texturizing expertise and developing the texturing process on an industrial scale. The first promising results are already available – opening up new opportunities for sustainable and economically attractive applications in the textile industry.

For years, the global chemical fiber market has been dominated by PET, a technically mature, versatile, and cost-effective polymer for textile applications. However, despite its advantages in terms of processability, strength, and economic availability, PET has come under criticism: its dependence on fossil raw materials, high CO2 emissions along the value chain, and challenges in recycling PET products are drawing the attention of researchers and industry to alternative materials that are both economical and sustainable.

Biopolymers are an important keyword in this context. However, PET cannot be produced on an industrial scale in a 100% bio-based manner. Clothing made from 100% other biopolymers only exists in studies, as it is too expensive for the mass market. In this context, the German research project bioPEtex is investigating a polymer that, due to its properties, has previously been considered unsuitable for chemical fiber production: polyethylene (PE). This is because bio-based PE is inexpensive to procure and environmentally friendly. However, it has not yet been developed for use in the textile industry.

BB Engineering (BBE) is one of the industrial partners working with RWTH Aachen University to implement the project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space. The aim of the project is to develop textiles made from 100% bio-based polyethylene that are both environmentally friendly and economically viable. BBE is a supplier of spinning, texturizing, and recycling equipment as well as extrusion and filtration technology, and supplies customers all over the world. BBE therefore has extensive expertise in the manufacture of synthetic fibers and their return to the recycling cycle. The company is contributing this long-standing expertise to the bioPEtex project. On the one hand, BBE is providing consulting support for the development of the spinning process. On the other hand, BBE is responsible for the crucial process step of texturizing, which has a significant influence on the subsequent textile performance of the developed fibers. 

“With our participation in the bioPEtex project, we don’t just want to contribute to the development of sustainable solutions, we also want to focus on the economic benefits for our customers,” explains Dr. Klaus Schäfer, Managing Director of BBE. “Bio-PE textiles offer companies the opportunity to reduce their production costs while tapping into new market segments.”

PE and its role in the chemical fiber industry
PE is one of the most commonly produced polymers worldwide. Particularly durable, hydrophobic, lightweight, and chemically stable, it is used not only in its main area of application, the packaging industry, but also in various other areas such as building materials and consumer goods. However, PE has so far played hardly any role in textile fiber production. From a technical point of view, this is mainly due to processing challenges. PE crystallizes at low temperatures and therefore offers a narrow temperature window for spinning and texturing. In addition, the low polarity of PE makes it difficult to dye.

Today, PE is used exclusively as a functional component in composites, geosynthetics, or special high-performance fibers (e.g., UHMWPE)—but hardly ever in traditional clothing or home textile segments. Yet the material structure also offers properties that are highly attractive for certain textile applications:

• very low density resulting in extremely lightweight fibers,
• excellent chemical resistance,
• very good dimensional stability and abrasion resistance,
• potentially good recyclability due to clear polymer structure,
• water-repellent and quick-drying with a cool feel.

The issue of difficult dyeability could be resolved by spinning dyeing. 

As a result, PE could become relevant for applications where lightweight construction, hydrophobicity, robust performance, and recyclability are required—for example, in sports textiles, outdoor products, technical textiles, or hygienic disposable products. 

Bio-based PE – Economic and ecological potential for the textile industry
Unlike PET, bio-based PE is chemically identical to its fossil-based counterpart: both materials are completely identical in terms of structure and properties. The only difference lies in the origin of the monomers used. Bio-based PE is usually produced from fermented sugar (e.g. from sugar cane) or starch (e.g. from corn). 

Compared to fossil-based PE, it has a significantly better carbon footprint and opens up the possibility of a completely bio-based textile recycling cycle without any loss of quality. Since the low melting point reduces the energy required for processing and (bio)PE is widely available globally, energy and material costs are potentially lower. The textile industry can benefit here from the established raw material flows of the packaging and plastics industries. In addition, the introduction of PE fibers enables the development of new, highly specialized product segments and opens up additional differentiation opportunities for manufacturers through sustainable material alternatives. 

BB Engineering develops PE texturizing process
However, before PE can be used on an industrial scale as a material for the chemical fiber industry, it must first be systematically researched and tested. The bio-PEtex project is currently working on this. Within the consortium, BBE is responsible for developing and adapting the texturizing processes. This step is crucial, as it is the texturing that defines the subsequent haptic, functional, and mechanical properties of a fiber. The challenge lies in modifying PE under the novel process conditions in such a way that it becomes compatible with established textile applications. 

Overall, the project comprises several innovative steps:

1. Material development: Development and production of spinnable bio-PE compounds by TECNARO containing bio-based color pigments.
2. Prozess optimization: Melt spinning and false twist texturing processes, which are being scaled up for industrial use at the Institute for Textile Technology at RWTH Aachen University and at BBE.
3. Textile production: The partner FALKE is conducting initial knitting trials to validate the yarn in the form of demonstrator T-shirts.

The results so far show promising progress: the bio-PE yarns have suitable mechanical properties and are comfortable to wear with a cooling effect, which is desirable in sportswear, for example. At the same time, a design-for-recycling approach is being pursued in order to efficiently recycle the textiles at the end of their life cycle. A particular milestone in the project is the successful production of a first white t-shirt — a first step toward testing marketability. Further development steps and optimizations are of course still necessary here. 

“We are very positive about the results so far. They show that PE has real potential in textile value creation and can offer significant economic and ecological advantages for the industry in specific applications. We are delighted to be involved in this pioneering project. It is our aim to provide our customers with sustainable and profitable innovations,” says Dr. Klaus Schäfer. 

Asahi Kasei Advance will present its portfolio of high-performance nonwovens, flame-retardant fabrics, and advanced textile and fiber solutions designed for various industries during its first-ever exhibition at Techtextil 2026. Techtextil is the leading international trade show for technical textiles and nonwovens, taking place from April 21-24, 2026, in Frankfurt, Germany. Asahi Kasei Advance will highlight 14 brands, with special focus on four key materials.

Advanced Flame Protection: LASTAN™
LASTAN™ is a non-mineral flame-retardant fabric made by air baking a special acrylic fiber at 200–300°C. Featuring a limited oxygen index (LOI) of 47.5-50, it is characterized by high flame resistance and good electrical insulation, and a special coating process allows the material to disperse sparks generated during welding or cutting operations, thereby suppressing ignition. This allows the material to provide effective protection against flames and particle exposure from venting gases. With these excellent characteristics, LASTAN™ has been used for many years as an optimal material for failure prevention and safety in various industries.

Durable and Recyclable 3D Spacer Fabric: Cubit™
The 3D warp knitted fabric Cubit™ is the ideal material for applications that require durability, breathability, ease of care, and enhanced support and comfort. With front and back surfaces made of PET, it is available in types using connecting threads made of PTT, PET or Nylon. The all PET monomaterial type provides an easy-to-recycle alternative to polyurethane foam in applications for the health care, furniture, or automotive industry.

Nonwovens for Hygiene and Cleaning Solutions: Bemliese™
Bemliese™ is a cellulose continuous filament nonwoven sheet made from cotton linter. It becomes especially soft after moistening and drapes well over any surface it contacts with less abrasion. Its exceptional moisture absorption and retention make it a suitable material for hygienic applications and cosmetic applications like face and eye masks. In a dry state, Bemliese™ leaves virtually little lint, scratches, or chemical residues on the surfaces it contacts, making it a material suitable for cleaning equipment in industrial, laboratory, or medical environments where contamination must be minimized. TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium NV has certified the material’s biodegradability in soil, water and marine environment, as well as for industrial and home composting.

Binder-Free Versatility: ELTAS™
ELTAS™ is a versatile spunbond nonwoven material available in various types made of polyamide, polyester, or polypropylene. All three materials feature binder-free webs and are available in ultra-thin low-weight grades. These spunbond binder free nonwoven fabrics feature filament evenness, air permeability, and edge fray resistance. ELTAS™ grades are used across a wide range of applications, including hygiene products, consumer and household items, automotive components, filtration, agriculture, housing materials, and other applications such as tea bags, and cable wrapping solutions. 

EDANA would like to remind its members and industry stakeholders of the legal requirement to comply with the EU rules on customs classification when importing non-wovens from third countries outside the EU. In this regard, it was recently discovered that there appears to be a high level of customs misclassification occurring in the nonwoven’s industry. This could have dangerous and costly consequences for importers. 

Following repeated requests by its members, EDANA worked closely with the European Union and the World Customs Organisation to introduce in 2024 specific customs codes CN code 5603 14 20 and 5603 9420 in order to better monitor imports of certain PET spunbond and staple fibre products. Based on market intelligence, EDANA knows that third country imports of the respective products were in the range of 15,000 to 30,000 MT in 2024 and 2025. However, actual import volumes recorded under the specifically created CN codes were significantly lower. 

“There is a clear mismatch between import volumes observed in the market and what is reported under the correct customs codes. Often, importers continue to use outdated customs codes as a matter of habit not paying due attention to changes of the Combined Nomenclature”, says Jacques Prigneaux from EDANA. “However, this is problematic, especially where certain products are subject to investigations by the EU authorities.” 

EDANA has therefore actively commenced an outreach initiative to raise awareness among its members. They have also contacted the European Commission and the national customs authorities of the EU member states to ask the authorities to enhance import checks. 

Incorrect customs classification not only makes EDANA’s work more difficult to monitor import flows and protect the interests of its members. It can also have severe negative legal consequences for importers. Customs authorities penalize misclassifications with additional duties, administrative fines and even criminal penalties. “To avoid such unpleasant surprises, we recommend that all members and their supply chain regularly review and update their customs classification databases and also instruct their customs agents accordingly” adds Mr Prigneaux. 

Awareness and compliance are in particular important where imports are under enhanced customs control (such as in the framework of import registration during an anti-dumping investigation) or subject to special trade or regulatory regimes (such as duty-free or reduced duty imports from countries with which the EU has special trade arrangements). 

A list of preferential trade regimes can be found on the website of the European Commission (here) and the Access2Markets webpage contains product-specific information for imports of goods into the EU (here). Also, presently, certain PET spunbond from China is subject to an EU anti-dumping investigation and imports were made subject to registration in December 2025 (see here for further information). The exact definition of the product subject to the investigation is: ‘non-woven needle-punched sheets of polyester filaments, whether or not reinforced by glass fibres, weighing more than 70 g/m², of a thickness exceeding 0.5 mm but not exceeding 1.8 mm, impregnated with one or more binders, containing less than 30% of glass fibres by weight, not coated or covered’. All imports of these products must be classified under TARIC code 5603 1390 70, CN code 5603 14 20 or TARIC code 5603 1480 70.

In a new study, North Carolina State University researchers found a way to prevent electrical malfunctions in yarns designed to store electrical energy. Ultimately, the findings could help advance the development of “smart textiles” that would capture energy from the wearer’s movements and power sensors and wearable electronics.

The researchers reported in npj Flexible Electronics that they were able to prevent short-circuiting in yarns that act as supercapacitors – which are electrical devices that store energy – by wrapping the yarns with an insulating thread. They also tested the strength and durability of the yarns to make sure they could still work after going through knitting and weaving processes.

“A supercapacitor functions like a battery, but in this case, we’re working on a flexible battery shaped as a textile yarn that you could weave or knit into your T-shirt or sweater,” said Wei Gao, associate professor of textile engineering, chemistry and science and a University Faculty Scholar at NC State. “In this study, we have woven this yarn into a piece of fabric so that it can store electrical energy, and eventually we want to use it to power whatever electronic devices you need, whether it be a sensor, a light or even a cell phone.”

While research into these so-called “yarn-shaped supercapacitors” is promising, researchers say developers face a consistent problem with their design: the yarn-shaped supercapacitors are more likely to short circuit as their length increases. Short-circuiting is when the electric current flows through an unintended path. It is a safety concern because a short circuit can result in a burst of heat energy or even a fire.

“Everybody is trying to make smart electronics that can be incorporated into cloth or fabric,” Gao said. “What we found is if you try to make a supercapacitor yarn longer than 8 inches, it’s pretty easy for this device to short-circuit. It’s pretty dangerous, and it’s something nobody wants to encounter when wearing a smart suit.”

To solve that problem, the researchers tested what would happen when they wrapped the super-capacitor yarn electrodes with insulating threads. The idea was that the threads would act as a physical barrier, keeping the opposite electrodes from contacting each other and preventing short-circuiting. They tested their device’s performance by connecting the electrodes to a power source and recording the device’s current response. They also tested how well the yarns were able to hold a charge. They found that the yarns kept 90% of the initial energy after charging and discharging them 10,000 times.

The researchers also tested to see if they could withstand bending and stretching by weaving their yarn-shaped supercapacitors into a fabric.

“The yarns need to be flexible and strong enough so that when you bend, stretch and press them, they keep their original electrical performance after all of those mechanical deformations,” said the study’s lead author Nanfei He, postdoctoral research scholar in textile engineering, chemistry and science at NC State. “The yarns all kept their original performance, even after going through weaving and knitting.”

Researchers said they made the yarn-shaped supercapacitor using processes that are conventional in textile manufacturing.

“All of these processes can be scaled up very easily,” He said.

 In future work, the researchers want to incorporate their design into a garment, and to try to integrate it with other energy-generating devices.

“Materials innovation and process engineering are critical to the scalability and device performance,” said Feng Zhao, CEO of Storagenergy Technologies Inc., the industrial partner of the project. “We have developed a process to produce thousands of meters of high-performance yarns in a continuous manner.”

The study, “Separator Threads in Yarn-Shaped Super-capacitors,” was published online in npj Flexible Electronics. In addition to He, Gao and Zhao the other authors were Junhua Song and Jinyun Liao of Storagenergy Technologies Inc. The study was supported by Storagenergy Technologies Inc., and funded by the United States Army under contract numbers W911NF19C0074 and W911NF18C0086.

HIGHTEX 2026 International Technical Textiles and Nonwoven Exhibition is preparing to open its doors at Tüyap Fair and Congress Center between 9–13 June 2026. Bringing together leading manufacturers and technology providers in the field of technical textiles and nonwoven technologies in Istanbul, the exhibition will assume the character of an international hub where the strategic future of the industry is discussed.

While topics such as sustainable production models, digitalization, high-performance materials and smart manufacturing systems will form the main agenda of HIGHTEX 2026, a strong showcase will be presented for companies aiming to make a difference in the global competitive environment.

Organized in cooperation with Teknik Fuarcılık and Tüyap, and held concurrently with the ITM International Textile Machinery Exhibition, HIGHTEX holds the distinction of being Türkiye’s and the region’s first and only specialized exhibition in the field of technical textiles and nonwovens. Organized since 2005, the event has, over more than 20 years, personally witnessed the technological evolution experienced by the industry and has become one of the most important platforms where innovative solutions are introduced to the global market. Thanks to being held simultaneously with ITM, textile machinery, production technologies and the technical textiles ecosystem will come together under the same roof, offering visitors an integrated exhibition experience.

The Indispensable Element of Strategic Industries: Technical Textiles
Today, technical textiles have a wide range of applications extending from automotive to defense industry, from medical applications to infrastructure projects, and from agriculture to the energy sector. Distinguished from conventional textile products thanks to their superior properties such as high strength, lightness, durability, heat and chemical resistance, these materials directly affect the performance criteria of strategic industries. The solutions to be exhibited at HIGHTEX 2026 will reveal not only product-based innovations but also the transformation in production processes. A broad exhibitor profile, ranging from raw material producers to machinery manufacturers, from software developers to end-product manufacturers, will represent the entire value chain of the sector.

This comprehensive structure transforms the exhibition into not only a display area but also a strategic platform in terms of information sharing, business development and investment planning. While professional visitors will have the opportunity to examine new technologies on-site and establish direct contact with manufacturers, participating companies will gain the opportunity to enter new markets and strengthen their brand positioning.

A New Era in Nonwoven Technologies
Nonwoven production technologies have achieved a significant leap in recent years in terms of both capacity and quality. Based on the principle of bonding fibers through mechanical, thermal or chemical methods without weaving or knitting, this production model is rapidly expanding on a global scale due to the flexibility, speed and cost advantage it offers. Nonwoven solutions have become indispensable especially in hygiene products, medical consumables, filtration systems and automotive interior trim applications.

The next-generation nonwoven lines to be exhibited at HIGHTEX 2026 will contribute to sustainability targets with criteria such as lower energy consumption, optimized raw material usage and high production speed. Solutions for recyclable and biodegradable raw materials will also be among the prominent topics of the exhibition. These developments demonstrate that the nonwoven sector simultaneously carries growth potential along with environmental responsibility.

Artificial Intelligence and Industry 4.0 Integration Comes to the Fore
Digital transformation has become one of the fundamental elements of competitive advantage in technical textile and nonwoven production. The Industry 4.0 integrated systems to be exhibited at HIGHTEX 2026 will enable real-time monitoring of production processes, performance optimization through data analytics, and the minimization of error rates. Thanks to artificial intelligence-supported quality control systems, defects that may occur on production lines will be detected instantly, thereby reducing cost losses.

Automation solutions will increase production speed and standardization while minimizing human error; at the same time, smart infrastructures that provide savings in energy and resource usage will strengthen the understanding of sustainable production. These technologies will offer companies not only operational efficiency but also the opportunity for strong positioning in the global market.

Fabrics of the Future: Smart Textiles
Smart textiles developed at the intersection of textiles and advanced technology stand out as one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing fields of the sector. Nanotechnology applications, conductive fibers, sensor-integrated fabric structures and materials capable of responding to environmental conditions offer a wide range of applications from health monitoring to defense uses, from sports technologies to industrial safety. These innovations transform textiles from being a passive material into a structure capable of generating data and interacting. At HIGHTEX 2026, geotextiles, medical and hygienic textiles, high-performance composite structures for aviation and automotive, and technical solutions specific to the agriculture and food sectors will also be exhibited together. Thus, the exhibition will present a holistic panorama of innovative materials responding to the needs of different industries.

New Collaborations and Global Trade Opportunities
HIGHTEX 2026 will not only provide participating companies with the opportunity to exhibit their products but will also create a strong business development platform that will expand international trade networks. Bilateral business meetings and sectoral contacts to be held throughout the exhibition will prepare the ground for generating concrete commercial outcomes ranging from machinery sales to technology transfers, from joint production agreements to new investment decisions. For sector representatives coming from a wide geography extending from America to Asia, from Europe to Africa, Istanbul will become a global meeting point in the field of technical textiles and nonwovens. HIGHTEX 2026 will continue to position itself at the center of information sharing, strategic vision and technological transformation, maintaining its role as an international reference platform guiding the sector.

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc., a global leader in spider silk technology*, announced that its 2026 production plan has officially moved from strategy to execution.
 
The Company has now moved bio-material to incubation, getting a jumpstart on its March production plan and formally initiating its multi-ton spider silk scale-up initiative.
 
This milestone follows Kraig’s recently announced 2026 production schedule. This aggressive plan is set to achieve sustained monthly production of recombinant spider silk cocoons at unprecedented commercial volumes. With the release of the first wave of production materials now complete, Kraig Labs has activated its expanded manufacturing pipeline and commenced field-level implementation.
 
"This is the moment where planning becomes production," said Kim Thompson, Kraig Labs CEO and Founder. "Our 2026 roadmap was built around disciplined expansion, operational efficiency, and multi-ton output. Today, that roadmap is in motion. Bio-materials have recently been moved to incubation in preparation for the March production run."
 
The March production run represents the first major deployment under the Company's 2026 plan. The initiative is designed to drive consistent output at levels never before seen, while reinforcing quality control, supply chain stability, and downstream processing capacity.
 
By initiating this production cycle, Kraig Labs is delivering on its commitment, creating the world's first reliable, repeatable, and scalable commercial spider silk manufacturing. The Company's vertically integrated model enables rapid deployment of materials, controlled expansion of silkworm rearing operations, and alignment with future customer demand.
 
"Our focus is clear," Thompson continued. "Execution. Volume. Commercialization. Every production cycle strengthens our position as the global leader in recombinant spider silk."
 
Kraig Labs expects this March run to set the pace for subsequent production cycles throughout 2026, forming the foundation for sustained monthly metric-ton-level spider silk production.