From the Sector

The Portuguese Textile and Apparel Association (ATP) is promoting the national textile industry at Expo 2025 Osaka with the installation TEXTILE LIVE – Draping with Sustainable Materials, made in Portugal, featured in the Portugal Pavilion under the theme Ocean, The Blue Dialogue.

This international initiative celebrates innovation, environmental responsibility, and the heritage of the Portuguese textile and clothing industry, highlighting materials and processes developed in Portugal that respect ecosystems and place sustainability at the heart of creative practice.

From 12 to 15 June, the thousands of visitors of the Portuguese Pavilion everyday, namely the Multiuse Room (with doors opening directly onto the Expo grounds), will be able to watch and witness an unprecedented live work action by 15 young Japanese designers and one Portuguese designer, on textile materials made in Portugal based on the pillars of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

In collaboration with three Japanese fashion schools - Osaka Institute of Fashion, Marronnier College of Fashion Design and Kobe Bunka Fashion College - art, tradition and innovation, in the form of draping work on busts also made from sustainable materials, will show the world the creative potential of our most eco-friendly materials.

This live draping performance will take place twice a day, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. In addition, visitors will also be able to see a photo exhibition in which Portuguese textiles materials are “interpreted” through the beauty and talent of top Portuguese models from past generations. The experience is further enriched by a miniature doll’s installation, the Marias Paperdolls by Cláudia Oliveira and an informative video that explains the sustainable processes behind the materials on display

Altogether, these elements offer more than enough reason for high anticipation around the event, which aims to reaffirm the active role that Portugal’s textile and clothing industry is playing in positioning itself at the forefront of the Circular Economy.

Curated by Paulo Gomes, the installation highlights textile solutions made in Portugal with:

• Natural wool and linen, responsibly sourced and rooted in traditional craftsmanship.
• Bio-based artificial fibers, derived from food industry by-products.
• Recycled synthetic fibers, including polyester from PET bottle waste.
• Seaweed-based finishes, which reduce water consumption and create unique effects.
• Natural and eco-friendly dyes, with environmentally conscious processes.

The result is a living dialogue between tradition and innovation, Portugal and Japan — where textiles become a medium of artistic expression and a symbol of an industry in transformation.

ATP extends its gratitude to all those who made this installation possible — especially the Portuguese companies Albano Morgado, Burel Factory, Lemar, Positive Materials e Trimalhas; the curator Paulo Gomes; the designer Renato Luiz; and the 15 Japanese fashion students from the Osaka Institute of Fashion, Marronnier College of Fashion Design, and Kobe Bunka Fashion College and AICEP.

ATP further acknowledges the valuable contributions of Cláudia Oliveira (Marias Paperdolls); the volunteer interpreters Kazuha Toriyama and Ayu Adachi; photographer Sorin Opait; models Elsa Correia, Isabel Sousa, Milene Veiga, and Telma Santos; Rui Guimarães (graphic materials); Liliana Alves (video production); and the team from Saiunion Co., Ltd (mannequins), as well as the support of our sponsors, Aquitex and Mind.pt. With this action, ATP reinforces the positioning of the Portuguese Textile and Apparel Industry as a global benchmark in sustainable innovation, presenting itself to the world through art, design, and the matter that defines them: textiles made in Portugal – FOR A BETTER WOLRD.

The Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference 2025 will take place on November 27-28, 2025 at the Eurogress Aachen.

Interested parties have the opportunity to contribute to the conference program and submit an abstract for a talk or poster presentation. Please note that the extended deadline for oral presentation abstracts is June 2, 2025. The Call for Abstracts for poster contributions is open until July 31, 2025.
The conference program includes plenary lectures and themed sessions in the areas of

• Sustainable Textiles and Circular Textile Economy
• Bio-based Fibers
• Synthetic High-Performance Fibers
• Artificial Intelligence in the Textile Sector
• Textile Production
• Smart Textiles & Applications
• Textiles for Medicine & Health Care
• Technology Transfer & Start-up Pitches
• Fiber Composites and Lightweight Construction
• Best Practices – Examples from Collaboration Projects between Academia and Industry
• Functionalization & Finishing

Further information about the conference and the call for abstracts (including the submission form) can be found on the website.

Eastman Naia™ is participating at this spring’s Functional Fabric Fair in Portland, a leading expo for high-performance and sustainable textiles focusing on outdoor, lifestyle, and activewear textiles. The event offers an ideal platform to unveil Naia™ On The Move, the latest application for dynamic and urban living.

Naia™ On The Move marks the next evolution in Eastman’s Naia™ cellulosic fiber development. This new blending solution concept extends the outstanding properties of Naia™ Renew staple fiber and is designed for the light sports activities and urban lifestyle segments. Manufactured through Eastman’s molecular recycling technology, Naia™ Renew fiber incorporates 60% sustainably sourced wood pulp and 40% recycled waste materials via GRS-certified mass balance. This enables the creation of high-quality cellulose acetate fibers with a significantly reduced environmental impact.

Naia™ On The Move is an application designed for active, everyday wear, showcasing how Naia™ Renew staple fiber blends deliver next-to-skin comfort, breathability, and a soft hand feel, along with superior moisture management and quick-dry capability. Garments stay fresh throughout the day, holding their shape and resisting pilling even after repeated washes. In addition, the application supports consumers navigating urban environments where shifting temperatures, humidity, and active routines call for adaptable apparel solutions.

Third-party testing confirms Naia™ Renew staple fiber can manage moisture and reduce odor more effectively than polyester, and at lower blend ratios. Furthermore, it combines well with fibers such as wool and polyester to enhance overall comfort and wearing experience. This adaptability empowers designers to create collections that are effortlessly stylish, responsibly made and always on the move.

After premiering in Shanghai, Naia™ On The Move makes its official debut in Portlandti “Naia™ On The Move was born from a clear need in the market, for materials that move with the rhythm of people’s lives,” said Chad Doub, global segment leader of staple fibers for Eastman’s textiles division. “It responds to how people really live today, bringing together everyday comfort and technical performance that last throughout the day.”

Functional Fabric Fair is the perfect setting for visitors to experience Naia™ On The Move and the full Naia™ range. Attendees can visit Naia™ from Eastman at Booth 920 to discover certified fiber solutions that unite comfort, function, and a more sustainable future for textiles.

Freudenberg Performance Materials (Freudenberg) is presenting a wide range of advanced solutions for numerous industries and markets at this year's IDEA Show in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. These include innovative applications for filtration, construction, energy, cleaning, composites, printing and healthcare as well as for the packaging industry.

From surface nonwovens for improved corrosion resistance, battery separator solutions that increase the life cycle, performance and safety of energy storage systems to the innovative Enka® solutions for pre-vegetated green roof constructions.

Flexible wetlaid technology for filtration, building & construction, energy and packaging
One highlight of this year's IDEA Show are the many different applications of Freudenberg’s unique wetlaid technology, which allows for a high level of customization together with a wide range of technical possibilities in weights, types of fibers and compositions. Thanks to the high versality of its production lines and product range, Freudenberg can meet the needs of key wetlaid markets: filtration, building & construction, energy and packaging.

The company will present its wetlaid solutions in the field of sound absorption in buildings, as well as for diverse markets such as energy, composites and horticulture. Battery separators based on wetlaid nonwoven technology increase the life cycle and safety of energy storage systems. In the composite industry, Freudenberg surfacing veils ensure abrasion resistance, corrosion protection, smooth surfaces, and enhanced mechanical strength for fiber-reinforced plastics. In addition, bio-based materials will be presented, which are ideal for biodegradable plant propagation systems.

Alongside the wetlaid nonwovens, the experts will also be showcasing their innovations in fine denier spunbond technology.

Enka®Solutions: Adapting to the changing construction industry
Another highlight of Freudenberg’s portfolio at the IDEA Show are the Enka®Solutions applications tailored to the roofing and construction market. For example, the Enka® BioCarrier that is particularly suitable for green roofs will be on display. The carrier material from Freudenberg enables pre-vegetated green roof constructions and consists of 100% bio-based raw materials. Green roofs are becoming increasingly popular due to their numerous ecological and financial benefits.

High registration numbers with many new exhibitors herald a strong Techtextil and Texprocess 2026. From 21 to 24 April 2026, international suppliers present their innovations at the two leading trade fairs - whether in terms of materials, technologies or sustainability. With an adapted hall layout and new product groups, Techtextil and Texprocess create the best conditions for this.

Turbulent times for the industry: recession, sustainability requirements and geopolitical challenges are putting market participants under pressure with subdued purchasing behaviour, restrained investment or complex process adjustments. The industry's response: innovation and outstanding solutions. Whether new material ideas, efficient processes or sustainable developments: Very important platforms to present these are the world's leading trade fairs Techtextil and Texprocess in Frankfurt. In addition to the familiar big players, an exceptionally large number of new exhibitors will take part in 2026.

Texprocess 2026: Global visibility for world premieres
Exhibitors from all product groups have already registered to take part in Texprocess, the leading trade fair for processing textile and flexible materials. From cutting and sewing to finishing. Among them are Brother Internationale Industriemaschinen, Gütermann (Germany), Morgan Tecnica (Italy), Robotech (Turkey), Sheffield Cutting Equipment (USA), Style3D | Assyst, Veit and Zünd Germany. New exhibitors include Amann (Germany), Coloreel (Sweden), Comelz, Cutting Edge Automation Machines (Italy) or Pathfinder Australia. Driven by automation, digitalisation and AI, exhibitors are developing increasingly efficient solutions - and are thus resonating with the needs of the international market.

Techtextil 2026: realising market potential with innovations
Techtextil is also seeing great booking interest from exhibitors. Among those registered are Concordia Textiles (Belgium), Groz-Beckert (Germany), Klopman International (Italy), Kolon Industries (Korea), Lenzing, Sattler Pro-Tex (Austria), Sioen (Belgium) and Schill+Seilacher (Germany). The many new exhibitors include Dystar Singapore, Indorama Ventures Fibers Germany, Monteiro Ribas (Portugal), TreeToTextile (Sweden) and Woolmark (Germany). The leading trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens covers the entire spectrum of high-tech textiles. Suppliers meet buyers from a wide range of industries here. They are looking for customised material solutions - whether for the automotive or apparel industry. For the first time, there is a separate area for Textile Chemicals & Dyes in Hall 9.0, which is already in high demand. The new Performance Apparel Textiles area in Hall 9.0 is also attracting great interest. It offers promising synergies: With Fibres & Yarns, manufacturers find their upstream stage in the same hall. In addition, the proximity to Texprocess in Hall 8.0 makes it even more accessible for the apparel industry.
 
Techtextil and Texprocess will be held from 21 to 24 April 2026.

The Lenzing Group is presenting the Lenzing Young Scientist Award at the Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress (GFC) from September 10 to 12, 2025 for bachelor, master and doctoral students who develop innovative solutions to ecological challenges in the fiber and textile industry. The deadline for applications is June 30, 2025. The best thesis by Bachelor's and Master's students will receive a prize of EUR 3,000, while the best doctoral thesis will receive EUR 5,000.

For the fourth time, the Lenzing Group honors young researchers with the Lenzing Young Scientist Award for excellent research work in the fiber and textile sector. The Dornbirn-GFC, as a platform for international exchange of experience in the field of fibers, offers an ideal stage for this research competition. Bachelor's and Master's students can submit their scientific work under the guiding theme “Unlimited inspiration from nature: Together we research sustainable innovations based on cellulose, including regenerated cellulose fibers and films, as well as cellulose composites” and face a jury of renowned experts from the industry. The aim is to support students who inspire the industry with their research results and create a platform for networking with the textile and fiber industry.

Austrian Fibers Institute as organizer of the Dornbirn GFC
For the 64th time, the Austrian Fiber Institute is organizing the Dornbirn Fiber Congress on a non-profit basis and will provide the framework for presenting the Lenzing Young Scientist Award from September 10 to 12, 2025. The Austrian Fiber Institute, based in Vienna, was founded in 1960 by fiber producers and the Austrian textile industry to promote the market launch of fibers and their products. The Fiber Institute also offers the opportunity to exchange information and experience about fibers and supports contact with educational institutions. The GFC focuses on an international exchange of experience in close coordination with the umbrella organization CIRFS in Brussels and deals with topics relevant to the future, such as fiber innovations, sustainability and the circular economy.

Applicants for the Lenzing Young Scientist Award have the opportunity to submit their work (theses, papers, etc.) in English until June 30, 2025 to the following e-mail address: YSA2025@lenzing.com. Further information can be found online at https://www.lenzing.com/young-scientist-award.

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, in partnership with International Filtration News magazine, announces the finalists for the inaugural FiltXPO™ Awards. Recognizing outstanding achievements across the entire filtration value chain, the awards celebrate groundbreaking advancements that utilize nonwoven fabrics and technology.

Presented at FiltXPO™, April 29-May 1, 2025, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Florida, these awards highlight exceptional innovations in three categories:

• Air/Gas Filtration Media
• Water/Liquid Filtration Media
• Filtration Equipment

Each nominated product has demonstrated creativity, uniqueness, technical sophistication, and the potential to significantly advance filtration performance and sustainability. Voting takes place on the International Filtration News website and the deadline to submit votes is April 18, 2025:

FiltXPO Air/Gas Filtration Award

• Hollingsworth & Vose – NanoWave® ESA
  Introducing NanoWave®ESA, an all-synthetic, 3D filter media free from PFAS. This revolutionary product enables production of highly efficient, comfortable, stretchable respiratory protection, suitable for various protective applications.
• Lanaco – EcoStatic® ML Series Filter Media
  Lanaco’s wool-based air filtration solution utilizes advanced electrostatic technology, providing exceptional efficiency and ultra-low pressure drop, even under challenging environmental conditions. USDA-certified as 100% Biobased, EcoStatic® ensures sustainability without sacrificing performance.
• Greentech Environmental LLC – Greentech Filters with ODOGard®
  ODOGard® technology deeply integrates odor-neutralizing polymers into nonwoven and nanofiber filters, offering an innovative, non-toxic approach to indoor air quality. ODOGard® significantly enhances filtration durability and performance.

FiltXPO Water/Liquid Filtration Award

• Ahlstrom – BioProtect™
  Ahlstrom’s sustainable BioProtect™ material offers superior dye-catching performance for laundry applications. Manufactured from 100% naturally derived fibers and OC-Biobinder®, BioProtect™ is both biobased and home compostable, combining premium performance with environmental responsibility.
• Periodic Products, Inc. – MetalXtract® Filter Media
  Using patented Chelok® Polymer Technology, MetalXtract® provides remarkable metal adsorption capabilities—100 to 500 times greater than traditional resins—across a wide pH range. Ideal for wastewater treatment and environmental remediation, this biodegradable solution effectively controls contamination at high flow rates.

FiltXPO Filtration Equipment Award

• Luwa America Inc. – Multi Cell Filter (MCV)
  The space-saving MCV significantly reduces required floor space by approximately 70% compared to traditional drum filters. Its intelligent PLC-controlled design optimizes filter cleaning cycles, reduces energy usage, and substantially cuts operational costs and carbon footprint.
• Oerlikon Neumag – hycuTEC
  Oerlikon Neumag’s innovative hycuTEC technology hydrocharges nonwoven filter media, achieving over 99.9% filtration efficiency with dramatically lower pressure loss and minimal resource consumption. Easy to integrate and retrofit, hycuTEC represents a breakthrough in high-efficiency filtration media production.
• Filtration Advice Inc. – FA-TCO Software
  This cutting-edge software provides comprehensive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis and predictive modeling for air filtration systems. FA-TCO enables data-driven decisions, extending filter lifespans, reducing operational costs, and enhancing overall sustainability in filtration management.

Finalists will present their innovative solutions at FiltXPO, showcasing breakthroughs that elevate quality, efficiency, and sustainability across the filtration industry.

“We’re delighted to highlight these groundbreaking innovations that promise to reshape the filtration landscape,” said Matt O’Sickey, Ph.D., INDA’s Director of Education & Technical Affairs. “FiltXPO provides the perfect stage to recognize the industry’s most significant advances and inspire future developments.”

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has announced the program for IDEA®25, a two-day Sustainability in Nonwovens Conference. IDEA25 will take place April 29-May 1, at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida.

The IDEA25 conference will bring together industry professionals to share knowledge and strategies to advance sustainable practices, highlighting the need for ongoing innovation, regulatory compliance, and incorporating eco-friendly materials to foster a more sustainable future.

The conference will include engaging sessions on various pertinent topics such as regulatory trends, data and technology, innovative and sustainable materials, hemp and natural fibers, bioplastics, equipment and processes, and integrating sustainability throughout the lifecycle of products.

Highlights of the IDEA25 Sustainability Conference

April 29:

• Navigating the Shifting Winds of Sustainability Regulations: Gain U.S. and European Union perspectives on compliance and innovation in the face of evolving regulations
• “In God We Trust… All Others Bring Data”: Learn how to craft a believable and transparent sustainability story
• Innovative and Sustainable Materials: Discover how green product development starts with greener nonwovens
• Hemp Fibers in Nonwovens: Explore the potential of hemp and other natural fibers and their applications in sustainable products

April 30:

• Cradle to Grave Bioplastics: Understand the importance of ensuring sustainability in the use of bioplastics from the beginning to the end-of-life
• Design for Sustainability: Explore the impact of product and process design on overall product sustainability, during two sessions
• Cradle to Next Life: Challenge the “to the grave” mentality and explore strategies for product reincarnation

The conference is an integral part of IDEA, the premier event for the nonwoven and engineered fabric industry. Hundreds of companies from around the globe representing the entire global supply chain will showcase their latest innovations at the exhibition. 

Eastman Naia™ returns to Première Vision Paris to showcase the numerous applications of Naia™ Renew staple fibers, demonstrating their transformative potential in fashion. Known for delivering luxurious comfort, fashion-forward style, and a sustainable approach, Naia™ Renew fibers want to set the standard for a more eco-conscious innovation in textile manufacturing.

Cellulosic acetate, in its usual filament fiber form, is renowned for being one of the most reliable materials for achieving that signature silky look. Naia™ Renew staple is a versatile fiber sourced from 60% sustainably sourced wood pulp and 40% recycled waste material through GRS-certified mass balance accounting, using a low-impact, closed-loop process. Designed for both woven and knitted fabrics, it blends perfectly with premium materials such as wool, cashmere, and linen to create lightweight, breathable textiles. Renowned for its durability and quick-drying properties, Naia™ Renew staple enhances fabrics with a skin-friendly softness that ensures superior comfort. Its low density contributes to a refined, pearl-like luster while keeping garments lightweight.

At Première Vision, Eastman Naia™ will present a curated selection of fabrics and garments developed in collaboration with partners and brands and designed to meet the demands of today’s fashion-forward and environmentally conscious consumers.

Aligned with its core values for mainstreaming circularity, Eastman Naia™ takes the opportunity at Première Vision to celebrate its partnerships with leading mills in Europe, recognized for their advanced textile expertise and sustainability initiatives. These collaborations support the shift towards nearshoring, helping to reduce lead times, streamline logistics, and minimize transportation-related emissions, ultimately lowering the overall environmental footprint.

At this year's JEC Composites Innovation Awards ceremony, the award in the "Construction & Civil Engineering" category went to the "DACCUSS" project, coordinated by the DITF. TechnoCarbon Technologies GbR, the inventor of Carbon Fiber Stone (CFS), received the JEC Award together with its development partners. The award is for the development of house walls made of Carbon Fiber Stone (CFS), a CO2 negative composite material.

Each year, the JEC Composites Innovation Awards recognize innovative and creative projects that demonstrate the full potential of composite materials. With the help of a development team from 12 companies and research institutions, TechnoCarbon Technologies GbR successfully submitted its innovative DACCUSS building element for house walls made of Carbon Fiber Stone.

Carbon Fiber Stone is a building material made of natural rocks and bio-based carbon fibers. It serves as an environmentally friendly replacement for CO2-intensive concrete in the construction industry. While conventional concrete walls release large amounts of CO2 during production, the DACCUS building element binds 59 kg of CO2 per square meter and therefore has a negative carbon footprint. In addition, the panels weigh only one-third of equivalent reinforced concrete house walls.

Each DACCUS element consists of several high-strength natural stone slabs made from magmatic rock. Inside the construction are bio-based carbon fibers, which the DITF Denkendorf is working intensively to develop. They form the stiffening element that enables the high strength of the construction elements and, in turn, contribute to the negative CO2 balance. The layer between the natural rock slabs is filled with carbon-negative biochar granulate, which is responsible for the insulation of the building element. The mineral sawdust from the cut rock slabs can be used as a soil amendment and serves as a binder for free CO2 from the atmosphere. The strict focus on processes and materials that actively bind CO2 has made it possible to produce a building material with a negative CO2 balance.

Partners: Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf (DITF), TechnoCarbon Technologies GbR, Universität Hamburg (UHH), Labor für Stahl- und Leichtmetallbau GmbH (LSL), AHP GmbH & Co. KG, Technische Universität München (TUM), GVU mbH, Silicon Kingdom Holding Ltd., Gallehr Sustainable Risk Management GmbH, Peer Technologies GmbH & Co. KG, GREIN srl, Convoris Group GmbH, RecyCoal GmbH, ITA, Institut für Textiltechnik der RWTH Aachen, LISD GmbH.