From the Sector

January, 17 marks a historic milestone with the signing of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement, creating the biggest trading block in the world. European business – represented by more than 28 associations across a wide range of sectors – warmly welcomes this signature. It sends a strong and timely signal that the EU remains open and is committed to rules-based global trade. In a time of global uncertainty, this agreement is a key growth booster. 

By opening access to over 270 million consumers via the elimination of trade barriers and the removal of tariffs on over 90% of EU exports, the agreement provides the thrust European companies need to export, invest, and grow, as well as to diversify their supply chains, sourcing essential products and raw materials from Mercosur. By 2040, according to DG Trade’s calculations, the agreement is expected to add 77.6 billion euros to the EU GDP, resulting in a 39% increase in EU exports to Mercosur. 

With the agreement now signed, the ball is firmly in the court of the European Parliament in ensuring rapid ratification. We therefore call on Members of the European Parliament to give their consent and allow Europe’s engine of economic growth and prosperity to be switched on and move ahead decisively. After over 25 years of negotiations, we are finally in sight of the finish line. We cannot afford to wait any longer.

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals focused on sustainable solutions, is excited to announce its debut participation in Denimsandjeans Egypt, taking place on January 19–20, 2026 at the InterContinental Citystars Cairo. 

In its first year at the show, Archroma will showcase its low-impact denim solutions, designed to help brands and mills advance sustainability without compromising aesthetics, quality or performance. 

“With Egypt emerging as a strategic denim sourcing market, there is a clear opportunity to accelerate more sustainable production. Archroma’s innovations are designed to support this growth with scalable, low impact solutions,” commented Dhirendra Gautam, Vice President, Commercial, Archroma. 

Visitors to the Archroma stand will discover a portfolio of innovative and award-winning solutions, including: 

• DENIM HALO - Archroma’s revolutionary award-winning denim pretreatment and dyeing process that gives brands and mills a simple way to produce highly sought-after distressed denim looks. It draws on a unique new chemistry, DIRSOL® RD, and a broad portfolio of textile dyes based on decades of advanced research to produce laser-friendly denim with outstanding contrast on intense black and indigo shades. 
• DIRESUL® EVOLUTION BLACK - Archroma’s cleanest sulfur black dyestuff. Manufactured using fewer resources, it has an overall impact reduction of 57% during dye synthesis compared to standard Sulfur Black 1 liquid. 
• DENISOL® PURE INDIGO 30 LIQ - An aniline-free pre-reduced indigo that creates authentic denim colors with the same performance and efficiency as conventional indigo dye, but in a way that can reduce the risk of pollution. Furthermore, it is produced in an aniline-free** process to help enable cleaner denim production. 
• EarthColors® - A patented Archroma technology that creates high-performance biowaste-based dyes from non-edible food and agricultural waste, leaving the edible part available for consumption. EarthColors® dyes help reduce the industry’s overall impact on the water footprint. Since they upcycle waste from other industries, they also help contribute to a circular economy. 

Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has once again been recognized as a Top Employer Switzerland 2026, marking its third consecutive certification following 2024 and 2025. This achievement underscores the Group’s commitment to a people centric company culture and continuous improvement in employee experience. 

In its 2026 certification, Autoneum achieved a significant improvement in its overall score compared to last year and advanced into the top quantile among all certified Top Employers. This mile-stone reflects the company’s strong performance in key HR domains and its ambition to set bench-marks in people practices. 

Autoneum’s Level Up strategy places employees at the center of the company’s success, with global guidelines and initiatives designed to foster a high quality working and development environment. “Being named a Top Employer for the third year in a row is an important milestone for Autoneum,” highlights Yunjie Qu, Autoneum’s Head Group HR. “Guided by our strategy of fostering a people-centric culture, we continue to create an engaging workplace that delivers an outstanding employee experience and drives high performance.” 

The Top Employers certification assesses excellence in HR Best Practices across six domains and 20 topics, including People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity & Inclusion, and Wellbeing.

At this year's PaintExpo in Karlsruhe (April 14–17), Barmag will present an optimized design of its paint metering pump. It impresses with its low weight, increased productivity, and extended service life. Specially developed for compact robot arms, the pump enables high-precision and economical paint application – ideal for industries such as automotive, aerospace, and renewable energies.

Paint application is one of the most demanding production steps. In order to meet increasing requirements for service life and quality, highly efficient systems are needed that create resistant surfaces. Oerlikon Barmag has been manufacturing gear metering pumps since 1985, which enable reliable and economical paint application thanks to maximum metering accuracy.

The new pump sets standards in industrial coating technology. It impresses with maximum metering accuracy and minimal pulsation – for uniform and precise paint application. The flushing system is optimized for the shortest possible flushing times, while its low weight facilitates integration into compact robot arms.

A particular highlight is that the pump combines all these advantages with high cost-effectiveness. "Our new paint metering pump combines precision and cost-efficiency in a single product. This enables us to create real added value for our customers in a wide range of industries," explains Thorsten Wagener, Sales Manager responsible for the Pumps division.

As manufacturers look for new growth, margins and business models, industrial print emerges as a profit-enabling production platform
 
A new sold-out industrial inkjet print showcase taking place in Munich this month is sending a clear signal that industrial print technologies are entering a new phase of commercial adoption, as manufacturers increasingly integrate inkjet into production-scale environments.
 
FuturePrint Industrial Print, which takes place on 21–22 January 2026, has officially sold out all exhibitor space ahead of its inaugural edition. The response reflects growing global demand for production-ready industrial inkjet technologies across packaging, décor, electronics, product customisation and functional manufacturing.
 
Industry analysts forecast strong sustained growth for the sector. Market research from Fortune Business Insights indicates that the global industrial inkjet printer market is projected to reach nearly USD 12 billion by 2034, driven by accelerating adoption across manufacturing, packaging, product decoration and industrial production environments. Against this backdrop, the sell-out highlights a market that is moving beyond pilots and proofs of concept, toward scalable deployment, strategic investment and measurable commercial impact.
 
For manufacturers, converters and technology providers, this shift represents a major business and profit opportunity. Industrial print is no longer simply an alternative imaging process. It is increasingly a manufacturing platform that can reshape how products are designed, produced and monetised.
 
Crucially, industrial inkjet is now being adopted not only to improve efficiency, but to improve manufacturing economics. By removing tooling constraints, reducing set-up times, cutting waste and enabling late-stage differentiation, industrial inkjet technology is allowing companies to respond profitably to shorter runs, unlock premium pricing, protect margins and make complex, customised or functional products commercially viable at scale.
 
For manufacturing performance, the real opportunity lies in what industrial inkjet makes possible. From mass customisation and digital inventory to functional integration and direct-to-product manufacturing, industrial inkjet is opening routes to new revenue streams, higher-value applications and entirely new business models. For converters and print businesses, this includes a pathway into manufacturing services and higher-margin industrial markets. For manufacturers, it enables faster product innovation, more responsive supply chains and the ability to monetise speed, flexibility and product differentiation.
 
The exhibitor profile in Munich reflects this shift. More than 50 selected companies are presenting technologies spanning additive and functional inkjet, direct-to-product manufacturing, decorative surfaces, packaging, labels and direct-to-shape production. For visitors, this creates a rare opportunity to evaluate enabling technologies side-by-side, explore real manufacturing applications and identify where industrial print is already delivering commercial value.
 
Alongside the exhibition, a high-level conference programme brings together 40+ speakers from across the industrial print and advanced manufacturing ecosystem, addressing real-world deployment across electronics, 3D inkjet, décor, packaging and smart surfaces. A dedicated AI for Industrial Print Conference on 22 January examines how artificial intelligence is amplifying industrial print’s business impact, from automation and predictive quality control to throughput optimisation and data-driven production decision-making. For delegates, the emphasis is firmly on practical insight linked to commercial outcomes.
 
The strong response to this new Munich event also reflects a broader change in buyer behaviour. Decision-makers now arrive informed, commercially focused and actively evaluating where digital processes can deliver competitive advantage, revenue growth and margin improvement. As a result, demand is growing for focused, insight-led events that connect technology capability directly to manufacturing strategy and profit potential.
 
Hosted at Motorworld Munich inside the historic Kohlebunker venue, FuturePrint Industrial Print has been designed around this need - offering an industrial, human-scale setting intended to support in-depth technical exchange, peer-to-peer learning and strategic discussion between technology developers and end-user manufacturers.
 
With exhibitor space fully booked and delegate registrations accelerating from across the global manufacturing ecosystem, the sell-out is being widely viewed as a further indication that industrial inkjet is moving into a new phase of relevance - not as a future option, but as a present-day driver of profitable manufacturing models.
 
FuturePrint Industrial Print takes place 21–22 January 2026 at Motorworld Munich. Attendance is limited and advance registration is strongly recommended.

Shaping the transformation of the textile industry, the ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition is set to lead the sector into the future with a strong focus on sustainable production and digital technologies. From environmentally friendly machinery to smart manufacturing systems, from energy-efficient solutions to artificial intelligence–supported applications, ITM 2026 will present a broad vision that defines the roadmap of textile technologies for the industry.

The ITM 2026 Exhibition, which will be organized in collaboration with Tüyap Tüm Fuarcılık Yapım A.Ş. and Teknik Fuarcılık A.Ş. and in partnership with Textile Machinery and Accessories Industrialists Association (TEMSAD), will welcome visitors at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center from June 9–13, 2026. Bringing together leading manufacturers of textile technologies, ITM 2026 will focus this year on the industry’s two most critical agenda items: Green Technologies and Digital Integration.

A Climate-Friendly Future in Textiles Takes Shape at ITM 2026
In line with global climate goals, the textile industry is undergoing a profound transformation. As a pioneer of this change, ITM 2026 will bring visitors a wide range of innovations—from dyeing technologies that minimize water consumption to weaving looms engineered for maximum energy efficiency. The “Green Machines” to be showcased throughout the exhibition will not only reduce carbon footprints but will also breathe new life into the circular economy with their superior performance in processing recycled raw materials.

Sustainable Production at the Center of ITM 2026
At a time when environmental responsibility is gaining increasing importance on a global scale, sustainable production in the textile industry is no longer a choice but a necessity. ITM 2026 will showcase the most tangible examples of this transformation. Durable, high-performance machines that contribute to the conservation of natural resources will form the backbone of the exhibition’s green technology vision. Energy-saving systems, solutions enabling closed-loop water usage and environmentally responsible chemical applications will strongly reflect ITM 2026’s sustainability approach. The exhibition will offer manufacturers the opportunity to explore technologies that create added value both environmentally and economically.

The Latest Technologies from Artificial Intelligence to Digital Twins 
ITM 2026 will highlight the transformative power of digitalization in textile manufacturing. Machines equipped with artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics, and digital twin technologies will stand out with solutions that deliver speed, quality, and flexibility in production. Through digital integration, real-time process monitoring, increased efficiency, and reduced error rates will become achievable. Playing a critical role in the transition to smart factories, these technologies will not only be showcased at ITM 2026 but will also provide an inspiring platform for knowledge and experience sharing among industry professionals.

A Strategic Platform for Global Investors
Bringing together the world’s leading textile machinery manufacturers, industry representatives, investors, and professionals in Istanbul, the ITM 2026 Exhibition will serve as a strategic business development platform for global investors. Company owners and industry professionals will have the opportunity to hear directly from experts about the latest technological solutions needed to future-proof their facilities and to experience next-generation R&D developments firsthand. Visitors will be able to closely explore innovations developed around sustainability and digital transformation in the textile industry, enabling them to make informed decisions that shape their investments.

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, and HeiQ, a Swiss deeptech materials innovator active in functional textiles and sustainable fibers, have entered into a co-marketing agreement that combines their complementary strengths to deliver advanced, planet-conscious anti-odor and antimicrobial technologies to brands, retailers, and textile mills worldwide.

Together, Archroma and HeiQ will provide brands and textile manufacturers access to an expanded portfolio of high-performance, sustainable effects, underpinned by global reach, application expertise, and proven market innovation.

“This partnership marks an exciting chapter for Archroma and HeiQ, and a huge step forward for the textile industry,” said Dhirendra Gautam, VP Commercial, Archroma. “By uniting our global reach and application know-how with HeiQ’s powerful innovation engine, we are bringing high-performance, sustainable technologies to more customers and accelerating the industry’s transition towards a more planet-conscious textile value chain.”

“HeiQ has always been driven by a mission to pioneer deeptech material innovation for people and planet,” said Carlo Centonze, CEO of HeiQ. “Together with Archroma’s extensive network and expertise, we are scaling our technologies globally, ensuring that brands and mills can access functional, sustainable solutions that enhance product performance while lowering environmental impact.”

The collaboration enables HeiQ’s advanced technologies to be delivered through Archroma’s well-established global customer network, making it easier for textile manufacturers to integrate functional, compliant, and sustainable performance effects into their products. The alliance is also about scaling innovation. Together, we will empower brands and manufacturers to meet consumer demands for hygiene, freshness, and sustainability.

Ontex Group NV (Euronext: ONTEX), a leading international developer and producer of personal care solutions, has received an ‘A’ rating for the second year in a row from CDP, the global environmental non-profit, for its leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change.

In its 2025 CDP Climate Change assessment, Ontex received strong scores across key management and transparency categories, including governance, business strategy and value chain engagement.  The assessment also highlights the clear priorities for the next phase of Ontex’s climate journey, including scaling energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions, strengthening emissions reduction initiatives and further embedding climate considerations into financial decision-making.

In 2025, Ontex further strengthened its climate performance through a number of concrete actions, including:

• Achieving 100% renewable electricity across its operations;
• Further embedding carbon transparency into product innovation, by expanding the use of its product sustainability scorecard to guide innovation and design decisions;
• Deepening supplier collaboration on climate data, working directly with suppliers to obtain primary emissions factors and improve the accuracy of Scope 3 carbon reporting.

Annick De Poorter, Chief Innovation & Sustainability Officer, said: “We are proud to earn a CDP ‘A’ rating again. It reflects the robustness of Ontex’s climate governance and the integration of climate-related risks and opportunities into strategic decision-making. Especially, since the sustainability landscape is shifting—while some reporting rules are easing, demands for transparency and proof of progress are rising. These challenges push us to keep raising the bar, working openly and together to drive real change across our value chain. That’s how we are ‘Here for you. Here for the better.’

Mimaki Europe, a leading manufacturer of industrial inkjet printers and cutting plotters, announces enhancements to its dye sublimation TS330 Series, including the introduction of the TS330-1800. The entire TS330 Series is now compatible with Mimaki’s Sb411 inks in Orange, Violet, Fluorescent Pink and Fluorescent Yellow, enhancing colour flexibility and control, and offering improved vibrancy and colour accuracy. Complementing these upgrades, the new TS330-1800 is equipped with a larger print width to cater for a broader array of textile applications within fashion, sportswear, textile signage, and home décor.

The extended colour range – now totalling at 11 different inks – provides improved vibrancy and colour saturation, ideal for high-impact branding on sportswear, fabric signage and promotional merchandise. Opening up extensive ink configurations, applications can be produced with improved colour accuracy, fulfilling production needs for sectors where high colour fidelity is required.

With a maximum printing area of 1940mm, the new TS330-1800 enables users to increase their output and diversify with larger applications, such as curtains and tapestries, while bypassing time spent sewing and pattern matching. With this extended width, more panels can be placed side-by-side, reducing rows, adjustment and waste.

Arjen Evertse, Director Sales at Mimaki Europe, remarks, “Achieving eye-catching prints is becoming increasingly important when printing textiles, particularly when it comes to branded material like signage or sportswear. To cater to this market need, vibrant inks like fluorescents, give users the ability to produce more saturated, as well as more accurate, colours in their applications.

“The TS330 Series delivers reliable, high image quality, colour density and high print speeds, and so we wanted to offer print shops a larger machine to further amplify their business growth. Thanks to its larger print width, the new TS330-1800 can now accommodate larger home décor applications, a market where digitally printed textiles are in high demand, and higher output with improved layout efficiency for other applications, in addition to all the existing benefits of a TS330 printer.”

Utilising Mimaki’s OEKO-TEX® ECO-PASSPORT certified Sb411 inks, the prints achieved by the TS330 Series are both vivid and environmentally responsible. This certification allows print providers to fulfil sustainability requirements demanded by global textile brands and eco-conscious consumers. The TS330-1800 will be delivered with the standard TxLink5 Lite RIP software for improved workflow management.

The TS330-1800 will be available across EMEA in Spring 2026.

At Heimtextil 2026, Eastman Naia™ builds on its All-Night Comfort concept, a holistic sleep comfort platform that brings together bed sheets, comforter fill and sleepwear. This year, the concept expands with new fill solutions for comforters and the firstever Heimtextil showcase of sleepwear and loungewear made with Naia™ Renew staple fiber. Across sleep-focused home textile applications, these developments highlight the versatility and performance of Naia™ Renew circular fiber, produced from 60% sustainably sourced wood pulp and 40% GRS-certified recycled content.

Naia™ Renew-based fill solutions expand for comforters 
Naia™ fill solutions are now offered in two forms: insulation and loose fill. In insulation, the offering includes options blended with recycled polyester and, as new additions, wool and recycled polyester, alongside a new 100% Naia™ Renew silky touch solution. In loose fill, the new options include fiber ball formats blended with recycled polyester or with wool and recycled polyester, as well as a down blend option. The expanded fill offering is designed to deliver breathable comfort, softness, effective moisture and odor management, and ease of care. Thanks to versatile blending possibilities, these solutions support all-season and cross-seasonal comfort, helping maintain a balanced sleep microclimate across different conditions and preferences.

Sleepwear debuts at Heimtextil
For the first time at Heimtextil, Eastman showcases sleepwear and loungewear made with Naia™ Renew staple fiber, confirming sleepwear as a strong application within the All-Night Comfort platform. Known for its next-to-skin softness, breathability and moisture comfort, Naia™ staple fiber is particularly well suited to garments designed for rest and relaxation.
This debut extends the concept of sleep comfort beyond bedding, reinforcing the connection between what surrounds the body and what touches the skin throughout the night.