From the Sector

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has selected the REGEN project as one of three groundbreaking initiatives to integrate circularity into the defence sector. Uplift360, a pioneer in advanced material recycling technologies, will play a critical role in this effort, leveraging its specialist expertise in the recycling and regeneration of aramid fibres to advance sustainable material solutions for high-performance defence applications.

Uplift360 is a cleantech innovator specializing in the recycling of advanced materials, including carbon fibre and aramid. With a focus on circular economy solutions, Uplift360 provides technologies that reduce waste, lower emissions, and support a more sustainable future.

Driving Circularity in Defence
As part of the REGEN project, Uplift360 will focus on the recovery and reuse of continuous aramid fibres, a critical component in defence applications. This effort includes overcoming the complex challenge of PFAS coating removal, a significant barrier to scaling up advanced material recycling. By developing innovative technologies to increase the quality and characteristics of recycled spun aramids, Uplift360 aims to directly engage with material users for ongoing product evolution and development.

The REGEN project brings together a powerful consortium, including FECSA and AITEX from Spain, Uplift360 and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST). This collaboration aims to accelerate the transition to a circular economy within the defence sector by fostering knowledge sharing, technical innovation, and sustainable resource management.
 
Uplift360’s Role in REGEN
•    Advanced Fibre Recovery: Expertise in recycling and regeneration of aramid fibres.
•    PFAS Coatings Removal Technology: Developing solutions to overcome this critical scaling challenge.
•    Direct Industry Collaboration: Engaging with material users to refine and evolve product performance.
•    Circular Economy Leadership: Contributing to the long-term sustainability of defence materials.
•    Techno-economic analysis (TEA): To optimise the process accordingly.
 
Partners’ Roles in REGEN
•    FECSA: Coordinator of the REGEN project, FECSA leads the consortium and communication strategy, contributing its expertise in advanced protective textiles and sustainable innovation for the defence sector.
•    AITEX: As a partner in the REGEN project consortium, AITEX is leading the development of the fabric and characterisation testing. It is also supporting Uplift360 by contributing its expertise in optimising the wet-spinning process.
•    LIST: As a partner in the REGEN project consortium, LIST is responsible for the life cycle assessment (LCA).

SANITIZED AG, a global leader in hygiene function and material protection technologies, and the global specialty chemical company Rudolf Holding SE & Co. KG, announce a new exclusive distribution partnership. Effective February 1, 2026, RUDOLF will become the exclusive distributor of Sanitized® textile additives worldwide. A transition period will begin on September 1, 2025, during which both the current and new distributors will ensure continuity of supply and support to customers. 

This strategic collaboration brings together two family-owned companies that share common values: a deep commitment to customer proximity, a sustainable business mindset, and the ambition to drive game-changing innovation in the global textile industry. With SANITIZED’s trusted expertise in hygiene management and odor control and RUDOLF’s world-leading capabilities in textile finishing, the partnership unites two highly competent and respected industry players in service of the global textile industry. 

The shift comes at a time of increasing market complexity. Evolving customer requirements, trade barriers, and structural overcapacity are placing new demands on the industry. In response, SANITIZED and RUDOLF are joining forces to deliver even greater value through close collaboration, global availability of products and technical support, and ongoing innovation aligned with the latest technological and sustainability standards. 

With more than 2,000 employees, 18 production sites, and 50 sales offices across Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Asia, RUDOLF offers market access and customer support at a global scale. Its “One-Phase to the Customer” mindset ensures that service, technical consulting, and customer needs are handled with a seamless, integrated approach. 

Customers will benefit from global availability, strong local support, and broad range of trusted high-quality products. The Sanitized® Seal of Confidence further builds consumer trust and helps customers differentiate their offerings, showcasing proven effectiveness and lasting product reliability. Sanitized® technologies will be available through RUDOLF from September 1, 2025, onward. As of February 1, 2026, RUDOLF will assume full exclusive distribution rights.

“We are very much looking forward to working with our new distribution partner,” said Michael Lüthi, CEO of SANITIZED. “RUDOLF shares the same long-term values as SANITIZED – a deep commitment to partnership, trust, and delivering added value to the textile industry. Together, we are ready to take the next step in serving our customers worldwide and striving to be the industry’s preferred partner.” 

Marcos Furrer, CEO of RUDOLF, added: “With over a century of experience in textile chemistry, we deeply value the importance of trusted partnerships and staying close to the customer. This new exciting collaboration with SANITIZED is a strong strategic fit that allows us to combine technical excellence with a shared ambition to use our common understanding of customer’s needs. We are thrilled to embark on this journey together.” 

Outlast Technologies, a global pioneer in temperature regulation, announces the launch of a next-generation fabric developed in collaboration with Reggiani Group, Italy’s renowned innovator in luxury textiles. This latest advancement is designed to elevate thermal com-fort across fashion, casualwear, and performance apparel - offering intelligent climate con-trol without compromise.

The new fabrics are the result of an intense collaboration between the two companies, combining Outlast’s patented temperature regulating technology with Reggiani’s heritage of textile excellence. At its core is a system of microcapsules filled with natural wax that absorb, store, and release heat as needed - constantly adapting to changes in body activity and ambient temperature. The result is a dynamic textile that keeps wearers in their com-fort zone, regardless of climate or activity level.

Engineered for discerning brands in high-end fashion, luxury athleisure, and technical sportswear, the fabric meets the evolving expectations of today’s consumers - who demand both advanced performance and responsible production. Developed using sustainable pro-cesses and carefully selected materials, the fabric reflects both companies’ deep commit-ment to innovation with purpose.

With this launch, Outlast and Reggiani Group are redefining what premium fabrics can achieve - fusing functionality, sustainability, and elegance into a single textile platform tailored for the next generation of apparel.

“This collaboration is a natural step in our Group’s ongoing pursuit of cutting-edge textile solutions,” says Giovanni Reggiani, CEO of Reggiani Group. “By combining Outlast’s tech-nological expertise with our tradition of material innovation, we have created a fabric that anticipates the needs of the future,” ads Marco Spola, General Manager of the Group.

“In a world of constant temperature shifts - from climate-controlled offices to parked cars baking in the sun - these fabrics allow wearers to stay comfortable without a second thought,” said Luca Nicolo, Outlast Sales Agent for Italy and France. “Our collaboration with Reggiani represents the perfect synergy between breakthrough technology and textile craftsmanship, and we’re proud to introduce this innovation to Europe and beyond.”

In a constantly evolving fashion landscape, where aesthetics meets awareness and luxury evolves beyond simple beauty, where materials are called to embody wellbeing, responsibility and versatility, Bemberg™ by Asahi Kasei stands as a rare material: precious in its origin, essential to the experience.

Rare because it is produced exclusively by Asahi Kasei in Japan through a highly specialized, and closed-loop process. Rare because it originates from cotton linters — a natural derived pre-consumer material — and accounts for only 0.02% of global fiber production. Rare because it offers a one-of-a-kind aesthetic, sensorial and functional identity, recognized and valued by designers and brands worldwide.

But Bemberg™ is not simply rare — IT IS A FIBER TO LIVE. Its true value unfolds through experience: worn, touched, and explored across diverse lifestyles and when the occasion arises. With its silky softness, fluid drape, luminous appearance, moisture management and skin-friendly comfort, Bemberg™ offers an unparalleled sense of wellbeing to the wearer — ensuring freshness in summer, warmth in winter (especially when blended with other fibers), and a constant feeling of ease, elegance and comfort. This is why Bemberg™ represents not only a technical fiber, but a true partner for those who seek comfort in motion, sophistication in simplicity, and responsible elegance in every moment.

Born 94 years ago in Japan by Asahi Kasei, Bemberg™ has evolved far beyond its origins, becoming a versatile material for multiple categories and hybrid wardrobes: from high-end outerwear to intimate apparel, from fluid knitwear to athleisure and lifestyle collections. Whether in luxury tailoring, couture surfaces, performance wear or modern ceremonial dressing, Bemberg™ elevates each garment through its distinctive touch and graceful adaptability. It is a fiber that opens new creative doors, allowing designers to build collections where design, innovation and responsibility coexist harmoniously. As fashion enters a new era of fluid silhouettes, sensorial materials, and conscious luxury, Bemberg™ offers an exclusive creative platform for brands that seek not just beauty, but meaning and elevated values.

In addition, Bemberg™ carries a prestigious heritage rooted in circular economy values. Produced exclusively in Japan from cotton linters — a natural, pre-consumer material — Bemberg™ embodies a unique form of RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION. Regenerated cellulose obtained from the manufacturing process of cottonseed oil through a closed-loop process ensures transparency and traceability, delivering certified sustainability credentials, including RCS, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, ISO 14001, and biodegradability certification (OK biodegradable MARINE certification by TÜV Austria).

At the heart of Bemberg™’s journey is a collaborative network of European partners: spinners, weavers, knitters, and finishers. Partnerships that are essential to ACTIVATE the values and the potential of the fiber, transforming it into high-end fabrics that respond to the needs of a contemporary, conscious and sophisticated wardrobe. Bemberg™ IS NOT SIMPLY  meant to be WORN, but  to be  LIVED.  

At Milano Unica, Première Vision, A Fabric Affair NYC and Feel The Yarn, Bemberg™ partners present their latest developments for Fall/Winter 2026-2027 — a collective journey where smart fiber, design, and craftsmanship converge to redefine the future of premium fashion.

Patrick McDowell, the renowned British brand at the forefront of sustainable luxury fashion, has announced a new collaboration with Sparxell, the world-first, nature-inspired colour platform technology company founded by University of Cambridge scientists Dr Benjamin Droguet and Professor Silvia Vignolini. The company creates high-performance, biodegradable colourants that are free from plastic and toxic chemicals using plant-based cellulose. This collaboration will unveil a couture printed gown and a commercially available shirt dress, marking a defining moment as Patrick McDowell becomes the first brand to integrate Sparxell’s cutting-edge innovations into fashion.

Known for advancing the boundaries of circular and eco-conscious design, McDowell continues to reinforce his brand’s commitment to a more responsible fashion industry. This collaboration showcases the potential for innovation to redefine luxury, with the collection making its debut at Future Fabrics Expo 2025, the world’s leading platform for sustainable materials for the fashion industry. The launch signals a broader industry shift toward forward-thinking practices that will shape the future of luxury as well as mainstream fashion.

“This is about making sustainability tangible. One piece shows what’s possible at the highest level of craft, the other makes that possibility part of everyday life,” said Patrick McDowell, Creative Director and Founder.
 
Unlike conventional synthetic materials, Sparxell’s bio-inspired approach creates natural yet high-performance products. The company pioneers the world’s first 100% biodegradable pigments, inks and embellishments such as sequins and foils inspired by nature. Sparxell eliminates fossil-derived synthetic finishes and their associated excessive water consumption and carbon emissions, offering an alternative capable of achieving vivid colours and luxurious effects from plants. By emulating natural colour processes known as photonic colours widely seen in nature, their products deliver rich hues and durable textures with the lowest environmental harm, allowing brands to create consciously without compromise. 
 
“What excites me about Sparxell is how they're advancing what's possible in responsible luxury. Their plant-based pigments and plastic-free sequins are exceptionally vibrant yet completely non-toxic and biodegradable. It opens up entirely new creative possibilities,” said Patrick McDowell, Creative Director and Founder.
 
The collection showcases Sparxell's innovative colour technology across multiple applications. McDowell’s couture gown features two distinct shades of Sparxell's signature blue - a sophisticated matte finish and a brilliant shimmery effect that captures light through structural colour rather than traditional sparkle materials, otherwise derived from synthetic dyed plastics or mined metals and minerals. The collection also includes a bag crafted from NUVI's next-gen material made with a coating containing Sparxell's shimmers.

These represent the first commercial shades that Sparxell is launching to market, with additional colours already available for early adopter brands. Sparxell’s platform enables unlimited colour variations to be manufactured.
 
The collection is set to officially debut at Future Fabrics Expo 2025 on Tuesday the 24th of June, providing industry leaders, designers, and sustainability advocates with an exclusive opportunity to experience this next-generation innovation firsthand.

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has announced that eco-friendly wipes developed by Cookware Care, Dude Products Inc., and Magnera have been selected as the finalists for the 2025 World of WipesInnovation Award®, honoring advances in sustainable materials and next-generation wipe performance.

INDA’s Technical Advisory Board selected the finalists for their creativity, distinctiveness, and technical excellence in advancing nonwoven applications across the value chain, including innovations in raw materials, roll goods, converting, packaging, active ingredients, binders, additives, and end-use performance.

The three standout products competing for the award are Cookware Care’s Seasoning Wipes™, Dude Products’ DUDE Odor Destroyer XL Flushable Deodorant Wipes, and Magnera’s Sontara EC® Green Cotton.

The companies will showcase their products at the World of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference, July 21-24, at the Hilton Columbus Downtown in Columbus, Ohio. The winner will be announced during the closing session on July 24.

Presented annually, the World of Wipes Innovation Award recognizes breakthroughs in nonwoven product design and application. It celebrates innovation across the entire wipes supply chain, highlighting advancements in raw materials, fibers, technology, and functionality that enhance the utility and sustainability of nonwovens.

The 2025 Award finalists are:

• Seasoning Wipes™ offer a simple, convenient, mess-free solution for maintaining cast iron and carbon steel cookware. Made from 100 percent viscose and infused through a proprietary process using a combination of non-petrochemical oils and beeswax, the formula contains no water, emulsifiers, or synthetic additives. The wipes streamline and simplify traditional maintenance with a cleaner, more consistent solution. Seasoning Wipes™ sets a new standard for cookware maintenance while expanding the possibilities of nonwovens beyond traditional applications.
• DUDE Odor Destroyer XL Flushable Deodorant Wipes utilize powerful, long-lasting technology to capture and eliminate the compounds that cause body odor (including fecal odor), rather than just masking them. These wipes are proven to neutralize odor instantly and reduce it for up to 24 hours on skin, fabric, and in the air. Made with plant-based fibers, aloe vera, and vitamin E, the hypoallergenic wipes, infused with a sea mineral scent, redefine personal hygiene and modern cleanliness.
• Sontara EC® Green Cotton wipes advance sustainable precision cleaning with natural pure performance. Made from a proprietary blend of 100 percent naturally derived, biodegradable fibers—including pure unbleached TruCotton™ and sustainably sourced wood pulp—these innovative nonwoven wipes deliver superior absorbency, low lint, and a visibly natural aesthetic, perfect for industrial and critical cleaning environments demanding both technical excellence and environmental responsibility.

Since 1865, Carnet, a division of the Ratti Group, has been weaving stories of elegance and craftsmanship. Today, drawing on this legacy, it redefines the language of tailoring in a contemporary key, transforming the selection of a fabric into an immersive and surprising experience.

On the upcoming edition of Pitti Uomo, Carnet presents “Fabrics On-The- Go”, a project that merges sartorial tradition with technological innovation, engaging visitors through an interactive and captivating experience. Attendees will be invited to challenge themselves with content inspired by the world of tailoring and fashion, following a journey designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding of the textile universe. Among the highlights: exclusive fabrics, personalized accessories, and a special Golden Fabric.

The project is realized in collaboration with four outstanding names from the Italian and international textile scene — Bemberg by Asahi Kasei, Brunello, Ferla, and Tessuti di Sondrio. This synergy represents not only a shared showcase but also a statement of intent: to celebrate Italian excellence through a forward-looking sartorial vision that never loses sight of its roots.

With this initiative, Carnet confirms its role as a curator of excellence and a promoter of a tailoring approach that blends craftsmanship, modernity, and technology. The goal is clear: to make the world of tailoring a relevant, inclusive, and culturally vibrant experience.

“We want fabric to once again become a conscious and inspirational choice when building one’s wardrobe,” says Tim Neckebroeck, Head of Carnet.

It is no coincidence that the project debuts at Pitti Uomo, the benchmark stage for contemporary men’s fashion. An international event that brings together luxury brands, top-tier tailors, buyers, and creatives — the ideal venue to present Carnet’s modern vision, a forerunner since 1865, capable of reinventing itself without ever losing the thread of its heritage.

Neste and Chevron Lummus Global (CLG), a leading technology provider for the production of renewable and conventional transportation fuels, are partnering to drive innovation in renewable fuels. The companies have joined forces to develop a new technology enabling conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into high-quality, lower-emission renewable fuels, such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel. 

The joint development has reached the first major milestone, and the piloting results indicate that the new technology could offer a significant performance improvement over existing technologies for lignocellulosic raw materials. Neste and CLG are currently validating the technology and targeting readiness to scale up the technology to commercial scale. 

Vast amounts of lignocellulosic waste and residues from existing forest industry and agricultural production remain underutilized and could be leveraged as valuable renewable raw materials. These waste and residues are generated, for instance, in harvesting operations and forest industry processing, or they are end-of-life wood materials. 

“Lignocellulosic waste and residues can make an important contribution as a new and scalable raw material pool for renewable fuels. The technology development with CLG has progressed well, and we are very encouraged by the initial results. Unlocking the potential of these promising raw materials would allow us to meet the growing demand of renewable fuels in the long-term and contribute to ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction targets,” describes Lars Peter Lindfors, Senior Vice President of Technology and Innovation at Neste.

The strategic partnership combines Neste's pioneering expertise and global leadership in renewable fuels as well as CLG's extensive experience and proven track record in developing and licensing market-leading refining technologies.

“The successful proof of concept marks a major milestone in the collaboration, advancing the efforts towards commercial-scale production of renewable fuels from abundantly available but technically challenging lignocellulosic raw materials. We are confident this partnership will pave a new pathway for producing renewable fuels, leveraging our versatile and scalable hydroprocessing technology platform,” says Rajesh Samarth, Chief Executive Officer of CLG.