From the Sector

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, launched CYCLANON® XC-W e, an innovative washing-off auxiliary that improves productivity and reduces resource consumption in cellulosic dyeing while delivering outstanding color fastness, even in difficult high-electrolyte or hard water conditions.

Conventional polyacrylate or copolymer washing-off agents often struggle to fully remove unfixed dye from fabric, especially when a high concentration of salt remains on it from the dye bath or under hard water conditions. This can lead to excessive rinsing and multiple washing baths. Ineffective washing-off may result in quality rejections due to backstaining or uneven shade development.

Archroma’s trio-polymer CYCLANON® XC-W e was designed to overcome these challenges, delivering high performance, improved productivity and water and energy savings, with minimal added cost compared to conventional polymer-based products.

Wet-fastness with measurable water, energy and time savings
With easier unfixed dye removal, mills can reduce pre-rinsing and the number of washing baths to achieve shorter washing-off cycles and save time, water, energy and chemical inputs compared to conventional polyacrylate or copolymer washing-off agents:

• Up to 15% shorter process time
• Up to 20% less water used in the washing-off stage
• Up to 20% lower CO2 emissions through reduced energy consumption
• Up to 20% reduction in chemical use

Significant productivity gains for competitive advantage
These efficiency gains also translate into higher productivity. By shortening washing-off cycles and reducing rework, CYCLANON® XC-W e helps mills process more fabric with existing equipment.
•    Up to 15% increase in throughput with the same machine set up
For example, a knit production plant producing 10 metric tons (MT) of dyed fabric per day could increase daily output by 1 MT, without expanding capacity, by using CYCLANON® XC-W e to eliminate two washing baths and reduce quality rejections.

Part of the SUPER SYSTEMS+ portfolio
CYCLANON® XC-W e is part of Archroma’s SUPER SYSTEMS+ portfolio and can be combined with the Blue Magic all-in-one pretreatment and NOVACRON® EC/S reactive dyes to create an end-to-end solution for high-quality dyeing of 100% cotton fabrics.

The system is categorized as an IMPACT+ solution within Archroma’s SUPER SYSTEMS+ Impact Matrix. This means it delivers the highest level of resource savings, high wash durability and beyond-compliance chemicals – as compared to standard FOUNDATION processes with ZDHC Gateway MRSL Level 3 compliance.

CYCLANON® XC-W e complies with the latest regulatory and brand requirements, including stringent MRSL and RSL standards. Registration for bluesign®, ZDHC Level 3, and GOTS 7.0 are underway.

From July 4 to 12, Harajuku, Tokyo’s iconic fashion district, will host “The Next 40 Years of Denim”, an immersive exhibition presented by GUESS to celebrate the past and future of denim. This unique experience blends heritage, innovation, and sustainability to mark the beginning of a new chapter, the era of air.

Already showcased in Florence and Amsterdam, the exhibition now arrives in Tokyo, bringing its global message to one of the world’s most trendsetting cities.

At the center of this transformation is Guess Airwash™, disruptive technologies developed by Jeanologia that replaces traditional stonewashing. Using air, light, and nanobubbles, it eliminates pumice stones, drastically reduces water consumption, by up to 80%, and avoids harmful chemicals and excessive energy use, while maintaining the iconic authentic denim look.

“We are proud to partner with GUESS in bringing this revolution to Japan,” says Carmen Silla, Marketing Director at Jeanologia. “Guess Airwash™ represents the perfect fusion of fashion, technology, and environmental responsibility. Its arrival in Japan is a milestone in our shared mission to transform the denim industry.”

The exhibition features a live Airwash Lab, offering behind-the-scenes insight into sustainable denim production with Jeanologia’s cutting-edge technologies, laser, e-flow, and G2 ozone. Visitors can also enjoy a customization area, where they receive a denim tote bag to personalize with high-precision laser engraving. Local artists such as Ryota Daimon and A Love Movement add personal touches. 

Additionally, the newly opened GUESS flagship store in Shibuya now features Jeanologia’s Nano laser technology, offering in-store customizations with a fast, precise, and eco-friendly process.

“The Next 40 Years of Denim” is more than an exhibition, it’s a statement. It proves that denim can be authentic, creative, and sustainable all at once. And Tokyo, with its forward-thinking spirit, is the perfect place to take the next step.

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, unveiled a fully redesigned website (www.archroma.com), aimed at enhancing customer experience and accelerating the transition to more sustainable practices across the textiles, packaging, and paper value chains.

Rooted in Archroma’s sustainability-driven mission, the new digital platform is designed to help manufacturers and brands make smarter, science-based decisions that reduce environmental impact. With this launch, Archroma reinforces its commitment to enabling a more sustainable future—through innovation, transparency, and accessible technology.

“The new website comes at a pivotal time for our industries, where increasing demand for lower-impact solutions – along with more stringent regulations and standards – is making sustainability a business imperative for everyone,” Dhirendra Gautam, VP Global Marketing and Strategy, Archroma Textile Effects, said. “More than a visual refresh, our upgraded website reflects our commitment to helping customers navigate fast-changing, competitive markets with smart, sustainable, accessible solutions.”

For example, Textile Effects solutions can be explored by end-use market or innovation theme. A new user-friendly SUPER SYSTEMS+ tool brings interactivity to the product portfolio, spanning preparation, dyeing, denim, printing and finishing. It guides users to select the right low-impact system for a specific market, end-use segment, fabric and shade, based on unique sustainability targets, compliance requirements and performance goals.
The new Packaging Technologies section showcases innovative solutions for a wide range of markets and applications. Visitors to the website will see how Archroma enables circular packaging with more sustainable chemistry spanning the entire value chain. The innovation section will highlight the latest breakthrough solutions and thought leadership content.

Key features of the new site include:

• Industry-centered solutions to help users quickly access information tailored to the specific challenges of the textile and packaging sector.
• Enhanced navigation and search for easier access to information, resources and support.
• A dynamic newsroom, with the latest company insights, technology updates and industry events.
• Improved contact tools for faster access to Archroma experts for support and collaboration.

A much more sustainable, cost effective and very flexible process for manufacturing critical fibres based on ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is being launched by the UK’s Fibre Extrusion Technologies (FET).

UHMWPE is prized in many industries due to its extraordinary properties. The fibre is, for example, ten times stronger than steel by weight, while exhibiting outstanding abrasion resistance, low friction and high impact strength. UHMWPE fibres are also chemically inert, resistant to most chemicals and UV light and do not absorb water. They maintain performance in a wide range of temperatures and despite their toughness are extremely lightweight.

As a result, they are unbeatable in demanding applications such as high-performance ropes in maritime industrial and rescue applications. In addition, they are invaluable in ballistic protection, cut-resistant clothing and high-performance sports gear – and increasingly in medical implants.

Biomedical market
“FET has supplied many extrusion systems to the biomedical market, most notably for the production of both resorbable and non-absorbable sutures,” says FET Managing Director Richard Slack. “In exploring what else we could do in assisting these customers, it became clear that there was a need for smaller quantities of UHMWPE fibres in bespoke sizes.”

“The current systems for manufacturing UHMWPE filament yarns are on a huge scale, with very complex processing routes,” adds Research and Development Manager Jonny Hunter. “This means the supply chain is currently very inflexible with minimal opportunity for new product development. These disadvantages have been fully addressed in the development of our new FET-500 series lab and small scale gel spinning system.”

Solvent extraction
A major FET innovation is the introduction of a patented batch system for solvent extraction exploiting supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2).

UHMWPE production, until now, has involved the use of large volumes of hazardous solvents such as dichloromethane (DCM) or hexane. The UHMWPE powder is mixed with mineral oil to form a gel which is subsequently extruded, cooled and solidified. The oil is then extracted from the fibres using DCM or hexane and the solid fibres are then drawn at high temperature to further align the polymer chains, resulting in final strong and tough fibres. Typically, it takes 10 kg of Hexane to extract 1 kg of oil. 

“Solvent reclamation using extraction baths and hot air drying chambers is not practical for the scale of our system,” explains FET’s Senior Material and Process Scientist Kris Kortsen. “The current baths employed can be up to 200 metres long and the waste volumes are considerable. Expertise is needed in dealing with such dangerous chemicals and overall the process has an immense environmental impact.

“CO2, by contrast, is a cheap and abundant sustainable solvent that is non-toxic, non-flammable and leaves no residue.” 

Closed loop
FET’s closed-loop system can achieve more than 95% solvent recovery without loss of performance, resulting in residue-free UHMWPE filament yarns via a vastly improved route in terms of both safety and logistics.

A further innovation is the highly modular drawing system based on heated godet rollers, enabling flexible temperature and drawing control for new product development and the ability to be expanded at any time to meet customer needs.

A comprehensive LCA study detailing the full savings potential is currently being prepared and will be published shortly.

“Having processed over 130 separate polymers in the development of our extrusion systems, we believe the FET-500 is a game changer,” concludes Richard Slack. “We believe there is a big gap in the market for smaller quantities of UHMWPE, and our first line is now fully operational at the FET Fibre Development Centre in Leeds. We look forward to demonstrating it and discussing its full potential with interested companies from around the world.”

DyStar, a leading specialty chemicals company with more than a century of tradition in product development and innovation, announced that its main shareholder, Zhejiang Longsheng Group Co., Ltd, has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire 37.57% of the issued shares of DyStar Global Holdings (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., previously held by Kiri Industries Limited. 

The acquisition follows a ruling by the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) requiring the sale of 100% of DyStar's equity. As the controlling shareholder with 62.43% of DyStar, the strategic acquisition of the outstanding shares by Zhejiang Longsheng Group will result in DyStar becoming a wholly owned subsidiary. This transaction ends the long-standing legal dispute with Kiri Industries and thus prevents a complete sale of DyStar. 

The total purchase price is $696.5478 million, subject to adjustments on or after the closing date. Closing is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions, with the expected closing date being no later than 3 November 2025. 

Xu Yalin, Managing Director and President of the DyStar Group, said: ‘We are pleased with the final settlement of the legal dispute, which will enable the DyStar Group to move forward with certainty, confidence and a new strategic focus. This is a significant milestone in our 30-year history, as it strengthens our long-term stability and commitment to our global stakeholders.’ 

This development will enable DyStar to further expand its leadership position in the specialty chemicals sector and its value chain. The group remains firmly committed to driving innovation, promoting sustainable practices and pursuing strategic growth initiatives to strengthen its global competitiveness.

Borealis continues to invest in growth through sustainable solutions that are transforming the polymer industry. Its facility in Burghausen, Germany, is significantly expanding production capacity for an innovative polymer foam solution called Daploy™ High Melt Strength polypropylene (HMS PP). This investment—totaling over EUR 100 million—addresses growing global demand for recyclable, high-performance foam solutions. The new line, scheduled to start up in the second half of 2026, will triple Borealis’ supply capability for fully recyclable HMS PP. This expansion enables the transition to more circular and recyclable material solutions for customers in the consumer products, automotive, and building and construction industries.  
 
The development of Daploy HMS PP took place at Borealis’ Innovation Headquarters in Linz. The new product provides exceptional foamability, lightweight properties, and mechanical strength—characteristics that support material efficiency and help cut both costs and CO2 emissions. It is suitable for use in monomaterial solutions, which are easily recyclable at end of life.  
 
By supporting the sustainability principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, Daploy HMS PP addresses the growing demand for recyclable solutions across multiple industry segments:
 
In the automotive industry, Daploy is used for ultra-lightweight foamed interior and under-the-hood components. Typically 60-90% lighter than non-foamed alternatives, these components help improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. It also enables zero-waste production as all production trim-offs can be easily recycled. In addition, Daploy makes it possible for these parts to be constructed from a single material, facilitating recycling at the end of the vehicle’s life.  
In the building and construction sector, Daploy HMS PP is used to replace heavier materials in insulation and paneling applications. Its durability, strength, and heat resistance ensure excellent performance, while its lightweight properties and recyclability improve the sustainability of these components.
 
“In line with our We4Customers strategy, this investment creates value for customers by enabling them to design recyclable, foam-based products for a wide range of high-performance applications,” explains Craig Arnold, Borealis Executive Vice President Polyolefins, Circular Economy Solutions and Base Chemicals. “By expanding production, we’re ensuring a reliable supply of this advanced material to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals and deliver high-performance solutions.”

The winners of the 2025 IDEA® Achievement Awards and FiltXPO™ Innovation Awards were announced during special ceremonies held April 29 and 30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida. Presented at the co-located IDEA®25 and FiltXPO™ 2025 events, the awards celebrate outstanding innovations driving progress in nonwovens and filtration. INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, collaborated with International Filtration News for the FiltXPO™ Awards and Nonwovens Industry magazine for the IDEA® Achievement Awards.

IDEA® Equipment Achievement Award
Dilo Systems GmbH – MicroPunch
The rising energy costs and water shortages have led to a re-evaluation of production methods, with a stronger focus on environmental impact. With MicroPunch, it is possible to reduce energy consumption by approximately 75 percent compared with other consolidation techniques that produce lightweight nonwovens. This technology enhances efficiency and reduces the manufacturing costs and the environmental footprint.

IDEA® Nonwoven Products Achievement Award
Innovatec Microfibre Technology GmbH & Co. KG – InnovaWipe® Water-Soluble Nonwoven
This water-soluble nonwoven is completely biodegradable under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. It offers excellent resistance to oils, greases and chemicals. It does not leave any microplastics behind, breaking down into carbon dioxide, water and biomass. It also has no ecotoxic effects, is safe for the marine environment and does not cause fatbergs or blockages in wastewater systems – flushable and home compostable.

IDEA® Raw Materials Achievement Award
Woolchemy NZ Ltd. – neweFibre
Woolchemy’s neweFibre is the world’s first hygiene-grade wool, engineered for high-performance, sustainable hygiene products. This fully traceable, renewable fiber enhances moisture management, thermal comfort, and odor control. Seamlessly integrating into production, neweFibre powers innovations like neweFlex ADL for exceptional fluid distribution and skin dryness.

IDEA® Short-life Achievement Award
Egal Pads, Inc. – Egal™ Pads on a Roll
At Egal, we believe pads should be as common as toilet paper.  Our vision is that “pads on a roll” will be put in every toilet stall – where they are needed most – to ensure privacy and dignity to all who menstruate.  Egal pads are manufactured in roll form, 40 individually wrapped on each roll, so they can be mounted on existing toilet paper dispensers or in Egal’s custom-designed dispensers.

IDEA® Long-life Achievement Award
Magnera – Sontara® EcoRE Bag
EcoRE bags are produced entirely from cellulosic fibers, presenting a sustainable alternative to traditional synthetic materials. Made with Sontara fabric certified by OK compost HOME, these bags maintain their durability and strength without the need for added binders, addressing a common concern with compostable goods. With plastic bag bans now in place in many states, Sontara offers a timely and eco-friendly solution for the retail and shopping market.

IDEA® Sustainability Advancement Award
KINDCLOTH™ – PURA HEALTH Insect Repellent – Water Dissolvable Wipes
This wet wipe combines water-dissolvable Hydropol™ technology with a natural formula featuring lemongrass and citronella. Designed for eco-conscious consumers, this innovative wipe provides effective insect protection while leaving no waste behind. Certified biodegradable, flushable, and designed not to create harmful microplastics, it safeguards fragile ecosystems and supports sustainability goals.

IDEA® Entrepreneur Award
Dude Products, Inc.
In less than a decade, the Dude Wipes brand has grown from an entrepreneurial concept conceived in a bachelor’s post-college apartment to a more than $200 million global brand. These flushable wipes have flourished in flushable wipes industry, successfully going head to head against multinational consumer product companies Kimberly-Clark, S.C. Johnson, and Procter & Gamble.

FiltXPO Air/Gas Filtration Award
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 percent naturally derived fibers and OC-Biobinder®, BioProtect™ is both biobased and home compostable, combining premium performance with environmental responsibility.

FiltXPO Filtration Equipment Award
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.

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, will present its groundbreaking solutions for textile and fashion brands at this year's China Interdye. Archroma’s showcase will emphasize its High IQ® Lasting Color assurance program and the PHOBOTEX® range of durable water-repellent finishes, underscoring the company’s dedication to providing low impact, durable, and long-lasting garment solutions.

As the largest specialized exhibition for textile dyes and chemicals, China Interdye 2025 offers a key platform for Archroma to present its latest advancements. This year’s focus is on innovative solutions that help brands achieve not only their sustainability goals but also meet the increasing demand for high-performance, long-lasting products in the textile and fashion industries.

“China continues to play a pivotal role in global textile production, with increasing demand for lower impact and high performance solutions,” said Christine Cai, Vice President of North Asia, Archroma Textile Effects. “We are excited to bring our High IQ® Lasting Color and PHOBOTEX® solutions to China Interdye, enabling brands to deliver garments that combine outstanding functionality, durability, and sustainability.”

Brilliant colors and long-lasting garments
Archroma is evolving its well-established High IQ® performance assurance program to include its innovative and sustainable intelligent textile effects.

As the first High IQ® program to be reintroduced, High IQ® Lasting Color incorporates Archroma’s most innovative color-retention technologies to ensure that garments stay looking new for longer—with bright shades that retain their intensity and dark shades that stay dark. Powered by specially selected AVITERA® SE and NOVACRON® dyes, High IQ® Lasting Color also helps mills and brands reduce their environmental footprint by using up to 50% less water and energy in processing.

PHOBOTEX® Range: Durable Water Repellency
Another highlight of the showcase at China Interdye will be the PHOBOTEX® range of durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes. With over a decade of innovation in fluorine-free “C0” technologies, PHOBOTEX® is at the forefront of the shift toward non-PFC DWR solutions. These advanced technologies provide long-lasting protection and comfort, incorporating renewable raw materials for a more sustainable approach.

Designed to meet current and future industry standards, the PHOBOTEX® range includes fluorine-free hydro polymers and bio-based options. It is easy to apply to any substrate, offering solutions for a variety of end uses. From everyday stain protection without compromising fabric feel, to extreme environment defenses, PHOBOTEX® ensures versatility. Additionally, it enhances mill productivity with excellent runnability, enabling faster, trouble-free production and consistent results.

EIM (Environmental Impact Measuring), the leading global platform for measuring the environmental impact of garment finishing—trusted by the world's top brands and textile production centers—presents the "Innovations and Challenges in Denim Finishing: 2024 Report." This pioneering report provides an analysis based on accurate, objective data from over 115,000 denim finishing processes collected through the EIM platform, setting new benchmarks for sustainability in the industry.

The report reveals that 63% of the analyzed processes are already classified as low environmental impact, reflecting a positive shift toward more responsible practices. However, it also highlights critical challenges, such as the high use of hazardous chemicals (24% of processes), particularly pumice stones and potassium permanganate—practices that urgently require safer and more sustainable alternatives due to their negative effects on both the environment and worker health.

Progress in water consumption management is also considered, as this remains one of the key environmental challenges for the textile sector. The report shows that the current average water usage in denim finishing is 30 liters per garment—still above the recommended benchmark of 22.5 liters per garment. Effective strategies for reducing water consumption include optimizing rinsing processes, selecting fabrics that require less aggressive treatments, and implementing technologies such as ozone, e-flow, and smart foam systems.

Among the proposed improvements are also the adoption of advanced technologies to reduce chemical use and protect worker health, such as the strategic selection of ZDHC-certified chemicals and the automation and digitalization of manual processes.

Begoña García, creator of the EIM platform and co-author of the report, states: “For years, the textile industry has lacked reliable tools to measure its environmental impact, making data-driven decisions difficult. This report marks a crucial step toward transparency and continuous improvement, showing that technology is key to measuring and reducing environmental impact.”

The report aims to support informed decision-making based on verifiable data, positioning EIM as a global standard essential for transparency and ongoing sustainability improvements in the textile industry.
The full report is available for download and will be updated annually, serving as a vital tool for brands and suppliers to collaborate in reducing their environmental footprint and advancing toward a more responsible and sustainable production model.

The initiative will deploy 60 vehicles by 2030, aiming for a 90% reduction in Cavalinho’s fleet transport carbon emissions.

Solvay is advancing its sustainability efforts by partnering with Cavalinho, the leading road transport provider for its operations in Brazil. This collaboration aims to reduce the carbon footprint of Solvay's operations in Paulínia, the largest chemical complex in Brazil, which produces over 1.2 million tons of chemicals annually. Solvay will be one the first companies in Brazil to adopt biofuel-powered trucks for transportation, supporting its goal of cutting scope 3 emissions by 20% by 2030.

The project, launched on April 1, 2025, at Solvay's Paulínia site, will start operations in 2026 with an initial fleet of 20 vehicles, each with a range of 650 km. To achieve a 90% reduction in Cavalinho’s transport carbon emissions, the fleet will grow to 60 vehicles by 2030. This strategic move addresses Brazil's infrastructure challenges for long-haul electric truck travel, offering a sustainable alternative through biofuel.

This initiative is part of Paulínia's broader sustainability push. Solvay recently announced a climate project to replace two-thirds of the steam produced in its boilers, currently using fossil natural gas, with a biomass boiler initiative. Since 2005, the Paulínia site has achieved a 95% CO₂ reduction, which will reach 97% by 2027 with the biomass initiative.