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27.10.2025

Uster presents novelties at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025

 

The Uster 360Q universe is growing with new products, solutions and services. Innovation developments can also be recorded in the fields of man-made fiber testing and fabric inspection. Uster innovations address the industry’s trending topics as mill management and process control, optimization of delivered fabric quality and yield.

The simplicity of fabric quality control
Uster presents at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 the brand-new Uster Fabriq Vision 2. The next generation fabric inspection system stands for reliable performance – also in challenging environments – and shows enhanced detection capabilities. Both advantages result from the Smart Vision Camera 3 for high-performance in-camera image processing. Uster’s real-time process monitoring and quality inspection solution further convinces by simplified operation through Uster Intelligence-supported style creations as well as by image-based and supported visual setting adjustment for easier adaption. 

 

The Uster 360Q universe is growing with new products, solutions and services. Innovation developments can also be recorded in the fields of man-made fiber testing and fabric inspection. Uster innovations address the industry’s trending topics as mill management and process control, optimization of delivered fabric quality and yield.

The simplicity of fabric quality control
Uster presents at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 the brand-new Uster Fabriq Vision 2. The next generation fabric inspection system stands for reliable performance – also in challenging environments – and shows enhanced detection capabilities. Both advantages result from the Smart Vision Camera 3 for high-performance in-camera image processing. Uster’s real-time process monitoring and quality inspection solution further convinces by simplified operation through Uster Intelligence-supported style creations as well as by image-based and supported visual setting adjustment for easier adaption. 

Fabric producers need to ensure a consistently high rate of defect detection by automated control during final inspection. Uster Fabriq Vision 2 offers advanced process safety through the Super Inspection Mode for increased security, even after production, and consistent Uster Intelligence-supported quality decisions. The system’s ability finally allows fabric yield to be optimized and prevents claims – quickly set up and easy handled when fine tuning.

Fiber process control for cotton, synthetics and blends
Uster AFIS 6 has been launched earlier this year but will be presented at ITMA Asia + CITME in Singapore first time to an audience in Asia. The next-generation AFIS stands out by uniquely testing man-made fiber properties in addition to cotton in the same unit. It provides critical data to optimize fiber process control in spinning, paving the way for superior yarn quality and reduced waste.

AFIS 6 can be seamlessly integrated in the mills quality management regime by connecting to Uster Quality Expert and the integration of the Uster Statistics. The enhanced user experience result from the new user interface and its various languages available is a key highlight. Another plus is simplified data analysis through the integral reporting functionality. 

Presented for the first time two years ago at ITMA in Milan, Uster 360Q has attracted considerable interest, and FiberQ has proven itself in practice as a raw material management solution with profit potential. Under 360Q Uster developed a further solution and tools.

Uster Fiber2Yarn for the great picture
Newly combining and correlating data of FiberQ – measured with Uster HVI – with data from Uster Quantum yarn clearers, spinners can learn about the influence of different raw material parameters on the end product quality. This highly sought-after information offers a great opportunity to optimize mixings and continuously achieve a higher level of quality consistency besides better control of the production process. The Uster Fiber2Yarn solution is available in two different views, like the correlations over time and the correlations over different mixings.

A wide range of valuable features and information can be found on the Uster 360Q Platform. Uster services are hosted on the cloud-based platform with a technology architecture that makes businesses more agile and cost-effective. Additionally, the cloud solutions enable businesses to leverage AI and machine learning capabilities. The integration of Uster Intelligence – combining artificial intelligence with Uster’s expertise – is opening up new possibilities for spinners. Additional benefits include further advancements in the Uster Academy, such as the introduction of the Uster Chatbot and Wiki, providing direct and easy access to Uster know-how. The Academy’s e-learning portfolio has been expanded to serve a broader range of users.

Furthermore, the platform serves as a central access point for notifications and alerts. The Uster 360Q Platform is also where users – free of charge and with no license needed – find Uster news and the latest application literature. Also, the content provided earlier via the Uster Insights App will be integrated into the platform. And of course, the new Uster Statistics web app is part with all well-known functionality in a new format. 

Archroma: 2025 ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award for distressed denim breakthrough Photo (c) Archroma
Archroma: 2025 ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award for distressed denim breakthrough
27.10.2025

Archroma: 2025 ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award for distressed denim breakthrough

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, has won the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) 2025 Sustainability & Innovation Award for DENIM HALO, an innovated denim pretreatment and dyeing process. It gives brands and mills a simple way to produce highly sought-after distressed denim looks with a significantly reduced environmental footprint and cleaner chemistries.

The ITMF Awards celebrate achievements in two categories: Sustainability & Innovation and International Cooperation. Winners were honored at the ITMF Annual Conference, held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia from October 24-25, 2025.

A consumer favorite for decades, distressed denim is more popular than ever. But achieving the coveted worn and faded look remains problematic, involving manual scraping, hazardous potassium permanganate sprays or energy-intensive stone-washing. Traditional indigo and sulfur dyeing processes add to the burden, with high water and energy consumption and significant effluent discharge.

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, has won the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) 2025 Sustainability & Innovation Award for DENIM HALO, an innovated denim pretreatment and dyeing process. It gives brands and mills a simple way to produce highly sought-after distressed denim looks with a significantly reduced environmental footprint and cleaner chemistries.

The ITMF Awards celebrate achievements in two categories: Sustainability & Innovation and International Cooperation. Winners were honored at the ITMF Annual Conference, held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia from October 24-25, 2025.

A consumer favorite for decades, distressed denim is more popular than ever. But achieving the coveted worn and faded look remains problematic, involving manual scraping, hazardous potassium permanganate sprays or energy-intensive stone-washing. Traditional indigo and sulfur dyeing processes add to the burden, with high water and energy consumption and significant effluent discharge.

DENIM HALO is an alternative. 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.

DIRSOL® RD p is a new viscosity-modifying and patented pretreatment that enables superficial dyeing while also reducing water, energy, and greenhouse gas emissions in processing and wash-off. In DENIM HALO, it is combined with a tailored Archroma dye solution according to mill-specific production needs:

  • DENISOL® pre-reduced indigo dyes, including an innovative aniline-free formulation;
  • DIRESUL® pre-reduced sulfur dyes, including an energy-saving black formulation; and
  • EarthColors®, biosynthetic earth-tone dyes made from agricultural waste.

Impact assessments using Archroma's ONE WAY Impact Calculator demonstrate substantial environmental benefits for DENIM HALO versus standard processes with ZDHC Level 3 MRSL compliance. Results include water savings of 40-56%, energy reductions of 30-36%, and CO2 emission cuts of 33-34% depending on the dye formulation used. [See infographic: DENIM HALO Environmental Impact Results]

The benefits extend beyond sustainability to safety, and economics. Mills can produce distressed effects without modifying standard dye recipes or equipment setup. The process enhances worker safety by enabling high-contrast laser etching, eliminating potassium permanganate and manual scraping. DENIM HALO also reduces caustic soda consumption in sulfur mercerizing and enables easier washdown. Technical advantages include reduced yarn shrinkage and improved garment tensile strength, especially on black denim, with lower chemical use in dyeing and finishing.

Eastman Naia™ awarded top Canopy rating Photo (c) Eastman
Eastman Naia™ awarded top Canopy rating
27.10.2025

Eastman Naia™ awarded top Canopy rating

Naia™’s fourth consecutive ‘Dark Green Shirt’ recognition and the release of its 2025 Sustainability Progress Report and 2025–2030 goals together highlight continued progress in responsible sourcing and transparency. 

At the Textile Exchange Conference in Lisbon, Eastman Naia™ was honored with its fourth consecutive “Dark Green Shirt” in Canopy’s Hot Button Report, an annual ranking of man-made cellulosic fiber producers based on forest conservation, sourcing risk, and supply chain transparency. The recognition confirms Naia™’s ongoing leadership in responsible sourcing and environmental stewardship, distinguishing it as one of the industry’s most trusted fiber platforms. 

The award coincides with the launch of Naia™’s 2025 Sustainability Progress Report and the unveiling of its updated 2030 sustainability goals, which target climate mitigation, circularity at scale, and social impact. Together, these milestones reinforce Naia™’s long-term strategy to deliver measurable, transparent progress across the value chain and to help reshape the materials economy for good. 

Naia™’s fourth consecutive ‘Dark Green Shirt’ recognition and the release of its 2025 Sustainability Progress Report and 2025–2030 goals together highlight continued progress in responsible sourcing and transparency. 

At the Textile Exchange Conference in Lisbon, Eastman Naia™ was honored with its fourth consecutive “Dark Green Shirt” in Canopy’s Hot Button Report, an annual ranking of man-made cellulosic fiber producers based on forest conservation, sourcing risk, and supply chain transparency. The recognition confirms Naia™’s ongoing leadership in responsible sourcing and environmental stewardship, distinguishing it as one of the industry’s most trusted fiber platforms. 

The award coincides with the launch of Naia™’s 2025 Sustainability Progress Report and the unveiling of its updated 2030 sustainability goals, which target climate mitigation, circularity at scale, and social impact. Together, these milestones reinforce Naia™’s long-term strategy to deliver measurable, transparent progress across the value chain and to help reshape the materials economy for good. 

At the conference, Naia™ also spotlighted the versatility of its fiber portfolio across performance, fashion, and circular applications. Naia™ On the Move supports light sports and urbanwear needs with high-performing Naia™ Renew staple fiber. Naia™ Denim blends comfort with circularity for authentic and fashion denim, while the new Naia™ GlowNow campaign reintroduces its signature filament yarn for low-impact women’s fashion. All Naia™ fibers are sourced from sustainably managed forests and, when produced with Naia™ Renew, contain 40% GRS-certified recycled content via Eastman’s molecular recycling technology.

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Photo (c) Kraig Biocraft Laboratories
27.10.2025

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories: Dr. Xiaoli Zhang new Chief Scientist

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc., a leader in spider silk technology*, announced the promotion of Dr. Xiaoli Zhang to the position of Chief Scientist. This promotion follows a series of groundbreaking scientific achievements under Dr. Zhang's leadership that are laying the foundation for the next generation of spider silk-based super materials.
 
Dr. Zhang joined Kraig Labs in October 2024 and was challenged with accelerating the Company's research program and unlocking new scientific frontiers. Tasked with ambitious and transformative objectives, she not only met but exceeded every milestone in record time, positioning Kraig Labs at the forefront of breakthrough discoveries in advanced fibers and bioengineered materials.
 

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc., a leader in spider silk technology*, announced the promotion of Dr. Xiaoli Zhang to the position of Chief Scientist. This promotion follows a series of groundbreaking scientific achievements under Dr. Zhang's leadership that are laying the foundation for the next generation of spider silk-based super materials.
 
Dr. Zhang joined Kraig Labs in October 2024 and was challenged with accelerating the Company's research program and unlocking new scientific frontiers. Tasked with ambitious and transformative objectives, she not only met but exceeded every milestone in record time, positioning Kraig Labs at the forefront of breakthrough discoveries in advanced fibers and bioengineered materials.
 
"These achievements are nothing short of revolutionary," said Kim Thompson, founder and CEO of Kraig Labs. "When Dr. Zhang came on board, we asked her to take on challenges that many believed were impossible. In less than a year, she has led our team to breakthroughs that open the door to entirely new categories of super materials. Her promotion to Chief Scientist reflects both the incredible work she has already done and the even more extraordinary advancements we expect under her continued leadership."
 
The innovations driven by Dr. Zhang's research are now forming the blueprint for a new era of material science, pushing the boundaries of what spider silk can achieve. These advancements promise to redefine performance materials and open new opportunities in higher-margin end markets.
 
"I am deeply honored by this recognition," said Dr. Zhang. "The past year has shown us what's possible when science, vision, and determination come together. What we've achieved is just the starting point, we are now poised to pioneer materials that will set entirely new standards for strength, flexibility, and performance. The future for spider silk is brighter than ever."

Source:

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories