From the Sector

Lower costs, less energy intensive, and with zero waste water, the new QuantumCOLOUR™ process is set to revolutionize wool textile colouring: Woolmark, the global authority on wool, has teamed up with COLOURizd™, pioneers in dry textile colouring processes, to introduce a revolutionary new method to colour wool and wool blends. 

QuantumCOLOUR™ is a cutting-edge yarn colouring process that significantly reduces resource consumption and costs. Using just 0.5L of water per kilogram of yarn, this technology eliminates the need for bleaching, pre-treatment and wastewater discharge. This makes the COLOURizd™ QuantumCOLOUR™ a reduced resource-intense colouration process, where only the wetting agent and pigment binder system are required.

“After extensive testing on Merino wool and wool blends, we realized the team at COLOURizd™ is on to something truly revolutionary for the wool industry,” said Woolmark General Manager Processing Innovation & Education Extension Julie Davies. “The QuantumCOLOUR™ process provides durable solutions, creating faded to saturated tonal depths of colour for wool and wool blends. And since it uses very little water, suppliers can choose to colour wool and wool blend yarns without the need for wastewater processing infrastructure.”

Traditional dyeing requires a variety of chemicals, including caustic soda, acids, bleach, and salts, all washed in with between 60 and 120 liters of water per kilogram of yarn. The COLOURizd™ method uses none of these chemicals, instead utilising a bluesign® certified pigment and binder injected into a yarn fibre bundle. The result is a process that allows for a range of colours and supple textures.

“Woolmark represents the gold standard within the wool industry and they will be instrumental in helping to offer our lower impact, higher performance process to new markets,” said COLOURizd™ CEO Jennifer Thompson. “Our current clients include Kontoor Brands (Wrangler and Lee), Cone Denim, and GANT, and working with Woolmark will allow us to reach an entirely new market, bringing sustainability and performance solutions to wool manufacturers around the globe.”

Successfully validated on 100% Merino wool, as well as blends with cotton, TENCEL™ and nylon, on a range of yarn counts from 30/2NM to 80/1NM, the COLOURizd™ QuantumCOLOUR™ pigment process meets all standards for colourfastness and durability. Assessed through authorised laboratory partners, Woolmark testing was carried out on yarns, fabrics and garments, showing the technology delivers consistent colour performance and long-lasting wear.

Woolmark and COLOURizd™ will introduce this new technology during Pitti Immagine Filati.

It is estimated that around 100 billion items of clothing are currently produced worldwide, most of which will end up in recycling processes. Sorting these old textiles by hand requires an enormous amount of human labour. A research team is now developing new technologies that will enable robotic grippers to sort textiles more effectively.

“At present, automatic sorting systems mainly use contactless methods, such as visual and near-infrared sensors. But when people sort old textiles, they can do much more: When they touch the textiles, they can also quickly classify what should be reused and what should be recycled based on the feel of the fabric”, Hubert Zangl, project manager of AdapTex at the Department of Smart Systems Technologies at the University of Klagenfurt explains. If you want robotic grippers to perform this work, he goes on to explain, many challenges remain: “Physical interaction with objects and the evaluation of haptic feedback are not yet sufficiently developed in robotics. When sorting textiles, robots have to work in a complex environment with randomly assembled quantities of textiles made from different materials and in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Contamination can further complicate matters.”

The central factor here is the gripping process, which is crucial for the effective sorting of these materials in recycling plants. The research team is therefore focusing on improving the physical interaction between the robot gripper and the textiles with the aim of improving both the handling and the classification of the textiles. To this end, the researchers are developing textile-based, adaptive sensor skins for the robotic grippers. “These will be intelligent materials containing networks of sensors and actuators that can adapt optimally when touched,” says Hubert Zangl. The unique properties of AdapTex skin offer potential not only for use in textile recycling, but also in many other areas of the textile industry, such as sportswear, lifestyle clothing, and rehabilitation garments. It might also be possible to use the improved capabilities and functions for robots deployed in industrial manufacturing and automation.

The AdapTex project is coordinated at the University of Klagenfurt and the AAU/SAL USE Lab. The project partners are Grabher Group GmbH, Infineon Technologies Austria AG, Silicon Austria Labs GmbH and V-trion GmbH. AdapTex is supported by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG.

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.

Last week, Girbau celebrated its 105th anniversary with a commemorative event at its headquarters in Vic, the place where it all began in 1920 with a small workshop for electromechanical equipment founded by Joan Girbau. Today, more than a century later, Girbau is a global brand with a presence in more than 100 countries, with a community of professionals who continue to uphold the core values it was founded on: innovation, closeness, commitment, and long-term vision. Girbau designs and supplies complete, sustainable, innovative solutions for textile care, with a positive impact on people and the planet.

The event brought together the headquarters team, their families, and the presidents of the group’s 16 international subsidiaries, who toured the production centers together to get a close look at the company’s technological evolution and its focus on sustainability and industrial innovation.

The event was also a celebration of creativity and team spirit. With Carles Pérez, FlaixBac radio host, as master of ceremonies, the event featured live musical performances, a rollerskating show, and a unique moment in which Girbau’s HS washers became moving works of art, symbolizing the fusion of industry and art that defines the company.

One of the most special moments was the arrival of a commemorative cake created by the master chocolatier and World Chocolate Masters winner Lluc Crusellas, who sent his personal congratulations to the company. A sweet ending to an emotional day.

During the ceremony, accompanied by Mercè Girbau and Pere Girbau — current leadership and third generation — as well as Toni Girbau and Teresa Girbau — second generation and key pillars in the company’s industrial and organizational consolidation — key moments from Girbau’s history were relived. Mercè Girbau emphasized the importance of continuity and collective commitment as the keys to reaching this milestone: “These 105 years are the result of a shared project sustained over time. Girbau’s strength lies in the people who have built it with effort, talent, and dedication.”

A special recognition was also given to Mike Floyd, President of Girbau North America, for his close connection to the company and his significant role in over 30 years of Girbau North America’s history.

As part of this anniversary, Girbau has launched a series of commemorative activities that will take place throughout the year. These include the planting of a cypress tree in memory of Pere Girbau, a key figure of the second generation, as a symbol of the company's roots and legacy. Additionally, each subsidiary of the group will celebrate the anniversary at their respective locations with local activities.

With this celebration, Girbau reaffirms its essence: an industrial company with a global vision, strong roots in its community, and a constant commitment to the people who drive it forward day by day.

The company launched the "Edvanced Recycling - EREMA Prime Solutions for Advanced Recycling" campaign at an exclusive press conference at the beginning of June as a preview to K 2025. 

"The technologies used in plastics recycling have evolved very fast. Over the past few years, we have repeatedly set milestones and have been a driver of innovation. At this year's K, we will again be presenting multiple new solutions designed to keep even more plastics in circulation," said Manfred Hackl, CEO of the EREMA Group, in his opening presentation at the K Preview Press Talk, which was held at the beginning of June at the company's headquarters in Ansfelden near Linz in Austria. EREMA provided a first glance of selected innovations that the company will be presenting at K 2025 in Düsseldorf. 

New technologies open up more applications 
Two new machine types will celebrate their début at K 2025: 

• TwinPro is a high-performance twin-screw technology in which the proven EREMA Preconditioning Unit (PCU) is coupled directly to a twin-screw extruder. The new system is particularly suitable for the highly efficient homogenisation in just one step of complex film waste with low bulk densities. 
• AGGLOREMA technology is particularly interesting for preparing feedstock materials for chemical recycling. This robust and energy-efficient system produces agglomerates with a high bulk density on a large scale from heavily contaminated post consumer material.

The focus is also on the increasing demand for recycled pellets made from post consumer materials in sensitive applications and secondary packaging. For example, EREMA is launching a more compact INTAREMA® TVEplus® 2021 and, together with Lindner Washtech, is presenting the optimum match of washing system and extruder that achieves a balanced overall process. Live recycling demonstrations in the outdoor area will show how different waste streams are processed. Visitors can see the results for themselves in the exhibition of products at the Edvanced Recycling Centre, which range from technical components to cosmetic products and food packaging. 

Digitalisation increases uptime
Digital solutions play a decisive role in achieving the circular economy and handling plastic waste material in a sustainable way. At K, the PredictOn family is growing to include AI-supported in-depth data analysis for monitoring the main drives, and a new Condition Monitoring System for the plasticising unit. Both modules can be seen in action at the show, where an INTAREMA® TVEplus® DuaFil® Compact is equipped with the latest intelligent assistance systems. The results can be seen live on the displays of the BluPort® online platform at the EREMA trade fair stand and at the outdoor Edvanced Recycling Centre.

Edvanced Recycling: The campaign with a recurring effect
"For a more circular economy in the plastics industry, recycling has to be consistently integrated along the entire value chain. Edvanced Recycling shows how we are working together with our customers to sustainably increase the proportion of recycled plastics used in new products," says Gerold Breuer, Head of Marketing at the EREMA Group. The year-long campaign focuses on the full range of EREMA solutions, from technologies proven in practice to innovative new products, with a first highlight at K 2025. "And yes, it really is spelt that way," adds Gerold Breuer, "because the E stands for EREMA. After all, advanced plastics recycling is inextricably linked to our name."

The European Capital of Culture 2025, Chemnitz, opened its doors to textile designers, textile artists and experts from the fields of fashion, art and textiles: the Tour de LOOP on 26 and 27 May 2025 took participants on an exclusive professional tour of one of Europe's most traditional and innovative textile regions. 19 visitors from Europe explored Chemnitz and its textile region. They came from the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Great Britain and Germany.

Once known as the ‘Saxon Manchester’, Chemnitz today inspires with sustainable textile production, digital textile design and artistic diversity. The two-day trip impressively combined the past, present and future of local textile production.

Exclusive guided tours focussing on textile history and textile technologies
To kick things off, a city centre tour including a playful exploration of the European Capital of Culture 2025 broke the ice. Special stops on the tour included the Esche LAB in Limbach-Oberfrohna on 26 May 2025 - a workshop for creative textile work with a focus on knitting, embroidery and ready-to-wear clothing - and the Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) on 27 May 2025, which offers extensive opportunities for artistic textile projects and research collaborations.

The programme at the Esche Museum included a demonstration of historical knitting machines, a tour of the Fabric Visions special exhibition and a workshop in the ESCHE Lab. The ESCHE Lab was opened at the beginning of the year and has since been available as a makerspace for creative projects. At the STFI, visitors were given an insight into the technological possibilities of the Textile Lab Professional. In addition to surface technologies such as knitting, weaving, warp knitting, functionalisation and textile recycling, the tour led to the textile factory of the future, where research is being conducted into digitalisation in textile production. The Textile Lab Professional is a cooperation between the STFI and the ESCHE Lab and is open to creative minds with its expertise and diverse plant technology. The trip concluded with a workshop in the art collections, which focussed on the Schneeberger Geflecht exhibition.

European network
The workshops and live demonstrations provided insights into innovative techniques and offered starting points for artistic approaches. Through expert discussions and an open networking evening, the Tour de LOOP created an exchange with creatives, designers and scientists from Chemnitz and Europe. 

Tour de LOOP is an offer from the Makers, Business & Arts project of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025, the Esche Museum and the Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI).

Introducing PET fibers and filament yarns made solely from discard textile waste, lower carbon bio-fibers, and more, Indorama Ventures expands dejaTM portfolio to boost textile industry sustainability:
The company expands its fiber and filament yarn portfolio called dejaTM to boost sustainability. The goal is to actively drive circularity and decarbonization efforts in the global textile industry and to prepare for supporting the upcoming European Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).

Three key offerings add to the company’s deja portfolio, addressing customers’ main sustainability challenges:

1. On-demand solutions for textile circularity, providing deja PET fibers and filament yarns made solely from enhanced recycled textile waste that was being discarded. Products available on customers’ request are high-tenacity yarns and cords for technical applications like airbags and seat belts, as well as fibers and filament yarns for lifestyle applications, such as apparel and home textiles. Customers interested to drive circularity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while keeping performance equal to standard solutions, are encouraged to request more information at enquiry.fibers@indorama.net.
2. deja Bio: Solutions to help customers reduce their carbon footprint. Thanks to its fully integrated, in-house PET supply chain, Indorama Ventures can deliver high-performing deja PET yarns out of Europe and Asia that have a substantially reduced carbon footprint. All of them comply with the accounting methodology of the ‘Together for Sustainability’ industry initiative.

Indorama Ventures takes a mass balance approach to increase the use of renewable sources, benefitting from eleven ISCC+ (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) certified sites across its entire business, including PTA, PET chips, fibers, and technical fabrics. The mass balance approach is a chain-of-custody method that allows manufacturers to mix sustainable and conventional inputs like renewable and fossil-based materials in a shared production system, while still allocating the environmental benefits of the sustainable inputs to a portion of the output.

High-tenacity yarns and tire cord fabrics available in the bio-based deja portfolio allow for a progressive bio-content introduction into customers’ products. Customers can benefit from avoiding or simplifying qualification procedures and receive the same performance as from fossil solutions. Further, these products can be given new life through mechanical or enhanced recycling.

1. deja Enhanced: Products that give hard-to-recycle packaging and textile waste new life. In close collaboration with like-minded partners along the value chain, Indorama Ventures is also looking at ways to convert hard-to-recycle packaging into fibers and yarns through enhanced recycling. These solutions are readily available at similar level of performance as fossil solutions. In future, these products will also be supplied with flexible proportions of reprocessed textile feedstock to accommodate customers’ circular targets.
2. Customers and brand owners are invited to take a closer look at what the expanded deja™ fibers & yarns portfolio offers during Textiles Recycling Expo on June 4-5 in Brussels, booth no. 1825. As one of the leading events dedicated to textile recycling and circularity, this expo brings together industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers to shape the future of sustainable textiles.
3. Claire Mattelet, Global Sustainability Program Head for Indorama Ventures’ Fibers Business, says: With the expanded deja portfolio, we are turning ambition into action – empowering our customers to meet their circularity and decarbonization goals through innovative, high-performance PET fibers and yarns made from textile waste, bio-based inputs, and hard-to-recycle materials. This is how we shape the future of sustainable textiles without compromising on quality or performance.”
4. With most of the textile waste globally being incinerated or landfilled, the global fashion industry accounts for an estimated 3 to 8 percent of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. According to recent reports1,2, the industry’s emissions are expected to increase by about 30 percent by 2030 if no further action is taken1. In response, Indorama Ventures has set a 2030 target of 40% of recycled and bio-based feedstock of its current commodity feedstock. Taking a leading role and collaborating along the entire value chain to drive sustainable practices in the man-made fibers industry is at the core of Indorama Ventures’ commitment to shaping the future of textiles.

eVent® Fabrics, an expert in breathable waterproof, weatherproof, and windproof fabric laminates, announces the launch of its new circular fabric collection, purpose-built, plant-based, and fully recyclable for a more sustainable future without compromising performance.

Featuring 11 different laminate configurations across the eVent stormST™ and windstormST™ technology platforms, this plant-based collection is engineered for recyclability and designed to support closed-loop product systems. By utilizing monomaterial constructions, these laminate fabrics make mechanical recycling more feasible, while maintaining the trusted breathability, durability, and weather protection that outdoor brands and consumers expect from eVent.

“Circularity starts with design,” said Chad Kelly, President of eVent Fabrics. “With these stormST and windstormST fabrics, we’re giving brands the building blocks to create products that are easier to recycle at end-of-life—without sacrificing technical performance.”

The new circularity collection is a major step in eVent’s long-term sustainability strategy, addressing the industry’s growing need for performance materials that align with circular economy principles. And with the EU’s pending Ecodesign for Sustainable Product Regulations set to take effect in the coming years, apparel brands selling into the EU will be incentivized to further incorporate more circular, sustainable materials.

The stormST™ fabrics offer breathable waterproof protection with low environmental impact, making them ideal for outerwear, footwear, and accessories in active outdoor and urban use. The windstormST™ fabrics provide highly breathable windproof protection, perfect for blocking the chilling effects of the wind in dynamic conditions. All fabrics in the collection are PFAS-free, bluesign®, Oeko-Tex®, and/or GRS certified.

The Supervisory Board of Lenzing AG has appointed Georg Kasperkovitz as a member of the Managing Board and Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Lenzing AG with effect from June 1, 2025. Georg Kasperkovitz (58) brings more than 15 years of experience in various management functions in Europe, North America and Asia – Lenzing’s most important production regions and markets. During his career, Kasperkovitz has held positions including Business Unit CEO at the international packaging and paper company Mondi plc (2016-2019), CEO of Rail Cargo Austria AG (2012-2016) and at the international consulting firm McKinsey (1999-2012, most recently as a partner). Georg Kasperkovitz is a qualified mechanical engineer (Dr. techn., TU Vienna) and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

At Lenzing, as COO in the now four-member Managing Board, he will manage the company-wide fiber production sites and drive forward the ongoing performance program and, thus, operational cost excellence and the transformation of the entire company. He will also take over the management and further development of the site in Lenzing (Upper Austria).

Patrick Lackenbucher, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Lenzing AG, comments: “Lenzing AG has been able to report a continuous increase in earnings in recent quarters – despite the difficult market environment. The current macroeconomic challenges, persistently high energy costs and intensified global competition continue to require full focus on the implementation and further development of the current performance program. Profitability is crucial for Lenzing in order to survive in global competition in the long term and to be able to continue investing in new products and markets. With Georg Kasperkovitz, we are therefore strengthening our Managing Board with sound operational transformation expertise – and relevant experience in the nonwovens market.”