Danish partnership extends the lifespan of wool-nylon textiles

Carpets and upholstery fabrics from ships and hotels have significant recycling potential that is not currently being fully utilised. A Danish partnership aims to change that.

Many offices, hotels, ships and other public spaces are fitted with carpets and upholstery fabrics made from wool-nylon blends. The combination of materials gives the products a very long lifespan, but complicates the recycling process when they are replaced. Manufacturers, researchers and knowledge partners have joined forces in the UnBlend partnership, which aims to make textiles easier to reuse and recycle.

Aiming to extend the lifespan of wool-nylon textiles
Tons of high-quality carpets and upholstery fabrics go up in smoke when offices, hotels, ships, libraries, theatres and other public spaces refurbish their interiors. In the EU alone, an estimated 1.6 million tonnes of carpets are disposed of every year, and the vast majority are incinerated or end up in landfill.

Textile Cascade Filter for Removing Microplastics from Wastewater

Microplastics are now found almost everywhere, even in remote regions of Antarctica. They enter the human body through the food chain. Studies indicate that microplastics may have negative effects on the human health.

One important source of microplastic pollution is the washing of textiles made from synthetic fibers. During washing, significant amounts of microplastics are released into wastewater and then enter aquatic ecosystems. To address this problem, the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) have developed a textile-based cascade filter system.

The amount of microfibers released per wash cycle and per kilogram of textiles is estimated to range from 12 and 1,400 milligrams. Wastewater treatment plants are already able to remove a large portion of microplastic particles from wastewater, with removal rates of up to 99 percent. However, because of the high volume of wastewater discharged every day, these plants can still contribute significantly to microplastic pollution in the environment.

Italian Textile Machinery Innovation Takes Center Stage at Techtextil 2026

The Italian textile machinery industry is gearing up for a key event on the international trade fair calendar: Techtextil 2026, taking place from April 21–24 in Frankfurt, Germany. A prestigious representation of Italian companies will participate in the German exhibition—a global benchmark for technical and innovative textiles—to present cutting-edge technologies dedicated to an ever-expanding market.

Italy confirms its position among the world leaders in the textile machinery sector, thanks to a solid and highly specialized production system. The industry stands out for its strong international vocation, with a predominant share of production destined for foreign markets (86% of its sales) and a consolidated presence in over 130 countries. This places the country among the top global exporters of textile technology, renowned for its quality, innovation, and reliability.

INDA Applauds the U.S. Senate for Passage of the WIPPES Act (S. 1092)

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, applauds the U.S. Senate for passing the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act (S. 1092). The WIPPES Act, which creates national standards for “Do Not Flush” labeling for non-flushable wipes, cleared the Senate floor on March 22, 2026. The House version of the bill, H.R. 2269, previously passed the U.S. House on a voice vote in June 2025. The Senate version will now move back to the House for consideration.

This bipartisan legislation is intended to address the growing problem of sewer system clogs caused by improper disposal of consumer wipes that are not intended to be disposed of in toilets. This federal solution is the result of a years-long industry collaboration with wastewater operators, which has resulted in the passage of similar legislation in seven states. The WIPPES Act will create a national standard based on existing state laws to ensure non-flushable wipes will carry prominent “Do Not Flush” labeling on packaging.

Hexcel: New Chief Financial Officer

Hexcel Corporation announced that James (Jamie) Coogan has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective May 1, 2026. He will report to Tom Gentile, Hexcel Chairman, CEO and President. Coogan succeeds Mike Lenz who has been serving as interim Chief Financial Officer.  Lenz will remain for a period of time when Coogan joins the company as a Senior Advisor to assist with the transition.

“Jamie brings the experience and the financial leadership that will help Hexcel build on our momentum as we enter a period of growth with rising commercial aircraft production rates and an expanding defense and space market,” said Tom Gentile, Chairman, CEO and President, Hexcel Corporation. “His experience in aerospace and defense companies and broader industrial manufacturing organizations will enable him to make a meaningful impact quickly on Hexcel’s strategic priorities.”

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Increases R&D Capacity

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc., a leader in spider silk technology, announced a significant expansion of its research and development capacity designed to keep pace with rapid progress of its advanced materials initiative, Project Atlas.

The Company has expanded its laboratory capabilities, onboarding new scientific personnel and the deployment of new advanced equipment. These improvements have roughly tripled screening throughput, allowing the R&D team to keep up with the rapid development of new transgenics.

Kraig Labs implemented these upgrades in direct response to the rapid technical progress made under Project Atlas. Atlas is the Company’s next-generation recombinant spider silk program focused on creating advanced biomaterials with potential industrial and defense applications.

CHIC Shanghai 2026: 160,000+ visitors and clear signals of market transformation

CHIC Spring 2026 (March 11–13, Shanghai) has successfully concluded, reaffirming its position as Asia’s leading fashion and lifestyle trade fair. Across 117,200 sqm, 1,291 exhibitors with 1,335 brands from eight countries and regions met more than 160,000 trade visitors at the National Exhibition & Convention Center in Shanghai  – highlighting the event’s role as a key international business platform.

Under the guiding theme “In Search of Spring,” CHIC reflected an industry in transition, shaped by structural change, new growth markets and evolving consumer demands. With 12 clearly structured segments covering the entire textile value chain, over 130 invited buyer groups from leading platforms such as JD.com, Douyin and Little Red Book, and more than 100 industry events, the fair offered targeted sourcing, high-level networking and strategic dialogue.

Reconomy joins ReHubs to accelerate textile recycling in Europe

Reconomy, the international circular economy specialist, announces that it has joined ReHubs, a leading alliance dedicated to accelerating the transition to a circular textile economy across Europe.

ReHubs brings together over 30 leading organisations from across the textile value chain – collectors, sorters, recyclers, brands, Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) and policy experts – to accelerate circularity. Through joint projects and the ReHubs Think Tank, it promotes investment, knowledge sharing and coordinated action across the sector. 

ERWO Holding AG and Hoftex Group AG: New CFO

ERWO Holding AG (“ERWO Holding”), holding company of the Südwolle Group, a leading manufacturer of worsted yarns, as well as main shareholder of Hoftex Group AG (“Hoftex Group”), a group of medium-sized companies in the textile industry, have announced the appointment of a new member to their Management Board: With effect from 1 April 2026, Dr David Meyer will become CFO on the Management Board of both companies. This position has recently been vacant, with the finance division being managed on an interim basis by CEO Manuela Spörl.

Major expansion for ACG Kinna follows record year

In response to growing demand for its full textile and finished product line automation services, ACG Kinna – a member of TMAS, the Swedish textile machinery association – has inaugurated a 1,000-square-metre expansion at its headquarters in Skene, Sweden.

“Following a number of acquisitions in recent years, we needed to either relocate or expand, and opted to remain here in Skene,” explains Sales and Marketing Manager Tomas Aspenskog. “The expansion is directly connected to our existing headquarters and is enabling us to relocate some staff to this centralised location, as well as providing plenty of additional specialised assembly space. It will improve logistics for us and simplify and speed up operations for the company, our suppliers and our customers.”

Automation benefits
ACG Kinna had a record year in 2025 as manufacturers of pillows and duvets for the home furnishings sector are increasingly recognising the benefits of full automation.