New quilting machine doubles productivity

Having achieved rapid market success with its fully automated fitted sheet system, Automatex, a member of TMAS, the Swedish textile machinery association, has developed a quilting machine which doubles productivity compared to what has previously been achievable.

The P12-PB Automatic Lock Stitch Quilting Unit is engineered to deliver continuous, programmable quilting while reducing manual intervention in the stitching of bedding and padded home textiles.

“Across our member companies we are seeing automation move beyond individual machines towards intelligent, interconnected production environments,” says TMAS General Secretary Therese Premler-Andersson. “Solutions like this demonstrate how textile technology manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of consistency, productivity and digital control in areas that were traditionally dependent on operator skill.”

Girbau: Industrial laundry for PortAventura World

Girbau, a global leader in commercial and industrial laundry solutions, has developed a new industrial laundry for PortAventura World, one of Europe’s most visited theme resorts, with millions of visitors each year. The facility is a turnkey project delivered by Girbau, from design and consulting through to implementation, with the capacity to process up to 15 tonnes of laundry per day. It has been designed to deliver efficiency, reliability and sustainability, providing service not only to the resort but also to nearby hotels, tourist accommodations and businesses requiring a high-performance professional service. 

The project originated from PortAventura World’s need to establish a completely new industrial laundry capable of handling high daily production volumes without interruption. To achieve this, the company opted for a comprehensive approach that combined strategic consulting, customised design, high-capacity machinery and automation, with the goal of making solid decisions from day one and ensuring an efficient start-up.

ROICA™: European Innovation and Japanese Craftsmanship at Performance Days

ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei will exhibit at Performance Days 2026 in Munich, presenting a curated selection of textile developments that highlight performance‑driven innovation and material expertise across regions. ROICA™ brings together leading European partners alongside two Japanese textile specialists, demonstrating how refined stretch performance enables diverse approaches to fabric design, construction, and application. From advanced warp‑knit–based structures and engineered developments to precision‑crafted materials, the ROICA™ booth offers a comprehensive view of how elastic functionality supports contemporary sportswear, active, and lifestyle textiles. 
 
Brugnoli 

‘Fashioning Justice’: The Politics of Lace

Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’54 – a.k.a. RBG – was an influencer before it was even a profession, advocating for women’s equality. Her personal style, and the substance behind it, will be on display in the Human Ecology Building in an exhibit, “Fashioning Justice: Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’54 and the Power of Presence.”

One theme of the exhibit will be “The Politics of Lace,” and its ascension from accessory to a feature often worn by Ginsburg.

The exhibit – a collaboration between the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy and the College of Human Ecology – will run March 16 to May 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, in the Rachel Hope Doran ’19 and Terrace Level Display Cases in the Human Ecology Building. A celebration event on April 14 will feature remarks by Ginsburg’s granddaughter, Clara Spera, an attorney at Hecker Fink LLP who has worked on her grandmother’s defining issue, reproductive rights, with the National Women’s Law Center.

Petri Alava, Founder of Infinited Fiber Company, Joins Haelixa Board

Haelixa, the Swiss pioneer in DNA-based traceability and product authentication, announced that Petri Alava, founder and former CEO of Infinited Fiber Company, has joined its Board of Directors. 
 
Alava founded Infinited Fiber Company and, over a 10-year journey, led it through the stages of development to the threshold of its industrial scale-up phase, transforming breakthrough textile-to-textile recycling technology into a globally recognised material innovation platform. During his tenure, the company secured more than €100 million in strategic funding from H&M Group, Inditex, Adidas and Zalando, and established over €200 million in long-term commercial offtake agreements with brands including Patagonia and PVH. 
 
His appointment follows Haelixa's recent €2M capital raise and accelerating international deployment across textiles, luxury goods and high-value materials, bringing operational scale experience to complement the company's deep scientific expertise. 
 

British textile machinery at Techtextil and Texprocess 2026

As global demand accelerates for lighter, stronger and more sustainable technical textiles, the machinery and testing technologies behind their manufacture are evolving at pace. 

At the Techtextil and Texprocess exhibitions in Frankfurt this April, eight members of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) will demonstrate how advanced engineering continues to shape the performance, precision and resource efficiency of advanced fibre and fabric production.

From the careful handling of ultra-high value yarns to the forensic inspection of finished fabrics, the exhibiting BTMA members collectively represent a complete chain of innovation across processing, monitoring and quality assurance.

adidas AG: Bjørn Gulden’s contract as CEO extended

The Supervisory Board of adidas AG resolved on several matters regarding the Executive and Supervisory Board that ensure leadership continuity and underpin the company’s successful trajectory of strong and profitable growth.

Executive Board
The Supervisory Board of adidas AG has extended Bjørn Gulden’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer until December 31, 2030. Bjørn Gulden has been a member of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer of adidas AG since January 1, 2023.

Asahi Kasei Advance to showcase high-performance at Techtextil 2026

Asahi Kasei Advance will present its portfolio of high-performance nonwovens, flame-retardant fabrics, and advanced textile and fiber solutions designed for various industries during its first-ever exhibition at Techtextil 2026. Techtextil is the leading international trade show for technical textiles and nonwovens, taking place from April 21-24, 2026, in Frankfurt, Germany. Asahi Kasei Advance will highlight 14 brands, with special focus on four key materials.

Advanced Flame Protection: LASTAN™
LASTAN™ is a non-mineral flame-retardant fabric made by air baking a special acrylic fiber at 200–300°C. Featuring a limited oxygen index (LOI) of 47.5-50, it is characterized by high flame resistance and good electrical insulation, and a special coating process allows the material to disperse sparks generated during welding or cutting operations, thereby suppressing ignition. This allows the material to provide effective protection against flames and particle exposure from venting gases. With these excellent characteristics, LASTAN™ has been used for many years as an optimal material for failure prevention and safety in various industries.

Mimaki Europe: Empowering Women in the Print Industry

Across all industries, cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace is increasingly recognised as valuable and essential to long-term success. However, despite the print industry’s significant advancements in technology and innovation, visible representation of women remains limited. As the sector grapples with low recruitment, it’s important to challenge outdated perceptions. Creating real change, however, requires collective effort - no single company can do it alone.

As we mark International Women’s Day on 8th March, it is an important moment not only to celebrate the achievements of women across industries, but also to reflect on the tangible actions we can take to build a more inclusive and representative future for print.

The Importance of Empowering Women in the Print Industry
So, how can we empower the women already working within the industry, and provide them with the visibility and support they need to succeed?

Techtextil 2026: STFI presents concepts for the textile circular economy

Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) has been supporting companies in developing marketable innovations for over 30 years. With a clear focus on sustainability, the environment, health and protection, the STFI offers future-oriented research, textile testing for tailor-made solutions and certification of personal protective equipment. At Techtextil 2026, the institute will present ideas for the textile circular economy and showcase solutions for healthy and safe living.