In the dynamic and global textile fiber industry with its various manufacturing processes and end-uses, news and information is breaking on a daily basis. International Fiber Journal is tracking stories relevant to our industry from manmade to natural to bio-based fibers, innovations in nonwoven, woven, braided and technical textiles, technologies for additives, bonding, coatings and polymers, and applications from apparel to hygiene to transportation, and more. Here we will post news stories relevant to textile fibers and their downstream applications on an ongoing basis. Please check back for regular updates. If you have news that you feel should be added to this summary report, please email it to Ken Norberg at ken@ifj.com.
Most recent update: September 08, 2025
INDA Announces Finalists for the 2025 RISE® Innovation Award
INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced the three finalists for the 2025 RISE® Innovation Award. A highlight of the RISE® (Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics) Technology Conference, this award recognizes groundbreaking nonwoven-based innovations with the potential to advance the industry.
The 2025 RISE® Technology Conference will take place October 14–15 at the McKimmon Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. Technology scouts, product developers, and business leaders from across the nonwovens value chain will gather to discover the latest research, connect with thought leaders, and see first-hand the technologies competing for the award.
The three finalists will present their groundbreaking technologies to conference participants on Tuesday afternoon, October 14. The winner of the 2025 RISE® Innovation Award will be announced on Wednesday afternoon, October 15.
Meet the 2025 Award Finalists:
EsterCycle by EsterCycle
Hospitals and laboratories generate enormous amounts of PPE nonwoven plastic waste, most of which is incinerated. Polyethylene terephthalate is used extensively in nonwovens, and there is significant interest in using biobased polyesters such as polylactic acid and polyhydroxyalkanoates to reduce the footprint of these essential materials. EsterCycle is a low cost and emissions chemical recycling technology that can handle biohazard contamination and break down mixed polyester nonwovens for circulation back into the supply chain.
Kelsun® fiber by Keel Labs
KelsunⓇ fiber, developed by Keel Labs, is the world’s first high-performance seaweed-based fiber. Plastic-free and tree-free; the combined properties of KelsunⓇ allow it to outperform all other fibers without shedding harmful microplastics. This breakthrough material brings extreme softness, high absorptivity, inherent flame resistant and antimicrobial properties, in addition to unmatched biodegradability. Engineered to integrate into existing nonwoven manufacturing, KelsunⓇ fiber delivers a revolutionary material that combines performance with sustainability for next-generation consumer and industrial products.
Fentanyl Detection by Rockline Industries
Rockline Industries has developed a revolutionary fentanyl detection wipe that rapidly changes color from orangish to deep red upon contact with miniscule levels of fentanyl, enabling first responders, law enforcement, and others to identify the presence of toxic opioids safely. The wipe contains a novel formula with color indicators and a specific starch bound to viscose fibers, ensuring the reaction occurs on the wipe itself. Tested successfully with pharmaceutical and street-grade fentanyl and other dangerous opioids at various U.S. labs and police departments. The single-use sachet offers a convenient presumptive test with broad applications including military, airports, schools, and penitentiaries, with ongoing patent filings and potential for detecting other dangerous opioids.
Inaugural Textiles Recycling Expo USA 2026 Gains Industry Backing
Textiles Recycling Expo which debuted in Europe in June and attracted 126 exhibitors from 67 countries is coming stateside. The North American version, Textiles Recycling Expo USA is gaining industry backing and will be organized by Applied Market Information (AMI) at the Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina in 2026.
It aims to address the current challenges in the sector by promoting dialogue, innovation, and collaboration for a more circular industry model. The list of exhibitors for the event includes companies such as Syre, Beyond Retro, Bank & Vogue, Valerius, Circ, and Debrand.
Syre, a founding exhibitor will align closely with the US event as it is preparing to open its first plant in North Carolina, which will have the capacity to produce 10,000 metric tons (mt) of circular polyester each year. Syre’s involvement is supported by major retailers like H&M, Target, Gap, and Houdini Sportswear.
The event has also attracted sponsors, including American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) and a dedicated VIP area sponsored by ReJu. The expo has also formed partnerships with associations including Accelerating Circularity, which serves as a structural partner and collaborates with organizers to develop a conference program that addresses critical industry challenges and explores scalable solutions for textile-to-textile recycling.
The Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART) has joined as a founding partner, contributing its experience and networks to highlight best practices and foster collaboration across the industry.
Other supporters include the Southern Textile Association, Fashion Takes Action, North American Linen Association and the Carolina Recycling Association.
https://events.amiplastics.com/textiles-recycling-expo-usa/about-AMI
Indorama Ventures’ Certified Supply Chain Enables Bio-Based Textiles at Scale
Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company, is accelerating the textile industry’s transition to lower-carbon materials with its scalable, high-performance bio-based PET fibers and yarns under the deja™ Bio portfolio.
At the upcoming Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress on September 10-12, Claire Mattelet, Global Sustainability Program Head for Indorama Ventures’ Fibers Business, will share the company’s experience in developing a fully certified, low-carbon supply chain at scale.
Her presentation will explore several challenges, such as
- securing reliable sources of renewable feedstocks to produce bio-based PTA and MEG inhouse or sourcing bio-based chemicals such as bio-based MEG from trusted partners
- converting feedstock into PET chips, yarns, and fibers
- and navigating complex certification requirements
As a result, Indorama Ventures is now able to offer customers and brand owners an integrated, fully certified supply chain through mass balance at scale.
Using a mass-balance approach means that renewable feedstocks, such as used cooking oil, are blended with fossil-based raw materials in existing production systems. The renewable content is then allocated to final products using certified methods like ISCC+, ensuring traceability throughout the value chain and compliance with chain-of-custody requirements.
By leveraging existing infrastructure, coupled with R&D capabilities and proven technologies, Indorama Ventures enables rapid market deployment of bio-based PET fibers and yarns that are chemically identical to their fossil counterparts. This ensures customer processes remain the same, performance metrics such as durability, dyeability, and strength are equal to virgin solutions, and brand owners and converters can speed up qualification lead times and immediately reduce scope 3 emissions to seamlessly upgrade their existing product lines.
www.indoramaventures.com
Lenzing Introduces “Lenzing Pro” Digital Platform
Global regenerated cellulosic fiber producer Lenzing Group recently launched Lenzing Pro, its one-stop digital platform for the textile and nonwovens supply chains.
Designed as a centralized hub for business users, the platform streamlines certification and branding processes, improves access to technical fiber information, and strengthens collaboration with Lenzing’s partners. This marks a significant step as the industry looks for ways to accelerate the integration of sustainable materials into products more easily.
Combining deep expertise in Lenzing’s trusted fibers with tools that enable swift, informed decisions across the global textile supply chain supports the shift toward lower-impact fiber sourcing.
Lenzing Pro is a strategic evolution of the established and trusted Lenzing E-Branding Service, offering expanded functionality through a streamlined, multilingual and 24/7-accessible experience. Guided by the ethos of “One Platform. Numerous Possibilities”, it plays a vital role in supporting Lenzing’s global network of customers and partners in their decision-making and marketing. In addition to core services such as Lenzing’s Fabric Certification and Brand Licensing, the platform also features a comprehensive fiber product catalog, including detailed specifications, technical properties and recommended applications for each fiber type.
Milliken Acquires Highland Industries in Cheraw, S.C.
Global diversified manufacturer Milliken & Company has acquired the assets of Highland Industries, Inc. in Cheraw, South Carolina. The transaction strengthens Milliken’s domestic operations and position in technical textiles.
“This acquisition bolsters the capabilities of Milliken’s technical textiles business to benefit our customers,” said Halsey Cook, president and CEO of Milliken. “We remain committed to the U.S. textile industry and grounded in our belief that precision manufacturing of innovative, high-performance materials is crucial for industrial resilience.”
The Highland facility will become a hub for Milliken’s technical textile weaving and knitting capabilities in the region.
“In addition to reinforcing current operations, acquiring Highland adds new offerings to the technical textiles portfolio,” said Allen Jacoby, EVP and president of Milliken’s technical textiles business. “Highland provides important assets to help us better serve our customers and opens the door to new growth opportunities.”
Samsara Eco Opens Plant to Scale Circular Plastics
Biotech innovator Samsara Eco in Australia has opened its first plant, representing a significant milestone in the fight against plastic waste. The new plant will exponentially increase the company’s ability to produce virgin-identical, low-carbon circular materials like recycled nylon 6,6 and polyester with broad applications across apparel, packaging and automotives, at scale.
Located in Jerrabomberra, Australia, the new headquarters and plant houses EosEco, Samsara Eco’s breakthrough enzymatic recycling technology. The technology uses AI-crafted enzymes to break down mixed plastics destined for landfill into recycled raw materials, ready for brands to incorporate into their next product line. The facility also houses expanded enzyme production facilities, allowing Samsara Eco to further build out its proprietary AI-powered enzyme discovery and development platform to find recycling solutions for a broader range of plastics.
The circular materials made at Jerrabomberra will feature in upcoming product lines for global brands like lululemon, as well as pilot programs and trials with brands across textiles, automotive and packaging. The facility will also host world-first research including finding recycling solutions for the likes of spandex with The LYCRA Company, and our collaboration with Deakin University’s Recycling and Clean Energy Commercialization Hub, part of the Australian Government’s Trailblazer Universities Program.
Today, only 10% of plastics are recycled and less than 1% of textiles are recycled into new textiles, perpetuating a linear economy. Samsara Eco aims to rewrite those numbers by recycling the unrecyclable to keep high-value materials out of the landfill.
