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 [email protected].
Most recent update: February 23, 2026
Texhtextil 2026 Reports Over 1,500 Exhibitors
Techtextil 2026 continues to grow with more than 1,500 exhibitors from 49 countries will present their products and innovations in Frankfurt am Main April 21-26, 2026. Over 120 of them are first-time exhibitors. Texprocess is taking place at the same time, remaining stable with around 200 exhibitors – despite challenging market conditions. Together, the two events bring more than 1,700 exhibitors to the Frankfurt exhibition grounds.
With more than 120 first-time exhibitors and 16 strong country pavilions, including those from France, Korea and Switzerland, Techtextil in Frankfurt is once again the central meeting place for technical textiles and nonwovens. The Netherlands and Tunisia are also presenting themselves with their own country pavilions for the first time. The leading trade fair is also recording growth from European and intercontinental markets such as India, the Netherlands and Portugal. In addition, there are new exhibitors from Australia, Colombia, Nigeria, Hungary and Uruguay. At a time of recession, tariff pressures and geopolitical tensions, Techtextil brings together decision-makers from a wide range of industries to open up new markets, forge partnerships and accelerate the transfer of applications into practice.
Barmag to Show Tech Trends at Techtextil in Frankfurt
At this year’s Techtextil in Frankfurt, April 21-24, Barmag will present comprehensive solutions for the production of industrial filament yarns at the VDMA joint stand, Hall 12, C56. The focus will be on applications designed to ensure greater safety, durability and efficiency in automotive engineering.
Modern vehicles contain an average of 30 to 35 kilograms of industrial yarns, most used in safety-related components such as airbags and seat belts. Polyamide and, increasingly, polyester filament yarns are used for airbag applications. Barmag offers energy-efficient, high-productivity technologies designed to enable stable processes and consistent yarn quality.
Seat belts rely on high-performance industrial filament yarns. A single belt consists of about 300 high-tenacity filament yarns capable of absorbing tensile forces of more than 3 tons while stretching in a controlled manner during an emergency. Barmag’s patented Single Filament Layer technology enables a high-precision process for producing high-tenacity yarns for maximum safety.
Industrial yarns also are used in road construction applications such as geotextiles and geogrids placed under asphalt. These applications require yarns with titers of up to 24,000 denier. Barmag systems produce three filament yarns with 6,000 denier each that can be combined to achieve higher titers cost-effectively.
Under the Neumag brand, Barmag supplies spunbond technologies for polyester and polypropylene geotextiles designed for high production capacity and low energy consumption.
In staple fiber production, the Neumag PP inline concept is engineered for strengths greater than 6 cN/dtex with high residual elongation, exceeding previously established parameters for geotextile applications. The first production plant using the new spinning concept recently began operations at a staple fiber producer in Asia.
The concept includes the EvoDuct air ducting system, introduced last year, designed to improve airflow distribution, reduce energy consumption and enhance fiber homogeneity. The optimized EvE-2 monomer and hot air suction system minimizes turbulence while increasing spinning performance.
INDA Opens Registration for FiltXPO™ 2026
INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has opened registration for FiltXPO™ 2026, the premier global conference and exhibition dedicated to filtration technologies. The event will take place October 28–29, 2026, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
FiltXPO will bring together innovators from across the filtration supply chain to showcase next-generation solutions, advanced materials, and breakthrough technologies shaping the industry’s future. Attendees will gain valuable market insights, explore emerging applications, and connect with key decision-makers driving industry progress.
Co-organized by INDA and the American Filtration and Separations Society (AFS), the Advances in Filtration Conference will feature expert-led presentations, panel discussions, and technical posters highlighting the latest research and real-world applications. Students, researchers, and industry leaders will present innovations addressing today’s most critical challenges.
Conference topics include:
- Artificial intelligence in filtration and data centers
- E-mobility and battery applications
- Nonwoven media for water filtration and PFAS mitigation
- Sustainability in filtration systems and materials
Additional details, including speakers and presentation abstracts, will be announced soon.
The Filter Media Training Course will precede the exhibition on October 26–27, offering a comprehensive technical overview of nonwoven materials in air and liquid filtration, technology pathways, emerging needs, and future development trends. More details are available on the website,
Registration, sponsorship, and exhibiting opportunities are available at www.filtxpo.com.
Standard Textile Expands Distribution Network in Caribbean and Latin America
Standard Textile Co., Inc., a global leader in healthcare and hospitality textiles, announced the expansion of its distribution network in the CALA (Caribbean and Latin America) region through two new strategic partnerships with A Plus (also known as Central de Uniformes) and PH Interamericas. This expansion strengthens Standard Textile’s presence in the region and reinforces its ability to support hotels and resorts across all tiers with high-performance textile solutions, local service, and operational expertise.
PH Interamericas will oversee distribution across Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. A Plus will manage distribution in Panama and Chile, with the potential to expand into additional territories in the future. Together, these partners bring deep regional expertise and strong customer relationships that will enhance Standard Textile’s ability to deliver innovative textile solutions with speed, consistency and local support across CALA.
Standard Textile’s hospitality portfolio includes a comprehensive range of bed and bath linens engineered specifically for hospitality environments. With over 150 patents, hospitality products are engineered to enhance the guest experience while reducing operational costs. It most recently re-engineered a terry collection specifically for the CALA region. The Capitol Collection for CALA, woven and finished in the USA, utilizes a patented weaving technology that provides substantial operational savings.
Circ Snnounces New Fiber Club Partners
Circ, a Danville, Virgina-based textile‑to‑textile recycler, announced the scaling of its Fiber Club initiative.
Building on the inaugural program, Circ is bringing together a new group of brand partners: the lifestyle brand Madewell (under J.Crew Group), fashion brand Reformation and European retailer C&A, alongside supply chain partners Lenzing and Linz Textil.
First launched in January 2025 with Bestseller, Eileen Fisher, Everlane and Zalando, alongside supply partners Arvind, Birla Cellulose and Foshan Chicley, Circ said Fiber Club is addressing minimum order quantities and pricing challenges that have historically limited the adoption of new materials. By aggregating demand across pulp, fiber and yarn stages, this roadmap for scaling next-gen materials helps brands move from pilot testing to commercial product launches and long-term material commitments, the company said.
Each brand within this cohort is developing collections using TENCEL™ | Circ® with REFIBRA™ technology, made with 30% Circ pulp sourced from recycled polycotton textile waste. Circ provides the recycled pulp, which Lenzing converts into TENCEL™ | Circ® with REFIBRA™ lyocell fibers. Linz Textil spins the fibers into yarn, and each brand nominates its own fabric and garment manufacturers to ensure smooth integration into existing supply chains. This model allows brands already working with Lenzing fibers to adopt Circ materials easily while expanding Circ’s network of manufacturers capable of producing circular textiles at scale.
Fiber Club supports brands as regulatory pressure, commercial requirements, and consumer expectations are accelerating the circular transition. In the US and Europe, proposed extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies are an early sign that brands will need to begin taking greater responsibility for textile waste and invest in recovery and recycling systems. Collectively, these shifts are reinforcing recycled materials as an increasingly important business priority, driving demand for scalable, commercially viable solutions that can be easily integrated into existing supply chains.
Circulose Restarts Production at Ortviken Plant
Circulose announced the restart of its commercial-scale production plant at Ortviken in Sundsvall, Sweden, marking a significant step in scaling next-generation materials for the global fashion industry. The company plans to resume production of CIRCULOSE®, a recycled pulp made entirely from discarded cotton textiles, in the fourth quarter of 2026.
“The preparations are in full swing, and new pulp is expected to roll out of the factory by the end of the year, ensuring there is no gap in supply,” said Jonatan Janmark, CEO of Circulose.
In 2024, under new ownership by private equity firm Altor, Circulose set a renewed strategic direction focused on securing volume commitments from partner brands to bring CIRCULOSE® back to market at scale.
“Our plan was to align the production restart with confirmed demand, and with commitments from 11 brands, we are now moving forward with confidence,” Janmark said. He added that the company has also signed strategic partnerships with fiber producers Tangshan Sanyou, Aditya Birla, and Jilin Chemicals.
With the Ortviken plant back in operation, Circulose will be able to continue supplying fashion brands and fiber producers with high-quality recycled raw material at commercial scale, supporting industry efforts to divert textile waste from landfills and incineration. Currently, orders are being fulfilled with existing inventory produced by Renewcell, prior to its bankruptcy.
“Restarting Ortviken is a major milestone for Circulose and for scaling next-generation materials,” Janmark added. “The fashion industry needs solutions that work at industrial scale and integrate seamlessly into existing supply chains. CIRCULOSE® is designed to do exactly that.”
The Ortviken plant is the world’s first commercial-scale chemical textile recycling facility. Its restart demonstrates that, despite past challenges, the fashion industry is seeking ways to scale proven, real-world solutions that move beyond pilots and into sustained commercial production.
Northwood Acquires Kimberly-Clark Sites in Wales
Northwood has acquired the tissue mill and converting facilities formerly operated by Kimberly-Clark in Flint, North Wales.
Under the agreement, Northwood has purchased the 98-acre site, which includes a 30,000-tonne-per-year tissue mill, a converting plant producing both rolled and folded tissue products, and a National Distribution Centre.
The acquisition also covered the Flint personal care factory, which is equipped with modern converting lines designed to manufacture environmentally compliant wet wipe products.
The transaction has now completed, with integration and restart planning underway. The Kimberly-Clark site was closed in August 2025, following regulatory changes affecting the UK wipes sector. Specifically, the UK ban on the sale of plastic-containing wet wipes from spring 2027 was cited as a key factor behind the shutdown of the personal care operations.
Henkel to Accelerate Use of Bio-Based Raw Materials
Henkel Adhesive Technologies has entered into a strategic collaboration with Swedish chemical company Sekab, with focus on replacing conventional ethyl acetate with sustainable, bio-based alternatives for adhesive production.
Henkel’s aims to integrate renewable raw materials into product formulations as a drop-in solution, helping customers to achieve their climate goals and reducing its own environmental footprint. The collaboration with Sekab represents part of the company’s strategy to advance circular solutions.
Adam Lindholm, head of Sales and Business Development at Sekab said their collaboration with Henkel demonstrates how fossil-free, bio-based chemicals can be integrated into existing value chains without compromising performance. “This accelerates the transition towards a fossil-independent chemical industry. By working together along the value chain, we can bring scalable, sustainable raw materials to market and create tangible climate benefits,” he said
The collaboration with Sekab represents a key pillar of Henkel’s corporate sustainability strategy, which includes advancing circular solutions, reducing carbon emissions, and enabling customers to meet their own sustainability targets through cutting-edge adhesive technologies.
Shawmut Corp. Joins U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings & Better Plants Program
Shawmut Corporation, a global leader in advanced materials and sustainable engineered textile solutions, has joined the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Better Buildings & Better Plants program, committing to ambitious energy and emissions goals that underscore its leadership in sustainable manufacturing.
As a new partner in the DOE initiative, Shawmut has pledged to improve energy intensity usage by 25% across its U.S. operations within 10 years, using 2023 as the baseline year. These goals align with the company’s long-standing commitment to innovation, sustainability, and responsible manufacturing.
Shawmut’s strategy for meeting its DOE commitments will focus first on its most energy-intensive operations: textile dyeing and finishing. The company plans to deploy a comprehensive mix of process optimization, equipment modernization, renewable energy sourcing, and heat recovery systems across its manufacturing network.
Five of Shawmut’s facilities in the United States will be enrolled in the program, where teams will benchmark current performance, conduct energy audits, and implement continuous improvement plans to drive measurable reductions in thermal energy use and overall emissions.
Founded in 1916, Shawmut Corporation has grown into a leading global provider of high-performance textiles and composite materials serving the automotive, medical, filtration, military/tactical, and industrial markets.
Nonwovenn Expands PFAS Free Ostomy Care
Nonwovenn, an England-based nonwoven fabric-tech company, is developing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)- free activated carbon filter media for ostomy pouches, addressing the medical sector’s increasing need for safer, compliant and more sustainable filtration materials.
Drawing on more than two decades of expertise in the industry, Nonwovenn’s latest work combines odor and gas adsorption with low pressure drop, carbon integration and regulatory readiness.
The development is driven by regulatory scrutiny of PFAS continuing to increase worldwide. PFAS free options can help to simplify global market access and future proof product portfolios.
Americhem Recognized Among Top 5% Globally for Sustainability Performance
Americhem, a globally recognized designer and manufacturer of custom color masterbatch, functional additives, engineered compounds, and performance technologies, has earned the EcoVadis Gold rating, placing the company among the top 5% of organizations assessed globally for sustainability performance in their sector.
EcoVadis is one of the world’s most widely used business sustainability assessment platforms, evaluating companies across Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. The Gold rating reflects not only the presence of sustainable policies but also the robustness of management systems, documentation, and implementation practices, as evaluated by EcoVadis across Americhem’s global operations.
The EcoVadis Gold rating follows Americhem’s prior Silver ratings in recent years and reflects continued strengthening of environmental stewardship, governance, and management systems across the organization.
“This recognition reflects how our teams run the business every day,” said John Richard, CEO of Americhem. “EcoVadis Gold is not tied to a single initiative or announcement. It’s the result of disciplined processes, accountable leadership, and sustained focus across our global organization.”
Americhem’s sustainability strategy is structured around People, Process, and Product, emphasizing measurable progress that is embedded into operational decision-making rather than managed as a standalone program. This approach is detailed in the company’s 2025 Sustainability Report, which documents governance oversight, risk management practices, operational controls, and continuous improvement efforts across its global manufacturing footprint.
Marco Bruno Appointed New R&D Head for Avgol Nonwovens Business
Marco Bruno has been appointed Global R&D Head for the nonwovens business at Avgol, an Indorama Ventures company. With more than 20 years of experience in the textile and nonwovens industry, including extensive expertise in high technology textile substrates, he brings deep knowledge in nonwoven and textile-related applications. He is one of the inventors on more than 10 international patent filings covering advanced breathable functional materials and innovative material engineering developments in the nonwoven field.
At Indorama Ventures’ Avgol nonwovens business, Marco’s key goal is to further strengthen the company’s collaboration with up- and downstream partners across the value chain, ensuring that innovation translates into tangible, high value benefits for customers.
Being an active member of the company’s cross-business R&D community globally, he will also work closely with colleagues developing next-generation fibers for nonwovens and those focusing on the further enhancements of surfactants for technical and personal care applications.
The company’s latest efforts to develop a comprehensive portfolio of soft nonwovens addressing different customer needs will be presented at INDEX, the world’s leading Nonwovens Exhibition taking place in May in Geneva, Switzerland.
Bally Ribbon Mills to Highlight 3-D Weaving Capabilities at JEC World 2026
Bally Ribbon Mills, an industry leader in the design, development, and manufacture of highly specialized engineered woven fabrics, announced it will highlight its 3-D weaving capabilities at JEC World 2026, which will be held on March 10-12, 2026, in Paris-Nord Villepinte, France, Booth #6K104. BRM will highlight its film infusion capabilities for 3-D woven joints; woven thermal protection systems (TPS); and advanced woven composite 3-D structures, including 3-D near-net shapes.
In BRM’s film infusion process, a frozen sheet or film of resin is infused onto the custom 3-D woven joint. Film-infused 3-D woven joints ship as pre-made assemblies, ensuring consistent quality control from the industry-leading experts in fabrication and saving customers the cost of infusing the resin themselves. BRM has perfected the science and art of 3-D continuous weaving to fabricate such structures as “Pi – π,” double “T,” “H,” and other complex shapes. Offering the optimal blend of strength, durability, and structural integrity, these complex woven structures are used primarily in aerospace applications, often in airframe structural components and subassemblies including stiffeners and joints.
Metsä Group and ANDRITZ Start Up Demo Plant for New Lignin Products
Metsä Group and ANDRITZ have successfully started up a new demonstration plant for lignin refining at Metsä’s Äänekoski bioproduct mill in Finland, marking an important step in the shift toward circular and renewable material solutions.
The plant will enable Metsä Group to add new lignin products to its offering, while ANDRITZ brings its LigniOxTM lignin recovery technology to demonstration scale. The project also involves Dow, a leading material science company, that collaborates with Metsä Group and ANDRITZ to develop bio-based plasticizers for concrete and gypsum applications with modified lignin from the demo plant.
Lignin is a substance in wood that binds wood fibers together. In pulp production, lignin is separated from the fibers into black liquor and typically used as bioenergy. Using part of this lignin for chemical and material applications improves the mill’s resource efficiency and helps replace fossil-based raw materials.
CPM|Crown to Open New State-of-the-Art European Operations Hub
CPM Crown, a global leader in process solutions and engineered equipment, will officially relocate its European operations to a new, state-of-the-art facility at a Citivale-managed site in April, marking a major milestone in the company’s continued growth.
The move brings CPM Crown Europe together under one roof for the first time, creating a centralized hub designed to support collaboration and long-term expansion.
“Crown Europe has been based at our previous site since the 1990s, but our business has changed dramatically in recent years,” said Chris Fisher, Director of Operations, EMEA at CPM Crown. “We’ve evolved from operating as individual geographic business units to becoming a centralized, global functional organization. With that shift has come growth—our team has nearly doubled—and we needed a space that enables the way we work today.”
Previously spread across three aging buildings, the CPM Crown team will now operate from a single, modern facility designed to improve efficiency and integration.
The newly refurbished space offers a blank canvas that is being thoughtfully designed to support collaboration. It blends open-plan office areas with dedicated rooms for meetings, training, customer engagement and product showcases—brought to life through CPM Crown branding and design elements that reflect the company’s role as a global process solutions provider.
Freudenberg to Return to Wire Düsseldorf in 2026
Freudenberg Performance Materials is returning to the Wire trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, after a gap of several years. The experts from the world’s leading supplier of technical textiles are looking forward to presenting their comprehensive range of high-performance tapes for power, data, and specialty cables to visitors at the trade fair and discussing solutions with them at stand D19 in Hall 13 from April 13-17.
Freudenberg will showcase its high-performance cable tapes for all kinds of applications, including power, data, fiber optic, telecom, and special cables. Its cable tape product range for medium (MV) and high (HVDC and HVAC) voltage cables includes semi-conductive and non-conductive water-blocking tapes, binding tapes, bedding tapes, separation tapes, and special developments. These tapes are critical for protecting and maintaining the structural integrity of cables, in particular thanks to their outstanding swelling performance and conductivity. For submarine cables, Freudenberg offers tapes with exceptional water-blocking capabilities that are specifically designed to react instantly upon contact with water, swell into the fine spaces inside the submarine cable, and seal against moisture.
Dong Tien, Vietnam, Successfully Starts up its Third ANDRITZ OCC Line
Dong Tien-Long An Paper JSC has successfully started up a recycled fiber line at its board production mill in Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam. This new OCC (old, corrugated containers) line, the third supplied by international technology group ANDRITZ, is designed to process 330 t/d of mixed OCC for the production of high-quality testliner serving both domestic and export markets. The addition of this third line is a strategic step that increases Dong Tien’s production capacity, further enhances pulp quality, and strengthens its commitment to sustainable growth and operational excellence.
ANDRITZ supplied the complete OCC line, including the pulping system, cleaning, screening, thickening, and a dispersing system for long fibers. The line features state-of-the-art technology such as the PrimePulping LC system with an innovative design for minimal fiber loss during pulping and efficient reject removal, as well as the PrimeScreen X equipped with patented rotor foils for maximum screening efficiency and reduced energy consumption.
INDEX™26: Pioneering Highlights at the World’s Leading Nonwovens Exhibition
INDEX™26, the World’s Leading Nonwovens Exhibition, will take place from 19 to 22 May 2026 at PALEXPO in Geneva. The upcoming edition serves as a hub for innovation, inspiration, and networking with international decision-makers, positioning itself as a cross-industry platform for exchange
across all nonwoven sectors. With 600 exhibitors expected INDEX™26 represents the entire value chain of the industry, from raw materials, machinery, producers of nonwovens, components to converters.
This year’s event highlights a clear trend toward high-performance lightweight materials emerging from an increasingly integrated global supply chain. From breakthroughs in engineering to innovations in raw
materials, the focus remains firmly on enhancing efficiency and sustainability without compromising quality.
Leading companies offering technologies and raw materials for advanced nonwoven production will unveil significant new developments. One of the most eagerly awaited unveilings is the introduction of RF6 technology from Reifenhäuser Reicofil. This latest generation of spunmelt production is poised to set new global standards by delivering higher throughput for the finest fibers while enabling user-friendly, low-maintenance operation.
Magnera, created from the merger of Berry and Glatfelter, will present breathable backsheet solutions with a basis weight reduced to just 8 g/m². These are combined with an ultra-soft, thin nonwoven fabric of 10 g/m² to create the lightest breathable solution to date for printed baby and adult backsheets.
Magnera will also showcase its Supersoft ATB (Air-Through Bonded) fabric for backsheet applications, which reduces material consumption, lowers freight costs, and shortens delivery times without compromising comfort or quality. Supersoft combines exceptional softness with reliable technical performance, offering enhanced results through optimized thickness reduction.
In the field of raw materials, the Austrian company Borealis is introducing a new polypropylene (PP) grade for spunbond nonwovens based on its Nextension technology. This enables manufacturers to replace complex multi-layer structures with recyclable mono-material designs. Borealis HG485FB improves nonwoven production through its wide processing window and excellent spinning performance, allowing processors to push the boundaries in optimizing web properties, coverage, and strength.
A.Celli will present its standalone VoluMAX³ line, a high-speed system for 3D embossing and perforation. A.Celli’s E-Wind non-stop unwinding, inline cutting, and winding machine has been combined with the leading embossing roller from German exhibitor Saueressig. The result is a flexible, maintenance-friendly system that guarantees maximum precision, quality, and speed in the production of sophisticated surface effects at speeds of up to 600 meters per minute.
Meanwhile, Wisdom Greentech is pushing the boundaries of softness with the world’s first nonwoven
material made from 0.4-denier fibers. Featuring a skin-contact layer of 100% cotton, this product is
manufactured without chemical binders or ultrasonic bonding. Thanks to a patented process and
Trützschler’s dual carding technology, materials finer than silk are created. Trützschler, a specialist in
nonwoven technologies, has supplied Wisdom Greentech with four ATB systems to date and will also be
exhibiting in Geneva this May.
SAF™ Technology Selected as Key Component for Heat Stress Mitigation Solutions
UK company Heat Stress Global (HSG) has chosen to partner with Technical Absorbents (TAL) to support its global evolution of heat stress mitigation solutions. TAL’s Super Absorbent Fibre (SAF™) technology has been the key component in HSG’s Hyperkewl® Plus evaporative cooling products. Now collaboration will see exclusive SAF™ materials integrated across its latest ActiKewl® range, as the company endeavors to provide a step-change in cooling performance, durability, and water retention for people working and playing in extreme heat environments worldwide.
The company said in a press release that the next generation of ActiKewl® evaporative cooling products will set a new global benchmark in heat stress mitigation, supporting workforces and teams across construction, utilities, oil & gas, logistics, sports, and major infrastructure projects in high-temperature regions. With rising global temperatures and increasing regulatory focus on worker welfare, the partnership strengthens HSG’s ability to deliver scalable, evidence-led cooling solutions for employers operating in the world’s most demanding climates.
Eastman Introduces Naia™ Lyte at Première Vision Paris
Eastman unveiled Naia™ Lyte, a new cellulose acetate filament yarn that represents an important milestone in performance for lightweight and premium fabrics, at Première Vision Paris. Presented for the first time to the international fashion and textile community, Naia™ Lyte expands the capabilities of acetate yarn by introducing enhanced tenacity, unlocking new creative and technical possibilities for designers, mills and brands.
“Naia™ Lyte marks a significant development in acetate filament yarn innovation,” said Ruth Farrell,
general manager of Eastman’s textiles business. “By increasing the tenacity of our yarn, we are
expanding the performance boundaries of acetate and enabling new lightweight fabric applications,
while staying true to the comfort, aesthetics and reliability that define Naia™. Naia™ Lyte is already
being produced commercially, and we are excited by initial reactions to this new, innovative
addition to our Naia™ portfolio.
Naia™ Lyte introduces a new level of performance to acetate filament yarns through enhanced
tenacity, while preserving the refined aesthetics traditionally associated with Naia™. This balance
supports a wide range of applications, including fashion-forward lightweight fabrics as well as
segments with more technical performance needs. Its refined, silky hand feel, natural luster and
fluid drape are combined with comfort and easy-care benefits such as dry feel, cool-to-touch
comfort, shape retention after repeated washes, and functional features including odor management and anti-static properties.
Naia™ Lyte has been developed and produced via Eastman’s strategic partnership with Huafon
Chemical, established to accelerate innovation and localized development of cellulose acetate
filament yarns. Announced in 2025, the collaboration combines Eastman’s long-standing expertise
in cellulosic materials with Huafon’s manufacturing and development capabilities, creating a
strong platform for advancing acetate yarn performance.
INDA Featured on Search Engine Podcast, “Are Flushable Wipes Actually Flushable”
INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced that Wes Fisher, Director of Government Relations, recently appeared as a guest on the popular podcast Search Engine in an episode titled “Are Flushable Wipes Actually Flushable?” In the episode Fisher provided insights into the nonwovens sector and represented INDA’s perspective on flushability standards that confirm when a wipe can be marketed as flushable.
The episode provided a well-balanced take on the misbelief that flushable wipes are the culprit of wastewater clogs, which is demonstrably not true. That said, it is important to ensure consumers understand the distinction between flushable and non-flushable wipes.
“I was delighted to highlight several important topics with the Search Engine team, including sharing results of the California Collection study that showed the importance of Do Not Flush labeling for non-flushable wipes and clarified that flushable wipes do not contribute to wastewater system issues,” said Fisher. “INDA is committed to advancing science-based methods to ensure that all products labeled flushable behave as intended in wastewater environments.”
Making up about 10% of wipes sold in the U.S., Flushable wipes are almost exclusively used as moist toilet tissue and are made from wood pulp and short plant-based fibers that are engineered to disperse in water similar to dry toilet paper. Non-flushable wipes, on the other hand, make up around 90% of wipes sold and are made with long fibers that are meant to be durable to ensure product performance. Common non-flushable wipes including baby wipes, cleaning wipes, and makeup removal wipes, which all prominently feature a Do Not Flush symbol on packaging.
This podcast episode was published on January 30th. Search “flushable wipes” and listen to the episode here: www.searchengine.show
Lenzing AG to Become Majority Owner of TreeToTextile AB
The Lenzing Group is taking another strategic milestone by acquiring a controlling majority in the Swedish innovation company TreeToTextile AB. This step strengthens Lenzing’s position as a leading provider of sustainable, wood‑based specialty fibers and expands its innovation pipeline with a highly scalable, patent‑protected technology platform. The transaction is executed through the issuance of new shares.
TreeToTextile represents the next major technological leap in cellulosic fiber production – following the development of viscose in the early 20th century and Lenzing’s own Lyocell technology in the 1990s. The process offers a significantly improved sustainability profile, attractive cost advantages, and broad applicability across textile and nonwoven markets. With the majority acquisition, Lenzing underscores its commitment to consistently advancing its premiumization strategy and further expanding its leadership position in the global specialty fiber market.
“TreeToTextile is among the world’s most advanced next‑generation fiber technologies and represents the most promising development on the market. Since our initial investment in 2025, the collaboration between the innovative TreeToTextile team and Lenzing’s fiber experts has enabled significant technological progress. We are fully committed to the joint scale‑up and commercialization. H&M Group, Inter IKEA Group, and Stora Enso, will continue to support this path as minority shareholders, contributing valuable market and consumer perspectives,” said Georg Kasperkovitz, COO of Lenzing Group. LSCS Invest also reaffirms its confidence in the joint technology platform through its long‑standing commitment since the foundation of the company and continued role as a shareholder.
The transaction enables an accelerated scaling of the new technology. Lenzing plans a significant increase in production output at the existing demonstration plant in Nymölla, Sweden, as well as the preparation of the first industrial‑scale facility. In addition, the company expects operational synergies from an even closer collaboration.
Pfaff Industrial Names Michael Killian Managing Director
Michael Kilian will become new Managing Director of PFAFF Industriesysteme und Maschinen GmbH. He succeeds Dr. Frank Meyer, who will remain Managing Director at KSL Joining Technology GmbH in Bensheim.
Together with Ms. Jing Fan (Managing Director for finance & controlling, human resources, IT, and quality), Michael Kilian will take over responsibility for the long-established Kaiserslautern-based company.
Michael Kilian is also Managing Director of Dürkopp Adler GmbH. Both companies are part of the internationally operating Shang Gong Group (SGG). Together with Ms. Fan, he is responsible for driving forward and implementing the initiated reorganization of the group. The goal is the strategic and operational integration of PFAFF INDUSTRIAL into Dürkopp Adler GmbH company. This measure is a further step towards leveraging synergies within the group and securing and expanding the companies’ market position in the textile and leather processing industry in long term.
“With this reorganization, we are ideally positioned to meet the future challenges of the markets regarding automation, digitalization, and artificial intelligence. With PFAFF INDUSTRIAL in the group, we intend to strengthen our textile welding activities with new, innovative products,” said Michael Kilian.
Haelixa Raises EUR 2 Million to Scale DNA-Based Traceability Globally
Haelixa, the Swiss-based deeptech provider of DNA-based product traceability, has raised EUR 2 million in a pre-series A investment round to support international scale and long-term strategic growth.
The round was led by existing backers Verve Ventures and Zurich Kantonalbank, with participation from an impact-focused investor 212 NexT Fund. This complements the catalytic funding awarded through the Temasek Trust Amplifier programme.
The investment will support Haelixa’s international expansion, targeted team growth, and deeper collaboration with textile brands and supply-chain partners.
Haelixa’s patented DNA-based technology physically marks raw materials at any stage of production and enables later verification of origin and authenticity. The plant-based, invisible DNA markers are embedded directly into raw materials and remain detectable throughout complex, multi-tier supply chains.
As regulatory scrutiny increases, fashion brands face growing risks of fraud, undeclared blending, and substitution of premium materials, as well as mounting exposure to counterfeiting. These failures threaten compliance, brand equity, and consumer trust. By enabling verification directly on the product itself, Haelixa provides brands with a practical safeguard to protect material integrity and brand value.
Haelixa’s technology is already used across fashion and textiles, as well as precious metals and gemstones, and is compliant with GOTS, Standard 100® by OEKO-TEX, and OEKO-TEX® Eco Passport.
Oerlikon Completes Divestment of Barmag
Oerlikon announced that it has completed the divestment of its Barmag business to Rieter. The transaction, announced on May 6, 2025, values Barmag at CHF 850 million enterprise value (excluding a potential earn-out of up to CHF 100 million). The closing marks the final step in Oerlikon’s strategic transformation into a pure-play company that is a global market and technology leader for surface solutions. The proceeds from the sale will be used to repay debt, for general corporate purposes and potential distribution to shareholders. Financial details and impacts related to the closing will be disclosed in Oerlikon’s full-year financial announcement on February 24, 2026.
With the closing, Oerlikon becomes a pure-play surface technology company with a clear brand and positioning towards its stakeholders. Oerlikon serves a broad base of customers in demanding industries – from automotive, aerospace, tooling and energy to luxury, medical and semiconductors – with a comprehensive toolbox of high-tech surface technologies. The company delivers innovative technologies that help customers achieve greater efficiency, performance and productivity while improving sustainability. Oerlikon will continue to leverage its core competencies to grow in its end markets with new applications and expand its regional presence, especially in Asia and the Americas.
Congressional Leaders Seek to Boost American Cotton Consumption
North Carolina Congressman Greg Murphy and Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell have introduced legislation aimed at increasing the use of American-grown cotton.
The Buying American Cotton Act will incentivize the consumption of products made with cotton grown in the United States with a tax credit. The credit would be offered to the first U.S. entity that sells an eligible product directly to American consumers.
Eligibility for the credit would be based on a number of factors, including proof of U.S. origin, volume of U.S.-grown cotton in the product and location of manufacturing. North Carolina and Alabama rank 6th and 7th in cotton production in the US.
Beaulieu International Group Announces Acquisition of IFG Asota GMBH
Beaulieu International Group announced it has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire all shares of IFG Asota GMBH, an Austria-based fiber company and a key player in the global synthetic staple fibers market. This strategic acquisition strengthens Beaulieu’s Fibres Division (BFI) and marks an important step in its ambition to become the world’s most trusted partner for sustainable nonwoven solutions.
IFG Asota GMBH brings deep expertise in polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE) and biopolymer fibers such as PLA, serving a wide range of high-value markets including flooring, automotive, filtration, and technical applications. The company is particularly known for its strong innovation capabilities, supported by a research center featuring a unique pilot line that accelerates development project timelines by offering the opportunity to prototype new fibers. The extensive expertise in technical applications, biobased & recycled polymers accelerate Beaulieu’s roadmap to product leadership.
For Beaulieu, the acquisition of IFG Asota GMBH represents a natural and strategic fit within Beaulieu Fibres International (BFI). It aligns fully with Beaulieu’s ambition to be “the most complete staple fiber expert,” empowering customers to exceed limits – whether in performance, sustainability, or manufacturing efficiency – across both disposable and durable nonwoven technical textiles.
