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: October 28, 2025
EU Steps up its Circular Economy Efforts with New Waste Rules
The European Union is moving towards a more circular and sustainable economy with the Waste Framework Directive, which officially entered into place this month. The updated Waste Framework Directive outlines standard rules for extended producer responsibility (EPR) in the textile and footwear sectors and introduces binding food waste reduction targets for all union members.
The aim is to reduce waste, cut environmental damage, and boost economic resilience by promoting sustainable practices and reducing dependence on raw materials.
The revised Waste Framework Directive hopes to reduce waste, cut environmental damage and boost economic resilience by promoting sustainable practices and reducing dependence on raw materials.
The revision aligns closely with the EU’s Competitiveness Compass and Strategic Agenda for 2024–2029.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32025L1892&qid=1760531838376
Makalot Unveils Breakthrough Textiles and Expanded Americas Supply Chain Ahead
Makalot Industrial Co., Ltd., a global textile and apparel leader, announced several new textile technologies and sustainable fabrics, ahead of Functional Fabric Fair 2025. Evan Sheu, Product Innovation Manager at Makalot said their return to the Fair this year is highlighting how new advancements in smart clothes create whole new functions and capabilities.
Makalot’s WIIM smart textile platform which will be on display integrates advanced technology into garments while prioritizing safety and wearability, offering cutting-edge solutions such as physiological-signal-sensing textiles (ECG, EMG, EEG), cooling and heating systems, motion-capture garments, and muscle-stimulation wearables.
WIIM’s state-of-the-art conductive materials include LIGHTFIBER: A patented electroluminescent fiber that emits light via AC current, making it the world’s first wearable neon light. Ideal for activewear for safe, flashlight-free night-time outdoor activities, it offers visibility of up to 100 meters, multiple color options, and endless design potential; and Elastic Conductor: A breakthrough material that offers true stretchability for electronic conductors in e-textiles and is tested through more than 2,200 wash cycles.
Other WIIM innovations on display include Heated Vest Co-Developed with Clim8: Lightweight, safe, washable, and battery-powered, with heat levels adjustable via the Clim8 app, and Smart Tracking Textiles: For clothing brands: RFID fibers enable long-distance wireless identification and inventory management, with durability of up to 100 washes; For consumers: Duo-frequency labels provide smartphone-paired features like authenticity checks, washing instructions, and health tracking.
Makalot will also showcase its latest synthetic and natural fabrics that offer comfort and style while providing sustainable options for greater consumer choice:
- Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer (TPEE): A recyclable synthetic fiber offering durability, comfort and extended product life.
- Thermo-regulation Wool: A finely spun wool blend with a soft handfeel and natural temperature control, ideal for single-layer garments.
- Linen-inspired Fabrics: Sustainable alternatives that replicate the breezy feel and earthy look of linen without the resource-intensive flax cultivation.
- Natural-fiber Leggings: Made from organic cotton, bamboo, and regenerated cellulose fibers, these leggings offer breathability, softness, and skin-friendly comfort.
Lenzing Confirmed as Global Leader in Canopy Sustainability Ranking
Lenzing AG has once again taken first place in this year’s Hot Button Report published by the Canadian non-profit organization Canopy. With 34.5 out of 40 points and no known risk of sourcing from ancient and endangered forests, Lenzing remains one of the most sustainable companies in regenerated cellulose fiber production – setting a benchmark for responsible business practices in the textile and nonwovens industries.
“This award is more than just a result – it is proof of our role as an industry benchmark. Sustainability must be viewed holistically and with foresight, and everything new that we create today is a point of reference for the future,” said Lenzing CEO Rohit Aggarwal.
Lenzing’s active projects to protect biodiversity in Austria, Albania, Burundi, Brazil, China, DR Congo, and Tanzania were particularly recognized. Progress in chemical management – above all the fulfillment of advanced standards in two of three viscose plants – also underscores Lenzing’s holistic approach to sustainability.
The Hot Button Report 2025 is further proof that Lenzing AG is well above the industry average. As part of the ranking, Canopy assesses the 34 largest producers of cellulose fibers worldwide in terms of their sustainable wood and pulp sourcing, their efforts to use alternative raw materials, and their achievements in protecting ancient and endangered forests.
Microban International Appoints Shermon McMillan as New President
Microban International, a global leader in antimicrobial and odor control solutions, announced the appointment of Shermon McMillan as its new president. A seasoned global executive with a proven record of driving growth at Fortune 500 companies, McMillan will guide Microban strategy, operations and innovation pipeline toward sustainable growth.
McMillan brings a wealth of experience across consumer healthcare and household categories. Most recently, he served as vice president and general manager at The Clorox Company, where he successfully turned around the vitamins, minerals and supplements business, delivering first-time profitability and managing its successful divestiture. Prior to that, McMillan held senior leadership roles at Sanofi Consumer Healthcare, including global vice president, overseeing a multibillion-dollar global allergy, cold and cough portfolio across over 100 countries.
INDA Opens Exhibit Space Reservations for IDEA®27 in Kansas City
INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced that exhibit space reservations are now open for IDEA®27, the world’s premier nonwovens and engineered materials event. INDA’s flagship international conference and exhibition will take place March 23-25, 2027 at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Mo.
As the largest and most influential event in 2027, IDEA®27 will connect thousands of professionals across the global nonwovens value chain, with exhibitors and attendees representing major market sectors in disposable and durable applications.
New for 2027, INDA will debut the Durables District on the IDEA®27 exhibition floor. This specialized showcase will highlight companies serving the long-life nonwovens and engineered fabrics industry, as well as market sectors that integrate durable components or machinery. Exhibitors in automotive, building and construction, geotextiles, and related fields will gain a dedicated space to spotlight innovations and connect with decision makers seeking durable solutions.
Exhibit pre-sales have been brisk, with 50,000 square feet of the exhibit hall reserved to date. While prime locations remain, companies interested in exhibiting are strongly encouraged to secure their space promptly before the floor sells out.
IDEA®25, held in Miami Beach, attracted over 550 exhibitors and 5,300 participants from around the globe. Exhibitors praised the show for providing direct access to senior-level decision makers and the opportunity to showcase innovations to a highly qualified audience.
INDA expects IDEA®27 to deliver even greater value, with the new Kansas City location, the addition of the Durables District, and a strong pipeline of exhibitors and attendees eager to connect, collaborate, and drive the industry forward.
The new European Circular Textile Coalition
Reju along with 11 other companies representing the textile value chain, recently launched the European Circular Textile Coalition’s manifesto for a fully circular textile economy, urging the EU to transform post-consumer textile waste into a driver of green jobs, innovation and competitiveness.
Europe generates 12.6 million tons of textile waste annually, with most of it landfilled, incinerated or exported and just 1% recycled back into new garments. The coalition stresses that this is no longer acceptable.
“We refuse to accept textile waste as an inevitability, instead, we see it as a solvable challenge for our generation,” the manifesto states. The coalition calls for urgent EU action to match regulatory ambition with investment in recycling and manufacturing systems. “Without system readiness, even the most forward-looking regulations risk falling short. We are here to help bridge that gap,” the group highlights. To drive change, the manifesto sets out three policy pillars:
- Ensure a competitive European textile chain, bringing production back to European shores to uphold environmental and labour standards.
- Prioritize high-quality textile-to-textile recycling, making post-consumer textile waste the main feedstock for new textiles.
- Set mandatory recycled content in textiles, with ambitious but realistic targets phased in over time.
Milliken Launches Millad ClearX™ 9000: The Clear Choice for Polypropylene
Milliken & Company announced the launch of Millad ClearX™ 9000, the next generation clarifying technology for polypropylene (PP) developed to deliver ultra-clear transparency at reduced additive loading levels. Ideal for food packaging, home storage, and medical applications, Millad ClearX™ 9000 sets a new standard for value, aesthetics, and operational efficiency in transparent PP applications.
Building on the proven Millad® platform, Millad ClearX™ 9000 provides manufacturers with an advanced solution that:
- Achieves ultra-clear PP using more efficient loading levels, reducing the amount of clarifying additives needed.
- Lowers extraction and migration rates in PP packaging and parts—critical for food-contact and medical applications.
- Improves processing compatibility compared to prior generations, supporting enhanced operational efficiency.
- Eliminates the need for segregated virgin and PCR resin streams, enabling greater composition flexibility.
“Millad ClearX™ 9000 is a breakthrough for the polypropylene industry, delivering ultra-clear transparency with less clarifying additive and greater flexibility for our customers,” said Wim Van De Velde, SVP and Managing Director of Milliken’s plastic additives business. “This launch reflects Milliken’s ongoing commitment to advancing material science and helping our partners meet evolving market demands.”
Millad ClearX™ 9000 has broad FDA conditions of use approval (A-J), opening doors for its use across a wide spectrum of food-contact applications. By enhancing additive compatibility, it helps resin producers and converters experience less downtime, less waste, and quicker changeovers—delivering measurable improvements in manufacturing efficiency. The technology also allows for improved compatibility with other Millad clarifying agents, giving producers the flexibility to optimize formulations for both virgin and post-consumer recycled (PCR) PP, supporting sustainability initiatives.
INDA Opens Recruitment for Executive Director
INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry and the Global Nonwovens Alliance, announced a recruitment for the new role of regional executive director for INDA based at its headquarters.
This position is a result of INDA and EDANA founding the Global Nonwovens Alliance (GNA) and the planned evolution to the staff leadership structures to support this effort.
The current INDA president and CEO, Tony Fragnito, will transition to an executive consultant to facilitate the INDA staff leadership transition as well as projects and initiatives related to operational integration and global outreach to expand GNA reach and participation for global priorities until his planned retirement.
The INDA executive director serves as the chief staff executive of INDA, reporting directly to the GNA CEO. The new role is responsible for leading regional strategic initiatives, managing operations and representing the association’s interests within the Americas. The INDA executive director works closely with the Global CEO and other regional leaders to align INDA goals and priorities with the global mission.
FET Launches UHMWPE Fibers for the Biomedical Market
British company Fibre Extrusion Technology Ltd., (FET) recently launched the FET-500 Series of gel spinning systems that could revolutionize research and development of UHMWPE fibers.
FET has built a reputation in medical fiber extrusion technology and innovations, designing and delivering high-performance equipment for a range of precursor medical products, including extrusion systems for production of both resorbable and non-absorbable sutures. FET’s equipment supports small-scale, adaptable production and rapid new product development.
There is a growing demand for R&D of UHMWPE fibers, which are prized in many industries due to their extraordinary properties. Current production processes are complex and tailored to the large-scale output of existing fiber grades. This rigid supply chain has stifled innovation in this untapped product market.
The FET-500 gel spinning systems will open up for smaller production volumes and more customization and research. The FET-500 enables a flexible and consistent process, able to produce quality fibers with less than 100 grams of polymer, while avoiding the harsh processing chemicals that were historically associated with gel spinning. The key to unlocking this lab and pilot scale flexibility is the use of supercritical carbon dioxide as a green solvent in a patent-pending process.
Lenzing, Mill Partners Introduce TENCEL™ Lyocell Fiber Innovation for Denim at Kingpins
The Lenzing Group, a leading global producer of regenerated cellulosic fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, officially launched TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 at Kingpins. The new fiber innovation was developed in response to value chain partners seeking textured aesthetics inspired by natural fibers.
The innovation employs Variocut technology to create deliberate variations in fiber length within the bale, producing a textured look on the final product, typically associated with natural fibers.
TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 inherently has the environmental benefits and consistent quality of LENZING™ cellulosic fibers. Through controlled variation in staple lengths, these fibers create the subtle irregularities in the fabric that contribute to the distinctive qualities and appearance of natural fibers. Adding to the texture, the fiber’s matte finish also highlights an opaque look, offering mills and brands expanded creative possibilities for developing fabrics with natural fiber aesthetics. The fibers deliver a still soft, but less liquid hand feel for premium denim products, achieving a natural softness without any washdown shade complications or the extreme draping that could feel unnatural.
Superior Glove Opens U.S. Production Plant in North Carolina
Superior Glove, a Canada-based safety gloves and sleeves producer, opened its first U.S. manufacturing facility in High Point, N.C. at the end of September 2025.
The new plant in High Point measures 32,000-square-foot. The company also operates manufacturing sites in Ontario and Newfoundland, Canada, and Honduras, and distribution centers in Alberta and Buffalo, N.Y., and plans to create more than 100 jobs in High Point over the next five years.
Plant Manager James Prochaska welcomed guests at the ceremony, emphasizing that the day was about more than just a new building.
“Today’s celebration is as much about this facility as it is about the people building it, day by day, glove by glove,” said James Prochaska, plant manager of the new facility, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Your work, your support and your commitment brought this space to life.”
Canwil Textiles Welcomes Chase Johnson
Canwil Textiles, Inc., a leader in industrial fabrics distribution and value-added textile converting, announced the addition of Chase Johnson as business development manager.
Johnson brings nearly a decade of experience in the textile industry, with a proven track record of building strong customer relationships and developing innovative growth strategies. Most recently, he was with Contempora Fabrics in Lumberton, N.C., where he focused on sales development, key account management and market expansion across several sectors.
At Canwil, Johnson will be responsible for driving growth across multiple verticals, including medical goods, industrial laundry, high-performance fabrics, outdoor equipment and specialty textile markets. He will also play a key role in expanding Canwil’s presence at major industry events, beginning next week with SEAMS in Savannah, Ga., and the ATA Expo in Indianapolis in November.
Hohenstein, GoBlu Partner to Streamline Verified Chemical Compliance
Hohenstein and The BHive® by GoBlu have formed a strategic partnership to simplify chemical compliance and sustainability reporting across global textile supply chains.
The collaboration combines Hohenstein’s testing and certification expertise with The BHive®’s digital infrastructure for chemical data. Together, the two organizations aim to reduce complexity for brands, manufacturers and suppliers facing stricter regulations, customer demands and sustainability goals.
“This synergy provides measurable value,” said Stefan Droste, CEO of Hohenstein. “It leads to improved supply chain transparency, reduced compliance risks and faster certification outcomes.”
The BHive® platform collects and analyzes chemical data for Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) reporting, turning fragmented documentation into actionable insights. Hohenstein strengthens data integrity with laboratory testing, on-site audit verification and internationally recognized certifications, including OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT.
Sunbrella Launches Sunbrella Interiors
Sunbrella, the global leader in performance fabrics, announced the launch of Sunbrella Interiors, a new sub-brand dedicated to elevating the design, comfort and durability of fabrics and products for interior spaces.
Debuting at High Point Market this October, Sunbrella Interiors offers fabrics created specifically for the home, weaving trusted performance with luxurious textures and lasting style.
The portfolio features plush chenilles, refined bouclés and other soft, textural fabrics, as well as products including window treatments, throws, and more – all designed to elevate everyday living. Each reflects the latest innovations from Sunbrella’s vertically integrated manufacturing process, including advancements at its North Carolina-based novelty yarn plant that deliver new levels of softness and sophistication. Every fabric and product is stain-resistant, easy to clean, and engineered to last – qualities that have long defined the Sunbrella name.
American-Made Products Can Reduce Carbon Footprints by 25%
Authentically American is reminding American consumers and companies that one of the simplest ways to make an immediate, measurable impact on the environment is to buy products made in the United States.
“One of the most overlooked benefits of buying American-made products is its impact on the environment,” said Dean Wegner, founder and CEO of Authentically American. “You’re doing much more than shopping — you’re making an investment in jobs, quality, and the planet.”
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said the transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Imported products often travel thousands of miles by ship, plane, and truck before reaching the consumer – generating a substantial carbon footprint along the way.
An assessment by WAP Sustainability found that a T-shirt made in China has an approximately 25% higher carbon footprint than one made and sold in the United States. Choosing American-made apparel results in significantly lower emissions, cleaner air and water and a more sustainable future.
“Every purchase is an investment in kind of economy and planet we want,” Wegner added. “At Authentically American, we challenge everyone to ask themselves, Where is yours made?® – and to consider the impact of that answer on both your community and the environment.”
Authentically American’s mission is to help bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States.
Herculite Products Promotes Austin Barshinger
Herculite Products Inc., a leading innovator and manufacturer of high-performance and custom fabrics, announced the appointment of Austin Barshinger as the new quality supervisor in York, Pa.
Barshinger has been a valuable member of the team since he joined Herculite in December 2021. Over the past four years, he has consistently taken on more responsibilities in operations and safety, demonstrating his dedication to growth within Herculite. He has advanced to a Level 7 Lam Operator, earned his Master Supervisor Certificate through the Manufacturers’ Association, and is a founding member of the Safe Pack committee.
Additionally, he has reliably served as a backup team leader when needed. His understanding of Herculite’s production processes, commitment to quality and passion for continuous improvement make him an excellent fit for this role.
In his new role, Barshinger will be responsible for leading the Quality Team in their daily duties supporting Herculite’s mission to help customers grow their businesses by delivering products and services of exceptional value – marked by their quality and innovation – on time, every day.
