#Associations

2026-09-25

ITMF names three winners of the Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026

Three projects from the UK, Korea and China have been selected as winners of the ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026. The projects address textile-to-textile recycling, chemical recycling for automotive textiles and a regenerative approach combining silk production with ecological restoration.

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has announced the three winners of its Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026. The winning projects will be presented at the ITMF & IAF Conference 2026, taking place from October 14–15 in Fortaleza, Brazil, and co-hosted by the Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association (ABIT).

The ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award recognizes sustainable and innovative achievements in the textile industry, with a focus on innovation, design, development and production under high standards of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Epoch Biodesign, UK

Project: “Scaling AI-driven enzymatic depolymerization to turn textile waste into fiber-grade nylon 6,6”

Epoch Biodesign is developing an enzymatic recycling process designed to convert textile waste into recycled nylon 6,6 suitable for fiber production. The company is currently scaling the technology from pilot to demonstration level, with further expansion towards commercial-scale production planned.

Huvis, Korea

Project: “Polyester Chemical Recycling Technology for Sustainable Automotive Textiles”

Korean fiber and materials manufacturer Huvis is developing chemical recycling technology for polyester with a focus on automotive textile applications. The project addresses the use of recycled polyester materials in a sector with demanding technical and quality requirements.

Simabo Technology Co., Ltd. and Wuhan Textile University, China

Project: “Desert-Mulberry – Bioactive Silk Eco-Regenerative Cycle”

The project combines silk production with an ecological regeneration approach based on the cultivation of resilient mulberry trees in arid and desertification-prone regions. It aims to link silk and bioactive material production with resource recovery and environmental restoration.

The three winning projects will be presented at the ITMF & IAF Conference 2026 in Fortaleza, giving participants an opportunity to learn more about the technologies and approaches behind the awarded concepts.

HeiQ & Archroma and Lenzing & Armedangels win ITMF International Collaboration Awards 2026

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has named two industry partnerships as winners of the ITMF International Collaboration Awards 2026. The awards go to collaborations between HeiQ and Archroma as well as Lenzing and Armedangels, highlighting joint approaches to innovation and sustainability across different parts of the textile value chain.

Business situation weakens slightly, but the industry stays cautiously optimistic

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has published the results of its 39th Global Textile Industry Survey (GTIS), conducted from 14 to 22 July 2026 among companies along the entire global textile value chain. Worldwide, 10% of participants rated their business situation as good, 53% as satisfactory and 37% as bad — a balance of -26pp, down from -17pp in May but still well above the 2023 lows. All regions are now in negative territory, from South Asia at -3pp to North & Central America at -58pp.

Italian textile machinery at TITAS 2026: strategic partnership and tailor-made solutions for the Taiwanese market

The excellence and innovative capabilities of Italian textile machinery technology are coming to Taipei for TITAS 2026 (Taiwan International Textile & Garment Machinery Show), the leading event for the island’s textile industry and the wider Asian region, scheduled to take place from 6 to 8 October 2026.

German textile industry and retailers form alliance to shape textile EPR system

Germany’s textile and fashion industry and retail sector have joined forces to establish the “Alliance for Textile Circularity” (Allianz für textile Kreisläufe). Initiated by the German Textile and Fashion Industry Association (Gesamtverband textil+mode) and the German Retail Federation (HDE), the alliance aims to contribute industry expertise to the development of Germany’s future Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system for textiles and footwear.

Automation, digitalization and new business models are shaping the future of footwear and leather technology

The European footwear and leather machinery industry is facing profound transformations. Global competitive dynamics, technological innovation, automation and digitalization are fundamentally reshaping markets, production processes and business models. This is one of the key findings of the new study “Threads of the Future – Footwear and Leather Technology Edition”, which was presented today by VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies (VDMA TFL) during a press conference at SIMAC Tanning Tech in Milan.

KARL MAYER invites the Global Textile Industry to celebrate its 90th anniversary at its German Headquarters in 2027

KARL MAYER is turning its anniversary year 2027 into a milestone for the textile sector. To mark its 90th anniversary, the industry leader is inviting customers, partners, and experts from around the world to a unique event series in September aimed at pushing boundaries, unlocking new opportunities, and jointly setting the course for a new era in textiles – just as KARL MAYER has done throughout its history. The company’s headquarters in Obertshausen, near Frankfurt, is the place to be.

Durak Maxibalance thread supports users’ movement and balance comfort

Durak Tekstil, a leading brand in its industry, has developed Durak Maxibalance, a new product engineered with bio-ceramic and FAR IR technology. Ushering in a new era for sportswear, activewear, and medical textiles, this technology offers features designed to support balance and movement comfort by reflecting the energy absorbed from the body back into it.