#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2025-11-27

Asteks and Nexrone launch global investment initiative

Westure Ventures established in the Netherlands

Asteks Chairman & CEO Emre Akman and Nexrone Founder Ersoy Soyer © 2025 Asteks

A new joint investment company, Westure Ventures, has been founded by Asteks and Nexrone to focus on the development of next-generation transformative technologies. Türkiye’s long-established industrial powerhouse Asteks and one of the rising innovative forces in Europe’s startup ecosystem Nexrone Global announced the launch of their new investment company built on a shared vision: Westure Ventures.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, Westure aims to invest more than USD 30 million over the next five years. The company will focus on future-shaping fields such as financial technologies (fintech), artificial intelligence (AI), manufacturing technologies, deeptech, space and aviation, and health technologies. At the core of its investment strategy lies a commitment to what it defines as “Goodness Technologies” - ventures that deliver tangible value to society and the planet.

Innovative power combines with deep-rooted experience

With nearly 50 years of history, Asteks ranks among the world’s top three manufacturers in production technologies. Nexrone, one of Europe’s rapidly growing technology companies, stands out with its innovative approach to the entrepreneurship ecosystem and its strong growth performance, including partnerships with global and billion-dollar companies over the past three years.

Combining these two strong structures, Westure Ventures aims to embody a true “smart money” model - providing not only capital but also access to global markets, strategic partnerships, and deep technical know-how.

Investment strategy from early stage to Series A and beyond

Westure Ventures plans to support startups across various maturity levels, including early-stage, Series A, and later rounds. Beyond financial growth potential, the company evaluates each venture’s positive impact on humanity and a sustainable future.

Asteks Chairman & CEO Emre Akman and Nexrone Founder Ersoy Soyer, co-founders of Westure Ventures, summarized the vision: “At Westure, we focus on bold and determined entrepreneurs who think without borders. What matters to us is not only the technology itself, but the point at which that technology touches human life, simplifies it, and contributes hope to the future. This is why our investments are shaped around technologies that create genuine value. Finance can be used anywhere, but when your focus is generating societal value, you must have the right strategy.”

First investments to be announced soon

Westure Ventures will soon unveil its first investment portfolio. In addition to financial backing, the company aims to create a high-impact platform by offering strategic collaborations, commercialization support, and global network access that enable startups to scale across multiple markets.

Asteks to meet the global market at ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025

Getting ready to take its place at ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025 with advanced grinding solutions and a wide range of aprons and cots, Asteks is expanding its target for the Asian market. The company, focusing on strengthening relations with current and potential customers, will highlight the “Made in Türkiye” label with its innovative and competitive products.

Asteks meets with Uzbekistan and surrounding markets at CAITME 2025

Asteks’ best-selling and most trusted aprons and cots, along with its advanced R&D grinding technologies, stand out with the advantages they offer textile manufacturers. The Asteks booth at CAITME 2025 will become a popular destination for visitors with innovative offerings. Asteks, a leading manufacturer of high-quality and durable aprons and cots as well as advanced cots grinding, UV cots surface treatment, and automation solutions, will highlight its innovative products and strong local service at the 16th Central Asian International Textile Machinery Exhibition, CAITME 2025.

YKK launches “YZiP® Light” aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has launched YZiP® Light, a lightweight aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants, with sales beginning in late March. The introduction of YZiP® Light expands YKK’s zipper portfolio—led by the flagship YZiP® copper alloy zipper—providing customers with greater flexibility to meet diverse garment needs.

Coats to showcase innovative reinforcement and filler materials for leather goods and accessories at APLF 2026

Coats, a world-class Tier 2 manufacturer and trusted partner for the apparel and footwear industries, will be promoting four advanced materials from its ‘Lifestyle Solutions’ portfolio at APLF 2026 in Hong Kong in March. Each innovation has been specifically engineered to help luxury and premium brands elevate the craft, durability, sustainability and creative expression required in the manufacturing of handbags, purses, and other high-end designer accessories.

Design, innovation and sustainability propel VIATT 2026’s expanding role in ASEAN textile sourcing

At its third edition, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles, and Textile Technologies (VIATT) further reinforced its role as a key sourcing and business platform for ASEAN’s textile industry. The three-day fair welcomed over 17,000 visits from 54 countries and regions, and featured over 460 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions across 18,000 sqm. The 2026 edition was marked by the introduction of new international pavilions and zones, broadening the fair’s sourcing scope across new geographies and product categories. The fringe programme, headlined by the debut Trend Forum, further distinguished VIATT as the region’s most integrated textile trade platform – uniquely spanning the entire value chain.

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.