Fifteen U.S. state attorneys general oppose proposed revision to TSCA PFAS reporting policy

January 9th, 2026

Fifteen U.S. state attorneys general have submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), expressing their opposition to a proposed revision to PFAS reporting policy under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The comments were submitted Dec. 22 by attorneys general of Connecticut, Illinois, California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, […]

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A large, sandal-shaped billboard made of brown, textured material displays the text "100% biodegradable. Just like this billboard."

Chupps sandal-shaped billboard biodegrades

January 8th, 2026

The billboard was built by combining mud, hay, bamboo, cow dung, and clay. Photo: Chupps and INTO Creative Agency. Mumbai, India-based footwear brand Chupps found a highly visible way to advertise the company’s commitment to simple footwear made from eco-friendly materials. It created a biodegradable billboard shaped like a sandal that was designed to disappear […]

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France’s ban on PFAS is now in force

January 8th, 2026

Cosmetics and clothes made with PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, have officially been banned in France. This follows mounting concern over the adverse health impacts of these persistent pollutants. The landmark bill was passed on February 20, 2025, with more than 140,000 citizens calling on their MPs to support the ban. While it has […]

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Red tote bag beside a silver bowl, black gloves, a clear package of material, and a green bottle of Mobil 1 engine oil on a brown surface.

Maintaining critical funding for advanced textiles

January 8th, 2026

On January 5, 2026, the Appropriations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives released conference bills for important appropriations that fund federal research and allied agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). As of this writing, these bills are expected to pass through both houses […]

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White diabetic sock displayed against a black background, focusing on the textured sole and smooth upper design.

Swiss startup announces smart socks for sensing and pain

January 8th, 2026

The bottom view of the “Leia” sock with its electrodes. Photo: provided by ETH Zurich | photo by Michel Büchel.  ETH Zurich spin-off MYNERVA has created a smart sock that can help people with diabetes feel the ground again while walking. Named Leia, the device has electrodes sewn into it, which restores the user’s sensation to the foot sole as well as reduces their […]

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Cream-hued pillow resting on a textured, light-colored mattress cover, set against a softly lit beige headboard.

Xiaomi launches voice-controlled, mite-fighting blanket

January 8th, 2026

The Mijia Smart Electric blanket can be controlled via a voice-activated mobile app. Ever since Xiaomi was founded 15 years ago in Beijing, it has expanded from producing smartphones to AR glasses, robotic dogs, and even electric cars. Now, the company has introduced another innovation: a smart blanket with voice control that also fights mites. The Mijia Smart Electric blanket […]

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PFAS laws in several U.S. states take effect

January 8th, 2026

Several U.S. state laws related to the use of PFAS in products, such as bans and warning label mandates, went into effect Jan. 1. These states include Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota and Vermont. Visit Advanced Textile Association’s PFAS Resource Center for information and updates about other state PFAS laws and regulations. Connecticut Most products (including […]

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Red "oerlikon" logo in lowercase letters, showcasing a bold and modern typography on a white background.

Oerlikon receives regulatory approvals for Barmag sale to Rieter

January 6th, 2026

Image: Oerlikon Oerlikon announced that the company has received all regulatory clearances for the divestment of its Barmag business to Rieter, with closing scheduled for early February 2026. The transaction, announced in May 2025, values Barmag at an enterprise value of CHF 850 million (around $1 billion), excluding a potential earn-out of up to CHF […]

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ExxonMobil, Milliken, Ravago develop recycled PP compounds for automotives

January 5th, 2026

Image: Milliken & Company ExxonMobil, Milliken and Ravago have developed high-performance polypropylene (PP) compounds that incorporate recycled content and meet various automotive requirements. These requirements include stiffness, impact resistance, and fast injection molding cycle times, which comply with emerging end-of-life vehicle requirements in the European Union. Automotive original equipment manufacturers have traditionally limited the use […]

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CBP collects $1 billion since end of de minimis loophole

January 1st, 2026

In mid-December U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that it has collected more than $1 billion in duties on more than 246 million low-cost shipments since the phasing out the de minimis loophole began May 2, 2025. The phaseout began with low-value shipments from China and Hong Kong no longer being eligible for duty-free […]

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