ATA News

ATA accepting independent nominations for board of directors positions

July 15, 2026

Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) announced that the association’s leadership development committee has recommended the appointment of four individuals for board of directors positions beginning in November. There is, however, still an opportunity for additional candidates to be considered. Those interested can submit an independent nomination to ATA through Aug. 27. Independent nominations due Aug. 27 …

In the Industry

AFFOA names Product Accelerator program awardees 

July 13, 2026

The Advanced Functional Fabrics of America Inc. (AFFFOA) has announced that The Lycra Company, Gentex Corporation, Ecotune, and MacroCycle Technologies have been selected as awardees in the third round of its Product Accelerator for Functional Fabrics (PAFF 3.0) program.  The goal of the PAFF 3.0 program is to address critical technical and manufacturing challenges by providing …

Features

From prototype to product

July 13, 2026

The Global Electronics Association through its IPC standardization efforts has been a driving force in global electronics standardization for nearly 70 years. The last time we checked in with Advanced Textiles readers, you may have known us as IPC. In summer 2026, our organization went through a rebranding effort—an evolution in our organization that reflects …

My Take

It is the details

July 13, 2026

I spent a good portion of my life directing theater. I frequently told my cast (and crew), “It is the details, it is the details, it is the details.” The wrong shoes with a period suit spoils the illusion. So does rushing a pause or a late entrance. But a perfectly timed laugh line or …

EcoNote

Growing color through bacterial pigmentation 

July 13, 2026

As the textile industry faces increasing scrutiny over the environmental costs of dyeing and finishing, New York, N.Y.-based design studio OXMAN explores whether color can be cultivated rather than applied. The latest textile research of the studio, “Vigils,” investigates a process in which pigmented bacteria grow directly on textile surfaces, allowing color to emerge through biological activity.  The project …

Out There

Connecting to the body with bio-based textiles and biosensors

July 13, 2026

Berlin-based design and research firm WINT Design Lab envisions, prototypes and designs regenerative futures through devices and biotextiles that allow humans to connect with their bodies more, and free themselves from fossil materials that harm them and the environment. The industry currently produces materials that run almost entirely on fossil fuels, but the design lab …

Industry News

Discounted registration rates available for Advanced Textiles Expo 2026

July 10, 2026

Through Sept. 3, get early bird registration rates for Advanced Textiles Expo®, Nov. 3–5 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., and the Emerging Technologies (ET) Conference Nov. 2. Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) members get in for $69, non-members $169. For ET Conference, early bird rates are $525 for members and $725 for …

Industry News

HKRITA signs MoU with Jeanologia and Looptworks to establish circular textile ecosystem

July 9, 2026

The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with two global partners, Jeanologia and Looptworks, to establish the Green Machine Circular Textile Ecosystem, a collaboration to accelerate the large-scale recycling of blended textiles. At the center of this ecosystem is HKRITA’s latest Green Machine 4.0, the …

Industry News

WeatherMAX introduces technical guides, resources for outdoor performance fabric industry

July 8, 2026

Safety Components Fabric Technologies Inc., a global leader in technology-driven fabric solutions, announced that its leading outdoor performance fabric brand, WeatherMAX®, has released a new series of product infographics and educational guides. Designed for manufacturers, fabricators, dealers, designers and consumers, the infographics simplify technical information into clear visual references that can be used throughout the …

Industry News

New Mexico small business organizations file lawsuit challenging PFAS labeling regulation

July 7, 2026

Several small business organizations in New Mexico filed a lawsuit July 1 challenging a regulation from the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board requiring manufacturers to label products containing PFAS. The regulation, which was passed in March, requires manufacturers to display a universal symbol on any product containing intentionally added PFAS, beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The …

ATA News

Judge applications open for 2026 International Achievement Awards

May 14, 2026

Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) is now accepting applications for judges for the 2026 International Achievement Awards (IAAs). The IAAs are an annual competition that celebrates the best projects in the specialty fabrics industry, showcasing ATA members’ technical skills and accomplishments. Judges will have the chance to recognize excellence in textiles and influence the future of …

ATA News

Registration opens for Advanced Textiles Expo

May 13, 2026

Registration is open for Advanced Textiles Expo® 2026. The show returns Nov. 3–5, 2026, in Orlando, Fla., at the Orange County Convention Center (West Building). Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA) expects 4,000+ attendees and 300+ exhibitors. Exhibit booths are still open as well. Expo programming Attendees can look forward to show floor education with hands-on learning, …

Expo News

Plan your stay: Official housing for Advanced Textiles Expo 2025 now open

March 11, 2025

We are pleased to announce that Site & Stay has been selected as the official housing partner for Advanced Textiles Expo® 2025, taking place Nov. 5–7 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. Hotel booking is now open, offering attendees and exhibitors exclusive access to discounted rates at our official host hotels—all conveniently located …

Expo News

Advanced Textiles Expo 2024 brings more than 4,200 attendees, showcasing innovation and collaboration

October 17, 2024

Advanced Textiles Expo® 2024, the largest event of Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA), concluded with resounding success Sept. 24–26 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Once again held in conjunction with Sun Shading Expo North America—organized by Messe Stuttgart, founders of R + T and the world’s largest trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun shading …

Expo News

ATA negotiates lower rates for exhibitors at Advanced Textiles Expo

August 14, 2024

The Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA) has renegotiated its General Services Contractor contract for the 2025–2027 Advanced Textiles Expo® shows. By selecting Freeman through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, we have secured rates that significantly lower the cost burden on our exhibitors. RFP process Key achievements This successful negotiation translates directly to cost savings for …

ATA News

Messe Stuttgart’s Sun Shading Expo North America moves co-location debut with IFAI Expo to 2022

July 6, 2021

Messe Stuttgart announced that its new U.S.-based show Sun Shading Expo North America will not be held in 2021 as a separate trade show but will instead contribute its expertise in internal and external sun shading systems at IFAI Expo 2021 in the form of expert talks, open discussions and more. IFAI Expo 2021 will still take place …

Expo News

Registration is open for IFAI Expo 2021

May 10, 2021

Registration is open for IFAI Expo 2021. IFAI Expo celebrates the 100th anniversary of the show this November, and you won’t want to miss it! After a long hiatus of in-person events, this year’s show is the perfect place to reconnect with your industry. Register now to get the Early Bird rate! Early Bird rates end …

Expo News

Standard for active illumination developed in Europe

November 16, 2020

In a session at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020, “Smart Textiles Standardization, Active Illumination,” Dr. Jan Beringer, senior scientific expert Hohenstein Group, explained the new standard for active illumination that will soon be implemented in European Union countries.  Organizations worked together to develop the standards. It is notable, he said that both textile and electronics industries …

Expo News

Textile industry leaders call for policy changes to support U.S. production of PPE

November 13, 2020

The U.S. textile industry has stepped up to meet the demand for face masks, medical gowns, wipes and other products necessary to combat the coronavirus pandemic, but it needs policy changes from Washington so that the U.S. is not caught off-guard again in a future crisis, according to association leaders speaking at Industrial Fabrics Association …

Expo News

The larger issues in respiratory protection

November 12, 2020

Dr. Bryran Ormond, assistant professor, Wilson College of Textiles, NC State explained respiratory protection in an “Ask an Expert” session with Jing Liang, Medical PPE Consulting LLC. Dr. Ormand has typically worked in the area of chemical and biological protective equipment, but with the onslaught of the pandemic, began to focus on respiratory protection generally, …

Features

From prototype to product

July 13, 2026

The Global Electronics Association through its IPC standardization efforts has been a driving force in global electronics standardization for nearly 70 years. The last time we checked in with Advanced Textiles readers, you may have known us as IPC. In summer 2026, our organization went through a rebranding effort—an evolution in our organization that reflects …

Features

Rediscovering natural fibers’ technical prowess, Part II

June 22, 2026

Editor’s note: This feature is the second part of a two-part article by this writer on the topic of natural fibers in advanced textile materials and products. Part I focused on cotton and wool; This article discusses bast fiber: plant-based fibers that grow within the stems of certain plants.  According to textilelearner.net, the fibers are …

Features

Rediscovering natural fibers’ technical prowess, Part I

June 8, 2026

Editor’s note: There’s a lot to talk about in natural fiber technologies, so this feature represents just Part I of a two-part article by writer Debra Cobb on the topic this month. Part I focuses on wool and cotton; Part II discusses bast fibers—hemp, flax, jute and ramie. – jp When it comes to technical …

Features

Today’s advanced textiles global landscape

May 26, 2026

One might be tempted to question why we in America should care about the technical textiles sector beyond U.S. borders. The U.S., along with the EU, take the lead in industrial, nonwovens and functional materials—sectors that grow at least on par with the GDP growth rate in developed economies. In developing and emerging economies, such …

Features

Smart textile sensing technology for large-scale use

May 12, 2026

In the early years of development, smart textiles (or e-textiles) were commonly referred to as “smart materials and systems.” In the 1990s early adopters (such as civil engineers) saw attendant technologies as necessary in order to deliver the performance needed, such as structural health monitoring or earthquake warning systems.  On one level, technology integration is …

Features

What’s next in medical textiles?

April 27, 2026

The medical, defense and protective textiles (MDP) are market segments within advanced textiles which show promise even when stressful situations, such as war and natural calamities, dominate our attention. It is ironic that during challenging times prices of commodity products are in high demand, and, interestingly, the growing demand for life-saving products seems to be …

Features

Biomedical textiles’ success stories

April 13, 2026

There are a number of reasons why the success of biomedical textiles in recent years is worth noting. First, it’s a demanding market niche fraught with standards and regulations that take time—and time is money. The investment needed to even start in this market is considerable. It’s also highly specialized, which means that the cushion …

Features

The system-level imperative

March 23, 2026

Rapid advances in high‑performance fibers and the growing need for multi‑hazard protection are reshaping the protective textiles market, yet the real test of these innovations lies in the field. A compelling case in point is new research on how ballistic protection interacts with firefighter turnout ensembles—the highly engineered PPE firefighters rely on every day. Looking …

Features

Are protective textiles the future?

March 9, 2026

It appears that the time has come for protective textiles—a market that can also expect a strong future in the functional textiles industry. As the protective textiles sector is an important segment of the technical textiles industry overall, there is ample evidence supporting this assertion available.  Spending on textiles is based on discretionary income which …

Features

Photovoltaics for the future

February 23, 2026

Military, commercial and industrial customers choose solar for varied applications.  Editor’s note: The word “uncertainty” has been used more often in the last year than I can ever remember. There’s uncertainty regarding international trade, funding for new research, the current administration’s support—or lack thereof—for alternative energy, and many other areas that impact business decisions. This …

Industry News

Discounted registration rates available for Advanced Textiles Expo 2026

July 10, 2026

Through Sept. 3, get early bird registration rates for Advanced Textiles Expo®, Nov. 3–5 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., and the Emerging Technologies (ET) Conference Nov. 2. Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) members get in for $69, non-members $169. For ET Conference, early bird rates are $525 for members and $725 for …

Industry News

HKRITA signs MoU with Jeanologia and Looptworks to establish circular textile ecosystem

July 9, 2026

The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with two global partners, Jeanologia and Looptworks, to establish the Green Machine Circular Textile Ecosystem, a collaboration to accelerate the large-scale recycling of blended textiles. At the center of this ecosystem is HKRITA’s latest Green Machine 4.0, the …

Industry News

WeatherMAX introduces technical guides, resources for outdoor performance fabric industry

July 8, 2026

Safety Components Fabric Technologies Inc., a global leader in technology-driven fabric solutions, announced that its leading outdoor performance fabric brand, WeatherMAX®, has released a new series of product infographics and educational guides. Designed for manufacturers, fabricators, dealers, designers and consumers, the infographics simplify technical information into clear visual references that can be used throughout the …

Industry News

New Mexico small business organizations file lawsuit challenging PFAS labeling regulation

July 7, 2026

Several small business organizations in New Mexico filed a lawsuit July 1 challenging a regulation from the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board requiring manufacturers to label products containing PFAS. The regulation, which was passed in March, requires manufacturers to display a universal symbol on any product containing intentionally added PFAS, beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The …

Industry News

U.S. textile groups unite behind trade incentive program to strengthen U.S. manufacturing

July 6, 2026

Industry organizations representing U.S. textile manufacturers, apparel brands and retailers urged the Trump administration to adopt a newly developed textile and apparel trade incentive program they proposed in a joint submission to the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office (USTR) July 6. This is the first time these organizations have teamed up to publicly advocate for a …

Industry News

Andre West steps down as director of ZTE, Melissa Sharp named interim director

July 6, 2026

Wilson College of Textiles at North Carolina State University (NC State) has announced that Andre West, Ph.D., has stepped down from his position as director of Zeis Textiles Extension (ZTE), and Melissa Sharp, the associate director of ZTE, has taken over as interim director. West will enter phased retirement and continue teaching one semester of …

Industry News

Arclin celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with Fabric of America Fund

July 2, 2026

Arclin, a leading materials science company, announced the launch of its Fabric of America Fund, a nationwide, employee-driven giving initiative designed to commemorate the U.S.’s 250th anniversary while strengthening the communities where Arclin teams live and work. The Fabric of America Fund reflects Arclin’s commitment to supporting the pillars of local communities through targeted investment. …

Industry News

Fisher Textiles Honored with Five PRINTING United Alliance 2026 Pinnacle Awards

June 30, 2026

Fisher Textiles, Matthews, N.C., announced that five of the company’s fabrics received awards in the 2026 Pinnacle Awards in various Media – Textile categories, including Banner, Drapery, Framing Systems Frontlit, Tablecloths & Liners and Upholstery. The Pinnacle Awards honor standout products and technologies that help move the printing industry forward. Fisher Textiles’ wins reflect its …

Industry News

Global Nonwovens Alliance launches e-learning initiative

June 26, 2026

The Global Nonwovens Alliance (GNA), founded by the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) and EDANA, announced the launch of a new global e-learning initiative designed to help companies build essential nonwovens knowledge. The first program available through this initiative is the Fundamental Nonwovens series of e-courses, which offers flexible, accessible learning from anywhere …

Industry News

In memoriam: Bob Campbell, Mt. Lebanon Awning & Tent Co.

June 23, 2026

Robert “Bob” Campbell, MFC, and owner of Mt. Lebanon Awning & Tent Co., passed away June 21 at the age of 74. Born Nov. 22, 1951, in Pittsburgh, Pa., Campbell was a graduate of Bethel Park High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in music education at Duquesne University. He was the beloved husband of …

Out There

Connecting to the body with bio-based textiles and biosensors

July 13, 2026

Berlin-based design and research firm WINT Design Lab envisions, prototypes and designs regenerative futures through devices and biotextiles that allow humans to connect with their bodies more, and free themselves from fossil materials that harm them and the environment. The industry currently produces materials that run almost entirely on fossil fuels, but the design lab …

Out There

Materials from mycelium tiles to bio-melanin fibers

June 8, 2026

Thailand’s ‘Slow Hand Design 2026’exhibition returned to Milan Design Week 2026, with an exhibition titled “Heritage Reimagined.” Thai designers are pushing the boundaries of upcycling by blending ancestral craftsmanship with cutting-edge biotechnology through innovative materials such as mycelium-grown tiles and bio-melanin fibers.  Mush Composites creates surfaces cultivated from mycelium, naturally turning agricultural waste into materials in non-replicable …

Out There

POCO soft robot rethinks human-AI connection

May 12, 2026

POCO is a soft, robotic companion developed by designer Mehrnaz Amouei that examines alternative relationships between humans and artificial intelligence. The project focuses on interaction models based on presence, responsiveness, and clearly defined limitations, rather than systems that interpret or direct emotional states. As AI increasingly operates within personal and emotional contexts, questions emerge around dependency, interpretation …

Out There

Konel unveils a wearable bag to calm the wearer

April 27, 2026

During Milan Design Week 2026, Tokyo-based creative agency Konel Inc. released a translucent, wearable bag that converts the user’s heartbeats into slow pulses to help them be aware of their current state and calm them down. Named “Pulse Pack,” the self-calming product measures the heartbeat in real time and responds to the accessory with a …

Out There

Kinetic clothing captures energy in human motion

March 9, 2026

The Birds of Static project by designer Wren Walker investigates how garment structure can influence the capture of energy from human movement. The concept draws on the principle of static electricity, in which charge imbalances can generate electrical energy when conducted through a circuit. Walker’s work takes inspiration from Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs), a technology that …

Out There

Solar motorcycle is self-charging

February 23, 2026

Sardinia-based MASK Architects has introduced SOLARIS, a self-charging solar motorcycle developed as part of the studio’s “Invent and Integrate” design approach led by founders Öznur Pınar Cer and Danilo Petta. The project explores autonomous mobility through a vehicle capable of generating its own power without reliance on fuel, electrical grids or commercial charging networks. SOLARIS …

Out There

Flying umbrella has autonomous capabilities

January 26, 2026

John Tse of I Build Stuff has created an autonomous flying umbrella that follows and shields the user from rain and sunlight. An updated version of the remote-controlled one, the hands-free device hovers above the user and trails them wherever they go, keeping them dry or cool without needing to hold anything.  The autonomous flying umbrella is actually a drone disguised …

Out There

Xiaomi launches voice-controlled, mite-fighting blanket

January 8, 2026

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 is designed to be used as an additional layer on top of a …

Out There

Coperni’s C+ regenerative clothes have probiotics

October 13, 2025

Skincare within regenerative clothing defines Coperni’s C+, a series of everyday wear infused with probiotics and prebiotics. Capable of restoring the skin’s microbiome, each garment contains living microorganisms that interact with the skin during wear, support the skin’s natural balance, and help it repair itself over time.  The C+ line is made using a biobased …

Out There

Suture-free tissue reconstruction is now possible

September 8, 2025

For tissue repair, surgeons are currently limited to mechanical solutions like sutures and staples, which can cause their own damage, or meshes and glues that may not adequately bond with tissues and can be rejected by the body.  Medical startup Tissium now offers surgeons a new solution based on a biopolymer technology first developed at …

What's New?

Hypershell introduces new exoskeleton products

June 22, 2026

Shanghai-based Hypershell Co., Ltd. has introduced its Hypershell X Series intuitive exoskeleton designed to deliver support that feels more natural, immediate and closely aligned with the wearer. The new range includes Hypershell X Ultra S, Hypershell X Max S and Hypershell X Pro S, offering different levels of support, range and terrain capability for hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, …

What's New?

DITF announces climate control for workwear

May 26, 2026

Conventional protective workwear often reaches its limits during strenuous physical activity, particularly in managing the transport of sweat and controlling excess body heat. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) conducted research on flow-optimized, air-conducting textile structures that enable targeted climate control directly on the body. These structures can be integrated straight into …

What's New?

Wearable for infants with jaundice is under development

May 26, 2026

Inspired by her experience with her own infant, Lucy Dunne decided to find a better way to treat jaundice in a newborn, An MPR News story reports. Dunne is the founder and co-director of the University of Minnesota’s College of Design Wearable Technology Lab. So, one project she is currently focused on is a specialized …

What's New?

Shape-shifting wings could change future aircraft design

May 12, 2026

Imagine looking out the window of an airborne airplane and seeing the wing rippling and twisting. This is what German engineers have created: prototype morphing wings that change their shape mid-flight. The innovation from the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), aptly named morphAIR, aims to make aircraft more efficient and …

What's New?

Nerve surgery performed with sutureless polymer-based product

April 27, 2026

TISSIUM, a medical technology company pioneering biomorphic programmable polymers for tissue reconstruction, recently announced the first commercial use of its product COAPTIUM® CONNECT. The procedure was performed by Dr. Michael Franco, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in peripheral nerve surgery at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, N.J. This marks a significant step forward in the …

What's New?

Battery-free solar blanket repels mosquitoes

April 13, 2026

A conundrum for smart textile developers is how to combine conductive materials and power sources with soft, flexible textiles. In the new light-emitting fabrics developed by Florida think tank Global Research and Discovery Group (GRDG) and Ashford Textiles®, there are no power cords, batteries or chemicals powering their illumination.  The technology that makes the blankets …

What's New?

Researchers create novel heating element with CNTFs

March 23, 2026

A cross-disciplinary team at Rice University has developed a new type of electric heating element—one that looks less like a traditional metal coil and more like a high-performance thread. In a study published in Small, the researchers demonstrated that wires and fabrics made from carbon nanotube fibers (CNTFs) can deliver substantially more heating power per unit …

What's New?

Fiber battery development is underway

March 9, 2026

Fiber batteries are an emerging technology which could one day be used to create smart clothing with a wide array of functions, from charging electronic devices to acting as wearable controllers. However, a new study finds scientists have two major obstacles to overcome before the technology is ready for practical use. First and foremost is …

What's New?

Infrastructure-free renewable lighting

March 9, 2026

Global Research and Discovery Group (GRDG) is “a private research think tank focused on biodefense, emerging biological threats, and humanitarian technologies that translate science into real-world solutions for low-infrastructure settings,” as reported in Fibre2Fashion.   An initiative called “Project AURA” grew from this mission, creating a solar-powered textile that provides safe, maintenance-free illumination without electricity (patent pending). …

What's New?

Smart necklace could help stroke patients speak

February 23, 2026

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed Revoice, a wearable smart necklace that helps patients who have suffered from stroke speak naturally again. The device was created to help patients communicate in a more natural way, without surgery or brain implants. The wearable device is soft and flexible; the textile, is lightweight, comfortable and …