March 13, 2026
Registration is now open for Techtextil North America 2026, being held Aug. 4–6, 2026, in Raleigh, N.C. The event is for members of the technical textiles and nonwovens sector. It will include expert-led sessions on smart fabrics and artificial intelligence-driven supply chains, on-floor Tech Talks and the Student Research Poster Program, highlighting the next generation …
March 12, 2026
The Denim Deal announced a strategic collaboration with Green Story to leverage data and artificial intelligence to advance the scaling of post-consumer recycled cotton across the global denim value chain. Green Story will provide the data foundation for the Denim Deal’s upcoming annual report, scheduled for publication in the fourth quarter of 2026. The collaboration …
March 11, 2026
M&S, a British food, clothing and homeware retailer, and Pilio, a sustainability solutions provider, have announced the launch of the Affordable Clean Environment (ACE) cotton program. The initiative is designed to accelerate access to clean energy and strengthen biodiverse farming practices across cotton-growing communities in India. The program will support on-farm and off-farm solar …
March 10, 2026
Beaulieu International Group has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire all shares of IFG Asota GmbH, an Austria-based fiber producer. IFG Asota has expertise in polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylene and biopolymer fibers such as PLA, serving markets including flooring, automotive and filtration. “Our ambition is clear,” says Jean-Baptiste De Ruyck, CEO of Beaulieu International Group. …
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 …
March 9, 2026
In the time between starting to write this blog post and completing it, the U.S. went to war. The events that certain protective textiles markets prepare for are underway, and the textile products used in supporting this effort are now engaged in performing as planned. Nobody wants this kind of destruction. But if it happens, you …
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 …
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). …
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 …
March 9, 2026
Twenty-four states filed a case against U.S. President Donald Trump, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and others on March 5, 2026, in the U.S. Court of International Trade. The lawsuit challenges President Trump’s imposition of global tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The states argue …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
November 11, 2020
All surgical gowns are not created equal, and a Nov. 11 presentation at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020 helped sort out the differences. The finer points of surgical gowns were discussed by Dr. Martin King, a professor at the Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, and Jing Liang, president of Medical PPE Consulting LLC. …
November 11, 2020
How do you create a channel from research to application? How do you create a pathway toward understanding complex human problems across supply chains and market sectors? STEM—a curriculum based on teaching science, technology, engineering and math—has branched out from basic chemistry and biology and physics classes, into collaborative efforts, including textiles, according to Stephanie …
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 …
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 …
February 9, 2026
Textiles have typically been an industry with high energy consumption. In some circumstances it can be highly labor intensive and show lower productivity, depending on the level of modernization. The industry over the past many years has been addressing these issues, and it now has opportunities to be more climate friendly, while diversifying and increasing …
January 26, 2026
EDITOR’S NOTE: With a new administration in Washington as of one year ago, change and its inherent uncertainties have been ongoing. I asked these experts in the industry to respond to questions about navigating the changes: I posed questions about trade policies and tariffs: What is the best path forward for a business—large or small—that …
January 26, 2026
The U.S. – China trade deal has led to positive reactions by global financial markets, but uncertainty persists—and uncertainty is not good for business in terms of expansion and investments. Given the current scenario, China comes out to be a loser in the emerging textiles trade landscape, while providing opportunities for other textile manufacturing powerhouses …
January 8, 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 …
December 15, 2025
Protective clothing is becoming smarter, with e-textiles bringing new capability in health and environmental monitoring that’s paired with location tracking to offer protection for workers in hazardous locations. At E-Textiles 2025 in Lille, France, a number of European advances were presented around smart protective clothing with new developments including uniforms, footwear and protective gloves for military …
December 8, 2025
You may have wondered about “niche markets,” and why they are important. A niche market essentially specializes in a smaller area of a broader market. That niche allows you to create a more focused business so you can establish a loyal customer base because you are concentrating on your customers’ specific needs. This helps to …
November 17, 2025
Sustainability in the textiles industry is a growing concern with changing regulations and global supply chains. New technologies and processes, however, are blossoming to replace materials considered toxic, reduce water consumption and create safer environments for workers and consumers. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence technology is developing fast, offering tools to streamline work and support research and …
November 10, 2025
The Advanced Textiles Association Emerging Technologies Conference (ETC) in Indianapolis, Ind., Nov. 4. offered attendees real-world mechanisms for moving their businesses forward in a changing industry landscape. Two presentations dealt with entities established specifically to support research and development, connect various areas of expertise and provide the means to move innovations into commercialization. Advanced textiles: pushing the …
March 13, 2026
Registration is now open for Techtextil North America 2026, being held Aug. 4–6, 2026, in Raleigh, N.C. The event is for members of the technical textiles and nonwovens sector. It will include expert-led sessions on smart fabrics and artificial intelligence-driven supply chains, on-floor Tech Talks and the Student Research Poster Program, highlighting the next generation …
March 12, 2026
The Denim Deal announced a strategic collaboration with Green Story to leverage data and artificial intelligence to advance the scaling of post-consumer recycled cotton across the global denim value chain. Green Story will provide the data foundation for the Denim Deal’s upcoming annual report, scheduled for publication in the fourth quarter of 2026. The collaboration …
March 11, 2026
M&S, a British food, clothing and homeware retailer, and Pilio, a sustainability solutions provider, have announced the launch of the Affordable Clean Environment (ACE) cotton program. The initiative is designed to accelerate access to clean energy and strengthen biodiverse farming practices across cotton-growing communities in India. The program will support on-farm and off-farm solar …
March 10, 2026
Beaulieu International Group has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire all shares of IFG Asota GmbH, an Austria-based fiber producer. IFG Asota has expertise in polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylene and biopolymer fibers such as PLA, serving markets including flooring, automotive and filtration. “Our ambition is clear,” says Jean-Baptiste De Ruyck, CEO of Beaulieu International Group. …
March 9, 2026
Twenty-four states filed a case against U.S. President Donald Trump, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and others on March 5, 2026, in the U.S. Court of International Trade. The lawsuit challenges President Trump’s imposition of global tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The states argue …
March 9, 2026
On March 4, Court of International Trade Judge Richard Eaton ruled that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) must refund money collected in reciprocal tariffs imposed last year by U.S. President Donald Trump. The judge ruled that CBP must immediately liquidate all unliquidated entries without International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs and must reliquidate …
March 9, 2026
On March 4, Court of International Trade Judge Richard Eaton ruled that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) must refund money collected in reciprocal tariffs imposed last year by U.S. President Donald Trump. The judge ruled that U.S. CBP must immediately liquidate all unliquidated entries without International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs and must …
March 9, 2026
The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) will host the Federal and Defense Textile and Tactical Equipment Summit (FEDTEX) on May 19–20, 2026, in Raleigh, N.C. Hosted by the Offices of U.S. Senator Thom Tillis and U.S. Senator Ted Budd, in partnership with the NCMBC, FEDTEX connects the U.S. Department of Defense and federal agency …
March 6, 2026
DyStar Group announced the appointment of Ruan Cunfan to its board of directors. Ruan graduated from Claremont McKenna College with dual bachelor’s degrees in economics and accounting and chemistry. He serves as a director and assistant to the chairman of Zhejiang Longsheng Group Co. Ltd., and as assistant to the chairman of Longsheng Group Holdings …
March 4, 2026
World Emblem, an emblem and patch manufacturer, announced the opening of a new 72,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas. The company relocated its regional operations from approximately 35,000 square feet in northwest Houston into the larger space, which will initially produce up to 500,000 emblems and patches per week. More than 150 employees are working …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
July 14, 2025
A project titled “Sympoiesis” from designer Iris van Herpen and biodesigner Christopher Bellamy of Bio Crafted, lit up the runway at Paris Haute Couture Week, in early July of this year. The collaboration allowed them to utilize the capabilities of living microorganisms, including bioluminescent microalgae. Of the 17 looks presented in the show, the opening …
June 4, 2025
Researchers at EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) have created a living biodegradable material made from fungi that can allow trash bags to decompose organic waste. It is one of the many potential applications of the studied fungi. In the field of electronics, the living biodegradable material made from fungi can be used to produce sensors, as well …
April 24, 2025
The ZZZN Sleep Apparel System is a voluminous puffer jacket that doubles as a cozy sleep sack, so users can doze off anywhere and anytime in comfort. But beyond its apparent comfortability, it also offers biometric data monitoring and headphones that play music with frequency bands to help people fall asleep. The ZZZN puffer jacket for sleep modernizes “Yagi,” a traditional Japanese winter nightwear. …
February 24, 2025
Pavels Hedström has introduced the Gaia Communication System, a vest and a pair of gloves with sensors so that users feel the health of plants, insects, soil and air. Unveiled under his design practice Inxects, the Swedish architect has installed multiple haptic sensors around the vest and gloves, each of which correspond to a natural object. The …
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 …
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). …
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 …
February 9, 2026
Fudan University researchers in Shanghai have built complex electronic circuits within the tiniest of spaces: a flexible fiber thinner than a human hair. They call it a “fiber chip,” and it’s been more than a decade in the making. Scientists have been working for some time to embed this technology into textiles for unobtrusive connectivity. One of …
February 9, 2026
An attachable powered exoskeleton for dogs named “Repawse” allows them to walk again after an injury or illness. A design project led by Zhou Leijing and her team in Hangzhou, China, the device is worn on the pet’s hind legs to support their movement. Many dogs lose movement in their hind legs after accidents, surgery or disease. Existing solutions often use …
January 8, 2026
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 chronic pain. When the electrodes stimulate specific nerve strands, the body releases chemical messengers, and these block pain signals …
December 15, 2025
Engineers at Northwestern University have created VoxeLite, a bandage-like device that stretches around the fingertip to let users “feel the digital world.” Comprised of a series of nodes, the wrap helps create digital touch that replicates the way a human fingertip senses real-life touch. This means the device makes signals that match the natural signals our skin detects, which …
December 15, 2025
From silver nanofibers to smart, sensory-packed dressings, the next generation of wound-healing technology is blurring the line between biology and engineering. As scientific understanding and technology have improved, so, too, have the approaches developed to aid wound healing and infection control. Researchers from National Taiwan University (NTU) led a review of recent research into advanced …
December 8, 2025
As NASA’s Artemis mission to the Moon approaches, the Emerging Technologies Conference at ATA’s Expo 2025 offered an update on the preparations. In a session titled, “Creating the Artemis Lunar Boots,” Morgan Campbell revisited the challenges human space travel has always faced, focusing on the planned mission to return to the Moon—77 years after the …
November 10, 2025
With its new PLA/wood pulp materials that use no chemical binder, Freudenberg Performance Materials says that it has achieved a technological breakthrough with sustainability benefits. The company’s innovative materials combine the advantages of both components, addressing the needs of specific segments within plant propagation systems, packaging, filtration, apparel and healthcare. The innovation lies in combining …
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