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Rieter will showcase latest products and solutions aimed at creating fully automated spinning mills at the upcoming ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 in Singapore, from October 28 to 31, 2025.
The company's offerings will focus on efficiency and automation throughout the entire process, from bale transport and automated can transport to fully automatic packaging, including steaming, palletizing, and labeling. Rieter will also enhance its digital solutions to support these integrated systems.
Among the new machinery, the Omegaalap E 40 combing preparation machine stands out with its ability to produce 800 kg per hour, a 33 per cent increase over its predecessor, thanks to a faster lap changing process. This machine also boasts significant energy savings, using 30 per cent less power and 63 per cent less compressed air.
Another highlight is Rieter's new NEO-BD precision winding machine that produces packages at twice the speed of its previous model while maintaining high quality. The machine guarantees absolute precision in package density, yarn length, and individual package weight.
For cost-effective carded fiber spinning, the company will present its air-jet spinning machine J 70. This machine features a new twist element that dramatically increases production speed and ensures maximum raw material utilization.
In the components sector, the new Novibra spindle eNASA reduces a spinning machine's power consumption by 2 per cent to 4 per cent compared to conventional spindles, especially at high speeds.
Rieter will also be a major presence in the recycled yarn segment, showcasing projects and end products that use a high percentage of recycled content, including synthetic cellulosic fibers.
To improve customer service, the company will launch its new Rieter Webshop, a one-stop-shop for ordering spare parts, upgrades, and retrofit solutions for spinning and winding machines, streamlining the procurement process for spinning mills.
Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have developed a groundbreaking method to precisely measure soft tissue deformation, a critical factor in the fit and performance of sportswear and functional medical wear. This innovation addresses a longstanding challenge in the apparel industry, where inaccurate measurements often lead to ill-fitting designs that compromise comfort and function.
Professor Joanne Yip, School of Fashion and Textiles pioneered a novel anthropometric method that uses image recognition algorithms to systematically assess tissue deformation while minimizing motion-related errors. She also created an analytical model based on elastic theory to predict how tissues will deform under pressure. This approach provides designers with highly accurate, data-driven insights into how garments interact with the body, which is vital for optimizing the performance and biochemical effectiveness of compression-based apparel.
Soft tissue deformation directly impacts everything from a garment's appearance and comfort to its physiological effects, such as blood circulation and muscle support. By integrating mechanical property testing, the new method accurately predicts tissue deformation. When validated against body scans, the measurements showed remarkable precision, with deviations of just 1.15 mm in static conditions and 2.36 mm during movement.
This technology is highly adaptable to compression-based garments including sportswear like leggings and functional medical wear like compression stockings and post-surgical garments, says Professor Yip. She explains, the analytical model can be customized for different garment types by adjusting parameters such as material properties and dimensions.
The research team used various sportswear leggings as samples to test their method. The findings provide actionable insights that connect material properties to garment fit and performance. This new framework not only advances biomechanical simulation for wearable applications but also provides a practical tool for optimizing the ergonomics of sportswear. Ultimately, it enables the creation of data-driven compression garments that can enhance athletic performance and help prevent musculoskeletal injuries.
Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has hailed the new GST reforms introduced by the Indian Government. He calls these measures progressive and forward-looking, saying, they represent a major step toward making India a developed economy.
According to Sekhri, these changes will streamline compliance for businesses, improve cash flow for exporters, and strengthen the entire textile and apparel value chain. He describes the reforms as a ‘decisive step’ toward boosting the ‘Make in India; initiative and enhancing the country's export competitiveness.
Sekhri thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visionary leadership and support to the apparel and textile industry through ‘simplified, industry-friendly measures.’
This statement comes as the industry reacts to the GST Council's decision to lower tax rates on man-made fibers and yarns, which is expected to correct the long-standing ‘inverted duty structure.’ While the overall sector has welcomed these reforms, some industry bodies, including the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), have raised concerns about the impact of the 18 per cent GST rate on garments priced above Rs 2,500, which they believe, could negatively impact middle-class consumers and the organized retail sector.
A global leader in the production of regenerated cellulose fibers, Lenzing AG has appointed Milena Loveva as Vice President-Corporate Communications, Sustainability, Investor Relations, and Public Affairs. Loveva will be based in Austria and report directly to CEO Rohit Aggarwal.
This new role highlights Lenzing's dedication to strengthening its global market position, improving its engagement with capital markets, and advancing the worldwide sustainability agenda.
With over 20 years of experience in helping companies create value for their stakeholders, Loveva’s expertise spans corporate transformations, capital markets, communications, and sustainability. Her proven ability to create value during transitions along with her extensive knowledge of capital markets and strategic positioning, will help the company achieve its goals, says Rohit Agarwal CEO, Lenzing AG.
The appointment provides an opportunity to expand Lenzing’s influence in a fast-changing global landscape and contribute to a remarkable value creation journey, adds Lovela.
Loveva previously served as the Company Spokesperson at PORR AG, where she led the Group's Communications, Strategy, Investor Relations, and Sustainability functions. She holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from the Vienna University of Economics and Business.
All major industry leaders have expressed their strong support to the maiden edition of Textiles Recycling Expo USA, set to launch on April 29-30, 2026, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Following a successful European launch in Brussels earlier this year, many exhibitors are committed to the US event, hoping to attract the same high-quality international visitors.
The exhibitor list includes industry players like Syre, Beyond Retro, Bank & Vogue, Valerius, Circ, and Debrand. As a Founding Exhibitor, Syre's participation is particularly significant, as the company prepares to open its new plant in North Carolina. The plant will have the capacity to produce 10,000 metric tons of circular polyester annually and is backed by major retailers like H&M, Target, Gap, and Houdini Sportswear.
The event is being sponsored by AATCC, with ReJu sponsoring a dedicated VIP area,
The expo has also partnered with leading associations to shape the event's content. It has roped in Accelerating Circularity as a Structural Partner, to help design a conference program that addresses the industry's most critical challenges and solutions. SMART (Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association) has joined as a Founding Partner, lending its expertise and network to promote best practices and industry-wide collaboration.
Other supporters include the Southern Textile Association, Fashion Takes Action, and the North American Linen Association.
The expo will feature a showcase of pioneering technologies and services, along with an open conference theater hosting expert-led panels, keynote speeches, and in-depth discussions. This platform is designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and drive the shift toward a circular textiles economy.
Freudenberg Performance Materials’ first standalone sustainability report focuses on the technical textiles segment.
Committed to the UN Brundtland definition of sustainability, Freudenberg Performance Materials aims to minimize waste and emissions while reducing its consumption of energy, materials, and water. The company aims achieve carbon neutrality at all of its sites (Scope 1 and 2) by 2045.
In 2024, Freudenberg Performance Materials made notable progress toward its sustainability goals. It reduced CO2 emissions by another 3 per cent, representing 29 per cent reduction compared to the baseline year 2020. Besides, the company improved energy efficiency by 10 per cent despite a rise in production levels. It increased purchases of renewable energy to 30 per cent of all purchased electricity to power 25 production units.
Further, the company increased its share of green energy in total energy consumption by 26 per cent to 13.5 per cent. It also replaced its largest gas-powered asset with wet-scrubber technology, resulting in a reduction of approximately 4,000 tons of CO₂.
In addition, Freudenberg Performance Materials established medium- and long-term sustainability goals to guide short-term planning and decision-making. The company started implementing software to calculate the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) in preparation for the upcoming EU ‘Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation’ (ESPR).
Non-profit organization behind the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Standard has launched its annual campaign, #BehindTheSeams 2025. This year, the campaign expands beyond the textile industry for the first time, partnering with major brands like Tony’s Chocolonely to champion social responsibility and sustainability.
With the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deadline just five years away, the textile industry is falling behind. A recent McKinsey analysis finds, two-thirds of fashion brands are not on track to meet their climate goals. In response, GOTS is mobilizing its network of 15,000 facilities in 87 countries to inspire action.
Running from September 1-30, the campaign will take consumers and industry professionals ‘behind the seams’ of textile production to educate them on what truly responsible manufacturing means. The goal is to empower both groups to make more informed and conscious purchasing decisions.
Holger Stripf, Head-Marketing, Global Standard, emphasizes, GOTS is more than a standard -it's a movement. By spotlighting the people, values, and partnerships driving change, the campaign aims to inspire both corporations and consumers to act in the interest of people and planet, he adds.
This year's campaign includes influential partners from other sectors, such as the German football team FC St Pauli, which will serve as a cultural ambassador for conscious consumer choices, and Tony’s Chocolonely, which is joining the GOTS campaign to help end child labor. These partnerships aim to raise broader awareness of the campaign's mission and the work being done across industries.
Gareth Cullen, Regional General Manager, Nudie Jeans, highlights, being a part of this campaign allows the brand to amplify this message globally and show that when likeminded organizations come together, we can inspire consumers to make choices that protect both people and planet."
As part of the campaign, GOTS is inviting its global community to join the conversation on social media. The campaign's landing page and the official Global Standard Instagram channel will feature exclusive giveaways, educational videos, and interactive content designed to make creating change both meaningful and engaging.
Founded in 2006, GOTS has become the world’s leading standard for organic textiles, ensuring integrity from fiber to finished product. The #BehindTheSeams 2024 campaign achieved over 151 million impressions, reached 70 million unique consumers, and generated over 230,000 microsite visits. This year's edition promises to be even bigger, reinforcing the message that collective action is the key to meaningful change.
Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (IIP) is positioning itself as a key enabler for investors in Africa's apparel and textile sectors, addressing a range of common challenges to help them leverage opportunities like the AGOA Free Trade Agreement. The company provides a comprehensive suite of solutions that streamline operations, from initial setup to long-term sustainability.
One of the primary hurdles for investors is securing suitable land with reliable infrastructure. Arise IIP solves this by offering IFC-compliant industrial land with clean titles, complete with 24/7 access to electricity, water, and sewage. They also install substations to stabilize power and offer solar power infrastructure, which helps mitigate the risk of machinery damage and factory downtime.
Navigating bureaucratic processes is another significant challenge. Arise IIP simplifies business setup by providing complete documentation assistance and directly coordinating with government departments. They offer pre-approved land and pre-negotiated tax exemptions, reducing the complexity and delays typically associated with obtaining permits and licenses.
For factory construction and setup, Arise IIP provides access to a network of pre-vetted local contractors and offers support for price negotiations. They also have ready-to-use factory sheds available for rent under flexible plans, which eliminates the need for investors to build from scratch.
A reliable supply of raw materials is crucial for the textile industry. Arise IIP has established partnerships with ministries and cooperatives to ensure a consistent, year-round supply. They also offer warehousing and logistics support, managing the transportation of materials from the warehouse to the factory.
Additionally, Arise IIP provides crucial support for labor-intensive operations. They have successfully recruited over 20,000 workers and have established Garmenting Training Centers in Togo and Benin to ensure a skilled workforce. The company also assists with workforce transportation, catering, and is developing low-cost housing.
Beyond the initial setup, Arise IIP helps investors with market linkages and certifications, facilitating joint ventures and providing support for Go-to-Market strategies, especially for exports to the US and EU under agreements like AGOA. They also have in-house teams that assist with sustainability planning, waste management, and obtaining global certifications.
With a presence in over 15 African countries, Arise IIP's integrated industrial zones are designed for efficiency, featuring drone-planned layouts, multi-lane roads, and integrated shipping facilities like Inland Container Depots, creating a robust ecosystem that supports the entire value chain.
Eastman Naia unveiled a new cellulose acetate filament yarn at Intertextile Shanghai 2025,. Developed in partnership with Huafon Chemical, this new yarn boasts higher tenacity, making it ideal for creating premium, lightweight fabrics.
Eastman has a strong network of mills and fabric trading partners in China, working together to develop some of the most advanced acetate-based fabrics on the global market. This collaboration was strengthened on August 13 when Eastman and Huafon Chemical announced a formal strategic partnership to establish a joint facility. The new facility will be dedicated to producing Eastman Naia cellulose acetate filament yarns in China, demonstrating Eastman's long-term commitment to the region. This localized production will create a more agile supply chain to better meet the market's demand for high-quality, sustainable textile materials
The new Naia acetate filament yarn is already popular with both high-end luxury brands and high-street fashion retailers globally, and is used for ready-to-wear apparel and linings due to its luxurious, silky feel, beautiful drape, and rich luster.
Eastman Naia has already begun collaborating with three Chinese mills - Colorful, GreenSilk, and XinMin Textiles - on new fabric developments. The new yarn is expected to be launched to additional domestic and international customers in H1, FY26.
A global leader in apparel manufacturing, Crystal International Group is spearheading advancements in textile technology through a groundbreaking collaboration with the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC). Funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission, the project focuses on applying innovative graphene electrothermal technology - specifically, reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) - to create a new generation of thermal clothing.
The project leverages HKPC's comprehensive solutions to optimize the r-GO composite coating, fine-tuning its electrical conductivity for maximum heat output. A precision smart-screen-printing system seamlessly integrates the coating into garments, significantly boosting electrothermal efficiency while cutting production costs. This innovation enhances the competitiveness of Hong Kong's textile industry by delivering higher productivity, lower resource consumption, and a sharper market differentiation.
Having commenced in 2021, the project has progressed through two key phases. In the first phase, Crystal International’s knits division served as the Industry Co-Applicant, providing essential funding and technical contributions for the research and development of multi-functional fabrics with graphene coating. On being integrated with power devices and a voltage supply, the r-GO technology enables the thermal properties of the clothing. Following the completion of this phase, Crystal International obtained a utility model patent in China with technology authorization from HKPC.
In 2023, the project entered its second phase under the Public Sector Trial Scheme, led by HKPC. This phase focused on applying the technology to finished garment production. Prototypes and electrothermal clothing samples were fabricated, and wearer trials were conducted at public elderly care homes, including the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals' Wong Cho Tong Day Care Centre for the Elderly. These trials successfully demonstrated the practical application of the clothing in providing enhanced comfort and warmth for elderly residents. The thermal clothing passed rigorous lab tests for durability (rubbing and washing), electrical safety, and skin irritation, and the r-GO fabric showed superior heating efficiency compared to traditional electrothermal fabrics.
The project not only showcases the company’s excellence in innovation but also addresses the needs for flexible electrothermal fabric in the industry, says Danny Cheng, General Manager – Technical Service and Support, Crystal International.
Founded in Hong Kong in 1970, Crystal International Group Limited is a global leader in the apparel manufacturing industry. The company operates a multi-country manufacturing platform with over 20 production facilities across five countries including Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
