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Indian Textile Accessories & Machinery Manufacturers Association (ITAMMA) has been honored with the 8th FMC Award for Responsible BMOs at the national level for its contributions to promoting social issues in the textiles and apparel sector.
N D Mhatre, Director General (Tech) of ITAMMA, received the award on February 17, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The award was presented by Prajakta L. Verma, IAS, Joint Secretary, and Roop Rashi Mahapatra (IA&AS), Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
The ceremony was attended by several key industry leaders, including Mukesh Gulati, Executive Director of the Foundation for MSME Clusters, Rakesh Mehra, Chairman of CITI, and Chandrima Chatterjee, Secretary General of CITI.
A total of 135 applications were reviewed across different categories, with only 16 organizations shortlisted for awards. ITAMMA’s recognition highlights its significant contributions to India’s textile machinery sector and its role in driving innovation and excellence.
The award ceremony celebrated outstanding contributions to the textile and MSME sectors, honoring organizations that have made a meaningful impact. ITAMMA’s achievement further reinforces its leadership in advancing India’s textile industry.
Designers’ commitment to creating ethical styles is driving the popularity of vegan fashion in both India and Japan. In India, designers like Anita Dongre are creating their entire collections from vegan materials, proving that luxury and sustainability can coexist. On the other hand, Japanese brands like Saisei are repurposing vintage kimonos into modern, chic vegan garments, merging tradition with innovation.
Artisans in both the countries are blending traditional textiles like khadi and Tencel with contemporary designs. These eco-friendly fabrics are helping revitalize heritage by transforming historical materials into sustainable apparel.
A significant development in vegan fashion is the rise of plant-based leathers with Indian startups experimenting with materials derived from flowers and fruits, such as pineapple leather (Piñatex). On the other hand, Japanese designers have created durable alternatives from mushroom mycelium. These materials not only replicate the texture and strength of conventional leather but also provide a sustainable option for environmentally conscious consumers.
The growing popularity of vegan fashion is primarily fueled by increasing consumer awareness of animal welfare and environmental concerns. In both India and Japan, social media campaigns and educational initiatives have played a crucial role in promoting the benefits of cruelty-free choices. As more consumers prioritize sustainability, retailers in these countries are expanding their vegan product offerings.
Collaborations between Indian and Japanese designers and international brands are elevating vegan fashion on a global scale. These partnerships introduce fresh perspectives and facilitate cross-border knowledge sharing on sustainable practices. By working together, these creative minds are pushing the boundaries of eco-conscious apparel design.
Nike is set to launch a new brand, ‘NikeSkims,’ in collaboration with the Kim Kardashian-owned label, Skims. Focusing on women's training apparel, footwear, and accessories, this brand will boost Nike's ‘gender offense,’ as stated by Elliot Hill, CEO, and position NikeSkims alongside established brands like Jordan, Nike, and Converse.
This new venture follows Nike's historic partnership with Michael Jordan in 1984, which began with a $500,000 annual contract plus royalties. The subsequent launch of Air Jordans, starting with the Air Jordan 1 in 1985, led to the Jordan brand generating approximately $6.9 billion in wholesale equivalent revenue for the FY2023-24, representing about 17 per cent of Nike's total sales.
Nike is now leveraging Kardashian's global influence and over 350 million Instagram followers to replicate this success. Co-founded by Kardashian in 2019 as a shapewear brand, Skims has since expanded into loungewear and is now valued at $4 billion.
NikeSkims is slated for a spring launch, with global expansion planned for 2026. Skims' proven consumer appeal was demonstrated by its collaboration with The North Face, which sold out within hours of its launch on December 10, 2024.
India plans to leverage a proposed bilateral trade agreement with the United States to boost textiles exports, in anticipation of potential reciprocal tariffs. This move comes as the US government has indicated its intent to implement such tariffs, particularly against nations with perceived high import duties, such as India.
The Indian government's strategy focuses on mitigating the negative effects of any US tariffs through favorable terms secured in the trade agreement. Key industries targeted for export growth include textiles, aluminum, and steel.
According to the research organization, Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), the textile sector is especially vulnerable due to the significant difference in tariff rates between India and the US. To mitigate their impact, India plans to establish a trade framework to safeguard its export-oriented industries from the potential US trade measures.
Social partners from Italy’s textile and fashion industry gathered in Rome on 19-20 February 2025 to discuss upcoming EU legislations and their impact on the sector. The event, part of the EU co-funded StitchTogether project, also led to the drafting of the Rome Declaration, reinforcing their commitment to a stronger social dialogue.
The meeting brought together Confindustria Moda, national trade unions (Femca-Cisl, Filctem-Cgil, Uiltec-Uil), regional clusters, and businesses. They focused on a sectoral industrial policy strategy aimed at strengthening Italy’s textile-clothing supply chain, which they plan to present to the Italian Government and the EU Commission.
The Rome Declaration outlines key priorities, including competitiveness, fair labor conditions, skills development, regional growth, and a just transition. It also calls on policymakers to support the industry's transformation amid green and digital shifts.
Judith Kirton-Darling, IndustriAll Europe’s general secretary, emphasized Italy’s significance, noting it employs 300,000 workers 24 per cent of Europe’s textile workforce. She highlighted social dialogue as a key tool to ensure job security and better working conditions.
Euratex Director General Dirk Vantyghem underscored Italy’s role, contributing 36 per cent of Europe’s textile and fashion industry. He stressed the need for a strong, innovative Italian sector as a model for Europe, where employers and workers collaborate to drive quality and creativity.
With global challenges ahead, Italy’s textile industry aims to lead the EU’s transformation with a united, forward-thinking approach.
The 40th IAF World Fashion Convention will take place on October 24-25, 2025, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, bringing together top leaders and innovators from the global apparel and textile industry.
Following the success of last year’s event in Samarkand, which hosted nearly 400 participants from 44 countries, this year’s convention promises even greater impact. The International Apparel Federation (IAF) is once again collaborating with the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) to create an unparalleled platform for industry collaboration, innovation, and learning.
Attendees can expect expert insights on navigating global trade shifts, adopting transformative technologies, and strengthening sustainability. High-profile speakers from leading brands like H&M, Inditex, Disney, Hugo Boss, and PVH, as well as experts from McKinsey, BCG, the World Bank, and the OECD, will share their expertise.
The event will also provide unparalleled networking opportunities with key executives, manufacturers, retailers, and policymakers shaping the global value chain. Yogyakarta’s rich textile heritage and thriving industry make it an ideal setting for exploring Indonesia’s dynamic apparel market.
More than just a conference, the IAF Convention is a catalyst for industry progress. Participants will engage in discussions that shape the future, with a strong focus on collaboration, innovation, and sustainability.
Jeanologia, a global leader in textile technology, showcased its latest sustainable solutions at the Egypt Stitch & Tex fair in Cairo from February 20 to 23. The company’s advanced innovations are set to transform textile finishing in Egypt and beyond.
At the event, Jeanologia demonstrated the synergy between its cutting-edge technologies, including laser, G2 Indra, eFlow + DB 420, and H2 Zero. These solutions are reshaping global textile production by reducing environmental impact and enhancing efficiency.
Jeanologia’s laser technology, developed over 25 years, has revolutionized textile finishing by replacing traditional, hazardous techniques. This fully automated system ensures safer operations, enhances design quality, and increases productivity. It also eliminates harmful practices, making it a game-changer for manufacturers looking to improve both safety and creativity.
Supporting the laser system, G2 Indra technology offers a sustainable finishing process that replaces water and chemical washing with air. This drastically cuts down chemical usage and water consumption. The combination of these two technologies has permanently eliminated the need for PP spray and stone washing, marking a shift toward cleaner and more efficient production methods. These advancements empower Egypt’s textile manufacturers to embrace automation, optimize resources, and align with global sustainability standards.
“Egypt’s textile industry is evolving, and our advanced laser and G2 Indra technologies meet the growing demand for efficiency, safety, and environmental responsibility,” said Mahmoud Hassan, Jeanologia’s Area Manager in Egypt. “We are proud to provide solutions that enhance production quality and set a new sustainability benchmark in the industry.”
Three decades of innovation
Founded in 1994, Jeanologia has been at the forefront of transforming the textile industry into a more ethical, sustainable, and efficient model. The company collaborates with brands, retailers, and suppliers to drive this change through disruptive technologies and innovative software.
Jeanologia’s solutions, including laser, G2 ozone, Dancing Box, eFlow, H2 Zero, and ColorBox, have redefined garment finishing by eliminating polluting processes. These innovations have significantly reduced water, energy, and chemical use, saving millions of liters of water while eliminating harmful substances.
As the company celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025, it continues to push boundaries in sustainable textile solutions. From introducing laser technology in 1999, which revolutionized denim finishing, to its latest advancements in sustainable garment dyeing, Jeanologia remains committed to creating an eco-efficient future.
Looking ahead, Jeanologia is advancing its Mission Zero initiative, aimed at completely eliminating water and toxic chemicals from garment finishing worldwide. The company invites all industry players to join this effort and drive the transformation toward a truly sustainable textile industry.
Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, is introducing its upgraded High IQ Lasting Color assurance program at Performance Days in Munich. The program meets rising consumer demand for longer-lasting garments with improved performance standards. Archroma will also showcase end-to-end solutions that help brands deliver sustainability and performance across sportswear, athleisure, and workwear.
“With a forward-thinking approach, Archroma enables brands to offer the performance and benefits consumers expect, from comfort and fit to moisture management, odor control, and long-lasting colors. Performance Days is the perfect platform to present innovations that add value in competitive markets,” said Dhirendra Gautam, VP Marketing, Archroma.
The updated High IQ Lasting Color program integrates Archroma’s latest color-retention technologies to ensure garments maintain their vibrancy. Using Avitera SE and Novacron dyes, the program helps mills and brands reduce water and energy consumption by up to 50 per cent during processing. The program also features refreshed hangtags and labels to support mills and brands in meeting industry standards.
Archroma offers a wide range of sustainable solutions tailored for sportswear, athleisure, and workwear. Its Super Systems+ suite provides fiber-specific wet processing solutions, durable colors, functional effects, and cleaner chemistries that eliminate harmful substances. Key innovations on display at Performance Days include EarthColors technology, which creates dyes from food and agricultural waste, fluorine-free Phobotex water repellents, the new Sanitized OX20 odor-neutralizing solutions, and Avitera Generation Next sustainable dyes.
Performance Days, held twice a year, attracts around 3,000 industry professionals and 500 suppliers. The March 2025 edition will take place in Munich, featuring both physical and digital exhibitors. Visitors can meet the Archroma team at Booth T17, Hall C5, Messe Munchen, from March 5-6, 2025.
nova-Institute has named Lars Borger as its new Co-CEO alongside Michael Carus, effective 1 March 2025. Borger, an expert in renewable carbon and defossilisation, will strengthen nova’s leadership as it drives the chemical and materials industry toward sustainability.
With over 30 years of experience, nova-Institute has led the transition away from fossil resources, providing research and consultancy for companies, NGOs, and policymakers. However, scaling sustainable alternatives remains a challenge, requiring the right policy framework and stronger industry commitment.
Michael Carus, nova-Institute’s founder and current CEO, welcomes Borger’s appointment, highlighting his expertise and network as key assets for accelerating transformation. Borger, formerly with BASF and Neste, brings deep experience in biopolymers, renewable polymers, and value chain management. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Renewable Carbon Initiative and served on the board of European Bioplastics.
“nova-Institute is a leading think tank driving the circular economy. I am excited to join this dedicated team and contribute to shaping a more sustainable future,” says Borger.
Together with COO Linda Engel, Borger and Carus will steer nova-Institute’s efforts in technology, sustainability, economy, and policy research, guiding industry players toward greener solutions. Engel emphasizes that Borger’s leadership aligns with nova’s mission to support companies in their sustainable transition.
With a strengthened leadership team, nova-Institute aims to drive impactful change, ensuring the chemical sector remains both competitive and environmentally responsible.
Davifil introduces Cotone Biolana OE, an innovative recycled yarn, at Filo 63. The Fall/Winter 2026/2027 collection highlights the company’s commitment to sustainability with a unique blend of recycled cotton and wool.
The cotton comes from garment scraps and fabric offcuts, while the wool is sourced from combed spinning waste. These materials are processed through open-end spinning to create an eco-friendly yarn certified by the Global Recycle Standard (GRS).
Cotone Biolana OE is available in four natural shades: Oak and Amber (brown tones) and Steel and Ash (gray tones). The darker shades (Steel and Amber) feature a 50 per cent Cotton - 50 per cent Wool composition, while the lighter ones (Oak and Ash) consist of 80 per cent Cotton - 20 per cent Wool.
Founded in 1973 in Biella, Italy, Davifil specializes in high-quality yarns for apparel, furnishings, and knitwear. The company blends innovation with sustainability, offering a diverse range of fibers, including linen, hemp, jute, wool, and silk. Using advanced spinning techniques - ring, open-end, dry, and wet spinning, Davifil ensures superior quality and versatility across its collections.
Sustainability remains central to Davifil’s mission. The company prioritizes renewable materials, eco-friendly treatments, and responsible production practices, backed by certifications like GOTS, GRS, RAF, and European Flax.
With Cotone Biolana OE, Davifil continues to push the boundaries of sustainable textiles, offering high-quality solutions without compromising environmental responsibility.
