#Yarn & Fiber

2017-08-31

INVISTA and CTCI sign strategic cooperation framework agreement

INVISTA and CTCI are pleased to announce that they have entered into an agreement for strategic cooperation. As part of the agreement CTCI will be nominated as INVISTA’s preferred contractor to provide engineering design services to licensees of INVISTA’s PTA technology.

The Parties have agreed to collaborate closely on the pursuit of PTA licensing opportunities and making further improvements to the PTA technology offering. This formal agreement builds upon the extensive collaboration between INVISTA and CTCI spanning over 20 years.

INVISTA is a leading licensor of process technologies, including the licensing of its proprietary purified terephthalic acid (PTA) technology, holding a majority share of the PTA technology licensing market. INVISTA’s latest PTA technology offering, ‘P8’, delivers industry leading variable cost performance through milder reactor conditions, improved energy integration and recovery. The process is a net exporter of electricity with a reduced environmental footprint as a result of low energy and water usage combined with reduced waste generation.

CTCI, Taiwan’s leading Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) company has a global presence focused on Engineering design, Procurement, Fabrication, Construction, Project management, Pre-commissioning and commissioning. CTCI has vast experience in the engineering of PTA Plants, having completed multiple PTA projects (equivalent to ~35 million annual tonnes of TA capacity) worldwide, including world class PTA projects using INVISTA’s PTA technology up to 2.2 million tonne plant scale. CTCI is currently the designated engineering contractor on the first P8 PTA project in China.

During a recent visit to INVISTA’s Wilton offices, Mr. M.H. Wang, deputy CEO and Group Engineering Business EVP of CTCI Corporation, commented, “The successful implementation of INVISTA’s P7 PTA platform is attributed to the joint efforts of both the INVISTA & the CTCI teams. I look forward to a successful start-up of the first P8 PTA project and greater collaboration between both parties.”

Mr. Mike Pickens, president, INVISTA Performance Technologies, commented, “Over the past several years, we have been working closely with CTCI to execute major capital investments in PTA. The signature of this strategic cooperation framework agreement is another milestone in our evolving relationship. I look forward to a strong collaboration of both parties in creating long term value in the PTA industry worldwide.”

INVISTA’s latest PTA, polyester, BDO & THF/PTMEG technologies are available as a license package from INVISTA Performance Technologies. For more information, please visit www.ipt.INVISTA.com.

The future of textiles, the power of trade, and the summit of technology come together at ITM 2026

ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, one of the most prestigious organizations in the textile technologies sector, opens its doors to visitors between June 9-13. Expected to break records in terms of both exhibitor and visitor numbers, as well as the technological vision it presents, ITM 2026 will transform into a global trade hub with machine sales, and new business collaborations.

ATCO Hygienics, Uzbekistan, orders baby diaper production line from ANDRITZ

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from ATCO Hygienics to supply a new baby diaper production line for its plant in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The order is included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the first quarter of 2026. Commissioning of the production line is scheduled for the end of 2026.

Nico Pedretti appointed as Managing Director Graf Group

As of June 1, 2026, Nico Pedretti has assumed the role of Managing Director Graf Group. With more than 20 years of international industrial experience and extensive expertise in Operations, Supply Chain Management, Finance and Controlling, he brings a broad range of leadership and business experience to support Graf’s continued success.

Next week’s focus: Intertextile Shenzhen & Yarn Expo Shenzhen fuse textile tradition with sustainable, digital trends

Fashion will not be left behind in one of the world’s undisputed tech and manufacturing capitals. Which is why next week, at Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026, the organisers have made special efforts to integrate textile topics such as materials innovation, holistic sustainability, digitalisation and AI. Yet, from 9 – 11 June at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, the platform also includes timeless tradition and heritage-inspired evolution in equal measure. Across both shows, over 600 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions are set to showcase everything from Peruvian alpaca wool fabrics to tea-derived fibres, while their fringe programmes will explore diverse solutions along the entire value chain.

From advanced fibres to eco‑focused yarns: Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 set to welcome global industry to Shanghai

From 25 – 27 August, Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 will return to the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) to reinforce its role as a key meeting point for the global yarn and fibre industry. With over 22,000 visitors, the previous edition gathered nearly 580 leading exhibitors from 16 countries and regions, showcasing advanced developments and creative applications that support innovative, sustainable textile design. The upcoming edition will not only present an extensive range of fibre and yarn products, but will also feature a comprehensive fringe programme, including industry forums and trend display areas, providing innovative upstream enterprises with a stage to introduce next‑generation materials and sustainable concepts.

TM WEFT, 270" – More width, more design freedom for the fashion world

KARL MAYER is expanding its successful TM WEFT series with an innovative model that opens up new possibilities, particularly in the fashion & apparel sectors. With a working width of 270", this new machine with weft-insertion not only offers significantly higher output than its narrower counterparts but is also specifically tailored to the demands of dynamic clothing market – particularly in China and Türkiye. A well-thought-out upgrade also ensures even greater design versatility.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.