#Associations

2020-07-16

Revised AATCC test methods and procedures available

AATCC research committees work year-round to develop and update standards. The results are published twice per year—in the AATCC Technical Manual each January and in the Mid-Year Supplement each June. The 2020 Mid-Year Supplement is now available and includes nine revised test methods, one editorially revised test method, and one revised monograph for a total of eleven approved standards since publication of the 2020 AATCC Technical Manual.

These documents are available ONLY as downloadable PDFs for 2020. The 2020 Mid-Year Supplement will be discontinued at the end of 2020 and all standards contained therein will appear in the 2021 AATCC Technical Manual.

Revised Standards

The following AATCC test methods and procedures have been revised since publication of the 2020 AATCC Technical Manual. In accordance with AATCC M13, Rules of Procedure for AATCC Test Method and Technology Committees, all technical changes are unanimously approved by the responsible research committee and the Technical Committee on Research (TCR) before publication.

AATCC TM16.3-2020 Test Method for Colorfastness to Light: Xenon-Arc; Revised to update Options 1,2 & 3 flow charts.

AATCC TM26-2020 Test Method for Ageing of Sulfur-Dyed Textiles: Accelerated; Revised to clarify and align with prescribed AATCC style guidelines.

AATCC TM94-2020 Test Method for Finishes in Textiles: Identification; Revised to update the spectra, edit the text in existing sections, and to add new sections for clarity.

AATCC TM97-2020 Test Method for Extractable Content of Textiles; Revised to clarify safety requirements.

AATCC TM112-2020 Test Method for Formaldehyde Release from Fabric, Determination of Sealed Jar Method; Revised to update multiple sections for clarity and alignment to style guidelines.

AATCC TM133-2020 Test Method for Colorfastness to Heat: Hot Pressing; Revised to align with prescribed AATCC style guidelines.

AATCC TM169-2020 Test Method for Weather Resistance of Textiles: Xenon Lamp Exposure; Revised to add references standards, added Appendix B, and various editorial changes.

AATCC TM183-2020 Test Method for Transmittance or Blocking of Erythemally Weighted Ultraviolet Radiation through Fabrics; Revised to add references to verification fabric and UPF compilation, and to align format with AATCC style guidelines.

AATCC TM195-2017(e3) Test Method for Extractable Content of Textiles; Editorially Revised to reference LP1 and LP2 instead of M6 which has been removed

AATCC TM206-2020 Test Method for Free and Hydrolyzed Formaldehyde: Water Extraction; Revised to update multiple sections for clarity.

AATCC M12-2020 Style Guide for Test Methods and Procedures; Revised to include Designation and History sections, along with various updates and clarifications.

AATCC announces 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition winners

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) recognized the winners of the 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition. Founded in 1982 to give student members the chance to conduct and present original research, the competition was renamed in 1994 in honor of Herman and Myrtle Goldstein, following their US$60,000 endowment. Their gift is a lasting remembrance of their dedication to young people in the textile industry.

New funding available for textile research

The AATCC Foundation Student Research Support Grant Program provides financial assistance for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing textile-related projects. Students may submit proposals now for funding to be awarded January 2026. Applications must be submitted by October 1, 2025, to be considered.

Business situation weakens slightly, but the industry stays cautiously optimistic

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has published the results of its 39th Global Textile Industry Survey (GTIS), conducted from 14 to 22 July 2026 among companies along the entire global textile value chain. Worldwide, 10% of participants rated their business situation as good, 53% as satisfactory and 37% as bad — a balance of -26pp, down from -17pp in May but still well above the 2023 lows. All regions are now in negative territory, from South Asia at -3pp to North & Central America at -58pp.

Italian textile machinery orders show quarterly recovery in Q2 2026

In the period between April and June 2026, order intake for Italian textile machinery manufacturers showed mixed but encouraging signals for the second half of the year. The order index at constant prices stood at 46.6 points (taking 2021=100 as the base year), showing a slight decrease of 3% compared to the same quarter of 2025. This trend was largely due to the contraction recorded in the domestic market, which fell by 25% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

Plastic-free stretch technologies drive new direction for denim innovation

As the denim industry looks for ways to reduce its reliance on synthetic fibres, plastic-free stretch technologies are gaining momentum. Developments based on mechanical fabric construction and natural rubber are demonstrating that comfort and stretch can be achieved without conventional elastane, supporting both recyclability and circular product design.