#Associations

2020-12-10

WHO references AATCC in face covering guidance

The World Health Organization (WHO) now advises manufacturers wishing to produce product with consistent performance to follow guidance from AATCC or other standards organizations. On December 1, 2020, WHO issued interim guidance for “Mask use in the context of COVID-19.” The Annex provides information on fabric face coverings, including reference to AATCC M14, Guidance and Considerations for General Purpose Textile Face Coverings: Adult.

AATCC staff participated in a series of weekly meetings of the WHO group that compiled the latest guidance. The language and thresholds for several essential face covering parameters are consistent with the recommendations in AATCC M14. While various national and regional bodies have issued similar guidance, AATCC M14 was the first global standard to address general use face coverings. The AATCC recommendations for filtration and breathability are similar to those cited in other standards. Further alignment of standards was discussed and encouraged by the WHO advisory group. In addition to testing parameters, AATCC M14 includes practical consideration for fabric and design selection. This is particularly valuable for manufacturers pivoting from unrelated products with minimal background in textiles or public wellness.

WHO also references AATCC TM100, Test Method for Antibacterial Finishes on Textile Materials: Assessment of, for antibacterial testing, though the organization advises caution in making antimicrobial claims for non-medical face coverings.

AATCC M14 is under the jurisdiction of committee RA113, Emerging Technologies Test Methods. The committee met in November and plans to develop a new standard to address the specific needs of face coverings for children. Participation in AATCC research committees is open to all.

WHO Guidance: https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/1319378/retrieve

AATCC M14: https://members.aatcc.org/store/m014/3085/

AATCC COVID Resources and Information: www.aatcc.org/covid/

“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.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

New momentum for British textile machinery in India

The British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is looking to India ITME 2026 as a major opportunity to strengthen industrial partnerships and mutually expand exports, following the introduction of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and the formation of the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition (UKITMC).

European and Canadian textile associations call for stronger transatlantic cooperation

Ahead of the EU–Canada Summit in Montréal on 29–30 October 2026, EURATEX, the Canadian Textile Industry Association (CTIA) and the Canadian Apparel Federation (CAF) have issued a joint statement calling for closer industrial cooperation, improved implementation of the CETA trade agreement and stronger partnerships in innovation, sustainability and advanced textile technologies.

Stäubli to introduce new S3292 dobby for high-speed weaving at ITME India 2026

Stäubli will introduce its new S3292 dobby at ITME India 2026, taking place from December 4 to 9 at the India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Designed for high-speed air-jet weaving, the new machine will be among the highlights of the company's presentation, which also includes warp preparation systems, cam motions, Jacquard technologies and digital services.

DITF develops bio-based binding fibers for wood-fiber insulation materials

As part of the CelluWoodFlex project, the German Institutes of Textile- and Fiber-Research in Denkendorf (DITF) are developing bio-based cellulose ester fibers as alternative binding fibers for flexible wood fiber insulation materials. In addition to the spinning process and the production of suitable staple fibers, the institute is also investigating how wood and cellulose fibers can be separated and recycled at the end of their useful life.

Reju expands textile-to-textile recycling network with six international fabric manufacturers

Reju, a textile-to-textile regeneration company, is expanding its industrial network through collaborations with six fabric manufacturers in Europe and the Americas. The initiative aims to accelerate the integration of regenerated polyester into textile manufacturing and support the development of finished fabrics for commercial applications.

Magnera highlights HighPleat™ filtration media technology at FiltXPO 2026

At FiltXPO 2026, held on October 28–29 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Magnera highlighted advances in air filtration media architecture, with a particular focus on its HighPleat™ platform for MERV 8–10 applications. The technology combines a lofted fiber structure with optimized pore architecture to address the challenge of balancing filtration efficiency, airflow resistance and contaminant-holding capacity.