#Associations

2021-09-02

36th IAF World Fashion Convention taking shape

The IAF 36th World Fashion Convention, held back-to-back with the EURATEX 9th European Apparel & Textile Convention on November 7-8-9 in Antwerp, is taking shape with a strong backing from a global cast of sponsors.

The Convention will bring together senior apparel industry representatives from across the supply chain. The Convention’s theme ‘Transition of the Global Fashion System’ will therefore be consistently viewed through the lens of the necessary buyer-supplier collaboration to pull of the needed transition.

David Sävmann, head of supply chain at the H&M Group, will be one of the IAF Convention’s speakers who will be discussing with various manufacturers from different parts of the world on this theme. Leading industry analyst John Thorbeck will present a current business case highlighting the strong link between a transition of business processes and improved sustainability. And the convention’s extensive coverage of the crucial topic of digitalization will be built around the interaction between brands, retailers and their suppliers.

The IAF sponsors reflect the multifaceted face of the transition of the global fashion system. IHKIB is a major Turkish association strengthening the export capabilities of a major part of Turkish apparel manufacturers, QIMAone is a collaborative platform digitizing quality and compliance management for global brands, retailers, and manufacturers, Serai simplifies global trade by building more efficient supply chains, A&E is the foremost manufacturer and distributor of premium quality industrial and consumer sewing thread, embroidery thread and technical textiles, the Fair Wear Foundation is a multi-stakeholder initiative helping companies to improve labour conditions in their supply chains and SIM brings innovative supply chain information systems from the food industry to the apparel industry.

The list of sponsors is still growing. These organisations enable federations such as the IAF to host a high level industry-wide platform. Also, the event will be extensively covered by our media partners just-style and FashionUnited and our knowledge partners Fibre2fashion and Sourcing Journal.

Whereas the IAF conference on Monday November 8 views industry transition through the lens of global supply chain collaboration, the EURATEX conference on Tuesday November 9 takes a legislative perspective. There is a barrage of rules on sustainability and labour conditions with a potentially large effect on the apparel industry that will be coming from Brussels in the coming years.

We invite all participants to join IAF and EURATEX for drinks and food at the newly reopened Antwerp Fashion Museum on Monday evening November 8. The Convention will be live, with digital accessibility.

Registration: https://conventionantwerp.com/registration-entry-tickets/

“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.”

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

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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.

More patterns, less effort: the MULTI-MATIC® at Rohleder

Rohleder is one of Europe’s most modern weaving mills. For over 80 years, the family-owned company has been developing and manufacturing premium fabrics for brands, retailers and private customers – 100% Made in Germany. This success is made possible by a consistent focus on design, quality, and functionality, as well as by continuous investment in state-of-the-art production facilities. Rohleder also relies on innovative technologies in warp preparation and has been collaborating with KARL MAYER for many years. As recently as 2023, a MULTI-MATIC® was delivered to the company’s headquarters in Konradsreuth.

BASF opens global diaper and superabsorbents performance lab in Mumbai

BASF has officially inaugurated its new Performance Lab for diapers and superabsorbents (SAP) in Mumbai on August 18, 2026, which will provide technical and application services to superabsorbent customers globally. The new lab of BASF’s Hygiene Solutions business has been established in less than a year and is part of BASF’s Innovation Campus Asia Pacific in Mumbai, BASF’s second largest R&D site in Asia Pacific established in 2017 under BASF Chemicals India Private Limited.

Naia™ from Eastman strengthens western hemisphere textile connections at Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala

As brands and retailers explore more diversified and responsive sourcing networks, the Naia™ brand from Eastman is strengthening its engagement with the textile and apparel value chain across the western hemisphere. From August 18–20, the company will participate for the first time in Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala, a regional meeting point for apparel sourcing, manufacturing and nearshoring.

Dornbirn GFC 2026 expands conference program with new thematic sessions

For 65 years, Dornbirn GFC has stood for innovation and is one of the world’s leading conferences in the fiber industry. From September 16 to 18, 2026, the international fiber community will meet in Dornbirn, Austria, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and forward-looking solutions. More than 600 experts from industry and academia from over 30 countries are expected to attend. With around 100 presentations by renowned speakers, a 2,5-day conference program, and three parallel presentation rooms with moderated sessions, Dornbirn GFC provides a first-class platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and international collaboration. Together, participants will generate ideas and impulses that will sustainably shape the future of the global fiber industry.