#Europe

2021-09-09

Annual public Textile ETP Conference

This year, the Annual Conference of the European Technology Platform (ETP) for the Future of Textiles and Clothing will take place online on 28 and 29 September, from 14.00 to 17.30 (CET). The full details on speakers and time slots for both days and the registration link will be shared by the organisers in the coming days.

The first day will be dedicated to Research & Innovation Trends & EU Funding Opportunities in Functional and smart materials & Digitalisation. On Wednesday 29, participants will discuss the circular and biobased textile transition.

During these 4 thematic sessions expert speakers from the European Commission, European Partnerships and ETP members will share their insights into EU policies, funding opportunities and latest research and technology trends.

“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.

European textile industry calls for €10 handling fee on ultra-fast-fashion imports

The introduction of the €3 customs duty on low-value imports marks an important milestone in Europe’s efforts to address the challenges created by the rapid growth of ultra-fast-fashion imports. Together with the abolition of the €150 customs duty exemption, it demonstrates that policymakers are willing to act when market distortions become impossible to ignore. However, the European textile and clothing industry considers this a first step rather than the final destination.

EU ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear now in force

The European Union's ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, clothing accessories and footwear has entered into force. Since July 19, 2026, large companies across the EU have been prohibited from destroying unsold textile products, while medium-sized companies will be required to comply with the same rules from 2030.

Cotton Brazil strengthens international partnerships and advances natural fiber dialogue at ICA 2026

Cotton Brazil participated in the ICA Trade Event Istanbul 2026, one of the leading international gatherings of the cotton supply chain, bringing the importance of promoting natural fibers to the global discussion and strengthening relationships with industry partners. Held on October 14 and 15 at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey, ICA 2026 brought together approximately 600 delegates from the global cotton community, including growers, exporters and representatives of major consumer markets.

Archroma and Prosperity Textile to collaborate on denim innovation

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, and Prosperity Textile, an international fabric manufacturer with production bases in China and Vietnam, have announced a partnership to drive denim innovation. They will collaborate to develop, evaluate and implement new approaches to improve denim aesthetics, durability and performance, with a shared commitment to sustainability.

Eastman Naia™ highlights circularity and responsible sourcing at Textile Exchange 2026

Scaling sustainable practices across businesses, supply chains and landscapes is one of the defining challenges facing the textile industry. At the 2026 Textile Exchange Conference, held October 12–16 in Vancouver under the theme “The Implementation Era,” Eastman Naia™ showcased how its commitments to circularity, responsible sourcing and forest conservation translate into practical action.

From textile waste to spinning-grade fiber: STADLER Group engineers integrated sorting solution for IGERS in Italy

As technology partner, STADLER worked alongside IGERS on its new plant in San Pietro Mosezzo, Novara, from the first process discussions to the final layout – integrating key treatment equipment into one system and supplying the fully automated sorting line. Together, the two companies have taken IGERS' patented textile recycling process from vision to industrial reality.