#Associations

2023-04-06

PT Asia Pacific Rayon (Indonesia) joins ITMF as Corporate Member

Asia Pacific Rayon (APR) is the first fully integrated viscose rayon producer in Asia - from plantation to viscose fibre. Their 300,000-tonne capacity mill is co-located in Pangkalan Kerinci with its main pulp supplier Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL).

As a member of the RGE Group, founded by Sukanto Tanoto in 1973, APR produces biodegradable viscose rayon used in textile products.

Mr. Christian Schindler, Director General of ITMF, stated that “the ITMF membership is extremely delighted to welcome with Asia Pacific Rayon (APR) another important fiber producer. A forum like ITFM offers all stakeholders of the textile value chain the opportunity to come together and discuss the global challenges and opportunities. In today’s world an isolated view of the direct supply and demand structure might not be enough to identify trends further upstream and/or downstream. Topics like circularity or social compliance are becoming more relevant and are affecting the entire textile supply chain. We are convinced that Asia Pacific Rayon’s membership with ITMF will mutual beneficial”.

Mr. Basrie Kamba, President Director of PT Asia Pacific Rayon, commented that “joining ITMF is having the opportunity to meet and share updates, knowledge and practices with industry experts and players from the entire value chain is vital for world-class companies like APR. The pandemic has revealed how relevant personal meetings are in our industry. Aside from that, I expect that ITMF will provide valuable and accurate statistics, reports and studies as well as virtual services that help to remain informed and better understand short, medium and long- term changes“.

“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.

Meadow Grove Research joins ITMF as Corporate Member

Meadow Grove Research is a commodity research firm specializing in supply, demand, and trade analysis in cotton and other soft commodities. Providing clarity to the complex nature of the global fiber supply chain is one of its most formidable services. The firm thrives on customer engagement and providing the best framework for critical decisions.

Sustainability: European industry calls on EU to keep Single-Use Plastics Directive unchanged

A broad coalition of European industry associations, including EDANA, Euratex and Plastics Europe, has urged EU institutions to maintain the current legal framework of the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD). In a joint statement, the organisations argue that reopening the Directive at this stage would create legal uncertainty, increase regulatory complexity and undermine investment, while its implementation across the European Union is still incomplete.

Textile machinery: Italian technology charts the course for revival

Operating in a scenario characterized by geopolitical instability, slowing industrial investments, and new protectionist pressures. This is the main challenge for the Italian textile machinery industry that emerged during the General Assembly of ACIMIT (Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers), held today in Milan at the Shareholders’ Hall of Palazzo Edison.

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.

Eastman Naia™ brings its inside-out denim vision to Kingpins New York

Following its debut at Kingpins Amsterdam, Eastman Naia™ brings the next chapter of its denim story to Kingpins New York, taking place July 22–23. At Booth Green 7, Naia™ presents its denim proposition built around three complementary design directions: Performance Denim, Fashion Denim and Authentic Denim.