#Associations

2023-11-23

Registration now open for AATCC’s haptics and textiles digital lab

AATCC, a leading organization for textile testing and standards, will host a comprehensive two-day virtual event focused on haptics and textiles on December 13-14, 2023. Registration is now open for industry professionals interested in attending.

This online event will bring together a range of textile industry experts, including researchers, product developers, lab technicians, chemical suppliers, and other relevant roles to discuss methods and best practices for measuring the tactile properties and feel of textiles and nonwovens.

A major highlight of the two-day event will be the in-depth exploration of haptic testing methods and instruments. To start, attendees will receive an introduction to the fundamentals of haptics, providing critical context on terminology, concepts, and industry applications. Building on that foundation, presenters will give a comprehensive overview of the most widely used techniques and devices for measuring tactile properties, including details on how each method works along with comparative advantages and limitations. The sessions will take a deep dive into interpreting results from different haptic tests, examining how to best leverage the data to enhance quality control and guide product development decisions.

Visit https://www.aatcc.org/aatcc-events/haptics/ to learn more about this virtual event and register.

AATCC members receive a discounted registration rate.

Reduced early registration rates end November 29, 2023.

Hands-on demonstrations will showcase innovative new solutions for digitizing, organizing, and communicating haptic sample data through online platforms and marketplaces. One of the most anticipated elements will be a live demonstration of the advanced TSA Tactile Sensation Analyzer created by emtec Electronic, giving attendees valuable insights into utilizing and making sense of the output from this state-of-the-art haptic analysis instrument. Throughout the methods-focused segments, experts will lead thought-provoking discussions about real-world applications and best practices for harnessing the wealth of information haptic testing can provide and best practices for harnessing the wealth of information haptic testing can provide.

To provide diverse viewpoints, the event will feature presentations from experienced professionals representing prominent companies and institutions in the textile industry globally, including adidas, Lenzing, Black Swan Textiles, Cotton Incorporated, the Technical University of Dresden in Germany, and Dokuz Eylül University in Turkey. Read more about the presenters here: https://www.aatcc.org/aatcc-events/haptics/#presenters

The overarching goal of this virtual textile lab is to advance the practice of haptic testing by enabling beneficial knowledge sharing between leaders across the textile sector. With registration now open, spots are expected to fill quickly for this educational two-day event centered around the latest methodologies and future directions in haptics evaluation for textiles.

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.

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.