#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.

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.

New skills for a circular textile economy

Based on the results of a comprehensive analysis, the Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity is developing three practical training modules covering recycling technologies, eco-design for the circular economy and sustainable manufacturing. The content of the first module, Recycling Technologies, has now been developed and validated together with industry representatives. The module provides participants with knowledge of regulatory requirements, material sorting and the preparation of textile waste for recycling.

Bangladesh: Italian textile machinery mission stops in Dhaka and Chittagong

Technological upgrading and the transition toward higher value-added production are driving the new Italian industrial mission to Bangladesh. This year, the mission will split between the country’s two main manufacturing hubs, where Italian manufacturers will meet the leaders of the local textile supply chain in two strategic stages: July 7th in Dhaka and July 9th in Chittagong.

Reju opens its first R&D Center in the U.S. in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

Reju, the company specializing in textile regeneration, today announced the opening of a Research and Development (R&D) Center in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the company's first proprietary research center in North America. Located within Technip Energies' existing Advanced Materials and Catalysts research center, the lab will allow Reju to accelerate the rollout of its recycling technologies and develop its next-generation circular solutions.

Itema reaffirms its commitment to the Syrian textile industry at NasTex 2026

From July 18th to 21st, Itema will exhibit at NasTex at the Damascus Fairground (Hall 11 – Stand C02), marking its return to one of the Middle East’s historically significant textile markets. Itema will showcase advanced weaving technology designed to support the competitiveness and technological evolution of Syrian manufacturers and announces a new partnership with Growfast Agency as the sole agent of Itema in Syria.

KARL MAYER's HKS 2-SE Expands Possibilities for Premium Stretch WARP KNITS

Warp knitted fabrics with a woven look are more in demand than ever in the fashion and apparel industries. Stretch WARP KNITS, in particular, impress with their freedom of movement, breathability, and virtually wrinkle-free wear – thereby opening up new style worlds such as smart casual or business casual. When it comes to the highly efficient production of premium-quality stretch WARP KNITS, the HKS 2-SE has long been the machine of choice. KARL MAYER’s best-selling tricot machine produces standard elastic fabrics characterized by high gauges, smooth, delicate surfaces, and a soft hand feel.