#Associations

2024-07-04

Program announced for 2024 AATCC Textile Discovery Summit

AATCC is excited to announce the program for the 2024 Textile Discovery Summit, held October 6 to 8 in Savannah, Georgia, USA. With a focus on A Path Forward Through Innovation, this year’s conference will be a groundbreaking event for the textile industry.

Attendees of the Textile Discovery Summit will have the opportunity to engage in educational presentations, stimulating networking receptions, insightful breakout sessions, and witness the latest advancements in textile technology at the exhibitor showroom. Furthermore, participants will be able to enjoy a golf challenge on The Westin’s 18-hole PGA Championship course and an evening boat cruise along the Savannah River on Sunday, October 6.

Start the Summit off by joining the NC170 session, “Research Personal Protective Technologies for Current and Emerging Occupational and Environmental Hazards,” on Sunday, October 6, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. This session addresses the critical need for effective Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) across industries such as firefighting, healthcare, military, and more. Continue the following day with discussions about the Future of Textiles through circular economy, thoughtful production methods and more insightful presentations scattered throughout. Complete your Summit experience with either discussing the Advances in Sustainability or hear about the improvements in Comfort and Wellness followed by Coloration updates. Be sure to stay until the end to take a chance at winning the exciting raffle prize!

AATCC is also actively seeking companies to join as sponsors for the 2024 Textile Discovery Summit. With three comprehensive package levels – Platinum, Gold, and Silver – sponsors can select the tier that best aligns with their marketing objectives and budget. Each level offers unique benefits, including prominent brand visibility, VIP access, and complimentary registrations to provide exclusive networking opportunities with industry leaders. For those looking for more targeted exposure, AATCC also offers the option to sponsor individual items or events within the summit. By becoming a sponsor, companies not only gain invaluable exposure to key decision-makers in the textile industry but also demonstrate their commitment to driving innovation and sustainability in the sector. Interested parties are encouraged to contact AATCC promptly, as sponsorship opportunities are limited and expected to fill out quickly.

The 2024 Textile Discovery Summit is open to all individuals who wish to participate. Whether you are an industry professional, researcher, or textile enthusiast, this event offers a unique platform to gain insights, foster collaboration, and stay informed about the latest developments in the field. For comprehensive program details, accommodation information, sponsorships, tabletop reservations, or registration, please visit www.aatcc.org/summit/.

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.

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

Plastic-free stretch technologies drive new direction for denim innovation

As the denim industry looks for ways to reduce its reliance on synthetic fibres, plastic-free stretch technologies are gaining momentum. Developments based on mechanical fabric construction and natural rubber are demonstrating that comfort and stretch can be achieved without conventional elastane, supporting both recyclability and circular product design.