#Other suppliers

2018-03-01

Applied DNA and American & Efird to collaborate on new anti-counterfeiting sewing thread platform

Applied DNA Sciences announced that it is collaborating with American & Efird, (A&E), one of the world’s leading manufacturers and distributors of industrial and consumer sewing thread, embroidery thread, and technical textiles, to utilize its CertainT® platform to develop secure sewing threads for brand protection.

Brands and Manufacturers can be certain that their products are authentic

“The CertainT Program is an innovative solution for brands and retailers in their supply chain. A&E and Applied DNA Sciences together are creating new security applications for sewing thread benefitting from revolutionary SigNature® T DNA and Beacon® technology. Our customers are increasingly more vigilant and security minded. DNA technology can protect a wide range of products, from luxury consumer brands to industrial applications where integrity of components is mission critical”. Les Miller, CEO, A&E, stated: “We are excited to be collaborating with Applied DNA Sciences and developing cutting edge technology solutions for our customers.”

A&E has a long history of leading the thread industry, particularly working with the US government to ensure supply of Berry Amendment-compliant products, industrial and consumer brands that require stricter controls on product quality and integrity, and working with stakeholders globally to ensure they meet their corporate sustainability goals.

“Many products, from running shoes, to performance athleisure wear, to luxury brands, can benefit from a secure sewing thread. A&E’s extensive portfolio of products combined with the CertainT platform provide a powerful opportunity to provide a trusted solution for customers who need a true anti-counterfeiting brand protection solution,” stated Dr. James Hayward, president and CEO of Applied DNA.

“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.

Asteks to meet the global market at ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025

Getting ready to take its place at ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025 with advanced grinding solutions and a wide range of aprons and cots, Asteks is expanding its target for the Asian market. The company, focusing on strengthening relations with current and potential customers, will highlight the “Made in Türkiye” label with its innovative and competitive products.

New impulses for the textile care industry: Texcare 2024 supporting programme

The focus of Texcare International 2024 (6-9 November) will be on the major challenges facing the textile care industry, including automation, energy saving, circular models and textile hygiene. Together with its partners, the leading trade fair has designed a supporting programme that can offer progressive impulses for the future of the sector.

Microfactory for filter bags developed in Sweden

After an intensive few years of development, ACG Kinna Automatic and ACG Nyström – members of TMAS, the Swedish textile machinery association –have delivered the first microfactory for the production of fully finished filter bags to a major international filtration industry customer, in cooperation with JUKI Central Europe.

GenuTrace client advisory: Is your cotton supply chain UFLPA ready?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released updated operational guidance (CBP Publication No. 5560-0526) expanding its forced labor enforcement framework. The guidance supersedes the original 2022 UFLPA Operational Guidance and now covers all forced labor enforcement authorities — UFLPA, CAATSA, and WROs/Findings — in a single unified document. For cotton importers, the enforcement posture has not softened. It has become more structured, more documented, and more demanding. Learn more about UFLPA.

STOLL: Agreement signed for the divestiture of selected assets

In early 2025, KARL MAYER announced its strategic decision to focus on its core business areas of WARP KNITTING, WARP PREPARATION, and TECHNICAL TEXTILES. As part of this move, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand was discontinued and the production site in Reutlingen was closed in October 2025.

TERNAfil wins first place at PitchMiUp Night 2026 in Minden

The RWTH spin-off TERNAfil has developed MAXCarbon, a new high-performance hybrid fibre that combines the mechanical performance of carbon with the temperature and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials. For this development, TERNAfil was awarded first prize at the PitchMiUp Night in Minden on 21 May 2026.