#Raw Materials

2020-08-06

Cotton innovates for the digital future

Cotton Incorporated’s CottonWorks™, a resource for textile professionals, launches 3D downloadable digital files, taking cotton apparel design to the next level. The FABRICAST™ collection offers designers and product developers working with two popular design programs access to inspirational and inventive cotton and cotton-rich fabrics for the collaborative design process.

Cotton Incorporated launches new 3D fabrics for designers and developers

The work-at-home environment, this year, propelled many companies to search for more digital solutions in all aspects of the business including the already emerging 3D design programs.

“3D technology offers a great solution for digital design, fit, merchandising, and marketing. When you connect that digitally with sourcing and manufacturing, we have a winning combination for the apparel industry,” says Krista Schreiber, a veteran industry designer and digital supply chain consultant.

FABRICAST™ knit and woven fabrics provide new ideas and inspiration for design and development teams. The initial digital offerings showcase trending cotton fabrics with a variety of constructions to illustrate a core selection of pile, texture and drape.

“The digital cotton fabric files cover a wide range,” explains Mark Messura, senior vice president of global supply chain marketing for Cotton Incorporated. “From fleece and herringbone to jacquards, denim, sherpa, and French terry fabrics, they are all there digitally on CottonWorks™ and ready for download. Every month we will be making new collections of digital cotton fabrics available to designers. It’s part of the continuing innovation for cotton.”

Cotton digital fabric files can be downloaded for CLO and Browzwear programs at http://cottonworks.com, the cotton resource for textile professionals. CottonWorks™ is a go-to textile tool for discovering what’s possible with cotton. From fiber and manufacturing education to sustainability facts to fabric inspiration and trend forecasting, http://cottonworks.com has the resources the industry needs to stay in motion.

“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.

New Cotton Review examines competitiveness, market risk, and opportunities

From moving record volumes of Brazilian cotton to market, to managing price volatility, unlocking Ethiopia’s production potential, and strengthening African textile trade, the latest edition of Cotton: Review of the World Situation examines some of the most consequential opportunities and challenges facing the global cotton industry.

Kraig Labs ships first commercial spider silk yarn

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) (“the Company”, “Kraig Labs”, or “Kraig’s”), a world leader in spider silk technology*, today announced the shipment of its first commercial order of recombinant spider silk yarn. The custom-engineered yarn was produced to fulfill a purchase commitment from a globally recognized performance sports brand and is slated for development into a first-of-its-kind performance textile.

ALLIED expands down traceability with lot-level carbon footprint data

ALLIED Feather + Down has expanded its TrackMyDown traceability platform to include validated cradle-to-gate carbon footprint data linked to individual down lots. The initiative is designed to provide brands and consumers with more detailed environmental information on the materials used in finished products and could also support future data requirements associated with Digital Product Passports.

Heimtextil 2027 introduces Functional Futures Lab for innovative performance materials

Heimtextil 2027, taking place from 12 to 15 January in Frankfurt, will introduce the Functional Futures Lab, a new special showcase dedicated to innovative materials and their functional properties. Curated by Future Fabrics Expo, the exhibition will present developments ranging from temperature-regulating and flame-resistant textiles to bio-based composites and experimental material concepts. By bringing together early-stage prototypes and commercially available solutions, the showcase aims to provide guidance for future material selection and product development in architecture, interior design and hospitality.

VistaPrint increases apparel production capacity with Kornit Apollo

Kornit Digital (NASDAQ: KRNT), a provider of on-demand digital textile production technologies, reports that VistaPrint has significantly increased its apparel production capacity through the implementation of the Kornit Apollo system. The installation has enabled the international print and design company to add approximately 25,000 units of weekly production capacity while improving production speed, operational efficiency and order turnaround times.

Picanol to unveil new AirOne airjet weaving machine at ITMA Asia 2026

From November 20 to 24, 2026, Picanol will present the world premiere of its new AirOne generation of airjet weaving machines at ITMA Asia + CITME in Shanghai. Developed in response to the latest requirements in basic woven fabric production, AirOne marks an important expansion of Picanol’s airjet weaving portfolio. Featuring a newly developed crank shedding motion, the machine combines high performance and low energy consumption with advanced digitalisation and ease of operation.