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#Research & Development

Detergenttests in the course of time

When it comes to the quality of detergent and cleaning products, one aspect is of paramount importance: do the substances ensure perfect cleanliness? Hohenstein has reliably carried out detergent tests for more than 50 yearsnow, thus makinga significant contribution to ensuring that the quality of detergents and washing agents is very hightoday.

After more than 30 years, Hohenstein is now saying goodbye to the established head of detergent testing, Roswitha Hild, as she retires. Dr Eva Gierling will now take over as her successor from 01/05/2019.

A lot has happened in the detergent market over the past 30 years. Amongst other things, Hohenstein has developed alternatives to the very time-consuming wash and weartests, which havea duration of 22 weeks and thus represents a costly factor for the manufacturers. New products also posed new challenges for the testing facilities. “In 1992, colour detergents entered the market as powder detergents,” remembers Roswitha Hild. “We had to develop new test procedures as, unlike heavy-duty detergents, they also contain an additive to prevent bleeding.” 

Internationalisation has also increased significantly in recent years: when it comes to detergent tests, many customers, including global customers such as Dalli Werke, Mifa and Chemolux Germany, have relied on the expertise of Hohenstein for decades.

Dr Gerling is a graduate chemist and has worked for Hohenstein since 2010. She knows the industry: “Our customer structure is slow to change -once someone has worked with us, they often stay for decades.”

Hohenstein’s specialists still test the performance of products with tests of household laundry technology. By conducting comparative detergent tests, Hohenstein ensures improved market transparency, which both consumers as well as retailers and manufacturers expect today. In this regard, practical organisation of the test conditions and the inclusion of current standards and guidelines are particularly important.

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#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Global size study for brands and retailers to optimize fit and market coverage

Hohenstein Apparel Fit Solutions, a global leader in apparel fit, sizing, and product development, today announces the launch of its Global Size Study, a new initiative designed to equip brands to better understand and serve their target consumers through more accurate, market-relevant sizing.

#Sustainability

A new standard to combat plastic waste in forests

With DIN SPEC 35808 “Tree Shelter for Forestry Applications,” the testing and research service provider Hohenstein, in collaboration with Rottenburg University of Forestry, as well as forestry authorities and industry partners, has established a clear framework for bio-based and fully biodegradable tree shelters. The pre-standard defines requirements and practical testing methods designed to reduce plastic waste in forests and strengthen the long-term protection of soil and the environment.

#Research & Development

Hohenstein publishes 2025 Sustainability Report

The testing and research service provider Hohenstein has published its latest sustainability report, outlining key progress and strategic initiatives. The report focuses on ambitious CO₂ reduction targets, the company’s new mission statement and the systematic expansion of sustainable services for customers worldwide.

#Research & Development

New DIN SPEC assesses environmental impact of textile fragments in soil

Textile products made from synthetic fibres, finished fabrics or dyed materials release fibre fragments into the environment at every stage of their life cycle. With the new DIN SPEC 19296, Hohenstein has developed a standardised testing method to analyse how these fragments behave in soil under natural conditions. Until now, little was known about their environmental behaviour or potential ecological effects once released.

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#Research & Development

ADD-ITC 2026 publishes preliminary conference program

The organizers of the Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference (ADD-ITC) 2026 have released the preliminary program for this year's event, which will take place on November 26–27, 2026, at the International Congress Center Dresden. The conference is expected to attract between 500 and 700 participants from industry, research, and academia.

#Research & Development

Networking Day 2026: Industry stakeholders unite around textile recycling

In 2026, the Industry Research Group (IRG) Polymer Recycling once again brought together some of the key stakeholders in textile recycling for its annual Networking Day. This year, the event took place at EREMA’s premises in Ansfelden, Austria. It brought together key players from across the textile recycling value chain for a day of structured exchange and in-depth discussions.

#Research & Development

Smart textiles reversibly change shape in an energy-efficient manner in response to ambient temperature

Self-actuating textile structures are used in a wide range of applications, such as medical technology, automation, architecture, agriculture, and the apparel industry. An example is the use of shading nets in greenhouses, which can be deployed and retracted depending on the sunlight intensity. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are developing textiles based on shape-memory polymers with reversibly controllable geometry.

#Associations

Meadow Grove Research joins ITMF as Corporate Member

Meadow Grove Research is a commodity research firm specializing in supply, demand, and trade analysis in cotton and other soft commodities. Providing clarity to the complex nature of the global fiber supply chain is one of its most formidable services. The firm thrives on customer engagement and providing the best framework for critical decisions.

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#Knitting & Hosiery

SHIMA SEIKI brings new flat knitting technologies to FEBRATEX 2026

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Brazilian representative BRASTEMA TECNOLOGIA TEXTIL LTDA., will exhibit at the Brazilian Textile Industry Fair (FEBRATEX 2026) this month. On display will be a roundup of SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting technology, represented by WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines featuring a brand-new model with high productivity and excellent cost performance, a glove knitting machine and the latest digital solutions.

#Man-Made Fibers

Lenzing reports improved half-year results and advances strategic transformation

Despite a persistently challenging market environment in the first half of 2026, characterized by volatile energy and raw material prices, subdued global consumer demand and intensified competition from Asia, the Lenzing Group significantly improved its financial performance. Net result after tax more than doubled to EUR 35.6 million, compared with EUR 15.2 million in the first half of 2025. Free cash flow increased to EUR 45.8 million, while EBITDA amounted to EUR 239.2 million. Revenue totaled EUR 1.27 billion, compared with EUR 1.34 billion in the previous year.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

German 'ZOLL' turns end-of-life uniforms into valuable raw materials

Together with CWS Workwear, the German Customs Administration is extending the life cycle of service uniforms through reuse, recycling and material recovery, demonstrating how circular economy principles can be successfully implemented in the public sector while delivering significant savings.

#Spinning

Trützschler’s latest spinning and card clothing innovations at CAITME 2026

From September 8 to 10, 2026, Trützschler will present its latest innovations in spinning and card clothing for state-of-the-art fiber processing at CAITME in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visitors are invited to meet the experts at Pavilion 2, Booth D50 and explore solutions designed to increase productivity, streamline processes, and ensure consistently high yarn quality. Key topics include the next-generation card TC 30i, the integrated draw frame IDF 3, the high-performance comber TCO 21XL as well as Trützschler Card Clothing’s new flat top series STEELTOP®.

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