#Research & Development

2022-11-23

Taking big steps towards more sustainability

More than 300 players and Hohenstein customers in the Indian textile industry accepted Hohenstein India's invitation to attend the Global Sustainability Conference in Gurugram, India, on November 10, 2022. © Hohenstein

How can economic success be linked with product responsibility and more sustainability? More than 300 players and Hohenstein customers in the Indian textile industry accepted Hohenstein India's invitation to attend the Global Sustainability Conference in Gurugram, India, on November 10, 2022, and to obtain possible solutions to this question. The following day, numerous invited guests gathered at the Hohenstein laboratory site in Gurugram for the ceremonial inauguration of a new leather & footwear laboratory, the first of its kind in the global Hohenstein Competence Network.

True to the motto Local by Global, the agenda of the Global Sustainability Conference was perfectly tailored to the needs of the Indian textile industry. "This event is a great opportunity for the Indian textile industry to benefit from the global expertise of Hohenstein, OEKO-TEX® and Industry experts (from Landmark Group , Colourtex Industries , Shahi Exports, Resil Chemicals and German Environment agency) to optimize their products and processes, and ultimately achieve their sustainability goals in global competition," said a delighted host Vinod Kumar, Managing Director of Hohenstein India & SL. Prof. Dr. Stefan Mecheels, CEO and owner of the testing service provider Hohenstein, welcomed the participants in his opening speech and referred to upheavals: "Times are changing rapidly in the global textile industry - sustainable products and processes are the order of the day.

With the ceremonial opening the starting signal was given for the new leather & footwear laboratory at the laboratory site in Gurugram on November 11, 2022. © Hohenstein

I'm sure you can take away a few things today that will support them in their efforts to become more sustainable." The event focused on the modular OEKO-TEX® system, which provides solutions for the practical implementation of all aspects of sustainable business, presented by Hohenstein experts and specialists from the OEKO-TEX® Association.

With the ceremonial opening by Prof. Dr. Mecheels, Dr. Christof Madinger, COO Hohenstein HTTI and Dr. Helmut Krause, Hohenstein Technical Director Softlines & Shoes, the starting signal was given for the new leather & footwear laboratory at the laboratory site in Gurugram on November 11, 2022. During tours, visitors were able to get a personal impression of the future focus of work on site: testing for harmful substances in accordance with the LEATHER STANDARD RSL and the subsequent certification of leather and footwear products in accordance with the OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD will in future ensure a lower market risk for brands, retailers and suppliers and comprehensive and reliable safety for consumers.

A smarter way to verified Chemical Compliance

Hohenstein and GoBlu Drive Innovation in Sustainable Supply Chain Management As regulatory demands, customer expectations, and sustainability goals continue to grow, the ability to manage chemical compliance and data across complex supply chains has become critical. Hohenstein and The BHive® by GoBlu are initiating a strategic partnership to enhance chemical management in the textile sector. The collaboration delivers more than just a service – it provides an integrated, future-ready solution for brands, manufacturers and suppliers seeking trusted chemical management and credible sustainability.

Hohenstein achieves GLP Certification for Medical Device Testing

Since the middle of July, the testing service provider Hohenstein has been certified to conduct medical device testing in accordance with the internationally recognised Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standard. This certification comprehensively covers chemical, physical and biological safety testing of medical devices.

Hohenstein supports Global Textile Scheme Initiative

Global testing and research provider Hohenstein has acquired shares in Global Textile Scheme GmbH (GTS). In this way, Hohenstein aims to support GTS in harmonizing and automating data exchange along the entire supply chain. The aim of the GTS initiative is to create an international standard for handling structured product data in the textile and apparel industry.

Hohenstein releases 2024 sustainability report

Responsible action is a defining value for Hohenstein, a global testing and research provider. Their 2024 Sustainability Report provides transparency through documented progress and detailed insights into how sustainability is embedded. It covers both the existing sustainability measures at the German headquarters and the company's goals for 2025 and beyond. The direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3) of all its locations worldwide were recorded for the first time.

Sustainable athletic wear made from bio-based Polyethylene

Conventional sports textiles made from petroleum-based synthetic fibres are to be replaced in the future by sustainable, bio-based, cooling textiles. Polyethylene, previously used mainly in the packaging industry, is thus qualified for use in textiles and, as a bio-based drop-in solution, offers a cost-effective, sustainable alternative for the future.

Innovation center for textile circular economy inaugurated

Just over eight months after the foundation stone was laid, the new Innovation Center for Textile Circular Economy was officially inaugurated today at TITK Rudolstadt. Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt, TITK Director Benjamin Redlingshöfer, and other guests of honor cut the ribbon to the modern building complex and viewed the premises, which are now ready for occupancy. The “DICE – Demonstration and Innovation Center for Textile Circular Economy” is TITK's largest single investment to date. The Free State of Thuringia supported the total cost of €11.5 million with €8 million in GRW and FTI funding.

Sustainable design of Geosynthetics and roof underlayments made from recyclates

Is it possible to recover plastic recyclates from previously unused waste streams in order to produce high-quality fibers and films? How can bio-based polymer fibers be manufactured so as to allow adjustable biodegradability? These are the questions being addressed by researchers from the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE in the Zirk-Tex project.

VIATT 2026 announces inaugural lifestyle Trend Forum: Unified vision for S/S 2027 across fashion, home, and tech

The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is set to host its first Trend Forum, offering a forward-looking, industry-wide perspective for Spring / Summer 2027. With the show scheduled from 26 – 28 February 2026 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), VIATT’s trend curators – NellyRodi™ Agency and MUSEATIVE – will provide comprehensive insights across the interconnected realms of Apparel Fabrics & Fashion, Home & Contract Textiles, and Technical Textiles & Technologies.

Precision jet dyeing moves towards industrial scale as Alchemie partners with Acatel

BTMA member Alchemie Technology, the pioneer of precision jet dyeing solutions based in Cambridge, UK, is partnering with Acatel, the Portuguese leader in sustainable textile manufacturing. The two companies will work together to validate and optimise Alchemie’s Endeavour system for knitted cellulosic fabrics.