#Smart Textiles

2023-11-30

Startup WILLTEX will exhibit its “WILLCOOK” smart textile at CES 2024

JETRO to showcase 30 Japanese startups at Japan (J-Startup) Pavilion at CES 2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

On November 15th, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) announced the honorees of the CES 2024 Innovation Awards. The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) will once again sponsor the Japan (J-Startup) Pavilion at CES’ startup arena Eureka Park from January 9-12 in Las Vegas, and this year six of the Japan (J-Startup) Pavilion exhibitors have been designated CES Innovation Award honorees.

Among the six honorees, inQs and WILLTEX were also named recipients of this year’s “Best of Innovation” award, which is awarded to “the highest-rated products across all categories,” according to the CTA. inQs developed an advanced energy-harvesting solar glass, while WILLTEX – developers of an innovative smart textile – produced the world’s first portable fabric microwave bag.

This year, JETRO welcomed Mr. Kei Shimada - a former CES Innovation Award honoree - as an advisor to help provide award support and pitch training to the exhibitors, centered around the slogan: “World-first, region-first, industry-first.”

The Japan (J-Startup) Pavilion will be located at Tech West Venetian Expo 1F Hall G Booth 62801. Many of the exhibitors will also participate in media-focused events during CES week, such as CES Unveiled, ShowStoppers, and “Launch.IT” - a pitch event featuring only Japanese startups.

Japan (J-Startup) Pavilion Exhibitor List

CES 2024 “Best of Innovation” Honorees List

inQs Co., Ltd. – “SQPV GLASS”

Category: Smart home / Smart cities / Sustainability, Eco-Design & Smart Energy

inQs has pioneered the world's most advanced and efficient energy-harvesting clear solar glass, known as SQPV glass. This groundbreaking innovation not only generates electricity from sunlight but also harnesses energy from imperceptible light sources, thriving even in dimly lit interiors or overcast conditions. The SQPV glass effectively transforms light into electricity through a strategic arrangement of nanomaterials within a structure sandwiched between two conductive glass sheets. Impressively, it captures light from both glass surfaces. This technology surpasses all other current solutions, yielding superior power output per unit.

WILLTEX Corporation – “WILLCOOK”

Category: Home Appliances

WILLCOOK is a lightweight, portable cooking bag designed with HOTOPIA, a fabric heater that serves as both textile and electrical device. The integrated mobile battery generates heat within each fiber, enabling cooking on-the-go. When not cooking, the bag doubles as a cooling bag and can even function as a heat-generating blanket when unfolded. This versatile product serves multiple purposes, providing warmth and convenience in various scenarios.

textile.4U publishes special edition “Top 100 Textile Recycling Companies 2025”

With a comprehensive 176-page special edition, textile.4U is dedicating its latest issue entirely to one of the most dynamic and influential topics in today’s textile industry: textile recycling. The new issue, published exclusively in high-quality print, presents the Top 100 textile recycling companies researched and selected by TexData – organizations that already play a key role in the transition to circular textiles or are expected to have a significant impact in the near future.

Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 signed by Governor

Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) is proud to announce that Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024, has been signed into law by the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom. This groundbreaking legislation establishes the country’s first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) textile recycling program, marking a significant step forward in the state’s efforts to combat waste and promote sustainability.

Modtissimo promotes sustainability with 28 coordinates in the Green Circle

Modtissimo is proving more and more to be a textile and clothing show that delivers the latest innovations in the area of sustainability, with the iTechStyle Green Circle being the main showcase for companies' creations. In this 60+4 edition, taking place on 12 and 13 September, 28 coordinates will be exhibited in a section organised by CITEVE and curated by Paulo Gomes.

The EU and Egypt team up to mobilise private sector investments at Investment Conference and sign a Memorandum of Understanding underpinning €1 billion in macro-financial assistance for Egypt

At the EU-Egypt Investment Conference, co-organised by the EU and the Government of Egypt on 29-30 June, the EU and Egypt are teaming up to intensify private sector investments in Egypt. They are also signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the disbursement to Egypt of up to €1 billion in Macro-Financial Assistance.

Catching heart disease early with AI-based sensor system

It slips on like a normal vest: Fraunhofer IZM has created a smart sensor system in cooperation with the Charité and the Technical University of Berlin. The vest records a vast array of cardiovascular parameters, which an AI-based system uses to support medical diagnostics and spot potentially dangerous developments.

Intelligent textiles for construction, architecture and mobility: Smart Textiles User Forum in Stuttgart

When textiles are equipped with electronic components, conductive yarns and textile sensors, the application possibilities are almost unlimited. These high-tech textiles are a global growth market. In Stuttgart, manufacturers, users and researchers presented amazing examples of applications in construction, architecture and mobility. The appropriate standards ensure quality and safety.

SHIMA SEIKI returns to ShanghaiTex

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Hong Kong and Chinese market subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI (HONG KONG) LTD., will exhibit at the ShanghaiTex 2025 exhibition (Booth No.: Hall N3, Booth A20) held in Shanghai, China this month. This marks the return of SHIMA SEIKI to ShanghaiTex after a 14-year hiatus, its last exhibit at the show having been in 2011.

Fraunhofer CCPE presents the “Monomaterial Design Set” – Innovative solutions for circular product design

Composite materials made from different types of plastic often extend the lifetime of products but make recycling more difficult in the circular economy. That is why Fraunhofer CCPE has developed the “Monomaterial Design Set”. This new approach helps to reduce the variety of plastics used in durable products and offers circular solutions for designers and product developers.

arena introduces renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber in its latest swimwear collection

Italian swimwear specialist arena has unveiled a new collection that brings sustainability and performance even closer together. Launched on December 4, the line features swimsuits made from recycled nylon and renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber — the first time the bio-based spandex has been used commercially in swimwear.