#Yarn & Fiber

2021-11-25

Birla Cellulose retains the top ranking in the CANOPY HOT BUTTON REPORT 2021

For three consecutive years Birla Cellulose, the pulp and fibre business of the Aditya Birla Group, has retained top position in Canopy’s Hot Button Report.

In their latest Hot Button Report, Canopy, a not-for-profit organization, has again awarded Birla Cellulose with a ‘dark green shirt’ for relentless efforts in the Man- Made Cellulosic Fibre (MMCF) industry to support and conserve ancient and endangered forests, for bringing transparency across the value chain and game changing solutions for a circular business model in the fashion industry. Over the years, Birla Cellulose has raised its benchmarks in sustainability performance and the ‘Dark green shirt’ is a testament to company’s movement in the right direction.

“The top ranking is a testament to our long-standing commitment to suppliers and customers for a sustainable future. Our efforts and investments are focused on creating innovative solutions for ecological challenges, and scaling the next- generation fibre solutions which is an integral part of our business strategy. Our collaborative partnerships are intended to create broader and bigger positive impact for a more sustainable MMCF value chain in the fashion industry”, said Mr. H K Agrawal, Business Director Designate, Birla Cellulose.

Birla Cellulose has recently announced an ambitious target for scaling up the production of circular fibers to a level of 100,000 tons per annum by 2024. Its award- winning product Liva Reviva, made by utilizing cotton waste as feedstock is already getting good reception from the leading brands. Birla Cellulose is actively collaborating with brand and supply chain partners, innovators, and orchestrators such as Canopy, Fashion for Good, and Circular Fashion Partnership for scaling its circular business model. Company’s blockchain-based and molecular tracer-backed platform ‘GreenTrack’ provides end-to-end traceability of value chain from forest to fashion and comes free of cost to brand partners who source sustainability enhanced products such as Livaeco by Birla Cellulose and Liva Reviva.

“We are very encouraged by Birla Cellulose’s actions to advance the conservation of key Ancient and Endangered Forests and their commitment to scaling up production of Next-Generation Solutions to a volume that cracks the barrier between niche and commercial scale,” said Ms. Nicole Rycroft, Founder and Executive Director of Canopy. “The MMCF production sector needs a recast and we look forward to working with the Birla team to achieve that.”

“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.

Expansive innovations converge in Shanghai as Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 opens doors next week

With just days to go, industry enthusiasm is building for the opening of Yarn Expo Autumn, Asia’s premier yarn and fibre trade fair, running from 25 – 27 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Across 27,000 sqm in Hall 8.2, buyers will find nearly 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, spread across seven specialised zones that range from cutting-edge man-made and regenerated fibres to time-honoured cashmere and silk. Beyond the extensive sourcing options, a fringe programme of trend showcases, presentations and product launches rounds out the three¬day event with design, innovation and market intelligence.

Dornbirn GFC 2026 expands conference program with new thematic sessions

For 65 years, Dornbirn GFC has stood for innovation and is one of the world’s leading conferences in the fiber industry. From September 16 to 18, 2026, the international fiber community will meet in Dornbirn, Austria, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and forward-looking solutions. More than 600 experts from industry and academia from over 30 countries are expected to attend. With around 100 presentations by renowned speakers, a 2,5-day conference program, and three parallel presentation rooms with moderated sessions, Dornbirn GFC provides a first-class platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and international collaboration. Together, participants will generate ideas and impulses that will sustainably shape the future of the global fiber industry.

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

Plastic-free stretch technologies drive new direction for denim innovation

As the denim industry looks for ways to reduce its reliance on synthetic fibres, plastic-free stretch technologies are gaining momentum. Developments based on mechanical fabric construction and natural rubber are demonstrating that comfort and stretch can be achieved without conventional elastane, supporting both recyclability and circular product design.