#Sustainability

2022-08-04

Message from Spinnova’s new CEO Kim Poulsen

The new Spinnova CEO Kim Poulsen has made a public statement at the start of his tenure. Among other things, he talked about how and why Spinova will be able to change the traditional textile industry.

Read his statement here: "Green textile revolution, a great step for humankind. To begin with, I couldn't be more thrilled to start my first day as the CEO of Spinnova. After starting its operations in 2014, Spinnova has shown impressive progress at the forefront of the green textile revolution. Spinnova’s ambitious mission is to transform the raw material base of the entire textile industry for the better.

So what is Spinnova? At the core of Spinnova is the most sustainable fibre production technology that is built differently from scratch. Spinnova’s technology is revolutionarily disruptive and the plant being built now for Woodspin will even be climate positive. The company is on a mission to transform the traditional textile industry with its revolutionary technology – all while building a global ESG trailblazer.

Why do I believe Spinnova can transform a traditional industry? Spinnova’s world-class innovative team combined with new disruptive technology allows us to shape what the future reality of textile can and will look like. We are a truly unique company with the potential to scale across many industries around the globe via multiple business model options. We already have strategic partnerships with global powerhouses like Suzano, the world’s largest pulp producer. The partnerships with Adidas, The North Face, H&M Group, Bestseller and Marimekko stand as strong examples of what we can achieve with customers."

"How are we going to reach our target? It all starts with the relentless and uncompromising dedication to sustainability and planet Earth. Every day, our dedicated team of world-class professionals and team players work towards the common goal. Lastly, our current and future, partners across the value chain will walk the talk and inspire the way for a better environmental future.

On a personal note, I am incredibly humbled and honored by this once in a lifetime opportunity. At Spinnova, we all play for the common goal. This combined with Spinnova’s unique DNA which I would summarize with three words: genuine, honest, and dedicated. Keeping this in mind, I am ready to lead Spinnova on the journey to a more sustainable future. The unshakable dedication to the protection of our environment and planet Earth will continue serving as the driving force behind all our operations."

“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.

Jeanologia and BCome connect factory data with Life Cycle Assessment and Digital Product Passports

A new white paper by EIM by Jeanologia and BCome demonstrates how primary environmental data from denim finishing processes can be integrated into a garment's Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and prepared for use in a Digital Product Passport (DPP). A comparative case study highlights significant improvements at the production stage while also showing how these translate into the environmental performance of the finished garment.

The Or Foundation, adidas, BESTSELLER, H&M Group, and Inditex launch Apparel Recovery Coalition, responding to impacts of post-consumer textile exports

adidas, BESTSELLER, H&M Group, Inditex and The Or Foundation, with support from Circle Economy, unveiled the Apparel Recovery Coalition (ARC). The coalition will explore how producer responsibility systems can support circular pathways such as reuse, upcycling, recycling, and responsible waste management in countries that receive large volumes of exported secondhand apparel.

Georg Stausberg, a veteran of the textile machinery industry, takes over as Rieter Group CEO

Georg Stausberg, one of the most experienced executives in the international textile machinery industry, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Rieter Group with immediate effect from 4 November 2026. With more than three decades of industry experience and a long-standing leadership career at Barmag, Stausberg brings extensive technological expertise, international market knowledge and an established network across the global textile industry to his new position.

Inside the Making connects denim and sportswear supply chains at Ecomondo 2026

Six European companies are joining forces at Ecomondo 2026 in Rimini to demonstrate how different stages of denim and sportswear production are interconnected. The new initiative, Inside the Making, highlights the importance of cooperation across the textile supply chain in addressing sustainability challenges, from reducing resource consumption to improving transparency and the reliability of environmental claims.

EDANA welcomes definitive EU anti-dumping measures on Chinese PET spunbond

EDANA, the international association serving the nonwovens and related industries, has welcomed the European Commission's decision to impose definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of PET spunbond originating in China. The association considers the measures an important step towards restoring fair competition and safeguarding European industrial capacity.

EU imposes definitive anti-dumping duties on Chinese PET spunbond imports

The European Commission has introduced definitive anti-dumping duties ranging from 39.8% to 48.1% on imports of PET spunbond from China. The measures, which entered into force on 31 October 2026, will remain in place for five years and are intended to address unfairly priced imports that have caused injury to European manufacturers. The EU market for these nonwoven materials is valued at approximately €200 million.