#Textile chemistry

2023-11-30

HeiQ welcomes Robert van de Kerkhof to its Board of Directors

Robert van de Kerkhof / Photo credits: Karl Michalski

HeiQ, a leading company in materials innovation and hygiene technologies, is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert van de Kerkhof as Non-Executive Director, with effect from 1 January 2024 to the board of HeiQ plc and as Chairman of the Environmental, Occupation, Health & Safety and Sustainability Committee. Robert will also be appointed to the board of HeiQ AeoniQ Holding AG (in Switzerland), a subsidiary of HeiQ plc.

Robert joins HeiQ bringing in his extensive experience in the textile industry after serving as CSO and Board Member of Lenzing AG.

Robert van de Kerkhof has over 30 years of experience in general management and sustainability leadership and extensive knowledge of the textiles industry, including cellulosic fiber technology. He founded PEPPER-i2, an advisory company specializing in sustainability and circularity. Robert also serves as the Chief Sustainability Officer and as a Board Member of Lenzing AG, a position he has held since 2014. Robert will be leaving Lenzing and its Board on the 31st. December 2023.

Robert joins HEIQ AeoniQ™ with the firm belief that the novel HEIQ AeoniQ™ man-made cellulosic fibers (MMCF) are one of the most promising solutions to transform the textile industry, now the second-most polluting in the world, into one of the most sustainable, by rendering fossil fuel-based fibers like polyester obsolete.

Robert has also held senior positions as President of the Austrian Fiber Institute, President and Board Member of CIRFS – the European Man-made Fibres Association, and Chairman of the ReHubs Business Council for Euratex, which is the voice of the European Apparel and Textile Industry. These roles further demonstrate his strong leadership experience and expertise within the textiles industry.

Esther Dale-Kolb, Non-Executive Director and Chair of HeiQ plc, commented: “I would like to welcome Robert to the HeiQ board as Non-Executive Director. His extensive experience and proven track record in leadership, sustainability, and innovation align well with HeiQ’s vision for the future.”

Robert van de Kerkhof, HeiQ plc Non-Executive Director (effective 1st. January 2024), commented: “I am delighted to be joining the Board of HeiQ. I am confident that the Company is on the right course, and I look forward to helping it advance its commitment to delivering innovative textile solutions that positively impact the industry. In particular, I firmly believe the Company’s novel HeiQ AeoniQ™ MMCF fibers are one of the most promising solutions to decarbonizing the textiles industry and achieving a path to net zero for brands.”

HEIQ expands in ASIA with BIG SUNSHINE as key partner

HeiQ, a global leader in materials and textile innovation, is strengthening its presence in Asia by onboarding BIG SUNSHINE CO., LTD. as a key full-service partner in the region. This collaboration aims to further improve HeiQ’s overall service capabilities in Taiwan and across the wider Asian region, furthering its vision of global expansion and footprint in Asia.

HeiQ announces return to private company structure

HeiQ, a leading innovator in materials technology, announced its decision to return to private company structure from the London Stock Exchange as part of a strategic move to focus resources, streamline operations, and accelerate growth, effective November 19, 2024 (LSE:HEIQ). HeiQ shares will continue trading on the JP Jenkins securities or a similar matching platform from November 20, 2024.

HeiQ and GQ Apparel bring biobased cooling to denim in Thailand

HeiQ, a global leader in textile and materials innovation, proudly announces a strategic cooperation with GQ Apparel, a premier Thailand-based tech apparel brand. GQ Apparel enhances it denim offering with HeiQ’s advanced cooling solution, marking a significant milestone in the Southeast Asian market.

HeiQ expands application of HeiQ Allergen tech to upholstery fabric through collaboration with CULP

HeiQ partners with Culp to apply HeiQ Allergen Tech, a 100% biobased* solution that reduces allergens on textiles, onto interior upholstery fabric. HeiQ announces the extended application of HeiQ Allergen Tech to bring the benefits of this biobased textile technology to the interior upholstered furniture market, marking a unique launch into this segment.

SOKO presents low-impact denim finishing innovations at Denim PV Milan

SOKO will present a range of sustainable denim finishing technologies and collaborative projects at the upcoming Denim Première Vision Milan on 20–21 May in Milan. At booth G27 in Superstudio Più, the company will showcase new chemical solutions designed to combine fashionable denim effects with reduced environmental impact.

2026 general meeting of the Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen at ITA

The Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen e. V. (proRWTH) looked back on a successful year of support at their 2026 general meeting. The meeting took place at Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen and was combined with a joint session of the Executive Board and the Administrative Board. Before the general meeting began, participants were given a guided tour of ITA, providing them with fascinating insights into current research and development topics in textile engineering.

Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brings supply chain leaders together around cotton innovation

Cotton Incorporated’s Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brought together more than 300 industry leaders from 140 companies across 10 countries, including more than 45 top global brands and sourcing organizations, underscoring strong global interest in cotton-rich product development, sourcing and supply chain collaboration.

Footwear innovation enabled by warp knitting technology– insights from New Balance

The future of the athletic shoe is increasingly being shaped on warp knitting machines. For KARL MAYER, the footwear industry is one of the most important growth markets – and one of the sectors where innovative textiles can realize their full potential. In his keynote address at the opening of KARL MAYER’s TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER in Obertshausen in April, Vishnu Prakash Muthusamy, Senior Textile and Materials Engineer at New Balance, explained the opportunities that warp knitting technology opens up for performance, sustainability, and faster development processes, and why textile manufacturers are transitioning from suppliers to development partners.