#Textile processing

2024-10-24

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.

A new chapter for growth and value creation by innovation

Returning to a private company structure marks a key milestone in HeiQ’s evolution. Since its listing on the London Stock Exchange in December 2020, the company has expanded into four new technology platforms, including precision fermentation, cellulosic fiber extrusion, particle synthesis, and chemical vapour deposition. Today, besides operating as an innovative leader for the textile industry, HeiQ functions as a venture incubator, advancing several high-potential technologies at various stages of technology readiness.

Rationale for returning to private ownership

The unanimous decision by HeiQ’s board to return to being a privately held company from the London Stock Exchange aligns with the company’s focus on innovation, long-term growth and value creation. As HeiQ continues to develop advanced technologies, private financing offers more flexibility to invest into the value creation of its high-potential ventures like HeiQ Synbio, HeiQ AeoniQ™, HeiQ GrapheneX, and HeiQ Xpectra.

“Our four years as a public company have seen us acquire four companies and change from a yield focused specialty chemicals player with a narrow textile focus to a multi technology platform innovation incubator with diversified market channels and long-term value creation opportunities. Returning to private company status will enable us to better focus on scaling and financing innovation and technology,” said Carlo Centonze, Co-Founder and Group CEO of HeiQ. “With game-changing ventures like HeiQ Synbio, HeiQ AeoniQ™, HeiQ GrapheneX, and HeiQ Xpectra, we are well-positioned to seize emerging opportunities and achieve our value creation and sustainability goals.”

Commitment to core businesses

HeiQ remains dedicated to its commercialized core business of value-adding textile technologies and synbiotics for cleaning and personal care. With a solid foundation in these areas, HeiQ will continue to deliver advanced innovations that enhance sustainability, durability, and functionality of our everyday products. HeiQ’s global partnerships in textile finishing remain a vital part of its strategy, as the company leads the way in solutions that benefit industries and consumers worldwide. Alongside textile innovations, HeiQ’s unique synbiotic technology platform provides advanced solutions in cleaning and personal care, supporting microbial balance on surfaces and on skin.

Support for shareholders and stakeholders

HeiQ remains committed to transparency and engagement with its shareholders. HeiQ’s shares will be available for trading on the JP Jenkins securities or similar matching platform starting on November 20, 2024.

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 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.

Fashion for Good launches DW(O)R-X to navigate the emerging landscape of PFAS-free finishes

Fashion for Good announced the launch of Project DW(O)R-X, a collaborative initiative designed to benchmark PFAS alternative durable water- and oil-repellent (DW(O)R) chemistries. Responding to growing market demand for alternatives to PFAS‑based finishes, the project aims to generate reliable, comparable data that can support informed sourcing decisions and the assessment of emerging chemistries.

YKK develops concept EXCELLA® zipper tape using nonwoven fabric partially derived from used clothing

YKK Corporation has developed a concept version of its premium EXCELLA® zipper series made from nonwoven fabric sheets created by fiberizing used clothing and other textile materials. Based on a proposal by fashion designer Yuima Nakazato, this item was created as a result of collaboration between Nakazato, Seiko Epson Corporation and YKK. The concept zipper was incorporated as a material component for pieces in the newest YUIMA NAKAZATO Couture Collection, “INFERNO,” which was unveiled in Paris, France on July 8, 2026.

Dedicated car seat model of SHIMA SEIKI’s P-CAM® R Cutting Machine unveiled

Leading Japanese textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, showed a special version of its P-CAM® R multi-ply computerized cutting machine dedicated to the production of car seats for the first time, at a private exhibition held over two days on Thursday, July 2nd and Friday, July 3rd at the Kariya City Industrial Promotion Center in Aichi Prefecture.

PERFORMANCE DAYS announces new focus topic & forums for October 2026

With its upcoming October 13–14, 2026 edition, PERFORMANCE DAYS is placing the spotlight on one of the textile industry’s most important transformations: “Bio-Based Materials – From Fiber to Fabric”, a two-part Focus Topic exploring the future of bio-based innovation across the textile value chain. Part 1, presented in October 2026, will focus on fibers and next-generation material developments, while Part 2 at the March 2027 edition will shift the perspective toward dyeing, finishing, additives, and processing technologies.

Febratex 2026 to be the largest edition of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas with 10 exhibition halls

Febratex 2026 will be the largest edition in the history of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas. Dedicated to the textile and apparel manufacturing industries, the event will take place from August 18–21, 2026, in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil, with a strong focus on technology, sustainability, and business generation.

Cotton Brazil Dialogues field trip brings international stakeholders closer to Brazil’s cotton production chain

How do you build trust across the global textile value chain? By opening the farm gates. This is the principle behind the Cotton Brazil Dialogues. At the end of July, the programme welcomed its first group of international participants for a five-day immersion into Brazilian cotton production, combining field visits with technical workshops to showcase the quality, sustainability, innovation and traceability behind one of the world’s leading cotton origins.