#Textile processing

2026-02-12

Pfaff Industrial announces new managing director

Since February 2, 2026, Michael Kilian has been the new managing director (speaker for the management board) of PFAFF Industriesysteme und Maschinen GmbH. He succeeds Dr. Frank Meyer, who will remain Managing Director at KSL Joining Technology GmbH in Bensheim. Together with Ms. Jing Fan (Managing Director for finance & controlling, human resources, IT, and quality), Michael Kilian will take over responsibility for the long-established Kaiserslautern-based company.

Michael Kilian is also Managing Director of Dürkopp Adler GmbH. Both companies are part of the internationally operating Shang Gong Group (SGG). Together with Ms. Fan, is responsible for driving forward and implementing the initiated reorganization of the group. The goal is the strategic and operational integration of PFAFF INDUSTRIAL into Dürkopp Adler GmbH company. This measure is a further step towards leveraging synergies within the group and securing and expanding the companies' market position in the textile and leather processing industry in long term.

“With this reorganization, we are ideally positioned to meet the future challenges of the markets regarding automation, digitalization, and artificial intelligence. With PFAFF INDUSTRIAL in the group, we intend to strengthen our textile welding activities with new, innovative products,” says Michael Kilian.

PFAFF INDUSTRIAL thanks the outgoing Managing Director, Dr. Frank Meyer, for his dedicated and successful work at PFAFF INDUSTRIAL and wish him continued success at KSL Joining Technology GmbH.

Multi-directional sewing at Texprocess 2024

In the realm of advanced sewing technology, PFAFF INDUSTRIAL and KSL stand out for their expertise in multi-directional sewing, backed by reliable CNC technology. Their expansive CNC modular system, boasting a sewing area of up to 6,000 x 8,000 mm, offers tailored solutions for a wide array of applications.

Lectra strengthens its partnership with Caron Technology

Lectra announces the strengthening of its industrial alliance with Caron Technology, an Italian company founded in 1993 and specializing in preparation systems operating before the cutting process. This new milestone reflects the strength of a trusted relationship that has grown between the two companies over nearly two decades.

YKK launches no. 3 size of QuickFree® click-TRAK® magnetic zipper globally

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has begun the global rollout of the No. 3 size of its QuickFree® click-TRAK® Magnetic zipper, expanding availability beyond China for the first time. While maintaining the same functionality and ease of operation, the No. 3 size is approximately 60% the size of the No. 5 size *1. This enables applications in lightweight garments, sportswear, hooded apparel, and other similar uses.

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.

RE&UP’s Next-Gen Cotton fibers power Zalando private label t-shirt collection crafted from innovative recycled textiles

RE&UP Recycling Technologies’ Next-Gen Cotton powers a new collection from Zalando’s private labels, marking a step forward in bringing textile-to-textile recycled fibers into commercial fashion production. Launching on Zalando in August, the collection comprises five t-shirts across YOURTURN by Zalando and Even&Odd by Zalando, made from a circular-knit fabric blending 80% organic cotton with 20% RE&UP Next-Gen Cotton — textile-to-textile recycled fiber produced from textile waste. This is the first time RE&UP's recycled fibers feature in Zalando's private label assortment.

Heimtextil Trends 27/28: ‘Home-Maxxing’ between performance and respite

Sleep better, recover faster, live more efficiently: the desire for optimisation has long since reached our homes. Under the title ‘Home-Maxxing – The Performance of Everyday Living’, Heimtextil Trends 27/28 show how our relationship with efficiency-driven thinking and technology is influencing the design of spaces and textiles. The more sleep, wellness, routines, materials and spaces are optimised, the stronger the desire for a home that does not demand even more of us.

Driving circularity with Uster Recycled Fiber Matrix

The textile industry’s commitment to circularity continues to accelerate, and mechanical recycling is viewed as a targeted approach to cutting textile waste and its environmental impact. At the forefront of this drive, Uster has developed the Recycled Fiber Matrix, a two-dimensional assessment of mechanically recycled fibers to guide optimum processing and end-uses.

Mimaki advances DTF productivity and stability with new TxF330-800

Mimaki Europe, a leading manufacturer of industrial inkjet printers and cutting plotters, announces the TxF330-800, its new direct-to-film (DTF) printer. Designed to support stable, high-quality garment decoration in demanding print environments, the system combines automated maintenance, expanded white ink capacity and advanced production capabilities to streamline workflow.