#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2020-05-20

Outstanding Outdoor 2020: Center stage for product innovations

Outstanding Outdoor is the seal of quality for the most outstanding products in the outdoor industry. It serves retailers, consumers and media representatives likewise as an effective orientation aid in the market. This year's round of applications for the product award has already been successfully launched and will be running until May 29, 2020. In line with the circumstances surrounding the coronavirus crisis, the evaluation and awarding will largely be carried out digitally. The winners will also receive a comprehensive year-round communication package.

The Outstanding Outdoor seal of quality serves retailers, consumers and media representatives likewise as an effective orientation aid in the market. / Image credit: ISPO

In a summer without major industry events, it is even more relevant to manufacturers and brands to place their products in an effective manner via other channels - as with the Outstanding Outdoor product award. "We assume that particularly creative, innovative products are created during the crisis. With our label, we offer them the presence they deserve. To ensure many brands as possible have the opportunity to participate despite the current delay in production cycles, the selection process is now split in two stages for the first time," says Franziska Zindl, Head of Awards & Innovation at ISPO. "Thus, no physical samples are initially required for the application."

Outstanding Outdoor: The application period for the most important product award of the outdoor industry runs until May 29, 2020
Preliminary decision and award ceremony via digital channels
Winners receive an extensive high-reach communication package

Adapted, two-stage evaluation process

In the first step, the international jury makes a pre-selection from all products on the basis of the digitally submitted information via online meeting. The panel of experts from various stakeholders in the industry follows the criteria of innovation/trend character, purpose & target group, material selection, effort & composition and design.

Only when a product is selected as a finalist in this step it is necessary to deliver the product sample for the second, final jury meeting. In addition to the criteria already reviewed, the products are then examined for their functionality and quality of workmanship and - linked to this - the price/performance ratio as well as weight and/or packing size are evaluated. Special attention is also paid here to the criterion of sustainability, in which the products can gain an additional point.

The award will be presented digitally again at the end of June. All award winners will receive a comprehensive communication package. This includes integration into the active ISPO press relations as well as a detailed product presentation on ispo.com, available all year round.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

Messe Frankfurt commits further to East Africa: three textiles trade fairs during Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week from 2027

Messe Frankfurt and its Texpertise Network continue their steady, successful trajectory in the region. As Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) opened today, Member of the Executive Board Detlef Braun announced that Messe Frankfurt is licencing its three leading international trade fair brands Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess to Nairobi, Kenya for the first time in 2027. From now on, they will take place annually as part of the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) Nairobi.

“We Believe in the Value of Textiles”: Successful Opening of the KARL MAYER TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER

KARL MAYER inaugurated its new, state-of-the-art TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER (TIC) with a four-day opening week from April 21 to 24. The highlight of the week was the grand opening on Thursday, which drew a strong turnout from the international textile industry: around 220 customers, brands, and partners from across the textile value chain came to the company’s headquarters in Obertshausen for a first-hand look at the new high-tech development environment and lively exchange with industry peers.

Texhibition Istanbul signals stability and global connectivity

From 4 to 6 March 2026, Texhibition Istanbul once again brought together the international textile industry at the Istanbul Expo Center. Organized by İTKİB Fuarcılık A.Ş. in cooperation with the Istanbul Textile Exporters Association (İTHİB), the fair confirmed its role as one of the most important international sourcing platforms for fabrics and textile innovation. With 500+ exhibitors across 5 halls on 42,850 sqm, the trade fair attracted 19,325 visitors. Among them, 5.565 international visitors represented Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, North America, and other regions, underlining the show’s expanding global reach.

INDEX 2026: Reicofil introduces RF 5.10 upgrade boosting output by 10 percent

At INDEX 2026, Reifenhäuser Reicofil will present its latest developments for the nonwovens industry under the guiding themes “Grow Together”, “Expand Together” and “Transform Together”. On this occasion, the leading manufacturer of nonwoven machinery will be unveiling two brand-new technology advancements – RF 5.10 upgrade and RF Core – at the show.

Tradition and Innovation – Phoenox Textiles Ltd. relies on state-of-the-art carpet back-coating line from Brückner

For more than 70 years, Phoenox Textiles Ltd. has been synonymous with quality, reliability, and inno-vation in the textile industry. Founded in 1954 in Huddersfield (Yorkshire, UK), a region with a long tradition in textiles, this family-owned business has continued to evolve without losing sight of its roots. Today, in its fourth generation under the leadership of the Mosley family, Phoenox successfully combines decades of experience with a clear, forward-looking corporate strategy.

Uster FiberQ excels for recycled raw materials too

Uster FiberQ is a complete solution for raw material utilization, supporting spinners to achieve consistent quality and profitability every day, building further growth for the future. The Turkish company ORTA relies on FiberQ with recycled yarn for its denim production. Data-driven knowledge puts the producer in control of raw material utilization – ready to make the correct decisions for process efficiency, quality and productivity.