#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2020-10-01

ISPO Brandnew offers opportunities for newcomers: the application period is nearing its end

ISPO Brandnew 2021 presented by YKK © 2020 ISPO

The application period for ISPO Brandnew 2021 is nearing its end: Innovative start-ups can still submit their ideas until October 9, 2020. For the 21st time, the world's largest and oldest international platform for start-ups in the sports industry will be honoring talented and future oriented young entrepreneurs. All start-ups offering products or services for sports and founded in 2017 or later can join in. They must also not yet be listed as an exhibitor at the ISPO Munich.

The world’s largest and oldest international start-up competition in the sports industry marks its 21st anniversary
Applications for ISPO Brandnew 2021 can still be submitted until October 9
Larger reach than ever thanks to livestreaming

From useful apps to new sports equipment: applicants can enter physical products and digital services alike. What's important is the idea that makes the consumer's access to sports easier or that supports or improves the active sporting experience. A jury made up of independent judges from different fields will select the winners. It will be composed of successful entrepreneurs and former participants in ISPO Brandnew and reflects the particular digital focus this year. ISPO Brandnew supports up to 50 start-ups by offering funding packages worth a total of €400,000.

Larger reach than ever thanks to livestreaming

Livestreaming will provide crucial advantages across all sectors: interested users around the world can log in and follow along with the ISPO Brandnew awards and pitches for the Overall Winner live. Because of this potential travel restrictions no longer present a problem. Registered users can also view the recordings afterwards. This enables ISPO Brandnew participants to generate a far greater reach than in previous years.

Trends and public pitch are decisive

The jury will select the winners at the end of October 2020. During their meeting, the jurors will develop a range of categories based on the nominations themselves as a way of highlighting industry trends and topics.

Nominees will be informed about the results at the beginning of November. The winners can then start planning for ISPO Munich 2021 from January 31 to February 3, 2021 directly with the ISPO Brandnew team. During the Public Pitch at the trade fair, the eight winners from the different categories will make a live presentation to the jury and battle for the title of overall winner.

Nominees must submit complete information about their company and their participating product, as well as additional photos and videos. You can find all additional information about the competition, the nomination process and registration online.

“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.

Next week’s focus: Intertextile Shenzhen & Yarn Expo Shenzhen fuse textile tradition with sustainable, digital trends

Fashion will not be left behind in one of the world’s undisputed tech and manufacturing capitals. Which is why next week, at Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026, the organisers have made special efforts to integrate textile topics such as materials innovation, holistic sustainability, digitalisation and AI. Yet, from 9 – 11 June at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, the platform also includes timeless tradition and heritage-inspired evolution in equal measure. Across both shows, over 600 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions are set to showcase everything from Peruvian alpaca wool fabrics to tea-derived fibres, while their fringe programmes will explore diverse solutions along the entire value chain.

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.

ATCO Hygienics, Uzbekistan, orders baby diaper production line from ANDRITZ

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from ATCO Hygienics to supply a new baby diaper production line for its plant in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The order is included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the first quarter of 2026. Commissioning of the production line is scheduled for the end of 2026.

Nico Pedretti appointed as Managing Director Graf Group

As of June 1, 2026, Nico Pedretti has assumed the role of Managing Director Graf Group. With more than 20 years of international industrial experience and extensive expertise in Operations, Supply Chain Management, Finance and Controlling, he brings a broad range of leadership and business experience to support Graf’s continued success.