#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.

Mario Jorge Machado re-elected President of EURATEX

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation.

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.

Cotton made in Africa partners receive top marks in independent verifications

Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) and CmiA Organic are two internationally recognised standards that aim to promote sustainable development in the African cotton sector south of the Sahara. To ensure the standards’ credibility among brands, retailers, and consumers, independent verifiers evaluate compliance on the ground. The verification results for 2025, now published in the Aggregated Verification & Implementation Report, were very strong: The verifiers awarded consistently very good remarks regarding management, people, prosperity, and the environment.

Bangladesh: Italian textile machinery mission stops in Dhaka and Chittagong

Technological upgrading and the transition toward higher value-added production are driving the new Italian industrial mission to Bangladesh. This year, the mission will split between the country’s two main manufacturing hubs, where Italian manufacturers will meet the leaders of the local textile supply chain in two strategic stages: July 7th in Dhaka and July 9th in Chittagong.

Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026 closes doors, advancing sustainable and innovative sourcing in South China

Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026 served as a strategically positioned mid-year sourcing platform for the Greater Bay Area, highlighting Shenzhen’s role in connecting regional demand, supply and innovation exchange across the textile value chain. During the three-day fair, over 20,000 visits were drawn from 74 countries and regions[1], as exhibitors and buyers engaged with new developments in greener, performance-led, and value-added yarn and fibre solutions. Held in conjunction with Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and PH Value, the fair underscored the benefits of closer synergy and new materials across yarn, fabric and apparel platforms for the South China market.