#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.

Performance Apparels: Functional textiles drive innovation at Techtextil 2026

From high-performance fibres and advanced membranes to smart textiles and sustainable material concepts – functional apparel is becoming one of the most dynamic innovation fields in technical textiles. At Techtextil 2026, exhibitors demonstrate how new materials, finishing technologies and digital functions are shaping the next generation of protective, workwear and outdoor systems.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI reshape textile processing

Investment decisions in textile processing have become increasingly complex. Rising energy prices, labour shortages and geopolitical uncertainties are forcing companies to prioritise technologies that deliver measurable improvements in efficiency and process stability. This applies not only to apparel production, but also to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. Modernisation projects are therefore being evaluated more selectively – but the pressure to upgrade production systems continues to grow. Texprocess 2026 reflects this tension between cautious investment behaviour and increasing technological demand.

Textile Chemicals & Dyes: Innovation in Textile Chemistry moves into focus at Techtextil 2026

From PFAS-free finishes and water-saving dyeing technologies to advanced coatings and recycling-compatible formulations, innovation in textile chemistry is accelerating across the industry. Reflecting this development, Techtextil 2026 introduces Textile Chemicals & Dyes as a dedicated product segment, highlighting the growing role of chemical solutions in shaping the next generation of technical textiles.

textile.4U publishes special edition “Top 100 Textile Recycling Companies 2025”

With a comprehensive 176-page special edition, textile.4U is dedicating its latest issue entirely to one of the most dynamic and influential topics in today’s textile industry: textile recycling. The new issue, published exclusively in high-quality print, presents the Top 100 textile recycling companies researched and selected by TexData – organizations that already play a key role in the transition to circular textiles or are expected to have a significant impact in the near future.

Solving the Feedstock Gap: Unlocking Post-consumer Feedstocks for Textile-to-Textile Recycling in Europe

Fashion for Good launches Project FAE (Feedstock Activation Europe) to develop the sorting and pre-processing infrastructure needed to channel non-rewearable post-consumer textiles into textile-to-textile (T2T) recycling at scale. The project is a practical response to one of the most pressing problems in textile circularity: making post-consumer waste a viable, commercially competitive raw material for recyclers.

YKK launches “YZiP® Light” aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has launched YZiP® Light, a lightweight aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants, with sales beginning in late March. The introduction of YZiP® Light expands YKK’s zipper portfolio—led by the flagship YZiP® copper alloy zipper—providing customers with greater flexibility to meet diverse garment needs.

Coats to showcase innovative reinforcement and filler materials for leather goods and accessories at APLF 2026

Coats, a world-class Tier 2 manufacturer and trusted partner for the apparel and footwear industries, will be promoting four advanced materials from its ‘Lifestyle Solutions’ portfolio at APLF 2026 in Hong Kong in March. Each innovation has been specifically engineered to help luxury and premium brands elevate the craft, durability, sustainability and creative expression required in the manufacturing of handbags, purses, and other high-end designer accessories.

Techtextil 2026 recognition for the UK’s FET

Fibre Extrusion Technology (FET) will receive the Techtextil 2026 New Production Technology Innovation Award at next week’s Techtextil in Frankfurt (April 21-24). The Leeds-based member of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) has developed the FET-500, a new toxic solvent-free gel small scale system for the production of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

Lower CO2, stronger bonds: Indorama Ventures enables customers’ performance at Techtextil

At Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt am Main, Indorama Ventures presents its latest material innovations aimed at supporting customers in achieving both performance and sustainability targets. The company highlights solutions based on recycled and bio-based raw materials as well as advanced binder fibers, addressing current market demands for lower CO₂ emissions, improved efficiency, and reliable supply.