#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2022-08-04

Texon to unveil latest insole innovation made from 100% recycled content at Lineapelle

Texon will unveil a new product at Lineapelle this September – its first insole made from 100% recycled content. The insole, which is manufactured using a special fusion-bonding technology that removes the need for chemicals or water, can be supplied in net form to reduce waste, making it a game-changing sustainable solution for strobel applications.

Further details of the insole will be revealed at the show in Milan, where Texon will be celebrating 75 years of sustainable innovation. As well as showcasing new additions to its product portfolio for the footwear, accessories, and apparel industries, Texon will also be highlighting some of its more established, heritage components, which form the backbone of shoe construction for many world-leading brands.

Reinforcing the strength of Texon’s sustainability credentials*, products on display at Lineapelle will include:

ProWeave – a unique, patented, jacquard weaving technology that makes it possible to seamlessly integrate functional and design weaving into a single upper with the option to use recycled yarns – which is already proving popular with big brands

Halo heel counters, which contain 50% recycled content and are supplied net, meaning there is zero waste

Reform 2.0 heel counters, which build on the legacy of Texon’s original closed-loop solution and now contain up to 66% sustainably sourced content

Sportflex Eco & Bio toe puffs made from a minimum of 63% sustainably sourced material

Kabru – certified to GRS standard these cleverly designed insoles have a cushioned strobel that enables foam-free construction; plus, their one polymer design ensures recycled content (currently 83%) and high recyclability

Verde – a new biodegradable cellulose material that contains up to 90% bio-based content. Lightweight, tear resistant and easy to handle, Texon’s latest circular solution can be used in a variety of fashion and homeware accessories

Vogue – certified by The Vegan Society and a popular, versatile alternative to leather, this washable cellulose solution can be printed, laminated, coated, or screen-printed to suit specific requirements.

In early July it was announced that Texon had been acquired by Coats – the world’s leading industrial thread manufacturer. Commenting, Bryan Whitfield, Group Sales Director at Texon, said: “We’re only just past the halfway mark in 2022, but this has already been a landmark year for the business. As we celebrate 75 years of sustainable innovation at Texon, we are excited to become a part of Coats Group. The acquisition brings together two world-class businesses to create a sustainable, value-adding partner for our customers. We look forward to marking all of our recent milestones at Lineapelle and unveiling our latest product innovations.”

Visit Texon at Lineapelle from 20 to 22 September at FieraMilano Rho in Pavilion 24, Stand #C7-9 and D8-10.

“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.

TM WEFT, 270" – More width, more design freedom for the fashion world

KARL MAYER is expanding its successful TM WEFT series with an innovative model that opens up new possibilities, particularly in the fashion & apparel sectors. With a working width of 270", this new machine with weft-insertion not only offers significantly higher output than its narrower counterparts but is also specifically tailored to the demands of dynamic clothing market – particularly in China and Türkiye. A well-thought-out upgrade also ensures even greater design versatility.

YKK invests USD 150 million in new manufacturing facility in India

YKK Corporation has announced plans to construct a new manufacturing facility in India, reinforcing its long-term commitment to one of the world's fastest-growing textile and apparel production hubs. The new factory will be built at Origins by Mahindra in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and will become the third manufacturing site of YKK India Private Limited. The facility is expected to be completed by February 2028 and represents an investment of approximately USD 150 million, covering land, buildings, machinery and equipment.