#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2024-08-22

ERCA becomes first bluesign® system partner in Brazil

bluesign® thrilled to announce that ERCA, a leader in innovative chemical solutions for the textile industry, has become the first bluesign® system partner in Brazil. This milestone marks a significant step in bluesign’s global expansion, further solidifying bluesign® presence across numerous continents.

As part of the ERCA Group, which operates with manufacturing plants in Europe, Latin America, and Asia, ERCA is dedicated to responsible innovation and sustainability. The company is renowned for its cutting-edge chemical specialties, including their revolutionary REVECOL® range, which transforms waste materials like exhausted vegetable oil into high-performance textile solutions, and is bluesign approved.

ERCAs commitment to transparency and environmental responsibility aligns perfectly with bluesign’s mission to drive sustainable practices within the textile industry. By partnering with bluesign, ERCA Brazil underscores its dedication to reducing environmental impact and ensuring the highest standards of safety and sustainability in its products.

"We are immensely proud to be the first company in Brazil to become a bluesign System Partner," said Sidnei Maturano, ERCA Brazil’s President. "This achievement reflects our team's tireless efforts to prioritize sustainability and responsible manufacturing. We believe that bluesign's rigorous standards will not only benefit our company, but also our customers and the environment."

He added:"The benefits of being a Bluesign System Partner are numerous. For Erca Brazil's customers, this certification ensures that products are manufactured using safe chemicals, reducing the risk of harmful substances in the supply chain. This commitment to safety and sustainability aligns with the growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products.

Laboratory in the new factory building © 2024 ERCA

Furthermore, Erca Brazil’s bluesign System Partner status demonstrates its dedication to resource conservation and energy efficiency. By implementing bluesign's best practices, Erca Brazil can reduce its environmental footprint and minimize waste throughout its operations.

This partnership not only highlights ERCA's leadership in Brazil but also reflects bluesign’s growing influence and commitment to sustainability across the globe. With partners now spanning multiple continents, bluesign continues to lead the charge in transforming the textile industry for a more sustainable future.

Storm Creek achieves bluesign® PRODUCT status

Storm Creek (ASI#/PPAI#) is proud to announce a meaningful sustainability milestone: the company has achieved bluesign® PRODUCT status: becoming the first US-based supplier in the promotional products industry to earn this globally respected certification. While this marks an industry first, for Storm Creek, it represents something far more important: a continuation of doing what they believe is right.

bluesign releases 2025 revisions of its Chemical Reference Lists

Effective July 1, 2025, bluesign has published updated versions of its three core chemical reference lists: the bluesign® SYSTEM SUBSTANCES LIST (BSSL v16.0), the bluesign® SYSTEM BLACK LIMITS (BSBL v7.0), and the bluesign® RESTRICTED SUBSTANCES LIST (RSL v16.0). These updates reflect bluesign’s ongoing commitment to safe chemical management, environmental protection, and regulatory alignment.

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.

Barmag and Hitech Automation enter into partnership for an auto-doff system for texturing machines

Barmag (Suzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. and Hitech Automation Solutions PVT LTD. of Surat, India, have agreed to an exclusive partnership to jointly market Hitech’s Doffmatic automation solution for Barmag’s proven manual eFK texturing machines. In many texturing facilities, manual doffing processes remain heavily operator-dependent – resulting in issues such as increased scrap, inconsistent quality, and limited productivity.

Uster’s new Recycling Opening Index guides spinners to the perfect blend

Uster AFIS 6 now offers the key data for better decisions when blending recycled fibers. Process control is decisive in determining the quality and economic outcome. The new R Recycling Module of AFIS 6 introduces the Recycling Opening Index (ROI), so spinners can optimize their circularity credentials. It was officially launched at ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye.

The heart of the technical textiles and nonwovens world will beat in Istanbul

Only 1 day remains until HIGHTEX 2026 International Technical Textiles and Nonwovens Exhibition opens its doors. Bringing together manufacturers, technology developers, investors, and industry professionals from around the world, HIGHTEX 2026 is preparing to showcase the innovations shaping the future of the industry. As the countdown to this major event continues, Istanbul is once again getting ready to become the meeting point of the global technical textiles industry.

Grasim Industries announces fresh investment of ₹3094 Crore to expand Lyocell capacity

Grasim Industries Limited, the flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group and a global leader in cellulosic fibres, today announced an investment of ₹3,094 crore, for Phase II Lyocell capacity of 110K TPA at Harihar, Karnataka. This expansion will consist of 2 lines of 55K TPA (150 Tons per day) each. The first line is expected to be commissioned by 2028, and the second line is expected to be commissioned by 2030.