#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2025-05-29

CiCLO technology reduces lasting microplastic pollution while keeping signage durable and eye-catching

K&R Solutions Group, a leader in producing and installing printed tension fabric, graphics, and lightboxes, today announced widespread adoption of its U.S. made Bio Knit SEG fabric made with CiCLO® technology. Produced by Intrinsic Advanced Materials (ILM), a joint venture between Parkdale Advanced Materials, Inc. and Intrinsic Textiles Group, LLC, CiCLO technology reduces microplastic pollution while keeping signage durable and vibrant.

In partnership with Departure Media Airport Advertising, the only national OOH company to work exclusively with airports, this distinctive solution meets the constant demand for high-performance large-format fabric signage while addressing the environmental impacts of synthetic materials. Bio Knit with CiCLO technology is being deployed in over 30 airports and leading corporate and retail spaces nationwide.

Corporate adoption is gaining traction with Estée Lauder Companies installing more than 30 Bio Knit graphics made with CiCLO polyester at its New York headquarters. Leading beauty brands such as MAC and La Mer have also adopted Bio Knit for brand displays and a backlit version is currently being developed to expand sustainable options for illuminated signage.

Some of the Airports now featuring signage made with Bio Knit include Augusta Regional Airport (AGS), Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), Dayton International Airport (DAY), Des Moines International Airport (DSM), Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH), Kansas City International Airport (MCI), Clinton National Airport (LIT), Norfolk International Airport (ORF), Peoria International Airport (PIA), St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), and Richmond International Airport (RIC).

K&R Solutions Group drives widespread adoption of bio knit fabric with CiCLO® technology in signage across airports, offices, and retail spaces nationwide © 2025 K&R Solutions Group

"This is an important industry shift," said Karen Fiorentino, owner and managing partner of K&R Solutions Group. "Brands and airports now can integrate true sustainability into their signage programs without sacrificing quality or visual impact. With Bio Knit made with CiCLO technology, we're turning sustainability from an aspiration into a real, operational standard."

Bio Knit is engineered by embedding CiCLO technology directly into the polyester fiber. This creates natural "sweet spot" pathways where microbes can biodegrade the material naturally if it ends up in environments such as soil or seawater. It is printed using OEKO-TEX ® certified inks, ensuring compliance with international standards for safety and environmental responsibility.

"CiCLO technology was developed to reduce the environmental impact of synthetic textiles across apparel and home applications, but its potential extends well beyond those markets," said Cheryl Smyre, vice president of Parkdale Advanced Materials.

"We are now expanding the reach into public spaces around us, bringing responsible innovation to airports, offices, and retail stores. Sustainable material options should not be limited to choosing what we wear or use in our home, it's a mindset that can transform every industry where synthetics are used, without compromising performance," Smyre continued.

Founded in 2019, by veterans of the airport and Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising industry, K&R Solutions Group specializes in producing tension fabric displays, SEG graphics, and lightboxes. Their partnership with Departure Media and the integration of Bio Knit made with CiCLO technology marks a significant step forward in advancing sustainable innovation across commercial signage platforms.

YKK receives ISPO Textrends Awards for circular innovations

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) is pleased to announce that the ISPO Textrends judges have selected YKK's 3D Composite Puller as the Best Product in the Accessories category. They also selected YKK’s NATULON Plus® Fiber Sourced™ zipper with Recycled PET Open Parts as a Top 5 item in the same category. The competition, held twice a year in conjunction with the ISPO trade show, recognizes the most innovative performance textiles, components, and apparel.

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris unveils redesigned show layout for 2026

From February 2 to 4, 2026, Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris will once again bring together all the key players in textiles and clothing at the Paris-Le Bourget Exhibition Center. For 3 days, visitors will discover, compare and select among 1,300 suppliers who will shape the collections of tomorrow, from ready-to-wear to luxury.

Asteks and Nexrone launch global investment initiative

A new joint investment company, Westure Ventures, has been founded by Asteks and Nexrone to focus on the development of next-generation transformative technologies. Türkiye’s long-established industrial powerhouse Asteks and one of the rising innovative forces in Europe’s startup ecosystem Nexrone Global announced the launch of their new investment company built on a shared vision: Westure Ventures.

ISKO’s SS27 collection and latest collaboration with Adriano Goldschmied land in Milan at Denim Première Vision

ISKO returns to Denim Première Vision to present a powerful showcase of next-generation denim innovation. At booth D17, visitors will discover a full spectrum of ISKO’s latest developments, including the brand-new SS27 collection, its advanced material collaborations with RE&UP, and the much-anticipated design project with Adriano Goldschmied: Moonskin Denim.

SHIMA SEIKI returns to ShanghaiTex

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Hong Kong and Chinese market subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI (HONG KONG) LTD., will exhibit at the ShanghaiTex 2025 exhibition (Booth No.: Hall N3, Booth A20) held in Shanghai, China this month. This marks the return of SHIMA SEIKI to ShanghaiTex after a 14-year hiatus, its last exhibit at the show having been in 2011.

Fraunhofer CCPE presents the “Monomaterial Design Set” – Innovative solutions for circular product design

Composite materials made from different types of plastic often extend the lifetime of products but make recycling more difficult in the circular economy. That is why Fraunhofer CCPE has developed the “Monomaterial Design Set”. This new approach helps to reduce the variety of plastics used in durable products and offers circular solutions for designers and product developers.

arena introduces renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber in its latest swimwear collection

Italian swimwear specialist arena has unveiled a new collection that brings sustainability and performance even closer together. Launched on December 4, the line features swimsuits made from recycled nylon and renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber — the first time the bio-based spandex has been used commercially in swimwear.