#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.

Tunicotex Group boosts OTDP to 85%, cuts planning time by 25% & expands production capacity by 40%

Coats Digital is delighted to announce that following the implementation of FastReactPlan, leading Tunisian premium knitwear manufacturer, Tunicotex Group, has significantly improved its on-time delivery performance from 75% to 85%, reduced planning time by 25%, minimised delays and penalty costs, and unlocked 40% additional capacity to take on more customer orders and support sustained business growth.

The Technology Hub for global denim trends: ITM 2026

The ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, to be held at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul from June 9–13, 2026, brings together groundbreaking technologies in denim production. From smart production systems to eco-friendly raw materials, from digital washing solutions to laser effect technologies, innovations that will shape the future of denim will be showcased for the first time at ITM 2026.

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.

Innovation center for textile circular economy inaugurated

Just over eight months after the foundation stone was laid, the new Innovation Center for Textile Circular Economy was officially inaugurated today at TITK Rudolstadt. Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt, TITK Director Benjamin Redlingshöfer, and other guests of honor cut the ribbon to the modern building complex and viewed the premises, which are now ready for occupancy. The “DICE – Demonstration and Innovation Center for Textile Circular Economy” is TITK's largest single investment to date. The Free State of Thuringia supported the total cost of €11.5 million with €8 million in GRW and FTI funding.

Sustainable design of Geosynthetics and roof underlayments made from recyclates

Is it possible to recover plastic recyclates from previously unused waste streams in order to produce high-quality fibers and films? How can bio-based polymer fibers be manufactured so as to allow adjustable biodegradability? These are the questions being addressed by researchers from the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE in the Zirk-Tex project.

Waste2Fashion: FTTH Committed to advancing Circular Fashion in the Mediterranean

As an official partner of the Waste2Fashion project, the Tunisian Federation of Textile and Apparel (FTTH) participated in the Kick-off Meeting held on 10–11 December in Spain. The event brought together project partners from across the Mediterranean, including Spain, Italy, Egypt, Lebanon, and Tunisia, to align on a shared vision and initiate the first implementation steps.

AATCC announces 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition winners

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) recognized the winners of the 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition. Founded in 1982 to give student members the chance to conduct and present original research, the competition was renamed in 1994 in honor of Herman and Myrtle Goldstein, following their US$60,000 endowment. Their gift is a lasting remembrance of their dedication to young people in the textile industry.