#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2025-09-04

Global Change Award 2026: Nominations now open

On 1 September, the H&M Foundation launched the nomination round for the Global Change Award 2026. The international innovation challenge is looking for early-stage ideas that can drive the textile and fashion industry towards circularity and climate neutrality.

GCA is on the hunt for early-stage ideas across four areas; responsible production, mindful consumption, sustainable materials and processes and wildcards – bold, unexpected ideas that no one has thought of yet, but that could spark real transformation © 2025 H&M Foundation

Entries are sought in four areas: responsible production, mindful consumption, sustainable materials and processes, and so-called wildcards – unconventional, unexpected approaches with real transformation potential. “The changemaker is the heart of the Global Change Award,” stresses Annie Lindmark, Programme Director Innovation at the H&M Foundation. Equally important as the idea are the commitment and capacity of the people behind it.

For the second time, the process is nomination-based: universities, NGOs, foundations and partners such as Ashoka, Textile Exchange, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and The Mills Fabrica help uncover talent that might otherwise go unseen. Applications are open until 6 October.

With the Global Change Award, the H&M Foundation aims to support early-stage innovation that helps the industry cut its greenhouse gas emissions in half every decade – in line with the Carbon Law – while ensuring a just and inclusive transition for both people and planet.

Apply through The Mills Fabrica:

https://www.themillsfabrica.com/events/global-change-award-2026/

Pioneering open-source framework shows how early innovation drives a just and net-zero fashion future

The non-profit H&M Foundation, in collaboration with Accenture, has unveiled From Signals to Systems Change, an insight report calling on the fashion industry to rethink its role in transformation. At its core is the Reimagined System Map, a pioneering open-source framework that visualises how early-stage innovation could drive a just and net-zero textile future.

Ten bold ideas to decarbonise fashion: Meet the winners of Global Change Award 2025

The H&M Foundation has revealed the ten winners of the Global Change Award 2025 – spotlighting groundbreaking ideas aimed at decarbonising the fashion industry in a just way. Each winner will receive a €200,000 grant and take part in the yearlong GCA Changemaker Programme – one of the few programmes of its kind focused on early-stage fashion innovation. Designed to accelerate the industry’s journey toward net-zero, the programme offers a mix of innovation support, systems thinking and personal growth.

C&S strengthens its governance to support its evolution

C&S announces the appointment of Marco Lucietti to its Board of Directors. With extensive international experience across the textile and denim industries, Lucietti will work alongside CEO Federico Corneli, contributing to the company’s managerial development, organizational structure and long-term strategic direction.

Carrington Textiles publishes third Sustainability Report

Carrington Textiles has announced the publication of the third Sustainability Report from the RTS Textiles Group, highlighting another year of progress towards more responsible manufacturing across its global operations. The report outlines continued investment in technologies and initiatives designed to improve environmental performance and support long-term business resilience across the Group’s manufacturing facilities in the UK, Portugal and Pakistan.

YKK develops concept EXCELLA® zipper tape using nonwoven fabric partially derived from used clothing

YKK Corporation has developed a concept version of its premium EXCELLA® zipper series made from nonwoven fabric sheets created by fiberizing used clothing and other textile materials. Based on a proposal by fashion designer Yuima Nakazato, this item was created as a result of collaboration between Nakazato, Seiko Epson Corporation and YKK. The concept zipper was incorporated as a material component for pieces in the newest YUIMA NAKAZATO Couture Collection, “INFERNO,” which was unveiled in Paris, France on July 8, 2026.

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris highlights evolving global sourcing landscape

From 31 August to 2 September 2026, Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris will bring together more than 1,000 international exhibitors at Paris-Le Bourget Exhibition Centre. This edition reflects the new global balance of textile and apparel sourcing, highlighting a strong diversity of sourcing countries — some unexpected.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.