#Yarn & Fiber
The Woolmark Company and Max Mara develop Wool Denim for Autumn/Winter 17

A new consumer survey commissioned by Woolmark and conducted by Ipsos across five major markets reveals a strong preference for natural fibres over synthetic alternatives. On average, 82% of respondents in the United States, France, Germany, Italy and China said they would choose natural fibres when price, style and fit are equal. The findings coincide with the launch of Woolmark's new global brand platform, “Return to Real”, which highlights the natural performance properties of Merino wool and the growing importance of verified fibre quality.

The collaboration combines Merino wool with regen™ BIO Spandex and recycled functional fibres to develop fabrics offering comfort, breathability, stretch and shape retention. Future development will focus on recovery wear applications.

Reinforcing more than five decades of commitment to India's wool textile and apparel industry, The Woolmark Company, alongside Austrade and the Australian High Commission, marked a strong presence at Bharat Tex 2026, one of the world's largest textile and apparel trade platforms. Through industry engagement, strategic collaborations, technical innovation and knowledge exchange, the participation underscored Australia's continued commitment to supporting the growth and transformation of India's textile ecosystem while highlighting the versatility and value of Australian Merino wool.

Woolmark returns to Pitti Filati to lead AW27 sourcing conversations, spotlighting two new The Wool Lab trend-led themes, the debut of The Wool Lab journal for the European and Italian market and a stand centring the role of Merino wool as a high-performance technical fibre.

The Lenzing Group reported improved operating profitability in the first nine months of 2026 despite declining revenue and a challenging market environment. Revenue decreased by 2.3 percent to EUR 1.93 billion, while adjusted EBITDA remained stable at EUR 353 million. The adjusted EBITDA margin increased from 17.9 percent to 18.3 percent, reflecting progress in the company's strategic transformation under its “Grow Nonwovens. Reset Textiles.” strategy.

Fashion for Good and AltMat announced today that C&A and Zalando have joined the Altag® Fiber Club as its first brand signatories, marking a critical commercial milestone in the journey to mainstream adoption of next-generation fibres derived from agricultural waste.

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories has launched a development program for high-performance yarns based on its recombinant spider silk technology. The initiative follows the company's first commercial shipment of a custom spider silk yarn to a performance apparel customer and includes the delivery of spider silk samples to a textile technology company with experience in aerospace-related material development.

The Lenzing Group, a global producer of wood-based fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, has partnered with Japanese denim manufacturer Kaihara Corporation to launch the “REMOD Collection”. The collection combines three of Lenzing's fiber offerings for denim applications: TENCEL™ Lyocell Standard, TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 and TENCEL™ Lyocell dtex 2.2.

YKK Bangladesh Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Japanese fastening manufacturer YKK Corporation, has celebrated its 25th anniversary with a commemorative ceremony in Dhaka on November 8, 2026. Since its establishment in November 2000, the company has expanded its manufacturing capacity and business operations alongside the growth of Bangladesh's apparel industry.

Japanese textile machinery manufacturer Murata Machinery will present its PROCESS CONER AIcone automatic winder and VORTEX 870 EX spinning machine at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026. Under the theme “Right Choice, Bright Future”, the company will highlight technologies for efficient yarn manufacturing, combining energy-saving winding solutions with high-speed air-jet spinning. Visitors can meet Murata Machinery in Hall 5, Booths E01 and E02.

Lindauer DORNIER will present its latest developments in air-jet and rapier weaving technology for technical textiles at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026. The German machinery manufacturer will focus on the reliable and efficient production of airbag fabrics, high-density filters and reinforcement textiles for fibre-reinforced composites. Alongside its A2 air-jet and P2 rapier weaving machines, DORNIER will highlight its TRITOS FLEX technology for complex 3D composite preforms, retrofit solutions and expanded service capabilities in Asia. The company will exhibit in Hall 3, Stand E02.

Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Global Fashion Group (GFG) have announced a strategic partnership to expand the British retailer's fashion business across Asia Pacific. M&S has launched on Southeast Asian fashion platform ZALORA and plans to enter THE ICONIC in Australia and New Zealand in early 2027. The agreement also introduces regional fulfilment for Australian M&S.com orders, enabling faster deliveries and returns while supporting a capital-light international growth strategy.