#Yarn & Fiber

2020-01-23

Südwolle Group expands its sustainability commitment through the collaboration with RENU fibres by ITOCHU Corporation

Südwolle Group, well-known spinner of pure wool and wool blend worsted yarns, expands its offering through the strategic cooperation with RENU project by ITOCHU Corporation Ltd. The partnership comprises a strategic co-development and marketing of yarns and fabrics constructed with Itochu’s RENU recycled polyester fibre blended with wool targeted for the worsted yarn industry.

For Südwolle Group, the cooperation underlines the company’s approach to develop and foster eco-friendly solutions for today’s challenges, especially in textile business: “Investing in circular economy is no longer an alternative for the fashion industry, it is a must.”, explains Stéphane Thouvay, Managing Director Product Management & Innovation at Südwolle Group. “Our industry has to develop technical solutions, new services and partnerships to address the challenges of textile waste and recycling. Südwolle Group already integrates various recycled raw materials within its GRS certified yarns. We are also developing solutions and supply chains to recycle old clothing, such as worsted wool sweaters, into new yarns in order to process them into new garments. With RENU fibres and filaments, we are now very excited to offer the market unique wool blends with recycled polyester originating exclusively from textile waste!

Blending wool with RENU polyester is a ‘perfect match’: RENU delivers the performance of synthetics, such as durability and abrasion-resistance, whereas wool contributes to comfort with its thermo-regulating and moisture-managing attributes as well as a soft hand touch.“

Itochu’s RENU project addresses the excessive waste in clothing industry and aims a circular economy in fashion by utilizing textiles that used to be thrown away. RENU fibre is GRS certified sustainable polyester recycled from textile waste and old clothing. Collected garments and textiles are cut and processed into new polyester fibres through a unique depolymerization and refining process. Removing colours from the previous textile is easily possible due to a special technology that allows the recycled material to have a dye-ability comparable to virgin polyester. In addition, quality and performance of the recycled polyester does not depend on the quality of the waste: RENU can utilize nearly any type of pre- and post-consumer waste as long as it contains polyester.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

From advanced fibres to eco‑focused yarns: Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 set to welcome global industry to Shanghai

From 25 – 27 August, Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 will return to the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) to reinforce its role as a key meeting point for the global yarn and fibre industry. With over 22,000 visitors, the previous edition gathered nearly 580 leading exhibitors from 16 countries and regions, showcasing advanced developments and creative applications that support innovative, sustainable textile design. The upcoming edition will not only present an extensive range of fibre and yarn products, but will also feature a comprehensive fringe programme, including industry forums and trend display areas, providing innovative upstream enterprises with a stage to introduce next‑generation materials and sustainable concepts.

Yarn Expo Spring 2026 concludes, connecting buyers with innovative selection of sustainable yarns and fibres

Yarn Expo Spring 2026 wrapped up successfully on 13 March, as a record-high of over 600 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions welcomed more than 25,000 visitors from 113 countries and regions. Held across 27,000 sqm in Hall 8.2 of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the fair highlighted the textile industry’s accelerating shift toward a lower-impact, more functional future. Exhibitors presented eco-friendly organic, regenerated and recycled yarns and fibres, alongside innovative options such as sweat-resistant and high-performance materials. A comprehensive fringe programme further enriched the event, offering practical market insights and new networking opportunities.

Lenzing advances its transformation: Higher EBITDA, stronger free cash flow and more than EUR 200 million in cost savings

The business performance of the Lenzing Group in 2025 was affected particularly in the second half of the year by external factors such as international tariff measures, subdued demand and declining market prices. As a result, revenue decreased slightly by 2.3 percent to EUR 2.6 billion, primarily due to lower fiber sales volumes and lower prices for fibers and pulp, which were further negatively impacted by currency developments. Nevertheless, thanks to the comprehensive Performance Program, Lenzing was able to improve its operating performance and key financial indicators compared with the previous year.

Fifteen years of Autoneum – From spin off to global technology leader

What started as a strategic carve‑out has since become the success story of a global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management solutions for vehicles. Headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, Autoneum supplies leading automobile manufacturers worldwide with innovative, lightweight and increasingly sustainable solutions.

Kruger, Canada, orders first nonwovens line for sustainable wipes from ANDRITZ

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from newly established Kruger Nonwovens to deliver a complete WetlaceTM hybrid line for the Wayagamack mill in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada. With this investment, pulp and paper producer Kruger is preparing to enter the nonwovens market with a new generation of plastic-free, chemical-free materials for sustainable wipes. The line is the first of its kind in Canada and is scheduled to start production in 2028.

Picanol to present its leading weaving technology at ITM 2026

Picanol is pleased to announce it will be participating in ITM 2026 in Istanbul. This is a key event for industry professionals to engage with the Turkish textile industry as well as the extensive international audience attending the fair. During the event, Picanol will present its latest innovations to the visitors in Hall 8, booth 802.