[pageLogInLogOut]

#Yarn & Fiber

Kelheim Fibres and Santoni win the ITMF International Cooperation Award 2023

ITMF Award Ceremony - From left to right: Mr. Ruizhi Sun, CNTAC President and former ITMF President; Patrick Silva Szatkowski, Santoni S.p.A., Betty Wu, Kelheim Fibres; Mr. Juan Parés, Textilsantanderina Spain, Jury Member and Vice President ITMF; Dr. Christian Schindler, ITMF Director General; Foto: ITMF
Kelheim Fibres GmbH, leading manufacturer of specialty viscose fibres, and the Italian textile machinery manufacturer, Santoni Spa, were honoured with the ITMF International Cooperation Award 2023 during the ITMF Annual Conference in Keqiao, China. This prestigious recognition by the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) acknowledges outstanding achievements in international collaboration within the textile industry in alignment with the values of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Together, Kelheim Fibres and Santoni have developed an innovative and sustainable period panty, built upon advanced machine technology and high-performance viscose fibres. The result is a sustainable and high- performance underwear garment that seamlessly combines comfort and functionality.

Santoni's specialized machinery enables a significant reduction in fabric waste, or even the potential for entirely waste-free production. Simultaneously, it enhances production efficiency, leading to cost savings. Kelheim Fibres' wood-based specialty fibres, such as the trilobal Galaxy® and the hollow Bramante fibre, replace synthetic materials in the absorbent core of the menstrual underwear. They offer excellent performance and reliable protection for the wearer.




Natalie Wunder, Project Manager for New Business Development at Kelheim Fibres: "At Kelheim Fibres, we are dedicated to the open innovation approach. Collaborating with our partners across the value chain, we craft innovations that draw the best from all sources. This partnership not only consolidates expertise but also accelerates the entire innovation process.

As a result, we ensure that our developments align with market needs and deliver sustainable solutions. With our project in collaboration with Santoni, we have achieved a new level in the domain of sustainable menstrual underwear. We take pride in the ITMF honouring our achievements with the International Cooperation Award, which serves as recognition of our work and inspiration for future collaborations."



More News from Kelheim Fibres GmbH

#Man-Made Fibers

Kelheim Fibres GmbH informs about the closure of operations

The management of Kelheim Fibres GmbH informs that business operations will be terminated as of 31 March 2026. A continuation of the company beyond this date is not possible. The investor and sales process conducted within the framework of the self-administration did not lead to a positive outcome. The potential strategic investor who most recently entered the process has withdrawn from a potential investment at short notice.

#Man-Made Fibers

Investor withdrawal forces Kelheim Fibres to assess future operations

Kelheim Fibres GmbH has confirmed that the planned transaction within its ongoing self-administered insolvency proceedings has failed. The intended sale to the Munich-based LEO III Fund, advised by the DUBAG Group, could not be completed despite extensive efforts.

#Man-Made Fibers

Kelheim Fibres GmbH: Strategic Realignment and Acquisition by LEO III Fund

Kelheim Fibres GmbH has signed a notarial purchase agreement with Munich-based financial investor LEO III Fonds, exclusively advised by DUBAG Group, as part of its ongoing self-administered insolvency proceedings. The signing took place on November 5, 2025, with the completion of the transaction scheduled for January 1, 2026.

#Man-Made Fibers

Kelheim Fibres on track for the future

Kelheim Fibres GmbH, a global leader in specialty viscose fibre solutions, has successfully completed an internal restructuring and sharpened its focus on core product segments following its October 2024 insolvency filing. This has enabled the company to return to a sustainable business model, with a firm commitment to continue on this path.

More News on Yarn & Fiber

#Man-Made Fibers

Indorama Ventures supports Southeast Asia’s textile customers with reliable regional supply and global innovative portfolio

Indorama Ventures, one of the leading global polyester fiber and filament yarn suppliers globally, will participate in Indo Intertex 2026 in Jakarta this April, making its diverse global portfolio available to apparel, home textile, and hygiene customers across Southeast Asia.

#Yarns

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.

#Man-Made Fibers

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.

#Man-Made Fibers

“Lead Transformation – Generate Impact”: Lenzing presents its 2025 Annual and Sustainability Report

The Lenzing Group has published its 2025 Annual and Sustainability Report, entitled LEAD TRANSFORMATION – GENERATE IMPACT. The report shows how Lenzing is actively shaping change in the industry and making a lasting impact: economically, ecologically, and socially. Lenzing is consistently focused on the future: with targeted investments in premiumization, excellence, innovation, and sustainability, the company is strengthening its position as a leading provider of sustainable, cellulose-based premium fibers. The combined report is available in digital format.

Latest News

#Sustainability

A new standard to combat plastic waste in forests

With DIN SPEC 35808 “Tree Shelter for Forestry Applications,” the testing and research service provider Hohenstein, in collaboration with Rottenburg University of Forestry, as well as forestry authorities and industry partners, has established a clear framework for bio-based and fully biodegradable tree shelters. The pre-standard defines requirements and practical testing methods designed to reduce plastic waste in forests and strengthen the long-term protection of soil and the environment.

#Techtextil 2026

Young talents honoured – 60 years Walter Reiners Foundation

At the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of April, Peter D. Dornier, chairman of the VDMA’s Walter Reiners Foundation, presented awards to five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability awards were presented in the categories of bachelor’s/project theses and diploma/master’s theses. Academic theses are eligible for the sustainability awards if, for example, they develop solutions for resource-efficient products and technologies.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

RE&UP contributes to Global Fashion Summit 2026 circularity discussion

RE&UP contributed to the global conversation on textile circularity at Global Fashion Summit 2026 in Copenhagen, where Fatih Konukoğlu, Chairman of RE&UP and Vice Chairman of Sanko Holding, took part in both the keynote session “The New Rules” and the panel discussion “A Reckoning and Renewal for Circular Horizons”, alongside leaders from H&M Group, Looper Textile Co. and Sourcing Journal.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Europe’s textile future at a turning point: New 2030 Circularity Blueprint aims to scale recycling and unlock investment opportunities

The EU textile system is at a critical crossroads. Today, less than 1% of discarded garments are recycled into new garments, despite EU-wide obligations for separate collection. In response, Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) is launching the 2030 Circularity Blueprint, in partnership with ReHubs. This ambitious initiative is designed to support the transformation of the EU textile ecosystem to advance textile-to-textile recycling and drive the transition to a circular economy.

TOP