Analyze operational, economic, logistical barriers slowing large-scale textile recycling adoption preventing global scalability and industry transformation.

Organized by the Uludağ Textile Exporters’ Association (UTİB) under the coordination of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) and with the support of the Ministry of Trade, applications are now open for the 7th TechXtile Challenge Design Competition. This year’s competition, held under the main theme of “efficiency,” is calling for innovative projects in critical areas […] The post Applications open for the 7th TechXtile Challenge Design Competition appeared first on Textilegence Magazine and Digital Platform.

PureCycle Technologies, Orlando, Fla., and trade show carpet producer Emerald Carpets, Dalton, Ga., have formed a partnership to advance circularity in the trade show carpet industry. Under a supply agreement, Emerald Carpets will purchase about 5 million pounds of PureFive resin annually for fiber production, enabling them to exceed California’s current recycled content requirements. The companies also are testing closed-loop recycling by processing used carpets into purified recycled polypropylene pellets, which could then be remade into new carpets. “We are thrilled to partner with PureCycle,”said Tom Boykin, president, Emerald Carpets.“Our commitment to circularity in our material procurement and use aligns perfectly with PureCycle’s mission, as well as our customers’ expectations. We believe using recycled polypropylene will help us create carpets that not only perform exceptionally well on the conference circuit, but also contribute positively to resource efficiency and waste reduction.” The initiative includes collaboration at facilities in Georgia and Ohio to scale production, with the aim of delivering circular trade show carpets to the market by 2028. 2025 Quarterly Issue III

Indo Count Global, the New York City-based subsidiary of India-based Indo Count Industries Ltd., has relaunched Wamsutta as a direct-to-consumer brand, now available exclusively at wamsutta.com in the United States. Acquired in 2024, the brand is being reintroduced with updated product assortments to strengthen Indo Count’s presence in the premium U.S. home textiles market. “Wamsutta has always stood for quality and comfort that endures,” said Mohit Jain, executive vice chairman of Indo Count Industries. “Now, with a refreshed brand, premium positioning, and the direct-to-consumer channel, we are connecting with a new generation of consumers while honoring the brand’s legacy.” The relaunch includes a curated range of bedding and bath products emphasizing quality, simplicity and design. Indo Count’s DTC model enables closer consumer engagement, real-time insights, and long-term brand building while continuing Wamsutta’s mission of bringing comfort and thoughtful design to homes. 2025 Quarterly Issue III

Elevate Textiles, Charlotte, N.C., announced that the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has validated its near-term and net-zero greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The company — along with its brands American & Efird, Burlington, Cone Denim, Gütermann, and Safety Components — is committed to reducing absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions by 46.2 percent and scope 3 emissions by the same percentage by 2030 from a 2019 baseline. Elevate’s targets were assessed and approved under SBTi’s Net-Zero Standard and Near-Term Target Criteria. “As we continue our decarbonization journey, we are proud to announce the validation of our 2050 net-zero targets,” said Jimmy Summers, chief sustainability officer, Elevate Textiles. “Concurrently, we received a revalidation of our 2030 near-term science-based targets, which we are on track to meet. These steps mark an important milestone in an increasingly difficult decarbonization challenge.” The company said these commitments align its climate strategy with global efforts to achieve net-zero by 2050. 2025 Quarterly Issue III

World Emblem broke ground on its new facility in the Dominican Republic. World Emblem, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has announced plans to move production in Houston from a 35,000-square-foot (ft2) facility to a larger 72,000 ft2 manufacturing facility where it can produce up to 500,000 emblems and patches each week. The company will employ around 140 employees initially and plans to reshore jobs and add staff as U.S. production grows. “We are committed to continue growing our U.S. manufacturing base, which will not only help us reduce tariff costs and improve supply chain efficiency, but also enhance our ability to provide same-day production and delivery to clients,” said Randy Carr,World Emblem CEO. In addition, World Emblem has broken ground on a new 100,000-square-foot factory in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. Construction is expected to finish in early 2026, creating 100 jobs initially and up to 500 over time. “After a thorough search, we selected the Dominican Republic for its business-friendly environment, skilled workforce, and proximity to our clients in the United States,” Carr said. “As we look to further expand the range of products and services we provide to new and existing customers, this factory will enable us to strengthen our supply chain, enhance efficiency, and continue to grow the company.” World Emblem manufactures customized emblems and patches at facilities in Georgia, Texas, California, Mexico, and Canada, serving North American clients with short lead times (See “World Emblem: Embracing AI,” TW, 2024 Quarterly Issue IV). 2025 Quarterly Issue III

Birch Biosciences, Portland, Ore., has signed a global patent license agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to commercialize a new enzymatic deconstruction process for polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The technology enables the efficient recovery of PET monomers that can be remanufactured into virgin-quality PET that can be used to make recycled content products. “This licensing agreement represents a significant step forward in our mission to enable a circular plastic economy using biological solutions,” said Dr. Johan Kers, co-founder and CEO of Birch Biosciences.“NREL’s process complements our enzymatic recycling platform perfectly and will help us achieve scalable, low-cost plastic recycling.” “NREL is pleased to partner with Birch Bio-sciences to bring this technology to market,” added Dr. Gregg Beckham, senior research fellow at NREL. “This is a great example of how national laboratories and industry can collaborate to address plastics recycling challenges with real-world impact.” 2025 Quarterly Issue III

Recycled cotton and cotton blend fiber producer Recover has launched a pilot with TextileGenesis, a Paris-based Lectra company, to digitally trace recycled cotton and polycotton from fiber to finished garments. Using Textile-Genesis Fibercoin technology, digital tokens were created for each kilo of material, verifying custody across supply chain stages. Two garment styles were tested to explore different configurations. The pilot supports Recover’s circularity goals and regulatory readiness, including the EU Digital Product Passport. “Traceability plays a foundational role in validating circularity claims and preparing for regulations like the EU Digital Product Passport,” said Orsolya Janossy, Senior Sustainability manager at Recover. Suppliers were trained and onboarded to the TextileGenesis platform, producing a transparent digital footprint. Amit Gautam, founder & CEO of TextileGenesis, said, “Recover is demonstrating how traceability can be embedded into circular business models — not just to validate recycled content, but to create the verified data infrastructure needed for regulatory compliance and brand accountability.” 2025 Quarterly Issue 2025

According to the export performance report shared by İTHİB, Turkish textile and raw material exports reached 6.6 billion dollars in the first seven months of 2025, recording a 1.7% increase compared to the same period last year and accounting for 4.2% of total exports. In July, however, it decreased by 1.4% compared to the same […] The post Turkish textile and apparel exports drop to 15 billion dollars appeared first on Textilegence Magazine and Digital Platform.

Sherbrooke, Quebec-based Textiles Monterey Group has acquired Patrick Yarns from the Coats Group and will integrate the Kings Mountain, N.C. facility into its operations under the new name FilSpec USA.The acquisition expands the company’s North American footprint and supports its commitment to high-quality specialty spun yarns for technical applications across North America and Europe. FilSpec USA will work in tandem with the company’s Sherbrooke facility, reinforcing its production capabilities. “We are thrilled to welcome FilSpec USA to our family,” said Gilles Desmarais, president of Textiles Monterey Group. “This strategic growth enhances our ability to serve our customers with innovative solutions and premium yarn products across multiple markets.” 2025 Quarterly Issue II

Barnet Europe recently broke ground on a new Germany-based headquarters location. Barnet Europe, a Spartanburg, S.C.-based Barnet group company, has begun construction on its new European headquarters in Eschweiler, Germany. The 21,000-square-meter facility — housing office, production and warehouse space — is expected to open in early 2026. “This sustainably designed new building will replace our existing sites in Aachen and Raeren (Belgium), significantly increasing the efficiency of our production and logistics processes while laying a strong foundation for expanding our product portfolio,”said Bernd Lenzen, managing director of Barnet Europe.“The new site is designed with growth in mind and will enable us to create additional jobs. In a first phase, we will relocate operations with around 100 employees, offering them a modern, future-oriented work environment.” 2025 Quarterly Issue II

Renaissance Fiber (RF), Winston-Salem, N.C., has received a $75,000 investment from Equilibrium Impact Ventures to support the launch of its hemp fiber refining facility in Mocksville, N.C. The funding will enable RF to scale its clean, proprietary process for “cottonizing” U.S.-grown hemp, making it compatible with existing textile machinery and enhancing fiber performance. The project aims to build a transparent, sustainable farm-to-fabric supply chain while creating new opportunities for U.S. farmers and manufacturers. “This investment from Equilibrium Impact Ventures is crucial for launching the initial phase of our infrastructure buildout in Mocksville,” said Daniel Yohannes, CEO and co-founder of Renaissance Fiber. “For the first time, we can scale our process to integrate degummed hemp as a versatile fiber into U.S. and global textile production. By building this advanced refining capacity here in North Carolina, we are not just enabling sustainable, domestic fiber production — we are creating vital new opportunities for American farmers and manufacturers to lead the global shift towards eco-friendly textiles.” 2025 Quarterly Issue II

Champion Thread Company (CTC), Gastonia, N.C., has acquired Carolina Sales Thread Inc., a regional distributor serving the needle trades. The acquisition aligns with CTC’s strategic growth plan and expands its customer base. “This is a significant step in our strategic growth plan that will allow us to deliver greater value to all current and future customers,” said CTC President and CEO Matt Poovey. “Former Carolina Sales customers will significantly benefit from our responsive U.S.-based manufacturing, broad product range, and enhanced service capabilities.” Retiring Carolina Sales Owner David Hall stated: “Our shared commitment to customer service and the USA textile industry makes this a perfect fit. It will positively impact our customers and help ensure their continued success.” 2025 Quarterly Issue II

Bondcote Performance Textiles (BPT), a subsidiary of XFS Global LLC, has acquired Graniteville Specialty Fabrics (GSF), an innovator in high-performance coated textiles.The move strengthens BPT’s role in the U.S. defense and industrial textile markets while expanding its capabilities and customer partnerships. GSF will continue operating from its Graniteville, S.C., facility, with its team and product lines integrating into BPT. “This acquisition is more than combining product lines — it strengthens our shared future as a trusted partner to the defense and industrial textile markets,” said Jacob Furbee, CEO of XFS Global and BPT. “We are proud of our 70-year legacy, and the Graniteville Specialty Fabrics team is excited about our future as part of Bondcote Performance Textiles,” added Doug Johnson, COO, GSF.

Atlanta-based Hamilton International has announced a strategic equity investment in Monroe, N.C.-based Warp Development, forming an equal partnership to accelerate growth, and enhance capabilities and customer value. Chad Clay will remain CEO of Warp Development, ensuring leadership continuity as the company expands. “This partnership is rooted in a shared commitment to innovation, operational excellence and customer success,”said Art Hamilton, president and CEO of Hamilton International.“… investing in Chad and his team is an investment in the future of our industry.” Warp Development gains access to expanded resources through the partnership.“Partnering with Hamilton gives us the operational and strategic support we need to expand faster and serve our customers even better,”Clay noted. The collaboration aims to deliver enhanced responsiveness, broader service offerings, and a more streamlined supply chain for customers. 2025 Quarterly Issue II

Iv Culp, president and CEO, Culp Inc. Culp Inc., High Point, N.C., has completed the sale of its mattress fabric manufacturing facility in Quebec marking the final step in a restructuring plan announced one year ago. The C$8.6 million ($6.2 million) sale includes C$2.0 million received at closing, with the balance to be paid over the next six to 12 months. Net proceeds of between C$3-3.5 million will be used to reduce debt and improve liquidity. “Our ability to reshape the cost structure of our mattress fabric business and complete the final step of selling our facility in Canada within a year is a testament to [our team’s] focus and dedication,” said Iv Culp, president and CEO. “Exiting the facility also allows us to avoid monthly carrying costs… and further strengthen our balance sheet and liquidity.” 2025 Quarterly Issue II

Rieter has signed an agreement to acquire Barmag from Switzerland-based OC Oerlikon for 713 million Swiss francs ($872 million), aiming to become a global leader in both natural and man-made fiber processing. Barmag provides filament spinning systems, texturing machines, bulked continuous filament systems, staple fiber spinning and nonwoven solutions through its Oerlikon Barmag, Oerlikon Neumag and Oerlikon Nonwoven brands. The acquisition adds filament and nonwoven technologies to Rieter’s short-staple fiber portfolio and is expected to diversify markets, enhance digitalization, and strengthen Rieter’s presence in Asia-Pacific. “We are very proud to welcome Oerlikon Barmag, Oerlikon Neumag and Oerlikon Nonwoven to Rieter,” said CEO Thomas Oetterli. “We are convinced that this combination will form a market leader in the textile industry, which will create value for our shareholders, customer and employees.” Barmag CEO Georg Stausberg added: “We will benefit from each other as textile companies from market understanding, technology expertise and complementary offering.” The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2025, pending regulatory approval. 2025 Quarterly Issue II

Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Dockers® brand to Authentic Brands Group for an initial value of $311 million, with the potential to increase to $391 million through an earnout tied to future performance. The move supports LS&Co.’s focus on its direct-to-consumer strategy and investment in denim and women’s categories. “The Dockers transaction further aligns our portfolio with our strategic priorities, focusing on our direct-to-consumer (DTC) first approach, growing our international presence and investing in opportunities across women’s and denim lifestyle,” said Michelle Gass, president and CEO of LS&Co. The deal is expected to close in stages between July 2025 and January 2026. Authentic plans to grow the brand, with Founder, Chairman and CEO Jamie Salter noting, “Dockers is a natural fit for the Authentic model.” 2025 Quarterly Issue II

Los Angeles-based BELLA+CANVAS and Cleveland-based Stakes Manufacturing have formed a strategic partnership to offer domestic and near-shore supply chain solutions for global brands and major retailers. The collaboration comes as shifting trade policies and tariffs push companies to reconsider offshore production. BELLA+CANVAS offers premium apparel manufacturing, while Stakes delivers on-demand printing and fulfillment. The partnership will prioritize speed, quality, sustainability, cost efficiency and U.S. job creation. “Our goal is to support the evolving global landscape and help our partners navigate the challenges stemming from tariffs, while also unlocking new opportunities to optimize for a more balanced and resilient supply chain”said Stakes Manufacturing Co-Founder Jed Seifert. “Our partnership with Stakes enables retail-quality digital printing at scale, empowering brands to stay competitive and nimble in today’s volatile global market” added Megan Spire, vice president of BELLA+CANVAS. 2025 Quarterly Issue II

GenuTrace LLC, Brightwaters, N.Y., has officially launched to provide science-based traceability solutions that verify product origin, protect brands, and ensure supply chain transparency. Founded by MeiLin Wan, formerly an executive with Applied DNA Sciences, GenuTrace combines stable isotope analysis, chemical tracers, and material fingerprinting using blockchain, with digital product passports and AI-powered mapping to help companies meet global regulations. The company’s core services include origin verification, full supply chain traceability, and strategic communication support. “At GenuTrace, we ask one powerful question: If you claim it, can you prove it? Paper trails aren’t enough,” Wan said. “We help brands back their claims with science — and build real transparency from farm to finished product.” 2025 Quarterly Issue II

The Turkish textile and apparel industry is being shaken by the uninterrupted news of bankruptcy and concordat. Türkiye with a deep-rooted textile tradition dating back to long before the industrial revolution has recently been experiencing a loss in employment and production.  According to the December 2024 data shared by the SSI (Social Security Institution), the […] The post In Turkish textile and apparel industry, 2,147 businesses shut down in 3 months appeared first on Textilegence Magazine and Digital Platform.

TIM WINGS – Roadmap for Women Exporters program, implemented by the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), was hosted by Uludağ Exporters’ Associations (UİB). The ‘Roadmap for Women Exporters Meeting’ held within the scope of TIM WINGS (Women International Networking and Global Sales) project, which aims to increase the competitiveness of women entrepreneurs and enable them to […] The post Women exporters cross borders with TIM WINGS project appeared first on Textilegence Magazine and Digital Platform.

Uster Technologies has secured a decisive judgment in a patent infringement lawsuit against a competitor in China. The final ruling by the Supreme People’s Court of PR China confirms that the competitor’s actions in copying the patented yarn feeder of the Uster Tester 6 constitute unlawful infringement.  Uster has established itself as a pioneer in […] The post Uster Technologies wins another infringement lawsuit appeared first on Textilegence Magazine and Digital Platform.

Toygar Narbay, President of the Turkish Clothing Manufacturers’ Association (TGSD), issued a press statement to draw attention to the critical situation of the Turkish apparel industry, which closed the first four months of this year with a loss after 2023 and 2024, and to share urgent solution proposals. Evaluating the situation of the sector and […] The post Turkish apparel industry is at the end of its rope appeared first on Textilegence Magazine and Digital Platform.