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Tonello marked a bold new chapter in sustainable garment finishing at this year’s Kingpins Show in Amsterdam, unveiling the final phase of its Laundry (R)Evolution an integrated vision of a modern, digital, and eco-conscious laundry process.
Leading the innovation is The Laser 2.0, a next-gen laser system offering high-speed, precision-driven garment marking. Designed with creatives in mind, it eliminates human error while expanding design capabilities with digital efficiency. Show attendees witnessed its power in Engineered Illusions, a collection showcasing laser-only finishes replicating traditional treatments like fading, creasing, and texture.
Tonello also introduced its All-in-One System, a highly advanced washing solution combining four sustainable technologies to reduce resource consumption while maximizing productivity. Further enhancing the eco-system is the debut of a proprietary dryer line. This in-house developed range includes eight energy-efficient models, featuring high-permeability drums, optimized airflow, and inverter-driven transmissions all Heat Pump compatible for lower emissions and energy use.
A highlight of Tonello’s showcase was a fully finished garment collection using the complete integrated system. Each piece is tracked by Metro, offering transparent, real-time data on water, energy use, and carbon footprint ensuring traceability and accountability.
In the dyeing domain, Tonello revealed an evolution of its Sulfur Essence collection, featuring DyeMate, the world’s first indigo garment dyeing system also suitable for sulfur and VAT dyes. The system enables bold, blended dye effects across diverse fabrics.
Rounding out the experience was The Boxes, featuring Denim Renaissance: The Beauty of Time, a visionary tribute blending history and innovation through refined, raw, and transformative denim.
Montréal hosts Premiere Vision’s first Canadian edition
For the first time ever, Premiere Vision, the leading international trade fair for fashion professionals is arriving in Montreal, Canada, on April 22 and 23. Hosted at the Grand Quai, this landmark event will welcome over 100 exhibitors and feature 24 expert-led conferences focused on key industry challenges and opportunities. The event marks Premiere Vision’s Canadian debut and only its second foray into North America, a region of growing strategic importance for the textile and leather sectors.
Supported by mmode, the fashion cluster of Quebec, this new venture aims to create a global development platform for the textile industry. Florence Rousson, Chairwoman of the Executive Board of Premiere Vision, emphasized the show’s significance, noting that “in an unstable international context, the market needs to redefine its reference points and strengthen its position. PV Montreal offers two days of unique and unprecedented business opportunities.”
Valerie Plante, Mayor of Montreal, echoed this sentiment, praising the city’s status as a UNESCO City of Design and its creative edge. She encouraged local fashion professionals to engage with the event and “connect with international fashion leaders and creatives.”
Canada takes center stage with strong international presence
Over the course of two days, exhibitors from across the globe will highlight the global scope of the fashion supply chain. Canada leads the representation with 20 percent of all exhibitors, followed by strong participation from South Korea, Portugal, China, France, Turkiye, the United States, Italy, and Spain. The show’s six sectors designs, fabrics, manufacturing, leather/furs, accessories, and smart creation underscore the diversity and interconnectedness of the industry.
“Canada is a key player in the global textile industry,” said Mathieu St-Arnaud Lavoie, Managing Director of mmode, citing the CAD 7.9 billion in added value from the fashion and apparel sector to Quebec’s GDP and the 77,500 direct industry jobs. The presence of Premiere Vision in Canada signals a new chapter for the country's role in global textile and fashion networks.
Immersive experiences and cross-disciplinary creativity
Beyond exhibitions and conferences, Premiere Vision Montréal promises an immersive visitor experience. A dedicated fashion information space will showcase the Spring-Summer 2026 color and trend forecasts, giving buyers and designers a head start on seasonal planning. A networking cocktail event on the opening evening will bring together key industry figures and institutional partners.
Highlighting Montreal’s creative spirit, the event will also feature a unique segment titled One Day, One Chef, One Designer: Celebrating Creativity. These sessions will explore the intersections of culinary and fashion arts. On day one, Debbie Zakaib, Ifigenia Hill, and Patrice Demers will lead the discussion. On the second day, Catherine Lecuyer, Markantoine Lynch-Boisvert, and Dario Bivona will share their insights, offering attendees fresh perspectives on creativity across disciplines.
With its debut in Montreal, Premiere Vision is not only expanding its global reach but also reinforcing the city’s status as a vibrant hub for innovation, design, and sustainable business development in the fashion industry.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has launched the International Future Challenge (IFC), a global innovation and entrepreneurship competition spanning seven regions across Hong Kong and Mainland China. The event is open to technology talents, startups and project teams worldwide, encouraging them to solve pressing industry problems with innovative solutions.
An information session was recently held for the Hong Kong region, featuring industry leaders discussing sector-specific trends and challenges. The competition follows a “1+N” framework, with Hong Kong as the main region and six others in Huizhou, Wenzhou, Qianhai in Shenzhen, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Jinjiang.
This marks the first time PolyU is expanding its Future Challenge to an international level. Global participants must either collaborate with the PolyU community, use PolyU-licensed technologies, or connect through the university’s Mainland Translational Research Institutes (MTRIs). The challenge offers shortlisted teams access to resources like corporate consultations, Mainland visits and international exposure.
Each region focuses on local industry priorities such as fintech, advanced manufacturing, AR/VR, biotechnology and more. While all regions include an Open Track, Hong Kong and Jinjiang also offer a Student Track, providing students training, immersive regional tours, and opportunities to explore entrepreneurship in areas including Singapore, Vietnam, Xinjiang and the Greater Bay Area.
The total cash prize pool exceeds HK$2 million, with a grand final prize of up to HK$500,000. Winners also receive trial funding and support through the PolyVentures ecosystem.
Supported by sponsors such as Waterdrop Inc., CHINT Group, and Flair Capital, and partners including Cathay Pacific, Nike, and NTT Com Asia, IFC aligns real-world challenges with participant solutions. PolyU Vice President Prof. Christopher Chao emphasized the competition’s role in fostering innovation and economic development across participating regions.
The New Zealand Government has directed its agencies to prioritize on the use of wool in the construction and renovation of their buildings wherever appropriate. Announced by Nicola Willis, Economic Growth Minister and Mark Patterson, Agriculture Minister, alongside Winston Peters, New Zealand First leader, the directive will become effective on July 1, 2025.
This change in procurement rules fulfills a coalition agreement between NZ First and the National Party that aims to make wool the preferred material in government buildings. Minister Patterson states, these new requirements demonstrate the government's commitment to supporting the wool industry and farmers, expressing hope that private businesses will follow suit.
Minister Willis adds, this initiative will stimulate job creation and employment by generating more opportunities for local wool producers. She also anticipates, the new requirement will foster innovation within the building materials industry, leading to increased investment and the opening of new markets.
These new procurement guidelines will apply to approximately 130 government agencies, covering new government-owned building projects costing $9 million or more and refurbishments exceeding $100,000. Both ministers emphasized on the benefits of wool fibers in various applications, including carpet, upholstery, insulation, and acoustic panels.
Highlighting the sustainability and health advantages of wool, Willis notes its natural sound-dampening and pollutant-absorbing qualities. Wool fibers contribute to healthier indoor environments by naturally regulating humidity and improving air quality, she pointed out
Minister Patterson states, the wool sector contributed $549 million to the New Zealand economy in FY2024 through the export of processed and unprocessed wool products. He emphasizes on the fiber’s historical significance to New Zealand and its current position as the world's third-largest wool producer. While acknowledging recent challenges faced by the industry due to competition from synthetic fibers and declining sheep numbers, Patterson states, the sector is showing signs of recovery with improved wool prices.
Hailing the policy as a ‘no-brainer, Winston Peters, NZ First leader, emphasizes on its potential to drive employment, regional development, and sustainability within the building materials industry. Asserting on the high quality of New Zealand wool, he declares, the government is again prioritizing on New Zealand wool
However, Chris Hipkins, Labour Leader criticizes the government's procurement approach as being inconsistent. He questiones the government's broader priorities.
Minister Willis clarifies, agencies choosing not to use wool products will need to provide justification and report annually on their decisions. The directive will apply to public sector spending across 130 agencies, with factors such as cost, compliance, technical requirements, availability, sustainability, and wellbeing to be considered when determining the practical and appropriate use of wool.
In the 2024-25 season ending in September 2025, India's cotton imports are projected to more than double to 3.3 million bales (each weighing 170 kg), as per revised import estimates by the Cotton Association of India (CAI). As per this report, this rise will be caused by a further decline in the domestic cotton crop production.
In the previous season, India had imported 1.52 million bales, the report indicates. Approximately 2.5 million bales had arrived at Indian ports by the end of March 2025, it adds.
This upward adjustment in import projections is based on expectations of lower-than-anticipated domestic production, even though consumption is expected to remain steady.
Anticipating a further contraction in the domestic cotton crop, the trade body has lowered its production forecast by 400,000 bales to 29.13 million bales (of 170 kg each), primarily due to reduced output in Maharashtra. Previously, the CAI had projected an output of 29.53 million bales. This revised lower projection is based on information received from state member associations as of the end of March, states Atul Ganatra, President, CAI.
The decline in the production forecast is attributed to lower output in Maharashtra, where production is now expected to decrease by 500,000 bales compared to earlier estimates. In contrast, Telangana's output is projected to be higher by 100,000 bales.
As per CAI estimates, until March-end, total cotton supply including imports, will be 30.683 million bales. This would include 2.5 million bales of imports (each weighing 170 kg) and the opening stock of 3.019 million bales.
For the 2024-25 season ending in September 2025, the CAI has maintained its consumption estimate at 31.5 million bales, the same as the previous forecast. Consumption up to the end of March is estimated at 17 million bales. Exports by March 31, 2025 are estimated at 900,000 bales.
Stocks at the end of March are estimated at 12.783 million bales, including 2.7 million bales held by mills and the remaining 10.083 million bales held by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), the Maharashtra Federation, and traders.
Cotton exports for the 2024-25 season are projected to decline by 1.236 million bales to 1.6 million bales, compared to the previous year's 2.836 million bales, according to the trade body.
The closing stock for the 2024-25 season at the end of September 2025 is estimated to be lower at 2.349 million bales, compared to 3.019 million bales at the same time last year.
The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) has achieved international recognition by winning two Gold Medals and three Bronze Medals at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva. The awards celebrate HKRITA’s commitment to developing an innovative technologies that benefit not only the textile and apparel industry but also the broader community across environmental protection, healthcare, and education.
HKRITA’s Chief Executive Officer, Jake Koh, expressed pride in the achievements, saying, “These awards are a testament to the expertise and vision of our researchers, who continually push the boundaries of innovation to serve both industry and society. We focus on addressing real-world challenges, ensuring our research delivers practical, meaningful solutions that support a better future.”
Among the highlights is a Gold Medal-winning solution for selectively separating and recovering nylon from textile waste. This eco-friendly process uses a green solvent under ambient conditions to extract nylon while preserving its molecular structure, enabling high-quality reuse in garment production. The method also allows for 99.8 per cent reuse of the solvent, significantly lowering environmental and health impacts. With scalability and low-cost application, this innovation contributes to building a circular economy in textiles.
Another Gold Medal was awarded for a project that uses 3D scanning and artificial intelligence to create mass-customised breathable and lightweight hip protectors for the elderly. Developed in partnership with The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the innovation leverages inverse design and 3D printing to produce hip protectors that optimise weight, cost, and comfort. Easily attachable to clothing, these protectors are particularly suited for hot and humid climates and help prevent hip fractures caused by falls.
HKRITA also earned a Bronze Medal for a passive cooling textile technology. By integrating metal oxide particles into PET fibres, the fabric reflects UV and visible light and reduces body temperature by up to 3.7°C under sunlight. This passive cooling function is ideal for outdoor workers or athletes and offers a scalable, cost-effective solution for the textile industry.
A second Bronze Medal was awarded for a smart vest aimed at improving classroom behaviour in children with Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Developed with The Education University of Hong Kong, the vest uses two discreet sensors to monitor movement and delivers subtle vibrations when hyperactivity is detected. This helps children refocus and enables teachers to concentrate on instruction. The vest is available in cotton for school use and a breathable fabric version for sports activities, with removable electronics for charging and washing.
The final Bronze Medal recognised Soft Robotic Clothing designed to adjust thermal insulation based on environmental conditions and physical activity. This intelligent clothing system, created in partnership with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, adapts to temperature changes while maintaining breathability and is controlled via a mobile app. It is intended for use by outdoor workers, firefighters, athletes, and anyone needing enhanced personal thermal management.
These award-winning projects reflect HKRITA’s leadership in sustainable innovation, demonstrating how applied textile research can generate real-world impact across industries and improve quality of life.
Japanese retail giant and the parent company of brands like Uniqlo, Fast Retailing announced strong first-half results and has increased its profit forecast for the full year.
The company's robust performance was primarily driven by strong sales at its flagship Uniqlo brand, both domestically in Japan and internationally. However, the crucial Chinese market presented ongoing challenges.
For H1, FY25 ending in February 2025, Fast Retailing's consolidated revenue grew by 12 per cent to ¥1.79 trillion (approximately $12.5 billion), while operating profit increased by 18.3 per cent to ¥304.22 billion. Net profit also rose significantly to ¥233.566 billion from ¥195.912 billion.
Consequently, the company now projects its full-year consolidated operating profit to increase by 8.8 per cent to ¥545 billion, with consolidated revenue expected to reach ¥3.4 trillion, a 9.5% rise.
The company reported strong first-half performance in Japan, North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Revenues of Uniqlo Japan increased by 11.6 per cent to ¥541.5 billion while operating profit expanded by 26.4 per cent to ¥97.6 billion. The brand’s comparable sales, including online, rose by 9.8 per cent, attributed to strategically aligning product development and marketing with weather conditions, leading to strong sales of year-round items and thermal wear, as well as increased sales to tourists. Improved gross profit margins, due to stricter discounting, also contributed.
The revenue of Uniqlo International increased by 14.7 per cent to ¥1.0141 trillion while operating profit expanded by 11.7 per cent to ¥168.5 billion. Southeast Asia, India and Australia, North America, and Europe reported particularly strong gains.
However, revenues in mainland China's fell by around 4 per cent while operating profit contracted by roughly 11 per cent due to weak consumer demand and an unsuitable product mix for varying regional temperatures. The brand’s revenues and profit from Hong Kong also declined, while Taiwan reported higher revenue and profit.
Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals for sustainable textiles, will unveil its latest innovations at China Interdye 2025, focusing on performance-driven, low-impact solutions. The company will spotlight its High IQ Lasting Color program and Phobotex range of durable water-repellent finishes, underscoring its commitment to vibrant, long-lasting garments with reduced environmental footprint.
The High IQ Lasting Color program integrates Archroma’s cutting-edge Avitera SE and Novacron dyes, offering enhanced color retention while significantly reducing water and energy use up to 50 per cent less in processing. Updated with modern hangtags and labels, the program helps mills and brands deliver intense, lasting colors while aligning with sustainability goals.
Archroma will also highlight its Phobotex range of fluorine-free DWR finishes, known for long-lasting water repellency and fabric comfort. Developed using renewable raw materials, Phobotex supports the shift toward non-PFC textile treatments. The range features bio-based options and hydro polymers that are easy to apply, ensuring high performance across diverse textile applications from everyday stain protection to extreme weather resistance.
“China remains central to global textile manufacturing, and the demand for sustainable, high-performance solutions is growing,” said Christine Cai, Vice President of North Asia, Archroma Textile Effects. “Our solutions empower brands to deliver garments that are functional, durable, and environmentally responsible.”
China Interdye 2025, the world’s largest exhibition dedicated to dyes and textile chemicals, will be held from April 16-18 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center. Attendees can visit Archroma at Hall 1, Booth A101, to explore innovations that advance sustainability without compromising quality.
A major global producer of viscose staple fiber products, Asia Pacific Rayon (APR) showcased its latest viscose and lyocell innovations at the SaigonTex 2025 trade show this week.
This showcase was a part of the company’s broader initiative to foster a more sustainable textile industry in Vietnam.
At the trade show, APR shared its views on how the use and adoption of sustainable textile fibers, such as viscose and lyocell, can contribute to the long-term growth of Vietnam's textile sector.
Characterized by increasing production levels and a skilled workforce, Vietnam has become a significant regional textile hub in recent years,. The country represents a substantial market for both viscose and lyocell products. According to industry research, the global market for viscose and lyocell is projected to grow by 6 per cent-10 per cent annually through 2030.
By 2030, APR aims to become a world-class VSF manufacturer, consistently exceeding many requirements of the European Union Best Available Techniques (EU BAT) and ZDHC MMCF guidelines, setting a high standard for sustainable viscose production.
The rising global demand for sustainable textiles presents a key opportunity for APR to broaden the reach of its viscose and lyocell products and strengthen its presence in Vietnam, a strategically important market for the company in the region.
Sachin Malik, Head – Commercial, Asia Pacific Rayon, observes, there is a strong interest in APR’s viscose and Lyocell by Sateri. Increasing the awareness and adoption of these fibers will help establish Vietnam as a hub for sustainable textiles.
APR's booth, themed ‘Experience Lyocell, Feel the Difference,’ was the central attraction at SaigonTex 2025. The company displayed latest advancements in APR viscose and Lyocell by Sateri fibers, emphasizing responsible production and eco-friendly fashion for a wide range of applications.
Visitors to the APR booth are able to experience the unique properties of these fibers firsthand and learn about the company’s dedication to driving positive change within the textile industry. The success of this exhibition reinforces APR's commitment to Vietnam and the growth of the country’s textile sector.
A major global producer of viscose staple fiber products, Asia Pacific Rayon (APR) showcased its latest viscose and lyocell innovations at the SaigonTex 2025 trade show this week.
This showcase was a part of the company’s broader initiative to foster a more sustainable textile industry in Vietnam.
At the trade show, APR shared its views on how the use and adoption of sustainable textile fibers, such as viscose and lyocell, can contribute to the long-term growth of Vietnam's textile sector.
Characterized by increasing production levels and a skilled workforce, Vietnam has become a significant regional textile hub in recent years,. The country represents a substantial market for both viscose and lyocell products. According to industry research, the global market for viscose and lyocell is projected to grow by 6 per cent-10 per cent annually through 2030.
By 2030, APR aims to become a world-class VSF manufacturer, consistently exceeding many requirements of the European Union Best Available Techniques (EU BAT) and ZDHC MMCF guidelines, setting a high standard for sustainable viscose production.
The rising global demand for sustainable textiles presents a key opportunity for APR to broaden the reach of its viscose and lyocell products and strengthen its presence in Vietnam, a strategically important market for the company in the region.
Sachin Malik, Head – Commercial, Asia Pacific Rayon, observes, there is a strong interest in APR’s viscose and Lyocell by Sateri. Increasing the awareness and adoption of these fibers will help establish Vietnam as a hub for sustainable textiles.
APR's booth, themed ‘Experience Lyocell, Feel the Difference,’ was the central attraction at SaigonTex 2025. The company displayed latest advancements in APR viscose and Lyocell by Sateri fibers, emphasizing responsible production and eco-friendly fashion for a wide range of applications.
Visitors to the APR booth are able to experience the unique properties of these fibers firsthand and learn about the company’s dedication to driving positive change within the textile industry. The success of this exhibition reinforces APR's commitment to Vietnam and the growth of the country’s textile sector.
