WHY GREENDROP OF ITALY CHOOSE PIGMENTS AND GREEN TECHNOLOGY FROM EPSON - SMART DIGITAL TEXTILE PRINTING
The Greendrop Project – A new sustainable printing hub delivers eco-sustainable digital textile printing using smart technology. Choosing the right technology partner was an important factor from the beginning. “Many aspects are to be considered: innovation technology, industrial costs in relation to the possible market price, the environmental impact, the production capacity to understand which customers can be approached and, not least, the belief in the same project that will bring benefits to both companies.” Roberto Lucini - GREENDROP
Smart manufacturing is the “new normal.” The textile industry is working hard to replace the polluting printing methods of the past, and to transform its environmental credentials. It’s a new chapter. The traditional textile industry is witnessing a reinvention.
There are a number of reasons for this; the retail buyer needs to control inventory (stock) – moving to print on demand, consumers also seek instant gratification, and this has forced – lower minimum orders, faster delivery and product diversity.
But the biggest driver of change is the textile industry’s past history. Now exposed as the second largest polluter of our planet – consumers demand sustainability, and the conventional textile industry needs to clean up its legacy production processes and evolve.
There are many innovations with which we can improve the environmental impact of the textile industry – and one of the most important technologies in the supply chain is the digital textile printing sector where technologies are increasingly green, efficient and sustainable.
In Como, Italy, Roberto Lucini founder and CEO of Creazioni Digitali first saw the potential of digital technology in 2006 when he founded his digital textile printing company.
The first step was to use dye sublimation technology which was quick, efficient and remains a huge proportion of the marketplace printing onto synthetic fibres. Roberto’s team print over 2.5 million metres’ using this process each year from their 5000 sqm factory in Lurate Caccivio in the province of Como. With a staff of forty, the company continues in its quest for innovation and to secure their vision of the future - to supply sustainably sourced printed textile fabrics.
We asked Roberto Lucini to confirm if the marketplace has shifted to print on demand, and if CD has seen design diversity increase over the last few years and if so, how digital textile printing technology had enabled the business to service this demand?
“In comparison to the traditional printing route that is obliged to use cylinders or flat screens with a limit in the dimension, obviously digital printing allows us to manage a whole series of images, placements, reports of drawings in theory without limits. Every day we receive increasingly varied and complicated requests that we are proud to be able to meet.”
Roberto went further to confirm the key factors that are driving the demand for sustainably sourced and environmentally conscious printed textiles;
“As you know the textile Industry is the second in the world for pollution and finally - even the brands realized it and decided to do their part. Therefore, to limit pollution and water use, a series of specifications and associations have been created, such as the ZDHC, which have pushed textile companies to adapt. Some are doing it because obliged in order to stay in the supply chain, others, like CD, because they really believe in it. As proof of this I remind you that our company, already born as a digital printing company, started the first digital pigment trials in 2014, a type of printing that allows a big saving of water. At first no customers or competitors believed in the project - but time proved us right” - Roberto Lucini
The companies respect for the environment is at the core of their strategy. Sustainability has many facets; green technology, respect for human rights, the justification of industrial processes – are all factors that define eco-sustainability, and all are part of the “radical cultural change” that Roberto and his team see as the future of their company.
The GreenDrop Project – Smart digital printing.
In 2014 Creazioni Digitali created a research centre in collaboration with their innovative technology partners – with the intention to further explore pigment printing. In the traditional textile sector pigment inks dominate the marketplace and offer a window of opportunity for the print sector. When using digital technologies for pigments the process is waterless, there are no screens therefore saving precious resources when compared to conventional printing.
But perhaps the biggest advantage of pigments is that they bond with multi-fibre fabrics – this opens up access to many marketplaces with one process, and a simple workflow using just one ink set and one production process. It also removes the need for post-finishing. Pigment printed fabrics do not need to be washed after print – they are heat set – and ready for sale. Not only does this save a huge amount of water but also dramatically reduces the energy required.
The Greendrop project – A new sustainable printing hub for CD delivers eco-sustainable digital textile printing using smart technology. Choosing the right technology partner was an important factor from the beginning. In conversation we asked Roberto Lucini - When choosing a digital technology partner – what were the key factors that the machinery needed to provide?
“Many aspects are to be considered: innovation technology, industrial costs in relation to the possible market price, the environmental impact, the production capacity to understand which customers can be approached and, not least, the belief in the same project that will bring benefits to both companies.” Roberto confirmed.
In partnering with Epson – Roberto Lucini’s considered decision has leveraged the benefits of Epson’s extensive R&D program and the technological innovations provided by Robustelli’s digital textile machinery and For.Tex.
In 2003, Robustelli partnered with Epson to develop and manufacture a range of textile printers including the Monna Lisa range. Robustelli have a rich heritage in textiles and have been manufacturing textile printers since 1972 - their partnership with Epson began in 2003 and in 2016 Epson purchased the company.
Epson have also been working with For.Tex since 2003. The business was integral to the development of the Monna Lisa printer series and they continue to take care of ink sales and support. Renowned for their chemical knowledge and ink developments For.Tex, now owned by Epson, have pioneered a new generation of pigment inks (Genesta) that deliver an impressive colour gamut alongside printing stability. Epson took a 50% stake in For.Tex in 2012, acquiring the rest of the company in 2015.
We asked GreenDrop - What are the unique benefits of Epson’s Monna Lisa – and how have they increased your production and profitability?
“Apart from the good performance of the machine (never questioned), an extremely important aspect is the support of the Epson Research and Development Centre that has helped us to develop special recipes to meet the needs of customers” Roberto confirmed.
The next chapter for Creazioni Digitali and their new GreenDrop project marks an essential leap into the future and will open up many new opportunities. It sets a new paradigm – where sustainability and fabric printing go hand in hand with consumer demand. The use of pigment inks and their investment in Smart digital printing technologies will bring new business and further accelerate their commercial success.
The Interior Décor sector where pigment printing is a legacy ink set, is also evolving and has the same requirement for reduced stock, design diversity and eco-environmental production processes. Roberto explained why the Interior Décor marketplace is a sector that offers the company an opportunity for growth - “This market is very important because we have the possibility to test materials that go beyond traditional textiles. Of course, this involves a time of research and development, we put into account some failure, but it gives us a chance to increase our technical culture and visibility.”
We wish Roberto Lucini and the innovative team at GreenDrop every success with the next chapter for their business.
The word "toxic" carries weight. It conjures danger, harm, and things best avoided.
“Yet in the textile industry - Where between 3,000 and 10,000 chemicals move through the supply chain, a reflexive fear of the term is one of our biggest obstacles to progress.”
This article distils the key takeaways and what buyers, designers, and brands should be asking right now.
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The Market Gap that Changed Everything
Future Fashion was founded in 2019, timed deliberately to coincide with a pivotal moment in global textile technology: the commercial launch of the EFI Reggiani BOLT Single-Pass digital printing system.
The founders recognised that single-pass architecture had fundamentally changed what was industrially possible - and that Pakistan's domestic market had yet to catch up.
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Taran Rai, Corporate Sustainability Manager at Epson explains why?
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What once was a theoretical sustainability goal seems to have shifted into an active regulatory reality.
Is the Textile Market Finally Recovering?
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A profound shift is currently reshaping the sector
Changing consumer expectations demand greater design diversity, faster turnaround times, and sustainable manufacturing practices.
To thrive, interior brands must adapt their supply chains, bringing production closer to the end consumer and moving away from bulk manufacturing.
Digital textile printing offers a definitive solution to these operational bottlenecks.
Digital transformation doesn't announce itself.
It accumulates - one innovation at a time - until an entire industry looks back and realises the ground has shifted beneath its feet. That's precisely where textiles stands today.
The conversations happening now about AI, automation, sustainability, and digital product passports are not theoretical. They are shaping decisions being made on factory floors and in boardrooms right now.
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Friedmans stands as a testament to the power of combining traditional textile knowledge with forward-thinking innovation.
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The Urgent Need for Sustainability at Scale
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“Cross-industry collaboration is the engine of meaningful change. Brands, machinery suppliers, chemical providers, and fibre producers must act as an interconnected ecosystem”
Today’s customers demand superior product quality, real-time data visibility, and lightning-fast turnaround times.
For large-scale garment decorators, managing these expectations while balancing seasonal demand fluctuations - such as the massive surges seen during Black Friday - presents a monumental challenge.
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All Apparel Manufacturers face an Urgent Mandate: “Automate or be Left Behind”.
Industry leaders like Super Nova Sports and Ryozo International were struggling with severe pre-press bottlenecks and unsustainable fabric waste. By integrating AI Sublimation Software into their workflows, these forward-thinking businesses eliminated manual variable data entry, boosted fabric efficiency to over 80%, and reduced delivery times by more than half, establishing a highly profitable, agile, and environmentally responsible production model.
The Future of Manufacturing belongs to those who Embrace Connected Digital Ecosystems
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The European digital wallcovering marketplace is expanding at an impressive rate.
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Shanghai, China – August 2026 – Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition 2026 is set to open its doors on 25 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), welcoming thousands of global industry players across three days of sourcing, networking, and trend forecasting.
Spanning 240,000 sqm, the edition will feature over 3,500 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, organised under four key pillars: Fashion Forward, Performance Textiles, Sustainability, and Textile Future.
From 27 September 2026, stricter rules against greenwashing and higher requirements for sustainability labels will take effect in the European Union.
OEKO-TEX® has taken the new provisions as an occasion to further develop its governance structure.
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Munich, Germany – August 2026 – PERFORMANCE DAYS is set to premiere the Sustainability Exchange at its upcoming trade fair, taking place 13–14 October 2026 in Munich.
The new dedicated space brings together leading voices across certification, compliance, circularity, and collaboration to help industry professionals translate complex sustainability challenges into practical solutions.
New Delhi, India – August 2026 – IKEA, the global home furnishing retailer, has announced its partnership with the Regenerative Cotton Accelerator Programme (RCAP) as a strategic member.
The partnership will see IKEA join RCAP's Steering Group, contributing its cotton sourcing and supply chain expertise to accelerate the adoption of regenerative cotton across India.
Launched in February 2026, RCAP is a joint initiative by Solidaridad Asia, WWF-India, Regenagri and Control Union..
The invention, a dark adsorbent material that can be added to wastewater and separated with a magnet, builds on the team’s 2022 breakthrough in microplastics removal, extending performance to much smaller particles and more complex wastewater.
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The researchers say the ability to remove micro‑ and nano‑plastics under practical conditions sets this work apart.
Winterthur – Switzerland - July, 2026 – Recycling Powerhouse Ltd. was established in July 2026 to industrialize, standardize and scale textile recycling.
Based in Switzerland, the venture will operate a franchise-driven business model that enables the production of high-quality, certified recycled yarns.
The project is supported by the following partners: Rieter Group, the world’s leading system supplier for natural and man-made fibers, Säntis Textiles, a Swiss textile engineering company, and Valvan, a Belgian sorting technology company.
Singapore, July 2026 – DyStar, a leading specialty chemicals company with more than a century of expertise in product development and innovation, today announced the release of its FY2025 Sustainability Report, marking a significant milestone in its sustainability journey and reinforcing its commitment to long-term value creation
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The three Member States raised the topic at today’s EU Environment Council in Luxembourg, and called on the European Commission to make existing and planned EU provisions more effective against short-lived, low quality textiles.
Their call was supported by other Member States, including Slovenia and Denmark.
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The study is the second in a series of LCA studies led by Textile Exchange and addresses key gaps and limitations in the LCA data currently available for polyester.
Widnes, Cheshire - 5 June 2026 – On World Environment Day, Roberts Group International has announced a pioneering partnership with St Helens Council, Seamster & Shepherd, and Hope Academy.
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The collaborative project addresses the urgent need for circularity in the fashion industry by bringing the sustainability message directly into the classroom.
Shenzhen, June 2026 – To address the urgent need for sustainable practices and digital transformation within the global fashion industry, the Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo Shenzhen will return from 9 to 11 June 2026.
Held at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, the event will host over 600 international exhibitors across 45,000 square metres.
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The targeted combination of the products BEIPLEX GREEN, BEICLEAN ECO, BEIPUR ANP, BEIBLEACH WP 35, and BEIACID CIT creates a holistic, sustainable washing and bleaching concept.
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ECCO, in partnership with Spinnova, announces the launch of the limited edition ECCO BIOM® 720, a first-of-its-kind shoe utilising an often overlooked leather by-product, transformed into a protein-based fibre.
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According to recent market forecasts by FMI, the sector is projected to surpass USD 6.6 billion in 2026, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 7.7 per cent.
Driven by the urgent need for sustainable production and fast fashion customisation, the market is on track to reach a total valuation of USD 13.9 billion by 2036.
Cagliari - Italy – May 2026 – To address the escalating crisis of water scarcity in the Mediterranean basin, the Interreg NEXT MED Programme has officially announced the launch of the SWAMED project.
This international initiative introduces smarter irrigation systems and modern agricultural technology to farming communities across the region. By deploying innovative, data-driven solutions, the project seeks to safeguard the future of agriculture in areas where every drop of water is critical for survival and economic stability.
The SWAMED project is spearheaded by the Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" in Italy, operating in close collaboration with a strategic coalition of partners from Tunisia, Egypt, Greece, and Türkiye.
Washington DC - 24 April 2026 – The Bezos Earth Fund has announced a $34 million commitment to advance breakthrough sustainable materials for the global fashion and textile industry.
Working with leading scientists across the United States, these new grants aim to reinvent the fabrics used in everyday clothing, focusing on next-generation materials that replicate the feel of rayon, silk, and cotton while drastically improving upon the environmental impact of conventional manufacturing.
ISTANBUL, Türkiye – April 2026 – In a critical step towards securing a sustainable and ethical future for the global textile industry, Textile Exchange and the Organic Cotton Accelerator have officially announced the comprehensive agenda for the upcoming Organic Cotton Summit.
This vital industry event is scheduled to take place from the 2nd to the 4th of June 2026 at the Istanbul Marriott Hotel Sisli in Türkiye.
By bringing together global stakeholders, the summit aims to urgently address the pressing challenges facing agricultural supply chains and to build organic cotton systems that are resilient, fair, and economically viable for all participants.
Manchester, UK – April 2026 – John Hogg Technical Solutions has announced a strategic minority equity investment in SwitchDye Limited, a University of Leeds spin-out.
This vital partnership aims to rapidly scale SwitchDye's pioneering CO2-responsive, drop-in dyeing system, answering the urgent industry need to significantly reduce chemical intensity, energy use, and water consumption in the dyeing of polyester and other synthetic fibres.
April 2026 - As sustainability expectations rise across the fashion industry, Lectra has announced the publication of a new document aimed at helping brands reduce their environmental impact while remaining competitive.
The newly released insights detail how fashion brands can overcome the four main barriers to sustainable product development, providing the necessary data clarity to make better, environmentally conscious decisions.
London - April 2026 – In a decisive response to the escalating global need for urgent climate action, Ricoh today announced a comprehensive revision of its environmental, social, and governance targets.
Launched as a cornerstone of its fiscal 2026 mid-term strategy, the company is significantly accelerating its efforts to realise a decarbonised society.
By raising its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals and renewable energy adoption targets, Ricoh is firmly linking sustainable innovation with its global business operations to lead the industry toward a greener future.
The organisation has elevated its fiscal 2030 target for reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions from 63 percent to 75 percent, compared with fiscal 2015 levels.
Zhanjiang, China - 26 March 2026 – BASF today announced the official inauguration of its state-of-the-art Verbund production site in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province.
Covering four square kilometres, this €8.7 billion facility represents a paradigm shift in sustainable chemical manufacturing.
Fully powered by renewable electricity, the site reinforces BASF’s market position in China whilst addressing the urgent global need for decarbonised industrial processes.
Employing over 2,000 people, the Zhanjiang site produces a highly diversified portfolio of basic chemicals, intermediates, and speciality chemicals.
Stockholm – Sweden – March 2026 – The H&M Foundation has announced the launch of a practical, open-source workshop toolkit designed to help organisations across the textile industry apply its innovative System Map.
Introduced earlier in 2024, the System Map is a visual framework that reimagines the fashion industry as an interconnected ecosystem.
Now, this comprehensive toolkit empowers brands, suppliers, policymakers, and investors to turn systemic insights into actionable strategies, identifying crucial leverage points to halve greenhouse gas emissions every decade until 2050 while enabling a just transition.
March 21st 2026 – To mark the International Day of Forests, Lenzing Group has announced its continued and unwavering dedication to global forest conservation and ecological resilience.
As the world faces unprecedented environmental challenges, the company is taking decisive action to ensure that the preservation of healthy forests remains firmly embedded in its sourcing strategy and product innovations.
San Francisco – March 2026– The Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) has today announced the launch of its innovative Energy and Carbon Benchmark.
This vital new tool is designed to provide fashion brands and their global suppliers with a unified reference point for measuring energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across textile manufacturing facilities worldwide.
London – March 2026 – The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has announced a new collaboration with global non-profit the Soil Health Institute (SHI) and national ag-tech provider Growers Guide to support cotton producers across the United States in strengthening their soil conservation practices.
The partnership will fund intensive on-farm data collection to equip producers with actionable, data-driven insights aimed at improving soil health and reducing chemical inputs.
Amsterdam - March 2026 - Sappi Europe, a leading provider of sustainable paper and packaging solutions, represented the company at this year's AWA Global Release Liner Summit in Amsterdam.
Under the theme of "Innovation and Sustainability," Sappi's Director of Sustainability Sarah Price and Manager of Technology & Development Wolfgang Hoffmann led a well-received session titled "Navigating Sustainability: Accelerating Together."
Nottingham, UK - 6 March 2026 – Worn Again Technologies has announced the start-up of its Textile-to-Fibre Accelerator plant in Winterthur, Switzerland, marking a major step towards commercialising its chemical recycling technology.
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Oban – Scotland – February 2026 - OCEANIUM has highlighted OCEAN INK®, the world's first fully biodegradable, water-based ink derived from sustainably farmed seaweed.
This groundbreaking innovation is poised to transform the luxury textile, printing, and packaging industries by offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional harmful inks.
As industries worldwide face mounting pressure to adopt sustainable practices, OCEAN INK® addresses a critical gap in the market.