SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT S/S 22 - TEXTILE INNOVATIONS AND INSIGHTS
“What we do next is paramount. In this S/S 22 Spotlight we focus on our Sustainability channel, and we highlight just some of the many innovations that are driving sustainable change across the supply chain, you can read more in our Eco-News channel”. Sign-up for the newsletter HERE:
As the year opened and we started to emerge from the hiatus of the pandemic, all issues regarding sustainability have leaped into sharp focus – the spotlight is on the supply chain.
Transparency and traceability must be accelerated if we are to ever gain a 360-degree view of the products we consume. There is no slowdown predicted in our consumption, and as our global population and affluence increase, we will in fact increase production and the use of our planets precious resources.
The not so green iceberg continues to emerge as companies across the entire textile space push forward to set and or achieve sustainability objectives, all of whom are desperately trying to bring themselves into line with the growing expectations of their client base. Some have faired better than others. In recent weeks the HIGG Index has come into focus, as have the dubious claims of many of the behemoth fashion brands, many of whom now find themselves under an uncomfortable spotlight.
What we do next is paramount. In this S/S 22 Spotlight we focus on our Sustainability channel, and we highlight just some of the many innovations that are driving sustainable change across the supply chain, you can read more in our Eco-News channel.
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Leading the way – we spotlight the move towards more sustainable fibre sources:
In America in January, Algiknit announced the development of a new industrial scale plant for making yarns from reprocessed kelp. AlgiKnit’s yarns are made by extracting a substance called alginate from seaweed and combining it with renewable biopolymers. The resulting fibers can then be knitted into textiles and coloured with natural pigments. These textiles could potentially be used across a range of industries, including fashion, furnishings, and automotive.
As AlgiKnit co-founder and CEO, Tessa Callaghan said “With the opening of our new facility in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina, we are focused on expanding our production capabilities, partnerships, and team to address global demand more quickly. This is a huge next step in bringing this technology to scale, and creating positive, tangible change for the planet. We are so excited to partner with new and existing investors who share our vision for transforming the fashion ecosystem.”
Fashion for Good cooperated with adidas, BESTSELLER, Vivo barefoot and Birla Cellulose, and six innovators, to create a consortium project to assess the technical feasibility of natural fibres created by the selected innovators using agricultural waste such as rice husks, hemp, wheat straw, banana and pineapple.
As Katrin Ley, Managing Director, Fashion for Good said, “This ambitious project explores a new source of feedstocks for the fashion industry that, if scaled, will help drive both the agriculture and textile industry towards net-zero. We see great potential for these various agriculture waste streams that would otherwise have few secondary uses. By applying innovative technologies to develop natural fibres, we can diminish the pressure on existing natural fibres and shift away from unsustainable materials and sources.”
Equally there was substantial progress in recycling technologies:
In January French President Emmanuel Macron and Eastman CEO Mark Costa jointly announced Eastman’s plan to invest up to $1 billion in a material-to-material molecular recycling facility in France that would use Eastman’s polyester renewal technology to recycle up to 160,000 tonnes annually of hard-to-recycle plastic waste that is currently being incinerated.
The plant and an innovation center would be expected to be operational by 2025, creating employment for approximately 350 people and leading to an additional 1,500 indirect jobs in infrastructure and energy.
In February Renewcell announce a major upscaling of its recycling capacity as it moved its Ortviken site up to 120,000 Tonnes per year within a plan to increase its total capacity up to 360,000 tonnes per year by 2025. The company’s vision is to inspire an Industrial Evolution to a sustainable world by producing high quality materials from recycled textiles.
Through its patented process, Renewcell is able to upcycle cellulosic textile waste, such as cotton clothes, transforming it into a pristine new material called Circulose®. As Patrik Lundstrom CEO of Renewcell said “The global fashion industry is committed to going circular, and we are determined to contribute as much and as fast as we can to attain this crucial goal.”
In June, NextChem completed the construction of the first demonstration plant in Italy for the chemical recycling of PET and polyester from textiles, as part of the European Union’s DEMETO project. The plant is located in Chieti, in the Abruzzo Technology Park. The depolymerization technology adopted, based on the reaction of alkaline hydrolysis2 with the use of microwaves, allows the plant to chemically recycle PET and polyester textile fiber waste and obtain pure monomers to produce new polymers.
"We are very proud to have built this plant, the first of its kind in Italy and among the first in Europe, paMaire Tecnimont Group and NextChem CEO.rticularly at a time when national systems for the collection and recycling of textile waste are beginning to be created, in Italy and in other European countries, in order to comply with legislation", commented Alessandro Bernini,
Beyond Fibres and Recycling, there were significant developments in Textile Chemicals and Dyestuffs.
In January, In Amsterdam, Fashion for Good launched the D(R)YE Factory of the Future, a new consortium project that brings together several innovations in textile pre-treatment and colouration, that are set to accelerate the shift from wet to mostly dry processing.
Textile processing is responsible for the highest greenhouse gas emissions, significant water and chemical use in the fashion value chain. The selected innovations have the potential to reduce emissions by up to 89%, and to cut water consumption by between 83% and 95%.
“Textile processing is the largest contributor to carbon emissions in the supply chain and a shift to mostly dry processing is crucial for the path to net-zero. Given the interdependencies in the processing stages, a stand-alone assessment of solutions is not sufficient. By validating a combination of technologies, we can unlock the full potential of those solutions. This is why this project is so pivotal.” — Katrin Ley, Managing Director at Fashion for Good
In March at Columbiatex, Huntsman Textile Effects showcased the latest addition to the third generation of its revolutionary AVITERA® SE polyreactive dye range at Colombiatex this year.
AVITERA® ROSE SE delivers brilliant bluish-red shades while reducing the water and energy required for production by up to 50% and increasing mill output by up to 25% or more. It also significantly outperforms the best available dyeing technologies for cellulosic fibers and blends in terms of value by reducing recipe costs, minimizing processing costs and eliminating reprocessing.
Huntsman also showed ERIOPON® E3-SAVE another next-generation water-saving innovation. An all-in-one textile auxiliary for polyester processing, it allows pre-scouring, dyeing and reduction clearing to be combined in a single bath and eliminates the need for anti-foaming products. This shortens processing time and saves water and energy.
As Ben Powell, Commercial Director Americas, Huntsman Textile Effects stated: “Sustainability is becoming a priority for regulators in South America and around the world, and consumers are increasingly keen to make a difference by choosing green brands. Huntsman is redefining what’s possible to help textile and apparel companies make the shift to more environmentally sustainable operations while enhancing their competitiveness at the same time.”
In March, Alchemie Technology, the UK innovator of low energy, waterless, textile dyeing technology, ships its Endeavour machine to Taiwan to improve the sustainability of the textile dyeing industry and establish a new Asia showcase. The Endeavour digital dyeing solution, which produces no wastewater and reduces energy consumption by 85 per cent compared to traditional dyeing, will be installed at Alchemie’s Taiwan-based customer JSRTEX Group, a leading textile manufacturing innovator in the region, committed to transforming the industry with sustainable textiles and clean technology.
Dr Simon Kew, Managing Director of Alchemie Technology said: “Alchemie plans to deliver a significant number of Endeavour low energy, waterless dyeing machines into Asia in the next two years, where most of the world’s dyeing and finishing takes place. This will also require the support of governments through investment, grants and legislation, and the critical effort of brands and pioneering manufacturers in their supply chains”
Billions are being invested across the supply chain. Co-creation and collaboration are leading the industry into new frontiers, driving sustainable change.
Each and every product manufactured makes an impact on our worlds precious resources. Follow the Texintel Sustainability channel HERE:
Valencia, Spain – October 2026 – Canon has joined the Sustainable Print Manifesto as a Development Partner, strengthening a growing coalition of industry leaders committed to making print more sustainable.
The announcement coincides with the launch of an Implementation Framework for More Sustainable Print, unveiled this week at the FuturePrint Packaging, Labels and DTS Summit in Valencia. Other Development Partners include Cimpress, Domino, Gallus, HP, Nazdar and Sun Chemical.
London, UK – September 2026 – New Look, M&S, Sainsbury's, Oxfam and Circle-8 today announce The Circuit, a new collaborative model bringing together retailers, textile recovery partners, automated sorting, recyclers, digital innovators and manufacturers to build new circular textile value chains and transform UK generated post-consumer textiles into future circular raw materials.
The first phase will focus on testing, learning and developing the operational frameworks needed to support future scale-up.
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.
In doing so, OEKO-TEX® not only meets the requirements of the EU Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (EmpCo, EU 2024/825) but also prepares itself for future regulatory developments.
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.
Microplastics are an increasing global concern, with growing evidence of their presence in water systems.
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
Germany, France and the Netherlands are advocating coordinated European action against ultra-fast fashion.
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.
LONDON, June 11: Textile Exchange has published its new polyester Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study, providing robust, accurate, and credible data to strengthen the fashion, textile, and apparel industry’s understanding of the impacts of different types of polyester production.
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.
The initiative, titled Hope for the Earth: From Reclaimed Textiles to Sustainable Student Fashion Show, empowers students to transform reclaimed textiles into original fashion pieces ahead of a summer showcase event in July.
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.
The innovative washing process SMART WASH represents a modern, high-performance, and environmentally conscious approach to textile care.
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.
Stuttgart, Germany – May 2026 - Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification continued to grow in 2025, with nearly 18,000 certified facilities worldwide, despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and rapidly evolving regulatory requirements across global textile supply chains.
New figures released today in the 2025 Annual Report for Global Standard, the nonprofit that owns and operates GOTS, show that uptake of robust, independently governed sustainability standards remains a priority for companies seeking to manage risk, substantiate claims and meet rising expectations on transparency and due diligence.
Kyocera Document Solutions has highlighted its FOREARTH, a pioneering water-free textile production concept designed to drastically reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
By addressing the critical need for sustainable manufacturing, this innovation sets a new standard for the textile industry, minimising environmental impact while streamlining the entire printing process.
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.
The fibres are produced using patented technology that advances material innovation while reducing waste and supporting full resource use across the leather and textile industry.
Newark - Delaware - May 2026 – The global digital textile printing market is set for a substantial transformation, having crossed a valuation of USD 6.1 billion in 2025.
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."
Shanghai – China -October 2026 – BARBIERI Electronics, a global leader in professional colour measurement solutions, has announced its participation in ALL IN PRINT CHINA 2026, taking place from 12–16 October 2026 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.
The company will exhibit alongside its partner, Beijing Dingli Xintong Technology Co. Ltd, at Booth N2A219, where COO and Co-Managing Director Viktor Lazzeri will meet with customers, partners and print professionals from across the industry
Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd has reinforced its two‑ decade partnership with Epson by expanding the range of Epson wide format print technologies now available for live demonstration at its UK Client Engagement Centre (CEC) in Dunstable.
The move reflects Konica Minolta’s commitment to supporting the UK commercial print sector with a broader, more versatile portfolio and giving customers hands‑on access to leading solutions.
Bracknell – Berkshire - October 2026 - UFABRIK has added IGEPA Hungária to its expanding European distribution network, bringing its digital textile portfolio to customers across Hungary through one of the country’s leading print and visual communications suppliers.
The agreement will see IGEPA Hungária introduce the UFABRIK range to customers from its operations in Budapest and Nyíregyháza, with local stockholding, technical support, and wide-format availability up to 5 metres.
New York – NY – October 2026 – Optitex, a global leader in fashion technology solutions, has announced a significant update to its CutPlan software, introducing Purchase Order (PO) Wise capability as part of its O/26.1 release.
The new feature allows manufacturers to plan multiple Purchase Orders for the same style independently, addressing a long-standing inefficiency within the cut planning process.
United Kingdom – September 2026 – Inkloft, a new specialist digital printing business founded by Gary Weyman and Andy Hancock, has announced its entry into the direct-to-film (DTF) market.
The company has been appointed as a distributor of DuPont™ Artistri® DTF products, including P1600 inks and Artistri Jettable Adhesive JA1100, both now available to purchase online through inkloft.co.uk.
Peterborough, UK – October 2026 – Snuggle Ltd has today reaffirmed its commitment to redefining industrial garment decoration, combining high-volume output with environmentally responsible production methods at its Peterborough facility.
The announcement highlights the company's investment in water-based pigment ink digital printing technology, a move designed to cut the environmental footprint of large-scale apparel decoration without compromising on quality.
At the core of Snuggle's operation is industrial water-based pigment ink digital printing, which replaces the chemical-heavy alternatives traditionally used across the sector.
Manchester – October 2026 – Premier Digital Textiles has today highlighted its 33130 Achill Natural Linen, a beautifully understated fabric defined by timeless texture and natural character.
The luxurious fabric reflects the company's ongoing commitment to quality materials that serve both designers and the environment
Gent – Belgium – October 2026 – Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems has announced its participation in India CorrExpo 2026, following a successful week exhibiting at PRINTING United Expo 2026.
The company will showcase its latest advancements in digital cutting and routing technology, demonstrating how businesses across print, display, packaging and signage can achieve greater precision, productivity and scalability.
The event will take place from 14 to 16 October 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, where Kongsberg will be exhibiting at Booth B80, Hall 4.
Coalville – Leicestershire – October 2026 – Innotech Digital & Display has concluded a successful first-time exhibition at The Print Show, held at the NEC over three days, unveiling its new Black Display Hardware Collection and demonstrating its materials in action through a series of industry partnerships.
The event marked a significant milestone for Innotech, offering the company its first opportunity to engage directly with the wider print community on this platform.
Visitors to the stand were able to explore product samples, view the newly launched Black Display Hardware Collection, and speak with the Innotech team about the latest developments in digital and display materials
Las Vegas – Nv -October 2026 – Durst Group AG has confirmed its first US customer orders for the Durst P5 350 CORE, following the system's debut at PRINTING United Expo.
The announcement caps a milestone year for the platform, which launched earlier in 2026 at FESPA Global Print in Barcelona and went on to win an EDP Award ahead of its US introduction.
The P5 350 CORE drew significant attention from attendees throughout the Expo, with interest converting directly into sales as the first American customers placed their orders on the show floor.
Altrincham- Cheshire – UK – October 2026 – Funkifabrics, a provider of fabrics for fashion and design, today highlighted a striking collection of garments created by renowned designer [theofficialglobegirls], which prominently features its textiles.
The collection showcases the versatility and quality of Funkifabrics' materials, reinforcing the company's commitment to supporting bold, creative expression across the fashion industry.
The collaboration, shared across Funkifabrics' social media channels, has already generated significant engagement from the fashion community, with many praising the craftsmanship and visual impact of the designs.
Belgrade, Serbia – October 2026 – Brother Industrial EMEA today announced that its GTX300 digital textile printer has been awarded the prestigious Gold Seal Award at Grafima 2026, the 46th International Fair of Graphic, Paper and Creative Industries, held in Belgrade.
The machine received top honours in the category "Digital Printing Machines for Textile Materials up to 160cm Wide", as judged by the fair's expert panel.
The Gold Seal Award recognises outstanding quality, innovation and professional capability within the graphic and textile printing industries.
Shanghai, China – October 2026 – FabricVision, a global innovator in textile production, has marked the successful completion of its first full year of operations, announcing ambitious expansion plans across both China and Europe.
The milestone was celebrated last week during China Expo in Shanghai, where the company convened with its team at Jinmao to review achievements and set strategic priorities for the year ahead.
The company's first year has been defined by rapid growth and deepening customer relationships, according to leadership.
Rapidity, a nearly 40-year-old London print and communications specialist, needed finishing equipment capable of matching the speed and complexity of its growing client roster, which includes Arsenal, Shell, and Aston Martin.
By partnering with Vivid Laminating Technologies and investing in three Veloblades, two Matrix systems, and an Easymount unit, Rapidity strengthened its production capabilities while maintaining the meticulous quality standards that have defined the business since 1986.
Klagenfurt - Austria – October 2026– Zimmer Austria, a global leader in textile printing and coating solutions, will be at IGATEX Pakistan 2026, one of the region's premier textile machinery exhibitions.
The company will exhibit its latest digital printing, screen printing, and coating technologies from 15–18 October 2026, at Hall 2, Booth F-2-09, in Karachi, Pakistan
Returning for the fifth time to Manchester’s GNCCF (Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair) are the GREEN GRADS,** 20 of the brightest of the UK’s new wave of eco-activists who have just graduated from universities all over the country, from Falmouth to Glasgow. The Fair runs from Thursday October 15 (private view) to Sunday October 18 (closes 4pm).
GREEN GRADS in the NORTH are taking over the 46 “changing cubicles” with their distinctive framework of blue cast iron, that fringe the gallery of Pool C, in the splendid Victoria Baths, Manchester. There is also a shop, curated by Laura Wigham, GREEN GRAD of 2024, with exclusive arts and crafts by GREEN GRAD makers from previous years.
Crewe, Cheshire – October 6th 2026 – Hybrid Services Ltd, the UK and Ireland distributor for Mimaki, has announced three dedicated demo days at its Crewe showroom, giving businesses a further opportunity to see the latest Mimaki machines in action.
Running from Tuesday 13th to Thursday 15th October, the drop-in sessions follow the machines' debut at The Print Show 2026 at the NEC Birmingham and are designed for those who missed the event, or want more time to explore the technology at their own pace.
Chesterfield, UK – October 2026 – Resolute DTF, a leading provider of direct-to-film printing solutions, has concluded its participation in The Print Show, last week, with an overwhelmingly positive response from attendees.
The event gave the company an opportunity to showcase its latest innovations in DTF and UV DTF printing technology to print businesses from across the industry.
Visitors to the Resolute DTF stand were given hands-on access to the company's expanding product range, including its R-JET PRO DTF and UVi-3D UV DTF printers, alongside its portfolio of inks, films, and finishing equipment.
Capurso, Italy – October - 2026 – Agfa Inkjet Solutions today announced that Digibux Print, an Italian digital print specialist, has invested in the Jeti Bronco H3300 HS, a 3.3-metre wide-format hybrid UV LED inkjet printer.
The investment marks a significant step in Digibux Print's evolution from digital print specialist to industrial production powerhouse, as the company expands its production capabilities to meet changing customer demands.
London, UK – 25 September 2026 – Sanderson Design Group PLC (AIM: SDG), the luxury interior furnishings group, today announced a 10-year licensing agreement with Dunelm for Designers Guild, the luxury interiors brand acquired by Dunelm in April 2025.
Under the Agreement, Sanderson Design Group has been granted the sole licence to design, manufacture and sell Designers Guild wallpapers, fabrics and paint worldwide.
The Agreement grants Sanderson Design Group access to Designers Guild's extensive archive design library, alongside the opportunity to create new designs under the brand, in exchange for a royalty fee paid to Dunelm
Zoetermeer - Netherlands - October 2026 – Papergraphics has announced that its Netherlands branch is now an accredited partner for Canon printers, bringing the acclaimed GP and PRO series to Dutch customers for the first time.
The accreditation builds on Papergraphics' long-standing Canon partnership in the UK, extending the same calibre of large-format printing hardware to the Dutch market.
Neuss – Germany – October 2026 – B-FLEX Italia has announced a partnership with Epson Deutschland GmbH to showcase the future of direct-to-film printing at the Epson Production Days event in October.
The collaboration will bring B-FLEX's DTF film and hot-melt powder together with Epson's SureColor G9000 printer in live, twin-roll demonstrations designed to show how materials and machinery combine to maximise both quality and output in real production settings
Las Vegas – NV – October 2026 – Greentex, a leading supplier of sustainable textiles for apparel, home goods and sportswear, successfully concluded its participation at Printing United 2026, where the company connected with customers, partners and industry professionals to showcase its latest eco-conscious fabric solutions.
The event brought together key players across the printing and textile industries, offering Greentex the opportunity to demonstrate how sustainable materials can meet the rigorous demands of modern digital printing and textile customisation.
Attendees had the chance to see live demonstrations of Greentex's fabric offerings, including its recycled polyester and BCI cotton ranges, both designed to reduce environmental impact without compromising on performance or quality.
Birmingham – UK – October 2026 – China Print Supplies UK Ltd has concluded a successful three-day exhibition at The Sign Show, where the company showcased its latest range of printers, cutting tables, and equipment bundles to industry professionals and visitors.
Throughout the event, the China Print Supplies UK team engaged with attendees, delivered live demonstrations of its machinery, and discussed how its growing product range can help signage and print businesses stay ahead in an increasingly competitive and sustainability-conscious market.
“We were thrilled with the turnout and engagement at this year's Sign Show. Conversations with visitors reinforced the direction we're taking as a business — one that puts innovation and responsible manufacturing at the forefront," said China Print Supplies UK Ltd.
Dorking – UK – October 2026 – FESPA has announced that its 2027 edition in Munich will bring together five specialist events into a single destination, offering exhibitors an unprecedented opportunity to reach audiences spanning print, signage, merchandising, wrapping and textiles.
The consolidated event reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of the speciality print and signage industries, where brands and suppliers are seeking more efficient ways to engage with buyers across multiple disciplines.
By combining five dedicated events, FESPA 2027 will enable exhibitors to showcase their offerings to a broader and more diverse audience, all within one venue
Leicester, UK – October 2026 – De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) will open a landmark exhibition celebrating the work of fashion icon Dame Zandra Rhodes, following her decision to donate a significant part of her personal archive to the university.
Zandra Rhodes: Archive Unfolded will showcase highlights from a donation spanning six decades of Rhodes' career, from 1964 to 2025, featuring thousands of objects including licensed work, press cuttings, film, opera material and colour transparencies.
The gift follows Dame Zandra's Honorary Doctorate of the Arts from DMU in 2023, when she announced her intention to place a key part of her archive with the university's Special Collections.
London, UK – September 2026 – ARTS THREAD hosted an in-person judging event for its Global Creative Graduate Showcase at the Zaha Hadid Gallery, Barbican, bringing together industry judges to evaluate the next generation of creative talent.
The event also marked the introduction of the ARTS THREAD Vault, a new initiative set to shape how creative work is archived and accessed.
The gathering reflects ARTS THREAD's ongoing commitment to supporting emerging creatives as they transition from education into industry, while also advancing the infrastructure that underpins creative recognition and opportunity on a global scale.
SOUTH NORMANTON, UK – October 2026 – Sun Chemical has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable innovation with the continued development of its Streamline™ aqueous ink solutions, as the graphics industry accelerates its transition towards water-based technology.
The shift comes amid rising demand for printing solutions that reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, minimise odour, and deliver vibrant, high-performance colour
Madrid, Spain – October 2026 – Roland DG, a global leader in digital printing and visual communication technology, is looking forward to its participation in C!Print Madrid 2027, taking place from 12 to 14 January 2027.
The company will present its evolving ecosystem of printing, automation, and branding solutions under its new positioning, "Make Your Mark," reflecting a shift from machine supplier to value-creation partner for brands and professionals across Europe.
Leicester, UK – October 2026 – VeriVide Limited, a leading provider of colour assessment and quality control solutions, today announced that it will take to the stage at the AATCC International Summit in Wilmington, United States, to present on the evolving landscape of colour evaluation technology.
Stephen Tongue and Chris Hipps, representing VeriVide, will deliver a session titled "Evolution of Visual and Digital Evaluation Tools for Color Assessment, Fastness Grading, and Stain Analysis."
The presentation will examine how colour evaluation practices have developed over time, exploring the enduring role of visual assessment alongside the growing adoption of digital tools for fastness grading and stain analysis.