Recyclable Digitally Printed Bibs Created By Italian Companies For The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships
Image By Courtesy of UCI
On the occasion of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, the Union Cycliste Internationale chose Santini to make the bibs from totally recyclable materials, reflecting its ever-growing commitment to sustainability.
The UCI's historic partner brought together a pool of companies, all in the Bergamo area (Italy): RadiciGroup, Sitip, EFI Reggiani and Acerbis.
In 2022, the Union Cycliste Internationale released the UCI Climate Action Charter, which lays out an action plan to advance the environmental sustainability of the sport with a specific principle to reduce waste and accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
This year, the UCI Cycling World Championships, which will be held from 3 to 13 August, are bringing together most of the cycling disciplines in a single location: Glasgow and across Scotland.
To mark the occasion, the UCI turned to its Official Partner, Santini, to make the bibs that the staff (judges, volunteers, commissaires etc.) and accredited photographers wear throughout the event.
To fulfil this request, Santini created a supply chain made up of five zero-mile companies, all located in the Province of Bergamo: RadiciGroup, Sitip, EFI Reggiani and Acerbis.
The bibs for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow and across Scotland are "eco-designed", which means they are specifically created to have a second life after use.
Once the event is over, the bibs could be collected and sent to RadiciGroup and transformed into new material, to be then processed by Acerbis to create X-Elite handguards for mountain bikes.
This project is a concrete example of the circular economy at work, allowing 100% of the materials used to be recovered.
The Production Cycle
To optimise the production cycle of the bibs for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, the products must be eco-friendly from the very first phase. The fabrics were therefore made from Italian nylon yarn produced by RadiciGroup.
The impressive properties of the yarn guarantees that the resulting material is comfortable, high-performance, soft and luxurious: ideal for technical sportswear.
The choice of nylon – an infinitely recyclable thermoplastic material – is strongly intertwined with UCI's sustainability goals for "limited-use" garments: RadiciGroup was able to channel its know-how and expertise in the field of chemistry to create "circular" bibs, working alongside the other partners.
As the innovative yarn selected by RadiciGroup allows for easy and high-quality printing, the fabric is also highly customisable, because sustainability does not mean sacrificing design, aesthetics or functionality. #
The yarn is then provided to Sitip to create the "ARAS NG" warp-knitted fabric (95 g/100 m2): a totally recyclable single-fibre material made from 100% polyamide.
The resulting fabric is the first nylon of its kind, designed to meet the transfer printing needs of the third project partner, EFI Reggiani, as well as the recyclability standards requested by RadiciGroup.
The choice of fabric was born from extensive applied research, in which EFI Reggiani tested a wide range of fabrics to find the best colour results and the best resistance to rubbing and perspiration, which is vital for the bibs' intended use.
In addition to using the new GOTS-certified EFI Reggiani IRIS Plus water-based inks, EFI Reggiani opted for a printing solution on transfer paper that does not consume water and requires a minimal amount of energy per square metre.
Finally, the white fabric from Sitip and the transfer paper printed by EFI Reggiani arrived at Santini, who were responsible for transferring all the graphics for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships bibs from the paper onto the fabric.
Santini also took care to assemble the garments using only thread and components made from nylon or chemically similar materials, allowing the bibs to enter the recycling process at the end of their lives without any further processing.
A Second Life For The Bibs
At the end of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow and across Scotland, the bibs used over the course of the eleven days could be transformed into new raw materials to be used again within the cycling world.
RadiciGroup has already verified that the recycling process is technically feasible at its plants specialising in the regranulation of recovered materials.
The resulting materials can be used by Acerbis to create a finished product: the X-Elite handguards, which are attached to the handlebars of some mountain bikes to protect the riders’ hands and shield the brake levers during falls.
The bibs for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships are therefore born from a zero-mile production process, which saw neighbouring companies come together to achieve the common goal of creating a remarkable recyclable product.
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.
What Is the Digital Product Passport?
At its core, a Digital Product Passport is a digital record attached to a physical product - For a printed textile product, this means the DPP would capture data on the substrate, inks and dyes used, the printing process and technology, chemical compliance, environmental impact (including water and energy use), supply chain traceability, and end-of-life instructions.
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.
Print is no longer defined by the inefficiencies that once characterised it…as advances in production processes and technology have significantly improved its environmental performance.
Taran Rai, Corporate Sustainability Manager at Epson explains why?
The story of what happens when young designers access digital technology is still being written.
What once was a theoretical sustainability goal seems to have shifted into an active regulatory reality.
WILMINGTON, Del., August 2026 – – DuPont has announced that its Artistri® Digital Printing Solutions are driving the next era of industrial direct-to-film (DTF) printing, moving beyond ink innovation to tackle the process challenges that now define productivity at scale.
Porthmadog, Wales – August 2026 – Vivid Laminating Technologies Ltd has completed the installation of its Razar print finishing system at Snowdonia Design & Print, marking the first Razar installation outside of England.
The milestone represents a significant step in the growing adoption of advanced, versatile finishing technology across the UK print sector.
Described as the "swiss army knife of print finishing", the Razar system brings a suite of high-precision capabilities to the Porthmadog-based printer
Sheffield, UK – Perfect Colours has been appointed the official UK distributor for Platinum Technologies International, the manufacturer formerly known as Liyu Technologies.
Announced in May at FESPA 2026, the partnership gives UK print businesses direct access to Platinum's full range of industrial large-format systems, backed by Perfect Colours' nationwide sales, installation, training, and engineering support.
The agreement covers Platinum Technologies' expanding portfolio of large-format printing equipment across the UK market, marking one of the most significant developments in Perfect Colours' recent history..
Wednesday, August 26, 2026 - Richmond, VA: Drytac, the leading international manufacturer of self-adhesive materials for the large-format print and signage markets, is delighted to announce its plans for PRINTING United Expo 2026.
As Drytac continues its 50th anniversary celebrations, visitors will have the opportunity to experience new products, award-winning solutions and live applications across the show floor, highlighting five decades of expertise in adhesive science and coated media
Wakayama, Japan – August 2026 – SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD., a leading provider of digital textile solutions, will exhibit at Première Vision Paris, held from 1st to 3rd September 2026 at Paris Nord Villepinte in France.
The company will present its latest innovations in the event's "Smart Creation" area, a space dedicated to technologies that unite sustainability and innovation.
At the heart of SHIMA SEIKI's exhibit is its approach to Digital Product Creation (DPC), a workflow designed to optimise product development while reducing environmental impact.
Emmerich am Rhein, Nordrhein-Westfalen – August 2026 – Brother Industrial EMEA has announced the launch of a new white ink formula for its entire GTX series of textile printers.
Developed in response to evolving EU requirements, the new formulation meets the latest environmental and chemical standards while preserving the print quality and performance the brand is known for.
The new white ink reflects Brother's ongoing commitment to more sustainable textile production.
Clay Cross – Derbyshire – August 2026 – Resolute DTF has announced that free waste ink disposal is available to every printer customer as a core component of its service package.
The offering is designed to remove the administrative, legal, and financial burden of hazardous waste compliance from print shops across the UK, regardless of the machine model they operate or the volume they produce.
Danver Ma – August 2026 – Inkcups, a leading innovator in inkjet printing technology, has announced its participation in PRINTING United 2026, where it will showcase the Helix High Throw cylindrical UV printer.
The award-winning machine will be live on the show floor, printing on stemless wine tumblers and bowls throughout the event.
Attendees will have the opportunity to see the Helix High Throw in action across a wide range of applications, including handled drinkware, wide-diameter pieces such as mini kegs, plant pots, and more.
Coalville – Leicestershire – August 2026 – Innotech, one of the UK's leading independent media suppliers, has announced a new strategic partnership with China Print Supplies UK Ltd.
The collaboration will see China Print Supplies UK Ltd showcase a curated selection of Innotech materials at The Print Show, with an exclusive promotional offer available to attendees.
Shawnee, KS – August , 2026 – Nazdar Ink Technologies today announced the appointment of Edward (Ed) Baiden as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective 8th September 2026.
The appointment marks a significant milestone for Nazdar as the company builds on its century-long legacy and charts a course for its next chapter of growth and innovation across the global printing industry.
From September 23 – 25, at PRINTING United 2026 (Las Vegas Convention Center), Kongsberg and MultiCam will showcase how connected production workflows enhance precision, productivity, and scalability across print, display, packaging and signage applications.
Bacup – Lancashire-August 2026 – Super Wide-Digital, a family-run trade digital print company based in the North West of England, has confirmed its participation in The Print Show 2026.
The company will exhibit at stand P440, positioned at the heart of Hall 1 at the NEC, marking a significant step in its ongoing commitment to connecting with trade and creative professionals across the industry
London, UK – 20 August 2026 – AVA CAD/CAM, a leading provider of design software and solutions for the textile and fashion industry, has announced its highly anticipated Top 10 to Watch 2026 list, recognising ten outstanding graduating textile designers from universities across the United Kingdom.
The announcement follows AVA's attendance at New Designers, the annual exhibition showcasing the UK's most promising creative graduates
Roland DG South Africa has announced it will launch the new TrueVis VG4-540 and VG4-640 eco-solvent print and cut devices at the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo.
The event is taking place from 8-10 September 2026, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, at Gallagher Convention Centre.
Altrincham – Cheshire – August 2926 – Friedmans Ltd, a UK-based textile manufacturer and digital printing specialist, has announced the expansion of its wholesale stretch fabric and digital printing services, offering designers, brands, and businesses an accessible route to fully customised fabric solutions with low minimum order quantities and fast turnaround times.
Frankfurt, Germany – August 2026 – Heimtextil, one of the world's leading trade fairs for home and contract textiles, has announced its return to Messe Frankfurt GmbH from 12 to 15 January 2027.
The event will once again transform its iconic home base into a showcase of the finest in woven, stitched, and draped textiles, reaffirming its position as the definitive gathering point for the global textile industry.
Rooted in the philosophy that everything starts at home, Heimtextil's return to Messe Frankfurt is a celebration of origins — both for the fair itself and for the broader world of interior textiles.
Derby – Derbyshire – UK – August 2026 – Vivid Laminating Technologies Ltd is pleased to announce that EBI Creative Print (Easibind International Ltd) has acquired not one, but two Veloblade Nexus cutting systems, reinforcing its position as one of the UK's most comprehensively equipped print facilities.
The purchase was made in partnership with Soyang Europe.
Goyang-si, South Korea – August 2026 – BARBIERI electronics, a leading innovator in colour measurement solutions, is set to exhibit at K-Print Korea, where the company will demonstrate its flagship Spectro LFP qb spectrophotometer at Booth L502.
Cape Town – South Africa – August 2026 – NUtec Digital Ink has announced that its Quartz Q50-HYB UV-curable hybrid ink has been awarded GREENGUARD Gold Certification and is now listed in the UL Spot database.
The certification marks a significant milestone in the company's ongoing commitment to developing high-performance ink solutions that meet the highest standards for environmental responsibility.
Tirana, Albania – August 2026 – Kridia ArtPrinting Solutions, an Albanian print and interior décor specialist, has announced its adoption of Roland DG's Dimense textured printing technology, positioning the company as the only provider of locally produced, custom embossed wallpaper in Albania.
By integrating the Dimense DA-640, the Dimense Module, and Roland DG Connect Designer into its production workflow, Kridia has significantly improved design efficiency, creative output, and turnaround times across its interior décor projects.
Echbolsheim – France – August 2026 – Caldera has announced that its Direct-to-Film software now supports the Brother DTRX100, one of the most advanced integrated direct-to-film (DTF) production systems available on the market today.
The development extends Caldera's growing portfolio of compatible DTF devices, offering print professionals greater flexibility in their choice of production hardware.
The Brother DTRX100 is a 32-inch roll-to-roll DTF printer engineered for high-volume, continuous production environments.
Rock Hill - SC – August 17, 2026 – SDL Atlas, a global leader in textile testing instruments, has announced the launch of the Vortex Elite, the most advanced instrument in its trusted Vortex series of AATCC Monograph wash testing equipment.
Building on the proven performance of the Vortex M6 and Vortex Plus, the Vortex Elite delivers high-precision, automatic dispensing of multiple liquid components, setting a new benchmark for accuracy, repeatability, and efficiency in textile wash testing.
Birmingham, UK – August 2026 – Epson has announced its participation in The Print Show and The Sign Show 2026, taking place from 29 September to 1 October at the NEC Birmingham.
Visitors to the Epson stand will have the opportunity to explore the company's latest professional printing technologies through live demonstrations, gaining direct insight into how UV, Direct-to-Film (DTF), dye-sublimation and signage solutions can unlock new revenue streams and support business growth.
Raleigh – NC – Aigust 2026 - North Carolina State University has been chosen to lead a 10-year Department of War initiative aimed at modernizing textile manufacturing in the United States to support the defense industry.
The FutureTEX award – which includes $36 million in its first year and has a ceiling of $480 million over a decade – brings together industry, government, university and nonprofit partners to advance manufacturing technologies of textiles for military and domestic applications.
London, UK – August 2026 – UK-based sign and graphics specialist Signs Express has successfully delivered a striking retail installation for the England World Cup Fanatics Shop Experience on London's iconic Carnaby Street, using a range of printable media and laminates from global adhesive media manufacturer Drytac.
Reken – Germany – August 2026 – FabricVision GmbH, a textile and fabric solutions company, has announced a significant operational milestone, marking nearly one year of intensive infrastructure development with the installation of a sign outside its warehouse facility.
While the sign itself may appear modest, it represents the culmination of a year defined by substantial investment and operational transformation
Mexico City, Mexico – August 2026 – HP Graphic Arts has announced its participation in FESPA Mexico 2026, taking place from 10–12 September at Centro Banamex, Mexico City.
The HP Large Format team will be on-site to present its latest advancements in HP Latex and HP DesignJet technologies, offering print professionals a firsthand look at the future of large format printing.
FESPA Mexico is one of Latin America's foremost events for the print and visual communications industry, drawing together professionals, partners, and businesses seeking to stay ahead of an increasingly competitive market
Bracknel – Berkshire - August 2026 – UFABRIK, a leader in high-performance textile solutions, today highlights one of its latest innovation: the UFabrik Opaque Textile ECO.
Engineered for retail, events, exhibitions, banners, and soft signage applications, this groundbreaking blockout textile sets a new standard for sustainable, high-quality print media.
The UFabrik Opaque Textile ECO has been developed to deliver ultimate colour reproduction with both UV and Latex inks.
SOUTH NORMANTON, UK – August 2026 – Sun Chemical, a leading producer of printing inks, coatings, and supplies, has announced its participation in the 27th International Advertising Industry and Digital Printing Technologies Exhibition, SIGN İstanbul.
The company will exhibit at Hall 5, Booth 5C09, where it will present its latest innovations across textile printing, graphics, and packaging solutions to industry professionals from across the region.
Soyang Europe has strengthened its hardware team with the appointments of Andy Webb as Commercial Director and Ian Windebank as Wide-Format Print Specialist.
Both join Soyang with immediate effect, bringing decades of combined experience across print technology, hardware sales, customer support and the wider print industry.