A collective research programme to boost innovation in sustainable processes and develop industrial synergies in Portugal has brought together a consortium of textile and apparel manufacturers, research institutes and universities to unlock a circular, biobased and digital-ready ‘bioeconomy’.

Odour-capturing technologies are replacing traditional antimicrobial solutions to keep clothing smelling fresh. They are now being paired with complementary cooling and fibre-shedding mitigation to better align with evolving personal and environmental concerns.

The sentiment at the Italian fair was that manufacturing needs to be put back in the spotlight to differentiate high-end textiles.

Makers of waterproof-breathable membranes have been pressured to phase out PFAS chemistry, arguably its foundational chemical compound, leading to the overhaul of the offerings of legacy suppliers.