Q + A

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High end to High Street

Specialty materials developer Eastman launched a new version of its Naia yarn earlier this year. Here, the company’s general manager for textiles, Ruth Farrell, explains the benefits of the new product, Naia Lyte.What do you say when people ask you for a brief explanation of what Naia is? Naia is a cellulosic acetate yarn. It is wood-based...

Where is innovation going?
President of fabric solutions provider Concept III, Chris Parkes, argues that...
Haglöfs’ next chapter
Swedish outdoor brand Haglöfs, founded in 1914, designs, develops and markets...
Edu Uribesalgo, innovation and sustainability director at Ternua – Monomaterials master
Basque outdoor brand Ternua has integrated circular and sustainability...
An eye for innovation
David Parkes, founder of Concept III. David Parkes is famous in the outdoor...
Changes in China
Vincent Djen, director of Cheng Kung Garments (CKG)

11 September 2024

Positive energy – Andy Dong, founder of Dry-Tex

Founder of China-based performance fabric developer Dry-Tex, Andy Dong, shares insight into some of his newest ideas, from using salt to generate clean energy for steam dyeing, to convincing major brands of polypropylene’s positive attributes.

22 May 2024

The fight against ‘human’ climate change

Acting chief executive of the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), Emma Zwiebler, says that current levels of physical inactivity represent an existential threat to the industry.

27 March 2024

A storied past meets a sustainable future

Daniel Odermatt, brand director, Ventile. Performance cotton fabric Ventile, initially made in the UK but now under the ownership of Switzerland-based Stotz & Co, marked its 80th anniversary in 2023.

12 December 2023

“We are watching EU regulations carefully”

Austrian fibre company Lenzing has a team dedicated to following and provisioning for the EU’s new textiles regulations. Its head of global business development for denim, Tuncay Kiliçkan, explains how the business can be a partner for brands looking to reuse waste and explains why partnerships are so important when it comes to addressing the big picture.

22 March 2023

In 18 months, it’s over. Dr Rüdiger Fox, Sympatex CEO

With new legislation in the US and stricter measures implemented by sustainable chemicals organisations ZDHC, bluesign and Oeko-Tex, the use of PFAS and possibly fluoropolymers is on its way out.

12 October 2022

Joe Nocito, international sales manager, Darn Tough Socks

Outdoor sock brand Darn Tough says it is in a period of intense growth and that it intends to push ahead with plans for international expansion. However, a strong commitment to its local community in Vermont remains at the core of its strategy.

01 June 2022

Proud heritage

Specialist fabric manufacturer Pontetorto is celebrating its seventieth anniversary this year.

23 March 2022

Cindy McNaull, Cordura business development director, Invista.

Cordura business development director at Invista, Cindy McNaull, believes the brand’s new re/cor recycled nylon 6.6 fabrics score well in terms of sustainability, but also meet its strict standards for abrasion resistance and tear strength.

08 December 2021

Sports shoes save the day

Germany’s main shoe industry association, HDSL, whose members include many famous names in sports and outdoor footwear, reported half-year growth in 2021, but secretary general, Manfred Junkert, says there are still difficult challenges ahead.

29 September 2021

Sagee Aran, Nilit – Nylon 6.6 and the end of greenwashing

H ead of global marketing at Nilit, the world’s biggest producer of nylon 6.6 yarns, Sagee Aran, is convinced his company has a contribution to make in helping the textile and garment industry lower its impact on the environment.

09 June 2021

Think zinc

Dr Vikram Gopal, chief technology officer of Ascend Performance Materials.

16 March 2021

Julian Lings: Nature’s champion

Julian Lings, senior sustainability manager for outdoor brands at VF Corporation.

19 November 2020

Gavin Thompson: Parkas and polar bears

Gavin Thompson: vice-president for corporate citizenship, Canada Goose. The role that Gavin Thompson plays at Canada Goose includes helping the outdoor brand connect effectively with important partners.

24 September 2020