Textile Innovation

World Textile Information Network

Join the World Textile Information Network (WTiN) as it welcomes a new special guest from the textile & apparel industry every two weeks. Tune in to hear the latest innovations and unmatched intelligence and insight on a global scale. From key manufacturers and textile technology hubs in Asia, the Americas, Europe and more, we speak with key opinion leaders, CEOs and start-ups – covering innovation across the entire textile & apparel value chain, plus external and influencing factors such as legislation, sustainability, digitalisation and trade.

To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following World Textile Information Network (WTiN) on LinkedIn, or email content@wtin.com or aturner@wtin.com. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com. Stay in the know with daily updates from WTiN when you sign up to the site.

You can find breaking stories, exclusive features and one-on-one interviews, long-form analysis, patents and event information all in one place. Intro music is a royalty free track from Music Unlimited on Pixabay.

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September 15 · 29 min
Ep. 158: Navigating the impact of AI in textiles
WTiN speaks to Anna Triponel, CEO and founder of Human Level about how the fashion and textile industry are responding to the role of artificial intelligence (AI) across the supply chain. Human Level is an advisory firm that propels businesses to be human rights proactive in a rapidly changing climate. In the fashion and textile industry Human Level works with a wide range of companies to help design human rights and sustainability strategies that meet external and human rights expectations. In this episode, Triponel speaks about the role of AI and automation in textile sector. She delves into how digitalisation is driving change within the industry and what the biggest risks for workers and other actors in the supply chain are. We also touch upon the EU’s AI Act, which addresses the risks of AI and positions Europe to play a leading role globally. Triponel also speaks about where AI can improve work and create value and what business leaders should be doing now to keep up and stay ahead of this change. Throughout the episode Triponel references The United Nations (UN)’s Preliminary Report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI: Evidence-based assessment of opportunities, risks and impacts of AI. Learn more at wearehumanlevel.com.
September 1 · 37 min
Ep. 157: Building a textiles bioeconomy
WTiN speaks with Carla Silva, director of chemistry and biotechnology at the Technological Centre for the Portuguese Textile and Clothing Industry (CITEVE). CITEVE promotes innovation, sustainability, technological excellence and competitiveness across Europe’s textile and apparel sector. Based in Portugal the organisation has been running a project to shirt the textile and apparel sector toward sustainable, circular and biobased models. be@t (Bioeconomy for Textiles and Clothing) is a EU€138m Portuguese initiative running from July 2022 to the end of 2026 with backing from Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan and the European Union. In this episode Silva speaks about how Be@t brings together 56 entities in search of solutions for the conversion of the textile and clothing sectors on topics such as traceability and transparency, ecodesign and ecoengineering, impact and new sustainability metrics. She touches upon what the project has achieved and what this means for Portuguese manufacturing, and the wider European landscape. For more information please visit bioeconomy-at-textiles.com and citeve.pt.
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August 18 · 48 min
Ep. 156: Ability of cross-industry collaboration
WTiN speaks with Priyanka Khanna, innovation director – scaling at Fashion For Good and Marianella Cervi, global head of programmes at The Fashion Pact about the organisations’ initiative, the Circular Fibre Collective. The Circular Fibre Collective is a first-of-its-kind cross-industry initiative designed to accelerate the adoption and scaling of textile-to-textile (T2T) recycled and next-generation fibres across the global fashion industry. Estimates suggest that, if fully mobilised across the sector, up to 2 million tonnes of T2T recycled and next-generation material capacity could be achieved, helping to unlock the share of these materials to grow from less than 1% towards 8% of global fibre production by 2030, according to the Boston Consulting Group and Fashion for Good report. Cervi and Khanna speak about how the initiative was formed and what it can offer the industry. By joining forces to support shared objectives and collectively drive demand signals for these materials, they are optimistic the industry can unlock investment and scale T2T recycled and next-generation fibres. They touch upon the challenges the industry faces when it comes to implementing and scaling T2T recycling technologies and the funding it requires. To learn more please visit thefashionpact.org.
August 4 · 37 min
Ep. 155: Can digitalisation derisk supply chains
WTiN speaks with Cam Myers, CEO and founder of CreateMe about how digitalisation can help protect global supply chains against geopolitical uncertainty. CreateMe is a US-based AI robotics company pioneering automated manufacturing for soft materials, starting with apparel. Myers speaks about how the company has advanced and developed digital solutions for global apparel supply chains and touches upon the benefits of this in an uncertain economic climate. We also touch upon how recent events such as Covid-19 and US President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements have affected the apparel industry worldwide. Additionally, we speak about how digitalisation can go someway to enabling and aiding in de-risking apparel supply chains and what this risk looks like for different actors. Find out more at createme.com.
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July 21 · 31 min
Ep. 154: Implementing T2T recycling worldwide
WTiN speaks to Kirsi Roine, senior director of business operations at Accelerating Circularity. Accelerating Circularity is a non-profit focused on textile-to-textile recycling systems at commercial scale through a collaborative stakeholder led approach. In this episode Roine speaks about scaling textile-to-textile recycling, and how it can be implemented worldwide. We also touch upon the challenges that different regions may face when it comes to integrating circular technologies. Roine also touches upon how difficult it can be for innovators in this space and the risks that the entire industry must consider when it comes to creating and integrating circular technologies. She also speaks about the importance of consumer education and how Accelerating Circularity is supporting the industry in this circular transition. Learn more at acceleratingcircularity.org.
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July 7 · 28 min
Ep. 153 How to prepare for incoming ESPR
WTiN speaks with Aimee Campanella, development director for textile EPR at Reconomy about incoming ban of the destruction of unsold apparel clothing accessories and footwear on 19 July 2026. Reconomy is a UK-based circular economy specialist, supporting businesses in their compliance journey. The textile industry is approaching a period of significant regulatory and operational transformation. In this episode Campanella speaks about the incoming EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which includes a landmark ban on the destruction of unsold apparel clothing accessories and footwear to reduce textile waste and carbon emissions. The ban is coming into place on 19 July 2026. Campanella speaks through what brands and manufacturers need to know and how they can prepare for this regulation. We also touch upon Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and how Reconomy can support textiles businesses as they navigate this complex compliance landscape. Campanella delves into the resources Reconomy offers businesses such as its Redress programme, which offers services to help businesses understand legal obligations as the EU presses ahead with EPR legislation. Find out more at reconomy.com.
June 23 · 48 min
Ep. 152: Building circular business models
WTiN speaks to Patrik Frisk, CEO of textiles-to-textile regeneration company, Reju. WTiN speaks to the leaders in textile manufacturing about the trends and advancements shaping the textile industry. In this episode, WTiN’s managing director, Madelaine Thomas, speaks to Patrik Frist, CEO of Reju. Reju is a textiles-to-textile regeneration company focused on circular polyester manufacturing. Throughout his career, Frisk has led many major apparel and footwear brands. Throughout the episode he shares his knowledge and how his experience has shaped the way he leads circular textile business models and integrates textile-to-textile recycling into supply chains. Frisk also touches upon how Technip Energies, a leading engineering and technology company for the energy transition, and creator of Reju, works with Reju and other industry experts to turn waste polyester and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into infinitely recyclable materials. Learn more at reju.com.
June 9 · 22 min
Ep. 151: Chemical bans in textile finishing
WTiN speaks with Begoña Garcia, environmental impact measurement director at Jeanologia, about chemical bans in the textile finishing sector. Jeanologia is a Spanish technology company specialising in sustainable, eco-efficient denim finishing technologies. Garcia speaks about how sustainability in the denim finishing sector has evolved. She delves into what brands and consumers are requiring and desiring from their garments. During the episode we discuss how chemical bans are changing the sector, with a particular focus on how the ZDHC Foundation has added potassium permanganate to its chemical watchlist. Garcia explains how Jeanologia has developed solutions to eliminate the harmful chemical from manufacturing processes. Additionally, Garcia touches upon what she believes governments should be prioritising when it comes to chemicals in the textile finishing sector and how departments such as environmental impact measurement can influence decision-making. Learn more at jeanologia.com.
May 26 · 33 min
Ep. 150: Navigating CSDDD and other regulations
WTiN speaks to Anna Triponel, CEO and founder of Human Level about how the fashion and textile industry can navigate the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Human Level is an advisory firm that propels businesses to be human rights proactive in a rapidly changing climate. In the fashion and textile industry Human Level works with a wide range of companies to help design human rights and sustainability strategies that meet external and human rights expectations. In this episode, Triponel speaks about her role in forming the CSDDD, which requires companies to identify, prevent and mitigate human rights and environmental risks in their operations and global value chains. She also delves into the main challenges facing the fashion and textile industry when it comes to implementing incoming regulations. Additionally, Triponel speaks about how the industry is transitioning towards net zero and digitalisation. Learn more at wearehumanlevel.com.
May 12 · 28 min
Ep. 149: Durability at centre of circular design
WTiN speaks with Mark Sumner, textiles programme lead at WRAP in the second of a two-part episode about policy and regulations driving circularity and durability in textiles. This is the second episode in a two-part series with Mark Sumner, textiles programme lead at global environmental action NGO, WRAP. In this episode, Sumner delves into durability in textiles and how this influences circularity. He analyses what durability means to individuals and what consumers have come to expect from their garments. In this context, Sumner speaks at length about policy informing garment design and choices. He details how data will have the ability and power to influence policy as we move forward, with more accurate results that can inform design principles. Additionally, we speak about WRAP’s Footprint Tool, which helps users navigate the complexities of the life cycle of textile products. It provides data on the full life cycle impacts of textiles and is used by retailers and brands. Learn more at wrap.ngo.
April 28 · 31 min
Ep. 148: Building a circular economy
WTiN speaks to Teresa Krug, chief product officer at US-based textile-to-textile recycling innovator, Circ. WTiN speaks to the leaders in textile manufacturing about the trends and advancements shaping the textile industry. In this episode, we are joined by Teresa Krug, chief product officer at Circ. Circ is a US-based textile-to-textile recycling innovator working towards building circular future for fashion. Krug speaks about Circ’s advancements in mechanical recycling and how Circ unites brands with global suppliers to accelerate the adoption of textile-to-textile recycled materials. She also touches upon the challenges Circ is working to overcome in this space, and how she fosters a culture of continuous innovation and learning. Additionally, we touch upon the potential in cross industry collaboration when it comes to building a circular economy. You can learn more at circ.earth.
April 14 · 33 min
Ep. 147: Frameworks for circular textile design
WTiN speaks with Mark Sumner, textiles programme lead at WRAP in the first of a two-part episode about policy and regulations driving circularity and durability in textiles. This is the first episode in a two-part series with Mark Sumner, textiles programme lead at global environmental action NGO, WRAP. In the next two episodes, Sumner will speak about policy frameworks and legislation that is driving circularity in the textile industry. During this first episode he explores the evolution of Wrap’s Roadmap to Circularity to the Roadmap for its Textiles Pact. The UK Textiles Pact (formerly Textiles 2030) is the UK’s leading voluntary initiative supporting businesses and organisations within the fashion and textiles industry to transition to more sustainable and circular practices by the end of the decade. The roadmap, meanwhile, charts the course for navigating the climate-critical years, from 2026 to 2030. It establishes priority indicators and actions to scale progress and achieve the Pact’s targets, while encouraging flexibility in individual business pathways. Sumner touches upon the regulation and policy and speaks about where he believes the priorities lie for the textile and fashion industry. Learn more at wrap.ngo.
March 31 · 41 min
Ep. 146: Introducing DPPs to the resale market
WTiN Textile Innovation Podcast speaks to Muhammad Kharodia, founder and CTO of Designer Kids Club (DKC) and Matthew Ekholm, strategic engagements manager at Provenant. Designer Kids Club (DKC) is a preloved children’s clothing company that resales the likes of Prada, Fendi and Moschino. It has partnered with Provenant - a specialist provider of Digital Product Passport (DPP) to launch ReLuxe Story™ - the first-ever DPP-powered platform in childrenswear. ReLuxe Story™ gives each garment a digital profile, offering insight into provenance, sustainability data, and resale readiness. It’s designed to create a “complete loop” system for luxury childrenswear, helping consumers and brands actively participate in a more transparent and circular fashion economy. In this episode DKC’s founder and CTO Muhammad Kharodia speaks about the importance of traceability and DPPs within the children’s resale market. Kharodia is has led high profile transformation programmes, driven complex strategic initiatives and delivered large scale digital solutions. Meanwhile, Matthew Ekholm, strategic engagements manager at Provenant, is a DPP and circularity specialist, focused on helping businesses understand what DPPs can mean for their business, understanding and translating customer needs into value- adding solutions. In this episode, both Kharodia and Ekholm unpack the potential and power of DPPs. They analyse what circularity looks like in childrenswear and how resale, data and transparency are reshaping fashion. For more information please visit provenant.com and designerkidsclub.com.
March 17 · 27 min
Ep. 145: Biobased alternative wins textile award
In this special podcast series, we speak to the winners of the WTiN Innovate Textile Awards 2025. World Textile Information Network (WTiN) is thrilled to announce the winners of the Innovate Textile Awards 2025. In this special podcast series we speak with the winners of the awards about the challenges, possibilities and successes of innovation within the textile industry. In this final episode of the series we are joined by our Innovation of the Year winner – Yulex. The WTiN Innovation of the Year Award honours the industry's most groundbreaking developments. It recognises advancements that push boundaries and set new standards. In this episode Yulex’s CEO Liz Bui speaks to us about the company’s award-winning innovation Yulastic - a biobased elastic to replace spandex. Launched in 2025, Yulastic is a fine, natural rubber filament harvested from the Hevea brasiliensis tree. It is fully renewable, responsibly sourced and as Bui explains hopes to become the ‘go-to stretch fibre for brands looking to reduce their reliance on synthetic materials. Bui speaks about the advancement of Yulastic and how Yulex has grown its product offering in recent years. She speaks about the need for the textile industry to look towards biobased alternatives to synthetic fibres and how innovators can help brands and manufacturers adopt these alternatives. She also touches upon adoption throughout the supply chain and how Yulex designs products with existing production machinery in mind. You can learn more about Yulex at yulex.com. WTiN announced the winners in a virtual ceremony on 5 December 2025, which you can now watch on demand atWTiN.com.
March 3 · 15 min
Ep. 144: Advancing aerogel insulation
In this special podcast series, we speak to the winners of the WTiN Innovate Textile Awards 2025. World Textile Information Network (WTiN) is thrilled to announce the winners of the Innovate Textile Awards 2025. In this special podcast series we speak with the winners of the awards about the challenges, possibilities and successes of innovation within the textile industry. In this episode, we are joined by Martin Bentz, CEO at Outlast Technologies. Outlast won the Material Innovation Award for its Aersulate fabric, a high-performance insulation. Aersulate textiles combine its high-performance material aerogel with various textile carrier materials. In this episode, Bentz speaks about how the company is setting new standards for insulation under challenging conditions. He explains how the technology works and how the company has continued its development and success. Additionally, Bentz delves into why it is important for companies, which are innovating, to develop brand stories. He touches upon how this can help innovators position themselves within textile markets as trends continue to shape it. You can learn more about Outlast Technologies at outlast.com. WTiN announced the winners in a virtual ceremony on 5 December 2025, which you can now watch on demand at WTiN.com.
February 17 · 25 min
Ep. 143: Sustainability winner
In this special podcast series, we speak to the winners of the WTiN Innovate Textile Awards 2025. World Textile Information Network (WTiN) is thrilled to announce the winners of the Innovate Textile Awards 2025. In this special podcast series we speak with the winners of the awards about the challenges, possibilities and successes of innovation within the textile industry. In this episode, we are joined by Özer Yilmaz, co-founder and technical director at Canapa Paper Technologies. Canapa won the Sustainability Award for its DTpaper Transfer Media for the digital textile printing industry. The Sustainability Award recognises groundbreaking advancements in chemistry, materials and production processes that significantly reduce the environmental impact of the textile and apparel industry. In this episode, Yilmaz speaks through the evolution of Canapa’s product and technology. He delves into the importance of sustainable manufacturing and explains how the company endeavours to bridge the gap between performance and sustainability, while creating durable, high-performance, scalable solutions for digital textile printing. You can learn more about Canapa at canapa.com.tr. WTiN announced the winners in a virtual ceremony on 5 December 2025, which you can now watch on demand atWTiN.com.
February 3 · 21 min
Ep. 142: WTiN awards celebrate power in robotics
In this special podcast series, we speak to the winners of the WTiN Innovate Textile Awards 2025. World Textile Information Network (WTiN) is thrilled to announce the winners of the Innovate Textile Awards 2025. In this special podcast series we speak with the winners of the awards about the challenges, possibilities and successes of innovation within the textile industry. In this episode, we are joined by Anna Talvi, senior research fellow at Robotics Living Lab (RoLL). RoLL won the Manufacturing & Supply Chain Award for its novel research facility designed to support innovation for onshore fashion production. The award celebrates pioneering advancements in machinery, software and processing techniques that transform the textile & apparel industry. In this episode Talvi speaks through RoLL’s inception and how it develops robotic solutions for the fashion industry. The lab opened early in 2025 after it was awarded GBP£3.8m by the Arts and Humanities research Council (AHRC). RoLL explores more sustainable approaches for fashion manufacturing. It sees fashion researchers, designers and manufacturers working together with robots to create high-value, low-volume fashion. Talvi delves into how it is advancing robotics and how robots can be used effectively in fashion and textile supply chains. You can learn more about RoLL at @robotics_living_lab. WTiN announced the winners in a virtual ceremony on 5 December 2025, which you can now watch on demand atWTiN.com.
January 27 · 22 min
Ep. 141: DNA-based traceability
WTiN Textile Innovation Podcast speaks to Dr. Gediminas Mikutis, co-founder & chief technology officer at Haelixa. Haelixa is a Swiss technology company, spun off from ETH Zürich, that provides DNA-based traceability for industries including textiles. The traceable technology enables brands to verify material origins and claims to enhance supply chain transparency. Already Haelixa is used by brands including Hugo Boss. In this episode Mikutis outlines the numerous benefits of supply chain traceability within the textile industry. He touches upon compliance and upcoming regulations as an industry push towards building greater transparency. Haelixa uses natural DNA from native mountain herbs to mark and trace fibres like organic cotton and cashmere. Mikutis explains how Haelixa is able to imprint textiles with its DNA technology to trace fibres’ origins at every stage of the supply chain. Throughout the episode Mikutis uses and references real world case studies to illustrate why Haelixa’s work is not only important, but essential, to the textile industry moving forward. If you would like to learn more, please visit haelixa.com.
January 20 · 13 min
Ep. 140: Changemaker Winner
In this special podcast series, we speak to the winners of the WTiN Innovate Textile Awards 2025. World Textile Information Network (WTiN) is thrilled to announce the winners of the Innovate Textile Awards 2025. In this special podcast series we speak with the winners of the awards about the challenges, possibilities and successes of innovation within the textile industry. In the second episode, we are joined by Alexander Grüner, global business development manager, emtec Electronic. Emtec Electronic won the Changemakers award for Tactile Sensation Analyser and cloud-based Virtual Haptic Library. The emtec TSA Tactile Sensation Analyser evaluates parameters such as surface softness, surface smoothness, stretch and recovery, thermo-haptic properties, friction, and crumple or drape behaviour. This level of detailed analysis allows textile manufacturers to maintain the highest standards of quality and comfort in their products. One of the standout features of the updated TSA device is its integration with the cloud-based Virtual Haptic Library. Developed in collaboration with Black Swan Textiles, this innovative online database digitises and categorises TSA sample data, making it accessible to authorized personnel worldwide in real-time. Grüner speaks about the company’s development and journey. He details how it started out in the pulp and paper industry but how interest from manufacturers including the likes of Lenzing opened doors for emtec in the textile space. You can learn more about emtec Electronic at emtec-electronic.de. WTiN announced the winners in a virtual ceremony on 5 December 2025, which you can now watch on demand at WTiN.com.
January 13 · 40 min
Ep. 139: Power of education and collaboration
In this episode of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast we speak John Higginson, CEO of Eco Age. Welcome back to WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast. In our first episode of 2026 we are joined by John Higginson, CEO and founder of Higginson Strategy and CEO of Eco Age. In today’s episode we focus on Higginson’s work with UK-based Eco Age – a consultancy and media platform focused on transforming the fashion and beauty industries towards greater sustainability. Throughout the episode we speak about the work that Eco Age does, who it works with and how it is informing consumers nation and worldwide. Higginson touches upon his background in politics and how legislation is powered by the consumer, plus how it will change the industry moving forward. He speaks about the power of collaboration and education for brands, manufacturers and consumers. Additionally, we speak about the power of events such as The Green Carpet Fashion Awards (GCFA), which unites creative visionaries and industry leaders to celebrate excellence in innovation and transformative impact on a global scale. There are many companies that Eco Age works with such as Textile Genesis, Sparxell and Healixa, which we also mention throughout the podcast. If you would like to learn more, please visit eco-age.com.

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