In the dynamic and global textile fiber industry with its various manufacturing processes and end-uses, news and information is breaking on a daily basis. International Fiber Journal is tracking stories relevant to our industry from manmade to natural to bio-based fibers, innovations in nonwoven, woven, braided and technical textiles, technologies for additives, bonding, coatings and polymers, and applications from apparel to hygiene to transportation, and more. Here we will post news stories relevant to textile fibers and their downstream applications on an ongoing basis. Please check back for regular updates. If you have news that you feel should be added to this summary report, please email it to Ken Norberg at ken@ifj.com.
Most recent update: March 14, 2025
American Textile Company Named AAFA’s 2025 Company of the Year
American Textile Company (ATC) has been named the 2025 American Image Awards Company of the Year by the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA). This prestigious award, presented at the American Image Awards Gala on April 29, 2025 in New York City, recognizes exceptional leadership, achievement, and innovation within the fashion, textile, and footwear industries. AAFA’s selection highlights ATC’s century-long journey and commitment to excellence.
American Textile was founded in 1925 by the five Ruttenberg brothers in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood. They secured a patent for the first ironing board cover in 1939, which became a mainstay of the Sears Roebuck catalog for decades. From their humble beginnings, ATC today manufactures and sells bedding products to every major retailer in the U.S., and a growing roster of international customers. The company has operations across the U.S., Central America, and Asia employing more than 1,000 associates.
“Being named the AAFA’s 2025 American Image Awards Company of the Year is a tremendous honor for American Textile Company,” said Lance Ruttenberg, ATC President and CEO. “This award reflects our continued commitment to U.S. manufacturing and innovation and showcases the transformative power of leveraging global supply chains while prioritizing domestic job creation.”
INDA Unveils Conference Program for IDEA®25 Focused on Driving Sustainability in Nonwovens
NDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced the program for IDEA®25, a two-day Sustainability in Nonwovens Conference. IDEA25 will take place April 29-May 1, at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida.
IDEA25 will feature a dynamic lineup of expert speakers and panel discussions addressing pressing issues and transformative solutions to foster a more sustainable future. The full program is available on the website.
The conference will include engaging sessions on various pertinent topics such as regulatory trends, data and technology, innovative and sustainable materials, hemp and natural fibers, bioplastics, equipment and processes, and integrating sustainability throughout the lifecycle of products.
Highlights of the IDEA25 Sustainability Conference
April 29:
- Navigating the Shifting Winds of Sustainability Regulations: Gain U.S. and European Union perspectives on compliance and innovation in the face of evolving regulations
- “In God We Trust… All Others Bring Data”: Learn how to craft a believable and transparent sustainability story
- Innovative and Sustainable Materials: Discover how green product development starts with greener nonwovens
- Hemp Fibers in Nonwovens: Explore the potential of hemp and other natural fibers and their applications in sustainable products
April 30:
- Cradle to Grave Bioplastics: Understand the importance of ensuring sustainability in the use of bioplastics from the beginning to the end-of-life
- Design for Sustainability: Explore the impact of product and process design on overall product sustainability, during two sessions
- Cradle to Next Life: Challenge the “to the grave” mentality and explore strategies for product reincarnation
The IDEA25 conference will bring together industry professionals to share knowledge and strategies to advance sustainable practices, highlighting the need for ongoing innovation, regulatory compliance, and incorporating eco-friendly materials to foster a more sustainable future.
The conference is an integral part of IDEA, the premier event for the nonwoven and engineered fabric industry. Hundreds of companies from around the globe representing the entire global supply chain will showcase their latest innovations at the exhibition.
To register for IDEA25, visit the event website: ideashow.org
Datacolor Launches Next Generation Precision Portable Spectrophotometers
Datacolor, a global leader in color management solutions, announces the launch of the Datacolor Spectro P Series, a next-generation portable spectrophotometer platform engineered for demanding industrial environments where consistent color quality control (QC) is essential.
Ensuring consistent color quality in plastic, automotive, textile, paint, and coating applications is challenging due to variations in manufacturing conditions, materials, and processes. The Spectro P Series addresses these challenges by providing highly accurate and repeatable measurements from the lab to the production floor, ensuring consistency across batches.
The Spectro P Series debuts with two advanced models, the Spectro P200 and Spectro P300, designed to set new standards in portable spectrophotometry for precise and consistent color quality control.
The Spectro P200 delivers dependable performance with a single-aperture design, Bluetooth connectivity, and rugged durability for daily QC tasks. For advanced capabilities, the P300 offers dual-aperture flexibility, UV calibration, gloss assessment, WiFi connectivity, and capturing and storing sample images for enhanced traceability.
Kimberly-Clark Nanjing Expands Baby Diaper, Feminine Napkin Capacities
The phase III expansion project of Kimberly-Clark Nanjing, China facility was kicked off in February 2025, according to the local government of Nanjing, China and news reports. High speed hygiene production lines will be added for manufacturing baby diapers and feminine napkins. The main body of construction will be completed in September this year, according to the construction plan.
Kimberly-Clark operates two hygiene plants in the Jiangsu province, and those plants manufacture 4.5 billion pieces of baby diapers and feminine napkins annually. The 2024 output value of the two plants reached $286 million. With investment of around $50 million, annual output value of the phase III expansion project of Kimberly-Clark Nanjing facility is expected to be 1.5 billion yuan.
Wrangler Debuts Accelerating Circularity Jeans at Walmart
A Wrangler jean debuting at Walmart showcases the potential of a circular supply chain.
Kontoor Brands launched the Wrangler x Accelerating Circularity jean, a men’s straight fit available in medium and dark wash, made with mechanically recycled post-consumer and post-industrial cotton.
The $39.99 jean contains 26 percent recycled cotton (50 percent post-consumer, 50 percent post-industrial), as well as virgin cotton and elastane for stretch. Kontoor Brands-owned Wrangler announced last April that was joining Accelerating Circularity to develop a new 5-pocket jean from upcycled denim.
Contempora Fabrics, America Knits Forge Partnership
Contempora Fabrics Inc., and America Knits LLC, have forged a partnership to boost the made-in-America movement.
Ron Roach, president of Contempora Fabrics Inc., and Steve Hawkins, president of America Knits LLC, announced to eTC that they are forming a strategic partnership between Contempora Fabrics, a circular knitter based in Lumberton, N.C., and America Knits, a six-year-old cut-and-sew and apparel manufacturer based in Swainsboro, Ga. This collaboration marks a significant step toward bolstering domestic textile production and fostering economic growth in these two small towns in the Southeast U.S.
Roach said that Contempora Fabrics has purchased a 20 percent stake in American Knits, with an option to buy another 20 percent by the end of this year. Plans are to leverage their relationships with brands and retailers in order to enhance business and create a stronger U.S. supply chain.
Contempora Fabrics, an employee-owned company, already supplies high-quality, domestically produced fabric to America Knits, located about a five-hour drive south on I-95, and this cooperation will serve to only solidify the relationship and strengthen their made-in-America commitment. With over 200 circular knitting machines and a capacity of 2 million pounds per month, Contempora offers greige packages and finished fabric.
