#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

2026-01-26

Precision jet dyeing moves towards industrial scale as Alchemie partners with Acatel

BTMA member Alchemie Technology, the pioneer of precision jet dyeing solutions based in Cambridge, UK, is partnering with Acatel, the Portuguese leader in sustainable textile manufacturing. The two companies will work together to validate and optimise Alchemie’s Endeavour system for knitted cellulosic fabrics.

Endeavour enables dye houses to eliminate energy and CO₂ emissions by up to 85%, achieve chemistry savings of up to 30%, and reduce water usage by up to 95% compared to traditional methods. The proprietary liquid application solution combines a large droplet size and high droplet velocity to deliver unrivalled penetration and precision into a textile fabric.

R&D programme

As part of the collaboration, Alchemie and Acatel will run a twelve-month R&D programme to prepare the technology for large-scale manufacturing and demonstrate how the fully electric, non-contact dyeing process can replace conventional dyeing routes.

The partnership will operate from the Acatel Innovation Hub in northern Portugal, with the industrial expertise, manufacturing infrastructure and focus on innovation necessary to accelerate the adoption of this next-generation textile technology.

Through the platform, Alchemie will advance the commercial readiness of its low-carbon digital dyeing system tailored for knitted cellulosic fabrics based on cotton, lyocell, linen, hemp and wool blends.

“Transforming one of the world’s most resource-intensive industrial processes requires resilience, vision and innovation,” says Dr Alan Hudd, founder and CEO of Alchemie Technology. “Being part of the Acatel Innovation Hub represents exactly the kind of partnership needed to scale sustainable textile solutions globally.”

Acatel has been a leader in sustainable textile processes since 1985, combining advanced technology with a strong environmental commitment. By leveraging Acatel’s innovation ecosystem, the partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of next-generation dyeing solutions and highlight the role of the Acatel Innovation Hub in bringing scalable, sustainable innovations to industry.

“Acatel’s commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship aligns perfectly with Alchemie’s mission,” says Tércio Pinto, member of the board at Acatel “With this collaboration we are empowering textile producers to redefine responsible manufacturing.”

Première Vision

To mark the partnership, Alchemie and Acatel will be exhibiting side-by-side at Première Vision in Paris from February 3-5, where visitors will be able to directly assess the touch and feel of fabrics processed with the technology. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn first-hand how Endeavour technology can deliver substantial sustainability and efficiency gains.

“This development is great news to kick off 2026,” said BTMA CEO Jason Kent. “Textile dyeing is a significant polluter and Alchemie’s digital technologies, developed here in the UK and now to be further commercialised within Europe, promise to archive a dramatic reduction in energy consumption while eliminating contaminated wastewater emissions, which will be a major boost for the industry.”

Alchemie Technology launches new Taiwan office and expands executive team

Alchemie Technology, a leading clean-tech digital textile dyeing company headquartered in the UK, has today announced the opening of a new Taiwan office. This strategic expansion allows Alchemie to better serve its customer base in Taiwan by providing local support for servicing and commissioning. Taiwan is a major textile hub in the Asia-Pacific region, with its industry placing a strong emphasis on R&D to foster innovation in new materials and textile technologies.

New Gravimax MMX-R X-ray sensor platform opens up new application fields

The demands placed on quality control in web-based production processes are increasing: materials are becoming more complex, basis weights are varying more widely, and at the same time, pressure is growing to make processes more efficient and transparent. Precise measurement data across the entire web width has therefore become a key factor in ensuring stable production processes. With its new Gravimax MMX-R sensor platform, Mahlo introduces a radiometric measurement solution designed to set new standards in determining basis weight and material composition. The platform combines advanced X-ray technology with newly developed signal processing, enabling measurement tasks that previously often required multiple sensor technologies.

BW Converting to present its Baldwin TexCoat® G4 at Techtextil 2026

BW Converting will present its Baldwin TexCoat® G4 precision spray finishing system at Techtextil Frankfurt 2026, taking place April 21-24 at Messe Frankfurt. Visitors to Hall 12, Booth C56B, will have the opportunity to explore how this advanced spray technology helps textile manufacturers improve finishing quality, increase efficiency and reduce resource consumption across a wide range of applications.

Smart sensors, smart savings - Reducing energy and cost in textile finishing

As energy prices, sustainability requirements and quality expectations continue to rise, manufacturers of technical textiles face increasing pressure to optimize efficiency while ensuring process reliability. At the same time, skilled labor shortages require production systems that are intuitive, automated and easy to manage. PLEVA addresses these challenges with robust, maintenance-friendly sensor technologies combined with intelligent process control.

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.