#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2025-03-01

Filo 63 highlights sustainability and innovation with C.L.A.S.S.

At the 63rd edition of Filo, the initiative “Sustainability from A to Z”, developed in collaboration with C.L.A.S.S., focuses on responsible innovation and expanding knowledge through technical insights, case studies, and direct industry testimonials. This initiative aims to guide companies through the complexities of sustainability while aligning with the evolving market landscape. The proposals presented by C.L.A.S.S. as part of this initiative closely relate to discussions within “Dialoghi di Confronto”, offering further opportunities for industry insights.

The C.L.A.S.S. exhibition space at Filo 63 showcases projects and solutions implemented by selected organizations and companies. This season, the focus is on “green chemistry” and the role of advanced natural fibers, particularly cotton and linen, where companies have adopted comprehensive innovation strategies, making traceability an essential requirement.

In the cotton segment, Supima®, a premium cotton grown in the United States and accounting for less than 1% of global cotton production, is featured. Renowned for its extra-long staple, Supima® offers exceptional strength, softness, and long-lasting color retention. To ensure authenticity and traceability, Supima® has introduced the AQRe™ Project (Authenticated Quality and Responsible Engagement), a blockchain-based digital platform developed in collaboration with TextileGenesis™, allowing real-time supply chain monitoring. Additionally, Oritain™ forensic testing verifies the cotton’s origin at every production stage, ensuring that all SUPIMA®-branded products meet the industry's increasing demands for transparency and sustainability.

For linen, the Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp, representing the European agro-industrial supply chain, plays a crucial role. In 2025, the organization accelerates its sustainable transformation with key initiatives, including:

+ + + Evolution of Flax-Linen certifications

+ + + Launch of a digital Flax-Linen traceability platform (developed with TextileGenesis - Lectra, set to debut in May 2025)

+ + + Publication of environmental footprint datasets and development of B2B calculation tools

+ + + Scientific validation of Flax-Linen's functional properties

+ + + New sourcing platform for innovative materials and textile solutions

A notable Italian innovation in green chemistry is also highlighted at C.L.A.S.S., featuring REVECOL® by ERCA Textile Chemical Solutions. This 100% Made in Italy breakthrough transforms waste materials, such as used vegetable cooking oil, into high-performance textile auxiliaries, reducing CO? emissions by up to 72% compared to traditional chemical processes. With certifications including GRS, RCS, ZDHC, bluesign®, and GOTS, REVECOL® is setting new industry standards in sustainability, circularity, and performance.

Throughout Filo 63, the C.L.A.S.S. team is available to discuss these innovations with professionals interested in sustainability, traceability, and technological advancements in textiles.

Additionally, two key discussions within Dialoghi di Confronto further explore these themes:

+ + + On February 26 at 3:30 PM, Giusy Bettoni, CEO & Founder of C.L.A.S.S., interviews Roberto Ghioldi, Sales Director of ERCA TCS, about REVECOL®'s role in sustainable textile chemistry.

+ + + At 4:00 PM, a panel discussion on advanced natural fibers highlights traceability and innovation opportunities, featuring industry experts and TextileGenesis™ representatives.

Paolo Monfermoso, General Manager of Filo, emphasizes that this collaboration with C.L.A.S.S. has reached a new qualitative level, particularly in its focus on natural fibers. He highlights the high level of research and innovation demonstrated by producers of wool, linen, cotton, and silk and reaffirms Filo’s commitment to offering tangible solutions to real industry challenges.

Giusy Bettoni, CEO & Founder of C.L.A.S.S., states that this edition further strengthens Filo and C.L.A.S.S.'s shared vision of promoting responsible innovation. She underscores the importance of linking projects within the C.L.A.S.S. space with discussions in Dialoghi di Confronto, ensuring that sustainability remains at the forefront of the textile industry. This edition particularly focuses on “green chemistry” and natural fibers, reinforcing their timeless value and their promising future in sustainable fashion.

The 63rd edition of Filo closed with positive results

The 63rd edition of Filo, the International Yarns and Fibres Exhibition, closed today in Milan by performing very positive results. Despite the current economic downturn, buyers have appreciated highly valuable collections proposed by the exhibitors, which have shown the ability in innovation and research for sustainability of Italian and foreign textile producers.

Messe Frankfurt commits further to East Africa: three textiles trade fairs during Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week from 2027

Messe Frankfurt and its Texpertise Network continue their steady, successful trajectory in the region. As Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) opened today, Member of the Executive Board Detlef Braun announced that Messe Frankfurt is licencing its three leading international trade fair brands Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess to Nairobi, Kenya for the first time in 2027. From now on, they will take place annually as part of the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) Nairobi.

“We Believe in the Value of Textiles”: Successful Opening of the KARL MAYER TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER

KARL MAYER inaugurated its new, state-of-the-art TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER (TIC) with a four-day opening week from April 21 to 24. The highlight of the week was the grand opening on Thursday, which drew a strong turnout from the international textile industry: around 220 customers, brands, and partners from across the textile value chain came to the company’s headquarters in Obertshausen for a first-hand look at the new high-tech development environment and lively exchange with industry peers.

Texhibition Istanbul signals stability and global connectivity

From 4 to 6 March 2026, Texhibition Istanbul once again brought together the international textile industry at the Istanbul Expo Center. Organized by İTKİB Fuarcılık A.Ş. in cooperation with the Istanbul Textile Exporters Association (İTHİB), the fair confirmed its role as one of the most important international sourcing platforms for fabrics and textile innovation. With 500+ exhibitors across 5 halls on 42,850 sqm, the trade fair attracted 19,325 visitors. Among them, 5.565 international visitors represented Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, North America, and other regions, underlining the show’s expanding global reach.

INDEX 2026: Reicofil introduces RF 5.10 upgrade boosting output by 10 percent

At INDEX 2026, Reifenhäuser Reicofil will present its latest developments for the nonwovens industry under the guiding themes “Grow Together”, “Expand Together” and “Transform Together”. On this occasion, the leading manufacturer of nonwoven machinery will be unveiling two brand-new technology advancements – RF 5.10 upgrade and RF Core – at the show.

Tradition and Innovation – Phoenox Textiles Ltd. relies on state-of-the-art carpet back-coating line from Brückner

For more than 70 years, Phoenox Textiles Ltd. has been synonymous with quality, reliability, and inno-vation in the textile industry. Founded in 1954 in Huddersfield (Yorkshire, UK), a region with a long tradition in textiles, this family-owned business has continued to evolve without losing sight of its roots. Today, in its fourth generation under the leadership of the Mosley family, Phoenox successfully combines decades of experience with a clear, forward-looking corporate strategy.

Uster FiberQ excels for recycled raw materials too

Uster FiberQ is a complete solution for raw material utilization, supporting spinners to achieve consistent quality and profitability every day, building further growth for the future. The Turkish company ORTA relies on FiberQ with recycled yarn for its denim production. Data-driven knowledge puts the producer in control of raw material utilization – ready to make the correct decisions for process efficiency, quality and productivity.