The WTiN Podcast: Recent Episodes

World Textile Information Network

World Textile Information Network (WTiN) is an information provider, delivering unmatched intelligence and insight to the global textile manufacturing industry. Listen to The WTiN Podcast as we chat with people right across the industry, from key opinion leaders and multinational CEOs to grassroots start-ups. We cover topics surrounding the entire supply chain, but at our core is innovation, innovation, innovation.

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.

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.

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.

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 andconsumers 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 first episode, we are joined by Melik Demirel, co-founder of Tandem Repeat. Tandem Repeat won the Product Innovation award for Sonachic – a collection of luxury basics inspired by sweater and cardigan knitting, featuring Procell™ fibre made from fermented proteins.

Tandem Repeat has developed a patented fermentation microbial process that transforms proteins into valuable products, including textile fibres and nonwovens. This process encompasses synthetic biology, strain and fermentation engineering, and downstream processes. Demirel speaks how the company has combined circular design with functionality.

You can learn more about Tandem Repeat at tandemrepeat.com. Read Demirel’s report on biomanufacturing protein fibres to achieve sustainable development here.

WTiN announced the winners in a virtual ceremony on 5 December 2025, which you can now watch on demand at WTiN.com.

Join WTiN’s content team as we discuss the biggest events and trends that have shaped the global textile industry in the last year.

As we near the end of 2025, WTiN’s content team come together in this end of year podcast to discuss the trends, themes, challenges and circumstances that have shaped the global textile industry this year.

Our head of content Madeline Thomas speaks about the economic climate of the industry, while Jessica Robe, innovation and consultancy lead; Otis Robinson, editor and channel lead digitalisation; and Joseph Link, senior editor and digital textiles lead, each steer thoughtful segments on specific sectors including materials, digital textile printing, regulations and digitalisation.

Meanwhile Lucy-Anna Stallard, WTiN’s event coordinator, reflects on the major events we have held this year, including our successful, first-ever Circularity Week. In 2026, we will be hosting our first Digital Textile Printing Week, from 23-27 March 2026.

This year we also launched our debut Concepts 2030 book, which WTiN members can download here. Concepts 2030 explores the innovations with the greatest potential to redefine material systems, manufacturing methods and product performance by the end of the decade.

The podcast will return in 2026, starting the year with a special series where we speak with the winners of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Awards 2025.

We wish you a Happy Holiday Season and Joyful New Year.

In this episode of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast we speak with WTiN’s head of content Madelaine Thomas and innovation & consultancy lead Jessica Robe.

We have had a busy few months at WTiN, not only have we hosted our first ever Circularity Week, which took place between 17 – 20 November, but we have also attended textile tradeshows including ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025 and Performance Days.

Our head of content Madeline Thomas attended ITMA Asia + CITME at Singapore Expo, Singapore, while Jessica Robe, innovation & consultancy lead was present at Performance Days 2025 at Trade Fair Centre Messe Munchen, Munich, Germany.

During this podcast we speak with both Thomas and Robe about the conversations they were a part of and what they saw at both events. ITMA Asia + CITME is Asia's leading textile and garment technology exhibition, and we discuss how the region is growing and which countries we can expect to see more from

The bi-annual Performance Days fair meanwhile focuses on functional textiles. During the discussion Robe tells of new exhibition areas at the event, such as wool and footwear. We also touch upon themes and areas of interest such as textile-to-textile recycling and digital textile printing throughout the podcast.

If you want to learn more about each tradeshow you can read WTiN’s ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 review here and Performance Days 2025 review here.

In this episode of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast we speak with Zimri T. Hinshaw, CEO of Rheom Materials.

Rheom Materials is pioneering next-gen materials that leverage existing plastics manufacturing to create scalable, biobased alternatives to petrochemicals.

The Houston, Texas-based company uses biopolymers derived from plant-based matter for new applications across the fashion and textile industry, plus others. In this episode, Hinshaw speaks through the company’s processes and how its operations have developed since it moved to Houston from New York in 2022.

He also speaks about Rheom Materials’ commercially available products and how it is scaling its innovations. Additionally, he touches upon the company’s funding rounds and how it is using investment to scale production, while also encouraging the industry and consumers to explore biobased alternatives. Hinshaw also explains how partnerships can be formed with Rheom Materials through The Shorai Inner Circle.

For any investors, brands or those looking to connect with Rheom Materials you can do so here.

For more information, please visit rheom.com.

In this episode of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast we speak with Stefano Mazzetti, co-founder and CEO at Ohoskin.

Ohoskin is an Italian company that has created painted fabrics created from orange and cactus byproducts in Sicily. Through a circular economy process, Ohoskin transforms waste into a luxurious, durable material that luxury brands seeking a high-quality, biological, and sustainable alternative to animal leather can use.

Mazzetti delves into and explains Ohoskin’s circular economy principle - giving new life and valorising the agricultural byproducts, turning them into a durable, recyclable premium material. He also touches upon the company’ consultancy project and how it enables other businesses to adopt Ohoskin’s principles.

We also touch upon why Ohoskin has selected orange and cactus byproducts as its main ingredients and speak through the company’s growth – moving from a start-up to a scaling small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME).

For more information, please visit ohoskin.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following and connecting with WTiN in LinkedIn, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

In this episode of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast we speak with Helene Behrenfedlt, senior industry strategy director fashion at Infor.

Infor is a cloud software provider, which has been built specifically for industries like manufacturing. The company creates easy-to-use, comprehensive solutions that help manufacturers operate more smoothly and intelligently.

Behrenfedlt focuses on the fashion and footwear industries, she speaks about the benefits of using cloud software and[PREVIEW ENDS] how fashion, textiles and footwear can effectively use data to support their manufacturing goals.

We also talk about the growing need for brands and manufacturers to implement automation and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions into their supply chains. Behrenfedlt speaks about Infor is using these resources optimally to improve its offering.

For more information, please visit infor.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following and connecting with WTiN in LinkedIn, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

WTiN Textile Innovation Podcast speaks to Jessica Franken, director of government affairs at Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART).

SMART stands for Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association. Based in the US, the international trade association strengthens economic opportunities for its members by promoting the interdependence of the for-profit textile recycling industry segment and by providing a common forum of networking, education and advocacy.

In this episode, Franken speaks about her work across local and national governments to shape legislation supporting textile recycling and environmental responsibility. Having authored over 150 policy articles and successfully testified in legislative hearings, she has driven victories in trade, manufacturing, and labour policy.

She touches upon the importance of Textile Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) placing the responsibility on producers to manage the full lifecycle of textile products, going into detail about California’s Responsible Textile Recovery Act, of which SMART was fully engaged with throughout. Franken delves into what this act means and how legislation works on state and national level across the US.

For more information please visit, smartasn.org.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following and connecting with WTiN in LinkedIn, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

In this latest episode of WTiN’s Textile Innovation podcast, we speak with Shivam Gusain water engineer, dyestuff chemist and LCA analyst, about his work in LCAs and problem solving within the textile industry.

Gusain is also the founder of Decypher, a consultancy service for the industry. He delves into problems surrounding decarbonisation and circularity within the textile supply chain, with a sharp focus on textile dyeing and finishing.

Additionally, Gusain talks at length about how some innovations can be misrepresented when they are marketed to the industry and public. He does present solutions that he strongly believes could be real game changers in the future, including his financial model, which has recently been launched (8 September).

For more information, please visit sgdecypher.substack.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following and connecting with WTiN in LinkedIn, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

WTiN Textile Innovation Podcast speaks to Paul Alger MBE, director of international affairs at UKFT, in a two-part special.

Welcome back to the second part of our two part special podcast series with the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT). We are speaking with Paul Alger, director of international affairs at UKFT.

In the first episode, Alger spoke about the work of the UKFT and the importance of global trade shows. In this second episode, he explores international trade and the business of textile exports.

Alger delves into how Brexit specifically has changed how the UK has changed the way it does business internationally. He talks about the impact of governments and how regulations and guidelines such as digital product passports (DPPs) are changing the way textile businesses trade.

Additionally, Alger touches upon global markets and the ongoing impacts of recent geopolitical happenings.

For more information, please visit ukft.org.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following and connecting with WTiN in LinkedIn, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

WTiN Textile Innovation Podcast speaks to Paul Alger MBE, director of international affairs at UKFT, in a two part special.

This is the first part of a two part special podcast series with the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT). We speak with Paul Alger MBE, director of international affairs at UKFT in both episodes.

In this first episode Alger delves into the work of UKFT and his position in international trade for the organisation. He speaks about the importance of global trade shows and which global markets the textile and fashion industry should be keeping an eye on.

During the episode, Alger also touches upon the India x UK trade agreement and the impact that governments can have on global trade and trends moving forward. He looks at the this through UK-centric lenses to unpack what this means for the country and the European Union moving forward. In the second episode, which will be released in two weeks, Alger will speak about exports and international trade.

For more information, please visit ukft.org.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following and connecting with WTiN in LinkedIn, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks with MeiLin Wan, founder and CEO of GenuTrace.

The US-based consulting business provides advisory services in supply chain traceability, brand protection and product authentication. Using multi-proof point technology, from forensic testing to digital tools, companies can back up sustainability claims with science-based evidence.

Wan explains how GenuTrace partners with brands, producers, suppliers, and industry stakeholders to build supply chain integrity through collaboration, scientific verification, and strategic traceability. She also delves into what traceability means and how it differs to transparency.

During the episode Wan unpacks GenuTrace’s key question: If you claim it, can you prove it? She details some of the tests that the consultancy undertakes, such as stable isotope methodology to prove origin claims, for example that cotton is from Pakistan. She also touches upon the power of digital tools including blockchain, QR codes, product passports to help collect and share supply chain data in real time.

For more information, please visit genutrace.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following and connecting with WTiN in LinkedIn, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation podcast speaks with Fahid Hussain Kahlon, vice president sales and marketing of Interloop Limited.

Interloop is a vertically integrated supplier of hosiery, denim, knitted apparel, and seamless activewear for leading global brands. The Pakistani textile manufacturer is based in Faisalabad and is known for its commitment to environmental and social impact.

In this episode Kahlon speaks about how Interloop uses data-led transparency, automated operations, and full supply chain traceability, to set the benchmark in responsible, high-performance manufacturing, meeting top global standards across the industry.

Kahlon has over 20 years of expertise in fashion garments, brand management, and product develop. With a degree in textile engineering and a postgraduate degree in management sciences from the UK, he is leader in the textile industry, driving innovation and excellence on the global stage.

Within the episode, Kahlon dives into Interloop’s growth globally. He also speaks about the company’s Loop Trace technology and how it is using data and digital solutions to operate efficiently and effectively. To learn more please visit interloop-pk.com.

Interloop is also the sponsor for WTiN’s Textile & Apparel Circularity Week, taking place 17-21 November 2025. This focused week is dedicated to actionable insights and tangible progress in circular textile production, materials and business models. It offers a comprehensive programme designed to equip you with the knowledge and connections needed to thrive in this evolving landscape. To learn more please visit circularityweek.wtin.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following and connecting with WTiN in LinkedIn, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks with Sadavarte Samit, director of business development (new markets) at The Haartz Corporation.

The Haartz Corporation is leader in highly engineered and uniquely designed convertible toppings and interior surface materials. Headquartered in North America, with additional manufacturing in Germany and India, Haartz is working towards eliminating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from fabrics and finishes.

Haartz is the exclusive North American licensee of the Green Theme Technologies EMPEL™ process—a PFAS-free textile treatment. In this episode Sadavarte explains how PFAS-free alternatives like C0 chemistry have gained traction but can fall short when it comes to water repellency and durability, for example.

We discuss how Empel delivers water repellency,breathability, durability, and soft hand feel without introducing toxic chemicals into the supply chain. Sadavarte also touches upon advancing PFAS-free solutions into the textile supply chain.

He also speaks about challenges and opportunities sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to PFAS brings to the textile industry. To learn more please visit haartz.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following and connecting with WTiN in LinkedIn, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks with Simon Kew, COO of Sparxell.

Sparxell develops next-generation colours and effects by providing 100% plant-based performance colourants. Spinning out from the University of Cambridge after years of research on biomimetic photonics and structural colours, Sparxell aims to eliminate toxic chemicals from colouration.

With GHG emissions currently predicted to triple by the middle of the century, the fashion industry is far off course to reach Net Zero, as set out in the Paris Agreement. In this episode, Simon Kew, COO at Sparxell, and Canopy member, speaks to WTiN about decarbonising and detoxifying manufacturing in the textile industry and what this means for the whole value chain.

Additionally, Kew has recently launched a book ‘The Path to Net Zero for the Fashion Industry’. He explains how the book presents quantitative science-based evidence to understand where greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions emitted by the fashion industry are generated. He also speaks about the strategies needed to achieve decarbonisation, which he sets out in the book.

For more information, please visit sparxell.com. To find out more about Kew’s book please visit, routledge.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following and connecting with WTiN in LinkedIn, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks with Dan English, CEO at sporting goods manufacturer VOORMI.

Voormi is merging advanced textile innovation with new technology to create sustainable, high-performance apparel. In this episode English delves into the company’s Mij™ innovation, a wearable technology that tracks thermal stress in real-time.

Mij has been designed to help individuals better manage their body temperature for optimised health. Using advanced senor-based textile technology Mij is integrated into everyday garments to monitor body temperature and humidity continuously, giving users real-time insights into their personal ‘thermal performance’.

English explains how Voormi is committed to solving problems, pushing boundaries, and empowering its customers with apparel that can adapt to the world and environment.

Delving performance and sustainability, he also touches upon smart textiles and the challenges and opportunities when it comes to developing and implementing sustainable technologies. To learn more please visit voormi.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following and connecting with WTiN in LinkedIn, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks with Chelsea Franklin, head of advanced concepts at PANGAIA.

PANGAIA is a lifestyle brand bringing scientific material innovations to the market. Using nature as inspiration the UK-based brand creates bio-engineered materials.

In this episode, head of advanced concepts Chelsea Franklin speaks to me about the brand’s use of Fulgar’s EVO 100% bio-based fabric, which is obtained from castor oil. Franklin touches upon how it contributes toward Pangaia’s sustainability initiatives.

Suitable for textile applications, EVO by Fulgar is also ultra-light, super stretch and extremely breathable, dries quickly and does not require ironing; it also has thermal properties and natural odour control characteristics. Franklin explains why this is ideal for Pangaia and how it can be scaled up.

She also touches upon Pangaia’s near shoring efforts and traceable supply chains. To learn more please visit pangaia.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following and connecting with WTiN in LinkedIn, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks with Stephen Bates, CEO of Rheon Labs.

RHEON is a dynamic material that is naturally soft and flexible - it absorbs ultra-high levels of energy by stiffening when subject to force. UK-based company Rheon Labs creates the material, which was born out of NASA and developed at Imperial College in London.

In this episode CEO Stephen Bates explains how the material has been developed, its impact and how it has been integrated in the textile and apparel industry. Bates describes how the material has been used in the sportswear sector, for example in sports bras.

Rheon also worked on Adidas’s sports kits for team GB, France and Ethiopia for the Paris 2024 Olympics - it featured on the legs, backs and busts. Within this episode, Bates further delves into the material’s potential in the sportswear category.

He also touches upon cross sector collaboration and the other sectors where we could see the material feature. To learn more please visit rheonlabs.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following and connecting with WTiN in LinkedIn, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks with Pasindu Lugoda, senior lecturer in medical device design at Nottingham Trent University.

A research team from Nottingham Trent University, in collaboration with Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) and Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, have developed washable and durable magnetic field sensing electronic textiles, paving the way for touchless interaction through clothing.

In this episode we speak with lead researcher Pasindu Lugoda about the advancements in the field of Smart Textiles. Lugoda delves into how tiny flexible and highly responsive ‘magneoresistive’ sensors can be placed within braided textile yarns compatible with conventional textile manufacturing.

Nottingham Trent University’s department of engineering has a smart wearable research group, which looks into novel wearable materials and systems for sensors, actuators, displays and communications in medical, sport, creative and personal protective equipment sectors.

Lugoda explains how smart textiles have progressed and evolved over time. He touches upon how the sector can advance and the challenges it currently faces. To learn more please visit ntu.ac.uk.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following and connecting with WTiN in LinkedIn, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks to Ranil Vitarana, chief innovation officer at MAS Holdings.

MAS Holdings is an innovation driven apparel company focusing on fashion and lifestyle. It is one of Asia’s largest manufacturers of apparel, including intimate wear, sports and performance wear, swim and athleisure among other categories. Through innovation, MAS aims to solve problems faced by wearers and provide apparel solutions that elevate their lifestyle.

In this episode Vitarana explores some of these solutions and delves into how innovation works at MAS. In particular, we speak about Twinery, MAS’ innovation arm, which develops consumer-driven solutions.

Furthermore, Vitarana touches upon the power and potential of cross sector collaboration, leveraging technology from outside of the apparel industry. He also speaks about balancing new technology with cost-conscious consumer demands.

We also speak about how MAS has grown its business and how it is adopting sustainable practices. For more information, please visit masholdings.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks with Jordan Schindler, CEO and founder of Clothing 2.0.

Biotechnology company Clothing 2.0, in Conover, North Carolina, US, has developed a patented technology that infuses consistent doses of medicines, vitamins and supplements into yarn that create laundry-safe, reusable healing garments and textile products.

We discuss how this category of products gives consumers better control of their health and wellness just by getting dressed. Schindler explains how Clothing 2.0 has developed numerous active ingredient infused products, from anti-fungal to eczema and acne treatments, with significant other applications currently under collaboration with industry leading partners.

Within this episode Schindler explores the company's recent collaboration with The Marena Group, a provider of medical-grade post-surgical compression garments, to assist patients undergoing invasive and minimally invasive aesthetic and plastic surgery procedures.

He also touches upon the potential development of these garments with smart textile technology in the future. To learn more please visit clothing2.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks with Alexa Raab, director of communications and Matthew Cole, brand marketing manager for Sorona at Covation Biomaterials.

Covation Biomaterials is a global innovator offering a portfolio of high-performance, sustainable solutions. The company’s Sorona brand is ready for many applications. Its unique molecular structure makes the Sorona polymer ideal for a wide range of apparel.

We discuss how using different fibre variations delivers performance benefits that matter to eco-conscious consumers. Raab and Cole explain how Covation Biomaterials offer bio-based scalable solutions across a range of sectors.

Within this episode Raab and Cole delve into their careers and explain why creating sustainable solutions is so important to Covation Biomaterials’ mission and the company’s successes to date.

The pair explain how the company works together with science to elevate and inspire apparel choices. They also look towards the future and potential bio-based materials in the apparel sector. To learn more please visit covationbio.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

In this episode WTiN speaks with Mili Tharakan, a smart textile consultant of the Smart Textile Alliance and podcast host of No Ordinary Cloth.

Tharakan has spent 20 years working in smart textiles as a designer and researcher. In her podcast No Ordinary Cloth, she delves into the world of textiles and tapestry innovation. In this episode, she speaks with Victoria Nickerson about WTiN’s Smart Textiles offering.

The pair discuss the changing sector of Smart Textiles and wearable technologies. They delve into how WTiN covers and supports the sector. They share their careers to date and explore what excites them about the textile industry.

For more information, please visit noordinarycloth.com. You can also listen to No Ordinary Cloth here.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

In this special podcast series, we speak to the winners of the WTiN Innovate Textile Awards 2024.

In this episode Federica Valente, marketing manager and Gijsbert Harmsen, senior sales executive at Coldenhove discuss the company’s Innovation of the Year award, with their Texcol® Pigment Transfer Printing Paper.

The company’s pigment transfer paper enables a one-step, fully waterless process to create vibrant designs on a wide range of materials, from cotton and linen to silk, wool and nylon. The company is known for its innovative paper solutions and serves customers all over the world.

Valente and Harmsen discuss how Texcol offers colour brilliance and how it hopes to revolutionise textile production, open new market opportunities and set new standards for sustainable and impactful design. For more information, please visit coldenhove.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

In this special podcast series, we speak to the winners of the WTiN Innovate Textile Awards 2024.

In this episode Tim Li, CEO at Digital Clothing Limited and professor and chair of Textile science and Engineering Henry Li discuss Digital Clothing Limited’s Manufacturing and Supply Chain Innovation Award.

The company’s Fashion Big Data Platform aims to streamline sustainability compliance in supply chain management. It is guided by Green Deal regulations and Digital Product Passports (DPP) requirements.

With support from European Union (EU) funding, Digital Clothing Limited’s initiative hopes to be a valuable tool for textile manufacturers and brands as they navigate sustainability standards.

In this episode, we discuss how the data has been collected and explore how the platform could be scaled up to reach a wider audience. For more information, please visit digital-clothing.co.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks to Natalie Grillon CEO and executive director of Open Supply Hub.

Open Supply Hub (OS Hub) is a non-profit platform creating accessible global supply chain maps to support upcoming due diligence measures. Recently OS Hub announced a series of multi stakeholder initiatives to encourage members to share supply chain data on the platform.

OS Hub shows where global production locations are and who is connected to them and makes that data easy for anyone to work with. The ambition is to collectively map all of the world’s production locations, transforming supply chain ecosystems for the 100+ m people working in them.

In episode 114 of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast, we speak to CEO and executive director Natalie Grillon about the ambitions and development of OS Hub.

Starting with the fashion and apparel sector, Grillon details what is driving this desire and need for transparency in supply chains. She touches upon how OS Hub is enabling brands and manufacturers to access the information and how she is supporting global regulations and legislation. If you would like to learn more, please visit opensupplyhub.org.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

In this special podcast series, we speak to the winners of the WTiN Innovate Textile Awards 2024.

In this episode Clare Woodford, vice president, sustainability and impact at Alpine Creations discusses the company’s Changemaker Award win.

Fighting period poverty with their Dignity Kits, Alpine’s creating is rooted in sustainability and social impact. By adopting a circular model that repurposes cutting floor scraps and involving local communities in sewing and production, Alpine Creations is dedicated to environmental and social governance (ESG).

Woodford tells WTiN why this is initiative and innovation is essential to tackling both social injustice and the global problem of textile waste. She discusses the impact that Dignity Kits are having in rural Africa and how the initiative can be scaled. For more information, please visit alpinecreations.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks to Madelaine Thomas, head of content at WTiN about WTiN’s 2025 State of Industry Report.

WTiN’s latest State of Industry Report is informed by insights from key stakeholders across the industry. It examines the current state of the textile & apparel manufacturing landscape, highlighting crucial trends and offering strategies for success.

In episode 112 of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast Thomas discusses the findings of the report and shares insights into how the textile & apparel industry will navigate 2025. She analysis the challenges of 2024, which was marked by economic headwinds dampening fashion demand, inflation and persistent supply chain vulnerabilities.

Thomas delves into how the industry can learn to navigate a complex landscape shaped by geopolitical uncertainties, evolving regulations, rising costs, environmental shifts and rapid technological advancements. She touches upon the potential of digitalisation and automation within the textile & apparel industry.

Additionally, Thomas highlights WTiN’s extensive events calendar for the year and discusses our resources including our upcoming digitalisation survey. You can read the full report here.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

In this special podcast series, we speak to the winners of the WTiN Innovate Textile Awards 2024.

In this episode Allon Cohne, SVP and chief marketing officer at Noble Biomaterials discusses the company’s Material Innovation Award win, with their entry titled: Ionic+ Botanical Technology.

Noble Biomaterials is a leader in antimicrobial and anti-odour solutions for soft surface applications. The plant-based, renewable citric technology inhibits the growth of microbes that cause odour. Noble is working towards Oeko-Tex and bluesign certification for this innovation.

In this episode, Cohne explains how Noble Biomaterials is working with and towards global regulations and certifications such as Oeko-Tex. He goes into the importance of citric technology and how the company hopes to further develop it into the yarns of materials. If you would like to learn more, please visit noblebiomaterials.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks to Randy Carr, president and CEO of World Emblem, one of the world’s largest emblem and patch manufacturer.

World Emblem is one of the world's leading suppliers in high quality decorations. President and CEO Randy Carr has identified three key trends poised to shape the industry in 2025. With clients including Cintas, Vestis, Levi’s, New Era, and Perry Ellis, Carr is positioned at the intersection of fashion and functionality.

In episode 108 of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast Carr discusses how he believes nearshoring will be essential this year, for many midsize manufacturers seeking faster turnaround times, better quality control, and overall cost savings. With a particular focus on US companies, where World Emblem is headquartered, Carr expects this shift to improve production agility and strengthen supply chain resilience for US companies.

He also delves into AI-driven customisation, which he predicts will be the next big wave for manufacturers and will change the textile sector in 2025. During this year Carr predicts over 70% of emblem orders will be customised using some form of AI, with AI streamlining both design and production to meet those demands.

Additionally, he says sustainability will become a core expectation from both customers and regulators as more mandates around eco-friendly materials and waste reduction come into play. For more information, please visit worldemblem.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

In this special podcast series, we speak to the winners of the WTiN Innovate Textile Awards 2024.

In this episode Laura Thornquist, president at Fibre52 discusses the company’s Sustainability Award win, with their entry titled: Sustainability Advancement Cotton Has Long Needed.

The company’s patented process and bio-friendly chemistries hope to enable a more efficient and sustainable way to prepare cotton-rich fabrics for dyeing. Fibre52 is confident it has created a drop-in solution that helps reduce water, energy and time.

In this episode, Thornquist speaks through how Fibre52’s dyeing innovation integrates green technologies into a single sustainable system. She delves into what has prompted the startup to develop solutions for the dyeing and coating sector and explains the importance for more sustainable solutions in the textile industry. For more information please visit fibre52.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks to Monica Buchan-NG, head of knowledge exchange (sustainability) at Centre for Sustainable Fashion.

Centre for Sustainable Fashion (CSF) is a research, education and knowledge exchange centre of the University of the Arts London (UAL) based at London College of Fashion (LCF). Recently it was announced Kering has teamed up with CSF for a new three-year programme called Governance for Tomorrow.

Marking the 10th anniversary between the Gucci owner and LCF, the new programme is aimed at addressing governance in the luxury fashion sector, an industry that lacks examined means for leading sustainable transformation, according to CSF. During the three years, the programme will aspire to use creativity as a tool to dissolve barriers and convene experts from across academia, luxury fashion and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to foster new alternative governance models.

In episode 107 of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast, we speak to Monica Buchan-NG, head of knowledge exchange (sustainability) at Centre for Sustainable Fashion about the partnership and the need for more action at senior management level to action environmental and social change.

We explore how the relationship between industry and academia has developed. Buchan-NG also emphasises why change needs to be imminent as fashion lags behind other industries on key sustainability concerns such as responsible production and consumption, decarbonising supply chains and ensuring living wages for garment workers. If you would like to learn more, please visit sustainable-fashion.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

In this episode Giovanni Henssen, business development manager sustainability at Fibrant discusses the company’s Product Innovation Award win, with their entry titled: EcoLactam® and Didriksons: Pioneering sustainable fashion through value chain collaboration.

Fibrant’s commitment to reducing environmental impact through innovative material choices is commendable. By selecting EcoLactam, the most sustainable nylon precursor from Fibrant, Didriksons demonstrate the potential for significant impact reduction, as supported by shared data. While further validation of durability is encouraged, its focus on sustainable material selection underscores the brand’s dedication to environmental responsibility.

In this episode, Henssen explains what makes EcoLactam so innovative and shares why winning WTiN’s Product Innovation Award is an important milestone for the company. He delves further into the Fibrant’s partnership with Didriksons and explores wider industry sustainability challenges. If you would like to learn more, please visit fibrant52.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast presents Noble Biomaterials’ panel discussion on “Supply Chain Collaborations: Solving for Innovation and Certification” at Functional Fabric Fair in November 2024.

In this special episode of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast, we have partnered with global supplier of antimicrobial and conductive solutions for soft surface applications, Noble Biomaterials.

WTiN sponsored Noble Biomaterials’ panel discussions at Functional Fabric Fair (20-21 November 2024) in Portland, titled "Supply Chain Collaboration: Solving for Innovation and Certification". The panel featured Noble’s SVP and CMO Allon Cohne, and industry leaders from Coolcore, Sustainable Fabric, S-Group, Hohenstein, and HILOS. Together, these experts provided insights on best practices, challenges, and examples of how to leverage collaboration and drive rapid innovation.

In episode 105 of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast, we present this panel discussion, which explores innovation through collaboration, navigation certification requirements, and sustainable and ethical practices.

Noble Biomaterials was the winner of WTiN’s Innovate Textile Awards 2024’s Material Innovation category for its Iconic + Botanical technology. The groundbreaking innovation is a testament to Noble’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of material science. If you would like to learn more, please visit noblebiomaterials.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

In the final episode of 2024, the Textile Innovation Podcast speaks with the WTiN content team.

2024 has been a huge year for WTiN and in this final episode of the year members of the content team come together to discuss are greatest achievements of the year including our first in-person event in China.Lucy-Anna Stallard, event coordinator; Jessica Basey, business innovation lead and consultancy lead; Otis Robinson, editor and channel lead digitalisation; and Joseph Link, senior editor and digital textiles lead come together to speak about the biggest trends of the year that have shaped the textile industry.

The team share their insights on topics and sectors from printing and industry 4.0 to sportswear and apparel. The also speculate on how these will develop in 2025 and delve into upcoming regulations and uncertainty in trade relations that are surfacing in the industry.

You can read WTiN’s Digital Transformation Survey: Manufacturers here and our latest dissection of textile-to-textile recycling. Read more from WTiN at WTiN.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

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Knitwear Lab develops smart technological applications for knitwear. At its Lab in Almere, the Netherlands, its team of programmers and designers develop prototypes and run small productions. The team of knitwear specialists combine material research with the latest knitwear technologies.

For example, Knitwear Lab has developed virtual kitting, a method of industrial knitwear development, which has the potential to create new opportunities for sustainable, cost-efficient and design-driven sample development and knitwear production. Using Knitwear Lab’s extensive knitwear knowledge combined with the latest 3D software and Stoll Create Plus, a massive waste from sample and pre-production stages can be reduced.

In episode 104 of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast, we speak to founder Thijs Verhaar owner of Knitwear Lab and Lyske Gais, founder of virtual knitting, about the potential for digital solutions in the knitwear sector.

We explore how the sector has developed and the potential for modern technologies moving forward. Knitwear Lab offers a huge range of educational resources and in January 2025 will launch a funding round, to enhance its offering and training opportunities. If you would like to learn more, please visit knitwearlab.nl and knitwearlab.nl/kl-academy.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

Australia’s clothing product stewardship scheme Seamless is on a mission to transform the way people choose, enjoy and recycle clothing in Australia. It has been operational since 1 July 2024, launching to drive the textile industry towards circularity and sustainable practices.

Seamless addresses the critical problems facing the clothing industry, with over 200,000 tonnes of waste ending up in Australian landfill annually. With the pooled investments raised from member contributions, the priorities for the next twelve months are clear.

In episode 103 of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast, we speak to general manager industry transformation, Danielle Kent, about the [PREVIEW ENDS] organisation’s priorities for the next 12 months to drive the Australian clothing industry towards circularity by 2030.

We speak about how Seamless was created by a consortium led by the Australian Fashion Council and the benefits of a stewardship led approach to addressing the challenges of textiles and fashion. If you would like to learn more, please visit seamlessaustralia.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks to Gillian Ridley Whittle, founder and CEO of ethical underwear and clothing brand Peachaus.Ethical underwear and clothing brand Peachaus was born out of a need to drive positive change in the fashion industry and wider world. The collection of underwear, lifestyle separates and sleepwear is crafted entirely from recycled Italian lace, ethically sourced cotton and sustainable bamboo.

In episode 102 of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast, we speak with founder and CEO Gillian Ridley Whittle about the evolution of the brand and the wider sustainable and ethical challenges in the lingerie industry.

Whittle speaks about her extensive experience in the fashion and textile industry, having held top positions in companies including Topshop, Marks & Spencer and Target.

She also touches upon how the lingerie industry has changed and adapted during her career. If you would like to learn more, please visit peachaus.com.

This September, Whittle will be at Verve Festival giving one of her Naked Talks on the main stage. This is an event designed to help women feel comfortable in their own skin and have the courage to be themselves.

Peachaus has recently launched its latest crowdfunding campaign to expand its sales channels, build its community, and create memorable experiences.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks to Jeannette Cook, communications manager at the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO), about the global wool supply chain and the main challenges it currently faces.

The International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) is the global authority for standards in the wool textile industry. Since 1930, the organisation has represented the collected interests of the global wool trade.

In episode 100 of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast, we speak with the IWTO’s communications manager, Jeanette Cook, about how the organisation works and the challenges it aims to overcome. We also discuss its work in education and the annual events it holds.

Cook details how the IWTO prioritises sheep welfare as it looks to create a more traceable woollen supply chain within the textile industry.

She also speaks at length about the organisation’s work in creating a sustainable future for the wool trade. If you would like to learn more, please visit iwto.org.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks to Meredith Boyd of US-based textile solutions provider Unifi about its hero product Repreve and initiatives to create a sustainable value chain in textiles.

Unifi is a global textile solutions provider and leading innovator in manufacturing synthetic and recycled performance fibres. Through Repreve, one of the US-based company’s proprietary technologies, Unifi has transformed more than 35bn plastic bottles into recycled fibres for apparel, footwear and other consumer products.

In episode 99 of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast, we speak with the company’s executive vice president and chief product officer at Unifi, Meredith Boyd, about her role in bringing Repreve to a global consumer market. We also discuss how the company continually innovates technologies to meet consumer needs across the textile industry.

Boyd also details Unifi’s Textile Takeback programme. This initiative collects pre- and post-consumer polyester-based fabric waste before transforming it into raw material.

If you would like to learn more, please visit biodiversify.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks to Katie Fensome of UK conservation consultancy Biodiversify about biodiversity and how fashion businesses can better meet Environmental, Social and Governance targets.

Biodiversify is a conservation consultancy advising a range of private, public and third-sector clients who want to act for nature. The company has worked with fashion brands including Primark and Kering – owner of Gucci, Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent – to design strategies that incorporate biodiversity and develop sustainable supply chain solutions.

In episode 98 of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast, we speak with Katie Fensome, principal consultant at Biodiversify about how the consultancy advises the fashion and textile industry to help businesses meet their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) targets.

Fensome explains why collaboration is key to addressing environmental issues, how the consultancy helps companies address biodiversity in their supply chain management and how to overcome challenges that arise in implementing them.

If you would like to learn more, please visit biodiversify.com.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

The Textile Innovation Podcast speaks with Dr Yuly Fuentes-Medel of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Fabric Innovation Hub about how academic collaboration is transforming practices within the fashion industry.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT)’s Fabric Innovations Hub seeks to answer how academia can benefit industry. The hub fosters a community of experts in fibres and fabrics to promote research, technology, education and innovation in support of the future of the textile industry.

In episode 97 of WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast, we speak with Dr Yuly Fuentes-Medel, project manager for fibre technologies at MIT’s Fabric Innovations Hub about the relationship between academia and the fashion industry. She speaks about how the hub operates and both its internal and external partnerships.

Fuentes-Medel also touches on her work with the Footwear Collective, which is driving a collaborative and circular approach for the footwear industry by partnering with leading brands, dedicated to scope, develop and scale circular solutions.

If you’d like to learn more, please visit fabric-ideas.mit.edu.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

Cotton accounts for roughly 65% of the fibres present in wardrobes worldwide. It is therefore a key discussion topic in the textile industry’s transition towards a sustainable future.

In episode 96 WTiN’s Textile Innovation Podcast, we speak with Alia Malik, chief development officer at Better Cotton, about the company’s drive towards a traceable supply chain. Better Cotton is a world-leading sustainability initiative for the natural fibre. Its mission is to help cotton communities survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment.

Better Cotton already accounts for 22% of global cotton production. Malik speaks to WTiN about the company’s 2030 strategy, within which it launched Better Cotton Traceability at the end of 2023, to make it possible to trace Better Cotton back to its country of origin. She explains how the market is demanding more information and how this aligns with the company’s efforts to help farmers access these markets and generate sustainable livelihoods.

If you’d like to learn more, please visit bettercotton.org.

You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @abi_wtin on X, formerly Twitter, or email aturner@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

This month, WTiN speaks with Daniel Rufenacht, chief executive officer at Bluesign. Based out of Switzerland, Bluesign partners with brands, manufacturers and chemical suppliers, from fibre to finished product, with the aim to make safer workplaces and textile products that are less impactful on the environment and people.

Rufenacht talks about the difference between a standard and an index – and why one is far more superior, why collaboration is integral as the current period continues to evolve when it comes to the planet and textiles, and most importantly: how to stay ahead of legislation.

Contact Bluesign at bluesign.com/en/. To discuss any of the topics in the episode, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @rubyatwtin on X (formerly Twitter), or email rpenson@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, email sales@wtin.com.

This month, WTiN speaks with Kris Cody. Founder and chief executive officer at PAKA, a company paving its own path with natural fibres since 2015. The idea of PAKA and traceable alpaca wool came after Cody was in Peru as part of a backpacking trip. After returning home, he booked a one-way flight back over to Peru and lived among the alpaca farmers and their families before starting the company. Now, nine years later, the company has hit a number of impressive milestones.

One year after a kick starter campaign that raised over 1700% of its initial target, PAKA released its first activewear: BREATHE, which was forged in partnership with SeaLegacy. Just last year, PAKA released its first traceable alpaca hoodie releases, in partnership with AIA, followed by the release of PAKAFILL® - an ‘ethical’ insulation for clothing.

Contact Cody at pakaapparel.com. To discuss any of the topics in the episode, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @rubyatwtin on X (formerly Twitter), or email rpenson@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, email sales@wtin.com.

This month, WTiN speaks with Graham Stewart. He is the man behind a holistic patent-pending process called Fibre 52. The Fibre 52 process is holistic from prep to dye, and mill tests around the globe show it’s consistently repeatable. It also is integrated with no added machinery or upfront investment. Stewart talks about certification, sustainability, how the Fibre52 process came to be and how it can help manufacturing processes.

Contact Stewart at fibre52.com. To discuss any of the topics in the episode, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @rubyatwtin on X (formerly Twitter), or email rpenson@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, email sales@wtin.com.

This month, WTiN speaks with Ishan Chathuranga – an e-textiles engineer based in Ontario, Canada. Chathuranga has more than eight years’ experience in electronic textile product development, failure analysis, and manufacturing. Chathuranga delves into the issues around scaling e-textiles, stages of development and the need for plug-and-play technology and standardisation.

To discuss any of the topics in the episode, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @rubyatwtin on Twitter, or email rpenson@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, email sales@wtin.com.

Talk of the metaverse, blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) has taken over the textile industry as of late. This month, WTiN speaks with Eric Benoist – a technology and data specialist at Natixis, a Corporate investment banking company headquartered in Paris, France.

We talk about synthetic biology, how AI can help in terms of sustainability and the ethics that go alongside merging science with textiles. To discuss any of the topics in the episode, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @rubyatwtin on Twitter, or email rpenson@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, email sales@wtin.com.

When looking for more circularity within the textile & apparel industry, most look to existing fibres and ways to elevate them. Keel Labs were on the hunt for something new and looked to the ocean. On this episode of Textile Innovation, WTiN talks to Tessa Callaghan, the chief executive officer and one of the co-founders behind Keel Labs.

Based in the US, the company has an eye for innovation, starting with its seaweed-derived yarn called Kelsun that holds a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to legacy fibres. Created using an abundant polymer found in the kelp, Callaghan says Kelsun harnesses the renewable and regenerative power of the ocean.

To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @rubyatwtin on Twitter, or email rpenson@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, email sales@wtin.com

The way most of us know fungi best is by mushrooms. Ecovative’s innovation, Mycelium, is expanding the possibilities of working with mushrooms. This month, WTiN talks to Gavin McIntyre, co-founder of New York-based company, Ecovative. There is huge demand for sustainable and planet-friendly leather alternatives that feel, look and perform like the real thing. Ecovative has a specialised soft goods division called Forager that approaches the problem by using its AirMycelium technology to grow durable, synthetic-free and totally vegan materials for the fashion industry.

Grown in only nine days, Forager’s pure Mycelium hides have a naturally high tensile strength, tear resistance, durability and other traits that are equal to animal leathers. If you want to get in touch with Ecovative, you can find them at forager.bio. To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @rubyatwtin on Twitter, or email rpenson@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, email sales@wtin.com.

This month, World Textile Information Network talks to Edwin Keh, the CEO at the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel or HKRITA ⁠— an applied research center for the textile, apparel and fashion industries. It says it’s goal is to engage in useful research, explore enhancements and create new values, applications and solutions for the challenges in the marketplace and in society.

Ruby talks to Keh about Industry 4.0, sustainability and some of the innovations that the institute is working on. Like the apron made of a material that eats carbon from the air while it’s being worn, an extremely absorbent textile that could help farmers and the world's shortest supply chain that could fit into two 40ft containers.

Since opening in 2006, the institute fulfilled its vision of being a leading center of excellence in research, development and technology transfer in fashion and textile industry. Keh shares a multitude of knowledge and insight with WTiN during the episode. You can listen to the episode above, or via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. You can find out more about HKRITA by heading to hkrita.com.

To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @rubyatwtin on Twitter or email rpenson@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

This month, World Textile Information Network talks to Joel Furey, the founder and chief commercial officer at Noble Biomaterials. The intelligent materials company is based out of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the US and is the home of both Ionic+ and Circuitex – antimicrobial and conductivity solutions.

Its silver-based wearable technologies are used across the textile spectrum from military to performance apparel and healthcare. Furey tunes in from the Electric City to share the company’s latest innovations as well as giving his insight and giving a sneak peek at what is coming next for Noble.

You may recognise some of the big-name brands that use Noble’s anti-odour technologies, from Lululemon and Athleta to Anta and Mack Weldon, as well as other technologies that are used by NASA, Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

Furey also talks about sustainability and what the company does to minimise its effects on the planet – including using predominantly recycled silver from electronics, for example, in its technology.

You can find Noble Biomaterials by heading to noblebiomaterials.com, or you can get in touch over Twitter by following @noble_advantage.

To discuss any of our topics, get in touch by following @wtincomment and @rubyatwtin on Twitter or email rpenson@wtin.com directly. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please email sales@wtin.com.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Jason Finnis, executive vice president and chief innovation officer, and Caleb Beyers, brand and design manager, at Bast Fibre Technologies.

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Victoria (British Colombia, Canada), Bast Fibre Tech produces 100% plant-based natural fibres for a wide variety of nonwoven applications. Currently it has two products: Sero and Noval. Sero is a multipurpose hemp fibre and Noval is the company’s specialty linen fibre.

In this podcast, Finnis and Beyers explain why bast fibres are suitable for nonwoven applications and how they can enhance and purify the fibres using Bast Fibre Tech’s wet processing, fibre modification and proprietary dry processing techniques.

Elsewhere, they discuss overcoming obstacles such as continuity of supply and fibre consistency and explore the potential to replace synthetics with this family of fibres. Lastly, the pair note other potential applications and they make their predictions for where bast fibres might be in the next five to 10 years.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Dr Giovanna Graziosi Casimiro, head of Metaverse Fashion Week at Decentraland.

Decentraland is a software development company that is creating a virtual world (aka a metaverse) that will grow beyond any centralised control. To accomplish this, the company is building tools and applications designed to help people create three-dimensional (3D) content, games and applications. All of which are hosted and accessed on a fully decentralised virtual reality (VR) platform.

In this podcast, Casimiro explains what the metaverse is and what associated terms such as Web3 and NFTs mean, before talking about the company’s first Metaverse Fashion Week. Held in March 2022, the event featured runway shows, panel talks, virtual shopping experiences and more. Casimiro explains what brands thought of the event, how they plan to improve it for next year and that it will not ever replace physical experiences but enhance them. Elsewhere, she talks about other opportunities that the metaverse offers textile and apparel companies and she provides her advice on how to get involved.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Jeffrey Hsu, chief innovation and marketing officer, and Peter Decorte, chief operations officer, at NTX.

NTX is a textile innovation and solution company that has developed a hybrid textile colouration system called NTX Cooltrans. Indeed, the pair say it is a mix of digital printing, sublimation and wet dye techniques – something they claim is completely new and unique.

In this podcast, Hsu and Decorte explain how the NTX Cooltrans technology came about, how the different machines have evolved, and what the environmental benefits are of adopting the system. They also talk about production benefits regarding the ability to print on both sides of the fabric and how the fewer process steps results in an end product that retains its strength and quality. Lastly, the pair explain the company’s plan to roll out the technology through joint ventures and how companies can get their hands on NTX Cooltrans.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Yoel Fink, Professor of Materials Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

MIT is well-known for its research concerning textiles & apparel, and most recently Fink and his team have developed a ‘fabric that hears’. The fabric works like a microphone, converting sound into mechanical vibrations, then into electrical signals, similarly to how our ears hear.

In this podcast, Fink talks about the inspiration for the research and how the aim is to start ‘capturing the soundtrack of our lives’. He talks about how the team have made the fibre and resulting fabric, how it’s cost-effective to produce and the cool applications that range from monitoring unborn babies to detecting space dust.

Elsewhere, he speaks of the ‘tremendous opportunities with fabrics’ and highlights a new course at MIT that combines computing with textiles called Computing Fabrics.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Scott Mellin, CEO of LifeLabs.

LifeLabs is a materials science company founded by Professor Yi Cui, director of Stanford University’s advanced materials laboratory, and Meng Sui, a chemist and CEO of clean-energy foundry EEnotech. The company has developed textile technologies to reduce energy consumption with the aim to shift the way that we think about fabric and its environmental impact.

In this podcast, Mellin talks about the company’s two thermoregulating technologies – WarmLife and CoolLife – which he describes as a democratic solution to climate change. In fact, Mellin says that wearing these products 365 days per year can help one person to save 1,000 lbs of carbon in that time.

Elsewhere, he talks about LifeLabs’s holistic approach to sustainability, his opinion on the Higg MSI and how the company’s technology could be applied to automotive, upholstery and sportswear in future.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, Jessica Owen interviews Britt Howard, founder of the Portland Garment Factory.

Founded in 2008 and based in Oregon, US, the Portland Garment Factory is a full-service manufacturing company that can prototype, design, pattern grade, source fabrics and much more.

In this episode, Howard discusses why she founded the company and more about the services she and the team offer. Elsewhere, Howard talks about working with clients ranging from small designers to global brands such as Nike, as well as the company’s zero waste manufacturing approach and the appeal of being made in the US.

To find out more about the Portland Garment Factory, visit www.portlandgarmentfactory.com

To kick off 2022, Victoria Nickerson interviews Milon Hossein, a graduate research assistant at North Carolina State University (NC State) in the US.

The last guest on this year’s The WTiN Podcast is Lisa Kennedy, vice president of strategic partnerships at Genomatica.

Founded in 2000 and based in San Diego (US), Genomatica develops commercial bio-based products and processes. Having started in the plastics and cosmetics industries, the company has since turned its attention to finding sustainable alternatives to nylon.

In this podcast, Kennedy talks about the company’s innovations aimed at the textile & apparel industry such as its bio-nylon and alternative for thermoplastic polyurethan (TPU). Elsewhere, she mentions the challenges associated with developing new chemistries, talks about Genomatica’s collaborations with brands including Lululemon and hints at the next solution on the horizon.

To find out more about Genomatica, visit www.genomatica.com

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is David Dillon, smart apparel business lead at W L Gore.

Founded more than 60 years ago by Bill and Vieve Gore, the company makes everything from consumer products to medical components to fibres and vents. Its most well-known product is arguably Gore-Tex – a waterproof and breathable membrane added to outdoor clothing – and recently it has expanded into wearables.

In this podcast, Dillon talks about the company’s recent involvement with smart workwear and how it can prevent workplace injuries. Such injuries and illnesses cost companies and insurers an estimated US$250bn annually in direct and indirect costs (according to data from the Economic Policy Institute and an analysis by Accenture) and W L Gore has created a shirt that can monitor motion and analyse if the worker is at risk of injury. Elsewhere, Dillon talks about the challenges with smart apparel such as the lack of standards and washability and how data collection and digitising workwear is the future.

To find out more about W L Gore, visit www.gore.com

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is Zimri Hinshaw, CEO of Bucha Bio.

Based in New York City (US), Bucha Bio is a biotechnology company that creates materials using bacterial nanocellulose. The company was founded in 2019 and the team plans to use this material to replace animal and plastic leather.

In this podcast, Hinshaw talks about how long it takes to create the company’s biomaterial, how it was inspired by kombucha and how it has the potential to meet or exceed animal leather production.

Hinshaw also describes the material’s properties and he provides his thoughts on biodegradability and what the industry might look like in 10 years. Elsewhere, he says the company is working with extruding businesses to optimise the material and plans to open a pilot production facility by next year.

To find out more about Bucha Bio, visit www.bucha.bio

This week’s guests on The WTiN Podcast are sales and marketing director Neil Green and technical director Paul Geldenhuys from NUtec Digital Ink.

Based in South Africa, the company began its journey in 1995, when it was an early ink manufacturer for airbrush printers used for commercial printing. The company’s name and focus has since changed a couple of times after being acquired by Scitex Vision in 2001 and Hewlett Packard (HP) in 2005. Eventually, the original founders of the company created NUtec Digital Ink which now develops and manufactures digital printing inks for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and distributors for the global market.

In this podcast, Green and Geldenhuys talk about the company’s interesting history, the different inks it offers and the benefits and limitations to each. They discuss the company’s latest products, the different markets it serves and how R&D continually focuses on sustainability and water-based inks. What’s more, the pair talk about how Covid-19 was ‘disastrous' for the company for the first few months, but how they believe digital printing and inks has a bright and promising future.

To find out more about NUtec Digital Ink, visit www.nutecdigital.com

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is Martin Flora, VP, Business Development, Green Theme Technologies.

Founded in 2013, Green Theme Technologies is an emerging textile innovation company based out of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, US. The business’ mission is to create products that out-perform existing technologies while eliminating water usage and pollution, hence the development of its EMPEL platform. Comprising clean chemistry, polymer science, and a patented process, the EMPEL platform is helping to create products such as PFC-free water repellents and waterless dyes.

In this episode, Flora talks about how the concept began in the kitchen of Dr Gary Selwyn with him mixing and applying various chemistries on his ironing board, how the technology is applied to textiles, and the first applications that the company is focusing on. Elsewhere, Flora explains how the EMPEL platform is cost-effective, has added benefits such as uniformity compared to wet processing, and how the secret to a sustainable future is simplicity.

To find out more about Green Theme Technologies, visit www.greenthemetek.com

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is Dr Jan Blenkinsopp, head of research and development at Aqualab (the innovation arm of Speedo).

Based in Nottingham, UK, Speedo created its first swimsuit in 1928, and has since helped to pioneer Lycra swimsuits. It has also developed the controversial Fastskin Racing System and contributed to countless gold medals at the Olympics and other competitions.

In this episode, Blenkinsopp introduces ‘the most intelligent swimsuit of all time’: Speedo Fastskin 4.0. This ‘concept swimsuit’ has been developed with forecasted technological advancements in mind to create a suit that could lead to an improvement of up to 4% across sprint events by 2040. Here, Blenkinsopp talks about the technologies involved such as artificial intelligence, energy harvesting fabrics, and bio-engineered materials, all the while discussing the financial and manufacturing feasibility – and whether it would actually be race legal.

To find out more about Speedo and Aqualab, visit www.speedo.com

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is Topher Anderson, manager, technical embroidery application at ZSK Research and Training Center.

Founded just a few years ago, the ZSK Training and Research Center is a subsidiary company to ZSK Embroidery Machines. Based on the West Coast of the US, the Center has been set up to help anyone from students to established companies to find solutions concerned with technical embroidery.

In this episode, Anderson explains the basics of embroidery and how it has transitioned from traditional applications such as baseball caps and T-shirts to technical embroidery including smart textiles and composites. He talks through the capabilities and opportunities that lie within technical embroidery, and he outlines the different machines and how they can be modified for emerging products. Elsewhere, he talks about how embroidery helps to reduce waste, bolstering sustainability, and how the team is improving the data and connection between the machines to improve efficiency and workflow.

To find out more about ZSK Research and Training Center, visit www.training.zskusa.com

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is Georgia Parker, innovation manager at Fashion For Good.

Founded in 2017, Fashion for Good is a global innovation platform that is on a mission ‘to make all fashion good’. By sparking and scaling innovation, by offering practical action in the form of support, funding and roadmaps, and by fostering sector-wide collaboration rather than competition, the organisation enables invention and widespread adoption of good fashion practice.

In this episode, Parker highlights the organisation’s newly launched scheme called The Renewable Carbon Textiles Project that aims to accelerate the development of PHA polymers. She mentions the collaborators involved, the plan of action, and how the project could lead to commercial pilots and trials afterwards.

Elsewhere, Parker talks about this year’s accelerator programme and the solutions that have particularly caught her eye, noting that there is still a huge opportunity in areas such as digitalisation and manufacturing technology for sustainable innovation. And how important it is to fully understand the impact of these new solutions to ensure they are better than the materials that we’re trying to replace.

To find out more about Fashion For Good, visit www.fashionforgood.com

The WTiN Podcast is back for another series, and this time we kick off by talking to Jackie Corlett, founder and director of Motif and Motif Handmade.

While founded decades apart, Motif (1990s) and Motif Handmade (2010s) share a vision to support traditional weaving practices in Bangladesh by making them part of today’s solutions. Motif focuses on the production of woven fabrics and getting people into the workplace, while Motif Handmade is about working with the weavers to design collections and to make the most of the design talent they have to offer.

In this episode, Corlett talks about the network of weavers that she has become apart of over the years, the diversity of fabrics that they’re able to create, and how they are even introducing recycled yarns into collections. Elsewhere, Corlett talks about how socially and environmentally sustainable artisanal weaving is, and how it’s a scalable, accessible and financially competitive way of manufacturing, which is why she is encouraging designers and brands to think about integrating artisanal weaving into their supply chains.

To find out more about Motif Handmade, visit www.motifhandmade.com

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is Dr George Sun, CEO, Nextiles.

Founded in 2019 and spun out of MIT and the National Science Foundation, Nextiles is a wearable smart textiles company that uses its patented sewing technology to apply circuitry directly into fabric. Through this, the team creates a cohesive hardware-software ecosystem where it can leverage machine learning technologies to transform the sensor data into actionable insights that clients can use to better train and quantify human performance.

In this episode, Sun talks more about how the company came to be and how Covid-19 helped the team to put its finger on a market that would see the value in Nextiles’ technology. He goes on to explain more about the materials and their sensing capabilities, the data that is collected, and how the company tackles data security. Elsewhere, he talks about other markets that Nextiles could filter into and how the company will soon be launching flagship products to elicit ideation within the industry.

To find out more about Nextiles, visit www.nextiles.tech

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is Michelle Zhu, CEO and co-founder of Huue.

Founded in 2019 by Zhu and Tammy Hsu (CSO), and based on UC Berkeley-invented bioengineering research, the company uses biotechnology to create the ‘world’s most sustainable dyes’, with its first mission being to create indigo blue for denim makers.

In this episode, Zhu explains what she means by ‘bioengineering’ and how the company uses microbes to create and collect the dye. Elsewhere, she talks about how this drop-in solution is highly scalable, how it could even beat plant-based dye prices, and how the performance characteristics have not been compromised. Lastly, Zhu talks about the importance of collaboration between startups and brands and how there are so many opportunities within bioengineering that the textile industry should tap into.

To find out more about Huue, visit www.huue.bio

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is Jessica Schreiber, founder and CEO of Fabscrap.

Founded in 2016, Fabscrap is a non-profit organisation rethinking commercial textile waste by providing convenient pickup of unwanted textiles from New York City businesses. The team ensures maximum diversion from landfill by utilising the most current recycling technologies and engaging the local creative community in reuse.

In this episode, Schreiber explains how her experience working in the city’s Department of Sanitation inspired her to set up Fabscrap and she paints a picture about how big the problem regarding commercial textile waste really is. Elsewhere, she explains how the service works, how brands can get involved, and how the public can get involved by volunteering to sort the collected materials. Lastly, Schreiber outlines her plans to extend the service to Philadelphia and Los Angeles, and how franchising the business might be the best option if it were to ever go international.

To find out more about Fabscrap, visit www.fabscrap.org

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is Sydney Gladman, chief scientific officer at the Material Innovation Initiative (MII).

Founded in 2020, the Material Innovation Initiative ‘exists to make the sustainable option, the easy option’ by accelerating the development of next-gen materials that are high-performance, animal-free, and more sustainable for the fashion, automotive, and home goods industries. The team identifies untapped sources, connects entrepreneurs and startups to venture capitalists to accelerate commercialisation, conducts global quantitative and qualitative research, and much more.

In this episode, Gladman talks more about the problem surrounding animal-derived materials and why the company exists. She discusses some of organisation’s latest and upcoming research concerning consumer perceptions, silk, and a hefty state of the industry report, and how the company is looking to hire someone whose sole focus will be on environmental impact assessments and providing clarity on the sustainability of materials. Lastly, she also provides her thoughts on how the next-gen materials industry may evolve over the coming years.

To find out more about Material innovation initiative, visit www.materialinnovation.org

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is Andreas Andrén, CEO at We aRe SpinDye.

Founded in 2014, We aRe SpinDye has developed a colouring method that focuses on the coloration of the recycled material before it is extruded to fibre and spun into yarn. By melting colour pigments and the recycled polyester mass together, homogenously coloured yarns are created, without the use of water. This method helps to reduce water by 75%, limit chemicals by 90%, and improve energy consumption by 30-40%.

In this episode, Andrén talks about how the process works step-by-step and explains how brands – big or small – can work with the team to integrate this method into their manufacturing process. Elsewhere, he talks about the benefits of switching to spin dyeing, the challenges that companies would have to consider, how the company is exploring other applications in addition to recycled polyester, and how the business is embracing digitalisation.

To find out more about We aRe SpinDye, visit www.spindye.com.

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is Debbie Luffman, product director at Finisterre.

Founded in 2003 by Tom Kay, Finisterre is a British outdoor clothing company that has adopted a sustainable approach since its inception. The business started in a flat above a surf shop in Cornwall with an innovative fleece, and now it is offers wetsuits, T-shirts, jackets and more.

In this episode, Luffman talks about the measures that the company is taking to be as sustainable as possible including using Aquapak’s soluble packaging, offering a repair service, and becoming a Certified B Corporation in 2018. Elsewhere, she tells us about Finisterre’s functional and biodegradable BioSmock Jacket which won Gold at this year’s ISPO, balancing simplicity with complexity when it comes to educating consumers about sustainable products, and how the company is exploring fibre-to-fibre recycling and using kelp to create new materials.

To find out more about Finisterre, visit www.finisterre.com

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is John Elmuccio, COO and co-founder of Evolution St Louis.

Founded in February 2020 by Elmuccio and his business partner Jon Lewis, Evolution St Louis is a high-tech knitting 32,000 sqft facility that uses 3D and complete garment seamless technology to create the manufacturing facility and supply chain of the future.

In this episode, Elmuccio talks about several topics from the company’s vision to not just reshore manufacturing from Asia but to create the jobs of the future, to how the Covid-19 pandemic has forced the team to develop more and more technical textiles. Elsewhere, he talks about collaborating with universities to update curriculums, the driving force that is sustainability, and how there’s a possibility of opening a second facility in the future.

To find out more about Evolution St Louis, visit www.evolutionstl.com

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is Teddy Seyed, a senior researcher in the RiSE group at Microsoft.

Headquartered in Redmond in the US, Microsoft is a multinational technology company that I’m sure we’re all familiar with. The RiSE group in particular focuses on advancing software engineering research, which includes working on smart textiles since around 2014.

In this episode, Seyed talks about two of his latest research projects: Capacitivo, which is a contact-based object recognition technique developed for interactive fabrics, and Fabriccio, a touchless gesture sensing technique developed for interactive fabrics. He talks about how they work, potential applications, and the next steps needed to commercialise them. Elsewhere, Seyed talks about some of the biggest challenges facing smart textiles such as scale, deformation, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, while also mentioning where sustainability fits into all of this.

To find out more about Microsoft’s RiSE Group, visit www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/group/research-software-engineering-rise/

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is Shawn Mealey, technical service and development scientist at Dow.

Founded in 1897, Dow is a multinational chemical corporation headquartered in Midland, Michigan, in the US. Back then it was just a science start-up but now it is known as an ‘innovation powerhouse’, developing and supplying silicones, coatings, plastics and more to almost all industries. In fact, Dow now has over 100 sites across 31 countries and has a turnover of around US$39bn.

In this episode, Mealey talks about the company’s new fluorocarbon-free durable water repellent called the DOWSIL IE-8749 Emulsion, which is based on silicone technology. The team began working on this development nearly five years ago, but it is the increasing demand for more sustainable products from the market that accelerated its progress just recently. Elsewhere, Mealey talks about the importance of performance and developing sustainable alternatives that can seamlessly fit into existing business operations, and what we can expect from Dow in the near future.

To find out more about Dow, visit www.dow.com

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is Robina von Stein, founder of RE-NT.

Founded in 2018, RE-NT began as a clothing rental platform for the end consumer. But since 2020, it has turned its attention to helping other brands and retailers integrate a rental model into their own businesses. To do this, the company has devised a holistic system that helps brands adopt RE-NT’s customised software and provides them with a complete fulfilment solution and options for the eventual end-of-life of a garment.

In this episode, von Stein explains this process in detail and expands on how the service works for both consumers and companies. She talks about the main concerns that brands have about adopting a rental model and how RE-NT can help, the significant environmental and financial benefits of renting, and the success of recent collaborations with Adidas and H&M. Elsewhere, von Stein speaks of her frustration with the fast fashion industry and the new countries and markets RE-NT would like to explore in future.

To find out more about RE-NT, visit www.re-nt.com

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is Liesl Truscott, director of Europe and materials strategy at Textile Exchange.

Founded as Organic Exchange in 2002, Textile Exchange is a global non-profit organisation that works closely with all sectors of the textile supply chain. It identifies and shares best practices regarding farming, materials, processing, traceability, and product end-of-life to create positive impacts on the environment. The organisation expanded from a focus solely on organic cotton in 2010 to include a diverse preferred fibre and materials portfolio and is now well known for its standards and conferences.

In this episode, Truscott introduces Textile Exchange’s new Biodiversity Benchmark. Launched in December 2020 and created in partnership with Conservation International, The Biodiversity Consultancy, and Sappi, the benchmark provides a roadmap for companies to understand their impacts on nature. Here, Truscott talks about why the organisation felt the need to launch the programme, how the textile & apparel industry is intertwined with biodiversity, and how companies can sign up and begin to integrate biodiversity into their business strategy and operations.

To find out more about Textile Exchange’s Biodiversity Benchmark, visit www.mci.textileexchange.org/biodiversity

The WTiN Podcast is back for another series, and this time we kick off by talking to Peter Hill, director of Woven Fabrics at Heathcoat Fabrics.

Based in Devon, UK, Heathcoat is a market-leading manufacturer of knitted and woven textiles. The company is well known for its work in many industries including automotive, defence and PPE, and for the last 30 years its fabrics have also been adventuring into outer space.

In this episode, Hill talks about Heathcoat’s latest space project, whereby it created the parachute fabric for the Perseverance Rover which landed on Mars on 18 February 2021. Hill explains how Heathcoat first got involved with NASA, what the brief was for the fabric that was responsible for the rover’s safe landing, and the sense of relief he felt when he heard the good news last month. Elsewhere, Hill talks about the other space missions that Heathcoat is working on, the company’s technical fabrics for future renewable energy systems, and what life has been like for the business throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

To find out more about Heathcoat Fabrics, visit www.heathcoat.co.uk

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is Feico van der Veen, founder and CEO of The Movement (a company offering sustainable fibre and yarn solutions for the textile industry) and its integrity technology company called AWARETM.

Founded in April 2020, AWARE has a mission to eliminate greenwashing by offering a secure traceability system that can be integrated into recycled materials. Firstly, a tracer is added to the yarn which is then registered using blockchain and then this yarn can be made into any product. The final item can then be scanned to identify the tracer content to check verify any claim.

In this episode, van der Veen explains how the process works in much more detail and how it was his frustration about fake claims in the industry and the struggle brands have to prove their claims that led him to create AWARE. He also talks about how this technology can be applied to other fibres and yarns, how consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products such as these, and how tracer technology such as AWARE’s could be the ‘new normal’ in the future.

To find out more about AWARE, visit www.wearaware.co and to learn more about The Movement, visit www.the-movement.com

This week’s guest on The WTiN Podcast is Dalia Benefatto, a consultant at REMOkey.

Founded in 2010, the team at REMOkey has created a label and communication solution for textiles made with recycled materials. The process involves three steps, the first of which is calculation. To determine the definite percentage of used recycled content in a product, the company maps the production trail throughout the supply chain and calculates the associated environmental impact. Secondly, REMOkey works with Process Factory to validate and credit the information and then finally, all this data is communicated to consumers via a QR-code label and website.

In this episode, Benefatto explains in more depth about how the process works and why the company was started in the first place. She talks about how transparency is key and her tips for spotting greenwashing in the industry. Elsewhere, we discuss topics such as self-declaration, how consumers, industry and governments need to work together to build a green economy, and the sister company that REMOkey is launching later in 2021 to bring this solution to all other fibres.

To find out more about REMOkey, visit www.remokey.com

This week on The WTiN Podcast we speak to the director of the Textile Recycling Association, Alan Wheeler.

The Textile Recycling Association is the UK’s trade association for collectors, sorters, processors and exporters of used clothing and textiles.

The main objectives of the association are:

· to represent the interests of its members locally, nationally and internationally

· be a major force in creating a favourable climate, in which merchants can operate to advantage

· strengthen the economic opportunities for all of its members by promoting all forms of textile recycling and the second-hand clothing / shoe recycling industry

· highlight the major environmental, social and economic benefits that the industry brings, both in the UK and other parts of the world

In this episode, Wheeler explains what happens to our clothes and textile waste once it is either sent to the charity shop or a recycling bank. He also discusses how the reuse market is becoming saturated and how mechanical recycling affects the fibre quality for reuse – which means there is a growing need for chemical recycling technologies.

Elsewhere, he mentions how Covid-19 is changing consumer buying habits and how the increase in loungewear and onesies, for example, is not financially appropriate for export markets such as sub-Saharan Africa. And finally, he talks about how the British government urgently needs to conduct a review into potentially launching an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for textiles in the UK.

This week on The WTiN Podcast we speak to Petri Alava, CEO of Infinited Fiber Company, who is representing a new EU-funded scheme called New Cotton Project.

In a ‘world first’ for the fashion industry, the project connects 12 key players to break new ground by demonstrating an entirely circular model for commercial garment production. Over a three-year period, textile waste will be collected, sorted, and regenerated into a new, man-made cellulosic fibre that looks and feels like cotton using Infinited Fiber Company’s textile fibre regeneration technology. The fibres will be used to create different types of fabrics for clothing that will be designed, manufactured, and sold by Adidas and companies in the H&M Group.

In this episode, Alava talks about how the project came about, why it’s necessary, and how it could act as an inspiration for further circular initiatives in the industry. He also talks about how having brands such as Adidas and H&M on board can help reach out to consumers, how there is a readiness in the industry for sustainable change, and how he’s ‘so sure’ the industry will get there eventually.

On The WTiN Podcast this week, we speak to Michael Cattanach, global product director at Polartec.

Based in Massachusetts in the US, Polartec has a rich history that dates to 1906. Back then the company was known for making military uniforms, as well as its work with wool and much more, under the name of Malden Mill Industries. But it was in the 1980s, when it developed the world’s first polar fleece, that it decided to focus its energy on the sports and outdoor markets, which the company is renowned for today.

In this episode, Cattanach talks about Polartec’s Eco Engineering initiative – a ‘whole systems approach’ to sustainable manufacturing that has so far helped to divert around 1.5 billion plastic bottles from landfill by recycling them into products such as the Mono Air Hoodie by Houdini.

Elsewhere, Cattanach speaks about balancing the need to run a successful business with accepting that environmentally friendly materials will cost more. That said, sustainability is top on the agenda for Polartec’s customers’ these days – which suggests the industry is moving in the right direction.

For this next mini-series of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to organisations about the topic of textile recycling. This is one of the most important solutions to the industry’s waste and sustainability problems. So tune in to learn about new industry initiatives to create circular fashion, upcoming textile recovery technologies, how best to communicate sustainability to consumers. and much more.

In this first episode we speak to Graham Ross, co-founder of the textile recovery technology company BlockTexx.

Founded in 2018 by Ross and his co-founder, Adrian Jones, BlockTexx has developed its own proprietary technology that separates polyester and cotton materials such as clothes, sheets and towels of any colour or condition and turns them back into their high-value raw materials of PET and cellulose. These can then be reused as new products for all industries.

In this episode, Ross talks about the chemical recycling process that he and Jones have developed, how the Covid-19 pandemic has allowed them to further optimise their technology and model, and how the team hopes to have a commercial plant up and running by the end of the year. What’s more, he explains how the industry needs to start taking action instead of only talking about sustainability, and how this will encourage new conversations among manufacturers, brands and investors to get the ball rolling.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Frederic Dryhoel, corporate communication manager, and Lieven Beke, marketing and product manager, at Picanol.

In this podcast, Dyhoel and Beke start by talking about how far the company has come in its 85 years. For example, its flying shuttle machine back in the day had a weaving width of two metres and could complete around 140 weft insertions per minute. Now, its modern machines can achieve around 2,000 weft insertions per minute and the weaving width goes up to 540 cm.

Not only has the speed and size of the machines changes, but so has the technology – Dryhoel and Beke take pride in saying that Picanol is ‘driven by data’ and has been making digital advances way before the Industry 4.0 term came about. Elsewhere, the pair talk about Covid-19 and how the business has had to adapt to launch products virtually and communicate with its customers in a different way.

Meanwhile, they mention how other technology such as virtual reality (VR) goggles have been assisting with remote assembly and training, and what the company’s plans are for 2021 and beyond.

Founded in 1936 and headquartered in Belgium, Picanol develops, produces and sells high-tech weaving machines where insertion is based on airjet or rapier technology. Around 2,600 weaving mills worldwide use the company’s products which translates to about 175,000 machines currently in operation.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Mark Grave, CEO at the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX).

The organisation was established in 1993 to deliver services that support and add value to the global demand for Australian wool. It works with wool classers and wool growers, helps to facilitate auctions, and provides marketing services, among other things.

In this podcast, Grave talks about Australia’s strong and proud wool industry that comprises around 35,000 wool growers and nearly 70 million sheep. Although this is a well-established industry and has previously suffered from being traditional, it is now taking advantage of new technologies such as RFID. For example, AWEX has recently introduced WoolClip – an internet and mobile app that allows the user to create wool specifications, consignments and National Wool Declarations – and eBale, which is a new bale labelling system that can improve traceability. Elsewhere, Grave talks about how digital tools are helping to encourage diversity within the sector and how the wider agricultural industry is now being recognised for how professional, complex and interesting it is to work in.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Whitney Cathcart, co-founder and chief strategy officer at 3DLOOK.

Founded in 2016, the company has built a mobile-first body scanning and measuring technology which enables a simple exchange of measurement and shape data between businesses and customers to help optimise processes, cut costs, and deliver better shopping experiences.

In this podcast, Cathcart talks about how the co-founders got together and the technology behind the products that include computer vision, statistical modelling and machine learning. She explains how both consumers and businesses use the technology, the awards the company has won so far, and how the brand has experienced ‘tremendous growth’ during the Covid-19 pandemic. For example, 3DLOOK has launched a new service called Mobile Tailor that is helping to support several businesses that need to physically measure their clients. Elsewhere, Cathcart talks about how the crisis has accelerated change in the industry, how there are not enough 3D designers (although this is where the industry is heading), and how brand survival means leaning into technology and change.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Connie Huffa, textile engineer and co-founder of Fabdesigns.

Founded in 1988 by husband-and-wife Bruce and Connie Huffa, Fabdesigns is the go-to company for all things knitting. The couple has spent decades developing cutting-edge 3D knitted products, reimagining machinery, innovating parts and materials and teaching these new technologies to brands, individuals and engineers across the world.

In this episode, Huffa explains the interesting story about how Fabdesigns came to be and what the company does in more detail. She talks about Covid-19, how knitting machines have evolved since she first started out at 19 years old and what she’d like to see from the next generation of machines moving forward. Elsewhere, she highlights the lack of advanced expertise in the industry saying that “digitalisation is putting the tools in more people’s hands who don’t know how to knit” and that knitting machine manufacturers need to set up training programmes that go beyond the basics.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Lutz Walter, director of Innovation and Skills at EURATEX.

EURATEX is the European Apparel and Textile Confederation, representing the interests of the European textile & clothing industry at the level of the EU institutions. Walter himself has been working for the organisation since 1999 when he took on the role of R&D manager, and he has since been involved in many other European projects and has developed a fountain of knowledge concerning the textile & apparel industry.

In this podcast, Walter talks about so many things such as how the industry has been impacted by Covid-19 and EURATEX’s Proposals for Recovery, whereby a digital and ‘green’ shift will provide significant opportunities for long-term survival. He also gives his thoughts on the drivers behind a digital future. For example, he says that business models will change hand-in-hand with manufacturing changes and how start-ups will likely make a ‘revolutionary impact’. Elsewhere, he says that the industry will change dramatically over the next 10-20 years, thanks to IoT developments, smart textiles, and the change to using versus owning garments.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to PixelPool’s chief operating officer Jan Torringa and business manager Gary Plunkett.

Founded over 20 years ago, PixelPool started out as a digital agency for real estate and architecture. But since the economic crisis at turn of the century, it has since diversified to help retail brands with their campaigns and visual merchandising. Now, it empowers the fashion industry, making brands more agile, sustainable and cost-effective, through its virtual technology and retail solutions.

In this podcast, Torringa and Plunkett describe the company’s services and explain how they can benefit businesses. Take Dtail, for example. This is a cloud-based platform that enables fashion brands to plan and visualise their collections by linking product data to 3D virtual samples. Solutions such as this help to reduce waste, save time to market, and help brands become more cost-effective. Elsewhere, the pair talk about Covid-19 and how the pandemic has given the fashion industry a sense of urgency to adopt digital technologies, and how the company’s heritage and two decades’ worth of experience can help support brands while they figure out how to embrace digitalisation.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Chris White who is the director of Industrial Policy and Insight Centre at The Manufacturing Technology Centre (The MTC).

The MTC was established in 2010 as an independent Research & Technology Organisation (RTO) with the objective of bridging the gap between academia and industry – often referred to as ‘the valley of death’. It represents one of the largest public sector investments in UK manufacturing and provides integrated manufacturing system solutions for customers large and small, across sectors as diverse as automotive, food and drink, textile manufacturing, rail and so on.

In this podcast, White talks more about the organisation’s capabilities and how it can help businesses maximise supply chains, compete better, reskill and more. We talk about some of the company’s case studies such as how it helped the British cushion filling manufacturer Fibreline Ltd minimise waste and boost productivity, and how it helped the vehicle hardware supplier Albert Jagger re-shore its operations. Elsewhere, White gives his views on how innovative manufacturing could be the key to recovery post-Covid-19 and how the UK could once again become ‘the workshop of the world’.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Debbie Shakespeare, senior director, Compliance and Sustainability, and Michael Hu, director of Digitization, Retail Branding and Information Solutions, at Avery Dennison.

Avery Dennison is a global materials science company specialising in the design and manufacture of a wide variety of labelling and functional materials. The business caters to many different industries such as automotive, food and healthcare, but it also serves the apparel industry with its garment tagging, sustainable packaging and identification solutions.

In this podcast, Shakespeare and Hu talk about the company’s digital technologies such as RFID and blockchain and how these can benefit brands in several ways. For example, RFID can help track products through the supply chain and tighten inventories, whereas blockchain is great for achieving transparency and trust. Elsewhere, the pair talk about the importance of sustainability and how digital tools can help companies become more environmentally friendly and efficient, and how the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated how transparent companies are the ones that perform better in a crisis and are likely to succeed in the long run.

The fourth industrial revolution is underway, and the world of textile & apparel is just one industry that is benefitting from new and innovative technologies. With this in mind, for this series I’ll be talking to companies across the textile & apparel landscape about their new technologies, the benefits of digitalisation, and the advice that they’d give to others who are trying to implement such solutions.

In this first episode, WTiN’s Industry Digitalisation editor Madelaine Thomas and I talk with Micol Gamba, marketing and product manager at EFI Reggiani.

Founded in 1948 and acquired by US-based global wide-format-printing giant EFI in 2015, EFI Reggiani is a leading manufacturer of digital textile printing solutions. In fact, the company delivers an overall solution for the whole textile process, from yarn treatment to fabric printing and finishing. Overall, it designs, manufactures, sells and services high-quality machines across the globe for a wide variety of substrates and applications, including fashion, home textiles, sportswear, signage, flooring, automotive, and outdoor.

In this podcast, Gamba talks about how inkjet is helping to lead the way when it comes to digitalisation and the impact that new technologies are having on reshoring, business models and sustainability. What's more, she talks about how the company has adapted to Covid-19, the key drivers of digitalisation in the sector, and the main challenges that the company faces.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to the founders of Cucumber Clothing, Eileen Willett and Nancy Zeffman.

Founded by the pair in 2017, the company specialises in simple, multifunctional designs that slip perfectly into every woman’s wardrobe. The women work with modern performance fabrics, such as 37.5’s volcanic mineral material, to offer qualities such as breathability, thermoregulation and anti-crease.

In this podcast, Willett and Zeffman talk about blending luxury with performance fabrics to create clothes that empower women, as well as their approach to sustainability, and how the pandemic has made us mindful of comfort and the madness of fashion.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Gates Hinds, co-founder and managing director of Lumiton.

Founded back in 2018 by Hinds, Dr Marco Scipioni and Dr Faramarz Farahi, Lumiton has developed a solution that transforms textiles into a light delivery system for enhanced performance, protection, cooling comfort and wellness. Essentially, the team has created a patented technology which is embedded into synthetic yarns, transforming textiles so that they can transmit healthy red and near-infrared light to the body.

In this podcast, Hinds goes into depth about the technology and better explains the range of benefits that the user experiences when wearing a Lumiton product. Elsewhere, he talks about the company’s new face masks, how to explain the technology to consumers, and the further applications and possibilities that are yet to be explored.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Claire Hausler, founder of Merineo – an Australian company best known for its merino wool swaddling bags.

Having grown up on a wool growing farm in western Victoria, Australia, Hausler has always had an appreciation for merino wool. But it was while she was on maternity leave with her first child when she began to consider developing a product and business with this fibre. Now, four years later, Merineo specialises in swaddling bags and babywear that can help infants to sleep better and settle faster.

In this podcast, Hausler talks about the initial idea and how she developed the first product with families at a hospital. She talks more about merino wool and swaddling and how this combination helps both babies and parents gain a better quality of life. Elsewhere, she chats about the shift in wool over the last few decades and where she hopes the company is heading.

Dr John Oyekan, lecturer in digital manufacturing in the Department of Automatic Control & Systems Engineering at the University of Sheffield, gives his insight on digitalisation within the textile & apparel industry.

In this special episode, Oyekan talks about what digitalisation can do primarily to support the textile & apparel industry, specifically focusing on AI and digital twin technologies. He explains that these new tools can help companies to become more efficient, intelligent and sustainable, and that significant financial savings could also be made. Elsewhere, he discusses the relationship between humans and robots, explaining that humans can never be fully replaced and that the ideal scenario is for robots to complete the repetitive manual tasks, leaving humans time to carry out more meaningful work. Oyekan also gives some advice on how to go about introducing digital technologies into a company, and his thoughts on virtual trade shows such as WTiN’s Innovate Textile & Apparel.

In this special episode, Professor Parikshit Goswami, founder of the University of Huddersfield’s Technical Textile Research Centre, gives his insight on so many things, from PPE to smart textiles and to sustainability. But above all he recognises the need for collaboration within the industry and how technical textiles are at the heart of how to solves many of today’s problems. Elsewhere, Goswami comments on WTiN’s efforts to provide the industry with a virtual trade show, saying that “it’s an excellent idea and long overdue”.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Mark Sunderland, chief innovation officer at Hemp Black, and Alex Capano, chief science officer at its parent company Ecofibre.

Ecofibre is a global leader in hemp technologies and it has several businesses under its wing including Ananda Hemp, Ananda Food, Ananda Professional, and Hemp Black. Hemp Black is the company’s industrial use business that focuses on highly innovative solutions across a wide spectrum of consumer markets to include fashion, athleisurewear, healthcare, composites and building materials.

In this podcast, Sunderland and Capano talk about so many things from how the company started out to how it’s recently shifted the business to cope with Covid-19. Elsewhere, the pair talk through Hemp Black’s main technologies including /element (a strategically engineered and adaptive odour neutralising fibre infused with full spectrum hemp flower extract), /eco6 (a conductive and organic bio-based activated carbon black produced from the carbon rich stalk of the hemp plant), and /ink (a sustainable water-based black ink derived from /eco6. What's more, Sunderland and Capano mention that the company’s first apparel line will be dropping later this year.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Kristin Neidlinger, founder of Sensoree.

The inspiration for the company came about a few years ago from Neidlinger’s master’s thesis research to augment sensory processing disorder – a condition that ranges from ADHD to autism. Now, the company designs wearables to monitor physiological states and translate feelings into auditory, visual, and/or tactile displays. Thanks to enthusiasm across the world, Sensoree has since attended technology and healthcare conferences and fashion shows and works with museums and future visionary platforms.

In this podcast, Neidlinger talks more about her background and how she got into this specific area of research. She also talks about some of her products, the most popular of which is called the Mood Sweater. This garment interprets emotion and displays excitement levels instantly with an illuminated collar. Not only does the product acknowledge emotion, but it can also help the user to control it by calming the nervous system. Elsewhere, Neidlinger talks about smart textile rental models, Covid-19, and another of her projects that helps to give non-verbal people a voice through wearables.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Julie Davies, general manager for Processing Innovation and Education Extension at The Woolmark Company.

For those who haven’t heard of The Woolmark Company before, it is a not-for-profit organisation that works alongside Australia’s 60,000 woolgrowers to research, develop and certify Australian wool. Not only that, but it also collaborates with brands, educates people on wool and its properties, and champions the fibre’s sustainable credentials.

In this podcast, Davies talks about wool and its numerous impressive characteristics – for example, it is biodegradable, allergen-free, temperature regulating, breathable and more. These properties make this natural fibre great for sensitive skin, face masks, and even for bedding and sleepwear. In fact, Davies explains how wool has been proven to improve sleep quality – something that I’m sure many people across the globe would be interested in during this crazy year. Elsewhere, Davies talks about how wool products can also help our mental wellbeing as they are comforting, nurturing and often hold a sentimental value unlike other garments.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Michael Howe, co-founder and managing director at Distrobros – the UK’s exclusive distribution partner for the CBD Pillow.

Founded in February 2020, CBD Pillow is a family-owned business based in California, US. As the name suggests, the company has designed a pillow case and pillow that is infused with cannabidiol (CBD) to help users get a better night’s sleep. Using microencapsulation technology, the company’s patented process injects millions of microcapsules of CBD into the pillow, which are ‘activated’ through friction when the person moves around.

In this podcast, Howe explains the process in much more detail and also talks about CBD and where it comes from. He talks about the benefits of using CBD – such as for relaxation, pain relief and sleep – and how this ingredient is being used more and more and is here to stay. Elsewhere, Howe discusses the demand for the pillow, the health & wellness movement, and the company’s plans to expand the range in 2021.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Federico Sainz de Robles, founder and CEO at Sepiia.

Born in 2016, Sepiia creates garments that ‘make your life easier while taking care of the planet’. The company mixes material technology with fashion, so every product is benefitted from odour control technology, stain repellency, breathability, comfort and more.

In this podcast, Sainz de Robles explains how the company came about from his love of fashion and science. He first studied to be an industrial design engineer and then moved to fashion school and then spent a year studying textile technology. These scientific and technical skills coupled with his love for fashion placed him in the perfect position to launch Sepiia.

Later on in the podcast he talks about the company’s products and new Smart Shirt 3.0 that has added wellness benefits, and how his end goal is to create a whole wardrobe of smart fashion. He also emphasis the company’s approach to sustainability and how customers are now demanding comfort and added health benefits from their clothing, thanks to Covid-19.

In the first episode of our new health and wellbeing series, we talk to Harry Zalk, director of Hydra Active and chief commercial officer at its parent company, Matrix.

Based in London, Matrix specialises in product development and for years has supplied the airline industry with mini products such as moisturisers and face masks. With the company’s experience in cosmetics, and his background in textiles, Zalk spotted an opportunity for a product that could combine the two, which resulted in the formation of Hydra Active.

Hydra Active offers a range of sleepwear that combines comfort and a ‘pioneering technology’ to help keep skin in shape. Using shea butter and argan oil, the company’s fabric uses a microencapsulation process to continually release nutrients designed to keep the skin moisturised and the user more relaxed.

In this podcast, Zalk talks about the initial idea for the product and he explains the microencapsulation process in more detail. Elsewhere, he mentions the company’s other two products – Hydra Active Defence and Hydra Active Serenity – the first of which has experienced an increase in interest recently due to the pandemic. Zalk also talks about the rising importance of technical textiles and how he thinks that in the next five years, we will all be buying clothing with some technical benefit.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Gilberto Loureiro, CEO and co-founder of Smartex – a technology company that has created a solution to spot textile defects in circular knitting machines.

Loureiro grew up surrounded by the textile industry. Many of his family members work as machinery operators, mainly in the north of Portugal, and he himself used to help operate the machines and inspect the fabric in his summer holidays. He then went off to university where he studied physics, optics and learnt about new technologies, and this is when he realised that he could use what he had learnt to automate the inspection process.

In this podcast, Loureiro talks about the company’s beginnings, most of which was spent in China developing the software. He explains how the technology spots defects such as oil spots, holes, and yarn faults, and how much time, money and resources companies could be saved by installing Smartex’s solution. Elsewhere, Loureiro talks about his experience with Covid-19, the Fashion for Good Accelerator Programme, and his approach to business, considering his relatively young age.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to the CEO and co-founder of Ministry of Supply, Aman Advani.

Founded by Advani and his co-founder Gihan Amarasiriwardena in 2012, Ministry of Supply is based in Boston, US, and was born in the labs of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The company specialises in engineering clothes for motion, comfort, easy care, and the planet. Garments include the Apollo Dress Shirt, which is made with the same phase change materials that NASA invented to control an astronauts’ body temperature in space; and the Kinetic suit, which Amarasiriwardena wore to run a ‘record-shattering’ half-marathon.

In this podcast, Advani talks more about the company’s beginning back at MIT and he explains what makes the brand’s products so unique. Elsewhere, he talks about how the company has been coping with Covid-19. Towards the start of the outbreak, the team donated lots of masks to shelters and hospitals and now it has created a 3D printed face mask, which is available to buy through the website. And finally, when asked about any advice he could give aspiring entrepreneurs, he explains that “growth and comfort rarely coexist”.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Beth Esponnette, co-founder of the tailor-made jeans company Unspun.

Founded in 2015 by Esponnette and her two co-founders Walden Lam and Kevin Martin, Unspun makes jeans on demand by first scanning the customer’s body to find the perfect fit, and allowing the customer to choose features such as hem length, fabric, and rise. The inspiration for starting the company boiled down to the founders’ frustration with mass manufacturing, waste, and being forced into wearing the unnecessary and arbitrary construct of clothing sizes. So, they decided to do something about it and rethink the process with the technology available today.

In this podcast, Esponnette talks more about the company’s back story and the process of building a customer the perfect fitting jean. Initially, a scan of the body had to be carried out in-store, but since Covid-19, Unspun has now developed a process to do this using a mobile phone. She also talks more about the unsustainable nature of mass manufacturing, and how the pandemic has been good in terms of encouraging the textile & apparel industry to make some much-needed changes. Elsewhere, Esponnette speaks of the company’s future plans moving forward.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Leon Szeli, who is one of the founders of the fit technology company PreSize.

The brand was founded in 2019 by Szeli and his two co-founders, Awais Shafique and Tomislav Tomov. The trio met each other at The Center for Digital Technology and Management in Munich, Germany, and they came up with the idea for PreSize while studying.

The team has developed a piece of technology that helps fashion companies find the perfect fit for their customers. So, when a customer is shopping online and goes to choose a size, there is an option for the user to take a quick selfie video of themselves – which then translates the frames into body measurements and advises the customer on the best size to pick. Szeli says that this not only helps to reduce the number of items returned, but also helps companies increase their sales by reducing the uncertainty surrounding what size to choose. Additionally, the efficiency of this method helps to save resources, which in turn is more environmentally friendly.

In this podcast, Szeli talks more about the technology and how it works, how it compares to other technologies available, and the other benefits to customers and companies. He also mentions Covid-19 and how PreSize is almost one of the winners of the crisis as budgets have shifted to further developing the online shopping experience.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Cam Chidiac, founder of the clean tech firm Drywired.

Drywired is an award-winning, Los Angeles-based business that distributes nanotechnologies globally. The company’s mission is to harness nanotechnology as a catalyst for change with its eco-friendly protective thin-film coatings that can make buildings more energy efficient, surfaces cleaner, lessen e-waste and reduce city air pollution.

In this podcast, Chidiac starts off by explaining more about how the brand came about. Founded in 2012, it was launched at CES in January 2013 as a start-up offering a single protective nanocoating solution for mobile electronics. The team works by connecting with researchers and scientists to bring research and patents to commercialisation, and its most recent product is called Dryfiber. Dryfiber provides a fluorine-free durable water and oil repellent textile finish, which is completely water-bourne and can be applied through traditional finishing processes.

Chidiac talks about the chemistry involved to achieve oil repellency and he explains more about the issue surrounding toxic chemicals such as PFCs. Elsewhere, he talks about the sea of opportunity for innovation out there. Apparently, 98% of research and patents never reach the market, and so people should really seek these out as a lot of the industry’s problems have already been solved.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Per Stenflo, one of the founding partners of Imogo. The company specialises in sustainable production processes, primarily in the textile dyeing industry.

Imogo was founded in 2018, when Stenflo and his partner, Joacim Wellander, were approached about an idea for the technology from The Swedish School of Textiles. The plan is that the process will, when implemented, dramatically reduce the wasteful use of water, chemistry and energy in the textile dyeing process.

In this podcast, Stenflo talks about the products that are currently being developed, and how the company plans to start marketing these later on this year and in 2021. He explains more about the capabilities of the machines and the savings that can be made thanks to the precise application of the dye dispersion. This translates to a reduced required volume to be applied, and the low volume gives tremendous savings in water, dye, chemistry and waste water. Fixation of the dye can be performed with drastically reduced energy consumption as well due to the low amount of liquid needed to be heated.

Elsewhere, Stenflo explains more about the first steps for the company and being involved in this year’s Fashion for Good Accelerator programme, which of course is now being organised virtually. He says that being accepted onto the programme is proof that the industry wants change.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Hema Nambiar, founder and CEO of 13-One. The company specialises in performance travel jackets made from Heatsheet technology.

After two massive surgeries to revive a collapsed lung and implement a new synthetic diaphragm, Hema had to relearn how to breathe again. Literally. To celebrate her recovery, she ran her first half marathon, 13.1 miles long in Central Park. After crossing the finish line, she was handed a thin silver Heatsheet to keep warm. The adrenaline of the race, the warmth of the blanket and the support of the runners made Hema think ‘life really is a marathon and you don't have to be running a race to feel it’. So, she took her love of running and passion for technology and created 13-One – a sportswear line that embraces the NASA space technology found also in Heatsheets and the spirit of active outdoor lovers everywhere.

In this podcast, Hema talks about the astonishing story that inspired her to bring her idea to life, the technology behind the jackets, and how her children leaving the nest has given her time to embark on this new chapter.

A Dutch company founded in 2016, Pure Sportswear currently offers sports shirts for men and women made from 100% plastic bottles. The company works with NGOs to collect the waste from coastal areas and then the plastic is recycled into yarn and then woven to make each garment. Not only is the manufacturing process more circular, but the brand also ensures that employees are paid well and kept safe.

During the podcast, Couvée talks more about how Pure Sportswear was founded. Neither him or his co-founders have a background in textiles, but all have been entrepreneurs since a young age and have used this knowledge and experience to research the market and develop the company to where it is now.

Elsewhere, we chat about the ‘war on plastic’, how to balance performance with sustainability, and why profit is the main reason why larger businesses aren’t as green. Couvée also talks about how the company has managed to establish itself in this somewhat saturated industry, a trip to Colombia with the Dutch prime minister, and products that Pure Sportswear will soon be launching.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, we talk to Sophia Scott, co-founder and co-director of the technical and sustainable bags and accessories company, Groundtruth.

After spending more than a decade making feature documentary films within some of the world’s harshest environments, Scott and her two sisters (Nina and Georgia) decided to develop products in response to the challenges of contemporary travel and the rigours of modern life. Founded towards the end of 2019, the company currently offers a range of bags and accessories made from sustainable materials.

In this podcast, Scott talks more about the motivation for launching the company, what it’s like to work with her two sisters, and the brand’s recent partnership with The British Academy Film Awards (Bafta). Additionally, she sheds light on the unique material that the bags are made from, some of the challenges that the team has encountered so far, and future collections that are currently in development.

For The WTiN Podcast’s new series we focus on startups in the textile & apparel industry. From sustainable swimsuits to jackets inspired by NASA’s technology, we talk about products, the highs and lows of starting a business, and advice for others interested in entering this space.

In this first episode, we speak to Hannah Daykin, co-founder of the ethical swimwear brand Pursuit the Label. Daykin explains the inspiration for launching the company, challenges such as Covid-19, and how the business was given a PR boost last year when its designs featured on the popular British dating show Love Island.

Founded in 2017 by Daykin and Annabel Humphrey one year after they finished university, Pursuit The Label is a London-born, sustainable swimwear brand that uses quality recycled fabrics to create each individual piece. All the swimwear is designed and produced in London, created from soft, innovative Italian fabrics derived from Econyl, a recycled and regenerated fibre made from waste such as ghost fishing nets.

The demand for nonwovens has soared over the last few months, as these materials are vital for producing face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE). In this last podcast on Covid-19, Seán Kerrigan, director for communications and media relations at EDANA, talks about this increase in demand and how the virus has raised the profile for the importance of nonwoven applications.

Elsewhere, he discusses the ability of the industry to meet demand. For example, Europe cannot currently produce enough nonwovens; the continent is reliant on areas such as Asia. But in the future, it looks like there will be more of a shift to self-sufficiency and local production. In fact, in Europe alone the production of meltblown fibres is expected to triple in the near term, says Kerrigan.

Additionally, Kerrigan explains how the industry is expecting to witness new players, challenges surrounding sustainability, and EDANA’s announcement to move its Outlook event online.

EDANA, or otherwise known as the European Disposables and Nonwovens Association, exists to promote the sustainable development of the industry for a community of over 260 companies worldwide. The organisation also advocates the benefits of nonwovens for society and is responsible for events including Outlook and INDEX.

In this podcast, José Teunissen, dean at the School of Design and Technology at London College of Fashion, talks about the way in which the university has had to adapt to Covid-19. For this term, at least, students are having to study online – something that is quite tricky for a course centred around design and practical work. However, Teunissen says that the institution is coping well and has also partnered with IBM to produce the annual graduation show online.

Elsewhere, topics such as digitalisation and sustainability are discussed. Teunissen says that both the industry and university have already been exploring digital possibilities, but Covid-19 has pushed this exploration further. To prepare students for the future of the industry, the school partners with organisations such as PVH Corp to look at skills needed for new job roles that will start to crop up in future.

Teunissen also talks about the possibility for new business models moving forward. Whether this be moving away from showcasing at fashion weeks and having physical stores to having a better online presence and engagement with consumers. She would also like to see less of the ‘push’ model, where there is a lot of pre-investment and risk for designers and companies, to a model that is more sustainable.

The London College of Fashion is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London in England. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, short courses, study abroad courses and business-training in fashion, make-up, beauty-therapy and lifestyle industries. Teunissen is currently the dean of the School of Design and Technology at London College of Fashion. She is also a board member of the Dutch Creative Industries Council, and chair of the network CLICK/Next Fashion. Additionally, she has previously worked as a journalist and was curator of Fashion and Costume at the Centraal Museum in Utrecht.

Christian Schindler has worked at the ITMF, an international forum for the world's textile industries, for more than 15 years. In this podcast, he talks about the ITMF’s latest surveys. The first set of results were published in March and showed how orders and turnover were starting to be affected by Covid-19. By the next survey, the results looked much worse as other countries across the world entered a period of lockdown. And although the results of the third survey don’t show much positive change, there has been no significant negative impact either, suggesting that maybe the industry is beginning to stabilise.

Elsewhere, Schindler talks about the main challenges that the industry is facing, while also discussing some of the opportunities too. For example, some of the ITMF’s members have been able to switch to PPE manufacturing, while others are looking to streamline their operations. He also says that he’d like to see governments across the world provide more support for local textile industries, even if that means just offering better interest rates.

What’s more, Schindler talks about nearshoring, saying that actually he doesn’t think this is something that we’ll start to see more of any time soon, even considering the impact of Covid-19. He says that people will try to look for more reliable supply chains, but at the end of the day you have to go where the price is right and where the skilled workers are. Lastly, he sheds some light on what the future of the textile industry might look like.

The ITMF is dedicated to keeping the worldwide membership constantly informed through surveys, studies and publications. It participates in the evolution of the industry's value chain and through the organisation of annual conferences and publishes considered opinions on future trends and international developments.

Johnstones of Elgin's CEO, Simon Cotton (who is joined by his dogs – Ted, Mabel and Daisy – part way through), discusses the brand's heritage and how this has somewhat prepared the company for the crisis that the world is currently enduring. Although he says the Johnstones of Elgin has survived the two world wars, he describes Covid-19 as more like a flood or fire, due to the sudden impact that it has had on the business.

Cotton, who has been at Johnstons of Elgin for over six years, also talks about planning for the company’s full return to work. The retail spaces, coffee shops and mills have been completely shut down, and around 960 people out of 1,000 have been furloughed. He says that social distancing measures may have to continue for another 12-18 months and the company is also preparing for what is probably going to be a messy planning process.

Elsewhere, Cotton predicts what the ‘new normal’ might look like for the business, believing that consumers may shop differently, dress differently and the route to market may change. He also mentions that he is rethinking the business’ strategy, particularly looking at it through a digital lens.

*Johnstons of Elgin was founded by Alexander Johnston in 1797, when he established the Elgin Mill on the banks of the river Lossie in Scotland. The company has over 200 years of tradition and expertise in textile manufacturing and is focused on luxury and craftsmanship, using the highest-quality, natural fibres.

Johnstons of Elgin has two mills these days, one in Hawick and the other in Elgin. Here, woven and knitted products have been produced by devoted craftspeople, some of whom have been honing their skills with the company for almost 50 years. Cotton himself has been at Johnstons of Elgin for over six years.*

Founded in 1944, the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) is governed and directed by footwear executives and is the only trade organisation focused solely on the footwear industry. It serves the full footwear supply chain and boosts the bottom lines of its members through innovative products, training and consulting on footwear design and development, sourcing and compliance, trade and customs, advocacy, and consumer and sales trend analysis for retailers selling shoes around the world. Matt Priest, president and CEO at FDRA, has been at the organisation now for over 11 years and has previously worked for the US Department of Commerce.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, Priest talks about the main challenge of the organisation’s members, which is liquidity. Most companies have had to furlough 80-90% of staff and are trying to free up as much cash as possible. He also says that the FDRA would like to see the government defer duty payments on imported shoes to help out businesses.

Elsewhere, Priest discusses what competitiveness and success looks like right now. Competitiveness is now about having enough cash and being able to make good decisions quickly. He says that no one should be embarrassed about looking for life lines or taking advantage of government loans if that’s what’s going to help.

Additionally, he also talks about how reshoring is something that people want to happen but probably won’t, how bad times are actually great opportunities for searching for new tools because they force people to change their ways, and how the FDRA itself is a nimble and well-positioned organisation that can hopefully navigate the industry through these tough times.

Nelson Laboratories is a leading global provider of laboratory testing and expert advisory services for MedTech and pharmaceutical companies, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, US. Janelle Bentz is a study director at the company and has worked there for over five years now, while Paul Huish has been a part of the company a little longer and is the senior director of global marketing.

In this episode of The WTiN Podcast, the pair talk about the incredible increase in enquiries that Nelson Laboratories has had because of the outbreak. The company is heavily involved in testing the efficacy of face masks and respirators, and the number of studies that the business has had recently has increased by nearly 1,000%.

Elsewhere, Bentz and Huish discuss the types of masks out there and what they are supposed to be used for, while also describing the different types of tests available. They provide insight on some of the FDA’s recent announcements regarding face masks, and they both applaud the companies switching production to meet demand for PPE.

To cope with the increase in studies, Nelson Laboratories has taken over a further four labs on site, the biggest conference room in the business and has had help from other divisions of the company, too. Bentz and Huish say that they’ve also introduced a shift rota to enforce social distancing, because it is an essential job and the safety of the staff is of paramount importance.

Mark Jarvis has been the managing director at WTiN for more than 10 years now, having led the company through economic crises in the past. In this latest episode of The WTiN Podcast, he explains what it’s like to manage a company during hard times, how WTiN has responded to the situation and how a positive outlook is essential.

One way in which WTiN has creatively responded to Covid-19, Jarvis explains, is through the launch of the Innovate Textile & Apparel Online event. This will take place between 5 May and 30 June. Attendees can watch presentations from the comfort of their own homes and still have networking opportunities.

Elsewhere, Jarvis talks about when he first started to notice the impacts of the virus such as scheduled meetings becoming virtual ones and shows like INDEX20 and Drupa being postponed or cancelled. He further discusses disruption to supply chains and the slump in demand, while giving his insights on what a post-pandemic textile & apparel industry might look like.

Kate Hills is a designer and buyer for the textile & apparel industry by trade, and now she is the CEO of Make It British – an organisation that’s been giving a voice to businesses that manufacturer in the UK since 2011.

In this latest episode of The WTiN Podcast, Hills talks about how her own trade show – Make It British Live! – has been postponed and how a virtual trade show may replace it. She believes digital events are going to play a big part moving forward; they allow for more than one event to be held each year and for a wider audience to participate.

Elsewhere, she chats about how Covid-19 may help boost British manufacturing. Although the UK may not have the capacity or skills to fill China’s boots, for example, the UK is good at making high-quality, low-quantity products, and hopefully the industry will be valued a lot more post-pandemic.

Additionally, she mentions Make It British’s latest survey, the financial support available for businesses and how the UK could soon be supplying the National Health Service (NHS) with PPE once again.

Keith Fenner, managing director at Coats Digital, has already given his insights on how digitalisation can play a key role in the textile and apparel industry going forward in a recent interview with WTiN. Here, you can listen to his insights in the latest episode of The WTiN Podcast.

Jochen Lagemann, president and managing director Europe of PrimaLoft licensing, chats about the agility of the company, sustainability and how he’s getting to know his own neighbourhood much better now.

For The WTiN Podcast’s next episode, Rüdiger Fox, CEO at Sympatex, talks about leadership, the company’s virtual Corona Café to encourage social interactions, and how we should reflect on the current crisis to ensure our economic, environmental and social systems are resilient enough for the next eventuality.

Katie McKenna, a representative for Virus Collective, talks about how the brand is creating Covid-19 themed fashion to raise money for the World Health Organisation’s response fund.

Megan Eddings, CEO of Accel Lifestyle, explains how the company has switched up its manufacturing to produce face masks instead of sportswear using its proprietary fabric called Prema.

In the first episode of The WTiN Podcast’s series on the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Flora Davidson, co-founder of SupplyCompass, talks with Jessica Owen about supply chains, reimagining the future, and how she’ll be celebrating after the crisis blows over.

Jemina Pomoell, co-founder and COO at Astrid Wild, talks about the brand’s sustainable outdoor garments that have been designed by women for women.

After finding nothing to wear for a hiking trip to Norway, Maria Paulsson Rönnbäck decided to design some of her own functional outdoor clothing. She then met Pomoell at a start-up incubator project in Stockholm in January 2019 and Astrid Wild came to fruition later that year.

To find out more about Astrid Wild’s journey and sustainable feminine designs, check out this podcast from WTiN.

Giulio Bonazzi, president and CEO at Aquafil, talks about the company’s Econyl regenerated nylon and its numerous possibilities.

The Italian company Aquafil started producing Econyl from ghost fishing nets and carpet waste on an industrial scale back in 2011. Since then, every year the brand produces around 40,000 tonnes of regenerated nylon yarn and has collaborated with many well-known brands in both the luxury apparel, fast fashion, and automotive sectors.

Have a listen to our latest podcast with Giulio Bonazzi to find out how the company produces its recycled nylon, the latest collaborations and future plans to expand into other areas.

Thomas Stanton, a PhD researcher at the University of Nottingham, talks about his research on microfibre pollution, presenting a somewhat surprising conclusion.

Earlier this year, Tom and other researchers published a paper in the journal Science of the Total Environment that quantified the abundance of both natural and synthetic fibres found in freshwater and atmospheric samples in Nottingham, Leicestershire and Staffordshire, UK.

They took regular samples between November 2017 and July 2018 and found that, actually, natural fibres are far more abundant in the environment than the microplastic fibres that are most commonly mentioned in the press.

To find out more about his research, check out this latest podcast from WTiN.

Janne Poranen, CEO and co-founder of Spinnova, talks about the company’s process of converting wood pulp into textile fibre without the use of harmful chemicals.

After spending many years conducting research in the pulp and paper sector, and after listening to an inspiring presentation at the University of Oxford, researchers at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland created a process for converting wood pulp into sustainable textile fibre … without the use of harmful chemicals. After realising just how innovative their method was, they founded Spinnova in 2015.

Have a listen to the podcast to learn more about the company’s origins, sustainable fibre production process and plans to scale up industrially in the future.

Dr Matthew Tipper, business director at the Nonwovens Innovation and Research Institute (NIRI), and David Jackson, consultant and former senior technical leader at Kimberly Clark, discuss all things wipes.

Wipes haven’t had the best press recently. There have been reports about them contributing towards large ‘fatbergs’, research indicating that flushable wipes are indeed not flushable at all, and then there is the issue of them adding to plastic waste.

With so much going on in this sector of nonwovens, we thought it would be best to call in some experts and clarify some of these statements.

Megan Eddings, CEO and founder of Accel Lifestyle, chats about the brand's anti-stink apparel made from its proprietary fabric called Prema.

The company is using its exclusive, antibacterial Prema fabric to manufacture the all new Accel Prema Anti-Bacterial Face Masks, which will be available to both the public and medical professionals.

Professor Parik Goswami, director of the University of Huddersfield's new Technical Textile Research Centre, speaks with Fiona Haran about how it will benefit and support the industry.

The Technical Textile Research Centre (TTRC) will focus on high-performance technical textiles that are bespoke and high quality but produced speedily and efficiently so that they are competitively priced and respond to an increase in global demand. And to do this, the TTRC will pool knowledge from various sectors – primarily science – as, according to the centre’s founder, Professor Parik Goswami, “it’s difficult to see a real impactful innovation in technical textiles where chemistry didn’t play a part”.

Janaya Wilkins, owner and creative director of SLO active, tell us about her brand's sustainable alternative to neoprene swimwear.