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INDUSTRY NEWS | 8.5.26

Tariff & Trade Update

SPESA | August 5, 2026

Just Style described it well in its July 27th week in review: “It's been a dizzying week for trade policy, with the U.S. moving on multiple tariff fronts, leaving apparel sourcing executives scrambling to reassess supply chains.” 

There have been a lot of recent tariff and trade actions since our last issue of Behind the Seams, mostly coming from the U.S. Government. Click the link below for a round-up of the latest news.

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By a Thread: Embroidering Solar Power into Standard Textiles

American Institute of Physics | August 5, 2026

Researchers are testing photovoltaic fibers that can be stitched into any type of fabric using embroidery techniques to add new functionality to passive textiles. Once placed under sunlight, the material produces electricity and can power other components of the textile, such as LEDs.​

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Which Countries Are Best at Circularity? New Study Highlights Textile Recycling Leaders

Sourcing Journal | August 4, 2026

A new study by custom packaging company Arka assessed circularity efforts within 75 nations, looking at four measures of how they keep things in use. The study also specifically looked at the secondhand clothing market, noting whether a country absorbs used textiles or exports them to other nations.​

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Metal-Free Process Makes Plant Dyes More Durable for Textiles

Phys.org | August 4, 2026

Research in the International Journal of Materials and Product Technology describes a metal-free dye-fixing process that could help make natural plant dyes more practical for high-performance textiles, addressing a longstanding obstacle to their wider use in sustainable clothing.​

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World Cotton Trade To Reach 10.3m Tonnes by 2028/29

Just Style | August 3, 2026

Despite growing supply-side challenges and geopolitical uncertainty, the international cotton market is expected to see steady expansion over the coming years. New information comes from the 2026 World Cotton Trade Report by the International Cotton Advisory Committee.​

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Australia Could Get Its First Smart Clothing Factory

Women Love Tech | August 3, 2026

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has commissioned a landmark study to explore Australia’s first-ever Clothing Smart Factory, a nationally significant push to rebuild local manufacturing capability. Global tech leader Epson — the AFC’s strategic print and projection partner — backs the project.​

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The Top 100 Publicly Traded Textile Companies

Sourcing Journal | July 31, 2026

In an analysis by Sourcing Journal of data from S&P Capital IQ, the public companies that make up the textile industry are big, broad, and diverse. There are 639 constituents in the sector that generate $90 billion annually. The top 100, listed in the link below, produce $60.2 billion each year.​

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How Will Generation Alpha’s Media Habits Shape Fashion?

Just Style | July 31, 2026

As the children of Millennials, Generation Alpha are the first generation born into an entirely digital world. GlobalData’s strategic report, Generation Alpha’s Media Habits, argues that this means their media habits in particular will reshape future consumption across all sectors — including fashion.​

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Messe Frankfurt and Supima Introduce Prefab – A New Curated Fabric Sourcing Event in New York City

Press Release | July 31, 2026

Messe Frankfurt — SPESA’s partner for the Texprocess Americas trade show — is expanding its international textile network with the launch of Prefab, a new boutique-style sourcing event dedicated exclusively to high-quality fabrics. Taking place January 19-20, 2027, at the Altman Building in New York City, the event will bring selected Supima member fabric mills together with senior designers, fabric directors, product developers. and sourcing decision-makers from premium and luxury brands.​

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Pensacola’s 'Sewing Box' Loses Blue Angels Flight Suit Contract after 43 Years

WEAR News | July 31, 2026

After 43 years, a Pensacola, Florida business says it will no longer make the Blue Angels' ceremonial flight suits. According to sam.gov, the U.S. Navy has awarded a new contract to a company in Virginia to take over the role.​

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KARL MAYER Introduces Raschel Machine for Spacer Fabric Production

Press Release | July 30, 2026

KARL MAYER has introduced the RDJ 7/3, a jacquard double needle bar raschel machine with three jacquard bars designed to increase design flexibility for spacer fabrics used in athletic footwear and other applications.​

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Scientists’ ‘Spaghetti Machine’ Advances Textile Recycling

Recycling International | July 29, 2026

Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a recyclable polyethylene-based elastic yarn that offers an alternative to conventional spandex blends. New research builds on earlier work by the team showing that polyethylene can be spun into textile fibres. Lead author SeongHyeon Kim compared the manufacturing process to a “spaghetti machine,” with polyethylene pellets melted and extruded into fine fibres before being assembled into elastic yarn.

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Humanoid Robotics Entering the Apparel Workforce

Sourcing Journal | July 28, 2026

Jack Technology, a global manufacturer of industrial sewing machines is leveraging AI and humanoid robotics to reportedly boost operational efficiency by at least 30%. The company has teamed up with Siemens for software solutions spanning design and simulation, and even platform development. The companies said this marks a landmark moment as it represents the sector’s first large-scale deployment of humanoid technology designed to operate in human-centric workspaces.​

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ITMF: Global Textile Machinery Shipments Shrunk In 2025, Except For Spinning

Press Release | July 28, 2026

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has released the results of its 48th annual International Textile Machinery Shipment Statistics. The new report covers six segments of textile machinery, namely spinning, draw-texturing, weaving, large circular knitting, flat knitting, and finishing.​

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The 2026 Fashion Industry Benchmarking Study by University of Delaware Professors in Collaboration with the U.S. Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) Now Available

Press Release | July 25, 2026

In collaboration with the U.S. Fashion Industry Association (USFIA), University of Delaware Professor Dr. Sheng Lu and Graduate Instructor Emilie Delaye, surveyed sourcing executives from 30 leading U.S. fashion brands and retailers (80% with more than 1,000 employees) from April to June, 2026, to compile the most recent Fashion Industry Benchmarking Study. View the complete study here. Read Dr. Lu’s key findings here. Or watch a webinar on the results here.​

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SPESA Webinar: IEEPA Refund Process & Tariff Update

SPESA Announcement | July 23, 2026

SPESA recently hosted a webinar for its members focused on IEEPA tariff refunds and current tariff landscape updates. Luke Mathers and Ned Steiner from Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., presented on IEEPA refund litigation and other current trade and tariff issues. Click the link below for a recap. 

SPESA members can email Marie@spesa.org to access the webinar recording. We also welcome suggestions for topics for future member and industry webinars!

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Data Shows 20,000 Bangladesh RMG Workers Laid Off in First Half 2026

Just Style | July 8, 2026

Nearly 20,000 workers, most employed in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment sector, lost their jobs through layoffs or retrenchment during the first half of 2026. Manufacturers attribute the cuts and factory closures to declining export orders, financial pressures, and limited access to bank financing, while many affected workers are reportedly still awaiting unpaid wages, benefits, or compensation.​

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Elevate Textiles Closing Burlington Finishing Plant, Cutting 150 Jobs

Business North Carolina | July 23, 2026

The Burlington finishing plant of Elevate Textiles is slated to close at the end of the year. Kristin Hughes, chief legal and human resources officer for Elevate Textiles stated: “This closing is a result of changing market dynamics across several businesses and product lines that the plant supports, which are significantly reducing production volumes. Despite efforts to identify new product lines, the identified volumes remain too low to maintain a viable operation.”​

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X-Rite Pantone and Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Partner To Advance Digital Color Education

Press Release | July 23, 2026

X-Rite Pantone, the global authority in color standards and color science, and the Fashion Institute of Technology, a global leader in creative education, have announced a strategic partnership to advance color education and digital innovation for the apparel, footwear, soft goods, and textile industries. As part of the collaboration, X-Rite Pantone will donate industry-leading color measurement, quality control, and visual evaluation technology to the college’s Textile Development and Marketing department in order to support hands-on learning.​

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EFI Reggiani and Danitech Group Announce Strategic Multi-Year Agreement for Mezzera Textile Finishing Machinery

Press Release | July 21, 2026

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (EFI), through its subsidiary EFI Reggiani (Reggiani Macchine S.p.A.), together with Danitech Engineering and Solutions Srl (Italy) and Suzhou Danitech Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd (China), announces a multi-year license and manufacturing agreement covering the Mezzera and Jaeggli textile finishing machinery portfolio.​

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Gherzi Textil Renames U.S. Office and Expands North America Branch

Just Style | July 17, 2026

Global textile consulting firm Gherzi Textil Organisation has expanded its North American office and renamed Gherzi-USA as Gherzi Americas. The new entity will cover operations not only in the U.S. but also in Canada, Latin America, and the regional textile and apparel supply chain. Robert Antoshak has been appointed managing partner for Gherzi Americas, with Radhika Shrinivas and David Uricoli joining as partners.​

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Building Stronger Infrastructure: The Growing Role of Technical Textiles in North America

LinkedIn Post | July 16, 2026

Across North America, aging infrastructure, population growth, and increasingly severe weather events are driving demand for smarter, longer-lasting construction solutions. As governments and private industries invest in rebuilding transportation networks and strengthening critical infrastructure, technical textiles are becoming an essential part of the conversation.​

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Meridian Footwear Is Using 3D Technology To Fuel Interest in Made-in-America Shoe Production

Footwear News | July 16, 2026

Mississippi-based Meridian Footwear Co. aims to bring footwear production back to America, one shoe at a time. The company argues that while concerns like price competitiveness, logistics, finding skilled workers, setting up factories capable of large-scale production, and having the necessary components weigh heavily on cut-and-sew shoe production, it is working on a new platform that could cut costs by eliminating 70% of the labor involved in stitching.

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EU Launches ALADIN Project To Advance Circular Textile Production

Textile Today | July 16, 2026

Coordinated by the German Institutes for Textile and Fibre Research Denkendorf , the ALADIN initiative is supported by the EU under the Horizon Europe programme, with €5m in funding. The project began activities in May 2026 and focuses on integrating digital platforms, new business models, and advanced recycling methods with the goal of establishing circular textile manufacturing systems at scale.

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The National Science Foundation (NSF) Support Bolsters Textile Innovation, NC State Research

Press Release | July 14, 2026

The National Science Foundation has renewed its commitment to innovation in the textiles sector, providing $16 million in renewed funding for a research initiative that supports more than a dozen projects led by North Carolina State University researchers. The funding could be extended to provide up to $45 million over three years.

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Digital Plotting/Cutting Machines

Marine Fabricator | July 2, 2026

“Digital plotting/cutting technology stands to offer solid benefits to marine fabricators, many of whom may be struggling to address labor shortages and other production challenges. Even so, some of these machines come with hefty price tags.”

This article from Marine Fabricator helps guide buyers on how to research available machines and identify the best options. It features SPESA members Autometrix, Eastman Machine Company, and Pathfinder Cutting Technology (plus a picture of an old Gerber).

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