Germany

Nearly 70% of textile products could, with existing technology, be recycled today. That figure did not land as a reason for optimism at Performance Days' March edition this year in Munich. It landed as a diagnosis. The industry has the tools. What it lacks is the data infrastructure, the coordination, and the design fluency to make those tools work at the scale the market requires.

The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research has developed a method for producing cellulose staple fibre yarns using its patented HighPerCell process. The InnoCell project is advancing market-ready cellulose yarns for apparel through a closed-loop system, regional raw materials, and a production method that reduces waste and lowers carbon emissions compared with conventional processes.

Two DITF research projects have received Techtextil Innovation Awards for materials made from renewable, biodegradable raw materials. NUO FlexHolz and FormLig combine wood veneer, cellulose, hemp and lignin with textile flexibility, three-dimensional shaping and design applications, while reducing synthetic adhesives, CO₂ emissions, microplastics and landfill waste.

Environmental permitting systems across ten major textile-producing nations contain significant gaps in how industrial pollution from spinning mills, dye houses and garment factories is regulated, a new UNEP report has found. Most national legislation fails to classify textile activities as environmentally significant or to consider gendered impacts on workers.

EU policy for textiles is no longer optional, niche, or abstract. It will define the new normal for how businesses design, produce, and sell in Europe. The real test is whether companies stay stuck in debates about bürokratiemonster and broad concepts like circularity, or whether they seize this moment to turn legislation into leadership.

Mayer & Cie, a leading German manufacturer of circular knitting and braiding machinery, has filed for insolvency under self-administration following a sharp decline in global demand. The fourth-generation family business, which recently celebrated its 120th anniversary, will continue operations while restructuring under legal protection granted by Hechingen District Court.

Munich Fabric Start’s 2025 edition will transform the global textile calendar by combining four leading trade fairs into a single, integrated event. Bringing together industry leaders, cutting-edge innovations, and sustainable sourcing initiatives, the show will provide unparalleled opportunities for collaboration, product discovery, and market insight across every sector of the fashion and textile supply chain.

Industry leader Mahlo is celebrating 80 years of advancing textile manufacturing through precision control technologies. From fabric straightening to real-time quality monitoring, the German company has helped mills worldwide modernise operations without compromising accuracy. In this interview, Thomas Höpfl, Head of Sales, explains how Mahlo continues to lead textile innovation by adapting to industry demands while honouring its engineering roots.

German textile researchers are working on acoustic material development with pioneering measurement systems that evaluate how diverse textile structures interact with sound. This research addresses critical gaps in current testing methods, enabling manufacturers to design targeted sound-absorbing materials for restaurants, offices, and schools while reducing development time and improving sustainability.

CircularFabrics is tackling one of synthetic fashion’s toughest challenges—recycling nylon from blended waste—through its pioneering Nyloop technology. Unlike conventional methods, Nyloop preserves polymer integrity without high energy input, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative. CEO and Co-Founder Josephine Mayer explains how this process could help brands meet EU circularity goals while building scalable, decentralised recycling systems.