Here you’ll find a first look at the new products and value-added services waiting for you on the show floor at Advanced Textiles Expo 2025 in Indianapolis, Ind., Nov. 5–7.

Four textile manufacturers share advancements in sustainable dyes and how using natural resources cuts carbon emissions and reduces utility costs.

In 2014, Ethan Halpern moved from the music classroom as a teacher to the shop floor as president and owner of American Awning & Blind Co. in North Hollywood, Calif. A family friend owned the business and offered Halpern the opportunity to buy it. U.S.-based and financially strong with a customized product, it made business sense to Halpern. He closed the deal and generally hasn’t missed the classroom.

If Mike Boatman were to write a book on what he’s learned from 30-plus years in the marine fabrication industry, it would be one page with a single line: “Don’t be a jerk.” This short and simple philosophy has grounded him through the ins and outs of navigating a family business and cultivating a strong network.

Regulations around per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) currently resemble “a patchwork quilt,” says Daniella Landers, an attorney experienced in environmental regulation. Maine will ban these “forever chemicals” in all textile products beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Other states have varying laws. Canada and the European Union (EU) are in the process of developing rules related to PFAS use or reporting.

As of this writing, most Canadian textile manufacturers whose goods are included in the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) haven’t been directly affected by U.S.-imposed tariffs on Canadian imports. They have not, however, been spared from the consequences of this trade war, says Ryan Mallough, vice president of legislative affairs and communication for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

Most architects are familiar with urbanist William H. Whyte and his studies of vibrant urban places, especially small public places such as pocket parks and plazas, streets and hardscapes. After close observations of scores of public places, Whyte listed a number of key factors that pertain to successful popular usage of these spaces, including sitting spaces, food vendors, sunlight, trees and shading. If there is one material that readily works to provide shade, it is technical fabrics.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already reshaping the textile industry—not with flashy headlines but with practical improvements in planning, sourcing and execution. Manufacturers are using AI to improve operations, avoid common pitfalls and align teams for long-term success, with insights on reshoring, leadership and continuous improvement integration.

How can textile companies use artificial intelligence to improve business efficiencies? Nelson Valderrama and Dan Hughes share their insights.

Whether you're helping a homeowner envision a cozy enclosed porch or pitching large-scale commercial shade solutions to a business, how you dress plays a key role in building trust, establishing authority and reinforcing your brand.

Imagine a future when all textiles are recycled, when trucks no longer haul millions of tons of them to landfills and incinerators and it’s easy to put them into a smooth, efficient waste stream at the end of their useful lives.

Signed into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in September 2024, the Responsible Textile Recovery Act (RTRA) intends to drastically change the life cycles of apparel and textiles in California. The law does not impact just California-based businesses; it imposes obligations on anyone who sells, offers for sale or distributes certain products in California, regardless of where the business is located. Subject entities in the act are called “producers,” but this term’s meaning is broader than it appears, affecting multiple parties.