When something moves from being a buzzword to becoming part of everyday lexicon, it’s an indication that a foothold has been firmly established. This is the case with sustainability. At one time thought to be an issue for a small subset of consumers, it has moved into the mainstream, fueled by those determined to reduce their environmental impact. As a result, manufacturers of all kinds began jumping on board, touting sustainability claims that in some instances amounted to little more than greenwashing.

Manufacturers are always competing for skilled operators, production leaders and capable managers. One highly trained workforce to enlist is transitioning military veterans.

Join thousands of textile professionals as Advanced Textiles Expo returns to Florida. The industry’s flagship event brings a full offering of education, connection and innovation to Orlando this fall. Join the best in the industry for four days of excitement and check out everything Advanced Textiles Expo has to offer!

Although any project can come with head-scratching moments, some test a fabricator’s moxie more than others. While a difficult job can have no small number of challenges, more complex requests often result in outcomes that can inspire a shop to elevate its artistry.

One year after tariff changeability reshaped North American trade, Canadian textile and findings manufacturers are still navigating U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, oil price spikes and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Conducting business amid these factors requires leaders to be patient, flexible and willing to take proactive measures.

Celebrate textile innovation at Advanced Textiles Expo, where hundreds of exhibitors will showcase their latest products throughout the entire supply chain, from fibers and fabrics to shade systems, state-of-the-art equipment and the latest in textile technologies. These pages represent just a small sample of what will be available on the show floor.

Recycling textiles is a formidable challenge being researched around the world. But when the materials have been designed to be the toughest, strongest, most durable materials out there, made to protect people’s lives, the task of trying to recycle them is next level. Even though textile recycling and sustainability regulations worldwide have carved out exceptions for protective apparel, the industry still is working on ways to recapture and reuse high-value meta-aramids and para-aramids.

India has long been an important player in the global textile industry, and a new trade deal between the United States and India aims to make the market more accessible to U.S. textile companies. Announced in February, the deal reduces tariffs, simplifies market access and strengthens economic cooperation.

In the fabric awning industry, the quality of the finished product depends on much more than the materials being used. From selecting the appropriate fabric to fabrication and final installation, every step requires knowledge, experience and proper training.

A goal among design firms in recent years has been to create immersive environments. In fact, that trend surfaced on the 2026 trends predictions list released by architecture and design firm Gensler.

Rapid advances in high‑performance fibers and the growing need for multi‑hazard protection are reshaping the protective textiles market, yet the real test of these innovations lies in the field. A compelling case in point is new research on how ballistic protection interacts with firefighter turnout ensembles — the highly engineered personal protective equipment (PPE) firefighters rely on every day. Looking at technology on its own is no longer sufficient for determining the practical, real-world performance of PPE; understanding the combined effects of the technology and applications demands a system‑level perspective.