Textile Insight

vegan leather, plant-based wool from Faborg and seaweed leathers by Tanguy Mélinand. Brian Mildenstein, owner of Fin & Feather outdoor stores in Iowa, stepped out of his U.S. comfort zone to explore a great world of op- portunities for the outdoor market. "Arriving at ISPO on day one, I found the familiar yet brand-new energy of a vibrant trade show that seems ever more elusive. I came with my usual agenda items in mind: find some new ideas and brands, discover new technologies pushing the market forward, put a finger on the pulse of the outdoor market as a whole and deepen relationships with key vendors. Day one was a great success for me on all fronts." Now Trending Over at the ISPO Textrends forum, showcas- ing the award-winning materials for Fall/Winter 26/27, sustainable credentials were evident throughout. Applications for ISPO Textrends are judged by a jury of textile professionals. Nine sectors are covered, from baselayer to outer layer, trims, insulation and so equip- ment. Developments delivering creativity and performance were evident. "It's good that we are moving forward because, you know, times are not great, but there is something that is pushing people and motivating people," said Giusy Bettoni, founder of sustainability plat- form C.L.A.S.S. and jury member. One notable aspect of the season was the strong emphasis on spinning innovation, which can go unnoticed. Südwolle Group was awarded best product in the base layer category for its Z.hodium 100% wool yarn, made from superfine Merino wool. is yarn is geared towards active and outdoor wear. Recycled ocean waste was featured at InResST, winning the best product for the second layer. roughout the forum, over 350 natural and synthetic products presented opportunities for a cleaner and more efficient textile future. With PFCs and PFAS a thing of the past, new bio-based and clean chemistry have become the norm. Synthetics took a new direction, with bio-based offering a renewable-sourced alternative and recycled polyamide from car tires. As the beverage industry becomes more accountable for its own waste, recycled plastic bottles aren't an option or deemed sustainable anymore, so new feedstock is emerging for recycled synthetics. One area that caught visitors' attention was the traditionally understated so equipment sector: footwear and backpacks. Far Eastern New Century won best product for its new cutting-edge aramid fiber (FENC Telix), which has bulletproof tenacity. Other innovations included ultra-high molecular polyethylene fabric from Hoyu, which is 15 times stron- ger than steel. e tendency for lightweight, high-tenacity materials with a so handfeel leads to more durable products that will have a longer lifespan. Mono fabrics proved popular, along with dope-dyed yarns, which reduce the amount of water required at production. Reduced waste is a key point, with YKK winning the best product in the accessories sector with the AiryString tapeless zipper made of recycled ingredients. It's a challenge to invent new materials season aer season, but what is clear at ISPO Textrends is that development has taken place on existing qualities, creating 2.0 versions. "I think we see some good examples of what I call the 'refined basics.' Some have huge potential to be commercialized and used in many different purposes, which I think is an essential aspect of sustainability," said omas Häkansson, brand developer and Textrends juror. "I love how ISPO brings the entire indus- try together," echoed Marina Moguš, SVP/ GM Central Europe at Adidas, adding, "We have so much knowledge, and suddenly, the discussion is becoming much broader than it used to be in the past; now, we're bringing the entire industry from different angles together. A lot of expertise, exchange, and networking; and I love the vibe I'm now feeling today." n Material Lab innovations at ISPO. Patagonia partnered with ISPO at the Sustainability Hub. textileinsight.com Winter 2025 ~ Textile Insight • 7

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