eTC Weekly Newsletter • December 31, 2025 • Vol. 12, Issue 41

 
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Looming


January 12-December 31

NC State Zeis Textile Extension Online Course: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt 


January 20-22

Texworld New York, NYC


January 21

Accelerating Circularity Polyester Post-Consumer Program Kickoff Meeting


January 21

Advanced Textile Association webinar | NASA’s Development of Next-Generation Lunar Space Suit Fabrics

[Non ATA members: Use the code WNASAETC in the discount code box when you register.]


January 21

American Apparel & Footwear Association webinar: The Evolving Challenge of Forced Labor Compliance – Why It's More Important Than Ever


January 21-22

Functional Fabric Fair Winter, in conjunction with the PGA Show, Orlando, Fla.


January 22

NC State Wilson College of Textiles Town Hall (Virtual)


January 22-24

Impressions Expo, Long Beach, Calif.


February 3-4

American Apparel & Footwear Association seminar: Product Safety & Compliance


February 16-20

NC State Wilson College of Textile Zeis Textiles Extension course: Textile Fundamentals


February 18

Southern Textile Association Winter Seminar, Belmont, N.C.


February 18

American Apparel & Footwear Association webinar sponsored by Hohenstein


February 24-25

AATCC Coloration Conference, Raleigh, N.C.


SAVE THE DATE:

March 31-April 2

NC State Wilson College of Textiles' AI in the Textile and Fashion Industries Conference, Raleigh, N.C.

eTC Weekly Newsletter

Greetings!

As we wrap up 2025, we wanted to say thank you. Thank you for reading, sharing, supporting and engaging with eTextile Communications throughout the year. Your readership, feedback and trust are what make eTC possible – and what allow us to continue telling the stories of this industry.


Below, we’ve gathered all of our eTC-exclusive articles and photo galleries from 2025 in one place. If you missed any along the way, or want to revisit a few highlights, we hope you’ll take a few minutes to explore. From reshoring and sustainability to innovation, leadership, policy and people, 2025 was a year of meaningful conversations and important momentum across the textile and apparel supply chain.


We’re grateful to be part of this community and excited for what lies ahead. Wishing you, your teams and your families a healthy, happy and successful 2026.

Classifieds

Cotton Incorporated taking resumes for manager


Cotton Incorporated searching for Manager in Textile Chemistry Research (Finishing)


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Hickory Brands Inc. has several openings


Hickory Brands Inc. and its textile division Wincord have several job openings, including a Hand Bander, a Packaging Boxer and a Packaging Fixer.

Please click here for job descriptions and more info.


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Kimbrell Fiber Innovation Center seeking director/engineer


The Fiber Innovation Center (KFIC) at Gaston College is seeking a Process / Product Development Director / Engineer (Polymer and Fiber)

ICYMI: 2025 eTC exclusives

January


PRIMED & POISED: U.S. textile industry overall stuck in a funk in 2024, but driven to deliver in 2025


MEZGER INC. to represent Rimtex Industries in North America


Texoligy, LLC launches to provide customized textile training solutions


February

 

SCMA Textile Summit unites industry leaders to address challenges, opportunities


Glen Raven’s Randy Blackston awarded STA's Clark Award


Navis TubeTex inaugurates Fibroline USA Innovation Center


Contempora Fabrics, America Knits forge partnership to strengthen textile/apparel production


March


Southern Textile Association puts the ‘win’ in Winter Seminar


Innovation, diversification drive Erhardt+Leimer for more than 100 years


McCoy's 60-year made-in-USA legacy being reinvented under new ownership


Exclusive Q&A with NCTO Chairman – Charles Heilig: Council steps up during turbulent times to make significant strides for U.S. textiles


Reshoring our textile industry: The critical role of agriculture, innovation


Contempora Fabrics expands product line with beanie production capabilities


April


STA Southern Division Spring Meeting delivers innovation, insights, industry connections

 

Brands take immersive journey on AAPN’s Carolina Mill Tour

 

Functional Fabric Fair continues to grow, add value to textile industry


May


W. Duke Kimbrell Fiber Innovation Center opens at Gaston College


NCTO elects Chuck Hall chair, Amy Bircher Bruyn vice chair


emtec Electronic collaborating with textile expert Harrie Schoots


INDA: IDEA®25, FiltXPO™ shows deliver resounding success for nonwovens, filtration industries


Textiles Monterey Group expands operations with acquisition of Patrick Yarns


Hamilton Int'l announces equity partnership with Warp Development


Innovation Award winners announced during TTNA/TPA


STA holds jam-‘Packed’ Northern Division Spring Meeting at the NC State Wilson College of Textiles


Techtextil North America, Texprocess Americas empower industry progress


Bondcote Performance Textiles buys Graniteville Specialty Fabrics


Champion Thread acquires Carolina Sales Thread


Navis TubeTex partners with Pluvia on expanded sales, support

 

June

 

AAPN pro:Americas Annual Conference – Western Hemisphere apparel executives tackle tariffs, tech and trade


The Industrial Commons breaks ground on Innovation Campus


STRC charts bold course for sustainability, innovation


Q&A with Paul Magel, president of CGS – How fashion brands can navigate tariff turbulence, build resilient supply chains


ATA’s Outlook® Leadership Conference scores big at historic Lambeau Field

July


Former MLB player finds fit in youth sportswear with Luccini


Furniture Manufacturing Expo: Exhibitors weigh in on show, move to Charlotte


U.S. sock producers thrive with innovation, sustainability, purpose


Hank Truslow, champion of U.S. textiles and former Sunbury Textiles CEO, dies


Charles Poston reflects on STA service, industry passion and the power of giving back


August


Nathan Fisher elected STA president, succeeding Evans Tindal; group fetes awards


Reshoring, resilience & real talk: STA gathers for forward-looking Annual Meeting at Hilton Head


U.S. Rep. Tim Moore visits American & Efird


Elevate Textiles’ Burlington division hosts Sen. Budd for plant tour, policy discussions


September


Summer Marketing Forum brings its STA game, packs the house


SPESA elects Ambrogi chair, welcomes new board member, officers

 

Executive Conference: SPESA ‘sews’ seeds of innovation in Chicago

 

ISIFM Fall Conference tackles tariffs, tech, trade, transportation


October


A PERFECT FIT: Superior Glove opens first U.S. production plant in High Point, N.C.


Contempora Fabrics’ Ron Roach feted with SEAMS' Sarah Friedman Award


AATCC pays tribute to textile trailblazers Leonas, Brady, Gavin


Champion Thread Co. creates Poovey Family Scholarship at NC State’s Wilson College


‘Nuclear button’ for textiles: Proposed overhaul could threaten Berry Amendment


Keel Labs wins RISE® Innovation Award for its seaweed-based Kelsun® Fiber


At INDA’s RISE® Conference, science meets scalability in race for sustainable nonwovens


AATCC, SEAMS set course for industry collaboration at joint conference


SEAMS elects officers, board members; Jones tapped president

 

November

 

STA Northern Division Fall Meeting highlights leadership, innovation and industry transformation


PART 1: Exhibitors hit high gear at AT Expo, say Indy indeed delivered


PART 2: GREEN FLAG IN INDY: AT Expo exhibitors accelerate growth, partnerships, new technologies


STA’s So. Div. Fall Meeting draws 103 industry reps, helps bring clarity to a rapidly shifting industry


December


SYMTECH, Lang Ligon & Company announce strategic merger to strengthen textile industry offerings


American Texturing, Inc. rises: A new force in specialty yarns takes root in South Carolina


National Industries for the Blind shows what mission-driven manufacturing looks like


SBA Made in America Roadshow spotlights textile innovation, workforce at Gaston College

AATCC announces Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition winners


Ascend Performance Materials successfully emerges from Chapter 11


FiberTect dry wipe bridges lab research, real-world decontamination

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Devin Steele, publisher