20 Start-Ups Selected for CEMATEX Start-Up Grant at ITMA 2027
CEMATEX has selected 20 emerging start-ups from nine countries for its Start-Up Grant at ITMA 2027 in Hanover. The selected companies will showcase their technologies at Start-Up Valley.
CEMATEX will fully fund their participation. As a result, the start-ups will gain access to one of the world’s leading textile and garment technology platforms.
The selected companies cover six key areas. These include Colourants & Chemicals, Fibres, Yarns & Fabrics, Garment Making, Recycling, Software & Automation, and Testing.
Although their technologies address different challenges, sustainability and circularity connect many of their solutions.
Innovation Across the Textile Value Chain
The start-ups are developing technologies that integrate sustainability into materials, processes and production systems. Their solutions address several industry challenges.
These include chemical use, resource consumption, textile recycling, traceability and production efficiency.
The 20 CEMATEX Start-Up Grant recipients are Amphico, BioFluff, Eeden, EverDye, Fibarcode, Gemell Technology, Innovo Fiber, NunoX, Re.Solution, Recyc’Elit, Refiberd, ReSpin, Revoltech, RubyLab, Sages, Silana, Solena Materials, Sparxell, SwitchDye and Tintte.
Their technologies target some of the textile and garment industry’s ongoing sustainability challenges.
New Approaches to Materials and Colour
Amphico is developing alternatives to materials traditionally used in performance textiles. Its PFAS-free membrane is designed to provide waterproof and breathable performance.
The company is also developing a colour platform that introduces colour through weaving instead of conventional dyeing.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are highly persistent chemicals. EU restrictions covering a widely used PFAS sub-group in clothing take effect from October 2026.¹
Meanwhile, other start-ups are focusing on textile processing. These stages often require significant amounts of water, heat and chemicals.
Textile production accounts for around 20% of global clean water pollution, with dyeing being a major contributor.²
SwitchDye is addressing this challenge with CO₂-switchable dyes. Its technology is designed to reduce chemical, water and energy use. It can also work with existing dyeing equipment.
Advancing Textile-to-Textile Recycling
Textile recycling is another major area of innovation among the selected start-ups.
Recyc’Elit focuses on the challenge of recycling blended fabrics. Its technology separates blended materials and converts them into pure monomers for new recycled polyester.
The process also aims to recover co-materials such as elastane and cotton.
Refiberd is taking a different approach. It combines software with hyperspectral imaging to identify fabric composition. This can help recyclers determine the materials present in textile waste.
Sustainability at the Centre of Innovation
Sustainability and circularity are common themes across the 20 selected companies. Their technologies also connect with other ITMA 2027 focus areas.
These include Advanced Materials, Automation & Digital Future, and Human-Centric Manufacturing.
Mr Alex Zucchi, President of CEMATEX, said: “What strikes me about this group is not simply that they are working on sustainability, but that many cannot imagine innovating any other way. That tells us where the industry is heading. Through the CEMATEX Start-Up Grant, we are giving these companies the opportunity to bring their technologies directly to the manufacturers, brands and investors who can help take promising ideas towards industrial adoption and scale.”
Dr Christian P. Schindler, Director General, International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), a member of the Start-Up Valley selection panel, said: “The quality of the submissions reflected both the pace and breadth of innovation emerging across the sector. We saw solutions with strong potential for industrial application, scalability and measurable impact across different parts of the textile value chain. Selecting just 20 companies from such a diverse application pool was a highly competitive process.”
Supporting Emerging Textile Innovation
The CEMATEX Start-Up Grant fully funds participation in Start-Up Valley. This includes a purpose-built exhibition stand and supporting services.
The selected companies will also receive promotion through ITMA’s global marketing and PR channels. In addition, some companies may be considered for speaking and profiling opportunities at the Innovator Xchange.
At ITMA 2027, the 20 start-ups will exhibit alongside established technology manufacturers. This will create opportunities to connect with manufacturers, brands, investors, research organisations and technology partners.
These connections could help emerging technologies move towards wider commercial use.
Company profiles for the selected start-ups are available on the ITMA 2027 website.
References
¹ EU PFAS restriction, Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/2462, adding entry 79 to Annex XVII of REACH.
² European Parliament, Fast fashion: EU laws for sustainable textile consumption.
³ OECD (2024), Extended Producer Responsibility in the Garments Sector.
