The World Textile Information Network (WTiN) sponsored the Innovate Textile Awards 2024, which came to an end with a virtual ceremony honoring innovative developments and outstanding accomplishments in the textile and clothing sector. The event, which culminated in the coveted Innovation of the Year award, honored brilliance in five different categories: Material Innovation, Product Innovation, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Innovation, Sustainability, and Changemakers. Winners expressed their gratitude and shared insights into their visionary work.
Material Innovation Award
Noble Biomaterials received the Material Innovation Award for their Ionic+ Botanical Technology, which honours developments in functional finishing and performance textiles. Noble Biomaterials’ “exceptional potential to disrupt the market and create far-reaching impacts” was praised by Mark Jarvis, managing director of WTiN, who also highlighted the company’s revolutionary contributions to functional textiles.
Allon Cohne, senior vice president of Ionic+ and chief marketing officer at Noble Biomaterials, said, “We are ecstatic to receive tremendous validation for our team’s hard work over the past couple years in developing Ionic+ Botanical and bringing it to market.” “This award is another important milestone for us, acknowledging the distinctive advantages Ionic+ Botanical provides to customers and our commitment to developing textiles that improve performance while also having a positive environmental impact.”
Product Innovation Award
Fibrant received recognition in the Product Innovation category for their submission, EcoLactam®, which is part of their value chain partnership with Didriksons for advancing sustainable fashion. WTiN’s head of content, Madelaine Thomas, commended the group for their “commitment to reducing environmental impact through innovative material choices,” highlighting the significance of sustainability in contemporary textile design.
This accomplishment demonstrates our dedication to using creative, sustainable solutions to bring about significant change in the textile sector. Giovanni Henssen, business development manager for sustainability at Fibrant, stated, “Our partnership with Didriksons has been specifically recognized for its potential to reduce environmental impact through our innovative product: EcoLactam.” We are really honored that this award recognizes our all-encompassing strategy for sustainability. It serves as evidence of what can be achieved when creativity, collaboration, and environmental awareness are combined. We are still dedicated to pursuing our goal of developing creative, sustainable solutions that have the potential to revolutionize our sector.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain Innovation Award
Digital Clothing Limited received recognition for its Fashion Big Data Platform for Sustainability Compliance in Supply Chain Management from the Manufacturing and Supply Chain Innovation Award. This innovative technology makes it easier to comply with Digital Product Passport (DPP) criteria and Green Deal laws. According to Jarvis, “their initiative is impactful and promising, providing a useful tool for businesses navigating sustainability standards.”
“WTiN’s Innovate Textile Award for Manufacturing and Supply Chain Innovation is a great honor for us. Tim Jun Li, CEO of Digital Clothing Limited, stated, “This recognition demonstrates our shared vision for a more sustainable, transparent, and connected fashion and textile industry.” “The Fashion Big Data (FBD) platform, a PaaS solution, is at the center of this journey. Its goal is to spur innovation while digitally connecting processes and stakeholders throughout the textile value chain in real-time, including raw materials, fibers, yarns, fabrics, clothing, brands, retailers, and consumers.
We want to facilitate smooth traceability and adherence to eco-design guidelines by using Digital Product Passports, cutting-edge technology like artificial intelligence (AI), real-time data analytics, and product performance modeling algorithms. We cordially welcome everyone to join us in creating a more sustainable future for the fashion and textile industries, since this award is proof of the strength of teamwork.
Sustainability Award
Fibre52 received the Sustainability Award for their creative dyeing method, which is a long-overdue sustainability improvement for cotton. Thomas hailed Fibre52 as “a truly valuable and impressive achievement in sustainable innovation” for incorporating green technology into a sustainable system.
“We are honored to accept this esteemed honor from WTiN,” Fibre52 President Laura Thornquist remarked. “By working with industry partners, we are bringing about significant change in the bleaching process of cotton by employing a more gentle and sustainable method. In addition to helping the environment, this produces fabric of higher quality. While change can be challenging, the Fibre52 team is inspired by the commitment of our partner brands and manufacturers who are embracing our innovative process.”
Changemaker Award
Alpine Group’s inspirational work on Fighting Period Poverty with Dignity Kits earned them the Changemaker Award. Thomas acknowledged the circular model that turns textile waste into solutions that change lives, saying, “This initiative, rooted in sustainability and social impact, is giving millions of girls and women the dignity and freedom they deserve.”
Clare Woodford, vice president of sustainability and impact for Alpine Group, stated, “We are honored to have received this award for our Dignity Kits program, which tackles the crucial issue of period poverty—a problem that millions of women and girls face globally.” We are well on our way to fulfilling our UN target to reach 250,000 women and girls, having touched 150,000 so far. We are demonstrating together that creativity and empathy can change the world—and this is just the beginning.”
Innovation of the Year Award
The evening’s high point came when Coldenhove received the Innovation of the Year Award for their ground-breaking Texcol®, a pigment transfer paper made for printing on both natural and synthetic textiles, including cotton, linen, silk, and nylon. Texcol® reduces waste and benefits the environment by making it simple to create vibrant, long-lasting graphics on fabrics without the need for water.
“This award is a significant milestone for Coldenhove,” stated Innovation & Development Manager Ron Sportel. We anticipate that the Texcol® technology will transform the textile printing industry once more, generating the same kind of market growth as the launch of dye sublimation paper 25 years ago.
Reflections and Closing Remarks
“Each of you has brought something truly unique and valuable to the industry,” Jarvis said as he wrapped up the event, reflecting on the incredible accomplishments of the evening. Your enthusiasm and commitment lead to revolutionary change, and we are honored to recognize your achievements.
WTiN would like to express its appreciation to the esteemed judges for their significant assistance in assessing innovative developments in the textile sector. The panel featured outstanding knowledge of design, technology, and sustainability.
Judges include:
- Charles Ross, Lecturer, Royal College of Art
- Cindy DiPietrantonio, Former CEO and President, Boathouse Sports
- Jessica Basey, Business Innovation Lead, WTiN
- Dr Lorenzo Costanzo, Materials and Biomimicry Expert, ÆVOLUTION
- Nicole van der Elst Desai Founder, VDE Consultancy
- Prof Parikshit Goswami, Professor of Technical Textiles, The University of Huddersfield
- Prof Stephen Russell, Professor of Textile Materials and Technology, University of Leeds
- Samantha Taylor, Founder, The Good Factory
- Mili Tharakan, Smart Textile Consultant, Smart Textile Alliance
The Innovate Textile Awards 2024 once again spotlighted the groundbreaking work shaping the future of the textile and apparel industry. Congratulations to all winners and participants for their contributions.
About World Textile Information Network (WTiN)
WTiN is a UK-based B2B information business providing unmatched insights and analysis into the innovative processes and materials shaping the global textile and apparel manufacturing industry. Our community of over 75,000 members relies on WTiN’s expertise to make informed business decisions. Learn more at www.wtin.com.
