Interviews

A key organisation playing a vital role in the hemp movement is Inagro, which provides research and advice in agriculture. Crop Researcher Sophie Waegebaert about the organisation's work with farmers, and the challenges facing hemp as an alternative textile fibre.

The future of cotton in fashion is at a crossroads, threatened by weak transparency, limited certification impact, and the growing dominance of synthetics. In this interview, Tamar Hoek, Senior Policy Director (Sustainable Fashion), and Annemiek Smits, Corporate Engagement Manager for Fashion at Solidaridad, share why brands must prioritise fairer procurement, stronger accountability, and investment in farmers.

Hemp is emerging as a serious contender in Europe’s sustainable fibre narrative, yet its path to scale remains riddled with questions. Nathalie Revol, hemp project manager at Association Lin et Chanvre Bio, shares insights on land expansion, regulatory hurdles, and the realities of building market-ready textile fibres that can rival synthetics and achieve lasting credibility.

For over two decades, nonprofit Valbiom has worked to advance the bioeconomy in Wallonia and beyond, building bridges between farmers, researchers, industry, and policymakers. Despite proven expertise and pilot successes such as hemp textiles, scaling up remains constrained by political will and investment. In a conversation with texfash, Valentine Donck, Project Manager for Bio-based Textiles, explores challenges, opportunities, and strategies shaping Europe’s sustainable industrial future.

Amsterdam-based Makers Unite places creativity at the centre of social transformation, repurposing materials into meaningful design while empowering diverse communities. Creative Commercial Manager Ambrose Jude shares how inclusive practices, sustainable craftsmanship, and storytelling can reshape fashion, shift perceptions of migration, and open new pathways for dignity, opportunity, and authentic connection across cultures.

At the Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics - Autumn Edition starting tomorrow, industry players will be seen navigating shifting sourcing strategies, sustainability expectations, and digital transformation. Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, explains how themed zones, global exhibitors, and smart tools are helping buyers discover materials, evaluate suppliers, and make sourcing decisions in a changing market.

The denim industry’s sustainability discussions often exclude those closest to production, from farmers to mills, allowing misinformation and greenwashing to thrive. Fear keeps suppliers silent, while brands avoid confronting hard data. In this candid exchange with texfash.com, Andrew Olah, Co-Founder of Transformers Foundation unpacks the systemic silencing of suppliers and the urgent need for honest, inclusive dialogue.

Industry leader Mahlo is celebrating 80 years of advancing textile manufacturing through precision control technologies. From fabric straightening to real-time quality monitoring, the German company has helped mills worldwide modernise operations without compromising accuracy. In this interview, Thomas Höpfl, Head of Sales, explains how Mahlo continues to lead textile innovation by adapting to industry demands while honouring its engineering roots.

Despite rising price competition and shifting global trade dynamics, Swiss textile machinery continues to command global respect for its precision and innovation. In this exclusive interview, Davide Maccabruni, the new President of the Swiss Textile Machinery Association, discusses how the sector is evolving through sustainability, digital integration, and region-specific strategies to maintain its global leadership.

CircularFabrics is tackling one of synthetic fashion’s toughest challenges—recycling nylon from blended waste—through its pioneering Nyloop technology. Unlike conventional methods, Nyloop preserves polymer integrity without high energy input, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative. CEO and Co-Founder Josephine Mayer explains how this process could help brands meet EU circularity goals while building scalable, decentralised recycling systems.