ITMF Announced 2026 International Collaboration Awards
The International Textile Manufacturers Federation honored industry partnerships advancing sustainable textile solutions.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Fashion
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The Zurich-based International Textile Manufacturers Federation has named the winners of its 2026 International Collaboration Awards. HeiQ and Archroma were recognized for functional finishes, while Lenzing and Armedangels won for a sustainable performance outerwear project.
Why it matters
These collaborations address critical industry hurdles by scaling specialized textile technologies and removing synthetic materials like PFAS from performance apparel. The initiatives aim to align garment production with broader environmental standards.
The winning windbreaker utilizes a 100% Tencel lyocell ripstop fabric that provides 97% wind resistance. Additionally, 99.9% of the garment's trims consist of non-synthetic materials.
The players
International Textile Manufacturers Federation
This Zurich-based organization represents the global textile industry and sets standards for international collaboration.
Archroma
A global specialty chemicals company with over 4,000 employees that operates 30 production sites across 42 countries.
HeiQ
This company develops specialized textile finishes that are distributed through global manufacturing networks.
Lenzing
A company specializing in the production of wood-based cellulose fibers such as Tencel lyocell.
Armedangels
An apparel brand known for its focus on sustainable manufacturing and the reduction of synthetic materials in clothing.
The details
The performance outerwear project by Lenzing and Armedangels relies on a manufacturing process that uses heat and pressure to compact lyocell construction without synthetics. HeiQ and Archroma also received recognition for their partnership in streamlining the integration of textile technologies into global supply chains.
Timeline
HeiQ and Archroma established a co-marketing agreement in January 2026.
The International Textile Manufacturers Federation announced the award winners on September 28, 2026.
Winning projects will be presented at an industry conference on October 14-15, 2026.
Culture Shift
The transition toward non-synthetic textiles highlights a broader movement to eliminate PFAS chemistry and microplastic shedding in fashion. This shift mirrors the textile industry's efforts to meet the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals through innovative supply chain management.
Consumers can expect more high-performance clothing options that utilize wood-based fibers rather than traditional petroleum-based synthetics. These developments may eventually lead to a wider availability of biodegradable and PFAS-free outerwear in the retail market.
The takeaway
The textile industry is moving toward high-performance materials that prioritize sustainability without compromising durability. Shoppers interested in ethical fashion should look for labels identifying Tencel and other wood-based alternatives to synthetic fabrics.
What happens next
The award recipients are scheduled to present their winning projects at the upcoming ITMF and IAF Conference in Fortaleza, Brazil, on October 14-15, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on current design trends and industry innovations, visit the Fashion section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Innovation in Textiles.
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