Growing a Fiber Marketplace

“Imagine people growing hemp and making everything from food to fuel without petroleum!” — Josh Tickell, environmental activist, filmmaker, and bestselling author emp is no longer a “curiosity crop.” In Common Ground (2023), the documentary’s filmmaker Josh Tickell makes a bold case for hemp as an environmental savior. One farmer claims to save $2 million a year by eliminating insecticides, pesticides, and herbicides, thanks to hemp’s natural resistance. Beyond economics, hemp restores soil, sequesters carbon, and requires minimal resources – earning its reputation as a “miracle fiber.”

Hmission

As a textile, hemp offers much potential. However, challenges remain: Can manufacturers overcome production hurdles, will consumers support natural fibers in terms of color, texture, and shape, and can plastics stakeholders make room for hemp’s widespread adoption?

On page 16, Hemp – Emerging Star Climate-Smart Bast Fiber explores how stakeholders across various industry sectors are advancing processing technologies, product innovation, and supplychain collaboration.

Companies such as IND HEMP, Cretes, Harper Hygienics, and Zylotex are global leading the charge, and U.S.-based advocacy groups and industry leaders aim to scale hemp into a mainstream, sustainable commodity in the problem-laden country.

In another eco-textile story, on page 24, Nina Cohen, Application Engineer II at Microban International, highlights How Innovation and Adaptation Are Reshaping the Future of Textiles from Microban’s perspective. Sustainability pressures, consumer demand, and regulatory changes are driving new technologies from odor control to enhanced durability. In 2023, an eco-conscious outdoor gear company partnered with Microban to integrate Scentry Revive. This innovation permeates fabrics during the manufacturing process to neutralize odors in its apparel line.

It helps the garments stay fresher longer, with odor-neutralizing properties that last for up to 50 home laundering cycles. Preventing the growth of odor-causing and degrading microbes helps maintain the appearance, freshness, and integrity of textiles, ultimately extending their lifespan.

Nonwovens are accelerating in automotive applications, fueled by EV growth, sustainability goals, and lightweight performance. Geoff Fisher reports in Driving Forward with Nonwovens – Innovation on the Open Road (p. 27) that these materials, already used in over 40 vehicle components, enhance insulation, filtration, and acoustics while boosting efficiency.

Meanwhile, composites are expanding globally. “Several of the reasons for composites’ growing popularity is the acknowledgement of their ability to reduce environmental impacts, offer a good strength-to-weight ratio, and increasingly incorporate more natural fibers to produce biocomposites and hybrid biocomposites,” notes Marie O’Mahony in Keeping Watch on Composites (p. 31). Lightweight, high-performance, and recycled materials are revolutionizing the automotive, aerospace, sports, and luxury sectors, with a focus on circularity and efficiency.

Do you have an innovation to share?

See page 4. We are accepting submissions for editorial content on your company’s new and improved products or technology in our 2025 FIBER INNOVATIONS ISSUE printed in the November/December edition. Deadline is Oct. 17! No late submissions will be accepted. Email me at csmith@inda.org for details!

Caryn Smith Chief Content Officer & Publisher, INDA Media, IFJ

Caryn Smith

Chief Content Officer & Publisher, INDA Media csmith@inda.org +1 239.225.6137

Geoff Fisher European Editor gfisher@textilemedia.com +44 1603.308158

Adrian Wilson International Correspondent adawilson@gmail.com +44 7897.913134

Nina Cohen Application Engineer II, Microban International Nina.Cohen@microban.com 704.766.1062

Marines Lagemaat Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Director, EDANA marines.lagemaat@edana.org

Marie O’Mahony

Smart & Advanced Textiles Correspondent marie.consultant@gmail.com

Wes Fisher Director of Government Affairs, INDA wfisher@inda.org +1 919 459 3726

Announcements

to partner & collaborate with you to advance your reach! To see exciting & new opportunities available to your company, visit www.fiberjournal.com/advertise

We Want to Hear From Your Company! Share Your Fiber, Textiles, Nonwovens, Equipment, Process and Technology (and other) Innovations in IFJ Nov/Dec 2025!

HURRY! Deadline is October 17, 2025. Ask About Advertising Specials, too!

Innovations Submissions Guidelines:

• Share 300-600 words in a Word Document on your company’s innovation.

• Must be a compelling, informational article about your innovation and its value to the industry.

• Include a URL and contact email to find more information.

*No sales contact information, please.

• Send one high-resolution logo + photo with your submission.

• Your company URL must be included.

• If you have an idea for a full feature of up to 1200 words, please send your story idea to csmith@inda.org.

Send Your Submission to csmith@inda.org.

Submissions are subject to editorial approval and are not guaranteed to print. Annual “Round-up” of