Welcome to the first issue of Sportstextiles for this year, and the first under the magazine’s new name. This change coincides with the thirtieth anniversary of the launch of WSA, which we celebrate in our lead article. In-depth features follow on the appeal (to the textile sector) of algae, and on the importance that a Europe-centric outlook has for the success of the Mare di Moda show. Footwear technology this time focuses on Yulex’s bid to bring brands back to natural rubber and, in Sustainability, the subject is fairer data for natural fibres in the Higg Materials Sustainability Index. We sign off, as always, with Dialogue. The conversation this time is with David Parkes, the founder of Concept III, who reflects on that past and future of the performance fabrics industry as he prepares to take a step back.
