Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering what’s changing in how fashion is made, scaled or engineered from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.
LifeLabs x Shinhan
LifeLabs Co-Founder and CEO, Sophia Ou, with Shinhan CEO, JH Lee.
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Materials science company LifeLabs has partnered with Shinhan Textile Mill to expand the global availability of thermoregulating performance fabrics.
The South Korea-based woven fabric mill, which specializes in producing technical textiles for outdoor and activewear applications, will serve as a strategic production partner for LifeLabs’ WarmLife temperature-regulating performance fabric.
“Shinhan brings deep expertise in technical woven fabric development and a strong reputation for quality, making them an ideal partner to help us deliver lighter, more packable thermal performance to a broader set of world-class brand customers,” said Sophia Ou, CEO and co-founder of LifeLabs. “Partnering with Shinhan helps us scale WarmLife and bring advanced thermoregulating fabrics to apparel brands worldwide.”
LifeLabs and Shinhan will collaborate to expand the supply chain and commercialize WarmLife performance fabric technology, which uses a metallic nano-layer to reflect body heat and provide warmth. The patented textile is designed to reflect infrared heat back to the body, providing insulation with less material.
“We are always looking ahead to where performance textiles are going next; this partnership with LifeLabs is an important step in that direction,” said JH Lee, CEO of Shinhan. “WarmLife brings a differentiated approach to thermal comfort and we are proud to pair that innovation with our technical fabric capabilities helping to bring high-quality, high-performance solutions to leading brands around the world.”
U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol x Walmart
Walmart’s membership provides access to data on U.S. cotton growers’ sustainability practices and enables tracking of Protocol cotton through its supply chain.
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The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol said Walmart has joined its voluntary sustainability program, marking a scale play for more traceable U.S. cotton.
The traceability platform for U.S.-grown cotton described the discount giant’s membership as a significant development for the retail industry, scaling sustainable cotton sourcing and bolstering a focus on supply chain transparency alongside regenerative practices.
“We welcome Walmart to the Trust Protocol, recognizing the reach and influence their membership will extend in advancing sustainable cotton sourcing practices,” said Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “This collaboration directly strengthens our mission to drive continuous improvement and foster greater transparency in the supply chain.”
As a Trust Protocol member, Walmart will gain access to aggregated data on sustainability practices from American cotton growers and track the movement of U.S. cotton, including Protocol cotton, through its supply chain. The move aligns with Walmart’s goal to source increasingly sustainable cotton. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer has also pledged to manage, protect or restore 50 million acres of land and one million square miles of ocean by 2030.
“At Walmart, we are committed to providing our customers with quality products that are not only affordable but also produced in a way that is responsible and sustainable,” said Jerome Del Porto, head of corporate sustainability at Walmart. “Joining the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is another step in our journey to continue driving meaningful change within our own supply chain and the industry at large.”
Established in 2020, the Trust Protocol is a voluntary, science-based sustainability program and traceability platform for U.S. cotton. It provides quantifiable and verifiable goals and metrics for six key sustainability metrics—land use, soil health, water management, greenhouse gas emissions, energy use and fiber quality—before an independent third party verifies the aggregated data.
By underpinning U.S. cotton’s sustainability progress with sophisticated data collection and offering full supply chain transparency, the Trust Protocol ensures brands and retailers like Walmart can source more sustainably grown cotton. Other members include major retailers such as Amazon, Macy’s, Levi’s and URBN.
Natural Fiber Welding
The materials science company ranked No. 69 overall and No. 1 in Illinois.
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NFW announced its second appearance on the annual Time and Statista list of “America’s Top Greentech Companies,” a compilation of the most notable technology molding the sustainability space.
The Peoria, Illinois-based innovator, also known as Natural Fiber Welding, advanced 113 spots from its prior ranking to No. 69 in 2026—holding the highest-ranked position for any green-tech company headquartered in the state. Recognized in the Circular Economy category for replacing petroleum-based materials with natural alternatives, NFW stated that the recognition reflects its ongoing work with global brands and its internal sustainability progress.
“At NFW, we believe performance and sustainability must go hand in hand,” said co-founder and CEO Steve Zika. “Our products are the practical embodiment of what earned us this recognition, proving that 100-percent biobased materials can meet—and exceed—rigorous marketplace demands without relying on plastics, fossil fuels or toxic chemistry.”
The Lycra Company
The Lycra Company announced the global launch of Lycra VintageFX fiber at Kingpins Amsterdam.
The Lycra Company
The Lycra Company has launched Lycra VintageFX, a next-generation fiber that combines a vintage denim look with modern comfort and fit.
Designed for denim and woven fabrics, the Lycra VintageFX fiber offers a new performance benchmark for recreating heritage-inspired looks. It’s a response to the industry’s shift toward “away-from-the-body” silhouettes and looser fits (think wide-leg, flares, boyfriend and mom jeans) where retaining fit and stability remains a challenge—particularly at the waist, hips and crotch.
“[Lycra VintageFX] dual-core yarn construction, low growth, and high recovery open new design possibilities,” said Ebru Ozaydin, product category director of denim and ready-to-wear at The Lycra Company. “These features enable compact, less bulky fabrics with an authentic vintage appearance, but without the instability of traditional low-stretch constructions.”
While the Wilmington, Delaware-headquartered company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 17, Lycra previously shared plans to debut the new material innovation at Kingpins Amsterdam, held April 15-16.
“Lycra VintageFX fiber enables brands and retailers to deliver a strong consumer value proposition, filling a critical market gap while elevating collections,” said Arnaud Ruffin, vice president, brands and retail at The Lycra Company. “This product shows how our commitment to textile innovation supports the value chain with unique, performance-driven solutions.”
Nilit
New workwear fabrics and garment concepts will be displayed at Nilit’s booth and presented by mill partners at Techtextil.
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Nilit will introduce breakthrough-performance fabrics, specially engineered for workwear, at Techtextil Frankfurt.
The premium Nylon 6.6 vertically integrated manufacturer said its Sensil fabric collection offers thermal and moisture management, odor control, muscle support and durability—rendering responsibly made and sustainable products.
“The workwear market requires well-designed, multi-functional apparel that not only handles the demands of the workplace but supports the wearer with technical features that contribute to productivity, mental and physical comfort, and overall wellness,” said Sagee Aran, Nilit’s chief commercial officer. “While Nilit has always served the workwear market, we are now leveraging our proven expertise in athleticwear and fashion apparel into new workwear concepts that truly stand out for excellent performance, aesthetics and durability.”
Nilit’s booth will showcase new workwear fabrics and garment concepts, presented by mill partners such as Concordia, Getzner, Edelweiss, Alto Milanese, FOV, IBQ and Sofileta. The fabrics are ideal for corporate uniforms, hospitality, food service, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, first responders and military.
Textiles Recycling Expo USA
Textiles Recycling Expo USA arrives in just two weeks as North America’s first dedicated textile recycling event.
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The country’s first dedicated exhibition and conference focused entirely on textile recycling will take place in just two weeks at the Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina.
Textiles Recycling Expo USA, to be held April 29-30, will bring together over 95 exhibitors and 50-plus expert speakers from across the global textile value chain to showcase “the technologies, strategies and innovations driving the future of textile circularity.”
“This is a unique opportunity to see the sector’s most important conversations, technologies and partnerships come together under one roof,” the organization said. “And to be part of shaping what comes next.”
