AFFOA Launches Product Accelerator to Advance U.S. Textile Innovation, Manufacturing
- SPESA
- Nov 26
- 2 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Press Release via eTextileCommunications
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) today announced the launch of the third round of its Product Accelerator for Functional Fabrics program (PAFF 3.0), expanding access to no-cost technical support, pilot development capabilities and product advancement resources for U.S. textile manufacturers, startups and innovators. The program is designed to accelerate commercialization of advanced fabric technologies while strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity and competitiveness.
The PAFF program gives participants access to AFFOA’s engineering expertise, testing infrastructure, pilot-scale textile equipment and product development support at no cost, enabling companies to bring new products to market faster and with reduced technical and financial risk.
PAFF 3.0 Expands Focus Areas to Meet Industry Need
The newest round of the program broadens its scope to include accelerated development in four priority areas:
Digital engineering and manufacturing
Textile manufacturing automation
Manufacturing scale-up
Advancement of TRL/MRL for next-generation fibers and fabrics
These focus areas are aligned with national priorities in reshoring, technical workforce development and accelerating domestic deployment of high-value textile technologies.
Informational Webinar Scheduled for Dec. 17
AFFOA will host a live PAFF 3.0 information webinar on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 12 p.m. EST. The session will explain program benefits, outline application and submission timelines, share real-world use cases and answer participant questions.
Registration is available here.
A PAFF 3.0 information webpage and forthcoming guidebook will provide additional guidance on program use, onboarding and project launch.
Supporting U.S. Textile Innovation
The program reflects AFFOA’s mission to catalyze growth in the U.S. advanced fabrics ecosystem and expand manufacturing capacity for emerging material platforms.
“With PAFF 3.0, we are lowering technical and economic barriers for innovators who are developing the fabrics of the future,” an AFFOA spokesperson said. “By providing hands-on expertise, infrastructure access and accelerated development pathways at no cost, we are helping companies commercialize breakthrough technologies faster while strengthening domestic manufacturing capability.”
AFFOA encourages U.S. companies developing smart textiles, engineered performance fabrics, fiber-based sensors, additive manufacturing, military-relevant functional materials and other advanced applications to apply.
This press release was issued November 26, 2025, and shared by eTextileCommunications. AFFOA is an associate member of SPESA.
SPESA members are encouraged to email news and releases to marie@spesa.org or maggie@spesa.org to be featured under Member Spotlights.
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