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Industry News | 2/18/2026
- Feb 18
- 8 min read
By SPESA
Trade Union Manifesto for a Just Transition in Textile and Garment Supply Chains
International Trade Union Confederation | February 18, 2026
The International Trade Union Confederation, IndustriALL Global Union, and IndustriAll Europe have launched the “Just Transition Manifesto for the Textile and Garment Supply Chain,” calling for workers’ involvement in the climate and digital transformation.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Aptean Launches the Next Generation of Fashion & Apparel Technology — AI that Puts Brands Fully in Control
Press Release | February 17, 2026
Aptean has announced the launch of Aptean Fashion & Apparel, its most powerful AI operations solution built for the unique demands of the fashion and apparel industry. The solution embeds apparel-specific intelligence at the core of every operation, interpreting styles, automating multi-step workflows, and using AI agents to make decisions in real-time.
Unlike traditional apparel ERPs, Aptean Fashion & Apparel runs on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and AppCentral, Aptean’s agentic AI platform. Together, they give brands a modern, scalable, cloud‑native foundation with AI agents that move quickly across applications and data, improving operational precision and delivering unmatched intelligence.
Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition Announces Formation of the Congressional Berry Amendment Caucus
Press Release | February 17, 2026
The first-ever congressional Berry Amendment Caucus has been established in the U.S. House of Representatives to serve as a bipartisan forum focused on strengthening national security and preserving American manufacturing. The caucus seeks to highlight the importance of domestic industrial capacity in critical sectors such as textiles, uniforms, armor, and specialty materials; support factories and workers who manufacture Berry-compliant goods; educate Members of Congress on the full scope of products covered under the law; and support consistent enforcement and modernization of Berry requirements to meet evolving warfighter needs.
The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) has publicly applauded the launch.
Circulose To Restart World’s First Commercial-Scale Chemical Textile Recycling Plant
World Bio Market Insights | February 17, 2026
Circulose has announced plans to restart its commercial-scale production plant in Sundsvall, Sweden, marking a significant step in scaling next-generation materials for the global fashion industry.
Argentina’s Textile Sector Reels as Import Surge Hits Jobs
Buenos Aires Times | February 17, 2026
Argentina’s textile sector is in crisis — falling sales, rising domestic production costs, and concerns about competition from imports have left the industry on its knees. Since 2023, the sector has laid off more than 18,000 people and is currently operating at one-third of its installed capacity, according to new data.
Standard Textile Expands Distribution Network in Caribbean and Latin America with A Plus and PH Interamericas
Press Release | February 17, 2026
Standard Textile Co., a global leader in healthcare and hospitality textiles, has announced the expansion of its distribution network in the Caribbean and Latin America region through two new strategic partnerships with A Plus (also known as Central de Uniformes) and PH Interamericas. This expansion strengthens Standard Textile's presence in the region and reinforces its ability to support hotels and resorts across all tiers with high-performance textile solutions, local service, and operational expertise.
Reju and Goodwill of the Finger Lakes Celebrate Rochester as a Hub for Textile-To-Textile Circularity
Press Release | February 17, 2026
Reju, the textile-to-textile regeneration company transforming post-consumer textiles into new materials, and Goodwill of the Finger Lakes gathered with dignitaries to celebrate Rochester, New York's growing leadership in textile circularity highlighting how local partnerships are helping keep textiles in use, reduce waste, and create long-term economic and environmental value. Reju previously announced the company would locate its first U.S. regeneration hub in Rochester.
Additional local coverage is available here.
Meanwhile, Reju has also announced that it has selected Lacq, France, located in Pyrénées-Atlantiques on the Induslacq platform, as the site for another new industrial-scale Regeneration Hub. The planned plant will use Reju’s proprietary depolymerisation technology, converting textiles from French waste streams into rBHET, a material used in the production of new polyester known as Reju PET. Read more here.
NCTO Warns New Bill Could Revive ‘Dangerous’ De Minimis Loophole
Just Style | February 16, 2026
The National Council of Textile Organizations has called on leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives to “oppose and block” the Secure Revenue Clearance Channel Act, a bill introduced in late January.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | New ISAIC Headquarters at College for Creative Studies (CCS) Opens Doors for Talent, Innovation, and Community Impact
Press Release | February 13, 2026
The Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC) is growing, and with that growth comes a new home. In late spring 2026, ISAIC will officially relocate to an expanded space within the College for Creative Studies A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s evolution and impact.
The move allows ISAIC to significantly scale its operations, expand its fully equipped classroom, and offer unmatched access to advanced apparel manufacturing equipment and technology — empowering job seekers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders alike.
U.S. Commits to 15% Tariff Limit for Taiwan Goods
Manufacturing Dive | February 13, 2026
The United States and Taiwan have reached an agreement on reciprocal trade that would cement a 15% tariff cap on imports from the East Asian country. Under the agreement, the U.S. will charge no more than a 15% tariff on goods from Taiwan through a combination of most favored nation duties and reciprocal levies. The U.S. also agreed to eliminate reciprocal tariffs on certain agricultural products consistent with exemptions the Trump administration installed in November.
Additional industry coverage available in Sourcing Journal.
For more trade news, see the update below on Bangladesh and last issue’s Trade & Tariff Round-Up.
The American-Made Hemp Shirt Experiment
Montana Free Press | February 13, 2026
How two central Montana companies led the creation of a domestically made shirt from hemp, a crop that had been illegal to grow in the U.S. for nearly a century.
Artifacts from Oregon Cave Example of Oldest Known Sewn Material
Oregon Public Broadcasting | February 12, 2026
Researchers in Oregon and Nevada have determined that artifacts recently found inside Cougar Mountain Cave in Central Oregon are the oldest known examples of sewn hides. The items were preserved inside dry caves for more than 12,000 years and provide rare examples of what researchers say is likely early clothing dating back to the late Ice Age.
Additional coverage in Smithsonian Magazine.
The End of the Paper Trail? Australia’s Largest Garment Pattern Supplier Is Closing and Sewers Are Worried — but Pragmatic
While the content of this article is more relevant for home sewers, it does provide some interesting context for the global shift to digital sewing patterns and independent pattern makers.
Whitehouse, Cassidy Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Close “First Sale” Customs Loophole
Press Release | February 11, 2026
U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) have introduced the Last Sale Valuation Act, bipartisan legislation to close a customs loophole allowing importers to avoid duties by declaring an artificially low value for their goods. Proponents say this fix will level the playing field for small and domestic businesses and combat trade-based money laundering.
Additional industry coverage available in Sourcing Journal.
How the Sewing Machine Got Us… Software (Podcast)
NPR Planet Money | February 11, 2026
“How do people get motivated to invent, and how do they get rewarded for their ideas? Usually through a patent. And, when the thicket of patents becomes too thick, how do we simplify, and make it so inventors can work together? The answer will involve bitter rivals, a sewing machine war, the nine no-no's of anti-trust, and something called a gob-feeder.”
A fun listen for your commute: Planet Money explores how the debate over who invented the sewing machine over a century ago still impacts businesses today.
Egypt Garment Exports Set To See Huge Growth
Sourcing Journal | February 11, 2026
According to a new report from the Apparel Export Council of Egypt, and insights from the Egyptian Ready-to-Wear Export Council, garment exports will continue to surge, generating $4.4 billion in revenue in 2026. The Apparel Export Council’s report noted that ready-made garment exports reached $2.8 billion in the first 10 months of 2025, a 22% bump from the same period in 2024.
CFDA and OpenAI Launch Innovation Hub To Develop AI Solutions for Fashion
Fashion United | February 10, 2026
The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has teamed up with OpenAI on a two-year initiative that looks to bring AI tool builders together with CFDA members, with the goal of driving creativity and growth across the industry. As part of the partnership, the duo have launched the Innovation Hub, described as a “designer-centric approach to AI integration” that aims to establish cooperation on the creation of AI solutions to meet industry needs.
Major Retailers Launch Unified Framework and Digital Tool To Streamline Compliance
Fashion United | February 10, 2026
How can fashion companies fulfil sustainability and supply chain data demands without duplicating data or significant administrative burden, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)? Seven major retailers and nonprofits Cascale and Fair Wear have co-developed and launched a unified self-assessment questionnaire as well as a free digital platform, which was developed by supply chain solutions provider TrusTrace.
The new “Retailer Brand Due Diligence Questionnaire” and the “One Retail Hub” reportedly increase operational as well as measurement efficiency using fair and universally recognised criteria that was informed by OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector and further sector-specific standards.
Cascale Announces CEO Appointment
Press Release | February 10, 2026
The organization in charge of the “fashion industry's environmental report card” has a permanent CEO after several years of leadership turnover.
U.S. Strikes Trade Deal with Bangladesh, Prioritizing Readymade Garment Sector
Sourcing Journal | February 9, 2026
After nine months of percolating anxiety about the future of its most prominent manufacturing sector — apparel and textiles — Bangladesh has reached a trade agreement with the United States. What’s more, the country’s preeminent exports, which represent 80% of the country’s output, will be prioritized under the new pact.
In general, the U.S. has agreed to draw down its duties on Bangladesh-originating exports to 19% after they were originally set at 37 percent on “Liberation Day” last April and reduced to 20 percent in August 2025. But more importantly for us, the U.S. Government also said it would implement a mechanism that will enable certain textile and apparel products that were made using American inputs like cotton and man-made fibers to enter the U.S. market duty free.
Can Reshoring Deliver Manufacturing Sustainability Benefits?
Manufacturing Dive | February 9, 2026
“Manufacturers may be weighing tariff costs, but they’re also assessing whether domestic production investments can help achieve supply chain resilience, procurement and labor goals.”
ICYMI | We're Going to Ohio!
SPESA Speaks | February 6, 2026
The 2026 SPESA Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference will take place April 13-14 in Columbus, Ohio. Which may leave you asking: Why oh why oh why-o? Why would we ever go to Ohio? We're so glad you asked!
SPESA’s latest blog post dives into why Columbus was the logical choice for our next event, and our excitement to team up with local partners.
We’ve also shared an inside look at what’s on the agenda!
