FFN+ Noticeboard - bringing collaborators together

Do you have a great idea, service or product or are you looking for collaborators in the fashion and textiles sector?   We have a new forum to bring together potential partners.  Whether you're a  scientist, designer, researcher or business expert in manufacturing,  supply chain or marketing, you can now access our cross-disciplinary network of specialists. Check this out on our website here. 

If you would like to submit a post please send this to: ffnplus@exeter.ac.uk with the subject 'Noticeboard Submission'. 

Future Fabrics Expo with the All-Cellulose Composite Team

Jacqui Richards from FFN+ attended the Future Fabrics Expo 2025 at Magazine London. It was an inspiring experience that showcased the forefront of sustainable innovation in fashion and textiles. The event was part of London Climate Action Week in the last week of June.

Over 100 exhibitors were represented and the event featured more than 10,000 responsibly produced materials.  From regenerative agriculture to circular design and next-gen technologies, the Expo offered a deep dive into climate-aligned sourcing and systems change. Highlights included the Innovation Hub, RE-SOLVE Lab, and thought-provoking seminars led by leading industry specialists.

You can read the full interview here and watch a short video interview here.

Reflections from the inaugural International Textile and Colour Conference (ITCC 2025)

Ben Parker, Postdoctoral Research Fellow from University of Exeter attended the Inaugural ITCC2025, hosted by the School of Design and Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC) and held 25-26 June. A diverse and international group of stakeholders attended including academics, industry, policymakers and non-governmental organisations to share cutting-edge research around the sustainability of the textile and colour industry. Attendees represented a range of fields such as textile engineering, sustainable fashion, circular economy, colouring, advanced materials and environmental science, all concerned about the impact of the fashion and textile industry.

You can read more here.

Fashion Roundtable Think Tank

The think tank and change agency Fashion Roundtable is led by Tamara Cincik. Through consistent dialogue with governments, business leaders and stakeholders, it ensures impactful change happens at a local, national and international scale. Their mission is evidenced via partnerships, policy recommendations, reports, roundtable and network facilitation, as well as unique and purposeful campaigns, storytelling and events.  To subscribe or for more information click here.

You can also read Tamara Cincik's latest article: "Light on detail when it comes to action & investment in areas such as publishing & fashion..." Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of Commons DCMS Select Committee, on the Government's Industrial Strategy" here.

New Blog Post: Future Fibres Network+ at The Design Museum: A Vision for Change in Fashion and Textiles

Holly Roberts has written a summary of the second Townhall event in London in June. You can read more here.

What is 'permastink'? 

Freelance writer, Andy Extance, has written an article just published in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Chemistry World  on The chemistry of permastink and how to prevent it.  Andy got in touch with the Fabriotic project team-one of our NERC-funded mini projects-after having seen updates on the FFN+ website following our meeting at the Design Museum in London.  Permastink is the malodour created in sports apparel after multiple usage.  The Fabriotic project has found a way of reducing permastink naturally which makes garments more durable.  Read the article here.

The Microfibre Consortium Webinar “Towards sustainable and circular textiles: opportunities for addressing fibre fragmentation in apparel production”

The recording of  the webinar by The Microfibre Consortium is now available.  The panel shared honest perspectives from across the industry on the progress made so far on fibre fragmentation and what is needed to unlock the next steps towards meaningful mitigation of this pervasive pollutant.

The link  for the recording is here.

ECR Circular Seminar Series continues in September with Dr. Raquel Prado

Dr. Raquel Prado is an environmental chemist with 18 years of experience in cutting-edge research and sustainable practices in the fashion and textile industry. As a Material engineer who has performed ground-breaking research by using certification processes such as B-corp, Ecovadis, and Oeko-Tex. The processes involve non-woven yarns and finishing technologies for different applications using the Pinatex fibre, which is a material derived from pineapple leaves. The scientific initiatives also include work using biopolymers, understanding the mitigated risks involved, and how to reduce emissions through circular practices.  Grab a cupper and your questions and please join us on 5 September at 11:00am BST.

Please contact Abigail Irving-Munro for more questions and links at a.irving-munro@northumbria.ac.uk.

Textile Institute World Conference (TIWC) 2025 - Fibre to Future: Transforming Fashion and Textiles through Sustainability and Digitalisation 

The 93rd Textile Institute World Conference (TIWC) 2025 will be hosted by AQUITEX and take place from 7 – 10 October 2025 at Porto Palácio Congress Hotel and Spa, Porto, Portugal. The conference will explore cutting-edge approaches to addressing sustainability challenges, from the environmental impact of textile production to the development of circular economies. It will showcase innovative digital technologies that enhance efficiency, transparency, and sustainability across the entire supply chain—from fibre production and manufacturing to consumer use and end-of-life solutions. Read more here.

Future Observatory: Tomorrow’s Wardrobe

Discover the urgent research and innovation taking place to design a future for fashion that is both stylish and sustainable. Tomorrow's Wardrobe brings together a diversity of designers from across the fashion industry who are revolutionising the way we create, make, and wear clothes – including exhibits from friends of Future Fibres – Project Plan B and Dr Laetitia Forst.  Professor Kate Goldsworthy supported the exhibition as curatorial advisor alongside Jalaj Hora (Nike) and Susan Postlethwaite (Manchester Metropolitan University). More information here.  This event runs until August 2025.

Beyond 2025

The leading conference for research and innovation in the creative industries, bringing together thinkers, makers, researchers, creatives, start-ups, students, investors and policy-makers from across the globe. This year’s conference takes place on November 24 – 26 in Media City, Salford and explores the intersection between imagination, technology and place, focusing on the rise of CreaTech, Innovation Districts and the Creator Economy.  For more information, please visit the link: BEYOND 2025

Textile Library Website: Open Access 

Ozkan Kalkan is a Textile Engineer from Istanbul, Turkiye. He has  founded the Textile Library website which is a resource giving open access to academic articles, videos and podcasts about textile, apparel and fashion. You can access the website here. 

ECR Circular Seminar Series -Career Journeys with Peter Palmer

Our special guest, MBA/CEO/ Research Fellow Peter Palmer, will join us on September 25 at 10:00 am as part of our exciting seminar series.  He will discuss his career in the industry, highlighting his international expertise and direct engagement with consumers. He understands how to build sustainable brands and circular flows, such as neoprene recycling, delivering a global circular solution to the challenge of neoprene waste. He applies circular supply chain practices in his current business, working with Uniforms, Workwear, Life Jackets, and Cow Methane reduction. Peter will share his work and be happy to answer any questions about the journey to date and what the future may hold. Please contact Abigail Irving-Munro for more questions and links at a.irving-munro@northumbria.ac.uk. 

Call for Papers for SETAC: EFFECTS OF TEXTILES MICROFIBERS & CHEMICALS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

There is still time to submit your manuscript to the Special Issue “Textiles Microfibers and Chemicals”​ that Professor Tamara Galloway is guest editing.  More information can be found here.

Information on Future Opportunities

UKRI Policy Fellowship 2025

UKRI fund a cohort of policy fellows. Fellows will provide research and expert advice on the host’s policy priority areas and support wider knowledge exchange between government, policy, and academia.  UKRI policy fellowships 2025 – UKRI

UKRI Policy Internship Scheme

As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)’s postgraduate training portfolio, the UKRI Policy Internships scheme provides an opportunity for UKRI-funded doctoral students to undertake a three-month placement at one of a selected group of influential policy organisations. UKRI Policy Internships scheme – UKRI

ECR Fellowships (in cultural and heritage institutions)

This fellowship offers early career postdoctoral (or equivalent) researchers the opportunity to gain research and career experience in the galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM) sector. More details here.