Posted by Alfiya Yermukasheva
23 October 2025Written by Research Fellows Dr Max Kelly and Dr Shelley Kotze from the University of Plymouth and Dr Xinyi Guan, Research Fellow, University of Huddersfield
We were honoured that Network Plus (FFN) had a presence at the 93rd Textile Institute World Conference (TIWC 2025) in Porto, where Dr Max Kelly, Dr Xinyi Guan, and Dr Shelley Kotze presented on themes central to our research agenda. TIWC 2025, held from 7–10 October, was hosted by Aquitex, under the banner “Fibre to Future: Transforming Fashion and Textiles through Sustainability and Digitalisation” and provided a global platform for researchers, industry professionals and designers to engage in the transformation of the textile sector toward a more sustainable, circular future.
From the moment we stepped into the venue, the energy was palpable. Delegates from diverse backgrounds gathered, united by a shared commitment to tackling the pressing sustainability challenges facing the textile industry. The conference was a vibrant hub of ideas, highlighting the rapid evolution of materials, innovative design strategies, and cutting-edge approaches to creating a more sustainable and circular textile economy.
Over four days, more than a hundred presentations ran in parallel sessions, probing everything from advanced fibre-to-fibre recycling to blockchain-enabled traceability, smart textiles, circular business models, and the human dimensions of sustainable production. The discussions underscored that the future of textiles lies at the intersection of design, technology, and sustainability. TIWC’s goal was to bring together academia, industry, and policymakers to surface actionable pathways towards a zero-carbon, transparent textile future. The conference left all attendees inspired and motivated, reaffirming that meaningful progress is possible when expertise and ambition come together in pursuit of a shared goal.
Through our presentations, we were able to engage with peers exploring overlapping challenges, from chemical footprint reduction to deploying digital tools in supply chains, and to situate our FFN work within a broader, global conversation. The ability to exchange in person, ask hard questions, and test assumptions among seasoned colleagues is always invaluable. It was refreshing to see how theory and research are increasingly guided by practical, industry-facing needs. One clear takeaway: transition in the textile industry doesn’t just require new materials or technologies. It demands change from the ground up, from fibre sourcing and product design, through manufacturing and use, and finally recovery and reuse. TIWC 2025 brought this full-chain perspective into sharp relief.
Thank you to The Textile Institute, Aquitex, and all the delegates who made TIWC Porto such a stimulating forum. We look forward to continuing the conversations sparked there, and to bringing those insights into FFN’s ongoing collaborations.
Below: Dr Xinyi Guan presenting, Dr Shelley Kotze’s Poster and Dr Max Kelly presenting
Below: Porto, Portugal Skyline over Dom Luis I Bridge and Douro River
