At a time of profound regulatory change for the sector, the Slow Fiber association has reached a total of 38 members with the addition of eleven new manufacturers. These are: Cardinalini & C. SpA, a long-established Umbrian company in the textile and clothing sector; Brugnoli, a Busto Arsizio-based company specialising in circular-knit fabrics for over 70 years. Tintoria Mancini, a Biella-based company in Sandigliano which has specialised for over 50 years in the dyeing of cashmere, wool, vicuña, alpaca and silk in staple fibre, tops and skeins. Maglieria Gina, a family-run business in Dairago (MI) which has been producing circular knitted fabrics for over 40 years. I.T.T. Industria Tessile Tintoria Spa, a company that has specialised in the dyeing of fine fibres and fabrics for over 50 years. Tintoria e Stamperia in Lambrugo (CO), which for over 80 years has been involved in dyeing and finishing, primarily of shuttle-woven fabrics made from artificial and synthetic fibres. Tessitura F.lli Bortolotto, in the province of Treviso, has been producing artisanal fabrics since 1963. Quality Biella has been offering integrated services for textile quality for over 50 years: mending, quality control and garment manufacturing, combining artisanal expertise with technology. Filatura Luisa 1966 has been producing high-end combed yarns in Masserano (BI) for 60 years, combining quality, innovation and sustainability. Roberto Collina Maglieria, a world-class family brand, has been producing high-quality knitwear in Crevalcore (BO) using state-of-the-art machinery since the early post-war period. Achille Pinto, a company based in the Como district, has been producing fabrics for clothing and finished garments for over 90 years.

The new members come from historic ‘Made in Italy’ districts and from regions where manufacturing expertise remains a living heritage, to be preserved and promoted: large industrial groups and small artisan workshops, companies from north-western and central Italy, businesses operating across different stages of production, from spinning to knitting, from dyeing to weaving: a diversity that reflects the richness and complexity of the Italian textile supply chain.

The values of Slow Fiber: not an ethical choice, but market demands

The new European regulations on sustainability – from the ban on the destruction of unsold stock to mandatory due diligence throughout the supply chain, right through to rules on transparency and traceability – set out a framework in which the founding principles of Slow Fiber are no longer merely an ethical choice, but a response to the new European regulations.

“Slow Fiber was founded with two interlinked missions: to foster a culture of understanding within the supply chain and to support small artisans, the custodians of skills that we risk losing. Our companies, which are predominantly family-run, rely heavily on craftsmanship and a deep understanding of the skills involved in every single stage of the supply chain. Only in this way is it possible to achieve quality. And without quality, there is no future for the Italian textile industry. Today, with 38 member companies, we see that this vision is gaining increasing traction within the sector. And we are only just getting started,” said Dario Casalini, founder and president of Slow Fiber.

Support for small companies

One of the cornerstones of Slow Fiber’s identity, right from its foundation, has been the protection of micro and small artisan businesses, including those with fewer than ten employees. These businesses are often unable to cope on their own with the costs and complexity of certification, traceability and regulatory compliance processes. Through the network, these businesses gain access to training, shared compliance services and support tools that they might not be able to afford on their own. “It’s not just about solidarity within the supply chain,” explains Marco Bardelle, vice-president of Slow Fiber, “it’s a question of the ecosystem. If small specialist artisans disappear, skills and craftsmanship that no large company can replicate in-house will be lost. Ultimately, larger companies that build their products precisely on that excellence will also lose out.”

Building on the success achieved in the textile sector, Slow Fiber is now turning its attention to another ‘Made in Italy’ sector that is in deep trouble: leather goods. The signs of crisis are alarming: it is estimated that around 190 companies – almost all of them SMEs – have closed in the Scandicci district of Tuscany alone, resulting in the loss of over 2,000 jobs and more than 7,000 workers being placed on short-time working or social safety net schemes (figures provided by Assopellettieri and Confindustria Moda). This downturn highlights the fragility of an entire production system in the face of pressure from the global market.

In today’s business landscape, the transition towards ethical and environmentally responsible business models is no longer merely an option, but a genuine differentiating factor. And JV International once again stands out for its excellence, securing the top spot with the Platinum Medal from the international corporate sustainability assessment platform EcoVadis. This achievement places JV International amongst the top 1 per cent of over 130,000 organisations assessed globally, confirming the strength of a business model that effectively integrates ESG principles into every aspect of the company’s operations.

This success is no accident, but represents the natural evolution of a solid and consistent strategic approach. In 2025, JV International had in fact joined the top 5 per cent of the world’s best-performing companies thanks to its Gold Medal. The move up to Platinum level therefore certifies a further and decisive leap in quality, demonstrating how ESG (environmental, social and governance) principles are not merely declarations of intent, but concrete criteria integrated into every single business operation and decision.

What makes this award so significant is the rigour of the EcoVadis methodology itself. The assessment is based on strict and recognised international standards, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the United Nations Global Compact and the ISO 26000 standard. By analysing 21 specific criteria, the algorithm scrutinises four key areas: environmental management, labour and human rights protection, business ethics, and sustainable procurement throughout the supply chain. In this way, the certification body recognises not only future objectives but also the actual impact of day-to-day practices.

For JV International, this achievement confirms a vision that has been pursued since the company’s foundation in 2013. Specialising in the development of innovative solutions for the footwear sector and as a global licensee of Soles by Michelin for the design, production and marketing of soles, the company has built its growth on its ability to combine performance, innovation and responsibility.

Founded in Florence in 2019 by South Korean designer Dong Seon Lee and Italian product manager Giuliana Borzillo, ID.EIGHT has built its identity on a production model that uses over 70 per cent recycled materials and is entirely cruelty-free. During the recent Paris Fashion Week, the Tuscan brand took to the prestigious stage of the NEB Fashion Adaptor – a major initiative organised by EIT Culture & Creativity, a body supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, in close collaboration with the New European Bauhaus – to present its industrial vision and the evolution of a business model that places the circular economy at the heart of everything to an international audience.

The NEB Fashion Adaptor programme was launched with the specific aim of supporting independent fashion brands on their challenging journey towards business models that are truly circular and sustainable, and ID.EIGHT has been selected to join a select group of just 13 companies across Europe, identified as the most innovative and cutting-edge organisations in the field of eco-friendly fashion. Before an international audience comprising investors, industry experts and fashion professionals, the brand successfully demonstrated how it is possible to combine high-quality design, ongoing research into alternative materials and a deep commitment to environmental responsibility within a single, robust business venture. This strategic recognition marks the brand’s official entry into an elite European ecosystem, designed to support those companies that know how to transform sustainability into a genuine driver of economic growth.

ID.EIGHT also took centre stage last June at Pitti Uomo, the premier men’s fashion fair, where it unveiled its first barefoot trainer: NURI, an evolution of the iconic HANA model, which successfully combines innovation and sustainability. Featuring a wider toe box, designed to respect the foot’s natural shape, and a construction engineered to accommodate its movement, NURI supports the foot’s stride in the most natural way possible. Thanks to its lightweight sole and ‘pouch’ construction – a technique from the tradition of artisanal shoemaking that involves stitching the inner lining around the last like a glove – NURI offers exceptional softness and wraps around the foot to follow its movements.

This creative evolution is accompanied by equally significant commercial growth. Whilst continuing to consolidate its position in Northern European markets, ID.EIGHT has recently opened new distribution channels in Spain, further strengthening its international presence. This strategy is yielding particularly positive results and has led the brand to forecast a doubling of turnover by 2026 compared with the previous year.

At the heart of the brand’s philosophy lies not a mere nostalgic reproduction of past styles, but a bold and cosmopolitan reinterpretation, capable of engaging with international aesthetic sensibilities without ever betraying its roots. The brand’s name itself reveals the soul of the project, evoking the Kabukimono – the non-conformist and eccentric figures of the Momoyama and Edo periods, renowned for their constant defiance of the social conventions of the time. The brand’s logo also draws inspiration from Kumadori, the famous make-up worn by Kabuki theatre actors. This same expressive intensity is found in the soles of the shoes, characterised by an original pattern that reinterprets the geometric and refined beauty of Japanese family crests, specifically that of the Maeda family. KAVKI brings together Japan’s rich cultural heritage with environmental sustainability and technological functionality. Traditional Japanese craftsmanship has always maintained an intrinsic and respectful connection with nature, a value that the brand carries forward into the future. An example of this synergy is the use of washi paper, sourced exclusively from sustainably managed forests, with full respect for the environment. As well as being eco-friendly, this material offers extraordinary technical performance, such as excellent natural breathability – an ideal property for Japan’s hot and humid climate – and one that today provides unrivalled comfort in urban settings.

Pidigi S.p.A., a global player in innovation and the supply of solutions for the footwear, leather goods and technical apparel sectors, has announced the acquisition of the core assets of Sympatex Technologies GmbH, a strategic move that further strengthens the company’s international positioning in the high-performance and sustainable fabrics sector. The acquisition builds on a long-standing collaboration between the two companies. Pidigi has in fact been working with Sympatex for decades, particularly in the footwear segment and in tape production technologies, integrating Sympatex laminates and membranes into its own product solutions. Through the acquisition, Pidigi will continue Sympatex’s operations, preserving its internationally recognised brand, technological know-how and key operational facilities.

Founded in 1953 and headquartered in Verona, Pidigi is a family-owned company specialized in the development and production of technical components, tapes, laminates and performance solutions for footwear, apparel and industrial applications. The company operates globally through long-standing partnerships with leading international brands.

In addition to its eight international branches, Pidigi integrates its global organizational structure, which is mainly based in the EU and Mediterranean area, with that of Sympatex, which is present in Asia as well as in the EU.

Sympatex, headquartered in Unterföhring near Munich, since 1986 is internationally recognized for its expertise in high-performance membrane technologies for footwear, apparel, workwear, protective equipment and technical applications. Its polyester-based, PFAS-free membrane technologies are known for combining waterproofness, windproofness, breathability and recyclability.

“The acquisition of Sympatex is a natural evolution of a partnership built over many years on trust, shared values and complementary expertise – commented Giorgio De Gara, owner and managing director of Pidigi -. We have always admired Sympatex’s technological capabilities, strong brand identity and commitment to sustainability. We are proud to welcome Sympatex into the Pidigi family and to support the next phase of its development.”

“By combining Sympatex’s membrane technologies and international reputation with Pidigi’s industrial capabilities, operational flexibility and global market presence, we are creating a strong platform for future growth. We see significant opportunities across footwear, apparel, workwear and technical applications, where performance, sustainability and innovation are becoming increasingly central.”

As part of the transaction, Pidigi will retain the core operational structure of Sympatex, including the Unterföhring site near Munich, key international offices and a substantial part of the workforce. The international locations in France, China and Hong Kong, as well as the Korean sales office, will continue operations under the new ownership structure.

The integration aims to ensure continuity for customers, partners and suppliers while creating operational and commercial synergies across the entire value chain. Pidigi intends to further develop Sympatex’s international business and strengthen investments in sustainable material technologies and advanced functional applications.