‘Revoice’ device gives stroke patients their voice back

Researchers have developed a wearable, comfortable and washable device called Revoice that could help people regain the ability to communicate naturally and fluently following a stroke, without the need for invasive brain implants.

The device, whose development was led by researchers at the University of Cambridge, uses a combination of ultra-sensitive sensors and artificial intelligence to decode speech signals and emotional cues to allow people with post-stroke speech impairment to communicate naturally.

The Revoice device, worn as a soft and flexible choker, captures the wearer’s heart rate and tiny vibrations from throat muscles, and uses those signals to reconstruct intended words and sentences in real time.

The signals from the device are processed by two AI agents: one reconstructs words from fragments of silently mouthed speech, while the other interprets emotional state and contextual information, such as the time of day or weather conditions, to expand short phrases into complete, expressive sentences.

Beaulieu Fibres awarded EcoVadis Platinum, trusted partner for sustainable fibre solutions

Beaulieu Fibres has been awarded the EcoVadis Platinum Medal, placing the company among the top 1% of more than 130.000 companies assessed worldwide.

This is the highest possible recognition granted by EcoVadis and confirms Beaulieu Fibres’ strong performance across environmental management, labor & human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.

EcoVadis is a globally recognized, independent sustainability assessment platform that evaluates companies based on verified actions rather than stated intentions. The Platinum rating provides customers with third-party validation that Beaulieu Fibres operates responsibly, transparently, and with a continuous focus on reducing environmental impact and strengthening supply-chain practices.

For customers in the disposable and durable nonwoven technical textile markets, this recognition reinforces Beaulieu Fibres’ role as a reliable, future-ready business partner, capable of supporting growing requirements in sustainability, compliance, performance, and operational efficiency.

Easy Cut Studio 6.016 officially released

EasyCut, a cutting-edge company focused on sign making software solutions, announced the official release of Easy Cut Studio 6.016, an upgrade of its sign design and vinyl cutting software. This updated version brings support for several new vinyl cutters, including Vevor Smart1, Vevor TT450, E-Cut TT-450, YOW! CraftY and Roland CM series cutters, and also brings a series of improvements aimed at enhancing the user experience and make your cutting machines run better.

Easy Cut Studio 6.016 builds on its set of functions and tools, while offering new features, improvements, and efficiency, elevates excellence and performance for signage and professional graphic designers. With the newly added cutter support, more users can now use the software to design, print, and cut. These enhancements allow beginners to get started quickly, while enabling seasoned experts to easily create more complex, technically advanced layouts with greater ease – and less time. 

European business associations celebrate the signature of EU-Mercosur FTA

January, 17 marks a historic milestone with the signing of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement, creating the biggest trading block in the world. European business – represented by more than 28 associations across a wide range of sectors – warmly welcomes this signature. It sends a strong and timely signal that the EU remains open and is committed to rules-based global trade. In a time of global uncertainty, this agreement is a key growth booster. 

By opening access to over 270 million consumers via the elimination of trade barriers and the removal of tariffs on over 90% of EU exports, the agreement provides the thrust European companies need to export, invest, and grow, as well as to diversify their supply chains, sourcing essential products and raw materials from Mercosur. By 2040, according to DG Trade’s calculations, the agreement is expected to add 77.6 billion euros to the EU GDP, resulting in a 39% increase in EU exports to Mercosur. 

Amsterdam Textile Show 2026 with a new concept

The Netherlands will host one of Europe’s leading international fashion, textile, and ready-to-wear trade fairs. The 4th Amsterdam Textile Show (ATS) will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, designers, and buyers from more than 14 countries across Europe and other regions of the world, offering a unique platform for international business opportunities and innovation.

Organized by Exponew Fuarcilik, the fair will be held at the World Fashion Centre in Amsterdam. The event will present visitors with a wide product range covering ready-to-wear, fabrics, yarns, sportswear, leather, footwear, accessories, and home textiles. With its new concept and expanded exhibition area, ATS aims to strengthen commercial relations in Europe, Asia, and other global markets, and to create new business opportunities within the textile supply chain.

Over the course of three days, participants will have the opportunity to meet potential business partners, discover new trends, and establish direct contact with decision-makers shaping the future of fashion and textile production.

Archroma debuts sustainable denim innovations at Denimsandjeans Egypt 2026

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals focused on sustainable solutions, is excited to announce its debut participation in Denimsandjeans Egypt, taking place on January 19–20, 2026 at the InterContinental Citystars Cairo. 

In its first year at the show, Archroma will showcase its low-impact denim solutions, designed to help brands and mills advance sustainability without compromising aesthetics, quality or performance. 

“With Egypt emerging as a strategic denim sourcing market, there is a clear opportunity to accelerate more sustainable production. Archroma’s innovations are designed to support this growth with scalable, low impact solutions,” commented Dhirendra Gautam, Vice President, Commercial, Archroma. 

Visitors to the Archroma stand will discover a portfolio of innovative and award-winning solutions, including: 

ICAC Plenary Meeting to take place right before the International Cotton Conference

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) will hold its 83rd Plenary Meeting on 23–24 March 2026 at the Parliament building in Bremen. The meeting will take place immediately ahead of the 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen (25–27 March 2026) and marks a historic premiere: for the first time, the ICAC Plenary will be hosted in close cooperation with the Bremen Cotton Ex-change and the Faserinstitut Bremen e.V. (FIBRE). 

The ICAC is a government-level association headquartered in Washington, DC. Its member countries produce, process, or trade cotton. The ICAC Plenary Meeting will be held under the motto “Uniting the Cotton and Textiles Value Chain for a Sustainable Future” and highlights the organization’s commitment to supporting its member gov-ernments and advancing sustainability, innovation, and economic prosperity across the entire cotton and textile value chain—from seed to retail.

New Managing Director at Monforts

Effective from January 1, 2026, Volker Gingter, has been appointed the new Managing Director of A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG, headquartered in Mönchengladbach, Germany, and will steer the fortunes of the leading dyeing and finishing technology company going forward.

Gunnar Meyer stepped down as Managing Director on December 31, 2025, and will remain with the company in an advisory capacity until his well-earned retirement in July 2026.

Mr Gingter started his career as an electrician in 1997 at Sucker-Müller-Hacoba, also headquartered in Mönchengladbach, and first joined Monforts in 2000 as an inhouse commissioning engineer. Between 2010 and 2013 he worked at Esprit on a new European warehouse before rejoining Monforts as Engineering Service Manager. He became Head of the Service Department in 2020 and in 2025 also took charge of the Spare Parts Department.

He is now looking forward to meeting the worldwide Monforts network of customers and suppliers personally at the forthcoming Techtextil 2026 exhibition in Frankfurt.

Barmag at PaintExpo – Focus on paint metering pumps

At this year's PaintExpo in Karlsruhe (April 14–17), Barmag will present an optimized design of its paint metering pump. It impresses with its low weight, increased productivity, and extended service life. Specially developed for compact robot arms, the pump enables high-precision and economical paint application – ideal for industries such as automotive, aerospace, and renewable energies.

Paint application is one of the most demanding production steps. In order to meet increasing requirements for service life and quality, highly efficient systems are needed that create resistant surfaces. Oerlikon Barmag has been manufacturing gear metering pumps since 1985, which enable reliable and economical paint application thanks to maximum metering accuracy.

The new pump sets standards in industrial coating technology. It impresses with maximum metering accuracy and minimal pulsation – for uniform and precise paint application. The flushing system is optimized for the shortest possible flushing times, while its low weight facilitates integration into compact robot arms.

Industrial Inkjet Print Technology Showcase in Munich

As manufacturers look for new growth, margins and business models, industrial print emerges as a profit-enabling production platform
 
A new sold-out industrial inkjet print showcase taking place in Munich this month is sending a clear signal that industrial print technologies are entering a new phase of commercial adoption, as manufacturers increasingly integrate inkjet into production-scale environments.
 
FuturePrint Industrial Print, which takes place on 21–22 January 2026, has officially sold out all exhibitor space ahead of its inaugural edition. The response reflects growing global demand for production-ready industrial inkjet technologies across packaging, décor, electronics, product customisation and functional manufacturing.