OPHEMERT, The Netherlands — The International Committee of Textile Care (CINET) is developing two major 2026 initiatives aimed at shaping the future of professional textile care: the Global Best Practices Awards program and a strategic research study examining the industry’s path through 2050.

The CINET Global Best Practices Awards (GBPA), conducted in even-numbered years, will recognize industry leaders at two European trade shows. Award ceremonies are scheduled during INTERCLEAN 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, April 14-17, and EXPOdetergo in Milan, Italy, Oct. 23-26.

This year’s program introduces two new categories: Launderettes, and an AI Award reflecting the industry’s increasing focus on artificial intelligence applications.

Alongside the awards program, CINET is conducting its first Global PTC Strategic Study, titled “Roadmap 2050.” The research project aims to analyze current market characteristics, business trends and future opportunities across 10 global market areas, including North America, Western Europe, China, Southeast Asia, India and others.

The study will unfold in three phases this year. The first phase, data collection, involves desk research of CINET’s existing database, a questionnaire distributed to 50,000 professional textile care (PTC) pros worldwide, and interviews with 50-100 industry pros across all market regions. CINET is using AI tools to support data collection and analysis, with results validated by project partners and industry pros.

Phase two focuses on validation, with a networking group of 60-100 pros providing input on intermediate reports for each market area. These experts will participate in discussions at industry shows and online meetings to refine the study’s findings and develop scenarios for short-, mid- and long-term market development.

The final phase involves the preparation of a global report consolidating findings from all 10 market areas. The complete study, including individual market area reports and a comprehensive global report, will be presented before the awards ceremony at EXPOdetergo. A press release in more than 100 languages will be distributed globally on Oct. 24.

The study addresses several critical industry challenges, including market dynamics; emerging technologies; climate change prevention; automation and artificial intelligence impacts; and the role of professional textile care in modern supply chains. The research aims to provide strategic guidance for companies evaluating future policies and investment decisions.

The CINET Strategy Study Team is coordinating the project, supported by the organization’s advisory board, country coordinators and international consultants. All questionnaire participants, CINET members and project partners will receive copies of the final reports upon completion.

Industry professionals interested in participating in the study or seeking more information can email the CINET secretariat at [email protected].

More details about the Global Best Practices Awards are available at www.cinet-online.com/gbpa-26.