Chargeurs PCC showcases innovations, patented tech and proprietary brands at Samab in Milan
At the first edition of the Samab textile machinery trade show in Milan, French company Chargeurs PCC, a global leader in the production of textiles, interlining, and inner components for the apparel industry, presented a selection of high-tech materials and solutions designed to meet the fashion industry's ever-growing need for advanced innovation and sustainability. Chargeurs notably showcased its patented Warp-Knit/Weft-Insert and GMP technologies.
Chargeurs has developed the Warp-Knit/Weft-Insert system at its long-standing Lanière de Picardie production site in Péronne, France, in collaboration with Karl Mayer, a world leader in textile machinery. The system makes it possible to insert additional yarns into the fabric's weft, opening up new scenarios in terms of design, performance and quality. The system generates yarns that combine extraordinary resilience and elasticity in the weft, with high stability, breathability and control along the warp.
The Global Molecular Point (GMP) process allows technical coatings to be applied on a wide range of fabrics, ensuring optimum adhesion and maximum fabric integrity. GMP has been developed to optimise fabric flexibility and durability, ensuring the garments' structural stability over time, preventing stain absorption, and preserving the fabric's original characteristics.
'Starting from interlinings and thermo-adhesive solutions, we have developed a series of innovations that are always consistent with our sustainability goals, especially with regard to our clients' finished products,' said Giorgio Marcarino, chief commercial officer of Chargeurs PCC and CEO of the group's Shirting division, speaking to FashionNetwork.com. 'With our brand The Fusion Line, for example, we are talking about an inner component that is used instead of traditional seams in athleisure and technical, performance and sports apparel, creating garments that are entirely bonded together, or partially so, rather than sewn. The Fusion Line brings the high-performance materials used by leading sports brands into new product categories, from formal suits to underwear, in line with contemporary trends,' he added.
Among the innovations in The Fusion Line's range are Powerstretch, a solvent-free material that is highly elastic and soft to the touch; Precision Bonding Tapes, ideal for seamless designs; and Deco Stretch, a new collection of extremely elastic thermo-adhesive films that can be cut to size, entirely made in Italy and available in a range of vibrant colours for decorative purposes. These printable solvent-free products can be customised for clients in the outdoor apparel, sportswear, footwear and accessories sectors.
'An innovation I believe will become a major feature for us is H2, a three-layer performance fabric developed by the French and Italian R&D teams at Chargeurs PCC,' said Marcarino. 'It's a fully patented technology we have developed working with our 90-plus Karl Mayer looms in the Lanière de Picardie factory, creating garments that are very supple and resilient. Combined with GMP technology, it makes for perfect adhesion and high-quality comfort. Chargeurs PCC utilises mostly recycled yarns, because we are now transitioning toward full sustainability, going down a road from which there is no turning back,' said Marcarino.
H2 is made using the Warp-Knit/Weft-Insert technology and weighs only 45 grams. It combines extreme lightness with some of the market's most sought-after features, like elasticity, natural recovery, breathability, comfort and versatility, becoming a new benchmark for the outdoor apparel and luxury sectors. The name itself, inspired by the chemical symbol for hydrogen, evokes sustainable lightness and high performance.
Chargeurs PCC's focus on eco-design is also evident in the single-material, fully recyclable interlinings it has developed, made by applying GMP technology to 100% polyester coatings. These solutions, which guarantee a performance comparable to polyamide's, offer clients a sustainable alternative guaranteeing fabric quality and durability.
'We're concentrating on decarbonising the production process, in line with the needs of the brands we're working with. There are now 7,000 of them in 90 countries from every continent, ranging from entry-level brands to top-end labels,' said Marcarino. 'Chargeurs PCC has approximately 1,100 employees, of which 600 are based in Asia, and its three main markets are Asia as a whole, France and Italy. The USA is our number-one market in terms of what we call 'nominations' [sic]: 50% of the revenue our group generates in Asia comes in fact from US brands that produce in the region. In order to support our clients, we therefore have set up in Asia our own warehouses, a technical support department and various test labs,' said Marcarino.
Worldwide, Chargeurs PCC operates 10 production sites, 20 test labs, and 40 offices and distribution centres. The group comprises the Senfa Cilander division, which offers innovative solutions for high-tech upholstery fabrics, and the Shirting division, incorporating top-notch names producing classic Swiss shirting fabrics.
Chargeurs PCC is part of Compagnie Chargeurs Invest (CCI), a highly diversified group based in France, a world leader in high-added-value market segments in the fibres, textiles and films sectors. CCI is listed on Euronext in Paris. The group reported a revenue of €187.8 million for Q1 2025, up 5.6% overall and 2.8% in like-for-like terms.
After the successful takeover bid launched last year by CEO Michaël Fribourg, who increased his stake from 26.5% to 65.5%, CCI recently announced a new €108 million funding round with four credit groups (Groupe BPCE, HSBC Continental Europe, La Banque Postale and AG2R La Mondiale), and secured new renewable bilateral loans from Arkpéa Banque and Bifrance.
CCI is present in 100 countries with 2,600 employees, and is a supplier to leading apparel brands as well as the owner of the Swaine and The Cambridge Satchel Company brands.
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