Founded in 1921, the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) stands among the world’s most respected nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing the textile industry. AATCC drives progress by developing globally accepted standards, test methods, and evaluation procedures that define quality, performance, and reliability across textile materials. Its expertise spans critical domains, including colorfastness, durability, moisture management, and chemical performance.
Moreover, AATCC serves a diverse community of textile professionals in more than 60 countries. Through its technical publications, education and training programs, conferences, and professional networking platforms, the association fosters innovation, strengthens quality assurance practices, and accelerates sustainability across the global textile and apparel value chain.
In an exclusive interaction with The Interview World during Bharat Tex 2026, Garry Atkinson, Technical Manager at AATCC, outlined the organization’s mission and its far-reaching impact on the international textile ecosystem. He also discussed AATCC’s global footprint and customer base, explained how the association enables companies to develop more sustainable textile solutions, and offered his perspectives on the evolving Indian textile market. Presented below are the key insights from this engaging and thought-provoking conversation.
Q: Could you provide an overview of AATCC and explain the organization’s key activities, and the role it plays in supporting the global textile industry?
A: AATCC operates as both a standards development organization and a membership association. Through its work, it serves the textile industry while bringing together stakeholders from across the value chain. In doing so, AATCC fosters collaboration, facilitates knowledge exchange, and strengthens connections within the global textile community.
Q: Could you tell us where AATCC is headquartered and provide insights into customer base?
A: We are headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and serve members and customers across the globe. To support the textile industry, we develop and provide internationally recognized test methods that help manufacturers and brands evaluate the quality, performance, and reliability of fabrics and other textile products. As a result, our standards enable organizations worldwide to maintain consistency, enhance product excellence, and meet evolving market expectations.
Q: How does AATCC support organizations in their efforts to develop, produce, and validate sustainable textiles?
A: We have established a Global Sustainability Research Committee dedicated to advancing methods for assessing the sustainability of textile products. In line with this commitment, the committee recently developed AATCC Test Method 212 (TM212), which measures fiber fragment release during home laundering.
Specifically, the method quantifies the amount of fiber shed from fabrics throughout the laundering process, providing manufacturers and brands with critical data on a product’s environmental impact. Consequently, TM212 serves as an important tool for evaluating textile sustainability and supports the industry’s broader efforts to develop more responsible and environmentally conscious products.
Q: How do you view the Indian market with respect to textile and apparel testing, innovation, and product development?
A: We are proud to count numerous organizations in India among our members and customers. These companies have effectively adopted AATCC’s test methods and evaluation procedures to assess and enhance the quality of their products. Their commitment to excellence underscores India’s growing significance within the global textile ecosystem.
Furthermore, we remain committed to understanding the evolving needs of the Indian market and delivering meaningful support to the industry. We are especially pleased to participate in Bharat Tex 2026, our first engagement in India. This milestone reflects our dedication to strengthening relationships with AATCC members and supporting the broader textile community across the country.
