IFTH

What IFTH does

IFTH (Institut Français du Textile et de l'Habillement) is a private Centre Technique Industriel (CTI) and France's reference technological center for the textile, fashion, and clothing sectors. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Écully near Lyon, with a second innovation site (LE LAB by IFTH) at LA CASERNE in Paris, the institute operates with 130 collaborators, including 105 engineers and technicians. Its franchise rests on two delegated public authorities: sole official representation of OEKO-TEX in France and management of the Bureau National de Normalisation Sectorielle (BNITH) by AFNOR delegation. These grant IFTH exclusive authority over the country's principal textile certification scheme and national standards-setting body. The legal entity is registered in France as INSTITUT FRANCAIS TEXTILE & HABILLEMENT, SIREN 433 430 832.

IFTH delivers an integrated four-pillar service portfolio: TESTER (laboratory testing for quality control, REACH compliance, microfiber release, durability, sensory analysis under NF EN ISO/CEI 17025 / COFRAC accreditation), CERTIFIER (OEKO-TEX labels including STANDARD 100, MADE IN GREEN, ORGANIC COTTON, STeP, plus EPI and Classement M certifications), INNOVER (R&D services, technology platforms covering spinning/extrusion/nano-spinning, weaving/knitting/nonwovens, dyeing/finishing/coating/plasma, recycling, and 3D virtualization, plus multi-partner collaborative projects), and FORMER (Qualiopi-certified professional training including CQP/CQPI qualifications, 840+ participants annually). Supporting offerings include the LE LAB prototyping fablab (3D CAO, photogrammetry, digital fabrication), CNM 2025 national mensuration data (refreshing 2006 baseline figures via new 3D body scanning), Veille stratégique (InfoVeille database of 160,000+ articles at €750–€1,500/yr), Expertise on Demand subscriptions (1h/5h/10h hourly packages), eco-design and textile recycling support, and a hydric sobriety self-diagnostic tool developed for the CSF Mode et Luxe.

Revenue is generated through a mix of professional services (testing, certification, R&D, training on quote-based pricing), recurring subscriptions (monitoring and expertise packages), and project-based public funding (ADEME, France 2030, France Relance). Customer base spans French textile and luxury brands (primary), with enterprise R&D engagements in automotive (Faurecia, Chomarat, EFI Lighting, Safran Seats), aerospace (Zodiac Aerospace), protective equipment (EUROPROTECT), medical (SIGVARIS), infrastructure (EUROVIA), recycling (Michelin, Carbios, Recyc'ELit), and retail (Inditex). Go-to-market combines enterprise field sales for technical services, direct digital subscriptions for SMEs and start-ups, and event-driven demand generation (RDV IFTH webinars, YouTube replays).

Name

IFTH

Legal name

INSTITUT FRANCAIS TEXTILE & HABILLEMENT

Website

https://ifth.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

IFTH (Institut Français du Textile et de l'Habillement) is France's reference Centre Technique Industriel for the textile, fashion, and clothing sectors. It provides testing, certification (OEKO-TEX), R&D, and Qualiopi-certified training to French textile brands, luxury houses, and industrial customers across automotive, aerospace, and circular-economy verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Textile Testing, Certification and R&D Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Industrial Design Services (541420)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Textile Testing, Compliance & Quality Assurance (CRAAAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Industry-Specific Technical & Certification Prep (e.g., Construction, Manufacturing, Energy) (EDAGANAN)

Keywords

• Textile testing services
• OEKO-TEX certification
• Textile research development
• Professional textile training
• Eco-design consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Testing and Quality Control Services: Laboratory testing services for textile products including quality control, compliance testing, REACH compliance, microfiber release measurement, durability testing, and sensory analysis. Services include Supplier Control Pack, Reach & Sensitive Articles Pack, and OEKO-TEX® certification packs.
2. Certification and Labeling: OEKO-TEX® certification services including STANDARD 100, MADE IN GREEN, ORGANIC COTTON, and STeP certification. Also includes EPI (Personal Protective Equipment) certification and Classement M certification.
3. Professional Training: Inter-company and intra-company training programs covering textiles, fashion development, technical textiles, manufacturing skills, patternmaking, sustainability, quality, and retail. Training programs include professional qualification certificates (CQP/CQPI) recognized by the National Joint Employment Commission (CPNE).
4. Expertise on Demand Subscriptions: Subscription-based expert support service offering 1h, 5h, or 10h packages valid for 12 months for rapid technical and regulatory answers on textile, clothing, and flexible materials topics.
5. Strategic Monitoring Subscriptions: Strategic monitoring services including Réseaux Perspectives subscription (access to InfoVeille database with 160,000+ articles, 6 bimestrial bulletins, personalized alerts) at €1,500 HT/year and 6 bulletins subscription at €750 HT/year.
6. R&D and Innovation Services: Collaborative R&D projects, technology platforms access, and custom technical assistance for product and process development in the textile sector.
7. CNM Mensuration Services: National Mensuration Campaign 2025 services including statistical data booklets (women/men), custom positioning and performance chart solutions, and 3D measurement cabin/scanner for body volume digitization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

IFTH is France's reference Centre Technique Industriel for the textile, fashion and clothing sectors, providing laboratory testing, OEKO-TEX® and EPI certification, applied R&D through semi-industrial pilot platforms, and Qualiopi-certified professional training. It serves industrial brands, luxury houses and emerging SMEs across the entire textile value chain from fibers to finished garments, with unique expertise in innovative fibers, functionalization, recycling and eco-design. Additional offerings include the LE LAB Paris fablab for fashion prototyping, the CNM 2025 national body-mensuration campaign, strategic monitoring subscriptions, and on-demand expert consultation packages.

Product overview

IFTH (Institut Français du Textile et de l'Habillement) is France's reference Technological Center for textile, fashion, and clothing companies. The organization offers an integrated portfolio of four core services: TESTER (quality control and testing), CERTIFIER (certification and labelling), INNOVER (research and development), and FORMER (professional training). Supporting services include LE LAB by IFTH (a Paris-based fablab for prototyping and virtual design), eco-design support, textile recycling support, ecological transition accompaniment, strategic monitoring (Veille stratégique), on-demand expertise subscriptions, and the Campagne de Mensuration CNM 2025 (body measurement campaign). The company also manages collective collaborative projects and technology platforms covering the entire textile value chain from fibers to finished products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LE LAB by IFTH: A technical service platform for fashion professionals located in La Caserne, Paris, offering 3D virtualization tools, digital manufacturing, and product testing/evaluation services.
• CNM 2025
• PATENTH

Products and services

• TESTER (Quality Control & Testing Services) Laboratory testing and quality-control services for textile products, delivered by COFRAC ISO/IEC 17025-accredited teams to French textile, fashion and clothing brands and manufacturers requiring supplier control, REACH compliance, OEKO-TEX® certification preparation, durability analysis and microfiber release measurement.
• CERTIFIER (Certification & Labelling Services) Certification and labelling services for textile products, including OEKO-TEX® labels (STANDARD 100, MADE IN GREEN, ORGANIC COTTON, STeP), EPI Personal Protective Equipment certification, and Classement M certification, provided by IFTH as the official OEKO-TEX® representative in France to brands, manufacturers and retailers across the textile value chain.
• INNOVER (Research & Development Services) Applied research and development services for the textile industry, providing access to semi-industrial pilot technology platforms and collaborative multi-partner projects (covering ecological transition, future industry, materials and processes) for industrial brands, SMEs and start-ups seeking new fibers, functionalization, recycling and process innovations.
• FORMER (Professional Training) Qualiopi-certified professional training services for the textile, fashion, luxury and technical textile sectors, delivered through inter-company scheduled sessions, intra-company customized programs and CQP/CQPI professional qualification pathways recognized by the CPNE.
• LE LAB by IFTH A Paris-based fablab at La Caserne for fashion professionals, offering 3D CAD virtualization, avatar creation via photogrammetry, material virtualization, digital fabrication (3D printing, laser cutting, ultrasonic welding) and product performance testing (abrasion, pilling, traction) to support eco-responsible design and prototyping.
• Accompagnement Eco-conception (Eco-Design Support) Eco-design support for textile companies, including audit of existing eco-design approaches, maturity evaluation, personalized action plans, practical workshops and implementation support (including OEKO-TEX® labelling) to help brands transition toward sustainable product design.
• Accompagnement Recyclage Textile (Textile Recycling Support) Textile recycling support covering material preparation, mechanical recycling (non-woven production, yarn manufacturing), thermo-mechanical recycling (compounding, semi-industrial extrusion) and chemical recycling partnerships to help companies implement circular-economy solutions.
• Accompagnement Transition Écologique (Ecological Transition Support) Comprehensive ecological transition support covering the textile product lifecycle — sourcing, product development, production optimization, distribution and circularity — to help companies implement their environmental and sustainability roadmaps.
• Veille Stratégique (Strategic Monitoring) Subscription-based strategic monitoring service providing access to the InfoVeille database (160,000+ articles, patents and market studies), 6 bimonthly bulletins and personalized email alerts for textile industry professionals seeking competitive intelligence and regulatory awareness.
• Expertise Textile à la Demande (On-Demand Textile Expertise) Subscription-based on-demand expert consultation service offering 1h, 5h or 10h packages valid for 12 months, providing rapid technical and regulatory answers on textile, clothing and flexible materials topics for start-ups, SMEs and large groups.
• Campagne de Mensuration CNM 2025 The 2025 National Body Measurement Campaign providing next-generation 3D-scanned statistical measurements, size charts and French adult morphotypes (women/men, 18-70 years) for clothing brands to adapt collections to current consumer body shapes, sold via statistical booklets and custom positioning and performance chart solutions.
• Outil d'Auto-Diagnostic / Sobriété Hydrique Self-diagnostic tool developed under the CSF Mode et Luxe Strategic Sector Committee, helping textile, tableware and leather companies identify water-consumption risks, measure their water-conservation commitment and implement water-efficiency measures.
• Plateformes Technologiques (Technology Platforms) Semi-industrial pilot technology platforms available to industrial partners and R&D clients, covering the complete textile value chain: fiber/filament processing (spinning, extrusion, compounding, melt spinning, nanospinning), textile processes (weaving, knitting, non-wovens, braiding, assembly), textile chemistry and surface treatment (dyeing, finishing, coating, plasmas), characterization and performance measurement, patternmaking-simulation-virtualization (3D CAD) and recycling (mechanical, thermo-mechanical, chemical).

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% CQP exam pass rate over last 4 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

45 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Grenoble-Alpes MétropolemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024SOLSTICE project: Partner in demonstrating circular economy solutions across 4 European territories, addressing automated sorting and chemical recycling of polyester, polyamide, elastane, and polyurethane.
• INDITEXminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024WHITECYCLE project: INDITEX participates as external partner (outside consortium) contributing retail industry perspective on textile recycling and circular economy solutions.
• REEDminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024STAR 3 project: Cross-border circular economy initiative for textile and plastic repair/recycling in Greater Geneva territory.
• CARITAS GENEVEminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024STAR 3 project: Caritas Genève contributes social economy perspective for textile circular economy development in cross-border Greater Geneva region.
• AGCOmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024ARHYSTOTE project: AGCO develops smart hydrogen storage reservoirs for compressed hydrogen in off-road and agricultural tractor applications using thermoplastic composite technology.
• RECYC'ELITmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023CASTTOR project: RECYC'ELIT collaborates on industrial demonstrator for recycling complex polyester-based textiles.
• De Dietrich Process SystemmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 December 2023CASTTOR project: De Dietrich provides process systems expertise for industrial demonstrator recycling complex polyester textiles.
• MICHELINmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022WHITECYCLE project: Michelin collaborates on innovative PET recycling processes from complex waste streams including tires, textiles, and hoses, targeting 80% PET content increase in waste streams.
• CARBIOSmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022WHITECYCLE project: CARBIOS contributes enzymatic recycling process for PET from complex waste streams, producing pure monomers for repolymerization and recycling.
• UNIVERSITE GUSTAVE EIFFELmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022GEONAT project: University Gustave Eiffel analyzes natural hemp geotextile integration in road structures for separation/filtration functions and lifecycle assessment.
• EUROVIAmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022GEONAT project: EUROVIA contributes road construction industry perspective for natural geotextile applications in road infrastructure.
• TEINTURES ET APPRETS DANJOUX (TAD)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021AFTER project: TAD collaborates on eco-responsible functional textile finishes replacing toxic treatments including formaldehyde-free easy-care and fluorine-free water repellency.
• SERMA - Science et SurfacemajorTechnology or Integration · 1 September 2021AFTER project: SERMA contributes surface science expertise for developing eco-responsible functional textile finishes replacing toxic chemical treatments.
• RIDF (Réseau Incubateur Développement Fashion)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2021LE LAB By IFTH project in Île-de-France: RIDF supports industrial fashion sector development through collaborative fablab space and innovation ecosystem.
• SERMA TechnologiesmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 March 2020MIROIR project: SERMA contributes metallization technology expertise for developing durable metallized textiles resistant to washing and maintenance conditions.
• Laboratoire ISMmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2019MEVAHO project: ISM develops pioneering human orthosis analysis methodology through objectified sensory analysis and biomechanical understanding.
• MODE GRAND OUESTmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2018INNOFABMOD R&D project led by IFTH collaborates with 6 Loire-region pilot companies to develop and experiment industry 4.0 solutions for textile, fashion, and luxury industries.
• IS2MmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 November 2017SUPERTEX project: IS2M collaborates with IFTH on plasma-based superhydrophobic eco-friendly textile treatments as alternatives to C8 and C6 perfluorinated compounds.
• EUROPROTECTmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2017ETINCELS2 project: EUROPROTECT develops innovative comfortable firefighter protective clothing limiting thermal stress through humidity management and temperature containment.
• IREPA LASERmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017SENSORTEX project: IREPA LASER develops laser-assisted manufacturing and metal oxide sensor integration on flexible textile supports for e-textile applications including biorhythm measurement.
• FAURECIAmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017MYDECO project: Faurecia develops alternative TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) decoration coatings and sheets for textile complexes replacing PVC in automotive and luxury sectors.
• CHOMARATmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2016NHYCCO project: CHOMARAT contributes high-performance thermoplastic yarn development for hybrid TP HP/carbon, TP HP/glass, and glass/carbon structures for composite and protective applications.
• Safran SeatsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2016NHYCCO project: Safran Seats participates in developing hybrid yarn structures for composite applications including seating solutions.
• EPYGONmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2015MIVANA project: EPYGON partners with Kephalios and IFTH for cardiovascular medical device development and new textile production procedures for mitral valve and aortic aneurysm products.
• KEPHALIOSmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2015MIVANA project: KephalIOS collaborates on cardiovascular medical device innovation including new textile production procedures for mitral valve and aortic aneurysm solutions.
• OEKO-TEX® International AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFTH serves as the official representative of the international OEKO-TEX® association in France, providing exclusive access to certification services including STANDARD 100, MADE IN GREEN, ORGANIC COTTON, and STeP labels for sustainable production facilities.
• AFNORcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFTH manages the Bureau National de Normalisation Sectorielle (BNITH) by delegation from AFNOR, developing and maintaining sector-specific standards for the French textile industry.
• LectramajorTechnology or IntegrationLectra provides technology partnership for LE LAB by IFTH, offering CAD and 3D design solutions supporting fashion professionals in virtual prototyping and design activities.
• Université de Technologie de Troyes (UTT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for CNM 2025 National Mensuration Campaign, combining IFTH's historical expertise with UTT's new generation digital measurement systems for French adult population data collection.
• LA CASERNEmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLA CASERNE hosts LE LAB by IFTH as part of the largest ecological transition accelerator dedicated to Fashion and Luxury sector in Europe, providing co-located innovation space.
• Polytronics (European Digital Innovation Hub)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFTH participates in Polytronics EDIH alongside Polymeris and Techtera, supporting digital transformation of plastics, composites, rubber, and textile industries through AI adoption and Industry 4.0 implementation.
• TechteracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechtera is a European competitiveness cluster for flexible functional materials; Techtera and IFTH collaborate within Polytronics EDIH and other textile innovation initiatives.
• UnitexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnitex, Techtera, and IFTH jointly implement sector agreement for textile environmental transition, promoting eco-design, water consumption reduction, waste textile collection, and regional recycling value chain development.
• PolymeriscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymeris leads Polytronics European Digital Innovation Hub bringing together plastics, composites, rubber, and textile sectors for collective digital transformation support.
• Techtera (PATENTH Label)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPATENTH environmental transition platform labeled by Techtera and supported by Unitex and ModeAura, providing data tools for textile environmental performance evaluation and circular economy support.
• SIGVARIS GROUPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSYMPHONIES project: SIGVARIS GROUP collaborates on innovative medical compression textile solutions and digital platform development for lymphedema patient quality of life improvement.
• COVENTRY UNIVERSITYmajorTechnology or IntegrationMATUROLIFE Horizon 2020 project: Scale-up of Coventry University's covalent grafting process for copper salt treatment enabling electroless copper deposition on textiles for smart textiles aiding elderly populations.
• ENSAIT / GEMTEXmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDUCHESS project: ENSAIT/GEMTEX develops upcycled carbon fiber processing for highly enhanced textile and composite specifications.
• ALPHA RECYCLAGE COMPOSITESmajorTechnology or IntegrationDUCHESS project: Alpha Recyclage Composites contributes industrial carbon fiber recycling expertise for producing recycled carbon fiber yarns and mats.
• IMT Mines Albi-CarmauxmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDUCHESS project: IMT Mines Albi-Carmaux contributes materials science expertise for upcycled carbon fiber industrial processing.
• FCBAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOBIOTEX project: FCBA contributes wood construction expertise for developing BIOsourced and recycled textile materials in wood frame buildings.
• SopremaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOBIOTEX project: Soprema contributes building waterproofing and insulation materials expertise for recycled textile integration in wood construction.
• CSF Mode et luxe (Comité Stratégique de Filière)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFTH participates in Strategic Sector Committee for Fashion & Luxury, specifically the PSH water (hydric sobriety plan) working group developing water management diagnostic tools for textile, tableware, and leather sectors.
• AGE PLATFORM EUROPE AISBLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMATUROLIFE project: Age Platform Europe contributes elderly user perspective and needs assessment for smart textile development.
• UnitexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnitex is textile industry association collaborating with IFTH and Techtera on sector agreement for textile environmental transition and circular economy development.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SGS: World-leading testing, inspection, and certification company with textile and softlines testing services. Comparable as a global TIC competitor to IFTH's testing and certification business, although SGS spans many industries beyond textiles.
• Intertek: Global TIC provider offering textile and apparel testing, quality assurance, and certification services. Comparable on laboratory testing and product certification, with broader industrial scope than IFTH.
• Bureau Veritas: Global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) major with textile and apparel testing capabilities among many other verticals. Comparable as a competing provider of certification and laboratory testing services, though operating at much greater scale and scope.

Regional players

• Techtera: French competitiveness cluster for flexible materials and textiles, coordinating collaborative R&D projects and innovation programs. Comparable as a partner/ecosystem actor in the French textile innovation landscape, though structured as a cluster rather than a service provider.

Direct peers

• DITF (Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf): German textile research institute conducting applied research across the textile value chain from fibers to finished products. Comparable as a national-level textile R&D and testing peer with similar full-value-chain coverage and industry-support mandate.
• CETIM (Centre Technique des Industries Mécaniques): French Centre Technique Industriel providing testing, R&D, and innovation services to the mechanical industries. Directly comparable as a peer CTI under the same French institutional model, with similar mandate, funding structure, and service portfolio for a different industrial vertical.
• Hohenstein Institute: German textile testing and research institute offering OEKO-TEX certification, laboratory testing, and R&D services to the European textile and apparel industry. Directly comparable as another OEKO-TEX member institute with similar testing, certification, and research mandates.
• IFTH IFTH members and CTC (Centre Technique du Cuir): French leather technical center offering testing, certification, and R&D services to leather, footwear, and glove industries. Comparable as a peer French CTI covering an adjacent soft-materials vertical with similar testing, standardization, and training services.
• FCBA (Institut Technologique Forêt Cellulose Bois-construction Ameublement): French CTI serving the wood, furniture, and construction industries with testing, certification, R&D, and training. Directly comparable as a sister CTI under the same French institutional framework, sharing governance, funding, and service-delivery structure.
• Centexbel: Belgian collective research center for the textile industry, providing testing, certification, standardization, and innovation services to textile companies. Closely comparable in CTI-like role covering textile testing and R&D for a national industry.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCo3exNcYBr32YaDLCDp9bkg/videos
• LinkedInfr.linkedin.com/company/ifth
• Instagraminstagram.com/ifth_textile_mode

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IFTH