Industry News AI concerns despite rise in its adoption
B
usinesses remain hesitant to move to AI due to concerns over data
security, liability and copyright despite companies using it nearly tripling in two years.
Research from the Federation of Small Businesses found that 55% of small firms are now using AI, compared with just 20% in 2023. However, 92% said they had concerns about the technology, up from 73% two years ago. The biggest worries cited were inaccurate responses (54%), security risks (39%), abuse of intellectual property rights (39%) and a lack of transparency around how AI models are trained (38%).
FESPA ‘founding father’ dies aged 90
O
ne of FESPA’s ‘founding fathers’, Michel Caza has died aged 90. The organisation announced the former board member had passed on May 23, exactly one day after the closing of this year’s event in Barcelona. FESPA’s president, Daniel Sunderland, said: “Michel was an irrepressible innovator, passionate about the craft and creativity of screen printing.
“He believed wholeheartedly in the power to advance
Michel Caza
print by encouraging printers to share their knowledge and ideas generously with one another.”
In 1961, Mr Caza was one of eight founding board members of the FESPA federation, established with the objectives of ‘sharing of knowledge of screen printing, the establishment of close co-operation between screen printers and suppliers and promotion of screen-printing in Europe’.
He remained a Board Member of FESPA until his retirement from the role in 2014, and he occupied the position of FESPA President from 1996 to 1999 and 2000 to 2002.
| 12 | July 2026
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
Despite these concerns, nearly six in 10 respondents (59%) reported productivity gains from using AI, while 24% said it had increased revenues and 22% credited the technology with helping to grow their business. FSB estimates that wider adoption could add more than £42bn to the UK economy each year. Tina McKenzie, policy chair of the
FSB, said: “There is a healthy realism among small businesses when it comes to AI, and it’s encouraging to see so many already finding practical ways to use it to save time, improve productivity and grow.
“AI has the potential to help small businesses work smarter, reach new customers, develop new products and compete more effectively, unlocking benefits not just for individual firms but for the wider economy too.” The FSB is now urging the Government to introduce clearer rules around data use, copyright and liability, alongside practical support and incentives to help small firms adopt AI with confidence.
Soyang strengthens sustainability drive with SEAQUAL certification
S
oyang Europe has announced that Soyang Technologies has achieved Seaqual certification, further strengthening the company’s environmental credentials and commitment to more sustainable textile production. Awarded by the Seaqual initiative, the certification confirms that Soyang incorporates Seaqual marine plastic into selected materials. The traceable raw material is created from marine litter collected from oceans, rivers, beaches and coastlines before being transformed by licensed manufacturers into high-quality textiles.
The achievement places Soyang among a growing number of businesses supporting efforts to tackle marine plastic pollution while advancing circular economy
Soyang achieves Seaqual certification
principles within the print and display industries.
The latest accreditation adds to Soyang’s existing sustainability portfolio, which includes Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification, as well as recognition from FESPA UK for its work in sustainable practices and waste reduction. Oliver Mashiter, Sales Director at Soyang Europe, said: “We are delighted to have secured SEAQUAL certification. It is further evidence of our long-term drive to deliver high-quality, environmentally responsible solutions to customers.” Mashiter added that Soyang is already working on SEAQUAL-certified textile orders for applications including flags, display and blockout graphics.
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