#Associations

2023-02-24

IVGT was at the second transnational meeting in Portugal

The AddTex project is progressing successfully. In the picture: The participants of the 2nd Addtex Meeting at CITEVE, Portugal. © 2023 IVGT

Digital and green skills are of vital importance for the future! Together with the main players in the textile chain - from students to employees in the company - these must be newly developed, then trained, further educated and finally implemented. In the three-year EU project Addtex, an Erasmus Plus program funded by the European Union, 12 partners from 10 EU countries are currently developing a new and tailor-made virtual training program for the textile industry.

The special focus is on technical textiles. The aim is to develop new green, digital and intelligent qualifications with which the European textile industry can be made fit for a green, digital, innovative future.

The aim of the EU project Addtex is to promote innovative teaching and learning in the European textile industry. Together with eleven other partners, the IVGT e.V. took part in the second Addtex Meeting at CITEVE, Portugal. In the picture: Iris Schlomski and Stefan Schmidt, both IVGT e.V. © 2023 IVGT

On January 31st and February 1st, 2023, the ADDTEX consortium met at the technology center CITEVE in Vila Nova de Famalicão (Portugal) for their second meeting. The partners CITEVE, Portugal, CLUTEX, Czech Republic and TUS, Ireland, first presented the activities and results of work package 2. All project partners had previously carried out research activities in their countries, involving 47 vocational training institutions, 55 universities and 272 textile companies. The aim was to identify challenges and opportunities related to green, digital and smart technologies and to identify areas of innovative impetus for the industry through learning and training.

The meeting continued with presentations on work package 3 from the other partners UB, Sweden, UPC, Spain and TUS, Ireland. Work package 3 is now about the development of the AddTex "Digital Skills and Sustainability Skill Academy" (Academy for digital skills and competence for sustainability). New curricula, training modules and educational resources related to innovation in textile materials will be developed. The new, pan-European digital “Academy” will be aimed at engineers and specialists, technicians and university graduates as well as managers and mentors

The project consortium is made up of 12 universities, colleges and textile trade associations: <br />
<br />
- AEI TÈXTILS – Associacio Agrupacio d´Empreses Innovadores Textils, Spanien<br />
- CLUTEX – Klastr Technicke Textilie, Tschechische Republik <br />
- CITEVE – Centro Tecnologico das Industrias Textil e do Vestuario de Portugal , Portugal <br />
- IVGT – Industrieverband Veredlung – Garne – Gewebe – Technische Textilien, Deutschland <br />
- TITERA – Tehnicno Innovativne Tehnologije, Doo, Slowenien<br />
- UPC – Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Spanien<br />
- UB – Hoegskolan i Boras, Schweden<br />
- TUS – Technologica University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, Irland<br />
- PIN – Servizi Didattici e Scientifici per l Universita DI, Firenze, Italien<br />
- CRE.THI.DEV – Dimiourgiki Skepsi Anaptyxis, Griechenland <br />
- CIAPE – Centro Italioano per l´Apprendimento Permanente, Italien <br />
- INCDTP - Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare Pentru Textilesi Pielarie, Rumänien<br />
<br />
© 2023 IVGT — The project consortium is made up of 12 universities, colleges and textile trade associations: - AEI TÈXTILS – Associacio Agrupacio d´Empreses Innovadores Textils, Spanien - CLUTEX – Klastr Technicke Textilie, Tschechische Republik - CITEVE – Centro Tecnologico das Industrias Textil e do Vestuario de Portugal , Portugal - IVGT – Industrieverband Veredlung – Garne – Gewebe – Technische Textilien, Deutschland - TITERA – Tehnicno Innovativne Tehnologije, Doo, Slowenien - UPC – Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Spanien - UB – Hoegskolan i Boras, Schweden - TUS – Technologica University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, Irland - PIN – Servizi Didattici e Scientifici per l Universita DI, Firenze, Italien - CRE.THI.DEV – Dimiourgiki Skepsi Anaptyxis, Griechenland - CIAPE – Centro Italioano per l´Apprendimento Permanente, Italien - INCDTP - Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare Pentru Textilesi Pielarie, Rumänien © 2023 IVGT

On the second day of the meeting, TUS presented the various possible e-learning platforms. In the brainstorming session that followed, the most suitable platform for the project was initially pre-selected. Various aspects such as attractiveness, costs and target group were discussed.

The meeting ended with an overview of the state of the art of the different transversal activities: communication and dissemination, presented by CIAPE, Italy, analysis of the surveys, presented by Cre.Thi.Dev. Greece and management aspects presented by AEI Textiles, Spain. More information at: https://www.addtex.eu/

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

Young talents honoured – 60 years Walter Reiners Foundation

At the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of April, Peter D. Dornier, chairman of the VDMA’s Walter Reiners Foundation, presented awards to five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability awards were presented in the categories of bachelor’s/project theses and diploma/master’s theses. Academic theses are eligible for the sustainability awards if, for example, they develop solutions for resource-efficient products and technologies.

BTMA backs global growth while investing in future UK leaders

As one of a number of new initiatives launched this year, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is launching the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, has implications that extend across sourcing, competitiveness and long-term trade dynamics, believes BTMA CEO Jason Kent.

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.

ANDRITZ at INDEX ’26: Driving sustainability with next-generation nonwoven technologies

From May 19-22, ANDRITZ Nonwoven & Textile is presenting its innovative solutions for the nonwoven & textile industry in Geneva, Switzerland. ANDRITZ will focus on technologies for sustainable and durable nonwovens, converting, sustainable fiber processes, textile recycling, and life-cycle services on booth 2114 in hall 02.

INDEX™26: World’s leading nonwovens exhibition presents groundbreaking product launches, exclusive seminars and immersive experiences

From 19 to 22 May 2026, 620 exhibitors from 44 countries will gather in Geneva at Palexpo for INDEX™26. The exhibition aims to demonstrate how the future of technical materials will increasingly be shaped by collaborative supply chains and integrated innovation across the nonwovens industry. This year’s edition focuses not only on individual technological advances, but also on how cooperation throughout the value chain can enhance the performance, sustainability and value of nonwoven solutions.

The LYCRA Company launches LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber for nonwovens, advancing comfort and fit in disposable hygiene at INDEX™ 26

The LYCRA Company, a leader in innovative and sustainable fibers for apparel and personal care, today announced the official global launch of LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber for nonwovens at INDEX™ 26, in Geneva, Switzerland, May 19–22. This breakthrough stretch fiber, already trusted by leading global apparel brands, now ushers in a new era of comfort, fit, and performance for baby diapers, disposable hygiene products, adult incontinence, and feminine care.