#Smart Textiles

2023-12-07

SmartX Innovation Hub: European Community of smart and high performance textile innovators

The Textile ETP, in partnership with Titera, AEI Tèxtils, CeNTi, and IVGT, proudly announces the evolution of the SmartX Community into the SmartX Innovation Hub. The Hub follows the conclusion of the SmartX Europe project, a Horizon2020 initiative dedicated to boosting e-textiles and wearables into the market. One of the most notable achievements of the project was the realization that learning, sharing, and cross-sector collaboration can play a significant role in innovation.

Embracing innovation in smart textiles requires facing uncertainties. This new SmartX Innovation Hub presents a unique platform for professionals from diverse backgrounds to explore the power of learning to unlock knowledge and embrace collaboration by sharing insights.

The Innovation Hub invites European textile professionals within and beyond the textile sector who are eager to explore and pioneer advancements in wearables and high-performance fibres. This includes representatives from small, medium, and large companies across the entire supply chain, research/testing institutes, university departments, professional associations, clusters, consultancies, independent experts, but also end markets open to exploring or researching the potential of new product.

Subscribe to the innovation hub:

https://textile-platform.eu/innovation-hub-smartx

The Hub focuses on monthly webinars exploring smart textiles and high-performance fibres, providing insights across various functionalities and markets through value chain maps. In addition, the Hub offers activities such as:

• Physical events, including trade fair tours, are organised with a keen eye on trending markets and value chain gaps for relevance and impact.

• To provide an immersive experience with the industry, SmartX offers a public podcast titled 'Smart Textiles, Smarter World' showcasing the latest developments and serves as an introduction to the dynamic world of textiles.

• Members enjoy exclusive content with the 'Meet the Expert' podcast, offering tailored interviews and insights for on-the-go professionals, making valuable information accessible during commutes.

The Innovation Hub's activities are organised around four pillars:

The Innovation Hub offers a full-year learning and networking program for the price of a 2-day conference ticket. Memberships are yearly subscriptions automatically renewed each January.

For more details and to become a part of this innovative journey, download the brochure or visit the webpage.

https://cms.extranet.textile-platform.eu/uploads/Smart_X_Innovation_Hub_Brochure_ba61e5782c.pdf

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.

Covestro, FILK Freiberg, and OUT e.V. develop flexible, conductive polymer smart textile system

As the smart textiles market continues to grow across healthcare, personal protection, sportswear, and automotive applications, developers are seeking new ways to integrate electronic functionality directly into textiles, without the rigidity and complexity of conventional wiring. To address this challenge, FILK Freiberg Institute, an independent research institution with expertise in polymer coatings for textile applications, collaborated with Optotransmitter-Umweltschutz-Technologie (OUT) e.V. The joint project, funded under the German Industrielle Gemeinschaftsforschung (IGF) program of the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE), focused on developing flexible, conductive polymer surfaces for next-generation smart textiles.

Catching heart disease early with AI-based sensor system

It slips on like a normal vest: Fraunhofer IZM has created a smart sensor system in cooperation with the Charité and the Technical University of Berlin. The vest records a vast array of cardiovascular parameters, which an AI-based system uses to support medical diagnostics and spot potentially dangerous developments.

Intelligent textiles for construction, architecture and mobility: Smart Textiles User Forum in Stuttgart

When textiles are equipped with electronic components, conductive yarns and textile sensors, the application possibilities are almost unlimited. These high-tech textiles are a global growth market. In Stuttgart, manufacturers, users and researchers presented amazing examples of applications in construction, architecture and mobility. The appropriate standards ensure quality and safety.

Itema to showcase weaving excellence at ITM 2026

From June 9 to 13, Itema will exhibit at ITM 2026 in Istanbul (Hall 8 – Stand 806D), unveiling a distinctive exhibition concept designed to highlight the Company’s expertise across the entire weaving value chain. For this year’s edition, Itema will introduce an innovative stand experience built around two core areas: advanced weaving and spare parts solutions and an immersive textile gallery featuring fabrics produced by Itema Customers worldwide.

Last chance to apply: ITMA 2027 Start-Up Valley closes tomorrow

Applications for the Start-Up Valley at ITMA 2027 close tomorrow, offering young technology companies the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of several successful participants from the 2023 edition. The initiative, organised under the CEMATEX Start-Up Grant programme, has already helped a number of textile start-ups accelerate their transition from early-stage concepts to industrial partnerships, funding rounds and commercial deployment.

Jeanologia brings “Billy” to China, the AI transforming denim design

The denim industry is turning its attention to Hangzhou this week, where a new edition of Kingpins, the leading international trade show for the sector, takes place on May 21 and 22. There, the Spanish company Jeanologia, a global leader in sustainable technologies for the textile industry, is introducing its latest innovation to the Chinese market: “Billy”, the first artificial intelligence specifically developed for denim finishing design.