#Techtextil 2017

2017-05-03

Follmann at Techtextil 2017

Under the slogan "Customised Coatings – Fascinating Functions", Follmann will be showcasing its broad range of products and services in the functional coating sector at this year's Techtextil in Frankfurt between 9 and 12 May 2017 at Stand B45 in Hall 3.0.

From operating rooms to the high seas, technical textiles have become a virtually indispensable part of modern life. In everyday applications and extreme conditions alike, technical textiles must perform a whole range of different jobs reliably, while also satisfying numerous functional requirements in terms of finishing, coating and impregnation.

Visitors to the Follmann Stand B45 in Hall 3.0 will be able to take a closer look at the wide range of Follman products and services in the functional coating sector.

A wide range of applications

From roofing sheets through to geotextiles and conveyor belts, the high-quality FOLCO® SOL PVC plastisols and FOLCO® TEC polymer dispersions from Follmann are suitable for a huge range of applications. They give fibres lasting protection against harmful external influences and, as well as being suitable for use in both enclosed spaces and outdoors, they are also UV-stable, flame-resistant and seawater-resistant.

The flexibility of PVC plastisols means they are also ideal for very specialised applications, such as in the field of medical engineering where they can be used for cardiac catheters or prostheses, or even as fenders for boats.

FOLCO® LOR FEP pigment pastes for PVC plastisols and FOLCO® PAST pigment pastes for polymer dispersions enable customisation in terms of aesthetics and design.

Pic: Customised coatings with fascinating functions

"At Follmann, our customers and their specific requirements take centre stage. We can tailor a solution to meet our customers’ individual requests and accompany them every step of the way with specialist support and advice", said Heiko Kirstein, Head of Sales Functional Coatings at Follmann. "We look forward to welcoming trade fair visitors and also to highlighting our contract manufacturing and job order production service."

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

GenuTrace client advisory: Is your cotton supply chain UFLPA ready?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released updated operational guidance (CBP Publication No. 5560-0526) expanding its forced labor enforcement framework. The guidance supersedes the original 2022 UFLPA Operational Guidance and now covers all forced labor enforcement authorities — UFLPA, CAATSA, and WROs/Findings — in a single unified document. For cotton importers, the enforcement posture has not softened. It has become more structured, more documented, and more demanding. Learn more about UFLPA.

STOLL: Agreement signed for the divestiture of selected assets

In early 2025, KARL MAYER announced its strategic decision to focus on its core business areas of WARP KNITTING, WARP PREPARATION, and TECHNICAL TEXTILES. As part of this move, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand was discontinued and the production site in Reutlingen was closed in October 2025.

TERNAfil wins first place at PitchMiUp Night 2026 in Minden

The RWTH spin-off TERNAfil has developed MAXCarbon, a new high-performance hybrid fibre that combines the mechanical performance of carbon with the temperature and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials. For this development, TERNAfil was awarded first prize at the PitchMiUp Night in Minden on 21 May 2026.