#Techtextil 2017

2016-08-03

Techtextil 2017: more registrations than expected

Techtextil is always the first address for presenting innovations in the field of technical textiles. In 2015 the Sympatex/Plochet multifunctional jacket with built-in communication and illumination system was one of the highlights.(c) 2016 TexData

With nine months still to go before the doors open, 85 percent of exhibition space at Techtextil 2017 has already been booked, which means the next edition of the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens (9 to 12 May 2017) will grow in comparison to the previous fair.

Growth in terms of exhibition space likely
Technical textiles the driving forces of growth in the textile sector

“Technical textiles rank among the most important driving forces of growth in the textile sector. The fact that so many companies have already registered for Techtextil 2017 is an indication of how dynamically the sector is developing”, says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles and Textile Technologies, Messe Frankfurt.

To date, 750 companies from 39 countries have booked exhibition space at Techtextil 2017. They include market leaders such as Forster Rohner, Freudenberg, Groz-Beckert, IBENA Textilwerke, Lenzing, Mehler Texnologies, Outlast Europe, PHP Fibers, Sandler, Sattler PRO-TEX, Schoeller Textil, SIOEN Fabrics and Trützschler. Around 15 percent of them will be exhibiting for the first time or are returning to Techtextil after a period of absence. As in the past, numerous countries will be represented by national pavilions. Belgium and Italy have increased the size of their pavilions and firm bookings have already been received from China, France, United Kingdom, India, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan, the Czech Republic, Turkey and the USA. From conductive yarns, via smart textiles, to composites and lightweight constructions, Techtextil 2017 will present the complete spectrum of textile solutions for the automobile industry, construction and architecture, industry, medicine and clothing.

Texprocess, Leading International Trade Fair for Processing Textile and Flexible Materials (9 to 12 May 2017), will be held concurrently with Techtextil and offer insights into all aspects of textile processing, including textile finishing and digital printing.

The number of registrations received for Texprocess is also extremely good. Techtextil 2015 was attended by 28,500 trade visitors from 102 nations, as well as over 5,500 trade visitors from the concurrent Texprocess.

Technical textiles the driving forces of growth in the textile sector

According to the German Textile and Fashion Association, the turnover of the German textile and fashion industry rose by around two percent in 2015 compared to the previous year. Particularly successful were textiles and technical textiles with a growth rate in excess of three percent.

The economic climate in the sector is also good on the European plane. According to the Euratex association, the production of nonwovens rose by three percent and that of technical and industrial textiles by six percent in the period from January to May 2016 compared to the same period the year before. Exports from European countries rose by a total of five percent between 2014 and 2015.

The economic climate in the leading non-European textile nations is also good. For example, the USA anticipates further growth in 2016. At present, technical textiles account for 37 percent of US textile production. China is forecasting export growth of four percent in the technical-textiles sector and aims to increase its production to 22 million tonnes by 2020. India expects production to grow from the current level of approx. US $ 18 billion to 26 billion by 2017.

According to Germany’s Commerzbank, the world market for conventional textiles will expand and be worth approx. US $160 billion by 2018. In the case of nonwovens, the world market is expected to grow in terms of sales to over US $ 42 billion in 2017.

From pre-treatment to finishing: Textile Chemicals & Dyes at Techtextil 2026 for the first time as a separate product area

From fibre production to coating: For the first time, Techtextil bundles the range of exhibitors in the field of Textile Chemicals & Dyes in an independent product area from 21 to 24 April 2026 in Frankfurt. The leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens is creating a central hub for suppliers and users. It thus emphasises the increasing demand and relevance of Textile Chemicals & Dyes for the global textile industry.

Techtextil & Texprocess score with growth and set as drivers of innovation the course for future-proof industries

High-tech textiles in twelve application areas, the global innovative power of technical textiles and nonwovens as well as the digitalisation of the textile-processing industry: with 38,000 visitors from 102 countries and 1,700 exhibitors from 53 countries, Techtextil and Texprocess have grown in terms of exhibitor numbers and recorded a 29 percent increase in visitor numbers. At the leading trade fairs, the density of forward-looking textile solutions that are transforming entire industries was particularly noticeable.

Techtextil and Texprocess: strong start with 1,700 exhibitors and a panel discussion on new opportunities with AI, from textile production and processing to recycling

With 1,700 exhibitors from 53 countries, Techtextil and Texprocess 2024 are underscoring their pioneering significance for the global industry. At the opening event, the leading international trade fairs focused on the highly relevant subject of AI and thus generated future-oriented impulses. AI offers new opportunities along the entire value chain - from production and processing to recycling. In the panel talk, experts explained how AI is energising the textile industry.

Techtextil 2026: KARL MAYER impresses as an innovative sector partner

KARL MAYER looks back with satisfaction on its participation in Techtextil 2026. From April 21 to 24, the international industry leader used the trade show in Frankfurt to meet with numerous key customers at its booth and, at the same time, establish many new contacts. Most visitors came from Germany, followed by major markets such as Poland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, France, and Portugal.

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.