Optimal outlook for Techtextil and Texprocess 2024: a high level of demand and internationality coupled with an outstanding degree of innovation

Innovation, research, an exchange of ideas and information, inspiration and successful business transactions – these are the promises made to the international industry by Techtextil and Texprocess in Frankfurt am Main from 23 to 26 April 2024. The large number of current exhibitor registrations – over 1,600 from around 50 countries – confirms the relevance of the two trade fairs for the textile sector. There, companies can look forward to meeting buyers and top decision makers from 95 (Techtextil 2022) and 86 (Texprocess 2022) countries. In addition to familiar and high-grade formats, such as the Techtextil Innovation Award and the Texprocess Innovation Award, as well as the Techtextil Forum and the Texprocess Forum, the coming editions will be distinguished by several new special areas, e.g., the Nature Performance area and the Future Materials special show at Techtextil, and the Denim Hub and an Emerging Markets area at Texprocess.

“The sectors are undergoing a rapid process of change. Participants at Techtextil and Texprocess will have the opportunity to stay in tune with the times, to present innovations to an audience of experts from all over the world and to find new solutions and business partners”, says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies, Messe Frankfurt.

The spectrum of textile solutions presented at Techtextil is unparalleled worldwide. Visitors can discover an extraordinary range of products in twelve areas of application, which are used in many different industries – from automotive to fashion, and from medicine to construction. The latest developments in fibres and yarns, nonwovens, composites, coated textiles, technologies, etc., will be presented by companies at Techtextil, in many cases for the first time in public. The companies registered to date include Carrington Textiles (Great Britain), Concordia Textiles (Belgium), Datacolor (Belgium), Everest Textile (Taiwan), Franz Miederhoff (Germany), Groz-Beckert (Germany), Kuraray (Japan), Kusumgar Corporates (India), Outlast Technologies (Germany), Sandler (Germany), Tanatex Chemicals (Netherlands) and Textilcolor (Switzerland). 

Texprocess is the international platform for exhibitors of the latest machinery, equipment, processes and services for manufacturing garments, as well as textile and flexible materials. The spectrum of products to be seen ranges from sewing technology and materials, embroidery technology, fastening, CAD/CAM and cutting to recycling technologies and much more. The companies that have announced their participation in Texprocess 2024 include Amann & Söhne (Germany), Assyst/Style3D (Germany), ASTAS (Turkey), Barudan Co, Ltd (France), Brother Internationale Industriemaschinen (Germany), bullmer (Germany), Dürkopp Adler (Germany), IMA (Italy), Kai Corporation (Japan), Morgan Tecnica (Italy), natific (Switzerland), Orox Group (Italy) and Tajima Industries (Japan).

Econogy: sustainability as a driver of innovation

Sustainability and economic efficiency go together and this objective is being promoted by the global trade fairs of Messe Frankfurt – the Texpertise Network – with the reorientation of the company’s sustainable formats. This encompasses not only the overarching heading, ‘Econogy’, which links ecology and economics, but above all the standardisation of sustainable evaluation criteria for the selection of resource-saving products, processes and exhibitors. Econogy thus creates transparency and comparability across the board. To this end, Messe Frankfurt works together with independent, external sustainability experts to take account of the latest approved seals and certificates, and to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals into the checks.

The services associated with Econogy at Techtextil and Texprocess include the Econogy Finder, a directory of certified suppliers of sustainable products, which enables visitors to head straight for them.

The best way to find ideal sustainable solutions is within the framework of an exchange of ideas and information, and the Econogy Talks offer the perfect setting for this.

Led by experts in the field of sustainability, the aim of the Econogy Tours at Techtextil is to introduce visitors to selected exhibitors of sustainable products and to give them the opportunity to obtain knowledge and ideas at first hand.

Can nature and performance be combined in a fibre or a material? Of course they can! At Techtextil, manufacturers of natural fibres and materials, as well as bio-based fibres and materials with future-oriented functional properties for a huge range of applications, will be showing what natural textiles can do. The sustainable performers can be found in a special Nature Performance area in the Fibres & Yarns product segment. A highlight for visitors is sure to be the presentation of progressive material innovations by renowned trend and future agency, Franklin Till, in the special Future Materials show.

Recycling is also gaining in importance with the increased relevance of sustainability and the growing appreciation and scarcity of resources, which gives it a unique potential for development and innovation. With the curated special show Recyclable Fibres & Yarns in Hall 9.1 and Recyclable Materials in Hall 12.1, Techtextil and Texprocess are putting the spotlight on future-oriented, reusable materials and recycling technologies. 

The future at a glance: Techtextil Innovation Awards and Texprocess Innovation Awards

The Innovation Awards are popular highlights at both events. Two high-calibre juries of experts honour the latest, most intelligent and outstanding innovations from the industries. The awards reflect the future of the sectors in terms of new ideas and developments, which offer solutions for the various aspects of digitalisation and artificial intelligence, as well as sustainability, new materials and processes. The deadline for receipt of entries is 15 December 2023.

Up to date at the Techtextil Forum and Texprocess Forum

Visitors wanting to expand their knowledge, discover the latest research results, new product developments and progressive innovations should not miss the Techtextil Forum in Hall 9.1 and the Texprocess Forum in Hall 9.0. There, they will find a high-grade, curated programme on the latest themes, knowledge transfer and an exchange of ideas and information with renowned experts from research and industry. The spectrum of subjects covered at the Techtextil Forum ranges from bio-based functional materials to intelligent textiles. At the Texprocess Forum, it runs from automation to supply chains.

Start-up stars: tomorrow’s A-listers

Ambitious founders and young entrepreneurs have the chance to present their companies in the start-up areas at Techtextil and Texprocess, to find business partners and investors and thus carve out their way in the sector. For them, the leading trade fairs are the perfect place to put forward their ideas, to find partners and investors and thus find their way into the market. Young, innovative start-up stars show their products to an international audience in the attention-grabbing ‘Textile Production’ and ‘Functional Materials’ start-up areas at Techtextil and at the ‘Textile Processing Technologies’ area at Texprocess. 

All about denim

At Texprocess, the Denim Hub puts the spotlight on sustainable jeans production, processing and recycling. Exhibitors offer first-class insights into their circular strategies while, in the Denim Talks, visitors can learn about sustainable approaches to washing, destroying, bleaching, lasering, dyeing, recycling and upcycling and customising jeans.

Curtain up on Performance Apparels on Stage

In the Performance Apparels on Stage special show, Techtextil 2024 presents the multifarious functionalities of textiles for the garment industry. Against this impressive background, the show illustrates the use of technical textiles in the apparel and fashion industry, in the field of sportswear and leisurewear and professional and safety clothing.

Emerging Markets Area: finding global potential

Texprocess 2024 sees the first Emerging Markets area with invitations going specifically to organisations from countries with a high development potential in the field of textile processing. In the Emerging Markets Lounge, visitors and exhibitors can hold discussions with the delegations, present their business ideas, intensify contacts and lever new potential.