#Texprocess 2024

2024-04-25

Texprocess 2024: Technology shapes the future of textile processing

The textile processing industry is looking to Frankfurt these days, where Texprocess, the leading international trade fair for the processing of textile and flexible materials, will once again open its doors from April 23 to 26.

AI plays a major role in the future of textile processing
Incoming orders fall by 17 percent
Sales increase by 10 percent

“The entire industry is facing enormous challenges, be it the manufacturers of sewing and garment technology and machines for processing technical textiles, or the customer sectors. The entire industry is not only affected by the shortage of labor, but must also face the constantly changing demands of consumers and legislators, for example with regard to sustainability,” said Elgar Straub, Managing Director of VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies at the VDMA TFL press conference at Texprocess. Accordingly, the industry has high hopes for the solutions that will be presented and discussed at Texprocess, with a particular focus on flexible digitalization and automation solutions.

Decline in orders in the entire Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies sector

Incoming orders for German manufacturers of textile care, fabric and leather technologies are still on the decline: in the period from March 2023 to February 2024, incoming orders fell by 17 percent in real terms compared to the previous year. However, sales are in positive territory with an increase of 10% in the same period. Exports in the narrower sewing and clothing technology sector are stagnating. German machine manufacturers were only able to increase their exports by 0.7%. The most important customer markets here were Italy, France and the USA. Overall, the outlook is therefore mixed.

At the VDMA TFL press conference, member companies Assyst, Morgan Tecnica and Pfaff/KSL gave an overview of their latest innovations that will shape the future of textile processing. Assyst presented the power of artificial intelligence in a fully digital fashion workflow. Brands and manufacturers can benefit from fast, high-quality designs, reliable fit across all products and accurate cost calculations and savings. Morgan Tecnica gave an overview of the cutting room of the future, where the latest technology can reduce energy consumption by up to 50%. Pfaff /KSL showed a new era of controlled sewing with its AI-based ONLINE VISION SYSTEM and also how textile welding has created a sustainable joining technology without threads and consumables. JASMA, the Japanese sister association of VDMA TFL, also provided an outlook on the next technology trade fair for the Asian region, JIAM. JIAM will take place in Osaka from November 27 to 30, 2024.

“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.

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.

Groz-Beckert showcases refined precision at Techtextil 2024

Explore the intricate world of Groz-Beckert as they unveil their product highlights at Techtextil in Frankfurt from April 23 to 26, 2024. Rooted in their DNA, the pursuit of precision is a cornerstone of Groz-Beckert's philosophy. They believe that it's the small details that unveil fascinating insights when one sharpens their eye for them. Visitors are cordially invited to explore their exhibition stand.

Kornit Digital set to demonstrate the unmatched power of single-step digital fabric printing at Texprocess 2024

Kornit Digital, a worldwide market leader in sustainable, on-demand digital fashion and textile production technologies, announced today the company is setting the stage for an unprecedented display of its vibrant digital fabric and integrated workflow portfolio at Texprocess 2024. Kornit’s display at Messe Frankfurt – being held April 23-26 – allows attendees to experience the unmatched power of digital textiles, enabling companies to grow both dynamically and sustainably, respond to ever-changing customer demands and embrace the newly digital supply chain. Don’t miss the chance to visit Kornit Digital at Hall 8, Stand A32.

2026 general meeting of the Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen at ITA

The Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen e. V. (proRWTH) looked back on a successful year of support at their 2026 general meeting. The meeting took place at Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen and was combined with a joint session of the Executive Board and the Administrative Board. Before the general meeting began, participants were given a guided tour of ITA, providing them with fascinating insights into current research and development topics in textile engineering.

Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brings supply chain leaders together around cotton innovation

Cotton Incorporated’s Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brought together more than 300 industry leaders from 140 companies across 10 countries, including more than 45 top global brands and sourcing organizations, underscoring strong global interest in cotton-rich product development, sourcing and supply chain collaboration.

Footwear innovation enabled by warp knitting technology– insights from New Balance

The future of the athletic shoe is increasingly being shaped on warp knitting machines. For KARL MAYER, the footwear industry is one of the most important growth markets – and one of the sectors where innovative textiles can realize their full potential. In his keynote address at the opening of KARL MAYER’s TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER in Obertshausen in April, Vishnu Prakash Muthusamy, Senior Textile and Materials Engineer at New Balance, explained the opportunities that warp knitting technology opens up for performance, sustainability, and faster development processes, and why textile manufacturers are transitioning from suppliers to development partners.