#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2018-09-12

Sympatex to introduce its revolutionary UTMOSPHERICTM shoe technology

Thanks to a thermal moulding process, elaborate manufacturing processes are now a thing of the past. Sympatex UTMOSPHERICTM adapts perfectly to any foot shape, without seams and creases.

Using a sophisticated, innovative process, Sympatex Technologies has developed a manufacturing technology that allows lasting three- dimensional shape forming of their laminates. Sympatex *UTMOSPHERICTM is produced by means of a thermal moulding process, and is a liner that adapts perfectly to the shape of the foot, without seams and creases and without compromising the quality and functionality of the laminate. Combined with appropriate textiles, the sustainable polyester-based high- performance membrane from Sympatex is the perfect base material for this. UTMOSPHERICTM will be presented to the general public for the first time at the Sympatex booth (Hall 22P M11-M19/N12-N20) at this year’s Lineapelle trade show (25 to 27 September 2018, Milan).

With UTMOSPHERICTM, the traditional process involved in producing a liner can in future be made redundant when manufacturing a waterproof outdoor shoe. Today, a shoe of this nature is pretty much expected to be not only waterproof but also breathable to ensure that your feet stay dry and comfortable even during strenuous hikes and ascents. Manufacturing the interior of such a shoe is, however, generally still a complex manual process. Since the necessary membrane-based functional laminate has until now only been available in two- dimensional form, it takes a great deal of time and effort to create a three-dimensional foot shape. At the same time, the cuts and seams required to achieve this inevitably damage the membrane, which means that water impermeability properties then have to be re-created in the final steps by means of tape.

While this has been an accepted method in the industry so far, these times are now finally over. Instead, a thermally moulded three-dimensional UTMOSPHERICTM liner is optimised to fit the required final shape and can directly be integrated in the existing manufacturing processes.

“It can reasonably be expected that this innovation will open up a completely new chapter in the development of outdoor shoes, as it offers significant improvements both for the manufacturer, on the process side, and for the customer, in terms of added comfort”, says Dr. Rüdiger Fox, CEO at Sympatex Technologies. “We were guided by lean principles in our innovation process, and simply refused to accept that you first have to perforate and cut up waterproof materials, only to then seal them again by means of complex handicraft”, adds Fox.

Prototype series for the first pilot customers have already been in the development phase for several weeks, and will be launched during the course of next year. Due to the overwhelming feedback, production machine development has also already been started, with a view to going into full series production by the end of 2019 at the latest. Plans for modular production facilities in the manufacturing countries are also already in place.

Messe Frankfurt commits further to East Africa: three textiles trade fairs during Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week from 2027

Messe Frankfurt and its Texpertise Network continue their steady, successful trajectory in the region. As Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) opened today, Member of the Executive Board Detlef Braun announced that Messe Frankfurt is licencing its three leading international trade fair brands Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess to Nairobi, Kenya for the first time in 2027. From now on, they will take place annually as part of the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) Nairobi.

“We Believe in the Value of Textiles”: Successful Opening of the KARL MAYER TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER

KARL MAYER inaugurated its new, state-of-the-art TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER (TIC) with a four-day opening week from April 21 to 24. The highlight of the week was the grand opening on Thursday, which drew a strong turnout from the international textile industry: around 220 customers, brands, and partners from across the textile value chain came to the company’s headquarters in Obertshausen for a first-hand look at the new high-tech development environment and lively exchange with industry peers.

Texhibition Istanbul signals stability and global connectivity

From 4 to 6 March 2026, Texhibition Istanbul once again brought together the international textile industry at the Istanbul Expo Center. Organized by İTKİB Fuarcılık A.Ş. in cooperation with the Istanbul Textile Exporters Association (İTHİB), the fair confirmed its role as one of the most important international sourcing platforms for fabrics and textile innovation. With 500+ exhibitors across 5 halls on 42,850 sqm, the trade fair attracted 19,325 visitors. Among them, 5.565 international visitors represented Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, North America, and other regions, underlining the show’s expanding global reach.

BB Engineering unveils new, patented “Val-uePack” spin pack at ITM

At the upcoming ITM in Istanbul, taking place June 9–13 at the Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center in Hall 7, Booth 702B, BB Engineering will once again be represented at a joint booth with its parent company, Barmag, and its representative, Tekstil Servis. The German machine manufacturer will show-case its expertise in man-made fiber and recycling technology, presenting its entire product portfolio, which includes compo-nents such as extruders and filters, as well as complete sys-tems for spinning synthetic fibers, air-texturing, and PET recy-cling.

ITM 2026: KARL MAYER presents new perspectives

KARL MAYER will once again showcase itself as a strong partner to the Turkish textile industry at ITM in Istanbul from June 9 to 13. At Booth 303 A in Hall 3 of the Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center, the industry leader will exhibit solutions for warp knitting, warp preparation, and technical textiles – tailored to a challenging economic environment.

STFI highlights textile circular economy and alternative fibres at INDEX™ 2026

From 19 to 22 May 2026, INDEX will invite visitors to Lake Geneva for the world's leading nonwovens trade fair. The Centre of Excellence in Nonwovens at the Sächsisches Textilforschung- sinstitut e.V. (STFI) will be in attendance to present the latest developments in nonwovens research. In the field of the textile circular economy, the STFI will present acoustically effective nonwovens made from chemical recycling residues. The range also includes innovations aimed at replacing conventional raw materials, such as the biobased and biodegradable polymer polybutylene succinate (PBS) and Kendyr as an alternative to cotton.