#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2021-01-28

More than 70 of the most outstanding new products in the sporting goods industry receive the seal of quality

Image credit: Munich Trade Fair Centre / Munich Trade Fair Centre

The results of the ISPO Award 2021 are in: As of now a total of 76 sports products bear the prestigious seal of quality for innovation and functionality in the sporting goods industry. A jury of international experts selected a total of 76 “Products of the Year,” “Gold Winners” and “Winners” from 250 submissions in the four segments of Snowsports, Outdoor, Running & Fitness and Urban Life. Six products were also awarded special recognition for their particularly sustainable concepts and ideas.

The highest award, “Product of the Year,” will first be announced during the official award ceremonies via live stream as part of ISPO Munich Online, from February 1 to 5, 2021. The Gold Winners, Products of the Year and Winners with the special Sustainability Achievement will be presented during the event in their own digital award showroom.

250 product submissions in four segments

76 prizes and special awards for sustainability

Award ceremony and digital showroom at ISPO Munich Online 2021

“Even in these particularly challenging times, product development didn’t come to a halt. We have got to know many innovative concepts all over again. One thing that has again been made clear is that awareness for sustainability topics within the industry has increased across the board. That’s why more and more manufacturers are committed to an advanced circular economy” said Jacqueline Eskandar, Senior Product Manager of ISPO Awards & Innovation at Messe München, summing up the most important findings from this year’s edition of the ISPO Award.

?Due to the prevailing coronavirus pandemic, the two-day jury meeting was held in a hybrid format for the first time – partly on site, partly by video call. A jury of 25 experts, consisting of representatives from retail, designers, product specialists and media representatives, selected winners from the 250 submissions in segment-specific teams. In addition to innovative nature, above all the assessment criteria included functionality, quality and choice of materials. Exceptional performance in terms of sustainability across all segments was honored accordingly with special prizes.

Grand stage for the awardees at ISPO Munich Online 2021

For maximum international visibility, the ISPO Award ceremony will take place as part of ISPO Munich Online 2021:

Tuesday, February 2, 3:30 p.m.: Snowsports

Wednesday, February 3, 3:00 p.m.: Running & Fitness, Urban Life

Thursday, February 4, 3:30 p.m.: Outdoors

All of the winning products can be experienced throughout the entire duration of ISPO Munich Online 2021 and all year round at ispo.com.

What the end consumers think: Premiere for the ISPO Public Choice Award

As part of the ISPO Award 2021, end consumers will also be involved for the first time and an additional public choice award will be presented: More than 70,000 members of the ISPO Open Innovation Community have been called upon to select their personal favorites from all of the Gold Winners. The product with the most votes will win and be honored with the first ISPO Public Choice Award, also at ISPO Munich Online 2021 on Friday, February 5.?Anybody can take part and cast their vote after registering in the community for free*. More information on the ISPO Award is available online.

*ISPO Open Innovation is an all-year platform on which enthusiastic athletes can actively contribute to the development of upcoming products with their know-how and their creativity via exclusive tests and surveys.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

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.

SHIMA SEIKI to show complete knitting and cutting workflow at ITM 2026

Leading computerized flat knitting technology provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Turkish representative TETAS IC VE DIS TICARET A.S., will participate in the ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition in Istanbul, Türkiye this month with a full product lineup. In addition to flat knitting machines and design software, visitors will also have the opportunity to experience the full range of SHIMA SEIKI textile machinery with its automatic cutting machine exhibit, all geared toward the fashion apparel market as well as non-apparel related businesses.

European Flax-Linen & Hemp step into advanced manufacturing: Enabling filament winding, 3D printing and high-performance composite processes

The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp announces a new wave of technological advancements demonstrating how flax-linen and hemp fibres are now being successfully integrated into advanced composite manufacturing processes. These developments mark a transition beyond traditional hand lay-up techniques, positioning natural fibres as credible, scalable solutions for high-performance industrial applications.

SETEX turns dyeing and finishing data into daily production control

At ITM 2026, SETEX will show how textile mills can use machine, recipe, quality and energy data for more reliable daily production decisions — not as another reporting layer, but as part of the running dyeing and finishing process. With OrgaTEX X3 MES, E390x/C390x controllers, CamCOUNT and FabricInspector Portable, SETEX connects planning, machine execution and fabric-related quality insight within existing mill structures.