#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2025-05-09

International practical experience for textile students

As part of the European Erasmus+ project AddTex, the partner institutions organised several hackathons simultaneously from 15 to 17 May 2024 at the universities in Borås (Sweden), UPC (Spain), PIN (Italy) and TUS (Ireland). The aim was to develop practical solutions to real challenges facing the textile industry. The German family-owned company Schmitz Textiles, a specialist in complete textile solutions for indoor and outdoor use, challenged students at the University of PIN in Prato to increase the recycled content of yarns for awning production to 100 per cent.

Three Italian textile students developed an idea in the AddTex hackathon on how to increase the recycling content of yarns to 100%. Their reward: a short internship at Schmitz Textiles in Emsdetten! In the picture: from left to right: Iljara Ioja, Eleonora Boccherini, Giorgio Gacci and Ralf Bosse (Schmitz Textiles) © 2025 Photo IVGT

Short internship provides insights into production

As a prize for their innovative idea, the winning team completed a short internship at Schmitz Textiles in Emsdetten in March/April 2025. They carried out their own weaving experiments and got to know the company's production processes. This was supplemented by visits to Hch. Kettelhack, Güth & Wolf, Follmann and the Fulda felt factory, leading German suppliers of technical textile solutions.

Hannover Messe and technical textiles in focus

Another highlight was a visit to the Hannover Messe 2025 trade fair, particularly Hall 2, which was dedicated to digitalisation, artificial intelligence, sustainability and international cooperation. At the joint stand for technical textiles, the students learned about the innovations of the exhibiting companies AMOHR, VLNAP A.S., TITK and vombaur.

Technical Textiles, the students learned about the innovations of the exhibiting companies AMOHR, VLNAP A.S., TITK and vombaur. At the end of their stay, the team visited the IVGT in Frankfurt, which is supporting the project as a German partner.

Students also gathered information at the Technical Textiles joint stand in Hall 2 at the Hannover Messe 2025 trade fair, pictured here with Stefan Schmidt, IVGT (left). © 2025 Photo IVGT

European textile education networks

The IVGT has been a partner in the AddTex project since 2022. In addition to organising hackathons, training videos, webinar guides, MOOC manuals and training materials for continuing vocational training are being produced during the course of the project and are available for free download at www.addtex.eu. Even after the project ends in June 2025, the collaboration is set to be expanded with new initiatives for promoting young talent in an increasingly technology-driven sector.

Further information: www.addtex.eu www.ivgt.de

6th AddTex project partner meeting in Prague

On January 21 and 22, 2025, the 6th AddTex project partner meeting took place in Prague at the invitation of the Czech cluster for technical textiles CLUTEX. After an update on the activities of the eleven European partners, the IVGT presented a draft business model that will ensure sustainable activities beyond the end of the project.

Fifth transnational ADDTEX meeting in Prato

From 1 to 5 July 2024, the fifth member meeting of ADDTEX took place in Prato at PIN s.c.r.l. Educational and Scientific Services for the University of Florence. Parallel to the meeting of the project partners and in the same building in Piazza Giovanni Ciardi, 25, PIN organised a textile innovation boot camp with students from Sweden, Spain, Romania, Ireland, Italy and Portugal.

MarediModa highlights transparency and traceability with InsideOut by C.L.A.S.S.

The InsideOut by C.L.A.S.S. exhibition at MarediModa 2026 in Cannes focused on transparency, traceability and the measurable values behind fashion products. Its Decalogue of Values aims to make environmental, social and production-related information more accessible throughout the textile supply chain.

Vietnam’s market evolution creates new sourcing opportunities at VIATT 2027

As Vietnam’s textile industry continues to upgrade and scale, new opportunities are emerging for suppliers of advanced raw materials, design-led fabrics, production technologies, and sustainability solutions. The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) will return 24 – 26 February 2027, presenting a cross-sector platform – spanning apparel, home and technical categories – for overseas companies to connect with manufacturers, brands, sourcing offices, retailers, and industry buyers from Vietnam, ASEAN, and beyond.

KARL MAYER expands TM WEFT capabilities for fashion fabrics at ITMA ASIA 2026

A new E 36 gauge, an EL pattern drive and improved yarn tension regulation extend the application possibilities of KARL MAYER's TM WEFT warp knitting machine. At ITMA ASIA 2026, the company will demonstrate the developments alongside a collection of woven-like warp knitted fabrics for fashion and apparel.

Textiles Recycling Expo USA 2027 opens registration and expands with manufacturing exhibition

The second edition of Textiles Recycling Expo USA will take place on 7–8 April 2027 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Following a debut that attracted more than 1,800 visitors and 95 exhibitors, the event will expand its exhibition and conference programme and will be held alongside the new Textiles Manufacturing Expo.

White House reduces production planning time by up to 80% with Coats Digital’s FastReactPlan

Indian garment manufacturer White House has reduced its production planning cycle by 60–80% following the implementation of Coats Digital’s FastReactPlan software. The integrated planning solution provides greater visibility across production, capacity and material requirements while supporting faster decision-making and improved delivery performance.