#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2016-09-07

ETP High-tech Textiles Conference demonstrates textile future in Europe

ETP, the 'European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing', will hold a High-tech Textiles Conference from 12-13 October 2016 in Brussels, Belgium. The International conference will launch the new Strategic Innovation and Research Agenda for the European Textile and Clothing Sector and will showcase the high-tech materials, advanced production technologies, new business models and growth markets for the textile industry of the future.

While the last 10 years in the aftermath of the liberalisation of global textile markets in 2004 were characterized by off-shoring of volume textile and clothing production, shrinkage and restructuring of the European manufacturing base and a search for new market niches and business models, the next 10 years will more likely see the re-emergence of European textile leadership.

Digitisation, advanced materials, high-tech processes and new growth markets offer great opportunities for Europe’s textile innovators. Companies that flexibly, yet highly efficiently make customised textile based products smartly linked with value adding services, always close to the customer will conquer global market niches. In addition, textiles will be critical innovation enablers in global growth markets such as affordable, personalised health care, smart wearables for sports and personal protection, light-weight transport systems or flexible and multifunctional construction materials or resource-efficient material solutions for renewable energy generation or agricultural productivity.

Join this high-level conference to:

Discover the new Strategic Research Agenda of the European Textile and Clothing sector for the next 10 years

Learn how digital technologies transform textile and clothing production and enable business models based on flexibility and short run production close to the end market

Explore market opportunities for high-tech textile innovations in growth markets such as health, sports, protection, construction, infrastructure or transport

Meet the next generation of European textile start-up entrepreneurs

Get first-hand information about the objectives and results of major EU-funded collaborative textile research projects

Better understand how European policies and programs support textile research, innovation and the emergence of a powerful network of regional innovation clusters

Network with leading European textile researchers and industry innovators

Next week’s focus: Intertextile Shenzhen & Yarn Expo Shenzhen fuse textile tradition with sustainable, digital trends

Fashion will not be left behind in one of the world’s undisputed tech and manufacturing capitals. Which is why next week, at Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026, the organisers have made special efforts to integrate textile topics such as materials innovation, holistic sustainability, digitalisation and AI. Yet, from 9 – 11 June at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, the platform also includes timeless tradition and heritage-inspired evolution in equal measure. Across both shows, over 600 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions are set to showcase everything from Peruvian alpaca wool fabrics to tea-derived fibres, while their fringe programmes will explore diverse solutions along the entire value chain.

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.

ATCO Hygienics, Uzbekistan, orders baby diaper production line from ANDRITZ

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from ATCO Hygienics to supply a new baby diaper production line for its plant in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The order is included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the first quarter of 2026. Commissioning of the production line is scheduled for the end of 2026.

Nico Pedretti appointed as Managing Director Graf Group

As of June 1, 2026, Nico Pedretti has assumed the role of Managing Director Graf Group. With more than 20 years of international industrial experience and extensive expertise in Operations, Supply Chain Management, Finance and Controlling, he brings a broad range of leadership and business experience to support Graf’s continued success.