08.18.09
Techtextil's Lucky 13
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latest edition of Frankfurt show demonstrates industry innovation despite economic downturn
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By Helena Engqvist
rnEngqvist Consulting
rnengqvist@bluewin.ch
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rnOn June 16, the 13th Techtextil opened the doors to the international trade-fair and congress for technical textiles in Frankfurt. An interesting mix of 1201 companies from 43 countries, up 7.3% compared to 2007, presented the latest in materials, products and services to 23,300 visitors from 85 countries, up 1.9%. In connection to the fair, a number of other events were organized, like the Avantex Congress, the Natural Fibers Congress to celebrate 2009 as the UN International Year of Natural Fibers, and the IWTO, the International Wool Textile Organization congress “Wool–Smart, Natural, Technical.”
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rnFocus areas this year were Innovation interchange, Indutech for industrial applications, Hometech, products for home and public areas, Clothtech with functional and protective wear, and finally Medtech, highlighting scaffolds for transplantation among other things.
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rnBastian, a maker of winding and slitting machines for nonwovens, plastics, composite laminates and paper, is expanding its business in China, India and Indonesia. The company specializes in custom tailored machinery for larger and smaller rolls for increased flexibility depending on user requirements. Recently Bastian has measured winding/slitting equipment speeds of 800 mpm on machines as wide as 7.2 meters. The special in-out-line slitting is combined with automated packaging from Jürgens. Bastian also has developed cooperation on packaging, palletizing and labeling machines from ATF.