Techtextil returns to MesseFrankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany, April 23-26 in conjunction with Texprocess. The international industry can expect innovation, research an exchange of ideas and information, inspiration and successful business transactions at these events. Over 1600 exhibitors from around 50 countries are expected at the two trade fairs for the textile sector. In addition to familiar and high-grade formats, such as the Techtextil Innovation Award and the Texprocess Innovation Award, as well as the Techtextil Forum and the Texprocess Forum, this year’s editions will be distinguished by several new special areas, such as the Nature Performance area and the Future Materials special show at Techtextil.

“The sectors are undergoing a rapid process of change. Participants at Techtextil and Texprocess will have the opportunity to stay in tune with the times, to present innovations to an audience of experts from all over the world and to find new solutions and business partners,” says Olaf Schmidt, vice president Textiles & Textile Technologies, Messe Frankfurt.

At Techtextil, visitors can discover a range of products in 12 areas of application, which are used in many different industries – from automotive to fashion, and from medicine to construction. The latest developments in fibers and yarns, nonwovens, composites, coated textiles, technologies, etc., will be presented by companies at Techtextil, in many cases for the first time in public.

Econogy: sustainability as a driver of innovation

Sustainability and economic efficiency go together and this objective is being promoted by the global trade fairs of Messe Frankfurt – the Texpertise Network – with the reorientation of the company’s sustainable formats. This encompasses not only the overarching heading, ‘Econogy’, which links ecology and economics, but above all the standardisztion of sustainable evaluation criteria for the selection of resource-saving products, processes and exhibitors. Econogy thus creates transparency and comparability across the board. To this end, Messe Frankfurt works together with independent, external sustainability experts to take account of the latest approved seals and certificates, and to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals into the checks.

The services associated with Econogy at Techtextil and Texprocess include the Econogy Finder, a directory of certified suppliers of sustainable products, which enables visitors to head straight for them.

The best way to find ideal sustainable solutions is within the framework of an exchange of ideas and information, and the Econogy Talks offer the perfect setting for this.

Led by experts in the field of sustainability, the aim of the Econogy Tours at Techtextil is to introduce visitors to selected exhibitors of sustainable products and to give them the opportunity to obtain knowledge and ideas at firsthand.

Can nature and performance be combined in a fiber or a material? Of course they can! At Techtextil, manufacturers of natural fibers and materials, as well as bio-based fibers and materials with future-oriented functional properties for a huge range of applications, will be showing what natural textiles can do. The sustainable performers can be found in a special Nature Performance area in the Fibres & Yarns product segment. A highlight for visitors is the presentation of progressive material innovations by renowned trend and future agency, Franklin Till, in the special Future Materials show.

Recycling is also gaining in importance with the increased relevance of sustainability and the growing appreciation and scarcity of resources, which gives it a unique potential for development and innovation. With the curated special show Recyclable Fibres & Yarns in Hall 9.1 and Recyclable Materials in Hall 12.1, Techtextil and Texprocess are putting the spotlight on future-oriented, reusable materials and recycling technologies.

Techtextil Innovation Awards and Texprocess Innovation Awards

The Innovation Awards are popular highlights at both events. Two high-caliber juries of experts honor the latest, most intelligent and outstanding innovations from the industries. The awards reflect the future of the sectors in terms of new ideas and developments, which offer solutions for the various aspects of digitalization and artificial intelligence, as well as sustainability, new materials and processes. 

Up to date at the Techtextil Forum and Texprocess Forum

Visitors wanting to expand their knowledge, discover the latest research results, new product developments and progressive innovations should not miss the Techtextil Forum in Hall 9.1 and the Texprocess Forum in Hall 9.0. There, they will find a high-grade, curated program on the latest themes, knowledge transfer and an exchange of ideas and information with renowned experts from research and industry. The spectrum of subjects covered at the Techtextil Forum ranges from bio-based functional materials to intelligent textiles. At the Texprocess Forum, it runs from automation to supply chains.

Start-up stars: tomorrow’s A-listers

Ambitious founders and young entrepreneurs have the chance to present their companies in the start-up areas at Techtextil and Texprocess, to find business partners and investors and thus carve out their way in the sector. For them, the leading trade fairs are the perfect place to put forward their ideas, to find partners and investors and thus find their way into the market. Young, innovative start-up stars show their products to an international audience in the attention-grabbing ‘Textile Production’ and ‘Functional Materials’ start-up areas at Techtextil and at the ‘Textile Processing Technologies’ area at Texprocess.

Curtain up on Performance Apparels on Stage

In the Performance Apparels on Stage special show, Techtextil 2024 presents the multifarious functionalities of textiles for the garment industry. Against this impressive background, the show illustrates the use of technical textiles in the apparel and fashion industry, in the field of sportswear and leisurewear and professional and safety clothing.