While reviewing the 2011-2012 economic situation Mr Marchi said: “During the first ten months of 2012, despite a decrease in physical production, the EU industry registered good results in its exports outside the EU (+7% in €), thanks to very active clothing deliveries and very positive developments in textiles in markets like China, Russia or the United States of America (with two-digit growth rates in value).”

Mr Marchi continued: “Those developments, in so difficult times, are the result of European textile and fashion SME’s that constantly invest in innovative products, processes, services and business models to always stay one step ahead of competition.”

He continued, emphasizing that the key engine of the success is the ability of European textiles companies to propose consumer goods that are fashionable while offering additional function and or providing flexible solutions to face our societal challenges.

Mr Marchi continued underlying that: “Europe’s leadership across the wide range of applications in fashion and industrial applications should be nurtured in order to remain reactive and innovative in a world dominated by fast changes and multi-dimensional developments.”

Interestingly, EURATEX says, the role and dynamism of Europe in the 2011 world technical textiles market (worth EURO 190 billion) allowed EU companies to control and preserve a leading position in a myriad of micro niches and this across the entire spectrum of markets and applications.

In his closing remarks Mr Marchi said: “I truly believe that the combination of Texprocess and Techtextil will generate synergies for the visitors providing them a unique spectrum of products covering the entire textile value chain.”

Mr Marchi also underlined that both fairs not only support the international transfer of knowledge and the exchange of information between colleagues from all over the world but also promote the interests of young people in the sector.

“Attending in June both Fairs is a must for everyone in the textile and clothing sector who wants to be fully equipped to meet the challenges of the future.”

EURATEX is one of the main supporters of the Texprocess fair –  the Leading International Fair for Processing Textile and Flexible Materials which is being organised by Messe Frankfurt between the 10 - 13 June 2013 at the same time as Techtextil, the International Trade Fair for Technical Textiles and Nonwovens.

The European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX) is the political voice of the Textile and Clothing (T&C) industry in Europe. The mission of EURATEX is to promote the competitiveness and the sustainable growth of the industrial T&C pipelines in Europe by promoting the interests of T&C industry towards European and international institutions. It coordinates the strategies to support the industry's performance with the view of strengthening the international competitiveness of the industry.

EURATEX was established in 1996 and currently its members’ covers the EU-27 and the Euromed area. As spokesman for all its member organizations’ on matters of common interest (innovation, R&D, trade, environment, education, skills, social, sustainability, etc.), EURATEX aims to foster alliances with related sectors (e.g. machinery manufacturers, chemical industry, distribution, etc.) in order to maximize synergies with them in promoting the image of a dynamic and forward-looking industry.