World Textile Information Network (WTiN), a global textile news and information provider for the sector, together with Messe Frankfurt are organising the first ‘European Digital Textile Conference: Digital printing for homes and interiors’.

The conference will take place on the second and third days of the Heimtextil trade fair, that will be held from 8-11 January 2014 in Frankfurt. It will provide visitors with a topical overview of the latest technologies, market opportunities, areas of application for mass printing and sustainable production methods.

Focus on home textiles

The ‘Digital Textile Conference’ has been held in different states for many years, covering textile printing for the apparel sector. Areas of application in the field of home and household textiles, however, was never a focus of the event.

“We estimate the market for this branch of industry to have a volume of around 12 billion square metres a year. This represents a share of 40% of all printed textiles. Therefore, it is important to hold a conference focusing solely on this segment,” said John Scrimshaw, textile expert and Editor-in-Chief of ‘Digital Textile’ magazine and the Effects channel at WTiN. “And the best place to do so is at the leading trade fair for the sector.”

Three half-day sessions are aimed to provide a detailed insight into the growing segment. The topics will include ‘Commercial and creative opportunities’, ‘Digital fabric printing technology’ and ‘Carpets and pile fabrics’.

Market growth

Until only a few years ago, the market for digital printing in the field of home and household textiles consisted solely of small designer collections.

“The industry only discovered this growth market recently,” commented Scrimshaw. Several Heimtextil exhibitors, such as Athenea from Spain, Dicitex D’Decor from India and Menderes Tekstil from Turkey, are currently investing in new systems that can print over 100 square meters an hour.”

www.heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com