Techtextil, the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens, which concluded in Frankfurt this month, has attracted 1,389 exhibitors from 52 countries and around 28,500 trade visitors from 102 nations, showing a 4.4% increase in exhibitors and a growth of 3.9% in visitors, compared to the previous edition.

“Techtextil shows the future of the textile industry. Once again, the numerous innovations presented by our exhibitors demonstrate what is possible with technical textiles and nonwovens today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow,” said Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt. “Techtextil confirmed its global character with an outstanding increase of 7% in the number of international trade visitors.”

Over 5,500 trade visitors to Techtextil came from the concurrent Texprocess. Together, the two fairs welcomed 1,662 exhibitors from 54 countries and almost 42,000 trade visitors from 116 nations. Techtextil was also extended by a day for the first time. Many exhibitors are in favour of a fourth day, according to organisers. Thus, Techtextil 2017 will also last four days.

Host of innovations

The focus of Techtextil 2015 was on new applications, technologies and materials. The exhibitors presented a broad spectrum of products including textile-integrated LEDs, electrodes and sensor systems, three- 1 FKM-certified dimensional interlaced structures and woven fabrics, as well as new coating systems for multi-functional finishes.

These technologies permit an ever-wider range of applications for textiles in a variety of sectors, including lightweight construction, roof building, automobile interiors and functional apparel and underwear.

Sustainability continues to be an important theme for the sector. Thus, biopolymer-based fibres, textiles for open sea biomass cultivation, durable and recyclable fibres were among the subjects covered by the well-attended lectures of the Techtextil Symposium. Numerous nonwoven innovations were also presented. The exhibitors showed, inter alia, glass-fibre, polyester spun-bonded and heating nonwovens, as well as water-jet bonding technologies.

International exhibitors and visitors

The countries represented by a joint stand or pavilion at Techtextil 2015 included Belgium, China, France, Great Britain, Italy, Canada, Portugal, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, the Czech Republic, Turkey and the USA. New were pavilions from Switzerland and Tunisia.

After Germany, the biggest visitor nations were Italy, France, Turkey, Great Britain, the Netherlands, USA, Spain, Poland, Switzerland and Belgium. Significantly more visitors came from the USA, Spain, East and North Europe and South Korea.

The increase in the number of international trade visitors was noticed by many exhibitors. “Our stand had many visitors. Our colleagues were constantly talking to people. The public here on the stand was very international, not just from Europe, but from Asia and other regions, too. For us Techtextil is a very important platform, to maintain contacts and to keep our ear close to the market”, explained Ulrike Schlenker, of Karl Mayer (Germany).

Addition of Hall 6.1

Over 140 exhibitors presented their innovations focusing on functional apparel textiles and smart textiles in Hall 6.1, which had been integrated into the fair for the first time this year. In addition to national pavilions from Portugal, South Korea and Tunisia, trade visitors could also see the Techtextil Innovation Award exhibition with eight award-winning developments.

Nike IHM Inc. (USA) was very pleased with its first presentation in Hall 6.1. “This was our first time at Techtextil. It was a very interesting show. The rate of visitors was very good. There was a good exchange of information, and we learned a great deal,” said Sales and Marketing Director Mike Barrett.

Also to be seen in Hall 6.1 were nine young and innovative German companies on a joint stand sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie – BMWi).

Comprehensive programme

Techtextil 2015 was supplemented by a comprehensive programme of events including the 18th Techtextil Symposium, the 13th Techtextil Innovation Award with eight award-winning products and the 13th Textile Structures for New Building competition for students, which also honoured eight projects by young talents.

Another novelty was the first Innovative Apparel Show, which attracted around 500 trade visitors per show to the catwalk on all four days of the fair. It is planned to hold the Innovative Apparel Show again in 2017.

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