Texcare International, the international trade fair for textile care, celebrated its comeback after an eight-year gap due to the Covid-19 pandemic from November 6-9 at Messe Frankfurt in Germany.

A total of 305 participating  companies from 32 countries presented their innovations for laundries, dry cleaners and textile service companies with a particular focus on automation and energy efficiency, to approximately 15,500 visitors from 122 countries.

The industry is meeting the current challenges of labour shortages and rising energy prices in many countries with machines and technologies exploiting automation and robotics and companies are also working together to advance sustainable processes and practices.

“I was really thrilled to see so many new exhibitors and start-ups, as well as visitors from all over the world at Texcare,” said Messe Franfurt president and CEO Wolfgang Marzin. “Above all, it was great to see so many young professionals at the stands and in the aisles.”

“Expectations for Texcare International were very high after eight years without a trade fair, but these were even exceeded,” added Elgar Straub, CEO of the VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies. “After the long break, we are delighted with this successful comeback. As expected, the topics that are driving the industry were hygiene, automation, digitalisation, logistics and AI.”

“There was a sense of a fresh start after eight long years,” according to Andreas Schumacher, general manager of the German Textile Care Association. “In particular, the topics of automation and digital solutions, as well as robotics, were the subject of much discussion, as many companies are facing a shortage of skilled workers. After the pandemic and the energy crisis, the discussions were once again characterised by a willingness to invest and a sense of optimism. Energy costs and corresponding opportunities for saving energy and other resources were also key topics. Last but not least, companies in the industry are working to further improve their circular business models and to adapt to the upcoming regulations for the recycling of textiles.”

The supporting programme at Texcare addressed key topics at the Texcare Forum and through guided tours. Experts from the USA, Scandinavia, France and China provided insights into the textile care markets in their respective countries.

Exhibiting companies at Texcare 2024 and their products can be viewed 365 days a year in the Texcare Contactor: www.texcare.com/contactor

In addition to Texcare International, Messe Frankfurt organises trade fairs and conferences for the textile care industry in all major economic regions of the world, including Texcare France in Paris, The Clean Show in Orlando, Texcare Asia and China Laundry Expo in Shanghai, Clean India Show in Mumbai and a series of Texcare forums around the world.

The next Texcare International in Frankfurt will take place in 2028.

www.texcare.com