Techtextil, will bring together more exhibitors from even more countries than before from May 14 to 17, 2019 in Frankfurt, Germany, presenting a complete spectrum of technical textiles and nonwovens. There will also be a significant increase in the number of suppliers in the fields of technology, as well as fibres and yarns.

With its trend theme, 'Urban Living – City of the Future', the leading international trade fair takes a look ahead to see how technical textiles will shape urban life in the future.

According to the United Nations, nearly 70% of all people are expected to be living in metropolises and megacities by 2050. This poses new challenges for living and mobility concepts, as well as food supplies and health services provision.

Functional apparel, with smart functions for example, could also play an even more important role in people’s everyday lives in the future. The fair will be presenting examples for all areas of applications, in particular, an expanded range for the industry, for architecture and civil engineering, apparel, mobility, medicine, sport and hazard protection.

This year, there will be a significant increase in the number of suppliers in the fields of technology, as well as fibres and yarns. Suppliers of woven fabrics, coated textiles and functional apparel textiles are also strongly represented.

"Every two years, Techtextil mirrors the range of applications for textile materials. Leading international experts from the most diverse industries come together at Techtextil in search of lightweight, durable and sustainable materials", said Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles and Textile Technologies, Messe Frankfurt.

Techtextil and Texprocess sharing an exhibition hall for the first time

In parallel with Techtextil, Texprocess, the leading trade fair for the processing of technical textiles and nonwovens, will provide insights into all the stages in textile processing, including textile finishing and digital printing. Texprocess is also recording an outstanding level of registrations, above those for the last event.

This year, Techtextil and the parallel Texprocess will be sharing an exhibition hall for the first time. Techtextil will be showcasing some of the suppliers of woven, laid web, braided and knitted fabrics, coated textiles, and nonwovens, as well as selected suppliers of textile machines.

Suppliers of functional apparel textiles and the 'Digital Textile Micro Factory' mark the transition to Texprocess, which will be showcasing different production lines for clothing, shoes, and the processing of technical textiles.

In addition to these, exhibitors for product preparation, finishing, textile logistics, internal material flow and textile refinement, as well as providers of sewing solutions, will be there. In the shared hall, visitors will get an insight into the entire production process, from raw material to finished product.

Focus on sustainability

Sustainability is one of the central themes of the upcoming Techtextil and Texprocess. For the first time, the two fairs will be showcasing their exhibitors’ efforts towards sustainability. The Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards give prizes for sustainable textile innovations and processing approaches.

In addition, the Texprocess Forum will offer a thematic block exclusively around the theme of sustainability in the textile and fashion industry, with an offshoot of Fashionsustain, Messe Frankfurt’s conference about sustainable textile innovations.

New Techtextil Forum provides an open platform for exchange

On all four days, the trade fair will offer a new format of lectures, discussions and interactive sessions with the Techtextil Forum. The forum will replace the Techtextil Symposium, and all Techtextil participants will be able to access it free of charge. Trade visitors can look forward to contributions in the following thematic areas: sustainability, digital transformation, smart textiles, urban textiles, composites, and technical textiles in medical technology.

In addition, both the Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress (GFC) and the textiles competence centre at the General Association of the German Textile and Fashion Industry (Gesamtverband der deutschen Textil- und Modeindustrie e. V.) are organising a thematic block.

Awards for innovative ideas

For the 15th time now, Techtextil will be giving the Techtextil Innovation Award for outstanding new and further developments in the field of technical textiles, nonwovens and functional apparel fabrics.

In addition, Techtextil will be giving awards to students and young professionals for their work, as part of the 'Textile Structures for New Building' competition. All the award-winning works and ideas will be presented in special shows.