#Techtextil 2026

2026-02-23

Over 1,500 exhibitors: Techtextil 2026 grows in key future sectors

Techtextil 2026 continues to grow: more than 1,500 exhibitors from 49 countries present their products and innovations in Frankfurt am Main from 21 to 24 April 2026. Over 120 of them are first-time exhibitors. Texprocess is taking place at the same time, remaining stable with around 200 exhibitors despite challenging market conditions. Together, the two events bring more than 1,700 exhibitors to the Frankfurt exhibition grounds.

With over 1,500 exhibitors from 49 countries, more than 120 first-time exhibitors and 16 strong country pavilions, including those from France, Korea and Switzerland, Techtextil in Frankfurt is once again the central meeting place for technical textiles and nonwovens. The Netherlands and Tunisia are also presenting themselves with their own country pavilions for the first time. The leading trade fair is also recording growth from European and intercontinental markets such as India, the Netherlands and Portugal. In addition, there are new exhibitors from Australia, Colombia, Nigeria, Hungary and Uruguay. At a time of recession, tariff pressures and geopolitical tensions, Techtextil brings together decision-makers from a wide range of industries to open up new markets, forge partnerships and accelerate the transfer of applications into practice.

Performance Apparel Textiles: Doubled exhibition space in Hall 9.0

Whether for protection, thermoregulation, insulation or cooling, performance materials must deliver at the highest level in extreme conditions – in workwear, protective and military clothing as well as outdoor and sports apparel. The Performance Apparel Textiles area (Hall 9.0) doubles in size in 2026, bringing together around 130 exhibitors from 13 countries, including approximately 30 first-time exhibitors. A special highlight is the live presentation “Performance Apparels on Stage” (also in Hall 9.0). This dedicated area showcases functional end products and wearables in action – based on materials supplied by exhibiting companies.

Top exhibitors: Concordia Textiles (Belgium), Getzner Textil (Austria), Kermel (France), Klopman International (Italy), Lenard (Spain), Noble Biomaterials (USA), Outlast and Prym Fashion (Germany), Textil Santanderina (Spain), and YKK Europe Limited Germany Branch (United Kingdom).

First-time exhibitors: DuPont de Nemours International Sàrl (Switzerland), Francis Dinsmore (United Kingdom), Heliotextil (Portugal), Khosla High Performance Textile (India), Osmar Buckle (Taiwan), Paskal Zipper and Fasteners (Israel), PPH Polexim (Poland), RTS Textiles and Stretchline (United Kingdom), Technitiger (Spain), and Xinke Protective (Netherlands).

Nature Performance: Sustainable material solutions

Customer requirements and regulatory frameworks are increasingly influencing material selection. At the same time, functionality, quality and performance must remain uncompromised. Under the Special Interest Nature Performance, Techtextil highlights exhibitors offering corresponding materials and solutions. The Nature Performance label is displayed directly at the exhibitors’ stands. In addition, visitors can use the online exhibitor search to filter specifically for this feature and identify relevant suppliers.

In Hall 9.1, Barnet Europe as well as CORDENKA (Germany), Kanpur Plastikpack (India) and Longcell Europe (Germany) showcase fibres made from natural polymers and other bio-based fibres. Corresponding fibres are presented by Calloni (Italy) and Senbis Polymer Innovations (Netherlands) in Hall 9.0.

Also in Hall 9.1, Fiacao da Graca (Portugal) exhibits yarns made from organic natural fibres, while Gülipek Kumas (Turkey), Inovafil Fiacao (Portugal) and Karafiber (Turkey) present yarns based on natural fibres. Belchem (Germany) complements the offering with inorganic natural fibres.

Textile Chemicals & Dyes debuts as a dedicated product segment

Techtextil, for the first time in 2026, brings together Textile Chemicals & Dyes within a dedicated product segment – responding to growing demand from users and the desire among suppliers for a clearly structured, centralised platform. More than 30 exhibitors from eleven countries present their products in Hall 9.0.

The consolidation creates shorter distances: Textile Chemicals & Dyes are located in direct proximity to Fibres, Yarns and Performance Apparel Textiles. This makes it easier for suppliers, manufacturers and users to connect, align requirements more efficiently and develop solutions together. The segment is relevant for applications ranging from outdoor and protective clothing to industrial and automotive uses, as well as aerospace, medical technology, filtration and construction.

Exhibitors include Archroma (Switzerland), CHT (Germany), CTF2000 (Belgium), EMS-Chemie (Switzerland), Icap - Sira Chemicals and Polymers and IMA (Italy), Interplast Kimya Sanayi Ve Ticaret (Turkey), Livinguard (Switzerland), Novotex (Italy), Rudolf and Schill+Seilacher (Germany), Sarex Chemicals (India), Schmits Chemical and Tanatex Chemicals (Netherlands).

Messe Frankfurt commits further to East Africa: three textiles trade fairs during Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week from 2027

Messe Frankfurt and its Texpertise Network continue their steady, successful trajectory in the region. As Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) opened today, Member of the Executive Board Detlef Braun announced that Messe Frankfurt is licencing its three leading international trade fair brands Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess to Nairobi, Kenya for the first time in 2027. From now on, they will take place annually as part of the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) Nairobi.

Speed and connectivity: Techtextil and Texprocess provided market-ready solutions for industries under pressure

With more than 36,000 visitors and 1,700 exhibitors from a total of 112 countries, Techtextil and Texprocess 2026 demonstrated how innovation comes into industrial use. The convergence of research, industry and application proved to be a breeding ground for new material solutions, manufacturing and processing technologies. Natural fibres, performance apparel, connected systems and AI-driven processing technologies emerged as key growth and future markets.

FET’s revolutionary gel spinning system wins Techtextil Innovation Award

FET has received the prestigious Techtextil Innovation Award 2026 in the New Production Technology category. The Techtextil Innovation Award honours outstanding ideas in textile technology, sustainability, AI and the creation of technical textiles, selected by an international jury of experts. Ranging from new materials to new production technologies, this award recognises progressive ideas that are driving forces for numerous industries, such as automotive, medical and construction.

Young talents honoured – 60 years Walter Reiners Foundation

At the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of April, Peter D. Dornier, chairman of the VDMA’s Walter Reiners Foundation, presented awards to five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability awards were presented in the categories of bachelor’s/project theses and diploma/master’s theses. Academic theses are eligible for the sustainability awards if, for example, they develop solutions for resource-efficient products and technologies.

Techtextil 2026: KARL MAYER impresses as an innovative sector partner

KARL MAYER looks back with satisfaction on its participation in Techtextil 2026. From April 21 to 24, the international industry leader used the trade show in Frankfurt to meet with numerous key customers at its booth and, at the same time, establish many new contacts. Most visitors came from Germany, followed by major markets such as Poland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, France, and Portugal.

“We clearly see that reliability, flexibility, service and total cost of ownership are becoming increasingly important again.”

The nonwovens industry continues to face a challenging market environment. Nevertheless, AUTEFA Solutions reports successful projects, new line sales and growing demand for energy-efficient and flexible solutions. In this interview, André Imhof of AUTEFA Solutions talks about competitiveness against Chinese suppliers, new service and recycling concepts, the growing importance of application development and the opportunities created by countercyclical investments.

“Needle punching technology is more universal and sustainable than ever!”

Needle punching technology was long regarded as a rather traditional and comparatively slow technology within the nonwovens industry. In this interview, Johann Philipp Dilo explains why needle punching is more relevant than ever today – ranging from energy efficiency and resource conservation to hygiene applications, new machine concepts and design-oriented nonwoven solutions.

Textile climate control system in workwear – exhibition at the 2026 SME Innovation Day!

Conventional protective workwear often reaches its limits during strenuous physical activity. In particular, the transport of sweat and excess body heat poses a problem. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) conducted research on flow-optimized, air-conducting textile structures that enable targeted climate control directly on the body. These structures can be integrated straight into protective work garments. The textile climate control system supports the body’s natural thermoregulation. This contributes to improved workplace safety and comfort.

PET spunbond from China – EDANA welcomes imposition of provisional anti-dumping measures

On 13 May 2026, after eight months of investigation, the European Commission imposed provisional anti-dumping duties of 45.6-50.0% on imports of PET spunbond from China. EDANA welcomes this expression of the Commission’s clear determination to protect EU industries from the unfair trade practices of Chinese producers.