From the Sector

At this year's Techtextil in Frankfurt (April 21–24), Barmag will be presenting comprehensive solutions for the production of industrial filament yarns at the VDMA joint stand. The focus will be on applications that ensure greater safety, durability, and efficiency in automotive engineering.

High-performance filament yarns for maximum vehicle safety
Today's modern vehicles contain an average of 30 to 35 kilograms of industrial yarns – most of which are used for safety-related components such as airbags and seat belts. Polyamide and, increasingly, polyester filament yarns are predominantly used for airbag applications. Barmag offers particularly energy-efficient and productive technologies for this purpose, enabling stable processes and consistently high yarn quality. “Our solutions meet all the demanding standards for airbag yarns worldwide – throughout the entire service life of a vehicle, regardless of climate or operating conditions,” emphasizes Dr. Jen Supra, Technology Manager for Industrial Yarns at Barmag.

Seat belts: Precision in the high-tenacity yarn process
Seat belts also rely on the performance of industrial filament yarns. A single belt consists of around 300 HT filament yarns, whose high-strength individual filaments can absorb enormous tensile forces of over 3 tons – and at the same time must stretch in a controlled manner in an emergency. Barmag's patented Single Filament Layer technology enables a gentle, high-precision process for the production of hightenacity (HT) yarns for maximum safety.

Industrial yarns for stable roads – geotextiles in the substructure
Industrial yarns also prove their performance outside the vehicle, for example in road construction. Geotextiles – such as geogrids under asphalt – require yarns with extremely high titers of up to 24,000 denier. Barmag systems efficiently produce three filament yarns with 6,000 denier each, which can be combined cost-effectively to achieve a higher titer.
Complementing this, the Barmag product brand Neumag supplies spunbond technologies for geotextiles made of polyester or polypropylene, which impress with their high production capacities and low energy consumption.

Neumag's PP inline technology exceeds the market standard for geotextile applications
In staple fiber production, Barmag is setting new standards for geotextile applications with the Neumag PP inline concept. The improved technology is suitable for strengths higher than 6 cN/dtex with high residual elongation. The fibers thus significantly exceed the parameters previously established in this area of application. The first production plant equipped with the new spinning concept recently went into operation at a well-known staple fiber producer in Asia.

Part of the concept is the EvoDuct air ducting system introduced last year, which ensures more efficient air flow distribution, reduces energy consumption, and improves fiber homogeneity. The optimized EvE-2 monomer and hot air suction system, another Neumag development, minimizes turbulence while
increasing spinning performance.

HIGHTEX 2026 International Technical Textiles and Nonwoven Exhibition is preparing to open its doors at Tüyap Fair and Congress Center between 9–13 June 2026. Bringing together leading manufacturers and technology providers in the field of technical textiles and nonwoven technologies in Istanbul, the exhibition will assume the character of an international hub where the strategic future of the industry is discussed.

While topics such as sustainable production models, digitalization, high-performance materials and smart manufacturing systems will form the main agenda of HIGHTEX 2026, a strong showcase will be presented for companies aiming to make a difference in the global competitive environment.

Organized in cooperation with Teknik Fuarcılık and Tüyap, and held concurrently with the ITM International Textile Machinery Exhibition, HIGHTEX holds the distinction of being Türkiye’s and the region’s first and only specialized exhibition in the field of technical textiles and nonwovens. Organized since 2005, the event has, over more than 20 years, personally witnessed the technological evolution experienced by the industry and has become one of the most important platforms where innovative solutions are introduced to the global market. Thanks to being held simultaneously with ITM, textile machinery, production technologies and the technical textiles ecosystem will come together under the same roof, offering visitors an integrated exhibition experience.

The Indispensable Element of Strategic Industries: Technical Textiles
Today, technical textiles have a wide range of applications extending from automotive to defense industry, from medical applications to infrastructure projects, and from agriculture to the energy sector. Distinguished from conventional textile products thanks to their superior properties such as high strength, lightness, durability, heat and chemical resistance, these materials directly affect the performance criteria of strategic industries. The solutions to be exhibited at HIGHTEX 2026 will reveal not only product-based innovations but also the transformation in production processes. A broad exhibitor profile, ranging from raw material producers to machinery manufacturers, from software developers to end-product manufacturers, will represent the entire value chain of the sector.

This comprehensive structure transforms the exhibition into not only a display area but also a strategic platform in terms of information sharing, business development and investment planning. While professional visitors will have the opportunity to examine new technologies on-site and establish direct contact with manufacturers, participating companies will gain the opportunity to enter new markets and strengthen their brand positioning.

A New Era in Nonwoven Technologies
Nonwoven production technologies have achieved a significant leap in recent years in terms of both capacity and quality. Based on the principle of bonding fibers through mechanical, thermal or chemical methods without weaving or knitting, this production model is rapidly expanding on a global scale due to the flexibility, speed and cost advantage it offers. Nonwoven solutions have become indispensable especially in hygiene products, medical consumables, filtration systems and automotive interior trim applications.

The next-generation nonwoven lines to be exhibited at HIGHTEX 2026 will contribute to sustainability targets with criteria such as lower energy consumption, optimized raw material usage and high production speed. Solutions for recyclable and biodegradable raw materials will also be among the prominent topics of the exhibition. These developments demonstrate that the nonwoven sector simultaneously carries growth potential along with environmental responsibility.

Artificial Intelligence and Industry 4.0 Integration Comes to the Fore
Digital transformation has become one of the fundamental elements of competitive advantage in technical textile and nonwoven production. The Industry 4.0 integrated systems to be exhibited at HIGHTEX 2026 will enable real-time monitoring of production processes, performance optimization through data analytics, and the minimization of error rates. Thanks to artificial intelligence-supported quality control systems, defects that may occur on production lines will be detected instantly, thereby reducing cost losses.

Automation solutions will increase production speed and standardization while minimizing human error; at the same time, smart infrastructures that provide savings in energy and resource usage will strengthen the understanding of sustainable production. These technologies will offer companies not only operational efficiency but also the opportunity for strong positioning in the global market.

Fabrics of the Future: Smart Textiles
Smart textiles developed at the intersection of textiles and advanced technology stand out as one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing fields of the sector. Nanotechnology applications, conductive fibers, sensor-integrated fabric structures and materials capable of responding to environmental conditions offer a wide range of applications from health monitoring to defense uses, from sports technologies to industrial safety. These innovations transform textiles from being a passive material into a structure capable of generating data and interacting. At HIGHTEX 2026, geotextiles, medical and hygienic textiles, high-performance composite structures for aviation and automotive, and technical solutions specific to the agriculture and food sectors will also be exhibited together. Thus, the exhibition will present a holistic panorama of innovative materials responding to the needs of different industries.

New Collaborations and Global Trade Opportunities
HIGHTEX 2026 will not only provide participating companies with the opportunity to exhibit their products but will also create a strong business development platform that will expand international trade networks. Bilateral business meetings and sectoral contacts to be held throughout the exhibition will prepare the ground for generating concrete commercial outcomes ranging from machinery sales to technology transfers, from joint production agreements to new investment decisions. For sector representatives coming from a wide geography extending from America to Asia, from Europe to Africa, Istanbul will become a global meeting point in the field of technical textiles and nonwovens. HIGHTEX 2026 will continue to position itself at the center of information sharing, strategic vision and technological transformation, maintaining its role as an international reference platform guiding the sector.

IFCO – Istanbul Fashion Connection, convened the global fashion industry in Istanbul again at its ninth edition.

Bringing Türkiye’s design vision together with its strong manufacturing power onto the global fashion stage, IFCO hosted over 450 exhibitors across 6 halls and welcomed 29,746 professional visitors from 134 countries in Istanbul.

With international buying delegations, strong brand participation, and a highly qualified visitor profile, IFCO once again proved its position as one of the most strategic B2B meeting points in the global fashion calendar.

From womenswear, menswear and kidswear to eveningwear and designer collections extending across denim, activewear, lingerie, hosiery, leather, footwear and accessories  IFCO presented a fully integrated and business-focused sourcing platform for global buyers

Enhanced by fashion shows, curated trend areas, seminars and expert talks, the exhibition delivered forward-looking insights on trend forecasting, digital transformation, sustainability and emerging market opportunities, creating a dynamic content experience alongside strong commercial engagement.

Since 2015, Jeanologia has set the standard with laser, Light Bright and G2 Ozone technologies, achieving authentic vintage effects in denim without chemical spraying.

Potassium permanganate has officially entered the Chemical Watchlist of the ZDHC Foundation, signaling increased scrutiny and potential phase-out of one of the most hazardous chemicals still used in denim finishing. The inclusion confirms an industry shift that Jeanologia anticipated more than a decade ago.

For years, Jeanologia has called for the elimination of PP spray, warning about its impact on worker health, operational safety and the environment. Now, the industry is formally acknowledging what has been evident on factory floors worldwide.

PP spray is commonly used to create localized vintage effects in denim, but it exposes operators to chemical micro-particles and presents serious occupational risks. Despite growing awareness and available alternatives, this practice continues to be used in parts of the industry. According to Jeanologia, millions of workers globally are still affected by this process.

Jeanologia eliminated the need for PP spray in 2015, becoming the first technology provider to offer a scalable industrial alternative through laser-based finishing. Today, the company replaces PP spray through its laser technology with Light Bright tool and combined with G2 Ozone technology, delivering authentic vintage effects without chemical spraying. The solution offers full digital control, safer working conditions and reliable industrial performance.

This approach is reinforced by Jeanologia’s Environmental Impact Measuring (EIM) platform. In its Innovations and Challenges in Denim Finishing 2024 Report, EIM identifies potassium permanganate as one of the remaining high-risk processes in garment finishing and highlights the urgent need for safer technologies, reinforcing laser-based solutions as a low-impact alternative.

Over the past decade, Jeanologia has progressively replaced the most hazardous denim finishing processes with eco-efficient technologies, becoming the first company to eliminate sandblasting and to advance alternatives to stone washing, manual scraping and PP spray. Today, its laser and G2 Ozone technologies are implemented worldwide, enabling denim brands to achieve the same aesthetic results while improving worker safety, reducing chemical use and lowering water consumption, with measurable impact across global production.

As transparency requirements, ESG reporting frameworks and chemical management standards continue to evolve, early adoption of safer technologies is increasingly becoming a competitive advantage. Jeanologia calls on brands, laundries and manufacturers to accelerate the transition toward chemical-free finishing. The technology exists.