From the Sector

Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) has been supporting companies in developing marketable innovations for over 30 years. With a clear focus on sustainability, the environment, health and protection, the STFI offers future-oriented research, textile testing for tailor-made solutions and certification of personal protective equipment. At Techtextil 2026, the institute will present ideas for the textile circular economy and showcase solutions for healthy and safe living.  

Highlights at Techtextil 2026: 
Sound booth – an oasis of calm amid the hustle and bustle of the trade fair 
Chemical recycling of mixed textile fractions produces textile residues that are currently not used as raw materials but are thermally recycled or disposed of. To enable further recycling, STFI is working with Refresh Global to investigate efficient treatment and processing methods for reusing these textile residues. These can be used in sound-absorbing design products, such as acoustic walls or furniture. Nonwoven forming processes are particularly suitable for processing these textile residues. At STFI, the recyclates are mechanically processed on pilot plants on a laboratory or semi-industrial scale before being laid into a non-woven fabric and consolidated. Through appropriate finishing, a visually matching top layer can also be integrated directly onto the nonwoven fabric. The finished nonwoven fabrics are processed into sound-absorbing design products by the project's industrial partner. 
 
Sports belt based on modulated medium frequencies for mobile applications for postnatal muscle building of the deep abdominal and pelvic floor muscles 
A team of companies and research institutions has developed a novel smart textile for stimulating and strengthening the deep abdominal and pelvic floor muscles using modulated medium frequencies (EMA), specifically for mobile use during and after childbirth. To this end, a textile belt was designed using knitting technology that covers the abdomen, thighs and buttocks and integrates electrodes at the relevant muscle zones. The electrodes are washable and fixed in the belt system, and the belt adapts to the user's decreasing body circumference thanks to its textile construction. The miniaturised, battery-powered control unit is attached to the belt and can be operated via a removable remote control. The system is easy to put on, comfortable, intuitive to use and does not restrict freedom of movement. This makes it particularly suitable for home use and everyday postnatal recovery.  
 
Protective trousers protect against stab and cut injuries and attacks by wild boar. 
In forestry and hunting in particular, workers are exposed to high risks of impact injuries resulting from attacks by wild boar. Conventional protective clothing often only offers protection against stab or cut injuries. The STFI has therefore developed a textile concept that adds impact protection to the existing level of protection, thus increasing the overall protection of users in practical working environments. In  tests, the impact of a blow was reduced by up to 20 per cent. We present an example of trousers in which the special impact protection fabric has been incorporated. Depending on requirements, the impact protection elements can also be designed to be recyclable. Specially woven hinges also increase the comfort of the work trousers.  

MC4 – Optimising recycling cycles for carbon and glass fibre composites 
High-performance fibre materials made of carbon and glass have a significant ecological footprint, and not just because of their energy-intensive production. High waste volumes in the manufacturing process and the reuse of raw materials at the end of the product life cycle offer enormous recycling potential for the future. MC4 (Multi-level Circular Process Chain for Carbon and Glass Fibre Composites) is a European project to promote circular approaches for carbon and glass fibre composites. These materials are indispensable in many technical applications due to their light weight and high mechanical properties. The project consortium is working until March 2025 to make the European value chains for carbon and glass fibres more ecologically and economically efficient and will present the development work carried out at the STFI stand as well as at its own stand and show what is technically feasible using selected demonstrators. 

Process control, intelligent automation and long-term industrial reliability remain the shared priorities that continue to define members of TMAS, the Swedish textile machinery association.

“Across different stages of textile and material production, TMAS members are united by a common belief that productivity begins with stability,” says TMAS General Secretary Therese Premler-Andersson. “Rather than focusing on isolated machine functions, the emphasis is on controlling the critical variables that directly influence quality, efficiency and uptime.”

Examples of this approach will be demonstrated at Messe Frankfurt’s forthcoming Techtextil and Texprocess exhibitions taking place concurrently in Frankfurt from April 21-24.

Operational value
In weaving and related processes for example, Vandewiele Sweden AB has long-standing expertise in weft feeding and tension control. At Techtextil 2026 in Hall 12 stand C21, company experts will be on hand to explain how, through ensuring repeatable, predictable yarn delivery at ever higher loom speeds, it is enabling weaving mills to operate closer to their technical limits while maintaining fabric quality. 

The company’s continued development of data-ready weft feeders reflects a broader approach to digitalisation, embedding intelligence where it delivers clear operational value rather than adding complexity to already demanding production environments.

Quality assurance
Eltex of Sweden addresses the same challenge from a complementary angle. Its electronic yarn sensors and tension monitoring systems focus on early detection, identifying yarn breaks, end-outs or abnormal tension before they lead to waste, downtime or quality claims. From weaving and warping through to tufting, braiding, quilting and sewing, Eltex technology provides the assurance that modern automated processes depend on. As production speeds increase and manual supervision is reduced, the ability to monitor yarn behaviour in real time becomes a key enabler of stable, high-quality output.

At Techtextil 2026, Eltex will highlight its latest EyETM Multiact system for heat setting machines, guaranteeing yarn consistency throughout the entire process via individual yarn tension monitoring and control according to a predefined reference tension. 

Each channel operates independently and the system also includes a machine stop function in the event of yarn breakage or if yarn tension operates outside preset limits.

Also showcased, will be the ACT-R system for rapier weaving machines which is highly effective in achieving constant weft yarn tension for yarns based on recycled fibres at one end of the scale, and for expensive technical yarns such as Kevlar at the other.

Consistency
Further downstream, BW Converting, extends this focus on control and assurance into dyeing and finishing. 

Following the runaway success of the company’s Baldwin TexCoat G4 finishing system in the past few years, the Baldwin TexChroma digital spray dyeing system is currently being launched.

“Since its introduction, global textile finishers have embraced TexCoat and are now reaping the benefits,” says vice-president of global business development Rick Stanford. “They have been able to increase profitability, cut energy use and reduce their carbon footprint, in addition to exercising precision control with our patented precision spray technology. In the past two years we have been very active in Asia, and many of these customers have been asking for a similar technology for the dyeing process.” 

From production data to date, TexChroma can achieve savings in energy, dyes and chemicals of more than 30% compared to conventional continuous pad batch dyeing using steam, and up to 50% compared to exhaust reactive dyeing. 

It also benefits from an advanced technology enabling reactive dyestuffs and alkali fixation chemicals to be mixed just seconds before spray application, in order to completely eliminate any ‘tailing and listing’– uneven dye application or colour variations.

Eton aUPS
Meanwhile, at Texprocess, Eton Systems will outline how Industry 4.0 and AI are further boosting the capabilities of its aUPS (AI powered unit production system) technologies.

Eton Systems productivity and management system have a positive impact on the productivity of thousands of production lines for a range of industries. Designed to increase value-added time in production by eliminating manual transportation and minimising handling, the individually addressable product carriers are now fully managed and controlled by the company’s advanced software.

The UPS works perfectly for mass production but provides companies with an extra competitive edge through its ability to quickly respond to special custom- made orders - even without disrupting an ongoing larger production batch. The aUPS is developed for circular garment identification, but the ambition is also to cover quality control in future linear production.

The individually addressable product carriers of these fully automated and digitised handling solutions for finished garments, home textiles and furniture are fully managed and controlled by the latest ETONingenious™ software.

This web based real-time data collection and information system continuously accumulates, processes, and makes all production information instantly available to supervisors, quality control personnel, and management.

Precision slitting
Also at Texprocess Svegea will demonstrate its EC 200-C colarette cutter as well as an FA 350 fully automatic roll slitting machine.
 
Svegea’s colarette technology is used by knit garment manufacturers around the world for the production of tubular components such as cuff and neck tapes and other seam reinforcements.  

“In Europe, while the garment manufacturing sector is relatively limited in size, interest in these machines has increased in recent years, mainly driven by logistics, cost and lead-time considerations as production moves closer to the market,” says Svegea Managing Director Håkan Steene. “The ongoing shortage of skilled operators has also increased the demand for such automated solutions.”
 
Svegea’s fully automatic FA 350 roll slitting machine meanwhile addresses a wider range of needs for roll conversion within the technical textiles sector, combining high capacity with very low power consumption and providing extremely accurate cutting precision. Capable of cutting both knitted and woven fabrics – including those produced from a wide range of technical fibres – it can accommodate different shaft sizes and is fully electronically controlled with servo motors. The touchscreen interface has recently been redesigned and expanded with new functions, including automatic control of the knife surface speed during the cutting cycle, maintaining consistent cutting conditions as the roll diameter decreases for improved cutting quality and material handling.
 
Bespoke bias cutting systems are another speciality of the company, for specifically contoured technical textile-based components.

Essential foundation
A second theme linking all TMAS members in Frankfurt is a shared response to the economic realities facing textile manufacturers worldwide. 

“Rather than promoting automation as an abstract objective, Swedish machinery suppliers focus on tangible productivity gains that help manufacturers in high-cost regions remain competitive,” says Premler-Andersson. “Reduced waste, higher uptime and repeatable quality are the essential foundations for sustainable manufacturing. 

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.

Freudenberg Performance Materials (Freudenberg) is returning to the Wire trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, after a gap of several years. The experts from one of the world's leading suppliers of technical textiles are looking forward to presenting their comprehensive range of high-performance tapes for power, data, and specialty cables to visitors at the trade fair and discussing solutions from April 13-17.

Freudenberg will showcase its high-performance cable tapes for all kinds of applications, including power, data, fiber optic, telecom, and special cables. Its cable tape product range for medium (MV) and high (HVDC and HVAC) voltage cables includes semi-conductive and non-conductive water-blocking tapes, binding tapes, bedding tapes, separation tapes, and special developments. These tapes are critical for protecting and maintaining the structural integrity of cables, in particular thanks to their outstanding swelling performance and conductivity. For submarine cables, Freudenberg offers tapes with exceptional water-blocking capabilities that are specifically designed to react instantly upon contact with water, swell into the fine spaces inside the submarine cable, and seal against moisture.

“Freudenberg is a globally preferred partner of cable manufacturers as regards the development, manufacture and supply of high-performance tapes for the most demanding power and data transmission applications. By returning to Wire in Düsseldorf, we are strengthening our ties within the industry and demonstrating our commitment to supporting cable manufacturers in meeting today's and tomorrow's energy and digital challenges” says Jochen Bialek, Head of Global Sales Cable & Electro.

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year. 

The global market for BEVs is growing dynamically. With rising demand, the technical development of BEVs is also advancing rapidly. In the front of a BEV, for example, the absence of a combustion engine creates additional storage space under the hood. For this front trunk space, also known as the frunk, Autoneum has developed a fiber-based 100 percent polyester product. This component is designed for high sustainability and combines lightweight, high mechanical robustness, and ex-cellent acoustic and thermal properties in a functionally integrated design. 

Strong Customer Interest and Successful Series Production Underway 
"With the innovative frunk made from our environmentally friendly Ultra-Silent polyester textile tech-nology, we are supporting automotive manufacturers in their goal of minimizing the CO₂ footprint of their products by integrating sustainable and lightweight components," explains Cyro Rovath, Global Product Manager Exterior at Autoneum. „To date, we have already received four awards for our Ultra-Silent Frunk from three major OEMs in Europe and Asia to be built in three BEV models. Successful series production for two BEV models in China and Germany has been underway since 2025, and production for two other vehicles built in China will start within the next few months." 

In comparison to conventional frunk systems made of multiple solid plastic parts requiring complex assembly, Autoneum's Ultra-Silent Frunk is engineered as a single, lightweight, monomaterial com-ponent that can be adapted to the technical and aesthetic requirements of automotive manufactur-ers. The elimination of individual components streamlines both manufacturing and assembly pro-cesses while delivering weight reductions exceeding 50 percent relative to conventional solutions – translating to savings of up to 5 kilograms depending on geometry, number of components and part size. 

Waste-Free Production and Full Recyclability 
Moreover, the Ultra-Silent Frunk uses up to 70 percent recycled material, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 50 percent compared to injection molded frunks. Its waste-free produc-tion and full recyclability at the end-of-life support the industry’s shift toward a circular economy. The textile frunk also significantly enhances both acoustic and thermal performance. Its highly sound-absorbing Ultra-Silent material helps reduce noise both inside and outside the vehicle. Addi-tionally, outstanding thermal insulation protects temperature-sensitive items stored in the frunk. Tests conducted under controlled conditions show that ice placed in the Ultra-Silent Frunk stayed frozen for up to 28 hours at an ambient temperature of 30°C, significantly outperforming conven-tional plastic alternatives. Based on simulations, the Ultra-Silent Frunk offers the potential to im-prove pedestrian protection and passive safety compared to injection molded plastic solutions due to its higher plasticity. 

Autoneum’s innovative frunk design combines functional, lightweight construction with acoustic and thermal efficiency while also using sustainable materials. Through these efforts, Autoneum is help-ing create environmentally friendly, future-oriented solutions for the automotive industry. 

Avery Dennison, a global leader in materials science and digital identification solutions, announced its exclusive partnership with 1. FSV Mainz 05 (also known as Mainz 05) to enhance fan engagement through heat transfer embellishments, creating customizable and personalized team jerseys.

The partnership marks Avery Dennison’s expansion into German soccer, providing fans the unique opportunity to showcase their creativity and support through bespoke embellished merchandise.

Avery Dennison’s Embelex™ solution portfolio, renowned for its innovative options for personalization in the global sports apparel market, will play a pivotal role in the partnership. Two interactive fanzone touchscreens featuring bonders equipped with an Accurate Alignment Projector System (AAPS) have been installed at the MEWA Arena, home of Mainz 05. Fans can personalize their jerseys in minutes with the name, number or customized message of their choosing, turning matchday shopping into an event as memorable as the game itself.

Sergio Shmilovitch, VP/GM Embelex, Avery Dennison, says: “Fans are demanding more creative and expressive ways to show their loyalty, elevating customization to the top of the league. This partnership is exciting on a number of fronts. By harnessing our global expertise in delivering high-quality branding and customization solutions, Mainz 05 is able to pursue new revenue opportunities while enabling fans to express their dedication and passion in their own unique way.”

Thomas Bohner, head of merchandise, 1. FSV Mainz 05, adds: “Partnering with Avery Dennison as our official name and number partner represents a significant step forward for Mainz 05. We're bringing the same world-class quality used by elite sports organizations globally to our supporters, while pioneering in-venue customization technology in German soccer. This is about giving our fans what they’ve been asking for: instant, professional-quality customization that turns every jersey into something truly their own. It's innovation that strengthens supporter loyalty while creating new opportunities for the club.”

In addition to its work with Mainz 05, Avery Dennison has established an impressive portfolio collaborating with leading soccer leagues across the globe, such as the English Premier League, LALIGA, Liga Portugal and MLS, as well as Spanish and European powerhouse Real Madrid. Partnerships include US sports teams, such as the NFL 2025 championship-winning Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. Collaborations also extend to the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, as well the NHL and MLB.