From the Sector

Heimtextil kicks off the new trade fair year with over 3,000 exhibitors from 65 countries. At the opening, architect and designer Patricia Urquiola presented her installation ‘among-us’ at Heimtextil.

“The steady growth and the very high level of internationality confirm the strength of Heimtextil. As leading international trade fair for home and contract textiles and textile design, it is an indispensable partner for the global industry – this is more important today than ever before. Especially in challenging times, Heimtextil offers companies the opportunity to strengthen their market position: through international visibility, the identification and realisation of potential and the development of new global business partners”, says Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt.

Visitors to the leading trade fair for home and contract textiles find a globally unique range of products on 16 hall levels. This spans from wallpapers, upholstery fabrics, mattresses and sleep systems, towelling products, textile designs, fibres and yarns to carpets. The Carpets & Rugs area counts three times as many exhibitors in 2025 and is growing by several hall levels.  

The Heimtextil Trends 25/26, curated for the first time by the Milan-based design platform Alcova, offer inspiration and sustainable solutions. In the Trend Arena in Hall 3.0, they are spectacularly staged. They are looking at material qualities, colours and innovative production processes.

The content programme covers the most important industry topics. It addresses different visitor groups – from retailers, wholesalers, industry, designers, furniture and bedding shops, interior architects, interior designers, architects, contract furnishers and many other decision-makers. At the Retail Stage in Hall 12.1, topics ranging from sleep and sustainability to AI in retail and optimising the customer experience are being highlighted. The Texpertise Stage in Hall 4.0 focuses on materials for contract furnishings, trends in hotel design, carpets and the Heimtextil Trends 25/26.

Installation by Patricia Urquiola: design concepts for retail and hospitality
At the Heimtextil opening press conference, star designer and architect Patricia Urquiola presented her design installation ‘among-us’ in Hall 12.0. The area contains products made specially for Heimtextil. For example, a hanging carpet created by the traditional dhurrie technique. Patricia Urquiola developed the unique pieces together with partners such as Kettal, Moroso, cc-tapis, Aquafil and Cimento®. Embedded in the installation, they show retail and hospitality the possibilities opened up by the textile design of tomorrow. Patricia Urquiola emphasises holistically designed rooms and objects, living areas that merge seamlessly as well as materiality and versatility.

“‘among-us’ is a convivial and intuitive textile installation that shows the evolving possibilities of textiles, exploring their hybrid potentials across various scales – from product design to one/off pieces. The title, among-us, refers to the concept of being together and reflects the intent of the installation to celebrate hybrid new relations”, explains Patricia Urquiola.

In ‘among-us’, physical and virtual worlds merge through a grid on the floor inspired by drafting software. At the centre are textile elements in abstract and organic forms such as a sofa or an upholstered sculpture. They demonstrate the interplay of materials and technologies. Screens show their virtual counterparts and encourage interaction. At the same time, ‘among-us’ shows how textile innovations influence design processes. Textiles combine functionality, aesthetics and sustainability and create unique possibilities. The installation also shows how traditional craftsmanship can be integrated into the design of spaces and products.

The return of Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris to the Paris-Le-Bourget exhibition centre from 10 to 12 February will see a number of innovations both in terms of the products on offer and the visitor itineraries.

More than 1,200 weavers and garment makers are expected in Halls 2, 3 and 4 of the exhibition centre for this first edition in 2025. This return to a redesigned space marks a new chapter in the visitor experience. This session will also offer a true reflection of the diversity of global sourcing, with creative ranges at competitive prices for the fashion industries.

New sourcing destinations for Texworld
Alongside the Top 5 weaving nations loyal to Texworld - China, Türkiye with its 70 manufacturers grouped together under the pavilion of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, India, Korea and Taiwan - alternative sourcing zones such as Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, the Netherlands and Egypt are enriching the show's offering. Dutch exhibitors Quality Textile, Nooteboom and Verhees Textiles are also back in the cotton sector, with cutting-edge and particularly creative catalogues. In the knitwear sector, we can also note the participation of the Koreans O.N.K, specialists in circular knitting, W-Tex, whose polyester blends produce remarkable fancy fabrics, or specialists in silky aspects such as JK Tex or TL Corporation. The Denim sector is growing this year, with around thirty exhibitors, including some of the world's leading names such as Winwin Textile from China and Bangladeshi supplier NZ Denim.

Innovations, initiatives and sustainability
The new “Initiatives” zone at the entrance of Hall 4 will be showcasing inspiring and sustainable solutions, such as that of Vietnamese company Bao Lan Textile with its range of silk and fabrics made from pineapple leaf fibre. These products, developed with Ecofa Vietnam, have natural antibacterial properties and offer natural UV protection up to 50+ UPF. This area will also host the China Textile Information Centre's trends forum, as well as the Econogy Hub, which brings together Messe Frankfurt's expertise on sustainability-related initiatives in the textile sector. Also to be discovered in the activewear sector is the range from Japan's Toyoshima, known for its streetwear collections, its ‘non-denim’ fabrics that consume very little water, and its astonishing wagami fabrics, produced from blends of very fine yarns made to order from cotton, linen and wool.

Apparel Sourcing: focus on Africa and near sourcing
Apparel Sourcing also has a great session in store. With more than 500 exhibitors expected - up on February 2024 - the show's rich offering of finished products, clothing and fashion accessories will be on full display over the three days. Especially when it comes to local sourcing. Alongside the major manufacturing nations - led by China and India, and Pakistan and Bangladesh, both of which have grouped their exhibitors under their national pavilions - visitors will have access to products from the Africa zone, with a hub of companies from Ethiopia, Rwanda (Pink Mango) and the Arise Integrated Industrial Platform, which brings together the expertise of garment manufacturers based in Togo, Benin and Gabon. Ukraine, back with 5 companies supported by its national textile association, will be adding to the Euromed offering from Foursource, Messe Frankfurt's near sourcing partner, which will be presenting catalogues from companies in Eastern Europe, Portugal and Morocco.

An optimised sourcing experience
The return to Paris-Le Bourget Exhibition Centre has been accompanied by an overhaul of the organisation of visitor areas. The layout of sectors and services has been reviewed to create new synergies between raw materials and finished products. Women's wear areas (All about her, Embrodery & Lace, Silky aspect...) have been set up in Hall 4 - dedicated to knitwear, silk and lace - and a large area will be devoted to the outdoor - sportswear - casualwear offer in Hall 3. Hall 2 will be a focal point for relaxation, catering and networking, as well as a place for inspiration and exchange, with trend forums, product presentations, services and the Agora for conferences and round tables.

Econogy, Small Quantity & Hand Made: themed itineraries
Three exhibitor itineraries have been designed by the Messe Frankfurt France team to meet visitors' needs. The Econogy Finder trail, for example, enables visitors to find more than 80 suppliers of sustainable textiles, listed in the show app and indicated by the Econogy logos visible on the corresponding booths. The Small Quantity itinerary then highlights the more than 200 suppliers able to offer small quantity production (less than 300 pieces for garments or less than 100 metres for fabrics). A plus for buyers looking for limited editions or small orders for capsule collections. Finally, the Hand Made itinerary identifies the more than 130 exhibitors whose catalogues feature authentic, handmade products or unique skills. These manufacturers can also be found directly on the fair's online directory.

Despite global challenges, Vietnam's textile industry is poised for robust growth. This year, the country’s textile and garment exports are projected to reach USD 44 billion, reflecting an impressive increase of over 11% compared to the previous year.

With more than 42% of local firms anticipating improved business performance in the fourth quarter, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) stands out as a crucial event for the industry to continue its momentum. Scheduled for 26 – 28 February 2025 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), the fair will leverage Vietnam’s position as a leading textile and apparel manufacturing hub and provide opportunities to textile players from across ASEAN, Europe and beyond.
 
Spanning 15,000 sqm of exhibition space across Halls A and B1, VIATT will showcase a comprehensive range of products and solutions that encompass the full textile spectrum, including apparel fabrics and accessories; yarns and fibres; garments; home and contract textiles; technical textiles, nonwovens and equipment; and various certifiers and solutions providers. This edition will place a strong emphasis on ‘what’s next’ in the industry, by introducing Econogy Hub and the Innovation & Digital Solutions Zone, respectively highlighting the industry’s movement towards sustainability and technological innovation.

The fair will feature robust international exhibitor participation, especially in the dedicated country / region pavilions and zones from India, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Taiwan, and Thailand, as well as the inaugural European Zone.
 
VIATT 2025 will also serve as a vital platform to provide Vietnamese and international buyers with access to innovative textiles and technologies from leading exhibitors across Asia. While Japan remains the second-largest destination for Vietnam’s apparel exports[3], the country is also a steady supplier in many textile categories.
 
With VIATT 2025 welcoming exhibitors from across Europe and Asia’s diverse textile sectors, the fair is set to enhance its status as a top sourcing destination for the ASEAN region, and buyer delegations from Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and beyond have already confirmed their participation next year.
 
VIATT will be held from 26 – 28 February 2025.

Texcare International celebrated its comeback from 6 to 9 November with an exceptionally high level of international participation and top marks from the participants. 305 companies from 32 countries presented their innovations in automation and energy efficiency.

Over four days, the leading international trade fair for textile care presented innovations for laundries, dry cleaners and textile service companies with great success: 98 per cent of trade visitors were satisfied to extremely satisfied with how they achieved their goals for the trade fair; 52 per cent expect an improved industry economy. After eight years without Texcare due to the pandemic, the desire among exhibitors to exchange ideas and present innovations was palpable.

Industry celebrates its future potential
The industry is meeting the challenges of labour shortage and rising energy prices with a significant surge in innovation. The solutions are available, as demonstrated by the exhibitors with their machines, technologies and expertise. The leap towards robotisation was clearly visible at the stands. The circular economy was also in focus: many innovations showed how machine builders and textile manufacturers are working together to advance sustainability. Texcare provided the right impulse for companies in the textile care industry at the right time, enabling them to secure their successful market position by investing.

The partner industry associations of Texcare also draw a positive conclusion. Elgar Straub, CEO of VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies, emphasises: “Expectations for Texcare International were very high after eight years without a trade fair, but they were even exceeded. I have rarely experienced such a good atmosphere at trade fairs in recent years. Furthermore, Texcare International was extremely well prepared by Messe Frankfurt, but the exhibitors also presented themselves to their global customers with exceptionally beautiful and informative stands. As expected, the topics that are driving the industry were hygiene, automation, digitalisation, logistics and AI. But my highlight of this fair was the truly excellent mood among visitors and exhibitors and the positive outlook for the future of textile care. Texcare International this year was simply a pleasure.”

Andreas Schumacher, General Manager of the German Textile Care Association, summarises: “There was a sense of a fresh start. You could feel that after eight long years, the exhibitors were eager to show their products and developments, and the visitors were excited about innovations. 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 a key topic. 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.”

March marks the peak textiles sourcing period in China. The period is set to be augmented by the next Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition, scheduled for 11 – 13 March 2025 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. The upcoming fair wants to continue the positive momentum achieved by the 2024 show, which featured 339 exhibitors from seven countries and regions, attracting over 23,700 buyers from 56 countries and regions. Eco-friendly materials and innovative technology will once again be at the forefront at next year’s show, building on the high-quality, functional, and sustainable home textiles that have emerged as dominant patterns in today’s market.

Despite a recent slowdown across industries, the global home textile market was valued at USD 133 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 189 billion by 2029. Key trends expected to drive market growth include the rise of eco-friendly home textiles, technological innovations, and a growing interest in multifunctional and smart home textiles, among others, with many such options to be showcased at the upcoming show.

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition 2025 is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Home Textile Association (CHTA).

In recent years, Vietnam has rapidly transformed into one of the world’s key textile producers, solidifying its position as the world’s third-ranked exporter behind China and Bangladesh. With a history rooted in silk textile craftsmanship and currently embracing wide ranging modern textile production, the country’s thriving sector offers tremendous growth prospects for both domestic and international businesses. In a bid to harness the potential in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) will return from 26 – 28 February 2025, with a renewed focus on promoting sustainability and digital transformation.

Vietnam's textile and apparel sector comprises approximately 7,000 companies and employs over three million workers, with 80% of production capacity used for export and 20% for domestic consumption. Progress is aided by well-developed logistics networks, skilled labour and a stable political environment. As its textile industry evolves, several key trends are influencing its future direction, reflecting a growing emphasis on sustainability and technological advancement, and leading to new opportunities for exhibitors and buyers across the value chain at Vietnam’s comprehensive textile showcase.

Major trends shaping Vietnam's textile market reflected at VIATT
More Vietnamese enterprises are adopting eco-friendly materials, including organic cotton, recycled polyester, and Tencel, while numerous global brands manufacture in Vietnam, and have committed to the "Fashion Industry Charter on Climate Action", aiming to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

To further advance sustainable initiatives in the domestic and international textile industry, VIATT 2025 will introduce Econogy Hub, a dedicated platform for innovative, eco-friendly suppliers and service providers to connect with like-minded visitors. The show’s other new Texpertise Econogy features will include the Econogy Finder, an independent verification tool to help sustainable exhibitors effectively communicate their green credentials, and Econogy Talks, the overarching category for eco-focused seminars, forums, and product presentations.

Apart from sustainability, the Vietnamese textile industry is also embracing advanced technologies in design and manufacturing. The launch of the fair’s Innovation & Digital Solutions Zone will provide a centralised platform for exhibitors to showcase innovations such as 3D printing, AI-driven design, and digital printing, which enable manufacturers to boost efficiency and customise products to meet specific market demands.

As well as the introduction of two new product zones, the India Pavilion, organised by The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL), will also make its debut at VIATT 2025. Additionally, the Japan and Taiwan Pavilions have confirmed their return, with the Japan Pavilion recognised by VIATT’s visitors as a standout showcase within Southeast Asia's textile fair landscape. Overall, the fair will feature a diverse range of exhibitors across apparel, home textiles, and technical textiles, with many showcasing innovative and sustainable products.

The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE), covering the entire textile industry value chain.

Mit Automatisierung, Energieeinsparung, Kreislaufmodellen und textiler Hygiene stehen große Aufgaben für die Textilpflege-Branche im Fokus der Texcare International 2024 (6. – 9. November). Gemeinsam mit ihren Partnern hat die Messe ein Rahmenprogramm konzipiert, das progressive Anstöße für die Zukunft des Sektors bieten will.
 
Eingeläutet wird das Programm am Mittwoch, den 6.11. um 12.00 Uhr mit einer Messeeröffnung durch die Veranstalter im „Texcare Forum“ (Galleria Ebene 0, A09), zu der Besucher und Aussteller eingeladen sind. Damit beginnt auch das gleichnamige und kostenfreie Fachprogramm der Texcare rund um die Top-Themen Automatisierung, Energie und Ressourcen, Kreislaufwirtschaft sowie textile Hygiene. Es erstreckt sich über die vier Messetage und wurde in enger Zusammenarbeit mit dem Deutschen Textilreinigungs-Verband (DTV), dem VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies, der Europäischen Forschungsvereinigung Innovative Textilpflege (EFIT), der European Textile Service Association (ETSA) und den Hohenstein Laboratories entwickelt.

Mit dem breiten Thema Automatisierung werden sich VDMA und EFIT in ihren Panels jeweils mit Blick auf die Entwicklungen in Wäschereien und Textilreinigungen befassen. Im Fokus stehen dabei unter anderem die Robotisierung von Wäschereien, digitale Produktpässe, Datensicherheit sowie Automatisierungsansätze für kleinere Unternehmen.
Aktuelle Trends aus dem Bereich der textilen Hygiene in Wäschereien werden von Hohenstein Laboratories thematisiert – darunter die Gegenüberstellung von wiederverwendbaren und Einwegprodukten im Gesundheitswesen, die Unterstützung von Endkunden bei der Textilsortierung sowie Wäschehygiene-Zertifizierungssysteme.
Mit innovativen Lösungen im Dienst der Nachhaltigkeit wird sich das ebenfalls durch den VDMA gehostete Panel „Energie und Ressourcen“ auseinandersetzen. CSR-Reporting, Energiemanagement und CO₂-Neutralität stehen hier im Zentrum.   

Im Rahmen des Themenkomplexes „Kreisläufe“ widmet sich die ETSA dem Textilrecycling. Betrachtet werden unter anderem Innovationen im Bereich der Textilsortierung, die Bewältigung logistischer Herausforderungen, die Verwendung recycelter Fasern sowie die Unterstützung durch digitale Plattformen.

Der DTV informiert in seinem Panel über neue Geschäftsmodelle in der Kreislaufwirtschaft, vom Ökodesign über Verleih- und Reparaturservices bis hin zur europäischen Strategie für nachhaltige und kreislauffähige Textilien.   

Die Aussteller-Vorträge: Produktinnovationen im Fokus
Neben eingeladenen Vorträgen bietet das Texcare Forum in diesem Jahr zudem ein Vortragsformat für Aussteller. Diese präsentieren dem Publikum in 20-minütigen Slots besonders innovative Lösungen oder Produkte aus ihren Portfolios. Zu den teilnehmenden Firmen zählen unter anderem Ecolab, Kannegiesser, Christeyns, Electrolux, Veit und Seitz.
Internationale Markttrends und -entwicklungen
In ihren „International Market Updates“, ebenfalls im Texcare Forum, geben Experten der TRSA (Association for Linen, Uniform and Facility Services Industry, USA), des Sveriges Tvätteriförbund (Schwedischer Wäschereiverband) sowie der Texcare France fundierte Einblicke in die Textilservice-Märkte und Brancheninitiativen der jeweiligen Länder.

Im Vortrag „The new Scandinavian Quality Control model“ (Mittwoch, 6.11., 13.30 – 14.00 Uhr) thematisieren der schwedische und der dänische Wäschereiverband gemeinsam progressive Entwicklungen innerhalb des skandinavischen Marktes und informieren über ihr neues Qualitätskontrolle-Modell.

Unter dem Titel „American Linen, Uniform and Facility Services Market: Advocacy, Performance and Sustainability“ beleuchtet der TRSA-Vortrag (Donnerstag, 7.11., 13.00 – 14.00 Uhr) unter anderem aufkommende Markttrends innerhalb der nahezu 50 Milliarden US-Dollar schweren nordamerikanischen Branche. Auch die sich verändernden wirtschaftlichen, sozialen und ökologischen Rahmenbedingungen kommen zur Sprache. Thematisiert werden zudem wiederverwendbare Materialien als verantwortungsvolle Alternative zu Einwegprodukten, textile Dienstleistungen als integraler Bestandteil der Kundennachhaltigkeit, verbesserte Hygiene sowie das umweltfreundliche Ansehen der Branche.  

Der Status Quo sowie aktuelle Trends und Entwicklungen innerhalb des auf 3 Milliarden Euro taxierten französischen Marktes stehen im Mittelpunkt des Texcare France-Vortrags (Donnerstag, 7.11., 16.00 – 17.00 Uhr).

Guided Tours: Innovationen entdecken
Erstmals wird es auf der Texcare „Guided Tours“ geben. Auf den von Experten kuratierten und geführten Messerundgängen wird den Teilnehmern eine Auswahl besonders spannender Innovationen vorgestellt. Dabei stehen neben Neuheiten großer Key Player auch fortschrittliche Lösungen kleinerer Unternehmen im Mittelpunkt.   

Die Touren finden an allen vier Messetagen in englischer Sprache statt. Sie sind für Besitzer eines gültigen Texcare-Tickets kostenfrei. Die etwa einstündigen Rundgänge beginnen am 6.11. um 13.00 Uhr, vom 7. bis 9.11. jeweils um 11.00 Uhr. Startpunkt ist am Guided Tours-Stand B 03 in der Galleria Ebene 0. Dort können sich interessierte Besucher direkt vor Ort zur Teilnahme anmelden.
 
Texcare Happy Hour: Networking in lockerer Atmosphäre
Neben Produktinnovationen und Wissenstransfer steht insbesondere der Austausch innerhalb der Branche im Fokus der Texcare International. Die Veranstalter laden daher täglich (außer am Messe-Samstag) alle Teilnehmer zu einer Happy Hour ein. Diese findet jeweils ab 17.30 Uhr in der Galleria 0, direkt neben Halle 8, statt, um neue Kontakte zu knüpfen und bestehende zu pflegen.

Die Heimtextil präsentiert in Zusammenarbeit mit den Gründer*innen von Alcova die Heimtextil Trends 25/26 unter dem Titel „Future Continuous“ – und will damit eine visionäre Perspektive auf die tiefgreifende Bedeutung von Textilien in technologischen, kulturellen und ökologischen Entwicklungen bieten. „Future Continuous“ eröffnet spannende neue Perspektiven auf die Zukunft der Textilindustrie.

Alcova hat dafür sechs Interviews mit internationalen Designer*innen, Textilforschenden sowie Vertreter*innen von Verbänden und Institutionen aus ihrem Netzwerk geführt, um verschiedene Aspekte der Textilbranche zu beleuchten. So werden Tradition und Innovation, Kunsthandwerk und moderne Technologie verwoben – und laden ein, neue Wege für die textile Zukunft zu erkunden.

Textilien als verbindendes Element von Vergangenheit und Zukunft
Textilien sind viel mehr als nur Stoffe – sie sind tief in Geschichte und Kultur verankert. Schon das Wort „Text“ stammt vom lateinischen „texere“, was „weben“ bedeutet und zeigt, dass Textilien lange vor der Schrift als Ausdrucks- und Kommunikationsmittel dienten. Sie verknüpfen Erzählungen, verweben Handlungsstränge und sind seit Jahrtausenden ein zentraler Bestandteil unserer Technologie. Janis Jefferies, eine Pionierin der Textilforschung, macht deutlich: Das Spinnen und Verweben von Fasern war die erste Technologie des Menschen und damit die Grundlage für Baukunst und Mathematik. Heute stehen Textilien im Fokus einer neuen, nachhaltigen Denkweise: weg vom „Recyceln, Reduzieren und Wiederverwenden“ hin zu einer regenerativen Landwirtschaft und einem Vokabular, das von „Wiederherstellen, Erneuern und Auffüllen“ spricht. Diese Entwicklung markiert einen tiefgreifenden Wandel im Nachhaltigkeitsdiskurs – hin zu einem ganzheitlichen Ansatz, der Textilien als Schlüssel für eine nachhaltige Zukunft sieht.

Renaissance der Naturfasern und handwerklicher Traditionen
Inmitten der schnelllebigen, digitalen Welt wächst eine Bewegung, die zurück zu den greifbaren, materiellen Aspekten des Lebens führt. Textilien spielen dabei eine zentrale Rolle: Sie verbinden Menschen mit ihrem kulturellen Erbe und schaffen durch ihre Haptik einen Kontrast zur virtuellen Existenz. In der derzeitigen Wegwerfkultur, die auf kurzlebige, oft unreparierbare Produkte setzt, stehen Textilien und Handwerkskunst für Authentizität, Nachhaltigkeit und echte Werte. Sie schaffen einen Moment der Achtsamkeit in einer von Bildschirmen geprägten Welt – und geben das Gefühl, wieder etwas wirklich berühren zu können. Auch Ilse Crawford, Interior Designerin und Gründerin von StudioIlse, betont: In einer zunehmend digitalen und körperlosen Welt entsteht ein tiefes Bedürfnis nach physischer Verbundenheit. Naturfasern wie Hanf, Jute, Flachs und Nessel erleben ein bemerkenswertes Comeback. Wegen ihrer Langlebigkeit und Behaglichkeit werden sie seit Jahrhunderten geschätzt. Christine Ladstätter, Managerin für Innovation bei Salewa, weist auf einen weiteren wichtigen Aspekt hin: In den letzten Jahrzehnten hat sich ein Trend zu einer stärkeren Wertschätzung lokaler Materialien und Techniken entwickelt. Ihre Projekte betonen die wachsende Bedeutung des Handwerks. Der Fokus liegt auf der Förderung der lokalen Landwirtschaft und dem Erhalt traditioneller Weidelandschaften.

Zirkularität und Transparenz als Grundlage der Zukunft
Schneller Konsum und Wegwerfkultur dominieren die heutige Welt. Doch die Bedeutung von Sorgfalt und Weitsicht wird immer offensichtlicher – auch in der Textilindustrie. Der Sektor steht vor einem Wandel: hin zu einer nachhaltigen, vernetzten und transparenten Zukunft. Dirk Vantyghem, Generaldirektor von Euratex, hebt hervor, dass der Textilsektor in der EU derzeit mehr denn je im Mittelpunkt stehe – nicht zuletzt dank des Europäischen Green Deals. In einer Zeit globaler Unsicherheit wächst das Bedürfnis nach langlebigen, funktionalen und nachhaltigen Produkten. Viele Hersteller verwenden Begriffe wie ‚nachhaltig‘ oder ‚zirkulär‘ oft willkürlich. Daher setzt sich das Europäische Parlament für mehr Rückverfolgbarkeit in der Lieferkette – und bekämpft dadurch Greenwashing und ermöglicht Verbraucher*innen fundiertere Kaufentscheidungen. Simone van der Burg und Lucas Evers, beide Gruppenleiter im WAAG Future-Lab, betonen die Bedeutung einer offenen und mitgestaltenden Produktion. Ihr Ansatz zielt darauf ab, lokale Ressourcen wie Farben und Fasern aus natürlichen Quellen zu nutzen. Im Mittelpunkt steht dabei die Demokratisierung von Herstellungsprozessen: Designer und Kreative erhalten Zugang zu Open-Source-Werkzeugen und Ressourcen, um frei zu experimentieren – ohne hohe Kosten. Die italienische Designerin und Dozentin Eugenia Morpurgo fordert dazu auf, die landwirtschaftlichen Praktiken der Textilproduktion grundlegend zu überdenken und von erdölbasierten Materialien abzurücken. Sie warnt vor ökonomischen Modellen, die Wegwerfprodukte gegenüber langlebigen Alternativen bevorzugen. Ihr Projekt „Syntropic Materials“ untersucht regenerative Landwirtschaft als nachhaltige Lösung für Textilien und Lebensmittel. Das Ziel ist es, die Bodengesundheit und die Biodiversität zu verbessern. Morpurgo betont, dass bei der Bewertung von Nachhaltigkeit die wahren Kosten – von Ressourcenverbrauch bis hin zu langfristiger Bodenfruchtbarkeit – berücksichtigt werden müssen.

Farben, die Geschichten erzählen
Von Naturally Uneven Green bis End of Petrol und Imperfect Pink – die Heimtextil Trends 25/26 präsentieren eine visionäre Farbpalette, die Alcova sowohl visuell als auch sprachlich interpretiert hat. Inspiriert von den sechs Interviews, verweben die Farben die Ideen und Begriffe, die in den Gesprächen aufkamen. So erzählen sie eine lebendige Geschichte. Natürliche, ungebleichte Töne treffen auf dynamische, leuchtende Farben und spiegeln das Spannungsfeld zwischen Tradition und Innovation wider. Dieser Kontrast steht für ein aktives Gleichgewicht, das sich ständig weiterentwickelt – geprägt von Erneuerung, Wachstum und einer zukunftsweisenden Vision, die über bloße Nachhaltigkeit hinausgeht.

Doors will open next week for trade fair Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles, with over 900 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions set to welcome global buyers at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) 14 – 16 August. Leveraging its 30 years of expertise in the home and contract textiles industry, the Autumn Edition will serve as a sourcing platform for industry players to forge impactful business partnerships and exchange market insights.

With the fair spanning 100,000 sqm of exhibition space in Halls 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2, visitors are preparing to explore the entire home and contract textile spectrum at the gateway to Asia’s home living. To help buyers streamline their sourcing and maximise relevant business opportunities, 14 product zones will be set up, each spotlighting in-demand segments within the industry. These zones and their exhibitors include:

• Bedding: Ideaz Lifestyle Limited, Kageyama & Co Ltd, Shaoxing Chuanshi Home Textile Company Limited, Zhangjiagang Coolist Life Technology Co Ltd, Zhejiang Huaxing Feather & Down Products Co Ltd
• Carpets & rugs: Beijing Home Value Co Ltd, Beijing U-living Home Decoration Co Ltd
• Curtains & curtain fabrics: Dongjae Co Ltd, JWL FABRICS CO LTD, Textile Depo Co Ltd, Xi'an Zhong Yang Window Blinds Article Co Ltd, Zhejiang XIDAMEN New Material Co Ltd
• Designer studios: Fine Art Inc, IKT Surfaces and Textures SL, Tela's Design Lda
• Editors: Beijing Ya Da Home Decoration Articles Co Ltd, Prestigious Textiles (Shanghai) Limited, Raffinato Shanghai Ltd Corp
• Leather: Anhui Anli Material Technology Co Ltd, Dongguan ARA Manufacture Co Ltd, Scope Leather Company, Zhejiang Changfeng New Material Co Ltd
• Upholstery & sofa fabrics: Hangzhou Eastern Fabric Co Ltd, Mobus Fabrics Ltd, Suzhou Larbene Textile Co Ltd, Zhe Jiang Maya Fabric Co Ltd

In addition, specialised product zones for accessories, textile design, intelligent equipment, loungewear & bath, sun protection, table and kitchen linen, trade publications, and whole home products will further enrich buyers‘ sourcing experiences.

In the 30th year’s edition, buyers will have the opportunity to procure products from suppliers covering 15 countries and regions across Asia, Europe and North America. International exhibitors such as Advansa Marketing GmbH (Germany), Elastron Group (Portugal), Mobus (UK) and Morgan (USA) are set to participate.

Additionally, the newly introduced Uzbekistan Pavilion will showcase locally distinctive products, while the returning Türkiye Pavilion and Belgium Zone will also be present. Key exhibitors in these areas include:

• Türkiye Pavilion: organised by Uludag Textile Exporters’ Association (UTIB), including Aleran Tekstil (Bona Home), Kucukcalik Tekstil and Weavers Tekstil.
• Belgium Zone: exhibitors include CTF2000 and Love Home Fabrics.
• Uzbekistan Pavilion: organised by Trade Development Company JSC, comprised of suppliers such as Great Kokand and Sam Rafoat Tekstil.

Buyers from 75 countries and regions have already pre-registered. Furthermore, 11 buyer delegations from 15 countries, including India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Morocco, Myanmar, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Spain, Thailand, Vietnam and more will augment the premier platform's diversity, and provide invaluable connections for building global business partnerships.

Four themes shaping the future of the industry
This year, the fair will stage a slate of concurrent events, organised around four central themes pivotal to the industry's growth. Key events on the agenda include:

Design Inspiration
The display area illustrating the central aspects of the upcoming Trends 2025 ‘Healing Home’ concept will be located in Hall 6.1 – the main focus of an exclusive tour guided by the trend designer. About Healing, the featured six-designer panel discussion on Day 1 afternoon, will further delve into the healing theme from an international perspective.

Other highlighted seminars, awards ceremonies and display areas include: 30th China Home Textiles Design Festival & Designer Recommended Brand Awards; China Intangible Cultural Heritage of Textile Exhibition; Design for Fun, Using Playful Methods to Support Sustainable Development by Mr You Zhou; Psychology at Play in Design by Ms Pallavi Dean, and Weaving Paths to Sustainability: the Impact of Textile in Interior Spaces by Mr Saverio Quaia.

Business O2O
Conducted by Ms Esra Lemmens, the theme’s highlighted seminar is titled Unlocking Opportunities: Successful Business Strategies for the Middle Eastern Design Market. Along with the 10th Home Textiles and Furniture Industry Ecological Integration Forum, the events under this theme will explore effective business strategies across sectors on Day 1 afternoon.

Industry Empowerment
Bridging Borders: A Designer x Producer Talk on Sustainability will bring together designers and manufacturers from the East and West to address sustainability challenges and strike a balance among all stakeholders – this round table discussion is scheduled for Day 2 afternoon.

Textiles & Technologies
Within the Econogy Talks umbrella, the Sustainable Fibre Forum in Home Textiles will provide a platform for green producers such as 3M, Advansa, and Indorama to share their latest eco-friendly innovations with home textile applications. Moreover, attendees interested in integrating sustainability into their Messe Frankfurt trade fair involvement, can gain insights on the Texpertise Econogy programme during an extensive session held on Day 2 morning.  

Beyond the stage, the 7th China International Fibre Art Exhibition will present artisic creations in its display area in Hall 5.1, with previous iterations well-received by fairgoers.

The summer edition of Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris welcomed nearly 1,200 exhibitors from 26 countries. This season event was characterised by a number of new features and the dynamics remained satisfactory. Next event: February 10, 2025, in a partially renovated Paris-Le-Bourget exhibition centre for a session rich in initiatives.

The latest edition of Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris, offered in its full version with the Avantex and Leatherworld sectors, ended on July 3 with attendance levels down on the July 2023 session. Over and above a possible "Olympic Games effect" and its consequences on transport and accommodation costs in the capital, the current economic situation is prompting the show's organizers to explore all alternatives to adapt the offer to market demand. However, these results do not seem to have had any impact on the flow of business between visitors and exhibitors, who reported a fairly positive overall climate.

The dynamic on the booths remained steady and the exchanges satisfactory, as shown by several manufacturers particularly well established on the European market. Indian shirt manufacturer Sheraton Apparel, for example, made around thirty solid contacts over 3 days, and reported several serious approaches to African distributors. The same goes for SMIT, a Turkish company specialising in Made in Turkey sourcing, which was able to see its main European customers and open up new contacts with Canadian and Brazilian buyers.

An expanded offering
At the Near Sourcing Hub, the phygital sourcing space connected by QR Code to the B2B digital platform of Messe Frankfurt France partner FourSource, inquiries to exhibiting companies remained much the same as in 2023. The visitor profile, on the other hand, focused on buyers from networks of small multi-specialist boutiques looking for an original mid-to-top-range offering. It was in response to this market demand for differentiation that the show organizers decided to extend Apparel Sourcing's range to include new categories in the fashion accessories sector, such as jewelry and bags.

High-profile initiatives
Other innovations were also on show this summer. The yarn pavilion - a first conceived in collaboration with Yarn Expo, originally a Shanghai show run by Messe Frankfurt - showcased the expertise of Chinese, Indian, Pakistani and Taiwanese companies, while at the same time highlighting upstream products and services. At Avantex, where some twenty suppliers of solutions for more sustainable fashion were grouped together, the new Designer Hub enabled designers and buyers to discover some original initiatives, such as that of stylist Jean-Luc François' association, supported by Messe Frankfurt's Texpertise network, which trains people who are far from employment, or the 3D design studio Scotomalab.

Materra wins 2024 Avantex Fashion Pitch award
The Avantex Fashion Pitch jury has awarded the 2024 prize to Materra. This British start-up, founded in 2019, designs solutions to support the cotton cultivation adapted to climate change. At the other end of the chain, it offers brands a service designed on a Cotton-As-A-Service model that encourages them to source from the producers it supports. Materra will benefit from a €2,800 stand at Avantex Paris 2025 donated by Messe Frankfurt France, plus €2,000 from Texpertise Network, the textile sector network of the Messe Frankfurt Group, and 1 year's incubation at Foundry donated by IFA Paris, official partner of the competition.

A trendy area at Leatherworld
New for 2024, the Leatherworld sector inaugurated its Leather Trend area, developed in collaboration with publisher Edizioni AF and the Arsutoria School design centre. Designed around the expertise of Italian companies specialising in the manufacture of leather shoes and bags, this inspirational space presented the autumn-winter 25-26 trends through 4 creative axis built around the expression of simplicity, nature, dynamism (sportswear collections) and finally romanticism. Leather Trend was also an opportunity to discover the new leather tanning technology developed by Ecotan, which avoids the use of metals (Chrome) and chemicals in the leather preparation stages thanks to the use of vegetable tannins.