#Associations

2024-12-19

Promoting sustainability, digitalisation and resilience

The EU project ADDTEX has reached an important milestone with the two publications White Book and E-Book. Both publications contain comprehensive guidelines, findings and policy recommendations to support the sustainable, digital and resilient transition of the textile industry. The focus is on technical textiles, whose innovations are considered key to the competitiveness and resilience of the European industry.

The ADDTEX project brings together partners from a total of twelve European countries. The IVGT, Frankfurt is a partner for Germany and represents the interests of its members and the entire technical textiles sector. The aim of the project is to sustainably promote close co-operation between industry, science, politics and civil society. This innovative approach, known as the ‘quadruple helix model’, is intended to help prepare the industry for the challenges of a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment (VUCA), which have been exacerbated by crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘By focusing on green technologies, digitalisation and continuous training, we are making the technical textiles industry fit for the future,’ says Stefan Schmidt, IVGT project manager. ‘We want to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of this important sector.’

Industry clusters such as the IVGT play a crucial role by strengthening networks between companies, educational institutions and governments. They promote the exchange of knowledge, support the introduction of new technologies and help to drive forward circular economy projects. Picture: IVGT

Workshops as a basis for policy recommendations

Between September and October 2024, the ADDTEX partners organised interactive workshops in Germany, Greece, Italy and Spain. These served as a platform for a broad dialogue between industry, science and politics, in which innovative approaches and concrete strategies for action were developed. The participants focussed on topics such as sustainable practices, digital transformation and promoting resilience in the textile industry.

The future is digital! The IVGT offers a range of programmes to make you fit for the digital transformation. Image: IVGT

Key competences for change

A central aspect of the White Book is the emphasis on education and training to promote the dual transition - green and digital. The most important skills required of employees to shape a sustainable future for the industry are expertise in renewable energy, recycling, environmentally friendly materials and sustainable production (green transition), skills in data analysis, cyber security, IT and the ability to use AI-supported technologies (digital transition), as well as adaptability, innovation, risk management and cross-functional collaboration (promoting resilience). Ten aspects emerged as the most important political recommendations for action (see chart). These include, in particular, the promotion of sustainable practices in companies, investment in digital infrastructure along the textile value chain, support for collaborative research projects and industry-specific training funds to impart the essential skills mentioned.

Further information www.addtex.eu; www.addtex.eu/resources/

To promote both the double transition and the resilience of the industry, policy should incentivise sustainable practices and investment in green technologies. The developed recommendations for action as a graphic. Picture: ADDTEX

IVGT joint stand brings innovation and networking to Techtextil 2026

At Techtextil 2026 and the parallel Texprocess 2026, key transformation topics such as artificial intelligence, digitalisation, sustainability, recycling and the circular economy will be reflected across the show. Against this backdrop, the IVGT, together with 16 member companies, will present its joint stand in Hall 12.1 (Stand D62) as a platform for exchange and networking.

IVGT: AddTex final meeting in Terrassa

From 25 to 26 June 2025, the final meeting of the ERASMUS+ project AddTex took place in Terrassa, Spain, which aimed to train workers, pupils and students in the textile industry. Over a period of three years, eleven partners from Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Spain, the Czech Republic and the IVGT association for Germany were involved in the project.

IVGT on tour in Albstadt

For the second edition of the Albstadt ID industry event on 10 October 2024, more than 300 school students from all over Germany and around 200 other interested parties from the industry came to Albstadt to find out about new training and employment opportunities in the textile and clothing industry through numerous presentations. The IVGT was also there! In room 205-141, Iris Schlomski reported on the current status of the ADDTEX Erasmus+ project and explained in particular the content of the ADDTEX Academy and the Hackathon and Bootcamp programmes that have now been successfully implemented.

IVGT with the ETT Club at HANNOVER MESSE 2025

Technical textiles are highly developed materials that have been specially optimised for industrial applications. They are indispensable in many areas, even though they are often invisible. As "hidden champions" in the manufacture of numerous innovative products, technical textiles are a real alternative to conventional materials! HANNOVER MESSE, which will take place from 31 March to 4 April 2025, will bring together these important aspects for the first time and present the joint stand "Technical Textiles" in the innovative Future Hub in Hall 2.

VDMA members at Techtextil: Smart technologies for technical textiles

At Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt, the members of VDMA Textile Machinery underline their key role as global technology leaders for technical textiles and textile processing. With a strong presence of more than 50 members they will highlight how engineering excellence, innovation strength and sustainability expertise from Germany and Europe are shaping the future of the textile industry. Seven companies will be present at the VDMA group stand in the centre of hall 12.0.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

Europe is losing its textile industry

EURATEX has released its latest Economic Update on the performance of the European textile and apparel industry in 2025. For the third consecutive year, the sector recorded negative results across all key indicators — production, turnover and employment — confirming a continued erosion of competitiveness across Europe.

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.

Italian Textile Machinery heads to Geneva for Index 2026

An important delegation of Italian companies will exhibit at the upcoming INDEX 2026, the world’s leading event for the nonwovens sector, taking place from May 19 to 22 in Geneva (Switzerland). Numerous Italian exhibitors will be present within the Italy Pavilion, organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and ACIMIT, an exhibition area of over 140 square meters dedicated to the latest innovations proposed by the Italian industry.