#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

2023-01-19

Biancalani Textile Machinery and Petrocom BV, founded by Jean Comhaire, work closely together for the Belgian textile industry

Belgian textile industry has always been a reference point in the global textile industry. With upholstery and furniture fabrics as their assets and a centuries-spanning tradition, Belgian textile companies generate an annual turnover of more than EUR 4 billions and are massively investing in e-textiles and sustainable fibers, i.e. a whole innovative textile ecosystem. Not least – indeed essential – textile education, training and research are being strongly supported: therefore, nowadays Belgium is definitely a textile and fashion business cluster and incubator.

Together with Jean Comhaire, Biancalani Textile Machinery has been part of Belgium textile reality since 1991, when Comhair founded Petrocom BV. Petrocom deals with textile, plastic and chemical industries and has expanded into Belgium, Netherlands and Luxemburg. Comhaire deeply believes in strong, lasting partnerships with textile machinery companies and confirms that this kind of professional relationships are the fundamentals of Petrocom success.

When talking about Biancalani, Comhaire lingers on three aspects: innovative ideas, a honest, stunning professionalism, and keeping on proposing the best solutions as per fabrics finishing, despite an always tougher competition. As Comhaire states, Biancalani is perceived as one of the most innovative textile machinery producers in the country, a company with a long finishing textile tradition and experience – a detail Belgian textile clusters give great importance to – and always at the top as per high-technology solutions.

Comhaire also points out that clients’ positive reception to Biancalani is a certainty, to the point that the entire process of contacting, testing, quotation, and final negotiations is somehow permeated by it. Besides, Biancalani makes it actually possible to work with the customer and find a specific technical solution or a brand new product that the customer does not have yet. Especially after the release of AIRO®24, one of the most revolutionary projects by Biancalani, the company has been perceived more and more favorably and has seen its role as innovator increasing more and more thanks to the release of AQUARIA® open-width washing lines.

According to Comhaire, the next challenge is to continue to innovate and come up with new ideas, as the textile industry at large and Belgian textile clusters in particular will be craving for them. To keep on providing the best machines to customers and thus remain one of the most qualified producer on the market will be part of a healthy, always a-changing competition. It all can be done if companies carefully listen to their customers’ needs, an approach that is totally Biancalani’s style.

Performance Apparels: Functional textiles drive innovation at Techtextil 2026

From high-performance fibres and advanced membranes to smart textiles and sustainable material concepts – functional apparel is becoming one of the most dynamic innovation fields in technical textiles. At Techtextil 2026, exhibitors demonstrate how new materials, finishing technologies and digital functions are shaping the next generation of protective, workwear and outdoor systems.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI reshape textile processing

Investment decisions in textile processing have become increasingly complex. Rising energy prices, labour shortages and geopolitical uncertainties are forcing companies to prioritise technologies that deliver measurable improvements in efficiency and process stability. This applies not only to apparel production, but also to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. Modernisation projects are therefore being evaluated more selectively – but the pressure to upgrade production systems continues to grow. Texprocess 2026 reflects this tension between cautious investment behaviour and increasing technological demand.

Textile Chemicals & Dyes: Innovation in Textile Chemistry moves into focus at Techtextil 2026

From PFAS-free finishes and water-saving dyeing technologies to advanced coatings and recycling-compatible formulations, innovation in textile chemistry is accelerating across the industry. Reflecting this development, Techtextil 2026 introduces Textile Chemicals & Dyes as a dedicated product segment, highlighting the growing role of chemical solutions in shaping the next generation of technical textiles.

textile.4U publishes special edition “Top 100 Textile Recycling Companies 2025”

With a comprehensive 176-page special edition, textile.4U is dedicating its latest issue entirely to one of the most dynamic and influential topics in today’s textile industry: textile recycling. The new issue, published exclusively in high-quality print, presents the Top 100 textile recycling companies researched and selected by TexData – organizations that already play a key role in the transition to circular textiles or are expected to have a significant impact in the near future.

New Gravimax MMX-R X-ray sensor platform opens up new application fields

The demands placed on quality control in web-based production processes are increasing: materials are becoming more complex, basis weights are varying more widely, and at the same time, pressure is growing to make processes more efficient and transparent. Precise measurement data across the entire web width has therefore become a key factor in ensuring stable production processes. With its new Gravimax MMX-R sensor platform, Mahlo introduces a radiometric measurement solution designed to set new standards in determining basis weight and material composition. The platform combines advanced X-ray technology with newly developed signal processing, enabling measurement tasks that previously often required multiple sensor technologies.

BW Converting to present its Baldwin TexCoat® G4 at Techtextil 2026

BW Converting will present its Baldwin TexCoat® G4 precision spray finishing system at Techtextil Frankfurt 2026, taking place April 21-24 at Messe Frankfurt. Visitors to Hall 12, Booth C56B, will have the opportunity to explore how this advanced spray technology helps textile manufacturers improve finishing quality, increase efficiency and reduce resource consumption across a wide range of applications.

Smart sensors, smart savings - Reducing energy and cost in textile finishing

As energy prices, sustainability requirements and quality expectations continue to rise, manufacturers of technical textiles face increasing pressure to optimize efficiency while ensuring process reliability. At the same time, skilled labor shortages require production systems that are intuitive, automated and easy to manage. PLEVA addresses these challenges with robust, maintenance-friendly sensor technologies combined with intelligent process control.

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.