#Home Textiles

2019-11-21

Heimtextil key topic “Sleep”: exciting products and concentrated know-how

In Sleep! The Future Forum in the foyer of hall 11.0 you can find out the latest news about the state of research into sleep science. Sleep! The Future Forum is wholly dedicated to knowledge transfer, exchange of experiences and networking – this is where the future of sleep becomes a tangible thing. (c) 2019 Messe Frankfurt

Current studies show that an increasing number of people are sleeping badly. Researchers cite stress, noise, increasing light pollution and the permanent availability of smartphones and the like as the causes. Heimtextil (7-10 January 2020) is once again making a restorative night's sleep a key topic in order to bolster dealers’ expertise on the subject of sleep.

The number of people sleeping badly or too little has been increasing for many years now. This was proven by a health report published in 2019 by the health insurance company Barmer that focused on sleep disorders: according to the report, in 2017 one million employed people were diagnosed with disorders in falling asleep and sleeping through the night. This comprises an increase of 111 per cent within twelve years, say the authors, who also estimate that the number of cases going unreported is actually far higher.

More and more people are suffering from the consequences of a lack of sleep, i.e. concentration and metabolic disorders, a weakened immune system and even cardiovascular problems. Many people are asking themselves: how can I sleep better and more healthily? At the upcoming Heimtextil, around 150 international major players in the industry and start-ups will present solutions in the product segment “Smart Bedding” in hall 11.0.

“Sleep! The Future Forum”: knowledge transfer and product launches

In addition, an in-depth programme of lectures will take place for the second time in hall 11.0: in “Sleep! The Future Forum”, bed dealers and hospitality enthusiasts in particular will be presented with valuable information from industry, science and research. Prof. Ingo Fietze, sleep expert at Berlin's Charité, sleep coach Nick Littlehales and Olympic luge champion Susi Erdmann are among those who will talk about market trends and new developments for a better night's sleep in the thematic blocks of digital, sport, hospitality, sustainability and interior design.

The forum will also present product innovations by renowned companies: Auping, Hästens and Ikea, for example, will launch new beds or technology and software solutions for the bedroom.

Auping: well-rested thanks to anti-snoring app

With the new development by the Cologne-based Heimtextil exhibitor Auping, all those who suffer from snoring should get a healthier night's rest. Together with product and software specialists, the company has developed an anti-snoring app. The market for this should be considerable: according to current figures from the Techniker Krankenkasse health insurance company, 20 to 46 per cent of all men in middle to old age snore and up to 25 per cent of women are affected.

‘Snoring has a great impact on everyday life. Those who snore a lot won't enjoy a rested start to the day’, says Anna Havermann, marketing manager at Auping. She states that they wanted to develop an unobtrusive anti-snoring solution that, in contrast to sleep masks or special mouth braces, would be barely noticed during sleep. This is how the smart aid works: the app linked to the bed measures the decibel level reached by the user’s snoring. Once an adjustable maximum volume is reached, the app notifies the mechanically adjustable bed that raises the back section slightly to open up the airways. Or it can briefly move the whole bed to cause the snorer to change position.

Hästens: a good night's sleep crafted by hand

Hästens, the oldest bed manufacturer in Sweden, will present a compact central European bed at Heimtextil that, with its three spring systems and a mattress, comprises a total of 37 layers of various natural materials, including linen, cotton, wool and horsehair. ‘We want to combine traditional craftsmanship, the joy of innovation and natural materials with promoting good sleep over the long term’, says Jan Ryde, CEO of the family company that was founded in 1852. The company, which has already been granted a royal warrant twice by the Swedish royal family, has proven that the combination of craftsmanship and innovative strength works, particulary in the development of the pocket sprung mattress. Ryde will not reveal which bed the King of Sweden sleeps on, however: ‘Our beds are also appreciated by celebrities all over the world’. The company will not divulge any information about their sleeping preferences, and understandably so.

Ikea: democratic design in the bedroom

In addition to presenting the latest bed models, Ikea Germany will also be giving a lecture at “Sleep! The Future Forum”: ‘The importance of sleep for health and well-being is under appreciated’, states Sandra Schwertfeger, interior design manager at the Swedish furniture giant, with certainty. ‘We therefore want to show how textiles can contribute to healthier sleep’. The ethos is: what can good sleep do for your life and what can your home do for your sleep? The typical Ikea “democratic design” plays a role in this: modern, sustainable and cheap furnishing solutions for the bedroom that support people in improving their nightly rest and thus their lives.

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