#Raw Materials

2023-03-16

DNFI at Heimtextil 2023: Trade Fair in Frankfurt succeeds

Presentation of DNFI Award: Terry Townsend, Cotton Analytics, Dalena White, DNFI Vice Chair, Dr Tanja Schneck + Dr Frank Hermanutz, DITF, Elke Hortmeyer, DNFI Chair, Dr Christian Schindler, ITMF © 2023 Bremen Cotton Exchange

With 44,000 visitors and 2,400 exhibitors from 129 nations, the global textile industry met in Frankfurt, Germany for four days. The trade fair Heimtextil has returned to its old rhythm after the restrictions of the pandemic years.

The buyers took the opportunity to participate in the world market for home and contract textiles and to get a comprehensive overview of global textile innovations – from fibers, yarns, upholstery and decorative fabrics, functional textiles, outdoor fabrics, artificial leather, wallpapers, to bed and bath textiles, mattresses, sleep systems, curtains and decorative pillows. The top ten exhibiting countries were China, India, Turkey, Pakistan, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, France and the United Kingdom. The top visiting countries included Germany, Italy, Turkey, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Pakistan, India and Greece.

Many representatives from the raw materials sector also attend Heimtextil regularly. The Discover Natural Fibers Initiative DNFI regularly organizes a members‘ meeting on the occasion of this fair in January providing representatives of various natural fibers with the opportunity to exchange ideas. Supported by Messe Frankfurt, the DNFI was able to host a public meeting on natural fibers in the halls of Heimtextil this time. Moreover, the annual DNFI Award was presented. In the „Sleep and More“ area of Hall 11, and excellently supported by the trade fair team, a DNFI event with lectures and discussion was held with success. In a panel discussion moderated by Dalena White, the topics of ecology and functionality, raw materials and innovation were addressed.

DNFI panel discussion at the Heimtextil: Elke Hortmeyer, BBB, Stefan Schmidt, IVGT, Dalena White, IWTO, Dr Christian Schindler, ITMF (f.l.t.r.) © 2023 Bremen Cotton Exchange

Afterwards, DNFI Chair Elke Hortmeyer presented the Natural Fibres Award of the Year 2022 to the winners. For the sixth time since 2017, the DNFI offered the ‚DNFI Innovation in Natural Fibres Award‘. This award aims to draw public attention to innovative and science-based work and products that are based on natural fibers and additionally point the way ahead.

This year, the award was presented to Dr Frank Hermanutz and Dr Tanja Schneck, Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf DITF, whose work ‚PureCell – Natural fiber-reinforced composites based on pure cellulose‘ presents a pure cellulose composite material. PureCell‘s cellulose matrix is produced in a process that recycles 100 percent of the solvent from ionic liquids. After impregnation of the natural fibers serving as reinforcement with the cellulose matrix, the desired composite material is created. The manufacturing process is hence extra environment-friendly and follows the sustainability concept in textile and material production. The composite material is lightweight and proves with its high mechanical strength. It can be easily molded in a hot-pressing process and thus prepared as a component for technical parts.

Members meeting of the DNFI

On the occasion of Heimtextil, the members of DNFI also meet in Frankfurt am Main. The annual meeting took place at the IVGT offices and via video link. The DNFI organization now comprises around 600 members from all over the world and numerous natural fibers. The DNFI meetings, as well as the commodity market data presented here, therefore provide a comprehensive picture of the market situation. Presentations by the World Bank, FAO and DNFI statistician Dr. Terry Townsend provided a broad picture of the world market situation. This was followed by more detailed insights from individual natural fiber representatives. Elke Hortmeyer, Bremen Cotton Exchange, will chair the initiative for another year. Dalena White from IWTO remains vice chair.

A Powerful Opening: Global thought leaders launch the International Cotton Conference Bremen

The International Cotton Conference Bremen will open on 25 March 2026 in the Parliament building of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen with a keynote session of exceptional calibre. Distinguished international experts will set the stage for the conference by offering incisive perspectives on the most pressing challenges and the defining trends shaping the future of the global cotton trade. Their insights will span a broad spectrum — from geopolitically driven disruptions affecting global supply chains to the opportunities emerging from innovation-led agriculture capable of supporting a growing world population. Together, these opening keynotes will frame the dialogue of the conference, highlighting both the complexity of today’s market environment and the pathways toward a resilient and forward-looking cotton sector.

Beyond Cotton: Natural Fibres in the Spotlight at the Bremen Cotton Conference - Branded by DNFI

Climate targets, fragile supply chains, and rising regulatory requirements are fundamentally changing the perspective of the textile industry - the focus is increasingly shifting toward the base material. Not only cotton, but natural fibres are gaining significant importance: they stand out not only because of their outstanding functional properties, but also because they make a valuable contribution to the bioeconomy and responsible product development.

Beyond the wardrobe – innovative cotton takes the spotlight

Cotton can do more – a lot more. Cutting-edge textiles and high-tech products made from 100% cotton prove just how powerfully performance and sustainability can come together. That very surge of innovation is front and centre at the 38th Bremen Cotton Conference, taking place March 25–27, 2026, at Bremen’s Parliament on the historic market square – culminating in a bold and dedicated closing session on Friday. In the spotlight: performance upgrades for pure cotton, smart strategies for circular textile waste solutions, and pioneering concepts for demanding technical applications. From natural fibre–reinforced composites to highly effective flame-retardant solutions, cotton steps out of the closet and shows the future potential woven into every fibre.

Dr N Vigneshwaran is named 2026 ICAC Researcher of the Year

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is pleased to announce the selection of Dr N Vigneshwaran, Principal Scientist and Head of the Chemical and Biochemical Processing Division at the ICAR–Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (ICAR-CIRCOT), Mumbai, India, as the ICAC Researcher of the Year 2026.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Textile Exchange publishes comprehensive polyester LCA study

Textile Exchange has released a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing detailed data on the environmental impacts of both virgin and recycled polyester production. The study aims to strengthen understanding across the fashion, textile and apparel industries and support more informed decision-making regarding polyester sourcing and production.