#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.

Bremen Cotton Exchange: Fritz A. Grobien re-elected as President

The members of the Bremen Cotton Exchange have re-elected Fritz A. Grobien as President during the association’s 152nd General Assembly on June 18, 2026. The election confirms the organization’s commitment to maintaining its role as a leading international platform for the cotton and fiber industry amid a period of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

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.

Organic cotton at the crossroads: Ideology, evidence, and the road ahead

Organic cotton occupies one of the most contentious spaces in global agriculture. While praised by brands and consumers for its environmental ideals, it also faces persistent questions about yield stability, certification integrity, and scalability. The current edition of The ICAC Recorder cuts through the ideology to deliver a rigorous, evidence-based assessment of both sides of the debate.

Christian Wichert appointed Chief Executive Officer to lead next phase of growth

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a global leader in advanced biomaterials made from silk proteins, today announces the appointment of Christian Wichert as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 1 June. The appointment marks a pivotal moment in AMSilk’s journey, as the Company advances from development through scale-up to commercialization.

New spinning package with two-step filtration for recycled yarns and more

At the ITM in Istanbul, BB Engineering unveiled its new, patented ValuePack spinning package for the first time, which features a two-stage filtration system. This is particularly beneficial for re-cycling processes. Until now, spinning packs have used either metal powder (“sand”) or filter candles as filter media. Both options are suitable for differ-ent applications, and each has its own specific advantages and dis-advantages.

ITMA 2027 gains strong momentum

In line with the theme "Co-creating the future of textiles", ITMA continues to strengthen its support for start-ups, recognising their role in driving innovation and shaping the future of textile and garment manufacturing. Through the Start-Up Valley, emerging companies gain access to a global marketplace where they can connect with industry leaders, potential partners, investors and customers.

Mongolia: Workshop on Italian textile technologies kicks off in Ulaanbaatar

The workshop dedicated to Italian textile technologies will kick off in Ulaanbaatar from 21 to 23 June 2026. Focused on the most advanced innovative solutions for the textile industry, the initiative will bring together 13 Italian textile machinery manufacturers, confirming the growing interest in strengthening industrial cooperation between the two countries and highlighting Mongolia’s strategic importance for Italian textile machinery producers.