#Sustainability

2019-12-19

Together for more sustainability in the textile industry

Left to right: Robert Skinner, Detlef Braun, Lucie Brigham, Kerry Bannigan and Jürgen Schulz (Photo: Rich Dodge) (c) 2019 Messe Frankfurt

In the course of an announcement event held at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York, the Texpertise Network of Messe Frankfurt, the Conscious Fashion Campaign and the United Nations Office for Partnerships provided insights into their future cooperation.

Yesterday, over 100 guests from the press, business, politics and associations met at the headquarters of the United Nations to learn how the Texpertise Network of Messe Frankfurt, the Conscious Fashion Campaign and the United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP) plan to collaborate in furthering the implementation of their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the fashion and textile industry.

The Executive Director of UNOP Robert Skinner, opened the event and highlighted the importance of global engagement of the private sector and other stakeholders for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Mr. Skinner stated that the international fashion and textile industry have a potential to advance the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. Together with Messe Frankfurt and Conscious Fashion Campaign, UNOP welcomes the opportunity to reach a broad and professional audiences, raise awareness of the goals and galvanize support.

Left to right: Kerry Bannigan, Detlef Braun, Jürgen Schulz and Robert Skinner (Photo: Rich Dodge) (c) 2019 Messe Frankfurt

Mr. Skinner, who moderated the event, invited Ambassador Jürgen Schulz, Deputy Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations, to deliver opening remarks.

Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board at Messe Frankfurt, explained: “Along with digitalisation, sustainability is a topic currently exerting a significant influence on the global textile industry. Messe Frankfurt has been accompanying this development with its worldwide textile events under the umbrella of the Texpertise Network for more than ten years. It is therefore a logical conclusion that the Sustainable Development Goals should be integrated in our worldwide textile events to generate acute awareness of the importance of sustainability in the textile industry.”

Kerry Bannigan, Founder of the Conscious Fashion Campaign, stated that we need more examples of leadership for change like Messe Frankfurt to make the next decade the most impactful yet. Through our global event partners, the Conscious Fashion Campaign will integrate education, advocacy and ultimately engagement while also seeking to implement sustainable and circular event operations and logistics.

With its Texpertise Network Messe Frankfurt supports the Sustainable Development Goals within the framework of the cooperation with the Conscious Fashion Campaign and UNOP. The goals will be presented at the more than 50 textile events organised by Messe Frankfurt at venues around the globe. Planning currently includes interactive information stands, presentations, discussion forums, fair tours and the integration of special activities in the trade fair programme.

Heimtextil, the world's biggest and most important trade fair for home and contract textiles that attracts around 3000 exhibitors and expects 65,000 trade visitors from 7-10 January 2020, will be the next stop on the tour to present the Sustainable Development Goals. During the opening press conference Lucie Brigham, Chief of Office for the United Nations Office for Partnerships will present on 7 January. Moreover, the goals will be presented and discussed at an interactive stand in the Green Village, and be integrated into the Green Directory for the first time. For the past 10 years, this index has listed sustainably producing companies at Heimtextil. In 2020, the Green Directory will comprise a record 262 entries. as well as in the form of panel discussions.

The next event directly after Heimtextil is Neonyt (14-16 January 2020), which takes place once again during Berlin Fashion Week. In the framework of its international conference format Fashionsustain, Neonyt will feature, amongst others, the panel “SDGs X Fashion – The UN’s Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action”. Speakers will be Lucie Brigham, Zachary Angelini, Environmental Stewardship Manager at Timberland, Alexander Gege, Manager Sustainable Business Development at the Otto Group, and Harold Weghorst, Global Vice President Marketing at Lenzing AG.

Texpertise Network

With a unique portfolio currently embracing 58 international textile trade fairs, Messe Frankfurt is the global market leader in trade fairs for the textile industry. In 2018, some 22,000 exhibitors and 520,000 visitors took part in the events around the globe. The trade fair portfolio spans the entire textile industry value chain. As a central communication platform, the Texpertise Network provides information on the world-renowned trade fair brand and the first-class services offered by Messe Frankfurt.

Messe Frankfurt commits further to East Africa: three textiles trade fairs during Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week from 2027

Messe Frankfurt and its Texpertise Network continue their steady, successful trajectory in the region. As Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) opened today, Member of the Executive Board Detlef Braun announced that Messe Frankfurt is licencing its three leading international trade fair brands Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess to Nairobi, Kenya for the first time in 2027. From now on, they will take place annually as part of the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) Nairobi.

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.

The updated poster on biodegradable Polymers in various environments has been released

As part of the PerPlacsBio project, nova-Institute has updated its popular poster on the biodegradability of polymers in different environments. The updated version reflects current standards, certifications and the latest scientific findings. The poster can be used to assess biodegradable alternatives for use in agriculture and forestry, and it is now available in German for the first time.

A new standard to combat plastic waste in forests

With DIN SPEC 35808 “Tree Shelter for Forestry Applications,” the testing and research service provider Hohenstein, in collaboration with Rottenburg University of Forestry, as well as forestry authorities and industry partners, has established a clear framework for bio-based and fully biodegradable tree shelters. The pre-standard defines requirements and practical testing methods designed to reduce plastic waste in forests and strengthen the long-term protection of soil and the environment.

Denim moves towards sustainability

EIM (Environmental Impact Measurement), the global reference platform for measuring the environmental impact of garment finishing, presents the second edition of its annual report Denim Industry Progress & Insights 2025. The study analyses over 100,000 real denim finishing processes, providing an accurate and up-to-date view of the industry’s evolution towards more sustainable models.

Europe’s textile future at a turning point: New 2030 Circularity Blueprint aims to scale recycling and unlock investment opportunities

The EU textile system is at a critical crossroads. Today, less than 1% of discarded garments are recycled into new garments, despite EU-wide obligations for separate collection. In response, Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) is launching the 2030 Circularity Blueprint, in partnership with ReHubs. This ambitious initiative is designed to support the transformation of the EU textile ecosystem to advance textile-to-textile recycling and drive the transition to a circular economy.

Fifteen years of Autoneum – From spin off to global technology leader

What started as a strategic carve‑out has since become the success story of a global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management solutions for vehicles. Headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, Autoneum supplies leading automobile manufacturers worldwide with innovative, lightweight and increasingly sustainable solutions.

Kruger, Canada, orders first nonwovens line for sustainable wipes from ANDRITZ

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from newly established Kruger Nonwovens to deliver a complete WetlaceTM hybrid line for the Wayagamack mill in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada. With this investment, pulp and paper producer Kruger is preparing to enter the nonwovens market with a new generation of plastic-free, chemical-free materials for sustainable wipes. The line is the first of its kind in Canada and is scheduled to start production in 2028.

Picanol to present its leading weaving technology at ITM 2026

Picanol is pleased to announce it will be participating in ITM 2026 in Istanbul. This is a key event for industry professionals to engage with the Turkish textile industry as well as the extensive international audience attending the fair. During the event, Picanol will present its latest innovations to the visitors in Hall 8, booth 802.