[pageLogInLogOut]

#Sustainability

Sustainability at Messe Frankfurt’s textile trade fairs: five core issues for the textile and fashion industry

With the new ‘Texpertise Econogy Insights’, Messe Frankfurt’s textile trade fairs are shining a spotlight on five core issues facing the textile and clothing industry as it undergoes a transformation targeted at greater sustainability. These key themes are based on the results of the sustainability check offered to exhibiting companies as part of the Texpertise Econogy textile sustainability programme and conversations with international textile experts.


Textile waste equivalent in volume to 370,000 fully-loaded Airbus aircraft, a recycling rate of one per cent and 99.7 per cent of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises: the textile and clothing industry is not just a world of superlative figures, but also an industry with one of the most complex supply chains in the world. Where the industry stands in terms of sustainability and what drivers and obstacles are playing a role in its transformation is the focus of the report ‘Texpertise Econogy Insights - five central developments for a more sustainable textile industry’, published today by Texpertise, a network of more than 60 Messe Frankfurt textile events in 13 countries. 

For more sustainability in the textile and clothing industry: national and international regulatory requirements are intended to bring more transparency to the industry's complex supply chains / Photo: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH

‘Transformation requires cooperation. The international textile events by Messe Frankfurt serve as key hubs for change in this process. With the international sustainability programme Texpertise Econogy, we are making developments for a more sustainable industry tangible, connecting green pioneers with companies and creating hotspots for knowledge and networking,’ says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles and Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt.

Together with renowned experts from textile research, business and associations, Messe Frankfurt analyses five key themes for the sustainable transformation of the international textile and clothing industry: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as an international benchmark for responsible corporate behaviour, transparency and traceability in global supply chains as well as the advantages and disadvantages of natural fibres, synthetic fibres and regenerated fibres in terms of their environmental compatibility and functionality. It also evaluates environmentally friendly process standards and innovative approaches to textile recycling. Among those interviewed for the report were representatives from Aalto University; Euratex; Fashion for Good; Hohenstein Group; IKEA; Industrial Association for Finishing, Yarns, Woven Fabrics and Technical Textiles (IVGT); Oberbadische Bettfedernfabrik (OBB); Saxon Textile Research Institute (STFI); United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network; VDMA Textile Care, Fabrics and Leather Technologies; German Association of Home Textiles Manufacturers and the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy.

These themes are derived from the results of the Texpertise Econogy Checks, the sustainability check that exhibiting companies can now undergo at 24 of the more than 60 Messe Frankfurt textile events across the world. The check evaluates companies against a set of international sustainability standards in the areas of Sustainable Supply Chain, Materials and Processes as well as Strategy and Innovation. During the period from January 2024 to January 2025, a total of 820 companies at 17 events in Germany, France, the USA and China completed the Econogy Check.

An ongoing commitment to greater sustainability

Since 2008, Messe Frankfurt has played an active role in promoting sustainability within the global textile and fashion industry. At its international textile fairs, it developed curation tools for textile sustainability early on, as well as creating special areas for sustainable textile innovations and integrating sustainability themes into its fringe programmes. At the end of 2023, Messe Frankfurt grouped all the sustainability-related activities at its international textile events under one communications umbrella: Texpertise Econogy. The aim of this is to ensure greater visibility for sustainable textile innovations, offer better orientation in a world of increasingly complex sustainability developments and promote knowledge transfer and cooperation within the international textile industry insofar as sustainable transformation is concerned. Since it was launched, Texpertise Econogy has been rolled out to 24 of the approximately 60 Texpertise events across the world. 

Messe Frankfurt Texpertise

With a portfolio of more than 60 international textile trade fairs in 13 countries, Messe Frankfurt is the global market leader for textile trade fairs. The trade fair portfolio spans the entire textile industry value chain: Texpertise brings together these events, current issues and a global network of more than 500,000 industry representatives from all over the world. As a central communication platform, Texpertiseprovides information on the world-renowned trade fair brands and the first-class services offered by Messe Frankfurt.

‘Texpertise Econogy Insights’ is available as an accessible e-paper and in printed format.

Download the e-paper version here:

https://texpertisenetwork.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/news-stories/stories/sustainability-the-major-transformation.html#download





More News from Messe Frankfurt GmbH

#Fabrics

Messe Frankfurt and Supima introduce Prefab – a new curated fabric sourcing event in New York City

Messe Frankfurt is expanding its international textile network with the launch of Prefab, a new boutique-style sourcing event dedicated exclusively to high-quality fabrics. Taking place 19-20 January 2027 at the Altman Building in New York City, the event will bring selected Supima member fabric mills together with senior designers, fabric directors, product developers and sourcing decision-makers from premium and luxury brands. With a carefully curated exhibitor line-up and a targeted visitor approach, Prefab is designed to create a focused business setting in which material quality, expertise and meaningful exchange take priority over scale.

#Heimtextil 2027

Heimtextil expands Bed, Bath & Living with new ‘Comfort & Connect’ area

Heimtextil is expanding its product range for Bed, Bath & Living in a targeted manner: ‘Comfort & Connect‘ is creating a new meeting place in the foyer of Hall 5.1 for high-quality bed, bath and lifestyle collections. Following on from ‘Sleep & Meet‘, this is now the second area where Heimtextil is further refining its offering for exhibitors and buyers. The new area brings together established brands, high-profile returning exhibitors and international buyers in a central location with easy access.

#Heimtextil 2027

Global carpet industry smartly connected: Heimtextil 2027 sharpens Carpets & Rugs with new structure and premium segment

Even more efficient, more targeted and closer to the market: Heimtextil 2027 strengthens its position as the leading meeting place for the global carpet industry and further expands Carpets & Rugs in line with market needs. With a stronger focus on distribution channels, the segment integrates into Heimtextil’s product worlds.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris highlights evolving global sourcing landscape

From 31 August to 2 September 2026, Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris will bring together more than 1,000 international exhibitors at Paris-Le Bourget Exhibition Centre. This edition reflects the new global balance of textile and apparel sourcing, highlighting a strong diversity of sourcing countries — some unexpected.

More News on Sustainability

#Sustainability

Execs help steer Cascale’s consumer goods agenda in Athens

The 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting, taking place September 15–17 in Athens, Greece, will convene leaders from across the global consumer goods value chain to tackle one of the industry’s defining questions: how to accelerate meaningful, system-wide transformation. Guiding those conversations as this year’s co-chairs are Sean Cady, vice president, global sustainability, responsibility, trade, and government affairs at VF Corporation, and Dr. Delman Lee, vice chair at TAL Apparel Limited.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

SAITEX reports efficiency gains and greater transparency in 2025 Impact Report

Vietnam-based denim manufacturer SAITEX has published its 2025 Impact Report, documenting progress in resource efficiency, chemical management, digital traceability and knowledge sharing across its manufacturing operations in Vietnam and the United States. Rather than focusing on sustainability ambitions, the report presents operational data, manufacturing developments and lessons learned from the past year.

#Raw Materials

Aid by Trade Foundation presents annual report for 2025: Market position and impact of sustainably verified natural fibres strengthened

Despite global supply chain challenges, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) was able to further expand its international role in promoting sustainably verified natural fibres in 2025. In doing so, the foundation remains true to its fundamental approach of leveraging market forces. Last year, it generated total revenues of EUR 7.8 million; this included EUR 6.7 million collected through the successful marketing of four standards: Cotton made in Africa (CmiA), CmiA Organic, The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS), and the Regenerative Cotton Standard (RCS). AbTF invested the resulting income in projects aiming to protect biodiversity, support women, increase transparency in the textile supply chain, and implement its verification system.

#Sustainability

Textile Exchange reports growth in certifications and industry engagement

Textile Exchange has published its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting continued growth in certified sites, industry participation and the development of its standards and membership structure. According to the report, more than 100,000 sites worldwide are now certified to Textile Exchange standards, more than three times the number recorded in 2020. Preliminary figures also indicate 12% year-on-year growth across the organization's current standards, including the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) and the Responsible Animal Fiber standards.

Latest News

#Yarn & Fiber

Expansive innovations converge in Shanghai as Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 opens doors next week

With just days to go, industry enthusiasm is building for the opening of Yarn Expo Autumn, Asia’s premier yarn and fibre trade fair, running from 25 – 27 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Across 27,000 sqm in Hall 8.2, buyers will find nearly 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, spread across seven specialised zones that range from cutting-edge man-made and regenerated fibres to time-honoured cashmere and silk. Beyond the extensive sourcing options, a fringe programme of trend showcases, presentations and product launches rounds out the three¬day event with design, innovation and market intelligence.

#Carpets

DOMOTEX Southeast Asia 2026 - Building the Gateway to ASEAN's fast-growing flooring market

From 11–13 November 2026, the inaugural DOMOTEX Southeast Asia will take place at BITEC (Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre) in Bangkok, Thailand. Jointly organized by GLOBUS Events Limited and Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd., with Worldex G.E.C. Co., Ltd. as the local partner, the exhibition marks the expansion of the internationally recognized DOMOTEX brand into Southeast Asia. As the newest addition to the global DOMOTEX portfolio, the exhibition has been developed specifically to serve the rapidly evolving ASEAN market, creating a dedicated business event for the flooring and interior finishing industry.

#Research & Development

MELANGE starts with a co-creative design workshop at Aalto University to shape the visual identity of this new project transforming colouration in textiles

Over the next three years, MELANGE will lower the environmental impact of interior textile production by moving colour design to the beginning of the manufacturing process. This Horizon Europe project officially started on 1 August 2026, and will be publicly launched on 27 August 2026.

#Textile processing

YKK launches no. 3 size of QuickFree® click-TRAK® magnetic zipper globally

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has begun the global rollout of the No. 3 size of its QuickFree® click-TRAK® Magnetic zipper, expanding availability beyond China for the first time. While maintaining the same functionality and ease of operation, the No. 3 size is approximately 60% the size of the No. 5 size *1. This enables applications in lightweight garments, sportswear, hooded apparel, and other similar uses.

TOP