#Techtextil 2017

2017-06-02

DiloGroup looks back at a successful Techtextil 2017

This year’s Techtextil in Frankfurt was record-breaking! More than 47.500 visitors from 114 countries came to Frankfurt from May 9 – 12, 2017 to gather information about the most innovative products in the field of technical textiles and about the latest process technologies.

Technical textiles – a dynamic high tech sector

New machine techniques and technologies, interesting products and spectacular visions of the future: During all 4 days of Techtextil, international visitors crowded the fairground to discover high-tech textiles used in applications like foldable textile floodlights, smart knee braces, warming or cooling fashion and clothes with integrated LED lights, incombustible fibres, bicycle frames made from carbon fibre and textile membranes for stadium roofs. Most Techtextil visitors came from Germany, Italy, France and Turkey and to the Texprocess from Italy, Romania and Portugal.

DiloGroup informed about interesting themes and topics and, a great number of customers and interested parties paid a visit to the DILO booth. DiloGroup, the leading group in the sector of staple fibre needling lines, who realized record turnovers in 2015 and 2016, took the chance to once again extensively inform about its equipment portfolio.

Staple fibre needling lines which consist of fibre preparation, i. e. opening and blending equipment, card feeding and cards as well as crosslappers and needle looms, were the main topic of discussion on the fair.

One important aspect for users is the joint drive and automatization technique which is used to interconnect the whole system and which complies with the demands of modern interlacing and smart production.

Customized production lines for each purpose and value are designed, manufactured, delivered and put into operation by DiloGroup. Service and high availability of spare parts support the high operational availability of DILO needling lines.

DiloGroup not only presented its standard universal lines at Techtextil 2017 but also the latest innovations of the DILO portfolio which provide increased manufacturing efficiency, improved endproduct quality and greater productivity aided by the degree of automation.

The machines of DiloGroup are used in all the most important sectors such as automotive, floor coverings, synthetic leather, geotextiles and filtration.

The new technology “HyperTex” using an inline yarn layer to produce multi-layer reinforced nonwovens has been developed especially for filter media, geotextiles and roofing material. This new approach has been acknowledged with great interest.

In the field of special fibres processing as used for carbon composite materials made from recycled fibres much headway has been made. Compact special lines for product development using recycled carbon fibres are now successfully operated.

In addition, DiloGroup informed about wide carding systems with high web speeds used in water entanglement lines. DiloSystems offers such special carding systems in working widths exceeding 5 m and web speeds of more than 400 m/min.

The great number of customers and interested parties showed once again that the development potential for technical textiles, especially for needled nonwovens and composites, has not yet been fully utilized.

“Needle punching technology is more universal and sustainable than ever!”

Needle punching technology was long regarded as a rather traditional and comparatively slow technology within the nonwovens industry. In this interview, Johann Philipp Dilo explains why needle punching is more relevant than ever today – ranging from energy efficiency and resource conservation to hygiene applications, new machine concepts and design-oriented nonwoven solutions.

Modernizing Needling – DiloGroup at Techtextil & INDEX 2026

With the theme “Modernizing Needling”, the DiloGroup presents a comprehensively enhanced portfolio for needling technology. The objective is to further increase the performance and application range of needlefelt production lines in terms of productivity, flexibility, and the development of new products, thereby meeting the growing demands of modern technical textiles.

More patterns, less effort: the MULTI-MATIC® at Rohleder

Rohleder is one of Europe’s most modern weaving mills. For over 80 years, the family-owned company has been developing and manufacturing premium fabrics for brands, retailers and private customers – 100% Made in Germany. This success is made possible by a consistent focus on design, quality, and functionality, as well as by continuous investment in state-of-the-art production facilities. Rohleder also relies on innovative technologies in warp preparation and has been collaborating with KARL MAYER for many years. As recently as 2023, a MULTI-MATIC® was delivered to the company’s headquarters in Konradsreuth.

BASF opens global diaper and superabsorbents performance lab in Mumbai

BASF has officially inaugurated its new Performance Lab for diapers and superabsorbents (SAP) in Mumbai on August 18, 2026, which will provide technical and application services to superabsorbent customers globally. The new lab of BASF’s Hygiene Solutions business has been established in less than a year and is part of BASF’s Innovation Campus Asia Pacific in Mumbai, BASF’s second largest R&D site in Asia Pacific established in 2017 under BASF Chemicals India Private Limited.

Naia™ from Eastman strengthens western hemisphere textile connections at Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala

As brands and retailers explore more diversified and responsive sourcing networks, the Naia™ brand from Eastman is strengthening its engagement with the textile and apparel value chain across the western hemisphere. From August 18–20, the company will participate for the first time in Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala, a regional meeting point for apparel sourcing, manufacturing and nearshoring.

Dornbirn GFC 2026 expands conference program with new thematic sessions

For 65 years, Dornbirn GFC has stood for innovation and is one of the world’s leading conferences in the fiber industry. From September 16 to 18, 2026, the international fiber community will meet in Dornbirn, Austria, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and forward-looking solutions. More than 600 experts from industry and academia from over 30 countries are expected to attend. With around 100 presentations by renowned speakers, a 2,5-day conference program, and three parallel presentation rooms with moderated sessions, Dornbirn GFC provides a first-class platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and international collaboration. Together, participants will generate ideas and impulses that will sustainably shape the future of the global fiber industry.