#Techtextil 2024

How functional are natural fibres and materials? The new Nature Performance area at Techtextil provides answers

Whether architecture, mobility, agriculture, industry or clothing: Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in all fields of application for technical textiles and textile technologies. For this reason, the leading international trade fair Techtextil, taking place from 23 to 26 April 2024 together with Texprocess, sets a special focus on this future-oriented topic. The professional highlight in this context is the Nature Performance area in the Fibres & Yarns product segment.

Whether bio-based, recycled or degradable materials, circular economy or regenerative design: the development of sustainable solutions in the textile industry is progressing at a rapid pace. The driving forces behind this are no longer solely the ecological benefits. Today, sustainable products and processes are in no way inferior to their conventional competitors in terms of performance and are also increasingly profitable. More than 15 per cent of the exhibitors at Techtextil already have natural fibres and materials in their product range.

Photo: Jean-Luc Valentin / Messe Frankfurt
Photo: Jean-Luc Valentin / Messe Frankfurt


"As one of the major drivers in the textile industry, sustainability is increasingly becoming a decisive business factor. With our new formats, we are creating platforms for relevant innovations and innovative pacemakers in the industry and supporting market participants from all areas of production and application in networking in a sustainable context," says Sabine Scharrer, Director Brand Management Technical Textiles & Textile Processing at Messe Frankfurt, describing the objective of the new programme.

New: Nature Performance area

A special highlight at Techtextil is the "Nature Performance" area. This is located in Hall 9.1 in the Fibres & Yarns product segment. The participating exhibitors will be presenting state-of-the-art alternative, recyclable and sustainable materials with future-proof functional properties. Their spectrum ranges from natural fibres and materials to bio-based fibres and materials. The exhibitor presentations will focus on their performance for a wide range of applications, from architecture, construction, mobility and medicine to the garment industry.

One of the exhibitors in the Nature Performance Area is the Swiss start-up OceanSafe, which is presenting its "naNea" innovation here. "In terms of durability and performance, our Cradle to Cradle certified fibres and yarns even surpass the classic solution, as they are not only biodegradable, but also inherently flame-retardant and hydrophilic. This makes them particularly attractive for many fields of application, from fashion and sportswear to industry and automotive," explains Manuel Schweizer, founder and CEO of OceanSafe. "Sustainability only works in collaboration with research, manufacturing companies, brands and new technologies, which requires good visibility of innovations and new developments. We therefore very much welcome the fact that Techtextil is bringing the topic into the spotlight so prominently with this concentrated area," he says, emphasising the value of the area for the industry.

„For an up-and-coming company like Vegeto, Techtextil is a valuable opportunity to introduce our plant-based thermal insulation made from milkweed fibers to new markets. It opens the door to new business relationships with those most interested in textile innovation, in a space dedicated to sustainable materials. There is enormous potential for natural fibers and it is crucial to make these performant eco-friendly solutions widely available. Techtextil is therefore definitely a good place to join a vast network of proactive suppliers“, says Ghyslain Bouchard, General Manager of Vegeto.

New: Future Materials by FranklinTill

In the same area, the renowned trend and future agency FranklinTill invites visitors to gain an exciting insight into the current state of regenerative design. Under the title Future Materials, FranklinTill curates and honours visionary designers and producers who are making a special contribution in this field. The globally orientated material library showcases state-of-the-art textiles, successful approaches and progressive projects, opening up new perspectives for products, partnerships and networks for interested visitors. In addition to Heimtextil, the successful exhibition will also be presented at Techtextil for the first time in 2024.

New: Econogy

The Nature Performance area is part of the Econogy programme which Messe Frankfurt has introduced for its global textile events. The new label consolidates the numerous networking and information formats on the topic of sustainability and creates transparency through standardised evaluation criteria. The term Econogy stands for the inseparable link between economy and ecology and thus indicates the direction of the future-oriented guiding theme.

Econogy Finder: The Econogy Finder is a key element of the programme. The online directory comprehensively lists exhibitors with sustainable offers that have been certified and checked by experts. At Techtextil itself, the green label on the exhibition stands identifies Econogy exhibitors. In this way, visitors can also spontaneously discover interesting new partners for their sustainable strategies.

Econogy Talks: The Econogy Talks provide current topics and solutions. The high-profile lectures and discussion panels will take place as part of the Techtextil Forum in Hall 9.1. The topics range from new technologies to product innovations. Ricardo Vega Ayora from ITA Academy GmbH, for example, will address the question of how AI can be used for energy optimisation. Or Robin Oddon from Techtera and Johannes Leis from STFI, Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. shed light on the development of circular processes for carbon and glass fibre composites in the MC4 project.

The Econogy Tours, on the other hand, are led by independent experts from the branch to selected companies which are convincing with their sustainable approaches and offerings. During the tour, participants immerse themselves in the latest innovations and technologies, get to know visionary providers and network with potential partners and interested peers across sectors.

The events Techtextil and Texprocess will be held from 23 to 26 April 2024.


More News from Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd.

#Yarns

Yarn Expo Spring 2026 spotlights industry transformation

Taking place 11 – 13 March 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, Yarn Expo Spring 2026 is set to build on the exceptional success of the 2025 edition, which attracted nearly 24,000 visitors from 123 countries and regions. The show set a record with over 560 exhibitors showcasing their latest innovations. Notably, regenerated fibres and yarns drew the highest interest among visitors, with 57% sourcing in that category. Reflecting growing industry momentum, Yarn Expo Spring 2026 will continue to serve as a key global platform for driving sustainable development within the yarn and fibre sectors.

#CINTE Techtextil China 2025

Cinte Techtextil China 2025 opens this week with new products, innovation-focused exhibitors and fringe events

International and domestic exhibitors are relishing the chance to present their curated products at Cinte Techtextil China, when the fair opens from 3 to 5 September 2025, spanning three halls and 32,000 sqm at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

#Texprocess 2026

Texprocess 2026 with strong registration figures – industry positions itself on key future issues

Over 200 exhibitors, including numerous new exhibitors, top brands and long-standing customers, have already registered for Texprocess 2026. The most important global industry meeting place focuses on automation, digitalisation and AI from 21 to 24 April 2026. Technological innovations provide concrete answers to the current demands of industry, such as efficiency and flexibility. Exhibitors also benefit from visitors to the concurrently held Techtextil.

#Home Textiles

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition 2025 opens next week, spotlighting global textile innovation

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition is set to return from 20 – 22 August 2025 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), once again positioning itself as Asia’s preeminent platform for the global home and contract textile industry. With nearly 900 exhibitors representing 20 countries and regions, including eight new countries, the event will span 100,000 sqm across four halls, showcasing the latest cutting-edge products, market trends, and design concepts.

More News on Techtextil 2024

#Techtextil 2024

Successful trade fair appearance of the IVGT members

With a total of 38,000 visitors from 102 countries and 1,700 exhibitors, the 20th Techtextil 2024 from 23 to 26 April in Frankfurt am Main once again maintained its position as the world's largest trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens. The Industry Association for Finishing – Yarns – Fabrics – Technical Textiles also draws a positive conclusion about the course of the trade fair for its members.

#Techtextil 2024

SA Dynamics receives Innovation Award

Making buildings and clothing completely sustainable in the future and thus protecting the climate - SA-Dynamics is making this a reality. Dr Sascha Schriever and Maximilian Mohr were honoured with the a Techtextil Innovation Award in the "New Technologies on Sustainability & Recycling" category on behalf of the SA-Dynamics team at Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main.

#Techtextil 2024

Circular economy, sustainable and regional: Gebr. Otto has answers to the topics of Techtextil 2024

Techtextil, the most important trade fair of the year for Dietenheim-based yarn spinning mill Gebr Otto, came to an end last Friday, April 26. The company presented its products and reported on its latest developments at the BW-i joint stand: These include a concept for sustainable period underwear developed together with Kelheim Fibres, a yarn blend of cotton and native hemp and the collaboration with the recycling studio at ITA Augsburg. The Gebr. Otto trade fair team can draw a positive conclusion: numerous visitors on all days of the fair as well as orders for samples and new project inquiries to take home.

#Techtextil 2024

DiloGroup’s In-house Exhibition on the occasion of Techtextil

Techtextil in Frankfurt is traditionally one of the most important show events worldwide for DiloGroup as a specialist for complete nonwoven manufacturing lines with a long-term speciality as provider of state-of-the-art needling lines. Also this year, Dilo and group members TEMAFA and Spinnbau were situated in hall 12, booth B81, their traditional location, adjacent to needle specialist Groz-Beckert as well as partners and competitors.

Latest News

#Research & Development

The Textile Institute marks 100 years with a global expansion drive

Fresh from its highly successful 63rd conference held in Porto, Portugal, from October 7-10, The Textile Institute (TI) will celebrate a major milestone at the ITMA Asia+CITME textile machinery exhibition in Singapore later this month.

#Nonwovens

Freudenberg accelerates local production for apparel market by expanding its site in India

Freudenberg Performance Materials Apparel (Freudenberg Apparel) celebrates the grand opening of a major expansion at its manufacturing facility in Chennai, India, on October 14, adding 20,000 square feet of production space and introducing new production lines tailored to the Indian apparel market. This strategic investment is aimed at significantly reducing lead times and enhancing the availability of high-quality, locally produced interlinings for the fast-evolving apparel sector in India and South Asia.

#Man-Made Fibers

Eastman Naia™ launches Sustainability Progress Report and 2025-2030 Sustainability Goals at Textile Exchange Conference, reaffirming commitment to circular innovation

At the Textile Exchange Conference 2025, Eastman Naia™ released its 2025 Sustainability Progress Report and announced its 2025–2030 Sustainability Goals, presenting a record of genuine progress and outlining a renewed roadmap for the years ahead. This announcement demonstrates Naia™’s long-standing commitment to driving an industry-wide shift toward sustainability through scalable, commercially viable material solutions.

#Industry 4.0 / Digitalization

Reifenhäuser wins German Design Award for new user interface

At K 2025 in Düsseldorf, the Reifenhäuser Group unveiled its new company-wide machine user interface, which offers a uniform design language for blown film, flat film, and nonwoven lines – and stands out for its particularly simple operation. The overall concept impressed not only customers, but also the jury of the German Design Awards, who honored the system with the prestigious design prize during the trade fair.

TOP