#Techtextil 2026

2026-04-16

Asahi Kasei Advance to showcase high-performance non-woven and fibers at Techtextil 2026

Asahi Kasei Advance will present its portfolio of high-performance nonwovens, flame-retardant fabrics, and advanced textile and fiber solutions designed for various industries during its first-ever exhibition at Techtextil 2026. Techtextil is the leading international trade show for technical textiles and nonwovens, taking place from April 21-24, 2026, in Frankfurt, Germany. Asahi Kasei Advance will highlight 14 brands, with special focus on four key materials as its debut at the exhibition in Hall 12.1 at booth C35.

Advanced flame protection: LASTAN™

LASTAN™ is a non-mineral flame-retardant fabric made by air baking a special acrylic fiber at 200–300°C. Featuring a limited oxygen index (LOI) of 47.5-50, it is characterized by high flame resistance and good electrical insulation, and a special coating process allows the material to disperse sparks generated during welding or cutting operations, thereby suppressing ignition. This allows the material to provide effective protection against flames and particle exposure from venting gases. With these excellent characteristics, LASTAN™ has been used for many years as an optimal material for failure prevention and safety in various industries.

Durable and recyclable 3D spacer fabric: Cubit™

The 3D warp knitted fabric Cubit™ is the ideal material for applications that require durability, breathability, ease of care, and enhanced support and comfort. With front and back surfaces made of PET, it is available in types using connecting threads made of PTT, PET or Nylon. The all PET monomaterial type provides an easy-to-recycle alternative to polyurethane foam in applications for the health care, furniture, or automotive industry.

3D Spacer Material Cubit

Nonwovens for hygiene and cleaning solutions: Bemliese™

Bemliese™ is a cellulose continuous filament nonwoven sheet made from cotton linter. It becomes especially soft after moistening and drapes well over any surface it contacts with less abrasion. Its exceptional moisture absorption and retention make it a suitable material for hygienic applications and cosmetic applications like face and eye masks. In a dry state, Bemliese™ leaves virtually little lint, scratches, or chemical residues on the surfaces it contacts, making it a material suitable for cleaning equipment in industrial, laboratory, or medical environments where contamination must be minimized. TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium NV has certified the material’s biodegradability in soil, water and marine environment, as well as for industrial and home composting.

Binder-free versatility: ELTAS™

ELTAS™ is a versatile spunbond nonwoven material available in various types made of polyamide, polyester, or polypropylene. All three materials feature binder-free webs and are available in ultra-thin low-weight grades. These spunbond binder free nonwoven fabrics feature filament evenness, air permeability, and edge fray resistance. ELTAS™ grades are used across a wide range of applications, including hygiene products, consumer and household items, automotive components, filtration, agriculture, housing materials, and other applications such as tea bags, and cable wrapping solutions.

All four highlighted brands alongside ten additional material solutions will be presented at the Asahi Kasei Advance booth C35 in Hall 12.1.

ROICA: Where distinction and intention shape the future of apparel industry at Milano Unica

At Milano Unica, held at Fiera Milano (Rho) in Milan from January 20–22, nine select European partners unveil collections shaped by ROICA™—the premium stretch fiber by Asahi Kasei. ROICA™ does not stand alone on the show floor, but its presence is quietly interlaced into each creation, chosen by those who seek distinction and depth in modern textiles. Through these dedicated collaborations, ROICA™ continues to sup-port the apparel industry with advanced stretch, comfort, and environmental care, offering something unique for brands who value true craftsmanship and thoughtful innovation.

January 2026 marks Asahi Kasei’s restart of Bemberg production in restored sections of the Nobeoka facility

Beginning January 2026, production at the Asahi Kasei Nobeoka facility – Bemberg’s only production site – will gradually resume, marking a new chapter following the partial shutdown caused by the April 2022 incident. This progress is the result of significant investments and continuous work toreinforce safety measures, restore full operational capacity, and establish long- term stability.

FET’s revolutionary gel spinning system wins Techtextil Innovation Award

FET has received the prestigious Techtextil Innovation Award 2026 in the New Production Technology category. The Techtextil Innovation Award honours outstanding ideas in textile technology, sustainability, AI and the creation of technical textiles, selected by an international jury of experts. Ranging from new materials to new production technologies, this award recognises progressive ideas that are driving forces for numerous industries, such as automotive, medical and construction.

Young talents honoured – 60 years Walter Reiners Foundation

At the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of April, Peter D. Dornier, chairman of the VDMA’s Walter Reiners Foundation, presented awards to five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability awards were presented in the categories of bachelor’s/project theses and diploma/master’s theses. Academic theses are eligible for the sustainability awards if, for example, they develop solutions for resource-efficient products and technologies.

Techtextil 2026: KARL MAYER impresses as an innovative sector partner

KARL MAYER looks back with satisfaction on its participation in Techtextil 2026. From April 21 to 24, the international industry leader used the trade show in Frankfurt to meet with numerous key customers at its booth and, at the same time, establish many new contacts. Most visitors came from Germany, followed by major markets such as Poland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, France, and Portugal.

A Penteadora starts up ANDRITZ textile recycling and needlepunch nonwoven lines in Portugal

A Penteadora SA has successfully started up a complete mechanical textile recycling line and a needlepunch nonwoven line supplied by ANDRITZ at its production site in Unhais da Serra, Portugal. This investment enables A Penteadora to expand its industrial capabilities and develop a new generation of solutions based on pre- and post-consumer recycled textiles. The input materials originate from its own production waste and other textile waste streams. Both lines are fully operational, and the first products are expected to reach the market in July.

ReHubs elects new Board of Directors to lead the next phase of ReHubs’ strategy to recycle 2.7 million tonnes of textile waste annually by 2035

ReHubs has elected its new Board of Directors, marking an important milestone as the industry alliance continues to accelerate the industrial scale-up of textile-to-textile recycling across Europe. The election took place during the ReHubs Annual Event in Brussels on June 23rd, held alongside the Textile Recycling Expo and Future Fabrics Expo. The newly elected Board combines expertise from across the textile value chain, reflecting ReHubs' collaborative approach to solving the industry’s textile waste crises.

Reju opens its first R&D Center in the U.S. in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

Reju, the company specializing in textile regeneration, today announced the opening of a Research and Development (R&D) Center in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the company's first proprietary research center in North America. Located within Technip Energies' existing Advanced Materials and Catalysts research center, the lab will allow Reju to accelerate the rollout of its recycling technologies and develop its next-generation circular solutions.