#Techtextil 2019

2019-05-09

Textile coating of furniture

The INSQIN® technology from Covestro is a water-based textile coating that does not use any solvents. At the Techtextil trade fair from May 14–17, Covestro will demonstrate that it can open the way to new consumer worlds, using the example of a refrigerator that is protected by a water-based polyurethane textile coating.

Create lasting value with the water-based INSQIN® technology

“It is an unusual eye catcher, that shows what is possible with INSQIN®, and it should inspire the industry to develop new concepts,” says Thomas Michaelis, head of Textile Coatings for the Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America (EMEA/LA) region.

At the same time, the textile-coated refrigerator fits perfectly with a current trend: The border between the kitchen and the living room is becoming increasingly blurred, creating integrated living spaces. “Accordingly, more consumers are asking for customized household appliances and furniture that are elegant and appear valuable,” says Thomas Michaelis.

Demand for high-value look and feel

It goes without saying that household appliances are still almost always coated in white or have a stainless steel look. Why shouldn’t these and other home furnishings also be equipped with cozy and high-quality materials, as long as they are robust and environmentally friendly? The global warming potential of textile coatings made using the INSQIN® technology is 45 percent lower than that of solvent-based systems. In terms of chemical and mechanical resistance, the more environmentally compatible products achieve the same excellent level as solvent-based systems.

The INSQIN® technology stems from Covestro’s conviction that innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. Accordingly, Covestro’s motto at Techtextil 2019 in Frankfurt am Main, hall 3.0, stand D 22, will be: “Material Solutions inspired by Sustainnovation.”

Covestro showcases monomaterial concept in autonomous SUE People Mover

UE | STUDIOS has unveiled the fully autonomous electric minibus “Self-driving Urban E-Shuttle” (SUE), placing strong emphasis on sustainable material design. Developed within a project funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and the European Union, the vehicle will begin public road testing this year. At the core of the concept is the consistent use of recyclable monomaterials to improve circularity at end of life.

Covestro and Heraeus Precious Metals collaborate to enable safer, more sustainable antimicrobial textile coatings

Laboratory tests reveal that AGXX antimicrobial surface technology from Heraeus Precious Metals is fully compatible with Impranil® PU dispersions which are part of the waterborne INSQIN® textile coating technology from Covestro, paving the way for more sustainable antimicrobial textile coatings. This discovery comes at a key moment for the textile coatings industry. As the sharing economy continues to grow, more people are coming into regular contact with high-use surfaces, creating ideal conditions for bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms to thrive.

Covestro celebrates decade of innovation and sustainable growth

Covestro celebrates its 10-year anniversary today. Since its carve-out from Bayer in 2015, the company has developed into a global leader in high-performance polymer materials and a pioneer in circular economy solutions. With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, Covestro’s materials are now embedded in countless applications worldwide – from mobility and construction to electronics, healthcare, and consumer goods.

DIENES at Techtextil 2026: Flexible pilot lines for bio-based fiber development

The growing relevance of bio-based materials in technical textiles is accompanied by increasing demands for reproducibility, high-quality data, and scalable process routes. Especially when working with cellulose and its derivatives, chitosan, lignin-based approaches, or bio-based PAN as a carbon-fiber precursor, R&D teams face variable feedstock quality, tighter process windows, and the need for reliable comparability across trials. This calls for flexible, data-driven experimental setups that can be reconfigured efficiently when recipes, solvents, and raw-material batches change.

Gunold showcases embroidery product range and services at Texprocess

At Texprocess 2026, GUNOLD will present numerous hands-on examples related to embroidery in Hall 8, Booth E20. The focus is on creative embroidery designs as well as the extensive product range of threads, nonwovens, and accessories for embroidery and embellishment. “Trade visitors can once again look forward to many new and creative embroidery designs. Of course, we will also showcase the matching products required to bring these ideas to life,” announces Marketing Manager Stephan Gunold.

A Powerful Opening: Global thought leaders launch the International Cotton Conference Bremen

The International Cotton Conference Bremen will open on 25 March 2026 in the Parliament building of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen with a keynote session of exceptional calibre. Distinguished international experts will set the stage for the conference by offering incisive perspectives on the most pressing challenges and the defining trends shaping the future of the global cotton trade. Their insights will span a broad spectrum — from geopolitically driven disruptions affecting global supply chains to the opportunities emerging from innovation-led agriculture capable of supporting a growing world population. Together, these opening keynotes will frame the dialogue of the conference, highlighting both the complexity of today’s market environment and the pathways toward a resilient and forward-looking cotton sector.