#Weaving

2021-09-15

Paris Arc de Triomphe to be wrapped: Fabric is made in Germany by SETEX

It all started in the mid-1990s in the reunified Berlin: SETEX-Textil GmbH supplied the fabric for the wrapping of the German Reichstag. For what was probably the last project of the artist couple Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the weaving machines were running at full speed again. For the wrapping of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the world-famous artists relied on the expertise of the textile specialist for the fifth time. Blue and grey polypropylene fabrics were produced at the Greven production site, which will completely cover the Arc de Triomphe in Paris from 18 September.

SETEX supplies more than 25,000 square metres of fabric

First collaboration with Christo in 1994

Company has been involved in five works created by Christo

It is Christo's last gift to the city of Paris; he has been planning this project for 60 years. After his death last year, Christo cannot witness the wrapping of the Arc de Triomphe at the weekend. In North Rhine-Westphalia the eyes are also on the French capital: SETEX-Textil GmbH, headquartered in Dingden, has supplied the fabric for the fifth time – but it was produced at the Greven site. "The relationship with Christo has grown over a long period of time - a very friendly cooperation, by the way," says Stefan Ott from the sales department for technical textiles of SETEX.

The cooperation began in the 1990s. The contact came about through Stefan Schilgen and his company of the same name, which was bought by SETEX in 2012. The company boss was an art lover and met Christo by chance when the artist was looking for a textile to cover the Reichstag. Schilgen was able to help - and the friendly conversations eventually turned into a partnership. Now, for the fifth time, the textile company has supplied the textiles for a project by the artist.

Stricter fire safety regulations after Notre Dame

Since Christo could no longer travel personally from his home in New York to Germany to plan the wrapping of the Arc de Triomphe due to his age, the coordination was done through confidants and mutual friends, as Ott explains. There were a few challenges to overcome. In addition to the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, the Notre Dame fire in 2019 led to fire regulations being tightened. "We had to re-sample everything again," Ott says. The fabric had to be coated accordingly to make it non-flammable.

The colour design also caused smoking heads at SETEX. "We are an industrial company that produces technical fabrics for technical applications, for example for the automotive industry. To us, for example, the colour of the textiles hardly plays a role.

It took a long time until the colour was finally right and until we had exactly the right feel," says Ott. "For Christo, visuals and haptics were naturally more important than technical properties. That's why we had to constantly make new designs. Until the final product was in the right colour and yarn thickness, there were several trials and numerous meetings." Even a new weaving machine was purchased for the project.

Fabric can be recycled – just as Christo intended

At the Arc de Triomphe, the substructure for the fabric panels is now completely finished, and on Saturday the approximately 25,000 square metres of fabric – a pure polypropylene fabric in the colours grey and blue – will be completely unrolled. The material used for the artwork is normally used for the filtration of food. "By changing the structure and colour, however, we were able to transform the fabric optimally for this project," says Ott. The material also has the advantage of being 100 percent recyclable. "That was always in Christo's mind: he wanted to create works of art that everyone could look at. But in the end, no one can take anything away from it. That's why this fabric will be recycled and can then be used for another purpose," the textile expert explains.

At SETEX, anticipation is growing more and more. "It is an exciting thing to know that you are working for a world-famous artist. It's not an everyday thing," says Ott. "I have my heart set on going to Paris to see the artwork, and I think some of our staff are planning to do the same."

More information:

http://www.setex-textil.de/en

http://www.setex.de/en/

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Picanol to present its leading weaving technology at ITM 2026

Picanol is pleased to announce it will be participating in ITM 2026 in Istanbul. This is a key event for industry professionals to engage with the Turkish textile industry as well as the extensive international audience attending the fair. During the event, Picanol will present its latest innovations to the visitors in Hall 8, booth 802.

Vandewiele Group presents integrated textile innovations at ITM 2026

At ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the Vandewiele Group will showcase a broad portfolio of weaving, carpet and textile machinery technologies under the theme “Textile Innovations Together”. From 9 to 13 June 2026, the Group will present solutions from its brands Vandewiele, Savio, IRO and BMSvision in Hall 7 / Booth 710A.

"We will become a recycling powerhouse"

The textile industry is now in its fourth consecutive year of crisis, while automation, artificial intelligence and recycling are reshaping the rules of the game. In this interview, Rieter CEO Thomas Oetterli discusses the first signs of a market recovery, reflects on his first three years at the helm of the company, explains the integration of Barmag, outlines Rieter’s vision of the fully automated spinning mill and highlights the strategic importance of recycling. In doing so, he explains why the new Rieter Group aims to play a leading role in transforming the textile value chain into a circular economy.

EDANA launches landmark continence report to mark the start of the World Continence Week

Today marks the official commencement of the World Continence Week. To honour this global awareness initiative, EDANA has published a comprehensive report titled "The Central Role of Absorbent Hygiene Products in the Management of Adult Urinary Incontinence: Benefits, Costs and Environmental Impact." The World Continence Week (WCW) is an annual global initiative dedicated to raising public awareness about incontinence and bladder or bowel health issues. Traditionally held in June, this awareness week aims to shed light on a condition that affects millions of people worldwide but is frequently kept secret due to widespread social stigma, embarrassment, and taboo.

Mario Jorge Machado re-elected President of EURATEX

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation.