#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.

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.

Fewer pores, greater impact tolerance: Peter Dornier Foundation Prize 2026 honours material research on fibre-reinforced composite components for aerospace industry

Microscopically small pores that form during manufacture, or barely visible impact damage, can severely impair the load-bearing capacity and service life of fibre-reinforced composite components. Two young researchers have presented groundbreaking work in this field and will both be awarded the 2026 Peter Dornier Foundation Prize: Dr.-Ing. Benedikt Neitzel from the Technical University of Ilmenau for his doctoral thesis on pore minimisation in the RTM process, and Johanna Buschmann, M.Sc., for her master’s thesis, completed at the German Aerospace Centre, on the improved impact tolerance of 3D fabrics compared to 2D laminates.

Itema reaffirms its commitment to the Syrian textile industry at NasTex 2026

From July 18th to 21st, Itema will exhibit at NasTex at the Damascus Fairground (Hall 11 – Stand C02), marking its return to one of the Middle East’s historically significant textile markets. Itema will showcase advanced weaving technology designed to support the competitiveness and technological evolution of Syrian manufacturers and announces a new partnership with Growfast Agency as the sole agent of Itema in Syria.

Expansive innovations converge in Shanghai as Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 opens doors next week

With just days to go, industry enthusiasm is building for the opening of Yarn Expo Autumn, Asia’s premier yarn and fibre trade fair, running from 25 – 27 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Across 27,000 sqm in Hall 8.2, buyers will find nearly 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, spread across seven specialised zones that range from cutting-edge man-made and regenerated fibres to time-honoured cashmere and silk. Beyond the extensive sourcing options, a fringe programme of trend showcases, presentations and product launches rounds out the three¬day event with design, innovation and market intelligence.

DOMOTEX Southeast Asia 2026 - Building the Gateway to ASEAN's fast-growing flooring market

From 11–13 November 2026, the inaugural DOMOTEX Southeast Asia will take place at BITEC (Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre) in Bangkok, Thailand. Jointly organized by GLOBUS Events Limited and Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd., with Worldex G.E.C. Co., Ltd. as the local partner, the exhibition marks the expansion of the internationally recognized DOMOTEX brand into Southeast Asia. As the newest addition to the global DOMOTEX portfolio, the exhibition has been developed specifically to serve the rapidly evolving ASEAN market, creating a dedicated business event for the flooring and interior finishing industry.

Execs help steer Cascale’s consumer goods agenda in Athens

The 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting, taking place September 15–17 in Athens, Greece, will convene leaders from across the global consumer goods value chain to tackle one of the industry’s defining questions: how to accelerate meaningful, system-wide transformation. Guiding those conversations as this year’s co-chairs are Sean Cady, vice president, global sustainability, responsibility, trade, and government affairs at VF Corporation, and Dr. Delman Lee, vice chair at TAL Apparel Limited.