Techtextil, the trade fair for technical textiles, and Texprocess, the trade fair for textile and flexible materials processing, to be held on April 23-26, 2024 will provide a comprehensive platform for industry stakeholders to explore the transformative potential of digitalization in driving growth, innovation, and sustainability within the textile and apparel industry. At these leading international trade fairs, supporting companies on their journey into the digital future, over 1,600 exhibitors from around 50 countries are showcasing their latest developments and innovations. There, participants can find the right business partners and digital solutions to suit their individual needs. The extensive programmes create the ideal setting for discussions with the industry and experts.
Messe Frankfurt, Textiles & Textile Technologies Vice President Olaf Schmidt said that the sectors have an enormous potential for innovation, especially in the field of digitalisation, disclosing: “We can only realise this through a joint international exchange of information. The global industry meets at Techtextil and Texprocess. Dialogue, knowledge transfer, unique innovations and multifaceted solutions strengthen companies on their journey into the future.”
In a panel discussion ahead of this year’s editions of Techtextil and Texprocess, experts considered some of the questions about digitalisation: How is digitalisation affecting the textile industry in terms of innovativeness? How can digitalisation be used to meet the challenges currently facing the sector? What are the latest developments? What does the digital future of the textile industry look like?
Panel talk: From yarn to smart textiles – how digitalisation is driving growth
In the panel discussion, Prof. Thomas Gries, Director of Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University, Elgar Straub, Managing Director of VDMA Textile Care, Fabric & Leather Technologies, and Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies of Messe Frankfurt, offered insights into digitalisation in the textile industry from a variety of perspectives. The discussion was chaired by Zackes Brustik.
Elgar Straub pointed out that constantly changing consumer and legislative requirements, as well as labor shortages and more difficult trading conditions due to geopolitical changes, are constantly posing new challenges for garment manufacturers and processors of technical textiles. Straub explained: “The manufacturers of machines, systems and processes for processing textile materials offer the necessary solutions. Through digitalisation and automation for increased flexibility, sustainability, quality and increased product potential, we help our customers in their production and at the same time ensure a boost in innovation.”
Prof. Thomas Gries mentioned the fact that resilient and sustainable value chains are vital for the viability of the textile industry in the future saying: “And the basis for this is the digitalisation of all process stages. To this end, researchers and the industry must work closely together. New forms of cooperation, such as Open Innovation guarantee speed and efficiency.”
Digitalisation opens up new potential
Digitalisation offers numerous new opportunities for technologies and textile products. And the latest developments will be on show at Techtextil and Texprocess. There, international exhibitors present their latest products. The spectrum ranges from manufacturing technologies, via textile processing machines, fibres, yarns and nonwovens, to functional and smart textiles. The variety of industries in which the products are used is unique. From the medical and mobility sectors to the construction industry, they are used in all areas of application. Moreover, digitalisation is significantly advancing the textile industry: not only can manufacturing and processing procedures be made more efficient, but smart products can also create new added value.
Techtextil and Texprocess 2024: Up-to-date on the subject of digitalisation
The comprehensive programme gives visitors the chance to update their knowledge. For example, the lectures of the Techtextil and Texprocess Forum spotlight aspects of digitalisation and production technology, as well as intelligent textiles, digital textile printing and delivery chains.
The extraordinary degree of innovativeness is also reflected by the Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards. The categories of New Technologies and Digitalisation and AI focus specifically on the latest developments in the field of digitalisation.