The fifth meeting in the highly successful symposium series “How to enter technical textile markets” will be held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland, on 15-16 October 2009. The meeting will be a unique opportunity to hear from international experts about the nature of, and prospects for, every technical textiles market. The emphasis will be on practical information relevant to companies wishing to enter or expand their activities in technical textiles.

The presentations will focus on providing usable information for senior managers who are responsible for maintaining and improving the profitability of their company. Extensive workshops will be integrated into the programme to provide ample opportunity to gain answers to specific questions.

The meeting will focus on market sectors by application and by geography. Speakers will give an analysis of the sectors alongside an overview of the latest developments within them and the effects these are having. For instance, how are suppliers reacting to the growth of automotive production in India/China; what are the latest trends (and the driving forces behind them) in textile machinery development; the continuing impact of military spending and research on the safety and protection sector; the effects of ageing/growing populations on healthcare spending; and how and where to exploit proposed government spending programmes.

Presentations will address how key technologies including nanotechnology, wearable electronics, plasma coating, coating and laminating and biotechnology are making an impact on the industry.

All application areas will be covered, including smart and intelligent textiles. Emphasis will be given to big or rapidly growing markets, notably Military (Safety/Protection), Sports and Leisure (including artificial sports surfaces), Medical, Automotive and Aerospace.

Sessions will address all markets, growing, regional and mature. Important regional markets covered will be China, India, Central/Eastern Europe and The Middle East. Speakers will also talk about the situation in the more mature markets of Western Europe and North America.