Features

Underpinning much of the commercial innovation exhibited at Techtextil is an infrastructure that supports the industry: a flourishing research base; independent testing centres; international standards; the means to assure quality.

Techtextil has grown continuously during the lifetime of this magazine, as has the importance of high-performance applications for nonwovens. Another record-breaking exhibition provides plenty of evidence to support both these statements.

Despite the next ITMA being just a few months away, the importance of technical textiles manufacturers as a market for machinery builders is shown by the number of them attending Techtextil in Frankfurt, writes Editor Nick Butler.

Editor Nick Butler surveyed all of the record-breaking number of exhibitors, more than 1350, who will display their latest innovations at Techtextil 2015 (4–7 May 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany).  In this first article, he focuses on the manufacturers of fibres, yarns and filaments.

Coating and laminating remain crucial ways of developing innovative textiles and adding novel functionalities. Once more, according to Nick Butler, Techtextil provides visitors with a wide variety of the latest examples.

In  the continuous effort to develop textiles that fulfil a wide range of needs, raw materials, finishes and additives play vital roles. Among the exhibitors at Techtextil 2015, Nick Butler finds plenty of evidence to support this assertion.

Texprocess is an exhibition dedicated to the processing of textiles and flexible materials. Niki Tait spoke to the exhibitors and presents a round-up of the latest products and technologies to be found on the show floor.

Editor Nick Butler concludes our preview of Techtextil with a look at exhibitors who will travel the following month to take part in the North American satellite event, Techtextil North America, which once more runs alongside JEC Americas.

Several months before the exhibition’s doors open, the size of Techtextil 2015 has surpassed even that of the record-breaking year of 2013, prompting the show’s organizer to extend its footprint and duration, reports Nick Butler.

Currently, there are several reasons to be highly optimistic about the current state and future prospects of our industry.