Techtextil and Texprocess provide market-ready solutions for industries under pressure

Techtextil and Texprocess 2026 concluded with strong visitor and exhibitor participation. With more than 36,000 visitors and 1,700 exhibitors, the leading international trade fairs offered opportunities for new business and partnerships.

Accordingly, the expected post-fair business for exhibitors at both trade fairs has grown considerably. In a challenging market, Techtextil and Texprocess have thus provided the global industry with a stable meeting place. Participants from 112 countries were represented at the exhibition grounds in Frankfurt.

“Volatile market developments are driving lasting changes in business models. Connectivity, flexibility and speed are key success factors in this environment. At Techtextil and Texprocess, relevant partners come together to rapidly translate ideas into applications. New materials and innovations on supply chains are decisive competitive advantages,” says Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt.

Collaboration between research, industry and application plays a key role in the development of new solutions. This is demonstrated by the Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards 2026. A majority of the award-winning innovations were realised through partnerships.

From protective clothing to medical and automotive solutions – the applications of textile innovations span across industries. New applications emerge from chance encounters between manufacturers, processors and application partners. “At Techtextil and Texprocess, it becomes clear which solutions can succeed in cross-industry markets and secure investment. At the same time, unplanned encounters with new business partners open up access to new markets – and drive innovation,” says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt.

The Nature Performance segment at Techtextil presented visitors with natural and bio-based alternatives to synthetic fibres. These materials combine sustainability with high performance, enabling CO₂ savings, recyclability and reduced dependence on fossil resources. Whether heat-resilient, tear-resistant or breathable, more than 110 exhibitors demonstrated the growing use in industrial applications. Cordenka, for example, showcased technical viscose fibres for the agricultural sector that can be composted along with plant residues. Oceansafe presented a high-performance polymer made from bio-based and recycled raw materials that can be scaled for industrial use.

In the Performance Apparel Textiles segment at Techtextil, the number of exhibitors doubled compared with the previous event. Growing investment in security, defence and civil protection is driving up demand for high-performance, standards-compliant textiles and specialised processing technologies. Companies are increasingly turning to innovative solutions that can withstand heavy wear and tear whilst meeting specific safety requirements. At Techtextil, exhibitors showcased high-performance materials designed for outdoor, sports, fashion, military and industrial safety clothing. Meanwhile, Texprocess showcased the processing technologies required to meet these demands.

At Texprocess, visitors gained a comprehensive market overview – the basis for investment decisions in challenging times. A clear trend emerged: alongside processing machinery, connected solutions are becoming increasingly important throughout the production process. They integrate individual process steps more closely – from design and resource planning through to manufacturing – thereby enabling more flexible, demand-driven production.