At a time when the global textile industry is navigating economic uncertainty, geopolitical pressures and cautious investment sentiment, innovation has emerged as the sector’s strongest growth driver. This was the central message from the press conference of Techtextil and Texprocess 2026, where industry leaders discussed how technological advancement is reshaping the future of textiles.
During a panel discussion, experts highlighted how artificial intelligence, digitalisation, sustainable materials and new production models are accelerating transformation across the value chain. These developments are brought into sharp focus through the Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards, which recognise forward-looking solutions that translate research into industrial application.
Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt, underlined the importance of innovation in challenging times. He noted that when investments are restrained, innovative capability becomes even more critical. According to him, Techtextil and Texprocess are not only platforms for presenting ideas but also for developing them into market-ready solutions. The Innovation Awards, he added, play a vital role by giving emerging technologies the visibility and credibility needed to bridge the gap between research and commercial use.
Addressing competitiveness in a rapidly changing global landscape, Elgar Straub, Managing Director of VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies, emphasised that innovation today serves a dual purpose. Digitalisation, automation and AI are helping companies improve efficiency, conserve resources and respond more flexibly to market demands, while also opening new avenues for growth.
The increasing role of digital processes in textile development and manufacturing was further illustrated by Walter Wählt, Chairman of the Texprocess Innovation Award and Senior Director Advanced Creation at adidas. He explained that technologies such as 3D design, virtual prototyping and AI significantly reduce development timelines and material consumption. However, he stressed that human creativity, experience and decision-making remain irreplaceable despite rapid technological progress.
From a sustainability perspective, António Braz Costa, Chairman of the Techtextil Innovation Award and General Manager at CITEVE, highlighted the essential connection between research and innovation. He pointed out that sustainable, high-performance textile solutions only become economically viable when research outcomes are successfully integrated into industrial processes. Recycling technologies, circular solutions and new materials must move beyond laboratories to deliver real market impact. Trade fairs like Techtextil and Texprocess, along with the Innovation Awards, play a crucial role in enabling this transition.
Together, the Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards present a clear vision of the textile industry’s future. They demonstrate how technical textiles, nonwovens and textile processing technologies are evolving through AI-driven solutions, advanced materials and sustainable manufacturing approaches. The award-winning innovations reflect the core mission of both trade fairs: to connect research, technology and application, turning ideas into practical answers for global challenges.
Techtextil and Texprocess 2026 will be held from 21 to 24 April 2026, with the Innovation Award winners to be announced from 14 April 2026 onwards.
