Applications from emerging innovators nearly double as preparations advance for the global textile and garment technology exhibition in Hanover.
ITMA 2027 is strengthening its support for emerging businesses through the continued expansion of its Start-Up Valley, a dedicated platform designed to connect start-ups with industry leaders, investors, technology providers and potential customers.
Aligned with the exhibition’s theme, “Co-creating the future of textiles,” the initiative aims to provide entrepreneurial ventures with access to a global marketplace and opportunities to showcase innovations to the international textile and garment manufacturing industry.
Alex Zucchi, President of CEMATEX, highlighted the importance of start-ups in driving industry innovation.
“Start-ups are an essential part of co-creating the future of textiles,” said Zucchi. “By bringing together innovators and industry leaders, ITMA provides the environment and opportunities needed to accelerate innovation and help promising ideas evolve into viable business ventures.”
Since its introduction at ITMA 2023, the Start-Up Valley has attracted increasing attention from entrepreneurial companies worldwide. According to organisers, applications for ITMA 2027 have nearly doubled compared with the previous edition, reinforcing ITMA’s position as a global marketplace for textile and garment technologies.
Next Phase of Planning Begins
Sector planning for ITMA 2027 will move into its next stage following the closure of stand space applications on 8 July 2026. Organisers noted that companies submitting applications early have a greater likelihood of securing exhibition space within their respective product sectors before detailed planning begins.
Charles Beauduin, Chairman of ITMA Services and organiser of ITMA, said collaboration across the industry remains critical amid ongoing market challenges.
“In an era of rapid technological change, sustainability imperatives and increasing market volatility, no single organisation can shape the future alone. Industry leaders, innovators, researchers and manufacturers must come together in Hanover to collaborate, share expertise and develop solutions that will drive the next chapter of sustainable textile manufacturing. Such collective action is particularly important as geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties continue to challenge global trade and investment.”
Industry Stakeholders Highlight ITMA’s Role
Regular ITMA participant Woolmark views the exhibition as an important platform for advancing innovation and sustainability initiatives.
Julie Davies, General Manager, Industry Development, Woolmark, said:
“ITMA brings together the full textile value chain. For Woolmark, it’s a significant industry event that connects us with technology leaders, manufacturers and innovators shaping high-performance natural fibre production, and an opportunity to showcase the possibilities of Merino wool innovation as solutions for the journey towards a nature-positive future.”
Visitor demand is also expected to remain strong as manufacturers seek new technologies, industry knowledge and business solutions.
Johannes Diebel, Managing Director of Forschungskuratorium Textil e. V., commented:
“ITMA is where we can see the direction of the textile industry first-hand. We look forward to visiting ITMA 2027 in Hanover, where industry and textile research come together. In doing so, the trade fair creates the conditions for translating new ideas into practical applications more quickly. For Europe – and Germany in particular – as a textile hub, ITMA serves as a key driver for the transformation of the entire value chain.”
Focus Areas for ITMA 2027
Scheduled to take place from 16 to 22 September 2027 at Messegelände Hannover, Germany, ITMA 2027 will showcase developments across the textile and garment manufacturing value chain.
Key focus areas include:
- Advanced materials
- Automation and the digital future
- Sustainability and circularity
- Human-centric manufacturing
The previous edition of ITMA was held in Milan in 2023, featuring 1,709 exhibitors from 47 countries and attracting more than 111,000 visitors from 143 countries.
