Techtextil Germany is the world's premier biennial trade show for technical textiles and nonwovens, held at Messe Frankfurt. The event showcases cutting‑edge technologies including high‑performance fibers, functional apparel, and smart textiles, serving key sectors such as automotive, construction, and healthcare. The upcoming 2026 edition will take place April 21–24, running alongside Texprocess, and will act as a global hub for in‑depth discussions on sustainability, digitalization, and other major industry trends.
The exhibition covers the entire technical textiles value chain – from raw materials and production machinery to specialized end applications. Key sectors include automotive textiles (Mobiltech), construction textiles (Buildtech), protective clothing (Protech), and medical textiles (Medtech).
Sabine Scharrer, Director of Brand Management for Technical Textiles and Textile Processing at Messe Frankfurt, shares insights into the highlights of Techtextil 2026.
Nonwovens Industry: Could you briefly introduce Techtextil 2026?
Sabine Scharrer:Preparations for Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt are well underway. We are excited to welcome industry professionals from around the world back to Messe Frankfurt this April. We are also pleased to announce that Techtextil continues to expand. As the world's leading platform for technical textiles and nonwovens, it serves as a global stage for innovation. Advances in technical textiles drive progress across numerous industries, from automotive and healthcare to construction. We are proud that Techtextil has become the most important venue for presenting these innovations, and we look forward to the new ideas that will be launched this year.
NWI: When does registration open?
SS:The exhibitor search function is now available on our website:https://techtextil.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/exhibitor-search.html?page=1&pagesize=30
Alongside many established exhibitors, we are expecting 120 first‑time participants. Techtextil 2026 will feature more than 1,500 exhibitors, with 75% coming from 49 countries outside Germany. A total of 15 national pavilions will be present, including France, Italy, South Korea, and Switzerland. The Netherlands will join for the first time. This clearly reflects Techtextil's role as a truly global industry hub.
NWI: Could you describe the expected exhibitor profile?
SS:Exhibitors at Techtextil represent a diverse range of companies. Our 11 product groups span textile production technologies, fibers and yarns, nonwovens, coated textiles, textile chemicals and colorants, as well as functional apparel textiles. These materials are used across 12 industry areas, including apparel technology, mobility, and industrial applications.
Visitors come seeking solutions for demanding and extreme applications – lightweight aircraft materials, body armor, military thermal insulation and camouflage, and nonwovens for road construction, to name a few. All these can be found at Techtextil. What unites our exhibitors is a strong focus on innovation and ongoing investment in research and new product development.
NWI: What are the main benefits of attending?
SS:Techtextil brings together research institutions, manufacturers, and industrial users. This unique interaction model accelerates the commercialization of innovative developments. Visitors can connect with partners across disciplines, creating an ideal environment for developing new solutions.
Attendees gain a complete overview of the latest textile solutions for diverse applications, all under one roof. The event gathers the global textile community to present its most innovative products. Leading experts and international research institutions share knowledge and latest findings, especially through the Techtextil Forum.
Another major advantage is the close link with Texprocess, which runs concurrently in Hall 8.0. Together, they cover the full textile value chain – from innovative materials and production technologies at Techtextil to advanced processing equipment at Texprocess. In short, Techtextil 2026 is the ideal event for anyone wanting to stay ahead and prepare for the future.
NWI: What new features will be introduced this year? Please elaborate.
SS:Techtextil 2026 is introducing several new features to highlight key topics and create new collaboration opportunities.
For example, a new "Textile Chemicals & Dyes" segment has been added. In this area, 31 exhibitors from 12 countries will present their products in Hall 9.0, directly next to "Functional Apparel Textiles" and "Fibers & Yarns" – where their core customers are located. This layout supports faster business connections and new partnerships.
In addition, the High‑Performance Apparel Textiles area has expanded into Hall 9.0, bringing it closer to the Texprocess zone in Hall 8.0, which focuses on processing technologies. This improves networking for the apparel industry.
Demand for high‑performance textiles – used in outdoor, military, and personal protection – is strong and growing. Around 130 exhibitors from 13 countries will take part. A special "High‑Performance Apparel Live" area will also demonstrate finished functional garments and highlight real‑world performance.
The "Natural Performance" area will return in April. The range of natural, bio‑based, and biodegradable fibers and materials continues to grow, supported by strong market demand. At the same time, performance levels of natural materials are reaching new heights.
To support this trend, Techtextil is introducing the "Special Focus" label for the first time, making it easier for visitors to find relevant exhibitors both on site and in the online catalog. We look forward to the new products on display.
NWI: What are your plans for the Techtextil Forum?
SS:The Techtextil Forum is designed to encourage exchange and knowledge sharing. A program committee of internationally respected experts has carefully selected a high‑quality lineup of presentations. We invited submissions across six main themes, and the forum will feature the strongest and most forward‑looking contributions.
Topics include recycled materials, advanced functionalization, and cross‑industry innovations from aerospace, bioengineering, and soft robotics. The Techtextil Forum aims to be a platform for cutting‑edge insights, constructive dialogue, knowledge transfer, and future partnerships. The final program will be announced in the coming weeks, and we are very much looking forward to it.