THE DIGITALISATION OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY: TECHTEXTIL / TEXPROCESS 2024 REVIEW
“This global gathering not only highlighted the expanse of R&D and technical advancements being made within the textile industry but also emphasised the importance of sustainable development. Keynote speeches and panels focused on the challenges of achieving environmental sustainability while maintaining productivity and profitability, sparking debates and discussions among industry leaders, policymakers, and academic community” Debbie McKeegan - Texintel
Image Credit: Epson UK
Techtextil and Texprocess, two leading exhibitions in the textile supply and textile processing industry calendar, were held recently at Messe Frankfurt, attracting a staggering 38,000 visitors.
The exhibitions showcased many ground-breaking innovations in sustainability and digitalisation, underscoring the industry's shift towards more eco-friendly practices and advanced technological integrations. Exhibitors from over 60 countries presented the latest in textile machinery, sustainable materials, and digital solutions - from 3D printing in fashion to AI-driven production techniques.
This global gathering not only highlighted the expanse of R&D and technical advancements being made within the textile industry but also emphasised the importance of sustainable development. Keynote speeches and panels focused on the challenges of achieving environmental sustainability while maintaining productivity and profitability, sparking debates and discussions among industry leaders, policymakers, and academic community - as to how digitalisation should be implemented to make the necessary reforms, the textile industry so desperately needs - to achieve environmental success.
With a blend of new materials, AI, sustainability, and digital technologies, the future of the textile industry shines bright with promising potential – and a critical decade of innovation ahead.
New to the show for 2024 were a number of businesses offering digital textile printing solutions. This shift highlights the strategic development of new supply chains, collaborations, and technical partnerships. Companies exhibiting included Kornit Digital, Epson, Summa, Print Logistic, Brother, Klieverik, Tajima, Zund, Optitex, Zimmer Austria, Juki, Stratasys, Style3D.
In the spirit of collaboration Kornit Digital and Print Logistic collaborated to demonstrate the successful implementation of digital textile printing in partnership with Print Logistic. In a recent interview at Techtextil, Michal Tracz of Print Logistic shared some exciting insights into their company's current projects. Key trends highlighted included innovation, digitizing print, and the amalgamation of hardware and software solutions. Print Logistic is working closely with Kornit Digital to present new technologies and showcase their capabilities in software and production. Tracz also emphasised the importance of innovation as a driving force behind Print Logistic.
“The company was founded with a focus on paving new paths in the industry, a mission that continues to direct our efforts today.” Michal Tracz - PRINT LOGISTIC
Also at Kornit Digital we caught up with Steffen Meiler to discuss additive manufacturing within the Sportswear sector. Steffen shed light on the company’s innovative technologies and their applications within the textile industry - particularly in sports and the sportswear sectors. Highlighting the company’s latest innovation - Extra Dimensional Technology (XDI) - Meiler discussed how it was initially targeted towards the fashion industry.
However, rapid advancement has seen this disruptive technology gain traction in the sports industry, with it being able to produce 3D structures on a bulk scale. The interview further explored the collaborative nature of this innovation exchange and the promising implications it holds for the future of the textile industry, as creatives are allowed to freely push technological boundaries. The XDI technology, he maintained, is set to take the textile industry a step closer towards 3D printing and additive manufacturing. In addition to this, Kornit Digital has ventured into the realm of footwear, following its acquisition of Voxel8 a couple of years ago. This move has encouraged manufacturers and brands to rethink design process, supply chains, and overall efficiency. The prospect of size-specific customization using 3D technology signifies a reduction in waste, with no need for early prototyping.
Diving further into 3D printing we interviewed Stratasys to discover how their technology is disrupting the status quo and its potential impact on the textile industry. Stratasys' 3D printing technology, signals a significant shift in the textile industry's future, from manufacturing processes to the very definition of what textiles can achieve.
Showcasing smart manufacturing, Epson and Multiplot, and Summa created a micro-factory to showcase a textile workflow from A to Z.
The micro-factory demonstrated a complete workflow from printing (Epson) to Calendaring (Multiplot) and Cutting (Summa). Showcasing the entire print/production process visitors were able to witness at first-hand the benefits of seamless manufacturing equipment and experience the benefit of a well-aligned workflow - from printing to calendaring and cutting. In doing so, this partnership hoped to inspire visitors to optimise their own production workflow.
Meanwhile, at Texprocess we interviewed Zimmer Austria’s Managing Director, Andreas Rass who explained just how Zimmer is not just responding to the demands of modern industrial textile printing but shaping its future.
From the bustling industrial hubs of the US and India to the promising markets in the Middle East, Zimmer is making its mark with its pioneering approach and commitment to delivering quality. At the core of Zimmer's innovation drive is a strong focus on environmental digital printing and sustainability. Notably, Zimmer has made significant strides in post-treatment processes, reducing energy consumption by a staggering 90% and bringing us a step closer to sustainable digital textile printing.
The recent advancements and innovations presented at all the textile exhibitions we have attended in 2024, underscore an urgent and pivotal shift towards sustainable manufacturing within the textile industry.
The integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotic automation in textile processing not only streamlines production but also opens avenues for precision and efficiency, minimizing waste. Importantly, the emergence of biodegradable fabrics and water-efficient dye technologies is a testament to the sector's commitment to environmental stewardship.
These developments, spearheaded by the agility and innovation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), highlight the sector's readiness to regenerate and re-equip itself.
It's clear that for the textile industry to thrive and sustain in the long run, adopting these technological and eco-friendly innovations is not just beneficial; it's imperative to remain competitive and responsible in a rapidly evolving global market.
IMAGE CREDITS: From the left, Epson x 3, Kornit Digital x 1 , Stratasys x 2
Here are the five key takeaways:
Revival and Growth:
Messe Frankfurt reported that the Techtextil / Texprocess events were bouncing back stronger than before, with record sales in 2024 following a pandemic hit period. The event saw a 29% increase in exhibitors, emphasising an undeterred spirit and strengthened business dynamics.
Innovations and AI Integration:
The world of textiles is increasingly becoming a hotbed of innovation. Technical textiles, with their advanced functionality and outstanding performance, are emerging as game changers across sectors. Robotic automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence are becoming crucial components of textile processing machinery.
Sustainability and Environmental Innovation:
Highlighting the forefront of eco-conscious advancements, the trade fairs displayed pioneering approaches to sustainability in textiles. Innovations featured include biodegradable fabrics and water-saving dye technologies, showcasing how the industry is addressing environmental challenges head-on. Through such ground-breaking materials, the exhibitions underscored the textile sector's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and preserving natural resources.
Role of SMEs:
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises are the backbone of the industry, showcasing a myriad of innovations and contributing significantly to the sector's growth. These SMEs are the unsung heroes, pushing boundaries and shaping the industry's future.
Global Networking and Digital Technologies:
Techtextil and Texprocess offer a unique platform for global networking. With the introduction of digital extensions such as 'Texprocess India,' the exhibitions continue to foster connections, enabling professionals to share ideas and explore opportunities.
