ITMA 2027 Gains Strong Momentum ─ Emerging Innovators Find a Global Launchpad at ITMA 2027
23 June 2026 - In line with the theme "Co-creating the future of textiles", ITMA continues to strengthen its support for start-ups, recognising their role in driving innovation and shaping the future of textile and garment manufacturing.
Through the Start-Up Valley, emerging companies gain access to a global marketplace where they can connect with industry leaders, potential partners, investors and customers.
"Start-ups are an essential part of co-creating the future of textiles," said Alex Zucchi, President of CEMATEX. "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."
Applications for ITMA 2027 have nearly doubled compared with the previous edition, reflecting strong demand and reinforcing ITMA's position as the world's leading marketplace for textile and garment technologies.
As preparations progress, sector planning will move into the next phase following the close of stand space applications on 8 July 2026.
Companies which submit their applications early will have greater assurance of securing exhibiting space within their relevant product sector before detailed planning gets underway.
Charles Beauduin, Chairman of ITMA Services, organiser of ITMA said: “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.”
Regular ITMA participant Woolmark sees ITMA as an important platform that aligns with its focus on innovation, sustainability and collaboration.
“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,” said Julie Davies, General Manager, Industry Development, Woolmark.
Visitor interest is also expected to be strong, as textile and garment manufacturers look to ITMA 2027 to discover technologies, exchange ideas and identify solutions that can support their future business priorities.
“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,” said Johannes Diebel, Managing Director, Forschungskuratorium Textil e. V..
Taking place from 16 to 22 September 2027 at Messegelände Hannover, Germany, ITMA 2027 will continue to spotlight innovation across the entire textile and garment manufacturing value chain, with a focus on advanced materials, automation and the digital future, sustainability and circularity, and human-centric manufacturing.
The last ITMA exhibition was held in Milan in 2023. It featured 1,709 exhibitors from 47 countries and welcomed more than 111,000 visitors from 143 countries.
About CEMATEX & ITMA
The European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers (CEMATEX) comprises national textile machinery associations from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
It is the owner of ITMA and ITMA ASIA.
Considered the ‘Olympics’ of textile machinery exhibitions, ITMA has a 75-year history of displaying the latest technology for every single work process of textile and garment making.
It is held every four years in Europe.
About ITMA Services
Headquartered in Brussels with a subsidiary in Singapore, ITMA Services is the appointed organiser of ITMA 2027 and future ITMA branded exhibitions.
It is managed by professionals with extensive experience in organising ITMA and other major trade exhibitions around the world.
It aims to maintain and expand ITMA’s unique selling proposition and relevance to a global audience.
About ITMA 2027
ITMA is the world's most established textile and garment technology exhibition, owned by CEMATEX.6
It serves as the primary platform for the global industry to explore fresh ideas, effective solutions, and collaborative partnerships that drive sustainable and ethical growth.
ITMA 2027 will take place in Hanover , bringing together global leaders to shape the future of manufacturing and advanced materials
