Wearing it well

10 August 2022



A trio of focused fairs brought the workwear textile industry together in Frankfurt


With a total of 117 participating nations, around 63,000 visitors and 2300 exhibitors, it was a brilliant re-launch of the trio of international textile fairs at the Frankfurt exhibition centre, claims shows organiser Messe Frankfurt

Across all three events - Techtextil, Texprocess and the one-time Heimtextil Summer Special - Italy, France, Turkey, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Pakistan and the USA formed the top visitor nations.

On all three business platforms, in addition to brisk order activity and high visitor quality and satisfaction, the concentrated positive energy of personal global encounters was particularly noticeable.

“The world meets again in Frankfurt. International encounters and stimulating new business returned immediately after the pandemic-related break: The textile trade fair business is back and shows its global strength. We and our global Texpertise Network, with 60 events worldwide covering the textile value chain, are looking positively to the future. At the same time, against the backdrop of global challenges, we will continue to expand our international partnerships, such as with the Conscious Fashion & Lifestyle Network in cooperation with the UN officer for Partnerships,” said Detlef Braun, member of the executive Board, Messe Frankfurt.

With a global volume of nearly 1,000 billion USD [1]and a predicted growth rate of more than 4.4% through 2026[2], the textile industry is one of the most important global industries. “The textile industry remains a high-growth market that needs face-to-face interaction. In these times of massive supply chain disruptions, we have provided the markets with our unique crossover at the most important international marketplace for product innovations along almost the entire textile value chain at exactly the right time.” said Olaf Schmidt, vice president Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe GFrankfurt, krganise r of the

At Techtextil and Texprocess, sustainable materials and processing technologies, automation and digital processes, as well as innovations and progressive new developments were presented throughout the exhibitor range of products. Information and inspiration were provided by conference formats such as the Techtextil and Texprocess Forum.

Sustainable companies with progressive and sustainable fibers, yams and fabrics, as well as new processes, cutting technologies, water-saving dyeing processes or innovative processing technologies were once again labeled within the framework of Sustainability@ Techtextil and Sustainability@Texprocess after successful examination by an independent international expert group.

Elgar Straub, managing director of Germany’s textile services association, VDMA, Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies (TFL), drew an optimistic conclusion from this year’s Texprocess: “Thanks in particular to the many high-calibre and international visitors, the mood was positive all round - despite current uncertainties and the resulting cautious expectations of Texprocess exhibitors in the run-up to the fair. Nevertheless, personal exchanges at the fair once again made it clear that, precisely because the textile world is currently undergoing rapid change, there is an immense need for investment in technology. Automation, sustainability and flexibility are the most important key words here.”

Klopman was at Techtextil Frankfurt, the most important trade fair for textile manufacturing and industrial production of technical textiles across all sectors, in June. Klopman, a leading European producer of technical fabrics for workwear, based in Italy, launched two new product lines upholding the principles of sustainability.

Promoted under the slogan ‘Join The Fabric Revolution’ (#GoCircular - www. JoinTheFabricRevolution.com), the first innovation concerns Superbandmaster, one of the most widely used fabrics in workplaces across numerous sectors throughout Europe. This fabric is notable for its partial composition of recycled fibres derived from recycling polyester/ cotton clothing. Thanks to the use of these recycled fibres, products at the end of their first cycle of use can be given a new lease of life and become part of a circular economy aimed at minimising waste.

The second breakthrough from Klopma is an evolution in the production of fabric made from TENCELTM Lyocell fibre. Born out of an established partnership with the company Lenzing, all of the TENCEL™ Lyocll fibers used in Klopman’s products will be carbon neutral, responding to the growing demand for functional, high-quality products that guarantee maximum environmental friendliness.

“We are delighted to be able to present two important new products during Techtextil, for which we have worked with commitment and dedication while respecting the principles of environmental sustainability,” said Amaury Sartorius, managing director of Klopman, pictured above.

“Through recycling, re-use and emissions reduction, we are committed to developing solutions that contribute to a better future for our planet. In fact, our aim is to ensure the utmost respect for the environment during the manufacturing process and to continue to invest in solutions that can revolutionizes the textile industry for less wasteful production.”

Carrington Textiles also had a good Techtextil, reporting great interest in the company's sustainable and stretch ranges, showing the industry trend for products that are kinder to the environment yet comfortable to wear.

Carrington also reported a high number of enquiries received on sustainable products of its Balance Range as well as on high stretch fabrics. 

Some of the most popular products for the manufacturer during the event, were Delamere (195gsm, 210gsm, 245gsm), Hawksbill, Kielder and Rivington (205gsm, 220gsm) which include environmentally friendly technology in their composition, as well as Balaton and Constance featuring high stretch performance. 

Carrington's managing director, Neil Davey, says: "It's fantastic to be back at Techtextil engaging with customers and talking to suppliers. The big momentum we have is around sustainable products, which continue getting a good amount of traction with our customers. 

"We've got a much bigger product range now (Balance Range), and we are continuing to push that. This is a really important area for us all collectively, so we are looking forward to continuing those conversations.” 

Prior to Techtextil, at the Network Association of Uniform Manufacturers & Distributors (NAUMD) Convention in the United States, Carrington Textiles was awarded the Innovation Award for its Hawksbill and Orca fabrics, the first on the workwear market to include polyester fibres that biodegrade. 

Hawksbill and Orca, have CiCLO technology in their composition. CiCLO is an additive that is combined with polyester at the start of the fibre-making process to create a product that behaves like a natural fibre when it ends up in the environment either through washing or end of life of the garment designed for workwear jackets, trousers and coveralls, 1 Global Textile Market Size & Share Report, 2022-2030 (grandviewresearch.com) 

Carrington also has JOSCAR accreditation which works as a compliance system for suppliers to the defence, aerospace and security industry. 

Meanwhile in the UK Johnsons Workwear has launched a brand new range of work clothes, ‘The Flex-Collection'. Offering both a men's and women's fit alongside unisex, the sustainably conscious garments tick a lot of boxes for those looking for comfort and style in their workwear.


GETTING TO THE ART OF THINGS

Charles Ross, lecturer for the UK’s renowned Royal College of Art is set to host the PCIAW global professional clothing, workwear and textiles networking event, this year featuring more than 30 international speakers. And LCN has two tickets worth £299 for the Awards to give away.

PCIAW announces the UK’s biggest PCIAW Summit & Awards yet, with a further increased global reach and over 30 international speakers. At the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, London Heathrow, the summit, exhibition, and networking events will take place on 18-19 October culminating in the prestigious awards ceremony.

The Summit, hosted by Charles Ross, Lecturer at the Royal College of Art, is an essential educational event for the professional clothing, workwear and textiles industry and is esteemed and unique in the UK for its international networking opportunities across the supply chain for fibres, textiles, uniforms, workwear, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

As the industry accepts the new normal, the PCIAW Summit and Awards 2022 will be the one-stop-shop for all the education and advice the textiles industry needs. Specialist data will extrapolate the state of the market for professional clothing, whilst key figures talk strategy on the reconfiguration of disrupted supply chains, and representatives of onshore, nearshore manufacturing partners pitch to be the next solution.

“PCIAW is the first member-led UK organisation to represent the global companies of the professional clothing industry,” said Yvette Ashby, Founder and CEO of PCIAW.

“We are unique in that we encompass the entire supply chain from buyers, suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors and take pride in being the association that connects international partners for collaboration and education. Tickets for both the summit and awards ceremony are already proving popular with our long-term members plus new organisations that are often introduced to the benefits by existing attendees.”

The PCIAW® Exhibition will take place alongside the global conference, showcasing 20 international specialists in design-led uniforms, functional workwear, and lifesaving PPE. Both days feature a state-of-the-art fashion show highlighting the cutting-edge garments from the exhibiting stands. Organisations should book tickets at www.pciaw.org/shop

  • PCIAW® Summit 18/19 October 2022, Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, London Heathrow
  • £299 to attend (10% discount for members), £2750 to exhibit.
  • PCIAW® Awards 19 October 2022
  • £299 to attend (10% discount for members), £2750 table of 10.

We will put the names of people wishing for tickets aside until 12 August after which we will put them into a blind draw. Winners will be notified by email. If you wish to enter, please email Kathy.bowry@laundryandcleaningnews.com and entitle your communication ‘PCIAW Awards draw’.

SUPER SHOWS: Messe Frankfurt hailed the trio of shows a great success
BUILT-IN FLEX: Johnsons Workwear


Privacy Policy
We have updated our privacy policy. In the latest update it explains what cookies are and how we use them on our site. To learn more about cookies and their benefits, please view our privacy policy. Please be aware that parts of this site will not function correctly if you disable cookies. By continuing to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with our privacy policy unless you have disabled them.