Techtextil Germany the leading international biennial trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens, is held at Messe Frankfurt. It showcases innovations in high-performance fibers, functional apparel and smart textiles for industries like automotive, construction and medical. The next edition runs from April 21–24, 2026, alongside Texprocess and will serve as a central hub for global networking, offering insights into industry trends such as sustainability and digitalization. 

The event will cover the entire spectrum of technical textiles, from raw materials and machinery to specialized applications with key application areas including application areas include automotive (Mobiltech), construction (Buildtech), protective clothing (Protech), and medical textiles (Medtech).

Sabine Scharrer, Director Brand Management Technical Textiles & Textile Processing, Messe Frankfurt, discusses more about what’s in store for this year’s edition of Techtextil.

Nonwovens Industry: Can you give us a little background on Techtextil 2026?

Sabine Sharrer: Preparations for Techtextil 2026 are in full swing. We’re really looking forward to welcoming the global industry back to the Frankfurt exhibition grounds in April. And we have great news: Techtextil is growing. It is the world’s leading platform for technical textiles and nonwovens. And the place where innovations are presented to a global audience. Innovations in technical textiles influence many other industries – from automotive and medical to construction. We’re happy that Techtextil is the most important platform for these innovations. And we’re excited to see which new ideas will be presented this year.

NWI: When will attendance registration be live?

SS: The exhibitor search is already live on our website (Link: https://techtextil.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/exhibitor-search.html?page=1&pagesize=30)  Alongside many well-known exhibitors, we’re looking forward to welcoming 120 new exhibitors. In total, we expect more than 1,500 exhibitors at Techtextil 2026. 75% of them are international and come from 49 countries. There will be 15 country pavilions, including France, Italy, Korea and Switzerland. For the first time, the Netherlands will also be represented. This shows how important Techtextil is as a central hub for the global industry.

NWI: Can you tell us a little about your expected exhibitor profile?

SS: The exhibiting companies at Techtextil are very diverse. Our 11 product groups cover a wide range – from textile production technologies and fibres and yarns to nonwovens, coated textiles, textile chemicals and dyes, and performance apparel textiles. These products are used in 12 different application areas in the industry, from Clothtech and Mobiltech to Protech. Visitors are looking for solutions for a wide range of extreme applications. Examples include lightweight materials for aircraft, protective vests, insulation and camouflage materials for military use or nonwovens for road construction. Visitors can find all of that at Techtextil. What all exhibitors have in common is their strong focus on innovation and their ongoing commitment to research and the development of new products.

NWI: What are some of the key benefits of visiting this show?

SS: Techtextil brings together research, manufacturers and industry players. This unique interplay enables innovative developments to become marketable. Here, visitors find partners from various disciplines – an ideal environment for new solutions.

Anyone who visits Techtextil gets a complete overview of the latest textile solutions for a wide range of applications – all in one place. This is where the global industry comes together and presents its most innovative products. Leading experts and international research institutes share their knowledge and latest findings here. The Techtextil Forum focuses strongly on exchange and knowledge transfer. Another key benefit for visitors: the close connection to Texprocess, which takes place in Hall 8.0 at the same time. This brings the textile value chain together in one location – from innovative production technologies and materials at Techtextil to the latest processing machines at Texprocess. In short: anyone who wants to stay at the cutting edge and future-proof their business is exactly right at Techtextil 2026.

NWI: Are there any new features this year? Explain.

SS: Techtextil 2026 comes with a number of new features. They are designed to make key topics more visible and to create new synergies. One example is the new product group Textile Chemicals & Dyes. In this new area, 31 exhibitors from 12 countries present their products. They are located in Hall 9.0, right next to Performance Apparel Textiles and Fibres & Yarns – their direct customers. This close proximity makes it easier to create new business contacts and partnerships.

Also new: Performance Apparel Textiles is located in Hall 9.0 as well. This brings them even closer to Texprocess in Hall 8.0, where processing technologies are presented. That means short distances for the apparel industry. The segment is growing, as demand for performance textiles is increasing – for example for outdoor, military or personal protection. Around 130 exhibitors from 13 countries are taking part. There is also the special show Performance Apparels on Stage. Here, functional apparel end products are presented in a live setting, showing the latest materials in real applications.

The Nature Performance area also returns in April. Overall, the range of natural, bio-based and biodegradable fibres and materials is growing at Techtextil. And the demand is booming. At the same time, we see natural materials reaching new levels of high performance. We want to support this development. That’s why there is a Special Interest sign for the first time. This makes it easier for visitors to find relevant exhibitors both on site and in the online directory. We’re very much looking forward to the new products they will present.

NWI: Can you tell us about your plans for the Techtextil Forum?

SS: The Techtextil Forum is all about exchange and expert knowledge. A renowned international Programme Committee of experts curates a strong selection of talks. Experts were invited to submit presentations in six categories. The best and most future-oriented contributions are presented at the Techtextil Forum. The topics range from regenerative materials and advanced functionalities to cross-sector ideas from aerospace, bioengineering and soft robotics. With the Techtextil Forum, we create a place where the latest insights come together, where discussions take place, knowledge is shared and development partnerships are founded. We’re excited to see which talks the jury selects. The programme will be announced in the coming weeks.

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