Three fairs weave into one: Techtextil, Texprocess and Heimtextil
Technologically advanced textiles play a hugely significant role in contemporary design and architecture, as demonstrated by the three international trade fairs - Techtextil, Texprocess and the Summer Edition of Heimtextil…
By Gerrit Terstiege and Techtextil
Techtextil
May 18, 2022 | 10:00 pm CUT
Physical meetings and direct exchanges are finally possible again at Techtextil. Picture: Lecture at the Techtextil Forum © Messe Frankfurt GmbH / Thomas-Fedra
Today there are enormous application possibilities when it comes to textile technology and as new developments emerge within the sector, the number will continue to grow. A current example from the world of architecture neatly demonstrates the improvements that can be realised in relation to the quality of air, work and life in general if one is prepared to explore alternative ways of doing things. The project involves a recently developed curtain-type textile facade that can not only reduce a building's solar cooling load by up to 78%, but can even gather nitrogen oxide particles from the air and convert them in an environmentally friendly way by means of a special coating.
Techtextil has long been a household name for architects, but also for designers working in the automotive, aviation, outdoor and protective clothing sectors. As a leading international trade fair, taking place in Frankfurt, Techtextil is exactly the place to find out about the latest industry developments. And this year, from 21–24 June, there are three good reasons to secure a ticket for the fair, because in addition to Techtextil and Texprocess, the Heimtextil Summer Special will also be held at the Frankfurt fairgrounds.
Top: examples of how light-giving elements can be woven together with textiles in cushions. Below: fabric panels in graduated shades of green with different textures. © Messe Frankfurt GmbH / Jean-Luc Valentin
Three trade fairs within easy reach
A special edition of Heimtextil, which was cancelled in January due to the pandemic, also makes a visit to the fair even more inviting for interior designers looking to find out about new fabrics, colour trends, décors and patterns for home textiles. Also, anyone familiar with the clearly laid-out and centrally located Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre will appreciate the short distances between the three thematic focal points, allowing visitors to effortlessly navigate them and obtain information.The Techtextil website already provides lots of information and news about the three fairs to help potential visitors get an idea of what to expect in June. The filter function of the digital exhibitor search is particularly practical, showing, for example, that hometech will be one of the best-represented application areas this year. As an architect or designer, it is well worth preparing your visit to the fair with the help of the website features so catching the products, lectures, guided tours, events and exhibitors that best fit your professional profile can be planned in advance.
Perforations give modern textiles a clear structure and increase their permeability. © Messe Frankfurt GmbH / Jean-Luc Valentin
A physical and digital event
For the 2022 edition, Techtextil, the International Trade Fair for Technical Textiles and Nonwovens, and Texprocess, the leading International Trade Fair for Processing Textile and Flexible Materials, will use the West Exhibition Centre for the first time with Halls 8, 9, 11 and 12. The duo of fairs are planned as hybrid (physical as well as digital) events, which, in addition to the trade fairs and an extensive complementary programme, will offer numerous additional digital elements that support the information-gathering and networking aspects of the fair, and so help to ensure that the trip to Frankfurt will be a lasting success.The term 'digital extension' sums it up perfectly. This year, Techtextil and Texprocess offer extensive opportunities for digital connections to be made and for gathering the latest specialist information from exhibitors during the event. The platform opens one week before the fair on 13 June and continues until 8 July – two weeks after the fair ends.
Today, hard-wearing textiles are also increasingly used in the building industry – in combination with concrete, they make building elements particularly resilient. © Messe Frankfurt GmbH / Jean-Luc Valentin
The latest trend information at the Techtextil Forum
The Techtextil Forum in Hall 9.1 will once again cover current and future-oriented topics, and – like all three fairs – is included in the ticket price. In a series of lectures, discussions and interactive formats, visitors, exhibitors, researchers, developers and users can exchange ideas. In addition, the lectures will be made available on the Techtextil Digital Extension platform.Architects and designers in particular will be especially well-served by the trade fair trio. This is already evident from a number of postings on Facebook and Instagram, but one section of the fair website, in particular, is recommended here: the Techtextil Blog
Top: examples of spatially staged textiles. Bottom: Instead of printed patterns, repetitive structures and repeats can now also be punched and embossed in textiles. © Messe Frankfurt GmbH / Jean-Luc Valentin
Trade fair preparation can already begin digitally
Here you can find out about exciting projects in which the latest textile developments play a prominent role. The thematic spectrum ranges from innovative fabrics that can help extinguish fires in electric cars to textile prostheses used in the Paralympics and textile space antennas. And you can learn a lot about a project by Aachen-based architect Jan Serode. He is the mastermind behind the textile facade mentioned at the beginning, which can filter and convert nitrogenous substances. So, it's all about the people who drive textile innovation with their ideas – just like at the Frankfurt Fairgrounds in June.© Architonic
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