A panel discussion with a view to the upcoming Techtextil and Texprocess 2026 trade fairs highlighted a critical turning point for the textile industry. Four industry experts discussed how innovation serves as a tool for resilience in times of global economic uncertainty.
“Competitiveness does not come from waiting… We offer this industry the right platform with innovations to show exactly what is state of the art,” emphasized Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles and Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt and responsible for around 50 trade fairs worldwide. It therefore positions trade fairs as indispensable platforms where research meets industrial scale in order to ensure the survival of companies.
The strategic need for innovation
Innovation is no longer an optional luxury, but a strategic necessity for market survival. Elgar Straub, Managing Director of the VDMA Bavaria and the Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies Association, noted that European manufacturers are currently maintaining a competitive advantage by integrating production with digitalization.
“Innovation is both an efficiency driver and an engine for growth,” he said, adding that this will help companies cope with high energy costs and changing trade agreements.
While digital tools such as 3D design and virtual prototyping continue to mature, a significant gap remains in physical automation. Walter Wälth, Senior Director Advanced Creations – Apparel Pattern & Digital Creation at Adidas AG, pointed out that many “digital” tasks within software environments are still performed manually: “At the moment, AI is just a visual tool… The whole technical part of creating a product that you can then produce and wear… doesn’t exist yet.” But he expects the next phase to include seamless connectivity between systems to eliminate redundant manual pattern positioning.
Artificial intelligence vs. human engineering
The discussion clarified the difference between generative AI (like ChatGPT) and industrial AI. While generative tools support marketing and visual design, they cannot yet construct a wearable garment. António Braz Costa, general manager of the Technological Center for the Textile and Clothing Industry of Portugal (CITEVE), highlighted that “humanization of AI” is crucial. This involves using data science to predict trends and organize factory logistics, rather than replacing the basic engineering skills required for fit and quality.
Sustainability has changed from a niche topic to a fundamental requirement of the industry. The challenge now is to replace petroleum-based functional materials with bio-based alternatives without losing functionality.
Costa saw a 35 percent increase in applications for the Techtextil Innovation Award, with many focusing on advanced recycling and circular economy – evidence that the industry is racing to find “green” solutions.
The role of regulation and standards
A key point of contention is the speed and stability of European regulations. The panelists expressed concern that regulations for a sustainable future are absolutely necessary, but must be designed in an agile manner. “To be innovative, we have to be competitive. To be competitive, we need a very clear and stable regulatory system,” warned Costa. Sudden delays in mandates, such as digital product passports, can impact the competitive advantage of companies that have already invested in implementation.
The discussion also touched on how standards can inadvertently become trade barriers. For example, a product certified in Europe may require recertification to different standards in China. This lack of international harmonization complicates the global supply chain, particularly for medium and small subcontractors in Asia, who often lack the resources to adapt to rapid regulatory changes.
Human connection in a digital world
Despite the push towards AI and automation, the “human” element remains a core value for consumers. There is a growing demand for transparency regarding clothing made by human hands.
Wälth noted that in the future there could be certifications that highlight craftsmanship and ensure that technology serves to support the human aspect of fashion rather than erase it.
Outlook for Techtextil and Texprocess in April 2026 – networking and exchange
The two trade fairs Techtextil and Texprocess will present around 1,700 exhibitors from 50 countries in Frankfurt from April 21 to 24, 2026. The focus includes functional clothing as well as live demonstrations of technical variables in end products. The trade fairs function as a “co-creation” space in which the global community can agree on the technological and ethical standards of the future.
The experts concluded that the future of textiles will be defined by three pillars: connectivity, AI and sustainability. The upcoming Innovation Awards, to be announced on April 14, 2026, will serve as a key showcase for these advances. As Schmidt summarized, the trade fair remains the place where ideas meet market reality, bridging the gap between theoretical research and tangible economic impact.
By the way, Techtextil is also coming to India from November 2026: Messe Frankfurt India has signed a declaration of intent with the Ministry of Textiles of the Government of Tamil Nadu to establish the Techtextil India Summit every two years in Coimbatore as a central hub for the technical textiles industry.