FRANKFURT – The Messe in Frankfurt – a gigantic trade fair complex – is the place to be this week for companies from all over the world that have elevated technical textiles to an art. An art that requires a lot of innovation if you want to be among the world’s best. The professional federation Fedustria took part with a striking stand and brought along about twenty companies in its wake, including about half from West Flanders with the presence of Bekaert, Beaulieu or Balta, among others. Big names such as Sioen, Vandewiele or Concordia Textiles were also present to put their trump cards on the table.
Techtextil is a real niche trade fair that has acquired a permanent place on the international trade fair calendar in about twenty years. The interest in the world of technical textiles was also particularly great this week.
For Daphne Renier, spokesperson at Fedustria, it is crystal clear that homegrown companies are among the world’s best. Each in a different segment of the market, but always based on far-reaching innovation and R&D efforts. “Since technical textiles are on the rise and are still very strong in Belgium due to the innovative character and versatility of the applications, it is certainly a sector that deserves the necessary attention,” says Renier. “Technical textiles are often less known and few know what these applications are for. From construction to automotive and agriculture to defense and so on.”
Fedustria participated with about 20 companies via a group stand in hall 11.1. The West Flemish companies accounted for a majority, with big names such as Concordia Textiles, Sioen, Bekaert, Beaulieu, Masureel, Vandewiele or Balta. But also with lesser-known but particularly high-performance SMEs such as European Spinning Group (ESG), Fitco, Vetex or Vertexco. In the coming days, Made in West Flanders will shine the light on some strong examples of West Flemish entrepreneurship with great added value, sufficient technological superiority and a strong market position.
Collaboration with ecological concept Ariadne
On the sidelines of the fair, it was announced that Fedustria has entered into a collaboration agreement with the ecological platform Ariadne, a concept that was marketed by the West Flemish entrepreneur Julie Liétaer (European Spinning Group, Spiere).
With Ariadne, the dynamic Lietaer wants to make the entire textile sector more sustainable. It was immediately good for a nomination for the Textirama Award, which was presented at the beginning of March. Ariadne’s story starts with the circular hackyourjeans project of European Spinning Group, in which worn-out jeans are spun into yarn again. “While developing this project, I came into contact with a knowledge center in the Netherlands about four years ago,” says Julie. “I was introduced to the concept of ecosystems. From there, the idea matured to build an ecosystem of sustainable textiles and sustainable fashion for the entire textile sector.”
America, here we come!
Fedustria has even more ambitions. The American edition of the European (German) Techtextil fair will also take place in the coming summer. The fair will take place from August 20 to 22 in Raleigh (North Carolina). “The intention is to also show what our companies have to offer in the field of technical textiles,” says Daphne Renier on behalf of Fedustria. “We call it a Textile Discovery Trip.”
Fedustria goes for the journey ‘America, here we come!‘ has entered into a partnership with the expertise agency Onboarding USA, a concept by the West Flemish entrepreneur Yves Ghys (see photo). Ghys has tons of terrain experience. In addition to the fair, participating companies can also count on a new local network with local like-minded people, a series of company visits or valuable American matchmakers.
Onboarding USA has already helped several Flemish companies take their first steps in the US.
info: www.onboardingusa.com/fedustriatechtextil2024
Tags: West Flemish companies demonstrate skills Techtextil world fair Frankfurt
