Heimtextil Summer Special in Germany to focus on sustainability

Environmental pollution, microplastics and high water consumption as well as increasing consumption are buzzwords that hit the textile industry on the topic of sustainability. The production of textiles consumes large amounts of resources, which poses challenges for the textile industry, especially in times of rising prices and supply bottlenecks.

For this reason, the home textiles industry has been dealing with the topic of circular economy for more than 10 years in order to save resources and make production and products more sustainable. Materials are not disposed of at the end of a product's life, but are kept in circulation within the framework of sensible recycling and are reused in new products. At the same time, a functioning circular economy reduces the amount of waste and CO2 emissions. Manufacturers of home textiles are consistently pursuing the approach of a genuine circular economy and are focusing on reduction, energy efficiency, reuse and recycling.

Exhibitors present sustainable concepts and innovations at the international fair. For example, the Spanish manufacturer Francisco Jover S.A. (Hall 4.1, C14) will generate 99 per cent of the energy it needs from the photovoltaic system on its roof and will recycle 100 per cent of its plastic, paper and cardboard waste, the organiser said in a press release.

In addition, exhibitors such as Lech Fabrics (Hall 4.1, C91) will introduce high-quality PET fibres to their portfolio. Most fabrics used in the production of furniture are made of polyester. Therefore, according to Lech Fabrics, it is ideal to use plastics from other industries that would end up in the dustbin, or worse, in the forests and oceans. Lech Fabrics is therefore investing in innovation and expanding its portfolio of such products. In the process, the company says it saves 94 per cent water, 60 per cent energy and 32 per cent CO2 emissions in the production of its fibres from PET compared to new production.

The Austrian Lenzing Group will follow the path of a holistic approach that encompasses the circular economy and renewable materials. As a producer of wood-based pulps and fibres, Lenzing is at the beginning of the value chain for the production of textiles and nonwoven products. Here, the intensive cooperation of the entire value chain and the traceability of raw materials within the value chain are elementary.

The value chain is attributed great importance in terms of sustainability: it makes it possible to transparently trace the holistic process that is necessary for the manufacture of a product. Through this year's trio of fairs, Heimtextil Summer Special, Techtextil and Texprocess, large parts of the value-added chain will be represented at the Frankfurt Exhibition Centre and will provide insights into large sections of the textile industry. At the Heimtextil Conference Sleep & More (Hall 3.0 D41), visitors can look forward to lectures on topics such as supply chains, the circular economy and much more. 

The Heimtextil industry takes the subject of sustainability seriously and the trade fairs also show that sustainability is not a trend but has been increasingly anchored in the industry for years and is constantly developing through innovations. At the Heimtextil Summer Special, the measures and offers relating to sustainability will be brought to life. In the centre of the fair grounds, in Hall 4.0, the trend area under the motto 'Next Horizons' will not only offer inspiration for the latest trend colours and materials but also shows how sustainable themes can be staged. Based on the Material Manifesto, local resources, environmentally friendly or borrowed materials will be used for the stand design.

The Green Village (Hall 3.0, Stand D51) will help to keep track of official labels and certificates. Label providers and certifiers will provide exhibitors and interested trade visitors with answers to their questions and up-to-date information on current developments. This is also where you will find the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Lounge, which is being created in cooperation between Messe Frankfurt and the Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network as well as the United Nations Office for partnerships. Together with Messe Frankfurt's Texpertise Network, the business network of the company's around 50 international textile fairs, the lounge focuses on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The online green directory will show all suppliers of sustainably produced textiles. Finding one's way around the fair is made easier by the exhibitors' clearly recognisable stand sign. The Green Tours will also offer the opportunity to be guided directly to selected sustainably producing companies and to learn more about their products.

Here, high-calibre experts will provide valuable orientation for decision-makers in the hotel industry and hospitality trends will be examined from the point of view of sustainability and the circular economy.

Around 2,200 international exhibitors have already registered for Heimtextil 2023. This current level, eight months before the event from January 10-13, 2023, is already around 75 per cent compared to Heimtextil 2020 and shows the high relevance of Heimtextil for companies and the sector. 

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)