Frankfurt am Main, November 9, 2024 – With extraordinarily high international participation and excellent ratings from attendees, Texcare International celebrated its comeback from November 6 to 9. 305 companies from 32 countries showcased their innovations in automation and energy efficiency. Around 15,500 visitors from 122 countries came to Frankfurt.
Over the past four days, the leading trade fair for international textile care presented innovations for laundries, cleaning services, and textile service companies. With success: 98 percent of professional visitors were satisfied to extremely satisfied with achieving their exhibition visit goals; 52 percent expect an improved industry economic climate. After not being able to take place for eight years due to the pandemic, the longing for exchange and innovation within the industry was noticeably high. The internationality was reflected in the wide range of represented countries—approximately 15,500 visitors from 122 countries, including Germany, used Texcare to engage with and inform each other about industry-relevant topics from Wednesday to Saturday.
Wolfgang Marzin, Chairman of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt, stated: “After a long pause, there is great joy in this successful comeback of Texcare. The international leading trade fair demonstrated the leaps in innovation the industry has made in recent years. I am truly impressed by how many exhibitors, especially new exhibitors and startups, as well as visitors from all over the world came to Texcare. It was particularly wonderful to see so many young faces at the booths and in the aisles.”
Industry Celebrates Its Future Potential
With a significant boost in innovation, the industry is meeting the challenges posed by workforce shortages and rising energy prices. Exhibitors showcased their machines, technologies, and know-how—solutions are available. The leap towards robotization was clearly visible at the booths. The circular economy was also in focus: many innovations demonstrated how machinery manufacturers and textile producers are collaborating to promote sustainability. Texcare provided textile care companies with the right impulse at the right time to secure a successful market presence through investment.
The partner associations of Texcare also reported positively. Elgar Straub, Managing Director of VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies, emphasized: “The expectations for Texcare International were very high after eight years without a fair, but they were even exceeded. The atmosphere at the booths was as good as I have rarely experienced at trade fairs in recent years. Moreover, Texcare International was excellently prepared by Messe Frankfurt, and the exhibitors presented themselves to their global customers with exceptionally beautiful and informative stands. The issues concerning the industry included hygiene, automation, digitization, logistics, and AI. However, my highlight of this fair was the truly excellent atmosphere among visitors and exhibitors and the positive outlook for the future of textile care. Texcare International was simply a pleasure this year.”
Andreas Schumacher, Chief Executive Officer of the German Textile Cleaning Association, summarized: “There was a relaxed, pioneering spirit. You could feel that the exhibitors were eager to showcase themselves and their developments after eight long years, and visitors were excited about innovations. In particular, topics such as automation and digital solutions, as well as robotics, were heavily discussed due to the prevailing labor and skill shortages in many businesses. After the pandemic and the energy crisis, discussions were again characterized by a willingness to invest and a pioneering spirit. Energy costs and corresponding saving opportunities for energy and other resources were also defining topics. Last but not least, companies in the industry are working to improve their circular business model and prepare for upcoming regulations regarding the circular economy of textiles.”
Extensive Lecture Program and Guided Tours
The accompanying program of Texcare addressed top topics, especially in the Texcare Forum and the Guided Tours. Panel discussions focused on sustainability through innovation, business models in the circular economy, and automation in small businesses. Experts from the USA, Scandinavia, France, and China provided insights into the textile care markets of their countries. The daily guided tours, curated and conducted by industry experts, were very well received. For the first time, Texcare International offered young talents from six vocational schools in Berlin, Hannover, Frankfurt, Cologne, and Zurich the opportunity to visit booths and connect with companies through the Young Competence Program.
Texcare International
Photo: Czech Association for Textile Care
