Techtextil 2026, the world’s leading trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens, was held from 21 to 24 April 2026 at Messe Frankfurt in Germany. Multiple member companies of the German Machinery and Plant Engineering Association (VDMA) showcased their latest achievements in intelligent, sustainable textile machinery, focusing on digitalisation, automation and recycling solutions – a major highlight of the fair.

VDMA stated that its members’ equipment and systems actively support sustainability goals such as energy‑efficient production, emission reduction and responsible use of raw materials. At this edition, several German companies presented complete solutions ranging from smart sensors and drive technology platforms to integrated production systems. For example, Erhardt+Leimer, a German automation leader based in Stadtbergen, highlighted its AI‑based seam and warp thread detection sensors and its El.Motion integrated motion‑control drive platform, providing key technological support for future‑oriented textile production – fully demonstrating German manufacturing’s leading role in the intelligent transformation of textile machinery.

Notably, Techtextil 2026 runs concurrently with Texprocess 2026, creating a powerful synergy that showcases the complete textile processing technology ecosystem. With an optimised hall layout at Messe Frankfurt, the fair provides a crucial window for global textile investors and decision‑makers to assess future investment directions.