Technical textiles and ‘intelligent apparel’ fairs, Techtextil and Avantex—which ran concurrently from June 12-14 in Frankfurt, Germany—attracted a record 23,200 trade visitors from 80 countries this year compared with 21,730 in 2005. The proportion of foreign visitors rose 8% to 54% with Italy, France and the UK among the best represented countries. 1,086 exhibitors participated at Techtextil, while 33 exhibitors showcased at the fourth edition of Avantex.

120 seminars and expert lectures took place, at which speakers from both Germany and overseas discussed research and development and technology. Lyon-based technical textiles consultant and chairman of the 'Composites' lecture block, Dr Guy Némoz, reported considerable interest in carbon fibres and composites. Among the most popular products were woven fabrics and fibres, textile finishes, reinforcement textiles, composites and innovative garments.

Future-oriented product innovations were awarded at a ceremony with the presentation of six Techtextil Innovation Prizes and three Avantex Innovation Prizes. The winners come from Germany, France, Switzerland and the UK. The prize-winning projects of the ninth Student Competition, 'Textile Structures for New Building', came from Germany, Austria, Mexico and the USA.

The next Techtextil and Avantex trade fairs will be held in Frankfurt am Main from June 16-18, 2009.