[pageLogInLogOut]

#Techtextil 2026

Smart sensors, smart savings - Reducing energy and cost in textile finishing

Intelligent sensor systems and smart automation for energy-efficient, stable and high-quality production – at Techtextil 2026, Frankfurt

PLEVA SL smart and PLEVATEC smart process control © 2026 PLEVA
As energy prices, sustainability requirements and quality expectations continue to rise, manufacturers of technical textiles face increasing pressure to optimize efficiency while ensuring process reliability. At the same time, skilled labor shortages require production systems that are intuitive, automated and easy to manage. PLEVA addresses these challenges with robust, maintenance-friendly sensor technologies combined with intelligent process control.

“In times of economic pressure, PLEVA’s smart sensor and control solutions turn process transparency into measurable savings — reducing energy consumption, ensuring consistent quality and increasing productivity in technical textile production", states Managerin Kathrin Pleva.

Kathrin Pleva © 2026 PLEVA
Kathrin Pleva © 2026 PLEVA


Intelligent measurement for transparent drying processes

Modern textile finishing is highly energy-intensive. Precise and continuous monitoring is essential to avoid overdrying, reduce emissions and maintain consistent product quality. PLEVA’s modular control platform PLEVATEC smart integrates multiple sensor technologies into one intelligent system: Exhaust humidity measurement (FS X) for optimized energy usage, Fabric and air temperature measurement (TDS) for controlled heat transfer, Residual moisture measurement (RR) for precise drying results and Camera systems (CAM) for distortion detection and pick/course density monitoring.

This holistic approach provides full process transparency and enables automated, reproducible production.

The benefits are measurable: Significant energy savings, reduced CO₂ emissions, increased drying capacity, improved product consistency and fewer rejects and less rework.

Practical applications demonstrate productivity increases of up to 16% and noticeable reductions in electrical and thermal energy consumption when smart sensor technology is applied.

High-Tech camera systems for demanding technical textiles

In addition to drying control, PLEVA offers advanced camera-based straightening systems for woven and knitted technical textiles. The unique traversing camera technology captures a high number of measurement points across the full fabric width — from edge to edge — enabling precise detection and correction of skew and bow distortion. This technology ensures reliable straightening performance even with complex structures, dense fabrics or high-value technical materials.

Smart automation for sustainable production

PLEVA’s philosophy is clear: Smart sensors lead to smart savings. By combining precise measurement technology with intelligent control algorithms, manufacturers can: Stabilize processes, reduce energy consumption, increase throughput, minimize operator dependency and enhance sustainability performance.

With worldwide service bases and long-standing expertise in textile process automation, PLEVA supports customers globally in implementing future-ready production concepts.

Visit PLEVA at Techtextil Frankfurt, hall12.0, booth E58. At Techtextil, PLEVA will demonstrate how intelligent sensor systems and smart automation create measurable value in technical textile production — from energy savings to improved quality and reproducibility.





More News from Pleva GmbH

#ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore 2025

Smart automation to fix gaps of skilled staff

Advanced technology for high quality and efficiency at textile finishing - ITMA Asia 2025, Singapore As customer expectations rise and skilled labor becomes increasingly scarce, smart sensor technology and automated control systems have become essential in modern textile finishing. PLEVA meets these challenges with its renowned, robust and reliable sensors, specifically designed for the demanding conditions of textile production.

#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

Generation change at Pleva: Kathrin and Stephan Pleva join the Management Team

PLEVA GmbH, a leading manufacturer of sensors, measurement and control technology for various industries, announces that Kathrin Pleva and Stephan Pleva have been appointed as Managing Directors of the family-owned company. Together with their father, Dr. Ralf Pleva, they will shape the future of the company.

#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

SL Smart Weft-Straightener success at Harris Tweed Hebrides, UK

High quality fabric is essential for any finisher who wants to ensure consistent quality and resource efficiency. A particularly important quality criterion is straight weft and straight course fabric. The Scottish tweed manufacturer Harris Tweed Hebrides finishes 100% woolen, handwoven cloth and stands as a world class leader in British luxury cloth with an extensive, high quality product range. The company was looking for a weft-straightening system which, in contrast to the previously used pinwheel system, could not damage the wool.

#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

New PLEVA representation in North America

As of August 2024 WEKO is the official sales & service partner in North America for PLEVA Sensors and Controls. Mr. Terence McGee (General Manager WEKO North America) and his team represent PLEVA in the USA and Canada.

More News on Techtextil 2026

#Techtextil 2026

FET’s revolutionary gel spinning system wins Techtextil Innovation Award

FET has received the prestigious Techtextil Innovation Award 2026 in the New Production Technology category. The Techtextil Innovation Award honours outstanding ideas in textile technology, sustainability, AI and the creation of technical textiles, selected by an international jury of experts. Ranging from new materials to new production technologies, this award recognises progressive ideas that are driving forces for numerous industries, such as automotive, medical and construction.

#Techtextil 2026

Young talents honoured – 60 years Walter Reiners Foundation

At the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of April, Peter D. Dornier, chairman of the VDMA’s Walter Reiners Foundation, presented awards to five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability awards were presented in the categories of bachelor’s/project theses and diploma/master’s theses. Academic theses are eligible for the sustainability awards if, for example, they develop solutions for resource-efficient products and technologies.

#Techtextil 2026

Techtextil 2026: KARL MAYER impresses as an innovative sector partner

KARL MAYER looks back with satisfaction on its participation in Techtextil 2026. From April 21 to 24, the international industry leader used the trade show in Frankfurt to meet with numerous key customers at its booth and, at the same time, establish many new contacts. Most visitors came from Germany, followed by major markets such as Poland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, France, and Portugal.

Latest News

#INDEX 2026

INDEX 2026: Reicofil introduces RF 5.10 upgrade boosting output by 10 percent

At INDEX 2026, Reifenhäuser Reicofil will present its latest developments for the nonwovens industry under the guiding themes “Grow Together”, “Expand Together” and “Transform Together”. On this occasion, the leading manufacturer of nonwoven machinery will be unveiling two brand-new technology advancements – RF 5.10 upgrade and RF Core – at the show.

#Recycled Fibers

Lindex and BASF partner to bring textile-­to­-textile recycled polyamide to lingerie sector

Lindex has partnered with BASF’s loopamid® to accelerate textile-­to-­textile recycling and advance the shift towards more circular material solutions in the fashion industry. Together they introduce loopamid to the lingerie sector.

#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

Tradition and Innovation – Phoenox Textiles Ltd. relies on state-of-the-art carpet back-coating line from Brückner

For more than 70 years, Phoenox Textiles Ltd. has been synonymous with quality, reliability, and inno-vation in the textile industry. Founded in 1954 in Huddersfield (Yorkshire, UK), a region with a long tradition in textiles, this family-owned business has continued to evolve without losing sight of its roots. Today, in its fourth generation under the leadership of the Mosley family, Phoenox successfully combines decades of experience with a clear, forward-looking corporate strategy.

#ITM 2026

Uster FiberQ excels for recycled raw materials too

Uster FiberQ is a complete solution for raw material utilization, supporting spinners to achieve consistent quality and profitability every day, building further growth for the future. The Turkish company ORTA relies on FiberQ with recycled yarn for its denim production. Data-driven knowledge puts the producer in control of raw material utilization – ready to make the correct decisions for process efficiency, quality and productivity.

TOP