#Textile processing

2026-04-23

Vivien Altmann-Morelli new Director of Texcare

Vivien Altmann-Morelli will head Texcare starting May 2026. Source: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition

As of May 1, 2026, Vivien Altmann-Morelli will take over as Director of Texcare International and the associated brand Textile Care & Cleaning Technologies. In addition, the Food Technologies brand will also fall under her responsibility.

In her new role, Altmann-Morelli will oversee Texcare International in Frankfurt, the leading international trade fair for the global laundry, dry-cleaning and textile services industry. As a brand, Texcare is represented by four additional international events within the Technology Shows portfolio.

Altmann-Morelli will report to Kerstin Horaczek, Vice President Technology Shows at Messe Frankfurt Exhibition.

“Texcare in Frankfurt is the leading trade fair for the international textile care industry and a central hub for global technology leaders as well as emerging players. As an innovation platform, it provides key impulses for sustainable, efficient and future-oriented growth. I am very much looking forward to becoming part of this global network and to helping shape the future together,” says Vivien Altmann-Morelli. The business administration graduate with a focus on sales and event marketing has been working at Messe Frankfurt since 2019. After starting as a Sales Manager in the Guest Events division, she took on the role of Coordinator Guest Events in 2023, where she managed various interdisciplinary projects. As part of the Sustainability Management team, she also played a key role in the strategic development of Messe Frankfurt’s sustainability activities. As Director of Texcare International, she will also be responsible for the brand management of the four international events in the portfolio: Texcare Asia & China Laundry Expo, Texcare France, The Clean Show (USA), and Clean India Show. In addition, Altmann-Morelli will lead IFFA and oversee the Food Technologies brand.

She succeeds Johannes Schmid-Wiedersheim, who is pursuing new professional opportunities. He has successfully led Texcare since 2016.

Messe Frankfurt commits further to East Africa: three textiles trade fairs during Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week from 2027

Messe Frankfurt and its Texpertise Network continue their steady, successful trajectory in the region. As Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) opened today, Member of the Executive Board Detlef Braun announced that Messe Frankfurt is licencing its three leading international trade fair brands Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess to Nairobi, Kenya for the first time in 2027. From now on, they will take place annually as part of the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) Nairobi.

Speed and connectivity: Techtextil and Texprocess provided market-ready solutions for industries under pressure

With more than 36,000 visitors and 1,700 exhibitors from a total of 112 countries, Techtextil and Texprocess 2026 demonstrated how innovation comes into industrial use. The convergence of research, industry and application proved to be a breeding ground for new material solutions, manufacturing and processing technologies. Natural fibres, performance apparel, connected systems and AI-driven processing technologies emerged as key growth and future markets.

YKK invests USD 150 million in new manufacturing facility in India

YKK Corporation has announced plans to construct a new manufacturing facility in India, reinforcing its long-term commitment to one of the world's fastest-growing textile and apparel production hubs. The new factory will be built at Origins by Mahindra in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and will become the third manufacturing site of YKK India Private Limited. The facility is expected to be completed by February 2028 and represents an investment of approximately USD 150 million, covering land, buildings, machinery and equipment.

Sustainable embroidery materials and digital finishing attract attention at GUNOLD booth

More exhibition space, more visitors, and a high level of international participation: GUNOLD’s concept for this year’s Texprocess 2026, which took place in Frankfurt am Main from April 21 to 24, 2026, was a complete success. “Our decision to showcase our entire product range alongside application examples and expert tips was very well received,” says Marketing Director Stephan Gunold, delighted with the positive outcome of the trade show. The focus was particularly on the Stockstadt-based company’s sustainable products as well as its laser, engraving, and sublimation services.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Textile Exchange publishes comprehensive polyester LCA study

Textile Exchange has released a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing detailed data on the environmental impacts of both virgin and recycled polyester production. The study aims to strengthen understanding across the fashion, textile and apparel industries and support more informed decision-making regarding polyester sourcing and production.