Winners across 10 categories highlight advancements in sustainability, AI, materials, and textile technologies

The winners of the Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards 2026 have been announced, recognizing 17 international innovations across ten categories. The awards highlight developments in materials, processes, and technologies addressing challenges across multiple industries. The ceremony will take place on April 21, 2026, in Frankfurt, alongside exhibitions and guided tours from April 21 to 24.

The Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards 2026 have identified 17 winners across ten categories for their contributions to textile innovation. The selected projects span research, materials, products, and production technologies, with applications extending to automotive, aerospace, medical, construction, robotics, and other sectors.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for April 21 at Techtextil and Texprocess in Frankfurt, followed by a dedicated exhibition and guided tours from April 21 to 24.

The 2026 awards address key industry challenges, including circularity in synthetic textiles, the reduction of PFAS and fossil-based chemicals, automation, and the integration of artificial intelligence in textile production. Winners were selected by expert juries based on their potential for industry impact and future development.

Sabine Scharrer, Director Brand Management Technical Textiles & Textile Processing at Messe Frankfurt, stated: “We are thrilled by the extraordinary breadth of ideas. They demonstrate that textile innovations are driving forces across numerous industries. At the same time, these new developments are strengthening the future viability of the textile industry. The winners are more international than ever, which confirms the global relevance of our leading trade fairs.”

Key Innovations by Category

New Concept
Bäumlin & Ernst received recognition for “EC0Tex,” a PFAS-free finishing process using plasma technology developed with Empa, enabling water-repellent and quick-drying yarns without fresh water.
South Korea-based aweXome Ray was awarded for “axrial,” a process converting carbon nanotubes into textile-compatible filaments for applications in electronics, aerospace, and mobility.

New Chemicals & Dyes
CITEVE developed bio-based textile printing pastes derived from industrial and agricultural waste, reducing reliance on petroleum-based materials.
H&B Materials introduced a PFAS-free water-repellent finish based on plant-derived fatty acids, applied at the molecular level to cellulose fibres.

New Material
The “FormLig – Knitted Wood” project combines lignin-coated yarns with textile processing to create compostable materials.
Senbis Polymer Innovations received recognition for “Mariva,” a biodegradable and recyclable biopolyester designed for industrial scalability.

New Product
NUO developed “NUO FlexHolz,” a bio-based wood textile composite combining veneers and natural fibres for automotive interiors and furniture applications.
The University of Stuttgart’s ITFT introduced “FlectoLine,” an AI-controlled façade system that improves building energy efficiency.

New Production Technology, Digitalisation & AI Solutions
Fibre Extrusion Technology (FET) developed a gel spinning process for UHMWPE fibres using supercritical CO₂ instead of toxic solvents.

New Recycled Materials & Recycling Technologies
Samsara Eco introduced “EosEco,” an enzyme-based recycling method for polyester and nylon using AI-designed enzymes.
German start-up re.solution developed an electrochemical hydrolysis process to recycle polyester from mixed textile waste without generating salt waste.

Texprocess Innovation Awards Highlights

Economic Quality
Robotextile received recognition for a flow gripper that automates textile layer separation.
TH Wildau introduced the “CryoTec” freezing gripper, using ice adhesion and AI-supported control for handling textiles.

Innovation for Quality Improvement
AiDLab presented “WiseEye,” an AI-powered inspection system capable of detecting defects at speeds of 35 metres per minute with approximately 90% accuracy.

Ecological Quality
Amann introduced “AeoniQ Fil,” a biodegradable sewing thread made from cellulose-based fibres, enabling monomaterial textile designs.

Digitalisation + AI
Vizoo developed “CAST,” a tool combining 3D technology and AI for digital fabric visualization and product simulation.
CITEVE presented an AI-enabled robotic system for automated T-shirt production, achieving cycle times of under 35 seconds.

Exhibition and Industry Engagement

The award ceremony will be held under the theme “Celebrating the Best” on April 21, 2026, in Hall 9.1. Winning projects from Techtextil will be displayed in Hall 11.1 from April 21 to 24. Guided tours will allow visitors to explore Texprocess award-winning solutions and interact with developers.

The Innovation Awards, presented every two years, recognize developments across the textile production chain. Selected by expert juries, the awards aim to highlight technologies and solutions shaping the future of the textile industry and related sectors.