Messe Frankfurt has unveiled a new initiative, “Texpertise Econogy Insights,” focusing on five critical themes shaping the sustainable transformation of the global textile and clothing industry. Based on in-depth sustainability checks across 24 global trade fairs and insights from leading experts, the report reflects the sector's pressing challenges and innovative responses.
The textile industry, marked by vast complexity and massive scale producing textile waste equivalent to 370,000 fully-loaded Airbus aircraft faces a dismal one per cent recycling rate. With 99.7 per cent of industry players being micro, small or medium-sized enterprises, the need for coordinated transformation is urgent. Messe Frankfurt’s Texpertise network, comprising over 60 textile events in 13 countries, is positioning itself as a hub for collaboration and progress.
The newly launched report identifies five central themes: the adoption of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for responsible business practices; transparency and traceability across supply chains; the environmental and functional trade-offs between natural, synthetic, and regenerated fibres; the implementation of eco-friendly process standards; and innovative approaches to textile recycling.
Insights for the report were gathered through Texpertise Econogy Checks, completed by 820 companies between January 2024 and January 2025 in Germany, France, the USA, and China. Participating organisations were assessed in areas such as supply chain sustainability, materials, processes, and innovation strategies.
Since 2008, Messe Frankfurt has been actively promoting sustainability through curated content and special showcases at its textile fairs. Now, under the Texpertise Econogy umbrella, these efforts aim to enhance visibility for sustainable innovations and strengthen global knowledge-sharing.
“Transformation requires cooperation,” says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President, Textiles and Textile Technologies, Messe Frankfurt, reaffirming the group’s commitment to leading the industry’s shift towards sustainability.
