Germany’s textile and clothing industry remained in decline up to October 2025. According to the national association textil + mode, total turnover was 2.4 percent below the previous year’s level, while production fell by around five percent. Despite this subdued trend, the Innovation Day of the German Institutes of Textile and Fibre Research (DITF) Denkendorf on 26 February 2026 sends a strong signal for technology transfer and knowledge exchange within the sector.

Research as a response to the crisis

The annual event provides a platform for dialogue between science and industry. The programme includes specialist presentations on current research projects as well as practical insights into laboratory and pilot facilities. The focus is on sustainable materials, energy-efficient processes and digital methods for quality assurance.

Sustainable materials and digital processes

The presentations highlight solution-oriented approaches across the textile value chain: lignin as a new fibre raw material, solvent-based recycling of aramid protective textiles and piezoelectric PLA filaments for medical applications. Additional contributions focus on energy savings in weaving, renewable materials for sports products and the use of artificial intelligence in quality control.

Meeting point for the industry

Tours and live demonstrations at the DITF technical centres round off the programme. The Innovation Day demonstrates how scientific results and industrial practice can interconnect to strengthen the industry’s competitiveness in a challenging market environment.

Registration is open on the DITF website until 16 February 2026.