Focusing on sustainability

Green textiles for our future

The demand for sustainable management in the entire value chain is one of the driving forces for innovation in the textile market.

Messe Frankfurt has been taking account of this trend in the textile market since 2007. Our textile trade fairs, such as Interstoff Asia Essential, Texworld and the Ethical Fashion Show in Paris, are optimum events for the presentation of fashions, garment fabrics and accessories made in accordance with ecological and socially compatible principles.

With the Green Directory Heimtextil 2012 also focuses attention on positive developments in the market for sustainable home and household textiles.

Numerous exhibitors offer fabrics made of ecological materials or take account of sustainability criteria during the manufacturing process.

The Green Directory will be distributed at the fair and lists appropriate exhibitors and their products – an ideal aid for trade buyers at Heimtextil.

Sustainability as an advantage in the market – facts

According to a study commissioned by Messe Frankfurt in 2010, the market for sustainable home textiles is developing faster than the overall market for home textiles worldwide. In comparison to conventional products, sustainable textiles are distinguished by high ecological quality and are manufactured under improved working conditions.

In Germany, the market for sustainable bedroom and bathroom textiles is worth between € 40 and 80 million. In Europe, and North American, sales of such products amount to around € 400 million. According to the study, the market for sustainable home textiles will grow at an annual rate of approximately ten percent. Thus, even on the basis of rather conservative premises, the German market can be expected to be worth between € 50 and 130 million by 2015.

In this connection, Europe is the driving force in the market for sustainable home textiles – Germany, France and the Benelux countries lead the way followed, with certain reservations, by Scandinavia and Great Britain. According to a poll analysed in the study, Australia and Canada are also important growth markets. In this connection, consumers are the main factor influencing the development of the market for sustainable home textiles whereby groups with medium to high incomes play the most decisive role.