Techtextil North America has officially opened submissions for its 2026 Innovation Awards, inviting exhibitors to showcase cutting-edge advancements shaping the future of technical textiles and nonwovens.
The awards will be presented during Techtextil North America 2026, scheduled for August 4–6, 2026, at the Raleigh Convention Center.
Award Categories
The Innovation Awards recognize excellence across the full spectrum of the technical textiles value chain, with categories including:
- New Concept
- New Material
- New Application
- New Product
- New Chemicals & Dyes
- New Recycled Materials & Recycling Technologies
- New Production Technology, Digitalization & AI Solutions
These categories reflect the industry’s accelerating focus on performance materials, circularity, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence.
Industry Perspective
Kristy Meade, Vice President of Technical Textiles & Technology Shows at Messe Frankfurt, emphasized the strategic role of innovation in the sector:
“We look forward to celebrating the exhibitors whose advancements are elevating performance and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible across the technical textiles and nonwovens community.”
Selection Process
- Submissions will be evaluated by an independent jury of industry experts
- Award winners will be announced onsite during Techtextil North America 2026
- Only exhibitors at the show are eligible to apply
Why This Matters
The Innovation Awards signal where the industry is heading:
- AI-driven production and quality systems moving into mainstream adoption
- Recycled materials and circular technologies becoming competitive differentiators
- High-performance applications expanding across mobility, construction, medical, and industrial uses
For exhibitors, the awards offer global visibility, technical credibility, and direct engagement with decision-makers across the advanced textiles ecosystem.
How to Apply
Applications and detailed criteria are available at the official Innovation Awards page hosted by Techtextil North America.
As technical textiles increasingly define the future of manufacturing, infrastructure, and sustainability, the 2026 Innovation Awards will serve as a benchmark for where real, deployable innovation is happening.
