Supported by VDMA and the German government, the initiative will give international textile manufacturers access to machinery factories, research institutes and technology specialists before ITMA 2027.
Germany has opened pre-registration for the Global Textile Technology Mission, a programme connecting international textile manufacturers with German machinery producers and research institutes ahead of ITMA 2027 in Hannover.
Scheduled for September 12–17, 2027, the initiative aims to help manufacturers evaluate technologies, establish supplier relationships and identify investment opportunities before the exhibition, which runs from September 16–22.
Four Technology Routes Cover Textile Manufacturing
The programme offers four specialised routes reflecting major textile production and technology priorities:
- Spinning, winding and nonwovens
- Knitting, weaving and braiding
- Dyeing, finishing, coating and process control
- Textile recycling and circularity
Participants will visit selected machinery manufacturers and research institutes to examine equipment development, manufacturing processes and technology-transfer opportunities.
VDMA has identified companies including Andritz, Barmag, Dilo, Monforts, Mahlo and Kaeser, alongside research institutes ITA Aachen, ITM Dresden and DITF Denkendorf, as supporters of the initiative.
Government-Backed Programme Targets Industrial Buyers
The mission forms part of Germany’s Foreign Market Entry Programme for SMEs, financed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
It is organised by COMMIT Project Partners, in cooperation with InfoAid and supported by VDMA Textile Machinery.
The itinerary begins in Frankfurt on September 12, followed by industrial visits on September 13–14 and transfer to Hannover on September 15.
Participants will receive programme transport, visa support and business-matching opportunities. Accommodation and living expenses remain their responsibility.
Early Access for Machinery Investment Decisions
The programme targets textile mill owners, CEOs, technical directors and managers responsible for production, automation, energy efficiency and sustainability.
VDMA reports that more than 1,500 exhibitors, including 190 German companies, have already registered for ITMA 2027.
For manufacturers planning modernisation, factory visits provide an opportunity to assess machinery capabilities beyond exhibition demonstrations.
Pre-registration closes December 11, 2026. Places are limited, and submitting an expression of interest does not guarantee selection.
