October's Cinte Techtextil China is shaping up to be one of the most diverse yet as more of the country and region pavilions begin to take shape, with each one featuring a range of exhibitors from different product groups and application areas, organisers report.

The fair boasts pavilions from Belgium, Germany, Italy, South Korea and Taiwan, as well as a just-confirmed Russian Zone and a number of regional Chinese pavilions. In total, more than 500 exhibitors from 23 countries and regions will display their latest products and technologies from 12 to 14 October in Shanghai.

Italian exhibitors

European technical textiles products have a strong reputation in the Chinese industry, and as such, the Italian and Belgium Pavilions have attracted some of these country's biggest players, according to the show organiser, Messe Frankfurt.

The Italian Pavilion, organised by TexClubTec and ICE – Italian Trade Agency, will feature, amongst others, automotive textile supplier Finelvo, yarn machinery producer Fil Man Made, testing company Centro Tessile Cotoniero e Abbigliamento Spa and yarn supplier Monosuisse Group, joining for the first time.

Athleisure textiles

This year's Belgium Pavilion features the likes of Europlasma, Plastibert, CTF 2000, Bekaert and the Belgium-based European headquarters of American firm Conwed Plastics. Europlasma is a producer of innovative nano-coating solutions based on low-pressure plasma technology, and the company believes the use of plasma treatment for technical textiles will be the new “mega trend” in the industry due to its low environmental impact.

The company also sees much potential in the Chinese market for athleisure textiles produced with minimal environmental impact, and as such, will feature PFC-free 3D treatments for athletics footwear, PFC-free DWR fabrics, DWR membrane, hydrophilic (blood) filter cloth and more at the fair.

Fellow coating and finishing producer CTF 2000 is also positive about the Chinese market, according to Mr Luc Carlier, Managing Director. The main products the company will be showcasing at the fair are halogen-free blackout, washable halogen-free back coating for upholstery, as well as its W.TC1000-series treatment for protective wear fabrics, which can be washed up to 100 times. Plastibert, meanwhile, will promote a range of coated textiles on PUR and PVC bases at the fair.

Wearable technologies

Given recent global trends, as well as those in China, some of the most innovative products at this year's fair are bound to be wearable technologies. “Wearable technologies are taking China by storm,” reports Bekaert's Global Product Market Manager, Mr Lieven Tack. “China is the leading manufacturing centre for many applications and industries, including the production of innovative technical textiles, so this creates new opportunities for growth and innovation.”

The Belgium based company's focus at Cinte Techtextil China will be on its Bekinox range of highly conductive and cut-resistant fibres and yarns. Among the many applications for this product are smart textiles, heatable textiles, protective clothing and RFID tags, and depending on their use, the yarns can be either 100% stainless steel or blended with other materials, such as cotton and polyester.

Weight reduction

Conwed Plastics' main product at the fair will be its lightweight extruded and bi-oriented plastic scrims, which can be used to enhance the characteristics of nonwovens and technical textiles. According to the company, by integrating a lightweight plastic scrim a total weight reduction of the composite can be achieved, the total tensile strength can be increased and therefore, the total cost of ownership can be reduced.

The company's BDM for Asia-Pacific, Mr Frank Theunissen, reports positive news coming out of the Chinese market: “We've seen increased interest in our products from Chinese manufacturers in the last few months. We see large potential in the Chinese technical textiles market, mainly in the sub-market segments of hygiene (cleaning wipes) and adult incontinence diapers.”

www.techtextilchina.com