Two Bulgarian Companies Exhibited at Techtextil and Texprocess

At the leading trade fairs Techtextil and Texprocess in Frankfurt am Main, held from April 21 to 24, two Bulgarian companies were presented – Svepol AD and ProdActive.

SVEPOl AD is a global manufacturing and trading company employing more than 400 people. The company brings together a group of firms that are among the leading producers and suppliers of polymers and synthetic fibers. “SVEPOl” has offices on three continents and works with some of the world’s largest companies in the automotive, food, and furniture industries.

ProdActive was created by people who know garment production from the inside. For decades, their team has worked at the heart of the apparel industry—managing factories, developing production processes, and solving everyday challenges on production lines. This experience showed them how much profit is lost when decisions are based on intuition instead of real-time data. This led to the creation of ProdActive—an AI-powered platform designed to help garment manufacturers increase productivity, reduce downtime, and build more balanced and profitable operations.

Their roots are in real production. The company’s founders have extensive experience in managing garment factories, optimizing production processes, and developing software solutions. They have built the largest women’s clothing manufacturer in Bulgaria, employing over 1,000 people.

ProdActive was not created as a theoretical software concept. It is the result of a real problem they experienced firsthand—inefficiency, production bottlenecks, and imbalance between lines and units. The platform was initially developed for their own needs and led to significant improvements in productivity, profitability, and downtime reduction. Today, they provide this accumulated practical experience to other manufacturers seeking measurable results within months rather than years.

Techtextil and Texprocess 2026 concluded with strong participation from visitors and exhibitors. With more than 36,000 visitors and 1,700 exhibitors, the leading international trade fairs offered opportunities for new business and partnerships. In a challenging market environment, Techtextil and Texprocess provide a stable meeting place for the global industry. Participants from 112 countries were represented at the Frankfurt exhibition grounds. The top 10 visitor countries were Germany, Italy, France, Türkiye, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Poland, and Switzerland. Growth was recorded from India, Japan, Portugal, Sweden, and the USA.

Collaboration between academia and industry plays a key role in developing new solutions. This is demonstrated by the Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards 2026. The majority of the awarded innovations were realized through partnerships. For example, Samsara Eco developed an enzyme-based recycling technology in collaboration with Deakin University, The Lycra Company, Nilit, and the consumer brand Lululemon.

From protective clothing to medical and automotive solutions – the applications of textile innovations span multiple industries. New applications emerge from chance encounters between manufacturers, processors, and application partners.

“At Techtextil and Texprocess, it becomes clear which solutions can succeed in cross-industry markets and attract investment. At the same time, unplanned encounters with new business partners open up access to new markets and drive innovation,” says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt.

Natural high-performance solutions to reduce dependence on fossil fuels

The Nature Performance segment at Techtextil presented visitors with natural and bio-based alternatives to synthetic fibers. These materials combine sustainability with high performance, enabling CO₂ reduction, recyclability, and reduced dependence on fossil resources. Whether heat-resistant, tear-resistant, or breathable, more than 110 exhibitors demonstrated their growing use in industrial applications. For example, Cordenka showcased technical viscose fibers for agriculture that can be composted along with plant residues. Oceansafe presented a high-performance polymer made from bio-based and recycled raw materials that can be scaled for industrial use.

Market-ready high-performance textiles for apparel

In the Performance Apparel Textiles segment at Techtextil, the number of exhibitors doubled compared to the previous edition. Increasing investments in security, defense, and civil protection are driving demand for high-performance, standards-compliant textiles as well as specialized processing technologies. Companies are increasingly turning to innovative solutions that can withstand heavy wear and meet specific safety requirements. At Techtextil, exhibitors showcased materials for outdoor, sports, fashion, military, and industrial protective clothing. Texprocess, in turn, demonstrated the processing technologies needed to meet these demands. Concordia presented a durable, permanently flame-retardant fabric with inherent protection. Advance Hitech Textile International showcased a stretch fabric for workwear with enhanced abrasion resistance, dimensional stability, and color fastness.

Connected, demand-driven systems and efficient processing technologies

Texprocess provided a comprehensive market overview – a basis for investment decisions in challenging times. A clear trend emerged: alongside processing machinery, connected solutions are becoming increasingly important across the entire production chain. They integrate individual processes—from design and resource planning to manufacturing—enabling more flexible, demand-driven production.

“The future of apparel production lies in connected supply chains and holistic business models. Innovative system architecture and efficient technologies are crucial for responding flexibly to market demands and customer needs,” says Elgar Straub, Managing Director of VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies.

Style3D | Assyst presented new AI solutions for product development that integrate design and marketing, streamline processes, and reduce costs. Comelz demonstrated a cutting system using artificial image recognition to reduce manual operations. Dürkopp Adler presented a new sewing system enabling easy integration through smart interfaces.

Photos:

1. Svepol AD stand at Techtextil 2026

2. ProdActive stand at Texprocess 2026

Photo © Fashion.bg