BERLIN — November 11, 2026 — International textile manufacturers are invited to express their interest now in the Global Textile Technology Mission, taking place in Germany from 12 to 17 September 2027. Ahead of ITMA 2027 in Hanover, these thematic delegations will offer selected participants the opportunity to visit leading VDMA textile machinery member companies and textile research institutes at their own premises — discovering innovation at its source before continuing their technology conversations at the exhibition.
The initiative is a part of the Foreign Market Entry Programme for SMEs, financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, and supported by the VDMA Textile Machinery Association.
The programme is organised by COMMIT Project Partners in cooperation with InfoAid and supported by VDMA Textile Machinery. Interested companies are now invited to pre-register their participation by no later than 11 December 2026 on
commit-group.com/ITMA-2027/
Four routes to explore technology at its source
The programme is organised around four core technology routes, enabling participants to indicate the areas most relevant to their business:
- Spinning, Winding & Nonwovens
- Knitting, Weaving & Braiding
- Dyeing, Finishing, Coating & Process Control
- Textile Recycling & Circularity
Company visits will provide first-hand insights into where and how textile machinery technology is developed and manufactured. Research institutes will present their fields of research and approaches to technology transfer, connecting industrial practice with research expertise.
Pole Position: arrive informed, connected and ready
The delegations are designed to put participants in “pole position” for their ITMA visit: offering a unique opportunity to gain deeper technological insight, establish contacts before the exhibition opens and identify topics for further discussion in Hanover. Direct exchanges at company and institute premises provide a focused starting point for exploring solutions relevant to participants’ manufacturing needs.
The programme includes a welcome dinner in Frankfurt with participating VDMA member companies and research institutes, scheduled visits to companies and institutes, local transport as specified in the programme, visa support, and business matching and networking at ITMA 2027. Networking Lunch Talks at the exhibition will provide further opportunities to continue conversations and build connections.
From company visits to ITMA 2027
The draft itinerary starts with arrival in Frankfurt and a welcome dinner on 12 September 2027, followed by company and research institute visits on 13 and 14 September 2027, transferring participants to Hannover on 15 September 2027. where additional networking components such as the Pole Position Lunch Talks are hosted at ITMA on 16 September. On 17 September 2027 the official project programme ends, debriefing participants to individually attend ITMA 2027.
Express your interest now
Decision-makers from textile manufacturing companies, including mill owners, CEOs, managing directors, technical directors, plant managers, and specialists responsible for production, automation, digital transformation, sustainability, quality, and energy management, are invited to pre-register. Get into pole position: apply non-bindingly now at:
commit-group.com/ITMA-2027/.
Applicants can indicate a preferred technology route. Places are limited and participation is subject to selection. Pre-registration does not constitute confirmation of participation; the organiser will contact interested companies with further information. Participants are expected to pay for their own accommodation and living expenses during the programme.
For information about the exhibition, visit www.itma.com.
Further information from VDMA: Germany Welcomes the Global Textile Industry to ITMA 2027 – vdma.eu – VDMA
Posted: November 11, 2026
Source: VDMA Textile Machinery