At Heimtextil, Regenerative Design Takes Inspiration from Ecological Principles

Could you give us a sense of how big the global interior textiles market is? Most fibre/fabric/textiles reports and studies tend to concentrate on apparel. But then, what percentage of the global fibre/fabric production goes into interior textiles? What does the fibre composition look like? Is it as much dominated by synthetic fibres as the apparel market is?
Olaf Schmidt: The global interior textiles market is substantial, and demand for high-quality home and contract textiles remains strong. According to Grand View Research, the market has been growing steadily, reflecting the increasing demand for durable and innovative solutions in interior design. While we at Messe Frankfurt don’t produce market data ourselves, we rely on reputable sources to stay informed about trends and developments. For example, the recent analysis of Grand View Research highlights significant growth potential across regions. In Europe, key markets such as Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain generate total sales of €33.5 billion for home and household textiles, including wallpapers.

Regarding the share of global fibre production going into interior textiles, exact numbers are hard to pin down. However, it is clear that home and interior textiles represent a key segment of the overall fibre market, alongside apparel and industrial applications.

Regarding fibre composition, synthetic fibres play a dominant role in the interior textiles market, though their share may not be as overwhelming as in apparel. This is partly due to the need for natural fibres like cotton or wool in applications where comfort, breathability, or aesthetics are key. That said, synthetics such as polyester and polypropylene remain critical for durability, affordability, and technical performance.

Overall, the market evolves, with growing emphasis on material innovation, which will likely reshape fibre preferences in the years ahead.

These are all important issues. Heimtextil is not an industry trade association, but is a very important, influential and crucial player in the overall textiles industry. How does Heimtextil deal with these subjects through the various events that are organised? What is Heimtextil's biggest area of concern that it seeks to address? 
Olaf Schmidt: At Heimtextil, we believe that transformation—particularly towards sustainability—is the cornerstone of future business success. Our role as a global trade fair is to serve as a hub for innovation, inspiration, and knowledge sharing, equipping the textiles industry to adapt to market shifts and consumer demands.

Resilience is a recurring theme. It has become a critical success factor—not just for businesses, but for individuals and communities. This is where home and contract textiles come in: they play a transformative role in creating spaces that promote well-being, enhance productivity, and support mental health. For example, thoughtfully designed interiors, powered by innovative textiles, can serve as energising retreats that help people recharge.

Heimtextil 2025 focuses on these connections, demonstrating how textiles contribute to resilience in businesses and personal spaces. This holistic perspective ties the resilience of people and society, together, with quality, durability, and sustainability as foundational values. We know consumers increasingly demand these qualities in products. Our role as a fair organiser is to listen to the market, understand challenges, and provide solutions. Regulatory demands—like the Green Deal and supply chain laws—require companies to stay adaptive.

Heimtextil enables businesses navigate these complexities by offering a comprehensive market overview with leading brands, collections, and private labels; as also stages for knowledge exchange, like the Retail Stage (Hall 12.1) and Texpertise Stage (Hall 4.0). These feature interactive talks, tours, and insights into business innovation.

And last but not least: networking opportunities to connect industry players and foster collaboration. Ultimately, Heimtextil helps the industry answer critical questions: What products meet market needs? How can companies differentiate themselves? What are best practices for succeeding in an evolving landscape? By enabling this dialogue, Heimtextil strengthens the industry’s ability to innovate and thrive in a sustainable, consumer-driven future.

The Heimtextil website lists 10 product groups. Which of these see the biggest traction? Have the trends been consistent over the years? Or, do these keep changing constantly?
Olaf Schmidt: At Heimtextil, all 10 product groups are critical to presenting a comprehensive and global range of textile interior solutions. Each segment contributes to the fair's unique value proposition of showcasing the entire spectrum of textile interior design.

Trends within product groups evolve, but some areas show remarkable growth. For example, the Carpets & Rugs segment is experiencing strong traction. Exhibitor numbers have more than doubled, and the space dedicated to this category has expanded from one hall level to three. This reflects both increased demand and innovation within the segment. Similarly, the demand for functional textiles—those with properties like stain resistance, flame retardancy, and recyclability— continues to rise. Our Interior.Architecture.Hospitality programme addresses this growth with curated offerings for specialised markets like hospitality, healthcare, and workspace design.

Heimtextil’s strength lies in its breadth and depth. Encompassing 16 hall levels, the fair provides the largest global platform spanning from decorative and furniture fabrics, window coverings, carpets, bedding, bathroom textiles, textile design to wall decoration. This diversity ensures that all buyer needs—from quality in all quantities to niche—are met. As buying structures evolve, companies increasingly send buyers to source solutions across the entire interior textile spectrum. Heimtextil adapts by developing trade fair concepts that align with industry needs and focus on global product diversity.

Carpets & rugs is a focus theme at Heimtextil 2025. Please tell us more about it. What can we expect to see this time? What are the emerging trends in this segment? What is driving this segment: is it materials or design?
Olaf Schmidt: The Carpets & Rugs segment is a major highlight at Heimtextil 2025, reflecting its dynamic growth. Frankfurt has truly become the new home for the global carpet industry, with over 300 exhibitors confirmed for this edition. This significant expansion is visible in the allocation of space: what was once limited to Hall 5.1 now extends across Halls 5.0 and 3.0 as well. Numerous top-class exhibitors such as Bhadohi Carpet (India), Javi Home (India), Lalee (Germany) and Merinos (Turkey) and as well machine- and hand-woven carpets from exhibitors such as Bikaner Handloom (India), Rudra Rugs (India), Himalaya Concepts (India), JI International (India) and Este Hali (Turkey) can be found in the halls. A standout feature will be the Belgian Textiles – powered by Fedustria area in Hall 5.1, where leading Belgian manufacturers showcase high quality craftsmanship, creative designs, and sustainable materials. This initiative, driven by the Belgian association Fedustria and Ragolle Rugs, highlights the combination of traditional techniques with cutting-edge innovations in carpet production.

In addition, the new Carpet Lounge in the Foyer of Halls 5.1/6.1 provides a welcoming space for networking in a cozy, design-focused atmosphere. Curated by Cover Magazine, the lounge features an array of inspiring carpet designs and hosts an exclusive programme of lectures and panel talks on topics such as craftsmanship, sustainability, and trends within the carpet industry. These discussions will take place on the Texpertise Stage in Hall 4.0.

Carpets are resurging due to lifestyle shifts toward comfort and wellbeing. They enhance aesthetics while offering practical benefits like thermal insulation and sound absorption. These properties improve living spaces and reduce energy use. The trend spans private homes, commercial spaces, hotels, and outdoor areas. Sustainability is key as well in carpets. In fact, some buyers now insist on specific labels as a prerequisite for contracts. We respond by showcasing a wider range of sustainable, durable carpets. Long-lasting design and easy care are now critical, aligning with the market’s push for eco-friendly solutions.

How is Econogy driving the discussion around sustainability at Heimtextil? Your website says: "The stands of the exhibitors concerned are also marked with clearly recognisable Econogy signs." What are the criteria/parameters that you evaluate before assigning the Econogy sign? Does one have to apply for it?
Olaf Schmidt: Econogy plays a central role in advancing the conversation around sustainability at Heimtextil. Beyond offering extensive knowledge and insights through panels, and workshops, Econogy includes the Econogy Finder. This tool highlights exhibitors with verified sustainable practices, making it easier for visitors to identify eco-conscious companies. To qualify for the Econogy Finder, exhibitors must apply and undergo an independent sustainability assessment—the Econogy Check. This evaluation is conducted by third-party experts who measure companies against international sustainability standards. Key criteria include sustainable supply chain practices, materials and processes, and strategic innovation. Exhibitors provide detailed information through a questionnaire, covering aspects like textile certifications and broader sustainability efforts.

Successfully selected applicants are marked with distinct Econogy signs at their stands, ensuring visibility for buyers seeking sustainable options. All exhibitors are informed about the application process and deadlines in advance. The strong interest from both exhibitors and visitors underscores the growing importance of sustainability.

Tell us more about the Material Manifesto in the Heimtextil Trend Space. What does a circular future indeed look like?
Olaf Schmidt: The Material Manifesto is a central element of the Heimtextil Trends. It promotes using local, eco-friendly, and borrowed materials for the presentation. The Heimtextil Trends provide a tangible demonstration of what a circular design future could look like—an approach that mirrors nature's processes to not only sustain but also restore natural systems. 

As Dr Harald Gründl, a prominent Design Theorist and Co-founder of the Austrian studio EOOS, explains: Regenerative design takes inspiration from ecological principles, aiming to give back to the environment. At Heimtextil, these principles are not just theoretical. Through curated exhibits, panels, and showcases of innovative textiles, the Heimtextil Trends brings these ideas to life. They offer a clear glimpse of what a truly circular future could look like, combining cutting-edge materials with actionable strategies for sustainable transformation.

A trade event of the scale of Heimtextil too needs to have a minimal ecological footprint. There are many things to keep in mind: from materials used for stands/stalls to power to, eventually, waste. How does Messe Frankfurt Exhibition manage all that?
Olaf Schmidt: At Messe Frankfurt, sustainability is an integral part of the planning and execution of trade fairs, ensuring that the ecological footprint is minimised at every stage. The aim is not only to reduce waste but to embed it within a circular economy by separating materials for 100% recycling wherever possible. This includes detailed planning for special exhibitions and local sourcing of materials and services to reduce carbon emissions. On-site waste advisors work during setup periods to educate exhibitors about proper waste management practices. Materials like wood, paper, and even carpets are repurposed to create new products, with recyclable materials taking centrestage.

The commitment to sustainability extends to energy management. Messe Frankfurt operates three solar power systems that generate over 2.4 GWh annually, saving approximately 1,200 tonnes of CO2 each year. Since 2020, all the electricity used has been 100% green, sourced from renewable resources. Since 2024, 30% of the venue’s energy needs come directly from a solar park in Brandenburg.

Stand construction also prioritises ecological responsibility. Modular system stands are favoured for their reusability, while individual custom stands focus on local materials and short transport routes. The fair construction subsidiary specialises in system stands, ensuring efficient material reuse and storage directly on-site.

Messe Frankfurt’s long-term sustainability goals aim for climate neutrality by 2040. This includes greenhouse gas-neutral energy supply, enhanced water and waste management systems, and sustainable infrastructure developments like bee-friendly green spaces and optimised temperature regulation. For us at Messe Frankfurt, sustainability is a continuous journey, marked by thoughtful planning and incremental progress.