Sixty-three Spanish companies, led by participants from Ateval, have been at Heimtextil in Frankfurt since the event opened this Tuesday. The German fair marks the start of the industry’s calendar and will run through January 12. A total of 94 Spanish exhibitors are showcasing their latest lines, with the Valencian Community representing more than half of the Spanish presence. The aim is clear: explore new markets, forge valuable contacts, and stimulate exports, which slipped by two percent in the prior year.
Heimtextil stands as the leading global stage for home textiles, contract textiles, and textile design. It is a singular international platform where companies can unveil innovations and trends set to shape home textile fashion in 2024. The fair provides robust support for both exhibiting brands and professional visitors who travel from around the world over the four days of activity.
Spain continues to be one of the top European sources of participation. In this edition, 94 Spanish labels will present their new products, with 59 of them hailing from the Valencian Community. In particular, 14 exhibitors come from the l’Alcoià and El Comtat districts, and 28 from Vall d’Albaida, underscoring the region’s strong creative and manufacturing footprint in textiles.
Leila Bachetarzi, director of Ateval for Trade Promotion and Internationalization, notes that Heimtextil is pivotal for the sector. She emphasizes that the fair offers international buyers a direct line to Spanish collections, opportunities to learn about new lines, and a environment to build lasting connections. Ateval is involved with other global events as well, including Heimtextil Colombia in Medellín, Proposte Como in Italy, HomeTex in Istanbul, and Home Textile Premium organized by Textil Hogar in Valencia. Activities throughout the year, such as the Room Design contract-channel initiative, are coordinated to support the industry, with Madrid hosting a dedicated event in February.
Ateval-Home Textiles From Spain backs Spanish participation at Heimtextil and provides support on-site during the fair days. A corporate visit program is planned for Thursday, January 11, led by Ateval and supported by the regional government, highlighting collaboration on industry growth. The institutional delegation will be chaired by the president of the Generalitat Valenciana, along with senior ministers and regional secretaries responsible for industry, trade, and tourism, as well as regional communications leadership and provincial authorities. The purpose is to reinforce ties with international buyers and highlight the Valencian textile cluster on a global stage.
The event’s narrative centers on renewed confidence in the sector. The Valencian and broader Spanish delegation report a positive mood from the fair’s opening hours, noting strong product quality, compelling booth presentations, and clear investments in design and innovation. While early 2024 forecasts reflect some headwinds from the global economy, the industry remains hopeful that the latter half of the year will deliver improved competitiveness and sustained demand for high value textiles.
In another show of local support, Jorge Rodríguez, the mayor of Ontinyent, continues to champion the city’s 15 participating companies at Heimtextil. The presence of the Home Textiles Premium Director and other industry leaders signals a coordinated effort to spotlight regional strengths in design, fabric manufacture, and contract textiles. José Ramón Return, president of the Habitat and Home Textile Federation in Spain, reinforces the interconnected nature of Spanish leadership in the sector during this international gathering.
Representing Ateval, its president and the president of the Spanish Intertextile Council are present to oversee proceedings, joined by Ateval’s manager and the organization’s director of internationalization. The opening ceremony includes remarks from Messe Frankfurt executives, followed by a guided tour featuring Valencian participants who exemplify the region’s best in textiles. The atmosphere is described as optimistic, with strong product quality and attractive stands contributing to a favorable early impression for exhibitors and visitors alike.
Looking ahead, the industry eyes potential gains across North America and beyond. The collaborative efforts led by Ateval and its partners are designed to sustain momentum, support export-based growth, and expand the reach of Spanish and Valencian textile brands in key markets like Canada and the United States. The fair’s energy, combined with targeted follow-up activities in Madrid and other hubs, aims to translate early interest into measurable commercial outcomes for 2024 and beyond.