At ITM 2026, Kohan Textile Journal interviewed Manfred Havenith, Area Sales Manager at Monforts, about the company’s latest textile finishing technologies, the growing importance of energy efficiency, and future opportunities in technical textiles. With more than 140 years of experience, Monforts continues to develop innovative finishing solutions that help textile manufacturers reduce energy consumption while improving production performance.
Could you introduce Monforts and its core business?
Manfred Havenith: Monforts has been manufacturing textile machinery in Germany for more than 140 years. We are headquartered in Mönchengladbach, one of Germany’s historic textile centers.
Our core business focuses on dry finishing technologies, including stenter frames, sanforizing machines, continuous dyeing ranges, and tensionless dryers used for drying, heat setting, stabilizing, and finishing textile fabrics.
What technologies are you highlighting at ITM 2026?
Manfred Havenith: Today, our biggest development focus is energy efficiency.
As energy costs continue to rise, textile manufacturers need equipment that reduces operating costs while supporting sustainability goals.
We are introducing new heating technologies that allow our stenter frames to operate using electricity, hydrogen, steam, gas, or combinations of multiple energy sources. These flexible heating systems help customers optimize energy consumption while preparing for future energy transitions.
Read More:Â ITM 2026 Results Confirm Global Industry Confidence
Why is Türkiye an important market for Monforts?
Manfred Havenith: Türkiye has been one of our most important markets for more than 50 years.
The country has a long textile tradition, and we have worked with Turkish textile manufacturers for decades. Our local partner, Neotek, provides strong sales, technical support, and after-sales service, allowing us to stay close to our customers.
Our goal is to continue growing our market share while delivering excellent service and long-term support.
How do you see the future of the textile industry?
Manfred Havenith: Textiles will remain an essential industry worldwide.
Beyond apparel, we see tremendous growth opportunities in technical textiles and composite materials, where fabrics provide additional functionality for applications such as transportation, safety, sun protection, and industrial products.
The range of textile applications will continue expanding in the coming years.
What opportunities do you see in the Middle East and Africa?
Manfred Havenith: The Middle East has a long textile tradition and will continue to play an important role in the industry.
Africa is also a promising region. While development differs from country to country, we expect continued growth, particularly in North African textile manufacturing.
How important is sustainability for Monforts?
Manfred Havenith: Sustainability is becoming increasingly important across the textile industry.
For us, sustainability means reducing energy consumption, water usage, raw material consumption, and production waste, while supporting recycling and more efficient manufacturing processes.
These objectives are driving both our product development and our customers’ investment decisions.
Energy Efficiency Shapes the Future of Textile Finishing
Monforts believes that reducing energy consumption will become one of the most important competitive advantages for textile manufacturers. By combining flexible heating technologies with decades of finishing expertise, the company is helping mills prepare for rising energy costs while supporting more sustainable production.
At the same time, the growing demand for technical textiles and functional fabrics is creating new opportunities for advanced finishing technologies, reinforcing Monforts’ long-term commitment to innovation in the global textile industry.
