At ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Behnam Ghasemi, Editor-in-Chief of Kohan Textile Journal, interviewed Patrick Brändle to discuss Benninger’s long-standing expertise in textile finishing, the company’s approach to sustainable machinery, and its outlook on the Turkish, Middle Eastern, and African textile markets.
Q&A: Benninger on Sustainable Finishing, Long-Term Investment and Emerging Markets
Could you introduce yourself and Benninger AG?
Patrick Brändle: My name is Patrick Brändle, and I have been working with Benninger AG for nearly 25 years as an Area Sales Manager.
Benninger has been serving the textile industry for almost 170 years and is recognized as one of the global market leaders in textile finishing technology.
Our business is built around three major product areas. The first is continuous open-width wet processing for woven and knitted fabrics. The second includes discontinuous dyeing technologies such as jet dyeing machines, jiggers, and related equipment. The third focuses on tire cord production lines used for dipping and finishing tire cords and conveyor belts.
Benninger has maintained a strong presence in Türkiye for many years, supplying machinery to many of the country’s leading textile manufacturers.
Read More: ITM 2026 Results Confirm Global Industry Confidence
How do you evaluate the Turkish textile market today?
Patrick Brändle: The market is currently relatively quiet compared to previous years, although several investment projects—particularly in the home textile sector—are still under discussion.
Despite the slowdown, I remain optimistic about Türkiye’s long-term future. While the overall market may be shrinking slightly, the country’s strongest and highest-quality textile producers will continue investing in advanced technology.
These companies are exactly the type of customers Benninger focuses on—manufacturers seeking premium-quality, sustainable machinery designed for decades of reliable operation.
What makes Benninger’s approach to machinery different?
Patrick Brändle: Our philosophy has always been based on long-term partnerships rather than short-term sales.
Benninger machines are designed to operate efficiently for more than 20 to 25 years. Even after decades of service, customers can modernize electronic controls and automation systems without replacing the entire machine.
This upgradeability is a key part of sustainability. Instead of scrapping equipment after a certain period, manufacturers can adapt existing machines to new production requirements, fabrics, and technologies while extending their operational life for many more years.
How do you view opportunities in the Middle East and Africa?
Patrick Brändle: My primary responsibility covers Europe and Türkiye, but we certainly follow developments in the Middle East and Africa.
Egypt has shown encouraging growth over the past several years, and we continue to see business opportunities there.
Africa also offers long-term potential, although textile finishing depends heavily on water availability. Countries with sufficient water resources could develop stronger textile finishing industries, while others may focus more on weaving or garment manufacturing, similar to what we see in Morocco.
The Middle East presents different challenges because many countries face water shortages. Since wet processing requires significant water resources, textile finishing is naturally more limited there. Nevertheless, there are still selected opportunities in the region.
How does Benninger define sustainable manufacturing?
Patrick Brändle: Sustainability begins with the customer.
Of course, we follow responsible manufacturing practices in our own production, including waste separation and efficient manufacturing processes. However, the greatest environmental impact comes from how our machines perform throughout their lifetime.
For decades, Benninger has focused on reducing operational costs by minimizing water consumption, steam usage, electricity consumption, and other production resources while delivering the highest processing quality.
Although premium European machinery may require a higher initial investment, customers benefit from significantly lower operating costs throughout the machine’s lifetime. In our view, true sustainability means combining long equipment life with the lowest possible resource consumption.
