From Portugal and Tunisia to Madrid: ITF Intertex expands its network to strengthen southern Europe's textile industry

Madrid is hosting the ITF Intertex Spain and ITF Intertex Machinery trade fairs for the first time. From November 17 to 19, the two events will bring together manufacturers, suppliers and brands from the textile sector at the Pabellón de Convenciones de la Casa de Campo.

Following its success in Portugal and Tunisia, this dual event is now launching in Spain. According to its organisers, the objective is to “drive innovation, sustainability and competitiveness in an industry undergoing a complete transformation”.

The decision to expand ITF Intertex to Spain, and specifically to Madrid, is a response to “the city's strategic position as a major business and logistics hub in Europe”. The organisers also highlight that Spain represents a key market for textile innovation. They therefore saw “a great opportunity to create a high-quality international event”.

An integral platform for the textile ecosystem

The event is presented as a comprehensive platform covering the entire textile ecosystem, from raw materials to the finished product. Its goal is to bring together designers, producers, manufacturers, distributors and international brands under one roof. This creates a space where technical innovation and creativity converge.

Following the success of previous editions, the organisers stress that their expansion into the Spanish market aims to “strengthen their presence in southern Europe and foster new business relationships between global textile suppliers and European buyers”. They note that the trade fair aligns with the mission to facilitate the search for international suppliers and promote innovation. It will leverage the network of textile and fashion professionals that characterises the Spanish market.

Among the main attractions of the Madrid edition is the area dedicated to production machinery and technology. Here, national and international companies, such as J. Pujol (Spain), Cheek to Cheek (Portugal) and Tecnoseta (Italy), will showcase the latest advances in automation and production efficiency.

Key pillars of this first edition include initiatives aimed at strengthening the event's international dimension and promoting business collaboration. One of these is the Hosted Buyers Program, which will bring together hundreds of professionals from various strategic markets.

The organisers explain that “the international buyers in the programme are carefully selected based on their sourcing needs, market influence and potential for business collaboration”. The aim is to bring together decision-makers from major brands and retailers worldwide. This strategy seeks to guarantee high-value meetings and concrete business opportunities for exhibitors, a key difference from other industry events.

“Unlike traditional trade fairs, our Hosted Buyers Program ensures that key global buyers meet with verified suppliers, creating efficient and targeted meetings. Furthermore, our emphasis on innovation, technology and sustainable solutions makes ITF Intertex an advanced platform that goes beyond the conventional trade fair experience,” they explained.

Start-up area and extensive networking

The event will also feature the Start-Up Area, a space designed to showcase emerging talent in the textile sector. Here, young companies and innovative projects will present their proposals to distributors, investors and potential partners, focusing on sustainability, circularity and digitalisation as key growth drivers.

The trade fair experience is completed by two areas designed to encourage networking. The Hosted Buyers Lounge will offer a professional environment for meetings and closing deals. Meanwhile, the Sky Lounge will provide a more informal space to foster spontaneous connections and collaborations among different professionals across the textile value chain.

Beyond business contacts, the organisation hopes that visitors will “be inspired by the latest innovations in fabrics, textile machinery and sustainable practices”. They also hope visitors will “discover emerging trends and gain valuable insights that can positively impact their future sourcing and production strategies”.

Finally, the organisers confirm their intention for ITF Intertex Spain to become an annual event. This will create “a platform for international buyers and suppliers to connect and collaborate year after year”.