MILAN, Italy — EXPOdetergo International 2026 attracted more than 21,000 trade visitors to Fiera Milano here Oct. 23-26, marking a 25% increase over the 2022 edition.
The event welcomed visitors from 123 countries, with international attendees accounting for 48% of the total, according to organizers.
“The results of this edition reaffirm the strength of EXPOdetergo International: a show that combines a comprehensive exhibition offering, a high-quality international audience and content that addresses the real needs of businesses,” organizers say in a press release.
“The significant increase in visitor numbers, together with the wide range of markets represented, highlights the vitality of the industry and the importance of an event that continues to create opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange and growth across the entire supply chain.”
Germany, Spain, France, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands recorded the highest visitor numbers. Attendees also traveled from outside Europe, including the United States, Brazil, China and Japan.
The four-day exhibition brought together 245 companies from 26 countries, including 155 Italian exhibitors and 90 international businesses.
The exhibition covered the professional and industrial laundry supply chain, with products and services ranging from machinery and equipment for commercial and industrial laundries to drycleaning technologies, ironing and finishing systems, detergents and chemicals, management software, automation, robotics, traceability systems, technical textiles, and specialized services.
SUSTAINABILITY, AUTOMATION, DIGITALIZATION
Sustainability and technological innovation were central themes throughout the exhibition, reflecting the industry’s continuing efforts to reduce operating costs and environmental impacts while improving production performance.
The event showcased technologies addressing water recovery, energy efficiency, emissions reduction and extending the useful life of textile products. Organizers note that these developments align with broader circular-economy initiatives and the responsible resource use.
The industry faces a combination of environmental sustainability requirements, digital transformation and rising energy costs, creating pressure for laundries to evaluate technologies that can improve efficiency and optimize production processes.
These changes affect both large industrial laundries and smaller independent businesses, organizers say, as innovation continues to reshape the supply chain.
AI AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Alongside the exhibition, an educational program addressed developments affecting professional and industrial laundries.
Topics included AI and its application to production processes, digital transformation, textile maintenance, materials development, and the challenges of attracting and training new talent.
Skills development received particular attention, with a discussion organized by Elena Lai on behalf of the European Textile Services Association (ETSA) exploring international experiences and best practices for recruiting new employees to the textile care industry.
Other sessions examined the growing role of AI and digitalization in laundry operations, emerging textile design and material performance, and practical applications ranging from industrial uses to the world of Formula 1 racing.
The program provided opportunities for industry professionals to discuss operational challenges and developments expected to influence the sector's future.
INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY COLLABORATION
EXPOdetergo International brought together industry associations and organizations representing suppliers, laundry operators, and textile services businesses.
Supporting organizations included AFL-the Italian Association of Laundry Suppliers, Assosistema, Assosecco, CAN, and Confartigianato, along with ETSA.
International delegations and associations from countries including Germany, the United States, Sweden, Poland, Switzerland, and Hungary also participated. Organizers highlighted partnerships and initiatives intended to encourage the exchange of expertise and best practices, including collaboration with the Swedish industry association.
The next edition of EXPOdetergo International is scheduled for 2030.
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