Tekstiel

Tekstiel is a term commonly used to denote textiles and the textile industry, including fibers, yarns, fabrics, and finished textile products. The term covers materials used for clothing, interiors, industrial textiles, and technical textiles. It is closely related to fashion, manufacturing, and material science.

The word Tekstiel can reflect linguistic variations or branding, with the standard Dutch term for the field being textiel. In some contexts, Tekstiel appears as a proper name or title in marketing, education, or industry references. Etymologically, terms for textiles have roots in Latin, French, and Germanic languages, reflecting the long history of fabric production.

The textile production chain begins with fibers, which can be natural (cotton, wool, flax), regenerated (viscose, lyocell), or synthetic (polyester, nylon). Spinning converts fibers into yarns. Weaving and knitting create fabrics, while finishing processes such as dyeing, printing, and softening add color, texture, and performance properties.

Fabrics range from lightweight, breathable materials for apparel to durable synthetics for industrial uses, and from traditional textiles to technical textiles used in automotive, aerospace, medical, and protective applications. Textiles are also central to consumer goods, home furnishings, and performance clothing, reflecting broad versatility and consumer demand.

Sustainability and innovation shape the Tekstiel industry, with emphasis on circularity, responsible sourcing, and transparency in supply chains. Developments include recycled and bio-based fibers, digital textile printing, smart textiles with embedded sensors, and advanced finishing techniques aimed at reducing environmental impact.