tekstyliach

Tekstylia denotes the textile industry in Poland and the broader field of textile production and commerce. Historically, the term has been used to refer to the workforce and enterprises involved in the manufacturing of fabrics, garments and related goods, especially during the socialist period when many state‑owned plants were established in the Kraków and Upper Silesia regions.

In the post‑World War II era, the Tekstylia sector grew rapidly as part of the national reconstruction and industrialisation programmes. Major factories such as the Kraków Tekstylia Plant and the Katowice Textile Factory supplied domestic needs and exported items to Eastern European markets. The industry was characterised by large mixed‑ownership plants, collective workers’ committees and a strong emphasis on mechanised production techniques.

The decline of state‑owned textile manufacturing began in the 1980s when global competition increased and access to raw materials became more difficult. Many Tekstylia factories were closed, sold or converted to specialised production lines. Contemporary Polish textile manufacturing has therefore shifted towards high‑value added products, niche markets and the adoption of modern technologies such as computerised knitting and sustainable fibre production.

Current trends in the Polish Tekstylia sector include investment in eco‑friendly production, recycling of synthetic materials, and integration with global supply chains to supply designer apparel, industrial textiles and technical fabrics. The sector remains a significant contributor to Poland’s manufacturing exports, though it now represents only a small fraction of the country’s total industrial output compared with its peak in the 1970s and early 1990s.