02.02.2026
Rieter completes acquisition of Barmag
Rieter successfully completed the acquisition of Barmag on February 2, 2026. The company will be integrated into the group as the new "Man-Made Fiber" division, led by Georg Stausberg. While Rieter specializes in spinning systems for staple fibers, Barmag provides equipment for the production of filament yarns.
02.02.2026
Museum Angewandte Kunst presents "Wolle. Seide. Widerstand."

From 7 February to 24 May 2026, the Museum Angewandte Kunst in Frankfurt am Main will host the exhibition "Wolle. Seide. Widerstand." (Wool. Silk. Resistance.). For the first time in 45 years, the museum is dedicating an entire exhibition exclusively to carpets, focusing on contemporary international perspectives. The featured works, including pieces by artists such as Jan Kath, Faig Ahmed, and Alexandra Kehayoglou, explore themes of political resistance and social resilience.
02.02.2026
Flanders Flooring Days 2026: High rate of returning exhibitors confirmed

The fifth edition of Flanders Flooring Days is scheduled to take place from 18 to 21 May 2026, in and around Kortrijk. According to the organizers, the event is seeing a high re-registration rate, with 74 percent of last year's participants already confirmed. The concept continues to combine decentralized visits to local manufacturers with a central exhibition floor at Kortrijk Xpo.
28.01.2026
50th India Carpet Expo: Golden Jubilee Edition in New Delhi
The 50th India Carpet Expo will take place from April 11 to 14, 2026, at the NSIC Exhibition Complex in Okhla, New Delhi. Organized by the CEPC, the event focuses on the latest innovations in the handmade carpet sector. A limited hospitality package is available for qualified international buyers upon registration.
28.01.2026
Hammer Raumstylisten: Insolvency Filing – Business Operations Continue

Hammer Raumstylisten GmbH filed for insolvency on January 27, 2026, with the company being supported by the law firm Runkel from Wuppertal. The objective of the proceedings is the permanent stabilization and continuation of the home furnishing retailer, which was newly founded in October 2025.
28.01.2026
IDD Cologne: Second Edition Announced for October 2026

Following its debut in 2025, Koelnmesse has confirmed the second edition of the premium interior design event, IDD Cologne, for October 30 and 31, 2026. The event will take place immediately following Orgatec to leverage synergies between the office, contract, and high-end residential interior design sectors.
27.01.2026
EU-India FTA: Carpet Tariffs to be Eliminated by 2027

The Free Trade Agreement signed between the EU and India on January 27, 2026, offers significant relief for the carpet industry. Once the deal takes effect in early 2027, the current tariffs of up to 12% on Indian carpets will be completely abolished. Handmade carpets, in particular, will benefit from immediate duty-free market access, provided they are entirely produced in India. For machine-made carpets, more complex rules of origin apply.
27.01.2026
IMM Cologne 2026: A Radical Pivot to Pure B2B Sourcing

The recent IMM Cologne (January 20–23, 2026) marked a decisive departure from the traditional furniture fair format of previous years. Following its strategic realignment, the event has transformed from a classic design showcase into a focused B2B sourcing platform. With high-end design brands largely absent and the focus shifting to the entry-level and mid-range price segments, the international presence dominated the fairgrounds. Out of a total of 339 exhibitors from 28 countries, the vast majority—252 companies—hailed from China.
26.01.2026
Domotex 2026: Successful new concept with a shifting industry focus

Domotex in Hanover, held from 19 to 22 January 2026, debuted its expanded focus on interior finishing. Although the fair was significantly smaller than in the past with around 500 exhibitors, the new concept proved to be a success: the event was well-attended and many exhibitors provided positive feedback. The reduction in floor space is also due to the fact that the rug segment, which used to fill several halls, was almost entirely absent.
26.01.2026
Otto launches private label "Otto home"

The Hamburg-based online retailer Otto is expanding its Home & Living portfolio with the launch of its new private label, "Otto home". Offering over 4 million products in this segment, Otto is one of the leading platforms in the German e-market. The new brand includes furniture, home textiles, and lighting.