40 Years of Sympatex: Membrane expertise and circular laminates at Performance Days

Sympatex Technologies will present its latest developments on March 18–19, 2026 at Performance Days in Munich (Hall C2, Booth Q17). The focus of the exhibition will be functional membrane and laminate systems for apparel, footwear, corporate wear and personal protective equipment – complemented by a retrospective look at four decades of membrane development and an update on the company’s progress towards circular material solutions.

Performance Days is one of the most important international trade fairs for functional textiles. Designers, product managers, buyers and material specialists come together here to discover material innovations and sustainable functional fabrics for sportswear, workwear, urbanwear and athleisure collections.

40 years of Sympatex

In 2026, Sympatex celebrates its 40th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the company will showcase a selection of historical advertising films and materials from four decades of membrane development at its booth.

“Our portfolio today is broader and more capable than ever before,” says Kim Scholze, CEO of Sympatex.

“We develop functional materials and laminate constructions for a wide range of applications – from outdoor and sports apparel to footwear, corporate wear and personal protective equipment. The field of technical applications is also growing steadily. In doing so, we combine reliable performance with our ambition to design materials that are as circular as possible.”

As previously communicated, Sympatex is currently undergoing preliminary insolvency proceedings. Business operations continue without restriction. At the same time, the preliminary insolvency administrator, Axel W. Bierbach of the Munich-based law firm Müller-Heydenreich Bierbach & Kollegen, is holding intensive discussions with potential investors regarding a continuation solution, supported by Sympatex. The company expects to be able to provide further updates on the process by early April at the latest.

Material highlights for different application areas

Among the central highlights at Performance Days are membrane and laminate systems designed for various fields of application.

In the apparel segment, the focus is on high-performance polyester laminates for outdoor and sportswear. These include the lightweight and stretchable laminate Singapore Starlight F2F AS as well as the latest innovation Madison EU.

Madison EU is part of the moisture-tech® by Sympatex product family and has been developed as a waterproof liner specifically for applications involving high levels of physical activity. Its construction supports particularly fast and efficient moisture management and ensures a comfortably dry wearing experience even during intense activity and heavy perspiration – such as biking, running or motorcycling.

In the footwear segment, the portfolio includes the Sorrento laminate from the moisture-tech® by Sympatex product family as well as the Utmospheric® Bootie – a seamless, tape-free construction in which the Sympatex membrane functions as an integrated “second skin”.

Sympatex also offers laminate constructions for corporate wear and personal protective equipment designed for demanding working environments – including materials used, for example, in the uniforms of the French postal service La Poste.

Progress on the path toward circularity

At Performance Days, the company will also present its latest progress towards a circular material economy. As early as 2017, Sympatex set the goal of offering fully circular material solutions by 2030 – with 100% recycled material input and 100% recyclable output, based on monomaterial constructions.

In some product areas, the company has already moved significantly closer to this goal. Within the apparel portfolio, approximately 86% of the materials currently used are derived from recycled sources, while 98% of laminate constructions are designed to be recyclable.

This progress is based on the consistent transition to recycled polyester sources as well as the development of monomaterial laminate constructions that are designed to enable textile-to-textile recycling processes in the future.

A look back: iconic materials

To mark its 40th anniversary, Sympatex will also present a small selection of classic materials that have shaped the company’s membrane technology over the decades. These include long-standing favourites such as the widely used Sympatex Z-Liner, the Caura family – already developed in the early 2010s with a 100% recycled face fabric – as well as Benevento in the footwear segment.

Panel discussion on textile recycling

In addition to its presence at the trade fair, Sympatex will also participate in the Performance Days expert program.

Jennifer Wallace, CSR Manager at Sympatex, will join a panel discussion on the Main Stage on Wednesday, March 18, titled:

“The role of legislation and EPR in Textile-to-Textile recycling.”

The discussion will take place from 14:45 to 15:45.

Exchange with partners in focus

Beyond material innovations, Performance Days will primarily be about personal exchange. The Sympatex team looks forward to discussing future material concepts, design strategies and sustainable product solutions with brands, developers and industry partners.

About Sympatex Technologies GmbH

Sympatex Technologies GmbH has been developing and producing non-porous membrane technology in Europe since 1986. The membranes are used in functional apparel, footwear, workwear, personal protective equipment, and technical applications. The company is internationally positioned through a network of brand, industry, and product development partners.

The membrane technology is PFAS-free, polyester-based, and the technological core of the company. Selected variants have bio-based content and are available in various material thicknesses. The membrane is waterproof, windproof, breathable, and elastic, meeting the requirements of demanding industrial applications.

On this basis, Sympatex develops functional, mono-material polyester and fibre-to-fibre laminates with a focus on recyclability. Early investments in circular concepts, a strong commitment to transparency, and the collaborative transfer of the teams’ accumulated technological expertise shape the company’s sustainable product development.