An Egyptian fabric producer has chosen Fespa to launch into the European market.

Cairo-based Elkotb Textiles (7-Q66) has been manufacturing for 42 years and released Printplus, a new range of printable fabrics six months ago, but only in the Middle East and the US.

The range comprises 22 different fabrics, which are available any width from 1.1m to 3m in a range of weights, from 100-300gsm for see-through flags, backlit, frontlit and display applications. Elkotb can dye fabrics in any colour and add fire retardant and water-repellent treatments before shipping.

Vice-president Mahmoud Elkotb said: “We have a state-of-the-art process and we do the best chemical treatment using products from German manufacturers, all eco-friendly, but we do it with low energy costs. This means a better price but quality isn’t reduced.”

He said he had made deals with distributors in Russia, Romania, Greece and Turkey and has struck up negotiations with two UK distributors at Fespa Digital so far. 

“We’re very happy,” he said. “Fespa has got really good market penetration in Europe, it’s been better than we expected.”