Frankfurt, Germany - Heimtextil kicked off today with what appeared to be steady traffic in line with recent years.

Reflective of the international fair's positioning as the largest home textiles show in the world, Heimtextil 2011 features exhibitors from 64 countries.

The primary home textiles producing nations continue to grow in representation, with China offering 425 exhibitors (up from 417 last), India with 391 and Pakistan with 212.

German exhibitors retain the strongest presence among Europeans, with 341 companies showing, follwed by Italy with 103. There are 34 U.S. exhibitors this year, which includes fabric and finished textiles manufactueres, companies allied to the trade as well as design firms, fiber producers and packaging manufacturers.