From the Sector

Under its Neumag brand, Barmag will present its technologies for the production of nonwovens for filter media at this year’s FILTECH. The main focus is on solutions for producing high-performance filter media at competitive costs. Here, Neumag excels in both the meltblown sector and with its spunbond solutions. 

Meltblown technology for the highest quality requirements 
Neumag’s meltblown technology enables the efficient and straightforward production of high - performance nonwovens for filtration, insulation, and sorption applications. A wide variety of polymers can be processed—from classic polyolefins such as PP and PE, through PET, PLA, PBT, and PA, to specialty plastics like PPS or TPU. All of these and other raw materials can be processed safely and reliably using the Neumag meltblown process. 

The hycuTEC hydrocharging technology, which was honored with the Edana Filtrex Innovation Award, enables the production of particularly high-performance electret filter media. This allows the pressure drop of a typical FFP2 filter medium to be reduced to less than a quarter. “Filtration efficiencies of over 99.99% are easily achievable with standard media weighing around 35 g/m² and a maximum pressure drop of 35 Pa,” explains Andreas Frisch, Regional Sales Director Nonwoven. “Furthermore, the additional drying step is eliminated in most applications—another advantage of this innovative technology,” he adds. 

Spunbond solutions for high-performance filter concepts 
Spunbond nonwovens are becoming increasingly important in filtration—both as carrier materials and as standalone filter media. By tailoring nonwoven structures specifically to the task at hand, customer - specific requirements can be precisely met. It is also possible to combine multiple functions within a single layer. 

In particular, the company’s long-standing expertise in bicomponent spinning processes opens up new possibilities in the design of innovative nonwoven structures. The Neumag Bico spunbond process allows for the combination of different fiber cross-sections as well as the simultaneous production of different fibers from one or more polymers on a single line. The spectrum ranges from classic core-sheath and side-by-side filaments to split fibers and so-called mixed fibers.

EasyCut, a leader in professional sign‑making and specialty graphics software, announces a key upgrade to its flagship EasyCut Pro solution. The latest version has completed full compatibility testing and officially supports Siser Juliet, Siser Romeo, LOKLiK iCraft, and Roland CAMM‑1 Pro GX Series vinyl cutters, delivering a smooth, integrated workflow for users of these popular cutting plotter devices.

EasyCut Pro serves as an all‑in‑one platform for drawing, designing, printing, print‑and‑cut production, and direct‑to‑vinyl output. The update fine‑tunes the software to fully leverage the performance of each supported cutter and media type, boosting cutting precision, print quality, and overall production efficiency. It also includes a full set of bug fixes, new functional features, and detailed usability improvements to streamline daily creative and manufacturing workflows.

The Italian textile machinery industry is gearing up for a key event on the international trade fair calendar: Techtextil 2026, taking place from April 21–24 in Frankfurt, Germany. A prestigious representation of Italian companies will participate in the German exhibition—a global benchmark for technical and innovative textiles—to present cutting-edge technologies dedicated to an ever-expanding market.

Italy confirms its position among the world leaders in the textile machinery sector, thanks to a solid and highly specialized production system. The industry stands out for its strong international vocation, with a predominant share of production destined for foreign markets (86% of its sales) and a consolidated presence in over 130 countries. This places the country among the top global exporters of textile technology, renowned for its quality, innovation, and reliability.

In the first eleven months of 2025, sales in Germany have already reached 81 million euros. Among the most requested technologies, accessories stand out (36%), followed by finishing machinery (33%)—the latter being essential for the production processes of the most innovative textile sectors.

The strength of Italian textile machinery lies in its dynamic structure, composed of small-to-medium-sized companies that are heavily oriented toward Research & Development. This flexibility allows Italian manufacturers to collaborate closely with end-users, transforming customer needs into highly personalized and versatile technological solutions.

“The growing demand for innovative textiles across various industrial fields is further consolidating our manufacturers’ position,” emphasizes Marco Salvadè, President of ACIMIT. “At Techtextil 2026, the Italian offering will once again demonstrate how the combination of high technology and customization capabilities is the key to meeting the challenges of the technical textiles sector.”

Italian expertise, rooted in historic districts such as Bergamo, Biella, Brescia, Como, Milan, Prato, and Vicenza, continues to guarantee standards of quality and reliability that make Made in Italy a point of reference for the entire global industry.

The ACIMIT associate companies present in the Italy Pavilion include: Aeris S.r.l., Aigle S.r.l., Beschi S.r.l., Bettarini & Serafini S.r.l., Bonino S.r.l., Castello S.r.l., Ferraro S.p.A., Gemata S.p.A., Gualchieri e Gualchieri S.r.l., Guarneri Technology S.r.l., Idealtech S.r.l., IMA S.p.A., Lonati S.p.A., Mariplast S.p.A., MCS Officina Meccanica S.p.A., Monti-Mac S.r.l., M.T.V. S.r.l., Noseda S.r.l., OMMI S.r.l., Ramatex Italia S.r.l., Ramina S.r.l., Salvadè S.r.l., Simet S.r.l., S.R.S. Spindle Research & Service S.r.l., Stalam S.p.A., Tecnomeccanica Biellese S.r.l., Tecnorama S.r.l., Texera S.r.l., Ugolini S.r.l., Unitech Industries S.r.l., Zanfrini S.r.l..

The strength of the Italian presence is further confirmed by ACIMIT associate members exhibiting at individual stands or through local retailers, including:  A.Piovan S.r.l., Autefa Solutions Italy, Bianco S.p.A., Cormatex S.r.l., Dell’orco & Villani S.r.l., Emme S.r.l., Fadis S.p.A., Itema S.p.A., Lawer S.p.A., LGL Electronics S.p.A., Mesdan S.p.A., Monti Antonio S.p.A., O.M.R. S.r.l., Ratti Luino S.r.l., Siltex S.r.l., Texilmesa S.r.l., Texnology S.r.l., Toscana Spazzole Industriali S.r.l., Willy Italiana S.r.l., Zappa Macchine S.r.l..

At this year's Techtextil in Frankfurt on the Main, the CHT Group will be presenting its comprehensive portfolio of tailor-made specialty chemicals and process solutions for technical textiles. As a reliable partner to the global textile industry, CHT offers innovative products and in-depth technical expertise across all areas of the textile value chain – from pretreatment, dyeing, and printing to finishing, coating, and fiber auxiliaries.

The focus of the trade fair presentation will be on solutions that meet the highest standards of functionality, sustainability, and quality. CHT's specialty chemicals are used in a wide range of industrial applications – from high-performance coating systems and pure, recyclable product solutions to innovative composite materials.

Expertise along the entire value chain
With decades of experience in the development and application of specialty chemicals, CHT supports its customers from the initial idea to successful industrial implementation. The goal is to work together to design the products of tomorrow and enable sustainable textile innovations.

The CHT Group's solutions are used in numerous application segments:

Mobiltech

• Flame-retardant finishes and coatings for interior textiles, carpets, seat covers, and technical composites
• Special adhesives for flocking

Medtech

• Coatings and finishes for mattress protection and surgical textiles
• Special fiber auxiliaries for hygiene and medical products

Protech

• Flame-retardant, chemical-resistant, and weatherproof finishes and coatings
• Solutions for industrial and protective clothing for public authorities

Hometech / Interior

• Coatings and finishes for advertising and event textiles, banner fabrics, trade fair coverings
• Solutions for furniture covers, carpets, and cleaning textiles

Indutech

• High-performance coatings and finishes for filter media, conveyor belts, and technical fabrics

Buildtech

• Coatings for architectural membranes, facades, and functional light protection systems
• Applications for textile-reinforced concrete, insulation materials, and sewer rehabilitation

Sporttech & Outdoor 

• Finishing and coating systems for awnings, tents, and protective Covers

Innovative product ranges for modern textile applications
The portfolio includes both water-based and silicone-based printing and coating systems, in particular from the well-known ALPATEC range, which opens up new functional possibilities for technical textiles – and all this reliably from a single source.

There is a particular focus on sustainable solutions:
Circular economy as a strategic guiding principle
The CHT Group consistently integrates the principles of the circular economy into its research and development. A single-type end product – such as carpets, filters, or technical nets – is much easier to recycle and return to the recycling cycle. With our TUBICOAT PET range, CHT offers a coating line specially developed for single-type polyester materials.

PFC-free hydrophobic agents
The ECOPERL product range offers high-performance, PFC-free DWR solutions, some with a high share of bio-based components, suitable for a wide range of technical applications.
Numerous products naturally comply with leading international standards such as ZDHC, bluesign®, GOTS, Oeko-Tex® Standard 100, Cradle to Cradle® Material Health Certificate, GRS – a clear commitment to quality, transparency, and sustainability.

16 industry associations published a joint statement on deemed importer obligations to urge the EU and its Member States to put in place such a Regulation without delay:

European traders and industry are deeply concerned about the rise of imports of small consignments. The introduction of the ‘deemed importer’ in 2028 comes too late. We call upon the EU and its Member States to introduce a legal obligation on foreign operators to appoint a legally responsible person or entity in the EU for e-commerce imports without any further delay. 

The extraordinary growth of e-commerce in recent years has led to an exponential number of small packages of low-valued goods entering the EU, each of which needs to be accompanied by an individual customs declaration since the entry into force of new VAT rules for e-commerce in 2021. In 2022, for example, almost 1 billion customs declarations for low-value goods were filed. The sheer volumes of e-commerce are testing customs' limits. 

Many of the products arriving here contravene the rules in force in the EU. Infringements like VAT fraud, breaching health and safety EU standards, violation of intellectual property rights and misleading claims fuel unfair competition within the Single Market, disadvantaging businesses that follow the EU’s high standards. Such unfair trade practices, linked to small consignments, are corroding entire industrial value chains, eroding our economic strength and resilience and put the consumer health at risk. Additionally, they threaten shops all over the EU, accelerating the depopulation of town centres. 

Against this background, we welcome that the EU, with the new Union Customs Code (UCC), plans to introduce the so-called “deemed importer”, i.e. holding platforms responsible for ensuring that customs duties and VAT are paid at purchase as well as for non-financial obligations. 

However, if the “deemed importer” is introduced only in 2028, this will come too late. In 2025 alone, 5.8 billion parcels were imported into the EU. In the coming years, the pressure on our industries of competing with non-compliant traders which bear no responsibility for non-compliance, will mount to an unbearable extent and threaten the livelihood of even more economic operators, with massive consequential job losses. 

The introduction of an obligation to appoint a legally responsible person or entity in the European Union who can be held accountable is long overdue. This can be established much earlier than 2028 by a simple EU Regulation at short notice, long before the ‘deemed importer’ and other elements of the UCC are introduced. Technically easily feasible, it is just a question of political will. 

We also acknowledge the forthcoming European Product Act, which aims to further strengthen the overall framework for product compliance and market surveillance. We stress that compliance with European Union Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations must be effectively enforced, including in relation to online sales and third-country sellers. Online marketplaces and any legally responsible EU representative should be subject to clear and binding enforcement mechanisms to ensure that products placed on the EU market comply with applicable EPR requirements (including packaging, WEEE, batteries and textiles), thereby preventing free-riding and safeguarding a level playing field. These initiatives will only deliver their full effect in the medium term. 
If properly defined and implemented, these new concepts have the potential to help address gaps in online product compliance. 

List of Signatories:
Applia – Home Appliance Europe
CEC – European Footwear Confederation
Cosmetics Europe - The personal care association
EBCA - European Branded Clothing Association
ECOS – European Coalition on Standards
EFIC - European Furniture Industries Confederation
EURATEX - European Apparel and Textile Confederation
EXPRA – Extended Producer Responsibility Alliance
Independent Retail Europe
LightingEurope – The voice of the Lighting Industry
Repair&Share
Svensk Handel – Swedish Commerce
TIE - Toy Industries of Europe
WEEE Forum
ZERO – Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável
EucoLight