From the Sector

Bringing together India’s textile community under one roof, with a special focus on textile and garment manufacturing machinery and technology and innovations in fabrics, digital screen print, accessories, and trims, the Gartex Texprocess India Mumbai 2025 edition presents industry advancements.

With over 125 exhibitors from India, China, Italy, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan - the show features strong international participation and highlights from India’s growing role in the global textiles industry.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest, Shri Sanjay Savkare, Hon’ble Minister of Textiles, Government of Maharashtra stated: “Denims have become a major fashion trend, and the government has announced relief on import duty for machinery. However, the central government, in an endeavour to encourage local manufacturing in the country, has announced the Technical Textile Mission, which empowers companies to receive subsidies and start manufacturing. Maharashtra has launched its textile policy, which operates in a zonal format. Zone 1 can help you gain a 45% subsidy, Zone 2 offers 40%, Zone 3 provides 35%, and so on. We have announced Zero-Waste Fashion, which aims to control textile waste by recycling it and converting it into usable materials like carpets. For this, the private sector can benefit from an electricity subsidy of Rs 2 per unit, and Rs 3 per unit for co-operative societies, in addition to the previously mentioned subsidies. In Amravati, the PM Mitra Park will be launched soon, as most of the work is complete, with only final touch-ups pending. I thank the organisers for having me here and wish you all the very best.”

Shri Shashank Chaudhary (IAS), Additional CEO, Invest UP informed: “Under the PM Mitra Scheme, we are developing a mega-integrated textile park near Lucknow, covering 1,000 acres of land. It will be set up under the PPP model, which offers a great opportunity for investors. The state of Uttar Pradesh has been developing new portals for single-window clearance and approvals. We have successfully managed to attract good investors.”

Mr Gaurav Juneja, Director of MEX Exhibitions Pvt Ltd, shared: “Gartex Texprocess India as a show has only evolved consistently. This is reflected in our Mumbai and New Delhi editions each year. As India strengthens its position in global textile manufacturing, I believe that this show has become a platform to shape conversations and update the industry with innovations that will drive the next phase of growth for India’s textiles and fashion ecosystem. We are honoured to have Invest Uttar Pradesh as our State Partners at this edition and with the kind of innovations on the show floor in denim, fabrics, machinery and more - I am sure visitors have tremendous business opportunities through our platform.”

Similar sentiments were shared by Mr Raj Manek, Executive Director & Board Member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings Ltd, expressed: “This show goes beyond exhibition; it is about enabling industry transformation. At a time when global supply chains are realigning, platforms like Gartex Texprocess India become crucial to connecting industry stakeholders. This also bridges Indian expertise with international demand and we are pleased to welcome the textile fraternity to the show and see the scale of innovations from the industry.”  

The expo is jointly organised by MEX Exhibitions Pvt Ltd and Messe Frankfurt Trade Fair India Pvt Ltd. Gartex Texprocess India Mumbai is scheduled from 22 – 24 May 2025 at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Leading computerized flat knitting innovator SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan is collaborating with Lonati S.p.A. of Brescia, Italy to promote digitalization and sustainable product development within the sock industry.

The partnership forms a synergy by leveraging software solutions offered by each company—APEXFiz® design software developed and sold by SHIMA SEIKI and ORION programming software developed and sold by Lonati. Together, they aim to help the industry shed ist dependence on traditional physical sample creation processes.

In the fashion industry, particularly in the sock sector, it is common practice to create physical samples for design consideration and production decisions. However, this process presents numerous challenges, including waste of resources and labor, economic burdens such as sampling costs and material expenses, as well as delays due to lead times before market launch.

To address these challenges, “3D Virtual Sampling” has gained attention as an effective method. This approach allows for design consideration without physical samples and enables rapid and efficient prototyping. As a result, companies can significantly reduce costs and time while minimizing their environmental impact. Additionally, developing products that meet market needs enhances competitiveness.

SHIMA SEIKI’s APEXFiz® is design software that is available with 3D virtual sampling capabilities for knitted products and has been adopted by many companies in the sock industry to high acclaim. By using this tool, designers can visualize sock designs in real-time and receive quick feedback. Moreover, specialized software dedicated to sock design—APEXFiz® Design-Sox—is in the works for future release. Meanwhile, ORION is Lonati's innovative programming software that is part of the UNLIMITEX® suite, and allows users to proactively verify data in 3D from a technical perspective, identifying and resolving potential issues in advance at each stage from programming to manufacturing. ORION and APEXFiz® Design-Sox are both scheduled for release in June of 2025.

Together, APEXFiz® and ORION further streamline virtual sampling by integrating the workflow from design to production. This integrated process enables companies to shorten time-to-market while efficiently delivering high-quality products. The innovative workflow developed through the partnership between SHIMA SEIKI and Lonati are set to revolutionize the sock industry and serve as a key driver for creating new business opportunities and competitive advantage.

As the Indian textile and apparel sector embraces digitisation, sustainability, smarter production and responsible manufacturing, Gartex Texprocess India emerges as a critical node in this narrative bringing together the textile and garment machinery manufacturers, denim mill owners, digital textile printing technology solution providers, as well as manufacturers of apparel fabrics, textile and textile processing machinery and more, who are set to unfold innovations. With 125+ participating companies, representing 300+ brands and growing participation from international countries, this edition will offer a panoramic view of the sectors next chapter.

India’s textile industry often referred to as the lifeblood of nations manufacturing economy, is on the cusp of a technology-led transformation. Leading this evolution is Gartex Texprocess India – Mumbai organised by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt Ltd and MEX Exhibitions Pvt Ltd. The expo is a definitive sourcing and innovation platform growing with global participation and solutions for the future.

What sets this edition apart is its focused attention on technology integration, automation and responsible manufacturing – themes that are redefining how India produces, sources and innovates on the global textile map through its product showcase as well as curated knowledge sessions.

A global showcase:
Making headlines this year is the strong international participation especially from China, Italy, Japan, Korea, Singapore and a dedicated pavilion for Taiwan, along with the leading Indian companies on board. Displaying a wide range of products for the garment and textile manufacturing industry. A few international names include: EPSON, Kornit and MACPI International among others. Some will participate directly and some through their partners and distributors. This global representation is matched with a stellar Indian line-up featuring names such as Balaji Sewing Machines, DCC, EH Turel, Mexum, Pantone and Sky Enterprises amongst others.

Denim Takes Centre Stage:
With the backing of Denim Manufacturers Association, the Denim Show at Gartex Texprocess India is expected to bring together all the major denim manufacturers and mill owners from India under one roof. As Indian denim exports steadily rise and demand for eco-conscious denim production grows, the show provides a much-needed window into how this resilient segment is re-inventing itself with sustainability and style at its core.

Trims & Accessories:
Beyond denim, this edition places a sharp focus on innovative fabric solutions, trims, digital screen printing and accessories – with dedicated zones for the Fabrics and Trims shows and Screen-Print India - Textile.

With 25+ new entrants and expanding categories, the Mumbai edition will be a hotspot for denim designers, boutique owners, apparel brands and labels, garment manufacturers, dyeing and finishing companies, distributors and agents of textile and garment machinery and accessories, merchandisers and sourcing heads scouting for the latest in material and design and more.

As India marches towards becoming a global textile powerhouse, Gartex Texprocess India – Mumbai 2025 will serve as the ultimate confluence of technology, talent and trade, weaving together a stronger future for the Indian textile industry.

Gartex Texprocess India is a leading exhibition in the textile manufacturing technology with collocated show: The Denim Show’ and dedicated featured zones of ‘Fabrics and Trims Show’ and ‘Screen Print India – Textile’ making this a one-stop destination for the textile manufacturing.

The expo is jointly organised by MEX Exhibitions Pvt Ltd and Messe Frankfurt Trade Fair India Pvt Ltd. Gartex Texprocess India Mumbai and is scheduled from 22 – 24 May 2025 at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Technically and economically viable lightweight production based on fiber-reinforced plastics and multi-material systems requires an integrated approach. Due to the almost unlimited combination possibilities of different materials and the very complex interactions between materials, component design, manufacturing processes and the machine and system components, an optimal production process requires a direct link between materials science, process engineering and production technology.

As the official center for “Composite-based Lightweight Production” of the RWTH Aachen Campus, AZL Aachen GmbH uses its strong network to provide these capacities and possibilities on an interdisciplinary basis. Within walking distance, researchers and students are working on the latest technologies for the cost-efficient development and production of lightweight components on one of the largest research landscapes in Europe - the RWTH Aachen Campus: Aachen Center for Integrative Lightweight Production of RWTH Aachen University, Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, Institute for Automotive Engineering (ika) of RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Plastic Processing in Industry and Craft at RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Structural Mechanics and Lightweight Design (SLA) of RWTH Aachen University, Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) of RWTH Aachen University, Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) of RWTH Aachen University, Welding and Joining Institute (isf) of RWTH Aachen University.

Exklusive insights into the latest lightweight technologies

Once a year, the AZL Open Day offers an exclusive and unique insight into the R&D capacities of the institutes in the field of lightweight construction and sustainable mobility. This year, nine AZL partner institutes opened their machine halls and research laboratories on April 9, 2025 to provide interested industrial players with comprehensive insights into their current focus areas along the value chain. Among other things, the institutes presented high-precision laser processes for plastics processing, new joining processes for thermoplastic composites, 5-axis CNC machining with real-time quality management, large-format 3D printing and their own tape lines & tape integration. Design, prototyping and testing of products & solutions such as crash-optimized vehicle structures, thermoplastic pressure vessels, digital twins for structural-mechanical monitoring as well as prototyping and recycling approaches for battery systems were also demonstrated. The range of topics, key activities & infrastructure, seen at the Open Day, enables new technologies to be tested under real production conditions and efficiently brought to market maturity.

“The AZL Open Day is a great opportunity to discover the numerous technology centers, labs, prototyping and testing facilities that are available on the Aachen campus, that makes it unique in its kind. The AZL organization and teams located there are a true catalyst for new projects and development for the Composites industry: they are creating the link between Market analysis & technology scouting, academic research resources and business opportunities with their industrial partners. They are currently working on several topics that are at the forefront of Composites” reports Éric Pierrejean, CEO of the JEC Group. Apart from being there as an interested participant, he also gave the audience an insight into the key topics and trends in the composites industry as seen at this year's JEC World Show.

Efficient use of established infrastructures & know-how

As a one-stop shop for lightweight solutions, AZL offers an interface for successful cooperation between research and industry. In close coordination between scientific developments and specific customer requirements, solutions are developed in a targeted and tailor-made manner: as part of the AZL partnership, consortial projects or individual projects. In addition to the know-how of the institutes, cooperation with the AZL's industrial partner network also enables direct access to the necessary infrastructure of components, materials, tools and machine and system parts, which can be tested, developed or newly constructed in integrated process chains on a large scale.

Thanks to the close networking between science, industry and the AZL team of experts, companies can access an established infrastructure and utilize synergies for their projects.
The date for the next AZL Open Day will be announced in the second half of the year.

Based on preliminary figures, the CHT Group, a global supplier of specialty chemicals based in Tübingen, demonstrated its resilience and strategic foresight in the 2024 financial year. Despite volatile global conditions, the company recorded sales growth to EUR 614.3 million (+2%) and a significant increase in EBIT to EUR 21.1 million - an increase of EUR 13.4 million compared to the previous year. Growth came primarily from the APAC region (+13.7%), while the markets in EMEA (-2.5%) and the Americas (+0.4%) remained stable.

The clear future course is also evident on the investment side: at 44.2 million euros, the CHT Group invested more than ever before - particularly in the further development of digitalization, expansion of the global production sites and increasing sustainability. In Germany alone, investments amounted to 9.2 million euros, which corresponds to an increase of 124%.

Sustainability as a growth driver
Sustainability is not a trend, but has been an integral part of our corporate strategy for many years. The company is currently developing its Strategy 2030+ and continues to systematically pursue the goal of anchoring sustainability along the entire value chain.

The key sustainability targets include:

• Reduction of specific water and energy consumption by 10% by 2025
• Introduction of an energy management system at all production sites
• Increase the proportion of sales accounted for by sustainable ECO Range products to 80%
• Over 90% of the relevant purchasing volume with sustainably-certified suppliers
• Climate neutrality by 2045, with scientifically validated interim targets of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi):
  • Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions Scope 1+2 by 42 % by 2030,
  • Scope 3 by 25 % - CHT is aiming for a reduction of 95 % in all areas by 2045.

The sustainability strategy is based on three central pillars:

1. People – social responsibility, safe working conditions and human rights in the supply chain
2. Planet – environmental and climate protection, resource conservation, circular economy
3. Performance – sustainable products, innovation and economic stability

The globally operating company focuses on sustainable specialty chemicals solutions in markets such as textiles, paints and coatings, construction, automotive, electronics and consumer care.  The CHT Group is a foundation company and part of the Reinhold Beitlich Foundation. Its values - responsibility, innovation and sustainability - are firmly anchored in the corporate culture.

Reinforcement of the management team underlines ambitions
With the appointment of Dr. Christian Rink as CFO in October 2024 and Dr. Lorenza Sartorelli as COO on April 1, 2025, the management team was expanded in a targeted manner. Dr. Christian Rink brings extensive experience from the international foundation company Bosch, while Dr. Lorenza Sartorelli has extensive experience from the international chemicals group Evonik. These are ideal prerequisites for driving forward operational excellence, financial strategy and sustainability transformation.

The CHT Group announced the appointment of Dr. Lorenza Sartorelli as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO). With this appointment, Dr. Lorenza Sartorelli completes the management board consisting of Dr. Christian Rink (CFO) and Eva Baumann (CEO).

With the now complete management team, the CHT Group is continuing its strategic realignment. As COO, Lorenza Sartorelli will focus her responsibilities on the sustainable global alignment of the CHT Group's operational functions.

Dr. Lorenza Sartorelli has extensive experience and an international career in the chemical industry. She has held various management positions at renowned companies, most recently at Evonik, where she demonstrated her expertise in the areas of operations management, strategic planning and process optimization.

Dr. Lorenza Sartorelli holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Padua and a PhD from the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg. Her career includes positions at Roche and Evonik, where she was instrumental in optimizing production processes and increasing efficiency.

Dr. Lorenza Sartorelli on her new role: "I am looking forward to further advancing the path CHT has already taken to become a unique provider of sustainable and sustainably produced specialty chemicals. The consistent focus of my role on operational excellence, digitalization and sustainability speaks for itself. Together with Eva Baumann and Christian Rink, I will align the operational side of CHT holistically with the three dimensions of People, Planet and Performance."

From now on, Mehler Texnologies and Heytex will be known by the new name of MehlerHeytex. This name is a visible sign of the merger between the two companies and sets with greater innovation strength new standards for customers and other business partners.

MehlerHeytex brings together Mehler Texnologies and the core business of the Heytex Group, both leading global specialists for coated technical textiles. With some 1,000 employees at the production locations in Germany, Czech Republic and China, as well as sales offices worldwide the company serves numerous markets. MehlerHeytex products are used, for example, in truck tarpaulins and container covers, door seals, biogas membranes, drinking water tanks, tents, inflatable boats, as well as advertising media in large-format digital printing.

Freudenberg Performance Materials Holding GmbH, the parent company of Mehler Texnologies, acquired the core business of the Heytex Group in December 2024. Since then, this part of Heytex with three production locations in Germany and China, as well as all headquarter-related functions, belong to MehlerHeytex, the newly-formed specialist for coated technical textiles.

“The standardized market presence is an important step towards more clarity and transparency for our customers and other business partners. It represents the best of two worlds. We continue to work at top speed on the merger of Mehler Texnologies and Heytex, so that our customers can benefit from all the advantages of this acquisition as quickly as possible,” Dr. Henk R. Randau, Senior Vice President Coated Technical Textiles, said.

For the time being, the new corporate brand is the only change for customers and other business partners of the coated technical textiles specialist. All other aspects of business relations such as contacts, addresses and banking details remain unchanged for the present. The further merging of the two companies will take place step-by-step. MehlerHeytex will keep its customers and business partners continuously updated on relevant changes.

The GoodTextiles Foundation (GTF), in collaboration with its local partner Chetna, announces a new project at the Ashram Residential High School for Girls in Rasimetta Village, in the state of Telangana, India. The aim of the project is to empower over 545 female students by providing them with school supplies and digital access to education.

As part of this project, all pupils were provided with new school backpacks and reusable stainless steel water bottles. An additional 5% reserve was set aside for future enrolments. Another important part of the project was the complete refurbishment of the computer room. The existing 21 machines were extensively refurbished and returned to service. An uninterruptible power supply system (UPS) was installed to counteract the frequent power cuts in the region and to ensure smooth classroom operations.

In addition, an experienced computer teacher was hired for a two-year period. This teacher will provide the students with basic digital skills to improve their chances of further education and employment in the long term. These measures not only give students easy access to education but also provide them with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world.

The Ashram High School is located in a remote part of the state of Telangana. The GoodTextiles Foundation has been involved there for many years. In the past, 37 toilets have been renovated, access to clean drinking water has been provided and sports and recreation areas have been improved by levelling the ground.

With the current project, the GoodTextiles Foundation is sending out another strong signal of its commitment: sustainable support through education - with a long-term impact on the community. The GoodTextiles Foundation is supporting the project with around €14,840.00.

At this global gathering, major industry challenges such as digitalization, automation, new regulations, and the circular economy were addressed.

In 2025, Jeanologia celebrates its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of innovation in transforming the textile industry. The Spanish company commemorates this milestone with a pioneering event, the NextGen Summit, bringing together for the first time the world’s leading denim manufacturers under one roof. With a significant representation of global production, the summit has served as a platform to inspire, motivate, and empower the next generation of leaders from family-owned businesses in the denim industry, equipping them with the necessary tools to tackle future challenges with a sustainable, technological, and collaborative vision.

Held at Jeanologia’s headquarters in Valencia and other key textile industry locations in Spain, the event has been a pivotal meeting point where future leaders exchanged ideas and knowledge with brands and industry experts. For the first time, the sector’s leading companies gathered to discuss the industry's future, addressing key challenges such as sustainability, digitalization, and automation.

The NextGen Summit program included diverse formats designed to maximize learning and interaction, featuring inspirational talks where industry leaders shared their experience and vision, with a special focus on generational transition; interactive workshops exploring innovative solutions for industry challenges; and open debates fostering dialogue among key players in the sector.

One of the standout moments of the event was the keynote by Bart Sights, Head of Innovation at Levi’s, who inspired attendees with his disruptive vision and industry trajectory. From his early days working alongside his father as a supplier to his current role leading innovation at one of the most influential denim brands, Sights emphasized the importance of bringing bold ideas to the table. His message encouraged participants to embrace change and leverage new technologies to accelerate transformation.

Additionally, a visit to Mango’s headquarters was one of the most emotional and inspiring moments of the program, as it paid tribute to the memory of its founder, Isak Andic. During the visit, Andrés Fernández, Head of Sustainability & Sourcing, shared Mango’s vision, objectives, and action plans for sustainability, sparking a highly enriching discussion for both parties.

An inspiring session was also held at another major Spanish retailer, where participants not only gained insight into its strategic approach and vision for the future of the industry but also engaged in an open debate on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

A collaborative and digital future
Beyond learning, the NextGen Summit has been a catalyst for collaboration, creating a space where the industry can learn, share, and evolve together.
Through this event, young leaders have established lasting relationships and made concrete commitments to advance toward a more responsible and efficient model. The community formed at this summit will continue to stay connected and exchange ideas beyond the event itself, reinforcing Jeanologia’s mission to build a more collaborative and transparent textile ecosystem.

The partnership between Filo and C.L.A.S.S., the international eco-hub founded by Giusy Bettoni, is renewed once again .
 
At the 63rd edition of Filo, “Sustainability from A to Z” — the service created by Filo in collaboration with C.L.A.S.S. and aimed at companies that want to navigate the complex world of sustainability — chooses to focus its showcase on the concept of responsible innovation and the means to expand its knowledge through technical insights, case histories, and direct testimonies. The ultimate goal, shared by Filo and C.L.A.S.S., is to support the industry and the market in making conscious choices that align with the evolving market landscape. In this regard, the proposals that C.L.A.S.S. brings to Filo as part of “Sustainability from A to Z” are closely linked to the debates and discussions taking place in the “Dialoghi di Confronto”, since they provide an additional opportunity for further insight.
 
In the space dedicated to C.L.A.S.S. at the 63rd edition of Filo, projects and solutions implemented by organizations and companies selected by C.L.A.S.S. will be showcased. This season, the focus will be on “green chemistry” and the role of “advanced” natural fibers, particularly in relation to cotton and linen. For the two fibers, companies have often adopted comprehensive innovation strategies, leading to what we define as “advanced” productions, where traceability processes have become an essential requirement.
 
In the C.L.A.S.S. space at Filo63, Cotton is represented by Supima®, a high-quality cotton grown in the United States, accounting for less than 1% of global cotton production. What makes it special compared to other types of cotton is its extra-long staple, which provides superior strength, softness, and long-lasting colour retention. To ensure the authenticity and traceability of its cotton, Supima® has introduced the AQRe™ Project (Authenticated Quality and Responsible Engagement). This cutting-edge system replaces the previous licensing program, offering a blockchain-based digital platform in collaboration with TextileGenesis™, allowing real-time monitoring of the entire supply chain. Additionally, Supima® partners with Oritain™ to conduct forensic testing, verifying the cotton’s origin at every stage of production. This advanced combination of technologies guarantees that every product bearing the SUPIMA® brand is made from high-quality American-grown cotton, meeting the market’s increasing demand for transparency and sustainability.
 
Regarding Linen, the Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp will be present, the European agro-industrial organization that brings together all actors in the European Flax and Hemp supply chain starting from its fields origin.  2025 is the year of acceleration its sustainable transformation trajectory from the field to the finished product. New developments to be seen:  

• Evolution of its Flax- Linen certifications  
• Launch of a new digital Flax-Linen traceability platform: Flax-Linen traceability platform. European Certified fibres to Retaildeveloped in cooperation with   TextileGenesis - Lectra and set to launch in May 2025. This innovative blockchain-based digital tool enables tracking at every stage of production, ensuring authenticity and full transparency throughout the entire supply chain
• Publication of datasets and development of a specific B2B tool for calculating environmental footprint
• Scientific validation of the functional properties of Flax-Linen
• New Flax-Linen & Hemp sourcing platform for innovative materials and textile & technical solutions

At the C.L.A.S.S. space an Italian story about “green chemistry” will showcase featuring REVECOL® by ERCA Textile Chemical Solutions. REVECOL ® is a revolutionary 100% Made in Italy innovation that utilizes critical waste materials, such as exhausted vegetable cooking oil, transforming it into a next-generation line of safe, certified, high-performance, and competitive chemical auxiliaries designed for the entire textile industry. This unique approach allows for a CO₂ emissions reduction of up to 72% compared to traditional chemistry, setting a new industry standard. The range includes 18 auxiliaries certified according to GRS, RCS, ZDHC, bluesign®, and GOTS, ensuring high performance with a reduced environmental impact. REVECOL® is the missing certified end-to-end element that can drive sustainability, circularity, and performance in the fashion creation process, meeting the needs of a market increasingly focused on traceability and environmental responsibility.
 
Throughout Filo63, the C.L.A.S.S. team will be available to explore these innovations in depth with companies and professionals eager to gain insight into the three pioneering realities redefining sustainability, traceability, and innovation in the textile sector.