From the Sector

Members of TMAS – the Swedish textile machinery manufacturers association – will introduce a range of new developments at the forthcoming ITMA Asia + CITME textile machinery exhibition in Singapore from October 28-31, with the emphasis on sensor-based automation and resource savings.

“The push for automation, AI-driven production and digitalisation continues to accelerate as manufacturers seek to improve efficiency and reduce dependency on repetitive tasks for operatives,” says TMAS Secretary General Therese Premler-Andersson. “Advanced automation enables predictive maintenance and real-time quality monitoring in fully integrated production systems and our members are already exploiting these technologies to help customers reduce downtime, improve efficiency and produce more sustainably.”

Single supplier
Under its trademarked slogan ‘Complete Process – One Supplier’, for example, ACG Kinna Automatic has pioneered the development of complete robotic lines for the production of pillows and duvets for the home furnishings sector – from the handling and opening of filling material and full line fabric feeding to sewing, digital quality control and packing.

Just a few years ago, such lines were seen by manufacturers as something exciting to perhaps consider for the future, but suddenly they have become essential to competing and surviving in today’s fast-moving industry.

“Automation has become a must for a number of reasons,” says ACG Kinna Marketing and Sales Manager Tomas Aspenskog. “Product traceability, flexibility and local production, in addition to new trade regulations, are now driving the market and given the challenge of finding skilled operators and constantly increasing costs, manufacturers are looking for simpler systems that will save on resources and boost productivity wherever possible.

“Our modular solutions enable customers to be more flexible and faster in adapting specific parts of a production line to meet new demands, and also to grow over time. There are also many benefits for manufacturers in dealing with only one project leader, contact person, supplier, freight handler and installation team.”

Industrial sewing
In Singapore, ACG Kinna Automatic will introduce the new Hector industrial sewing machine designed for the heavy duty circular and point stitching of filled textile components such as garden cushions, outdoor pillows and mattresses. Hector is already being employed by leading Swedish retailers including IKEA and JYSK in their manufacturing operations.

The Hector’s sewing arm is adjustable and can open up to accommodate thicker items under the needle and presser foot. It is available in three versions with sewing arms in lengths of 60, 100 and 120 centimetres.

Eltex EyETM
Another TMAS member, Eltex has made an important breakthrough on its EyETM tension monitoring system for the heat setting, tufting, warping and winding sectors, with the addition of electromagnetic brakes in combination with the latest advanced sensors. These enable tension variation to not only be detected, but automatically adjusted in real time during operation, rather than manually changed as previously.

The company’s ACT-R unit can further significantly reduce the selvedge yarn waste from the weft insertion systems of rapier weaving machines, while at the same time maintaining equal and steady tension across all pre-winders.

“Our ACT-R is a completely plug and play, stand-alone system and self synchronizes without any communication with the weaving machine,” explains Eltex Sales Engineer Michél Gamhov. “This is important, because many older weaving machines are still in operation worldwide, and the ACT-R enables instant improvements to be made without upgrading these machines in any way. We have achieved fantastic results for weavers working with recycled yarns who have been amazed at the difference in consistent quality and uninterrupted production that can be achieved.

“As everyone knows, the less waste you have the more you save in materials, labour, runtime and quality and we can help mills cut losses in many of these areas depending on the challenges they are facing. Many of our sensor-based systems are able to give older textile machines a new life and in Singapore we’re looking forward to talking to customers about the problems they face, because we believe there’s even more, we can do with our advanced technologies to make their existing machines more efficient.”

Svegea tubular components
The colarette machines of Svegea set the standard throughout Asia for the high speed production of tubular apparel components such as cuffs, collars and neck tapes and in Singapore the company will demonstrate its EC 50 and EC 200 with E-Drive II models, in addition to linked cutting systems.

“Our collarette machines are designed for long life-cycle durability and energy efficiency, reducing waste while providing high-quality binding,” says Svegea Managing Director Håkan Steene. “Our customers in Asia are increasingly looking to automation to improve efficiency and achieve cost savings and we address these needs by developing flexible machines that can be adapted to a wide range of customer requirements and combine high performance with user-friendly automation features.

Vandewiele know-how
Advanced weaving control is also the bedrock of business for Vandewiele Sweden AB, which supplies weft yarn feeding and tension control units for weaving looms to the majority of the leading weaving machine manufacturers, as well for retrofitting in working mills around the world and will present its latest X4 yarn feeders with integrated accessory displays at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024.

X4 feeders are available in three different versions – with an integrated tension display (TED), with integrated active tension control (ATC), or with quick release, which enables weft tension settings to be transferred from one machine to another, enabling a fast start-up the next time the same article is woven. The position of the S-Flex Tensioner is constantly monitored by an internal sensor – even if adjustment is made during power off.

Vandewiele Sweden has recently further strengthened its product portfolio with IRO Gaugepart modules which are applied to tufting looms for the carpet industry, to determine the appearance of a carpet in terms of feel and structure. All parts are now available to order from the www.iroonline.com e-commerce site.

“Our size and flexibility mean that we can offer bespoke customer solutions according to specific requests – something that many larger manufacturers have difficulty matching,” says Division Manager Tobias Sternfeldt. 

Spray technology
Finally, the automated Texcoat G4 finishing system of BW Converting has been a runaway success in the past few years and the company will announce an entirely new, but related technology shortly before the Singapore exhibition.

“TexCoat G4 spray technology was developed in Sweden from our off-set printing business and we initially focused on installing units in Europe and the USA,” explains the company’s Vice President of Global Business Development for Textiles Rick Stanford. “In the past two years, however, we have been very active in Asia, with 35 units sold – and many of these customers have been asking for technologies in related areas. We’ll be saying more very shortly.” 

The European Commission has opened an anti-dumping investigation into PET spunbond imports from China, following a complaint lodged by members of EDANA, the international association for nonwoven and related industries. 

EDANA welcomes this vital move by the European Commission to counter the influx of unfairly priced goods from Chinese exporters entering the EU market. Jacques Prigneaux, EDANA’s Director of Market Analysis & Economic Affairs, stressed the need for urgent trade defence measures, stating: “The EU PET spunbond sector is facing mounting pressure from Chinese manufacturers. Since 2021, Chinese producers have rapidly increased exports of PET spunbond to the EU and have taken over a significant share of the EU PET spunbond market at the expense of the EU industry. Accordingly, we look forward to the rapid registration of imports and the possibility of retroactive imposition of anti-dumping measures.” 

PET spunbond is a nonwoven material made from polyester filaments and is used as a carrier layer in bituminous membranes. The product is an essential input material for the EU’s building and construction sector in their efforts to accelerate housing renovation and clean energy roof construction in line with the EU’s green transition policies. 

According to the Complainants, the unfairly priced Chinese imports have caused material injury to their performance, which saw a significant decline. “This underlines the need for the European Commission to make use of its trade defence tools. EDANA stands ready to support the EU Commission during its investigation,” Prigneaux concluded.

ITMA ASIA + CITME end of October in Singapore will see a strong participation of around 70 VDMA member companies. They will cover nearly all different machinery chapters along the textile value chain including spinning and man-made fibres, nonwovens, weaving, braiding, knitting & warp knitting, finishing & dyeing as well as technologies for textile recycling and processing of recycled material. VDMA initiated a German Pavilion with two group stands (spinning in hall 4 and finishing in hall 7) with a total of 30 exhibitors.

Dr. Janpeter Horn, Chairman of the VDMA Textile Machinery Association and Managing Director of August Herzog Maschinenfabrik explains: “The main topics of the VDMA members are efficiency, automation, digitalisation and sustainability. The companies continue to strive for innovative and sustainable solutions with low environmental impact to reduce production costs, without compromising on the high quality of European machinery that customers rightly expect. This is expressed in the common slogan “Experience Leading Technology”. Even in challenging economic times, customers can rely on the VDMA members as dependable partners who stand for continuity, reliability and long-term support”.

Dr. Harald Weber, Managing Director of VDMA Textile Machinery adds: “Our members are looking forward to coming back with ITMA ASIA to Singapore after 20 years. With its central location and seamless travel options, Singapore is the perfect location for reaching customers from one of the world's fastest-growing regions for textile and garment production.”

In general, Asia has been the number one production location for textiles and clothing in the world and will retain this position for a long time to come. So, it is no surprise that Asia is the most important sales market for the VDMA member companies. Almost half of German exports of textile machinery and accessories are shipped to Asia. In addition, numerous German textile machinery companies are producing locally with facilities e.g. in China, India and Vietnam.

Although German exports of textile machinery and accessories to Asia declined sharply in 2024, they stabilised overall in the first half of 2025. Deliveries to China, Uzbekistan and Pakistan even showed encouraging growth between January and June. It is hoped that this may be an indication of a more general upturn in global demand for machinery.

The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber, yarn and fabrics to finished sewn products, issued the following statement from President and CEO Kim Glas voicing strong support for the end of de minimis on August 29 and seamless U.S. processing. 

Statement by NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas:

“The Trump administration has taken decisive action to close the de minimis loophole, a trade measure long exploited by Chinese e-commerce giants and other foreign shippers to circumvent U.S. trade laws. For years, companies have used this loophole to avoid tariffs and customs reporting requirements on shipments valued at $800 or less, devastating U.S. manufacturers, undercutting American jobs, and opening the floodgates to unsafe and counterfeit products and goods made with forced labor. The administration’s executive action closes this channel and delivers long overdue relief to the U.S. textile industry and its workers, while strengthening America’s economic and national security.

“Effective Friday, August 29, all commercial shipments must follow the same rules—customs documentation on the origin of goods and their classification and payment of all applicable duties and fees. This reform brings critical accountability back into the trade system and restores confidence for American manufacturers who have been competing on an uneven and destructive playing field.  

“Those addicted to the profits of de minimis have been raising alarms about the change to the status quo perpetuating false information, but the fact remains that consumers will still receive their online orders. These packages—over 90% of which enter the United States as express shipments—will now come in under a system that is fair, transparent, and enforceable. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is equipped to handle this change and has the systems in place. The U.S. Postal Service is ready and has the systems in place. The U.S. is not stopping international mail. 

“This action expands the president’s suspension of de minimis treatment for low-value commercial shipments from China and Hong Kong, which already covers the majority of de minimis packages and has been in effect since May 2. It ensures all small package shipments – regardless of delivery method - have the necessary inspection, information, and duty collection. Packages are arriving every day into the United States.  Tomorrow will be no different.

“With this action, the Trump administration has delivered an historic win for U.S. industry, American workers, and the integrity of our trade system.”

NCTO is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers.

• U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was 471,046 in 2024.
• The value of shipments for U.S. textiles and apparel was $63.9 billion in 2024.
• U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and apparel were $28.0 billion in 2024.
• Capital expenditures for textiles and apparel production totaled $2.98 billion in 2022, the last year for which data is available.

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced that experienced policy expert Kevin Conroy has joined the association’s government and regulatory affairs staff as Senior Manager of Government and Regulatory Affairs.

Conroy brings extensive experience in government, politics, and public service to his new role at INDA. He most recently served on the staff of former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, where he held multiple senior positions over the course of Hogan’s eight years in office, including Director, Chief of Staff, and Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Maryland.

“We are excited to welcome Kevin to the INDA team,” said INDA President Tony Fragnito, “his wealth of experience will expand our government and regulatory affairs impact at the state and federal levels while positioning INDA for even more proactive advocacy for the nonwovens sector.”

Conroy began his career on Capitol Hill in the office of Congressman Chris Shays before working for Congressman David Dreier and the House Rules Committee. He has managed numerous political campaigns at both the state and federal levels, building coalitions and executing successful strategies in competitive races.

“Kevin’s wealth of experience will allow us to hit the ground running on several issues important to the industry, including EPA rulemaking, state and federal PFAS and chemical regulations, and plastics,” added Wes Fisher, INDA Director of Government Affairs.

With a career spanning legislative, executive, and electoral arenas, Conroy brings a deep understanding of public policy, intergovernmental affairs, and political strategy to his new position at INDA. He will be working on the INDA team out of the greater Washington, D.C. area.

Industries around the world are transforming to meet modern demands – with technology advancing, markets changing, and sustainability as vital as ever – and the technical textiles and nonwovens sector is no exception. At this year’s Cinte Techtextil China, fringe events will be organised into four key segments to help industry players adapt: Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, Innovation, and Industry Insight. With an impactful lineup of events, speakers, and product showcases, the organisers expect the array to draw significant interest at the show, taking place 3 – 5 September at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

Key themes highlight insights and business exchange in modern economic climate

Sustainability

• Sustainability Forum: taking place in the Econogy Talks seminar area, the forum will address the dual challenges of environmental protection and technological innovation, and outline how manufacturers need to adapt production methods to suit transformation requirements for the sector. Speakers will use insights and practical case studies to show how the integration of technology and design, and innovative business models, can drive the sector towards a greener future.
  
  Moderated by Dr Guoxiang Yuan, Graduate Supervisor of Donghua University and Research Fellow of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, guest speakers include Mr Dominique Simard, Founder & CEO of Rethink Fashion; Ms Jackie Liu, Business Leader from 3M China Limited; and Mr Kinor Jiang, Professor of School of Fashion and Textiles of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
• Econogy Tour: an insightful tour of independently verified sustainable exhibitors, led by Mr Karl Borgschulze, Managing Director of Consulting Service International. The tour will shine a spotlight on the global companies making positive environmental impacts through innovative product design, production processes, or supply chain management. Combining ‘ecology’ and ‘economy’, Messe Frankfurt’s innovative ‘Texpertise Econogy’ initiative promotes a greener, business-friendly future for the textile industry.  

Artificial Intelligence

• AI Panel Discussion: focusing on the challenges and opportunities associated with using AI for automated textile material inspection, the panel will offer insights into AI’s enhanced accuracy, reduced labour costs, and real-time inspection capability in high-speed manufacturing environments. Participants include Prof Calvin Wong, CEO & Centre Director of Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab) and Cheng Yik Hung Professor in Fashion of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Mr Eric Sham, Senior Consultant at AiDLab; and Ms Dorothy Yeung, Assistant Manager of Business Development at AiDLab (moderator).

Industry Insight

• China International Nonwovens Conference (CINC): held for 12 consecutive years, the influential conference is organised by the China National Industries Textile Association (CNITA), and has become an important platform for attendees to understand the global nonwovens market, relating to policies, technological developments, and applications. Featuring a range of high-profile speakers, each session focuses on various companies’ nonwoven or related product advancements and development status, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. This year’s conference theme is ‘Breaking the Deadlock and Reconstruction.’

Innovation

• Innovation Space: an exhibition area focused on spotlighting the technical textile and nonwoven sector’s cutting-edge advancements. The space serves as a guide to drive industry upgrades, providing visitors with a high-quality showcase of new materials, new products, and new technologies.
• Innovation Product Awards and Presentation: the event provides a valuable opportunity for innovators to promote their products to key industry players and potential collaborators, encouraging technological innovation, green development, and high-end applications, and accelerating the adoption of new technology. Outstanding products will be awarded the ‘2025 Innovation Product Award.’

During the three-day fair, other events include various livestreamed tours, focusing on textile application areas such as medical; protective; filtration & separation; automotive; and tent & composite materials. Meanwhile, the ‘Kingsafe Dangs’ National University Students’ Nonwovens Development and Applications Showcase aims to promote and recognise innovation from the next generation. This is set to boost the show’s design and entrepreneurial exchange, with the corresponding awards ceremony giving added visibility to some of the industry’s most promising talents.

Cinte Techtextil China will be held from 3 – 5 September 2025.

The fair is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Nonwovens & Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA).

The Discover Natural Fibres Initiative (DNFI) was created in January 2010 as an outgrowth of the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009, declared by the United Nations General Assembly. DNFI is an organization that works to further the interests of natural fibres by serving as a platform for information exchange and by raising awareness of the benefits of natural fibre industries to the world economy, environment and consumers. 

Celebrating Breakthroughs in Natural Fibre Innovation – DNFI Award 2025 
The DNFI Innovation in Natural Fibres Award 2025 shines spotlight on groundbreaking developments in the world of natural fibres. Its mission: to highlight innovative achievements, amplify the work of leading researchers, innovators and producers, to create new pathways for commercial impact. From sustainability to smart materials, the award honors those pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with nature’s finest resources. 

The DNFI Award 2025 will be judged across three categories: Innovative products, components or applications; innovative processes or procedures; and research and science projects. Entries will be evaluated based on outstanding scientific work and technical feasibility, the extent to which the innovation improves or increases the effectiveness of existing products or processes, and its potential to open up new markets or sectors for products made from natural fibres.

Candidates for the DNFI Innovation in Natural Fibres Award 2025 are requested to send the application with the appropriate submission form by email to: Secretariat[at]dnfi.org.
 
Entries will be accepted until 30th September 2025. The winner will be announced in a press release in October 2025 and invited to attend the DNFI plenary session on 14 January 2026. The award ceremony will take place the following day, 15 January 2026, at the Heimtextil trade fair in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The 2025 award will once again be sponsored by the DNFI member organisation The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF).

On the 1st and 2nd of July, 19 textile, clothing, leather, and footwear representatives from 8 European countries gathered at Amsterdam Fashion Institute in the Netherlands to drive forward the Erasmus+ Blueprint AEQUALIS4TCLF project. This bold initiative is set to transform the TCLF industries through a strategic, educational, and social lens, paving the way for more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready sectors.

One of the project’s key deliverables is the upcoming European TCLF Skills Strategy, designed to respond to the impact on companies’ workforce of the rapidly technological, circular and social transformations. Drawing on both qualitative and quantitative insights from stakeholders, ranging from businesses and policymakers to education providers, the updated strategy will inform the development of consecutive tailored national skills strategies. These strategies will then be rolled out by national project partners, with strong support from industry, education and institutional actors.

AEQUALIS4TCLF is also pioneering change in the classroom. Eight brand-new curricula focused on sustainable and digital fashion have already been developed, and then respective training content are under development. To ensure accessibility and engagement, partners are creating an array of innovative learning resources, from interactive e-books and videos to hands-on activities and assessments. All materials will be available online and free of charge, equipping learners and educators alike for the green and digital transitions.

At its heart, AEQUALIS4TCLF is also a social project. A rich programme of workshops, both online and in person, is being rolled out across all partner countries, addressing critical topics such as diversity, innovation, and wellbeing in the workplace. Meanwhile, a TCLF network-building effort is underway to boost collaboration at both local and European levels. This includes the creation of regional TCLF Pacts for Skills, tailored to the unique needs of local economies, and two European-level networks: one uniting education providers to share best practices and foster excellence, and another engaging regional public authorities in supporting TCLF education for the new era.

The AEQUALIS4TCLF project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.

In the second quarter of 2025, the index of orders for textile machinery, compiled by the Economics Department of ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, showed a slight decrease compared to the same period in 2024 (-1%). In absolute terms, the index stood at 47.1 points (base year 2021=100).

This result was driven by an increase in order intake from the domestic market, which almost entirely offset the decline recorded in foreign markets.

Orders collected on the domestic market rose by 38% compared to the second quarter of 2024, reaching an absolute value of 70.9 points.

In foreign markets, orders were down 7% compared to the same period of the previous year. The absolute value of the index stood at 43.8 points.

In the second quarter, the order backlog reached 3.9 months of guaranteed production (up from 3.6 months in the first quarter). It is also worth noting that, on average, companies in the sector used only 55% of their production capacity in the first half of the year. Utilization is expected to reach 60% in the second half of 2025.

Marco Salvadè, President of ACIMIT, commented: “The signals coming from the domestic market are encouraging, but concerns about the future remain. Demand in Italy is still weak. The increase recorded between April and June will need to be confirmed over the course of the year.”

“On the foreign front,” added Marco Salvadè, “a general climate of uncertainty persists, due not only to U.S. tariffs imposed on the EU, but also to the broader geopolitical situation. The 15% duty, combined with a significant depreciation of the dollar against the euro, may have varying negative impacts on our exports to the U.S., depending on the tariff rates applied to other Countries supplying technology to U.S. textile companies. For now, the U.S. remains a key market for our manufacturers: it was the fourth largest in 2024, with a value of over 112 million euros, and it continued to grow in the first four months of 2025 (+3%). Also concerning is the weak demand for textile machinery in the two most important markets, China and Turkey. Italian sales from January to April 2025 fell by 32% in the Chinese market and by 47% in the Turkish one.”

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has opened registration and tabletop reservations for Hygienix™ 2025, taking place Nov. 17-20 at the Omni Orlando ChampionsGate Resort in ChampionsGate, Florida.

Hygienix will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and business professionals from across the absorbent hygiene products (AHP) industry for expert-led conference sessions, product showcases, interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and the presentation of the Hygienix Innovation Award™.

Hygienix Program Highlights

• Sustainability and Circularity: Presentations and panel discussions will cover the latest advances in biobased materials, natural fibers, packaging innovations, Safe Operating Limits (SOL) and End-of-Life (EOL) solutions, and product construction with sustainable materials.
• Consumer and Market Insights: Speakers will explore trends such as the growth of private label products, regional market outlooks, and in-depth sessions on skin health and the microbiome.
• Product Innovation: Panelists will delve into strategies for overcoming hurdles in the race to bring period care innovations to market.
• Regulations and Standards: Presentations will address crucial regulatory updates, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and testing methods for modern AHP designs.

Workshops
Kicking off the conference, INDA will host three workshops on Nov. 17, providing hands-on learning and insights on crucial topics within the sector, including:

• Fundamentals of Absorption Systems and Opportunities in Adult Incontinence
  James Robinson, Principal, Absorbent Hygiene Insights, LLC
• Innovations in Menstrual Care
  Heidi Beatty, Chief Executive Officer, Crown Abbey, LLC
• Baby and Infant Care Market Dynamics
  Natalia Richer, Director of Business Development, Diaper Testing International

Hygienix Innovation Award™
Recognizing breakthrough products, technologies, and solutions that are making a significant impact in the hygiene sector, the Hygienix Innovation Award will be awarded at the event.

Nominations will be accepted until Sept. 15. Finalists will present their products on Nov. 18, and the winner will be announced on Nov. 20 to close the event. Last year’s winner was HIRO Technologies’ MycoDigestable™ Diapers, a biodegradable solution driving environmental progress in infant care.