From the Sector

At K 2025 in Duesseldorf, the Reifenhäuser Group unveiled its new company-wide machine user interface, which offers a uniform design language for blown film, flat film, and nonwoven lines, as well as particularly simple operation. The overall concept impressed not only customers, but also the jury of the German Design Awards, who honored the system with the prestigious design award during the trade fair.

In times of a growing global shortage of skilled workers, the simple and intuitive operation of production equipment is a decisive success factor. That is why Reifenhäuser has completely redesigned its human-machine interface (HMI) and introduced a completely new, visually appealing, and responsive solution. It combines the highly complex and heterogeneous requirements of different extrusion machines in a flexible and scalable system. Reifenhäuser will be showcasing the new HMI at its open house during the K trade fair on its new EVO GEN3 and EVEREX blown film and flat film lines. 

The operator can access every setting with a maximum of two clicks and, thanks to customizable dashboards and a clearly laid out start-up page, retains control over the entire extrusion process at all times. The intelligent color concept and the intuitive, responsive touch interface significantly speed up operation.

The new development was carried out in collaboration with HMI Project, a renowned agency specializing in human-machine interfaces (HMI). The new HMI was developed with a focus on people in order to simplify everyday operation of complex machines. In a user-centered process, real-life usage scenarios were analyzed and validated through usability tests. The result is a modular, scalable, and extremely flexible interface that combines technical complexity and user-friendliness at the highest level. Assistance systems, informative illustrations, and a clear visual hierarchy support the operator in setting up, monitoring, and optimizing sensitive production processes. 

The German Design Award is one of the most prestigious awards in the design landscape. Since 2012, the award has identified significant design trends, made them visible, and honored them. Every year, outstanding work in the fields of product design, communication design, and architecture is recognized.

100 Italian companies will exhibit at ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025, taking place from October 28 to 31. With an area of around 4,000 square meters, Italy ranks among the top exhibiting Countries, as in previous editions. 53 Italian exhibitors will show their innovations within the National Sector Groups, organized by ACIMIT (Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers) and Italian Trade Agency.

ITMA ASIA + CITME show has always been the main showcase for textile machinery manufacturers in Asia, which absorbs 50% of global exports for a value of 8.8 billion euro in 2024. The main world market for textile machinery are China and India, importing textile machines for a total value of 4.3 billion euro.

For Italian manufacturers as well, the Asian market is the top foreign destination. In 2024, Italian exports to Asia amounted to 664 million euro, while in the first six months of 2025 Italian sales to this geographical area grew at 1% rate on the same 2024 period, reaching a value of 317 million euro. China, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are the main Asian destinations for Made in Italy machinery.

ACIMIT President Marco Salvadè says: “ITMA ASIA+CITME Singapore is a further occasion for Italian textile machinery manufacturers to display its updated technological supply. The choice of Singapore allows Italian exhibitors to engage with many Southeast Asian markets, which are becoming increasingly important manufacturing hubs.”

“Despite geopolitical uncertainties, the significant presence of Italian exhibitors in Singapore confirms the vitality of the Italian textile machinery sector.” confirms Salvadè. “Italian manufacturers at ITMA ASIA+CITME Singapore will show a wide range of advanced solutions, covering the entire textile value chain. Visitors will see digitalization tools that can improve process efficiency and connectivity, automation systems for smarter production and innovations able to reduce environmental impact. In addition, there will be a strong focus on sustainable technologies, with machinery designed to optimize energy and water use, while ensuring high-quality results. Italian manufacturers are committed to combining tradition in textile knowledge with cutting-edge innovation.”

On his side, Giorgio Calveri, Director of ITA Singapore, states: “With 86% of its 2.1 billion euro production exported, Italy’s textile machinery industry confirms its strong international orientation, with Asia as its main market. ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 in Singapore is a strategic opportunity to strengthen Italy’s presence in this key region. With 100 exhibitors coordinated by ACIMIT and supported by ITA, Italy stands as a trusted partner for advanced, sustainable, and competitive technologies.”

In response to unprecedented market demand, BW Converting, a member of TMAS, the Swedish textile machinery association, will provide details about its new Baldwin TexChroma digital spray dyeing system at ITMA Asia + CITME in Singapore from October 28-31.

“We are excited to launch TexChroma because spray dyeing is the future and many of our customers are already seeing the benefits,” says Yiannis Vasilonikolos, BW Converting Sales Leader for Textiles, who has many years’ experience in textile dyeing technology. “We have conducted successful trials of TexChroma with pigment, reactive, acid and disperse dyes on both cotton and synthetic fibres.”

From production data to date, TexChroma can achieve savings in energy, dyes and chemicals of more than 30% compared to conventional continuous pad batch dyeing using steam, and up to 50% compared to exhaust reactive dyeing. 

It also benefits from an advanced technology enabling reactive dyestuffs and alkali fixation chemicals to be mixed just seconds before spray application, in order to completely eliminate any ‘tailing and listing’– uneven dye application or colour variations.

The TexCoat® G4 Legacy
The introduction of TexChroma follows the runaway success of BW Converting’s Texcoat G4 finishing system in the past few years.

“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 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 a similar technology for the dyeing process.” 

The first TexChroma will be installed at the plant of a very well-known Italian continuous dyer which is part of a larger textile manufacturing group, in order for it to be fully industrially tested before going into series production.

“Our first customer is close by our facility in Sweden, has the practical dyehouse skills we can learn from, and is a satisfied TexCoat G4 customer,” Stanford says. “We believe a major benefit of TexChroma will be in eliminating much rework which is common in dyehouses, but we’ve been very cautious about providing details on TexChroma too early. The dyeing process is unforgiving, and we must get it right the first time. The market has been ready for quite some time. And now, so are we.”

TMAS members in Singapore
In further new developments from TMAS members at the Singapore show, Kinna Automatic will provide details of its complete robotic lines for the production of pillows and duvets for the home furnishings sector and introduce the new Hector industrial sewing machine designed for the heavy duty circular and point stitching of filled textile components.

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.

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 as for retrofitting in working mills around the world The company will present its latest X4 yarn feeders with integrated accessory displays and has recently further strengthened its product portfolio with IRO Gaugepart modules. These are applied to tufting looms to determine the appearance of a carpet in terms of feel and structure.

Finally, 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.

The countdown for submissions has begun. Until 15 December 2025, companies can enter their developments for the Techtextil Innovation Award and the Texprocess Innovation Award. Those selected by the distinguished juries benefit from international visibility as well as from the reputation and reach of the two leading trade fairs. From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil and Texprocess bring together the global industries in Frankfurt. The presentation of the Innovation Awards and the showcasing of the winning ideas is among the most prominent highlights.

The industry is evolving at a rapid pace – from new advances in technical textiles and nonwovens to forward-looking manufacturing and processing technologies. Current developments such as the use of AI, sustainable approaches and new production methods are creating additional opportunities for innovation. Especially in times of recession, tariffs and restrained investment, these impulses take on particular significance. They open up new opportunities in numerous fields, ranging from mobility and medicine to apparel. The Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards provide international visibility for the best ideas.

The innovations are driving progress in numerous industries. In 2024, the award winners presented recyclable fibre composites for aviation, self-cooling textiles for façades and measurement methods for body scans based on 4D scanning. Whether in mobility, construction, medicine or apparel – textile and technological innovations are creating new opportunities for progress.

Categories Techtextil Innovation Award 2026

• New Concept
• New Material
• New Application
• New Product
• New Chemicals & Dyes
• New Recycled Materials & Recycling Technologies
• New Production Technology, Digitalisation & AI Solutions

Submit application: https://solutions.techtextil.com/

Categories Texprocess Innovation Award 2026

• Economic quality (cost minimisation, time and process optimisation, automation)
• Ecological quality (climate protection, energy efficiency, sustainability, recycling, circularity)
• Digitalisation + AI
• Innovation for quality improvement

Submit application: https://solutions.texprocess.com/

Information on participation
The submission deadline for all applications for the Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards 2026 is 15 December 2025. All companies, institutes, universities, polytechnics and individuals are eligible to apply. Participation is free of charge. Submitted developments must have been on the market for less than two years or be shortly before the market launch. From mid-December 2025, two experienced international expert juries examine all submitted products in detail and evaluate them according to criteria such as degree of innovation, market potential, sustainability, choice of materials and technical quality. The winning companies are formally and prominently presented on the first day of the trade fair, 21 April 2026, in Frankfurt am Main.

Der Hersteller von Rundstrick- und Flechtmaschinen Mayer & Cie. in Albstadt hat am 23. September 2025 beim Amtsgericht Hechingen einen Antrag auf Eröffnung eines Insolvenzverfahren in Eigenverwaltung gestellt. 

Mayer & Cie. hat sich auf Herstellung und Verkauf von Rundstrick- und Flechtmaschinen spezialisiert, die nahezu komplett in den Export gehen und bei Textilherstellern weltweit geschätzt sind. Das Unternehmen ist in vierter Generation inhabergeführt und feierte vor kurzem sein 120-jähriges Bestehen. Am Stammsitz in Albstadt beschäftigt Mayer & Cie. rund 280 Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter. Ihre Löhne und Gehälter sind drei Monate lang über das Insolvenzgeld gesichert. 

Mayer & Cie. agiert in einem Markt, der derzeit durch globale Ereignisse in Turbulenzen geraten ist. So führten der Handelskonflikt zwischen den USA und China und der Krieg in der Ukraine weltweit zu Investitionszurückhaltung. Der wichtige Exportmarkt Türkei kämpft mit hoher Inflation, wodurch die dortigen Textilhersteller nicht mehr wettbewerbsfähig sind. Gleichzeitig bieten staatlich subventionierte Hersteller aus China ihre Textilmaschinen zu günstigen Preisen auf dem Weltmarkt an. Dies führte zu einem Umsatzeinbruch von annähernd 50 Prozent im vergangenen Jahr – bei gleichzeitig gestiegenen Kosten. 

Die Eigenverwaltung bietet Unternehmen einen rechtlichen Rahmen, um sich bei laufendem Geschäftsbetrieb neu aufzustellen. Im Unterschied zu einem regulären Insolvenzverfahren bleibt dabei die unternehmerische Verantwortung in den Händen der Geschäftsführung, die die Sanierung selbst steuert. Sie wird unterstützt von dem erfahrenen Sanierungsexperten Rechtsanwalt Martin Mucha von der Kanzlei Grub Brugger, der als Generalbevollmächtigter ins Unternehmen eintritt. In der Eigenverwaltung setzt das zuständige Amtsgericht keinen Insolvenzverwalter, sondern einen (vorläufigen) Sachwalter ein. Dieser überwacht das Verfahren im Interesse der Gläubiger. Als vorläufigen Sachwalter der Mayer & Cie. wurde Rechtsanwalt Ilkin Bananyarli von der PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH bestellt. 

„Am Donnerstag habe ich gemeinsam mit der Geschäftsführung die Belegschaft über den Insolvenzantrag informiert. Zugleich wurden die notwendigen Schritte zur Aufrechterhaltung des Geschäftsbetriebs eingeleitet. Wir beabsichtigen, den Geschäftsbetrieb wie gewohnt fortzusetzen, und werden uns mit allem Engagement auf den Erhalt der Kernkompetenzen des Unternehmens konzentrieren“, erklärt Rechtsanwalt Martin Mucha.

By perfecting the detection of visual defects in fabrics, this digital solution enhances customer satisfaction, optimises production processes and reduces raw material consumption. The jury also chose to award a special prize to Green Worms, an Indian micro-enterprise that has set up a local waste collection and processing system. Recycling waste creates sustainable jobs for women from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.

‘The jury members were impressed by the quality of the designs submitted by the companies selected for this edition,’ said Claudia Franz, Director of Brand Management Apparel Fabrics & Fashion at Messe Frankfurt. ‘By recognising the GoldenEye Smart Vision project and choosing to award a special prize to Green Worms, we are supporting innovative solutions that address today's major challenges,’ she added.

GoldenEye Smart Vision will benefit from a stand worth €2,800 at Avantex Paris 2026 and €1,000 offered by Messe Frankfurt France, plus €1,000 offered by Texpertise Network, the Messe Frankfurt Group's textile sector network, a one-year subscription to the VLGE creative solution (worth €30,000), one year of incubation at Foundry offered by IFA Paris (worth €4,500), a keynote speech at the Circular Textile Days event, and an article in Luxiders Magazine.

Green Worms will receive €1,000 from Texpertise Network, the Messe Frankfurt Group's textile industry network, a marketing package from Circular Textile Days, and a consultation offered by Jayne Simone Estève-Curé.

The final of the 8th edition of the Avantex Fashion Pitch competition, organised by Messe Frankfurt France, rewards the most innovative, sustainable and relevant projects for the future of fashion. Each of the eleven finalists for 2025 – Adirelounge, Ananas Fashion, CQ Studio, Delfi, Garment By, Green Worms, GoldenEye Smart Vision, Myth AI, Sequinova, Meddle, Style Shifter – had five minutes to convince the jury composed of Jayne Simone Estève-Curé, fashion and luxury expert consultant, Yoobin Jung, ventures associate sustainability at Plug and Play Tech Centre, Carol Hilsum, Investor & Tech Leader at Assembly Ventures, Claudia Frantz, Director Brand Management Messe Frankfurt, Rachel de Gooijer, Marketing Manager, Circular Textile Days.

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.”