#Associations

2020-01-09

Heimtextil and Colombiatex the first events of 2020 for Italian textile machines

For the Italian textile machinery industry 2020 opens with two extremely important trade fairs. From January 7 to 10 Frankfurt will host Heimtextil, the most important global trade show for home and contract textiles. In hall 3.0 Italian Trade Agency and ACIMIT, the Italian association of textile machinery manufacturers, will be present with a service center designed to assist Italian manufacturers during the show, but also to provide information on the Italian supply to the numerous expected visitors.

Following from January 21 to 23, Colombiatex, the main fair for the Colombian textile sector, will be held in Medellin. An exhibition area will be set up by Italian Trade Agency. The following ACIMIT member companies will be exhibiting in this area: Btsr, Color Service, Fadis, Ferraro, Flainox, Itema, Kairos, Laip, Loptex, Mactec, Mcs, Mesdan, Ratti, Scaglia, Zappa. In Latin America, Colombia represents a market of considerable interest for textile machinery, especially for the strong development of local fashion sector, well known throughout South America.

Alessandro Zucchi, president of ACIMIT says: 2020 will be a challenging year for our member companies, given the high number of planned exhibitions. We start immediately with two important events. Heimtextil is known for new trends and textile innovations. The drive for digitalization has distinguished the offer of our manufacturers for some years now. For this reason it is important for our Association to be present in Frankfurt”.

"Colombia, states Alessandro Zucchi, is a Country whose textile and clothing industry has grown in recent years. The fashion sector has established itself throughout the continent thanks to its dynamism and originality. The presence of Italian manufacturers through collective participation is evidence of the value that the event and the Colombian market have acquired over time for the Italian textile machinery industry".

Turkmenistan: Italian textile machinery focuses on high technology and specialization

The Italian textile machinery industry flies to Ashgabat to participate with a large “Made in Italy” delegation at TURKMEN TEXTILE EXPO 2026, the major international showcase taking place from June 4 to 6, 2026. The Italian presence, coordinated by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and ACIMIT (the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers), aims to consolidate Italy’s primary technological role in a highly strategic market with interesting prospects.

Italian Textile Machinery heads to Geneva for Index 2026

An important delegation of Italian companies will exhibit at the upcoming INDEX 2026, the world’s leading event for the nonwovens sector, taking place from May 19 to 22 in Geneva (Switzerland). Numerous Italian exhibitors will be present within the Italy Pavilion, organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and ACIMIT, an exhibition area of over 140 square meters dedicated to the latest innovations proposed by the Italian industry.

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Young talents honoured – 60 years Walter Reiners Foundation

At the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of April, Peter D. Dornier, chairman of the VDMA’s Walter Reiners Foundation, presented awards to five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability awards were presented in the categories of bachelor’s/project theses and diploma/master’s theses. Academic theses are eligible for the sustainability awards if, for example, they develop solutions for resource-efficient products and technologies.

BTMA backs global growth while investing in future UK leaders

As one of a number of new initiatives launched this year, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is launching the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, has implications that extend across sourcing, competitiveness and long-term trade dynamics, believes BTMA CEO Jason Kent.

TM WEFT, 270" – More width, more design freedom for the fashion world

KARL MAYER is expanding its successful TM WEFT series with an innovative model that opens up new possibilities, particularly in the fashion & apparel sectors. With a working width of 270", this new machine with weft-insertion not only offers significantly higher output than its narrower counterparts but is also specifically tailored to the demands of dynamic clothing market – particularly in China and Türkiye. A well-thought-out upgrade also ensures even greater design versatility.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt