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#Associations

5th ITMF Corona-Survey: Vertical integration improves resilience

Between September 5th and 25th, 2020, ITMF has conducted its 5th ITMF Corona-Survey among ITMF members and affiliated companies and associations about the impact the Corona-pandemic has on the global textile value chain. In total, 216 companies from around the world participated. When looking at the different segments of the textile value chain (Graph 1), it is interesting to observe that the segment of finishers/printers is expecting in 2020 a significantly stronger reduction of turnover (-30%) than the other segments.

Like the 4th ITMF Corona-Survey revealed, integrated manufacturers  seem  to  be  coping  better  with  the  negative  effects  of  the  pandemic  than  other  segments.  Under  “Others”  companies  can  be  found  that  are  active  in  various  segments  of  the  textile  value  chain  listed  but  also  companies that are supplying chemicals, dyes, auxiliary material, etc. 

Source: 5th ITMF Corona-Survey (September 5-25, 2020) © 2020 ITMF
Source: 5th ITMF Corona-Survey (September 5-25, 2020) © 2020 ITMF


The Corona-pandemic has proven in a brutal way how important digital capabilities are when physical interactions with suppliers or customers are impossible or restricted (Graph 2). 21% of all companies see a necessity to improve their digital capabilities.


18% are of the opinion that reducing the dependency from few customers is important going forward, followed by 17% of companies for which both broadening the products on offers and strengthening the balance sheet are crucial in the future. 15% are of the opinion that changing the products on offer is necessary and 10% believe that reducing the dependency from few suppliers is a relevant objective. 

Source: 5th ITMF-Corona Survey (September 5-25, 2020) © 2020 ITMF
Source: 5th ITMF-Corona Survey (September 5-25, 2020) © 2020 ITMF


More News from International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)

#Associations

Data and skills, not algorithms, hold back AI adoption in textiles, finds ITMF and ITA white paper

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) and the Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University (ITA) have published a new white paper entitled AI in the Textile Value Chain: A Strategic Guide to Artificial Intelligence for the Global Textile Industry. The study concludes that the main barriers to artificial intelligence adoption in the textile and apparel industry are not technological limitations, but poor data integration, skills shortages and gaps in governance. According to the authors, further progress will depend on coordinated efforts to develop capabilities across the industry.

#Associations

ITMF survey shows slight improvement in global textile industry despite continued pressure

The 40th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey (GTIS), conducted from 21 to 29 September 2026, shows a slight improvement in the global business situation, to -23pp, well above the November 2023 low of -46pp. Conditions nevertheless remain weak, in what has become a new normal of high uncertainty. Only South Asia (+13pp) and Africa (+9pp) are positive, while Europe (-36pp), South America (-44pp) and North & Central America (-56pp) report the weakest conditions.

#Associations

ITMF names three winners of the Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026

Three projects from the UK, Korea and China have been selected as winners of the ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026. The projects address textile-to-textile recycling, chemical recycling for automotive textiles and a regenerative approach combining silk production with ecological restoration.

#Associations

ITMF names five winners of the Start-up Award 2026

Five start-ups from Switzerland, Brazil, the United States and China have been selected as winners of the ITMF Start-up Award 2026. Their concepts range from new polymer chemistry and natural-fiber biocomposites to zero-waste design, 3D weaving and enzymatic PET recycling.

More News on Associations

#India ITME 2026

New momentum for British textile machinery in India

The British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is looking to India ITME 2026 as a major opportunity to strengthen industrial partnerships and mutually expand exports, following the introduction of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and the formation of the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition (UKITMC).

#Associations

China and India: Different market dynamics create opportunities for Swiss textile machinery

Ahead of ITMA Asia + CITME in Shanghai and India ITME in Greater Noida, Swiss Textile Machinery highlights the contrasting industrial structures, investment priorities and technological requirements of two of the world's most important textile manufacturing markets.

#Associations

European and Canadian textile associations call for stronger transatlantic cooperation

Ahead of the EU–Canada Summit in Montréal on 29–30 October 2026, EURATEX, the Canadian Textile Industry Association (CTIA) and the Canadian Apparel Federation (CAF) have issued a joint statement calling for closer industrial cooperation, improved implementation of the CETA trade agreement and stronger partnerships in innovation, sustainability and advanced textile technologies.

#Associations

Italian textile machinery orders rise 7% in Q3 2026 as export demand strengthens

Order intake for Italian textile machinery manufacturers increased by 7% in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the same period of 2025. Growth was driven by international markets, where orders rose by 8%, while domestic demand remained weak, declining by 4%.

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#Research & Development

DITF develops bio-based binding fibers for wood-fiber insulation materials

As part of the CelluWoodFlex project, the German Institutes of Textile- and Fiber-Research in Denkendorf (DITF) are developing bio-based cellulose ester fibers as alternative binding fibers for flexible wood fiber insulation materials. In addition to the spinning process and the production of suitable staple fibers, the institute is also investigating how wood and cellulose fibers can be separated and recycled at the end of their useful life.

#Recycled Fibers

Reju expands textile-to-textile recycling network with six international fabric manufacturers

Reju, a textile-to-textile regeneration company, is expanding its industrial network through collaborations with six fabric manufacturers in Europe and the Americas. The initiative aims to accelerate the integration of regenerated polyester into textile manufacturing and support the development of finished fabrics for commercial applications.

#Nonwovens

Magnera highlights HighPleat™ filtration media technology at FiltXPO 2026

At FiltXPO 2026, held on October 28–29 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Magnera highlighted advances in air filtration media architecture, with a particular focus on its HighPleat™ platform for MERV 8–10 applications. The technology combines a lofted fiber structure with optimized pore architecture to address the challenge of balancing filtration efficiency, airflow resistance and contaminant-holding capacity.

#Nonwovens

Ahlstrom expands depth filtration media production capacity at US facility

Ahlstrom has completed a major investment in its Kingston manufacturing facility in New York, USA, expanding production capacity for high-performance depth filtration media. The modernization of Line 3 is designed to improve manufacturing efficiency, enhance quality control and increase flexibility in producing different product widths.

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