#Associations

2021-06-10

Worldwide shipments of new textile machinery decreased in 2020

In 2020, global shipments of spinning, texturing, weaving, knitting, and finishing machines decreased on average compared to 2019. Deliveries of new short-staple spindles, open-end rotors, and long-staple spindles dropped by -48%, -27%, and -46%, respectively. The number of shipped draw-texturing spindles declined by -30% and deliveries of shuttle-less looms shrunk by -16%. Shipments of flat knitting machines contracted by -53%, while shipped large circular machines marked the exception with a 13% growth. The sum of all deliveries in the finishing segment also dropped by -17% on average.

These are the main results of the 43rd annual International Textile Machinery Shipment Statistics (ITMSS) just released by the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF). The report covers six segments of textile machinery, namely spinning, draw-texturing, weaving, large circular knitting, flat knitting and finishing. A summary of the findings for each category is presented below. The 2020 survey has been compiled in cooperation with more than 200 textile machinery manufacturers representing a comprehensive measure of world production.

Spinning Machinery

The total number of shipped short-staple spindles decreased by about 3.3 million units in 2020 to a level of 3.63 million. Most of the new short-staple spindles (88%) were shipped to Asia & Oceania, where delivery decreased by -50%. While levels stayed relatively small, Europe saw shipments increasing by +76% (mainly in Turkey). The six largest investors in the short-staple segment were China, India, Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan.

422 thousand open-end rotors were shipped worldwide in 2020. This represents 151 thousand units less compared to 2019. 83% of global shipments went to Asia & Oceania where deliveries decreased by -32% to 351 thousand rotors. Turkey, and Pakistan were the world’s 2nd and 3rd largest investors in open-end rotors after China and saw investments surging by +290% and +42%, respectively. China, India, Uzbekistan, and Brazil, the world’s 1st, and 4th to 6th largest investors in 2020 decreased investment by -30% on average.

Global shipments of long-staple (wool) spindles decreased from about 40 thousand in 2019 to nearly 22 thousand in 2020 (-46%). This effect was mainly driven by a fall in deliveries to Asia & Oceania with a decrease in investment of -75%. 80% of total deliveries were shipped to Iran, Turkey, and Italy.

Texturing Machinery

Global shipments of single heater draw-texturing spindles (mainly used for polyamide filaments) decreased by -36% from nearly 26’000 units in 2019 to 16’000 in 2020. With a share of 89%, Asia & Oceania was the strongest destination for single heater draw-texturing spindles. China, Japan, and Chinese Taipei were the main investors in this segment with a share of 63%, 9%, and 8% of global deliveries, respectively.

In the category of double heater draw-texturing spindles (mainly used for polyester filaments) global shipments decreased by -30% to a level of 325 thousand spindles. Asia’s share of worldwide shipments remained stable at 90%. Thereby, China remained the largest investor accounting for 78% of global shipments.

Weaving Machinery

In 2020, worldwide shipments of shuttle-less looms decreased by -16% to 112 thousand units. Shipments in the categories “air-jet” and “rapier and projectile” fell by -3% to 29’337 units and -15% to 21’542, respectively. The deliveries of water-jet looms decreased by -21% to 61’483. The main destination for shuttle-less looms in 2020 was Asia & Oceania with 94% of all worldwide deliveries. 98%, 93%, 81% of global water-jet, air-jet, and rapier/projectile looms were shipped to that region. The main investor was China in all three sub-categories. Deliveries of weaving machines to this country cover 74% of total deliveries.

Circular & Flat Knitting Machinery

Global shipments of large circular knitting machines grew by +12% to 30’231 units in 2020. The region Asia & Oceania was the world’s leading investor in this category with 81% of worldwide shipments. With 62% of all deliveries (i.e.15’980 units), China was the favoured destination. India and Turkey ranked second and third with 2’433 and 2’381 units, respectively.

In 2020, the segment of electronic flat knitting machines decreased by -52% to around 66 thousand machines. Asia & Oceania was the main destination for these machines with a share of 77% of world shipments. China remained the world’s largest investor with an 38%-share of total shipments despite a -74%-decrease in investments. Shipments to China dropped from about 69 thousand units in 2019 to 17 thousand units in 2020.

Finishing Machinery

In the “fabrics continuous” segment, shipments of Sanforizers / Compacters grew by +75%. All other subsegment either remained stable or shrunk. Since 2019, ITMF estimates the number of shipped stenters non-reported by the survey participants to inform on the global market size for that category. The market for stenters is expected to have been stable since 2019 and thus deliveries must have reached 1’731 units in 2020.

In the “fabrics discontinuous” segment, the number of jigger dyeing / beam dyeing shipped dropped by +8.5% to 529 units. Deliveries in the categories “Air Jet Dyeing” and “Overflow Dyeing” respectively decreased by -18% and -21% in 2020.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

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.

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.

ANDRITZ at INDEX ’26: Driving sustainability with next-generation nonwoven technologies

From May 19-22, ANDRITZ Nonwoven & Textile is presenting its innovative solutions for the nonwoven & textile industry in Geneva, Switzerland. ANDRITZ will focus on technologies for sustainable and durable nonwovens, converting, sustainable fiber processes, textile recycling, and life-cycle services on booth 2114 in hall 02.

INDEX™26: World’s leading nonwovens exhibition presents groundbreaking product launches, exclusive seminars and immersive experiences

From 19 to 22 May 2026, 620 exhibitors from 44 countries will gather in Geneva at Palexpo for INDEX™26. The exhibition aims to demonstrate how the future of technical materials will increasingly be shaped by collaborative supply chains and integrated innovation across the nonwovens industry. This year’s edition focuses not only on individual technological advances, but also on how cooperation throughout the value chain can enhance the performance, sustainability and value of nonwoven solutions.

The LYCRA Company launches LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber for nonwovens, advancing comfort and fit in disposable hygiene at INDEX™ 26

The LYCRA Company, a leader in innovative and sustainable fibers for apparel and personal care, today announced the official global launch of LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber for nonwovens at INDEX™ 26, in Geneva, Switzerland, May 19–22. This breakthrough stretch fiber, already trusted by leading global apparel brands, now ushers in a new era of comfort, fit, and performance for baby diapers, disposable hygiene products, adult incontinence, and feminine care.