#Associations

2021-10-21

10th ITMF Corona-Survey

Companies see mostly a good business situation and anticipate an even more favourable business in six months’ time. Some differences between regions and segments persist.

Between the middle of August and the middle of September 2021, the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has conducted the 10th ITMF Corona-Survey among companies around the world covering all segments of the textile value chain.

The latest results reveal that on average the business situation of the companies is mostly positive. The balance between companies finding themselves in a “good” and a “poor” business situation has reached +10 percentage points (pp) in September 2021 after +5 pp in July and +14pp in May 2021.

The business expectations in six months’ time remain on a relative high level. 48% of companies are expecting a more favorable and only 13% a less favorable business which results in a positive balance of +35 pp (48% minus 13%).

Looking at regions it can be observed that those regions with a slow vaccination campaign are lagging those with high vaccination rates when it comes to business situation and expectations.

As for the segments, upstream segments have been faring somewhat better since the recovery is under way than the downstream ones, but the latter seem to be catching up. One important reason for this are the supply chain disruptions the industry is faced with. Further down the value chain the disruptions are felt more pronouncedly due to the cumulative effects in delays of raw and intermediate materials.

Compared to May and July order intake has increased significantly in September on a global level and companies anticipate a further increase in the next six months.

A look at the order backlog since May 2021 reveals that companies have a stable order backlog on average of around 2.4 months. Differences between regions and segments remain.

More information about the results of the 10th ITMF Corona-Survey, please contact the ITMF-Secretariat at secretariat@itmf.org.

SIMTA joins ITMF as Corporate Member

In the past two decades SIMTA has established itself as producer of specialized machinery for the textile industry. In short period of time, SIMTA became an important supplier of precise rollers for top OEMs. Afterwards SIMTA started manufacturing overhead cleaners, bobbin transport systems, and other textile ancillaries. In the meantime, SIMTA is a leader in this space in collaboration with the German automation technology partner Jacobi.

“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.

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.

The future of textiles, the power of trade, and the summit of technology come together at ITM 2026

ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, one of the most prestigious organizations in the textile technologies sector, opens its doors to visitors between June 9-13. Expected to break records in terms of both exhibitor and visitor numbers, as well as the technological vision it presents, ITM 2026 will transform into a global trade hub with machine sales, and new business collaborations.

ATCO Hygienics, Uzbekistan, orders baby diaper production line from ANDRITZ

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from ATCO Hygienics to supply a new baby diaper production line for its plant in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The order is included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the first quarter of 2026. Commissioning of the production line is scheduled for the end of 2026.

Nico Pedretti appointed as Managing Director Graf Group

As of June 1, 2026, Nico Pedretti has assumed the role of Managing Director Graf Group. With more than 20 years of international industrial experience and extensive expertise in Operations, Supply Chain Management, Finance and Controlling, he brings a broad range of leadership and business experience to support Graf’s continued success.