#Associations

2022-01-13

Colombiatex: The first 2022 trade show for Italian textile machines

For the textile machinery industry 2022 opens with the resumption of physical trade shows. It will be the next Colombiatex de las Américas, the main Colombian textile trade event, which will take place in Medellin from January 25 to 27, to open the new year. And Italian textile machinery sector will once again play a leading role in Colombia with a large presence. 19 Italian textile machinery manufacturer will be exhibiting in the exhibition area organized by Italian Trade Agency and ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Manufacturers of Textile Machinery.

The following ACIMIT member companies will be in this area:Bonino, Btsr, Color Service, Crosta, Fadis, Flainox, Kairos, Mactec, Mcs, Nexia, Ratti, Reggiani, Santoni, Savio, Smit, Sperotto Rimar and Tonello.

“For years, the Colombian market has been one of the main South American destinations for Italian textile machinery exports, confirms Alessandro Zucchi, president of ACIMIT. The development of a national fashion sector makes the demand for advanced textile technologies by Colombian companies even more dynamic”.

Italian exports to the important South American market in the first nine months of 2021 reached a value of 9.3 million euros, in strong growth (over +130%), not only compared to the value recorded last year, but also to that of 2019. More than half of the demand for Italian machinery in Colombia refers to finishing machines.

The presence at Colombiatex of Italian companies with their own personnel is a further sign of confidence for the beginning of 2022. “Compared to previous editions of the event, states Mr. Zucchi, we note a greater number of Italian exhibitors, although the health emergency is far from over and there is great uncertainty characterizing the world economic scenario (due to the considerable increase in the cost of raw materials and shipping, the scarcity of electronic components, etc.). The Italian companies exhibiting in Medellin testify to the optimism with which the entire Italian textile machinery industry is looking towards this 2022 year”.

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.

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.