#Associations

2024-05-02

New General Secretary of Cematex

Federico Pellegata has been appointed as the new General Secretary of Cematex, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers. He takes over from Cornelia Buchwalder, to whom goes Cematex thanks for the work done with professionalism and competence.

Federico Pellegata at ITMA 2023 ACIMIT press conference © 2024 TexData International

Federico Pellegata was nominated by the Board of Directors of Cematex on April 11, 2024. He was a longstanding Member of the Cematex Executive Committee since January 1998 to August 2023; he is now CEO of Acimit Servizi.

Cematex is the official representative body for Europe’s national textile machinery associations and is the owner of ITMA, the world’s largest international textile machinery exhibition. The first inaugural show was launched in 1951. Subsequent editions have taken place in Europe, Asia and China.

Over the coming years, Federico Pellegata will support Cematex through a globally challenging period, taking in four major events. ITMA Asia + CITME will be held in Shanghai from October 14 - 18, 2024. This will be followed in 2025 by the ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore from October 28 – 31, 2025 and then by ITMA Asia + CITME 2026 again in Shanghai, culminating again by ITMA in Hannover (September 16 – 22, 2027).

Cematex President, Ernesto Maurer, says: “Cematex is determined to maintain its leadership role for exhibitions, carrying the ITMA brand to partners worldwide today and in the future, including a focus on increasingly digital opportunities. I’m confident that Federico Pellegata long experience in our sector and its exhibitions will contribute to strengthening our industry”.

20 Start-Ups selected for CEMATEX Start-Up Grant at ITMA 2027

CEMATEX has selected 20 emerging start-ups from nine countries to receive the CEMATEX Start-Up Grant and showcase their innovations at Start-Up Valley during ITMA 2027 in Hanover. Their participation will be fully funded by CEMATEX, giving promising early-stage companies access to the world’s leading textile and garment technology platform.

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026 Shanghai showcases intelligent and sustainable manufacturing

From 20 to 24 November 2026, the textile machinery industry will gather in Shanghai for ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026, Asia’s leading business platform for textile machinery, to be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). The exhibition will occupy seven halls, with a total gross exhibition area of about 180,000 square metres. The exhibition has expanded by 10% over the last edition which reflects the continued industry interest in the region.

ITMA 2027 receives strong industry response

ITMA 2027 has unveiled its sector plan, marking progress towards the 2027 edition as planning continues ahead of the show. The ITMA 2027 sector plan covers 12 halls at the Messegelände Hannover venue, spanning over 180,000 square metres, and features 20 sectors of the textile and garment making processes, from spinning to finishing, software and automation, recycling, and fibres, yarns and fabrics.

ITMA 2027 gains strong momentum

In line with the theme "Co-creating the future of textiles", ITMA continues to strengthen its support for start-ups, recognising their role in driving innovation and shaping the future of textile and garment manufacturing. Through the Start-Up Valley, emerging companies gain access to a global marketplace where they can connect with industry leaders, potential partners, investors and customers.

EURATEX urges Member States to prioritise competitiveness in the next EU budget

Ahead of crucial discussions among EU Member States on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034, EURATEX, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation, calls on European leaders to safeguard ambitious funding for industrial competitiveness and ensure that these resources translate into concrete investment support in European companies.

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.

Mahlo introduces AI-supported Orthopac RVMC-20 plus at ITMA Asia 2026

From November 20 to 24, 2026, Mahlo GmbH + Co. KG will present its system portfolio for the textile industry at ITMA Asia in Shanghai. Together with its local sales and service partner Kuantex and Mahlo China, the Bavarian technology specialist will demonstrate at Booth C22 in Hall 7.1 how intelligent measurement and control technology can improve the quality and efficiency of textile production processes. The spotlight will be on the new Orthopac RVMC-20 plus, which combines precise weft straightening with fully integrated process control.

STFI showcases new Textile LAB Professional with focus on climate protection and sustainable technologies

The Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e. V. (STFI) in Chemnitz is organising a themed day on 3 December 2026, focusing on climate protection and the environment. As well as showcasing current applications for green cities and natural fibres for lightweight construction, the event will feature machine demonstrations in the new Textile LAB Professional. Under the motto ‘Design meets Technology’, this networking event will also provide an insight into artistic student projects, thereby facilitating a professional exchange on creative perspectives and modern technologies for climate protection and the environment.