#Associations

2024-08-22

Shipments of new textile machinery rose in most segments in 2023, except in texturing

In 2023, global shipments of new short-staple and long-staple spindles rose by +2% and +5%, respectively, and dropped by -17% for open-end rotors (year-on-year). Deliveries of draw- texturing spindles decreased by -28% while the number of shipped shuttle-less looms rose by +52%. Shipments of large circular knitting machines grew by +17% and shipped flat knitting machines registered a 60%-increase. The sum of all deliveries in the finishing segment remained stable on average.

Results of the 46th ITMF International Textile Machinery shipment statistics

These are the main results of the 46th 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 2023 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 increased by 155 thousand units in 2023 to a level of 9.78 million. Most of the new shipments went to Asia & Oceania (85%) where deliveries have been stable compared to 2022 (+0.1%). Shipment to Europe (incl. Türkiye) and North and Central America decreased by -13% and -27%, respectively, and increased in Africa (+120% to 475 thousand) and South America (+140% to 81 thousand). 85% of shipments to Africa went to Egypt. The six largest investors in the short-staple segment were China, India, Türkiye, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Egypt.

1 million open-end rotors were shipped worldwide in 2023. This represents about 200 thousand units less than recorded in 2022. 85% of global shipments went to Asia & Oceania where deliveries decreased by -19% to 860 thousand. China, India, and Türkiye were the world’s 3 largest investors in rotors and saw investments drop by -4%, -24% and -20%, respectively. Deliveries decreased in all major destination countries except for Brazil and Mexico, the 5th and 7th largest destinations in 2023, where shipment rose by +20% and +46% compared to 2022.

Global shipments of long-staple (wool) spindles increased to 98 thousand unit in 2023 (+5%). This positive effect was driven by a rise in deliveries to Europe (incl. Türkiye) and South America where 25 and 1.6 thousand units were shipped, respectively. 31% of total deliveries were shipped to China, 29% to Türkiye, and 19% to Iran.

Texturing Machinery

Global shipments of single heater draw-texturing spindles (mainly used for polyamide filaments) decreased by -33% from nearly 65 thousand units in 2022 to 43 thousand units in 2023. With a share of 97%, Asia & Oceania remained the strongest destination for single heater draw-texturing spindles in 2023. China, Türkiye, and India were the 3 main investors in this segment with shares of global deliveries of 90%, 2,6%, and 2,3%, respectively.

In the category of double heater draw-texturing spindles (mainly used for polyester filaments), global shipments decreased by -27% to a level of 550 thousand spindles. Asia’s share of worldwide shipments increased to 97% and China continued to be the world’s largest investor, accounting for 91% of global shipments.

Weaving Machinery

In 2023, global shipments of shuttle-less looms increased by +52% to 171 thousand units. Deliveries in the categories “air-jet” and “water-jet” grew by 34% and +96% to 53 and 92 thousand looms, respectively. The number of “rapier and projectile” looms rose by +0.1% to 27 thousand units. The main destination for shuttle-less looms was Asia & Oceania with 96% of worldwide deliveries. 97%, 85%, and 99% of global air-jet, rapier/projectile, and water-jet looms were shipped to the region, respectively. The main investor for air-jet and water-jet looms was China. The main investor for rapier-and-projectile looms was India with 10 thousand units (despite a - 8% decrease compared to 2022).

Circular & Flat Knitting Machinery

Global shipments of large circular knitting machines grew by +17% to 33 thousand units in 2023. The region Asia & Oceania was the world’s leading investor in this category with 86% of global shipments. China was the favored destination with 63% of all deliveries (18’476 units), an increase of +86% compared to 2022. India and Türkiye ranked second and third destinations with 4’195 and 1’367 shipped units, respectively.

The number of shipped electronic flat knitting machines increased by +61% to 177 thousand machines in 2023. The growth was driven by Asia & Oceania which received 92% of world shipments. Shipments to other regions decreased except for Europe (incl. Türkiye), where 650 units were delivered. China remained the world’s largest investor with a +82%-share of total shipments.

Finishing Machinery

In the “fabrics continuous” segment, the number of shipped stenters increased by +3% from 1’780 units in 2022 to 1’833 units in 2023. This number includes an estimate for the total number of stenters shipped by companies which have not participated to the ITMF survey. Participating companies reported mixed results for all other machines in this category (between a decrease of -42% for relax dryers/tumblers and an increase of +103% for bleaching-line). In the “fabrics discontinuous” segment, the number of “jigger dyeing / beam dyeing” and “air jet dyeing” shipped in 2023 dropped by -8% and -0.3% to 715 and 772 units, respectively. Deliveries in the categories “overflow dyeing” rose by +4.2% to 2’122 units.

Business situation weakens slightly, but the industry stays cautiously optimistic

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has published the results of its 39th Global Textile Industry Survey (GTIS), conducted from 14 to 22 July 2026 among companies along the entire global textile value chain. Worldwide, 10% of participants rated their business situation as good, 53% as satisfactory and 37% as bad — a balance of -26pp, down from -17pp in May but still well above the 2023 lows. All regions are now in negative territory, from South Asia at -3pp to North & Central America at -58pp.

Meadow Grove Research joins ITMF as Corporate Member

Meadow Grove Research is a commodity research firm specializing in supply, demand, and trade analysis in cotton and other soft commodities. Providing clarity to the complex nature of the global fiber supply chain is one of its most formidable services. The firm thrives on customer engagement and providing the best framework for critical decisions.

Results of the 38th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey

The global textile industry appears to be turning a corner, but this is more likely a fragile and possibly temporary improvement than the start of a durable recovery. According to the 38th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey, conducted worldwide during the second half of May 2026, business sentiment, order intake, order backlogs and capacity utilization all improved versus March — yet every indicator remains weak by historical standards, and rising costs cast doubt on how long the upturn can last.

Italian textile machinery orders show quarterly recovery in Q2 2026

In the period between April and June 2026, order intake for Italian textile machinery manufacturers showed mixed but encouraging signals for the second half of the year. The order index at constant prices stood at 46.6 points (taking 2021=100 as the base year), showing a slight decrease of 3% compared to the same quarter of 2025. This trend was largely due to the contraction recorded in the domestic market, which fell by 25% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

Sustainability: European industry calls on EU to keep Single-Use Plastics Directive unchanged

A broad coalition of European industry associations, including EDANA, Euratex and Plastics Europe, has urged EU institutions to maintain the current legal framework of the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD). In a joint statement, the organisations argue that reopening the Directive at this stage would create legal uncertainty, increase regulatory complexity and undermine investment, while its implementation across the European Union is still incomplete.

SHIMA SEIKI brings new flat knitting technologies to FEBRATEX 2026

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Brazilian representative BRASTEMA TECNOLOGIA TEXTIL LTDA., will exhibit at the Brazilian Textile Industry Fair (FEBRATEX 2026) this month. On display will be a roundup of SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting technology, represented by WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines featuring a brand-new model with high productivity and excellent cost performance, a glove knitting machine and the latest digital solutions.

Lenzing reports improved half-year results and advances strategic transformation

Despite a persistently challenging market environment in the first half of 2026, characterized by volatile energy and raw material prices, subdued global consumer demand and intensified competition from Asia, the Lenzing Group significantly improved its financial performance. Net result after tax more than doubled to EUR 35.6 million, compared with EUR 15.2 million in the first half of 2025. Free cash flow increased to EUR 45.8 million, while EBITDA amounted to EUR 239.2 million. Revenue totaled EUR 1.27 billion, compared with EUR 1.34 billion in the previous year.

Trützschler’s latest spinning and card clothing innovations at CAITME 2026

From September 8 to 10, 2026, Trützschler will present its latest innovations in spinning and card clothing for state-of-the-art fiber processing at CAITME in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visitors are invited to meet the experts at Pavilion 2, Booth D50 and explore solutions designed to increase productivity, streamline processes, and ensure consistently high yarn quality. Key topics include the next-generation card TC 30i, the integrated draw frame IDF 3, the high-performance comber TCO 21XL as well as Trützschler Card Clothing’s new flat top series STEELTOP®.