#Business

2021-07-08

Digital trader spotted in China–Middle East & North Africa International Trade Digital Expo

Driven by the needs of international trade, it has become a trend to hold exhibitions online. Organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), China-Middle East & North Africa International Trade Digital Expo 2021 had its grand opening through the digital platform GTW-VE on 15th June 2021. The Expo lasted for 10 days in total and attracted 10,000+ overseas visitors and 10,000+ business enterprises.

Digital Trader (DT), as the only invited B2B trading service provider, utilizes self-developed cutting-edge technologies to offer one-stop trading services. The businesses cover China-sourcing advice, advance settlement, customs clearance, and logistics tracking, etc. Moreover, it provides customized local trade-payment experience in Africa and most countries. The wholesaler could transparently manage the trade with their Chinese-sourcing partners, easily pay, and efficiently get through the customs clearance as well as the shipment on the real-time and visible App.

Themed as "Win-win Cooperation, Practically Advancing China-Africa Economic and Trade Relations", the Expo is held to transform corporate export methods and analyze the "cloud" economic development. It is divided into 6 sessions focusing on specific sectors as follows: Infrastructure and capacity cooperation, agriculture and food, home decoration and building materials, textile and clothing, consumer products, and a special session (China-Turkey).

It is organized for MENA and Chinese suppliers, buyers, investors, and end consumers. During the ten-day event, over 1,000 enterprises mainly from the Middle East & North Africa attended this fair to seek business partnership and trading opportunities. Meanwhile, 10,000+ overseas visitors participated in B2B meetings.

“Thanks to this virtual exhibition organization, both exhibitors and visitors have easy access to different "booths" to seek what they want. During this event, DT feels honored to receive so many calls and inquiries about cross-border business from global traders. In this Post-epidemic era, digital trade allows you to go globally and achieve win-win cooperation.” Says Eddy, Zhou Weihua, the Marketing Director of DT.

Under the new situation, digital trade has not only achieved positive growth in adversity but also played an irreplaceable role in boosting cross-border trade and restructuring the industrial chain. It's the trend of the times to embrace the new pattern of the digital trade.

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.

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.

Sandler turns financial stability into a catalyst for shaping the future

The Sandler Group has presented its financial figures for the past fiscal year (01/01/2025-12/31/2025). Like previous years, the year 2025 was also marked by industry-wide structural challenges and geopolitical uncertainties. Turnover was virtually stable at EUR 321 million (2024: EUR 326 million). High energy costs continue to weigh heavily on profitability. The number of employees was 975 (2024: 980). The family-owned company, which was founded in 1879 and has been run by the fifth generation since August 2025, continues to invest millions in its Schwarzenbach site despite the high production costs in Germany. As part of the long-term corporate strategy, the management team is focusing on strict cost management, further development of the product portfolio, and greater efficiency in production and administrative processes. The company does not expect a market recovery in 2026 and 2027.

Rieter advances strategic repositioning amid market volatility

Rieter successfully completed the acquisition of Barmag on February 2, 2026, and reached an important milestone in the company’s repositioning. Barmag will be integrated into the Rieter Group as the “Man-Made Fiber” Division. With this strategically transformative acquisition, Rieter is expanding its core business beyond the short-staple fiber business in a targeted way. This positions Rieter as the global market leader along the entire value chain for natural and man-made fibers. In addition, as a complete systems supplier, Rieter is further strengthening its technological leadership in the areas of automation and digitization.

Huixing acquires insolvent Mayer & Cie.

Insolvency proceedings for the circular knitting and braiding machine manufacturer Mayer & Cie. were opened on December 1, 2025. Immediately following the opening of proceedings, the complete cessation of business operations was initiated. Most employees were subsequently given notice effective the end of February 2026. The production of the remaining orders in the circular knitting segment is expected to be completed by the end of the month. As early as December 2025, Mayer & Cie.’s braiding machine division was sold to an Italian investor.

Techtextil 2026: KARL MAYER impresses as an innovative sector partner

KARL MAYER looks back with satisfaction on its participation in Techtextil 2026. From April 21 to 24, the international industry leader used the trade show in Frankfurt to meet with numerous key customers at its booth and, at the same time, establish many new contacts. Most visitors came from Germany, followed by major markets such as Poland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, France, and Portugal.

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.