#ITM 2018

2018-04-11

SMIT presents brand-new product SMIT GS980

The new SMIT rapier weaving machine GS980 (c) 2018 SMIT

On the occasion of ITM 2018 SMIT is proud to present the brand-new model of the GS900 series released after the entrance in SANTEX RIMAR GROUP: SMIT GS980.

According to SANTEX RIMAR Group the new SMIT GS980 is the fastest free flight rapier machine of the market and has improved in terms of versatility, performance, production quality, efficiency and sustainability.

The free flight ribbons system marks out SMIT weaving machine since years: smart and flexible, SMIT GS980 has been designed and manufactured in Italy combining some of the most reliable SMIT features with groundbreaking function solutions that make SMIT GS980 an asset that will keep its value for a long time.

Fabrics for apparel, home textile, technical applications and exclusive yarns and patterns can today be woven with excellent quality on SMIT GS980.

2018 represents a significant milestone for SMIT which celebrates 80 years after the foundation in 1938.

The machine name has been given after the 80th anniversary of SMIT which was founded in Italy and soon turned out to be an estimated leading manufacturer of weaving machines.

"SMIT GS980 will bring more value to our customers and the best ratio between productivity versus running costs. At our booth we will be weaving denim, curtains and our famous high-quality terry towel fabric" says Simone Rancan, SMIT CEO, who concludes: "The quality of the fabric produced with our machines has always been a reference for the market and with the new SMIT GS980 we will surely continue to exploit this advantage. The general trend of moving towards productions of higher quality fabrics is already happening and some of our customers at the moment are exploiting some market niches where they can find more profitability: in these circumstances our new SMIT GS980 is the right technology for forward momentum".

"Thanks to SANTEX RIMAR GROUP combined know-how we are committed to innovation and machinery improvement, considering the whole complementary processes and specific customers' needs. During the tradeshow it will be possible to see SMIT GS980 for the first time and meet our staff."

Visit SMIT at ITM 2018 In hall 2 at booth 215a and SANTEX RIMAR GROUP in hall 12 at booth 1206.

High precision in coating and laminating // Cavitec introduces new technology achieving unmatched performance of activewear fabrics

Cavitec stands for high-end machines for coating, laminating, impregnation and is the first choice of prepreg suppliers. The Swiss firm, part of Santex Rimar Group, presents – first time to the public – the redesigned Caviscreen at Techtextil Frankfurt. Caviscreen features latest technology attaining unparalleled results for breathable laminates and offering an interesting cost bonus.

ALADIN paves the way for circular and demand-driven textile production in Europe

Textile production can be organized sustainably by utilizing short supply chains and preventing overproduction. This can already be achieved today by intelligently connecting and efficiently utilizing existing infrastructure. At the same time, production becomes circular when innovative technologies and materials are used that enable high-quality recycling. The ALADIN research project, launched in May 2026 and co-funded with five million euros under the EU Horizon Europe program, is creating the conditions for this.

Katharina Obergruber appointed to the Management Board of Sandler AG

The Supervisory Board of Sandler AG has appointed Katharina Obergruber to the company’s Management Board. Effective September 1, 2026, the Board will consist of Philipp Ebbinghaus (CEO), Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck (currently CCO, future COO), and Katharina Obergruber (CCO). Katharina Obergruber, currently Chief Sales Officer Hygiene and member of the Management Team of Sandler AG, will assume responsibility for all sales activities as Chief Commercial Officer. She will assume this role from Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck, who will focus primarily on production and supply chain topics.

Ence and ShareTex begin initial testing of the ATENEA innovation project to promote textile recycling in Spain

Ence and ShareTex are making progress on the Atenea R&D project, which aims to develop a complete value chain for textile recycling in Spain. Specifically, the goal of the ATENEA project—which is funded by the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI)—is to connect all the necessary stages for the recovery of textile waste, from collection and management, through recycling and transformation into new raw materials, to their incorporation into new textile products.

DePoly Inaugurates its Showcase Plant in Monthey Switzerland

What if used plastic bottles, PET packaging material and polyester textiles could become raw materials just as high performing as virgin resources? That is the ambition of DePoly, a circular materials company based in Sion, Switzerland which inaugurated its Showcase Plant in Monthey on July 6th & 7th. The first depolymerization facility of its kind and scale in Switzerland, this industrial Showcase Plant represents a major milestone in the company's growth and its journey toward commercialization.