#ITMA 2015

2015-10-15

ITMA newcomer RSG revolutionizes textile process automation

RSG Automation Technics GmbH & Co. KG, located within the high-tech metropolitan region of Stuttgart, presents for the first time at the ITMA in Milano unique specialized machinery, which redefine the term "automation" in textile industry.

With many years of know-how, gained over 30 years of company tradition, RSG offers its customers today innovative textile machinery with which process costs are significantly reduced and thus product quality and production volume significantly increased. For this purpose RSG offers tailor-made solutions and provides customer support from basic concept preparation to assembly and start-up of the machine entirely assembled in Germany. Additionally, software is developed and optimized at RSG according to customer requests and ideas. World-wide service and lasting customer support top off the deal. RSG does not deliver standard facilities, but rather adaptations of all machines to customer processes and products, which can be both fully and semi-automated. Concepts extend from solutions for narrow fabrics of any kind, such as belts and straps, to technical textiles, such as filter, felts, and fleeces, as well as confectioning optimization in the domain of home textiles.

RSG also offers patented monitoring techniques for different sewing processes, which entirely secures sewing. All upstream and downstream processes (sewing, welding, ultrasound, laser applications, printing, winding, packaging, etc.) that are available on the market can be integrated into the overall process. With RSG, textile enterprises can safeguard their production location even in intensive labor cost countries in the long run, and can still position themselves successfully in the market. You can find RSG at the ITMA in Hall 7 – Stand B118.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“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.

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.