#ITMA 2015

2015-10-15

Graf at ITMA 2015 in Milan

The new X-Comb segments can improve the combing process. (c) Graf + Cie AG

The company Graf, located in Rapperswil near Zurich, is the leading manufacturer of clothings for flat cards and roller cards. Graf will introduce several innovative solutions at ITMA in Milan. The new HiTop flat allows higher production rates due to reduced carding strain in critical area of clothing. It is divided in three zones with progressive setting and stays noticeably cleaner.

Innovations in combers and clothings

The new designed durelastic foundation results in an improved positioning of the flat teeth. In addition the carding gap can be controlled much better throughout lifetime of the clothing. Graf will also present new products for the combing process. The X-Comb segments can be used on comb-bodies from other manufacturers and thus makes now the leading Graf technology also accessible in segments. The comb-segments made of steel undergo a special surface treatment, which eliminates the need for a running-in period – production can start immediately.

In addition the mounting of the comb segments is fast, easy and secure. As a result the productivity increases. Due to the low weight of the comb-segments combing becomes faster and the energy consumption is reduced. Graf will have an additional, separate booth in the nonwoven section of ITMA 2015, where it will welcome visitors and clients from the nonwoven industry. The well-known range of products for application in the production of nonwoven articles will be presented. Special emphasis will be on the Hipro-range of metallic card clothings, recently introduced to the industry and well-proven.

Nico Pedretti appointed as Managing Director Graf Group

As of June 1, 2026, Nico Pedretti has assumed the role of Managing Director Graf Group. With more than 20 years of international industrial experience and extensive expertise in Operations, Supply Chain Management, Finance and Controlling, he brings a broad range of leadership and business experience to support Graf’s continued success.

GenuTrace client advisory: Is your cotton supply chain UFLPA ready?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released updated operational guidance (CBP Publication No. 5560-0526) expanding its forced labor enforcement framework. The guidance supersedes the original 2022 UFLPA Operational Guidance and now covers all forced labor enforcement authorities — UFLPA, CAATSA, and WROs/Findings — in a single unified document. For cotton importers, the enforcement posture has not softened. It has become more structured, more documented, and more demanding. Learn more about UFLPA.

STOLL: Agreement signed for the divestiture of selected assets

In early 2025, KARL MAYER announced its strategic decision to focus on its core business areas of WARP KNITTING, WARP PREPARATION, and TECHNICAL TEXTILES. As part of this move, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand was discontinued and the production site in Reutlingen was closed in October 2025.

TERNAfil wins first place at PitchMiUp Night 2026 in Minden

The RWTH spin-off TERNAfil has developed MAXCarbon, a new high-performance hybrid fibre that combines the mechanical performance of carbon with the temperature and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials. For this development, TERNAfil was awarded first prize at the PitchMiUp Night in Minden on 21 May 2026.