#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.

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.