#ITMA 2019

2017-03-16

ITMA highlights innovation for its second Barcelona edition

ITMA, the world’s largest textile and garment technology showcase will continue its focus on innovation for its upcoming edition in Barcelona in June 2019, with the main theme of the show being ‘Innovating the World of Textiles’.

ITMA 2019 online space application opens in May

Mr Fritz P. Mayer, president of CEMATEX, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers, which owns the ITMA exhibition, explained: “The increasingly high level of automation and digitisation in combination with real time data tracking and interconnection has spawned the 4th industrial revolution and the emergence of smart factories. ITMA is a unique showcase of live machinery demonstrations and innovative solutions that boost productivity and profitability.

“For this latest edition of ITMA, we have chosen to focus the industry’s attention on innovation which creates a competitive advantage for manufacturers. Sustainable innovation that drives growth for the textile and garment industry will continue to be emphasised at the exhibition.”

As many leading textile machinery and raw material manufacturers, and service providers look forward to the exhibition to launch or promote their latest innovations, the organiser of ITMA 2019, ITMA Services, has already been receiving numerous enquiries for participation.

Mr A.E. Roberts, Chairman of ITMA Services, said: “ITMA was last held in Barcelona in 2011. We expect strong response when the exhibition returns to the city after eight years. A host of exciting highlights and knowledge-sharing activities have been planned which give added value to exhibitors and visitors alike.”

ITMA 2019 is expected to feature over 1,500 exhibitors from 45 countries spread over 100,000 square metres of net exhibition space. It will be held from 20 to 26 June at Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via venue.

Online space application will open on 4 May 2017. Interested participants can visit application@itma.com.

The last ITMA exhibition, held in Milan in 2015, featured exhibits from the entire textile and garment making value-chain spread over 108,268 square metres of net exhibition space. It drew the participation of 1691 exhibitors from 46 countries and visitorship of almost 123,000 from 147 countries.

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026 Shanghai showcases intelligent and sustainable manufacturing

From 20 to 24 November 2026, the textile machinery industry will gather in Shanghai for ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026, Asia’s leading business platform for textile machinery, to be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). The exhibition will occupy seven halls, with a total gross exhibition area of about 180,000 square metres. The exhibition has expanded by 10% over the last edition which reflects the continued industry interest in the region.

ITMA 2027 receives strong industry response

ITMA 2027 has unveiled its sector plan, marking progress towards the 2027 edition as planning continues ahead of the show. The ITMA 2027 sector plan covers 12 halls at the Messegelände Hannover venue, spanning over 180,000 square metres, and features 20 sectors of the textile and garment making processes, from spinning to finishing, software and automation, recycling, and fibres, yarns and fabrics.

ITMA 2027 gains strong momentum

In line with the theme "Co-creating the future of textiles", ITMA continues to strengthen its support for start-ups, recognising their role in driving innovation and shaping the future of textile and garment manufacturing. Through the Start-Up Valley, emerging companies gain access to a global marketplace where they can connect with industry leaders, potential partners, investors and customers.

Naia™ from Eastman strengthens western hemisphere textile connections at Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala

As brands and retailers explore more diversified and responsive sourcing networks, the Naia™ brand from Eastman is strengthening its engagement with the textile and apparel value chain across the western hemisphere. From August 18–20, the company will participate for the first time in Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala, a regional meeting point for apparel sourcing, manufacturing and nearshoring.

Dornbirn GFC 2026 expands conference program with new thematic sessions

For 65 years, Dornbirn GFC has stood for innovation and is one of the world’s leading conferences in the fiber industry. From September 16 to 18, 2026, the international fiber community will meet in Dornbirn, Austria, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and forward-looking solutions. More than 600 experts from industry and academia from over 30 countries are expected to attend. With around 100 presentations by renowned speakers, a 2,5-day conference program, and three parallel presentation rooms with moderated sessions, Dornbirn GFC provides a first-class platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and international collaboration. Together, participants will generate ideas and impulses that will sustainably shape the future of the global fiber industry.

Europe is committed to recycling end-of-life wind turbine blades

Starting in 2026, Europe’s wind energy industry has committed itself to ensuring that wind turbine blades do not end up in landfills once they reach the end of their service life. The EU-funded research project REWIND is exploring ways to reuse this composite waste. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are one of 13 project partners from seven countries.

PERFORMANCE DAYS announces new focus topic & forums for October 2026

With its upcoming October 13–14, 2026 edition, PERFORMANCE DAYS is placing the spotlight on one of the textile industry’s most important transformations: “Bio-Based Materials – From Fiber to Fabric”, a two-part Focus Topic exploring the future of bio-based innovation across the textile value chain. Part 1, presented in October 2026, will focus on fibers and next-generation material developments, while Part 2 at the March 2027 edition will shift the perspective toward dyeing, finishing, additives, and processing technologies.