#ITMA Asia + CITME 2020

2021-03-18

High-tech solutions for the textile industry in Asia

KARL MAYER will once again be presenting itself as a pioneer of digitalisation at ITMA ASIA + CITME, located in Hall 4, Stand A 32. The innovative market leader offers innovative digital solutions for all its machine segments, enabling customers to benefit from unprecedented flexibility, efficiency and, above all, independence.

These digital trendsetting offers will be the focus for each of the three powerful brands in the expanding Group: KARL MAYER, KM.ON and – most recently – STOLL. For the first time in Asia, KARL MAYER will be exhibiting machines with the highest market relevance for both warp knitting and flat knitting. "The upcoming ITMA ASIA+CITME is a very special trade show for us in two respects. After a long pause in face to face communicaton, we are looking forward to exchanging ideas with our customers in person again in China, our most important market. In addition, this is our first trade fair appearance together with STOLL. Visitors from both the warp knitting and flat knitting sectors, as well as from the warp preparation and technical textiles sectors, will be able to find out all about the opportunities for new business, stronger market positions and optimized production processes," said Arno Gärtner, CEO of the KARL MAYER Group.

On show at the exhibition stand will be an HKS, two machines from the ADF family and a new flat knitting machine for the volume market. All models offer unique possibilities thanks to digital features that keep the customer one step ahead when it comes to modern production processes. For visitors from the field of weaving, KARL MAYER will be exhibiting the ISODIRECT beam warping machine with an excellent price-performance ratio.

KARL MAYER founded KM.ON to develop pioneering digital products. The company’s own software start-up made its first major market appearance at ITMA ASIA + CTME in 2018, and this time round, it will showcase new and enhanced digital solutions that are highly effective in helping customers do business.

The possibilities afforded by digitalisation are also a pillar of Care Solutions, KARL MAYER’s new concept for an even more comprehensive, focused and solution-oriented after-sales service. The SPARE PARTS WEBSHOP is part of this. The procurement tool is already well established on the market and can now also be used to procure electronic lapping data. The SwapKnit 36 and SwapKnit 36 Flat have been developed for this purpose and will be presented at ITMA ASIA + CITME.

In addition, an exclusive textile and application demonstration on the KARL MAYER stand will open up new market opportunities for visitors. Highlights include high-performance geotextiles and construction textiles for manufacturers of technical textiles, on-trend warp knitted fabrics for brands and fabric producers from the sportswear, underwear and fashion sectors, and denim fabrics through which KARL MAYER demonstrates its strength in indigo dyeing.

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.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.

TM WEFT, 270" – More width, more design freedom for the fashion world

KARL MAYER is expanding its successful TM WEFT series with an innovative model that opens up new possibilities, particularly in the fashion & apparel sectors. With a working width of 270", this new machine with weft-insertion not only offers significantly higher output than its narrower counterparts but is also specifically tailored to the demands of dynamic clothing market – particularly in China and Türkiye. A well-thought-out upgrade also ensures even greater design versatility.

New spinning package with two-step filtration for recycled yarns and more

At the ITM in Istanbul, BB Engineering unveiled its new, patented ValuePack spinning package for the first time, which features a two-stage filtration system. This is particularly beneficial for re-cycling processes. Until now, spinning packs have used either metal powder (“sand”) or filter candles as filter media. Both options are suitable for differ-ent applications, and each has its own specific advantages and dis-advantages.

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.

Mongolia: Workshop on Italian textile technologies kicks off in Ulaanbaatar

The workshop dedicated to Italian textile technologies will kick off in Ulaanbaatar from 21 to 23 June 2026. Focused on the most advanced innovative solutions for the textile industry, the initiative will bring together 13 Italian textile machinery manufacturers, confirming the growing interest in strengthening industrial cooperation between the two countries and highlighting Mongolia’s strategic importance for Italian textile machinery producers.

The textile industry in transition

Recycling, traceability, eco-design and digitalisation are among the key future challenges facing the European textile industry. The Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity, involving 21 partners from twelve countries, is investigating the skills required to address these challenges. As the German industry partner, the Industry Association for Finishing – Yarns – Fabrics – Technical Textiles (IVGT) is bringing the industry’s perspective to the project.