#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.

KARL MAYER opens a new TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE – a new era of textile innovation begins

KARL MAYER is opening its new TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE (TIC), sending a strong signal that it is driving textile innovation forward and opening up new perspectives for the textile industry. The TIC brings together the latest developments in Warp Knitting, Technical Textiles and Warp Preparation – KARL MAYER’s core areas of expertise.

Proven performance, optimised costs – the new RE 6 EL

Nowadays textile companies increasingly need to produce small production runs and respond to market changes with instantaneous pattern changes in order to operate profitably – meaning they require machines that offer maximum flexibility, reliability and cost efficiency. KARL MAYER understands the challenges of the market and is launching its new RE 6 EL. The Raschel machine offers the core strengths of the classic RSE 6 EL and essentially the same performance parameters, but has been further cost-optimised largely due to local production advantages. This makes the newcomer an efficiency champion in production, especially when it comes to frequent pattern changes.

“Action helps us change what we do!”

DAY 0 takes place deliberately before PERFORMANCE DAYS begins. It is conceived as a space for reflection, dialogue and active engagement — a moment to pause before the fair, rethink established systems and address sustainability not as a trend, but as a fundamental transformation challenge. Under the guiding metaphor “Turn the Tap Off”, DAY 0 focuses on root causes rather than symptoms, systemic change rather than isolated solutions, and collective responsibility rather than individual silos.

Pets in fashion: functional and sustainable textiles find new market at Intertextile Apparel

China’s pet economy is booming, especially amongst younger generations, and pet apparel – from designer outfits to functional garments – was a RMB 3.5 billion (over USD 500 million) market in 2024, growing more than 20% annually¹. To help exhibitors harness this trend, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2026 will launch the Pet Boutique, presenting a range of innovative, sustainable materials that prioritise both functionality and comfort for pets.

VAUDE eliminates PFAS from all products

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are now detectable worldwide – in drinking water, soil and the human body. These so-called “forever chemicals” are considered hazardous to health and potentially carcinogenic, as they do not break down and remain in the environment permanently. Despite these risks, PFAS are still used in a wide range of products. More than 15 years ago, VAUDE made a strategic decision to gradually eliminate PFAS from all product categories.

Lenzing AG to become majority owner of TreeToTextile AB and accelerates industrialization of new fibers

The Lenzing Group is taking another strategic milestone by acquiring a controlling majority in the Swedish innovation company TreeToTextile AB. This step strengthens Lenzing’s position as a leading provider of sustainable, wood‑based specialty fibers and expands its innovation pipeline with a highly scalable, patent‑protected technology platform. The transaction is executed through the issuance of new shares.