#ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore 2025

2025-10-26

Move your business forward – with two new machines for the tricot sector

KARL MAYER is launching two machines that set new standards in performance and cost-effectiveness

TexData-KARL MAYER HKS 4 M EL ECO Maschine © 2025 KARL MAYER

At this year's ITMA ASIA + CITME, KARL MAYER is exhibiting two advanced developments in the field of tricot machines. Both newcomers expand the portfolio with highly practical solutions for increased efficiency and cost-effective production – making the exhibition booth once again a focal point for more than just the warp knitting industry.

New technical concept for elastic fabrics

A particular highlight is a new two-bar machine for the elastic sector. This newcomer is based on an innovative technical concept that builds on the proven platform of KARL MAYER's successful HKS series and enables significantly increased productivity.

The machine's higher performance allows production processes to be made more efficient and unit costs to be reduced. At the same time, the machine delivers the very high product quality required in demanding applications such as athleisure, activewear and intimate apparel.

The concept is also economically convincing: the machine has been designed to offer a balanced combination of performance, flexibility and investment volume.

Details of the technical configuration, concept and performance will be revealed during the trade fair. Visitors can look forward to an exciting event!

A glimpse of what’s to come – KARL MAYER’s latest tricot innovation awaits its world premiere at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 © 2025 KARL MAYER

Versatility and unbeatable value for money

The second machine to be premiered in Singapore is a new top machine of the 4-bar tricot machine range, the HKS 4-M EL ECO. The new member of the medium-stroke sector combines an extremely competitive price-performance ratio with a very high variety of applications.

Maximum flexibility and freedom of patterning are ensured by a 2" shogging distance for all four guide bars, optional multi-speed and an EL pattern drive. Efficient production of trendy fabrics for various applications is made possible by offering diverse variants. There are versions for the textile categories fashion & clothing and footwear as well as equipment with elastic options for the production of sports textiles and elastic outerwear items available.

In addition to the machine’s pattern potential, its cost-effectiveness is right, too. The HKS 4-M EL ECO is a cost-conscious solution with high productivity and offers a price-sensitive investment opportunity in the HKS brand family. The HKS by KARL MAYER stands for the best warp knitting machine in the world. Equipped with the core competence components of the successful series, the HKS 4-M EL ECO produces articles whose quality and fabric appearance are no different from those of its counterparts for the premium market, the HKS 4-M and the HKS 4-M EL.

Visitors to ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 will be able to see this for themselves. At the KARL MAYER stand, an HKS 4-M EL ECO in E 32 will be producing novel and stylish seersucker articles.

KARL MAYER looks forward to welcoming visitors to its stand A 301 in Hall 5 of the Singapore EXPO.

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.

India becomes growth engine for the warp knitting industry

ITMA ASIA 2025 exceeded all expectations for KARL MAYER – above all thanks to the strong interest from India: around 30% of the qualified discussions were held with partners from this traditional textile country. The response underlines the growing importance of the Indian market, which could become the second largest sales region for KARL MAYER after China. The warp knitting industry in particular is developing dynamically.

India ITME Society pushes trade & technology alliances in Singapore

India ITME Society hosted India Networking Program - Fabricating the Future of Textile Industry- From Heritage to High-Tech” on 29th October 2025 at Singapore an exclusive gathering of Ministry of Textile Officials, Embassy Officials, Entrepreneurs, Technocrats, Industry Organizations and Media Personnel's designed to foster collaboration, exchange ideas and explore opportunities in the Indian Textile & Textile Engineering Sector.

Innovation and customer proximity – KARL MAYER’s clear focus makes an impression

ITMA ASIA in Singapore was a resounding success for KARL MAYER, exceeding all expectations. The company welcomed visitors from 39 countries and held around 570 expert discussions. Most guests came from India, followed by China, Indonesia and Pakistan. The exchange with them was both well-founded and targeted. Conversation topics ranged from investment projects and new technologies to opportunities for cooperation and business expansion.

“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.