#Knitting & Hosiery

2019-09-06

Shima Seiki selected by Japanese government for undertaking sustainable development goals

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan has been selected by the Cabinet Office public relations office of the government of Japan as one of several innovative companies effectively undertaking Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations as a global agenda.

At the 74th session of The United Nations General Assembly scheduled to convene in September 2019, the SDG Summit will review progress of implementation of SDGs by each participating government. As part of the Cabinet Office's effort in promoting the country's advanced technology as it pertains to SDGs leading up to the Summit, SHIMA SEIKI has been selected for its solutions in sustainable consumption and production made possible with its combination of WHOLEGARMENT knitting machines and design system.

The impact that the apparel industry has on the environment is now being addressed as a global problem affecting the future of the planet we live on. Much of the trouble stems from waste in manufacturing, and waste in consumption—whether too much or lack thereof.

Addressing these problems is SHIMA SEIKI's WHOLEGARMENT knitting machines. Whereas conventional knit manufacturing methods consist of separate parts being knit then cut and sewn together, WHOLEGARMENT knitting is capable of producing an entire garment without seams, using only the amount of yarn required to knit that item.

In addition, by utilizing the company's SDS-ONE APEX series 3D design system in product planning and design, photorealistic simulations can be used as virtual samples that can replace actual knit production in the sample-making process that consumes a major portion of time, cost and material used within the apparel supply chain. Moreover, virtual samples can be used at the retail level to gauge consumer acceptance of upcoming products, data for which can be used in forecasting demand. Such feedback can be used to adjust production volume and optimize inventory, preventing leftover stock that would otherwise go to waste.

The combination of WHOLEGARMENT knitting and virtual sampling provides a new manufacturing model that can shorten the production cycle significantly and realizes sustainable consumption and production.

SHIMA SEIKI's solution can be viewed here:

https://Bloomberg.com/ad/japangov/3dknitting

SHIMA SEIKI to show complete knitting and cutting workflow at ITM 2026

Leading computerized flat knitting technology provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Turkish representative TETAS IC VE DIS TICARET A.S., will participate in the ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition in Istanbul, Türkiye this month with a full product lineup. In addition to flat knitting machines and design software, visitors will also have the opportunity to experience the full range of SHIMA SEIKI textile machinery with its automatic cutting machine exhibit, all geared toward the fashion apparel market as well as non-apparel related businesses.

Shima Seiki showcases WHOLEGARMENT® and 3D knitting solutions for technical textiles at Techtextil 2026

Leading textile technology solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, along with its Italian subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI ITALIA S.p.A., will be participating in the Techtextil 2026 exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany next month. On display will be WHOLEGARMENT® and other advanced three-dimensional knitting applications across a wide range of industries besides fashion apparel that are not typically associated with knitting, such as technical textiles using industrial materials and advanced three-dimensional knitting.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at GMMSA Expo India

Leading Japanese computerized flat knitting technologist SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Indian sales representative Universal MEP Projects & Engineering Services, Ltd., will participate in the upcoming Garments Machinery Manufacturers & Suppliers Association (GMMSA) Expo India 2026 exhibition to be held in Ludhiana, India next month. Through its lineup at GMMSA, SHIMA SEIKI aims to further strengthen its presence within the Indian market with an exhibit that caters to diverse needs, consisting of seam-free WHOLEGARMENT® knitting technology as well as a brand-new shaping machine with high productivity and excellent cost performance.

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.

GenuTrace client advisory: Is your cotton supply chain UFLPA ready?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released updated operational guidance (CBP Publication No. 5560-0526) expanding its forced labor enforcement framework. The guidance supersedes the original 2022 UFLPA Operational Guidance and now covers all forced labor enforcement authorities — UFLPA, CAATSA, and WROs/Findings — in a single unified document. For cotton importers, the enforcement posture has not softened. It has become more structured, more documented, and more demanding. Learn more about UFLPA.

TERNAfil wins first place at PitchMiUp Night 2026 in Minden

The RWTH spin-off TERNAfil has developed MAXCarbon, a new high-performance hybrid fibre that combines the mechanical performance of carbon with the temperature and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials. For this development, TERNAfil was awarded first prize at the PitchMiUp Night in Minden on 21 May 2026.