#Knitting & Hosiery

2019-11-28

KARL MAYER successfully presents Smart Shirt at IDTechEx Show!

Drawing a crowd – Sophia Krinner and the functional warp-knitted textile innovation Smart Shirt at IDTechEx Show! 2019 (c) 2019 Karl Mayer

IDTechEx Show! is a red-letter day for anyone with an interest in new technology. The latest edition of the conference and exhibition even was held on 20 and 21 November 2019 in Santa Clara, USA, and attracted around 3,500 visitors from 60 different countries. Over 270 exhibitors and star speakers from industrial and research backgrounds competed for the guests’ attention on the programme, which included around 270 speeches. The presentations covered all the latest content and issues: energy storage, printed electronics, sensors, the Internet of Things, electro-mobility and wearables.

Pushing the envelope with TEXTILE-CIRCUIT

As an expert partner for the manufacturing of e-textiles, KARL MAYER exhibited at IDTechEx Show! 2019 and gave a presentation on its field of expertise. This was the innovative textile machine manufacturer’s second time at the event, and its staff were very pleased with their positive showing. “The upgrades we’ve made to our 2018 solution allowed us to establish ourselves as a trend-setter when it comes to the direct integration of wires into textiles. This technology just keeps unlocking more and more potential, and there’s a lot of interest in it for practical applications,” said Michael Kieren, Product Manager for New Textile Technologies. Mr Kieren went on to explain that this is a particular important moment to ensure that the company has a presence in the sector, as the textiles industry is providing stiff competition with procedures such as printed electronics.

Integrated conductivity

At IDTechEx Show! 2018, KARL MAYER presented a textile remote control under the name TEXTILE-CIRCUIT. At this year’s event, the renowned manufacturer of textile machines turned up with a smart shirt for measuring vital bodily functions in its suitcase – and much more besides. The sensor monitoring technology for the item of clothing is incorporated directly into the made-to-measure textile during production. The warp knitting machine’s string bar technology allow the manufacturer to adapt the expansion, shape and position of the sensitive areas to suit the requirements of the application at hand. As such, the TEXTILE-CIRCUIT technology offers unrivalled efficiency.

Michael Kieren, Product Developer for Textile Technology Sophia Krinner, and Tony Hooimeijer, President of KARL MAYER North America, enjoyed a thrilling discussion on the innovation, and were delighted to answer questions on the projects that can be jointly developed in the MAKER SPACE at KARL MAYER’s headquarters. Those who came to talk about TEXTILE-CIRCUIT included both big textile companies and customers from the knitwear sector, many of whom were looking to add another string to their bow by setting up an e-textiles segment. “We’ve thrown our hat in the ring and will keep working hard to evolve our TEXTILE-CIRCUIT developments even further,” Sophia Krinner explained. We can’t wait to see what KARL MAYER comes up with for IDTechEx Show! 2020 – or even before!

Yarn Expo Spring 2026 concludes, connecting buyers with innovative selection of sustainable yarns and fibres

Yarn Expo Spring 2026 wrapped up successfully on 13 March, as a record-high of over 600 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions welcomed more than 25,000 visitors from 113 countries and regions. Held across 27,000 sqm in Hall 8.2 of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the fair highlighted the textile industry’s accelerating shift toward a lower-impact, more functional future. Exhibitors presented eco-friendly organic, regenerated and recycled yarns and fibres, alongside innovative options such as sweat-resistant and high-performance materials. A comprehensive fringe programme further enriched the event, offering practical market insights and new networking opportunities.

ANDRITZ at Techtextil 2026: Sustainability and advanced technologies

International technology Group ANDRITZ will be presenting its innovative nonwovens production and textile solutions at Techtextil in Frankfurt, Germany, from April 21 to 24, 2026 (Hall 12, B95). ANDRITZ will focus on technologies for durable and technical nonwovens, sustainable fiber processes, textile recycling, and life-cycle services.

YKK launches “YZiP® Light” aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has launched YZiP® Light, a lightweight aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants, with sales beginning in late March. The introduction of YZiP® Light expands YKK’s zipper portfolio—led by the flagship YZiP® copper alloy zipper—providing customers with greater flexibility to meet diverse garment needs.

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.

Driving WARP KNIT Inspiration

KARL MAYER sees performance fabrics and next-level textile solutions in particular as potential growth drivers for its customers, as a motor for business development and as real game changers for the entire textile industry. Innovation does not happen by chance. It is the result of close exchange with customers & brands, textile expertise and competence in textile machine engineering. This is why KARL MAYER is investing in progress and collaborative development and opening its TEXTILE INNOVATION CEN-TER (TIC) – a place to be for the entire textile world.

KARL MAYER (China) celebrates its 30th anniversary

On February 6, KARL MAYER (China) celebrated the new year and its 30th anniversary. Employees and the management team at the Changzhou location, as well as representatives from management in Germany, Italy, and Hong Kong, were invited to the festivities. A special highlight was the visit by Lutz Wolf, CEO of KARL MAYER.

Textilfabrik 7.0 launched: Mönchengladbach becomes a real-world lab for sustainable textile production

With the official kick-off event of the Textilfabrik 7.0 (T7), a major transformation project for the German textile and apparel industry has been launched in the Monforts Quarter in Mönchengladbach. At the “Textile Roundtable,” an event format organized by the Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier, representatives from industry, research, politics, and the regional economy came together to jointly lay the foundation for CO₂-neutral, circular, and economically viable textile production in Germany.

Future ready nonwovens and fiber processing solutions – Meet Trützschler at Techtextil 2026

From April 21 to 24, 2026, the Trützschler Group will present its future‑ready solutions at Techtextil in Frankfurt, Germany. At Booth C61 in Hall 12.0, Trützschler Nonwovens will showcase its latest developments for efficient nonwovens production, including comprehensive service and consulting solutions. Highlights include the fully upgraded X‑Series nonwoven cards suitable for spunlace, needle‑punching and air‑through bonding (ATB) processes, as well as the T‑ONE digital working environment enhanced with new features. Trützschler Card Clothing will complement the presentation with a new card wire designed with a specially engineered surface for high‑performance nonwoven applications. Visitors can also take a closer look at Trützschler’s complete solution for the recycling of textile waste, TRUECYCLED.

Europe needs tipping point to scale textile-to-textile recycling, BCG and ReHubs say

A new report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and ReHubs, titled “Advancing Textile Circularity – Europe’s textile waste challenge: Scaling Textile-to-Textile requires enabling mechanisms”, highlights the urgent need for systemic action to tackle Europe’s growing textile waste and scale a circular textile economy.