#Techtextil 2022

2022-07-07

Many visitors and in-depth conversations - Successful Techtextil for the KARL MAYER Group

Karl Mayer booth at Techtextil (c) 2022 Karl Mayer

The KARL MAYER Group draws an extremely positive conclusion after its participation in the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt am Main. From June 21 to 24 2022 the global player presented itself as an innovative partner in the production of high-performance textiles and showed innovative samples and application examples from its warp knitting and flat knitting departments. Apart from the last day, the KARL MAYER stand was well attended throughout.

Most of the guests came from Germany and from the neighboring countries of Switzerland and Austria. Important visitor nations were also India, Turkey, the USA, Italy, Portugal and Korea.

The atmosphere on the KARL MAYER stand was exceptionally good. "The trade visitors were very interested and were looking forward to the exchange after the long Corona break," said Jochen Schmidt. The President of KARL MAYER Technische Textilien and his team held intensive technical discussions about textile solutions for relevant challenges of our time. Topics included sustainable composites made from natural fibers - a snowboard was exhibited for this purpose - and textile products for water treatment, e.g. by filtration or seawater desalination, but also about textiles for higher-quality and more sustainable construction. Here, warp knitted fabrics with weft insertion have already become firmly established.

There was also great interest in solutions from the world of new technologies: in a warp knitted fabric with directly integrated electrically conductive material that can be used for gesture control, and in a sports shirt with 3D printing. The 3D printing process can be integrated inline into series production.

The STOLL team also had their hands full at the KARL MAYER stand. Many existing customers, particularly from the medical, shoe and automotive sectors, had come to find out about the latest flat knitting innovations. In addition, curious visitors looking for new business fields as well as sportswear and fashion brands had a wide range of questions. They all found what they were looking for. STOLL had a wide range of technical knitwear in its trade fair luggage, including form-knitted seat covers, innovative articles for bandage technology and the latest shoe uppers that meet 100% of the required sustainability expectations.

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.

Object Carpet tests production of rPET BCF yarn on Neumag BCF line

In a joint project with Object Carpet GmbH, Denkendorf; the Institute for Textile Technology (ITA), Augsburg; and Next Generation Recyclingmaschinen GmbH (NGR), Feldkirchen, Austria, Barmag investigated the processing of recycled polyester for BCF yarn. The goal was to evaluate the fundamental suitability of 100% recycled carpet material for reuse in carpet yarn production to create a closed-loop system in carpet manufacturing. To date, commercial rPET BCF processes have been based solely on rPET from bottle pellets.

MEL Composites supports ELA Aviation with advanced composite materials

MEL Composites is supplying advanced composite materials and process consumables to ELA Aviation for the production of its next-generation gyroplanes. The collaboration underlines MEL Composites’ growing role in advanced aerospace mobility, providing lightweight materials designed to improve aircraft performance, manufacturing efficiency and structural reliability.

Yarns and technologies in symbiosis: Biella Yarn presents Fall/Winter 2027/2028 collection “New Romance_”

Biella Yarn, the flat knitting brand of Suedwolle Group, launches new Fall/Winter 2027/2028 collection, inspired by the symbiosis of yarns and technologies – elements that blend, adapt and evolve together, forming something new without losing their origin. The name “Neu Romance_” reflects the emotional and neurological dimension of the yarns: a connection that engages the senses, experienced through material, touch and interaction. The collection is further brought to life through design collaborations, featuring selected yarns used in different design approaches.