#Knitting & Hosiery

2023-05-24

KARL MAYER GROUP and Lenzing Group collaborate to empower sustainable and aesthetic innovations in flat and warp knits

STOLL Knitting Machine - by KARL MAYER GROUP

KARL MAYER GROUP, a world leader in textile machinery and Lenzing Group, a leading global producer of wood-based specialty fibers, have formed a strategic partnership. The aim of the cooperation is to create a more environmentally friendly textile value chain: The cooperation is intended to increase the proportion of botanic and biodegradable as well as fossil-free materials used in the production of textiles on both warp knitting and flat knitting machines.

In the warp knitting sector, the use of up to 100 % botanic and biodegradable fibers and filament yarns - specifically TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers and TENCEL™ Lyocell filament yarn - is targeted. The sustainable products should also convince with an appealing look. The processing of sustainable materials can create additional possibilities in terms of performance and appearance of warp knitted fabrics.

The processing of carbon-zero TENCEL™ branded fibers on STOLL machines in the production of fully fashioned flat knitted articles ensures less environmental impact in flat knitting sector. The special, low-waste knitting process was used to produce an ultra-fine flat knitted fabric on gauge 20 machines suitable for the production of underwear. The fully fashioned process is new in this field. Usually, the process steps of cutting and sewing are part of the production of underwear.

Arno Gärtner, CEO of KARL MAYER GROUP © 2023 KARL MAYER

With this focus on cooperation, the KARL MAYER GROUP and Lenzing are offering manufacturers new perspectives. By using botanic and fossil-free fibres during the production process, they can achieve extremely low CO2 emissions and thus meet the consumer behaviour of today's consumers, who are paying increasing attention to the environmental impact of the products they buy. “The KARL MAYER GROUP is a leading manufacturer of textile machinery and always has its finger on the pulse of its markets. In addition to productivity, sustainability has become a key success factor for our customers. We work with pioneers throughout the textile value chain to provide them with solutions that have a low environmental impact. Yarn is particularly important in this respect. Recycled man-made fibres can be used with high efficiency on our machines. We want to expand the range of materials that can be processed to include petroleum-free yarn variants through our cooperation with Lenzing. In addition to more sustainability, this will also open up the potential for new product developments,” explained Arno Gärtner, CEO of KARL MAYER GROUP.

As a strategic collaboration between KARL MAYER GROUP and Lenzing, the partnership represents an important step by the two companies in guiding the industry towards a more sustainable future and underscores their commitment to empowering partners in the textile chain with value-added solutions and innovation in reducing the carbon footprint of their supply chains. “As a key player in the industry, Lenzing continues to join hands with like-minded partners to pioneer solutions that improve the quality of textile products and enable the ongoing sustainable development and growth of the industry. Through this partnership with the KARL MAYER GROUP, we will inspire the textile value chain to take proactive steps towards achieving their climate goals with easier adoption of botanic and biodegradable materials, meeting the needs of brands and consumers who are looking for eco-conscious products,” said Florian Heubrandner, Vice President Global Textiles Business at Lenzing.

Warp Knitting Machine - by KARL MAYER GROUP © 2023 KARL MAYER

The KARL MAYER GROUP and Lenzing will be showcasing a series of concept products, technical samples and fabrics at the upcoming ITMA 2023 tradeshow in booths (Hall 2-E212 and Hall 4-B-119) to illustrate the potential of knitting innovation leveraged through the collaboration. From then onwards, textile value chain partners can contact Lenzing and KARL MAYER GROUP to discuss how to achieve greater sustainability in their own operations.

Florian Heubrandner, Vice President of Global Textiles Business, Lenzing AG © 2023 Lenzing

TENCEL™ lyocell filament yarn © 2023 Lenzing

The new RDJ 7/3 defines the design footprint of modern athletic shoes

Stylish, functional, and efficient to produce – spacer fabrics are the all-arounders among textile materials. These versatile fabrics are particularly in demand in the sports and casual footwear sector, as they combine comfort, breathability, and design freedom. At the same time, this industry is trend-driven, dynamic, and price-sensitive like few others. Innovations are therefore a decisive factor for success. With the RDJ 7/3, KARL MAYER offers a solution specifically tailored to these requirements. The particular strength of the new double raschel machine: its exceptional flexibility, thanks to its three jacquard bars.

More Jacquard. More functionality. More fashion.

With the addition of another member to its successful RASCHELTRONIC® family, KARL MAYER is opening up new possibilities for creative product development for warp knitting mills and brands. The RJ 4/2 EL offers with two stitch-forming Jacquard bars entirely new design options for functional sportswear and bi-elastic lingerie. Available in gauges E 28 and E 32, this new model helps manufacturers set their collections apart from the competition. The fine E-32 gauges, in particular, impress with their clean surface, a pleasantly soft feel, and an exceptionally elegant look.

KARL MAYER's HKS 2-SE Expands Possibilities for Premium Stretch WARP KNITS

Warp knitted fabrics with a woven look are more in demand than ever in the fashion and apparel industries. Stretch WARP KNITS, in particular, impress with their freedom of movement, breathability, and virtually wrinkle-free wear – thereby opening up new style worlds such as smart casual or business casual. When it comes to the highly efficient production of premium-quality stretch WARP KNITS, the HKS 2-SE has long been the machine of choice. KARL MAYER’s best-selling tricot machine produces standard elastic fabrics characterized by high gauges, smooth, delicate surfaces, and a soft hand feel.

SHIMA SEIKI brings new flat knitting technologies to FEBRATEX 2026

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Brazilian representative BRASTEMA TECNOLOGIA TEXTIL LTDA., will exhibit at the Brazilian Textile Industry Fair (FEBRATEX 2026) this month. On display will be a roundup of SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting technology, represented by WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines featuring a brand-new model with high productivity and excellent cost performance, a glove knitting machine and the latest digital solutions.

Lenzing reports improved half-year results and advances strategic transformation

Despite a persistently challenging market environment in the first half of 2026, characterized by volatile energy and raw material prices, subdued global consumer demand and intensified competition from Asia, the Lenzing Group significantly improved its financial performance. Net result after tax more than doubled to EUR 35.6 million, compared with EUR 15.2 million in the first half of 2025. Free cash flow increased to EUR 45.8 million, while EBITDA amounted to EUR 239.2 million. Revenue totaled EUR 1.27 billion, compared with EUR 1.34 billion in the previous year.

Trützschler’s latest spinning and card clothing innovations at CAITME 2026

From September 8 to 10, 2026, Trützschler will present its latest innovations in spinning and card clothing for state-of-the-art fiber processing at CAITME in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visitors are invited to meet the experts at Pavilion 2, Booth D50 and explore solutions designed to increase productivity, streamline processes, and ensure consistently high yarn quality. Key topics include the next-generation card TC 30i, the integrated draw frame IDF 3, the high-performance comber TCO 21XL as well as Trützschler Card Clothing’s new flat top series STEELTOP®.

BICO BCF yarn delivers impressive performance in field testing

In a joint development project with other partners, Barmag and Object Carpet have successfully tested BICO BCF yarn in the carpet manufacturing process. The results show that this innovative yarn technology offers significant performance advantages and opens up new possibilities for recycling-oriented carpet constructions.