#Knitting & Hosiery

2024-10-24

Benefit from the growing trend for sun protection

KARL MAYER has developed sun protection textiles that strike a chord with the times like no other comparable product. The innovative articles are produced on an HKS 2-S in the new fineness E 44, guaranteeing an excellent Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) and offering unique wearing comfort. In addition, with a daily output of 200 kg of fabric the productivity of the HKS 2-S is just perfect. With this performance, the E 44 tricot machine is set to new trends, particularly in the outdoor fashion sector, and was a highlight at the KARL MAYER stand at the recently concluded ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 in Shanghai.

The comfortable sun protection fabrics from an HKS 2-S, new in E 44, giving new drive to outdoor fashion © 2024 KARL MAYER

“Our E44 tricot machine and its products for the Outdoor sector underlined by its excellent UVA protection, to has peaked great interests among trade fair visitors,” says Xu Ying, Regional Product Owner Tricot machines at KARL MAYER (CHINA), during the trade fair.

This is not without reason. Temperatures are continuing to rise worldwide. In the summer of 2024, the Copernicus Climate Change Service registered the hottest June, August and day since records began. /1/

Effective sun protection during outdoor activities is therefore becoming increasingly important, especially for mountain sports. When hiking, climbing, or cycling, UV radiation increases by 2 to 3 % with every meter of altitude. At an altitude of 2,000 meters, there is already around 40 % more electromagnetic radiation. /2/

Sun protection products are therefore booming. In China, it is estimated that the market for UV protection products will grow from USD 10.3 billion in 2023 to USD 95.8 billion in 2026. Sun protection clothing in particular is extremely popular. On the e-commerce platform Taobao, sales of items from this segment for women amounted to a quarter of the total annual turnover for 2023 in May 2024. /3/ So it's no wonder that the HKS 2-S in E 44 with its extraordinary products was a top topic of the KARL MAYER presentation at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024!

The smooth fabrics make outdoor fashion of a completely new quality possible. For outdoor activities in particular, the fine warp-knitted fabrics offer two decisive advantages compared to their circular knit counterparts with an almost identical fabric weight: their breathability is around 30% higher, making them significantly more comfortable to wear in terms of clothing physiology, and they absorb the sun's UV rays better. Due to the dense structure, the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) is more than twice as high. The lightweight textiles also show how a note of luxury, familiar from high-end clothing, can bring a touch of pep to the outdoor area. The soft fabrics are smooth, cool and silky against the skin, do not crease when worn and are highly resistant to pilling. And they ensure a carefree stay outdoors!

And they ensure a carefree stay outdoors!

Demonstration of sun protection fabrics at KARL MAYER booth at ITMA Asia + CITME 2024 © 2024 KARL MAYER

KARL MAYER is looking forward to lively discussions about the development of new product ranges with its customers, but also with international sportswear brands. “We, Global Business Development at KARL MAYER, can push communication and collaboration with the brands. We offer a comprehensive range of expertise and equipment to support the successful development and implementation of innovations within Textiles," says Rachael Higgins, Vice President Global Business Development at KARL MAYER.

/1/https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/panorama/klimawandel-sommer-wetter-hitze-hoechstwert-copernikus-100.html

/2/https://www.wetter.de/cms/uv-index-wo-und-wann-ist-die-sonnenbrandgefahr-besonders-hoch-5091724.html

/3/https://www.shine.cn/biz/economy/2408152993/

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.

Footwear innovation enabled by warp knitting technology– insights from New Balance

The future of the athletic shoe is increasingly being shaped on warp knitting machines. For KARL MAYER, the footwear industry is one of the most important growth markets – and one of the sectors where innovative textiles can realize their full potential. In his keynote address at the opening of KARL MAYER’s TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER in Obertshausen in April, Vishnu Prakash Muthusamy, Senior Textile and Materials Engineer at New Balance, explained the opportunities that warp knitting technology opens up for performance, sustainability, and faster development processes, and why textile manufacturers are transitioning from suppliers to development partners.

ITM 2026: Mayer & Cie. Global presents itself successfully at international industry trade fair

Mayer & Cie. Global has used ITM 2026 in Istanbul for its first major international appearance since the restart. Together with the Turkish representative Mayer Mümessillik, the company presented its premium circular knitting machines "Made in Germany", explained its future positioning within the group of companies and held talks with customers and representatives from numerous markets. The response to the restart was positive. The clear orientation of the company, the reliable worldwide network of representatives and the resumption of service and spare parts supply were welcomed by customers.

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.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.

C&S strengthens its governance to support its evolution

C&S announces the appointment of Marco Lucietti to its Board of Directors. With extensive international experience across the textile and denim industries, Lucietti will work alongside CEO Federico Corneli, contributing to the company’s managerial development, organizational structure and long-term strategic direction.