#Knitting & Hosiery

2024-11-28

A machine for summiteers

The HKS 2-S is a proven high-performance tricot machine from the KARL MAYER product portfolio. The ultra-efficient machine impresses with top values in terms of output, product quality, operational reliability and durability and is predestined for the production of elastic and rigid fabrics.

The HKS 2-S in E 44 sets new standards in outdoor wear, especially for mountain sports © 2024 KARL MAYER

Just in time for ITMA ASIA + CITME in October 2024, the bestseller was launched with an upgrade in the gauge area. With a gauge of E44, HKS 2-S brings a breath of fresh air to many areas of application, especially the promising outdoor clothing segment: With their dense surfaces, the supple E44 fabrics offer excellent protection against the sun's harmful rays. Their UV protection factor is more than twice as high as that of circular knitwear. The silky fabrics are also soft, comfortable to wear, breathable and quick-drying, and they can be produced extremely efficiently. At a speed of up to 3,200 rpm and a working width of 130", around 200 kg of fabric is produced per day. This made the HKS 2-S a real highlight at the ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024, and the machine was sold several times during the trade fair.

The HKS 2-S has been equipped with the modern automation platform KAMCOS® 2 Connect. This allows customers to network their machines and utilise all cloud-based solutions from the digital world of KARL MAYER. The Pattern Data System (PDS) enables the secure and simple storage and management of article data without the need to exchange sensitive data via USB stick. Digital offerings for optimising remote service also ensure shorter downtimes and more efficient after-sales service. Other solutions enable the integration of systems, for example for monitoring threads and the operating status of the machine, thereby maximising machine performance.

The HKS 2-S offers simple operation with other successfully established features, including laser stop, camera and homogenous lighting of the working area, which indicates the operating status of the machine, which is visible from a distance. Other tried and tested features of the HKS series in the HKS 2-S include bars based on carbon composite technology, a mechanical pattern drive, an electronically controlled yarn feed and a continuous fabric take-off that is also electronically controlled.

However, the latest upgrade required some fine-tuning.

“The high gauge required even more precise coordination of all components. The stable running of the HKS 2-S in E 44 at the uniquely high speed is only possible thanks to their very precise interaction,” says Kai Sulzmann, Project Manager of the KARL MAYER warp knitting business unit.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

2026 general meeting of the Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen at ITA

The Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen e. V. (proRWTH) looked back on a successful year of support at their 2026 general meeting. The meeting took place at Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen and was combined with a joint session of the Executive Board and the Administrative Board. Before the general meeting began, participants were given a guided tour of ITA, providing them with fascinating insights into current research and development topics in textile engineering.

Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brings supply chain leaders together around cotton innovation

Cotton Incorporated’s Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brought together more than 300 industry leaders from 140 companies across 10 countries, including more than 45 top global brands and sourcing organizations, underscoring strong global interest in cotton-rich product development, sourcing and supply chain collaboration.

HKRITA signs MoU with Jeanologia and Looptworks to establish the Green Machine Circular Textile Ecosystem

The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) yesterday officially signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two key global partners, Jeanologia and Looptworks, to establish the Green Machine Circular Textile Ecosystem – a first-of-its-kind collaboration to accelerate the large-scale recycling of blended textiles.