[pageLogInLogOut]

#Knitting & Hosiery

Top circular knitting company invests in tricot machines

Ekoten Textile, a company that stands as Europe’s most prestigious knitting manufacturer and Turkey's leading exporter of circular knit, expands technology spectrum with KARL MAYER.
Group picture: The Team from Ekoten with KARL MAYER Senior Sales Manager Bastian Fritsch (on the right) and trainer Gökhan Akyildiz (on the left) at the KARL MAYER Academy in Obertshausen © 2025 KARL MAYER
Group picture: The Team from Ekoten with KARL MAYER Senior Sales Manager Bastian Fritsch (on the right) and trainer Gökhan Akyildiz (on the left) at the KARL MAYER Academy in Obertshausen © 2025 KARL MAYER


The leading industry player headquartered in Izmir, Turkey, operates with a fleet of 245 high-performance circular knitting machines. The daily production capacity is up to 40 tonnes of fabric, 

The top-quality multifunctional fabrics impress with their exceptional comfort and sophisticated fabric construction and are supplied to the high-end fashion, sportswear, workwear, and outdoor apparel markets worldwide. Among the customers are leading international brands such as Decathlon, Lululemon, Banana Republic, Under Armour, Hugo Boss and Victoria's Secret.

Ekoten Textile's success is based on a forward-thinking vision, a dedicated, technical and design team and the use of cutting-edge technology. Just recently, Ekoten textile integrated KARL MAYER technology into its production capacities and launched a warp knitting division. The first tricot machines arrived in December 2024, with production scheduled to begin in January 2025 at a newly designed, state-of-the-art facility spanning 10,000 m².

Ekoten Textile continues to grow and diversify its technology spectrum with KARL MAYER

By entering the warp knitting sector with KARL MAYER machines Ekoten Textile continues to prioritize state-of-the-art production equipment to drive innovation and meet international demand, now with high-quality warp knits.

The company wants to offer all solutions from a single source to existing customers who use circular knitwear as well as warp-knitted fabrics. Furthermore, the company seeks to attract new clients, particularly in the activewear sector, which now accounts for 70% of total sales, surpassing the fashion industry.

Ekoten Textile can respond optimally to the growing demand for functional, technical and advanced activewear textiles with the HKS machines from KARL MAYER. The company is consolidating its position as industry leader and significantly expanding its innovation potential.

„ We create around 300 new fabric designs monthly for the fashion industry in particular. While circular knitting has been our strength, with nearly 400 projects realized through our R&D center, warp knitting opens up exciting opportunities for us,“ highlights Bilge Cinar, development executive at Ekoten, the company’s innovative spirit.

Bilge Cinar © 2025 KARL MAYER
Bilge Cinar © 2025 KARL MAYER


The step into warp knitting was the result of years of intensive discussions over detailed requirements and technological innovations.

“We discussed many product-specific aspects and impressed with our expertise,” says Bastian Fritsch, Senior Sales Manager of the warp knitting business unit at KARL MAYER.

Ekoten warp knitting manager, Lütfi Kantarcioglu, responsible for establishing the new facility, highlighted the alignment between the two companies: "With its global infrastructure, KARL MAYER offers Ekoten Textile more than just high-performance machines. The company provides a comprehensive support system, including a local spare parts supply and service team, access to skilled product developers and sales managers, and essential know-how for integrating warp knitting into Ekoten’s production processes. "

Lütfi Kantarcioglu © 2025 KARL MAYER
Lütfi Kantarcioglu © 2025 KARL MAYER


To ensure a smooth transition, a four-person Ekoten team underwent intensive training in October and November 2024 on the KARL MAYER Academies in Bursa, Turkey, and at the KARL MAYER headquarters in Obertshausen, Germany.

Ekoten’s warp knitted fabrics will debut at the Première Vision in Paris in September 2025, followed by appearances during the PERFORMANCE DAYS in Munich and at the Functional Fabric Fair in Portland, marking the beginning of a new chapter in its journey of sustainability and innovation. If all goes as planned, Ekoten Textile intends to expand its warp knitting capacity, mirroring its successful strategy in the circular knitting sector. The company's aim is to establish itself as the market leader in warp knitting as well.






More News from KARL MAYER Textilmaschinenfabrik GmbH

#Knitting & Hosiery

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.

#Knitting & Hosiery

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.

#Knitting & Hosiery

KARL MAYER at JEC: Multiaxial reinforced CFRP pultrusion profiles are picking up speed in the mobility sector

KARL MAYER Technical Textiles will be showcasing exciting new application potentials for multiaxial non-crimp fabrics in combination with the pultrusion process at the upcoming JEC in Hall 5, Booth C 46. The advancement of the tried-and-tested pultrusion process enables the cost-efficient production of complex CFRP multi-chamber profiles, which are used in the CETROVO high-speed metro. The world's first carbon-intensive lightweight rail vehicle of this type is designed for speeds of up to 140 km/h.

#Knitting & Hosiery

The new RE 6 EL from KARL MAYER shows what it can do

KARL MAYER’s new RE 6 EL from KARL MAYER brings a breath of fresh air to raschel fabric production. The latest samples from the textile product development department of this innovative textile machine manufacturer demonstrate the extensive design possibilities on offer.

More News on Knitting & Hosiery

#Techtextil 2026

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.

#Knitting & Hosiery

SHIMA SEIKI announces partnership with CLO Virtual Fashion

Leading computerized flat knitting innovator SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan is partnering with digital garment solutions provider CLO Virtual Fashion of Seoul, South Korea for the integration of technology in garment design and simulation.

#Knitting & Hosiery

Huixing acquires insolvent Mayer & Cie.

Insolvency proceedings for the circular knitting and braiding machine manufacturer Mayer & Cie. were opened on December 1, 2025. Immediately following the opening of proceedings, the complete cessation of business operations was initiated. Most employees were subsequently given notice effective the end of February 2026. The production of the remaining orders in the circular knitting segment is expected to be completed by the end of the month. As early as December 2025, Mayer & Cie.’s braiding machine division was sold to an Italian investor.

#Knitting & Hosiery

KARL MAYER and Lenzing partner to advance warp knitting with scalable cellulose fiber solutions

The Lenzing Group, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulosic fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, together with KARL MAYER, the global market leader in warp knitting machines and warp preparation systems, debut a joint innovation project during Premiere Vision, Paris.

Latest News

#Techtextil 2026

LineONE – Smart performance, smart investment at Techtextil 2026

At Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt (April 21–24, Hall 12, Booth C79), AUTEFA Solutions will present its LineONE concepts for cost-efficient nonwoven production. As a full-line supplier for nonwoven production lines, AUTEFA Solutions covers the entire process chain – from fibre opening through to web bonding. With its LineONE line concepts, the company combines proven technologies into well-balanced, cost-efficient turnkey solutions. These concepts are designed for capacity expansions, modernisation projects and new production lines, offering robust design and high flexibility for applications such as filtration, geotextiles and automotive.

#Europe

EU and Australia strengthen relations with Security and Defence Partnership and Trade Agreement

The EU and Australia have today announced the adoption of a groundbreaking Security and Defence Partnership. They have also concluded negotiations for an ambitious and balanced free trade agreement (FTA) and agreed to launch formal negotiations for the association of Australia to Horizon Europe, the world's largest funding programme for research and innovation. With these steps, the EU and Australia are delivering mutually beneficial outcomes and further reinforcing their already close relations in a time of geopolitical uncertainty.

#Technical Textiles

DuPont introduces Tyvek® APX™ 400 protective coverall, setting a new benchmark for extreme breathability

DuPont (NYSE:DD) announced the launch of the Tyvek® APX™ 400 protective coverall, the first in a new generation of extremely breathable disposable chemical protection garments. Manufactured using DuPont™ Tyvek® APX™ groundbreaking fabric, the new garment combines 360° protection and durability with extreme breathability, taking worker comfort and safety to a whole new level.

#Spinning

Graf at EXINTEX – Strengthening presence in Latin America

Graf successfully participated in EXINTEX, one of the leading textile exhibitions in Latin America, together with its local agent Eurotecnica. The exhibition provided an excellent platform to engage with customers, partners and industry experts across the region.

TOP