#Spinning

2020-09-10

Innovative industrial solutions for a better world

Oerlikon Manmade Fibers Segment CEO Georg Stausberg in an online interview with Oerlikon's China President Wang Jun at this year's Manmade Fibers Congress in Qingdao City, China © 2020 Oerlikon

The 26th China International Manmade Fiber Conference was held this year from September 7 to 9 together with the China Chemical Fiber Technology Conference in Qingdao City. Due to the corona pandemic, no international speakers were able to be present live on site. However, Oerlikon sent more than just a greeting message to the over 400 participants at the Grand Mercure Qingdao Nanshan Resort.

The management of the Manmade Fibers segment of the Swiss Oerlikon Group presented itself with a hybrid, interactive talk: Wang Jun, Oerlikon's China President, on stage and the CEO Georg Stausberg, who joined in online, together convinced the congress participants of Oerlikon's performance as an innovation and technology leader even in challenging times such as the current pandemic.

"Green Deal"

In addition to a current review of the international market situation in the machine and plant construction for manmade fibers, Georg Stausberg also dealt very clearly with the time after the pandemic in a question and answer interview with Wang Jun. When asked about the challenges and opportunities for the future of the manmade fiber industry, he said: "As a machine and plant manufacturer there is always one thing that will move us all forward: sustainable technologies. We all strive for innovative industrial solutions for a better world. And how can we achieve this? In Europe, we should all consistently pursue the goals of the announced 'Green Deal' of the European Union and produce climate-neutrally by 2050 – or even better much earlier".

The CEO of the Manmade Fibers segment had the appropriate technology solutions at the ready: "Digitization with all its innovative possibilities, for example through the use of artificial intelligence, can and will help us in this process. And last but not least, automation. The interaction of automation and digital processes will ensure more sustainable Industry 4.0 production solutions for the manufacture of manmade fibers and their production machines and systems. “

Duan Xiaoping, Vice President of the China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC) and President of the China Chemical Fibers Association (CCFA) spoke on the topic: "Technology lights up the future of the industry" © 2020 Oerlikon

More sustainable production methods

The combined event then brought to light numerous other innovative ideas. The Chinese speakers and the connected speakers from overseas talked about the latest developments in the field of functional textiles, bio-based fibers and materials, new fields of application for textiles and of course also about their sustainable production methods.

Barmag and Hitech Automation enter into partnership for an auto-doff system for texturing machines

Barmag (Suzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. and Hitech Automation Solutions PVT LTD. of Surat, India, have agreed to an exclusive partnership to jointly market Hitech’s Doffmatic automation solution for Barmag’s proven manual eFK texturing machines. In many texturing facilities, manual doffing processes remain heavily operator-dependent – resulting in issues such as increased scrap, inconsistent quality, and limited productivity.

Oerlikon Manmade Fibers Solutions hosted successful Technology Day 2025 in India

Oerlikon Manmade Fibers Solutions recently hosted its highly anticipated Innovation and Technology Day at the Deltin Hotel in Daman by end of January 2025. The event attracted over 300 participants, including industry experts, partners, and stakeholders, who gathered to explore the latest advancements and trends in the manmade fibers industry in India.

GenuTrace client advisory: Is your cotton supply chain UFLPA ready?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released updated operational guidance (CBP Publication No. 5560-0526) expanding its forced labor enforcement framework. The guidance supersedes the original 2022 UFLPA Operational Guidance and now covers all forced labor enforcement authorities — UFLPA, CAATSA, and WROs/Findings — in a single unified document. For cotton importers, the enforcement posture has not softened. It has become more structured, more documented, and more demanding. Learn more about UFLPA.

"We will become a recycling powerhouse"

The textile industry is now in its fourth consecutive year of crisis, while automation, artificial intelligence and recycling are reshaping the rules of the game. In this interview, Rieter CEO Thomas Oetterli discusses the first signs of a market recovery, reflects on his first three years at the helm of the company, explains the integration of Barmag, outlines Rieter’s vision of the fully automated spinning mill and highlights the strategic importance of recycling. In doing so, he explains why the new Rieter Group aims to play a leading role in transforming the textile value chain into a circular economy.

Uster’s new Recycling Opening Index guides spinners to the perfect blend

Uster AFIS 6 now offers the key data for better decisions when blending recycled fibers. Process control is decisive in determining the quality and economic outcome. The new R Recycling Module of AFIS 6 introduces the Recycling Opening Index (ROI), so spinners can optimize their circularity credentials. It was officially launched at ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Nico Pedretti appointed as Managing Director Graf Group

As of June 1, 2026, Nico Pedretti has assumed the role of Managing Director Graf Group. With more than 20 years of international industrial experience and extensive expertise in Operations, Supply Chain Management, Finance and Controlling, he brings a broad range of leadership and business experience to support Graf’s continued success.

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.

TERNAfil wins first place at PitchMiUp Night 2026 in Minden

The RWTH spin-off TERNAfil has developed MAXCarbon, a new high-performance hybrid fibre that combines the mechanical performance of carbon with the temperature and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials. For this development, TERNAfil was awarded first prize at the PitchMiUp Night in Minden on 21 May 2026.