#Spinning

2024-08-15

Automotive supplier Sailuda integrates backwards in BCF yarn production

Chinese automotive supplier Sailuda is expanding its process chain with the commissioning of a Oerlikon Neumag BCF plant. In future, the specialist for automotive interiors will produce its own BCF yarns. The company is thus integrating the entire process from the yarn to the finished carpet and can therefore better influence production and quality of its car carpets.

Oerlikon Neumag commissions BCF plant in China

Sailuda is one of the major suppliers for international car brands such as BMW, Volvo, VW and Ford, but also for well-known Chinese e-car manufacturers such as NIO, Lixiang and SERES. "The quality of our products is our recipe for success," says CEO John Zhu, explaining the strategy. The company has been reporting a constant increase in turnover for years. With its own in-house carpet yarn production, Sailuda wants to diversify its product range and create outstanding and exceptional end products. In this way, the visionary trendsetter is creating a competitive advantage in the highly competitive automotive sector.

Capacity expansion already being planned

John Zhu is certain that this will not be the only investment in yarn production. "The delivery and commissioning of the 2 positions BCF S+ plant for the production of PA6 and PET monocolor BCF yarns went so smoothly and quickly; this has encouraged us to invest in another system at the end of the year." John Zhu explains his decision for the proven S+ technology of the market leader for BCF yarn systems with the expected excellent quality of yarns produced on Oerlikon Neumag systems. "The yarns have a very uniform crimp with a high degree of coverage in the carpet." Sailuda is thereby securing its competitiveness in the demanding market for automotive carpets.

Automotive sector boosts Asian BCF market

While the focus of carpet yarn production has so far been in the USA and Turkey, the up-and-coming automotive industry in China is giving the Asian carpet market a significant boost, among other effects. "We are registering increased demand for our BCF technologies," agree the responsible Sales Directors in China and Neumünster, Sun Peng and Arnd Luppold. "We attribute this to the rising production figures in the Chinese automotive industry; China is ahead in terms of figures, especially in the electric car sector. This is boosting demand for automotive carpets."

Caption: The three-end BCF S+ system impresses with its cost-effectiveness: high production speed and capacity and reliable components combined with the highest yarn quality make this model particularly attractive for carpet yarn manufacturers © 2024 Oerlikon

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.