#Spinning

2026-07-17

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.

In June 2026, Rieter entered into a strategic partnership with Recycling Powerhouse. The global textile industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Increasing amounts of textile waste and the steadily growing demand for sustainable products are increasing the need for scalable circular solutions. The aim of the partnership is to industrialize, standardize and scale the recycling of textiles. As part of this collaboration, Rieter is contributing its extensive know-how in the tearing of textile waste and spinning of short fibers and is creating the basis for innovative and sustainable recycling solutions in the textile industry.

The first signs of a market recovery are emerging in the India region and the Components & Technology Division. The demand for consumables, wear & tear and spare parts has increased by 3%. This early indicator suggests a positive development in the capacity utilization of spinning mills and indicates that further investments may result from this.

Order intake

In the first half of 2026, Rieter recorded an order intake of CHF 554.1 million (first half of 2025: CHF 355.4 million). This represents a pleasing increase of around 56% compared to the previous year. The increase is mainly attributable to the first-time consolidation of Barmag as the Man-Made Fiber Division, which contributed to the growth with an order intake of CHF 261.3 million.

Sales

As already announced in March 2026, the first half of 2026 was challenging in terms of sales volume, but largely in line with expectations. Sales amounted to CHF 576.7 million, which was 72% higher than the prior-year period (first half of 2025: CHF 336.2 million) due to the first-time consolidation of Barmag.

Order backlog

As at June 30, 2026, the company had an order backlog of around CHF 760 million (first half of 2025: CHF 510 million).

Operating EBIT, net profit, free cash flow

Rieter achieved an operating EBIT (before restructuring costs, transaction costs and purchase price allocation effects) of CHF -6.3 million. Due to the existing capacity and the fixed cost structure, operating EBIT in the first half of 2026 was below the operating profit breakeven point. Rieter expects a higher sales level in the second half of 2026.

Rieter closed the first half of 2026 with a net loss of CHF 54.9 million (first half of 2025: CHF -20.0 million). The loss is attributable to the low sales level as well as higher interest costs and purchase price allocation effects.

Free cashflow amounted to CHF -96.3 million in the first half of 2026 (first half of 2025: CHF -36.7 million). This was the result of the net loss and the increase in net working capital for orders to be delivered in the second half of 2026.

Outlook for the full year 2026 confirmed

In 2026, a year of transition, Rieter expects sales in the range of CHF 1.3 to CHF 1.5 billion.

The outlook for 2026 reflects the integration of Barmag and the restructuring measures announced in 2025, which are yet to be fully implemented. As a result, a positive operating EBIT margin in the range of 0 to 3% is expected.

1) The comparative period (January – June 2025) has been adjusted retrospectively as a result of the reclassification of Alternative Performance Measures.

2) The comparative period has been adjusted retrospectively as a result of the change in presentation regarding interest on defined benefit plan assets and liabilities.

3) Rieter has completed the acquisition of Barmag (Man-Made Fiber Division) as of February 2, 2026.

Rieter appoints Daniel Lippuner as new CEO as Thomas Oetterli steps down

Thomas Oetterli has decided to step down from his function as CEO, effective October 31, 2026, and hand over the Chairmanship of the Board of Directors. “After the successful implementation of the Next Level performance program, the structural measures initiated to consolidate the sites and the acquisition of Barmag, the time has come to hand over responsibility to new hands,” explains Thomas Oetterli.

Rieter and partners launch Recycling Powerhouse for industrial-scale textile recycling

Recycling Powerhouse Ltd. was established in July 2026 to industrialize, standardize and scale textile recycling. Based in Switzerland, the venture will operate a franchise-driven business model that enables the production of high-quality, certified recycled yarns. The project is supported by the following partners: Rieter Group, the world’s leading system supplier for natural and man-made fibers, Säntis Textiles, a Swiss textile engineering company, and Valvan, a Belgian sorting technology company. The first blueprint franchise operation is scheduled to launch early 2027 in partnership with Suhail Industrial Holding Group in Qatar.

"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.

Trützschler to showcase innovations in spinning preparation and nonwovens at ITMA Asia 2026

From November 20 to 24, 2026, the Trützschler Group will present its latest fiber processing technologies at ITMA Asia in Shanghai, China. At Hall 5.1, Booth D20, the company will showcase solutions designed to increase productivity, simplify operations and improve efficiency across spinning preparation and nonwoven production. Key highlights include the automated can transport system T-CAN, the next-generation card TC 30, innovative card clothing solutions such as STEELTOP and SUPERFLOW, as well as advanced nonwoven technologies for hygiene, wipes and filtration applications.

FET highlights advances in fibre spinning technology at Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress

Fibre Extrusion Technology Limited (FET) presented its latest developments in fibre spinning technology at the Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress in Austria in September 2026. In a presentation entitled “Spinning a good yarn”, Dr Jonny Hunter examined recent technological developments and challenges facing the fibre industry, highlighting the company's expanding range of specialised fibre extrusion and spinning systems.