#Techtextil 2022

2022-07-21

Techtextil is back successfully

After a two-year break due to the pandemic, a real top-class event was on the trade fair calendar from June 21-24: Techtexil in Frankfurt, probably the most important trade fair for technical textiles worldwide. The high number of visitors enabled Mahlo to present its products and solutions for process control to a wide audience.

Accordingly, Sales Director Thomas Höpfl was satisfied: "Of course, we still miss visitors from the Asian region. But we are pleased that we were able to hold many intensive discussions at the booth, both with existing customers and with new interested parties." It was noticeable that many were happy about the opportunity to communicate face-to-face again.

The Mahlo systems offered plenty to talk about for manufacturers of technical textiles. Because in contrast to mass-produced goods, there is only a very fine line between "pass" and "fail" with technical textiles. Accordingly, there are hardly any tolerances - the specified limit values must be meticulously adhered to. This is where the experience of Mahlo's control and measurement technology comes into play.

Among other things, visitors were able to examine the Famacont PMC-15 thread density measurement system in live operation. The system uses sensors to measure the thread or stitch density on the running web and compares it with the target value stored in the recipe data management system.

Weft-straight fabric is of course also an important topic for technical textiles. Therefore, the renowned straightening technology could not be missing at the Mahlo booth. "Thanks to the different variants of our automatic straightening system, we cover almost all textile applications, from heavyweights such as carpets to fine straightening," said Höpfl.

With the Qualiscan QMS, Mahlo also offers a system for online monitoring of basis weight with beta or X-ray technology, thickness with laser and light shading, moisture with infrared or microwave, and air permeability.

For all sensors, high measurement accuracy is crucial for an optimal measurement result. "The measurement data is the basis for automatic control of the process and thus the prerequisite for a perfect product with tight tolerance limits."

With its solutions, Mahlo hits the nerve of its customers exactly: High-quality goods through more efficient production. Always in view is also sustainability in the manufacturing process - a major topic at this year's Techtextil!

Smart Quality Control for Technical Textiles

In the end, what matters is the result: a filter that performs reliably, a membrane that remains stable in storm conditions, a composite material with precisely defined properties. But the path to achieving this is demanding. In the production of technical textiles, numerous parameters interact – and even the smallest deviations can have major consequences.

New Gravimax MMX-R X-ray sensor platform opens up new application fields

The demands placed on quality control in web-based production processes are increasing: materials are becoming more complex, basis weights are varying more widely, and at the same time, pressure is growing to make processes more efficient and transparent. Precise measurement data across the entire web width has therefore become a key factor in ensuring stable production processes. With its new Gravimax MMX-R sensor platform, Mahlo introduces a radiometric measurement solution designed to set new standards in determining basis weight and material composition. The platform combines advanced X-ray technology with newly developed signal processing, enabling measurement tasks that previously often required multiple sensor technologies.

Orthopac RVMC-20 plus: German Engineering for Smarter Weft Straightening

In times of rising cost pressure and growing quality demands, textile producers worldwide are searching for solutions that combine precision, efficiency, and sustainability. With its latest innovation, the Orthopac RVMC-20 plus, Mahlo once again demonstrates the strength of German engineering: improving proven technology to meet today’s challenges.

Stefan Moll becomes new CEO of the machinery manufacturer

Starting January 1, 2026, Stefan Moll will take over the management of Mahlo GmbH + Co. KG, the world’s leading provider of measurement and control technology for web-shaped materials. With this move, Mahlo is focusing on the long-term safeguarding of its market position and technological leadership. The current CEO, Rainer Mestermann, will leave the company after 14 years as part of a planned succession arrangement.

BTMA backs global growth while investing in future UK leaders

As one of a number of new initiatives launched this year, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is launching the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, has implications that extend across sourcing, competitiveness and long-term trade dynamics, believes BTMA CEO Jason Kent.

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.