#Weaving

2020-05-15

Picanol realizes production milestone with 100,000th rapier weaving machine in Ieper

This week, Picanol realized another impressive milestone when its 100,000th rapier weaving machine rolled off the production line at its plant in Ieper, Belgium. Picanol is also celebrating 45 years of manufacturing rapier weaving machines in 2020. Once again, this reaffirms the leading role Picanol plays in the rapier weaving machine segment worldwide.

The 100,000th rapier weaving machine (an OptiMax-i) will be shipped this week to the company SAITEX Fabrics, which is based in Long Tho, Vietnam.

Picanol has an extensive track record in the production of high-tech rapier machines. In 1975, it launched its very first weaving machine with a rapier insertion, which was named the PGW. Since the launch of the first rapier machine all that time ago, Picanol has introduced various new generations of rapier machines. These include, amongst other machines, the GTM in 1983, the Gamma in 1996, the GamMax in 2002, and the OptiMax and the GT-Max in 2007.

Its current flagship rapier weaving machines – the OptiMax-i (launched in 2015) and the GTMax-i 3.0 (launched in 2018) – cover a complete range of applications and they are generally recognized as being the most versatile and best-performing rapier machines on the market. The OptiMax-i represents the benchmark of the industry and it is unquestionably the fastest rapier weaving machine in the world.

“The fact that the 100,000th machine mark has been reached now represents a sign of hope and optimism during this COVID-19 time. Our people are working hard to build, install and service weaving machines, even under these extraordinary circumstances – and this is taking place while simultaneously respecting all of the measures needed to ensure safe and healthy working conditions. We have every reason to be proud of the fact that we have produced 100,000 rapier weaving machines and we are extremely grateful to all of our employees who have made this possible,” explained Johan Verstraete (VP Weaving Machines).

“Achieving this milestone once again demonstrates our ability to produce best-in-class, dedicated weaving machines for the world’s most reputable textile manufacturers. In addition, this is further proof of the confidence that our customers have in the Picanol brand, its quality and its rapier technology. By working in close cooperation with our customers, even in these challenging times, we will grow together!”

Picanol to present its leading weaving technology at ITM 2026

Picanol is pleased to announce it will be participating in ITM 2026 in Istanbul. This is a key event for industry professionals to engage with the Turkish textile industry as well as the extensive international audience attending the fair. During the event, Picanol will present its latest innovations to the visitors in Hall 8, booth 802.

Picanol to exhibit latest weaving technology at ITMA ASIA + CITME, Singapore 2025

At ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025, Picanol (Hall 2 – Booth C204) will unveil the next-generation OmniPlus-i Connect airjet weaving machine, setting a new benchmark in airjet weaving technology. This latest evolution of Picanol’s trusted platform demonstrates how the company continues to deliver innovative, performance-driven solutions that meet the evolving challenges of modern weaving mills.

Picanol’s will unveil the Supermax, its new rapier weaving machine, at ITMA Asia + CITME 2024

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 represents an excellent opportunity for Picanol to once again demonstrate its technological leadership in both airjet and rapier weaving machines. Visitors to the event will experience Picanol’s world premiere of its brand-new Supermax rapier weaving machine. In total, Picanol will have four different high-tech weaving machines as well as its PicConnect digital platform on display.

Picanol opens its new training and service center in Tashkent (Uzbekistan)

Last week, Picanol inaugurated a new training and service center in Tashkent (Uzbekistan), in collaboration with its Uzbek agent, Baror Group. This state-of-the-art facility is strategically located to serve Picanol’s Central Asian customers more effectively. The opening ceremony was organized during CAITME 2024, which is the largest textile machinery exhibition in Central Asia, and it provided the ideal platform to showcase the new center to many industry professionals and customers from Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, and Tajikistan, among other countries.

"Dynamic markets do not only create uncertainty – they also create opportunities."

Volatile markets, increasingly complex materials and growing demands for flexibility are changing the weaving industry. At the same time, new opportunities are emerging in technical textiles, filtration, composites and many other specialised applications. Since taking over as Head of DORNIER's Weaving Machines Product Line at the beginning of 2026, Yvonne Schuberth has been helping to shape this development. In this interview with TexData, she explains why process stability and customer proximity remain the foundation of innovation, how digitalisation is transforming weaving mills, and why she believes the future belongs to technologically demanding applications.

More patterns, less effort: the MULTI-MATIC® at Rohleder

Rohleder is one of Europe’s most modern weaving mills. For over 80 years, the family-owned company has been developing and manufacturing premium fabrics for brands, retailers and private customers – 100% Made in Germany. This success is made possible by a consistent focus on design, quality, and functionality, as well as by continuous investment in state-of-the-art production facilities. Rohleder also relies on innovative technologies in warp preparation and has been collaborating with KARL MAYER for many years. As recently as 2023, a MULTI-MATIC® was delivered to the company’s headquarters in Konradsreuth.

Heberlein reinforces its commitment to the Chinese market

Heberlein, globally recognised as a leading provider of air interlacing and air texturing jets for synthetic filament yarns, is consolidating its success in the Chinese market with its APh- and APe-series for DTY applications. Particularly in the field of Air Covering, Heberlein technologies combine excellent quality with significant savings in compressed-air consumption. A new service hub in Shengze City underlines the company’s long-term commitment in the Chinese market.

RE&UP’s Next-Gen Cotton fibers power Zalando private label t-shirt collection crafted from innovative recycled textiles

RE&UP Recycling Technologies’ Next-Gen Cotton powers a new collection from Zalando’s private labels, marking a step forward in bringing textile-to-textile recycled fibers into commercial fashion production. Launching on Zalando in August, the collection comprises five t-shirts across YOURTURN by Zalando and Even&Odd by Zalando, made from a circular-knit fabric blending 80% organic cotton with 20% RE&UP Next-Gen Cotton — textile-to-textile recycled fiber produced from textile waste. This is the first time RE&UP's recycled fibers feature in Zalando's private label assortment.

Heimtextil Trends 27/28: ‘Home-Maxxing’ between performance and respite

Sleep better, recover faster, live more efficiently: the desire for optimisation has long since reached our homes. Under the title ‘Home-Maxxing – The Performance of Everyday Living’, Heimtextil Trends 27/28 show how our relationship with efficiency-driven thinking and technology is influencing the design of spaces and textiles. The more sleep, wellness, routines, materials and spaces are optimised, the stronger the desire for a home that does not demand even more of us.