#Weaving

2026-02-12

Itema exhibits the two best-selling high-end rapier weaving machines of the Region, R9500EVO and Galileo-RX at SITEX 2026

itema booth at ITMA Ayia Singapore © 2026 TexData International

Following the opening of its new Surat Service Center in November, Itema will exhibit at SITEX (Stand 286) from February 21st to 23rd at the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre (SIECC). Surat has long been one of Itema’s most strategic markets, a role further reinforced by the inauguration of the Surat Service Center last November. Equipped with an advanced electronic repair center, a weaving machine behavior simulator, and a local spare parts warehouse, the new facility strengthens Itema’s presence in the region while bringing the company even closer to its Customers.

Sameer Kulkarni, Managing Director of Itema Weaving India, commented: “Since 2021, Itema has registered unprecedented growth in Surat, with a remarkable number of Itema weaving machines installed in the region’s textile mills. We are proud to contribute to the creation of some of the most beautiful fabrics in India and to support the talent of Surat’s weavers with our advanced weaving technology.”

“Itema’s weaving technology is one-of-a-kind in the weaving machinery landscape due to our patented rapier weft insertion system and to our unique shed geometry. These technological weaving solutions were originally designed to ensure the best possible treatment of yarns by reducing stress on warp and weft yarns, thus leading to a double advantage: superior fabric hand-feel and minimized stop marks. The Itema success in the Surat market demonstrates how Itema’s unique features are not just a choice, but a necessity for those weavers who want to weave specific fabrics with defined performance and quality standards, and this is the case with the precious fabrics for Sarees produced in Surat” added Matteo Mutti, Itema Group Chief Sales and Service Officer.

At Sitex 2026, Itema exhibits two weaving machines equipped with different rapier weft transfers, aiming to demonstrate how Itema weaving technology can effectively address the diverse textile and production requirements of this specific fabric segment:

The Itema Rapier R9500EVO on display at Stäubli Stand (Stand 242)

Displayed at our partner booth, the Itema Rapier R9500EVO in 3800 mm weaving width is equipped with the Stäubli Jacquard LX PRO with more than 12,000 hooks. The machine configuration is designed to achieve the highest textile performances, thanks to the Itema FPA EVO Free Positive Approach Weft Transfer, featuring a race board with no guiding elements in the shed, and to the Itema MiCUT Motorized Weft Cutter.

The Itema Rapier Galileo-RX on display at Itema Stand (Stand 286)

On show at the Itema stand is the Itema Rapier Galileo-RX in 3200 mm weaving width, equipped with the JKD CSL- 16-5376 Jacquard.

Over the past years, the Itema Rapier Galileo-RX has established itself as a market success, earning the trust of Surat weavers thanks to its reliability and excellenct price-quality ratio.

Itema reaffirms its commitment to the Syrian textile industry at NasTex 2026

From July 18th to 21st, Itema will exhibit at NasTex at the Damascus Fairground (Hall 11 – Stand C02), marking its return to one of the Middle East’s historically significant textile markets. Itema will showcase advanced weaving technology designed to support the competitiveness and technological evolution of Syrian manufacturers and announces a new partnership with Growfast Agency as the sole agent of Itema in Syria.

Itema to showcase weaving excellence at ITM 2026

From June 9 to 13, Itema will exhibit at ITM 2026 in Istanbul (Hall 8 – Stand 806D), unveiling a distinctive exhibition concept designed to highlight the Company’s expertise across the entire weaving value chain. For this year’s edition, Itema will introduce an innovative stand experience built around two core areas: advanced weaving and spare parts solutions and an immersive textile gallery featuring fabrics produced by Itema Customers worldwide.

Itema America acquires Palmetto Loom Reed, strengthening local manufacturing and service in the U.S.

Itema America, the U.S. subsidiary of Italy-based Itema Group, has acquired – through an Assets Purchase Agreement – Palmetto Loom Reed, a Greenville, South Carolina-based manufacturer of weaving reeds and one of the last remaining domestic producers of these precision components in the United States.

Fewer pores, greater impact tolerance: Peter Dornier Foundation Prize 2026 honours material research on fibre-reinforced composite components for aerospace industry

Microscopically small pores that form during manufacture, or barely visible impact damage, can severely impair the load-bearing capacity and service life of fibre-reinforced composite components. Two young researchers have presented groundbreaking work in this field and will both be awarded the 2026 Peter Dornier Foundation Prize: Dr.-Ing. Benedikt Neitzel from the Technical University of Ilmenau for his doctoral thesis on pore minimisation in the RTM process, and Johanna Buschmann, M.Sc., for her master’s thesis, completed at the German Aerospace Centre, on the improved impact tolerance of 3D fabrics compared to 2D laminates.

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.

Vandewiele Group presents integrated textile innovations at ITM 2026

At ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the Vandewiele Group will showcase a broad portfolio of weaving, carpet and textile machinery technologies under the theme “Textile Innovations Together”. From 9 to 13 June 2026, the Group will present solutions from its brands Vandewiele, Savio, IRO and BMSvision in Hall 7 / Booth 710A.

EU ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear now in force

The European Union's ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, clothing accessories and footwear has entered into force. Since July 19, 2026, large companies across the EU have been prohibited from destroying unsold textile products, while medium-sized companies will be required to comply with the same rules from 2030.

Eastman Naia™ brings its inside-out denim vision to Kingpins New York

Following its debut at Kingpins Amsterdam, Eastman Naia™ brings the next chapter of its denim story to Kingpins New York, taking place July 22–23. At Booth Green 7, Naia™ presents its denim proposition built around three complementary design directions: Performance Denim, Fashion Denim and Authentic Denim.