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ITM 2026  9-13 JUNE 2026 ISTANBUL

#Knitting & Hosiery

TM WEFT, 270" – More width, more design freedom for the fashion world

KARL MAYER is expanding its successful TM WEFT series with an innovative model that opens up new possibilities, particularly in the fashion & apparel sectors. With a working width of 270", this new machine with weft-insertion not only offers significantly higher output than its narrower counterparts but is also specifically tailored to the demands of dynamic clothing market – particularly in China and Türkiye. A well-thought-out upgrade also ensures even greater design versatility.

#Research & Development

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

#Knitting & Hosiery

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

R & D Articles

textile.4U

Warp-knitted PCL nets: Degradable textile structures for regenerative medicine

Leonie Anna Hoffmann, Dr.-Ing. Caroline Emonts, Univ.-Prof. Prof. h. c. (MGU) Dr.-Ing. Thomas Gries

Shape memory polymer fibres for textile shading systems

Felix Krooss, Sandy Voebel, Safwen Rekik, Univ.-Prof. Prof. h. c. (MGU) Dr.-Ing. Thomas Gries

Processing of bio-based polymers in textile technology – challenges and approaches at the Institute of Textile Technology of RWTH Aachen University

Melina Sachtleben Dahmann, Ricarda Wissel, Dr.-Ing. Lukasz Debicki, Univ.-Prof. Prof. h. c. (MGU) Dr.-Ing. Thomas Gries

Futureweaving: Concepts for individual weaving machine optimisation

Varqha Bagwan, Univ.-Prof. Prof. h. c. (MGU) Dr.-Ing. Thomas Gries

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Mesdan to showcase laboratory-scale textile recycling solutions at Textiles Recycling Expo 2026

At Stand 2235 during the Textiles Recycling Expo 2026 in Brussels, Mesdan will present laboratory solutions designed to support the development and evaluation of textile-to-textile recycling processes.

#Technical Textiles

Trelleborg celebrates grand opening of advanced manufacturing facility in North Carolina

Trelleborg Engineered Coated Fabrics proudly celebrated the grand opening of its new, state-of-the-art extrusion coating manufacturing facility in Forest City, North Carolina, US on May 6, 2026. The event brought together community leaders, customers, partners and Trelleborg leadership to mark a significant milestone in the company’s continued investment in innovation, capacity and sustainable operations. The new facility represents a significant investment and reinforces Trelleborg’s long-term commitment to advancing high-performance engineered coated fabric solutions for critical applications across aerospace, healthcare & medical, safety & protection and industrial markets.

#Technical Textiles

Cinte Techtextil China maps textile future with specialised zones and forward-looking fringe events

As global demand for high-performance materials evolves, Cinte Techtextil China is set to steer the industry’s next growth phase by driving the convergence of global expertise, specialised zones, and forward-looking tech and insights. Building on its diverse scope, the upcoming edition will especially spotlight critical sub-sectors such as Medtech & Protech, Indutech and Buildtech. The offering will be augmented by the well-received Mobiltech and Textile Chemicals and Dyes Zones, alongside the high-calibre German and European Zones. Beyond the booths, the fringe programme structured around four core pillars will chart a definitive roadmap for technical textiles and nonwovens.

#Yarn & Fiber

Next week’s focus: Intertextile Shenzhen & Yarn Expo Shenzhen fuse textile tradition with sustainable, digital trends

Fashion will not be left behind in one of the world’s undisputed tech and manufacturing capitals. Which is why next week, at Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026, the organisers have made special efforts to integrate textile topics such as materials innovation, holistic sustainability, digitalisation and AI. Yet, from 9 – 11 June at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, the platform also includes timeless tradition and heritage-inspired evolution in equal measure. Across both shows, over 600 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions are set to showcase everything from Peruvian alpaca wool fabrics to tea-derived fibres, while their fringe programmes will explore diverse solutions along the entire value chain.

#Nonwovens

2026 World of Wipes Innovation Award® finalists revealed

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced the three finalists for the 2026 World of WipesInnovation Award®. The finalists are The Clorox Company for their Clorox™ Refreshables™, Lenzing Fibers, Inc. for their Lenzing™ DualWipe, and Rockline Industries for their First Defense™ Fentanyl Detection Wipe.

#Nonwovens

Magnera introduces Universa™

Universa™ is a new, consolidated range of industrial wipers that brings together the trusted performance of the legacy Chicopee® and Sontara® brands. Developed by combining the manufacturing expertise, technologies, and product strengths of both brands, Universa™ is designed to simplify selection while delivering reliable performance across a wide range of industrial cleaning applications. Chicopee® and Sontara® will continue as Magnera’s core wipes brands, with Universa™ strategically positioned to fill key gaps between the two in the industrial wipers portfolio.

#Raw Materials

CSITC adds ABRAPA as a round trial sample provider

Beginning with the Q2 2026 Round Trials, the ICAC's Committee on the Commercial Standardization of Instrument Testing of Cotton has expanded its sample provision framework by adding the Brazilian Cotton Growers Association (ABRAPA) as an official sample provider.

#Recycled Fibers

Carbios and Wankai postpone startup of China’s first PET biorecycling plant to 2028

The industrial deployment of enzymatic PET recycling in Asia is progressing, but at a slower pace than initially planned. French recycling technology company Carbios and its Chinese partner Wankai New Materials have announced that the commissioning of their planned PET biorecycling facility in Haining, Zhejiang Province, has been postponed and is now expected in the first half of 2028.

#Sustainability

Closing the Footwear Loop reveals challenges and opportunities for circular footwear

The footwear industry faces one of the most complex circularity challenges in the fashion sector. A new Phase 1 report from the Fashion for Good initiative Closing the Footwear Loop, developed together with Circle Economy, provides new insights into the composition, condition and recycling potential of post-consumer footwear waste.

#Technical Textiles

“ We have multiple companies and divisions operating in textiles, and we decided to integrate them into one platform. ”

At Techtextil 2026, the Aditya Birla Group presented its textile activities as a unified platform for the first time. In this interview, Kapil Agrawal, Business Head Textiles, Acrylic Fibres & Overseas Spinning, explains how the group is expanding from traditional textile products towards integrated technical textile solutions, circularity and higher-value applications – and outlines the role India could play in scaling fibre-to-fibre recycling in the years ahead.

#ITM 2026

New Monforts systems deliver round-the-clock production for Kipaş

As a valued Monforts customer for many years, Türkiye’s Kipaş Textile has just installed a new Thermex dyeing range and a Monfortex sanforizer at its new dyeing and finishing plant in Kahramanmaraş.

#ITM 2026

SHIMA SEIKI to show complete knitting and cutting workflow at ITM 2026

Leading computerized flat knitting technology provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Turkish representative TETAS IC VE DIS TICARET A.S., will participate in the ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition in Istanbul, Türkiye this month with a full product lineup. In addition to flat knitting machines and design software, visitors will also have the opportunity to experience the full range of SHIMA SEIKI textile machinery with its automatic cutting machine exhibit, all geared toward the fashion apparel market as well as non-apparel related businesses.

#Natural Fibers

European Flax-Linen & Hemp step into advanced manufacturing: Enabling filament winding, 3D printing and high-performance composite processes

The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp announces a new wave of technological advancements demonstrating how flax-linen and hemp fibres are now being successfully integrated into advanced composite manufacturing processes. These developments mark a transition beyond traditional hand lay-up techniques, positioning natural fibres as credible, scalable solutions for high-performance industrial applications.

#ITM 2026

SETEX turns dyeing and finishing data into daily production control

At ITM 2026, SETEX will show how textile mills can use machine, recipe, quality and energy data for more reliable daily production decisions — not as another reporting layer, but as part of the running dyeing and finishing process. With OrgaTEX X3 MES, E390x/C390x controllers, CamCOUNT and FabricInspector Portable, SETEX connects planning, machine execution and fabric-related quality insight within existing mill structures.

#Raw Materials

Dr N Vigneshwaran is named 2026 ICAC Researcher of the Year

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is pleased to announce the selection of Dr N Vigneshwaran, Principal Scientist and Head of the Chemical and Biochemical Processing Division at the ICAR–Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (ICAR-CIRCOT), Mumbai, India, as the ICAC Researcher of the Year 2026.

#Raw Materials

Global Cotton area and production are projected to decline in the 2026/27 Season

The June 2026 issue of Cotton This Month projects a modest contraction in global cotton area, production, and trade during the 2026/27 season, reflecting weaker demand sentiment, rising production costs, and shifting environmental factors across major producing nations.

#Technical Textiles

Fifteen years of Autoneum – From spin off to global technology leader

What started as a strategic carve‑out has since become the success story of a global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management solutions for vehicles. Headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, Autoneum supplies leading automobile manufacturers worldwide with innovative, lightweight and increasingly sustainable solutions.

#Textile chemistry

The CHT Group GmbH awarded Best Managed Company 2026

The CHT Group GmbH has been honored as Best Managed Company 2026. The seal of approval recognizes excellently managed medium-sized companies and is awarded as part of a program by Deloitte Private, UBS, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, and the Federation of German Industries (BDI).

#Nonwoven machines

Kruger, Canada, orders first nonwovens line for sustainable wipes from ANDRITZ

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from newly established Kruger Nonwovens to deliver a complete WetlaceTM hybrid line for the Wayagamack mill in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada. With this investment, pulp and paper producer Kruger is preparing to enter the nonwovens market with a new generation of plastic-free, chemical-free materials for sustainable wipes. The line is the first of its kind in Canada and is scheduled to start production in 2028.

#ITM 2026

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.

#Man-Made Fibers

The updated poster on biodegradable Polymers in various environments has been released

As part of the PerPlacsBio project, nova-Institute has updated its popular poster on the biodegradability of polymers in different environments. The updated version reflects current standards, certifications and the latest scientific findings. The poster can be used to assess biodegradable alternatives for use in agriculture and forestry, and it is now available in German for the first time.

#ITM 2026

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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

HIGHTEX Exhibition 2026

June 9 - 13, 2026,

Istanbul, Türkiye

ITM Exhibition 2026

June 9 - 13, 2026,

Istanbul, Türkiye


VIDEOS

#Industry 4.0 / Digitalization

Every yarn tells a story. RadiciGroup makes it traceable – all the way to the finished garment.

#Sustainability

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) enters a new phase of positive impact, rebranding as Cascale.

#Nonwoven machines

Interview with FILTREX™ Innovation Award 2022 winners: Dr Ingo Mählmann and Ralph Berkemann from Oerlikon Nonwoven.

#Recycled Fibers

matterr at the K 2025 fair

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