#Associations

2020-06-18

4th ITMF-Survey about the Impact of the Corona-Pandemic on the Global Textile Industry

Between May 20th and June 8th, 2020, ITMF has conducted its 4th ITMF Corona-Survey among ITMF members and affiliated companies and associations about the impact the Corona-pandemic had on the global textile value chain. In total around 600 companies from around the world participated.

Graph 1: Worldwide, current orders are down by -42% on average.

Orders impacted by the Corona-pandemic by region (Source: ITMF)

On a global scale, current orders continue to be down on average by more than -40% (Graph 1).When looking at expected turnover in 2020 compared to 2019, the expectations remained unchanged since the 3rd ITMF Corona-Survey. On average, companies are expecting their turnover to plummet by -32%. The range between regions differs with from -22% in South East Asia to -36% in East Asia (Graph 2).

Graph 2: Worldwide, expected turnover 2020 is down by -32% on average (versus 2019).

Turnover 2020 impacted by the Corona-pandemic per region (versus 2019) (Source ITMF)

When looking at the different segments in the textile value chain, all segments – from spinners to garment producers – recorded significant decreases in orders (Graph 2). Also, integrated producers seem to have faredslightly better with -26%, while the other segments expect turnover in 2020 to be falling in the range of -31% to -34% (Graph 3).

Graph 3: In all segments of the global textile value chain orders are down in the range of -37% to -46%. Turnover 2020 is down in the range of -26% to -34% compared to 2019.

Corona-pandemic impact on orders and turnover, per manufacturer type (Source ITMF)

Asked when pre-crisis levels are reached again, the majority (23%) is expecting this to be in the 1st quarter of 2021, followed by 21% that are expecting this to be the case in the 2nd quarter of 2021. Another 14% have the expectations that this will be the case in the 3rd quarter of 2021. Nevertheless, 20% of companies are expecting a faster recovery in the 4th quarter 2020 (Graph 4).

Graph 4: 44% expect that pre crisis levels are reached again in the 1st or 2nd quarter 2021.

When do you expect quarterly turnover to be back to pre-crisis levels? (Source ITMF)

SIMTA joins ITMF as Corporate Member

In the past two decades SIMTA has established itself as producer of specialized machinery for the textile industry. In short period of time, SIMTA became an important supplier of precise rollers for top OEMs. Afterwards SIMTA started manufacturing overhead cleaners, bobbin transport systems, and other textile ancillaries. In the meantime, SIMTA is a leader in this space in collaboration with the German automation technology partner Jacobi.

Young talents honoured – 60 years Walter Reiners Foundation

At the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of April, Peter D. Dornier, chairman of the VDMA’s Walter Reiners Foundation, presented awards to five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability awards were presented in the categories of bachelor’s/project theses and diploma/master’s theses. Academic theses are eligible for the sustainability awards if, for example, they develop solutions for resource-efficient products and technologies.

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.

VDMA members at Techtextil: Smart technologies for technical textiles

At Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt, the members of VDMA Textile Machinery underline their key role as global technology leaders for technical textiles and textile processing. With a strong presence of more than 50 members they will highlight how engineering excellence, innovation strength and sustainability expertise from Germany and Europe are shaping the future of the textile industry. Seven companies will be present at the VDMA group stand in the centre of hall 12.0.

Barmag and Neumag showcase innovations across all manmade fiber processes

For the first time, Barmag is presenting itself alongside its new parent company, Rieter: At this year’s ITM in Istanbul, both companies will be represented from June 9 to 13 at the Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center in Hall 7, Booth 702B. As a technology leader in the field of chemical fiber equipment, Barmag will showcase its entire portfolio of systems for filament yarn, staple fiber, and nonwoven production, as well as solutions for the networked factory.

Walter Reiners Foundation Prize awarded to three ITA graduates

Sabina Dann, Lukas Balon and Annegret Storm from the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University were awarded the Walter Reiners Foundation Prize by the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) for their master’s and bachelor’s theses. Peter Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation, presented the awards during Techtextil at the VDMA stand in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.