#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.

FET’s revolutionary gel spinning system wins Techtextil Innovation Award

FET has received the prestigious Techtextil Innovation Award 2026 in the New Production Technology category. The Techtextil Innovation Award honours outstanding ideas in textile technology, sustainability, AI and the creation of technical textiles, selected by an international jury of experts. Ranging from new materials to new production technologies, this award recognises progressive ideas that are driving forces for numerous industries, such as automotive, medical and construction.

Savio Macchine Tessili will exhibit at ITM Istanbul 2026 presenting its flagship technologies

Savio Macchine Tessili will participate in ITM Istanbul 2026 in a corporate booth of Vandewiele Group, showcasing a selection of its most advanced winding and spinning solutions designed to support textile mills in achieving higher efficiency, flexibility and yarn quality. The company will bring to the show three flagship solutions: Proxima Smartconer®, Lybra Smartspinner® and the Phoenix Assembly Winder.

Rieter at ITM 2026: Spinning Redefined with Automation and Intelligence

Spinning mills need solutions that deliver stability, efficiency and future-proof performance. Rieter has put together a powerful portfolio for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye. These innovations give customers the tools to enhance cost efficiency, improve responsiveness and actively develop their competitive edge. Step-by-step, Rieter is moving closer to its Vision 2027 – the fully automated spinning mill. With each new technology, Rieter enables spinning mills worldwide to operate with greater precision and reliability, ensuring they remain at the forefront of an increasingly demanding global market.