#Associations

2021-07-22

Textile machinery: Pandemic accelerates digital transformation process in textile sector

The Covid-19 pandemic that hit the world a year ago has also severely impacted the textile machinery sector. At ACIMIT’s general assembly, the association representing the Italian textile machinery manufacturers, this was seen as an opportunity to consider what the sector had lost in 2020, while also presenting a variety of future projects to relaunch the industry.

In 2020, Italy’s production of textile machinery fell by 22% compared to the previous year, with a similar drop in exports (-21%). Weighing heavily on this situation was a near total stop in production between the first and second quarter of 2020, while the recovery in the second half of the year was only partial. Travel restrictions have contributed negatively to performance in the industry, and still do not allow companies to seize the opportunities created by a recovery of the textile sector.

ACIMIT president Alessandro Zucchi commented that, “in this first half of 2021, however, the overall economic situation appears to be improving both in terms of exports and in our own domestic market in Italy. The resumption of trade fair events in attendance in our sector has provided a positive sign of a progressive return to normal business conditions.”

Nonetheless, for many companies the pandemic’s legacy has also had a positive side. “Entrepreneurs in the industry have realised the urgency of enacting a digital transformation of their business,” stated Zucchi. “This is precisely why ACIMIT has accelerated its Digital Label project for certifying Italian textile machinery that adopt a common set of data, in order to more easily integrate with the operating systems of their client businesses (ERP, MES, CRM, etc.).”

“The competitive edge of each individual company, as for the entire industry,” recalled ACIMIT’s president, “will increasingly depend on the level of digitalization to which we will have been able to elevate our production and organizational processes. ACIMIT’s digital certification wants to achieve this goal.”

In addition, the general assembly confirmed Alessandro Zucchi, who is CEO and partner of the company Ferraro, as the ACIMIT’s president for two more years. Also confirmed were the charges of Federico Businaro as vice president (Santex Rimar Group), Cristian Locatelli (Marzoli, Camozzi Group) and Andrea Piattelli (Unitech). The latter are joined by Ugo Ghilardi (Itema Group), elected vice president for the first time.

Lastly, during the assembly ACIMIT awarded a historic group of associated machinery producers, which since ACIMIT’s founding in 1945, or from its inception (companies that entered the group prior to 1950), have been a part of the Association. These companies are: Crosta, Gaudino, Marzoli, Mezzera (a brand owned by Reggiani), Noseda, O.C.T.I.R. (an Autefa Solutions Italy brand), Reggiani, Sant’Andrea, Savio and Zonco.

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.

Last chance to apply: ITMA 2027 Start-Up Valley closes tomorrow

Applications for the Start-Up Valley at ITMA 2027 close tomorrow, offering young technology companies the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of several successful participants from the 2023 edition. The initiative, organised under the CEMATEX Start-Up Grant programme, has already helped a number of textile start-ups accelerate their transition from early-stage concepts to industrial partnerships, funding rounds and commercial deployment.

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.

Jeanologia brings “Billy” to China, the AI transforming denim design

The denim industry is turning its attention to Hangzhou this week, where a new edition of Kingpins, the leading international trade show for the sector, takes place on May 21 and 22. There, the Spanish company Jeanologia, a global leader in sustainable technologies for the textile industry, is introducing its latest innovation to the Chinese market: “Billy”, the first artificial intelligence specifically developed for denim finishing design.

Sustainable embroidery materials and digital finishing attract attention at GUNOLD booth

More exhibition space, more visitors, and a high level of international participation: GUNOLD’s concept for this year’s Texprocess 2026, which took place in Frankfurt am Main from April 21 to 24, 2026, was a complete success. “Our decision to showcase our entire product range alongside application examples and expert tips was very well received,” says Marketing Director Stephan Gunold, delighted with the positive outcome of the trade show. The focus was particularly on the Stockstadt-based company’s sustainable products as well as its laser, engraving, and sublimation services.

Trützschler and Wisdom-Greentech held a signing ceremony for the ultra-high-speed 4.2m Air-Through Bonding (ATB) line

On May 20, 2026, Trützschler and Wisdom-Greentech, a Chinese customer specializing in high-end maternal, infant & child care industry and related disposable nonwoven products, held a signing ceremony for the purchase of a ultra-high-speed 4.2m ATB line in Geneva, Switzerland. This cooperation not only represents a deepened partnership between the two parties in the ATB sector, but also marks a new milestone in production efficiency for the high-end maternal, infant and child care product industry chain. This jointly developed 4.2m ATB line is more than just an investment. It stands as a milestone achievement of Sino-German technological cooperation, empowering the high-end hygiene industry including feminine care, adult care and related disposable nonwoven products, and realizing a dual breakthrough in production capacity and product quality.

Wangjin holdings signs 10th production line agreement with Trützschler – Driving innovation in the eco-friendly nonwovens industry

Wangjin Holdings and Trützschler held a grand signing ceremony for the Pulp X Spunlace Nonwoven Production Line, alongside the successful commissioning ceremony of Line 3 of Zhejiang Jinnuo Medical New Material Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Wangjin Holdings, in Geneva, Switzerland on May 20, 2026. The newly signed Pulp X production line marks the 10th production line that Wangjin Holdings has introduced from Trützschler. It is not only the strategic implementation outcome of Wangjin Holdings' decade-long deep cultivation and continuous layout in the nonwovens sector, but also demonstrates its unwavering commitment to leading the innovative development of the global eco-friendly nonwovens industry, injecting powerful new momentum into the industry's green transformation.