#Associations

2024-05-02

New General Secretary of Cematex

Federico Pellegata has been appointed as the new General Secretary of Cematex, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers. He takes over from Cornelia Buchwalder, to whom goes Cematex thanks for the work done with professionalism and competence.

Federico Pellegata at ITMA 2023 ACIMIT press conference © 2024 TexData International

Federico Pellegata was nominated by the Board of Directors of Cematex on April 11, 2024. He was a longstanding Member of the Cematex Executive Committee since January 1998 to August 2023; he is now CEO of Acimit Servizi.

Cematex is the official representative body for Europe’s national textile machinery associations and is the owner of ITMA, the world’s largest international textile machinery exhibition. The first inaugural show was launched in 1951. Subsequent editions have taken place in Europe, Asia and China.

Over the coming years, Federico Pellegata will support Cematex through a globally challenging period, taking in four major events. ITMA Asia + CITME will be held in Shanghai from October 14 - 18, 2024. This will be followed in 2025 by the ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore from October 28 – 31, 2025 and then by ITMA Asia + CITME 2026 again in Shanghai, culminating again by ITMA in Hannover (September 16 – 22, 2027).

Cematex President, Ernesto Maurer, says: “Cematex is determined to maintain its leadership role for exhibitions, carrying the ITMA brand to partners worldwide today and in the future, including a focus on increasingly digital opportunities. I’m confident that Federico Pellegata long experience in our sector and its exhibitions will contribute to strengthening our industry”.

European business associations celebrate the signature of the EU-Mercosur FTA

The 17th January marks a historic milestone with the signing of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement, creating the biggest trading block in the world. European business – represented by more than 28 associations across a wide range of sectors – warmly welcomes this signature. It sends a strong and timely signal that the EU remains open and is committed to rules-based global trade. In a time of global uncertainty, this agreement is a key growth booster.

Latest news from Bremen: ICAC Plenary Meeting to take place right before the International Cotton Conference

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VIATT 2026 announces inaugural lifestyle Trend Forum: Unified vision for S/S 2027 across fashion, home, and tech

The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is set to host its first Trend Forum, offering a forward-looking, industry-wide perspective for Spring / Summer 2027. With the show scheduled from 26 – 28 February 2026 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), VIATT’s trend curators – NellyRodi™ Agency and MUSEATIVE – will provide comprehensive insights across the interconnected realms of Apparel Fabrics & Fashion, Home & Contract Textiles, and Technical Textiles & Technologies.

Precision jet dyeing moves towards industrial scale as Alchemie partners with Acatel

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MUNICH FABRIC START: Between Attitude and Sensuality

The future begins where we reimagine it. After seasons of restraint, Spring.Summer 27 marks a conscious counter-trend: optimism, sensuality, and creative freedom are replacing pragmatism and neutrality. Physical presence and individuality are regaining importance – as a response to uncertainty, exhaustion, and algorithmic predictability. The overarching theme of PLEASURE stands for fashion as an emotional space, as an expression of attitude and cultural reflection. Colours, surfaces, and materials become vehicles for self-confidence and joie de vivre.