#Associations

2026-03-19

Azerbaijan Textile Association (ATA) becomes member of ITMF

The Azerbaijan Textile Association (ATA) has officially become a Member Association of the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), further strengthening Azerbaijan’s integration into the global textile value chain.

Founded to represent and promote the interests of Azerbaijan’s textile and apparel industry, ATA plays a key role in sector development, policy dialogue, capacity building, and international cooperation. By joining ITMF, ATA reinforces its commitment to fostering sustainable growth, innovation, and global competitiveness within the national textile ecosystem.

ITMF members are responsible for approximately 90% of global textile and apparel production and represent the entire textile manufacturing value chain. Through its membership, ATA and its member companies gain access to a unique global platform for information exchange, dialogue, and industry networking.

Mr. Christian Schindler, Director General of ITMF, stated: “Welcoming the Azerbaijan Textile Association as a new Member Association further strengthens ITMF’s global network. Azerbaijan’s textile sector has significant development potential, and ATA’s participation in ITMF will contribute to deeper international collaboration, knowledge sharing, and integration into the global textile value chain.”

Through ITMF membership, ATA members will benefit from exclusive access to global statistics, reports, surveys, webinars, and industry insights. In addition, ITMF conferences, workshops, and networking events provide valuable opportunities for Azerbaijani textile companies to expand their international partnerships, enhance export potential, and adapt best global practices.

Ms. Farida Akhundova, Executive Director of ATA, stated: “Joining ITMF marks an important milestone for Azerbaijan’s textile industry. It is a strategic step toward deeper integration into global markets and the adoption of international standards and innovations. ITMF membership opens new opportunities for our member companies to strengthen their competitiveness, expand exports, and build long-term international partnerships.”

This membership represents a significant achievement for Azerbaijan’s textile sector and reflects ATA’s strategic vision to position the country as an increasingly competitive and reliable partner in global textile trade.

For more information about ATA, please visit: www.textile.az

For more information about ITMF, please visit: www.itmf.org

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.

ITMF and IAF conclude successful Joint Convention 2025 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) and the International Apparel Federation (IAF) have successfully concluded their second joint convention, held this year in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. In close collaboration with the host Indonesian Textile Association (API), the event gathered over 400 delegates from around the world from across the entire textile and apparel value chain.

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.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

Europe is losing its textile industry

EURATEX has released its latest Economic Update on the performance of the European textile and apparel industry in 2025. For the third consecutive year, the sector recorded negative results across all key indicators — production, turnover and employment — confirming a continued erosion of competitiveness across Europe.

Speed and connectivity: Techtextil and Texprocess provided market-ready solutions for industries under pressure

With more than 36,000 visitors and 1,700 exhibitors from a total of 112 countries, Techtextil and Texprocess 2026 demonstrated how innovation comes into industrial use. The convergence of research, industry and application proved to be a breeding ground for new material solutions, manufacturing and processing technologies. Natural fibres, performance apparel, connected systems and AI-driven processing technologies emerged as key growth and future markets.

Italian Textile Machinery heads to Geneva for Index 2026

An important delegation of Italian companies will exhibit at the upcoming INDEX 2026, the world’s leading event for the nonwovens sector, taking place from May 19 to 22 in Geneva (Switzerland). Numerous Italian exhibitors will be present within the Italy Pavilion, organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and ACIMIT, an exhibition area of over 140 square meters dedicated to the latest innovations proposed by the Italian industry.