#Composites

2022-06-09

KARL MAYER presented sustainable solutions at JEC World

After a three-year break due to corona, the global composites industry came together again for the first time at a JEC World. The leading composites industry event was held in Paris from May 3-5, 2022. It exceeded all expectations in terms of product launches, content, business activities and attendance. In total, more than 32,000 trade visitors from over 115 countries were counted in Paris and on the JEC World Connect digital platform. The online format celebrated its premiere and was offered parallel to the presence event.

Sustainable solutions for composite reinforcements and exhibition premiere for STOLL - KARL MAYER with two highlights at JEC World, 03.-05.05.2022 in Paris

There were 1,201 exhibitors at the exhibition center in Paris. There were 26 pavilions and the launches of 500 new products. With the impressive figures, dynamic networking and lively business activity, JEC World once again confirmed its exposed position in the exhibition landscape of the composites industry. By the end of the event, 50% of the exhibition space for JEC World 2023 had already been booked. The KARL MAYER Group will also be back next year.

This renowned global player celebrated a premiere at this year's trade fair: for the first time, it was represented in Paris by its STOLL Business Unit and thus also had solutions from the flat knitted sector in its trade fair luggage. KARL MAYER Technische Textilien also presented the possibilities offered by its innovative machines for the production of reinforcement textiles. The highlight here was a snowboard made from a scrim produced from flax fibres. Composites made from renewable raw materials were the hit of the show. "Many of the solutions are still in the early stages of large-scale production, but they are an interesting alternative in terms of sustainability," says Hagen Lotzmann. The Sales Manager of KARL MAYER Technische Textilien is satisfied with the results of JEC World 2022. "We met all our important customers and also got into conversation with many new manufacturers. Around a third of all visitors were first-time contacts." Missing, however, were the representatives from the Chinese market. Due to corona-related travel restrictions, they had to stay at home. In addition, the results of the meetings were right. "We had exclusively trade visitors at our booth. We mostly discussed very specific concerns at a high technical level," says Hagen Lotzmann.

KARL MAYER's flat knitting unit also drew a positive conclusion. The presentation in Paris had provided a lot of food for thought and created new opportunities for networking, explained Martin Legner from STOLL Sales. In addition, he said, there was broader input when discussing various topics. Among the possibilities offered by STOLL's flat knitting solutions in the field of technical textiles are the production of shaped articles and low-waste textiles. In addition, various materials, yarns and fibers can be integrated into knitted goods directly on the machine.

Fig.: The stand of the KARL MAYER Group at the JEC (c) 2022 KARL MAYER

KARL MAYER opens a new TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE – a new era of textile innovation begins

KARL MAYER is opening its new TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE (TIC), sending a strong signal that it is driving textile innovation forward and opening up new perspectives for the textile industry. The TIC brings together the latest developments in Warp Knitting, Technical Textiles and Warp Preparation – KARL MAYER’s core areas of expertise.

Proven performance, optimised costs – the new RE 6 EL

Nowadays textile companies increasingly need to produce small production runs and respond to market changes with instantaneous pattern changes in order to operate profitably – meaning they require machines that offer maximum flexibility, reliability and cost efficiency. KARL MAYER understands the challenges of the market and is launching its new RE 6 EL. The Raschel machine offers the core strengths of the classic RSE 6 EL and essentially the same performance parameters, but has been further cost-optimised largely due to local production advantages. This makes the newcomer an efficiency champion in production, especially when it comes to frequent pattern changes.

Engineering depth and diversity for composites

Airbond is the latest member of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) to receive recognition for contributions to the composites industry. The engineering firm based in Pontypool, South Wales, has just received the Make UK Energy and Sustainability Award for its Lattice 3D Printing project.

Sustainable, lightweight, and sound absorbing: Polyester-based front trunk solution for BEVs

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.

Rieter responds to higher raw material prices

Global political and economic developments have been leading to rising raw material and energy costs for some time. The textile machinery industry is also affected by this trend. Rieter machines and components consist to a large extent of steel, copper, aluminum and electronics. These materials in particular have seen higher demand and higher prices in recent months.