#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

2021-10-13

Merging for a brighter future – ALUMO to become wholly-owned subsidiary of AG Cilander

Two long-established companies are joining forces: as of October 2021, textile finishing specialist AG Cilander from Herisau, Switzerland, will acquire 100 percent of ALUMO AG, an Appenzell-based manufacturer known for producing ultra-fine cotton fabrics to exacting Swiss quality standards.

The textile finishing industry is an environment in which quality, new technologies and a keen interest in innovative textile solutions play a crucial role. In this business, strong, reliable alliances with customers and partners are vital pillars to allow growth while still satisfying the high expectations set for the materials used. By acquiring ALUMO AG, the world leader in ultra-fine cotton fabrics, AG Cilander expands into a new market segment, setting the course for successfully broadening its product portfolio and tapping into new sales markets.

“Uncontested at the top of its industry, ALUMO AG stands for both the heritage and the future of premium quality shirt and blouse fabrics. We have long since come to appreciate the cotton fabrics made by this manufacturer,” says Dr. Burghard Schneider, CEO AG Cilander. He sees the acquisition of this company as a visionary step towards the future. “Now is the time to pool our resources in order to satisfy the needs of a demanding market. Our answer to the customers’ demand for outstanding quality, transparency and sustainability is Swiss precision. The ALUMO AG acquisition follows consistent strategic interests. We are rolling up our shirtsleeves, leveraging the power of Swiss heritage to embark on a shared journey towards a successful future,” Schneider continues.

The team at ALUMO AG is excited about the acquisition, too, as it integrates the company even more firmly into the strong Cilander group. Both companies can look back on a long tradition of expertise in the textile industry, and their partnership has been a very successful one for years. “I believe in the new, redoubled collaboration with Cilander. Firmly integrated into a strong, sustainable textile group, we will forge a successful shared future,” Sandra Geiger, CEO ALUMO, is excited to add.

ALUMO AG will continue to operate as an independent company based in Appenzell, keeping the same strategic direction in the fabrics offered and the same standards for excellence in service and quality.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

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.

The address for environmentally friendly dyeing and finishing systems: ITM 2026

Dyeing and finishing technologies, one of the most critical and value-added areas of the textile sector, have gained strong growth momentum on a global scale. Technologies that are pioneers of this transformation focused on sustainability, quality and efficiency will meet with sector professionals at the ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition. Dyeing and Finishing Hall (11–12) will host the latest technologies that increase efficiency, optimize resource use and reduce environmental impact in textile finishing processes.

iNTERSPARE presents latest developments and upgrade solutions for technical textile finishing at Techtextil

iNTERSPARE Textilmaschinen GmbH will present its latest solutions for technical textile finishing at Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt (VDMA joint stand, Hall 12 / Stand C55A). The focus will be on further developments within the Krantz, Artos and Babcock (BTM) product lines, in particular the Krantz K30 stenter as well as the reintroduction of the Artos Vari-Flex foulard. The presentation will be complemented by modular solutions for upgrading existing installations and new approaches in automation and digitalization.

Sedo Treepoint will exhibit smart technologies for technical textile production

As technical textile production becomes increasingly complex and sustainability requirements intensify, digital integration is evolving from an efficiency tool into a strategic task. At Techtextil 2026 (April 21–24, Frankfurt am Main), Sedo Treepoint will present smart digital systems designed to address the demanding production environments of technical textile manufacturing. The company’s focus will be on practical technologies that enhance process transparency, reproducibility, and efficient resource use. Visitors will meet Sedo Treepoint in Hall 12, Booth D05.

Kornit Digital expands digital production into footwear and technical textiles with Presto MAX PLUS

Kornit Digital (NASDAQ: KRNT) (“Kornit” or the “Company”), a global pioneer in sustainable, on-demand digital fashion and textile production, today unveiled the Kornit Presto MAX PLUS, a new roll-to-roll system expanding digital manufacturing into footwear, automotive interiors, military camouflage, high-performance sportswear, and high-end furnishings. Debuting at Texprocess 2026 in Frankfurt, Presto MAX PLUS enables entirely new applications for on-demand textile production.

Covestro, FILK Freiberg, and OUT e.V. develop flexible, conductive polymer smart textile system

As the smart textiles market continues to grow across healthcare, personal protection, sportswear, and automotive applications, developers are seeking new ways to integrate electronic functionality directly into textiles, without the rigidity and complexity of conventional wiring. To address this challenge, FILK Freiberg Institute, an independent research institution with expertise in polymer coatings for textile applications, collaborated with Optotransmitter-Umweltschutz-Technologie (OUT) e.V. The joint project, funded under the German Industrielle Gemeinschaftsforschung (IGF) program of the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE), focused on developing flexible, conductive polymer surfaces for next-generation smart textiles.