#INDEX 20

2021-09-16

Italian textile machinery at INDEX 20, the world’s leading nonwovens trade show

From 19 to 22 October, 2021, INDEX, the reference trade fair for the nonwovens sector, will take place in Geneva. Also for this edition there will be more than a hundred Italian exhibitors, of whom about eighty are machinery manufacturers. As in the past editions, Italian Trade Agency will organize an Italian Pavilion, where 13 Italian manufacturers will exhibit.

The following ACIMIT member companies will be exhibiting in this area: A. Piovan, Bianco, Bombi, Color Service, Guarneri Technology, Monti-Mac, Officina Master, Ratti, Texera, Toscana Spazzole, Unitech. Other ACIMIT member companies will exhibit with their own booth.

In recent years nonwovens production have grown on a global scale, much more significantly than the traditional textile industry. According to figures collected and compiled by EDANA, the global association of nonwovens companies, production of nonwovens in Europe grew by 7.2% in 2020 to reach 3 million tonnes (and 85.9 billion square metres), with a total estimated turnover of Euro 9.6 million.

“Index is the leading trade fair for the nonwovens industry, comments Alex Zucchi, president of ACIMIT. It is therefore particularly important for ACIMIT and the Italian textile machinery industry to be present at the reference exhibition for nonwovens, a sector that has shown strong growth during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic. The increased demand for nonwovens, especially those intended for the medical sector (surgical masks, but also other personal protective clothing and equipment) has rewarded the Italian technological offer, rich in innovative solutions”.

The demand for nonwovens has boosted the Italian production of nonwovens machinery during the last year. The increased demand for innovative solutions is precisely what enhances the role of Italian textile machinery manufacturers. The Italian exports of machines used for producing nonwovens (HS code 844900) reached a value of 59 million euros in 2020. In the first six months of 2021, then, the growth was impressive: +142% over the first half of 2020, worth 37 million euros.

Textile machinery: Italian technology charts the course for revival

Operating in a scenario characterized by geopolitical instability, slowing industrial investments, and new protectionist pressures. This is the main challenge for the Italian textile machinery industry that emerged during the General Assembly of ACIMIT (Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers), held today in Milan at the Shareholders’ Hall of Palazzo Edison.

Bangladesh: Italian textile machinery mission stops in Dhaka and Chittagong

Technological upgrading and the transition toward higher value-added production are driving the new Italian industrial mission to Bangladesh. This year, the mission will split between the country’s two main manufacturing hubs, where Italian manufacturers will meet the leaders of the local textile supply chain in two strategic stages: July 7th in Dhaka and July 9th in Chittagong.

Mongolia: Workshop on Italian textile technologies kicks off in Ulaanbaatar

The workshop dedicated to Italian textile technologies will kick off in Ulaanbaatar from 21 to 23 June 2026. Focused on the most advanced innovative solutions for the textile industry, the initiative will bring together 13 Italian textile machinery manufacturers, confirming the growing interest in strengthening industrial cooperation between the two countries and highlighting Mongolia’s strategic importance for Italian textile machinery producers.

Turkmenistan: Italian textile machinery focuses on high technology and specialization

The Italian textile machinery industry flies to Ashgabat to participate with a large “Made in Italy” delegation at TURKMEN TEXTILE EXPO 2026, the major international showcase taking place from June 4 to 6, 2026. The Italian presence, coordinated by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and ACIMIT (the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers), aims to consolidate Italy’s primary technological role in a highly strategic market with interesting prospects.

Reju opens its first R&D Center in the U.S. in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

Reju, the company specializing in textile regeneration, today announced the opening of a Research and Development (R&D) Center in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the company's first proprietary research center in North America. Located within Technip Energies' existing Advanced Materials and Catalysts research center, the lab will allow Reju to accelerate the rollout of its recycling technologies and develop its next-generation circular solutions.

Itema reaffirms its commitment to the Syrian textile industry at NasTex 2026

From July 18th to 21st, Itema will exhibit at NasTex at the Damascus Fairground (Hall 11 – Stand C02), marking its return to one of the Middle East’s historically significant textile markets. Itema will showcase advanced weaving technology designed to support the competitiveness and technological evolution of Syrian manufacturers and announces a new partnership with Growfast Agency as the sole agent of Itema in Syria.

KARL MAYER's HKS 2-SE Expands Possibilities for Premium Stretch WARP KNITS

Warp knitted fabrics with a woven look are more in demand than ever in the fashion and apparel industries. Stretch WARP KNITS, in particular, impress with their freedom of movement, breathability, and virtually wrinkle-free wear – thereby opening up new style worlds such as smart casual or business casual. When it comes to the highly efficient production of premium-quality stretch WARP KNITS, the HKS 2-SE has long been the machine of choice. KARL MAYER’s best-selling tricot machine produces standard elastic fabrics characterized by high gauges, smooth, delicate surfaces, and a soft hand feel.