#ITM 2026

2026-05-28

Customer insight week Türkiye

KARL MAYER strengthens customer partnerships in Türkiye

Türkiye has been one of KARL MAYER’s most important markets for decades. The first KARL MAYER warp knitting machine was delivered to Bursa as early as 1951. It was installed by Karl Mayer himself and marked the beginning of a long and successful partnership.

This fruitful partnership is based on trust, active listening, learning from one another, and driving innovation together – cornerstones that KARL MAYER built upon with a „Get-together Week“ in early May. The industry leader used this initiative to engage intensively with its customers in the run-up to ITM, discussing current and future developments, innovations, as well as shared goals and visions.

„For us, Türkiye is much more than just a market – it is a central part of our future, which we would like to build together with you. Our customers‘ success is our benchmark. We think and develop from the textile to the machine – with a clear focus on innovation power, solutions that enable new applications, and speed,“ Lutz Wolf, CEO of KARL MAYER, told the participants.

Top management representatives and specialized experts from Germany and Türkiye, together with regional partner Erko, visited numerous customers and also hosted management meetings and technical events at the KARL MAYER location in Bursa.

A particular highlight was the in-house event „Let‘s talk Warp Knit.“ Around 40 customers attended and were able to learn about current topics and gain new perspectives for their work through sessions tailored to different levels of expertise – ranging from technical presentations and in-depth workshops to concise micro-training sessions.

The content was tailored to the customers’ current needs: Among other things, the latest developments in tricot machines were presented, along with a preview of the ITM trade show and textile innovations specifically designed for the Türkiye market. In addition, the focus was on KARL MAYER‘s service offerings and the opportunities provided by the new TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER at the company‘s headquarters in Obertshausen.

The interactive formats, in particular, which allowed ample time for questions, were very well received and simultaneously provided valuable insights for the company‘s strategic development and the formulation of concrete goals.

For KARL MAYER, this deep understanding of the market serves as the foundation for developing solutions for new applications and market-relevant innovations that deliver value to its customers. The intensive dialogue highlighted potential particularly in the area of design fabrics for fashion & apparel. Above all, flexibly configurable jacquard patterns and lace are gaining in importance. At the same time, demand for apparel with crepe-like textured surfaces remains strong.

In line with this, KARL MAYER will be showcasing the HKS 4-M EL ECO – a highly efficient production machine – at ITM. From June 9 to 13, 2026, the global player will be at Booth 3/303 A at the Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center in Istanbul.

Speeches at the workshop © 2026 KARL MAYER

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.

TM WEFT, 270" – More width, more design freedom for the fashion world

KARL MAYER is expanding its successful TM WEFT series with an innovative model that opens up new possibilities, particularly in the fashion & apparel sectors. With a working width of 270", this new machine with weft-insertion not only offers significantly higher output than its narrower counterparts but is also specifically tailored to the demands of dynamic clothing market – particularly in China and Türkiye. A well-thought-out upgrade also ensures even greater design versatility.

ITM 2026: KARL MAYER presents new perspectives

KARL MAYER will once again showcase itself as a strong partner to the Turkish textile industry at ITM in Istanbul from June 9 to 13. At Booth 303 A in Hall 3 of the Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center, the industry leader will exhibit solutions for warp knitting, warp preparation, and technical textiles – tailored to a challenging economic environment.

Techtextil 2026: KARL MAYER impresses as an innovative sector partner

KARL MAYER looks back with satisfaction on its participation in Techtextil 2026. From April 21 to 24, the international industry leader used the trade show in Frankfurt to meet with numerous key customers at its booth and, at the same time, establish many new contacts. Most visitors came from Germany, followed by major markets such as Poland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, France, and Portugal.

Global Mmeeting of textile technologies, ITM 2026, attracts great interest

ITM 2026, one of the world's most prestigious organizations in the field of textile technologies, opened its doors with the participation of over 1,000 companies and company representatives from 59 countries, as well as thousands of professional visitors from nearly 100 country. Attracting thousands of international visitors on its first day, ITM 2026 once again demonstrated its status as a global meeting point for the textile industry with its advanced technologies on display, newly established business connections, and record-breaking international participation.

Barmag and Hitech Automation enter into partnership for an auto-doff system for texturing machines

Barmag (Suzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. and Hitech Automation Solutions PVT LTD. of Surat, India, have agreed to an exclusive partnership to jointly market Hitech’s Doffmatic automation solution for Barmag’s proven manual eFK texturing machines. In many texturing facilities, manual doffing processes remain heavily operator-dependent – resulting in issues such as increased scrap, inconsistent quality, and limited productivity.

Uster’s new Recycling Opening Index guides spinners to the perfect blend

Uster AFIS 6 now offers the key data for better decisions when blending recycled fibers. Process control is decisive in determining the quality and economic outcome. The new R Recycling Module of AFIS 6 introduces the Recycling Opening Index (ROI), so spinners can optimize their circularity credentials. It was officially launched at ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Textile Exchange publishes comprehensive polyester LCA study

Textile Exchange has released a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing detailed data on the environmental impacts of both virgin and recycled polyester production. The study aims to strengthen understanding across the fashion, textile and apparel industries and support more informed decision-making regarding polyester sourcing and production.