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#Knitting & Hosiery

Innovations of today for the generations of tomorrow

KARL MAYER’s booth at the ITMA ASIA + CITME 2016 (c) 2016 Karl Mayer
KARL MAYER was once again exhibiting at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2016 as a world market leader with a profound sense of responsibility. This manufacturer always considers future generations in all its activities. We care about your future – this is KARL MAYER’s commitment to promoting the concepts of sustainability and digitisation when dealing with its customers and throughout its entire operations.
KARL MAYER is upbeat following the ITMA ASIA + CITME 2016 Show, held 21.–25.10.2016 This world market leader was demonstrating how it is focusing on the challenges of our times by holding two presentations simultaneously to mark ITMA ASIA + CITME 2016. The first was on its impressive stand at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC) in Shanghai, and the second was at an in-house show held at KARL MAYER (China) in Wujin, Changzhou. Both of these presentations were extremely successful. The company’s representatives had more than 600 meaningful conversations at the trade fair. Most of the interested visitors (about 56%) came from China, but also from India, Taiwan, Korea, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Turkey. “For us, ITMA ASIA + CITME 2016 was an international fair providing many important impulses for our future business,” concluded Arno Gärtner, the Managing Director. During the in-house show in Wujin, Changzhou, he and his team were able to welcome roughly 340 visitors – a record number for one of the company’s own in-house events. The nationalities of the visitors here were similar to those at the NECC. As well as the neighbouring Asian countries, there was considerable interest from Turkey. Some customers even travelled from as far afield as the USA and eastern Europe. Committed to topical issues KARL MAYER’s presentations at the NECC and in Wujin, Changzhou, both focused on the future. For example, features such as technical solutions concentrating on sustainability, such as the LEO® Low Energy Option for warp knitting machines and the materials-conserving HSB-PW Size Box for warp preparation, as well as textile applications having ecological implications in the field of multiaxial technology attracted a great deal of attention at the show. “Our developments and concepts for conserving resources and protecting the environment were very well received by our visitors in Shanghai,” explained Arno Gärtner. “What is more, many visitors were enthusiastic about trying out our new digital communication systems. Since ITMA 2015, we have been going in a new direction, thanks to smart phones and tablets. We have been incredibly successful here.” The latest digital innovations include the KARL MAYER CONNECT and KARL MAYER CHECK PARTS apps and the SPARE PARTS WEBSHOP.

They complement the 360° service provided by KARL MAYER, and guarantee efficient communication with the company’s own technical support staff. They also ensure that the machines operate more economically. The new KAMCOS® 2 automation platform is the basis for this innovative link between network communication and the machine technology, and also for solutions for integrating systems. KARL MAYER’s media presentation at the NECC also focused on digital technology: large displays showing striking images attracted the attention of the visitors from some distance away, and sent out the message: “Innovation is at home here”. The products on show were demonstrating their high level of innovation, in terms of both their technology and appearance. In the tricot machine sector, KARL MAYER was presenting two HKS models of the next generation in Shanghai. Their modern design clearly sets them apart from other machines on the market. The visitors were full of enthusiasm for the new design. “Our customers can see that the design is a real competitive advantage, and are eagerly awaiting the rollout of more models like this,” said Jan Rundshagen, the CSO of KARL MAYER’s agent, ILLIES. The new OJ 59/1 B for the lace sector was on display at the in-house show in Wujin, Changzhou. With its unique level of productivity, it is revolutionising the production of lace. This first representative of the new LACE.EXPRESS series created quite a stir at the fair.Some new developments in shoe fabric production and an innovative warp preparation machine for warp knitting rounded off the presentation at the in-house show at KARL MAYER (China).

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#Knitting & Hosiery

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.

#Knitting & Hosiery

Footwear innovation enabled by warp knitting technology– insights from New Balance

The future of the athletic shoe is increasingly being shaped on warp knitting machines. For KARL MAYER, the footwear industry is one of the most important growth markets – and one of the sectors where innovative textiles can realize their full potential. In his keynote address at the opening of KARL MAYER’s TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER in Obertshausen in April, Vishnu Prakash Muthusamy, Senior Textile and Materials Engineer at New Balance, explained the opportunities that warp knitting technology opens up for performance, sustainability, and faster development processes, and why textile manufacturers are transitioning from suppliers to development partners.

#ITM 2026

Positive market signals for KARL MAYER at ITM 2026

KARL MAYER is pleased with its participation as an exhibitor at ITM 2026. Faced with the challenges of rising domestic costs and fierce competition from low-priced Asian markets, the industry leader had traveled to Istanbul with mixed feelings – yet still draws a really positive conclusion.

#Knitting & Hosiery

STOLL: Agreement signed for the divestiture of selected assets

In early 2025, KARL MAYER announced its strategic decision to focus on its core business areas of WARP KNITTING, WARP PREPARATION, and TECHNICAL TEXTILES. As part of this move, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand was discontinued and the production site in Reutlingen was closed in October 2025.

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#ITM 2026

ITM 2026: Mayer & Cie. Global presents itself successfully at international industry trade fair

Mayer & Cie. Global has used ITM 2026 in Istanbul for its first major international appearance since the restart. Together with the Turkish representative Mayer Mümessillik, the company presented its premium circular knitting machines "Made in Germany", explained its future positioning within the group of companies and held talks with customers and representatives from numerous markets. The response to the restart was positive. The clear orientation of the company, the reliable worldwide network of representatives and the resumption of service and spare parts supply were welcomed by customers.

#ITM 2026

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.

#Knitting & Hosiery

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.

#Knitting & Hosiery

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

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#Research & Development

ALADIN paves the way for circular and demand-driven textile production in Europe

Textile production can be organized sustainably by utilizing short supply chains and preventing overproduction. This can already be achieved today by intelligently connecting and efficiently utilizing existing infrastructure. At the same time, production becomes circular when innovative technologies and materials are used that enable high-quality recycling. The ALADIN research project, launched in May 2026 and co-funded with five million euros under the EU Horizon Europe program, is creating the conditions for this.

#Nonwovens

Katharina Obergruber appointed to the Management Board of Sandler AG

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#Recycling / Circular Economy

Ence and ShareTex begin initial testing of the ATENEA innovation project to promote textile recycling in Spain

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#Recycling / Circular Economy

DePoly Inaugurates its Showcase Plant in Monthey Switzerland

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