#ITMA 2015

2015-05-13

World Textile Summit 2015 reveals first speakers

The first speakers have been announced for the World Textile Summit, which will be co-located with ITMA 2015 and explore sustainability strategies to create business value in the textile manufacturing value chain. In line with the key themes of ITMA 2015, the Summit’s programme is being developed to explore a series of topics that link decisions on sustainability to profitability and corporate success.

These include the role of sustainability in:

differentiating brands and companies
business profitability and security
investment decisions
the circular supply chain
customer acquisition and retention
product development

The Summit will be an opportunity for textile business leaders to share and discuss their own direct experiences, with several presenting short case studies and engaging in audience debate on topics that include:

the investment case for green technology
value creation from the use of sustainable materials

Speakers announced today include Helga Vanthourout, a senior consultant at the Sustainability and Resource Productivity Practice of McKinsey and Company. Ms Vanthourout is an expert in the circular economy as it relates to textiles and her clients range from manufacturers to waste-management companies and even city authorities. In 2014, McKinsey, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, authored an influential report on the circular supply chain, on behalf of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

The World Bank, whose International Finance Corporation division reported in 2012 on ‘The Business Case for Sustainability’, has also accepted an invitation to speak at the Summit.

Top-level speakers from within the textile community include: Frank Henke, VP for Social & Environmental Affairs, adidas; Dr Johannes Merck, CSR Director, Otto Group; Linda Keppinger, Global Materials Director, Nike Inc; Barak Tun, Director Sales, Menderes Tekstil; and Roger Yeh, President, Everest Textile Company. Other speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Scheduled for 13 November 2015, the second day of ITMA 2015 in Milan, the World Textile Summit 2015 is designed to be a unique one-day event that brings together the world’s most influential textile leaders to debate issues of strategic importance to the global industry. It is owned and organised by CEMATEX, WTiN and MP Expositions.

The event is sponsored by leading textile-machinery companies and environmental standards bodies including SPGPrints, MS Italy, bluesign technologies, Oeko-Tex, Reggiani, and Oerlikon. Supporting partners include the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, The Textile Institute and the Better Cotton Initiative.

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026 Shanghai showcases intelligent and sustainable manufacturing

From 20 to 24 November 2026, the textile machinery industry will gather in Shanghai for ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026, Asia’s leading business platform for textile machinery, to be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). The exhibition will occupy seven halls, with a total gross exhibition area of about 180,000 square metres. The exhibition has expanded by 10% over the last edition which reflects the continued industry interest in the region.

ITMA 2027 receives strong industry response

ITMA 2027 has unveiled its sector plan, marking progress towards the 2027 edition as planning continues ahead of the show. The ITMA 2027 sector plan covers 12 halls at the Messegelände Hannover venue, spanning over 180,000 square metres, and features 20 sectors of the textile and garment making processes, from spinning to finishing, software and automation, recycling, and fibres, yarns and fabrics.

ITMA 2027 gains strong momentum

In line with the theme "Co-creating the future of textiles", ITMA continues to strengthen its support for start-ups, recognising their role in driving innovation and shaping the future of textile and garment manufacturing. Through the Start-Up Valley, emerging companies gain access to a global marketplace where they can connect with industry leaders, potential partners, investors and customers.

Automation, digitalization and new business models are shaping the future of footwear and leather technology

The European footwear and leather machinery industry is facing profound transformations. Global competitive dynamics, technological innovation, automation and digitalization are fundamentally reshaping markets, production processes and business models. This is one of the key findings of the new study “Threads of the Future – Footwear and Leather Technology Edition”, which was presented today by VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies (VDMA TFL) during a press conference at SIMAC Tanning Tech in Milan.

SHIMA SEIKI to showcase flat knitting and digital design solutions at Egypt Stitch & Tex

Leading Japanese computerized flat knitting technologist SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its sales representative in Egypt, TTS (EL MASRIA FOR TRADE & TECHNICAL SERVICES), will participate in the upcoming 24th International Exhibition for Textile & Carpet Machineries, Printing Technologies and Accessories (Egypt Stitch & Tex) to be held in Cairo, Egypt this month.

EURATEX calls for urgent action on industrial competitiveness

EURATEX, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation, welcomes today’s State of the Union Address by European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and in particular her recognition of Europe’s need to rebalance unfair trade, cut red tape, and strengthen its industrial and strategic autonomy.