#ITMA 2015

2015-07-01

Textile machinery: sustainability the winning formula for Italian technology

Group photo at Villa Erba: ACIMIT invited the international press for a press conference to get the latest news from the Italian textile machinery manufacturers and their participation at ITMA 2015 in Milan (c) 2015 TexData

With 2014 archived in lights and shadows, Italy’s textile machinery sector looks optimistically to the current year. In 2015 ITMA, the industry’s most important trade fair, returns to Italy twenty years later, providing an opportunity to showcase Italian technology and stimulate new investments of textile sector in Italy and Europe.

At the General Assembly of ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, the 2014 year end data were exhibited – a transitional year for the industry. Production dropped slightly (-1%) compared to 2013, coming in at a value of just over 2.3 billion euros. After falling the two previous years, exports confirmed the value of the preceding year, at roughly 1.95 billion euros. Italian exports were destined primarily to Asia and Europe. Overall, these two areas absorbed 81% of sales abroad. However, whereas our exports to European markets grew compared to last year, they actually fell in Asia. China remains one of the main export markets, although sales of Italian machinery fell by 25% in 2014 compared to the previous year, a result of less robust economic growth than was expected. On the other hand, exports to India, Bangladesh and Vietnam were on the rise, and Italian textile machinery manufacturers also did well in Turkey, the United States and Iran.

At ACIMIT’s General Assembly, people spoke mostly of 2015. During the current year the industry stands to benefit from macroeconomic factors that are making forecasts lean towards a cautious optimism. In particular, on domestic market a more widespread trust should encourage the investments in machinery by textile companies, who will benefit from a weaker euro to boost exports. Abroad, on the other hand, we expect the recovery in the demand from China, which is the leading market for Italian exports and a boost for the European demand.

With these forecasts in hand, ITMA 2015, the textile machinery sector’s main trade fair, to be held from 12 to 19 November in Milan, will be a driving force capable of energizing Italian and European investments in the textile industry. “Our manufacturers are very confident about the event next November,” commented ACIMIT’s President Raffaella Carabelli. “As shown by the preliminary figures on the presence of Italian companies at the fair: a total of nearly 430 exhibitors, covering around 31,000 square meters, for an increase in occupied surface area of over 50% compared to the previous edition in Barcelona. Fully 30% of the total exhibition space at ITMA will be taken up by Italian machinery manufacturers.”

An international press conference was also held at the ACIMIT General Assembly in Villa Erba (Como) to present Italy’s participation at ITMA. “Thanks to the great level of economic and organizational support from the Ministry for Economic Development and Italian Trade Agency,” explained Carabelli, “we’re able to promote the presence of Italian businesses at the November trade fair through a wide range of initiatives.”

Pic: A big birthday cake for the 70th anniversary of ACIMIT

“There’s no doubt that within Italy the textile machinery industry is one of the country’s most important production sectors, due to its strong showing on the international markets,” states Roberto Luongo, the General Director of Italian Trade Agency. “Our textile technologies are considered of a very high qualitative level, which is an element of great pride and satisfaction for us, which urges us to support Italian businesses in an increasingly convinced and determined manner, through an effective, well-established and proven collaboration with the trade association. The ITMA trade fair in Milan represents a unique opportunity for Italy’s textile machinery industry, which is why, with the huge financial support from the Ministry for Economic Development, a well defined project has been set up in partnership with ACIMIT, known as the Special ITMA Milano 2015 Project, with the aim of allowing the numerous Italian machinery manufacturers at the fair to maximize their own individual efforts.”

At the Milan edition of ITMA, a trade fair that stands out for the high level of innovation and technology proposals, the main issue will be sustainability, as the theme of this edition emphasizes: “Master the art of sustainable innovation”. ACIMIT’S President added “The textile machinery sector is moving towards more competitive production processes, where reduced production costs, through savings in the consumption of water, energy and raw materials, are combined with greater attention to environmental issues. In this situation, Italy’s machinery manufacturers are the ideal partners for companies looking to make sustainability an added value in their production outlook.”

Pic: Italian participation at ITMA 2015 in Milan

Pre-empting to international journalists the main Italian technology innovations on show at ITMA, ACIMIT indicated that energy savings and reduced environmental impacts would be the major trends for Italy’s machinery companies. On the issue of sustainability, ACIMIT has over the past five years committed time and resources through its “Sustainable Technologies project”, bearing witness to the commitment of participating manufacturers to reduce the Carbon Footprint of their machinery, through ongoing technology improvements. As ACIMIT’s President concluded “Our industry’s future relies on sustainable technology.”

Pic: (f.l.t.r.) ACIMIT Director Mr. Federico Pellegata, ACIMT President Mrs. Raffaella Carabelli and Mr. Alessandro Liberatori, Head - Capital Goods Division (Dirigente) of ICE- ITALIAN TRADE PROMOTION AGENCY at the international press conference.(c) 2015 TexData

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.

C&S strengthens its governance to support its evolution

C&S announces the appointment of Marco Lucietti to its Board of Directors. With extensive international experience across the textile and denim industries, Lucietti will work alongside CEO Federico Corneli, contributing to the company’s managerial development, organizational structure and long-term strategic direction.

Industrial scale meets verified governance: RE&UP is now B Corp™ certified

RE&UP, the circular-tech transforming global textile waste into high-volume Next-Gen materials, has officially become a Certified B Corporation™. The milestone establishes the industrial recycler among a select group of manufacturing infrastructure providers verified as meeting B Lab Standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

ISKO brings conscious color, texture, and tactile evolution to Bluezone Munich

At Bluezone ISKO is debuting its FW 27–28 Collection, structured around a trio of core sensory pillars: color, texture, and touch. This season, the textile leader showcases a creative vision where emotional connection and advanced technical innovation come together. The entire range is anchored by a dedicated commitment to eco-conscious material creation, utilizing patented processing technologies and high-quality Next-Gen materials powered by RE&UP.

More Jacquard. More functionality. More fashion.

With the addition of another member to its successful RASCHELTRONIC® family, KARL MAYER is opening up new possibilities for creative product development for warp knitting mills and brands. The RJ 4/2 EL offers with two stitch-forming Jacquard bars entirely new design options for functional sportswear and bi-elastic lingerie. Available in gauges E 28 and E 32, this new model helps manufacturers set their collections apart from the competition. The fine E-32 gauges, in particular, impress with their clean surface, a pleasantly soft feel, and an exceptionally elegant look.