#ITMA 2019

2017-03-16

ITMA highlights innovation for its second Barcelona edition

ITMA, the world’s largest textile and garment technology showcase will continue its focus on innovation for its upcoming edition in Barcelona in June 2019, with the main theme of the show being ‘Innovating the World of Textiles’.

ITMA 2019 online space application opens in May

Mr Fritz P. Mayer, president of CEMATEX, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers, which owns the ITMA exhibition, explained: “The increasingly high level of automation and digitisation in combination with real time data tracking and interconnection has spawned the 4th industrial revolution and the emergence of smart factories. ITMA is a unique showcase of live machinery demonstrations and innovative solutions that boost productivity and profitability.

“For this latest edition of ITMA, we have chosen to focus the industry’s attention on innovation which creates a competitive advantage for manufacturers. Sustainable innovation that drives growth for the textile and garment industry will continue to be emphasised at the exhibition.”

As many leading textile machinery and raw material manufacturers, and service providers look forward to the exhibition to launch or promote their latest innovations, the organiser of ITMA 2019, ITMA Services, has already been receiving numerous enquiries for participation.

Mr A.E. Roberts, Chairman of ITMA Services, said: “ITMA was last held in Barcelona in 2011. We expect strong response when the exhibition returns to the city after eight years. A host of exciting highlights and knowledge-sharing activities have been planned which give added value to exhibitors and visitors alike.”

ITMA 2019 is expected to feature over 1,500 exhibitors from 45 countries spread over 100,000 square metres of net exhibition space. It will be held from 20 to 26 June at Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via venue.

Online space application will open on 4 May 2017. Interested participants can visit application@itma.com.

The last ITMA exhibition, held in Milan in 2015, featured exhibits from the entire textile and garment making value-chain spread over 108,268 square metres of net exhibition space. It drew the participation of 1691 exhibitors from 46 countries and visitorship of almost 123,000 from 147 countries.

“Action helps us change what we do!”

DAY 0 takes place deliberately before PERFORMANCE DAYS begins. It is conceived as a space for reflection, dialogue and active engagement — a moment to pause before the fair, rethink established systems and address sustainability not as a trend, but as a fundamental transformation challenge. Under the guiding metaphor “Turn the Tap Off”, DAY 0 focuses on root causes rather than symptoms, systemic change rather than isolated solutions, and collective responsibility rather than individual silos.

Pets in fashion: functional and sustainable textiles find new market at Intertextile Apparel

China’s pet economy is booming, especially amongst younger generations, and pet apparel – from designer outfits to functional garments – was a RMB 3.5 billion (over USD 500 million) market in 2024, growing more than 20% annually¹. To help exhibitors harness this trend, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2026 will launch the Pet Boutique, presenting a range of innovative, sustainable materials that prioritise both functionality and comfort for pets.

VAUDE eliminates PFAS from all products

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are now detectable worldwide – in drinking water, soil and the human body. These so-called “forever chemicals” are considered hazardous to health and potentially carcinogenic, as they do not break down and remain in the environment permanently. Despite these risks, PFAS are still used in a wide range of products. More than 15 years ago, VAUDE made a strategic decision to gradually eliminate PFAS from all product categories.

Lenzing AG to become majority owner of TreeToTextile AB and accelerates industrialization of new fibers

The Lenzing Group is taking another strategic milestone by acquiring a controlling majority in the Swedish innovation company TreeToTextile AB. This step strengthens Lenzing’s position as a leading provider of sustainable, wood‑based specialty fibers and expands its innovation pipeline with a highly scalable, patent‑protected technology platform. The transaction is executed through the issuance of new shares.