#ITMA 2019

2019-06-19

On the way to an evergreen with ecological GREENDYE

KARL MAYER remains on a growth path with its Denim Excellence Center at KARL MAYER ROTAL and a wide-ranging product portfolio. The motto of the continuing success story is: providing the complete technology for an efficient indigo dyeing process from a single source. With its PRODYE-S unit, this manufacturer is already a leader in the fashion market, its PRODYE-R is increasingly accepted by the Genuine Denim segment.

KARL MAYER launches eco-friendly indigo dyeing technology at ITMA 2019, booth 8.0/B107

At ITMA 2019, KARL MAYER launches GREENDYE, an innovative technology for producing jeans fabrics with minimized ecological footprint, thus, opening up another market sector, SUSTAINABLE DENIM.

Dyeing in nitrogen atmosphere

The nitrogen technology ensures less environmental impact and more efficiency during indigo dyeing. With its high concentration in the dye bath and under nitrogen atmosphere, the dye diffuses and migrates more intensely into the fibre than in case of conventional comparable procedures. The yarn can absorb three times more dye in a dye vat. In this way, it is possible to reduce the number and length of vats, with positive effects for the environment. The chemical consumption can be reduced considerably, a minus of 50% is possible when using hydrosulphite and caustic soda, and there is also less yarn waste. Moreover, due to the good fixation of the dyestuff on the fibre, considerably less water is required during the washing process.

Production with reproducible parameters

KARL MAYER took over the patents for the innovative indigo dyeing technology from MASTER in 2018. There followed extensive works for the further development and fine tuning. One of the milestones in this context was the putting into operation of a pilot machine at the Denim Competence Center in Mezzolombardo, Italy, at the beginning of this year.

The dyeing system maps the industrial production process at a scale of 1:10 and it has already supplied the first warp beams. These beams were processed by an Italian partner from the weaving industry, the result being highly promising jeans samples. Enzo Paoli, Managing Director of KARL MAYER ROTAL, wants to use these fabrics in order to gain the interest of denim manufacturers in the innovative GREENDYE technology. „Only with samples produced under realistic fix running parameters we can convince on the market. Our contact partners are textile manufacturers, who want something to touch“, says this experienced company boss.

Fabric samples, an animation of the machine and its contribution to the topic of sustainability belongs to the highlights of KARL MAYER’s exhibition stand 8.0/B107 at ITMA 2019. Further steps are already planned. As from September 2019, KARL MAYER will have a new Denim Customer Center, and wants to invite the sector to carry out processing tests on the innovative nitrogen unit.

More about SUSTAINABLE DENIM:

https://www.karlmayer.com/en/sustainable-denim

New business momentum for the Turkish warp knitting industry

Warp knitting companies can look forward to new opportunities for their business development when they visit the KARL MAYER stand at ITM. At the important trade fair in Istanbul, the industry leader will be presenting selected solutions to support customers in a market that is as important as it is difficult. The focus will be on flexibility and speed.

GenuTrace client advisory: Is your cotton supply chain UFLPA ready?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released updated operational guidance (CBP Publication No. 5560-0526) expanding its forced labor enforcement framework. The guidance supersedes the original 2022 UFLPA Operational Guidance and now covers all forced labor enforcement authorities — UFLPA, CAATSA, and WROs/Findings — in a single unified document. For cotton importers, the enforcement posture has not softened. It has become more structured, more documented, and more demanding. Learn more about UFLPA.

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.

TERNAfil wins first place at PitchMiUp Night 2026 in Minden

The RWTH spin-off TERNAfil has developed MAXCarbon, a new high-performance hybrid fibre that combines the mechanical performance of carbon with the temperature and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials. For this development, TERNAfil was awarded first prize at the PitchMiUp Night in Minden on 21 May 2026.