#ITMA 2023

2021-11-03

New ITMAlive series features textile industry trending topics

The second season of ITMAlive, a content series created to support the ITMA exhibition is launched today. Comprising four industry discussions, the new ITMAlive series seeks to offer deeper discussions amongst industrialists on trending topics affecting the global textile and garment industry.

The discussions are based on ITMA 2023’s overarching theme of Transforming the World of Textiles and its focused areas: advanced materials, automation and digital future, innovative technologies, and sustainability and circularity.

Mr Charles Beauduin, Chairman of ITMA Services – organiser of ITMA 2023, commented, “This new season follows last year’s Forging Ahead amidst a Pandemic series which consisted of interviews with 8 prominent leaders of textile and garment industry companies that had remained agile and resilient during the global coronavirus crisis.”

He added, “For this year’s series, we are privileged to have established leaders of the textile and garment industry to share in-depth views, create awareness to anticipate future demand and ideas to future-proof their business. Such discussions also create a more vibrant community within our industry.”

Each of the ITMAlive panel discussions features three industry members with the session moderated by a key media representative.

The four panels are:

Advanced Materials

Moderated by Adrian Wilson, Analyst and Writer in technical textiles, nonwovens and composites industries from AWOL Media, the session covers the new technologies for the production of advanced materials and an overview of the current state of the industry and what can be expected in the near future.

The panel members are:

• Lutz Walter, Secretary General, European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing (ETP)

• Jerome Ville, CEO, Fibroline SA

• Dr. Thomas Schmidt, Director of Innovation and RSL, Huafeng Textile Group

Automation and Digital Future

Spotlighting on the digital future, barriers to automation, and challenges to creating a sustainable future for the textile industry, the discussion is moderated by Madelaine Thomas, Content Lead, World Information Textile Network (WTiN).

The panellists include:

• Hayato Nishi, Public Relations Manager, Shima Seiki USA

• Jonas Larsson, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Textiles, Engineering and Business, The Swedish School of Textiles

• Uwe Gansfort, Managing Director, canda International, C&A FIT (Factory for Innovation in Textiles)

Innovative Technologies

Focusing on current smart textiles trends and developments, and their impact on textile manufacturing technologies, the discussion is moderated by Claudia van Bonn, Editor-in-Chief, TextileTechnology, dfv media group.

The panel comprises:

• Jean-Marc Senecot, Global Head of Research & Development, Porcher Industries

• Michael Kieren, Product Manager, New Textile Technologies, Karl Mayer Stoll R&D

• Prof Yoel Fink, Professor of Materials Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Sustainability and Circularity

As circularity becomes more crucial for the textile industry, the discussion will zoom in on why the textile industry needs to move towards more circular model, the opportunities/challenges around the implementation of these solutions and the way forward. It is moderated by John Mowbray, Environmentalist and Founder, Ecotextile News.

Panellists include:

• Karla Magruder, Founder, Accelerating Circularity

• Petri Alava, CEO, Infinited Fiber

• Baptiste Carriere-Pradal, Chairperson, The Policy Hub

The series is available online at www.itma.com with a new panel discussion uploaded every Tuesday till 23 November. Click on this to view the first panel discussion on Advanced Materials.

The world’s largest textile and garment technology exhibition, ITMA will be held at Fiera Milano Rho, Milan, from 8 to 14 June 2023. It is expected to draw strong response. More details on stand space application can be found on the website. For participation enquiries, please email: application@itma.com.

The last ITMA exhibition, held in Barcelona in 2019, featured exhibits from the entire textile and garment making value-chain, including raw materials and fabrics. It drew a record-breaking participation of 1,717 exhibitors from 45 countries and visitorship of over 105,000 from 136 countries.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“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

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

More patterns, less effort: the MULTI-MATIC® at Rohleder

Rohleder is one of Europe’s most modern weaving mills. For over 80 years, the family-owned company has been developing and manufacturing premium fabrics for brands, retailers and private customers – 100% Made in Germany. This success is made possible by a consistent focus on design, quality, and functionality, as well as by continuous investment in state-of-the-art production facilities. Rohleder also relies on innovative technologies in warp preparation and has been collaborating with KARL MAYER for many years. As recently as 2023, a MULTI-MATIC® was delivered to the company’s headquarters in Konradsreuth.

BASF opens global diaper and superabsorbents performance lab in Mumbai

BASF has officially inaugurated its new Performance Lab for diapers and superabsorbents (SAP) in Mumbai on August 18, 2026, which will provide technical and application services to superabsorbent customers globally. The new lab of BASF’s Hygiene Solutions business has been established in less than a year and is part of BASF’s Innovation Campus Asia Pacific in Mumbai, BASF’s second largest R&D site in Asia Pacific established in 2017 under BASF Chemicals India Private Limited.

Naia™ from Eastman strengthens western hemisphere textile connections at Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala

As brands and retailers explore more diversified and responsive sourcing networks, the Naia™ brand from Eastman is strengthening its engagement with the textile and apparel value chain across the western hemisphere. From August 18–20, the company will participate for the first time in Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala, a regional meeting point for apparel sourcing, manufacturing and nearshoring.

Dornbirn GFC 2026 expands conference program with new thematic sessions

For 65 years, Dornbirn GFC has stood for innovation and is one of the world’s leading conferences in the fiber industry. From September 16 to 18, 2026, the international fiber community will meet in Dornbirn, Austria, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and forward-looking solutions. More than 600 experts from industry and academia from over 30 countries are expected to attend. With around 100 presentations by renowned speakers, a 2,5-day conference program, and three parallel presentation rooms with moderated sessions, Dornbirn GFC provides a first-class platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and international collaboration. Together, participants will generate ideas and impulses that will sustainably shape the future of the global fiber industry.