#ITMA 2023

2023-05-11

Mastering the future with sustainability

Sustainability – a central theme of the KARL MAYER GROUP at ITMA, 08 - 14.06.2023, Fiera Milano, Hall 4 B119 © 2023 KARL MAYER

The KARL MAYER GROUP is a family business with a long tradition and a strong sense of social responsibility. In its corporate strategy, it commits to act in line with social and ecological goals and to orienting itself towards the "Environmental Social Governance (ESG)" standards. With a focus on a future worth living in, the KARL MAYER GROUP ensures sustainable processes with its products and services.

Sustainability will be the overarching theme shaping the KARL MAYER GROUP’s presentation at the world’s most important textile machinery exhibition. A compact sustainability gallery will feature elements including an example of the circular economy of material from the warp knitting sector, a 3D-knitted garment with extremely low-waste production, and a technical warp knitted grid fabric that offers two environmental benefits in one: not only is it made from natural fibres, but it is also used as a carrier material for CO2-effective vertical urban greening. Another feature of the sustainable innovations collection revolves around production technology: For the denim industry, a solution for indigo dyeing that has an extremely low carbon footprint will be shown.

In addition to the focused performance show, ITMA visitors will see the theme of sustainability reflected at almost every turn around the rest of the KARL MAYER GROUP’s stand. Under the motto “Master the Change – profitable, flexible, sustainable”, solutions and innovations are provided to answer our customers’ key questions, including: “How can I deal with the increasing pressure to be more sustainable?”

One potential way forward for warp knitting is shown by a new fall plate raschel machine, which – thanks to specific modifications – is suitable for processing staple fibres. The resulting warp knitted textiles are not only chic but also sustainable, meeting the growing demand for clothing with a low ecological impact.

A high-performance tricot machine operates using an energy-efficient direct drive. The energy consumption can be checked through newly developed monitoring. In addition, the machine uses pattern data from the cloud rather than pattern discs, thereby reducing its material and transport intensity. A warp knitting machine with weft insertion demonstrates how an optimised weft carrier can save waste in the weft yarn, and STOLL’s ADF model requires less energy thanks to a range of targeted design changes.

Digital solutions also contribute effectively to increased sustainability and economic efficiency at the same time. As an example, the latest innovative design software for flat knitted textiles – k.innovation CREATE DESIGN – can interact with any 3D software. Thanks to this connection, realistic 3D renders can be created, thereby enormously reducing the need for physical patterns and by extension, lowering material consumption.

In addition to the exhibits, the ambience in which they are presented will also reflect an air of sustainability. The focused stand concept relies on minimal material consumption for the wall and floor structures through the use of many modular and reusable components, without compromising on hospitality and clarity. Transport routes will be minimised by working together with an Italian stand builder, while attention is also being paid to reducing catering-related waste, such as by using reusable crockery and avoiding packaging where possible.

The newcomers HKS 3-M EL ECO and HKS 4-M EL ECO set new standards in the tricot market

Short development cycles, frequent pattern changes, and maximum efficiency – even with small batch sizes: Today's global fashion and apparel market demands more flexibility than ever before. High-performance warp knitting machines with compound needles (HKS) and EL pattern drive are KARL MAYER's answer to this challenge.

KARL MAYER celebrates 35 years of EL pattern drive

KARL MAYER is celebrating an anniversary this year: on 30 November 1990, the first warp knitting machine with electronic guide bar control, the KS 4 EL, was delivered – another milestone for patterning. As early as 1980, the SU gearbox with the MRS42SU had initiated the transition from mechanical chains to digital data.

India becomes growth engine for the warp knitting industry

ITMA ASIA 2025 exceeded all expectations for KARL MAYER – above all thanks to the strong interest from India: around 30% of the qualified discussions were held with partners from this traditional textile country. The response underlines the growing importance of the Indian market, which could become the second largest sales region for KARL MAYER after China. The warp knitting industry in particular is developing dynamically.

Solution for lower energy consumption proves itself in practice

Getzner Textil is one of KARL MAYER’s first customers to use PROSIZE with CASCADE. The innovative weaving specialist has tested the steam and condensation system by KARL MAYER and determined the energy savings it achieves. Karl-Heinz Vaaßen, Head of Textile Drying at KARL MAYER, assisted Getzner Textil’s production specialists both with the tests and with all questions relating to CASCADE. In a conversation with Werner Egger, Head of Weaving, and Thomas Rossi, Head of Warp Preparation at Getzner Textil, he learnt more about the system’s benefits for his customer.

Green lights only for French Equipments @ ITMA

ITMA 2023 has been a great expo for the French exhibitors. Christian Guinet, UCMTF’s Secretary General points out “R&D is embedded in our members’ strategy, but for this ITMA they have secured more budgets than ever. The objectives are ambitious: breaking innovative technologies to offer their customers the opportunity to develop new products, process them in a secure, economical and environment friendly way. Raw materials, energy and water savings are top priorities for our customers both because it is an end market demand and to cut costs. Digitalization and artificial intelligence are essential tools to move into these directions."

SHIMA SEIKI returns to ShanghaiTex

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Hong Kong and Chinese market subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI (HONG KONG) LTD., will exhibit at the ShanghaiTex 2025 exhibition (Booth No.: Hall N3, Booth A20) held in Shanghai, China this month. This marks the return of SHIMA SEIKI to ShanghaiTex after a 14-year hiatus, its last exhibit at the show having been in 2011.

Fraunhofer CCPE presents the “Monomaterial Design Set” – Innovative solutions for circular product design

Composite materials made from different types of plastic often extend the lifetime of products but make recycling more difficult in the circular economy. That is why Fraunhofer CCPE has developed the “Monomaterial Design Set”. This new approach helps to reduce the variety of plastics used in durable products and offers circular solutions for designers and product developers.

arena introduces renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber in its latest swimwear collection

Italian swimwear specialist arena has unveiled a new collection that brings sustainability and performance even closer together. Launched on December 4, the line features swimsuits made from recycled nylon and renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber — the first time the bio-based spandex has been used commercially in swimwear.