#ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore 2025

2025-10-28

One machine, double output

Compact, powerful, cost-efficient – KARL MAYER launches its HKS 2-SE TWO

The new HKS 2-SE on the booth © 2025 KARL MAYER

KARL MAYER is launching a new two-bar tricot machine for the elastic sector at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025. This newcomer is called HKS 2-SE TWO, stands for double customer benefits, and offers even more advantages than the predecessor model. With this innovation, the leading textile machinery company is once again asserting its top position in the market.

When it comes to manufacturing smooth elastic fabrics on two-bar tricot machines, KARL MAYER products have long been the global market leaders. With a speed of 4,400 rpm, the HKS 2-SE is the fastest warp knitting machine in the world. Thanks to its functional differentiation, the short-stroke machine series with two guide bar beds is also the number one choice when it comes to greater fabric diversity and thus gaining more or new business. The HKS 2-SE PLUS produces new twill stitch fabrics with a high modulus that are setting trends in swimwear, sportswear and lingerie. The HKS 2-S – an all-rounder for elastic and non-elastic fabrics – produces dense articles with an ex-ceptionally high UV protection factor using the extended gauge E 44. These articles are in high de-mand among manufacturers of comfortable sun protection clothing.

KARL MAYER has set itself the challenge of surpassing its own successful line and, just in time for ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025, has developed the HKS 2-SE TWO, a machine with a significant perfor-mance boost. With a working width of 2 x 130″ and a significantly higher speed than comparable machines on the market, this two-in-one model offers unique productivity. In addition, it requires less floor space and energy than two individual machines. Energy efficiency is further enhanced by the fact that each machine has only one main and one beam drive and uses a drive solution for feeding the yarn to the GB 2 that does not require belts. The new unit is more efficient and also re-quires less maintenance.

Customers also benefit from handling advantages during machine operation. Instead of one contin-uous fabric panel, the HKS 2-SE TWO produces two separate panels that are easier to change and require adjustment only on one machine instead of two. The quality of the panels produced is abso-lutely identical and remains unrivalled.

The total cost of ownership is more than halved, and the price is significantly lower compared to the two-times-one machine concept. This makes the HKS 2-SE TWO a guarantee for success.

The HKS 2-SE TWO will be available in the gauges E 32, E 36 and E 40 when it goes on sale. Dur-ing the trade fair in Singapore, an E 36 version will demonstrate its capabilities in the production of a universal article for the fashion & apparel category. The machine will be a highlight at the KARL MAYER booth A 301 in Hall 5 of the Singapore EXPO.

Visitors watching the HKS 2-SE © 2025 KARL MAYER

Driving WARP KNIT Inspiration

KARL MAYER sees performance fabrics and next-level textile solutions in particular as potential growth drivers for its customers, as a motor for business development and as real game changers for the entire textile industry. Innovation does not happen by chance. It is the result of close exchange with customers & brands, textile expertise and competence in textile machine engineering. This is why KARL MAYER is investing in progress and collaborative development and opening its TEXTILE INNOVATION CEN-TER (TIC) – a place to be for the entire textile world.

KARL MAYER (China) celebrates its 30th anniversary

On February 6, KARL MAYER (China) celebrated the new year and its 30th anniversary. Employees and the management team at the Changzhou location, as well as representatives from management in Germany, Italy, and Hong Kong, were invited to the festivities. A special highlight was the visit by Lutz Wolf, CEO of KARL MAYER.

KARL MAYER at JEC: Multiaxial reinforced CFRP pultrusion profiles are picking up speed in the mobility sector

KARL MAYER Technical Textiles will be showcasing exciting new application potentials for multiaxial non-crimp fabrics in combination with the pultrusion process at the upcoming JEC in Hall 5, Booth C 46. The advancement of the tried-and-tested pultrusion process enables the cost-efficient production of complex CFRP multi-chamber profiles, which are used in the CETROVO high-speed metro. The world's first carbon-intensive lightweight rail vehicle of this type is designed for speeds of up to 140 km/h.

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.

India ITME Society pushes trade & technology alliances in Singapore

India ITME Society hosted India Networking Program - Fabricating the Future of Textile Industry- From Heritage to High-Tech” on 29th October 2025 at Singapore an exclusive gathering of Ministry of Textile Officials, Embassy Officials, Entrepreneurs, Technocrats, Industry Organizations and Media Personnel's designed to foster collaboration, exchange ideas and explore opportunities in the Indian Textile & Textile Engineering Sector.

Innovation and customer proximity – KARL MAYER’s clear focus makes an impression

ITMA ASIA in Singapore was a resounding success for KARL MAYER, exceeding all expectations. The company welcomed visitors from 39 countries and held around 570 expert discussions. Most guests came from India, followed by China, Indonesia and Pakistan. The exchange with them was both well-founded and targeted. Conversation topics ranged from investment projects and new technologies to opportunities for cooperation and business expansion.

YKK launches “YZiP® Light” aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has launched YZiP® Light, a lightweight aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants, with sales beginning in late March. The introduction of YZiP® Light expands YKK’s zipper portfolio—led by the flagship YZiP® copper alloy zipper—providing customers with greater flexibility to meet diverse garment needs.

Shima Seiki showcases WHOLEGARMENT® and 3D knitting solutions for technical textiles at Techtextil 2026

Leading textile technology solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, along with its Italian subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI ITALIA S.p.A., will be participating in the Techtextil 2026 exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany next month. On display will be WHOLEGARMENT® and other advanced three-dimensional knitting applications across a wide range of industries besides fashion apparel that are not typically associated with knitting, such as technical textiles using industrial materials and advanced three-dimensional knitting.