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#Knitting & Hosiery

Body mapping re-thought

At KARL MAYER a sportswear collection made from highly innovative warp-knitted textiles was produced punctually for ITMA since, as Gabriela Schellner, Head of the Textile Product Development at the well-known global player, says, “The sportswear sector wants to know what is happening in the machine building sector because this will determine textile developments for the next five to ten years.”

Inspired by Flyknit, Gabriela Schellner and her team focused on a fabric having integrated functionality when developing innovative textiles. “Young people and active people in particular are looking for tops and briefs that they can wear for sports as well as leisure activities.” At the same time, the raw edges and seams should be incorporated directly into the panels. Designs having few seams minimise the making-up processes and reduce chafing during wear. The RSJ 4/2 RASCHELTRONIC® is perfect for working a wide range of pattern constructions in a single fabric. Possible lappings, structures and elastic moduli were incorporated into a library in the first stage. Bogart in Hong Kong, with all its experience with meeting the needs of the customer, then came into the game.

This lingerie specialist produced a design with the required functional zones, which was then produced on the RSJ 4/2, E 28. 4-way-stretch fabrics with a breathable mesh design, stable areas, and zones having different elastic moduli to provide support and a perfect fit were produced – seamlessly next to each other and in those areas where they are needed. For example, a high force absorption is created in the zones around the bottom and muscles. In this case, a higher percentage of elastane was integrated into the fabric by means of the pattern. “The items produced are inspired by a sporty look, but the technology can also be used to produce feminine designs,” says Gabriela Schellner when speaking about the future outlook.

(c) 2019 KARL MAYER
(c) 2019 KARL MAYER


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#Knitting & Hosiery

KARL MAYER invites the Global Textile Industry to celebrate its 90th anniversary at its German Headquarters in 2027

KARL MAYER is turning its anniversary year 2027 into a milestone for the textile sector. To mark its 90th anniversary, the industry leader is inviting customers, partners, and experts from around the world to a unique event series in September aimed at pushing boundaries, unlocking new opportunities, and jointly setting the course for a new era in textiles – just as KARL MAYER has done throughout its history. The company’s headquarters in Obertshausen, near Frankfurt, is the place to be.

#Knitting & Hosiery

KARL MAYER launches extra-wide HKS 3-M EL for increased productivity

KARL MAYER has launched a new extra-wide version of its HKS 3-M EL tricot machine, designed to increase productivity particularly in the manufacture of textiles for sports, activewear and athleisure applications.

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

Three stages, multiple customer benefits: KARL MAYER during ITMA ASIA 2026

At ITMA ASIA in Shanghai, KARL MAYER will once again demonstrate that it understands the challenges facing the Asian textile industry – and will present tailor-made solutions.

#Technical Textiles

RDJ 6/2 in E 32: Finesse in Motion

The appearance of sports and casual shoes is as diverse as their applications, ranging from sporty to stylish and from functional to fashionably practical. In particular, spacer fabrics produced on highly flexible KARL MAYER double needle bar raschel machines with Jacquard technology are in high demand for manufacturing these trendy shoes. These efficient production machines enable attractive designs with integrated multifunctional zones on one or both fabric surfaces, such as breathable mesh structures. Flexible in size and positioning, these features enhance both aesthetics and wearing comfort.

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#Knitting & Hosiery

SHIMA SEIKI to showcase flat knitting and digital design solutions at Egypt Stitch & Tex

Leading Japanese computerized flat knitting technologist SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its sales representative in Egypt, TTS (EL MASRIA FOR TRADE & TECHNICAL SERVICES), will participate in the upcoming 24th International Exhibition for Textile & Carpet Machineries, Printing Technologies and Accessories (Egypt Stitch & Tex) to be held in Cairo, Egypt this month.

#Knitting & Hosiery

3D designs with a wow factor made on HKS 4-M EL ECO: When crepe, ruffles, and sheer fabrics redefine fashion

Seersucker, flip-flap items, Fırfır, or crepe materials: structured fabrics have long been more than just a passing trend. They lend timeless looks depth, dynamism, and an exciting tactile dimension. Whether classic striped patterns or modern solid-color interpretations, these versatile pieces pair perfectly with casual and business-casual outfits and effortlessly create a modern look.

#Knitting & Hosiery

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at Première Vision Paris

Leading digital textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan will exhibit at Première Vision Paris in Paris, France next month. The company will exhibit in the "Smart Creation" area, dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge technologies that integrate sustainability and innovation. The knitting expert will be demonstrating solutions that optimize product development workflows and enhance sustainability through proposals in Digital Product Creation (DPC).

#Knitting & Hosiery

Small stitches, big impact

KARL MAYER machines enable the highly efficient production of mosquito net fabrics with maximum protective performance.

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#Associations

ITMF names three winners of the Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026

Three projects from the UK, Korea and China have been selected as winners of the ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026. The projects address textile-to-textile recycling, chemical recycling for automotive textiles and a regenerative approach combining silk production with ecological restoration.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

nova-Institute launches groundbreaking Advanced Recycling Database for strategic market insight

The new Advanced Recycling Database reduces complexity by providing industry stakeholders with up-to-date expert-reviewed intelligence on companies, technologies, plants, capacities, locations, products and partnerships across the global advanced recycling landscape.

#Yarns

Durak Maxibalance thread supports users’ movement and balance comfort

Durak Tekstil, a leading brand in its industry, has developed Durak Maxibalance, a new product engineered with bio-ceramic and FAR IR technology. Ushering in a new era for sportswear, activewear, and medical textiles, this technology offers features designed to support balance and movement comfort by reflecting the energy absorbed from the body back into it.

#Europe

Textile ETP launches bioeconomy strategy for Europe’s textile industry

On 22 September 2026, Textile ETP's Circular & Biobased Textiles Innovation Hub published its strategy for the biobased and circular transformation of Europe's textile and apparel industry.

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