#Knitting & Hosiery

2021-05-25

EASY MASK

As we enter the second year of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic there is a continuing need for masks. While face masks help greatly in mitigating the spread of the virus and protecting the wearer, they also contribute to environmental problems such as waste and pollution.

Sustainable industry collaboration between Indorama Ventures, DyeCoo and STOLL, a brand of the KARL MAYER GROUP

EASY MASK is a collaborative initiative between Indorama Ventures, DyeCoo and STOLL to produce a fashionable mask with a sustainable mind-set throughout the whole production process - starting from the yarn production and followed by the dyeing, design and production. With the advanced technologies of the three companies, the mask does not just eliminate waste, but also reduces the use of water and energy. The design approach ensures that all components can be easily removed and re-used for other masks.

Deja™ recycled polyester

Deja™ is the sustainable recycled polyester brand from Indorama Ventures. The polyester performance yarn is made from 100% post-consumer recycled PET bottles and can be used for a multitude of home and apparel applications. The yarn is independently certified and traceable, with full transparency across raw material and processes including GRS, Ecomark, RCS, Oeko-Tex 100 and Reach.

Locally sourced 100% post-consumer rPET products offer a low-carbon footprint and closed loop solution. Deja™ is 100% recyclable at the end of use and can be repeatedly re-processed without harmful emissions or discharges to create new high value-added products.

CO2 Dyeing

The Deja™ recycled yarn is afterwards dyed with the innovative supercritical Carbon Dioxide textile dyeing technology by the Dutch company DyeCoo at CleanDye factory. The sc-CO2 dyeing machines can dye yarns or fabric rolls in a closed-loop process without using water and process chemicals, thereby producing any wastewater. By using only the pure non-toxic Corangar dyestuff made by Colourtex, in combination with sc-CO2 that 95% reclaimed in the machine, textile dyeing has less of an environmental impact compared to traditional dyeing technologies. As Carbon Dioxide has the same quality every day and over the whole world the technology is reliable and reproducible.

Design and Production

The sustainable product advantages achieved through the use of Deja™ recycled polyester and CO2 dyeing technology are further enhanced with the design and production method.

EASY MASK is a fresh approach to reinterpret a traditional medical facemask from a design perspective. It is a 3D knitted and playful kinetic object that expands and collapses easily. It is simple to use and comfortable to wear; be it over the face or around the neck. The design approach allows customization, on-demand production, and reduces production waste to below 1%. Integrated ventilation increases breathability. Whilst it does not protect the wearer from infection it limits the spread of viruses.

Both the production method, as well as the design itself, take environmental and sustainable aspects into account. The seamless production method eliminates cut and sew and reduces waste material whilst offering customized on-demand production to lessen product surplus. Washing at 60°C makes repetitive use possible. All mask components (metal bar, knitted strings and adjustment tube) can be easily removed and re-used for other masks.

The mask is knitted on a STOLL CMS 530 HP B E 7.2 machine, but can also be knitted on other types of STOLL machines. This allows for flexible local production independent of the machine park.

KARL MAYER's HKS 2-SE Expands Possibilities for Premium Stretch WARP KNITS

Warp knitted fabrics with a woven look are more in demand than ever in the fashion and apparel industries. Stretch WARP KNITS, in particular, impress with their freedom of movement, breathability, and virtually wrinkle-free wear – thereby opening up new style worlds such as smart casual or business casual. When it comes to the highly efficient production of premium-quality stretch WARP KNITS, the HKS 2-SE has long been the machine of choice. KARL MAYER’s best-selling tricot machine produces standard elastic fabrics characterized by high gauges, smooth, delicate surfaces, and a soft hand feel.

Footwear innovation enabled by warp knitting technology– insights from New Balance

The future of the athletic shoe is increasingly being shaped on warp knitting machines. For KARL MAYER, the footwear industry is one of the most important growth markets – and one of the sectors where innovative textiles can realize their full potential. In his keynote address at the opening of KARL MAYER’s TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER in Obertshausen in April, Vishnu Prakash Muthusamy, Senior Textile and Materials Engineer at New Balance, explained the opportunities that warp knitting technology opens up for performance, sustainability, and faster development processes, and why textile manufacturers are transitioning from suppliers to development partners.

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.

ITM 2026: Mayer & Cie. Global presents itself successfully at international industry trade fair

Mayer & Cie. Global has used ITM 2026 in Istanbul for its first major international appearance since the restart. Together with the Turkish representative Mayer Mümessillik, the company presented its premium circular knitting machines "Made in Germany", explained its future positioning within the group of companies and held talks with customers and representatives from numerous markets. The response to the restart was positive. The clear orientation of the company, the reliable worldwide network of representatives and the resumption of service and spare parts supply were welcomed by customers.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.

TM WEFT, 270" – More width, more design freedom for the fashion world

KARL MAYER is expanding its successful TM WEFT series with an innovative model that opens up new possibilities, particularly in the fashion & apparel sectors. With a working width of 270", this new machine with weft-insertion not only offers significantly higher output than its narrower counterparts but is also specifically tailored to the demands of dynamic clothing market – particularly in China and Türkiye. A well-thought-out upgrade also ensures even greater design versatility.

Reju opens its first R&D Center in the U.S. in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

Reju, the company specializing in textile regeneration, today announced the opening of a Research and Development (R&D) Center in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the company's first proprietary research center in North America. Located within Technip Energies' existing Advanced Materials and Catalysts research center, the lab will allow Reju to accelerate the rollout of its recycling technologies and develop its next-generation circular solutions.

Itema reaffirms its commitment to the Syrian textile industry at NasTex 2026

From July 18th to 21st, Itema will exhibit at NasTex at the Damascus Fairground (Hall 11 – Stand C02), marking its return to one of the Middle East’s historically significant textile markets. Itema will showcase advanced weaving technology designed to support the competitiveness and technological evolution of Syrian manufacturers and announces a new partnership with Growfast Agency as the sole agent of Itema in Syria.