#Knitting & Hosiery

2024-06-27

The KARL MAYER GROUP wins patent dispute in China

The KARL MAYER GROUP has scored an important victory in the fight against product piracy in China. The innovative textile machinery and plant engineering company has reported a patent infringement by its competitor, Fujian Xin Gang Textile Machinery Co. Ltd. and, after several years of dispute in court, has been vindicated in the second instance.

Defence is worthwhile, especially in the case of product piracy!

The proceedings started back in 2021 before the Shanghai Intellectual Property Court. Following an appeal by the KARL MAYER GROUP, the final judgement was handed down by the Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China in May 2024. It ruled in favour of the German plaintiff. Fujian Xin Gang Textile's counterclaim for cancellation of the patent in question was dismissed, and the Chinese manufacturer must immediately cease manufacturing, selling and advertising the machines with the technical solution that was the subject of the legal dispute. A fine was also imposed.

The subject of the legal dispute was a constructive system for heating the carrying-lever shaft of Tricot and Raschel machines. This clever solution enables the technology leader's machines equipped with carbon bars to compensate for changing ambient temperatures. A patent for the technical innovation was granted in China in November 2011.

Solutions centred around carbon technology contribute to significant increases in machine performance, but are also the result of extensive development work. As a leading supplier of textile machinery and a long-standing technological pioneer, the KARL MAYER GROUP spends around 18%* of its turnover on R&D and investments. Its worldwide R&D centers generate the best economic and technical products, services and innovations that move the textile world and help its international customers to be successful. These pioneering achievements must be protected.

With the judgement on the latest patent dispute, the Group is signalling: copying is not worth it! The court's decision also gives the global player security in its business activities in the important Chinese market.

"The judgement shows that legal certainty in competition is being strengthened in China. This is an important message, especially for companies that focus on progress and the development of innovations," says Zhen Kong, General Manager of KARL MAYER (CHINA).

The new RDJ 7/3 defines the design footprint of modern athletic shoes

Stylish, functional, and efficient to produce – spacer fabrics are the all-arounders among textile materials. These versatile fabrics are particularly in demand in the sports and casual footwear sector, as they combine comfort, breathability, and design freedom. At the same time, this industry is trend-driven, dynamic, and price-sensitive like few others. Innovations are therefore a decisive factor for success. With the RDJ 7/3, KARL MAYER offers a solution specifically tailored to these requirements. The particular strength of the new double raschel machine: its exceptional flexibility, thanks to its three jacquard bars.

More Jacquard. More functionality. More fashion.

With the addition of another member to its successful RASCHELTRONIC® family, KARL MAYER is opening up new possibilities for creative product development for warp knitting mills and brands. The RJ 4/2 EL offers with two stitch-forming Jacquard bars entirely new design options for functional sportswear and bi-elastic lingerie. Available in gauges E 28 and E 32, this new model helps manufacturers set their collections apart from the competition. The fine E-32 gauges, in particular, impress with their clean surface, a pleasantly soft feel, and an exceptionally elegant look.

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.

SHIMA SEIKI brings new flat knitting technologies to FEBRATEX 2026

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Brazilian representative BRASTEMA TECNOLOGIA TEXTIL LTDA., will exhibit at the Brazilian Textile Industry Fair (FEBRATEX 2026) this month. On display will be a roundup of SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting technology, represented by WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines featuring a brand-new model with high productivity and excellent cost performance, a glove knitting machine and the latest digital solutions.

Lenzing reports improved half-year results and advances strategic transformation

Despite a persistently challenging market environment in the first half of 2026, characterized by volatile energy and raw material prices, subdued global consumer demand and intensified competition from Asia, the Lenzing Group significantly improved its financial performance. Net result after tax more than doubled to EUR 35.6 million, compared with EUR 15.2 million in the first half of 2025. Free cash flow increased to EUR 45.8 million, while EBITDA amounted to EUR 239.2 million. Revenue totaled EUR 1.27 billion, compared with EUR 1.34 billion in the previous year.

Trützschler’s latest spinning and card clothing innovations at CAITME 2026

From September 8 to 10, 2026, Trützschler will present its latest innovations in spinning and card clothing for state-of-the-art fiber processing at CAITME in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visitors are invited to meet the experts at Pavilion 2, Booth D50 and explore solutions designed to increase productivity, streamline processes, and ensure consistently high yarn quality. Key topics include the next-generation card TC 30i, the integrated draw frame IDF 3, the high-performance comber TCO 21XL as well as Trützschler Card Clothing’s new flat top series STEELTOP®.

BICO BCF yarn delivers impressive performance in field testing

In a joint development project with other partners, Barmag and Object Carpet have successfully tested BICO BCF yarn in the carpet manufacturing process. The results show that this innovative yarn technology offers significant performance advantages and opens up new possibilities for recycling-oriented carpet constructions.