#ITMA Asia + CITME 2024

2024-10-15

Machines with a focus on the Asian market and textile developments with market potential - this is what STOLL is showing at ITMA ASIA + CITME

The global textile industry is characterized by profound changes and challenges. At the upcoming ITMA ASIA + CITME, the KARL MAYER GROUP will be presenting solutions that can be used to exploit the opportunities arising from the upheavals, including in flat knitting. STOLL's innovations for this sector will be presented on two podiums: at Stand C27 in Hall 4 of the Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center and during an in-house show at KARL MAYER (CHINA) in Changzhou accompanying the trade fair. The focus will be on two important trends in the Chinese mart.

Guaranteed success in the flat knitting industry

“Firstly, we are seeing a growing demand for finer fabrics. We are therefore presenting a CMS 530 in the new gauge E20 for the production of fine, high-quality flat knitwear at our in-house show at KARL MAYER (CHINA) accompanying the trade fair. Secondly, we expect even faster market growth for ready-made knitwear and garments in the coming years and thus for our successful knit and wear® technology. This solution allows parts to be knitted, shaped and joined into garments almost ready to wear on just one machine,” explains Michael Händel, Vice President Sales & Service at the KARL MAYER STOLL Textilmaschinenfabrik GmbH.

Another highlight for ITMA guests will be the multifunctional ADF 530-32 ki FLEX, which will be presented outside Europe for the first time.

There will also be a textile innovation show both at ITMA ASIA + CITME and at the in-house show, with the presentation of the new STOLL trend collection NOCTURNO as a highlight. The stylish flat knitwear and fashion items inspire new products and applications and represent the diverse design potential of STOLL flat knitting machines.

Machine highlights at ITMA ASIA + CITME

At the ITMA ASIA + CITME in Shanghai, the ADF 530-32 ki FLEX E7.2 and two new representatives of the cost-effective CMS series will be presented.

The ADF 530-32 ki FLEX E7.2 is the all-rounder in STOLL's ADF range. The universal flex machine produces all types of flat knitwear, working with completely different knitting techniques and technologies and demonstrating that STOLL is an important driver for market-driven applications and technologies. The basis for the unique performance is above all the innovative, automatic needle bed gap adjustment. The all-rounder opens up new scope for incorporating different strength ranges into garments, for example to create cuffs. In combination with STOLL-knitrobotic®, new potential can also be tapped in terms of extended integrative production processes and product design.

Under the motto “Quality meets excellent price-performance ratio”, the CMS 503 ki L and CMS 703 ki knit and wear provide answers to the challenges of the Asian market.

With a working width of 50”, the CMS 503 ki L offers unique productivity and an unlimited variety of patterns for a wide range of full-fashion applications. In addition, articles in larger sizes can also be produced - a particular advantage for international brands that need to react flexibly to a growing variety of sizes.

The CMS 703 ki knit and wear is efficient, attractively priced and unrivaled in flexibility. The production repertoire includes finished articles as well as full-fashion products. In Shanghai, a CMS 703 ki in gauge E10.2 will produce exceptionally fine and high-quality knit and wear® products with impressive productivity. Thanks to a technical extension, the machine can also work extremely reliable gores, transfer structures and bind-offs. With a working width of 72?/183 cm, the machine ideally covers the common size range of consumers, particularly in Asia.

In-house show with official opening

At the in-house show at KARL MAYER (CHINA), the entire range of STOLL machines for different customer requirements will be presented. Among others, a CMS 530 in the new gauge E20 for the production of fine, high-quality articles, an ADF 830 ki E18 and a CMS 503 ki E18 will be on display. A CMS 703 ki knit and wear, here in E9.2, and a CMS 503 ki L E3.5.2 will also be available for visitors in Changzhou. The machines are part of the equipment of the new showroom at KARL MAYER (CHINA), which will be opened on the first day of the event, October 13. The heart of the innovation center is the STOLL TexLab, which invites visitors to experiment, develop products, try out technology and network.

Michael Händel is looking forward to welcoming a large audience. “Our in-house show in Changzhou, which is taking place at the same time as ITMA ASIA, will help our customers to get a detailed picture of the production possibilities and potential of modern flat knitting machines for their business.”

STOLL knitting machines in th showroom © 2024 KARL MAYER

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.

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.

Innovations for warp preparation at the cutting edge

At ITMA ASIA + CITME in October, KARL MAYER presented solutions for lower production costs and environmental impact and greater efficiency in the warp preparation sector. After the trade fair, the company can draw a positive conclusion, both in terms of the number of visitors and the quality of the discussions.

KARL MAYER Technische Textilien at ITMA ASIA + CITME - a presentation that opens up many opportunities

During ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024, KARL MAYER presented “Master the Change” solutions for numerous areas of the textile industry, including the technical textiles segment. At its stand in the Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center, the global player showed how the non-crimp fabrics from its highly productive composite machines can be used to exploit promising sales potential with lightweight construction applications.

Successful warp knitting machines and textile show to master the changes of our time

Warp knitting companies in Asia are also facing fundamental changes and challenges considering the tense global economic and geopolitical situation. During ITMA ASIA + CITME in October 2024, KARL MAYER showed how these can be mastered: with innovations that are primarily aimed at greater profitability, flexibility and sustainability.

Successful at ITMA Asia 2024 - Saurer's technology highlights

At ITMA Asia 2024, Saurer's new products were very popular and in the focus of visitor interest. Investment in new equipment seems to be on the rise and Saurer was positively surprised by the number and quality of visitors as well as the deals closed during the exhibition. Overall, visitors showed great interest in all the Saurer innovations designed to contribute to the future of textile technology and yarn production.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.