#Knitting & Hosiery

2024-11-07

One step ahead in sun protection

At this year's ITMA ASIA + CITME, KARL MAYER presented a textile innovation in the field of sun protection clothing and hit the bull's eye. On show was a stylish jacket made from a tricot fabric in the new gauge E 44, which impressed the trade fair visitors with its exceptional performance. The silky fabric is light, soft and breathable, feels cool against the skin and offers unrivalled sun protection.

The UV protection factor of the dense warp-knitted fabric is more than twice as high as that of circular knitted textiles with the same weight per unit area. The article is also right on trend. According to a study conducted by Research and Markets in October 2024, the sun protection clothing market will grow by 7.9% annually until 2030, reaching almost 14 billion US dollars. /1/

The fabric with the great business potential was produced on an HKS 2-S in E 44, extremely efficiently. The reliable high-performance warp knitting machine achieves an output of 200 kg of fabric per day.

Tang Qi, Textile Application and Development Engineer in the KARL MAYER tricot department, was just as impressed by the innovative product as the ITMA visitors and was inspired to create a casual outdoor jacket for the trade fair presentation.

“Thanks to its UV protection factor, the E44 fabric is ideal for clothing worn during outdoor activities. It is super soft and feels pleasantly cool against the skin, making it comfortable to wear even in hot weather. When I received this fabric, I was particularly surprised by the wonderfully silky-soft feel,” says the apparel designer.

Tang Qi likes to be sporty herself. In summer, she often goes hiking with friends and appreciates an outfit with sun protection and comfort, especially in mountainous terrain.

That's why the young creative has deliberately opted for the silhouette of a loose training jacket. The wide cut offers the body enough space so that the fabric doesn't stick to the skin and cause friction and doesn't feel tight. So it's easy to enjoy the great outdoors!

Outdoor clothing with sun protection made from a new tricot fabric in E44 has been the big hit on the KARL MAYER stand at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 © 2024 KARL MAYER

https://www.researchandmarkets.com/report/sun-protective-clothing?srsltid=AfmBOorlD8gzyKnOG37E1tAiUHzB92wOD9rYH-SFQtbVc5hcr9AFBJUd

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.