#Knitting & Hosiery

2025-12-11

SHIMA SEIKI returns to ShanghaiTex

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Hong Kong and Chinese market subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI (HONG KONG) LTD., will exhibit at the ShanghaiTex 2025 exhibition (Booth No.: Hall N3, Booth A20) held in Shanghai, China this month. This marks the return of SHIMA SEIKI to ShanghaiTex after a 14-year hiatus, its last exhibit at the show having been in 2011.

The exhibit will emphasize the company’s continuing global leadership in computerized flat knitting by presenting its unique capability to provide solutions to a wide range of customers with diverse needs through uncompromising Made-In-Japan quality and technology. To this end, Shima Seiki will have on display an all-new line-up of shaped knitting machines, ranging from flagship machine technology to entry-level shaping. Details follow.

SES®-R NEW

SHIMA SEIKI’s legendary SES® series was the world’s first short-bed full-fashioning machine that could produce shaped pieces for one garment at a time and supported multi-variety, small-lot, quick-response production. First introduced in the 1980's to a market filled with long-bed machines knitting square fabrics for cut-and-sewn products, it was a machine that challenged the status quo. Now the current status quo established by the SES® series is once again being challenged with the new SES®-R. SHIMA SEIKI's next-generation shaping machine has been “Reborn” with an all-new spring-type moveable sinker system that features switchable sinker stroke and pause function for increased capability in knitting dimensional sinker patterns. Auto yarn carriers and loop presser beds mounted above both front and back needle beds enhance performance in both inverse plating and inlay knitting. Shown at ITMA Milan in 2023 as a prototype, the production version of the flagship SES®-R is shown at ShanghaiTex in 14 gauge, with a 52-inch (132 cm) knitting width to support knitted items in larger sizes.

SES®-R Standard NEW

SHIMA SEIKI’s SES®-R flagship shaping machine also comes in a more basic version called Standard. As with the SES®-R, SES®-R Standard features an all-new spring-type moveable sinker system for increased capability in knitting dimensional sinker patterns. Capable of high value-added knitting of quality knitwear, SES®-R Standard can be fitted with optional features for increased capability to support continuously changing demand in a fluctuating market. SES®-R Standard makes its debut at ShanghaiTex in 14 gauge, with a 52-inch (132 cm) knitting width to support knitted items in larger sizes.

N.SSR®132 NEW

SHIMA SEIKI’s global standard in shaped knitting, the N.SSR® series, now includes an even more cost-effective choice. The new N.SSR®132 maintains high productivity with a compact, lightweight carriage and maximum knitting speed of 1.2 meters per second, as well as quick carriage returns with the R2CARRIAGE® system. N.SSR®132 carries over proven SHIMA SEIKI technology such as our renowned Digital Stitch Control System (DSCS®), spring-type moveable sinker system, stitch presser, yarn gripper and cutter, and takedown comb. New features include a 52-inch (132 cm) knitting width for supporting larger sizes and optional sub-rollers, offering the flexibility required for responding to various customer and market needs. Realizing excellent cost performance while ensuring Made-in-Japan quality, safety, reliability and user-friendliness, N.SSR®132 sets a new standard for a new era in computerized flat knitting machines.

N.SVR®122 Prototype

The N.SVR®122 computerized flat knitting machine is considered the benchmark in computerized shaping technology and offers the latest features which in themselves have become industry standards. These include spring-type moveable sinkers, takedown rollers, Rapid Response R2CARRIAGE®, DSCS® Digital Stitch Control System, stitch presser and takedown comb. Made-in-Japan quality, reliability, productivity, user-friendliness and cost-performance combine to satisfy the high expectations of the world's fashion industry. N.SVR®122 is shown in 22-gauge version at ShanghaiTex as a prototype to demonstrate efficient production of high-quality ultrafine gauge fabrics.

SHIMA SEIKI to show complete knitting and cutting workflow at ITM 2026

Leading computerized flat knitting technology provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Turkish representative TETAS IC VE DIS TICARET A.S., will participate in the ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition in Istanbul, Türkiye this month with a full product lineup. In addition to flat knitting machines and design software, visitors will also have the opportunity to experience the full range of SHIMA SEIKI textile machinery with its automatic cutting machine exhibit, all geared toward the fashion apparel market as well as non-apparel related businesses.

Shima Seiki showcases WHOLEGARMENT® and 3D knitting solutions for technical textiles at Techtextil 2026

Leading textile technology solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, along with its Italian subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI ITALIA S.p.A., will be participating in the Techtextil 2026 exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany next month. On display will be WHOLEGARMENT® and other advanced three-dimensional knitting applications across a wide range of industries besides fashion apparel that are not typically associated with knitting, such as technical textiles using industrial materials and advanced three-dimensional knitting.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at GMMSA Expo India

Leading Japanese computerized flat knitting technologist SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Indian sales representative Universal MEP Projects & Engineering Services, Ltd., will participate in the upcoming Garments Machinery Manufacturers & Suppliers Association (GMMSA) Expo India 2026 exhibition to be held in Ludhiana, India next month. Through its lineup at GMMSA, SHIMA SEIKI aims to further strengthen its presence within the Indian market with an exhibit that caters to diverse needs, consisting of seam-free WHOLEGARMENT® knitting technology as well as a brand-new shaping machine with high productivity and excellent cost performance.

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.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Textile Exchange publishes comprehensive polyester LCA study

Textile Exchange has released a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing detailed data on the environmental impacts of both virgin and recycled polyester production. The study aims to strengthen understanding across the fashion, textile and apparel industries and support more informed decision-making regarding polyester sourcing and production.