#Making-Up

2020-05-07

Prime Minister Mrs Malu Dreyer visits PFAFF

On 16 April, Prime Minister (State of Rhineland-Palatinate) Mrs Malu Dreyer visited PFAFF Industriesysteme und Maschinen GmbH in Kaiserslautern. Welcomed by the three PFAFF managing directors Michael Kilian, Guido Jaeger and Yongwu Chen, Malu Dreyer was there to find out about PFAFF's activities regarding the provision of production solutions for the manufacture of face masks.

In the PFAFF showroom, the PFAFF management showed some solutions to the Prime Minister and explained which measures and adjustments have been implemented at PFAFF to meet the worldwide demand for sewing and welding solutions for the production of masks and protective clothing. Michael Kilian (PFAFF management spokesman) provided the information that, for example, in order to meet the high demand for welding machines, a second welding machine production line has been installed.

Michael Kilian also said that PFAFF will install two fully automatic production lines for mask manufacturing at its locations in Kaiserslautern and Bensheim in the next few weeks and bring them into production. At full capacity, up to 3 million masks can be produced per month on the two production units (of a sister company within the group). Malu Dreyer was very impressed with this; further activities and procedures were discussed in intensive talks with PFAFF management. The basic tenor of the head of the federal state, “In the future, we cannot allow a situation where we are completely dependent on mask supplies from abroad. Regional manufacturing must be developed to ensure the necessary independence and flexibility".

A project of ITSMgroup GmbH (Mainz) and PFAFF, with the aim of establishing production of washable and reusable face masks in Germany within a few weeks, also follows the same line. This approach of "sustainable production and use" is fully supported by the Prime Minister. The state government is proud that the skills for the establishment of such sustainable mask production are available in the federal state and are being implemented concretely and at short notice in this difficult time.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“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

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Precision at the Forefront: Groz-Beckert at ITMA Asia 2024

As ITMA Asia 2024 approaches, Groz-Beckert is set to unveil a range of cutting-edge innovations in textile machinery components. From October 14-18, 2024, visitors can expect a showcase of the company’s latest developments in knitting, weaving, nonwovens, tufting, sewing, and spinning at Hall 4, Booth C04. With a focus on precision and performance, Groz-Beckert’s offerings align with the growing demand for enhanced efficiency and sustainability in textile production.

GenuTrace client advisory: Is your cotton supply chain UFLPA ready?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released updated operational guidance (CBP Publication No. 5560-0526) expanding its forced labor enforcement framework. The guidance supersedes the original 2022 UFLPA Operational Guidance and now covers all forced labor enforcement authorities — UFLPA, CAATSA, and WROs/Findings — in a single unified document. For cotton importers, the enforcement posture has not softened. It has become more structured, more documented, and more demanding. Learn more about UFLPA.

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.

TERNAfil wins first place at PitchMiUp Night 2026 in Minden

The RWTH spin-off TERNAfil has developed MAXCarbon, a new high-performance hybrid fibre that combines the mechanical performance of carbon with the temperature and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials. For this development, TERNAfil was awarded first prize at the PitchMiUp Night in Minden on 21 May 2026.