#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2020-04-22

Plaster grid warp knitted fabric for the billion-Euro market in China

KARL MAYER Technische Textilien has developed a new warp knitting machine with weft-insertion and thus further differentiated its range offer in this field. The new model, the WEFTTRONIC® II G, is specifically designed to produce light to medium-heavy grid structures.

The WEFTTRONIC® II G for glass processing is now taking off in China, too

The stable grid textiles are used as plaster grids and geogrids, as well as carriers for grinding discs – and are produced extremely efficiently on the WEFTTRONIC® II G. Geogrid fabrication is now 60 % more productive compared to the previous version. In addition, less expensive yarns can be processed into high-quality textiles: the textile glass fibre material can cost up to 30 % less than leno fabric production. The machine handles technical yarns extremely gently. Its performance is also impressive. The first WEFTTRONIC® II G was ordered by the Polish manufacturer HALICO in early 2019, followed by orders from China in December. “During our most recent trip to China just before Christmas, we were able to win over two new customers for our company,” said Jan Stahr, Sales Manager of KARL MAYER Technische Textilien. Both companies, Shandong Qiyad and Zibo Glasstex (Shandong Fiberglass), are major players in the industry. After purchasing one machine each, they hinted that they may invest in further WEFTTRONIC® II G models.

An influential family company

Shandong Qiyad is a company privately owned by the Ma family. Mr Ma Xingwang Senior holds shares in two other companies, led by his son and nephew respectively. The companies use around 750 rapier looms in total for their production and thus offer efficiency potential: Depending on product quality, between 13 and 22 rapier looms can be replaced by just one WEFTTRONIC® II G. KARL MAYER Technische Textilien offers intensive service support to ensure a seamless changeover to new technology and to a stateof- the-art machine. The strong partnership led to further recommendations. “During our meetings, the Ma family also introduced us to other potential customers,” says Jan Stahr. The native region of Shandong Qiyad, Shanxian (Shandong Province), is well known for its plaster grid production. Around 5000 rapier looms are in operation here. The companies are all part of an association. Jan Stahr is already in the process of scheduling a pilot system with some of these companies.

A state-owned company with vertically integrated production

The state-run Zibo Glasstex is better known as Shandong Fiberglass. The company has made a name for itself internationally as a manufacturer of glass fibres, rovings and textiles. It is among the top 5 manufacturers of glass fibres in China. The company’s customers in this sector include manufacturers in Eastern Europe who are already operating machines by KARL MAYER Technische Textilien. Following the successful introduction of the technology with the first WEFTTRONIC® II G, Zibo Glasstex plans to invest in further machines. According to the company’s own information, it intends to work a market with an annual volume of 2 billion m² of textile glass fibre material and to achieve a significant market share. Zibo Glasstex therefore intends to invest in further machines in the mid-term.

Flexibility put to the test

In order to gain a better understanding of the possibilities relating to glass grid structure production, the new WEFTTRONIC® II G machine will be available for customer trials at KARL MAYER (CHINA) in Changzhou from June 2020. A wide range of equipment options and patterning possibilities will be available to suit a diverse manufacturing process. The different offers can be tested as part of these processing trials. While working on the machine, customers can get a feel for how the design of the fabric influences its properties and product output, and how this correlation can be used to achieve greater efficiency. If, for example, the square cells of a textile grid are formed with a low warpthread stitch density, the weft threads have a significant freedom of movement within the structure. The fabric is relatively unstable, but is manufactured with a high output. Glass grid manufacturers looking for greater efficiency can use the WEFTTRONIC® II G at KARL MAYER (CHINA) to produce warp knitted fabrics with the same properties as their existing products and thus investigate whether there are any advantages. The performance profiles of the textile products are verified by corresponding laboratory values. Companies with vertically integrated production particularly welcome the opportunity to test the machine out. In addition to textiles, they also produce textile glass fibre materials and can therefore test how their own yarns are processed. The trials are competently supervised by KARL MAYER’s trained technical staff. The WEFTTRONIC® II G is based on a technology unfamiliar to many glass grid manufacturers. During these trials, they can also discover how user-friendly the new machine is.

RDJ 6/2 in E 32: Finesse in Motion

The appearance of sports and casual shoes is as diverse as their applications, ranging from sporty to stylish and from functional to fashionably practical. In particular, spacer fabrics produced on highly flexible KARL MAYER double needle bar raschel machines with Jacquard technology are in high demand for manufacturing these trendy shoes. These efficient production machines enable attractive designs with integrated multifunctional zones on one or both fabric surfaces, such as breathable mesh structures. Flexible in size and positioning, these features enhance both aesthetics and wearing comfort.

3D designs with a wow factor made on HKS 4-M EL ECO: When crepe, ruffles, and sheer fabrics redefine fashion

Seersucker, flip-flap items, Fırfır, or crepe materials: structured fabrics have long been more than just a passing trend. They lend timeless looks depth, dynamism, and an exciting tactile dimension. Whether classic striped patterns or modern solid-color interpretations, these versatile pieces pair perfectly with casual and business-casual outfits and effortlessly create a modern look.

ANDRITZ sets focus on textile recycling and durable nonwoven production technologies at ITMA Asia 2025

International technology Group ANDRITZ will be presenting its innovative nonwovens production and textile solutions at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 in Singapore, from October 28 to 31, 2025 (Hall 2, D106). ANDRITZ will showcase its MMCF production plants, textile sorting and recycling, bast fiber processing, needlepunch, airlay, and life-cycle service technologies, with a focus on sustainable solutions. Discover how these innovations can grow your business opportunities and support a greener future.

OUTLOOK™ 2025: Charting a sustainable and innovative future for the Nonwovens Industry

EDANA concluded its flagship event, OUTLOOK™ 2025, last week, marking it as a major success and addressing the biggest questions facing the industry. The three-day conference highlighted the urgent need for a unified approach to sustainability, regulation, and innovation in the absorbent hygiene and wipes sectors.

Global Nonwovens Alliance unveils Inaugural Board, advancing collaboration and growth worldwide

The Global Nonwovens Alliance (GNA), a tax-exempt federation jointly founded by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, and EDANA, the Voice of Nonwovens, announces the appointment of its founding Board of Directors. This group of leaders represents some of the most influential executives across the nonwovens value chain and reflects GNA’s mission to foster global collaboration, innovation, and growth in the industry.

Barmag showcases pump solutions for demanding PU applications at PU China 2026

At PU China, taking place November 3–5, 2026, at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Center in Shanghai, Barmag’s Pumps Division will present high-performance metering solutions for the processing of polyurethane systems (Hall 1, Booth 135). The focus is on high-precision gear metering pumps that enable the exact delivery of PUR components as well as other high-viscosity and reactive media. With their high metering accuracy, they help reduce material consumption, stabilize processes, and ensure consistently high product quality.

Automation, digitalization and new business models are shaping the future of footwear and leather technology

The European footwear and leather machinery industry is facing profound transformations. Global competitive dynamics, technological innovation, automation and digitalization are fundamentally reshaping markets, production processes and business models. This is one of the key findings of the new study “Threads of the Future – Footwear and Leather Technology Edition”, which was presented today by VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies (VDMA TFL) during a press conference at SIMAC Tanning Tech in Milan.

SHIMA SEIKI to showcase flat knitting and digital design solutions at Egypt Stitch & Tex

Leading Japanese computerized flat knitting technologist SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its sales representative in Egypt, TTS (EL MASRIA FOR TRADE & TECHNICAL SERVICES), will participate in the upcoming 24th International Exhibition for Textile & Carpet Machineries, Printing Technologies and Accessories (Egypt Stitch & Tex) to be held in Cairo, Egypt this month.

EURATEX calls for urgent action on industrial competitiveness

EURATEX, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation, welcomes today’s State of the Union Address by European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and in particular her recognition of Europe’s need to rebalance unfair trade, cut red tape, and strengthen its industrial and strategic autonomy.