#CINTE Techtextil China 2024

2024-10-02

DILO receives award for the new development MicroPunch

At this year's CINTE Techtextil fair in Shanghai, DILO received the innovation award for its intensive needling technology MicroPunch. Recent developments in energy costs, particularly for electricity and gas, combined with the shortage of water resources, have led to a shift in thinking over the past few years. Alongside economic efficiency, evaluation of the environmental impact of production has become increasingly important.

Award ceremony at the CINTE Techtextil. DILO has been awarded for the MicroPunch technology © 2024 Dilo

For DILO, this meant focusing once again on needling technology for the fine and lightweight nonwoven sector over the last years. The individual elements of the intensive needling technology were re-examined and underwent a complete revision. It became clear that the high production rates could only be achieved using the two-dimensional kinematics of the needle beam from "HyperPunch" or "CycloPunch." The necessary high feed rates of around 50 mm per stroke, coupled with the highest stitching densities to achieve good abrasion resistance, led to a need to significant increase of the number of needles and needle density—almost doubling from approximately 20,000 needles/meter/board to around 45,000 needles/meter/board. It became obvious that ensuring high efficiency also required the careful attention to a quick assembly of the needle boards with needle modules. A completely new approach was needed in the design and construction of the needle boards to enable rapid module exchange and achieve a very high mechanical precision.

Previously, needling technology was primarily used for surface weight range starting at 100 g/m² up to several kilograms per m². The expansion into the range below 100 g/m², and potentially down to 30 g/m², now completes the applicability of needling technology. The intensive needling technology "MicroPunch" opens up an economical field for a wide variety of lightweight nonwoven fabrics that can be produced with a pure mechanical process. The product characteristics achieved, such as abrasion resistance, are comparable to those of hydroentangeld nonwovens, but needled fabrics tend to be more voluminous and more stretchable while offering similar tensile strength values. These special quality characteristics are particularly interesting for applications in hygiene, medicine, cosmetics, and for technological products.

With this new development, the energy required to produce lightweight nonwoven fabrics has been reduced by approximately 75% compared to previous bonding technologies in this segment.

“Needle punching technology is more universal and sustainable than ever!”

Needle punching technology was long regarded as a rather traditional and comparatively slow technology within the nonwovens industry. In this interview, Johann Philipp Dilo explains why needle punching is more relevant than ever today – ranging from energy efficiency and resource conservation to hygiene applications, new machine concepts and design-oriented nonwoven solutions.

Modernizing Needling – DiloGroup at Techtextil & INDEX 2026

With the theme “Modernizing Needling”, the DiloGroup presents a comprehensively enhanced portfolio for needling technology. The objective is to further increase the performance and application range of needlefelt production lines in terms of productivity, flexibility, and the development of new products, thereby meeting the growing demands of modern technical textiles.

Cinte Techtextil China 2024 closes after promoting East-West nonwovens and technical textiles business exchange

In the face of an evolving economic landscape, the technical textiles and nonwovens sectors are often at the forefront of adaptation and innovation. Such was the case at the recently concluded Cinte Techtextil China 2024, attracting nearly 400 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions and nearly 17,000 visits (2023: 15,542), with visitors hailing from 77 countries and regions.

Cinte Techtextil China 2024 opens with nearly 400 global exhibitors fuelling innovation and sustainability

Industry players at the leading edge of technical textiles, nonwovens, and related machinery are preparing to welcome buyers to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre this week, with Cinte Techtextil China 2024 to serve as the gateway to the APAC markets. From 19 to 21 September, nearly 400 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions will inspire progress and global trade across the 38,000 sqm exhibition space.

AUTEFA Solutions presents advanced nonwovens technology at CINTE Techtextil 2024

At CINTE Techtextil 2024, which takes place from 19 to 21 September in Shanghai, AUTEFA Solutions will present its latest innovations in nonwoven technology. The focus will be on solutions to improve product quality, various lifecycle management offerings and energy efficiency. As a leading supplier of turnkey nonwoven systems and machinery, AUTEFA Solutions will present its needling lines, aerodynamic nonwoven forming systems, spunlace and thermobonding lines.

Navigating innovation, sustainable business with insightful fringe events at Cinte Techtextil China 2024

With new ideas sweeping across the industry, Cinte Techtextil China 2024 is set to spotlight participants’ technological capabilities and drive further eco-advancement. From 19 – 21 September, a range of fringe events featuring the dual industry catalysts, innovation and sustainability, will be held in Halls E1 – E3 of the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Exhibitors and other leading industry players will share products and insights on the way forward, augmenting the business exchange on the show floor.

An eco-friendly alternative to fluorocarbon treatments

Protective and outdoor clothing derives its durable water-, dirt- and oil- repellent properties from the application of fluorinated polymers or per- and polyfluorinated low-molecular- weight chemicals (PFCs). The beneficial properties thus achieved on textiles are offset by environmental and human health risks. For manufacturers of sports, medical, protective and automotive textiles, researchers at the Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. and the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research have developed liquid-applied dispersions and solutions to functionalise textiles without the use of fluorine.

VDMA Textile Machinery with new Executive Board

At the general meeting of VDMA Textile Machinery held in Hanover at the end of September, Dr Janpeter Horn, Managing Director of A. Herzog Maschinenfabrik, was re-elected as Chairman of the trade association. Regina Brückner, managing partner of Brückner Trockentechnik, and Verena Thies, managing partner of Thies Textilmaschinen, will once again serve as vice-chairs for the next four years.

Rieter appoints Daniel Lippuner as new CEO as Thomas Oetterli steps down

Thomas Oetterli has decided to step down from his function as CEO, effective October 31, 2026, and hand over the Chairmanship of the Board of Directors. “After the successful implementation of the Next Level performance program, the structural measures initiated to consolidate the sites and the acquisition of Barmag, the time has come to hand over responsibility to new hands,” explains Thomas Oetterli.