#ITMA Asia + CITME 2024

2024-10-10

Machine premiere and new business potential

The technical textiles sector offers lucrative opportunities for specialized manufacturers, but also for conventional textile companies that want to diversify. The KARL MAYER GROUP will be demonstrating how this promising potential can be exploited with its presence at the upcoming ITMA ASIA + CITME.

Innovative solutions for the composite sector and the production of grids - KARL MAYER's presentation at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 for technical textiles

Carbon fabrics for lucrative applications

The innovative global player's exhibition in Shanghai clearly focuses on developments in the carbon market. In hall 4, at stand C27 of the Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center, tailor-made reinforcement textiles will be presented, which can be used in a wide range of lightweight construction applications. “The demand for carbon composites has increased significantly in recent years, particularly in Asia. We are looking forward to talking to traditional warp knitting customers who want to expand their offering, as well as new customers who want to gather information on applications with these high-performance composite materials,” says Jan Stahr, Sales Manager for China at KARL MAYER's Technical Textiles business unit.

At KARL MAYER, they will not only find the right multiaxial warp knitting machine to produce high-performance reinforcement fabrics for composite materials but will also receive useful know-how gained from years of experience.

Warp knitting machines with weft insertion and a convincing price-performance ratio

In addition to the textile and application show in Shanghai, there will be a machine presentation during an in-house show accompanying the trade fair at KARL MAYER (CHINA) in Changzhou. The event begins on October 13. Two innovative warp knitting machines with weft insertion aimed at the volume market will be on show: a 2nd generation TM WEFT for the production of lightweight fabrics with weft insertion for outerwear fabrics and interlinings and the newly developed WEFT GRID ECO machine.

The TM WEFT was included in the exhibition program due to the high demand and positive feedback during the last in-house show. On display will be a model with a 247” working width, carbon bar equipment and functional optimization. Thanks to the advanced development of the crank box system, a 20% increase in performance has been achieved with the new release. The TM WEFT will be producing an outerwear article during the in-house show.

The new WEFT GRID ECO is specified for the efficient production of “light” glass grid structures from materials with gauges of up to 400 tex in the weft inlay and warp inlay thread area. These textiles are mainly used in the construction industry, for example as plaster grids or crack tape. When developing the machine, the focus was more than ever on the price-performance ratio.

“The working width is 245“, and the speed is 1,800 rpm, making the WEFT GRID ECO up to 12% faster and 20% cheaper than our all-purpose machine WEFTTRONIC II G,” explains Jan Stahr.

The Sales Manager is looking forward to the first participation in a major international trade fair in Asia since the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to Chinese customers, he is expecting a large international audience.

More patterns, less effort: the MULTI-MATIC® at Rohleder

Rohleder is one of Europe’s most modern weaving mills. For over 80 years, the family-owned company has been developing and manufacturing premium fabrics for brands, retailers and private customers – 100% Made in Germany. This success is made possible by a consistent focus on design, quality, and functionality, as well as by continuous investment in state-of-the-art production facilities. Rohleder also relies on innovative technologies in warp preparation and has been collaborating with KARL MAYER for many years. As recently as 2023, a MULTI-MATIC® was delivered to the company’s headquarters in Konradsreuth.

The new RJ 4/2 EL revolutionizes body mapping and expands creative possibilities – from smart lingerie to sporty athleisure designs

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.

Innovations for warp preparation at the cutting edge

At ITMA ASIA + CITME in October, KARL MAYER presented solutions for lower production costs and environmental impact and greater efficiency in the warp preparation sector. After the trade fair, the company can draw a positive conclusion, both in terms of the number of visitors and the quality of the discussions.

KARL MAYER Technische Textilien at ITMA ASIA + CITME - a presentation that opens up many opportunities

During ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024, KARL MAYER presented “Master the Change” solutions for numerous areas of the textile industry, including the technical textiles segment. At its stand in the Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center, the global player showed how the non-crimp fabrics from its highly productive composite machines can be used to exploit promising sales potential with lightweight construction applications.

Successful warp knitting machines and textile show to master the changes of our time

Warp knitting companies in Asia are also facing fundamental changes and challenges considering the tense global economic and geopolitical situation. During ITMA ASIA + CITME in October 2024, KARL MAYER showed how these can be mastered: with innovations that are primarily aimed at greater profitability, flexibility and sustainability.

Successful at ITMA Asia 2024 - Saurer's technology highlights

At ITMA Asia 2024, Saurer's new products were very popular and in the focus of visitor interest. Investment in new equipment seems to be on the rise and Saurer was positively surprised by the number and quality of visitors as well as the deals closed during the exhibition. Overall, visitors showed great interest in all the Saurer innovations designed to contribute to the future of textile technology and yarn production.

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

Plastic-free stretch technologies drive new direction for denim innovation

As the denim industry looks for ways to reduce its reliance on synthetic fibres, plastic-free stretch technologies are gaining momentum. Developments based on mechanical fabric construction and natural rubber are demonstrating that comfort and stretch can be achieved without conventional elastane, supporting both recyclability and circular product design.