#Techtextil 2022

2022-06-09

Circular knitting machine manufacturer Mayer & Cie. presents itself at trade fair in Frankfurt

The industry events that the Albstadt-based circular knitting machine manufacturer attends throughout the year are usually further away than 200 kilometres. Techtextil, which starts on 21 June in Frankfurt/Main, is the only “home game” for Mayer & Cie. At its booth C63 in hall 11.1, the textile machine professional relies on fabric samples and advice instead of machines despite its geographical proximity.

Jürgen Müller, head of product development knitted fabrics at Mayer & Cie., explains: “Our machine portfolio is very broad; we offer the right circular knitting machine to produce the entire range of modern textiles. Experience has shown that small, fine solutions are at stake, especially in the technical field. Thus, listening and consulting is the central building block at Techtextil.”

Focus on home textiles

Nevertheless, Mayer & Cie. has several focal points: One is in the field of home textiles, especially in the production of high-quality mattress cover fabrics. Until the end of the nineties, they were exclusively woven. When Mayer & Cie. developed the first electronic machine with a diameter of 38 inches and a fineness of E 20 in 1997, the conquest of the mattress market with circular knitted upholstery fabrics began. In just twenty years, the proportion of circular knitted fabrics in this segment has risen from zero to over fifty percent, and Mayer & Cie. has become the leading manufacturer here. The most productive machine in this segment is the OVJA 2.4 EM from Mayer & Cie.: it produces up to 30 kilograms of fabric per hour. Other machines that are suitable for producing elastic, pattern-diverse knitted fabrics are, for example, the OVJA 1.6 E, the OVJA 1.6 EM as well as the OVJA 1.6 EE.

Focus on sportswear

Fashionable, breathable sportswear is in vogue. To set yourself apart from the competition, structures and patterns are a popular means. “Mesh and body mapping are particularly in demand,” says pattern specialist Jürgen Müller. The machine of choice is the MJ 3.2 E. Other possibilities are the MV4-3.2 II and S4-3.2. Both process different synthetic fibres into knitted fabrics in fine gauges. Double Jersey machines for the sports sector are the D4 2.2 II as well as the D4 3.2 II.

Focus on shoe uppers

Circular knitted material as an upper material for leisure and sports shoes is becoming more popular. In particular, it is the high productivity that makes this type of production interesting for shoe production. Mayer & Cie. already has several machines in its extensive portfolio that are suitable for knitting shoe uppers. Established machines from the Mayer & Cie. portfolio that are suitable for this are the OVJA 1.6 ET 3 WT and the OVJA 1.6 E. The latter also knits spacer, which finds a place of use in both shoe upper and sportswear. A relative new addition to the portfolio is the OVJA 1.6 EE – 3WT/2WT.

Mattress cover fabrics are an important field of application of circular knitted fabrics (c) 2022 Mayer&Cie.

Shoe uppers can be produced on circular knitting machines (c) Mayer & Cie.

Focus on consulting and individual solution

Because of this variety of possibilities, Mayer & Cie.’s Jürgen Müller relies on fabric samples instead of machine exhibits – and on the extensive experience in the field of circular knitting.

Closing completed – Mayer & Cie. Global starts business operations

The future of the Mayer & Cie. brand has been secured: Following the successful completion of the purchase agreement for assets in the circular knitting machinery segment of the German traditional company Mayer & Cie., which was signed in February this year, the brand will continue to exist. The transfer of these assets to the new owner, Xu Hongjie, was formally completed yesterday afternoon. This clears the way for the resumption of business operations at the Albstadt site.

Huixing acquires insolvent Mayer & Cie.

Insolvency proceedings for the circular knitting and braiding machine manufacturer Mayer & Cie. were opened on December 1, 2025. Immediately following the opening of proceedings, the complete cessation of business operations was initiated. Most employees were subsequently given notice effective the end of February 2026. The production of the remaining orders in the circular knitting segment is expected to be completed by the end of the month. As early as December 2025, Mayer & Cie.’s braiding machine division was sold to an Italian investor.

Mayer & Cie. to shut down after failed search for investor – 270 jobs affected

Mayer & Cie., the long-established German manufacturer of circular knitting and braiding machines, will cease operations after its international search for an investor ended without success. The company, based in Albstadt-Tailfingen, had been undergoing insolvency proceedings in self-administration since its filing on 23 September 2025. As Schwarzwälder Bote reports, the insolvency court has now formally opened the proceedings, triggering the decision to wind down the business in an orderly process.

TENCEL™ Lyocell - HV100 achieves global denim availability in six months; Vol. 2 debuts at Kingpins Amsterdam

When TENCEL™ Lyocell - HV100 debuted at last year’s Kingpins Amsterdam in October, 17 mill partners across five countries presented fabrics featuring the new fiber. Just six months on, participation has more than doubled, evolving into a global network that spans nine countries and four continents, signaling both strong industry momentum and growing demand.

Kornit Digital acquires PrintFactory to accelerate the industry’s transition to digital, on-demand production

Kornit Digital Ltd. (“Kornit Digital”, “Kornit” or the “Company”), a global pioneer in sustainable, on-demand, digital fashion and textile production, today announced its acquisition of PrintFactory, a global Netherlands-based technology leader of cloud-native workflow, color management and production automation software. The acquisition represents a strategic step in Kornit’s mission to accelerate the digital transformation of the global fashion and textile industry.

Val:ue Milan unveiled – a curated boutique business hub for high-end apparel textiles

Messe Frankfurt continues to expand its international textile network with the announcement of Val:ue Milan. Moving beyond the traditional trade fair model, Val:ue Milan debuts as a prestigious, boutique-style business hub exclusively dedicated to elected fabrics and accessories for apparel. Taking place from February 3 to 5, 2027, at The Mall in Porta Nuova, the event breaks away from conventional formats through a strictly curated environment designed for strategic networking. By bridging the gap between high-end international manufacturers and top-tier segment buyers, Val:ue Milan further strengthens the Group’s global portfolio with a unique, high-impact concept built around a refined and carefully selected offering.

Europe is losing its textile industry

EURATEX has released its latest Economic Update on the performance of the European textile and apparel industry in 2025. For the third consecutive year, the sector recorded negative results across all key indicators — production, turnover and employment — confirming a continued erosion of competitiveness across Europe.