[pageLogInLogOut]

#Textile processing

Significant increase in incoming orders

German manufacturers of Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies ended the year 2021 with positive figures. Incoming orders increased by 35 percent in 2021 compared to the previous year. Exports also increased again in 2021: In the sewing and garment technology sector, German machine manufacturers were able to increase exports by 8 percent to 439 million euros.
  • Industry meeting in Nuremberg finally live on site again
  • Election to the Board 

Poland main export market

The most important export market from a German perspective was Poland, followed by the USA and France. German suppliers of shoe and leather technology increased their exports by 16 percent to 47.5 million euros. Here, the main customer countries were the USA, France and Mexico. Exports of German laundry and textile cleaning technology also increased by 6 percent to 364 million euros in 2021. The most important export markets here were Poland, Turkey and the USA. From a European perspective, exports also recovered in 2021. Exports of Italian sewing and garment technology, for example, rose by 11.5 per cent to 271 million euros and Italian shoe and leather technology also increased by over 19 per cent to 284 million euros. Spain was also able to increase exports of laundry and textile cleaning technology by 12 percent to 87 million euros.

"Companies' order books are well filled after the pandemic-related decline in 2020," said Straub.

"However, the ever-increasing prices for raw materials, the massive supply bottlenecks for preliminary products, the expensive and difficult transport conditions and the enormously increased energy costs are very challenging for many technology manufacturers. Added to this are now the unforeseeable consequences of the war in Ukraine."

Industry meeting on site in Nuremberg

After two years, the VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies was finally able to hold its industry meeting on April 4 and 5 in Nuremberg again in presence. "As we have learned in the pandemic over the last two years, no virtual meeting can replace personal exchange on site," said Elgar Straub, Managing Director VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies.




Participants were able to learn about current topics in workshops on "Sustainability in the textile industry in dialogue with the mechanical engineering sector" and "Increasing protectionism in the USA-China-EU triangle and the impact on mechanical engineering", as well as about the EU Green Deal and current developments in the sewing and garment industry and the textile care industry in the USA. Messe Frankfurt gave the participants an update on Texprocess in June 2022, the long-awaited first leading trade fair for the sector in three years.

Election to the Board

During the industry meeting, VDMA TFL expanded its board by a further four members - including an additional Italian representative.



More News from VDMA Fachverband Textilmaschinen

#Associations

Young researchers recognised for cutting-edge work in recycling, fibre technology and textile mechanics

At the Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference held in Aachen at the end of November, Peter D. Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation of the VDMA, honoured five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability prizes were awarded in the categories bachelor/project theses and diploma/master theses. Academic theses that develop solutions for resource-saving products and technologies, for example, are eligible for the sustainability awards.

#ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore 2025

VDMA members at ITMA ASIA + CITME in Singapore

With 69 exhibiting member companies, ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 is once again marked by a strong presence of VDMA companies. Altogether 82 companies from Germany will exhibit at the show, covering about 3,500 square meters of exhibition space, topped only by China and Italy. VDMA initiated a German Pavilion with two group stands (spinning in hall 4 and finishing in hall 7) with a total of 30 exhibitors.

#ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore 2025

VDMA member companies on display at ITMA ASIA

ITMA ASIA + CITME end of October in Singapore will see a strong participation of around 70 VDMA member companies. They will cover nearly all different machinery chapters along the textile value chain including spinning and man-made fibres, nonwovens, weaving, braiding, knitting & warp knitting, finishing & dyeing as well as technologies for textile recycling and processing of recycled material. VDMA initiated a German Pavilion with two group stands (spinning in hall 4 and finishing in hall 7) with a total of 30 exhibitors.

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2024

Smart technologies for green textile production

With 42 exhibiting member companies, ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 is once again marked by a strong presence of VDMA companies. They cover nearly all different machinery chapters with a focus on spinning and man-made fibers, nonwovens, weaving, braiding, knitting & warp knitting, finishing & dyeing as well as technologies for textile recycling and processing of recycled material. In total, the German participation at the fair is the largest from outside China.

More News on Textile processing

#Textile processing

Automatex introduces game changing quilting machine

Having achieved rapid market success with its fully automated fitted sheet system, Automatex, a member of TMAS, the Swedish textile machinery association, has developed a game changing quilting machine which doubles productivity compared to what has previously been achievable.

#Texprocess 2026

Texprocess 2026: market overview for strategic future investments

At Texprocess 2026, 200 exhibitors from 28 countries will be represented. In a challenging market environment, the leading trade fair is a constant and reflects progress in textile processing – driven by automation, digitalisation and AI. In addition, international start-ups present their ideas and meet partners from industry and research. Techtextil takes place in parallel with an optimised hall layout.

#Textile processing

Pfaff Industrial announces new managing director

Since February 2, 2026, Michael Kilian has been the new managing director (speaker for the management board) of PFAFF Industriesysteme und Maschinen GmbH. He succeeds Dr. Frank Meyer, who will remain Managing Director at KSL Joining Technology GmbH in Bensheim. Together with Ms. Jing Fan (Managing Director for finance & controlling, human resources, IT, and quality), Michael Kilian will take over responsibility for the long-established Kaiserslautern-based company.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

YKK collaborates with Coloro to deliver data-driven color ffeasibility for zippers

YKK Corporation announces its collaboration with Coloro, a leading innovator in color solutions and data for the global fashion industry, to introduce joint matching and feasibility results of Coloro colors in YKK’s zippers.

Latest News

#Raw Materials

A Powerful Opening: Global thought leaders launch the International Cotton Conference Bremen

The International Cotton Conference Bremen will open on 25 March 2026 in the Parliament building of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen with a keynote session of exceptional calibre. Distinguished international experts will set the stage for the conference by offering incisive perspectives on the most pressing challenges and the defining trends shaping the future of the global cotton trade. Their insights will span a broad spectrum — from geopolitically driven disruptions affecting global supply chains to the opportunities emerging from innovation-led agriculture capable of supporting a growing world population. Together, these opening keynotes will frame the dialogue of the conference, highlighting both the complexity of today’s market environment and the pathways toward a resilient and forward-looking cotton sector.

#Techtextil 2026

Where performance becomes product strategy: Techtextil 2026 puts functional apparel in the spotlight

The demand for high-performance textile solutions for the apparel industry increases – and with it the sector’s innovative strength. Techtextil 2026 addresses these developments: The Performance Apparel Textiles area (Hall 9.0) presents around 130 exhibitors from 13 countries showcasing innovative materials for workwear, protective clothing, smart fashion, outdoor and sports. Global key players such as Concordia Textiles, Getzner, Kermel, Klopman International and YKK Europe are among the participants. The live show “Performance Apparels on Stage” brings forward-looking wearables on stage and demonstrates textile innovations where they matter most: in action.

#Denim

Jeanologia launches Billy

The new AI extracts precise laser designs from a garment image in minutes, transforming how vintage denim is recreated for production. If Jeanologia’s laser changed the way jeans were made at the end of the last century, its AI now takes the next step: moving from reproducing wear to designing it. / archive photo © 2026 Jeanologia

#INDEX 2026

EDANA unveils nominees for INDEX™26 Awards: Highlighting the next generation of nonwoven excellence

EDANA is proud to unveil the highly anticipated nominees for the INDEX™26 Awards, the nonwoven industry’s highest accolade for technical and sustainable excellence. Out of a record-breaking field of entries, these finalists represent the cutting edge of material science—from bio-based hygiene fibers and PFAS-free protective textiles to revolutionary water-filtration machinery. Each nominee has been selected by a jury of industry experts for their ability to solve critical global challenges, including the transition to a circular economy and the pursuit of enhanced consumer performance.

TOP