#Textile processing

2026-02-12

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.

Michael Kilian is also Managing Director of Dürkopp Adler GmbH. Both companies are part of the internationally operating Shang Gong Group (SGG). Together with Ms. Fan, is responsible for driving forward and implementing the initiated reorganization of the group. The goal is the strategic and operational integration of PFAFF INDUSTRIAL into Dürkopp Adler GmbH company. This measure is a further step towards leveraging synergies within the group and securing and expanding the companies' market position in the textile and leather processing industry in long term.

“With this reorganization, we are ideally positioned to meet the future challenges of the markets regarding automation, digitalization, and artificial intelligence. With PFAFF INDUSTRIAL in the group, we intend to strengthen our textile welding activities with new, innovative products,” says Michael Kilian.

PFAFF INDUSTRIAL thanks the outgoing Managing Director, Dr. Frank Meyer, for his dedicated and successful work at PFAFF INDUSTRIAL and wish him continued success at KSL Joining Technology GmbH.

Multi-directional sewing at Texprocess 2024

In the realm of advanced sewing technology, PFAFF INDUSTRIAL and KSL stand out for their expertise in multi-directional sewing, backed by reliable CNC technology. Their expansive CNC modular system, boasting a sewing area of up to 6,000 x 8,000 mm, offers tailored solutions for a wide array of applications.

Jeanologia celebrates its 30th anniversary transforming how jeans are produced worldwide

Jeanologia celebrates its 30th anniversary reaffirming the mission it was born with in 1994, to transform the textile industry into a more sustainable, efficient, and human-centered sector. Three decades later, that vision has become a global reality. Today, more than 40 percent of all jeans produced worldwide are made using technologies developed by the Valencia-based company.

Groz-Beckert showcases textile innovation at ShanghaiTex 2025

From December 16 to 19, 2025, the global textile industry will gather at ShanghaiTex at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC), where Groz-Beckert will present its latest highlights and innovations across its five product areas – Knitting, Weaving, Nonwovens, Sewing, and Spinning – at Hall N3, Booth A05.

YKK receives ISPO Textrends Awards for circular innovations

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) is pleased to announce that the ISPO Textrends judges have selected YKK's 3D Composite Puller as the Best Product in the Accessories category. They also selected YKK’s NATULON Plus® Fiber Sourced™ zipper with Recycled PET Open Parts as a Top 5 item in the same category. The competition, held twice a year in conjunction with the ISPO trade show, recognizes the most innovative performance textiles, components, and apparel.

Sustainable, lightweight, and sound absorbing: Polyester-based front trunk solution for BEVs

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.

Rieter responds to higher raw material prices

Global political and economic developments have been leading to rising raw material and energy costs for some time. The textile machinery industry is also affected by this trend. Rieter machines and components consist to a large extent of steel, copper, aluminum and electronics. These materials in particular have seen higher demand and higher prices in recent months.