#Weaving

2020-05-20

Starlinger rounds off portfolio with new circular loom RX 8.1

The new Starlinger circular loom RX 8.1. (c) 2020 Starlinger

The RX circular loom series is produced at the Starlinger plant in Taicang/China specifically for the Southeast Asian market. This series is now extended with the RX 8.1, a circular loom that is particularly suited to the production of lightweight fabrics for 1-loop FIBCs, tarpaulins as well as geo- and agrotextiles made of PP, HDPE, and PET. In combination with the RX 6.0, RX 6.1, and RX 8.2, Starlinger Taicang now offers the ideal circular loom for every fabric width.

The new Starlinger circular loom RX 8.1 produces fabric with a width of 1,200 – 1,700 mm, which is an ideal match for 1-loop FIBCs, tarpaulin fabrics as well as geo- and agrotextiles. The model completes the RX series, which now covers every working width between 300 and 2,250 mm.

Like all models of the RX series, the RX 8.1 is equipped with numerous technological advantages. Due to its special reed and shuttle design, the machine does not have any sliding parts that would require lubrication, and thus leaves no traces of oil on the fabric. This property allows for the optimal adherence of the coating to the fabric and eliminates concerns regarding the use of the fabric in food applications.

Moreover, the RX 8.1 produces fabric of highest quality at lowest production cost per square meter, as the production speed of 800 picks/minute is high while the number of warp breaks is low. Other advantages are the machine’s user-friendliness, the energy-saving motors as well as a low noise level.

The machine will give its official debut at the plastics exhibition Chinaplas in 2021, as this year’s event has been cancelled due to COVID-19. In the meantime, prospective clients will have the opportunity to visit the Starlinger factory in Taicang for live demonstrations of the RX 8.1. The standard execution of the machine with single inlet will show the production of tarpaulin fabric with a double flat width of 1,500 mm and a weight of 70 g/m². A second machine will be equipped with double inlet and a gusseting device, which are available as options, and will produce fabric for 1-loop FIBCs with the same width, but twice the fabric weight (140 g).Another attraction in Taicang is the RX 6.0 L: On this 6-shuttle circular loom, a PE liner is inserted into the woven fabric tube and attached to the plastic fabric. This process is performed fully automatically in the production process and allows the use of the fabric in sensitive applications such as food packaging.

From preparation to 3D weaving: Stäubli’s solutions at Techtextil 2026

Stäubli, a global leader in high performance weaving technologies, is pleased to announce its participation at Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt, Germany, the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens. As technical textiles continue their rapid expansion across demanding markets such as defense, mobility, aerospace, construction, energy… Stäubli will showcase innovative solutions designed to empower mills to produce the next generation of advanced fabrics. Stäubli will exhibit its trend-setting technologies at the Swiss Pavilion Booth B01.6 in Hall 12.0.

Itema America acquires Palmetto Loom Reed, strengthening local manufacturing and service in the U.S.

Itema America, the U.S. subsidiary of Italy-based Itema Group, has acquired – through an Assets Purchase Agreement – Palmetto Loom Reed, a Greenville, South Carolina-based manufacturer of weaving reeds and one of the last remaining domestic producers of these precision components in the United States.

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.