[pageLogInLogOut]
CONNECTED BY NARROW FABRICS.

#Weaving

Itemalab evolves: the excellence of textile machinery innovation now available to all the industrial sectors

Itema, the leading provider of advanced weaving solutions, announced the new structure of Itemalab®, the innovation incubator opened in 2014 at Kilometro Rosso innovation district in Bergamo. Born with the goal to design the platform for the “loom of the future” and breakthrough solutions for the textile industry, Itemalab® becomes now an independent company and widens its field of action, providing customers and partners with system engineering and business process re-engineering skills.

With a team made up by 70 engineers and specialized professionals, the Textile division of Itemalab® will continue to respond to the innovation needs of Itema Group and the textile industry. The new Industrial division will, instead, become the reference point for all the industrial companies looking for a partner of excellence to study advanced solutions to digitalize and reshape industrial products and processes.

“The textile machinery sector is one of the most complex in the industrial scenario, due to the confluence of high precision mechanical, electronic and mechatronic technologies which, in this industry, face very severe challenges in terms of conditions of use, applications and productivity. Multidisciplinarity is one of the strong points of Itemalab®: it makes possible to offer transversal solutions and a significant added value in terms of innovation, sustainability, digitalization and system engineering, by transferring the know-how gained in the textile machinery world to other sectors”, said Lorenzo Minelli, General Manager of Itemalab®.

A phase of the manufacturing of the Itema weaving machines in the Colzate plant. The operators, through tablets and scanners, have all the data of the machine assembly according to the principles of industry 4.0 (c) 2021 Itema Group
A phase of the manufacturing of the Itema weaving machines in the Colzate plant. The operators, through tablets and scanners, have all the data of the machine assembly according to the principles of industry 4.0 (c) 2021 Itema Group


"Innovation is essential to compete in increasingly complex and competitive markets. With the strengthening and evolution of Itemalab®, we set the conditions for endless innovation opportunities in the most diverse application fields", added Ugo Ghilardi, CEO of Itema Group. “In recent years we teamed up with various companies and we explored new horizons and perspectives in the areas of materials and mechatronic principles. I am sure that Itemalab® will play a crucial role for the development of Itema Group and will become a key partner for many companies in their transformation and innovation paths”.



In the center on the right Ugo Ghilardi - CEO of Itema, on the left Lorenzo Minelli - General Manager of Itemalab. Behind them, from left to right, the heads of the Itemalab divisions: Massimo Arrigoni - Innovation Manager, Carla Roberta Cavalleri - Industrial Manager, Jessica Mazzola - Program Manager, Francesco Alghisi - Product Development Manager (c) 2021 Itema Group
In the center on the right Ugo Ghilardi - CEO of Itema, on the left Lorenzo Minelli - General Manager of Itemalab. Behind them, from left to right, the heads of the Itemalab divisions: Massimo Arrigoni - Innovation Manager, Carla Roberta Cavalleri - Industrial Manager, Jessica Mazzola - Program Manager, Francesco Alghisi - Product Development Manager (c) 2021 Itema Group


The evolution of Itemalab® confirms the traditional innovation drive of Itema Group, as underlined by Angelo Radici, on behalf of the Board: “the board of directors supports the strategic move of Itema and we share the same vision. As an entrepreneur, I firmly believe that today the way forward is that of teamwork, where collaboration and synergy of skills are the fundamental ingredients for growing in your sector and seizing possible opportunities in many others. As RadiciGroup, a few months ago we launched Radici InNova, a consortium company that aims at combining research and innovation activities across the Group's business areas by comparing and opening up to firms, universities and external public and private research centers. Itemalab® heads in this direction too, tackling complex projects and addressing cross-cutting initiatives that alone would be difficult even to imagine”.

The breakthrough mechatronic device iSAVER® developed by Itemalab in 2018 that allows weavers to save up to 1.000 Kg of cotton thus establishing a new benchmark in sustainable weaving (c) 2021 Itema Group
The breakthrough mechatronic device iSAVER® developed by Itemalab in 2018 that allows weavers to save up to 1.000 Kg of cotton thus establishing a new benchmark in sustainable weaving (c) 2021 Itema Group


More News from ITEMA S.p.A.

#Weaving

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.

#Weaving

Itema exhibits the two best-selling high-end rapier weaving machines of the Region, R9500EVO and Galileo-RX at SITEX 2026

Following the opening of its new Surat Service Center in November, Itema will exhibit at SITEX (Stand 286) from February 21st to 23rd at the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre (SIECC). Surat has long been one of Itema’s most strategic markets, a role further reinforced by the inauguration of the Surat Service Center last November. Equipped with an advanced electronic repair center, a weaving machine behavior simulator, and a local spare parts warehouse, the new facility strengthens Itema’s presence in the region while bringing the company even closer to its Customers.

#Weaving

Itema announces strategic partnership with Ivy Decarb to accelerate decarbonization in weaving process

Itema is pleased to announce the strategic partnership with Ivy Decarb, the digital platform helping textile companies measure and reduce their carbon footprint.

#Weaving

Itema opens Surat Service Center to strengthen support for Indian weavers

On November 26, Itema has officially inaugurated its new Surat Service Center during a ceremony attended by customers and partners from across the region.

More News on Weaving

#Techtextil 2026

Groz-Beckert showcases cross-segment innovations for technical textiles in Frankfurt

From April 21 to 24, 2026, Groz-Beckert will present its latest innovations and solutions across the product areas of knitting, weaving, nonwovens and sewing at Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt (Hall 12, Booth B90).

#Techtextil 2026

Crealet to showcase electronic warp feeding solutions at techtextil 2026

Crealet AG will present its latest developments in electronic warp yarn feeding at Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt. The company will exhibit at the Swiss Pavilion (Hall 12.0, Booth B01), organised by Swiss Textile Machinery.

#Techtextil 2026

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.

#Weaving

Stäubli demonstrates how innovation translates into real benefits for weaving mills at SITEX 2026

One of India’s most prominent textile industry events, SITEX 2026, is held from February 21 to 23 in Surat. Committed to empowering Indian weaving mills with state‑of‑the‑art solutions tailored to regional needs, Stäubli will present a selection of solutions designed for performance, reliability, and power efficiency. Through its weaving preparation, cam and dobby shedding solutions and Jacquard technologies, Stäubli highlights its global expertise tailored to the specific needs of the local market.

Latest News

#Raw Materials

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.

#Raw Materials

Better Cotton Initiative strengthens regenerative focus in standard update

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has strengthened the regenerative focus of its field-level standard with the launch of a new version of its Principles & Criteria (P&C), which marks the next step in the organisation’s journey to becoming a regenerative standards system.

#Man-Made Fibers

Selenis and Kintra Fibers partner to scale 100% bio-based synthetic fiber technology

Selenis, a leading global specialty polyester manufacturer, today announced a strategic manufacturing partnership with materials science company Kintra Fibers to scale Kintra’s patented fiber-grade PBS resin - a 100% bio-based and biodegradable material designed for textile applications.

#Functional Fabrics

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.

TOP