#Weaving

2024-11-07

Itema completes the acquisition of Schoch & Co Srl

Itema, leading global provider of advanced weaving solutions, has completed the acquisition of Schoch, historic company active in the production and supply of accessories for textile machines, such as reeds, drop wires and other components. The operation completes the integration process already started in 2019 with the acquisition of 80% of the company's shares and, following the agreement reached with the heirs of the founding family, Itema acquires the remaining 20% and becomes the sole shareholder of the Italian subsidiary Schoch & Co Srl.

itema booth at ITMA 2023 © 2024 TexData International

Schoch has been founded by Alfredo Schoch in 1907 in Ranica, Bergamo Province, and since then manufactures high quality accessories for the textile industry. Son of a Swiss reeds manufacturer, Alfredo Schoch sets up his business in Italy and carries on the family’s entrepreneurial vocation.

Over the years, Schoch installs in its plants the most advanced manufacturing technologies to constantly ensure its products renowned superior performances.

In 2019, with the entry into Itema Group, Schoch moved the Italian site from Ranica to Colzate, at the Itema headquarters and could count on a solid and well-structured organization, dedicated to satisfying even the most demanding customers' requests. In addition to the Italian plant, Schoch also has a production site in India with 100 employees.

Ugo Ghilardi, CEO of Itema Group, commented: “With this transaction, we completed the acquisition process of Schoch & Co. As done in 2021 with Lamiflex, Itema aims to integrate the human and industrial capital of the Group’s companies with the ultimate goal of maximizing collaboration and results, both in terms of product development and new markets.”

Itema is participating in ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 in Singapore showcasing a new air-jet weaving machine and a series of innovations

Itema is pleased to announce its participation in ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 in Singapore in Hall 2 – Stand B101, where the company will present a dedicated product line-up tailored to the Asian markets. Visitors will have the chance to discover a series of world premieres and product upgrades designed to deliver superior textile performance and meet the most demanding weaving requirements.

More safety and comfort for protective clothing thanks to auxetic fabrics

When everyday materials are pulled, they stretch or elongate in the direction of the pull and become narrower in cross-section. We can also observe this property in two-dimensional textiles. Auxetic structures behave differently here. They have the striking property of not changing under tensile stress or even increasing their width or thickness. These properties are advantageous, for example, in protective textiles or textile filter media. The DITF are researching auxetic fabrics for various applications.

“Action helps us change what we do!”

DAY 0 takes place deliberately before PERFORMANCE DAYS begins. It is conceived as a space for reflection, dialogue and active engagement — a moment to pause before the fair, rethink established systems and address sustainability not as a trend, but as a fundamental transformation challenge. Under the guiding metaphor “Turn the Tap Off”, DAY 0 focuses on root causes rather than symptoms, systemic change rather than isolated solutions, and collective responsibility rather than individual silos.

Pets in fashion: functional and sustainable textiles find new market at Intertextile Apparel

China’s pet economy is booming, especially amongst younger generations, and pet apparel – from designer outfits to functional garments – was a RMB 3.5 billion (over USD 500 million) market in 2024, growing more than 20% annually¹. To help exhibitors harness this trend, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2026 will launch the Pet Boutique, presenting a range of innovative, sustainable materials that prioritise both functionality and comfort for pets.

VAUDE eliminates PFAS from all products

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are now detectable worldwide – in drinking water, soil and the human body. These so-called “forever chemicals” are considered hazardous to health and potentially carcinogenic, as they do not break down and remain in the environment permanently. Despite these risks, PFAS are still used in a wide range of products. More than 15 years ago, VAUDE made a strategic decision to gradually eliminate PFAS from all product categories.

Lenzing AG to become majority owner of TreeToTextile AB and accelerates industrialization of new fibers

The Lenzing Group is taking another strategic milestone by acquiring a controlling majority in the Swedish innovation company TreeToTextile AB. This step strengthens Lenzing’s position as a leading provider of sustainable, wood‑based specialty fibers and expands its innovation pipeline with a highly scalable, patent‑protected technology platform. The transaction is executed through the issuance of new shares.