#Weaving

2026-02-12

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

itema booth at ITMA Ayia Singapore © 2026 TexData International

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.

Sameer Kulkarni, Managing Director of Itema Weaving India, commented: “Since 2021, Itema has registered unprecedented growth in Surat, with a remarkable number of Itema weaving machines installed in the region’s textile mills. We are proud to contribute to the creation of some of the most beautiful fabrics in India and to support the talent of Surat’s weavers with our advanced weaving technology.”

“Itema’s weaving technology is one-of-a-kind in the weaving machinery landscape due to our patented rapier weft insertion system and to our unique shed geometry. These technological weaving solutions were originally designed to ensure the best possible treatment of yarns by reducing stress on warp and weft yarns, thus leading to a double advantage: superior fabric hand-feel and minimized stop marks. The Itema success in the Surat market demonstrates how Itema’s unique features are not just a choice, but a necessity for those weavers who want to weave specific fabrics with defined performance and quality standards, and this is the case with the precious fabrics for Sarees produced in Surat” added Matteo Mutti, Itema Group Chief Sales and Service Officer.

At Sitex 2026, Itema exhibits two weaving machines equipped with different rapier weft transfers, aiming to demonstrate how Itema weaving technology can effectively address the diverse textile and production requirements of this specific fabric segment:

The Itema Rapier R9500EVO on display at Stäubli Stand (Stand 242)

Displayed at our partner booth, the Itema Rapier R9500EVO in 3800 mm weaving width is equipped with the Stäubli Jacquard LX PRO with more than 12,000 hooks. The machine configuration is designed to achieve the highest textile performances, thanks to the Itema FPA EVO Free Positive Approach Weft Transfer, featuring a race board with no guiding elements in the shed, and to the Itema MiCUT Motorized Weft Cutter.

The Itema Rapier Galileo-RX on display at Itema Stand (Stand 286)

On show at the Itema stand is the Itema Rapier Galileo-RX in 3200 mm weaving width, equipped with the JKD CSL- 16-5376 Jacquard.

Over the past years, the Itema Rapier Galileo-RX has established itself as a market success, earning the trust of Surat weavers thanks to its reliability and excellenct price-quality ratio.

Itema to showcase weaving excellence at ITM 2026

From June 9 to 13, Itema will exhibit at ITM 2026 in Istanbul (Hall 8 – Stand 806D), unveiling a distinctive exhibition concept designed to highlight the Company’s expertise across the entire weaving value chain. For this year’s edition, Itema will introduce an innovative stand experience built around two core areas: advanced weaving and spare parts solutions and an immersive textile gallery featuring fabrics produced by Itema Customers worldwide.

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.

Uster FiberQ excels for recycled raw materials too

Uster FiberQ is a complete solution for raw material utilization, supporting spinners to achieve consistent quality and profitability every day, building further growth for the future. The Turkish company ORTA relies on FiberQ with recycled yarn for its denim production. Data-driven knowledge puts the producer in control of raw material utilization – ready to make the correct decisions for process efficiency, quality and productivity.

Efficiency, quality and reliability: Stäubli solutions on display at ITM Istanbul 2026

Stäubli Textile is pleased to announce its participation in ITM 2026, the International Textile Machinery Exhibition. Taking place in Istanbul, ITM remains one of the most influential textile machinery exhibitions worldwide and a key meeting point for manufacturers, technology providers, and decision makers across Türkiye, the Middle East, and neighboring regions. The company will welcome visitors in Hall 8, Stand 803.

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles unveils Trends 2027 alongside new lifestyle zone and product expansion

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition 2026 will spotlight forward-looking design directions and evolving consumer demand, as the global home and lifestyle market continues to adapt to sustainability priorities, emotional well-being, and diversified living spaces. Taking place from 18 – 20 August 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the fair will present its latest trend theme, ‘BREATHE UP!’, developed in collaboration with leading international trend forecaster NellyRodi™ Agency, alongside expanded product categories, and the debut of the Home Textiles Lifestyle Zone.

Last chance to apply: ITMA 2027 Start-Up Valley closes tomorrow

Applications for the Start-Up Valley at ITMA 2027 close tomorrow, offering young technology companies the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of several successful participants from the 2023 edition. The initiative, organised under the CEMATEX Start-Up Grant programme, has already helped a number of textile start-ups accelerate their transition from early-stage concepts to industrial partnerships, funding rounds and commercial deployment.

Jeanologia brings “Billy” to China, the AI transforming denim design

The denim industry is turning its attention to Hangzhou this week, where a new edition of Kingpins, the leading international trade show for the sector, takes place on May 21 and 22. There, the Spanish company Jeanologia, a global leader in sustainable technologies for the textile industry, is introducing its latest innovation to the Chinese market: “Billy”, the first artificial intelligence specifically developed for denim finishing design.