GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — November 20, 2023 — In fashion, apparel, and home goods, color is paramount, influencing textile aesthetics and customer satisfaction. Achieving the desired colors sustainably and efficiently across the global supply chain has long been challenging for brands and textile suppliers. Today, X-Rite Incorporated and Pantone LLC, global leaders in color science and technology, announced Textile Color Hub, a groundbreaking solution to make digital color specification more efficient, achievable, compliant and sustainable across the design to production workflow.
For most textile brands, color specification is a painstaking and subjective process. In a traditional workflow, brands and designers select colors and send a physical sample for suppliers to match. The supplier creates multiple lab dips and ships the options back to the brand for approval. This cycle can repeat multiple times, leading to unnecessary delays and excess waste that increases the carbon footprint of the textile industry.
“The future of textile color approval and production control lies in a cloud-based, data-driven, digital workflow,” said Pieter Mulder, Global Strategic Account Manager, X-Rite and Pantone. “The X-Rite Pantone Textile Color Hub transforms the way brands and suppliers communicate and collaborate to bring products to market up to five times faster. It paves the way for a modernized, digital approach to specify and approve textile designs while reducing waste and carbon footprints.”
Modern and Sustainable Textile Color Management
Textile Color Hub enables brands to combine their traditional and isolated solutions into a complete digital color workflow to securely communicate and control specified colors and designs. It is an open, cloud-based ecosystem that supports spectrophotometers from X-Rite and other manufacturers.
The brand selects a Pantone color or any private brand color for a new design, and creates a Color Specification Document using a pre-defined template that includes the spectral data for the specified colors, the required DeltaE tolerances, and the illuminants to measure against.
Selected suppliers are automatically notified of a new design through Textile Color Hub and use the Color Specification Document to begin color formulation and the lab dipping process. The platform compares the specified color against the measured best lab dip. Suppliers then submit through Textile Color Hub for digital approval by the brand.
Quantifiable Results
Textile Color Hub offers a smarter, more sustainable solution that streamlines color management. It brings measurable benefits and value to textile brands and suppliers, including:
Get 95% of lab dips right the first time,
Reduce waste with only one start up and wash up,
Reduce Co2 with one dip and zero physical samples, and
Improve time to market by 75%.
“Textile Color Hub is used by one of the world’s largest textile and furniture retailers and delivered immediate results for both the brand and its suppliers,” continued Mulder. “It is fast and easy to implement and with a digital color workflow, companies can start production in days instead of weeks.”
For more information about X-Rite Pantone Textile Color Hub, visit https://www.xrite.com/promotions/2023/2023-september/cpg-textile-color-hub-offer
BARCELONA — November 20, 2023 — The ZEN50, designed and produced by ZEN Yachts, has been honored with the coveted Gussies 2023 award in the Electric Production Boat category for vessels over 8 meters (26 feet). MEL Composites is proud to announce its role in the production of the ZEN50 as the main composite material supplier and infusion technical advisor.
The ZEN50, a zero-emission solar and wind-powered blue water catamaran, represents a ground breaking leap in sustainable boating technology with advanced composites enabling the ability to sail continuously at cruising speeds of 6 to 10 knots, without requiring any fuel onboard.
MEL Composites is supplying the vinylester resins, carbon fibers and Corecell foam for the 50’ (15.7m) catamaran, whilst the two teams, MEL & ZEN, work alongside to define the critical details for the build, including mechanical testing of sample laminates, and specifying the bespoke CNC cut core kits and process set-up for infusion. During the build, MEL technicians are on site at the shipyard, monitoring the infusion strategy and assisting the ZEN team throughout. Combining MEL Composites’ in-house resin infusion expertise, customised raw materials’ treatment and exceptional technical support, ensures the ZEN50’s structure weight remains under strict control, ensuring the new yacht matches its performance and environmental targets.
The Gussies 2023 award is a testament to the innovative stride made by ZEN Yachts with the support from MEL Composites, confirming the leading position of these companies in the journey to create sustainable, high-performance watercraft.
“Winning the Gussies 2023 award in the Electric Production Boat category is a fantastic testament to the exceptional technology and engineering behind the ZEN50,” said Julien Mélot, CEO of ZEN Yachts. “We are delighted to work with MEL Composites to achieve a high-quality build, helping to create environmentally friendly, zero-emission yachts for the future.”
MILAN, Italy — November 20, 2023 — Active Apparel Group (AAG), manufacturer of performance apparel for the outdoor lifestyle and active markets, is pleased to announce the growth of their global presence with the opening of a new office in Milan, Italy.
This move will allow AAG to more effectively offer a wide range of forward-thinking solutions to like-minded brands in an evolving European market, including innovative design, supply chain transparency, and mindful manufacturing solutions.
“As demand for more transparent manufacturing increases globally, our end-to-end sourcing, design, and manufacturing services are now more readily available in Europe,” said Paul McCloskey, founder and president of AAG. “This move underscores our dedication to providing all clients with unparalleled product development and manufacturing services, and we look forward to building lasting partnerships across Europe.”
As an ever increasing number of brands embrace social responsibility, and transparency at all levels, AAG is now better positioned to help their European partners reach their goals. AAG continually invests in third party audits, including Gold level WRAP, Sedex, and living wage audits.
AAG provides manufacturing and product development solutions for 37 partner brands, with a focus on technical outerwear, performance athleisure, golf, cycling, swim and activewear.
The Milan office adds to their current array of strategic locations in Brisbane, Los Angeles, New York, and Ningbo, China.
AAG will be attending ISPO in Munich, November 28-30, and their full line of apparel offerings will be on display in booth A1.502.
UNTERFÖHRING, Germany — November 20, 2023 — ISPO Munich 2023 will take place from 28.11.2023 to 30.11.2023 in the exhibition hall in Munich – Riem. Membrane manufacturer Sympatex will be exhibiting in the Sustainability Hub in Hall A1, Stand 156, presenting innovations that expand the manufacturer’s fiber2fiber range. Together with system partner Bluesign, Sympatex will be taking part in panel discussions at ISPO. Sympatex dedicates itself to the topic of design thinking in its own trade fair collection, together with YKK.
Circular economy is the only option for Sympatex. The way to get there: being the best service partner at all levels. The Sympatex trade fair stand in the Sustainability Hub embodies this clear goal.
An Eco-Design Guide developed by Sympatex will be presented. This will help Sympatex to support its brand partners in implementing the upcoming EU directives right from the crucial design process.
“My motivation is that we are changing this industry,” says Dr. Rüdiger Fox, CEO Sympatex.
“We work for the cause, not for profit. We co-wrote the UNFCCC Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, which everyone now follows. We are proud of this, it motivates us and drives us forward. All European legislation requires a circular economy for the textile industry within the next five years. Circular economy means Fiber2Fiber recycling. And Sympatex has the right products for this in its portfolio,” adds Fox.
In a recyclable trade fair collection, Sympatex and YKK are demonstrating the importance of ingredient brands when it comes to the sustainability of a product. At the same time, the company is sharpening its expertise in design thinking.
“In this collabo collection, we show how important it is to choose the right ingredients such as zippers, buttons and functional textiles to leave the lowest possible impact on our planet. Mono-material, physical and emotional durability, multifunctionality, quality, participatory design, synergy effects – there are numerous criteria that are necessary to establish a circular economy. We deal with these approaches on a daily basis and are happy to share this important knowledge,” says Lisa Polk, Eco Design & Circular Expert Sympatex.
The topic of sustainability is diverse and multifaceted. Sympatex is involved in three panel discussions.
29.11.23, 1pm – 1.45pm: Textile recycling – a compelling challenge cross Industry IFAT Munich @ ISPO Munich – solutions for a circular economy
With cross-industry sessions, IFAT Munich will highlight new solutions from a wide range of sectors and industries.
Bluesign, Sympatex and Vibram discuss concrete steps towards a responsible and sustainable future.
30.11.23, 2pm -2.45pm: Communications & services around greenwashing
Sympatex has set itself the goal of creating a circular economy by empowering everyone to make informed decisions. The panel discussion will show how brands can contribute to a credible industry, protect consumers from greenwashing and implement green claims appropriately on the brand side.
“Panel discussions provide space for healthy exchange, create transparency within our industry and guidance for all those who want to be part of the needed change. That’s why Sympatex is so happy to take this opportunity. We want to use all opportunities and solutions to transform our industry into a better, more circular one,” says Kim Scholze CSMO Sympatex.
“I am also very pleased to be able to support three panels as moderator. As it is particularly important to me to bring together inspiring and innovative personalities who are ready to achieve real change,” adds Scholze.
Sympatex is part of the Sustainability Hub Guided Tour. Every day at 11.00 am, trade fair visitors can be inspired and get in touch with the brand.
“Our trade fair stand embodies very well how multi-layered Sympatex works on the topic of sustainability. We are constantly expanding our expertise in the field of eco design and recycling and optimizing our product portfolio (apparel, footwear, corporate workwear) with regard to the ecological footprint and market requirements. At the same time, we are working with the right partners to jointly advance the goal of a circular economy. We will be showcasing all of this at ISPO,” says Christine Pittrich, Graphic Design Sympatex.
ISPO Munich is where the global sports business community meets to exchange perspectives and shape the future of the industry. More than 1,600 exhibitors present their innovative products and give an impression of the future of sport. With a series of events, special themed areas and networking opportunities, you will have the chance to connect with other professionals and gain new perspectives on the sports industry. Sympatex cordially invites all partners to its stand in Hall A1, Stand 156. You can obtain free guest tickets via marketing@sympatex.com.Posted: November 20, 2023
MADRID, Spain — November 20, 2023 — On 23-24 November, textile industry experts Recover™, Evlox and Jeanologia will showcase their new recycled denim capsule collection, REICONICS, at Denim Première Vision in Milan.
The collection is the result of a collaborative project between the three companies, combining expertise from each specialist business to improve circularity in the denim industry, from fiber to finish.
It aims to inspire and bring value to the industry by creating truly circular products through a process that implements eco- design, transparency, process measurement, traceability, and scalability.
Made from Recover recycled cotton fiber and Spanish cotton, the REICONICS collection is GRS certified and is a tribute to the classic denim fabrics that have been successful in past decades.
It includes a range of premium denim fabrics developed by Evlox and a total of 14 final garments that will be exhibited at Premiere Vision Denim. Each piece in the collection displays a variety of finishes generated using technology by Jeanologia, reducing water and energy consumption, and eliminating damaging emissions and discharge.
Just one jacket in the REICONICS collection, using 32 percent Recover recycled fiber and Jeanologia finishing technology, saves up to 760 liters of water; compared to a jacket made with virgin cotton and treated with traditional finishing techniques.
Alfredo Ferre, CEO at Recover stated, “Recover is proud to be part of the REICONICS collection, a groundbreaking project that will pave the way toward a more sustainable future. Together we are offering brands a pathway to reduce their environmental impact caused by raw material production and waste.”
Francisco Ortega, Evlox R&D director, also commented: “We are thrilled to implement new models of denim manufacturing, more circular and sustainable with the help of recognized partners such as Recover and Jeanologia with whom we have been collaborating for years, this capsule is another milestone in the challenge of making circular fashion accessible to everyone, without compromising the denim heritage”.
Enrique Silla, CEO at Jeanologia stated: “At Jeanologia we are proud to work with Recover and Evlox as partners to redefine the future of Blue jeans. REICONICS Collection creates an inflection point where technology, innovation, creativity, circularity, and sustainability are key to success. To achieve the excellent product whilst producing in a responsible and sustainable way.”
Oerlikon Barmag and Nanshan Fashion signing ceremony at the first day of the ITMA ASIA + CITME 2022 in Shanghai.
REMSCHEID, Germany/SHANGHAI, China — November 19, 2023 — Oerlikon Barmag and Nanshan Fashion (Shandong Nanshan Fashion Technology Co. Ltd.) signed a contract on the “Strategic Cooperation Agreement” for their latest nylon POY+DTY project in Longkou, Shandong, China, at the ITMA ASIA + CITME 2022, right now happening at the NECC in Shanghai.
“For Oerlikon, it is the first time we have had the opportunity to work with an integrated textile manufacturer representing a well-known brand, DELLMA. This should help us to better understand the ongoing developments in the consumer market and the demands that these market developments place on the manmade fiber industry, said Georg Stausberg, CEO Oerlikon Polymer Processing Solution at the first day of the show.
“It is the first time for Nanshan Fashion to enter the field of manmade fiber production. We at Oerlikon Barmag are pleased and proud that Nanshan Fashion has chosen our company as partner for this step. We are the market leader for many technologies in the field of chemical fiber production and we will support Nanshan Fashion with all our experience in establishing a new branch of your business,” Stausberg said.
“I am convinced that both parties are strongly committed to building Nanshan Fashion’s nylon business into a benchmark in the nylon industry and moving towards brand internationalization. This cooperation is a milestone for both parties,” said Zhao Liang, Chairman and General Manager of Shandong Nanshan Fashion.
China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC) President Sun Ruizhe also joint the signing ceremony at Oerlikons booth in hall 7.1, A55. He said: “Congratulation to both companies. We can see a bright future for this cooperation. Within the China textile industry, we need further international partnerships like Oerlikon Barmag and Nanshan Fashion.”
As a leader in the manmade fiber equipment industry, Oerlikon Barmag has always been known for its high-speed, efficient, energy-saving, and stable yarn quality, as well as its complete supporting equipment and services, providing solutions that cover the entire textile value chain. Over the years, Oerlikon Barmag and several leading companies in the manmade fiber industry have jointly completed several large-scale projects from melt to yarn, laying a solid foundation for the development of China’s textile industry. In recent years, Oerlikon Barmag has focused on innovation, continuously optimizing the spinning design, updating the WINGS family, and developing the EVO DTY machines. In addition, Oerlikon Barmag is increasingly focusing on sustainable production. Since the introduction of the e-save label for all products in 2004, Oerlikon Barmag has continued to move towards greater eco-friendliness and efficiency.
The cooperation with Nanshan Fashion is Oerlikon Barmag’s first project to provide a complete solution for nylon filament. The scope of supply includes a complete set of equipment from chip drying, spinning, winding to texturing. The achievement of an integrated quality control from chip to yarn is of great significance.
According to the “Strategic Cooperation Agreement,” both parties will engage in equal, win-win and complementary cooperation based on mutual trust and long-term development considerations. Target will focus on high-end nylon production by implementing the concept of green production and pursuing excellence and innovation in PA processes. Among them, Oerlikon Barmag will provide high-quality and high-performance differentiated nylon filament production solutions, integrate the advantages of Nanshan Fashion’s scientific and technological R&D resources, and jointly promote the global leading position of “Oerlikon Barmag & Nanshan Fashion” joint brand in the nylon filament industry.
SHANGHAI, China / FRANKFURT, Germany — November 19, 2023 — ITMA ASIA + CITME, Asia’s leading trade fair for textile machinery, taking place in Shanghai, is once again marked by a considerable presence of VDMA member companies. The round about 40 exhibiting VDMA members cover nearly all different machinery chapters with a focus on spinning and manmade fibers, nonwovens, weaving, braiding, knitting & hosiery, finishing & dyeing and textile processing. They are part of a strong German presence with a total of around 60 German exhibitors — including non-machine manufacturers.
The VDMA Textile Machinery Association and VDMA China will be present in the industry hub in Hall 8 zone B. Since the strict travel restrictions are over, the VDMA team in Shanghai will be staffed again with both colleagues from the VDMA headquarters in Germany and from VDMA China.
VDMA Chairman and Managing Director of August Herzog Maschinenfabrik Dr. Janpeter Horn
During a press conference on the first day of the show, Dr. Janpeter Horn, chairman of the VDMA Textile Machinery Association and managing director of August Herzog Maschinenfabrik expressed: “After years of cancelled or postponed trade fairs and travel restrictions, this year’s ITMA ASIA + CITME is the first edition of the show that can be attended not just by Chinese but by visitors from various countries and regions. The event is a good opportunity to meet customers and partners again in person and not just on a screen. ITMA ASIA + CITME provides a good chance to deepen the already good relations with China and other Asian countries further and to set-up new partnerships.”
Dr. Horn continued to present latest facts and figures about the German textile machinery industry. Between January and August 2023, the overall exports of textile machinery and accessories summed up to 1.7 billion euros, which was a slight decrease compared to the same period in 2022. The shipping to almost all major markets decreased between January and August: China: 440 million € (2022: 453 million €), Turkey: 205 million € (2022: 265 million €), USA: 177 million € (2022: 144 million €), India: 170 million € (2022: 228 million €).
Numerous VDMA member companies have production sites in the major Asian markets China and India and serve their customers in these countries from there. A latest VDMA business climate survey among the textile machinery companies in China showed, that 75% of all participants assessed their current business situation as either good (6%) or satisfactory (69%). For the coming quarter, 50% of the companies see the market to decline. Asked about the business situation during the next six months, 44% of the companies expect the market to remain stable, 56% expect the situation to become worse. This is also reflected in the HR of the companies: 63% expect the number of employees to remain unchanged.
How are VDMA members and their technologies contributing to a green textile production?
Georg Stausberg, CEO of the Polymer Processing Solutions Division and Chief Sustainability Officer of the Oerlikon Group
Here are examples of exhibitors, that stand for the entire industry:
“At Oerlikon, we contribute with our innovative technologies for resource-saving use in almost all manmade fiber spinning mills in the world. Our promise for the future is to continue to expand the zero-waste production approach and thus take care of achieving our customers’ and our own sustainability goals”, says Georg Stausberg, CEO of the Polymer Processing Solutions Division and Chief Sustainability Officer of the Oerlikon Group. “This sets out the claim of one of the world’s leading suppliers of machinery and plant solutions for manmade fiber production not only for this show: In the future, it will be solely a matter of sustainable innovations.”
Dr. Uwe Rondé, CEO of Saurer Group
Dr. Uwe Rondé, CEO of Saurer Group, said: ”For decades, sustainability has been an important part of Saurer’s vision for the future and Saurer supports its customers on the way towards a circular economy with innovative features to optimise the processing of recycled fibres. The portfolio today includes pre-, rotor- and ring-spinning machines for processing recycled fibres, and with special options even very short fibres can be spun. Saurer Twisting Solutions enable further strengthening of recycled yarns for better stability in downstream processing.”
Fritz Legler, textile marketing officer Stäubli
Fritz Legler, textile marketing officer Stäubli explained: “Rising energy prices and the high cost and uncertain availability of raw materials are impacting the profitability of weaving mills beyond control. In this context, it is more important than ever to rely on production equipment from a leading technology provider like Stäubli, whose machinery features innovative materials and technologies to achieve electricity savings, operates reliably and helps to conserve raw materials, is manufactured to high quality standards for long service life and allows a high degree of recyclability. This is just one-way Stäubli is doing its part to shape a responsible future for the textile industry.”
Eric Schöller, member of the executive board, Groz-Beckert
“Sustainability and responsibility towards stakeholders are part of Groz-Beckert’s foundation. For us, this topic is indispensable in today’s society to leave good conditions for future generations. Right from the development stage of our products Groz-Beckert focuses on the consumption of resources in our own production and in the subsequent use of our products by customers. The use of our modern tools enables significant energy reductions in the production process”, explained Eric Schöller, member of the executive board, Groz-Beckert.
Managing Director of August Herzog Maschinenfabrik Dr. Janpeter Horn
Dr. Janpeter Horn, managing director of August Herzog Maschinenfabrik said: “Herzog’s long lasting energy-efficient machines can also process natural and recycled fibres of all kinds. Moreover, the machines guarantee a constant reliable production for cost- and energy-efficient winding and braiding. Herzog offers machines enabling a CO2-neutral Energy Production. For example, big machines including take-ups with various carrier numbers for producing synthetic ropes replacing steel-wire strength members for (floating) offshore wind platforms / deep-sea exploitation. In addition, Herzog produces braiding machines for the automatic production of braided composites saving weight and thus fuel.”
Rick Stanford, VP global business development at Baldwin
“Baldwin Technology Company will be educating the textile supply chain on how to ‘Finish with Perfection’ thanks to its TexCoat™ G4 precision spray finishing system”, stated Rick Stanford, VP global business development at Baldwin and continued: TexCoat G4’s non-contact spray technology offers numerous advantages compared to outdated finishing-chemistry application methods. TexCoat G4 processes a wide range of low-viscosity water-based chemicals without the need for special auxiliaries. Baldwin’s team will be available in Shanghai to discuss how its technology can meet the textile supply chain’s sustainability and carbon footprint goals while improving performance and saving money.”
Jürgen Jerzembeck, head of marketing at Setex
Jürgen Jerzembeck, head of marketing at Setex, a company specialized in industrial automation for textile production, introduced a holistic system for active energy management that optimizes resource utilization and significantly reduces carbon footprint by dynamically adapting energy use: “Setex’s Energy Management System efficiently collects energy data via E390 controller routines, counters, and sensors. Integration of manufacturing equipment with OrgaTEX MES Plant Navigator Formulas dynamically minimizes total energy consumption while meeting production targets, offering a holistic approach to energy efficiency and sustainability.”
Gunnar Meyer, Manging Director of A. Monforts Textilmaschinen
Gunnar Meyer, manging director of A. Monforts Textilmaschinen said: “At ITMA ASIA + CITME, Monforts experts will be on hand to explain the advantages of Montex stenters for essential drying processes in terms of production throughput – and especially in energy efficiency and resource savings. Because finishing is a particularly energy-intensive part of the textile production chain, it is exactly where convincing results can be achieved and Monforts has developed a wide range of energy-saving measures.”
Baelz 590 E45 1922
Florian Baelz, managing partner of W. Baelz & Sohn, showed a way towards less energy consumption and improved performance of drum dryers using Baelz Steam Ejectors: “Replace control valves with steam ejectors to boost the performance of your drum dryers, for a higher average steam velocity in the drum and a uniform distribution of heat. With Baelz-vapordynamic you benefit from improved drying quality, speedier production and a reduction in steam consumption of around 20 %. Or save on steam generation costs and emissions by harnessing the energy in low-pressure steam, which is often simply released into the atmosphere: Baelz thermocompressors help you to achieve the right steam pressure for your production process”, explained Baelz.
Clemens Kaplan, Mahlo product manager
According to Clemens Kaplan, product manager at the German machine manufacturer Mahlo, producers are performing a balancing act between sustainability and economically viable production in the face of steadily rising energy costs and a shortage of raw materials. Mahlo is hitting the zeitgeist with its latest developments for process optimization. “For many of our customers, the issues of quality, energy savings and return on investment play a major role,” says Kaplan and summarises: “Our goal is to combine all three points in our systems and thus optimize the customers’ production process.”
All VDMA member companies are looking forward to a successful edition of ITMA ASIA + CITME.
SHANGHAI, China — November 19, 2023 — The eighth edition of ITMA ASIA + CITME exhibition, Asia’s leading business platform for textile machinery, opens today in Shanghai. The five-day combined exhibition highlights an interesting array of technological solutions to help textile manufacturers stay competitive and sustainable.
Held at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (Shanghai), the exhibition grosses 160,000 square meters, occupying six halls of the venue. It features exhibits from 18 product sectors of the entire textile manufacturing value chain, ranging from spinning to finishing, recycling, testing and even packaging.
Postponed from last year, ITMA ASIA + CITME 2022 continues to enjoy the support of major textile machinery manufacturers. It has attracted a total of 1,500 exhibitors from 23 countries and regions.
Ernesto Maurer, president of CEMATEX, said: “We value this vote of confidence and industry partnership. Together with our Chinese partners, we are committed to continue to strengthen the combined exhibition’s reputation as the largest textile machinery platform in Asia in the post-Covid era.”
Maurer continued: “China continues to be an important market for many textile machinery builders as it plans to develop a more resilient textile and apparel industry. Underpinning these developments is a keen focus on sustainability. As the world’s leading textile machinery manufacturers, many of our members are aligning with this sustainability trend by showcasing their environmentally-friendly solutions at the exhibition.”
Gu Ping, president of China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA), added: “We are glad to be able to stage another exciting ITMA ASIA + CITME exhibition. Over the years, the combined show has developed into a highly influential exhibition for textile makers to explore new trends and technologies to growth their business. This edition is especially important as it features the industry’s technological development and progress, spotlighting sustainable and intelligent solutions to help accelerate the advancement of the region’s textile industry.”
Exhibition highlights
At this edition, exhibitors from China rank first in terms of exhibition space. They are followed by exhibitors from Germany and Japan.
Among the well-known manufacturers taking part in the exhibition are CHTC Group, Groz-Beckert, Itema, Muratec, Oerlikon, Picanol, Rieter, Saurer, Savio, Shima Seiki, Stäubli, Texpro, Truetzschler, Uster and Vandewiele.
By product categories, spinning and man-made fibre production form the largest sector, occupying 23 per cent of the total exhibit space. Dyeing and finishing machinery forms the next biggest sector at 21 percent, followed by knitting (16 percent), weaving (14 percent) and printing (8 percent).
Weaving and knitting technologies have undergone impressive developments, and there is an increase of about 30 per cent in the exhibit space for these two sectors, compared with the previous edition.
The exhibition organizing committee was able to undertake extensive promotions to attract quality trade visitors as borders reopened earlier this year. Collaboration with over 100 supporting media partners was also sought. In addition to local promotions, overseas roadshows were also conducted in Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. As a result, more than 20,000 visitors from nearly 90 countries and regions have pre-registered their visit to the exhibition.
Visitors are drawn to the high-quality showcase as only manufacturers of textile machinery and accessories are qualified to take part in the combined show, and there are live machine demonstrations.
As the exhibition places great importance on exhibitors’ intellectual property rights, an onsite Intellectual Property Office has been established. Legal and technical experts are present to supervise and handle any intellectual property-related disputes in a timely manner.
ITMA ASIA + CITME 2022 is owned by CEMATEX and its Chinese partners – the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT (CCPIT-Tex), China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA) and China Exhibition Centre Group Corporation (CIEC). It is organized by Beijing Textile Machinery International Exhibition Co Ltd and co-organized by ITMA Services. The Japan Textile Machinery Association (JTMA) is a special partner of the show.
The combined exhibition ends on 23 November 2023. Opening hours are from 0900 to 1700 hours. Visitors can purchase their badges onsite at 50 yuan for a one-day badge and 100 yuan for a five-day badge.
The next ITMA ASIA + CITME exhibition will be held from 14 to 18 October 2024 at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai.
REMSCHEID, Germany / SHANGHAI, China — November 19, 2023 — In cooperation with the Swiss company Haelixa, Oerlikon Manmade Fibers Solutions will, in future, be able to make the entire value chain of a textile end product transparent and hence sustainable. The two development partners are offering a solution for the comprehensive traceability of products, as required by the European Green Deal.
In combination with Oerlikon’s atmos.io digital platform, Haelixa’s DNA marker technology makes the clear traceability of textile products a reality.
An essential part of the solution is the DNA marker technology developed by Haelixa that enables complete traceability of materials. These markers survive all production process steps, validating that the end product is identifiable. “This innovative technology employs distinct DNA tailored for each project, establishing a unique identity for the material,” explains Holly Berger, Marketing Director at Haelixa. “Once the DNA is integrated into the material, it becomes irremovable, impervious to falsification or alteration.” Handling is straightforward: the DNA marker is fed into the spinning process with the preparation oil, for example. The preparation system is modified accordingly. Further feeding options are currently being developed.
Smart factory: total transparency with atmos.io
The concept is complemented by atmos.io, Oerlikon’s digital platform, which records and evaluates extensive production and process data during the yarn manufacturing process. Atmos.io gives the yarn its digital identity during its time on Oerlikon systems, from the melt to the packaged package. This technology has been used successfully for some time to monitor the production process. With atmos.io, deviations in process parameters and yarn data can be identified and rectified within a very short time, which in turn keeps the yarn quality stable and reduces waste rates.
Combining both technologies enables clear traceability of the yarn produced, even in the downstream process steps. Hence, the yarn’s components, qualities, manufacturing conditions, and origin are traced beyond doubt in the finished garment. “The unique DNA carries the ‘roots’ of the yarn digitally recorded in atmos.io into the everyday life of the end consumer,” says Jochen Adler, CTO at Oerlikon Manmade Fibers. The textile end products meet the requirements of the digital product passport required by the EU, which contains the information needed to assess their life cycle assessment and circularity. Initial long-term tests have shown 100% traceability of the yarns in the POY and FDY spinning process. If the yarn manufacturer relies on the atmos.io platform, production systems can be adapted relatively easily to use the DNA markers.
The revolutionary new Oerlikon Neumag EvoSteam staple fiber process is bluesign® verified
NEUMÜNSTER, Germany— November 19, 2023 — The new polyester staple fiber process EvoSteam from Oerlikon Neumag receives the bluesign® test label “bluesign VERIFIED DATA”. For this, the innovative, energy and resource-saving EvoSteam process had to undergo strict data verification. It impressed with savings in energy, water and raw material consumption, as well as a reduction in operating costs (OPEX) and the CO2 footprint.
For sustainable staple fiber production
All relevant process data was compared with the conventional drawing process and analyzed. The results are impressive: “I am delighted that, following intensive development work on the new EvoS-team process, we have been able to reduce the total energy consumption for steam and electricity by up to 8 percent. In addition to reducing production waste by up to 50 percent, we expect to save around 3.2 million liters of water per year. For the operators of our plants, these are considerable cost savings while at the same time reducing impact on the environment by reducing the CO2 footprint by around 6 percent,” says Dr. Friedrich Lennemann, head of Technology Development at Oerlikon Neumag, summarising the result. By receiving the bluesign VERIFIED DATA label, Oerlikon Neumag is not only emphasising its commitment to sustainability. All polyester staple fibers produced with the EvoSteam process will actively contribute to the bluesign® SYSTEM in the future.
bluesign® VERIFIED DATA
For the EvoSteam process, Oerlikon Neumag received the bluesign VERIFIED DATA label for the first time. The label includes the verification of impact data such as water, spinning preparations, thermal and electrical energy as well as the CO2 footprint by means of a plausibility check of the supporting records for the EvoSteam draw line, the central element in the EvoSteam process. The reported data was assessed as 2.1 — fair — in accordance with the defined methodology.
EvoSteam process for sustainable staple fiber production
The EvoSteam process was presented to the global public for the first time at ITMA 2023 in Milan. Visitors to the trade fair spoke of a major development step, as the EvoSteam process dispenses with liquid baths. The function of the immersion bath is assumed by a carefully-coordinated setup of godets and pulsed spray nozzles. With this, the moisture is metered precisely and added according to the needs of the process. This completely dispensing with liquid baths generates significant savings in terms of water, energy and finishes, while also increasing occupational safety and cleanliness at the production line.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — November 20, 2023 — In fashion, apparel, and home goods, color is paramount, influencing textile aesthetics and customer satisfaction. Achieving the desired colors sustainably and efficiently across the global supply chain has long been challenging for brands and textile suppliers. Today, X-Rite Incorporated and Pantone LLC, global leaders in color science and technology, announced Textile Color Hub, a groundbreaking solution to make digital color specification more efficient, achievable, compliant and sustainable across the design to production workflow.
