Innovative, future-oriented ideas for improved efficiency in the highly competitive textile industry was the central topic presented to the audience at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) in Albstadt at the end of November.

The Technical Textiles Cluster of the Reutlingen, Tübingen and Zollernalb IHK invited members to an afternoon textiles expert forum on energy efficiency and new technology.

The invitation was taken up by representatives of the entire textiles value chain in a region with a longstanding, chequered textile industry tradition, the leading circular knitting machine manufacturer Mayer & Cie. reports. The company presented its spin-knit technology, which combines the spinning and the circular knitting processes where single jersey is manufactured not from yarn but from spinning mill rovings.

Presentations

The presentation included a process, a knitting needle and a machine. What all three had in common was that their use is said to help to save energy and to increase the efficiency of the respective process. Klaus Weireter of Ingenieurbüro Weucon explained how he sees optimising – and thereby reducing – the use of energy at textiles companies.

Roland Simmendinger, the head of development at Groz-Beckert, explained why and how a knitting needle can make a (significant) contribution to reducing a machine’s CO2 emissions and at the same time improve its running properties.

Michael A. Tuschak, in charge of spinitsystems marketing and sales at Mayer & Cie., presented his company’s spin-knit technology. Compared with conventional technology, spinitsystems is said to use around a third less energy, it also takes up much less space and generates less waste and less CO2, according to the manufacturer.

Spin-knit machine

A spin-knit machine combines the spinning and the circular knitting processes where single jersey is manufactured not from yarn but from spinning mill rovings. “That makes the production process much shorter because ring spinning, cleaning and rewinding are no longer required lowering production costs. For the customer this leads to significantly lower investment in machinery,” said the manufacturer.

“Furthermore, using spin-knit machines, which are similar in size to conventional knitting machines, saves space and energy while also producing less carbon dioxide and less waste. spinitsystems is able to process a big variety of short-cut and staple fibres.”

“Raw materials in their pure form can also be used, such as 100% combed cotton or other natural and synthetic fibres. Standard blends can also be used on the spinitsystems. The finished knitwear is soft, smooth and very pleasant to wear, making the fabric ideal for anything that’s worn close to the body, such as T- shirts, underwear and nightwear.”

Commitment to sustainability

“You can only hold your own in the market in the long term if your processes and the products you supply are efficient. Where energy is concerned, efficient also means sustainable. So you can no longer afford not to be sustainable,” explained Klaus Weireter.

The impression that sustainability has gained significantly in importance across the entire market was shared among visitors to this year’s ITMA textile machinery fair in Milan. Mayer & Cie. used this year’s event to present a marketable and fully functional model of its spinitsystems, which it will bring to market.

“In contrast to, say, ten years or so ago, customers really are actively asking for and about the new, eco-friendly technologies. Where the customers come from is immaterial. Energy has become a cost factor all over the world,” Michael A. Tuschak said.

www.spinitsystems.com