In 2013 shipments of the new textile machinery fell in most segments, the 36th annual International Textile Machinery Shipment Statistics (ITMSS) results have shown.

The recent figures have been released by the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF). The report covers six segments of textile machinery, and it has been compiled in cooperation with some 117 textile machinery manufacturers.

Worldwide shipments of new large circular knitting machines in 2013 remained unchanged on the record level of 2012. In comparison, global shipments of new short-staple spindles rose by 10% while those of open-end rotors decreased slightly by 2% and those of long-staple spindles dropped by 45%. Also the number of new draw-texturing spindles shipped was down by 29%, those of new shuttle-less looms by 4%, and those of new electronic flat-knitting machines by 24%.

Circular and flat knitting machinery

Global shipments of large circular knitting machines increased by 27% from 28,900 in 2011 to 36,640 in 2012, which set a new record.

In 2013 the amount of machines remained practically unchanged at 36,575. Also in this segment Asia was the main regional investor in this type of machinery absorbing 91% of all new machines shipped in 2013. The biggest single investor was once more China with a total of 27,460 (a global market share of 75%) followed by India, Turkey, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.

In the segment of electronic flat knitting machines global shipments in 2012 dropped by 34% to 46,100 machines. Also in 2013 global shipments recorded a decline of 24%. The bulk of global shipments of electronic flat knitting machines was delivered to Asia (30,300 or 86%), while Europe's share (including Turkey) reached 12%.

Spinning machinery

In 2012 shipments of short-staple spindles fell by 27% to 10.51 million spindles but rose again in 2013 by 10% to 11.56 million.

Global shipments of long-staple (wool) spindles dropped in 2013 by 45% from 146,400 to 80,800. Europe was the main recipient, followed by Asia and the Americas.

As far as open-end rotors are concerned global investments decreased slightly in 2013 by 2% to 443,200. Asia was once again the region that absorbed by far most of the new rotors (351,400 or 79% of global shipments). By country, China was the dominant investor putting in place 271,740 or 61% of global shipments.

Texturing Machinery

From 2010 to 2011 global shipments plummeted from 13,200 to only 1,824 by 86%. In 2012 no shipments of single heater draw-texturing spindles were recorded. In 2013 shipments reached 2,600 spindles, of which 2,120 went to Asia and 480 to Europe.

In the segment of double heater draw-texturing spindles investments dropped from 717,760 to 505,080, a decline of 29%. 90% of all shipments went to Asia.

By far the biggest single investor in this type of draw-texturing machinery was again China where 366,480 new spindles or 73% of global shipments were installed, followed by distant second Japan, India, Vietnam and Egypt.

Weaving Machinery

Worldwide shipments of shuttle-less looms fell by 4% in 2013. The main reason for this development was a further decline in shipments of water-jet looms.

After a skyrocketing jump of 537% in 2010 and in 2011, global deliveries of water-jet shuttle-less looms dropped by 65% to 39,920 machines in 2012 and by 13% to 34,580 in 2013. In the shuttle-less loom segment of rapier/projectile looms shipments increased marginally from 23,250 in 2012 to 23,830 in 2013.

Also deliveries of shuttle-less air-jet looms increased from 23,300 in 2012 to 25,010. As in previous years the main destination of shuttle-less looms was Asia, where 76,390 or 92% of all new shuttle-less looms were installed.

www.itmf.org