ACIMIT member companies exhibiting at Texhtextil, earlier this month. © Knitting Industry

Around 360 companies will be representing Italian textile machinery manufacturing sector at the upcoming ITMA show, with an occupied exhibition area of 30,000 square metres, which makes Italy the top country in terms of number of exhibitors and occupied surface.

ITMA, a leading showcase for manufacturers of textile machines, who display their up to date innovations to an international professional audience, will take place from 20-26 June in Barcelona. “The presence of the Italian exhibitors at ITMA Barcelona is remarkable,” says ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers.

Italian textile machinery exports by areas in 2018. © ACIMIT

Among the exhibiting Italian companies, 22% represent the spinning/winding section, 10% are operating in the weaving sector, 9% in knitting/hosiery, 35% in finishing/printing, and 24% in other business areas.

“Once again the Italian textile machinery industry will be the protagonist with a large number of participants in the most important international showcase for textile machines. This confirms the vitality of our sector, in terms of quality and technological level that we know how to express,” commented Alessandro Zucchi, President of ACIMIT.

Sustainable Technologies project

During ACIMIT press conference at ITMA, which takes place on 21 June, the Association will award two of the 40 member companies that joined the Sustainable Technologies project. The Italian Green Label Award aims to reward those companies that have been more virtuous over the past years, reducing the carbon dioxide emitted by their machines to a greater extent.

Italian textile machinery exports to main countries in 2018. © ACIMIT

ACIMIT represents an industrial sector that comprises around 300 companies employing around 12,000 people, manufacturing machinery for an overall value of about EUR 2.5 billion, of which fully 84% is exported.

Innovative textiles sector

A significant contingent of Italian textile machinery companies was also on hand at the recent edition of the Techtextil trade show that took place in Frankfurt from 14-17 May. “The technical and innovative textiles sector has developed at a very high pace in recent years,” the Association reports. “In 2010, global production of textiles for technical applications and nonwovens amounted to EUR 37 billion, rising to EUR 60 billion for 2018. In Europe, over 30% of textile sector revenues currently derive from the production of textiles designed for technical of innovative uses.”

“Growth in the industry has resulted in a substantial increase in demand for specialised ad hoc machinery, with the product ranges of Italy’s textile machinery companies broadening to the new needs of customers operating in this specific sector.” ACIMIT estimates that over 100 of its associated members are working for the sector.

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