Asia’s leading business platform for textile machinery, ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 has opened in Shanghai with a display of cutting-edge textile and garment technologies. The five-day combined exhibition highlights an interesting array of solutions that will help propel the textile industry in Asia toward advanced and sustainable manufacturing.

Held from 14 to 18 October at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre Shanghai, ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 grosses 160,000 square metres, occupying six halls of the venue. It brings together around 1700 leading textile machinery manufacturers from 22 countries and regions to promote their latest technological offerings.

The exhibition 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).

Mr Alex Zucchi, president of CEMATEX, said: “It is heartening to note that the combined exhibition in Shanghai has continued to grow in size. Recognised as the largest textile machinery showcase in Asia, it has expanded by 9% compared with the 2022 edition in terms of exhibition space. Besides the wide array of automation and digital technologies, the exhibition will also feature an interesting range of environmentally-friendly solutions that will help us build a more sustainable textile industry.” 

Mr Gu Ping, president of China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA), remarked: “The exhibition is a much-awaited technological showcase as China’s textile industry is in a critical period of transition to a more advanced form. This year’s exhibition will support our country’s current ‘new quality productivity’ drive, which places strong emphasis on high-end manufacturing and the development of intelligent technology and sustainable practices.”

Quality technological showcase

Encompassing the complete textile and garment manufacturing value chain, the exhibits are classified into product sectors, ranging from spinning, weaving, knitting, printing, dyeing and finishing to nonwovens, embroidery, garment making, recycling, testing and other areas. Among the highlights are automated production lines, digital solutions for enhanced productivity, and the latest technologies that reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 features exhibits from 17 product sectors. Based on product categories, the dyeing and finishing sector occupies the largest area, accounting for 22% of the total exhibition space booked by exhibitors. It is followed by spinning and the man-made fibre production (19%), knitting (16%), weaving (14%) and printing and inks (10%) sectors.

These technologies and solutions are offered by established textile machinery manufacturers. The number of exhibitors has increased by about 12% compared to the 2022 edition. Exhibitors from mainland China rank first, taking up over 80% of the total space. They are followed by exhibitors from Germany; Japan; Italy; Taiwan, China; and Belgium.

The combined exhibition features a curated, quality showcase; only manufacturers of textile machinery and owners of intellectual property (IP) rights are qualified to exhibit. An onsite IP office has been set up with legal and technical experts present to supervise and handle any IP related disputes during the exhibition.

The combined exhibition has been extensively promoted through local and overseas promotions to draw buyers. Overseas roadshows were conducted in some key textile producing hubs in Asia. At the same time, an intensive direct marketing programme, and collaboration with trade media partners were undertaken.

The show ends on 18 October 2024. Opening hours are from 0900 to 1700 hours except on 18 October when the exhibition closes at 1600 hours. Visitors can purchase their badges onsite at 50 yuan for a one-day badge and 100 yuan for a five-day badge.

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 is organised by Beijing Textile Machinery International Exhibition Co Ltd and co-organised by ITMA Services. The Japan Textile Machinery Association (JTMA) is a special partner of the show.

www.itmaasia.com

www.citme.com.cn