In recent years technical textiles have grown on a global scale, much more significantly than the traditional textile industry. In Europe alone, the sector is worth 30 billion euros, amounting to 30% of the total turnover for the European textile industry .
The demand for technical textiles has thus boosted production in this sector, which is characterized by a high level of innovative content in both end products and production processes. The increased demand for innovative solutions is precisely what enhances the role of Italian textile machinery manufacturers. “The flexibility and versatility that differentiates Italian textile machinery, Ms. Raffaella Carabelli, the President of ACIMIT (the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers) explains, has enabled Italy’s machinery manufacturers to become global leaders in machinery specially designed for the production of technical and innovative textiles, a sector in which it is essential to work in collaboration with customers, allowing for flexibility in adapting existing machines to less traditional production processes. This is the area where Made in Italy machinery are at their very best”. A proof of the dynamism that characterizes the Italian textile machinery in the sector of technical textiles comes from the number of Italian manufacturers exhibited at the Techtextil in Frankfurt (4-7 May 2015). In fact there are about 50 Italian textile machinery companies in Germany. 23 of these companies exhibited at the Italian Pavillion organized by Italian Trade Agency and ACIMIT. They are: 4M Plants, Biancalani, Bombi, Bonino, Canalair, Comoexport, Consorzio Italian Texstyle, Corino, Crosta, Cutlite, Dell’orco & Villani, Mecatex, Monti-Mac, Noseda, Omr, Pmt, Ramina, Ratti, Rollmac Div. Gemata, Saspe, Srs, Toscana Spazzole, Unitech.
Only domestic orders on the rise for the 4th quarter in 2014
For the textile machinery sector, the year’s fourth quarter resulted in a decline in orders, mainly due to a negative performance recorded in foreign sales. These findings have been reported in an economic survey conducted by ACIMIT, the Italian Association representing the industry, indicating a 4% drop over the previous quarter. The value of the orders index for the period from October to December 2014 came in at 85.0 points (basis: 2010=100). This decline in the index can be blamed on the overall negative performance recorded for this period in markets abroad, where orders effectively came in at an index value of 92.7 points (-6% over the previous period). On the other hand, domestic orders rebounded compared to the third quarter (+34%), for a value of 50.8 points. ACIMIT President Raffaella Carabelli explained the positive data for the domestic market, “The growth in orders in Italy over the last segment of 2014 appears to be a good sign for 2015, during which we will reach an apex with ITMA, the premier trade fair in the industry, to be held in Milan from the 12th to 19th of November. This climate of greater confidence at a macroeconomic level seems likely to become contagious for various sectors of our economy,” continues Carabelli. “I’m certain that the entire textile industry can benefit from the current global economic trends, and I’m referring especially to the weaker European currency and lower interest rates.” Optimism is the key word for Italy’s textile machinery sector on the eve of hosting ITMA; a sense of optimism that is already evidenced by the event’s updated figures. Indeed, the Milan edition will exceed the 100,000 sq. meter threshold (the previous edition held in Barcelona in 2011 covered 80,000 sq. m of exhibition space). By end of January, 388 Italian exhibitors had confirmed their commitment to participate in the event, out of a total of 1500 participants, for an overall growth in acquired exhibition surface area of 48% compared to the previous edition. Lastly, requests for increased exhibition space already optioned and demands put forward by new exhibitors continue to pile into an already crowded waiting list.
Italian Machinery Manufacturers Committed to a more efficient and sustainable European industry
ACIMIT has signed an agreement with EURATEX for common actions in energy efficiency and sustainability. ACIMIT President Carabelli, “The Memorandum of Understanding signed with the European apparel and textile confederation confirms our commitment on issues of vital importance for the entire industry.” EURATEX, the European apparel and textile confederation, has just recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ACIMIT and VDMA, the associations respectively representing Italian and German textile machinery manufacturers. The agreement confirms the commitment of the three associations to promote energy efficiency in the European textile industry. ACIMIT, in particular, with its Sustainable Technologies project, has been intensely promoting new models for the past five years for production processes and efficient energy use through reduced environmental impacts. “By signing this agreement,” commented ACIMIT President Raffaella Carabelli, “we intend to pursue our ongoing commitment to issues which we consider of interest to the entire European textile industry: sustainability and energy efficiency. Only through the involvement of the greatest possible number of operators in the industry we wil be able to increase the competitiveness of all its components, relating to both the textile and textile machinery sectors.” The partnership between EURATEX, ACIMIT and VDMA provides for a joint contribution in terms of communicating results achieved by the individual initiatives of each association, as well as an exchange of experiences in order to enhance know-how on energy efficiency related issues in the industry
