Erika Arcos: We aim to develop smart solutions that conserve limited resources
Benninger is a Swiss company and has been the world’s leading partner of the textile and tire cord industry for more than 160 years. It has subsidiaries as well as service agencies around the globe. Benninger develops and produces machines and systems for textile finishing and tire cord production, which it supplies as complete system solutions. Benninger has many years of experience in the automation of machines and systems which is also used successfully in other branches of industry. Erika Arcos, Head of Marketing & Communication, Benninger Group, discusses Switzerland’s advancements in textile machinery and the company’s role in driving this innovation in a conversation with Divya Shetty.
Switzerland has long been recognised as a global leader in textile machinery. What factors have contributed to its stronghold in this sector?
Switzerland’s global leadership in textile machinery is renowned for its high-precision engineering, quality, and innovation. Its finishing machinery offers advanced solutions for dyeing, coating, and fabric treatment to enhance textile quality and sustainability. Benninger as a Swiss company has been the world’s leading partner of the textile and tire cord industry for more than 160 years.
How does your company contribute to innovation and technological advancements in textile machinery?
Benninger is a key innovator in textile machinery, specialising in advanced finishing and wet processing solutions that enhance efficiency and sustainability. We understand that modern fashion is lively, diverse, and fast-moving. Today’s industry must reflect contemporary needs while creating smart and versatile systems to achieve the most ecological footprint at the lowest cost. Minimising ecological footprints at the lowest cost is Benninger’s mission in mitigating environmental impact on the planet.
What are the key strengths of Benninger in terms of automation, precision, and sustainability?
Benninger’s advanced systems integrate digital controls and real-time monitoring to enhance efficiency, reduce downtime, and ensure consistent quality. Sophisticated engineering guarantees uniform fabric treatment and process optimisation. The main technology driver for Benninger is to develop smart solutions that conserve limited resources such as water and energy, as sustainability is also becoming an increasingly important cost factor for the textile industry in the future.
How significant is the Indian market for your company, and what strategies have you adopted to expand your presence in India?
The Indian market is key for Benninger because India is one of the world’s largest textile producers and exporters. With the increasing demand for high-quality fabrics and a strong focus on sustainability, Indian manufacturers seek advanced finishing machinery to enhance efficiency and meet global standards. Benninger’s expertise aligns well with India’s evolving textile sector therefore we have a high-tech fabrication facility in Pune.
What are the latest trends and challenges in the global textile industry, and how is Benninger addressing them?
Major trends are sustainability and eco-friendliness. Benninger drives sustainability in the textile industry by achieving remarkable success in water purification, waste treatment, and the recovery of thermal energy from wastewater. It has helped textile plants achieve ‘zero discharge’.
Sustainability is a key focus in modern textiles. How is your company integrating eco-friendly solutions into its machinery?
Our wide portfolio enables us to significantly reduce our customers’ carbon footprint – not only through our high-performance machines and ranges with exceptionally low consumption but also through our integrated subsystems. These include liquid dispensing, powder dissolving, and distribution systems, as well as wastewater heat recovery and caustic soda recovery plants for mercerizing ranges, all of which are embedded in our manufacturing DNA.
How does Benninger collaborate with Indian textile companies to enhance productivity and efficiency?
We collaborate with Indian textile companies by providing advanced machinery and tailored solutions to enhance productivity and efficiency. Benninger has successfully developed a range of intelligent textile machinery products. These products not only improve production efficiency but also significantly reduce energy consumption and emissions, supporting green production.
What are your future plans for growth and innovation in the textile machinery segment, particularly in emerging markets like India?
To strengthen our presence in India, we plan to focus on offering customised solutions that cater to the specific needs of Indian textile manufacturers.
