Marco Salvadé: Italian firms are deeply committed to R&D activities
As the global textile machinery market remains firmly driven by Asia-led demand and rapid technology upgrades, Italy’s manufacturers are sharpening their focus on innovation, flexibility, and value-added solutions. In this interview, Marco Salvadé, President, Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT), and CEO, Salvadé highlights how Italian textile machinery companies navigated 2025 amid a slight production decline, while strengthening exports across key destinations. The discussion also highlights India’s rising importance as Italy’s top export market and emerging opportunities in technical textiles, automation, and sustainability.
How did the Italian textile machinery industry perform in 2025, and what were the key highlights?
In 2025, the Italian textile machinery industry expected production value is of approximately 1,962 million euro. A key highlight is the extraordinary performance of exports to India, which has become our first market destination with a value of 176 million euro, marking a significant growth of +28 per cent compared to 2024. Despite a general 6 per cent decrease in production compared to the previous year, our international vocation remains strong, with 86 per cent of total sales realised in about 130 destination countries.
How do you view the current global textile machinery market, and what are the primary factors influencing demand?
The global market is currently led by Asia, which accounts for 40 per cent of our exports. Demand is driven by the need for high technological levels and innovation, which allow companies to strengthen their leading positions. Factors such as the ability to provide flexible and versatile solutions that meet specific customer needs are primary influences of demand in the current climate.
What are the major challenges currently facing textile and apparel (T&A) manufacturers worldwide? How are Italian textile machinery manufacturers supporting T&A companies in addressing these challenges?
T&A manufacturers face the challenge of needing quick responses to market changes and high-quality standards. Italian manufacturers, primarily small and medium sized companies, support them through close cooperation and a deep commitment to R&D, creating suitable solutions that give rise to new high value-added market niches. Our flexibility allows for a quick response to the unique needs of each customer.
How are innovations from Italian firms enabling advancements in areas such as automation, digitalisation, and sustainability?
Italian firms are deeply committed to R&D activities, ensuring a high technological level of supply. This constant focus on innovation allows for the creation of dedicated machinery that can quickly adapt to new trends. While our industry consists of about 300 companies, our strength lies in the skilled workforce that ensures high-quality products across all sectorial categories, which are vital for modern sustainable and digital processes.
How important is the Indian market for the Italian textile machinery industry today?
The Indian market is of primary importance; it is currently the top market for Italian textile machinery companies. In 2025, sales to India totalled 176 million euro, representing a 28 per cent increase over 2024. This makes India the biggest contributor to our export growth during this period.
What emerging opportunities do you see for Italian textile engineering companies in India?
Significant opportunities lie in the technical textiles sector, where Italian companies can turn customer needs into dedicated machinery and devices for high value-added niches. The demand in India is well-spread across categories, particularly in spinning (30 per cent), finishing (25 per cent), and weaving (24 per cent), showing a broad appetite for diverse Italian technologies.
With the Government of India focusing on strengthening technical textiles and the man-made fibre (MMF) value chain, how can Italian companies contribute to this vision?
Italian companies are ideally positioned to contribute because our supply covers all sectors of the textile production process. Our expertise in textile technologies is crucial for the MMF and technical textiles value chain. Our ability to create customised production ensures we can satisfy the specific technical requirements of this vision.
India has recently entered into a trade agreement with the European Union. How do you see this development impacting collaboration between Italian technology providers and India’s textile sector?
While the data focuses on figures, such agreements typically strengthen the process of internationalisation. This development will likely facilitate even closer cooperation with customers, helping Italian firms to better understand and fulfill the needs of the Indian textile sector more efficiently.
What key technological and operational trends do you believe will shape the global T&A industry over the next decade?
The industry will be shaped by a high technological level and a constant focus on innovation. The move towards specialised, high value-added niches like technical textiles will continue to be a dominant trend. Operational success will depend on flexibility and the ability of manufacturers to provide quick, customised responses to global demand.
What is your outlook for the Italian textile machinery industry in 2026? Any message for the Indian T&A industry?
Our outlook is one of cautious optimism with a focus on recovery; for instance, domestic consumption in Italy is already projected to grow by +2 per cent. My message to the Indian T&A industry: Italy is your primary partner in technology. With our exports to India growing by 28 per cent in 2025, we are more committed than ever to supporting your growth through our innovation, flexibility, and high-quality machinery. Together, we can create new opportunities in the global textile market.
