ITMA ASIA + CITME 2021 hosted successfully in Shanghai

The seventh ITMA ASIA + CITME 2021 exhibition – the largest textile machinery exhibition held since the start of the pandemic – successfully concluded on June 16 in Shanghai (China). Following an eight-month postponement, the combined exhibition grossing 160,000-sq-m brought together 1,237 textile machinery manufacturers from 20 countries and regions, and their buyers for face-to-face interaction. ITMA ASIA + CITME is organised by Beijing Textile Machinery International Exhibition Co Ltd and co-organised by ITMA Services.

Against the odds, the combined show only contracted by 10% in gross exhibition space. The better-than-expected performance of ITMA Asia + CITME attests to China being an attractive textile machinery market. As 2021 marks the first year of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, it has ushered in fresh development opportunities for the local textile industry, according to the show owners.

The combined show is owned by CEMATEX (European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers), the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT (CCPIT-Tex), China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA) and China Exhibition Centre Group Corporation (CIEC).

Ernesto Maurer, President of CEMATEX, explained, “We are extremely pleased to be able to stage Asia’s largest textile machinery exhibition during this challenging period, thanks to the strong performance of the China’s textile industry, and the support of our exhibitors and partners. This edition of ITMA Asia + CITME has further sealed the combined exhibition’s reputation as the leading-edge business platform in Asia for textile machinery.”

Wang Shutian, honorary president of China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA), added: “Each edition of ITMA ASIA + CITME sees strong textile industry turnout. As an industry platform, it has been instrumental in facilitating the industrial upgrading of the textile industry in China and Asia. It is especially crucial now as the physical show allows companies to reconnect face-to-face again. Such meetings held in person are critical for building business relationships in the longer term and we are pleased to enable our participants the opportunity to do so in this exhibition.”

Key highlights
The largest contingent of exhibitors at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2021 came from China, which had over 1,000 participants occupying over 56,000 sq m of net exhibit space. Some major exhibitors included CHTC, Fong’s, Ningbo Cixing, Wuxi Hongyuan, Hangzhou Honghua, Jiangsu Yingyou Textile Machinery and Changshu Textile Machinery.

A total of 170 exhibitors from CEMATEX territories took part in the exhibition. They occupied over 9,200 sq m, amounting to 13 per cent of the net space. Two of the largest national groups were Germany and Italy. Fifty-seven German exhibitors occupied over 3,700 sq m while 63 Italian exhibitors took up over 2,500 sq m.

The next largest group of exhibitors came from Japan, taking up more than 2,200 sq m of net space. The Japanese participation was coordinated by the Japan Textile Machinery Association – a strategic partner of the combined show.

Although international participation was greatly reduced due to travel restrictions, ITMA ASIA + CITME 2021 featured leading brand names from Europe and Japan. They included Automatex Solution, Fil Control, Groz-Beckert, Itema, Jeanologia, Karl Mayer, MS Printing Solutions, Meech International, Muratec, Oerlikon Barmag, Picanol, Reggiani Macchine, Rieter, Santoni, Saurer, Savio, Shima Seiki, Staubli, Toyota, Tsudakoma, Vandewiele and Vanwyk.

In term of product categories, similar to previous editions, spinning remained the largest sector, occupying 25% of the total exhibit space. The finishing sector forms the next biggest group at 24%, followed by knitting (13%), weaving (12%) and printing (8%).

Another area showcasing industry innovation was the Research and Innovation Zone. The zone featured 11 local universities and colleges. Among the participants were Donghua University, Jiangnan University, Qingdao University, Tianjin University of Technology, Wuhan Textile University, Xi’an University of Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology and other institutions.