Marco Salvade: Sustainability is a core pillar of ACIMIT’s mission
The Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT) is a private non-profit making body and its main purpose consists in promoting the Italian textile machinery sector and in supporting its activity, mainly abroad, through the most updated and innovative promotional means, constantly improved over the almost 80 years of its life. Marco Salvade, President, ACIMIT, in this interview with Divya Shetty, shares the recent innovations of the Italian textile machinery and the steps Indian textile companies can take to strengthen their partnership with Italian machinery manufacturers.
What core competencies do you believe give the Italian textile machinery industry a global competitive edge?
The Italian textile machinery industry is among the main producers and exporters of textile machinery, thanks to its mix of tradition and innovation. Our companies are renowned for their ability to develop tailor-made solutions that meet the specific needs of customers worldwide. Moreover, the Italian approach integrates cutting-edge technology with a unique design culture and a deep understanding of textile processes. This combination ensures that our machinery is not only efficient and reliable, but also allows our customers to excel in their respective markets.
Could you highlight some breakthrough innovations in textile machinery that ACIMIT members have introduced recently, especially those addressing efficiency, sustainability, or digitalisation?
Our member companies have recently introduced several groundbreaking innovations focused on sustainability and digital transformation. For instance, advanced energy-saving technologies and the incorporation of AI and IoT for predictive maintenance have become key offerings. These innovations not only enhance operational efficiency, but also reduce environmental impact, aligning with the global demand for greener textile production process.
How is ACIMIT encouraging its members to integrate eco-friendly practices and technologies into their machinery and manufacturing processes?
Sustainability is a core pillar of ACIMIT’s mission, and we have recently strengthened our commitment with the introduction of CLIMA (Committed to Low Impact Machinery), which has replaced our previous Green Label program. CLIMA is a certification that offers a broader and more transparent approach to assessing and communicating the environmental performance of textile machinery, helping manufacturers focus on reducing energy consumption, emissions and resources utilization.
With Italy-India relations in the textile sector gaining momentum, could you share how ACIMIT is enhancing collaboration with Indian manufacturers and what specific initiatives or joint projects are currently underway?
India is a key market for Italian textile machinery, ranking third in 2024, behind China and India. Italian exports to Indian market was worth € 132 million last year. ACIMIT has been consistently working to deepen our engagement with Indian textile firms through various initiatives. Among these, one of the most significant is the Italian Technology Training Centre, established at DKTE’s Textile & Engineering Institute in Ichalkaranji, Maharashtra, in 2012. This center launched in collaboration with DKTE and financed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through Italian Trade Agency, serves as a platform for knowledge sharing, technology demonstration, and skill development, providing Indian students and professionals access to state-of-the-art Italian textile machinery and know-how. These collaborations are crucial in supporting the modernization of Indian textile production and strengthening the ties between our two Countries.
What are the primary challenges facing the Italian textile machinery sector and how is ACIMIT helping its members navigate them?
The Italian textile machinery sector is currently navigating several challenges, including global economic uncertainties, supply chain disruptions and the need for continuous technological evolution to remain competitive. Additionally, environmental regulations and the transition towards Industry 4.0 need significant investments from our companies. ACIMIT is actively supporting its member companies by providing market intelligence, advocating for favorable policies and promoting internationalization.
What emerging technologies or trends do you believe will have the most significant impact on the future of textile machinery?
Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT, and robotics are profoundly reshaping the sector. These technologies will drive smart manufacturing, enabling predictive maintenance, process optimization, and quality assurance. Sustainability will continue to be a key driver, with innovations in materials processing, energy efficiency, and circular economy solutions. Moreover, digitalization will allow greater customization and flexibility in production, empowering textile companies to meet the demands of increasingly sophisticated final consumers.
From ACIMIT’s perspective, what steps can Indian textile companies take to strengthen their partnership with Italian machinery manufacturers and drive mutual growth in the coming years?
To further strengthen the partnership, Indian textile companies should focus on adopting state-of-the-art Italian technologies, particularly those aligned with sustainability and digitalization trends. Collaborating on projects for innovative production lines and fostering the mutual cooperation on the development of new products are key steps forward. They will ensure that both Italian and Indian companies can address the evolving needs of the global textile market together.
NEWS SNIPPET
ZYOD expands manufacturing footprint with hubs in Gurugram and Jaipur
In a significant advancement toward revolutionising the fashion manufacturing industry, ZYOD has launched tech-enabled excellence hubs at its manufacturing facilities in Gurugram and Jaipur. These hubs seamlessly blend advanced technology with traditional garment production to boost quality, accelerate turnaround times, and promote sustainability. By incorporating advanced tools directly into the production floor, ZYOD is streamlining the process, making it faster, more intelligent, and perfectly suited for an on-demand manufacturing model.
In addition, ZYOD’s proprietary Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system streamlines operations by offering real-time insights across production. Integrated with automated quality checks and AI-driven line planning, it reduces rework, boosts efficiency, and ensures faster, more accurate, and high-quality output at its excellence hubs.
“As the fashion industry shifts toward on-demand manufacturing, traditional production methods often fall short in the face of rising market demands for speed, adaptability, and accuracy. Our new excellence hubs address this challenge head-on by incorporating advanced technologies into the production line. With features like automated quality control, AI-based line planning, and digital sampling, we’ve eliminated the need for physical prototypes, greatly accelerating development timelines and minimising material waste,” said Ankit Jaipuria, Co-founder, ZYOD.
Ankit added that the introduction of these tech-enabled excellence hubs positions ZYOD as a leader in championing a technology-driven approach to fashion manufacturing. The goal is to go beyond fulfilling customer expectations by fostering greater sustainability and agility across the industry.
Ritesh Khandelwal, Co-founder, ZYOD, said, “Gurugram and Jaipur were selected for these hubs owing to their strong apparel manufacturing ecosystems. Gurugram’s dynamic tech sector offers skilled talent, while Jaipur’s rich textile heritage and craftsmanship enable access to premium raw materials. Combined with excellent connectivity, these locations empower ZYOD to uphold agile and responsive production timelines aligned with modern market needs.”
ZYOD employs over 400 professionals at each of its Gurugram and Jaipur hubs, managing 700+ styles and handling more than 2,000 design-to-delivery cycles concurrently. This scalability allows the company to maintain high output without compromising on agility or quality. With plans to expand its tech-enabled excellence hubs nationwide, ZYOD is also set to launch a cutting-edge innovation centre, poised to become a landmark in its growth journey and a significant leap for India’s apparel manufacturing industry.
