ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition

Overview

ITM 2026, held at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul from 9–13 June 2026, concluded with great success despite global economic challenges. Organised in partnership with Tüyap Tüm Fuarcılık Yapım Inc. and Teknik Fairs Inc., and in cooperation with TEMSAD, the event spanned 110,000 square metres across 11 halls and ran simultaneously with HIGHTEX 2026 International Technical Textiles and Nonwovens Exhibition.

Attendance & Visitor Profile

The exhibition attracted 48,257 professional visitors from 105 countries — 53% domestic (25,576) and 47% international (22,681). Over 1,000 companies and representatives from 59 countries participated. A standout feature was the high quality of visitors, with a significant proportion being factory owners, senior executives, investors, and key decision-makers. Participating companies noted that visitor calibre exceeded previous years, leading to direct project discussions and acquisition processes.

Distribution of Foreign Visitors (%)

Global Reach

Istanbul's strategic location, favourable visa policies, and strong transport links drove exceptional international participation. Foreign visitors originated from every major region: Asia led at 59.19%, followed by Europe (19.52%), Africa (18.58%), North America (1.29%), South America (0.79%), and Oceania (0.63%). Trade delegations attended from Syria, Egypt, Bangladesh, India, Russia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Uzbekistan, Ethiopia, Spain, Poland, and numerous other nations. Domestically, the Marmara region accounted for 77% of Turkish visitors.

Visitors Distribution By Regions

Commercial Outcomes

ITM 2026 served as a powerful business platform. Machinery sales commenced from day one, and the five-day programme generated billions of euros worth of transactions and long-term collaborations. Presidents and delegations from leading textile companies in Syria, Egypt, India, and Russia made significant machinery purchases. Strong demand was recorded across weaving, knitting, spinning, finishing, garment manufacturing, denim, and digital printing technologies.

Technology & Innovation

Sustainability, energy efficiency, digitalisation, automation, and AI-powered manufacturing were the dominant technology themes. Live machine demonstrations by global manufacturers guided investors on future production strategies. Visitors had direct access to technologies capable of reducing production costs, improving efficiency, and supporting sustainable output — critical priorities amid ongoing global economic pressures.

Sectoral Distribution

The most represented visitor segments were Fiber & Spinning (14%), Dyeing & Finishing (14%), Printing & Digital Printing (13%), Circular & Flat Knitting (12%), and Weaving (12%). Apparel, Home Textile, Integrated Facility, and Narrow Woven sectors also featured prominently.

Sectoral Distribution of Visitors (%)

Industry Sentiment & Outlook

Despite challenging geopolitical conditions and sector-wide slowdowns, exhibitor feedback was overwhelmingly positive. International brands, including Karl Mayer, Rieter, Saurer, Stäubli, and Vandewiele, reported strong order activity and confirmed ITM's position as one of the world's premier textile machinery exhibitions. The concurrent HIGHTEX 2026 also achieved excellent results in the technical textiles segment. The next edition, ITM 2028, is scheduled for 13–17 June 2028 in Istanbul. Space reservations began while ITM 2026 was still ongoing, reflecting exceptional confidence in the platform's continued growth.