Mixed Trends in Global Textile Machinery Shipments 2024

Global textile machinery shipments in 2024 displayed mixed results, as outlined in the 47th annual International Textile Machinery Shipment Statistics (ITMSS) released by the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF). The data covers six major machinery segments: spinning, draw-texturing, weaving, circular knitting, flat knitting, and finishing, compiled in partnership with over 200 manufacturers globally.

Spinning Machinery:
Short-staple spindle shipments fell sharply by -40% YoY, totaling 5.92 million units, with Asia & Oceania absorbing 90% of global shipments despite a -36% decline. Shipments to Africa, Europe, and North/Central America dropped significantly, while South America and Eastern Europe saw slight increases. Top investors included China, India, Türkiye, Bangladesh, Egypt, and Indonesia.
Open-end rotor shipments declined -39% to 623,000 units, with Asia & Oceania receiving 89%. Investments dropped in China, India, and Türkiye, but rose significantly in Vietnam (+214%) and Bangladesh (+44%).
Long-staple (wool) spindle shipments rose +62% to 600,000 units, driven by demand from Iran (40%), China (30%), and Vietnam (13%).

Texturing Machinery:
Single heater draw-texturing spindles surged +95% to 84,000 units, with Asia & Oceania accounting for 98.5%. China dominated with 95% of deliveries.
Double heater draw-texturing spindles grew +80% to 960,000 units. Again, China led with a 95% global share.

Weaving Machinery:
Shuttle-less loom shipments rose +32% to 226,000 units. “Air-jet” and “water-jet” looms grew +10% and +56%, respectively, while “rapier/projectile” looms dropped -7%. Asia & Oceania absorbed 97% of total deliveries, led by China, which saw shipment growth in all loom types.

Circular & Flat Knitting Machinery:
Large circular knitting machine shipments fell -15% to 28,000 units. China was the top destination (45%), followed by India and Vietnam.
Flat knitting machines rose +16% to 135,000 units, with Asia & Oceania receiving 96%. China alone accounted for 82%.

Finishing Machinery:
The “fabrics continuous” segment saw a +22% increase in stenter shipments to 2,230 units. Within this segment, dyeing lines varied—CPB lines dropped -53%, while Hotflue lines surged +390%.
In the “fabrics discontinuous” category, jigger/beam dyeing machines fell -44%, while air jet dyeing and overflow dyeing machines rose by +18% and +5%, respectively.

These figures indicate diverging trends in global textile machinery investment, with certain sectors like texturing and flat knitting performing strongly, while spinning and circular knitting faced notable downturns.