The delivery of big circular (-27%) and flat (-24%) knitting machines, as well as weaving, finishing, and stretch-texturing machinery, decreased in 2022, according to the 45th annual report of the ITMF (International Textile Manufacturers Federation). On the other hand, spinning machinery is stable.
200 textile machinery manufacturers collaborated to generate this study, dubbed “International Textile Machinery Shipment Statistics” (ITMSS). The study keeps track of changes in the sector since it was originally released in 1974.
This edition, which is focused on 2022, reveals an increase in machine deliveries for short staples (+27%), open rotors (+85%), and most significantly spindles for long staples (+195%). Machines are delivered mostly in Asia, but also in Europe and North America.
The document mentions that deliveries of stretch-texturing spindles fell by 13% in 2022. This is related to texturing. China alone will account for 84% of supplies in this region, with Asia-Pacific estimated to account for 95% of those deliveries.
Deliveries of shuttleless looms decreased by 23% in the weaving industry during the course of the year, with Asia-Pacific accounting for 77% of all deliveries. In specifics, air-jet machines decreased by 13% and water-jet machines decreased by 38.4%. The electronic flat knitting machine market shrank by 24%.
Deliveries of stenter machines decreased by 35% for finishing machines. The analysis, despite being less specific in this area, predicts that the fall has impacted all devices, from bleaching tools to beam and air-jet dyeing equipment.
