#Knitting & Hosiery

2024-11-07

One step ahead in sun protection

At this year's ITMA ASIA + CITME, KARL MAYER presented a textile innovation in the field of sun protection clothing and hit the bull's eye. On show was a stylish jacket made from a tricot fabric in the new gauge E 44, which impressed the trade fair visitors with its exceptional performance. The silky fabric is light, soft and breathable, feels cool against the skin and offers unrivalled sun protection.

The UV protection factor of the dense warp-knitted fabric is more than twice as high as that of circular knitted textiles with the same weight per unit area. The article is also right on trend. According to a study conducted by Research and Markets in October 2024, the sun protection clothing market will grow by 7.9% annually until 2030, reaching almost 14 billion US dollars. /1/

The fabric with the great business potential was produced on an HKS 2-S in E 44, extremely efficiently. The reliable high-performance warp knitting machine achieves an output of 200 kg of fabric per day.

Tang Qi, Textile Application and Development Engineer in the KARL MAYER tricot department, was just as impressed by the innovative product as the ITMA visitors and was inspired to create a casual outdoor jacket for the trade fair presentation.

“Thanks to its UV protection factor, the E44 fabric is ideal for clothing worn during outdoor activities. It is super soft and feels pleasantly cool against the skin, making it comfortable to wear even in hot weather. When I received this fabric, I was particularly surprised by the wonderfully silky-soft feel,” says the apparel designer.

Tang Qi likes to be sporty herself. In summer, she often goes hiking with friends and appreciates an outfit with sun protection and comfort, especially in mountainous terrain.

That's why the young creative has deliberately opted for the silhouette of a loose training jacket. The wide cut offers the body enough space so that the fabric doesn't stick to the skin and cause friction and doesn't feel tight. So it's easy to enjoy the great outdoors!

Outdoor clothing with sun protection made from a new tricot fabric in E44 has been the big hit on the KARL MAYER stand at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 © 2024 KARL MAYER

https://www.researchandmarkets.com/report/sun-protective-clothing?srsltid=AfmBOorlD8gzyKnOG37E1tAiUHzB92wOD9rYH-SFQtbVc5hcr9AFBJUd

KARL MAYER opens a new TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE – a new era of textile innovation begins

KARL MAYER is opening its new TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE (TIC), sending a strong signal that it is driving textile innovation forward and opening up new perspectives for the textile industry. The TIC brings together the latest developments in Warp Knitting, Technical Textiles and Warp Preparation – KARL MAYER’s core areas of expertise.

Proven performance, optimised costs – the new RE 6 EL

Nowadays textile companies increasingly need to produce small production runs and respond to market changes with instantaneous pattern changes in order to operate profitably – meaning they require machines that offer maximum flexibility, reliability and cost efficiency. KARL MAYER understands the challenges of the market and is launching its new RE 6 EL. The Raschel machine offers the core strengths of the classic RSE 6 EL and essentially the same performance parameters, but has been further cost-optimised largely due to local production advantages. This makes the newcomer an efficiency champion in production, especially when it comes to frequent pattern changes.

Huixing acquires insolvent Mayer & Cie.

Insolvency proceedings for the circular knitting and braiding machine manufacturer Mayer & Cie. were opened on December 1, 2025. Immediately following the opening of proceedings, the complete cessation of business operations was initiated. Most employees were subsequently given notice effective the end of February 2026. The production of the remaining orders in the circular knitting segment is expected to be completed by the end of the month. As early as December 2025, Mayer & Cie.’s braiding machine division was sold to an Italian investor.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at GMMSA Expo India

Leading Japanese computerized flat knitting technologist SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Indian sales representative Universal MEP Projects & Engineering Services, Ltd., will participate in the upcoming Garments Machinery Manufacturers & Suppliers Association (GMMSA) Expo India 2026 exhibition to be held in Ludhiana, India next month. Through its lineup at GMMSA, SHIMA SEIKI aims to further strengthen its presence within the Indian market with an exhibit that caters to diverse needs, consisting of seam-free WHOLEGARMENT® knitting technology as well as a brand-new shaping machine with high productivity and excellent cost performance.

Terrot introduces T-Frame platform to redefine stability and flexibility in large-diameter circular knitting

Terrot Textilmaschinen GmbH has unveiled the new T-Frame, a universal machine frame platform for large-diameter circular knitting machines. Designed to meet growing demands for flexibility, stability, and operational safety, the T-Frame provides a next-generation foundation for both current and future industrial knitting machines, combining German engineering expertise with a modular, future-ready design approach.

Circulose restarts commercial-scale production at Ortviken plant in Sundsvall

Circulose today announced the restart of its commercial-scale production plant at Ortviken in Sundsvall, Sweden, marking a significant step in scaling next-generation materials for the global fashion industry. The company plans to resume production of CIRCULOSE®, a recycled pulp made entirely from discarded cotton textiles, in the fourth quarter of 2026.

VIATT 2026 to debut German Pavilion, strengthening European participation alongside key Asian textile hubs

Vietnam’s textile and garment sector continues to be a major contributor to the country’s economic growth, with export revenues expected to reach USD 46 billion in 2025, a 5.6% increase from 2024 . From 26 – 28 February, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is set to contribute to economic growth opportunities by accelerating digital transformation and green transition across the entire textile value chain. The upcoming edition will respond to the rising demand for advanced technologies and sustainable materials with the introduction of the German Pavilion, alongside strong exhibitor participation from key Asian sectors, as well as several high-profile fringe events.

Sustainable, lightweight, and sound absorbing: Polyester-based front trunk solution for BEVs

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year.