[pageLogInLogOut]

#Knitting & Hosiery

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

Inauguration of the TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE with an opening week from 21 to 24 April 2026 in Obertshausen

KARL MAYER experts are discussing solutions with the customers © 2026 KARL MAYER
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.

"With our TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE, we are strongly focusing on textiles as the heart of our industry and the growth engine for our customers. The TIC marks a key milestone in KARL MAYER's strategic orientation. We are investing in innovation, quality and partnership-based development so that our customers not only remain competitive, but also have access to innovative textiles that open up new business areas for them," says Lutz Wolf, CEO of KARL MAYER.

Lutz Wolf, CEO of KARL MAYER © 2026 KARL MAYER
Lutz Wolf, CEO of KARL MAYER © 2026 KARL MAYER


The TIC is more than just a building; it is a place for collaboration, creativity and market-relevant solutions – a home for textile innovations. At KARL MAYER’s headquarters in Obertshausen, a “place to be” for the international textile industry is being created: a place that inspires, connects and supports customers in translating their textile innovation into market success. This is where the entire textile world will come together to exchange knowledge, develop ideas, create innovative fabrics on the right machines and make important contacts. This is where the future is being created – with passion, expertise and market focus.

In parallel to Techtextil in Frankfurt, international textile machine manufacturer KARL MAYER invites you to a grand opening week in Obertshausen. From 21 to 24 April, you can experience a thrilling programme of new groundbreaking textile applications, guided innovation tours, expert lectures and networking in a creative atmosphere.

Centre of textile excellence with almost 5,000 m2

“The size and equipment of our new TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE are unrivalled in the world,” says Karl Josef Mayer, representative of the Mayer family and patron of the TIC. “Here, we are aiming at the Medici effect basically a renaissance of the textile industry – it’s about preserving and building up textile know-how and textile technology, as well as developing innovative textile solutions.”

Karl Josef Mayer © 2026 KARL MAYER
Karl Josef Mayer © 2026 KARL MAYER


The TIC meets these high expectations with the following offerings:

Inspiration at a glance: Insights into proven and promising current textile developments and future trends; a spacious showroom and an open, unique sample archive as an “inspiration hub” invite visitors to think about materials, structures and applications in a new way.

Direct access to top experts: At the TIC, customers will work closely with KARL MAYER’s textile experts. Here they will find the knowledge they need for their innovation process – from material and process know-how to machine and application expertise.

From idea to marketable solution: The TIC will accompany not just customers, but fibre manufacturers and especially brands throughout the entire development process, from the initial idea to the implementation of a near-market prototype on the latest machines. And this goes for all their goals, whether new textile developments, new product launches or sustainable solutions.

Platform for exchange and networking: As an open meeting place, the TIC will bring together the right players from across the entire textile value chain. “Connected Textile Innovation” – from fibre to consumer.

Training courses for professionals: The KARL MAYER Academy, which is well established in the market, will be part of the TIC in future and will offer specialist courses for customer technicians, brand employees and its own service technicians as well as students of textile-related subjects.

KARL MAYER looks forward to welcoming customers, partners and the international trade press to the TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE in Obertshausen during the opening week.

Save the date: 21 to 24 April 2026, Obertshausen – in parallel to Techtextil Frankfurt.

Pre-registration at:

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=wN-xQvoWVUme0yq53uw9Hp6EVE41oPtGtA5BADYEQ1BUME1NQlczNDNSUVBOR0wxRTdBUkc1RDA0UC4u&route=shorturl


KARL MAYER showroom in China © 2026 KARL MAYER
KARL MAYER showroom in China © 2026 KARL MAYER





More News from KARL MAYER Textilmaschinenfabrik GmbH

#Knitting & Hosiery

The new RE 6 EL from KARL MAYER shows what it can do

KARL MAYER’s new RE 6 EL from KARL MAYER brings a breath of fresh air to raschel fabric production. The latest samples from the textile product development department of this innovative textile machine manufacturer demonstrate the extensive design possibilities on offer.

#Knitting & Hosiery

KARL MAYER and Lenzing partner to advance warp knitting with scalable cellulose fiber solutions

The Lenzing Group, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulosic fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, together with KARL MAYER, the global market leader in warp knitting machines and warp preparation systems, debut a joint innovation project during Premiere Vision, Paris.

#Knitting & Hosiery

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.

#Knitting & Hosiery

Live more beautifully and comfortably with Warp Knits

Knitted fabrics are the all-rounders among home textiles. They can be designed in many different ways and are used in mattresses, blankets and pillows as well as in terry towelling, curtains and upholstery fabrics to create trendy designs, constantly new products and good business.

More News on Knitting & Hosiery

#Knitting & Hosiery

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.

#Knitting & Hosiery

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.

#Knitting & Hosiery

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.

#Knitting & Hosiery

SHIMA SEIKI returns to ShanghaiTex

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Hong Kong and Chinese market subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI (HONG KONG) LTD., will exhibit at the ShanghaiTex 2025 exhibition (Booth No.: Hall N3, Booth A20) held in Shanghai, China this month. This marks the return of SHIMA SEIKI to ShanghaiTex after a 14-year hiatus, its last exhibit at the show having been in 2011.

Latest News

#Recycling / Circular Economy

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.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

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.

#Sustainability

Ying McGuire becomes new CEO of Cascale

Cascale today announced the appointment of Ying McGuire as Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2026.

#Technical Textiles

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.

TOP