Following a strong investment boom that reached its peak in 2007, shipments of new textile machinery were in strong decline aggravated by the global financial and economic crisis of 2008/2009. However, in 2010 global shipments of new textile machinery recorded a very strong up-swing.

In comparison with 2009 global shipments of new spinning machinery jumped by +75% (short-staple spindles), +163% (long-staple spindles) and +212% (open-end rotors), texturing spindles by +132%, weaving machinery (shuttle-less looms) by +146%, large diameter circular knitting machines by +36% and electronic flat knitting machines by +187%. In almost all segments even new record levels were reached.

These are the main conclusions of the 33rd annual International Textile Machinery Shipment Statistics (ITMSS) just released by the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF). The report covers six types of textile machinery, namely spinning, texturing, weaving, large circular knitting, flat knitting and finishing machinery. According to ITMF, the 2010 survey was compiled in cooperation with around 115 textile machinery manufacturers, representing a comprehensive measure of world production.

Spinning Machinery

Following a considerable drops in shipments of short-staple spindles in 2008 (-33%) and 2009 (-17%) shipments rose in 2010 by +75% to 12.5 million spindles. This came close to last record year of 2007 when 12.8 million had been shipped. By far the largest part of this new machinery was destined for Asia (11.9 million or 96%). China absorbed 7.9 million or 63% of global shipments, followed by India (2.4 million or 19%), Indonesia (500,000 or 4%), Bangladesh 400,000 or 3.2%) and Turkey (300,000 or 2.4%).

Global shipments of long-staple (wool-) spindles increased in 2010 by +163% to 84,000. Shipments to Asia jumped by +99% to 33,400, to Europe (incl. Turkey) by +263% to 38,400 and to South America by +139% to 11,000. Unlike in 2009 there were shipments to North America in 2010 (1,150). Like in 2009 Africa did not receive any long-staple (wool-) spindles in 2010.

Investments in open-end rotors jumped in 2010 by +212% to 450,000 after they plummeted in 2008 by -66% to 195,650 and in 2009 by -26% to merely 144,500. With 374,000 rotors or 83% Asia was once more the main recipient of open-end rotors in 2010. China’s global share reached 72% (323,000) followed by Brazil as a distant second with 5.5% (24,800), India with 5.5% (24,600), USA with 4.7% (21,100) and Turkey with 2.3% (10,400).

Texturing Machinery

Shipments of single heater draw-texturing spindles (for polyamide filaments) soared in 2010 from merely 2,880 to 63,240, an increase of +2,095%. China was the largest investor in this type of machinery with a global share of 71% (44,700 spindles) followed by Brazil (21% or 13,500), Belarus (3,000 or 4.7%) and Taiwan (1,728 or 2.7%).

The amount of shipped double heater draw-texturing spindles (for polyester filament) sky-rocketed from 248,000 to 518,000, an increase of +109%. This amount surpassed by large margin the old record highs of 2004 (406,000) and 2005 (315,000). By far the biggest and all-dominating investor was again China with 365,000 new spindles or 71% of global investment followed by India with 54,000 or 10%, Vietnam with 20,600 or 4%, Thailand with 13,200 or 2.5%, Japan with 12,200 or 2.4%, Turkey with 7,000 or 1.4% and Brazil with 6,200 or 1.2%.

Weaving Machinery

After having recorded the lowest amount of shipped shuttle-less looms in 2009 (43,400) since the year 2000 when shipments of Chinese textile machinery manufacturers were included for the first time in this survey, worldwide investments in shuttle-less looms jumped in 2010 by +146% to a new record of 107,000 machines.

While in the segment of rapier/projectile looms decreased by -32% to 16,000 machines, the segment of air-jet looms jumped by +110% to 17,700 machines and the segment of water-jet looms skyrocketed by +537% to 73,300 machines. This significant increase in shipments of shuttle-less looms was the result of both more investments as well as more reporting companies. 97% of all machines were destined for Asia.

Country-wise China was again by far the biggest recipient of shuttle-less looms having installed 89,400 or 84% of total shipments in 2010. Of the total amount 6,800 machines were rapier/projectile looms (-31% compared to 2009), 12,900 air-jet looms (+112%) and 69,700 water-jet looms (+617%). With 5,400 shuttle-less looms or 5% market share, India was distant second, followed by Indonesia with 2,400 or 2.2%, Bangladesh with 2,300 or 2.1% and Korea with 1,000 or 0.9%.

Circular & Flat Knitting Machinery

The segment of circular knitting machines recorded an increase of +36% to 34,500 in comparison to 2009. This marked the highest investment level since the year 2000. The previous record of 30,500 was recorded in 2005. With 92% Asia was the preferred region of investments in circular knitting machines. Like in the other segments the biggest investor in this type of knitting machinery was China with 26,400 or 77% of global shipments. India was the second biggest investor in 2010 with 1,370 machines or 4.0% of global shipments followed by Bangladesh with 1,330 machines or 3.8%, Turkey with 1,000 or 2.9% and Brazil with 860 or 2.5%.

In the segment of electronic flat knitting machines, global shipments in 2010 jumped by +187% to 51,130. This jump in shipments has two main reasons: first, a booming Chinese market and second, more textile machinery companies participating in the survey. The bulk of shipments went to Asia (94%) with Europe (incl. Turkey) absorbing 3.9%. Once more China was the biggest single investor in electronic flat knitting machines investing in 37,800 machines (74%) followed by Bangladesh 4,960 (9.7%), Hong Kong with 2,760 (5.4%), Turkey with 1,350 (2.6%) and Cambodia with 790 (1,5%).

Finishing Machinery

The 2010 edition of the ITMF international textile machinery shipment statistics also includes for the sixth time data on finishing machinery.