ITMA 2015 has achieved a new milestone, attracting the biggest number of exhibitors since the show's launch way back in 1951.

Opening at the Fiera Milano Rho this week, the 17^th edition of ITMA has 1,691 exhibitors from 46 countries and economies. The previous record was set by ITMA 2007 when 1,451 exhibitors from 38 countries took part in the exhibition.

“ITMA has a very strong reputation as the world's most established textile and garment technology exhibition. We are grateful to our exhibitors and industry partners who have put their faith in the ITMA brand. The key to ITMA's success is its ability to reinvent itself and remain relevant to the industry that it serves,” commented Charles Beauduin, President of the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers (CEMATEX) which owns the ITMA series.

Participating exhibitors

ITMA 2015 also features a larger exhibition, with net exhibit space of over 108,000m², occupying 11 halls of the Fiera Milano Rho fairgrounds. It is about 20% larger than the 2011 exhibition. As in previous years, exhibitors from CEMATEX countries occupy the largest space. They booked 69% of the total net exhibit space. This is an 18% increase from the 2011 figure.

The largest participating country in terms of space booked is Italy. Italian exhibitors booked a total of 32,540m². This is followed by Germany, Switzerland, and Spain.

From non-CEMATEX countries, the four largest groups of participants are from Turkey, China, India, and Japan. The countries fielding the largest contingent of exhibitors at ITMA 2015 are Italy (453 exhibitors), Germany (238 exhibitors), China (184 exhibitors) and India (158 exhibitors).

Exhibition sectors

ITMA 2015 features exhibits clustered into 19 chapters. The sectors range from spinning, web formation, winding and texturing, weaving, knitting and hosiery, embroidery and braiding, finishing, dyestuffs and chemicals, software, logistics, plant operations, recycling and education to garment making and textile processing, printing, and fibre and yarn.

The top five sectors are:

• dyeing and finishing ,which occupies 23% of the space, with 303 exhibitors
• spinning, 14% of the space, 290 exhibitors
• weaving, 12% of the space, 179 exhibitors
• knitting and hosiery, 13% of the space, 128 exhibitors
• printing, 10% of the space, 113 exhibitors

Focus on industry sustainability

The theme of ITMA 2015 is Master the Art of Sustainable Innovation. The exhibition is not only a mega technology showcase, but it also features initiatives underpinning the focus on sustainability.

Among the efforts is the launch of the ITMA Sustainable Innovation Award, the rebranding of the Research and Education Pavilion to Research and Innovation Pavilion, and many knowledge-sharing platforms to drive home the sustainability message.

CEMATEX continues to support research and educational institutes with a grant for the participation in the Research and Innovation Pavilion. The pavilion has 40 participating institutions. Taking centre-stage at the pavilion is the Speakers Platform which will be held from 15-17 November. A total of 43 papers on the theme of sustainable innovations, achievements in innovation and technical textiles applications, will be presented at the platform.

The ITMA Sustainable Innovation Award is a new initiative by CEMATEX to honour those who have made pioneering efforts to promote industry sustainability. Three of the finalists are vying for the ITMA Industry Excellence Award while another three are competing for the ITMA Research and Innovation (R&I) Excellence Award. The results will be announced at the ITMA gala dinner.

www.itma.com