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ITMA Asia 2024 spotlighted the latest innovations in textile printing and garment manufacturing, focusing on efficiency, sustainability, and advanced automation. The event showcased groundbreaking technologies, from artificial intelligence (AI)-powered systems reducing labor and waste in garment production to eco-friendly printing processes that cut water and chemical use. With high-speed single-pass printers and large-format machines pushing productivity, the exhibition highlighted how the industry is rapidly evolving to meet the demands of both scalability and environmental responsibility.
Held October 14-18 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Shanghai, ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 spanned 160,000 m2 of exhibit space, occupying six halls of the NECC venue. It brought together 1,700 leading textile machinery manufacturers from 22 countries and regions to promote their latest technological offerings. Covering the entire textile and garment manufacturing value chain, the exhibits span a wide range of product categories, including spinning, weaving, knitting, printing, dyeing, and finishing, as well as nonwovens, garment production, recycling, and testing. The following are some of the significant highlights as seen by Keypoint Intelligence.
| The aisles at ITMA Asia 2024 were buzzing with attendees eager to see the latest technological developments. |
AI-Driven Automation
While INA Systems does not focus on printing technology, its contribution to AI-driven automation in garment manufacturing was a key highlight of ITMA Asia 2024. INA Systems showcased advanced robotic handling solutions that significantly reduce manual labor in garment production. Its systems are designed to enhance precision in tasks such as fabric cutting and handling, which are crucial in garment assembly. With integrated AI and machine learning, these systems provide real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities, minimizing downtime and ensuring seamless operation. This not only improves productivity but also reduces material waste. By automating critical steps in the production line, INA Systems helps manufacturers achieve higher efficiency, making them a pivotal player in the movement towards Industry 4.0.
| INA Systems showed its advanced robotic handling of textile pieces for garment assembly and manufacturing logistics. |
Reactive Ink Transfer Process
Keundo showcased its innovative reactive ink transfer process, which enhances the depth and vibrancy of colors when printing on natural fibers such as cotton. The process delivers superior image sharpness while being more environmentally friendly, as it requires less water and chemicals compared to traditional methods. This makes Keundo’s process a key advancement for manufacturers seeking to minimize their ecological footprint. Additionally, the versatility of this technology, which supports both roll-to-roll and sheet-to-sheet printing, ensures broad applicability across different textile markets.
| A completely new reactive ink transfer process was on display by Keundo. |
Single-Pass Printing
A notable highlight was Shenzhen Hanglory Digital Printing Group Co. showing a model of its ROCKET single-pass printer, which targets large-scale textile manufacturers looking for both speed and precision. The Rocket offers a remarkable printing speed of up to 90 meters per minute, making it one of the fastest solutions available for industrial textile production. Despite the high speeds, the printer maintains a high resolution of 1200 dpi, ensuring excellent color reproduction and image clarity. With a maximum fabric width of 3.2 meters, the Rocket is particularly suitable for printing wide-format textiles such as home furnishings and fashion fabrics. Its ability to print on both natural and synthetic fibers using advanced pigment inks makes it a versatile tool for manufacturers across various sectors.
The New King Time F4x4-1836 single-pass printer on display has a maximum printing width of 1,836 mm. Equipped with Kyocera EX600 print heads, it can operate up to 16 printing channels and handle 12 to 16 color sets. It achieves a printing resolution of 1200 dpi and a maximum speed of 4500 m2/hr., making it an optimal choice for large-scale printing. This printer supports various inks, including reactive, pigment, and high-temperature dispersion.
Sustainable Printing at Scale
ColorJet made waves with its FabJet Pro, a large-format, high-volume direct-to-fabric printer. The FabJet Pro boasts an impressive capacity of 13,000 square meters per day and can be equipped with 32 Kyocera or 48 Konica Minolta print heads. The printer supports a maximum fabric width of 3.2 meters, offering flexibility in applications ranging from fashion textiles to home décor. Additionally, it uses water-based pigment inks, which not only provide vibrant colors but also contribute to more sustainable printing processes by reducing water and chemical usage. The FabJet Pro achieves high-resolution printing up to 1200 dpi, ensuring that quality is not compromised even at high production speeds.
Wensli introduced a groundbreaking waterless reactive dye inkjet printing process, which has garnered attention due to its environmental benefits and efficiency. This innovative process eliminates the need for large amounts of water typically required in traditional reactive dyeing methods. By adopting a waterless approach, Wensli aims to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of textile dyeing, addressing a major concern in the textile industry, which is water consumption and pollution from dye effluents.
| A groundbreaking waterless reactive dye process was on display from Wensli. |
Keypoint Intelligence Opinion
The innovations shown at ITMA Asia 2024 highlight the significant technological advancements transforming the textile industry. Cutting-edge solutions focus on increasing production efficiency and sustainability, with advancements in high-speed printing, eco-friendly materials, and process optimization playing key roles. These technologies are addressing environmental challenges while ensuring that manufacturers can maintain high output and product quality. Balancing sustainability with operational scalability is increasingly vital, as industry adapts to rising demands without compromising its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
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