Beijing’s Last CITME

T
he 10th China International Textile Machinery Exhibition (CITME 2006), held recently at
the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing, continued its tradition of showcasing the
latest developments in textile technology.

CITME 2006 organizers included the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, China Council for the
Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT-Tex), China International Exhibition Center Group Corp.
(CIEC) and China Textile Machinery and Accessories Association (CTMA). Assistant organizers
included Hongkong Expositions Ltd. and China Textile Machinery and Technology Import and Export
Corp.

Changes Ahead

As the exhibition progressed, a big change for future editions of the exhibition was
announced. The European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers (CEMATEX) — organizer of ITMA
Asia — has signed a cooperation agreement with CTMA, CCPIT-Tex and CIEC to combine CITME and ITMA
Asia into one show. The first edition, ITMA Asia + CITME 2008, will be held July 27-31, 2008, at
the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in Shanghai. It is expected the combined show will be
held every two years, and will be organized by Beijing Textile Machinery International Co. Ltd. and
Meeting Planners International Pte. Ltd., Singapore.

Technology Of Interest

At CITME 2006, Paolo Puntoni, marketing and overseas branches manager, ITEMA Spinning, Savio
Macchine Tessili S.p.A., Italy, explained the importance of the FlexiRotorS/Duo-Spinner on display
at the show. “The purpose of having a machine here is because this market is moving to open-end
spinning and we have recently placed some machines in China,” he said.

“This kind of sale is the result of a long trial with strong performance with competing
equipment. All denim yarn count types, in smooth or flat, and effect or slub yarns, were the basis
of the trial work. Performance was achieved with comparatively higher speed, quality parameters and
particularly the slub effect performance were the result,” Puntoni said.

“We have been able to produce these effects using the Amsler integrated system with
continuing success,” he continued, referring to a device provided by Switzerland-based Amsler Tex
AG.

“The flexibility of this Amsler system enables our clients to recreate existing slub effects
with high speeds and stable reproducibility,” Puntoni said. “Moreover, the independent sides of the
FlexiRotorS 3000 are appreciated for the additional production available from one installation.
Different yarn counts can be spun on different sides simultaneously with piecing and doffing robots
servicing either side at the efficiency required.”

The machine on display was producing a 100-percent cotton Ne 30 yarn at 160,000 revolutions
per minute (rpm), while the other side produced a 100-percent cotton Ne 8 slub at 75,000 rpm.

Also on display was the Orion link winder, which demonstrated the link system available to
clients who must move away from manual systems.

Spinning Strong

Switzerland-based Rieter Textile Systems exhibited card, drawframe and rotor spinning
machines, as well as the CP 10 tire cord cabling machine. Rieter focuses on adding value to the
customer by providing the entire system.

“Technology advice — explaining the process know-how — is of growing importance and is a
strength of Rieter,” explained Heiner Eberli, head of marketing, Rieter Textile Systems. “Ring or
rotor, combed or carded — are all options with Rieter. For each and every application, Rieter can
supply the recipe of how to produce the yarn,” he added.

Suzanne Gräser, marketing communication manager of Uster Technologies AG, also based in
Switzerland, commented that the first two days of the show were very busy. “This has been a very
good show overall. The Swiss Pavilion attracted and added a new dimension to our hall. Competition
is everywhere, and it helps us differentiate our products.”

Starting from the last quarter of 2006, Uster will deliver a new control unit for its
clearers — the CCU 2006. The company reports the new unit incorporates state-of-the-art hardware
and software technology including a high-resolution 12.1-inch color touch screen. A robust thermal
printer, available only for stand-alone installations, offers faster and sharper prints than do
conventional printers. Additional interfaces including USB allow faster and easier software
upgrades, data export and diagnostics.

Andreas Weber, director of sales and marketing of Switzerland-based Heberlein Electrotex,
spoke of the great potential of the Chinese market due to the number of spinning lines being
installed in China. “We have had a foothold established in this market and really broke through in
1998. We have achieved a strong market share, and by having a strong components group for synthetic
and synthetic technical fiber, Heberlein and Enka tecnica will continue as strong brands with
concentrated attention in the marketplace.”

Heberlein recently introduced the new PolyJet®-2 range, an interlacing jet concept for
spinning with the maximum number of threads, thanks to minimum spacing.

Germany-based Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG along with Trützschler Card Clothing GmbH and
Chinese subsidiary Trützschler Textile Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. were well-represented at the
show. In addition to a broad array of other products, the company presented the new Trützschler
Card BC 05 for the first time in China. The card is produced in Shanghai by Trützschler Shanghai
and, according to the company, combines efficiency with the application of the latest technology.

The main characteristics of the new Card BC 05 include the WEBFEED system with three-roll
licker-in; cleaning units with adjustable waste extraction; the SENSOFEED system for even web
feeding into the card; and the Twin Top System with a number of carding segments adapted exactly to
the raw material processed. According to the company, individual aluminum flat bars provide high
stability and reliable operation. The BC 05 also features a flat cleaning device to reduce
maintenance time and increase service intervals.

“The textile market in China is quite interesting, and nonwovens are a topic of interest,”
Hans-Georg Buckel, CEO of Germany-based Fleissner GmbH, said prior to the announcement of the sale
of Fleissner to Trützschler
(See “Trützschler Acquires Fleissner,”

www.TextileWorld.com

,  Nov. 28, 2006). “This year we have placed three new nonwoven lines in China. We
are very confident that this is an Aquajet boom and believe we may have at least one more
additional contract this year. We have had a busy show with good response from the visitors.
Carbonization and Aquatex are of particular interest,” he said.

Knitting Draws Interest

Mayer & Cie. GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, exhibited its Relanit 1.6 R and D4-2.2 circular
knitting machine from the new BASICLine series. According to the company, the BASICLine offers
circular knitting machines for both single and double jersey production with a new production
concept based on maximum standardization, material optimization and concentration of application
scope, enabling Mayer & Cie. to lower the cost of its technology.

On display was the BASICLine D4-2.2 double jersey machine with 64 feeders, a 30-inch
diameter and gauge E18 producing 1:1 half-plated rib knits.

The D4-2.2 also produces plain interlock fabrics, interlock structures and rib structures
with outstanding economy, according to Mayer. Offering capacity for striping with up to 12 colors
in conjunction with the benefits of relative movement technology, the Relanit 1.6 R on display used
two feeders and elastomer plating with a 34-inch diameter, 54 feeders and gauge E24.

Weaving Continues To Prosper

“The interest is very good — now toward air-jet and rapier weaving,” said Fabio
Mazzucchetti, sales and marketing director at Italy-based ITEMA Weaving — a business unit of
Promatech S.p.A. “ The rapier is stable, while air-jet is increasing. Also, for our plant here in
China, this will be a strong year — with 80 percent manufactured for the local market and 20
percent of export consumption. Already this year we have increased 15 percent compared to last
year,” he said. “In June we made a contract to sell 1,500 Italian-made Mythos E-Tec machines for
synthetic and cotton blended fabrics,” he added. “Next year we see increases and more air-jet as
well as rapier — this is a must.”

“Always, the Chinese marketing is interesting, and the big companies were here,” said
Francesco Cecchinato, area sales manager of Italy-based SMIT S.p.A. “There are projects in the
planning stages. The new air-jet JS900 is the same body as the previous, using the very strong
continuous platform, but is like the rapier at a higher speed. It is the strength of the machine
that makes the difference.

“There are two types of air-jet users — simple; and the ones using four, six and eight
colors with 16 frames — this is special. The strength accommodates the vibration of selecting
colors. The second group of customers is increasing because of the higher speed possible compared
to the rapier. This is not the end of the rapier,” he added, “but there is this crossover
possibility with air-jet that is coming on strong.”

The Next Chapter

Each of the major weaving companies presented current technology at CITME 2006. In addition
to European producers, many of which produce machinery in China as well, local companies appear to
be growing the strength of their offerings. This is the case in the spinning and finishing sectors.
One exhibitor commented that the technology of the local Chinese machinery was advancing quickly
and the traditional suppliers would need to continue to focus on innovation in order to stay in the
market. Systems and experience in processing, as well as post-sales parts and service, are critical
to the higher prices commanded by non-Chinese suppliers.

At CITME 2006, it was clear that both market demands for textile technology and the
availability of Chinese-manufactured machinery are changing. ITMA Asia + CITME 2008 will be the
another test of the market and the challenges it presents.

January/February 2007