ITMA ASIA + CITME 2018, the region’s leading textile machinery exhibition, ended successfully after five days of exciting product demonstrations and business networking. The sixth combined exhibition welcomed visitorship of over 100,000 from 116 countries and regions, with an increase of 10 per cent from domestic visitors compared to the 2016 show. About 20 per cent of the visitors came from outside of China.
Of the overseas participants, Indian visitors top the list, reflecting the strong growth of its textile industry. Following closely were trade visitors from Japan, China Taiwan, Korea and Bangladesh. Fritz P Mayer, President of CEMATEX said, “Each ITMA ASIA + CITME edition features an interesting presentation of the latest technologies by European exhibitors. On show this year was a wide range of solutions for automation and sustainable production, as well as those for the production of technical textiles and nonwoven materials.” “Response to the combined show has been very strong. There was a larger pool of qualified buyers and most of our exhibitors were able to achieve their business objectives. We are delighted with the positive outcome from our latest event,” he added.
Wang Shutian, President of China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA) added, “The combined show provides industry members with a useful platform to conduct business, and learn about exciting new trends. Hence, we are very pleased to have the participation of both large and emerging players as they are important for meaningful industry collaboration, dialogue and networking.”
“The strong turnout of visitors to the combined show reinforces the reputation of ITMA ASIA + CITME as the most effective business platform in China for the industry. We shall continue to do our best to present the best technologies from both East and West to Chinese and Asian buyers,” added Shutian.
The total exhibition area at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2018 grossed 180,000 sq mtr and spanned seven halls. A total of 1,733 exhibitors from 28 countries and regions demonstrated their latest technological products that focus on automation and sustainable production. Following the tradition of ITMA and ITMA ASIA exhibitions, only manufacturers of textile machinery and accessories are qualified to take part in the combined show, and exhibitors must display original equipment on their stand, creating added interest for visitors.
China fields the biggest number of participants, occupying over 68,000 sq mtr of net exhibit space. In terms of Asianparticipation, Japan is the next biggest group, taking up over 3,500 sq mtr of net space. China Taiwan occupies nearly 2,500 sq mtr net.
In terms of European participation, Germany takes the largest space at nearly 6,400 sq mtr. This is followed closely by Italy with more than 5,200 sq mtr, and Switzerland with over 2,600 sq mtr. By product categories, spinning was the largest sector, occupying 22 per cent of the total exhibit space. Finishing machinery formed the next biggest group at 20 per cent, followed by knitting (19 per cent) and weaving (17 per cent).
Following the successful staging of the 2018 edition, the next ITMA ASIA + CITME will be held in October 2020 at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC) in Shanghai. The combined show is owned by CEMATEX, together with its Chinese partners – the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT (CCPIT-Tex), China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA) and China International Exhibition Centre Group Corporation (CIEC). It is organised by Beijing Textile Machinery International Exhibition Co Ltd and co-organised by ITMA Services.
