Belgian Textile Machinery Manufacturers Allocate 10% of Their Added Value to R&D
The Belgian textile machinery sector is the world leader in the production of high quality, innovative machinery for all areas of the textile industry. With a consolidated turnover of EUR 1.8 billion, the sector consists of 33 companies employing 6,942 people.
Belgian textile machinery companies are recognised for their technological leadership and commitment to developing sustainable solutions. The largely exporting country sells more than 90% of its production abroad. The growth in the Belgian textile machinery sector is driven by strong demand from all over the world, especially from emerging markets such as Asia and Latin America.
The growth in Belgium’s exports of textile machinery is based on the following factors:
– A strong domestic textile industry
– A highly qualified labour force
– Well-developed infrastructure
– Strategic location in the centre of Europe
They Export 90% of Their Production
The main target markets for Belgium’s textile machinery exports include Turkey, the European Union, China, India and Pakistan. Exports to these markets accounted for 90% of total exports in 2022. The sectors with the largest share in Belgium’s textile machinery exports are as follows, respectively: Weaving, Knitting, Spinning, Dyeing and Printing, Finishing machines.
Belgian textile machinery manufacturers attach great importance to R&D in order to bring their customers to the cutting edge and maintain their technological leadership. Machinery manufacturers allocate approximately 10 per cent of their added value to R&D. Belgian textile machinery manufacturers focus on developing new technologies to improve the efficiency, productivity and sustainability of the textile industry.
The Belgian textile machinery sector is expected to face a number of challenges in the coming years, including increased competition from low-cost countries, rising energy and raw material costs, and the need to develop new technologies to meet the demands of the sustainable fashion movement.
The Belgian Textile Machinery Sector is Expected to Grow in the Coming Years
Despite these challenges, Belgium’s textile machinery exports are expected to continue to grow in the coming years in parallel with the growth of the global textile industry. With a strong track record of innovation, the Belgian textile machinery sector is supported by a highly skilled workforce. The sector also benefits from the growing demand for sustainable textile products.
SYMATEX Organises Exhibitions to Promote the Products of Its Members
Belgian textile machinery manufacturers are represented by SYMATEX. The association carries out both economic and technological studies. SYMATEX promotes its work in the field of business development at the international fairs it organises in order to inform the textile sector worldwide about new technologies developed especially in Belgium. SYMATEX also works on new technologies that contribute to the manufacture of more advanced textile machinery. SYMATEX is also a member of Cematex, which acts on behalf of its members to offer reasonable prices and quality at key industrial and trade fairs.
