“Türkiye Continues to Be One of the Strategic Centers of the Weaving Industry”
One of the world’s leading manufacturers of weaving technologies, Itema took a different approach at the ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition by presenting not its weaving machines, but the fabrics produced on those machines.
By demonstrating the capabilities of its looms through finished fabrics rather than the machines themselves, the company highlighted the production versatility and high performance of its weaving technologies. Particular emphasis was placed on fabric samples that are not commonly produced in Türkiye, showcasing what can be woven with Itema’s technologies.
Matteo Mutti, Chief Sales & Service Officer at Itema Group, explained that for the first time the company chose to showcase fabrics instead of weaving machines at the exhibition. Emphasizing that looms are ultimately designed, developed and manufactured to produce fabrics, Mutti said they wanted visitors to focus not simply on the machines themselves, but on the results those machines are capable of delivering.
By exhibiting fabrics that are not usually produced in Türkiye, Itema aimed to demonstrate the production capabilities and weaving versatility of its looms. According to Mutti, presenting tangible products enables visitors to better understand the technological potential of the company’s weaving solutions.
Digitalization and Sustainability Are Driving Weaving Technologies
Mutti stated that the most significant technological developments in the weaving industry in recent years have been in the fields of digitalization and sustainability.
As part of these developments, Itema introduced the new generation of its iSAVER system, a device designed to reduce weft waste and optimize resource consumption. The latest version is available in six colors and is compatible with both weft transfer systems offered by the company, further supporting sustainable weaving production. In addition, Itema continues to develop new digital tools that enable more efficient production management. According to Mutti, digitalization and sustainability remain the key drivers shaping the future of weaving technologies.
“ITM is an Important Platform for Understanding the Market and Following Industry Trends”
Mutti described ITM 2026 as much more than a product exhibition. He said the event serves as an important platform for networking, meeting customers and other industry players, understanding market developments and following the latest industry trends.
He explained that this year Itema wanted to deliver a clear message by presenting not only fabrics produced on its looms, but also application examples, videos and customer testimonials demonstrating what can be achieved with its technologies. According to Mutti, ITM continues to be one of the industry’s most valuable meeting points for exchanging ideas, understanding market needs and strengthening relationships across the textile value chain.
Although the overall visitor traffic at the exhibition was relatively calm compared to previous editions, Mutti said Itema’s stand remained busy throughout the event. He noted that the company held numerous productive technical and commercial discussions and was pleased to receive new orders during the exhibition.
Mutti also emphasized that Istanbul’s strategic location as a regional hub significantly enhances the international reach of ITM. During the exhibition, Itema met visitors from Türkiye, Syria, Egypt, India, Russia and Belarus, demonstrating once again that Istanbul is an important center connecting the textile markets of the region.
“Türkiye Has Everything It Needs to Remain a Strong Textile Country”
Commenting on the Turkish market, Mutti observed positive trends in home textiles and an increasing focus on technical fabrics, while noting that the apparel fabrics segment also continues to perform well. At the same time, he pointed out that, given the current global economic environment, a single exhibition alone cannot fundamentally change the overall market situation.
Expressing confidence in the future of the Turkish textile industry, Mutti said that Türkiye possesses all the key ingredients required to remain a leading textile-producing country: strong expertise, well-established brands, experienced entrepreneurs and a strategic geographical position close to many important markets. He added that he hopes Türkiye will continue to maintain its strong position in the global textile industry and that ITM will remain one of the region’s most important textile machinery exhibitions in the years ahead.
