VDMA member firms will once again be heavily represented at ITM, which is scheduled to take place in Istanbul at the beginning of June. The majority of the over 90 German exhibitors who will be present at the trade show are VDMA members. Many of the VDMA members will have agents in Istanbul in addition to the member companies who will be exhibiting with their own booths. With an emphasis on spinning, nonwovens, weaving, knitting, warp knitting, and finishing, they cover almost every topic on machines.
The VDMA members will showcase their most recent developments in Istanbul. Two important technical trends are automation and digitalization. Although these themes have been around for a while, they will be crucial in addressing the issues for many years to come. Sustainability is another trend that has been around for a while. they days, efficiency in energy, raw materials, or water, as well as recycling, is much more than just a catchphrase; they are actual economic and social challenges with a historical context.
Turkey is one of the main trading partners of the textile machinery manufacturers who are members of the VDMA. Turkey became Germany’s second-largest sales market for German companies in 2023 after Germany shipped textile machines and accessories worth over 350 million euros. Germany has taken the top spot once again, having lost it to China for the previous three years as Turkey’s primary supplier of textile machines.
However, as Dr. Harald Weber, Managing Director of the VDMA Textile Machinery Association, notes, “ITM is not just a destination for Turkish visitors; it should not be overlooked that ITM also draws visitors from the Middle East, Central Asia, and North Africa.” Turkey is intriguing in terms of the EU’s goal for sustainable and circular textiles and the growing significance of recycling in the future because of its close proximity to the EU and its completely integrated textile value chain.