Strong interest from textile machinery manufacturers for ITMA ASIA + CITME, Singapore 2025
CEMATEX (Le Comité Européen des Constructeurs de Machines Textiles) is an organisation comprising nine national European textile machinery associations (ACIMIT, AMEC-AMTEX, BTMA, GTM, SWISSMEM, SYMATEX, TMAS, UCMTF and VDMA) in the free market economy. CEMATEX is the owner of ITMA, the world’s largest international textile machinery exhibition.
In June this year, Alex Zucchi was appointed as the new president of the Zurich-headquartered CEMATEX, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers.
Zucchi has been active in CEMATEX, having been involved in the ACIMIT delegation since 2015. He is the immediate past president of ACIMIT, and continues to be a staunch advocate of the sustainability cause, including promotion of the ACIMIT green label and the recycling of textile machinery.
In view of the eagerly awaited ITMA ASIA + CITME, Singapore 2025 exhibition, Zucchi discusses the event, scheduled to be held at Singapore Expo from October 28-31, 2025. The event is owned by CEMATEX, China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA) and Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT (CCPIT-Tex).
The combined exhibition is organised by ITMA Services and co-organised by Beijing Textile Machinery International Exhibition Co., Ltd.
What motivated the decision to host ITMA ASIA + CITME exhibition in Singapore in 2025 after such a long period since the last exhibition there?
We have received requests from our members to have an exhibition in Asia outside of China. Hosting a combined exhibition in a second location aligns with our strategy to support our members and the aspirations of local textile and garment manufacturers in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East to modernise their operations.
Singapore, having previously hosted the ITMA ASIA exhibition, is a natural choice for staging our second exhibition in Asia.
How does CEMATEX plan to leverage Singapore’s strategic location and facilities to benefit the textile and garment technology industry through this exhibition?
Singapore is an attractive MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination and well connected to the growing textile hubs in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Its extensive air links are a great advantage, as most cities in the region are within a seven-hour flight radius from Singapore. Its visa-friendly policies also make it an accessible destination for these visitors. Furthermore, the exhibition requires robust infrastructural and technical facilities to support live machinery demonstrations, which the exhibition venue in Singapore is able to provide.
With the exhibition returning to Singapore, what key themes or technological advancements do you foresee dominating ITMA ASIA + CITME in 2025?
Billed as The Leading Textile Technology Exhibition Driving Regional Growth, the combined exhibition will feature technologies to help textile and garment manufacturers stay relevant and competitive. These include automation and digital solutions, as well as sustainable and circular technologies. Our exhibitors will showcase their latest solutions to help buyers from this region modernise their operations in a cost-effective manner.
Can you discuss any specific goals the show owners have set for ITMA ASIA + CITME, Singapore 2025, in terms of exhibitor participation and visitor attendance?
We appreciate the strong interest from machinery manufacturers received after we launched the exhibition in Milan last year. The combined exhibition is expected to cover 60,000 square metres. We aim to attract over 600 exhibitors and a regional visitorship of 30,000.
How will the Singapore 2025 exhibition differ from previous editions held in Shanghai, in terms of scale, scope, and offerings?
In terms of product offerings and experience, there should be no significant difference as both the Singapore and Shanghai editions are part of ITMA ASIA + CITME series. Both editions maintain high quality, with similar regulations and criteria for participation and the requirement to demonstrate machines.
However, the Singapore edition will feature one additional product category—composites—which is not present in the Shanghai exhibition. Due to the smaller venue in Singapore, the 2025 exhibition will not be as large as the Shanghai edition.
Given the global nature of the textile industry, what strategies are in place to attract exhibitors and visitors from regions outside Asia?
We are implementing an integrated marketing communications programme, leveraging both traditional and new media, as well as garnering the support of associations and media. We have also planned outreach programmes through roadshows and meetings with key target audiences.
Sustainability is a significant focus for many industries today. How will ITMA ASIA + CITME, Singapore 2025, address the textile industry’s sustainability challenges?
Since the last few editions, we have been emphasising the importance of sustainability. As part of the product index, we have a chapter on recycling, waste reduction and pollution control.
Sustainability is also high on the machinery manufacturers’ agenda. Eco-friendly features that enhance resource efficiency and minimise waste are incorporated into their equipment across the entire textile manufacturing chain.
Can you share insights into the collaborative efforts between CEMATEX, CTMA, CCPIT-Tex, and other partners in bringing this exhibition to fruition?
We signed a long-term cooperation agreement, starting with a combined textile machinery show in Shanghai in 2008. As textile machinery associations, we believe that our initiative benefits the entire textile industry by offering our exhibitors and their customers high-quality, cost-effective exhibitions.
The Singapore edition is an extension of this initiative, helping exhibitors leverage regional opportunities and bringing a reputable showcase closer to the growing textile hubs in Asia.
What role do you believe ITMA ASIA + CITME exhibition plays in the growth and innovation of the textile machinery industry in Asia and globally?
The combined exhibition provides a reputable platform for Asian machinery manufacturers to showcase their latest technologies. By exhibiting alongside many global brands, they are also inspired to innovate and sharpen their technological prowess, raising the bar of excellence among all manufacturers.
How does CEMATEX plan to incorporate the feedback and learnings from previous exhibitions to enhance the visitor and exhibitor experience in Singapore 2025?
The previous exhibitions in Singapore in 2001 and 2005 were successful, and we aim to replicate that experience for the 2025 combined exhibition. A significant part of the positive experience was due to the efforts of Singapore government agencies and commercial organisations that worked with the organiser to provide a seamless and positive experience for all participants. We plan to continue collaborating with these entities to ensure an enhanced experience for both visitors and exhibitors.
In what ways are the show owners working to ensure that the exhibition will be a platform for not just showcasing technology but also for meaningful industry dialogue and collaboration?
We are planning to hold an industry forum on the important topics of sustainability and circularity, which will be valuable for members of the textile and garment industry. Additionally, we are inviting trade and professional associations from the region to meet and hold dialogues during the exhibition, fostering meaningful industry dialogue and collaboration.
Considering the ever-evolving technological landscape, how will the exhibition ensure that it remains at the forefront of showcasing the latest and most impactful innovations?
We have stringent admission criteria that attract only bona fide manufacturers to exhibit at the Singapore edition. As the region is home to some of the world’s leading textile and garment exporters, our exhibitors—many of whom are industry bellwethers—will be showcasing their latest innovations. This ensures that the exhibition remains at the forefront of technological advancements, as the region presents exciting opportunities for growth and development.
With digitalisation transforming industries, can we expect a greater emphasis on digital technologies and smart manufacturing solutions at the Singapore exhibition?
With the advent of Industry 4.0, digitalisation is integral to the textile industry’s transformation, and manufacturers are leveraging this trend to increase their competitiveness. Many digital solutions also address the sustainability agenda. Therefore, a wide array of automation solutions throughout the textile and garment manufacturing value chain will be on display at the exhibition.
Finally, how does CEMATEX envision the future of ITMA ASIA + CITME series beyond 2025, in terms of expansion, thematic focus, and global impact?
We will continue to collaborate on the Shanghai edition. After this year’s combined exhibition in October, the next exhibition will be in Shanghai in 2026. Currently, the series is serving the industry well, and there are no plans to change the schedule or focus.
