ITMA 2015 has achieved a new milestone, attracting the biggest number of exhibitors since the show's launch in 1951. Opening at the Fiera Milano Rho today, the 17th edition of ITMA has 1691 exhibitors from 46 countries and economies. The previous record was set by ITMA 2007 when 1451 exhibitors from 38 countries took part in the exhibition.

Charles Beauduin, president of the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers (CEMATEX) which owns the ITMA series, says, "ITMA has a very strong reputation as the world's most established textile and garment technology exhibition. We are grateful to our exhibitors and industry partners who have put their faith in the ITMA brand. The key to ITMA's success is its ability to reinvent itself and remain relevant to the industry that it serves.”

ITMA 2015 also features a larger exhibition, with net exhibit space of more than 108,000 square metres, occupying 11 halls of the Fiera Milano Rho fairgrounds. It is about 20% larger than the 2011 exhibition.

As in previous years, exhibitors from CEMATEX countries occupy the largest space. They booked 73,830 square metres, or 69% of the total net exhibit space. This is an 18% increase from the 2011 figure.

The largest participating country in terms of space booked is Italy. Italian exhibitors booked a total of 32,540 square metres. This is followed by Germany at 21,380 square metres, Switzerland at 5530 square metres, and Spain with 4540 square metres.

From non-CEMATEX countries, the four largest groups of participants are from Turkey at 7590 square metres, China at 5880 square metres, India at 4870 square meters, and Japan at 3960 square metres.

The countries fielding the largest contingent of exhibitors at ITMA 2015 are Italy (453 exhibitors), Germany (238 exhibitors), China (184 exhibitors) and India (158 exhibitors).

ITMA 2015 features exhibits clustered into 19 chapters. The sectors range from spinning, web formation, winding and texturing, weaving, knitting and hosiery, embroidery and braiding, finishing, dyestuffs and chemicals, software, logistics, plant operations, recycling and education to garment making and textile processing, printing and fibre and yarn.

The top five sectors are: dyeing and finishing which occupies 23% of the space, with 303 exhibitors; spinning, 14% of the space, 290 exhibitors; weaving, 12% of the space, 179 exhibitors; knitting and hosiery, 13% of the space, 128 exhibitors and  printing, 10% of the space, 113 exhibitors.

The theme of ITMA 2015 is Master the Art of Sustainable Innovation. The exhibition is not only a mega technology showcase, it also features initiatives underpinning the focus on sustainability. Among the efforts is the launch of the ITMA Sustainable Innovation Award, the rebranding of the Research and Education Pavilion to Research and Innovation Pavilion and many knowledge-sharing platforms to drive home the sustainability message.

CEMATEX continues to support research and educational institutes with a grant for the participation in the Research and Innovation Pavilion. The pavilion has 40 participating institutions. Taking center stage at the pavilion is the Speakers Platform which will be held from November 15-17. A total of 43 papers on the theme of sustainable innovations, achievements in innovation and technical textiles applications, will be presented at the platform.

A series of complementary events have been organized to meet the needs of textile and garment industry professionals. These key events include the second World Textil Summit, the Nonwovens Forcum, Textile Colourant nd Chemcial Leaders Fofrum, 2BFuntext Final Conference and Better Cotton Initiatives Responsible Sourcing Seminar, to name a few.

Organized by MP Expositions, ITMA 2015 is expected to draw visitors from over 130 countries. It will be held November 12-19 at the Fiera Milano Rho.

Milan also hosted the ITMA exhibition in 1959, 1975, 1983 and 1995. The next ITMA will be held in Barcelona at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via venue from 20 to 26 June 2019. More information: www.itma.com.