“Where global industry and economy is facing challenge, the biggest edition opening today, attests ITMA as the trend setting exhibition,” says Charles Beauduin, President of the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers (CEMATEX) which owns the ITMA series, said, "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.” Adding further he said, “The increasing number of exhibitors is an indication that industry is looking for efficient solutions, better technology and ITMA is responding to the demands of the textile industry.”

ITMA 2015 has opened up today on Nov 12, 2015 achieving a new milestone, with 1,691 exhibitors, the maximum so far in 64 years of history of ITMA, 20 per cent larger than 2011 exhibition. Opening at the Fiera Milano Rho today, the 17th edition of ITMA has 1,691 exhibitors from 46 countries and economies. The previous record was set by ITMA 2007 when 1,451 exhibitors from 38 countries took part in the exhibition.

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. “As manufacturers realize that investing in sustainable technology is not about saving earth but also this is reducing cost of production” says Charles. Among the new initiatives 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.

ITMA 2015 features the largest exhibition so far, with the net exhibit space of over 108,000 square metres, occupying 11 halls of the Fiera Milano Rho fairgrounds, about 20 per cent larger than the 2011 exhibition.As in previous editions,exhibitors from CEMATEX countries occupy the largest space, with 73,830 square metres representing 69 per cent of the total net exhibit space, an increase of 18 per cent increase from the 2011 figure.The largest participating country in terms of space booked is Italy. Italian exhibitors totaled an area of 32,540 square metres, followed by Germany at 21,380 square metres, Switzerland at 5,530 square metres, and Spain with 4,540 square metres.

From non-CEMATEX countries, the four largest groups of participants are from Turkey at 7,590 square metres, China at 5,880 square metres, India at 4,870 square metres, and Japan at 3,960 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 product sectors. 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 being dyeing and finishing which occupies 23 per cent of the space, with 303 exhibitors, spinning with 14 per cent of the space, 290 exhibitors, weaving with 12 per cent of the space, 179 exhibitors, knitting and hosiery, 13 per cent of the space, 128 exhibitors and printing that has 10 per cent of the space, 113 exhibitors.

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 centre-stage at the pavilion is the Speakers Platform which will be held from 15 to 17 November. 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 organised to meet the needs of textile and garment industry professionals. These key events include, 2nd World Textile Summit, Nonwovens Forum, Textile Colourant and Chemical Leaders Forum, 2BFUNTEX Final Conference, Better Cotton Initiative's Responsible Sourcing Seminar, Digital Textile Conference, EURATEX Convention and SistemaModa Italia Presentation Organised by MP Expositions, ITMA 2015 is expected to draw visitors from over 130 countries. It is held from 12 to 19 November at the Fiera Milano Rho. The next ITMA will be held in Barcelona at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via venue from 20 to 26 June 2019.