Page 56 - TEXtalks International June/July-2025

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ACIMIT focuses
on innovation, sustainability, and
global expansion in textile machinery
Giorgio Calculli, Director of ACIMIT and Salvatore Parano, Trade Commissioner at the Italian Trade Agency
In an interview with TEXtalks, Giorgio Calculli, manufacturers through trade promotion, international
Director of ACIMIT (Association of Italian Textile
Machinery Manufacturers), shares valuable insights
into the Italian textile machinery sector’s strategy for
innovation, sustainability, and strengthening global
partnerships, particularly in emerging markets like
Pakistan. ACIMIT is a private, non-profit organization
that has been promoting the Italian textile machinery
industry globally for 80 years. It supports count, I estimate there are more than 50 companies
June/July 2025
exhibitions, and strategic initiatives aimed at growing
exports and showcasing Italian innovation.
TEXtalks: How many Italian companies are currently
exhibiting at IGATEX this year?
Giorgio Calculli: There are many Italian companies
exhibiting at IGATEX 2025. While I don’t have the final
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present. Out of these, 11 are exhibiting through more months to understand their full impact. cutting-edge strategies, ITA empowers Italian exchange and collaboration, we help Pakistani
industries reduce costs, minimize environmental
businesses, particularly small and medium-sized
However, I believe the consequences for Italian
official Italian Pavilions, which are organized and
enterprises, to navigate complex global trade
impact, and enhance their global competitiveness.
machinery manufacturers will be more indirect. Tariffs
supported by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA). This
strong presence highlights the importance Italy on textile exporters in countries like the U.S. and Italy environments and seize new opportunities. Through TEXtalks: What are the main challenges Italian
targeted trade exhibitions, high-level international
places on the South Asian market, especially
may reduce their willingness to invest in new
textile companies face when expanding
missions, and comprehensive support services, ITA
Pakistan.
technologies, potentially slowing down machinery
TEXtalks: What advancements do you see shaping sales in those regions. fosters meaningful connections between Italian internationally?
Salvatore Parano: A key challenge lies in the size of
innovators and global buyers. At IGATEX 2025, the
Italian companies. In the textile machinery sector
the future of textile machinery over the next 5 to 10
years? TEXtalks: How important are international agency reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable alone, Italy has around 300 specialized companies
partnerships for ACIMIT, and how do you plan to
growth and bilateral collaboration. In an interview with
Giorgio Calculli: The future of textile machinery will strengthen Italy’s presence in emerging markets? TEXtalks, Salvatore Parano, Trade Commissioner at covering every niche of textile and garment
be shaped by Industry 4.0 technologies. Italian Giorgio Calculli: Creating global business the Italian Trade Agency, shared valuable insights production. While their expertise is world-class, many
companies are leading in the integration of IoT, opportunities is one of ACIMIT’s core missions. We into how Italy continues to lead through innovation, are small to medium-sized firms, which limits their
artificial intelligence, and automation to enhance participate in major international exhibitions like partnerships, and adaptability in a rapidly evolving ability to operate directly in foreign markets. Unlike
machine performance, energy efficiency, and IGATEX to connect with potential buyers and world. large multinationals, these companies depend
production control. Alongside technology, partners. Additionally, we invite international heavily on reliable local partners to establish a
sustainability is becoming a primary focus. New entrepreneurs and decision-makers to Italy to meet TEXtalks: How is the Italian Trade Agency advancing market presence. Finding the right distributors or
machinery is being designed to significantly reduce our member companies and explore their solutions the global presence of Italian technology? agents is essential for entering new markets and
water and energy consumption and to support firsthand. These interactions are crucial for building Salvatore Parano: Our approach focuses on creating building sustainable business relationships. At ITA,
eco-friendly materials and sustainable production. trust, expanding our footprint, and promoting the meaningful global connections that highlight Italy’s we actively assist Italian firms in identifying
strengths of Italian manufacturing. cutting-edge technological expertise, particularly in trustworthy local partners who can champion their
TEXtalks: How do you envision maintaining Italy’s the textile machinery sector. At events like IGATEX, products and support long-term growth.
leadership in this evolving global market? TEXtalks: What are some of the biggest challenges we not only showcase innovative Italian solutions but
Giorgio Calculli: Global competition is becoming and opportunities facing the Italian textile also provide a platform for direct engagement TEXtalks: How would you characterize the current
increasingly price-focused, but Italian companies can machinery industry today? between Italian manufacturers and international buyers. trade relations between Italy and Pakistan,
maintain their leadership through innovation. The key Giorgio Calculli: One of the major challenges our especially in textiles?
to staying ahead lies in continuously upgrading and companies face is the industry-wide shift toward Beyond exhibitions, we organize exclusive business Salvatore Parano: The trade relationship between
enhancing the technological value of our machines. sustainability and circularity. Italian manufacturers missions that bring leading entrepreneurs from key Italy and Pakistan is strong and longstanding, but
Rather than competing on price, our manufacturers must rise to this challenge by developing solutions markets such as Pakistan, Japan, and Brazil to Italy. there is ample room for growth. Last year, bilateral
compete by offering cutting-edge, high-performance, that enable more responsible, environmentally This hands-on experience allows them to build trade reached around €1.5 billion, with Pakistan
and energy-efficient solutions. friendly textile production. At the same time, this is a strong partnerships and gain first-hand insight into maintaining a substantial trade surplus, exporting
major opportunity to lead the transformation toward a the latest Italian technologies. Additionally, we approximately €1.1 billion worth of goods to Italy,
TEXtalks: How are current trade tariffs and global greener industry. Our companies are well-equipped conduct targeted seminars and workshops designed while Italy exported €400 million in technology and
duties affecting Italian machinery exports? to play a central role in this transition by offering to deepen the understanding of Italy’s technological machinery. This dynamic underscores Pakistan’s role
Giorgio Calculli: Right now, the U.S. policies on machinery that supports eco-friendly processes and strengths, enabling international clients to fully as a major producer of finished textile products and
tariffs are not fully defined, so we will need a few materials. capitalize on these innovations for improved Italy’s position as a leading supplier of advanced
efficiency and competitiveness. machinery and technology. Italian innovations help
enhance Pakistan’s textile industry competitiveness,
TEXtalks: How does the Italian Trade Agency while Italy remains a critical platform for Pakistani
producers to present their products at major events
The Italian Trade Agency’s 99 years collaborate with Pakistani partners to promote like Lineapelle and EICMA.
sustainability?
Salvatore Parano: Italy’s journey through the energy
of promoting Italian excellence to the crisis of the 1970s fundamentally shaped our TEXtalks: What has been the response from visitors
and participants at IGATEX this year?
approach to energy efficiency. When energy prices
Salvatore Parano: The initial feedback from IGATEX
surged by 300%, Italian industries adapted by has been very encouraging. Although it is too early to
innovating energy-saving technologies and
world with devotion sustainable production methods. This experience judge the full impact since closing deals often takes
uniquely positions Italy to assist Pakistan, where time, we have observed an optimistic mood among
Salvatore Parano, Italian Trade Agency, discusses initiatives in rising energy costs are now a critical concern for Italian exhibitors. There is a tangible sense that the
businesses. We support Italian companies in market is recovering, and Italian companies are
promoting trade and strengthening bilateral relations identifying and seizing sustainable business increasingly confident about Pakistan’s textile sector
opportunities in Pakistan’s growing market. Energy prospects. This optimism, paired with the quality of
efficiency is no longer just an environmental priority; connections made at IGATEX, bodes well for
For nearly a century, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) industrial and technological excellence across it is crucial for the competitiveness and long-term stronger bilateral trade and deeper collaboration
has been at the forefront of championing Italy’s international markets. Combining a rich heritage with viability of businesses. By fostering technology soon.
June/July 2025