Page 64 - TEXtalks International June/July-2025

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Andreas Raas: That’s a very important aspect of our Zimmer so they can provide real-time support to our
Zimmer Austria highlights work. Zimmer is a fully integrated machinery customers.
manufacturer, we build machines from the ground
TEXtalks: How do you view Pakistan’s role in the
up at our own facilities. We control the entire
energy-efficient textile innovations process: mechanical components, software, global textile industry?
Andreas Raas: Although Zimmer has been operating
hardware drivers for inkjet systems, and even
in Pakistan for a long time, this is my first visit, and
printhead servicing.
and strong ties with Pakistan We also maintain technology centers in Klagenfurt I’m genuinely impressed. The production intensity,
technical expertise, and professionalism I’ve seen in
Pakistani mills are commendable. These qualities
are key to Pakistan maintaining and even enhancing
at IGATEX and Kufstein, where we can simulate new printing its global textile position.
and finishing processes based on customer
requirements. This setup allows us to test ideas,
refine them, and bring them into real-world We contribute by offering strong after-sales service,
quick spare parts delivery, and remote machine
production, customized to the needs of each support from Austria. Considering the current global
end-user. shifts in trade and tariffs, I believe Pakistan is in a
position to gain, and we’re here to support that
TEXtalks: What steps is Zimmer Austria taking to growth.
strengthen its presence in emerging markets like
Pakistan? TEXtalks: What has the response been like at
Andreas Raas: Emerging markets come with their IGATEX?
own set of challenges, but Zimmer has been active Andreas Raas: It’s my first time attending IGATEX, and
in Pakistan for decades. We have a solid installation
base here. What’s essential in markets like this is a I’ve been positively surprised by both the number of
strong, reliable local partner, and we’re fortunate to visitors and the quality of interactions. Our collabora-
work with Al Ameen Trading Corporation, who tion with Al Ameen, along with other partner brands,
represent our textile division in Pakistan. They’re has created a dynamic environment. It’s been a
well-trained and technically strong. We make sure productive experience, and I look forward to seeing the
Andreas Raas, CEO of ZIMMER AUSRIA they stay informed about every new development at outcomes in the weeks ahead.

In an interview with TEXtalks, Andreas Raas, CEO of moisture-controlled exhaust systems and
ZIMMER AUSRIA Digital Printing Systems shares incorporated a heat recovery feature to economize
insights into the company’s technological the drying process. In our rotary screen printers,
advancements, sustainability initiatives, and we’ve introduced a system to recover print paste
strategic vision for emerging markets such as from color distribution pipes, which is returned to the
Pakistan. Zimmer Austria, a global leader in textile storage tanks. For cleaning, we now use a mole
and carpet finishing machinery, is known for its system that significantly reduces water
state-of-the-art systems in digital printing, rotary and consumption.
flat screen printing, coating, steaming, washing, and
drying. In conversation with TEXtalks, Andreas Raas TEXtalks: What technological advancements does
discusses the company’s most recent innovations, the Colaris digital printer offer?
its focus on sustainable production, and Zimmer’s Andreas Raas: In recent years, we’ve made
expanding footprint in Asia. significant progress in pigment printing. Our latest
systems include on-head pre-treatment technology,
TEXtalks: What are the most recent innovations meaning the pre-treatment is printed simultaneously
that Zimmer Austria has introduced in its textile with the colored inks. This eliminates the need for
printing and finishing equipment? separate fabric preparation, reducing chemical and
Andreas Raas: Last year, we focused heavily on water usage.
lowering energy and water consumption in our
machinery. One of our newest innovations is the This advancement achieves strong performance in
Superfix unit—a unique drying and fixation solution crock fastness, wash fastness, and other durability
for digital printing on woven fabrics. It enables factors. It also works not just on natural fibers but on
drying and fixing of pigment and disperse polyester man-made fabrics, giving us access to applications
prints while using up to 80% less energy than like military and camouflage textiles.
conventional dryers.
TEXtalks: How does Zimmer Austria customize its
We also upgraded our standard dryers with systems for diverse customer needs?

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