Page 102 - TEXtalks. May-June 2023

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Sustainability mode

Swiss textile machinery companies focus on wide-ranging
environmental priorities

Visitors to ITMA 2023 will see significant innovations systems enable energy savings of up to 35%.
from members of the Swiss Textile Machinery
Association – with a special focus on solutions for a For Stäubli, sustainable investment also means
more sustainable future in the textile industry. Details ensuring its machinery is reliable enough to allow
of planned exhibits reveal how Swiss companies continued production over many years, even under
have been acting in specific technology the harshest and most demanding conditions.
developments, as well as multi-faceted business Customers can rely on the firm’s equipment,
strategies to meet their own sustainability targets and services, and support for an impressively long life
those of their customers. cycle.

Some of these actions go beyond products and Innovation in change
applications to take in ‘behind-the-scenes’ measures The idea of a circular economy promises a massive
such as improving internal ecosystems and leap forward for global sustainability goals. Using
streamlining manufacturing. Activities covered by the recycled fibres is a good start for the textile industry,
Swiss firms’ technology embrace the concept of and Swinsol systems make it possible to spin 100%
safeguarding a ‘livable planet’ for future generations, recycled fibres – even without adding new fibers due
and this policy starts within the companies to a high short fibre distribution. Jakob Müller
themselves, as they commit to careful management provides technologies in narrow weaving that
of their businesses to protect the environment and enables the processing of sustainable yarns and
conserve global resources. Real outcomes are therefore the manufacture of closed-loop products.
already being proudly presented as visible progress
for the benefit of customers. The internal ecosystem
Machine manufacturers must also focus on
Sustainable production managing their own ecosystems in a sustainable
Swiss textile machinery manufacturers apply their way. Jakob Muller for example wants to be a role
innovative power to make production as sustainable model in handling its own system according to best
as possible – tackling issues such as saving water, practices. At its headquarters in Frick, Switzerland,
chemicals, raw material waste, and energy, as well as various projects significantly reduce the consumption
improving hardware life cycles. Machine of gas, oil, and most of all electricity. Also, the
developments empowering more environmental production area was challenged for more
production are continually growing in importance, as sustainability. The space for machine manufacturing
producers invest in them enthusiastically. was optimized first, greatly reducing the energy
consumption needed for climate control.
Sustainable solutions for cotton spinners include
mechanical compacting systems by Swinsol. These Swiss Textile Machinery members take center stage
units need no electricity and are therefore CO2
neutral in operation. The company also offers the at ITMA because of their innovative reputation – but a
recycling of used components. Loepfe provides yarn closer look at the latest developments will show these
clearers with the latest technologies enabling settings world-class suppliers of machinery, components and
to balance the required yarn quality against services are themselves striving, as are their
contingent productivity losses. The results avoid the customers, to have the best partners for sustainability
waste of both yarn and energy. Retech develops in components, raw materials, and services. The
solutions to improve the footprint of mills spinning ultimate goal is the same: business success with
man-made fibres. State-of-the-art heating godets with environmental responsibility for themselves, their
energy-optimized motor technologies and heating customers, and the world.

May/June 2023