Page 104 - TEXtalks. May-June 2023

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British Textile Machinery

at the forefront from “Sustainability, circularity and Industry 4.0 have been
BTMA members will exhibit an extensive range of technologies and services in Milan

fibres to finishing in Milan the primary themes coming from the market for some

time now and our members have responded with
innovations spanning the entire supply chain – from
bres to nishing – and with a speci c emphasis in
many cases on improved software and digitised control
solutions.”
Jason Kent. Chief Executive Officer.
British Textile Machinery Association

managing director Steve Cooper. “The key interest in machines which integrate into existing manufacturing
Founded in 1940, the British Textile Machinery A101 in Hall 1 at ITMA 2023, to further accelerate new this technology has been in producing new structures plants, such as the latest vertical IR (infrared)
Association actively promotes British textile fibre trials and product R&D. from expensive fibres such as carbon into workable bonding and chemical application line which can
machinery manufacturers and their products to the structures, as the essential reinforcements for process narrow width yarns or textiles at up to 600
world. The non-profit organisation acts as a bridge Meanwhile, Bradford-based Tatham (Hall 10, stand composites.” metres per minute on as many as six lanes. Roaches
between its members and the increasingly diverse C212) is currently fielding a lot of inquiries for its will have its largest stand at ITMA to date this year, at
industries within the textile manufacturing sector. established machinery for the processing of natural Composites production has also been a major area E302 in Hall 4.
staple fibres – and most notably, its technologies for the of development for Northwich-based Cygnet Texkimp
An extensive range of technologies and services from decortication, fibre opening and fabric forming of hemp. (Hall 3, stand A107) which has developed an Finishing
the UK will be on display at the forthcoming ITMA extensive portfolio of technologies for handling fibres Cambridge-headquartered Alchemie Technology
2023 in Milan from June 8-14, with over 30 members “There has been an explosion in the interest in hemp and yarns like carbon and glass. The company’s (Hall 7, stand D308) is the latest fast-rising company
of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) in production, from farmers through to fibre production, latest launch is a multi-roll stack developed within the to join the BTMA.
attendance. and a wide range of new potential end-uses are £40 million UK Ascend programme led by Tier-1
being explored,” says Tatham director Tim Porrit. “We aerospace supplier GKN Aerospace. The stack “With our Endeavour, waterless, low energy dyeing
Fibres look forward to discussing options with any enables high-performance prepreg and towpreg and Novara, low energy textile finishing technologies,
On the fibres front, Leeds-based Fibre Extrusion companies looking to enter this field or expand their we are disrupting manufacturing processes that are
Technology (FET) moved into 2023 with a record existing capabilities in Milan.” materials to be manufactured more efficiently and responsible for over 3% of global CO2 emissions and
order book and its globally-installed multifilament, sustainably without compromising the accuracy of 20% of global water pollution,” says Alchemie
monofilament and nonwoven systems have now Fabrics and composites the product, speed, or consistency. founder and CEO Dr Alan Hudd. “Our solutions both
been employed by customers to process more than Since making its debut at ITMA 2019,
40 separate polymers. Huddersfield-based Optima 3D (Hall 6, stand A213) “This space-saving machine offers a way to dramatically reduce the environmental impact and
has installed a significant number of its new 3D manufacture towpreg and prepreg materials quickly the cost of dyeing and finishing, which has proven to
“The research projects we have collaborated in have weaving machines that drew such interest in and accurately while delivering considerable cost and be a compelling combination.”
become increasingly challenging in terms of Barcelona four years ago. energy benefits,” explains Graeme Jones, wide web
technical specifications and this is enabling us to product director at Cygnet Texkimp. “It is a more Influence
constantly expand the installations we can offer,” The company’s looms offer many advanced features sustainable and cost-effective way to process “These are just a few examples of the textile
says FET managing director Richard Slack. over conventional weaving machines, particularly in prepregs which offers the potential for them to be machinery innovation that’s coming out of the UK
“Following the surge in interest in our spunbond and versatility, as a result of the comprehensive use of used more widely in high-volume and mainstream right now,” Kent concludes. “It’s very exciting to see
melt-blown technologies over the past few years – digital control systems allowing rapid parameter and applications.” the accumulated know-how of our member
many of them to address the PPE shortages during sequence changes, coupled with an innovative companies continuing to exert a significant influence
the Covid-19 pandemic – we are now seeing a lot of shuttle system. Leeds-based Roaches International also works in advanced industries such as aerospace and
interest from the market in bio-based polymers closely with the composites sector, supplying a range automotive while leaving no stone unturned in
produced from biomass feedstocks.” “Our aim from the start was to look at 3D weaving of autoclave and thermosetting technologies, in promoting environmental best practices through
machine technology with a fresh pair of eyes and addition to its wide range of well-known textile adapting to the latest demands of the market. BTMA
FET’s newly-opened £1.5 million Fibre Development produce a machine that is simply better by design performance testing instruments that are used by companies have a lot more to unveil at ITMA 2023
Centre will enable the company, which is at stand and delivers real benefits to our customers,” says many leading fashion brands. Roaches will be and everyone is looking forward to fruitful
highlighting its design and built of innovative demonstrations and discussions in Milan.”

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