Page 142 - TEXtalks. May-June 2023

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An exclusive interview with

Ernesto Maurer

President, CEMATEX

ITMA has been evolving and reinventing

itself over the years

ITMA 2023 has been a launchpad for innovative exporting countries have been leveraging European
technology providing companies with a platform to technology as they pivot to sustainable
network and collaborate. In a quest to closely find out manufacturing to increase their competitiveness.
the expectations attached to the upcoming ITMA this
year in Milan and what the key focus of CEMATEX will Ahead of this year’s ITMA in Milan, the energy crisis
be, TEXtalks International interviewed Ernesto has intensified the ubiquitous focus on energy
Maurer, President, CEMATEX to gain insights about savings by textile technology developers over the
the textile machinery innovation platform from his entire textile chain into garment production.
years of experience and wisdom. European textile machinery builders have already
made great progress, especially in the development
TEXtalks: What is the new approach of CEMATEX to of dyeing machines in terms of design and control
promote European textile machinery globally? technology, which has led to a substantial reduction
Ernesto Maurer: CEMATEX’s key role is to preserve in water consumption.
ITMA as the world’s premier exhibition of textile and
garment technology. Since 1951, ITMA has been our TEXtalks: What are your expectations with the
main platform for the promotion of European textile upcoming ITMA this year in Milan? What will be the
machinery globally and it is successful on this front. key focus of CEMATEX at ITMA?
Ernesto Maurer: ITMA 2023 will be the first major
Over the years, ITMA has been evolving and exhibition for the textile and garment industry to be
reinventing itself. For example, we review the product held after the coronavirus pandemic. We believe the
index before each edition to ensure that it remains a industry is looking forward to face-to-face interactions
relevant industry platform. We have also increased in Milan. We have already received strong support
our engagement with more stakeholders, such as from exhibitors and space is fully booked. They will
fashion brands and retailers, and technical textile be showcasing their latest innovations that span the
users. This is necessary to encourage them to entire manufacturing value chain.
dialogue and collaborate with one another, and to
champion sustainability. The theme of ITMA 2023 is Transforming the World of
Textiles, which is very relevant as textile makers need
TEXtalks: What are the main reasons Asian countries to embrace modern technologies to future-proof their
always prefer European textile machinery especially business. ITMA is not only a launchpad for innovative
Pakistan is also amongst one of the largest importers? technology, it is also a place where companies Ernesto Maurer. President. CEMATEX
Ernesto Maurer: European textile technology is well network and collaborate. The upcoming exhibition will solutions and sustainable technologies. Innovation is 2023 in terms of trade, business and economics?
known for its high innovation and precision present great opportunities for dialogues and sharing a part of our DNA and a lot of research and Ernesto Maurer: The pandemic has adversely
engineering. Through continuous research and of knowledge among industry groups through a developments are taking place in and among impacted the textile industry and as a result, textile
development, European machinery manufacturers myriad of ITMA and partner events. industry groups, institutions and companies. These machinery manufacturers have also experienced
are at the forefront of cutting-edge and sustainable are also the cornerstones that underscore the difficulties in the last two years. There have been and
production technologies. TEXtalks: What makes European textile machinery sustained competitive advantage of European will continue to be economic headwinds. However,
competitive in the international market in the current technology makers. our members anticipate that there will also be an
At the same time, there is a paradigm shift towards market situation? increase and recovery in orders as the pandemic has
more responsible production around the world. Ernesto Maurer: The European machinery sector is TEXtalks: Please tell us about the export of textile spurred investments in technologies that support
Textile makers in Pakistan and other top textile well-placed to offer the most sophisticated digital machinery from Europe in 2022 and how do you see sustainability, circular production, and digitalisation.
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