The global textile machinery market experienced mixed outcomes in 2024, according to the 47th annual International Textile Machinery Shipment Statistics (ITMSS), released by the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF). The report, compiled with data from over 200 manufacturers, offers comprehensive insights into six key segments: spinning, draw-texturing, weaving, large circular knitting, flat knitting, and finishing.
Spinning Machinery: Sharp Declines in Short-Staple and Open-End Rotor Shipments
Global shipments of short-staple spindles fell by 40% year-on-year, reaching 5.92 million units a reduction of 3.8 million units from 2023. Asia & Oceania, accounting for 90% of these deliveries, experienced a 36% decline. Other regions saw even steeper drops: Africa (-64%), Europe including Türkiye (-56%), and North and Central America (-90%). In contrast, South America and Eastern Europe recorded slight increases of +1.7% and +12%, respectively. Leading investors included China, India, Türkiye, Bangladesh, Egypt, and Indonesia.
Open-end rotor shipments also declined, dropping by 39% to 623 thousand units, 390 thousand fewer than in 2023. Asia & Oceania received 89% of global shipments, with China, India, and Türkiye leading investment despite decreases of -32%, -57%, and -56%, respectively. Notably, Vietnam and Bangladesh bucked the trend with shipment increases of +214% and +44%.
Conversely, long-staple (wool) spindle shipments surged by 62%, reaching 600 thousand units. This growth was primarily driven by Asia & Oceania and Eastern Europe, which received 138 and 15 thousand units, respectively. Iran (40%), China (30%), and Vietnam (13%) were the major destinations.
Texturing Machinery: Strong Double-Digit Growth
The draw-texturing segment saw significant expansion in 2024. Single heater spindles, mainly for polyamide filaments, increased by 95% from 43 thousand in 2023 to 84 thousand units. Asia & Oceania dominated, receiving 98.5% of global shipments. China alone accounted for 95%, followed by Vietnam (1.01%) and India (0.97%).
Double heater spindles, primarily used for polyester filaments, rose by 80% to 960 thousand units. Asia’s share climbed to 98%, with China maintaining its dominance by absorbing 95% of these shipments.
Weaving Machinery: Shuttle-less Looms on the Rise
Shipments of shuttle-less looms expanded by 32% to 226 thousand units. “Air-jet” and “water-jet” categories grew by 10% and 56% to 58 thousand and 143 thousand looms, respectively, while “rapier and projectile” looms declined by 7% to 25 thousand units.
Asia & Oceania absorbed 97% of all shuttle-less looms, with China as the top destination across all categories. Chinese investments rose 30% for air-jet, 38% for rapier/projectile, and an impressive 63% for water-jet looms.
Knitting Machinery: Flat Knitting Up, Circular Knitting Down
Large circular knitting machine shipments declined by 15% to 28 thousand units. Asia & Oceania accounted for 81% of global shipments, led by China (45%, or 10,786 units), though Chinese orders dropped 42%. India (3,899 units) and Vietnam (2,559 units) followed.
In contrast, electronic flat knitting machines saw a 16% increase, reaching 135 thousand units. Asia & Oceania once again led, receiving 96% of total deliveries. China alone absorbed 82% of all shipments, confirming its continued investment in advanced knitting technologies.
Finishing Machinery: Mixed Results by Sub-Segment
In the “fabrics continuous” segment, stenter shipments rose by 22% to 2,230 units in 2024, including estimates from non-participating manufacturers. Other machinery in this category exhibited mixed results, with the most notable being a -53% drop in “Dyeing Line, CPB” and a +390% surge in “Dyeing Line, Hotflue.”
In the “fabrics discontinuous” segment, “jigger dyeing / beam dyeing” machines declined by 44% to 371 units. Meanwhile, “air jet dyeing” rose by 18% to 907 units, and “overflow dyeing” grew by 5% to 2,221 units.
The 2024 ITMSS report underscores a dynamic year for the textile machinery industry, characterized by both setbacks and significant growth in various segments. While spinning saw sharp contractions, robust investments in draw-texturing and shuttle-less weaving looms highlighted ongoing technological upgrades and shifting regional dynamics, particularly across Asia.
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