BTMA to showcase advanced technical textiles & automation at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025
Experts from a 20-member delegation of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) showcased new innovations in advanced medical fibers, composites and technical textiles at the ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 exhibition in Singapore. The exhibition featured various new technologies including medical sutures, aerospace fiber placement technology, automation, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber, and modern splicing solutions.
Medical Sutures and Biocompatible Fibers
Since medical sutures are used directly in the human body, their production process is strictly controlled. Absorbable sutures are usually made of biodegradable polymers such as polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, or polydioxanone, while non-absorbable sutures are made of durable nylon, polypropylene, polyester, silk, or stainless steel.
The UK’s Fiber Extrusion Technology (FET) unveiled a supercritical CO₂-based solvent extraction system at the exhibition. In addition, FET demonstrates a small-scale flexible gel spinning system and supercritical CO₂-based solvent extraction method for the production of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Which is ten times stronger than steel in terms of weight and is being used in various high-performance industries, including medical equipment.
Aerospace Composites (AFP and ATL)
In the aerospace sector, Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) and Automated Tape Laying (ATL) technologies are important to produce lightweight and durable composites. These processes are used to produce stabilizers, wing skins, and fuselage sections. The latest aerospace technology called Automated Tape Laying (ATL) applies carbon fiber tapes or tows to a mold’s surface.
Splicing Technology
Airbond will showcase new splicing solutions for the aerospace and renewable energy sectors. Pneumatic splicing ensures efficiency in processing fibers such as carbon and aramid. Creates a joint that is flatter and stronger than conventional knots. The company is currently working on carbon tape splicing and developing a fully automated weaving beam system. Further developments for the technical textiles and composites sector will be showcased by BTMA members including Garnett Controls, Roaches International, Slack & Parr and Tatham.
“We are continuing to find new partners in the wind turbine, hydrogen and aerospace industries and are doing a lot of developmental work with research institutes and universities,” says technical director Carwyn Webb. “This is leading to us expanding our portfolio and we are currently working on systems for carbon tape splicing, for example, as well as an automated system for full weaving beams.”
Research-based progress
High value industries such as aerospace, defence, renewable energy, automotive and the medical sector are areas of high growth and opportunity and an important factor underpinning the success of our companies here is the strong collaboration between industry and the many universities and institutes in the UK.
Jason Kent, CEO, BTMA
Cygnet Texkimp presents next-generation prepreg tape slitting machine at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 exhibition held in Singapore. Signet Texkimp has already launched a next-generation, production-scale prepreg tape slitting machine at its UK Innovation Centre in Northwich. It is capable of slitting thermoset, thermoplastic and ceramic prepreg tape at speeds of 60 metres per minute.
“Many BTMA members are currently developing new technologies, either in-house or increasingly through joint projects, and we have much to reveal in Singapore,” says Jason Kent in conclusion. “There’s a new spirit of openness and adventurous interaction in the UK right now – especially in the fields of advanced fibres and technical textiles – which is very encouraging for the future.”
BTMA companies participating at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 include Airbond (stand A202, Hall 2), Autofoam (B309, Hall 7), AVA CAD/Cam (C210, Hall 6), Cygnet Texkimp (B493, Hall 8), Fibre Extrusion Technology (B306, Hall 4), James Heal (B306, Hall 3), MCL (A203, Hall 5), Roaches (A112 Hall 2), Saurer Fibrevision (C301c, Hall 3), SDC Enterprises (B107, Hall 8), Sellers (B207, Hall 7), Shelton Vision (B308, Hall 7), Slack & Parr (D305, Hall 4), Society of Dyers and Colourists (B203, Hall 3), Strayfield (B509, Hall 7), Tatham (D205, Hall 2), The Textile Institute (B105, Hall 8), Verivide (B201, Hall 3), Vickers Oils (B102, Hall 5) and Wira Instrumentation (A108, Hall 3).
