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Strong rebound in world weaving machinery investments

Global shipments of textile machinery retained a firm momentum in 2002. The exceptions were long-staple spindle and circular knitting machinery, although the declines in these sectors were not broad-based. Weaving machinery enjoyed an extremely strong year. These are the main results of the annual textile machinery shipment survey released by the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF).

The report covers 5 primary types of machinery, namely spinning, texturing, weaving, large circular knitting, and flat knitting machines.

The 2002 survey has been compiled in co-operation with some 120 textile machinery manufacturers, representing a comprehensive measure of world output.

Spinning machinery

In 2002, shipments of short-staple (cotton-) spindles totalled 3.6 million, little changed from 2001 on a comparable basis. 82 per cent of all spindles went to Asia, where India remained the largest recipient (769,000), while China ran a very close second (762,000). Other major destinations were Pakistan (491,000) and Turkey (301,000). 351,000 long-staple (wool-) spindles were delivered in 2002, a decline of 23 per cent compared with the previous year, as Chinese investment in the sector weakened from a very high level in 2001. The most important investors in wool spinning were Turkey (95,000 spindles), China (88,000) and Italy (31,000). Asia’s market share fell to 50 per cent in 2002 from 73 per cent in 2001, and shipments to Turkey accounted for 27 per cent of the total (up from 4 per cent in 2001). Shipments of open-end rotors surged by 40 per cent over 2001 levels, totalling 363,000 in 2002. Rotor shipments were concentrated in Chinese (231,000) and Turkish (51,000) markets, which together accounted for 78 per cent of global shipments in 2002.

Texturing machinery

Shipments of single heater drawtexturing spindles (for polyamide filament) totalled 4,500 in 2002, 42 per cent lower than in 2001 on a comparable basis. Double heater spindle shipments (for polyester filament) were little changed compared with 2001 levels, totalling 146,000. Asia’s share of the total double heater spindle market was 88 per cent, main destinations being China (89,000) and India (22,000).

Weaving machinery

In 2002, the weaving machinery market rebounded sharply, global shuttle-less loom shipments rising by 59 per cent to 71,100. 87 per cent of all shuttle-less looms went to Asia, the major destinations being China (51,300; +117 per cent compared to 2001), Hong Kong (2,400; +133 per cent) and Taiwan (1,400; -20 per cent). Outside Asia, important investors were Turkey (2,800; +120 per cent) and Italy (2,100; -25 per cent). In terms of weft insertion system, shipments of rapier/projectile looms rose by 59 per cent to 31,600; those of air-jet looms by 68 per cent to 20,940 and those of water-jet looms by 69 per cent to 18,560. Shipments of shuttle looms increased by 44 per cent on a comparable basis.

Circular & flat knitting machinery

Shipments of 9,40 large circular knitting machines were recorded for 2002, representing a 9 per cent fall on a comparable basis from 2001 levels. 66 per cent of deliveries went to Asia, and 23 per cent to Europe. 5 per cent of all knitting machines shipped were equipped with electronic needle selection, a slightly smaller share than in 2001. 9,580 electronic flat knitting machines were shipped during the year, an annual gain of 5 per cent. Asia absorbed 55 per cent of the total and Europe 39 per cent, while the Americas’ market share declined to 5 per cent.

Source: ITMF