The major markets were China (32,633 or 61 percent), India (4,900 or 9 percent), Bangladesh (3,900 or 7 percent), Turkey (2,400 or 4 percent) and Italy (1,200 or 2 percent). While investments in shuttle-less looms dropped significantly in China from 46,500 in 2004 to 32,600 in 2005 (-30 percent), Bangladesh and India increased their investments - though from a much lower basis - by 300 percent and 127 percent, respectively.
Circular & Flat Knitting
With a total of 30,500 large circular knitting machines shipped in 2005 investments in this area jumped to an all time high, representing a 32 percent increase on a comparable basis from 2004 levels. 90 percent of all shipments went to Asia with China alone investing in 22,500 circular knitting machines.
10,500 electronic flat knitting machines were shipped during the year, a decrease of 8 percent compared to the previous year. 85 percent of all shipments went to Asia and 12 percent to Europe. With 4,800 or 46 percent Hong Kong represented the biggest investor in flat knitting machinery, followed by China with 2,800 or 27 percent, Turkey with 570 or 5 percent and Italy with 370 or 4 percent.
Finishing Machinery
For the first time, the 2005 edition of the ITMF shipment statistics include data on finishing machinery for woven and knitted fabrics covering both wet and dry finishing technologies and differentiating between installations for discontinuous and continuous finishing processes.
International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)
marketing@alchempro.com
