The organiser of ITMA 2011 and 2015, MP International, has announced it has signed a working agreement with International Wool Textile Association (IWTO). The agreement was inked at the IWTO industry briefing in Paris, France today.

Owned by CEMATEX, ITMA is the world’s largest textile and garment technology showcase and has been held since 1951. Set up in 1930, IWTO is the international body representing the interests of the world’s wool textile trade and industry.

The agreement signifies the start of a new partnership that is in line with the introduction of the new fibre and yarn section at ITMA 2011. Covered in the new section are natural, man-made and technical fibres, and natural, synthetic and technical yarns. The extension is said to represent a logical step forward as visitors to the exhibition are also potential buyers of such raw materials.

Ms Sylvia Phua, Project Director of ITMA and Chief Executive Officer of MP International, enthused, “Our main aim is to help textile and garment manufacturers be more efficient in their sourcing. Hence, we have added raw materials in the exhibit profile. Wool is one of the world's premier textile fibres, and world consumption in 2010/11 is forecast to reach 1.08 million tonnes, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit. Through this new partnership with IWTO, we are confident of delivering an unrivalled sourcing experience for buyers looking for natural fibres at ITMA.”

Mr Peter Ackroyd, Vice President of IWTO said, “We believe there are outstanding synergies between IWTO and ITMA as we share many objectives. Our industry constantly strives to produce natural, renewable and environmentally-friendly products while ITMA remains the world’s most established textile technology show in these challenging times. As such, one of the collaboration opportunities being explored is a natural fibre pavilion, including a prominent wool section, at ITMA for our members to showcase their innovative products.”

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Mrs Evelyne Cholet, Secretary General of Union des Constructeurs de Matériel Textile de France (UCMTF), one of the nine CEMATEX national associations. Mrs Cholet said, “In a globalised world, innovation and partnership are vital for any organisation to remain relevant. We are delighted that ITMA has the support of IWTO and we will work towards a partnership that benefits all our stakeholders.”

New chapter gets industry support

The new fibre and yarn chapter was launched fourth quarter of last year and besides IWTO, US-based Synthetic Yarn and Fiber Association (SYFA) is also said to be  in full support of this sector.

Kim Pettit, Managing Director of SYFA said, “We are delighted to join many major organisations to support ITMA as it integrates fibre and yarn into its product index. We believe this will make the exhibition an even more relevant industry sourcing platform. At the same time, with its strong emphasis on research, development and education, ITMA will be the leading-edge showcase of innovations to the textile and garment world.”

Other organisations in the fibre and yarn sector supporting ITMA are the Alexandria Cotton Exporters Association, Hong Kong Woollen & Synthetic Knitting Manufacturers Association, Peruvian Cotton Institute, Taiwan Wool Textile Industrial Association, The Hosiery Association (THA) and several cotton boards in Africa and other parts of the world.

A number of top industry players are also said to have applied to exhibit at ITMA 2011, including Hermann Bühler, Lenzing and Texplan S.A.

"One of the most important goals in our business is to continue to innovate our products so as to provide products of the highest quality. ITMA, being a global showcase of the latest innovations, will be a superb platform for us to meet key buyers who are attracted to quality and novel products like ours,” said Ms Renata Franz, Business Development Manager of Hermann Bühler AG.

To-date, more than 1100 applications from leading machinery manufacturers from 41 economies have been received for ITMA 2011. The exhibition will be held from 22 to 29 September at Fira de Barcelona Gran Vía, Spain.