ITMA ASIA + CITME, Singapore 2025 is the region’s leading platform for sourcing cutting-edge technologies and sustainable solutions across the entire textile and garment value chain. A must-visit industry exhibition, it will help manufacturers scale up their production capabilities, be compliant with global sustainability demands, and stay competitive. It is an opportunity to highlight the excellence of Italian technology and stimulate new investments in the textile industry, says Marco Salvadè, President of ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, in an interview with Bangladesh Textile Focus.
Textile Focus: Could you please share with us the current scenario of Textile Machinery Business?
Marco Salvadè: The current situation in the sector is strongly influenced by trade tensions and geopolitical crises. Machinery manufacturers, both Italian and their foreign competitors, are experiencing a period of deep uncertainty in which the investment policies of textile companies are very cautious worldwide. Italian exports declined by 6% in the first quarter of 2025, and a similar trend has been observed for other textile technology supplier Countries.
Textile Focus: How Acimit working to boost the Machinery business?
Marco Salvadè: Despite the uncertainty that characterises the economic period, our association continues to promote Made in Italy in the world through a series of initiatives carried out in collaboration with Italian Trade Agency. Organizing the presence of Italian companies at major trade fairs, inviting foreign textile operators to Italy, and carrying out technological symposiums in emerging markets are just some of the initiatives that ACIMIT keeps promoting to strengthen the presence of Italian textile machinery industry in foreign markets.
Textile Focus: What will you be presenting at the ITMA Asia Expo in October?
Marco Salvadè: Italian manufacturers show a wide range of innovations combining digitalization, sustainability and automation. Visitors of ITMA Asia + CITME will appreciate particularly Industry 5.0 solutions, with more intuitive human-machine interfaces and predictive monitoring platforms, low energy and water consumption technologies, essential for reducing environmental impact, some systems for processing recycled and natural fibers, supporting the circular economy. These trends address the global demand for more sustainable, traceable and flexible manufacturing.
Textile Focus: How do you see the Bangladesh market for Acimit Members?
Marco Salvadè: Bangladesh is a market of significant relevance for all textile machinery manufacturers. Although in the first quarter of 2025, Italian sales decreased by 3% compared to the same period in 2024 (worth 12 million euros), the demand for high technological machinery, especially in the finishing sector, remains strong. ACIMIT will keep realising several promotional activities toward your Country in the future.
Textile Focus: As a president, what’s your future plan?
Marco Salvadè: The protection of authentic Made in Italy is regarded as an urgent priority by our Association. The experience of our workforce, creativity and an unwavering drive for innovation remain the cornerstones of Italian leadership in the textile machinery industry. It is therefore essential to defend and promote true Made in Italy—machines designed and manufactured in Italy without compromise, distinguished by the quality and creativity for which we are renowned worldwide.
