Global Textile Machinery Shipments Show Mixed Trends In 2024
The global textile machinery sector recorded a mixed performance in 2024, according to the 47th annual International Textile Machinery Shipment Statistics (ITMSS) released by the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF). Shipments of new short-staple spindles and open-end rotors declined sharply by 40% and 39% year-on-year, respectively. In contrast, deliveries of long-staple (wool) spindles surged by 62%. The draw-texturing segment saw strong growth, with single heater spindles increasing by 95% and double heater spindles by 80%. Shipments of shuttle-less looms rose by 32%, with notable increases in water-jet (+56%) and air-jet (+10%) loom deliveries. However, rapier/projectile loom shipments fell by 7%.
In spinning machinery, short-staple spindle shipments dropped to 5.92 million units, with Asia & Oceania accounting for 90% of the total, though regional deliveries fell 36%. Shipments to Africa, Europe (including Türkiye), and the Americas declined even more steeply. Open-end rotor shipments decreased to 623,000 units globally, primarily due to reduced demand from China, India and Türkiye. Still, Vietnam and Bangladesh recorded significant growth of 214% and 44%, respectively. Long-staple spindle shipments, up 60% to 600,000 units, were driven by deliveries to Iran, China and Vietnam.
In the texturing segment, Asia & Oceania dominated the market, receiving nearly all draw-texturing spindles. China alone accounted for 95% of global shipments in both single and double heater categories. Weaving machinery also saw strong performance, particularly in Asia & Oceania, which absorbed 97% of the 226,000 shuttle-less looms shipped globally. China led investments, with a 30% rise in air-jet, 38% in rapier/projectile, and 63% in water-jet loom shipments.
Large circular knitting machine shipments fell 15% to 28,000 units, with China’s demand plunging 42%. India and Vietnam followed as leading destinations. Meanwhile, flat knitting machinery shipments grew by 16% to 135,000 units, powered by Asian demand, especially from China, which took in 82% of the total.
The finishing segment saw a modest 6% overall increase. Shipments of stenters rose by 22%, reaching 2,230 units, though other categories within continuous fabric finishing showed mixed outcomes. Notably, Dyeing – Line, Hotflue machines saw a 390% increase, while Dyeing – Line, CPB machines fell by 53%. In discontinuous finishing, jigger/beam dyeing machines declined 44%, while air jet and overflow dyeing equipment grew by 18% and 5%, respectively.
The 2024 ITMSS data, compiled in collaboration with over 200 machinery manufacturers, offers a comprehensive snapshot of global textile machinery production and distribution across spinning, texturing, weaving, knitting and finishing segments.
