BTMA To Showcase Advanced Fibre, Aerospace & Medical Tech At ITMA Asia 2025
From microsurgical sutures to aircraft wings, UK-based textile machinery innovators are set to demonstrate how advanced fibres are reshaping high-value industries at the upcoming ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 in Singapore.
A 20-company delegation from the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) will showcase technologies spanning medical, aerospace, defence, renewable energy, and automotive sectors.
Biomedical breakthroughs
Fibre Extrusion Technology (FET) will unveil a new fibre production system using supercritical CO2 for medical sutures, alongside a flexible process for producing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The lightweight yet ultra-strong material is increasingly used in implants but has traditionally been restricted by large-scale, complex production. FET’s small-scale gel spinning and patented batch system aim to accelerate custom biomedical applications.
Aerospace composites
Cygnet Texkimp will present innovations in automated fibre placement (AFP) and automated tape laying (ATL), critical for lightweight aerospace components such as fuselage sections and wing skins. It has also developed a prepreg tape slitting machine to allow partners to trial thermoset, thermoplastic, and ceramic tapes under real-world conditions, enabling early-stage process validation.
Airbond will introduce advanced yarn and carbon tape splicing solutions, aimed at reducing waste in the processing of expensive carbon and aramid fibres, with applications across wind turbines, hydrogen, and aerospace.
Collaboration-driven innovation
BTMA CEO Jason Kent said strong collaboration with UK universities and institutes is fuelling advances. “Machine builders are now helping drive material developments as well as technologies. There’s a new spirit of openness in the UK’s technical textile sector, and much of that will be on show in Singapore,” he said.
Other BTMA members including James Heal, Roaches, Verivide, Garnett Controls, Slack & Parr and Tatham will also showcase solutions for technical textiles and composites.
