Italian Textile Machinery Orders Rise 7% In Q3 On Export Demand

Italian textile machinery manufacturers recorded a 7% year-on-year increase in order intake during the third quarter of 2026, driven by stronger overseas demand. Export orders rose 8%, while domestic orders declined 4%, according to ACIMIT.

However, overall orders fell 4% compared with the previous quarter, reflecting continued uncertainty surrounding investment decisions across the global textile industry. The orders index stood at 44.6 points for July–September, against a 2021 base of 100.

Manufacturers reported an average order backlog equivalent to 3.5 months of production, with capacity utilisation at 72.4%. Across individual machinery segments, order trends were generally stable or declining in both domestic and export markets. Most companies expect orders to remain stable or weaken in the final quarter of 2026.

“Despite the widespread caution among manufacturers, fuelled by international uncertainty and rising energy costs, foreign markets continue to provide positive signals. This is particularly encouraging, as exports account for around 80% of the order intake of Italian textile machinery manufacturers,” said Marco Salvadè, President of ACIMIT.

“The domestic market, however, remains subdued. The industry is looking for stronger investment momentum from Italian companies, supported by the incentives available under the Transition 5.0 scheme, which offers improved planning opportunities for industrial investments.”