A.T.E. And Karl Mayer Strengthen Warp Knitting Presence In India With Focus On Smart, Sustainable Growth

Under the theme, ‘We Warp. We Knit. We Care.’, Karl Mayer showcased its commitment to customer-driven innovation and sustainability at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025. Representing the company in India, Navin Agrawal, Senior Vice President of A.T.E. Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., highlighted how this philosophy perfectly aligns with Karl Mayer’s core strengths in warp knitting, technical textiles and warp preparation.

“The slogan truly reflects Karl Mayer’s business focus,” said Agrawal. “We are world leaders in warp knitting, technical textiles and warp preparation, supported by strong service parts and component solutions that demonstrate how we truly ‘care’ for our customers.”

Karl Mayer’s latest innovations in warp knitting technology are designed to enhance sustainability and application versatility. New developments allow fabrics traditionally made on weaving machines, such as those using water jet or rapier technology, to now be produced on warp knitting machines, eliminating water consumption and reducing energy use.

“With advancements in filament yarns for breathability, comfort and feel, warp knitting can now replicate woven fabric qualities while offering environmental advantages,” Agrawal explained.

Agrawal noted that while China remains Karl Mayer’s largest market, India is rapidly emerging as the next major growth destination. “Earlier, Europe and Turkey were dominant, but today all eyes are on India,” he said. “The country’s strong economy and expanding textile capacity make it the next outsourcing and manufacturing hub.”

A.T.E., Karl Mayer’s long-time Indian partner, has played a pivotal role in this growth story. With strong networks in Surat, Amritsar, and Karur, A.T.E. is now extending its reach to Raipur, Kolkata and Tirupur, supporting customers venturing into activewear and sportswear manufacturing.

“Many Indian companies traditionally focused on weaving are now exploring warp knitting for apparel and performance fabrics,” Agrawal shared. “Customers like Technosports from Tirupur have already installed multiple Karl Mayer machines and are expanding further.”

Among them is Trident Group, led by Rajinder Gupta, which is exploring forward integration into apparel manufacturing. “Trident, known for its excellence in home textiles, is now evaluating opportunities in apparel, a segment where warp knitting and synthetic filament technologies will play a key role,” said Agrawal. “We are in active discussions with them to support this transition.”

At the heart of Karl Mayer’s innovation strategy is digital integration for smarter and more efficient textile production. The company’s EL electronic guide bar control technology allows quick pattern changes without physical parts, while cloud connectivity enables predictive maintenance and ERP integration.

“Karl Mayer is focusing on machines that are energy-efficient, digitally connected, and sustainable,” Agrawal emphasized. “From lower power consumption to optimized utility reuse, sustainability is central to every design.”

Warp knitting, once a niche segment in India, is gaining traction as the apparel sector expands. According to Agrawal, Karl Mayer holds over 60–70% market share in India, with more than 1,500 machines installed over the last 15 years.

“Earlier, warp knitting was mainly popular in decentralized markets like Surat and Amritsar. Now, even corporate players are entering this segment, recognizing its potential for high-quality apparel and technical fabrics,” he said.

A.T.E. and Karl Mayer share a partnership spanning over six decades, with a strong focus on education and market development. Through initiatives such as the Karl Mayer Academy in Surat, both companies are helping Indian manufacturers and technicians understand and adopt modern warp knitting technologies.

“We conduct open houses, seminars and training programmes to expand awareness,” Agrawal noted, adding, “Our collaboration with Karl Mayer continues to strengthen as India evolves into a major textile manufacturing powerhouse.”