Event Preparation & Overview
BTJ: How are preparations going on for ITMA ASIA Singapore 2025?
Alex Zucchi: Preparations for the exhibition have been smooth as we have an experienced team, who have been working on ITMA and the combined exhibition for many years.
BTJ: What are the expected highlights in terms of exhibitors, visitors, and country participations?
Alex Zucchi: We have more than 800 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions. For visitors, we are targeting many of them from South and Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Africa.
BTJ: Could you share the current registration status and the scale of participation compared to the previous editions?
Alex Zucchi: We have received visitor badge registrations from over 60 countries. Although there is strong interest, our visitors usually sign up before the end of the early bird phase.
Unfortunately we are unable to comment on the comparison as this is the first time the combined exhibition is held outside China.
Exhibits & Innovations
BTJ: What new product lines, technologies, or innovations can visitors expect to see this year?
Alex Zucchi: Visitors will be able to see technologies from across the 19 product sectors. Many of our exhibitors are highlighting machinery with eco-friendly features. Resource-saving technologies, the use of renewable energy, recycling systems, waste management, heat recovery, pollution prevention, and green chemicals are among the exhibits. A big array of sustainable finishing solutions will also be on display.
BTJ: Are there any specific themes or sectors being emphasized in this edition (e.g., sustainability, digitalisation, automation, AI in textiles)?
Alex Zucchi: Textile machinery that can minimise resource consumption and waste while improving the industry’s overall environmental footprint will be the recurring theme for both exhibitors and buyers. Automation and digital technologies to help increase production efficiency will be another interesting area.
BTJ: How is ITMA ASIA promoting environmentally friendly and circular textile solutions?
Alex Zucchi: We have highlighted these solutions in all our promotion channels, such as at our roadshows in key target markets, and through our social platforms, electronic mailers, blogs, and exhibition previews.
Strategic Significance of Singapore Edition
BTJ: What is the vision behind arranging ITMA ASIA in Singapore, while there is already a regular biennial edition in Shanghai?
Alex Zucchi: The Singapore edition was created following requests from our members to have an exhibition in Asia outside of China as the Shanghai combined exhibition features a higher proportion of Chinese exhibitors and attracts mainly local visitors.
This combined exhibition in a second Asian location will help connect our members with new opportunities in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Middle East markets. At the same time, we are providing buyers from these markets with a reputable sourcing platform.
BTJ: How do you see Singapore’s role as a hub for the textile and garment industry in Asia?
Alex Zucchi: While Singapore may not be a major player in textile and garment manufacturing in Asia, it still plays a pivotal enabling role in the region’s supply chain. The city-state is an attractive place for globally-leading companies to site their headquarters. Among them are VF Corporation which locates its Asia Product Supply Hub in Singapore, and fast-fashion juggernaut Shein which has its global and Asian headquarters in Singapore.
BTJ: What advantages does Singapore offer to exhibitors and visitors compared to other Asian locations?
Alex Zucchi: Singapore was selected to host the exhibition due to its proximity to the region’s textile and garment manufacturing hubs. Its business-friendly environment and experience in hosting international trade events have made it an ideal location. As the Singapore exhibition is expected to attract buyers from the region, including Muslim countries in Middle East and Africa, the country’s visa-friendly policy and excellent air connectivity will help broaden regional participations.
Bangladesh & Regional Participation
BTJ: What opportunities does ITMA ASIA Singapore 2025 create for textile manufacturers and exporters from Bangladesh?
Alex Zucchi: The ready-made garments sector is the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy. Hence, it is important for its manufacturers to be kept abreast of trending technologies and adopt sustainable solutions as legislations and regulations in the West are becoming stricter.
As a leading technological platform, the Singapore combined exhibition will be an ideal sourcing platform for your exporters looking for modern, yet cost-effective technologies.
BTJ: Have you seen growing participation or interest from South Asian countries, such as Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan?
Alex Zucchi: From our roadshows conducted in these three countries, we have seen strong interest in the Singapore edition as leading industry players are aware of the critical importance of modernising production and pivoting to sustainable technologies to remain relevant and competitive.
BTJ: Are there any special support programmes or networking platforms for buyers and suppliers from Bangladesh?
Alex Zucchi: For bigger visitor groups from associations, we provide welcome reception and introduction to the exhibition and special programmes tailored to their interests on request.
Trends & Industry Outlook
BTJ: From the organisers’ perspective, what are the most significant global textile machinery trends today?
Alex Zucchi: One of the most significant trends would be artificial intelligence, which has facilitated greater automation, precision, and efficiency across the entire manufacturing chain. The integration of AI into textile machinery represents a fundamental shift towards smarter factories that can adapt to complex production requirements and deliver innovative products.
BTJ: How do you envision the role of textile machinery exhibitions in shaping the future of the global textile value chain?
Alex Zucchi: Trade exhibitions play an important role in helping manufacturers modernize their production by highlighting breakthroughs and key technologies. Our ITMA and ITMA ASIA exhibitions serve as a critical business accelerator by showcasing innovative machinery and fostering collaborations across the textile value chain.
BTJ: What new features or interactive experiences have been introduced for visitors this year?
Alex Zucchi: Visitors can download the exhibition app, which provides information to help them plan their visit and navigate the exhibition with the help of the interactive floor plan. The app is a new feature for the combined exhibition.
BTJ: Will there be special conferences, knowledge-sharing sessions, or innovation showcases alongside the exhibition?
Alex Zucchi: CEMATEX is presenting a forum on sustainability, which will be held alongside the exhibition. The ITMA Sustainability Forum: Accelerating the Green Transition will feature a keynote and two sessions.
The keynote lecture will be presented by Ms. Kristin Schreiber, Director, European Commission (DG GROW). Her presentation will be followed by a session on Shaping Sustainability: Responding to E.U. Policy Changes. The second session will highlight Profit Meets Purpose: Financing Sustainability.
BTJ: How are digital platforms (virtual participation, matchmaking apps) being integrated into the visitor experience?
(See above for information on the app.)
Future of ITMA ASIA
BTJ: How do you see ITMA ASIA evolving in the next decade? Do you have plans to continue Singapore edition parallel with the Shanghai ITMA ASIA edition? What will be the frequencies of Singapore shows?
Alex Zucchi: ITMA ASIA will continue to play a pivotal role as a showcase of leading-edge technologies for the Asian market. We would need to evaluate the results after the Singapore exhibition with our show partners and our national associations before we can make a decision on the Singapore edition.
BTJ: Do you plan to expand the exhibition to more cities in Asia beyond Shanghai and Singapore?
Alex Zucchi: This decision will be taken later.
BTJ: What message would you like to give to the textile stakeholders from Bangladesh regarding ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025?
Alex Zucchi: As technologies evolve rapidly, especially in this digital age, manufacturers need to keep abreast of trending solutions and invest in automation and sustainable solutions. The Singapore exhibition will provide an ideal platform to facilitate this endeavour. Singapore is also more accessible and we look forward to meeting all industry stakeholders from Bangladesh at the upcoming exhibition.
Mr. Alex Zucchi was elected president of CEMATEX at its general assembly on June 14, 2024. He has been closely involved in the textile machinery industry for years, especially through his work with ACIMIT (Italian textile machinery association), where he has represented the ACIMIT delegation in CEMATEX since 2015. Before becoming CEMATEX president, he served as ACIMIT’s president.
In his professional capacity, Zucchi is the managing director and partner of Ferraro, a manufacturer specializing in ‘finishing machinery’—equipment used in the final stages of textile production to treat, finish or enhance fabrics. Zucchi is known for his strong advocacy of sustainability in textile machinery. He supports initiatives, such as the ACIMIT green label, promotes recycling of textile machinery, and aims to deepen CEMATEX’s engagement in environmental and regulatory issues.
Under his presidency, CEMATEX has been enhancing its role in E.U.-level policy discussions, including registering in the E.U. Transparency Register, engaging with upcoming legislation and lobbying on trade issues.
