At ITMA ASIA 2025 in Singapore, Oerlikon returned to the city after two decades with a strong message: innovation, sustainability, and Bangladesh remain at the heart of its global strategy. Bangladesh Textile Journal spoke with Mr. Andre Wissenberg, Vice President, Oerlikon, to discuss the company’s latest technological breakthroughs, sustainability roadmap, and upcoming engagement with the Bangladeshi textile industry. The interview was taken by Shawkat Iqbal, Editor in Chief, BTJ.
BTJ: Could you briefly introduce yourself and Oerlikon’s presence at ITMA ASIA 2025?
Andre Wissenberg: My name is Andre Wissenberg. I’m responsible for marketing at Oerlikon Barmag and Oerlikon Neumag. We are proud to be back in Singapore after 20 years—the last ITMA here was an incredible experience. This time, we are presenting more than 20 innovations, particularly in POI spinning, including a fully automatic winding system and our new texturizing machine, the EFK Evo Smart. After the show, we plan to take these innovations on a roadshow to our customers in Bangladesh, because for us, there’s no East or West—Bangladesh is a key market, and we’re eager to engage
with the industry there.
BTJ: Could you tell us more about this roadshow?
Andre Wissenberg: Singapore is the starting point to showcase these innovations to the global industry. Following this, our sales and service teams, along with our experts in digitalization and automation, will take these innovations to Bangladesh. We are planning to visit in the first quarter of 2026, likely after your national elections, to present our latest products in person.
BTJ: How significant is Bangladesh as a market for Oerlikon?
Andre Wissenberg: Bangladesh has developed very well in recent years. Of course, there has been a temporary slowdown in investments, which we understand, but we are optimistic that the second half of 2026 will bring renewed investment energy. It is the right time for the industry to explore and invest in the solutions we are presenting.
BTJ: Sustainability and circular economy are major global themes. How do Oerlikon’s new technologies address these priorities?
Andre Wissenberg: Sustainability is embedded in everything we do. Across Oerlikon Barmag, Neumag, and POY spinning solutions, we follow a dedicated sustainability framework called ESAFE.
Every new generation of machines must be:
• More energy efficient
• More environmentally friendly
• More productive, with lower resource consumption
At ITMA ASIA, all our newly launched solutions meet these criteria. In addition, we are deeply involved in the recycling business, offering technologies for mechanical and thermomechanical recycling, including solutions that can be integrated directly into spinning mills. Our approach aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Technology Focus Box
Oerlikon Sustainability Highlights at ITMA ASIA 2025
✔ ESAFE sustainability-certified machinery
✔ Lower energy consumption per kg of yarn
✔ Higher productivity with reduced emissions
✔ Integrated recycling solutions for spinning mills
✔ Alignment with U.N. SDGs
BTJ: Large-scale machinery cannot always be displayed at trade fairs. How are these innovations demonstrated here?
Andre Wissenberg: That’s where digitalization and extended reality come into play. We have created a virtual showroom using large LED screens and VR (Virtual Reality) experiences. Visitors can wear VR glasses and virtually walk through a complete production plant, understand workflows, and see how our machines operate in real time—even if the physical equipment isn’t present at the booth.
BTJ: Could you give an example of such a virtual demonstration?
Andre Wissenberg: Certainly. Take our new automatic staple fiber wiping robot, designed to clean spinners automatically. At the booth, we display a single component, and through VR glasses, visitors see the entire staple fiber plant, including how the robot moves, operates, and improves efficiency. It gives customers a very realistic and immersive experience.
BTJ: That sounds impressive. Thank you very much for your time, Mr. Wissenberg.
Andre Wissenberg: You’re welcome. It’s my pleasure.
