ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 concluded on 18 October, drawing approximately 90,000 visitors across five days at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC) in Shanghai. The event, which covered 160,000 square meters and showcased innovations from over 1,700 textile machinery manufacturers, saw robust attendance from both domestic and international audiences.

Notably, Chinese visitors comprised 87 per cent of the attendance, representing 31 provinces and cities, with Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Guangdong topping the list. This strong turnout highlighted China’s significant interest in textile machinery advancements.

Global audience with India leading overseas attendance

Visitors from 111 countries and regions attended, marking a diverse international presence. India led the overseas visitors, followed by South Korea, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Iran, underscoring Asia’s expanding role in the global textile machinery market. Organizers, including CEMATEX, CCPIT TEX, CTMA, and CIEC, expressed satisfaction with the turnout and quality of the interactions at the event.

Exhibitors applaud market opportunities and engagement

Many exhibitors reported successful outcomes, lauding the quality of leads and market potential ITMA ASIA + CITME offered. Federico Businaro from Sperotto Rimar noted that the event reaffirmed its importance for the Chinese market, generating substantial leads and prospective sales.

Rick Stanford, VP Global Business Development at Baldwin Technology Company, echoed these sentiments, highlighting that their participation yielded ‘better than expected results’ with excellent visitor engagement.

Demand for advanced and intelligent machinery

Chinese exhibitors observed growing demand for advanced, automated machinery. Changshu Guosheng Knitting Machinery Factory’s General Manager, Tan Jingdan, shared that customers were specifically interested in fully computerised machines, leading to multiple orders on the first day. This trend reflects a broader shift toward high-end, intelligent textile solutions as companies position themselves for growth.

Reflecting on the event's impact, Stephan Kehry, International Sales Manager for Erhardt+Leimer’s Textile Division, emphasized the importance of quality and innovation for competitive advantage. He noted that ITMA ASIA + CITME successfully demonstrated that companies focused on these elements are well-positioned to thrive amidst rising competition.

Future events in Singapore and Shanghai

Following this year’s success, ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025 is scheduled for 28-31 October at the Singapore Expo, marking the event’s first move outside China. ITMA ASIA + CITME will return to NECC in Shanghai from 20-24 November 2026, continuing its mission to bring industry leaders together and promote technological advancements in textile machinery.