ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, which will be held in partnership with Tüyap Tüm Fuarcılık Yapım Inc. And Teknik Fairs Inc. and in cooperation with Textile Machinery and Accessories Industrialists Association (TEMSAD), was held at Tüyap Fair and Congress Center between 9-13 June 2026. Held simultaneously with HIGHTEX 2026 International Technical Textiles and Nonwovens Exhibition in an area of 110,000 square meters and 11 halls, ITM 2026 Exhibition hosted leading manufacturers of textile technologies. With the participation of more than 1,000 companies and company representatives from 59 countries, the exhibition once again demonstrated its international stature by attracting 48,257 professional visitors from 105 countries, of whom 53% were domestic and 47% were international visitors.
VISITOR INFLUX FROM VARIOUS REGIONS
Istanbul’s strategic location, transportation advantages, and lack of visa barriers were among the key factors that enhanced ITM 2026’s global appeal. Industry professionals from Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and the Middle East gathered in Istanbul to explore new technologies and evaluate investment opportunities. Many investors and industry representatives, particularly those facing difficulties attending to exhibitions in Europe due to visa issues, viewed ITM 2026 as a crucial platform for establishing international business connections. Professional visitors from various regions of the world, ranging from Rwanda and San Marino to Chile, Tuvalu, Svaziland and the Comoros, attended the ITM 2026 Exhibition
THE QUALIFIED VISITOR PROFILE SATISFIED THE PARTICIPANTS
One of the most striking aspects of ITM 2026 was not only the number of visitors, but also the fact that they had strong investment potential and consisted of decisionmakers. Throughout the exhibition, a significant portion of those visiting the stands were factory owners, senior executives, investors, and professionals who play an influential role in purchasing decisions. Participating companies stated that they had the opportunity to make direct contact, especially with businesses planning new investments, and that the majority of these meetings resulted in concrete projects and acquisition processes. Many companies emphasized that the quality of visitors was higher than in previous years and that the exhibition was extremely productive from a commercial perspective.
THE FOUNDATIONS FOR NEW INVESTMENTS WERE LAID WITH INTERNATIONAL TRADE DELEGATIONS
ITM 2026 transcended being merely an event showcasing technologies, becoming a prominent business platform where significant commercial deals were concluded. From the very first day, many participating companies began selling machinery, and the meetings held over the five days resulted in new investment decisions and long-term collaborations. In particular, the presidents of leading textile companies from Syria, Egypt, India, and Russia, along with their trade delegations, visited ITM 2026 and made machinery purchases. Solutions for all textile production processes, including weaving, knitting, spinning, finishing, garment manufacturing, denim, and digital printing technologies, were met with intense interest from investors. Participants stated that despite current economic conditions, investment appetite persists, and the exhibition, where billions of euros worth of machinery sales took place, provided significant motivation for the sector.
FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES ATTRACT GREAT INTEREST
Throughout ITM 2026, sustainability, energy efficiency, digitalization, automation, and AI-powered manufacturing technologies were among the areas that attracted the most attention from visitors. Technology launches and live machine demonstrations by leading global manufacturers guided investors in their future production plans. Industry professionals visiting the exhibition had the opportunity to examine firsthand technologies that will reduce production costs, increase efficiency, and support sustainable production.
HIGH DEMAND ALREADY FOR ITM 2028
The commercial activity and high visitor satisfaction generated by ITM 2026 have also brought interest in the upcoming event. Many participating companies have already requested space for ITM 2028, which will be held from June 13-17, 2028, while the exhibition is still ongoing, and prereservations for the event have reached remarkable levels.
This research report has been prepared under the supervision of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) on ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition and consecutive HIGHTEX 2026 International Technical Textiles and Nonwovens Exhibition held at TÜYAP Fair and Congress Center – Büyükçekmece / Istanbul on June 9-13, 2026.
PURPOSE OF RESEARCH
This research aims, by identifying the visitor profiles, the overall assessments of the exhibition by the visitors with the help of the surveys carried out throughout the event and the information forms collected from both domestic and foreign visitors at the exhibition entrance to present the analysis results, exhibition-related news summaries released in the media to the exhibiting companies, and making use of the gained data to improve and develop future exhibitions.
RESEARCH METHOD AND SAMPLE STRUCTURE
This research was carried out by making face-to-face surveys with the exhibition visitors equally-distributed to the days and hours during which the exhibition was held and randomly picked on different spots of the exhibition center; assessing the information forms collected from the visitors at the entrance of the exhibition; and analyzing the info on the entry registrations and invitations of the professional visitors.
SECTORAL COLLABORATIONS
ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition and consecutive HIGHTEX 2026 International Technical Textiles and Nonwovens Exhibition, organized by the partnership of Tüyap Tüm Fuarcılık Yapım Inc. And Teknik Fairs Inc. and with the cooperation of TEMSAD Textile Machinery and Accessories Industrialists Association, was opened with the attendance of industry professionals, exhibiting companies, press members and guests.
EXHIBITION SUMMARY INFO
– 59 countries 1000+ companies and company representatives
– 105 countries 48,257 professional visitors
– 25,576 domestic, 22,681 foreign visitors
– 53% domestic, 47% foreign visitors
