Technology

February 10th, the HIKARI 2026 Global Tour of Intelligent New Product Launch – Indonesia Stop was successfully held at the Gumaya Tower Hotel.

Mr. Wu Liangjie, Chairman of HIKARI, solemnly unveiled two AI‑powered next‑generation intelligent sewing machines: the H9VIII Intelligent Lockstitch Sewing Machine and the HT92V2 Intelligent Double‑Needle Lockstitch Sewing Machine. The event drew nearly 300 clients in attendance, with numerous industry professionals expressing keen interest in the application prospects of AI technology in the sewing sector.

HIKARI has consistently maintained its passion and commitment to technological innovation. Its proprietary Intelligent Thread Tension Control Technology has been widely adopted in mass‑produced equipment and has received positive feedback from customers worldwide. The integration of AI technology represents a further leap forward, empowering factories to boost production efficiency while effortlessly producing garments of superior quality.

The event garnered extensive coverage from local media. The successful launch not only fully showcased HIKARI’s technological prowess and innovative achievements in the field of intelligent sewing, but also significantly elevated HIKARI’s brand influence and industry recognition in overseas markets, laying a solid foundation for the brand’s continued advancement in its global expansion strategy.

KARL MAYER’s new RE 6 EL from KARL MAYER brings a breath of fresh air to raschel fabric production. The latest samples from the textile product development department of this innovative textile machine manufacturer demonstrate the extensive design possibilities on offer.

A series of fine filet articles showcase lace looks in Jacquard style, including a version with sequential patterning. To produce the lightweight fabrics, the two front guide lay bars worked fine hole designs through the EL pattern drive, while GB 3 and GB 4 jointly produced a ground from powernet or variants thereof. The two GBs at the back were threaded with heavy elastane.

A dense fabric with a power net look combines a pleasant, subtly grainy feel with high modulus in both the longitudinal and transverse directions, making it perfect for use in shapewear and corsetry. Its exceptional stretch properties are based on two-needle-overlap and a high proportion of elastane with different elongations, threaded in GB 3 to GB 6. For a second family of patterns, a two-needle-overlap was used but unusually with filet threading. The result was a fine, open-structure with extremely high width stretch and – thanks to symmetrical counterlapping – a remarkably regular fabric appearance.

A third family of patterns was produced providing of a more delicate appearance, more suited to elastomeric underwear products, with a geometric pattern on a filigree net base. The articles were manufactured with a power net setup and a GB 1 and GB 2 threading of 1 in, 63 out. The long shogging distances of the guide bars and the low number of threads resulted in a very thin, lightweight fabric.

All items were a mix of semi-dull Nylon (DTY) and elastane.

Indian apparel manufacturing is at an inflection point. Rising labor costs, tighter buyer compliance, shrinking margins, Competition and faster delivery expectations have changed how factories evaluate technology. What was once treated as a production upgrade is now a strategic financial decision. Cutting automation sits right at the center of this shift.

Today, decision-makers are no longer asking “Which machine is cheaper?”

They are asking “Which system will cost us less over the next 10 years?”

The real cost of cutting goes beyond CAPEX
Cutting directly impacts some of the most critical cost and performance drivers in a factory:
• Fabric utilization
• Output consistency
• Order turnaround time
• Rework and rejection
• Energy and consumables

Yet many cutting investments fail because they are evaluated only on upfront price, not total cost of ownership (TCO).

In the Indian market, manufacturers typically face two choices:
1. Low-entry-cost systems with rising maintenance and downtime
2. Premium systems with strong technology but heavy long-term operating expense

What progressive factories are now seeking is a third path: Proven cutting performance with controlled lifetime cost.

Why German cutting technology makes a difference
German industrial engineering follows one core principle: Machines must perform reliably for decades, not just during demos.

KURIS Spezialmaschinen GmbH embodies this philosophy in cutting and spreading technology. With over 100 years of engineering heritage, Kuris machines are designed for:
• Continuous industrial use
• High mechanical stability
• Long service life with predictable maintenance
This focus on durability and precision directly translates into lower operational variability and better cost control for manufacturers.

Precision at end , scale at the other
Modern apparel production requires flexibility. Kuris single-ply cutting systems deliver high accuracy and clean cut quality for sampling, short runs, and complex materials. At the same time, Kuris high-ply cutting systems are built for volume production, handling dense lays while maintaining speed and consistency.

This range allows manufacturers to scale operations without compromising output quality.

Proven at scale, relevant for India
One of the strongest validations of any cutting technology is where it already performs at scale.

Kuris systems are widely deployed in export-driven manufacturing hubs such as Bangladesh, where factories face challenges very similar to India:
• Large order volumes
• Tight buyer timelines
• Margin pressure
• High utilization requirements

Technology that performs reliably in such environments does not rely on theory – it relies on field-proven engineering.

Why cutting automation is now a CFO conversation
Cutting machines don’t just influence production they influence financial predictability.

Energy efficiency, consumables, service intervals, uptime, and machine life all compound over years of operation. This is why CFOs are increasingly involved in automation decisions.

When evaluated correctly, cutting automation becomes:
• A margin protection tool
• A risk-reduction investment
• A long-term productivity asset Not just a line item on the CAPEX sheet.

Looking ahead
As Indian apparel manufacturing becomes more competitive, success will depend on choosing technologies that scale reliably and cost predictably over time. The conversation is no longer about buying machines. It’s about building factories that performyear after year. And cutting automation is where that journey begins.

RAJEEV SHARMA, Co-Founder & Director Sales, Venntags

KARL MAYER is once again focusing consistently on its core technologies – warp knitting, warp preparation and technical textiles – and is driving textile innovation forward with greater determination than ever. The leading textile machinery manufacturer will be demonstrating how customers can benefit directly from this realignment at Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main from 21 to 24 April. In hall 12.0 at booth B79 at Messe Frankfurt, an exhibition clearly focused on the future will welcome visitors: the latest textile developments, fresh ideas for expanding their businesses and exciting ideas for new markets – complemented with many opportunities to swap ideas with the company’s textile experts.

As an absolute highlight marking Techtextil, KARL MAYER is opening its new TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER (TIC) in nearby Obertshausen, parallel to the trade fair. Throughout its Opening Week, trade fair visitors in particular are invited to experience this new hotspot for the future of textiles in person.

KARL MAYER opens up new opportunities
Technical warp knits are full of surprises and innovative potential, as the hollow fibre mats produced by KARL MAYER warp knitting machines with weft insertion demonstrate impressively. With their permeable surfaces, these high-performance structures take on very special tasks. As ‘artificial lungs’, they enrich blood outside the body with oxygen, clean the ink from printer cartridges and even carbonate drinks. They open up completely new perspectives, especially in filtration technology. KARL MAYER will be demonstrating how efficiently these hollow fibre warp knits can be produced during the Opening Week in Obertshausen, where the production machine will offer exciting performance demonstrations.

In addition, the diverse reinforcement fabrics produced on KARL MAYER multiaxial machines are paving the way for new applications. These will also be on display at the company’s 60 m² exhibition booth.

A further highlight of KARL MAYR’s booth will be the area of functional clothing. Visitors can look forward to innovative solutions for defense, workwear and sun protection. KARL MAYER has developed special items for the carefree enjoyment of the outdoors in summer and tested their UV protection properties. The results of the tests will be presented at Techtextil.

Warp knits ensure style, comfort and safety from head to toe: a collection of highly fashionable leisure and sports shoes demonstrates the creative potential of KARL MAYER’s efficient high-performance warp knitting machines in the production of sought-after shoe fabrics. The trade show presentation is rounded off by a video presentation on warp preparation. KARL MAYER is the only full-range supplier in this field on the market – a truly unique selling point.

Take a deeper dive into the world of our exhibits
Anyone who would like to find out more about the exhibits and their efficient production on KARL MAYER machines is cordially invited to the opening of the TIC in Obertshausen. Here, guests can discover the fascinating textile universe of KARL MAYER: inspiring pioneering textile solutions from the archive and development laboratory, as well as a modern machine area for implementing new ideas and conducting processing tests. Visitors can explore the technological and economic potential of innovative approaches in direct conversation with the experts. KARL MAYER looks forward to welcoming you!

Stay ahead of the crowd – pre-register here.

Goddiva today announced the upcoming launch of a next-generation AI virtual try-on experience, created to help customers understand how they will truly look and feel in a dress before making a purchase.

Designed initially for Goddiva VIP customers, the new technology allows users to upload their own image and visualise themselves wearing Goddiva styles across both collection pages and individual product pages. This is not a simple overlay or face-based visual. The system analyses body structure, proportions, and size data to simulate how a garment will fit, drape, and sit on the customer’s unique body shape.

By giving customers clearer expectations of fit and appearance, Goddiva aims to directly tackle some of the biggest challenges in online fashion retail – uncertainty, disappointment, and unnecessary returns.

“This is about confidence and clarity,” said Yathu Kanagaratnam, Head of Technology & AI Strategy at Goddiva.

“When customers can see themselves in a dress – not a model, not an avatar, but them – they can make better decisions. That means fewer returns, less frustration, and a far better overall experience.”

Sustainability and Privacy at the Core
The initiative also plays a meaningful role in Goddiva’s sustainability strategy. Returns are one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions in e-commerce, driven by repeat shipping, repackaging, and waste. By improving fit accuracy and purchase confidence, the virtual try-on experience is expected to significantly reduce return rates, lowering the brand’s environmental impact while saving customers time and inconvenience.

The platform is built entirely in-house, using Google Gemini alongside proprietary AI systems developed by Goddiva’s technology team. Privacy and trust are fundamental to the solution: the feature is fully GDPR-compliant, opt-in only, and customer images are processed solely to deliver the virtual try-on experience.

The Future Roadmap: Size Prediction and Video Generation
As part of the same innovation roadmap, Goddiva is also developing an AI-powered size predictor, which will use uploaded images and body analysis to guide customers toward the most suitable size. This feature is currently in development and will be released in a future phase, further strengthening fit accuracy and customer understanding.

Expanding the boundaries of digital shopping even further, Goddiva confirmed that AI video generation is also under production. This cutting-edge feature, scheduled to be available in summer 2026, will allow customers to see how fabrics move and catch the light on their own digital likeness in motion, further strengthening fit accuracy and customer understanding.

The virtual try-on experience is currently being trialled with a selected group of VIP customers, with a broader launch planned for early summer.

“This is another major step in how we reimagine online fashion,” Kanagaratnam added.

“It’s about reducing disappointment, respecting the customer’s time, and building a smarter, more responsible way to shop for occasionwear.”

The launch builds on Goddiva’s growing AI ecosystem, following the successful introduction of its AI-powered shopping and styling tools last year. Together, these innovations position Goddiva as one of the most technology-forward fashion retailers in the UK, focused on personalisation, sustainability, and long-term customer trust.

The TS330-1800, the newest addition to Mimaki’s TS330 Series

Mimaki Europe, a leading manufacturer of industrial inkjet printers and cutting plotters, announces enhancements to its dye sublimation TS330 Series, including the introduction of the TS330-1800. The entire TS330 Series is now compatible with Mimaki’s Sb411 inks in Orange, Violet, Fluorescent Pink and Fluorescent Yellow, enhancing colour flexibility and control, and offering improved vibrancy and colour accuracy. Complementing these upgrades, the new TS330-1800 is equipped with a larger print width to cater for a broader array of textile applications within fashion, sportswear, textile signage, and home décor.

The extended colour range – now totalling at 11 different inks – provides improved vibrancy and colour saturation, ideal for high-impact branding on sportswear, fabric signage and promotional merchandise. Opening up extensive ink configurations, applications can be produced with improved colour accuracy, fulfilling production needs for sectors where high colour fidelity is required.

With a maximum printing area of 1940mm, the new TS330-1800 enables users to increase their output and diversify with larger applications, such as curtains and tapestries, while bypassing time spent sewing and pattern matching. With this extended width, more panels can be placed side-by-side, reducing rows, adjustment and waste.

Arjen Evertse, Director Sales at Mimaki Europe, remarks, “Achieving eye-catching prints is becoming increasingly important when printing textiles, particularly when it comes to branded material like signage or sportswear. To cater to this market need, vibrant inks like fluorescents, give users the ability to produce more saturated, as well as more accurate, colours in their applications.

“The TS330 Series delivers reliable, high image quality, colour density and high print speeds, and so we wanted to offer print shops a larger machine to further amplify their business growth. Thanks to its larger print width, the new TS330-1800 can now accommodate larger home décor applications, a market where digitally printed textiles are in high demand, and higher output with improved layout efficiency for other applications, in addition to all the existing benefits of a TS330 printer.”

Utilising Mimaki’s OEKO-TEX® ECO-PASSPORT certified Sb411 inks, the prints achieved by the TS330 Series are both vivid and environmentally responsible. This certification allows print providers to fulfil sustainability requirements demanded by global textile brands and eco-conscious consumers. The TS330-1800 will be delivered with the standard TxLink5 Lite RIP software for improved workflow management.

The TS330-1800 will be available across EMEA in Spring 2026.