Italian Textile Machinery Orders Increase by 7% in Q3 2026

Orders for Italian textile machinery increased by 7% in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, as reported by ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers. This rise was primarily fueled by stronger demand from international markets, despite a 4% decline in domestic orders.

The quarterly orders index indicated an 8% increase in orders from overseas, while overall order intake fell by 4% compared to the previous quarter, reflecting ongoing uncertainty in the global textile industry. The textile machinery orders index for July to September stood at 44.6 points, based on a reference value of 100 in 2021.

Manufacturers reported an average order backlog of 3.5 months and a capacity utilization rate of 72.4%. However, expectations for the final quarter of 2026 remain subdued, with many anticipating stable or lower order intake.

Marco Salvadè, President of ACIMIT, noted that while international demand offers some encouragement, the domestic market continues to struggle. He emphasized the need for renewed investment activity among Italian textile producers, supported by the Transition 5.0 initiative aimed at promoting energy-efficient and digitally advanced manufacturing technologies.

ACIMIT represents approximately 300 companies in Italy's textile machinery sector, which has a significant reliance on exports, accounting for around 80% of order intake. The industry is known for its engineering expertise and sustainable production solutions.