Show organizers are calling this year’s ITMA exhibition, taking place in Milan from June 8 to 14, “a revolutionary ITMA.” For reference purposes, one could say that ITMA is the drupa of the textiles industry, the industry’s largest and most prestigious show that takes place every four years, alternating among various European locations. ITMA 2027 will take place in Hannover, Germany, September 16 to 22.

This year’s show featured more than 1,700 exhibitors from across the textile machinery supply chain. Show organizers were expecting “a ground-breaking showcase of best-in-class solutions driven by extensive R&D; as well as the unveiling of breakthrough technologies in digitalization, automation, sustainability and circularity. These are forces that redefine the future of manufacturing in the textile & garment industry.”

These are high expectations for an industry that has moved more slowly than many would have liked to improve its reputation as one of the world’s largest polluters. However, show organizers were looking for ITMA 2023 to be a turning point. They claim that ITMA 2023 shapes a transformative path towards excellence—which would include more automation, increased focus on circularity and sustainability, and increased use of digital technologies. There is always a lot of excitement at shows like this. Visitors and exhibitors alike revel in the opportunities brought forth by innovative companies that do have the ability to transform the industry. But often the excitement dies down on the flight home, and less changes that one would like. Here’s hoping this year is different, as the world faces many challenges that the textiles industry could help address, most notably, pollution and the climate crisis.