ITMA Asia provided positive indications for Italian exhibitors in spite of the current uncertain economic outlook. The Italian green label certification initiative was greeted with special appreciation.
“The third edition of ITMA Asia + CITME, which came to a close on June 16 in Shanghai, confirmed our expectations,” stated Sandro Salmoiraghi, President of ACIMIT. “The leading markets for our manufacturers were largely stalled over this first part of the year, and a general mood of economic uncertainty could be perceived even during the trade fair in Shanghai. Investments in new technologies are proceeding very slowly in all markets.”
However, the current economic situation did not prevent Italian businesses from playing an essential role at ITMA Asia, with a total of 115 exhibitors representing Italy. In terms of occupied surface area, Italy came third overall (seven per cent), covering a net total of 4,700 sq. metres, behind the Chinese exhibitors (60 per cent net surface area) and the German participants (nine per cent).
In particular, both Chinese and foreign visitors appreciated the commitment of the Italian textile machinery industry on the issue of sustainability. To this end, at the usual ACIMIT press conference held during the event, the Association presented its green label certification. As Salmoiraghi explains, “the self-certification process for energy and environmental performances for each piece of machinery was provided by RINA, an international certification body, which, together with ACIMIT, defined and validated the specifications for the issuing of green labels, and is also responsible for monitoring their correct application, thereby guaranteeing the accuracy of the specified performance indications.”
Every year, a sampling of 20 per cent of the companies taking part in the initiative must undergo an inspection conducted by RINA (www.rina.org), which monitors the procedures applied for the measurement of parameters, as well as the operating conditions of the machines affected by the labelling process. The certification body then issues a specific certificate of conformity for all machinery that passes these controls. The RINA control sample for green labels released provides a guarantee for all green labels produced in accordance with ACIMIT specifications.
For the 2012 sample control certification process, the following RINA-checked ACIMIT member-companies were present at the press conference in Shanghai: Flainox, Itema, Jaeggli, Reggiani, Santoni, Tonello.
“We believe that the certification of our label is an innovative element which ACIMIT has brought to the debate on sustainability for productions processes,” concluded Salmoiraghi. “Our proposal stands out for its concreteness, and in the future we’d like to see other European textile machinery associations join us in this project.”