ACIMIT is the chief promoter of the Sustainable Technologies project, through which it intends to favour Italian machinery and technology that adheres to an intelligent use and management of chemical products, energy and water for textile machinery, within a framework of eco-sustainable development. The project is realized through the technical support of the engineering company D’Appolonia and benefits from the co-operation with the European Nu-Wave project. At the heart of the project is the creation of a descriptive label (the green label) designed by ACIMIT and used by its members as a self-declaration of the carbon footprint and specific technologies behind each machine or installation and its production cycle.
“The manufacturing industry is currently seeking new ideas to stimulate production,” explains Sandro Salmoiraghi, President of ACIMIT. “In an effort to guarantee a renewed push towards growth, the textile sector, in particular, is turning to production models with processes, technologies and machinery that are efficient from an energy standpoint and provide a low environmental impact.”
ACIMIT represents around 300 companies employing about 13,000 people and producing machinery for an overall value of 2.4 billion euros, with exports amounting to 79 per cent of total sales. The quality of Italian textile technology is evidenced by the high number of countries in which Italian machinery is sold – about 130 countries worldwide. Almost 50 per cent of total machinery exports are destined for the Asian continent, followed by Europe (31 per cent). The primary export markets for Italian machinery manufacturers are China, Turkey and India.
Within this context, textile machinery builders must adapt to the industry’s demand for a sustainable development model that can offer efficient and effective technology solutions for end users. “The primary goal of our associated manufacturers must be that of supplying sustainable technologies which aim to reduce energy consumption, water and chemical agents in production processes, resulting in a production cycle that is more responsible and attentive to consumption,” underscores Salmoiraghi. “This model is in line with what our customers are requesting from us.”
Thanks to ACIMIT’s green label, Italian machinery manufacturers can now declare the environmental performance specifications of each machine they produce. The label provides a list of indicators such as the machine’s Carbon Footprint, a parameter which determines its ecological efficiency.
Italian machinery manufacturers adhering to the project must respect a protocol agreement and rigorous implementation regulations underwritten in partnership with ACIMIT, guaranteeing the validity of the data supplied to potential customers. The project’s stringent guidelines and regulations grant further added value to the credibility of the information provided.
ACIMIT associated members participating in the “Sustainable Technologies” project can be recognised by the “Supplier of Sustainable Technologies” logo, which the association has created to promote visibility for those machinery manufacturers and technology suppliers who use the ACIMIT green label.
The ACIMIT website features a special section dedicated to the issue of eco-sustainability, where visitors will find an updated list of Italian machinery manufacturers who adhere to this project. One month from its launching, the following 24 companies have already embarked on the initiative: Brazzoli, Cibitex, Color Service, Comez, Comoli, Fadis, Ferraro, Flainox, Jaeggli Meccanotessile, Jem, Lafer, LGL, Loptex, Mario Crosta, Mesdan, Monti Mac, Obem, Plm, Pozzi, Reggiani, Roj, Salmoiraghi, Santoni and Tonello.
The Sustainable Technologies project is supported by the Italian Ministry for Economic Development and the Italian Trade Commission, which has inserted it among its initiatives to be promoted and financed, convinced of the textile machinery sector’s crucial role in the global economy.