The Need for Modernizing Existing Technology for The Processing of Cashmere

At the recent trade industry mission organized by ACIMIT and the ICE- Italian Trade Agency in Mongolia, meetings with the local authorities have confirmed the need for modernizing existing technology for the processing of cashmere. ACIMIT President Raffaella Carabelli states, "Mongolia is a market in which Italian machinery manufacturers can find excellent opportunities, thanks to the expertise they have developed in the technology required for the production of this raw material".

An institutional trade mission in Mongolia, organized by ACIMIT (the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers) and Italian Trade Agency, was held from July 7 to 9 in Ulaanbaatar. A total of 9 Italian machinery manufacturers, among which ACIMIT’s affiliated members; Bellini, Bianco, Bigagli-Proxima, Cormatex, Fadis, Stalam and Sant'Andrea Novara, presented their latest and most suitable technology for the processing of cashmere during the course of the symposium "Italian advanced textile technology and Mongolian cashmere sector: a winning partnership". The Italian contingent declared themselves satisfied with the proceedings, as they were also permitted to visit some important local manufacturers, eliciting interest among local businesses.

The three-day mission on Mongolian soil also served to strengthen ties between the local authorities and ACIMIT’s management. In particular, the Vice-Minister for Industry and Agriculture, Mr. B. Tsogtgerel, who illustrated to his Italian counterpart a Mongolian project to develop the textile industry in the country, processing the majority of the raw cashmere wool currently exported. Indeed, within five years, the quantity of unprocessed raw material shipped out to foreign markets is essentially expected to disappear, compared to the current 6,300 tons exported.

Raffaella Carabelli, President of ACIMIT, comments "Local processing of cashmere will broaden possibilities for trade within Mongolia for Italian manufacturers, who for years have been at the forefront in supplying suitable technologies for the processing of this prestigious raw material". In 2013 alone, 68 million euros in investments were set aside for the development of new production technologies, and another 145 million euros are expected for a further increase in production capacity.

Carabelli concludes, "We’re looking at numbers that will provide a healthy boost for the cashmere industry in Mongolia, beginning with the spinning sector, and subsequently the knitting, weaving and finishing sectors. Italian textile machinery producers certainly stand to benefit from all this, thanks to ACIMIT’s commitment and the establishment of a special channel with the Mongolian authorities, supported by expertise developed in the sector through partnerships with the most important producers of cashmere manufactured products in Italy."

General background information on Italian textile machinery industry and ACIMIT
ACIMIT represents an industrial sector comprising around 300 companies (employing roughly 11,000 people) and producing machinery for an overall value of 2.3 billion euros, with exports amounting to 84% of total sales. The quality of Italian textile technology is evidenced by the high number of countries in which Italian machinery is sold: around 130 countries worldwide. Creativity, sustainable technology, reliability and quality are the characteristics which have made Italy a global leader in the manufacturing of textile machinery.