MILAN — October 23, 2026 — Order intake for Italian textile machinery manufacturers climbed 7% in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the corresponding period in 2025, according to data released by the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT). The uptick was primarily driven by stronger demand from international markets, where orders grew by 8%, even as the domestic market posted a modest 4% decline over the same period.
When measured against the immediately preceding quarter, overall order intake slipped by 4%, a trend that reflects the ongoing uncertainty weighing on investment decisions across the global textile sector.
Orders Index and Production Capacity
The textile machinery orders index for the July–September 2026 period registered 44.6 points, with the base year set at 2021 equal to 100. Italian textile machinery manufacturers reported an average order backlog equivalent to 3.5 months of production during the quarter, while capacity utilisation stood at 72.4%.
Sector-by-sector data indicate that order trends were broadly stable or declining during the quarter, in both domestic and export markets, pointing to a cautious operating environment for manufacturers across the board.
Outlook for Q4 2026 Remains Guarded
Looking ahead to the final quarter of 2026, expectations across the industry remain restrained. The majority of companies within the Italian textile machinery segment are anticipating either stable or lower levels of order intake in the months ahead.
Export Markets Remain the Key Driver
Marco Salvadè, President of ACIMIT, acknowledged the prevailing caution among manufacturers, attributing it to ongoing international uncertainty and rising energy costs. He noted, however, that foreign markets continue to generate positive signals for the sector. Salvadè pointed out that exports account for approximately 80% of the total order intake for Italian textile machinery manufacturers, making international demand the sector’s most critical growth lever.
Domestic Market Calls for Stronger Investment Push
On the domestic front, Salvadè described conditions as subdued and highlighted the industry’s expectations for stronger investment momentum from Italian companies. He specifically referenced the Transition 5.0 scheme — a government incentive programme — as a mechanism that could offer improved planning opportunities for industrial investments and help stimulate activity in the home market.
The Italian textile machinery orders data for Q3 2026 underlines a sector navigating cautiously through a complex global environment, where international demand remains the primary source of resilience even as domestic conditions lag behind.
