China and India stand as two of the most consequential markets in global textile manufacturing — and for Switzerland’s textile machinery industry, both represent long-term strategic priorities. With vast production capacities, deep domestic demand and significant weight in international trade, these two nations continue to shape investment decisions for Swiss machinery suppliers operating across the full textile value chain.
Many Swiss companies have already established a strong local footprint in these markets through production facilities, dedicated sales teams and service organisations — a reflection of their multi-decade commitment to both regions.
Different Markets, Different Dynamics
Cornelia Buchwalder, Secretary General of Swiss Textile Machinery, draws a clear line between the two: “China and India are both key markets for our industry, but their industrial environments differ notably. The structure of textile production, the availability of raw materials and the importance of domestic demand all influence their investment priorities. Understanding these differences is essential for our member companies to offer technologies that meet the specific requirements of each market.”
China: Scale, Integration and Rising Competition
China remains the world’s largest textile manufacturing country by a considerable margin. Its value chain is extensive and highly integrated, spanning virtually every stage of textile production. The country is also the leading global exporter of textiles and apparel, while its large domestic market generates substantial additional demand.
China’s position in man-made fibres is particularly strong. Chemical fibre production reached approximately 87 million tonnes in 2025, even as the country continues to be a significant cotton producer and processor. Exports remain central to the Chinese textile industry’s strategy.
Chinese textile machinery manufacturers have also advanced considerably in terms of technology, creating a more competitive landscape for international suppliers. For Swiss companies, the focus areas are advanced production technologies, automation, digital connectivity, precise process control and resource efficiency — all areas where specialised solutions continue to carry weight as manufacturers push for higher productivity and consistent quality.
India: Cotton Roots, Growing Ambitions
India’s textile industry has long been anchored in cotton. As one of the world’s largest cotton producers, the country has built extensive capacities in spinning, weaving and garment manufacturing. However, man-made fibres, technical textiles and more sophisticated production and finishing processes are steadily gaining ground.
A growing domestic market is a key engine of development in India. Rising incomes and a young population are supporting textile consumption, while government-backed initiatives are working to strengthen manufacturing capacities, modernise production and grow textile exports. Together, these forces are generating demand for machinery and technology across the textile value chain.
Key priorities for Indian manufacturers include the modernisation of existing facilities, investment in additional production capacity, reliable quality control, and more efficient use of energy and water resources. The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between the EFTA states and India — which entered into force in October 2025 — further improves the framework conditions for Swiss industrial suppliers operating in the Indian market.
Decades of Contribution Across the Textile Value Chain
Swiss Textile Machinery member companies supply machinery, components and services that cover the entire textile value chain — from fibre preparation and spinning through to weaving, knitting, embroidery, finishing and quality control. Their presence in both China and India spans many decades, during which they have gone beyond technology supply to establish local operations, provide technical expertise and support training and knowledge transfer.
“Our industry has built long-standing relationships with textile manufacturers in both countries,” says Buchwalder. “Today, innovation is increasingly driven by close cooperation with customers and a detailed understanding of their production processes. Swiss companies combine engineering expertise with specialised textile knowledge, enabling them to develop solutions that improve efficiency, reliability and product quality.”
Exhibition Calendar Underlines Market Importance
The significance of China and India to Swiss textile machinery manufacturers is clearly reflected in the international exhibition calendar. ITMA Asia + CITME is scheduled to take place in Shanghai from 20 to 24 November 2026, followed shortly afterwards by India ITME in Greater Noida, running from 4 to 9 December. Approximately 20 Swiss Textile Machinery member companies are set to exhibit at each event.
Despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, trade barriers and a degree of caution around investment decisions, the long-term outlook for both markets remains constructive. China and India will continue to shape the direction of global textile manufacturing, each navigating its own set of priorities and challenges. For Swiss textile machinery suppliers, the upcoming exhibitions will offer a timely opportunity to gauge investment priorities, deepen customer relationships and gain further insight into how both markets are evolving.
