Figure 1: Thomas Oetterli, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Rieter.
 

Automation, innovation and recycling will shape the future of spinning 

As the global textile industry navigates rising labor costs, sustainability demands, and an increasingly competitive market, technology is emerging as the key differentiator for spinning mills. At ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Rieter showcased its latest innovations with a clear message: the future belongs to automated, digitalized, and energy-efficient spinning solutions.

In an exclusive conversation with Textile Today, Thomas Oetterli, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Rieter, discusses the industry's biggest challenges, the concept of labor-free spinning mills, the growing importance of recycling, and why he remains optimistic about the future of textile manufacturing in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan.

Textile Today: What is the key message Rieter is bringing to ITM 2026?
Thomas Oetterli: Technology leadership is our main focus. We are presenting new components and machines in ring spinning, preparatory, and rotor spinning, but what is much more important is that we combine these systems with automation and digitalization solutions. The future is not about standalone machines; it is about intelligent, connected systems that make spinning mills more efficient and competitive.

Textile Today: Why is automation becoming such a priority for spinning mills?
Thomas Oetterli: Our customers are facing dramatically increasing labor costs, particularly here in Turkey, which affects their competitiveness in the global market. That is why they are very interested in automation solutions from the blowroom to the winder. The objective is to operate mills with fewer people while maintaining productivity and quality. We have received tremendous positive feedback because automation has become a necessity rather than an option.

 Figure 2: Amzad Hossain Monir, Head of Business Development, Textile Today with Relindis Wieser (Middle), Head of Group Marketing and Communication at Rieter with Thomas Oetterli.
 

Textile Today: Energy efficiency is a growing concern. How is Rieter addressing this challenge?
Thomas Oetterli: Rising energy costs are one of our customers' biggest concerns. Every new generation of Rieter machines delivers substantially lower energy consumption than the previous one. We also benchmark ourselves against competitor products, and I can confidently say that Rieter machines offer among the lowest energy consumption levels in the world, helping customers reduce costs and remain competitive.

Textile Today: Recycling is emerging as a major industry trend. What is Rieter's approach?
Thomas Oetterli: Recycling is not only important for Rieter as a company but also for me personally. Today, less than one percent of textiles worldwide is truly recycled, so the opportunity is enormous. We have developed solutions for proper sorting, fiber preparation, spinning, and producing recycled yarn. Demand is growing rapidly across Turkey, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, China, Europe, and the US. This is a megatrend that we take very seriously.

Textile Today: How does Rieter develop innovations that truly meet market needs?
Thomas Oetterli: Innovation should never happen in isolation. We work with long-term partner customers to test, improve, and challenge our latest technologies. Their feedback helps us refine our solutions, and only when we are confident, they meet market demands do we launch them globally.

Textile Today: What is your message for textile manufacturers in Bangladesh?
Thomas Oetterli: Our long-term vision is the labor-free spinning mill, where automation minimizes manual intervention. I know the past few years have been difficult for Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, but I also see clear signs of recovery. These countries have always shown remarkable resilience, and I am very confident that, with continued investment in innovation and automation, the future is bright.

♦ References 
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