In the sidelines of ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Kohan Textile Journal’s Editor-in-Chief, Behnam Ghasemi, spoke with Karl-Gustaf Lundholm, Director of Sales at Eltex of Sweden. During the interview, Lundholm discussed Eltex’s latest yarn monitoring technologies, the company’s long-standing presence in the Turkish market, the growing importance of Africa as a textile manufacturing hub, and how advanced yarn control systems can contribute to more sustainable textile production.
Kohan Textile Journal:
Could you please introduce Eltex and tell us about the company’s background?
Karl-Gustaf Lundholm:
Eltex of Sweden AB is based in Sweden and was founded in 1964. We have a long history of developing yarn break detection systems for various types of textile machinery.
What makes Eltex unique is that we handle the entire process ourselves—from product development and manufacturing to sales and customer support. Everything is developed and produced in-house, allowing us to maintain high quality standards and continuously innovate.
Kohan Textile Journal:
What technologies and innovations are you presenting at ITM 2026?
Karl-Gustaf Lundholm:
At ITM 2026, we are showcasing both our established yarn break detection solutions and our latest developments in yarn tension monitoring and control.
Today, manufacturers are not only interested in detecting yarn breaks but also in actively controlling yarn tension throughout the production process. Our systems are widely used in rapier and air-jet weaving machines, but they are also suitable for many other textile applications.
In addition, we provide solutions for industries such as carpet manufacturing and heat-setting processes. Wherever yarn tension needs to be monitored or controlled, Eltex can offer a solution.
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Kohan Textile Journal:
Why is the Turkish market important for Eltex?
Karl-Gustaf Lundholm:
Turkey has been an important market for us for many years. We have worked with a local reseller for approximately two decades.
Our primary focus in Turkey has been the carpet industry, particularly tufting applications and artificial grass production. We also supply spare parts and components for machinery imported from mainly Western manufacturers.
Turkey remains a strategically important textile market due to its strong manufacturing base and established textile expertise.
Kohan Textile Journal:
What are Eltex’s future objectives in Turkey?
Karl-Gustaf Lundholm:
One of our long-term goals is to secure the first major installation of one of our larger integrated systems in Turkey.
This is something we have been working towards for quite some time, and we believe the market offers significant opportunities as manufacturers increasingly focus on quality, efficiency, and process optimization.
Kohan Textile Journal:
How do you assess the current situation and future outlook of the textile industry?
Karl-Gustaf Lundholm:
At the moment, the textile industry is moving rather slowly. Many companies are experiencing reduced investment activity, and we are certainly not alone in noticing this trend.
However, we believe that demand has not disappeared—it has simply been postponed. After several challenging years, there is still a need for investment and modernization across the industry.
We remain optimistic that once global conditions become more stable, demand will return. The exact timing is difficult to predict, but we believe the market fundamentals remain strong.
Kohan Textile Journal:
What is your view on the textile opportunities in the Middle East and Africa?
Karl-Gustaf Lundholm:
Historically, the Middle East has been a strong market for Eltex, including Turkey and the surrounding region.
While current market conditions are challenging, we see significant growth potential in Africa. Countries such as Egypt are attracting increasing investment, but the trend extends beyond Egypt as well.
As production costs rise in Asia, many global brands and manufacturers are looking toward North Africa and other emerging manufacturing locations. We already see major international companies sourcing more products from Africa.
This development will continue, and we believe Africa will play an increasingly important role in the global textile and apparel supply chain.
Kohan Textile Journal:
How important is sustainability for Eltex?
Karl-Gustaf Lundholm:
Sustainability is an important responsibility for every company, including ours.
At Eltex, we focus not only on improving our own operations but also on helping customers make their production more sustainable.
Our technologies help reduce material waste, improve process efficiency, and support the use of recycled yarns. One of the challenges with recycled yarns is that they are often less consistent and not as strong as virgin materials.
Through advanced yarn monitoring and control technologies, we help manufacturers optimize machine settings and maintain stable production conditions when processing recycled materials.
By improving process control and reducing waste, we contribute to more sustainable textile manufacturing.
Editor’s Insight
The interview highlights a key trend increasingly shaping textile manufacturing worldwide: precision process control. While market conditions remain challenging, technologies that improve yarn quality, reduce waste, and support the use of recycled materials are becoming essential investments for manufacturers seeking greater efficiency and sustainability.
Eltex’s continued focus on yarn break detection, tension monitoring, and advanced control systems demonstrates how even highly specialized technologies can play a significant role in improving productivity across weaving, carpet, and technical textile applications. As production gradually shifts toward emerging regions such as North Africa, solutions that enhance quality and operational stability are likely to become even more valuable.
