At ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Kohan Textile Journal sat down with Cristian Locatelli, General Manager of Marzoli Textile, to discuss the future of spinning technology and the transformation of the global textile industry. In this exclusive interview, Locatelli explains why Marzoli defines itself as a textile engineering company rather than simply a machinery manufacturer, and shares his vision on automation, artificial intelligence, recycling, and digitalization. He also highlights how sustainability and traceability are becoming essential pillars for the next generation of spinning mills as the industry moves toward Industry 5.0.
Q: If you had to describe Marzoli in just three words, what would they be?
Cristian Locatelli: “Marzoli Textile Engineering.”
These three words best represent who we are today. Marzoli is not simply a textile machinery manufacturer. We are a textile engineering company that provides complete solutions by combining advanced machinery, engineering expertise, digital platforms, components, technical know-how, and comprehensive customer services.
Q: Sustainability has become one of the industry’s biggest priorities. How is Marzoli addressing this challenge?
Cristian Locatelli: Recycling is no longer only an environmental objective—it has become an industrial process. To make textile recycling commercially viable, manufacturers need advanced technologies, complete process engineering, and full traceability across the production chain.
At Marzoli, we are helping customers industrialize recycled fiber processing while ensuring every stage of production remains traceable and efficient.
Q: How do you see the future of automation in the textile industry?
Cristian Locatelli: A very interesting question for the future is:
“Will robots and humanoid systems eventually become part of spinning mills?”
While this transformation will not happen overnight, I believe the industry must start preparing today.
Automation has been part of Marzoli’s DNA for more than 40 years. Our objective has always been to improve product consistency, reduce dependence on manual labor, increase production flexibility, and create intelligent manufacturing environments.
Read more: Designed to Impact: Marzoli presents a new vision for spinning mill modernization at ITM Turkey 2026
Q: What role will digitalization and AI play in future spinning mills?
Cristian Locatelli: Future textile machinery must do much more than simply produce yarn efficiently.
Machines must communicate seamlessly with AI-driven platforms, smart factory systems, and next-generation automation technologies. This applies not only to new machinery but also to existing mills through retrofit solutions and digital integration.
Digitalization will allow manufacturers to improve productivity, monitor performance in real time, and make better operational decisions.
Q: What is Marzoli’s vision for the future of the textile industry?
Cristian Locatelli: As the industry moves toward Industry 5.0, sustainability, automation, and traceability are no longer separate concepts. They are becoming the three fundamental pillars of future competitiveness.
Manufacturers that successfully integrate these elements will be better positioned to respond to changing market demands while producing more efficiently and sustainably.
