Saurer believes recycled-fibre processing will become an increasingly important part of the global spinning industry, with rotor spinning offering one of the most practical routes for converting short recycled fibres into yarn.
Speaking with Kohan Textile Journal at ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Cem Yalcin, CSO Global Sales at Saurer Group, discussed recycling technologies, weakening textile machinery demand, rising production costs in Türkiye and the company’s expectations for a market recovery.
Rotor Spinning Offers an Advantage in Recycling
According to Yalcin, European sustainability and recycling requirements are among the most important forces driving demand for recycled textile products.
Recycled fibres are generally shorter and more variable than virgin fibres because mechanical opening and recovery processes can reduce fibre length. This makes their preparation and spinning more difficult.
Yalcin explained that open-end or rotor spinning is particularly suitable for processing short fibres, giving Saurer a strong position as demand for textile-to-textile recycling develops.
“Recycling means short fibres. Processing short fibres through open-end spinning is the easiest way,” he said, adding that Saurer has extensive experience and is prepared to support mills entering this segment.
The company also sees opportunities for using recycled fibres in ring spinning, although Yalcin acknowledged that this route is more challenging than open-end spinning.
Saurer’s compact spinning technology can process short-staple fibres, offering mills another option for incorporating recycled material into yarn production. However, Yalcin stressed that wider adoption will ultimately depend on market demand and the willingness of manufacturers and brands to invest in these solutions.
“Our machines are ready, but the market must need these solutions. When that demand comes, we can provide them,” he said.
Read More: Efficient Processing of Mechanically Recycled Fibres with Autocoro 11
Textile Machinery Demand Faces an Unusually Sharp Decline
Yalcin described current conditions as one of the most difficult periods he has experienced during his years in the textile machinery industry.
He said demand has fallen sharply over the past three years as textile manufacturers face weak consumer spending, higher energy costs, geopolitical uncertainty and rising operating expenses.
Europe remains an important market for Saurer, but purchasing power has weakened while energy costs have increased. Continuing geopolitical tensions have also made consumers and textile manufacturers more cautious about spending and investment.
China presents a different situation for the company. Saurer has manufacturing operations in the country and holds a substantial position in the Chinese market, giving it a strong local base from which to serve customers.
For the European market, Türkiye plays an important strategic role in Saurer’s operations. The company maintains a significant service and operational setup in Türkiye, enabling it to reach European customers quickly.
Yalcin noted that flights from Türkiye to major European markets take only a few hours, while components and equipment transported by truck can reach customers within two or three days.
This geographical advantage allows Saurer to support European mills more closely while waiting for investment activity to recover.
Read More: Saurer at ITM 2026: Answering Markets Needs for Flexibility
Rising Costs Put Pressure on Türkiye’s Textile Industry
While Türkiye offers logistical and service advantages, Yalcin warned that its textile industry is facing rapidly increasing production costs.
Higher operating expenses have reduced the competitiveness of local textile manufacturers and created an additional challenge for machinery investment.
He argued that addressing this problem will require domestic solutions and policy action, particularly as Turkish mills compete with manufacturers in countries where labour, energy and financing costs may be lower.
Despite current difficulties, Yalcin remains confident that the textile industry has a future. He identified China, India and Pakistan as continuing centres of textile production, alongside markets in Latin America such as Brazil and Mexico.
He expects the number of producers and the concentration of some markets to decline, but does not believe demand for textiles will disappear.
A recovery in consumer confidence and an easing of geopolitical tensions could eventually unlock postponed demand and encourage mills to restart investment.
Yalcin concluded with a direct message to textile manufacturers facing the downturn: remain confident and do not become discouraged, because the industry still has a future.
