ITMF survey: capacity utilisation up to 71%, Europe at -36 points

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) published the results of its 40th Global Textile Industry Survey on 6 October 2026. According to the survey, conducted on 21–29 September 2026, the global business situation improved slightly to -23 points, well above the November 2023 low of -46 points. Conditions nevertheless remain weak; ITMF describes them as "a new normal of high uncertainty".

Key analysis

• Regions: Only South Asia (+13) and Africa (+9) are positive. East Asia (-20) and Southeast Asia (-6) remain pessimistic; Europe (-36), South America (-44) and North & Central America (-56) report the weakest conditions.
• Value chain: Fibre producers (+17) are the only positive segment; spinners stand at -33 and finishers at -42. Textile machinery manufacturers (-35) suffer from companies' reluctance to invest.
• Orders: Order intake edged up to -24 points but remains weak; South America fell to a record low of -69. Order cancellations remain at around 2% on average. The global order backlog shortened to 2.3 months, within the 2–2.5 month range held since mid-2023.
• Capacity: Capacity utilisation rose to 71%, above the November 2023 record low of 68% but well below the levels above 80% seen before late 2022.
• Expectations and concerns: Expectations for the next six months improved to +19 points, but 46% of participants expect no change. Weak demand is the main concern (56%), followed by high raw material (42%) and energy prices (41%). Concern about geopolitics eased to 36% from 46% in July.
• Response to US tariffs: Companies are mainly diversifying into non-US markets (29%), investing in automation and efficiency (23%) or absorbing the higher costs (23%).

Why it matters

Curtains, upholstery fabrics, bed linen and towels all pass through the spinning, weaving and finishing stages that the survey measures. The survey shows finishing (-42) and spinning (-33) as the weakest links, and producers in Europe (-36) working in clearly tougher conditions than competitors in South Asia (+13). Capacity at 71% and an order backlog of 2.3 months mean spare capacity in many mills: buyers are in a strong position on lead times and prices. Rising concern about raw material and energy costs, however, limits how far prices can fall.

What members can do

• European buyers and importers: 71% capacity and a 2.3-month backlog leave room to ask for shorter lead times; discuss lead time and price together in spring 2027 orders.
• Curtain, upholstery and bed linen makers: concern about raw materials (42%) and energy (41%) has risen; shorten the validity of your quotes or add a raw-material-linked price clause.
• Exporters selling to the US: 29% of surveyed companies are turning to non-US markets; review your price list and trade fair calendar with stronger competition in Europe and other markets in mind.

Sources: Textile World, 6 October 2026 · Ecotextile News, 6 October 2026 · ITMF press releases