In an industry as dynamic and competitive as textiles, few machinery manufacturers have managed to stay ahead of the curve for half a century. ICOMATEX, a Barcelona-based leader in textile finishing equipment, stands out as one such innovator. With its cutting-edge stenters, dryers, vaporizers, coating lines, and polymerizers, ICOMATEX has steadily expanded its global presence across more than 30 countries—India being one of its most promising and fastest-growing markets.
The company’s strong foothold in India has been built on a clear understanding of local production needs, backed by energy-efficient technologies, high-performance machines, and robust after-sales service. As Indian textile manufacturers increasingly prioritize automation, sustainability, and quality, ICOMATEX is aligning itself as a trusted partner in this transformation.
In a conversation with Mr. Santi Martí, Commercial Director of ICOMATEX, we delve into how the company is reinventing textile machinery for the 21st century—and how it sees India playing a vital role in the next phase of its global journey.
From Local Roots to Global Recognition
ICOMATEX began as a regional player more than five decades ago. Today, it is one of the most recognized names in textile machinery manufacturing worldwide. “We’ve evolved by consistently investing in innovation, adapting to the changing needs of the textile sector, and delivering high-performance, reliable solutions,” says Marti.
The company’s international success is rooted in its agility and focus on quality. ICOMATEX has made it a priority to keep pace with shifting market expectations, particularly in energy efficiency, digital controls, and environmental compliance. These values have enabled it to create a machinery portfolio that resonates equally with traditional mills and advanced textile units producing high-performance fabrics.
The Surge in Demand for Smart and Sustainable Machinery
According to Santi, technologies like stenters, heat recovery units, and coating lines are witnessing the highest demand globally. “More customers are seeking energy-efficient and eco-friendly machinery. At the same time, there’s growing interest in technical textiles and fabrics with functional properties,” he explains.
This shift in demand is not just a passing trend—it’s a structural transformation. Textile companies, especially in cost-sensitive markets like India, are keen to reduce operational costs while enhancing quality and throughput. ICOMATEX machines are engineered to deliver just that.
To meet these new demands, the company has introduced enhancements like electrostatic filters to clean smoke emissions from stenters and dryers, helping customers meet environmental standards more easily. The emphasis is not only on compliance but also on enabling smarter, more productive operations.
The IC10 Run+: Setting New Industry Standards
One of ICOMATEX’s most significant recent breakthroughs is the IC10 Run+ stenter—a machine that combines engineering sophistication with practical efficiency. Central to this innovation is a high-performance heat recovery system that captures exhaust air to preheat fresh air, reducing energy consumption by up to 22%.
Beyond energy savings, the IC10 Run+ offers synchronized components to prevent fabric tension, improved airflow design for superior fabric quality, and optimized thermal insulation. Maintenance has also been reimagined, with a user-friendly layout that simplifies cleaning and service.
At the core of the IC10 Run+ lies ICOSMART, a proprietary IoT-based system that enables real-time machine monitoring through any device—be it a tablet, mobile phone, or laptop. ICOSMART provides deep operational insights, including energy usage per batch, fabric throughput, downtime history, and even fabric surface temperature when equipped with specific sensors. This level of data transparency empowers textile producers to refine processes, optimize energy use, and maintain consistent fabric
quality.
Scaling Up with World-Class Manufacturing
A few years ago, ICOMATEX inaugurated its 10,000 m² manufacturing facility in Viladecavalls, a move that has significantly boosted its production capability and responsiveness to global demand. “This facility was a turning point,” says Marti. “We can now manage multiple large-scale projects simultaneously, with dedicated areas for assembly, testing, and logistics.”
The integration of engineering, production, and technical teams under one roof has not only improved collaboration but also accelerated innovation. The use of precision manufacturing tools ensures consistency and quality across all equipment, supporting ICOMATEX’s reputation for reliability.
Lean Thinking for Global Efficiency
A key factor in ICOMATEX’s ability to deliver consistently and cost-effectively is its adoption of Lean Manufacturing. This approach, based on continuous improvement and waste reduction, has enabled the company to shorten lead times, minimize inventory, and respond swiftly to customer needs.
Lean thinking also improves internal engagement, as teams work together to enhance workflow and identify bottlenecks. For customers, this translates into better product quality, faster delivery, and improved service—especially critical in high-volume markets like India.
Innovation from the Inside Out
At ICOMATEX, R&D isn’t a department—it’s a culture. Weekly innovation meetings ensure cross-functional collaboration, where managers contribute ideas that can immediately be tested on the shop floor. This agile innovation pipeline enables ICOMATEX to tailor solutions not only for traditional textiles but also for technical and specialty fabrics. Whether it’s advanced heat-setting for knits or coating lines for performance textiles, new ideas are swiftly prototyped, tested, and rolled out into the market.
Machines are designed with usability in mind—simple to operate, easy to maintain, and adaptable to varied production environments. The company also prioritizes real-time adaptability, ensuring its systems remain compatible with customer-specific fabrics, processes, and environmental standards.
India: A Strategic Growth Market
India, with its massive textile base, has emerged as a strategic market for ICOMATEX. The company has steadily grown its presence by building strong relationships with local partners and investing in localized service networks. “Our focus has been on helping Indian manufacturers improve efficiency and energy savings—critical priorities for this market,” says Marti. Stenters, particularly those used for finishing knitted fabrics, have seen the strongest demand, thanks to ICOMATEX’s ability to offer superior overfeeding and drying capabilities with much lower power consumption.
Indian customers value the energy efficiency, user-friendliness, and adaptability of ICOMATEX machines. The ability to handle diverse fabric types, coupled with automation and ICOSMART-driven monitoring, ensures optimal production speeds with minimal waste—key benefits in India’s cost-conscious production environment. The company also addresses a common pain point in the region: machine downtime. “We ensure that our Indian customers can easily find replacement parts locally, and our trained technicians resolve 95% of issues remotely,” explains Marti. This efficient service model significantly enhances uptime and customer satisfaction.
Championing Sustainable Manufacturing in India
As Indian textile units modernize, sustainability and automation have moved to the forefront. ICOMATEX has responded by designing technologies that minimize energy use, reduce emissions, and simplify operations.
Machines now come with advanced automation systems for precise control, sensor-based feedback loops for quality assurance, and integrated heat recovery systems that lower fuel consumption. The result is a greener production process that supports India’s push toward sustainable manufacturing. By simplifying machine interfaces and minimizing training time, ICOMATEX also empowers operators to adopt smart systems with ease—a crucial advantage in a market where skilled labor is often limited.
Looking Ahead: Deepening Commitment to India
The future looks bright for ICOMATEX in India. Strategic priorities include strengthening its after-sales support, expanding partnerships, and localizing technical expertise. “We don’t just see ourselves as machinery suppliers—we see ourselves as partners in India’s textile transformation,” says Marti. With innovations in smoke filtration, smart controls, and energy recovery, ICOMATEX is poised to support India’s journey toward cleaner, faster, and more intelligent textile production.
In an industry where precision, speed, and sustainability define success, ICOMATEX has proven its mettle. With its focus on innovation, lean practices, and market-specific solutions, the company is not only setting new benchmarks in textile machinery—but is also playing an active role in shaping the future of global textile manufacturing. For Indian textile producers aiming to stay competitive in an increasingly eco-conscious and automated world, ICOMATEX offers more than just machines. It offers a vision of the future—efficient, smart, and sustainable.
