KARL MAYER’s Warp Preparation Business Unit for weaving is stepping up its activities in Turkmenistan
The Turkmenistan textile sector plays an important role in the national economy. Roughly 70 companies come under the umbrella of the Ministry of the Textile Industry, and their products focus on replacing imported products, as well as exporting their own products. Roughly 70% of all textile products are exported. The sector exports to 21 countries, including France, China, Sweden and Russia.
The national government is aiming to strengthen the exporting and economic power of the Turkmenistan textile sector, and is making the necessary funds available as part of the country’s Programme for Socio-Economic Development. Direct contacts with leading global textile machinery manufacturers are also being established in order to support this promotional initiative. As part of the 1st Caspian Economic Forum, held on 11 and 12 August 2019 in Türkmenbaşy, the Minister of the Textile Industry of Turkmenistan signed a cooperation treaty with selected companies in the textile machinery manufacturing industry, including KARL MAYER.
This well-known company, which is headquartered in Obertshausen, was also invited to exhibit in Awaza – at the International Exhibition of Innovative Technologies of Caspian States, which also took place on 11 and 12 August 2019. “A real privilege,” says Josef Kleinheinz, a Senior Sales Manager at KARL MAYER. Even more so, since this sales expert was able to welcome the Turkmenistan Minister of Textiles, Resul Rejepow, to KARL MAYER’s stand. Josef Kleinheinz has been responsible for the Turkmenistan market for some years, and is hoping that these latest activities will bring new impetus for doing business smoothly in warp preparation technology for weaving.
Six-year programme for promoting the Turkmenistan textile industry
Investments to the value of about 100 million US dollars have been earmarked for the textile industry between 2019 and 2025, as part of the funding programme of the Turkmenistan Government. This funding should increase the volume of marketable products to more than 250 million US dollars. Furthermore, an increase in production of regenerated cellulose fibres to 107% (128,000 t/a), of woven fabrics to 116 % (209,000 t/a) and of knitted and made-up products to 150 % (497, 000 t/a) is envisaged. The overall aim is to save on foreign currency resources. By marketing and selling domestic products rather than imported ones, spending on imports could be reduced by about 150 million US dollars – according to calculations produced by the Ministry of Textiles. Officials have also calculated that the volume of exports will increase to more than 140 million US dollars, and that the amortisation period for investments in the programme will be between five and seven years.
In order to achieve these ambitious goals, existing textile companies must be modernised and restructured above all else. The Turkmenistan textile industry produces and processes traditional natural fibres, such as cotton and silk. There is a very high demand from the global brand names for products manufactured from sustainable raw materials. To exploit the trend for natural products, companies, especially spinning and weaving mills, should open up innovative, know-how-intensive business fields by using progressive, more environmentally friendly technology.
The programme starts with two projects in Ahal Province
The first measures in the Programme for the Socio-Economic Development of Turkmenistan currently comprise two specific projects in the textile sector.
Firstly, a huge textile complex is to be set up in the District of Kaka in Ahal Province by May 2021. The plan is to install the machinery to produce 3,600 t of yarns from regenerated cellulose fibres, 12 million m² of raw fabric, 10 million m² of dyed goods and 1.2 million made-up products per annum. As part of this project, KARL MAYER is supplying sizing, direct warping and warping machines for the production of shirtings.
Secondly, the Ministry of Textiles aims to set up a textile centre in the Babadayhan District in Ahal Province for producing 3,300 t of regenerated cellulose spun yarn, 20 million m² of raw fabric, 18 million m² of dyed goods and 3.5 million made-up items annually. KARL MAYER will also support this project by supplying two direct warpers and two sizing machines for the production of bed linen. This manufacturer has impressed everyone with its innovative technology. But the service and reliability of KARL MAYER are also highly valued in Turkmenistan. “Manufacturers want reliable machines and help with any questions they may have,” is the experience of Josef Kleinheinz. The contracts for both of these projects were signed in the middle of this year. Deliveries will begin once the payment arrangements have been clarified.