Italian knitting yarn manufacturer MIC Spa, one of the long-established companies in the sector, delivered a remarkable presentation at Techtextil 2026, showcasing not only its products but also the transformation of yarn within the world of technical textiles. During the exhibition held in Frankfurt in collaboration with Shima Seiki Italia, the company introduced high-performance technical applications developed with EXTE 2.7 yarn, bringing together textiles and technology on the same platform. One of the highlights at MIC’s stand was the evolution of technical yarns into active components of functional, mechanical and technological systems, rather than being solely a part of textile production.
From yarn to technological solutions with EXTE 2.7
EXTE 2.7 yarn, which formed the main focus of MIC’s presentation at the exhibition, was used in technical glove applications directly produced on Shima Seiki flat knitting machines. Standing out with its high-performance elastic structure, the yarn combined comfort, durability and mechanical precision within the same construction. However, the distinguishing element of the project went beyond technical glove production alone. Special yarns developed by MIC were positioned at the center of an advanced technology system jointly created by Shima Seiki and Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa. The resulting MUSE project became one of the exhibition’s most remarkable applications, featuring an automated glove and soft robotic device developed to support hand movements. Textile-based pneumatic actuators integrated into the wearable structure produced with Wholegarment technology were mechanically programmed through MIC’s specially developed yarns. The structure generated biomimetic forces supporting the opening and closing of fingers, clearly demonstrating that yarn had become not only a textile surface component but also a direct technological function.
Performance-oriented approach stood out in technical textiles
The EXTE series developed by MIC was designed to optimize performance in both technical and aesthetic applications through different yarn counts and gauge options. The product range, offering various levels of elasticity and durability, stood out particularly for supporting the precise mechanical performance required in technical textile applications. MIC’s portfolio was not limited to technical yarns alone. A wide yarn collection produced from different raw materials such as polyester, cotton, polyamide and polycotton was presented to visitors with multiple processing, format and color alternatives. The company also emphasized that, through its STOCK SERVICE system, it supplied 450 continuously available colors from stock with rapid worldwide shipment capability. MIC’s regularly conducted color trend analyses were also highlighted among the elements enabling the company to respond quickly to changing demands, particularly in fashion and technical textiles.
A textile heritage dating back to 1911 merged with high technology
More than a century of textile expertise formed the foundation of MIC’s current technology-oriented production approach. The company’s roots dated back to the textile activities of the Cumerlato family in the Vicenza region in 1911, while this industrial heritage was further strengthened with the establishment of Manifattura Italiana Cucirini in 1976. Today, MIC stands out as an international player continuing its growth particularly in the European and North African markets. With production processes carried out entirely in Italy, the company distinguished itself through the use of high-performance materials and superior manufacturing quality, while building a strong bridge between traditional textiles and advanced technological applications thanks to its innovation-focused approach.
A new era in technical textiles: wearable technology and smart textiles
In recent years, the technical textiles sector has increasingly focused not only on durability and performance, but also on interactive structures, wearable technology and solutions integrated with human movement. The applications showcased by MIC at Techtextil 2026 demonstrated that yarn had moved beyond its conventional fields of use to become an active component of healthcare technologies and robotic systems. Textile-based actuator systems, soft robotic solutions and mechanically programmable knitted structures were highlighted among the technical textile applications of the future, while MIC’s approach with EXTE 2.7 yarn stood out as one of the concrete examples of this transformation presented at the exhibition.
