Shuttleless Loom Market Size & Industry Report, 2033

Shuttleless Loom Market Overview

The Shuttleless Loom Market size was valued at USD 3348.53 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 4108.95 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 2.3% from 2025 to 2033.

The global shuttleless loom market is experiencing significant growth, driven by advancements in textile manufacturing technologies and increasing demand for high-efficiency weaving machines. As of 2024, the market size was valued at USD 3.35 billion, with projections indicating a rise to USD 4.1 billion by 2033. This growth is attributed to the adoption of shuttleless looms in various applications, including apparel, home textiles, and industrial fabrics. Shuttleless looms offer advantages such as higher speed, reduced noise, and lower maintenance compared to traditional shuttle looms. These benefits have led to increased adoption in regions with robust textile industries. In particular, Asia-Pacific dominates the market, accounting for a significant share due to the presence of major textile-producing countries like China and India. The market is segmented by type into rapier, air jet, water jet, and projectile looms, each catering to specific fabric types and production requirements.

Key Findings

Top Driver Reason: The primary driver is the increasing demand for high-speed and efficient weaving machines in the textile industry.

Top Country/Region: Asia-Pacific leads the market, with China holding approximately 39% of the global market share.

Top Segment: The rapier loom segment holds the largest market share due to its versatility in weaving various fabric types.

Shuttleless Loom Market Trends

The shuttleless loom market is witnessing several notable trends that are shaping its growth trajectory. One significant trend is the increasing adoption of air jet looms, which offer higher production speeds and are suitable for weaving lightweight fabrics. The demand for air jet looms is particularly strong in regions focusing on mass production of garments and home textiles. Another trend is the growing preference for rapier looms, which are known for their versatility and ability to weave a wide range of fabrics, including delicate and heavy materials. This versatility makes rapier looms a preferred choice for manufacturers aiming to diversify their product offerings. Technological advancements are also playing a crucial role in market trends. Manufacturers are investing in the development of looms with enhanced automation features, energy efficiency, and digital control systems. These innovations aim to improve productivity, reduce operational costs, and meet the evolving demands of the textile industry. Furthermore, there is a growing emphasis on sustainable manufacturing practices, leading to the development of eco-friendly shuttleless looms that consume less energy and produce minimal waste. This trend aligns with the global push towards sustainable and environmentally responsible production processes.

Shuttleless Loom Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for high-efficiency and versatile weaving machines in the textile industry

The textile industry's need for high-speed and efficient weaving machines is a significant driver of the shuttleless loom market. Shuttleless looms, such as rapier and air jet looms, offer advantages like higher production speeds, reduced maintenance, and the ability to weave various fabric types. These features cater to the industry's demand for versatile and cost-effective manufacturing solutions. Additionally, the growth of the apparel and home textile sectors, particularly in emerging economies, is fueling the adoption of shuttleless looms to meet increasing production requirements.

RESTRAINT

High initial investment and maintenance costs associated with shuttleless looms

Despite their advantages, shuttleless looms require significant capital investment, which can be a barrier for small and medium-sized textile manufacturers. The costs associated with purchasing, installing, and maintaining these advanced machines can be substantial. Additionally, the need for skilled operators and technicians to manage and maintain shuttleless looms adds to operational expenses. These factors may deter some manufacturers from adopting shuttleless looms, especially in regions with limited financial resources.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion of textile manufacturing in emerging economies

Emerging economies present significant growth opportunities for the shuttleless loom market. Countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America are investing in expanding their textile manufacturing capabilities to boost exports and meet domestic demand. The establishment of new textile mills and modernization of existing facilities in these regions create a demand for advanced weaving machines like shuttleless looms. Furthermore, government initiatives and favorable trade policies in these countries support the growth of the textile industry, thereby driving the adoption of shuttleless looms.

CHALLENGE

Technological obsolescence and rapid innovation cycles

The shuttleless loom market faces challenges related to rapid technological advancements and the risk of obsolescence. Manufacturers must continuously invest in research and development to keep up with evolving technologies and customer preferences. Failure to innovate can result in products becoming outdated, leading to a loss of market competitiveness. Additionally, the fast pace of innovation may pressure manufacturers to upgrade their equipment frequently, increasing operational costs and affecting profitability.

Shuttleless Loom Market Segmentation

The shuttleless loom market is segmented by type and application, catering to diverse manufacturing needs.

By Type

Natural Fibers Industry: This segment utilizes shuttleless looms for weaving natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk. The demand is driven by the popularity of natural fiber textiles in apparel and home furnishings. Shuttleless looms offer the precision and efficiency required for processing these fibers, ensuring high-quality fabric production.
Chemical Fiber Industry: The chemical fiber industry employs shuttleless looms to weave synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon. The segment benefits from the looms' ability to handle high-speed production and produce uniform fabrics, meeting the requirements of various industrial applications.

By Application

Rapier (Single and Double Type): Rapier looms are versatile and suitable for weaving a wide range of fabrics, including delicate and heavy materials. They are favored for their adaptability and precision in fabric production.
Air Jet Loom: Air jet looms are known for their high-speed operation and are ideal for mass production of lightweight fabrics. Their efficiency makes them popular in large-scale textile manufacturing.
Water Jet Loom: Water jet looms are used primarily for weaving synthetic fabrics. They offer advantages in terms of speed and are suitable for specific fabric types that can withstand water-based weaving processes.
Gripper or Projectile Loom: These looms are utilized for weaving heavy and dense fabrics. They provide the strength and stability required for producing industrial textiles and technical fabrics.

Shuttleless Loom Market Regional Outlook

The shuttleless loom market exhibits varying performance across different regions, influenced by factors such as industrial development, technological adoption, and textile manufacturing capacities.

North America

The North American market is characterized by technological advancements and a focus on high-quality textile production. The United States and Canada are investing in modernizing their textile industries, leading to increased adoption of shuttleless looms. The demand is driven by the need for efficient and sustainable manufacturing processes.

Europe

Europe holds a significant share of the shuttleless loom market, with countries like Germany, Italy, and France leading in textile machinery production. The region emphasizes innovation and sustainability, promoting the use of advanced weaving technologies. European manufacturers are also focusing on exporting high-quality textile machinery to emerging markets.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific dominates the global shuttleless loom market, accounting for approximately 39% of the market share. China, India, and Bangladesh are major contributors, driven by their robust textile industries and cost-effective manufacturing capabilities. The region's growth is supported by increasing investments in modernizing textile facilities and expanding production capacities.

Middle East & Africa

The Middle East and Africa are emerging markets for shuttleless looms, with growing investments in textile manufacturing. Countries like Egypt and South Africa are developing their textile sectors, creating opportunities for shuttleless loom adoption. The demand is fueled by the need to enhance production efficiency and meet both domestic and export market requirements.

List of Top Shuttleless Loom Market Companies

Picanol
Itema Group
Tsudakoma
Dornier
Toyota
RIFA
Jingwei Textile Machinery
Haijia Machinery
Yiinchuen Machine
Huasense
SMIT
Huayi Machinery
Tongda Group
SPR

Top Two Companies with Highest Market Share

Picanol: Picanol holds the largest share in the global shuttleless loom market, contributing to over 22% of global installations as of 2024. The company is a pioneer in high-performance air jet and rapier looms, with major operational hubs in Belgium and China. Its OmniPlus-i Connect model, launched in 2023, recorded over 2,800 units sold globally within the first year, highlighting its dominance in innovation, speed, and energy efficiency. Picanol's equipment is widely used across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Americas, and the brand is known for digital integration and user-centric controls.
Itema Group: Itema ranks second in the market, with a global market share exceeding 17%. The company specializes in rapier, air jet, and projectile looms, serving clients in over 50 countries. The launch of R9500^2denim in 2024 strengthened its position, especially in the denim and technical textiles segments. Itema’s looms are favored for their mechanical precision, high-speed capabilities, and low vibration output. Strategic partnerships in Southeast Asia and ongoing expansion in Latin America further support its competitive position in the shuttleless weaving segment.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The shuttleless loom market has seen substantial capital investment and technological innovation over recent years. In 2023, global investments in textile machinery, including shuttleless looms, exceeded 8.7 billion USD in Asia alone. China and India accounted for over 65% of this spending, with large-scale upgrades underway in domestic weaving facilities. In China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced over 5,000 new shuttleless looms were installed in Tier 2 and Tier 3 textile zones in 2023. Similarly, India’s Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) supported the acquisition of nearly 3,200 shuttleless looms in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, contributing to a 14% increase in weaving output. Venture capital and private equity firms are also targeting machinery manufacturers. Between 2023 and Q1 2024, more than 17 strategic deals were made, primarily focusing on automation-enabled shuttleless loom companies. These investments reflect growing confidence in long-term profitability, driven by market demand for precision textiles and energy-efficient production. Moreover, government-backed textile parks in Egypt, Turkey, and Ethiopia are allocating budgets for modern weaving infrastructure. For instance, Ethiopia’s Hawassa Industrial Park announced a $40 million investment in shuttleless looms for export-focused textile units. Digital transformation is another area drawing investor attention. Companies integrating IoT-based monitoring systems in looms are witnessing higher funding. Firms offering predictive maintenance tools for shuttleless weaving operations have attracted over $180 million in Series B funding across Europe and Asia.

New Product Development

New product development (NPD) in the shuttleless loom market is accelerating, driven by a demand for smarter, faster, and more versatile weaving solutions. Since 2023, over 35 new shuttleless loom models have been launched globally, reflecting strong R&D efforts by top manufacturers. Picanol introduced its OmniPlus-i Connect in early 2024, a next-generation air jet loom with real-time connectivity and an intuitive touchscreen interface. This model claims a 23% increase in energy efficiency and a 19% reduction in compressed air usage per meter of fabric woven, offering substantial operational cost savings. Itema Group launched the Rapier R9500^2denim, designed specifically for high-speed denim production. This machine features new weft transfer technology that increases weaving speed by 15% while reducing vibration, thereby extending machine life and lowering maintenance downtime. Tsudakoma released its ZAX9200i-Terry, optimized for towel and terry fabric production. With a new terry motion control algorithm, it delivers improved loop uniformity and up to 12% higher output compared to previous models. The model is also equipped with a new eco-tank lubrication system, cutting oil consumption by 20%. In the Chinese market, RIFA unveiled its RFD810 water jet loom with automatic warp let-off and pick finding. The machine integrates a self-diagnostic system that alerts users of irregular tension or feeding issues, reducing fabric wastage by 11% in tests conducted at a Shandong textile plant. Japan’s Toyota Industries Corporation rolled out its JAT910i air jet loom with enhanced automation and a redesigned suction system that lowers noise by 8 dB. It also features AI-assisted fabric tracking and quality control, a first in Toyota’s weaving lineup. These innovations are not only enhancing productivity but also aligning shuttleless loom technology with Industry 4.0 practices, ensuring long-term viability in the global manufacturing ecosystem.

Five Recent Developments

Picanol opened a new manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China in March 2023. The plant focuses on producing the latest OmniPlus-i series and has a capacity of 6,000 shuttleless looms annually.
Itema signed a strategic partnership with Vietnam’s TDT Textile Group in June 2023 to supply 500+ rapier looms by end of 2024, supporting rapid expansion of textile exports from Southeast Asia.
Toyota launched an AI-powered loom diagnostics platform in January 2024, enabling predictive maintenance alerts for over 2,000 installed units in Japan and South Korea.
Tsudakoma entered into a joint R&D agreement with Germany’s RWTH Aachen University in October 2023 to develop zero-defect weaving solutions using advanced sensor systems.
RIFA announced in April 2024 a $22 million investment in an automated loom R&D center in Hangzhou, aimed at developing high-speed water jet looms for technical textiles.

Report Coverage of Shuttleless Loom Market

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the shuttleless loom market, analyzing critical components such as market drivers, trends, opportunities, challenges, segmentation, and regional performance. It covers key types of shuttleless looms, including rapier, air jet, water jet, and projectile looms, along with their application in various textile sectors such as apparel, industrial textiles, home furnishings, and technical fabrics. The segmentation also includes analysis by fiber type—natural and chemical—providing insights into material-specific loom preferences. Geographically, the report examines major regional markets including Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Middle East & Africa. It assesses factors influencing regional demand, including labor costs, production capacities, and policy initiatives. In terms of competitive landscape, the report profiles key companies, highlights recent mergers, product launches, and R&D initiatives. Picanol and Itema are identified as the top two companies by market share, with strong global footprints and consistent innovation. Furthermore, the report delves into investment trends, highlighting government support programs, international partnerships, and venture capital flows. It also includes a detailed look at new product development, covering over a dozen newly launched loom models between 2023 and 2024. The scope of this report is aimed at stakeholders across the textile value chain—including manufacturers, investors, policymakers, and technology developers—offering actionable insights and granular data to support strategic planning and decision-making.