Samab closes first edition with optimism

It closed on Thursday 29 May with a more than positive balance Samab-Fashion Technologies Event, the international event dedicated to innovation in machinery and equipment for garment production. Hosted in the spaces of Superstudio Maxi in Milan, Samab saw the participation of over 3,000 industry professionals (20% of whom from abroad), more than 70 exhibiting companies, 21 international buyers hosted from 25 countries, and a packed programme with over 50 appointments including conferences, workshops and technical demonstrations..

Organised by Senaf, in collaboration with Gruppo Tecniche Nuove and with the media partnership of Technofashion magazine, Samab was sponsored by Antia, Confindustria Moda - Federazione Tessile e Moda, and Iacde. "With Samab we have created a concrete platform to support the transformation of fashion manufacturing," explained Ivo Nardella, president of Tecniche Nuove Group and Senaf. The excellent participation and involvement of stakeholders confirm the need for a place where technology, vision, skills and new professionalism meet to drive change. Since the very first day of the event we have shared the desire to continue this path with a biennial cadence: the next edition is already set for May 2027, with the aim of further expanding the comparison and the impact on the entire fashion ecosystem"..

During the three days, Samab gave ample space to key themes for the transformation of the sector: digitalisation, generative artificial intelligence, circular economy, 3D printing, automation, traceability and technical training. Conferences such as 'Data, Digitisation and Artificial Intelligence as Engines of Innovation' and 'Textile Innovation: the 3D Printing Revolution for Customisation and Sustainability' explored concrete application scenarios, illustrating case studies of major international groups. 3D printing emerged as a lever for efficiency and garment customisation, while artificial intelligence was also explored in its impact on ethical governance, with models and methodologies geared towards conscious and responsible adoption.

The final day on Thursday 29 May offered a synthesis and relaunch, with moments of reflection on the future of the sector. Among the highlights, the conference 'Technologies for Circular Fashion. Critical issues related to waste recovery and recycling, and the contribution offered by technologies and research' focused on the sustainable transformation of manufacturing, highlighting the role of research, evolved craftsmanship and digital innovation. Manufacturing 5.0 and the dialogue between technology and traditional knowledge were also at the centre, with concrete cases presented by companies showing the real application of innovative solutions in production processes. The main stakeholders in the sector - from associations to companies, from trainers to buyers - discussed how to face the current transition phase in the Textile-Clothing industry. A sector that, although marked by economic challenges, has shown reactivity and planning, as underlined by the voices of Confindustria Moda, Assolombarda, Piattaforma Sistema Formativo Moda ETS and IACDE Italia.