Our systems are designed to achieve the highest standards of quality, reliability, and sustainability
Founded in 1984 in Istanbul, Turkiye, Eliar Elektronik San. A.Ş. specialises in developing automation systems, devices, and software across various sectors, including textile finishing and chemistry, significantly contributing to the country’s industrial automation. With a commitment to sustainability, Eliar continues to innovate and support industries worldwide with its advanced control devices and systems. In an interview with Fibre2Fashion, Int’l Sales & Marketing Leader Ata Turgutalp discusses how the company works as a process partner with its customers.
How has Eliar evolved since its founding in 1984, and what has been its impact on the textile and garment machinery industry?
Eliar Elektronik San. A.Ş. was founded in Istanbul, Turkiye in 1984. Eliar has strengthened the Turkish industry and economy with many devices, systems, and software, and has made many important contributions to automation with its R&D exclusively for the textiles industry.
Since 1984, the textile industry’s focus has been expanded and Eliar started to work on mechatronic weighing and dispensing systems. Today, Eliar continues to develop liquid and powder chemical weighing and distribution systems. Simultaneously, the company is also advancing in creating control devices and automation software that can be integrated at the machine level for fabric, yarn, dyeing, and garment washing, as well as at the factory level. Eliar also provides, for these projects, fully automatic control and recording of the entire dyeing process. Besides, with the central monitoring, planning, and reporting software it has developed, Eliar delivers integrated systems from the processing machine level to the factory management level.
Can you discuss the role of Eliar’s R&D centre in driving innovation in textile automation, and how do you prioritise areas for research and development?
Since its inception, Eliar has carried the power of having an R&D centre embedded in its DNA. This power is what drives our leadership in textile automation for 40 years and ignites our desire to accomplish what has never been done before. We have an official and certified R&D Center authorisation from the Turkish Ministry of Science, Industry, and Technology, and we are actively involved with The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK). The projects we undertake in collaboration with TUBITAK continue to shape the industry every day.
Eliar emphasises sustainability in its operations. How do these principles manifest in your products and solutions for the textile industry?
At Eliar, we have long recognised the importance of sustainability in the textile industry, and we have been committed to it since our establishment. Eliar integrates sustainability principles into its products and solutions by focusing on waste reduction, adopting a ‘right at first-time’ mentality, saving time, optimising resources, and enhancing energy efficiency. These principles are evident in the development of processes that are sustainable and minimise their environmental impact and footprint throughout the textile production chain.
Efficiency is the single key solution for both sustainability for nature and continuity for businesses. Businesses must be aware that industrial competition has increased so much globally that the continuity of companies that are unable to produce efficiently is at risk.
How is Eliar adapting its technologies and products to align with the Industry 4.0 vision, especially in the context of the textile industry?
On the basis of the ELIAR 2025 Vision, we had launched our new product ‘ELIAR Digital Factory’ which provides textile enterprises with a perfect solution for achieving their sustainable production goals. Eliar is adapting its technologies and products to align with the Industry 4.0 vision by integrating IoT, data analytics, and AI-driven automation into its offerings. This enables real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and enhanced efficiency in textile manufacturing processes.
Today, it is no longer enough for factories to only be productive and profitable. The use of energy, chemicals, dyestuffs, and water in production not only consumes limited natural resources but also harms the environment by generating CO2 emissions and waste. Installing a digitalised production process in a factory can provide instant monitoring of each stage of production in a way that is transparent, backward traceable, and integrated with supplier channels. It helps minimise consumption by optimising production. Digitalisation of textile processes also enables instant compliance checks with MRSL (Manufacturing Restricted Substances List) and ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals), as well as provides data and reports for international audit institutions on cleaner production.
What are the biggest challenges currently facing the textile manufacturing sector, and how does Eliar’s technology help address these challenges?
The textile manufacturing sector faces significant challenges including rising operational and utilisation costs, customers’ sustainability considerations, and fluctuating demand. Eliar’s technology serves as a strategic solution to mitigate these obstacles.
Based on our vision of a ‘Lights-out Factory’, our technology minimises human intervention and errors, thereby enhancing operational efficiency, boosting productivity, and facilitating the adoption of sustainable production practices. This innovative approach not only addresses the current challenges but also positions textile manufacturers for long-term success in a constantly evolving market environment.
Could you provide examples of how Eliar tailors its automation solutions to meet the specific needs of different clients in the textile sector?
Eliar tailors its automation solutions to meet the specific needs of different clients in the textile sector by offering a wide range of automation products, which are derived from our 40 years of experience and R&D-based studies. This allows us to provide customised solutions to each client, ensuring the most accurate project planning according to their requirements.
At Eliar, we approach all our customers differently; instead of ‘selling’ machinery, we adopt the philosophy of serving as their ‘process partner’. By providing process automation, we deeply engage with our customers’ operations, creating innovative pathways aligned with technology and adapting to new production methods as industry dynamics evolve. To complement our offerings, we provide comprehensive after-sales services across all our main markets. Our skilled technicians are readily available for on-site support, ensuring that our customers’ systems operate at peak performance. Additionally, we offer training programmes through the ‘Eliar Academy’ in Istanbul, Turkiye, to equip our customers’ personnel with the skills needed to operate and maintain our machines effectively.
How does Eliar adapt to varying market demands in different regions, especially in the rapidly evolving textile industry?
Eliar has more than 1,600 automation systems operational in more than 46 countries. While we believe that verticalisation is the key to global success, our main focus is dedicatedly on India, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Egypt. We have established a strong presence in these markets through strategic partnerships with local distributors and by offering world-class automation solutions that are tailored to the needs of each market.
As the textile industry continues to evolve and expand, we are also looking towards emerging markets with great potential. In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in demand for our products and services in Africa and South America, where textile manufacturing is rapidly growing and developing.
What future technological developments in textile manufacturing excite you the most, and how is Eliar preparing to integrate these into your offerings?
In the realm of textile manufacturing, the convergence of digitalisation and robotics heralds a transformative era. Eliar is particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of establishing lights-out factories, where automation and digital technologies enable uninterrupted production without human intervention. This model not only enhances efficiency but also ensures consistent quality and precision. By leveraging robotics in tandem with digitalisation, Eliar aims to streamline processes, minimise errors, and maximise output. Through continuous investment in cutting-edge automation and embracing the motto of lights-out factories, Eliar is poised to revolutionise textile manufacturing, delivering products that meet the highest standards of excellence, while remaining at the forefront of technological innovation.
With the EU pushing for Digital Product Passports, how do you see this affecting the textile industry? What would be Eliar’s role in this transition?
Recognising the need for sustainable practices, the integration of Digital Product Passports (DPP) in the textile sector appears to be a game-changer. As the EU begins to implement various applications, manufacturers will need to adopt tools like DPP to comply with environmental standards. By integrating DPP, which provides transparency and supports eco-conscious manufacturing, Eliar anticipates playing a pivotal role in facilitating this transition. However, it is essential to acknowledge that DPP applications also present challenges such as standardisation, data security, and adoption. Overcoming these hurdles will require collaboration across the industry.
As a leader in textile automation, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to innovate in this industry?
Aspiring entrepreneurs in the textile industry should focus on innovation, customer-centricity, and sustainability. They should leverage emerging technologies, collaborate with industry partners, and prioritise environmental responsibility to drive success and make a positive impact on the industry.
How is automation transforming the textile manufacturing industry, and what are the key benefits of adopting automated technologies in textile production?
Automation is revolutionising the textile manufacturing industry, boosting efficiency and sustainability. Eliar’s approach integrates sustainability principles into its solutions, focusing on waste reduction, energy efficiency, and resource optimisation. This not only benefits the environment but also enhances productivity and competitiveness. In an increasingly competitive global market, companies must prioritise efficiency to ensure sustainability and continuity. Automation offers key advantages such as increased productivity, enhanced quality control, and cost reduction. Overall, embracing automated technologies is essential for staying competitive, sustainable, and efficient in the textile industry.
What emerging trends do you foresee in the textile industry over the next decade, particularly in relation to technological advancements and market demands?
The future of the textile industry and its trends are quite evident. Nowadays, robots and production without human intervention are being discussed in many industries. It is certain that all industries will experience this transformation someday. I believe that in the next 10 years, the textile industry will reach a point similar to where the automotive industry is today. Over the next decade, I anticipate rapid progress in automation and Industry 4.0 within the textile industry, with the term ‘lights-out factory’ becoming increasingly common. As with every other industry, companies that adapt to this transformation and meet with Eliar’s automation will survive and rapidly become mega-factories on the path to monopolisation. Unfortunately, I also believe that businesses unable to adapt will gradually disappear over time.
How is the globalisation of the textile market affecting local manufacturers, and what strategies can they employ to stay competitive in a global marketplace?
We are in the era of globalisation, where fashion trends in textiles change rapidly. With globalisation, the dynamics of the textile market have shifted significantly. Outsourcing production and exporting goods have become more favourable than local manufacturing. Consequently, major brands and key customers expect to acquire the highest quality products at the best prices and within the shortest deadlines from the market. This intensifies competition among textile-producing countries.
To stay competitive in a global marketplace, manufacturers must focus on efficiency and quality. They should implement strategies to reduce waste and optimise production processes. Additionally, improving ‘right at first-time’ rates can enhance product quality and minimise rework, leading to cost savings and increased competitiveness. By emphasising efficiency and continuous improvement, manufacturers can position themselves as reliable partners in the global textile market.
Therefore, Eliar’s automation solutions are essential not only for ensuring companies’ commercial continuity and high profitability in highly competitive environments, but also for ensuring the sustainability of our environment.
What would be your message to Eliar’s potential customers?
With Eliar’s status as a global brand, adoption of local market verticalisation strategies, and over 40 years of experience in the textile industry, we are capable of providing customised solutions to meet the unique needs of our customers. Our systems are designed and manufactured to achieve the highest standards of quality, reliability, and sustainability. By choosing Eliar, customers can be confident that they are investing in cutting-edge technology and entering into a long-term partnership with a company committed to their success and serving as their ‘process partners’.
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