Published: May 23, 2026
Author: Qattex Industry Analysis Team
Global textile manufacturers are facing unprecedented energy cost pressures in May 2026, with electricity and compressed air costs rising by an average of 18% across major production regions. This surge has driven a sharp increase in demand for energy-efficient lubrication systems, as knitting mills seek ways to reduce operational costs while maintaining production quality.
According to the latest data from the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), energy costs now account for 22-28% of total production expenses for circular knitting mills, up from 15-18% just one year ago.
The situation is particularly acute in Europe, where electricity prices have risen 27% since the beginning of the year, and in South Asia, where frequent power outages and rising fuel costs have forced many mills to operate at reduced capacity.
"Every kilowatt saved directly translates to higher profit margins in today's market," said a senior production manager at a large knitting mill in Turkey. "We are prioritizing any upgrade that can reduce our energy consumption without affecting output."
While many manufacturers focus on major equipment upgrades, industry experts point out that optimizing lubrication systems is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce energy consumption.
Traditional manual lubrication and outdated automatic oilers often over-lubricate machine components, creating unnecessary friction and increasing the load on motors. This can waste up to 30% of the energy used by a circular knitting machine.
Modern precision lubrication systems solve this problem by delivering exactly the right amount of oil to each component in the form of micro-fine mist. This reduces friction to optimal levels, lowers motor load, and significantly cuts energy consumption.
As the leading manufacturer of knitting machine lubrication systems, ShengSong has seen a 42% increase in global orders for its SS30 series automatic oilers in the first quarter of 2026, with demand accelerating further in May.
The ShengSong SS30T2 Dual Circuit Oiler, in particular, has become the preferred choice for energy-conscious mills. Independent testing has shown that it can reduce lubrication-related energy consumption by up to 35% while also cutting oil consumption by 60%.
"We have upgraded 12 of our machines with ShengSong SS30T2 oilers in the past two months," said a technical director at a textile group in India. "The energy savings have exceeded our expectations, and we have also seen a significant reduction in needle breakage and fabric defects."
The shift to efficient lubrication systems offers multiple advantages beyond lower energy bills:
As the official global distributor of ShengSong lubrication systems, Qattex is well-positioned to meet the surging demand for energy-efficient knitting machine parts.
We maintain large stocks of ShengSong oilers and spare parts and offer worldwide shipping to all major textile manufacturing regions. Our team of technical experts can provide customized solutions to help your mill reduce energy costs and improve production efficiency.
Industry analysts predict that energy costs will remain high throughout 2026 and into 2027, making energy efficiency a critical competitive factor for textile manufacturers worldwide.
Knitting mills that invest in efficient lubrication systems now will not only reduce their immediate operational costs but also position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly competitive global market.
If you are looking to upgrade your lubrication system and reduce energy costs, contact Qattex today for a free consultation and customized solution.
