German textile machinery manufacturer KARL MAYER has introduced the RJ 4/2 EL, a new addition to its RASCHELTRONIC® warp knitting machine family, aimed at enabling manufacturers to produce more sophisticated, functional and fashion-oriented fabrics for premium lingerie, shapewear, sportswear and athleisure markets.
The machine, announced in a press release on July 16, features two stitch-forming Jacquard guide bars, allowing significantly greater design flexibility for warp knitting mills and apparel brands. Available in E28 and E32 gauges, the RJ 4/2 EL is designed to produce fine fabrics with smoother surfaces, a softer hand feel and a premium appearance, particularly in the finer E32 gauge.
The company said the new model responds to growing demand for products that combine technical performance with fashion, helping manufacturers differentiate their collections in increasingly competitive apparel markets.
Smart lingerie applications
KARL MAYER said the RJ 4/2 EL introduces several new possibilities for lingerie product development.
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The machine can produce SpotNet fabrics with four-way stretch, offering lightweight, soft and elastic mesh structures that provide comfort, subtle transparency and an improved fit.
It also enables shapewear with integrated functional zones, allowing manufacturers to combine different compression and comfort areas within a single garment. High modulus properties in both longitudinal and transverse directions provide targeted body shaping, while low modulus areas improve comfort, supporting the industry’s transition from rigid shapewear to intelligent body engineering.
Another feature is the production of lace-like bands with multicolour effects, creating decorative designs suitable for lingerie, bralettes and trims.
The machine can also manufacture textured fabrics with small-repeat relief effects, where the interaction between pattern and elasticity creates surfaces resembling the popular seersucker trend seen in outerwear. According to the company, these fabrics are suitable for modern bralettes, loungewear, soft bras and bodywear collections that balance comfort and style.
In addition, the RJ 4/2 EL enables matte-shiny pattern effects, created through different material combinations rather than additional colours, producing fabrics with greater visual depth and a premium appearance.
KARL MAYER said these capabilities make the machine particularly suitable for premium lingerie and shapewear brands seeking to combine comfort, functionality and product differentiation.
Advanced sportswear design
The company also positioned the RJ 4/2 EL as a solution for performance sportswear, where technical functionality increasingly serves both athletic and aesthetic purposes.
The machine enables manufacturers to integrate precisely positioned ventilation, compression and support zones directly into fabrics through advanced body mapping technology. Mesh areas with varying hole sizes can improve breathability, while compression zones can be customised according to specific performance requirements.
According to KARL MAYER, the machine allows these functional zones to be placed exactly where athletes need them, improving temperature regulation, freedom of movement and physical support without requiring additional manufacturing processes.
The RJ 4/2 EL also produces soft stretch fabrics with jacquard mesh structures, integrated holes and matte-shiny effects, while using pure elastane instead of core yarn to create cleaner fabric surfaces.
Another capability is the production of multicoloured sportswear fabrics, supporting the continuing growth of the athleisure market by combining technical performance with stronger visual appeal.
“The future of sportswear is highly functional—and it looks great, too,” the company said, adding that innovative brands increasingly seek products that deliver maximum performance without compromising on style.
Machine specifications
The RJ 4/2 EL is available with a 130-inch working width.
Its flexibility comes from the combination of two Jacquard guide bars capable of counter lapping together with KARL MAYER’s EL electronic guide bar control system, allowing manufacturers to create more complex fabric constructions and design variations.
The company said the machine also offers a competitive price-performance ratio, high operational reliability and user-friendly operation, helping manufacturers improve both productivity and product innovation.
The launch reflects growing industry demand for advanced warp knitting technologies capable of producing high-value functional textiles as apparel brands continue to invest in premium, performance-driven and fashion-focused collections.