The rates for 8,555 products - such as marine, agriculture, leather, gems and jewellery - were announced under the RoDTEP scheme in August this year. The finance ministry has notified the procedure to issue duty credit for goods exported under the tax refund scheme Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP). The rates for 8,555 products - such as marine, agriculture, leather, gems and jewellery - were announced under the RoDTEP scheme in August this year. The value of goods for calculation of duty credit to be allowed under the scheme will be the declared export FOB (Freight On Board) value or up to 1.5 times the market price of that item, whichever is less, a notification of the department of revenue said. The duty credit will be issued in lieu of remission of any duty or tax or levy, chargeable on any material used in the manufacture or processing of goods meant for exports, and where such tax is not exempted, remitted or credited under any other scheme, it added. "The Central Government hereby notifies the manner to issue duty credit for goods exported under the Scheme for Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products...subject to such conditions and restrictions as specified," the notification said. The government has set aside Rs 12,454 crore for refunds under the scheme for the current fiscal. Under this, various central and state duties, taxes, and levies imposed on input products, among others, would be refunded to exporters. It also said that duty credit under the scheme for exports made to Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar would be allowed only upon realisation of sale proceeds against irrevocable letters of credit in freely convertible currency established by importers in these countries in favour of Indian exporters for the value of such goods. Principal Commissioner of Customs or Commissioner of Customs may after enquiry, pass an order to cancel duty credit or e-scrip if an exporter contravenes any of the provisions of the law, it added. "Where an amount of duty credit has, for any reason, been allowed in excess of what the exporter is entitled to, the exporter shall repay the amount so allowed in excess, himself or on-demand by the proper officer, along with interest...," it noted. Tanushree Roy, Director- Indirect Tax, Nangia Andersen LLP, said that RoDTEP comes as a big relief to exporters as this is likely to boost their working capital management as well as give a fillip to India's exports significantly along with making Indian exports more competitive.
Source: Business Standard
The Union State Minister of Railways and Textiles, Darshana Jardosh successfully concluded a two-day visit to Assam on September 24, 2021. The Union State Minister of Railways and Textiles, Darshana Jardosh successfully concluded a two-day visit to Assam on September 24, 2021. The Union Minister of State, called on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday, and discussed various issues pertaining to the ongoing projects of railways in the State and discussed convergence of textile technology for increasing the beauty and demand of Assamese traditional garments across the globe. Union Minister Jardosh also met State Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi and briefed him about the enhancement of railway connectivity for the overall economic development of the State. Later, addressing the media at the NF Railway Central Hospital here, she informed about the ongoing projects and status of the implemented schemesby her Ministries. Speaking on the occasion, Jardosh said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always prioritized the north-eastern States.Addressing the gathering, Minister Darshana Jardosh, stated that the Railways has been the lifeline of the people of our country and informed how NF Railways have been able to provide logistic supplies in the region during the time of pandemic. She too informed that the Railway Ministry is also preparing for more Tourism services in the state like the recently introduced Vistadome in the state. To fulfil the demand of local passengers, a passenger train service was flagged off today by Minister of State remotely through video link from N. F. Railway Headquarters where MP (LS) Queen Oja, MP (LS), Kripanath Mallah, MP(LS) Pradan Baruah, MP (RS) Bhubaneswar Kalita, MP (RS) Pallab Lochan Das and MP (LS) Topon Kumar Gogoi were also present. Darshana Jardosh also reviewed various activities related to connectivity, operation and passenger amenities. Anshul Gupta, General Manager/ Northeast Frontier Railway gave a presentation to Minister on overall performance of Northeast Frontier Railway (Open line) and day to day functioning pertaining to operation of trains and development of passenger amenities in various states. Sunil Sharma General Manager/Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction) along with senior railway officials from the construction organization also gave a presentation of the ongoing projects of Railway Construction in North east. Later, Darshana Jardosh, Minister of State of Railways inaugurated a new Oxygen Generator Plant of 500 LPM capacity and laid foundation stone of 40 bedded isolation ward at Central Hospital, Maligaon. The Oxygen Generator Plant will provide direct supply of oxygen to the patient admitted in the wards of the railway hospital. Minister of State of Railways also interacted with media persons at Maligaon, stated a press release. Earlier the Union Minister of State reviewed with the senior officials of the Handloom & Textile, Government of Assam on implementation of the scheme of the Ministry, Jardosh informed that she has discussed with the Chief Minister of the state regarding textiles convergence of technology for increasing the beauty and demand of Assamese traditional garments across the globe.
Source: Sentinel Assam
The figures of Direct Tax collections for the Financial Year 2021-22, as on 22.09.2021 show that net collections are at Rs. 5,70,568 crore, compared to Rs. 3,27,174 crore in the corresponding period of the preceding Financial Year i.e FY 2020-21, representing an increase of 74.4%. The net collection (as on 22.09.2021) in FY 2021-22 has registered a growth of 27% over FY 2019-20 when the net collection was Rs. 4,48,976 crore. The Net Direct Tax collection of Rs. 5,70,568 crore (as on 22.09.2021) include Corporation Tax (CIT) at Rs. 3,02,975 crore (net of refund) and Personal Income Tax (PIT) including Security Transaction Tax(STT) at Rs. 2,67,593 crore (net of refund). The Gross collection of Direct Taxes (before adjusting for refunds) for the FY 2021-22 stands at Rs. 6,45,679 crore compared to Rs. 4,39,242 crore in the corresponding period of the preceding financial year, registering a growth of 47% over collections of FY 2020-21. The Gross collection (as on 22.09.2021) in FY 2021-22 has registered a growth of 16.75% over FY 2019-20 when the Gross collection was Rs. 5,53,063 crore. The Gross collection of Rs. 6,45,679 crore includes Corporation Tax (CIT) at Rs. 3,58,806 crore and Personal Income Tax (PIT) including Security Transaction Tax(STT) at Rs. 2,86,873 crore. Minor head wise collection comprises Advance Tax of Rs. 2,53,353 crore; Tax Deducted at Source of Rs. 3,19,239 crore; Self-Assessment Tax of Rs. 41,739 crore; Regular Assessment Tax of Rs. 25,558 crore; Dividend Distribution Tax of Rs. 4,406 crore and Tax under other minor heads of Rs. 1383 crore. Despite extremely challenging initial months of the fiscal year 2021-22, the Advance Tax collection in the second quarter (1st July, 2021 to 22nd September, 2021) of FY 2021-22 is Rs. 1,72,071 crore which shows a growth of 51.50% over the corresponding period in FY 2020-21 when the Advance Tax collection was Rs. 1,13,571 crore. The cumulative Advance Tax collections for the first and second quarter of the FY 2021-22 stand at Rs. 2,53,353 crore as on 22.09.2021, against Advance Tax collections of Rs. 1,62,037 crore for the corresponding period of the immediately preceding Financial Year i.e 2020-21, showing a growth of 56%(approximately). Further, the cumulative Advance tax collection of Rs. 2,53,353 crore as on 22.09.2021 (FY 2021-22) shows a growth of 14.62% over the corresponding period in FY 2019-20 when the Advance Tax collection(cumulative) was Rs. 2,21,036 crore. The Advance Tax collection of Rs. 2,53,353 crore as on 22.09.2021 comprises Corporation Tax (CIT) at Rs. 1,96,964 crore and Personal Income Tax (PIT) at Rs. 56,389 crore. This amount is expected to increase as further information is awaited from Banks. Refunds amounting to Rs. 75,111 crore have also been issued in the FY 2021- 22 so far.
Source: PIB
Hon Dan Tehan MP, Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment will be the Guest of Honour at the Australia-India Business Exchange (AIBX) 2021 Business Leaders Forum on October 1. With an aim to boost industrial and manufacturing activity and to drive economic growth, leaders from India and Australia have partnered for prosperity. Under the business forum, Australia will provide skills, knowledge and technology in areas such as agrifood, mining, infrastructure, healthcare and education. Hon Dan Tehan MP, Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment will be the Guest of Honour at the Australia-India Business Exchange (AIBX) 2021 Business Leaders Forum on October 1. Click here to register now. The event will host keynote addresses from ministers from both sides and a CEO panel discussion on Australia-India trade and economic partnership opportunities. The ministers and Indian CEOs will attend in person at the forum while the Australian CEOs will join virtual. TOPICS IN DISCUSSION Indian Government’s reforms agenda and opportunity for Australia? Investment climate in Australia and in India Economic partnership opportunities and challenge.
Source: Economic Times
• The finance ministry on Friday withdrew its earlier diktat for the September quarter Central government departments will from 1 October be able to freely spend their allocated budgets for FY22. The Union finance ministry on Friday withdrew its earlier diktat for the September quarter directing most central government departments and ministries to limit their expenditure to 20% of the budget estimate for FY22. Also, instructions regulating bulk items of expenditure worth more than ₹200 crore have also been relaxed for items pertaining to budgeted capital expenditure for the remaining part of the current financial year. The department of economic affairs in the finance ministry issued fresh guidelines for expenditure control by dividing departments under two categories, in an office memorandum on 30 June. Departments such as agriculture, AYUSH, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, food and public distribution, transfers to states, health and family welfare, and rural development, as well as capital outlay for defence services and defence pensions were in category A and were given a free hand to spend within their budgeted allocations. Other departments, including commerce, home affairs, renewable energy, and textiles, as well as ministry of defence (civil) and defence services (revenue) were asked to limit their expenditure within the 20% cap of budget allocation for FY22. The clear upturn in the government’s tax revenues and the anticipated inflows from the National Monetization Pipeline are likely to have triggered the welcome withdrawal of the cash management guidelines, said Aditi Nayar, chief economist at ICRA Ltd. “The government’s spending had contracted by 5% in April-July period, standing at 29% of the budget estimates (BE). With the withdrawal of the expenditure management guidelines, we anticipate that spending will gather pace in the second half of this year, which will be critical to unleash animal spirits and drive a faster recovery in economic activity," she said. Direct tax collections for FY22 as on 22 September increased 74% to ₹5.7 trillion, according to data released by the finance ministry. Nayar said she expects the government’s total expenditure to exceed the FY22 BE by ₹50,000-60,000 crore, with the modest net fiscal cost of the first supplementary demand for grants and the expected enhancement in the outlay for fertilizer subsidies for the rabi season and for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). “The extra expenditure is likely to be comfortably absorbed by the higher-than-budgeted transfer of surplus by the Reserve Bank of India and the commencement of inflows from the National Monetization Pipeline. Higher government spending is likely to boost growth in second half of FY22, in contrast to the situation in (the) June quarter of FY22, when government consumption expenditure had trailed the year-ago level," she said. Earlier in June, the finance ministry had also asked all ministries and departments to cut “avoidable, wasteful and controllable" expenses such as overtime allowance and travel by 20% amid concerns that the fiscal deficit may overshoot the FY22 target of 6.8% of gross domestic product because of rising covid-related bills. The heads under which expenses need to be controlled include overtime allowance, rewards, domestic and foreign travel expenses, office expenses, rents and taxes, royalty, publications, other administrative expenses, supplies and materials, cost of ration, fuel bills, clothing, advertising and publicity, minor works and maintenance, and general grant-in-aid and contributions.
Source: Live Mint
The Indian government should give special importance to the jute industry in the eastern part of the country, participants said at a recent discussion session organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) with the ministry of textiles. With Bangladesh growing faster in technical textiles, they feel the government’s focus on that sector has not been enough. The participants raised concern over the varied goods and services tax rates and requested the central textile ministry to seek a fixed single slab of 7 per cent for all types of garments. They urged the government to replicate the Bangladesh model of supporting the textile fraternity with ease-of-business and simplified tax structures. Global buyers are comparing the cost of Indian textile products with Chinese ones and the reason for the higher cost of Indian products is because the country’s banking system is not supporting the textile sector, it was discussed. The participants also raised concerns over how the production-linked incentive scheme will benefit micro, small and medium enterprises in the eastern region. Man-made fibres is an area where India has been lagging, they felt. The eastern region should take advantage of the proximity to Bangladesh to cultivate a textile hub, they added.
Source: Fibre2 Fashion
“The district administration is ready to provide any kind of support to exporters and industries,” Tiruvallur district administration has chosen textiles and readymade garments, automobile and engineering components, polymers and plastics, vegetable oil, and nonbasmati rice and dal products as priority items to improve exports. District Collector Alby John Varghese, who interacted with representatives of industries at an exporters’ conclave on Friday, said that although the district accounted for ₹6,500- crore worth exports annually, there was scope for more. The top items being manufactured and exported from the district were excavators, shovel loaders, mechanical shovels, dumpers for highway use and pellets of refined copper. “The district administration is ready to provide any kind of support to exporters and industries,” he said after inspecting export items, including shoes. Mr. Varghese thanked industries that helped in battling COVID-19 in the district and urged them to ensure 100% vaccination coverage. He said if there were enough numbers, special vaccination camps could be organised for industries. District Industries Centre general manager V. Manivannan, Indian Bank (Lead Bank) manager T. A. Sreenivasan, TIIC Tiruvallur branch manager Ashok, and MSME - DI Chennai assistant director Kiran Dev Satuluri were present.
Source: The Hindu
Industries minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain on Friday said the proposed textile and leather policy of Bihar would prove to be a game changer with huge possibilities for the establishment of new industries in Bihar. Speaking after a meeting with union textile secretary U P Singh at Udyog Bhawan where he shared information through a presentation regarding the draft, Shahnawaz said, “All possibilities are being worked out for the establishment of textile industry in Bihar. All necessary help, which can be provided by the Centre has also been discussed with the union textiles secretary.” Speaking about his meeting with Bihar BJP president Dr Sanjay Jaiswal held earlier on the issue of development of Bettiah in West Champaran, Shahnawaz said that there was a discussion about establishing a large textile park in Bettiah. He said Jaiswal wanted to remove the discrepancies regarding the price of land of Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA). While interacting with the entrepreneurs at another event, Shahnawaz announced setting up of four industrial clusters in Patna Sahib assembly segment. “Four clusters of LED bulbs, steel furniture, toys and footwear will be set up in Patna Sahib assembly segment,” he said. Former road construction minister and Patna Sahib MLA Nand Kishore Yadav participated in the dialogue with the entrepreneurs. Shahnawaz said two clusters have already been approved for the production of LED bulbs, steel furniture and other items at a cost of Rs10 crore and the two others for toys and footwear will be approved shortly.
Source: Times of India
For hundreds of years, Odisha has been known for its exquisite Silk, particularly the Tussar variety, which provides livelihood to thousands of tribal people, particularly women. But the Silk weavers in the state were totally dependent on states like West Bengal, Jharkhand and Karnataka for the Silk yarn, which increased the cost of the Silk fabric. However, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has taken a historic initiative to set up Odisha’s first ever Tussar Silk Yarn Production Centre at Choudwar in Cuttack district. This silk yarn production centre will ensure local availability of Tussar Silk yarn, create local employment and reduce the silk production cost. Tussar silk is one of the finest varieties of Silk that is distinguished by its coarseness and porous weave that give it a rugged and rustic appearance. The silk yarn production centre was inaugurated by KVIC Chairman Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena on Friday. The development assumes great significance as Silk comprises nearly 75% of the total Khadi fabric production in Odisha. This silk yarn production centre will create direct employment for 50 artisans including 34 women, besides providing livelihood support to over 300 tribal farmers engaged in cocoon farming. This will also create indirect employment for weavers and reelers in the state. Every kilo of raw silk produced, creates employment for 11 artisans out of which 6 are women. “Silk is the timeless heritage of India which is integral to our culture and tradition. It is also a key component of the Indian textile industry, particularly Khadi. With commissioning of this silk yarn production centre, Silk yarn will be produced locally and thus reducing the cost of Silk production. This will give a major boost to the sale of the famous Tussar Silk of Odisha and strengthen the traditional craft of Silk,” Saxena said. Set up at a cost of Rs 75 lakh, the silk yarn production centre is capable of producing 200 KG of silk yarn worth Rs 94 lakh annually. The production capacity of this unit will be gradually increased to meet the increasing demand. This silk yarn production centre is equipped with advanced machinery like silk reeling machine, re-reeling machine, spinning machine and others.
Source: PIB
Cosmo Speciality Chemicals, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Cosmo Films Ltd, has launched Superwash POL – a dye transfer inhibitor to prevent bleeding and staining – for the textile industry. The special formulated agent provides an amphiphilic character with polar groups and hydrophilic properties with un-polar groups preventing the dye bleeding and redeposition on white or differently coloured textiles. Compatible with anionic surfactants, Superwash POL improves wet fastness properties like wash and rubbing of dyed/printed goods. Effective in hard water and suitable for a wide range of pH, the innovative washing-off agent also helps with avoiding tinting of ground printed goods, the company said in a media release. Talking about the new product, Anil Gaikwad, business head, Cosmo Specialty Chemicals said, “With an aim to continue bringing innovative products for the textile industry to deliver new solutions, we are launching Superwash POL. Because of its amphiphilic character, it helps avoid tinting of the ground printed goods while offering an excellent cost/benefit ratio. It is indeed the most effective dye transfer inhibitor for liquid laundry.” “Cosmo believes in being specialised and niche in its offerings. Therefore, innovation is promoted as one of the most important values, driven by the consumer needs and backed by strong tech infrastructure,” added Pankaj Poddar, chairman & CEO of Cosmo Speciality Chemicals. Effective in different shades of dye, Superwash POL works for cotton-polyester blends and requires a very less amount to perform in comparison to the competition. About 0.5- 1 per cent dose for exhaust application and 1-4 gpl for continuous application are the recommended doses of this DTI agent from Cosmo Speciality Chemicals.
Source: Fibre2 Fashion
The European Commission recently adopted the legislative proposal for the new European Union (EU) generalised scheme of preferences (GSP) for the period 2024-2034. The former proposed to improve some features to better respond to the evolving needs and challenges of GSP nations and to reinforce the scheme’s social, labour environmental and climate dimension. The GSP regulation is a unilateral trade tool that removes or reduces import duties from products coming into the EU from vulnerable low-income countries, supporting poverty eradication, sustainable development, and their participation in the global economy. The Commission's proposal makes the EU's GSP more focused on reducing poverty and increasing export opportunities for low-income countries. It aims to incentivise sustainable economic growth in low-income countries and offers new room for engagement on environmental and good governance issues, the Commission said in a press release. The new GSP framework strengthens the EU's possibilities to use trade preferences to create economic opportunities and to advance sustainable development. The modernised framework also expands the grounds for the withdrawal of EU GSP preferences in case of serious and systematic violations. Beyond the core human rights and labour conventions already covered, the proposal incorporates environmental and good governance conventions. The new proposal further improves the current scheme by ensuring a smooth transition for all countries set to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in the next decade. They can apply for the special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance (GSP+) if they commit to strong sustainability standards and can thus retain generous tariff preferences to access to the EU market; The new proposal expands the list of international conventions that need to be complied with by adding two additional human rights instruments on the rights of people with disabilities and the rights of the child, two labour rights conventions on labour inspections and tripartite dialogue, and one governance convention on transnational organised crime. It also proposes setting up a well-defined framework for the current GSP+ beneficiaries to adapt to the new requirements, offering an adequate transition period and requiring the presentation of implementation plans.
Source: Fibre 2 Fashion
The American apparel industry is requesting relief from the Section 301 tariffs as it says the ongoing shipping crisis is threatening US companies and employment. American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) president and CEO Steve Lamar has sent a letter to US Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai requesting relief from the Section 301 tariffs that are remnants of the Trump administration’s trade war. The body says the tariffs are directly threatening the survival of thousands of businesses that are facing unprecedented shipping disruption. “Out of control freight rates and historic log jams at US ports are creating delays and costs that are wreaking havoc on supply chains,” wrote Lamar. “Every American company, whether engaged directly in international trade or an indirect beneficiary of international trade, is impacted by the chaos and cost increases caused by the shipping crisis.” He adds: This holiday season – what should be a time of great celebration – will be marred by empty store shelves, inflation and lost US jobs. And the interconnected value chains in our economy mean that this pain will be widely felt as companies and communities who thought they were insulated become increasingly exposed to these damages.” AAFA is calling on USTR to use its authority to provide immediate and short-term relief by retroactively reinstating Section 301 exclusions that have expired and suspending the collection of Section 301 tariffs going forward. According to AAFA, the millions of dollars made available by these actions would help those companies that are hardest hit by the shipping crisis and alleviate the shortage in truck chassis, caused in part by the Section 301 tariffs imposed on imported chassis. “Quick action by the administration can help stabilise and begin to roll back this crisis. We implore you to use the tools at your disposal to provide the kind of immediate and short-term relief that companies need today to survive this existential threat. We urge you to retroactively reinstate the expired Section 301 tariff exclusions. Further, we urge you to suspend the application of all Section 301 tariffs going forward. Combined, these actions would immediately make millions of dollars available to companies that are hardest hit by the shipping crisis.” Lamar continues: “While these actions won’t expedite goods through our troubled port infrastructure – for that we need quick and decisive action by other government agencies – it will free up resources companies need today to manage the historic freight costs and other transportation surcharges they are now experiencing. This relief will be a crucial lifeline, keeping companies in operation and employing US workers while we also work to ease port traffic and address other supply chain challenges.” Lamar’s correspondence follows a letter sent to President Biden earlier this week regarding the shipping crisis in which Lamar urged the President to take action to bring an end to the situation which he noted is already leading to higher prices, rotting produce, manufacturing shutdowns, and empty store shelves. The AAFA also wrote to the President in July to share its concerns about the effects of the shipping crisis and rising inflation on the US apparel and textile industry. Earlier this week, the AAFA applauded Biden’s promise to double US donation of Covid19 vaccines and calls to support hard-hit Vietnam and Bangladesh.
Source: Just-Style
Kyrgyzstan's total textile, clothing, footwear and leather production for the period between January to August 2021 amounted to 3,913.2 million som (approximately $46.15 million). The manufacturing output of the country for the same period was about 160,656.7 million som. The countries production of textiles products has increased by 4.1 per cent. As per the data release by National Statistics Committee, the country’s production of leather, leather goods and footwear has surged by 48.8 per cent. Earlier this year, Kyrgyzstan’s Sedep Apparel Factory in Tengi village of Jalal-Abad region expanded in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) by opening a new shop. USAID provided new sewing machines and a special steam generator iron to help Sedep double its production and reach new markets. Uzbekistan-based Nil-Granit, which sells its products under brand Samo, had also announced its plans to invest $2 million for setting up a garment factory in Bishkek Free Economic Zone of Kyrgyzstan in March this year.
Source: Fibre2 Fashion
Precision testing equipment for drapability and deformability developed in ten-tear project. Testing equipment supplier Textechno, based in Mönchengladbach, Germany, and Saertex, a market leader in non-crimp fabrics (NCFs) based in Saerbeck, Germany, have jointly developed international standard ISO 21765:2020 to quantify material behaviour in terms of drapability and deformability. The new ISO 21765, allows the world-wide comparable measurement of all relevant parameters relating to the deformability and drapability of all kinds of fabrics, including woven, knitted and NCFs, as well as nonwovens, on Textechno’s Drapetest precision testing equipment. This can be particularly useful in carbon fibre recycling, since one of the most efficient applications for recycled carbon fibres will be in nonwovens. Drapetest is the first testing instrument world-wide to quantify not only the force which is required for deforming a fabric, but also the various defects such as gaps, undulation, or wrinkles which can arise due to the deformation. Textechno developed Drapetest in a publicly funded project which started in 2011, along with partners including Saertex. “With ISO 21765, we finally have a standardised testing method with world-wide validity,” said Dietmar Möcke, CTO at Saertex. “It allows us to provide our customers with comparable and reproducible measurement values regarding the draping characteristics of our products.” “We are grateful for the support from all around the world allowing us to establish the new ISO standard,” added Textechno managing director Ulrich Mörschel. “The standard finally fills a gap in the testing methods for fabrics, both in the fields of textiles and composites.” “A lot of research is dedicated to new production technologies of composites, and noncrimp fabrics and classical fabrics for thermosets have a significant 33% market share in the production of all composite materials,” explained Dr Michael Effing, managing director of AMAC GmbH and senior advisor to Textechno. “The application of the new standard for nonwovens from recycled carbon fibres comes is perfectly timed for this market sector, which will increasingly gain in importance within the next few years.
Source: Innovation in Textiles
Milliken & Co. and American & Efird hosted U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai to the companies’ state-of-the-art textile manufacturing facilities today, the first time the nation’s top trade chief has made a visit to the heart of the U.S. textile industry in the Carolinas. Tai’s visit comes at a pivotal time for the U.S. textile supply chain, which produced $64 billion in output in 2020 and employed nearly 530,000 workers. The industry has been at the forefront of a domestic production chain manufacturing over a billion personal protective equipment (PPE) items during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ambassador’s visit to Milliken included a tour of the company’s Magnolia plant in Blacksburg, S.C., and a roundtable discussion highlighting the important role women contribute to textiles, the critical need for policies supporting a domestic supply chain and the significant impact of the sector to the U.S. economy. Milliken is one of the largest textile companies in the U.S., employing more than 6,000 associates domestically and an additional 1,350 associates globally. Milliken’s Textile Business alone employs 2,500 people across eight counties in South Carolina and is the fourth largest manufacturing employer in the Upstate. “Milliken is honored to host Ambassador Tai at our Magnolia plant to discuss not only the invaluable contributions we make every day to our community and our nation, but also the importance of sound trade policies that bolster domestic production and the co-production chains we have built, in particular with our Western Hemisphere trading partners,” said Chad McAllister, executive vice president of Milliken & Co. and president, Textile Business. On the second leg of her trip, Tai visited American & Efird’s manufacturing facility in Mount Holly, N.C. American & Efird operates as part of Elevate Textiles and has a global portfolio of advanced products and distinguished textile brands, including A&E, Burlington, Cone Denim, Gütermann and Safety Components. During the visit, U.S. textile executives participated in a roundtable discussion about the competitiveness of the domestic industry, outlining priority issues in Washington such as the importance of the Western Hemisphere co-production chain and ways to jointly support domestic supply chains through Buy American and Berry Amendment policies that help onshore production, spur investment, maintain the safety and security of our armed forces and generate new jobs. “It was an honor hosting Ambassador Tai at our manufacturing facility in Mount Holly, employing 380 valued associates,” said Sim Skinner, CEO of Elevate Textiles.”
Source: Home Textiles Today
