Move to help capex, perk up growth, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said the Centre would release double the monthly amount of tax devolution -- a total of Rs 95,082 crore -- in November to enable the states to step up their capex and spur economic growth close to double digits this fiscal year. The states were to be given Rs 47,541 crore in November in line with the 15th Finance Commission’s formula of devolving 41 per cent of central taxes to the states, Sitharaman told reporters after a meeting with chief ministers and finance ministers of states, and lieutenant governors of Union Territories. “The chief ministers requested that if part of tax devolution be front-loaded, it would be helpful. I have directed the finance secretary to do this immediately. This is an exceptional year. States should not be short of money when we are requesting them to push up capital expenditure,” she said. Union Finance Secretary T V Somanathan said devolution was done in 14 instalments. Sitharaman also said two states -- Madhya Pradesh and Sikkim -- asked for further relaxation in the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act. States are allowed to borrow from the markets to the extent that it does not increase their fiscal deficit beyond 3 per cent of their gross state domestic product (GSDP). They can borrow 2 per cent more this fiscal year, 1 per cent with riders and 1 per cent is unconditional. She said the entire GST compensation to the states had been given in November itself. Somanathan said states had high cash balances at Rs 2.66 trillion as on October 30, but four states had negative cash balances. He said 20 states’ capex was 79 per cent higher during the first six months of FY22 yearon-year due to a low base effect. However, this was also higher by 23 per cent against the corresponding period of 2019-20, a pre-pandemic year. The finance minister said states asked for a better dispute resolution mechanism after the approval of projects, improving road connectivity, etc.
Source: Business Standard
Barometer consistent with WTO’s revised trade growth forecast of 10.8 per cent in 2021. World trade in goods is slowing down after a rebound following disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic due to multiple reasons such as recent supply shocks as well as a drop in demand, according to the WTO’s latest Goods Trade Barometer issued on Monday. However, the barometer reading is broadly consistent with the WTO’s revised trade forecast issued last month, which foresaw global merchandise trade volume growth of 10.8 per cent in 2021, up from 8 per cent forecasted in March, followed by a 4.7 per cent increase in 2022, per a statement issued by the WTO. The Goods Trade Barometer is a composite leading indicator providing real-time information on the trajectory of trade relative to recent trends ahead of conventional trade volume statistics. “Recent supply shocks, including port gridlock arising from surging import demand in the first half of the year and disrupted production of widely traded goods such as automobiles and semiconductors, have contributed to the barometer’s decline,” the statement said.
Export orders fall
It now appears that demand for traded goods is also easing, as illustrated by falling export orders, which further weighed down the barometer, it added. Cooling import demand could help ease port congestion, but backlogs and delays are unlikely to be eliminated as long as container throughput remains at or near record levels.
Source: The Hindu
The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) had on 12th November, 2021 organised a pre-bid conference for prospective bidders for the ACC Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. MHI had earlier released RFP on October 22, 2021 inviting bidders for a total manufacturing capacity of ACC battery storage of 50 Giga Watt Hour (GWh) with an outlay of Rs.18,100 crore. The pre-bid conference received wide participation and interest from bidders both in person and virtually with around 100 participants from about 20 companies. Presentations were made on the terms and conditions, technical details of ACC manufacturing and various incentives and opportunities to promote ACC battery manufacturing in the country. In the pre-bid conference, the queries of the bidders were addressed and they were asked to seek any further clarification through e-mail. The bidding will be held online through a transparent two-stage process, under the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) mechanism.Key features of the selection process include satisfying the eligibility criteria, transparent bidding process, full flexibility in innovation for ACC battery manufacturing, optimised payment structures, promoting self-reliant India through domestic value addition and setting up of ACC manufacturing facilities. ACCs are the new generation advance storage technologies that can store electric energy either as electrochemical or as chemical energy and convert it back to electric energy as and when required. The consumer electronics, electric vehicles, advanced electricity grids, solar roof top etc. which are major battery consuming sectors are expected to achieve robust growth in sales volume in the coming years. It is expected that the dominant battery technologies will control some of the world’s largest growth sectors. While several companies have already started investing in battery packs, though the capacities of these facilities are too small when compared to global averages, but there still is negligible investment in manufacturing, along with value addition, of ACCs in India. All the demand of the ACCs is currently being met through imports in India. TheNational Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage will reduce import dependence. It will supportthe Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Source: PIB
Last October, India and South Africa had submitted a joint proposal for temporarily waiving sections of TRIPS to help more countries, especially middle- and low-income ones access Covid-19 vaccines India is trying to alleviate the concerns of a bunch of developed nations such as Australia, Japan and the regional bloc, and the European Union (EU), regarding its proposal at the World Trade Organization (WTO) towards temporary patent waiver on Covid-19 vaccines and drugs. In October 2020, India and South Africa had submitted a joint proposal for temporarily waiving some sections of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement, to help more countries, especially middle- and low-income nations get access to Covid-19 vaccines. It will be applicable to industrial design, trade secrets, patents and copyrights. As of now, over 100 nations are supporting the proposal, of which 64 are co-sponsors of the proposals at the WTO. However, the member nations at the WTO are yet to reach any consensus on this topic, with some developed nations such as European Union, Australia, the UK among others have opposed the proposal. The matter will also be discussed at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) that will kickstart from 30 November. “India has also engaged in small group discussions with nations that had issues-- Australia, Switzerland, Japan. They had reservations on India (and South Africa’s) proposal.So they highlighted their concerns and raised questions in the meetings. We have in detail given answers to all the questions raised by them,” one of the officials cited above said. Some of the member nations had reservations that the TRIPS agreement has inbuilt flexibilities, which allows use of compulsory licensing mechanisms and there is no requirement for a waiver. According to the WTO, compulsory licensing is when a government allows someone else to produce a patented product without the consent of the patent owner. It is one of the flexibilities in the field of patent protection included in the WTO’s agreement on intellectual property or TRIPS. India has expressed its view by saying that these flexibilities are not enough to deal with the challenge of inequitable distribution of vaccines, especially across low-income nations. The developed countries are of the view that voluntary licensing is the better way out and pharmaceutical companies should be persuaded to part with their technology “We have seen prices of drugs shooting up during the pandemic treatment. voluntary licencing has not worked out. Similarly, compulsory licencing isn’t easy and there are uncertainties associated with it. These changes will be temporary and within the legal framework. These are exceptional circumstances. It can also be reviewed every year by a WTO panel--is what India has been telling countries that are opposing the proposal,” another official said.
Source: Business Standard
Last October, India and South Africa had submitted a joint proposal for temporarily waiving sections of TRIPS to help more countries, especially middle and low income ones access Covid-19 vaccines India is trying to alleviate the concerns of a bunch of developed nations such as Australia, Japan and the regional bloc, and the European Union (EU), regarding its proposal at the World Trade Organization (WTO) towards temporary patent waiver on Covid-19 vaccines and drugs. In October 2020, India and South Africa had submitted a joint proposal for temporarily waiving some sections of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement, to help more countries, especially middle and low income nations get access to Covid-19 vaccines. It will be applicable to industrial design, trade secrets, patents and copyrights. As of now, over 100 nations are supporting the proposal, of which 64 are co-sponsors of the proposals at the WTO. However, the member nations at the WTO are yet to reach any consensus on this topic, with some developed nations such as European Union, Australia, the UK among others have opposed the proposal. The matter will also be discussed at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) that will kickstart from 30 November. “India has also engaged in small group discussions with nations that had issues-- Australia, Switzerland, Japan. They had reservations on India (and South Africa’s) proposal.So they highlighted their concerns and raised questions in the meetings. We have in detail given answers to all the questions raised by them,” one of the officials cited above said. Some of the member nations had reservations that the TRIPS agreement has inbuilt flexibilities, which allows use of compulsory licensing mechanisms and there is no requirement for a waiver. According to the WTO, compulsory licensing is when a government allows someone else to produce a patented product without the consent of the patent owner. It is one of the flexibilities in the field of patent protection included in the WTO’s agreement on intellectual property or TRIPS. India has expressed its view by saying that these flexibilities are not enough to deal with the challenge of inequitable distribution of vaccines, especially across low income nations. The developed countries are of the view that voluntary licensing is the better way out and pharmaceutical companies should be persuaded to part with their technology “We have seen prices of drugs shooting up during the pandemic treatment. voluntary licencing has not worked out. Similarly, compulsory licencing isn’t easy and there are uncertainties associated with it. These changes will be temporary and within the legal framework. These are exceptional circumstances. It can also be reviewed every year by a WTO panel--is what India has been telling countries that are opposing the proposal,” another official said.
Source: Business Standard
The widening of deficit was led by a surge in import of goods ahead of the festival season and the hardening of commodity prices Merchandise exports grew for the eleventh consecutive month to $35.65 billion, up 43 per cent on-year in October, as external demand continued to remain robust. The preliminary data released by the commerce and industry ministry showed growth being driven by higher demand for items, primarily engineering goods, petroleum products, gems and jewellery, as well as organic and inorganic chemicals, among other items. Compared with pre-Covid levels of October 2019, growth in the value of goods exported was up nearly 36 per cent. Exports have been on an upward trajectory for close to a year now, with the value of exports hovering around $30 billion over the past eight months, amid gradual recovery in key western markets. Vijay Kalantri, chairman, MVIRDC, World Trade Center Mumbai, said a strong world demand across eight consumer goods categories — carpets, handicrafts, leather goods, spices, marine products, meat (including poultry and dairy products), plastics, and electronic goods — is expected to further increase in future. “These eight goods account for 12 per cent of our outward shipment. We expect world demand for these eight goods to grow in the months to come as economic growth and income levels recover from the lows of the pandemic,” said Kalantri. On a cumulative basis, India’s merchandise exports in April-October was $233.54 billion, up 55.23 per cent on-year and up 26 per cent, compared with the same period in 2019. This translates into India achieving 58 per cent of its export target of $400 billion for the current fiscal year. Imports continued to remain elevated in October. With the onset of the festival season, India imported goods worth $55.37 billion, up 62.5 per cent on-year and 45.7 per cent, compared with October 2019. Trade deficit, however, fell to $19.73 billion in October after expanding to a record high of $22.59 billion in September. The widening of deficit was led by a surge in import of goods ahead of the festival season and the hardening of commodity prices “This is the second consecutive month to post imports of over $55 billion, of which nonpetroleum and non-gems and jewellery imports amounted to $32 billion, which show the mounting demand for machines and materials spurring manufacturing activity. Although this pace would lead to growing trade deficit and associated challenges, it is required to lift economic revival,” said Prahalathan Iyer, chief general manager, research & analysis, India Exim Bank. Non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in October were $26.09 billion, up 27.7 per cent on-year. They witnessed a 37 per cent jump, compared with October 2019.
Source: Business Standard
Union Minister of State for Textiles and Railways, Darshana Vikram Jardosh on Monday visited the upcoming campus of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Srinagar at Ompora Budgam and took the review of the construction work. Jardosh directed the officials and the executing agency to complete the project at the earliest possible time so that the academic work of NIFT Srinagar can be started from the new campus soon. The Director General NIFT, Shantmanu informed the Minister that the new campus of NIFT Srinagar will be one of the largest NIFT campuses in the country among total 17. The new campus will run six courses including Bachelor’s level courses in Fashion Designing, Fashion Communication, Textile Designing, Fashion and Lifestyle Accessories Design and Masters programme in Fashion Management and Designing. It shall be fully residential with hostel facility for 720 students and 90 staff quarters. It will have the space for administrative block, academic block, auditorium, incubator, guest accommodation, sports facilities, canteen and food courts. Dr Javid Ahmad Wani, Director NIFT Srinagar informed the Minister that the campus shall be made functional by the end of this year (2021) as per the commitment of JK SIDCO, which is the executing agency of the project. The Minister directed the executing agency that the campus should be completed at an earliest as it’s the prestigious project of Government of India.She also stated that NIFT Srinagar shall provide world class education to aspiring youth of J&K and other states who want to pursue designing, fashion, communication and textiles as career. She also directed the officials to incorporate integral components of Kashmir’s arts, crafts and heritage in its architecture and aesthetics. The officials of the district administration Budgam, police and SIDCO etc were also present during the visit of the minister.
Source: Brighter Kashmir
While recovery has gained strength, the speed and pace of improvement remains uneven across different sectors of the economy, the report said. The report did take note of rising cost pressures across segments. Overall monetary and credit conditions in India remain conducive for a durable economic recovery, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said in its ‘State of the Economy’ report, part of the November bulletin. While recovery has gained strength, the speed and pace of improvement remains uneven across different sectors of the economy, the report said. The central bank said the Indian economy is differentiating itself from the global situation, which is marred by supply disruptions, stubborn inflation and surges of infections in various parts of the world. It referred to improving mobility indicators, a pick-up in the job market, reduced infections and faster vaccinations as markers of strength. “The global economic outlook remains clouded by uncertainty with headwinds from multiple fronts at a time when many economies are still struggling with nascent recoveries. There is a risk of faster policy normalisation by major central banks leading to tightening of financial conditions and stifling of growth impulses,” the report said, adding that domestic conditions are poised better. “Overall monetary and credit conditions stay conducive for a durable economic recovery to take root,” it said. Indicators of aggregate demand posit a brighter near-term outlook than before. On the supply side, the rabi season has set in early on a positive note on the back of a record kharif harvest, and manufacturing is showing improvement in overall operating conditions, while services are in strong expansion mode. The report did take note of rising cost pressures across segments. Input costs pressures, as reflected in the purchasing managers’ index (PMIs), increased across manufacturing and services in October, with cost conditions turning more adverse in manufacturing. The number of services firms that increased selling prices rose in October. Consumer prices rose, too. The food price index rose for the third consecutive month in October, marking its highest level since July 2011, primarily led by scaling vegetable oil and cereal prices. Edible oils inflation, in spite of some moderation, remained elevated. Among key vegetables, prices of tomatoes and onions have seen sharp increases in November so far, with tomato prices inching up higher than levels a year ago, the report said. Demand conditions also exhibited strength, with record imports of electronic goods for the second consecutive month in October, driven by ongoing mega sales organised by major e-commerce companies during the festive season. The purchase of coal, coke and briquettes has increased significantly from pre-Covid levels, given the low level of domestic coal-stock positions. “The non-oil non-gold imports exhibited a resounding growth for the fifth consecutive month,” the report said. The comfortable revenue position of the government has enabled it to incur higher expenditure, the report said. Capital and revenue expenditure accelerated by 38.3% and 6.3% over 2020-21, respectively. The growth in capital expenditure was led by the ministry of road transport and highways, which has exhausted 68.2% of its budgeted capital expenditure for FY22. The report attributed the Centre’s decision to reduce the excise duty on fuel to the “upbeat fiscal scenario”.
Source: Financial Express
The States are the driving force behind the country’s economic progress and the Centre must cooperate with them to compete in economic progress at international level, said IT and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao. He urged the Union government to extend financial support to States like Telangana which have potential to further accelerate the nation’s development. Telangana was recognised as the fourth largest contributor to the country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Participating in the video conference of the Chief Ministers and the Finance Ministers of different States, which was chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Rama Rao along with Finance Minister T Harish Rao put forward a strong argument on the need for the Centre to extend support to progressive States like Telangana which could be beneficial to the entire country. He highlighted the urgency for the Central government to take appropriate steps to increase the investment percentage in GDP, which has tumbled down from 39 per cent in 2011-12 to 29.3 per cent in 2021-22, hurting the nation’s economy severely. “In the aftermath of Covid-19, companies that have invested in China are eager to invest in India where there are plenty of opportunities for growth. We must seize this opportunity. Although FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) inflows have improved, there is still room for improvement. The decision to lend 0.5 per cent of GSDP to States that have achieved capital expenditure targets is a welcome move,” the Minister said. He informed that Telangana follows the rule that the loans should be taken only to spend on capital projects. Accordingly, he wanted the Centre to increase the FRBM (Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management) credit limit to two per cent. A developing State like Telangana has the potential to function more effectively if the Union Finance Ministry simplifies the rules and cooperates. This policy will further boost job creation in the States, he added. Rama Rao sought investment subsidies in sectors such as textiles, garments, toys, leather goods, light engineering goods, and footwear, to create more unskilled jobs, increasing their ability to compete in industries at international markets. Given that MSMEs contribute 30 per cent to the country’s GDP, he suggested extending Product Linked Incentives (PLIs) to them and also provide the interest subsidy to the developing companies of all sizes. The Centre must focus on areas with ecosystems and synergies, rather than running into the abyss in terms of investment subsidies. The proposed Kakatiya Mega Textile Park in Warangal was a good example, he cited. He asked the Union government to conduct SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis on conditions of the States and identify the favourable climates and extend support for them to compete internationally. “For example, Telangana does not have a beach. Therefore, opportunities should be provided for the establishment of dry ports. The next ten years will see the largest number of job creation opportunities in the textile, electronics and life sciences. So these sectors should be encouraged by the Central government,” he said. Rama Rao pointed out that the Centre had shelved the IT Investment Region sanctioned to Telangana State and was not responding to its plea to establish six industrial corridors. He urged the Union government to consider the requests made by Telangana which has necessary ecosystem in the defense, electronics, textiles and pharmaceuticals industries. Kazipet Railway Coach Factory and Bayyaram Steel Factory, were restricted to papers. To make investments available for the States, he asked the Central government to allow Sovereign Funds and Pension Funds to be used as capital investment. “The Centre is a policy-maker and it is the responsibility of the States to implement these policies. The States are required to provide basic amenities such as water, land and human resources for industrial development. “In this context, certain powers should be decentralised to strengthen the States, to maintain the spirit of a co-operative federalism,” he said. The Minister demanded that more money should be provided to the States through tax devolution and wanted the Centre to rationalise cess such that States receive more resources through tax devolution. He pointed out that the ‘divisible pool’ was shrinking further with the imposition of increased cess day by day. He argued in favour of institutional reforms, to overcome certain challenges faced in various sectors. He also wanted the Centre to immediately release certain tax concessions for industrial promotion as well as Rs 900 crore pending to backward districts in Telangana State, as per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. He demanded that the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission providing special grants to Telangana, be fully implemented. Special Chief Secretary for Finance K Ramakrishna Rao, Principal Secretary for IT and Industries Jayesh Ranjan, Government Financial Advisor GR Reddy, Finance Secretary Sridevi and others, were present.
Source: Telangana Today
Ease of Doing Business for MSMEs: Organised after a year’s gap due to the pandemic, the trade fair is hosting MSMEs from around 20 sectors including ayush, ceramics, chemical, cosmetics, electrical/electronics, embroidery, food, footwear, handicrafts, handloom, home decor, honey, jute, leather, metallurgy, gems & jewellery, textiles, toys, wood, etc. Ease of Doing Business for MSMEs: The 40th edition of the India International Trade Fair organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) has wtinessed participation of 316 MSMEs from across India, said MSME Ministry as the MSME Minister Narayan Rane inaguarated the MSME Pavilion on Monday. Organised after a year’s gap due to the pandemic, the ongoing annual trade fair this year at Pragati Maidan, Delhi is hosting MSMEs from around 20 sectors including ayush, ceramics, chemical, cosmetics, electrical/electronics, embroidery, food, footwear, handicrafts, handloom, home decor, honey, jute, leather, metallurgy, gems & jewellery, textiles, toys, wood, etc. “It is a great opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to learn about various schemes of the Ministry of MSME…The MSME Ministry has emerged as the torchbearer of women empowerment on a global platform. The MSME pavilion at the 40th IITF is providing a platform to the highest number of women entrepreneurs, SC, ST and minority entrepreneurs across the country,” Rane tweeted. The MSME pavilion acknowledges the highest ever participation of Women led enterprises (71 per cent) along with the SC, ST entrepreneurs from various parts of the country,” MSME Ministry said in a statement. Rane had also inaugurated the Khadi Pavilion on Monday. The trade fair will conclude on November 27. Out of 6.33 crore MSMEs in India, only 20.37 per cent enterprises were owned by female, as per the MSME Ministry’s 2020-21 annual report. The MSME Ministry already runs International Cooperation Scheme to provide financial assistance for airfare, space rent, freight charges, advertisement & publicity charges and entry or registration fee on reimbursement basis to participating MSMEs in exhibitions and events of different sectors in different countries. In FY22, there were 704 such events planned across the globe for exploring potential markets for exports, joint ventures, awareness about latest technologies, etc., among Indian MSMEs. “The (trade) fair will provide an opportunity to MSME entrepreneurs, especially women, SC/ST and entrepreneurs from aspirational districts to show-case their skill/products and create new opportunities for growth and attain self-reliance,” Rane added. The minister also noted that industrial policy of the government and different schemes implemented by the MSME Ministry are helping the MSME sector to realize its full potential to achieve $5-trillion-economy vision.
Source: Financial Express
The terms of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) caused UK exports to the EU to fall by 14% and trade in the opposite direction to fall by almost a quarter in the first seven months of its enforcement – or an estimated combined blow to the UK economy of around £44bn, according to a report out today by the UK Trade Policy Observatory (UKTPO). After months of brinkmanship and political deadlock, the trade deal was signed on December 31 last year, with provisions that build upon World Trade Organization (WTO) principles, facilitate trade, and address non-tariff barriers such as import and export licensing restrictions. Speaking at the time of the deal’s signing, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it would “allow our companies and our exporters to do even more business with our European friends” – words that now ring hollow in the face of the UKTPO’s findings. Using three econometric techniques that removed confounding factors such as the Covid19 pandemic, the UKTPO research examines the period between January and July this year, revealing the extent to which new regulations and customs formalities brought in since Brexit are hampering Britain’s business with its largest trading partner. In goods trade, the UKTPO calculates that a whopping £32.5bn has been lost in potential imports to the UK, and £11bn in exports to the EU, while the Brexit effect was felt even more strongly in the services sector, leading to 12% drop in exports and a 37% reduction in imports. “The evidence our analysis has uncovered on the impact of UK services trade reflects some of the worrying costs of Brexit for the UK economy,” says Guillermo Larbalestier, research assistant in international trade at the UKTPO. “UK trade with the EU has declined so much since the implementation of the TCA that it has largely compromised the UK’s postpandemic economic recovery.” One of the most concerning issues uncovered by the UKTPO’s analysis is that of tariffs. In a first for the EU, the TCA includes 100% tariff liberalisation, whereby no tariffs or quotas are imposed upon the movement of goods between the two sides. However, this condition is only valid if exporters can prove that their goods meet rules of origin, which is often an arduous task, and one for which many companies are ill-prepared. Any failure to adhere to the documentation requirements on qualifying goods means that customs duties are still payable. In its research, the UKTPO found that tariffs are still being applied to as much as 32% of those UK exports that qualify for preferential treatment under the TCA, as UK firms struggle with the detail needed to meet zero-tariff conditions. “Even some exporters that can meet the rules of origin may instead choose to pay the tariff because of the cost of the paperwork and requirements for certification,” the report says. “This means that, in practice, firms may end up paying tariffs despite the zero-tariff and zero-quota deal under the TCA.” In total, the UKTPO finds that UK exports to the EU worth between £7.89bn and £10.56bn incurred tariffs in the first seven months of the new trading conditions. These tariffs aren’t small change: rates on some agricultural products can be over 50%, while for many items of textiles and clothing the tariffs are set at 12% or 16%. Overall, the foregone duty savings amount to an eye-watering £534.6mn, the report says. Given the importance of the EU as a trade destination, these increased costs and complexity are having a deleterious effect on numerous exporting sectors, the UKTPO says. The worst hit sectors, plagued by persistent and lingering losses, include footwear and headgear, which has seen exports drop by 77.2%, textiles and clothing, which has experienced a decline of 60.2%, and vegetable products, which have fallen by 43.5%. “For some firms which can meet the rules of origin it is simply not worth it because the tariff is so low, but for other firms such as in textiles and clothing the need to satisfy rules of origin appears to have hit hard, says Yohannes Ayele, research fellow in the economics of Brexit at the UKTPO. The UKTPO’s analysis does not distinguish between the impacts by firm type or size, but its researchers suggest – as does common sense – that the challenges and impacts of trading with the EU are more likely to be greater for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). “The immediate impact on UK trade for firms and for consumers has been sharp and, in many cases, severe,” says Michael Gasiorek, director of the UKTPO and professor of economics at the University of Sussex Business School. “In the longer term, this will affect UK jobs and investment, and the challenges will be harder for SMEs to overcome.” Some of the reduction in trade flows, notably among UK exports to the EU, may be accounted for by teething problems during the TCA transition period at the start of the year. However, the UKTPO’s research shows that losses have persisted into the second quarter. Effectively, far from allowing tariff-free, quota-free access to the EU market, the terms of the TCA mean that the spectre of Brexit will continue to haunt Britain’s trading performance for some time to come.
Source: Global Trade Review
The triboelectric effect is a phenomenon where a charge is generated on two dissimilar materials when the materials are moved apart after being in contact with each other. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) use this effect to convert mechanical motion into electrical energy. The compactness of TENGs allows them to be used as wearable devices that can harness the motion of the body to power electronics. Being wearables, the emphasis is placed on the fabric properties (such as the comfort of the material) and the charge-carrying capacity of the nanogenerators. Generally, the triboelectric materials chosen for the nanogenerator should be safe, compatible with the human body (biocompatible), flexible and breathable while being able to maintain a high electrical output performance. Among the many materials considered for TENGs, electrospun fibers are a promising candidate as they are lightweight, strong, and have desirable electrical properties. Electrospinning is a technique by which solutions of polymers are drawn into fibers using electrical charge. There are ongoing efforts to add metals to electrospun fibers to improve the electrostatic potential and charge-trapping capabilities. But this has led to compromises being made between the comfort and the output performance of the material. In a recent study published in Nano Energy, researchers from the University of Fukui, Japan and Nanjing University, China have developed an all-fibrous composite layer TENG (AF-TENG) that can easily be integrated with normal cloth. "With our work, we are aiming to provide a new point of view towards wearable energy harvesters and smart textiles," says Dr. Hiroaki Sakamoto, the corresponding author for the study. The AF-TENG contains a triboelectric membrane made of two layers of electrospun fibers—one of a material called polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and the other of a type of nylon. Silver nanowires cover these layers. The researchers further added a layer of electrospun polystyrene fibers between the silver nanowires and the triboelectric membrane. The mechanical motion of the body while walking or running causes the triboelectric layers to gain a charge. This way, the mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy, which can be used to power electronic devices. Normally, the charge buildup on the triboelectric surface is gradually lost or dissipated, reducing the surface charge density and the output performance of the nanogenerator. However, in this case, the added polystyrene membrane collects and traps the charge, retaining the surface charge density of the AF-TENG. The researchers used the AF-TENG to light up 126 commercial LEDs each rated at 0.06 Watt, demonstrating the feasibility of the nanogenerator. Moreover, according to Dr. Sakamoto, "The power generation device has flexibility and breathability since all components are composed of fiber materials. This device shows great potential in harvesting the static electricity from our clothes." While TENGs are currently limited to power low-powered devices such as LEDs and calculators, improvements to the wearability and output performance are integral steps towards future wearable technology.
Source: Physics. Org
Global workwear textile manufacturer, Carrington Textiles, has announced the launch of nine new fabrics developed using sustainable fibres that include recycled polyester, BCI and organic cotton as well as a new technology that biodegrades synthetic fibres, utilised for the first time in workwear fabrics by the company. A flame retardant fabric is also being introduced to the market with a superb durability that in turn gives garments a longer life. The brand-new textiles are made using recycled polyester from plastic bottles, organic and responsibly sourced cotton, as well as a new technology that biodegrades synthetic fibres, a first in the workwear world. With the strapline ‘weaving sustainability into our fabrics’, the launch campaign includes the release of the company’s popular fabric range guides - available to download on its website - with a new brand identity and design, showcasing a more dynamic look and sleek new photography to better represent today’s workwear These new range guides were designed keeping the customer and the environment in mind as they are made with recycled paper which is also 100% recyclable, as well as being coated with antimicrobial technology for peace of mind. Regarding the new fabrics, Carrington Textiles has invested a great deal of resources into R&D to develop these products as part of its stretch, Balance Range and flame retardant collections. In terms of the stretch new products, the textile manufacturer introduced Constance 210 gsm and Balaton 255 gsm. Both are named after European lakes, and incorporate REPREVE recycled polyester made from plastic bottles, and BCI cotton in their composition. They also utilise the high stretch technology from XLANCE® which is eco-friendly, solvent-free, and produced using 100% renewable energy. Constance 210 is the Carrington Textiles sustainable alternative to workwear fabric Idra, and Balaton 255 is the ‘greener’ option for Cresta. Balance Range Weaved Sustainability The Balance Range is a big focus for the manufacturer who’s aiming to help tackle the global discussion on climate change, textile sustainability and circularity, by releasing seven more products to add to the eight existing eco-friendly textiles of the range. Starting on the lighter side of the Balance Range spectrum, and named after a forest in North East England, is Kielder 185 gsm, a fabric which composition consists of 50% BCI cotton and 50% REPREVE recycled polyester made from plastic bottles. As an environmentally friendly alternative to Cooltex Lite, Kielder 185 offers an outstanding soft feel due to its 4/1 twill, a polyester face for greater durability and cotton inside for increased wearer comfort. Next are the additions to the Delamere family in their 210 gsm and 245 gsm weights. With the philosophy of protecting forests like England's Kielder forest these fabrics, Delamere 210 and 245 include 65% recycled REPREVE polyester and responsibly sourced cotton from the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI). Delamere 210 is a sustainable alternative for Delta and similarly Delamere 245 for Tomboy. With a name inspired by the West Pennine Moors in Northern England are Rivington 205 gsm and 220 gsm. The Rivington family offers leisure finish as a standard for a soft feel and incorporates 65% recycled polyester as well as 35% BCI cotton. Also providing the benefits of mechanical stretch, Rivington 205 and 220 are the eco-friendly options to Xtraflex Lite and Xtraflex 1 respectively. Revolutionary workwear fabrics that biodegrade Microfibres in the oceans is a hot topic in the textile world now. Annual estimates of plastic microfibre pollution entering the oceans is equivalent in weight to over 50 billion plastic bottles. To help tackle the issue, Carrington Textiles started to look at innovative products available that would break down these microplastic fibres. Following extensive research, the company has adopted CiCLO technology, a sustainable textiles ingredient in the form of an additive that is combined with polyester at the very beginning of the fibre making process. When CiCLO polyester ends up in the environment either through washing or end of life of the garment, it behaves like natural fibres, in turn reducing microplastic pollution and textile accumulation. The first textile manufacturer to use this technology for the production of workwear fabrics, Carrington Textiles has launched Hawksbill and Orca. Both are named after marine animals to represent the importance of microplastic-free oceans and, with a weight of 245gsm, Hawksbill and Orca are the sustainable alternative to the company’s bestselling fabric, Tomboy.
Source: Laundry and Cleaning News
