INTERNATIONAL
NATIONAL
The Meghalaya government is making efforts to give a major fillip to the textile sector. Textile Minister Paul Lyngdoh recently met Union Minister of State for Textiles, Darshana Vikram Jardosh to apprise the former about the issues requiring central support. Talking to a section of reporters, Lyngdoh said that the Union MoS, who was on an official visit to the state, patiently heard the grievances. According to him, one of the major issues is the Centre of Textiles complex project in Nongpoh, Ri-Bhoi. 90 per cent of the project has been completed through central funding, Lyngdoh said, adding that, “What is left now is to prepare for the training of weavers and artisans which is a component of a central sponsored project. This is coming through and we have instructed department heads and district officers to accelerate the pace of the work.” He highlighted another concern which arises due to the fact that a number of weavers and artisans in Meghalaya still remain unidentified. Underlining the importance of the textile sector, Lyngdoh said that the government wants to bring them in the loop so they can access different government schemes and programmes through the department. “We have found that some of the societies have not registered themselves and this is a hindrance. Otherwise they would have been able to avail the support, training and holding which they are eligible for,” Lyngdoh said. Admitting that the state is still far behind as compared to others in this sector, the Cabinet minister said that the textile sector was considered as a minor department all this while. He rued that no effort was being taken to promote the sector. “But now we have been able to identify areas of weaknesses and work to convert them into strength,” Lyngdoh said. He observed that states like Assam and Nagaland are doing better than Meghalaya because they are taking part in every national fair. Assam and Nagaland have also ensured that their traditionally woven clothes are displayed everywhere, he added. “As far as Meghalaya is concerned, we are yet to popularise locally woven clothes on such a scale. This is the task that is now before the department,” Lyngdoh remarked.
Source: The shillongtimes.com
Global fashion brand Zara, has posted a growth of 40.42 per cent in its India revenue at Rs 2,562.50 crore for FY23, according to the latest annual report of Trent Ltd. Its profit was also up 77.66 per cent to Rs 264.30 crore for the financial year ended on March 31, 2023. FY22 reported a total income of Rs 1,824.82 crore and a profit of Rs 148.69 crore. "The incremental store openings for Zara continue to be calibrated with focus on presence only in very high-quality retail spaces," it said. ITRIPL is a 51:49 JV between Spain's Inditex, which owns luxury fashion brand Zara and Tata group's retail arm Trent Ltd. Zara, which competes with the likes of other foreign brands such as H&M and UNIQLO in India, operates 20 stores across 11 cities. However, in FY22 the entity was operating 21 stores. Inditex group of Spain has another similar 51:49 JV association with Trent, which operates Massimo Dutti stores in India. It has also reported revenue growth of 45.54 per cent during FY23. "The entity for Massimo Dutti operates 3 stores and recorded revenue of Rs 89 crore in FY23," it said. Massimo DuttiIndia Pvt Ltd had reported a profit of Rs 11.14 crore in FY23. The business of both entities is essentially limited to the distribution of Zara and Massimo Dutti products in India. Both entities are required to source merchandise only from the Inditex Group. "The business of these entities is essentially limited to distribution of Zara and Massimo Dutti products in India," said Trent. Moreover, as per the JV agreement choice of product & related specifications are at Inditex's discretion. "Further, the entities are dependent on the Inditex group for permissions to use the said brands in India subject to its terms & specifications," it said.
Source: Economic Times
Following is the text of Press Communique issued at the conclusion of talks between Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Government of India and leaders of European Free Trade Association: “India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) have taken a significant stride forward in their quest for a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). In a Ministerial meeting held in Brussels today, Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles of India; Guy Parmelin, Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research; Einar Gunnarsson, Ambassador, Permanent Representative at the Permanent Mission of Iceland in Geneva; Kurt Jäger, Ambassador, Permanent Representative at the Permanent Mission of Liechtenstein to EFTA, WTO and the UN in Geneva, and Erik Andreas Underland, Specialist Director at the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries, discussed the modalities of engagement for working towards a comprehensive TEPA. This second Ministerial gathering followed a series of expert meetings that took place online the previous week. The Ministerial meeting marked a significant milestone in taking forward the negotiations on a TEPA between India and EFTA. Both sides emphasised the importance of building their discussions on principles of trust and respect for each other's sensitivities to achieve a fair, equitable and balanced agreement. Indeed, a TEPA between EFTA and India could bring significant economic benefits, such as integrated and resilient supply chains and new opportunities for businesses and individuals on both sides leading to increased trade and investment flows, job creation, and economic growth. The delegations agreed to ramp up their efforts and continue their discussions at a steady pace, with several more meetings planned over the coming months, to arrive at a common understanding on critical issues pertaining to TEPA.”
Source: PIB
Russia does not have any reserves of Indian currency in the special vostro accounts that have been allowed to be opened by the Reserve Bank of India to facilitate international trade in rupees, a senior Commerce Ministry official said Monday. “Under Special Rupee Vostro Accounts they do not have any reserves. Reserves are only on account of some of the defence procurement and sales,” Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) told reporters. “On that account I would not be knowing what exactly are the reserves and what is the mechanism of dealing with that,” he said. After the Reserve Bank of India came out with the permission and mechanism to allow trade in local currencies in July 2022, Foreign Trade Policy was amended to allow for international trade settlement in rupees. Following change in rules, RBI allowed domestic and foreign banks in 60 cases to open Special Rupee Vostro Accounts of correspondent banks from 18 countries including Russia, Germany, Singapore, Oman, UK. Kenya and Israel. In his recent visit to India Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavron had said that Russia has accumulated billions of rupees in Indian banks which it cannot use. “That is the conversation (dealing with reserves) Department of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Defence will be having,” Sarangi said.
Source: Financial express
India's exports to the UAE contracted by 22 per cent to USD 2.23 billion as against USD 2.86 billion in April, according to the commerce ministry data released on Monday. Indian and the UAE have operationalised a comprehensive free trade agreement since May 1 last year. According to the data, imports to the UAE also declined by 34.08 per cent to USD 3.15 billion in April. Commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal on May 1 this year expressed hope that India's exports to the UAE are expected to rise by about 60 per cent to reach USD 50 billion by 2026-27. India's exports to the UAE in 2022-23 rose by 11.8 per cent to USD 31.3 billion, while imports from that country grew by 18.8 per cent to USD 53.2 billion in the last fiscal due to increased inbound shipments of oil. When asked about the dip in exports and imports between the two countries, Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Santosh Kumar Sarangi said that one of the major components with the UAE has been petroleum trade and recessionary pressure on petroleum prices is likely to result in lesser imports, and also when "we re-export petroleum products, that is likely to have its impact". He added that for many consumer goods, the UAE acts as a channel for CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries and other gulf countries, which have got impacted and that is the reason "why our exports" to the UAE have seen a decline. Exports to the US also declined by 17.16 per cent to USD 5.9 billion. Imports from America too decreased by 24.67 per cent to USD 3.14 billion in April this year, the data showed. The other export destinations where the country's exports reported negative growth included China (4.31 per cent), Singapore (28.7 per cent), Bangladesh (43.31 per cent), and Germany (14.44 per cent) during the month under review. However, the shipments registered positive growth in the Netherlands, UK, Saudi Arabia, and Italy. On the other hand, imports from Russia jumped by 204 per cent to USD 4.98 billion due to increasing inbound shipments of crude oil from that country, the data showed. However, imports from China, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Indonesia, Korea, and Singapore recorded negative growth in the month under review.
Source: Economic Times
India and the UK will hold their next round of talks for the proposed free trade agreement in June here and both the sides are aiming to conclude the negotiations at the earliest, a senior government official said on Monday. Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Santosh Kumar Saranagi said that trade negotiations are a matter of give and take and this has nothing to do with elections in individual countries. There will be general elections in India next year. "The effort is to expedite the negotiations...(There was a) Diwali deadline (to conclude the talks last year) was given, but for variety of reasons, it was extended. But the effort on both sides is to conclude it at the earliest," he told reporters here. The tenth round of negotiation is from June 5-9 here and "hopefully we will make some substantial progress during that time," he added. The negotiations were launched on January 13, 2021. The talks cover 26 policy areas/chapters. Investment is being negotiated as a separate agreement -- Bilateral Investment Treaty -- which would be concluded simultaneously with the India-UK free trade agreement (FTA). So far 13 chapters have been substantially closed for negotiations and regular meetings held at higher levels to review the progress of talks and to resolve the outstanding issues. He also informed that the fifth round of talks for a trade pact between India and the European Union (EU) is scheduled from June 19-23 in India. So far four rounds of negotiations have been completed till March. During the last round, negotiations on 21 policy areas in 74 technical sessions were held. Both sides also discussed modalities for exchange of offer in goods and services. India's commerce secretary and EU's DG (Trade) will meet in August to review the progress. About India-Canada trade agreement, the DGFT said that negotiations are at advance stage in goods and services market access. Seventh round of talks was held during April 3-6 in Ottawa, Canada. Apart from traditional areas, the interim agreement may cover areas like SMEs, trade and gender, environment and labour. On the comprehensive India-Australia agreement, he said that good progress was made in the agreed tracks and detailed work plan with indicative deadlines has been drawn up. It is envisaged by both the countries to hold the 3rd and 4th round of negotiations during 5th-16th June and 3rd-14th July, respectively, so as to pave the way for early conclusion of the negotiations. On the G20 talks, he said the second Trade and Investment Working Group (TIWG) meeting is now scheduled to be held on May 23-25 in Bengaluru. In dedicated technical sessions, G20 delegates will deliberate on priority on WTO (World Trade Organisation) reform along with key deliverables on identified priority issues on trade for growth and prosperity, resilient global value chains, integrating MSMEs in global trade, and efficient logistics for trade. The meeting will set the stage for building consensus among G20 countries on deliverables and outcomes proposed by India on global trade and investmentrelated issues.
Source: Economic Times
Soft robotics have several key advantages over rigid counterparts, including their inherent safety features – soft materials with motions powered by inflating and deflating air chambers can safely be used in fragile environments or in proximity with humans – as well as their flexibility that enables them to fit into tight spaces. Textiles have become a choice material for constructing many types of soft robots, especially wearables, but the traditional “cut and sew” methods of manufacturing have left much to be desired. Now, researchers at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have established a new approach for additively manufacturing soft robotics, using a 3D knitting method that can holistically “print” entire soft robots. Their work is reported in Advanced Functional Materials. “The soft robotics community is still in the phase of seeking alternative materials approaches that will enable us to go beyond more classical rigid robot shapes and functions,” says Robert Wood, senior corresponding author on the paper, who is the Harry Lewis and Marlyn McGrath Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences at SEAS. “Textiles are appealing since we can radically tune their structural properties by choice of their constituent fibers and how those fibers interact with each other,” Wood says. “Using ‘cut and sew’ methods, you need to manufacture large sheets of textile material that you then cut into patterns that are assembled by stitching or bonding – and this typically involves a high level of human labor,” says Vanessa Sanchez, first author on the paper and a former Ph.D. student in Wood’s lab. “Every seam adds costs, and potential points of failure. For manufacturing complex robotic devices, this can be a big challenge.” Sanchez was intrigued by the concept of 3D knitting, which can produce seamless articles of clothing with little material waste. She wondered if the method could be adapted to create textile-based soft robots. The team acquired a vintage punch card knitting machine and Sanchez connected with knitting experts from the Rhode Island School of Design and Parsons School of Design and Fashion Institute of Technology. To automate the knitting process, Sanchez and the team also needed to develop software that could direct the knitting equipment – machines often several-decades old – to make complex structures out of various types of yarns. “In one instance, I had to trick the machinery – using a software program – into thinking that my computer was a floppy disk,” Sanchez says. After initial experiments were promising the team moved to a more modern, automated machine. James McCann, an Assistant Professor at the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute, collaborated on the software. “The team wanted to develop and characterize a wide range of soft actuators – they weren't just building one pattern, they were building a whole set of parametric patterns,” McCann says. “This is hard to do with traditional knitting design software, which is generally focused on developing single outputs by hand instead of easily-adjustable parametric families of outputs.” To create a workaround, the team described the 3D patterns using a "knitout" file format – a knitting description written in general-purpose programming languages – and then developed code to translate those knitout descriptions to run on their desired knitting machine. “The cool thing about developing parametric patterns in a generic knitting format like knitout is that other groups with different types of knitting machines can use and build on the same patterns, without extensive translation effort,” McCann says. After setting up their 3D knitting process, Sanchez and collaborators conducted a series of experiments to, for the first time, create an extensive library of knowledge about the way various knitting parameters impact mechanical properties of the resulting material. Testing 20 different combinations of yarn, structure, and more, the team characterized how varied knit architectures impact folding and unfolding, structural geometry, and tensile properties. Using combinations of these structures, they demonstrated many different knit robot prototypes, including various types of gripper devices with bending and grasping appendages, a multi-chamber claw, an inchworm-like robot, and a snake-like actuator capable of picking up objects much heavier than the device itself. “We wanted to create a library for engineers to draw from to develop a variety of soft robots, so we characterized the mechanical properties of many different knits,” Sanchez says. “3D knitting is a new way of thinking about additive manufacturing, about how to make things that could be reconfigured or redeployed. There are already industrial machines to support this type of manufacturing – with this initial step, we think our approach can scale and translate out of the lab.” “I envision that programmable textiles will have a similar impact on how soft robots are made as fiber-reinforced composites have had on the construction of highperformance aircraft and automobiles,” Wood says. Additional authors on the paper include Kausalya Mahadevan, Gabrielle Ohlson, Moritz A. Graule, Michelle C. Yuen, Clark B. Teeple, James C. Weaver, and Katia Bertoldi. This work was supported by the National Science Foundation (grant nos. EFMA1830901, DMR-1420570, 1955444, and DMR-2138020), the Army Research Office (grant no. W911NF-22-1-0219), Harvard SEAS, the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship, and a National GEM Consortium fellowship.
Source: The seas.harvard.edu
INTERNATIONAL
On April 20th of 2023, flame-resistant textile leader, TenCate Protective Fabrics, debuted their newest innovation, an inherently flame-resistant stretch fabric called Tecasafe 360+. Building on the trusted reputation of a wide portfolio of protective products, Tecasafe 360+ represents workwear’s next evolution by combining the protection of flame-resistant (FR) textiles with the comfort and wearability of inherent stretch technology. Blurring the line between workwear and casualwear, Tecasafe 360+ is the protective fabric representation of the stretch-comfort trend that’s taken the greater consumer garment markets by storm in recent years. By combining a proprietary blend of inherent FR materials with the groundbreaking stretch qualities of XLANCE fibers, Tecasafe 360+ answers everything modern FR-textile-wearing professionals have requested: fabric that keeps them safe, feels good, and looks great. “Adding stretch technology to inherent FR apparel represents a defining moment for a world of end-users who rely on FR fabrics to stay safe and comfortable on the job,” said Michael Laton, VP of Global Strategy & Innovation for TenCate Protective Fabrics (TCPF). “The TenCate Protective Fabrics team is honored to share this significant moment together with our endusers, team members, customers, suppliers, and partners.” Available in markets throughout the American, European, and Asian-Pacific markets, the world release of Tecasafe 360+ represents TenCate Protective Fabrics’ first global product launch – a key achievement in fulfilling the textile maker’s 5-year strategic plan. With global commercialization underway, multilingual information and media on the landmark FR fabric are now available for all audiences within the Tecasafe 360+ Virtual Experience. About TenCate Protective Fabrics As the leading global producer of protective fabrics, TenCate Protective Fabrics enables millions of people worldwide to be great at what they do. Generations of industry professionals throughout industrial safety, fire, healthcare, military, and police rely on our fabrics for safety, comfort, and confidence. To learn more, visit tencatefabrics.com
Source: Textile world
TenCate Advanced Armour successfully launches manufacturing of the armour system for Spanish Army’s 8×8 Dragon VCR combat vehicle program. TenCate Advanced Armour has launched the full production phase to supply composite armour systems for the Dragon VCR Combat Vehicle Program. The manufacturing phase marks the successful delivery of an important part of the survivability suite to one of the world’s most advanced IFV programs. In a partnership with TESS Defence, TenCate Advanced Armour has managed the development of an important part of the survivability aspect from the early phases of the program. “TESS Defence has welcomed TenCate Advanced Armour as a partner in the project to add extensive capability in terms of survivability management and integration from an early stage,” says Miguel Morell, General Manager, TESS Defence. He adds, “The 8×8 Dragon VCR combat vehicle program is remarkable and a great success for the consortium of Spanish companies to develop and field a unique combat vehicle.” “We are extremely proud to be the selected partner for TESS Defence for the 8×8 Dragon VCR combat vehicle. Our partnering in the program is a result of a multi-year development effort. Receiving the order to manufacture the composite armour, is a great reward, bringing the project full circle,” states Steen Tanderup, CEO, TenCate Advanced Armour. The 8×8 Dragon VCR combat vehicle program marks the delivery of the first variant of a new generation of armoured platforms to the Spanish Army. TenCate Advanced Armour provides survivability systems to our customers, uniquely designed for personal protection, land systems, watercraft, and aviation platforms. With a background in composites, TenCate Advanced Armour is an industrial-scale engineering and manufacturing partner with capabilities to support in requirements for high-performance composites across the world.
Source: Textile world
As the world population continues to grow, there is an increasing demand for goods and services, which in turn puts pressure on Earth's natural resources. In response, circular economy has been introduced as a concept representing an economic model that aims to keep resources in use for as long as possible. Circular economy seeks to design out the traditional linear economy system of make and dispose (waste), and replace it by reusing, repairing, repurposing, refurbishing and recycling, thereby creating a closed-loop system, thus materials are kept in use longer, and natural systems are regenerated through measures such as reforestation and sustainable agriculture. The circular economy offers numerous benefits, both environmental and economic, such as reduced resource depletion and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Such practices can lead to cost savings for businesses, by reducing the need for raw materials, energy, and waste disposal. It can also create new business opportunities, such as waste separation, composting, and upcycling by using materials such as old clothing, furniture that are made functional and aesthetically pleasing. This can help to support local communities and promote economic growth. One of the key principles of circular economy is designing products for circularity so products can be easily disassembled, reused, repaired or repurposed at the end of their lifecycle. This can be achieved through sharing platforms. Airbnb and Uber are examples of circular economy practices that enable sharing resources efficiently, such as homes, vehicles and other resources, reducing the demand for new products and materials. In addition, circular economies seek to regenerate natural systems, such as restoring degraded ecosystems, conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable agriculture and forestry practices. Sweden is a leader in circular economy practices; it has developed a national strategy and targets to reduce resource consumption, waste generation, and bring together academia, industry and government to promote life cycle thinking, including practices in the construction and demolition sector by facilitating the exchange of materials and products. Also increasing the reuse and recycling of textiles and plastics by promoting recycled plastics, reducing plastic waste, and encouraging innovation in the plastics industry. In France, the government has set ambitious targets for reducing waste and increasing recycling rates to move the country to a circular economy by 2025. For example, the government has implemented a tax on landfill waste, which provides an economic incentive for businesses to reduce waste and find more sustainable alternatives. Also supports circular economy startups by providing mentoring, networking opportunities, and funding and promoting reuse of products through a network of reuse centers and seeks to reduce plastic waste and promotes a circular economy for plastics. The Finnish government has established a national roadmap for the circular economy by 2035 with targets for reducing waste and increasing the use of renewable materials, such as in construction, textiles, and electronics. Finland has also launched funding for entrepreneurs and businesses working on circular solutions by supporting research and piloting new business models. Other hubs develop circular solutions for sustainable forestry and biomass production and reduce and recycle plastic waste. Amsterdam has implemented a "circular economy roadmap", which aims to achieve a fully circular city by 2050. This involves construction policies that prioritise the use of sustainable materials and encourage the reuse of building components, through designing buildings that can be easily disassembled, repurposed and using materials that can be recycled or repurposed at the end of their life. Amsterdam has also implemented a range of initiatives to reduce waste and promote recycling that converts organic waste into compost and biogas. The Dutch government has made a commitment to transition into a circular economy by 2050 by providing funding for research and development and bolstering collaboration between businesses, research institutes, and government organizations to develop circular solutions for waste management, energy and mobility by providing knowledge, tools, and networking opportunities. Singapore aims to support startups and small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and scaling up circular economy solutions. The programme provides funding and support for projects that address specific challenges in areas such as waste management, water management and energy efficiency. It also provides mentorship, and technical expertise. One recent example is a system for converting food waste into a nutrient-rich liquid fertiliser. The United Kingdom has set out a clear vision for transitioning into a more circular economy, and established a number of initiatives to support this transition, such as allocating a £1.5 billion fund for the development of new circular business models by developing new technologies and business models to reduce plastic waste and increase recycling rates, such as producing backpacks made from recycled plastic bottles and biodegradable packaging, as well as developing new circular business models for the textiles industry. However, in underdeveloped countries the roadmap is still not clear, yet some progress has been witnessed. In Nigeria waste is being converted into valuable products, such as fuel briquettes that burn more efficiently than traditional fuels. Colombia promotes the collection and recycling of waste in low-income neighbourhoods in Bogota to reduce waste pollution and create jobs. Kenya brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to develop circular economy solutions, such as waste recycling and sustainable agriculture. India provides training, mentorship, and resources to entrepreneurs. Indonesia promotes green industrial development through sustainable resource use, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. In conclusion, circular economy offers a sustainable solution to the challenges posed by population growth, resource depletion, regressing economies, and environmental degradation by keeping resources in use for longer, creating a closed-loop system, reducing waste, conserving natural resources, and promoting economic and social benefits. Implementing circular economy practices requires a shift in mindset and collaboration across different sectors and industries, but the benefits are clear and worthwhile, particularly in underdeveloped countries.
Source: Jordan times
Cortina Leathers Leather buyers will find four new collections — Bellina, Monterrey, Frisco, and Puebla — all stocked in North Carolina. “Bellina is our newest collaboration with award-winning textile designer Virginia Langley,” said Jack Prause, president. “We created Bellina in response to designers’ requests for a soft and textural aniline with a fresh, non-traditional color line offered at an affordable price. “Virginia Langley has clearly hit a home run with our fourth collaboration. Bellina’s gorgeous color story is more than ontrend; it leads. And by combining our expertise in leather performance with genuine Italian craftsmanship, we’ve been able to create a designer-led and sustainable aniline leather that can be used with confidence in all settings.” Cortina is also showing three new North American-made leathers with low environmental footprints and what the company calls “exceptional pricing.” Monterrey is an ultra-rich pull-up leather made on U.S. hides with a luxurious, supple hand and an low environmental footprint. Frisco is a premium full-grain, wipe-off leather made on U.S. hides with a well-aged, organic style. Puebla offers a mix of fresh, light colors and rich, deep browns; a small pebble grain; soft hand; long-lasting performance; and a tight supply chain.
Covington Fabric & Design At Covington, buyers will have good/better/best options to choose from, including Magnolia Home, Covington and the Hilary Farr collections. The company is offering coordinated packages that include prints, solids, wovens and jacquards, with new colorways in each. “We’re putting our best foot forward,” said Stefanie Wotton, vice president, marketing and contract services. “We have 300-plus new SKUs, and this is our second collection with Hilary, which is also a sustainability story. We have price-driven value options, textured solids and, for the first time, a 100% recycled velvet.” Chari Voehl, senior vice president of design, noted that the new Armadura is a high-performance, easily cleanable Farr told Today that she is excited to launch her first post-COVID fabric collection. “There is a lot of bold color, nature motifs, patterns and florals,” she said. “There are polka dots, embroidered fabrics, even a zigzag pattern, everything from classic toile to delicate embroidery. “Life has been dreary, so I wanted to create something that was fun and playful,” Farr added. “We worked very hard to create something beautiful that allows consumers to reflect their own personalities.”
Crypton At Interwoven, the company is bringing “in demand” colors as well as an expanded yarn story and PFAS-free fabrics. “An aspect of our offerings for spring 2023 that anticipates market demand is our commitment to 100% PFAS-free production,” said Lance Keziah, CEO. “As a leader in the performance fabric category, we felt it was important to make the transition to PFAS Free, and we did so in October 2022. We are steadfast in our stand for sustainability, and our R&D team is forward-thinking on these challenges. “They’ve been perfecting the cleanability of our PFAS free technology over the past five years, and this put us in a position to make the transition without jeopardizing any cleaning performance. The feedback we’ve received from our customers has been extremely positive, and we’re excited that every fabric that we’re offering at Interwoven is completely PFAS-free.” Jack Eger, Crypton’s senior vice president, said that the company’s mill capabilities allow it to produce unique yarn combinations to create distinctive fabrics. “We’re distinguished in the market by our unique abilities to manufacture performance textiles with complex combinations of multi-fiber slub yarns,” Eger said. “In addition to our sophisticated and sustainable linen and cotton offerings, we’re featuring expanded ranges of chenilles and bouclés in both plains and jacquards. “We’re offering tons of new concepts in our global collections with an emphasis on multi-layered textured yarns, and we’re equally excited about expanding the range of our two best sellers,” he added. “Our customers can’t get enough of our signature texture, Nomad, so we’re proud to be offering some major and very thoughtful color additions there. Our popular Sintra velvet line will also have added range in deepened color offerings for 2023 and beyond.” “Aesthetically, Crypton’s new residential textile collections allow our customers to mix and match and really layer a design with textural performance body cloths and colorful, decorative, dynamic jacquards in a range of styles,” said Grainne Coogan, vice president of design. “This way, furniture designers, manufacturers and retailers have a tool kit for creating relevant design concepts and storytelling to appeal to design-minded consumers.” Culp The LiveSmart Solutions line is Culp’s focus for Interwoven and represents a group of fabrics that are a “solution for anywhere in your home, indoor or outdoor, that you need the ultra-cleanable, heavy, durable fabrics,” said Tammy Buckner, senior vice president of design and marketing. “This is a beautiful, coordinated collection of soft, inviting fabrics featuring soft boucles and novelty textures,” she said. “LiveSmart Solutions are solution-dyed fabrics that are bleachable, UV-resistant and perfect for any application. We’ve had an outdoor line for a couple of years, but the addition of LiveSmart Solutions Indoor/Outdoor really broadens the application of this line with designer fabrics that are beautiful and the ultimate in cleanable.” Buyers will also find Nanobionic fabrics in the Culp line. Designed to complement the demand for health-and-wellness products, Culp’s Nanobionic fabrics function as a “recharging station for the body,” according to company officials. “Culp is known for its product innovation, including our popular LiveSmart performance fabrics and LiveSmart Evolve sustainability fabrics, and we are extremely excited to partner with Nanobionic to bring this new technology to the home furnishings industry,” said Iv Culp, president and CEO in a release. “We believe incorporating the Nanobionic technology into upholstered furniture that consumers use each day can be a game changing solution for offering a performance product that now works to enhance the body.”
De Leo Textiles “Over the past few years, our business model has been evolving, and we’re continually searching for new ways to best serve our customers,” said Katie Atwater Williams, creative director. “As a solution provider, we strive to design and source the most beautiful and unique qualities around the globe and make these fabrics accessible to our U.S. customer base. “With these intentions in mind, we are thrilled to announce that in May 2023 we will be launching a new brand — ‘Safe Haven by De Leo’ — as well as a new cut yardage program, ‘De Leo By the Yard.’” Safe Haven by De Leo is a curated collection of high-end, innovative patterns and textures that are sourced from around the world, according to Williams. The collection focused on natural fibers, plush textures with dynamic visual weight and eclectic patterns. “Over the past few years, dramatic changes have taken place in our everyday lives,” Williams said, adding, “Deriving inspiration from nature and sourcing natural materials, comforting textures, and familiar colors from the natural world, De Leo’s new Safe Haven collection seeks to provide this energy. She added that the new De Leo By The Yard cut yardage program allows buyers to offer a wider breadth of product to their clients without the investment of stocking these unique items on their shelves. De Leo By The Yard offers a “carefully curated” range of textures like boucles, velvets and chenilles in a wide variety of fashion colors as well as neutral tones.
Glen Raven/Sunbrella Several new fabrics will debut in the Sunbrella showroom, all of which reflect design team’s interpretation of recent cultural shifts and lifestyle changes impacting the residential upholstery space, said Greg Voorhis, executive design director. “Consumers are increasingly informed about the materials they choose to incorporate into their homes, meaning products made with sustainable or recycled materials are an expectation,” Voorhis said. “In addition, we’re seeing luxury being redefined to be more inclusive and accessible with fabrics that incorporate soft yarns and innovative textures yet are still designed to perform. “At Sunbrella, we’re constantly expanding our yarn bank and fabric designs with new and sustainable constructions to bring collections to life in ways that continue to push the limits for how performance fabrics can look and feel.” Voorhis added that some of the team’s observations include a consumer desire for bespoke pieces that are highly meaningful, which translates to long-lasting, sustainable designs that feel timeless and luxurious, as well as filtered hues that are complemented by dynamic forms and jacquards that are designed for layering to bring depth, richness, and materiality to a space. “Pattern Nimble, which uses a new chunky bouclé yarn, is a great example of this idea, in addition to pattern Zenith, which offers a cool vintage handwoven feel,” he said. Like many suppliers in the industry, Glen Raven is transitioning its entire fabric portfolio to PFAS-free fabrics, a move that will reduce oil repellency and that is not exclusive to Sunbrella. “Because Sunbrella performance is engineered into the fiber, most oil-based spills can be cleaned and removed from our fabrics following our care and cleaning recommendations,” Voorhis said. “For added reassurance, we are launching a line of proprietary cleaning products this spring to help consumers easily maintain their Sunbrella fabrics. One of these products, Sunbrella Extract is specifically formulated to resolve oil-based spills. “This decision follows significant investments in research we conducted for nearly a decade,” he said. “We will transition our production by the end of 2023 and have already been working with our customers to help them transition their inventories in advance of any state regulations. Our leadership team feels confident in this decision for our business, and we look forward to paving the way for a brighter future for the industry at large.”
Outdura Outdura is bringing its own “best of market” through a new swatch book that showcases 143 bestsellers, many now available to both manufacturers and designers within the cut yardage program. This brings Outdura’s cut yardage program to more than 300 fabrics, available in small one-yard cuts as well as full rolls. “Our design lines and trends build on each other year-over-year, so the fabrics you’ll see at the spring Interwoven show are our newest trends, which we have shown to our customers just recently, and they are the foundation of what our customers will see in July at the Atlanta Casual Show where we’ll be previewing our Coast-to-Coast 2025 collection, along with our other programs we’ll be offering,” said Ulrich Tombuelt, CEO. “We’re hearing from our manufacturers that they’re not only looking for great looking fabrics, but this must be coupled with service and value. With our quick turnaround time of orders, a fully stocked warehouse, and great customer service team, we believe Outdura to be in a great position.” Tombuelt said that Outdura is in the final stages of quality control trials and expects to be in full production in the third quarter to produce a “PFAS-free product that we know will perform.” Along with trending color palettes that include dark coffee and cognac colors mixed with navy, peacock blue, black and creamy neutrals, Tombuelt expects the new performance finish to be strong with buyers. “This performance finish is a selling point to our customers, and we want to ensure that it can withstand the certain stains,” he said. “The C0 finish will perform against dirt and stains, the fabric remains cleanable, and it will be just as durable as what our fabric is known for.”
STI/Revolution Fabrics and Brentwood Textiles Chief Marketing Officer Anderson Gibbons said that his team views this next edition of Interwoven as “one of the most important shows in the past five years.” “We are also building out our current distribution model to better serve our customer base,” Gibbons added. “We are launching our essentials stocking program, and this program is made up of our best-selling Revolution Fabric patterns. It will give the Revolution Fabric customer a wide range of in-stock bodycloths in the $4 to $9.95 price range. All these fabrics are PFAS-free and ship to the customer in one week or less.” He added that his team is referring to this edition of Interwoven as the “Great Refresh.” “STI is excited because the merchants are finally switching up the retail floor and buying new fabrics. We see demand across the board has decreased since the record high in 2021, but we are extremely excited about our new introductions and the overall state of our business.” Gibbons said that STI and Revolution Fabrics will not be impacted by any changes in PFAS regulations since the brands have been PFAS-free since 2015. “Creating a PFAS-free textile future has been part of STI’s culture and ethos for many years,” he said. “Sean Gibbons, CEO, took a stance against these chemicals for more than 20 years. We are proud that other brands are taking a stance against these chemicals and look forward to eliminating the use of these chemicals in the consumers’ home.”
Valdese Weavers Multiple new yarns will be presented in the Valdese showroom, said Christy Almond, vice president of product development and marketing. “For our Sustain Performance Fabrics brand, we are introducing new warps and colors utilizing our Cloud yarns,” Almond said. “These products offer soft, sustainable, performance products at a value, and a new line of textures in an array of colors will be the feature of this new collection. “For Circa, we are launching a new luxury 100% cotton eyelash yarn in a sophisticated palette of colors. We have designed a collection of plush textures, intricate weaves and decorative patterns featuring this exclusive yarn.” Almond added that the yarn introductions address the growing trend of using “highly tactile texture” and more color in the home from two distinctly different angles: value performance (Sustain Cloud) and natural fibers (Circa 100% Cotton Eyelash yarn). She noted that Valdese’s vertical manufacturing model allows the company to pivot to the needs of its customers quickly while still offering a range of decorative textiles. “Valdese Weavers offers the widest range of performance options available from one source today,” Almond said. “Our vertical manufacturing model allows us to pivot to the needs of our customers quickly while still offering them a wide range of stylish, decorative textiles, including those that represent current trending palettes. “We have seen cool hues dominate the market for years, so it is only natural to see a pivot to a more warm cozy palette, especially after the pandemic where natural elements have inspired interior design in so many ways from material, pattern and color,” she said. “We are ready for the change and have lots of options to inspire a fresh selection of colors for our buyers.”
Source: The furnituretoday. Com
TenCate Advanced Armour successfully launches manufacturing of the armour system for Spanish Army’s 8×8 Dragon VCR combat vehicle program. TenCate Advanced Armour has launched the full production phase to supply composite armour systems for the Dragon VCR Combat Vehicle Program. The manufacturing phase marks the successful delivery of an important part of the survivability suite to one of the world’s most advanced IFV programs. In a partnership with TESS Defence, TenCate Advanced Armour has managed the development of an important part of the survivability aspect from the early phases of the program. “TESS Defence has welcomed TenCate Advanced Armour as a partner in the project to add extensive capability in terms of survivability management and integration from an early stage,” says Miguel Morell, General Manager, TESS Defence. He adds, “The 8×8 Dragon VCR combat vehicle program is remarkable and a great success for the consortium of Spanish companies to develop and field a unique combat vehicle.” “We are extremely proud to be the selected partner for TESS Defence for the 8×8 Dragon VCR combat vehicle. Our partnering in the program is a result of a multi-year development effort. Receiving the order to manufacture the composite armour, is a great reward, bringing the project full circle,” states Steen Tanderup, CEO, TenCate Advanced Armour. The 8×8 Dragon VCR combat vehicle program marks the delivery of the first variant of a new generation of armoured platforms to the Spanish Army. TenCate Advanced Armour provides survivability systems to our customers, uniquely designed for personal protection, land systems, watercraft, and aviation platforms. With a background in composites, TenCate Advanced Armour is an industrial-scale engineering and manufacturing partner with capabilities to support in requirements for high-performance composites across the world.
Source: Textile world
