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Affiliated companies ADVANSA and Asia Pacific Fibers (APF) have joined forces to launch REMOTION - a premium fibre for sports and activewear, made from recycled ocean-bound plastic bottles with full end-to-end traceability from Prevented Ocean Plastic. REMOTION, offers a breakthrough solution for innovative textiles that merges ocean protection with built-in biodegradability. The fibres break-down in marine environments to prevent microplastic pollution of the oceans, a pervasive problem which can be the consequence of fibre-shedding from apparel laundry waste-water. Watch the video. Remotion offers a game-changing solution with various sustainable features such as biodegradability and recyclability, with customized performance features such as anti-bacterial properties and moisture management built-in to the fibre. Moreover, this premium fibre is also offered in customer curated colours that guarantee very good colour fastness. Thus, this “all-in-one” fibre contributes to a sustainable and healthy environment with remarkable savings in water, energy, chemicals, and CO2. The fibre is available in a range of filament and staple options with two variants: REMOTION Blue made from ocean-bound plastic bottles, REMOTION Green made from domestic recycled plastic bottles. REMOTION Blue is a specially engineered polyester fibre made from ocean-bound plastic as a premium raw material with a social aspect. ADVANSA and APF are cooperating with Prevented Ocean Plastic, a global recycling initiative that helps tens of thousands of people around the world to clean their coastlines, prevent ocean plastic pollution and earn additional income. Discarded plastic bottles are picked up by plastic collectors from coastal areas at risk of ocean plastic pollution and are taken to collection centres. The plastic bottles are then sorted out, cleaned and processed into raw material flakes which are used as a premium ingredient for REMOTION Blue range of products. REMOTION can (and should) be recycled like standard polyester at the end of the garment’s useful life. Unfortunately, mass apparel recycling is not available today, and here the fibre is a true game changer. Unlike traditional synthetic fibres, if they end up in landfill or marine environments, Remotion is modified to naturally break down over time, at a rate comparable with natural fibres like wool: up to 40% within a year in landfill or in marine environment and over 90% within four years. This reduces the accumulation of non-biodegradable waste and the risk of plastic and microplastic pollution in the environment, in stark contrast to the hundreds of years that it takes for a traditional synthetic fibre to break down. REMOTION fibres are also designed for performance. A unique “triple-cross” modified cross-section enables a faster moisture distribution, compared to other fabrics, for superior breathability and optimum wearing comfort. Additionally, REMOTION can offer the option of excellent antibacterial properties achieved by Quat-Silanes delivering great anti-odour benefits. It inhibits the growth of harmful microorganisms providing additional protection against bacteria. The option of high colour fastness for long-lasting usage is another remarkable property, achieved thanks to dope dying process employed during the fibre making process. These dope dyed fibres also contribute an enable other favourable sustainable practices like, less consumption of water, chemicals, energy, and lower CO2 emissions by the downstream fabric makers and thus minimizing the wastewater pollution in the environment. The high colour fastness derived from the dope dyed process ensures that products made from these fibres maintain their visual appeal over time, enhancing their durability and longevity. ADVANSA and Asia Pacific Fibers, with a long history of technology and process expertise, are launching this exciting product at the Performance Days in Munich from 3-5 October 2023, putting their latest innovation at the forefront of biodegradability, recyclability, and performance. APF’s plants in Semarang, Indonesia (Polyester Filament) and Karawang, Indonesia (Polyester Staple Fibre) have qualified for the independent Global Recycle Standard (GRS) which certifies both traceability of materials, as well as social and ethical compliance. The aim is to participate in the transformation in the textile industry towards a more sustainable and circular economy focused on the well-being of humans, the earth, and future generations. Here, cutting-edge technology and sustainability go hand-in-hand.
Source: TECOYA TREND
The Indian government is implementing a multi-pronged export strategy to counter the decline in Indian exports due to shrinking demand from key markets. The strategy will initially focus on export promotion in about a dozen countries, including the US, the UK, the UAE, and Russia, and will target eight commodity groups such as auto, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and food processing. The Department for Promotion of Investment and Internal Trade, the Commerce Department, Invest India, and Indian Missions will collaborate to organize road shows, exhibitions, and buyer-seller meets in these countries. The government aims to grab a larger share of these identified markets, which hold growth potential, through various promotional measures. The strategy also involves building synergies between domestic manufacturing and exports, with an emphasis on "make in India" and "make for the world". India's goods exports have fallen for the fourth consecutive month, declining by 10.3% in May 2023 to $34.98 billion, primarily due to decreased demand in major markets like China, the US, and the EU
Source: The eznews.in
The ministry of commerce and industry has identified 12 countries for trade and investment promotion road shows in the coming months, and has decided to go big on marketing events globally as part of a major plan of action to push faltering exports, a senior official said Wednesday. The road shows and marketing blitz are part of a plan that has been drafted by a task force of officials of Department of Commerce, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Invest India and Indian Missions abroad. The countries where the action will be concentrated include the US, Brazil, Canada, UAE, Saudi Arabia, UK, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Russia, the official said.Before zeroing in on the target countries the task force had done an in-depth analysis of export-import trends, outbound investments trends and strategic engagements with over 20 countries. Out of the entire basket of exports from India, eight to nine commodity groups have been identified for the push in these markets. Some of the commodities include food, electronics and engineering. India has for long expressed its intention to be part of the global supply chains, especially in high-technology areas like electronics and information technology. “World trade is happening in value chains and for that manufacturing is required. The focus of the plan is whatever we make in India should have an export orientation,” he said. The new approach to trade comes at a time when exports have been in the negative territory for the last five months. In May, the latest month for which data is available, exports contracted by 10.3% on-year to $34.98 billion. The decline led to an increase in trade deficit during the month to a five-month high of $22.12 billion. In the first two months for the fiscal 2023-24 exports were down 11.41% to $69.72 billion. As these 12 focus countries are also a big source of Foreign Direct Investment in the world and India, channels of communications would be opened with some of the biggest companies there to encourage them to deepen their engagement with India, he added.“The idea is that both trade and investment strategy should be working in sync,” the official added. The plan also involves sending teams from the Department of Commerce and Niti Aayog to the big global trade exhibitions where they would be organising buyer-seller meets. The plan also involves approaching 10 biggest organisers of trade exhibitions in the world and mounting large scale events in India too. The new exhibition grounds of Indian Trade Promotion Organisation are nearing completion and in coming months some big exhibitions and buyer-seller meets are being planned.
Source: Financial Express
The company has filed DRHP (draft red herring prospectus) earlier this year to launch its IPO. The shares will be listed on NSE Emerge. It will use the issue proceeds to fuel its growth and expand margins. The company expects to raise Rs 45-50 through the IPO, said Hanskumar Agarwal, Executive Director, Shri Techtex Ltd. According to the objects of the proposed public issue, the proceeds will be used mainly for the construction of the factory shed (Rs 3.71 crore), commissioning of a solar plant (Rs 4.89 crore), purchase of machinery (Rs 8.34 crore), and meeting working capital requirement (Rs 13.30 crore). Shri Techtex is eyeing to cross Rs 100 crore-mark in revenues by FY26, riding on a direct foray into the US market, expansion in product portfolio and improved capacities. As per the draft paper, Shri Techtex's operational revenues stood at Rs 51.17 crore in FY22 and Rs 35.21 crore in the first five months of the last fiscal year. The profit after tax stood at Rs 8.27 crore in FY22 and Rs 6.07 crore in the first five months of FY23. We are now unveiling the next chapter of our journey -- eyeing to expand the scale, product portfolio and margins, thereby creating sustained value for our stakeholders. We have invested in growth assets and transiting to a public company...," Agarwal said. The company manufactures PP non-woven fabric in various sizes and densities up to 4.5 metres in size and of 15 GSM to 800 GSM grade. Its manufacturing facility is located at Simaj of Dholka Taluka in the Ahmedabad district of Gujarat. The manufacturing facility is spread across 41,548 square metres and installed with a 3,600 tonnes PP non-woven fabric capacity per annum.
Source: The News Drum
The United Kingdom is keen that free trade pact being negotiated with India is completed at the earliest as it refocuses its attention of the growing markets of the Indo-Pacific, however the financial powerhouse is not setting any deadlines for the agreements which will include deals on service sector and investments. UK's Minister for International Trade, Nigel Huddleston, in an exclusive interview to PTI said that half the chapters in the deal have already been concluded and work is on to complete the negotiations as soon as possible. "We have made good progress on the FTA ... we have concluded negotiations on half the chapters in the pact. We want a comprehensive agreement on both goods and services. It (the pact with India) is going to be very important as part of our shift towards the Indo-Pacific," the UK Minister said. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had earlier last week indicated that both countries were aiming for a "truly ambitious trade deal." The FTA which has been in the works for some years now is expected to be a comprehensive pact covering not only goods and services trade but also in investments. Huddleston pointed out that 80 per cent of Great Britain's economy was dependant on services and the chapters on services are therefore an important part of the deal being negotiated for both the countries. Britin which has an USD 3.1 trillion economy according to World bank data, has long been a service sector powerhouse. The city of London, which is one the world's biggest financial markets, has also long attracted Indian companies seeking to raise funds from the global market. "It's a negotiation, so I really can't reveal our hand," he said with a smile when asked about sticking points in the agreement. The Minister also said the pact, which would include chapters on investments from both countries, would take care to see that not only big business but small and medium enterprises from both countries gained by the agreement. Speaking on sub-deals on trade in whiskey, automobiles, etc., the Minister said, "we would like to see tariffs come down ... (However) our pacts are not just about tariff but also a lot about non-tariff barriers." He pointed out that the way forward for promoting ease of doing trade would be to reduce "paperwork and increase digital signatures." Nigel Huddleston who was appointed Minister for International Trade in February this year with charge of all global trade netotiations, has been an important Tory leader in the UK and has been Government Whip (Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury) before this. Huddleston told PTI that temporary business visas and inter-company transfer of people "was part of the conversation" to make it easier for businessmen and highly skilled professionals to travel between the two countries. UK companies have invested about USD 33,87 billion in the Indian market while some 900 Indian firms operating in the UK are believed to generate USD 68 billion in turnover, according to Invest India.
Source: Economic Times
The Electric Power Transmission Association (EPTA) on Wednesday announced the appointment of Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi (IAS, Rtd.) to the position of its Director General. In his role, Chaturvedi will be responsible for leading EPTA's efforts to promote the development of a robust, reliable, and vibrant transmission sector. Chaturvedi is a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer with a distinguished career of 35 years, having served in various high-ranking positions within the government. He has held the position of Secretary of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) and has made significant contributions as Additional Chief Secretary Forest & Environment, Government of Jharkhand. He has also worked with the erstwhile Planning Commission, Prime Minister's Office, and International Monetary Fund, at Washington DC. Chaturvedi is an alumnus of IIT-Kanpur and Kennedy School, Harvard University, US. On appointment as DG of EPTA, Chaturvedi said, “Power Transmission is central to India’s ambitious dream of 500GW of renewables by 2030. As DG – EPTA, I look forward to helping shape the transmission agenda, thus contributing to the achievement of India's energy transition plans in a timely and cost-efficient manner.” Electric Power Transmission Association (EPTA) is an association registered in 2012 and consists of leading private electricity transmission developers, industry stakeholders, and experts in electricity transmission. EPTA’s members operate and maintain various inter-state and intra-state transmission systems across the nation. It is the objective of EPTA to safeguard the interests of transmission companies operating in India and to provide a platform for such companies to raise their concerns, hold discussions, and further the goal of reliable transmission of electricity throughout the nation.
Source: The Psuwatch
INTERNATIONAL
The European Commission has unveiled its highly-anticipated proposals to introduce a mandatory extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme for textiles in all member states. The EPR scheme would make producers responsible for the full lifecycle of textile products and support the sustainable management of textile waste across the European Union (EU), according to the commission. Producers would pay fees to cover the costs of the management of textile waste, a system which the commission says will also give them incentives to reduce waste and increase the circularity of textile products.
Source: The Ecotextile
The annual Smart Fabrics Summit was held again this year at the Wilson College of Textiles of North Carolina State University, sponsored by the Advanced Textiles Association (ATA, formerly the Industrial Fabrics Association International). John Lanza and Arian Jabbary, representing Foley’s Smart Manufacturing Industry Sector and its Fashion, Apparel & Beauty (fab) Industry Team, engaged with the nation’s preeminent stakeholders in the e-textiles industry, including the likes of electrical and textile engineers, research labs, manufacturers, consumer brands, and federal defense agencies to discuss the development of smart fabric technology and its implementation into everyday use applications. The two-day event featured the format of “share and discuss,” where various members of the industry presented their latest findings in e-textile research and development, and then a Q&A discussion followed allowing for all members to confer and discuss their insights and solutions. This year’s Summit posed two questions to the attendees: How can market segments collaborate to accelerate the development of the industry by U.S. manufacturers? And, what policies will apply to, or should be developed for, smart fabric products? Our answer: like any industry, a conformity of standards, messaging, and legal infrastructure is paramount. The segmented nature of the research and development activity in the smart fabrics industry, as well as the relative gaps between their current applications (e.g., defense, home furnishings, fashion, athletic wear, medical, etc.), means that stakeholders from all shades of the spectrum are currently operating in different, albeit related, siloes. These siloes are each subject to different rules and standards, while some are subject to none at all. Moreover, each silo messages the technology differently because of the difference in industry end users. A common framework and language for smart fabrics will help the smart fabrics industry achieve its full potential.
Conformity of Standards: During this year’s conference, one speaker remarked on the varying standards, tests, and units of measurement used to analyze the efficacy of filtering particulates in personal protective equipment (ppe).The speaker emphasized that there is a vast disparity in uniformity for the standards through which these smart fabrics are evaluated in this use-application. The multitude of standards in this area has rendered it difficult for smart fabrics to be used for PPE in a universally beneficial way. For example, Dartmouth researchers have developed a durable copper-based coating which can be integrated into fabric to create responsive and reusable materials such as protective equipment, environmental sensors, and smart filters (https://home.dartmouth.edu/news/2023/01/smart-coating-could-make-fabrics-protectivegear). The coating responds to the presence of toxic gases in the air by converting them into less toxic substances that become trapped in the fabric. But without clear standards against which to measure the efficacy of the fabric, it will be difficult to know whether fabrics made using this technique can replace existing, higher-cost fabrics.
Conformity of Messaging: Any successful company knows good messaging is everything. You can have a fantastic product; however, if the advantages of that product are not communicated well to the target demographic, then it will not sell. It’s clear that if smart fabrics are to become ubiquitous, they first need to be commonly understood. It may be wise to establish standard terminology in the naming conventions of smart fabric products and technologies. Perhaps this can be posited by certain bodies such as ATA, itself. In doing so, consumers will recognize when a smart fabric is integrated in a product, but they will also identify the association of a given technology’s benefit with the way it is described. An example of this is conveying the difference to consumers between smart fabrics made with conductive inks, smart fabrics made by coating the fibers of the fabric, and smart fabrics made in which the fibers themselves are “smart.” A recent survey from IDTechEx reveals that this is a large problem for the smart fabrics industry, with use of the various techniques split among respondents:
While the emphasis in the smart fabrics industry is still on technology development and implementation, regulatory oversight is clearly on the horizon. We provide a few examples that will likely impact the smart fabric industry in the coming years: Data Privacy: Existing privacy regimes hinge on consent, but this framework for consent unravels when the technology processing and storing data is innocuous (hidden within fabric) and not tethered to a device or service. Indeed, a recent article from the International Fiber Journal noted that e-textiles may help to monitor a number of health conditions, as research has found that people who most need wearable health devices, such as smartwatches and fitness bands, may use them the least. Privacy laws will need to anticipate that, as the data-capturing elements become infinitesimally small, issues of consent and even awareness of tracking will become pertinent. International Trade & Customs: Smart fabrics will be manufactured and traded across international borders. How will customs treat fabrics that contain e-textiles – like wearable devices, like standard apparel, or as a separate category? The laws that regulate import/export procedures, customs duties, intellectual property rights enforcement, and compliance with trade agreements, all of which are implicated by the trade of smart fabrics, will need to be examined and potentially updated. Regulatory: Government agencies and industry bodies often establish standards and regulations for emerging technologies. In the case of smart fabrics, there may be regulations related to product safety, electromagnetic compatibility, radio frequency emissions, or specific industry standards for interoperability. Up first, however, may be regulation by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Owlet Baby Care’s “smart sock,” designed to be worn by infants and report live heart rate and oxygenation data, is not currently being sold in the U.S. after the FDA warned that it required classification as a medical device. Employment and Labor Law: In the context of smart fabrics, employment and labor laws may be relevant when integrating technology into work environments. This can include issues related to employee monitoring, workplace surveillance, or the impact of automation on job roles Our takeaway from the 2023 Smart Fabrics Summit is that the future for smart fabrics is bright, but there’s definitely work to be done. It’s worth doing, though. IDTechEx predicts that the smart fabrics market will exceed US$780 million by 2033. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to the task at hand. This blog is made available by Foley & Lardner LLP (“Foley” or “the Firm”) for informational purposes only. It is not meant to convey the Firm’s legal position on behalf of any client, nor is it intended to convey specific legal advice. Any opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Foley & Lardner LLP, its partners, or its clients. Accordingly, do not act upon this information without seeking counsel from a licensed attorney. This blog is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Communicating with Foley through this website by email, blog post, or otherwise, does not create an attorney-client relationship for any legal matter. Therefore, any communication or material you transmit to Foley through this blog, whether by email, blog post or any other manner, will not be treated as confidential or proprietary. The information on this blog is published “AS IS” and is not guaranteed to be complete, accurate, and or up-to-date. Foley makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation or content of the site. Foley expressly disclaims all other guarantees, warranties, conditions and representations of any kind, either express or implied, whether arising under any statute, law, commercial use or otherwise, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title and non-infringement. In no event shall Foley or any of its partners, officers, employees, agents or affiliates be liable, directly or indirectly, under any theory of law (contract, tort, negligence or otherwise), to you or anyone else, for any claims, losses or damages, direct, indirect special, incidental, punitive or consequential, resulting from or occasioned by the creation, use of or reliance on this site (including information and other content) or any third party websites or the information, resources or material accessed through any such websites. In some jurisdictions, the contents of this blog may be considered Attorney Advertising. If applicable, please note that prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Photographs are for dramatization purposes only and may include models. Likenesses do not necessarily imply current client, partnership or employee status.
Source: The foley.com
Global textile manufacturer, Milliken & Company, announced today an expansion to their Milliken Outdoor Fabrics line, Outer Realm. The new collection, premiering at Casual Market Atlanta in July, joins the company’s debut collection, New Vistas, to extend its popular outdoor performance fabrics line. Milliken first entered the outdoor fabric market at the 2022 Casual Market Chicago show with its New Vistas line, a line of performance fabrics designed to move effortlessly from indoors to outdoors. Due to the positive response to the company’s entrance, Milliken is debuting new color options for New Vistas and its second collection from the line, Outer Realm, at this year’s show. “When we entered the outdoor fabric market in 2022, we knew we were supplying the industry with something they had been missing for years—durable, high-performing performance fabrics that have sustainability top of mind,” said Benji Bagwell, vice president of Decor in the Textile Business of Milliken & Company. He adds, “With the introduction of Outer Realm, it’s clear the industry was hungry for innovation in the outdoor space, and we’re excited to provide even more options that deliver on both design and performance. New introductions at Casual Market Atlanta include— Outer Realm: a new outdoor collection of striped and patterned decorative fabrics with 14 patterns across 68 SKUs. New Vistas: adding 17 new colors to the line of functional body cloths. All Milliken outdoor performance fabrics have a non-PFAS water-repellent finish, are designed to be fade-resistant, and are currently in stock and ready to ship. The expansion of New Vistas and the introduction of Outer Realm means that Milliken now has a complete portfolio of outdoor performance fabrics available for every application, including body cloths and decorative fabrics. According to a survey from the International Casual Furnishings Association, 54 percent of Americans say they will purchase new furnishings and decor for their decks, yards, and patios. Of those, 27 percent reported adding shade items like umbrellas and decor items, including pillows and cushions. “We’re seeing consumers looking to invest in the outdoor spaces they’ve spent the past three years building and bring a more personal, design-forward aesthetic to their living areas. We are well-positioned to support outdoor furniture manufacturers who want to provide these consumers with sustainable, beautiful elements,” said Bagwell. The Textile Business at Milliken & Company will exhibit the new Milliken Outdoor Fabrics at the Casual Market Atlanta in booth 7-1074. Walk-ups are welcome. Visit outdoor.milliken.com for more information.
Source: Textile World
Global textile manufacturer and designer of contract and transport fabrics, Camira has issued Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for 21 of its products. Demonstrating the business’s commitment to transparency and sustainable manufacturing, the EPDs are based on a life cycle assessment which evaluates the environmental impact of fabrics acrost their entire lifecycle. Third-party verified by SCS Global Services, an international leader in environmental certifications, the EPDs analyse the entire production process from raw material extraction, transportation, packaging, manufacturing, use and end-of-life. The main impact categories covered under the EPDs are climate change, acidification, eutrophication, ozone depletion and fossil fuel depletion; there are 13 environmental indicators in total. In partnership with SCS Global, Camira examined its natural fibre and wool-plant based fabrics, as well as several synthetic textiles, made from post-consumer recycled polyester. The results provide comparable and reliable data for the construction and design industry to use when evaluating the environmental impact of Camira’s fabrics. Commenting on the EPDs, Director of Marketing and Sustainability at Camira, Ian Burn said: “Obtaining EPDs for Camira products has been a major undertaking for the business over the last two years. Using primary data from Camira’s manufacturing processes and key supply chain partners, as well as secondary data from third party sources, we’re now able to share crucial information with our stakeholders and provide a comprehensive overview of the environmental impact of our fabrics.” Valid until 2028, the EPDs are defined by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) as a type III environmental declaration which is compliant with the ISO 14025 and contributes towards Building Standards such as LEEDv4 and BREEAM. Ian Burn continued: “We never lose sight of where our products start and finish. That’s because we’re so deeply entwined in all the different textile manufacturing processes, going right back to sourcing raw wool on sheep farms in New Zealand to spinning yarn, weaving and knitting fabrics, dyeing and finishing. “We’re very pleased to be able to demonstrate our continued commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility, and to create fabrics that our customers can trust.” The EPDs form part of a wider sustainability strategy for Camira, which will now look to target specific areas within its manufacturing supply chain to improve the overall carbon footprint across its entire portfolio of products.
Source: Textile World
