INTERNATIONAL
NATIONAL
The Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council expects exponential growth in technical textile exports in coming months on back rebound in global economic growth. Bhadresh Dodhia, Chairman, Manmade and Technical Textiles Export Promotion Council said the technical textiles segment has emerged as an essential component in every facet of modern life. “Though India is currently at the developing stage of this segment, very soon the industry is going to see India emerge as one of the leading manufacturing and exporting countries in the world,” he added at the event to honour the highest technical textile exporters from the country. The Ministry of Textiles has given the mandate to MATEXIL to promote technical textiles exports in addition to manmade fibre textiles exports. The council announced the new name and logo for MATEXIL replacing the old name of the council, SRTEPC. Some of the leading corporates from textile industry which received awards include Reliance Industries, Arvind Ltd, Welspun Ltd, Loyal Textile Mills, Shriram Rayons and Bombay Dyeing.
Source: The Hindu business line
Indian government is confident of achieving the textile and clothing export target of USD 100 billion by 2030, stated Ms. Darshna Vikram Jardosh, Minister of State for Textiles, here. While congratulating SRTEPC for introducing MATEXIL (Manmade And Technical Textiles Export Promotion Council) in city yesterday, Ms. Jardosh opined that MATEXIL will contribute significantly in realising the vision of the government to achieve US$ 100 billion exports by 2030. Addressing the member of MATEXIL during the export award function felicitating member of Technical Textiles fraternity, Mr. Jardosh said that enormous opportunities for export of textiles and clothing. Free trade agreements will UK, EU and other nations will further help boost textile exports, she added. During the award function, Ms. Jardosh presented around 24 Awards to the companies who have excelled in exports under different segments of the Technical Textiles. Earlier, Mr. Bhadresh Dodhia, Chairman, MATEXIL informed that the Ministry of Textiles has given the mandate to MATEXIL for export promotion of Technical Textiles also in addition to promotion of export of Manmade fibre textiles. He said that this is an additional feather added in the cap of the Council. The Council will certainly arrive at the expectations of the Government in promotion of Technical Textiles globally, he added.Mr. Dodhia observed that technical textiles segment has emerged as an essential component in every facet of modern life. Though India is currently at the developing stage of this segment, very soon we are going to see India as one of the leading manufacturing and exporting countries in the world, he emphasised. Some of the leading names in the Indian Textile industry who received Awards were Reliance Industries, Strata Geosystems (India) and Khosla Profil among others. On the side-lines of the Export Award Function, the Council also organised a Conference on “Growing Opportunities in Technical Textiles”. During the Conference, there was a panel discussion wherein leaders of the Indian Technical Textiles segment and Senior level Government officials gave their views as panellists.
Source: Tecoya Trend
The 9th edition of Techtextil India opens today at Mumbai with specialised products and technological solutions. The three day long event, organised by Messe Frankfurt Asia Holding is dedicated to technical textiles is uniting 144+ industry players showcasing 200+ brands. The event was inaugurated by Rajeev Saxena, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles and Bhadresh Dhodia, Chairman, Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC), Prashant Kumar Meena, Joint Mission Director, National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), Pankaj Kapoor, Managing Director, Park Non Wovens, Raj Manek, Executive Director & Member of Board, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holding Amit Agarwal, Chairman, Indian Technical Textile Association (ITTA) and Sivan Yedidsion, CEO, Avgol . The show has a variety of exhibitors showcasing machinery, equipment and accessories, fibres and yarns, nonwovens, filtration, masterbatches, functional textiles, composites, coated textiles and much more. Raj Manek stated, “Techtextil India 2023 has received a great response from the exhibitors and associations. This represents the immense interest and potential the companies have in the platform. This trade fair will serve to be advantageous to the industry visitors who will not only get to witness the innovations after the last edition in 2021, but will also gain insights through knowledgeable conferences being held concurrently at the show.”
Source: Apparel resources
Grasim Industries, the flagship company of Aditya Birla Group, is embarking on an expansion plan for its textile division. Over the next couple of years, the company envisions the opening of 100-200 retail outlets. Expecting heightened demand during the forthcoming festive season, Grasim aims to augment its presence in the market. At the core of Grasim’s textile division lies the brand, The Linen Club, which contributes a significant one-third of the company’s textile business of approximately Rs. 3,000 crore. Satyaki Ghosh, CEO of Domestic Textiles, expressed optimism regarding India’s growth trajectory. The company’s strategy encompasses an expansive approach, targeting both retail and wholesale sectors. In the next two years, they plan to establish 100-120 ‘Linen Club’ retail establishments, strategically positioned in smaller cities and towns. During his visit to Kolkata for the inauguration of a Linen Club store, Ghosh unveiled plans for an extended presence across these markets, with a focus on collaborating with 12,000 multi-brand retailers, a substantial increase from the current 8,500 partners. Presently, Grasim Textiles boasts a network of 217 brand stores spanning the nation. Well-known brands under their umbrella include Liva and Raysil within the Viscose Staple Fibre Segment and Viscose Filament Yarn, respectively. Grasim Industries’ net revenue is valued at Rs. 1,17,627 crore and an EBITDA of Rs. 20,478 crore in FY 2023.
Source: Apparel resources
The government would ensure that the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) or carbon tax would not hurt Indian industry and manufacturing while making efforts to turn the challenge posed by efforts to check greenhouse emissions through trade into an opportunity, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said Wednesday. “Dialogue with the European Union is progressing well. They (EU) are working on it not as a technical barrier to trade but as their own effort to try to bring sustainability to the core of the world agenda,” he said at an industry event.As part of its efforts to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 EU has legislated CBAM that seeks to impose additional duties on imports of products where carbon emissions at the production stage are higher than the prescribed limits. This has been done to prevent carbon leakage – which means that companies that face stringent emission standards in the EU do not turn to imports to sidestep their obligations. The CBAM will enter into force in its transitional phase as of 1 October this year.It will initially apply to imports of goods whose production is carbon intensive and at most significant risk of carbon leakage: cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen. The EU will start imposing the tax from January 2026. “During this period we are already discussing the Free Trade Agreement with the EU. We will also find a smarter way to ensure that we are able to decarbonise our economy. We are committed to reduce our carbon intensity by 35% of 2005 levels by 2030 and we are well on our way,” Goyal said. He said India is going down the green path rapidly and looking at fuels of the future. “We are looking at green steel in the future.Industry and government can work together to create an ecosystem that will decarbonise our production.” He said with the efforts being made in renewable energy and clean fuels coupled with some policy interventions to accommodate the demand of the world would give India a competitive edge over other countries. The EU is not the only one that has come up with CBAM. The UK, US, Japan and Canada are also working on similar laws which would force exporters to switch to clean manufacturing if they want to continue to export. “So I personally look at all these not as impediments but I am continuously examining to see how we can convert this so-called problem CBAM into an advantage for the Indian industry,” Goyal added.
Source: Financial Express
India’s strategic focus on linking Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to global value chains, as highlighted at G20 meetings and through our Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, is undeniably a step in the right direction. The MSME sector is one of our largest employers, accounting for 29.2% of GDP and 36.2% of manufacturing output in 2021-22. However, the share of MSMEs in our exports has declined from 49.4% in 2020-21 to 43.6% in 2022-23. While the Indian economy is on a fast-growth trajectory, considering the global economic outlook, MSME exports are going through a tough time.In this uncertain global scenario, the role of MSMEs as drivers of India’s growth and employment cannot be undermined. To enhance their output, enable exports and bolster their overall contribution to India’s economy, multiple steps can be taken. For example, while many MSMEs operate as contract manufacturers at present, sourcing by private labels from India has space for growth. India is under-represented globally and such exports can be increased through policy support. A private label product is one that a retailer or e-commerce company can get manufactured by a third party (usually an MSME) to sell under its own store brand name. The private label market in India is on the rise, driven by the emergence of organized retail formats, both physical stores and online platforms. This growth is fuelled by consumer preferences for distinctive, high-quality products at affordable prices. With the rise in disposable incomes and consumer aspirations, users of unbranded products are shifting to branded versions. This offers an opportunity for companies to launch private labels as affordable alternatives to dearer branded equivalents. Shoppers Stop, Reliance Retail, Spencer’s, Ajio, Amazon, Big Basket, Nykaa, Flipkart, Pepperfry and Tata CliQ et al have effectively used their stores or web platforms to expand their private label offerings, giving consumers greater choice. Private labels have flourished across categories from food and apparel to cosmetics. By one estimate, the share of private labels in the Indian online beauty and personal care market, for example, has increased to over 12% this year. This trend is not only changing consumer shopping habits but also offering a lifeline to MSMEs, helping them overcome challenges like achieving brand appeal and reaching customers in today’s competitive business landscape. Private labels also play a crucial role in empowering MSMEs as they help increase their revenue. Collaborating with private labels allows MSMEs to reduce dependency on a single product line or a limited customer base, thereby gaining financial stability. Private labels enable small enterprises to reduce marketing costs by leveraging the retailer’s established channels and customer base, fostering domestic and global expansion, resource-efficient growth and innovation. By making private label products, small businesses can tap the established supply chains of large retailers with wide market reach to maximize their production. They also face reduced competition if they secure exclusive supply deals. All this affords MSMEs revenue stability and helps them secure finances. On a global scale, involving export orders, all this helps in improving global competitiveness. At a country level, it contributes to enhancing India’s reputation as a manufacturing and sourcing hub for global brands. While this pathway offers numerous benefits, some concerns arise related to consumer protection from fake and deceptive reviews of private-label products online. There is no specific law regulating private labels in India, but they are covered under various regulations. Labelling rules and norms for private labels in India, for example, could be covered under the Legal Metrology Act. While there is a need for our e-commerce rulebook to provide clarity on the roles and responsibilities of sellers and marketplaces, any rigid clauses that restrict companies from selling their own private label products could stifle the growth of MSMEs using e-commerce platforms. Hence, adopting a prudent approach to regulating private label sales on e-commerce platforms is of paramount importance. First, we need to pinpoint and address gaps in existing regulations, including those related to the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, unfair trade practices, and dispute resolution mechanisms. These overlapping regulations not only hinder business ease, but also impede the integration of MSMEs into global value chains through e-commerce platforms. A well-designed, transparent regulation will benefit all stakeholders—companies, MSME suppliers and consumers. Such a regulatory framework should prioritize transparency, clarity, competition, non-discrimination and a level playing field between store and non-store formats, which would help expand the reach of Indian MSMEs in both domestic and global markets eventually.To meet current demand, it is imperative for the government and companies to forge partnerships and collaborations aimed at onboarding a greater number of MSMEs onto e-commerce platforms, aligning this effort with a core G20 objective and India’s Foreign Trade Policy 2023. This will not only enhance their presence in the domestic market, but also strengthen their integration into global value chains. A limited view will stymie efforts to increase exports and we must explore all opportunities that the world offers our MSME manufacturers.
Source: live mint
The World Trade Organization (WTO) on Tuesday flagged growing fragmentation in international trade, with an over nine-fold increase in the number of trade concerns raised at the Council for Trade in Goods over the last six years. Concerns raised at WTO committees are seen as early warning signs for potential trade disputes. The top trade body citied unilateral environmental measures like Indonesia’s export restrictions on raw materials, China’s export restrictions on gallium and germanium, the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and other EU Green Deal measures, or the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as chief concerns by member nations at the moment. WTO warned that the use of unilateral trade policies threatens to result in a downward spiral of tit-for-tat responses and a more fragmented world, dominated by regional trade blocs and such a development is likely difficult to reverse. “Consistent with the pattern observed in technical committees, there has been a ninefold increase in the number of trade concerns raised at the Council for Trade in Goods between 2015 and 2022," WTO said in a report. The report pointed at rapid expansion of trade in digital services and environmental goods, but said a further increase in unilateral measures could yet fragment the world economy. It argues a renewed drive towards integration - "re-globalization" - is the way to tackle current problems of security, poverty and climate change.
WTO also touched upon growing skepticism about progress of globalization.
Discussions about the stagnation, or even decline, of the role played by international trade in the global economy pointed towards the rise in new industrial strategies, limits to global supply chains expansion as well as rising geopolitical tensions, WTO said. Trade strategies to re-shore manufacturing production would lead to an overall decline in the importance of trade in the global economy. “Other strategies such as bringing production closer to large markets (near-shoring) or strengthening production networks with like-minded countries (friend shoring) would lead to fragmentation of the global economy along regional and geopolitical lines," it added.
Source: live mint
INTERNATIONAL
In a world of fast-fashion, the next generation of designers wants to slow down. Fresh out of the world’s top design schools, they’re employing time-intensive techniques that reflect the value of natural resources and honor their cultural traditions. Some of their methods are high-tech; others hark back to ancestral handicraft. Here, four recent graduates share their innovative processes and their dreams for the future of the industry.
The Future Is Biodegradable
Silvia Acién, 23, was raised on a farm in El Ejido, in Spain’s Almería province. Her parents grow tomatoes for a living and avoid using chemicals in the process. “They were really thinking, ‘What you eat is what you are,’" she said. “I was like, OK, then what you wear is what you are, right?"A recent graduate of Central Saint Martins in London, Acién focused her thesis collection on traditional techniques taught by her family members, like the weaving method her grandmother used to create baskets for eggs and vegetables on the farm. “I want my message to be timeless," Acién said, “but not my clothes." All of her garments are biodegradable. She uses certified organic yarns, including some made from pineapple leaves, and gives them their hues with bacteria that are cultivated on a textile and color it as they grow. “[Bacterial-dyed fabrics] evolve and change color like humans do," Acién said. “What is ethereal, like beauty, has the power it has because it doesn’t last forever." The dyes yield muted pinks and soft purple shades that fade with light and time.She also collaborated with Xue Chen, a master’s student in biodesign, to create natural dyes from invasive plants, such as nettles collected in London. Removing those plants can help protect native biodiversity.
The Future Is Precision
Every piece Munira Khanam creates comes from leftover fabric known as deadstock. “We have three generations’ worth of waste clothing in the landfills, which is really bad for the planet," the 25-year-old designer said. The silhouettes and shapes that inspired her Fashion Institute of Technology thesis were influenced by the dramatic curves and angular planes of Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid’s buildings. Born in Sylhet, Bangladesh, Khanam says young designers can incorporate eco-friendly processes in their work through artificial intelligence. To help her visualize her thesis collection, Khanam used CLO, a software designers can use to create patterns that are converted into a 3-D simulation of the piece. She didn’t start cutting materials until she was satisfied with the digital version of her creation. “If [a design] doesn’t turn out the way you want, that’s a waste of fabric," she said. “Designers start over with a lot of things, and if we use CLO 3-D or any artificial intelligence, I think it would help us." When she starts her own brand, Khanam says she will ensure every piece is “made to order" to reduce unnecessary production waste.
The Future Is Handcrafted
Rachel Lee’s graduate collection at Parsons School of Design drew from her experiences with jesa, a traditional ceremony in Korea and China that honors one’s ancestors. “I thought of how I can act as a weaver by incorporating different stories, rituals, textiles [and] movements into the essence of the collection," the 23-year-old Korean American designer said. She used organic materials typically used in the ceremony, such as raffia and wood, and experimented with other objects, like crystals (which she received from a Swarovski sponsorship) that hang from the garments like wind chimes. “Crystals and bells [were] beaded on to create sound to reflect the Korean shamanic rattle," she said, which is used to connect to gods and spirits. Inspired by the offerings placed in brass bowls during jesa, Lee handcrafted a brass headpiece, necklace and matching rings, sawing, hammering and soldering each brass flower herself. For a draped skirt, Lee incorporated individually handsewn raffia strands into the base of the piece to give it dimension. She says she hopes to see more emerging designers who focus on one-of-a-kind handmade garments. “The future of fashion is craft in itself," Lee said.
The Future is Limitless
When Yaku Stapleton, 25, began his career in fashion design, he had no spare money to experiment with textiles. So he rummaged through studio bins. “Anything in the bin that’s not wet I’ll take," he said. Incorporating castoffs like nylon cutoffs and scrap foam is still part of his creative process. A recent master’s graduate from Central Saint Martins, he draws inspiration from Afrofuturism—a cultural movement that uses fantasy and science fiction to explore Black history. “You can be in places that we might not necessarily feel that we’re allowed to be," he said. “You can be there and [be] Black. Why not strive for that?" Working with reused items, Stapleton’s thesis collection reimagined his family members’ personalities as characters from videogames like RuneScape. “I wanted to place them in a limitless world," he said.Stapleton usually scouts clothing stores around London and asks owners to save any leftover fabrics they think he may find interesting. He likes to use discarded bedding to fill his large sculptural pieces. “My mom posts online asking for donations of duvets that would otherwise be thrown away," he said. She drives house to house to collect the discarded quilts herself. “I’ll happily experiment with anything as long as I can get it clean," Stapleton said.
Source: Live mint
A report from Cornell University and Schroders warns of a looming threat to the apparel industry in four Asian countries – Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan, and Vietnam. Extreme weather conditions, including heat-waves and flooding, could potentially jeopardize US $ 65 billion in apparel export earnings by the year 2030. The study examined the supply chains of six undisclosed global apparel brands operating within these nations. Workers in these regions are grappling with challenging climatic conditions, including scorching temperatures and recurrent flooding, leading to factory closures. Jason Judd, the executive director of the Cornell Labor Institute engaged with suppliers and buyers in these countries and discovered that hardly anyone cared about the potential risks posed by extreme heat and flooding. In fact, many apparel companies were unwilling to disclose the locations of their suppliers. Understanding the physical risks associated with climate change is crucial, yet this awareness is still in its early stages, with few businesses providing sufficient information and only a limited number of investors conducting thorough assessments. The researchers used future climate projections to assess two scenarios: a ‘climate adaptive’ and a ‘high heat and flooding’ scenario. Under the latter scenario, workers could be distressed under ‘heat stress,’ resulting in a decline in productivity as temperatures and humidity levels rise. Additionally, flooding could force the closure of factories in these four countries, which collectively contribute to 18 per cent of global apparel exports and employ 10.6 million workers in apparel production. The overall decrease in productivity could lead to a staggering US $ 65 billion deficit in projected earnings between 2025 and 2030, representing a 22 per cent decline, according to the study’s findings. Looking further ahead to 2050, lost export earnings could soar to 68.6 per cent, and there could be a staggering 8.64 million fewer jobs.
Source: Apparel resources
Archive, a leading company which powers customised resale at scale for global brands, introduces ‘Second Hand September’. The campaign brings brands together with their different approaches in an attempt to inspire shoppers to lessen their impact on the planet by buying only secondhand items for 30 days. In New York City, DVF (Diane von Furstenberg) has come up with a way for customers to purchase secondhand directly in-store by featuring a selection of pre-loved pieces. The brand launched its Re-Wrap resale platform in partnership with Archive earlier this year. M.M.LaFleur and Sarah Flint bring out special listing promotions to encourage customers to upload items to their respective resale sites. Sarah Flint will also feature a selection of gently used pieces in-store. Other major participating brand partners include Faherty, ba&sh, Sandro, Ariat, Hanna Andersson, HOBO and Marimekko. Many of these participating brands will also post resale shopping tips and special content on social media with the #SecondHandSeptember hashtag. Second Hand September encashes the emerging consciousness and popularity for sustainability, thrifting and fashion resale, increasing the growth of Archive’s business globally. Archive has launched resale programs for 18 new brand partners, bringing its client roster to more than 40 brands. The company has doubled its headcount over the past 12 months and reinforced its leadership team by appointing Stripe and Yelp veteran Toby Waite to the newly created role of VP of Engineering. In addition, Archive has expanded into the UK market and envisions resale programs for partners in seven countries.
Source: Apparel resources
The global antimicrobial textiles market size is expected reach US $ 16,635.41 million by 2028. The same was of US $ 10,914.66 million in 2022. The Antimicrobial Textiles Market research report claims that the market will witness growth of 7.28 per cent during the forecast period. Antimicrobial fabrics and textiles are fibre-based substrates to which antimicrobial agents have been applied at the surface, or incorporated into the fibres, rendering a product that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms. The market is growing as people across the globe are becoming more aware of their health and wish to use apparel with antimicrobial finish. At the same time companies in this segment have more focus on the R&D and making the antimicrobial finish cost effective and long lasting. Thai acrylic Fibre Co. Ltd., Lonza Group AG, Milliken Chemical, BioCote, Microban International, Herculite Products, Vestagen Protective Technologies, Trevira GmbH are some of the key player in this industry.
Source: Apparel resources
