NATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL
NATIONAL
The Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) has called upon the Ministry of Textiles to exempt Quality Control Order (QCO) against Advance Authorisations. SRTEPC in a letter to the ministry informed that the prescribed quality standards for products differ from country to country. The quality standards in the different export markets may not be the same as the quality parametres in our country. Hence, the standards prescribed by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) may be acceptable in many countries. For all your requirement in Linen/Flax Fibres, Tops and Yarns Cottonised flax fibers for cotton spinning in natural and bleached from Wester Europe origin: Nv Jos Vanneste Belgium Contact: Eve Fabrics Pvt. Ltd. www.jos-vanneste.com ckmody@evefabrics.com The QCOs have exempted import for re-export purpose from compliance of its requirements, SRTEPC noted and added that the raw material imported against advance authorisations are also used to manufacture finished products that are subsequently exported. In view of the above, SRTEPC has suggested the QCO requirement for textile may be exempted on imports under advance authorisations by imposing a 'pre-import condition'. This will ensure that the finished products manufactured out of the inputs imported against advance authorisations are exported and not sold or transferred in the domestic markets. SRTEPC has also suggested that a separata Advance Authorisation Scheme for Textile may be introduced under Chapter 4 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, similar to the Scheme for Gems & Jewellery and the Special Advance Authorisation Scheme for Garments. The imports from countries with whom India has signed a free trade agreement (FTA) may not be permitted to be imported against advance authorisations, SRTEPC has appealed. Considering the above suggestions and appeal, SRTEPC has pleaded the ministry to recommend to DGFT to exempt imports against advance authorisations from the requirements of QCOs.
Source: Tecoya Trend
The Government has announced the new rates of duty drawback and a few products have had a significant increase in rates. Cotton T-shirts now have a drawback rate of 3.1 per cent compared to 2.1 per cent of earlier, rates for manmade T-shirts also increased by 0.5 per cent, babies garments (blended and cotton) do have a little increase. Regarding drawback value cap per unit, there is a significant revision, as for babies garments, now the cap is Rs. 29.4 which was earlier Rs. 13, similarly in blended babies garments, earlier the cap was of Rs. 6 which is now Rs. 12.5. This revision has come more than after three years as prior to this, the last revision was done on 28th January 2020. The Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India has issued a Notification recently by revising the Drawback schedule. This notification shall come into effect from 30th October 2023. The notification also says that in respect of the tariff items in Chapters 60, 61, 62 and 63 of the said schedule, the blend containing cotton and man-made fibre shall mean that content of man-made fibre in it shall be more than 15 per cent but less than 85 per cent by weight and the blend containing wool and manmade fibre shall mean that content of man-made fibre in it shall be more than 15 per cent but less than 85 per cent by weight. The garment or made-up of cotton or wool or man-made fibre or silk shall mean that the content in it of the respective fibre is 85 per cent or more by weight. K.M. Subramanian, President, Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA) said, “We are happy with this decision as we have appealed for the revision of drawback rates and value cap upwards for knitwear garments.”
Source: Apparel Resources
Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (ABFRL) marked another strategic move by acquiring a 51 per cent stake in Styleverse Lifestyle for Rs. 155 crore through its subsidiary, Aditya Birla Digital Fashion Ventures. The deal involved a shareholder agreement and a share subscription agreement. Styleverse Lifestyle manufactures and sells apparel under the brands The Indian Garage Co, Freehand, and Hardsoda. “The business was earlier operating under a partnership firm The Indian Garage Co and was transferred into SLPL through a business transfer arrangement,” said ABFRL in a statement. This acquisition follows ABFRL’s successful purchase of a 51 per cent stake in TCNS Clothing in September. TCNS Clothing, the owner of esteemed labels such as W, Aurelia, Wishful, Folksong, and Elleven, was acquired for Rs. 1,650 crore, further diversifying ABFRL’s brand portfolio. ABFRL, an entity formed through the merger of Madura Fashion, Lifestyle division from Aditya Birla Nuvo (ABNL), and Pantaloon in 2015, has become India’s largest listed branded apparel company. With an annual sales figure of approximately Rs 8,136 crore, the conglomerate operates a vast network of stores, including popular brands like Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly, and Peter England.
Source: Apparel Resources
CityKart, one of the leading value retail chains, is eying an investment of up to Rs. 100 crore across India and will open up around 25-30 stores by the end of FY ’23-24, with the significant investment also contributing to the employment of around 700-1000. Currently, it is operating 95 stores in 73 cities across 8 states. In a press release, the retailer said that it has attained remarkable growth and success in the Indian market. CityKart offers men’s, women’s, and kids’ apparel, Home Furnishing, and accessories, thereby capturing the hearts of residents and experiencing exponential growth in the region. Having raised Rs. 105 crore to date for the expansion plan of attaining 300 stores by 2026, CityKart is aiming to capture a significant market share and become a bustling shopping hub for residents and fashion enthusiasts. Ritesh Rathi, COO, Citykart said, “We are thrilled to have experienced such tremendous growth and success in the Tier-2 and Tier-3 market. The overwhelming response and acceptance that we have received from our customers has encouraged the entire Citykart team to expand our store presence and product offerings. We remain committed to providing an unmatched shopping experience, and we look forward to continuing to create an atmosphere that brings joy and celebration to our customers in India.”
Source: Apparel Resources
India and the UK are progressing towards a common ground on dispute settlement, the most controversial part of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) being negotiated, in a bid to ensure that the investment pact gets simultaneously concluded with the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in goods and services which is at an advanced stage of discussion, sources have said. “Most of the issues in BIT have been settled. There are some areas left like Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) that need more work. But both sides have changed their stance during the current negotiations and become more flexible. The UK is attempting to be more accommodative in its demand for international arbitration and may allow local remedies to be tried first with certain caveats. The concern around the `exhaustion of local remedies’ clause in ISDS is related to the time it takes to settle disputes in India and needs to be addressed. You cannot make investors to wait for ten years,” a source close to the development said.
Deal Ambiguity Although negotiators of the India-UK FTA have been trying their best to close some remaining gaps in areas related to market access for goods and services and rules of origin in time for the proposed India visit of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak this month-end, things are still not quite final. “There has been no official announcement yet of the British PM’s proposed visit to India although unofficially both sides have been talking about it. Moreover, all issues related to the India-UK FTA have not yet been ironed out though efforts are on continuously. So, it is wait and watch for all,” the official said.
Ambitious Target The FTA, when implemented, is likely to help the two countries double bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030. In the area of investments, India had first proposed a pact based on the Model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) drafted by the Finance Ministry. However, the UK showed less inclination towards this proposed pact as it allowed investors to go for international arbitration only after exhausting local remedies. The UK wanted that international arbitration should be allowed without going to local courts first. “A middle-ground is likely to be arrived at on the issue of local remedies by meeting UK’s concern on the time taken to arrive at judgements on disputes locally,” the source said. While there was a strong buzz about the India-UK FTA being concluded first independently of the BIT, all efforts are still being made to ensure that both are finalised simultaneously, the source added.
Source: The Hindu business Line
In an email communication, online social shopping platform Poshmark informed customers that it will be closing its India business on October 26. The US-based e-commerce firm, which specialises in the sale of second-hand products, had launched its India operations in September 2021, as part of a wider international expansion into markets such as Australia. The firm is also reportedly closing operations in Australia and the UK. Poshmark allows users to sell used or unused clothes, and charges a commission on every sale. “And while our ambition remains to connect as many closets as possible, we’ve made the tough decision to close our Poshmark India marketplace. The Poshmark India market place will close October 26, 2023. This decision allows us to focus our energy and increase our investments in our core markets, the US and Canada,” the firm said in the email. In October 2022, Poshmark was acquired by South Korean e-commerce firm Naver Corp in a $1.2 billion deal. Indian customers can last use their credits on the platform on October 25, and the platform won’t allow new orders and listings from October 26, Poshmark said in the email. Sellers can redeem their earnings for the last time on November 1, with the marketplace becoming inaccessible from November 2. In March 2022, Singaporean e-commerce firm Shopee shut its operations in India, just six months after entering the country. The move followed the Indian government’s decision to block the gaming app Free Fire, owned by Shopee’s parent firm Sea Ltd.
Source: Retail.Economictimes.Indiatimes.com
Advertising & digital agency, FCB Ulka, has clinched the creative mandate for Shoppers Stop. FCB Ulka will spearhead the development and execution of comprehensive marketing campaigns for Shoppers Stop. The victory follows an exhaustive pitch process involving multiple agencies. The agency has already devised two standout campaigns for Shoppers Stop: ‘Tyohar Ki Nayi Kashish’, unveiling the new Kashish collection featuring Sanya Malhotra, and the Diwali campaign, ‘We Time Wali Diwali’, featuring Rakul Preet Singh. These campaigns emphasise embracing new experiences and traditions during the festive season, reinforcing the importance of quality time with family and friends. Shwetal Basu, Chief of Marketing and Communication at Shoppers Stop, said, “We are excited to embark on this creative journey with FCB Ulka as our trusted partner. Their deep understanding of the Indian consumer and their ability to craft compelling marketing campaigns align perfectly with our vision for Shoppers Stop. With their innovative approach and expertise, we are confident that FCB Ulka will help us redefine the fashion retail experience for our customers. We look forward to collaborating closely and creating inspiring, fashionforward narratives that resonate with our audience.”
Source: Apparel Resources
INTERNATIONAL
Lindström continues to remain the only organised rental workwear service company in India with PAN India operations, employing more than 900 persons across the country. Today, the company provides clean workwear to more than 750,000 persons on a daily basis with more than 3 million garments in circulation in India catering to more than 2000 customers across different industry segments. Lindström serves versatile industries including many critically important ones food, pharma and healthcare companies, who require reliable and high standards of hygiene. Jayant Roy, Managing Director, Lindström India, shared insights into the company’s recent offering and their upcoming plans during a discussion with Divya Shetty
What is the recent trend in work wear in India as well as globally? Unlike countries which face a huge amount of workforce shortage and therefore high penetration of the service industry, in India, workwear rental services is a relatively new concept introduced by us about 16 years back. Most of the companies in India have been depending on their own in-house capability for meeting the various requirements of workwear for their employees. But, now, with the emergence of Lindström, the entire 360-degree need of an organisation are being taken care of, thereby freeing a good chunk of efforts and resources, which the organisation can use in its core business activities.
Can you share some of Lindström’s recent innovations in the realm of technical textiles? Recently, we launched an eLindström service portal. This web based service allows customers to better manage their own orders and track the workwear location between their own facilities and the laundry, which eventually also increases the transparency of its operation. Each of the company’s garments is equipped with an automatic remote tracking tag, which allows it to easily track the usage of the garment and their wash cycles.
What steps is your company taking to minimise its environmental impact and promote eco-friendly practices? Lindström is among the 3350 companies with targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative, and among the 380+ companies globally with net-zero targets approved. Our targets to halve our greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reach netzero emissions by 2050 were approved this year which means that we are globally among the first companies in the textile industry with approved near and long-term targets. We have three focus areas how we will reach the target. In terms of textiles, we will increase the recycled and bio based materials in our textiles, encourage our suppliers to set climate targets for the reduction of emissions, manufacturing textiles closer to customers, and developing new IT capabilities for better planning and optimisation. In terms of our laundries, we will continue the optimise the laundry process and switch to renewable electricity and energy sources.
Circular economy practices are gaining momentum globally. Could you share Lindström’s approach towards circularity in the technical textile sector? Lindström’s entire business model is based on circular economy, so sustainability has been part of our operations for several decades. It is also essential part of our purpose and strategy. Our business model encourages to reduce overproduction of textiles by keeping the textiles long in use, and producing new pieces only when needed. For example, every year we repair over 4.5 million pieces of textiles and extend their lifespan. Our business model also encourages to conserve natural resources, and we have a long history in optimising water, energy and detergent usage in our laundries, and loads and routes of our deliveries. For example, between 1990-2020 we managed to halve our water and energy usage per textile kilo.
Can you share the long-term as well as short-term growth plans of the company? Our business concept is still unique in many Industry segments in India. The beauty of our business is that companies in all industry segments and companies of all sizes are our potential customers. With our high growth rate in India, have expanded our operations to cover almost the entire geography of India. Lindström Group is happy to continue to invest in expanding our operations in the future as well.
Source: Indian Textile Journal
The future for knitting factories is already here. There’s no longer a need to be physically present to oversee and control your production. Get a glimpse of the Modern Textile Factory with Smartex FACT, your all-in-one digital factory management solution. Boost your factory operations, gain real-time visibility, improve quality with Automatic Roll Grading, and receive instant production notifications – accessible anywhere, at any time, on your devices. Picture this: sipping your morning coffee while already knowing what happened in your factory overnight. Transform the way you manage your factory operations today. Say “no more” to the lack of digitalisation and control over your production. Manufacturers often struggle with inefficiencies, quality issues, and the need for manual inspections, which can lead to increased costs and decreased competitiveness. Smartex FACT steps in to address these challenges by providing automated performance insights into machine data, roll production statistics and quality. You can also personalise settings for quality control and even utilise a ‘fast track’ option for Grade A rolls (high-quality rolls that can go straight to your customer without any manual inspection). With data-driven decision-making at their fingertips, knitting manufacturers can now elevate factory operations, ensure consistent quality, boost overall efficiency, and outpace the ever-evolving competitive landscape of the textile industry.
Key features Automatic roll grading: With this feature, Smartex FACT enables you to set up your own quality standards to determine the automatic grading of knitted rolls based on the severity of detected defects. With a defined grading system in place, you can guarantee uniform quality standards throughout your production process, thanks to Smartex CORE’s AI-driven quality control. Typically, in the case of knitted fabric rolls, only about 10 per cent undergo inspection. With Smartex, every roll will undergo automatic inspection and grading, with Grade-A rolls receiving a Fast Track label – that can be printed and applied to rolls with Smartex LOOP. With the Digital Factory Page, users gain a complete overview of their factory including the number of machines currently running and rolls produced on that day. The My Machines Page provides in-depth, precise data about the performance of every machine powered with Smartex within your factory, including RPM speed and operating time. You’ll have the tools to comprehensively assess each machine’s performance empowering you to fine-tune machine operations, boosting both quality and productivity across your factory clients access to a whole month of their production history. Here, you can zoom into each roll’s production details to assess quality and even review where defects were detected in the digital roll map. Last but certainly not least, stay in the know with Real-time Notifications tailored to your priorities. Whether it’s machines operating at a lower RPM, excessive machine downtime, or the identification of poor-quality rolls, you’ll receive timely updates. As a result, you can make datainformed decisions around increasing RPM speed, inspecting lower-quality rolls, and responding to other machine-related issues. Gilberto Loureiro, Co-founder and CEO of Smartex.ai, stated, “Our new product takes manufacturing and quality control to the next level. With Smartex FACT, users will be able to know when rolls don’t meet the requested quality or when production issues arise. And with the platform being easily accessible via desktop or any smartphone, it is basically your textile factory in your pocket.” As a pioneering and award-winning company, Smartex has consistently been at the forefront of transforming textile factories through hardware-based software solutions and the creation of essential tools for the Modern Textile Factory. Today, we take immense pride in unveiling our latest innovation to the world: Smartex FACT. This cutting-edge platform opens the door to undeniable data for factory operations, equipping clients to fortify their businesses for the future. With the power of data-driven decision-making, enhanced efficiency, and elevated quality, Smartex FACT is set to redefine the knitting textile industry landscape.
Source: Indian Textile Journal
Industry Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun said that for the development of the leather industry, a strong nationwide network should be developed for the purpose of properly collecting and preserving leather. At the same time, the Minister laid emphasis on developing skilled manpower in this sector for the development of leather and leather industry. He made this comment as the chief guest at a workshop titled 'Potential and Challenges Leather Sector in Bangladesh: Points to Ponder' on October 22. Support to Sustainable Graduation Project (SSGP) of Economic Relations Department (ERD) has organized the workshop. Abdul Baki, Member of Planning Commission and Md. Saiful Islam, President, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry were present as special guests in the workshop chaired by Sharifa Khan, Secretary of ERD. The minister said that it is important to bring discipline in this sector. In order to develop the leather and leather industry, skilled manpower should be developed in this sector. It is one of the most important and promising sectors in Bangladesh's industry and commerce. In the last financial year, the contribution of this sector was the highest after the garment sector in terms of export earnings. Realizing the immense potential of the leather and leather industry, the government has identified it as one of the top priority sectors. As a least developed country, Bangladesh's leather and leather products get duty-free and quota-free benefits in the markets of various countries around the world. Besides, as a least developed country, the leather and leather industry of Bangladesh is getting cash subsidy benefits from the government. But it may not be possible to continue such benefits after transition from LDCs. In this situation, this workshop was organized to identify the problems and possibilities of the local leather and leather industry and to review what kind of policies need to be followed in order to prepare the country's leather and leather industry for the post-transition situation. Rabiul Islam Rabi, one of the experts in leather and leather industry, gave a keynote presentation on the workshop topic. Meanwhile, ERD Secretary Sharifa Khan stressed on the formulation of necessary policies to prepare the leather and leather industry in the context of transition from a less developed country. Notably, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said to take other steps to develop the leather sector and increase exports, including finding new markets at the opening ceremony of Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leather Goods International Sourcing Show-Bliss 2023 on October 12. She announced the formation of the Leather Industry Development Authority to improve the leather industry and take it to a more international level.
Source: Textile today
As global concerns about climate change and environmental degradation continue to grow, the imperative to foster circularity within various industries has never been more pronounced. In response to this urgency, EREKS-Blue Matters, a renowned name in the industry, is delighted to introduce their newest venture, REMATTERS Textile Recycling Solutions. This innovative company is dedicated to revolutionizing the textile and apparel sector by establishing new “Circular Value Streams.” With over four decades of experience in the textile and apparel industry, REMATTERS Textile Recycling Solutions brings a wealth of expertise to assist companies in their journey towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future. The company is rooted in the waste hierarchy principle, focusing on reducing waste, reusing materials, recycling, regenerating resources, and instilling sustainable practices. REMATTERS also supports its clients in establishing post-consumer textile recycling centers, providing a comprehensive solution for the entire circular supply chain. A key strength of REMATTERS lies in its team of professional field experts, who specialize in meticulously analyzing the specific needs of each customer. These specialists possess the connections and knowledge necessary to guide businesses in the establishment of “Textile Recycling Centers” with precision and operational proficiency. REMATTERS’ extensive network and proficiency enable them to deliver customized solutions to businesses eager to reduce their environmental footprint while enhancing their bottom line. The company’s overarching goal is to cultivate a “Complete Supply Chain” that champions textile circularity. By collaborating with REMATTERS, organizations can contribute to the positive transformation of the textile industry, resulting in significant benefits for both the environment and their financial performance. Romain Narcy, CEO of REMATTERS Textile Recycling Solutions, commented on the company’s mission, saying, “With the current state of the world, it is crucial to take action towards a circular economy. Join us in the movement towards circularity, and let REMATTERS guide you towards a more sustainable future.” To learn more about REMATTERS Textile Recycling Solutions and to explore the possibilities of achieving circularity in the textile and apparel industry, visit their booth at the Textile Exchange Conference, taking place from October 23-27, 2023, in London.
Source: Textile world
The global fashion retailer H&M has joined forces with Coloreel to introduce a pioneering approach to customized embroidery. This new partnership allows customers at the H&M Alexa store in Berlin to personalize their apparel with a myriad of expressive designs. The program marks the start of a new and innovative in-store pilot developed by H&Mbeyond. Customers can select from a diverse library of designs that will be updated on a weekly basis. Coloreel redefines the art of embroidery, offering an unlimited spectrum of colors at the touch of a button. The technology reduces wastewater by a remarkable 97 percent and utilizes recycled thread, marking a significant step towards more sustainable production. “Our partnership with Coloreel reflects our commitment to enhance the shopping experience through innovative solutions,” states Oliver Lange, head of H&Mbeyond. “By embracing this advanced technology, we can offer our customers a unique and engaging store visit.” With the collaboration, H&M and Coloreel want to explore ways to create exciting brick-andmortar shopping experiences and analyze the influence that a disruptive technology like Coloreel’s has on in-store purchases. “We are proud to team up with H&M to bring forth a new era of personalized fashion,” said Mattias Nordin, senior vice president, Product Management at Coloreel. “Together, we are redefining the boundaries of traditional embroidery, empowering customers to express their individuality”. The service is offered at the H&M Alexa store in Berlin during Q4 2023. While the service currently extends to products within the store, plans for embroidering customers’ own garments might be added later. This approach would extend the lifespan of garments, creating a positive environmental impact.
Source: Textile world
Heimtextil 2024 shines with strong national and global demand across all product segments. More than 2,600 exhibitors present their new products in Frankfurt am Main. The global trade fair for home and contract textiles also forms the launch of Econogy, a realignment of sustainable formats in the global Texpertise Network. Econogy standardizes the evaluation criteria of all Messe Frankfurt textile events and creates cross-fair transparency for resource-saving products and exhibitors. New international contacts, inspiring business encounters and intensive networking: Heimtextil 2024 records strong registration figures across all product segments. With over 2,600 exhibitors participating, demand exceeds the number of exhibitors at the previous event. “Heimtextil provides a bundled and therefore efficient market overview of all global trends in the home and contract textiles industry on a central platform over four days. In 2024, we are pleased to be able to intensify this experience with the launch of the new Carpets & Rugs product segment and an increased number of exhibitors,” said Olaf Schmidt, vice president, Textiles & Textile Technologies.
New year, new business Heimtextil 2024 will be expanded by two new halls: Hall 5.1 for the new Carpets & Rugs product segment and Hall 10.4 for Asian Selection exhibitors in the home textiles segment. Hall 3, which will serve as a creative hub for the Heimtextil Trends 24/25 and exhibitors from the wall decoration, textile design and textile technology segments will also be reopened. In addition, the new Carpets & Rugs product segment, the realignment of the sustainable event formats under the title “Econogy” and the expanded range in the Fibers & Yarns section will provide fresh business impulses.
Promising start: Carpets & Rugs Heimtextil 2024 is expanding its portfolio with the new Carpets & Rugs product segment. Located exclusively in the new Hall 5.1, it showcases fitted, handmade and custom-made carpets, machine-made woven carpets, mats and dirt-absorbing carpets, as well as rugs and runners. Carpets are traditionally an integral part of Heimtextil, presented in various halls. Starting in 2024, this offering will be permanently bundled at the request of the industry. The segment is aimed at international wholesalers, furniture and home furnishing stores, consumer markets, DIY and home improvement stores, specialist retailers and garden centers. More than 90 exhibitors will participate in Carpets & Rugs, including many first-time exhibitors. The positive resonance comes from a variety of nations. Commitments have been received among others from Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Egypt, Greece, India, Italy and Turkey. Exhibitors include Carpet Export Promotion Council, Fini Coop, Heritage Overseas, Merinos Hali San, Nikotex, Oriental Weavers Group, Ragolle, Royaltex, Rug Republic and Rugs in Style.
Strong presence: Asian Excellence & Asian Selection For “Asian Excellence” and “Asian Selection”, both the house textiles (10.0-10.4) and home textiles (6.0, 5.0, 6.1) segments have a strong presence at Heimtextil 2024. Quality in all quantities meets private label excellence here. To exhibit in the Asian Excellence halls on levels 6.1 and 10.2, an independent panel of experts selects high-quality producers. The evaluation includes questions about workmanship, color concept, stand construction, quality and materials. The top 4 exhibiting nations of Asian Excellence and Asian Selection are China/Hong Kong, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Among others, D Decor, G. M. Fabrics, G. M. Syntex, Grasim Jana Seva Trust from India and Karupannya Rangpur from Bangladesh will be present in Hall 6. In addition, key market players such as Adamjee Textile Mills, Al-Karam Textile Mills, Export Promotion Council of Handicrafts, Gul Ahmed Textile Mills, Handloom Export Promotion Council, Indo Count Industries, Kamal, Kanodia Global, Mittal International, Premiere Fine Linens, Sadaqat, Towellers Limited, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Trident and Union Fabrics are also participating.
Econogy: Realignment of sustainability activities At Heimtextil 2024, a realignment of all sustainable formats of the worldwide Texpertise Network will be launched with Econogy. Econogy standardizes the evaluation criteria of all Messe Frankfurt textile events for sustainability and clarifies the holistic connection between economy and ecology. The Econogy offering at Heimtextil includes the Econogy Finder. The directory helps visitors find certified suppliers. Since many years, Heimtextil exhibitors have the opportunity to have sustainability checks carried out in order to be listed in special directories. In the future, these checks will be harmonized across all textile fairs of Messe Frankfurt. Econogy thus creates transparency and comparability across trade fairs with regard to criteria used to select resource-saving products and exhibitors. In cooperation with independent external sustainability experts, the current status of recognized seals and certificates are included and the SDGs are also integrated into the checks. Other components of the Econogy offering are the Econogy Hub – the platform for seal providers and certifiers – and the one-hour Econogy Tours. The tours are led by an independent consultant and offer an intensive exchange between visitors, exhibitors and experts. And the Econogy Talks enable advanced training and knowledge transfer in numerous conference and lecture formats on the latest green textile innovations. In close cooperation with the UN Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network, Messe Frankfurt’s Texpertise Network has been promoting the visibility of the Sustainable Development Goals at all Messe Frankfurt textile fairs worldwide since 2019. The very first Texpertise SDG Report, published this summer, summarizes all milestones of the SDG actions so far.
Heimtextil Trends 24/25: “New Sensitivity The Heimtextil Trends have been forming the heart of Heimtextil for many years. They translate megatrends into textile visions. A visit to the Heimtextil Trends is a must for all textile professionals who are constantly expanding their knowledge of textile materials. Under the overarching theme of “New Sensitivity,” textile transformation is the focus of the Heimtextil Trends 24/25, with three approaches showing ways to a more sensitive world of textiles: plant-based production of textiles, supporting textile circularity through technology, and the bio-engineered use of natural ingredients. In addition, the Future Materials curate regenerative materials and designs. Building on the Materials Manifesto, the Heimtextil Trends are carefully designed to be lowwaste and environmentally conscious. Only local, eco-friendly or borrowed materials are used in each stand design.
Marketplace for the contract business: Interior.Architecture.Hospitality Under the title “Interior.Architecture.Hospitality”, Heimtextil covers the global range of functional contract textiles. International manufacturers and suppliers of special furnishing solutions meet interior designers, architects, planners and interior decorators from all over the world. The offering extends over the entire trade fair. The centerpiece is Hall 4.0, where the Interior.Architecture.Hospitality LIBRARY presents functional textiles curated and selected by a jury. In addition, interested visitors will gain deeper insights during the LIBRARY tours offered by the LIBRARY curators.
Creative hub: wall decoration and textile design in Hall 3 Back in Hall 3, Heimtextil offers the largest and most international range of wallpaper manufacturers, from decorative over paintable and technical wallpapers to fiberglass and digital print wallpapers. Together with the “Textile Design” product area, the hall forms a hub for textile creativity with renowned international exhibitors such as A.S. Création, ICH, Kinland Décor, Komar Products, Marburger Tapetenfabrik, Masureel, Muraspec, Parato, Taubert/Hohenberger, KT Exclusive and Ugépa.
Bedding on the rise A large number of top brands and companies have also confirmed their participation in the “Smart Bedding” product area in Hall 11.0, including Advansa Marketing, Badenia Bettcomfort, Brinkhaus, Heinrich Häussling & Centa Star & Frankenstolz Schlafkomfort, John Cotton, Lenzing, Sasa Polyester, Sanders-Kauffmann, Traumina, Velamen and Wendre. In addition to order and inspiration, the focus is as well on valuable knowledge content for the bedding trade: at the Heimtextil Conference “Sleep & More” in Hall 11.0, renowned international sleep experts will provide insights and best practices – from sleep myths to tracking technologies and sustainable materials to bedding that improves sleep quality at home and in hotels. In the “Bed & Bath” area in Hall 12, visitors find the latest bedding designs from suppliers such as Felpinter, Lameirinho, and Nile Linen Group, as well as premium terry products amon others from Mundotextil Industrias Texteis or Ozanteks on hall level 12.1. These companies for quality international private label services – with strong participation from Portugal, Turkey, and Egypt – emphasize short supply chains as well as flexibility in quantities and serve the European market in particular. Hall 12.0 will also feature well-known brands such as Bedding House, Corn. van Dijk, Klaus Herding, Sorema, Veritas, Welspun, Wülfing and Zorlu.
Decorative & Furniture Fabrics with over 300 weavers In the “Decorative & Furniture Fabrics” segment, Heimtextil will showcase the largest range of the world’s upholstery fabric suppliers and weavers on three hall levels. These include renowned suppliers such as Francisco Jover, Gebr. Munzert, Global Textile Alliance (Symphony Mills), Luilor, Manuel Revert, Martinelli Ginetto, Parà and Vanelli Tekstil. More than 300 weavers of decorative and upholstery fabrics have registered for Heimtextil 2024.
Fibres & Yarns on a larger scale Following its successful launch in 2023, the separate “Fibres & Yarns” area for decorative and upholstery fabrics is returning to Hall 4.0 this time on a larger scale. There, fabric and curtain manufacturers, weavers, product developers and designers can expect a bundled offering with companies such as Antex (Angles Textil), Indorama Ventures Fibers Germany GmbH (Trevira), Korteks or Reliance.
Heimtextil International trade fair for home and contract textiles Heimtextil will be held from January 9-12, 2024.
Source: Textile world
Raw material management has a high priority for Uster Technologies. That’s clear from FiberQ — part of the new Uster 360Q suite of pioneering solutions for excellence in textile manufacturing. And it’s underlined by a second webinar pointing the way from raw material data to profits, scheduled for early November. Fluctuations in raw material prices and quality are constant headaches for spinners. And volatile market demand for yarns adds to the pain. Market conditions are unpredictable, so the big challenge is to implement reliable planning for cotton sourcing and yarn production, to cover all scenarios.
Raw material management challenge Efficient raw material management can be the basis for profitable mill operation. The recipe involves minimized raw cotton inventory to combat price fluctuations, combined with the state-of-the-art raw material management to make maximum use of those valuable stocks. And the vital ingredient is reliable data. Of course, reliable data comes only from accurate measurement. It then requires proper analysis and decision-making. Until now, this was a human task — usually time-consuming, with a high risk of mistakes and a low level of optimization. Increased sampling could enable better visualization of cotton quality, but that likely requires even more data analysis and interpretation. This is no longer a problem, since Uster FiberQ solution allows cotton classification data from HVI to be automatically uploaded to the Uster 360Q Platform. From there it’s easy to create optimum laydowns. “Even without large raw material inventory and with basic textile know-how, mills can achieve consistent and reliable laydowns for long-term quality consistency and trouble-free production,” says Stratos Fragkotsinos, Head of Product Management for Mill Management Solutions at Uster Technologies.
The FiberQ solution One of the general issues is the lack of objective measurement data to start making sound decisions on purchasing or utilization of cotton. Despite the high impact of instrument data, not all mills invest in this valuable equipment. In order to address the investment priority challenge, Uster HVI is now more accessible in selected countries through a subscription model, subject to conditions. With Uster HVI, higher sample testing and achieving objective, data-driven raw material sourcing and utilization will now be possible for a wider segment of the market. Once the instrument is available and testing of incoming material is established, spinning mills face a delicate balancing act to ensure optimal stock levels without compromising quality or profitability. FiberQ can lead to higher quality consistency with minimum waste and mixing costs. The fact is that 65 to 75 percent of production cost is for raw material. So, spinners will readily understand the impact of the Uster raw material management solution. Spinning mills need to adopt innovative techniques and technologies to meet cotton-related challenges and ensure long-term sustainability and profits. Until today, raw material management was largely based on the experience of mill personnel, with available tools at the level of Excel files. This resulted in low utilization of data, because of the complicated and time-consuming processes which ultimately could not offer optimum results. Data-enabled software is the key to progress and success with raw material management. Uster FiberQ works with powerful software, analyzing fiber data from available inventories and creating consistent and reliable laydowns for optimum yarn quality and performance, every day.
Comprehensive and convincing “I was asked by several mill managers about the advantages in choosing the Uster solution for raw material management,” Fragkotsinos said. He acknowledges that simple worksheets or own tools might be used by mills to support the work, but they are unable to handle the complexity and the deep knowhow required to achieve and sustain raw material management in spinning mills. “Uster offers a complete solution, starting from measuring the cotton parameters with the HVI, leading to big data analysis with know-how integrated software and including expert services from Uster technologists to ensure maximum and continuous value creation for the customer,” Fragkotsinos added. The Uster “Think Quality” approach makes FiberQ unique and it’s the central theme of the Uster raw material management webinar series. Uster’s second webinar is titled “How raw material data can boost profit in spinning.” It focuses on how spinners can apply Uster solutions to address today’s raw material management challenges and boost their profitability. The webinar will explain how data can be translated into insights for improvements in raw material procurement and production.
Source: Textile world
Lenzing Group, a global producer of wood-based specialty fibers, is addressing the increasing need for material transparency and traceability in protective wear by utilizing the Lenzing Fiber Identification System for LENZING™ FR (flame resistant) cellulosic fibers. The system, which can identify LENZING FR fibers at every stage of production, guarantees unparalleled traceability, quality assurance, and trust in protective garments. Lenzing is also continuing its solid efforts in reducing carbon emissions by ensuring LENZING FR protective wear made from modal-based fibers set a new standard in responsible production processes. Carbon neutral LENZING FR fibers, certified by ClimatePartner, are also available to address growing sustainability needs in the industry. “The growing demand for supply chain transparency among industry partners and consumers highlights the vital role of technology, like the Lenzing Fiber Identification System, has in guaranteeing the authenticity of LENZING FR fibers used in protective wear. This technology is becoming more important in today’s industry landscape, as material traceability and supply chain transparency will gradually become essential requirements in public and private procurement processes,” said Oliver Spöcker, director, Workwear & Protective Wear, Lenzing. “With over 45 years of industry experience in FR cellulosic fiber production, Lenzing provides high quality FR cellulosic fibers that deliver superior protection and durability through our extensive fiber portfolio. Thanks to our Fiber Identification System and industry know-how, we can ensure that authentic ingredients used in protective garments can provide the optimal protection required in accordance to relevant industry requirements.”
Fiber Identification System boosts confidence in supply chain LENZING FR fibers are manufactured using renewable raw material wood sourced from controlled and certified forests in Austria and Central Europe in accordance with the stringent guidelines of the Lenzing Wood and Pulp policy. As one of the world’s oldest and most experienced companies in the industry, Lenzing is an enabler of supply chain transparency by ensuring traceability of Lenzing’s cellulosic fibers. The Lenzing Fiber Identification System can identify LENZING FR fibers at every stage of production, providing quality control and authenticity assurance. The system provides value chain partners with peace of mind that genuine, premium Lenzing fibers are used, enhancing their confidence in the supply chain. LENZING FR fibers are available with FSC or PEFC certification upon request and have been granted BioPreferred designation by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Prioritizing reduction of carbon emissions during production processes LENZING FR fibers are produced using a fully integrated production process that uses more than 83% of renewable energy, resulting in 80-percent lower greenhouse gas emissions than generic modal fibers . Carbon neutral LENZING FR fibers , certified by ClimatePartner, are also available as an option for value chain partners who are keen on reducing their carbon footprint without compromising protection and comfort.
Raising the bar for protective garments Certified by EU Ecolabel , LENZING FR fibers are used in protective garments of firefighters, military, police, and oil and gas and metal manufacturing industries in more than 100 countries. Setting new quality standards in the industry, protective garments made of LENZING FR fibers are light, breathable, soft, and comfortable even in extreme heat conditions. Additionally, LENZING FR fibers have met the definition of “inherently flame retardant and resistant fibers” as specified by the European Man-made Fibers Association (CIRFS). LENZING FR fibers are also offered in a variety of colors using Eco Color technology, with up to 50 percent of energy and water savings and a 60 percent reduced carbon footprint than conventional resource-intensive dyeing method . With long-lasting color fastness and design flexibility, LENZING FR fibers do not require additional color processing by yarn makers or fabric mills and are less prone to fade even after repeated washing. Lenzing will showcase the industry’s first environmentally friendly firefighter garment at the A+A trade fair (booth 16/C56) in Germany on October 24-27, 2023. With a focus on circularity, the firefighter garment comprises of more than 50 percent of LENZING FR fiber content in all layers, including a significant amount of mechanically recycled LENZING FR and other high performance fibers.
Source: Textile world
