Bhopal: Special facilities are being given in the state to attract investment in the textile sector. Ten percent investment subsidy on investment upto Rs. one crore will be provided to micro, small and medium level textile units for plant and machinery under Technology Upgradation Fund scheme. Also interest subsidy will be provided by the Commerce and Industry department to the textile units.-WTN.
Source: Window to news
NEW DELHI: The government is unlikely to extend the subsidy support scheme for stranded and under-utilised gas-based power stations. The scheme is due to end next month. The power ministry is of the view that a long-term solution should evolve for bailing out the 24,000 MW gas-based power stations languishing for want of fuel, sources in the know of the development said. Senior officials in the ministry of power declined to comment on the issue. Power companies have asked the government to extend the scheme for another two years. “We have been requesting to continue with this scheme as a short-term solution till a longterm solution can be evolved for making gas-based generation viable,” said Ashok Khuarana, director general at Association of Power Producers. “This present scheme helps stem interest accrual, thereby keeping capital cost under control. Non-extension of the scheme would result in continued accrual of interest, which may make it difficult to turn around the projects subsequently.” The power ministry held two rounds of imported gas auction starting from June 2015 to September 2015 and from October 2015 to May 2016. The bidders indicate the total incremental electricity they would generate using the e-bid regassified liquid natural gas (RLNG) as well as quote subsidy requirement. In the last round of auction held in March 2016, the bidders agreed to forego subsidy. Association of Power Producers has recommended continuation of the scheme to the ministry, arguing that it would be at zero cost for the government as subsidy determined in the third round was negative. The Union Cabinet in March 2015 approved the mechanism for importing gas for stranded and underutilised power plants, and supply of such electricity through a support. It was decided that to make gas affordable, states will forego taxes while gas transporters and import terminals will also offer discounts on charges for their services rendered to import LNG for this purpose. The Centre allocated `7,500 from the Power System Development Fund to support the scheme to help plants use 30-35% of their capacity and repay debt. The scheme was started in 2015-16 for stranded gasbased power plants and plants receiving inadequate domestic gas. The stranded plants were able to meet partial debt service obligations due to the scheme as they operated at low plant load factors of 30%-50%. However, of late, state distribution companies are averse to buying the gas-based generation as low cost power is available from renewable plants and spot markets.
Source: Economic Times
Gurugram, Feb 19 (PTI): Haryana government would soon frame a textile policy to explore the abundant possibilities of textile industry in the state, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said today. “A textile policy will be framed soon…,” Khattar, who was speaking at a cultural programme of Uttarakhand Uttaraini Kautik 2017 – said. The Chief Minister also announced to start bus service from Gurugram to Haldwani in Uttarakhand. He also urged Union Minister of State for Textiles Ajay Tamta, who was also present on the occasion, to approve more textile projects for Haryana, which has abundant potential for investment in the sector. “Work on the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway is progressing on a war footing and several projects would be established along the both sides of the Expressway. These could include textile projects, which would generate employment opportunities for the youth of the state, besides people belonging to other states but residing in Haryana,” he said. Khattar said the people from other countries and states, including Uttarakhand, had contributed significantly towards developing Gurugram as a ‘Millennium City’. The Lakhwar and Kisau hydel-power projects, which are presently under construction, would provide electricity to Uttarakhand and water to Haryana, he added. This is published unedited from the PTI feed.
Source: PTI
Tax department has asked officials to start an outreach programme with stakeholders and make systemic changes to implement proposed modifications in Customs Act aimed at de-cluttering ports and enhancing revenue. The Finance Bill 2017 proposes to modify the Customs Act for filing of bill of entry the same day on which the vessel, aircraft or vehicle carrying the goods arrives at a customs station. Changes have also been proposed relating to the payment of duty and interest.
Source: Economic Times
Fabindia has started removing the brand name 'Khadi' it uses to promote its cotton products after a legal notice by Khadi India that the use of the word amounted to "unfair trade practice" and misusing its trade name. Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) had sent a legal notice to Fabindia Overseas Pvt Ltd, a chain of ethnic wear retail outlet, asking it to immediately stop using the word Khadi from all its cotton products and remove display banners from its showrooms. Sources said Fabindia CEO Viney Singh has responded to KVIC's notice, saying it was complying with all the directions of the KVIC. Fabindia has stated that "as per the direction issued" by KVIC, it has complied with them, they said. Fabindia, in its reply, has also sought a meeting with KVIC officials to explain its position in order to resolve the matter to the satisfaction of Khadi India. KVIC Chairman V K Saxena, who justified serving the legal notice, referred to the earlier communications with Fabindia by which the private firm's application for Khadi mark was treated as closed. He cited a September 29, 2016, letter which stated that "upon the request of Fabindia, several meetings were held with KVIC and the last meeting was held on August 2, 2016, with Chairman of KVIC at New Delhi. During the meeting, it was assured that Fabindia will communicate their consent shortly. "Since two months have passed and KVIC has not yet received any response from your end, it is presumed that you are not interested to obtain 'Khadi' mark certificate for sales and promotion of Khadi products. "Hence in the present circumstances, your application for Khadi mark certificate may please be treated as closed. Henceforth, no correspondence on this subject will be entertained," the communication said. Saxena also drew attention to a February 16 letter of KVIC in which it was decided to issue Khadi mark certificate in favour of Fabindia to carry out trading/selling of genuine Khadi and Khadi products attaching Khadi mark tags/labels, subject to several conditions which were also mentioned.
Source: Business Line
KOLKATA: Showcasing the best in fashion and textile, INIFD organised their Annual Graduating Fashion Show. The fashion show was held in the presence of celebrity guests and judges. With Tomorrow Makers, INIFD made yet another indelible mark in the fashion industry. The event showcased the creative collections of INIFD's final year Fashion and Textile students. The fashion show serves as a platform upon which the students can display their creative talents and voice, through design, opinions and attitudes. The evening saw guest judges director Arindam Sil, actor Tanusree Chakraborty and designers Sharbari Datta, Agnimitra Paul and Australian designer Bronwyn Latif in attendance. The dazzling and thematic choreography for the event was done by Ms.Tina Mukherjee and the evening saw a showstopper in Deshaa Nandii who will soon be seen foraying into the Bengali film industry with her new venture Nayikar Bhoomika. Speaking at the event, Susan Mantosh, who also showcased five collections, based on Kantha said, "The techniques of this hereditary craft is usually passed down from mother to daughter but tonight I decided to present n entire new twist to how Kantha is perceived. The Kantha stitch is normally rendered on pure silk or the cotton fabric, but I bring about a twist to this age old embroidery and in the process give a whole new dimension to it in the fashion arena. Unlike how it is usally used, I have used on velvet, tissue brocade, taant, net, glass tissue etc." The accessories for her collection were created by Tokhme Morgh, one of the participating student groups at the event. Speaking about Tomorrow Makers, Mainak Mitra, HOD Fashion department, INIFD Lindsay Street said, "The students are showcasing their entire experience and knowledge that they have garnered in the institution through this show. They are not only making regular wear but also using eco-friendly fibres and accessories to create environment friendly apparels." He went on to add, "INIFD through this gala event helps in bringing these young talents to the limelight where people from different fields will get a glimpse of what the fashion thinkers of tomorrowenvision." Mahasweta Sinha, HOD Textile department. INIFD Lindsay Street went on to add, "The two collections that the textile department is showcasing this year are symbolic of the different shades and shapes of nature. The platform of Tomorrow Makers helps budding designers in connecting with the right people and showing the world what they can do. In the process they create a mark for themselves." The evening saw 30 sequences with 19 being created by students from the fashion department of Lindsay Street campus while two more were created by the textile department and four more sequences were created by students from the Lucknow campus. The evening also saw five sequences specially designed by the patron Susan Mantosh along with two musical sessions by the young and dynamic singer Charisma.
Source: Times of India
Image used for illustrative purpose Dyed silks are stocked at a carpet workshop in Qom, 120 km (75 miles) south of Tehran November 12, 2011. Persian carpet weaving is a historical part of Iranian culture, dating back to as far as approximately 2,000 years ago. Persian carpets can be mostly divided into three size groups: large (3x4 metres), medium (2x3 metres) and small (1x1.5 metres), which is called Ghaliche. For a larger 24-square-metre silk carpet, each 70 cm section takes about a month to make. The price for each carpet is set by officials from Iran?s national carpet company after examining each completed carpet. The carpet workshops are mostly family-run businesses. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl Director-General of the Textile and Carpet Technical Centre Taoufik Mediouni said that two million dinars were allocated to train about 2,000 women in the textile sector, by virtue of an agreement between the Ministry of Tourism and Handicraft, and the Ministry of Women, Family and Children. At the opening of a national conference organised by the sustainable development association in Sabkhet Séjoumi on the theme "Strengthening the foundations of development in the western region of Tunis governorate", Médiouni added that 30 agreements of principle for capital credits of the Tunisian solidarity bank (BTS) will be granted to several women to enable them to launch projects in the craft sector. He underlined that the ministry is preparing to develop a strategy over the 2016-2020 period based on four axes namely the development of skills, raw materials, research, innovation and the disposal of the traditional product. In this context, the official announced that a national conference on the promotion of the carpet sector would be held on 23 February. He added that under the national programme for the promotion of the handicrafts sector due to be launched in October 2017, several reforms will be announced in addition to a change to be introduced in the laws and regulations on the handicrafts sector for its revival. © Tunis-Afrique Presse 2017.
Source: Zawya
Prospects of a rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) by July 1 brightened with the GST Council approving on Saturday a draft law that seeks to compensate states fully in case of revenue loss as a result of the tax reform. The council is now expected to approve three other laws when it meets on March 4-5, paving the way for the legislations to be brought to Parliament by around March 9. The decision on categorisation of goods in tax slabs is not part of the law and will be worked out by the council after the enabling laws are passed. Briefing reporters after a meeting of the council, finance minister Arun Jaitley said he expected the panel to approve the C-GST, I-GST and S-GST laws at its next meeting in Delhi. "It's essential that enabling laws for GST are passed in the second half of the budget session to ensure rollout from July 1," Jaitley said. The approval to the draft compensation law is read as a positive development as it was a contentious issue, improving the prospects of the ambitious indirect tax reform meeting its latest July 1 deadline. Parliament has been subject to disruptions and the heated poll rhetoric in the midst of assembly elections can be a worry. However, political differences over demonetisation that hampered negotiations seem out of the way. Rollout of GST has missed several deadlines in the last 10 years but now most contentious issues have been resolved. GST is an indirect tax that will replace a raft of levies such as excise duty, service tax, and valueadded tax (VAT). It is expected to simplify the tax structure, broaden the tax base, and create a common market across the country. The FM said once the legislations are approved by the council the next step would involve determining which commodity to be categorised under which slab. "One major meeting of the GST Council required to give approval to putting goods and services in different tax slab," the FM said. Tax experts said approval of the compensation law augured well for GST rollout on July 1. "The approval of the compensation law by the GST Council is a very significant development as it was one of the most contentious issues. This paves the way for approval of other legislation necessary for GST rollout from 1st July," said M S Mani, senior director at consultancy firm Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP. "It is now necessary to bring more focus on the outcome of the rate fixation exercise as business can prepare only if the rates are known," Mani said.
Source: Times of INDIA
The international crude oil price of Indian Basket as computed/published today by Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas was US$ 54.56 per barrel (bbl) on 17.02.2017. This was higher than the price of US$ 54.49 per bbl on previous publishing day of 16.02.2017. In rupee terms, the price of Indian Basket increased to Rs. 3657.88 per bbl on 17.02.2017 as compared to Rs. 3647.88 per bbl on 16.02.2017. Rupee closed weaker at Rs. 67.05 per US$ on 17.02.2017 as compared to Rs. 66.95 per US$ on 16.02.2017. The table below gives details in this regard:
|
Particulars |
Unit |
Price on February 17, 2017 (Previous trading day i.e. 16.02.2017) |
Pricing Fortnight for 16.02.2017 (Jan 28, 2017 to Feb 13, 2017) |
|
Crude Oil (Indian Basket) |
($/bbl) |
54.56 (54.49) |
54.67 |
|
(Rs/bbl |
3657.88 (3647.88) |
3683.12 |
|
|
Exchange Rate |
(Rs/$) |
67.05 (66.95) |
67.37 |
Source: PIB
The cotton grain market in Bathinda.(Sanjeev Kumar/HT) After a year of despair and heavy financial losses, the cotton yield has received a boost as the production has surpassed last year’s figures. At least 6.6 lakh bales (each weighing 140kg) of cotton have been procured so far as against the total production of 6.5 lakh bales last year. Last year, whitefly destroyed more than 60% of the cotton crop in the Malwa belt. Despite the steep fall in the area covered under cotton production, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) is expecting production of 8.75 lakh bales this year. Moreover, higher prices of the “white gold” came as an icing on the cake for growers as they are getting an average of Rs 5,900 per quintal for their crop. Last year, the farmers got Rs 3,800 to Rs 4,200 per quintal after the whitefly attack. The cotton growing area in the Malwa belt reduced to 2.48 lakh hectares in 2016-17 from 4.5 lakh hectare in 2015-16 as growers feared a possibility of pest attack. Commissioner (agriculture) Balwinder Singh Sidhu, who has been given additional charge of director agriculture, said the quality and yield of cotton crop has improved this year and farmers are getting lucrative prices for their produce. “More than 60% of the total yield was sold for more than Rs 5,000 per quintal. Due to low production last year, the demand for cotton in India and abroad shot up this year, which is another for farmers getting higher prices,” said Sidhu. Punjab has an advantage over Maharashtra and Gujarat as the produce comes much earlier in the market here as compared to both the states and it attracts private players to the state. Meanwhile, CCI general manager Brijesh Kumar said lucrative prices and increased production is a good indication for farmers and the cotton industry. “With positive results this season, more farmers will opt for cotton crop the fibre crop,” he said. The CCI is expecting a production of 8.75 lakh bales and private players are offering best prices to meet the domestic and commercial consumption.
Source: Hindustan Times
The Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO) is planning to set up a technical textile cluster in Tamil Nadu for start-ups. The technical textile cluster will have all common facilities including R&D, A Sakthivel, Regional Chairman, FIEO (Southern Region). The organization is in talks with various agencies to set up a technical textile cluster. Although, at present very few are into export of technical textiles at present but there is immense potential for which the exporters need to look at product diversification to achieve higher growth. Sakthivel said that Commerce Ministry should consider the present market situation and extend better facilities to the exporters in its mid-term review of Foreign Trade Policy. After lowest growth during 2016, world trade is expected to be better during 2017 and 2018 at least in emerging economies. But the prices of all products have started to slide globally and this could pose a huge challenge for the product manufacturing sector in India. India’s export performance data for January 2017 has been positive and has been so the last five months of the current fiscal after two years of continuous negative growth.
Source: Yarns and fibres
Nitin Spinners Ltd, an ISO 9001:2008 company and a Government of India recognized Export House, manufacturing 100 percent Cotton Yarns and Fabrics has successfully completed trial runs on expanded capacity of 72,960 compact spindles at the existing location, Bhilwara, at project cost of Rs. 290 crores and started commercial production. The project is entitled for subsidy benefits under TUFs of Central Government and RIPS by Rajasthan Government. The company's production capacity with this expansion has increased from 38,000 tons per annum (TPA) to 50,000 TPA of cotton yarn and and 49 knitting machines for knitted fabrics with a manufacturing capacity of 8,500 TPA. The total number of spindles and rotors at Nitin Spinners has reached to 2,23,056 and 2,936 for cotton yarn respectively from only 384 rotors in 1993. The company will be able to produce super fine compact premium yarns in the new facilities which will increase its product range and its ability to cater to varying demands of customers and increase its customer base. Nitin Spinners makes cotton yarn in single, multi-fold slub, compact, core spun and Elitwist yarns. About 65 percent of its production is exported to over 50 countries including the US, EU, Africa, Middle East and Far East. Nitin Spinners caters to top Textile Companies particularly of Western and Northern India like Arvind, Raymonds, Decor, Alok, Ashima, Bhaskar, Nandan Exim, Creative Textiles, Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn, VHM, Pratibha, Maral, RSWM and many more. Located in North West India at Bhilwara, Rajasthan, their stringent commitment to Global standards of Quality has seen them grow phenomenally over the last decade. The company has kept up pace with changing global customer demands for textiles and has focused its attention on select core products. Such a focus has enabled the company to play a dominant role in the global textile arena. Nitin Spinners has recorded highest ever turnover of Rs. 766.87 crores in current year against Rs. 616.47 crores in the previous year with an increase of 24.40 percent.
Source: Yarns and fibres
At this time, the question on the lips of Nigerians must be: what has changed in the two sectors to warrant the expectations that things will be different with fresh injection of funds? This is against the background of a similar package of N150 billion sunk under the successive Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administrations into bailing out the textile/garment sector. We refer specifically to the N100 billion Cotton Textile and The problem is not funds per se; government must make the business environment friendly NOTHING exemplifies the dilemma facing the Federal Government than its latest round of lifelines to the two beleaguered but key sectors of textile/garment and aviation. We refer to the latest package of N51 billion in the 2017 budget for the textile and garment sector announced by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar, at a workshop organised by the Bank of Industry (BoI) for operators. The other is the expected injection of N10 billion into Arik Air, sequel to its takeover by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), last week. Garment Revival Scheme initiated by the Obasanjo administration and sustained by the succeeding PDP administrations, and the N50 billion fund initiated by the BoI to facilitate the takeover of the existing debts to provide additional long-term loans and working capital to existing companies in the Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) sector. On the latter, the latest information from the acting Managing Director of Bank of Industry (BoI), Waheed Olagunju, is that, “A total of N13.37 billion has been disbursed to various beneficiaries as at September 30, 2016.” After gulping a whopping N150 billion intervention funds in the last decade, our expectation is that the sector would have by now, been on a steady path of growth; that another round of bailout is being contemplated would seem to suggest that something more fundamental – more than the issue of funds – needs to be addressed. The story is no less similar for the aviation sector. That a sector which only a few years ago was also offered lifeline of N500 billion, of which N120 billion was later disbursed has remained in distress obviously points at complex factors in the environment. The story is that a meagre N39.5 billion of this has been recovered; the rest – N81.2 billion apparently gone down the drain. The beneficiary companies – Air Nigeria (now defunct), Chanchangi Airline (defunct), Kabo (defunct), Overland, First Nation, Arik and Odengene, each reportedly got between N15b to N35.5b loan have all failed to make good on their obligations. We understand the imperatives which have made the intervention necessary. More than just the need to prevent a further relapse and hemorrhaging of the economy, and to ensure that jobs are preserved as far as practicable, the two sectors are not only critical but strategic. The cotton and textile sector was, from the 60s to 80s, the second largest employer of labour after government. At the height of its boom between 1985 and 1991, it had about 180 textile mills in operation, recording an annual growth rate of 67 per cent and as at 1991, employed over 350,000 people – approximately 25 per cent of workers in the manufacturing sector. Even now, its potentials as a mass employer of labour are far from diminished. The same is true of Arik Air: at the moment, not only does it account for 55 percent of the local aviation services, its debts to local financial institutions, put at a staggering N310 billion, constitutes a systemic risk to the financial services sector – were it to go under. The measures, in any case, underscore the new resolve of the Federal Government to give the economy the much-needed shot in the arm. The challenge really is to make the intervention work; to ensure that the funds are not diverted for other purposes other than for those they were meant. Considering that the operating environment continues to prove a graveyard of many businesses, the greater challenge is for the Federal Government to work assiduously to improve the environment for doing business. That is the surest way to prent the next bailout.
Source: The Nation
Textile millers fear losing competitiveness in the global market as the government’s move for using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in the manufacturing sector will hike the production cost. Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) President Tapan Chowdhury made the remark while addressing a press conference on the upcoming Dhaka International Textile and Garment Machinery Exhibition (DTG)-2017 in the city on Sunday. A four-day mega expo on textile machinery is set to kick off at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in the city on Thursday. Besides, the sector people claimed that scarcity of lands and insufficient gas and electricity connection are the key barriers to the private sector investment growth. The government is going to establish a LNG terminal in Kutubdia Island to supply imported gas to the industry people as the country fears of finishing its natural gas stock in near future. BTMA along with Yorkers Trade and Marketing Services, Chan Chao International will organise the show where a total of 1,000 machinery manufacturers from 33 countries will take part. “It would be very difficult to remain competitive in the global markets after using LNG in the manufacturing units as it would increase the production cost,” said Tapan in response to a question. He continued as saying: “We are yet to get any clarification about the possible LNG pricing and other related process although we have heard that per unit gas may cost Tk14, which would hit hard the spinning industry.” Despite political stability and comparatively low bank interest rates, the private sector investment growth is still not up to the expected level, said Tapan, also a former advisor to a caretaker government. He explained that scarcity of land and insufficient gas and electricity connections are now being considered as the barriers to the private sector investment in the country. As the sector people are not getting the connection for the expansion of their existing business, it would hurt the apparel industry as the textile industry is the source of raw materials for the sector, he added. Currently, country’s textile industry has an investment of US$6 billion while RMG and textile sector contribute about 86% of total export and textile industry’s contribution to GDP is 13%.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
In the first fortnight of February 2017, Brazilian cotton prices swung back and forth. In the first week of the month, cotton growers remained firm in asking prices, but purchasers did not relent. In the second week, sellers were more flexible regarding quotes and payment terms; however, purchasers were still unwilling to pay the asking prices. The CEPEA/ESALQ Index, 8-day payment terms, for cotton type 41-4, delivered in São Paulo, closed at BRL 2.7301 or $0.8921 per pound on February 15, down 1 per cent as against on January 31. According to a CEPEA report, cotton stakeholders expressed optimism regarding cotton production, due to the favourable weather. The National Company for Food Supply (CONAB) estimates that the sown area for the Brazilian 2016/17 cotton crop, may drop 4.5 per cent when compared to the previous season and will total 911,700 hectares. Despite this, domestic cotton production is expected to rise 10.3 per cent vis-à-vis the earlier season, and will touch 1.421 million tons, pushed by the 15.5 per cent increase in yield at 1,559 kilos per hectare.
Source: Fibre2fashion
Fashion brand Max, part of Dubai-based USD 9 billion Landmark Group, is looking to double its turnover to Rs 5,000 crore in the next four years by expanding its sales network to 400 stores in 120 cities. It is also planning to expand its value apparel retail format 'Easybuy' and aiming to have a network of 180 stores by then catering tier III & IV places. "By FY 2020-21 we would be Rs 5,000 crore company. This year we would close at around Rs 2,400 crore. Last fiscal, we were at Rs 1,800 crore," Max Fashion India Executive Director Vasanth Kumar told PTI. He further said: "In the next four years, we would operate 400 stores in 120 cities". Launched in 2004, Max Fashion is presently operating a chain of 190 stores in 75 cities. "Every year, we would invest around Rs 100 crore for expansion. We invest around 5 crore to open one store, of which Rs 2.5 crore is on capex and the rest is working capital," said Kumar. Max has added 40 new stores so far in the current fiscal and has plans to open 40 more next fiscal. "We are growing 35 per cent per year and we would maintain this growth for the next 2-3 years," he said. Besides, the Landmark group is also expanding its value apparel retail format 'Easybuy' and aiming to have a network of 180 stores by FY 2020-21. "This is to cater tier III cities and below and it is operating at a price which is 40 per cent cheaper than Max. It is growing 20 to 30 stores per year now," Kumar said. Presently, the company is operating 30 stores and would add around 30 stores next years also. "After two years, we would add over 40 stores every year in Easybuy. We would have around 180 stores in next four years," he said, adding Easybuy is based on Franchise model and requires half the space of a Max retails store. The company is also evaluating to omni channel retail system and is currently piloting the 'endless aisle' system by integrating its store inventory with warehouse inventory. "If a particular size of dress is not at a particular store at that time and is available at our inventory, then it would be delivered at customer's house next day," Kumar said. On whether Max Fashion is considering to expand in the neighbouring countries, he said: "We have some enquiries from Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh but we have not yet planned anything. We would focus in India as it has huge opportunity on micro level. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.
Source: Business Standard
IDTechEx has invited a series of industrial players and leaders active in graphene commercialization to contribute their opinions about the state of the technology and markets. As part of article series, we will today hear from Directa Plus who write about the progress of graphene in textile applications. To contact Directa Plus directly please contact the author Dr Laura Rizzi on laura.rizzi@directa-plus.com To learn more about the graphene markets please refer to our report on Graphene, 2D Materials, and Carbon Nanotubes 2016-2026: Markets, Technologies, and Opportunities External Link. You can also meet with many industry leaders at our business-focused event Graphene Europe 2017 External Link taking place on May 10th and 11th in Berlin, Germany. G+ materials for the textile sector are obtained through the submission of natural graphite to a series of physical treatments. The first stage is plasma super-expansion, through which the graphite crystals are "exploded". This process is extremely efficient in separating the graphite planes without damaging their crystalline structure. Using this material, it is then possible to easily produce different forms of highly pure graphene. The subsequent processes include an exfoliation stage in water to obtain graphene-based inks and pastes, and a drying stage to produce powders. The entire process is based exclusively on physics - and not on chemistry: in fact, in our plant we do not use any chemical additives or solvents. This key feature of our technological process allows us to produce graphene-based materials that possess unique characteristics while being safe for human contact, as certified by a series of analyses conducted by an independent testing agency. Conductive Ink Markets 2016-2026 The use of graphene in the textile sector is a good demonstration of Directa Plus' business strategy: to bring disruptive innovation to existing markets and mature sectors, with products targeted at consumers. This approach is not without difficulties as mature industries are often averse to change and reticent to experiment with new solutions. That said, in the current textile market there is a demand for technical innovations to create new garments that can adjust to different temperatures and physical conditions. For a graphene producer, the key consideration is to create materials and technologies that can be easily integrated into current production methods. This can be achieved in the textile sector, for example, by applying graphene via silk screen printing or within a membrane. In so doing, it is possible to shorten the time to market and to offer consumers cutting-edge products. The foremost innovation that graphene has brought to the textile sector is that it has revolutionised the whole concept of technical performance of fabrics and thus of garments. Traditionally, fabrics are not able to "talk" to the body. The focus has been on fabric performance in terms of the relationship between the human body and the environment - that is, on through-plane properties - such as textile breathability or impermeability. Agricultural Robots and Drones 2016-2026 Now, thanks to graphene, the body can "talk" to the fabric, and the textile can actively respond. The in-plane properties optimise fabric performance due to the interaction between the textile and the human body by distributing heat generated by the body to prevent the creation of hot-spots and dissipating it when needed. This approach to thermal comfort in garments, derived from the bidimensional and planar nature of graphene, is in itself revolutionary and extremely effective. In addition, due to the thermal circuit created by the graphene, which is placed in contact with the human body, it is possible to adjust the body temperature without using an external source of energy such as batteries. Instead, it simply exploits the thermal flows naturally generated by the human body, and without affecting the fabric's other features such as breathability and impermeability. Figure 1. Example of a graphene thermal circuit. On the left, a fabric printed with graphene and on the right, a non-printed fabric. The heat from the thermal source is spread through the thermally conductive graphene print. Graphene can also render fabrics electrically conductive - enabling, for example, data transmission, which renders the garments interactive - providing numerous opportunities in terms of wearable technologies and Internet of Things. In this case, the graphene fabrics replace the metallic materials currently used, which has many advantages such as lower weight and volume, and reduced maintenance requirements thanks to flex resistance and fastness. Moreover, graphene fabrics are bacteriostatic, therefore preventing the proliferation of bacteria without killing them. As a result, graphene fabrics are suitable for skin contact because they do not risk affecting skin flora. The use of graphene in the textile sector is an example of the incorporation of a nanomaterial within large and complex industrial supply chains. To be successful, this process requires: being able to provide the correct grade of graphene, with a well-defined particle morphology, in the requested quantity to satisfy customers' expectations and textile producers' needs (cost-containment); finding the optimum means for incorporating graphene into final products (mixing methods, concentrations, graphene-based semi-milled, garment engineering, etc); and supplying "certified" graphene, from a legal and toxicological perspective. The culmination of two years of work resulted, recently, in to the first graphene garments becoming available on the market, developed with our partner Colmar, while Grafytherm® and Grafyshield® membranes, commercialised by Directa Textile Solutions, are generating considerable interest in the textile sector. Learn more at the next leading event on the topic: Printed Electronics Europe 2017 External Link on 10 - 11 May 2017 in Berlin, Germany hosted by IDTechEx.
Source: Times of India
