The Indian economy grew at 7.2 percent in October-December 2017, and will likely expand 6.6 percent in 2017-18, latest official estimates said on Wednesday, amid strong revival signs in consumption spending and investment activity. The economy is poised to move into a faster lane, swiftly recovering from the disorderly effects of demonetisation and the goods and services tax (GST). The rebound in India’s “real” inflation-adjusted gross domestic product (GDP) growth from 6.5 percent in the previous quarter (July-September) will likely help regain its lost status as the world’s fastest growing major economy outpacing China, which grew 6.8 percent in October-December 2017. Latest estimates broadly mirror the trends seen in high frequency indicators like corporate income and industrial output data. It is in line with the government’s earlier estimates. In January, the government had projected that India’s GDP would grow at 6.5 percent in 2017-18. Implicit calculations suggest that GDP in the October-March period would grow at 7 percent. The Central Statistics Office’s (CSO’s) second advance estimates released today are based on actual data for three quarters, which give a better picture of the health of the economy. The CSO also estimated that gross value added (GVA), which is GDP minus net taxes, grew 6.7 percent in October-December from 6.2 percent in the previous quarter and 6.9 percent in the same quarter of 2016-17. GVA is set to grow at 6.4 percent in 2017-18 from 7.1 percent in 2016-17. It is a more realistic guide to measure changes in the aggregate value of goods and services produced in an economy. The manufacturing sector grew 8.1 percent in the third quarter of 2017-18, from 6.9 percent in the previous quarter, and 8.1 percent in the same quarter of the previous year. The sector is projected to expand at 5.1 percent during the full year, inching towards last year’s 7.9 percent growth, indicating that factories and firms have moved on from the irritants caused by GST. A mid-year switchover to GST from July 1 prompted anxious shops and companies to de-stock and clear up the inventory pile ahead of the new system’s kick off. Companies had significantly cut back production in June as part of a business strategy to carry over as little old stock as possible into July. Nobody was quite sure whether prices would rise, fall or remain the same after GST, which partly explains the jostle to drain out old stocks at heavy price markdowns. Latest lead indicators have shown encouraging turnaround signs over the last few months, with urban consumption recovering into the year-end. The manufacturing sector appears to have recovered from the post-GST lull, along with a jump in industrial production, primarily capital goods output. Available data also suggests healthy growth of corporate earnings in that quarter, despite rising commodity prices. Government revenue expenditure (minus interest payments) also accelerated to 24 percent (year on year) from 12 percent in the year-ago period. Non-agricultural growth has shown signs of improvement thanks to better investments and the service sector, including public administration and credit growth indicators. Double-digit growth of capital goods, the sharp rise in capital spending of the central government and the modest pickup in capital spending of state governments in the third quarter of 2017-18, are likely to have contributed to the 12 percent expansion in gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) in October-December 2017-18. However, since the value of new investment projects and the value of projects completed recorded a contraction in the quarter, it may be premature to conclude that a broad-based revival in investment activity has commenced,” said Aditi Nayar, Principal Economist, ICRA. The agriculture sector grew 4.1 percent in October-December from 2.7 percent in the previous quarter, and 7.5 percent in the same quarter of the previous year. It is projected to grow 3 percent in 2017-18 from 6.3 percent in the previous year, CSO estimates said. Farm sector growth will likely remain subdued because of unfavourable estimates for kharif output of crops such as oilseeds, pulses, cereals and cotton, and the base effect related to record high output in 2016-17. The construction sector grew 6.8 percent in October – December from 2.8 percent in the previous quarter as well as in the same quarter of the previous year, broadly reflecting trends in output and sales of inputs, such as cement and steel, even as the sentiment remains weak after the RERA Act and the GST. Improvement was broad-based, with a pickup in most production/investment demand indicators. Under GVA, agricultural and non-agricultural activities have both picked pace. Besides base effects, better construction and agri sectoral performance bodes well for employment creation prospects. Looking ahead, the likelihood of higher rural incomes (on higher MSPs) and pre-election spending is likely to be supportive of 2018-19 numbers,” said Radhika Rao, India Economist, DBS Bank.
Source: Economic Times
The good news is that India's manufacturing sector continued to expand in February for the seventh consecutive month, driven by increasing output and new orders. However, according to a new business survey, the growth in factory activity has slowed to a four-month low while, on the price front, cost inflation is accelerating. The Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) has steadily fallen from a 5-year high at 54.7 in December 2017 to 52.4 last month and 52.1 in February, indicating modest improvement in operating conditions across India's goods producing economy. "It was promising to see that India's manufacturing sector remained in growth territory as the impact of July's Goods and Services Tax continues to dissipate. The expansion was primarily driven by marked rise in manufacturing production, whilst there were reports of improved underlying demand, with domestic and external sources driving new business gains," said Aashna Dodhia, economist at IHS Markit, which compiles the survey. Total new orders, an indicator of domestic and export demand, rose for the fourth successive month during February. That said, the rate of growth was modest and the lowest in the current upturn. Similarly, new export orders rose for the fourth consecutive month, despite softening from January's 16-month high. Although companies increased hiring this month in response to greater production requirements - the pace of job creation was slightly faster than at the start of this year - optimism about future output slipped to three-month low. Amid reports of delayed payments from clients, outstanding business rose during February and the rate of backlog accumulation quickened to the fastest pace since October 2016. Input costs, meanwhile, increased for the 29th month during the period under review, with panellist reporting higher prices paid for steel, chemicals and fuel. "Cost inflation accelerated to the sharpest since February 2017, adding to expectations that inflationary risks will continue over the coming months," added Dodhia in a release. Meanwhile, manufacturers raised their output charges as part of attempts to pass through higher cost burdens to clients. "That said, although companies were able to raise their average selling prices at the fastest pace in a year, inflation remained modest highlighting some customer sensitivity to price changes," explained Dodhia. Let's not forget that although retail inflation eased in January from a 17-month high in the prior month, price rises are still above the RBI's medium-term target of 4 percent. And "amid a stronger oil price forecast and growing fiscal risks, IHS Markit upgraded its CPI forecast to 5.2 percent for fiscal year 2017/2018", said the report. This could pressurise the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to raise interest rates in the near term, despite the Monetary Policy Committee noting that "the economy is on a recovery path", which needed to be "carefully nurtured" by leaving policy repo rate unchanged earlier this month. For now, Indian manufacturers "remain optimistic towards the 12-month outlook for output" thanks to factors like forecasts of improvements in demand conditions.
Source: Economic Times
The government today released the data related to eight core industries which grew at 6.7% in January 2018. The eight core industries comprise coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel, cement and electricity. The growth in output compares with an upwardly revised 4.2% year-on-year growth in December. The core sectors' cumulative growth rate for the April-January 2017 period was 4.3% as against 5.1% in year-ago period, the statement showed. The eight core Industries comprise 40.27 per cent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). The combined index of eight core industries stands at 133.1 in January, 2018, which was 6.7 per cent higher as compared to the index of January, 2017. Its cumulative growth during April to January, 2017-18 was 4.3 per cent, said Ministry of Commerce & Industry statement. The summary of the index of 8 core industries (base: 2011-12) is given below: Coal:
Coal production (weight: 10.33 per cent) increased by 3.0 per cent in January, 2018 over January, 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 1.5 per cent during April to January, 2017-18 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Crude Oil: Crude Oil production (weight: 8.98 per cent) declined by 3.2 per cent in January, 2018 over January, 2017. Its cumulative index declined by 0.7 per cent during April to January, 2017-18 over the corresponding period of previous year.
Natural Gas: The Natural Gas production (weight: 6.88 per cent) declined by 1.0 per cent in January, 2018 over January, 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 3.5 per cent during April to January, 2017-18 over the corresponding period of previous year. Refinery Products: Petroleum Refinery production (weight: 28.04 per cent) increased by 11.0 per cent in January, 2018 over January, 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 4.7 per cent during April to January, 2017-18 over the corresponding period of previous year.
Fertilizers: Fertilizers production (weight: 2.63 per cent) declined by 1.6 per cent in January, 2018 over January, 2017. Its cumulative index declined by 0.7 per cent during April to January, 2017-18 over the corresponding period of previous year.
Steel: Steel production (weight: 17.92 per cent) increased by 3.7 per cent in January, 2018 over January, 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 6.4 per cent during April to January, 2017-18 over the corresponding period of previous year.
Cement: Cement production (weight: 5.37 per cent) increased by 20.7 per cent in January, 2018 over January, 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 4.4 per cent during April to January, 2017-18 over the corresponding period of previous year.
Electricity: Electricity generation (weight: 19.85 per cent) increased by 8.2 per cent in January, 2018 over January, 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 5.4 per cent during April to January, 2017-18 over the corresponding period of previous year.
Source: Economic Times
Kolkata, Feb 28 (PTI) Union minister Smriti Irani has called for an improvement in raw jute quality so that the Indian industry is able to compete with neighbouring Bangladesh. For the purpose, farmers will have to be given good seeds which would also raise productivity and their income level, the textile minister said at an ICC event here last evening. Irani, who also holds the I&B portfolio, said India was not able to compete with Bangladesh in diversified jute products. "This is a pressure on the jute industry here and the issues are related to the quality of raw jute. The quality can be improved by using good quality seeds," she said. The minister also urged the industry to pay the dues of the labourers. It would make the industry to pick up any amount of government orders it wanted. Irani also advocated the use of jute in building road infrastructure.
Source: NDTV
BAREILLY: The director and commissioner of Uttar Pradesh handloom and textile department, Rama Raman, on Monday announced that the proposed textile park at Raipur Jagir village of Meerganj tehsil will be developed at a cost of Rs 84 crore on a 39 acre plot. He also said around 5,000 jobs are likely to be created with the setting up of 50 industries in the park. “In the recently-held UP Investors’ Summit 2018, we have signed MoUs with as many as 38 companies who are eager to invest in Bareilly and set-up units at the textile park. To ensure completion of the project on time, a nodal officer will assist companies in getting approvals for no objection certificates from various departments including the pollution control board, state forest department, urban development authorities, among others,” said Raman. According to the director, 36 handloom and textile industries as well as 14 other units to provide raw material to the firms will be set up. After visiting the site of the proposed park, Raman met Bareilly divisional commissioner, PV Jaganmohan, and also held a meeting with other senior officials. “The adjoining area of the proposed textile park will be developed into a big industrial area. The Bareilly development authority (BDA) has been instructed to make provisions for the industrial area in its master plan,” said Jagmohan. He also said that work for the mega food park will be completed by March 31. “We will also take help from the Indian Industries Association,” added Jagmohan. District magistrate, RV Singh, vice chairman of BDA Surendra Kumar and chief development officer Satendra Kumar were also in attendance during the meeting.
Source: The Times of India
Mumbai: The rupee fell by a steep 30 paise to end at a fresh three-month low of 65.17 against the US dollar, extending its losses for the third day after Federal Reserve's hawkish comments reignited interest rate hike fears. The forex market sentiment turned highly fragile after the new Fed Chairman Jerome Powell gave a bullish assessment of the US economy during his first testimony before the Congress, fanning fear of a faster pace of interest rate hikes. The Indian unit plunged to a low of 65.32 in intra-day levels before regaining some lost ground on suspected RBI intervention towards the tail-end trade. The local unit finally settled at 65.17, showing a loss of 30 paise or 0.46 per cent -- its lowest closing since November 16. Robust month-end dollar demand from oil companies along with aggressive hedging strategy adopted by importers in the wake of currency volatility and consistent unwinding by foreign investors also weighed on the rupee trade, a currency dealer said. Most Asian currency and equity markets too suffered steep losses due to rate hike fears. Besides imminent Fed rate hike fears, the rupee was pressured due to a fall in local markets after state-owned Punjab National Bank said that the amount of fraudulent transactions could go up further, a forex dealer commented. Foreign investors sold shares worth Rs 1,750.5 crore on net basis today, provisional exchange data showed. The RBI, meanwhile fixed the reference rate for the dollar at 65.1031 and for the euro at 79.5885.
Source: Financial Express
CMAI’s Apparel Index for Q3 (Oct-Dec FY 2017-18) indicates out positivity in the market as at 2.71 points there is a clear growth recovery, which is much higher than the same quarter previous year Q3 (Oct-Dec FY 2016-17) when overall Index Value at 1.4 points, market had registered the lowest growth, in the quarter that faced the implementation of demonitisation.
Giant Brands continue to grow
One year post-demonization and a few months after GST’s implementation, despite the push and pulls, Giant Brands have remained resilient and buoyant. In Q3, they maintained their lead with an index value of 11.25 points, growing multiple times compared to other brand groups. Large Brands on the other grew at 5.56 points; Mid Brands clocked in 3.69 points growth; while Small Brands grew least at 1.3 points. Compared to previous quarters, Giant Brands are growing much faster than others, as their rate of growth in the previous quarter was 8.72 points. Large Brands growth rate was 6.65; and 1.25 points for Mid and 0.29 for Small Brands respectively. Indeed, all brand groups across the board have recorded higher growth this quarter. Except, Large Brands (growth dropped this quarter to 5.56 from 6.65 earlier). Surprisingly, Large Brands grew 7.23 points in the same quarter previous year. A closer look at Large Brands’ performance during Q3 and Q2 of FY 2017-18, reflects in both these quarters, Sales Turnover growth is same but Sell Through grew better in previous quarter compared to this quarter; Inventory Holding too increased this quarter compared to previous quarter impacting negatively. Giant Brand’s remarkable growth improvement is on account of better Sales Turnover growth compared to previous quarter and better Sell Through growth.
Rising sales Turnover and investments
In Q3, Sales Turnover reflected an Index growth of 1.52. Nearly, 49 per cent brands or almost half reported an increase this quarter. However, it seems, the festive season didn’t bring much cheer to all brands, as many reported a dip in sales turnover. And a significant 30 per cent reported a loss this quarter. No Giant Brands indicated a loss in turnover in Q3. Explaining the dip in sales turnover, Narendra Shah, Proprietor, Vogartino says “The dip in sales turnover is partly due to us changing location and majorly due to the pattern of business followed by corporate brands. End of season sale hit not only us as a brand but also MBO’s, small industries and manufacturers. Big corporate brands gave away goods at throwaway prices which has had a great impact on our business hence, the dip in sales turnover.” Nearly 45 per cent brands indicated an improvement in Sell Through. But for the other 44 per cent, Sell Through remained the same “The increase in sell through is connected, if sales turnover increases automatically sell through will increase as sales have been managed well,” explains Sameer Patel, Proprietor, Deal Jeans. Almost 46 per cent respondents across all brand groups said their Inventory Holding went up this quarter. Patel opines, “Inventory holding increased as fashion is fast changing and the inventory is managed and controlled well at our end.” Fresh Investments went up by 1.30 points overall with nearly 59 per cent respondents reporting a rise in investments. As Seema Mehta, Proprietor, Exile explains, “The reason behind an increase in investment is a government scheme which helped us with a bank loan to enhance business. We opted for it and infused money to increase our investments.” Agrees Ketan, Owner, Goof who goes on to explain “We increased our investments by opting for a bank loan to widen our horizons.” As for outlook for the next quarter around 48 per cent brands say it is ‘Average’, while 38 per cent believe the outlook is ‘Good’. Generally, Q4 of the financial year, is seen as quarter that has EOSS in January and only a small period of fresh and growth in sales that is second half of March when exams are over and holidays start and summer season picks up. Looking for fresh goods, post first quarter of GST, consumers too are expected to return to stores. GST and new processes would be settled especially by last quarter of this financial year and this could augur well for growth in Q1 of FY 2018-19. CMAl's Apparel Index aims to set a benchmark for the entire domestic apparel industry and helps brands in taking informed business decisions. For investors, industry players, stakeholders and policymakers the index is a useful tool offering concrete and credible information, and is an excellent source for assessing the performance of the industry. The Index is analysed on assessing the performance on four parameters: Sales Turnover, Sell Through (percentage of fresh stocks sold), number of days of Inventory Holding and Investments (signifying future confidence) in brand development and brand building. The Apparel Index research is conducted by DFU Publications.
Source: Fashion United
New Delhi: Seeking to come up with a standardised 'India size chart' for ready-made garments, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) will soon start a national sizing survey that will sample 25,000 people using high-tech whole body scanners. The project has been approved by the Centre and will entail measuring of 25,000 male and female Indians in six cities in six regions of the country: Kolkata(East), Mumbai(West), New Delhi(North), Hyderabad (Central India), Bengaluru(South) and Shillong (North-East), according to the Textiles Ministry. NIFT Director General Sarada Muraleedharan told reporters here that the survey will cost nearly Rs 30 crore and the project would be conducted over a period of 2-3 years. Once a uniform India size is arrived at, "even foreign brands in India would also carry it, Rajesh Shah, the chairman of the Board of Governors of the NIFT, said . "Besides, our diaspora can then also order any wear based on that standard size". NIFT is under administrative control of the Textiles Ministry. The survey entails measuring statistically relevant sample size pan country using human safe technology of 3D whole body scanner, a non-contact method of taking body measurements and analysing the collected data to create size charts. "Indian apparel industry uses size charts which are tweaked versions of size charts of other countries so returns of the garments are in the range of 20 to 40 per cent and is increasing with the growth of e-commerce and the main reason for returns are poor garment fit," the Textiles Ministry said in a statement. Using 3D whole body scanners, computers will extract hundreds of measurements from a scan. The anthropometric data collected from the sample population in the age group 15-65 years to create a database will result in a standardised size chart which is representative of the Indian population and can be adopted by the apparel industry, it said. The data created as part of this project will be confidential and secure, the statement highlighted. Talking about the need of the survey, the ministry said a large percentage of shoppers face difficulty in finding clothes that fit perfectly according to their body measurements. The reason is differences in anthropometric built of people in different geographical regions across the country. In India, either the US or the UK system of 'Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large' has been used, and people then go for fitting accordingly, the NIFT director general said. After the uniform size chart is available, whole country will have a "standard reference point" for ready-to-wear industry, Muraleedharan said. "That means, all India brands will have the same size for a person." Till date 14 countries have successfully completed national sizing surveys: the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, France, Spain, Germany, Korea, China and Australia. The findings of the study will impact various other sectors like automotive, aerospace, fitness and sport, art and computer gaming where insights from this data can produce ergonomically designed products which are suited for the Indian population. Providing well fitting garments in the absence of standardized size chart is proving to be a big challenge for the domestic textile and apparel industry which is projected to reach USD 123 billion by 2021 and holds 5th position in apparel imports, the Textiles Ministry said. "The NIFT had been toying with this idea since 2006. But you can say the stars finally aligned, and with the support of the Ministry of Textiles, we are ready for this exercise. Of the Rs 30 crore, the ministry will give Rs 21 crore and the NIFT will pitch in with about Rs 9 crore," Muraleedharan said.
Source: Business World
New Delhi : Leading commodity bourse MCX today announced that Vardhman Textiles has started hedging on its platform to reduce the risk arising out of cotton price volatility. The MCX offers futures contract to all stakeholders to manage price risks. The MCX cotton contracts are considered to be a benchmark in the cotton industry in India. "We are glad to serve Vardhman as the platform of choice for their cotton price risk management obligations," MCX Managing Director and CEO Mrugank Paranjape said in a statement. India is the worlds largest producer and second biggest exporter of cotton.
Source: India Today
KOLKATA: Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani today applauded the low-cost jute based sanitary napkin developed by Indian Jute Industries Research Association (IJIRA) here and asked the body to help promote women entrepreneurship. ''The jute-based sanitary napkins are natural and do not have many chemical interventions compared to normal napkins available. I want IJIRA to make presentations to ministries like women empowerment and rural development to promote women entrepreneurship,'' Ms Irani said at the inauguration of a IJIRA technical seminar. She said as the machinery requirement for the jute-based sanitary napkins will cost about Rs. IJIRA deputy director S K Chakrabarti said the research in sanitary napkins has reached the commercial exploitation stage. 10 lakhs, and entrepreneurs can benefit from MUDRA loan scheme of the government. The Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) scheme provides refinance support to Banks / MFIs for lending to micro units having loan requirement up to 10 lakh. An incubation-cum-training centre was inaugurated by the union minister today at the IJIRA facility. Mr Chakrabarti said the body is working with self help groups to promote the technology by training women in this new centre. Speaking about jute diversification, Ms Irani said geo-textile is one of the major areas where jute industry can benefit. The government, she said, has sanctioned Rs. The union minister also said the government support will continue to modernise jute industry and farming. 427 crore for use of geo-textiles in the north-east region. 'Subhra' is one such technological intervention by which mandays involved in the extraction of jute fibres are drastically reduced with improved quality. Mr Irani said that for jute MSP operation government has spent Rs. 46.86 crore.
Source: NDTV
MUMBAI: In a bid to increase its deposit base before the fiscal year ends, SBI has hiked interest rates on retail and bulk deposits by up to 50 and 75 basis points respectively (100bps = 1 percentage point). The move will benefit lakhs of fixed deposit investors, particularly retired people. The recent Union Budget had given retired investors a major incentive for choosing fixed deposits, as it increased the interest income limit for tax deduction at source to Rs 50,000 from Rs 10,000 earlier. Following the increase, rates on deposits maturing in one year to less than two years have been raised by 15bps to 6.40% from 6.25% earlier. The retail rates for deposits of two years and up to 10 years have been hiked by 50bps to 6.50% from 6%. The flip side of the deposit rate hike is that it will push up the cost of funds for the bank. This eventually gets reflected in higher lending rates as the new benchmark for loans — the marginal cost of lending rate — is calculated based on cost of funds. Interestingly, SBI’s deposit rate hike came a day after the new US Federal Reserve chairman, Jerome Powell, indicated that the Fed might go in for three interest rate hikes this year. This shameless Modi Govt., is operating on a maxim to reward defaulters and fraudsters siphoning off Banks while simultaneously penalising Savers who park their hard money in Banks expecting decent... Read MoreDhruv This had an impact on markets across the world. In India, too, the yield on government bonds rose and money market rates increased. On bulk deposits, SBI now offers 6.75% on maturities between one and two years. The bank earlier offered an interest rate that was 50bps lower at 6.25%. Deposits over Rs 1 crore and up to Rs 10 crore qualify for the wholesale rates. For deposits maturing in two to less than three years, the bulk rates have been increased by 75bps to 6.75%.
Source Business Line
India's manufacturing sector activity fell to a four-month low in February due to a slowdown in factory output and new business orders, a monthly survey showed. Cost inflation rose to the highest since February 2017, bolstering the expectation of continued inflationary risks over the coming months. Global crude prices struggled to stay in the positive territory. Brent crude futures were trading at USD 66.49 a barrel in early Asian trading. Globally, the U.S. dollar hit five-week highs against a currency basket after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said the US economic outlook remains bright, bolstering bets on further Fed rate hikes this year. The dollar index, which measures the greenback's value against a basket of six major currencies, was up at 90.44 in early trade. However, in cross-currency trades, the rupee hardened against the pound sterling to end at 90.36 per pound from 90.60 and also strengthened against the euro to finish at 79.65 against last close of 79.92. The home currency, however fell back against the Japanese yen to close at 60.85 per yens from 60.64 yesterday. In forward market today, premium for dollar drifted further due to sustained receiving from exporters. The benchmark six-month forward premium payable in July fell sharply to 102-104 paise from 112.50-114.50 paise and the far-forward January 2019 contract also dropped to 220-222 paise from 237.50-239.50 paise previously.
Source : Financial Express
|
Item |
Price |
Unit |
Fluctuation |
Date |
|
PSF |
1453.14 |
USD/Ton |
0.82% |
2/28/2018 |
|
VSF |
2312.35 |
USD/Ton |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
ASF |
2692.46 |
USD/Ton |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
Polyester POY |
1396.91 |
USD/Ton |
0.63% |
2/28/2018 |
|
Nylon FDY |
3595.23 |
USD/Ton |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
40D Spandex |
5939.25 |
USD/Ton |
1.35% |
2/28/2018 |
|
Nylon POY |
2930.03 |
USD/Ton |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
Acrylic Top 3D |
1647.15 |
USD/Ton |
0.48% |
2/28/2018 |
|
Polyester FDY |
3801.12 |
USD/Ton |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
Nylon DTY |
5986.76 |
USD/Ton |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
Viscose Long Filament |
1635.27 |
USD/Ton |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
Polyester DTY |
3357.66 |
USD/Ton |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
30S Spun Rayon Yarn |
3025.06 |
USD/Ton |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
32S Polyester Yarn |
2206.23 |
USD/Ton |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
45S T/C Yarn |
3025.06 |
USD/Ton |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
40S Rayon Yarn |
3151.76 |
USD/Ton |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
T/R Yarn 65/35 32S |
2660.78 |
USD/Ton |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
45S Polyester Yarn |
2359.86 |
USD/Ton |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
T/C Yarn 65/35 32S |
2549.92 |
USD/Ton |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
10S Denim Fabric |
1.48 |
USD/Meter |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
32S Twill Fabric |
0.90 |
USD/Meter |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
40S Combed Poplin |
1.26 |
USD/Meter |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
30S Rayon Fabric |
0.70 |
USD/Meter |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
|
45S T/C Fabric |
0.75 |
USD/Meter |
0% |
2/28/2018 |
Source: Global Textiles
Note: The above prices are Chinese Price (1 CNY = 0.15838 USD dtd. 28/2/2018). The prices given above are as quoted from Global Textiles.com. SRTEPC is not responsible for the correctness of the same.
Inflation in the 19-country eurozone fell in February for a third month running even though economic growth is at a decade high, a trend that's likely to make the European Central Bank tread carefully in the months ahead as it mulls how to end its crisis-era measures. The EU statistics agency, Eurostat, said Wednesday that annual consumer price inflation eased to 1.2 percent in the year to February from 1.3 percent the month before. The fall, which takes inflation to its lowest level since December 2016, was anticipated by investors and was largely due to energy prices rising at a slower tick on an annual basis. But even when stripping out volatile items such as energy and food, inflation held steady at a still-low 1 percent. Both measures are below the European Central Bank's goal of achieving inflation of just below 2 percent and will likely reinforce expectations that the bank won't announce any dramatic changes to its cheap and easy monetary policy at its meeting next week. The recent moderation in inflation is likely to disappoint many at the bank looking to bring an end to the crisis-era stimulus measures put in place over the past few years to help the eurozone economy back to health. Super-low interest rates — the main one has been slashed to zero — and a big bond-buying program have helped growth. In fact, the eurozone is one of the standouts around the world, expanding by 2.5 percent last year, its best performance since 2007. But that growth boon is not translating into a sustained rise in inflation. Central banks target a level of inflation that they consider to be healthy for an economy and that they think encourages consumers to spend and businesses to invest. ECB President Mario Draghi has voiced confidence that inflation will return to target as growth eats up slack in the economy that has built up during the last few years of crisis and recession. Despite falling consistently over the past couple of years, unemployment across the eurozone stands at 8.7 percent, around double the rate in the U.S. In many eurozone countries, notably those at the forefront of the debt crisis like Greece and Spain, unemployment remains far higher — in Greece it's still over 20 percent — and that continues to cap inflation by depressing wages. "Unemployment there will have to retreat much further before these countries experience stronger wage growth," Christoph Weil, senior economist at Commerzbank. Draghi has also argued that the recent era of low interest rates and too-low inflation may have been "internalized" by wage negotiators, many of whom may also have been focused more on keeping jobs than on securing higher pay. However, that may be changing, certainly in Germany where unemployment is at very low levels. Low unemployment gives wage negotiators a chance to press for higher pay deals as many have done so far this year, including IG Metall, Germany's biggest industrial union. Still, inflation in Germany remains subdued — figures Tuesday pointed to an annual rate of only 1.4 percent. There are a host of reasons why inflation is failing to pick up. The recent appreciation in the value of the euro, which has risen around a fifth against the dollar over the past year to $1.22, has lowered the cost of imports like energy. The impact of globalization, an aging population and the digitization or automation of work and services may also be keeping inflation lower. "Expectations of a quick return of inflation seem exaggerated, making a cautious ECB next week very likely," said Bert Colijn, senior eurozone economist at ING.
Source: Financial Express
The stakeholders of cotton supply chain have constituted a Council of Cotton Stakeholders to finalise a joint strategy on achieving cotton production targets set under the Cotton Mission 2025 by the Government of Punjab. Provision of a level playing field all across entire value chain in Punjab by bringing down cost of inputs, improvement in productivity/yields through introduction of better cottonseed technology, upgrading harvest technology, improved extension services to provide timely information to farmers & reclaiming area encroached by sugar cultivation was the broad consensus reached amongst all the stakeholders. A joint session of cotton value chain stakeholders held at the Aptma Punjab office was attended by Aptma Central Chairman Aamir Fayyaz, chairman Ali Pervaiz Malik, senior vice chairman Adil Bahsir, Mian Mahmood Ahmed from Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association and Dr Muhammad Ghazanfar, Additional Secretary Planning, Department of Agriculture Punjab. They said that steps should be taken to enhance the cotton productivity, make available a level playing to all stakeholders against the regional competitors and the input costs of cotton farmers should be made compatible in the region. The participants also agreed on the point that new varieties of cotton seed should be introduced under the Public Private Partnership while involving the private sector seed development companies. They also agreed to address the quality issues in line with the predetermined parameters set in the Cotton Standardization. They called for encouraging indigenous production of oil and blending it with the imported palm oil. The participants also resolved to secure appropriate price of cotton seed (banola), a byproduct of cotton for this purpose to improve profitability of cotton farmers. The council will organise a joint seminar before the start of cotton sowing season.
Source: The Nation PK.
A meeting of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Commerce and Textile on Friday discussed various matters including export of 300,000mt sugar from surplus stock and establishment of TCP Rice Testing Laboratory.Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) Chairman Mushtaq Ahmed Shaikh briefed the committee about the performance of TCP, measures for procurement of 300,000mt of sugar from surplus sugar stock and export thereof and establishment of state-of-the-art TCP Rice Testing Laboratory projects.MNA Siraj Muhammad Khan chaired the meeting and directed officials of Sindh government, Textile Commissioner Organization, Port Qasim Authority, National Bank of Pakistan and other stakeholders to make consensus on revival of Pakistan Textile City Project at Karachi, which has been closed by the government due to non-availability of electricity and gas.The officials informed the committee that billions of rupees have been spent on this project; 80,000 jobs can be created if this project starts again.
Source: The Nation PK.
The Commission Delegated Regulation 2018/122 has amended various provisions of the existing Regulation 1007/2011, which serves as the framework law on textile fibre names and related labelling and marking in the European Union. A new amendment to a European Union legislation has modified several provisions related to textile fibre names and associated wtih labelling and marking of the fibre composition of textile products. It has also accepted the nomenclature of a new textile fibre called polyacrylate. The new law, Commission Delegated Regulation 2018/122, which entered into force on February 15, amends a number of sections and definitions of the existing legislation, Regulation 1007/2011. According to the preamble to the new regulation, there were a host of reasons for amending the earlier regulation which required labelling to indicate the fibre composition of textile products, with checks being carried out by analysis on the conformity of those products through indications given on the label. The 2011 regulation contained a list of textile products for which inclusive labelling was deemed to be sufficient. It included sewing, mending and embroidery yarns presented for retail sale in small quantities with a net weight of 1 gram or less. Due to progress made on the technological front, “that particular textile product was no longer presented for retail sale in quantities with a net weight of 1 gram or less.” Therefore, the list qualifying for inclusive labelling needed updating. The 2018/122 regulation, which was adopted on October 20, 2017, was to enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The regulation was published in the official journal on January 26, 2018. The new textile fibre that was at the root of many of the changes is polyacrylate. According to the definition which has been added to Annex I of the 2011 framework regulation, polyacrylate is a “fibre formed of cross-linked macromolecules having more than 35 per cent (by mass) of acrylate groups (acid, light metal salts or esters) and less than 10 per cent (by mass) of acrylonitrile groups in the chain and up to 15 per cent (by mass) of nitrogen in the cross-linking.” Annex II of the 2011 regulation laid down the minimum requirements for a technical file to be included in the application for a new textile fibre name. The very definition has had to be amended. The earlier clause was: “The characteristics mentioned in the definition of the new textile fibre, such as elasticity, shall be verifiable via testing methods to be provided with the technical file along with the experimental results of analyses.” The new clause has added the following: “The definition proposed shall describe the fibre composition.” Clause 5 which was about “Sufficiently developed identification and quantification methods, including experimental data” has now become “Proposed identification and quantification methods, including experimental data.” Henceforth, “The application [for a new textile fibre name] shall contain all the experimental data, in particular regarding fibre characteristics, identification and quantification methods proposed. Data on the accuracy, robustness and repeatability of the methods shall be provided with the file.” There is also a new provision related to the availability of samples in the same annex: “The manufacturer or any person acting on the manufacturer’s behalf shall provide representative samples of the new pure textile fibre and the relevant textile fibre mixtures necessary for verifying the accuracy, robustness and repeatability of the proposed identification and quantification methods. The Commission may request additional samples of relevant fibre mixtures from the manufacturer or the person acting on the manufacturer’s behalf.” The 2011 regulation had mentioned that it was “necessary to harmonise the names of textile fibres and the indications appearing on labels, markings and documents which accompany textile products at the various stages of their production, processing and distribution.” However, the labelling and marking requirements do not apply in cases “where textile products are contracted out to persons working in their own homes or to independent firms that carry out work from materials supplied to them without the property therein being transferred for consideration or where customised textile products are made up by self-employed tailors.” (WE)
Source: Fibre2Fashion
As the cotton marketing season beckons, the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe should stop being a crybaby moaning about side-marketing, but think outside the box to come up with strategies to incentivise farmers. Mr Speaker Sir, a tour last week by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture and Resettlement chaired by Gokwe Nembudziya MP Cde Justice Mayor Wadyajena to a Muzarabani Cottco depot in Mashonaland Central Province was an eye opener. During an interaction with legislators, Cottco managing director, Mr Pious Manamike moaned that they were grappling with the problem of side-marketing after giving out free inputs to farmers under the Presidential Inputs Scheme. Mr Manamike moaned that instead of selling their cotton to Cottco, some farmers were taking their produce to private buyers in clear violation of the contract they would have signed. He said the side-marketing scourge had the potential of threatening the viability of Cottco since it would fail to recover value, given the investment they would have made in the farmers in terms of not only inputs, but free agricultural extension services. Mr Speaker Sir, there is no doubt that the scourge of side-marketing is a big problem, which requires concerted efforts by all stakeholders, but Cottco should explore ways to deal with it. It is equally unfair of those unscrupulous firms to try to reap where they did not sow by buying cotton from farmers whom they have not contracted. By offering more than what Cottco pays, the firms know that they are engaging in unfair business practices so they have to raise the bar, for lack of better word, in their effort to lure farmers. This is where, Mr Speaker Sir, Cottco management should summon its innovative mind. Mount Darwin North MP Cde Nobert Muponori (Zanu-PF) asked Mr Manamike what incentives the firm had come up with to entice the farmers to sell their produce to Cottco. In response, Mr Manamike said they offer farmers, who bring their produce promotional materials like umbrellas, T-shirts, hats and wrapping cloths. Mr Speaker Sir, from the presentation by Mr Manamike, it is clear that one of the reasons why Cottco’s fortunes took a nosedive more than a decade ago was because of rampant side-marketing that went unabated as unscrupulous buyers lured desperate farmers with higher cash offers than Cottco, among other incentives. Government had to intervene to have a direct interest in the firm given its strategic importance. It is on that basis, Mr Speaker Sir, that management at Cottco ought to think outside the box to explore ways to fight side-marketing. As legislators rightfully put it during the meeting in Muzarabani, there is need for Cottco management to come up with incentives, whose effect would be to induce farmers to sell their produce to Cottco. The promotional trinkets offered by Cottco in the form of umbrellas, hats, T-shirts among other paraphernalia are not good enough to entice the farmers. Firstly, Mr Speaker Sir, Cottco should go on a blitz to raise awareness on the importance of selling their produce to them. Farmers ought to be told that it is criminal to sell to other firms, by-passing Cottco, which would have given them the inputs as this amounted to fraud and breach of contract. They ought to be told that selling cotton to Cottco is the most patriotic thing they could ever do as it would go a long way in nation building and restoring the country’s breadbasket status. But more importantly, Mr Speaker Sir, farmers ought to be given incentives like bonuses, back pay as what Cottco used to do in the 1990s. Cottco used to pay farmers bonuses then, despite the fact that it enjoyed a virtual monopoly of the market before the advent of other firms like Cargill. It is not in dispute Mr Speaker Sir that a decision to pay bonuses among other financial incentives might be a tall order given Cottco’s balance sheet, but those are the kind of hard decisions that ought to be taken, which in the long run might produce good returns. Mr Speaker Sir, Cottco is still rebuilding its name after its fortunes slumped over the years. It would be recalled, Mr Speaker Sir, that cotton farmers were threatening to stop producing the crop owing to poor producer prices, which they said were not commensurate with what they would have sunk in securing inputs. To its credit, Government intervened and bailed out Cottco and further introduced the free input scheme. The free input scheme has created a lot of hope for cotton farmers, Mr Speaker Sir, no wonder Mr Manamike and most cotton farmers told legislators to implore Government to extend the scheme beyond the three-year threshold. It goes without saying that Government would need to be satisfied that the free inputs are being put to good use through selling cotton to Cottco if it is to accede to that request. It is very unlikely that Government would accede to such a request when it turns out that the bulk of the produce is finding its way into the black market and not to Cottco. It is for that reason that Cottco should come up with measures to combat side-marketing. Moaning over it at this juncture might not be helpful because what it ought to do is to tackle it head on and return the company to viability by recouping what is due to it.
Source: The Herald
Boys jump from a giant truck called a 'titan' after loading it with cotton. The commodity is so valuable to Benin's economy that it is called 'white gold'. The sleepy town of Bohicon in southern-central Benin roars into life during the cotton harvest between January and March. Enormous trucks piled high with “white gold” trundle down the roads to the town’s cotton-processing plant. Yerima Fousseni, head of the cotton-growers cooperative in Wewe district farther north, says 2018 has been a bumper harvest — more than 46 tonnes, triple last year’s yield. “We now have 32 farmers in the village — before, there were only 10 of us. Everyone has been able to see that there’s money to be made out of this.” That Benin’s cotton sector is booming is clear. The country is the fourth biggest producer in Africa, with exports in 2018 set to reach more than 530,000 tonnes after 451,000 tonnes in 2017 and 324,000 tonnes in 2016. Everyone has benefitted from the boost but some more than others — and many are wondering why. Some say the downstream part of the industry is in the hands of a de facto monopoly, dominated by companies historically linked to Benin’s president, Patrice Talon. Talon made a fortune in the cotton industry before coming to power in 2016 on a campaign promise to revive it. Once in office, he vowed that he would part with his own interests in the sector. But the degree to which Talon has kept this promise remains unclear, exposing him to accusations of conflict of interest. Sodeco and ICA, two companies in which he has historically been the major shareholder, manage or own virtually all of Benin’s cotton ginners — factories where, in the first crucial step after harvesting, cotton lint is separated from seed. Cotton is one of the biggest contributors to Benin’s economy — the sector has boomed in the past three years. Companies historically owned or part-owned by Talon are also major players in transporting the raw cotton, handling cotton seeds and in ports where the commodity is exported. How far Talon has since divested, or distanced himself, from these companies remains sketchy. Benin has legislation to punish unfair competition and monopolies, although the ministry of trade has no office to oversee the law.
– Transparency –
The situation has fed accusations of unfair practices in a sector where competition is tough and resentment can have deep roots. One such critic is Martin Rodriguez, a wealthy Benin entrepreneur who says he lost his entire investment in his home country. In 1997, he says, he built a ginning plant in Nikki, in northeast Benin, but it only operated at less than full capacity. He accuses the state — at the time, Benin’s president was Mathieu Kerekou — of starving him of supplies of raw cotton. Crippled with debt, the factory was sold at auction in November last year at a knockdown price for three billion CFA francs (4.5 million euros, $5.5 million), and is now being run by Sodeco, says Rodriguez, who has launched a judicial appeal in the case. “Talon has taken politics into business and business into politics,” said Rodriguez, who now lives in the United States. Abel Gbetoenonmon of a not-for-profit monitoring group called Social Watch Benin said concerns about conflicts of interest mounted after the industry was re-organised after Talon took office. In April 2016, Talon handed management of the cotton industry — a monopoly that until then was part-held by the state — to the Cotton Inter-Profession Association (AIC), gathering cotton producers and spinners, and appointed a long-time associate, Mathieu Adjovi, at its head. “Abuse of a dominant position became a reality. Before, Patrice Talon controlled 80 percent of the sector, now we are close to 100 percent,” Gbetoenonmon charged. Repeated attempts by AFP to solicit a reply from the president’s office and the AIC were unsuccessful. Even though the cotton sector in Benin is flourishing, concerns remain about access to the market and accountability. “In the past, when there were problems, small producers or any link in the chain could turn to the state” for help, said one veteran figure in the industry. “Today, who can they speak to?”
Source: The Citizen
KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Feb, 2018 ):Central Chairman, Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), Shaikh Mohammad Shafiq has appreciated the initiative taken by the Director General Trade Organizations, Ministry of Commerce and Textile for holding consultative sessions in different cities of the country. In a statement here on Wednesday, Shaikh said that the PRGMEA had been nominated as a coordinating trade organization for this purpose, by the DGTO. It would host the first consultative session on the capacity building of Secretary Generals and office-bearers of licensed Trade Organizations (TOs) on March 6, here in PRGMEA Secretariat. The trade organizations based in Southern Region of the country which were approved by the DGTO, would participate. The first event was aimed at enhancing awareness of the legal trade bodies representing business communities engaged in trade, industry, and services sectors for improved regulatory compliance of the Trade Organizations Act and Rules- 2013, he said. The PRGMEA Chairman said the licensed TOs , offering collaboration, would be given the status of 'Coordinating TOs' for their lead role in holding these consultative sessions on the sustained basis. He said that the main objectives for engagement with Coordinating TOs for consultative session activities included: to establish an active platform for mainstream legitimate trade bodies for improved compliance with regulatory requirements; create an environment to ensure cooperation among TOs for increased awareness on implementation of Trade Organization Act 2013 and Rules; assist licensed trade bodies to actively participate in implementation of key initiatives on trade through increased interactions for sharing updated information; encourage pro-active role of licensed TOs in development and promotion of sectors and regions in line with their respective annual plan of activities and performance report. He said that this exercise would help establish linkages amongst the licensed TOs and with the DGTO office.
Source: Urdu Point News
Cotton Incorporated continues to evaluate segments where demand for cotton can be increased. Cotton and cotton-rich fabric developments are but one aspect of Cotton Incorporated's 2018 plan to increase demand for U.S. cotton. After a precipitous drop in cotton’s market share in 2011 — thanks in no small part to dollar cotton prices in 2010 — consumer demand for cotton is returning. Cotton Incorporated president and CEO, J. Berrye Worsham, addressing attendees at the National Cotton Council’s recent annual meeting in Fort Worth, Texas, provided an update that highlighted progress being made by research and promotion activities despite a greatly reduced budget. “World demand for cotton is influenced by economic growth, and last year’s global economic upswing will be positive for cotton consumption worldwide,” says Worsham. “The sharp decline in cotton’s market share from increased use of synthetic fibers has flattened, and we needed that to occur so demand for cotton can begin.” Cotton also lost demand because fabrics have been getting lighter. That trend also seems to be changing and subsequently having a positive impact for cotton. “Engineering performance features into cotton fabric is one way we are meeting the challenge synthetics present,” says Worsham. “Not only are we integrating innovative finishing chemistries into fabric development, we are looking at other fibers to improve fabric performance while still maintaining a cotton-rich product — that’s the reality we face currently.” From wrinkle-resistance and moisture management, to water repellency and abrasion-resistance, Cotton Incorporated is addressing needs the market is requiring. “There is a segment of consumers that still demand natural products sans chemistries, and we are constructing cotton fabrics with natural thermal attributes,” adds Worsham.
Alternative chemistries and flagship technologies
Durable press, or wrinkle resistance, has been a key market product for cotton over the years. Because of increasing pressure to phase out formaldehyde, Cotton Incorporated last year filed for a provisional (non-formaldehyde) patent to improve the balance of durable press cotton properties using non-formaldehyde technology. “Fluorine is another chemistry we are moving away from and looking for other more environmental-friendly chemistries that deliver quality apparel finishing results,” says Worsham. Worsham’s research and marketing staff has nurtured key mill contacts across the world for decades. Today they have 180 technology suppliers in 23 countries. Cotton Incorporated’s textile chemists work with those suppliers to educate them on how to impart technologies that deliver finishes like TOUGH cotton, for abrasion resistance and STORM cotton for water repellency. “We sometimes use spandex for stretch, nylon or polyester for strength, or rayon for drape,” adds Worsham. “Sometimes we even use wool, which allows us to keep a product ‘all natural’.” Sixty percent of the demand for cotton today in the U.S. market comes in the form of a blended cotton apparel product. Five years ago, it was 40 percent. In lighter weight fabrics, other fibers are blended to keep cotton in the fabric consumer demand mix. “We are targeting our flagship technologies toward the attention of mills, brands, and retailers, but the real challenge is getting those fabrics adopted,” says Worsham. “We have targeted our limited resources in the performance apparel — the fastest growing segment in the apparel market today.”
Education and sustainability
Cotton Incorporated utilizes the worldwide web for information-transfer and still partners with Cotton Council International on joint promotions around the world. One of their most successful workshops held twice each year, called ACTIVE, continues to attract key brand representatives in the active wear market. “When we post these workshops online, they literally fill up in less than five minutes, which obviously confirms their interest in working with cotton,” says Worsham. For the last five years, Cotton Incorporated’s marketing staff has participated in high-profile events like the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City. “We have consistently been getting more and more inquiries from retailers who attend this show,” adds Worsham. “Now that we have fabrics to showcase, we are making headway.” While the concept of sustainability is broad and at times quite vague, its importance and impact on today’s consumers and apparel manufacturers is real and must be considered in the business of creating demand for cotton. Cotton Incorporated recently took a step forward in their efforts to ensure cotton is viewed as being sustainable from the field all the way to the mill and manufacturer. “Last year we hired Dr. Jesse Daystar, an expert in sustainability metrics and a leading authority in Life Cycle analysis, to boost our plans and efforts in this area moving forward,” says Worsham. “Our growers know they are farming sustainably, but we have to position messaging throughout cotton’s supply chain to reinforce they are on continuous path of improvement, and Dr. Daystar is helping us do just that.” One successful event directed through Cotton Incorporated’s ag division brings brands and retailers together on a production cotton farming operation. “We hold two of these farm tours each year and they allow attendees to walk away with an accurate interpretation of how U.S. cotton growers work to deliver a sustainable product while minimizing farming’s impact on their land.”
Farm tours
Arkansas producers Nathan Reed, Ramey Stiles, Trent Felton, and Larry McClendon have hosted tours on their farms for several years and recognize the educational value they deliver. “You can see opinions change throughout their time here on these tours. I’m sure it’s difficult to have an accurate opinion about farming if you’ve never been to a farm. It’s a good program,” says McClendon. The day before Worsham spoke at the NCC meeting, Abercrombie & Fitch became the 512th brand member of Cotton Leads — an industry program founded on the principles of sustainability, traceability, and best practices. “Becoming a member means they are aware and believe U.S. cotton is sustainably produced and are not excluding it in their supply chain decisions — which is critical,” adds Worsham. Worsham also commented on a topic that has received global attention over the last year — microplastics, little fibers released from polyester that work their way into water streams and ultimately into the ocean. This is a huge problem and there is no current solution. “The disconcerting thing is fish are actually attracted to these polyester microplastics and eat them,” says Worsham. “This is a big problem for polyester but an opportunity for cotton.” Cotton Incorporated commissioned North Carolina State University to investigate how various fibers biodegrade in water. Results are preliminary at this point but show cotton is already two-thirds degraded after 180 or so days. “Rayon degrades a little slower than cotton, but polyester microplastics degrade less than 5 percent, and, therefore, they remain in the water much longer,” says Worsham. “We look forward to receiving the conclusive results of this study later this year.”
Source: Delta Farm Press
PolyOne Corporation, a provider of specialised polymer materials, services and solutions, is continuously improving upon its fibre colourant technology, to make it more advance and enable textile manufacturers, converters and brands increase sustainability, operational efficiencies, and market response rates to drive success in the global textile industry. PolyOne's ColourMatrix Fibre Colourant Solutions combine colourants and specialised melt spinning equipment to provide an adaptive, innovative system for colouring polyester fibre. Together, this allows textile manufacturers to increase production speeds, flexibility, and process control. It also eliminates the need for water and wastewater treatment, up to 10 litres per kilogram of fibre, commonly required with aqueous dyeing processes. "Our technology not only improves sustainability, it fosters rapid, on-site design and scale up, enabling economically viable smaller lot sizes and improving production flexibility overall," said Mark Crist, president, Colour, Additives and Inks at PolyOne. "We've enabled a transformation in the way that upholstered fabrics, footwear, apparel, safety straps, industrial fabric, and more can be manufactured." Recent commercial projects for this technology include textiles for high performance sports apparel, automobiles, home furnishings, and carpeting. "The textile industry is at the forefront of adopting sustainable solutions across its entire supply chain," said Robert M Patterson, chairman, president and CEO, PolyOne Corporation. "Our advanced fibre colourant technology is critical to helping these manufacturers address sustainability, production flexibility, and speed-to-market goals to stay on top of these trends." At its upcoming Investor Day on May 10, PolyOne plans to present additional details about fibre colourant innovation as one of several high-growth technology platforms that underpin the company's expectation of delivering double digit EPS growth in 2018 and beyond. (SV)
Source: Fibre2Fashion
ITM 2018 returns to Istanbul along with the concurrent Hightex 2018, International Istanbul Yarn Fair and ETT 2018.
TW Special Report
ITM 2018 — the International Textile, Yarn, Knitting, Weaving, Dyeing, Printing, Finishing and Hosiery Machineries, Sub-Industries and Chemicals Exhibition — will be held April 14-17, 2018, at the TÜYAP Fair Convention and Congress Center in Istanbul, Turkey. The show is owned by Tüyap Fairs and Exhibitions Organization Inc. and Teknik Fairs Ltd., and is organized in cooperation with the Turkish Textile & Machinery Industrialists Association (TEMSAD). Organizers expect records to be broken in terms of exhibitors and visitors. Demand to exhibit was high in advance of the show, and floor space is 100-percent sold out. In 2016, 1,200 exhibitors showed their technologies to 49,730 visitors who traveled from 77 countries. The event covered 120,000 square meters over 13 halls. ITM is the largest exhibition of its kind in Turkey and the Middle East. “… ITM 2018 International Textile Machinery Exhibition has a leader position as it will bring the technology sectors of the world together in Turkey and it is a pioneer in promoting the Turkish machinery industry,” said Ismail Gülle, chairman of the board, ITHIB, the Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association. “I hope this important exhibition will be beneficial both for our sector and our country.” The 15th Istanbul International Yarn Fair will be held concurrently with ITM 2018.
Concurrent Shows
ITM 2018 will be held concurrently with Hightex 2018, the Istanbul Yarn Fair, and the ETT 2018 Conference. Hightex, the 7th International Technical Textiles & Nonwoven Trade Fair, is touted as the meeting point of the world’s technical textiles and nonwoven sector in Instabul. The show will be held in Hall 9 of the TÜYAP Fair Convention and Congress Center. The 15th International Istanbul Yarn Fair will be held in Hall 11. ETT 2018, the 8th International Istanbul Textile Conference on Evolution of Technical Textiles (ETT) also will take place at the TÜYAP Fair Convention and Congress Center under the theme, “Recent Advances in Innovation and Enterprise in Textiles and Clothing.” Organizers hope the concurrent events in a shared location will create a synergy between events for exhibitors and visitors alike. Each hall at the Tüyap Fair will be color-coded using carpet to help visitors find exhibits.
ITM Floor Plan
To help visitors identify the exhibits, which are divided into categories by sector, each hall will be color-coded with carpet as follows: Hall 2 – Weaving – Red carpet: Weaving preparation machinery; weaving machinery; tufting and carpet weaving machinery; narrow weaving machinery; cordage and rope machineries (braiding machinery); and auxiliary machinery, spare parts and accessories. Halls 3 & 4, Spinning – Green carpet: Cotton and fiber preparation machinery; spinning preparation machinery; winding, twisting and texturing machinery; nonwoven machinery and technologies; and auxiliary machinery, spare parts and accessories. Halls 5 & 6, Printing & Digital Printing – Dark Blue carpet: Textile printing machinery; digital textile printing machinery; textile printing dyes and chemicals; and auxiliary machinery, spare parts and accessories. Halls 7 & 8, Knitting – Orange carpet: Weft and warp knitting preparation machinery; flat and circular knitting machinery; hosiery machinery; embroidery machinery; quilting machinery; and auxiliary machinery, spare parts and accessories. Halls 10, 12 & 14, Dyeing and Finishing – Light blue carpet: Spinning and fabric dyeing and finishing machinery; washing, bleaching and dyeing machinery; folding and rolling machinery; textile chemicals, laboratory equipment and quality control systems; CAD/CAM, CIM applications and automation systems; and auxiliary machinery, spare parts and accessories. Hightex 2018 will occupy Hall 9 at the venue, and the International Istanbul Yarn Fair will be in Hall 11. The show floor is open from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. April 14, 15 and 16; and from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on April 17.
New App For Guests
ITM organizers recently announced a new mobile app for the show. The app, which may be downloaded in iOS or Android versions, will give visitors an easy way to navigate the show and stay up-to-date with the latest happenings at the event. Key features of the multi-language app — Turkish, English, German, Italian and Chinese are supported — include news and updates, social media support, navigation, exhibition layout, and exhibitor lists. Exhibitors were happy with the 2016 version of the show and look forward to participating again this year. “Having an importance not only for Turkey, but also for the entire region, ITM 2016 [was] an unparalleled opportunity for us to meet our business partners,” said Adele Genoni, vice president – general manager, EFI Reggiani, Italy. “ITM is an indispensable exhibition for us,” said Erwin Devloo, marketing communications manager, Belgium-based Picanol NV. According to organizers, “the heart of the world textile industry will beat at ITM 2018 ….” Join the exhibitors to see the latest textile machinery developments in Istanbul — positioned at the heart of Eurasia at the junction of Europe, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. The city’s strategic position along international transportation networks makes Istanbul an ideal location for a global trading platform.
Source: Textile World Magazine
