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Consolidating its position as the world’s second-largest exporter, Vietnam’s textile and apparel (T&A) exports are projected to rise to $44 billion in 2024, says Cao Huu Hieu, General Director, Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex).
To achieve these goals, Vinatex aims to enhance its management processes through digital transformation, integrate automation technology, and adopt artificial intelligence to reduce reliance on labor. These initiatives are a part of the group’s broader commitment to modernise operations and promote sustainability.
Noting encouraging signs form key markets such as the US and the EU, Hoang Manh Cam, Deputy Chief, Vinatex, says, economic recovery from these two markets and rising consumer demand are boosting opportunities for Vietnam’s textile exporters. A shift in orders from Bangladesh due to political instability further strengthens Vietnam’s prospects.
Despite a slow start in the first half of 2024, Vinatex’s consolidated revenues increased by 2.8 per cent Y-o-Y to 18.1 trillion VND ($724 million) in H2, FY24. The group’s consolidated profit increased by 37.5 per cent to 740 billion VND during the period.
Vinatex’s success stems from its focus on niche markets and high-tech products like fire-resistant fabrics developed with the UK’s Coats Group, along with innovations in filament core yarns and blended fibers. The group has also adopted an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to streamline operations.
In its push for sustainability, Vinatex is expanding its wastewater treatment facilities at Pho Noi Textile and Garment Industrial Park, Hung Yen province, aiming to create a model green industrial park. With these initiatives, Vietnam’s textile and garment sector is poised for continued growth, supported by a strategic focus on innovation and environmental stewardship.
A multinational company worth over $2 million, Trident Group was honored by the renowned with the TBD Textile Connect – Textile & Apparel Industry HR Summit Excellence Award for its exceptional HR practices This award was presented to the Group by the Ministry of Textiles in several important categories including Best Employer Manufacturing, Best HR Practice, Excellence in Campus Hiring and Recruitment and Workforce Safety.
The awards were presented by Gririraj Singh Union Textiles Minister who hailed the group’s commitment to promote HR innovation and cultivate a diverse and inclusive workforce. The honor demonstrates the company’s steadfast dedication to create an environment where people from all backgrounds can succeed, says Pooja B Luthra CHRO, Trident Group.
To diversify its personnel, the Trident Group has launched the ‘Takshashila’ program. This innovative program empowers children from a variety of educational backgrounds, including ITI, diplomas, and 10+2. The program currently earns Rs 12 lakh annually and offers people worthwhile job options in the textile sector, enabling them to earn money and knowledge.
The company’s ongoing expansion, involving an investment of Rs 3,000 crore in Madhya, also impacts the state’s local economy in Madhya Pradesh. The expansion also generates 3,000 new employment opportunities, increasing it’s the state’s total workforce to over 15,000 people.
Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) plans to set up a textile park in the Bhadrak district, Odisha with an investment of Rs 4,382 crore.
To be executed in 50:50 joint venture with MCPI, the textile park will be established on 56 acre at Dhamnagar. The park will also house a 900 tons per day textile plant to be built with an investment of Rs 1,971 crore, as per Dhananjay Sahoo, Head-Business Development (Petrochemicals), IOCL.
The establishment of this yarn manufacturing unit aligns with IOCL's strategy to diversify into value-added products and supports the development of a robust textile ecosystem in Odisha.
This project is poised to enhance Odisha’s industrial landscape, contributing to economic growth and creating numerous employment opportunities in the region.
Additionally, the project is anticipated to bolster the state's position in the textile industry, attracting further investments and fostering industrial growth.
Peter Ackroyd has succeeded Sir Nicolas Coleridge as the new Chairman of The Campaign for Wool with immediate effect.
A former COO of the non-profit orgnaisation, Ackroyd has been engaged with it since 2009 following a successful career in the textile industry spanning around 50 years.
During his stint in the textile industry, Ackroyd served as the President of the International Wool Textile Organisation, and Global Strategic Advisor for Australian Wool Innovation/Woolmark Company.
In the The Campaign for Wool, Ackroyd will be responsible for navigating the complex issues facing the international wool sector. In close collaboration with ITWO, he will work towards resolving the challenge facing the wool industry with respect to the Environmental Footprint legislation of the European Union.
According to Ackroyd, the new framework fails to address critical environmental factors, including microplastic pollution, the renewability and biodegradability of natural fibers and the full environmental footprint of fossil fuel-based fibers.
From 15.5 per cent in 2021, India’s mall vacancy rates declined to 8.3 per cent in H1, FY25, according to a report by Anarock. This decline highlights the growing demand for retail spaces, which has consistently outpaced supply for the third consecutive year. In H1, 2024, over 3.1 million square feet of retail space was leased across the country.
Anuj Kejriwal, CEO and MD – Retail, Industrial & Logistics, Anarock Group, highlights, retailers and brands continue to prefer smaller spaces, with nearly 70 per cent of leases being for spaces measuring up to 2,500 sq ft, he says. However, as new supply enters the market in the coming years, larger spaces are expected to account for a greater share of the total leased area, he notes.
The next few years are set to see substantial supply additions, with the National Capital Region (NCR), Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), and Hyderabad leading the charge. These three regions are projected to account for over 85 per cent of the total incoming supply over the next four to five years.
While the leasing momentum remains robust, rental values across prominent high streets are climbing steadily. The upward trend is expected to persist until fresh, quality retail supply enters the market.
The leasing activity in H1 FY25 mirrored the robust momentum of the past two years, with over 3 million sq ft of retail space leased across major cities. As demand continues to thrive, the retail sector remains poised for steady growth, driven by both increasing retailer interest and new supply pipelines in key markets.
The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has released its latest International Textile Industry Statistics (ITIS) for 2023, featuring updates on global spinning mill capacity and raw material consumption. The data reflects a comprehensive review with a new calculation method applied to historical series.
Globally, installed short-staple spindles reached 232 million units, with open-end rotors growing to 9.7 million. Air-jet spindle installations saw a sharp rise, hitting 637,000 units. Asia remains the dominant region for capacity expansion, while Turkiye led growth outside the continent. Installed shuttle-less looms globally increased to 1.7 million units.
Raw material consumption in the short-staple sector slightly declined to 43 million tons. Cotton and cellulosic fiber usage dropped by 4.4 per cent and 2.9 per cent, respectively. Conversely, synthetic fiber consumption rose marginally by 0.5 per cent, indicating a shift in material preferences.
The ITMF report underscores Asia's continued prominence in textile capacity building and highlights evolving trends in raw material utilization. These shifts reflect broader changes in global textile manufacturing and resource dynamics.
Ahmet Oksuz, Chairman of the Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Association (ITHIB), has proposed relocating Turkish textile production facilities to Syria, citing lower costs and strategic advantages. In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Oksuz emphasized Syria's potential as a promising investment destination, especially in the textile sector.
Ahmet Oksuz noted that many Syrians who settled in Turkiye have contributed to various industries and suggested that establishing production facilities in Syria as they return home could be advantageous for both countries. He pointed out that Turkiye is facing increasing labor costs and shortages in labor-intensive sectors, making Syria a more cost-effective option for production.
Currently, many Turkish textile firms are investing in Egypt, but Oksuz suggested that shifting focus to Syria would provide greater strategic benefits, particularly in regions close to Turkiye. He added that such investments could enhance Turkiye's production capacity while creating employment opportunities for Syrians.
Sinan Oncel, president of the United Brands Association (BMD), acknowledged the gradual pace of normalization in Syria but expressed optimism about future opportunities for Turkish retail expansion, including franchising.
As Syria’s reconstruction progresses following the collapse of its Baath regime, Turkiye’s textile and retail sectors are poised to play a pivotal role in boosting employment and rebuilding efforts in the region.
As 2024 concludes, the wool industry stands at a crossroads, balancing significant challenges with meaningful advancements. Australian wool prices reached a four-year low, straining growers with rising costs and declining volumes. Yet, the unwavering dedication of the supply chain highlights wool’s enduring value and potential.
This year underscored the need for strategic action. Without support, the availability of premium wool, a cornerstone of the fashion industry, risks falling short of future demand. Strategic partnerships and long-term commitments are vital to stabilizing supply chains, safeguarding livelihoods, and ensuring the continuity of this extraordinary fibre.
Despite obstacles, 2024 brought significant achievements. Woolmark+ set a bold, nature-positive vision for wool’s future, emphasizing environmental and social benefits. Campaigns like Wear Wool, Not Waste reached over 64 million people, promoting wool’s role in sustainable fashion. Woolgrowers also advocated for fair, science-based standards to reflect wool’s true environmental impact.
Consumer demand for natural fibres surged, aligning with wool’s unmatched sustainability credentials. Woolmark celebrated its 60th anniversary with a 6.8 per cent growth in licensees and introduced a Recycled Wool Specification to combat textile waste. Innovations like The Wool Lab, sourcing guides, and the new Supplier Search further strengthened connections across the supply chain.
As the industry celebrates its legacy of quality and innovation, it looks ahead with optimism. By driving sustainability and collaboration, wool’s future remains bright, ensuring its timeless appeal for generations to come.
The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) Herman and Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition, held under the guidance of the Education Advisory Board, highlights outstanding research by graduate students in textile-focused disciplines. The 2024 event took place on November 12, in conjunction with the AATCC Fall Research Committee Meetings. Finalists from NED University of Engineering and Technology, North Carolina State University, and the University of Georgia presented their research to a panel of esteemed judges.
Nur-Us-Shafa Mazumder, a PhD candidate at NC State University, won first place and $1,000 for her research on firefighter turnout gear and PFAS exposure, aiming to improve firefighter health and safety. Melissa Armistead, also from NC State, claimed second place and $800 for evaluating respiratory devices for wildland firefighters using animatronic models.
Hassan Ali from NED University earned third place and $600 for his work predicting thermal conductivity in multilayered woven carbon composites. Yahya Absalan from the University of Georgia was awarded fourth place for his research on TiO2 nanoparticles for degrading textile dyes in water.
The competition was judged by Kanti Jasani, Barry Brady, Dallas Crotts, Renuka Dhandapani, Tim Dixon, and AATCC Past President Nelson Houser. AATCC extends its gratitude to all participants and congratulates the winners. Abstracts for the 2025 competition will open in spring 2025.
The National Cotton Council (NCC) commends the House of Representatives for passing a Continuing Resolution to fund the government through mid-March. The package extends farm bill provisions for a year and delivers crucial disaster and economic assistance to cotton and other crop producers.
NCC Chairman Joe Nicosia expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “This relief will help farmers address rising costs, falling market prices, and disaster-related losses. We urge the Senate to act swiftly to send this bill to the President.”
While acknowledging the package doesn’t fully meet all industry needs, Nicosia called on the incoming Congress to prioritize a new farm bill in early 2025. "Our industry needs comprehensive, long-term support," he emphasized.
The funding provides critical short-term relief while highlighting the ongoing challenges farmers face. NCC remains committed to advocating for robust support across all industry segments.
