The better than expected exhibitor response to ITMA Asia + CITME 2020 is an indication of the robust growth of Chinese textile machinery market. The exhibition which took off today and will last till June 16, 2021, is showcasing 1,237 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions. Ernesto Maurer, President, CEMATEX, says, the response to the combined exhibition seals its reputation as the leading-edge business platform in Asia for textile machinery. The exhibition is being organized by Beijing Textile Machinery International Exhibition and co-organized by ITMA Service.

China’s dominance continues with major exhibitors

China continues to be largest exhibitor at ITMA ASIA+CITME 2020 with over 1,000 exhibitors showcasing their products on 56,000 sq. mt. net exhibit space. Major Chinese exhibitors include: CHTC, Fong’s, Ningbo Cixing, Wuxi Hongyuan, Hangzhou Honghua, Jiangsu Yingyou Textile Machinery and Changshu Textile Machinery.

After China, CEMATEX territories dominate with 170 exhibitors. Together they exhibitors occupy 13 per cent of the net exhibition space totaling over 9,200 sq. mt. From these territories, Germany and Italy are the two of the largest exhibitors with 57 exhibitors from Germany and 63 from Italy. The German pavilion spans 3,700 sq. mt. while the Italian pavilion spreads over 2,500 sq.mt. The third largest group of exhibitors at ITMA ASIA+CITME 2020 is from Japan, occupying over 2,200 sq. mt. net space. Japanese participation is coordinated by the Japan Textile Machinery Association, a strategic partner of the combined show.

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2020 features leading names from Europe and Japan like: Automatex Solution, Fil Control, Groz-Beckert, Itema, Jeanologia, Karl Mayer, MS Printing Solutions, Meech International, Muratec, Oerlikon Barmag, Picanol, Reggiani Macchine, Rieter, Santoni, Saurer, Savio, Shima Seiki, Staubli, Toyota, Tsudakoma, Vandewiele and Vanwyk. The products on display include: spinning machines which make up 25 per cent of all products displayed followed by finishing machines with 24 per cent of product category. Knitting machinery at 13 per cent, weaving machines 12 per cent and printing machines 8 per cent form the remaining exhibits at the trade show.

Universities in Research and Innovation Zone

A major attraction is the Research and Innovation zone which features 11 local universities and colleges. Some universities being featured are: Donghua University, Jiangnan University, Qingdao University, Tianjin University of Technology, Wuhan Textile University, Xi'an University of Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology and other institutions.

The extensive promotions carried out by the organizers via online and offline channels are expected to boost visitor turnout. Over 400 local textile and garment manufacturers’ associations and their members are expected to visit the exhibition which is also being supported by over 100 media partners from around the world.

Building long term business relations

In view of the ongoing pandemic, organizers are implementing safety measures to ensure participants’ safety. They are conducing mandatory temperature checks and strict badge verification with facial recognition at hall entry. Visitors are also being advised to observe social distancing. The exhibition is instrumental in uplifting the textile industry in China and Asia. It allows companies to reconnect face-to-face with clients and build long term business relationships, adds Wang Shutian, Honorary President, China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA).

Karl Mayer’s two brands Stoll and KM.ON have collaborated to launch new design software known as Create for flat knitted fabrics.

Stoll is a pioneer in flat knitting technology and brings unique process knowledge to its business, which results in perfect flat knitting solutions and excellent customer support. KM.ON is an agile specialist in innovative software products, as well as digital solutions and services for the textile industry.

The software Create focuses on an accelerated design-to-market workflow. Its key features include possibility to create shapes and to implement customized adaptations or size adjustments just as easily. An important part of the tool is a shape library with numerous presets.

For the creation of knitted fabrics, an integrated yarn library offers a first selection of standard and fancy yarns, that will be continuously updated. Additionally, there is the possibility to create your own yarns.

The software includes an extensive library with different stitch constructions that can be used for the design. Additionally, the customer can create own digital stitch constructions with simultaneous stitch simulation and to run technical design checks.

The virtual fabric views have a true-to-life imitation of the stitches and their distortions, which makes it possible to conceptualize and plan a collection with fewer or no physical sample pieces. With a colorway generator, different color combinations can also be tried out.

The design program can be used as a basis for the knitting program. Once a technician has completed various checks, the knitting process can then be started immediately.

To be held from July 5 to 9, 2021, the second edition of Texworld Evolution Paris - Le Showroom will host live collections from 150 international companies, representing nearly 7,500 products and samples. This new approach of sourcing by Messe Frankfurt France will allow professionals to discover new creative approaches, decode future trends, measure the quality of the fabrics and finished garments offer, exchange with manufacturers.

The exhibition will be held at two exclusive venues including the Atelier Richelieu, where last February's edition took place and the 5 rue du Mail. These two locations will present samples of fabrics, garments or accessories classified by product categories. The trend forum will be set up at rue du Mail.

Exhibitors will include Taiwanese Dance Worldwide and Korean A Jin Corporation, both of whom will be participating for the first time. Also to debut is Mandarin Enterprises International, a premium silk manufacturer. Many exhibitors, satisfied with their presence in February, have chosen to renew their presence at upcoming edition. These include Korean silk-look fabric specialist Great Duksan, the embroiderers Kaskas (Lebanon) and SN Mukara (India)

The Rudolf Group has launched the Cycle-logic brand to focus on transforming waste into more sustainable materials. The brand captures tremendous technical innovation and pioneers the upcyling of post-consumer, disposable and non-returnable plastics such as PET Bottles into valuable textile industry.

The Rudolf Group has also launched the first three cycle logic chemical auxiliaries for textiles based on post-consumer recycled PET bottles. These include Feran Upcycle ICT: the first intelligent moisture management technology for PES textiles; Rucogen Upcyle RNB: The most diversifying agent for indigo washing and Rucolin Upcycle SOS: A first all-in-one multi-functional high-affinity polymer dyeing auxillary.

Rudolf GmbH provides textile and chemical products. The company offers pretreatment, dyeing, finishing, and coating products. Rudolf also offers materials and technology for various applications and processes that formulate or manufacture professional/consumer care products. The group sees itself as a global service provider for the whole textile industry. Over 1,300 Rudolf employees worldwide work at developing innovative products to contribute to our customers' success, many of whom belong to different industries.

Tencel™ brand is partnering with One Tree Planted once again, an innovative NGO focused on reforestation efforts, to introduce “#MakeAPledge” campaign on TikTok and Instagram. The campaign will enable consumers to submit a short video pledge in exchange for a “Tree Certificate”. For every certificate generated, Tencel™ will then plant a tree with One Tree Planted as a way to acknowledge their contributions in aiding the global reforestation effort.

In addition to NGOs, this year the campaign will include a variety of new and powerful influencers, including Lily Cole, Caitlyn Warakomski, Valeria Hinojosa and more! As social media influencers, their raw star power and dedicated audiences will play a big role in shaping the sustainability movement to #MakeItFeelRight.

Since the inauguration of the first #MIFR campaign in 2019, demand for sustainable fashion and lifestyle has skyrocketed. With the launch of the #MakeItFeelRight reboot, the brand aims to inspire consumers to heal the planet by implementing sustainability practices and products in their daily routines, says Florian Heubrandner, Vice President Global Textiles Business, Lenzing AG.

Jemmy Kartwa Sastraatmada, Chairman, Indonesian Textile Association (API) says, the condition of the domestic textile and textile products (TPT) industry is increasingly critical as utilization has fallen by an average of around 55 percent since March 2021. The purchasing power of the people has declined due to the pandemic and massive sales of imported goods in the domestic market are adding pressure on the local textile industry.

Jemmy says, if the influx of imported goods continues, the small and medium industries (IKM) will be hit even more. At a press conference for the Indonesian Textile Association (API) and the Indonesian Filament Fiber and Yarn Producers Association (APSyFI), he urged the government to immediately apply import duties on trade security measures (BMTP) or apparel safeguards. Redma Gita Wirawasta, Secretary General, Indonesian Filament Fiber and Yarn Producers Association (APSyFI) said, a proposal to safeguard the domestic industry is currently going through stages at the Ministry of Finance.

If approved, this policy will be stipulated through a Ministry of Finance Regulation (PMK) regarding the imposition of security measures import duties (BMTP) on imports of clothing products and clothing accessories, he added.

A new survey by Kontoor Brands predicts denim will grow to be consumers’ new work uniform. As reported in the Sourcing Journal the survey says, the pandemic introduced a new level of casualness in work attire that almost borders on sleepwear. The instantaneous and unprecedented demand for comfortable at-home fashion drove brands to pivot their production to nap dresses, joggers, house shoes and wireless bras.

However, the industry is likely to gradually shift back to pre-pandemic fashion that would combine professionalism with comforts, adds the survey conducted by KRC Research. Around 85 per cent of the 1,006 surveyed adults expect their office to have a business-casual dress code in future. Almost 36 per cent plan to wear dress pants or dress skirts when they return to the office. Another 15 per cent respondents expect to wear sweatpants and joggers to work.

Nearly four in 10 workers surveyed said they expect to wear jeans to office, and 82 per cent indicated they plan to buy new jeans in the next 12 months. Jeans are also viewed as an essential off-duty item. As per the survey, 73 per cent said they’re likely to wear jeans for a night out with friends, while 63 per cent plan to wear jeans on dates. A surprising 31 per cent said they even plan to wear jeans to more formal events like weddings.

Overall 84 per cent respondents to the Kontoor said, they plan to refresh their wardrobes in coming weeks with plans to spend $445 on new clothes. The survey echoes the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) new outlook for the year that projects retail sales will grow between 10.5 per cent and 13.5 per cent—the fastest growth the US has seen since 1984—thanks in part to the vaccination distribution putting millions back to work.

Growing at a CAGR of 3 per cent, the global denim jeans market is expected to surpass $152 billion by 2031. A report published by ESOMAR-certfied market research firm Fact.MR states, the market is anticipated to grow 1.2X from 2021 to 2031. Demand for women’s denim is expected to grow by more than 3 per cent CAGR during the forecast period.

North America is set to dominate market revenue in 2021, and is expected to grow from 1.5 billion units in 2020 to nearly 2.6 billion units by 2031. The market in China and India is expected to rise at over 4 per cent CAGR during the forecast period.

The market for regular fit jeans are expected to make up 45 per cent and reach $1.3 billion by 2031 However, the market for slim fit jeans has gained huge attention among teenagers, which has propelled the demand trajectory. Fast adoption of Western lifestyle in Asian countries has generated enormous demand for denim jeans over the last few decades. Moreover, rapid growth in consumer disposable income spending on personal care is boosting the sales of denim jeans in the continent. The market in Asia Pacific countries such as India, China, and Australia has been gaining traction owing to rising urbanization and improving consumers’ economic stability.

In its latest annual corporate responsibility report PVH Corp, the New York-based owner of brands including Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, highlighted progress made by the company in achieving its key targets set in Forward Fashion CR strategy.

As per Fashion Network, the thirteenth corporate responsibility report to be published by PVH noted developments in its strategy to advance inclusion and diversity with the introduction of the industry’s first comprehensive research report on inclusion and diversity including a roadmap to create a more equitable future, as well as nine new global Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) commitments.

In terms of its environmental goals, PVH revealed that it increased its renewable energy usage by 15 percent and that it installed what is believed to be the world’s most powerful solar roof at its warehouse and logistics center in Venlo, the Netherlands.

It also launched PVH’s first circular business model through Tommy Hilfiger’s Tommy for Life program, which has already diverted 36,429kg of textile waste to date, as well as furthered work to eliminate single-use plastics by partnering with Fashion for Good.

Likewise, on the subject of human rights, it expanded its disclosure of living wage data in its supply chain to cover 86 percent of its global manufacturing base, and reached an additional 29,368 children, parents, and teachers with educational programming and services through its partnership with Save the Children.

Furthermore, it enrolled 3,078 more women workers in its supply chain in PVH Women's Empowerment Programming, and launched its first community program benefiting women near Hawassa Industrial Park, Ethiopia.

The Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) hasurged the government to facilitate visas for exporters to enable them to meet foreign buyers to discuss business plan and place export order.

SohailShiekh, Central Chairman, PRGMEA, said as the whole Europe is opening and business activity has restarted after a long gap of lockdowns, buyers are insisting exporters visit them as early as possible for one-on-one meetings to chalk out the future business plans and place orders for upcoming Christmas season.

IjazChief Coordinator IjazKhokhar observed that the critical problem the business community is facing now is the issuance of EU countries’ visa because all the embassies have closed down their visa offices.

He said that export proceeds to the EU’s 27 member countries amounted to $7.47 billion during the July-April period. Hence, the government should focus on promoting economic diplomacy to sustain this rising trend of exports to EU countries, besides attracting foreign investment as part of the efforts to make Pakistan economically secure.

Other than that, more gender employment will also be generated when the apparel industry, which is now running on just a single shift, would be moved to double shift to fulfill these new orders, he argued.