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Tirupur garment exporters are investing in sustainability. For example, Tirupur-based Sulochana Cotton Spinning Mills makes garments made out of recycled PET bottles. Twelve recycled PET bottles are used to make a single T-shirt. The waste PET bottles are processed into fiber, which at the end is converted to yarn that is used for garmenting and knitting. The company is in the process of adopting a technology that gives an assurance to its overseas buyers about the yarn, whether it is recycled or not. It also lets them trace the raw materials and process involved in manufacturing. A process will help in tracing the entire supply chain, right from collecting bottles to recycled fabric yarn, through blockchain. Syndicate Impex has launched knitwear collections made from fiber using recycled PET bottles and textile fabrics. Syndicate plans to buy back the garments it has sold and recycle them and so ensure the T-shirts do not go to the landfills.
Apart from individual companies that are taking greener initiatives, Tirupur as a cluster has invested in 1,600 MW of wind and solar energy, recycling waste water in processing units, and has zero liquid discharge systems.
As shoppers around the world demand sustainable product ranges, suppliers are seeking out possible ways to meet the demands of buyers.
Spanish fashion companies are facing the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID 19). Companies are losing money because of the outbreak. Retailers are worried that new collections may be delayed by months. Spanish brands that have suppliers and factories in China have started to implement contingency plans aimed to prevent damage to their production. In particular, orders from China are beginning to shift to countries such as Myanmar and Thailand. With this, companies hope to save their new garments for the time being. The spring/summer collection is already in stores. There is no risk of shortage, at least for now, as their fears are centered on the autumn and winter collections, for which raw materials – buttons, zippers or threads – should already be in the process of being manufactured.
Fashion group Tendam has more than 100 suppliers in China alone; around 30 per cent of the garments bought by the group’s brands are produced in Asian countries. Having a production network in more than 30 countries, Tendam has begun to divert manufacturing away from China and may shift from sea to air transport if the accumulated delays are large and lengthy. Inditex has seven stores in the Wuhan region and part of its production in China.
Ludhiana’s apparel manufacturing industry is tilting toward technology and investing in automation, be it knitting or stitching. Manufacturers are aiming to increase productivity, efficiency and reduce labour dependency. Flat knitting (multi-gauge) machines that start from five or six gauges and go up to 14 gauges have the option of jointless knitting. This helps users save money and produce more value-added products. Fleece jacquard machines help in this regard. Brother’s DigiFlex series of machines has received a very good response in Ludhiana. These help monitor workers’ efficiency, factory efficiency, no matter where they are. Sewing machine leader Jack is also getting a good response in Ludhiana for its new and different machines. The technology leader recently launched its automatic placket-making machine for tees which can make 1,200 pieces a day in eight hours and help reduce dependence on labor. The company has also introduced automatic button feeders and pattern sewing machines.
Ludhiana accounts for over 90 per cent of the total winter wear production in the country. Knitwear constitutes around 50 per cent of the domestic apparel market in India. There are around 12,000 units in Ludhiana, a majority of them in the micro, small and medium category who are engaged in the production of winter wear. The winter wear category comprises sweaters, hoodies, sweat shirts, jackets, shawls, cardigans and trousers.
Lee is testing sustainable production methods together with a series of new technologies and materials, mainly circling around denim production.
Indigood Denim is a foam dyeing technique that does not use water and features 89 per cent less chemicals and 65 per cent less energy than traditional dyeing. At Lee, Indigood is featured in the spring preview ’20 range on two different washes on the slim tapered Luke fit men’s jean. Back to Nature features pieces that are meant to be completely biodegradable. They are made using entirely compostable linen-cotton yarns, and no rivets, so that when the garment is no longer needed, the buttons can be unscrewed for re-use and the rest is just thrown into the compost, where it will biodegrade. Sustainable Selvage is an ongoing collaboration with Italian denim mill Candiani. The result is a series of jeans created using less energy, water and chemicals. Sustainable production and finishing processes include the use of Kitotex dyeing, derived from the food waste industry. Sustainable laundry treatments include lasering that does not use chemicals and E-Flow which uses less chemicals and water. PP spray (used for creating worn effects) has been replaced with an eco-friendly bleaching additive.
Lee is benchmarking its sustainability initiatives’ impacts on environmental and social issues since this will help the brand set targets over time.
Invista is building a plant in China which will produce up to 4,00,000 tons of adiponitrile (ADN) annually. The plant will integrate with Invista’s existing polymer facilities to directly supply domestic customers with the key building ingredients to produce nylon 6.6 and other high-value products in China and throughout the Asia Pacific region. The plant will incorporate Invista’s latest ADN technology that improves product yields, reduces energy consumption, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, enhances process stability and slashes capital intensity compared to existing technologies. This plant is expected to help the company meet the growing demand for nylon 6.6 chemical intermediates in China and the Asia Pacific region. Invista plans to begin construction on the project this year, eyeing a production start date in 2022.
China is expected to be the world’s largest consumer of nylon 6.6 in the next few years. Invista, based in the United States, is one of the world’s largest integrated producers of polymers, fibers, fabrics, resins, chemical intermediates, and specialty chemicals for commercial, residential, automotive, and industrial customers. The company offers premium fibers and fabrics for apparel, swimwear, active wear, denim, sweaters, and leg wear; carpet fiber for commercial carpet, as well as carpet and rugs for home; automotive flooring, airbags, and upholstery products; and products for applications, such as daypacks, outdoor gear, luggage, and outdoor wear.
Innovate Textile and Apparel (ITA) in Singapore scheduled for May 2020 has been called due to the Coronavirus. A virtual conference will be held instead. Delegates will have access to the scheduled presentations through internet-connected devices, allowing them to experience some of the show’s educational resources remotely. About 23 presentations will be recorded in advance and linked to presentation slides. There will also be an opportunity to pose questions to presenters during virtual networking events. The online event will give attendees the opportunity to access all presentations in one go. They can watch presentations at their own pace with no extra cost of travel or accommodation; the virtual format aims to provide all the functionality of the in-person event including the networking. The event’s programming will focus on emerging manufacturing technologies, material innovations and business models that are set to deliver the next wave of opportunity for the global textile and apparel manufacturing community.
Registrants will be able to stream presentations on topics including blockchain, supply chain efficiency, the digitally connected circular economy, 3D design and development and digital inspections. Those who are interested in the materials offerings can partake in presentations covering the future of smart textiles, e-textiles, product development processes for smart garments and more.
The denim jeans market worldwide is growing by 4.3 per cent. Within Europe, Germany will add to the region’s size and clout in the next five or six years. In Japan, denim jeans have a significant market size. As the world’s second largest economy, and the new game changer in global markets, China exhibits the potential to grow at 6.8 per cent over the next couple of years.
The US market is growing 3.4 per cent. Denim brands in the US are figuring out how to appeal to Gen Z. These are consumers born since 1996. They account for 40 per cent of all US consumers. Shapeless T-shirts, sweatshirts, dresses and other low-key staples like denim appeal to Gen Z because they’re effortless and without pretense, which is exactly what they aspire to be. Most of consumers prefer their denim jeans be made of 100 per cent cotton or cotton blends. Vintage vibes delivered in lighter weights is just what the younger set prefers. Even though these young consumers spend the least on their denim, Gen Z shoppers say price isn’t the most important factor when they buy new jeans. Rather, they put a higher value on fit, comfort and quality.
National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) is a Washington, DC, USA based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers, including artificial and synthetic filament and fiber producers.
NCTO President and CEO, Kim Glas issued the following statement on the industry’s response to the coronavirus crisis.
The coronavirus has impacted Asian textile and apparel manufacturing productivity and output, and our concerns lie with the affected companies and workers during this terrible crisis.
The U.S. textile industry continues to be ready, able, and willing to help in any way possible. Our industries have been in touch with U.S. government officials to help identify key U.S. textile suppliers to provide surgical masks and other items to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. In addition, several companies have donated much-needed medical textile supplies and other sanitary items to help address this outbreak.
Given the uncertainty in the market as a result of the coronavirus, many textile and apparel sourcing executives are seeking alternatives outside of Asia. We stand ready to assist brands and retailers looking to shift sourcing during this uncertain time. The western hemisphere production platform established under our free trade agreements and trade preference programs provides a sound alternative as companies look to diversify their sourcing. The region has immediate capacity to meet worldwide demands with duty-free access through well-established supply chains.
Whether this terrible crisis lasts days, months, or longer – our member companies are ready and willing to help.
As the doors close on a successful AW20 season at Moda, the heart of UK fashion and the National Footwear Show, its organisers Hyve Group plc have committed to the show’s long-term future at the NEC Birmingham securing future dates which are aligned with all of its key sector buying calendars.
Adam Gough, Event Director at Moda said; “Following this season’s date clash with Micam and change of dates, we felt the industry needed a clear commitment from Moda to a long-term future that works effectively for the majority. Moda is one of the UK’s longest standing fashion trade shows, with a massive 59% of visitors attending the show for over 20 years, so we’re really pleased to return to our traditional date line from SS21. Despite local and global turbulence in the market, Moda plans to stand strong acting as a bridge between the UK, the EU, and the rest of the world. All of the team will continue to strive to provide the best possible platform for our exhibitors and experience for our visitors.”
Designed to bring the entire fashion community together, the new look Moda layout saw the show’s
Neighbourhoods brought to life. Moda Woman showcased the best of womenswear including occasionwear, ready-to-wear, and young fashion. Moda Accessories will be refreshed for SS21 with an exciting line-up of leading accessories, jewellery and lifestyle brands. Moda Boutique, the new premium edit was a big hit amongst buyers and will return for SS21. Moda Footwear saw the UK’s largest gathering of footwear brands with a comprehensive edit of contemporary, classic, sport, and fashion footwear. Little Soles launched this season and was a hit with children’s footwear buyers. For SS21, Moda Made will align the entire footwear supply chain bringing suppliers and manufacturers together with brands and buyers.
Dedicated Speed Networking sessions over the three days saw over 2000 meetings and introductions between brands and buyers facilitating new relationships. An exciting new buyer initiative for the AW20 season included The Club which brought relevant buyers with strong buying power to the show.
Moda SS21 will take place on the 2nd – 4th August at the NEC Birmingham, offering the industry the ultimate environment for buying, networking, trends, and inspiration.
Featuring the innovative ISKO’s R-TWO program, the Reloved collection has a new take on sustainability: it relies on fabrics made of reused and recycled materials as well as an advanced design research for the development of a new, conscious style.
Sustainability through the use of highly responsible materials and the experimentation of fits: this is Reloved, the new collection developed by Haikure in partnership with leading denim ingredient brand ISKO. Presented with an exclusive preview during Milan Fashion Week, it is an act of love for the planet, the environment and the people. The project perfectly embodies all the values that made the longstanding partnership between the two brands possible – a responsible approach to innovation and the development of cutting-edge concepts.
Taking into account both materials and design, Reloved features the pioneering ISKO’s R-TWO program, which
relies on a blend of reused cotton and recycled polyester. During the processing of raw cotton into yarn, for every 100 kilos of cotton approximately 10% is lost. ISKO collects it and prevents it from becoming waste, adding it back into the spinning process obtaining cotton that is fully traced, documented and audited. This verification process has been invented by ISKO in partnership with its yarn supplier Sanko, offering full clarity into the traceability of reused cotton from field to fabric. It is also certified with the Content Claim Standard – or CCS – of the Textile Exchange.
Recycled polyester comes from clear plastic bottles or, alternatively, it can come from other certified waste: in either case the source material is collected, sorted, stripped of labels and caps, and cleaned to be ground into plastic pellets. These can then be re-spun into new fiber filaments. Depending on the content percentages, for the recycled polyester ISKO can provide either the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) or Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certifications, both of which track the recycled raw material through the supply chain from input to final product to verify its integrity. Designed to tackle over-sourcing, the platform improves the environmental performance impact of yarn-to-fabric production. As ISKO’s latest responsible evolution, ISKO’s latest responsible evolution has resulted also in the perfect solution to enhance the responsible character of the Reloved collection.
The collection’s fresh and innovative take on style combines unisex concepts and oversized fits, is available in one shade of color featuring a variety of prints and is crafted with the planet and its inhabitants in mind. To provide full clarity and traceability from field to shelf, materials and processes are kept under the control of Made By, an independent agency that controls the social and environmental conditions of all elements of the production process. “Haikure and ISKO have always shared the same values and approach to innovation,” explained Elena Faleschini, ISKO Global Field Marketing Manager. “Reloved is a testament to how fashion can be both innovative and responsible, without compromising on style.”
