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Schoeller Textil has won recognition for its technical fabrics and smart textile finishing technologies. The company produces an average of over six million meters of performance textiles per year.
Sustainability has always been of great importance at Schoeller. In 1994, it was the first active wear and leisurewear manufacturer to receive the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification. Schoeller also served as one of the founding developers of the bluesign system, which has since become established worldwide.
Innovations include its c_change membrane technology, the world’s first intelligent membrane, as well as the well-known NanoSphere, coldblack and corkshell technologies. 3XDRY Bio and ecorepel Bio, the new PFC-free technologies based on renewable raw materials, were first introduced to customers in 2016.
The company began as Switzerland’s first worsted yarn spinning mill in 1868. That mill would soon launch the very first elastic fabric for the ski industry – or the world’s very first soft shell fabric – under the name skifans. Schoeller’s headquarters include its production facilities that house weaving, dyeing, lamination and coating departments, as well as the state-of-the-art research, development and testing laboratory. Its on-site administrative building is home to the design and sales, IT, marketing and accounting teams.
Schoeller has more than 500 brand partners in 50 countries.
Cordura is collaborating with leading Japanese brands to showcase specialised manufacturing techniques and cutting-edge design.
In the first phase of the project, Cordura will release a video made in collaboration with a leading bag brand. Through close-up shots of the detailed work of artisans, from design planning to cutting and sewing, the video emphasises the intricate detail and beauty of Japanese craftsmanship with Cordura fabric.
The campaign is testimony to Cordura’s appreciation and support for Japanese craftsmanship.
Phase two of the campaign will feature a special collaboration with CIE, an up and coming, innovative Japanese bag brand that has taken a military approach to carry solutions. Cordura Nyco fabric, which is used widely in US military uniform applications, is integrated in CIE’s designs with minimalistic and functional design.
Cordura fabric technologies are trusted by the US military for strength and durability. Cordura fabrics are used in a wide variety of stylish and long-lasting products from apparel to bags, packs, and footwear, and are trusted by many militaries and protective clothing companies around the globe.
Pushing the boundaries of durable fabric technology through its latest innovations, combined with forward-thinking collaborations with its supply chain and brand customers continue to help drive Cordura’s success.
According to data from the Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh’s export of home textiles, in fiscal 2017-18 including those of terry towels, bedsheets, linen, curtains and pillow covers, grew by 9.95 percent year-on-year to reach $878.68 million. However, the export of terry towel declined by 4.40 percent year-on-year to $42.35 million last fiscal year.
The sector's growth declined from January 2014, when the European Union (EU) allowed zero-duty benefit to Pakistan under it GSP Plus scheme, on export of home textiles and some other products.
According to the European apparel and textile confederation, Euratex, the EU imported over $6.86 billion-worth home textiles in 2016. Of it, China accounted for 33 percent, Pakistan 25 percent, Turkey 16 percent and India 11 percent. Bangladesh's share was 7-8 percent. The EU's data shows that its preferential import of textiles and clothing from Pakistan increased by 82 per cent year-on-year in 2014.
Bangladesh previously enjoyed 9.6 percent duty privilege over Pakistan as a least developed country in the EU, its main export destination. With a trade advantage of nearly 15 percent, including 6 percent cash incentive, the sector in Bangladesh, especially terry towels, was performing well even amidst high yarn prices in the local markets.
Inkjet Conference, this year will be held in Germany, October 16 to 17, 2018.
The event covers digital printing for textiles, inkjet engineering and inkjet chemicals. There will be presentations on pigment inks, nano pigment dispersions. Leading print head manufacturers will discuss advances in core technology. Further developments in hardware components, system integration, software and vision inspection will be examined along with ink formulation, fluids and inkjet chemistry.
More than 60 world leading authorities will explain technologies in existing and future printing systems – for all industrial and functional applications. From scientific papers on jetting reliability through to the latest innovations in software and print heads, attendees can expect the latest core technology developments.
Inkjet Conference is the meeting point of the inkjet industry which offers a unique mix of educational and networking opportunities. It has already attracted many new names for 2018, including BASF Personal Care & Nutrition, Ceradrop, Cyan-Tec, DSM, Gardner Denver Thomas, Notion Systems, Siegwerk and Tiger Coatings.
Inkjet Conference is a yearly ESMA and Digital Direct Technologies event. Attended by C-level industry executives, developers and researchers, it is leading the way for those that are building the future.
The event includes a focus on inkjet engineering, a review on fluid and ink components such as nano particles, conductive, aqueous and UV inks.
Kihak Sung, Chairman, Youngone Corporation, was appointed as the new president of ITMF In place of Jaswinder Bedi. Sung is also the Chairman of Kofoti, IAF’s South Korean member association. Bedi will retain his position as the President of African IAF member Actif Africa, which held its annual Origin Africa Fair back to back with the ITMF conference.
The IAF is engaged in a project together with ITMF aimed at the reduction of audit fatigue and standard fatigue. Matthijs Crietee participated in a panel session at the ITMF conference together with ITMF, Gherzi and the Social Labour Convergence Project (SLCP).
A major part of the project involves the collaboration with SLCP, which has led to a SLCP Steering Committee seat shared by IAF and ITMF. And as part of the Origin Africa fair, Matthijs Crietee held a lecture on trade policy development in Europe, particularly Brexit and he moderated a panel comprised of potential buyers from the Kenyan and other African exhibitors. The discussion on learning points was set up by Actif Africa and World Bank.
Vietnam will host a series of international trade fairs for garments and textiles and footwear sectors during November 21 to 24.
The trade shows include the 18th edition of the Vietnam International Textile & Garment Industry Exhibition (VTG 2018) and the Vietnam International Textile and Apparel Accessories Exhibition (VitaTex).
The Vietnam International Footwear Machinery and Material Industry Exhibition (VFM) and the eighth Asia International Dye, Pigments, and Textile Chemicals exhibition (Interdye Asia 2018) will also be held concurrently.
The events are expected to feature over 600 booths of more than 400 businesses from 11 countries and territories, including China, Germany, India, Japan, Korea and Malaysia.
VTG and the Vietnam International Textile and Apparel Accessories exhibition will have pavilions and booths. Top brands at the events will include Bao Lun, Richpeace, Tajima, and ZSK, who will display their latest embroidery machines, and Heinz Walz, Epson, Grafica, and Sulfet, who will bring printing machines. Beworth and Silk Road will demonstrate their latest flat knitting machines. Japanese sewing machines brands like Brother, Hikari, Juki, Yamato will also be present.
The two events will also host several seminars featuring speakers from official departments, foreign affairs and universities who will speak about strategies and practical measures to develop the textile and garment industry.
"A recent report by the International Fur Federation (IFF) states estimates global fur retail at around $40 billion, largely due to the sustained demand in Asian markets, including the Chinese mainland, Japan and South Korea. Meanwhile, challenges such as volatile pelt prices owing to the slow recovery in demand in excess of stock depletion remain headaches to fur farmers and traders. Reflecting a general preference among designers such as Marc Jacobs, Mulberry and Balenciaga in the luxury goods sector, fur continues to be a major design story in fashion shows all over the world."
A recent report by the International Fur Federation (IFF) states estimates global fur retail at around $40 billion, largely due to the sustained demand in Asian markets, including the Chinese mainland, Japan and South Korea. Meanwhile, challenges such as volatile pelt prices owing to the slow recovery in demand in excess of stock depletion remain headaches to fur farmers and traders. Reflecting a general preference among designers such as Marc Jacobs, Mulberry and Balenciaga in the luxury goods sector, fur continues to be a major design story in fashion shows all over the world.
Farmed furs are the mainstay of the fur trade, accounting for some 85 per cent of the industry turnover according to IFTF. The most common farmed fur-bearing animals are minks and foxes. Most fur farming takes place in Denmark, followed by China, the Netherlands, the Baltic States and the US. The majority of raw skins produced by fur farmers and trappers are sold through modern international auction houses, often located close to producing areas. The world's largest fur auction houses are in Copenhagen, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Seattle and Toronto.
Hong Kong industry
Hong Kong, one of the world’s third largest fur clothing exporters, is a major source of quality fur garments and
accessories. Majority of Hong Kong’s furriers have set up production facilities on the Chinese mainland amid higher production costs in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s fur clothing exports increased 3 per cent in the first five months of 2018, after 7 per cent growth in 2017. The Chinese mainland is the largest market for Hong Kong's exports of furskins, accounting for 49 per cent of the total exports in the first five months of 2018. A large proportion of Hong Kong’s furskin exports are re-exports from overseas to the Chinese mainland for fur clothing production there.
After seeing a 7 per cent growth in 2017, Hong Kong’s fur clothing exports expanded further 3 per cent in the first five months of 2018, a low base. Taking up almost two-thirds of Hong Kong’s fur clothing exports in the first five months of 2018, the EU, South Korea and Canada were the three leading export markets of Hong Kong's fur clothing.
Catching on designers’ attention
Designers focus more on details of designs or collections by incorporating more colourful, bold-toned and graphic elements, rather than making use of large pieces of furs to attract eyeballs. Designers are also experimenting with colourful shades and innovative flourishes. Examples include the avant-garde combination of down feathers, fur, embroidery and fashionable elements. Yet vintage designs such as retro-inspired silhouettes are still prevalent. It is important for the fur trend to move from a cold-climate utility into a more metropolitan fashion market. Short fur coats and fur shirts with subtle trimming have become a leading trend. Added to this, the business of fur restyling and alteration has also seen decent growth in recent years, when consumers have tightened their budget and preferred alteration to new purchase.
The popularity of fur accessories increases in line with the availability of new techniques in fur manufacturing. For instance, new techniques allow designers to customise furs into different shapes such as diamond, window and octopus. Nowadays, fur has become increasingly dexterous, durable, soft and versatile, thanks to the new and advanced processing and dyeing techniques. Therefore, fur, as another flexible garment fabric, can be cut into silhouettes and dyed in fashionable colours for designers and manufacturers to work on.
Ethical sourcing
An increasing number of people want to make sure their purchase comes from a source where ethical standards are in place. Catering to this trend, fur trade is phasing in a voluntary labelling programme, the Origin Assured Label or OA™, which informs customers about the origins of the products and local regulations or standards governing fur production. Given further enhancement of the regulations on environmental conservation and animal protection, fur which is biodegradable and less polluted in the production process is increasingly considered a sustainable material. In the meantime, recycling fur has started to grab attention of producers and consumers.
"In a big victory for his agenda to abolish global free trade that many associate with the signing of NAFTA in 1994, President Donald Trump recently convinced Canada and Mexico to accept restricted trade with their main export partner. Keeping China in focus, the U.S. negotiators clinched a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada to replace the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement that Trump labeled a disaster."
In a big victory for his agenda to abolish global free trade that many associate with the signing of NAFTA in 1994, President Donald Trump recently convinced Canada and Mexico to accept restricted trade with their main export partner. Keeping China in focus, the U.S. negotiators clinched a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada to replace the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement that Trump labeled a disaster.
Encouraging US investments and Production
The rules of origin of this agreement, which govern how much value of a car needs to be made in the region, will
help the Trump administration to restrict the advent of Chinese products besides encouraging production and investment in the U.S. and North America.
The agreement, known as USMCA, also prohibits its members from boosting their economic competitiveness by devaluing their currencies, something Trump has accused China of doing in the past.
The deal, however, failed to resolve U.S. tariffs on Canada’s steel and aluminum exports
More access to the Canadian diary market
Canadian President Trudeau made a concession on dairy by giving the U.S. farmers more access to the protected Canadian market than the 3.25 per cent granted to its partners in the earlier Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. The U.S. would be granted 3.6 per cent access. Canada had also agreed to eliminate its “Class 7” pricing system for certain milk ingredients, an irritant to farmers in Wisconsin and New York.
The revised agreement also requires the three nations to give three-month’ notice if they start trade negotiations with a “non-market economy,” an indirect reference to China. The U.S. can terminate its pact with Mexico or Canada if either of them strikes a deal with a non-market economy.
A stronger framework for innovation, manufacturing and jobs
The new pact shows the ways the Trump team seeks to rebalance trade treaties with provisions that are aimed at increasing manufacturing in the U.S., including unusually proscriptive provisions setting a minimum fixed wage level for auto manufacturers. The political consequences of the trade deal for Trump and Republicans in Congress remains to be seen, but the deal has already been received as a down payment for future successes that Trump’s supporters hope his trade policy will yield. It would provide a much stronger framework for more innovation, more manufacturing and better jobs for U.S. workers.
But achieving the same success elsewhere will not be easy. The existence of NAFTA text that largely satisfied most parties gave negotiators solid ground to build on, but no such ground exists for the U.S. relationship with China.
After acquiring a 20 per cent stake in F.P. Journe, luxe brand Chanel has bought British high-end men’s swimwear and board shorts label Orlebar Brown. The purchase was made from the label’s founder Adam Brown, the Piper investment fund and a few minority shareholders. Adam Brown, who founded Orlebar Brown in London in 2007, will continue to act as the brand’s creative director, alongside CEO Paul Donoghue.
This acquisition offers an ideal opportunity for collaboration between Orlebar Brown and Eres. Orlebar Brown could enable Eres to boost its digital expertise and optimise its omni-channel distribution strategy. Orlebar Brown, on the other hand, can benefit from the retail experience and know-how of a long-established player in the high-end beachwear segment. Orlebar Brown was launched as an online brand 11 years ago, and 40 per cent of its current sales are generated via its e-tail site. The label has a brick-and-mortar network of 24 directly owned stores in 11 countries, and is also available at over 250 specialised retailers.
Textile giant David Whitehead (DWTL) is seeking over $30 million to expand capacity by setting up a new factory and procure critical spares, working capital as well as settle prejudicial obligations. The company needs $20 million for the new factory; $2 million for spares; $1,5 million for working capital; $1 million for shares acquisition; and $6 million for prejudicial obligations settlement Negotiations are being made to secure foreign currency for the procurement of spares and new plant for the fabric and spinning divisions which were likely to come from Germany and China.
Acquisition of new machinery is envisaged to result in the increase of production capacity by 150 per cent from 6 million meters to 15 million meters of fabric per annum and revenue of about $45 million. The new machinery will enhance competitiveness through improved quality consistencies, higher efficiencies and economies of scale, thereby ensuring that the company will be able to consolidate its position on the local market as well as overseas markets.
