FW
BGMEA has urged Switzerland to extend duty-free access to Bangladeshi apparels for 10 years under the Everything but Arms (EBA) scheme to ensure smooth transition of Bangladesh to a developing country.
In a recent call to Swiss Ambassador Nathalie Chuard, Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA, discussed progress of garment industry in the area of social and environmental sustainability, highlighted the future potential of the industry. They also talked on the need for an industry upgrade particularly in the area of skills and efficiency enhancement, technological expertise, and diversification of products (especially non-cotton).
Hassan sought the industry’s support to develop a unified code of conduct for the social audits and collaboration to promote the untold stories of the industry's transformation.
The Swiss ambassador expressed her satisfaction about the progress of the industry in the area of sustainable manufacturing and assured providing support of her government.
Tuli Cooray, Secretary General, Joint Apparel Association says, the resolution adopted by the EU commission to withdraw Sri Lanka’s GSP+ status might lead to a 12 per cent increase in Sri Lanka’s exports to the EU. In 2020, Sri Lanka’s apparel exports declined 21 per cent to $ 4.4 billion after increasing 5.1 per cent in 2019. This year, the industry aims to export apparels worth $6 billion. The withdrawal of GSP+ status might make achieving this target difficult for Sri Lanka, adds Cooray.
The textile and garment industry is the most significant and dynamic contributor to Sri Lanka’s economy, accounting for nearly 45 per cent exports. Corray says, his association will request the government to ensure that the GSP+ status is not withdrawn. JAAF also plans to discuss it with other export sectors that enjoy GSP+ benefits and make submissions as a joint effort, he adds.
The EU resolution urges the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to use the preferential trade concessions as leverage to push for advancement on Sri Lanka’s human rights, and demand the repeal or replacement of the PTA.
COVID-19 has given Indian textile machinery manufacturers a rare opportunity to expand their share not just in the domestic but also international market. In FY2021, India’s textile machinery exports did not perform as per expectations. As per Textile Value China, machinery exports to all major destinations except Turkey dwindled. Exports to Germany declined to $5 million during the year from $6million in FY20 and $7 million in FY19. Oman imported the least number of machines in FY21 with purchases amounting to $17 million.
Malaysia, the largest importer of textile machinery from India
India’s textile machinery exports to Vietnam dropped from $30 million in FY19 to $15 million in FY20 and further to $6 million in 2021. Exports to the Netherlands also dropped from $20 million in FY19 to $6 million in FY21. Indonesia’s imports dropped from $10 million in FY19 to $9 million in FY20 and further to $7million in FY21. By value, Malaysia was the largest importer of textile machinery from India. Imports increased from $4 million in FY20 to $18million in FY21. Imports by Benin also increased from $2million in FY20 and $1 million in FY19 to $16 million in FY21. Uzbekistan’s import decreased from $19 million to $8 million.
Weaving machine exports to all expect Bangladesh decline
In FY21, India exported weaving machines worth $3 billion to Vietnam. This was a $2 million decline from exports worth $5 billion in FY20. India’s export of weaving machines to UAE and Turkey during FY21 amounted to $2 million while during FY20 it amounted to $1 million. Among these two countries, UAE imported weaving machines worth $19,000 while Turkey imported machines worth $95,000 during FY19. Bangladesh’s import of weaving machines during FY21 increased to $4 million from $2 million in FY20. Exports to Tanzania, Brazil, Egypt and Mexico dwindled by $1 million in FY21 while exports to Indonesia dwindled from $2 million in FY19 and 2020 to $91,000.
Germany imports highest number of knitting machines
Germany emerged the highest importer of knitting machines from India in FY21. The country’s imports of knitting machines increased from $1 million in FY19 and $18,000 in FY20 to $2 million in FY21. The second highest importer of knitting machines from India was Nepal which imported machines worth $45,000 in FY21.
Ethiopia imported knitting machines worth $27,000 in the FY21 while Malaysia imported machinery worth $22,000. Turkey’s import of knitting machines declined to $3,000 in FY21 from $25,000 in 2020. Japan imports declined from $44,000 in FY19 to $16,000 in FY21. Italy’s imports drastically fell from $1 million in FY20 to $3,000 in FY21.
Netherlands tops auxiliary machine imports in FY21
Netherland was the highest importer of auxiliary machines from India in FY21. Imports increased from $14 million in FY19 to $19 million in FY20. Germany’s imports declined from $30 million in FY19 to $10 million in FY21. China’s import of auxiliary machines dropped from $19 million in FY19 to $12 million in FY21. Japan’s imports surged ten times to $10 million in FY21 as did Malaysia’s imports which reached $7 million in FY21 from $1 million in FY20.
Bangladesh’s imports dwindled to $8 million in FY21 from $11 million in FY19. Similarly, Italy’s imports declined from $13 million in FY19 to $7 million in the next financial years. Auxiliary machine imports by Indonesia, Turkey and Singapore declined to $6 million, $5 million and $4 million during the year.
While the pandemic has led to wide decline in demand for textile machinery business, future prospects for India appear to be brighter with the country expected to be one of the leading exporters of textile machines in FY21.
After last year's digital edition, MarediModa 2021 will be held in person and will take place in the traditional venue of Cannes at the Palais des Festivals from November 9-11, 2021.
Claudio Taiana, President, MarediModa , says, the decision has come after a long deliberation both of board of directors and a survey among visitors and exhibitors. The organization has come to the conclusion that logistics in Cannes are crucial apart from any emotional motivation. Cannes seems to be in a better geographical position for the most important countries attending the trade show i.e. Italy, France and Spain and it offers an extraordinary position as being on the Cannes promenade.
MarediModa is a leading international B2B trade show dedicated to fabrics and accessories for beachwear, underwear and sportswear. It represents both a not-to-be-missed event for primary international brands of the industry and a showcase for the best European companies and garment manufacturers from the Euromed area.
NILIT, the global leader in sustainable, high quality Nylon 6.6 for apparel, will sponsor a pioneering German-Israeli partnership to advance textile circularity. The initiative will officially launch with the Circular Textiles Business Matchmaking Showroom, organized by Re-Fresh Global, opening on June 17 at Expo Tel Aviv.
The showroom kicks off a year-long exchange program between German and Israeli experts in sustainability, circularity, and textile waste management. The project is supported by the German[1]Israeli Future Forum Foundation.
Under its Total Product Sustainability program, NILIT manufactures the largest portfolio of sustainable premium Nylon 6.6 performance and fashion fibers and yarns in the industry. The company recently launched several new products in its Sensil® consumer brand portfolio that are specifically targeted to the industry’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Euratex has welcomed the EU-US Summit in Brussels, and hopes political leaders will launch a new era of closer cooperation across the Atlantic.
EU-US trade in textiles and apparel has dropped by nearly 20 per cent in 2020 (just under €6 billion), while imports from other countries, in particular China, have increased spectacularly. At the same time, global supply chains came under pressure, and access to certain raw materials for the industry became difficult and costly.
Against this background, Euratex called for a better functioning of global supply chains, with common rules which are applied by all. It urged EU and US authorities to put their full influence to establish a level playing field for the industry across the globe, promoting environmental and social standards. Sustainable and circular textiles should become the norm, thus contributing to a greener planet and creating high quality jobs.
At bilateral level, the EU and US should resume their work on mutual recognition of standards and certification procedures, thus saving considerable costs for companies while maintaining the highest safety standards, Dirk Vantyghem, Director General, Euratex said. Custom procedures can be simplified on both sides, and joint research, e.g. in smart textiles, should be promoted.
Euratex also welcomed the recent progress in provisionally eliminating additional duties on several American and European products due to the Airbus-Boeing trade dispute. It urged both US and EU institutions to eliminate such duties permanently and build on a common positive agenda for the benefit of EU and US companies and consumers.
Coloreel, a Swedish textile innovation brand, has developed a pioneering technology that enables high-quality digital dyeing of textile thread on-demand, creating sustainable and vivid fashion details. Coloreel began efforts to scale up the global presence last year, targeting a market valued over SEK 25 billion.
The unique solution makes previously complicated designs accessible, including gradients, textures and other stunning effects. Using only a single thread and needle means that it also significantly improves quality and efficiency, enabling immediate start up and faster delivery. In short, Coloreel empowers creativity and enhances quality and efficiency, making the ordinary extraordinary. In the future, the technology can also be used for sewing, knitting, weaving and more.
Coloreel is also part of the movement to reduce waste and move the textile industry towards more sustainable production. By coloring the thread directly, there is no wastewater, hence no water pollution. And, using a single reel of thread and needle also means minimized thread waste and minimized microfiber pollution.
The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) has approved a trio of new garment projects. Together, these projects entail an investment of $14.9 million. They are anticipated to generate some 3,200 new jobs.
The first of these projects is the J.A.K Garment Co’s project to build a facility in Takhmao district, Kandal province with a capital investment of $2.4 million. The factory will employ 1,053 people. The second project by Premier Tech Garment (Cambodia) Co involves building a $4.3 million in Bati district with an investment of $4.3 million. The project is anticipated to create 748 new jobs.
The third project will be developed by Chanco Textiles (Cambodia) Co which will also build a factory in the capital’s Russey Keo district. A total of 424 new jobs will be generated to create bed sheets, pillowcases and other linens.
Ken Loo, Secretary-General, GMAC said, the new projects would help strengthen the Kingdom’s pillar industry, particularly after the disruption caused by the pandemic.
The recurring lockdowns in textile manufacturing states has started affecting small-scale weavers in the country. Especially affected are the weavers operating in Coimbatore and Tirrupur districts who are unable to supply cotton fabrics to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Delhi, says Velusamy, a powerloom weaver at Palladam in Tiruppur district. This led to stocking of goods by suppliers.
Though the Northern and Western states have relaxed restrictions, industries in Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts are not permitted to operate. This prevents weavers from producing goods. It also impacts supply of yarn as the small-scale textile mills are shut. This is likely to lead to price fluctuations and disrupt business cycles, says Velusamy.
Textile mills in these districts supply part of the yarn produced to the weaving units in the State and the rest to Maharashtra. Though they have resume supplies, cotton prices have increased steeply in the last two weeks. Further, demand in Maharashtra has shot up. These factors are likely to result in a hike in yarn prices. While the larger mills have stocked cotton, the other mills, especially those in the small-scale sector are unable to buy cotton due to their high prices.
Fashion for Good has collaborated with key industry players to launch the Renewable Carbon Textile Project. The project, that aims to explore, test, and verify solutions in the PHA polymer space, will be developed in coloration with PVH Corp., Bestseller, Norrona, and the fabrics division of WL Gore & Associates. Laude’s Foundation will provide catalytic funding for the project while participating innovators Bio Craft Innovation (formerly Biomize), Full Cycle Bioplastics, and New light Technologies will provide insights to scale the industry in the long term.
PHA polymers offer a bio-based, marine, and soil compostable solution of polyester fibers derived from fossil fuels for the fashion industry.. PHAs are produced through the fermentation process using various renewable carbon-based feedstocks.
Katrin Ley, MD, Fashion for Good, opines, the industry needs to find replacements for the predominantly fossil-based fibers in the fashion industry through solutions such as biosynthetic from renewable sources. This project focuses on validating the technical feasibility of the output, working with the Nonwovens Innovation and Research Institute (NIRI) to run melt-spinning trials. Alongside the technical feasibility study, the Renewable Carbon Textiles Project includes a range of degradation tests that will be conducted by Organic Waste Systems.
