FW
Renewed optimism for a stronger trade relationship between the United States and Indiaa is growing as two leading textile organizations, the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) and The Textile Association-South India Unit (TAI-SIU), are co-hosting the International Textile Conference from November 21-22, 2025, in Coimbatore, India.
The conference aims to address both the opportunities and challenges in the textile sector's technical and trade aspects. It will focus on topics such as cotton, synthetic textiles, supply chain developments, and new marketing opportunities.
This event comes at a crucial time. With ongoing tariff tensions between the two nations, recent social media posts by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed hope for a ‘win-win’ bilateral trade agreement to be reached soon. This potential deal is expected to foster renewed cooperation and boost trade.
Stakeholders are being encouraged to engage positively to create new opportunities. As India's textile sector holds a leading position in global exports and provides widespread employment, the Indian government views it as a critical part of the country's economic growth.
Gregg Woodcock, Executive Director, AATCC, says, AATCC is proud to partner with The Textile Association (India) in support of the international conference in Coimbatore. With members including global brands like Under Armour, Nike, and Patagonia, AATCC hopes to assist the Indian textile industry with standards, testing, and educational resources to support sustainable manufacturing.
Leaders from TAI also see the event as a timely opportunity to rebuild confidence in the industry and create new opportunities in textile trade, notes R Seenivasahan, Vice President, TAI-SIU.
The conference is the first of its kind to bring together key stakeholders from both nations to a major textile region. It will be attended by participants from Europe and other countries, providing a global platform to strengthen friendships and explore business opportunities. This event is seen as a vital step to rebuild confidence and engage with India, a central hub in the global textile industry.
Syed Fasihuddin Bukhari, Representative, Interloop Group has signed an agreement with Walid Gamal El-Din, Chairman, Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) to set up a ready-made garment manufacturing facility in the Qantara West Industrial Zone.
The deal covers a 60,000-sq-m plot with an investment of $35.2 million (EGP 1.67 billion). The new plant will create more than 1,000 direct jobs and will export its entire production to foreign markets - highlighting the SCZONE’s growing importance as a hub for apparel manufacturing and international trade.
Gamal El-Din says, the Interloop project is the first industrial investment from Pakistan in the SCZONE, marking a major step in strengthening industrial cooperation between the two countries.
He emphasizes, the project reinforces Qantara West's standing as one of the most promising global destinations for apparel and accessories manufacturing, thanks to its strong appeal to investors and a fully integrated industrial ecosystem.
Interloop’s decision to dedicate all production for export shows foreign investors’ confidence in the competitive environment of the SCZONE, notes Gamal El-Din. The project will not only support Egypt’s export growth but also boost the zone’s contribution to global supply chains in the ready-made garment industry, he adds.
With this agreement, the total number of projects in the Qantara West Industrial Zone has now reached 39, with total investments of about $1.0435 billion. These projects collectively provide almost 55,700 direct jobs across a total area of 2.44 million square meters.
Founded in Pakistan in 1992, Interloop Group has become one of the world’s top textile and apparel manufacturers, producing socks for global brands as well as denim and sportswear. The company currently operates in six countries including Pakistan, the United States, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, China, and Japan.
Currently valued at $179 billion with exports of $37.75 billion, India’s textile sector aims to increase the value of the domestic market to $250 billion and boost exports to $100 billion by 2030.
Highlighting the sector’s importance in the country during a meeting with micro, small, and medium (MSME) exporters, Giriraj Singh, Textile Minister, called it a symbol of India's economic strength and cultural heritage. The industry contributes nearly 2 per cent to India's GDP and ranks as the sixth-largest global exporter with a 4.1 per cent share of world trade, he added.
With exports reaching over 220 countries and activity spanning more than 520 districts, Indian textiles truly embody the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) and the spirit of ‘Swadeshi; (self-sufficiency), Singh noted.
Despite facing global instability and steep tariffs from some trading partners, India’s textile exports have shown resilience. In July 2025, India’s textile exports grew by 5.37 per cent to reach $3.10 billion. For the April-July 2025 period, exports increased by 3.87 per cent Y-o-Y to $12.18 billion.
Certain segments are performing particularly well, with ready-made garments increasing by 7.87per cent, carpets growing by 3.57 per cent, and jute products rising by 15.78 per cent. Handicrafts and man-made fiber (MMF) textiles are also maintaining steady performance.
Singh emphasized, positive trends in countries with which India has free trade agreements (FTAs) prove the country's ability to capture a larger share of the $590 billion global textile market. To achieve this, he stressed the urgent need for strategic diversification into 40 new global markets while simultaneously strengthening domestic demand.
A pioneering apparel automation company, CreateMe Technologies has unveiled two groundbreaking innovations aimed at revolutionizing the clothing manufacturing industry. Known as MeRA(Modular-engineering Robotic Assembly) and Pixel, these new technologies work together to create a scalable, high-precision platform that replaces traditional sewing. This new system promises to shorten production timelines, improve sustainability, and enable on-demand manufacturing right here in the U.S.
MeRA is a modular, autonomous manufacturing platform designed to streamline production. The company's first commercial product built on MeRA is a line of women’s intimates, which will be the industry's first fully autonomous bonded intimate apparel. With MeRA's flexible design, CreateMe plans to expand into everyday apparel, starting with T-shirts. This push for nearshoring is a direct response to the increasing demand for U.S.-based manufacturing.
The technology is built on a portfolio of over 95 patents, making it the largest apparel automation IP portfolio globally. It integrates robotics, digital adhesives, and a modular design to meet the demands of today’s fashion market: fast, local, and highly customizable.x``
According to Nick Chope, Vice President-R&D, CreateMe, MeRA and Pixel are automation built for how clothes should be made: customized, precise, and close to the consumer.
The MeRA platform offers end-to-end, software-defined garment construction powered by advanced robotics. It's incredibly fast, boasting 20x faster production speeds and 2x greater precision than manual sewing, and can produce up to 250 garments per hour. This system is also cost-competitive with offshore manufacturing and supports a wide range of garment types. By enabling on-demand production, MeRA helps brands reduce waste and shorten supply chains, meeting consumer demand in real-time.
At the heart of this innovation is Pixel, a proprietary microadhesive technology that replaces stitching with precision-bonded seams. These seams are less than 1mm wide and improve a garment's stretch, durability, and comfort. Pixel also enhances recyclability by allowing materials to separate cleanly, unlike traditional stitches or permanent adhesives.
According to Cam Myers, CEO, CreateMe Technologies, bonded apparel is the new paradigm for the fashion industry. He sees these innovations as a new standard for a future where clothing is local, sustainable, and made on-demand.
The global streetwear market is projected to grow from $193.88 billion in 2023 to $273.15 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.49 per cent, as per a report by Spherical Insights & Consulting,
The sneakers segment is expected to hold the largest market share throughout the forecast period. This is largely because sneakers are closely tied to street culture, sports, and music, which heavily influence consumer trends and behavior. Owing to its rising popularity, the online segment is anticipated to grab the biggest market share.
Several factors are fueling the growth of the streetwear market. These including growing consumer base, higher disposable income with young consumers and the rise of social media and e-commerce which has accelerated trend cycles and allowed brands to reach consumers directly.
However, this growth is not without challenges. Rising production costs, especially for sustainable materials, are making it difficult for smaller businesses to remain profitable.
North America is expected to hold the largest share of the streetwear market. The region's appeal to companies is driven by consumers who are increasingly opting for stylish clothing, which is now widely used across various industries.
Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region is predicted to see the highest CAGR growth. India's streetwear market is a major contributor to this trend, fueled by its expanding middle class, rising living standards, and evolving fashion tastes. As a significant textile supplier, India's growing garment industry further supports the streetwear boom.
Global fashion brand, Urban Revivo is expanding its presence in London with the opening of a new flagship store at Westfield Stratford City. This move follows the successful launch of its Covent Garden store and is a major step in the brand's global expansion strategy.
The new store spans nearly 29,000 sq ft, making it one of UR's largest retail spaces worldwide. It joins the brand's network of over 400 stores globally.
The store's design reflects the brand's ‘urban revitalization’ philosophy with striking features like a 39-ft kinetic facade that uses LED technology and structural glass. Inside, industrial steel beams are integrated with terracotta bricks, creating a dynamic contrast. An iconic UR Prism installation transforms with the light, casting patterns that symbolize the brand's fusion of Eastern craftsmanship and Western futurism.
Leo Li, CEO, Urban Revivo, states,this opening is another major milestone in the brand’s development and it looks forward to a bright future here and across the region."
The new Westfield Stratford City store builds on UR's momentum in London, where its debut store is already a key part of the brand's strategy. The flagship is situated alongside some of the world's most well-known luxury brands, signaling UR's confidence in its ability to compete at the forefront of the fashion industry.
This latest expansion is a continuation of the brand's multi-flagship strategy, which has been successful in Asian hubs like Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur. By clustering premium locations, UR has been able to strengthen its brand authority and consumer reach.
With over 400 stores in Asia and a growing online presence in Europe and North America, Urban Revivo aims to be the world's most influential fashion brand. The company is committed to sustainable, high-quality designs and uses advanced supply chain management and technology to maintain high standards.
Revenues from India's home textile industry are likely to decline by 5–10 per cent this fiscal year. As per a report by Crisil Ratings, the decline is a result of the 50 per cent tariffs imposed by the United States on August 27. The US is a critical market for the industry, accounting for nearly three-quarters of its income.
Despite the significant tariff, the impact may be partially cushioned for some companies. A review of around 40 firms, which make up 40–45 per cent of the sector's revenue, suggests a few factors will soften the blow.
These include speeding of shipments to the US by many companies before the tariff deadline, limited spare capacity of rival countries like China, Pakistan and Turkey that prevents them from immediately taking over India's market share, exploration of new markets by India’s exporters.
According to Manish Gupta, Deputy Chief Rating Officer, Crisil Ratings, while US home textile imports were slow in the first quarter, shipments surged as buyers advanced orders ahead of the tariff increase. Gupta believes India is likely to maintain its competitive edge in the American market.
Companies that rely on the US for more than half their revenues are expected to be the most affected. In response, exporters are now turning to Europe and the UK, which together made up 13 per cent of India’s home textile exports last year. A new free trade agreement with the UK is expected to help, as it eliminates the 10–12 per cent duty that previously disadvantaged Indian exporters compared to rivals like Cambodia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
However, scaling up in these new markets will take time. Gautam Shahi, Director, Crisil Ratings, warns, the tariffs will likely cause operating profitability on US exports to decline sharply. Indian suppliers may have to absorb part of the tariff costs while also dealing with weaker demand. He also noted that a risk of oversupply could put pressure on margins both domestically and abroad.
Crisil predicts a 200–250 basis point drop in the industry's operating profitability this fiscal year. This will result in lower cash flow and worse credit metrics. The debt-to-EBITDA ratio is expected to worsen from 1.9 to 2.4–2.6, and the interest coverage ratio is projected to fall from 5.4 to about four times.
The Bihar Government plans to set up a new RMG factory in the Bela Industrial Area of Muzaffarpur.
The factory will be developed by Gogreen Apparel with an Rs. 23.36 crore. It's expected to produce 5.5 million garments annually.
According to Samrat Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister, the new unit falls under the textile and leather sector, which the state government has designated as a top priority to create jobs, attract private investment, and strengthen the economy. This initiative is part of the broader push by the NDA government, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, to expand employment opportunities.
The recently approved Industrial Policy 2025 has laid the groundwork for quicker growth, and this project brings the state closer to its economic and industrial goals. The new facility is expected to create jobs for local workers and provide fresh momentum to Muzaffarpur's economy as Bihar aims to become a leading center for textile production.
KCM Srinivasan, North District President Tiruppur and other officials congratulated KM Subramanian on been re-elected without opposition as the President of the Tiruppur Exporters’ Association (TEA).
During his visit, Subramanian had a detailed discussion on the challenges facing the industry, specifically the impact of recent US tariffs on textile exports. The officials assured Subramanian. they have raised the issue with their party's top leadership and are providing regular updates. They expressed optimism that a positive announcement to address the tariffs would be made soon.
On behalf of the exporter community, Subramanian thanked the Prime Minister and Finance Minister for the recent GST measures announced by the Central Government. He said these measures would significantly benefit the knitting and textile sector.
Under Subramanian's leadership, the Tiruppur Exporters’ Association continues to be a crucial voice for the industry. The organization promotes growth and works to ensure Tiruppur keeps its position as India’s top knitwear export hub.
Europe's system for managing textile waste is under severe pressure, says a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Titled, ‘Textile Waste at a Tipping Point: Unlocking Europe's Circular Potential,’ the report notes, the collection and sorting infrastructure - the core of the system - is at a breaking point, with several key players halting operations or declaring bankruptcy.
In France, the social enterprise Le Relais stopped all textile collection in mid-2025. As a protest against underfunding, it began dumping unsorted waste outside major retail stores, warning it would not survive the year without emergency aid.
Smaller collectors are also quietly shutting down. In Germany, two major collectors, SOEX and Texaid, filed for insolvency in October 2024 and June 2025, respectively. Their downfall is a result of a collapsing export market and rising sorting costs.
The United Kingdom is also experiencing a crisis, with closures and layoffs hitting textile recyclers, including Textile Recycling International, which went into administration in early 2024. The Textile Recycling Association has warned of a "sector-wide collapse" as processing capacity vanishes and resale prices plummet.
The core of this crisis is a funding gap: eco-organizations and public authorities aren't paying enough per ton to cover operational costs. This pressure is compounded by saturated second-hand markets, waste from fast fashion, and stricter export rules. The report cautions that without immediate action, Europe's goals for textile circularity are at risk of unraveling.
Currently, only about 1 per cent of Europe's textile waste is recycled into new textiles. The rest is either reused through second-hand markets, downcycled into lower-value products like rags, turned into solid recovered fuel (SRF), or sent to landfills or incinerators.
Landfilling is expected to drop sharply by 2035 - from 26 per cent of total textile waste in 2024 to 17 per cent in 2035. This is due to regulatory and environmental pressure, including the EU Landfill Directive, which mandates a reduction in municipal waste landfilling to below 10 per cent by 2035. Many countries are now implementing landfill taxes and bans on specific products.
Reuse remains the most sustainable option, supported by charities, resale platforms, and exports. However, this ecosystem is also under strain as the European second-hand textile market slows down. The rise of ultra-fast fashion and the saturation of traditional export channels are creating a surplus of low-quality, unsellable garments. This, combined with falling resale prices and rising collection costs, is squeezing the margins of operators. Incineration, while an alternative, is still carbon-intensive and could undermine climate objectives unless paired with mitigation measures.
