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Trident Group is strategically recalibrating its export architecture as it debuts the ‘Visible Invisible’ collection at Heimtextil 2026 in Frankfurt. This move comes at a pivotal juncture, with the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) - signed in July 2025 - eliminating 8–12 per cent import duties and positioning India to overtake Turkey as the third-largest textile supplier to the UK by year-end. Concurrent negotiations for an India-EU FTA are nearing a January 26 conclusion, promising a similar zero-tariff advantage across the 27-member bloc.
Strengthening local leadership and market reach
To bypass traditional intermediary constraints, Trident has appointed dedicated Directors for Germany and France. This localized leadership structure is designed to secure deeper penetration into Europe’s $140 billion home textile market, which currently demands high-performance, sustainable solutions. Despite a challenging Q2 FY26 marked by margin compression due to elevated input costs, the group reported a steady 9.14 per cent Y-o-Y jump in net profit, reaching Rs 91 crore. The firm is leveraging this financial stability to pivot toward high-margin value-added linens that align with the EU’s stringent Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulations.
Innovation at the intersection of AI and sustainability
The ‘TG Collection’ showcased at Messe Frankfurt integrates Artificial Intelligence in design and supply chain optimization, a core theme of this year's fair. By combining responsibly sourced cotton with advanced performance finishes, Trident is addressing the 71 per cent growth in buyer inquiries reported in recent quarters for sustainable home textiles. As the industry scales toward a $350 billion valuation by 2030, Trident’s vertical integration - from yarn to finished bed and bath suites - provides a critical cost hedge against global logistics volatility and shifting sourcing patterns.
Headquartered in Ludhiana, Trident Limited is a vertically integrated global leader in home textiles (bath and bed linen), eco-friendly paper, and chemicals. Serving major retailers in 100+ nations, the group reported FY25 revenues of Rs 7,047 crore. Established in 1990, Trident is currently expanding its manufacturing capacity to meet a $100 billion national export target by 2030.
The Indian textile and apparel (T&A) industry has achieved a landmark Rs 60,000 crore in investment commitments for FY25-26 cycle, signaling a robust long-term outlook despite immediate trade headwinds. This capital influx is largely anchored by the PM MITRA Mega Textile Parks and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which alone has drawn proposals exceeding Rs 28,711 crore. These initiatives aim to consolidate the fragmented value chain, reducing logistics overheads that traditionally inflate Indian garment costs by 10-12 per cent compared to regional competitors.
Infrastructure milestones and global capital inflow
Significant momentum is building within the seven approved PM MITRA parks, where investment MoUs worth Rs 27,434 crore have already been finalized. Major foreign players are lead-funding this expansion; Finland’s Infinited Fiber Company and Singapore’s RGE have committed nearly Rs 9,000 crore combined for high-tech fiber projects in Tamil Nadu. This shift toward man-made fibers (MMF) and technical textiles is a strategic response to the volatility of domestic cotton yields, which hit a 20-year low this season.
Navigating tariff barriers and export diversification
While domestic investment thrives, exporters face a dual-front challenge: the 11 per cent reinstated cotton duty and a 50 per cent US tariff on Indian textiles effective since late 2025. In response, the Ministry of Textiles has launched a ‘40-country roadmap’ to diversify exports beyond the US and EU. The focus is now on high-value segments and utilizing FTAs to regain the 15 per cent cost advantage currently held by rivals like Vietnam," stated an industry analyst during the January 2026 sectoral review.
The Indian textile industry contributes 2.3 per cent to the GDP and is the nation's second-largest employer with 45 million workers. Dominating global exports in cotton-based home textiles, the sector is aggressively scaling toward a $350 billion valuation by 2030. Historically rooted in cotton, it is now rapidly modernizing through the National Technical Textiles Mission and sustainable recycling initiatives.
In its January 2026 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, USDA has revised global cotton production downwards by 350,000 bales to 119.43 million bales from December 2025 projections. Coupled with a forecasted rise in global consumption to 118.92 million bales, this tightening supply has pushed the global stocks-to-use ratio below 63 per cent, signaling firmer price foundations for the upcoming quarters.
Regional divergence and yield volatility
The production squeeze is primarily driven by significant downward revisions in the United States and India. US output has been revised downwards by 2 per cent to 13.9 million bales due to poor weather conditions in the Delta region, where national average yields fell by 8 per cent to 856 pounds per acre. Similarly, India faces a 3 per cent decline due to uneven monsoons and pest pressure. Conversely, China’s crop forecast was raised by 1 million bales, though this gain was insufficient to offset the losses from other major exporters.
Strategic sourcing and inventory management
For apparel manufacturers, the report highlights a critical shift: ending stocks are projected to fall by 1.5 million bales to 74.48 million. With trade volumes remaining essentially flat, retailers must navigate a landscape of higher input costs. This inventory drawdown is expected to accelerate the industry's transition toward synthetic blends and recycled fibers as brands seek to de-risk their portfolios from the volatility of natural fiber yields.
The World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) is the definitive monthly report used by the global textile industry to project raw material costs. Covering major cotton hubs like China, India, and the US, it dictates the pricing of yarn and fabric globally. Current industry plans focus on diversifying sourcing to mitigate the impact of the 20-year low yields seen in key regions this season.
The Indian textile and apparel (T&A) industry is currently navigating a period of intense fiscal strain following the reinstatement of an 11 per cent cotton import duty on January 1, 2026. Coupled with the 50 per cent US tariff on Indian textile imports active since August 2025, this policy shift has placed the sector’s global competitiveness at a critical juncture.
Supply constraints and production shortfalls
Domestic cotton production is projected to hit a two-decade low this season, intensifying the demand-supply gap. The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) recently petitioned Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for a permanent waiver of import duties. Industry leaders argue that imported cotton - typically accounting for only 6.8 per cent of domestic consumption - serves specialized high-value export orders rather than displacing local crops.
Eroding competitive parity in global markets
Indian manufacturers face a structural disadvantage compared to regional rivals. Nations like Bangladesh and Vietnam continue to offer duty-free access to raw cotton, granting their exporters a 10–15 per cent cost advantage. With the US absorbing nearly 28 per cent of India's textile exports (valued at $11 billion in FY25), the added 11 per cent duty on raw materials further erodes the slim margins of domestic MSMEs already struggling under the weight of trade barriers.
Strategic outlook and budget expectations
As the Union Budget 2026 approaches, the sector is lobbying for a predictable policy roadmap to unlock private capital. A permanent duty removal is seen as essential to prevent a potential 30 per cent decline in order volumes. The government’s response will determine if the industry can reach its ambitious $350 billion valuation target by 2030.
India’s textile industry is the nation’s second-largest employer, supporting over 45 million livelihoods. With a current market size of approximately $174 billion, it dominates global exports in cotton-based apparel and home textiles. The sector is currently transitioning toward high-performance technical fibers and sustainable manufacturing to offset rising raw material costs.
The Indian Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector has entered a high-stakes period of advocacy as the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) submitted its formal wishlist for the Union Budget 2026-27. At the heart of the appeal is a request for a dedicated Focus Market Scheme (FMS) for the United States. Following the imposition of a cumulative 50 per cent tariff on Indian textiles by Washington in August 2025 - comprising reciprocal and ad valorem duties - exporters are struggling to maintain a foothold in their largest market, which traditionally accounts for 28 per cent of India's apparel shipments.
Offsetting competitive erosion and credit strain
To counter the ‘tariff wall,’ Dr A Sakthivel, Chairman, AEPC has proposed the issuance of freely transferable incentive scrips equivalent to 20 per cent of the Free On Board (FOB) value for US-bound exports. This intervention is designed to protect margins that have compressed to near-zero levels as manufacturers absorb costs to prevent order diversion to rivals like Vietnam and Bangladesh, who currently face significantly lower US duties of approximately 20 per cent. Additionally, the council is lobbying for a hike in interest subvention to 5 per cent for MSMEs, citing a 30% surge in working capital requirements due to extended credit cycles.
Incentivizing modernization and ESG compliance
The industry is also prioritizing long-term structural shifts to mitigate natural fiber volatility and meet strict EU sustainability norms. Demands include a 100 per cent accelerated depreciation on capital assets over two years and the creation of a Green Transformation Fund providing 5 per cent soft loans for eco-friendly infrastructure. With domestic cotton yields projected to hit a two-decade low, these measures aim to transition the sector toward high-value Man-Made Fiber (MMF) products and technical textiles, ensuring the industry stays on track to reach its $350 billion valuation target by 2030.
The AEPC is the official body facilitating Indian garment exports globally, representing over 8,000 member exporters. It focuses on market diversification across 111 countries and technology upgradation for MSMEs. Strategically, the council aims to expand India’s MMF footprint and achieve a $37 billion export milestone by leveraging new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
Amid an accelerating global shift toward low-carbon economies and systemic industrial change, the official launch of GREENEXT Expo 2026 has been announced. As China’s premier cross-industry exhibition and summit platform dedicated to sustainable development, this edition is scheduled to take place in October 2026 at the iconic Shanghai Exhibition Center. The event is designed to serve as a dynamic collaborative ecosystem, bridging the gap between high-level business technology and social innovation to transform shared visions into scalable, real-world solutions
From Vision to Action: A legacy of rapid growth
The momentum for the 2026 edition is built upon a strong foundation of prior success, beginning with the platform's debut in 2024. That inaugural event, which focused on "ESG and Sustainable Transformation," welcomed 4,306 professional visitors and over 100 brands and institutions. It successfully moved ESG and net-zero ambitions from conceptual consensus into actionable industry practices. This trajectory continued with GREENEXT Expo 2025, held in September under the theme "A Journey to Sustainability," which delivered a significant upgrade in scale. The 2025 event attracted 5,022 attendees and more than 120 exhibiting companies, supported by 77 professional sessions exploring concrete pathways for industrial transformation. This steady growth reflects the deepening commitment of both industry and society to sustainability while connecting China’s innovative solutions with global best practices.
The 3 Strategic Pillars and 5 Thematic Zones
Rooted in the core mission to "Sustain Every Business," GREENEXT Expo 2026 is organized around three strategic pillars: Low-Carbon Transformation, Tech Innovation, and Business for good. These pillars are brought to life through a year-round framework featuring five core thematic zones that highlight the interconnected progress of people, nature, and industry.
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Thematic Zone |
Primary Focus and Strategic Objectives |
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Net Zero Engine |
Spotlights low-carbon technologies, energy transition, green manufacturing, AI, and advanced materials to strengthen value-chain competitiveness. |
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Nature Positive |
explores biodiversity protection, regenerative agriculture, water stewardship, and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to turn ecological value into commercial assets. |
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Circular Economy |
Features innovations in circular design and closed-loop systems to illustrate how resource efficiency drives scalable, growth-oriented strategies. |
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Conscious Living |
Bridges sustainable consumption with responsible fashion, clean beauty, and healthy lifestyles to meet evolving consumer expectations. |
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Business for Good |
Unites social innovation, education empowerment, cultural preservation, and impact investment for a virtuous cycle of commercial and societal value. |
Global reach and Cross-Sector collaboration
A defining feature of the 2026 journey is its synergy of diverse programs addressing both current and future challenges. From a global perspective, the "Global Navigation" program supports Chinese enterprises in navigating international regulations and market entry challenges while enhancing supply chain transparency. As a critical part of this effort, GREENEXT will host the "China Sustainability Pioneers" side event and showcase in Paris from March 30 to April 1, 2026, held in parallel with the world-leading ChangeNOW summit. This international presence aims to boost market credibility for Chinese enterprises in Europe and promote the internationalization of competitive Chinese solutions in areas like urban regeneration and technological innovation.
Domestically, the platform addresses structural transformation through industry-specific initiatives like "Fashion Forward," which targets brands and supply chain leaders to focus on decarbonization, circularity, and transparency. Previous participants in these efforts have included major names such as JNBY, adidas, and YKK. Furthermore, the event embeds sustainability at the city scale through the "Urban Regeneration" program, which treats commercial spaces as living labs for energy efficiency. The newly launched "Longevity & Wellbeing" program responds to the growing silver economy by integrating age-inclusive design with health technologies across healthcare and housing sectors.
New Frontiers and A Collective Symphony: Participation and early engagement
Dr. Hong Zheng, the founder of GREENEXT, emphasizes that sustainability is not an isolated challenge for a single sector but a systemic transformation requiring participation across the entire value chain. The platform aims to break down industry barriers to co-create solutions that combine wisdom, shared responsibility, and symbiotic growth. To facilitate this, GREENEXT Expo 2026 is now officially open for application, with an early-bird program offering a 5% discount to companies and partners who register before the end of April 2026.
Participants can engage deeply through a variety of formats, including exhibition booths, solution showcases, panel discussions, closed-door roundtables, and the release of progress reports on pilot projects. GREENEXT warmly invites brands, industry leaders, manufacturing innovators, and government bodies across sectors—from food and beauty to transportation and construction, to join this landmark event at the Shanghai Exhibition Center to explore low-carbon pathways and achieve dual commercial and societal value.
Urban Outfitters, Inc (URBN) reported a robust 9 per cent increase in total net sales in the final two months of 2025, spanning November-December 2025. Announced in January 2026, this performance was spearheaded by a 9 per cent comparable sales expansion at the Urban Outfitters brand and an 18 per cent growth in the FP Movement activewear label. While the broader apparel sector grappled with shifting consumer sentiment and new tariff complexities, URBN successfully leveraged a diversified multi-channel strategy, balancing high-growth digital engagement with a substantial brick-and-mortar expansion.
Strategic channel diversification and subscription scalability
A significant catalyst for URBN’s record holiday results was the continued acceleration of its Nuuly subscription rental segment, which saw net sales soar by 43 per cent. This growth was supported by a 41 per cent increase in active subscribers, illustrating a structural shift toward the circular economy and value-driven consumption. The company observed a distinct behavior where consumers delayed purchases in anticipation of seasonal events, noted Richard Hayne, CEO, URBN. To navigate this, it optimized its inventory and promotional timing, resulting in a 7 per cent increase in total Retail segment sales and a 13 per cent lift in Wholesale revenues, primarily driven by Free People’s strength in department store channels.
Capital expenditure and global footprint optimization
Unlike many competitors retrenching from physical retail, URBN executed an aggressive growth plan throughout 2025, opening 58 new locations while closing only seven. The strategy focused heavily on the Free People and FP Movement brands to capture the resilient demand for wellness-oriented apparel. By integrating localized store experiences with sophisticated AI-driven personalization, the group successfully mitigated ‘digital fatigue,’ a challenge cited by industry analysts as a primary barrier to conversion in 2026. This infrastructure investment, combined with a disciplined 304-basis-point improvement in gross profit rates earlier in the year, positions the company to maintain its momentum in a fragmented global market.
Urban Outfitters, Inc is a leading lifestyle retailer operating a global portfolio including Anthropologie, Free People, and Nuuly. Focusing on North American and European markets, the company continues to achieve record revenues, supported by a pivot toward subscription models and specialty activewear. Founded in 1970, URBN now maintains nearly 800 stores worldwide.
The menswear landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as the Shift trade fair returns to the Kromhouthal in Amsterdam on January 19, 2026. This third edition arrives at a crucial moment for the global menswear market, which is projected to reach $465.39 billion this year. The event highlights a critical commercial shift: the traditional boundaries between technical performance and everyday lifestyle are dissolving. Brands that once focused solely on outdoor functionality are now presenting themselves as high-end lifestyle labels, catering to a consumer who demands ‘future-proof’ versatility.
Navigating the premiumization of retail
In an era where retail inventories often suffer from aesthetic saturation, Shift is positioning its Curated zone - a 500-sq-m space featuring 40 selected collections - as a solution for stores seeking a unique identity. This move aligns with a broader industry trend toward premiumization, with the premium segment currently advancing at a CAGR of 3.66 per cent. ‘We are seeing a clear need for a new meeting place that is both inspiring and innovative,’ notes Rick van Rijthoven. By fostering a unique collaboration between six top agencies, the event ensures, retailers can find high-modulus fabrics and distinctive denim that move beyond mass-produced uniformity.premiumization,
Functional innovation meets ‘Slow Luxury’
A primary driver for 2026 is the integration of textile engineering into the aesthetic narrative. For the Spring/Summer 2026 season, the ‘Slow Luxury’ trend emphasizes material honesty - focusing on linen, hemp, and bio-cellulosic fibers like Lyocell. At Shift, workshops hosted by the House of Denim and the Reframe concept zone address the technical challenges of these high-value yarns. This is essential as European regulations, such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), now incentivize the production of durable, multifunctional garments.
Serving the premium menswear and retail sector, Shift acts as a boutique bridge for over 100 brands to connect with international fashion professionals. Based in Amsterdam, the platform is expanding its reach through a partnership for Shift Frankfurt in 2026. Initially a startup event, it has rapidly achieved a stable financial outlook by focusing on high-growth lifestyle and performance segments.
Driven by a projected market valuation of $48.01 billion by 2026, the next-generation natural fibers market is moving beyond traditional cotton and silk toward engineered bio-based alternatives. Materials such as mycelium-derived leather, bacterial cellulose, and regenerated fibers from post-consumer waste are now being integrated into the production cycles of major luxury and performance brands. This shift is substantiated by a 10 per cent increase in sector investment during 2023, even as broader venture capital markets softened, signaling long-term institutional confidence in sustainable raw material.
Regulatory mandates accelerate material substitution
Compliance requirements are increasingly dictating textile sourcing strategies. The European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which bans the destruction of unsold apparel starting in 2026, is forcing manufacturers to adopt circular design principles. Furthermore, proposed legislation like the New York Fashion Act is compelling brands with revenues exceeding $100 million to implement rigorous supply chain mapping. To mitigate these pressures, industry leaders are securing long-term offtake agreements for bio-identical proteins and recycled cellulose, effectively de-risking their portfolios against rising chemical restrictions and potential carbon border taxes.
Manufacturing hurdles and the path to price parity
Despite robust demand, the transition faces significant technical bottlenecks. Approximately 55 per cent of global natural fiber output remains dependent on capital-intensive mechanical processing, which contributes to a 15 per cent waste rate during extraction. Scaling precision fermentation and nanocellulose production to meet industrial volumes requires substantial infrastructure investment. However, firms utilizing in-house manufacturing and controlled inventory cycles are successfully protecting margins against the volatile costs of traditional luxury inputs like high-grade silk and zari. As processing technologies automate, the textile industry anticipates a gradual closing of the price gap between premium sustainable fibers and petroleum-based synthetics.
Driven by a projected market valuation of $48.01 billion by 2026, the next-generation natural fibers market is moving beyond traditional cotton and silk toward engineered bio-based alternatives. Materials such as mycelium-derived leather, bacterial cellulose, and regenerated fibers from post-consumer waste are now being integrated into the production cycles of major luxury and performance brands. This shift is substantiated by a 10 per cent increase in sector investment during 2023, even as broader venture capital markets softened, signaling long-term institutional confidence in sustainable raw material.
Regulatory mandates accelerate material substitution
Compliance requirements are increasingly dictating textile sourcing strategies. The European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which bans the destruction of unsold apparel starting in 2026, is forcing manufacturers to adopt circular design principles. Furthermore, proposed legislation like the New York Fashion Act is compelling brands with revenues exceeding $100 million to implement rigorous supply chain mapping. To mitigate these pressures, industry leaders are securing long-term offtake agreements for bio-identical proteins and recycled cellulose, effectively de-risking their portfolios against rising chemical restrictions and potential carbon border taxes.
Manufacturing hurdles and the path to price parity
Despite robust demand, the transition faces significant technical bottlenecks. Approximately 55 per cent of global natural fiber output remains dependent on capital-intensive mechanical processing, which contributes to a 15 per cent waste rate during extraction. Scaling precision fermentation and nanocellulose production to meet industrial volumes requires substantial infrastructure investment. However, firms utilizing in-house manufacturing and controlled inventory cycles are successfully protecting margins against the volatile costs of traditional luxury inputs like high-grade silk and zari. As processing technologies automate, the textile industry anticipates a gradual closing of the price gap between premium sustainable fibers and petroleum-based synthetics.
