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Polypropylene brand CoolVisions is a developer and manufacturer of revolutionary dyeable performance fiber. Now, it has an expanded range of fiber options, interpreted in innovative textiles from its global mill partners. The range of textile and apparel products featuring CoolVisions include: knits, wovens, denims, and insulation fill, giving brands and consumers a broad range of choices from a trusted component brand.
CoolVisions’ dyeable polypropylene is a modern performance fiber with inherent moisture management, thermal regulation, and resistance to water-based stains—without the use of additives or topical enhancements. This speeds the manufacturing process and lowers costs. Polypropylene has one of the lowest cradle-to-factory gate carbon footprint among synthetic fibers, and CoolVisions’ polypropylene fiber is Oeko-Tex certified.
This dyeable polypropylene fiber brand offers textile manufacturers and brand partners the tools to differentiate themselves and transform their business, creating products that resonate with today’s consumer. The CoolVision’s roster of dyeable polypropylene fiber includes Made in America cottony-soft staple; CoolVisions + Cotton, spun by Grupo Miro in Mexico; and WoolVisions, an intimate blend of CoolVisions dyeable polypropylene staple with merino wool, spun by Chia Her in Taiwan.
The US-China trade dispute deepened after China vowed to retaliate against President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs on another $200 billion in Chinese imports. As a result, the benchmark index of Chinese stocks fell by more than 3 per cent, other Asian share markets declined and US equity futures traded lower, while yen, gold and Treasuries climbed.
The US, by targeting goods that are finished in China but whose components are often sourced from neighboring South Korea, Japan and Taiwan and more, is likely to hurt the economies of America’s allies too. If these tariffs are implemented, they would increase the market price of Chinese imported goods, dampening sentiments and inflating market pressures.
In case of Chinese exports to the US weakening due to these tariffs, the government would likely seek to offset the growth impact with a combination of subsidies to support domestic demand and higher infrastructure investment.
The ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China will benefit Thailand and Asean member states to play a starring role in US supply chains. Asean will be a more attractive destination for FDI, particularly in high-tech sector. The main reason for optimism is that the US is moving forward with implementing its Indo-Pacific strategy, with free and open as core terminologies for the various bilateral relationships with the US in this region.
The strategy aim to strengthen economic cooperation between the US and Indo-Pacific nations while also allowing the US to support the region against potential coercion and loss of sovereignty. The strategy aims to further open sea lines of communication and airways, which are vital lifelines for many Asian economies. It’s estimated that 50 per cent of world trade goes through the Indo-Pacific along sea routes, particularly the South China Sea, where China has been intensifying its claims of sovereignty.
Though there will be some disruption in the course of the US adjusting its economic relationship with China, an adjustment that is long overdue and inevitable, in the immediate term, there is thus a huge opportunity embedded in the current strained economic relationship between the US and China.
Two major brands – Guess and The North Face–are establishing programs to keep goods out of landfills and increase the longevity of their products. The new programs are aimed at making contributions to the circular economy by recycling and reusing textile and apparel products. Guess is teaming up with I:Collect (I:CO), to launch a wardrobe recycling program. The program, called Resourced involves donating a minimum of five pieces of clothing or footwear to any local Guess, Factory, G by Guess or Marciano store in California. In return, customers will receive 15 per cent off on any purchase in-store or online until July 1, 2019. The aim of this program is to reduce textile waste and reate a circular fashion system where discarded clothing and shoes can be reprocessed.
The North Face recently rolled out The North Face Renewed collection of refurbished products. These renewed items are sourced from returned, defective or damaged apparel. They are thoroughly inspected, cleaned and refurbished to The North Face quality and performance standards. The North Face Renewed products will range from the brand’s Summit Series to the well-known Denali jackets and other popular collections. As the company is currently just piloting the program, Renewed is only offered online and not yet in stores.
Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed says nearly 300 green readymade garment (RMG) factories are under construction apart from the existing 67 factories. A total of 67 RMG factories have so far been certified as ‘green factories’ by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), and of them 17 factories are included as the platinum class. The commerce minister also informed that the world’s best seven factories out of the 10 certified by the USGBC are situated in Bangladesh.
He says there is no direct rule on green factory in Labour Law and Labour Rules. As per a compliance report (January 2017-December 2017) of the Factory and Organisation Inspection Directorate, the number of “A Grade” RMG factories are 436 and the “B Grade” are 228. The programmes for ensuring compliance by making the RMG factories environment-friendly and including them in ‘green factory concept’ gradually are underway.
"With the US President Trump imposing import duties on Indian products such as textiles, gems and jewellery, automotive, organic chemicals and pharmaceuticals, this could spell bad times especially for SMEs in the country. The impact could be huge, as the US accounts for nearly 16 per cent of India’s total exports. In 2017-18, India had a trade surplus of $21 billion with the US. The US’ industrial tariffs have fallen to close to zero after several rounds of trade liberalization. But on the other hand, India still continues to impose high import duty, which the Trump administration aims to stop. For instance, India has kept high tariffs on automobiles and motorcycles (60-75 per cent), alcoholic beverages (150 per cent) and textiles (some ad valorem equivalent rates exceed 300 per cent)."
With the US President Trump imposing import duties on Indian products such as textiles, gems and jewellery, automotive, organic chemicals and pharmaceuticals, this could spell bad times especially for SMEs in the country. The impact could be huge, as the US accounts for nearly 16 per cent of India’s total exports. In 2017-18, India had a trade surplus of $21 billion with the US. The US’ industrial tariffs have fallen to close to zero after several rounds of trade liberalization. But on the other hand, India still continues to impose high import duty, which the Trump administration aims to stop. For instance, India has kept high tariffs on automobiles and motorcycles (60-75 per cent), alcoholic beverages (150 per cent) and textiles (some ad valorem equivalent rates exceed 300 per cent).
As per latest WTO data, in 2015 India’s average bound tariff rate was 48.5 per cent, while its simple ‘most favoured nation’ average applied tariff was 13.4 per cent. The US claims because of this, exporters face tremendous uncertainty as India has considerable flexibility to change tariff rates at any time. During the G7 Summit, Trump had said the US is like the piggybank that everybody is robbing. He made it clear that his tariff grievances went beyond developed economies. He especially mentioned India, which he said imposed prohibitively high tariffs on US products like Harley Davidson motorcycles.
The entire situation has made it worrisome for Indian garment exporters. Currently, the US import duty on
garment import varies from 8 to 28 per cent. In comparison, India imposes customs duty on garment imports at a flat rate of 32 per cent. India’s garment exports in 2017-18 were 11 per cent lower than the preceding year. This declining trend has continued in the current fiscal. As much as 30 per cent of India’s garment exports go to the US.
Tough task
And to take control of the situation, the Trump administration has ordered a review of India’s compliance with 15 conditions outlined by the Congress for availing concession tariffs in the US market under Generalised System of Preferences (GPS). These tariff concessions are critically important for Indian SMEs exporting to the US. The Indian government has urged before the GSP subcommittee, which is conducting a review of India’s eligibility and will decide if the country is providing ‘equitable and reasonable’ market access as a quid pro for GSP benefits. But the chances of getting preference are meagre. In fact, commerce minister Suresh Prabhu met the US secretary of commerce Wilbur Ross and US Trade Representative Robert E Lighthizer to resolve issues. The easy access that Indian exports have traditionally enjoyed in the US market could be a thing of the past, if the Modi government does not handle Trump’s demand on reciprocity in bilateral trade relations.
A new report suggests the environmental impact of an item's journey continues to go unnoticed as consumers race to buy now and buy more. Efforts to reduce water consumption for high-demand industrial processes have produced effective sustainability initiatives with innovative technologies that reduce the environmental impact of many industrial processes.
Nearly 26 billion pounds of clothing and textiles still pile up in landfills each year 95 per cent of which could be reused or recycled. A micromarketing viewpoint, involving different actors in society, is essential in order to make consumption more sustainable and for finding long-term solutions. Around 53 per cent of North Americans donate clothing and household goods when they feel they have accumulated too much clutter. Physical reminders, such as running out of closet space, also tend to inspire action.
The report also stated about 32 per cent give their friends and family first pick of their unwanted items and 13 per cent sell them via consignment or online marketplaces. While more people are donating or finding other uses for unwanted items, only 40 per cent purchase pre-owned goods at least once every few months, and 60 per cent of North Americans are shopping thrift once a year or less. For more people to bring reuse full circle, more convenient solutions are needed, such as, more convenient donation location and more organised thrift experience. This year's report illustrates key motivators for reuse as well as the opportunity for further education on the impact of clothing waste.
Canada’s Liberal government has introduced a legislation to ratify a free trade deal with 10 other Pacific nations that would grant Canada preferential access to some of the biggest and fastest-growing economies in the Asia-Pacific region. According to Global Affairs Canada the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will create a free trade zone covering a market of 500 million people with a combined GDP of $13.5 trillion. In 2017, Canada's merchandise trade with the 10 other CPTPP countries amounted to more than $95 billion.
The original 12-member Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal negotiated by the previous Conservative government was thrown into limbo early last year when U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement to prioritise protecting American jobs.
However, the remaining 11 member countries led by Japan, finalised a revised trade pact in January. It was eventually signed by representatives of all member countries on March 8, in Santiago, Chile. The agreement will enter into force 60 days after at least six of the partner countries complete their respective ratification procedures.
The 7th edition of HGH India 2018, the annual trade show for home textiles, home decor, gifts and houseware is scheduled from July 3 to 5 at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, Mumbai. The show is especially designed to connect Indian and international brands, manufacturers, exporters, importers, distributors and suppliers in this segment to the rapidly growing Indian market for home products and gifts. The exhibition will see 100 international exhibitors from 30 countries showcasing their products.
Arun Roongta, Managing Director of HGH India says over the past six years HGH India has emerged as an important trade show in the B2B segment. It has compelled around 70 exporters is to introduce their products in the Indian market. According to Arun Roongta HGH India, has encouraged more exporters to realise the potential of the Indian market that would help in establishing long-term business partners.
The show held annually in the first week of July in Mumbai every year is expecting 35 per cent increase in the number of exhibitors to 600. Out of this 100 will be from outside, representing 30 countries. The Indian participation is from 470 towns and cities across the country with maximum participation from Maharashtra.
Heimtextil & Ambiente will be held in New Delhi from June 27 to 29, 2018. The fair will bring together top manufacturers and suppliers of home textile and interior décor industry with more than 100 companies participating from India, China, Indonesia, Switzerland and Thailand.
The Indian edition of these globally renowned fair will not only present business to domestic buying agents but also a plethora of modern design concepts, native décor themes, art, color trends and fresh business ideas through a host of supplementary events. From themed exhibits to inspiring product designs, seminar sessions and experience zones, the platform will offer a quality experience in terms of business and industry networking. A series of trendsetting features will create a buzz among architects, interior designers, retailers, home stylists and design experts.
Innovative concepts in interior spaces will be showcased at a special zone through a design face-off between product and textile designers. Finalists from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Jaipur in the age group 20 to 50 will showcase concepts on the theme of My Heritage, My New Age India. Winners will represent India at Ambiente Frankfurt & Heimtextil Frankfurt next year. First look and season’s new collections will be launched by leading brands like D’décor, Reliance, Aditya Birla, Hira Hastkala, R. R International, Manorama.
