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In a strategic move towards sustainability and energy autonomy, the Lenzing Group, a prominent global supplier of specialty fibers, has finalized a 15-year supply contract with Austrian electricity producer WLK energy.
The deal encompasses the purchase of approximately 13 megawatts of wind power from a new wind farm in Engelhartstetten, starting from the first quarter of 2025. This initiative reinforces Lenzing's dedication to climate protection and the broader energy transition while securing a long-term investment in a stable and diverse electricity supply.
The collaborative project involves WLK energy and features the construction of an 11-turbine wind farm with a total output of 45 megawatts. Lenzing's share, exclusively catering to its Upper Austria site, mirrors the annual electricity needs of approximately 10,000 households in Austria. The groundbreaking ceremony, scheduled for November 9, 2023, underscores the company's commitment to renewable energy.
Christian Skilich, a member of the Lenzing Group's Management Board, emphasizes the significance of renewable energy in their corporate strategy. This move aligns with Lenzing's goal, set in 2019, to reduce CO2 emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, recognized by the Science Based Targets Initiative.
The Engelhartstetten wind farm underscores Lenzing's commitment to decarbonization, fostering independence from the global energy market, and ensuring long-term commercial success.
AATCC, a pivotal authority in textile testing and standards, is set to address the 2023 Philippine Textile Congress on November 15, with Garry Atkinson, a Senior Technical Associate at AATCC, as a distinguished guest speaker.
Atkinson's presentation, "Proficiency Testing for Textiles: Key Insights for Ensuring Accurate Textile Testing Laboratory Results," will headline Session 6: Textile Standards and Testing during the Congress, a comprehensive event featuring expert talks spanning November 7 to November 24.
The focus of Atkinson's discourse lies in illuminating the significance of proficiency testing (PT) in guaranteeing precise execution of textile test methods by industry players and laboratories. The presentation will delve into the AATCC PT Program for Textiles, spotlighting its tailored design to augment the performance of textile laboratories and showcase their competency to customers and accrediting bodies.
By elucidating the definition and importance of proficiency testing, Atkinson aims to underscore the advantages it offers in terms of compliance, performance, and customer relations for textile laboratories. The talk will further explore the broader role of AATCC in fostering global connections within the textile community to propel innovation, knowledge, and sustainability.
Attendees can anticipate gaining insights into AATCC Membership Benefits and the streamlined process of becoming a member, further enhancing their engagement with this indispensable industry authority.
Leading sportswear manufacturer Bowker Asia has achieved impressive results following the implementation of Coats Digital's FastReactPlan solution. The company has increased production efficiency by 3%, improved plan accuracy by 10%, and realized a further 10% improvement in on-time delivery performance (OTDP).
FastReactPlan has enabled Bowker to centralize its planning and scheduling information into a single, unified system, providing real-time visibility into overall production capacity, standardized PO, color, size, and delivery level. This has streamlined cross-team collaboration, improved decision-making, and helped the company to take on more complex and varied orders.
Bowker now has the ability to view capacity plans from multiple perspectives and select the most optimal plan based on factors such as cost, efficiency, and delivery time. FastReactPlan has also helped the company to achieve an optimum capacity utilization rate and effectively manage a longer-term forward-looking plan.
Boutique Living, a leading home textiles and linens brand, has introduced the Caressa Collection, a luxurious blend of TENCEL™ branded fibers and cotton. The collection is designed to enhance sleep quality with unmatched levels of softness, comfort, and a range of positive wellness effects.
TENCEL™ fibers are extracted from the eucalyptus tree and are known for their natural goodness, including their ability to regulate temperature and moisture, promote healthy skin, and resist bacteria. When blended with cotton, TENCEL™ fibers create bed linens that are softer, more durable, and more breathable than traditional cotton linens.
The Caressa Collection features a diverse range of understated designs inspired by global design sensibilities and the timeless charm of American homes. The bed sheet sets offer a classic, enduring look that transcends trends, and the Dohars embody superior softness and style.
Impacted by Global Factors and Policy Intervention
RMG export from Bangladesh declined by 13.93% in October 2023, from 3.68 billion dollars in October 2022 to 3.17 billion dollars in October 2023. This decline is attributed to a number of factors, including:
Global economic downturn caused by historic high inflation and the Russia-Ukraine war
Labor unrest in Bangladesh in the final week of October
Rising cost of inputs, including fuel, gas, electricity, and transportation
Increase in minimum wages for garment workers
Despite the decline in October, RMG export from Bangladesh for the period of July-October 2023 still showed a 5.59% year-over-year growth. However, overall export earnings for July-October 2023 grew by only 3.52%, falling 9.31% short of the strategic export target for the same period.
Overall, the decline in RMG export in October is a reminder of the challenges that the industry is facing. It is important for the government and the industry to work together to address these challenges and to ensure that the RMG sector remains a competitive driver of economic growth in Bangladesh.
Import Export Show to Explore UK's Post-Brexit Status in Global Trade
Brexit has transformed the UK's trade landscape in many ways, and one key question is how it has affected the country's global trade reputation. Some supporters of Brexit hoped that the UK would gain more autonomy and influence in global trade affairs, but opponents contend that the UK has actually weakened its position and bargaining power outside the EU.
The upcoming Import Export Show, a prominent event in the UK trade sector, will explore this topic in depth. Two of the speakers at the event have shared their views on the UK's current role in global trade.
Overall:
It is clear that Brexit has had a significant impact on the UK's global trade reputation. The full extent of this impact is still being debated, but it is clear that the UK will need to work hard to rebuild its reputation as a trusted and reliable trading partner.
Speakers at the 15th Bangladesh Denim Expo emphasized the need to double denim exports to achieve the country's ambitious US$100 billion apparel export target by 2030.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi highlighted Bangladesh's strong position as the world's second-largest apparel exporter and its dominance in denim exports to the EU and USA, surpassing even China. He attributed this success, in part, to the Bangladesh Denim Expo's contributions.
Siddiqur Rahman, former president of BGMEA, underscored the significance of denim and denim-related products, accounting for about one-fourth of Bangladesh's total apparel exports. He expressed confidence in doubling denim exports by 2030, citing the country's advancements in workplace safety and sustainability, making it an attractive apparel sourcing destination.
Faruque Hassan, BGMEA president, emphasized Bangladesh's commitment to sustainability, with 200 green garment factories LEED certified by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). He added that eight of the world's top 10 green factories are now located in Bangladesh.
The 15th Bangladesh Denim Expo, held in Dhaka, brought together industry leaders, manufacturers, and buyers to discuss the latest trends and innovations in the denim sector. The event showcased Bangladesh's capabilities and reaffirmed its position as a global denim manufacturing hub.
Currency-neutral revenue increased by 1%, driven by growth in all regions except North America.
Top-line growth reflects a focus on conservative inventory management and full-price sales.
Gross margin improved by 0.2 percentage points to 49.3%, driven by lower freight costs, a more favorable business mix, and lower inventory allowances. Discounting levels continue to improve.
Operating profit of €409 million includes extraordinary expenses of around €110 million.
Conservative sell-in strategy is paying off as inventory position improves substantially compared to the second quarter to €4.8 billion, down 23% year-over-year.
Overall, the company's results demonstrate the success of its focus on conservative inventory management, full-price sales, and cost reduction initiatives.
Marzoli, a leading provider of spinning solutions, has unveiled its innovative Roving Frame FTM320, demonstrating its commitment to advancing textile manufacturing. This revolutionary machine boasts a central headstock and independent double-side modules that operate simultaneously, maximizing efficiency and reducing downtime.
The single Marzoli Revolver Exchanger for both sides, coupled with an optimized train layout in the creel, enhances transport efficiency and simplifies maintenance. Additionally, a single OHTC (Oil Heating Tank) for both sides minimizes cleaning and maintenance costs.
Marzoli further enhances automation with its Integrated Transport System, streamlining yarn transportation and further streamlining operations. To further enhance yarn quality, Marzoli has developed the IBC (Integrated Bobbin Cleaner), a simple yet effective device that efficiently removes residual roving from ring frame tubes.
These groundbreaking achievements demonstrate Marzoli's dedication to providing the industry with cutting-edge technologies that elevate spinning efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. The Roving Frame FTM320, Integrated Transport System, and IBC represent a significant leap forward in textile manufacturing, setting new standards for yarn production.
As per Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA recent report, A decline in global textile demand is rippling through the cotton ecosystem, impacting production, prices, and mill operations. India, the second-largest cotton producer, is projected to see a lower output in the upcoming season, while spinning margins have dwindled despite reduced cotton prices.
Factors contributing to the demand slump include trade imbalances, high power costs in India, and reduced global demand. This has led to unit closures in South India and reduced yarn consumption.
Industry experts emphasize the need to closely monitor global economic trends, demand patterns, and supply dynamics before making expansion or inventory decisions. They hope that a revival of global demand, particularly during the Christmas season, will provide a much-needed boost to the textile industry.
