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The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has maintained a steady global outlook for the 2025/26 cotton season, projecting production at 26 million tonnes and consumption at 25.7 million tonnes. Trade volumes are expected to rebound, reaching approximately 9.7 million tonnes a 2 per cent increase from the previous season driven by higher carryover stocks and anticipated mill demand.
The ICAC’s regional production forecasts show upward revisions for Brazil, the United States, and West Africa. However, these gains are likely to be offset by a slight reduction in China’s output. Despite the decrease, China is still expected to lead global production with 6.3 million tonnes in 2025/26, following a record yield of 2,257 kg/ha in the current season.
While supply remains stable, global cotton consumption continues to face pressure due to growing concerns over tariffs, regulatory uncertainty, and increasing competition from alternative fibres. The cotton trade outlook, though positive, may be influenced by geopolitical trade tensions and evolving tariff structures, the ICAC cautioned.
Price forecasts from the ICAC Secretariat place the average A Index for 2024/25 at 81 cents per pound. For the upcoming 2025/26 season, preliminary estimates suggest a wide price range between 56 and 95 cents per pound, with a midpoint forecast of 73 cents. These projections are based on current market fundamentals and were provided by Lorena Ruiz, ICAC’s Economist.
The ICAC continues to monitor developments across production, consumption, and trade that may affect cotton market dynamics heading into 2026.
The Portuguese Textile and Apparel Association (ATP) is spotlighting Portugal’s textile industry at Expo 2025 Osaka through an immersive installation titled Textile Live - Draping with Sustainable Materials, Made in Portugal, featured at the Portugal Pavilion under the theme Ocean, The Blue Dialogue.
From 12 to 15 June, the installation will present live draping performances by 15 young Japanese fashion students and one Portuguese designer using sustainable materials produced in Portugal. These daily sessions, held in the Pavilion’s Multiuse Room, will showcase fabrics rooted in circularity and environmental stewardship.
In collaboration with top Japanese fashion institutions - Osaka Institute of Fashion, Marronnier College of Fashion Design, and Kobe Bunka Fashion College, the event merges art, craftsmanship, and sustainable innovation. Draping will be done on busts crafted from eco-friendly materials, symbolizing the harmony between creativity and environmental responsibility.
Curated by Paulo Gomes, the installation features textile innovations from Portugal, including naturally sourced wool and linen, bio-based fibers derived from food by-products, recycled polyester from PET waste, seaweed-based finishes, and low-impact natural dyes.
Visitors can also explore a photographic exhibition featuring iconic Portuguese models, a video outlining sustainable production processes, and a creative display of Marias Paperdolls by artist Claudia Oliveira. These elements together highlight the heritage and forward-looking ethos of Portugal’s textile industry.
The initiative is supported by leading Portuguese textile companies such as Albano Morgado, Burel Factory, Lemar, Positive Materials, and Trimalhas, along with ATP’s international partners and sponsors including Aquitex and Mind.pt.
Through this high-impact presence at Expo 2025, ATP aims to reaffirm Portugal’s role as a leader in sustainable textiles and circular economy practices, presenting Portuguese-made textiles as both an artistic medium and a solution for a better future.
The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has named Charudatta Mayee as the 2025 ICAC Cotton Researcher of the Year. The announcement was made by Keshav Kranthi, ICAC’s Chief Scientist and a past recipient of the same honor.
Mayee currently serves as President of both the Indian Society for Cotton Improvement and the South Asia Biotech Center. A distinguished plant pathologist and biotechnology expert, he played a central role in India’s Bt cotton revolution, guiding biosafety assessments and regulatory approvals in his role as Co-Chair of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee.
Each year, ICAC confers this prestigious award which includes a certificate, shield, and US $1,000 honorarium on a globally recognized expert in cotton science. Mayee was selected by an international jury of five eminent scientists from different countries.
Spanning over five decades, Mayee’s career has earned him numerous awards, including the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship and national honors like the Vasantrao Naik Krishi Award, ICAR Outstanding Team Research Award, and multiple lifetime achievement accolades.
Beyond academic and policy leadership, Mayee continues to promote farmer-centric innovations such as high density planting systems (HDPS) and sustainable pest management solutions. Through organizations like Agrovision Foundation and the South Asia Biotech Center, he remains actively engaged in ground-level fieldwork and farmer welfare.
His contributions have been instrumental in bridging science and policy while improving the livelihoods of millions of smallholder cotton farmers across India.
A textile company based in Tamil Nadu, India, Loyal Textiles Mill has initiated a major restructuring of its operations by focusing on high-value technical textile garments, a segment experiencing strong and consistent demand. Technical textiles are fabrics engineered for functional, non-aesthetic purposes.
This strategic pivot comes as the company has faced significant losses due to a prolonged global slowdown in demand, which led to underutilized production capacities. This situation negatively impacted Loyal Textiles' overall liquidity, stated Valli M Ramaswami, Chairperson and Wholetime Director in the latest earnings report.
To address these challenges, the company has implemented various cost-control measures and productivity-enhancement initiatives. These efforts aim to reduce operational costs, streamline processes, and boost both efficiency and capacity utilization. Additionally, Loyal Textiles plans to monetize non-core assets to generate much-needed liquidity and support its operational cash flows. The management expressed confidence that these ongoing actions will help the company achieve operational profitability in the upcoming year.
In a move to further strengthen its financial position, Loyal Textiles entered into an agreement in March to sell a portion of its windmill units through Anuvento Renewables. The company has finalized the sale of 25 windmill units to various buyers for Rs 74 crore. This sale is a key part of the company's strategy to reduce its debt burden and redirect focus towards its core textile businesses.
Loyal Textiles manufactures a range of products including yarn, woven fabric, knitted fabric, and technical clothing. The company operates manufacturing plants in several locations: Kovilpatti, Sattur, Cuddalore, and Sivagangai in Tamil Nadu, and Naidupeta in Andhra Pradesh.
In Q4, FY25, Loyal Textiles reported a net profit of Rs 39 crore and revenue of Rs 146 crore. This profit was significantly boosted by an exceptional item of Rs 63 crore.
However, for the full FY25, the company's net loss increased to Rs 51 crore from Rs 39 crore in the previous fiscal year. Revenue for FY25 saw a substantial decline of 27 per cent, falling to Rs 682 crore from Rs 939 crore in the prior year.
Renowned for blending innovation with environmental responsibility, materials science company, Pangaia has launched its most advanced plant-based activewear collection titled, 365 Seamless Activewear line.
Crafted from 100 per cent bio-based Evo Nylon by Fulgar and regen Bio Max elastane from Hyosung, this new collection establishes a new benchmark for sustainable performance apparel. Derived from renewable raw materials such as castor beans and industrial corn, Evo Nylon is celebrated for its lightweight nature, thermoregulating properties, and natural non-toxicity.
Complementing this, regen Bio Max elastane represents a next-generation stretch fiber, composed of 98 per cent renewable resources, including corn-based feedstock.
Pangaia is the first brand worldwide to integrate regen Bio Max elastane into a commercially available activewear range. This groundbreaking fiber delivers the essential elasticity, recovery, and durability expected from high-performance athletic wear, while boasting a significantly reduced environmental impact - specifically, a 27 per cent lower carbon footprint and 82 per cent less ozone depletion compared to conventional spandex.
Featuring a seamless construction, the 365 Seamless Activewear collection ensures a sculpted, second-skin fit. The initial release includes five essential styles: tank tops, zipped tops, leggings, and shorts. These pieces will be available in three nature-inspired colors: Black, Gaia Blue, and Dewy Rose, drawing their inspiration from the earth, sky, and blooming flora, respectively.
Each garment in the collection is treated with Pangaia’s exclusive Pprmint odor-control finish. Derived from natural peppermint oil, this treatment effectively neutralizes odor-causing bacteria, thereby extending the freshness of the garment and reducing the need for frequent washing.
Designed to compete directly with traditional synthetic performance wear without relying on fossil fuels, the 365 Seamless Activewear collection powerfully demonstrates that high technical functionality, comfort, and environmental responsibility can indeed coexist harmoniously.
India holds significant potential to meet global apparel demand, boasting a massive workforce and scale, as per Pawan Gupta, CEO & Founder, Fashinza.
Projected to reach $350 billion by 2030 with 10 per cent annual growth, the country’s textile and apparel sector is already attracting attention from international fashion houses looking to diversify their supply chains, says Gupta. India’s inherent strengths include a broad fiber base, skilled labor, and a fully integrated value chain - from cotton farming through spinning, weaving, dyeing, and garment manufacturing. This comprehensive domestic ecosystem reduces lead times and enhances supply chain control for brands, he adds.
However, the global apparel market is intensely competitive, with investment and sourcing decisions hinging on factors like tariff structures, cost stability, and clear policies. Despite India’s advantages, FDI into its textile sector has remained modest, totaling just $4.56 billion since April 2000. This figure doesn't fully reflect the country's capacity to absorb global capital, as investors prioritize operational certainty, Gupta opines.
High input duties on fabrics, accessories, and machinery imports directly impact the overall cost structure. Even a slight 2-3 per cent cost swing per piece can sway sourcing decisions for mid-to-high-end fashion labels, making countries with zero or low-duty imports more attractive. India’s tax and duty policies also need greater coherence; varying GST slabs for garment categories and slow export credit refund cycles affect working capital and planning.
While increased budget allocation for the textiles ministry and schemes like PLI and ATUFS are positive steps, effective execution is crucial. Global brands on tight retail schedules cannot afford delays in subsidy disbursements or approvals. India also needs substantial capacity expansion in mass-produced items like denim and bottoms, where competitors like Bangladesh hold a significant scale and cost advantage.
Potential trade agreements with the UK, EU, and Canada offer a clear cost advantage. Yet, these must be complemented by rationalized input tariffs to maximize benefits. Furthermore, despite strong production clusters, infrastructure - including consistent power, water, and last-mile connectivity - still lags. To attract long-term capital and realize its ambition as a global apparel hub, India must ensure predictable operational costs, manageable compliance burdens, and synchronized reforms across tariffs, trade facilitation, and production support. Otherwise, it risks losing out to competitors offering simpler business environments.
A strong potential for cooperation exists between India and Vietnam in the textile and apparel sector, said Bui Trung Thoung, Commercial Counselor and Head-Vietnam Trade Office in India during an online seminar on Vietnam-India cooperation in the textile industry.
Vietnam’s estimated yearly market of $1.2 billion can help the country meet India’s growing demand for premium polyester fabric, he added.
The partnership will also boost raw material supply between the two countries besides expanding their production and trade capacities, Thuong added further. He emphasized, despite employing 3 million people and being the world’s third largest textiles and apparels exporter, Vietnam continues to depend on China for its imports.
India’s competitive edge in the production of cotton, yarn, and textile machines, as well as preferential treatment under the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA), can help Vietnam reduce this dependency and save input costs by 22-27 per cent.
Rakesh Mehra, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), added, this initiative would help restructure the existing trade disputes and establish a flexible and valuable supply chain.
Rajesh Bhagat, Chairman, Worldex India, encouraged both the countries to enhance their presence through specialized exhibitions to help foster connections, contract agreements, and expand cooperation in machinery, technology, and supply chain development.
In the escalating global focus on combating climate change, businesses are under pressure to account for their carbon footprint. While much attention has been given to direct emissions from company-owned assets (Scope 1), and indirect emissions from purchased energy (Scope 2), a more significant and complex challenge lies in Scope 3 emissions. These emissions, often constituting almost 70-90 per cent of a company's total footprint, originating from sources a company doesn't directly control, such as suppliers, vendors, transportation, and even product usage.
All about Scope 3 and its complexities
Scope 3 emission covers a wide range of indirect emissions that occur both upstream and downstream in a company's value chain. This includes emissions from business travel, employee commuting, transport and distribution, waste disposal, purchased goods and services, franchises and leased assets, and the use of sold products. Essentially, it's the emissions linked to everything a company buys and sells, and how those products are used and disposed of.
Table: General categorization of Scope 3 emissions
|
Upstream emissions |
Downstream emissions |
|
Purchased goods and services |
Use of sold products |
|
Capital goods |
End-of-life treatment of sold products |
|
Fuel and energy-related activities |
Downstream transportation and distribution |
|
Upstream transportation and distribution |
Franchises |
|
Waste generated in operations |
Leased assets |
|
Business travel |
Investments |
|
Employee commuting |
|
|
Leased assets |
The primary reason Scope 3 is so challenging is the lack of direct control. Unlike Scope 1 and 2, which a company can manage through operational efficiencies and energy choices, Scope 3 involves a web of external factors. This complexity arises from multiple suppliers, varying customer usage behavior, numerous logistics partners, and outsourced activities. Gathering reliable data across these diverse sources is a monumental task, making it difficult for companies to get a complete and accurate picture of their Scope 3 footprint.
Scope 3 in the textile & apparel industry
The textile and apparel industry showcases the challenges and significance of Scope 3 emissions.
Purchased goods and services: The emissions from raw material production (cotton farming, synthetic fiber manufacturing), textile processing (dyeing, finishing), and component manufacturing (buttons, zippers) constitute a substantial portion of Scope 3 emissions. For example, a major fashion brand working with thousands of suppliers across the globe faces the complex task of gathering emissions data from each tier of its supply chain. Initiatives to promote sustainable cotton farming or the use of recycled materials directly address these Scope 3 emissions.
Transportation and distribution: The global nature of the industry, involving the movement of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods, leads to significant emissions from shipping, air freight, and trucking. A company optimizing its logistics by consolidating shipments, using more fuel-efficient transport, and exploring localized production can reduce emissions within this category.
Use of sold oroducts: Consumer behavior, such as washing and drying clothes, contributes to downstream emissions, mainly through energy consumption. In fact, brands promoting energy-efficient washing instructions or designing clothes that require less frequent washing are taking steps to address emissions associated with the use of their products.
End-of-life treatment of sold products: The disposal of textiles in landfills or through incineration generates emissions. Therefore, companies implementing take-back programs, designing for recyclability, or utilizing biodegradable materials aim to minimize emissions at the end of the product lifecycle.
The imperative of action
Despite the difficulties, ignoring Scope 3 is no longer a viable option. Stakeholders, including investors, customers, and regulators, are increasingly scrutinizing companies' environmental impact. Regulations, such as the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), are expanding requirements for emissions reporting, pushing companies to enhance their transparency. Transparency in Scope 3 emissions is becoming essential for maintaining investor trust and ensuring global compliance.
Tackling Scope 3 requires a shift in mindset and a strategic approach. Companies need to engage deeply with their value chains, fostering collaboration with suppliers and partners to gather data and implement emissions reduction strategies. This may involve:
Mapping the value chain: This involves identifying important sources of Scope 3 emissions.
Data collection and management: Establishing systems to collect and manage emissions data from various sources.
Supplier engagement: Working with suppliers to improve their emissions performance.
Product lifecycle assessment: Evaluating the emissions associated with products throughout their lifecycle.
The bottomline is addressing Scope 3 emissions is not just an environmental imperative but also a business necessity. Companies that proactively manage their Scope 3 emissions will be better positioned to mitigate risks, enhance their reputation, and create a more sustainable future. As the regulatory landscape evolves and stakeholder expectations rise, understanding and tackling Scope 3 emissions will be crucial for long-term success.
Luxury sleepwear brand, Ammarzo plans to expand its net revenues to Rs 5 crore over the next 12–18 months. By FY 2027–28, the brand aims to reach revenues of Rs.40 crore to establish Ammarzo as Rs 150-crore valued premium D2C brand. The brand’s future growth will be based on a strategy of product excellence, customer obsession, and intelligent, sustainable scaling.
Known for high-quality fabrics, the brand caters to the needs of modern Indian women in metro cities. It uses natural, breathable fabrics and careful designs to enhance sleep, mood, and self-esteem.
India's women's sleepwear market is above Rs 6,000 crore, with luxury sleepwear likely to grab a about 15–20 per cent share of it. Driven by higher incomes, rising awareness about fabrics and a culture of self-care, this category is expanding at over 9 per cent CAGR.
Moving into lifestyle products that upgrade the pre-sleep ritual, Ammarzo’s next round of offerings will include high-end bed linens, aromatherapy pillow sprays, sleep masks, candles, and fashion lounge ensembles.
India’s premier sourcing platform, Apparel Sourcing Week has launched Textile Sourcing Week (TSW) 2025, a dedicated show designed exclusively for textile suppliers, trims and accessory manufacturers and material innovators.
Being held concurrently with the 5th edition of ASW on July 2-3, 2025, at the Sheraton Grand, Whitefield in Bengaluru, TSW aims to become the go-to hub for fabric and raw material sourcing in South Asia.
TSW 2025 aims to bridge the gap between material innovators and the fashion industry by providing an unparalleled opportunity for textile, yarn, trims and accessories manufacturers to showcase their latest products and innovations. The event is designed to cater to the evolving needs of the industry, facilitating direct access to over 2,000 verified buyers from India, the UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Australia, the USA and the EU.
TSW features raw material sourcing managers actively looking for textile and material partners. The show allows attendees to engage meaningfully with top apparel manufacturers and brands in an exclusive B2B setting. It also enables them to establish their leadership in sustainability, next-gen fabrics, performance accessories, etc. One of the highlights of the show is a dedicated panel discussion on the textile industry.
The show features a wide range of products including greige to finished woven, knitted and technical fabrics; diverse yarns such as spun, filament, core-spun, fancy and high-performance; and an extensive selection of trims like interlinings, zippers, buttons, tapes, labels and laces. It is likely to be attended by over 150 top apparel manufacturers, over 50 fabric and accessories and over 8,000 buyers from across global fashion hubs.
The show also features over 25 knowledge sessions including seminars and workshops on sourcing strategies, sustainability, trend forecasting, D2C ecosystem and innovation in retail. Over 100 renowned speakers from retail, manufacturing, design and technology are attending these sessions.
