FW
Marking a significant step towards waste reduction and sustainability promotion in the Middle East, the Landmark Group has inaugurated the first textile recycling facility in the region in Dubai World Central.
The state-of-the-art facility was officially opened by Renuka Jagtiani, Chairwoman, Landmark Group alongwith Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri.
Known as Landmark Circulife, the new facility will convert discarded textiles and fabrics into valuable recycled fibers that can be used again to create new items. To be utilised to manufacture a variety of products, from clothing to home furnishings, this facility will help the area reduce its dependence on virgin materials and stop the textile waste loop.
To have a major impact on the environment, this facility will prevent thousands of tons of garbage from getting into landfills, with an initial capacity of 2,000 metric tons of textile waste annually.
The facility will drive the larger sustainability initiatives of Landmark Group. With an aim to be climate-positive across its entire value chain by 2050, the Group aims to establish a closed-loop system to give used textiles a second chance at life.
Landmark Circulife’s introduction is in line with the UAE’s larger Circular Economy Policy, which seeks to minimise waste, maximise resource utilisation, and promote sustainability in all sectors of the economy. The facility is projected to handle approximately 11,000 metric tons, or 5 per cent of the UAE’s textile waste, which is set to grow significantly.
As a major contributor to the UAE’s efforts to reach its sustainability goals, the facility will help reduce 140,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions over time, save 107 GWh of electricity, and conserve millions of liters of water.
Kim Glas, President and CEO of the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), released a statement supporting the Biden administration’s Section 301 investigation into Nicaragua’s human rights, labor rights, and rule of law violations under the Ortega-Murillo regime.
“The US textile industry strongly condemns the actions of President Ortega and Vice President Murillo,” Glas stated, emphasizing the importance of enforcing human rights and labor standards in trade agreements. She called for carefully measured responses that promote reforms without destabilizing the USCentral American textile supply chain.
Glas highlighted Nicaragua’s significant role in the USCAFTA-DR trade agreement, with the US exporting nearly $350 million in textile and apparel products to Nicaragua in 2022. She noted that the interconnected supply chain, spanning countries like Honduras and Guatemala, supports $1.5 billion in trade and sustains jobs across the region.
The textile sector, a major employer of women in Nicaragua, could face adverse impacts from penalties such as Section 301 tariffs, which might inadvertently benefit China by undermining CAFTA-DR’s competitive position. Glas cautioned against actions that harm workers while failing to address human rights violations effectively.
NCTO pledged to collaborate with the US Trade Representative’s office throughout the investigation and public comment process to ensure a balanced policy approach that upholds fairness, economic stability, and shared regional values.
Sokkar Mecca, an Egypt-based manufacturer of sewing machines unveiled its latest range of high-quality machines in partnership with Jack Technology.
Projected to boost productivity and quality in Egypt’s RMG sector, these machines were unveiled during a conference showcasing the company’s latest innovation –C7 URUS overlock machine. Attended by prominent figures in the textiles and garment industry, the conference was also participated by major industrial sewing machines distributors and leading RMG manufacturers. It focused on the machine’s advanced features and transformative capabilities.
Moataz Sokkar, General Manager, highlighted, the company addresses the growing needs of the Egypt’s RMG sector by providing efficiency and precision enhancing equipment, enabling them to meet local and export market demands.
The company plays a crucial role in driving growth within Egypt’s RMG industry, Sokkar added further noting, possessing an ability to sew all types of fabrics, these machines are equipped with advanced artificial intelligence technologies. This allows them to sense fabric thickness and automatically adjust accordingly. Sarah Sokkar, Commercial Director, ‘Sokkar’ Sewing Machines, notes, the launch of this new machine is a part of the company’s efforts to foster innovation in Egypt’s RMG sector and support manufacturers to achieve new productivity and quality levels. Praising the company’s partnership with ‘Sokkar, Steven Chen, General Manager-Marketing and Planning, Jack Technology, says, the machine helps deliver latest technologies developed by the Chinese company for factories including new advancements in various types of sewing machines. These innovations help factory owners improve production quality and efficiency by reducing waste and saving time by 10.8 per cent, thanks to key features like the ‘pressure foot converter’ and ‘smart feeding speed.’ Dr. Mohamed Abdel Salam, Head - RMG and Home Textiles Chamber, Federation of Industries, points out, an increase in Egypt’s RMG exports necessitates ongoing improvements in the quality of equipment and technology used. These new generation of sewing machines address technical and production challenges, commending the partnership between ‘Sokkar’ and ‘Jack Technology’ in supplying equipment and machines to Egyptian factories, he adds. In 9MFY24, Egypt’s RMG exports rose by 18 per cent to $2.04 billion, as per the Ready-Made Garments Export Council. The council aims to increase Egypt’s textile and garments exports to $1.4 billion by 2025-end.
Driven by low production costs and subdued consumption across major regions, Viscose Staple Fiber (VSF) prices remained stable in H2, FY2024. Prices in Europe, particularly Germany stabilised at US$ 2,350/MT FOB Hamburg as of November 29, 2024. This stagnation was a result of declining production costs and a weak demand in end-use industries, largely influenced by economic uncertainties in the Eurozone.
The dynamics of VSF feedstock played a crucial role in this trend with wood pulp inventories accumulating in European ports, adding pressure to the market. Meanwhile, contributing to lower input costs for VSF manufacturers, caustic soda prices declined by 3.9 per cent in Germany, Additionally, increasing from 2.0 per cent in October, inflation in the Euro zone was estimated at 2.3 per cent in November, according to Eurostat. These economic indicators suggest a cautious approach from downstream industries, further limiting demand for VSF.
Prices in the Asian VSF market, particularly in China, remained flat during the second half of November. This stability was attributed to low production costs and limited demand from both domestic and international markets. A critical feedstock for VSF, wood pulp exhibited mixed price movements. While softwood pulp prices initially rose and then declined, hardwood pulp prices continued a weak downward trend throughout November. Domestic wood pulp production increased, and high import volumes led to significant supply pressure in the market. A major consumer of wood pulp, the paper mill sector, showed limited offtake during this period. Similarly, driven by ample inventories and weak demand from end-use industries, caustic soda prices in China declined by 5.7 per cent.
The terminal textile sector in China underperformed as autumn and winter orders concluded, and raw material stocking remained lacklustre. Despite this, China’s textile and apparel exports demonstrated resilience. According to the General Administration of Customs, exports from January to October 2024 totaled 1.76 trillion CNY, reflecting a 3 per cent Y-o-Y increase. Textile exports grew by 5.8 per cent, while apparel exports rose by 0.7 per cent. Notably, exports in October alone increased by 8.5 per cent compared to the previous year, providing some optimism for the VSF market.
During this period, the VSF market in the United States remained balanced with prices holding steady at US$ 2040/MT CFR Texas. This stability was primarily due to steady import volumes from overseas markets and the low domestic production costs. Feedstock prices showed minimal fluctuations, with wood pulp prices remaining unchanged. However, caustic soda prices declined by 2.17 per cent, further easing production costs. Further, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the apparel manufacturing index declined by 0.2 per cent in October 2024 compared to the previous month, indicating weaker demand in the textile sector, which aligns with the flat VSF pricing trend.
Despite remaining stable during earlier forecasts, India's cotton production is projected to remain lowest in five years during the marketing year (MY) 2024/25 at 25 million 480-pound bales.
Driven by a reduced cultivation area of 11.8 million hectare, cotton production in the country is projected to decline despite improvement in yields to the highest levels in four years to 461 kg per hectare.
Over the past month, domestic ex-gin cotton prices have fallen by 9 per cent to 82 cents per pound, compounded by a 4 per cent dip in the Cotlook-A Index. Slow domestic demand, subdued export prospects, and lower international prices are pressuring farmgate prices, prompting many farmers to phase their market arrivals. To stabilise the market, the Indian government has ramped up procurement under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) program, purchasing 176,000 bales so far.
At the same time, global price competitiveness has spurred a notable increase in cotton imports, particularly from Australia and the United States. Shipments increased by 479 per cent in Oct’25 Y-o-Y in value, reflecting shifting trade dynamics and a preference for high-quality imports.
However, the textile industry continues to demonstrate resilience amid these challenges. Cotton-based yarn and garment exports have grown by 7 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively, signaling robust international demand. Yet, the sector faces headwinds domestically, with declining apparel production and higher input costs limiting mill consumption, which is forecasted at 25.5 million bales.
Looking ahead, the upcoming Bharat Tex event in February 2025 aims to spotlight the sector's adaptability and growth potential. While India’s cotton sector grapples with reduced production and subdued prices, government interventions and export opportunities are poised to offer critical support during this challenging period.
Bonneterie, a renowned Brazilian luxury knitwear manufacturer, has transformed its production process through the integration of the Production Planning System (PPS) powered by Stoll and KM.ON. Founded in 1987, the company has long been known for its sophisticated and high-quality garments. As part of its ongoing modernization efforts, Bonneterie sought to streamline its operations and improve efficiency, opting to implement the PPS alongside its ERP system.
Before adopting the PPS, production at Bonneterie was hindered by manual processes, including handwritten notes for production and yarn management, leading to errors, miscommunication, and excessive setup times. This inefficiency was exacerbated by operators managing multiple machines, resulting in increased downtime and reduced productivity.
The PPS system has brought significant improvements to Bonneterie’s production workflow. By providing real-time insights and automating key tasks, it eliminated the need for manual input, improving accuracy and allowing operators to manage more machines with ease. The system’s remote access feature also enables managers to oversee operations from anywhere, ensuring better decision-making and faster response times.
The results speak for themselves, efficiency has increased by 20 per cent, stockpiling has decreased, and production is more closely aligned with demand. With access to detailed reports and historical data, Bonneterie can now pinpoint inefficiencies and make data-driven decisions with confidence.
Thanks to its collaboration with Stoll, Bonneterie has successfully modernized its production processes, enhancing its ability to deliver high-quality knitwear with precision and reliability.
Bangladesh’s garment sector has seen female participation drop to 53 per cent in 2023 from 56 per cent in 2014, according to a study by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS). Women, who once made up over 80 per cent of the workforce, are increasingly moving to home textile and woven industries, while participation in jacket manufacturing has seen a sharp decline.
The study, ‘Technology Upgradation of the RMG Industries in Bangladesh,’ cites mechanization and gender-biased technological transitions as key factors. Automation has displaced 2.15-4.13 workers for every $1 million invested in new equipment, reducing roles in operations but creating opportunities in management and supervision. Additionally, second-generation workers show declining interest in factory work.
Another study revealed that Bangladesh could lose 10.8 per cent of garment exports by 2031 due to EU tariffs, which may rise to 9.6 per cent post-LDC graduation. This could shrink the GDP by 0.38 per cent and cause a 14 per cent drop in apparel exports.
Research highlighted intergenerational effects on workers’ education and the role of unions in improving wages and empowering women. However, the overall share of female leaders and manufacturing workers continues to decline.
These findings were discussed at the BIDS Annual Development Conference in Dhaka, with experts emphasizing the need for strategies to address automation, gender disparity, and post-LDC economic challenges.
WoodspinOy, a joint venture between Spinnova and Suzano, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with global sports brand Puma SE to secure access to Spinnova’s sustainable wood-based Spinnova fibre for future collections. This non-binding agreement guarantees fibre volumes from Woodspin over the coming years, supporting the growth of Spinnova’s innovative technology.
The collaboration aims to incorporate Spinnova fibre into Puma’s Sportstyle products, marking a significant step toward enhancing the sustainability of the fashion industry. The fibre is produced through an environmentally friendly process that uses water instead of chemicals, setting it apart from traditional manmade cellulosic fibres.
Shahriare Mahmood, Spinnova’s Chief Product and Sustainability Officer, expressed excitement about partnering with a global brand like Puma. He emphasized that the agreement is a crucial milestone in scaling both the fibre and Spinnova’s technology. JariAittakari, Sales Director at Woodspin, highlighted that the partnership reflects the transformative potential of sustainably sourced materials in encouraging more sustainable choices in fashion.
Howard Williams, Director of Global Innovation for Apparel & Accessories at Puma, praised Spinnova’s cutting-edge fibre technology, which provides a new avenue for MMCF production, focusing on sustainability and renewable resources. This partnership underscores the growing importance of sustainability in the fashion industry, with Puma leading the way in adopting innovative, eco-friendly solutions.
The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) has raised concerns over the proposed GST rate revisions on ready-made garments, warning of significant disruptions to the textile sector, employment, and the economy.
Under the proposal, garments priced up to Rs1,500 will retain a 5 per cent GST rate. However, those priced between Rs 1,500 and Rs10,000 will face an 18 per cent rate, while garments above Rs10,000 will attract a steep 28 per cent GST.
CITI fears the hike will push consumers and businesses toward informal markets, severely impacting the formal retail sector. The increase is also expected to exacerbate price inflation, disproportionately affecting price-sensitive consumers and slowing down demand, particularly for festive and celebratory garments.
Additionally, CITI flagged the ongoing issue of an inverted duty structure (IDS) in the man-made fibre (MMF) segment. Current GST disparities across the value chain block working capital and hinder growth. For example, while GST on MMF fibre is 18 per cent, yarn is taxed at 12 per cent, and fabrics at 5 per cent, creating financial strain for businesses.
To address this, CITI reiterated its recommendations to reduce GST on raw materials like PTA and MEG from 18 per cent to 12 per cent, which would resolve the IDS issue without hurting government revenues.
Chairman Rakesh Mehra emphasized the broader implications of the proposed hike: “Higher taxes will reduce consumption, disrupt the sector, and threaten livelihoods in SMEs involved in spinning, weaving, and manufacturing.”
CITI urged the government to reconsider the revisions, calling for policies that promote growth in India’s textile sector, which provides employment to millions and serves as a cornerstone of the economy.
Compared to the previous year, Japan's cotton yarn imports declined by 15.9 per cent to 40,000 tons in volume in 2023. As per the estimates by IndexBox, the value of cotton yarn imports by Japan declined to $182 million in 2023.
Collectively accounting for 71 per cent of total imports, Indonesia (11,000 tons), Vietnam (9,000 tons), and Pakistan (8,200 tons) remained Japan’s leading cotton yarn suppliers in 2023. Over the 2013-2023 period, Japan’s imports from Vietnam grew at a CAGR of 27.4 per cent while imports from other major suppliers declined.
In terms of value, Indonesia ($41 million), India ($41 million), and Vietnam ($33 million) emerged as the top suppliers, comprising 63 per cent of total cotton yarn import value. Vietnam also led in value growth with a 26.3 per cent CAGR, while other suppliers experienced declines.
The dominant product imported during this period was cotton yarn (other than sewing thread) containing 85 per cent or more cotton by weight. This category accounted for 93 per cent of total imports in volume (37,000 tons) and 90 per cent in value ($165 million). In contrast, yarn containing less than 85 per cent cotton or retail-ready yarn made up smaller portions of the imports, with declining growth rates of -3.7 per cent and modest growth of 1.4 per cent, respectively, in volume.
