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A garment manufacturer based in Kenya’s Export Processing Zone, Royal Apparel EPZ (RAL), plans to expand its operations by constructing a new factory with a $15 million (Sh1.94 billion) loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
The IFC loan will support the acquisition of new equipment and the establishment of additional sewing lines, significantly enhancing RAL’s production capacity. Additionally, the funds will be used to construct a three-kilowatt-hour (kWh) rooftop solar power plant to reduce the company's energy costs, and a textile wastewater effluent treatment plant with a capacity of 230 cubic meters per day.Pending approval by the IFC board, the loan will be complemented by $5 million (Sh645 million) in equity provided by RAL to expand its operations.
The expanded facility is expected to create 3,700 new formal manufacturing jobs, alongside numerous indirect employment opportunities. The project would primarily benefit people from underserved, low-income communities with limited education and skills, many of whom have no formal employment history. Beyond job creation, the facility will also focus on improving employees’ technical and soft skills through various training programs.
Founded in 2021 and fully owned by Kenyan businessman OmprakashShukla, who has 32 years of experience in the textiles and apparel sector, RAL produces woven pants, knit tops, high-end hospital scrubs, and undergarments for global apparel brands such as Dickies, Michael Kors, The Children’s Place, and Walmart. RAL is part of the RAL Group, which includes its sister companies, Royal Garment Industries EPZ and Royal Clothing EPZ, and operates four facilities within the EPZ.
According to the IFC, the new factory will improve the group's productivity and competitiveness in the apparel industry through optimisation of sewing line staffing, automation of specific tasks, and the integration of real-time data analytics.
Swiss textile machinery leader Benninger has introduced its advanced FabricMaster soft flow machine to the Indian market, following successful installations across Europe, the USA, Peru, Central America, and Bangladesh. Manufactured at Benninger’s High Tech Fabrication facility in Pune, the FabricMaster is set to transform India's textile industry.
Amarnath Dyeing And Bleaching Works Private Limited was the first Indian company to install the FabricMaster, and after a year of outstanding performance, they have decided to invest in a second unit, which is now ready for delivery from Pune. Director SudarshanChandak emphasized that this decision reflects the company's dedication to excellence and sustainable practices. The machine has played a significant role in improving efficiency, reducing waste, and minimizing environmental impact, further solidifying their commitment to these values.
The FabricMaster excels in dyeing challenging Lycra blends of Cotton, Rayon, Nylon, and Modal fabrics without rope marks or edge curling, ensuring optimal dye penetration and color consistency. Its advanced features, such as a precisely adjustable nozzle, an automated chemical dosing system, and an efficient internal fabric plaiter, cater to varying fabric weights and types.
Designed with sustainability in mind, the FabricMaster minimizes water, steam, chemical, and dyestuff consumption. Its optimized chamber design achieves the lowest liquor ratio among water-driven dyeing machines, reducing waste and environmental impact. Additionally, a self-cleaning lint filter, high-capacity heat exchanger, and efficient fabric unloading system enhance productivity and reduce cycle times.
As Benninger'sFabricMaster gains traction in India, it sets new industry standards for efficiency, quality, and sustainability in textile dyeing.
SpinnovaPlc has partnered with Valmet in an exclusive agreement for the supply of process equipment to Spinnova’s technology customers. The exclusivity is limited and includes a fee based on project deliveries. Spinnova doesn’t anticipate a significant impact on its 2024 financials.
Valmet, which previously supplied drying technology to Woodspin—a joint venture between Spinnova and Suzano—will continue collaborating with Spinnova to enhance fibre production technology. The focus is on reducing both capital and operational costs.
Spinnova’s CEO, TuomasOijala, emphasized the strategic importance of this partnership, citing Valmet’s global expertise in process technologies as crucial for meeting Spinnova’s technological and cost-competitiveness goals. The collaboration aims to equip technology customers with the best tools to produce innovative fibres, while also opening doors to potential customers in material processing and pulping.
Petri Rasinmaki, President of Valmet’s Paper Business Line, highlighted Valmet’s commitment to supporting sustainable practices in the textile industry, expressing excitement about expanding their role in this sector through the ongoing collaboration with Spinnova.
Taiwan’s textile industry showcased its expertise in sportswear and sustainable fabrics at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). The industry introduced uniforms designed by Justin Chou. These uniforms were infused with cultural elements from various local artists and designers.
According to MOEA, the suit and polo shirt fabrics were supplied by New Wide Enterprise Co, based in New Taipei City, in collaboration with Taipei-headquartered Far Eastern New Century Co. These fabrics were produced using an innovative technology that captures carbon dioxide emissions from recycling factories, transforming the gas into low-carbon, eco-friendly polyester fibers. The resulting fabrics boast properties such as UV resistance, moisture absorption, and quick-drying capabilities.
Another notable fabric included in the uniforms contained a metalloid element embedded in the yarn, which releases negative ions to promote microcirculation and reduce athlete fatigue. The MOEA also highlighted the green and sustainable emblems and armbands provided by the Taiwan-based Junmay Label Textile Co, and the shoes designed by Justin Chou in partnership with the Taichung City-based Footwear and Recreation Technology Research Institute.
Additionally, Taiwanese textile manufacturers contributed functional fabrics for the Olympic teams of Canada, France, Tuvalu, and the United States.
The MOEA continues to support the low-carbon and smart transformation of the textile and footwear industries, having assisted 532 enterprises to date. The ministry remains committed to enhancing cross-border cooperation and advancing competitive sustainable products globally, all while working toward Taiwan’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
From September 11 to 14, the CAITME 2023 trade fair in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, will feature a strong presence of VDMA member companies. Around 25 VDMA members will participate, with 13 of them exhibiting within the official German Pavilion, organized by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
These companies, including Bruckner Textile Technologies, Groz-Beckert, Karl Mayer Stoll, and Oerlikon Textile, will present cutting-edge technologies, focusing on sustainability and digitisation in textile production.
In 2023, Germany exported textile machinery and accessories worth €85 million to Uzbekistan, making it the second-largest supplier to the Uzbek textile sector after China. Uzbekistan, a leading cotton producer, has a fully integrated production chain, with significant investments in expanding fabric making, finishing, and dyeing capacities.
Harald Weber, Managing Director of the VDMA Textile Machinery Association, emphasized the importance of technological advancement, stating that CAITME offers a prime opportunity to strengthen collaboration with Uzbekistan’s textile industry.
Largest American-made clothing brand, American Giant has teamed up with the world's biggest retailer Walmart to introduce high-quality, American-made t-shirts in 1,700 Walmart stores across the US.This collaboration was launched with a 100 per cent American-made t-shirt, priced affordably at $12.98. According to Bayard Winthrop, Founder and CEO, American Giant this initiative demonstrates the competitiveness of top-tier American-made goods and inspires other brands to follow suit.
Andrea Albright, Executive Vice President-Sourcing, Walmart notes, the partnership aligns with the e-commerce company’s ongoing commitment to US manufacturing, a pledge made in 2021 to source $350 billion worth of products made, grown, or assembled in the U.S. by 2031.
The collaboration was sparked when Walmart sought to enhance its textile initiatives, leading to the idea of creating a branded line of American-made products specifically for Walmart customers. While Walmart often sources products from overseas, this partnership with American Giant aims to prove that even large retailers can successfully offer American-made goods.
Despite the challenges of higher costs and fragmented supply chains in domestic manufacturing, Winthrop believes that long-term volume commitments from partners like Walmart can help justify investments in automation and training. He also emphasises on the need for bipartisan support for reindustrialisation, urging political leaders and corporations to take steps toward revitalising U.S. manufacturing.
Founded in 2011, American Giant has been dedicated to bringing large-scale, high-quality clothing manufacturing back to the US. The company aimsto reindustrialise America, create middle-class jobs, and ensure rising wages, reinforcing belief in the potential of the American worker. This partnership with Walmart provides American Giant with the scale needed to make a substantial impact on both American workers and consumers.
For the first time this year, Vietnam's export earnings from the textile and apparel sector (T&A)increased by 12.4 per cent Y-o-Y to $4.29 billion in July 2024, achieving the highest figure since August 2022.
As per the figures from the General Statistics Office (GSO), over the first seven months of the year, Vietnam’s export earnings from the sectorincreased by 5.9 per cent Y-o-Yto $23.9 billion.
During this period, exports of fiber and yarn rose by 3.5 per cent Y-o-Yto $2.53 billion, while fabric exports rose by 18 per centto $458 million.
During the same timeframe, Vietnam expenditure on textile and garment imports rose by 11.4 per cent Y-o-Yto $878 million.
Last year, Vietnam's garment and textile exports had declined by 10 per cent to $39.5 billion. However, this year, the sector has set an ambitious target by increasing its export earnings by 10 per cent Y-o-Y to $44 billion.
During a trade promotion conference in July, Truong Van Cam, Vice Chairman, Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), encouraged local firms to seize every opportunity, make accurate forecasts, and stay informed about market conditions to achieve the$44 billion export target for this year.
Currently worth $10 billion, the global spandex market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1 per cent from 2024-34 to reach $21.9 billion by 2034-end.
As per a report by FactMR, this growth will be driven by an increasing use of the spandex fibers in medical textiles. Spandex is widely employed in the production of compression garments, including bandages, surgical hoses, and support hoses, due to its lightweight and flexible nature. Additionally, spandex is favored in sportswear and activewear, such as swimsuits and workout apparel, because of its ability to provide comfort and flexibility.
In the production of socks, spandex plays a vital role in maintaining their position, preventing slippage, and making them easier to put on and take off. The elasticity of socks can vary based on the amount of spandex used. One of the primary applications of spandex is in the manufacture of incontinence products and diapers. The market for diapers is expected to see strong growth during the forecast period, driven by rising demand from countries like China and India.
Leading players driving innovation in the spandex market include Invista, Hyosung Corporation, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Taekwang Industrial Co, YantaiTayho Advanced Materials Co, Xiamen Lilong Spandex Co, Jiangsu Shuangliang Spandex Co, Toray Industries, DuPont de Nemours, Inc, Lycra, Mitsubishi Chemical Engineering Corporation, and Indorama Industries.
Spandex fibers are primarily produced using polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) and diphenylmethanediisocyanate (MDI), which are derived from petroleum feedstocks. As the costs of these raw materials fluctuate and the textile industry increasingly prioritizes sustainability, spandex manufacturers are focusing on developing sustainable, bio-based, and environmentally friendly product lines.
In April 2024, Hyosung, the world’s largest spandex fiber producer, announced a US$ 1 billion investment in a facility in Vietnam. This facility will convert sugar into 1,4-butanediol (BDO), a precursor to spandex typically derived from coal or natural gas, using Genomatica's fermentation technology. Hyosung plans to produce 50,000 metric tons (mt) of bio-based BDO annually by 2026, and aims to increase this to 200,000 mt by 2035. BDO is used not only in spandex production but also in the manufacturing of polybutylene terephthalate and other plastics. Currently, most BDO production is concentrated in China, where coal is often used as a raw material in many plants.
Reflecting on the denim trendsseen during Spring/Summer 2025 men’s fashion week, Lauren Williams, Trend Forecaster, Cotton Incorporated, notes, denims are gettingmore ornate and detailed with feminine touches like ruffle trim, jewel hardware on lightweight twill sets, and pleats being added to them.
For past several seasons, Cotton Incorporated has been tracking metallic denim, achieved through innovative finishing and construction techniques. According to Williams, this look is evolving into a more futuristic aesthetic for 2025-2026. Denim with an indigo warp and black or gold Lurex yarn in the weft adds a subtle shimmer. Metallic blue foil on a black base offers a cool, modern look, while gold foil gives a cotton denim garment an antique finish. Christie Rhodes, Manager - Women’s Product, Cotton Incorporated, also projects a textured honeycomb fabric with a natural warp and weft, accented with pink foil on the raised areas.
Coatings are making a comeback, particularly those that give jeans a laminated effect. Clear polyurethane coatings are creating a high-shine finish with other techniques offering a fresh take on vintage styles. A fabric that features a white coating, hand-sanded at the garment stage to reveal a bright blue indigo hue underneath is being preferred by designers, adds Williams.
The influence of artificial intelligence is also evident in denim trends, with glitched and glowing effects making their mark. Denim garments with prints and finishes inspired by this technology, ranging from pixelated digital prints to washed and overdyed pieces are in the vogue, Williams pointed out.Ozone technology is being used to create a ‘blotchy, splotchy’ effect on fabric surfaces, adds Rhodes.
Traditional check patterns are being reimagined in unexpected ways.For instance, an inlay plaid fabric is being infused with a denim-inspired colorwaywhile a black jean is being lasered with a windowpane check pattern, overdyed in brown. Laser etching is also creating checkered textures or ombre checkered patterns, affirms Williams
Denim is being mixed with traditional suiting fabrics, leading to a wide range of silhouettes that vary from sophisticated to edgy, explainsRhodes. A blue yarn dye in the warp gives a mixed dobby herringbone fabric an indigo effect with a suiting look and feel. Additionally, yarn-dyed fancy twill with an exaggerated surface is being brushed to mimic the look and feel of corduroy, he adds.
Post-pandemic, designers shifting towards a quieter palette with unique constructions and washes giving denim a muted, powdery, and chalky appearance, notes Williams. This look can be achieved through special washes and yarn choices. Extreme washes on jeans with sulfur black yarn in the warp and indigo weft are being used to create a sun-bleached effect. Fabrics with recycled denim content are allowing brands to reduce garment processing steps, adds Rhodes.
According to Williams, colors are increasingly being drawn from nature, with shades like rusty red, orange, and brown gaining popularity. Designers are also blurring the lines of traditional denim with prints and finishing effects that create an illusion—making it hard to tell if garments are made of denim, leather, or suede.
A standout product from Cotton Incorporated is a fabric that conceals the twill line of a 100 percent cotton jean through needle punching on the back, making it difficult to determine whether the fabric is knit or woven. Trompe-l’œil prints of denim on non-denim materials are further enhancing the surreal aesthetic in both men's and women’s fashion.
India's economic growth narrative, often seen as a beacon of resilience in a global slowdown, is facing numerous challenge and sluggish consumption is one of the main ones. Despite headline GDP growth rates that have drawn global attention, the underlying story of consumer spending paints a less rosy picture.
Consumption slump,asymptom of deeper issues
The stark contrast between India's GDP growth and the tepid performance of consumer spending is a cause for concern.The consumption slowdown, evident in sectors like two-wheelers and fast-moving consumer goods, particularly in rural areas, reflects a broader economic malaise.
Several factors contribute to this consumption slump:
• Job creation challenges: The lack of substantial job creation in non-farm sectors has trapped a significant portion of the workforce in low-productivity agriculture. This limits income growth and, consequently, consumer spending.
• Wage stagnation: Real wages have remained stagnant across sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and construction, eroding purchasing power and dampening consumer demand.
• Income inequality: The widening income gap exacerbates consumption challenges. While a small affluent segment drives luxury consumption, the vast majority of the population faces income constraints.
The limits of exports and government spending
With consumption faltering, the Indian economy has leaned heavily on exports and government spending to drive growth. However, there are inherent limitations to this strategy: • Export challenges: While India has the potential to become a global manufacturing hub, several hurdles,including high tariffs and local sourcing requirements, hinder its competitiveness. Moreover, global demand uncertainties pose risks to export-led growth.
• Government spending constraints: The government's fiscal consolidation efforts limit the scope for sustained high public expenditure. Infrastructure spending, while crucial, cannot be the sole growth driver in the long run.
Needfor amulti-pronged approach
To unlock India's economic potential, a multifaceted approach is essential:
• Revitalizing consumption: Boosting rural incomes, creating quality jobs, and addressing wage stagnation are imperative for reviving consumption. Targeted social welfare programs and investments in skill development can play a crucial role.
• Export-led growth: Streamlining export procedures, reducing tariffs, and improving infrastructure are essential for enhancing India's export competitiveness. Attracting global manufacturing investments requires a conducive business environment and skilled workforce.
• Private investment revival: Addressing capacity utilization issues, improving the business climate, and fostering investor confidence are crucial for unlocking private investment potential.
India stands at a crossroads. While the potential for rapid growth is undeniable, realizing this potential requires a concerted effort to address the underlying challenges, particularly the consumption slump. By adopting a holistic approach that focuses on job creation, income growth, and export competitiveness, India can embark on a path of sustainable and inclusive economic development.
