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Enabling a positive mindset shift in the Bangladeshi textile industry over the past decade, the PaCT program launched the Textile Technology Business Centre.
Launched by the International Finance Corporation, the Partnership for Cleaner Textile (PaCT) program has, over the last 10 years, contributed to the sector’s competitiveness and environmental sustainability.
Since its inception in 2013, of the PaCT program has enabled IFC to enable over 450 textile factories in Bangladesh embrace climate-smart practices. In its next phase, the program aims to advance circular practices and decarbonisation initiatives to address the industry’s carbon footprint.
Committed to foster sustainable growth within Bangladesh’s textile industry, IFC will continue to help the country’s readymade garment sector ascend the global supply chain and meet the demands of a more modern and greener market, says Martin Holtmann, Country Manager for Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, IFC.
The industry's global ties and diverse operations underscore the program’s importance in driving innovation and job creation, powering the country's economy, adds Henri Rachid Sfeir, Manager, MAS Asia Upstream & Advisory, IFC.
An IFC advisory program — supported by the governments of Denmark and the Kingdom of Netherlands — PaCT is spearheaded by IFC and implemented in collaboration with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
Over the years, PaCT has been working with leading partners, including VF Corp, Puma, Levi Strauss & Co, and Tesco.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has urged the government to introduce new policies during the forthcoming budget for the next fiscal year (FY25). A few of the key proposals urged for by BGMEA include reducing the tax at source on exports to the previous rate of 0.50 percent, from the current 1 per cent, and maintaining this rate for the next five years.
These proposals were outlined by SM Mannan Kochi, President, BGMEA during a view-exchange meeting with journalists at a hotel in Dhaka. At this meeting, BGMEA also called for an extension of the government incentives for the apparel sector until 2029. Additionally, they proposed a reduction in the tax on cash incentives from the existing 10 per cent to 5 per cent.
The meeting was attended by the entire newly-elected BGMEA board, which assumed office on April 4 this year. Prominent figures such as Atiqul Islam, former President, BGMEA and Mayor, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC); Abdus Salam Murshedy, former President, BGMEA and MP, and Siddiqur Rahman, Commerce Secretary, Awami League Industries.
Held from May 21-22, 2024 in Pakistan, the Cotton USA Leadership Forum by Cotton Council International brought together key figures from both the Pakistani and US cotton sectors for insightful discussions and networking opportunities.
Beginning with an overview of the latest developments and challenges in the global cotton industry, the forum began with an overview of the latest developments and challenges in the market. It gave attendees valuable insights into market trends, trade dynamics, and sustainability initiatives impacting cotton cultivation and trade worldwide.
The event’s highlight was the presence of a nine-member delegation comprising elite US cotton industry leaders, cooperatives, and international merchants specialising in US cotton. Participants engaged with key stakeholders to explore avenues for collaboration and trade partnerships.
Throughout the forum, participants engaged in meaningful discussions on overcoming challenges and capitalising on opportunities within the cotton market. Topics ranged from supply chain resilience to technological advancements and sustainable practices, reflecting the industry’s commitment to innovation and responsible sourcing.
To promote transparency, sustainability and quality assurance across the cotton supply chain, the forum showcased initiatives such as the US Cotton Trust Protocol and Cotton USA Solution. Attendees gained valuable insights into the potential of these initiatives to drive positive change within the industry.
An ‘Ask the Experts’ panel session allowed participants to delve deeper into specific topics of interest, seeking guidance from industry veterans and thought leaders. This interactive format fostered knowledge sharing and facilitated peer-to-peer learning among attendees.
The Cotton USA Leadership Forum organised several engaging sessions and insightful discussions to elevate the global cotton industry. Notable speakers at these sessions included Bruce Atherley and Donald Blome. A few highlights of their highlights included welcome remarks by William Bettendorf, a program review by Mazhar Mirza, and an icebreaker session led by Professor M. Tausif. Participants were also treated to sessions on industry insights, market challenges, and technological innovations. Panel discussions and quizzes were also organised to provide interactive learning opportunities. Ending with a reception and a dinner, the forum fostered networking and collaboration among mill owners and technical directors.
Global lifestyle company True Religion has launched its debut denim shapewear range titled, ‘True Booty Perfector.’
Available in full-sizes and three fit options, these jeans offer customers a lifted and boosted profile thanks to their cleverly curved back yoke construction. The stretch material used to crafts these jeans also provides exceptional retention.
True Religion jeans are preferred by women who love to flaunt their curves, says Tina Blake, Senior Vice President-Women’s Design and Brand Image. These jeans are reserved by women for special occasions, date nights, and whenever they want to look their best, she adds.
Growing significantly since Blake joined the company 18 months ago, the womenswear division of True Religion aims to level the playing field for its women’s and men’s segments. In the last 12 months, the brand’s women’s business has grown by over 20 per cent with double-digit comp growth.
Earlier this year, True Religion signed American rapper, style icon and Grammy nominee Saweetie for its ‘Go There’ Spring 2024 campaign.
The global textile manufacturing market is poised to grow at a CAGR of 4.52 per cent or by by $346.05 billion from 2024-2028. As per a market research report by Technavio titled,‘Global Textile Manufacturing Market 2024-2028, most of this growth will be driven by the integration of automation in the textile manufacturing processes.
Automated machinery continues to enhance the quality and efficiency of textile production across various stages, including fiber and yarn manufacturing, weaving, and dyeing. As producers adopt modern technologies in order to boost productivity and quality, traditional methods like spinning and weaving are being supplemented with advanced techniques. Improved finishing processes are resulting in textiles with better durability and comfort.
Sustainability remains the key focus as manufacturers introduce new initiatives to reduce waste and enhance efficiency. Adoption of sustainable materials like polyesters, silks, wools, linens, rayons, acrylics, and nylons is on the rise currently.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are facing significant barriers due to the high initial costs of modern machinery. This financial hurdle impedes the adoption of advanced technologies, potentially stalling industry-wide progress and innovation. Industry leaders can mitigate this challenge by introducing more financing options and government incentives, and entering into new collaborations to support SMEs in acquiring sophisticated textile machinery, says the report.
Producers continue to grapple with increasing raw materials costs such as cotton and synthetic fibers. This issue is being further exacerbated by high production costs for traditional textiles like silk, wool, and linen, despite their strong demand.
The report states, there is an ongoing trend towards increasing adoption of automation and digitalisation which bodes well for the future of the textile manufacturing market. Driven by technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences, the textile market in India will continue to thrive, it adds
With the country primarily focusing on the production of cotton garments, investment in artificial fibers by Bangladesh continues to remain low. The country currently invests Tk7,000 crore in this emerging sector.
Bangladesh’s participation in the manmade fibers market remains minimal despite the global demand for garments made from these fibers rising. Currently, Bangladesh produces only 5 per cent of the manmade fibers garments produced on a global scale.
On the other hand, if Bangladesh could increase its investment in the manmade fiber garments to $18 billion by 2032 it would be able to increase its exports to $46 billion, says a study titled ‘Beyond Cotton – A Strategic Blueprint for Fibre Diversification in Bangladesh Apparel Industry,’ by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) conducted in March this year. This would entail an investment worth $4.6 billion in the production of fibers, filament, and yarns and $9.2 billion for manufacturing of fabrics and $4.2 billion for garment manufacturing. The proposed investment would also support the installation of 4.7 million additional spindles, 14,000 knitwear machines, and 0.5 million sewing machines.
A separate study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for BGMEA in April also urges Bangladesh to enhance its capacity for manufacturing garments from manmade fibers. The report projects that by 2030, 60 percent of the $1,121 billion global garment market will consist of manmade fibers, with cotton and cotton-rich garments making up 35 per cent and other materials 5 per cent. In 2022, manmade fibres accounted for 50 percent of the $953 billion global garment trade, with cotton and cotton-rich fibers at 37 per cent, and others at 13 per cent.
Specifically, the global trade of four key garment items—brassieres, technical textiles, activewear and swimwear, jackets, suits, and blazers—amounted to $100 billion in 2022, with 73 per cent of this value derived from manmade fibre-based items.
Monsoor Ahmed, Additional Director, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), notes, there are currently six to seven mills dedicated to producing manmade fibers, and several have expanded their capacities to include both manmade and cotton fibers to meet local demand and export small quantities. However, most demand is still met through imports, primarily from China.
Abul Kalam Mohammad Musa, Managing Director, Mumanu Polyester Industry, has been producing manmade fibers from discarded PET bottles since 2018. Despite having a production capacity of 120 tonnes per day, he can only utilise half due to raw material shortages and import restrictions on necessary polymers. Musa purchases plastic bottles from scrap dealers at Tk 59 per kilogram and sells the fiber at Tk 115 per kilogram.
Similarly, Mahbubul Hasan, Managing Director, Maliha Polytex Fibre Industry, produces 120 tons of manmade fibers daily from PET bottles. However, he is concerned about potential raw material shortages that could disrupt production. Hasan established his mill with an investment of Tk 200 crore in 2017, initially benefiting from a suspension in PET bottle exports to China and India. Now, both countries have resumed imports, affecting local availability.
SM Khaled, Managing Director, Snowtex Group, a garment exporter, states, local millers currently meet less than 5 per cent of the demand for manmade fibers, forcing garment exporters to rely on imports, which is a time-consuming process.
Despite a tough market, JD Sports’ revenues grew by 2.7 per cent to £10.4 billion during the year. This growth was fueled by the opening of over 200 new stores, which exceeded sales expectations by 20 per cent. The company plans to open another 200 stores this year.
However, the company’s profits dipped by 8 per cent to £912.4 million during the year. This was attributed to lower revenue in the second half and investments for future growth. Impacted by brand disposals, the company’s revenues in the UK market declined by 8.3 per cent to £3.51 billion during the year. Its footwear sales thrived with an increase of 8.2 per cent, offsetting a decline in apparel sales due to mild weather impacting winter clothing sales.
Highlighting the strong revenue performance in a challenging market, Régis Schultz, CEO, says, the company is confident of meeting its targets for the full financial year. The first quarter of the company is already on track with expectations, he adds.
Driven by evolving consumer preferences, sustainability concerns and technological innovations, the global home textile market is poised for substantial growth According to IMARC Group's latest report, the market reached a value of $125.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.02 per cent from 2024 to 2032, reaching $195.3 billion by 2032.
A key driver of this growth is the increasing focus on personalized living spaces. With rising disposable incomes, homeowners are investing in high-quality home textiles to create environments that reflect their personal style while providing comfort and functionality. This trend extends beyond mere aesthetics, encompassing eco-friendly and technologically advanced textiles that align with broader societal shifts towards sustainability and innovation.
Sustainability has become a cornerstone in the home textile market, with consumers showing a growing preference for eco-friendly materials and ethical production practices. This demand has spurred innovation in recycling, organic materials, and sustainable sourcing, as manufacturers strive to reduce the carbon footprint of their products.
Technological advancements are also revolutionising the industry, enabling manufacturers to produce high-quality, durable, and innovative textiles at a faster pace and lower cost. Technologies such as 3D printing, automated weaving machines, and AI-driven design tools are enhancing efficiency and customization options, leading to textiles with enhanced functionalities like improved fabric strength and water resistance.
Among product segments, bed linen holds the largest share in the market due to its essential role in everyday comfort and the frequent need for replacement or upgrade. Polyester emerges as the dominant fabric segment, valued for its durability, ease of maintenance, and versatile aesthetic appeal.
Offline channels currently dominate distribution, as consumers prefer to assess the quality and texture of textiles firsthand. However, the market is experiencing a surge in e-commerce, providing consumers with easier access to a wide range of products from around the world.
In terms of regional breakdown, Asia Pacific emerges as the largest market, driven by its expansive population, rising disposable incomes, and the growing influence of local and traditional textile designs.
In conclusion, the global home textile market is undergoing significant transformation, fueled by rising consumer spending on home renovation, sustainability concerns, technological advancements, and the expanding reach of e-commerce platforms.
Alongside plans for a runway return, PVH Corp -subsidiary, Calvin Klein Inc has named Veronica Leoni as the new Creative Director for its high-end sub-brand, Collection.
A 2023 LVMH Prize finalist and founder of Quir, Leoni brings a wealth of experience from prestigious fashion houses including Jil Sander, Céline, Moncler, and The Row. In her new role, she blends her extensive industry expertise with Calvin Klein’s modern aesthetic to craft a quintessential representation of the brand. She will collaborate closely with Eva Serrano, Global Brand President, Calvin Klein to infuse inspiration from the Collection into the mainline portfolio and the red carpet. Leoni will report directly to Serrano.
Rooted in timeless and innovative designs, The Collection will feature men’s and women’s apparel, underwear, and accessories, and will make its debut in Fall 2025. Leoni’s purposeful design approach and work ethic, coupled with the brand’s shared value will help it create a collection that resonates globally.
Expressing her excitement over the appointment, Leoni affirms, her aim is to amplify the brand’s bold self-expressions by focusing on its style and creativity. Her appointment proves to be key step in a series of strategic initiatives led by Serrano to uphold Calvin Klein’s legacy and inspire the next generation of consumers.
The 14th edition of Intex Bangladesh was launched in Dhaka with an aim to foster connections among textile professionals and propel the Bangladeshi garment industry forward.
With participation from over 200 international suppliers and manufacturers spanning 7 countries, the event serves as a vital platform for global sourcing within the textile industry. It aligns with Bangladesh's vision of becoming a leading source of value-added textile products by 2030, emphasising the importance of innovation and quality in the industry.
In addition to showcasing Bangladeshi textiles, the event features a dedicated ‘Made in India Textiles Pavilion’ alongside exhibitors from Sri Lanka and other Asian countries, fostering regional collaboration and trade.
The Interactive Business Forum provides a space for insightful discussions and knowledge sharing on topics such as achieving export targets and implementing sustainable practices within the industry.
Aiming to strengthen supply chains, Intex Bangladesh addresses production gaps, and drives innovation within the Bangladeshi garment sector, positioning it competitively in the global market.
The event is supported by key Bangladeshi garment industry associations like BGMEA and BKMEA along with a strong backing from industry stakeholders, ensuring its relevance and impact.
