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Roica by Asahi Kasei, Lenzing, and Advance Denim have unveiled the LoopTy Collection, a revolutionary lifestyle stretch denim line that combines sustainability, comfort, and style. The collection debuts at Kingpins Hong Kong, November 21–22, 2024.
The LoopTy Collection features RoicaV550, a Cradle to Cradle-Certified degradable stretch fiber, paired with TencelLyocell fibers, crafted from sustainably sourced wood pulp using a closed-loop process. This blend is further enhanced by Advance Denim’s expertise, resulting in denim that balances eco-conscious innovation with superior performance.
Hiroaki Shinohe, Chief Marketing Officer of Roica Europe, stated, "This partnership allows us to create denim that aligns with consumers’ demand for sustainable, stylish, and comfortable apparel. It’s a step towards integrating circularity into fashion."
TencelLyocellfibers reduce water and carbon usage by 50 per cent while being biodegradable in various environments. Roica V550 offers exceptional stretch and breaks down into carbon dioxide and water under ISO14855-1 conditions, certified by OWS.
Amy Wang, General Manager of Advance Denim, highlighted, "Our collaboration with Tencel produced innovative collections, and Roica V550 completes the sustainable stretch element, enabling us to pioneer circular denim solutions."
The LoopTy Collection spans lightweight to heavy fabrics, catering to diverse designs, including gender-neutral and inclusive fashion. Dennis Hui of Lenzing emphasized, "This partnership signifies a transformative step in sustainable denim innovation, addressing eco-conscious consumer needs."
The collection can be explored at the Advance Denim booth No 22 and Lenzing booth No 24 during the Kingpins Hong Kong event.
The Karl Mayer Academy successfully conducted a comprehensive training program for employees of Accord Knits, a key Stoll customer, at its China branch. The program, held from October 21 to November 15, 2024, focused on the M1plus switchers and the Create Plus software.
Accord Knits, based in Madagascar, is the largest fully-fashioned knitwear manufacturer in the southern hemisphere, producing garments for men, women, and children. Established in 2001, the company employs 6,000 people and collaborates with global fashion brands. It boasts a cutting-edge production facility in Antsirabe and Antananarivo equipped with Stoll's advanced CMS and ADF flat knitting machines, enabling high flexibility and innovation.
The training covered knitting techniques like jacquard, intarsia, Stoll-multi gauge, and 1x1, along with new patterning features for fully-fashioned designs. Participants practiced their skills on the Academy's Stoll machines, experiencing a blend of theory and hands-on learning.
The benefits of Create Plus, including significant time savings in developing knitting programs, were immediately apparent. "We are proud of our 14-year partnership with Accord Knits and the progress achieved together," said Lutz Vogel, Stoll Area Sales Manager of Karl Mayer Group.
This initiative strengthens the collaboration between Karl Mayer’s Stoll business unit and Accord Knits, ensuring both are well-equipped to innovate and meet future industry demands.
The upcoming conference on March 12-13, 2025, in Cologne, Germany, promises to shape the future of sustainable textiles. Organized by the nova-Institute and supported by its Conference Advisory Board, the event will feature insights from experts across the fibre value chain. Selected from over 40 abstracts, presentations will spark discussions on industry innovation and sustainability.
A special session, ‘Biosynthetics- Replacing Traditional Synthetic Fibres,’ will highlight bio-based polymer fibres as alternatives to fossil-based synthetics. Derived from renewable sources such as lactic acid and sugarcane, biosynthetics combine technical performance with environmental benefits, offering transformative potential for the fashion and textile sectors.
Addressing the EU's climate goals, the conference will explore fibre-to-fibre recycling technologies. Transforming used textiles into virgin fibres can significantly reduce waste, but challenges like mixed-fibre management and scaling innovations remain critical. The session will discuss advancements, barriers, and strategies to foster circular production systems.
The event also tackles microplastic pollution from synthetic textiles. A dedicated session will examine marine biodegradability and explore fibres designed to prevent microplastic accumulation in oceans. Research institutes will present solutions balancing environmental impact and fibre functionality.
This dynamic conference aims to advance sustainable practices and innovations, setting pathways for a greener textile industry.
US-based Green Theme Technologies (GTT), known for its waterless and PFAS-free Empel textile finishing platform, has joined forces with Golden Long John to advance cleaner and more efficient fabric dyeing and finishing.
The collaboration aims to reduce the environmental impact of textile manufacturing, which generates trillions of gallons of wastewater annually. Traditional dyeing processes use chemical dyes and water repellents, often leading to toxic runoff into water sources.
Golden Long John, a key supplier to the global footwear industry, integrated GTT's Empel technology into its Vietnam factories last year. The partnership merges the Empel water-repellent finish with Golden Long John's direct dyeing process, offering improved performance with reduced pollution.
Martin Flora, President of GTT Business Development, emphasized that their vision is a future where textile production delivers improved results while significantly reducing environmental impact. He highlighted the belief that cleaner methods are the way forward for the industry.
Both companies will showcase their innovative technologies at the Functional Fabric Fair in Portland, Oregon, on November 20-21. The collaboration has already attracted brands like Nike, which seeks consistent, high-performance materials while meeting sustainability goals.
The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) recently concluded its 82nd Plenary Meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, held from September 30 to October 3, 2024. The meeting gathered 460 participants, including representatives from 15 member governments, nine international organizations, and seven non-member countries. Key topics discussed included global partnerships for innovation in the cotton and textile value chains, with a focus on strengthening collaborative relationships throughout the cotton textile sector.
The ICAC highlighted various accomplishments and future initiatives in its Executive Director’s Report, including progress on agricultural development projects, sustainability efforts, and policy engagement. The committee also emphasized the importance of value addition in cotton-producing countries, urging them to shift from raw cotton exports to developing robust textile value chains. This transition could significantly boost economic potential and job creation.
A significant session focused on gene editing in cotton farming, showcasing how advanced technologies like CRISPR and RNA interference could address climate challenges and improve cotton farming’s resilience. The Plenary also examined global cotton market trends, noting a decrease in cotton production alongside rising consumption, which could lead to a buildup in cotton stocks if demand weakens.
Other discussions included the role of cotton in mitigating climate change through regenerative farming practices and the need for increased transparency and traceability in the cotton supply chain. The ICAC also emphasized the importance of empowering women in cotton farming and enhancing data collection for greater industry trust. The next Plenary Meeting will be hosted in Tanzania in November 2025.
ICAC expressed gratitude to Uzbekistan for its role as the host country, acknowledging its contributions to the event's success.
Inaugurating the Textile Pavilion under the Special Handloom & Handicraft Exhibition cum Sale at India International Trade Fair (IITF), Giriraj Singh, Union Textile Minister, emphasised on the importance of carbon fibers in the textile industry and the government’s focus on amplification of technical textiles.
There are 12 verticals or sectors in technical textiles, Singh added. He emphasised on the Government’s efforts to improve the textile value chain for better income opportunities for the weavers and their families. Further, he said, India has the largest handloom community in the world focused around sustainability and energy efficiency. The world is moving towards usage of sustainable products and handloom industry produces zero-carbon footprint and does not consume any energy and it is also a zero-water footprint sector.
Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles, emphasised on the need to strengthen handloom and handicrafts to boost production and to increase their earnings to engage communities. He also emphasised on the importance to preserve India’s rich craft heritage while adapting to modern market needs.
During the 112th episode of Mann ki Baat, Prime Minister Narender Modi appreciated that the work of handloom artisans is spread across every corner of the country and the way handloom products have made their place in the hearts of people is very successful, tremendous. He also urged to upload photos with local products on social media with the hashtag ‘#MyProductMyPride’.
Government of India has launched the various schemes for Handloom and Handicrafts sector for branding of high-quality products with zero defects and zero effect on the environment to encourage and to give a distinct identity to the products, apart from highlighting the uniqueness of the products. It also serves a guarantee for the buyer that the product being purchased is genuinely handcrafted. All the exhibitors at the exhibition were encouraged to display their exquisite products and thus improve the market for their products and earnings of the handloom and handicrafts community.
A ‘Special Handloom and Handicraft Exhibition cum Sale’ was launched as an initiative of the office of Development Commissioner for Handlooms and Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India through National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC) Ltd. to provide direct access to the handloom weavers and artisans to market their products to consumers. The exhibition enabled an interface between the weavers and consumers.
Billy R Gardner has been honored with the prestigious Harold C Chapin Award by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) for his exceptional contributions to the Piedmont Section and the AATCC Foundation. Gardner, a member since 1973, has held key positions, including Chair and Treasurer of the Piedmont Section. He also played a pivotal role in moderating and organizing several Yarn Dyeing symposia. Currently, he serves as Chair of the Charles H Stone and Piedmont Section Scholarship Committee.
Gardner’s dedication to the textile industry is evident through his longstanding advocacy for student education. As Chair of the scholarship committees, he has been instrumental in conducting scholarship interviews, both in-person and online. He strives to make textile education accessible, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent passionate students from pursuing careers in the industry.
Gardner’s professional journey includes earning a BS in Chemistry and Textile Chemistry from North Carolina State University in 1973. He worked in various roles, including as a lab manager and in sales, before founding BRGardner Enterprise Inc. in 2021.
Gardner received the Chapin Scroll during the AATCC Textile Discovery Summit Awards Luncheon on October 8, 2024, in Savannah, GA.
Kering has announced leadership changes effective January 2, 2025. Cedric Charbit will become CEO of Saint Laurent, while Gianfranco Gianangeli takes over as CEO of Balenciaga. Both will report to Francesca Bellettini, Kering’s Deputy CEO in charge of Brand Development.
Charbit, who joined Kering in 2012 as Saint Laurent’s Product Strategy Director, has led Balenciaga as CEO since 2016. He will now succeed Bellettini at Saint Laurent, focusing on driving growth by leveraging the brand's heritage and unique identity.
Gianangeli, currently Chief Commercial Officer of Saint Laurent, brings extensive luxury industry experience, including roles at MaisonMargiela and other renowned fashion houses. As Balenciaga’s new CEO, he aims to expand the brand’s global presence and strengthen its position.
Francesca Bellettini expressed confidence in the appointments, praising Charbit’s understanding of Saint Laurent and Gianangeli’s expertise in luxury leadership. She emphasized their ability to guide the iconic brands toward future success.
François-Henri Pinault, Kering Chairman and CEO, highlighted the organization’s strengthened leadership. Bellettini will focus on developing all Kering’s Fashion, Leather Goods, and Jewelry Houses, while Jean-Marc Duplaix will ensure operational alignment across the group as Deputy CEO and COO.
These appointments are part of Kering’s strategy to address industry challenges and drive long-term growth.
As highlighted during the opening of the Destination Africa 2024 exhibition, the Apparel Export Council of Egypt (AECE) aims to boost the country’s textile and apparl (T&A) 0exports by 10 per cent to $1.23 billion by 2024-end and further to $1.4 billion by 2025-end. In 2023, the country’s T&A exports grew by 5 per cent to $1.2 billion, affirms Hani Salam, Chairperson.
The 8th edition of Destination Africa exhibition, held in Cairo from Nov 16-17, 2024 featured 100 exhibitors, including 30 Egyptian textile companies—a significant increase from 20 participants last year. This uptick demonstrates the exhibition's effectiveness in attracting more businesses eager to capitalise on the opportunities it provides.
The exhibition attracted high-level attendees including Hassan El-Khatib, Minister of Investment; Hossam Heiba, Chairperson, Investment and Free Zones Authority; Mohamed Qasai, President, Egyptian Exporters Association (ExpoLink); and Fadil Marzouk, Chairperson, Ready-made Garments Export Council. The event hosted 100 exhibitors and over 250 international buyers from key global markets, reinforcing Egypt’s reputation as a premier hub for international trade exhibitions.
According to Salam, the council attracted 75 international buyers specifically from the textile sector, with participants hailing from Europe, the United States, Arab countries, and African nations like Ghana, Kenya, Algeria, and Morocco. The total number of international buyers, spanning both ready-made garments and textiles, surpassed 250. This strong turnout underscores the exhibition's role in fostering regional and global partnerships within the industry.
Emphasising on the council's efforts to integrate Egyptian textile products into international supply chains, Salem also highlighted the council’s focus on strengthening ties with European and African markets, with promotional campaigns playing a key role in achieving these objectives.
Drop in H&M's US sales that has almost 500 stores across the country, is not an isolated incident. The retail giant's struggles are a symptom of a larger trend sweeping across the US a significant shift in consumer behavior driven by economic anxieties and a growing interest in sustainability. As inflation continues to squeeze wallets and concerns about environmental impact rise, Americans are re-evaluating their spending habits, particularly when it comes to apparel.
Thrifting takes center stage
Once considered a niche market, secondhand shopping is experiencing explosive growth. A recent report by online thrift store ThredUp paints reveals the US secondhand apparel market is projected to reach $150 billion by 2028, a 50 per cent increase from its current $100 billion valuation. What’s more consumers plan to purchase 7 per cent less new apparel in 2024 compared to 2023. And 55 per cent consumers surveyed said they would allocate a larger portion of their apparel budget to secondhand clothing if the economy doesn't improve.
No wonder, H&M's third-quarter earnings for 2024 saw a 3 per cent drop in net sales across all regions and a 2 per cent decline in North and South America, compared to the same period in 2023. The company's operating profit also decreased 26 per cent. H&M CEO Daniel Ervér attributed this downturn to high living costs and global economic downturn impacting consumer spending. H&M is now looking to close 200 stores globally in 2024, primarily in established markets.
H&M is not alone in facing these challenges. Other major retailers, including Macy's and Gap, have also reported declining sales and announced store closures in recent months. Macy’s the department store chain recently announced plans to close 125 stores over the next three years and cut 2,000 corporate jobs. And clothing retailer Gap reported 8 per cent drop in net sales in the second quarter of 2024 and announced plans to close approximately 350 stores by the end of 2023.
While economic concerns are a significant driver why secondhand clothing is catching up, other factors are also at play. Consumers, particularly younger generations, are increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of fast fashion. Secondhand shopping aligns with their values of sustainability and reducing waste. Shoppers are actively seeking value and deals, making them more price-sensitive and less brand-loyal.
The future of retail
This evolving consumer landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for retailers. To remain competitive, businesses must adapt to these changing preferences by first embracing circularity. They need to explore resale programs and initiatives that promote the longevity of their clothing. Prioritize value and sustainability by offering high-quality, durable products that appeal to conscious consumers. And enhance customer experience by creating engaging and personalized shopping experiences that foster loyalty.
