FW
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources recently said the Ministry has offered textile industry a 24-hour electricity supply at 9 cents per unit if the industry stops using natural gas. However, the offer has been declined by representatives of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA). Reason: gas is much cheaper and profitable for textile units. The country’s economy has been facing a serious energy crisis. Even Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) has termed gas suspension, unilateral and arrogant. Sohail Pasha, PTEA chairman, and Rizwan Riaz Saigal, vice-chairman, while expressing great concern over the Petroleum Minister's statement, said the textile industry, which was already facing problems would be stressed further due to gas curtailment. The government should stop unilateral decisions as Pakistan is going through a serious economic crisis with escalating cost of production.
Nearly 4 billion cubic ft. per day (BCFD), is Pakistan's local output of natural gas. Demand though is for 6.5 BCFD. To bridge this gap, the government has to resolve the issue at the earliest. The country faces an energy deficit, and is gradually increasing its reliance on imported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). It also enjoys the lowest rate on gas import from Qatar and would save up to Rs 100 billion per annum because of the differences in price and efficiency. Abbasi said that the government will encourage the private sector to start the import of LNG.
He said that in future imported gas will be needed for domestic and the country’s oil fields are depleting. He believes that only locally produced can compete with LNG. As natural gas is depleting, the only cheaper alternative is LNG and replacing diesel-based power plants with LNG would save Rs 100 billion a year for the economy, he added.
With clothes undergoing a paradigm shift from just something to cover oneself, to fashionable and trendy, and now eco-friendly, ergonomic and even thermochromic garments, the humble trouser has undergone a major change. Earlier, not much thought was given to comfort and protection of people involved in hard labour. But all that is set to change now. A vertically integrated manufacturer and engineer of patented products, World Patent Marketing, recently announced the Miller Industrial Jeans. This invention would give industrial workers comfort in a pair of trousers.
Scott Cooper, CEO and Creative Director of World Patent Marketing 
points out Global Apparel Manufacturing industry’s turnover is $618 billion a year, while it is growing rapidly in Asia and declining in the US. Companies in developed nations take advantage of cheap labour in emerging markets. As a result, rising number of manufacturers are leaving the US and Europe and setting up operations in North and Central Asia.
Miller Jeans for comfort & protection
The Miller Industrial Jeans offers comfort and protection. Though clothes are used more to make a fashion statement, their basic purpose is to protect the body. The new invention is made of impenetrable material and designed for hard labour. These jeans have pockets that industrial workers and people on the move can easily use. They also have removable knee-pads that protect the wearer, besides being comfortable for walking, kneeling, and moving things around.
The apparel uses rectangular and flexible pads that allows air-flow and doesn't impede blood circulation. The fit is snug and makes use of hook and loop fasteners that secure the knee-pads in place. The good part is, these jeans can be used in any environment, hot or cold and would not wear down due to constant use. Thus, durability is a key factor.
Hard labour just got easy
Miller jeans inventor Gilbert M says plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and mechanics have to kneel, stand and move around a lot and these jeans are best for them. Also, people working in construction sites may be unaware of the presence of a nail on the floor as they kneel, and this invention works for them as well. Gilbert says the jeans can save people from accidents while being ergonomic and comfortable and protection is of paramount importance.
The moot point is that the Miller Industrial Jeans is a unique apparel invention that promises to make the already hard labour of construction a bit easier to bear.
With clothes undergoing a paradigm shift from just something to cover oneself, to fashionable and trendy, and now eco-friendly, ergonomic and even thermochromic garments, the humble trouser has undergone a major change. Earlier, not much thought was given to comfort and protection of people involved in hard labour. But all that is set to change now. A vertically integrated manufacturer and engineer of patented products, World Patent Marketing, recently announced the Miller Industrial Jeans. This invention would give industrial workers comfort in a pair of trousers. </br>
</br>
Scott Cooper, CEO and Creative Director of World Patent Marketing points out Global Apparel Manufacturing industry’s turnover is $618 billion a year, while it is growing rapidly in Asia and declining in the US. Companies in developed nations take advantage of cheap labour in emerging markets. As a result, rising number of manufacturers are leaving the US and Europe and setting up operations in North and Central Asia. </br>
Miller Jeans for comfort & protection
</br>
The Miller Industrial Jeans offers comfort and protection. Though clothes are used more to make a fashion statement, their basic purpose is to protect the body. The new invention is made of impenetrable material and designed for hard labour. These jeans have pockets that industrial workers and people on the move can easily use. They also have removable knee-pads that protect the wearer, besides being comfortable for walking, kneeling, and moving things around.</br>
</br>
The apparel uses rectangular and flexible pads that allows air-flow and doesn't impede blood circulation. The fit is snug and makes use of hook and loop fasteners that secure the knee-pads in place. The good part is, these jeans can be used in any environment, hot or cold and would not wear down due to constant use. Thus, durability is a key factor.</br>
Hard labour just got easy
</br>
Miller jeans inventor Gilbert M says plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and mechanics have to kneel, stand and move around a lot and these jeans are best for them. Also, people working in construction sites may be unaware of the presence of a nail on the floor as they kneel, and this invention works for them as well. Gilbert says the jeans can save people from accidents while being ergonomic and comfortable and protection is of paramount importance.</br>
</br>
The moot point is that the Miller Industrial Jeans is a unique apparel invention that promises to make the already hard labour of construction a bit easier to bear.</br>
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and Alvanon has collaborated for a Fit Movement. This collaboration would provide FIT’s School of Business and Technology with advanced technical fit tools and provide students with encouragement, mentoring and class seminars that cover the business of fashion.
Janice Wang, Alvanon CEO points out that Alvanon’s Fit Movement is designed to nourish, grow and re-establish the art and science of apparel manufacturing in New York City. To attain this, Alvanon is working with industry associations and schools, and supplying them with tools, technology and training that address the manufacturing sector of the fashion business.
Steven Frumkin, Dean, Fashion Institute of Technology, has been instrumental in bringing his school’s support to the re-skilling of NYC apparel manufacturing. Together, they are helping to cultivate new generations of ‘hands on’ artisans, such as patternmakers, who are essential to garment production.
Alvanon’s association with FIT focuses on the school’s Technical Design Department. Alvanon is also a member of FIT’s Technical Design Advisory Board, which focuses on current curriculum challenges and strategies to provide students with additional practical experience.
Alvanon has replaced the School of Business and Technology’s existing inventory of fashion tools with men’s, women’s, children’s and plus size AlvaForm fit mannequins, grading blocks, and its Virtual AlvaForm through its Fit Movement collaboration with FIT.
The European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing, will hold a conference titled ‘Innovating for Sustainability in European Textiles and Clothing’, in Brussels on October 28, 2015. The topics of discussions include: textile sustainability of the 21st century with European thought leaders, present industry innovators and technology disruptors working on the sustainability solutions of tomorrow, and demonstrate tools and solutions that EU initiatives bring to the industry across Europe. The discussion will focus on how digitisation and material circularity can facilitate completely new market approaches and business models.
The Brussesl conference will be attended by representatives from entire European fibres, textile and clothing value chain, industry federations, research and technology organizations, consulting and service companies, policy makers, and the media. An EU research and innovation funding seminar and project brokerage event on October 29 will be held after the event at the same venue.
European textile and fashion products are popular for their creativity, innovation, quality and increasingly the environmental and social responsibility with which they are produced. According to the European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing, continuous improvement in materials, production processes and supply chain management can further enhance the sustainability performance of the EU’s textile and clothing industry.
To achieve these major changes, though, radically new concepts, technologies and business models are needed.
Turkey's Soktas and Honduras' Kottan group are joining hands to make shirts for the US market. US customers are increasingly purchasing finished shirts from the Far East. The two companies have decades of experience and a broad portfolio of products and customers. Both are looking to take advantage of the DR-CAFTA (Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement), which allows duty-free access to the US market with appropriate fabrics.
Söktas specialises in cotton and cotton blended shirtings, and controls the entire production chain from yarn spinning and twisting, to dyeing, weaving, design and finishing. The company also develops original yarns and new blends and has launched a super premium cotton yarn made from a hybrid seed grown on its own land.
The Kattan Group, meanwhile, produces men’s and women’s shirts, as well as knitted casual wear like T-shirts, fleece tops and bottoms, for brands including Van Heusen, Geoffrey Beene, Kenneth Cole, DKNY, Lee and Hanes. Kattan’s four factories are geared up to offer smaller minimums and frequent replenishment, with the group’s relationship with textile mills across Central America contributing to its ability to respond quickly to vendors’ needs. It always had had a vision of establishing a regional supply chain.
www.kattangroup.com/
Swedish clothing brand Lindex and Jeanologia, the Spanish denim consultant have come up with a range of sustainable denim. The debut collection for women includes button-front skirts, wide-leg trousers, slim fit jeans, high-waisted jeans and cropped jeans. The line is made with sustainable fibers produced with low impact process, less water and reduced energy consumption.
Overall the process uses 27 per cent less energy and 42 per cent less water, compared to standard denim production. Lindex is an international leading fashion retailer with around 500 stores in Europe, Russia and the Middle East. The company offers women’s wear, lingerie, men’s, cosmetics and children’s wear. Lindex works on water conservation, too. About 900 million liters of water were saved by Lindex’s suppliers through cleaner production projects in India and Bangladesh. During 2014, it also started collecting textile for reuse and recycling in 50 select stores in Sweden.
Lindex is steadily working towards sustainability targets and its aim is to produce garments using more sustainable processes with less energy, water and chemicals and by producing less waste. Jeanologia has been continuously creating new technologies which help the industry in its eco-sustainable initiative. It believes the look of distressed denim can be achieved in an eco-friendly and sustainable way. The company’s laser technology creates the look of vintage denim without the harmful and toxic effects of manual scraping or sanding.
www.lindex.com/ eim.jeanologia.com/
Owned by more than 25,000 Australian woolgrowers, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) is a not-for-profit company that invests in R&D and marketing along the global supply chain for Australian wool – from wool growers through to retailers. The company’s mission is to enhance profitability, international competitiveness and sustainability of Australian wool industry and increase demand and market access for Australian wool.
AWI markets wool as a wonderful natural fiber through Woolmark. Australian Wool Innovation is the owner of The Woolmark Company and the Woolmark logo. The logo is the world’s best known textile fiber brand and has been applied to more than five billion products since its creation in 1964. AWI continuously funds wool research, development and marketing activities. It has launched programs that have helped growers improve profitability.
It has training courses for wool growers. These have helped improve weaning rates by 11 per cent and reduce ewe mortality by 33 per cent. Now 60 per cent of trained shearers report better productivity and 79 per cent report improved shearing quality. New supply chains have been developed in emerging countries while more than 20 manufacturers in China, Turkey, Italy and India have improved their technical skills.
www.wool.com/
Swiss company Freitag is introducing 100 per cent compostable five-pocket jeans in the market. This part of Freitag’s F-ABRIC collection the line of rivet-less denim twill jeans is made with sustainably produced fiber grown in Europe and tested at Freitag’s factory. It has 81per cent linen and 19 per cent hemp. The denim is cotton-free. The jeans contain neither rivets nor nylon thread.
The inaugural silhouette is composed with a smooth blend of denim twill, has been stitched using a proprietary sustainable thread (81 per cent linen and 19 per cent true hemp). The denim is cut in a standard five-pocket fit, but features removable buttons that can be replaced as the denim ages. Once the metal buttons are removed, the jeans are compostable, including its herringbone lining and the logo label.
The men’s line is available and women’s range will appear shortly. Jeans are available in dark blue and black and feature selvage and lap seams to protect heavy wear areas. The moisture- and thermo-regulating, antibacterial and anti-synthetic fibers make the denim comfortable to wear. It contains no harmful substances.
These compostable jeans are part of Freitag’s biodegradable collection. The collection has T-shirts, work shirts and pants and jumper dresses. Freitag is best known for its heavy duty bags and accessories.
www.freitag.ch/fabric/biodegradabledenim
China's spinning sector has slowed down owing to the country's non-competitive cotton prices and dipping stocks market. This is also due to the surplus of cotton in the country. China tried to auction off some of the roughly 11 million tons of cotton it has under its cotton buying scheme, during July and August this year. However, only 3.4 per cent of the total was sold. According to China National Cotton Exchange data, an unexpectedly low total of 63,412 tons of cotton was moved during the sales. Estimates had pegged the sales during the period at a much higher 300,000 tons.
However, mills hardly made an appearance as they are aware that the inventory available is still abundant and many were looking to avoid the high benchmark auction prices, which ranged from 13,200 yuan ($2,073) to 15,000 yuan ($2,356) per ton, compared to the Zhengzhou exchange’s, which are around 12,465 yuan ($1,958).
Also, consumption of China’s cotton has slowed down. The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), in its latest report stated that domestic cotton prices continued to fall in August this year, averaging $0.95 per pound. The still-too-high cost, though is limiting growth in China’s cotton spinning sector, it added. The country’s cotton consumption is to hit around 7.7 million tons, which is well below mid-2000’s highs of 10 million tons.
Besides, as per predictions, China’s cotton imports would dip by 12 per cent to 1.6 million tons, which would make the fifth season of decline after the 2011-12 season’s 5.3-million-ton peak.
Weavers from a tiny village in East Godavari district are posing a challenge to power looms. They are making a fabric, which cannot be made in any other mode, but the handloom. This comes at a time when power looms are affecting the livelihood of artisans who depend on the traditional looms.
A new cotton variety is the artistic blend of ‘Malmal’, ‘Khadi’, and ‘Malkha’, which has remained as a fashion statement for high society women from North India. About three years ago, Malkha known as ‘freedom fabric,’ was introduced to the members of the Pulugurtha Handloom Weavers Cooperative Production and Sale Society located about 30 km from Kakinada. Now, weavers are enjoying the benefits of the new variety that has a great demand in the market.
‘Malkha’ weavers from the village say weaving needs more attention compared to other handloom varieties. However, the returns are comparatively high and there is no dearth of work orders due to the demand, he adds. In 2012, Decentralised Cotton Yarn Trust (DCYT), based out of Hyderabad identified potential weavers from the village and trained them. The machinery for the yarn unit was provided by the government, who spent Rs. 93 lakh for it. The yarn-making unit has a capacity of 35 kg per day and at present it generates 10 kg of yarn every day.
Around 40 weaving families from Machavaram, Someswaram, Pulugurtha, and Kutukuluru have been depending on Malkha for their livelihood by converting their handlooms into Malkha looms and making 1,500 metres to 2,000 metres of fabric a week.
