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The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) urged the US government to support and collaborate to ensure fair minimum prices for apparel manufactured in the country. The association also urged for the establishment of a unified code of conduct for social audits.
These demands were raised by SM Mannan Kochi, President, BGMEA during a meeting between the association and a delegation from the US Trade Representative (USTR) at the BGMEA Complex in Dhaka on April 22. The
BGMEA also urged the US government to reinstate the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) in favor of Bangladesh and include garment items in its GSP program.
Led by Brendan Lynch, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, the USTR delegation included Emily Ashby, Director - South and Central Asia, USTR and Jennifer Oetken, Director for Labor Affairs, USTR, etc.
The BGMEA delegation was led President SM Mannan Kochi, along with other key officials such as Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Senior Vice President and Md Nasir Uddin, Vice President-Finance.
During the meeting, Mannan highlighted the significant progress made by Bangladesh's RMG industry in ensuring workplace safety, workers' rights, and ongoing labor law reforms. He emphasised the commitment of both the Bangladeshi government and the industry to further improve workers' rights and welfare.
While acknowledging Bangladesh's progress in the labor sector, the USTR delegates briefed the meeting about the US government's labor action plan and areas where further improvements, including amendments in the labor laws, are necessary.
The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration and engagement in making the ready-made garment industry more sustainable. Both parties expressed their commitment to ongoing dialogue and cooperation towards achieving these goals.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) urged the US government to support and collaborate to ensure fair minimum prices for apparel manufactured in the country. The association also urged for the establishment of a unified code of conduct for social audits.
These demands were raised by SM Mannan Kochi, President, BGMEA during a meeting between the association and a delegation from the US Trade Representative (USTR) at the BGMEA Complex in Dhaka on April 22. The
BGMEA also urged the US government to reinstate the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) in favor of Bangladesh and include garment items in its GSP program.
Led by Brendan Lynch, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, the USTR delegation included Emily Ashby, Director - South and Central Asia, USTR and Jennifer Oetken, Director for Labor Affairs, USTR, etc.
The BGMEA delegation was led President SM Mannan Kochi, along with other key officials such as Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Senior Vice President and Md Nasir Uddin, Vice President-Finance.
During the meeting, Mannan highlighted the significant progress made by Bangladesh's RMG industry in ensuring workplace safety, workers' rights, and ongoing labor law reforms. He emphasised the commitment of both the Bangladeshi government and the industry to further improve workers' rights and welfare.
While acknowledging Bangladesh's progress in the labor sector, the USTR delegates briefed the meeting about the US government's labor action plan and areas where further improvements, including amendments in the labor laws, are necessary.
The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration and engagement in making the ready-made garment industry more sustainable. Both parties expressed their commitment to ongoing dialogue and cooperation towards achieving these goals.
Renowned global apparel leader, HanesBrands Inc is steadfastly progressing towards achieving its ambitious sustainability targets. As outlined in its 2023, Sustainability Summary Report, the company aims to achieve zero waste across its operations by 2025 besides transitioning to 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2030.
This report underscores the substantial progress made by the company across the pillars of People, Planet, and Product, which encompass its esteemed brands like Hanes, Champion, Bonds, Maidenform, and Bali. Notably, HanesBrands attained approval on its near-term science-based targets from the Science Based Targets initiative, indicating its commitment to combating climate change.
Since 2019, the company has been successful in decreasing its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 53 per cent and Scope 1 and 2 intensity by 41 per cent. Moreever, it has reduced water usage and packaging weight considerably.
HanesBrands' dedication to sustainability has also translated into tangible financial benefits, with the company saving $23 million since establishing sustainability goals in 2020, including over $10 million saved in 2023 alone.
Steve Bratspies, CEO, HanesBrands, attributes the company’s success in achieving sustainability targets to its associates whose focus on delivering good quality, comfortable products while prioritising environmental and social responsibility, enabled Hanesbrands to achieve this feat.
To further amplify its commitment, HanesBrands has integrated thousands of its products into Amazon's Climate Pledge Friendly program. This initiative enables consumers to easily identify sustainable products, underscoring the company's dedication to transparency and eco-conscious manufacturing practices. To qualify for the program, select HanesBrands products underwent GreenCircle Certification, ensuring they were produced in facilities with significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions and utilizing renewable energy sources.
Moreover, HanesBrands launched a global associate campaign titled ‘I'M IN,’ encouraging employees to undertake simple yet impactful sustainability actions.
Through this initiative, associates pledged 90,000 commitments to sustainable activities, demonstrating their collective dedication to fostering positive change for the planet and communities.
Recognised for its sustained excellence in energy conservation, HanesBrands has received the Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award or Partner of the Year Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency for 14 consecutive years. Additionally, the company has earned an impressive A- rating in both climate change and water security from CDP for the second consecutive year, positioning itself as a frontrunner in sustainability within its industry and among thousands of evaluated companies.
Rudolf, a global leader in textile auxiliaries and construction chemicals, is poised to redefine industry standards with its cutting-edge technologies. With a legacy dating back to 1922, Rudolf has earned acclaim for its unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability.
At the forthcoming Techtextil exhibition from April 23 to 26, 2024, Rudolf will showcase its forward-thinking solutions to an international audience of industry leaders. As a key exhibitor at this premier trade fair, Rudolf reaffirms its position as a driving force behind future-oriented advancements in the textile sector.
Among its showcased innovations is the Bionic-Finish Eco technology, a patented fluorine-free solution that provides exceptional water repellency to textiles without compromising their tactile or visual appeal. Leveraging dendrimer-based formulations inspired by nature, this technology ensures long-lasting performance and sustainability by utilizing renewable, bio-based materials.
Furthermore, Rudolf 's strategic partnership with Honle AG, a renowned UV technology firm, marks a significant milestone in enhancing textile production processes. Collaborative efforts have yielded custom solutions, including UV curing technology, which facilitates rapid and energy-efficient curing of coatings, thereby reducing resource consumption and environmental impact.
Christoph Hauser, from Rudolf's Research and Development division, emphasizes the transformative potential of their collaborative efforts. Their solution not only offers an outstanding new option for textile coating but also actively contributes to reducing the ecological footprint.
With its pioneering technologies and strategic collaborations, Rudolf continues to lead the way towards a more sustainable and efficient future for the textile industry.
Fifteen prominent companies have made a commitment to cease sourcing from Ancient and Endangered Forests in their textile and packaging supply chains, marking Earth Day with a resounding dedication to environmental sustainability. Spearheaded by Canopy, an influential environmental non-profit, this pledge underscores a pivotal shift towards preserving vital ecosystems while advancing the cause of environmental stewardship.
Among the forward-thinking brands joining this initiative are John Lewis & Partners, Kering, C&A, and others, demonstrating a collective resolve to prioritize the well-being of both people and the planet. With an estimated 3.4 billion trees felled annually for man-made cellulosic fibre and paper packaging, the urgency of this commitment cannot be overstated.
In addition to safeguarding critical forests, these companies pledge to invest in low-carbon, circular fibre alternatives such as Next Gen materials. Marija Rompani, Director of Sustainability & Ethics at the John Lewis Partnership, expressed enthusiasm for this initiative, highlighting its alignment with the company's ethos of environmental responsibility.
Recognizing forests as indispensable guardians of global climate stability, these commitments signify a pivotal step towards mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity. Rachel Kolbe Semhoun, Head of Sustainable Sourcing and Nature Initiatives at Kering, emphasized the importance of avoiding sourcing from vital ecosystems in their biodiversity strategy.
Moreover, this initiative showcases the innovative prowess of Next Gen companies such as BlockTexx and Nordic Bioproducts, offering sustainable alternatives to traditional forest-based materials. As regulatory frameworks evolve to address deforestation and climate concerns, these innovators stand poised to revolutionize global supply chains with their climate-friendly solutions.
Nicole Rycroft, Founder and Executive Director of Canopy, hailed the addition of these leading fashion brands and innovators on Earth Day as a pivotal moment in the quest to build a sustainable future. With over 1.14 Trillion $ in annual revenue represented by 566 brands in the CanopyStyle initiative and 249 billion $ by 444 brands in Pack4Good, this collective effort signals a paradigm shift towards a more sustainable and resilient global economy.
Vandewiele Sweden, a pioneering member of TMAS (Swedish Textile Machinery Association), unveils a B2B e-commerce platform set to revolutionize the industry.
Spearheaded by Henrik Kruse, Area Sales Manager, the platform addresses the challenge of crafting a cohesive online narrative for traditionally dialogue-driven B2B products. With a focus on global accessibility and user experience, the platform boasts a user-friendly interface featuring "exploding view" diagrams for seamless component identification and ordering.
Embracing the trend of digitalization accelerated by the pandemic, Vandewiele Sweden's platform prioritizes accessibility and added value for customers. Initially launching with IRO-branded accessories and spare parts, the platform targets textile mills, weavers, and distributors. The phased approach ensures streamlined direct sales and transparent commission structures, catering to diverse clientele needs.
With a commitment to innovation, Vandewiele promises a 48-hour dispatch leveraging third-party payment service providers for enhanced speed and reliability. Henrik Kruse emphasizes the platform's advanced yet intuitive design, primed for future expansion into machine sales.
Scheduled for an April 2024 launch, the platform anticipates a significant shift towards online sales, driven by AI, automation, and generative tools. TMAS Secretary General Therese Premler-Andersson highlights the industry's dedication to exceeding global customer needs through forward-looking initiatives.
The platform, accessible at iroonline.com, invites potential clients to register and explore the future of textile machinery commerce. Vandewiele Sweden showcases its innovation at the Techtextil technical textiles exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany, from April 23-26, underscoring its commitment to shaping the industry's future.
Increasing for seven consecutive years, China’s exports of socks, stockings and other women’s hosiery reached 18 billion pairs in 2023, marking a 7.5 per cent increase from the previous year.
However, in terms of value, women's hosiery exports from China dipped marginally to $6.2 billion in 2023, according to IndexBox estimates. The United States remained the primary destination for women's hosiery exports from China, accounting for 23 per cent of total exports, valued at $4.1 billion. This volume exceeded exports to the second-largest destination, Russia, by threefold. Japan secured the third spot with a 4.7 per cent share.
In terms of volume, exports to the United States grew by a CAGR of 18.3 per cent, while exports to Russia and Japan grew by 21.1 per cent and 8.6 per cent per year, respectively.
In value terms, the United States maintained its position as the leading market, comprising 24 per cent of total exports, valued at $1.5 billion. Japan followed with a 7.6 per cent share, amounting to $470 million, and Russia held a 6 per cent share.
Export prices declined by 11.3 per cent in 2023, amounting to $0.4 per pair (FOB, China) from the previous year. Notably, prices varied significantly by destination, with Japan having the highest price per pair at $0.6, while Brazil had one of the lowest at $0.2.
From 2013 to 2023, there was a notable decline in prices for exports to the Philippines, recording a rate of -11.5 per cent, while other major destinations also experienced a decrease in prices.
Vertical denim manufacturer, AGI Denim has teamed up with sustainability analytics platform Green Story to effectively quantify and communicate its environmental performance to clients. The company will leverage Green Story's expertise to present its product's environmental impact in a credible and easily understandable manner.
Green Story conducts comprehensive lifecycle assessments (LCAs) on apparel, accessories, and textiles, meticulously collecting data at every stage of product development. Through this process, they provide a thorough analysis, evaluating both environmental and social impacts of each component and supplier, all presented in visually engaging formats adhering to global standards and regulations.
The collaboration will enable AGI Denim to offer Digital Product Passports to its clients, accessible via QR codes. These passports will feature footprint assessments and supply chain visualizations, enabling clients to transparently share sustainability data with their own customers, thereby fostering trust and transparency throughout the chain.
Hasan Javed, Executive Director, AGI Denim, says, the company partnership with Green Story emphasies its significance in driving an impactful change.
Besides this collaboration, AGI Denim has undertaken various initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint and maximising social and economic benefits. These initiatives encompass water stewardship, renewable energy adoption, circular design, and empowerment of women.
AGI recently celebrated its 30th anniversary by launching a collection showcasing cutting-edge innovation and sustainability technologies available to the denim industry. These include Circ by Renewcell, Circulose, Infinna from Infinited Fiber, and Hyosung’s Creora Regen.
Registering $212 million in sales for FY22-23, AGI Denim manufactures 55 million yards of denim fabric and 24 million pairs of jeans annually.
With over 150 customers across 15 countries, including notable players like Soorty and Unspun, Green Story is dedicated to rectifying the fashion industry's misinformation problem through accurate data and insights.
Akhil Sivanandan, CEO, Green Story, opines, the collaboration with AGI Denim is a pioneering effort in promoting transparency and sustainability in the fashion industry. The partnership will enable both entities to empower AGI Denim and its clients with actionable insights into their environmental impact, driving informed decisions towards positive change and setting new standards for responsible manufacturing and ethical sourcing.
Japanese apparel and lifestyle brand Uniqlo has launched its ‘Airism’ range of t-shirts on its direct to customer e-commerce store and in its brick-and-mortar outlets across the country.
Designed to protect against UV rays and the effects of hot weather, the collection caters to men and women and features long and short sleeve t-shirts in bright and neutral shades.
Complemented by a range of inner wear, 7 per cent silk textiles of these garments have a deodorising quality to combat sweat in hot weather. The collection is a part of Uniqlo’s ‘Life Wear’ range that offers versatile, high performance apparel to enhance everyday life.
Uniqlo recently also collaborated with designer JW Anderson for a new collection with a modern, paired down style. It also launched a new collection of linen apparel in partnership with Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif. The collection blends breathability with versatility.
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is currently hosting seven lifestyle and creative trade events from Apr 20- 30, 2024. Among them are the four-day lifestyle fairs, Home InStyle and Fashion InStyle, taking place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). These fairs are bustling with over 2,200 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions, showcasing a diverse array of products and innovations, and highlighting Hong Kong's role as a global hub for lifestyle products and creativity.
Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director, HKTDC, emphasizes the alignment of this year's offerings with the Hong Kong SAR government's 'plastic-free' initiatives. Home InStyle, in particular, showcases products that adhere to sustainability measures, while Fashion InStyle introduces eco-friendly technologies and products. A new Certification and Trade Services zone has been established at Fashion InStyle to provide sustainability accreditation services, offering eco-labels for exhibitors selling green products, thus fostering the promotion and sourcing of eco-friendly solutions within the industry.
Home InStyle is a treasure trove of traditional crafts and award-winning designer products, boasting 1,750 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions. Among its highlights are 12 pavilions, each showcasing home furnishings infused with cultural elements from various origins, including Mainland China, Taiwan, India, Japan, and Thailand. Notable mentions include the Taiwan Pavilion, offering a diverse range of kitchenware, interior decoration furnishings, and more, and the Indian Pavilion, showcasing exquisite household textiles and decor.
The Cultural and Creative Corner at the fairs presents over 50 design brands from different regions, including a debut by the Shanghai Industrial Design Association, showcasing products from Shanghai Design 100+ and traditional handicrafts from Japan. Additionally, renowned entities like Pantone and TASCHEN enrich the experience, providing color recommendations and setting up a lifestyle library respectively.
Fashion InStyle, known as Asia's leading fashion and textile sourcing event, brings together over 450 exhibitors from 10 countries and regions. This year, it introduces a Certification and Trade Services zone, emphasizing sustainable fashion technology alongside other zones such as Fashion Tech and Athleisure.
Various seminars and activities are being conducted throughout the event, offering insights into market opportunities, consumer trends, and industry developments. Notably, the HKTDC's Exhibition + model integrates offline and online elements, allowing buyers to seamlessly continue their interactions and transactions through digital platforms even after the physical fair concludes.
