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The Liva Protege Textiles Design Competition, a collaboration between Birla Cellulose and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), concluded with a spectacular finale at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Fifteen student finalists from various NIFT centres across India showcased their creations in Surface Design, Woven Design, and Print Design categories, reflecting their creativity and innovation.
Under the mentorship of renowned designer Karishma Shahani Khan, the students incorporated sustainability at the core of their designs, utilizing eco-friendly materials such as Livaeco fabrics, recycled yarns, and zero-waste techniques. Birla Cellulose’s commitment to promoting sustainable practices within the textile industry was evident throughout the event.
A distinguished jury panel, including Narendra Kumar, Ekta Saran, Deepa Chandran, Anupama Mohan, and Aspi Patel, evaluated the designs based on creativity, sustainability, and innovation. Senior leaders from Aditya Birla-Grasim Industries presented awards to the winners from NIFT Patna, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, who were celebrated for their exceptional talent and creativity.
The event also featured an insightful speaker session with Karishma Shahani Khan, Surya Vallari, and Sharmila Dua, offering valuable perspectives on sustainability and innovation in the textile industry. Manmohan Singh, CMO of Birla Cellulose, emphasized the competition's role in shaping a more sustainable future in fashion. The event highlighted the bright future of Gen Next designers and the importance of responsible design practices.
India showcased its growing presence in the global textile industry as the Hon’ble Minister of Textiles inaugurated the India Pavilion at Heimtextil 2025 in Messe Frankfurt. With the largest country participation at the prestigious event, India highlighted its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration.
Addressing international home textile exporters, importers, and manufacturers, the Minister emphasized India’s rising competitiveness and the importance of partnerships for sustainable growth. He invited attendees to participate in Bharat Tex 2025, promoting investment opportunities in India’s thriving textile ecosystem.
During an Investors Meet, the Minister emphasized India’s impressive growth and the increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) over the past decade. He highlighted the success of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, urging investors to take advantage of opportunities in India’s expanding manufacturing hub. He encouraged global investors to seize opportunities in India by emphasizing the advantages of manufacturing in the country, both for domestic and international markets.
The Minister also met with representatives from the Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association and IVGT, Germany, urging them to strengthen ties with India’s textile sector. He encouraged German manufacturers to invest in India’s textile machinery production, citing the success of a German sewing thread company already thriving in the country.
The event saw active participation from Indian exporters, reaffirming the government’s commitment to boosting the sector’s global reach. The Minister toured various exhibition stalls, engaging with exhibitors and showcasing India’s craftsmanship. The delegation also included Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, and officials from the Export Promotion Councils and the Jute Board.
India is rapidly emerging as a hub for the growing technical textiles sector, with rising demand and innovation shaping its future. To strengthen this position, Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India has announced a significant collaboration with the Austrian Fibers Institute, bringing the Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress (GFC) to Asia as part of the Techtextil India Symposium in 2025. This strategic alliance is poised to offer unprecedented opportunities for the global technical textiles industry, setting new benchmarks for innovation, sustainability, and fiber technology advancements.
Techtextil India 2025: A global innovation hub
The 10th edition of Techtextil India, scheduled for November 19-21, 2025, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, will serve as the primary platform for the technical textiles industry. In a first for the event, the Dornbirn GFC Asia will take place on November 18, 2025, a day before the exhibition opens. The collaboration between Messe Frankfurt and the Austrian Fibers Institute combines the strengths of two leading platforms in the technical textiles sector, offering industry professionals a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge developments in fiber technology, sustainable materials, and fiber-based applications.
With the theme ‘Shaping the Future: Sustainable Growth in Fiber Solutions and Innovations,’ the Dornbirn GFC Asia will feature subject matter experts, researchers, and manufacturers from around the world. The conference will address key issues, including ground-breaking advances in spinning technology, and offer an in-depth look at innovations in the fiber and textile industries. This partnership aligns with India's growing focus on sustainability, fostering new approaches to material development, and helping the country strengthen its position in the global textile value chain.
Indian's growing technical textiles market
India's technical textiles market is poised for rapid growth, with the Indian government targeting a market size of $40 billion by 2030. Government schemes such as the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) and the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) aim to promote innovation, bolster research and development, and provide stakeholders with the necessary resources to drive progress. The NTTM, for instance, is focused on 156 R&D projects aimed at accelerating technological breakthroughs in the sector.
The government's push for Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and its strategic initiatives to strengthen the domestic technical textiles market are complemented by an increase in educational programs, which are creating a skilled workforce to support the industry's diverse applications, such as medical textiles, mobile textiles, geotextiles, and more.
Techtextil India 2025 will showcase these advancements with exhibits from leading industry players like Reliance Industries, Aditya Birla Yarns, JB Ecotex Ltd, Ganesha Ecosphere Ltd, and Perlon Group. These companies are at the forefront of innovations in areas such as fiber and yarn production, functional textiles, non-woven materials, and high-performance apparel. Specialized pavilions, such as Meditex, will focus on the rapidly evolving medical textiles segment, further expanding the scope of the event.
Setting new standards for technical textiles innovation
The collaboration between Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India and the Austrian Fibers Institute represents a significant milestone in India's drive to become a global leader in technical textiles. The union of the Dornbirn GFC Asia and Techtextil India is a testament to the growing importance of sustainable growth and technological advancements in the sector.
As global demand for technical textiles rises, applications across industries ranging from medical to sportswear, automotive to construction, and environmental sustainability continue to fuel the demand for high-performance materials. This collaboration will not only strengthen India's position in the global market but also serve as a pivotal step in fostering cross-border knowledge exchange, encouraging the development of innovative solutions that will shape the future of the textile industry worldwide.
With an aim to boost the textiles and garment export sectors, the upcoming Union Budget will increase its fund allocation for the sectors by 15 per cent
Last year, the government had allocated Rs 4,417 crore for the sector. This year, it aims to reduce taxes on different types of including polyester and viscose special fibers. It also plans to introduce a new Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the textile sector. Emulating the current PLI initiatives, this new scheme will offer tax incentives and concessions to encourage local manufacturing.
In last year’s budget presented in July 2024, the Finance Ministry had new initiatives to enhance export competitiveness in the leather and textile sectors. The ministry had proposed reducing the basic customs duty on real down filling materials from duck or goose.
The government also added more items to the list of exempted goods used in manufacturing leather and textile garments, footwear, and other leather items for export. Additionally, it reduced the customs duty on methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), a key material for spandex yarn production, from 7.5 per cent to 5 per cent.
Further, export duties on raw hides, skins, and leather were also simplified and streamlined.
A corner of the Indian economy, the textile and garment sector employs around 45 million people. From April to November 2024, exports from the sector rose by 7 per cent Y-o-Y to over $23 billion.
Pitti Immagine Uomo in Florence set the stage for an innovative collaboration between Isko, the leading denim innovator, and Gabba, the Danish heritage denim brand. The duo debuted a collection that fuses timeless design with everyday functionality, centered on Isko’s latest technological advancement: SelfDry.
SelfDry is a revolutionary denim finish that reduces drying time while maintaining the raw, authentic texture of denim. Inspired by Japanese craftsmanship, it reimagines classic denim with a modern edge. Gabba utilized SelfDry to craft a versatile lineup of nine styles, including jeans, jackets, kimonos, and accessories. Each piece showcases the durability, simplicity, and elevated aesthetic of SelfDry fabric.
One standout item is ‘The Supernormal Denim Bag,’ a sleek and functional raw denim bag designed to meet the demands of everyday life. A supersized version of this bag takes center stage at Gabba’s booth (Cavaniglia Pavilion, booth 16) at Pitti Uomo, offering visitors a striking visual representation of the collaboration.
Following its Florence debut, the display will tour major European fashion weeks, including Copenhagen, bringing the innovative Gabba and Isko collection to a wider audience. This partnership underscores the potential of denim innovation to combine tradition and practicality with modern style.
One of India’s largest vertically integrated textile companies, Alok Industries launched three new bed and bath linen collections at Heimtextil 2025.
The company unveiled its Leap Bedding Collection offering affordable bed linen made with high-performance Recron branded fibers by Reliance Industries. This durable and high-quality collection caters to modern, value-conscious consumers.
The second collection launched by Alok Industries - the Sumptuous Living Towel Collection offers affordable luxury with towels made using premium Kasturi Cotton. Boasting unparalleled softness, these towels are durable and offer a rich and lavish bathing experience to consumers.
Inspired by the trend Dark Romance, the Showstopper Collection offers a luxurious range of bed and bath linen, showcasing the company’s ability to merge innovative designs with superior craftsmanship.
At Heimtextil, Alok Industries is exhibiting its products at Hall 9.0, Booth E31. The exhibition is being held from January 14–17, 2025 at Frankfurt in Germany.
At Milano Unica, a new collaboration between Roica by Asahi Kasei and Tencel by Lenzing will debut an innovative collection of sustainable, circular-driven textiles. The partnership, known for promoting eco-friendly fibers, is set to introduce trousers and outerwear, focusing on comfort, style, and sustainability.
In cooperation with Destro Fabrics, this launch will feature no-gender trousers in three distinct textures, offering high comfort, urban style, and eco-conscious materials.
The collection integrates Roica V550 degradable stretch fiber, Tencel Lyocell, and European-grown cotton spun and woven in Cavernago, Italy. Roica V550 is a stretch fiber that decomposes at the end of its lifecycle, ensuring a sustainable product with a clear end-of-life solution.
TencelLyocell, made from certified wood sources, complements this with its biodegradable properties, adding to the circular economy approach.
Highlight fabrics in the new collection include the Bionic Broken Twill Weave, Biologic Twill LH Weave 4/2, and Biotech Piquet Weave, composed of 68 per cent cotton, 30 per cent Tencel Lyocell, and 2 per cent Roica V550. These fabrics offer the perfect blend of comfort, sustainability, and a modern aesthetic.
Destro Fabrics, known for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and a low-carbon footprint, is furthering its mission of supporting a circular economy with this launch. Alongside Destro Fabrics, other partners will present their own sustainable collections, including Brugnoli’s Yogatime Collection and Maglificio Ripa’s ECO lingerie proposals. This launch marks the beginning of a journey to provide the next generation of consumers with eco-conscious fashion choices.
A leader in sustainable textile technology, Spinnova has teamed up with Siemens to revolutionize global fiber production while minimizing environmental impact.
Known for its innovative approach, Spinnova traditionally creates textile fibers using a mechanical method inspired by spider web weaving. The process uses raw materials such as wood, leather, textiles, and agricultural waste to produce Spinnova® fiber, which can be spun into yarn and fabrics like conventional fibers but with significantly reduced environmental effects.
Now, leveraging Siemens’ Xcelerator technologies, including digital twins and Totally Integrated Automation (TIA), Spinnova is scaling its production capabilities and improving efficiency. With advanced tools like Plant Simulation from the Tecnomatix® portfolio and Opcenter™ software, Spinnova can digitally model manufacturing processes to ensure consistent quality and seamless scalability.
The collaboration is exemplified at the Woodspin factory in Jyväskylä, Finland - a joint venture between Spinnova and Suzano, a leading pulp producer. Siemens’ digital tools and automation solutions have enhanced operational performance, transparency, and cybersecurity, enabling faster production ramp-up.
Spinnova’s circular technology sets new sustainability benchmarks for the textile industry, says Eryn Devola, Head – Sustainability, Siemens Digital Industries. Meanwhile, Tuomas Oijala, CEO, Spinnova, adds, the company’s solutions empower Siemens to scale efficiently and meet market demands.
Siemens’ partnership with Spinnova aligns with its commitment to merging advanced technology with sustainability to drive positive environmental and societal change. Siemens Digital Industries (DI) supports businesses across the manufacturing sector in achieving digital and sustainability transformations.
With its Siemens Xcelerator platform, the company simplifies and accelerates the transition to sustainable Digital Enterprises. Headquartered in Berlin and Munich, Siemens AG is a global technology leader in industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare, employing approximately 312,000 people worldwide.
Meanwhile, Spinnova’s patented process produces biodegradable, recyclable fibers from wood pulp and waste materials without chemicals or waste byproducts. This innovation drastically reduces CO0 emissions and water usage, setting new standards for sustainable textile production and reinforcing Spinnova’s position as a trailblazer in environmentally conscious manufacturing.
From $35.89 billion in 2023, Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) exports increased by 7.23 per cent to $38.48 billion in 2024, as per the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). Showing resilience, RMG sector in the country registered positive growth in the ten months of the year, as per a report by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
The year began on a strong note, with RMG exports in January 2024 exports hitting $3.47 billion. Exports in February and March maintained steady at $3.19 billion and $3.06 billion, respectively. However, Bangladesh’s RMG exports declined by 6.62 per cent to $2.38 billion in April 2024 only to rebound by14.59 per cente to $3.5 billion in May 2024.
Following a 10.48 per cent to $2.97 billion in June 2024, Bangladesh’s RMG exports have shown consistence growth since July 2024 on onwards.
According to Faruque Hassan, Former President, BGMEA, 2024 was a challenging yet opportunistic year for the Bangladesh RMG industry as improved political stability and higher retail sales in the US and EU boosted work orders. Entrepreneurs increasingly focused on value-added products and expanded into new markets.
However, the sector needs to address the issues of corruption, customs and taxes to strengthen its position in 2025. Declining inflation and lower interest rates in key markets indicate positive growth prospects for the industry, he opines.
In 2024, there was a major shift towards activewear and non-cotton products alongwith efforts to diversify markets, notes Mohiuddin Rubel, Former Director, BGMEA. Energy crisis proved to a significant barrier to new investments, he adds.
With global economy set to recover in 2025, Bangladesh garment sector may also rebound during the year, despite ongoing challenges in the banking and financing sectors, adds Rubel.
Premium scrubwear brand Jaanuu has partnered with leading apparel distributor in the United States and Canada, S&S Activewear to expand the brand’s market presence and enhance access to its premium scrubs.
Since the last three decades, S&S activewear has been a trusted partner in decorator and promotional industries. The company operates eight distribution centers nationwide. Its extensive reach and reputation for reliability have made it a preferred distributor for top brands across North America.
Michael Alexander, CEO, Jaanuu, says, this partnership marks a pivotal step for Jaanuu’s future in the healthcare-adjacent space. It represents the beginning of a transformation as Jaanuu evolves into a leader in modern uniforms that redefine both style and functionality.”
As part of this collaboration, Jaanuu will offer a curated selection of its core bestsellers through S&S. These products feature enhanced designs focused on performance, utilizing premium materials that ensure comfort, durability, and functionality. The lineup includes women’s and men’s apparel crafted from a durable woven fabric and a unique knit material that has garnered strong loyalty among Jaanuu’s customer base.
This partnership not only highlights Jaanuu’s dedication to the health and wellness communitybut also enables the brand to diversify its customer base and explore new opportunities.
