Since consumers are increasingly drawn towards the instant gratification of fashion shopping, brands are mobile-optimising their marketing through the use of digital tools such as Augmented Reality (AR) apps, rewards promotions, and digital style guides that provide ideas on how to incorporate trends in everyday life.

Under Armour used mobile rewards promotions to drive sales during the competitive back-to-school season in Canada. Japanese apparel company Uniqlo created an innovative mobile-activated campaign that used fast-moving images on billboards containing unique product codes that could only be captured by taking a photo of the display.

Designer Rebecca Minkoff embeds QR codes into handbags, so customers can scan the codes with their mobiles to unlock content and rewards. Consumers scanning the QR code initially unlock a video from Rebecca Minkoff herself, helping drive a deeper connection to the brand.

Fashion brand Maggy London created an AR catalog for mobile users, using 3D scanning and Apple’s ARKit. Shoppers can put a mobile phone up to items in the catalog and view them as realistic, virtual 3D products.

Cotton has helped farmers in Bangladesh cultivate land which used to previously stay fallow due to lack of irrigation facilities.
Due to its vertical tap root, cotton is much more resilient to high temperatures, less water intensive and needs just one round of irrigation. Cotton yields better results than rice which requires standing water and multiple rounds of irrigation. While the input costs for growing cotton are slightly higher than that for rice, the returns for cotton are significantly higher.

Cotton is an economically viable crop, especially in drier regions. Here demonstration farms have been set up that provide information and inputs support to farmers and buy cotton from them at market prices to ensure they get the best returns.

Yet most small scale farmers continue to grow highly climate sensitive traditional crops such as rice for fear of perceived uncertainties. Perceived risks, primarily due to lack of information and support, have resulted in the transition to cotton cultivation being limited to farmers who have the economic avenues to bounce back from potential losses.

Bangladesh’s domestic cotton production forms merely four per cent of the industry’s demand for raw cotton. Cotton imports are proving to be a major drain on foreign exchange reserves in Bangladesh. To improve the balance of trade and make the textile industry, which contributes about 27 per cent to the country’s GDP, more self-sufficient, domestic cotton production needs to increase exponentially.

Cambodia could face potential economic collapse, leading to a devastating impact on garment manufacturing, if the European Union follows through on its threat this month to withdraw Cambodia’s special trade status with Europe due to human rights concerns.

The EU warned Cambodia in July that the southeastern Asian nation could lose its special access to Europe if elections returned Prime Minister Hun Sen to power and extended his 30-year rule.

Global observers, and the EU specifically, have criticised the Cambodian government for its attacks against critics and opposition parties, its crackdown on independent media and nongovernmental organisations, and its disregard for human rights.

Observers also consider the most recent election to have been a rigged election after the opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was forcibly dissolved.

Cambodia enjoys tariff-free access to the European market, except for weapons and ammunition, and its exports to European countries account for roughly 40 percent of Cambodia’s foreign sales and generate nearly $6 billion, according to EU data. The majority of Cambodia’s exports come from its textile, garment and footwear industry, which employs an estimated 800,000 people.

According to a latest commerce ministry study, the extra US tariffs on its imports from China have opened a window of opportunity for India to push for higher exports in 171 items — ranging from textiles to marine products — with additional outbound shipment potential of up to $8.7 billion a year.

The Trump administration has announced an extra levy of up to 25 per cent on $250-billion Chinese supplies in two phases, which will make Indian products more competitive than China’s in the US market. The first round of higher duties on $50-billion Chinese goods has created the space for India to tap the export window in close to three dozen items with potential annual supplies of $2.1 billion.

Similarly, in the second round of duty increase, India has the scope to drive up exports in 135-171 products, with potential outbound shipments of $5-6.6 billion a year. These Chinese goods face additional American tariff of 10 per cent up to end-December, after which it will be raised to 25 per cent. The US is India’s largest merchandise export destination with exports to the country touching $48 billion in 2017-18.

The products where India can make inroads into the American market with greater vigour include shrimps and prawns, yarn, fabrics, man-made filament, copper and products made of such base metals, steel and iron products, garlic, berries, sugar confections, oilcake, distillate fuel oil, organic compounds, certain plastic, leather, rubber and wooden products.

The US apparel industry has developed the on-demand manufacturing concept which requires scalability, adjustable and flexible manufacturing processes to complete the customised packages based on real time data which USA will definitely be able to achieve.

On-demand model allows apparel brands to focus on global warming awareness which is the utmost need of today. It also lets them experiment with the size run algorithms from a regional perspective. The concept works on ‘demand and supply’ model instead of ‘supply and demand’ concept. A company that practices the ‘demand and supply’ model doesn’t have an over abundant inventory. Since a product isn’t produced until a customer orders it, the model allows a company to only produce when necessary.

This way, the manufacturers would have to deal with fewer inventories and reduced downtime can help the US apparel manufacturers compete with overseas competition.

Neither the US nor China looks likely to back down in the trade war.
The US imports nearly all of its clothing and footwear, and China is by far the largest source. In 2016, about 36 per cent of US imports of textiles and clothes came from China, and about 60 per cent of footwear. The US already places some of its highest tariffs on clothing and footwear, so the industry is especially sensitive about the prospect of more duties.

The tariffs have so far increased the US trade deficit with China.

The US has already put a ten per cent tariff on a large number of Chinese goods, including certain accessories and footwear. The tariff is set to climb to 25 per cent if China retaliates. Clothing has been spared thus far, but with nobody backing down, higher tariffs on more and more Chinese products, including clothing, look inevitable.

But in the process, because of the way tariffs get factored into the final price shoppers pay for imported goods, the tariffs will raise prices for US consumers.

China has indicated it will increase export tax rebates for Chinese firms to reduce the pain of a trade war. It could also resort to non-tariff barriers.

Cematex, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers, to emphasise the importance of innovation to the textiles, garment and fashion industry has launched the ITMA Innovation Lab at ITMA 2019.

The ITMA Innovation Lab includes some features from previous editions, in addition to new initiatives and enhancements. The four main components of the Innovation Lab are: Research & Innovation Pavilion (R&I Pavilion); ITMA Speakers Platform; Innovation Video Showcase; and ITMA Sustainable Innovation Award.

The speaker’s platform will be an avenue for participating R&I Pavilion institutes to present their latest research projects and cutting-edge technological developments. The video showcase will provide a new channel for visitors to learn more about innovative exhibits at ITMA 2019. The R&I Pavilion will showcase cutting-edge textile and related research and development projects. The ITMA Sustainable Innovation Award will recognise the collaborative efforts by the global textile industry to advance business sustainability through innovative solutions and promote outstanding industry related research.

ITMA 2019 will be held from June 20-26, 2019 at Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via venue. The exhibition will feature over 1,600 exhibitors who will be showcasing their latest technologies and sustainable solutions for the entire textiles and garment manufacturing value chain, as well as fibers, yarns and fabrics.

Vijaypat Singhania has been stripped of his position as chairman emeritus on the board of directors at Raymond.

Singhania believes that this is due to manoeuvring by his son Gautam Singhania as part of an ongoing feud between the two.

Vijaypat Singhania received a letter from a Raymond director asking him to cease using the title of chairman-emeritus of the family-run Raymond Group. This followed a series of letters that Singhania wrote to the company secretary and then to the board of directors claiming that he was not being sufficiently updated about board meetings.

After receiving directions to cease using the title chairman-emeritus, Vijaypat Singhania stated that he would not comply unless he was shown proof that he was fired from the board. In response, Raymond’s director secretarial and company secretary Thomas Fernandes replied that the company had indeed made the decision and it was based on the derogatory language used toward the board in Singhania’s letters.

Gautam Singhania says so far as the company’s functioning is concerned, he has nothing to do with his father’s not being the chairman emeritus anymore. He says it is a board decision.

Raymond is one of India’s premium fabric manufacturers. With over 90 years of craftsmanship, Raymond embodies the spirit of Made In India and Swadeshi.

Organised by the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Bureau of Foreign Trade and the Taiwan Textile Federation from October 16-18, 2018 in Taipei, the 22nd Edition TITAS 2018 “Taipei Innovative Textile Application Show” focused on smart textiles, sustainable environmental protection, and functional applications. It attracted participation from 12 countries entailing a total of 456 exhibitors in 1,003 booths.

Insightful seminars and presentations

The show offered a strong knowledge platform that included a slew of activities such as insightful seminars, product presentations besides presentations on new fibers & technologies. The topics for these seminar included ‘The Evolution Tendency Of Smart Textiles’, ‘Japanese Functional Finishing Mark’, ‘ISKO Responsible Innovation Approach’, ZDHC & Functional Testing Of Textile Products & latest trend of innovative textiles to name a few.

In addition, around 1,000 one-on-one business meetings were held between show exhibitors and over 100 invited representatives from international brands/ retailers. TTF in collaboration with the Taipei Sewing Machine Association (TSMA) presented the latest developments in smart manufacturing including automatic sewing machines & smart sewing systems and solutions.

Pavilion for smart textiles

A new pavilion for smart textiles was introduced at the show. Though the core DNA of TITAS has always been to promote innovative textiles, it was quite imperative for TITAS to introduce advance technologies such IOT & AI’s to the discerning segment within its core global business trade audience.

Attendance by local and international dignitaries

Many distinguished local and international luminaries from the industrial, government, academic, and research sectors attended the opening ceremony of the show. The participation included the trade bodies/ associations/ support service institutes viz. Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taiwan Textile Research Institute, Southern Taiwan Textile Research Alliance, Taiwan Technical Textile Association & other 15 textile related associations representing various segments of Taiwan’s textile chain.

While on the international participation side, the Federation of Indian Chambers Of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) led a group of 10 exhibitors. A visiting delegation organised by VITAS, Vietnam attended TITAS to seek further co-operation with Taiwan’s textile enterprises, Southern Taiwan Textile Research Alliance

Government support for the textile industry was indicated with the presence of Mei-Hua Wang, MOEA Deputy Minister who made a special appearance at the opening ceremony. Among other special guests who attended the show included Jang-Hwa Leu, Director General of Industrial Development Bureau, MOEA; Yung-Jan Chan, 2018 women’s Tennis Association world rankings number one player in women’s doubles alongwith her sister/ partner Hao-Ching Chan who was a gold medalist of women’s tennis competitions at the 2014 Asian games in Incheon; Douglas Hsu; Honorable Chairman, TTF and Cheng- Tien Chan, Chairman, TTF

On the whole TITAS 2018 indeed kicked off with larger scale and more innovative & upgraded coverage. As TTF Honorable Chairman Douglas Hsu very aptly mentioned that the sustainability & eco-friendly textiles are in big trend today and precisely this is the talking point today

"The global spandex market estimated at over 760 kilo ton in 2015, is likely to cross 1,550 kilo ton by 2023. It is likely to grow at a CAGR of over 8 per cent from 2016 to 2023. China dominated the Asia-Pacific market in 2015, accounting for 60 per cent of the total volume. Major growth driver for the spandex market will be the apparel and textile industry which uses spandex in manufacturing leggings, gloves, cycling jerseys and competitive swimwear et al. Spandex is also used to provide stretchability to garments used in active sports. Factors such as superior elasticity, regaining original shape, durability, lightweight, resistance to UV light boost its demand in the global market."

The global spandex market estimated at over 760 kilo ton in 2015, is likely to cross 1,550 kilo ton by 2023. It is likely to grow at a CAGR of over 8 per cent from 2016 to 2023. China dominated the Asia-Pacific market in 2015, accounting for 60 per cent of the total volume.

Apparels, textiles, automobiles drive market

Major growth driver for the spandex market will be the apparel and textile industry which uses spandex in manufacturing leggings, gloves, cycling jerseys and competitive swimwear et al. Spandex is also used to provide stretchability to garments used in active sports. Factors such as superior elasticity, regaining original shape, durability, lightweight, resistance to UV light boost its demand in the global market.

The other big consumer is the automobile industry. With global automobile sales on the rise demand for spandex is expected to touch new highs.

Raw materials for spandex production

Polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTEG) and MDI derived from petrochemical feedstock are the raw materials required for spandex production. PTEG accounted for more than 70 per cent spandex production in 2012. However, stringent government norms, to curb carbon footprints, are likely to hinder its future growth. Alternatively, renewable sources with stable raw material supply are likely to provide more growth opportunities.

Bio-based spandex for garment applications

Invista, under Lycra, has introduced bio based spandex for apparels. Bio spandex contains approximately 70 per cent of the sustainable feedstock made out of renewable butanediol from dextrose which is derived from corn. The company markets this as a specialty product and sells it at a premium rate. Invista uses bio-based 1.4-butanediol as raw material from Genometica’s developed technology which has successfully developed fermentation route for the chemical using E. coli to metabolise sugar.1,4-butanediol is then synthesised to THF which is further used for PTEF production.

The global spandex market share is moderately consolidated and comprises of companies such as BASF, DuPont, Invista, Indorama and Mitsubishi Chemical. Other major companies include Zhejiang Huafo, Dow Chemical, Yantai Bailu Chemical Fiber Co and Swan Fiber Co.

Asia-Pacific dominates the world spandex market

Asia-Pacific was the dominant market for spandex production and is likely to witness highest gains by 2023. China accounted for more than 50 per cent of the global share in 2014 and is the major manufacturer. North America is also likely to witness moderate growth owing to increasing demand for sportswear in the US. Europe is likely to witness below average growth rates over the forecast period. Latin America is likely to grow at significant rates owing to growth in sportswear and apparel industry.