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The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) will link fabric mills to the Better Cotton Tracer. This is an online traceability platform used by ginners, spinners and retailers. It records purchases and sales of Better Cotton. This means retailers and brands belonging to Better Cotton Initiative will now be able to trace their cotton purchases more accurately and transparently.
Initially this program will only be run as a pilot. It will give fabric mills access to the Better Cotton Tracer for one year and allow members of BCI to track the use of Better Cotton more easily throughout the supply chain. For the first time, some retailers will have full transparency from the raw materials to the end product.
BCI aims to recruit 250 fabric mills as users in 2015, before assessing the success of the fabric mill pilot category. BCI hopes that by extending the use of the Better Cotton Tracer across different actors, it can contribute to more trusting relationships between these actors and a more transparent cotton sector as a whole.
The Better Cotton Tracer brings BCI closer to the possibility of having full physical traceability as an option for retail and brand members in 2016. BCI exists to make global cotton production better for people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in and better for the sector’s future.
bettercotton.org/
A sharp fall in euro is affecting Bangladesh's garment exports. The euro has fallen to a four-year low in January and its value has eroded by 12 per cent. Some developing countries considered rivals to Bangladesh in the export market have depreciated their currencies to tap the benefits from a falling euro.
Exports of Vietnam and Cambodia to the eurozone grew 28.9 per cent and 23.9 per cent respectively in July to September. Even Pakistan’s exports which also enjoys GSP Plus status from the European Union, surged by 30 per cent during the period under review. The 27-member eurozone remains Bangladesh’s largest export destination.
The decline in euro’s value is affecting the garment sector in terms of price cuts. Buyers will procure reduced amounts from Bangladesh if they get the same items from cheaper sources where the currencies have been depreciated against the dollar. The competitiveness of Bangladesh exports is being eroded following the rise in the real effective exchange rate of the taka.
If buyers from the eurozone lower their imports from Bangladesh, it will adversely impact export volumes. European buyers pay in euro and in terms of dollar the value falls.
Claiming improvement in plant efficiency and productivity, Huntsman Textile Effects has launched a new range of high-performance ‘Terasil’ branded disperse dyes for polyester, polyester/cotton and micro-fibre and elastane blends. The dye is compatible with a range of key environmental standards such as bluesign, Oeko-Tex 100 and satisfies the RSL needs of major brands and the ZDHC Group.
The new ‘Terasil TC’ range comprises a complete set of intelligent mixes for dyeing medium to dark shades, with six colours currently available: yellow, orange, rubine red, blue, turquoise and black. The dyes fulfill Oeko-Tex 100 requirements, are bluesign-certified, and satisfy the Restricted Substances List (RSL) requirements of the major brands and the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Group.
The high performance, most wash-fast dyes are uneconomical for many end uses of polyester and its blends. Mills require high-quality disperse dyes that are fit-for applications adding that the economical Terasil TC range has been engineered to deliver optimal fastness and reliable operating performance at competitive cost. These dyes provide minimum sensitivity to reduction, good fastness to dry heat, good pH stability, good coverage of barriness and minimum staining on adjacent cotton fibre, claims Huntsman.
Bangladesh's garment exports to new destinations are increasing substantially though shipments to traditional markets have come down. New markets are promising mainly due to the government’s stimulus package, aggressive marketing by exporters and relaxation of the rules of origin by some countries.
Apparel exports to new destinations, all markets except the EU, the US and Canada, rose 15.47 per cent year-on-year in July to December of the current fiscal year. Major new export destinations are: Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and Turkey.
During the six month from July to December, Bangladesh’s garment exports to the US declined 5.18 per cent, to EU 3.53 per cent, and to Canada 14.60 per cent. Exports to South American countries such as Brazil, Mexico and Chile are growing at a faster rate. Garment exports to non-traditional markets got a boost when the government offered an incentive package to businesses in fiscal 2008-09 to offset the impact of the global financial crisis on the sector.
Generally, 60 per cent of Bangladesh’s garment items are destined for the EU, 23 per cent to the US, six per cent to Canada and the rest to other countries.
The intimate apparel market in China may witness a rise of 17.99 percent between 2014 and 2019 as the consumer shifts from basics to fashion lingerie, according to a recent report by TechNavio.
“Globalization has had a huge impact on the fashion industry in China,” said Faisal Ghaus, Vice President of TechNavio, after releasing the report on China’s intimate apparel market in China. He further added saying, “The young female population is investing significant amounts of time and money to stay up-to-date with the latest fashion trends, which directly impact the intimate-wear market in China.”
The report found that while basic intimate items continue to be popular with Chinese consumers, they are looking for a wider range of offerings, including fashion intimates, thermals and loungewear. “Though consumers will spend on purchasing new types of products, at the same time they will show growing interest for ‘bare necessity’ products as the market is expecting the emergence of new trends with respect to fabric and design,” it added.
It further says that the Chinese domestic market is preparing for fierce competition with increased threat from foreign companies. London-based TechNavio is a research and advisory company that employs about 200 analysts globally and covers more than 500 technologies across 80 countries.
www.technavio.com
With leading western destinations shifting their sourcing to other countries, garment exporters from Bangladesh are moving their shipments to new destinations. Data shows that while the exports to traditional markets saw a decline, shipments to new destinations witnessed a sharp increase.
Apparel exports to new destinations, all markets except the EU, the US and Canada, for instance increased 15.47 per cent year-on-year to $1.87 billion in the first six months from July-December of the current fiscal year, according to Export Promotion Bureau. The major new export destinations that have emerged strong include Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and Turkey.
During the six-month period, Bangladesh's garment exports to the US declined 5.18 percent, to EU 3.53 percent, and to Canada 14.60 percent. However, garment exports to non-traditional markets were encouraged by the government’s incentive package to businesses during the fiscal year 2008-09. Under the scheme, the government gave 5 per cent cash incentive to garment exporters in fiscal 2009-10, 4 percent in fiscal 2010-11 and 2 percent in fiscal 2011-12. The exporters continue to receive 2 percent cash incentive for exporting to the new destinations.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau, Usually Bangladesh's 60 per cent apparel products are exported to the EU, 23 per cent to the US, 6 percent to Canada and the rest to other countries.
www.epb.gov.bd
Rahul Mehta, the new International Apparel Federation (IAF) and CMAI President global apparel industry is expected to grow 3.5 per cent to over $500 billion this year in line with its performance last year. After a long lull, followed by the economic crisis of 2008, year 2013 saw industry reporting a growth of 3 per cent compared to 2.5 per cent in 2012, which began showing green shoots of recovery.
Mehta feels that developing countries like India where consumption is on the rise may see a growth of 17 per cent and positive signs of US economy will further encourage it, balancing weaker demand from Europe. He further added saying, the global trade dynamics are changing and growth would further be led by a turnaround in Japan, coupled with strong sales in other emerging Asian nations such as Cambodia and Sri Lanka.
Mehta is of the opinion that among all the apparel categories, women's wear leads the pack in Asia with growth of about 22 per cent followed by men's and kids’ wear. However, as far as luxury and sports apparel is concerned, continued financial pressure in the developed world could make a negative impact.
Mehta pointed out that around 60 per cent of garment sourcing happens in Asia, 20 per cent in Latin America and 20 per cent in Europe and by 2020, some of the sourcing may shift to Europe and the US as brands’ showing keenness in close to home sourcing. He feels that overall, sourcing could see a decline to 55 per cent in Asia.
iafnet.eu
The textile industry in Tamil Nadu is in a tizzy with the sudden exorbitant increase in minimum wages for tailors. This is the first pay revision in 10 years. The 64 per cent increase is considered sudden and huge.
The total monthly wages payable to a cutter has shot up to Rs 7,559 from Rs 4,605 and that of a machine operator to Rs 7,409 i[ from Rs 4,514. Stakeholders feel they are not against an increase in basic minimum rate, but a periodical review would have been better than a sudden and steep increase.
The pay revision is applicable to tailoring shops, export garments manufacturing and administrative staff for both tailoring and export garments manufacturing. There are as many as eight scheduled employments under the Minimum Wages Act relating to the textile and clothing sector such as cotton ginning, pressing and waste cotton industry, handloom and weaving industry, handloom silk weaving industry, hosiery manufacturing, powerloom industry, silk twisting industry, tailoring industry and apprentices in textile mills.
Besides these, there are many industrial establishments engaged in the manufacture of knitted and woven garments. However, the Tamil Nadu government has notified minimum wages for hosiery manufacturing. Mills say that if a unit does both, knitted and woven fabrics, and engages the same machine operator, it’s unclear under which schedule of employment it’s to classify these tailors.
To tide over issues, and bring in more clarity, mills suggest bringing minimum wages across the state under one schedule with respect to the textile sector.
Coats, the leading name is industrial thread and consumer textile crafts business, has announced appointment of John Lovell in the newly created role of Group Pensions Director. John will be responsible for overseeing the Coats’ pension schemes worldwide and GPG’s UK pension schemes. Based out of Coats’ head office at Stockley Park in West London, he would commence work from March 2, 2015. He joins from J Sainsbury, where he was assigned the role of Head of Pensions.
The role includes developing the pension strategy for Coats and GPG and working closely with the trustees of the various schemes to ensure its delivery. He will report into Richard Howes, Chief Financial Officer of the company. The principal Coats pension plan is in the UK and GPG also has two UK pension plans. There are also a number of other Coats plans in countries across the world with the US plan.
Before his role at J Sainsbury, Lovell was Director of UK Pensions at Lafarge UK, the building materials company, and UK Pensions Manager at National Grid. He has also worked at Grant Thornton and Pension Development Manager at Italian insurance company, Generali. He started his career at Friends Provident Life Office (now Friends Life).
www.coats.com
The industry in Pakistan is still waiting for the textile policy. Seven months of the current fiscal have already gone by. The policy is being delayed despite the fact that textile exports showed negative growth during the first quarter of the current year. Pakistan’s exporters are chafing at the delay. They are eagerly awaiting cash incentives for their future exports and investments.
Pakistan figures very low in the list of top textile exporting countries because of low value addition. The country’s first five-year textile policy was unveiled in 2009, but there were major constraints in its implementation. The new policy is expected to target doubling of exports and contain various cash incentives, credit subsidies and tax exemptions. About one third of this amount will be allocated for outstanding claims filed by manufacturers and exporters for refunds under the previous textile policy for 2009-14. The balance will be available for initiatives to be undertaken under the new policy. There are a few infrastructure projects, like establishment of garment-weaving cities, ginning institutes etc. under the proposed textile policy as well.
Textile exporters have long been demanding a cut in interest rates to help boost production. However, the interest rate remains high.
