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To be held from November 20-21, 2024 in Cologne, Germany, the Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) 2024 will expand its scope beyond conventional plastic packaging to address pressing issues like e-waste valorisation, PVC recycling, textile recycling, and advanced recycling techniques for engineering thermoplastics. The conference will also highlight innovative funding strategies essential for these advancements.
The conference will gather industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to explore groundbreaking technologies and strategies that can reshape sustainability.
With nearly 300 participants from 26 countries attending the 2023 event – a 30 per cent increase of attendees compared to the year before – ARC has established itself as the largest conference in Europe for advanced recycling. ARC 2024 promises invaluable insights into emerging trends and collaboration opportunities in both physical and chemical recycling. The conference will feature various dynamic sessions led by industry experts that explore all aspects of the diverse landscape of advanced recycling.
This solvent-based technology dissolves targeted polymers from mixed plastic wastes while the chemical structure of the polymer remains intact. Other undissolved plastic components (e.g. additives, pigments, fillers, non-targeted polymers) can be cleaned from the dissolved target polymer. The session covers polymer extraction or purification from PS and engineering plastics (e.g. ABS) through physical recycling using dissolution technologies.
A global leader in sustainable chemicals, Indorama Ventures Public Company highlighted its groundbreaking advancements in recycling and sustainability at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), held from November 11–22, 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Participating through its booth and at the Thailand Pavilion in collaboration with the Thai government, Indorama Ventures celebrated recycling over 130 billion post-consumer PET bottles between February 2011 and October 2024. The company unveiled innovative solutions, including the SIPA Sparkling Wine Bottle, the world’s first sustainable monolayer PET bottle for sparkling wine, developed with SIPA; the first commercial-scale bio-PET bottle, produced using ISCC+ certified bio-paraxylene in partnership with Suntory, ENEOS, and others; and Oxismooth®, a renewable emollient range for personal care products.
Indorama Ventures actively engaged in thought leadership panels, with Anthony M Watanabe, Chief Sustainability Officer, presenting ‘The Six Secrets of Circularity.’ He emphasised the potential of a circular economy to cut global emissions by 40 per cent by 2050 and called for international cooperation on the global plastic treaty to drive systemic environmental change.
The company’s sustainability advocates, including Ermis Panagiotopoulos, Harsha Reddy, and Naweensuda Krabuanrat, contributed to discussions on low-carbon futures, reinforcing Indorama Ventures’ role as a sustainability leader.
COP29 brought together nations, businesses, and advocates to advance sustainability and low-carbon goals. Indorama Ventures’ presence underscored its commitment to driving a circular economy, reducing emissions, and inspiring collective action to combat climate change. Through its innovations and partnerships, the company continues to lead the charge in shaping a sustainable future for the chemical industry and beyond.
To highlight climate-positive innovations in the fashion and textile industry, the British Council is hosting an exhibition titled, ‘Making Matters India and the UK.’ Being held from October 15, 2024, to December 9, 2024, the exhibition showcases sustainable practices and forward-think approaches spanning sequins made of algae and cellulose to fabrics recycled from textile waste and garments repaired using traditional mending techniques.
Highlighting a blend of research, practical solutions, and knowledge-sharing opportunities for the industry, the exhibition redefines sustainability by fostering collaboration among industry experts, academics, and stakeholders while creating a platform to exchange insights and ideas.
As a part of its arts program, the British Council has facilitated collaborations between India and the UK to demonstrate how indigenous crafts can integrate modern technology to drive sustainability. Alison Barrett, MBE, Director India, British Council, explains, the Council has strengthened its global partnership with collectives working towards sustainability in India to understand the craft landscape and the sector’s needs.
One of the featured projects includes Circular Khadi, a collaborative project launched with Conserve India. The project tackles the issue of textile waste by recycling handloom cotton scraps and incorporating them into the khadi production chain. It explores the role of small-scale machinery in promoting environmental conservation and uplifting rural communities.
Other highlights of the exhibition include the Bequin initiative which offers a sustainable alternative to conventional sequins by crafting them from algae and cellulose. On other hand,
The Darn Initiative connects consumers with skilled menders across India, helping preserve traditional repair techniques and extend the life of garments. The initiative also features collaborations like Where Does It Come From? and Khadi London, which focus on regenerative fabrics and ethical production, and Khamir, a platform promoting craft heritage and ecological practices in Kutch, Gujarat.
With support from partners like Fashion Revolution, the United Nations, and the Fashion, Textile and Technology Institute (University of the Arts London), the exhibition aims to create ripple effects across the industry. It serves as a testament to the potential of combining innovation with heritage, paving the way for a more sustainable future in textiles and fashion.
Italian luxury menswear brand Canali organised a grand event in Mumbai to celebrate its 90th anniversary. Blending heritage, craftsmanship and music, the event was organised in the partnership with Reliance Brands. It highlighted Canali’s enduring legacy and commitment to sartorial excellence.
The event also marked the unveiling of the brand’s exclusive 90th Anniversary Capsule Collection by Stefano Canali, President and CEO. A tribute to the brand’s nine decade design excellence, this limited-edition collection showcased its unique ability to merge tradition with innovation in luxury menswear.
The event also highlighted the collaboration between Canali and Reliance Brands (RBL), which represents the Italian brand in India. A subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures (RRVL), RBL manages a prestigious portfolio of global luxury and lifestyle brands. The partnership between Canali and RBL has been instrumental in establishing Canali as a leading name in India’s luxury fashion market.
Renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation, and tradition, Canali continues to set benchmarks in the luxury menswear segment. The brand reaffirmed its position as a symbol of timeless elegance and sophistication with this landmark anniversary celebration.
The Autumn/Winter (A/W) 2025-26 edition of Dubai Fashion Week will be held at the Dubai Design District from February 1-6, 2025.
To be organised by the Arab Fashion Council, the Dubai Fashion Week will attract over 25 designers, labels and brands from across the world incuding France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Palestine, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
This year, the fashion week will launch a new initiative titled, the Buyer’s Program to highlight the achievements of designers and offer them an international platform by bridging the gap between innovative talent and global buyers.
The program will give participants a direct access to a curated selection of talent, collections and exclusive sourcing opportunities. It will enable them to build connections in the industry and expose oneself to the new markets.
To be held from Feb 10-13, 2025 at the Powered by Plus Plus Showroom in Manhattan, the second edition of the CIFF x CFDA Showroom at the New York Fashion Week will highlight ten Nordic and two American designers. This collaboration bridges Danish and American fashion markets, with a shared commitment to sustainable innovation.
This event showcases the pioneering steps taken by both the regions to shape a more sustainable fashion industry,” says Steven Kolb, CEO, Council of Fashion Designers of America. The partnership is further driven by CIFF’s mission to amplify Scandinavian fashion, adds Sofie Dolva, CEO. Copenhagen International Fashion Fair (CIFF), emphasising its role in fostering creative exchange and business growth.
One of the highlights of the event is the ‘Stepping Stone of the Year’ award, developed with Elle Danmark, which helps Danish brands enter the American market. The 2024 winner, Skall Studio, along with nominees Remain, Forza Collective, and MKDT Studio, will showcase their collections at the showroom, providing crucial exposure to buyers and industry leaders.
The CIFF balances its focus on sustainability with pragmatic support for brands, states Dolva. It enables change rather than enforcing it, spotlighting brands driving sustainable innovation while supporting broader industry growth. CIFF has also transitioned from biannual events to a year-round platform, partnering with key organisations like Pitti Uomo, Milan Fashion Week, and Neudeutsch in Germany to help brands adapt to evolving economic conditions.
To succeed, emerging brands need to emphasise authenticity and bold innovation, views Dolva. For the first time, CIFF is partnering with ISPO Munich to explore the intersection of sports and fashion. This collaboration will highlight Scandinavian innovation in performance and lifestyle brands while strengthening ties to the German market.
Held on Aug 9, 2024, the 63rd edition of CIFF strengthened its reputation as a key European trade hub. Featuring over 1,000 brands, the event witnessed over 66 per cent rise in international visitors with a notable rise from the DACH region. The fair helped build valuable business relations and also boosted commerce across global markets, notes Dolva.
The textile and apparel industry in the US is deeply embedded in the global supply chain, heavily reliant on imports from nations like China, Mexico, and Canada. Recent developments, including proposed tariffs by former President Donald Trump targeting these key trading partners, have sparked concerns about an impending trade war.
Current import scenario
The US textile and apparel market depends heavily on imports, with China, Mexico, and Canada among its largest suppliers. China dominates the global textile market due to its vast manufacturing infrastructure and competitive pricing. However, its share in US imports has been declining as buyers diversify. The 10 per cent tariff on Chinese imports is seen as retaliation for alleged Chinese complicity in fentanyl smuggling and trade imbalances.
Mexico and Canada as USMCA members benefit from tariff-free or reduced-tariff trade. Their proximity enables faster delivery times, critical for just-in-time inventory strategies. The tariff that includes 25 per cent on imports from Mexico and Canada is being justified by incumbent US President Trump as a response to drug trafficking and illegal immigration. Meanwhile Vietnam, Bangladesh, and India are steadily capturing more of the US market, leveraging their expertise in cost-efficient manufacturing and niche products like knitwear and home textiles.
While the tariffs aim to address political concerns, their economic repercussions could be far-reaching.
Potential and economic impact
• Cost increases for US consumers: Tariff imposition would raise the landed cost of goods, translating to higher retail prices for textiles and apparel. Given that clothing is a staple, this could disproportionately affect low-income consumers, who spend a larger share of their income on necessities.
• Supply chain disruptions: Tariffs could compel businesses to rapidly reconfigure supply chains, potentially sourcing from Southeast Asian nations like Vietnam and Bangladesh. However, such shifts are neither instant nor cost-free, leading to potential delays and increased operational complexities.
• Retaliatory tariffs: Key trading partners, including Canada and Mexico, have hinted at retaliatory tariffs on US goods. Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland noted that critical US exports—oil, minerals, and agricultural products—could face tariffs, escalating trade tensions and harming American industries.
• Domestic industry prospects: While proponents argue that tariffs could revitalize US textile manufacturing, the industry’s dependency on imported raw materials and machinery complicates this narrative. High production costs and limited capacity make it unlikely that domestic manufacturing could fill the gap.
Geopolitical reactions
The proposed tariffs have drawn sharp responses from all three countries. Canadan Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasized that retaliatory measures could jeopardize cross-border economic ties. Provinces like Ontario and Alberta have also raised alarms about the potential harm to their economies. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the move, underscoring that tariffs would strain bilateral relations and undermine efforts to address migration and drug issues collaboratively. China officials have warned of the dangers of a trade war, arguing that economic cooperation is mutually beneficial and that punitive measures would harm both economies.
Global implications
Countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and India could benefit from tariffs as US companies move away from China, Mexico, and Canada. However, their capacity to scale production to meet demand remains uncertain. Moreover, a shift in trade dynamics could further polarize global trade blocs, intensifying competition among emerging economies.
The tariffs, coupled with retaliatory measures, could also lead to significant volatility in global markets. Currency fluctuations, such as the recent depreciation of the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso, underscore the financial instability such policies can provoke.
The proposed tariffs on textile and apparel imports from China, Mexico, and Canada reflect a complex intersection of economic and political objectives. While they aim to address pressing concerns such as immigration, drug trafficking, and trade imbalances, the potential costs—including higher prices, supply chain disruptions, and strained international relations—are substantial.
As history suggests, trade wars rarely produce clear winners. The US textile and apparel industry, already grappling with global competition and evolving consumer demands, now faces additional uncertainty. Policymakers must weigh the short-term gains of protective tariffs against the long-term risks to economic stability and international goodwill. The key question remains: Can the US afford to unravel decades of trade integration in pursuit of contentious policy goals?
A new report by Swedwatch paints a grim picture of workers in Bangladesh garment industry. It says despite a recent increase in minimum wage, workers are still struggling to make ends meet and are trapped in a cycle of debt and dependence on overtime.
The report, titled ‘Securing Living Wages for Bangladesh's Garment Workers’, highlights the plight of RMG workers who produce clothing for the EU market. It finds the current minimum wage of Tk 12,500 (€94) per month, while an improvement from the previous Tk 8,000, still falls far short of a living wage, estimated to be Tk 23,000 (€173) per month. This means, workers earn only 38 per cent of what they need to cover basic living expenses. "Decades of activism and corporate pledges have failed to secure a living wage for garment workers in Bangladesh," the report states. "Instead, they are trapped in an exploitative system where low wages, excessive overtime, and precarious employment are the norm." As Kalpona Akter, Executive Director, Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity opines, "The recent increase in minimum wage is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough. Workers need a living wage that allows them to meet their basic needs and provide for their families."
Low wages and excessive overtime
The report states, the current minimum wage is insufficient to cover basic needs, forcing workers to rely on overtime and loans. However, workers are often pressured to work excessive overtime hours to compensate for low wages, leading to health problems and exhaustion. And they have little bargaining power due to weak trade unions and fear of reprisals. This results in many workers being trapped in a cycle of debt due to low wages and unexpected expenses. "The garment industry in Bangladesh is built on the backs of low-paid workers who are denied a decent standard of living," says Anna Bryher, Advocacy Advisor at Swedwatch. "It is time for brands and retailers to take responsibility and ensure that the workers who make their clothes are paid a living wage."
Table: Current monthly wages and requirement
|
Metric |
Current situation |
Living wage requirement |
|
Monthly Minimum Wage |
Tk 12,500 (€94) |
Tk 23,000 (€173) |
|
Percentage of Living Wage |
38% |
100% |
The report highlights the case of Shapna a garment worker who has been struggling to make ends meet since overtime hours were reduced in her factory. "As we have not had any overtime work for the last six months, most of us are living life on a loan," Shapna told Swedwatch researchers. "I have taken loans from several NGOs. I am also in debt to the factory owner and my neighbors."
Shapna's situation is not unique. The report found many workers are forced to take loans from various sources, including NGOs, family members, and even their employers, to cover basic expenses. This often leads to a cycle of debt that is difficult to break.
Need for corrective measures
The Swedwatch report calls on brands and retailers sourcing from Bangladesh to take concrete steps to ensure that workers in their supply chains are paid a living wage. This includes:
• Committing to paying living wages: Brands should publicly commit to paying living wages to all workers in their supply chains.’
• Improving purchasing practices: Brands should ensure that their purchasing practices do not contribute to low wages and excessive overtime.
• Supporting collective bargaining: Brands should support the development of strong and independent trade unions in the garment sector.
The report also urges the Bangladesh government to take action to improve the situation of garment workers, including strengthening labor laws and enforcement, and promoting social dialogue.
Birla Cellulose, a global leader in sustainable fibres, has launched Birla Connect, an innovative customer access portal designed to simplify business interactions and enhance customer engagement. Rooted in its ‘Mission Happiness’ initiative, the platform reinforces the company’s focus on customer-first strategies.
Chief Marketing Officer ManMohan Singh highlighted that Birla Connect embodies the company’s dedication to enhancing customer experiences by focusing on smarter, more efficient, and personalized solutions to meet evolving needs.
Birla Connect serves as a comprehensive, 24/7 solution, offering real-time access to account balances, order bookings, transaction tracking, and live GPS updates. Customers can manage billing, invoices, credit, and debit notes seamlessly. The platform’s multilingual support makes it accessible to a diverse global audience, enhancing convenience and connectivity.
The portal, featuring advanced capabilities, enables users to attach photos and videos with their feedback, facilitating prompt issue resolution. Suraj Bahirwani, Global Sales Head, emphasized that the platform represents a significant step in customer-centric innovation, aimed at delivering seamless and engaging business experiences.
Birla Cellulose has planned training sessions to help partners fully leverage Birla Connect’s capabilities. The portal underscores the company’s commitment to digital transformation, fostering stronger partnerships and operational excellence.
Stakeholders in Zimbabwe’s cotton industry have proposed a minimum producer price of 34 cents per kg for the 2025 selling season, up from 32 cents in the previous season. Backed by farmers and merchants, the recommendation has been submitted to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development for approval.
The proposed price aims to balance fair rewards for farmers with the financial sustainability of merchants. Farmers would initially receive payment for Grade D seed cotton upon delivery, with additional top-up payments for higher grades.
Last season, Zimbabwe’s cotton production dropped to a record low of 13,000 tons due to an El Niño-induced drought. Payment delays and inflation also frustrated farmers, with some receiving compensation in groceries instead of cash. Industry players warn that unsustainable pricing could exacerbate these issues by delaying payments further.
Such challenges have driven many farmers away from cotton production, undermining the industry’s growth.
The upcoming season brings optimism, with the anticipated La Niña weather pattern expected to improve rainfall. The Government’s 2024/25 Summer Plan aims to revitalise the sector with a total production cost target of $48.1 million.
Private sector funding will cover 33 per cent of the planned 90,000 hectare, while the Pfumvudza cotton initiative targets 180,000 hectare, requiring growers to plant two 0.25-hectare plots to access inputs.
A critical agricultural export, cotton supports Zimbabwe’s textile, stock feed, and edible oil sectors. At its peak in the 2010/11 season, the country produced 351,000 tons. Revitalising the sector requires fair pricing mechanisms and addressing payment inefficiencies.
Cottco, which sponsors 85 per cent of production and supports over 250,000 households through the Presidential Free Inputs Scheme, is spearheading reforms in the industry. Its transformation strategy focuses on enhancing operational efficiency, boosting quality and value addition, upgrading ginneries, and improving brand management.
With improved rainfall and strategic reforms, the cotton industry in Zimbabwe aims to recover its position as a vital economic driver while ensuring fair benefits for all stakeholders.
