FW
A number of member companies of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) are making a critical but seldom-acknowledged contribution to a more sustainable textile industry – giving existing machines out in the field an extended life.
At this year’s ITMA 2023, BTMA CEO Jason Kent noted that many new technologies are being developed to reduce resource consumption in the textile industry, but many textile companies are not in a position to invest in new capital-intensive projects.
“Outdated but mechanically sound machines used to be simply scrapped, with few other options, but this has now completely changed,” Kent said.
One BTMA member company, Adaptive Control Solutions, is working to extend the life of jet dyeing machines. The company’s Plant Explorer central control system sets the standard around the world for automation, with powerful features and ease of use.
“We have successfully automated many makes and types of dyeing machine and found that the flexibility of PC-based controllers has allowed us to help customers in other parts of the dyeing and finishing plant as well, including with stenter frames and dryers,” says managing director Richard Armitage.
Another BTMA member company, Garnett Controls, has been a pioneer in the retrofit market since 1990. The company offers a wide range of retrofit solutions for textile and nonwoven machines, including blending, carding, nonwovens, and spinning.
“We’ve been installing the most advanced retrofit drive systems internationally for many years and we continue to develop our products as new technologies emerge,” says managing director Mark Baldwin. “Our retrofit systems are fully supported internationally by an experienced team and customers have reported achieving energy savings of up to 40% depending on the type of machine.”
Tatham is another BTMA member offering retrofit services for OEM carding machines, crosslappers, needlelooms, blending systems, spinning frames, and twisting and winding units.
The company’s TS Drive System is designed to run the motors at their optimum performance levels enabling considerable energy savings in the region of 30% to be achieved
“TS Drive Technology is the most advanced product on the market for synchronous drive applications,” says director Tim Porritt. “It provides superior performance and accurate speed regulation even at low speeds.”
Streat Drycom is a BTMA member that specializes in moisture measurement and control systems. The company’s Drycom system is retrofitted onto a wide range of production lines to measure the moisture content of textiles and nonwovens during production and automatically controls the energy and/or speed of ovens and dryers in order to maintain the optimum moisture content.
“Most machines already in operation worldwide function flawlessly mechanically and BTMA members can offer many options via upgrades and automation to secure their production going forward, ensuring a sufficient margin of profit is retained by keeping them going,” Kent said in conclusion. “The cost-effective longevity of retrofitted machines makes sound and sustainable sense.”
India's textile and apparel industry holds immense potential, with the country being the second-largest exporter of textile and apparel products globally. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) play a crucial role in boosting India's textile and apparel exports by eliminating or reducing tariffs and other trade barriers.
Over the past five years, India has entered into 13 FTAs, including noteworthy agreements like the India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Corporation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA), India-UAE Comprehensive Partnership Agreement, and India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement. Additionally, India is actively engaged in negotiations for more FTAs, particularly with countries such as the UK and Canada.
Despite the immense potential of FTAs, the Indian textile and apparel industry has not fully harnessed their benefits. To address this issue, the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) has partnered with the renowned law firm Lakshikumaran and Sridharan, specializing in Customs and International Trade, to conduct a series of webinars aimed at exploring the various provisions and opportunities offered by FTAs and how to effectively leverage them.
The inaugural webinar, titled "Utilizing Free Trade Agreements to Expand Export Opportunities," delved into the FTA framework, focusing on aspects such as rules of origin and tariff/non-tariff notifications that businesses should carefully consider before making import or export decisions with FTA countries.
T Rajkumar, Chairman of CITI, expressed concern that the industry has not fully harnessed the potential of FTAs. He emphasized the need to raise awareness within the industry and encourage stakeholder discussions on how to effectively utilize FTAs, particularly in the textile and apparel sector, where India possesses significant potential to capture a substantial market share in these partner countries.
India's share of the Korean market has remained within the 2-3 percent range since 2013. Similar trends can be observed in the case of Japan.
The three-day Textile Series of Exhibitions organized by CEMS-Global commenced at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal, Dhaka, on Wednesday and are set to conclude on Saturday.
The event has brought together the entire textile and garment industry of Bangladesh as part of CEMS-Global USA's Textile Series of Exhibitions. The three exhibitions include the 22nd Textech Bangladesh 2023 International Expo on Textile, Garment Technology, and Machinery; the 20th Dhaka International Yarn and Fabric Show 2023; and the 42nd Dye+Chem Bangladesh 2023 International Expo.
With participation from over 1,675 manufacturers representing 37 countries, occupying 2,245 booths and pavilions, these three comprehensive international exhibitions cater to the entire textile and garment industry of Bangladesh.
The opening ceremony for the exhibition took place at the Purbachal exhibition center and was hosted by Meherun N Islam, the President and Group Managing Director of CEMS-Global - USA & Asia-Pacific. Notable attendees at the event included Golam Dastagir Gazi, the Textiles and Jute Minister, who served as the chief guest, as well as various other esteemed figures from government and industry sectors.
Sartoria Studio, Soho’s made-to-measure lounge, is hosting a special two-day trunk show event with Vogel and Scabal on September 22-23, 2023.
The event marks the debut event for Vogel – Sartoria Studio’s new footwear partner – and Scabal’s second trunk show with the Soho made-to-measure lounge.
Introducing Vogel
Sartoria Studio is proud to partner with Vogel, one of Manhattan’s original luxury shoemakers, known for its expertly crafted, made-to-order footwear. Each handcrafted shoe represents Vogel’s distinct blend of new-world style and old-world refinement, tailored precisely to each customer.
With over a century of experience in this specialized craft, Vogel's creates one-of-a-kind boots and shoes that represent the pinnacle of custom footwear cherished by elite patrons at the highest echelons of society.
Scabal Returns
Savile Row clothier Scabal will showcase autumn/winter seasonal jacketing and outerwear collections and a new range of Autumn leaves and Magus fabric selections.
For autumn, Scabal will present its new Autumn leaves fabric collection, designed with the colors of the season in mind. The collection ranges from bold and fancy checks to a dramatic selection of plains with distinctive light and dark twisted yarn effect for added depth and character.
For winter, Scabal will introduce its new Magus collection of 14 luxury suiting fabrics in essential, classic colors. The soft-milled fabrics combine Super 160’s wool with a natural stretch – without sacrificing warmth or softness – created purely by the firm’s skillful weavers.
The 42nd HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and 11th Salon de TE recently concluded, with nearly 15,000 buyers from 95 countries and regions attending the physical exhibitions. The online exhibitions continued until 16 September.
One of the highlights of the fair was the announcement of the winners of the Hong Kong Watch Design Competition. Tam Kwok Tung's Scroll Bar won the Open Group, while Wong Yin Yeung's TANZZLE won the Student Group.
The event also featured the Hong Kong International Watch Forum and Asian Watch Conference, which discussed the industry's latest trends and outlook. Key takeaways include:
• The watch and clock industry in Mainland China is recovering, with profitability trends improving and the market trending upwards.
• Overseas makers' prices and volumes are also growing, with Japan, Germany, and Switzerland all experiencing positive results in the first half of 2023.
• Sustainability is shaping the future of watchmaking, with global brands integrating ESG principles into every facet of their operations.
• Domestically established Chinese watch brands are gaining global recognition and prominence, with Shenzhen emerging as a major hub for watch design and production.
• Independent Swiss watchmakers are embracing innovative design concepts and development directions.
The event was a success, highlighting the resilience and innovation of the watch and clock industry. The insights shared at the conferences provide valuable guidance for businesses as they navigate the changing market landscape.
The global textile staples market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2023 to 2033, reaching a value of $290.6 billion. This growth is being driven by the increasing consumption of textile staples in various industries, such as apparel, general and leisure, sportswear, and interior flooring.
The apparel segment is expected to be the largest market for textile staples, accounting for over 50% of sales. This is due to the growing demand for clothing, especially in developing countries. The interior flooring segment is also expected to grow rapidly, as more and more people are using textile staples in their homes.
The Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ) region is expected to be the largest market for textile staples, followed by North America and Europe. This is due to the high population and growing disposable income in these regions.
The increasing preference for sustainable textile materials is also driving the growth of the textile staples market. Consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of synthetic fibers, and are shifting towards natural fibers such as cotton, jute, and wool.
The key challenges facing the textile staples market include the high cost of production and the competition from synthetic fibers. However, the market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by the factors mentioned above.
Here are some of the key points from the original text that I have included in the rewritten text:
• The global textile staples market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2023 to 2033.
• The apparel segment is expected to be the largest market for textile staples, accounting for over 50% of sales.
• The Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ) region is expected to be the largest market for textile staples.
• The increasing preference for sustainable textile materials is also driving the growth of the textile staples market.
• The key challenges facing the textile staples market include the high cost of production and the competition from synthetic fibers.
In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, businesses are eagerly embracing the vast opportunities presented by foundation models, machine learning, natural language processing, and the acceleration of generative AI workloads. Foundation models are marking a turning point in AI, with nearly 80% of enterprises currently engaged in or planning to harness these models and adopt generative AI, according to a recent IBM study.
AI and business leaders are also focused on harnessing the potential of responsible AI to drive business growth. The adoption of pre-trained foundation models can unlock exciting use cases and deliver unprecedented time-to-value.
It is an enlightening knowledge-sharing session under the theme "AI for Business: Creating Competitive Advantage with watsonx." This virtual event will take place on September 26th, from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM SGT.
In the dynamic textile industry, maintaining a leading position demands an unwavering commitment to innovation and impeccable quality. Its textile enterprise takes immense pride in its profound comprehension of the industry's ever-evolving needs.
What distinguishes its Double Face Woolen Fabric?
1. Dual Smoothness: This fabric doesn't offer a single smooth surface but rather two exceptionally smooth ones, providing a truly distinctive tactile sensation. The remarkable softness against the skin underscores our resolute dedication to comfort and superior quality.
2. Sustainability at the Core: We stand at the forefront of sustainable textile technology. Crafted from recycled wool, our Double Face Woolen Fabric perfectly aligns with the values of environmentally-conscious consumers. It's a choice that not only feels gratifying but also contributes positively to the environment.
3. A Trusted Benchmark: Our unwavering commitment to quality has garnered the trust of industry leaders like C&A. In fact, C&A integrated our Double Face Woolen Fabric into their designs two years ago, setting an extraordinary benchmark for its excellence. Since then, its fabric has undergone continuous refinement and rigorous testing, consistently surpassing the loftiest standards, and ensuring it consistently exceeds expectations.
4. Versatile Design: Whether you're crafting high-end fashion pieces or cozy winter garments, this fabric offers unparalleled versatility. It serves as a blank canvas for your creative pursuits, enabling you to fashion pieces that deeply resonate with your audience.
5. Endless Creative Potential: With the Double Face Woolen Fabric, you're not merely procuring a material; you're gaining entry to a world of boundless design possibilities. Unleash your creativity with the assurance that this fabric can breathe life into your visions.
The H&M Group's net sales increased by 6% to SEK 60,897 million (57,450) in the third quarter of 2023, compared with the corresponding period last year. In local currencies, net sales were flattish compared with last year. Excluding Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, the increase was 8 percent in SEK.
The work towards the company's goal of reaching a 10 percent operating margin in 2024 is going in the right direction. Profitability and inventory levels have been prioritized in the quarter.
The amount is provisional and may deviate slightly from the nine-month report that will be published on 27 September 2023.
The VIEW Autumn.Winter 24/25, hosted by Munich Fabric Start, concluded successfully at its new location, Motorworld, on September 14th. This fully-booked event featured over 300 suppliers showcasing their offerings for Autumn and Winter 2024/25. reVIEW was organized into four distinct sections: Fabrics, Design Studios, Additionals, and Denim & Sportswear, catering to a wide range of fashion industry needs.
Key industry players, including Bogner, Hugo Boss, and Marc Cain, attended the event. The new format, serving as a platform for both ordering and collection development, garnered positive feedback. However, the timing of the event in September prompted diverse opinions within the industry, prompting the organizers to consider future scheduling based on market needs.
The event was notable for its role in facilitating specific negotiations, with discussions often centering on pricing. The traditional divide between premium and budget brands is blurring, with sustainability emerging as a critical topic for exhibitors and buyers alike.
Munich Fabric Start Exhibitions GmbH, known for its flexibility, has confirmed upcoming dates to meet industry demands. The preVIEW event is set for November 28th and 29th, 2023, offering insights and ordering opportunities for Spring/Summer 2025 collections. Subsequently, from January 23rd to 25th, 2024, Munich will host Munich Fabric Start and Bluezone.
The organizers are conducting a thorough analysis of insights from recent events to determine optimal future dates. Maintaining a dialogue with exhibitors and visitors remains central to aligning the trade show system effectively with current market requirements and providing an efficient platform for the fashion industry.
