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During the first quarter of 2018, Indonesia’s fiber and filament yarn industry grew eight per cent on an annual basis.
The Indonesian industry has proposed the provision of textile-specific clusters to improve the competitiveness of domestic products.
The domestic textile industry is also constrained by logistics problems because the upstream and downstream industries are located in dispersed areas. Fiber and yarn producers are in one area, clothing manufacturers are elsewhere.
Industry players want the upstream and downstream industries integrated in one region. In terms of production, in the period of January-March 2018, the textile industry increased by eight per cent on an annual basis. The growth is driven by domestic demand as there is still a tightening factor in wholesale imports and other imports, so domestic consumers are still looking for local products.
Indonesia hopes to triple textile and textile product exports in the next five years. If this happens, this sector will be Indonesia’s largest non-oil export contributor and create jobs for six million people.
However the market is flooded with imports.
Indonesia is one of the world’s largest textile manufacturers and exporters . At present, the US is the largest clothing importer from Indonesia.
DSM, based in the Netherlands, is increasing production capacity for Dyneema, the world’s strongest fiber.
DSM Dyneema is the world’s largest UHMwPE fiber and UD manufacturer with a backward integration into UHMwPE polymer production.
DSM will also make improvements to existing production lines to expand Dyneema UD and Dyneema fiber capacity, incorporating the latest technologies.
In addition to expanding capacity, DSM Dyneema will also further improve its carbon footprint, delivering on its brand promise Dyneema, the Greenest Strength. Applications made with Dyneema already deliver the lowest carbon footprint for the performance specified from cradle-to-grave compared to other materials and DSM is committed to further improve this.
Dyneema UD is a composite unidirectional laminate that offers excellent energy absorption and enhanced protection. It is accessible as a hard and soft ballistic material.
Dyneema products are finding use in a broad and ever-increasing range of markets and applications in which lightweight strength is of the essence, for instance best-in-class protective ballistic vests, inserts and helmets.
The global production capacity of Dyneema UD will be increased by more than 20 per cent. This capacity increase will further strengthen DSM’s product leadership under the Dyneema brand. Ongoing innovation by DSM will continue to be lighter, newer, and better performing material.
Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) drives the innovation and re-industrialisation of the textile and clothing industry in Hong Kong.
It develops sustainable and practical technologies to enhance the competitiveness of the industry and benefit the living standards of the community at large.
One such project is an AI-based production order prediction algorithm. The project has developed a color productivity prediction model by integrating sales, pricing and branding to best meet operational needs such as product planning and inventory management. The model makes use of fashion color-related posts from the print and social media, as well as product prices, market events and brand positioning, to predict future sales of fashion items of different colors.
Another of the institute’s projects is a separation and recycling technology for combinations such as cotton and polyester blends. This project has developed an efficient hydrothermal treatment method to decompose cotton into cellulose powders, enabling the separation of the polyester fibers from the blends. The quality of the polyester fibers is maintained, permitting fiber-to-fiber recycling.
Yet another project is a novel bioprocess which makes use of textile waste for the sustainable production of different value-added products, such as glucose, synthetic fiber, bioplastics, bio-chemicals and bio-surfactants. The process consists of pre-treatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and melt-spinning.
Pakistan has reimposed customs duty on cotton imports.
The aim is to maintain stability in cotton prices in the country, give farmers a confidence for better management and investment in the existing crop, thus helping in improving yields. The duty was brought back under the fear that if cotton imports were to continue, an imbalance in cotton stocks in the country would result and in turn exert a downward pressure on cotton prices in the beginning of the current season, thus jeopardizing the interest of farmers.
Pakistan produces around 13 million bales of cotton while it imports about a million bales to meet the gap between consumption and production. Additionally, one to 1.5 million bales Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton per annum is also imported as this quality is not produced in the country. Cotton production in 2017-18 witnessed a 12 per cent increase over the past year.
But the area under cotton in Pakistan has witnessed a decline over the last few years. Price advantage and support price of other commodities are among the main reasons for this decline.
So customs duties and sales tax were reimposed on the import of cotton prior to the arrival of cotton in the market.
US textile exports are now facing retaliatory tariffs from Canada and the European Union.
This is in response to the US’ decision to place tariffs on aluminum and steel coming from some of the country’s closest trading partners: Europe, Canada and Mexico.
The EU has threatened tariffs on US products including cotton bed linen, various fabrics, cotton blankets and traveling rugs, and down or feather-filled bedding. The European Union will slap 25 per cent tariffs on imports from the United States. Those include men’s and women’s blue jeans, T-shirts, shorts, men’s synthetic woven industrial and occupational trousers, cotton woven bed linen that is not printed, and footwear with upper and outer soles of leather not covering the ankle.
Canada plans to retaliate by imposing its own countermeasures against imports of selected US products equal to the value of Canadian goods affected by the US tariffs.
Canada has also issued a list of threatened retaliatory tariffs on US exports. The list includes table cloths, sleeping bags, napkins. Canada is also proposing to respond to the US’ imposition of tariffs on Canadian products by targeting US mattresses sent to Canada.
Mexico will also issue a list that includes several agricultural, steel and aluminum products although there has been no mention of textile or home fashion products.
Calik’s smart stretch concept for women is being extended to its men’s collection.
Using new technologies to increase its holding power and help it keep shape, smart stretch works to enhance both slim and curvaceous figures. Earlier the waist and knee areas were compressed but now with the new added smart stretch technology the fabric knows exactly where to stretch and where not.
Calik Denim, based in Turkey, produces 44 million meters of denim a year in its 1,91,080 sq mt facility.
With Rinstate, Calik focuses on raw denim that’s ready to wear after rinse washing. Offered in two colors and three silhouettes, the grouping saves energy, time and water and reduces chemical use—all with color fast characteristics.
The Fly Jean concept features stay-black and bi-directional stretch and a super soft hand, allowing for lightness and flexibility.
Oxygene is an eco-friendly concept. Calik is pushing the concept further with over-cracked, natural slub and cross hatch options.
Weaveland is about classic velour and cord. The concept includes the PFD fabric family, which helps garment makers dye the fabric any color they choose. Following Calik Denim’s Red Carpet concept, a contemporary take on ’80s disco pants, Weaveland is another great innovation uniting denim with on-trend textures.
In response to President Donald Trump removal of the exemptions, from additional tariffs on steel and aluminum from EU member countries.
EU had threatened additional tariffs on U.S. products including cotton bedlinen, various fabrics, cotton blankets and traveling rugs, and down or feather-filled bedding.
Canada has also issued a list of threatened retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports to go into effect on July 1. That list includes home textiles items such as tablecloths and serviettes/napkins, sleeping bags, other bedding and similar articles.
On the other hand, the U.S. government is scheduled to publish its list of Chinese imports that will be subject to tariffs on June 15.
Mexico will also issue a list that includes several agricultural, steel and aluminum products, although there has been no mention of textile or home fashion products. Canada is also proposing to impose tariffs on U.S. mattresses sent to Canada.
The global textile dyes market is expected to have a CAGR of six per cent from 2017 to 2022.
With the increased demand for design alteration on clothing, demand for printing will increase significantly in the coming days. Hence demand for dyes usable in digital printing heads and printing paste will increase. Demand for printing inks will also increase significantly.
Manufacturers are trying to choose more efficient and environment-friendly dyes to reduce the cost of manufacturing and to reduce the impact on the environment.
Demand for regenerated fibers like viscose, lyocel will increase very fast. And polyester as a fiber will continue to grow as well.
Textile dyehouses are looking for cleaner dyestuffs and processes. And so they are working hard to reduce waste. Demand for high-performance dyes, pigments and inks will be on the rise. On the contrary low efficient dyes will face big market challenges.
Consumption of dyestuffs may go down in coming days, mainly because of growing demand for efficient dyes and an increase of printing as a method of coloring. However another trend, washing and vintage worn-out looked fashion, will offset this trend and eventually the demand of dyes in volume is expected to remain almost stable.
Faced with government pressure to reduce pollutants and the need to adhere to corporate social responsibility guidelines, sportswear companies are now focusing on using less plastic while simultaneously recycling old material and using newer technologies to alter the way they manufacture products.
Nike for instance makes 75 per cent of its products from recycled material—including sneakers and premium jerseys. The company also claims to have diverted over 51 million pounds of waste materials globally between May 2016 and 2017.
Similarly, US-based Alternative Apparel Inc., recycles over 100,000 discarded plastic bottles annually and uses organic cotton in place of conventional cotton.
Alcis Sports has been making T-shirts from waste plastic bottles since the past two years. Called Wonder Tee, each T-shirt uses about 8 plastic bottles. Alcis now aims to have 50% of its products manufactured from recycled polyester, made from waste plastic bottles.
Swedish clothing retail company Hennes and Mauritz AB’s H&M Foundation has partnered with The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel to develop newer technologies for recycling by 2020.
Fitness apparel purveyor Expert Brand, a member of SEAMS, offers active sportswear that is lightweight, comfortable and ready-made for today’s man or woman on the go.
The brand has launched its Siro Collection which is designed with durability in mind and offers a premium on high performance - even with daily wear. From muscle tees to short sleeves to even hoodies, the apparel is a fitting staple to any active American wardrobe.
The Tritec Collection, already revered for its unique blend of three performance materials delivering on durability, moisture-management, and comfort, is produced in America and, fittingly, most items are available in red, white and blue.
The OxyMesh Collection is American produced for American athletes. Used for US Army recruits, with an ambitious take on breathability and comfort. Leave it to good old fashioned American ingenuity to add in antimicrobials to combat unpleasant odor as well!
