FW
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.
Munich Fabric Start for Spring/Summer 2016 season to held from February 2 to 4, 2015, will see over 900 international suppliers from 35 countries presenting their portfolio of 1,500 collections. On display will be the latest developments and innovations in apparel fabrics, dressing, finishing and technology from well-established manufacturers, weavers, printers and textile service providers.
The ‘Fabrics’ segment will feature latest fabric developments and innovations from some 600 suppliers and the Additionals area will showcase latest accessories from about 180 manufacturers. Rounding off the line-up of ranges at the fair will be the comprehensive ‘Colour Forum’ and the ‘Trend Areas’, providing every bit of information and all the components the fashion industry needs for a successful launch into the new season. Nearly 20,000 international trade visitors are expected, including buyers, designers and product managers representing famous brands to source everything they need to design their women’s and men’s collections.
The latest in denim and sportswear developments and finishes will be on display at the Bluezone, a show-in-show at Munich Fabric Start. Titled Denim Extremes, the Spring/Summer 16 Bluzone will feature a line-up of about 80 international denim weavers, finishers and washers. Leading brands such as Candiani, Isko, Orta Anadolu, Tejidos Royo, Calik and Lanifi cio Europa SNC will be joined by Denim Authority, Industrias Morera Unitin, DNM Textile, Fashion Point and Suryalakshmi Cotton Mills.
Paris-based trend and design studio Monsieur-T will present a creative and inspiring think thank on the Blue Stage at the Bluezone to highlight the company’s specialised knowledge of denim trends. Monsieur-T operates internationally as a brand design and market evaluation consultancy and delivers tailored analyses on seasonal design and sourcing trends to renowned brands. The denim art exhibit staged by ‘Nadel & Pen’ will present pure inspiration and creativity tailored, hand-crafted and made in France. Completing the portfolio would be denim-related products such as flats, corduroy, mill-washed fabrics, accessories and the latest innovations for resource-friendly finishes.
The event has put a particular emphasis on textile industry sustainability for years and built a presentation and exchange platform that is unique in both form and scope: the Eco Village and the organic selection presented inside it. The forthcoming show will once again draw well-known NGOs, certification bodies and experts to the Eco Village, where they will present the latest developments and innovations revolving around sustainable textile production and sourcing. GOTS, IVN, IMO, OEKO-TEX, Fair Wear Foundation, Ceres, bluesign technologies and bioRe will be joined by Fairtrade, WRAP and Cotton made in Africa at the dedicated area on sustainability.
In addition to latest developments in fabrics and findings, Munich Fabric Start will offer a comprehensive supporting program consisting of information-packed seminars, trend lectures and eco talks.
Bahrain's textile and apparel sector has got a seven-month respite as the US government has corrected the expiration date of the US-Bahrain free trade agreement tariff preference level (TPL) to July 31, 2016. Earlier the date for expiration was December 31, 2015.
The correction has been made following attention drawn by Bahrain that the expiration date listed as December 31, 2015, for the 10 years’ TPL clause was incorrect as the free trade agreement was not initiated until August 2006. Hence, the 10-year program should be corrected to expire on July 31, 2016.
The US-Bahrain agreement contains the yarn-forward rule of origin, but the rule was suspended for the first ten years of the agreement with the TPL set at 65 million square meters equivalent. This allowed domestic companies to use raw materials imported from third countries for making products meant for exports to the US and avail of the zero-duty benefit.
Once the TPL expires on the corrected date of July 31, 2016, all textile and apparel trade would come under the yarn-forward principle, and garment makers will need to use yarn or fabric made either in the US or Bahrain to avail of the duty-free facility for export to the US.
