FW
The age-old khadi sector is all set for a makeover. The spinning wheel will now run on solar power in its new avatar of solar charka. Solar charkas will lower strain on weavers and increase productivity. The newly-developed wheels have more spindles that can run on solar power. The objective is to increase wages of spinners since most khadi workers are women.
A spinner earns Rs 160 a day for eight hours of work on a hand-spun wheel while solar-powered charkas can spin material worth Rs 350 to Rs 380. Conventional wheels hold 3 to 8 spindles of khadi, which produce 25 hanks of yarn in eight hours. Solar-powered spinning wheels can hold 36 spindles to produce 100 hanks in the same time.
The original cost of a solar charka was Rs 70,000, which has been brought down to Rs 40,000. Developers are working at further towards reducing the cost. In remote and rural areas, where uninterrupted electricity is a distant dream, solar charkas will help boost the income of weavers. The quality of the yarn can also improve by the use of solar charka. It can help traditional spinning grow into an industry without involving human drudgery.
Texfair 2016 will be held in Tamil Nadu from May 20 to 23, 2016. This is an exhibition of textile machinery, spares and accessories. The objectives of the fair are to provide a platform for stakeholders to zero in on investments and expenses prudently, showcase their inventions and cost effective items and other products, enable technocrats and shop floor technicians to update their knowledge on the latest technology and create an awareness on cost cutting, and to encourage micro, small and medium entrepreneurs also to showcase their products and get exposure to the market.
The event will enable suppliers and users to plan their investments and renew their business. National seminars of interest to the textile industry will be conducted. Coimbatore, the venue of the fair, is considered the Manchester of South India and is the hub for textile business in India. Among the participants are manufacturers and suppliers of textile machinery and spares of ginning, spinning, weaving, processing, power looms, handlooms, knitting and garmenting.
Among the exhibits are textile testing equipments, items relating to effluent treatment, auxiliary equipments, electrical and electronic items and packaging materials, pneumatic equipment and accessories, lubricants and energy saving equipments.
Maharashtra has announced a capital subsidy for the upcoming self-financed textile projects in the state. The aim is to modernise and boost the state’s textile industry.
Spinning mills, cotton ginning, processing and printing units will get a 35 per cent capital subsidy, technical textiles and composite units will be given a 30 per cent capital subsidy, and powerloom and other textile related units will get a 25 per cent capital subsidy.
This is for the first time that the state has announced a capital subsidy for self-financed textile units. So far the subsidy was credit linked. Malegaon weavers, along with other textile sectors, are rejoiced with this decision. These weavers have been for long wanting capital subsidy to be delinked. Under this policy, entrepreneurs who don’t want to take loans and are self-sufficient can also avail of this subsidy.
Of the 2.5 million powerlooms working in India, Maharashtra has more than 50 per cent of them, comprising those in Bhiwandi, Malegaon, Ichalkaranji, Sholapur, Nagpur and other textile clusters. In spite of the government releasing a huge amount of funds for modernisation under the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme, the country has so far been able to set up only around two lakh modern and shuttle-less looms.
The latest edition of the Wool Lab dedicates four out of six themes to a style that is suitable for both women’s wear and men’s wear, demonstrating that wool fabrics continue to become increasingly popular outside of traditional men’s tailoring. Two additional themes have been created, focusing on wool in sport and active wear. Wool Lab is a seasonal guide produced by Woolmark, presenting the best selection of commercially available wool fabrics and yarns.
The Generations theme is dedicated to fundamental family figures. Sons and daughters emulate their parents’ style. The luxury quality of wool textiles meets the design of traditional suits and jackets, dresses and knitwear. The Barber’s theme is where the old fashioned job is reinterpreted by young generations, influencing the male identity. The most classical fabric patterns are studied for lighter weights allowing a more fresh and contemporary look as the style of dress makes an important return.
Asian Flair presents an understated sensuality inspired by oriental feelings, where the everyday life of women enhances their femininity, wearing voluminous but lightweight skirts and transparent embellished dresses. The color palette evokes Asian customs and landscapes. In the Informal theme, the informal way of dressing looks as comfortable as refined. The mix and match of jackets and utility pieces brings a sense of formality to a casual style.
The New Makers theme is dedicated to innovative technologies able to combine traditional arts and experimental techniques.
www.woolmark.com/inspiration/the-wool-lab/
A joint forum of banks, led by State Bank of India, has decided to convert the loans extended to the integrated textile company Alok Industries into a 65 per cent stake by invoking the strategic debt restructuring optio. The company will issue fresh equity shares worth about Rs 2,558 crores by March as the banks convert their debt into equity, wielding the loan-recovery weapon the RBI has armed them with.
As of the September quarter, the company’s total standalone debt was Rs 12,642 crores. One of the largest exporters of home textiles, Alok Industries has been in trouble the past few years as it ventured into retailing and building brands in the domestic and international markets with the launch of H&A retail outlets to sell home textiles and readymade garments. However, with debt piling up and intense competition in the domestic market, it decided to exit the retail venture and focus on the export market.
In the September quarter, the company registered a standalone loss of Rs 242 crores against a net profit of Rs 45 crores in the same period last year. Net sales during the quarter fell 15 per cent. Under Reserve Bank of India rules, banks can convert a part of their debt for a majority stake in a defaulting company and find a suitor within 18 months.
www.alokind.com/
Union Ministry of Textiles, India has initiated the process of settlement of Rs 3,000 crores dues related to some 'blackout and left-out' cases which found no mention in the Amended Technology Up gradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS). The process of settlement of dues related to the old cases has started, said Textile Secretary Rashmi Verma.
Secretary General, Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), Binoy Job said the quantum of liabilities under the blackout and left-out period cases was around Rs 3,000 crores. The settlement of the committed liabilities had been a grey area after the government did not mention anything about it when it notified ATUFS for textile sector last week.
The Union Cabinet approved the ATUFS in December 2015 in place of the Revised Restructured TUFS (RRTUFS) for technology up-gradation of textile industry, a move expected to boost job creation and exports in the sector. During 2010-11, the RRTUFS was suspended for 10 months but eventually restored as a closed-ended scheme and restricted to future sanctions and committed liabilities reported by banks for sanctions already issued.
Experts say, the closed ended scheme was introduced without sufficient notice from the government for preparation on part of lending institutions. Those who had invested in those 10 months in the so-called blackout period were left out and are still awaiting a decision on the eligibility of TUF scheme.
As cotton production is being switched with vegetable farming, Uzbekistan will cut its cotton output by 10 per cent over the next five years, President Islam Karimov says. Production in Uzbekistan, the world's fifth ranked cotton producer, will fall by 0.5million tonnes to 3.0 million tonnes by 2020, according to a speech published on the President's official website recently. Karimov said the move would free up irrigated land for vegetable farming.
During the Soviet period cotton and textile production became Uzbekistan's main industries and the over 1million citizens are mobilised for the annual harvest, in a practice that has sparked accusations of slave labour. Around 40 per cent of production is consumed locally, in a textile industry that accounts for more than a quarter of industrial production. But falling cotton prices, and a drive toward self-sufficiency in food stocks, is encouraging a shift away from cotton.
The government has already achieved its goal of wheat self-sufficiency, and now attention is turning to fruit, vegetable and rice production.
Farmers in certain areas have already been released from a legal obligation to cultivate cotton, although subsidies remain in place. This shift in priorities is putting pressure on irrigated land availability. In November of last year, the US Department of Agriculture forecast a long-term fall in planted areas of cotton in Uzbekistan, but saw production remaining steady thanks to agronomic improvement.
Karimov highlighted the ‘sharp decline of prices and demand for cotton fibre on the world market’ as well as the need for higher vegetable production. Global cotton demand has weakened, as buying from China dries up. Chinese imports have been hit by a slowdown in growth in the industrial economy, as well as very high state-inventories, acquired during a period of stockpiling aimed at supporting domestic farmer incomes. Recently news agencies reported that the Chinese government was preparing to auction off more of its estimated 11million tonnes of inventories, after an abortive auction last year, where less than 1 per cent of the 1million tonnes offered was sold.
As cotton production is being switched with vegetable farming, Uzbekistan will cut its cotton output by 10 per cent over the next five years, President Islam Karimov says. Production in Uzbekistan, the world's fifth ranked cotton producer, will fall by 0.5million tonnes to 3.0 million tonnes by 2020, according to a speech published on the President's official website recently. Karimov said the move would free up irrigated land for vegetable farming.
During the Soviet period cotton and textile production became Uzbekistan's main industries and the over 1million citizens are mobilised for the annual harvest, in a practice that has sparked accusations of slave labour. Around 40 per cent of production is consumed locally, in a textile industry that accounts for more than a quarter of industrial production. But falling cotton prices, and a drive toward self-sufficiency in food stocks, is encouraging a shift away from cotton.
The government has already achieved its goal of wheat self-sufficiency, and now attention is turning to fruit, vegetable and rice production.
Farmers in certain areas have already been released from a legal obligation to cultivate cotton, although subsidies remain in place. This shift in priorities is putting pressure on irrigated land availability. In November of last year, the US Department of Agriculture forecast a long-term fall in planted areas of cotton in Uzbekistan, but saw production remaining steady thanks to agronomic improvement.
Karimov highlighted the ‘sharp decline of prices and demand for cotton fibre on the world market’ as well as the need for higher vegetable production. Global cotton demand has weakened, as buying from China dries up. Chinese imports have been hit by a slowdown in growth in the industrial economy, as well as very high state-inventories, acquired during a period of stockpiling aimed at supporting domestic farmer incomes. Recently news agencies reported that the Chinese government was preparing to auction off more of its estimated 11million tonnes of inventories, after an abortive auction last year, where less than 1 per cent of the 1million tonnes offered was sold.
Switzerland is looking at setting up a Rs 2,000 crores mega textile park in Andhra Pradesh. Swiss-based Gherzi Textile Unit will invest in the textile park. The company says the challenge in Andhra Pradesh lies in adding value to cotton production by weaving and not merely by ginning.
Switzerland is also looking at setting up a solar panel manufacturing plant at an initial investment of $200 million. The solar panel manufacturing company, Meyer Burger, has shown interest in establishing an export-driven project and is considering Visakhapatnam and Kakinada as suitable locations.
Meanwhile Andhra Pradesh has invited Telugu-speaking NRIs settled in Switzerland to set up new industries in the state and be a part of the state’s development process and its flagship Smart Village-Smart Ward program. BKW Engineering Company has been invited to study Andhra Pradesh’s hydro resources and come up with a project proposal after it offered to partner with the state in the conventional energy sector.
Andhra hopes to develop into a knowledge and education hub. NRIs are expected to play an important role in providing access to markets and technology. Ethical Coffee Company has been invited to explore organic coffee plantations at Araku in Visakhapatnam district and ArStaeco to participate in the ongoing e-tendering processing for waste energy in Visakhapatnam.
The year when the TPP and the Vietnam-EU FTA are expected to take effect, the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) will strive to raise the local content of its products to 60 per cent as of 2018. Said Tran Quang Nghi, Chairman of Vinatex, only by doing so can the group meet the requirements of these two new-generation FTAs in order to fully benefit from preferential tariffs. In this direction, Vinatex recently started operation of two yarn making factories and a dyeing-weaving plant. A yarn factory in northern Nam Dinh province is scheduled to be launched in the first quarter of this year, while preparations are underway for a yarn-dyeing-weaving complex in the central province of Quang Nam. The complex is expected to supply around 12,000 tonnes of knitted material a year.
By the first half of this year, six other garment making plants are also slated to be completed. However, textile and garment sector experts say it will take some time before the new generation FTAs can actually bring any benefit, as both the TPP and the EU FTA have to wait for Parliament approval in member countries and other time-consuming preparation procedures.
Thus making 2016 a year of many challenges for the sector, more so when 2016 is forecasted as a year of fluctuations in the financial market and the world’s pace of growth.
