Italian textile machinery manufacturers will be present at Indo Intertex, Indonesia from April 4 to 7. The textile industry is a major driving force for Indonesia’s national economy. In recent years, the country has supported a widespread modernisation program of existing technology, allowing for increased exports in the garment industry, and making Indonesia the eighth largest exporter in this sector worldwide.

Over the course of the past few years, Indonesia has represented one of the primary markets in Asia for Italy’s machinery manufacturers. There was a 19 per cent increase in Italian machinery sold over the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same period for 2016.

Italy’s participation at Indo Intertex is part of an intensive program of trade initiatives aimed at promoting the Italian textile machinery industry in Indonesia. A total of 13 Italian textile machinery manufacturers will be present at Indo Intertex. Among the companies are Bonino, Busi, Caipo, Cognetex, Red Carpet, Santex Rimar, Sei Laser, Sicam, Ugolini.

Indo Intertex is a trade fair for the textile and clothing industry where machines for processing of textiles and related equipment including materials and raw materials will be exhibited. The latest materials, fabrics and garment accessories are introduced to Indonesian producers.

The US cotton market is facing a surge in demand. Typical demand factors include a change in consumers’ tastes and preferences (a switch from the acid-based crude oil polyester as well as the desire for a pollution-free fiber). The price competition between polyester and cotton has shifted towards cotton. This was led by China cracking down on polyester manufacturing facilities because of water and air pollution. Additionally, consumers are again expressing a desire to return to the comfort offered by cotton.

The past week established a near lifetime record of weekly sales and shipments. More such weeks will be forthcoming. The Australian and Brazilian crops are essentially sold out, and Indian export sales are delayed and limited. Thus, the demand for US cotton – already one of the cheaper growths in the world – will do nothing but boom.

A counter-cyclical tariff on cotton by Turkey could disrupt some established trade flows, but the critical shortage of US quality cotton this year and the next would mean that the solid Turkish market honed out by US merchants and cooperatives would shift to other export locations and US export volume would not be hurt. Simply, Turkey would end up paying more for cotton than it currently does.

Archroma, a global leader in color and specialty chemicals, has appointed Marcos Furrer, of President, Brand & Performance Textile Specialties, and Innovation, based at Archroma's headquarters in Reinach, Switzerland.

Marcos Furrer will takeover from Thomas Winkler who will retire at the end of March 2018 after more than 30 years in the textile industry, among which 12 years at the helm of the business. Alexander Wessels, CEO of Archroma says, Furrer was an obvious choice and is the right combination of strong textile expertise and leadership skills needed to drive the business in line with Archroma’s ambitious growth strategy.

Furrer has earned a strong reputation as a well-rounded business manager with excellent leadership skills and a taste for delivering on targets. He started his career with Clariant in Switzerland as Product Manager Sulphur Dyes, Textile Business, in 1997, his latest role as Head of Regional Business Line Europe, BU Pigments, Strategic Plastics, brought him back to Switzerland in January 2015, with the mission to implement the new BU Pigments regional structure in Europe.

Cairo Fashion and Tex is on from March 8 to 10, 2018. Around 23 of Indian textile companies are showcasing a wide range of Indian yarn and fabric products. Six of them are repeat companies. The products on display include a cross section of Indian yarn and fabric products, including denim.

Indian companies are using this exhibition as a platform to meet textile entrepreneurs and understand the recent development in the Egyptian textile sector. Entrepreneurs will benefit from first-hand knowledge of the evolving market conditions and domestic textile industry enabling them to identify areas of mutual cooperation.

Textile products have played an important role in the growth of Indo-Egyptian bilateral trade. Egypt is a significant market in North Africa for Indian exports. India is the world’s second largest producer of synthetic fiber and yarn, cotton, cellulosic fiber and silk. India exported textile and clothing products worth around 342 million dollars to Egypt in 2017. Cotton yarn was the dominant product in the export basket, followed by manmade yarn fabrics and cotton fabrics.

Indian cotton yarn is increasingly being recognised in Egypt but there are also opportunities for some other fabrics Indian producers offer. The Indian textile industry is modern, vibrant and many manufacturers have set up state of the art processing houses to roll out large volumes of high quality products.