Textiles (147)
The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts has set up a lace center in Andhra Pradesh. The center has have facilities such as exhibition halls, an auditorium, an open air theatre, meeting rooms, facilities for a craft bazaar, accommodation for buyers and designers besides an administrative set up etc. The objective is to help craftpersons, artisans, producers and exporters in the east and west Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh to develop new designs, adopt new production techniques of lace products, do marketing and exports through exhibitions and craft bazaars etc. This center will also enable the producing and exporting community to interact with foreign experts, designers and buyers with regard to product development and exports.
It is estimated that more than one lakh women artisans are involved in making lace products part time. More than 80 per cent lace exports from India originate from the east and west Godavari regions. EPCH has also taken various initiatives for enhancing the design and quality of lace and lace products by organising skill development programs in different segments such as stitching and garmenting, dyeing and capacity building and value added skills on crochet. India’s overall handicrafts exports have grown 15.46 per cent over last year.
Seams, Reshoring Initiative announce winners of first ‘Reshoring Awards’
Written by FWSeams with strategic partner, the Reshoring Initiative, announced the winners for its Reshoring Awards in the three categories: Brands & Vertical Retailers, Textiles, and Cut & Sew Manufacturing.
Unionwear was presented with the Cut & Sew Manufacturers Award.Unionwear’s reshoring initiatives included re-engineering and re-designing reshored products, generating over 70 additional jobs in the U.S. and over $4 million in annual revenue.
Textile Award was presented to Contempora Fabrics. Its reshoring initiative was driven by Walmart’s commitment to purchase by 2023 an additional $250 billion in products made, sourced, or grown in the U.S. Contempora supplied the fabric used to manufacture employee vests for all Walmart U.S. stores, generating over $13 Million in sales in the U.S. over five years.
Mara Hoffman was presented the Brand Award. In 2015, the brand moved textile printing and cut & sew back to the US gaining better transparency in their supply chain and providing jobs for their community in NYC.
Textile mills in Rajasthan have been asked to pay four years’ entry tax on imports of yarn, dyes and chemicals, capital goods, spare parts, electrical goods and electronic goods. The industry says the levy of such a retrospective tax will not only hamper working capital but also break the backbone of the business.
What triggered the tax department to issue the letters to the mills is a Supreme Court order in October 2017 that upheld the validity of the entry tax. However, the judgment was only for the states of Kerala, Jharkhand, Orissa and Bihar.
Bhilwara in Rajasthan produces almost 45 per cent of the total yarn manufactured in India. The decline started with demonetization. With the Goods and Service Tax the entire system had to be computerized and prices of goods went up by 20 per cent leading to massive losses. More than 20,000 people are employed in the Rs 700 crore industry in Bhilwara, considered to be one of the textile hubs of India. Traders want minimal GST for all raw clothing categories including textiles, polyester yarn, wool and other materials. Further, textile traders have also sought tax sops for entities engaged in the business for more than 20 years.
International Congress of Textile Innovation in Peru gets a huge response
Written by FWMore than 400 participants attended the three-day 2019 International Congress of Textile Innovation for Sustainable Development that was held in Lima, Peru, from April 24– 26. The congress provided a good venue for networking and discussing the US Cotton Trust Protocol with trade and global industry experts. Cotton Council International (CCI) participated as an exclusive sponsor in the fiber category.
Speakers from Germany, Italy, France and the US shared latest industry development news, trends and technologies, challenging the Peruvian textile industry to think about how to compete in the global economy. Andrew Jordan, on behalf CCI, conducted a presentation addressing the US Cotton Trust Protocol and a recent micro-fiber study. The attendees received updates on improvement progress from the U.S. cotton industry, the US cotton industry’s commitment to building on its legacy of stewardship, as well as transparency and trust from the farm to the customer. CCI also shared a presentation on the Cotton USA licensing program and the participating global brands.
Representatives from leading companies such as Creditex, Nettalco, Topy Top, Tejidos San Jacinto, Peru Fashions, Textil Romosa and La Colonial attended the event. In addition, Jordan held seven face-to face meetings with US cotton fiber buyers and export manufacturers during the week in order to listen to them and ask them about concepts related to the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and gauge what the industry considers valuable.
The United States has escalated its trade war with China. The higher tariffs will be applied to relevant US-bound goods exported from China. Tariffs on targeted exports have increased from ten per cent to 25 per cent. China has pledged to take counter measures. The tariff hikes could hit growth in both economies and drag down global growth. US importers received just five days’ notice about the sudden rise in penalties. The tariff increase is seen as inflicting significant harm on US industry, farmers and consumers, decreasing the competitiveness of American companies and reducing the efficiency of their global supply chains. A 25 per cent tariff on apparel imports is expected to increase costs for a family of four by 500 dollars a year.
The US’ decision to impose new taxes on Chinese exports comes after the United States accused China of backtracking on commitments made during recent negotiations on trade. China has been accused of unfair trade practices, particularly with regards to access to its giant market, intellectual property and technology transfers.
The dispute has hurt Chinese exporters, damaged some US companies and slowed global growth since it began last July. The risk of a complete breakdown in trade talks has increased. Global stock markets have endured a week of extreme volatility.
In 2018 US textile and clothing imports rose in value terms to their second highest level on record and in volume terms to a record high. Within 2018 total, imports of fabrics, made-up textiles and apparel reached record highs in volume terms. Apparel continued to account for the biggest share of total imports. However, its share was down to its lowest level in several years. By contrast, there were significant increases in the shares of yarns, fabrics and made-up textiles. Meanwhile, the average price of US textile and clothing imports fell for the seventh year in succession to a record low—reflecting primarily a decline in the average price of imports from China.
In terms of fiber type, manmade fibers accounted for the largest share of US apparel imports for the fifth consecutive year. China remained by far the USA’s biggest textile and clothing supplier. Furthermore, its share of total US textile and clothing imports reached a record high in volume terms, although in value terms its share fell. Cambodia and Italy both increased their shares of US textile and clothing imports in value and volume terms but Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico and Pakistan suffered declines. Bangladesh, India and Vietnam, meanwhile, more or less maintained their market shares during the year.
The rapid deterioration of relations with the US has caught Chinese businesses off guard. Many companies find it difficult to shoulder the huge additional costs and lack viable options to immediately modify their supply chains. Some export industries in China will be hit harder than others with electronics, computer circuit boards, computer parts, furniture, floor coverings and automotive parts disproportionately burdened by the increased tariffs.
The US has increased tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese products from 10 to 25 per cent. Many businesses in China are already struggling to stay afloat since the US imposed 10 per cent tariffs in September last year. They say, while they tried to share these costs with their US counterparts, they will now have no choice but to pass on a significant proportion of the latest tariff increase to their customers. The uncertainty and volatility created by the trade war has led to businesses delaying investment and expansion plans. Some Chinese manufacturers have adjusted their supply chains by moving manufacturing and warehousing to south-east Asia, Mexico and Canada. But uprooting supply chains is costly, time-consuming and usually requires companies to obtain new approvals, comply with different regulatory regimes, secure real estate, build factories, hire workers and find new suppliers and service providers.
A Chinese firm, Pink Mango, will establish a garment factory in Rwanda. The investment will not only enable the central African country to increase its exports but also reduce imports of clothing as the country has been using fiscal measures to progressively discourage the import of secondhand clothes.
The factory to be located in a special economic zone will produce garments for both the domestic and export market. The Chinese firm is expected to provide 7,500 jobs for Rwandans by the fifth year and create cumulative export earnings of 20 million dollars over the next five years. It is also expected to build capacity and skills transfer to 500 workers of local garment cooperatives, who will also benefit from some of supply contracts through an outsourcing model. The investment of the Chinese firm will upskill Rwandans, giving them access to productive jobs and hence ensuring them have a better standard of living.
The United States has suspended duty-free status for Rwandan apparel products under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The reason was the African nation’s refusal to lower trade barriers for American-made clothing and shoes. Rwanda was among three East African nations—the others are Tanzania and Uganda--that banned imports of used clothing and shoes from the US.
Bonas will be present at Itma, Spain, June 20 to 26, 2019. A total of 10 jacquards will be operating on advanced weaving machines throughout the show. A multitude of colors in both warp and weft can be expertly intertwined to produce top quality flat woven carpet, as will be demonstrated by a Bonas Si21 on top of an Itema R9500-2 rapier machine.
Bonas supplies shedding systems to both the flat weaving and carpet weaving industries worldwide. Another Si21 on top of a Picanol Optimaxrapier will prove the smooth and low vibration running of this 21,504 hook jacquard at high speeds. Both jacquards are driven by the revolutionary smart drive, directly mounted to the loom and eliminating the need for a gear box. Total flexibility in both warp and weft is no longer a dream with the end-to-end control that Bonas will show with the successful Ji5 on a 190cm Smit ONE, without a warp beam. This provides total flexibility in weft and warp yarn composition, raw material and thickness. Difficult yarns in weft and simple yarns in warp without compromising on creativity allow the customer to always run at full speed without warp breakages or tension problems. Individual warp end control gives free rein to creativity.
Levi Strauss has undertaken a new denim recycling initiative with the ‘Blue Jeans Go Green’ program. Any type of denim, including scraps or non-jean items like jackets, is eligible for recycling. Blends are, too—though the fabric does need to contain at least 90 per cent cotton. To date, the Blue Jeans Go Green program has recycled more than 2.5 million pieces of denim, to create almost five million square feet of insulation. The denim insulation developed through the program isn’t for sale, but given to charity partners for use in schools and libraries.
The Blue Jeans Go Green initiative, launched in 2006, lets consumers bring denim clothing—from any brand and in any condition—to dedicated recycling bins at partner retailers. The initiative is a key feature for the strategy Levi’s has to hit its sustainability benchmarks. The company hopes to hit major goals around climate impact, chemical applications, and water use, and alter its sourcing, design and manufacturing processes to plan for future circularity. Levi’s also offers consumers several opportunities to extend the life of their denim, in whatever way they can. The brand refashions archive-quality denim for resale in select stores, and at in-store tailor shops Levi’s professionals can repair used garments that might otherwise be wasted.
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A breakout session that updates delegates on Higg Index progress and other new developments will feature at the upcoming Planet Textiles summit in Barcelona. The Higg panel is just one part of a full day’s schedule which focuses on the practicalities of innovation and sustainability in the textile supply chain. With many textile industry tools now in an advanced stage of development to allow apparel brands and retailers to improve supply chain transparency, and to measure their overall environmental impact, the Higg session will be extremely timely and promises to bring new insight for brands, textile mills and suppliers right through the supply chain.
As a part of the ‘Pitch for the Planet’ session run by Fashion for Good at this year’s event, that details new, cutting edge textile innovations that have yet to scale, Abishek Bansal from Arvind Mills will feature in conversation with Fashion for Good investment manager Tanvi Karambelkar about how the Indian textile conglomerate has helped and encouraged innovators to scale-up technology and how it can be integrated into a major textile operation such as Arvind. Also presented will be an innovation that uses minimal chemistry to finish textiles, and how it can contribute to a world where the discharge of potentially hazardous substances from textile wet processing mills can be minimised – and preferably avoided altogether.
Cone Denim partners with Jeanologia for finishing technology
Written by FWCone Denim will partner with garment finishing technology company Jeanologia on a sustainable denim collection for fall 2020. The collaboration brings together two leaders in denim that are aligned on environmental stewardship. The collection will apply Cone’s water-conscious laser-washing techniques to a number of Cone’s proprietary low-impact fabrics. The partnership is expected to be a compelling and relevant design resource for Cone’s brand partners and serve as a great source of inspiration for designers looking for sustainable options.
Cone selected specific fabrics that are a key part of its fall 2020 collection but they also qualify well for Jeanologia’s laser washing technologies. These washes promote minimal amount of water, energy and chemicals. Each garment will be noted with a wash score. Cone’s consciously-milled denim provides an ideal base for Jeanologia’s low-impact laser washing techniques. The partnership is a perfect marriage of innovative technologies.
Cone, an iconic, 128-year-old denim mill, will also debut two new product capsules for fall 2020. Modern Retro will focus on utilizing a blend of post-consumer recycled cotton, wood pulp-derived Tencel fabric, and SGene with Repreve stretch technology, made from recycled polyester. Favorite is an unisex capsule and comfort, softness, performance and a brilliant indigo color are its hallmarks. The line features a variety of washes and three stretch levels (high, medium and lightweight rigid).
The global digital textile printing market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 16.3 per cent during 2018-2027. Taking the lead will be the Asia Pacific region (excluding Japan), whose growth will be mainly attributed to contributions from emerging economies, such as India and China. This region is characterized by a robust political, demographic, and economic ecosystem of the leading emerging economies; and a rapidly growing digital textile printing industry in the region will lead to optimum growth levels in the coming decade.
China is expected to be at the forefront, spearheading the growth. The Chinese digital textile printing market has witnessed rapid growth in the past couple of decades. End user sectors of digital textile printing, such as food and beverage, personal care, pharmaceuticals and automotive, are increasingly adopting digital textile printing on their sales promotion devices. Growing promotional activity has increased the growth of the digital textile printing market.
Revenue from digital textile printing in North America is estimated to account for over 43 per cent of the global digital textile printing market revenue in 2018. Key players in this market include Durst, Seiko Epson, Roq, Konica Minolta, Kornit Digital, Mimaki, Sawgrass Technologies and the M&R companies.
Cotton plants in Gujarat affected due to irregular rains
Written by FWCotton industry experts say, the cotton season in Gujarat is likely to affected due to irregular rains. The season is likely to begin a month late. Even the plants are likely to be smaller than the normal. Some places in the state received high and some had poor rains. This has affected the growth of cotton plant.
As per the data of Gujarat Agriculture Department, cotton sowing in the state has reached over 2.71 million hectares, about 2.33 per cent higher than last year’s 2.65 million hectares. Though, sowing has increased, it is much lower than industry expectations. Normally, the new cotton season in Gujarat begins in October and ends in September every year, but this time the season is likely to start from October end or in November due to abnormal monsoons in the state.
