India’s textile industry has raised its voice to extend the minimum import price (MIP) on all the HS lines of Chapter 60, which covers all types of knitted and crocheted fabrics. The government is expected to make a decision soon, as the current MIP on five HS lines will expire on September 15, 2024. Industry organisations and a large number of businessmen argued in a letter sent to the Ministry of Textiles that knitted fabric imports have not eased in the last half year, despite the MIP on some types of knitted fabric. The ministry had invited views on the specific HS lines at the 6/8-digit level for which an extension or imposition of MIP is being requested.
R K Vij, emeritus president of the Textile Association of India (TAI) and secretary general of the Polyester Textile and Apparel Industry Association (PTAIA), told Fibre2Fashion, “The industry is severely affected due to dumping of knitted fabric. The imposition of MIP on 5 selective HS lines did not work positively as fabric imports shot up in other HS lines. The entire industry favoured to bring MIP on entire chapter 60 i.e. knitted fabric.”
Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) said in a letter sent to the ministry, “Since the imposition of the MIP of $3.5 per kg, there has been a considerable increase in the imports of fabric varieties under other HSN codes at a reduced unit price. Same is evident from the fabric import data from Apr-June 2024 as compared to Apr-June 2023.”
According to industry feedback, due to the same duty structure for all knitted fabric categories previously, a significant amount of fabric was being imported under Chapter 6006, which should have been classified under different chapters. The current unit import prices for fabric categories, particularly under HSN 6001 and 6005, are unviable domestically and are harming the domestic industry. To support the domestic market, the government should consider extending the MIP beyond September 15, 2024. It is also necessary to extend the effect of the MIP of $3.5 per kg to all knitted fabric categories under HSN 6001, 6002, 6003, 6004, and 6005.
Various industry organisations, such as the North India Textile Mills Association (NITMA), Southern India Mills Association (SIMA), Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association, and Punjab Dyers Association, have also sent letters to the government to push for this demand. A large number of businessmen have also called for restrictions on fabric imports, feeling that the huge dumping of fabric at cheaper prices has sidelined the domestic market, especially when the global textile industry is facing slow demand from developed markets.
Source: Fibre2fashion
Moody’s Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into emerging market economies like India and China fell in 2023, Moody’s Analytics said in a report on Wednesday. The fall happened due to the shrinking of global investment flows and supply-chain chaos, surging inflation, and tighter funding conditions after the covid-19 pandemic. “The world’s second-largest recipient of FDI, China, saw a downturn in 2023. Inflows turned negative in the third quarter as withdrawals and downsizing outpaced new investments. More recent data showed a fresh decline in the second quarter of 2024,” the report said. “FDI into India has also seen better days, falling in recent years despite the country’s push into manufacturing and notable investments from tech giants such as Apple Inc.,” the report added. The report titled ‘Why FDI Is Shrinking’ said investment flows are being reshaped by economic fragmentation, trade and geopolitical tensions, industrial policies, supply-chain diversification and tighter regulations to thwart the usage of tax havens. “While retreating inflation and easing monetary policy settings might offer some relief, economic fragmentation will hinder the smooth flow of FDI,” it said, adding that climate change will increasingly shape FDI flows in the long term. The report was authored by Moody’s Analytics economists Jeemin Bang, Royston How, Dave Chia and Stefan Angrick. In 2023, emerging economies saw a decline in FDI due to shrinking investments in China and India, although developed economies attracted more FDI inflows than the previous year due to new investments in European conduit economies. According to the ministry of finance, net FDI inflows to India declined from $42 billion during FY23 to $26.5 billion in FY24. However, gross FDI inflows moderated by 0.6% from $71.4 billion in FY23 to just under $71 billion in FY24. The FDI inflows have been weak mainly due to geopolitical conflicts, high borrowing costs, and global economic fracturing, according to the latest Economic Survey released last month. According to data from the United Nations’ trade and development agency UNCTAD, global FDI fell 2% annually in 2023 to $1.3 trillion. Relative to the size of the global economy, FDI fell to 1.27% of global GDP in 2023 from 1.34% in 2022, well below the average of 2.2% from 2000 to 2019. The Moody’s report said the lukewarm FDI numbers are part of a larger trend of slowing global FDI flows. “Annual FDI relative to world GDP has been slipping since the mid-2010s, primarily due to Europe. The continent was a major FDI destination and source, often accounting for more than 50% of global FDI—a figure that far surpassed its economic heft,” it said. “While annual flows to and from Europe have shrunk in recent years, FDI in North America and the Asia-Pacific region has held up,” it added.
Source: Live Mint
New Delhi: Prices of baby diapers and sanitary napkins are set to go up, with the textiles ministry rejecting an industry demand for extending a Quality Control Order (QCO) deadline for these products, two people aware of the development said.
Manufacturers such as Himalaya, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and Nine, will have to meet standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) from 1 October, with anyone failing to comply risking enforcement actions.
The textile ministry is firm in its view on the QCO for these products after it found that manufacturers were making only a limited quantity of diapers and sanitary napkins that met the standards. "Since QCOs were voluntary in nature, some well-known companies manufacturing personal hygiene products were not fully adhering to the standards. It has also been found that they have launched multiple products with different characteristics to bypass the set rules," one of the people mentioned above said on the condition of anonymity. The new standards include measures to prevent the growth of antimicrobial agents and rashes and be skin friendly. Queries emailed to the textiles ministry and all companies mentioned above remained unanswered till press time. While prices are expected to increase by 5-10%, the QCO will not be applicable on Self-Help Groups (SHGs) manufacturing ready-to-use disposable hygiene products, to ensure their supply in rural areas. The Indian diaper and sanitary pad market is valued at $1.6 billion and $.05 billion respectively and is growing exponentially at a CAGR of 7.25% and 17%, as per a report of IMARC Group, a consulting firm. "Everyone should have access to safe and quality pads, which is the main idea behind introducing the QCO. The standards are not very complicated. Essentially, they ensure that the product is hygienic, the material is safe, and it is fit for its intended purpose,” said Tanya Mahajan, co-founder, Menstrual Health Action for Impact (MHAi), a think tank working in the space of menstrual health.
‘Beneficial for consumers’
“It’s not something detrimental to the industry; in fact, it is beneficial for consumers. It ensures that the product is safe for women who use it. The material and supply chain safety are critical issues, though not widely known,” Mahajan told Mint over phone.
“The QCO will ensure that every manufacturer adheres to the same norms and standards, eliminating any ambiguity."
However, while praising the move, former AIIMS, Delhi pediatrician Dr. Rakesh Bagdi recommended not using diapers extensively as it may lead to dermatitis in newborns.
Source: Live Mint
India has recorded trade surplus with as many as 151 countries such as the U.S. and Netherlands, while the country has a trade deficit with 75 nations including China and Russia during the first half of this year, according to think tank GTRI. The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that India does not need to worry about the trade deficit from importing crude oil and coal, however, it must focus on reducing the industrial goods imports, especially from countries like China, as these threaten India's economic sovereignty.
"Between January and June 2024, India had a trade surplus with 151 countries, representing 55.8 per cent of its exports and 16.5 per cent of its imports, totalling USD 72.1 billion," GTRI said in a report. The biggest surpluses were with the USA (USD 21 billion) and the Netherlands (USD 11.6 billion) during January-June this year. "India had a trade deficit with 75 countries, which accounted for 44.2% of its exports and 83.5% of its imports, resulting in a USD 185.4 billion deficit, much larger than India's overall trade deficit," it said, adding this situation highlights the need to reduce reliance on specific imports and strengthen domestic production. The data analysis by the think tank also showed that with 23 of 75 countries, India's trade deficit exceeded USD one billion and these countries accounted for 32.9% of India's exports and 73.5% of its imports. The top five countries with the highest trade deficits were China with USD 41.88 billion, Russia with USD 31.98 billion, Iraq with USD 15.07 billion, Indonesia with USD 9.89 billion, and the UAE with USD 9.47 billion. Remaining 18 countries with trade deficit exceeding USD one billion include Saudi Arabia (USD 9.43 billion), Switzerland (USD 8.46 billion), South Korea (USD 6.93 billion), Japan (USD 6.13 billion), Qatar (USD 5.76 billion), Hong Kong (USD 5.21 billion), Taiwan (USD 4.28 billion), Australia (USD 3.34 billion), Thailand (USD 2.60 billion), Germany (USD 2.10 billion), Vietnam (USD 2.07 billion), Malaysia (USD 1.49 billion), Venezuela (USD 1.47 billion), Peru (USD 1.10 billion), and Ireland (USD 1.10 billion). It added that India should not be concerned about the trade deficit with 11 countries that primarily export crude oil, petroleum products, and coal to India such as Angola, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Nigeria. But the country "may keep a watchful eye about the trade deficit with 4 out of the 23 countries that primarily export gold, silver, and diamonds to India as tariff cuts in gold and silver in this budget from 15 per cent to 6 per cent may lead to rise in imports," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said. And these nations include Peru, Switzerland, UAE, Hong Kong. On China, the report said that during January to June 2024, India exported USD 8.5 billion to China while importing USD 50.4 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of USD 41.9 billion. This low export and high import makes China India's largest trade deficit partner. "Worse, 98.5 per cent of imports from China, or USD 49.6 billion, are industrial goods. China accounts for 29.8 per cent of India's industrial goods imports. India must invest in deep manufacturing to cut dependence on import of critical industrial products from China," Mr. Srivastava said. Goods whose share of China in India's global imports are more than 50% include umbrellas, artificial flowers, man-made filaments, rolling stock, glassware, leather goods, ceramic products, toys, and musical instruments. It added that the updated trade data for FY24 now shows the USA as India's top merchandise trade partner, overtaking China. "The revision added an extra USD 2.8 billion in global imports, bringing India's total imports to USD 678.2 billion. Of this increase, USD 1.4 billion came from the USA. As a result, India's imports from the USA rose from USD 40.8 billion in May to USD 42.2 billion in August, making the USA India's top trading partner with a total trade of USD 119.7 billion, surpassing China," it said.
Source: The Hindu
The newly accredited laboratory will play a crucial role in ensuring the exceptional quality of textile products from the Northeast Region (NER). Previously, weavers and producers had to send their products to Kolkata for testing due to the lack of such a facility in the region. The establishment of this state-of-the-art testing lab in Guwahati, Assam, represents a significant change, providing local weavers and manufacturers with immediate access to high-quality testing services. This advancement is set to prioritize and empower the NER, enhancing its position in the market. Accreditation offers formal recognition of competent laboratories, helping customers find reliable testing services for various needs, including medical, calibration, proficiency testing, and reference materials. Accreditation also boosts customer confidence by ensuring the reliability of testing and calibration reports issued by accredited laboratories.
Source: Newsx
Ahmedabad: The ongoing unrest in Bangladesh is an opportunity in disguise for the Indian textile industry, said Sunil Kataria, CEO, Raymond Lifestyle Limited (RLL). Speaking during a media interaction in Ahmedabad on Thursday, Kataria said the disruptions in Bangladesh’s garment sector could accelerate the shift of global apparel sourcing to India. “The ‘China plus one’ strategy and ‘Bangladesh plus one’ strategy, where global brands diversify their manufacturing bases, are now playing in India’s favour. Global brands, not just from the US but also from the UK and EU, are moving their business to India. The recent free trade agreements (FTAs) with Australia and UK have been significant enablers. Our end-to-end capabilities make us wellpositioned to capture this growing demand,” the RLL CEO said. To leverage this opportunity, Kataria said Raymond’s already has an ongoing capital expenditure of Rs 200 crore, to expand its apparel manufacturing capacity to 10 million units per annum over the next 15 months from the existing 6.6 million units per annum. This will further accelerate the company’s export potential, he said. RLL will soon be de-merged from Raymond Group as an independent entity and will be listed too. Tapping on the menswear wedding market, the company expects to grow at a CAGR of 15% till 2027 and gain 7% market share in the segment.
Source: Times of India
GST Collections: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections in August 2024 witnessed a 10% increase compared to the same period last year, amounting to Rs 1,74,962 crore. This growth was evident across all categories, including Central GST (CGST), State GST (SGST), Integrated GST (IGST), and cess. In August 2023, the gross GST revenue collected was Rs 1,59,069 crore. The previous month's collections totaled Rs 1,82,075 crore. The cumulative GST collection for 2024 has been 10.1% higher at Rs 9.13 lakh crore, compared to Rs 8.29 lakh crore collected in the corresponding period of 2023. Notably, in April, the total GST mop-up reached a record high of Rs 2.10 lakh crore. Domestic revenue in August 2024 grew by 9.2% to approximately Rs 1.25 lakh crore, while gross GST revenues from the import of goods increased by 12.1% to Rs 49,976. crore. Refunds amounting to Rs 24,460 crore were issued during the month, marking a 38% increase over the previous year. After adjusting for refunds, the net GST revenue increase for the month under review was 6.5%, reaching Rs 1.5 lakh crore. The GST council, led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is expected to convene on September 9 or later to discuss the rationalization of tax rates. However, a final decision on adjusting taxes and slabs will be made at a later stage. The upcoming meeting will also address the compensation cess on luxury and sin goods. The fitment committee, consisting of tax officers, has been assigned the task of analyzing the implications of modifying rates on certain items and presenting their findings to the GST council. It is worth noting that GST was introduced on July 1, 2017, and states were guaranteed compensation for revenue loss until June 2022, resulting from the GST rollout.
Source: Times of India
Emphasising the need for strong ecological and economical fronts, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Bhupender Yadav on Sunday said that as India strives to become a developed economy, it is equally committed to achieving a developed ecological status. “Developed economies should also embrace developed ecologies. We must all cultivate a strong environmental consciousness as responsible citizens,” Yadav said during the Ideas4LiFE event at IIT Bombay. “India is striving towards becoming a developed economy under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, efforts are also being made to be a developed ecology,” he said. The minister said that a human-centric approach to development is insufficient, advocating instead for an ecologically conscious model. Highlighting the adverse effects of development, such as rising temperatures and biodiversity loss, he underscored the essential role of nature in providing food, energy medicine, and other resources. He stressed on the importance of preserving one-third of the Earth for biodiversity, noting that around 50,000 species are used for human consumption. Yadav also outlined three essential actions for sustainable development- changing consumption demands, improving supply systems, and implementing effective policies. Speaking at the event, the minister outlined the government’s mission and explained the theme of Ideas4LiFE, emphasising the interconnectedness of all aspects of life. He stressed that ‘life’ encompasses more than just human needs and advocated for the harmonious co-existence of all living beings and the environment. Yadav also extended the deadline for idea submission in Ideas4LiFE from September 15 to October 15. The government launched the drive in July, inviting ideas for products and services that encourage environment-friendly lifestyles. The initiative calls on students, research scholars, faculty, and innovators to submit innovative and unconventional ideas that support the vision of mindful and deliberate resource utilisation. So far, the Ideas4Life 2024 initiative in India has registered 1,933 students, who have submitted 384 ideas, according to the MoEFCC data. The Ideas4LiFE ideathon covers seven themes of Mission LiFE — save water, save energy, reduce waste, reduce e-waste, say no to single-use plastics, adopt sustainable food systems, and adopt healthy lifestyles. Mission LiFE, or “LiFEStyle For Environment”, is a campaign that encourages people to take action to protect the environment. It was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UN Climate Change Conference in 2021. Highlighting India’s environmental accomplishments, Yadav noted that the government achieved its renewable energy targets nine years ahead of schedule and launched the Soil Health Card initiative to minimise chemical use in agriculture. He also discussed the global food waste problem, highlighting that 15 billion tonnes of food end up in landfills annually. He called for education, innovation, and technological advancements to be focused on improving and preserving nature. The minister invited ideas and suggestions from students from various colleges, urging them to contribute to preserving nature and reducing waste, which would ultimately help integrate ecological balance into development strategies. • Deadline: Extended from September 15 to October 15 • Registered students: 1,933 • Submitted ideas: 384 • Themes: Save water, energy, reduce waste, reduce e-waste, say no to single-use plastics, adopt sustainable food systems, and adopt healthy lifestyles.
Source : Business Standard
The first quarter’s stronger-than-expected gross-value-added (GVA) print and a sharp recovery in private consumption may have surprised many analysts, indicating resilience of the economic growth. But most economists who FE spoke to have kept their GDP growth forecasts unchanged for FY25, as they foresee a possible reduction in urban consumption going forward, along with slower manufacturing activity. Most economists expect the GDP to grow at 7%, or slightly below in the entire fiscal year. This is a tad lower than the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) forecast of 7.2%. “Urban consumption is likely to moderate going ahead. We do see a marked slowdown in passenger vehicles sales already, though most other lead indicators still paint a mixed picture,” said QuantEco Research in a note. Passenger vehicle sales in July contracted 2.5% on year, according to SIAM data. Radhika Piplana, chief economist, DAM Capital said that automobile volumes across segments were subdued in July 2024, and a similar trend is expected for August 2024. “Despite a recovery likely in September due to inventory fill up ahead of upcoming festivals of Navratri and Diwali in October 2024, overall Q2FY25 would be flattish for the majority of automobile segments,” she said. Moreover, the lagged impact of higher interest rates as well as regulatory measures for unsecured lending, could weigh on discretionary demand for goods, say economists. As per data, the pace of credit card spends has moderated for the second consecutive quarter to 24.2% in Q1 FY25 – the slowest pace in the last nine quarters. On the rural front, however, above-normal monsoon and waning inflation is likely to push rural consumption going forward, which has been tepid for more than a year. “Unlike last fiscal, rural consumption is expected to outpace urban, as higher interest rates impact urban areas more,” said DK Joshi, chief economist, Crisil. This may curb the slower growth anticipated in private final consumption expenditure (PFCE) in the next three quarters–which saw a sharp recovery in Q1FY25. In the first quarter, PFCE grew at a seven quarter high of 7.4%. Further, the robust growth in manufacturing GVA (7% in Q1FY25) is likely to falter going forward, due to rebound in input costs. WPI inflation may average 3% in FY25, as against -0.7% in FY24, which shall subdue the manufacturing GVA print in the remaining three quarters. Meanwhile, the overall GVA grew by 6.8% and the gap between GDP and GVA shrank to merely 19 bps in Q1 FY25 as compared to average gap of 122 bps in preceding three quarters. As per SBI Research, this GDP-GVA gap will likely converge in FY25 as against 93 bps gap in FY24, which denotes GDP print will reflect the output potential of the economy. Last year, the sharp drop in subsidy outgo was inflating the GDP print.
Source: Financial Express
India is known as the land of rich textiles wherein they are an intrinsic element of every aspect of life, be it a wedding, festive celebration, religious ritual, or even a funeral. History reveals how the highly embellished and ostentatious costumes worn by royalty of yore was a power statement.
Gujarati embroidery in all its colourful glory.
From the pure zari, gold and silver brocade achkans of the Mughal emperors to the effervescent bandhani and gharchola ensembles of the Maratha and Rajput clans; from the opulent turbans of the rulers of the Sikh empire to the mul and cotton sarees of Bengal region — the evolution of textiles goes parallel to the changing political and socio-economic dynamics of the country. History is also witness to how fabrics have been a symbol of the power to protest, with khadi as a metaphor of Indian identity during the freedom movement. Handmade textiles have withstood the test of time and are celebrated for their unique artisanal and design aesthetics.
Handwoven shawls
The National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy’s recently launched Indian Textiles Gallery II in New Delhi is an ode to this rich craftsmanship and its threatened yet continuing legacy. Curated by Fashion Design Council of India president Sunil Sethi and renowned art historian Jyotindra Jain, this immersive and magnificent exhibition is titled ‘Tradition and Innovation’.
Embroidered ensemble
The gallery features a one-of-its-kind collection of some 150 pieces. There are opulent weaves such as Banarasi brocades, the Mekhlas of Assam, the Patolas of Gujarat, the Balucharis of West Bengal and the Maheshwaris of Madhya Pradesh, besides block printed materials, embroidery techniques, kalamkari printing and resist-dyed fabrics. These have been carefully selected from over 2,600 museum artefacts, making it a display that embodies the cultural legacy of our country.
Source: Tribune
The annual production of an estimated 330,000 – 500,000 tonnes of pre-consumer textile waste, with a very limited recycling capacity. Bangladesh has been missing out on a potential export business of recycled textile products worth $4-5 billion per year due to lack of comprehensive policy framework on circular textile, according to a report. These policy frameworks would incentivize entrepreneurs to upgrade recycling of post-RMG Jhut, the study report also stated.
The study titled “Regulatory Framework to Enable Recycling of Post-Industrial Waste (Jhut) for the RMG Industry in Bangladesh” was jointly conducted by the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
GmbH and H&M under the program for Sustainability in the Textile and Leather Sector.
Bangladesh's textile and ready-made garment (RMG) industry, a vital contributor to its economy, is currently facing significant environmental and social challenges due to the inefficient management of post-industrial textile waste, commonly referred to as Jhut.
The report also stated that this issue presents a complex web of environmental hazards, health risks, and human rights concerns, deeply rooted in the industry's practices and supply chain management.
The annual production of an estimated 330,000 – 500,000 tonnes of pre-consumer textile waste, with a very limited recycling capacity, highlights a critical gap in sustainable industrial waste management and impediment to move towards a circular textile industry.
The disposal methods currently employed result in detrimental environmental impacts, including air pollution, resource depletion, and harmful chemical leaching, posing severe threats to ecosystems and publ ic health.In recent years, an in-depth exploration of Bangladesh's textile and apparel industry waste management has brought the challenge of Jhut to the forefront. Classified as post-industrial waste, Jhut encompasses fabric scraps, yarn, and additional residues emerging from production processes. Bangladesh has an existing recycling capacity for apparel-grade recycled yarns ranging between 18,000 to 24,000 tonnes annually which represents only a modest 5-7% of the expansive 330,000-500,000 tonnes of 100% cotton and cotton-elastane waste produced every year.
Moreover, less than 5% of this waste is upcycled into products such as rag rugs, rag dolls, blankets, etc and a significant portion, over 55%, is exported to recycling companies globally, while the remaining waste is downcycled.
Usually, these are downcycled into stuffing materials for cushions and mattresses, incinerated onsite for waste-to-energy purposes, and a negligible amount is landfilled.
In Bangladesh, comprehensive data regarding Jhut waste remains incomplete.
While formal practices are tracked and documented, the extent of informal Jhut collection and management practices remains uncertain, and the pronounced disparity underscores the vast potential for enhancing Bangladesh's textile recycling infrastructure. The study outlined six key policy solutions for the informal textile Jhut sector in Bangladesh like to improve data availability, transparency and traceability through a national Jhut database. Moreover, it also suggested introducing industry guidelines for Jhut management and recycling standards and to implement changes in existing VAT and tariff rules for Jhut transactions.
It also outlined economic incentives to formalize Jhut collection, handling and sorting and to establish a central depository system and cluster-based Jhut sorting hubs for decent work and social inclusion along with improving the investment environment for state-of-the-art recycling technologies.
There are some potential threats that could arise if factory owners set a strategy to implement Jhut recycling within their own premises which include influence or restrictions from political parties, general political pressures or influences, increased attention from various stakeholders, and sometimes factory owners beginning to reuse waste themselves. The report also stated that in the global context, an evolving narrative around sustainability in the textile sector is shaping the operations and strategies of major brands. A pronounced push towards integrating circularity in value chains is evident, with entities such as H&M and GIZ at the forefront of these initiatives. Significantly, regulatory frameworks, particularly from bodies like the European Union, are edging towards stricter mandates and instating extended producer responsibilities. This global shift offers Bangladesh a multifaceted opportunity, the report added, saying that on one hand, aligning with these international sustainability goals holds promise for elevated trade and partnership prospects. On the other hand, the drive to formalize and institutionalize the informal Jhut sector could usher in a new era of circular economy models and formal employment opportunities in the country.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
Pakistani exhibitors garnered significant recognition for their showcased products at the Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo 2024. The Autumn Edition of the expo started on August 27 and concluded on August 29, spanning across nine halls of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). This edition featured 16 Pakistani companies, nine participating in ITSA and seven in the Yarn Expo. During the three-day show, nearly 4,000 international and domestic exhibitors from 26 countries and regions, including Pakistan, India, China, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Thailand, Singapore, and Taiwan, and over 95,000 trade visitors from around the world gathered at the fair. International participation from exhibitors and visitors greatly boosted the industry at this edition. Numerous country and region pavilions, group pavilions, and product zones were featured, all designed to help exhibitors meet their target buyers. The nine buyer delegations worldwide arranged for their members to source for this season. In recognition of long-term participation, Mahmood Textile was honored with a souvenir for completing ten years at the event. This highlighted the lasting partnerships and commitment to excellence that defined Intertextile Apparel. Mr. Akmal, Marketing Manager at Mehmood Textile, expressed his satisfaction: “We’ve been attending ITSA & Yarn Expo for ten years, and the experience has always been exceptional. Messe Frankfurt Karachi’s support has been outstanding, and we eagerly anticipate continuing this successful partnership.” Mr. Adnan Butt, Director of Sales and Marketing at Yarana Textiles, remarked, “Even in the face of tough market conditions in China, we have been pleasantly surprised by the robust response from potential buyers. The level of interest has exceeded our expectations, and we are eager to continue our engagement in this promising market”. Pakistani companies made a strong presence at the fair, showcasing their unique products. These included Kohinoor, Mahmood Textile, and Sapphire Diamond Denim, which displayed an impressive array of apparel. Additionally, Abtex International, Indus Dyeing, Xiamen Naseem, and Sardar Corporation showcased their high-quality yarn products.
Source: Trade chronicle
A King's researcher has urged environmental scholars to give greater focus to the environmental sustainability issues associated with natural textile fibers used in fashion, highlighting key areas to address. Natural fibers, such as cotton and wool, are derived directly from an animal or plant. Despite a general sense that they are more environmentally friendly than synthetic fibers due to their natural origins, studies have found they are extremely prevalent and represent more than 70% of all fibers found in the environment. This highlights, on one hand, that natural fibers may be less biodegradable than expected and, on the other hand, that they may significantly impact the health of ecosystems. Writing to Environmental Science & Technology, academics including Dr. Matteo Gallidabino, Lecturer in Forensic Chemistry, King's Forensics, call for changes to the way research is conducted into fiber and textile pollution.
Dr. Matteo Gallidabino said, "Despite the fact that synthetic fibers have developed enormously in recent years and, to date, approximately represent two thirds of all fibers used in the textile sector, natural fibers are still abundant in environmental samples where they typically account for the majority of the fibers recovered.
"The problem is that we still know very little about their environmental impact, included their toxicity. This shows a clear misalignment between the current research in microfibers and textile pollution, which mainly focuses on plastic materials, and the actual prevalence of the problem.
"How can we be sure that environmental natural fiber levels are not as harmful as, or more harmful than, synthetic fiber levels? Simply: we cannot, at least for the moment."
The authors criticize the "half told story" of the environmental footprint of natural fibers built on unqualified assumptions that they are inherently more sustainable. While natural polymers are more biodegradable than synthetic polymers, modifications to natural fibers for textile applications can alter their chemical structure. This can result in a slower rate of biodegradation or run the risk of chemicals leeching into the environment. Therefore, they ask that potential risks associated with the persistence, toxicity, and chemical load of natural fibers is explored at scale.
The authors also highlighted that assessing the sustainability of natural fibers will require interdisciplinary academics collaborations, as well as integration of expertise from outside environmental science. It is important that this interdisciplinary research encompasses the field of forensic science and forensic fiber specialists, who have optimized methods for the comprehensive characterization of single microfibers in complex situations.
The scientific community will also need to work on standardizing terminology. While categories exist for the different fiber types—namely, natural, synthetic and regenerated fibers—these definitions are not consistent within research literature. The authors argue that environmental scholars need to consistently use industry-standard definitions to make knowledge exchange easier and more transparent.
"Nine years since a letter to the same journal asked if natural fibers represent a missing link in our understanding of textile fiber pollution, we argue that they continue to represent a missing thread in sustainable fashion debates—a thread that requires concerted interdisciplinary research approaches. Exclusion of natural fibers in fiber pollution research risks promoting misinformed sustainability policies and messages. We implore the scholarly community to continue to develop and diversify natural fiber research," said Dr. Tom Stanton, Lecturer in Geography, Loughborough University (first author).
The letter was created by scientists contributing to the IMPACT+ project—a major collaborative project seeking to examine how the environmental effects of the fashion industry are measured.
Source : Phy.org
The United States has experienced a 3.17% decline in its textile and apparel exports, totaling $11.5 billion in the first half of 2024. This downturn continues a trend that began in the first quarter and slightly decelerated in the subsequent months, following a significant drop recorded in 2023. Concurrently, imports have also slowed in response to recent inflationary pressures. Mexico and Canada remain the primary markets for U.S. exports, purchasing $6.1 billion and $4.2 billion in textiles and apparel respectively during the first half of the year. Orders from the European Union follow, with $1.2 billion, marking a significant 11.2% decrease over the six months, as European clothing consumption continues to be impacted by inflation. Other major clients include Honduras and China, with China maintaining a steady order level of $361 million, placing iahead of the Dominican Republic, the United Kingdom, and Japan in terms of market size. On the import side, the U.S. saw a 3.58% reduction in textile and apparel imports, totaling $49.3 billion for the first half of the year. This contraction is a direct consequence of inflation, which has raised concerns among both consumers and brands, though there have been signs of easing since July. China remains the top supplier to the U.S., with $11.1 billion worth of goods in the first six months. Following China are Vietnam with $7.2 billion, India with $4.7 billion, and Bangladesh, which has seen a significant decline of 10.6% to $3.5 billion. The European Union ranks fifth among suppliers with $2.8 billion, experiencing a 2.9% decrease, ahead of Indonesia, Mexico, Cambodia, and Pakistan. These figures are contextualized by a 22% drop in U.S. apparel imports noted in 2023, from which European luxury goods had partially been exempted. Factors currently affecting trade levels include freight costs. Security concerns regarding the Suez Canal have driven up container prices, while reduced water levels in the Panama Canal have made journeys between Asia and the American East Coast more expensive and prolonged.
Source: Fashion Network
