The Indian Texpreneurs Federation (ITF) has launched hashtag #IndiaforSure on leading professional social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. #IndiaforSure is a platform for textile entrepreneurs across the value chain to share what they have achieved through their exceptional leadership and focus on their areas of SURE.

SURE stands for Stable, Sustainable, Reliable and Ethical. ITF had launched ‘India for SURE’ initiative on World Environment Day earlier this year to move forward towards a collective blueprint for sustainability. The work is currently in progress, according to ITF, which represents around 500 textile manufacturing companies covering the entire value chain of Tamil Nadu textile industry including integrated, standalone spinning, weaving, processing, home textiles and apparel companies.

The endeavour of #IndiaforSure platform is to showcase the stories of change, that provides an opportunity of cross learning for everyone in the industry The initiative is also aligned towards Government of India’s initiatives such as Aatma Nirbhar Bharat to establish India as a most preferred destination for sourcing manufactured goods like fashion products.

Bangladesh recently sought from the United Nations export duty waivers on its products for 10 to 12 years past its graduation from a least developed country (LDC) to a developing one in 2024.

The reason is the country's economy, exports, supply chains and employment have been severely damaged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The three prerequisites set by the UN Committee for Development Policy (UNCDP) to graduate from the LDC status are are gross national income, human assets index and economic vulnerability index. The UNCDP will assess the country's graduation requirements again next year.

The European Union (EU) had already announced that it will continue the zero-duty benefit for Bangladesh after the graduation for three more years as a grace period for preparations. But the Bangladesh commerce ministry sent a letter to the EU last month requesting continuation of the generalized system of preferences (GSP) under its Everything but Arms (EBA) initiative for 10 more years following the graduation.

Leading global producer of sustainable fiber and bio-based products, Asia Pacific Resources International (APRIL), has announced a slate of progressive targets to 2030 that will have a positive impact on climate, nature and people while transforming its business.

Supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Indonesia, APRIL2030 targets a drastic reduction of carbon emissions to achieve net zero emissions from land use and a 25 per cent cut in product carbon emissions. The company also commits to net zero loss of protected areas and measurable gains in biodiversity and ecosystem benefits in the conservation and restoration areas under its active management.

APRIL2030 will drive vital inclusive progress in Indonesia’s developing economy through transformative initiatives in livelihoods, education, healthcare and championing equal opportunity for women. The company also commits to embracing circularity in its business and the use of recycled textiles as an alternative fiber source.

Over 240 professionals from 18 countries throughout the supply chain participated in the sixth edition of INDA’s Hygienix™, the premier event for absorbent hygiene and personal care markets, on November 17-19 in a virtual format to comply with pandemic guidelines.

The event included sessions on topics such as: The Absorbent Hygiene Industry under COVID-19; U.S. Economic Forecast and Industry Statistics; Packaging and Labeling Challenges; Innovative Developments and Intellectual Property; Smart Diapers; and Principles of Sustainability and Elderly Care. Virtual Hygienix™ included presentations from 24 industry experts along with 6+ hours of virtual live personal engagement.

Participants developed business relationships during networking opportunities that included: engaging conversations on selected topics, live Q&A sessions with each presenter, and open conversations during coffee talks, afternoon tea, and cocktail hour sessions.

Colin Hanna, Director of Research, and Pricie Hanna, Managing Partner, Price Hanna Consultants – presented challenges, resiliency, and recalibration of sourcing and risk management strategies at multi-levels in the absorbent hygiene product supply chain.

Lindsey Piegza, Ph.D., Chief Economist, Stifel Financial Corporation, presented an outlook on the U.S. economy from a pre- and post-election perspective, including comments on a potential stimulus package and the impact of recent vaccine developments on the economic outlook.

Bryan Haynes, Ph D, Senior Technical Director – Global Nonwovens, Kimberly-Clark Corporation presented on the future of sustainable plastic alternatives and the impact of the European Union Single Use Plastics Directive on some of these alternatives, as well as Kimberly-Clark Corporation’s sustainability 2030 strategies.

Highlight of the event was the announcement of INDA’s prestigious Hygienix Innovation Award™ to Male Drip Protection from Dermasteel – an innovative male leak protection product, with a patent-pending, proprietary design that is discreet, form-fitting, and tailored to the male anatomy.

The next Hygienix™ is scheduled for November 15-18, at the Westin Kierland hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Hugo Boss has launched a sustainable collection in support of Cotton made in Africa. Created by Hugo Boss in conjunction with brand ambassador Liam Payne, this exclusive collection helps protect the environment and improve living conditions in Africa by using cotton verified through Cotton made in Africa.

The Cotton made in Africa initiative is committed to promoting sustainable cotton cultivation in Africa and to supporting around 900,000 smallholder farmers. Eschewing all genetic engineering and artificial irrigation, it advocates for equal rights and works to protect the rights of children. Since 2019, HUGO BOSS has supported the initiative by incorporating the verified cotton, which is socially and ecologically sustainable, into some of its collections. This represents an important contribution to improving the cotton growing industry in Africa.

Cotton made in Africa's approach is based on the principle of help people help themselves. For every item bearing the Cotton made in Africa logo, companies pay a licensing fee to the initiative, which uses the money to fund training programs for smallholder farmers. With its focus on eco-friendly and highly efficient cultivation methods, this training serves to protect the environment while improving the farmers' harvests.

Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) hosted a webinar entitled ‘The Future of Fashion: Reimagine, Regenerate and Close the Loop,’ with seasoned global executives of HKRITA’s leading partners, including Monki, Shahi Exports, Gap Inc and H&M, sharing visionary views and insights into key industry trends in driving sustainability amid these new normal times and beyond. The webinar was attended by over 250 participants, including industry practitioners, senior executives and leaders.

Established in 2006, HKRITA is funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR Government and is hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. HKRITA contributes to the competitiveness of the textile and apparel industry by providing one-stop services in applied research, technology transfer and commercialisation. HKRITA also plays a vital and expanding role in driving sustainable improvements in the industry and thus bringing benefits to society as a whole.

Edwin Keh, Chief Executive Officer, HKRITA, said these uncertain times have accelerated the shift to greener and more sustainable supply chains, where it is crucial for brands to communicate and demonstrate a social purpose to customers. It is a critical time for the textile and fashion industry to emerge stronger and gain resilience by adopting the new 3Rs approach – reimagine, repurpose and reinvent – and working towards carbon neutral goals to redefine the future of the textile and fashion industry.

As per a new report by the global intelligence firm Creditsafe, the US manufacturing industry including the apparel and textile sector may face severe negative impacts of COVID-19. The industry may lose $400 billion in revenue in 2020 due to the pandemic, the report says. It warns manufacturers, also including industrial machinery equipment, printing and publishing, and fabricated metal products, of significant decreases in their revenue and facing difficult decisions on navigating through these difficult times.

The US manufacturing industries represent over half a million businesses across the country, with more than 17 per cent expected to experience a severe downturn and financial crisis from the economic impact of the coronavirus. According to the National Council of Textile Organizations, the US textile industry supply chain, from textile fibers to apparel and other sewn products, employed 585,240 workers last year. Of the 31,735 manufacturers of clothing and other textile products reviewed by the report, 5.8 percent of them are likely to face severe risk.

They may face factors such as mandatory closures, changes in buyer behavior and disruptions to the supply chain are all contributing to the overall risk that the manufacturing industry is facing. These could then cause ripples through a loss of employment, decreases in revenue and delays in production, Creditsafe noted.

The pandemic has caused the US, and specifically manufacturers, to look to a more localized supply chain and bring several types of critical manufacturing sectors back on shore. The Creditsafe report cites the April Thomas Industrial Survey that shows 64 per cent of manufacturers planning to bring production and sourcing back to North America, with 25 per cent increasing their use of automation.

Textile exporters in Pakistan have urged the government to support its value-added textile chain by focusing on cotton production, cultivation area and yield, reports Tribune.

As per Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA), the country produced only 4.02 million bales till November 15, 2020, as compared to 6.85 million bales produced during the same period of last year. The major causes of this decline R: reduction in cultivation area and per acre production, low-quality seeds and shifting of farmers’ focus towards other crops due to a lack of government support. Production shortfall has had a devastating impact on Pakistan’s textile exports compelling exporters to seek government aid.

Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, Chairman, PCGA has requested the government to allow import of cotton yarn without customs and regulatory duty under the current sMutate of affairs as it had already permitted duty-free import of cotton.

The ongoing global health emergency and consequent measures taken by the Italian government have forced Pitti Immagine’s board of directors to move all three shows: Pitti Uomo, Pitti Filati and Pitti Bimbo to February, 21-23, 2021. The new dates for the shows were selected on the basis of their relevance for sales campaigns, preserving the event’s own identity and at the same time giving a strong sign from the system to the Italian productive-commercial value chain in terms of events of the Italian fashion calendar.

To support sales campaign, the organizers have ensured a good margin for placing orders, especially for those who need to meet insiders, and sense collections’ quality and style within a physical event, said Raffaello Napoleone, CEO, Pitti Immagine. The event will open its digital platform Connect in advance while it has already prepared all the necessary safety measures, including checking visitors while entering and visiting booths, the constant sanitization of the location and guaranteeing participants’ distancing.

For this special edition of Pitti events, Fortezza will also host an intense program of events and presentations while Stazione Leopolda,will host commercial initiatives.

Remake’s first brand transparency report calls sustainable denim brands Mud Jeans and Nudie Jeans as Rockstars. The report ranks 40 brands against a series of guidelines developed in partnership with human rights, climate, water and waste experts.

Using the brands’ sustainability reports and other public-facing documents, Remake uses the monikers ‘rockstars,’ ‘wannabes,’ ‘offenders’ and ‘up and comers’ to rank brands on topics like traceability and transparency, maker well-being, environmental sustainability, sustainable raw materials, and leadership, diversity and inclusion. It lauds Nudie Jeans for its initiatives like repair shops and water recycling programs. Remake also lauds Mud Jeans for its use of recycled denim and a detailed Code of Conduct, which outlines the social and environmental responsibilities of Mud and its suppliers.

Reformation was included in the “wannabes” list because of its decision to expand its supply chain into China. The brand was awarded a score of 53. J. Crew Group Inc.-owned denim label Madewell was criticized for its failure to scale its sustainable practices beyond its Eco-Denim collection.

The report’ also lists “offenders” such as Zara, H&M, Uniqlo, Forever21 and Urban Outfitters. This list also includes Everlane which was recently slammed for its convenient transparency and the negative attention it received from then-presidential candidate Bernie Sanders for alleged union busting.

Streetwear label Supreme earned a score of zero, bottoming out on Remake’s offenders list due to its lack of transparency. Its recent acquisition by VF Corporation, the owner of sustainable leaders like The North Face and Timberland, may be the start of a more transparent future.