Uganda’s import bill of secondhand clothes increased fivefold from 2001 to 2016.  Worn textile products and clothing are a major component of Uganda’s imports of textile products. The textile imports are due to high population growth and limited domestic capacity for apparel production.

While Uganda’s import bill of used clothes has tripled in the last 15 years, earnings from cotton exports have minimally grown in over 15 years. Nearly 95 per cent of Uganda’s cotton is exported as lint, which undermines opportunities for increased earnings from upgrading in the value chain. So the domestic textile and apparel market is being given attention. The country is investing in and supporting the cotton industry to produce competitive products, which will reduce the import of secondhand clothes. The capacity of ginneries has been increased.

East African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, came up in 2016 with a three year plan to ban imports of secondhand clothes as part of a vision to boost industrialisation. The ban was to be enforced by introducing and increasing taxes on used clothes. However, the US threatened to review trade benefits enjoyed by East African Community member states under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

PiaveMaitexhas launched Again-a range of smart and technically advanced fabrics that balance performances/functionality and sustainable features, formed of highly performing jerseys. The fabrics are produced using two premium Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified sustainable ingredients. These include thepremium stretch fiber ROICA™ EF, which is a part of ROICA EcoSmart™ Family – constructed out with more than 50 per cent pre-consumer recycled content and perpetual high quality sustainable polyester born from a cost-effective process that reverses engineer consumer waste PET bottles.

Starting from two key high-tech, responsible raw materials as demonstrated by the GRS certification, the Italian manufacturer managed to create and deliver three unique functional fabrics, dyeable and transfer printable, that perfectly combine creativity, innovation, real performance and sustainability all at once offering unparalleled comfort, performance, and uniqueness.

This innovative approach of PiaveMaitex allowed not only to become world-renowned as best-performing company but also to obtain many important recognitions infact it was among the first textile manufacturers in Europe to get the certification of the quality system for the production and design of elastic fabrics according to the UNI EN ISO 9001 standard in 1996.

PiaveMaitex also obtained the "Trust in the textile" the Oeko-Tex® label - global synonym for responsible textiles manufacture, a concrete guidance for an increasing number of consumers who are becoming more and more sensitive to health and the environment and interested in get assurance over the quality of the products they are buying.

The Karachi Cotton Association has strongly opposed the proposal of the Government to impose a 10 percent sales tax on raw cotton at local stage in the Federal Budget 2019-20 with a view to generate its revenue.

The KCA has always opposed the proposal to impose Sales Tax on raw cotton, as it discourages production and inhibits the smooth flow of exports and runs counter to the laid down Government policy of encouraging cotton trade in the country.

The KCA is of the view that any hindrance in the smooth exports of cotton will also prevent the growers from getting a fair price for their produce, which is a key objective of the Government.

It may be realised by the government that nearly 80 percent-85 percent of the Cotton Crop is exported in the form of Raw Cotton, Cotton Yarn, Cotton Fabrics, Garments and Cotton made-ups and Sales Tax, if levied on Raw Cotton, would be refundable thereon at the export stage.

Taking into consideration, substantial expenses involved in tax collection, administration and in the refund process, the balance available amount to the Government would be comparatively insignificant.

Members of the National Council of Textile Organisations (NCTO) are urging the Trump administration to include apparel and certain textile items in the next round of tariffs.

Currently, apparel, home furnishings and made-up textiles are not part of the $200 billion in Chinese goods subject to a 25 percent tariff that increased from 10 percent on imports entering the United States after June 15.

Now, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Robert Lighthizer, is considering a new round of tariffs, called Tranche 4, which would impose tariffs on an additional $325 billion in Chinese goods covering just about everything imported from China.

Kim Glas, President and Chief Executive, NCTO testified on June 20 in Washington, D.C., that the United States should slap tariffs on more products to crack down on China’s abuse of intellectual-property rights.

She called for tariffs to be imposed on apparel, home furnishings and made-up textiles, which make up 93.5 percent of U.S. imports from China in the textile and apparel sector while fiber, yarn and fabric imports from China represent only 6.5 percent.

However, Glas urged the administration not to put tariffs on imports removed from the previous retaliatory tariff lists. These inputs include certain machinery, dyes, chemicals and textile components not available domestically, such as rayon staple fiber.

DyStar is joining the ZDHC Foundation, which manages the Roadmap to Zero Programme with the aim of phasing out hazardous chemicals in the textiles, apparel, footwear and leather value chain by promoting safer chemistry and driving innovation.

This initiative is a collective effort from the Global Chemical Industry Round Table (GCIRT), a group of the leading chemical solution providers in the textile and leather industry with the aim of driving the industry further to become more sustainable. The GCIRT members are: Archroma; CHT Germany; Colourtex Industries; DyStar Singapore; Huntsman Textile Effects; Kisco; Pulcra Chemicals Group; Rudolf; Tanatex Chemicals.

DyStar is a proud member of the Global Chemical Industry Round Table (GCIRT) initiative and has now joined the ZDHC Foundation as a contributor. As part of this initiative, the company will be uploading its key products onto the ZDHC Gateway Chemical Module and supporting the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substance List (MRSL) and the related “pyramid” conformity system designed to eliminate duplicative approaches.

DyStar’s commitment to ZDHC Foundation is further demonstrated in the areas of innovative product design and organisation operation practices. Sustainability begins with design at DyStar because the most effective way to mitigate a product’s lifecycle impact is to get it right from the onset. To achieve this, we integrate the ZDHC requirements as part of our R&D efforts to provides safer and more environmentally benign products for customers and ultimately the final users.

The global luxury apparel market is expanding at a CAGR of 13.2 per cent.

Luxury apparel is a symbol of class and only people with a good financial background can afford them. The global market for luxury apparel is growing due to an increase in disposable incomes, which further leads to a rise in purchasing capacity of consumers. The young generation is propelling the market for luxury apparel. Another factor envisioned to boost demand is the emergence of online shopping services. It is easier to do shopping online instead of having to go places and try various outfits. The easy return facility has further boosted the market and attracted more prospective consumers. Digital marketing advertises the benefits of online shopping and inculcates a classy taste of fashion among people.

The global luxury apparel market is dominated by the Asia Pacific. The market in Asia Pacific is witnessing rapid growth due to the rise in disposable incomes, along with changes in lifestyles and improved standard of living especially in the emerging nations of China and India. Europe, on the other hand, has already attained maturity because of the presence of many luxury brands that have been doing business for the past few decades.

Havaianas has collaborated with Happy Socks to launch a collection of matching split-toe socks and flip-flops.

Havaianas, based in Brazil, is a flip-flop brand. Happy Socks is a Swedish socks and underwear label. The collection consists of three box sets. Each box set includes one pair of socks and one pair of matching flip-flops with unique designs inspired by the snowy landscapes of Sweden and the sunny beaches of Brazil. These flip-flops and split toe socks can be worn all year long. The collection features three color combinations with quirky patterns. The first set is named the Animal Dot Set and is detailed with palm trees and reindeer. The second set is the Sport Set and is patterned with waves and beach umbrellas. The last box set is called The Nature Set, which is styled with snow-capped mountains alongside skiers, surfers and snowmen.

Havaianas has trendy designs in multi colored hues. Its collections have experiments with different colors and eclectic prints. Havaianas embodies Brazil’s fun, vibrant and spontaneous way of life. These festive flip-flops and sandals feature vivid prints with high-quality rubber soles for comfortable wear. Happy Socks, founded in 2008, has infused sock drawers around the world with a much-needed splash of color. These unisex socks are made from soft, long-lasting combed cotton.

Durst launched the fifth generation of its Alpha family of textiles printers at ITMA 2019. These printers feature Durst’s Super Multi pass technology which the manufacturer claims will provide 30 per cent better performance than comparable systems. The new technology is based around enhancements to print heads, inks, drying units and software and workflow upgrades.

The machines can be configured with water-based disperse-, acid- and reactive-based ink systems as well as Durst's new Advanced Digital Pigment (ADP). According to Durst, ADP is the first ink system to offer a one-step process with soft touch, brilliant colours and a wider colour space.

The Alpha technology platform offers a sustainable, flexible, and scalable solution for every application, even enabling waterless one-step production with the new Advanced Digital Pigment ink.

The Alpha 190 is a 1.9m-wide single-roll system that can print at speeds up to 990sqm/hr at single-pass 300x600dpi resolution. Its 3.3m-wide sibling, the Alpha 330, can print up to 1,470sqm/hr single pass in single-roll mode and 1,184sqm/hr in dual-roll mode.

Both print from eight colour channels in 32- and 64-head configuration. Various modular options are available for both machines, including knitwear and dual-roll options, small-roll, jumbo-roll and folded material entry and exit, and a second drying unit.

A patented SwiftJet pre-treatment system can also be added, intended to aid with short-run and fast-turnaround work.

Jeanologia, the Spanish company leader in developing eco-efficient technology, will present the sourcing model of the future at ITMA 2019. This innovative production process marks the beginning of a new era in the textile industry.

This operational model delivers five fundamental benefits to the textile industry: it is eco-efficient, cost neutral, scalable, agile and digital; connecting design, production and consumer.

Combining the company’s hardware and software, it connects all its technology to achieve a production that is 100 per cent ecological without compromising product authenticity and adapting to the new market needs.

This new sourcing model developed at Jeanologia is completely eco-efficient as it has taken environmental impact into account throughout the product development. By being fully connected, it is possible to design and produce with zero environmental impact in any location in the world.

By simplifying processes, the model changes the way things are produced, making it easier to adjust supply and demand, revolutionizing production. It is cost neutral. For the same price you can get a better and more sustainable product, as well as recovering the investment.

Moving from an analogic to a digital model, creating a true revolution in the textile world. The connectivity makes it possible for all stages in the supply chain to work together using the same standards regardless of geographic location.

"Global raw materials’ provider based in Belgium, Beaulieu, is displaying an inspiring range of fibres, yarns and technical textiles at ITMA 2019. The range is extremely flexible and can replicate any type of staple fibre spinning technology, using different type of polymers and additives, and different type of cross sections. These high tenacity staple fibres HT8 offer unique high tensile strength without compromising on elongation."

Global raw materials’ provider based in Belgium, Beaulieu, is displaying an inspiring range of fibres, yarns and technical textiles at ITMA 2019. The range is extremely flexible and can replicate any type of staple fibre spinning technology, using different type of polymers and additives, and different type of cross sections.

These high tenacity staple fibres HT8 offer unique high tensile strength without compromising on elongation. They provide opportunities to reduce geotextile system cost by maximising machine efficiency and ensure desired performance at reduced weight - up to 15 per cent compared with standard geotextile fibres.

New PET-core BICO staple fibres for hygiene products will be seen at the expo. The fibres are available in a dtex range from 1,3-6,7dtex/40mm in both polymer-configurations PP/PET (Polypropylene / Polyethylene terephthalate) and PE/PET (Polyethylene /Polyethylene terephthalate). The specific use of PET in the core improves the resilience/loft of the nonwoven. The use of PE in the sheath provides softness as required in top sheets, for example, while the configuration with PP in the sheath answers the requirements for ultrasonic bonding.

BFI’s new and unique polyolefin staple fibre UltraBond eliminates the need for latex or other chemical binders to consolidate nonwovens, contributing to a fully recyclable system. The award-winning innovation opens up a new path to create 100 per cent PP needlepunched fabrics which meet the same performance requirements while reducing the end-of-life environmental impact. CO2 emissions are reduced by 35 per cent over the full production process during fabrics’ production.