The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in a report states, in fiscal year 2022-23, the readymade garment export contributed 84.5 per cent of Bangladesh’s total exports valued at nearly $47 billion. The report also published growth figures for Bangladesh’s major destinations. The US is its largest market where unfortunately, growth was negative at -5.5 per cent. However, garment exports to the UK and the EU fared much better, registering a positive growth of 11.8 and 9.9 per cent respectively. 

Non conventional markets fare well

The growth figures in Bangladesh’s non-traditional markets fared exceptionally well, far ahead of its negative performance in the US, single digit growth in the EU and lowest double-digit growth in the UK. Brazil is where the growth percentage was off the charts with over 71 per cent, followed by Turkey at nearly 50 per cent and Japan with nearly 46 per cent. However, fiscal year 2023-24 is playing out differently as Bangladeshi sees moderate demand growth in both traditional and non-traditional markets, in the first two months (July-August). 

Country-wise detailed apparel export data of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), and compiled by BGMEA shows, Bangladesh exported apparel items worth $7.99 billion, a growth of 12.46 per cent from $7.11 billion in July-August of this fiscal. During this period, Bangladesh exported clothing items worth $1.46 billion to the US, which is the largest single export destination for the nation’s garment exports. This marked a year-on-year growth of 2.95 per cent compared to the $1.41 billion exported during the same period in the previous fiscal year (July-August of 2022-23). 

BGMEA satisfied with export performance

As per BGMEA after a realistic interpretation of the current readymade garment import scenario across major hubs, the country has fared well as per course. The spokesperson rated Bangladesh’s exports to non-traditional market as a success despite depressed orders from traditional markets. He reiterated that in the traditional markets like the UK and the EU, export figures when compared to the economic stress those markets are going through are good enough. Seeing the current trends BGMEA did not comment on the performance they expect next year as the global market is yet to return to normal.

Within the large EU market, apparel export has seen a decline of 6.3 per cent. Germany is the second largest single-country destination with exports worth $994 million down from the months of July-August of the last fiscal wherein exports was over $1 billion. During this period with 19.1 per cent year-on-year growth, Bangladeshi exports to the UK was worth $976.8 million, UK is the third highest destination for the country's readymade garment products. Exports were up from last year’s $819.9 million. 

Apparel export to other major destinations such as Spain, France, Netherlands, Italy and Poland also registered positive growth of 26.9 per cent to $729.5 million); 8.5 per cent to $402.13 million; 19 per cent to $354.4 million; 28.7 per cent to $329.9 million, and by 26.4 per cent to $293 million respectively. Since July 2023, the US imports from Bangladesh’s apparel sector has swung favorably for the South Asian nation and very recently, it was confirmed in Dhaka that the US’s Generalized System of Preference program has included Bangladeshi apparel, making it duty free as opposed to the 11 per cent it is being taxed as customs. 

Karl Mayer, the renowned textile machine manufacturer, celebrates its enduring partnership with Georg+Otto Friedrich (GOF), a pioneer in warp-knitted digital printing fabrics and technical textiles. This remarkable collaboration began 75 years ago when Karl Mayer delivered its first warp knitting machine to GOF. To commemorate this milestone, GOF recently gifted Karl Mayer with its seventh machine, showcasing their unwavering loyalty.

Over the years, this partnership has not only advanced warp knitting but also driven innovation. GOF played a pivotal role in testing and refining Karl Mayer's models, leading to the development of wider and more sophisticated machines. Today, they stand as the largest customer for Karl Mayer's cutting-edge HKS 3-M ON tricot machines, producing an impressive 650 tons of warp-knitted fabrics monthly.

However, their collaboration goes beyond technological achievements. GOF prioritizes sustainability, pioneering the use of recycled materials and environmentally responsible practices. They have introduced product lines made from recycled post-consumer PET, including DecoTex Blue, a fabric comprising over 60% SEAQUAL polyester fibers sourced from recycled marine plastic. The company has also committed to offsetting its CO₂ footprint through the PLANT-MY-TREE reforestation program, exemplifying their environmental responsibility.

Moreover, GOF emphasizes energy efficiency, with extensive solar installations covering their facilities, generating 30% of their electricity needs. Their commitment to sustainability positions them as leaders in the textile industry.

Karl Mayer Sales Manager Julian Schubert values this partnership not just for its technological achievements but also for the shared commitment to sustainability. As these two industry leaders continue their journey together, they exemplify how long-term collaborations can shape the future of sustainable textiles.

Today, during the Global Fashion Summit: Boston Edition 2023, the Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) unveiled the 2023 edition of the Fashion CEO Agenda. This concise report is designed to empower fashion industry leaders with strategies to create a net-positive impact on society, the environment, and the global economy. It marks a significant shift by introducing actionable guidelines for brands, retailers, and producers.

With less than seven years to fulfill the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, the fashion industry must urgently incorporate sustainability into its core strategies.

The Fashion CEO Sustainability Agenda prioritizes a respectful and secure work environment, better wage systems, resource stewardship, smart material choices, and circular systems for the fashion industry.

These priorities have been established through extensive stakeholder engagement, including a global Fashion Industry Target Consultation in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Key action areas identified in the report encompass worker grievance mechanisms, fair compensation, water stewardship, and curbing overproduction. The report also emphasizes adopting industry-aligned targets, such as UNFCCC's decarbonization goals.

To complement the agenda, GFA introduced the 2030 Fashion Sector Vision, calling for sector-wide collaboration to achieve sustainability goals by 2030. Federica Marchionni, CEO of Global Fashion Agenda, urged fashion leaders to align their strategies with the Fashion CEO Agenda and work together to transform the industry into a net-positive force by 2050.

The CHIC, China International Fashion Fair's autumn event, held from August 28 to 30 at the National Exhibition & Convention Center in Shanghai, made waves in the global fashion industry. With a staggering 424 exhibitors and a record-breaking attendance of 53,137 visitors, the fair was buzzing with activity, firmly establishing itself as a pivotal player in the fashion business.

CHIC Autumn, renowned for its role as a supply chain solutions platform, caters to the entire fashion industry, serving as a crucial international business hub. This edition sought to create an innovative and inclusive platform for the fashion supply chain, drawing top companies from China and fostering dialogue, networking, and business connections.

Chen Dapeng, president of CHIC and China National Garment Association, emphasized the fair's significance, stating, "CHIC acts as a service agency for the entire fashion industry and trade," underlining its role in promoting global interconnectedness.

The event showcased the latest developments in the Chinese apparel market across various categories, from suits and down jackets to denim and emerging talents. Additionally, CHIC organized highly successful matchmaking events that facilitated productive interactions between exhibitors and visitors.

CHIC also hosted numerous seminars and fashion shows, further solidifying its status as a center of excellence in the fashion world. The WeChat Mini Programme played a pivotal role in streamlining the fair's operations.

Looking ahead, the spring edition of CHIC from March 6 to 8, 2024,  promises to be even more spectacular, with over 1,600 exhibitors and brands, 170,000 visitors, and international participation already on the horizon. It will focus on brand presentations and retail, reaffirming its position as Asia's largest and most influential fashion fair.

A wave of innovative solutions for recycling post-consumer textile waste is surfacing in response to the European Union's latest Textile Strategy, a vital component of the broader Green Deal initiative.

Starting in 2025, the EU will institute a bold plan to separately collect over seven million tons of waste textiles each year. The responsibility for this collection will fall upon the brands that introduced these textiles to the market, thanks to a novel Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. This paradigm shift means that such textiles will no longer be permitted to languish in landfills, go up in smoke through incineration, or be exported to other nations.

This move is necessary to address the colossal waste mountain that is expected to exceed 30 million tons by 2030 if prompt and resolute measures are not taken.

In response, companies across the textile value chain are developing new technologies and solutions to recycle textile waste effectively and efficiently. Some of the most promising innovations include:

Chemical recycling: This process breaks down textile fibers into their molecular components, which can then be repolymerized to create new fibers. Chemical recycling can be used to recycle a wider range of textile waste than mechanical recycling, including blended fabrics and synthetic fibers.

Mechanical recycling: This process shreds and cleans textile waste to produce recycled fibers that can be used to make new textiles. Mechanical recycling is a more established technology, but it is not as effective at recycling blended fabrics or synthetic fibers.

Design for recycling: This approach involves designing textiles and garments with recycling in mind. For example, using pure fiber blends and avoiding harmful dyes and finishes can make it easier to recycle textiles at the end of their life.

These innovations offer the potential to transform the textile industry into a more circular and sustainable system. By recycling textile waste, companies can reduce their environmental impact and conserve resources. Additionally, recycled textiles can be used to create new and innovative products, such as sustainable insulation and packaging materials.

The wave of innovation in textile recycling is a positive sign for the industry and the environment. With continued investment and research, these technologies could help to create a more sustainable future for textiles.

The latest apparel import data from the European Union (EU27) for the period of January-July 2023 shows a decline of 7.44% in value and 12.80% in quantity compared to the same period of 2022. This decline is seen across all of the top ten apparel supplying countries to the EU, including Bangladesh, China, Turkey, India, and Vietnam.

Bangladesh:

EU's import from Bangladesh dropped by 11.73% in dollar value and 14.50% in quantity during the January-July 2023 period. This decline is relatively higher than other top sourcing countries, such as China and India.

China:

EU's import from China, the top sourcing country, declined by 10.88% in dollar value and 10.59% in quantity during the January-July 2023 period.

India:

EU's import from India dipped by 5.79% in dollar value and 11.49% in quantity during the January-July 2023 period.

Vietnam:

EU's import from Vietnam dipped by 1.84% in dollar value and 8.99% in quantity during the January-July 2023 period.

Other top sourcing countries:

EU's import from other top sourcing countries such as Cambodia, Pakistan, Morocco, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia also declined in value terms during the January-July 2023 period.

Insight Textiles, a leading producer of specialty industrial fabrics in the USA, has announced significant investments in its infrastructure since its establishment in January 2023. These capital infusions into advanced production machinery and upgraded facilities are poised to boost production efficiency, reduce delivery times, and create immediate job opportunities for the surrounding community.

Located in Woolwine, Virginia, Insight Textiles is actively recruiting, inviting enthusiastic candidates to join their expanding team. Interested individuals can explore a wide range of job opportunities and submit their applications by visiting the careers section at Recruitment (adp.com). The company offers attractive compensation packages, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive work environment. They are currently focused on hiring for several roles in their Finishing Department.

Insight Textiles, latest machinery acquisitions, designed for maximum efficiency, will require less manual intervention, be cost-effective, and are set to be fully operational by the end of this month. It is enthusiastic about welcoming new members to our fabric finishing division. These new hires will play a crucial role in supporting the third shift of the Finishing operations, expected to increase customer deliveries by a significant 30%. 

The company has also invested in facility maintenance, communication technology upgrades, and IT systems.

Apex Mills recent investments, combined with the recruitment of skilled professionals, are poised to propel its organization to unprecedented heights of success. 

The Bangladesh Bank has launched two important financing schemes to encourage and accelerate the sustainable growth and green manufacturing industry in the country: the Green Transformation Fund and the Technology Development Fund.

Green Transformation Fund

The Green Transformation Fund is a BDT5,000 crore refinancing scheme that provides long-term loans with a maximum interest rate of 5%. Factories can avail 70% of the costs of letters of credit against their required (machinery) imports as loans. A factory can take a maximum BDT200 crore loan from this fund.

Factories can use the loan for water efficiency in wet processing, water conservation and management, waste management, resource efficiency and recycling, renewable energy, energy efficiency, heat and temperature management, ventilation and wind flow efficiency, working environment improvement initiatives, and other areas.

Technology Development Fund

The Technology Development Fund is a BDT1,000 crore scheme that provides cheap loans to 100% export-oriented industries to upgrade the technologies they currently use. The tenure ranges from 3 years to 10 years, and the interest rate depends on the tenure, e.g. 5% for less than five years, 5.5% for between 5 years and less than 8 years, and 6% for more than 8 years to 10 years. Borrowers can also enjoy a maximum of 1 year grace period.

Under this scheme, exporters can get the loan for replacing outdated machinery, adopting technology for renewable energy, and upgrading of machinery used in business operations and waste management.

Nestled in the tranquil environs of Thulhiriya, Sri Lanka, MAS Fabric Park (MFP) stands out as a revolutionary force in the apparel industry, pioneering sustainable practices that redefine the global benchmark. 

Embracing a vision of positive change, MFP's unwavering commitment to sustainability is evident throughout its operations, from water management and waste reduction to energy generation and biodiversity restoration.

Comprehensive Water Management

MFP's centralized water management system, operating at a capacity of 9000 cubic meters per day, eliminates the need for redundant in-house treatment plants, optimizing resources and curbing environmental impact. Strict adherence to global-level ZDHC standards ensures fully treated discharges, safeguarding aquatic ecosystems.

Waste Reduction

MFP has pioneered sustainable management of textile sludge, a globally concerning area related to the industry. Through solar and thermal drying-based reductions, dried sludge co-processing for energy recovery, and eco-brick production, MFP has significantly reduced its waste footprint and achieved circularity. 

Even the ultimate byproduct of textile wastewater treatment sludge finds purpose in products like the Eco Brick, used in constructing the chalets at MAS Athena and also across other construction needs of the entity, whilst biological waste is being diverted for composting for nurturing plants, aligning seamlessly with the concept of waste-to-energy and waste-to-value.

Solar Revolution

MFP's 24 MW solar capacity is a groundbreaking achievement, decreasing its carbon footprint by 20 tons annually. This milestone solidifies its status as the largest multi-site rooftop solar project in Sri Lanka under a single business entity.

Analog Forest and Biodiversity Restoration

MFP's 9.7-acre "Thuruwadula" analog forest serves multiple roles as a sanctuary for preserving biodiversity, a model for adapting to climate change, and a valuable educational resource. Endangered endemic plant species, Ayurvedic and medicinal plants, and numerous animal species have found a home in Thuruwadula.

Long-Term Commitment and Future Prospects

MFP's commitment to sustainability is unwavering, with ambitious goals to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 25% by 2025. The Park plans to expand its solar capacity and continue its role as a leader in sustainable practices, setting new benchmarks for a brighter future.

MAS Fabric Park: A Beacon of Hope

In an industry often criticized for its environmental impact, MAS Fabric Park is a beacon of hope. It is a testament to the fact that businesses can be forces for good, harmonizing with the environment to create a more sustainable future.

The impact of climate change is here and how.  Random flooding is commonplace and summer heat waves are the new normal. Analysis by Cornell University’s Global Labor Institute and Schroders, which has studied four important readymade garment manufacturing countries, namely, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Cambodia and Vietnam, has pointed out some disturbing facts about the global apparel manufacturing sector. The four countries as a collective could lose up to $65 billion which is 22 per cent of lost exports and 950,000 lesser jobs by 2030. 

With factories closing due to flood damages and insufficient insurance back up to reconstruct them as well as intolerable heat creating a slump in labour productivity, by 2050, these four countries are going to find themselves at the edge of a complete wipeout with job losses of 8.6 million and a loss of exports amounting to nearly 69 per cent. For these four economies which rely heavily on the apparel manufacturing and export sector for foreign exchange reserves and employment, it spells a socio-economic disaster of huge proportions, forcing parts of their population to seek illegal immigration. 

The writing is on the wall 

Researchers looked at the climate vulnerable apparel industries in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan and Vietnam, which collectively represent 18 per cent of global apparel exports, house approximately 10,000 apparel and footwear factories and employ 10.6 million workers. The Schroder’s study in association with Cornell University mapped out the supply chains of six unidentified global apparel brands operating in the four countries studied, and found all six would be hit materially. The impact would be severe as one of the six brands studied would stand to lose around 5 per cent of its operating profits. This report may have provided a jarring reality check to the global apparel manufacturing, export and import sector but they may have not been able to impress either buying brands an, investors or manufacturers. 

What experts say

 In a communiqué, Angus Bauer, Head of Sustainable Investment Research at Schroders commented: “This research highlights the urgent need for action. Investors must begin to engage with apparel companies and their stakeholders to ensure they start to measure and address the significant challenges of physical climate impacts on workers and business models. Furthermore, apparel companies must look to partner with suppliers, and work with peers, worker organisations and policy makers to design suitable adaptation strategies that consider the impact on workers. Adaptation planning could have positive returns on investment for the industry and is a critical addition to mitigation efforts.” 

Cornell University’s Global Labor Institute’s executive director Jason Judd opined, “The apparel industry and regulators have mostly framed their climate responses around mitigation issues—emissions, water usage, and recycled fabrics. They are ignoring the climate issues that are dramatically and directly affecting suppliers and their workers now. The Global North’s climate nightmares are already in evidence in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Cambodia and elsewhere. Life, let alone work, will become very difficult in these and many other hotspots that apparel brands and retailers depend on for production.”

Schroders initiative to arrest losses

Schroders, which manages over $874 billion in assets, are keen to increase engagement with companies over their disclosures and they have called on firms to work with suppliers and policymakers to build adaptation strategies that consider the impact on workers. Using projections, researchers analyzed future heat and flooding levels to estimate what would happen under a "climate adaptive" scenario and a "high heat and flooding" scenario. 

Under the second, workers would suffer more "heat stress", with worker output declining as the wet-bulb globe temperature, which measures heat and humidity, rises. According to Bauer, all stakeholders need to be transparent and report the correct figures and incidences to enable a robust correctional model as the way forward.