High-end sandal manufacturer Birkenstock has revealed plans to invest around €100 million in its industrial expansion. As per a Fashion Network report, Birkenstock plans to invest around € 50 million in the modernization of its largest factory, in Görlitz, east Saxony, which employs 1,900 people. The facility will principally manufacture sandals made of cork latex. The company will also invest a further €50 million euros in the construction of a new factory focused on the production of synthetic sandals.

The company is examining three or four possible sites in eastern Germany and north Bavaria for its new factory, which will initially create 400 jobs, before expanding to employ 1,000 people. Production in the factory is set to start in the new factory in 2023. In Rhineland-Palatinate, the company already has a factory in Sankt Katharinen and a logistics centre in Vettelschoß.

Founded in 1774, Birkenstock currently employs approximately 5,500 people around the world. In 2019, the company achieved revenue of around €720 million and net income of €130 million. The company reportedly generated a similar level of revenue in 2020, despite two months of factory closures.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought Spanish investment in manufacturing non-cotton and technical textiles.

The call was made by Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA during a meeting with the Spanish Ambassador to Bangladesh Francisco de Asís Benítez Salas at the apex apparel body’s office in the capital. Shahidullah Azim, Vice President, BGMEA also attended the meeting.

The trio discussed various issues, including the progress made in implementing workplace safety and social and environmental sustainability of the local readymade garment industry

Apprising the priorities of the RMG industry, Hassan stressed the production of value-added apparel items made from man-made fibre (MMF) and innovation in product development and process optimisation.

He highlighted the potential of the industry and the need for industry upgrading, particularly in skills and efficiency enhancement areas, technological expertise, and diversification of products, especially those produced from non-cotton.

Hassan also sought support from the Spanish embassy regarding the potential of foreign investment in non-cotton and technical textiles and high-end apparel items.

They also discussed the country's LDC graduation sought cooperation from the Spanish government in this regard.

The global nonwovens market is expected to show a value differential of $ 17.72 billion and a volume differential of 8.34 million tonne in future. The market recently reached a value of $ 32.76 billion. As per a China Textiles report, this growth could be attributed to increased demand for nonwovens products and solutions for hygiene, medical, construction and filtration applications. The main growth drivers included the growth of the modern healthcare industry in emerging markets, rising birth rates and the growing elderly population in western countries.

Asia-Pacific region dominates the market in terms of value and volume, and while consumption in China is high, the country’s per capita consumption is much lower than in developed regions. The growing demand for baby diapers is driving the demand for spunbonded acrylic nonwovens in the region. Latin America and the Middle East and Africa contributed the lowest to the global market, at less than 15 percent.

The nonwovens market is fragmented, with the top three players - BerryGlobalInc., FreudenbergGroup, Ahlstrom-Munksjo - accounting for about 15 percent of the market in 2019.

Leading manufacturers have established strategic partnerships to expand their share in the market. Other major players include kimberly-clark, DuPontdeNemours, Fitesa, GlatfelterCorporation, Lydall, TorayIndustries, JohnsManville, SuominenCorporation, TWEGroup, Low&Bonar, Kingsafe, Avgol, etc.

In view of the impact brought by the enhanced pandemic control measures towards the textile industry, ShanghaiTex2021 will host a hybrid show branded ‘Textech Inno Week’, from November 23 to 26. As per a China Textiles report, ‘Textech Inno Week will focus on five innovations including innovative technology, new materials, revolutionary designs, e-commerce business and cross-platform experience. Through a range of online and offline activities, the event aims to create a synergistic benefit for the entire value chain and inspire new development in the sector.

Exhibitors can showcase their products on official website www.ShanghaiTex.cn, and attend in-person events in Shanghai, where they can make announcements on their new technologies, engage in business match-making meetings and network in a portfolio of events.

Held in November every two years, The International Exhibition on Textile Industry (ShanghaiTex) is renowned for its expertise in delivering high quality services and valuable businesses to the textile and apparel sector. For the past 38 years, ShanghaiTex has been upholding its ethos in the ongoing development of the industry technology while taking the initiatives to build up a global exchange platform conducive to textile innovation.

Textile machinery manufacturer Karl Mayer aims to process the large number of orders it has received in perfect quality and on schedule despite Covid-19-related difficulties in the supply chain. As per Amo Gartner, CEO, the company aims to continue driving forward innovations this year. Its latest innovation includes a digital generation after-sales system that combines the company’s diverse support offerings and digital solutions that enable customers to achieve maximum competitiveness.

The company also aims to continue investing in the expansion of group companies without any restrictions, reveals a Knitting Industry report. Following the relocation of Stoll site from New York to Karl Mayer North America in Greensboro, it plans to build a state-of-the-art customer and development center here. The new building will create space for new partnerships and machine presentations. This will enable the company to serve customers in the Western Hemisphere

Shortly after the pandemic outbreak, the group mobilized all its forces to ensure support for customers. Its IT infrastructure enabled the group to use online communication to support customers.

Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Minister of Industry, said, the 6.91 per cent growth in Indonesia’s industrial sector in Q2FY21 is line with the national economic growth of 7.07 per cent. In the middle of this year, Indonesia also launched the results of a study on the potential economic, social and environmental benefits of implementing a circular economy in the country’s textile sector. The implementation of a circular economy in this sector will reportedly help create an economic impact of IDR 24 trillion, 200 thousand jobs, reduce CO2 emissions by 16 million tonne, and save water by 1.3 billion cubic meters by 2030.

On the other hand, consumers will also benefit from products that are durable, long lasting, innovative and environmentally friendly. Kartasasmita explained, the government has mentioned sustainable fashion as part of the green industry in its regulation No. 28 of 2021 and has been implemented or stated in the roadmap for making Indonesia 4.0 in RIPIN and KIN 2020-2024 with a focus on the recycle polyester and staple fiber industry. In particular, it came from used plastic bottles and the development of renewable and sustainable fiber rayon, with tracable woods, sustainable forestry, and eco-friendly production, he added

Rosa Vivien Ratnawati, Director General-Waste, Waste and Hazardous Toxic Material Management (PSLB3), Ministry of Environment and Forestry, explained that textile waste is a potential that can be utilized. Data from August 2021 report shows, Indonesia generates 1.7 million ton wastes in 292 districts every year. A circular economy approach can help alleviate this problem, adds Ratnawati.

The Ministry of Textiles has set up a high-level, eight -member, experts’ committee to double the production of handlooms and boost exports. As per a Trade Arabia report, UAE has emerged as the leading investor in India’s textiles sector. Investments from UAE reached $23.09 million in the last five years and are growing. Investments from Oman and Qatar rank on the second and third positions.

The government has also released funds worth Rs 1.25 billion ($16 million) for eight Centres of Excellences in textile research across India. addition, 10 new Handloom Design Resource Centers will be set up by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) to build and create design-oriented excellence in handlooms to facilitate exports.

Darshana Jardosh, Minister of State for Textiles, says, the handloom sector has also a vehicle for women’s empowerment since more than 70 per cent of all weavers and allied workers in India are women. The high-level committee is headed by Sunil Sethi, Chairman, Fashion Design Council of India. It has been asked to submit its report in 45 days.

Global fiber production is expected to increase by 34 per cent to reach 146 million ton in 2030. As per Textile Today, fiber production doubled in 2000 to 109 million ton in 2020 from 58 million ton. Per person fiber production increased from 8.4 kg per person in 1975 to 14kg per person in 2020.

According to a new Textile Exchange report, market share for preferred fiber and materials grew significantly in 2020. Between 2019 and 2020 the market share of preferred cotton increased from 24 to 30 per cent and recycled polyester from 13.7 to 14.7 per cent. Preferred cashmere increased from 0.8 to 7 per cent of all cashmere produced while Responsible Mohair Standard certified fiber expanded from 0 to 27 per cent of all mohair produced worldwide in its first year of existence in 2020.

The market share of FSC and/or PEFC certified MMCFs increased to approximately 55-60 per cent. While the market share of recycled MMCFs is only 0.4 per cent, it is expected to increase significantly in the following years.

Total number of facilities around the world being certified to the organization’s portfolio of standards increased 75 per cent in 2020.

Denim production in Gujarat mills has picked up pace as orders from key markets including the US, UK, and Europe have increased. Gaurav Devada, Head-Corporate Finance and Strategy, Jindal Worldwide says, export orders helped the company compensate for the slump in domestic demand for denims from April to June 2021– a time when the second COVID-19 wave was at its peak and a slew of restrictions were imposed to curb the spread.

Another reason for increased denim orders includes trade sanctions imposed by numerous countries on China’s Xinjiang province. India stands to gain from reduced textile trade with China, including in the denim market. Decreasing COVID-19 cases and approaching festive season are expected to give the denim industry a boost, adds Devada. From April to June 2021-22, Jindal Worldwide reached 80 per cent of its pre-COVID level of revenues from denim sales. Better realization from exports, helped the company achieve revenue of at least Rs 500 crore ($75.2 million) during this period.

Apparel retail sales by Japanese department stores increased 0.80 per cent in July ’21 over July ’20, shows data released by Japan Department Stores Association (JDSA). As per an Apparel Resources report, total revenues from apparel sales in the country’s department stores reached 95,832.73 million yen ($870.80 million) during July ’21. These constituted 23.80 per cent of the total revenues earned by the Japanese department stores in the month of July ’21.

Women’s wear proved to be the biggest category as it earned 65.80 per cent of overall revenues and valued 63,083.49 million yen ($ 573.20 million). The revenues clocked by men’s clothing reached 19,581.45 million yen (US $ 177.93 million), dropping 1.70 per cent Y-o-Y. Kid’s wear witnessed a drop of 4.80 per cent on yearly basis to hit 6,034 million yen ($ 54.83 million) in revenues, while all other types of clothing noted marginal growth of 1.60 per cent in July ’21 and valued 7,136.78 million yen ($ 64.85 million).