Strict lockdowns and mass vaccination programs helped Indian textile engineering Industry (TEI) stage a quicker-than-expected recovery from the second COVID wave in Q3 and Q4 of 2021-22.

Production value to surge

Figures from Textile Machinery Manufacturers Association (TMMA) (I) show, Indian TEI managed to reduce its annual production losses in 2020-21 by -5 per cent to Rs. 5,093 crore from Rs 5,355 crore in 2019-20. Production of textile machinery is estimated to surge 52 per cent to Rs 8,056 crore during 2021-22 with the value of production including spare parts and accessories estimated to grow 58 per cent to Rs 1,229 crore from Rs 777 crore in 2020-21.

Rise in exports and import

In 2021-22, textile exports are estimated to surge 70 per cent to Rs 5,250 crore. Export of textile spare parts and accessories are also expected to grow 55 per cent to Rs 1,600 crore in 2021-22 from Rs 1,029 crore in 2020-21.

Imports on the other hand are estimated to rise 152 per cent to Rs 11,500 crore in the current fiscal as against Rs 10834 crore in 2018-19, says a Textile Value Chain report. Import of spare parts and accessories are estimated to rise 33 per cent to Rs 2,500 crore in 2021-22 as compared to Rs 1,881 crore in 2020-21.

Weaving and processing orders to rise

The rise in exports and decline in imports can be attributed to the pent-up demand created by the lockdowns of 2020-21 and 2021-22. Exporters rushed in to cash in on the business opportunities thrown in by the liquidity infusion by various governments in the market and revenue spending by consumers.

Industry leaders, especially those involved in the spinning sector, confirmed having enough orders to last till 2023-end. They denied accepting any new orders. Other segments such as weaving and processing have not picked up in proportion to the spinning segment. However, they are expected to log in new orders soon helping the Indian Textile Engineering Industry rise like the proverbial phoenix bird.

India’s textile and clothing (T&C) goods grew 39.6 per cent to $41,469.20 million in 2021 over previous year. Compared to 2019, India’s T&C exports grew 16.9 per cent, says a Textile Excellence report. Cotton was the most exported commodity during the year with exports growing 67.11 per cent to $10,026.99 million in 2021 compared to 2019. Most of India’s cotton exports were destined to the United States during the year.

US tops cotton textile exports

US emerged the top destination for India’s T&C exports. Most of India’s T&C exports to the US were dominated by cotton. India exported $3736.54 million worth of cotton textiles to the US during the year. The second largest export market for Indian cotton textiles was China, exports which grew 61.5 per cent to $1,686.83 million in 2021 over 2019 exports. Amongst other growing export destinations, Vietnam, Indonesia, Turkey, Guatemala and Nigeria witnessed 147.7 per cent, 178 per cent, 136.1 per cent, 179.8 and 198 per cent growth in exports respectively.

Yarn exports rise

The most exported commodity in cotton was cotton yarn which grew 68.8 per cent to $ 4,919.76 million. Exports of raw cotton also increased 150 per cent to $2854.41 million during the year while exports of woven cotton fabric grew 15.7 per cent to $2,251.52 million.

Apparel exports decline

India’s apparel exports declined 6.4 per cent to $15,205.91 million in 2021 over 2019 exports. The dip was mostly in knitted apparels whose exports declined 0.16 per cent to $7,869.08 million. The US emerged top market for India’s knitted apparels with exports growing 22.4 per cent to $2,504.67 million. Exports to other markets UAE, UK, Germany, France, Saudi Arabia and Spain dropped in 2021 compared to 2019 exports. Exports of knitted cotton T-shirts dropped 13.2 per cent to $1698.16 million in 2021. On the other hand, exports of cotton baby garments exports rose 11.5 per cent to $790.54 million. Exports of woven apparel dropped 12.33 per cent to $7,336.83 million during the year with the US emerging the largest destination. Woven apparel exports to the country dropped marginally by 0.9 per cent from 2019 to $2,277.02 million. On the other hand, exports UK, Germany, Spain, Saudi Arab, Japan and Italy registered a huge drop. In woven apparels category, exports of men’s and boy’s cotton shirts dropped 31.2 per cent to $570.78 million while exports of cotton dresses grew 8.26 per cent to $624.74 million.

Carpet exports grow

Indian’s carpet exports grew 32.09 per cent in 2021 to $2,263.99 million. Once again the US emerged as top destination with exports growing 33.34 per cent to $1, 287.11 million. India’s carpet exports to Germany, UK, Australia, Sweden and France are also growing at a steady rate.

Textile fabrics register maximum growth

Textile and knitted fabrics witnessed maximum growth of 172.4 per cent and 166.9 per cent respectively during the year. Export of made-ups textiles grew 39.7 per cent to $3,459.22 million while knitted apparels rose 22.41 per cent to $2,504.51 million. Woven apparel exports declined 0.9 per cent to $ 2,276.79 million while export of carpets increased to $1.286.98 million.

Bangladesh dominates T&C exports

Bangladesh remains the second largest export destination for India’s T&C goods. Exports to the country grew 107.2 per cent in 2021 to $4,259.53 million. Cotton exports to Bangladesh rose 141.7 per cent to $3,735.03 million in 2021 over the 2019 exports.

India’s T&C exports to China grew 46.5 per cent to $2055.03 million in 2021 over 2019. Cotton exports to China also rose 61.53 per cent to $1 686.83 million. On the other hand, exports to UK, Germany, France and Spain declined 19.1 per cent, 3.4 per cent, 2 per cent and 14.2 per cent respectively.

Lenzing’s flagship textile brand, Tencel™, and RCGD Global have collaborated for third year to spotlight eco-couture at the 94th Awards®. As part of the partnership, RCGD Global and Tencel™ also unveiled the winning designs of the 2020 and 2021 Global Design Contest for the first time at a Pre-Oscars celebratory event in Los Angeles on March 25th.

This year, three custom-made gowns, made of bespoke fabrics made from TencelLyocell fibers and Tencel™ Luxe filament yarn have been featured on the red carpet of the Oscars. More information about the fabrics used in the red carpet gowns can be found in the Appendix A. .

Derived from sustainably sourced natural raw material wood, Tencel™ branded lyocell fibers are produced in a closed loop process and are fully biodegradable and compostable. Known for its natural comfort, fabrics made of Tencel™ Lyocell fibers are also gentle on skin with high tenacity and efficient moisture management. .

As a vegan sustainable alternative to silk, TencelL™ Luxe filament yarn give fabrics an exquisite sensual appeal with silky smoothness, liquid-like drape and color vibrancy. Produced using eco-responsible production processes, TENCEL™ Luxe filament yarn is also certified as biodegradable and compostable, offering a circular solution to eco-couture and luxury fashion. .

The winning designs of the 2020 and 2021 Global Design Contest, organized in partnership with RCGD Global and CLO, were unveiled publicly for the first time at a Pre-Oscars celebratory event in Los Angeles on March 25th to leading sustainable advocates. Those in attendance included Zoe Saldana, Paloma Garcia Lee and Haley Strode.

WaveOn is joining YKK’s network of software partners supporting itsTouchlink® fasteners enabled with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. California based WaveOn is a software service provider that connects brands and consumers via products. Utilizing NFC technology, WaveOn helps brands turn physical products into rich interactive customer experiences.

By joining YKK’s software partner network for Touchlink fasteners, WaveOn looks to combine its award-winning software with the Touchlink fastener hardware to help brands create unique consumer engagements. Requiring no app or search engine, consumers can access customized experiences with a wave of their smartphone to the Touchlink zipper puller.

WaveOn plans to promote YKK’s Touchlink fastener hardware solution to brand customers as a digital access point that can be designed into their products. By using YKK® zippers with Touchlink zipper pullers, brands can easily add digital connectivity to their products without having to alter their designs.

YKK’s growing network of Touchlink fastener software partners is increasing the number of firms that brands can choose from to help them develop and deploy new consumer experiences and offerings. Specializing in digital consumer product interaction these software partners have developed a wide range of experiences and services ranging from providing product and warranty information to one-on-one consumer engagement to enabling product resale and rental programs.

Another advantage of YKK’s TouchLink fastener is its permanence and durability. The NFC chip is molded into the zipper puller, which completely encases it, making it highly resistant to moisture and breakage.

European fashion retailer C&A has launched its new European-made “Forever Denim” collection.

As per a Spin Off report, the new “Forever Denim” collection aims to offer a more sustainable denim collection that can appeal a variety of customers, and includes six different designs – three for men and three for women - available in various blue variants like, for instance, light, mid and dark tones.

The women’s selection is made up of two straight fits and a flared jeans shape, and the first release for men is characterized by straight and tapered versions.

The jeans in the collection are produced according to a carbon zero process using materials from across Europe, including GOTS or OCS certified bio cotton denim from Italian denim manufacturer Candiani Denim.

C&A FIT also aims to contribute to the creation of a more digital and sustainable textile production and supply chain, connecting elements of digitization and automation with more sustainable modes of production.

For the year 2022 Scott Racing Team partnered with the knitwear factory Rosti, known for its technical excellence on product and image, the premium stretch fiber Roica™ by Asahi Kasei, internationally recognized for stretch innovation and responsibility, and Sitip, a company specializing in the production of stretch and circular fabrics that combines tradition and innovation with a choice of sustainable production. Together these companies created the team’s uniform offering the best solution in terms of style and ergonomics, high performance, easy maintenance, perfect fit and sustainability.

This year, the companies created responsible shorts, made with Native-Thunderbike Power fabric by Sitip in recycled polyamide and Roica™ EF yarn by Asahi Kasei.. Also the shirt has been produced with Sitip recycled fabrics - Native-Bicimania And Native-Pirata - made with Asahi Kasei's Roica™ EF* sustainable, stretch and certified recycled yarns. This composition, together with Sitip Microsense Soft Performance technology, made the shirt breathable, offering maximum comfort on the skin.

Manufacturer of yarn splicers and laboratory quality control equipment, Meedan has launched a fully automatic 24 positions yarn strength tester called Autofil.

Made in Italy, Autofilis a fast, versatile, accurate, and silent yarn strength tester. © Mesdan

The integrated automatic cop feeding system, the built-in PC, its versatile applications, compact design and high testing speed are only few features that characterize the new Autofil. It can test hanks and fabrics as well in the semi-automatic mode, is suitable for testing a wide variety of yarns: spun, continuous filaments, POY, spandex, etc. Autofil includes an integrated and interactive pre-loaded database of testing methods and conforms to major testing methods (ISO, ASTM, JIS, BS, IWS, NEXT, M&S, etc.).

Its main features include belt free, direct-drive ball bearing screw, automatic pretension and automatic load cell and clamp recognition, top quality load cells, integrated sensor into the motor ensuring accurate clamp positioning, possibility to perform tests at extremely low and high speed, automatic reset of force values when load cell/clamps are changed, high resolution of acquired data, high return speed, quick load cell exchange, advanced alarm system to prevent accidents; safety clamp movement and modern software, flexible and easy to use.

The international sewing thread producer Amann Group has launched a sewing thread made entirely from basalt stone fibers.

Known as Basalt tech, the thread can be used for a variety of different applications. It is ideally suited for protective workwear with maximum heat load, hot gas filtration, or applications with liquid metal contact. Its burning behavior got tested by Hohenstein Laboratories according to DIN EN ISO 15025. Thanks to its special raw material, the permanent temperature resistance of Basalt-tech is up to approx. 650°C and the softening temperature at approx. 1050°C.

Basalt tech also resists chemicals, corrosion, rot and UV and can be used for e.g. thermal covers. Another unique benefit of Basalt-tech is its non-conductivity. This special feature is very important for e.g. sleeves for welding equipment to protect electronics.

Basalt-tech can also be used in hydraulic engineering. Basalt bags filled with sand, gravel or concrete from Jaeger Mare Solutions GmbH are used, for example, as scour protection around wind power plants, as cable weights for submarine cables or in the area of dyke stabilisation. These bags are made of basalt fabric and sewn with the Basalt-tech sewing thread. This makes the entire application 100 per cent sustainable and plastic-free.

Affiliated Portfolio Company of HIG Capita, Cadicagroup, a group specialized in the supply of accessories to the main clothing brands active in the premium and absolute luxury market, has acquiredthe label company Varcotex.

Based in Carpi (Modena) and with approximately 60 employees, Varcotexhas been producing woven labels, tags, printed labels and leather labels mainly for the luxury sector since 1982.

The integration with Varcotex will allow Cadicagroup to further develop its strategic positioning, strengthening its production capabilities and further enriching the group's offering to high-end customers with an increasingly integrated supply chain in line with a greater focus and attention to sustainability.

Varcotex’s CEO, Paolo Munari, who has been active in the sector for more than 25 years, will reinvest in Cadicagroup and will remain involved in the management of the group’s production activity.

Massimo Stefanello, CEO, Cadicagroup,says, the acquisition of Varcotexgives even greater impetus to our vision of providing the Italian and international fashion industry with a reliable and competitive partner in terms of cost, responsiveness and services offered.

Founded in 1974 in Carpi, one of the historic areas in the textile industry in Northern Italy, Cadicagroup specializes in Brand Identity, in other words, the production of accessories, such as such as labels, tags, embellishment, patches and packaging, which are the essential details of luxury fashion products. Cadicagroup has commercial and distribution bases in the US, China, Hong Kong, Romania and Turkey.

Delhi government plans to develop the textile market in Gandhi Nagar and re-brand and reposition it as a major garment hub, says Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister. Presenting the Rs 75,800-crore budget in the Assembly for the financial year 2022-23, the state government praised the Gandhi Nagar market as ‘Asia's largest ready-made garment market.’ The daily turnover of this market is over Rs 100 crore and it generates one lakh direct and 2-3 lakh indirect employment opportunities, he informed.

The development of this market will involve legal recognition, infrastructure redevelopment, construction of new service centres and re-branding, marketing and re-positioning, he added. This project is expected to create 40,000 new employment opportunities in the next five years. The city government will also provide an online platform named Delhi Bazaar for local merchants to join and sell online

The Delhi Bazaar will enable customers from anywhere in the world to take a virtual tour of the iconic markets of Delhi such as Chandani Chowk, Sarojini Nagar and Karol Bagh. The market will be developed with an outlay of Rs 20 crore and benefit 10 lakh specific vendors in Delhi.