Officina+39 showcased its latest creations in chemical applications dedicated to the textile sector at the recent dition of Denim Premiere Vision. Held from October 13-14 in Milan, the trade show exhibited Officina +39’s latest innovation, Novascraper Indigo. This technology allows manufacturers to give a natural vintage look to denim garments through laser finishing, an actual innovative alternative to manual scraping. Novascraper Indigo guarantees a natural effect with unparalleled quality and accuracy, requiring less manpower and less rejection rate when compared to manual scraping.

Officina+39's technical achievements are constantly at the service of the fashion industry to develop Trustainable™ projects. Officina+39 and TejidosRoyo joined forces to create a denim line that drastically reduces water consumption: this is “The Sixth Sense”, a project concretely inspired by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and specifically by its SDG6, calling to action to ensure access to water and sanitation for all. Officina+39 personally accepts this global challenge by contributing to the realization of “The Sixth Sense” with itsAqualess Mission.

Focused on driving sustainability in the textile industry, TejidosRoyo on its side pioneered the use of low-impact fibers and yarns as a raw material and the implementation of foam-dyeing technology with its Dry Indigo®, the first-ever technology to foam-dye denim with zero water use and no water discharge.

At Officina+39 the word “waste” becomes synonymous with opportunity, a source to create something new, fostering true, Trustainable™ circularity. This is the background to the collaboration withAtelier Riforma, an innovative startup born in Turin (Italy) with a social vocation. The company's goal is to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry, promoting its transition towards a model that is as circular as possible. Atelier Riforma manages the collection of discarded clothing and, through a network of upcycling professionals spread throughout Italy, gives them new life through sartorial creativity.

Through the contribution of Officina+39’s Rectcrom™, it has been possible to obtain new pigment and dyestuff pulverizing discarded garments and pieces usually difficult to recover through tailoring transformation alone. All garments have been supplied and selected by Atelier Riforma.

Century Textiles & Industries reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 44.71 crore in Q2 FY22 as against a net loss of Rs 14.13 crore in Q2 FY21.

Sales increased by 67.5 per centYoY to Rs 997.98 crore in Q2 FY22 over Q2 FY21. On the segmental front, revenue from textiles increased by 99.6 per cent to Rs 273.89 crore, revenue from pulp and paper increased by 63.7 per cent year-on-year to Rs 685.97 crore. On the other hand, revenue from real estate declined by 0.4 per cent to Rs 35.41 crore.

The company posted a pre-tax profit of Rs 61.99 crore in the second quarter. It had recorded a pre-tax loss of Rs 8.69 crore in the same period last year.

JC Laddha Managing Director, says, the textiles business’s strong revival was supported by robust domestic demand on account of upcoming festive season.

Reebok has launched the Thermowarm+Graphene apparel collection, the first commercially-priced use of graphene in sportswear. Graphene, first discovered by a group of researchers who isolated the material to its thinnest layer, discovered that this wonder material is one of the lightest, thinnest, strongest and most heat conductive materials on Earth. The groundbreaking discovery of graphene earned researchers the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010.

Reebok’s strategically placed Thermowarm+Graphene internal grid print zone technology helps retain between 8% and 15% more heat than unprinted zones, depending on the base fabric.

The graphene-infused technology is integrated in over a dozen silhouettes ranging from performance running leggings to outerwear jackets, offering consumers an assortment that fits into a variety of athletic lifestyles. All collection offerings feature a strategically placed Thermowarm+Graphene grid print in the most pivotal heat retention zones where it would most benefit consumers – in garment hoods, shoulder panels and upper leg panels. When wearing a Thermowarm+Graphene apparel piece, body heat will be absorbed and retained across the entire graphene-infused printed panels to help the consumer stay warmer in cold temperatures.

Welspun India has launched its upgraded multi-level traceability solution Wel-Trak 2.0, enabled by blockchain, artificial intelligence, and cloud technologies, to track millions of finished products across its value chain. Wel-Trak 2.0 is an upgrade to Wel-Trak, the company’s patented end-to-end traceability technology introduced in 2018. It is designed to help the stakeholders – from retailers to farmers and manufacturers to suppliers, traders, certifying bodies, and end consumers – to track raw materials throughout the supply chain back to their origin.

Welspun India is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of bed & bath textile products globally. The company’s portfolio comprises wide range of home textile products such as terry towels, bed linen (basic bedding and decorative bedding) rugs and bathrobes.Welspun India is based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It exports more than 94 per cent of its home textiles products to more than 50 countries. It exports more than 68 per cent of its production to US, 23 per cent to Europe and the balance to Middle East, Australia, Mauritius. It supplies to 17 out of the top 30 retail chains in the world.

Fashion 4 Development and CLASS Eco Hub have launched their digital platform called ‘The Reclothe’s Platform’. The digital platform, which is a joint venture between the two companies, is expected to add significant value to all the stakeholders in the fashion and lifestyle industry. The core objective of the Reclothe’s Platform is to be a one-stop source of information and guide for professionals and students in the fashion and lifestyle industry.

TheReClothe’s platform will play an important role in bringing together the global participants on a single platform and helping them connect, network, share knowledge with each other and push transformation of the industry.

The platform will feature current innovators highlighting the best practices and solutions for textile and manufacturers, pushing the industry towards a greener and more sustainable standard. The platform will lead members into scalable and more responsible manufacturing processes, driving responsible innovation practices across all aspects of the supply chain, measured and proved.

The joint venture was created in 2021 by Fashion 4 Development and CLASS Eco Hub to support the United Nations Office of Partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals. Both Fashion 4 Development and CLASS Eco Hub are recognized as top leaders with extensive experiences working from broad perspectives to advance the sustainability transformation.

Compared to the same month of the previous year, Peru’s textile exports surged by 68.9 per cent year-on-year in August this year, as per the latest report of the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI).

The growth in the textile exports was driven by higher shipments of cotton polo shirts whose shipments surged by 110 per cent. Exports of knitted cotton shirts increased by 16.1 per cent while that of polo shirts and knitted T-shirts made of other textile materials grew by 98.5 per cent.

Exports of knitted cotton grew by 134.2 per cent, knitted cotton nightgowns and pajamas by 22.1 per cent, cotton sweaters by 114.4 per cent and fine combed or combed alpaca or llama hair grew by 103.7 per cent in August.

With brands struggling with slower deliveries and rising transportation costs, the fast fashion industry is under grave threat. The industry is being threatened by declining profits as highlighted by the 40 per cent drop in Asos’ annual profit this year and the huge dent in full year profits of Boohoo, Aberchrombie & Fitch and Nike due to rising freight costs.

Labor shortage increasing transit times

Most brands are suffering owing to slower deliveries from their Asian suppliers, says Matt Friend, Chief Financial Officer, Nike. Last month, transit times from Asia to the US doubled to 80 days, he adds. Deliveries from Vietnam are delayed due to labor shortages in garment factories, adds Neil Saunders, Managing Director and Retail Analyst, GlobalData Retail.

This further delays brands’ consignments to European stores, says a Reuters report. By the time, goods reach the European markets they are no longer in fashion. For instance, in the third quarter of current fiscal, about a third of Zara’s black men’s blazers failed to hit the market at the required time as did over a fifth of H&M women’s white T-shirts, reveals StyleSage that operates an online platform to monitors product pricing.

Less dependence on global suppliers

To resolve this, brands need to reduce their exposure to global suppliers. This will also enable them to address environmental social and governance (ESG) issues, including carbon footprints and workers' rights.

Zara-owner Inditex has already taken a step in this direction by reducing its dependence on Asian suppliers and sourcing more products closer home. Similarly, Italian brand Benetton is shifting to near-shoring to protect businesses from COVID-19 effects. Few brands managed to resist the pandemic impact on operations. Asos was able to increase its adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margin by 70 bps to 5.3 per cent during the year to August 31. It plans to maintain this growth over the next three-four years.

Having expanded operations in the United Kingdom, Asos sources the majority of its goods from China and India. The retailer is facing supply chain pressures resulting in longer lead times for imported goods and constrained supply from partner brands. However, it is building up third party brands and hopes for decent sales growth in the first half of this year, says Adam Crozier, Chairman.

For the first time in the year, US’ apparel imports rose to 8.07 billion in August ’21. As per an Apparel Resources report, the country recorded a 23 per cent Y-o-Y surge value-wise in apparel imports during the month. In volume terms, imports increased to 2,841.04 million SME of garments. The country stepped up orders to all suppliers in Asia, Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Caribbean region during the month.

US’ apparel orders to China increased 21.20 per cent during the month to. The country imported apparels worth $2.20 billion from China in August’21. Vietnam was the second largest exporter to the US with shipments growing by 21.80 per cent from August’20 to $1.51 billion. Shipments from Bangladesh grew marginally by 5.40 per cent to $626.26 million while those from Cambodia grew by a whopping 31.30 per cent to $349.50 million. India’s apparel exports to the US grew 31 per cent in August’21 to $334.69 million while Pakistan’s grew 53.80 per cent to$199.81 million. Sri Lanka’s exports saw grew only 0.50 per cent to $143.85 million during August ’21.

Kenya tops African exports

Kenya emerged the leading African exporter to the US with shipments growing 51.30 per cent year-on-year to $44.12 million. Shipments from Madagascar grew over 100 per cent to $23.72 million while those of Ethiopia grew by 34 per cent to $21.80 per cent. On the other hand, Lesotho could not grow its exports to the US and its shipments by 32 per cent to $23.45 million during the month.

With 101% increase, Turkey dominates Middle Eastern exports

The apparel exports of Middle East Countries to the US was dominated by Turkey which shipped $ 84.35 million worth of apparels and related products to US in August’ 21. Its shipments increased by 101 per cent year-on-year during the month. The second largest apparel exporter to the US was Egypt whose exports increased by 45.60 per cent to $93.21 million. On the other hand, shipments from Jordan grew marginally by 2.70 per cent to177.27 million.

Columbia, biggest Central American exporter

Exports from Latin America, Central America and Caribbean countries were dominated by Columbia whose shipments increased 69.30 per cent to $28.30 million in August ’21. Nicaragua emerged the second largest exporter with shipments surging 55.50 per cent to $199.55 million. The third spot was occupied by Haiti with shipments surging 53.50 per cent to $101.38 million. Honduras followed Haiti with 27.40 per cent rise in shipments to $251.28 million during the month. El Salvador was the smallest exporter US during the month with exports surging by just $15.80 per cent to $146.16 million.

Over 200 participants from the global cotton community took part in the International Cotton Association (ICA)’s first ever Hybrid Trade Event Liverpool 2021 held from October 07-08, 2021.

With the theme of Cotton Connected, the two-day programwas packed with hybrid sessions from a variety of industry leaders, connecting the 153 online and 72 in-person delegates.

Day One saw industry renowned Joe Nicosia (Louis Dreyfus Company) deliver a keynote addressing the Outlook on Cotton. It was followed by an ICA Update delivered by Bill Kingdon (ICA Managing Director) and a final keynote from Andrew Olah (Kingpins) on the future of the cotton industry and the most important strategic actions that need to take place.

Day Two included an all-female panel moderated by Kim Hanna (TransGlobal Inspections) which examined What does changing demand mean for cotton’s future? The final keynote of the event was delivered by Michael Zimmerman and Sameer Bajaj (Kearney), looking at the topical issue of Logistics Markets: Navigating the worst conditions in history.

For the first time, the trade event also showcased a series of Cotton Connected hybrid sessions which allowed for smaller, more interactive discussions. Topics included Arbitration, ICAspire, Women in Cotton, World Cotton Day and a number of regional sessions to address different markets.

The event concluded with a St George’s Soirée in the Concert Room of the magnificent St George’s Hall, where in-person delegates gathered for a sophisticated cocktail party with drinks and entertainment.

Kim Glass, President and CEO, The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) has emphasized on the importance of investing onshoring and nearshoring.

Glas said, years of offshoring production in a race to the bottom –exacerbated by predatory trade practices that have undermined many manufacturing industries--has led to a tipping point.

China’s virtually unlimited and unrealistic pricing power coupled with its subsidies and lack of enforceable environmental standards strips benefits and undermines policy objectives, and leaves the US industry in an untenable situation of overreliance on a foreign supply chain for critical products and raw materials. This needs to change, he added.

China needs to be made accountable for predatory trade practices that have offshored our industries and our jobs. The industry needs to onshore and nearshore more textile and apparel production chains out of Asia to the US and also to Western Hemisphere trade partners. This has a multitude of benefits to ensure more reliability in production and also has remarkable job benefits to US manufacturers and its allied trading partners who adhere to higher labor and environmental standards. Further, it will help address the migration crisis and grow better paying jobs.