Roland DGA Corporation has launched a new Texart RT-640M – an intelligent multi-function dye-sublimation printer that gives users the freedom to print directly onto coated polyester fabrics, or to sublimation transfer paper, using the same specially-formulated Texart SBL3 sublimation inks.

The innovative Texart RT-640M simplifies dye-sublimation production for soft-signage with its direct-to-textile print option while maintaining the versatility of printing to transfer paper for creating sublimated apparel, décor, rigid signage, and hard goods.

The RT-640M boasts of advanced features that maximise print quality, productivity and convenience. The media take-up incorporates adjustable front rollers for no-skew printing, as well as magnet weights for improved tensioning and performance. Its state-of-the-art 8-channel print heads deliver unmatched color and image results on a wide range of materials while optimizing ink coverage for lower operating costs.

The RT-640M also offers users the advantages of the Roland Bulk Ink Switching System, which features 1000 cc pouches and automatically switches to a back-up pouch for non-stop printing in 4-color configuration. Users will also appreciate the ink collection channel within the platen of the RT-640M, designed to facilitate direct printing onto mesh, flag, voile and other thin textiles.

As per the data released by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, India’s textile and clothing (T&C) exports in 2018 declined by 0.3 per cent to US$ 37158.04 million over the corresponding period and accounted for 11 percent share in the country’s total exports for 2018.

Cotton exports grew by 17.06 per cent to US$ 8141.50 million making it the top commodity in the T&C export segment. The export of woven apparels totaled to US$ 8131.48 million with a negative growth of 9.53 per cent in 2018 over the corresponding period. Exports to USA, the top export market for India totaled to US$ 2156.32 million while those to UAE deteriorated by 46.41 per cent to US$ 804.76 million over the corresponding period.

On average, woven apparels goods were traded at a price of US$ 1.69 per piece in 2018 over the corresponding period where the price was US$ 1.64/piece. In the woven apparel segment, men’s shirts made of cotton remained the most exported item from India.

Recently released apparel import data by OTEXA suggests that USA imported US $ 1,061.76 million worth of denim apparels during the Jan.-Apr. ’19 period. This was an increase of 6.82 per cent over the previous quarter.

Of all countries, Mexico exported $261.23 million worth of denim apparels to USA, registering an increase of 17.44 per cent from the previous quarter. China’s exports declined by l 2.29 per cent to US$ 222.77 million.

Vietnam too posted solid growth of 33.65 per cent to export US $ 83.43 million worth of denim apparels. The country surpassed Pakistan in the first four months of 2019 due to latter’s meagre growth of just 5.42 per cent. Pakistan’s sluggish growth could only make US $ 74.57 million from its denim apparel exports allowing Vietnam to overtake it.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, saw a rise of just 3.23 per cent and its export shipment valuation stood at US $ 130.48 million in the review period.

India is in the top ten markets for the Cotton Council International’s Cotton USA and the organisation expects Indian cotton imports from the US to continue to grow year-on-year.

The council aims at making US cotton the preferred textile fiber for global cotton products. As a part of its promotional work in India, the organisation works with over 35 licensee mills which buy US cotton. Cotton Council International has created an array of US cotton-rich apparel with the help of innovative technology.

CCI has promoted US cotton in 50 countries internationally for over 60 years. It counts India as one of its top ten markets and expects that the Indian market will continue to grow each year for the foreseeable future. As more and more clothing brands are valuing sustainable production methods in India, these environmental targets could help CCI secure more business in the country.

Cotton USA is dedicated to providing the entire supply chain with networking opportunities, ongoing education, and the latest research and technological innovations. This is a platform that not only promotes close collaboration between upstream manufacturers with fashion designers, but also showcases denim fashion that combines art, technology and innovation through the creativity of designers. Cotton USA launches US cotton-rich denim fashion collections at fashion weeks the world over.

Lakshmi Machine Works provides spinning technology to Indian textile mills.

The company is a leading textile machinery manufacturer and has brought out various innovative products during the year and worked towards its three pillars – automation, digitization and sustainability – with a greater focus on after sales and service. The after sales and parts and components business have grown significantly during the year. Exports to markets like Bangladesh, Kenya and Vietnam have doubled. Currently exports sales contribute to more than 40 per cent of the total revenue. The company has a strong presence in Bangladesh, Vietnam, Pakistan, Turkey, Indonesia, Iran, China and many African countries. In Kenya Lakshmi supplied a complete turnkey project.

Lakshmi has launched a slew of new products, including the new draw frame, higher capacity carding machines, longer ring frames, and new compact systems. The new Drawframe LDF3, Card LC636, Ringframe LR9/SX and the new Compact System SPINPACT have been well accepted in global markets. The company has expanded its product portfolio and will continue to do so in years to come. The new products will go a long way in taking the textile industry to the next level. The company has a strong focus on research and development.

For the first quarter Inditex’s net profit was up ten per cent.

The company’s net cash position increased by nine per cent. First quarter sales were up five per cent from last year. In-store and online sales showed a 9.5 per cent increase in local currencies between May 1 and June 7 – up from the 6.5 per cent in the previous corresponding period.

The clothing retailer’s record first-quarter sales and a rise in profits were helped by its push of stitching together its online and physical businesses. The retailer’s online business accounts for 12 per cent of its net sales. The figures demonstrate the solidarity of the company’s model, whose profitability and cash flow generation continues to grow owing to the group’s commitment to customer-driven quality fashion. Digital transformation of the integrated store and online sales platform and sustainability are key pillars of the company’s strategy.

Inditex owns the brands Zara, Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho and Uterque across its network of almost 7,500 physical shops. It also operates online in 49 markets. All of the group’s brands will adopt an integrated stock management system by 2020 in all the countries where there is a physical store presence.

Customers can mail-in used Patagonia clothing in exchange for purchase credit.

This is part of the brand’s program to cut down on the amount of clothing ending up in landfill. Eligible clothing must function perfectly and be in good condition - complete with garment tags and in working condition. Items can be mailed in using a prepaid label. In exchange for accepted apparel, customers will receive credit that can be used to purchase items at Patagonia retail stores and on the company’s website.

Patagonia launched the program in 2017, repairing, recycling and upcycling used clothing. Previously, customers were required to bring clothing to any Patagonia retail location to participate and receive a credit. The new mail-in trade option comes as part of Patagonia’s effort to make sustainable practices as accessible to its customers as possible.

Patagonia aims at reducing the environmental impact of its company and supply chain and supporting regenerative practices in ranching and agriculture and envisioning a new approach to business. The brand is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, defending clean water and air, and divesting from dirty technologies. Patagonia donates time, services and at least one per cent of its sales to grassroots environmental groups all over the world.

7 For All Mankind brand recently reappointed its former employee Suzanne Silverstein as its new president. In her new position, Silverstein will be based in New York and will be responsible for overseeing and leading the brand’s bicoastal teams.

A graduate from the Indiana University, Suzanne Silverstein was earlier employed with contemporary womens wear brand Parker, where she served as the president after quitting from her job as the Vice President for US wholesale market at 7 For All Mankind in 2014.

Prior to her time at 7 For All Mankind, she served as the CEO of Silverstein Consulting, having previously worked as SVP and consultant at Haute Look.

7 For All Mankind, which was acquired by Tel Aviv-based Delta Galil from VF Corp in 2016, has been reshaping its corporate and creative leadership teams since last year, when Macy’s alum Tim Baxter was announced as the brand’s new CEO.

The Lonati Group, a world leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of circular hosiery machines, has recently launched an innovative solution known as the K-Fabric Revolution Process.

This is a further development of the Lonati Group’s technology in circular knitting machines which transforms a circular fabric into a linear fabric, with clear advantages for the company’s customers in both fabric quality and cost-effective terms.

The K-Fabric Revolution Process meets the market requirements for increasingly shorter manufacturing times, by optimising the production chain – from design to manufacture, including prototyping and sampling – thus making it possible to create new potentially revolutionary materials that can exploit seamless production flexibility at all levels, including the high-end of the market.

The fabric produced using this new process ensures so-far unthinkable gauges and, more importantly, a natural bi-stretch effect without adding spandex or elastane, in addition to quick-and-easy creation of jacquard patterns of any size, complexity and placement. Last but not least, the K-Fabric Revolution Process makes it possible to obtain an easy mix of fibres and rapid manufacture of economically sustainable small batches of fabric that can be easily subcontracted.

The possibility of transforming circular fabric into linear fabric makes the K-Fabric Revolution Process a new production paradigm par excellence, in order to efficiently meet both the expected increase in production demand in the high-end market segment and also changes in the supply chain models and the search for new materials.

Denim brands Wranger and Gap plan to increase their sustainability efforts during denim production. Wrangler recently introduced a new denim range called Indigood which is dyed with a process that eliminates 99.99 percent of the water used during the manufacturing process. This technique also uses 60 percent less energy compared to conventional denim dyeing, per Wrangler. The remaining .01 percent of water is used to clean machinery and mix solutions.

Indigood products are featured in the Wrangler ICONS Collection of products that include jeans, shirts and jackets in shades called Good Day (light) and Good Night (dark).

Gap Inc. plans to obtain 100 percent of its cotton from more sustainable sources by 2025 by working with advocacy group the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and seeking cotton that is organic, recycled, and verified American- or Australian-grown.

The company noted that although cotton cultivation supports workers in many communities, much of the crop is grown in areas where people have difficulty accessing clean water due to pollution and droughts, and that a single pair of jeans uses an average of 1,600 gallons of water throughout its full life cycle, 64 percent of which is used to grow the cotton.

By sourcing sustainably-farmed and -sourced cotton, the company encourages farmers to use water efficiently through better irrigation practices.

Gap Inc. has a manufacturing goal to conserve a total of 10 billion liters of water by the end of 2020, equivalent the daily drinking water needed for 5 billion people.