The global garment industry is expected to expand by two-thirds by 2030 and be responsible for one-quarter of the global carbon footprint by 2050, up from two per cent in 2015. The fashion industry is recognized as the second-most polluting sector in the world after the oil industry. Luxury consumers are expressing a willingness to spend more for garments whose production doesn’t harm the environment or exploit workers.

Ethnic minorities hold just 11 per cent of board seats on the 15 largest publicly traded fashion companies. The case for making the fashion industry more inclusive is both moral and ethical and also makes business sense. The most technically and culturally diverse boards are significantly more likely to deliver higher profits and generate more sales.

While fast fashion industry is considered the main driver of rapid expansion in the textile industry, luxury industry can help raise standards that would put downward pressure on fast fashion. A rigorous best-practice program for garment factory inspectors still does not exist despite a global outcry after the 2013 collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh killing more than 1,300 garment workers. An Italian fashion chamber roundtable has called on investors in the industry to make sustainability part of their criteria.

A coalition of 190 global investors has urged the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) to negotiate with the government for the extension of the Accord in the country. The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), based in New York, sent a letter to BGMEA President Siddiqur Rahman, seeking his support so that the Accord can operate until the Remediation Coordination Council (RCC) takes over the charge of inspection and remediation of garment factories.

The ICCR is a coalition of shareholder advocates who view the management of their investments as a catalyst for social change and represents more than $3 trillion in assets under management, according to its website. Its 300 member organisations comprise faith communities, socially responsible asset managers, unions, pensions, NGOs and other socially responsible investors with combined assets of more than $400 billion.

The ICCR says investors are concerned that ending Accord’s work on Building and Fire Safety in Bangladesh would be too risky for the agency's signatory companies to continue to source from unsafe factories lacking a credible and effective regulatory system.

India is looking for an extension of the deadline US for withdrawal of export benefits to domestic exporters under Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) programme. Earlier this month, the US decided to go ahead with its decision to scrap the preferential trade benefit under GSP scheme after 60 days, which is expected to impact India's exports to the US worth $5.6 billion under this scheme. Although, the Indian government has said that the US government's move to withdraw duty concessions on certain products under the GSP programme will not have any significant impact on exports to America, small and medium exporters have flagged concerns.

India exported goods worth $5.6 billion under GSP last year, but India's total GSP benefits were to the tune of only $190 million. GSP benefits are envisaged as non-reciprocal and non-discriminatory to be extended by developed countries to developing economies. US President Donald Trump intends to end the preferential trade status granted to India and Turkey, asserting that New Delhi has failed to assure America of "equitable and reasonable" access to its markets, an announcement that could be seen as a major setback to bilateral trade ties.. As many as 3,700 products get GSP benefits but India exports only 1,900 items such as chemicals and engineering under that concession, which was introduced in 1976 by the US.

Climate resistance, odor control, UV protection, moisture management, and many additional benefits are available in today’s smart textiles that are engineered to work hard and look beautiful all day. Demand is growing for performance clothing that seamlessly crosses over from the gym to the street. Designers must rely on high-performance materials to contribute the majority of functional benefits that consumers require. Consumers want to know that the clothing they buy is made with consideration for the planet and that it does no harm during or at the end of its useful life.

To date, the vast majority of performance fabrics have been made from synthetic materials. While synthetics deliver outstanding technical benefits, consumers are starting to question some of the environmental aspects, including the raw material sources and potential microplastic pollution from use, care and disposal. Natural fibers like cotton, hemp, linen and wool are loved for their connection to the earth, but many of the performance features in demand today must be instilled into the fabrics with chemical treatments.

Botanic fibers like Tencel branded lyocell bridge the gap, combining high-performance benefits and natural origins along with an environmentally responsible profile from beginning to the end of its life cycle.

Leading global online fashion retailer, ASOS, is asking third-party brands to pledge to tackle modern slavery. The UK business has confirmed brands including Dr Martens, New Look and River Island have signed a pledge which includes mapping and assessing modern slavery risks, working with others to develop tools and resources to raise awareness of risks and training relevant employees about modern slavery risks within their businesses and supply chains.

ASOS has also released its annual Modern Slavery Statement in line with UK legislation. ASOS’ Modern Slavery Statement and the commitments contained within form a key component of ASOS’ Ethical Trade Strategy, which has been set up to help the brand tackle human rights impacts in its global supply chain and empower workers to realise and understand their fundamental rights. A key component of the strategy is an ambition to drive a systemic shift in the way ASOS Design and ASOS third-party brands approach ethical trade and sustainability.

"A new report titled, “Activewear Market by Product and Fabric: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2024,” by Allied Market Research reveals, the global activewear market, currently valued at $351,164 million in 2017, is expected to reach $546,802 million by 2024."

A new report titled, “Activewear Market by Product and Fabric: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2024,” by Allied Market Research reveals, the global activewear market, currently valued at $351,164 million in 2017, is expected to reach $546,802 million by 2024.

Growth in demand has led to several innovations in the segment, especially in fabrics. Brands are using fabrics with innovative features such as moisture wicking properties and an ability to protect against UV radiation besides offering freedom of movement. Some of these innovative fabrics driving the athleisure market include:

Fabrics for inner lining

The first innovative fabric to be introduced includes the Knitted 3-Layer High Pile. This fabric can either be used as an inner lining or as a decorative accent on the outer face. The knitted 3-layer high pile keeps pile fibers firmly in place without spending extra time and effort on lamination. This simplifies the production process besides lightening the fabric, making it ideal for athleisure applications. This helps manufacturers save time and money, without sacrificing quality. Also, each of these layers can use a different material type — for example, a soft cotton lining and a UV protective fabric shell — optimizing function and comfort for outdoor sport enthusiasts.

Fabrics to add support

Sculpted spacer fabrics add the required padding and support to women sports bras, vests, and tank tops that are being increasingly accepted not just for athletic activity, but also for daily wear. The spacer fabric technology helps manufacturers knit in correspondence to the natural size and shape of women’s bodies, enhancing comfort with form-fitting support. Rather than attaching padding after the sports bra is sewn, the sculpted spacer is sewn all at once, eliminating several steps of the production process.

Providing the required elasticity and compression

Quadro Stretch, the latest version of the 4-way stretch fabrics, provides variant elasticity and compression to prepare muscles before exercise and release tension during and after exercise. By changing the proportion of spandex, brands can adjust elasticity according to individual consumer demands.

Maintaining dryness and warmth

Spacer Jacquard fabrics provide all the functionalities to an athlete. They maintain dryness, warmth and protect them from various elements. Furthermore, these fabrics prevent impact-related injuries such as broken or fractured bones.

A lightweight fabric that cuts processing time

Swiss Fleece has a double-layer structure — soft-napped on the inside with jacquard pattern on the outside — that can be woven simultaneously, cutting the time and cost of processing, and keeping the fabric lightweight. It works best when worn over a moisture-wicking base layer material like merino wool, and under a waterproof and/or windproof shell. It is a highly breathable fabric.

Retaining color, pattern durability

Unlike printed fabrics, that peel off and fade over time, the intarsia fabrics retain their vibrant colors and patterns for much longer, since the design is knit into the fabric itself rather than just pasted on the top. As brands are looking for new ways to embed their logos into athletic gear — and designers remain on the lookout for techniques that can create a unique look — intarsia is likely to make a big impact in the 2019 athleisure market.

"A global apparel textile flagship event, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics-Spring edition witnessed a 15 per cent increase in visitors this year. The event welcomed around 94,661 visitors from over 110 countries & regions. Held over six halls at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai, Intertextile Apparel Fabrics-Spring edition noted a 12 per cent increase in overseas exhibitors."

A global apparel textile flagship event, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics-Spring edition witnessed a 15 per cent increase in visitors this year. The event welcomed around 94,661 visitors from over 110 countries & regions. Held over six halls at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai, Intertextile Apparel Fabrics-Spring edition noted a 12 per cent increase in overseas exhibitors. The event was co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK); the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Centre. The top 10 visitor countries & regions to the event this year included Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, India, the US, Taiwan, Russia, Italy, Vietnam and Spain.

Special pavilions, zones receives positive response

The Milano Unica Pavilion registered 20 per cent increase in visitors compared to the 2018 Spring edition. It also reported a satisfactory presence of buyers from China, Asia, South Korea, Japan, India, Russia and Saudi Arabia. Besides offering an access to the global textile market, the fair also provided an industry insight into the fringe programme, which included three panel discussions and 25 seminars.

Milano Unica booth also noted the presence of many established brands. Tessitura Monti from Italy was one of them exhibiting at Intertextile for the last 20 years. “The event is an important bridge between Western and European products and the China market. It enables the Chinese buyers to source products that are not available in their local market. At the same time, it helps to expand our brand exposure in the Chinese market, says Nadia Schincardi, Export Manager of the company.

Known for offering high quality at affordable prices, Swiss company, Glarotex AG received overwhelming response to its booth in the SalonEurope Pavilion. “Though our target was Chinese buyers, even the European and Korean buyers visited our booth,” says Irina De Giorgi, Sales Manager, Ideas by Glarotex AG, Switzerland. The company plans to have a bigger booth in the next edition of the event.

Chinese exhibitor Beijing Vitality Textiles Co met around 150 good quality visitors at the Premium Wool Zone. “It’s already the most important trade show in menswear in China. It is a must-see global trade show,” observed Ning Zhang, President, Beijing Vitality Textiles Co (Stylbiella), China

The Verve for Design pavilion aimed at satisfy Chinese demand for original prints was a success as well. “This is a big event on the calendar for lots of our existing customers, so we can meet them here each year,” explained Jane Han Zhang, Creative Director, Fairbairn & Wolf Studio, UK / China a premium exhibitor at the Verve for Design pavilion

Thumbs up from buyers

Buyers at the Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics were impressed with the quality of the exhibitors and the high level of quality and certified fabrics here, at the event. “The event stocked sustainable alternative fabrics such as Tencel, Modal, organic cotton, BCI,” noted Marina Silveira, Senior Jersey Designer, hush, UK. “We always find new suppliers here besides our existing ones. It’s very easy to source here as the suppliers are flexible even for small orders,” added Xavier Planas, Ravial S.A., Spain. Agreeing to this view Munna, Sales Manager, GYF Trading Company added “Intertextile always houses a wide variety of new and interesting products. Buyers can find whatever they need here. It is an outstanding platform for sourcing.”

Trident the flagship company of Trident Group, one of the largest vertically integrated home textile (yarn, bath & bed linen) manufacturer, has been granted a patent for "Environment Friendly Fabric and its method of manufacturing" by United States Patent & Trademark Office.

The present invention enables Trident to manufacture fabric for bed and bath products without the using chemically harmful fibers besides allowing the fabric to be absorbent, easy to dry and highly breathable. This patent lauds the company’s focus on the quality of its innovations.

The Indonesian textile industry is seeking government’s protection from high growth of imports as the sector could not compete in both domestic and international markets. According to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), export growth in the textile industry has been just 3 per cent annually over the last 10 years, while import growth was 20 percent annually in the same period.

To deal with the issue, Indonesia needs to introduce a law on cloth sovereignty to help the domestic textile industry to develop adding that the law would not only regulate imports, but also offer incentives to support the development of the national textile industry.

As per Indonesian Filament and Fiber Producers Association (APSyFI) secretary-general Redma Gita Wirawasta, the upcoming Idul Fitri celebration should be used as an opportunity by the government to protect local textile products from the storm of imported products.

Mass market retailer Target will ensure no ancient or endangered forest fiber are found in its viscose textile supply chain by 2020. Target will closely work with its vendors, suppliers as well as other partners in order to understand the origin of viscose and other raw materials it uses and to improve the sustainability of forests where the timber in those products is grown.

Viscose production doubled between 2013 and 2020 and pulp production for packaging is expected to increase more than 100 per cent by 2030 from 2.3 billion trees per year to five billion trees. By using cellulosic materials that have been responsibly sourced, feedstock for future viscose production can be improved. Next generation solutions, such as fabrics that use recycled textile and alternative fibers, can reduce the pressure on forests.

Target is an upscale discount retailer that provides high quality, on-trend merchandise at attractive prices. It has 1,816 stores in the United States. Target also plans to source 100 per cent sustainable cotton by 2022 for use in its owned and exclusive national brands in apparel and home ware. The first step will be partnering with its vendors to map the supply chain for each product containing cotton.